Archive – Page 354 – Astronomy Now

Candidate landing sites selected for ESA Mars rover

2 October 2014 Stephen Clark

The European Space Agency has announced four candidate landing sites for the ExoMars rover, as a deadline looms to secure full funding for the mission in time for a scheduled launch to the red planet in 2018.

Hubble Reveals the Ring Nebula’s True Shape

2 October 2014 Astronomy Now

New observations of the Ring Nebula by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope reveal a new twist on an iconic nebula.

Arrival and Departure at Saturn’s Moon Phoebe

2 October 2014 Astronomy Now

As it entered the Saturn system on June 11, 2004, Cassini passed Phoebe, the largest of Saturn’s outer or “irregular” moons, at an altitude of just 2,068 kilometres.

The Horsehead Nebula by Bill Snyder

2 October 2014 Astronomy Now

Bill Snyder’s image of the Horsehead Nebula (IC 434) has won the Deep Space award in the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2014 competition.

Mercury orbiter captures crater in colour

2 October 2014 Astronomy Now

This image from NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft is a colour view of the impact crater Sor Juana on the planet Mercury.

Cassini pictures Saturn swirling clouds

2 October 2014 Astronomy Now

Saturn’s many cloud patterns, swept along by high-speed winds, look as if they were painted on by some eager alien artist in this image from Cassini.

Hanging around in space: astronaut necklace

2 October 2014 Steve Ringwood

An enchanting 32mm replica of a spaceman, dangling with derring-do from a 61cm golden brass stellar-adorned chain.

Seeing the sights on Venus: Baader ultraviolet filter

2 October 2014 Steve Ringwood

If there is one thing you learn from the outset about Venus, it is that it is permanently shrouded in a blanket of cloud, but this filter will bring out some detail.

India and NASA plot science campaign for Mars orbiters

2 October 2014 Stephen Clark

Officials working on India’s Mars orbiter project are finalizing plans for a six-month science campaign after the spacecraft arrived in orbit last week, an achievement that has already satisfied the mission’s primary objectives, the head of India’s space agency said Monday.

Swirling Cloud at Titan’s Pole is Cold and Toxic

1 October 2014 Astronomy Now

Scientists analyzing data from NASA’s Cassini mission have discovered that a giant, toxic cloud is hovering over the south pole of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, after the atmosphere there cooled dramatically.