Universe Today (Page 172)

Astronomy Cast Ep. 498: Dwarf Galaxy Update

By susie - July 02, 2018 12:50 PM UTC | Extragalactic

Good News, James Webb is Still a Go. Bad News, Launching in 2021

By Matthew Williams - July 01, 2018 08:55 PM UTC | Missions

In response to the report issued by an Independent Review Board, NASA has decided to delay the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope to 2021.

Oumuamua Accelerated Out of the Solar System Like a Comet

By Matthew Williams - June 30, 2018 06:27 PM UTC | Planetary Science

Using data from ground-based observatories and the Hubble space telescope, an international team of scientists found evidence that 'Oumuamua is an interstellar comet after all.

Weekly Space Hangout on Hiatus until September!

By Fraser Cain - June 30, 2018 04:04 PM UTC | Site News

A Long Exposure Hubble Image of a Galaxy Cluster Also Turned up 22 Asteroids

By Matthew Williams - June 29, 2018 04:36 PM UTC | Extragalactic

While observing a distant galaxy cluster, an image taken by Hubble was photobombed by 22 previously undetected asteroids.

Complex Organics Molecules are Bubbling up From Inside Enceladus

By Matthew Williams - June 29, 2018 02:26 PM UTC | Astrobiology

According to the last study based on Cassini data, complex organic molecules exist within Enceladus and are being released through its plumes.

A Satellite With a Harpoon, Net and Drag Sail to Capture Space Junk is in Orbit and Will be Tested Soon

By Matthew Williams - June 28, 2018 04:48 PM UTC | Space Exploration

The RemoveDebris satellite, a spacecraft designed to remove junk from orbit, recently deployed from the ISS to begin demonstrating its capabilities.

There's Sand on Titan, Where Does it Come From?

By Matthew Williams - June 27, 2018 03:13 PM UTC | Planetary Science

A new study led by researchers from John Hopkins University tackles the question of where Titan's mysterious sand dunes come from.

Weekly Space Hangout: June 27 2018: Space News Roundup

By Fraser Cain - June 27, 2018 08:46 AM UTC | Planetary Science

Thanks to a Gravitational Lens, Astronomers Can See an Individual Star 9 Billion Light-Years Away

By Matthew Williams - June 26, 2018 05:44 PM UTC | Extragalactic

In a recent study, a team of international astronomers used the gravitational lensing technique to study the most distant individual star ever observed.

The Universe's Missing Matter. Found!

By Matthew Williams - June 26, 2018 02:29 PM UTC | Cosmology

Thanks to a recent study by an international team of scientists, the remaining missing normal matter of the Universe may finally have been found!

Planetpalooza: All Bright Planets Visible in the July Dusk Sky

By David Dickinson - June 26, 2018 09:31 AM UTC | Planetary Science

Missed the planets in the dusk sky in early 2018? This summer's astronomical blockbuster sees the return of all the classical naked eye planets in the dusk sky, in a big way.

The Martian Dust Storm Has Covered the Entire Planet

By Matthew Williams - June 25, 2018 05:44 PM UTC | Planetary Science

The Martian dust storm that began a few weeks ago has grown to engulf the entire planet, and Curiosity is well-positioned to get it on camera!

Astronomy Cast Ep. 497: Update on Globular Clusters

By susie - June 25, 2018 12:50 PM UTC | Milky Way

The Tools Humanity Will Need for Living in the Year 1 Trillion

By Matthew Williams - June 24, 2018 04:28 PM UTC | Space Exploration

A recent paper by Harvest professor Dr. Abraham Loeb takes another look at an issue he has been addressing for years, which is how humanity might survive the accelerating expansion of the Universe.

Strange Landscapes on Mars were Created by Explosive Volcanoes

By Matthew Williams - June 22, 2018 02:56 PM UTC | Planetary Science

According to a new study from Johns Hopkins University, Mars' Medusa Fossae region was created by volcanic activity, a finding which has serious implications for the planet's past habitability.

New Model Predicts That We're Probably the Only Advanced Civilization in the Observable Universe

By Matthew Williams - June 21, 2018 06:22 PM UTC | Astrobiology

According to a new study by three famed scientists, the Fermi Paradox may have a simple resolution - humanity is the only intelligent species in our galaxy!

How an Advanced Civilization Could Stop Dark Energy From Preventing Their Future Exploration

By Matthew Williams - June 20, 2018 08:41 PM UTC | Cosmology

In a new study, an astrophysicist proposed how an advanced civilization might survive the inevitable expansion of the Universe, and how me might search for them.

Weekly Space Hangout: June 20, 2018: Dr. Jillian Scudder's Astroquizzical

By Fraser Cain - June 20, 2018 12:37 PM UTC | Site News

Could Cyanobacteria Help to Terraform Mars?

By Matthew Williams - June 19, 2018 11:46 PM UTC | Astrobiology

A team of international scientists recently conducted a study that indicates that cyanobacteria can conduct photosynthesis in low-light conditions, which has implications for plans to terraform Mars.

Astronomy Cast Ep. 496: Update on Stellar populations (I, II, & III)

By susie - June 18, 2018 03:44 PM UTC | Stars

Ceres Has Even More Organic Molecules on it Than Previously Thought

By Matthew Williams - June 17, 2018 01:36 PM UTC | Astrobiology

According to a new study from Brown University, it appears Ceres has more organic molecules on its surface than previously thought

A Meteoroid Smashed Into the Side of a Crater on Mars and Then Started a Landslide

By Matthew Williams - June 15, 2018 03:07 PM UTC | Planetary Science

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) recently captured an image of an impact crater on Mars that triggered an avalanche that left behind a dark streak.

The Black Hole Ultimate Solar System: a Supermassive Black Hole, 9 Stars and 550 Planets

By Matthew Williams - June 15, 2018 01:15 PM UTC | Black Holes

Physicist Dr. Sean Raymond recently created a hypothetical system where 550 planets and 9 Suns orbit around a central black hole, with fascinating results!

What's the Minimum Number of People you Should Send in a Generational Ship to Proxima Centauri?

By Matthew Williams - June 14, 2018 01:41 PM UTC | Space Exploration

In a series of new studies, a pair of French researchers tackle the question of how many people would need to be sent on an interstellar journey to ensure that a healthy crew arrives.

One Way to Find Aliens Would be to Search for Artificial Rings of Satellites: Clarke Belts

By Matthew Williams - June 13, 2018 07:34 PM UTC | Astrobiology

In a new study, astrophysicist Hector Socas-Navarro proposes searching for aliens by looking for signs of dense satellite rings around planets - aka. Clarke Belts.

What Comes After James Webb and WFIRST? Four Amazing Future Space Telescopes

By Fraser Cain - June 13, 2018 06:15 PM UTC | Telescopes

Weekly Space Hangout: June 13, 2018: Stella Kafka, Director of the AAVSO

By Fraser Cain - June 13, 2018 08:11 AM UTC | Site News

A Powerful Dust Storm Has Darkened the Skies Over Opportunity on Mars

By Matthew Williams - June 12, 2018 04:42 PM UTC | Planetary Science

A massive Martian dust storm has settled in over the Opportunity rover's location in the Perseverance Valley, which could pose a danger to this rover's continuing mission.

It Might Not be Planet 9 Causing Disruptions in the Kuiper Belt, Just the Collective Gravity of Everything Out There

By Matthew Williams - June 12, 2018 02:44 PM UTC | Planetary Science

According to a new study by a team from CU Boulder, Planet 9 may not be necessary to explain the odd behavior of objects in the Kuiper Belt

Astronomy Cast Ep. 495: Update on Asteroids & Prospects of Asteroid Mining

By susie - June 11, 2018 03:44 PM UTC | Planetary Science

Does Climate Change Explain Why We Don't See Any Aliens Out There?

By Matthew Williams - June 11, 2018 01:48 PM UTC | Astrobiology

Addressing the Fermi Paradox, a team of researchers recently conducted a study predicts whether or not Climate Change may be what determines the fate of civilizations.

Carnival of Space #565

By susie - June 11, 2018 12:50 PM UTC | Site News

There are Strange Objects Near the Center of the Galaxy. They Look Like Gas, but Behave Like Stars

By Matthew Williams - June 10, 2018 04:37 PM UTC | Milky Way

Using 12 years of data from the W.M. Keck Observatory, a team of astronomers discovered mystery objects near the center of the galaxy that could be "puffy" stars

And NASA's Big Announcement is: Ancient Organic Molecules Found on Mars!

By Matthew Williams - June 08, 2018 03:42 PM UTC | Astrobiology

In its latest discovery, the Curiosity rover detected organic molecules in an ancient deposit of sedimentary rock, bolstering the case that Mars may once have supported life.

Chandra Observatory Checks to Make Sure Alpha Centauri is Safe, You Know, in Case We Decide to Visit

By Matthew Williams - June 07, 2018 10:39 PM UTC | Exoplanets

Using over a decade of data collected by the Chandra X-ray observatory, a new study indicates that the Alpha Centauri system could be hospitable to life.

Breakthrough Starshot is Now Looking for the Companies to Build its Laser-Powered Solar Sails to Other Stars

By Matthew Williams - June 07, 2018 02:01 PM UTC | Space Exploration

Breakthrough Starshot, a project that hopes to send a small spacecraft to Proxima Centauri in our lifetimes, is now looking for contractors to build its laser sail.

Are There Enough Chemicals on Icy Worlds to Support Life?

By Matthew Williams - June 06, 2018 03:14 PM UTC | Astrobiology

A new study by researchers from the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics indicates that the chemicals necessary for life as we know it might be limited on Europa and other "ocean worlds".

Astro Challenge: Spotting 4 Vesta at its Best for Decades

By David Dickinson - June 06, 2018 10:35 AM UTC | Planetary Science

Up for a challenge? Planetary action is certainly heating up this summer: Jupiter passed opposition last month, Saturn does so in June, and Mars reaches favorable viewing next month. And with dazzling Venus in the west and Mercury to joining it starting in late June, we'll soon have all of the naked eye classical planets in the evening sky. Now, I want to turn your attention towards a potential naked eye object, you've probably never seen: asteroid 4 Vesta.