NASA Mars Perseverance Rover's View of 'Airey Hill' | JPL

NASA Mars Perseverance Rover's View of 'Airey Hill' | JPL

Captured by the rover’s Mastcam-Z, the images used to create this panorama were acquired on Nov. 3, Nov. 4, and Nov. 6, 2023, the 962nd, 963rd, and 965th Martian day, or sol, of the rover’s mission. 

This is a natural color version.

This is an anaglyph that can be viewed with red-blue 3D glasses.

The journey ahead: A labeled image in the enhanced-color view indicates a possible future track for NASA's Mars Perseverance rover, including its route out of Jezero Crater.

Jezero Crater on Mars formed from an asteroid impact almost 4 billion years ago. After NASA's Perseverance Mars rover landed in February 2021, the mission team discovered the crater floor is made of igneous rock formed from magma underground or from volcanic activity at the surface. They have since found sandstone and mudstone, signaling the arrival of the first river in the crater hundreds of millions of years later. Above these rocks are salt-rich mudstones, signaling the presence of a shallow lake experiencing evaporation. The team thinks the lake eventually grew as wide as 22 miles (35 kilometers) in diameter and as deep as 100 feet (30 meters).

Arizona State University leads the operations of the Mastcam-Z instrument, working in collaboration with Malin Space Science Systems in San Diego, on the design, fabrication, testing, and operation of the cameras, and in collaboration with the Niels Bohr Institute of the University of Copenhagen on the design, fabrication, and testing of the calibration targets.

A key objective for Perseverance’s mission on Mars is astrobiology, including the search for signs of ancient microbial life. The rover will characterize the planet’s geology and past climate, pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet, and be the first mission to collect and cache Martian rock and regolith (broken rock and dust).

Subsequent NASA missions, in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA), would send spacecraft to Mars to collect these sealed samples from the surface and return them to Earth for in-depth analysis.

The Mars 2020 Perseverance mission is part of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration approach, which includes Artemis missions to the Moon that will help prepare for human exploration of the Red Planet.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is managed for the agency by Caltech in Pasadena, California, built and manages operations of the Perseverance rover.

Celebrating 2+ Years on Mars

Mission Name: Mars 2020

Rover Name: Perseverance

Main Job: Seek signs of ancient life and collect samples of rock and regolith (broken rock and soil) for return to Earth.

Mars Helicopter (Ingenuity)

Launch: July 30, 2020    

Landing: Feb. 18, 2021, Jezero Crater, Mars

For more about Perseverance: mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/

Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS

Release Date: Dec. 12, 2023

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Mars #RedPlanet #Planet #Astrobiology #Geology #Mars2020 #PerseveranceRover #JezeroCrater #AireyHill #Panorama #Robotics #SpaceTechnology #Engineering #JPL #Caltech #ASU #UnitedStates #ESA #DLR #STEM #Education

NASA's Perseverance Rover Zooms in on Ancient Mars River | JPL

NASA's Perseverance Rover Zooms in on Ancient Mars River | JPL

After 1,000 Martian days of exploration, NASA’s Perseverance rover is studying rocks that show several eras in the history of a river delta billions of years old. Scientists are investigating this region of Mars, known as Jezero Crater, to see if they can find evidence of ancient life recorded in the rocks. Perseverance project scientist Ken Farley provides a guided tour of a richly detailed panorama of the rover’s location in November 2023, taken by the Mastcam-Z instrument.

Composed of 993 individual images and 2.38 billion pixels, this 360-degree mosaic looks in all directions from a location the rover science team calls “Airey Hill.” Portions of the rover itself are visible in the scene, appearing more distorted toward the edges as a result of the image processing. 

A color enhancement applied to the image increases contrast and accentuates color differences. By approximating what the scene would look like under Earth-like lighting conditions, the adjustment allows mission scientists to use their everyday experience to interpret the landscape. 

The view on Mars would be darker and more reddish. 

Learn more about Perseverance: https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020

Celebrating 2+ Years on Mars

Mission Name: Mars 2020

Rover Name: Perseverance

Main Job: Seek signs of ancient life and collect samples of rock and regolith (broken rock and soil) for return to Earth.

Mars Helicopter (Ingenuity)

Launch: July 30, 2020    

Landing: Feb. 18, 2021, Jezero Crater, Mars

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS; ESA/DLR/FU-Berlin

Duration: 3 minutes

Release Date: Dec. 27, 2023

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Mars #RedPlanet #Planet #Astrobiology #Geology #Mars2020 #PerseveranceRover #JezeroCrater #AncientRiver #Robotics #SpaceTechnology #Engineering #JPL #Caltech #ASU #UnitedStates #ESA #DLR #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Cygnus Cargo Spacecraft Release via Canadarm2 | International Space Station

Cygnus Cargo Spacecraft Release via Canadarm2 | International Space Station

New Views: NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara monitored the Canadarm2 robotic arm release of the Cygnus space freighter on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. Earlier, ground engineers remotely maneuvered the Canadarm2 and detached Cygnus from the Unity module where it had been installed since Aug. 4.

Packed inside Cygnus, along with disposable cargo, is the SAFFIRE-VI experiment that will be remotely activated aboard the spacecraft to explore fire safety. The space freighter from Northrop Grumman will orbit Earth on its own until early January for a safe, but fiery demise above the south Pacific Ocean.

Follow Expedition 70 Updates:

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

Expedition 70 Crew

Station Commander: Andreas Mogensen of the European Space Agency (Denmark)

Roscosmos (Russia): Oleg Kononenko, Nikolai Chub, Konstantin Borisov

JAXA: Flight Engineer Satoshi Furukawa (Japan)

NASA: Jasmin Moghbeli, Loral O'Hara (USA)

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. The ISS has been the most politically complex space exploration program ever undertaken.

Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC)

Image Dates: Dec. 22, 2023

#NASA #Space #Earth #Science #ISS #NorthropGrumman #CygnusSpacecraft #CRS19 #Astronaut #LoralOHara #Cosmonauts #Russia #Россия #Роскосмос #HumanSpaceflight #JAXA #Japan #日本 #UnitedStates #MicrogravityResearch #SpaceResearch #SpaceLaboratory #Expedition70 #STEM #Education

The Last Full Moon of 2023 | International Space Station

The Last Full Moon of 2023 | International Space Station

The last full moon of 2023, the "Cold Moon," sits just above the blue glow of Earth's horizon as the International Space Station orbited nearly 270 miles over the Pacific Ocean.

Follow Expedition 70 Updates:

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

Expedition 70 Crew

Station Commander: Andreas Mogensen of the European Space Agency (Denmark)

Roscosmos (Russia): Oleg Kononenko, Nikolai Chub, Konstantin Borisov

JAXA: Flight Engineer Satoshi Furukawa (Japan)

NASA: Jasmin Moghbeli, Loral O'Hara (USA)

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. The ISS has been the most politically complex space exploration program ever undertaken.

Learn more about the important research being operated on Station:

https://www.nasa.gov/iss-science 

For more information about STEM on Station:

https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation

Image Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC)

Image Date: Dec. 26, 2023

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #ISS #ISS25 #Moon #FullMoon #ArtemisProgram #Earth #Asia #PacificOcean #Astronauts #LoralOHara #JasminMoghbeli #UnitedStates #AndreasMogensen #Europe #SatoshiFurukawa #JAXA #Japan #日本 #Cosmonauts #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #HumanSpaceflight #Expedition70 #STEM #Education

NASA in 2024: Onward & Upward

NASA in 2024: Onward & Upward

Landing science on the Moon, demonstrating quiet supersonic aircraft, and launching two new Earth climate satellites, plus a mission to Europa, one of Jupiter's icy moons, are just a FEW of the milestones we have planned for 2024.

To learn more about the missions mentioned in this video, take a deep dive into these links:

[0:24] Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS): https://www.nasa.gov/commercial-lunar-payload-services/

[0:33] VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover): https://science.nasa.gov/mission/viper/

[0:38] PRIME-1 (Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1): https://www.nasa.gov/polar-resources-ice-mining-experiment-1/

[0:41]Artemis missions to the Moon: https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/

[0:50] 3D Versions of human organs called Tissue Chips used for groundbreaking science: https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/biological-physical-sciences/chipping-away-at-personalized-medicine/

[0:54] Artemis III spacesuits provided by Axiom Space: https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/spacesuit-for-nasas-artemis-iii-moon-surface-mission-debuts/

[1:05] Human Landing Systems (HLS) development: https://www.nasa.gov/reference/human-landing-systems/

[1:08] Gateway, humanity’s first lunar space station: https://www.nasa.gov/mission/gateway/ 

[1:11] Lunar Terrain Vehicles to explore the lunar South Pole: https://www.nasa.gov/extravehicular-activity-and-human-surface-mobility/lunar-terrain-vehicle/

[1:13] International Space Station (ISS) science: https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/space-station-research-and-technology/

[1:19] NASA’s Commercial Crew Program: https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/commercial-space/commercial-crew-program/

[1:21] Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT) to the ISS: https://www.nasa.gov/mission/boeing-cft/ 

[1:29] NASA-ISRO joint mission to systematically map Earth using synthetic aperture radar (NISAR): https://nisar.jpl.nasa.gov/ 

[1:35] PACE Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem mission: https://pace.gsfc.nasa.gov/ 

[1:38] X-59 Quesst Supersonic Low-boom Aircraft: https://www.nasa.gov/mission/quesst/ 

[1:46] Europa Clipper Launches to Jupiter Moon Europa: https://europa.nasa.gov/ 

[1:58] Total Eclipse across North America: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/

Credit: NASA

Video Producer: Sonnet Apple

Duration: 2 minutes, 32 seconds

Release Date: Dec. 27, 2023

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Earth #ISS #Moon #MoonToMars #Mars #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisI #SLS #Rocket #Orion #EuropaClipper #Spacecraft #ISS #Astronauts #HumanSpaceflight #UnitedStates #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #Aerospace #STEM #Education #HD #Video

One Million Astronomical Objects | European Space Agency

One Million Astronomical Objects | European Space Agency

Embark on a cosmic journey with the European Space Agency as we explore the universe through the lens of ‘One Million’. From the scorching temperatures of the Sun's corona to the cosmic gaze of the NASA/European Space Agency/Canadian Space Agency James Webb Space Telescope— discover the astronomical wonders that surround us. 🚀

Credit: European Space Agency (ESA)

Duration: 4 minutes, 17 seconds

Release Date: Dec. 26, 2023

#NASA #ESA #Astronomy #Space #Science #ISS #Earth #SpaceDebris #Planets #Sun #Stars #Galaxies #Cosmos #Universe #JWST #WebbTelescope #UnfoldTheUniverse #Europe #CSA #Canada #GSFC #STScI #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Recientemente: Un video desde el espacio profundo | NASA

Recientemente: Un video desde el espacio profundo | NASA

Recientemente en la NASA, la versión en español de las cápsulas This Week at NASA, te informa semanalmente de lo que está sucediendo en la NASA. 

Credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Duration: 2 minutes, 48 seconds

Release Date: Dec. 26, 2023

#NASA #Space #NASAenespañol #español #DSOC #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #DeepSpace #Astronauts #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #ReidWiseman #Science #SpaceExploration #HumanSpaceflight #Training #JPL #JSC #UnitedStates #CSA #Canada #STEM #Education #HD #Video

What's a Lunar Crater Radio Telescope? | NASA Space Technology

What's a Lunar Crater Radio Telescope? | NASA Space Technology

Imagine a giant telescope secluded on the surface on the far side of the Moon. This is the idea behind the Lunar Crater Radio Telescope (LCRT), a visionary project from NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts program. Deployed by cliff-climbing robots, the LCRT would be isolated from Earth-based radio interference, giving us an unparalleled view of the universe. The LCRT would be able to detect radio waves from the cosmic Dark Ages, a period before the first stars formed. With the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the universe, the Lunar Crater Radio Telescope would be a game-changer in space exploration.

NASA 360 takes a look at the NASA Innovative Advanced Concept (NIAC) called the Lunar Crater Radio Telescope (LCRT), a bold idea that could revolutionize our understanding of the universe. 

To learn more about the Lunar Crater Radio Telescope, visit: https://go.nasa.gov/3GYult1

To watch the in-depth presentation about this topic, please visit the 2022 NIAC Symposium Livestream site: https://livestream.com/viewnow/niac2022/videos/232995243 (LCRT talk begins at 4:38:30)

To learn more about NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts program visit: https://www.nasa.gov/niac

This video represents a research study within the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program. NIAC is a visionary and far-reaching aerospace program, one that has the potential to create breakthrough technologies for possible future space missions. However, such early stage technology developments may never become actual NASA missions. NIAC projects study innovative, technically credible, advanced concepts to turn science fiction to science fact.

For more information about NIAC: https://www.nasa.gov/NIAC

Apply to NIAC link: 

https://www.nasa.gov/content/apply-to-niac

Video Credit: NASA Space Tech

Duration: 2 minutes

Release Date: Dec. 26, 2023

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Earth #RadioInterference #Moon #FarSide #MoonCrater #RadioTelescope #LCRT #Stars #Galaxies #Universe #Engineering #SpaceTechnology #SpaceResearch #Robotics #NIAC #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Webb Telescope Year in Review 2023 & Launch Anniversary

Webb Telescope Year in Review 2023 & Launch Anniversary

It has been two years since the James Webb Space Telescope launched into space, giving us a last glimpse of the observatory as it started its journey to Langrage point 2, a million miles away.

From its orbit, Webb has observed the infrared universe in new and fascinating ways. Just take a look at the headlines from 2023!

Credit: Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)

Duration: 1 minute, 10 seconds

Release Date: Dec. 25, 2023

#NASA #ESA #Astronomy #Space #Science #JWST #Planets #Stars #StarClusters #Galaxies #JamesWebb #WebbTelescope #UnfoldTheUniverse #Europe #CSA #Canada #GSFC #STScI #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Panning Across A Holiday Collection of Spiral Galaxies | Hubble

Panning Across A Holiday Collection of Spiral Galaxies | Hubble

This Hubble holiday image features a richness of spiral galaxies: the large, prominent spiral galaxy on the right side of the image is NGC 1356; the two apparently smaller spiral galaxies flanking it are LEDA 467699 (above it) and LEDA 95415 (very close at its left) respectively; and finally, IC 1947 sits along the left side of the image. 

This image is a really interesting example of how challenging it can be to tell whether two galaxies are actually close together, or just seem to be from our perspective here on Earth. A quick glance at this image would likely lead you to think that NGC 1356, LEDA 467699 and LEDA 95415 were all close companions, while IC 1947 was more remote. However, we have to remember that two-dimensional images, such as this one, only give an indication of angular separation—how objects are spread across the sphere of the night sky. What they cannot represent is the distance objects are from Earth.

For instance, while NGC 1356 and LEDA 95415 appear to be so close that they must surely be interacting, the former is about 550 million light-years from Earth and the latter is roughly 840 million light-years away, so there is nearly a whopping 300 million light-year separation between them. This also means that LEDA 95415 is likely nowhere near as much smaller than NGC 1356 as it appears to be.

On the other hand, while NGC 1356 and IC 1947 seem to be separated by a relative gulf in this image, IC 1947 is only about 500 million light-years from Earth. The angular distance apparent between them in this image only works out to less than four hundred thousand light-years. Thus, they are actually much much closer neighbors in three-dimensional space than NGC 1356 and LEDA 95415!

Image Description: A collection of galaxies. On the left side a large spiral galaxy with swirling, twisted arms is flanked by a smaller, but still detailed, spiral behind its arm on the left, and a smaller spiral above it. On the right side is a fourth, round spiral galaxy seen face-on. Between them lies a single bright star. Several stars and distant galaxies dot the background.

Credit: European Space Agency/Hubble & NASA, J. Dalcanton, Dark Energy Survey/DOE/FNAL/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA

Acknowledgement: L. Shatz

Duration: 30 seconds

Release Date: Dec. 25, 2023

#NASA #Hubble #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #LEDA467699 #LEDA95415 #IC1947 #NGC1356 #Galaxy #SpiralGalaxies #ApparentDistance #Horologium #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #HST #HubbleSpaceTelescope #ESA #Europe #GSFC #STScI #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

A Holiday Collection of Spiral Galaxies: "It’s All Relative" | Hubble

A Holiday Collection of Spiral Galaxies: "It’s All Relative" | Hubble

This Hubble holiday image features a richness of spiral galaxies: the large, prominent spiral galaxy on the right side of the image is NGC 1356; the two apparently smaller spiral galaxies flanking it are LEDA 467699 (above it) and LEDA 95415 (very close at its left) respectively; and finally, IC 1947 sits along the left side of the image. 

This image is a really interesting example of how challenging it can be to tell whether two galaxies are actually close together, or just seem to be from our perspective here on Earth. A quick glance at this image would likely lead you to think that NGC 1356, LEDA 467699 and LEDA 95415 were all close companions, while IC 1947 was more remote. However, we have to remember that two-dimensional images, such as this one, only give an indication of angular separation—how objects are spread across the sphere of the night sky. What they cannot represent is the distance objects are from Earth.

For instance, while NGC 1356 and LEDA 95415 appear to be so close that they must surely be interacting, the former is about 550 million light-years from Earth and the latter is roughly 840 million light-years away, so there is nearly a whopping 300 million light-year separation between them. This also means that LEDA 95415 is likely nowhere near as much smaller than NGC 1356 as it appears to be.

On the other hand, while NGC 1356 and IC 1947 seem to be separated by a relative gulf in this image, IC 1947 is only about 500 million light-years from Earth. The angular distance apparent between them in this image only works out to less than four hundred thousand light-years. Thus, they are actually much much closer neighbors in three-dimensional space than NGC 1356 and LEDA 95415!

Image Description: A collection of galaxies. On the left side a large spiral galaxy with swirling, twisted arms is flanked by a smaller, but still detailed, spiral behind its arm on the left, and a smaller spiral above it. On the right side is a fourth, round spiral galaxy seen face-on. Between them lies a single bright star. Several stars and distant galaxies dot the background.

Credit: European Space Agency/Hubble & NASA, J. Dalcanton, Dark Energy Survey/DOE/FNAL/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA

Acknowledgement: L. Shatz

Release Date: Dec. 25, 2023

#NASA #Hubble #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #LEDA467699 #LEDA95415 #IC1947 #NGC1356 #Galaxy #SpiralGalaxies #ApparentDistance #Horologium #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #HST #HubbleSpaceTelescope #ESA #Europe #GSFC #STScI #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Merry Christmas from The Expedition 70 Crew! | International Space Station

Merry Christmas from The Expedition 70 Crew! | International Space Station

Merry Christmas from FriendsofNASA.org! | Aboard the International Space Station, NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara along with European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Andreas Mogensen of Denmark and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa celebrate the holidays.

Astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli: "While I especially miss my friends and family back home this time of year, I wouldn’t trade the unique memories I’m making with my space family. We have found little ways to make the holidays feel like the holidays up here. Later today, we will all share a holiday meal and decorate cookies together."

Follow Expedition 70 Updates:

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

Expedition 70 Crew

Station Commander: Andreas Mogensen of the European Space Agency (Denmark)

Roscosmos (Russia): Oleg Kononenko, Nikolai Chub, Konstantin Borisov

JAXA: Flight Engineer Satoshi Furukawa (Japan)

NASA: Jasmin Moghbeli, Loral O'Hara (USA)

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. The ISS has been the most politically complex space exploration program ever undertaken.

Learn more about the important research being operated on Station:

https://www.nasa.gov/iss-science 

For more information about STEM on Station:

https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation

Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC)

Release Date: Dec. 25, 2023

#NASA #Space #ISS #ISS2023 #Science #Astronauts #LoralOHara #JasminMoghbeli #UnitedStates #AndreasMogensen #Denmark #Danmark #Europe #SatoshiFurukawa #JAXA #Japan #日本 #Cosmonauts #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #HumanSpaceflight #Expedition70 #STEM #Education

Season's Greetings from Our Neighbors: The Andromeda Galaxy ("We Wish!")

Season's Greetings from Our Neighbors: The Andromeda Galaxy ("We Wish!")

The Andromeda Galaxy, also known as Messier 31 or M31, is the closest spiral galaxy to our own Milky Way. Located 2.3 million light years away, one can easily find this in the Andromeda constellation with their naked eye on clear moonless nights.

Historically speaking this galaxy is first mentioned by the Persian astronomer Al Sufi in the year 905 A.D. and can be found on star charts dating back before the invention of the telescope. On clear moonless nights away from city lights and with a pair of quality binoculars this object can be traced out to an angular size of 4 degrees. To give you a comparison the full moon has an angular size of just 1/2 a degree.

This image was taken as part of Advanced Observing Program (AOP) program at Kitt Peak Visitor Center.

Credit: KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/Adam Block

Release Date: Feb. 19, 2014

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #Galaxy #AndromedaGalaxy #M31 #Messier31 #SpiralGalaxy #Andromeda #Constellation #SETI #Cosmos #Universe #NOIRLab #AURA #NSF #Astrophotographer #AdamBlock #KPNO #Arizona #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

NOIRLab's 2023 Holiday Card!

NOIRLab's 2023 Holiday Card!

Merry Christmas from FriendsofNASA.org!

Happy Holidays, Felices Fiestas, and Mele Kalikimaka and Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou!

We at the National Science Foundation's NOIRLab would like to wish you the best this holiday season, and a peaceful and successful 2024!

Through its five programs—Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), the Community Science and Data Center (CSDC), the International Gemini Observatory, Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) and  Vera C. Rubin Observatory once operational—NOIRLab supports scientific programs. The lab’s infrastructure enables the astronomy community to advance humanity’s understanding of the Universe by exploring significant areas of astrophysics, including dark energy and dark matter, galaxies and quasars, the Milky Way, exoplanets, and small bodies in our own Solar System.

The background image is the nebula LBN 867, known as the Raspberry Nebula, located in the constellation Orion. It was captured by the Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope using the Mosaic-3 detector at Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), a Program of NSF’s NOIRLab.

The Nicholas U. Mayall Telescope is a four-meter (158 inches) reflector telescope in Arizona named after the American observational astronomer of the same name. The telescope saw first light on February 27, 1973, and was the second-largest in the world at that time.

Video Credit: 

Background image: KPNO/NOIRLab/NSD/T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF’s NOIRLab)

Duration: 16 seconds

Release Date: Dec. 14, 2023

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Nebula #LBN867 #RaspberryNebula #EmissionNebula #Star #HD34989 #ReflectionNebula #vdB38 #Orion #Constellation #Universe #CTIO #Telescope #NOIRLab #AURA #NSF #MayallTelescope #KPNO #Arizona #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Happy Holidays from NOIRLab!

Happy Holidays from NOIRLab!

Merry Christmas from FriendsofNASA.org!

Happy Holidays, Felices Fiestas, and Mele Kalikimaka and Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou!

We at the National Science Foundation's NOIRLab would like to wish you the best this holiday season, and a peaceful and successful 2024!

Through its five programs—Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), the Community Science and Data Center (CSDC), the International Gemini Observatory, Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) and  Vera C. Rubin Observatory once operational—NOIRLab supports scientific programs. The lab’s infrastructure enables the astronomy community to advance humanity’s understanding of the Universe by exploring significant areas of astrophysics, including dark energy and dark matter, galaxies and quasars, the Milky Way, exoplanets, and small bodies in our own Solar System.

The background image is the nebula LBN 867, known as the Raspberry Nebula, located in the constellation Orion. It was captured by the Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope using the Mosaic-3 detector at Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), a Program of NSF’s NOIRLab.

The Nicholas U. Mayall Telescope is a four-meter (158 inches) reflector telescope in Arizona named after the American observational astronomer of the same name. The telescope saw first light on February 27, 1973, and was the second-largest in the world at that time.

Credit: 

Background image: KPNO/NOIRLab/NSD/T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF’s NOIRLab)

Release Date: Dec. 6, 2023

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Nebula #LBN867 #RaspberryNebula #EmissionNebula #Star #HD34989 #ReflectionNebula #vdB38 #Orion #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #CTIO #Telescope #NOIRLab #AURA #NSF #MayallTelescope #KPNO #Arizona #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Send Names to Jupiter's Moon Europa This Holiday! | NASA Europa Clipper

Send Names to Jupiter's Moon Europa This Holiday! | NASA Europa Clipper

Know a space lover in your family? Get them an out-of-this-world gift! It's not too late! Sign up to send their name to Jupiter’s icy ocean moon Europa aboard NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft. 

Give the ultimate gift: https://go.nasa.gov/MessageInABottle

🚨But move fast, the deadline is Dec. 31, 2023!🚨 

Time is running out! You have less than a week left!

NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft—set to launch in October 2024—is designed to seek out conditions suitable for life on an ice-covered moon of Jupiter. 

Scientists are confident that Jupiter's moon Europa harbors an internal ocean with twice the amount of water in Earth’s oceans combined. It may currently have conditions suitable for supporting life. Europa Clipper will orbit Jupiter and conduct multiple close flybys of Europa to gather data on the moon’s atmosphere, surface, and interior. Its sophisticated payload will investigate everything from the depth and salinity of the ocean to the thickness of the ice crust to the characteristics of potential plumes that may be venting subsurface water into space.

Missions such as Europa Clipper contribute to the field of astrobiology, the interdisciplinary research on the variables and conditions of distant worlds that could harbor life as we know it. While Europa Clipper is not a life-detection mission, it will conduct detailed reconnaissance of Europa and investigate whether the icy moon, with its subsurface ocean, has the capability to support life. Understanding Europa’s habitability will help scientists better understand how life developed on Earth and the potential for finding life beyond our planet.

Europa Clipper’s main science goal is to determine whether there are places below Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa, that could support life. The mission’s three main science objectives are to determine the thickness of the moon’s icy shell and its surface interactions with the ocean below, to investigate its composition, and to characterize its geology. The mission’s detailed exploration of Europa will help scientists better understand the astrobiological potential for habitable worlds beyond our planet.”

More information about Europa can be found here:

europa.nasa.gov

Image Credit: NASA/Goddard

Release Date: Dec. 21, 2023

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