Rainbow-like ‘glory effect’ detected on planet outside our Solar System
Potential signs of the rainbow-like ‘glory effect’ have been detected on a planet outside our Solar System for the first time. Data from ESA’s sensitive Characterising ExOplanet Satellite, Cheops, along with other missions, suggest this phenomenon is beaming from ultra-hot gas giant WASP-76b, 637 light-years away. If confirmed, this first extrasolar glory will reveal more about the nature of this puzzling exoplanet, with exciting lessons for how to better understand strange, distant worlds.
ESA and Samsung Partner to Launch Galaxy Time Watch Face for Exploring the Solar System
ESA has partnered with Samsung to introduce the Galaxy Time, a new watch face that allows users to tell time on any of the neighboring planets in our Solar System. The launch of Galaxy Time coincides with the switch to summertime in Europe on 31 March 2024, offering an innovative way for users to engage with space and time. Developed in collaboration with ESA, the Galaxy Time watch face provides wearers with a range of out-of-this-world features, including the ability to view the exact positions and distances of neighboring planets in real-time. Users can select a dial for any of the planets in the Solar System, with each dial displaying local time, number of moons, and seasonal weather information. Mario Winter, Vice President Marketing Samsung Electronics Germany, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, “Together with ESA, one of the largest players in space travel, we have developed a watch face that offers Samsung Galaxy users a new and unique way to explore our Solar System.” To ensure accuracy, Samsung worked closely with ESA experts to incorporate real-time data and calculate time on planets with different day lengths compared to Earth. The Galaxy Time watch face will be available from 31 March 2024 in Germany, catering to space enthusiasts who are eager to embrace a more direct connection with space.
Astronomer to Use James Webb Telescope to Study Saturn’s Northern Lights
University of Reading astronomer Dr. James O’Donoghue is set to use the James Webb Telescope to study Saturn’s northern lights, with plans to also observe Uranus. The research aims to unravel the mysteries behind the planets’ auroras and potentially provide insights into their rotation periods. The project, selected from a pool of 1,931 submissions, holds the promise of unveiling groundbreaking insights into the celestial phenomena of Saturn and Uranus.
New Study Suggests Planetary Engulfment May Be Common in the Cosmos
A new study published in Nature suggests that planetary engulfment may be a common occurrence in the cosmos. An international team of scientists examined pairs of closely spaced co-natal stars—stars born at the same time from the same dust and gas mixture. While these stars should initially have similar compositions, the researchers found that 8 percent of the twin pairs exhibited one star emitting elements typically found on planets. This insight offers a potential method to enhance exoplanet detection efficiency.
NASA’s Billion-Dollar Mission to Stop Potentially Devastating Asteroid
NASA paid a man $1 billion to prevent the potentially devastating asteroid Bennu from hitting Earth. The mission involved sending a spacecraft to retrieve a sample from the asteroid’s surface, providing valuable insights into potential disaster preparedness. The catastrophic impact of Bennu crashing into Earth would result in devastating consequences, highlighting the importance of ongoing research and initiatives in planetary defense.
Rare Active Asteroids Challenge Solar System Theories
Rare asteroids showing unusual active properties challenge existing theories about the solar system. The Active Asteroids project, led by University of Washington scientist Colin Orion Chandler, has discovered 15 of these rare asteroids with the help of over 8000 volunteers. These active asteroids possess traits that blur the lines between asteroids and other celestial objects, presenting new opportunities for insights into solar system evolution, planet formation, and the origins of water on Earth.
Quincy Astronomy Club to Host Zoom Lecture ‘How Big is Our Solar System’
Join the Quincy Astronomy Club for a live Zoom lecture on the vast region beyond Neptune and the implications for interstellar interactions. Dr. Fred Bruhweiler, a renowned astrophysicist, will be the speaker for the event. Contact Susan Asher for further details.
Scientists Discover Remarkable Planetary System 100 Light-Years Away
Scientists have discovered a remarkable planetary system around 100 light-years from our Solar System, hailed as the most mathematically perfect system of exoplanets ever observed. The star at the center, an orange dwarf named HD 110067, is orbited by six exoplanets that move in perfect harmony, intriguing scientists with the potential for life and the search for alien technology.
Minimoons: The Key to Unlocking Secrets of the Early Solar System
Discover the secrets of the early solar system by studying Earth’s ‘minimoons’ or ‘quasi-moons’, which could provide valuable clues about the origins of our solar system. These tiny cosmic bodies, located near Earth’s orbit, may hold the key to understanding the conditions and composition of the early solar system, making them prime candidates for scientific exploration.
Groundbreaking Discovery: Water Molecules Detected on Surface of Two Asteroids for First Time Ever
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by detecting water molecules on the surface of two asteroids for the first time ever. The data was collected using NASA’s now-retired SOFIA airborne observatory, shedding new light on the distribution of water in our solar system. This groundbreaking discovery opens up new avenues for understanding the composition and distribution of water in our solar system, offering valuable insights into the origins of water on Earth and other celestial bodies.