December 2019 – Astronomy Now

Nearby pulsar a likely source of high-energy antimatter cosmic rays

31 December 2019 Astronomy Now

A decade of data from NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope shows a nearby pulsar is the likely source of an excess of antimatter cosmic rays.

A face-on barred spiral that hints at Milky Way’s structure

30 December 2019 Astronomy Now

If one could fly to a point directly above the Milky Way, the vista might look something like NGC 986, a face-on barred spiral in the constellation Fornax that is often overlooked due to is proximity to the Fornax galaxy cluster.

Supermassive black holes feast on vast reservoirs of hydrogen

30 December 2019 Astronomy Now

Astronomers have found a likely source of “food” – vast reservoirs of hydrogen – fueling the growth of supermassive black holes in the early universe

Thick, persistent dust disc challenges planet formation theory

29 December 2019 Astronomy Now

Protoplanetary discs are expected to dissipate as planets form and solar winds push debris away, but some stars defy current theory.

Cotton-candy worlds may be steps on planetary evolution ladder

26 December 2019 Astronomy Now

The three lowest-density exoplanets yet discovered may be steps on the planetary evolution ladder, shrinking to resemble more commonplace worlds over time.

CHEOPS launched on follow-up exoplanet research mission

24 December 2019 Stephen Clark

The European Space Agency’s CHEOPs satellite is now in space for an ambitious mission to study already-discovered exoplanets in more detail.

Perseus Molecular Cloud comes to life in Spitzer image

24 December 2019 Astronomy Now

NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope captures stunning infrared views of the cosmos, including repeated observations of the vast Perseus Molecular cloud where star clusters defy models with closely packed multi-generational suns.

Don’t miss the Quadrantid meteor shower peak at UK dawn on 4 January 2020

23 December 2019 Ade Ashford

For an early astronomical treat to usher in the New Year, seek out the natural pyrotechnics of the rich Quadrantid meteor shower. Peak shooting star activity occurs within a four-hour window centred on a prediction of 8am GMT on 4 January 2020 – a time that favours UK skywatchers at astronomical dawn, or North American observers around local midnight.

NASA’s Mars 2020 rover passes first driving test on road to red planet

21 December 2019 Astronomy Now

In another major milestone on the road to launch next year, NASA’s Mars 2020 rover passed its first weight-on-wheels driving test with flying colours.

A titanic burst of star formation in Milky Way’s recent past

17 December 2019 Astronomy Now

Peering into the heart of the Milky Way with a powerful infrared camera, astronomers see evidence for a titanic burst of star formation in the relatively recent past.