Spiral Galaxy ESO 375-53 in The Antlia Cluster | Victor Blanco Telescope
Image Processing: R. Colombari & M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab)
Release Date: Jan. 1, 2025
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Spiral Galaxy ESO 375-53 in The Antlia Cluster | Victor Blanco Telescope
Elliptical Galaxy NGC 3258 in the Antlia Galaxy Cluster
#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #GalaxyClusters #AntliaCluster #AbellS636 #NGC3258 #EllipticalGalaxy #Antlia #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #VictorBlancoTelescope #CTIO #CerroTololo #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DECam #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education
Cosmic Gems within The Antlia Galaxy Cluster | Victor Blanco Telescope
This excerpt shows a small selection of the myriad picturesque galaxies that can be found within the Antlia Cluster—a group of at least 230 galaxies located about 130 million light-years away. This image was taken with the 570-megapixel Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera (DECam), mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of NSF NOIRLab. It captures only a portion of the 230 galaxies that so far have been found to make up the Antlia Cluster. DECam’s ultra-deep view showcases the variety of galaxies within and beyond the cluster in incredible detail.
Dark Energy Camera Captures Glittering Galaxies of The Antlia Cluster: Abell S636
This image was taken with the 570-megapixel Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera (DECam), mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of NSF NOIRLab. It captures only a portion of the 230 galaxies that so far have been found to make up the Antlia Cluster. DECam’s ultra-deep view showcases the variety of galaxies within and beyond the cluster in incredible detail.
Journey to The Antlia Galaxy Cluster: Abell S636 | NOIRLab
The final image was taken with the 570-megapixel Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera (DECam), mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of NSF NOIRLab. It captures only a portion of the 230 of galaxies that so far have been found to make up the Antlia Cluster. DECam’s ultra-deep view showcases the variety of galaxies within and beyond the cluster in incredible detail.
#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #GalaxyClusters #AntliaCluster #AbellS636 #Antlia #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #VictorBlancoTelescope #CTIO #CerroTololo #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DECam #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video
Close-up view of The Antlia Galaxy Cluster: Abell S636 | Victor Blanco Telescope
This image was taken with the 570-megapixel Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera (DECam), mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of NSF NOIRLab. It captures only a portion of the 230 of galaxies that so far have been found to make up the Antlia Cluster. DECam’s ultra-deep view showcases the variety of galaxies within and beyond the cluster in incredible detail.
#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #GalaxyClusters #AntliaCluster #AbellS636 #Antlia #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #VictorBlancoTelescope #CTIO #CerroTololo #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DECam #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video
The Antlia Galaxy Cluster: Abell S636 | Victor Blanco Telescope
This image was taken with the 570-megapixel Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera (DECam), mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of NSF NOIRLab. It captures only a portion of the 230 of galaxies that so far have been found to make up the Antlia Cluster. DECam’s ultra-deep view showcases the variety of galaxies within and beyond the cluster in incredible detail.
#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #GalaxyClusters #AntliaCluster #AbellS636 #Antlia #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #VictorBlancoTelescope #CTIO #CerroTololo #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DECam #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education
Ancient Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas at Lake Clifton, Western Australia
Astrophotographer Trevor Dobson: "This is an 8 shot stack of comet A3 aka Tsuchinshan ATLAS as it sets above Lake Clifton, one hour south of Perth in Western Australia."
"No, this isn't a dry salt lake, the strong wind this night, coupled with the long exposure, created a sheen on the water. It's taken not long after sunset which probably explains the red hues in the sky."
The Oort Cloud comet, called C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, was discovered in 2023, approaching the inner solar system on its highly elliptical orbit for the first time in documented human history. It was identified by observers at China’s Tsuchinshan – or “Purple Mountain” – Observatory and an ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) telescope in South Africa. The comet was officially named in honor of both observatories. ATLAS is funded by NASA's planetary defense office, and developed and operated by the University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy. C/2023 A3 passed perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) at a distance of 0.39 AU (58 million km; 36 million miles) on September 27, 2024. As of Oct. 14, 2024, the comet’s path may take it out of the solar system altogether—it might not be back.
Image details: Nikon d810a, 50mm, f/2.2, ISO 4000, 8 x 25 seconds
#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Planet #Earth #Comets #CometTsuchinshanATLAS #C2023A3 #OortCloud #SolarSystem #Astrophotography #LakeClifton #WesternAustralia #Australia #China #中国 #SouthAfrica #STEM #Education
Shenzhou-19 Crew Sends New Year Greetings | China Space Station
The Shenzhou-19 crew members aboard China's orbiting space station on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, sent their New Year greetings, wishing for more remarkable achievements for the country's crewed space program in 2025.
On Tuesday, the last day of 2024, Chinese astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze remained busy and completed the retrieval of extravehicular experiment payloads.
The three astronauts also sent their New Year greetings from the Tiangong space station.
"Hello everyone, I am astronaut Cai Xuzhe. Today is the last day of 2024, and I hope that all of you can join me, full of energy, forge ahead courageously, and running into the year of 2025. Let's go," Cai said.
"I am astronaut Song Lingdong. Recently, we have been conducting experiments on musculoskeletal loading using the equipment cabinet in human systems research. We are also using advanced equipment such as ultrasound equipment and instrument for counteracting bone loss to carry out in-orbit weightlessness protection. As the new year is just around the corner, I wish for our space laboratory to achieve fruitful results and for everyone to have a bumper harvest and an endless good fortune," Song said.
"I am astronaut Wang Haoze, and I will introduce our new friend Xiaohang to everyone. Xiaohang, up a little, Xiaohang, down a little, Xiaohang, take a photo. In the future, Xiaohang will be upgraded to perform tasks such as cabin inspection, inventory management, product status checks, and question answering, becoming our smart assistant. Finally, together with Xiaohang, I wish everyone a happy New Year," Wang said.
As the new year arrives, the astronauts have also captured the first light of dawn in 2025 in the space station.
The Shenzhou-19 crew has been in orbit for two months. In 2025, the crew will continue to routinely conduct space science and application experiments and tests, as well as extravehicular activities.
"Let us look forward to more remarkable achievements in China's crewed space program in 2025. May you all come true in the New Year, fireworks to the stars," said the three astronauts.
"Daring to lead at the forefront of the tide and striving with oars raised to sail towards excellence, the China Astronaut Research and Training Center wishes all the people across the country a Happy New Year," said the staff of the center.
Video Credit: CCTV
Duration: 2 minutes, 49 seconds
Release Date: Jan. 1, 2025
Sierra Space Dream Chaser Spaceplane Debuts in 2025 | International Space Station
While at Armstrong, the Dream Chaser winged spacecraft was stacked atop its Shooting Star cargo module on the vibration table to experience vibrations like those during launch and re-entry to the Earth’s atmosphere.
Dream Chaser showcases its mettle by safely withstanding temperatures exceeding 3,000 degrees during re-entry, all while being cool to the touch mere minutes after landing. The incorporation of the most advanced autonomous flight system, ensuring a minimum 15-mission lifespan, marks a monumental leap forward in space transportation.
Learn more about Dream Chaser: https://www.sierraspace.com/space-transportation/dream-chaser-spaceplane/
#NASA #Space #ISS #CommercialCargo #CRS #SierraSpace #DreamChaser #ReusableSpacecraft #DreamChaserSpacecraft #CargoSpacecraft #Tenacity #VulcanCentaurRocket #ULA #Spaceflight #Science #SpaceTechnology #Engineering #CommercialSpace #NASAGlenn #Cleveland #Ohio #UnitedStates #STEM #Education
A Meteor, Comet Lovejoy, The California Nebula & The Pleiades Star Cluster
A meteor adds its own streak of light to the scene, seeming to plunge into the hazy pool of green light collecting along the horizon.
The telescopes of La Silla provide an audience for this celestial performance, and a thin shroud of low altitude cloud clings to the plain below the observatory streaked by the Panamericana Highway.
Comet Lovejoy’s long tail is being pushed away from the comet by the solar wind. Carbon compounds that have been excited by ultraviolet radiation from the Sun give it its striking green hue.
This was the first time the comet has passed through the inner Solar System and ignited so spectacularly in over 11,000 years. Its highly elliptical orbit about the Sun—adjusted slightly due to meddling planets — means that it will not grace our skies for another 8,000 years after it rounded the Sun and began its lonely voyage back into the cold outer regions of the Solar System.
The California Nebula & The Pleiades Star Cluster | La Silla Observatory
#NASA #ESO #Astronomy #Space #Science #StarClusters #StarCluster #Pleiades #SevenSisters #Messier45 #Nebulae #CaliforniaNebula #NGC1499 #Sh2220 #EmissionNebula #Perseus #Taurus #Constellations #MilkyWayGalaxy #Cosmos #Universe #LaSillaObservatory #Chile #Europe #STEM #Education
NASA's Artemis III Moon Spacesuits: AxEMU 2024 Developments | Axiom Space
"We are suiting up for a new year. As we say goodbye to 2024, let us take a moment to recap this year's developments of the AxEMU. Axiom Space is building for beyond, guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while developing its successor, Axiom Station—the world’s first commercial space station in low-Earth orbit. It will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home."
#NASA #ESA #Space #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisIII #Astronauts #Spacesuit #EVA #AxEMU #AxiomSpace #DeepSpace #MoonToMars #Science #Engineering #Technology #Exploration #HumanSpaceflight #UnitedStates #Europe #ArtemisGeneration #STEM #Education #HD #Video
China Space Station Experiments to Bring Benefits for Space & People on Earth
A report released on Monday, Dec. 31, 2024, highlights research conducted aboard the China Space Station to date. It aims to provide solutions for long-term space survival and to develop technologies that can benefit industries and daily life on Earth. Published by the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO), the 2024 report provides a comprehensive summary of the scientific research and applications conducted at the China Space Station over the past two years. It highlights 34 representative research and application achievements, as well as science communication and cultural activities.
China has currently outlined four major research areas in space: space life and human body research, microgravity physics, space astronomy and earth science, and space technologies and applications, encompassing 32 research topics. As of December 1, 2024, a total of 181 scientific and application projects have been conducted in orbit. Nearly two tons of scientific materials have been delivered to the station, and almost 100 types of experimental samples have been brought back to Earth. The report also highlighted several world records, including the development of the first germplasm resources of rice and ratoon rice developed in space and the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into hematopoietic stem/precursor cells in space.
"We hope to offer solutions to the challenges of long-term human survival in space through these studies. At the same time, the key materials developed in space are expected to be applied on Earth, offering new processes, methods, and technologies to improve production and daily life," said Zhang Wei, a researcher at the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization (CSU), under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
Zhang noted that the report primarily highlights results from completed experiments, while many others are still in progress.
"In our scientific experiments, particularly in microgravity fluids, several international cooperation projects are underway. Projects initiated through the United Nations are progressing, and joint China-Europe projects are also been carried out," said the researcher.
According to the report, the China Space Station, serving as the national space lab, will conduct over 1,000 research projects in the next 10-15 years. It aims to promote science outreach and international collaboration, attract high-level teams from around the world, and advance China's space science, technology, and applications.
China launched the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship on Oct. 30, 2024, sending three astronauts—including the country's first female space engineer—to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission.
Video Credit: CCTV
Duration: 1 minute, 20 seconds
Release Date: Dec. 31, 2024
Milky Way over Visible & Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) in Chile
In this view of the Paranal Observatory, the Milky Way galaxy forms an arc across the Atacama night sky, along with colorful atmospheric airglow. Below it stands VISTA, the Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy.
Airglow occurs when atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere, excited by sunlight, emit light to shed their excess energy. Or, it can happen when atoms and molecules that have been ionized by sunlight collide with and capture a free electron. In both cases, they eject a particle of light—called a photon—in order to relax again. The phenomenon is similar to auroras, but where auroras are driven by high-energy particles originating from the solar wind, airglow is energized by ordinary, day-to-day solar radiation.
Unlike auroras, which are episodic and fleeting, airglow constantly shines throughout Earth’s atmosphere, and the result is a tenuous bubble of light that closely encases our entire planet. (Auroras, on the other hand, are usually constrained to Earth’s poles.) Just a tenth as bright as all the stars in the night sky, airglow is far more subdued than auroras, too dim to observe easily except in orbit or on the ground with clear, dark skies and a sensitive camera. However, it is a marker nevertheless of the dynamic region where Earth meets space . . .
Flight Testing Lidar Hazard Detection Instrument for Artemis Lunar Missions | NASA
With support from NASA’s Flight Opportunities program, Astrobotic tested an engineering model of its hazard detection light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor over the company's simulated lunar terrain. During this Nov. 14, 2024, flight campaign, the technology successfully captured high-precision data to enhance hazard detection, benefiting future lunar lander missions, including Astrobotic’s upcoming NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) Mission.