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Yesterday — December 26th 2024فیزیک و مهندسی
  • ✇Space
  • 10 times the sky amazed us in 2024
    A magnificent totality across North America, raging northern lights and a naked-eye comet were just three skywatching highlights in 2024. Here's how they all unfolded.
     

10 times the sky amazed us in 2024

December 26th 2024 at 2:30 pm
A magnificent totality across North America, raging northern lights and a naked-eye comet were just three skywatching highlights in 2024. Here's how they all unfolded.

© Top left: Medios y Media/Getty Images, Top right: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images, bottom: Sacharias Rundquist / 500px via Getty Images

Before yesterdayفیزیک و مهندسی
  • ✇Space
  • What does the NASA administrator do?
    NASA administrators play a vital role in deciding what NASA does and how it does it, and they also help build political support for space exploration.
     

New thunderstorms wider than Earth are spewing out green lightning on Jupiter — and could make one of the gas giant's massive bands disappear

December 25th 2024 at 5:30 pm
A pair of massive thunderstorms have been spotted swirling in Jupiter's "South Equatorial Belt" and are likely unleashing massive bolts of green lightning. Some experts think the pale clouds could end up altering the rusty band's color — and potentially even making it "disappear."

© Michael Karrer

  • ✇Space
  • Best sci-fi movies of 2024
    Take a look back at the best sci-fi movies of 2024: A journey across sci-fi worlds with these top 8 titles.
     
  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • Mars Express captures the beauty of a martian frostscapeSamantha Hill
    Although these frosty fields look like a picturesque winter wonderland blanketed in snow, this ice is actually composed of frozen carbon dioxide over the southern Australe Scopuli region of Mars. The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Mars Express spotted this scene using its High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) during its 23,324th orbit of the Red Planet.Continue reading "Mars Express captures the beauty of a martian frostscape" The post Mars Express captures the beauty of a martian frostscape appea
     

Mars Express captures the beauty of a martian frostscape

December 24th 2024 at 11:30 am

Although these frosty fields look like a picturesque winter wonderland blanketed in snow, this ice is actually composed of frozen carbon dioxide over the southern Australe Scopuli region of Mars. The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Mars Express spotted this scene using its High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) during its 23,324th orbit of the Red Planet.Continue reading "Mars Express captures the beauty of a martian frostscape"

The post Mars Express captures the beauty of a martian frostscape appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • How do spacecraft avoid collisions in the asteroid belt?Astronomy Staff
    How do spacecraft avoid collisions when passing through the asteroid belt? Val-David SmithsonPleasant Grove, Utah Let’s begin by reviewing some astronomical “history”: Han Solo and his rebel cohorts Leia Organa, Chewbacca, and C-3PO are nestled uncomfortably together in the Millennium Falcon’s cockpit while their ship is pursued by a battalion of Imperial fighters. Unable toContinue reading "How do spacecraft avoid collisions in the asteroid belt?" The post How do spacecraft avoid collisions in
     

How do spacecraft avoid collisions in the asteroid belt?

December 23rd 2024 at 10:30 pm

How do spacecraft avoid collisions when passing through the asteroid belt? Val-David SmithsonPleasant Grove, Utah Let’s begin by reviewing some astronomical “history”: Han Solo and his rebel cohorts Leia Organa, Chewbacca, and C-3PO are nestled uncomfortably together in the Millennium Falcon’s cockpit while their ship is pursued by a battalion of Imperial fighters. Unable toContinue reading "How do spacecraft avoid collisions in the asteroid belt?"

The post How do spacecraft avoid collisions in the asteroid belt? appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • Smallest main-belt asteroids ever detected found hiding in JWST dataSamantha Hill
    Over the past 200 years, astronomers have cataloged over a million asteroids in the solar system’s main belt, down to the size of around a kilometer in diameter. But smaller asteroids were elusive — until recently, when a team of scientists utilized data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to spot some tiny asteroidsContinue reading "Smallest main-belt asteroids ever detected found hiding in JWST data" The post Smallest main-belt asteroids ever detected found hiding in JWST data appeared
     

Smallest main-belt asteroids ever detected found hiding in JWST data

December 23rd 2024 at 3:30 pm

Over the past 200 years, astronomers have cataloged over a million asteroids in the solar system’s main belt, down to the size of around a kilometer in diameter. But smaller asteroids were elusive — until recently, when a team of scientists utilized data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to spot some tiny asteroidsContinue reading "Smallest main-belt asteroids ever detected found hiding in JWST data"

The post Smallest main-belt asteroids ever detected found hiding in JWST data appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • FAA approves SpaceX for more Starship test missionsMark Zastrow
    SpaceX has the FAA’s green light to launch more test missions of its colossal Starship spacecraft, the largest and most powerful rocket to ever fly. The aviation regulator last week issued SpaceX a modified Part 450 launch license, allowing the firm to conduct multiple missions of Starship and the Super Heavy booster under the configurationContinue reading "FAA approves SpaceX for more Starship test missions" The post FAA approves SpaceX for more Starship test missions appeared first on Astronom
     

FAA approves SpaceX for more Starship test missions

December 23rd 2024 at 1:42 pm

SpaceX has the FAA’s green light to launch more test missions of its colossal Starship spacecraft, the largest and most powerful rocket to ever fly. The aviation regulator last week issued SpaceX a modified Part 450 launch license, allowing the firm to conduct multiple missions of Starship and the Super Heavy booster under the configurationContinue reading "FAA approves SpaceX for more Starship test missions"

The post FAA approves SpaceX for more Starship test missions appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • All lit upMark Zastrow
    John Quach 2024 was a banner year for aurora chasers, as the Sun reached solar maximum. This shot of the aurorae dancing above Mount Stuart in the Central Cascades of Washington was taken on Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. local time. The photographer used a Canon DSLR and 11mm f/2.8 lens to take a singleContinue reading "All lit up" The post All lit up appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

All lit up

December 23rd 2024 at 11:49 am

John Quach 2024 was a banner year for aurora chasers, as the Sun reached solar maximum. This shot of the aurorae dancing above Mount Stuart in the Central Cascades of Washington was taken on Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. local time. The photographer used a Canon DSLR and 11mm f/2.8 lens to take a singleContinue reading "All lit up"

The post All lit up appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • Want to find a black hole? Pick up a rockKorey Haynes
    While black holes are perplexing at any size, some of the most mysterious are hypothetical primordial black holes, those that sprung into existence in the first second after the Big Bang and some of which are featherweights on the black hole scale.  Because black holes collapse matter down to nothing, a black hole with theContinue reading "Want to find a black hole? Pick up a rock" The post Want to find a black hole? Pick up a rock appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

Want to find a black hole? Pick up a rock

December 21st 2024 at 5:30 pm

While black holes are perplexing at any size, some of the most mysterious are hypothetical primordial black holes, those that sprung into existence in the first second after the Big Bang and some of which are featherweights on the black hole scale.  Because black holes collapse matter down to nothing, a black hole with theContinue reading "Want to find a black hole? Pick up a rock"

The post Want to find a black hole? Pick up a rock appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇اسطرلاب (StarYab)
  • مسیرهای متفاوت خاموش شدن کهکشان‌هازهرا شعرباف
    دوگانگی کهکشانی۱، وجود دو گروه متمایز از کهکشا‌ن‌ها است که بر اساس ویژگی‌هایی مانند رنگ، ریخت‌شناسی۲ و نرخ ستاره‌زایی۳ کهکشان‌ها از یک‌دیگر متمایز می‌شوند. این مفهوم اشاره به تفاوت بین کهکشان‌های نوع پیشین۴ که معمولاً قرمز، بیضوی و از نظر ستاره‌زایی غیرفعال هستند، و کهکشان‌های نوع پسین۵ که آبی، مارپیچی و ستاره‌زا می‌باشند، دارد. در نمودار رنگ-قدر مطلق (شکل ۱)، این دوگانگی به صورت دو توزیع مجزا دیده می‌شود: یک رشته‌ی قرمز که شامل کهکشان‌های بیضوی است و یک ابر آبی که کهکشان‌های مارپیچی را در بر می
     

مسیرهای متفاوت خاموش شدن کهکشان‌ها

December 21st 2024 at 11:58 am

دوگانگی کهکشانی۱، وجود دو گروه متمایز از کهکشا‌ن‌ها است که بر اساس ویژگی‌هایی مانند رنگ، ریخت‌شناسی۲ و نرخ ستاره‌زایی۳ کهکشان‌ها از یک‌دیگر متمایز می‌شوند. این مفهوم اشاره به تفاوت بین کهکشان‌های نوع پیشین۴ که معمولاً قرمز، بیضوی و از نظر ستاره‌زایی غیرفعال هستند، و کهکشان‌های نوع پسین۵ که آبی، مارپیچی و ستاره‌زا می‌باشند، دارد. در نمودار رنگ-قدر مطلق (شکل ۱)، این دوگانگی به صورت دو توزیع مجزا دیده می‌شود: یک رشته‌ی قرمز که شامل کهکشان‌های بیضوی است و یک ابر آبی که کهکشان‌های مارپیچی را در بر می‌گیرد. کهکشان‌های دارای هسته‌ی فعال۶ که معمولا در مرحله‌ی گذار هستند مابین این دو گروه، در ناحیه‌ای به نام دره‌ی سبز۷ قرار می‌گیرند؛ این دسته از کهکشان‌ها یا در حال گذار به سمت خاموش شدن۸ هستند و یا در حال جوان سازی۹ و تشکیل مجدد ستاره می‌باشند.

zahra1_fig1

شکل ۱. نمودار قدر-رنگ: طرح شماتیک از نمودار قدر-رنگ کهکشان‌ها با سه جمعیت: رشته‌ی قرمز، ابر آبی و دره‌ی سبز. منبع: ویکیپدیا

مقاله‌ی پیش رو به بررسی دوگانگی کهکشان‌ها بر اساس ریخت‌شناسی جنبشی آن‌ها و رابطه‌ی این دوگانگی به مسیرهای متفاوت خاموش شدن ستاره‌زایی در کهکشان‌ها می‌پردازد. نویسندگان با تحلیل داده‌های طیف‌نگاری پروژه‌ی MaNGA و بررسی بیش از ۳۰۰۰ کهکشان، به این نتیجه رسیده‌اند که توزیع پارامتر چرخش ذاتی۱۰ ستاره‌‌ای (λ_Re) در کهکشان‌هایی با جرم ستاره‌ای یکسان در تمامی حالات ستاره‌زایی و محیط‌ها به طور جهان‌شمولی دوگانه است.

پارامتر چرخش ذاتی ستاره‌ای (λ_Re) یکی از معیارهای کلیدی در توصیف ریخت‌شناسی جنبشی کهکشان‌ها است و میزان چرخش منظم ستاره‌ها را نسبت به حرکت تصادفی آن‌ها در یک سیستم کهکشانی نشان می‌دهد. این پارامتر به طور مستقیم به تکانه‌ی زاویه‌ای ویژه‌ی به‌هنجارشده‌۱۱ی ستاره‌ها مرتبط است و اطلاعات مهمی درباره‌ی تاریخچه‌ی شکل‌گیری و تحول کهکشان‌ها ارائه می‌دهد. بر اساس نظریه‌ی تشکیل ساختار سلسله‌مراتبی۱۲، رویدادهای شدید و آشوبناکی مانند ادغام کهکشان‌ها، می‌توانند چرخش کهکشان‌ها را کاهش دهند و یا از بین ببرند و آن‌ها را تبدیل به سیستم‌های ستاره‌ای با چرخش کند و ساختارهای کروی کنند. برعکس، کهکشان‌هایی که تاریخچه‌ی ستاره‌زایی آرام و منظمی داشته‌اند، معمولاً ساختارهای دیسکی با چرخش سریع دارند.

در این مقاله ابتدا توزیع پارامتر چرخش ذاتی ستاره‌ای در یک جرم ستاره‌ای و نرخ ستاره‌زایی مطالعه شده است. نمودار سمت چپ در شکل ۲ نرخ ستاره‌زایی را در مقابل جرم ستاره‌ای کهکشان‌های MaNGA نشان می‌دهد. این نمودار توسط سه خط زردرنگ به سه ناحیه تقسیم شده‌است: گروه کهکشان‌های فعال یا ستاره‌زا، گروه کهکشان‌های در حال گذار یا دره‌ی سبز، و گروه کهکشان‌های غیرستاره‌زا یا منفعل۱۳. در دو نمودار سمت راست، کهکشان‌های MaNGA به دو دسته‌ی کم‌جرم و پرجرم تقسیم شده‌اند و رابطه‌ی بین پارامتر چرخش ذاتی ستاره‌ای آ‌ن‌ها با نرخ ستاره‌زایی‌شان نشان داده شده‌است. در این دو نمودار از بالا به پایین نرخ ستاره‌زایی کاهش می‌یابد. همان‌طور که دیده می‌شود، چرخش ذاتی ستاره‌ای کهکشان‌های پرجرم با کاهش نرخ ستاره‌زایی، کندتر می‌شود. طبق نمودارهای شکل ۲، در هر بازه‌ی جرمی و هر میزان ستاره‌زایی، دوگانگی آشکاری در رفتار جنبشی کهکشان‌ها وجود دارد. با افزایش جرم و کاهش نرخ ستاره‌زایی، کهکشان‌هایی با چرخش ستاره‌ای کند (منحنی قرمز) غالب‌ می‌شوند. درحالی که کهکشان‌های در حالت گذار (کهکشان‌های دره‌ی سبز)، ترکیب متعادل‌تری از هر دو جمعیت را دارند. این خود می‌تواند شاهدی بر مسیرهای متفاوت خاموش‌شدن در کهکشان‌ها باشد. برای مثال کهکشان‌های دیسکی (با چرخش سریع) می‌توانند تاریخچه‌ی آرام‌تری داشته باشند و کهکشان‌های کروی (با چرخش کند) می‌توانند تاریخچه‌ی پرآشوب‌تری (مانند ادغام کهکشانی) داشته باشند.

zahra1_fig2

شکل ۲. نموارد سمت چپ کهکشان‌های مورد مطالعه در این مقاله را نشان می‌دهد؛ کهکشان‌های مورد مطالعه به صورت نقاط مشکی بر اساس میزان ستاره‌زایی و جرم ستاره‌ای نشان داده شده‌اند. ازسمت بالا به پایین ناحیه‌ی بین دو خط زرد نشان دهنده‌ی محدوده‌ی کهکشان‌های ستاره‌زا و ناحیه‌ی بین خط زرد دوم و سوم، محدوده‌ی دره‌ی سبز و ناحیه‌ی زیر خط سوم، محدوده‌ی کهکشان‌های خاموش شده را نشان می‌دهند. دو گروه قرمز و آبی، به ترتیب نشان دهنده‌ی کهکشان‌های کم جرم و پر جرم هستند. بررسی توزیع پارامتر چرخش ذاتی ستاره‌ها در این کهکشا‌ن‌های کم جرم و پرجرم درنمودار سمت راست، به ترتیب در ستون اول و دوم نشان داده شده است.

نویسندگان برای بررسی تاریخچه‌ی ستاره‌زایی این کهکشان‌ها به سراغ اندازه‌گیری نرخ ستاره‌زایی در دو بازه‌ی زمانی رفته‌اند: یک بازه‌ی زمانی کوتاه و یک بازه‌ی زمانی بلند. آن‌ها از این واقعیت استفاده کرده‌اند که درخشندگی خط نشری هیدروژن-آلفا در طیف کهکشان‌ها می‌تواند فوتون‌های یونیزه شده توسط ستاره‌های پرجرم‌ با طول عمر کوتاه را ردیابی کند و در نتیجه، نرخ ستاره‌زایی را در بازه‌ی زمانی حدود ۱۰ میلیون سال اخیر نشان دهد. در حالی که نرخ ستاره‌زایی که بر اساس توزیع انرژی طیفی در بازه‌ی طول موجی فرابنفش و مادون قرمز میانه اندازه‌گیری می‌شود، میانگین نرخ ستاره‌زایی را در بازه زمانی ۱۰۰ میلیون ساله نشان می‌دهد. این بازه‌ی زمانی مربوط به طول عمر ستاره‌های جوان است که در ناحیه‌ی فرابنقش تابش می‌کنند. در کهکشان‌هایی با تاریخچه‌ی ستاره‌زایی یکنواخت (مثل کاهش تدریجی نرخ ستاره‌زایی)، این دو روش نتایح یکسانی را برای نرخ ستاره‌زایی کهکشان می‌دهند. اما در کهکشان‌هایی که دچار تغییرات سریع در نرخ ستاره‌زایی شده‌اند (مانند فوران یا توقف ناگهانی ستاره‌زایی)، ناسازگاری بین نتایج این دو روش دیده می‌شود. این ناسازگاری ناشی از این است که ستارگان پرجرم و کوتاه‌عمر به پایان عمر خود رسیده‌اند، اما ستارگان جوان‌تر (ستارگانی که در مراحل اولیه‌ی عمر خود هستند) و کم‌جرم‌تر همچنان در بازه‌ی ۱۰۰ میلیون ساله تابش دارند.

در شکل ۳ رابطه‌ی بین تاریخچه‌ی ستاره‌زایی حاصل از این دو روش و پارامتر چرخش ستاره‌ای برای دو گروه کهکشان‌های ستاره‌زا و دره‌ی سبز نشان داده شده‌است. در این شکل کهکشان‌های غیرستاره‌زا (منفعل) نشان داده‌نشده‌اند زیرا طبق تعریف این کهکشان‌ها دارای تابش هیدروژن-آلفا که نشان دهنده‌ی فعالیت اخیر ستاره‌زایی است، نیستند. طبق این شکل، کهکشان‌هایی که میزان تابش هیدروژن-آلفای آن‌ها با نرخ ستاره‌زایی حاصل از روش توزیع انرژی طیفی رابطه‌ی یک‌به‌یک دارد، معمولاً چرخش سریع‌تری دارند (آبی‌تر هستند، در این شکل متمایل به رنگ سبز). این نشان‌دهنده‌ی تاریخچه‌ی ستاره‌زایی پایدارتر آن‌ها است. کهکشان‌هایی که از روند کلی منحرف شده‌اند (یعنی هیدروژن-آلفا کم‌تر از انتظار در مقابل نرخ ستاره‌زایی صد ساله دارند)، معمولاً چرخش آهسته‌تری دارند (رنگ متمایل به صورتی) که این نشان‌دهنده‌ی توقف سریع ستاره‌زایی در این کهکشان‌ها است، زیرا ستارگان پرجرم در این کهکشان‌ها سریع‌تر به پایان عمر خود رسیده‌اند. همچنین در این شکل مشاهده می‌شود که در میان کهکشان‌های ستاره‌زا، ردیف اول، اکثر کهکشان‌ها دارای پارارمتر چرخش ستاره‌ای سریع هستند در حالی که در میان کهکشان‌های دره‌ی سبز شاهد دو گروه مجزا از کهکشان‌های سریع و کند هستیم که نشان‌دهنده‌ی تحول کهکشان‌ها به سمت خاموش شدن و طی مسیر‌های متفاوت می‌باشد.

zahra1_fig3

شکل ۳. محور افقی نرخ ستاره زایی صد میلیون ساله را نشان می‌دهد که براساس مدل سازی بر اساس توزیع انرژی طیفی در بازه‌ی طول موجی فرابنفش و مادون قرمز میانه اندازه‌گیری می‌شود. محور عمودی، نرخ ستاره‌زایی در بازه زمانی کوتاه‌تر، حدود ۱۰ میلیون سال اخیر است که براساس درخشندگی خط تابشی هیدروژن-آلفا اندازه‌گیری شده است. رنگ داده‌ها: هر کهکشان با رنگ‌هایی کدگذاری شده که بیانگر تفاوت میان پارارمتر چرخش ستاره‌ای برای یک کهکشان و میانگین پارامتر چرخش ستاره‌ای برای کهکشان‌های با جرم و نرخ تشکیل ستاره مشابه است ؛سبز: کهکشان‌هایی با حرکت زاویه‌ای بیش‌تر از میانگین و صورتی: کهکشان‌هایی با حرکت زاویه‌ای کم‌تر از میانگین.

به منظور بررسی مسیرهای متفاوت تکامل کهکشان‌ها، نویسندگان میزان فلزیت این کهکشان‌ها را نیز بررسی کرده‌اند. زیرا فلزیت می‌تواند سرنخ‌های کلیدی درباره فرآیندهای فیزیکی که منجر به خاموشی کهکشان‌ها شده‌اند را بدهد. از دست دادن سریع گاز می‌تواند منجر به تشکیل کهکشانی منفعل با فلزیتی مشابه کهکشان اولیه‌ی ستاره‌زا شود. در صورتی‌که اگر کهکشان‌ها به طور تدریجی منابع گازی خود را از دست بدهند، ستاره‌زایی رفته‌رفته کاهش می‌یابد و فلزیت، به دلیل غنی شدن محیط بین ستاره‌ای افزایش می‌یابد. کهکشان‌هایی با چرخش سریع، تمایل دارند دیسکی‌شکل و پایدارتر باشند. این پایداری به آن‌ها اجازه می‌دهد که فرآیند از دست دادن گاز را به آرامی تجربه کنند، بدون این‌که به طور ناگهانی دچار اختلال شوند. این درحالی است که اگر کهکشان‌ها به صورت ناگهانی خاموش شوند، گاز خود را توسط فرآیندهای شدید و آشوبناک از دست می‌دهند و فلزیت کم‌تری پیدا می‌کنند. کهکشان‌هایی با چرخش آهسته، معمولاً کروی یا بیضوی هستند و اغلب از طریق ادغام‌های بزرگ و شدید شکل گرفته‌اند. این ادغام‌ها می‌توانند گاز را به سرعت از کهکشان خارج کنند. ستارگان پرجرم و فعال و یا سیاه‌چاله‌های ابرپرجرم۱۴ می‌توانند گاز میان‌ستاره‌ای را با فوران‌های قوی به خارج پرتاب کنند. کهکشان‌هایی که در خوشه‌های کهکشانی قرار دارند، ممکن است گاز خود را به دلیل حرکت سریع در میان محیط چگال میان‌خوشه‌ای۱۵ از دست بدهند. با حذف گاز، کهکشان به طور ناگهانی و سریع خاموش می‌شود. حذف ناگهانی گاز فرصت زیادی برای غنی‌سازی عناصر سنگین باقی نمی‌گذارد. در نتیجه، فلزیت کهکشان‌های با چرخش آهسته نسبت به کهکشان‌های با چرخش سریع کم‌تر است.

شکل ۴ نشان می‌دهد که فلزیت کهکشان‌هایی با چرخش سریع با کاهش نرخ ستاره‌زایی (از ستاره‌زا (آبی) تا عیر ستاره‌زا (قرمز)) افزایش می‌یابد. این رفتار نشان‌دهنده‌ی فرایند خاموشی تدریجی در کهکشان‌هایی است که به تدریج منابع گازی خود را از دست می‌دهند و در نتیجه فلزیت ستاره‌ای آن‌ها افزایش می‌یابد. فلزیت کهکشان‌هایی با چرخش آهسته به نرخ ستاره‌زایی بستگی ندارد زیرا هر سه گروه کهکشانی فلزیت مشابهی را برای کهکشان‌ها با جرم‌های مختلف نشان می‌دهند. این نشان‌دهنده‌ی فرآیند خاموشی سریع است که در آن کهکشان‌ها گاز خود را از طریق فوران‌های قوی یا ادغام‌های بزرگ به سرعت از دست می‌دهند، بدون اینکه فرصت کافی برای افزایش فلزیت داشته باشند.

zahra1_fig3

شکل۴. رابطه‌ی میان فلزیت و جرم ستاره‌ای را برای دو جمعیت مختلف کهکشان‌ها. جمعیت با چرخش سریع (چپ): این دسته معمولاً کهکشان‌های قرصی و دیسکی‌شکل هستند که پارامتر چرخش ستاره‌ای بالاتری دارند. جمعیت با چرخش آهسته (راست): این دسته معمولاً کهکشان‌های کروی‌شکل و دارای حرکت آهسته هستند. رنگ قرمز، سبز و آبی به ترتیب نشان دهنده‌ی کهکشان‌های منفعل، کهکشان‌های دره‌ی سبز و کهکشان‌های فعال یا ستاره‌زا هستند.

به طور خلاصه این مقاله نشان می‌دهد که دوگانگی در پارامتر چرخش ستاره‌ای کهکشان‌هایی که در یک گروه جرمی و با یک میزان از نرخ ستاره‌زایی هستند، وجود دارد و این دوگانگی نشان‌دهنده‌ی مسیرهای تحولی متفاوت آن‌ها می‌باشد.

 

 

۱. Galaxy Bimodality
۲. Morphology
۳. Star Formation Rate
۴. Early-Type Galaxies
۵. Late-Type Galaxies
۶.Active Galactic Nuclei
۷. Green Valley
۸. Quenching
۹. Rejuvenation
۱۰. Intrinsic Spin Parametr
۱۱. Normalised
۱۲. Hierarchichal Structure Formation
۱۳. Passive
۱۴. Super Massive Blackhole
۱۵. Intracluster Medium

شکل بالای صفحه مربوط به مقاله‌ای از Schawinski و همکاران در سال ۲۰۱۴ هست که به بررسی کهکشان‌های شناسایی شده در پروژه‌ی Galaxy Zoo در دره‌ی سبز می‌پردازند. لینک مقاله: https://arxiv.org/abs/1402.4814

عنوان اصلی مقاله: Universal bimodality in kinematic morphology and the divergent pathways to galaxy quenching
نویسندگان: Bitao Wang, Yingjie Peng, Michele Cappellari
لینک اصلی مقاله: https://arxiv.org/abs/2409.17257

گردآوری: زهرا شعرباف

 

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  • The winter Milky WayAlison Klesman
    Abhijit Patil, taken from Alabama Hills, California The jewels of the northern Milky Way stand out above this rock formation — from the Pleiades (M45) and the California Nebula (NGC 1499) on the right up to the Heart and Soul Nebulae (IC 1805 and IC 1848). At top center lies the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), ourContinue reading "The winter Milky Way" The post The winter Milky Way appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

The winter Milky Way

December 14th 2024 at 2:44 am

Abhijit Patil, taken from Alabama Hills, California The jewels of the northern Milky Way stand out above this rock formation — from the Pleiades (M45) and the California Nebula (NGC 1499) on the right up to the Heart and Soul Nebulae (IC 1805 and IC 1848). At top center lies the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), ourContinue reading "The winter Milky Way"

The post The winter Milky Way appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • OPINION: An aerospace expert on NASA’s Orion crew capsule heat shield issues during Artemis Ishill
    Off the coast of Baja California in December 2022, sun sparkled over the rippling sea as waves sloshed around the USS Portland dock ship. Navy officials on the deck scrutinized the sky in search of a sign. The glow appeared suddenly. A tiny spot at first, it gradually grew to a round circle falling atContinue reading "OPINION: An aerospace expert on NASA’s Orion crew capsule heat shield issues during Artemis I" The post OPINION: An aerospace expert on NASA’s Orion crew capsule heat shield issues
     

OPINION: An aerospace expert on NASA’s Orion crew capsule heat shield issues during Artemis I

By: shill
December 13th 2024 at 10:30 pm

Off the coast of Baja California in December 2022, sun sparkled over the rippling sea as waves sloshed around the USS Portland dock ship. Navy officials on the deck scrutinized the sky in search of a sign. The glow appeared suddenly. A tiny spot at first, it gradually grew to a round circle falling atContinue reading "OPINION: An aerospace expert on NASA’s Orion crew capsule heat shield issues during Artemis I"

The post OPINION: An aerospace expert on NASA’s Orion crew capsule heat shield issues during Artemis I appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • Could deuterium be the key to finding aliens? Alison Klesman
    To find advanced civilizations, you don’t need to go hunting for megastructures or hypothetical space probes. You could find civilizations just a few centuries ahead of us by looking for a key element: hydrogen.  While hydrogen is everywhere, not all of it is of the same type. Several hydrogen isotopes exist, and deuterium is oneContinue reading "Could deuterium be the key to finding aliens? " The post Could deuterium be the key to finding aliens?  appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

Could deuterium be the key to finding aliens? 

December 13th 2024 at 6:36 pm

To find advanced civilizations, you don’t need to go hunting for megastructures or hypothetical space probes. You could find civilizations just a few centuries ahead of us by looking for a key element: hydrogen.  While hydrogen is everywhere, not all of it is of the same type. Several hydrogen isotopes exist, and deuterium is oneContinue reading "Could deuterium be the key to finding aliens? "

The post Could deuterium be the key to finding aliens?  appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • What’s in the National Academies’ Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics?Christopher Cokinos
    At its current solar maximum, our Sun has been pretty busy of late, flinging parts of itself at Earth and raising concerns about effects on satellites and power grids while also gracing us with incredible aurorae. Solar and space-weather scientists have been busy too. They’ve just released a mammoth, nearly 800-page report to set prioritiesContinue reading "What’s in the National Academies’ Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics?" The post What’s in the National Academies’ Decadal Survey for
     

What’s in the National Academies’ Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics?

December 13th 2024 at 5:30 pm

At its current solar maximum, our Sun has been pretty busy of late, flinging parts of itself at Earth and raising concerns about effects on satellites and power grids while also gracing us with incredible aurorae. Solar and space-weather scientists have been busy too. They’ve just released a mammoth, nearly 800-page report to set prioritiesContinue reading "What’s in the National Academies’ Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics?"

The post What’s in the National Academies’ Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics? appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

Geminid meteor shower peaks tonight! Here's how to see one of the best meteor showers of the year

December 13th 2024 at 4:51 pm
Look up! The Geminds could put on quite the show tonight despite the bright moon.

© <a href="https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/search/photographer?photographer=Li%20Xiang" rel="nofollow">Li Xiang via</a>Getty Images

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • The Sky This Week from December 13 to 20: 2024’s last Full MoonAlison Klesman
    Friday, December 13The bright gibbous Moon passes 4° north of Uranus at 5 A.M. EST. At that time, the Moon sits in Aries the Ram, while Uranus is just over the border in far western Taurus the Bull. The two set together around 5 A.M. local time.  You might have better luck spotting the iceContinue reading "The Sky This Week from December 13 to 20: 2024’s last Full Moon" The post The Sky This Week from December 13 to 20: 2024’s last Full Moon appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

The Sky This Week from December 13 to 20: 2024’s last Full Moon

December 13th 2024 at 9:30 am

Friday, December 13The bright gibbous Moon passes 4° north of Uranus at 5 A.M. EST. At that time, the Moon sits in Aries the Ram, while Uranus is just over the border in far western Taurus the Bull. The two set together around 5 A.M. local time.  You might have better luck spotting the iceContinue reading "The Sky This Week from December 13 to 20: 2024’s last Full Moon"

The post The Sky This Week from December 13 to 20: 2024’s last Full Moon appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • NASA conducts first otherworldly aircraft accident investigationMark Zastrow
    The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA oversee investigations of aircraft accidents in U.S. airspace. But what happens when a crash occurs hundreds of millions of miles away in outer space? Engineers with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) manufacturer Aerovironment, a prominent aerospace and defense contractor, areContinue reading "NASA conducts first otherworldly aircraft accident investigation" The post NASA conducts first
     

NASA conducts first otherworldly aircraft accident investigation

December 13th 2024 at 1:58 am

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA oversee investigations of aircraft accidents in U.S. airspace. But what happens when a crash occurs hundreds of millions of miles away in outer space? Engineers with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) manufacturer Aerovironment, a prominent aerospace and defense contractor, areContinue reading "NASA conducts first otherworldly aircraft accident investigation"

The post NASA conducts first otherworldly aircraft accident investigation appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • Sun-like stars experience superflares roughly once per centuryKorey Haynes
    Solar flares are bright flashes of light from the Sun that release large amounts of electromagnetic radiation. And while normal flares can release as much as 1025 joules of energy, so-called superflares, observed on other stars, are up to 10,000 times more powerful. Even normal solar flares and the charged particles that often accompany themContinue reading "Sun-like stars experience superflares roughly once per century" The post Sun-like stars experience superflares roughly once per century app
     

Sun-like stars experience superflares roughly once per century

December 12th 2024 at 10:30 pm

Solar flares are bright flashes of light from the Sun that release large amounts of electromagnetic radiation. And while normal flares can release as much as 1025 joules of energy, so-called superflares, observed on other stars, are up to 10,000 times more powerful. Even normal solar flares and the charged particles that often accompany themContinue reading "Sun-like stars experience superflares roughly once per century"

The post Sun-like stars experience superflares roughly once per century appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

Meteor strikes on the moon! Astronomer captures possible Geminid lunar impacts (videos)

December 12th 2024 at 10:00 pm
Several brief flashes on the lunar surface were captured from Earth.

© <a href="https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/search/photographer?photographer=LeonardoFernndezLzaro%20%2F%20500px">LeonardoFernndezLzaro / 500px via </a>Getty Images

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • The best deep-sky targets in TaurusMichael E. Bakich
    The constellation Taurus the Bull is an easy one to find in the Northern Hemisphere’s fall and winter skies. It stands opposite the Sun at the beginning of December. The head of the figure is a large V of stars, and standing out among them is the ruddy 1st-magnitude star Aldebaran (Alpha [α] Tauri) markingContinue reading "The best deep-sky targets in Taurus" The post The best deep-sky targets in Taurus appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

The best deep-sky targets in Taurus

December 12th 2024 at 5:30 pm

The constellation Taurus the Bull is an easy one to find in the Northern Hemisphere’s fall and winter skies. It stands opposite the Sun at the beginning of December. The head of the figure is a large V of stars, and standing out among them is the ruddy 1st-magnitude star Aldebaran (Alpha [α] Tauri) markingContinue reading "The best deep-sky targets in Taurus"

The post The best deep-sky targets in Taurus appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

Dramatic changes on Uranus, Neptune, Saturn and Jupiter revealed in 10 years of Hubble Telescope images (video)

December 12th 2024 at 2:30 pm
The space agency has learned a lot over 10 years observing the weather of our solar system's outer planets.

© NASA, ESA, Amy Simon (NASA-GSFC), Michael H. Wong (UC Berkeley); Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI)

Tom Hanks bringing 'The Moonwalkers' to Houston for US premiere in 2025

December 11th 2024 at 9:30 pm
"The Moonwalkers" is landing in Houston. More than a year after the immersive film debuted in London, "The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks" is set to make its US premiere at Space Center Houston.

© Lightroom/J. Sutcliffe / Space Center Houston / collectSPACE.com

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • Hair of the PleiadesMark Zastrow
    Emanuele La Barbera, taken from Piano Battaglia, Sicily, Italy The Pleiades (M45) star cluster is one of the most famous naked-eye objects in the sky, but only deep photographic exposures reveal the complexity of the fine strands of dust surrounding the stars. This imager took 28 hours of exposure with a 3.4-inch scope with aContinue reading "Hair of the Pleiades" The post Hair of the Pleiades appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

Hair of the Pleiades

December 11th 2024 at 12:07 am

Emanuele La Barbera, taken from Piano Battaglia, Sicily, Italy The Pleiades (M45) star cluster is one of the most famous naked-eye objects in the sky, but only deep photographic exposures reveal the complexity of the fine strands of dust surrounding the stars. This imager took 28 hours of exposure with a 3.4-inch scope with aContinue reading "Hair of the Pleiades"

The post Hair of the Pleiades appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • How we might look for life in the universe — even if we can’t recognize itAlison Klesman
    We have only one example of biology forming in the universe – life on Earth. But what if life can form in other ways? How do you look for alien life when you don’t know what alien life might look like? These questions are preoccupying astrobiologists, who are scientists who look for life beyond Earth. Astrobiologists haveContinue reading "How we might look for life in the universe — even if we can’t recognize it" The post How we might look for life in the universe — even if we can’t recognize it
     

How we might look for life in the universe — even if we can’t recognize it

December 10th 2024 at 11:30 pm

We have only one example of biology forming in the universe – life on Earth. But what if life can form in other ways? How do you look for alien life when you don’t know what alien life might look like? These questions are preoccupying astrobiologists, who are scientists who look for life beyond Earth. Astrobiologists haveContinue reading "How we might look for life in the universe — even if we can’t recognize it"

The post How we might look for life in the universe — even if we can’t recognize it appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

The largest space merch retailer in the world opens its first brick-and-mortar retail store in downtown Chattanooga

December 10th 2024 at 7:55 pm

PRESS RELEASEFor immediate release Contact:Erik Spangenberg(203)-550-3196erik@firecrown.com CHATTANOOGA, TN — The Space Store, an e-commerce retailer specializing in space-themed merchandise, has opened its first physical retail space in downtown Chattanooga. The Space Store got its start in 1996, as one of the first e-commerce businesses on the internet. For the past 28 years, The Space StoreContinue reading "The largest space merch retailer in the world opens its first brick-and-mortar retail store in downtown Chattanooga"

The post The largest space merch retailer in the world opens its first brick-and-mortar retail store in downtown Chattanooga appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

Extremely rare, black 'anti-auroras' paint luminous 'letter E' above Alaska

December 10th 2024 at 4:30 pm
A "bizarre" E-shaped aurora was recently photographed dancing in the sky above Alaska. The unusual light show was caused by rare black auroras, a.k.a. anti-auroras, which catapult charged particles from the sun back out of Earth's atmosphere and into space.

© Todd Salat/<a href="https://www.aurorahunter.com/" target="_blank">aurorahunter.com</a>

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • A look ahead to the sky next year: Sky Guide 2025Astronomy Staff
    It’s back: Astronomy magazine’s free downloadable Sky Guide, your preview of everything happening in the sky next year.  Mars opens 2025 by reaching opposition the night of Jan. 15/16, when it shines brighter and appears larger through a telescope than at any time since December 2022. You’ll find it in Gemini, near the heads ofContinue reading "A look ahead to the sky next year: Sky Guide 2025" The post A look ahead to the sky next year: Sky Guide 2025 appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

A look ahead to the sky next year: Sky Guide 2025

December 10th 2024 at 1:00 am

It’s back: Astronomy magazine’s free downloadable Sky Guide, your preview of everything happening in the sky next year.  Mars opens 2025 by reaching opposition the night of Jan. 15/16, when it shines brighter and appears larger through a telescope than at any time since December 2022. You’ll find it in Gemini, near the heads ofContinue reading "A look ahead to the sky next year: Sky Guide 2025"

The post A look ahead to the sky next year: Sky Guide 2025 appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

Cracking the Challenge of Quantum Error Correction

Author(s): Matteo Rini and Michael Schirber

Researchers at Google Quantum AI have demonstrated “below-threshold” error correction, a necessary condition for building noise-resistant quantum computers that are sufficiently large to perform useful computations.


[Physics 17, 176] Published Mon Dec 09, 2024

Hubble Telescope sees 'weird things' in closest-ever look at a quasar from monster black hole

December 10th 2024 at 12:30 am
The Hubble Space Telescope has peered deeper than ever before into the heart of the supermassive black hole-powered quasar 3C, 273 spotting "weird" structures.

© NASA, ESA, Bin Ren (Université Côte d’Azur/CNRS); Acknowledgment: John Bahcall (IAS); Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI)

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • Can you view Pluto in a backyard telescope?Astronomy Staff
    Is it possible to view Pluto from a backyard telescope? Ethan SpykerWadsworth, Ohio If I’m being honest, Pluto is difficult for an amateur astronomer to see. A standard 8-inch telescope just won’t do the trick. That’s because Pluto hasn’t been brighter than 14th magnitude since the fall of 2004. It reached perihelion (its closest approach toContinue reading "Can you view Pluto in a backyard telescope?" The post Can you view Pluto in a backyard telescope? appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

Can you view Pluto in a backyard telescope?

December 9th 2024 at 10:30 pm

Is it possible to view Pluto from a backyard telescope? Ethan SpykerWadsworth, Ohio If I’m being honest, Pluto is difficult for an amateur astronomer to see. A standard 8-inch telescope just won’t do the trick. That’s because Pluto hasn’t been brighter than 14th magnitude since the fall of 2004. It reached perihelion (its closest approach toContinue reading "Can you view Pluto in a backyard telescope?"

The post Can you view Pluto in a backyard telescope? appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher: the Geminid meteor showerDavid J. Eicher
    In this episode, Dave Eicher invites you to observe the Geminid meteor shower, which will peak during the early morning hours of December 14. The best time to view them is after midnight, but you may see some in the evening hours as well. Get comfortable and look straight overhead for fast moving (and quicklyContinue reading "This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher: the Geminid meteor shower" The post This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher: the Geminid meteor shower appeared first on Astronomy
     

This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher: the Geminid meteor shower

December 9th 2024 at 7:50 pm

In this episode, Dave Eicher invites you to observe the Geminid meteor shower, which will peak during the early morning hours of December 14. The best time to view them is after midnight, but you may see some in the evening hours as well. Get comfortable and look straight overhead for fast moving (and quicklyContinue reading "This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher: the Geminid meteor shower"

The post This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher: the Geminid meteor shower appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

'Our understanding of the universe may be incomplete': James Webb Space Telescope data suggests we need a 'new cosmic feature' to explain it all

December 9th 2024 at 5:30 pm
'Hubble was right!' The largest cosmic survey from the James Webb Space Telescope indicates scientists may need another ingredient in their cosmic recipe.

© NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Jose M. Diego (IFCA), Jordan C. J. D’Silva (UWA), Anton M. Koekemoer (STScI), Jake Summers (ASU), Rogier Windhorst (ASU), Haojing Yan (University of Missouri)

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • The Moon as it never wasKlaus R. Brasch
    In 1874, James Nasmyth and James Carpenter published a remarkable book: The Moon: Considered as a Planet, a World, and a Satellite. Lavishly illustrated with spectacular images of lunar features based on their own observations and exquisite plaster models, it served as a platform for the authors to advance their views on the nature andContinue reading "The Moon as it never was" The post The Moon as it never was appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

The Moon as it never was

December 9th 2024 at 5:30 pm

In 1874, James Nasmyth and James Carpenter published a remarkable book: The Moon: Considered as a Planet, a World, and a Satellite. Lavishly illustrated with spectacular images of lunar features based on their own observations and exquisite plaster models, it served as a platform for the authors to advance their views on the nature andContinue reading "The Moon as it never was"

The post The Moon as it never was appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

'Ominous milestone for the planet': Arctic Ocean's 1st ice-free day could be just 3 years away, alarming study finds

December 7th 2024 at 4:30 pm
The Arctic's ice cover could dip below a crucial threshold as soon as 2027, and will do so inevitably in the next 20 years if greenhouse gas emissions continue, scientists warn.

© Chase Dekker Wild-Life Images/Getty Images

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • A dusty eagleMark Zastrow
    Santiago Ramos Avila, taken from Moratalla, Spain The dust clouds in this field near the border of Libra and Ophiuchus take on the appearance of an eagle, with a bright star (HD 142269) as its eye. The brighter emission in this field is associated with LBN 10, and the darker clouds — especially around theContinue reading "A dusty eagle" The post A dusty eagle appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

A dusty eagle

December 7th 2024 at 2:36 am

Santiago Ramos Avila, taken from Moratalla, Spain The dust clouds in this field near the border of Libra and Ophiuchus take on the appearance of an eagle, with a bright star (HD 142269) as its eye. The brighter emission in this field is associated with LBN 10, and the darker clouds — especially around theContinue reading "A dusty eagle"

The post A dusty eagle appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • A look back at NEOWISE, the NASA mission that cataloged objects around Earth for over a decadeAlison Klesman
    The NASA project NEOWISE, which has given astronomers a detailed view of near-Earth objects – some of which could strike the Earth – ended its mission and burned on re-entering the atmosphere after over a decade. On a clear night, the sky is full of bright objects – from stars, large planets and galaxies toContinue reading "A look back at NEOWISE, the NASA mission that cataloged objects around Earth for over a decade" The post A look back at NEOWISE, the NASA mission that cataloged objects aroun
     

A look back at NEOWISE, the NASA mission that cataloged objects around Earth for over a decade

December 6th 2024 at 10:30 pm

The NASA project NEOWISE, which has given astronomers a detailed view of near-Earth objects – some of which could strike the Earth – ended its mission and burned on re-entering the atmosphere after over a decade. On a clear night, the sky is full of bright objects – from stars, large planets and galaxies toContinue reading "A look back at NEOWISE, the NASA mission that cataloged objects around Earth for over a decade"

The post A look back at NEOWISE, the NASA mission that cataloged objects around Earth for over a decade appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • NASA releases new infrared images from retired NEOWISE missionSamantha Hill
    Although it completed its mission in July, NASA’s Near-Earth Object Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) still has interesting archival data covering the solar system thanks to the team at the Infrared Processing & Analysis Center (IPAC) at Caltech. After the spacecraft burned up in the atmosphere in November, IPAC completed a final data release ofContinue reading "NASA releases new infrared images from retired NEOWISE mission" The post NASA releases new infrared images from retired
     

NASA releases new infrared images from retired NEOWISE mission

December 6th 2024 at 8:30 pm

Although it completed its mission in July, NASA’s Near-Earth Object Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) still has interesting archival data covering the solar system thanks to the team at the Infrared Processing & Analysis Center (IPAC) at Caltech. After the spacecraft burned up in the atmosphere in November, IPAC completed a final data release ofContinue reading "NASA releases new infrared images from retired NEOWISE mission"

The post NASA releases new infrared images from retired NEOWISE mission appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • NASA pushes first Moon landing since Apollo era to 2027Mark Zastrow
    For the second time this year, NASA has pushed back its timeline to land the first Americans on the Moon since the Apollo era. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on Thursday revealed that due to an issue with the heat shield on NASA’s Orion capsule discovered during the 2022 Artemis 1 test mission, the Artemis 3Continue reading "NASA pushes first Moon landing since Apollo era to 2027" The post NASA pushes first Moon landing since Apollo era to 2027 appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

NASA pushes first Moon landing since Apollo era to 2027

December 6th 2024 at 7:27 pm

For the second time this year, NASA has pushed back its timeline to land the first Americans on the Moon since the Apollo era. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on Thursday revealed that due to an issue with the heat shield on NASA’s Orion capsule discovered during the 2022 Artemis 1 test mission, the Artemis 3Continue reading "NASA pushes first Moon landing since Apollo era to 2027"

The post NASA pushes first Moon landing since Apollo era to 2027 appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • The Sky This Week from December 6 to 13: Jupiter reaches oppositionAlison Klesman
    Friday, December 6Asteroid 15 Eunomia is making its way through central Auriga this month, passing numerous deep-sky objects along the way.  By 9 P.M. local time this evening, the asteroid is nearly 50° high in the eastern sky. It’s skimming close to 5th-magnitude Phi (φ) Aurigae, just 1° east of the star tonight. Now magnitudeContinue reading "The Sky This Week from December 6 to 13: Jupiter reaches opposition" The post The Sky This Week from December 6 to 13: Jupiter reaches opposition appeare
     

The Sky This Week from December 6 to 13: Jupiter reaches opposition

December 6th 2024 at 9:30 am

Friday, December 6Asteroid 15 Eunomia is making its way through central Auriga this month, passing numerous deep-sky objects along the way.  By 9 P.M. local time this evening, the asteroid is nearly 50° high in the eastern sky. It’s skimming close to 5th-magnitude Phi (φ) Aurigae, just 1° east of the star tonight. Now magnitudeContinue reading "The Sky This Week from December 6 to 13: Jupiter reaches opposition"

The post The Sky This Week from December 6 to 13: Jupiter reaches opposition appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • Trump chooses first private spacewalker Jared Isaacman as NASA headMark Zastrow
    President-elect Donald Trump has picked private astronaut and billionaire tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman as the administrator of NASA. Trump confirmed the nomination on Wednesday in a post on X. “Jared will drive NASA’s mission of discovery and inspiration, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in Space science, technology, and exploration,” Trump wrote in the post. “OverContinue reading "Trump chooses first private spacewalker Jared Isaacman as NASA head" The post Trump chooses first
     

Trump chooses first private spacewalker Jared Isaacman as NASA head

December 6th 2024 at 2:41 am

President-elect Donald Trump has picked private astronaut and billionaire tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman as the administrator of NASA. Trump confirmed the nomination on Wednesday in a post on X. “Jared will drive NASA’s mission of discovery and inspiration, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in Space science, technology, and exploration,” Trump wrote in the post. “OverContinue reading "Trump chooses first private spacewalker Jared Isaacman as NASA head"

The post Trump chooses first private spacewalker Jared Isaacman as NASA head appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • Low-level clouds play surprise role in global warmingRandall Hyman
    In a study published today in Science, researchers say they have solved a climate enigma — the inexplicable surge in global temperature in 2023, rising faster than climate models predicted. By analyzing satellite data and weather records, a team of climatologists in Germany have found that the culprit is likely fewer clouds at low altitudesContinue reading "Low-level clouds play surprise role in global warming" The post Low-level clouds play surprise role in global warming appeared first on Astr
     

Low-level clouds play surprise role in global warming

December 6th 2024 at 12:04 am

In a study published today in Science, researchers say they have solved a climate enigma — the inexplicable surge in global temperature in 2023, rising faster than climate models predicted. By analyzing satellite data and weather records, a team of climatologists in Germany have found that the culprit is likely fewer clouds at low altitudesContinue reading "Low-level clouds play surprise role in global warming"

The post Low-level clouds play surprise role in global warming appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

Gigantic 'spiderwebs' on Mars are the next big target for NASA's Curiosity rover, agency reveals

December 5th 2024 at 9:30 pm
Curiosity has just finished the latest leg of its 12-year Mars mission and will now set out to explore miles of web-like surface features left behind by ancient water on the Red Planet. The zig-zagging rocks could also provide clues about whether Mars once harbored extraterrestrial life.

© NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • This distant star is about to die — and astronomers caught it in close-upMark Zastrow
    After years of effort, astronomers at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) announced they managed to capture the first closeup image of a star beyond our galaxy. This remarkable achievement offers more than just stunning visuals — it provides a rare glimpse into the final moments of a star that will inevitably explode as a spectacularContinue reading "This distant star is about to die — and astronomers caught it in close-up" The post This distant star is about to die — and astronomers caught
     

This distant star is about to die — and astronomers caught it in close-up

December 5th 2024 at 9:12 pm

After years of effort, astronomers at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) announced they managed to capture the first closeup image of a star beyond our galaxy. This remarkable achievement offers more than just stunning visuals — it provides a rare glimpse into the final moments of a star that will inevitably explode as a spectacularContinue reading "This distant star is about to die — and astronomers caught it in close-up"

The post This distant star is about to die — and astronomers caught it in close-up appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

Satellites find likely cause of mysterious African elephant deaths of 2020

December 5th 2024 at 7:30 pm
The staggering deaths of over 300 African elephants in early 2020 was most likely due to toxins in water proliferated to exceptional levels by climate extremes, according to a fresh analysis of decade's worth of satellite data.

© Murat Ozgur Guvendik/Anadolu via Getty Images

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • REVIEW: The Celestron Origin is the smartscope powerhouse we’ve been waiting forPhil Harrington
    I’m in love. I don’t often begin a review by saying that a product has wooed me, but the Celestron Origin Home Observatory has done just that.Not that I’m surprised. Since it first introduced the venerable C8 Schmidt-Cassegrain in 1970, Celestron has established itself as a leading manufacturer of cutting-edge telescopes and accessories for amateurContinue reading "REVIEW: The Celestron Origin is the smartscope powerhouse we’ve been waiting for" The post REVIEW: The Celestron Origin is the smart
     

REVIEW: The Celestron Origin is the smartscope powerhouse we’ve been waiting for

December 5th 2024 at 5:30 pm

I’m in love. I don’t often begin a review by saying that a product has wooed me, but the Celestron Origin Home Observatory has done just that.Not that I’m surprised. Since it first introduced the venerable C8 Schmidt-Cassegrain in 1970, Celestron has established itself as a leading manufacturer of cutting-edge telescopes and accessories for amateurContinue reading "REVIEW: The Celestron Origin is the smartscope powerhouse we’ve been waiting for"

The post REVIEW: The Celestron Origin is the smartscope powerhouse we’ve been waiting for appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇American Physical Society
  • Enter the Mechanical QubitSusan Curtis
    Author(s): Susan CurtisThe demonstration of the first fully functioning mechanical qubit offers a new platform for quantum information processing and could lead to ultraprecise gravity sensors.[Physics 17, 172] Published Wed Dec 04, 2024
     
  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • Proba-3 launches, ready to eclipse the SunKorey Haynes
    UPDATE: Proba-3 launched successfully Thursday morning at 5:34 A.M. EST (10:34 GMT). You can watch a replay of the launch here. In a fabulous feat of formation flying, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission, now set to launch Thursday morning, will fly two spacecraft 490 feet (150 meters, or one and a half footballContinue reading "Proba-3 launches, ready to eclipse the Sun" The post Proba-3 launches, ready to eclipse the Sun appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

Proba-3 launches, ready to eclipse the Sun

December 5th 2024 at 6:12 pm

UPDATE: Proba-3 launched successfully Thursday morning at 5:34 A.M. EST (10:34 GMT). You can watch a replay of the launch here. In a fabulous feat of formation flying, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission, now set to launch Thursday morning, will fly two spacecraft 490 feet (150 meters, or one and a half footballContinue reading "Proba-3 launches, ready to eclipse the Sun"

The post Proba-3 launches, ready to eclipse the Sun appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

Behold! These gorgeous never-before-seen space images are from a NASA space telescope that should have died long ago

December 4th 2024 at 7:30 pm
NEOWISE team members have unveiled six images from the spacecraft's archives to celebrate the late space telescope's long and productive scientific life.

© NASA/JPL-Caltech/IPAC

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • December 2024: What’s in the Southern Hemisphere sky this month?Alison Klesman
    You don’t want to miss Jupiter this month. The giant planet reaches opposition and peak visibility December 7 against the stunning backdrop of Taurus the Bull. Shining at magnitude –2.8, Jupiter dominates the northeastern sky once darkness falls. Although the gas giant lies well north of the celestial equator — less than optimal for usContinue reading "December 2024: What’s in the Southern Hemisphere sky this month?" The post December 2024: What’s in the Southern Hemisphere sky this month? appea
     

December 2024: What’s in the Southern Hemisphere sky this month?

December 3rd 2024 at 11:35 pm

You don’t want to miss Jupiter this month. The giant planet reaches opposition and peak visibility December 7 against the stunning backdrop of Taurus the Bull. Shining at magnitude –2.8, Jupiter dominates the northeastern sky once darkness falls. Although the gas giant lies well north of the celestial equator — less than optimal for usContinue reading "December 2024: What’s in the Southern Hemisphere sky this month?"

The post December 2024: What’s in the Southern Hemisphere sky this month? appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

Tiny asteroid detected hours before hitting Earth to become 4th 'imminent impactor' of 2024

December 3rd 2024 at 8:10 pm
A tiny asteroid measuring some 27 inches (70 cm) wide was detected on a collision course with Earth above Siberia. It is expected to burn up harmlessly on the morning of Dec. 3, 2024.

© ESA/SIO/NOAA/U.S. Navy/NGA/GEBCO

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • Is it time to rename the Hubble constant?Joseph Marcus
    Most people associate the discovery that faraway galaxies are receding from us — and thus, that the universe is expanding — with Edwin Hubble, thanks to his landmark 1929 paper. It was one of the most fundamental discoveries in the history of science. But Hubble did not discover the expansion. In the 1910s, a LowellContinue reading "Is it time to rename the Hubble constant?" The post Is it time to rename the Hubble constant? appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

Is it time to rename the Hubble constant?

December 3rd 2024 at 5:30 pm

Most people associate the discovery that faraway galaxies are receding from us — and thus, that the universe is expanding — with Edwin Hubble, thanks to his landmark 1929 paper. It was one of the most fundamental discoveries in the history of science. But Hubble did not discover the expansion. In the 1910s, a LowellContinue reading "Is it time to rename the Hubble constant?"

The post Is it time to rename the Hubble constant? appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • What is Vega’s smooth-surface secret?Mark Zastrow
    Vega, located in the constellation Lyra, is the fifth-brightest star in the night sky. It is known to be surrounded a disk of particle debris that’s almost 100 billion miles (160 billion kilometers) in diameter. The star and its orbiting disk have been photographed countless times by several observatories and satellites, although it was onlyContinue reading "What is Vega’s smooth-surface secret?" The post What is Vega’s smooth-surface secret? appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

What is Vega’s smooth-surface secret?

December 3rd 2024 at 2:30 pm

Vega, located in the constellation Lyra, is the fifth-brightest star in the night sky. It is known to be surrounded a disk of particle debris that’s almost 100 billion miles (160 billion kilometers) in diameter. The star and its orbiting disk have been photographed countless times by several observatories and satellites, although it was onlyContinue reading "What is Vega’s smooth-surface secret?"

The post What is Vega’s smooth-surface secret? appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • Tsuchinshan, take a bowMark Zastrow
    Hao Liu, taken in Nanjing, China The name Tsuchinshan was on world’s lips this year when Comet C/2023 A3 — otherwise known as Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS — burst into naked-eye view. The name refers to Tuschinshan Observatory (or Purple Mountain Observatory), whose facility in Xuyi was the first to discover the comet. In this image, theContinue reading "Tsuchinshan, take a bow" The post Tsuchinshan, take a bow appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

Tsuchinshan, take a bow

December 3rd 2024 at 8:04 am

Hao Liu, taken in Nanjing, China The name Tsuchinshan was on world’s lips this year when Comet C/2023 A3 — otherwise known as Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS — burst into naked-eye view. The name refers to Tuschinshan Observatory (or Purple Mountain Observatory), whose facility in Xuyi was the first to discover the comet. In this image, theContinue reading "Tsuchinshan, take a bow"

The post Tsuchinshan, take a bow appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • Does dark matter affect our solar system?Astronomy Staff
    Why do we not see effects of dark matter in our solar system and other nearby star systems? Curran RodeAmmannsville, Texas Dark matter refers to material that does not absorb, reflect, or emit any electromagnetic radiation. Astronomers have ascertained the existence of dark matter through the gravitational influence it exerts over visible matter. In fact,Continue reading "Does dark matter affect our solar system?" The post Does dark matter affect our solar system? appeared first on Astronomy Mag
     

Does dark matter affect our solar system?

December 2nd 2024 at 10:30 pm

Why do we not see effects of dark matter in our solar system and other nearby star systems? Curran RodeAmmannsville, Texas Dark matter refers to material that does not absorb, reflect, or emit any electromagnetic radiation. Astronomers have ascertained the existence of dark matter through the gravitational influence it exerts over visible matter. In fact,Continue reading "Does dark matter affect our solar system?"

The post Does dark matter affect our solar system? appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • Venus may never have had oceansMark Zastrow
    The story of the inner early Solar System goes something like this: Billions of years ago, there were three rocky worlds with oceans of liquid water. Perhaps all three could have been primed for life. But as Mars lost its atmosphere and Venus’ atmosphere experienced a runaway greenhouse effect, only Earth could support life byContinue reading "Venus may never have had oceans" The post Venus may never have had oceans appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

Venus may never have had oceans

December 2nd 2024 at 9:45 pm

The story of the inner early Solar System goes something like this: Billions of years ago, there were three rocky worlds with oceans of liquid water. Perhaps all three could have been primed for life. But as Mars lost its atmosphere and Venus’ atmosphere experienced a runaway greenhouse effect, only Earth could support life byContinue reading "Venus may never have had oceans"

The post Venus may never have had oceans appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

Satellites spy red-hot lava threaten Iceland's Blue Lagoon

December 2nd 2024 at 8:28 pm
Satellites watched bright burning lava surge toward Iceland's Blue Lagoon following a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

© NASA Earth Observatory images by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and VIIRS day-night band data from the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • The Moon passes Saturn: This Week in Astronomy with Dave EicherDavid J. Eicher
    In this episode, Dave Eicher invites you to observe the Moon passing by Saturn on the evening of December 7. Both objects at the time will be in the constellation Aquarius the Water-bearer. The Moon will be 43 percent illuminated, or nearly at its First Quarter phase. The Ringed Planet will lie 4 degrees toContinue reading "The Moon passes Saturn: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher" The post The Moon passes Saturn: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher appeared first on Astronomy Magazine
     

The Moon passes Saturn: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher

December 2nd 2024 at 8:22 pm

In this episode, Dave Eicher invites you to observe the Moon passing by Saturn on the evening of December 7. Both objects at the time will be in the constellation Aquarius the Water-bearer. The Moon will be 43 percent illuminated, or nearly at its First Quarter phase. The Ringed Planet will lie 4 degrees toContinue reading "The Moon passes Saturn: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher"

The post The Moon passes Saturn: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • Watch Jupiter’s moons in action this monthshill
    It may be cold this month, but now is a great time to get outside and explore Jupiter’s beauty and might. The fifth planet will not only reach opposition on Dec. 7, it will also be at perigee (closest to Earth) on Dec. 6, putting on its biggest and brightest show of the year. KnownContinue reading "Watch Jupiter’s moons in action this month" The post Watch Jupiter’s moons in action this month appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

Watch Jupiter’s moons in action this month

By: shill
December 2nd 2024 at 5:30 pm

It may be cold this month, but now is a great time to get outside and explore Jupiter’s beauty and might. The fifth planet will not only reach opposition on Dec. 7, it will also be at perigee (closest to Earth) on Dec. 6, putting on its biggest and brightest show of the year. KnownContinue reading "Watch Jupiter’s moons in action this month"

The post Watch Jupiter’s moons in action this month appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

My go-to telescope for high-definition views of the solar system is this Sky-Watcher refractor with nearly $500 off this Cyber Monday

December 1st 2024 at 8:43 pm
This Black Friday weekend, the Sky-Watcher EvoStar 120 APO Doublet Refractor is 20% off and is a must-buy if you are a seasoned skywatcher or looking for an upgrade on your current instrument.

© Sky-Watcher

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • Festive astronomy products for everyone on your listAstronomy Staff
    Universal manual Penguin Random HouseNew York, NY The beauty and science of space combine in the book Smithsonian Atlas of Space. This 400-page hardback, created by NASA’s Chief Historian Roger D. Launius, features illustrations, maps, and images detailing humanity’s understanding of the universe from ancient times to modern day. It also includes profiles of someContinue reading "Festive astronomy products for everyone on your list" The post Festive astronomy products for everyone on your list a
     

Festive astronomy products for everyone on your list

December 1st 2024 at 7:30 pm

Universal manual Penguin Random HouseNew York, NY The beauty and science of space combine in the book Smithsonian Atlas of Space. This 400-page hardback, created by NASA’s Chief Historian Roger D. Launius, features illustrations, maps, and images detailing humanity’s understanding of the universe from ancient times to modern day. It also includes profiles of someContinue reading "Festive astronomy products for everyone on your list"

The post Festive astronomy products for everyone on your list appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

December 2024: What’s in the sky this month? Jupiter reaches its best Northern Hemisphere opposition in a decade

December 1st 2024 at 9:30 am

Jupiter reaches its best apparition in a decade for northern observers and offers a wealth of detail. Joining in late evening is brilliant Mars, now a month from opposition. Saturn is visible in the early evening, along with Venus soon after sunset. Uranus and Neptune remain visible with binoculars, and Mercury makes a fine morningContinue reading "December 2024: What’s in the sky this month? Jupiter reaches its best Northern Hemisphere opposition in a decade"

The post December 2024: What’s in the sky this month? Jupiter reaches its best Northern Hemisphere opposition in a decade appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

I'm a pro astronomer and have been skywatching for over 25 years. These are the best Black Friday telescope deals I've seen so far

November 30th 2024 at 8:14 pm
I've tried and tested many telescopes over the years to ensure you're choosing the right kit for you. These top five Black Friday weekend steals offer superb views of planets, galaxies, nebulas and stars.

© Getty

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  • Best mech games of all time
    Giant robots and piloted machines have been popular in science fiction for decades. If you want to be a mech jock yourself, these are the best mech games.
     
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  • Need a hand?Mark Zastrow
    Behyar Bakhshandeh from Carlsbad, California Resembling an outstretched hand, the Helping Hand in Cassiopeia consists of the dark nebulae LDN 1355/7/8, which overlie a region of reflection nebulosity cataloged as LBN 643. This imager took 9 hours of exposure on a 4.2-inch scope in LRGB filters. The post Need a hand? appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

Need a hand?

November 30th 2024 at 2:30 pm

Behyar Bakhshandeh from Carlsbad, California Resembling an outstretched hand, the Helping Hand in Cassiopeia consists of the dark nebulae LDN 1355/7/8, which overlie a region of reflection nebulosity cataloged as LBN 643. This imager took 9 hours of exposure on a 4.2-inch scope in LRGB filters.

The post Need a hand? appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

  • ✇Astronomy Magazine
  • Jupiter reaches opposition this weekend: How to see itMichael E. Bakich
    If you have a telescope, or access to one, now’s the time to point it at Jupiter. The largest planet in our solar system reaches opposition December 7. That means it’s directly opposite the Sun from our viewpoint here on Earth. It rises at sunset, sets at sunrise, and is visible all night.  During theContinue reading "Jupiter reaches opposition this weekend: How to see it" The post Jupiter reaches opposition this weekend: How to see it appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
     

Jupiter reaches opposition this weekend: How to see it

December 6th 2024 at 7:13 pm

If you have a telescope, or access to one, now’s the time to point it at Jupiter. The largest planet in our solar system reaches opposition December 7. That means it’s directly opposite the Sun from our viewpoint here on Earth. It rises at sunset, sets at sunrise, and is visible all night.  During theContinue reading "Jupiter reaches opposition this weekend: How to see it"

The post Jupiter reaches opposition this weekend: How to see it appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.

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