In a groundbreaking development, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory has showcased its capabilities by identifying over 2, 000 previously unknown asteroids in just 10 hours of observation. This includes seven near-Earth asteroids, none of which pose an immediate threat to our planet. The observatory's advanced technology and rapid data processing have set a new standard fo...
Astronomers had a surprise when they thought they found a powerful radio burst from deep space. It turned out to be a signal from an old, broken NASA satellite called Relay 2. This satellite has been floating in space since 1964 and stopped working in 1967. The signal was so strong that it blocked out other signals from the sky. It lasted less than 30 nanoseconds, wh...
A young star named HD 100453 is making waves, and it's not just because it's larger than our sun. Scientists have spotted methanol, a type of alcohol, swirling around this star, and it's not just any methanol—it's got some rare versions called isotopes. This isn't the first time methanol has been found in space, but it is the first time these specific isotopes have b...
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has made a splash in the world of astronomy. In just a few days, it spotted 2, 104 asteroids that were previously unknown. This is a big deal because it shows how powerful this new tool is. Seven of these asteroids are near-Earth objects, but don't worry, none of them are heading our way. The observatory is located in Chile and uses the...
In a groundbreaking move, the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory has shared its first images, giving us a peek into the vast universe. This observatory, a joint effort by the U. S. National Science Foundation and the U. S. Department of Energy, has already captured millions of galaxies, stars, and asteroids in just over 10 hours of test observations. The observatory ...
Ancient Egyptians had a deep connection with the stars. This is evident in the artwork on their coffins. The Milky Way, that bright band of stars in the night sky, has been a source of wonder for many cultures. Ancient Egyptians were no different. The sky goddess Nut is a central figure in Egyptian mythology. She is often depicted as a woman arch...
The Sculptor Galaxy, also called NGC 253, has been captured in a new light. It's a stunning display of cosmic artistry, thanks to the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile. This telescope used a special tool called the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) to snap a detailed picture of the galaxy. The image shows the galaxy in thousands of colors, revealing its comp...
The Milky Way galaxy is a vast, spiral-shaped collection of stars, gas, and dust. It stretches about 100, 000 light-years across and includes our solar system among its many inhabitants. Our solar system takes roughly 250 million years to complete a single orbit around the galaxy's center. The name "Milky Way" comes from its appearance as a faint, milky band of light...
The James Webb Space Telescope has done it again. This time, it has captured a stunning image of a cold, massive planet orbiting a star. This planet, named 14 Herculis c, is a whopping seven times bigger than Jupiter. It is located about 60 light-years away from Earth. This makes it one of the farthest planets ever directly photographed. The planet is so cold that it...
A young star system in the constellation Musca is grabbing attention. This system, located 307 light-years away, is home to two massive gas giants. These planets are still in the process of forming, making them bright and visible to astronomers. The star at the center of this system is incredibly young, just 1 million years old, compared to our Sun's 4. 6 billion yea...