Robots to Spy On Black Holes
Astronomers wanting more accurate measurements of distant black holes have some new assistants — robots that can tackle the tedious task of monitoring black hole neighbor clouds’ glow. The technique, known as reverberation mapping, has been in astronomers’ toolkits for decades, but it required much labor and telescope time. PHOTOS: Chandra’s X-Ray Supernova Remnant Stunners […]
No Laser Signals Detected from 'Alien Megastructure' Star
Artist’s illustration showing a shattered comet passing in front of a star — perhaps the leading explanation at the moment for the strange dimming observed in the KIC 8462852 system.Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech It’s looking less and less likely that a faraway star’s strange dimming was caused by some kind of “alien megastructure.” Observations by NASA’s Kepler space […]
Success! Japanese Spacecraft Arrives at Venus 5 Years After 1st Try
Venus as captured by the Akatsuki spacecraft’s Ultraviolet Imager instrument on Dec. 6, 2015, from a distance of about 44,700 miles (72,000 kilometers).Credit: JAXA A Japanese Venus probe took advantage of its long-awaited second chance. Japan’s Akatsuki spacecraft has arrived in orbit around Venus , five years after an engine failure scuttled its first attempt, […]
Japan at Venus: Photos from the Akatsuki Spacecraft's Mission
The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Akatsuki spacecraft arrived in orbit around the planet Venus in December 2015, five years after missing the planet on its first try. Now, the science mission begins in earnest. Read the full story here . See photos from JAXA’s Akatsuki mission in our gallery here. Shown here: An artist’s view […]
Mystery Solved? Ceres' Bright Spots Likely Made of Salt
The mysterious bright spots on the dwarf planet Ceres may be composed of the same basic stuff that makes a foot bath feel so good, a new study reports. Observations made by NASA’s Dawn spacecraft, which has been orbiting the dwarf planet since March, suggest that Ceres’ many bright spots could be made primarily of […]
What Are Dwarf Planet Ceres' Bright Spots? Data Animation
Spectral measurements by NASA’s Dawn spacecraft reveals that the 130+ bright spots on Ceres are likely composed of hydrated magnesium sulphate, but researchers state that “other compositions are also possible.” The attention-grabbing ‘Occator Crater’ is composed of salts mixed with other silicate materials. (Full Story) Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA/mash mix: Space.com To source
Meet 'Cosmic Girl': Virgin Galactic's New Satellite-Launching Jet (Video)
Virgin Galactic will launch small satellites to space beneath the belly of a Boeing 747 jet nicknamed “Cosmic Girl,” company representatives have announced. Cosmic Girl is no stranger to the Virgin family, coming to Virgin Galactic from its sister company Virgin Atlantic. The jet will now be modified to accommodate a satellite-launching rocket called LauncherOne, […]
Venus From the International Space Station
On Dec. 5, 2015, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kimiya Yui captured this image from the International Space Station of the planet Venus. Part of the station’s Kibo laboratory is visible at the top of the frame. At the time this photograph was taken, Japan’s Akatsuki spacecraft, a Venus climate orbiter, was nearing the […]
Venus From the International Space Station
On Dec. 5, 2015, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kimiya Yui captured this image from the International Space Station of the planet Venus. Part of the station’s Kibo laboratory is visible at the top of the frame. At the time this photograph was taken, Japan’s Akatsuki spacecraft, a Venus climate orbiter, was nearing the […]
Mysterious Galactic Crash Remnants Glow In New Views (Video)
The aftermath of an old galactic collision, which formed a very unusual dwarf galaxy, shines brightly in new images from the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile. More than 360 million years ago, the galaxy NGC 5291 got a rude wake-up call when another galaxy plowed right into its center. The smashup threw […]
Ancient Cosmic Crash Site Hints At How Galaxies Formed | Video
360 million years ago a galactic smash-up led to the creation of the ringed elliptical galaxy NGC 5291 and many satellite dwarfs. One of these, NGC 5291N, seems like a throwback to the Universe’s early years. Also on display in this Very Large Telescope image: the Seashell Galaxy (MCG-05-33-005), currently interacting with NGC 5291. (Full […]
Orbital ATK's Private Cygnus Supply Ship Arrives at Space Station
An unmanned Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft is seen at the International Space Station on Dec. 9, 2015 just before it is captured by the station’s robotic arm. The spacecraft is carrying nearly 4 tons of supplies for the station’s crew.Credit: NASA TV An unmanned Orbital ATK cargo ship filled with tons of vital supplies for […]
Signed and sealed
ESA and Airbus Defence & Space celebrate the industrial contract for building the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, Juice To source