A collection of intriguing images based on data from ESA’s Herschel and Planck space telescopes show the influence of magnetic fields on the clouds of gas and dust where stars are forming. Source: https://phys.org/news/2020-07-herschel-planck-views-star-formation.html…
Tag: space telescopes
How dust could make some exoplanets more habitable
A new study from scientists in the UK suggests that atmospheric dust could increase the habitability of some exoplanets, especially those orbiting red dwarf stars. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/how-dust-could-make-some-exoplanets-more-habitable…
A 2nd exoplanet confirmed for Proxima Centauri
Astronomers at McDonald Observatory have confirmed a second planet – 7 times more massive than Earth – orbiting Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our sun. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/2nd-exoplanet-confirmed-proxima-centauri…
NASA telescope named for ‘Mother of Hubble,’ Nancy Grace Roman
NASA is naming its next-generation space telescope currently under development, the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), in honor of Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first chief astronomer, who paved the way for space telescopes focused on the broader universe. Source: https://phys.org/news/2020-05-nasa-telescope-mother-hubble-nancy.html…
Why clouds form near black holes
Clouds in the greater universe are clumpy areas of greater density than their surroundings. Space telescopes have observed these cosmic clouds in the vicinity of supermassive black holes. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/cosmic-clouds-form-near-black-holes…
How will clouds obscure the view of exoplanet surfaces?
In 2021, NASA’s next-generation observatory, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), will take to space. Once operational, this flagship mission will pick up where other space telescopes—like Hubble, Kepler and Spitzer—left off. This means that in addition to investigating some of the greatest cosmic mysteries, it will also search for potentially habitable exoplanets and attempt to characterize their atmospheres. Source: https://phys.org/news/2020-03-clouds-obscure-view-exoplanet-surfaces.html…
Could K2-18b be habitable after all?
A new study by researchers at Cambridge University suggests that the giant exoplanet K2-18b – a mini-Neptune – may be more potentially habitable than previously thought. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/k2-18b-mini-neptune-exoplanets-habitability…
Various variability phenomena observed in the binary star DQ Tau
Hungarian astronomers have observed a pre-main sequence (PMS) binary star known as DQ Tau using a set of space telescopes and ground-based facilities, finding numerous variability phenomena in this system, including energetic stellar flares. The findings are detailed in a paper published February 11 on arXiv.org. Source: https://phys.org/news/2020-02-variability-phenomena-binary-star-dq.html…
Is there a 2nd planet orbiting Proxima Centauri?
Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our sun, may have a second planet, according to researchers from the National Institute of Astrophysics. If confirmed, it would be an ideal candidate for direct imaging by new upcoming space telescopes. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/is-there-a-2nd-planet-orbiting-proxima-centauri…
Simulated image demonstrates the power of NASA’s Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope
Imagine a fleet of 100 Hubble Space Telescopes, deployed in a strategic space-invader-shaped array a million miles from Earth, scanning the universe at warp speed. Source: https://phys.org/news/2020-01-simulated-image-power-nasa-wide.html…