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Astronomy & Space news
'We live in a universe that is just right for us': Study proposes a test for the Anthropic Principle
The Anthropic Principle—stating that the universe we live in is fine-tuned to host life—was first proposed by Brandon Carter in 1973. Since then, it has sparked significant debate.
Astronomy
2 hours ago
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The moon's biggest and most ancient crater is more circular than previously thought
The South Pole-Aitken basin is the moon's oldest and largest visible crater—a massive geological wound 4 billion years old that preserves secrets about the moon's early history, much like a lunar time capsule.
Planetary Sciences
Dec 6, 2024
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Switchbacks: Solar jets may hold the key for understanding complete magnetic field reversals
NASA's Parker Solar Probe mission has detected magnetic distortions in solar wind, known as switchbacks. To better understand these phenomena, whose origins remain uncertain, a study was conducted by a network of collaborators. ...
Astronomy
Dec 6, 2024
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Europe's Vega-C rocket launches satellite into orbit after delays
Europe's new Vega-C rocket launched Thursday from French Guiana and put a satellite into orbit in its first takeoff since a failed flight two years ago.
Space Exploration
Dec 6, 2024
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Space station trajectory data now available
Space Station trajectory data is now available to the public! This data, called an ephemeris, is generated by the ISS Trajectory Operations and Planning Officer (TOPO) flight controllers in the Mission Control Center at NASA's ...
Space Exploration
Dec 6, 2024
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SpaceX satellite launch from Kennedy Space Center tops off three launches in 30 hours
SpaceX sent up a commercial satellite late Thursday morning from Kennedy Space Center, completing three launches in just under 30 hours among its three active pads in Florida and California.
Space Exploration
Dec 6, 2024
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MAUVE: An ultraviolet astrophysics probe mission concept
For the past 30 years, NASA's Great Observatories—the Hubble, Spitzer, Compton, and Chandra space telescopes—have revealed some amazing things about the universe. In addition to some of the deepest views of the universe ...
Astronomy
Dec 6, 2024
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Iran launches heaviest space payload into orbit: media
Iran successfully launched on Friday its heaviest space payload, which includes a satellite and a space tug, using a domestically developed satellite carrier, official media reported.
Space Exploration
Dec 6, 2024
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Hubble takes closest-ever look at a quasar
Astronomers have used the unique capabilities of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to peer closer than ever into the throat of an energetic monster black hole powering a quasar. A quasar is a galactic center that glows brightly ...
Astronomy
Dec 5, 2024
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New odd radio circle discovered with MeerKAT telescope
Using the MeerKAT telescope, astronomers have discovered a new odd radio circle that appears to be associated with an elliptical galaxy known as WISEA J021912.43–050501.8. The finding, which could help us better understand ...
Citizen scientist data help uncover the mysteries of a blue low-latitude aurora
Colorful auroras appeared around Japan's Honshu and Hokkaido islands on May 11, 2024, sparked by an intense magnetic storm. Usually, auroras observed at low latitudes appear red due to the emission of oxygen atoms. But on ...
Planetary Sciences
Dec 5, 2024
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Some minerals seen on Mars today may have formed in liquid CO₂ instead of water
Dry river channels and lake beds on Mars point to the long-ago presence of a liquid on the planet's surface, and the minerals observed from orbit and from landers seem to many to prove that the liquid was ordinary water.
Planetary Sciences
Dec 5, 2024
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NASA delays crewed lunar landing to 2027
The United States is delaying its planned return to the moon from 2026 to "mid-2027," citing heat shield issues and other problems plaguing its Orion crew capsule, NASA officials said Thursday.
Space Exploration
Dec 5, 2024
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A rare Venus solar transit helps unravel exoplanet atmospheres
In the next decade, researchers will start probing the atmosphere of planets as small as Earth and Venus orbiting nearby stars. But although these two solar system planets are similar in size and bulk density—so that some ...
Astronomy
Dec 5, 2024
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European satellites launched to create artificial solar eclipses in a tech demo
A pair of European satellites rocketed into orbit Thursday on the first mission to create artificial solar eclipses through fancy formation flying in space.
Space Exploration
Dec 5, 2024
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Here's how interstellar objects and rogue planets can be trapped in the solar system
When 'Oumuamua traversed our solar system in 2017 it was the first confirmed Interstellar Object (ISO) to do so. Then in 2019, Comet 2l/Borisov did the same thing. These are the only two confirmed ISOs to visit our solar ...
Planetary Sciences
Dec 5, 2024
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MeerKAT confirms the gravitational wave background of the universe in record time
The universe is a turbulent place. Stars are exploding, neutron stars collide, and supermassive black holes are merging. All of these things and many more create gravitational waves. As a result, the cosmos is filled with ...
Astronomy
Dec 5, 2024
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Some black holes at the centers of galaxies have a buddy, but detecting these binary pairs isn't easy
Every galaxy has a supermassive black hole at its center, much like every egg has a yolk. But sometimes, hens lay eggs with two yolks. In a similar way, astrophysicists like us who study supermassive black holes expect to ...
Astronomy
Dec 5, 2024
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Could we use an asteroid to shield astronauts on their way to Mars?
Radiation is a primary concern for long-duration human spaceflight, such as the planned trips to Mars, which are the stated goal of organizations such as NASA and SpaceX. Shielding is the standard way to protect astronauts ...
Space Exploration
Dec 5, 2024
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China plans to retrieve Mars samples by 2031
China's growing presence in space has been undeniable since the turn of the century. Between sending the first "taikonaut" to space in 2003 (Yang Liwei), launching the first Chinese robotic mission to the moon (Chang'e-1) ...
Astrobiology
Dec 5, 2024
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More news
NASA's stuck astronauts hit 6 months in space. Just 2 more to go
Europe's troubled Vega-C rocket to launch after delays
SpaceX launch Wednesday marks record 24th flight of booster
Trump names billionaire private astronaut as next NASA chief
Planning autonomous surface missions on ocean worlds
Personal AI assistants could help astronauts on long missions
Webb observations discover new planet in Kepler-51 'super-puff' system
Team links comet water to Earth's oceans
Dragonfly is going to Titan on a Falcon Heavy
Perseverance now arriving at Pico Turquino
Other news
World's oldest known wild bird is expecting again, aged 74
Computer modeling shows close encounters between distant DNA regions cause bursts of gene activity
Unlocking the secrets of collagen: How sea creature superpowers are inspiring smart biomaterials for human health
Less is more: Why an economical iridium catalyst works so well
Triassic reptile with unusual jaws named as a new species
