Astronomy & Space News
If you are interested in astronomy, space and universe news you can read these here. We have several news sources like:
- NASA Solar System & Beyond
- Astronomy News - ScienceDaily
- Astronomy News - Astronomy.com
- NASA Image of the Day
- Astronomy News - Sky & Telescope
Select below the tab of the source news that you are interested in, or take a look to every source.
NASA Solar System & Beyond
- NASA’s SOFIA Discovers Water on Sunlit Surface of Moon
26 October 2020, 4:02 pm
NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has confirmed, for the first time, water on the sunlit surface of the Moon. - NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Collects Significant Amount of Asteroid
23 October 2020, 11:00 pm
Two days after touching down on asteroid Bennu, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission team received on Thursday, Oct. 22, images that confirm the spacecraft has collected more than enough material to meet one of its main mission requirements – acquiring at least 2 ounces (60 grams) of the asteroid’s surface material. - NASA to Announce New Science Results About Moon
21 October 2020, 6:59 pm
NASA will announce an exciting new discovery about the Moon from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) at a media teleconference at 12 p.m. EDT Monday, Oct. 26. - NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Successfully Touches Asteroid
20 October 2020, 8:09 pm
NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft unfurled its robotic arm Tuesday, and in a first for the agency, briefly touched an asteroid to collect dust and pebbles from the surface for delivery to Earth in 2023. - NASA Invites Students to Join the Artemis Generation at SciFest Virtual Event
23 September 2020, 8:35 pm
Venture with NASA to discover the future of flight, understand the portrait of planet Earth, and take the next steps in exploration at SciFest, the virtual STEM expo from the USA Science and Engineering Festival - NASA Missions Spy First Possible ‘Survivor’ Planet Hugging White Dwarf Star
16 September 2020, 5:00 pm
An international team of astronomers using NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and retired Spitzer Space Telescope has reported what may be the first intact planet found closely orbiting a white dwarf, the dense leftover of a Sun-like star, only 40% larger than Earth. - Solar Cycle 25 Is Here. NASA, NOAA Scientists Explain What That Means
15 September 2020, 5:32 pm
Solar Cycle 25 has begun. During a media event on Tuesday, experts from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) discussed their analysis and predictions about the new solar cycle – and how the coming upswing in space weather will impact our lives and technology on Earth, as well as astronauts in space. - NASA, NOAA to Discuss Solar Cycle Prediction During Media Teleconference
10 September 2020, 8:57 pm
NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will discuss predictions for the upcoming solar cycle during a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EDT Tuesday, Sept. 15. Tracking the solar cycle is a key part of better understanding the Sun and mitigating its impacts on human technology and infrastructure. - NASA Selects Proposals for New Space Environment Missions
28 August 2020, 7:59 pm
NASA has selected five proposals for concept studies of missions to help improve understanding of the dynamics of the Sun and the constantly changing space environment with which it interacts around Earth. - NASA’s MAVEN Observes Martian Night Sky Pulsing in Ultraviolet Light
6 August 2020, 5:30 pm
Vast areas of the Martian night sky pulse in ultraviolet light, according to images from NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft. The results are being used to illuminate complex circulation patterns in the Martian atmosphere.
Source: NASA
NASA Image of the Day
- Jezero Crater Was a Lake in Mars' Ancient Past
26 October 2020, 2:17 pm
This illustration shows Jezero Crater — the landing site of the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover. - Hubble Views a Galactic Waterfall
23 October 2020, 3:01 pm
In this spectacular image captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, the galaxy NGC 2799 (on the left) is seemingly being pulled into the center of the galaxy NGC 2798 (on the right). - Studying Aircraft Noise
22 October 2020, 3:17 pm
An array of 960 microphones is seen here off the end of runway 11 at Boeing’s research facility near Glasgow, Montana. - Touching Down on Asteroid Bennu
21 October 2020, 3:07 pm
On Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx sample collection mission performed a successful “Touch-And-Go” (TAG) maneuver. - Neutron Stars Create Gold and Platinum in Their Wake
20 October 2020, 2:38 pm
This illustration shows the hot, dense, expanding cloud of debris stripped from neutron stars just before they collided. - Orion’s Recently Installed Solar Array Wings
19 October 2020, 3:06 pm
Two of Orion’s four recently installed solar array wings are exposed and surrounded by the panels that will protect it during launch and ascent. - Hubble Snaps a Special Stellar Nursery
16 October 2020, 2:00 pm
This Hubble image shows a special class of star-forming nursery known as Free-floating Evaporating Gaseous Globules. Called frEGGs for short, these dark compact globules of dust and gas can give birth to low-mass stars. - Cliffs in Ancient Ice on Mars
15 October 2020, 2:26 pm
Scientists have come to realize that, just below the surface, about one third of Mars is covered in ice. - NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins Prepares for Launch to Space Station
14 October 2020, 2:27 pm
NASA astronaut Kate Rubins is seen as she has her Russian Sokol suit pressure checked as she and fellow crewmates prepare for their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station. - The Ghost Nebula
13 October 2020, 2:26 pm
Powerful gushers of energy from seething stars can sculpt eerie-looking figures with long flowing veils of gas and dust. - The Iris Nebula
9 October 2020, 3:07 pm
The beautiful, blushing Iris Nebula is unique amongst its counterparts. - Thumbs Up From Out of This World
8 October 2020, 2:55 pm
ASA spacewalkers (from left) Bob Behnken and Chris Cassidy give a thumbs up during a spacewalk to install hardware and upgrade International Space Station systems. - Grappling With the Future
7 October 2020, 5:10 pm
The tip of the Canadarm2 robotic arm, also formally known as the Latching End Effector, is pictured as the International Space Station soared over the South Pacific Ocean . - Overcoming Hurricanes and Earthquakes to Get an Experiment to the Space Station
6 October 2020, 9:56 pm
Camila Morales-Navas conducts final preparations on the Electrochemical Ammonia Removal system prior to parabolic flight testing. - Antares Rocket Launches to the Space Station
5 October 2020, 3:04 pm
An Northrop Grumman Antares rocket, with the company’s Cygnus spacecraft aboard, launches at 9:16 p.m. EDT, Friday, October 2, 2020, from t NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
Source: NASA
Astronomy News - ScienceDaily
- Mmore complete view of massive asteroid Psyche
26 October 2020, 6:57 pmA new study discusses several new views of the asteroid 16 Psyche, including the first ultra-violet observations. The study paints a clearer view of the asteroid than was previously available. - Tiny moon shadows may harbor hidden stores of ice
26 October 2020, 6:57 pmHidden pockets of water could be much more common on the surface of the moon than scientists once suspected, according to new research. - NASA's SOFIA discovers water on sunlit surface of Moon
26 October 2020, 5:59 pmNASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has confirmed, for the first time, water on the sunlit surface of the Moon. This discovery indicates that water may be distributed across the lunar surface, and not limited to cold, shadowed places. - Data reveals evidence of molecular absorption in the atmosphere of a hot Neptune
26 October 2020, 4:42 pmAn international team of scientists recently measured the spectrum of the atmosphere of a rare hot Neptune exoplanet, whose discovery by NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) was announced just last month. - Stars and planets grow up together as siblings
24 October 2020, 1:10 amALMA shows rings around the still-growing proto-star IRS 63. - New study details atmosphere on 'hot Neptune' 260 light years away that 'shouldn't exist'
23 October 2020, 6:31 pmAstronomers have crunched data from NASA's TESS and Spitzer space telescopes to portray for the first time the atmosphere of a highly unusual kind of exoplanet dubbed a 'hot Neptune.' - Galactic archaeology
22 October 2020, 9:17 pmComputational astrophysics study modeled for the first time faint supernovae of metal-free first stars, yielding carbon-enhanced abundance patterns for star formation. Study investigated formation of first stars and the origin of elements heavier than hydrogen, helium, lithium. - Smile, wave: Some exoplanets may be able to see us, too
21 October 2020, 8:09 pmThree decades after astronomer Carl Sagan suggested that Voyager 1 snap Earth's picture from billions of miles away -- resulting in the iconic Pale Blue Dot photograph - two astronomers now offer another unique cosmic perspective: Some exoplanets -- planets from beyond our own solar system - have a direct line of sight to observe Earth's biological qualities from far, far away. - AI and photonics join forces to make it easier to find 'new Earths'
21 October 2020, 5:23 pmBy combining photonics with artificial intelligence, scientists have developed a sensor that will help decipher the 'twinkle' of stars and allow for Earth-based exploration of planets around distant stars. - Evidence of broadside collision with dwarf galaxy discovered in Milky Way
20 October 2020, 4:55 pmAstrophysicists have discovered a series of telltale shell-like formations of stars in the vicinity of the Virgo constellation, evidence of a radial merger between a dwarf galaxy and the Milky Way, and the first such 'shell structures' to be found in the Milky Way. - Astrophysics team lights the way for more accurate model of the universe
19 October 2020, 10:49 pmScientists demonstrated the first use of a method called self-calibration to remove contamination from gravitational lensing signals. The results should lead to more accurate cosmological models of the universe. - The Milky Way galaxy has a clumpy halo
19 October 2020, 5:21 pmAstronomers at the University of Iowa have determined our galaxy is surrounded by a clumpy halo of hot gases that is continually being supplied with material ejected by birthing or dying stars. The halo also may be where matter unaccounted for since the birth of the universe may reside. Results published in the journal Nature Astronomy. - Two planets around a red dwarf
16 October 2020, 5:28 pmAstronomers have detected two exoplanets orbiting the star TOI-1266. The telescope thus demonstrates its high precision and takes an important step in the quest of finding potentially habitable worlds. - Magnetic fields on the moon are the remnant of an ancient core dynamo
15 October 2020, 11:31 pmA long discussed theory about the local magnetic spots of the moon suggests that they are the result of magnetization processes caused by impacts of massive bodies on the moon surface. A new study now shows that the Moon must have had an internal core dynamo in the past. - Anemic star cluster breaks metal-poor record
15 October 2020, 4:18 pmIn a surprising discovery, astronomers have found a star cluster in the Andromeda Galaxy that contains a record-breaking low amount of metals, calling into question the so-called 'metallicity-floor' for massive globular star clusters.
Source: Astronomy News - ScienceDaily
Astronomy News - Astronomy.com
- <i>Ask Astro</i>: Why do the planets orbit the Sun counterclockwise?
26 October 2020, 7:00 pmQ: The Sun orbits the center of our galaxy in a clockwise direction, but the planets in the solar system orbit the Sun in a counterclockwise direction. Why is this? Rich Zaykoski Hampstead, Maryland A: The planets of our solar system orbit the Sun in a counterclockwise direction (when viewed from above the Sun’s north pole) because of the way our solar system formed. Our Sun was born from a cloud of dust and gas, the remnants of which — called the solar nebula — became the - Earth’s biggest telescopes reopen after months of COVID closures
26 October 2020, 11:00 amObservational astronomy, largely shutdown since March, is getting back to work thanks to slowly declining COVID-19 cases in Chile and new workplace practices. - NASA’s flying SOFIA telescope confirms water in the Moon’s soil
26 October 2020, 11:00 amWater molecules have been found tucked away in the lunar regolith, even in sunlit regions on the surface. - <i>Ask Astro</i>: Can planets be pear-shaped, or are they all spheres?
24 October 2020, 8:00 pmQ: Could planets that orbit other stars be non-spherical shapes, such as ovals or pears, depending on composition? Rich Livitski Seal Beach, California A:Bodies large enough to be considered planets have enough mass that gravity molds them into a roughly spherical shape. The key word here is roughly — other factors also come into play, such as a planet’s composition (rocky or gassy) and its rate of spin. The faster a planet spins, the more its rotation causes it to bulge outward a - The forgotten rescue of the Salyut 7 space station
23 October 2020, 12:00 pmAfter a total loss of power, many thought the Soviet's Salyut 7 space station was gone for good. But two bundled up cosmonauts gave it six more years of life. - OSIRIS-REx is literally overflowing with asteroid samples from Bennu
23 October 2020, 12:00 pmThe spacecraft collected so much material from its target asteroid that it can’t contain it all.
- Game theory helps focus the hunt for alien civilizations
23 October 2020, 12:00 pmOur galaxy contains billions of exoplanets. Now, using a mathematical model of how players compete, researchers think they've narrowed down which distant worlds are most likely to host intelligent life. - <i>The Sky This Week:</i> Constellations galore
23 October 2020, 12:00 pmWatch our waxing Moon glow amid stars and planets from October 23 to 30. - <i>Infinity & Beyond</i> — Episode 10: The Artemis Missions
23 October 2020, 3:00 amThis week, Abigail Bollenbach and Astronomy magazine present you with a crash course on NASA's planned Artemis missions, our first crewed venture back to the Moon in more than 50 years. - The breezes of Arrokoth may have rejuvenated the space rock's surface
21 October 2020, 12:00 pmCarbon monoxide that vigorously evaporated from the Kuiper Belt object Arrokoth could have erased surface features like craters, new research suggests.
- Who puts the right into "The Right Stuff"?
21 October 2020, 12:00 pmTom Wolfe's classic account of the early days of spaceflight has migrated to TV, with help from some seasoned insiders. - Visits to comets and asteroids may help reveal our cosmic origins
20 October 2020, 12:00 pmWith OSIRIS-REx planning to steal samples from asteroid Bennu today, the push for exploring the solar system's small bodies is just ramping up. - OSIRIS-REx poised to snatch samples from asteroid Bennu tomorrow
19 October 2020, 12:00 pmThe spacecraft will try to tag the surface of the near-Earth asteroid and collect samples, the first NASA mission to attempt such a feat. - <i>Ask Astro</i>: Could Jupiter ever become a star?
19 October 2020, 12:00 pmQ: How much more massive would Jupiter have to be to become a star fusing hydrogen to helium? Bill Dellinges Apache Junction, Arizona A: Jupiter is the most massive planet in our solar system, weighing more than twice as much as all the other planets combined. But it still falls far short of the heft needed to ignite nuclear fusion and become a star. Jupiter’s mass is about 4.17 x 1027 pounds (1.89 x 1027 kilograms); the Sun’s mass is about 4.27 x 1030 pounds (1.98 x 1030 kg), - <i>The Sky This Week</i>: It’s time for the Orionids
16 October 2020, 12:00 pmCatch a meteor shower and enjoy the benefits of dark skies from October 16 to 23.
Source: Astronomy News - Astronomy.com
Astronomy News - Sky & Telescope
- Water on the Moon Isn't Just at the Poles
26 October 2020, 7:30 pmWater exists even on the sunlit Moon, a new study shows — trapped in glass beads but still extractable for lunar exploration.
The post Water on the Moon Isn't Just at the Poles appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
- Astronomers Chart Star Formation History, Glimpse Fate of the Universe
26 October 2020, 2:00 pmAstronomers have tallied how star-making material evolved over cosmic time — and they've predicted how long stars will keep forming before the universe goes dark.
The post Astronomers Chart Star Formation History, Glimpse Fate of the Universe appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
- Osiris-REX "TAGs" Bennu, Returns Stunning Views
22 October 2020, 5:48 pmSee images and video from NASA’s Osiris-REX spacecraft as it samples the Nightingale site.
The post Osiris-REX "TAGs" Bennu, Returns Stunning Views appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
- Moon’s Magnetism Might Have Protected Earth
22 October 2020, 3:00 pmThe Moon's magnetic field, now long gone, might once have shielded Earth from the young Sun's radiation.
The post Moon’s Magnetism Might Have Protected Earth appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
- Comets Crawl through the Skies at Dawn and Dusk
21 October 2020, 6:24 pmComets have been scarce since NEOWISE departed the scene. Not anymore. Suddenly, there are four fresh faces visible from dusk til dawn.
The post Comets Crawl through the Skies at Dawn and Dusk appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
- Osiris-REX Successfully Collected Sample from Asteroid Bennu
19 October 2020, 7:45 pmNASA's Osiris-REX mission has successfully touched down on the asteroid Bennu to collect a sample of its surface for return to Earth.
The post Osiris-REX Successfully Collected Sample from Asteroid Bennu appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
- Casting Doubt on a Nearby Black Hole
19 October 2020, 5:03 pmNew research has shown that the recently-discovered closest black hole to Earth might not be a black hole after all but a binary star.
The post Casting Doubt on a Nearby Black Hole appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
- Pandemic Inspires Surge in Telescope Sales
16 October 2020, 3:00 pmA silver lining to the long year we've had is a renewed interest in the night sky.
The post Pandemic Inspires Surge in Telescope Sales appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
- Meet Arcturus: Guardian of the Bear
13 October 2020, 3:00 pmArcturus is one of the brightest stars in the sky — a cool red giant in Bootes, the Herdsman, that's often tied mythologically to Ursa Major, the Bear.
The post Meet Arcturus: Guardian of the Bear appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
- Taking Stock of Backyard Worlds
12 October 2020, 3:53 pmScientists have used the Spitzer Space Telescope to confirm seventy-five new substars uncovered by the citizen science project Backyard Worlds: Planet 9.
The post Taking Stock of Backyard Worlds appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Source: Astronomy News - Sky & Telescope