May 19, 2021 | Black Holes (Stellar), Daily Space, Dark Matter, Galaxies, Gemini North, Guest Interview, Mars, Neptune, Physics, Stars, Supermassive Black Holes, Uranus
Two new studies are attempting to solve a couple of big puzzles in astrophysics: Is the Hubble constant actually constant? And why do galaxies have flat rotation curves? Plus, a young star’s circumstellar disk, the search for stellar-mass black holes, magnesium in the deep waters of Neptune and Uranus, and an interview with PSI scientist David Horvath regarding possibly active volcanism on Mars.
May 17, 2021 | Climate Change, Daily Space, Earth, Guest Interview, Planetary Nebulae, Spacecraft, The Sun
Using spectrographic data from several different telescopes, a team put together a three-dimensional model of planetary nebula NGC 1514, which allowed them to further study the shape and internal motion of the object. Plus, Antarctic sea ice, a history of current flow, magnetic waves, and an interview with astronaut Cady Coleman.
May 14, 2021 | Black Holes (Stellar), Brown Dwarf, Daily Space, Earth, Gemini North, Jupiter, Mars 2020, Perseverance, Sky Watching, Stars
A tiny black hole, only three solar masses, has been found inside the Milky Way in the constellation Monoceros. One of the smallest black holes ever found, it is also the closest one to Earth. Plus, Perseverance, Gaia, a brown dwarf, new images of Jupiter, seismic monitoring from space, and this week’s What’s Up.
May 12, 2021 | Asteroids, Daily Space, Exoplanets, Galaxies, Mars, OSIRIS-REx, Planets, Star Forming Region, Supernovae, Voyager I & II
Researchers found that among about 50 supernovae, many had nearly identical spectra, paving the way for making more accurate distance calculations. These calculations, in turn, open up the possibility of using supernovae to better search for dark energy. Plus, OSIRIS-REx, Voyager I, planetary formation, and volcanoes on Mars.
May 10, 2021 | Book Club, Cassini, Earth, Neutron Stars / Pulsars, Physics, Saturn
Two new studies used data from Cassini’s Grand Finale observations of Saturn and found that the magnetic fields and a wave in the rings provide insight into the core structure and composition of the gas giant. Plus, cosmic rays, how Mayans shaped the Earth, and a review of books by Charles C. Mann.
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.