Active Galaxies | The Daily Space

Sublimating Nitrogen Responsible for Pluto’s Icy Polygons

Dec 21, 2021 | Active Galaxies, Daily Space, Guest Interview, Pluto & Charon, Spacecraft, Star Forming Region, Stars, Supermassive Black Holes

New models of sublimating nitrogen show that the process creates enough heat to drive the formation and texture of the polygons in Sputnik Planitia. Plus, black holes, star formation, and an interview with Dr. Jonathan McDowell, orbital police.

New, Deep Images of Milky Way’s Black Hole Show Stars Moving

Dec 15, 2021 | Active Galaxies, AGU, Asteroids, Daily Space, Exoplanets, Mars, Milky Way, Review, Stars, Supermassive Black Holes

Using the ESO’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer, scientists have obtained the deepest and sharpest images of Sagittarius A*, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way. They tracked the orbits of stars and were able to more precisely measure the mass of the black hole. Plus, new ways to research meteors, and a review of a Peak Design camera anchor system.

Moon Rock Samples Show Signs of Late Volcanism

Oct 8, 2021 | Active Galaxies, Climate Change, Comets, Daily Space, Earth, Mercury, Moon, Sky Watching, Spacecraft, Stars

An analysis of the most recent sample taken from the Moon and returned by the Chang’e-5 mission shows that the basaltic rock is about two billion years old. This age implies a previously unknown heat source in the region. Plus, how plants and animals record climate change and this week’s What’s Up.

InSight Lander Reveals Structure of Mars

Jul 26, 2021 | Active Galaxies, Climate Change, Comets, Daily Space, Earth, Exoplanets, Mars, Venus

In three new papers released this week, scientists analyzed data from NASA’s InSight lander to reveal the structure of Mars and its layers, revealing information about the planet’s crust, lithosphere, mantle, and core. Plus, isotopes in an exoplanet’s atmosphere, a potential exomoon being formed, the heart of a radio galaxy, and black holes impeding stellar birth.

Strange Supernova Appears Cool Before Exploding

May 7, 2021 | Active Galaxies, Earth, Exoplanets, Moon, Spacecraft, Star Forming Region, Supernovae, Very Large Array

Researchers find that the “oddball supernova” of a curiously cool, yellow star was lacking the hydrogen content expected, “stretching what is physically possible.” Plus, finding potentially habitable planets, a gamma-ray burst, ash clouds, and a new lunar map in this week’s What’s Up.