space-and-astronomy1.98 min read
NASA to Address Hubble Telescope Issues in Rare Press Conference
1 year ago•Source: IFLScience
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5.71 min•1 year ago
First Detection of Massive Magnetic Stars Beyond the Milky Way
For the first time, astronomers have detected magnetic fields in massive stars outside the Milky Way, specifically in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. This discovery offers a unique opportunity to study star formation and evolution in environments similar to the early universe, as these stars are metal-poor like the first stars. Using the FORS2 instrument on the Very Large Telescope, researchers successfully measured magnetic fields in several massive stars, suggesting that low metallicity has little impact on magnetic field strength in these stars. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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"Upcoming Stellar Event Mirrors Medieval Manuscript Record"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by IFLScience
A nova explosion of the binary star system T Coronae Borealis, first potentially recorded in 1217, is expected to occur soon. This rare event, caused by a thermonuclear reaction on a white dwarf star, happens approximately every 80 years. Historical observations in 1866 and 1946, along with a recent pre-eruption dip, suggest the next eruption could happen between now and September 2024.
"NASA Observes 'Death Star' Black Holes Targeting Multiple Objects"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Space.com
Astronomers have observed supermassive black holes changing the direction of their powerful particle jets, akin to the Death Star in Star Wars. Using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Very Long Baseline Array, scientists found that these jets can reorient by up to 90 degrees over millions of years, potentially impacting star formation in galaxies. The research, published in The Astrophysical Journal, suggests that material falling into black holes at different angles may cause these shifts.
"Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS to Outshine Stars in 2024"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by IFLScience
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) is expected to become visible to the naked eye by late summer or early autumn, potentially reaching a brightness comparable to Venus. It will make its closest approach to the Sun on September 27 and to Earth on October 12, offering a spectacular view if it brightens as predicted.
"Unveiling the Impact of Solar Eclipses on Space Exploration"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Forbes
A British satellite orbiting Earth has captured stunning 4K images and videos of the total solar eclipse on April 8, showcasing the moon's shadow and the sun's corona. Sen's ETV-A1 satellite, in low-Earth orbit, plans to provide live-streaming views of Earth from the International Space Station with its 4K camera, and is expected to launch more satellites in the future. The next total solar eclipse is set for August 12, 2026, in Europe.
"Delta 4 Heavy: A Farewell to an Era in Spaceflight"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Spaceflight Now
The Delta family of rockets is concluding its 60-year legacy, while a new spacecraft from a legacy space company prepares for its astronaut debut. Millions are still enjoying the recent total solar eclipse, and a new military weather satellite is set to enter service. The hour-long live show "News from the Press Site" will feature discussions on these topics, including the eclipse and the final Delta 4 Heavy launch.
"Mysterious Sightings: Unraveling the Enigma of Strange Objects in the Sky"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Livescience.com
Striking photos captured by photographer Jeremy Perez show a perfectly-spaced dashed line of light in the night sky above Arizona, created by a dying SpaceX rocket's deorbit burn. The rocket was part of the company's rapidly increasing launch schedule, with multiple recent launches and plans for more in the near future. The photos, a result of clever photo trickery, also reveal a second fainter line representing light from the satellites deployed by the rocket. However, concerns are raised about the environmental impact of the increasing number of SpaceX launches, including metal pollution from failed satellites burning up in the upper atmosphere.
"SpaceX Rocket Photobombs Moon in Award-Winning Shot"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Livescience.com
Photographer Pascal Fouquet captured an award-winning shot of a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket transiting the full moon during the launch of USSF-52, winning the United States' National Award for the Sony World Photography Awards 2024. Fouquet's skillful capture, taken with a Nikon D850, required precise timing and exposure to highlight the moon while the rocket passed in front of it. The photo was taken during the launch of the United States Space Force X-37B spaceplane, marking the spacecraft's seventh mission.
"Stunning Photo: SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket Photobombs the Moon"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Space.com
Photographer Pascal Fouquet captured an award-winning photo of a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket transiting the full moon during the launch of the USSF-52 mission, earning first place in the United States' National Award for the Sony World Photography Awards 2024. Fouquet's skillful shot, taken with a Nikon D850, required precise timing and exposure settings to capture the rocket passing in front of the moon. The photo was taken just before the new year when SpaceX launched the United States Space Force X-37B spaceplane from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The winning image can be viewed on the World Photography Organization's website.
"Solar Storm Triggers Radio Blackout and Intense Flare Eruption"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Livescience.com
A powerful X1.1 solar flare erupted from the sun, causing a deep shortwave radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean and triggering concerns about a potential geomagnetic storm. The flare, accompanied by a coronal mass ejection, was detected by NOAA satellites and comes after a recent "double" X-class flare. Scientists speculate that the sun may have entered its peak activity phase earlier than expected, as seven X-class flares have already occurred in 2024.
"Carl Sagan's Final Message to Future Martians"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by IFLScience
Shortly before his death, Carl Sagan, a prominent astronomer and science communicator, recorded a message for future astronauts who would set foot on Mars, expressing his support for the exploration of the Red Planet and the potential reasons for human presence there. The recording, sent to Mars by The Planetary Society, arrived on the planet in 2008 and remains on the surface on an archival silica-glass mini-DVD, serving as a lasting tribute to Sagan's advocacy for space exploration.