space

Classical nova captured before, during and after exploding 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- August 19, 2016
A team of researchers affiliated with the Warsaw University Observatory has captured for the first time the events that led to a classical nova exploding, the explosion itself and then what happened afterwards. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the team describes how they happened to capture the star activity and why they believe it may help bolster the theory of star hibernation.

By David Aragorn
NASA Prepares to Launch First U.S. Asteroid Sample Return Mission 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- August 19, 2016
NASA is preparing to launch its first mission to return a sample of an asteroid to Earth. The mission will help scientists investigate how planets formed and how life began, as well as improve our understanding of asteroids that could impact Earth.

By David Aragorn
Venus-like exoplanet might have oxygen atmosphere, but not life 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- August 19, 2016
According to astronomers, the distant planet GJ 1132b has plenty of oxygen, but no life on the surface.

By David Aragorn
Tagish Lake meteorite may have come from Kuiper belt 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- August 17, 2016
Since it fell sixteen years ago, scientists have been looking closely at the Tagish Lake meteorite, and it is made up of different materials from other meteorites.

By David Aragorn
NASA’s Fermi Mission Expands its Search for Dark Matter 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- August 13, 2016
Using six or more years of data from NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, NASA has broadened the space mission’s hunt for dark matter.

By David Aragorn
Cassini finds flooded canyons on Saturn’s moon Titan 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- August 13, 2016
NASA’s Cassini spacecraft has found deep, steep-sided canyons on Saturn’s moon Titan that are flooded with liquid hydrocarbons. The finding represents the first direct evidence of the presence of liquid-filled channels on Titan, as well as the first observation of canyons hundreds of meters deep.

By David Aragorn
Kepler Watches Stellar Dancers in the Pleiades Cluster 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- August 13, 2016
Like cosmic ballet dancers, the stars of the Pleiades cluster are spinning. But these celestial dancers are all twirling at different speeds. Astronomers have long wondered what determines the rotation rates of these stars.

By David Aragorn
Much ado about nothing: Astronomers use empty space to study the universe 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- August 12, 2016
Researchers who are looking for new ways to probe the nature of gravity and dark energy in the universe have adopted a new strategy: looking at what’s not there.

By David Aragorn
1967 solar storm nearly took US to brink of war 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- August 12, 2016
A solar storm that jammed radar and radio communications at the height of the Cold War could have led to a disastrous military conflict if not for the U.S. Air Force’s budding efforts to monitor the sun’s activity, a new study finds.

By David Aragorn
Look Up! Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Aug. 11-12 0
- From Around the Web, Space
- August 12, 2016
Make plans now to stay up late or set the alarm early next week to see a cosmic display of “shooting stars” light up the night sky. Known for its fast and bright meteors, the annual Perseid meteor shower is anticipated to be one of the best potential meteor viewing opportunities this year.

By David Aragorn