Image: A crowded field of galaxies throngs this Picture of the Month from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, along with bright stars crowned with Webb’s signature six-pointed diffraction spikes.
Space News & Blog Articles
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Soon We’ll Detect Extreme Objects Producing Gravitational Waves Continuously
The cosmic zoo contains objects so bizarre and extreme that they generate gravitational waves. Scorpius X-1 is part of that strange collection. It’s actually a binary pair: a neutron star orbiting with a low-mass stellar companion called V818 Scorpii. The pair provides a prime target for scientists hunting for so-called “continuous” gravitational waves. Those waves should exist, although none have been detected—yet.
The Outer Solar System Supplied a Surprising Amount of Earth’s Water
In a recent study published in Science, a team of researchers at Imperial College London examined 18 meteorites containing the volatile element zinc to help determine their origin, as it has been long hypothesized that Earth’s volatiles materials, including water, were derived from asteroids closer to our home planet. However, their results potentially indicate a much different origin story.
Scientists Examine Geological Processes of Monad Regio on Neptune’s Largest Moon, Triton
In a recent study submitted to the journal Icarus, a team of researchers at the International Research School of Planetary Science (IRSPS) located at the D’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara in Italy conducted a geological analysis of a region on Neptune’s largest moon, Triton, known as Monad Regio to ascertain the geological processes responsible for shaping its surface during its history, and possibly today. These include what are known as endogenic and exogenic processes, which constitute geologic processes occurring internally (endo-) and externally (exo-) on a celestial body. So, what new insights into planetary geologic processes can we learn from this examination of Monad Regio?
Astronomers are Working on a 3D map of Cosmic Dawn
The frontiers of astronomy are being pushed regularly these days thanks to next-generation telescopes and scientific collaborations. Even so, astronomers are still waiting to peel back the veil of the cosmic “Dark Ages,” which lasted from roughly 370,000 to 1 billion years after the Big Bang, where the Universe was shrouded with light-obscuring neutral hydrogen. The first stars and galaxies formed during this same period (ca. 100 to 500 million years), slowly dispelling the “darkness.” This period is known as the Epoch of Reionization, or as many astronomers call it: Cosmic Dawn.
Lego fan renders Vulcan Centaur ahead of ULA rocket's debut flight
A Lego fan rendered ULA's Vulcan Centaur rocket in brick form to celebrate its expected debut launch in the first quarter of 2023.
Watch a green comet make its first Earth approach in 50,000 years with this free webcast
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is making its closest approach to Earth, and you can watch it pass by without even stepping outside, thanks to a free livestream.
The universe is slightly hotter than it should be. 'Dark photons' could be to blame.
Intergalactic gas clouds are slightly hotter than they should be, new research claims, and theoretical particles called 'dark photons' could explain it.
Future Space Telescopes Could be 100 Meters Across, Constructed in Space, and Then Bent Into a Precise Shape
It is an exciting time for astronomers and cosmologists. Since the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers have been treated to the most vivid and detailed images of the Universe ever taken. Webb‘s powerful infrared imagers, spectrometers, and coronographs will allow for even more in the near future, including everything from surveys of the early Universe to direct imaging studies of exoplanets. Moreover, several next-generation telescopes will become operational in the coming years with 30-meter (~98.5 feet) primary mirrors, adaptive optics, spectrometers, and coronographs.
Cubesat that launched on SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will test water-based propulsion
A Japanese propulsion company developing water-based thrusters is set to test its system on a Sony nanosatellite launched earlier in January.
Green comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will be closest to Earth on Feb. 1. Here's how to see it.
C/2022 E3 (ZTF) hasn't been this close to Earth in 50,000 years since the last Ice Age and prior to the extinction of the Neanderthals.
NASA has Simulated a Tiny Part of the Moon Here on Earth
Before going to the Moon, the Apollo astronauts trained at various sites on Earth that best approximated the lunar surface, such as the volcanic regions Iceland, Hawaii and the US Southwest. To help prepare for upcoming robotic and human Artemis missions, a newly upgraded “mini-Moon” lunar testbed will allow astronauts and robots to test out realistic conditions on the Moon including rough terrain and unusual sunlight.
Perseverance Mars rover stashes 10th sample, completing Red Planet depot
NASA's Perseverance Mars rover just dropped its 10th sample tube, completing a backup depot of material for future return to Earth.
'Star Trek: Picard' Season 3 trailer offers an emotional farewell to 'The Next Generation'
'Star Trek: Picard' full trailer offers an exciting glimpse into the third and final season of the nostalgia-filled series that brings back the cast of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation.'
NASA Artemis 2 moon-bound astronaut rumors name American, Canadian candidates: report
While two names are cited repeatedly as top candidates for Artemis 2, a four-person moon mission, no official confirmation will come until at least late spring.
We've spotted 50% off the Bushnell H20 10x42 binoculars
Save $65 on the Bushnell H20 10x42 binoculars: an excellent pair of binoculars from a top manufacturer are now half price.
Astronomers Prepare to Launch LuSEE Night, A Test Observatory on the Far Side of the Moon
Astronomers have not yet been able to map large portions of the radio emissions from our universe because of interference from the Earth itself. A team of astronomers hopes to change that, beginning with the LuSEE Night mission to the far side of the Moon. It will launch in 2025 and chart a new pathway to Lunar observatories.
Polaris Dawn: The trailblazing commercial mission of the Polaris Program
Polaris Dawn is the first of three missions of the Polaris Program. The mission will fly on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and be commanded by Jared Isaacman.
NASA renames space observatory in honor of moon telescope visionary George Carruthers
A forthcoming telescope that will observe Earth from space has been renamed in honor of George R. Carruthers, a visionary scientist who designed and built a telescope placed on the moon.
No, the Big Bang theory is not 'broken.' Here's how we know.
Researchers confirmed that the distant galaxies discovered by the James Webb Space Telescope are, indeed, perfectly compatible with our modern understanding of cosmology.
The Comet Interceptor probe could visit a stunning object like the green C/2022 E3 (ZTF)
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is tantalizing to spot through a telescope, but what would it look like up close?
