Tag: Saturn

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Saturn’s moon Titan has an ocean! Is it habitable? Check what researchers said

Our solar system is full of secrets that are yet to be discovered. While astronomers and space agencies are hard at work studying the universe, the findings from these missions are put under the scanner by researchers to develop possible theories and find whether there is any chance of life existing on these planets if water is present there. Now, researchers have made a disappointing finding. They have reported that Saturn's moon Titan is quite uninhabitable despite being called an ocean moon. Researchers claim that the moon does not have the right organic chemistry which is required to support life. Know why Saturn's moon Titan cannot support life.Why Saturn's moon Titan is uninhabitableAccording to astrobiological research (via Space.com), Saturn's largest moon, Titan which is also ...
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Shocking space! Saturn rings will disappear!

In 1610, the visionary astronomer Galileo Galilei marvelled at the celestial beauty of the Saturn rings, describing them as resembling "ears." Fast forward to the present day, and these once-distant wonders are now observable to anyone with basic astronomical equipment. However, the clock is ticking on this cosmic spectacle, as recent findings suggest that Saturn rings are on the verge of disappearing from view within the next 18 months.Cosmic Phenomenon UnveiledThis magnificent display, composed of seven distinct rings, is a cosmic phenomenon thought to be formed from the remnants of comets, asteroids, and moons torn apart by Saturn's colossal gravitational pull. While their exact age is still debated, recent research suggests they might be relative newcomers on the cosmic stage, poss...
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Last ‘Super Blue Moon’ until 2037 rises tonight

Astronomy enthusiasts are in for a treat Wednesday night: a rare "super blue Moon" that won't be seen again for more than a decade.Supermoons occur when the Moon passes through its perigee, or the point that takes it closest to Earth during its elliptical orbit. This makes it look about 14 percent bigger compared to when it is at its furthest point, and a touch brighter. Full Moons are defined by the exact moment they are opposite the Sun, which will occur at 9:36 pm Eastern Time on August 30 (0136 GMT Thursday), according to NASA. The Virtual Telescope Project, hosted by Italian astronomer Gianluca Masi, will host a YouTube livestream beginning at 0336 GMT as it sets below the skyline of Rome.Despite the description, it won't actually be blue: the term "blue Moon" simply refers to whe...
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Rare blue supermoon brightens the night sky this week in the closest full moon of the year

Stargazers are in for a double treat this week: a rare blue supermoon with Saturn peeking from behind.The cosmic curtain rises Wednesday night with the second full moon of the month, the reason it's considered blue. It's dubbed a supermoon because it's closer to Earth than usual, appearing especially big and bright. This will be the closest full moon of the year, just 222,043 miles (357,344 kilometers) or so away. That's more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) closer than the Aug. 1 supermoon. As a bonus, Saturn will be visible as a bright point 5 degrees to the upper right of the moon at sunset in the east-southeastern sky, according to NASA. The ringed planet will appear to circle clockwise around the moon as the night wears on.If you missed the month's first spectacle, better catch thi...
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The next Supermoon is also a blue Moon! Know why you should not miss it

Are you someone who finds the different phases of the moon amusing? If yes, then you'll be excited to hear that on August 30 we will be witnessing two different phenomena of the Moon at the same time. Sounds exciting right? The world be able to watch a SuperMoon and a blue Moon together. It is an incredibly rare opportunity to observe the third full Moon of the month at a time when it will be really close to the Earth. Budding astronomers should be ready with their telescopes, they just might be able to see the Chandrayaan-3 rover as well. Check out all the details.A blue Moon which is also a SuperMoonAccording to a report by NASA, the upcoming full Moon will be visible on August 30. The date also marks the auspicious event of Raksha Bandhan in India which describes the bond of brother...
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Watch! Moon and five other planets to be visible together in the evening sky

Attention sky gazers! You will be able to watch a mesmerizing view of the evening sky in mid-July. This month, our Moon will pass close to the neighboring planets and two large planets in the solar system - it will look like that. If there are clear skies, you will be able to see all five planets as well as the moon from anywhere on Earth. You can carry binoculars or a telescope to get a clearer look at the event.The giant planets Saturn and Jupiter will be visible first next to the moon in early July, note that this visual can be seen in the early morning before sunrise. Later in mid-July, Mercury, Venus and Mars will be close to a crescent moon after sunset. As per Live Science. In the first celestial event, the moon will be closer to Saturn on July 7. Saturn will be visible above th...
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NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day 18 June 2023: Mysterious clouds over Saturn

On Earth, storms are a common occurrence, often taking the form of spirals or circular patterns. Can they also take a hexagonal shape? Well, that is something exclusive to Saturn! The distinctive hexagon-shaped cloud patterns observed on Saturn's North Pole remain a unique and intriguing phenomenon within our solar system.NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day for June 18 is hexagon clouds over Saturn! The formation of a hexagon on Saturn's clouds is a fascinating mystery. This peculiar phenomenon was initially observed during the Voyager missions in the 1980s, and to this day, it remains unique within our Solar System - a lasting mystery. NASA Astronomy Photo of the Day explanationIn late 2012, the Cassini spacecraft captured the sunlit perspective of the northern region of Saturn. Using i...
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Spectacular Planetary Parade today; here’s how to watch it

This weekend, get ready for a special celestial event called a 'planetary parade' in the night sky. It's a rare occurrence when five planets gather at the same time. This exciting planetary alignment will happen at sunrise on Saturday, offering a stunning spectacle.Which planets can you see?Today, you will be able to witness the alignment of five planets: Saturn, Neptune, Jupiter, Uranus, and Mercury. While Saturn, Jupiter, and Mercury will be relatively easy to spot, Neptune and Uranus might be a bit challenging to see without binoculars. Jupiter, in particular, will be the brightest object in the morning sky until the sun rises, making it quite noticeable. However, the other planets will appear fainter. Why do the planets line up?Contrary to what movies often show, the planets in our...
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The elusive ET found? Alien-friendly conditions detected on Saturn’s Moon Enceladus

Scientists studying data from the Cassini spacecraft, a probe sent by the US space agency NASA, have made an important discovery on one of Saturn's icy moons. They have found high concentrations of phosphorus, which is crucial for all living processes on Earth.This phosphorus was detected in ice crystals below the surface of Enceladus, Saturn's moon that has an ocean beneath its icy exterior. Finding phosphorus is a significant breakthrough for the possibility of alien life on this moon. Researchers had already found six other chemical elements necessary for all living things: carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulphur. The missing piece was phosphorus, and now they have found it. The Cassini spacecraft was the first to orbit Saturn and collected data during its mission from 2004 ...
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Never-seen-before! NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope reveals why Saturn’s atmosphere is heating up

Earth's temperature is soaring mainly because of global warming. But, we cannot say the same for the other planets of our solar system. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has figured out the reason behind the heating up of Saturn's atmosphere. It is because of the planet's own rings. Informing about the same NASA said in a release, "The secret has been hiding in plain view for 40 years. But it took the insight of a veteran astronomer to pull it all together within a year, using observations of Saturn from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and retired Cassini probe, in addition to the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft and the retired International Ultraviolet Explorer mission."It further added, "The discovery: Saturn's vast ring system is heating the giant planet's upper atmosphere. The phenomenon has ...