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Celestial Bodies

All articles tagged with #celestial bodies

science4 months ago

Scientists Describe the Actual Smell of Space

Space has no air to carry smells, but astronauts report metallic or acrid odors after spacewalks, likely from reactions involving atomic oxygen and cabin materials. Scientists study space smells to understand planetary chemistry, with examples including the sulfurous scent of Mars, the petroleum-like aroma of Titan's hydrocarbons, and the complex, faint odors of comets and the galaxy's center, revealing insights into the universe's composition and history.

via bgr.com|
#astrochemistry#astronauts#celestial-bodies
astronomy1 year ago

"10 Breathtaking Space Images from NASA's Telescopes"

NASA has shared ten stunning images of space, including the Pillars of Creation, Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, the Andromeda Galaxy, Saturn’s rings, supernova remnants, the Crab Nebula, the Sombrero Galaxy, the Butterfly Nebula, the Cat’s Eye Nebula, and the mysterious galaxy NGC 3344, captured by various spacecraft and telescopes, showcasing the beauty and complexity of celestial bodies and phenomena in the universe.

via The Times of India|
#astronomy#celestial-bodies#hubble-space-telescope
astronomy1 year ago

"The Mystery of Non-Circular Orbits"

Not all celestial bodies orbit in perfect circles; orbits can take on various shapes due to the interplay of momentum and gravity. While planets and moons generally follow elliptical paths, comets and asteroids can have more complex trajectories, influenced by the gravitational pull of nearby objects. The dynamics of orbits can lead to phenomena such as quasi-satellites, where bodies are pulled into warped oval trajectories or even horseshoe-shaped orbits. These unusual orbits are unstable, but some, like the recently discovered quasi-satellite Kamo'oalewa, can persist for centuries despite the dynamic forces at work in space.

via Livescience.com|
#astronomy#celestial-bodies#gravity
astronomy1 year ago

"The Longest Recorded Solar Eclipse in History: A Historical Timeline"

The longest recorded solar eclipse in history occurred on June 20, 1955, lasting 7 minutes and 8 seconds, visible from Sri Lanka and parts of Southeast Asia. The longest eclipse in the future is predicted to be in 2186 at 7 minutes and 29 seconds. Factors affecting eclipse length include the orbits of the Earth and Moon, Earth's distance from the Sun, and the Moon's proximity to Earth. The upcoming North American eclipse is expected to have a maximum totality of 4 minutes 28 seconds in Mexico, longer than the 2017 eclipse.

via IFLScience|
#astronomy#celestial-bodies#earth-and-moon-orbits
astronomy1 year ago

"Unexplained Objects: New Moons Found Orbiting Neptune and Uranus"

Scientists have discovered three new moons circling Neptune and Uranus using a special imaging technique, marking the first new moon found around Uranus in 20 years. The two moons around Neptune, named S/2002 N5 and S/2021 N1, were first spotted in 2021 but only recently confirmed. The new Uranian moon, S/2023 U1, was discovered using the Magellan telescope. These findings are expected to provide insights into the history of our Solar System.

via GB News|
#astronomy#celestial-bodies#moons
astronomy1 year ago

"Unveiling Zoozve: Venus' Quasi-Moon and Its Peculiar Name"

The Small Bodies Nomenclature Working Group (WGSBN) has named 29 small celestial bodies, including an asteroid named "Zoozve," which is the first identified quasi-satellite of Venus. Initially designated as 2002 VE68, it caught the attention of artist Alex Foster, who depicted it as a moon of Venus and misread its name as "Zoozve." Scientist and podcaster Latif Nasser lobbied for the formal naming of 2002 VE68 as "Zoozve," which was successful. The WGSBN bulletin also includes other whimsical names for celestial bodies, and offers advice on suggesting names for new discoveries.

via The Register|
#asteroid#astronomy#celestial-bodies
space-science1 year ago

"Juno spacecraft captures stunning close-up images of Jupiter's volcanic moon Io"

NASA's Juno spacecraft completed its second close flyby of Jupiter's moon Io, aiming to uncover insights into its volcanic activity and investigate the existence of a global magma ocean beneath its surface. Io's vibrant colors and explosive volcanism make it a subject of fascination among astronomers. With over 400 active volcanoes, Io lacks a significant water ice component due to its intense volcanic activity. Its uniqueness provides invaluable data for understanding volcanic processes and the dynamics of planetary bodies, enriching our understanding of the universe.

via Earth.com|
#celestial-bodies#io#jupiter
astronomy2 years ago

"James Webb Space Telescope Uncovers Ancient Galaxies Shaped Like Surfboards and Pool Noodles"

The James Webb Space Telescope has revealed that many small galaxies in the early universe were elongated in surfboard-like shapes, indicating the influence of the cosmic web of matter and constant mergers with other small galaxies. These findings challenge previous assumptions about the shapes of early galaxies and provide insights into their evolution over cosmic history. The discovery was made using data from the Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science program, shedding light on the lives of the oldest, faintest galaxies in the universe. The research is set to be published in The Astrophysical Journal.

via Space.com|
#astronomy#celestial-bodies#cosmic-evolution
science-and-technology2 years ago

Saturn's Iconic Rings Vanishing Rapidly

Scientists predict that Saturn's iconic rings will "disappear" within the next two years due to their gradual erosion and disintegration. The rings, composed of ice particles and debris, are being pulled into Saturn's atmosphere by gravity, causing them to gradually break apart and disperse. This phenomenon, observed by NASA's Cassini spacecraft, suggests that the rings will eventually become indistinguishable from the planet itself. The disappearance of Saturn's rings will have significant implications for our understanding of celestial bodies and the processes that shape them.

via Yahoo News Canada|
#astronomy#celestial-bodies#disappearance
astronomy2 years ago

Cosmic Collision: Jupiter's Explosive Encounter

An amateur astronomer in Japan captured a video of a bright comet, or bolide, colliding with Jupiter and exploding. While this impact did not cause visible damage to Jupiter's atmosphere, previous collisions have left scars and plumes on the gas giant. Bolides, or fireballs, are not unique to Jupiter and occasionally enter Earth's atmosphere. The 1994 impact of the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 on Jupiter served as a turning point in understanding the importance of monitoring potential impacts on Earth. While bolides have not posed a significant threat to Earth, they serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the cosmos.

via Futurism|
#astronomy#bolide#celestial-bodies
science2 years ago

"The Curvature Mystery: Unveiling the Roundness of Objects in Space"

The round shape of celestial bodies in space, such as planets and moons, is primarily due to gravity. As these bodies accumulate mass, their self-gravity pulls them into a spherical shape, which is the most stable equilibrium in space. While some planets are nearly perfect spheres, others, like gas giants, may have bulges due to their spin. However, not all bodies in space are spherical, as asteroids and comets can have irregular shapes due to their lower mass and insufficient gravity to even out their shape.

via Livescience.com|
#celestial-bodies#gravity#planets
astronomy2 years ago

"The Curvature Conundrum: Exploring the Roundness of Objects in Space"

The round shape of celestial bodies in space is primarily due to gravity. When a planet or moon accumulates enough mass, its self-gravity pulls it into a sphere-like shape. Gravity pulls all matter towards the center of gravity, creating an equilibrium state where every point is as close as possible to the center. While most planets are nearly perfect spheres, gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn bulge at their equator due to their fast spin. However, not all bodies in space are spherical; asteroids, comets, and some moons have irregular shapes due to their lower mass and insufficient gravity to even out their shape.

via Yahoo Life|
#astronomy#celestial-bodies#gravity
astronomy2 years ago

Saturn's Rings Vanishing by 2025: A Cosmic Illusion

Saturn's rings will not disappear entirely, but they will shift in such a way that they won't be visible from Earth starting in 2025 until 2032. The rings, made up of ice chunks and remnants of comets, asteroids, and moons, are thin and wide, resembling a hula-hoop around the gas giant. While the exact age of the rings is uncertain, they are believed to have formed around 400 million years ago and are gradually disappearing. Saturn also has 145 moons, with Titan being the largest and having its own substantial atmosphere. Stargazers are encouraged to enjoy the view of Saturn's rings while they are still visible.

via Giant Freakin Robot|
#astronomy#celestial-bodies#disappearance
astronomy2 years ago

"Rare Chance to Witness Spectacular 'Fireball' Meteor Shower Tonight"

The Southern Taurids meteor shower, which has been active since September, will peak tonight, offering a chance to see fireballs streaking through the night sky. The Taurids are part of a meteor stream originating from comet Encke and are known for their rich display of fireballs. To increase the chances of spotting one, find a dark spot away from light pollution and focus on the area where Jupiter is located. Other meteor shower peaks, such as the Leonids, Geminids, and Ursids, are expected later this year.

via Newser|
#astronomy#celestial-bodies#fireball
science2 years ago

"Breakthrough: Mathematicians Discover 12,000 Solutions to the Elusive Three-Body Problem"

Mathematicians from Sofia University in Bulgaria have discovered an additional 12,000 solutions to the notoriously difficult three-body problem, building upon previous work by Chinese mathematicians who found 1,223 solutions in 2017. The three-body problem involves calculating the motion of three celestial bodies in a stable orbit, and its complexity arises from the large number of variables that cannot be defined by mathematical equations. While many of the newly discovered solutions may not exist in nature, studying these mathematical approximations provides astronomers with a deeper understanding of the universe and its workings.

via Yahoo Life|
#celestial-bodies#mathematics#science