Articles tagged with Astrodynamics
The Cassini spacecraft detected a massive cloud of escaping oxygen atoms on the dark side of Saturn's rings in January 2004. Scientists believe that the sudden release could be caused by a collision between ice particles and material in one of the main ring systems, or an eruption of icy slush on Enceladus.
Astronomers have discovered a Jupiter-sized gas giant orbiting a star located 500 light-years from Earth. The newly found world circles its star every 3.03 days at a distance of only 4 million miles, much closer and faster than Mercury in our solar system.
The CU-Boulder satellite's HIRDLS instrument will provide a clearer picture of the ozone layer's recovery and greenhouse gas distribution. With finer horizontal resolution and increased sensitivity, the instrument is expected to produce valuable data on climate change.
The University of Chicago High Rate Detector will study the physical, chemical and dynamical properties of trapped Saturnian dust. The instrument is capable of detecting 100,000 particles per second, measuring particles ranging from human hair to smaller particles.
The UK is leading a European mission to explore comets, which are ancient bodies offering clues to the Universe's secrets. The Rosetta spacecraft will deploy a lander to study the comet's surface, analyzing its composition and search for signs of life.
Astronomers have strengthened the case for a massive black hole at the galactic center with observations of a newly discovered star. The star's high velocity and proximity to the black hole confirm its presence, ruling out alternative explanations.
Researchers tracked a star's orbit around a suspected black hole in the Milky Way, revealing its massive gravitational pull. The observation provides key evidence for the existence of a supermassive black hole at the galaxy's center.
A team of astronomers has discovered a planet-shaped 'wake' around the nearby star Fomalhaut, suggesting the presence of an orbiting giant planet. The observation was made using the SCUBA camera, which operates in the submillimetre region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
The discovery of a companion planet to Tau1 Gruis star with a relatively long-period orbit and mass similar to Jupiter sheds new light on the formation of giant planets. Researchers found that most giant planets likely form at Jupiter-like distances from their host stars.
Researchers John Debes and Steinn Sigurdsson predict unstable planets will collide, creating 'reborn' planets around white dwarfs. This process could create heavy bombardment of material into inner planetary systems, explaining phenomena like dusty white dwarfs and metal-polluted atmospheres.
The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) spacecraft will continue to provide vital data on global rainfall and climate change with its extended mission. Scientists anticipate improved climate predictions and a more robust record of rainfall patterns.
A new movie from NASA's Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) mission showcases the final moments of the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft's yearlong orbit at asteroid 433 Eros. The minute-long video, produced by imaging team member Mark Robinson, offers a close-up view of the asteroid's varied terrain and features.
The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft has captured the chemical composition of asteroid Eros, indicating it is a primitive relic from the solar system's emergence from a cloud of gas and dust. The data suggest that Eros has remained largely unchanged since its initial formation.
The NEAR spacecraft is set to embark on a historic asteroid rendezvous with Eros, the largest near-Earth asteroid discovered so far. Using its instruments, scientists will study the asteroid's chemical and physical features, evolutionary history, and magnetic field to gain insights into asteroids' origins.
A new pulsar has been discovered orbiting a massive star, providing insights into the mysterious behavior of transient objects. The pulsar, named XTE J1946+274 or GRO J1944+26, exhibits complex orbital patterns and intense magnetic fields, challenging our understanding of these enigmatic celestial bodies.
Researchers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center aim to demonstrate a propellant-free propulsion system using a tether system similar to those used on earlier SEDS missions. The ProSEDS flight could enable shorter tethers for propulsion or electrical power generation, and even de-orbit satellites with minimal cost and weight.
A new study published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters finds that a review of thousands of nearby stars failed to show any rogue stars capable of altering comet orbits and sending them towards Earth. The researchers used the HIPPARCOS catalogue, which measures the location and motion of over 120,000 stars, and found no evidence of a
Researchers propose using an electrodynamic tether to propel and power a Europa orbiter, potentially reducing propellant needs and costs. The concept is still in its infancy, with challenges including Jupiter's dynamic environment and the need for sophisticated controls.
The MAX-Planck-Gesellschaft launched the EQUATOR-S satellite in 1997, after years of development. The spacecraft aims to explore the Earth's magnetosphere and study the aurora borealis, providing valuable insights for the Inter-Agency Solar-Terrestrial Physics Program.
Researchers calculate neutron star's mass by measuring X-ray pulses from innermost orbit, revealing a massive star about twice the sun's mass. The findings provide new insights into the birth and evolution of neutron stars.
A Purdue University researcher has discovered that spacecraft can 'surf' through space at libration points, which could lower costs of planetary missions. Libration points are locations in the solar system where gravitational forces cancel each other out, creating stable orbits for spacecraft.
Researchers analyzed sediment layers deposited by tides to study the moon's retreat from Earth. The study found that a day on Earth was approximately 18 hours long 900 million years ago, with the moon moving away at a constant rate. The analysis also revealed changes in tidal patterns over time.