A Comet's Landscape | European Space Agency

On September 30, 2016, ESA’s Rosetta spacecraft came closer than ever to the target it had studied from afar for more than two years, concluding its mission with a controlled impact onto the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P/C-G).

This second comet landing followed the pioneering endeavor of Rosetta’s lander, Philae, which became the first probe to successfully touch down on a comet on November 12, 2014.

With a suite of 11 scientific instruments on board, Rosetta collected an impressive amount of images and other data at this now iconic comet, scanning its surface, probing its interior, scrutinizing the gas and dust in its surroundings, and exploring its plasma environment. Scientists have been using these measurements to advance our understanding of comets as well as of the history of our Solar System.

This image shows a portion of 67P/C-G as viewed by Rosetta on September 22, 2014, only one and a half months after the spacecraft had made its rendezvous with the comet. At the time, the spacecraft was 28.2 km from the comet center (around 26.2 km from the surface). Amateur astronomer Jacint Roger Perez, from Spain, selected and processed this view by combining three images taken in different wavelengths by the OSIRIS narrow-angle camera on Rosetta.

Seen in the center and left of the frame is Seth, one of the geological regions on the larger of the two comet lobes, which declines towards the smoother Hapi region on the comet’s ‘neck’ that connects the two lobes. The landscape in the background reveals hints of the Babi and Aker regions, both located on the large lobe of 67P/C-G. For a wider image of this region in the overall context of the comet see here.

The sharp profile in the lower part of the image shows the Aswan cliff, a 134 m-high scarp separating the Seth and Hapi regions. Observations performed by Rosetta not long before the comet’s perihelion, which took place on 13 August 2015, revealed that a chunk of this cliff had collapsed—a consequence of increased activity as the comet drew closer to the Sun along its orbit.

Credit: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA; J. Roger – CC BY 4.0
Release Date: October 1, 2018
#ESA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Comet #Comet67P #Philae #Lander #Rosetta #Spacecraft #OSIRIS #Churyumov #Gerasimenko #DLR #Germany #Deutschland #Europe #SolarSystem #Exploration #STEM #Education

Celestial fairy lights | Hubble

This glittering ball of stars is the globular cluster NGC 1898, which lies towards the center of the Large Magellanic Cloud—one of our closest cosmic neighbors. The Large Magellanic Cloud is a dwarf galaxy that hosts an extremely rich population of star clusters, making it an ideal laboratory for investigating star formation.

Discovered in November 1834 by British astronomer John Herschel, NGC 1898 has been scrutinized numerous times by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. Today we know that globular clusters belong to the oldest known objects in the Universe and that they are relics of the first epochs of galaxy formation. While we already have a pretty good picture on the globular clusters of the Milky Way—still with many unanswered questions—our studies on globular clusters in nearby dwarf galaxies just started. The observations of NGC 1898 will help to determine if their properties are similar to the ones found in the Milky Way, or if they have different features, due to being in a different cosmic environment.

This image was taken by Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) and Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3). The WFC3 observes light ranging from near-infrared to near-ultraviolet wavelengths, while the ACS explores the near-infrared to the ultraviolet.

Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA
Release Date: October 1, 2018

#NASA #Hubble #Astronomy #Space #GlobularCluster #Stars #Cluster #NGC1898 #LMC #LargeMagellanicCloud #Cosmos #Universe #ESA #Goddard #GSFC #STScI #STEM #Education

Japan's Kounotori 7 Captured | International Space Station

U.S. Astronaut Drew Feustel: "Last Thursday I captured Japan’s HTV-7 resupply vehicle using the Canadarm2 robotic arm with the support of Serena Auñón-Chancellor. This cargo vehicle delivered much needed science and supplies to the International Space Station. Great teamwork with our International partners!"

Credit: A.J. (Drew) Feustel
Release Date: September 27, 2018

#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #Earth #JAXA #Kounotori #Kounotori7 #HTV7 #Resupply #Cargo #Japan #日本 #Canadarm2 #Robotics #CSA #Canada #Astronaut #DrewFeustel #UnitedStates #Expedition56 #Human #Spaceflight #Spacecraft #Photography #STEM #Education #International #OrbitalPerspective #OverviewEffect

NASA's Kennedy Spaceport Magazine: September 2018

Read KSC's September 2018 Spaceport Magazine (Free 21-Page PDF)
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/spaceport-magazine.html
Direct Download:
https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/spm_september2018_web.pdf
Spaceport Magazine has you covered!
In this September 2018 issue:
· Mobile launcher moves toward Exploration Mission-1
· NASA’s Parker Solar Probe begins journey to the Sun
· NASA Administrator meets Kennedy employees
· Flight tests to prove commercial systems fit for human
spaceflight
· NASA, SpaceX agree on plans for crew launch day
operations
· Heat shield install brings Orion closer to space
· Successful test proves important step toward safeguarding
astronauts
· Orion pressure vessel for Exploration Mission-2 arrives
· NASA research supported by new program at Kennedy
Space Center Visitor Complex
· First-time event sparks wide range of innovation
· First Nations launch winners briefed on aerospace careers

Spaceport Magazine is a monthly NASA publication that serves Kennedy Space Center employees and the American public. The magazine’s wide topic variety mirrors Kennedy's diverse spaceport operations. From launch processing to center development and employee stories, Spaceport Magazine covers it all.

Credit: NASA/Kennedy Space Center (KSC)
Release Date: September 2018

#NASA #KSC #Space #Science #Astronomy #SLS #Orion #EM1 #MobileLauncher #Earth #Moon #ISS #SpaceX #CrewDragon #Falcon #Rocket #ParkerSolarProbe #Astronauts #Kennedy #Spaceport #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #Magazine #PDF

Inside NASA's Kennedy Space Center! | Week of Sept. 28, 2018

The first science observations from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or TESS, are providing valuable data to help NASA scientists discover and study exoplanets—planets beyond our solar system. Children around the world, from ages four to 12, have an opportunity to contribute to NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Winning artwork from a contest that runs through Oct. 17 will be used to create a 2019 calendar with different space themes for each month.

To learn more, go to: https://www.nasa.gov/tess

Credit: NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC)
Duration: 1 minute, 38 seconds
Release Date: September 28, 2018

#NASA #Space #Satellite #Science #Stars #Transit #Planets #Exoplanets #TESS #Spacecraft #Astrophysics #Cosmos #Universe #ISS #CommercialCrew #Human #Spaceflight #Kennedy #KSC #Spaceport #CapeCanaveral #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Ariane 5 Liftoff Posters | Arianespace

Congratulations on 100th Launch!

Flight VA243. Horizons 3e and Azerspace-2/Intelsat 38

Credit: Arianespace
Image Date: September 25, 2018

#Arianespace #Space #Satellite #Ariane5 #Rocket #Launch #Telecommunications #Horizons3e #Intelsat #Intelsat38 #Azerspace2 #Flight #VA243 #Commercial #Boeing #SSL #Europe #Spaceport #Kourou #FrenchGuiana #GuianaSpaceCenter #SouthAmerica #ESA #CNES #STEM #Education

Ariane 5 Rocket: 100th Launch

Ariane 5 V243 ascends from the European Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch zone on its 100th flight, carrying a dual payload of the Horizons 3e and Azerspace-2/Intelsat 38 telecommunications satellites, September 25, 2018.

This was Arianespace’s sixth mission of the year, as well as the 100th mission by the Ariane 5 heavy launcher. In 22 years of operations, Ariane 5 has orbited a total of 207 satellites.

Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace
Image Date: September 25, 2018
Release Date: September 28, 2018

#Arianespace #Space #Satellite #Ariane5 #Rocket #Launch #Telecommunications #Horizons3e #Intelsat #Intelsat38 #Azerspace2 #Flight #VA243 #Commercial #Boeing #SSL #Europe #Spaceport #Kourou #FrenchGuiana #GuianaSpaceCenter #SouthAmerica #ESA #CNES #STEM #Education

Opportunity Spotted as Mars Dust Settles | This Week @NASA

Week of Sept. 28, 2018 | A dusty Opportunity rover spotted on Mars, hot firing the rocket engine that will power us to deep space, and a visit with our newest class of astronaut candidates . . . a few of the stories to tell you about—This Week at NASA!


Credit: NASA
Duration: 3 minutes, 25 seconds
Release Date: September 28, 2018

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Planet #Mars #Opportunity #Rover #DustStorm #SLS #Rocket #DeepSpace #Orion #Astronauts #Astronaut #Candidates #ISS #JPL #UnitedStates #SolarSystem #STEM #Education #HD #Video

NASA's Space to Ground: Japan's Kounotori 7 | Week of Sept. 28, 2018

Week of Sept. 28, 2018 | Ground controllers successfully installed the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Kounotori 7 H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV-7) to the International Space Station’s Earth-facing port of the Harmony module at 10:09 a.m. EDT, Sept. 27, 2018.

The spacecraft’s arrival supports the crew members’ research off the Earth to benefit the Earth. The cargo spacecraft began its trip on an H-IIB rocket at 1:52 p.m. EDT (2:52 a.m. Japan time) on Saturday, Sat. 22 from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan.

The early Thursday morning cargo delivery includes more than five tons of supplies, water, spare parts and experiments for the crew aboard the International Space Station. The spacecraft also is carrying a half dozen new lithium-ion batteries to continue upgrades to the station’s power system.

NASA's Space to Ground is your weekly update on what's happening aboard the International Space Station.

Credit: NASA/JSC
Duration: 3 minutes, 5 seconds
Release Date: September 28, 2018

#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #Earth #JAXA #Kounotori #Kounotori7 #HTV7 #Resupply #Cargo #Spacecraft #EVA #Spacewalk #Astronauts #Expedition56 #Human #Spaceflight #Spacecraft #JSC #Houston #Texas #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Tonight's Sky: October 2018 | HubbleSite

This October, look for Pegasus, the great winged horse of Greek mythology, prancing across the autumn night sky. Binoculars and small telescopes will reveal the glowing nucleus and spiral arms of the Andromeda Galaxy, and the Orionid meteor shower peaks on the night of October 21.

“Tonight’s Sky” is produced by HubbleSite.org, online home of the Hubble Space Telescope.

Credit: HubbleSite.org
Duration: 4 minutes, 33 seconds
Release Date: September 26, 2018

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #Planets #Mars #Saturn #SolarSystem #Orionid #MeteorShower #Meteors #Constellations #Stars #Andromeda #Galaxy #Skywatching #STEM #Education #UnitedStates #Canada #NorthernHemisphere #HD #Video

New Zealand | International Space Station

U.S. Astronaut Ricky Arnold: "The early morning sun illuminates Cook Strait between the North and South Islands of New Zealand."

Cook Strait (Māori: Te Moana-o-Raukawa) lies between the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It connects the Tasman Sea on the northwest with the South Pacific Ocean on the southeast, and runs next to the capital city, Wellington. It is 22 kilometers (14 mi) wide at its narrowest point, and is considered one of the most dangerous and unpredictable waters in the world.

The strait is named after James Cook, the first European commander to sail through it, in 1770. In Māori it has the name Raukawa or Te Moana-o-Raukawa. Raukawa may mean "bitter leaves".
(Source: Wikipedia)

Credit: NASA Astronaut Ricky Arnold/JSC
Release Date: September 27, 2018


#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #Earth #NewZealand #CookStrait #NorthIsland #SouthIsland #Pacific #Ocean #TasmanSea #Astronaut #RickyArnold #UnitedStates #Expedition56 #Human #Spaceflight #Spacecraft #Photography #STEM #Education #OrbitalPerspective #OverviewEffect

Super Typhoon Trami | International Space Station

ESA Astronaut Alexander Gerst: "As if somebody pulled the planet's gigantic plug. Staring down the eye of yet another fierce storm. Category 5 Super Typhoon Trami is unstoppable and heading for Japan and Taiwan. Be safe down there!"

Supertaifun Trami
"Als ob jemand einen gigantischen Stöpsel aus der Erde gezogen hätte. Blick ins Auge eines weiteren wütenden Sturms. Kategorie 5 Supertaifun Trami ist unhaltbar auf dem Weg nach Japan und Taiwan. Passt auf euch auf da unten!"

Follow Alexander and his Horizons mission:
http://bit.ly/AlexanderGerstESA and on http://bit.ly/HorizonsBlogESA

Credit: ESA/NASA-A.Gerst
Image Date: September 25, 2018

#NASA #ESA #Space #ISS #Science #Earth #Planet #Atmosphere #Weather #Meteorology #SuperTyphoon #Typhoon #Trami #Ryukyu #Islands #琉球諸島 #Japan #日本 #Taiwan #中華民國 #中国 #Pacific #Ocean #AlexanderGerst #Horizons #Europe #Germany #Deutschland #DLR #Expedition56 #Human #Spaceflight #Spacecraft #Photography #STEM #Education #OrbitalPerspective #OverviewEffect

Super Typhoon Trami | NASA Earth

Sept. 25, 2018: In September 2018, Super Typhoon Trami barreled across the Western Pacific basin, visible east of Taiwan in this nighttime image. The image was acquired at 1:45 a.m. local time on September 25, 2018 (17:45 UTC on September 24), with the “day-night band” (DNB) on the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the Suomi NPP satellite. The DNB sensor detects dim light signals such as auroras, airglow, and city lights. In this case, a nearly full Moon lit the tops of the clouds. At the time, Trami was the equivalent of a category 5 storm with sustained winds of 260 kilometers (160 miles) per hour.

According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, forecasts called for the storm to curve north and then northeast toward Japan by the end of the week.

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory image by Kathryn Hansen, using VIIRS day-night band data from the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership
Caption Credit: Kathryn Hansen
Image Date: September 25, 2018
#NASA #NOAA #Earth #Space #Satellite #Planet #Atmosphere #Weather #Meteorology #SuperTyphoon #Typhoon #Trami #Night #Ryukyu #Islands #琉球諸島 #Japan #日本 #Taiwan #中華民國 #中国 #Pacific #Ocean #SuomiNPP #VIIRS #Infographic #STEM #Education

Super Typhoon Trami, Western Pacific | NOAA

Less than ten days after Super Typhoon Mangkhut battered the Philippines and southern China, another powerful tropical cyclone is churning through the western Pacific Ocean.

Super Typhoon Trami, seen here from the NOAA-20 polar orbiting satellite at 12:23 a.m. EDT September 24, could threaten parts of Taiwan and Japan's Ryukyu Islands later this week. About eight hours after NOAA-20 captured this image of the storm, Trami's one-minute sustained winds had reached 150 mph —the threshold at which the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center considers a tropical cyclone to have achieved "super typhoon" status.

Trami first developed as a tropical storm on September 21, but quickly strengthened as it moved across the warm waters of the Philippine Sea. Over a 24-hour period ending September 23, Trami had morphed from a tropical storm with 65 mph winds to a dangerous Category 4 tropical cyclone with winds of 130 mph. Forecasts show Trami's peak winds may reach Category 5 intensity (157 mph or greater) over the next 24 hours as the storm moves west-northwest into the warm waters of the East China Sea.

This image was captured by the NOAA-20 satellite's VIIRS instrument, which scans the entire globe twice daily at a 750-meter resolution. The VIIRS sensor provides high-resolution visible and infrared imagery of Earth's atmosphere, land, and oceans, and helps atmospheric scientists monitor severe weather events such as tropical cyclones (which are commonly referred to as typhoons in the western Pacific and hurricanes in the eastern Pacific and Atlantic Ocean).

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Credit: NOAA
Image Date: September 24, 2018

#NASA #NOAA #Earth #Space #Satellite #Planet #Atmosphere #Weather #Meteorology #SuperTyphoon #Typhoon #Trami #Ryukyu #Islands #琉球諸島 #Japan #日本 #Taiwan #中華民國 #中国 #Pacific #Ocean #NOAA20 #VIIRS #STEM #Education

Super Typhoon Trami, Pacific Ocean | Eumetsat

Composite image of category 5 super-Typhoon Trami, approaching Japan, from 06:00 UTC on Wednesday, September 25, 2018. The storm is packing winds of 155 mph as it tracks toward Japan's Ryukyu Islands.

Updates and advisories on this storm can be found on the Global Disaster Alerting Coordination System (GDACS) website:
http://www.gdacs.org

Infrared data from the geostationary satellites of EUMETSAT, JMA and NOAA overlays a computer-generated model of the Earth, containing NASA's Blue Marble Next Generation imagery.

Credit: EUMETSAT - Copyright: 2018
Image Date: September 25, 2018

#NASA #EUMETSAT #Earth #Space #Satellite #Planet #Atmosphere #Weather #Meteorology #SuperTyphoon #Typhoon #Trami #Ryukyu #Islands #琉球諸島 #Japan #日本 #Taiwan #中華民國 #中国 #Pacific #Ocean #Infrared #Europe #JMA #NOAA #BlueMarble #STEM #Education

At Earth's Edge | International Space Station

Credit: U.S. Astronaut Ricky Arnold/NASA/JSC
Release Date: September 21, 2018

#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #Earth #Planet #Atmosphere #Sun #Sunset #Orbit #Astronaut #RickyArnold #UnitedStates #Expedition56 #Human #Spaceflight #Spacecraft #Photography #STEM #Education #OrbitalPerspective #OverviewEffect