April 2023 – Page 2 – Astronomy Now

Five deep-sky challenges for spring

11 April 2023 Mark Armstrong

Local Group member Leo 1 is a dwarf spheroidal galaxy that’s a distant satellite of our own Milky Way Galaxy. It’s one of a number of observing challenges that Leo offers up, though it presents unique difficulties.

X-ray studies reveal new details about the pulsar-powered Crab Nebula

10 April 2023 Astronomy Now

A detailed map of the Crab Nebula’s magnetic field shows areas of turbulence are more patchy and asymmetrical than previously expected, an indication current models need refinement.

Hubble spots an unusual globular cluster that defies accepted models

10 April 2023 Astronomy Now

The Hubble Space Telescope finds a globular cluster with a population of helium-rich red giants that raises questions about currently accepted theories regarding how such clusters form.

Webb reveals new details – and new questions – about the Cas A supernova remnant

8 April 2023 Astronomy Now

The James Webb Space Telescope’s infrared view of the Cas A supernova remnant may help resolve questions about high concentrations of dust in early galaxies.

Webb captures detailed infrared view of Uranus, its moons and dusty rings

7 April 2023 Astronomy Now

The James Webb Space Telescope captures a detailed infrared view of Uranus, showing its dusty rings in sharp relief along with storms and the steeply-tilted planet’s polar cap.

The Swan soars through the Milky Way in stunning view from La Silla Observatory

6 April 2023 Astronomy Now

Messier 17 is a familiar target for amateur astronomers, an impressive nebula in even modest telescopes. But the Swan reveals its vast extent in a spectacular shot from the European Southern Observatory’s 2.2-metre La Silla telescope.

Astronomers catch a rare glimpse of two quasars in the process of colliding

6 April 2023 Astronomy Now

Using space- and ground-based telescopes, astronomers get a rare look at two quasars in the process of merging just 3 billion years after the Big Bang.

Messier 101: Ursa Major’s spectacular Pinwheel Galaxy

6 April 2023 Mark Armstrong

Messier 101 in Ursa Major is a magnificent ‘grand design’ spiral galaxy popularly known as the Pinwheel Galaxy. Located high in the northern sky it’s an unmissable target for spring nights.

“Rain” from Saturn’s rings heats the planet’s upper atmosphere

5 April 2023 Astronomy Now

An analysis of archival data shows particles raining down from Saturn’s rings heat the planet’s upper atmosphere.

The brightest gamma ray burst ever observed defies long-standing models

4 April 2023 Astronomy Now

The “BOAT” of gamma ray bursts – the brightest of all time – raises new questions about how such powerful outbursts are generated and interact with their environments.