News – Page 46 – Astronomy Now

NASA gives go-ahead for flying drone to explore Saturn’s moon Titan

28 June 2019 Stephen Clark

NASA officials announced that the agency will move forward with the development of a plutonium-powered robotic quadcopter drone to explore Saturn’s moon Titan, a hazy world covered with dunes and methane lakes that scientists say is reminiscent of the ancient Earth.

Methane detected on Mars; origin not yet known

24 June 2019 Astronomy Now

NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover detects methane; while a possible indicator of biological activity, the source is not yet known.

A heavenly host of robotic space missions announced

21 June 2019 Astronomy Now

ESA and NASA announce new missions to study a pristine comet, the solar corona and how the solar wind interacts with Earth’s atmosphere.

Japanese spacecraft to carry European rover to martian moon

20 June 2019 Astronomy Now

A Japanese spacecraft designed to explore Mars’ moons will carry a European rover that will land on Phobos or Deimos.

ALMA spots merging galaxies in infant universe

18 June 2019 Astronomy Now

The ALMA radio telescope array has spotted what appears to be the merger of two galaxies in the infant universe, the earliest such encounter yet observed.

Giant planets orbiting Sun-like stars may be rare

17 June 2019 Astronomy Now

A survey of 300 young, nearby stars by the Gemini South telescope indicates giant planets may be rare in solar systems with Sun-like stars.

Perfecting the technology needed for ‘starshades’

14 June 2019 Astronomy Now

Engineers are studying plans for a future “starshade” that would block out a star’s light, allowing a distant telescope to directly image smaller exoplanets.

Cassini mosaic captures moon sculpting Saturn’s rings

14 June 2019 Astronomy Now

Data collected by the Cassini spacecraft before its 2017 demise continues to shed light on the composition and dynamics of Saturn’s rings.

New study suggests tighter restrictions on exoplanet habitability

11 June 2019 Astronomy Now

New research indicates a star’s habitable zone may be narrower than previously believed, making it tougher for ET to evolve and thrive.

Simulations tackle black hole-accretion disc alignment

10 June 2019 Astronomy Now

Complex computer simulations confirm long-held belief that the inner regions of a spinning black hole’s accretion disc are aligned with the equator.