The Chandra X-ray Observatory has imaged the full impact of Supernova 1987A for the first time, revealing a shock wave smashing into the outer parts of a ring at 4,500 km/s. The gas behind the shock wave has a temperature of ten million degrees Celsius.
The NASA Marshall Open House offers a daylong space adventure with interactive exhibits, including a Space Shuttle Pavilion, magnetic levitation track and International Space Station mockup. Meet astronauts, robots and celebrities, and participate in activities like the Astronaut Moon Bounce.
The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center has awarded a $136.9 million contract option to Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) to provide information services from May 2000 to April 2001. This brings the total value of the contract to approximately $1.05 billion if all options are exercised.
Renowned author and futurist Ben Bova will deliver a keynote address at NASA's second 'Turning Goals into Reality' conference, exploring the future of air and space transportation technology. The conference, held May 18-19 at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, aims to spotlight aerospace accomplishments by NASA and industry partners.
A new NASA web site features women who are making history with their contributions to microgravity research. The site profiles women from diverse backgrounds and expertise, including astronauts, scientists, engineers, and more.
NASA is launching a new effort to develop a safer and cheaper reusable launch vehicle system, relying on commercial industry to meet NASA's science and exploration goals. The agency aims to reduce risk and technical challenges by partnering with industry partners.
Scientists have imaged the pressure fronts in a colossal cosmic 'weather system' produced by the collision of two giant clusters of galaxies. The data reveals a bright but relatively cool central region embedded in a large cloud of hot gas. This is the first detailed look at the late stages of this merger process.
The Geophysical Fluid Flow Cell experiment simulated Earth's climate, the Sun's atmosphere, and other planets' atmospheres in microgravity. Scientists created models of fluid flows in planetary atmospheres using a nickel-coated steel ball, silicone oil, and artificial gravity.
Astronomers have created an energy spectrum of hot gas surrounding a giant black hole using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. The study reveals a warm blanket of gas expanding rapidly away from the black hole and provides insights into the complex nature of inflowing and outflowing gas in galaxies.
The composite liquid oxygen tank is the largest ever made and will be the first to fly on a launch vehicle, aiming to reduce launch costs from $10,000 per pound to $1,000. The X-34 flying laboratory is being developed to demonstrate technologies for safer and more efficient reusable launch vehicles.
Astronomers have discovered an expanding oxygen and neon ring in the remnants of a massive star explosion, providing unprecedented insights into the creation and dispersal of heavy elements. The findings suggest that these elements are necessary for life on Earth and could provide clues to the nature of supernovae.
Researchers detect faint X-ray source close to Sagittarius A*, a supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy, using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. The discovery provides fresh insight into how the black hole is powered and may challenge current models.
NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has detected nearly a thousand faint X-ray-emitting stars in the young star-forming region of the Orion Nebula. The discovery will help unravel the astrophysical principles underlying violent magnetic activity in young stars.
A team of scientists used Chandra to observe the Andromeda Galaxy and found a supermassive black hole with a surprisingly cool gas funneling into it. The temperature of this gas is only several million degrees, unlike other X-ray sources in the galaxy that reach millions of degrees.
The discovery sheds light on the formation and death of stars, revealing intricate structures such as neutron stars, black holes, and X-ray binary systems. The image provides valuable insights into the distribution of heavy atoms throughout the universe, offering a glimpse into the early history of the cosmos.
Astronomers pinpointed a gamma-ray burst's precise location using coordinated observations from NASA satellites, providing data on X-rays and visible energy. The blast occurred over 10 billion light years away, roughly 2 billion years after the Big Bang.
NASA has awarded $22 million in grants to 65 researchers to explore the effects of microgravity on materials science. The research will be conducted both on Earth and in space, with a focus on understanding fundamental physical and chemical processes.
The second NASA X-34 rocket research plane has reached a major assembly milestone with the attachment of its composite wing to its fuselage. The vehicle, designated A-2, will undergo powered flights next year at Dryden Flight Research Center.
A team of astronomers has used Chandra to map the distribution of silicon, sulfur, and iron in Cassiopeia A, a supernova remnant. The findings provide insights into how elements are produced in stars and their subsequent release into space.
Scientists used NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory to capture a rare glimpse of X-radiation from the early phases of a supernova. The observations revealed that the supernova shed a relatively small amount of matter before it exploded, compared to other supernovae.
Marshall engineers reported a peak of 1,700 Leonids meteors per hour, confirming the accuracy of computer models used to predict meteor showers. The joint operation center worked well, with representatives from NASA, U.S. Air Force and University of Western Ontario collaborating to ensure safe satellite operations.
The Chandra X-ray Observatory has been selected as one of the top 100 'Best of What's New' items by Popular Science magazine, highlighting its significant contributions to X-ray astronomy. The observatory is already sending back impressive images that are aiding in understanding exploding stars, black holes, and other celestial phenomena.
Surgeons have successfully performed two operations using a new LED-based probe to treat brain cancer, with promising results. The treatment, called Photodynamic Therapy, involves activating light-sensitive drugs with long wavelengths of light, destroying tumors while sparing surrounding tissues.
NASA will unveil its future space transportation goals and programs at Space Transportation Day '99, aiming to lower launch costs and make interplanetary exploration feasible. The conference will cover various projects, including X-33 and X-34 rocket planes, as well as technologies for safer and more reliable operations.
The partnership will focus on materials science, biotechnology, Earth sciences, propulsion, optics, and other areas that support NASA's mission. The center aims to reduce expenses and maximize scientific return by sharing facilities and ideas.
Scientists from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center will launch a weather balloon equipped with a digital camera to broadcast web images of the Perseid Meteor Shower. The camera will provide a clearer view of the meteor shower and capture particles from the stratosphere during the event.
The US government has awarded a $11.3 million contract to Summa Technology Inc. for the manufacture, operation, and maintenance of Fastrac rocket engines. The company will build three new flight engines for the X-34 technology demonstrator and utilize one existing engine.
The Marshall Space Flight Center is developing innovative solutions to reduce costs and increase reliability in space transportation. The team aims to make space accessible to the general public, enabling adventure travel, business ventures, and scientific research.
NASA has selected 23 organizations to develop revolutionary space-based power generating systems that harness the Sun's energy for Earth and space. The selected teams will receive $6.4 million in funding to create commercially viable space solar power technologies.
Dr. Colleen Wilson-Hodge, a NASA astrophysicist, has discovered two new X-ray pulsars using the Burst and Transient Source Experiment on NASA's Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. The pulsars are powered by accretion of material from companion stars and have strong gravity that pulls matter toward their surfaces.
Spann will present the latest information from the UltraViolet Imager project, which studies how space storms develop and affect Earth's space environment. The presentation aims to provide insights into directly driven auroral signatures resulting from interplanetary pressure points.
A NASA study led by Dr. Dale Quattrochi found that Atlanta's urban expansion creates a unique heat island effect, influencing local weather patterns and air quality. The study revealed that this phenomenon can lead to increased ozone production and thunderstorms due to the interaction between warm air and surrounding areas.
Scientists experiment with materials in space to study structure, properties and processing methods. These experiments have led to new understanding of semi-conductors, metallic-electronic crystals and improved X-ray and infrared sensors.
Researchers gathered unprecedented data from NASA aircraft in Atlantic hurricanes Bonnie, Danielle, Earl, and Georges, shedding light on complex wind patterns and rainfall enhancement by mountains. The study aims to improve hurricane forecast capabilities, saving lives and reducing evacuation zones.
Scientists observed solar activity directly affecting Earth's outer atmosphere, causing auroral light displays. The Polar satellite measured the effects of a massive solar storm that pumped 200 gigawatts of energy into Earth's atmosphere.
A total of 48 researchers, including eight from Alabama, have been awarded NASA grants to study protein crystallization and cell science. These grants may lead to improvements in medical technologies such as drug design and tissue engineering.
Recent discoveries demonstrate that Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) originate from the most remote parts of the universe, releasing as much energy in 10 seconds as the Sun emits in its entire lifetime. The uniform distribution on the sky and brightness distribution rule out galactic halo and suggest distances exceeding billions of light years.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs with ZBLAN material, a potential game-changer for optical fiber communications. Made in space, ZBLAN exhibits properties that far exceed current state-of-the-art materials, offering vast potential for applications in fields like medical surgery and temperature monitoring.
Researchers are studying the impact of Atlanta's growth on its air quality and temperatures over two decades. Trees have been found to reduce temperatures, with a difference of up to 31 degrees between paved areas and tree-lined spaces. The study aims to provide insights for cities reshaping themselves for comfort and lower heating bills.
Astronomers have detected a giant solar eruption with particles hurtling towards the Earth. The NASA POLAR spacecraft will monitor the Earth's aurora in real-time, capturing enhanced activity on Wednesday afternoon.
Astronomers have detected a flash of light from a distant galaxy, potentially solving a 30-year mystery in astrophysics. The discovery suggests gamma-ray bursts originate from the distant reaches of the universe.
A team of NASA scientists disagrees with a recent study suggesting that satellite data shows no warming trend in the Earth's lower atmosphere, while surface temperature data shows a +0.12 deg C/decade increase. The disagreement is largely due to differences between satellite and surface measurements over oceans versus land areas.
Research from NASA and the Global Hydrology and Climate Center suggests that the temperature structure of the atmosphere is more complex than previously thought. The study found a slight downward trend in the lower troposphere since 1979, while surface measurements show a warming trend.
Astronomers use BATSE to detect four rare cosmic gamma-ray bursts, sparking debate about their origin and distance. The events appeared in rapid succession over two days from the same general position in the sky.
NASA and University of Alabama scientists report the coldest September on record, with a cooling trend in the stratosphere. The data contradicts rising surface temperatures, fueling discussions about global warming.