Astronomy Now – Page 246

Astronomers solve puzzle about bizarre object at the centre of our galaxy

4 November 2014 Astronomy Now

The mystery about a thin, bizarre object in the centre of the Milky Way headed toward our galaxy’s enormous black hole has been solved by astronomers using the Keck Observatory.

Hubble sees a galaxy on the edge

3 November 2014 Astronomy Now

This spectacular edge-on view of the galaxy NGC4762, and a number of other distant galaxies, was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope.

Rosetta shifts into higher orbit to dispatch Philae lander on 12 November

1 November 2014 Astronomy Now

The European Space Agency’s Rosetta probe has shifted into a higher orbit around comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in readiness for the release of its Philae lander on 12 November.

Curiosity rover shows off its tattoo

1 November 2014 Astronomy Now

NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover captured an image of the ‘tattoo’ on its arm, with the rocks at the base of Mount Sharp as a backdrop.

Cassini sees sunny seas on Titan

31 October 2014 Astronomy Now

This near-infrared, colour mosaic from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft shows the sun glinting off of Titan’s north polar seas.

Hubble Space Telescope sees ‘ghost light’ from dead galaxies

30 October 2014 Astronomy Now

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has picked up the faint, ghostly glow of stars ejected from ancient galaxies that were gravitationally ripped apart several billion years ago.

Moon probe’s impact crater found

30 October 2014 Astronomy Now

NASA’S Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft has spied a new crater on the lunar surface; one made from the impact of NASA’s Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) mission.

Spooky shadow play gives Jupiter a giant eye

28 October 2014 Astronomy Now

Just in time for Halloween, the Hubble Space Telescope has revealed a spooky view of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot staring back at Earth.

Saturn’s mini moons Pandora and Atlas dwarfed by rings

25 October 2014 Astronomy Now

The moons visible in this Cassini probe image, Pandora and Atlas, are quite small by astronomical standards, but the rings are also enormous!

Two families of comets found around nearby star

24 October 2014 Astronomy Now

ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile has been used to make the most complete census of comets around another star ever created.