Dragon, Spacewalk Preps Amidst Space Botany and Biology Research
The station is pictured from the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour during a fly around that took place on Nov. 8, 2021. The International Space Station is gearing up for the departure of a U.S. resupply ship and a Russian spacewalk next week. Meanwhile, the Expedition 66 crew is maintaining its pace of research exploring how […]
Why didn’t black holes exist right after the Big Bang?
In addition to formation by supernovae and neutron star mergers, it should be possible for black holes to form via direct collapse. Simulations such as the one shown here demonstrate that, under the right conditions, black holes of any mass could form in the very early stages of the Universe. However, there must be something […]
The James Webb Space Telescope blazes towards science operations
Described as the successor to Hubble, the $10bn James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is set to revolutionise astronomy. Among its science goals JWST will explore the atmospheres of exoplanets and peer deep into the history of the universe – we might glimpse some of the earliest galaxies after the Big Bang. This short video introduces the […]
The ‘Disintegrating Planet’ Factor
Using machine learning to provide an algorithmic approach to the abundant data generated by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has proven unusually productive. I’m looking at an odd object called TIC 400799224, as described in a new paper in The Astronomical Journal from Brian Powell (NASA GSFC) and team, a source that displays a […]
This is why physicists suspect the Multiverse very likely exists
The theory of cosmic inflation predicts a multiverse: an enormous number of Universes that experience hot Big Bangs, but each of those regions where a Big Bang occurs are completely separated from one another, with nothing but continuously inflating space between them. We cannot detect these other Universes, but their existence may not be avoidable […]
After a year filled with new missions and discoveries, Mars and its robots look ahead to 2022
After a year filled with new missions and discoveries, Mars and its robots look ahead to 2022 – NASASpaceFlight.com We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkRead more
“Field Guide” to Mysterious Exoplanets Known As Hot Jupiters
An artist’s concept of a “hot Jupiter” extrasolar planet. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech By combining <span aria-describedby="tt" class="glossaryLink" data-cmtooltip=" Hubble Space Telescope The Hubble Space Telescope (often referred to as Hubble or HST) is one of NASA’s Great Observatories and was launched into low Earth orbit in 1990. It is one of the largest and most versatile […]
2029 Will be the Perfect Year to Launch a Mission to Sedna
Object 90377 Sedna – a distant trans-Neptunian object known best for its highly elliptical, 11,390-year long orbit – is currently on its way towards perihelion (its closest approach to the Sun) in 2076. After that, Sedna will swing out into deep space again and won’t be back for millennia, making this flyby a once-in-a-lifetime (or, […]
If you're a comet, it's not easy being green. Now we know why.
It’s not easy bein’ greenIt seems you blend inWith so many other ordinary thingsAnd people tend to pass you overCause you’re not standing outLike flashy sparkles in the waterOr stars in the sky — Kermit the Frog I find myself both agreeing and disagreeing with my amphibious friend above. I disagree with him in that […]
NASA at Its Best [Zubrin Op-Ed]
By Dr. Robert Zubrin, National Review, 12.28.21 On Christmas Day, NASA’s long-awaited James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was finally launched into space. The JWST is, by far, the greatest astronomical observatory ever built. Its primary mirror is 21 feet across, triple that of Hubble, giving it ten times the light-gathering capacity. Add to that the fact that its infrared […]