Week in images: 01-05 July 2024
Space News & Blog Articles
Tune into the SpaceZE News Network to stay updated on industry news from around the world.
Ariane 6: Europe’s next big rocket in a nutshell
Video: 00:05:13
Ariane 6 is the newest rocket in a series that has, for five decades, been launching Europe towards the stars. Building on all the knowledge, expertise and technology developed over the years, Ariane 6 will be versatile, modular, and European.
Earth from Space: Madeira
Image: The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission captured a rare, cloud-free image over the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Webb admires bejewelled ring
Image: Webb admires bejewelled ring
EarthCARE offers a sneak peek into Earth’s energy balance
Offering a foretaste of what’s to come once it is fully commissioned, ESA’s EarthCARE satellite has returned the first images from its broadband radiometer instrument. These initial images offer a tantalising glimpse into the intricacies of our planet’s energy balance – a delicate balance that governs our climate.
Europe’s Earth Return Orbiter reaches design maturity
ESA’s Earth Return Orbiter, the first spacecraft that will rendezvous and capture an object around another planet, passed a key milestone to bring the first Mars samples back to Earth.
Webb Sees a Star in the Midst of Formation
Wherever the JWST looks in space, matter and energy are interacting in spectacular displays. The Webb reveals more detail in these interactions than any other telescope because it can see through dense gas and dust that cloak many objects.
Scientists tap into 2 new quantum methods to catch dark matter suspects
Scientists will cool two pieces of quantum tech to a thousandth of a degree above absolute zero to hunt for two different dark matter suspects.
Boiling rocks from Earth's crust tore an ocean into Mongolia 410 million years ago
An ocean that opened up in what is now Mongolia 410 million years ago was created by a hot upwelling of rock known as a mantle plume.
Ariane 6 first flight timeline
Image: Ariane 6 first flight timeline
Science and music festival Starmus 2025 will return to the Canary Islands
Starmus 2025 will be held on the island of La Palma in April 2025. The festival will focus on the challenges of space debris and how light pollution is impacting our view of the night sky.
10 tips for planning your 2026 solar eclipse trip
Check out these 10 top tips for planning your eclipse experience to make sure you get the most out of the total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026.
Save $120 this July 4 on the DJI Mini 3 fly more combo
Act fast: This short-lived July 4 drone deal sees you get $120 off a brilliant DJI Mini 3 fly more drone bundle that includes a remote control, a bag, spare propellers and more.
'Space Cadet' applies humor to NASA astronaut selection, says film director (interview)
Right now, NASA astronauts are helping to review thousands of applications to join their ranks. Chances are none of the submissions are from the likes of Tiffany "Rex" Simpson in "Space Cadet."
NASA astronauts send Fourth of July message to Earth from ISS (video)
The six NASA astronauts currently living on the International Space Station beamed a message down to Earth to celebrate the United States' 248th birthday.
Eye test for lunar impact surveyor
Image: Eye test for lunar impact surveyor
Ariane 6 first passengers
Image: Ariane 6 first passengers
Happy 4th of July! Infant star creates red, white and blue fireworks in new JWST image
Just in time for Independence Day, the James Webb Space Telescope has imaged a red, white and blue fireworks display, courtesy of an infant star at the heart of a dense cloud of gas and dust.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 4 – 14
The waxing Moon passes Regulus on its way to occulting Spica July 13th. The Kite of Boötes tilts toward the Dipper. And the largest asteroid is at opposition.
Tracking Ariane 6 as it soars over the Azores
A network of ground stations around the world, including two owned by ESA, will track the debut flight of Europe’s new Ariane 6 rocket. They will monitor key phases of the flight and gather telemetry and video that will be used to analyse the rocket’s performance and optimise future launches.
