One thing we’ve learned in recent decades is that exoplanets are surprisingly common. So far, we’ve confirmed nearly 6,000 planets, and we have evidence for thousands more. Most of these planets were discovered using the transit method. though we there are other methods as well. Many stars are known to have multiple planets, such as the TRAPPIST-1 system with seven Earth-sized worlds. But even within known planetary systems there could be planets we’ve overlooked. Perhaps their orbit doesn’t pass in front of the star from our vantage point, or the evidence of their presence is buried in data noise. How might we find them? A recent paper on the arXiv has an interesting approach.
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Newfound dead star spins record-breaking 716 times a second, explodes with thermonuclear blasts
The neutron star 4U 1820-30 is one of the fastest spinning bodies in the universe, spinning at 716 times a second and erupting like an atomic bomb, NASA's NICER telescope has found.
'Vega continues to be unusual:' Lack of planets around young star puzzles astronomers
A joint Hubble and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) project to learn more about the dusty disk around the bright star Vega has found a surprising lack of planets.
As it happened: SpaceX’s Cargo Dragon docks with the International Space Station
Watch the @SpaceX #Dragon cargo spacecraft approach the station and dock at 9:55am ET today to deliver over 6,000 pounds of science, supplies, and hardware to the Exp 72 crew live on @NASA+ now. https://t.co/z5EioO2GTf
Hubble and Webb are the Dream Team. Don't Break Them Up
Many people think of the James Webb Space Telescope as a sort of Hubble 2. They understand that the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) has served us well but is now old, and overdue for replacement. NASA seems to agree, as they have not sent a maintenance mission in over fifteen years, and are already preparing to wind down operations. But a recent paper argues that this is a mistake. Despite its age, HST still performs extremely well and continues to produce an avalanche of valuable scientific results. And given that JWST was never designed as a replacement for HST — it is an infrared (IR) telescope) — we would best be served by operating both telescopes in tandem, to maximize coverage of all observations.
Moon waves goodbye to Hera
Image: Moon waves goodbye to Hera
Watch 31st SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule arrive at the ISS today
Dragon is scheduled to arrive at 10:15 a.m. EST.
Scientists Have Figured out why Martian Soil is so Crusty
On November 26th, 2018, NASA’s Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy, and Heat Transport (InSight) mission landed on Mars. This was a major milestone in Mars exploration since it was the first time a research station had been deployed to the surface to probe the planet’s interior. One of the most important instruments InSight would use to do this was the Heat Flow and Physical Properties Package (HP3) developed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Also known as the Martian Mole, this instrument measured the heat flow from deep inside the planet for four years.
India delays its 1st-ever Gaganyaan astronaut launch to 2026
India plans to launch astronauts to Earth orbit no sooner than 2026, roughly a year past the previously known timeline, following a series of uncrewed flight tests slated to begin in December.
Space Force's mysterious X-37B begins 'aerobraking' to lower orbit. Here's how it works (video)
In a rare show of openness about the X-37B, Boeing Space released a video detailing how the space plane's aerobraking maneuvers help change the spacecraft's orbit.
Live coverage: NASA, SpaceX to launch Falcon 9 rocket on cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the company’s Dragon spacecraft atop, stands in a vertical position at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in preparation for the 31st commercial resupply services launch to the International Space Station. Image: SpaceX
SpaceX is preparing to launch its 31st resupply mission to the International Space Station on Monday night, weather permitting.
How do you vote from space? NASA astronauts cast 2024 election ballots from ISS
There are four Americans currently living in space, and each has had the opportunity to add their voice to the more than 160 million other Americans able to participate in the 2024 Presidential election.
NASA's 15-year-old NEOWISE asteroid hunter meets fiery doom by burning up in Earth's atmosphere
Microgravity makes water do weird and wonderful things. NASA astronaut Don Pettit took advantage of that fact to create a colorful ball that resembles Jupiter.
Another Way to Extract Energy From Black Holes?
The gravitational field of a rotating black hole is powerful and strange. It is so powerful that it warps space and time back upon itself, and it is so strange that even simple concepts such as motion and rotation are turned on their heads. Understanding how these concepts play out is challenging, but they help astronomers understand how black holes generate such tremendous energy. Take, for example, the concept of frame dragging.
'Star Wars: Legacy of Vader' follows Kylo Ren between 'The Last Jedi' and 'Rise of Skywalker'
What was Kylo Ren up to between "The Last Jedi" and "The Rise of Skywalker?" Marvel's new comic book series has the answers.
Jupiter's moons hide giant subsurface oceans − Europa Clipper is one of 2 missions on their way to see if these moons could support life
Jupiter has dozens of moons. Four of them in particular are of interest to planetary scientists.
Don't miss the Taurid meteor shower peak with colorful fireballs and shooting stars this week
Don't miss the Taurid meteor shower peak with colorful fireballs and shooting stars this week
'Alien vs. Predator' 20 years later: What went right and what went wrong?
With both Alien and Predator back in action, here's what we can learn from their first big-screen crossover two decades ago.
Boost for Mars life? Red Planet's magnetic field may have lasted longer than thought
Mars' global magnetic field may have hung around for 200 million years longer than scientists had thought, possibly giving life a longer window to take hold on the Red Planet.
SpaceX scrubs Starlink satellite launch due to apparent rocket helium leak
SpaceX scrubbed a planned launch of 23 Starlink satellites on Sunday (Nov. 3) due to a helium issue in the first stage of the company's Falcon 9 rocket.
Watch SpaceX launch 3 tons of cargo to ISS today
Liftoff is scheduled for 9:29 p.m. ET today (Nov. 4).
