Friends of NASA

Wednesday, April 01, 2026

NASA Artemis II Moon Crew Suited-up for Launch | Kennedy Space Center

NASA Artemis II Moon Crew Suited-up for Launch | Kennedy Space Center

The Artemis II astronauts, now suited up for launch, have left for the launch pad at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is atop the mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B. The Artemis II launch teams are loading more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants including liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as the launch countdown progresses.

The Artemis II test flight will take Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, around the Moon and back to Earth with launch opportunities beginning in April 2026.

The Artemis II Moon crewed test flight is set for launch no earlier than 6:24 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Wednesday, April 1, 2026 with a two-hour launch window. Additional opportunities for launch run through Monday, April 6.

Teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are continuing final preparations for Artemis II with an 80% chance of favorable weather ahead of a launch as early as April 1.

NASA will provide live coverage of prelaunch, launch, splashdown, and other activities for the upcoming Artemis II crewed flight test around the Moon. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen will test the Orion spacecraft’s life support systems for the first time with humans aboard, helping lay the groundwork for future crewed Artemis missions.

Watch agency launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Artemis blog: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Video Credit: NASA

Duration: 41 seconds
Date: April 1, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #SLS #CrewedMissions #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #DeepSpace #MoonToMars #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #NASAKennedy #KSC #MerrittIsland #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

China Lijian-2 Commercial Rocket Satellite Launch: 360 Drone Camera View

China Lijian-2 Commercial Rocket Satellite Launch: 360 Drone Camera View

Modular and universal design enables efficient production and launch for Lijian-2 (Kinetica-2) carrier rockets, explained one of its designers as a Lijian-2 Y1 carrier rocket with three satellites onboard blasted off at 19:00 (Beijing Time) from a commercial aerospace innovation pilot zone in northwest China and sent the satellites into the planned orbit on March 30, 2026.

With a low Earth orbit payload capacity of 12 tonnes, the rocket is fully equipped to meet the demands of space station cargo missions. However, for commercial spaceflight, high payload capacity alone is not enough. The Lijian-2 is able to deliver impressive performance thanks to its design innovations.

Developed by Chinese commercial space firm CAS Space, Lijian-2 is China's first to adopt a Common Booster Core (CBC) configuration. The Lijian-2 is a medium-lift, liquid-fuel rocket and the second launch vehicle developed by CAS Space, following the Lijian-1. It is the company's first liquid-propellant rocket, and is tasked with supporting China's large-scale satellite deployment and low-cost cargo transportation for the China Space Station.

A closer look at the Lijian-2 reveals that its core stage and two boosters appear nearly identical. This is no coincidence but a deliberate "universal" design known as the "universal booster core" configuration. This approach allows major components of the rocket to be mass-produced, significantly streamlining the manufacturing process.

"From the very beginning of its design, the Lijian-2 followed a philosophy of large quantity and mass production. That is why the appearance of the rocket’s units is highly similar. The critical feature of this rocket is that the core stage and the boosters are designed to be identical in configuration," said Lian Jie, deputy chief designer of Lijian-2 carrier rocket of CAS Space, a commercial spaceflight company established by the Institute of Mechanics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

According to Lian, the greatest advantages of this design lie in its flexibility and efficiency. If a component encounters an issue, it can be quickly replaced like a standard part—a key feature that supports the development of high-frequency launch capability.

"If a problem occurs during the launch, we can quickly take a booster produced in the same batch to replace the faulty one, so as to ensure a smooth launch as scheduled," he said.

Video Credit: 云上天镜 via DJI Avata 360 drone
Duration: 22 seconds
Release Date: March 31, 2026

#NASA #Space #Satellites #Earth #China #中国 #CASSpace #中科宇航 #CAS #中国科学院 #Lijian2Rockets #Kinetica2Rockets #LaunchVehicles #CargoSpacecraft #CommercialSpace #CommercialSpaceflight #JSLC #JiuquanSatelliteLaunchCenter #酒泉卫星发射中心 #InnerMongolia #SpaceTechnology #Engineering #STEM #Education #DJIAvata360 #UAVVideography #HD #Video

NASA Artemis II Moon Rocket Preflight: Filling the Tanks | Kennedy Space Center

NASA Artemis II Moon Rocket Preflight: Filling the Tanks | Kennedy Space Center

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, as the Artemis II launch teams load more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants including liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as the launch countdown progresses at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Update: 12:23 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) - Liquid oxygen fast fill is now complete for the Space Launch System upper stage, marking another major milestone in tanking operations. Teams have confirmed the upper stage is in good shape and are proceeding with the vent and relief test.

Teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are continuing final preparations for Artemis II with an 80% chance of favorable weather ahead of a launch as early as April 1.

Watch agency launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Artemis blog: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
Date: April 1, 2026

NASA Artemis II Moon Rocket Preflight at Sunrise | Kennedy Space Center

NASA Artemis II Moon Rocket Preflight at Sunrise | Kennedy Space Center

NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft are seen during sunrise at Launch Complex 39B, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Update: The fueling process for the Artemis II rocket has picked up speed. The rocket is now more quickly filling with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. When the core stage is completely full, it will contain 196,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and 537,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen.

Teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are continuing final preparations for Artemis II with an 80% chance of favorable weather ahead of a launch as early as April 1.

Watch agency launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Artemis blog: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Wednesday, April 1 Schedule

7:45 a.m.: Coverage of tanking operations to load propellant into the SLS rocket begins, including views of the rocket and audio from a commentator.

12:50 p.m.: NASA+ coverage of launch begins. Coverage continues on YouTube after Orion’s solar array wings deploy in space.

Approximately two-and-a-half hours after launch, NASA will hold a post-launch news conference after the SLS rocket’s upper stage performs a burn to send Orion and its crew to high Earth orbit. The start time is subject to change, based on the exact liftoff time.

Image Credits: United Launch Alliance, NASA
Date: April 1, 2026

NASA Artemis II Moon Rocket Preflight at Sunset | Kennedy Space Center

NASA Artemis II Moon Rocket Preflight at Sunset | Kennedy Space Center

NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft are seen at sunset at Launch Complex 39B, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Artemis II test flight will take Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, around the Moon and back to Earth with launch opportunities beginning in April 2026.

Teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are continuing final preparations for Artemis II with an 80% chance of favorable weather ahead of a launch as early as April 1.

Watch agency launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Artemis blog: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Wednesday, April 1 Schedule

7:45 a.m.: Coverage of tanking operations to load propellant into the SLS rocket begins, including views of the rocket and audio from a commentator.

12:50 p.m.: NASA+ coverage of launch begins. Coverage continues on YouTube after Orion’s solar array wings deploy in space.

Image Credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani/Joel Kowsky
Release Date: March 31, 2026

Free NASA Artemis II Orion Crew Moon Spacecraft Wallpapers | Lockheed Martin

Free NASA Artemis II Orion Crew Moon Spacecraft Wallpapers | Lockheed Martin

NASA’s Orion spacecraft is designed to carry astronauts to the Moon. Launching atop NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, Orion will sustain the crews on Artemis missions to the Moon and return them safely to Earth. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor building Orion spacecraft.

Celebrate Artemis II with Orion wallpapers!

Ready your phone, tablet, laptop or PC before liftoff.

Free download of full set (6MB ZIP file) here:

https://lockheedmartin.com/content/dam/lockheed-martin/space/documents/orion/Artemis%20II%20Phone%20Wallpapers.zip

Learn more about NASA's Orion Spacecraft:

https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/orion-spacecraft/
https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/orion.html

Teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are continuing final preparations for Artemis II with an 80% chance of favorable weather ahead of a launch as early as April 1.

Watch agency launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Artemis blog: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Credit: Lockheed Martin Space
Release Date: March 31, 2026

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

24 Humans Traveled to The Moon, 12 Walked on its Surface | NASA History

24 Humans Traveled to The Moon, 12 Walked on its Surface | NASA History

Between 1968 and 1972, these 24 humans traveled to the Moon. Twelve of them walked on its surface.

With the Artemis II flight test mission, NASA looks forward to adding NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen to this photo.

Learn about NASA's Apollo Program:
https://www.nasa.gov/the-apollo-program/

The Artemis II Moon crewed test flight is set for launch no earlier than 6:24 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Wednesday, April 1, 2026, with a two-hour launch window. Additional opportunities for launch run through Monday, April 6.

Teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are continuing final preparations for Artemis II with an 80% chance of favorable weather ahead of a launch as early as April 1.

NASA will provide live coverage of prelaunch, launch, splashdown, and other activities for the upcoming Artemis II flight test around the Moon. The crew will test the Orion spacecraft’s life support systems for the first time with humans aboard, helping lay the groundwork for future crewed Artemis missions.

Watch agency launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Artemis blog: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Image Credit: NASA History Office
Release Date: April 3, 2023

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ApolloProgram #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #SLS #CrewedMissions #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #DeepSpace #MoonToMars #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #NASAKennedy #KSC #MerrittIsland #Florida #UnitedStates #History #STEM #Education

How to Watch NASA's Artemis II Moon Crewed Test Flight Coverage

How to Watch NASA's Artemis II Moon Crewed Test Flight Coverage

Teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are continuing final preparations for Artemis II with an 80% chance of favorable weather ahead of a launch as early as April 1.

Watch agency launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Artemis blog: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Wednesday, April 1 Schedule

7:45 a.m.: Coverage of tanking operations to load propellant into the SLS rocket begins, including views of the rocket and audio from a commentator.

12:50 p.m.: NASA+ coverage of launch begins. Coverage continues on YouTube after Orion’s solar array wings deploy in space.

Credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Release Date: March 31, 2026

Comet C/2025 R3 Panstarrs: View from Spain

Comet C/2025 R3 Panstarrs: View from Spain

Astrophotographer Frank Niebling: "Comet Panstarrs shows nice structures: It has now several jets that result in separate gas tails. These were interacting with a turbulence in the solar wind in the morning of 28.03.2026 and curled the gas tail."

Discovered by the Pan-STARRS survey in September 2025, the comet is diving toward its closest approach to the sun (0.50 AU) on April 19, 2026, bringing it well inside the orbit of Venus. If current trends continue, the comet could brighten to magnitude +2, easily seen and photographed in the pre-dawn sky.

The comet's brightness will receive a further boost between April 24-25 when it passes almost directly between Earth and the Sun. The process is called "forward scattering." Sunlight passing through the comet's dusty atmosphere could be amplified 100-fold or more.

We will not be able to see the April 24 surge from Earth. The comet will be too close to the Sun. However, coronagraphs onboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) will have a great view of what could briefly become a truly magnificent object.

Image Credit: Frank Niebling
Location: PixelSkies, Spain
Image Details: 4x3min Tec 140 at f5, Asi 6200mm in L, 4h16-4h35 UT 8x3min Askar 300, Qhy367c, 4h14-4h42 UT Authors: Frank Niebling, Michael Buechner
Frank's website: https://www.sternfreundefranken.de
Release Date: March 28, 2026

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Comets #CometC2025R3Panstarrs #SolarSystem #Astrophotography #FrankNiebling #Astrophotographers #Spain #España #Europe #STEM #Education

China Launches Lijian-2 Commercial Rocket: Key to Next-gen Space Cargo System

China Launches Lijian-2 Commercial Rocket: Key to Next-gen Space Cargo System

Modular and universal design enables efficient production and launch for Lijian-2 (Kinetica-2) carrier rockets, said a designer as a Lijian-2 Y1 carrier rocket with three satellites onboard blasted off at 19:00 (Beijing Time) from a commercial aerospace innovation pilot zone in northwest China and sent the satellites into the planned orbit on March 30, 2026, including the New March-02 Satellite, also known as the Qingzhou prototype test spacecraft.

"If a problem occurs during the launch, we can quickly take a booster produced in the same batch to replace the faulty one, so as to ensure a smooth launch as scheduled," he said.

Video Credit: SMG
Duration: 2 minutes
Release Date: March 31, 2026

#NASA #Space #Satellites #Earth #China #中国 #CASSpace #中科宇航 #CAS #中国科学院 #Lijian2Rockets #Kinetica2Rockets #LaunchVehicles #Qingzhou #CargoSpacecraft #CommercialSpace #CommercialSpaceflight #JSLC #JiuquanSatelliteLaunchCenter #酒泉卫星发射中心 #InnerMongolia #SpaceTechnology #Engineering #STEM #Education #HD #Video

China Lijian-2 Commercial Rocket: Modular Design for Mass Production—Designer

China Lijian-2 Commercial Rocket: Modular Design for Mass Production—Designer

"If a problem occurs during the launch, we can quickly take a booster produced in the same batch to replace the faulty one, so as to ensure a smooth launch as scheduled," he said.

Video Credit: CCTV
Duration: 52 seconds
Release Date: March 31, 2026

Close-up: NASA Artemis II Moon Rocket Preflight | Kennedy Space Center

Close-up: NASA Artemis II Moon Rocket Preflight | Kennedy Space Center

NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft are seen atop a mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B

A closeup view of the crew access arm connected to NASA’s Orion spacecraft with the launch abort system atop NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida

A closeup view of NASA’s Orion spacecraft with the launch abort system atop NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket

This photograph shows a closeup view of one of the solid rocket boosters attached to NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at Launch Complex 39B with the Vehicle Assembly Building in the background at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

In this angle looking up, this photograph shows NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft, secured to the mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are continuing final preparations for Artemis II with an 80% chance of favorable weather ahead of a launch as early as April 1.

Watch agency launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Artemis blog: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Wednesday, April 1 Schedule

7:45 a.m.: Coverage of tanking operations to load propellant into the SLS rocket begins, including views of the rocket and audio from a commentator.

12:50 p.m.: NASA+ coverage of launch begins. Coverage continues on YouTube after Orion’s solar array wings deploy in space.

Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls/Frank Michaux
Image Dates: Jan. 17-March 30, 2026

NASA Artemis II Moon Mission Rocket & Crew Preflight | Kennedy Space Center

NASA Artemis II Moon Mission Rocket & Crew Preflight | Kennedy Space Center

Teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are continuing final preparations for Artemis II with an 80% chance of favorable weather ahead of a launch as early as April 1.

Watch agency launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Artemis blog: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Wednesday, April 1 Schedule

7:45 a.m.: Coverage of tanking operations to load propellant into the SLS rocket begins, including views of the rocket and audio from a commentator.

12:50 p.m.: NASA+ coverage of launch begins. Coverage continues on YouTube after Orion’s solar array wings deploy in space.

Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls/Joel Kowsky/Keegan Barber
Image Dates: March 30-31, 2026

NASA Artemis II Moon Crewed Flight Test: How to Watch the Launch

NASA Artemis II Moon Crewed Flight Test: How to Watch the Launch

The Artemis II Moon test flight is set for launch no earlier than 6:24 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Wednesday, April 1, 2026 with a two-hour launch window. Additional opportunities for launch run through Monday, April 6.

Teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are continuing final preparations for Artemis II with an 80% chance of favorable weather ahead of a launch as early as April 1.

Watch agency launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Artemis blog: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Wednesday, April 1 Schedule

7:45 a.m.: Coverage of tanking operations to load propellant into the SLS rocket begins, including views of the rocket and audio from a commentator.

12:50 p.m.: NASA+ coverage of launch begins. Coverage continues on YouTube after Orion’s solar array wings deploy in space.

Credit: NASA/Ashlee Elizabeth Nichols
Duration: 1 minute, 15 seconds
Release Date: March 31, 2026

How to Watch NASA's Artemis II Moon Mission Coverage

How to Watch NASA's Artemis II Moon Mission Coverage

Let's go to the Moon! 🚀🌖 | NASA will provide live coverage of prelaunch, launch, splashdown, and other activities for the upcoming Artemis II crewed flight test around the Moon. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen will test the Orion spacecraft’s life support systems for the first time with humans aboard, helping lay the groundwork for future crewed Artemis missions.

The Artemis II test flight is set for launch no earlier than 6:24 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Wednesday, April 1, 2026 with a two-hour launch window. Additional opportunities for launch run through Monday, April 6.

Teams at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are continuing final preparations for Artemis II with an 80% chance of favorable weather ahead of a launch as early as April 1.

Watch agency launch, lunar flyby, and splashdown coverage on:

NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-events/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nasa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASA/

X: https://x.com/nasa

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Artemis blog: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/

Wednesday, April 1 Schedule

7:45 a.m.: Coverage of tanking operations to load propellant into the SLS rocket begins, including views of the rocket and audio from a commentator.

12:50 p.m.: NASA+ coverage of launch begins. Coverage continues on YouTube after Orion’s solar array wings deploy in space.

Credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Date: March 31, 2026

The Coma Galaxy Cluster: Clusters within Clusters in Coma Berenices | Hubble

The Coma Galaxy Cluster: Clusters within Clusters in Coma Berenices | Hubble

This image, from the NASA/European Space Agency Hubble Space Telescope’s Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), reveals thousands of globular clusters lying at the core of a galaxy cluster. It was created by a Hubble survey that drew on data from three of the telescope’s separate observing programs to explore the center of the Coma cluster, a huge gathering of over 1,000 galaxies, about 320 million light-years away, all bound together by gravity.

Astronomers spotted over 22,000 globular clusters. A number of these have formed a bridge connecting a pair of well-known interacting galaxies, such as NGC 4889 and NGC 4874. A globular cluster is a spherical group of stars that usually orbits a galaxy as a self-contained satellite. However, the globular clusters studied here are another type, intracluster globular clusters. Specifically, these are globular clusters that are not bound to an individual galaxy, but to a galaxy cluster—in this case, Coma.

While globular clusters orbiting our Milky Way reveal themselves as sparkling spherical assemblies of densely packed stars, at the distance of the Comla cluster, they only appear as tiny dots of light, even to Hubble's advanced vision. However, a characteristic feature of globular clusters is their color; since the stars in any given cluster all formed at around the same time and from the same “stuff”, they usually have a consistent color. In this way, the astronomers were able to identify the clusters—and rule out background galaxies lying in the same region of sky—by analyzing their color and size, painting a beautiful family portrait of Coma and its clusters.

With the help of the identified globular clusters astronomers can map the distribution of matter and — even more important—of dark matter in the Coma cluster. The Coma Cluster was one of the first places where observed gravitational anomalies indicated the existence of dark matter.

Credit: NASA, ESA, J. Mack, and J. Madrid et al.
Release Date: Dec. 3, 2018

#NASA #ESA #Astronomy #Space #Hubble #Galaxies #GalaxyClusters #ComaCluster #IntraclusterGlobularClusters #ComaBerenicesConstellation #Cosmos #Universe #Astrophysics #HST #SpaceTelescopes #GSFC #STScI #UnitedStates #Europe #STEM #Education

Pages

Wednesday, April 01, 2026

Tuesday, March 31, 2026