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Ultraluminous Gamma Ray Burst 080607 – A "Monster in the Dark"
Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) are among the most energetic phenomena astronomers regularly observe. These events are triggered by massive explosions and a large amount of the energy if focused into narrow beams that sweep across the universe. These beams are so tightly concentrated that they can be seen across the visible universe and allow astronomers [...]
Near Earth Asteroids Vary Widely in Composition, Origin
From the Spitzer website: New research from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope reveals that asteroids somewhat near Earth, termed near-Earth objects, are a mixed bunch, with a surprisingly wide array of compositions. Like a piata filled with everything from chocolates to fruity candies, these asteroids come in assorted colors and compositions. Some are dark and dull; [...]
Supernova Spews Its Guts Across Space
The recently refurbished Hubble Space Telescope has taken a new look at Supernova 1987A and its famous "String of Pearls," a glowing ring 6 trillion miles in diameter encircling the supernova remnant. The sharper and clearer images are allowing astronomers to see the “innards” of the star being ejected into space following the explosion, and [...]
Downloadable Shuttle Tribute Posters
NASA has put out a collection of tribute posters to the Space Shuttle fleet that celebrates the contributions to human space flight of Columbia, Atlantis, Discovery, Challenger and Endeavour. Large versions of these posters now hang in Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Click on each [...]
Oh Canada! Hadfield Named First Canadian Commander of ISS
Congratulations to one of our favorite astronauts, Chris Hadfield from Canada. Today NASA and the Canadian Space Agency announced Hadfield will be heading to the International Space Station in 2012, serving as Flight Engineer for Expedition 34, and then transitioning to Commander midway through his 6-month stay when Expedition 35 begins. Hadfield will be the [...]
Hawking: God Not Needed for Universe to be Created
Physicist Stephen Hawking has written a new book called "The Grand Design." While the title might seem like Hawking could be delving more into the “mind of God” that he alluded to in his earlier book, “A Brief History of Time,” Hawking actually says that the universe’s beginnings – or the "Big Bang" was an [...]
NASA & ATK Turn Sand to Glass With DM-2 Test
The deserts of Promontory, Utah came alive with fire as NASA and Alliant Techsystems (ATK) tested the Development Motor-2 (DM-2). The five-segment, first-stage of the Ares rocket was activated at 9:27 a.m. MDT on Aug. 31. The still morning air surrendered its silence to the sound of unleashed technological thunder. The surrounding countryside was [...]
Off to Dragon*Con
I'm just doing some final packing and then the wife and I will be flying out to Atlanta to participate in Dragon*Con 2010. This is a gigantic science fiction convention, and we try to represent Astronomy Cast there every year. We're going to be doing the first ever live show of Astronomy Cast where Pamela [...]
Where In The Universe Challenge #117
It’s time once again for another Where In The Universe Challenge. Name where in the Universe this image was taken and give yourself extra points if you can name the telescope or spacecraft responsible for the image. Post your guesses in the comments section, and check back on later at this same post to find [...]
The Race to Stellar Formation
Racing is rarely the term that comes to mind when one considers astronomy. However, many events are a race to reach stability before a system flies apart or implodes. The formation of stars from gigantic interstellar clouds is just such a race in which stars struggle to form before the cloud is dispersed. Although a [...]
SPACE.com
Asteroid Diversity: Mixed Bag of Space Rocks Found Near Earth
A new survey of asteroids near Earth shows these space rocks are a mixed bag, with some shiny and bright, others dark and dull.
Starburst Galaxy Unleashes Gassy 'Superwind'
A striking galaxy buzzing with energetic star formation takes center stage in a new photograph that showcases an unusual "superwind" of out-flowing gas.
Hurricane Earl Photographed From Space by Astronaut
A space station astronaut has photographed Hurricane Earl as it heads towards the U.S. coast as a powerful Category 4 storm.
NASA Aims to Plunge Car-Sized Probe Into the Sun
NASA is developing a mission to plunge a car-sized probe directly into the sun's atmosphere, exploring a region no spacecraft has ever visited.
Hawking: God Didn't Create the Universe
Labor Day Weekend for Astronauts: Space Toilet Cleaning and Exercise
The astronauts aboard the International Space Station won't be throwing any burgers on the grill this Labor Day, but at least they'll get the holiday off.
Supernova Blast Wave Could Shape Galaxy Evolution
A new glimpse of a well-known supernova could provide new clues about how dying stars affect their surroundings.
Airbag Designer Casts Eye on NASA's Escape Ship
New airbag technology that mimics nature's way of protecting seed embryos could take the bumps out of spacecraft landings.
On Months-Long Missions, How Durable Is An Astronaut's Mind?
Volunteers in Russia are approaching the three-month mark in their record 520-day Mars spaceflight simulation. Meanwhile, researchers will continue to pay close attention to how the six volunteer "astronauts" physically and psychologically cope throughout the mock mission to the red planet.
Group of Navigation Satellites Launched by Proton Rocket
A Proton rocket launched Wednesday bearing three spacecraft to help expand Russia's satellite navigation system.
Solar Sail Spacecraft Could Explore Beyond Solar System
Sun-powered spacecraft could be the ticket to traveling beyond the solar system, scientists say.
Space Luminaries Petition Against House Version of NASA Bill
In a new letter 30 Nobel laureates and space officials argue for different NASA spending priorities in a bill working through Congress.
TV's 'Top Chefs' Cook Up Ultimate Astronaut Takeout
NASA is challenging the cooks of TV's 'Top Chef' to dream up a new meal for astronauts.
Europe, Japan Weigh Cargo Return from Space Station
European and Japanese space agencies are considering upgrades to outfit their robotic space station-servicing spacecraft to return cargo to Earth.
Space Shuttle Commander, Spacewalker to Leave NASA
Veteran astronauts Linda Godwin and Scott Altman are leaving NASA, the space agency announced Tuesday.
Old Star's Super-Hot Water Vapor Surprises Scientists
Hot water vapor has been discovered in the atmosphere of an aging star, surprising scientists who thought the chemistry of such stars would have forbid it.
LiveScience: NASA: Food, Emotional Support Vital for Trapped Chile Miners
For Star-Gazers, September Brings New Night Sky
September brings a new view of the night sky as the autumn constellations appear.
Hubble Telescope Engineer Pulls Double Duty As Real-Life Knight
A Hubble engineer, and a native of the Dutch island of Aruba, has received the highest civilian order in the Netherlands.
Big Alien Planet's Weather Forecast: Hot and Extra Cloudy
Astronomers peering at a gas-giant exoplanet found it has an atmosphere unlike that of any extrasolar planet yet studied.
Space News From SpaceDaily.Com
Herschel Finds Water In Cosmic Desert
Pasadena CA (JPL) Sep 02, 2010
The Herschel infrared space observatory has discovered that ultraviolet starlight is the key ingredient for making water in space. It is the only explanation for why a dying star is surrounded by a gigantic cloud of hot water vapor. Herschel is a European Space Agency mission with important participation from NASA.
Every recipe needs a secret ingredient. When astronomers discovered an unex
Cluster Turns The Invisible Into The Visible
Paris, France (ESA) Sep 02, 2010
Cluster has spent a decade revealing previously hidden interactions between the Sun and Earth. Its studies have uncovered secrets of aurora, solar storms, and given us insight into fundamental processes that occur across the Universe. And there is more work to do.
The aurora, those dancing lights in the polar skies, are but the visible manifestation of an invisible battle taking place abov
NASA Provides Assistance To Trapped Chilean Miners
Washington DC (SPX) Sep 02, 2010
On Aug. 5, the San Jose copper and gold mine near the northern town of Copiapo, Chile, collapsed, trapping 33 miners about a half mile underground.
The Chilean government spoke with the United States Department of State to request NASA's technical advice related to the agency's life sciences research activities.
On Aug. 31, a NASA team of experts arrived in Santiago as part of NASA's
NASA And NOAA's Newest GOES Satellite Ready For Action
Greenbelt MD (SPX) Sep 02, 2010
NASA and NOAA's latest Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, GOES-15, has successfully completed five months of on-orbit testing and has been accepted into service. The satellite has demonstrated operational readiness of its subsystems, spacecraft instruments and communications services. GOES-15 is the third and final spacecraft in the GOES N-P Series of geostationary environmental
NASA And ATK Test Five-Segment Solid Rocket Motor
Huntsville AL (SPX) Sep 02, 2010
With a loud roar and mighty column of flame, NASA and ATK Aerospace Systems successfully completed a two-minute, full-scale test of the largest and most powerful solid rocket motor designed for flight. The motor is potentially transferable to future heavy-lift launch vehicle designs.
The stationary firing of the first-stage development solid rocket motor, dubbed DM-2, was conducted by ATK,
Arizona Stands In For The Moon And Mars
Mesa AZ (SPX) Sep 02, 2010
For two weeks every year, NASA's Desert Research and Technology Studies group (Desert RATS) conducts state-of-the-art technology development tests in the Arizona desert at Black Point Lava Flow in anticipation of future human and robotic exploration. Teams of engineers and geologists from several NASA laboratories and a variety of private and academic partners are participating in this year's te
A Dusty, Cloudy Exoplanet
Moffett Field CA (SPX) Sep 02, 2010
Astronomers at the University of Hawaii have measured the temperature of a young gas-giant planet around another star using the W. M. Keck Observatory, and the results are puzzling. They have found that its atmosphere is unlike that of any previously studied extrasolar planet.
By obtaining a spectrum of its emitted light, the astronomers determined the temperature of the planet. As a resul
NIST Ultraviolet Source Helps NASA Spacecraft Measure Origins Of Space Weather
Washington DC (SPX) Sep 02, 2010
With a brilliant, finely tuned spark of ultraviolet (UV) light, a physicist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) helped NASA scientists successfully position a crucial UV sensor inside a space-borne instrument to observe a "hidden" layer of the Sun where violent space weather can originate.
Dark spots on the Sun release particles and electromagnetic fields into spac
LockMart Advancing on Next-Gen Commercial Remote Sensing System For GeoEye
Sunnyvale CA (SPX) Sep 02, 2010
The Lockheed Martin team developing GeoEye's next-generation, high-resolution commercial Earth-imaging satellite system known as GeoEye-2, has successfully completed on-schedule a System Requirements Review (SRR), an important program milestone that precedes the Preliminary Design Review.
With launch scheduled to support start of operations in 2013, Lockheed Martin is developing GeoEye-2 u
ISRO Finalises Chandrayaan-2 Payload
Bangalore, India (PTI) Sep 02, 2010
The payloads to be carried by India's second unmanned moon mission Chandrayaan-2 targeted for launch in 2013 were announced Monday and there will be seven onboard instruments for a range of lunar experiments.
The payloads finalised by a National Committee of Experts were announced by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Three of the seven payloads are new.
The country's prestig
Sony unveils new e-readers, adds touchscreen to all models
Washington (AFP) Sept 1, 2010
Sony, battling Amazon and Apple in the electronic book reader race, unveiled its latest devices on Wednesday and expanded their availability to Australia, China, Italy, Japan and Spain.
Sony cut the size and weight of all three of its e-readers while expanding the use of touchscreens to all models - allowing users to turn pages with a swipe of the finger like the Apple iPad.
The Japanes
Satellite Navigation Steers Unmanned Micro-Planes
Paris, France (ESA) Sep 02, 2010
An unmanned aircraft system guided by satnav has been developed within ESA's Business Incubation Centre to provide rapid monitoring of land areas and disaster zones. The planes have already helped Spanish farmers in Andalusia to fight land erosion.
The German start-up company MAVinci has developed the new system that uses autonomous micro-air vehicles (MAVs) with a wingspan of less than tw
Scientists create 'smarter' materials
Waterloo, Ontario (UPI) Sep 1, 2010
New "smart materials" could revolutionize the manufacture of diverse products ranging from medical devices to automotive components, Canadian researchers say.
Scientists at the University of Waterloo in Ontario have developed a process dubbed Multiple Memory Material Technology that could allow engineers to incorporate far greater functionality into devices, a university release said We
The Moon Puts On Camo
Greenbelt MD (SPX) Aug 31, 2010
A new geologic map of the moon's Schrodinger basin paints an instant, camouflage-colored portrait of what a mash-up the moon's surface is after eons of violent events. The geologic record at Schrodinger is still relatively fresh because the basin is only about 3.8 billion years old; this makes it the moon's second-youngest large basin (it's roughly 320 kilometers, or 200 miles, in diameter).
Catch A Falling Star
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Aug 31, 2010
Every year, the world is treated to several well-known meteor showers. The Leonids, Draconids, Perseids and others usually get mentioned in the mainstream media, giving the general public a taste of just how much material flies at our planet from space.
The predictable, regular showers are produced by debris from the tails of comets, and astronomers have been able to link certain events to