How do electrons close to Earth reach almost the speed of light?
Wednesday, 03 February 2021 04:48
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A new study has found that electrons can reach ultra-relativistic energies for very special conditions in the magnetosphere when space is devoid of plasma. Recent measurements from NASA's Van Allen Probes spacecraft showed that electrons can reach ultra-relativistic energies flying at almost the speed of light.
Hayley Allison, Yuri Shprits and collaborators from the German Research Centre An art lover dreams of space
Wednesday, 03 February 2021 04:48 Write a comment
It started with a movie. Supernovas filled the screen and exploded with galactic color. The voice of Neil DeGrasse Tyson narrated the beginning of the universe. At only 14 years old, Alana Sanchez was hooked.
Prior to high school, Sanchez was primarily interested in visual arts and movies. She taught herself animation and aspired to work in the creative realm. However, her dreams quickly t True identity of mysterious gamma-ray source revealed
Wednesday, 03 February 2021 04:48 Write a comment
An international research team including members from The University of Manchester has shown that a rapidly rotating neutron star is at the core of a celestial object now known as PSR J2039-5617
The international collaboration used novel data analysis methods and the enormous computing power of the citizen science project Einstein@Home to track down the neutron star's faint gamma-ray pulsa NASA creates climate adviser position
Wednesday, 03 February 2021 00:17 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — NASA has established a new position of senior climate adviser within the agency, the first sign of a long-expected new emphasis on climate science within the agency under the Biden administration.
The position, announced Feb.
White House: Space Force “absolutely has the full support of the Biden administration”
Tuesday, 02 February 2021 20:05 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki for a second consecutive day had to answer questions on the U.S. Space Force at her daily briefing.
Psaki on Wednesday finally had a response to the question of what President Biden plans to do with the Space Force.
Space Force eyes closer ties with civil space: ’It’s good for taxpayers’
Tuesday, 02 February 2021 18:34 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — Chief of Space Operations Gen. John Raymond said he expects greater collaboration between the U.S. Space Force, NASA and other agencies, and that increased cooperation can save U.S. taxpayers money.
NASA creates new senior climate advisor role
Tuesday, 02 February 2021 16:06 Write a comment
NASA announced Wednesday it was creating a new position of senior climate advisor as part of the administration of President Joe Biden's climate science objectives for the agency.
Gavin Schmidt, who currently heads up NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Science (GISS) in New York, will take the role in an acting capacity until a permanent appointment is made.
"This position will provide NASA leadership critical insights and recommendations for the agency's full spectrum of science, technology, and infrastructure programs related to climate," said acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk.
NASA might be more known for its space exploration missions, but studying our home planet is also a core part of its mission.
New podcast episode
Tuesday, 02 February 2021 15:54 Write a comment
New podcast episode
ESA Explores Time and Space: the International Space Station era
The UPV/EHU prepares to analyse material from Mars using non-destructive analytical methods
Tuesday, 02 February 2021 15:00 Write a comment
The UPV/EHU's IBeA research group, which includes experts in Raman spectroscopy, is currently analyzing meteorites with the aim of developing non-destructive analytical strategies for upcoming explorations of Mars materials by the Perseverance rover, shortly due to arrive at the red planet. The strategies will also be used to examine materials collected by the Rosalind Franklin rover and returned to Earth following the Mars Sample Return mission, scheduled to commence in 2026.
The IBeA research group from the University of the Basque Country's Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, is participating in NASA's Mars2020 space mission, which is scheduled to touch down on Mars in February this year. Specifically, the group has participated in constructing and verifying the chemical homogeneity of the templates included on the calibration card of the SuperCam instrument mounted on the Perseverance. "We made a set of pads perfectly characterized in accordance the instruments we have here, in order to enable us to verify that the LIBS and Raman spectroscopy measurements taken by the SuperCam are correct," explains Doctor Cristina García-Florentino.
MESSENGER saw a meteoroid strike Mercury
Tuesday, 02 February 2021 14:36 Write a comment
Telescopes have captured meteoroids hitting the Moon and several spacecraft imaged Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 smacking into Jupiter in 1994.
Einstein@Home reveals true identity of mysterious gamma-ray source
Tuesday, 02 February 2021 12:31
NASA's Perseverance pays off back home
Tuesday, 02 February 2021 12:30 Write a comment
Even as the Perseverance rover approaches Mars, technology on board is paying off on Earth.
A laser-light sensor that can identify bacteria in a wound may sound far-fetched, but it's already becoming a reality, thanks in part to NASA's Mars Exploration Program. The technology is going to Mars for the first time on Perseverance, which will touch down on the Red Planet this month, but it's already detecting trace contaminants in pharmaceutical manufacturing, wastewater treatment, and other important operations on Earth.
Happy New Year on Mars
Tuesday, 02 February 2021 12:23 Write a comment
Five, four, three, two, one…. FIREWORKS! The countdown to a new year is in many ways a defining moment for our lives on Earth. Our age, our seasons, filing our taxes… – all depend on the duration of Earth’s orbit around the Sun.
Propelling satellites into the future
Tuesday, 02 February 2021 11:28 Write a comment
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Propelling satellites into the future Is this the end of the A-68A iceberg?
Tuesday, 02 February 2021 11:05 Write a comment
Satellite images have revealed that the once colossal A-68A iceberg has had yet another shattering experience. Several large cracks were spotted in the berg last week and it has since broken into multiple pieces. These little icebergs could indicate the end of A-68A’s environmental threat to South Georgia.