A second minor planet may possess Saturn-like rings
Astronomers detect features around Chiron that may signal rings, jets, or a shell of dust.
Posted: Mar 16th, 2015
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Scientists fly kites on Earth to study Mars
An unconventional research method provides a new look at geologic features on Earth, revealing that some of the things we see on Mars and other planets may not be what they seem.
Posted: Mar 16th, 2015
Read moreNew clues from the dawn of the solar system
Sulfide chondrules, a new type of building blocks discovered in meteorites left over from the solar system's infancy, provide evidence for a previously unknown region in the protoplanetary disk that gave rise to the planets including Earth.
Posted: Mar 16th, 2015
Read moreNASA spacecraft in Earth's orbit, preparing to study magnetic reconnection
Following a successful launch at 10:44 p.m. EDT Thursday, NASA's four Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) spacecraft are positioned in Earth's orbit to begin the first space mission dedicated to the study of a phenomenon called magnetic reconnection. This process is thought to be the catalyst for some of the most powerful explosions in our solar system.
Posted: Mar 13th, 2015
Read moreHubble observations suggest underground ocean on Jupiter's largest moon
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has the best evidence yet for an underground saltwater ocean on Ganymede, Jupiter's largest moon. The subterranean ocean is thought to have more water than all the water on Earth's surface.
Posted: Mar 12th, 2015
Read moreElectrospray thruster makes small satellites more capable
A MIT spinout has developed a commercial electrospray propulsion system - their first is about the size of a pack of gum - made of tiny chips that provide thrust for small satellites. Among other advantages, this module can be manufactured for significantly less than today's alternatives.
Posted: Mar 12th, 2015
Read moreSaturn moon's ocean may have hydrothermal activity
A new study by a team of Cassini mission scientists has found that microscopic grains of rock detected near Saturn imply hydrothermal activity is taking place within the moon Enceladus.
Posted: Mar 11th, 2015
Read moreThe corrugated galaxy - Milky Way may be much larger than previously estimated
The Milky Way galaxy is at least 50 percent larger than is commonly estimated, according to new findings that reveal that the galactic disk is contoured into several concentric ripples.
Posted: Mar 11th, 2015
Read moreAstronomers discover fastest ever unbound star in our galaxy
The unbound star, named US708, is travelling at 1,200 kilometres per second - the fastest speed ever recorded for such an object in our galaxy - meaning it is not held back by gravity and will eventually leave the Milky Way.
Posted: Mar 11th, 2015
Read moreSolving the riddle of neutron stars
Simulations provide insight into their characteristics/gravitational waves as a unique fingerprint.
Posted: Mar 10th, 2015
Read moreWelcome to the neighborhood: New dwarf galaxies discovered in orbit around the Milky Way
A team of astronomers have identified nine new dwarf satellites orbiting the Milky Way, the largest number ever discovered at once. The findings, from newly-released imaging data taken from the Dark Energy Survey, may help unravel the mysteries behind dark matter, the invisible substance holding galaxies together.
Posted: Mar 10th, 2015
Read moreMysterious phenomena in a gigantic galaxy-cluster collision
'True color' VLA radio image shows features related to collision of clusters containing hundreds of galaxies.
Posted: Mar 10th, 2015
Read moreCosmic dust discs withstand hellfire
A team of astronomers discovered an unusual phenomenon in the centre of the Milky Way: They detected about 20 rotating dust and gas discs in each cluster hosting exceptionally large and hot stars. The existence of these discs in the presence of the destructive UV radiation field of their massive neighbours came as a surprise.
Posted: Mar 10th, 2015
Read moreMars - the blue and red planet
At least 20 percent of Mars was once covered with water.
Posted: Mar 9th, 2015
Read moreCarina Nebula survey reveals details of star formation
A new survey of one of the most active, star-forming regions in the galactic neighborhood is helping astronomers better understand the processes that may have contributed to the formation of the sun 4.5 billion years ago.
Posted: Mar 9th, 2015
Read moreHubble discovers four images of same supernova split by cosmic lens
Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have spotted for the first time a distant supernova split into four images. The multiple images of the exploding star are caused by the powerful gravity of a foreground elliptical galaxy embedded in a massive cluster of galaxies. This unique observation will help astronomers refine their estimates of the mass of dark matter in the lensing galaxy and cluster.
Posted: Mar 8th, 2015
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