Rotating The Moon | NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

Rotating The Moon | NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

No one, presently, sees the Moon rotate like this. This is because the Earth's moon is tidally locked to the Earth, showing us only one side. Given modern digital technology, however, combined with many detailed images returned by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), a high resolution virtual Moon rotation movie has been composed. The featured time-lapse video starts with the standard Earth view—the near side of the Moon. Quickly, though, Mare Orientale, a large crater with a dark center that is difficult to see from the Earth, rotates into view just below the equator. 

From an entire lunar month condensed into 24 seconds, the video clearly shows that the Earth side of the Moon contains an abundance of dark lunar maria, while the lunar far side is dominated by bright lunar highlands. Currently, over 32 new missions to the Moon are under active development from multiple countries and companies, including NASA's Artemis program. They aim to land people on the Moon again within the next few years.

This year, NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) celebrates its 15th anniversary orbiting the Moon (2009-2024). This mission has given scientists the largest volume of data ever collected by a planetary science mission at NASA. Considering that success and the continuing functionality of the spacecraft and its instruments, NASA awarded the mission an extended mission phase to continue operations. This is LRO's 5th extended science mission (ESM5). LRO continues to be one of NASA's most valuable tools for advancing lunar science.

Video Credit: NASA, LRO, Arizona State University (ASU)

Duration: 24 seconds

Release Date: June 2, 2024

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #ApolloProgram #ArtemisProgram #Moon #Geology #Lunar #LRO #Orbiter #SpaceTechnology #Engineering #NASAGoddard #GSFC #UnitedStates #MoonToMars #STEM #Education #Animations #Visualizations #HD #Video #APoD

China's Chang'e-6 Probe Returns First Data from South Pole on Moon's Far Side

China's Chang'e-6 Probe Returns First Data from South Pole on Moon's Far Side

The first batch of scientific data has been sent back from China's Chang'e-6 lander-ascender spacecraft after its successful landing in Apollo crater of the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin on the far side of the Moon on Sunday morning, June 2, 2024. After the landing, the probe is scheduled to complete sampling within two days. It has two methods for Moon sampling: using a drill to collect subsurface samples and grabbing samples on the surface with a robotic arm. The Chang'e-6 mission is supported by China's two lunar communications satellites—Queqiao-1 and Queqiao-2, launched in 2018 and 2024, respectively.

At the same time, scientific explorations including on-site investigations and analysis of the landing area on the far side of the Moon and the structure of lunar soil will be carried out to deepen the understanding of the Moon's origin and evolutionary history. For the first time in human history, the Chang’e-6 lunar mission, as part of the China Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP), will collect far side lunar soil samples and return them to Earth, as well as conduct scientific measurements of the lunar environment. 

The SPA basin (43°±2° south latitude, 154°±4° west longitude) is a large impact crater on the far side of the Moon. At roughly 2,500 km (1,600 mi) in diameter and between 6.2 and 8.2 km (3.9–5.1 mi) deep, it is the largest, oldest, and deepest basin recognized on the Moon.

Chang'e-6 consists of an orbiter, a returner, a lander and an ascender. Since its launch on May 3 this year, it has gone through several stages, such as Earth-moon transfer, near-moon braking, lunar orbiting and landing descent. The lander-ascender combination separated from the orbiter-returner combination on May 30 said the China National Space Agency (CNSA).

Upon receiving the data from Chang'e-6, Chinese scientific research personnel at the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) have been analyzing and researching them.

"There are two pictures on the screen. One was captured during the landing process, and the other was taken after the safe landing by the landing camera, one of the essential instruments of Chang'e-6. This camera was installed at the bottom of the lander and began working during the descent phase. Through automatic exposure, it took a photo every second, capturing data that ensured a safe landing and documented the entire landing process technically. Scientifically, the data obtained by the landing camera can help us analyze the geological background and landforms of the landing area, providing rich background information for analyzing the returned samples," said Liu Jianjun, deputy commander of the Chang'e-6 mission.

Additionally, Chang'e-6 carries three other instruments to facilitate scientific research.

"There are three other scientific payloads installed on the Chang'e-6 lander. One is the foreground camera, which captures high-definition images of the landing and sampling areas. Another is the mineral spectral analysis instrument, which obtains spectral data at the sampling area to aid in analyzing the mineral composition there. The last one is the structural detector, installed at the bottom, which detects the structure of the soil beneath the moon's surface and provides information for further drilling and sampling procedures," said Zuo Wei, chief engineer of the Chang'e-6 mission.

Video Credit: China Central Television (CCTV) Video News Agency

Duration: 2 minutes

Release Date: June 2, 2024

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China's Chang'e 6 Probe Lands Successfully at South Pole on Moon's Far Side

China's Chang'e 6 Probe Lands Successfully at South Pole on Moon's Far Side

The lander-ascender combination of China's Chang'e-6 probe successfully landed in the Apollo crater at the designated landing area in the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin on the far side of the Moon on Sunday morning, June 2, 2024 at 22:23 UTC (2 June, at 06:23 China Standard Time). Here is the footage the Chang'e-6 probe transmitted back to Earth via Queqiao-2—China's second lunar relay satellite. For the first time in human history, the Chang’e-6 lunar mission, as part of the China Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP), will collect far side lunar soil samples and return them to Earth, as well as conduct scientific measurements of the lunar environment. 

The SPA basin (43°±2° south latitude, 154°±4° west longitude) is a large impact crater on the far side of the Moon. At roughly 2,500 km (1,600 mi) in diameter and between 6.2 and 8.2 km (3.9–5.1 mi) deep, it is the largest, oldest, and deepest basin recognized on the Moon.

The Chang'e-6 spacecraft was launched on May 3, 2024, and entered lunar orbit on May 8. The landing went smoothly, as planned.

The Chang'e-6 mission features scientific payloads from France, Italy, Sweden, and Pakistan. The international scientific payloads carried by the Chang'e-6 mission include the French radon gas detector (CNES), the European Space Agency/Swedish ion analyzer, and the Italian laser corner reflector (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana). 

In 2020, Chang'e-5 was the first lunar sample-return mission since the Soviet Union's Luna 24 in 1976. The mission made China the third country to return samples from the Moon after the United States and the Soviet Union.

Video Credits: China Global Television Network (CGTN)/China National Space Administration (CNSA)/China Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP)

Duration: 1 minute, 29 seconds

Release Date: June 2, 2024

#NASA #CNSA #ESA #Space #Astronomy #Science #China #中国 #Moon #Change6 #嫦娥六号 #LunarSampleReturn #FarSide #SouthPole #Queqiao2Satellite #SpaceTechnology #SpaceExploration #SolarSystem #InternationalCooperation #France #CNES #Italy #ASI #Sweden #STEM #Education #History #HD #Video

China Chang'e 6 Moon Mission Landing Footage (Extended Version) | CGTN

China Chang'e 6 Moon Mission Landing Footage (Extended Version) | CGTN

The lander-ascender combination of China's Chang'e-6 probe successfully landed in the Apollo crater at the designated landing area in the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin on the far side of the Moon on Sunday morning, June 2, 2024 at 22:23 UTC (2 June, at 06:23 China Standard Time). Here is the footage the Chang'e-6 probe transmitted back to Earth via Queqiao-2—China's second lunar relay satellite. For the first time in human history, the Chang’e-6 lunar mission, as part of the China Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP), will collect far side lunar soil samples and return them to Earth, as well as conduct scientific measurements of the lunar environment. 

The SPA basin (43°±2° south latitude, 154°±4° west longitude) is a large impact crater on the far side of the Moon. At roughly 2,500 km (1,600 mi) in diameter and between 6.2 and 8.2 km (3.9–5.1 mi) deep, it is the largest, oldest, and deepest basin recognized on the Moon.

The Chang'e-6 spacecraft was launched on May 3, 2024, and entered lunar orbit on May 8. The landing went smoothly, as planned.

The Chang'e-6 mission features scientific payloads from France, Italy, Sweden, and Pakistan. The international scientific payloads carried by the Chang'e-6 mission include the French radon gas detector (CNES), the European Space Agency/Swedish ion analyzer, and the Italian laser corner reflector (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana). 

In 2020, Chang'e-5 was the first lunar sample-return mission since the Soviet Union's Luna 24 in 1976. The mission made China the third country to return samples from the Moon after the United States and the Soviet Union.

Credit: China Global Television Network (CGTN)/China National Space Administration (CNSA)/China Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP)

Duration: 2 minutes, 32 seconds

Release Date: June 2, 2024

#NASA #CNSA #ESA #Space #Astronomy #Science #China #中国 #Moon #Change6 #嫦娥六号 #LunarSampleReturn #FarSide #SouthPole #Queqiao2Satellite #SpaceTechnology #SpaceExploration #SolarSystem #InternationalCooperation #France #CNES #Italy #ASI #Sweden #STEM #Education #History #HD #Video

Tonight's Sky: June 2024 (Northern Hemisphere)

Tonight's Sky: June 2024 (Northern Hemisphere)

Though the nights are shorter in June, they are filled with fine sights. Look for the Hercules constellation. It will lead you to a globular star cluster with hundreds of thousands of densely packed stars. You can also spot Draco the dragon, which will point you to the Cat’s Eye Nebula. Keep watching for space-based views of globular star clusters and the nebula.

“Tonight’s Sky” is a monthly video of constellations you can observe in the night sky. The series is produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute, home of science operations for the Hubble Space Telescope, in partnership with NASA’s Universe of Learning. 

Video Credit: Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)

Duration: 5 minutes, 43 seconds

Release Date: May 28, 2024

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Earth #Planets #SolarSystem #Stars #Nebulae #Galaxies #SombreroGalaxy #M87 #M64 #Virgo #Constellations #MilkyWayGalaxy #Skywatching #STScI #JPL #Caltech #SSU #UnitedStates #Canada #Mexico #NorthernHemisphere #STEM #Education #HD #Video

What's Up for June 2024 | Skywatching Tips from NASA (Northern Hemisphere)

What's Up for June 2024 | Skywatching Tips from NASA (Northern Hemisphere)

Here are examples of skywatching highlights for June 2024?

Saturn and Mars continue to dominate the morning sky, but they are joined by Jupiter as the month goes on. We offer tips for identifying commonly seen objects in the night sky.

0:00 Intro 

0:14 Moon & planet highlights

1:03 Identifying common objects

4:14 June Moon phases

"Planet Parade" note: Online sources have shared excitement about a "parade of planets" visible in the morning sky in early June. In reality, only two of the six planets supposedly on display will actually be visible. Jupiter and Mercury will be at or below the horizon in morning twilight and not visible; Uranus and Neptune are far too faint to see without a telescope, especially as the morning sky brightens. The real planet parade will be June 29, when Saturn, the Moon, Mars, and Jupiter will line up across the morning sky. 

We will talk more about that lineup in the July "What's Up" video.

NASA's Night Sky Network:

https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching/night-sky-network/

Skywatching resources from NASA: https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching

Video Credit: NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

Duration: 4 minutes, 37 seconds

Release Date: May 30, 2024

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Skywatching #Earth #Moon #Planets #Mercury #Mars #Jupiter #Saturn #SolarSystem #Stars #MilkyWayGalaxy #JPL #Caltech #Skywatching #UnitedStates #Canada #Mexico #NorthernHemisphere #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Nebula Cederblad 90 in Canis Major | Kitt Peak National Observatory

Nebula Cederblad 90 in Canis Major | Kitt Peak National Observatory

This is an emission and reflection nebula located in the constellation Canis Major. This image was taken as part of Advanced Observing Program (AOP) program during 2014 at Kitt Peak Visitor Center. The vibrant hydrogen alpha atoms mix with dust particles reflected by the bright star SAO 152349 to produce a pink hue with delicate traces of blue nebulosity.

The Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) is a United States astronomical observatory located on Kitt Peak of the Quinlan Mountains in the Arizona-Sonoran Desert on the Tohono Oʼodham Nation, 88 kilometers (55 mi) west-southwest of Tucson, Arizona. With more than twenty optical and two radio telescopes, it has one of the largest installations of astronomical instruments in the Earth's northern hemisphere.

Kitt Peak National Observatory was founded in 1958. It is home to what was the largest solar telescope in the world, and many large astronomical telescopes of the late 20th century in the United States.

The observatory was administered by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) from the early 1980s until 2019, after which it was overseen by NOIRLab.

Credits: KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/Tad Denton/Adam Block/José Joaquín Pérez

Release Date: June 6, 2014

#NASA #Gemini #Astronomy #Space #Science #Nebulae #Nebula #Cederblad90 #Gum3 #Star #SAO152349 #CanisMajor #Constellation #Cosmos #Universe #Observatory #Telescope #Optical #NOIRLab #AURA #NSF #KittPeak #KPNO #Tucson #Arizona #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Strong Solar X1.1 Flare Erupts from Sun | NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory

Strong Solar X1.1 Flare Erupts from Sun | NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory

The Sun emitted a strong solar flare, peaking at 6:03 p.m. ET on May 31, 2024. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) watches the Sun constantly and captured an image of the event.

The Sun, shown in red, appears against a black background. Several bright yellow active regions appear across the Sun. A bright flash of yellow and white light can be seen in the lower left part of the Sun.

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare—as seen in the bright flash on the left—on May 31, 2024. The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in red.

Solar flares are powerful bursts of energy. Flares and solar eruptions can impact radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, and pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts.

Sunspot AR3664 (a.k.a. AR3697) has decayed, but it is still potent. This flare is classified as an X1.1 flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength.

The most famous sunspot in decades had its name changed. AR3664 caused the great May 10, 2024, superstorm. It has been re-numbered AR3697 following a 2-week trip around the farside of the Sun. This is an old tradition in solar physics that started long ago when astronomers had no way to track the continuity of farside sunspots.

To see how such space weather may affect Earth, please visit NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center https://spaceweather.gov/, the U.S. government’s official source for space weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and alerts. 

NASA works as a research arm of the nation’s space weather effort. NASA observes the Sun and our space environment constantly with a fleet of spacecraft that study everything from the Sun’s activity to the solar atmosphere, and to the particles and magnetic fields in the space surrounding Earth.

Image Credit: NASA/SDO

Release Date: May 31, 2024

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #SpaceWeather #Sun #Star #Solar #SolarFlares #Sunspots #Ultraviolet #Plasma #MagneticField #Astrophysics #Heliophysics #Physics #Spacecraft #Satellites #ElectricalGrids #SDO #SolarSystem #GSFC #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Mars Images: May 2024 | NASA Mars Curiosity & Perseverance Rovers

Mars Images: May 2024 | NASA Mars Curiosity & Perseverance Rovers

Mars 2020 - sol 1162

Mars 2020 - sol 1164

Mars 2020 - sol 1164

Mars 2020 - sol 1161

Mars 2020 - sol 1161

Mars 2020 - sol 1164

MSL - sol 4199

Mars 2020 - sol 1163

Support FriendsofNASA.org

Celebrating 11+ Years on Mars (2012-2024)

Mission Name: Mars Science Laboratory (MSL)

Rover Name: Curiosity

Main Job: To determine if Mars was ever habitable to microbial life. 

Launch: Nov. 6, 2011

Landing Date: Aug. 5, 2012, Gale Crater, Mars

Celebrating 3+ 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.

Launch: July 30, 2020    

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

For more information on NASA's Mars missions, visit: mars.nasa.gov

Image Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS

Processing: Kevin M. Gill

Image Release Dates: May 25-30, 2024

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Mars #RedPlanet #Planet #Astrobiology #Geology #CuriosityRover #MSL #MountSharp #GaleCrater #PerseveranceRover #Mars2020 #JezeroCrater #Robotics #SpaceTechnology #SpaceEngineering #JPL #Caltech #UnitedStates #CitizenScience #KevinGill #STEM #Education

NASA's Boeing Starliner Crew Departs for ULA Atlas V Launch

NASA's Boeing Starliner Crew Departs for ULA Atlas V Launch

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore, left, and Suni Williams, wearing Boeing spacesuits, are seen as they prepare to depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral to board the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft for the Crew Flight Test launch, Saturday, June 1, 2024, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, wearing Boeing spacesuits, are seen as they depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral to board the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft for the Crew Flight Test launch, Saturday, June 1, 2024, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 

NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test is the first launch with astronauts of the Boeing CFT-100 spacecraft and United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. The flight test, targeted for launch at 12:25 p.m. EDT on June 1, 2024, serves as an end-to-end demonstration of Boeing’s crew transportation system and will carry Wilmore and Williams to and from the orbiting laboratory. 

Launch updates: 

https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/atlas-v-starliner-cft

For more info on CFT and Starliner, visit: 

boeing.com/starliner

NASA’s Commercial Crew Program works with the American aerospace industry to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the International Space Station on American-made rockets and spacecraft launching from American soil.

Learn more about NASA’s Commercial Crew Program at: 

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

Image Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

Image Date: June 1, 2024

#NASA #Space #Earth #ISS #Boeing #Starliner #CST100 #AtlasVRocket #CommercialCrewProgram #CFT #Astronauts #SuniWilliams #BarryWilmore #HumanSpaceflight #Science #SpaceTechnology #Engineering #LaunchAmerica #NASAKennedy #ULA #SLC41 #CapeCanaveral #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Boeing Starliner on ULA Atlas V Rocket | International Space Station

Boeing Starliner on ULA Atlas V Rocket | International Space Station

The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket and Boeing's Starliner sit on Space Launch Complex-41 (SLC-41) at sunset at Cape Canaveral ahead of the Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission for NASA's Commercial Crew Program. Pad teams will perform final checks before the launch scheduled for 12:25 p.m. ET on June 1, 2024.

Launch updates: 

https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/atlas-v-starliner-cft

For more info on CFT and Starliner, visit: 

boeing.com/starliner

NASA’s Commercial Crew Program works with the American aerospace industry to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the International Space Station on American-made rockets and spacecraft launching from American soil.

Learn more about NASA’s Commercial Crew Program at: 

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

Image Credit: United Launch Alliance (ULA)

Image Date: May 30, 2024

#NASA #Space #Earth #ISS #Boeing #Starliner #CST100 #AtlasVRocket #CommercialCrewProgram #CFT #Astronauts #SuniWilliams #BarryWilmore #HumanSpaceflight #Science #SpaceTechnology #Engineering #LaunchAmerica #NASAKennedy #ULA #SLC41 #CapeCanaveral #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Boeing Starliner Moved to Pad for Crew Launch | International Space Station

Boeing Starliner Moved to Pad for Crew Launch | International Space Station

Boeing's Starliner and United Launch Alliance's Atlas V have returned to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex-41 for the Crew Flight Test. On May 30, 2024, teams rolled the 172 ft (52 m) tall stack at a pace of ~1 mph (1.6 km/h) along tracks from ULA's Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad.

Pad teams will perform final checks before the launch scheduled for 12:25 p.m. ET on June 1. Starliner will transport NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station.

For more info on CFT and Starliner, visit: boeing.com/starliner

Launch updates: 

https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/atlas-v-starliner-cft

For more info on CFT and Starliner, visit: 

boeing.com/starliner

NASA’s Commercial Crew Program works with the American aerospace industry to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the International Space Station on American-made rockets and spacecraft launching from American soil.

Learn more about NASA’s Commercial Crew Program at: 

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

Video Credit: Boeing

Duration: 35 seconds

Release Date: May 30, 2024

#NASA #Space #Earth #ISS #Boeing #Starliner #CST100 #AtlasVRocket #CommercialCrewProgram #CFT #Astronauts #SuniWilliams #BarryWilmore #HumanSpaceflight #SpaceTechnology #Engineering #LaunchAmerica #NASAKennedy #ULA #SLC41 #CapeCanaveral #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Zodiacal Light over Rubin Observatory in Chile

Zodiacal Light over Rubin Observatory in Chile

Vera C. Rubin Observatory sits under the faint glow of a fascinating astronomical phenomenon known as zodiacal light. It appears as a faint, cone-shaped glow that extends along the path followed by the planets and Sun (known as the ecliptic) and is caused by sunlight reflecting off interplanetary dust that sits in the plane of our Solar System. This phenomenon is most easily seen in the western sky just after sunset or in the eastern sky just before sunrise. The dust is thought to be left by comet tails and collisions between asteroids. Zodiacal light is faint and usually drowned out by light-polluted skies or glare from the Moon.

The NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science (DOE/SC). Rubin Observatory is a Program of NSF NOIRLab that will jointly operate Rubin with DOE’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.

Rubin Observatory is being built on Cerro Pachón, Chile which is one of the best observing sites in the southern hemisphere, making it a great place to capture such a rare sight as zodiacal light. When complete it will use its 8.4-meter mirror combined with the largest camera ever built for astronomy to begin an ambitious decade-long survey of the southern sky called the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) that will help answer key questions about the Universe. Rubin Observatory will begin science operations in late 2025.

This photo was taken by Hernán Stockebrand, NOIRLab Audiovisual Ambassador.

Credit: Rubin Observatory / NOIRLab / NSF / AURA / H. Stockebrand

Release Date: May 29, 2024

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Earth #ZodiacalLight #InterplanetaryDust #SolarSystem #SolarSystem #MilkyWayGalaxy #Cosmos #Universe #NOIRLab #AURA #NSF #RubinObservatory #Telescopes #Chile #SouthAmerica #STEM #Education

The Nebulous Realm of Wolf-Rayet Star WR 134 in Cygnus

The Nebulous Realm of Wolf-Rayet Star WR 134 in Cygnus

Made with narrowband filters, this cosmic snapshot covers a field of view over twice as wide as the full Moon within the boundaries of the constellation Cygnus. It highlights the bright edge of a ring-like nebula traced by the glow of ionized hydrogen and oxygen gas. Embedded in the region's expanse of interstellar clouds, the complex, glowing arcs are sections of shells of material swept up by the wind from Wolf-Rayet star WR 134, brightest star near the center of the frame. Distance estimates put WR 134 about 6,000 light-years away, making the frame over 100 light-years across. 

Shedding their outer envelopes in powerful stellar winds, massive Wolf-Rayet stars have burned through their nuclear fuel at a prodigious rate and end this final phase of massive star evolution in a spectacular supernova explosion. The stellar winds and final supernova enrich the interstellar material with heavy elements to be incorporated in future generations of stars.

Image Credit & Copyright: Xin Long

Xin's website: 

https://www.astrobin.com/users/xlong/

Release Date: May 31, 2024

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Stars #WolfRayet #WR134 #Cygnus #Constellation #MilkyWayGalaxy #Cosmos #Universe #Astrophotography #XinLong #Astrophotographer #STEM #Education #APoD

Wolf-Rayet Star WR 134 in Cygnus | Mayall Telescope

Wolf-Rayet Star WR 134 in Cygnus | Mayall Telescope

This image was obtained with the wide-field view of the Mosaic camera on the 4-meter Mayall telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory. WR 134 is the brightest star below the center of the image. It is a Wolf-Rayet star—a very hot, massive star that is blowing off its outer layers. The layers are shed at very high speeds. Part of these layers can be seen as the blue arc in the upper-left part of the image. The arc was created when the outer layer collided with the ambient nebula surrounding the star.

Distance: ~6,000 light-years

The image was generated with observations in Hydrogen alpha (red) and Sulphur [SII] (blue) filters. In this image, North is left, East is down.

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

Credit: T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage) and H. Schweiker (WIYN and NOIRLab/NSF/AURA)

Release Date: June 30, 2020

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Stars #WolfRayet #WR134 #Cygnus #Constellation #MilkyWayGalaxy #Cosmos #Universe #KittPeakNationalObservatory #KPNO #MayallTelescope #Arizona #NSF #AURA #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Roadmap to The Moon: LRO to Artemis | NASA Goddard

Roadmap to The Moon: LRO to Artemis (2009-2024) | NASA Goddard

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission is laying the groundwork for future Artemis science.  The orbiter's LOLA (Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter) instrument provides topographical data on the lunar surface. The information collected also makes it possible to simulate sunlight and shadow on the Moon at any date in the past or future. We feature two data visualizations that showcase this at the lunar South Pole. LOLA data is vital to Artemis for planning exploration endeavors.

This year, NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) celebrates its 15th anniversary orbiting the Moon (2009-2024). This mission has given scientists the largest volume of data ever collected by a planetary science mission at NASA. Considering that success and the continuing functionality of the spacecraft and its instruments, NASA awarded the mission an extended mission phase to continue operations. This is LRO's 5th extended science mission (ESM5). LRO continues to be one of NASA's most valuable tools for advancing lunar science.

Video Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)

Video Produced, Edited, and Narrated by: David Ladd (Abacus Technology)

Data Visualizations: Ernie Wright (USRA)

Animations: NASA’s Conceptual Image Lab

Duration: 2 minutes, 51 seconds

Release Date: May 31, 2024

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #ApolloProgram #ArtemisProgram #Moon #Geology #Lunar #LRO #Orbiter #LOLA #Technology #Engineering #NASAGoddard #GSFC #UnitedStates #MoonToMars #STEM #Education #Animations #Visualizations #HD #Video