Articles tagged with Observational Astronomy
Research using data from NASA missions and computer simulations indicates an increase in noctilucent cloud presence between 40 and 50 degrees north latitude. Temperatures at high altitudes have decreased, raising questions about climate change.
Data from satellite sensors reveal the Midwest region of the United States boasts more photosynthetic activity than any other spot on Earth, according to NASA and university scientists. The magnitude of fluorescent glow emitted by plants is an excellent indicator of gross productivity.
A new study reveals that a pool of dense particles in the magnetosphere can extend out to meet and block incoming solar material, adding an extra layer of protection for spacecraft. This process helps curb magnetic reconnection, allowing energy and solar material to cross the boundary into the magnetosphere.
The Hubble Space Telescope has photographed an asteroid, P/2013 R3, breaking apart into as many as ten smaller pieces. The fragments are drifting away from each other at a leisurely 1.5 kilometers per hour, likely due to the Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack effect.
Asteroid P/2013 R3 broke apart into 10 smaller pieces as it approached the sun, with fragments drifting away at a leisurely pace. Scientists believe the asteroid's weak interior and gradual rotation rate may be responsible for its disintegration.
A giant sunspot has reappeared over the sun's horizon, marking its third trip around the sun in approximately 27 days. This region has produced two X-class solar flares and numerous mid-level flares during its previous trips.
A 1931 paper by Albert Einstein featuring a dynamic model of the universe has been re-examined, highlighting numerical errors and questionable calculations. The model, which includes a contraction phase, contrasts with the widely known expanding Einstein-de Sitter model.
Researchers used NASA's IBEX data to build a computer model of the interplanetary magnetic field, revealing a non-uniform distribution of cosmic ray particles. The findings shed light on why more high-energy cosmic rays are measured coming from one side of the sun than the other.
Scientists discovered that Amazon forest canopy greening during the dry season is not caused by biophysical changes, but rather by shadowing within the canopy and satellite observation artifacts. Correcting for this issue reveals a relatively constant greenness and canopy structure throughout the dry season.
A team of astronomers has successfully mapped the surface features of Luhman 16B, a brown dwarf located six light-years from Earth. The new results reveal dark and light patches on the surface, which can be used to study weather patterns in other solar systems.
Comet ISON's size reduced significantly as it approached the sun, with observations revealing a potential debris field and unclear nucleus remnants. The comet's unprecedented observation history will provide valuable data for scientists to study in the years to come.
Researchers from the University of Leicester used satellite and observatory data to explain an unusually bright Gamma-ray Burst (GRB) observed in April 2013. The event was found to be caused by an extremely powerful stellar explosion producing a jet of matter moving at nearly the speed of light.
Astronomers observed two nearby supernovae, SN 2012im and SN 2013ek, in spiral galaxy NGC 6984 using NASA's Hubble space telescope. The recent image reveals the second star that has exploded, forming a new Type Ib supernova visible near the center of the galaxy.
Astronomers have observed an asteroid, P/2013 P5, spouting six comet-like tails of dust, defying the typical appearance of asteroids. The unusual tail structures change dramatically in just 13 days, sparking debate over their origin and suggesting a possible rotational breakup.
Researchers have discovered a steady change in the pulses of the Crab pulsar, indicating its strong magnetic field is moving towards the equator. The findings, made possible by a 42-ft telescope used to track ballistic missiles, provide insights into the star's interior and evolution.
A team of astronomers has identified a pulsar that switches between emitting X-rays and radio waves, offering the first direct evidence of one kind of pulsar transforming into another. This phenomenon was observed in a small cluster of stars 18,000 light-years away in the constellation Sagittarius.
A recent study by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and six other institutions found that human activity has a discernible impact on the thermal structure of the atmosphere. The research compared satellite records with simulations and revealed a unique pattern of global-scale tropospheric warming and stratospheric cooling.
Astronomers have observed the Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253) producing an outflow of molecular gas, curtailing its ability to form new stars. The galaxy's starburst region is shedding massive amounts of gas, with a total mass estimated to be nine times that of our Sun each year.
Typhoon Rumbia is bringing heavy rainfall, tropical-storm force winds, and flash flooding to southeastern China. The storm's western quadrant is interacting with Hainan Island, weakening the storm ahead of its expected landfall near Zhanjiang.
Researchers aim to discover planets with conditions suitable for life by detecting faint dust clouds around nearby stars. The new technology will improve the odds of finding Earth-like planets with liquid water on their surface.
Astronomers have observed a spinning neutron star slowing down and spinning at a faster rate, providing clues to understand these dense objects. The discovery has important implications for understanding the extreme physical conditions present within neutron stars.
The Ring Nebula's true shape has been revealed by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, showing a more complex structure than previously thought. The new observations have allowed researchers to construct the most precise 3-D model of the nebula, revealing details such as a blue, football-shaped structure and dark, irregular knots of dense gas.
Astronomers use NASA's Swift satellite to estimate the size of comet ISON's icy nucleus based on water and dust production rates. The team finds that the comet is shedding large amounts of dust but relatively little water, indicating that other volatile materials are fueling its activity.
The Lyman Alpha Mapping Project (LAMP) aboard LRO detected mercury and hydrogen in GRAIL impact plumes, which rapidly expanded into space at near-escape velocities. This is a first for LAMP and any previous instrument, as it measures the presence of native lunar atomic hydrogen gas.
Assistant professor of astronomy Misty Bentz will receive a five-year $862,769 NSF grant to measure distances to galaxies with known black hole masses and obtain clearer images of galaxies to predict black hole masses. This project aims to develop a shortcut for predicting black hole mass in any given galaxy through simple observations.
Suomi NPP, a partnership between NASA and NOAA, supports Earth science research and weather forecasting by providing critical data for global change science and improving short-term weather forecasts. The satellite's observations help advance science and increase the accuracy of meteorological predictions.
The Van Allen Probes have discovered a surprise third radiation belt extending out into space, offering scientists new insights into the region. The discovery provides a unique opportunity for researchers to study the dynamics of the belts and shed light on the complex interactions between solar energy and magnetic waves.
By changing the speed of light in an array of superconducting quantum-interference devices (SQUID), researchers can extract microwave photons from the vacuum's quantum noise. This breakthrough could help solve the riddle of the universe's birth and develop powerful quantum computers.
The European Space Agency's JUICE mission will observe ultraviolet emissions from Jupiter's system, providing insights into the composition of the icy moons' surfaces and atmospheres. The instrument will also map the moons' surfaces, sound their interiors, and determine their potential for supporting life in future manned missions.
The Journal of Geophysical Research Planets special edition features 35 LRO papers highlighting discoveries on ancient impacts, global structures, and subsurface hydrogen deposits.
Researchers found evidence of a 'penultimate outburst' in a massive star before its final detonation as a supernova, providing the first causal link between the two events. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of what triggers a supernova.
NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured a night-time image of extra-tropical cyclone Felleng, showing clouds and precipitation pushed east and southeast due to wind shear. The storm has completed its transition and is expected to dissipate in the next couple of days.
A team of astronomers has observed an unusual 'baby' star, LRLL 54361, periodically emitting infrared light bursts, hinting at the presence of a companion star. The discovery provides a rare chance to study what appears to be a developing binary star system.
Researchers have determined the mass of the disk surrounding young star TW Hydrae, a prototypical planetary nursery, with a lower limit of 52 Jupiter masses. This new value is larger than previous estimates and suggests that planets similar to those in our solar system can form in this system.
Researchers found a pulsar, PSR B0943+10, that changes its behavior between two extreme states: one dominated by X-ray pulses and the other by highly organized radio pulses. The team used simultaneous observations with the XMM-Newton satellite and two radio telescopes to reveal this unique behavior.
Gemini Observatory's new GeMS system uses Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics to remove atmospheric distortions, increasing field-of-view and image uniformity. This technology enables astronomers to study the universe with unparalleled sharpness, making it a key innovation for future large telescopes.
Astronomers using ALMA have observed the first direct evidence of vast gas streams flowing across a gap in a young star's disc, thought to be created by giant planets guzzling gas as they grow. The discovery provides insight into planet formation theories.
The Landsat 8 satellite, part of a 40-year record of change measurement from space, will continue to observe the planet in critical sectors like energy and water management. The satellite carries advanced instruments for land observation, including thermal imaging and coastal monitoring.
Researchers used the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope and Hubble Space Telescope to study 21 globular clusters, finding that a few were young with blue stragglers distributed throughout, while others were old with the stars clumped in the centre. This reveals big differences in the speed of evolution from cluster to cluster.
The EUNIS mission will gather data on the sun's corona by observing extreme ultraviolet light over a six-minute flight, providing insights into temperature ranges of solar plasma. The instrument will observe wavelengths from 525 to 630 Angstroms, covering temperatures from near the surface to millions of degrees Fahrenheit.
Bright areas in Western Australia are caused by wildfires, confirmed by satellite data and composite imaging. The fires, detected over nine days in April and 13 days in October, appear as a massive blaze due to cumulative lighting.
Astronomers have discovered a black hole with 17 billion solar masses in the heart of a small galaxy, NGC 1277. This massive object challenges current models of galaxy evolution and could be the largest known black hole of its kind.
Scientists have observed a significant increase in exotic trace gases over Titan's south pole during the autumnal season. This change is attributed to the reversal of the planet's atmospheric circulation cell direction, which extends to altitudes above 450 km.
FOXSI will study nanoflares on the sun using a state-of-the-art x-ray telescope that focuses incoming x-rays. The mission aims to understand energy transfer and coronal heating by observing how these small flares impact the sun's atmosphere.
The Suomi NPP satellite captured a night-time view of New York City, New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania, revealing the extent of the power outages caused by Hurricane Sandy's landfall on October 29. The images show areas where power has not been restored, with comparisons to earlier images highlighting the affected regions.
NASA observed Tropical Storm Maliksi forming on Sept. 30 from the 20th tropical depression in the region, with maximum sustained winds near 35 knots (40 mph/65 kph). The storm is expected to pass Iwo To and strengthen into a typhoon by Oct. 3.
Scientists tracked shuttle exhaust to study atmospheric winds and polar mesospheric clouds. The plume spread faster than expected, forming unusual bright high-altitude clouds near the Arctic.
The Arctic sea ice extent has reached a new record low, with scientists attributing the decline to warmer temperatures. The minimum summertime extent of the sea ice is now 27,000 square miles below its peak in 2007.
Astronomers collected evidence indicating that the progenitor system of a Type 1a supernova contains a red giant star. The discovery provides an explanation for why these events vary slightly from galaxy to galaxy, refining the accuracy of cosmic measurements.
Scientists using the Lyman Alpha Mapping Project (LAMP) on NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter have detected helium in the tenuous atmosphere surrounding the Moon. This observation complements previous in-situ measurements and expands our understanding of the lunar atmosphere.
Scientists have detected helium in the tenuous atmosphere surrounding the Moon using NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spectrometer. The discovery complements earlier measurements and raises questions about the helium's origin, with possibilities including radioactive decay or an exterior source like the solar wind.
Researchers from University of Bonn discover most massive stars form double systems, with over three-quarters orbiting a companion. The study reveals material transfer and merging between stars, challenging previous assumptions about single stars.
A study using the VLT found that 75% of O-type stars are in binary systems, with a higher proportion of interacting pairs than previously thought. This discovery has profound implications for galaxy evolution, as these heavyweights play a key role in shaping galaxies through violent phenomena such as stellar mergers and gamma-ray bursts.
Researchers have observed a dramatic increase in Greenland's ice sheet surface melting, with nearly the entire ice cover experiencing melting. The melting event was linked to an unusually strong heat dome over Greenland, causing temperatures to hover above freezing for several hours.
University of Iowa scientists have created a technique to estimate cloud properties using remote sensing observations from satellites, correcting predictions of particle concentrations. This new method is expected to find immediate application in various activities, including air quality forecasting and climate projections.
Scientists add an extra second to the UTC time standard to account for Earth's rotating day lengthening due to tidal forces. The 35th leap second is added to keep UTC within 0.9 seconds of UT1, which relies on precise VLBI measurements.
Researchers use CRIRES instrument on VLT to study Tau Bootis b's atmosphere, measuring mass and carbon monoxide levels. The new technique allows for the detection of non-transiting exoplanets' atmospheres, enabling scientists to learn more about their atmospheric conditions.
Researchers have discovered that thermal noise can cause unidirectional motion in nanoscale systems with asymmetric structures. By considering the finite autocorrelation time of thermal noise, they show that this effect is feasible even at room temperature.
Avi Loeb's new calculations suggest the ideal time to observe cosmic perturbations was 500 million years after the Big Bang, when the first stars and galaxies began to form. This era offers a window into the early universe before information is lost to the formation of gravitationally bound objects.
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope will observe the moon for seven hours before, during, and after a rare Venus transit on June 5-6. The telescope will capture reflected sunlight and isolate the small fraction of light that passes through Venus' atmosphere to study its atmospheric makeup.