Thursday, June 26, 2025

Axiom Space Ax-4 Crew Arrival: Hatch Opening | International Space Station

Axiom Space Ax-4 Crew Arrival: Hatch Opening | International Space Station


At 8:14 a.m. EDT on Thursday, June 26, 2025, the hatch opened between the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and the International Space Station following the arrival of Axiom Mission 4. The spacecraft docked at 6:31 a.m. to the space-facing port of the space station’s Harmony module.

Former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary are now aboard the International Space Station after launching at 2:31 a.m. on June 25, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4.

The private astronauts plan to spend about two weeks aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting a mission of science, outreach, and commercial activities.

The Ax-4 Mission “realizes the return” to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, with each nation’s first government-sponsored flight in more than 40 years. While Ax-4 marks these countries' second human spaceflight mission in history, it will be the first time all three nations will execute a mission on board the International Space Station.

The Ax-4 research complement includes around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe.

Ax-4 Crew


Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland)
https://www.axiomspace.com/astronaut/slawosz-uznanski



Video Credits: NASA/JSC/Axiom Space
Duration: 1 minute, 34 seconds
Capture Date: June 26, 2025

#NASA #Space #ISS #AxiomSpace #Ax4Mission #Ax4 #SpaceX #CrewDragonSpacecraft #PeggyWhitson #UnitedStates #ShubhanshuShukla #India #BhāratGaṇarājya #SławoszUznańskiWiśniewski #Poland #Polska #TiborKapu #Hungary #Magyarország #CommercialSpace #Astronauts #Europe #STEM #Education #HD #Video

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Wednesday, June 25, 2025

New View of Neighboring Galaxy | ALERT: NASA's Chandra Mission Canceled

New View of Neighboring Galaxy | ALERT: NASA's Chandra Mission Canceled

    

Along with 18 other active NASA science missions, the Chandra X-ray Observatory is no longer funded in NASA's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request. In fact, NASA's entire science budget has been cut nearly 50%. This includes ending planned missions deemed crucial by the National Academy of Sciences, as well as those involving partnerships with international space agencies.
Contact your representatives in the United States Congress, House and Senate, to express your concerns about severe budget cuts at NASA:
https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials/

NASA's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request (PDF) Document Download: https://www.nasa.gov/fy-2026-budget-request/ (See Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request Summary)

The Andromeda galaxy, also known as Messier 31 (M31), is the closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way at a distance of about two and a half million light-years. Astronomers use Andromeda to understand the structure and evolution of our own spiral, which is much harder to do since Earth is embedded inside the Milky Way.

M31 has played an important role in many aspects of astrophysics, but particularly in the discovery of dark matter. In the 1960s, Vera Rubin and her colleagues studied M31 and determined that there was some unseen matter in the galaxy that was affecting how the galaxy and its spiral arms rotated. This unknown material was named “dark matter” and its nature remains one of the biggest open questions in astrophysics today.

Each type of light reveals new information about this close galactic relative to the Milky Way. For example, Chandra’s X-rays reveal the high-energy radiation around the supermassive black hole at the center of M31 as well as many other smaller compact and dense objects strewn across the galaxy.

These multi-wavelength datasets are also being released as a sonification. This includes the same wavelengths of data in the new composite. In the sonification, the layer from each telescope has been separated out and rotated so that they stack on top of each other horizontally beginning with X-rays at the top and then moving through ultraviolet, optical, infrared, and radio at the bottom. As the scan moves from left to right in the sonification, each type of light is mapped to a different range of notes ranging from lower-energy radio waves up through the high-energy of X-rays. Meanwhile, the brightness of each source controls volume and the vertical location dictates the pitch.

This new image of M31 is released in tribute to the groundbreaking legacy of Dr. Vera Rubin. Her observations transformed our understanding of the Universe. Rubin’s meticulous measurements of Andromeda’s rotation curve provided some of the earliest and most convincing evidence that galaxies are embedded in massive halos of invisible material—what we now call dark matter. Her work challenged long-held assumptions and catalyzed a new era of research into the composition and dynamics of the cosmos. In recognition of her profound scientific contributions, the United States Mint has recently released a commemorative quarter in 2025 featuring Rubin as part of its American Women Quarters Program—making her the first astronomer honored in the series.


Video Credit: NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory
Duration: 3 minutes, 26 seconds
Release Date: June 25, 2025

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Galaxies #AndromedaGalaxy #M31 #NGC224 #Andromeda #Constellation #VeraRubin #Cosmos #Universe #NASAChandra #ChandraObservatory #XrayAstronomy #SpaceTelescopes #MSFC #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #History #Sonification #HD #Video
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Shenzhou-20 Crew Continues Work on Experiments | China Space Station

Shenzhou-20 Crew Continues Work on Experiments | China Space Station

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Shenzhou-20 crew has been carrying out a series of scientific experiments in orbit two months after docking with China's Tiangong Space Station on April 25, 2025.

In one notable experiment, astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie conducted China's first in-orbit flatworm regeneration study. Using a small-scale universal biological module in the life ecology experiment cabinet, the crew explored how space microgravity and radiation affect flatworm regeneration at both morphological and physiological levels. The study is expected to deepen understanding of regenerative mechanisms at the organismal level. 

On May 22 at 16:49 Beijing time, the astronauts completed their first series of extravehicular activities (EVAs). This marked the 20th EVA since the construction of China's space station in 2021. Assisted by the space station's robotic arm and a ground team in Beijing, Chen Dong and Chen Zhongrui, in close collaboration with Wang Jie, exited the space station complex through the node cabin of the Tianhe core module. The three astronauts worked around eight hours to complete multiple tasks, including the installation of space debris protection devices that had earlier been deployed through the cargo airlock cabin and transferred to an intermediate position by the robotic arm, and the inspection of extravehicular equipment and facilities.

Recently, the crew has also conducted tests on several cognitive and coordination-related projects, including studies on trust and collaboration mechanisms, visuomotor gravitational representation, metacognitive monitoring, and spatial relationship cognition under microgravity. Using diagnostic ultrasound, they examined vascular conditions, and carried out precision grip and memory-based tasks using motion measurement devices. They also explored how microgravity affects microorganisms, particularly streptomyces, examining growth, differentiation, population succession, and bioactive compound synthesis using the station's biotechnology experiment cabinet.

All three astronauts remain in good health, and mission-related experiments and operations are progressing steadily.

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, 18 seconds
Release Date: June 25, 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
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Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski Begins Ignis Mission | European Space Agency

Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski Begins Ignis Mission | European Space Agency

These are launch highlights of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station with European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland. The mission is called Ignis.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from launch pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA, on June 25, 2025.

Sławosz is mission specialist on the Dragon spacecraft. The other crew members are Shubhanshu Shukla from India and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. They fly under the command of Peggy Whitson from the United States.

Sponsored by the Polish government and supported by ESA, the Polish Ministry of Economic Development and Technology (MRiT), and the Polish Space Agency (POLSA), the mission will include an ambitious technological and scientific program with several experiments led by ESA and proposed by the Polish space industry.


Video Credit: European Space Agency (ESA)
Duration: 3 minutes
Release Date: June 25, 2025

#NASA #Space #ISS #AxiomSpace #Ax4Mission #Ax4 #SpaceX #Falcon9Rocket #CrewDragonSpacecraft #SławoszUznańskiWiśniewski #POLSA #Poland #Polska #CommercialSpace #Astronauts #Europe #NASAKennedy #Florida #STEM #Education #HD #Video
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Axiom Space Ax-4 Mission: Crew Pre-flight Images | NASA Kennedy

Axiom Space Ax-4 Mission: Crew Pre-flight Images | NASA Kennedy

From left to right: Ax-4 Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Ax-4 Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary, Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States, Ax-4 Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of the European Space Agency (ESA)/Poland

From left to right: Ax-4 Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Ax-4 Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary, Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States, Ax-4 Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of the European Space Agency (ESA)/Poland

From left to right: Ax-4 Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Ax-4 Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary, Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States, Ax-4 Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of the European Space Agency (ESA)/Poland
From left to right: Ax-4 Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Ax-4 Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary, Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States, Ax-4 Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of the European Space Agency (ESA)/Poland

Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States
Ax-4 Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India
Ax-4 Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of the European Space Agency (ESA)/Poland
Ax-4 Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary

The crew of Axiom Space's Ax-4 Mission successfully lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 2:31 a.m. EDT. The spacecraft will dock autonomously to the space-facing port of the International Space Station’s Harmony module at approximately 7 a.m. EDT on Thursday, June 26. Veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson is commanding Ax-4. She is flying on her fifth mission to the orbiting lab. She is leading first time space flyers Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uzanański-Wiśniewksi from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. The four private astronauts are to have a two-week stay on the orbital laboratory to conduct a wide array of space research supporting human health, space commercialization, and more. 

The Ax-4 crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States, Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of the European Space Agency (ESA)/Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary. 

Once docked, the Ax-4 astronauts plan to spend up to 14 days onboard implementing a full mission comprised of microgravity research, technology demonstrations, educational outreach, and media events.

The Ax-4 Mission will “realize the return” to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, with each nation’s first government-sponsored flight in more than 40 years. While Ax-4 marks these countries' second human spaceflight mission in history, it will be the first time all three nations will execute a mission on board the International Space Station.

The Ax-4 research complement includes around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe.

Ax-4 Crew


Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland)
https://www.axiomspace.com/astronaut/slawosz-uznanski



Image Credits: SpaceX/European Space Agency (ESA)
Release Date: June 25, 2025

#NASA #Space #ISS #AxiomSpace #Ax4Mission #Ax4 #SpaceX #Falcon9Rocket #CrewDragonSpacecraft #PeggyWhitson #UnitedStates #ShubhanshuShukla #India #BhāratGaṇarājya #SławoszUznańskiWiśniewski #Poland #Polska #TiborKapu #Hungary #Magyarország #CommercialSpace #Astronauts #Europe #NASAKennedy #Florida #STEM #Education

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Axiom Space Ax-4 Mission: Commercial Partnership | International Space Station

Axiom Space Ax-4 Mission: Commercial Partnership | International Space Station


The crew of Axiom Space's Ax-4 Mission successfully lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 2:31 a.m. EDT. The spacecraft will dock autonomously to the space-facing port of the International Space Station’s Harmony module at approximately 7 a.m. EDT on Thursday, June 26. Veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson is commanding Ax-4. She is flying on her fifth mission to the orbiting lab. She is leading first time space flyers Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uzanański-Wiśniewksi from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. The four private astronauts are to have a two-week stay on the orbital laboratory to conduct a wide array of space research supporting human health, space commercialization, and more. 

The Ax-4 crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States, Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of the European Space Agency (ESA)/Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary. 

Once docked, the Ax-4 astronauts plan to spend up to 14 days onboard implementing a full mission comprised of microgravity research, technology demonstrations, educational outreach, and media events.

The Ax-4 Mission will “realize the return” to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, with each nation’s first government-sponsored flight in more than 40 years. While Ax-4 marks these countries' second human spaceflight mission in history, it will be the first time all three nations will execute a mission on board the International Space Station.

The Ax-4 research complement includes around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe.

Ax-4 Crew


Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland)
https://www.axiomspace.com/astronaut/slawosz-uznanski



Video Credit: SpaceX/Axiom Space
Duration: 1 minute, 30 seconds
Release Date: June 25, 2025

#NASA #Space #ISS #AxiomSpace #Ax4Mission #Ax4 #SpaceX #Falcon9Rocket #CrewDragonSpacecraft #PeggyWhitson #UnitedStates #ShubhanshuShukla #India #BhāratGaṇarājya #SławoszUznańskiWiśniewski #Poland #Polska #TiborKapu #Hungary #Magyarország #CommercialSpace #Astronauts #Europe #NASAKennedy #Florida #STEM #Education #HD #Video

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Axiom Space Ax-4 Mission: Crew Liftoff on SpaceX Falcon 9 | NASA Kennedy

Axiom Space Ax-4 Mission: Crew Liftoff on SpaceX Falcon 9 | NASA Kennedy











The crew of Axiom Space's Ax-4 Mission successfully lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 2:31 a.m. EDT. The spacecraft will dock autonomously to the space-facing port of the International Space Station’s Harmony module at approximately 7 a.m. EDT on Thursday, June 26. Veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson is commanding Ax-4. She is flying on her fifth mission to the orbiting lab. She is leading first time space flyers Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uzanański-Wiśniewksi from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. The four private astronauts are to have a two-week stay on the orbital laboratory to conduct a wide array of space research supporting human health, space commercialization, and more. 

The Ax-4 crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States, Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of the European Space Agency (ESA)/Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary. 

Once docked, the Ax-4 astronauts plan to spend up to 14 days onboard implementing a full mission comprised of microgravity research, technology demonstrations, educational outreach, and media events.

The Ax-4 Mission will “realize the return” to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, with each nation’s first government-sponsored flight in more than 40 years. While Ax-4 marks these countries' second human spaceflight mission in history, it will be the first time all three nations will execute a mission on board the International Space Station.

The Ax-4 research complement includes around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe.

Ax-4 Crew


Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland)
https://www.axiomspace.com/astronaut/slawosz-uznanski



Image Credits: SpaceX/European Space Agency (ESA)
Release Date: June 25, 2025

#NASA #Space #ISS #AxiomSpace #Ax4Mission #Ax4 #SpaceX #Falcon9Rocket #CrewDragonSpacecraft #PeggyWhitson #UnitedStates #ShubhanshuShukla #India #BhāratGaṇarājya #SławoszUznańskiWiśniewski #Poland #Polska #TiborKapu #Hungary #Magyarország #CommercialSpace #Astronauts #Europe #NASAKennedy #Florida #STEM #Education

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Axiom Space Ax-4 Mission: Crew Launch on SpaceX Falcon 9 | NASA Kennedy

Axiom Space Ax-4 Mission: Crew Launch on SpaceX Falcon 9 | NASA Kennedy

The crew of Axiom Space's Ax-4 Mission successfully lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 2:31 a.m. EDT. The spacecraft will dock autonomously to the space-facing port of the International Space Station’s Harmony module at approximately 7 a.m. EDT on Thursday, June 26. Veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson is commanding Ax-4. She is flying on her fifth mission to the orbiting lab. She is leading first time space flyers Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uzanański-Wiśniewksi from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. The four private astronauts are to have a two-week stay on the orbital laboratory to conduct a wide array of space research supporting human health, space commercialization, and more. 

The Ax-4 crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States, Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of the European Space Agency (ESA)/Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary. 

Once docked, the Ax-4 astronauts plan to spend up to 14 days onboard implementing a full mission comprised of microgravity research, technology demonstrations, educational outreach, and media events.

The Ax-4 Mission will “realize the return” to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, with each nation’s first government-sponsored flight in more than 40 years. While Ax-4 marks these countries' second human spaceflight mission in history, it will be the first time all three nations will execute a mission on board the International Space Station.

The Ax-4 research complement includes around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe.

Ax-4 Crew


Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland)
https://www.axiomspace.com/astronaut/slawosz-uznanski



Video Credit: SpaceX/European Space Agency (ESA)
Duration: 3 minutes, 50 seconds
Release Date: June 25, 2025

#NASA #Space #ISS #AxiomSpace #Ax4Mission #Ax4 #SpaceX #Falcon9Rocket #CrewDragonSpacecraft #PeggyWhitson #UnitedStates #ShubhanshuShukla #India #BhāratGaṇarājya #SławoszUznańskiWiśniewski #Poland #Polska #TiborKapu #Hungary #Magyarország #CommercialSpace #Astronauts #Europe #NASAKennedy #Florida #STEM #Education #HD #Video

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Tuesday, June 24, 2025

The Area Around The Trifid & Lagoon Nebulae | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

The Area Around The Trifid & Lagoon Nebulae | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

This image offers a closer look at the region surrounding the Lagoon Nebula, as seen in this First Look image captured by the National Science Foundation–Department of Energy Vera C. Rubin Observatory. The Lagoon Nebula is the central pink, kidney bean-shaped area that spans much of the image. At the upper-right is the open star cluster Messier 21. Beneath that is the star-forming Trifid Nebula, known as Messier 20. Further down is the open cluster Bochum 14. Finally, to the bottom-left of the Lagoon Nebula is the globular cluster NGC 6544. 

The image was captured by the Rubin Observatory using the 3200-megapixel LSST Camera—the largest digital camera in the world. Rubin Observatory will scan the sky every night for 10 years, creating an ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition, time-lapse record of our Universe.

Learn more about the new Vera Rubin Observatory:

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


#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #StarClusters #Stars #Bochum14 #M20 #M21 #Nebulae #TriffidNebula #LagoonNebula #Sagittarius #Constellation #Universe #RubinObservatory #SST #LSSTCam #CerroPachón #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #Infographic #STEM #Education

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Journey to Lagoon and Trifid Nebulae | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

Journey to Lagoon and Trifid Nebulae | Vera C. Rubin Observatory


Zoom into the region surrounding the Lagoon Nebula, as seen in this First Look image captured by NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory. The Lagoon Nebula is the central pink, kidney bean-shaped area that spans much of the image. To the upper-right is the star-forming Trifid Nebula, known as Messier 20. The Trifid Nebula is an unusual combination of an open cluster of stars, an emission nebula (the pink region), a reflection nebula (the blue region), and a dark nebula (the dark regions).


Video Credit: RubinObs / NOIRLab / SLAC / NSF / DOE / AURA
Duration: 1 minute
Release Date: June 23, 2025


#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #StarClusters #Stars #Bochum14 #M20 #M21 #Nebulae #TriffidNebula #LagoonNebula #Sagittarius #Constellation #Universe #RubinObservatory #SST #LSSTCam #CerroPachón #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #UHD #Video

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Close-up: Dust Lanes of Sagittarius | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

Close-up: Dust Lanes of Sagittarius | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

This video pans across the intricate web of dust lanes and star clusters around the Trifid and Lagoon Nebulae, as imaged by the National Science Foundation–Department of Energy Vera C. Rubin Observatory. The exquisite detail in the structure of the nebulosity shown here demonstrates the exceptional quality of Rubin’s entire system—from its light-collecting power, to its sensitive camera, to its efficient data transfer and processing system.

This image was captured by the Rubin Observatory using the 3200-megapixel LSST Camera—the largest digital camera in the world. Rubin Observatory will scan the sky every night for 10 years, creating an ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition, time-lapse record of our Universe.

Learn more about the new Vera Rubin Observatory:


Video Credit: RubinObs / NOIRLab / SLAC / NSF / DOE / AURA
Duration: 1 minute
Release Date: June 23, 2025


#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #StarClusters #Stars #Nebulae #StellarNurseries #TriffidNebula #LagoonNebula #Sagittarius #Constellation #Universe #Cosmos #RubinObservatory #SST #LSSTCam #CerroPachón #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #UHD #Video

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Open Star Cluster Bochum 14 in Sagittarius | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

Open Star Cluster Bochum 14 in Sagittarius | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

The open star cluster Bochum 14 as imaged by the National Science Foundation–Department of Energy Vera C. Rubin Observatory.

This image was captured by the Rubin Observatory using the 3200-megapixel LSST Camera—the largest digital camera in the world. Rubin Observatory will scan the sky every night for 10 years, creating an ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition, time-lapse record of our Universe.

Learn more about the new Vera Rubin Observatory:

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


#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #StarClusters #Stars #Bochum14 #StellarNursery #Sagittarius #Constellation #Universe #Cosmos #RubinObservatory #SST #LSSTCam #CerroPachón #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

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Globular Cluster Star Cluster NGC 6544 | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

Globular Star Cluster NGC 6544 in Sagittarius | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

Globular cluster NGC 6544 as imaged by the National Science Foundation–Department of Energy Vera C. Rubin Observatory. This tightly packed globular cluster is home to tens of thousands of stars. NGC 6544 is located in the western part of the constellation, on the edge of a rich star field; its location is easily recoverable as it is located just 50' towards the southeast compared to the famous Lagoon Nebula. It can also be seen with 10×50mm binoculars as a small white spot like a misty star; with a telescope of 120mm and 100× magnification a few small stars may be resolved. Telescopes from 200mm up allow resolving of dozens of dim stars.

Because its declination is rather southern, this cluster can be mainly observed by observers located in the southern hemisphere, although it is still observable even up to medium temperate latitudes. The best time for observation in the evening sky is between June and October.

NGC 6544 was observed for the first time by William Herschel in 1784. He looked at it through his 18.4 inch reflector and described it as a fairly bright and large object, circular and resolvable into stars.


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


#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #StarClusters #Stars #NGC6544 #StellarNursery #Sagittarius #Constellation #Universe #Cosmos #RubinObservatory #SST #LSSTCam #CerroPachón #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

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Open Star Cluster Messier 21 in Sagittarius | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

Open Star Cluster Messier 21 in Sagittarius | Vera C. Rubin Observatory


The open star cluster Messier 21 as imaged by the National Science Foundation–Department of Energy Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Located near the Trifid Nebula, Messier 21 is relatively young and tightly packed with small, dim stars. 

Messier 21 or M21, also designated NGC 6531 or Webb's Cross, is an open cluster of stars located to the north-east of Sagittarius in the night sky, close to the Messier objects M20 to M25 (except M24). It was discovered and cataloged by Charles Messier on June 5, 1764. This cluster is relatively young and tightly packed. A few blue giant stars have been identified in the cluster, but Messier 21 is composed mainly of small dim stars. With a magnitude of 6.5, M21 is not visible to the naked eye. However, with the smallest binoculars it can be easily spotted on a dark night. The cluster is positioned near the Trifid nebula (NGC 6514), but is not associated with that nebulosity. It forms part of the Sagittarius OB1 association.

This image was captured by the Rubin Observatory using the 3200-megapixel LSST Camera—the largest digital camera in the world. Rubin Observatory will scan the sky every night for 10 years, creating an ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition, time-lapse record of our Universe.

Learn more about the new Vera Rubin Observatory:


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


#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Nebulae #Messier21 #M21 #NGC6531 #StarClusters #Stars #BlueStars #StellarNursery #SagittariusOB1 #Sagittarius #Constellation #Universe #Cosmos #RubinObservatory #SST #LSSTCam #CerroPachón #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

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A Tour of the Region Around The Lagoon Nebula | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

A Tour of the Region Around The Lagoon Nebula | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

This video provides a tour of the region surrounding the Lagoon Nebula, as seen in this First Look image captured by the National Science Foundation–Department of Energy Vera C. Rubin Observatory. The Lagoon Nebula is the central pink, kidney bean-shaped area that spans much of the image. To the upper-right is the star-forming Trifid Nebula, known as Messier 20. The Trifid Nebula is an unusual combination of an open cluster of stars, an emission nebula (the pink region), a reflection nebula (the blue region), and a dark nebula (the dark regions).

The Lagoon Nebula (or Messier 8) is another vibrant stellar nursery glowing about 4,000 light-years away. You can actually spot the Lagoon with just a pair of binoculars or a small telescope. At its heart is a cluster of young, massive stars—their intense radiation lights up the surrounding gas and shapes the swirling clouds into intricate patterns. The Lagoon nebula provides scientists with a great place to study the earliest stages of star formation—how giant clouds collapse, how star clusters take shape, and how newborn stars start to reshape their environment.


Credit: RubinObs / NOIRLab / SLAC / NSF / DOE / AURA
Duration: 1 minute
Release Date: June 23, 2025

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Nebulae #TriffidNebula #Messier20 #NGC6514 #LagoonNebula #NGC6523 #Messier8 #StellarNurseries #Sagittarius #Constellation #Universe #Cosmos #RubinObservatory #SST #LSSTCam #CerroPachón #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

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The Trifid Nebula in Sagittarius | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

The Trifid Nebula in Sagittarius  | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

The star-forming Trifid Nebula, also known as Messier 20, as imaged by the National Science Foundation–Department of Energy Vera C. Rubin Observatory. The Trifid Nebula is an unusual combination of an open cluster of stars, an emission nebula (the pink region), a reflection nebula (the blue region), and a dark nebula (the dark regions). It is located about 4,000 light-years from Earth.


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


#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Nebulae #TriffidNebula #M20 #Messier20 #NGC6514 #Sagittarius #Constellation #Universe #Cosmos #RubinObservatory #SST #LSSTCam #CerroPachón #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

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