June 2018 – Page 3 – Astronomy Now

New experiment to probe dark matter interactions

17 June 2018 Astronomy Now

A new experiment is proposed to measure dark matter interactions with normal matter, using ultra-precise observations of a binary pulsar to search for signs of a possible “fifth force” acting across the cosmos.

Astronomers ‘see’ aftermath of black hole lunching on doomed star

15 June 2018 Astronomy Now

For the first time, astronomers have directly witnessed the aftermath of a black hole consuming a nearby star, imaging the formation and expansion of a high-speed jet of material ejected in the maelstrom.

Blowing bubbles – Wolf-Rayet stars put on dramatic show

15 June 2018 Astronomy Now

Energetic Wolf-Rayet stars near the end of their lives produce fast-moving stellar winds that can interact with the surrounding interstellar medium to generate spectacular bubbles in space. They rarely emit X-rays, but ESA’s XMM-Newton space telescope caught one in the act.

Three planets found around dust-shrouded star

14 June 2018 Astronomy Now

By measuring the motion of carbon monoxide molecules in a protoplanetary disc, two teams of astronomers have found three planets lurking in the rings of dust around a star just a few million years old.

NASA managers hopeful Opportunity will survive its trial by dust

13 June 2018 Astronomy Now

NASA managers are optimistic the agency’s Opportunity Mars rover will survive a huge dust storm that is preventing sunlight from recharging the robot’s solar arrays, knocking it out of contact with Earth.

See ringed planet Saturn at its best in late June

13 June 2018 Ade Ashford

While excitement among planetary observers is growing for the best views of Mars for 15 years (Martian dust storms permitting) in late July, there’s still one prior planetary treat: the opposition of Saturn on 27 June, which coincides with a close lunar conjunction. We show you what to look for in and around the Saturnian system.

Month: June 2018

New experiment to probe dark matter interactions

Astronomers ‘see’ aftermath of black hole lunching on doomed star

Blowing bubbles – Wolf-Rayet stars put on dramatic show

Three planets found around dust-shrouded star

NASA managers hopeful Opportunity will survive its trial by dust

See ringed planet Saturn at its best in late June

Ageing Mars rover halts research, powers down in heavy dust storm

A meteoroid impact on Mars triggers a dusty avalanche

Diamond dust may be source of unusual emissions

A jewel box of brilliant suns, M79 delights the eye