Articles tagged with Observatories
A mid-level M5.6-class solar flare occurred on January 12, 2015, emitting powerful bursts of radiation. The flare's intense energy affected Earth's atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel.
The Deep Space Climate Observatory will capture the entire sunlit side of Earth in one image, providing unprecedented atmospheric data and insights into global weather patterns. The launch marks a significant improvement in solar wind speed measurement and complement NASA's larger missions.
Citizen scientists on DiskDetective.org have classified 1 million potential debris disks and YSOs, helping astronomers identify promising targets for future studies. The project has already identified 478 objects of interest, with many more to be investigated using ground-based telescopes.
A significant solar flare, peaking at X1.8-class, occurred on Dec 19, 2014, as observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). The event may disturb the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel, potentially affecting Earth.
A mid-level flare with a magnitude of M6.9-class occurred on December 18, 2014, emitting powerful bursts of radiation. The Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the event, which may affect Earth's atmosphere and GPS/communications signals.
A mid-level solar flare occurred on Dec. 16, 2014, as observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, emitting powerful bursts of radiation. The flare's intensity was classified as M8.7-class, causing disturbance in the atmosphere layer where GPS and communications signals travel.
The Carnegie Institution has published a new report on the mysterious 90% of Earth's carbon, exploring its quantities, movements, forms, and origins. The Deep Carbon Observatory, led by Robert Hazen and Russell Hemley, aims to answer remaining questions about this essential element.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has developed a portable solar observatory called SSIPP for use on commercial suborbital spacecraft. The observatory aims to enable cost-effective space-based observation similar to ground-based observatories.
A mid-level solar flare, peaking at M6.1-class, was emitted by the sun on Dec. 4, 2014, potentially disturbing Earth's atmosphere. The Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the event, which is classified as a less intense flare compared to X-class flares.
A mid-level solar flare was detected by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on Nov 16, 2014, emerging from an active region that previously rotated across the front of the sun in October. The M5.7-class flare is a tenth the size of X-class flares and may disturb GPS and communications signals.
The Thirty Meter Telescope has launched the THINK Fund, a $1 million annual initiative to support Hawaii Island students in STEM disciplines. The fund will provide scholarships and grants for STEM education initiatives, with a focus on improving opportunities for Native Hawaiian students.
Researchers have discovered an unexpected tail on asteroid 62412, which was previously known as a typical asteroid. The discovery reveals that there may be up to 100 active asteroids in the main asteroid belt, shedding light on the processes that cause some asteroids to become active.
Researchers have discovered two young stars with analogues to our solar system's asteroid and Kuiper belts, surrounded by a large dust halo. These findings suggest a common model for planetary formation and evolution, providing insight into the early stages of star formation and planet creation.
A mid-level solar flare was observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) on November 3, 2014, peaking at an M6.5 classification. This event is significant because it can disturb the atmosphere in layers where GPS and communications signals travel.
Researchers have discovered a 'wheel in a wheel' of dust and gas in the binary star system GG Tau-A, indicating that material is being transferred between the outer and inner disks. This finding has major consequences for potential planet formation, suggesting that multiple-star systems can form planets despite their complicated dynamics.
Scientists have found intriguing zones of organic molecules shifted away from Titan's north and south poles, contradicting expectations. The discovery may provide insights into the complex chemistry of Titan's atmosphere and its potential connection to Earth's early atmosphere.
A substantial X1.6 class solar flare occurred on October 22, 2014, peaking at 10:28 a.m. EDT, as observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. This is the third significant flare from the same region of the sun since October 19, indicating increased solar activity.
A team of scientists from the University of Leicester has detected a curious signal in the X-ray sky that could be the first direct indication of dark matter. The signal appears to be consistent with the prediction of axions, particles believed to make up a significant portion of the universe's mass.
Researchers found a tiny galaxy, M60-UCD1, hosting a supermassive black hole with a mass of 21 million suns. The discovery suggests many ultracompact dwarf galaxies may contain huge black holes. The team used Gemini North and Hubble Space Telescope observations to estimate the black hole's mass.
A powerful solar flare was detected by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on Sept. 10, 2014, peaking at X1.6 intensity. The flare disturbed the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel.
Dr. Petrus Martens is developing a system to predict solar cycles, aiming to forecast events such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections up to a decade in advance. This could help protect the power grid and inform satellite replacement decisions.
Researchers from University of California Berkeley observed and recorded the eruption on Io's surface, which released about 20 Terawatts of energy. The team used Gemini Observatory's rapid scheduling capabilities to monitor the evolution of the volcano over nearly two weeks, providing critical insights into the outburst events.
Astronomers discovered a young binary star system with wildly misaligned planet-forming disks, providing the clearest picture yet of protoplanetary disks around a double star. The system's unique configuration suggests that planets may be influenced by the gravitational pull of a second star, leading to unusual orbits.
The Advanced Technology Large-Aperture Space Telescope (ATLAST) mission aims to study dark energy, the mysterious form of energy that accelerates the universe's expansion. ATLAST would also detect signatures of life in the atmospheres of Earth-like planets and resolve stars in distant galaxies.
Researchers detected striking similarities between a recent gamma-ray burst and the expected features from the first stars in the universe. The ultra-long burst is thought to be caused by an explosion from a blue supergiant star, providing evidence for this class of objects.
A mid-level solar flare peaked at 12:20 p.m. EDT on July 8, 2014, and was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. The event had an M6.5-class rating and may have affected Earth's atmosphere, potentially disturbing GPS and communications signals.
An international team discovered that black hole outflows obscure observations and x-rays, shedding light on their impact on structure formation. The research provides a better understanding of these outflows and their role in regulating growth, using data from multiple space observatories.
A team of astronomers led by Ivana Damjanov has found a treasure trove of compact, densely packed 'red nugget' galaxies in online archives. These galaxies are abundant in the middle-aged universe, providing new constraints on theoretical models of galaxy formation and evolution.
The sun experienced three X-class flares in two days, with the third flare peaking at 5:06 a.m. EDT on June 11, 2014. The solar activity was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and originated from an active region on the sun.
Researchers used ALMA to detect molecular gas in two galaxies rocked by gamma ray bursts, finding it concentrated towards the galaxy centers. The gas was scarce near the explosions, which occurred in dusty environments with little gas present, suggesting intense star formation before the GRBs.
Scientists have used ALMA to detect radio emission from molecular gas in two dark LGRB hosts, revealing a dust-rich environment with low molecular gas levels. This supports the hypothesis that dust absorbs afterglow radiation, causing dark gamma-ray bursts.
A powerful solar flare with a peak intensity of an X2.2 classification was observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on June 10, 2014. The flare caused disturbances in the atmosphere layer affecting GPS and communications signals.
The Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) successfully observed a gigantic coronal mass ejection (CME) on May 9, 2014. The spacecraft caught the event in extraordinary detail, revealing its unprecedented size and structure.
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured a mid-level solar flare on May 8, 2014. The M5.2-class flare is considered weaker than intense X-class flares, but can still disturb the atmosphere and impact GPS and communications signals.
Astronomers from Leiden University and SRON have measured the spin of Beta Pictoris b, an exoplanet orbiting a naked-eye star 63 light-years from Earth. The planet's day length is just 8 hours, despite being over 16 times larger and 3000 times more massive than Earth.
A mid-level solar flare, peaking at M7-class, was emitted by the sun on April 18, 2014. The radiation burst did not affect humans on Earth but may disturb communications signals and GPS.
On April 2, 2014, NASA captured imagery of an M6.5 solar flare, which is ten times less powerful than X-class flares. The event may impact Earth's atmosphere and disrupt GPS signals.
A significant solar flare was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on March 29, 2014, peaking at an X1.1-class intensity. The event disturbed the atmosphere in layers where GPS and communications signals travel.
The NASA-JAXA Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory has released its first images, capturing precipitation falling inside a March cyclone over the northwest Pacific Ocean. The data show high-quality measurements of global precipitation, including light drizzle, heavy downpours, and falling snow.
A mid-level solar flare, classified as an M9.3 flare, was captured by NASA's SDO on March 12, 2014. The flare was emitted by an active region on the sun's surface and may have disturbed Earth's atmosphere and affected GPS signals.
A new Cooperative Research Centre will use lasers to track and remove space debris in low orbits around the Earth. The initiative aims to reduce collision risks for satellites, space stations, and spacecraft.
The ALMA observations revealed a compact clump of carbon monoxide gas in the debris disc around Beta Pictoris, which is surprising given its short lifetime. The team suggests that cometary collisions are replenishing the carbon monoxide, with one large comet collision every five minutes needed to achieve this amount.
Astronomers using ALMA telescope discover compact region of carbon monoxide gas swirling around young star Beta Pictoris, suggesting total destruction of comet every five minutes. The detection implies a massive swarm of icy bodies, possibly two Mars-size planets colliding within the past million years.
A powerful solar flare peaked at X4.9-class on Feb. 24, 2014, as observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). The flare emitted giant flashes of light and caused disturbing effects in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel.
A mid-level solar flare was emitted by the sun on February 3, 2014, reaching its peak at midnight EST. The NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured images of the event.
A team of researchers has confirmed a long-standing puzzle about the birth of massive stars, showing that dense filamentary structures absorb ultraviolet radiation and shield surrounding gas. The findings provide new insights into how massive stars form and influence their host galaxies.
Astronomers have captured the remains of a recent supernova brimming with freshly formed dust, which could explain how many galaxies acquired their dusty appearance. The ALMA telescope's unprecedented resolution and sensitivity revealed a large dust mass concentrated in the central part of the ejecta.
Astronomers have observed a recently formed dust factory in the remnant of Supernova 1987A using ALMA. The findings suggest that significant amounts of dust are being created by supernovae explosions, which could explain the dusty appearance of many galaxies in the early Universe.
Scientists discovered previously unseen binary companions to young protostars using upgraded VLA capabilities. The findings support the disk-fragmentation idea, which suggests double stars form when a gas and dust disk fragments, forming a new star in orbit with the first.
A team of astronomers from Cardiff University has discovered a noble gas molecule, argon hydride, in the Crab Nebula. The find provides new insights into the chemistry of outer space and challenges previous assumptions about the conditions necessary for such molecules to form.
Comet ISON successfully passed close to the sun, shedding light on its composition and behavior. Despite initial hopes for a bright display, the comet's nucleus likely broke apart due to intense heat, producing limited dust tail observations.
Researchers carefully measure Comet ISON's brightness to infer its current state, as it approaches perihelion on November 28, 2013. The comet's behavior over several days suggests it may be disintegrating or intact.
The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory will track global precipitation by combining measurements from multiple satellites. The satellite has undergone rigorous environmental tests and integration to ensure its survival in space.
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory has discovered 28 high-energy neutrinos from outer space, with some having energies a thousand times greater than those created in particle accelerators. The detection provides evidence for cosmic acceleration and opens up new avenues for understanding the universe.
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory has detected 28 high-energy particle events from cosmic accelerators, providing the first solid evidence for astrophysical neutrinos. The signals are more than one million times more energetic than those observed in 1987 and originate from outside our solar system.
Researchers propose a new model for supermassive black hole growth involving 'seed' black holes formed from early stars. A single collapsing star can produce a pair of black holes that merge, resolving the issue of their rapid formation in the young universe.
Mészáros was honored for his groundbreaking research on gamma-ray bursts, developing the cosmological-fireball-shock scenario that has been confirmed by observations. He is also recognized for publishing numerous papers in this field and being a leading researcher in high-energy astrophysics.
Kepler-78b is the first known Earth-sized planet with an Earth-like density, posing a challenge to theorists due to its extremely tight orbit. The planet's mass measurement confirms it as the poster child for a new class of small, hot planets.
A new study mapping gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon reveals a 400% increase in mining extent from 1999 to 2012 and tripled average annual rate of forest loss. The research used satellite monitoring and field surveys to detect small-scale mining operations, confirming up to 94% accuracy.
Astronomers using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have found that less than 1 percent of the gas within 26,000 light-years of the Milky Way Galaxy's giant black hole reaches its event horizon. Instead, most gas is ejected before it can brighten and emit X-rays.