Dwarf Planet Candidate ED138 & "Five Solar System Dwarf Planets" | NOIRLab

Dwarf Planet Candidate ED138 & "Five Solar System Dwarf Planets" | NOIRLab

An animation of the Solar System showing the orbital pathway of newly discovered dwarf planet candidate 2026 ED138 (ED138). ED138 was discovered in observational data from NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory spanning March 4-July 11, 2026. The rendering begins on May 8, 2026. The time then elapses at a rate of one Earth-year per 30 seconds. The model also shows the orbits of the five dwarf planets recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU): Pluto, Ceres, Eris, Haumea, and Makemake.

ED138 was found by Rubin Operations team member and in-Kind contributor Matthew Holman (Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian). He contributes to improving Rubin's algorithms that search for distant moving objects in our Solar System. Its distance from the Sun places it beyond the orbit of Pluto, and initial analysis indicates that it may be among the largest and brightest bodies scientists have discovered in this region of the Solar System.

Rubin Observatory is jointly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.

Learn more about the new Vera Rubin Observatory:

https://noirlab.edu/science/programs/vera-c-rubin-observatory

The LSST Camera (LSSTCam)

https://lsstcam.lsst.io/

An Introduction to Vera Rubin:

https://rubinobservatory.org/about/vera-rubin

Video Credit: NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA/R. Proctor

Orbit data provided by the IAU Minor Planet Center (MPCorb catalog), funded by NASA PDCO and the Tamkin Foundation

Star map: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio. Gaia DR2: ESA/Gaia/DPAC

Duration: 1 minute

Release Date: Oct. 27, 2026

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #SolarSystem #DwarfPlanets #2026ED138 #ED138 #Cosmos #Universe #LSSTCam #SimonyiSurveyTelescope #RubinObservatory #VeraRubin #CerroPachón #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DOE #AURA #CfA #DSS2 #STScI #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Journey to Dwarf Planet Candidate 2026 ED138 | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

Journey to Dwarf Planet Candidate 2026 ED138 | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

This video shows the location of newly discovered dwarf planet candidate 2026 ED138 (ED138). It was discovered in observational data from the National Science Foundation (NSF)–U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Vera C. Rubin Observatory spanning March 4–July 11, 2026.

ED138 was found by Rubin Operations team member and in-Kind contributor Matthew Holman (Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian). He contributes to improving Rubin's algorithms that search for distant moving objects in our Solar System. Its distance from the Sun places it beyond the orbit of Pluto, and initial analysis indicates that it may be among the largest and brightest bodies scientists have discovered in this region of the Solar System.

Rubin Observatory is jointly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.

Learn more about the new Vera Rubin Observatory:

https://noirlab.edu/science/programs/vera-c-rubin-observatory

The LSST Camera (LSSTCam)

https://lsstcam.lsst.io/

An Introduction to Vera Rubin:

https://rubinobservatory.org/about/vera-rubin

Credit: NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA/R. Proctor
All-sky photo of the night sky: NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/E. Slawik/M. Zamani
Star map and constellations: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio. Gaia DR2: ESA/Gaia/DPAC. Constellation figures based on those developed for the IAU by Alan MacRobert of Sky and Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott and Rick Fienberg).
Digitized Sky Survey: Digitized Sky Survey (DSS), STScI/AURA, Palomar/Caltech, and UKSTU/AAO
Duration: 1 minute
Release Date: Oct. 27, 2026

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #SolarSystem #DwarfPlanets #2026ED138 #ED138 #Cosmos #Universe #LSSTCam #SimonyiSurveyTelescope #RubinObservatory #VeraRubin #CerroPachón #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DOE #AURA #CfA #DSS2 #STScI #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Animation: Dwarf Planet Candidate in Our Solar System | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

Animation: Dwarf Planet Candidate in Our Solar System | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

An animated model of the Solar System showing the orbital pathway of newly discovered dwarf planet candidate 2026 ED138 (ED138). ED138 was discovered in observational data from NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory spanning March 4–July 11, 2026. The rendering begins on May 8, 2026. The time then elapses at a rate of one Earth-year per 30 seconds.

ED138 was found by Rubin Operations team member and in-Kind contributor Matthew Holman (Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian). He contributes to improving Rubin's algorithms that search for distant moving objects in our Solar System. Its distance from the Sun places it beyond the orbit of Pluto, and initial analysis indicates that it may be among the largest and brightest bodies scientists have discovered in this region of the Solar System.

Rubin Observatory is jointly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.

Learn more about the new Vera Rubin Observatory:

https://noirlab.edu/science/programs/vera-c-rubin-observatory

The LSST Camera (LSSTCam)

https://lsstcam.lsst.io/

An Introduction to Vera Rubin:

https://rubinobservatory.org/about/vera-rubin

Credit: NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA/R. Proctor
Orbit data provided by the IAU Minor Planet Center (MPCorb catalog), funded by NASA PDCO and the Tamkin Foundation
Star map: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio. Gaia DR2: ESA/Gaia/DPAC
Duration: 50 seconds
Release Date: Oct. 27, 2026

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #SolarSystem #DwarfPlanets #2026ED138 #ED138 #Cosmos #Universe #LSSTCam #SimonyiSurveyTelescope #RubinObservatory #VeraRubin #CerroPachón #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DOE #AURA #CfA #UnitedStates #Animation #STEM #Education #HD #Video

New Dwarf Planet Candidate Found in Our Solar System | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

New Dwarf Planet Candidate Found in Our Solar System | Vera C. Rubin Observatory

A mosaic of images captured by NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory of the newly discovered dwarf planet candidate 2026 ED138 (ED138). ED138 was discovered in observational data from Rubin spanning March 4–July 11, 2026. It was found by Rubin Operations team member and in-Kind contributor Matthew Holman (Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian), who contributes to improving Rubin's algorithms that search for distant moving objects in our Solar System. Its distance from the Sun places it beyond the orbit of Pluto, and initial analysis indicates that it may be among the largest and brightest bodies scientists have discovered in this region of the Solar System.

A view of the Solar System showing the orbital pathway of newly discovered dwarf planet candidate 2026 ED138 (ED138). ED138 was discovered in observational data from NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory spanning 4 March–11 July 2026. The candidate is shown here at its location on 8 May 2026.

A view of the Solar System showing the orbital pathway of newly discovered dwarf planet candidate 2026 ED138 (ED138). ED138 was discovered in observational data from NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory spanning March 4–July 11, 2026. The candidate is shown here at its location on 8 May 2026. The model also shows the orbits of the five dwarf planets recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU): Pluto, Ceres, Eris, Haumea, and Makemake.

This image shows the orbital pathway of newly discovered dwarf planet candidate 2026 ED138 (ED138), as observed by NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory. This image is a composite of multiple images captured by Rubin between 4 March and 11 July 2026 at intervals indicated by the teal circles. ED138 is visible at the center of each circle.

This unlabeled image from the NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory shows the area of sky where the newly discovered dwarf planet candidate 2026 ED138 (ED138) was found. This image is a composite of multiple images captured by Rubin between March 4 and July 11, 2026.

This image shows a portion of the orbital pathway of newly discovered dwarf planet candidate 2026 ED138 (ED138), as observed by NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory. This image is a composite of multiple images captured by Rubin between May 1-31, 2026 and at intervals indicated by the teal circles. ED138 is visible at the center of each circle.

A top-down view of the Solar System showing the orbital pathway of newly discovered dwarf planet candidate 2026 ED138 (ED138). ED138 was discovered in observational data from NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory spanning March 4–July 11, 2026. The candidate is shown here at its location on 8 May 2026.

A model of the Solar System showing the orbital pathway of newly discovered dwarf planet candidate 2026 ED138 (ED138). ED138 was discovered in observational data from NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory spanning March 4–July 11, 2026. The candidate is shown here at its location on May 8, 2026. The model also shows the orbits of the five dwarf planets recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU): Pluto, Ceres, Eris, Haumea, and Makemake.

In the outer reaches of our Solar System, beyond the orbit of Pluto, NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory has spotted 2026 ED138—a large, bright trans-Neptunian object that scientists have identified as a dwarf planet candidate. The observations were announced today by the International Astronomical Union Minor Planet Center (MPC). If confirmed, ED138 would be among the largest dwarf planets ever discovered in this region of the Solar System.

With observations taken during the run up to the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory has discovered a new dwarf planet candidate in our Solar System. The candidate, given the provisional designation 2026 ED138 (ED138), was found by Rubin Operations team member and in-Kind contributor Matthew Holman (Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian [CfA]). He contributes to improving Rubin's algorithms that search for distant moving objects in our Solar System. The candidate’s distance from the Sun places it beyond the orbit of dwarf planet Pluto. Initial analysis indicates that it may be among the largest and brightest bodies scientists have discovered in this region of the Solar System.

Rubin Observatory is jointly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.

Learn more about the new Vera Rubin Observatory:

https://noirlab.edu/science/programs/vera-c-rubin-observatory

The LSST Camera (LSSTCam)

https://lsstcam.lsst.io/

An Introduction to Vera Rubin:

https://rubinobservatory.org/about/vera-rubin

Image Credit: NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA

Image Processing: M. Jurić (UW), D. de Martin & M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab)

Release Date: Oct. 27, 2026

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #SolarSystem #DwarfPlanets #2026ED138 #ED138 #Cosmos #Universe #LSSTCam #SimonyiSurveyTelescope #RubinObservatory #VeraRubin #CerroPachón #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DOE #AURA #CfA #UnitedStates #Art #Illustration #Infographics #STEM #Education

NASA Artemis III Core Rocket Stage Pre-lift | Kennedy Space Center

NASA Artemis III Core Rocket Stage Pre-lift | Kennedy Space Center

In these images, NASA's Artemis III Space Launch System (SLS) rocket core stage can be seen in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. The 212-foot rocket stage was successfully lifted from High Bay 2 using a one-of-a kind lifting beam designed to lift the stage and will be joined vertically with the completed solid rocket booster motor segments in its short stack configuration.

Progress continues at Kennedy Space Center, where teams have completed the integration of the final solid rocket booster motor segments onto the mobile launcher for the “short stack” configuration that will be used during a tanking test. Teams also completed installation of all four RS-25 engines on the SLS core stage.

Teams now will install the systems tunnel that runs the length of the core stage and is used to route pyrotechnic cabling, a system of wiring that allows the single-use, quick disconnect for controlled movements during liftoff, on the massive stage. In the coming weeks, the stage will be integrated with the solid rocket boosters, completing the rocket’s “short stack” configuration.

NASA will roll the short stack SLS rocket from the spaceport’s Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B for a tanking test in the coming months, where the Artemis launch team will practice procedures and timelines for loading propellant. While at the pad, the Artemis III crew, NASA astronauts Randy Bresnick, Frank Rubio, Andre Douglas, and European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano, also will conduct a launch day rehearsal and emergency exit walkdown. This will include suiting up in astronaut crew quarters, driving to the launch pad, ascending the mobile launcher, and then walking through the exit route they would take in the unlikely event of an emergency during launch countdown.

Planned to launch in 2027, the Artemis III Mission will practice docking the Orion spacecraft with two lunar landers in low Earth orbit. 

On future missions, including Artemis IV in 2028, landers will bring astronauts to the lunar surface. While Artemis III will not land on the Moon, it will test the complex capabilities NASA needs to return—this time to stay.

Learn more about NASA’s Artemis program:

https://www.nasa.gov/artemis

Image Credit: NASA/Cory S. Huston
Date: Oct. 23, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisIII #ArtemisIIIMission #LunarLanders #HLS #NASASLS #BoosterSegments #SLSCoreStage #OrionSpacecraft #Astronauts #RandyBresnik #FrankRubio #AndreDouglas #LucaParmitano #Italy #Italia #Europe #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #LunarExploration #NASAKennedy #MerrittIsland #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Astronomers find unique disc of debris around dead star | ESO

 Astronomers find unique disc of debris around dead star | ESO

Using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT), astronomers have found a unique disc of debris around the white dwarf J1328−1450—the dead core of a star similar to our Sun. The star is surrounded not by one but two discs of gas that are likely maintained by planetesimals that survived the star’s death. As these planetesimals orbit the star, they interact with dust grains around the star, releasing gas that ends up arranged in two discs. This video summarizes the discovery.

Learn more about ESO's Very Large Telescope https://www.eso.org/public/teles-instr/paranal-observatory/vlt/

Credits: European Southern Observatory (ESO)
Directed by: Angelos Tsaousis, Martin Wallner
Editing: Esteban Pinto Lagos, Angelos Tsaousis
Written by: Ella Flynn, Magdalena Vukojevic
Footage and photos: ESO, Luis Calçada, Martin Kornmesser, ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/Benisty et al. Juan Beltran, Lars Lindberg Christensen, ESA/Hubble, ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
Fact-checking: Paola Amico, Mariya Lyubenova
Duration: 1 minute, 21 seconds
Release Date: Oct. 27, 2026

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Stars #WhiteDwarfStars #WhiteDwarfJ13281450 #CircumstellarMaterial #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #VLT #ParanalObservatory #Chile #Europe #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Shenzhou-23 Continues Orbital Material Exposure Experiments | China Space Station

Shenzhou-23 Continues Orbital Material Exposure Experiments | China Space Station

The Shenzhou-23 crew aboard China's Tiangong Space Station has recently completed the fifth transfer of material exposure experimental apparatus to the station's exterior, advancing a series of experiments that have yielded multiple world firsts.

The three astronauts—Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai Ka-ying—were sent into space aboard the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft on May 24, with one of them scheduled to spend a full year in orbit.

During their ongoing mission, the crew has made the world's first in-orbit observation of the full life cycle of individual nematodes in space, including changes in the roundworms' organs and molecular markers. The returned samples will be used to develop new anti-radiation drugs.

The crew has also conducted the world's first space exposure experiment on a high-performance stainless magnesium alloy, verifying its reliability and stability for potential space applications, such as lightweight satellite electronic-control and heat-dissipation components.

In another world first, the crew carried out an extravehicular exposure and bearing tribology experiment on liquid-containing gel lubricants, paving the way for the design and development of new long-life space lubricating materials that may be used in lunar rover motion mechanisms.

The crew has also conducted the world's first tribological experiment in a vacuum environment on oil-based superlubricating materials with near-zero wear, laying a foundation for future applications of lubricating materials with near-zero friction.

Moreover, exposure experiments on shape-memory polymers and their composites outside the space station has helped China screen preferred substrate materials for deployable structures and locking and release structures.

These results are expected to support the country's major space programs, including space station development, crewed lunar landing and planetary exploration.

Shenzhou-23 Crew
Zhu Yangzhu 朱杨柱, Commander & Flight Engineer (second spaceflight)
Zhang Zhiyuan 张志远, Pilot (first spaceflight)

Lai Ka-ying/Li Jiaying 黎家盈, Payload Specialist (first spaceflight) [Hong Kong SAR]

Video Credit: CCTV
Duration: 55 seconds
Release Date: Oct. 27, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #China #中国 #Shenzhou23Mission #神舟二十三号 #Shenzhou23 #MaterialExposureExperiments #Taikonauts #Astronauts #ZhuYangzhu #ZhangZhiyuan #LiJiaying #LaiKaying #ChinaSpaceStation #中国空间站 #TiangongSpaceStation #MicrogravityExperiments #SpaceLaboratory #CMSA #中国载人航天工程办公室 #HumanSpaceflight #STEM #Education #HD #Video

'Perfect' Spiral Galaxy NGC 6384 in Ophiuchus | Hubble Space Telescope

'Perfect' Spiral Galaxy NGC 6384 in Ophiuchus | Hubble Space Telescope

The NASA/European Space Agency Hubble Space Telescope has produced this finely detailed image of the beautiful spiral galaxy NGC 6384. This galaxy lies in the constellation of Ophiuchus (The Serpent Bearer), not far from the center of the Milky Way on the sky. The positioning of NGC 6384 means that we have to peer at it past many dazzling foreground Milky Way stars that are scattered across this image.

Distance from Earth: ~77 million light-years 

In 1971, one member of NGC 6384 stood out against these bright foreground stars when one of its stars exploded as a supernova. This was a Type Ia supernova. They occur when a compact star that has ceased fusion in its core, called a white dwarf, increases its mass beyond a critical limit by gobbling up matter from a companion star. A runaway nuclear explosion then makes the star suddenly as bright as a whole galaxy.

While many stars have already come to the ends of their lives in NGC 6384, in the center, star formation is being fueled by the galaxy’s bar structure; astronomers think such galactic bars funnel gas inwards, where it accumulates to form new stars.

This picture was created from images take with the Wide Field Channel of Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys. An image taken through a blue filter (F435W, colored blue) was combined with an image taken through a near-infrared filter (F814W, colored red). The total exposure times were 1050 s through each filter and the field of view is about 3 x 1.5 arcminutes.

Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA
Release Date: Feb. 21, 2011

#NASA #ESA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Hubble #Galaxies #NGC6384 #Stars #Supernovae #SpiralGalaxies #OphiuchusConstellation #Cosmos #Universe #HubbleSpaceTelescope #HST #NASAGoddard #STScI #UnitedStates #Europe #STEM #Education

Wide-field view: The "Atoms-for-Peace" Galaxy in Aquarius | Digitized Sky Survey 2

Wide-field view: The "Atoms-for-Peace" Galaxy in Aquarius | Digitized Sky Survey 2

This visible light wide-field image of the region around NGC 7252 was created from photographs taken through red and blue filters and forming part of the Digitized Sky Survey 2. The galaxy appears close to the center. The field of view is approximately three degrees across.

The Digitized Sky Survey (DSS) is a ground-based imaging survey of the entire sky in several colors of light produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) through its Guide Star Survey group.

Credit: ESO and Digitized Sky Survey 2

Acknowledgment: Davide De Martin
Release Date: Nov. 10, 2010

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #NGC7252 #Arp226 #InteractingGalaxies #SpiralGalaxies #PeculiarGalaxies #AquariusConstellation #Cosmos #Universe #DSS2 #STScI #UnitedStates #ESO #Europe #Chile #STEM #Education

Journey to The "Atoms-for-Peace" Galaxy | NGC 7252 in Aquarius | ESO

Journey to The "Atoms-for-Peace" Galaxy | NGC 7252 in Aquarius | ESO

In this zoom sequence we start with a very wide-field view of the constellation of Aquarius, far from the Milky Way and lacking bright objects. At the start north is to the right and the brightest star is Fomalhaut. As we zoom in we see a tiny fuzzy ball appear with curious appendages. This is a collision between two galaxies, a strange object known as NGC 7252, or Arp 226, and with the odd nickname "Atoms-for-Peace". The final very deep and detailed view is a new image taken with the Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-meter telescope at the European Southern Observatory’s La Silla Observatory in Chile.

Distance from Earth: 220 million light years

In December 1953, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower gave a speech advocating the use of nuclear power for peaceful purposes. This “Atoms for Peace” speech was significant for the scientific community, as it brought nuclear research into the public domain. NGC 7252 has a superficial resemblance to an atomic nucleus surrounded by the loops of electronic orbits. Thus, it was dubbed the Atoms for Peace galaxy in honor of this. These loops are well visible in this wide field image.

This nickname is quite ironic, as the galaxy’s past was anything but peaceful. Its peculiar appearance is the result of a collision between two galaxies that took place about a billion years ago. This ripped both galaxies apart. The loop-like outer structures, likely made up of dust and stars flung outwards by the crash, but recalling orbiting electrons in an atom, are partly responsible for the galaxy’s nickname.

Learn about MPG/ESO 2.2-meter telescope: https://www.eso.org/public/teles-instr/lasilla/mpg22/

Credit: European Southern Observatory (ESO)/Digitized Sky Survey 2/A. Fujii

Duration: 1 minute
Release Date: Nov. 10, 2010

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #NGC7252 #Arp226 #InteractingGalaxies #SpiralGalaxies #PeculiarGalaxies #AquariusConstellation #Cosmos #Universe #MPGESOTelescope #MPGESOTelescopeWFI #LaSillaObservatory #Chile #Europe #DSS2 #STScI #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Close-up: The "Atoms-for-Peace" Galaxy | NGC 7252 in Aquarius | ESO

Close-up: The "Atoms-for-Peace" Galaxy | NGC 7252 in Aquarius | ESO

This image shows the results of a vast collision between two galaxies. This strange object is known as NGC 7252, or Arp 226, and has the odd nickname "Atoms-for-Peace". 

Distance from Earth: 220 million light years

In December 1953, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower gave a speech advocating the use of nuclear power for peaceful purposes. This “Atoms for Peace” speech was significant for the scientific community, as it brought nuclear research into the public domain. NGC 7252 has a superficial resemblance to an atomic nucleus surrounded by the loops of electronic orbits. Thus, it was dubbed the Atoms for Peace galaxy in honor of this. These loops are well visible in this wide field image.

This nickname is quite ironic, as the galaxy’s past was anything but peaceful. Its peculiar appearance is the result of a collision between two galaxies that took place about a billion years ago. This ripped both galaxies apart. The loop-like outer structures, likely made up of dust and stars flung outwards by the crash, but recalling orbiting electrons in an atom, are partly responsible for the galaxy’s nickname.

The picture was taken by the Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-meter telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile. It is a combination of exposures taken through blue and red filters, for a total exposure time of more than four hours. The field of view is about 18 arcminutes across.

Learn about MPG/ESO 2.2-meter telescope: https://www.eso.org/public/teles-instr/lasilla/mpg22/

Credit: European Southern Observatory (ESO)

Duration: 30 seconds
Release Date: Nov. 10, 2010

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #NGC7252 #Arp226 #InteractingGalaxies #SpiralGalaxies #PeculiarGalaxies #AquariusConstellation #Cosmos #Universe #MPGESOTelescope #MPGESOTelescopeWFI #LaSillaObservatory #Chile #Europe #STEM #Education #HD #Video

The "Atoms-for-Peace" Galaxy: NGC 7252 in Aquarius | A Galactic Collision | ESO

The "Atoms-for-Peace" Galaxy: NGC 7252 in Aquarius | A Galactic Collision | ESO

This image shows the results of a vast collision between two galaxies. This strange object is known as NGC 7252, or Arp 226, and has the odd nickname "Atoms-for-Peace". 

Distance from Earth: 220 million light years

In December 1953, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower gave a speech advocating the use of nuclear power for peaceful purposes. This “Atoms for Peace” speech was significant for the scientific community, as it brought nuclear research into the public domain. NGC 7252 has a superficial resemblance to an atomic nucleus surrounded by the loops of electronic orbits. Thus, it was dubbed the Atoms for Peace galaxy in honor of this. These loops are well visible in this wide field image.

This nickname is quite ironic, as the galaxy’s past was anything but peaceful. Its peculiar appearance is the result of a collision between two galaxies that took place about a billion years ago. This ripped both galaxies apart. The loop-like outer structures, likely made up of dust and stars flung outwards by the crash, but recalling orbiting electrons in an atom, are partly responsible for the galaxy’s nickname.

The picture was taken by the Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-meter telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile. It is a combination of exposures taken through blue and red filters, for a total exposure time of more than four hours. The field of view is about 18 arcminutes across.

Learn about MPG/ESO 2.2-meter telescope: https://www.eso.org/public/teles-instr/lasilla/mpg22/

Credit: European Southern Observatory (ESO)
Release Date: Nov. 10, 2010

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #NGC7252 #Arp226 #InteractingGalaxies #SpiralGalaxies #PeculiarGalaxies #AquariusConstellation #Cosmos #Universe #MPGESOTelescope #MPGESOTelescopeWFI #LaSillaObservatory #Chile #Europe #STEM #Education

The Great Nebula: Messier 42 in Orion

The Great Nebula: Messier 42 in Orion

The Great Nebula in Orion, an immense, nearby starbirth region, is one of the most famous of all astronomical nebulas. Here, glowing gas surrounds hot young stars at the edge of an immense interstellar molecular cloud only 1500 light-years away. In this image, assigned colors are highlighted by emission in hydrogen, plus wisps and sheets of dust and gas. 

The Great Nebula in Orion can be found with the unaided eye near the easily identifiable belt of three stars in the popular constellation Orion. In addition to housing a bright open cluster of stars known as the Trapezium, the Orion Nebula contains many stellar nurseries. These nurseries contain much hydrogen gas, hot young stars, proplyds, and stellar jets spewing material at high speeds. 

Also known as M42, the Orion Nebula spans about 40 light years and is located in the same spiral arm of our Galaxy as the Sun.

Credit & Copyright: Roberto Palaia

Authors & Editors: Robert Nemiroff, Jerry Bonnell, Cecilia Chirenti, Keighley Rockcliffe

A service of the Astrophysics Science Division (ASD) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Science Activation & Michigan Technological University (MTU)
Date: Oct. 26, 2026

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Stars #StarClusters #TrapeziumCluster #Nebulae #OrionNebula #Messier42 #M42 #NGC1976 #Cosmos #Universe #Astrophotographers #RobertoPalaia #Astrophotography #NASAGoddard #MTU #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #APoD

"Why The Universe Does Not Add Up" (And How We Can Try To Figure It Out)

"Why The Universe Does Not Add Up" (And How We Can Try To Figure It Out)

For decades, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has helped astronomers measure how fast the universe is expanding. However, those measurements have become more precise, scientists have uncovered a cosmic mystery: the universe appears to be expanding at varying rates depending on how we measure it.

Known as the Hubble tension, this discrepancy challenges our understanding of the cosmos and could point toward something missing from our current model of the universe.

In this video, NASA scientists Jennifer Wiseman and Julie McEnery explore how Hubble helped change our understanding of cosmic expansion, the mysterious role of dark energy, and how NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will help investigate major examples of unanswered questions in cosmology.

Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center 

Lead Producer: Paul Morris 

Videographers: Rob Andreioli, John Philyaw

NASA Scientists: Jennifer Wiseman, Julie McEnery

Duration: 5 minutes, 30 seconds

Release Date: Oct. 26, 2026

#NASA #ESA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Hubble #Galaxies #Cosmos #Universe #Astrophysics #Cosmology #HubbleSpaceTelescope #HST #SpaceTelescopes #RomanSpaceTelescope #NancyGraceRomanSpaceTelescope #NancyGraceRoman #NASAGoddard #STScI #UnitedStates #Europe #STEM #Education #HD #Video

China CAS Space Lijian-2 Y2 Carrier Rocket Transported to Dedicated Launch Pad

China CAS Space Lijian-2 Y2 Carrier Rocket Transported to Dedicated Launch Pad

China's independently developed Lijian-2 Y2 carrier rocket was transferred to its dedicated launch pad at the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China on Monday, September 26, 2026.

This means it has entered a key pre-launch preparation phase with the launch expected to take place in the near future.

The Lijian-2 carrier rocket has a carrying capacity of eight tons to a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit and 12 tons for low Earth orbit, and it is able to launch multiple satellites in a single mission or conduct missions such as cargo spacecraft launches.

The rocket is China's first launch vehicle using a "common booster core" design. This allows three basically identical common booster core structures to be combined like building blocks. The design is intended to increase payload capacity while facilitating mass production and reducing costs.

"The assembly and testing of the Lijian-2 Y2 carrier rocket at the launch site are all done. The rocket has been transferred to its dedicated launch pad and will soon undergo rocket-ground interface checks and full-process rehearsals, followed by propellant loading and final launch procedures. The mission will be carried out as planned to execute a low-orbit constellation networking launch," said Li Qinfeng, deputy chief designer of the Lijian-2 carrier rocket at CAS Space Technology Co., Ltd., a leading Chinese commercial space company founded in December 2018.

The Lijian-2 is subsequently planned to conduct its first large-scale low-orbit constellation networking launch using a multi-satellite deployment method, further improving China's capability to launch and build low-orbit satellite constellations.

Video Credit: CCTV
Duration: 54 seconds
Release Date: Oct. 26, 2026

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The "Atoms-for-Peace" Galaxy: NGC 7252 in Aquarius | A Galactic Collision | Hubble

The "Atoms-for-Peace" Galaxy: NGC 7252 in Aquarius | A Galactic Collision | Hubble

This NASA/European Space Agency Hubble Space Telescope image shows the results of a vast collision between two galaxies. This strange object is known as NGC 7252, or Arp 226, and has the odd nickname Atoms-for-Peace. Only rarely does an astronomical object have a political association. However, the spiral galaxy NGC 7252 acquired exactly that when it was given its unusual nickname.

Distance from Earth: 220 million light years

In December 1953, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower gave a speech advocating the use of nuclear power for peaceful purposes. This “Atoms for Peace” speech was significant for the scientific community, as it brought nuclear research into the public domain. NGC 7252 has a superficial resemblance to an atomic nucleus surrounded by the loops of electronic orbits. Thus, it was dubbed the Atoms for Peace galaxy in honor of this. These loops are well visible in the wide field image.

This nickname is quite ironic, as the galaxy’s past was anything but peaceful. Its peculiar appearance is the result of a collision between two galaxies that took place about a billion years ago. This ripped both galaxies apart. The loop-like outer structures, likely made up of dust and stars flung outwards by the crash, but recalling orbiting electrons in an atom, are partly responsible for the galaxy’s nickname.

This Hubble image shows the inner parts of the galaxy, revealing a pinwheel-shaped disc that is rotating in a direction opposite to the rest of the galaxy. This disc resembles a spiral galaxy like our own galaxy, the Milky Way, but is only about 10,000 light-years across—about a tenth of the size of the Milky Way. It is believed that this whirling structure is a remnant of the galactic collision. It will most likely have vanished in a few billion years’ time, when NGC 7252 will have completed its merging process.

This collision is an opportunity for astronomers to study such mergers and to predict the future of our Milky Way after its expected collision with the Andromeda Galaxy.

Credit: NASA & ESA

Acknowledgements: Judy Schmidt (Geckzilla)

Release Date: Dec. 7, 2015

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