NASA's Hubble surveys gigantic galaxy
The gigantic spiral galaxy UGC 2885 is 2.5 times wider than the Milky Way and contains 10 times as many stars, with modest ongoing star birth at half the rate of our galaxy.
Space Telescopes
Articles tagged with Space Telescopes
Simulated image demonstrates the power of NASA's wide field infrared survey telescope
The telescope will image large areas of the sky 1,000 times faster than Hubble, surveying as much of the sky in near-infrared light -- in just as much detail -- as Hubble has over its entire three decades. WFIRST will provide a broad and detailed view of the sky to answer fundamental questions about the universe.
Lasers learn to accurately spot space junk
Researchers developed a system to accurately detect space debris in Earth's orbit using laser ranging telescopes and neural networks. The new algorithm significantly improves the success rate of space debris detection, allowing for safer spacecraft maneuvers.
NASA's Webb telescope to search for young brown dwarfs and rogue planets
The James Webb Space Telescope will study the smallest, faintest residents of NGC 1333, distinguishing between objects that form like stars and those that form like planets. The team aims to identify cluster members as puny as Jupiter for the first time ever, shedding light on their origins and the star formation process.
Interstellar comet 2I -- Borisov swings past sun
The first identified interstellar comet, 2I -- Borisov, is being tracked by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope as it passes close to the Sun. The comet's nucleus is estimated to be smaller than half a kilometer in diameter and has a chemical composition similar to comets found within our solar system.
NSF grants Illinois-led team $4.4 million to develop distributed space telescope
The Illinois-led project aims to provide a transformative leap in revealing the sun's corona, an aura of plasma surrounding stars. The distributed telescope will utilize novel technologies like precision formation flying and diffractive optics for breakthroughs in space imaging.
Hubble studies gamma-ray burst with the highest energy ever seen
The Hubble Space Telescope has studied the gamma-ray burst GRB 190114C, emitting record-breaking energy of 1 TeV. Scientists observed this extremely high-energy emission from a collapsing star at nearly 99.999% of the speed of light, providing new insights into gamma-ray bursts and their environments.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope clears critical sunshield deployment testing
The sunshield has passed a test critical to preparing the observatory for launch, with technicians deploying and tensioning each of its five layers. The deployment simulates the conditions it will face in space, with temperatures ranging from -394°F to 230°F.
First water detected on potentially 'habitable' planet
Scientists at University College London have discovered water vapor on the potentially habitable exoplanet K2-18b, which orbits a cool dwarf star about 110 light years from Earth. The detection confirms that the planet is in its star's 'habitable zone', where temperatures could support liquid water and life.
NASA's Hubble finds water vapor on habitable-zone exoplanet for 1st time
Researchers detected water vapor signatures on K2-18b, a planet in the habitable zone around a small red dwarf star. The findings suggest liquid water could pool on its surface if it's terrestrial in nature.
The dark side of extrasolar planets share surprisingly similar temperatures
New study reveals that the temperatures on the dark sides of hot Jupiters are remarkably uniform, suggesting the presence of clouds made of minerals and rocks. This discovery could provide insights into cloud formation elsewhere in the universe, including on Earth.
Where are new stars born? NASA's Webb Telescope will investigate
The TEMPLATES team will study four galaxies using gravitational lensing to magnify light and gain insights into star formation. They aim to measure star-formation rates, map galaxy distributions, compare young and old stellar populations, and reveal how galaxies grow over time.
Moon glows brighter than sun in images from NASA's Fermi
Scientists analyze NASA's Fermi data to understand cosmic rays and the lunar environment. The research shows the Moon's gamma-ray glow varies by 20% over the Sun's 11-year activity cycle, with implications for future human missions.
Critical deployment of NASA Webb's secondary mirror a success
NASA successfully deployed its secondary mirror in a crucial testing step, paving the way for the James Webb Space Telescope's groundbreaking science. The successful test demonstrates the telescope's electronic connection and prepares it for integration into its final form.
A new lens for life-searching space telescopes
University of Arizona researchers have developed a new lens technology that can collect more light and search for signs of life on 1,000 exoplanets. The Nautilus telescope array will be powerful enough to characterize planets from 1,000 light years away, providing valuable insights into the complexity of exo-earths.
NASA's Webb Telescope shines with American ingenuity
The James Webb Space Telescope is the result of a nationwide collaboration, with components manufactured across 29 US states. The telescope will explore cosmic history, solve mysteries in our solar system, and probe the origins of the universe.
New Hubble constant measurement adds to mystery of universe's expansion rate
Astronomers have made a new measurement of the Hubble constant using red giant stars, indicating an expansion rate of around 70 km/sec/Mpc. This measurement falls in the center of a hotly debated question and may lead to a new interpretation of the universe's fundamental properties.
Hubble uncovers black hole that shouldn't exist
Researchers observed a supermassive black hole in galaxy NGC 3147 with an unusual thin disk of gas swirling around it, contrary to predictions. The team used Hubble Space Telescope's STIS instrument to study the disk, revealing unique features that can only be explained by Einstein's theories of relativity.
SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJul 11, 2019
Atmosphere of mid-size planet revealed by Hubble and Spitzer
Astronomers have identified the atmospheric composition of a mid-size planet between Earth and Neptune for the first time using NASA's Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes. The planet, Gliese 3470 b, has a large rocky core surrounded by a deep crushing atmosphere mostly composed of hydrogen and helium.
Hubble finds tiny 'electric soccer balls' in space, helps solve interstellar mystery
Scientists confirm electrically-charged molecules shaped like soccer balls in space, shedding light on the mysterious contents of interstellar medium. The discovery points toward a strong likelihood for other complex carbon-bearing molecules arising spontaneously in space.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope emerges successfully from final thermal vacuum test
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.
Galaxy blazes with new stars born from close encounter
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.
Blue supergiant stars open doors to concert in space
Researchers discovered that almost all blue supergiants shimmer in brightness due to waves on their surface, enabling the study of their internal physics and chemistry. This breakthrough enables astronomers to probe the progenitors of supernovae from a novel perspective.
Hubble astronomers assemble wide view of the evolving universe
Astronomers created a comprehensive 'history book' of galaxies using 16 years' worth of Hubble observations, covering 265,000 galaxies that stretch back 13.3 billion years. The new image mosaic provides a wide portrait of the distant universe, chronicling galaxy assembly over time.
New Hubble measurements confirm universe is expanding faster than expected
A new study using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope confirms the universe is expanding about 9% faster than expected. The measurements, published April 25 in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, strengthen the cosmic distance ladder and calculate the Hubble constant with increased precision.
SwRI to conduct largest-ever Hubble survey of the Kuiper Belt
SwRI leads largest-ever Hubble survey of the Kuiper Belt, focusing on binary populations and testing planetesimal formation theories. The Solar System Origins Legacy Survey aims to understand solar system architecture and planetary evolution.
University of Hawaii team records self-destructing asteroid
Asteroid Gault, a well-known space rock, has begun slowly disintegrating as it develops comet-like tails. The newly observed event suggests that asteroids are dynamic and active worlds, prone to spin-up processes that can lead to disintegration.
Hubble watches spun-up asteroid coming apart
Astronomers have observed the disintegration of asteroid 6478 Gault using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and other observatories. The asteroid's rapid spinning has caused it to shed material, resulting in two narrow tails of dusty debris streaming from its surface.
Quasar jets confuse orbital telescope
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.
What does the Milky Way weigh? Hubble and Gaia investigate
The Milky Way weighs approximately 1.5 trillion solar masses, with dark matter making up the majority of its mass. Globular star clusters were used to measure the galaxy's movement, providing a more accurate estimate of its mass.
Hubble & Gaia accurately weigh the Milky Way
Astronomers combined data from Hubble and Gaia to estimate Milky Way's mass, reducing uncertainty from decades of research. The galaxy is found to weigh approximately 1.5 trillion solar masses within a radius of 129,000 light-years.
New NASA mission could find more than 1,000 planets
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.
Stars shrouded in iron dust
A study discovered a group of massive stars with high iron dust and low metal content in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The stars have unique spectral properties, and their environment allows for the formation of large quantities of iron dust.
SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 23, 2019
Tiny satellites could be 'guide stars' for huge next-generation telescopes
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.
Faint starlight in Hubble images reveals distribution of dark matter
Astronomers have developed a revolutionary method to detect dark matter using faint starlight in Hubble images. The technique accurately studies the distribution of dark matter and has been confirmed in galaxy clusters. Future studies will survey more clusters and analyze additional data with the James Webb Space Telescope.
SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateDec 20, 2018
Combination of space-based and ground-based telescopes reveals more than 100 exoplanets
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.
Astronomers find possible elusive star behind supernova
Two teams of astronomers uncovered the presumed precursor star in pre-explosion photos taken in 2007, shedding light on stellar evolution and mass distribution. The discovery suggests two possible scenarios: a single massive star or a binary-star system.
SourceW. M. Keck Observatory·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateNov 15, 2018
Hubble finds compelling evidence for a moon outside the solar system
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 surprising environment of an enigmatic neutron star
Researchers detected extended infrared emissions around RX J0806.4-4123, suggesting a 'fallback disk' of material or a pulsar wind nebula. The findings challenge current understanding of neutron star evolution and offer new avenues for study with the NASA James Webb Space Telescope.
Success in critical communications tests for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope
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 'Gloo' behind James Webb Space Telescopes Spider technology
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.
Water-worlds are common: Exoplanets may contain vast amounts of water
Scientists have found that many exoplanets, especially those between two to four times the size of Earth, are likely to be water-rich. This suggests that water worlds may be common, with implications for the search for life in our Galaxy.
Time saving tooling rods used on NASA's Webb Telescope sunshield
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.
Largest haul of extrasolar planets for Japan
A team of astronomers has unveiled 44 extrasolar planets, dwarfing typical confirmation numbers. Novel techniques validated the find, enabling precise determination of planet sizes and temperatures.
NASA's most technically complex space observatory requires precision
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.
Hawaii telescopes help unravel long-standing cosmic mystery
Using Hawaii-based telescopes, scientists have identified TXS 0506+056 as a known blazar source of high-energy neutrinos. The discovery uses a combination of ground and space-based observatories to pinpoint the source's location.
NASA's NuSTAR mission proves superstar Eta Carinae shoots cosmic rays
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.
The fingerprints of molecules in space
Scientists led by Roland Wester have confirmed the presence of molecules in space using terahertz spectroscopy, a method that allows for accurate measurement of spectral lines. The study's findings provide new insights into the chemical composition of interstellar medium and may aid in detecting unknown species in space.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to target Jupiter's Great Red Spot
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.
Astronomers find a galaxy unchanged since the early universe
Researchers have found a rare galaxy, NGC 1277, that has remained unchanged since its formation in the early universe. The discovery provides valuable information about galaxy evolution, as it has preserved its original composition and structure over billions of years.
Engineers solve excessive heat removal from NASA's Webb Telescope
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.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope could potentially detect the first stars and black holes
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.
Face recognition for galaxies: Artificial intelligence brings new tools to astronomy
Researchers used a deep learning algorithm to classify real galaxies in Hubble images, achieving remarkable consistency in its classifications. The study found that the algorithm identified a specific mass range for the 'blue nugget' phase of galaxy evolution, which is followed by quenching of star formation in the central region.
'Flexible' mirror for space telescopes
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.
A telescope larger than the Earth makes a sharp image of the formation of black hole jets
Researchers from Aalto University and international partners have imaged newly forming jets of plasma from a massive black hole with unprecedented accuracy. The study resolves the jet structure mere hundreds of black hole radii away from its launching site, revealing unprecedented details of the jet formation region.
Artificial intelligence helps to predict likelihood of life on other worlds
A team at Plymouth University used artificial neural networks to classify five planets as potentially habitable, estimating a probability of life in each case. The technique may aid in selecting targets for future space missions with improved spectral detail.
Hubble uses cosmic lens to discover most distant star ever observed
Astronomers have discovered the most distant star ever observed, existing only 4.4 billion years after the Big Bang, using gravitational lensing with the Hubble Space Telescope. The light from the star was magnified 2000 times, allowing for its detection.
Hubble uncovers the farthest star ever seen
Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered a blue supergiant star called Icarus, which is the farthest individual star observed. The team used gravitational lensing to magnify the star's light, revealing its true nature and providing insights into dark matter theory.
Supernova may have 'burped' before exploding
Researchers discovered a Fast-Evolving Luminous Transient (FELT) captured by the Kepler Space Telescope in 2015. The transient rose in brightness over just 2.2 days and faded within 10 days, with scientists attributing its cause to a 'burp' from the star before exploding.
Decades of research identify source of galaxy-sized stream of gas
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison used Hubble Space Telescope to analyze Leading Arm of Magellanic Stream, identifying it as coming from Small Magellanic Cloud. The study helps refine models of galaxy orbit and formation, shedding light on mysterious gas clouds surrounding Milky Way.