Tag: solar system

The smallest moon ever detected around Uranus and two around Neptune
25Feb By adminNo Comments
Technology

The smallest moon ever detected around Uranus and two around Neptune

[ad_1] Astronomers have recently made an intriguing discovery in our solar system, uncovering two tiny moons circling Neptune and one orbiting Uranus. These newfound celestial companions bring the total count of known moons around these gas giants to 16 for Neptune and 28 for Uranus.The most remarkable of these discoveries is Uranus' new moon, believed to be the smallest ever detected around the ice giant. Measuring a mere 5 miles (8 kilometers) in width, this diminutive moon completes a single orbit around Uranus every 680 days. To put its size into perspective, it's even smaller than Mars' moon Deimos, one of the tiniest known moons in our solar system, according to Carnegie Institution for Science. Currently designated as "S/2023 U1," the Uranian moon awaits an official name, likely ...
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Did other stars reshape Earth’s orbit? Check out these amazing stellar encounters
19Feb By adminNo Comments
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Did other stars reshape Earth’s orbit? Check out these amazing stellar encounters

[ad_1] Astronomers have uncovered a celestial revelation: stars passing near our solar system have wielded a profound influence on the orbit of Earth as well as those of its its planetary companions. This cosmic dance, detailed in a study titled "Passing Stars as an Important Driver of Paleoclimate and the Solar System's Orbital Evolution" published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, challenges our understanding of Earth's history and even encompasses shifts in climate.Stellar Perturbations and Climate VariabilityNathan A. Kaib, Senior Scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, leading the research with contributions from Sean Raymond at the Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux, highlights the significance of these stellar perturbations. "Perturbations- a minor deviation in the...
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NASA’s Juno spacecraft captures mesmerizing image of Jupiter’s moon Io; Know what experts said
3Jan By adminNo Comments
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NASA’s Juno spacecraft captures mesmerizing image of Jupiter’s moon Io; Know what experts said

[ad_1] NASA has been conducting crucial space missions to explore the wonders of outer space and our solar system. NASA is closely monitoring the Jupiter mission, which has so far made 56 flybys of the planet and has made close flybys of three of its moons. Now, NASA has shared an image of Jupiter's moon Io which was captured during the Juno spacecraft flyby. The image has stunned the viewers with the spacecraft capturing its volcanic state and the image reveals a close look towards the moon's surface. This study and revelation can tell a lot about many mysteries of the solar system, which is yet to be discovered. Know what the experts are saying about the recent encounter with the Juno spacecraft.The image was taken with the help of the JunoCam instrument installed in the spacecraft. T...
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ET Life? NASA discovers potential extraterrestrial oceans on 17 far-off exoplanets
16Dec By adminNo Comments
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ET Life? NASA discovers potential extraterrestrial oceans on 17 far-off exoplanets

[ad_1] In a groundbreaking study, NASA has unveiled a revelation that expands the search for extraterrestrial life. Researchers have identified 17 exoplanets positioned beyond our solar system that might boast subsurface oceans beneath their icy exteriors. The intriguing aspect lies in the possibility of periodic eruptions, resembling geysers, breaking through the frozen crusts of these distant worlds. Subsurface OceansThe research, conducted by scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, included a meticulous analysis of geyser activity on these exoplanets. Remarkably, two of these celestial bodies are within observational reach of telescopes, presenting an unprecedented opportunity to witness these icy eruptions. This discovery holds paramount significance as the subsurface ocea...
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NASA James Webb Space Telescope makes big discovery about rocky planets
4Dec By adminNo Comments
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NASA James Webb Space Telescope makes big discovery about rocky planets

[ad_1] The NASA James Webb Space Telescope has unmatched capabilities of capturing deep space beyond our galaxy going as far back as almost to the point of the Big Bang event event. Now, a new study by the eXtreme Ultraviolet Environments (XUE) program revealed observations about water and other molecules being present in the regions where rocky planets form and that too under extreme environmental conditions. This study has stunned researchers as it challenges the previous theories about where rocky planets develop. Know more about the James Webb Space Telescope findings here.James Webb Space Telescope findingsAccording to a NASA report, The eXtreme Ultraviolet Environments (XUE) James Webb Space Telescope program studied protoplanetary disc which is also known as massive star-forming ...
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Indian Himalayan Chandra Telescope captures mesmerising Devil Comet in all its glory
30Nov By adminNo Comments
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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 ...
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NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope data solves exoplanet mystery?
17Nov By adminNo Comments
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NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope data solves exoplanet mystery?

[ad_1] NASA's retired Kepler Space Telescope, which was designed to study the Milky Way Galaxy and look for exoplanets may help researchers unveil why some of these planets have, what is called a "size gap". Over the years, more than 5000 exoplanets have been discovered. These planets have different sizes and masses as some are more massive than the Earth. Now, scientists may have come across a reason why the exoplanets are shrinking in size. Know what experts say about the phenomena.Why exoplanets are shrinking?According to research published in the Astronomical Journal, NASA's retired Kepler Space Telescope data revealed that the size of these exoplanets might be shrinking due to the planet's atmospheric losses. Jessie Christiansen, a research scientist at Caltech/IPAC and lead author...
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What is Psyche Mission? Know all about NASA’s journey to a $10 quintillion 279-km wide asteroid
16Oct By adminNo Comments
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What is Psyche Mission? Know all about NASA’s journey to a $10 quintillion 279-km wide asteroid

[ad_1] After months of delays, NASA finally launched its Psyche mission on October 13 via a SpaceX Falcon rocket Heavy rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission was initially due to launch not before September 20, 2022, but was postponed due to late delivery of the spacecraft's software and testing equipment. NASA then planned the launch for October 12, but the launch was again scrapped due to unfavourable weather conditions. The mission was then rescheduled for October 13, and this time the launch did happen. Know all about it.What is NASA's Psyche mission?The Psyche mission is part of NASA's Discovery missions. NASA will study an asteroid called 16 Psyche which is currently orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered in 1852 by Italian astronomer An...
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Aditya-L1 mission: ISRO spacecraft heads towards centre of solar system to spy on the sun
2Oct By adminNo Comments
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Aditya-L1 mission: ISRO spacecraft heads towards centre of solar system to spy on the sun

[ad_1] Aditya-L1 mission: India's Sun-monitoring spacecraft has crossed a landmark point on its journey to escape "the sphere of Earth's influence", its space agency said, days after the disappointment of its Moon rover failing to awaken. The Aditya-L1 mission, which started its four-month journey towards the centre of the solar system on September 2, carries instruments to observe the Sun's outermost layers. "The spacecraft has escaped the sphere of Earth's influence," the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in a statement late Saturday.Aditya, named after the Hindu Sun deity, has travelled 920,000 kilometres (570,000 miles), just over half the journey's total distance. At that point, the gravitational forces of both astronomical bodies cancel out, allowing the mission to re...
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When NASA opened Asteroid Bennu capsule brought back to Earth by Osiris-Rex, THIS is what it found
30Sep By adminNo Comments
Technology

When NASA opened Asteroid Bennu capsule brought back to Earth by Osiris-Rex, THIS is what it found

[ad_1] After seven years in space, NASA's Osiris-Rex probe has captured the world's attention with its successful return to Earth, carrying a precious chunk of asteroid sample. This achievement promises groundbreaking insights into the origins of our solar system and potential threats from asteroids. Notably, Osiris-Rex traveled billions of miles before jettisoning the precious cargo capsule back towards Earth. The Osiris-Rex spacecraft was some 63000 miles above Earth when it released the capsule carrying the asteroid sample, which fell back to Earth. The craft itself shot by the Earth.What was on the capsule?FRANCE 24's Science reporter Shirli Sitbon, who is currently taking a close look at the mission, said that, As the lid of the capsule containing the asteroid material was opened, ...
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