SOFIA

Water Found on the Surface of an AsteroidWater Found on the Surface of an Asteroid

Water Found on the Surface of an Asteroid

Our Solar System is a collection of objects from planets and moons to comets and asteroids. It's thought there are…

11 months ago
SOFIA Fails to Find Phosphine in the Atmosphere of Venus, But the Debate ContinuesSOFIA Fails to Find Phosphine in the Atmosphere of Venus, But the Debate Continues

SOFIA Fails to Find Phosphine in the Atmosphere of Venus, But the Debate Continues

The on-again, off-again detection of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus appears to be off-again – for now. The latest…

2 years ago
Shadows on the Moon Could be Hiding Water, Even in the DaytimeShadows on the Moon Could be Hiding Water, Even in the Daytime

Shadows on the Moon Could be Hiding Water, Even in the Daytime

Shadows have been known throughout history to be excellent hiding places.  They may even be hiding unexpected things off the…

3 years ago
One of the Brightest Star-Forming Regions in the Milky Way, Seen in InfraredOne of the Brightest Star-Forming Regions in the Milky Way, Seen in Infrared

One of the Brightest Star-Forming Regions in the Milky Way, Seen in Infrared

Certain parts of the galaxy are more magical than others.  There are barren wastelands where barely a particle strays through…

4 years ago
The Magnetic Fields Swirling Within the Whirlpool GalaxyThe Magnetic Fields Swirling Within the Whirlpool Galaxy

The Magnetic Fields Swirling Within the Whirlpool Galaxy

Messier objects are some of the most imaged objects in the universe.  In part that’s because many of them are…

4 years ago
A Galaxy is Making New Stars Faster Than its Black Hole Can Starve Them for FuelA Galaxy is Making New Stars Faster Than its Black Hole Can Starve Them for Fuel

A Galaxy is Making New Stars Faster Than its Black Hole Can Starve Them for Fuel

A monster lurks at the heart of many galaxies – even our own Milky Way. This monster possesses the mass…

4 years ago
New View of the Swan Nebula From NASA’s Airborne SOFIA TelescopeNew View of the Swan Nebula From NASA’s Airborne SOFIA Telescope

New View of the Swan Nebula From NASA’s Airborne SOFIA Telescope

Using the SOFIA telescope, a team of NASA astronomers have conducted the most detailed survey of the interior of the…

5 years ago
This is the Core of the Milky Way, Seen in Infrared, Revealing Features Normally Hidden by Gas and DustThis is the Core of the Milky Way, Seen in Infrared, Revealing Features Normally Hidden by Gas and Dust

This is the Core of the Milky Way, Seen in Infrared, Revealing Features Normally Hidden by Gas and Dust

The world's largest airborne telescope, SOFIA, has peered into the core of the Milky Way and captured a crisp image…

5 years ago
How Spiral Galaxies Get Their ShapeHow Spiral Galaxies Get Their Shape

How Spiral Galaxies Get Their Shape

Spiral galaxies are an iconic form. They're used in product logos and all sorts of other places. We even live…

5 years ago
Astronomers See the Wreckage from a Collision Between ExoplanetsAstronomers See the Wreckage from a Collision Between Exoplanets

Astronomers See the Wreckage from a Collision Between Exoplanets

The history of our Solar System is punctuated with collisions. Collisions helped create the terrestrial planets and end the reign…

5 years ago