Astronomers have captured the highest-resolution gamma-ray image ever taken, revealing the Vela Pulsar in unprecedented detail using a new telescope designed for gamma rays. The breakthrough image, 40 times better than the previous best, was achieved by stacking photographic film to trace gamma rays with high precision and lifting it to an altitude of 35 to 45 kilometers using a balloon telescope. This new approach has the potential to revolutionize gamma-ray observations and contribute to multi-messenger astronomy, opening up new possibilities for studying the most energetic events in the universe.
NASA is set to launch the GUSTO experiment, which involves a balloon telescope floating over Antarctica to gather data and create a 3D map of a portion of the Milky Way Galaxy. The telescope will study the interstellar medium, looking for signals of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen to understand how stars and planets form. The mission will also reveal the 3D structure of the Large Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy near the Milky Way. GUSTO is part of NASA's Explorers Program, which aims to provide flight opportunities for scientific investigations in space.
Scientists used Raspberry Pi computers to secure data from NASA's Super Pressure Balloon Imaging Telescope (SuperBIT) after communication links failed and the telescope was destroyed during landing. The Raspberry Pi-powered Data Recovery System (DRS) capsules, equipped with solid-state storage, parachutes, and transceivers, successfully transmitted and recovered intact data. The cost-effective solution ensures the preservation of valuable scientific data in case of unforeseen events and is recommended for future balloon missions. The open-source design and software are freely available for further development at NASA.
