The subsurface ocean of Saturn’s moon Enceladus seems possibly habitable in many ways. Now a new study has determined it’s the right age to support life, too. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/enceladus-ocean-moon-habitability-right-age-to-support-life…
Tag: Caltech
Astronomers spot asteroid with shortest year known
The newly-discovered rocky body – dubbed 2019 LF6 – orbits the sun roughly every 151 days. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/asteroid-2019lf6-shortest-orbit…
Is the Random Transiter weirder than Tabby’s Star?
Move over, Tabby’s Star. The Random Transiter may now be the weirdest star in the galaxy. Kepler data revealed 28 transits in front of this star in 87 days. What caused them? Multiple planets? A disintegrating planet? Alien megastructures? Source: https://earthsky.org/space/random-transiter-hd-139139-kepler-tabbys-star…
Today in 2003: Opportunity blasts off to Mars
NASA’s Opportunity rover spent some 15 years exploring Mars. It surpassed all expectations for its endurance and longevity, to become one of the most successful planetary missions. Then it went silent. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/this-date-in-science-nasa-rover-opportunity-blasts-off-to-mars…
Do organic crystals create ‘bathtub rings’ around Titan’s lakes and seas?
Scientists have been trying to figure what creates the so-called “bathtub rings” around lakes and seas on Saturn’s large moon Titan. Now they may have an answer: unusual organic crystals not found on Earth. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/saturn-moon-titan-crystals-bathtub-rings-lakes-seas…
Astronomers ponder halos around galaxies
Galaxies are massive and beautiful islands of stars. But did you know that most galaxies are surrounded by halos? A complex instrument on the Very Large Telescope is giving astronomers new views of these galactic rings of light. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/galaxies-halos-muse-very-large-telescope-eso…
How meteors create Mars’ clouds
Scientists have been trying to figure out how clouds form in Mars’ thin atmosphere, and thanks to new research, the answer seems to be … meteors. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/how-meteors-create-mars-clouds…
See super-detailed images of Saturn’s rings
Textures and patterns, from clumpy to straw-like, pop out of these images from the Cassini mission. “It’s like turning the power up a notch on what we could see in the rings,” said a scientist. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/images-sculpting-saturns-rings-details-cassini…
A small asteroid hit us last weekend
Asteroid 2019 MO exploded in our atmosphere with an energy of about 3 to 5 kilotons of TNT. Such events happen once or twice yearly, astronomers say. Most are unexpected, but this space rock was detected hours before it struck. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/asteroid-2019-mo-struck-earth-june-22-2019…
Viewing Saturn’s rings soon? Read me 1st
The best time of 2019 for seeing Saturn’s glorious rings is upon us. You’ve seen the photos, but maybe you want to see the rings with your own eyes? Here are a few things to think about. Source: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/viewing-saturns-rings-tips-for-beginners…