The James Webb Space Telescope's sunshield has been tested in its folded configuration to fit inside a rocket for launch. The telescope will be deployed after launch and undergo further transformation to reach its operational state.
The James Webb Space Telescope successfully completed its final thermal vacuum test, with the spacecraft element exposed to extreme temperatures and conditions. The test paves the way for the integration of the telescope and spacecraft elements, a crucial step towards launch.
The IAC and ESA have signed an agreement to expand the programmes of optical communication with space missions and studies of space debris at the Teide Observatory in Tenerife. The new agreement will enable the installation of additional optical systems on the existing telescope, enhancing the observatory's capabilities.
The discovery of three exocomets in the Beta Pictoris system provides significant evidence for their existence. The exoplanet-hunting space telescope TESS revealed a signal from darkening objects in the star's orbit, which were later confirmed as comets.
A nearby galaxy, NGC 4485, is experiencing a surge in star birth due to its gravitational interaction with NGC 4490. The collision triggered the creation of young blue stars and nebulae on the right side of the galaxy.
The AGILE particle telescope will analyze charged particles in the heliosphere, shedding light on physical processes in space. The technology could help clinicians accurately measure radiation absorbed by cancer patients during therapy.
Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have strengthened the case for new theories to explain the forces shaping the cosmos. The latest Hubble measurements suggest a faster expansion rate in the modern universe, contradicting expectations based on early universe observations.
Asteroid Gault, one of only a handful to be caught disintegrating, has been observed in clear images from the Hubble Space Telescope. The object's two narrow tails indicate it is slowly undergoing self-destruction, releasing material into space.
The GRAPES-3 muon telescope has discovered a record 1.3 gigavolt potential in a thundercloud, exceeding the previous record by 10 times. This massive voltage is essential for producing high-energy gamma rays in Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flashes.
Researchers found an error in active galactic nuclei measured by Gaia space telescope and corrected it. The findings rely on a new way of indirectly studying quasar optical emission using radio telescopes.
The study predicts that WFIRST will find about 100 of those not-yet-discovered planets could have the same or lower mass as Earth. The telescope will map the Milky Way and other galaxies 100 times faster than Hubble Space Telescope, scanning a small piece of the universe with high resolution.
A new photometric telescope, Sun-THz, will measure solar flares on the International Space Station. Developed in Brazil, it will work alongside a Russian instrument to take consistent measurements.
The Canadian-led team discovered the second repeating FRB ever recorded, providing a new clue to the astrophysical puzzle. The detection was made using the CHIME telescope, which detected 13 bursts over three weeks at lower frequencies than previously thought possible.
Researchers propose using tiny satellites with lasers to provide a steady reference light for massive space telescopes, relaxing the need for precision in segmented telescope designs. This approach aims to reduce costs and enable more flexible telescope designs.
Researchers from UNIGE have detected helium in the atmosphere of an exoplanet, HAT-P-11b, which is swollen like a balloon due to stellar radiation. The discovery was made using the Carmenes spectrograph on a 4-metre telescope, and supported by numerical simulations that track the trajectory of helium atoms.
An international team of astronomers has confirmed over 100 exoplanets using a combination of space-based and ground-based telescopes. The discovery includes ultra-short orbital period planets and low-mass rocky exoplanets, offering insights into their formation processes.
A team of Clemson University astrophysicists measured the total starlight ever produced throughout the history of the observable universe using data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. They found that this light translates to approximately 4x10^84 photons, which is a vast amount considering most of it comes from distant galaxies.
Researchers used mathematical abstraction to describe gravitational waves as functions that remain invariant during distribution. They found arbitrary functions can be set to encode information, allowing for spatial transmission without distortions.
Astronomers have found the first compelling evidence for a moon outside our own Solar System, using data from the Hubble Space Telescope and Kepler Space Telescope. The exomoon, Kepler-1625b-i, is comparable in diameter to Neptune and orbits a gas giant planet at a distance similar to Earth's orbit around the Sun.
The National Solar Observatory (NSO) has received a supplemental grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to enhance its scientific output and foster collaboration in the field of solar physics. The new funding will support the development of advanced data products, engage graduate students, and nurture international expertise.
The James Webb Space Telescope has successfully connected its two halves, enabling them to communicate like they will in flight. This test was a significant step forward for the program and provided an opportunity for engineers to fix any issues before launch.
The new Windows on the Universe Center for Astronomy Outreach will provide a unique public experience with data visualization systems, interactive exhibits, and simulated telescope control rooms. The center highlights research carried out at NSF facilities worldwide.
Researchers developed innovative business models for space-related start-ups, including DIT Space, which commercialized satellite images and created competitive advantages. The study highlights the growth of space entrepreneurship worldwide, with a focus on Central America.
The flight operations team at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center conducted two successful communications tests, simulating the complex exchange of command and telemetry data among multiple service providers during the first six hours of flight. The team successfully communicated with the telescope and demonstrated their ability to comm...
The James Webb Space Telescope relies on innovative components like the 'Spider', a thermally isolating device with Kevlar fibers, to accurately detect light from distant galaxies and celestial objects. This cutting-edge technology enables the telescope to observe objects in the Kuiper Belt and study the universe's origins.
Scientists have discovered a repeatable pattern in how space weather activity changes with the solar cycle, enabling better understanding and planning for space weather. The breakthrough allows for more accurate forecasting of potential threats to Earth from solar flares and extreme space weather.
Engineers installed small metal rods into premade holes of the sunshield to maintain alignment and reduce repair time by months. This technique eliminates the need for full deployment and refolding of the large sunshield layers.
The GRAINE collaboration launched a balloon-borne nuclear emulsion telescope to observe high-energy cosmic gamma rays. The experiment successfully completed a record-long flight of 17 hours and achieved high-resolution observations, marking a significant milestone in the field of cosmic gamma-ray research.
A team of Chinese astronomers has discovered the most lithium-rich giant known to date using the LAMOST telescope. The star's lithium abundance is approximately 3,000 times higher than that of typical giants, providing valuable insights into the universe's evolution and Big Bang theory.
The James Webb Space Telescope boasts unparalleled capabilities, including a revolutionary lightweight carbon-composite material and exceptional load-bearing capability in extreme temperatures. Its advanced design enables it to unfold flawlessly by remote control and operate at extremely low temperatures.
An international team identified the source object of an ultra-high energy neutrino using the Subaru Telescope and OISTER network in collaboration with the IceCube experiment. The source, TXS 0506+056, is a blazer emitting radiation as it spirals into a supermassive black hole.
The James Webb Space Telescope will observe the atmospheres of gas giant exoplanets, including WASP-79b and WASP-43b, to detect water, carbon monoxide, and other molecules. The telescope aims to understand the physical processes responsible for these variations and their implications for potentially habitable planets.
The study using data from NASA's NuSTAR space telescope reveals that Eta Carinae accelerates particles to high energies, some of which may reach Earth as cosmic rays. The team's analysis suggests that the accelerated electrons and other particles are ejected in violent shock waves along the boundary of the colliding stellar winds.
New Hubble data reveals `Oumuamua is most likely a comet, venting material from its surface due to solar heating. The boost in speed, detected by NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, suggests cometary outgassing.
The James Webb Space Telescope will create multispectral maps of the Great Red Spot, analyzing its thermal, chemical, and cloud structures. Scientists hope to observe unique chemical byproducts of the storm, which could reveal its composition.
An international team confirms Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity by making the most precise test of gravity outside our solar system. By combining data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope, the researchers found that gravity behaves as predicted by GR on galactic s...
The James Webb Space Telescope's instruments are shielded from excessive heat using specially designed baffles that reflect infrared radiation outward. The baffles, coated with gold to maximize reflectivity, are reinstalled before the observatory's integration at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems.
Bernd Chudoba and his team aim to create a forecasting methodology that identifies science and technology gaps related to space transportation issues. The project will develop a toolbox to forecast space transportation infrastructure needs, enabling the US to plan for its 2030 goal of eliminating vulnerabilities in space.
A team led by the University of Utah has observed lightning-triggered gamma-rays in more detail than ever before, detecting 10 bursts of downward terrestrial gamma ray flashes between 2014 and 2016. The study provides a major advance in understanding the production mechanism of these rare and high-energy radiation events.
Astronomers have detected a unique laser emission from the heart of the Ant Nebula, indicating the presence of a double star system. The phenomenon was discovered using European Space Agency's Herschel space observatory and is connected to the death of a star.
Astronomers have successfully detected helium in the atmosphere of WASP-107b, a super-Neptune exoplanet. The detection was made using the Hubble Space Telescope and reveals an abundance of helium in the upper atmosphere, extending tens of thousands of kilometres into space.
The James Webb Space Telescope has the potential to observe the first stars in the universe, which formed about 200-400 million years after the Big Bang. The telescope can capture light from single stars with a massive amount of gravitational lensing, amplifying it up to 10,000 times.
An international team found a fundamental law regulating galaxy cluster growth using gravitational lensing data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and Subaru Telescope. The law indicates that clusters are still growing by drawing surrounding substances with their strong gravity.
Researchers from Samara Polytech created a 'flexible' mirror that can deform in micron increments to compensate for optical aberrations. The innovation enables higher image quality and resolution for Earth remote sensing satellites.
Astronaut David Wolf shares his experience of worsening eye sight after space missions, citing a possible connection between microgravity and visual impairment. Researchers are using advanced imaging techniques to find solutions for the effects of space travel on vision, critical for future long-duration missions.
The Hubble Space Telescope has imaged a massive galaxy cluster, revealing its intricate structure and the presence of dark matter. The cluster is comprised of thousands of galaxies held together by gravity, with most of its mass existing in non-luminous dark matter.
Researchers used Subaru telescope in Hawaii and Isaac Newton telescope in Canary Islands to create 3D map of universe's first 16 billion years. The team found nearly 4000 early galaxies, many of which may have evolved into Milky Way-like galaxies. These discoveries provide crucial information about early phases of galaxy formation.
Engineers are conducting final testing at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems to ensure the observatory is ready for space. The science payload has already undergone rigorous testing, and the integrated spacecraft and sunshield will soon undergo their own launch environment tests.
The James Webb Space Telescope will study the chemical complexity of molecular clouds to understand the origin and evolution of water and other key molecules. By observing icy layers, protoplanetary disks, and individual stars, scientists aim to determine whether life-building blocks exist in every star system.
A team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh's NSF Center for Space, High-performance, and Resilient Computing has developed a radiation-resistant computer capable of high-performance computing in space. The system will be launched on the International Space Station and is nearly three times more powerful than its predecessor.
A UCF-led consortium will take over management of the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, with plans to expand its capabilities and provide new research opportunities. The partnership aims to create a pipeline for students studying space sciences and enhance public outreach through formal education.
The James Webb Space Telescope will study Mars' transition from wet to dry, revealing clues about the planet's past and present habitability. The telescope will also analyze the abundance of water and methane in the Martian atmosphere, shedding light on the origin of these gases.
The Mayall telescope is undergoing a major overhaul to install the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), which will measure the spectra of 5000 astronomical objects simultaneously. The instrument will allow DESI to map out about one-third of the sky and survey 30 million galaxies and quasars over a five-year period.
Researchers demonstrated reliable transmission of stable frequency references over 300km fiber optic networks, enabling synchronization of radio telescopes. This technology could benefit astronomy, particularly for the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), allowing scientists to access the frequency standard anywhere.
Scientists have made significant progress in developing an ultra-stable telescope capable of detecting Earth-like planets and analyzing their atmospheres for signs of life. The team has successfully measured subatomic- or picometer-sized distortions across a five-foot segmented mirror, paving the way for future missions.
The largest X-ray galaxy cluster ever discovered contains the mass of three million billion suns and is composed of two colliding clusters, with most mass hidden in dark matter. Hubble's observations also show that the hot gas is being torn from the dark matter during the collision.
A NASA team has demonstrated fully autonomous X-ray navigation in space, utilizing millisecond pulsars to precisely determine the location of an object moving at thousands of miles per hour. This technology offers a new option for deep-space navigation that could work in concert with existing spacecraft-based radio and optical systems.
The Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat (SPARCS) mission aims to monitor the flares and sunspots of small, cool stars, known as M dwarfs, to assess their habitability for planets. The spacecraft will use ultraviolet-sensitive detectors to study how stellar activity affects planetary environments.
The James Webb Space Telescope underwent critical cryogenic testing inside Chamber A at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, ensuring it will safely reach its orbit and perform its science mission. The telescope was subjected to a range of tests, including alignment checks and simulations of starlight detection.
Brown dwarfs blur the line between stars and planets, making their formation a puzzle. The James Webb Space Telescope will study specific brown dwarfs to gain insight into star formation and exoplanet atmospheres.