Infinity Cosmos

  The VIPER team is making remarkable strides in constructing the lunar rover destined for the Moon's surface. Currently exceeding 80% completion, the installation of all flight instruments stands as a significant achievement. The dedicated efforts of the VIPER team are evident in the progress witnessed, generating excitement as the rover takes shape. The upcoming confirmational tests will play a crucial role in bolstering confidence regarding the rover's resilience during launch, landing, and in the demanding lunar South Pole environment. This phase marks a pivotal step in ensuring the rover's readiness for the challenges that lie ahead. During the assembly and installation of diverse subsystems onto the rover, we conduct meticulous channelization tests. These tests play a vital role in verifying the functionality of connections across the entire rover system. From individual components to cable harnesses, connectors, mechanical installations, and even avionics software, t...

  In this animation of a nova, a red giant star and a white dwarf engage in a mesmerizing cosmic dance. The red giant, a vast sphere adorned in shades of red, orange, and white, orbits the white dwarf. The side facing the white dwarf exhibits the lightest shades. Meanwhile, the white dwarf remains concealed within a radiant glow of white and yellows, forming an accretion disk around the star. A diffuse cloud of red represents the stream of material flowing from the red giant to the white dwarf. The animation unfolds with the red giant co-orbiting on the right side, eventually moving behind the white dwarf.The animation unfolds with the red giant co-orbiting on the right side, eventually moving behind the white dwarf. As the red giant disappears, a spectacular nova explosion ignites on the white dwarf, flooding the screen with intense white light. Following the luminous display, a ball of ejected nova material emerges in pale orange hues. Amidst the clearing fog of material, a small...

  In Figure 1, offer an artist's conceptualization depicting the CUTE mission in its on-orbit setting. Operating from a 560 km sun-synchronous orbit since September 2021, CUTE showcases its instrumental prowess in studying extreme exoplanets with precision. Among the 5,500 exoplanets discovered thus far, a significant number orbit their parent stars in close proximity. These close-in planets offer a distinct opportunity to closely observe phenomena crucial to the understanding of our solar system's development and evolution, such as atmospheric mass loss and interactions with the host star. Launched in September 2021, NASA's Colorado Ultraviolet Transit Experiment (CUTE) mission introduces a groundbreaking design, utilizing a small spacecraft for the first time to delve into these processes. CUTE employs unique spectral diagnostics, enabling the tracking of escaping atmospheres from close-in, ultra-hot, giant planets. Its dedicated mission architecture ensures the necessary...

  This image features the barred spiral galaxy galaxy NGC 1559 as seen by the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope. Captured by the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, this image showcases the barred spiral galaxy NGC 1559. Situated approximately 35 million light-years away in the seldom-explored southern constellation Reticulum (The Reticule), the galaxy exhibits a visible central region and distinctive, loosely-wound spiral arms. Utilizing two of Webb's instruments, the Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) captures the glow of interstellar dust grains, outlining the interstellar medium crucial for future star formation. Simultaneously, the Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam) reveals starlight, including that from young stars concealed behind extensive dust, and captures emissions from ionized nebulae surrounding these youthful celestial bodies. The PHANGS team collected the data featured in this image as part of an extensive observing program, where the James Webb Space Telescope (We...

  In the lead-up to its close encounter with Earth on Feb. 2, asteroid 2008 OS7 was meticulously observed through a series of images taken by the formidable 230-foot Goldstone Solar System Radar antenna near Barstow, California. As asteroid 2008 OS7 approached Earth on Feb. 2, NASA's Deep Space Network planetary radar provided unprecedented detailed images of the stadium-sized celestial body. Despite its safe distance of about 1.8 million miles – roughly 7 ½ times the Earth-Moon distance – there was no threat of impact. Scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California utilized a potent radio antenna to analyze the size, rotation, shape, and surface characteristics of this near-Earth object (NEO). Prior to this close encounter, the asteroid had been beyond the reach of planetary radar systems for imaging. Unveiled on July 30, 2008, the asteroid came into view during routine searches for Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) conducted by the NASA-funded Catalina Sky Surv...

  In this image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, we explore the details of the dwarf galaxy IC 3476, offering a glimpse into the celestial wonders of our universe. The Hubble Space Telescope's image showcases IC 3476, a dwarf galaxy situated approximately 54 million light-years away in the constellation Coma Berenices. Despite its outwardly serene appearance, this seemingly tranquil galaxy is, in fact, a stage for highly energetic processes. IC 3476 is currently experiencing ram pressure stripping, a phenomenon propelling remarkable levels of star formation within specific regions of the galaxy. The intricate dance of gas and dust in space unfolds as these elements exert pressure on a galaxy in motion. The resistance, known as ram pressure, has the potential to strip a galaxy of its star-forming materials, hindering the birth of new stars. Conversely, ram pressure can compress gas in different areas, sparking an increase in star formation. In the case of IC 3476, the effec...

  On Feb. 22, 2024, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded a solar flare, vividly depicted by a bright flash in the upper left of the Sun. This image, showcasing extreme ultraviolet light in bronze hues, focuses on the exceptionally hot material within flares. On February 22, 2024, the Sun unleashed a potent solar flare, reaching its peak at 5:34 p.m. EST. The Solar Dynamics Observatory, a vigilant observer of the Sun, swiftly recorded this celestial event, providing a image of the solar flare. Solar flares, intense bursts of energy from the Sun, have the potential to influence various aspects of our technological infrastructure.These powerful phenomena can impact radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, and even pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts in space. The study and understanding of solar flares play a crucial role in mitigating potential adverse effects on both Earth and space-based systems. For insights into how space weather, including solar ...

The NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope has achieved a groundbreaking discovery, providing compelling evidence of emission from a neutron star at the location of the recently observed supernova, SN 1987A. Situated 160,000 light-years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud, SN 1987A graced Earth with its visibility in 1987, marking the first naked-eye observable supernova since 1604. This cosmic event has granted astronomers a rare opportunity to track the supernova's evolution and unravel the mysteries of its remnants. Identified as a type II, core-collapse supernova, SN 1987A's core, now compacted, is believed to have birthed either a neutron star or a black hole. While hints of a neutron star have been detected before, the James Webb Space Telescope has now captured the effects of high-energy emission from this young neutron star, marking a significant milestone in our cosmic understanding. Astronomy, often focused on phenomena spanning tens of thousands of years, encounters ...

  Astronomers recently detected a remarkable event—a powerful eruption from a black hole within the SDSS J1531+3414 system, aptly abbreviated as SDSS J1531. This colossal explosion, dating back billions of years, holds potential clues about the origin of a captivating arrangement of star clusters surrounding two immense galaxies, forming a bead-like pattern. SDSS J1531 is a colossal galaxy cluster housing numerous galaxies, substantial reservoirs of hot gas, and dark matter. Positioned roughly 3.8 billion light-years away, this cluster features a collision between two of its largest galaxies at its core, adding a dynamic dimension to the cosmic spectacle. Astronomers employed multiple telescopes, including NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR), a radio telescope, to scrutinize SDSS J1531. This composite image presents the X-ray view from Chandra (blue and purple) merged with radio data from LOFAR (dark pink) and an optical image from the Hubble Space ...

  NASA's PREFIRE mission observes sunlight glinting off ice patches in the Chukchi Sea, part of the Arctic Ocean, to delve into the impact of a warming world on sea ice loss, ice sheet melt, and sea level rise in Earth's polar regions. Scheduled for launch in spring 2024, NASA's PREFIRE mission introduces two compact satellites designed to traverse Earth's atmosphere and capture crucial data from the planet's polar regions. These CubeSats, each about the size of a shoebox, are set to detect heat escaping into space, particularly from Earth's frigid zones. Operating under the mission name Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment (PREFIRE), these miniature satellites leverage technology validated during Mars missions. The primary goal is to unveil the complete spectrum of heat loss from Earth's polar areas, offering unprecedented insights to enhance the accuracy of climate models. A collaborative effort between NASA and the University of Wisconsin-M...

  Jupiter, the unrivaled giant of our solar system, commands attention with its bright presence and easily discernible features, thanks to its massive size and distinct banded cloud tops. Not just a solitary planet, Jupiter boasts moons of considerable proportions; Ganymede, the largest among them, surpasses the planet Mercury in size. Observing Jupiter and its entourage of moons remains accessible to enthusiasts with modest instruments, reminiscent of Galileo's observations over 400 years ago. The grandeur of Jupiter extends beyond its visual prominence. Eleven Earths could snugly fit along Jupiter's diameter, and attempting to fill it with Earth-sized marbles would require over 1300 Earths. Yet, the true dominance of Jupiter within the outer solar system arises from its colossal mass. If all the planets in our solar system joined forces, their combined mass would still be only half that of Jupiter. This immense mass exerts gravitational influence, shaping the trajectories of ...

  Behold, eight sample trays filled with the ultimate material from asteroid Bennu. Extracted from the top plate of the TAGSAM head, 51.2 grams were meticulously collected, contributing to a final asteroid sample mass of 121.6 grams. Image credit: NASA/Erika Blumenfeld & Joseph Aebersold. Upon its return to Earth on September 24, 2023, NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft delivered an extraordinary payload – 4.29 ounces (121.6 grams) of material from asteroid Bennu. This achievement not only surpassed the mission's requirement but also set a record as the largest asteroid sample ever collected in space, doubling the mission's initial goal. The mission team, initially aiming for a minimum of 60 grams for scientific objectives, found this surpassed even before fully opening the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) head. In October 2023, curation processors at NASA's Johnson Space Center managed to collect rocks and dust from the TAGSAM head's housing caniste...

  Deep Space Station 13 at NASA’s Goldstone complex in California, a segment of the agency's Deep Space Network, achieves a groundbreaking milestone as an experimental antenna retrofitted with an optical terminal. In an unprecedented feat, this proof of concept successfully received both radio frequency and laser signals from deep space simultaneously. The Deep Space Network's (DSN) hybrid antenna, equipped to receive both radio frequency and optical signals, achieved a remarkable milestone by tracking and decoding the downlink laser from DSOC aboard NASA’s Psyche mission. This experimental antenna's capability to seamlessly handle both radio frequency and near-infrared laser signals demonstrates the feasibility of retrofitting NASA's giant dish antennas for optical communications. This advancement holds significance as optical communication, with its ability to pack more data into transmissions, opens up new possibilities for space exploration capabilities. Moreover, i...

  NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured stunning images of a solar flare on Feb. 16, 2024, showcasing bright flashes on the right in three subsets of extreme ultraviolet light. The colorized images in teal, gold, and red emphasize the intensely hot material within the flares. On Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, at 1:53 a.m. EST, the Sun unleashed a powerful solar flare, caught in the watchful gaze of NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. This constant solar sentinel recorded a image of the noteworthy event, capturing the dynamic and intense energy release from our star. Solar flares, characterized by potent bursts of energy, possess the potential to impact various aspects of our technological infrastructure. These intense solar eruptions can influence radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, and pose risks to both spacecraft and astronauts. The recently observed flare has been classified as an X2.5 flare, with the "X-class" designation representing the ...

  This image captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope unveils the beauty of a relatively close star-forming region identified as IRAS 16562-3959. The vibrant and dynamic scene captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope unfolds in this image, showcasing a relatively close star-forming region identified as IRAS 16562-3959. Situated within the Milky Way, approximately 5,900 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius, this region pulsates with color and activity, offering a captivating glimpse into the intricate processes of stellar birth and evolution. Crafted through observations by Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3, this image achieves its detailed nuance of color through the use of four distinct filters. These specialized filters, composed of thin slivers of highly specific materials, can be positioned in front of the instrument's light sensors. This allows precise wavelengths of light to pass through during each observation, offering valuable insights into the compo...

This image shows the heart of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 1097, as seen by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. Embarking on a journey to explore the vast realms of space, NASA is gearing up for a groundbreaking mission with UVEX (UltraViolet EXplorer), a space telescope slated to launch in 2030. This mission, designated as NASA’s next Astrophysics Medium-Class Explorer, will conduct an unprecedented all-sky survey, providing invaluable insights into the evolution of galaxies and stars. UVEX's versatility extends to swiftly targeting sources of ultraviolet light, allowing it to capture post-gravitational wave burst explosions resulting from merging neutron stars. Equipped with an ultraviolet spectrograph, the telescope will also delve into the study of stellar explosions and massive stars, offering a comprehensive understanding of dynamic events shaping our ever-changing universe. Nicola Fox, associate administrator of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, anticipates th...