Planet Mars Images: April 6-9, 2025 | NASA's Curiosity & Perseverance Rovers
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Wednesday, April 09, 2025
Planet Mars Images: April 6-9, 2025 | NASA's Curiosity & Perseverance Rovers
Dark Matter Gravitational Lensing | NOIRLab
Dark Matter Gravitational Lensing | NOIRLab
This visualization shows dark matter distorting the light from background galaxies.
Most of the universe is made of stuff we have never seen. Its gravity drives normal matter (gas and dust) to collect and build up into stars, galaxies, and massive galaxy clusters. Visible matter reveals itself by shining brightly, but astronomers detect dark matter by its gravitational influence on the light we see. By looking at the area around massive galaxy clusters, astronomers can identify warped background galaxies gravitationally lensed by the cluster and reverse-engineer their distortions.
Learn more about dark matter at NASA:
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/science/science-highlights/shining-a-light-on-dark-matter/
Release Date: April 8, 2025
Asteroid 2024 YR4: Moon Impact Risk Assessment | NOIRLab's Gemini South
Asteroid 2024 YR4: Moon Impact Risk Assessment | NOIRLab's Gemini South
2024 YR4 was first detected on December 27, 2024, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS). At the time, the asteroid made a close approach to Earth, passing at a distance of just 0.017 astronomical units (approximately 2.5 million kilometers, or 1.5 million miles). Initial uncertainty regarding its trajectory warranted further investigation, leading astronomers to secure critical special Director's Discretionary Time on Gemini South for follow-up observations using the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) on February 7, 2025.
In late January 2025, one month after its discovery, 2024 YR4 rose above the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) notification threshold of 1% probability of a future impact with Earth, projected for December 22, 2032. This potential threat gained international attention among the public and the media. With further analysis, the Earth impact probability then dropped below 1% in late February. While the asteroid will miss Earth during this encounter, there remains a few percent chance it could hit the Moon instead.
Interested in characterizing the now famous asteroid, the team of astronomers, led by Bryce Bolin of Eureka Scientific, used the Gemini South telescope in Chile, one half of the International Gemini Observatory, partly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and operated by NSF NOIRLab, to capture images of it in multiple wavelengths.
https://iawn.net
Release Date: April 8, 2025
US & Russian Soyuz MS-27 Crew: Before Launch at Baikonur Cosmodrome: Part 2
US & Russian Soyuz MS-27 Crew: Before Launch at Baikonur Cosmodrome: Part 2
Roscosmos (Russia) Flight Engineers: Ivan Vagner, Kirill Peskov
NASA Flight Engineers: Don Pettit, Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers
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.
Capture Date: April 8, 2025
US & Russian Soyuz MS-27 Crew: Before Launch at Baikonur Cosmodrome: Part 1
US & Russian Soyuz MS-27 Crew: Before Launch at Baikonur Cosmodrome: Part 1
Roscosmos (Russia) Flight Engineers: Ivan Vagner, Kirill Peskov
NASA Flight Engineers: Don Pettit, Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers
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.
Capture Date: April 8, 2025
Tuesday, April 08, 2025
New Comet Discovered: Introducing Comet SWAN25F
New Comet Discovered: Introducing Comet SWAN25F.jpg)
Amateur astronomers are monitoring a bright new comet easily detectable by backyard telescopes. Introducing, Comet SWAN25F . . .
The comet is named after the SWAN camera onboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). Australian amateur astronomer Michael Mattiazzo noticed the comet in online images. SWAN is a special camera that maps hydrogen in the solar wind. This suggests the comet may be rich in the element.
"The comet's tail is at least 2 degrees long," says Michael Jaeger, who teamed up with Gerald Rhemann to photograph the comet low in the morning sky from Weißenkirchen, Austria:
"At the turn of the month, the comet could become brighter than 5th magnitude," predicts Jaeger.
"The comet appears to be brightening quite quickly," says Nick James of the British Astronomical Association. "It is too early to predict what the peak brightness will be. We need a few more days of observations to confirm the current trend, but it should become at least a binocular object."
Capture Date: April 6, 2025
#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Planet #Earth #Comets #Comet #CometSWAN25F #OortCloud #SolarSystem #Astrophotography #MichaelMattiazzo #MichaelJaeger #GeraldRhemann #Astrophotographers #Austria #Australia #STEM #Education
Jonny Kim: “Lifelong Learning” | NASA Astronaut Moments | Johnson Space Center
Jonny Kim: “Lifelong Learning” | NASA Astronaut Moments | Johnson Space Center
Dedicated to a life full of learning, NASA astronaut Jonny Kim is well-prepared for his first mission to the International Space Station, where he will conduct scientific investigations and technology demonstrations to support future space missions and to provide benefits to people on Earth.
The former Navy SEAL and emergency medicine resident launched on a Roscosmos Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft on April 8, 2025, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky of Russia. Jonny Kim will serve as a flight engineer and member of the Expedition 72/73 crew for approximately eight months.
Producer/Editor: John Streeter
Videographer: Charles Clendaniel
Audio Sound Design: Greg Wiseman
Duration: 5 minutes
Release Date: April 8, 2025
How Do Astronauts Practice Self-Care in Space? | International Space Station
How Do Astronauts Practice Self-Care in Space? | International Space Station
Everyone needs a little self-care. However, what does that look like for astronauts orbiting 250 miles above Earth? See how crew members may turn to music, movies, and more to unwind and recharge.
NASA’s Human Research Program (HRP) uses research to develop methods to protect the health and performance of astronauts in space. With the goal of traveling to Mars and beyond, HRP is using ground research facilities, the International Space Station, and analog environments to enable cutting-edge science.
Learn more about the ongoing research exploring human health in space at NASA’s Human Research Program: www.nasa.gov/hrp
Duration: 1 minute, 40 seconds
Release Date: April 7, 2025
US & Russian Soyuz MS-27 Crew Arrival | International Space Station
US & Russian Soyuz MS-27 Crew Arrival | International Space Station
At 7:28 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the hatch opened between the International Space Station and the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft with NASA astronaut Jonny Kim and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky of Russia. Earlier at 4:57 a.m. EDT, the spacecraft docked to the International Space Station’s Prichal module.
Roscosmos (Russia) Flight Engineers: Ivan Vagner, Kirill Peskov
NASA Flight Engineers: Don Pettit, Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers
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.
Capture Date: April 8, 2025
US & Russian Soyuz MS-27 Crew: Rocket Liftoff in Kazakhstan
US & Russian Soyuz MS-27 Crew: Rocket Liftoff in Kazakhstan
Roscosmos (Russia) Flight Engineers: Ivan Vagner, Kirill Peskov
NASA Flight Engineers: Don Pettit, Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers
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.
Capture Date: April 8, 2025
US & Russian Soyuz MS-27 Crew: Pre-launch Activities in Kazakhstan
US & Russian Soyuz MS-27 Crew: Pre-launch Activities in Kazakhstan
Roscosmos (Russia) Flight Engineers: Ivan Vagner, Kirill Peskov
NASA Flight Engineers: Don Pettit, Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers
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.
Capture Date: April 8, 2025
US & Russian Soyuz MS-27 Crew Rocket Launch in Kazakhstan
US & Russian Soyuz MS-27 Crew Rocket Launch in Kazakhstan
Roscosmos (Russia) Flight Engineers: Ivan Vagner, Kirill Peskov
NASA Flight Engineers: Don Pettit, Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers
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.
Duration: 49 seconds
Capture Date: April 8, 2025
Monday, April 07, 2025
An Asteroid Passes through a Hamburger (Galaxy): April 7-13, 2025 | BBC
An Asteroid Passes through a Hamburger (Galaxy): April 7-13, 2025 | BBC
"Watch the asteroid Flora as at passes by the Hamburger Galaxy this week. Find out how to see it in the latest episode of Star Diary, the podcast from the makers of Sky at Night Magazine."
Learn to observe our nearest star, the Sun, in our upcoming online masterclass series: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/virtual-events
Release Date: April 6, 2025
NASA Artemis II Moon Rocket: Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter Stacking
NASA Artemis II Moon Rocket: Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter Stacking
The cone shaped launch vehicle stage adapter connects the Space Launch System (SLS) Moon rocket to the upper stage, the interim cryogenic propulsion stage, and protects the rocket’s flight computers, avionics, and electrical devices during launch and ascent during the Artemis missions.
The Artemis II test flight will be sending NASA astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Reid Wiseman, as well as Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on a ten-day journey around the Moon and back.
Artemis II will launch no earlier than April 2026.
Learn more about NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket: nasa.gov/sls
Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates: https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/
Image Dates: Aug. 8, 2024-April 3, 2025
















































