Almost a Million Stars and Counting: Mapping the history of the Milky Way with APOGEE and beyond
Wednesday, 12 January 2022 08:43
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On December 6th 2021, scientists from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) released the largest-ever detailed census of stars in our own Milky Way galaxy, with the complete release of data from its Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE).
"For the last decade we have been working to map the Milky Way, and measure extremely detailed properties of the stars within it," NASA's new IXPE mission begins science operations
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NASA's newest X-ray eyes are open and ready for discovery! Having spent just over a month in space, the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) is working and already zeroing in on some of the hottest, most energetic objects in the universe.
A joint effort between NASA and the Italian Space Agency, IXPE is the first space observatory dedicated to studying the polarization of X-rays comin Arqit to Lead UK-AU Space Bridge Project
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Arqit Quantum Inc. has contracted with Australia's SmartsatCRC under an agreement between the UK and Australian Governments to deliver the first phase of work to Australia relating to Arqit's Federated Quantum System Project ("FQS").
Arqit's FQS project for allied governments delivers strategic control to that government customer of a private instance of Arqit's end to end QuantumCloud tec NASA's newest astronaut class begins training in Houston
Wednesday, 12 January 2022 08:43 Write a comment
NASA swore in 10 new astronaut candidates Monday at Johnson Space Center in Houston - six men and four women - who someday may walk on the moon or Mars. The candidates were "sworn in this morning, kicking off their two-year training," NASA said on Twitter, noting it was the 23rd astronaut candidate class since 1959.
The 10 candidates will now learn engineering systems of spacecraft such Ocean Physics Explain Cyclones on Jupiter
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Hurtling around Jupiter and its 79 moons is the Juno spacecraft, a NASA-funded satellite that sends images from the largest planet in our solar system back to researchers on Earth. These photographs have given oceanographers the raw materials for a new study published in Nature Physics that describes the rich turbulence at Jupiter's poles and the physical forces that drive the large cyclones. Astronomers identify potential clue to reinonization of universe
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About 400,000 years after the universe was created began a period called "The Epoch of Reionization." During this time, the once hotter universe began to cool and matter clumped together, forming the first stars and galaxies. As these stars and galaxies emerged, their energy heated the surrounding environment, reionizing some of the remaining hydrogen in the universe.
The universe's reioni Mini monster black hole could hold clues to giant's growth
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The discovery of a supermassive black hole in a relatively small galaxy could help astronomers unravel the mystery surrounding how the very biggest black holes grow.
Researchers used NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory to identify a black hole containing about 200,000 times the mass of the Sun buried in gas and dust in the galaxy Mrk 462.
Mrk 462 contains only several hundred million New NASA chief scientist to focus on climate change
Wednesday, 12 January 2022 08:35 Write a comment
NASA has hired a climate scientist as its new chief scientist, a move that reflects the greater emphasis the agency is placing on climate change studies.
Virgin Orbit to demonstrate air-launch flexibility on upcoming mission
Tuesday, 11 January 2022 23:29 Write a comment
Virgin Orbit is preparing to launch a set of smallsats as both a demonstration of the flexibility of its air-launch system and its ability to increase its cadence of launches.
James Webb Space Telescope more than three quarters through its journey
Tuesday, 11 January 2022 14:13 Write a comment
More than two weeks after the James Webb Space Telescope's launch on Christmas Day, the telescope has traveled more than 700,000 miles from Earth. JWST has successfully deployed its secondary mirror, a key element of the telescope's optics. Next, JWST will unfold its primary mirror segments.
U-M astronomer Michael Meyer says that observing the telescope's transformation has been fascinating.
"In the last week, the team has learned a great deal about the spacecraft that they couldn't have uncovered during testing on the ground. As a result, the tensioning of the sunshield was delayed in order to examine the power subsystems and motors in more detail. Anticipating such occurrences, a flexible plan was developed in order to adapt as things proceed. And that strategy seems to be paying off.
"So far, the deployment of JWST has been a spectacular success. There have been a few nerve-wracking moments, but the daily reports have been welcome good news in these uncertain times. A dedicated team of engineers is going through the to-do list, item by item: There is still a ways to go, but so far, so great.
Orbit Fab secures deal to refuel Astroscale’s satellite-servicing robots
Tuesday, 11 January 2022 14:00 Write a comment
Astroscale U.S., a provider of on-orbit services to extend the life of satellites, has signed an agreement to use Orbit Fab’s in-space fuel tankers.
How the Webb telescope could ultimately help protect Earth
Tuesday, 11 January 2022 13:40 Write a comment
The James Webb Space Telescope, the most complex and expensive space laboratory ever created, is less than two weeks away from its ultimate destination a million miles from Earth. Once it arrives, it will send information about parts of space and time never seen before. It will also send previously unattainable information about parts of our own solar system.
UC Riverside astrophysicist Stephen Kane's group will be using the telescope to look for planets like Venus in other parts of the galaxy. In addition to work with the Webb mission, Kane is also joining NASA on missions to Venus expected to launch after 2028. Here, he breaks down some unique aspects of the Webb, explains how the separate Venus projects intersect, and how both might benefit Earth.
Q: The Webb telescope cost $10 billion. What contributed to the cost, and what makes it different from other telescopes?
A: Webb is often described as a successor to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, which is remarkably still going strong.
Simulated image shows how NASA's Roman could expand on Hubble's deepest view
Tuesday, 11 January 2022 13:33
Europa Clipper imaging system captures breathtaking 'first light' images
Tuesday, 11 January 2022 13:28 Write a comment
ASU scientists and engineers building the Europa Thermal Emission Imaging System (E-THEMIS) for NASA's Europa Clipper passed a major hurdle recently by capturing the first successful test images from this complex infrared camera, known as "first light" images.
E.T.s may be headed toward Earth, but are we ready for them?
Tuesday, 11 January 2022 13:23 Write a comment
Twenty years from now we might get a call from aliens. In 2017, a powerful radio transmission was aimed at exoplanet GJ 273b, thought to be able to support life. Its message, sent by the alien-hunting group Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence International, contained instructions on how to understand Earthling math, music and time. If it lands on intelligent alien ears once it arrives in about a decade, E.T.