Astronomy Now – Page 50

“Tension” increases with different measurement of Hubble constant

24 October 2019 Astronomy Now

The first use of adaptive optics to measure the Hubble constant appears to confirm a discrepancy in cosmologists’ understanding of how fast the universe is expanding.

Curiosity snaps a selfie at Mount Sharp drill site

24 October 2019 Astronomy Now

The Curiosity Mars rover snaps a 57-image composite selfie while exploring the Glen Etive region of Mount Sharp where it drilled and collected two samples for chemical analysis.

Telltale signs of a planetary collision in binary star system

24 October 2019 Astronomy Now

Relatively warm clouds of dust swirling around a binary star system may be the result of a cataclysmic collision between two rocky exoplanets.

Supercomputer up to challenge of Square Kilometre Array

23 October 2019 Astronomy Now

Researchers use one of the world’s most powerful computers to make sure they will be able to process a “data deluge” from the Square Kilometre Array.

Huge galaxy found lurking in early Universe may be ‘missing link’

23 October 2019 Astronomy Now

Astronomers find evidence for a large galaxy lurking behind obscuring dust clouds that may be a “missing link” in galactic evolution.

Chandra X-ray telescope sheds new light on the Tycho supernova remnant

20 October 2019 Astronomy Now

New images from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory reveal the “lumpy” nature of the Tycho supernova remnant in spectacular detail, providing new insights into the evolution of Type 1a supernovae.

Panel recommends planetary protection policy reassessment

20 October 2019 Astronomy Now

An independent review board recommends that NASA reassess its planetary protection protocols to reflect current technology and planned missions.

Orbiter spots InSight on Mars as heat probe resumes hammering

17 October 2019 Astronomy Now

After months of troubleshooting, engineers say the InSight Mars lander’s German temperature probe has resumed its hammering into the martian surface.

Citizen scientists track down asteroids in Hubble photos

14 October 2019 Astronomy Now

Citizen scientists spot thousands of asteroid trails in archived photos from the Hubble Space Telescope, helping astronomers pin down orbits

Hubble takes the measure of a nearby globular cluster

13 October 2019 Astronomy Now

Globular clusters are favourite targets for amateur astronomers, vast star swarms that date back to just after the big bang birth of the cosmos. NGC 6397 is one of the closest, as revealed by the Hubble Space Telescope.