Greenbelt MD (SPX) Sep 11, 2024
Like two Sumo wrestlers squaring off, the closest confirmed pair of supermassive black holes have been observed in tight proximity. These are located approximately 300 light-years apart and were detected using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory. These black holes, buried deep within a pair of colliding galaxies, are fueled by infalling gas and dust, causing them to s

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 11, 2024
The mystery of how supermassive black holes, which can be millions of times more massive than the sun and sit at the heart of most galaxies, came to exist is one of the great questions in astrophysics. Researchers from the Nevada Center for Astrophysics at UNLV (NCfA) have uncovered new evidence that the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, called Sagittarius A' (Sgr A')

Columbus OH (SPX) Sep 11, 2024
In a new study, astronomers report novel evidence regarding the limits of planet formation, finding that after a certain point, planets larger than Earth have difficulty forming near low-metallicity stars. Using the sun as a baseline, astronomers can measure when a star formed by determining its metallicity, or the level of heavy elements present within it. Metal-rich stars or nebulas form

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 11, 2024
Using a Google AI tool, scientists have revealed how proteins in a heat-loving microbe respond to intense pressure, similar to conditions found in the planet's deepest ocean trenches. This research offers key insights into how life's building blocks may have evolved under early Earth conditions and opens new doors for future studies. The research, now published in 'PRX Life', highlights th

Berlin, Germany (SPX) Sep 11, 2024
Many imagine the solar system's edge is marked by Neptune, the furthest known planet. However, astrophysicist Susanne Pfalzner from Forschungszentrum Julich notes, "Several thousand celestial bodies are known to move beyond the orbit of Neptune." It is estimated that tens of thousands of objects larger than 100 kilometers exist in this region. "Surprisingly, many of these so-called trans-Neptuni

Paris, France (SPX) Sep 11, 2024
European Space Agency (ESA) engineers are advancing the capabilities of autonomous Mars rovers, as demonstrated in recent trials conducted in a UK quarry. The ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover, nicknamed "Codi," showcased its ability to locate and retrieve sample tubes using its robotic arm and sophisticated computer vision system. Codi drove to the sample locations with a remarkable accurac

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 11, 2024
As part of the Artemis lunar exploration campaign, NASA aims to deepen its understanding of the moon's surface and prepare for future Mars missions. The Artemis missions will target the lunar south pole, a region that holds scientific interest due to its permanently shadowed areas, which may contain water ice reserves vital for sustaining human exploration. This will be NASA's first crewed moon

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 11, 2024
The ChemCam instrument, developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory, has fired its laser for the 1 millionth time on Mars. Positioned atop NASA's Curiosity rover, ChemCam has been key to scientific discoveries since its deployment in 2012. "Not only is this a remarkable technical accomplishment for our instrument, but it also represents a staggering amount of chemistry data from the surfac

Paris, France (SPX) Sep 11, 2024
ESA's Metal 3D Printer has successfully produced the first-ever metal part in space. This technological milestone, achieved through a partnership with Airbus, marks a significant advancement in additive manufacturing in microgravity. The Metal 3D Printer was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this year. ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen was responsible for installing th

Boston MA (SPX) Sep 11, 2024
Asked to describe his work for a lay audience, Allan Shtofenmakher responds with an unexpected question: "Have you ever seen the movie 'Wall-E?'" Recalling that the 2008 Disney-Pixar movie's view of Earth from space was "brown and dusty and just surrounded by tons and tons of space junk," he cautions, "If we're not good stewards of our local space environment, we could actually end up in a situa