Space Telescope

• 

  James Webb Space Telescope Observes Mysterious Rogue Planet-Like Object

  The James Webb Space Telescope has captured new insights into SIMP 0136, a planetary-mass object floating freely around 20 light-years away. This celestial body, possibly a rogue planet or a brown dwarf, has puzzled astronomers for years. JWST’s infrared observations have revealed intricate cloud layers, temperature shifts, and potential chemical...

• 

  Unexpected Rotational Motion Detected in Ultra-Diffuse Galaxies of Hydra Cluster

  Astronomers studying ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) in the Hydra cluster have observed unexpected rotational movement in nearly half of the 30 galaxies examined. Spectroscopic data from the LEWIS programme, using the MUSE instrument on the Very Large Telescope, suggests that gravitational interactions with larger galaxies may influence their formati...

• 

  NASA’s SPHEREx Telescope Launching Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 to Explore Cosmic Evolution

  NASA’s SPHEREx telescope, launching on Feb 28 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9, will map the entire sky in infrared, observing 450 million galaxies and 100 million Milky Way stars. The mission aims to uncover the large-scale structure of the universe, track icy molecules in interstellar space, and study cosmic inflation. Equipped with a spectrophotometer...

• 

  NASA Partners With SpaceX To Launch NEO Surveyor, a Mission To Detect Asteroid Threats

  NASA has selected SpaceX for the launch of its NEO Surveyor spacecraft in 2027. The mission, valued at $100 million, will use a Falcon 9 rocket to deploy the spacecraft to the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1. The infrared telescope will help detect and track hazardous near-Earth objects, including difficult-to-spot dark asteroids. This mission builds on...

• 

  Hubble Captures Stunning Tarantula Nebula Image, Revealing Cosmic Dust and Star Formation

  A new image from the Hubble Space Telescope highlights the Tarantula Nebula’s complex structure, featuring dense cosmic dust clouds and vibrant star-forming regions. This nebula, located 160,000 light-years away, plays a vital role in understanding stellar evolution. The captured details offer insights into how cosmic dust contributes to star and...

• 

  Astronomers Spot Galaxy NGC 3640 With a Past of Consuming Smaller Galaxies

  Recent observations of NGC 3640 reveal a history of merging with smaller galaxies. Located 88 million light-years away, the elliptical galaxy is suspected to be on a collision course with NGC 3641. The Very Large Telescope captured structural distortions, hinting at previous mergers. Researchers have identified ancient stars acting as fossil marker...

• 

  Scientists Detect Ultra-High-Energy Neutrino That Could Reshape Cosmic Understanding

  Neutrinos can travel through space at a speed similar to that of light, carry non-zero mass, and lack any charge.

• 

  Unusual X-ray Flash in Large Magellanic Cloud Puzzles Astronomers

  A brief yet intense X-ray flash, XRT 200515, was detected in NASA's Chandra telescope data from 2000. The signal, originating from the Large Magellanic Cloud, has left scientists debating its cause. Possible explanations include a neutron star pulling in gas from a companion star or a powerful flare from a distant magnetar. Researchers also specula...

• 

  Strange Fast Radio Bursts Emerge from an Ancient Dead Galaxy, Baffling Scientists

  Scientists have detected mysterious fast radio bursts (FRBs) from the outskirts of an 11 billion-year-old dead galaxy. This discovery challenges the belief that FRBs primarily originate from young, star-forming galaxies. Researchers suspect the bursts may result from colliding stars or a collapsing white dwarf. The Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mappi...

• 

  Astronomers Detect Flares From Milky Way's Black Hole

  Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers captured the most detailed look at this black hole activity

• 

  JWST Identifies Cooling Gas in Phoenix Cluster, Unlocking Star Formation Process

  The James Webb Space Telescope has detected the missing cooling gas in the Phoenix Cluster, a galaxy cluster located 5.8 billion light-years away. Researchers used the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) to identify gas at around 540,000 degrees Fahrenheit trapped in cavities within the cluster. This discovery resolves a long-standing mystery of how sta...

• 

  Exoplanet WASP-121 b’s Atmosphere Features Iron Rains, Jet Streams, and More

  Astronomers have uncovered extreme weather patterns on WASP-121 b, a gas giant 900 light-years from Earth. The planet experiences iron rain, with metals vaporizing on its scorching dayside and condensing into liquid at night. Supersonic winds carry elements across its atmosphere, forming powerful jet streams. Using the Very Large Telescope, researc...

• 

  James Webb Space Telescope Captures Sagittarius A Emitting Continuous Flares in Milky Way’s Core

  The James Webb Space Telescope has captured Sagittarius A*, the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole, emitting flares continuously. These bursts, varying in intensity and duration, have been observed over multiple sessions. Scientists believe the activity may be linked to magnetic interactions within the accretion disk. The phenomenon appears rand...

• 

  Asteroid 2024 YR4 Has a 2.3 Percent Chance of Hitting Earth in 2032, Says NASA

  Asteroid 2024 YR4, measuring 180 feet wide, has a 2.3% chance of impacting Earth on 22 December 2032, according to scientists. A smaller 0.3% risk of the asteroid colliding with the moon has also been noted. While the Earth impact could release energy equal to 8 megatons of TNT, a moon strike may create a visible crater. Researchers are using the J...

• 

  Hubble’s New Image of Tarantula Nebula Showcases Cosmic Dust and Star Formation

  NASA/ESA’s Hubble Space Telescope has captured a breathtaking image of the Tarantula Nebula, located 160,000 light-years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The image reveals intricate cosmic dust patterns and active star formation, offering valuable insights into the role of interstellar material in stellar evolution. Researchers are using the d...