Nebula NGC 3324 in Carina | NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory & Webb

Nebula NGC 3324 in Carina | NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory & Webb

Astronomers nicknamed this region of star formation the “Cosmic Cliffs.” It is found in the nearby Carina Nebula. X-rays from young stars in two clusters are detected by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. X-rays from Chandra (purple); infrared from Webb (yellow, green, cyan, and blue)

Distance: 7,500 light years

This composite image features two star clusters, viewed through a churning tunnel of golden cloud. The cloud creates a border around the entire image, like a thick swirling smoke ring. Beyond it, in the open center, is a vast field of neon purple specks. These specks are young stars observed by Chandra. Within the central field, two cluster groupings are suggested by separate swirls of faint, steel blue mist. One sits near our upper right. The other is near the bottom left, partially obscured by the golden yellow ring cloud.

Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Ludwig Maximilian Univ./T. Preibisch et al.
Infrared: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI; Image processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/N. Wolk
Release Date: Dec. 7, 2024

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Stars #StarClusters #Nebulae #Nebula #NGC3324 #Carina #Constellation #MilkyWayGalaxy #Cosmos #Universe #Astrophysics #NASAChandra #XrayAstronomy #MSFC #NASAWebb #InfraredAstronomy #GSFC #STScI #UnitedStates #ESA #Europe #CSA #Canada #STEM #Education

Journey to Nebula NGC 3324 in Carina | MPG/ESO Telescope

Journey to Nebula NGC 3324 in Carina | MPG/ESO Telescope

The Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-meter telescope at the La Silla Observatory has imaged a region of star formation called NGC 3324. The intense radiation from several of NGC 3324's massive, blue-white stars has carved out a cavity in the surrounding gas and dust. The ultraviolet radiation from these young hot stars also cause the gas cloud to glow in rich colors. 

Distance: 7,500 light years

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

Credit: European Southern Observatory (ESO)/Nick Risinger/Digitized Sky Survey 2

Duration: 56 seconds
Release Date: February 1, 2012

#NASA #ESO #Astronomy #Space #Science #Stars #Nebulae #Nebula #NGC3324 #Carina #Constellation #MilkyWayGalaxy #Cosmos #Universe #MPGESOTelescope #LaSillaObservatory #Chile #Europe #DSS2 #UnitedStates #STScI #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Star Formation Region: Nebula NGC 3324 in Carina | MPG/ESO Telescope

Star Formation Region: Nebula NGC 3324 in Carina | MPG/ESO Telescope

The Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-meter telescope at the La Silla Observatory has imaged a region of star formation called NGC 3324. The intense radiation from several of NGC 3324's massive, blue-white stars has carved out a cavity in the surrounding gas and dust. The ultraviolet radiation from these young hot stars also cause the gas cloud to glow in rich colors. 

Distance: 7,500 light years

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

Credit: European Southern Observatory (ESO)
Release Date: February 1, 2012

#NASA #ESO #Astronomy #Space #Science #Stars #Nebulae #Nebula #NGC3324 #Carina #Constellation #MilkyWayGalaxy #Cosmos #Universe #MPGESOTelescope #LaSillaObservatory #Chile #Europe #STEM #Education

Sonification: Three Years of Solar Fireworks | Solar Orbiter Mission

Sonification: Three Years of Solar Fireworks | Solar Orbiter Mission

At the start of this new year, close-up pictures and solar flare data that the European Space Agency-led Solar Orbiter mission has been recording for more than three years. See and hear for yourself how the number of flares and their intensity increase, a clear sign of the Sun approaching the peak of the 11-year solar cycle.

This video combines ultraviolet images of the Sun's outer atmosphere (the corona, yellow) taken by Solar Orbiter's Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI) instrument, with the size and locations of solar flares (blue circles) as recorded by the Spectrometer/Telescope for Imaging X-rays (STIX) instrument. The accompanying audio is a sonification based on the detected flares and the spacecraft's distance to the Sun.

Solar Orbiter moves on an elliptical path around the Sun, making a close approach to our star every six months. We can see this in the video from the spacecraft's perspective with the Sun moving closer and farther over the course of each year. In the sonification, this is represented by the low background humming that loudens as the Sun gets closer and becomes quieter as it moves further away. (There are some abrupt shifts in distance visible in the video, as it skips over dates where one or both instruments were inactive or collecting a different type of data.)

The blue circles represent solar flares: bursts of high-energy radiation of which STIX detects the X-rays. Flares are sent out by the Sun when energy stored in 'twisted' magnetic fields (usually above sunspots) is suddenly released. The size of each circle indicates how strong the flare is, with stronger flares sending out more X-rays. We can hear the flares in the metallic clinks in the sonification, where the sharpness of the sound corresponds to how energetic the solar flare is.

Many thanks to Klaus Nielsen (DTU Space / Maple Pools) for making the sonification in this video. If you would like to hear more sonifications and music by this artist, please visit: https://linktr.ee/maplepools

Solar Orbiter is a space mission of international collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA, operated by ESA.

Credits 
Credit: ESA & NASA/Solar Orbiter/EUI & STIX, Klaus Nielsen (DTU Space/Maple Pools)
Acknowledgements: Data processing for video by Laura Hayes
License: CC BY-SA 3.0 or ESA Standard License
Duration: 1 minute, 20 seconds
Release Date: Jan. 3, 2025  

#NASA #ESA #Astronomy #Science #Space #Star #Sun #Corona #Atmosphere #Plasma #Physics #Astrophysics #Heliophysics #Ultraviolet #SolarOrbiter #Satellite #Spacecraft #Earth #Europe #GSFC #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #Sonification #HD #Video

SpaceX Starship Sixth Flight Test: In Review

SpaceX Starship Sixth Flight Test: In Review

The sixth flight test of Starship, launched from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, on November 19, 2024, sought to expand the envelope on ship and booster capabilities and to move us closer to bringing reuse to the entire system.

The Super Heavy booster successfully lifted off at the start of the launch window with all 33 Raptor engines powering it and Starship off the pad from Starbase. Following a nominal ascent and stage separation, the booster successfully transitioned to its boostback burn to begin the return to launch site. During this phase, automated health checks of critical hardware on the launch and catch tower triggered an abort of the catch attempt. The booster then executed a pre-planned divert maneuver, performing a landing burn and soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.

Starship completed another successful ascent, placing it on the expected trajectory. The ship successfully reignited a single Raptor engine while in space, demonstrating the capabilities required to conduct a ship deorbit burn before starting fully orbital missions. With live views and telemetry being relayed by Starlink, the ship successfully made it through reentry and executed a flip, landing burn, and soft splashdown in the Indian Ocean.

Data gathered from the multiple thermal protection experiments, as well as the successful flight through subsonic speeds at a more aggressive angle of attack, provides invaluable feedback on flight hardware performing in a flight environment as we aim for eventual ship return and catch.

With data and flight learnings as our primary payload, Starship’s sixth flight test once again delivered. Lessons learned will directly make the entire Starship system more reliable as we close in on full and rapid reusability.

"Starship is essential to both SpaceX’s plans to deploy its next-generation Starship system as well as for NASA, which will use a lunar lander version of Starship for landing astronauts on the Moon during the Artemis III mission through the Human Landing System (HLS) program."

Key Starship Parameters:
Height: 121m/397ft
Diameter: 9m/29.5ft
Payload to LEO: 100 – 150t (fully reusable)

Learn more about Starship:
https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/

Download the Free Starship User Guide (PDF):

https://www.spacex.com/media/starship_users_guide_v1.pdf

Image Credit: Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX)

Duration: 2 minutes
Release Date: Jan. 3, 2025

#NASA #SpaceX #Space #Earth #Mars #Moon #MoonToMars #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisIII #Starship #Spacecraft #Starship6 #TestFlight6 #HeavyBooster #SuperHeavyRocket #ElonMusk #Engineering #SpaceTechnology #HumanSpaceflight #CommercialSpace #SpaceExploration #Starbase #Mechazilla #BocaChica #Texas #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Haolong Space Cargo Shuttle Cuts Costs for Frequent Deliveries | China Space Station

Haolong Space Cargo Shuttle Cuts Costs for Frequent Deliveries | China Space Station

 

The Haolong space cargo shuttle, a Chinese independently developed reusable winged space cargo vehicle, is expected to further reduce the cost of delivering cargo to China's space station in 2025, according to its chief designer.

Can carry up to 2 tons of cargo, suitable for 3-month resupply missions

- Reusable, adding downmass capacity

- foldable wings

- 10m long, 8m wide

Leveraging new aviation technologies, the Haolong is designed to be launched by a carrier rocket, dock with the space station, and, after separation, perform de-orbit braking and re-entry maneuvers, culminating in a horizontal landing on an airport runway. It also demonstrates exceptional flight performance in atmospheric and space environments.

Compared to the Tianzhou cargo spacecraft series, the Haolong offers lower-cost short-cycle in-orbit cargo transportation missions.

"The Haolong space cargo shuttle will normally carry around two tons of payload each time, which will exactly meet the space station's need for the replenishment of supplies for about three months. So, it will be able to provide several replenishments to the space station each year. Such a way of delivery especially fits the replenishment of fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as other supplies that can't be stored for too long. Additionally, the Haolong space cargo shuttle's cold chain system is able to keep these foods fresh," said Fang Yuanpeng, chief designer of the Haolong space cargo shuttle.

The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced the winners of its solicitation for overall schemes targeting a low-cost cargo transportation system—a vital component of the space station's operations—on Oct. 29. The Haolong space cargo shuttle, developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), was one of two schemes selected for contracts in the flight verification phase.

"After docking with the orbiting space station, the Haolong will operate as part of a combined system. We can select the return window as well as the landing site for the space cargo shuttle, allowing it to return to the same site where it was launched. However, this is not the most challenging aspect of developing the craft; it is relatively easy to accomplish," said Fang.

Video Credit: CCTV
Duration: 1 minute, 47 seconds
Release Date: Dec. 31, 2024

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #China #中国 #HaolongCargoShuttle #昊龙 #CargoSpacecraft #ReusableSpacecraft #Taikonauts #Astronauts #CSS #ChinaSpaceStation #中国空间站 #TiangongSpaceStation #SpaceLaboratory #CMSA #中国载人航天工程办公室 #LongDurationMissions #HumanSpaceflight #STEM #Education #HD #Video

The Team That "Touched the Sun" | NASA's Parker Solar Probe Mission | JHUAPL

The Team That "Touched the Sun" | NASA's Parker Solar Probe Mission | JHUAPL

"Decades of dedication. Years of innovation. One historic moment." The Parker Solar Probe’s record-breaking closest approach to the Sun on December 24, 2024, was more than just a milestone for the team who built the spacecraft. "It was the culmination of a bold vision, relentless ingenuity and dedication to advancing humanity’s understanding of our closest star."

Hear from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) team that dared to "touch the Sun" as they reflect on the work that made the mission possible and enabled groundbreaking discoveries that will advance solar science. 

Learn more about the Parker Solar Probe: https://parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu/

Read more about its close Sun approach: 

https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/heliophysics/nasas-parker-solar-probe-makes-history-with-closest-pass-to-sun/

NASA's Parker Solar Probe Mission
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/parker-solar-probe/

Video Credit: Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL)

Duration: 3 minutes, 39 seconds
Release Date: Jan. 2, 2025

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Sun #SolarPlasma #SpaceWeather #ParkerSolarProbe #SolarSystem #Heliophysics #Astrophysics #JHUAPL #GSFC #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #Animation #HD #Video

"Our New Year’s Light Show" | International Space Station

"Our New Year’s Light Show" | International Space Station

NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Flight Engineer Don Pettit released this photo of aurora captured on January 1, 2025 during a severe geomagnetic storm due to continued effects from the coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that left the Sun on December 29th, 2024. The Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, is structured by strong magnetic fields. Where these fields are closed, often above sunspot groups, the confined solar atmosphere can suddenly and violently release bubbles of gas and magnetic fields called CMEs. A large CME can contain a billion tons of matter that can be accelerated to several million miles per hour in a spectacular explosion. Solar material streams out through the interplanetary medium, impacting any planet or spacecraft in its path.

Auroras are produced when the Earth's magnetosphere is sufficiently disturbed by the solar wind that the trajectories of charged particles in solar wind and magnetospheric plasma, mainly in the form of electrons and protons, precipitate them into the upper atmosphere (thermosphere/exosphere) due to Earth's magnetic field, where their energy is lost. The resulting ionization and excitation of atmospheric constituents emits light of varying color and complexity. [Wikipedia]

Solid Colored Aurora

Green is common at the upper latitudes, while red is rare. On the other hand, aurora viewed from lower latitudes tend to be red.

Element Emission Colors

Oxygen: The big player in the aurora is oxygen. Oxygen is responsible for the vivid green (wavelength of 557.7 nm) and also for a deep brownish-red (wavelength of 630.0 nm). Pure green and greenish-yellow aurorae result from the excitation of oxygen.

Nitrogen: Nitrogen emits blue (multiple wavelengths) and red light.

Other Gases: Other gases in the atmosphere become excited and emit light, although the wavelengths may be outside of the range of human vision or else too faint to see. Hydrogen and helium, for example, emit blue and purple. Although our eyes cannot see all of these colors, photographic film and digital cameras often record a broader range of hues.

Aurora Colors According to Altitude

Above 150 miles: red, oxygen

Up to 150 miles: green, oxygen

Above 60 miles: purple or violet, nitrogen

Up to 60 miles: blue, nitrogen

NASA - About Aurora

https://www.nasa.gov/science-research/heliophysics/auroras/

https://pwg.gsfc.nasa.gov/polar/EPO/auroral_poster/aurora_all.pdf

The Colors of the Aurora (National Park Service)
https://www.nps.gov/articles/-articles-aps-v8-i1-c9.htm

Learn more about the International Space Station: https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/

Expedition 72 Updates:

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/

Expedition 72 Crew
Station Commander: Suni Williams
Roscosmos (Russia) Flight Engineers: Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner, Aleksandr Gorbunov
NASA Flight Engineers: Butch Wilmore, Don Pettit, Nick Hague

An international partnership of space agencies provides and operates the elements of the International Space Station (ISS). The principals are the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada.

Image Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC)/Don Pettit
Release Date: Jan. 2, 2025

#NASA #Space #Science #ISS #Sun #Star #Earth #Aurora #NewYearsDay2025 #Astronauts #AstronautPhotography #DonPettit #SuniWilliams #ButchWilmore #NickHague #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #InternationalCooperation #LongDurationMissions #SpaceLaboratory #HumanSpaceflight #UnitedStates #Expedition72 #STEM #Education

Alpha Centauri: The Closest Star System | Heaven's Mirror Observatory

Alpha Centauri: The Closest Star System | Heaven's Mirror Observatory

The closest star system to the Sun is the Alpha Centauri system. Of the three stars in the system, the dimmest—called Proxima Centauri—is actually the nearest star. The bright stars Alpha Centauri A and B form a close binary as they are separated by only 23 times the Earth-Sun distance—slightly greater than the distance between Uranus and the Sun. The Alphasystem is not visible in much of the northern hemisphere. Alpha Centauri A, also known as Rigil Kentaurus, is the brightest star in the constellation of Centaurus and is the fourth brightest star in the night sky. Sirius is the brightest even though it is more than twice as far away. By an exciting coincidence, Alpha Centauri A is the same type of star as our Sun, and Proxima Centauri is now known to have a potentially habitable exoplanet.

Image Credit & Copyright: Telescope Live, Heaven's Mirror Observatory
Processing: Chris Cantrell
Release Date: Jan. 1, 2025

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #StarSystem #Stars #AlphaCentauri #ProximaCentauri #Exoplanet #AlphaCentauriA #AlphaCentauriB #BetaCentauri #Centaurus #Constellation #MilkyWayGalaxy #Cosmos #Universe #Astrophotographer #ChrisCantrell #Astrophotography #HeavensMirrorObservatory #Australia #GSFC #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Close-up: The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy: M83 in Hydra | Victor Blanco Telescope

Close-up: The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy: M83 in Hydra | Victor Blanco Telescope

Twelve million light-years away lies the galactic masterpiece Messier 83, also known as the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy. Its swirling spiral arms display a high rate of star formation and host six detected supernovae. This image was captured with the Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera, mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation 4-meter Víctor M. Blanco Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of the National Science Foundation's NOIRLab.

Learn about the Víctor M. Blanco Telescope:

https://noirlab.edu/science/programs/ctio/telescopes/victor-blanco-4m-telescope

Dark Energy Camera (DECam)

https://noirlab.edu/public/programs/ctio/victor-blanco-4m-telescope/decam/

Credit: CTIO/NOIRLab/U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)/National Science Foundation (NSF)/Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)
Image Processing: T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF NOIRLab, D. de Martin (NSF NOIRLab) & M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab)

Duration: 11 seconds
Release Date: Dec. 6, 2024

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #Galaxy #M83 #SouthernPinwheelGalaxy #SpiralGalaxy #Stars #Supernovae #Hydra #Constellation #MilkyWayGalaxy #Cosmos #Universe #VictorBlancoTelescope #CTIO #CerroTololo #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DECam #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Miles de galaxias capturadas en una sola foto desde Cerro Tololo

Miles de galaxias capturadas en una sola foto desde Cerro Tololo

Cosmoview Episodio 91: El Cúmulo de Antlia (Abell S636) es un grupo de al menos 230 galaxias ubicadas a unos 130 millones de años luz de la Tierra en dirección a la constelación de Antlia (la bomba neumática). Alberga una rica variedad de galaxias de distintos tipos, como galaxias lenticulares, galaxias irregulares y enanas ultra-compactas. Destacan en el cúmulo dos galaxias elípticas masivas: NGC 3268 (al centro) y NGC 3258 (abajo a la derecha).

Esta imagen fue tomada con la Cámara de Energía Oscura de 570 megapíxeles (DECam) que construyó el Departamento de Energía de los Estados Unidos y que se encuentra actualmente instalada en el Telescopio de 4 metros Víctor M. Blanco del Observatorio de Cerro Tololo en Chile, un Programa de NOIRLab de NSF. La imagen captura sólo una porción de las 230 galaxias que hasta ahora se han descubierto que componen el Cúmulo de Antlia. La observación ultraprofunda de DECam muestra con increíble detalle la variedad de galaxias dentro y fuera del cúmulo.

Credit:
Images and Videos: Dark Energy Survey / DOE / FNAL / DECam / CTIO / NOIRLab / NSF / AURA/ T. Slovinský / R. Colombari & M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab) / N. Bartmann (NSF NOIRLab)

Duration: 1 minute, 40 seconds
Release Date: Jan. 1, 2025

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #español #Galaxies #GalaxyClusters #AntliaCluster #AbellS636 #Antlia #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #VictorBlancoTelescope #CTIO #CerroTololo #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DECam #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Spiral Galaxy ESO 375-53 in The Antlia Cluster | Victor Blanco Telescope

Spiral Galaxy ESO 375-53 in The Antlia Cluster | Victor Blanco Telescope

Spiral Galaxy ESO 375-53, found within a larger image of the Antlia Cluster—a group of at least 230 galaxies located about 130 million light-years away. This image was taken with the 570-megapixel Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera (DECam), mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of NSF NOIRLab.

Credit: Dark Energy Survey / DOE / FNAL / DECam / CTIO / NOIRLab / NSF / AURA
Image Processing: R. Colombari & M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab)
Release Date: Jan. 1, 2025

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #GalaxyClusters #AntliaCluster #AbellS636 #ESO37553 #SpiralGalaxy #Antlia #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #VictorBlancoTelescope #CTIO #CerroTololo #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DECam #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Elliptical Galaxy NGC 3258 in the Antlia Galaxy Cluster

Elliptical Galaxy NGC 3258 in the Antlia Galaxy Cluster

Elliptical galaxy NGC 3258, found within a larger image of the Antlia Cluster—a group of at least 230 galaxies located about 130 million light-years away. This image was taken with the 570-megapixel Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera (DECam), mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of NSF NOIRLab.

Credit: Dark Energy Survey / DOE / FNAL / DECam / CTIO / NOIRLab / NSF / AURA
Image Processing: R. Colombari & M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab)
Release Date: Jan. 1, 2025

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #GalaxyClusters #AntliaCluster #AbellS636 #NGC3258 #EllipticalGalaxy #Antlia #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #VictorBlancoTelescope #CTIO #CerroTololo #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DECam #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Cosmic Gems within The Antlia Galaxy Cluster | Victor Blanco Telescope

Cosmic Gems within The Antlia Galaxy Cluster | Victor Blanco Telescope

This excerpt shows a small selection of the myriad picturesque galaxies that can be found within the Antlia Cluster—a group of at least 230 galaxies located about 130 million light-years away. This image was taken with the 570-megapixel Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera (DECam), mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of NSF NOIRLab. It captures only a portion of the 230 galaxies that so far have been found to make up the Antlia Cluster. DECam’s ultra-deep view showcases the variety of galaxies within and beyond the cluster in incredible detail.

Credit: Dark Energy Survey / DOE / FNAL / DECam / CTIO / NOIRLab / NSF / AURA
Image Processing: R. Colombari & M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab)
Release Date: Jan. 1, 2025

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #GalaxyClusters #AntliaCluster #AbellS636 #Antlia #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #VictorBlancoTelescope #CTIO #CerroTololo #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DECam #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #Infographic #STEM #Education

Dark Energy Camera Captures Glittering Galaxies of The Antlia Cluster: Abell S636

Dark Energy Camera Captures Glittering Galaxies of The Antlia Cluster: Abell S636

Cosmoview Episode 91: The Antlia Cluster (Abell S636) is a group of at least 230 galaxies located about 130 million light-years away in the direction of the constellation Antlia (the Air Pump). It hosts a rich variety of galaxy types, including lenticular galaxies, irregular galaxies and ultra-compact dwarfs. The cluster is dominated by two massive elliptical galaxies—NGC 3268 (center) and NGC 3258 (lower right).

This image was taken with the 570-megapixel Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera (DECam), mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of NSF NOIRLab. It captures only a portion of the 230 galaxies that so far have been found to make up the Antlia Cluster. DECam’s ultra-deep view showcases the variety of galaxies within and beyond the cluster in incredible detail.

Credit:
Images and Videos: Dark Energy Survey/DOE/FNAL/DECam/CTIO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/T. Slovinský/R. Colombari & M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab)/N. Bartmann (NSF NOIRLab)
Duration: 1 minute, 39 seconds

Release Date: Jan. 1, 2025

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #GalaxyClusters #AntliaCluster #AbellS636 #Antlia #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #VictorBlancoTelescope #CTIO #CerroTololo #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DECam #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Journey to The Antlia Galaxy Cluster: Abell S636 | NOIRLab

Journey to The Antlia Galaxy Cluster: Abell S636 | NOIRLab

FriendsofNASA.org: Happy New Year! | The Antlia Cluster (Abell S636) is a group of at least 230 galaxies located about 130 million light-years away in the direction of the constellation Antlia (the Air Pump). It hosts a rich variety of galaxy types, including lenticular galaxies, irregular galaxies and ultra-compact dwarfs. The cluster is dominated by two massive elliptical galaxies—NGC 3268 (center) and NGC 3258 (lower right).

The final image was taken with the 570-megapixel Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera (DECam), mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of NSF NOIRLab. It captures only a portion of the 230 of galaxies that so far have been found to make up the Antlia Cluster. DECam’s ultra-deep view showcases the variety of galaxies within and beyond the cluster in incredible detail.

Learn about the Víctor M. Blanco Telescope:
https://noirlab.edu/science/programs/ctio/telescopes/victor-blanco-4m-telescope

Dark Energy Camera (DECam)

https://noirlab.edu/public/programs/ctio/victor-blanco-4m-telescope/decam/

Images and Videos: Dark Energy Survey/DOE/FNAL/DECam/CTIO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/NASA/Digitized Sky Survey 2/D. de Martin & N. Bartmann (NSF NOIRLab)

Duration: 1 minute
Release Date: Jan. 1, 2025

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #GalaxyClusters #AntliaCluster #AbellS636 #Antlia #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #VictorBlancoTelescope #CTIO #CerroTololo #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DECam #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Close-up view of The Antlia Galaxy Cluster: Abell S636 | Victor Blanco Telescope

Close-up view of The Antlia Galaxy Cluster: Abell S636 | Victor Blanco Telescope

FriendsofNASA.org: Happy New Year! | The Antlia Cluster (Abell S636) is a group of at least 230 galaxies located about 130 million light-years away in the direction of the constellation Antlia (the Air Pump). It hosts a rich variety of galaxy types, including lenticular galaxies, irregular galaxies and ultra-compact dwarfs. The cluster is dominated by two massive elliptical galaxies—NGC 3268 (center) and NGC 3258 (lower right).

This image was taken with the 570-megapixel Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera (DECam), mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of NSF NOIRLab. It captures only a portion of the 230 of galaxies that so far have been found to make up the Antlia Cluster. DECam’s ultra-deep view showcases the variety of galaxies within and beyond the cluster in incredible detail.

Learn about the Víctor M. Blanco Telescope:
https://noirlab.edu/science/programs/ctio/telescopes/victor-blanco-4m-telescope

Dark Energy Camera (DECam)

https://noirlab.edu/public/programs/ctio/victor-blanco-4m-telescope/decam/

Credit: Dark Energy Survey/DOE/FNAL/DECam/CTIO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA

Image Processing: R. Colombari & M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab)

Duration: 30 seconds
Release Date: Jan. 1, 2025

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #GalaxyClusters #AntliaCluster #AbellS636 #Antlia #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #VictorBlancoTelescope #CTIO #CerroTololo #Chile #NOIRLab #NSF #DECam #DOE #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

The Antlia Galaxy Cluster: Abell S636 | Victor Blanco Telescope

The Antlia Galaxy Cluster: Abell S636 | Victor Blanco Telescope

FriendsofNASA.org: Happy New Year! | The Antlia Cluster (Abell S636) is a group of at least 230 galaxies located about 130 million light-years away in the direction of the constellation Antlia (the Air Pump). It hosts a rich variety of galaxy types, including lenticular galaxies, irregular galaxies and ultra-compact dwarfs. The cluster is dominated by two massive elliptical galaxies — NGC 3268 (center) and NGC 3258 (lower right).

This image was taken with the 570-megapixel Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera (DECam), mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of NSF NOIRLab. It captures only a portion of the 230 of galaxies that so far have been found to make up the Antlia Cluster. DECam’s ultra-deep view showcases the variety of galaxies within and beyond the cluster in incredible detail.

Learn about the Víctor M. Blanco Telescope:
https://noirlab.edu/science/programs/ctio/telescopes/victor-blanco-4m-telescope

Dark Energy Camera (DECam)

https://noirlab.edu/public/programs/ctio/victor-blanco-4m-telescope/decam/

Credit: Dark Energy Survey/DOE/FNAL/DECam/CTIO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA

Image Processing: R. Colombari & M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab)
Release Date: Jan. 1, 2025

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Ancient Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas at Lake Clifton, Western Australia

Ancient Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas at Lake Clifton, Western Australia

Astrophotographer Trevor Dobson: "This is an 8 shot stack of comet A3 aka Tsuchinshan ATLAS as it sets above Lake Clifton, one hour south of Perth in Western Australia."

"No, this isn't a dry salt lake, the strong wind this night, coupled with the long exposure, created a sheen on the water. It's taken not long after sunset which probably explains the red hues in the sky."

The Oort Cloud comet, called C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, was discovered in 2023, approaching the inner solar system on its highly elliptical orbit for the first time in documented human history. It was identified by observers at China’s Tsuchinshan – or “Purple Mountain” – Observatory and an ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) telescope in South Africa. The comet was officially named in honor of both observatories. ATLAS is funded by NASA's planetary defense office, and developed and operated by the University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy. C/2023 A3 passed perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) at a distance of 0.39 AU (58 million km; 36 million miles) on September 27, 2024. As of Oct. 14, 2024, the comet’s path may take it out of the solar system altogether—it might not be back.

The Oort cloud is theorized to be a vast cloud of icy planetesimals surrounding the Sun at distances ranging from 2,000 to 200,000 AU (0.03 to 3.2 light-years).

Image details: Nikon d810a, 50mm, f/2.2, ISO 4000, 8 x 25 seconds

Image Credit: Trevor Dobson
Image Date: Oct. 23, 2024
Release Date: Dec. 31, 2024

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Planet #Earth #Comets #CometTsuchinshanATLAS #C2023A3 #OortCloud #SolarSystem #Astrophotography #LakeClifton #WesternAustralia #Australia #China #中国 #SouthAfrica #STEM #Education

Shenzhou-19 Crew Sends New Year Greetings | China Space Station

Shenzhou-19 Crew Sends New Year Greetings | China Space Station

The Shenzhou-19 crew members aboard China's orbiting space station on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, sent their New Year greetings, wishing for more remarkable achievements for the country's crewed space program in 2025.

On Tuesday, the last day of 2024, Chinese astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze remained busy and completed the retrieval of extravehicular experiment payloads.

The three astronauts also sent their New Year greetings from the Tiangong space station.

"Hello everyone, I am astronaut Cai Xuzhe. Today is the last day of 2024, and I hope that all of you can join me, full of energy, forge ahead courageously, and running into the year of 2025. Let's go," Cai said.

"I am astronaut Song Lingdong. Recently, we have been conducting experiments on musculoskeletal loading using the equipment cabinet in human systems research. We are also using advanced equipment such as ultrasound equipment and instrument for counteracting bone loss to carry out in-orbit weightlessness protection. As the new year is just around the corner, I wish for our space laboratory to achieve fruitful results and for everyone to have a bumper harvest and an endless good fortune," Song said.

"I am astronaut Wang Haoze, and I will introduce our new friend Xiaohang to everyone. Xiaohang, up a little, Xiaohang, down a little, Xiaohang, take a photo. In the future, Xiaohang will be upgraded to perform tasks such as cabin inspection, inventory management, product status checks, and question answering, becoming our smart assistant. Finally, together with Xiaohang, I wish everyone a happy New Year," Wang said.

As the new year arrives, the astronauts have also captured the first light of dawn in 2025 in the space station.

The Shenzhou-19 crew has been in orbit for two months. In 2025, the crew will continue to routinely conduct space science and application experiments and tests, as well as extravehicular activities.

"Let us look forward to more remarkable achievements in China's crewed space program in 2025. May you all come true in the New Year, fireworks to the stars," said the three astronauts.

"Daring to lead at the forefront of the tide and striving with oars raised to sail towards excellence, the China Astronaut Research and Training Center wishes all the people across the country a Happy New Year," said the staff of the center.

Shenzhou-19 Crew:

Commander Cai Xuzhe (蔡旭哲)

Mission Specialist Wang Haoze (王浩泽)

Mission Specialist Song Lingdong (宋令东)

Video Credit: CCTV
Duration: 2 minutes, 49 seconds
Release Date: Jan. 1, 2025

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