Photos from the EarthSky community of the bright planet Mars, now nearly at its best. Earth will pass between Mars and the sun – bringing the planet to a once-in-two-years opposition – on October 13, 2020. Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/photos-mars-at-its-best-sep-oct-2020…
Tag: aurora
An aurora that lit up the sky over the Titanic might explain why it sank
A geomagnetic storm that sparked spectacular aurora displays could also have contributed to the sinking of the Titanic. Source: https://www.livescience.com/titanic-sunk-by-aurora.html
Rosetta spacecraft detects unexpected ultraviolet aurora at a comet
Data from Southwest Research Institute-led instruments aboard ESA’s Rosetta spacecraft have helped reveal auroral emissions in the far ultraviolet around a comet for the first time. Source: https://phys.org/news/2020-09-rosetta-spacecraft-unexpected-ultraviolet-aurora.html…
Intel Slips, and a High-Profile Supercomputer Is Delayed
The chip maker was selected for an Energy Department project meant to show American tech independence. But problems at Intel have thrown a wrench into the effort. From a report: When it selected Intel to help build a $500 million supercomputer last year, the Energy Department bet that computer chips made in the United States could help counter a technology challenge…
AI Claims ‘Flawless Victory’ Going Undefeated In Digital Dogfight With Human Fighter Pilot
“A simulated F-16 Viper fighter jet with an artificial intelligence-driven ‘pilot’ went undefeated in five rounds of mock air combat against an actual top Air Force fighter jockey today,” reports The Drive in an update to a story shared by Slashdot reader schwit1. From the report: The event was the culmination of an effort that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency…
Aurora mysteries unlocked with NASA’s THEMIS mission
A special type of aurora, draped east-west across the night sky like a glowing pearl necklace, is helping scientists better understand the science of auroras and their powerful drivers out in space. Known as auroral beads, these lights often show up just before large auroral displays, which are caused by electrical storms in space called substorms. Previously, scientists weren’t sure if…
Image: Comet NEOWISE seen in an aurora-filled sky
Comet NEOWISE is visible in an aurora-filled sky in this photo by Aurorasaurus Ambassador Donna Lach. The photo was taken early on July 14, 2020, in western Manitoba, Canada. The purple ribbon-like structure to the left is STEVE, an aurora-related phenomenon discovered with the help of citizen scientists working with the Aurorasaurus project. The bright streak near the top of the…
‘Geyser’ aurora and ‘cosmic bat’ nebula shortlisted for astronomy photo prize
An astrophotography competition run by London’s Royal Observatory Greenwich, announces a shortlist of exceptional images for its 2020 contest. Source: https://www.livescience.com/astronomy-photos-contest-2020-shortlist.html
What is pareidolia?
Seeing a dog in a patch of clouds, or a face in the moon, are examples of what’s called pareidolia. Look here for photos to test your own ability to see things that aren’t there. Source: https://earthsky.org/human-world/seeing-things-that-arent-there…
Citizen scientists identify new form of northern lights
Space researchers and amateur photographers in Finland have identified a new type of aurora, or northern lights. They call them “dunes.” Read more and see a video. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/citizen-scientists-new-aurora-northern-lights-dunes…