NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System has recently deployed its booms and sails, allowing it to receive light pressure from the Sun for propulsion through the Solar System. This innovative technology utilizes sunlight to generate low levels of thrust, providing an efficient way to propel small spacecraft. The success of this system has the potential
Space
In a rare turn of events, an asteroid managed to catch us off guard as it descended through the atmosphere over the Philippines. Named 2024 RW1, this small celestial body was only detected hours before it made its fiery entrance above the island of Luzon. Measuring just one meter in diameter, it posed no real
As we move into the month of September, there are a number of fascinating lunar occultation events happening all around the world. These events provide a unique opportunity for skywatchers to witness the Moon blocking out various celestial objects such as stars, planets, and star clusters. The Moon’s journey as it occults these objects offers
When China’s Tianwen-1 mission arrived in orbit around Mars in July 2020, it marked the beginning of a new era in interplanetary exploration. The mission consists of a diverse set of robotic elements, including an orbiter, a lander, two deployable cameras, a remote camera, and the Zhurong rover. The primary goal of the mission is
As we gaze into the vast cosmic expanse of our Milky Way galaxy, it is easy to be mesmerized by the beauty and grandeur of the stars and planets within it. However, if we look closer, we may uncover the hidden secrets of a violent past lurking in the shadows of the gas and starlight.
Located just outside the Milky Way Galaxy, approximately 210,000 light-years from Earth, is the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). This dwarf galaxy, measuring about 18,900 light-years in diameter and containing around 3 billion stars, orbits the Milky Way as a satellite galaxy. Scientists are highly intrigued by the SMC and its counterpart, the Large Magellanic Cloud
The Solar System is home to a vast array of moons with unique characteristics. However, one peculiar anomaly stands out – the absence of ringed moons. While half of the planets in our Solar System boast rings of dust and ice around their equator, not a single moon has been discovered with a ring system.
Betelgeuse, also known as Beetle-juice, has captivated amateur astronomers for years. This red supergiant variable star in the constellation Orion has recently sparked even more interest due to its unexpected dimming. But what exactly is causing this phenomenon and could it be linked to a companion star? Betelgeuse is one of the brightest stars in
The concept of warp drives has been a staple in science fiction for many years, popularized by shows like Star Trek. The idea behind warp drives is to enable spacecraft to travel faster than the speed of light, thus making interstellar travel feasible. However, the feasibility of warp drives in reality is still a topic
The recent detection and measurement of the ambipolar field surrounding Earth has opened up a new realm of study in atmospheric science. Described as an invisible and weak energy field, the ambipolar field has long been hypothesized but only recently confirmed by astronomers. This groundbreaking discovery has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of our
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, known for its reliability and reusability, recently faced a rare failure when its first-stage booster tipped over and exploded during an attempted landing. The Federal Aviation Administration has initiated an investigation to determine the root cause of this event and to enhance public safety measures. The failure occurred after the rocket
The upcoming Polaris Dawn mission marks a significant milestone in space exploration, as it will feature the first ever spacewalk by commercial space travelers. This mission, backed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, showcases a new era of privately-funded orbital spaceflight, diverging from traditional government-backed missions. The crew composition, mission objectives, and the implications of the Polaris
SpaceX is gearing up to launch an unprecedented all-civilian crew on a bold orbital expedition, signaling a significant milestone in space exploration. The Polaris Dawn mission, spearheaded by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, is scheduled for liftoff from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch is set for 3:38 am with contingency options available if
Boeing’s Starliner faced a setback recently when it was announced that two US astronauts, Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams, who arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) will have to stay six more months. This decision was made due to thruster malfunctions on the Boeing spacecraft, forcing the astronauts to return home with
The expansion speed of the Universe has long been a subject of fascination and debate among astronomers and physicists alike. Recent measurements using the James Webb Space Telescope have shed new light on this complex issue, offering insights that could potentially resolve a longstanding discrepancy in our understanding of the accelerating expansion of the Universe.