Astronomy Now – Page 101

Unlocking the mysteries of super Earths

8 February 2018 Astronomy Now

Three planets orbiting a star 100 light years away may serve as a test bed of sorts to shed light on the dividing line between rocky super Earths and sub-Neptune “gassy” planets with the full range represented in a single solar system.

At the core, a sea of suns shines like a ‘jewel box full of stars’

8 February 2018 Astronomy Now

The Hubble Space Telescope captures a deep view of stars in the Milky Way’s central bulge, helping astronomers understand a dynamic environment where stars rich in heavier elements orbit the core faster than older stars that are deficient in such elements. The image is part of two on-going surveys to learn more about the galaxy’s structure and evolution.

Satellite galaxies not randomly arranged

2 February 2018 Astronomy Now

New observations indicate dwarf galaxies may not orbit their parent galaxies in random alignments as predicted by dark matter computer models. Instead, satellite galaxies orbiting in more ordered planes may be the rule, not the exception.

Gravitational lensing sets new magnification record

2 February 2018 Astronomy Now

A distant “quiescent” galaxy found using the Hubble Space Telescope and extreme magnification via gravitational lensing may shed light on how galaxies form and evolve.

Curiosity Mars rover snaps a selfie

2 February 2018 Astronomy Now

The Curiosity Mars rover used a camera on the end of its robot arm to take a selfie on the slopes of Mount Sharp before moving on to begin exploring nearby clay-rich soils. The rover is slowly working its way up the lower slopes of the mountain, looking for changes that might indicate the transition from warmer, wetter eras to the dry, frigid environment seen today.

Watch the lunar eclipse

31 January 2018 Astronomy Now

Live video from NASA of today’s total lunar eclipse. The so-called super blue blood Moon.

Dark clouds mask star formation

31 January 2018 Astronomy Now

A stunning new image of the Lupus-3 star-forming region shows billowing smoke-like nebulae snaking across a backdrop of brilliant suns.

Curiosity snaps spectacular Mars panorama

31 January 2018 Astronomy Now

NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover sends back a spectacular panorama showing its path across the floor of Gale Crater from its landing site to its current perch on the slopes of Mount Sharp.

Most distant galaxy in the Local Group

29 January 2018 Astronomy Now

The most distant galaxy in the local group hides in a sea of stars.

Martian dust storms may play role in atmosphere loss

29 January 2018 Astronomy Now

Periodic global dust storms on Mars may play a role in the ongoing loss of the planet’s atmosphere, according to data collected by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft.