Millisecond pulsars are amazing astronomical tools. They are fast-rotating neutron stars that sweep beams of radio energy from their magnetic poles, and when they are aligned just right we see them as rapidly flashing radio beacons. They flash with such regularity that we can treat them as cosmic clocks. Any change in their motion can be measured with extreme precision. Astronomers have used millisecond pulsars to measure their orbital decay due to gravitational waves and to observe the background gravitational rumblings of the universe. They have even been proposed as a method of celestial navigation. They may soon also be able to test the most fundamental nature of gravity.
Space News & Blog Articles
Tune into the SpaceZE News Network to stay updated on industry news from around the world.
NASA's Ingenuity helicopter flies on Mars for the 56th time
NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter flew for the 56th time last week, staying aloft for nearly 2.5 minutes on a sortie that covered 1,344 feet (410 meters) of ground.
India tests parachutes for Gaganyaan crew capsule using a rocket sled (video)
Last month, India tested the parachute system for its Gaganyaan crew capsule using a rocket-powered sled. See footage of the action.
Trial by fire for Ariane 6’s upper stage
Video: 00:01:01
On 1 September 2023 ESA’s all-new Ariane 6 launch vehicle fired its two upper stage engines to simulate the way they will have to operate together at German aerospace agency DLR’s engine test centre in Lampoldshausen, Germany. The test – of the new Vinci engine and a smaller Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) – took place on a purpose-built test bench.
India Launches Aditya L1 Solar Observatory
India’s first dedicated solar science mission Aditya L1 heads spaceward.
India launches Aditya-L1 solar observatory, its 1st-ever sun probe
India launched its first dedicated solar probe early Saturday morning (Sept. 2), sending the Aditya-L1 spacecraft skyward to tackle some big sun mysteries.
NASA Satellite Spots the Crash Site for Luna 25
Poor Russia. They can’t seem to get much right. Their most recent failure is their Luna 25 spacecraft. It was supposed to land near the Moon’s south pole but instead crashed into the surface on August 19th.
Astronaut of the Day - Chris Hadfield
Chris Hadfield is a retired Canadian astronaut and former commander of the International Space Station (ISS). He gained widespread fame for his social media presence and educational outreach during his time aboard the ISS. Here are some key details about Chris Hadfield:
So Much to Do, So Little Time. Chandrayaan-3 Makes the Most of Its Time at the Moon’s South Pole
India’s Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander and rover are quickly checking all the boxes of planned tasks for the mission. Time is short, as the duo are expected to last just 14 days on the Moon’s surface, or one lunar day, the amount of time the solar-powered equipment is built to last. Therefore, we likely only have until about September 6 or 7 to follow any action. But what a joy to watch the updates coming in from ISRO, the Indian Space Resource Organization.
Crucial test of Europe's long-delayed Ariane 6 rocket delayed
Hotfire testing of the new Ariane 6 rocket has been delayed due to problems with ground equipment.
Trial by fire for Ariane 6’s upper stage
Validation testing continues for ESA’s all-new Ariane 6 launch vehicle, with firing of its two upper stage engines to simulate the way they will have to operate together during a flight.
Atomic clocks on Earth could reveal secrets about dark matter across the universe
Using atomic clocks could help bring cosmology and astrophysics "down to Earth" by allowing scientists to investigate the mystery of dark matter in the lab.
'Invasion' Season 2 will feature alien hunter-killers and an homage to 'The Abyss' water tentacle (exclusive)
Award-winning visual effects master Erik Henry dives into the design and evolution of the Apple TV+ series' alien threats.
Is Anyone Planning for Diplomacy with an Extraterrestrial Civilization?
Imagine we detect an interstellar object entering our Solar System. At first, astronomers think it’s just another natural interloper like Oumuamua or comet Borisov. We’re warming up to the idea of visitors from other parts of the galaxy, though they’ve been inanimate so far.
Amazing satellite video shows China's space station come together in Earth orbit (video)
An Australian company has released images showing how China constructed its Tiangong space station.
If Earth Was an Exoplanet, JWST Would Know There's an Intelligent Civilization Here
Yesterday I presented a rather pessimistic view about our chances of finding evidence of alien civilizations. That work focused on detecting physical structures on an alien planet, which would take an optical telescope array the size of Saturn’s orbit. Today I’ll talk about a more optimistic view, one which focuses not on physical structures, but the fingerprint of molecules in an alien atmosphere. It’s a task that is not only much easier, it’s something we could do now using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
SpaceX, NASA delay Crew-6 Dragon astronauts' return to Earth due to bad weather
SpaceX and NASA say the Crew Dragon capsule carrying four Crew-6 astronauts will now depart the International Space Station no earlier than Sept. 3, a 24-hour delay.
Best alien invasion games of all time
Do we stand a better chance against alien invaders in the realm of video games? These are the best alien invasion games of all time.
Lego Star Wars Dagobah Jedi Training Diorama review
Build. Or build not. There is no try.
Week in images: 28 August - 01 September 2023
Week in images: 28 August - 01 September 2023
SpaceX Crew-6 astronauts say goodbye from ISS and prepare for return to Earth
SpaceX's Crew-6 astronauts bade farewell from orbit in a livestreamed event on Aug. 31. They will undock from the ISS no sooner than Sept. 2, pending the effects of Hurricane Idalia.
