October 2019 – Page 2 – Astronomy Now

British-built solar probe shipping to Florida launch site before Brexit

24 October 2019 Stephen Clark

The European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter spacecraft — assembled in Britain and set for liftoff in February — has completed environmental testing in Germany and is scheduled to ride a cargo plane to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to begin launch preparations 31 October, several weeks earlier than planned to avoid complications stemming from Brexit.

Telltale signs of a planetary collision in binary star system

24 October 2019 Astronomy Now

Relatively warm clouds of dust swirling around a binary star system may be the result of a cataclysmic collision between two rocky exoplanets.

Supercomputer up to challenge of Square Kilometre Array

23 October 2019 Astronomy Now

Researchers use one of the world’s most powerful computers to make sure they will be able to process a “data deluge” from the Square Kilometre Array.

Huge galaxy found lurking in early Universe may be ‘missing link’

23 October 2019 Astronomy Now

Astronomers find evidence for a large galaxy lurking behind obscuring dust clouds that may be a “missing link” in galactic evolution.

Chandra X-ray telescope sheds new light on the Tycho supernova remnant

20 October 2019 Astronomy Now

New images from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory reveal the “lumpy” nature of the Tycho supernova remnant in spectacular detail, providing new insights into the evolution of Type 1a supernovae.

Panel recommends planetary protection policy reassessment

20 October 2019 Astronomy Now

An independent review board recommends that NASA reassess its planetary protection protocols to reflect current technology and planned missions.

Don’t miss the close flyby of bright space rock 1998 HL1, 25–29 October

18 October 2019 Ade Ashford

Their high detection rate reveals that near-Earth asteroids are commonplace, but they’re typically small, fleetingly observable and very faint. Hence an opportunity to view a large example bright enough to see in a typical backyard telescope shouldn’t be missed! Here’s our guide to tracking down 700-metre-wide 1998 HL1 between 25 and 29 October 2019.

Month: October 2019