Astronomy Now – Page 18

After an initial failure, Perseverance collects Martian rock sample

6 September 2021 Astronomy Now

NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover successfully captured its first rock sample from the floor of Jezero Crater after an initial failure.

The mesmerizing outskirts of NGC 4603 – a key galaxy in Hubble’s ‘key project’

30 August 2021 Astronomy Now

The spiral arms of galaxy NGC 4603 are home to multiple Cepheid variable stars, “standard candles” that helped astronomers pin down the age of the universe in one of the Hubble Space Telescope’s first major projects.

In major milestone, James Webb Space Telescope testing complete

30 August 2021 Astronomy Now

Engineers have completed testing of the James Webb Space Telescope and are preparing the observatory for shipment to Kourou, French Guiana, for launch.

Fastest-moving asteroid flies closer to Sun than Mercury

23 August 2021 Astronomy Now

Astronomers have found an asteroid, or possibly an extinct comet, in a high-stress orbit carrying it closer to the Sun than any other body in the solar system.

A flawless spiral galaxy in Aries an oasis of light in a spiralling sea of stars

20 August 2021 Astronomy Now

A tilted spiral galaxy, showing off beautifully symmetric arms tightly wrapped around a brilliant core, provides a spectacular target for the Hubble Space Telescope.

A stunning vista from the Curiosity Mars rover captures changing environment

20 August 2021 Astronomy Now

NASA’s Curiosity rover beams back a stunning panorama from the slopes of Mount Sharp showing signs of transition between past and present environments.

Everything you need to know about planet Venus

18 August 2021 Astronomy Now

The second planet from the Sun, Venus is often described as Earth’s evil twin, with a climate that has dramatically diverged from Earth’s.

Everything You Need to Know About Planet Mercury

18 August 2021 Astronomy Now

The innermost planet, Mercury, may be the smallest in the Solar System, but it’s also home to some big surprises.

M61, a face-on titan of the Virgo galaxy cluster, reveals its star-studded structure

17 August 2021 Astronomy Now

One of the largest members of the Virgo galaxy cluster, M61 presents a spectacular face-on view of densely populated spiral arms and a brilliant stellar nucleus hosting a supermassive black hole.

Sodium jets may explain asteroid Phaethon’s comet-like brightening

17 August 2021 Astronomy Now

When does an asteroid behave like a comet? Perhaps when sub-surface sodium heats up and fizzes into space during a close pass by the Sun.