Tag Archives: astronomy

Powerful Webb Telescope captures most distant known galaxy, scientists say

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured what scientists believe is the most distant known galaxy, after observing what astronomers call a “Cosmic Dawn” for the past two years. NASA said in a press release that a “Cosmic Dawn” is the period in the first few hundred million years after the big bang, when the first galaxies were born. …

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A planet parade is happening next month: Here's why NASA says you might miss it

Six planets will link up before dawn on June 3 in what’s known as a planetary parade. However, the spectacle won’t be as eye-catching as expected. Only two planets will be visible to the naked eye. NASA FINDINGS FROM THE LAST YEAR INCLUDING EXTRAORDINARY ASTEROID SAMPLES, GALACTIC DISCOVERIES Here’s what to know about this fairly common celestial event. A girl …

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Merger of massive black holes from early universe uncovered by Webb telescope, scientists say

The Webb Space Telescope has discovered the earliest known merger of black holes. These two gigantic black holes and their galaxies consolidated just 740 million years after the universe-forming Big Bang. It’s the most distant detection ever made of merging black holes, scientists reported Thursday. One black hole is 50 million times more massive than our sun. The other is …

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Scientists discover large, 'cotton candy-like' planet with unusually low density

Astronomers have identified a planet that’s bigger than Jupiter yet surprisingly as fluffy and light as cotton candy. The exoplanet has exceedingly low density for its size, an international team reported Tuesday. The gas giants in our solar system — Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune — are much denser. “The planet is basically super fluffy” because it’s made mostly of …

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Suit up for the stars: SpaceX’s new era of space fashion

SpaceX is not just launching rockets but a new era of space exploration with its cutting-edge extravehicular activity (EVA) suits. As we stand on the cusp of the first-ever private space walk in 2024, let’s dive into the details of this revolutionary gear. EVA space suit (SpaceX) Fashion meets functionality in space Bridging the gap between style and practicality, SpaceX …

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Rare solar storm wows stargazers across America: 'So awesome!'

Historic geomagnetic storms made for a beautiful display in night skies across America Friday night, with the aurora visible as far south as Florida.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, confirmed the geomagnetic storms hit an “extreme” level 5 condition Friday. NOAA also reported there is no sign of these historic storm conditions slowing down until Sunday.FOX Weather reported …

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Scientists discover thick atmosphere enveloping rocky so-called 'super Earth' planet

A thick atmosphere has been detected around a planet that’s twice as big as Earth in a nearby solar system, researchers reported Wednesday. The so-called super Earth — known as 55 Cancri e — is among the few rocky planets outside our solar system with a significant atmosphere, wrapped a blanket of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. The exact amounts …

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Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks this weekend. Here's how you can see the celestial event.

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower, remnants of Halley’s comet, peaks this weekend. And with just a waning crescent moon in the sky, it should be visible. The Eta Aquarids occur every year in early May. This year’s peak activity happens early Sunday with an expected 10 to 30 meteors visible per hour in the Northern Hemisphere. Viewing should be even …

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On this day in history, April 25, 1990, Hubble Space Telescope placed in orbit by Space Shuttle Discovery

The Hubble Space Telescope, which has delivered awe-inspiring images of creation and destruction from the deepest reaches of the universe, was placed into orbit on this day in history, April 25, 1990. “Hubble’s launch and deployment in April 1990 marked the most significant advance in astronomy since Galileo’s telescope,”NASA writes in an online history of the Hubble program. The telescope, …

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Lyrid meteor shower peaks this weekend: How to catch a glimpse of the celestial event

The Lyrid meteor shower is underway. But with a nearly full moon in the sky during the peak, it might be tough to see clearly. The Lyrids occur every year in mid-to-late April. This year’s peak activity happens Sunday into Monday, with 10 to 20 meteors expected per hour. Viewing lasts through April 29. MYSTERIOUS FIREBALLS SEEN STREAKING ACROSS CALIFORNIA …

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