Picture This – Page 10 – Astronomy Now

A multi-instrument view of M61, showcasing its luminous heart and winding arms

11 April 2021 Astronomy Now

Discovered in 1779, M61 serves as a brilliant subject for ground- and space-based telescopes alike, with spiral arms bursting with young stars and a luminous core harboring a supermassive black hole.

Like a proud parent, Perseverance Mars rover snaps a selfie with Ingenuity drone

7 April 2021 Astronomy Now

NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover snapped a selfie showing the robot geologist and the diminutive Ingenuity helicopter on the surface of the red planet as engineers ready the drone for an initial 90 second test flight.

Ingenuity drone released from Perseverance Mars rover in preparation for test flight

2 April 2021 Astronomy Now

The Ingenuity Mars drone has been released from the belly of the Perseverance rover and is now standing alone on the surface in preparation for a long-awaited “Wright brothers moment” in the red planet’s ultra-thin atmosphere.

X-rays from Uranus caused by sunlight and, possibly, complex auroras

31 March 2021 Astronomy Now

Astronomers have detected X-rays from Uranus for the first time, likely caused by sunlight scattering off the ice giant’s atmosphere. But there are hints of complex auroral emissions.

Perseverance Mars rover goes for a test drive amid detailed checkouts

22 March 2021 Astronomy Now

NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover will begin science operations after initial check out operations are complete, including deployment of an experimental drone.

A “gem” of a young star cluster shines in Carina

16 March 2021 Astronomy Now

A beautiful star cluster in Carina, known as the Gem, was first observed in 1757. The young, 10-million-year-old cluster is seen here in all its glory courtesy of ESO’s 2.2-metre MPG telescope at La Silla Observatory in Chile.

Fisheye lens on space station captures vast panorama

8 March 2021 Astronomy Now

Using a wide-angle lens, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station captured a dramatic near-cloudless view of north Africa and the Middle East.

Hubble captures the “Black Eye” galaxy in glorious detail

3 March 2021 Astronomy Now

M64, more casually known as the “Black Eye” galaxy, is a familiar target for amateur astronomers, but it shines in all its glory – and earns its nickname – in images captured by the Hubble Space Telescope.

First panorama from Perseverance Mars rover wows scientists

26 February 2021 Astronomy Now

The Perseverance Mars rover, getting a major post-landing software update, beams back a spectacular panorama of its Jezero Crater landing site.

Perseverance beams back first colour picture from the surface of Mars

19 February 2021 William Harwood

NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover came through its nail-biting descent to the surface of Mars in excellent condition, beaming back dramatic photos that provide a taste of things to come.