June 2023 – Astronomy Now

Webb takes a spectacular infrared look at Saturn and its brilliant rings

30 June 2023 Astronomy Now

The James Webb Space Telescope turns its infrared eye on Saturn to test the observatory’s ability to tease out new details about the planet’s rings and moons. As might be expected by now, researchers were not disappointed.

Euclid prepares to blast off on a mission to discover the fate of the Universe

30 June 2023 Keith Cooper

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Euclid space telescope will blast off from Cape Canaveral on 1 July on a mission to shed light on the ‘dark universe’ dominated by dark matter and dark energy.

‘Smiling cat’ nebula blazes with newborn stars and hot, ionised gas

27 June 2023 Astronomy Now

A cluster of young stars at the heart of the “smiling cat” nebula generates torrents of radiation that ionise surrounding gas, creating a vast reddish-orange nebula.

Supernova magnified 25 times and split into multiple images by galactic lens

19 June 2023 Astronomy Now

The Zwicky Transient Facility finds a supernova split into multiple images by the gravity of a foreground galaxy in a remarkable example of strong gravitational lensing.

A picture postcard from Mars, courtesy of the Curiosity rover

16 June 2023 Astronomy Now

Applying a bit of artistic license, colour was added to black-and-white Mars panoramas to produce an artistic rendering of the red planet as seen in the morning and afternoon on the slopes of Mount Sharp.

Phosphorous detection strengthens case for Enceladus’ habitability

16 June 2023 Astronomy Now

Researchers find high concentrations of phosphorous in water ice spewed from Saturn’s moon Enceladus, more evidence of a habitable sub-surface environment.

Best evidence yet for second supermassive black hole orbiting more massive companion

7 June 2023 Astronomy Now

Emissions from a supermassive black hole orbiting a much more massive hole at the heart of a brilliant quasar have finally been detected.

Gemini North back in action in spectacular fashion after mirror repair, recoating

7 June 2023 Astronomy Now

Back in action after its primary mirror was repaired and recoated, the Gemini North Telescope captures a spectacular view of a just-discovered Type II supernova in the Pinwheel Galaxy.

New software shows promise for coping with photobombing satellites

6 June 2023 Astronomy Now

Astronomers develop software to help eliminate streaks marring Hubble Space Telescope images caused by rapidly increasing numbers of Earth-orbiting satellites.

Vela supernova remnant in all its glory as seen by ESO’s OmegaCAM

1 June 2023 Astronomy Now

The Vela supernova remnant just 800 light years away shows the awesome aftermath of a Type II supernova that exploded some 11,000 years ago.