Astronomy Now – Page 79

Opaque voids in early universe tied to galaxy scarcity

14 October 2018 Astronomy Now

New research indicates vast voids in the extremely early universe did not contain large amounts of gas, blocking light from background galaxies. They actually contain little mass, with fewer nearby galaxies than expected.

Chandra X-ray Observatory joins Hubble in protective safe mode

12 October 2018 Astronomy Now

NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory entered protective safe mode 10 October, the second of NASA’s “Great Observatories” to be sidelined in one week by a technical issue. Engineers are studying telemetry to pinpoint the problem.

The Great Horsehead Nebula and its neglected neighbour

12 October 2018 Astronomy Now

A stunning view of the Horsehead Nebula and NGC 2023, a reflection nebula some four light years in diameter, is shortlisted in this year’s Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition organised by the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

Astronomers see birth of rare binary neutron star

12 October 2018 Astronomy Now

Astronomers have found an “ultra-stripped supernova” that created a second neutron star in a tight binary system, matching theoretical predictions for how such binaries are formed in otherwise disruptive blasts.

ALMA helps solve an astronomical cold case

10 October 2018 Astronomy Now

Astronomers say an apparent nova that appeared in the constellation Cygnus 348 years ago likely was caused by a collision between a compact white dwarf and a ‘failed star’ known as a brown dwarf.

Hubble Space Telescope sidelined by gyro problem

9 October 2018 Astronomy Now

The Hubble Space Telescope has been sidelined in the wake of problems with two of its four remaining gyroscopes. Engineers are hopeful they can restore one of the units to operation. If not, backup plans are in place.

XMM-Newton captures a massive galaxy cluster aglow in X-rays

8 October 2018 Astronomy Now

ESA’s XMM-Newton X-ray telescope is mapping galaxy clusters across the universe, helping astronomers better understand their distribution, structure and evolution.

Capturing the Eagle Nebula, home of the ‘Pillars of Creation’

5 October 2018 Astronomy Now

The Eagle Nebula, home of the ‘Pillars of Creation,’ is a popular target for astrophotographers. A spectacular photo of the vast nebula is one of those shortlisted for the Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year contest organised by the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

Are we there yet? Voyager 2 nears the boundary of interstellar space

5 October 2018 Astronomy Now

Six years after the Voyager 1 spacecraft moved into interstellar space, Voyager 2 is detecting an increase in cosmic ray strikes indicating the probe is nearing the edge of the protective bubble defined by the Sun’s influence.

IAU names two lunar craters in honour of Apollo 8

5 October 2018 Astronomy Now

The International Astronomical Union, marking the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 8 mission that carried humans into lunar orbit for the first time in 1968, has named to craters to honour the historic mission.