The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has captured a dynamic animation of the gamma-ray sky, revealing frenzied activity over nearly 15 years. The data, now publicly available, includes records of source brightness changes and sheds light on blazars and multimessenger astronomy.
A new NASA-led study confirms that major droughts and pluvials have been occurring more often due to climate change. The global total intensity of extreme events increased from 2002 to 2021, mirroring Earth's rising temperatures. This has significant economic and human impacts, especially in poor neighborhoods and developing nations.
Scientists have created a synthetic survey that showcases what can be expected from the Roman Space Telescope’s future observations. The simulation contains 33 million galaxies and 200,000 foreground stars, helping scientists plan observing strategies and test data analysis methods.
The Hubble movie reveals surprising hour-by-hour changes as dust and chunks of debris were flung into space. The dynamic interaction within the binary system starts to distort the ejecta pattern, forming rotating pinwheel-shaped features tied to the gravitational pull of Didymos.
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has captured the start of Saturn's spoke season, a mysterious phenomenon that appears across the planet's rings during its equinox. The cause of the spokes remains unknown, but scientists believe they may be linked to Saturn's variable magnetic field and charged particles in the solar wind.
Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have directly measured the mass of a lone white dwarf for the first time. The white dwarf, LAWD 37, has a mass of 56% that of our Sun, corroborating current theories of how white dwarfs evolve.
Scientists discover first gamma-ray eclipses from spider star systems using Fermi data, calculating system tilt and pulsar mass. The discovery helps researchers measure pulsar masses, constraining physics within extreme environments.
The study provides the most comprehensive census to date of icy ingredients available to form future generations of stars and planets. The team identified frozen forms of a wide range of molecules, including complex organic molecules like methanol and potentially ethanol.
Researchers found small signals in the corona that can identify regions more likely to produce solar flares. The new database of Sun images makes it easier for scientists to study active regions and develop tools to predict solar flares.
Astronomers using Hubble observed a star's final moments as it was gobbled up by a black hole, creating a donut-shaped torus. The event provides forensic clues to the black hole homicide, with details on the debris's behavior and the accretion rate.
Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center simulated the formation of amino acids and amines in laboratory conditions, similar to those found in interstellar clouds. The results suggest that these precursors to life can survive their journey to asteroids and potentially form the basis of life on Earth.
A new analysis of distant galaxies imaged by the James Webb Space Telescope shows they are extremely young and share similarities with 'green peas,' a rare class of small galaxies. The galaxies include what might be the most primitive galaxy identified so far, with some containing only 2% the oxygen of our own galaxy.
Scientists have identified a new Earth-size world, TOI 700 e, orbiting within the habitable zone of its star, making it an exciting prospect for further study. The planet is likely rocky and might be tidally locked, offering insights into our solar system's history.
The James Webb Space Telescope has analyzed distant galaxies, revealing they are extremely young and share remarkable similarities to green pea galaxies, which are rare and small. The study provides detailed chemical fingerprints of these early galaxies, connecting them to similar ones nearby for further study.
Astronomers detected light patterns indicating the brief existence of superheavy neutron stars shortly before they collapsed into black holes. These mega neutron stars formed from the collision of two neutron stars and had nearly twice the size of a typical neutron star, spinning at nearly 78,000 times a minute.
The Hubble Space Telescope has shed new light on the mystery of intracluster light, finding that these stars have been wandering around for billions of years. The survey suggests that these stars were already homeless in the early stages of the cluster's formation, and current theories cannot explain their origin.
Astronomers using Hubble Space Telescope data found a small but significant excess of light in the sky, equivalent to the glow of 10 fireflies. This residual glow could be caused by a tenuous sphere of dust from comets falling into the solar system, adding a new component to the known architecture of the solar system.
The event challenged scientists' understanding of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), which are the most powerful events in the universe. The burst's high-energy light and kilonova visible and infrared light were detected by NASA's Swift Observatory and Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, providing new insights into how heavy elements are created.
Astronomers have uncovered a nearby galaxy, HIPASS J1131–31, nicknamed 'Peekaboo,' which has characteristics reminiscent of galaxies in the distant, early universe. The tiny galaxy is only 20 million light-years from Earth and exhibits extreme metal-poor properties.
Researchers discovered two exceptionally bright galaxies in the early universe using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. These galaxies existed approximately 450 and 350 million years after the big bang and were found to be unusual in many ways, with some featuring compact disks that challenge our understanding of galaxy formation.
Astronomers use Hubble data combined with radio observations to measure a jet propelled by a neutron star collision, revealing it moved at an apparent velocity of seven times the speed of light.
Researchers have discovered young stars spiraling into the center of a massive cluster in the Small Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. The spiral motion is thought to be feeding star formation in a river-like motion of gas and stars, an efficient way to fuel star birth.
The joint observations of EMM and MAVEN reveal fine-scale structures in proton aurora spanning the full day side of Mars, indicating a chaotic solar wind interaction. This phenomenon is caused by turbulent conditions around Mars allowing charged particles to flood directly into the atmosphere, forming patchy proton aurora.
The James Webb Space Telescope has captured clear evidence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of a gas giant planet outside the solar system. The detection, made using the telescope's Near-Infrared Spectrograph, provides insights into planetary composition and formation.
Astronomers use telescopes to analyze light from distant worlds, but 'photobombing' can occur when nearby planets contaminate the view. Researchers propose methods to mitigate this effect, such as data processing and multiple telescope observations, to improve habitable planet detection.
Astronomers have concluded that Betelgeuse blew its top in 2019, losing a substantial part of its visible surface and producing a gigantic Surface Mass Ejection (SME). The star is now slowly recovering from this catastrophic upheaval. The mass loss event is not necessarily the signal of an imminent explosion.
Astronomers have long sought the launch sites for high-energy protons in our galaxy, and NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has confirmed that a supernova remnant is just such a place. The shock waves of exploded stars boost particles to speeds comparable to light, producing a tell-tale glow in gamma rays.
Astronomers observe white dwarf star G238-44 siphoning off debris from inner and outer reaches of its planetary system, revealing insights into planetary system evolution. The study provides unique opportunity to analyze elements in planets apart and shed light on conditions of planetary formation.
Phytoplankton productivity in the Gulf of Maine has decreased by 65% over two decades, affecting marine ecosystems and fisheries. The study analyzed temperature, salinity, and chemical measurements from the Gulf of Maine North Atlantic Time Series to understand these changes.
The DAVINCI mission will descend through Venus' layered atmosphere to the surface, measuring critical aspects of the planet's climate system. The probe will acquire high-resolution images and detailed chemistry measurements of the atmosphere and surface.
Scientists analyzing NASA's ICON mission data and ESA's Swarm satellites found that the Tonga volcano's eruption triggered hurricane-speed winds and unusual electric currents in the ionosphere. The extreme winds reached speeds of up to 450 mph, affecting the equatorial electrojet and causing a dramatic shift in its direction.
The Hubble Space Telescope has discovered a surviving companion star to SN 2013ge, providing crucial insight into the binary nature of massive stars. The finding sheds light on the puzzle of hydrogen loss pre-supernova and supports the theory that most massive stars are paired.
Scientists with NASA's MMS mission have developed a theory explaining how fast magnetic reconnection occurs, which could improve predictions of solar flares and particle storms. The new theory uses the Hall effect to explain why this type of reconnection happens at a consistent speed.
A team of scientists has identified the last two DNA and RNA nucleobases missing from extraterrestrial samples, shedding light on the potential origin of life on Earth. The discovery suggests that chemical reactions in asteroids can create essential ingredients for life.
Astronomers have identified a rapidly growing black hole in the early universe, GNz7q, which is considered a crucial 'missing link' between young star-forming galaxies and the first supermassive black holes. The team used Hubble data to determine that GNz7q existed just 750 million years after the big bang, with properties consistent w...
The estimated diameter of the comet is approximately 80 miles across, making it larger than the state of Rhode Island. The comet's mass is estimated to be a staggering 500 trillion tons.
Astronomers used over a decade of Fermi data to search for signs of long gravitational waves from supermassive black hole pairs. Although no waves were detected, the analysis shows that with more observations, these waves may be within Fermi's reach.
Researchers studied ultra-hot exoplanets using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, discovering unusual weather patterns, such as rain vaporized rock and intense ultraviolet radiation affecting planetary atmospheres. This research provides insights into the diversity and complexity of extreme weather conditions in distant worlds.
Astronomers have directly photographed evidence of a Jupiter-like protoplanet forming through the disk instability process, supported by long-debated theory. The new world under construction is embedded in a protoplanetary disk with distinct spiral structure and orbits a young star estimated to be around 2 million years old.
The discovery of star Earendel breaks the record for the farthest individual star ever seen, located 12.9 billion years away. The Hubble Space Telescope detected light from this ancient star due to gravitational lensing by a massive galaxy cluster, allowing astronomers to study it in unprecedented detail.
Roman will explore cosmic acceleration using multiple methods, including spectroscopy and imaging surveys. The mission aims to create a 3D map of the universe by measuring accurate distances and positions of millions of galaxies.
Green roofs can help ease severe heat in cities by harnessing the cooling power of plants, according to NASA research. However, effectiveness depends on location and plant diversity, with studies suggesting that a significant impact may not be created when new buildings are developed.
The NICER telescope has observed the merging of multimillion-degree X-ray spots on the surface of a magnetar, providing new insights into their behavior. The observations suggest that the crust of a neutron star can become partially molten under magnetic stress, leading to changes in pulse shape and hot spot migration.
Astronomers have identified two mini-Neptune planets losing their puffy atmospheres, transforming into super-Earths. The gas escaping these planets is driven by stellar radiation, with some gas flowing towards the star.
Astronomers have discovered that a black hole at the center of the Henize 2-10 galaxy is actively promoting new star formation, with newborn clusters spotted along an outflow of gas stretching 230 light-years from the black hole. This finding sheds light on the origins of supermassive black holes in the early universe.
The Curiosity rover has detected large amounts of carbon 12 in Martian rocks, which could be indicative of biological processes. The discovery is intriguing, but scientists caution that more data is needed to rule out non-biological explanations.
Parker Solar Probe successfully flew through the Sun's corona, sampling particles and magnetic fields, revealing critical information about the Sun's evolution and impact on solar system. The probe made new discoveries, including identifying the origin of switchbacks in the solar wind, which form near the solar surface.
Several NASA individuals were recognized by the American Geophysical Union as 2021 union honorees for their outstanding work in scientific research, education, communication, and outreach. Brooke Medley received the Cryosphere Early Career Award, while Suresh Adhikari was honored with the John Wahr Early Career Award.
NASA will launch four Earth science missions in 2022, including TROPICS, EMIT, and JPSS, to enhance climate system understanding and storm forecasting. These missions will provide high-quality data on tropical cyclones, mineral dust, and ocean surface temperatures.
A mini-jet has been found near the Milky Way's supermassive black hole, indicating periodic outbursts. The discovery was made using multi-wavelength observations from various telescopes and suggests that the black hole is not a sleeping monster but rather dynamically variable.