January 2020 – Astronomy Now

NASA pulls the plug on Spitzer, ending trail-blazing mission

31 January 2020 Astronomy Now

NASA pulls the plug on the Spitzer Space Telescope after more than 16 years of trail-blazing infrared observations, finally bringing the mission to a close.

Watch asteroid (4) Vesta hide a naked-eye star in Aries on 11 February

30 January 2020 Ade Ashford

Latest predictions indicate that second-largest asteroid (4) Vesta will pass in front of magnitude +5.3 star HIP 14439 in the constellation of Aries close to 10:02pm GMT (22:02 UT) on Tuesday, 11 February 2020, a binocular event visible from the north of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope dazzles with first light images

29 January 2020 Astronomy Now

First light images from the 4-metre Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope are the sharpest ever achieved from the ground, hinting at discoveries to come.

Analysis indicates Enceladus’ sub-surface ocean may be habitable

28 January 2020 Astronomy Now

A new analysis incorporating data from the Cassini mission suggests Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus may host a habitable environment in its sub-surface ocean.

Retiring Spitzer’s IR views of the Tarantula a fitting legacy

28 January 2020 Astronomy Now

The Spitzer Space Telescope, one of NASA’s original “Great Observatories,” is being retired after more than 16 years of infrared observations, but not before providing another look at the spectacular Tarantula Nebula.

Hottest known exoplanet’s dayside atmosphere a toasty 4,300 C

27 January 2020 Astronomy Now

Temperatures in the dayside atmosphere of the hottest known exoplanet reach a record 4,300 C, hotter than the surfaces of some stars.

European Space Agency says Solar Orbiter launch delayed to 7 February

26 January 2020 Stephen Clark

Officials have delayed the launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket with the European-built Solar Orbiter spacecraft from Cape Canaveral by two days to Feb. 7, a ripple effect from time spent fixing a minor issue last week during a launch vehicle countdown dress rehearsal.

Month: January 2020