astronomy

This image of the Crab Nebula combines data from NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) in magenta and NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory in dark purple.

Historic nebula seen like never before with Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explore

This image of the Crab Nebula combines data from NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer(IXPE) in magenta and NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory in dark purple. Credit: X-ray (IXPE: NASA), (Chandra: NASA/CXC/SAO) Image processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/K. Arcand & L. Frattare APRIL 10, 2023 by Elizabeth Landau, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre On Feb. 22, 1971, a sounding rocket …

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Slim Boom. Credit: Phil Drury, University of Sheffield

Scientists observe flattest explosion ever seen in space

Slim Boom. Credit: Phil Drury, University of Sheffield An explosion the size of our solar system has baffled scientists, as part of its shape—similar to that of an extremely flat disk—challenges everything we know about explosions in space. The explosion observed was a bright Fast Blue Optical Transient (FBOT)—an extremely rare class of explosion which …

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This illustration shows the ingredients of a long gamma-ray burst, the most common type. The core of a massive star (left) has collapsed, forming a black hole that sends a jet of particles moving through the collapsing star and out into space at nearly the speed of light. Radiation across the spectrum arises from hot ionized gas (plasma) in the vicinity of the newborn black hole, collisions among shells of fast-moving gas within the jet (internal shock waves), and from the leading edge of the jet as it sweeps up and interacts with its surroundings (external shock). Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Brightest gamma-ray burst ever observed reveals new mysteries of cosmic explosions

This illustration shows the ingredients of a long gamma-ray burst, the most common type. The core of a massive star (left) has collapsed, forming a black hole that sends a jet of particles moving through the collapsing star and out into space at nearly the speed of light. Radiation across the spectrum arises from hot …

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SKAO and partners advance support for protection of astronomy at UN

The SKA Observatory (SKAO) and its partners have advanced support for protecting astronomy against the negative impact of satellite megaconstellations at the foremost international forum for space-related matters. During the recently concluded meeting of the scientific and technical subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in Vienna, the SKAO …

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Astronomers just discovered a comet that could be brighter than most stars when we see it next year. Or will it?

Hot on the heels of the disappointing Green Comet, astronomers have just discovered a new comet with the potential to be next year’s big story—C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinhan-ATLAS). Although it is still more than 18 months from its clossest approach to Earth and the sun, comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS already has social media buzzing, with optimistic articles being …

Astronomers just discovered a comet that could be brighter than most stars when we see it next year. Or will it? Read More »