Science News – Page 2

NASA OSIRIS-APEX set for unprecedented solar approach on mission to asteroid Apophis

2Dec

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NASA OSIRIS-APEX set for unprecedented solar approach on mission to asteroid Apophis

[ad_1] NASA's OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft, formerly known as OSIRIS-REx, is actively preparing for a groundbreaking solar approach, bringing it closer to the Sun than ever before as it targets the asteroid Apophis. The spacecraft's closest approach, referred to as perihelion, is set for January 2, 2024, positioning OSIRIS-APEX approximately 46.5 million miles away from the Sun. This distance is roughly half the span between Earth and the Sun and well within the orbit of Venus. NASA has highlighted that this close encounter will subject the spacecraft's components to higher temperatures than originally designed.OSIRIS-REx to OSIRIS-APEXFollowing the successful delivery of the Bennu sample to Earth on September 24, 2023, OSIRIS-REx transitioned into a new mission. The team proposed an addition...

Indian Himalayan Chandra Telescope captures mesmerising Devil Comet in all its glory

30Nov

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Indian Himalayan Chandra Telescope captures mesmerising Devil Comet in all its glory

[ad_1] In an amazing celestial feat, astronomers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have snapped a breathtaking image of Comet P12/Pons-Brooks, also known as Devil Comet, using the Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) at the Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh. Often referred to as the 'Devil Comet' or likened to the iconic 'Millennium Falcon' due to its distinct appearance, this cosmic wanderer, discovered in 1812, orbits the Sun every 71 years. Recent observations have revealed a surge in its activity, marked by multiple outbursts of gas and dust that have significantly heightened its luminosity.The captured image is a composite of individual exposures employing three different colour filters. The comet's swift movement across the sky results in a displacement of ...

ISRO focus is on Gaganyaan mission, send Indian to space, says S Somanath

30Nov

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ISRO focus is on Gaganyaan mission, send Indian to space, says S Somanath

[ad_1] On Wednesday, S Somanath, the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), emphasised that while the organisation is actively pursuing various targets, the immediate and primary focus remains on Gaganyaan mission- the nation's inaugural human space flight program. Speaking on the sidelines of the 2023 Global Energy Parliament in Kolkata, Somanath stated, "There are many [targets]. It is not one target. But our primary target is Gaganyaan now. Send an Indian to space and bring them back safely. This is our immediate big-ticket target."The Gaganyaan mission is ambitiously set to launch humans into space, positioning them in a low earth orbit at an altitude of 400 kilometres for a three-day mission scheduled for 2025. ISRO's VisionSomanath disclosed that the agency env...

NASA to collaborate with ISRO on space station development, says Bill Nelson

28Nov

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NASA to collaborate with ISRO on space station development, says Bill Nelson

[ad_1] In a significant diplomatic overture, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced on Tuesday the United States' readiness to partner with the Indian space agency ISRO in the construction of its very own space station. Touching down in India for a week of strategic engagements, Nelson revealed that discussions between the two nations also involve plans to send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) by the close of the upcoming year."The selection of astronauts is determined by ISRO. NASA will not make the selection," clarified Nelson to a gathering of reporters, emphasising the collaborative nature of the venture. He went on to express the United States' willingness to join forces with India in the development of a space station if such ambitions arise, PTI repo...

China postpones launch of Xuntian Space Telescope, alters global space race dynamics

23Nov

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China postpones launch of Xuntian Space Telescope, alters global space race dynamics

[ad_1] In a surprising move, China has delayed the launch of its highly anticipated Xuntian Space Telescope, reshaping the international competition to explore the mysteries of the cosmos. Originally scheduled for liftoff from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in southern China by the end of this year, Xuntian is now set for a mid-2025 launch. The postponement puts it in direct competition with the European Space Agency's Euclid and NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Zhan Hu, project scientist of Xuntian space telescope system, revealed that the delay was necessary for the team to finalize a preflight "engineering qualification model." This model will undergo rigorous performance tests early next year. Despite the setback, China is making significant strides by domestically develo...

ISRO’s Aditya-L1, Gaganyaan missions will boost India’s standing: President Murmu

19Nov

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ISRO’s Aditya-L1, Gaganyaan missions will boost India’s standing: President Murmu

[ad_1] In a pivotal address at the inauguration of the International Conference on 'Aerospace and Aviation in 2047,' President Droupadi Murmu highlighted the significant impact of India's upcoming Aditya-L1 and Gaganyaan missions. Emphasising their potential to enhance India's global standing, President Murmu expressed confidence that these missions would not only bolster research efforts but also contribute to the greater good of humanity.Acknowledging India's past achievements, including the successful Mars mission and lunar exploration, President Murmu underscored the nation's determination, potential, and capability. She commended the commitment to high standards of quality, cost-effectiveness, and punctuality in all projects, ANI reported. However, she also recognised the challenge...

Massive ‘Cosmic Vine’ unveiled! Structure stretches over 13-million light years

19Nov

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Massive ‘Cosmic Vine’ unveiled! Structure stretches over 13-million light years

[ad_1] The vastness of the Milky Way Galaxy galaxy makes traversing it an insurmountable challenge. In comparison, our solar system is a mere speck in the grandeur of our galaxy, and yet, it too is overshadowed by the colossal galaxy clusters revealed by the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope and other instruments deployed by humanity. And now, scientists have unearthed an extraordinary entity: the amazingly large "Cosmic Vine".Stretching an astonishing 13 million light-years, the Cosmic Vine is a colossal structure that houses a minimum of 20 massive galaxies. To put this immense scale into perspective, the structure was discovered at a redshift of 3.44, capturing a snapshot of the universe when it was a mere 2.5 billion years old, a fraction of its current estimate...

A cosmic hide and seek: Mars disappears from sight as Sun swallows it

18Nov

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A cosmic hide and seek: Mars disappears from sight as Sun swallows it

[ad_1] In an astronomical twist, Mars is set to vanish from our celestial view for a fortnight, starting this Saturday. The phenomenon responsible for this cosmic disappearance is known as solar conjunction, where the sun acts as a radiant curtain, temporarily veiling Mars and Earth from each other. NASA aptly describes this celestial ballet as akin to dancers obscured by a colossal bonfire.This cosmic rendezvous occurs every two years, creating a celestial gap of approximately 235 million miles between Earth and Mars, compared to their usual 140 million-mile separation. While sky gazers may only notice a fleeting absence, the event holds significant consequences for NASA's interplanetary communication, Space.com reported. Communications BlackoutAs part of precautionary measures, NASA h...

James Webb Space Telescope unveils exotic ‘Sand Rain’ humongous planet 200 light years away

18Nov

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James Webb Space Telescope unveils exotic ‘Sand Rain’ humongous planet 200 light years away

[ad_1] In a new revelation, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has uncovered the secrets of Wasp-107b, a distant planet located 200 light years away in the Virgo constellation. This extraordinary world, dubbed the 'candy floss' planet due to its large yet light structure, boasts an array of peculiar features, including sand rain, scorching temperatures, and sulphur dioxide-scented winds.The "Candy Floss" PlanetDiscovered in 2017 through periodic flickers of light from its host star, Wasp-107b has become the focus of attention for astronomers. The recent observations by the James Webb telescope provide an unprecedented glimpse into this exotic realm beyond our solar system. Silicate sand clouds, rain, and extreme atmospheric conditions characterise this distant planet, The Guardian report...

Rocket Lab targets Venus for pioneering private space mission in search of life beyond Earth

16Nov

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Rocket Lab targets Venus for pioneering private space mission in search of life beyond Earth

[ad_1] In a paradigm-shifting move, Rocket Lab, a private aerospace company, is breaking new ground in planetary exploration. Departing from traditional government-led endeavours through NASA and other agencies, Rocket Lab is set to launch the first private mission to study Venus in search of microbial life, challenging the notion that interplanetary exploration requires astronomical budgets and government backing.CEO Peter Beck envisions a departure from the norm, stating, “A private company going to another planet for some tens of millions of dollars to look for life- I think that's kind of a mind shift… and a shift in exploration of our solar system.” This marks a departure from the science-focused initiatives of the past, as Rocket Lab aims to demonstrate that space missions can be ...