Johannes Kepler is probably most well known for developing the laws of planetary motion. He was also a keen solar observer and in 1607 made some wonderful observations of our nearest star using a camera obscura. His drawings were wonderfully precise and enabled astronomers to pinpoint where the Sun was in its 11-year cycle. Having taken into account Kepler’s location and the location of sunspots, a team of researchers have identified the Sun was nearing the end of solar cycle-13.
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Mercury Could be Housing a Megafortune Worth of Diamonds!
Mercury, the closest planet to our Sun, is also one of the least understood in the Solar System. On the one hand, it is similar in composition to Earth and the other rocky planets, consisting of silicate minerals and metals differentiated between a silicate crust and mantle and an iron-nickel core. But unlike the other rocky planets, Mercury’s core makes up a much larger part of its mass fraction. Mercury also has a mysteriously persistent magnetic field that scientists still cannot explain. In this respect, Mercury is also one of the most interesting planets in the Solar System.
Webb Directly Images a Jupiter-Like Planet
The JWST has directly imaged its first exoplanet, a temperate super Jupiter only about 12 light-years away from Earth. It could be the oldest and coldest planet ever detected.
Live coverage: ULA prepares for final Atlas 5 launch supporting a national security payload
United Launch Alliance rolled its Atlas 5 551 rocket to the launchpad at Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41) on Saturday, July 27, 2024, ahead of the USSF-51 launch on Tuesday, July 30. Image: Will Robinson-Smith/Spaceflight Now
United Launch Alliance is preparing for a seminole moment for its Atlas 5 rocket. The launch vehicle is preparing to launch its 58th and final national security mission on Tuesday. The United States Space Force-51 (USSF-51) mission will also be the 100th national security mission launch for ULA.
This Week In Space podcast: This Week In Space podcast: Episode 121 —An Exploding Star Near You!
On Episode 121 of This Week In Space, Rod and Tariq discuss a star about to go nova with astrophysicist Carlos Badenes.
'Double' meteor shower will light up the skies next week. Here's how to watch.
As Earth's orbit intersects with those of two comets this month, stargazers will have a chance to view spectacular double meteor showers.
Lego sets up 'space station' at San Diego Comic-Con, offers mission crew patch
Lego is recruiting new members for its "mission crew," issuing rocket builders with an exclusive mission patch at this year's San Diego Comic-Con. The toy company has launched "Space Station 8R1CK5."
Floating LEAVES Could Characterize Venus’s Atmosphere
Venus’s atmosphere has drawn a lot of attention lately. In particular, the consistent discovery of phosphine in its clouds points to potential biological sources. That, in turn, has resulted in numerous suggested missions, including floating a balloon into the atmosphere or having a spacecraft scoop down and suck up atmospheric samples. But a team of engineers led by Jeffrey Balcerski, now an adjunct at Kent State University but then part of the Ohio Aerospace Institute, came up with a different idea years ago – use floating sensor platforms shaped like leaves to collect a wide variety of data throughout Venus’ atmosphere.
Earth is wobbling and days are getting longer — and humans are to blame
New studies, which utilized AI to monitor the effects of climate change on Earth's spin, have shown that our days are getting increasingly longer and that our planet will get more wobbly in the future. These changes could have major implications for humanity's future.
World's largest telescope continues taking shape on Chilean mountain (photos)
The dome enclosing the world's largest visible- and infrared-light telescope is taking shape with the installation of protective siding and supports for the primary mirror.
Update your Desktop Wallpaper with 25 New Images from Chandra
It’s not always possible to observe the night sky from the surface of the Earth. The blocking effects of the atmosphere mean we sometimes need to put telescopes out into space. The Chandra X-Ray Observatory is one such telescopes and it has just completed its 25th year of observations. To celebrate, NASA have just released 25 never-before-seen images of various celestial objects in x-rays. The collection includes images showing the region around black holes, giant clouds of hot gas and extreme magnetic fields. Sadly though, NASA is planning on shutting down the mission to save budget so best to enjoy the images while you can.
SpaceX Resumes Falcon 9 Rocket Launches After FAA Go-Ahead
SpaceX is flying again after the Federal Aviation Administration ruled that the company can resume Falcon 9 rocket launches while the investigation into a failed July 11 mission continues.
SpaceX launches Falcon 9 return to flight mission from the Kennedy Space Center
The Falcon 9 returns to flight two weeks after an upper stage failure. Image: Adam Bernstein/Spaceflight Now.
A two-week launch hiatus for SpaceX came to a close after midnight on Saturday with the Starlink 10-9 mission returning the Falcon 9 to flight after an upper stage mishap on a July 11 grounded the workhorse rocket.
NASA astronauts hold their own Summer Olympics in space (video)
NASA astronauts held their own mini-Olympics on the International Space Station to mark the start of the Summer Games here on Earth.
SpaceX's historic Polaris Dawn astronaut mission delayed until mid-August
SpaceX is now eyeing mid- to late August for the launch of the Polaris Dawn astronaut mission, which will feature the first-ever private spacewalk.
A moon of Uranus could have a hidden ocean, James Webb Space Telescope finds
Astronomers have found that Ariel, a moon of Uranus, has some of the most carbon dioxide-rich deposits in the solar system, hinting at a buried water ocean.
Sun blasts out most powerful flare of current solar cycle, sends massive coronal mass ejection into space (video)
A solar flare on July 23 was even bigger than a previous one that triggered May's global aurora storm, but this one was facing away from Earth on the far side of the sun.
'Wonderlab' host Emily Calandrelli will fly to suborbital space with Blue Origin
The Space Gal is headed into orbit, as part of Space for Humanity's Citizen Astronaut Program.
SpaceX moving Crew Dragon splashdowns to West Coast after multiple space debris incidents
The four astronauts flying aboard SpaceX Crew Dragon are supposed to launch no earlier than Aug. 18 and splash down near Florida. Future crews will go to the west coast due to space junk concerns.
ISS astronaut captures auroras and a meteor in stunning timelapse from space (video)
Auroras, stars and a fleeting meteor are captured in a mesmerizing new view from the International Space Station.
Europe's JUICE Jupiter probe flies by Earth on Aug. 20, and it may be visible to some skywatchers
Europe's JUICE Jupiter spacecraft will swing past Earth on Aug. 20, and some skywatchers in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Ocean region may be able to see it.
