Reaching for The Galactic Arc & Planet Jupiter | European Southern Observatory

Reaching for The Galactic Arc & Planet Jupiter | European Southern Observatory

The dark skies above the Paranal Observatory, home to the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), yield breathtaking views so clear and so full of stars that you could almost touch them. Standing atop a platform at VLT, ESO Photo Ambassador Petr Horálek reaches towards a standout object in the sky. You may assume this bright body, like many others in the sky, to be a star, but it is in fact a planet in our Solar System—the gas giant Jupiter.

Closer to Earth, the four Unit Telescopes (UTs) that comprise the VLT can be seen in the background. Each UT features an 8.2-meter mirror and they operate synergistically to produce some of the sharpest views of the Universe. Accompanying the four UTs are four smaller, moveable Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs) which have 1.8-meter mirrors. 

The Chilean Atacama desert once again proves its value as the ideal location for ESO’s VLT. The remoteness of the observatory means that there is very little to no light pollution, which is vital for astronomy and also yields such breathtaking views.

Credit: European Southern Observatory/P. Horálek

Release Date: June 14, 2021

#NASA #ESO #Space #Astronomy #Science #Planets #Earth #Jupiter #SolarSystem #DarkSkies #LightPollution #Stars #MilkyWayGalaxy #Cosmos #Universe #ParanalObservatory #VLT #Telescope #Chile #SouthAmerica #Europe #Astrophotography #STEM #Education

Spiral Galaxy UGC 2890: Aftermath of a Cosmic Explosion | Hubble

Spiral Galaxy UGC 2890: Aftermath of a Cosmic Explosion | Hubble

The somewhat amorphous spiral galaxy UGC 2890 appears side-on in this image from the NASA/European Space Agency Hubble Space Telescope, with bright foreground stars studding the image. This galaxy lies around 30 million light-years away in the constellation Camelopardalis. In 2009, astronomers spotted a catastrophically powerful supernova explosion in UGC 2890. While the supernova itself has long since faded from view, Hubble recently took a break from its regular observing schedule to inspect the aftermath of this explosive event.

A Type II supernova is a spectacularly energetic explosion that marks the violent death of a massive star. As it runs out of the elements necessary to fuel nuclear fusion, the core of a massive star flickers out and stops producing energy. With nothing to support the crushing force of gravity, the core of the star shrinks and then suddenly implodes, leaving the star’s outer layers to collapse inwards and rebound out into space as a supernova explosion.

Image Description: A spiral galaxy is seen edge-on and tilted at an angle. The body of the galaxy is blue and obscured by threads of dark red dust, and it is surrounded by a pale glow. Three stars with prominent cross-shaped diffraction spikes are very bright in the foreground. The background is dark and sparsely-covered in small stars.

This observation is one of many Hubble investigations of Type II supernovae. Astronomers turned to Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys to explore the surroundings of Type II supernovae in the hope of discovering the ages and masses of stars in the neighborhood. This will reveal insights into the types of stars that eventually create Type II supernovae, as well as revealing any stellar survivors of colossal supernova explosions.

Credit: European Space Agency/Hubble & NASA, C. Kilpatrick

Release Date: April 3, 2023

#NASA #Hubble #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxy #UGC2890 #Spiral #Supernova #TypeIISupernova #Camelopardalis #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #HST #SpaceTelescope #ESA #Europe #GSFC #STScI #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Behind The Mission: Cristina Oliveira | Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

Behind The Mission: Cristina Oliveira | Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

Meet one of the women behind the missions at the Space Telescope Science Institute—Cristina Oliveira—deputy mission head for the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. She discusses following your passion and the many ways to be involved in astronomy.

The Roman Space Telescope is a NASA observatory designed to unravel the secrets of dark energy and dark matter, search for and image exoplanets, and explore many topics in infrared astrophysics.

Learn more: https://roman.gsfc.nasa.gov/

Credit: Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)

Duration: 1 minute, 50 seconds

Release Date: March 29, 2023

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #CristinaOliveira #Scientist #Women #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInSTEM #WomenInScience #NASARoman #NancyGraceRoman #RomanSpaceTelescope #SpaceTelescope #Cosmos #Universe #MAST #STScI #Baltimore #Maryland #UnitedStates #Europe #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Illustration of a Gamma-ray Burst (GRB) | NASA Goddard

Illustration of a Gamma-ray Burst (GRB) | NASA Goddard

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most luminous explosions in the cosmos. This illustration shows the ingredients of a long gamma-ray burst, the most common type. The core of a massive star (left) has collapsed, forming a black hole that sends a jet of particles moving through the collapsing star and out into space at nearly the speed of light. Radiation across the spectrum arises from hot ionized gas (plasma) in the vicinity of the newborn black hole, collisions among shells of fast-moving gas within the jet (internal shock waves), and from the leading edge of the jet as it sweeps up and interacts with its surroundings (external shock).

Image Description: A cross-section (left) through a dying blue star shows a black hole driving jets. They fan out in orange shades. A label reads "Prompt emission," and arrows show gamma rays. At far right, a label reads "Afterglow," which emits radio through gamma rays.

Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)

Release Date: March 28, 2023

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Stars #BlackHoles #GammaRayBursts #GRB #Cosmos #Universe #GSFC #UnitedStates #Art #Illustration #Visualization #Infographic #STEM #Education

Overview Animation of Gamma-ray Burst | NASA Goddard

Overview Animation of Gamma-ray Burst | NASA Goddard

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) [no audio] are the most luminous explosions in the cosmos. Astronomers think most occur when the core of a massive star runs out of nuclear fuel, collapses under its own weight, and forms a black hole, as illustrated in this animation. The black hole then drives jets of particles that drill all the way through the collapsing star at nearly the speed of light. These jets pierce through the star, emitting X-rays and gamma rays (magenta) as they stream into space. They then plow into material surrounding the doomed star and produce a multiwavelength afterglow that gradually fades away. The closer to head-on we view one of these jets, the brighter it appears.

Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)

Duration: 50 seconds

Release Date: April 1, 2023

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Stars #BlackHoles #GammaRayBursts #GRB #Cosmos #Universe #GSFC #UnitedStates #Art #Animation #Visualization #STEM #Education #HD #Video

"Brightest Of All Time" Gamma-ray Burst: GRB 221009A | Hubble Space Telescope

"Brightest Of All Time" Gamma-ray Burst: GRB 221009A | Hubble Space Telescope

On Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, a pulse of intense radiation swept through the solar system so exceptional that astronomers quickly dubbed it the BOAT—the brightest of all time. The source was a gamma-ray burst (GRB), the most powerful class of explosions in the universe.

The Hubble Space Telescope’s Wide Field Camera 3 revealed the infrared afterglow (circled) of GRB 221009A and its host galaxy, seen nearly edge-on as a sliver of light extending to the burst's upper left. This composite incorporates images taken on Nov. 8 and Dec. 4, 2022, one and two months after the eruption. Given its brightness, the burst’s afterglow may remain detectable by telescopes for several years. The picture combines three near-infrared images taken each day at wavelengths from 1 to 1.5 microns. 

Credit: NASA, European Space Agency, CSA, STScI, A. Levan (Radboud University)

Image Processing: Gladys Kober

Release Date: March 28, 2023

#NASA #Hubble #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxy #GammaRayBurst #GRB #GRB221009A #Sagitta #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #HST #SpaceTelescope #ESA #Europe #GSFC #STScI #UnitedStates #Annotated #STEM #Education

Astronaut Center of China Celebrates 55th Anniversary

Astronaut Center of China Celebrates 55th Anniversary

Achievements in China's human spaceflight missions were highlighted on Saturday, April 1, 2023, to mark the 55th anniversary of the founding of the Astronaut Center of China. Primary school students, taikonaut family members and media representatives were invited to the center for the anniversary celebrations.

Credit: China Global Television Network (CGTN)

Duration: 2 minutes, 41 seconds

Release Date: April 2, 2023

#NASA #Space #China #中国 #Earth #AstronautCenterofChina #Anniversary #CSS #ChinaSpaceStation #中国空间站 #Shenzhou #Shenzhou15 #Taikonauts #Astronauts #Commander #FeiJunlong #ZhangLu #DengQingming #CNSA #CMSA #国家航天局 #Science #Technology #Engineering #HumanSpaceflight #History #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Planet Venus: Japan's Venus Climate Orbiter Views | JAXA

Planet Venus: Japan's Venus Climate Orbiter Views | JAXA

Venus - October 7, 2021

Venus - September 4, 2021

Venus - June 18, 2021

Venus - August 13, 2021

"Venus has long been referred to as Earth’s sister planet not only because its size and distance from the sun are similar to those of the Earth, but also because its formation is considered to like that of the Earth at the birth of the solar system." 

"However, Venus is actually very different from the Earth. It is veiled in high-temperature carbon dioxide and thick sulfuric-acid clouds. Moreover, above the surface of Venus, violent winds reach over 400 kilometers per hour. Venus’ whole atmosphere is rotating much faster than the surface below at the altitude of the cloud top (70 km), a unique situation called superrotation. Its mechanisms are still largely unclear."

"Clarification of the causes for such an environment will provide us with clues to understand the Earth better, especially to help understand climate change on Earth. Therefore, Venus is a very important subject for exploration in order to learn about the Earth’s environment."

Akatsuki (あかつき, 暁, "Dawn"), also known as the Venus Climate Orbiter (VCO) and Planet-C, is a Japanese (JAXA) spacecraft tasked to study the atmosphere of Venus. By using five different cameras, working at several wavelengths, Akatsuki is studying the stratification of the atmosphere, atmospheric dynamics, and cloud physics. It was launched aboard an H-IIA 202 rocket on May 20, 2010.

Image Credits: JAXA/ISAS/DARTS

Image Processing: Kevin M. Gill

Image Dates: June 18, 2021 - October 7, 2021

#NASA #JAXA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Planet #Venus #Atmosphere #Meteorology #Weather #Clouds #Ultraviolet #VenusClimateOrbiter #VCO #Akatsuki #あかつき #PlanetC #Spacecraft #Japan #日本  #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #宇宙航空研究開発機構 #CitizenScience #STEM #Education

NASA's SpaceX Crew-4 Visits Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

NASA's SpaceX Crew-4 Visits Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Jessica Watkins, and Robert Hines pose for a group photo

NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Jessica Watkins, and Robert Hines pose for a group photo with local students

NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins participates in STEM demonstrations with students

NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins signs autographs for students

NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren signs autographs for students

NASA astronaut Robert Hines signs autographs for students

Crew-4 Q&A with Students at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Jessica Watkins, and Robert Hines spent time with local students at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. Lindgren, Hines, and Watkins spent 170 days in space as part of Expeditions 67 and 68 aboard the International Space Station.

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

https://www.dclibrary.org/mlk

An international partnership of space agencies provides and operates the elements of the International Space Station (ISS). The principals are the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. The ISS has been the most politically complex space exploration program ever undertaken.

Credit: NASA/Keegan Barber

Capture Date: March 30, 2023

#NASA #Space #Earth #ISS #Science #SpaceX #CrewDragon #CrewDragonFreedom #SpaceXCrew4 #Spacecraft #Astronauts #KjellLindgren #JessicaWatkins #RobertHines #HumanSpaceflight #Expedition67 #Expedition68 #JSC #MLKLibrary #Students #ArtemisGeneration #Washington #DC #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

NASA's Modern History Makers: Carrie Green | Glenn Research Center

NASA's Modern History Makers: Carrie Green | Glenn Research Center

NASA’s Sound Bites video series celebrates members of our workforce and shares their diverse experiences and insights. On this episode we meet Carrie Green, deputy safety mission and assurance lead for the European Service Module. 

The service module supplies the Orion spacecraft’s main propulsion system and power, and on future missions will house life support systems for astronauts. Green's work helps NASA understand and mitigate risks related to spaceflight and ensure our missions are safe. When she reflects on the younger version of herself, a girl who was passionate about space and wanted to be the first woman on Mars, she is struck by the irony. Perseverance and a belief in her purpose, things she learned from her mother, have led to a career at NASA where she is at the forefront of human exploration.

Credit: NASA's Glenn Research Center

Duration: 4 minutes, 38 seconds

Release Date: March 29, 2023

#NASA #ESA #Space #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisI #ESM #EuropeanServiceModule #CarrieGreen #Safety #Assurance #Manager #Leader #Pioneer #Women #WomenInSTEM #OrionSpacecraft #DeepSpace #MoonToMars #Science #Engineering #Technology #SpaceExploration #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #GlennResearchCenter #Ohio #UnitedStates #Europe #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Shenzhou-15 Taikonauts Complete Third Spacewalk | China Space Station

Shenzhou-15 Taikonauts Complete Third Spacewalk | China Space Station

The Shenzhou-15 taikonauts aboard the China Space Station completed their third spacewalk on March 30, 2023, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Taikonauts Fei Junlong and Zhang Lu, together with Deng Qingming who supported his crewmates from inside the space station, collaborated to accomplish all predetermined tasks before returning safely to the Wentian lab module.

Shenzhou-15 Crew Members: 

Fei Junlong (commander), Zhang Lu (taikonaut), and Deng Qingming (taikonaut) 

Credit: China Global Television Network (CGTN)

Duration: 1 minute

Release Date: April 1, 2023

#NASA #Space #China #中国 #Earth #EVA #Spacewalk #Laboratory #CSS #ChinaSpaceStation #中国空间站 #Wentian #Shenzhou15 #Taikonauts #Astronauts #Commander #FeiJunlong #ZhangLu #DengQingming #CNSA #CMSA #国家航天局 #Science #Technology #Engineering #HumanSpaceflight #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Planet Earth's Water Cycle | European Space Agency

Planet Earth's Water Cycle | European Space Agency

Imagine the world without water: as cold and lifeless as the planet Mars. Earth is unique in our solar system in being able to sustain liquid water on its surface. Water is essential for life and for Earth’s climate, helping transport heat around the planet, but it is difficult to track through the whole water cycle. The global view offered by satellites helps. The European Space Agency's Climate Change Initiative is looking at a range of climate variables linked to the water cycle.

"We are Europe's gateway to space. Our mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world."

Learn more: https://www.esa.int

Credit: European Space Agency (ESA)/Planetary Visions

Duration: 3 minutes, 25 seconds

Release Date: March 31, 2023  

#NASA #ESA #Space #SolarSystem #Planets #Mars #EarthSatellites #Science #Planet #Earth #Climate #ClimateChange #GlobalHeating #WaterCycle #Europe #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Tonight's Sky: April 2023 (Northern Hemisphere)

Tonight's Sky: April 2023 (Northern Hemisphere)

Clear April nights are filled with starry creatures. Near the Big Dipper, you will find several interesting binary stars. You can also spot galaxies like the Pinwheel Galaxy, M82, and M96—the last of which is an asymmetric galaxy that may have been gravitationally disrupted by encounters with its neighbors. Keep watching for space-based views of these celestial objects.

About this Series

“Tonight’s Sky” is a monthly video of constellations you can observe in the night sky. The series is produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute, home of science operations for the Hubble Space Telescope, in partnership with NASA’s Universe of Learning.

This video is based on work supported by NASA under award numbers NNX16AC65A to the Space Telescope Science Institute, working in partnership with Caltech/IPAC, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and Sonoma State University. 

Credit: Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)

Duration: 5 minutes

Release Date: March 28, 2023

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Earth #Planets #Mercury #SolarSystem #Stars #BinaryStars #Constellations #Galaxies #PinwheelGalaxy #M82 #M96 #MilkyWayGalaxy #Skywatching #STScI #UnitedStates #Canada #Mexico #NorthernHemisphere #STEM #Education #HD #Video

NASA's Artemis I Mission Recap: The Path to the Pad, Launch & Recovery

NASA's Artemis I Mission Recap: The Path to the Pad, Launch & Recovery

On Nov. 16, 2022, NASA made history with the launch of our Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft—our newest transportation system that will return humans to the Moon. Relive the powerful moment SLS rumbled away from Earth, beginning Orion’s three-week test flight around the Moon, and watch as we document Orion’s splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, closing the first chapter in America’s next deep space exploration story.

All about Artemis I: https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-i/

Credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Writer: Danielle Sempsrott

Editor: Francisco Martin

Producers: John Sackman, Michael Justice & Madison Tuttle

Duration: 14 minutes

Release Date: March 31, 2023

#NASA #ESA #Space #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisI #Rocket #SLS #SpaceLaunchSystem #OrionSpacecraft #DeepSpace #MoonToMars #JourneyToMars #Science #Engineering #Technology #SpaceExploration #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #UnitedStates #Europe #International #STEM #Education #HD #Video

What's Up for April 2023 | Skywatching Tips from NASA

What's Up for April 2023 | Skywatching Tips from NASA

What are some skywatching highlights in April 2023?

Mercury reaches its highest in the evening sky for the year for Northern Hemisphere observers. The Moon makes its monthly rounds to pair up beautifully with several planets. And viewing conditions may be ideal for the annual Lyrid meteor shower, thanks to no interference from the Moon.

0:00 Intro

0:11 Mercury

1:11 Moon & planet highlights

2:43 Lyrid meteor shower

4:08 April Moon phases

Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What's Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at:

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/skywatching/home/ 

— Additional Resources —

Skywatching resources from NASA: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/skywatching

NASA's Night Sky Network: https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/

Credit: NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

Duration: 4 minutes, 31 seconds

Release Date: March 31, 2023

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Skywatching #Earth #Moon #Planets #Mercury #Lyrids #MeteorShower #SolarSystem #Comets #Stars #Constellations #MilkyWayGalaxy #JPL #California #Skywatching #UnitedStates #Canada #Mexico #NorthernHemisphere #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Astronauts Share Their International Space Station Experience | This Week @NASA

Astronauts Share Their International Space Station Experience | This Week @NASA

Week of March 31, 2023: NASA astronauts share their International Space Station experience, our heavy-duty hauler crawls into the history books, and preparing for the return of some historic samples . . . a few of the stories to tell you about—This Week at NASA!

Video Credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Video Producer & Editor: Andre Valentine

Duration: 2 minutes, 15 seconds

Release Date: March 31, 2023

#NASA #Space #ISS #Moon #ArtemisGeneration #Astronauts #Asteroids #OSIRISRExMission #DragonflyMission #Saturn #Titan #Science #Engineering #Technology #SpaceExploration #SolarSystem #KSC #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video