Jan 20, 2022 | Astrobiology, Cosmology, Curiosity, Daily Space, Mars, Neutron Stars / Pulsars, Rockets, Space History, Spacecraft, SpaceX, Starlink, Stars, Supermassive Black Holes, White Dwarfs
NASA’s Curiosity rover has discovered carbon isotopes on Mars which are usually caused by the degradation of biological methane, leading scientists to examine other potential reasons for the molecules. Plus, more Starlink satellites, their impact on observing, and This Week in Rocket History.
Jan 12, 2022 | Cosmology, Daily Space, Galaxies, JWST, Milky Way, Moon, Supermassive Black Holes, Supernovae, Very Large Array
China’s Chang’e-5 lunar lander has made the first in situ detection of water on the Moon, using reflectance spectroscopy from the surface of our natural satellite. Plus, all the news from the AAS virtual press conferences, including black holes and galaxies.
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.
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.
Dec 13, 2021 | Brown Dwarf, Citizen Science, Climate Change, Daily Space, Earth, Exoplanets, Milky Way, Review, Rockets, Spacecraft, SpaceX, Supermassive Black Holes
Using data provided by the Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 citizen science project, volunteers found a possible large planet or brown dwarf orbiting its star at a distance of more than 1,600 astronomical units. Plus, NASA launches the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer, and we review Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
Dec 3, 2021 | Astrobiology, Comets, Daily Space, Earth, Galaxies, Sky Watching, Stars, Supermassive Black Holes
An analysis of over nine million samples of coccoliths whose ages span several million years has led scientists to conclude that changes in Earth’s orbit may have influenced changes in the size and shape of the microscopic algae. Plus, Europe contemplates geologic threats, and a comet is in this week’s What’s Up.