Virgo Galaxy Cluster Treasure Chest | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

Virgo Galaxy Cluster Treasure Chest | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

A pair of spiral galaxies whirl across this excerpt from a First Look image captured by the National Science Foundation–Department of Energy Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Although NGC 4411b (left) and NCG 4411a (right) appear right next to each other, they do not show signs of interaction, such as distorted arms. Above the pair is RSCG 55, a group of interacting galaxies with trails of material between them. These trails are made of stars, gas, and dust that have been pulled from one galaxy to another during a previous close encounter.

Credit: RubinObs / NOIRLab / SLAC / NSF / DOE / AURA
Release Date: June 23, 2025

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #GalaxyClusters #VirgoCluster #NGC4411a #NGC4411b #EllipticalGalaxy #RCG55 #InteractingGalaxies #Virgo #ComaBerenices #Constellations #Universe #RubinObservatory #SST #LSSTCam #CerroPachón #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

The Virgo Galaxy Cluster Treasure Chest: Part 1 | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

The Virgo Galaxy Cluster Treasure Chest: Part 1 | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

This video pans around the Virgo Cluster as seen in First Look images from the National Science Foundation–Department of Energy Vera C. Rubin Observatory. The scene starts with the giant elliptical galaxy M49 and ends on RCG 55, a group of interacting galaxies with trails of dust, gas, and stars stretched between them. Enjoy this cosmic treasure chest of galaxies and stars.

Credit: RubinObs / NOIRLab / SLAC / NSF / DOE / AURA

Duration: 1 minute
Release Date: June 16, 2025

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #GalaxyClusters #VirgoCluster #M49 #EllipticalGalaxy #RCG55 #InteractingGalaxies #Virgo #ComaBerenices #Constellations #Universe #RubinObservatory #SST #LSSTCam #CerroPachón #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #UHD #Video

Virgo Galaxy Cluster Treasure Chest | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

Virgo Galaxy Cluster Treasure Chest | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

A trail of celestial objects stretches across this excerpt from a First Look image captured by the National Science Foundation–Department of Energy Vera C. Rubin Observatory. The most prominent feature is NGC 4261, the large elliptical galaxy in the top half of the image. In the bottom-left of the image is the lenticular galaxy NGC 4281. Between and around the two lies a cosmic treasure chest of galaxies and stars.

Credit: RubinObs / NOIRLab / SLAC / NSF / DOE / AURA
Release Date: June 23, 2025

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #GalaxyClusters #VirgoCluster #NGC4261 #EllipticalGalaxy #NGC4281 #LenticularGalaxy #Virgo #ComaBerenices #Constellations #Cosmos #Universe #RubinObservatory #SST #LSSTCam #CerroPachón #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education 

Spiral Galaxy UGC 11397 in Lyra: A Central Supermassive Black Hole | Hubble

Spiral Galaxy UGC 11397 in Lyra: A Central Supermassive Black Hole | Hubble

The light that the NASA/European Space Agency Hubble Space Telescope collected to create this picture reached the telescope after a journey of 250 million years. Its source was the spiral galaxy UGC 11397. It resides in the constellation Lyra (The Lyre). At first glance, UGC 11397 appears to be an average spiral galaxy. It sports two graceful spiral arms that are illuminated by stars and defined by dark, clumpy clouds of dust.

What sets UGC 11397 apart from a typical spiral lies at its center, where a supermassive black hole containing 174 million times the mass of the Sun is growing. As a black hole ensnares gas, dust, and even entire stars from its vicinity, this doomed matter heats up and puts on a fantastic cosmic light show. Material trapped by the black hole emits light from gamma rays to radio waves and can brighten and fade without warning. However, in galaxies like UGC 11397, thick clouds of dust hide much of this energetic activity from view in optical light.  Despite this, UGC 11397's actively growing black hole was revealed through its bright X-ray emission—high-energy light that can pierce the surrounding dust. This led astronomers to classify it as a Type 2 Seyfert galaxy, a category used for active galaxies whose central regions are hidden from view in visible light by a doughnut-shaped cloud of dust and gas.

Using Hubble, researchers will study hundreds of galaxies that, like UGC 11397, harbor a supermassive black hole that is gaining mass. The Hubble observations will help researchers weigh nearby supermassive black holes, understand how black holes grew early in the Universe’s history, and even study how stars form in the extreme environment found at the very center of a galaxy.

Image Description: A spiral galaxy seen at an angle that gives it an oval shape. It has two spiral arms that curl out from the center. They start narrow but broaden out as they wrap around the galaxy before merging into a faint halo. The galaxy’s disc is golden in the center with a bright core, and pale blue outside that. A swirl of dark dust strands and speckled blue star-forming regions follow the arms through the disc.

Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, M. J. Koss, A. J. Barth
Release Date: June 23, 2025

#NASA #ESA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Hubble #Hubble35 #Galaxies #Galaxy #UGC11397 #SpiralGalaxy #SuperMassiveBlackHole #BlackHoles #Type2SeyfertGalaxy #Lyra #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #HubbleSpaceTelescope #HST #GSFC #STScI #UnitedStates #Europe #STEM #Education

Saving Biodiversity in Africa: NASA + The Smithsonian | NASA Earth Science at Risk

Saving Biodiversity in Africa: NASA + The Smithsonian | NASA Earth Science at Risk

NASA's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request is cutting NASA's total science budget by nearly 50%, affecting many Earth science missions. For example, the Landsat NEXT satellite planned by NASA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has been cancelled. It was designed to "ensure continuity of the longest space-based record of Earth’s land surface and fundamentally transform the breadth and depth of actionable Earth Observation information freely available to end users." Landsat Next would have collected, on average, about 20 times more data than its predecessor, Landsat 9. Funding reductions at NASA will result in the cancellation of 19 active science missions and end several planned ones deemed crucial by the National Academy of Sciences, including those involving partnerships with international space agencies.

Contact your representatives in the United States Congress, House and Senate, to express your concerns about NASA's severe science budget cuts: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials/

Biodiverse ecosystems need protection. Through fieldwork, coordination with local partners, and satellite observations, NASA and the Smithsonian are working hard to protect them. After years of forest loss, chimpanzee habitats are recovering. This is, in part, due to a collaboration between NASA and the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI). Using NASA Earth science satellite and other data, the Goodall Institute puts data into the hands of local communities to drive conservation across Africa’s equatorial forest belt.

The Scimitar-horned oryx was marked from extinct in the wild to endangered in the wild thanks to the Smithsonian’s work with partners to re-introduce the species to part of its original range in Chad. After successful breeding through the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, scientists are now monitoring nearly every oryx via GPS-tracking collars.

Learn more about Landsat Next:
https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/satellites/landsat-next/

https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/IN/PDF/IN12281/IN12281.7.pdf

https://www.usgs.gov/landsat-missions/landsat-next

Video optimized for Earth Information Center (EIC) display.

Video Credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio
Duration: 5 minutes
Release Date: June 17, 2025

#NASA #USGS #NASAFY2026BudgetRequest #Science #Space #Satellite #LandsatProgram #Planet #Earth #Africa #Chad #Biodiversity #Zoology #EcosystemProtection #Deforestation #Climate #ClimateChange #GlobalHeating #GlobalWarming #EarthObservation #RemoteSensing #Smithsonian #GSFC #UnitedStates #JaneGoodallInstitute #STEM #Education #HD #Video

China's Landspace: Zhuque-3 Commercial Rocket First Stage Test Prep

China's Landspace: Zhuque-3 Commercial Rocket First Stage Test Prep

🔥China's commercial rocket firm LandSpace successfully conducted a crucial ground ignition test of the first-stage propulsion system for its reusable Zhuque-3 rocket on Friday, June 20, 2025. This significant milestone propels the rocket toward the project's planned 2025 debut flight.

Conducted at the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone near the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) in northwest China, the test featured China's largest and most automated nine-engine parallel cluster hot-fire test to date, announced LandSpace.

The test utilized a first-stage structure that is consistent with the technical status of the Zhuque-3's maiden flight mission, said the Beijing-based rocket firm.

"This test achieved an exceptionally high degree of fidelity to actual flight conditions and replicated exactly how the system will fly in space during the test on the ground," said a press release of LandSpace.

The comprehensive trial rigorously simulated the entire pre-launch and flight sequence, covering propellant loading, tank pressurization, sequential engine ignition in batches, sustained stable operation and programmed shutdown procedures, according to the press release.

The 45-second test is powered by nine of LandSpace's self-developed liquid oxygen-methane engines. They generated a total thrust of 7,542 kilonewtons (kN).

It validated the compatibility between all major subsystems—engines, pressurization and delivery systems, structures and avionics—and verified the rational design of the ground support and launch control processes, LandSpace said.

"After the 40-second ignition test of our Zhuque-3's first-stage power system, we have fully verified the rationality of the design and the working compatibility of the rocket's subsystems of avionics, structure, engines, and power. At the same time, it also verified the coordination and rationality of entire rocket-ground testing procedure," said Dai Zheng, commander in chief of Zhuque-3 reusable rocket.

The Zhuque-3 rocket has a diameter of 4.5 meters and a total length of around 66 meters, with its first stage designed to be reused at least 20 times. It can launch multiple satellites at one time, such as flat stackable satellites.

Its storage tank is made of high-strength stainless steel, and it has the potential to reduce launch costs by 80 to 90 percent compared to single-use rockets.

The first-stage engine of Zhuque-3 can be checked without being separated from the rocket after it is recovered, and can fly again after refueling, much like plane flights, according to LandSpace.

Beijing-based LandSpace became the world's first company to launch a methane-liquid oxygen rocket to Earth orbit in July 2023, ahead of U.S. rivals, including Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.

The Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) was founded in 1958. It was the first of China's four spaceports. The launch center has been the focus of many of China's historic space ventures, including the country's first satellite Dong Fang Hong I in 1970 and their first crewed space mission, Shenzhou V, on October 15, 2003. JSLC is now a home for many new Chinese commercial space launch firms, like Landspace.

Image Credit: Landspace

Capture Date: June 20, 2025

#NASA #Space #Satellites #Earth #LEO #China #中国 #LandSpace #蓝箭 #Zhuque3Rocket #Zhuque3 #LaunchVehicle #FirstStageStaticFire #MethaneLiquidOxygen #Methalox #JiuquanSatelliteLaunchCenter #JSLC #InnerMongolia #CommercialSpace #CommercialSpaceflight #STEM #Education

China's Landspace: Zhuque-3 Commercial Rocket First Stage Test Prep

China's Landspace: Zhuque-3 Commercial Rocket First Stage Test Prep

🔥China's commercial rocket firm LandSpace successfully conducted a crucial ground ignition test of the first-stage propulsion system for its reusable Zhuque-3 rocket on Friday, June 20, 2025. This significant milestone propels the rocket toward the project's planned 2025 debut flight.

Conducted at the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone near the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) in northwest China, the test featured China's largest and most automated nine-engine parallel cluster hot-fire test to date, announced LandSpace.

The test utilized a first-stage structure that is consistent with the technical status of the Zhuque-3's maiden flight mission, said the Beijing-based rocket firm.

"This test achieved an exceptionally high degree of fidelity to actual flight conditions and replicated exactly how the system will fly in space during the test on the ground," said a press release of LandSpace.

The comprehensive trial rigorously simulated the entire pre-launch and flight sequence, covering propellant loading, tank pressurization, sequential engine ignition in batches, sustained stable operation and programmed shutdown procedures, according to the press release.

The 45-second test is powered by nine of LandSpace's self-developed liquid oxygen-methane engines. They generated a total thrust of 7,542 kilonewtons (kN).

It validated the compatibility between all major subsystems—engines, pressurization and delivery systems, structures and avionics—and verified the rational design of the ground support and launch control processes, LandSpace said.

"After the 40-second ignition test of our Zhuque-3's first-stage power system, we have fully verified the rationality of the design and the working compatibility of the rocket's subsystems of avionics, structure, engines, and power. At the same time, it also verified the coordination and rationality of entire rocket-ground testing procedure," said Dai Zheng, commander in chief of Zhuque-3 reusable rocket.

The Zhuque-3 rocket has a diameter of 4.5 meters and a total length of around 66 meters, with its first stage designed to be reused at least 20 times. It can launch multiple satellites at one time, such as flat stackable satellites.

Its storage tank is made of high-strength stainless steel, and it has the potential to reduce launch costs by 80 to 90 percent compared to single-use rockets.

The first-stage engine of Zhuque-3 can be checked without being separated from the rocket after it is recovered, and can fly again after refueling, much like plane flights, according to LandSpace.

Beijing-based LandSpace became the world's first company to launch a methane-liquid oxygen rocket to Earth orbit in July 2023, ahead of U.S. rivals, including Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.

The Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) was founded in 1958. It was the first of China's four spaceports. The launch center has been the focus of many of China's historic space ventures, including the country's first satellite Dong Fang Hong I in 1970 and their first crewed space mission, Shenzhou V, on October 15, 2003. JSLC is now a home for many new Chinese commercial space launch firms, like Landspace.

Video Credit: Landspace

Duration: 1 minute, 35 seconds

Capture Date: June 20, 2025

#NASA #Space #Satellites #Earth #LEO #China #中国 #LandSpace #蓝箭 #Zhuque3Rocket #Zhuque3 #LaunchVehicle #FirstStageStaticFire #MethaneLiquidOxygen #Methalox #JiuquanSatelliteLaunchCenter #JSLC #InnerMongolia #CommercialSpace #CommercialSpaceflight #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Mass Layoffs in Process at NASA Nationwide: Lowest Budget Since 1961

Mass Layoffs in Process at NASA Nationwide: Lowest Budget Since 1961

NASA Headquarters (HQ)     

Ames Research Center (ARC)     

Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC)

Glenn Research Center (GRC)   

Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)  

Johnson Space Center (JSC)   

Kennedy Space Center (KSC) 

Langley Research Center (LaRC) 

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)

Stennis Space Center (SSC) 

Office of Inspector General (OIG) 

NASA's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request represents an overall 24 percent funding reduction, reports The Washington Post. It is the smallest budget request for NASA's civil space program since 1961, adjusted for inflation, according to The Planetary Society. Employee layoffs are proceeding under presidential executive orders without Congressional budget approval.

NASA's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request is cutting NASA's total science budget by nearly 50%, affecting many planetary and Earth science missions. These funding reductions will result in the cancellation of 19 active science missions (e.g., JUNO, New Horizons, Mars Express, Mars MAVEN, Mars Sample Return) and end several planned ones deemed crucial by the National Academy of Sciences, including Venus missions, and those involving partnerships with international space agencies.

NASA activities related to education, including its science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs are canceled.

NASA is deleting most of its social media accounts (including popular ones with millions of followers) and closing all public affairs offices at its 9+ field centers nationwide. NASA's overall communications budget will be reduced around 45% in total. Furthermore, NASA's headquarters may be moved from Washington, DC, while having the public affairs/social media budget reduced at its headquarters by ~15%. This means NASA will be far less able to inform taxpayers about its work on behalf of the American people and the scientific community as a civilian space agency.

Contact your representatives in the United States Congress, House and Senate, to express your concerns about NASA's severe budget cuts: 

https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials/

Review NASA's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request (PDF) Documents:
https://www.nasa.gov/fy-2026-budget-request/

Image Credits: NASA/The Planetary Society/NASA Watch

Release Dates: May 30-31, 2025

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #NASABudgetFY2026 #NASABudget #NASAScienceMissions #SMD #Sun #Heliophysics #SolarSystem #Planets #Earth #EarthScience #Moon #ArtemisProgram #Mars #Jupiter #KBO #STScI #Universe #UnitedStates #Infographics #STEM #Education

Shenzhou-20 Crew: Experiments & Equipment Maintenance | China Space Station

Shenzhou-20 Crew: Experiments & Equipment Maintenance | China Space Station

The Shenzhou-20 crew aboard China's Tiangong Space Station have continued to carry out a variety of tasks over the past week, proceeding with experiments in aerospace medicine, smart robots and microgravity, and completing maintenance on multiple devices.

The three astronauts—Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie—smoothly advanced aerospace medical experiments including research on the upper and lower visual fields.

The crew completed behavioral tests using relevant equipment and software. The obtained data will be used to explore the influence of the microgravity environment, and the changes in the focus of attention on the asymmetry of astronauts' upper and lower visual fields and the related neural mechanisms, providing a reference for the subsequent mission procedures and human-computer interaction design.

The crew utilized a Raman spectrometer to conduct experiments on microbiota and nutrition metabolism. By detecting the metabolic components in urine samples, they further revised and improved the relevant characteristic metabolite index system and assessment criteria. These samples will be used in experiments investigating interactive regulation of bone metabolism and other studies on the earth.

Meanwhile, tests on the collaboration between astronauts and China's first intelligent spaceflight robot, Xiao Hang, were also ongoing to explore efficient collaboration methods through experiments on human-robot spatial relationships, robot behavior representation, and multimodal interaction technologies.

In addition, research related to microgravity combustion science continued.

The crew also completed as planned the in-depth maintenance of the microgravity resistance training equipment, the inspection and maintenance of the regenerative life support system equipment, the maintenance of the thermal control equipment, and the replacement of circulation pumps of fluid loop system for space applications.

Meanwhile, the three astronauts counted, confirmed, sorted and transferred the supplies, and cleaned the station regularly.

Shenzhou-20 Crew
Chen Dong (陈冬) - Commander - Third spaceflight
Chen Zhong Rui (陈中瑞) - Operator - First spaceflight
Wang Jie (王杰) - Flight Engineer - First spaceflight

Video Credit: CCTV
Duration: 1 minute, 22 seconds
Release Date: June 22, 2025

#NASA #Space #Science #China #中国 #Shenzhou20Mission #神舟二十号 #Shenzhou20Crew #Taikonauts #ChenDong #ChenZhongrui #WangJie #Astronauts #ChinaSpaceStation #中国空间站 #TiangongSpaceStation #SpaceLaboratory #MicrogravityExperiments #CMSA #中国载人航天工程办公室 #LongDurationMissions #HumanSpaceflight #STEM #Education #HD #Video

China Landspace Reusable Rocket Zhuque-3 Completes Major Engine Cluster Test

China Landspace Reusable Rocket Zhuque-3 Completes Major Engine Cluster Test

China's commercial rocket firm LandSpace successfully conducted a crucial ground ignition test of the first-stage propulsion system for its reusable Zhuque-3 rocket on Friday, June 20, 2025. This significant milestone propels the rocket toward the project's planned 2025 debut flight.

Conducted at the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone near the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) in northwest China, the test featured China's largest and most automated nine-engine parallel cluster hot-fire test to date, announced LandSpace.

The test utilized a first-stage structure that is consistent with the technical status of the Zhuque-3's maiden flight mission, said the Beijing-based rocket firm.

"This test achieved an exceptionally high degree of fidelity to actual flight conditions and replicated exactly how the system will fly in space during the test on the ground," said a press release of LandSpace.

The comprehensive trial rigorously simulated the entire pre-launch and flight sequence, covering propellant loading, tank pressurization, sequential engine ignition in batches, sustained stable operation and programmed shutdown procedures, according to the press release.

The 45-second test is powered by nine of LandSpace's self-developed liquid oxygen-methane engines. They generated a total thrust of 7,542 kilonewtons (kN).

It validated the compatibility between all major subsystems—engines, pressurization and delivery systems, structures and avionics—and verified the rational design of the ground support and launch control processes, LandSpace said.

"After the 40-second ignition test of our Zhuque-3's first-stage power system, we have fully verified the rationality of the design and the working compatibility of the rocket's subsystems of avionics, structure, engines, and power. At the same time, it also verified the coordination and rationality of entire rocket-ground testing procedure," said Dai Zheng, commander in chief of Zhuque-3 reusable rocket.

The Zhuque-3 rocket has a diameter of 4.5 meters and a total length of around 66 meters, with its first stage designed to be reused at least 20 times. It can launch multiple satellites at one time, such as flat stackable satellites.

Its storage tank is made of high-strength stainless steel, and it has the potential to reduce launch costs by 80 to 90 percent compared to single-use rockets.

The first-stage engine of Zhuque-3 can be checked without being separated from the rocket after it is recovered, and can fly again after refueling, much like plane flights, according to LandSpace.

Video Credit: CCTV
Duration: 1 minute, 12 seconds
Release Date: June 21, 2025

#NASA #Space #Satellites #Earth #LEO #China #中国 #LandSpace #蓝箭 #Zhuque3Rocket #Zhuque3 #LaunchVehicle #FirstStageStaticFire #MethaneLiquidOxygen #Methalox #JiuquanSatelliteLaunchCenter #JSLC #InnerMongolia #CommercialSpace #CommercialSpaceflight #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Sharpless 1 Nebula in Scorpius with Blue Star Named "Fang": Wide-field view

Sharpless 1 Nebula in Scorpius with Blue Star Named "Fang": Wide-field view

Sh 2-1, also known as Sharpless 1, is the combination of a diffuse HII emission nebula and reflection nebula in the constellation of Scorpius with the blue star Fang (or Pi Scorpii) at its center (see lower half of image). Located around 600 light-years away, Sharpless 1 is one of the easier Sharpless catalog objects for amateur astronomers to view within our Milky Way galaxy.

Fang, also known as Pi Scorpii is a main sequence star located in the constellation of Scorpius, The Scorpion. Based on the spectral type (B1V + B2V), Fang is blue in color. This means that the star is one of the hottest stars in the Universe, exceeding our own star. Fang's temperature is in the range of 10,000 to 30,000 Kelvin.

Fang is clearly visible to the naked eye when observed from locations with dark skies, and should also be visible from light polluted areas.

Fang is an eclipsing binary variable star. Variable stars are stars whose size and/or brightness changes over time. 

Image details:
60-second frame and 240-second frame on a starless frame
Equipment: Takahashi FSQ-130ED, F3 Reducer 0.6x, IDAS Clear Filter, and EOS R-SP4II, modified by Seo San on ZWO AM5n Equatorial Mount, autoguided with Fujinon 1:2.8/75mm C-Mount Lens, Pentax x2 Extender, ZWO ASI 174MM-mini, and PHD2 Guiding
Exposure: 27 times x 600 seconds, 18 x 240 sec, and 25 x 60 seconds at ISO 1,600 and f/3.0, focal length 390mm 
Capture site: 2,560m above sea level at latitude 24 23 21 South and long. 70 12 01 West near the peak of Cerro Ventarrones in Chile, South America 

The Sharpless catalog is a list of 313 H II regions (emission nebulae) intended to be comprehensive north of declination −27°. (It does include some nebulae south of that declination as well.) The first edition was published in 1953 with 142 objects (Sh1), and the second and final version was published by US astronomer Stewart Sharpless in 1959 with 312 objects. Sharpless also includes some planetary nebulae and supernova remnants, in addition to H II regions.

Image Credit: Hisayoshi Kato
Image Date: April 29, 2025

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Nebulae #Nebula #Sh21 #Sharpless1 #ReflectionNebula #HIIEmissionNebula #Star #PiScorpii #Fang #VariableStars #Scorpius #Constellation #MilkyWayGalaxy #Universe #Astrophotography #HisayoshiKato #Astrophotographer #CerroVentarrones #Chile #STEM #Education

Japan's ispace Resilience Lunar Lander Impact Site Found | NASA Moon Science

Japan's ispace Resilience Lunar Lander Impact Site Found | NASA Moon Science

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has released images of the impact site of the ispace lunar lander "Resilience" near the Moon's north pole. On June 11, NASA’s LRO captured photos of the site where the ispace Mission 2 SMBC x HAKUTO-R Venture Moon (RESILIENCE) lunar lander experienced a hard landing on June 5, 2025, UTC. An impact site that was not present in December 2024 was confirmed. There were also traces of lunar "soil" (regolith) being stirred up.

LRO’s right Narrow Angle Camera captured the images featured here from about 50 miles above the surface of Mare Frigoris, a volcanic region interspersed with large-scale faults known as wrinkle ridges. Mare Frigoris, the "Sea of Cold" is a lunar mare in the far north of the Moon. It is located in the outer rings of the Procellarum basin, just north of Mare Imbrium, and stretches east to north of Mare Serenitatis. It is just north of the dark crater Plato.

Below is the last ispace statement on the Resilience lander's status:

As of 8:00 a.m. on June 6, 2025, Japan Standard Time (JST), mission controllers have determined that it is unlikely that communication with the lander will be restored and therefore completing Success 9 is not achievable. It has been decided to conclude the mission.

ispace engineers at the HAKUTO-R Mission Control Center in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, transmitted commands to execute the landing sequence at 3:13 a.m. on June 6, 2025. The RESILIENCE lander then began the descent phase. The lander descended from an altitude of approximately 100 km to approximately 20 km, and then successfully fired its main engine as planned to begin deceleration. While the lander’s attitude was confirmed to be nearly vertical, telemetry was lost thereafter, and no data indicating a successful landing was received, even after the scheduled landing time had passed.

Based on the currently available data, the Mission Control Center has been able to confirm the following: The laser rangefinder used to measure the distance to the lunar surface experienced delays in obtaining valid measurement values. As a result, the lander was unable to decelerate sufficiently to reach the required speed for the planned lunar landing. Based on these circumstances, it is currently assumed that the lander likely performed a hard landing on the lunar surface.

After communication with the lander was lost, a command was sent to reboot the lander, but communication was unable to be re-established.

“Given that there is currently no prospect of a successful lunar landing, our top priority is to swiftly analyze the telemetry data we have obtained thus far and work diligently to identify the cause,” said Takeshi Hakamada, Founder and CEO of ispace.

Read more here: https://ispace-inc.com/news-en/?p=7664

ispace Mission 2 Press Conference: 
https://www.youtube.com/live/0yr1a-hf7SQ

Learn more about Mission 2: https://ispace-inc.com/m2

Video Credit: NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)

Caption Credit: ispace

Duration: 19 seconds

Release Date: June 20, 2025

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Earth #Moon #LunarSatellite #LRO #ispace #Japan #日本 #ResilienceMission #Mission2 #HAKUTO_R #RoboticSpacecraft #ResilienceLunarLander #MoonLanding #VentureMoon #SpaceExploration #SolarSystem #CommercialSpace #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Helping American Communities Protect Drinking Water | NASA Earth Science at Risk

Helping American Communities Protect Drinking Water | NASA Earth Science at Risk

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been helping communities safeguard one of their most essential resources: clean water. These efforts are now at serious risk due to proposed federal budget cuts. When wildfires burn,  soot and other contaminants often pollute streams, lakes, and rivers and overwhelm downstream treatment plants. Communities like the city of Eugene, Oregon now use critical NASA Earth satellite data to map vulnerable areas for faster response.

Combining satellite observations with local expertise, these NASA-supported tools empower natural resource managers and utilities to better protect drinking water, allocate resources, and reduce damage to infrastructure.

To learn more about NASA’s Earth Information Center and how NASA supports water and wildfire response, visit: https://earth.gov/

NASA's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request is cutting NASA's total science budget by nearly 50%, affecting many Earth science missions. These funding reductions will result in the cancellation of 19 active science missions and end several planned ones deemed crucial by the National Academy of Sciences, including those involving partnerships with international space agencies.

Contact your representatives in the United States Congress, House and Senate, to express your concerns about NASA's severe science budget cuts and climate change: 

https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials/

Review NASA's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request (PDF) Documents:
https://www.nasa.gov/fy-2026-budget-request/

Credit: NASA/EWEB
Duration: 2 minutes, 50 seconds
Release Date: June 17, 2025

#NASA #NASAFY2026BudgetRequest #Science #Space #Satellite #Planet #Earth #Atmosphere #Weather #Meteorology #Wildfires #Climate #ClimateChange #GlobalHeating #GlobalWarming #EarthObservation #RemoteSensing #WaterPollution #DrinkingWater #PublicHealth #Eugene #Oregon #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Strong X1.9 Flare Erupts from Sun | NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory

Strong X1.9 Flare Erupts from Sun | NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory

The Sun emitted a strong solar flare, peaking at 7:50 p.m. ET on June 19, 2025. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) watches the Sun constantly and captured images of the event.

This image is an extreme ultraviolet view of the Sun. It shows the bright flash of a solar flare on the Sun’s upper right side. The rest of the surface is mottled with darker and lighter regions, and faint loops of solar material can be seen extending off the Sun’s edges.

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare—seen as the bright flash on the upper right—on June 19. The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in red.

Solar flares are powerful bursts of energy. Flares and solar eruptions can impact radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, and pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts.

This flare is classified as an X1.9 flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.

To see how such space weather may affect Earth, please visit NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center https://spaceweather.gov/, the U.S. government’s official source for space weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and alerts. 

NASA works as a research arm of the nation’s space weather effort. NASA observes the Sun and our space environment constantly with a fleet of spacecraft that study everything from the Sun’s activity to the solar atmosphere, and to the particles and magnetic fields in the space surrounding Earth.

Image Credit: NASA/SDO
Capture Date: June 19, 2025

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China Mascot Youyou & Pavilion Banner for Osaka 2025 Expo | China Space Station

China Mascot Youyou & Pavilion Banner for Osaka 2025 Expo | China Space Station

🐼On April 24, the mascot of the China Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan—Youyou—blasted off into space aboard the Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft, along with the pavilion’s official flag, becoming the first-ever World Expo China Pavilion mascot to travel in space!

Though just a fluffy plush toy, little Youyou had to meet rigorous space standards and maintain strict weight control. After more than 20 rounds of testing, it finally made its way into the hands of the astronauts. Gazing at the starry skies, Youyou made a wish: May the Osaka Expo in Japan and the China Pavilion be a great success! 👏

Visit Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan—running until October 13, 2025:
https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/

Universal Expos, or World Expos, are large-scale international expos that bring together countries from all over the world to showcase ideas, achievements and innovations. Held every 5 years and lasting up to six months, these Expos cover wide-ranging themes meant to inspire solutions to global challenges. They create a space where countries, organizations, and companies can present their latest advancements in technology, culture, science, and art.

World Expos aim to encourage cultural exchange and foster collaboration among nations, showcasing unique exhibits that are both informative and entertaining for visitors.

Famous structures like the Eiffel Tower and the Seattle Space Needle were originally built for World Expos, leaving a lasting impact on their host cities.

Video Credit: ShanghaiEye
Duration: 2 minutes
Release Date: June 18, 2025

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Liftoff: ChinaSat-9C Communications Satellite on Long March-3B Rocket

Liftoff: ChinaSat-9C Communications Satellite on Long March-3B Rocket

China successfully launched the Zhongxing-9C (ChinaSat-9C) communications satellite into geostationary orbit (GEO) at 8:37 pm (Beijing Time) on Friday, June 20, 2025, using a LongMarch-3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan province. The satellite entered its planned orbit smoothly, marking the complete success of the mission. This 5.5 ton satellite is designed to provide communications services for live television broadcasts over 15 years. This launch was the 582nd flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets. This replaces the original ChinaSat-9 launched 17 years ago this month.

Image Credit: Xinhua

Capture Date: June 20, 2025 

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