Astronomers have discovered an exoplanet with an incredibly elongated orbit, swinging from close proximity to its star to a distance similar to Earth’s orbit. This extreme orbit provides a unique opportunity to study the effects of intense heating on a planet’s atmosphere and shed light on how hot Jupiter planets form.
A newly discovered comet, C/2023 A3, could be headed for a dramatic demise before it even reaches its closest point to the sun. Astronomer Zdenek Sekanina argues in a new study that the comet is already fragmenting and may disintegrate completely before its potential flyby of Earth in October. However, other experts remain skeptical about the comet’s fate.
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft, carrying over 8,000 pounds of supplies and experiments, has detached from the International Space Station after a successful mission. Stunning images capture the spacecraft as it prepares to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn up. This mission marked Northrop Grumman’s 20th resupply mission for NASA.
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has captured breathtaking images of galaxies interacting with each other, revealing the dynamic and often chaotic nature of the universe. These interactions, which can involve gravitational pulls, collisions, and even mergers, create stunning shapes and formations that are a testament to the vastness and wonder of space.
NASA continues to unveil breathtaking images of celestial bodies, revealing the vastness and beauty of the universe. From the Bubble Nebula to the Evil Eye Galaxy, these images offer a glimpse into the mysteries of space and the ongoing quest to understand our cosmic origins.
NASA has shared a collection of incredible images showcasing Earth from various vantage points in space, from 100 miles to 100 million miles away. Witness the unique perspectives of our planet, including the Earthrise from the Moon, the Moon crossing Earth, and a distant blue dot from Saturn.
Astronomers have discovered a mid-sized black hole at the center of Omega Centauri, a star cluster in the Milky Way, providing crucial evidence for the existence of ‘intermediate-mass black holes’ (IMBHs). This discovery fills a significant gap in our understanding of black hole evolution and could shed light on the formation of supermassive black holes in the early universe.
Two NASA astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, are remaining on the International Space Station (ISS) for an extended period due to thruster issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. While the astronauts are safe and not stranded, NASA is taking time to thoroughly investigate and resolve the issues before allowing their return to Earth. The Starliner, on its first crewed test flight, encountered problems with its thrusters after the initial successful launch and docking, leading to concerns about its handling capabilities. Despite the issues, the astronauts have been diligently working on the station, including maintenance tasks and research, while NASA and Boeing engineers are working on addressing the thruster issues.
NASA scientists have tracked two asteroids, 2024 MK and 2011 UL21, as they safely passed Earth. Notably, 2011 UL21 was found to be a binary system with a smaller asteroid orbiting it. Additionally, 2024 MK made a relatively close approach to Earth, providing an opportunity for detailed observation.
NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, currently on the SpaceX Crew-8 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), has been sharing breathtaking photos and time-lapses of Earth from space. From light painting experiments to dramatic night shots and captivating time-lapses, Dominick’s photography showcases the beauty of our planet from a unique perspective.
