(04-05-2023 10:49 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:
The sun seen like never before
This detailed photo of the sun isn't what it seems.
It's actually 90,000 individual photos stitched together as one, to make an accurate depiction of the star at the centre of our solar system.
Astrophotographers Andrew McCarthy and Jason Guenzel used NASA data and satellite images to create this image, which they named "Fusion of Helios."
Extraordinary fact that a photon produced at the centre of the Sun takes at least 1 million years to escape from the Sun's dense core.
And then it only takes 8 minutes to reach earth. Amazing.....
Man, astronomy and physics are wonderful and totally alien sciences to me.
Me too. So much of it is computer generated im not sure its not about half bullshite. Moreover NASA is full of woke freaks. Ive not really been impressed since the Apillo .
Missions.
My own
Reeeeeeee
Picture of the sun. Gtfoh.
Heck i can look out the damn winders
They do add specific colors to the pictures but the colors light up the different gasses and materials so we can actually see them. Otherwise some of the cool stuff is not visible to the naked eye.
I highly doubt the JWT is fake at all. I seen some of this stuff through my own telescopes, and we had a lot of great pics from the Hubble and amateur scopes going back well before the computers could generate such life like stuff.
People have been buying expensive telescopes and setting up long exposure astrophotography for decades.
Basically you get a motorized scope that moves with the sky and then get a 90 minute exposure on a nebula, galaxy, etc. That long exposure collects way more light and detail.
Many may be focusing on the upcoming Total Solar eclipse coming in early 2024, but did you know there is a much rarer event coming just a few years from now?
One of the most potentially hazardous asteroids, Apophis, is coming back to very near the Earth. In 2029, it will approach our planet at a distance of just 32,000 kilometers or about 19,900 miles, passing below the orbits of geostationary satellites and shining as brightly as a satellite itself. This event will make it visible to billions of naked-eye observers worldwide, a rare occurrence that occurs only once every few thousand years. NASA's OSIRIS-APEX mission is already on its way to study the asteroid up close.
Quote:NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has detected the possible presence of a molecule on the exoplanet K2-18 b that, on Earth, is only produced by life. Dubbed dimethyl sulfide (DMS), the molecule is a smell of the sea that is mostly found in Earth's atmosphere and is emitted by phytoplankton in marine environments. "Upcoming Webb observations should be able to confirm is DMS is indeed present in the atmosphere of K2-18 b at significant levels, said Nikku Madhusudhan, an astronomer at the University of Cambridge in a statement.
The discovery was made as scientists analyzed the amount of starlight passing through K2-18 b's atmosphere as its orbit brought the exoplanet between its host star and Webb. The starlight's passage through K2-18 b's atmosphere left traces that allowed scientists to detect a drop in brightness and piece together the exoplanet's gaseous composition. Located 120 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Leo, K2-18 b orbits the cool dwarf star K2-18 in the habitable zone, a region around a star where planets with liquid water may be present. With a radius 2.6 times the radius of Earth, the exoplanet is 8.6 times the size of our planet. Its large size means its interior likely contains a large mantle of high-pressure ice.
Spectra of K2-18 b displays an abundance of methane and carbon dioxide in the exoplanet's atmosphere, as well as a possible detection of a molecule called dimethyl sulfide (DMS).
Spectra of K2-18 b displays an abundance of methane and carbon dioxide in the exoplanet's atmosphere, as well as a possible detection of a molecule called dimethyl sulfide (DMS).
Scientists also discovered carbon-bearing molecules, including an abundance of methane and carbon dioxide, along with a shortage of ammonia in K2-18 b's atmosphere. The new findings support recent studies suggesting that K2-18 b could be a Hycean exoplanet—or a hypothetical planet with a hot, ocean-covered surface hiding beneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. However, NASA noted that the ocean could be too hot to be habitable or be liquid.
The findings are a result of just two observations of K2-18 b, said team member Savvas Constantinous of the University of Cambridge in a statement, adding: "This means our work here is but an early demonstration of what Webb can observe in habitable-zone exoplanets."
The team plans to conduct follow-up research using Webb's Mid-Infrared Instrument spectograph to further validate findings and give new insights on K2-18 b. "Our ultimate goal is the identification of life on a habitable exoplanet, which would transform our understanding of our place in the universe," said Madhusudhan. "Our findings are a promising step towards a deeper understanding of Hycean worlds in this quest."
The ocean-scented K2-18 b isn't the only strange exoplanet scientists have come across. Last year, scientists at the Kitt National Observatory in Arizona discovered TOI-3557, a massive and unusually fluffy planet akin to a marshmallow located 580 light-years away from Earth.
Quote:NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has detected the possible presence of a molecule on the exoplanet K2-18 b that, on Earth, is only produced by life. Dubbed dimethyl sulfide (DMS), the molecule is a smell of the sea that is mostly found in Earth's atmosphere and is emitted by phytoplankton in marine environments. "Upcoming Webb observations should be able to confirm is DMS is indeed present in the atmosphere of K2-18 b at significant levels, said Nikku Madhusudhan, an astronomer at the University of Cambridge in a statement.
The discovery was made as scientists analyzed the amount of starlight passing through K2-18 b's atmosphere as its orbit brought the exoplanet between its host star and Webb. The starlight's passage through K2-18 b's atmosphere left traces that allowed scientists to detect a drop in brightness and piece together the exoplanet's gaseous composition. Located 120 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Leo, K2-18 b orbits the cool dwarf star K2-18 in the habitable zone, a region around a star where planets with liquid water may be present. With a radius 2.6 times the radius of Earth, the exoplanet is 8.6 times the size of our planet. Its large size means its interior likely contains a large mantle of high-pressure ice.
Spectra of K2-18 b displays an abundance of methane and carbon dioxide in the exoplanet's atmosphere, as well as a possible detection of a molecule called dimethyl sulfide (DMS).
Spectra of K2-18 b displays an abundance of methane and carbon dioxide in the exoplanet's atmosphere, as well as a possible detection of a molecule called dimethyl sulfide (DMS).
Scientists also discovered carbon-bearing molecules, including an abundance of methane and carbon dioxide, along with a shortage of ammonia in K2-18 b's atmosphere. The new findings support recent studies suggesting that K2-18 b could be a Hycean exoplanet—or a hypothetical planet with a hot, ocean-covered surface hiding beneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. However, NASA noted that the ocean could be too hot to be habitable or be liquid.
The findings are a result of just two observations of K2-18 b, said team member Savvas Constantinous of the University of Cambridge in a statement, adding: "This means our work here is but an early demonstration of what Webb can observe in habitable-zone exoplanets."
The team plans to conduct follow-up research using Webb's Mid-Infrared Instrument spectograph to further validate findings and give new insights on K2-18 b. "Our ultimate goal is the identification of life on a habitable exoplanet, which would transform our understanding of our place in the universe," said Madhusudhan. "Our findings are a promising step towards a deeper understanding of Hycean worlds in this quest."
The ocean-scented K2-18 b isn't the only strange exoplanet scientists have come across. Last year, scientists at the Kitt National Observatory in Arizona discovered TOI-3557, a massive and unusually fluffy planet akin to a marshmallow located 580 light-years away from Earth.
Quote:NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has detected the possible presence of a molecule on the exoplanet K2-18 b that, on Earth, is only produced by life. Dubbed dimethyl sulfide (DMS), the molecule is a smell of the sea that is mostly found in Earth's atmosphere and is emitted by phytoplankton in marine environments. "Upcoming Webb observations should be able to confirm is DMS is indeed present in the atmosphere of K2-18 b at significant levels, said Nikku Madhusudhan, an astronomer at the University of Cambridge in a statement.
The discovery was made as scientists analyzed the amount of starlight passing through K2-18 b's atmosphere as its orbit brought the exoplanet between its host star and Webb. The starlight's passage through K2-18 b's atmosphere left traces that allowed scientists to detect a drop in brightness and piece together the exoplanet's gaseous composition. Located 120 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Leo, K2-18 b orbits the cool dwarf star K2-18 in the habitable zone, a region around a star where planets with liquid water may be present. With a radius 2.6 times the radius of Earth, the exoplanet is 8.6 times the size of our planet. Its large size means its interior likely contains a large mantle of high-pressure ice.
Spectra of K2-18 b displays an abundance of methane and carbon dioxide in the exoplanet's atmosphere, as well as a possible detection of a molecule called dimethyl sulfide (DMS).
Spectra of K2-18 b displays an abundance of methane and carbon dioxide in the exoplanet's atmosphere, as well as a possible detection of a molecule called dimethyl sulfide (DMS).
Scientists also discovered carbon-bearing molecules, including an abundance of methane and carbon dioxide, along with a shortage of ammonia in K2-18 b's atmosphere. The new findings support recent studies suggesting that K2-18 b could be a Hycean exoplanet—or a hypothetical planet with a hot, ocean-covered surface hiding beneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. However, NASA noted that the ocean could be too hot to be habitable or be liquid.
The findings are a result of just two observations of K2-18 b, said team member Savvas Constantinous of the University of Cambridge in a statement, adding: "This means our work here is but an early demonstration of what Webb can observe in habitable-zone exoplanets."
The team plans to conduct follow-up research using Webb's Mid-Infrared Instrument spectograph to further validate findings and give new insights on K2-18 b. "Our ultimate goal is the identification of life on a habitable exoplanet, which would transform our understanding of our place in the universe," said Madhusudhan. "Our findings are a promising step towards a deeper understanding of Hycean worlds in this quest."
The ocean-scented K2-18 b isn't the only strange exoplanet scientists have come across. Last year, scientists at the Kitt National Observatory in Arizona discovered TOI-3557, a massive and unusually fluffy planet akin to a marshmallow located 580 light-years away from Earth.
We have finally located Sqornshellous Zeta.
.....easily one of my fave corny movies for a variety of reasons...
seriously, was it really a matter of "if" ... it's always been a matter of "when" in my li'l noodle...
Quote: The IM-1 launch to the Moon successfully lifted off Feb. 15 on @SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. @Int_Machines’ Nova-C lander is expected to reach the lunar surface on Feb. 22: https://t.co/7Y8I2V9QSQpic.twitter.com/EuOcLaPciV
— NASA (@NASA) February 15, 2024
Quote:Odysseus, the working name for the uncrewed Nova-C lander built by the Houston-based aerospace company Intuitive Machines, lit up the skies above Cape Canaveral shortly after 1am on a Falcon 9 rocket from Elon Musk’s SpaceX company.
Its scheduled 22 February touchdown near the moon’s south pole would be the first lunar landing of a US spacecraft since Nasa’s final Apollo mission in December 1972, and the first by a non-government entity. It will deliver a suite of scientific equipment belonging to the agency that will gather data about the lunar environment to help prepare for the next landing of US astronauts, the Artemis III mission currently scheduled for 2026.
Quote:On Wednesday morning, a robotic lunar lander launched by a Houston company got closer to reaching the moon.
The company, Intuitive Machines, announced that its Odysseus spacecraft had fired its engine for six minutes and 48 seconds, slowing it enough to be pulled by the moon’s gravity into a circular orbit 57 miles above the surface.
On Thursday, it is scheduled to touch down on the moon. If all goes well, it will become the first private spacecraft to make a soft landing there and the first American mission to arrive there since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Odysseus is expected to land on the lunar surface at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time Thursday. (Late Wednesday afternoon, Intuitive Machines adjusted the landing time, moving it up by 19 minutes, based on the orbit the spacecraft ended up in.)
Although it is a private mission, the main customer is NASA, which paid $118 million for the delivery of six instruments to the moon. NASA TV will stream coverage of the landing beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday.
What will the lander do on the moon?
Because solar panels provide the spacecraft’s power, its mission will last only about seven days until the sun sets on the landing site. That’s when a two-week-long, frigid lunar night begins, and Odysseus was not designed to survive those conditions.
The six NASA instruments carried to the moon by Odysseus and what their tasks are:
— A laser retroreflector array that bounces back laser beams.
— A lidar instrument that precisely measures the spacecraft’s altitude and velocity as it descends to the lunar surface.
— A stereo camera that will capture video of the plume of dust produced by Odysseus’ engines during landing.
— A low-frequency radio receiver that measures the effects of charged particles on radio signals near the lunar surface, providing information that could aid the design of future radio observation on the moon.
— A beacon, Lunar Node-1, that will demonstrate an autonomous navigation system.
— An instrument in the propellant tank that uses radio waves to measure fuel levels.
The lander is also carrying other payloads, including a camera built by students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida; a precursor instrument for a future moon telescope; and an art project by Jeff Koons.
Quote:It was just this week that Swiss luxury brand Bovet accomplished what had been the last major challenge of mechanical timekeeping by creating a worldtimer that could automatically account for Daylight Saving Time. But before the dust has even settled from that impressive achievement, it appears as if a new time zone challenge is on the horizon for the world’s top watchmakers.
With moon missions ramping up for the first time in 50 years, the White House has tasked NASA with creating a standard of time for the moon and other celestial bodies by the end of 2026, according to a new report from Reuters. The system will be known as Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC), an outer space equivalent to the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) network of time zones we use here on Earth.
Due to gravitational differences and other environmental factors, time works differently on the moon than on Earth, with the difference averaging out to about 58.7 microseconds per day. That doesn’t sound like much, but space missions require perfect precision, and the LTC will help ensure that future coordinated missions on the moon run smoothly by keeping everyone involved in sync.
This will likely require setting up a system of atomic clocks on the moon like we have on Earth, but I’m mostly interested in how LTC will be tracked here on our planet. Specifically, from my wrist.
We don’t yet know what LTC will look like, how many time zones it will include or how it will function. But once those details emerge, I’m betting a number of watch brands will start figuring out a way to track LTC accurately. Watch brands love being the first to do something, whether it’s landing on the moon, reaching the bottom of the ocean or scaling Mount Everest, and creating the first Lunar GMT seems like catnip for certain brands....
![[Image: https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2...4ba2eb1e74]](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/MuzWKSiqUT5e5G4qXRdBcKifhLQ=/1200x0/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F8ba0e704-06fa-4be5-b1b9-3e4ba2eb1e74)
to me.
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