Infinity Cosmos

  NOAA's Solar Ultraviolet Imager captured the solar flares on Dec. 29, 2024, as bright blue flashes on the Sun's right side, highlighting hot flare material in extreme UV light. Credit:NOAA On December 29, 2024, the Sun unleashed three significant solar flares, peaking at different times throughout the day. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the flares occurred at 2:18 a.m. ET, 11:14 p.m. ET, and 11:31 p.m. ET, with images captured by NOAA's Solar Ultraviolet Imager. These solar flares were classified as X-class, the highest category for solar flare intensity. Specifically, the first and third flares were measured at X1.1, while the second reached X1.5. Solar flares of this magnitude release enormous amounts of energy and can affect Earth in several ways: Disruption of radio communications: Shortwave radio blackouts can occur, impacting aviation and maritime communications. Power grid disturbances: Strong flares can induce currents in ...

  BENGALURU, INDIA - The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced the SpaDeX mission, a pivotal step towards showcasing India's capabilities in space technology. This mission, aimed at demonstrating in-space docking, is set to be launched with the PSLV-C60, highlighting India's ambition to join an elite group of nations with this advanced space technology. Mission Overview: SpaDeX involves two small spacecraft, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), each weighing around 220 kg. The goal is to prove the feasibility of autonomous docking, a technology crucial for ambitious projects like the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme, lunar sample return missions, and the construction of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS). Objectives: Primary: To demonstrate rendezvous, docking, and undocking in low-Earth orbit. Secondary:          °Power transfer between docked spacecraft.         °Composite spacecraft control.       ...

  A visual representation of the James Webb Space Telescope's latest discovery, showcasing the intricate spiral arms of an ancient galaxy, as imagined by Grok 2, created by xAI. This image symbolizes the leap in our understanding of the cosmos, thanks to cutting-edge technology. In a groundbreaking revelation that pushes back our understanding of galaxy formation, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured unprecedented details of a massive grand-design spiral galaxy from the early universe. This discovery, announced just days ago, offers a window into the cosmic past, shedding light on how galaxies like our own Milky Way may have formed in the nascent universe. An Unexpected Find. The JWST, with its unparalleled infrared capabilities, has managed to peer through cosmic dust to reveal what is believed to be one of the oldest grand-design spiral galaxies ever observed. These galaxies are notable for their well-defined spiral arms, which are thought to require billions of yea...

A conceptual representation of the Local Interstellar Cloud, or Local Fluff, within the Milky Way's interstellar medium, where our Sun and Solar System currently reside.   In the vast expanse of our Milky Way Galaxy, about 10 percent of the visible matter exists as gas, known as the interstellar medium (ISM). This gas, while mostly invisible, significantly influences the cosmic environment around our Solar System. Recent findings from the Earth-orbiting Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) satellite shed new light on this enigmatic region, particularly the part we call the Local Interstellar Cloud or "Local Fluff." The Local Fluff is a patch of interstellar gas through which our Sun is currently passing. This cloud is part of a larger structure originating from the Scorpius-Centaurus Association, a region known for its active star formation. The Local Fluff is characterized by its relative density and composition, primarily hydrogen, which, although diffuse, can be detec...

  The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), renowned for its deep space observations, has expanded its scope to include the study of asteroids, uncovering a surprising discovery in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. A team led by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has used Webb’s advanced capabilities to identify 138 previously undetected small asteroids, ranging from the size of a bus to that of a stadium. These asteroids, which are smaller than any previously observed in the main asteroid belt, have provided new insights into the evolution of solar system bodies. By analyzing Webb’s observations of a distant star, the team discovered a population of asteroids that were otherwise too small to be detected by traditional ground-based telescopes. Understanding the distribution and size of these asteroids sheds light on how collisions in the asteroid belt have shaped their current forms and how some might have escaped the belt over time. These pr...

  NASA's Dawn spacecraft captured this image of Vesta as it left the giant asteroid's orbit in 2012, with the north pole centered in the frame. In a groundbreaking study published in the Planetary Science Journal, scientists have shed light on the mysterious gullies observed on the asteroid Vesta, suggesting that these formations could be the result of ancient water flows in the vacuum of space. Known as "flow formations," these channels challenge our understanding of how liquids can behave under extreme conditions. Vesta, explored by NASA's Dawn spacecraft, showcases numerous geological features, including deep gullies and sediment fans. Previously, these were thought to result from dry debris flows. However, the new research posits that meteoroid impacts might have melted subsurface ice, leading to short-lived but impactful water flows. The Experiment: At NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), researchers used a specialized test chamber, dubbed DUSTIE (Dirt...

  This striking image captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope showcases the spiral galaxy NGC 2566. The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has captured a breathtaking image of the spiral galaxy NGC 2566, located 76 million light-years away in the constellation Puppis. The galaxy is distinguished by a striking bar of stars that stretches across its center, with spiral arms emerging from each end. From our vantage point on Earth, NGC 2566 appears tilted, giving its disk an almond shape and earning it the nickname "cosmic eye" due to its resemblance to a giant, celestial gaze. As the galaxy seems to peer into the depths of space, astronomers are using Hubble’s advanced capabilities to peer back. The telescope is providing valuable data on the star clusters and active star-forming regions of NGC 2566. The key focus of the research is the study of stars only a few million years old, which shine brightly in ultraviolet and visible wavelengths—regions of light that Hubble is pa...

  NASA researchers have uncovered a perplexing case of a black hole that appears to be “tipped over,” rotating in an unexpected direction relative to the surrounding galaxy. The discovery, involving the galaxy NGC 5084, was made possible by new analysis techniques applied to archival data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The galaxy, known for years, revealed a hidden secret in its core thanks to advanced methods developed at NASA's Ames Research Center in California. Astronomers, led by Alejandro Serrano Borlaff, used a new technique to detect faint X-ray emissions in the Chandra data. Their investigation led to the discovery of four long plumes of hot, charged gas, or plasma, emanating from the galaxy. Two plumes extend vertically above and below the galaxy’s plane, while a second, unexpected pair forms an “X” shape within the plane. This unusual feature, with two sets of plumes, is a rare phenomenon in galaxy observations. The Hubble Space Telescope image of NGC 5084’s core re...

  In this month's feature image from NASA/ESA/CSA's James Webb Space Telescope, the spiral galaxy NGC 2566, located 76 million light-years away in the constellation Puppis, is displayed in breathtaking detail. The image is a composite from two of Webb's powerful instruments—the Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam) and Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI)—showcasing the galaxy's well-defined spiral arms, its long central bar, and the intricate network of gas, dust, and stars. As one of the nearest galaxies to Earth, NGC 2566 provides an exceptional opportunity for astronomers to study star formation and the interaction between stars, gas, and dust in galaxies. This galaxy is part of a larger survey involving 55 galaxies within the local Universe, aimed at gaining insights into the star-formation process. Webb’s observations are central to a dedicated programme (#3707) that explores the relationships between stars, gas, and dust in nearby star-forming galaxies. Webb's MIRI capture...

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has resolved a long-standing mystery by confirming a controversial finding from the Hubble Space Telescope, first observed over 20 years ago. In 2003, Hubble detected evidence of a massive planet orbiting an ancient star, nearly as old as the universe itself. Stars of this age are known to contain very few heavy elements, which are crucial for planet formation. This discovery suggested that planet formation occurred early in the universe's history, with planets growing larger than Jupiter in primordial disks. However, how this could happen remained unclear. To investigate further, scientists used Webb to study stars in a nearby galaxy that, like the early universe, has a scarcity of heavy elements. Their observations revealed that some stars there have planet-forming disks, and these disks are more enduring than those around younger stars in the Milky Way. "With Webb, we have a really strong confirmation of what we saw with Hubble, and we ...

Since ancient times, wreaths have symbolized the endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Now, astronomers have captured images of star clusters in space that resemble holiday wreaths and Christmas trees, offering a festive view of the cosmos and a glimpse into the stellar lifecycle. The star cluster NGC 602, located on the edge of the Small Magellanic Cloud—one of the Milky Way’s closest neighboring galaxies—has been captured in a breathtaking new image. Situated about 200,000 light-years from Earth, NGC 602 is home to young stars that are still in their formative stages. These stars contain fewer heavier elements than our Sun, making them reminiscent of the stars that populated the early universe. The image combines data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and the James Webb Space Telescope, offering a detailed view of NGC 602. The outer ring of the cluster, shown in shades of orange, yellow, green, and blue, is composed of dense clouds of dust. This ring, with its dark, wreath-l...

  NASA’s retired InSight Mars lander, seen at the center of this image, was captured by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter’s HiRISE camera on Oct. 23, 2024. New images from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) offer a final glimpse of the agency’s retired InSight lander, showcasing how dust is accumulating on the spacecraft’s solar panels over time. Captured on October 23 by MRO’s High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera, the new images reveal the lander's panels now share the same reddish-brown hue as the Martian surface, a visual sign of the dust buildup. InSight, which landed on Mars in November 2018, made history by being the first mission to detect marsquakes — seismic activity from within the planet, providing unprecedented data on Mars' internal structure, including its crust, mantle, and core. During its four-year active mission, engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California used MRO images to track dust accumulation o...

  NASA is accelerating its plans for future space exploration, outlining an updated roadmap for its Moon to Mars program. The new documents, released on Friday, reflect significant advancements in the agency’s preparations for long-term lunar exploration under the Artemis campaign, laying the groundwork for eventual crewed missions to Mars. The updated roadmap follows the completion of an Architecture Concept Review and includes revisions to NASA's Architecture Definition Document, a technical blueprint detailing the processes and strategies involved in the agency’s exploration initiatives. In addition, the release features an executive overview and 12 new white papers addressing critical topics related to the Moon to Mars mission. “This architecture review process is essential for paving the way to a human mission to Mars,” said Jim Free, NASA’s Associate Administrator. “We’re taking a methodical approach to evaluating the decisions ahead of us, weighing resource and technological...

  This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image showcases the spiral galaxy NGC 1637, located 38 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Eridanus.  The Hubble Space Telescope has provided a view of NGC 1637, a spiral galaxy located 38 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Eridanus, known as "the River." This image is part of an ongoing program aimed at understanding star formation in nearby galaxies. NGC 1637 offers a vibrant snapshot of the stellar birth process. Stars are born in cold, dusty gas clouds that collapse under their own gravity. As new stars form, they heat their surroundings with intense starlight, winds, and outflows—factors that shape the rate of future star formation. Within NGC 1637, pockets of pink clouds can be seen scattered across the galaxy’s spiral arms. The pink hue is the result of hydrogen atoms being excited by ultraviolet light emitted from young, hot stars. These bright blue stars are in the process of forming and lighting...

  NASA's Juno spacecraft captured the north polar region of Jupiter's volcanic moon Io during its 57th close pass on Dec. 30, 2023, with data from recent flybys providing new insights into the moon's interior. A groundbreaking new study reveals that the volcanoes on Jupiter’s moon Io are powered by individual chambers of magma, rather than a global ocean of molten rock beneath the surface. This discovery, published on December 12, 2024, in Nature, addresses a longstanding mystery about Io’s geologic activity, one that has puzzled scientists for over four decades. Io, which is roughly the size of Earth's Moon, holds the title of the most volcanically active body in our solar system. It is home to over 400 volcanoes, each contributing to its continually changing surface. These eruptions spew lava and plumes that define Io's distinctive "pizza-faced" appearance. Although the moon was first discovered by Galileo in 1610, its volcanic activity was not observed ...

  This captivating image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope showcases the spiral galaxy NGC 5643, a stunning example of a grand design spiral galaxy located about 40 million light-years away in the constellation Lupus. The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has released a breathtaking new image of the spiral galaxy NGC 5643, located approximately 40 million light-years away in the constellation Lupus, also known as the Wolf. This stunning galaxy is a prime example of a "grand design spiral," characterized by its symmetrical shape and two prominent, winding spiral arms, which are beautifully defined by bright-blue stars, red-brown dust clouds, and vibrant pink regions of star formation. While the visible image of NGC 5643 is impressive, the true depth of the galaxy’s secrets lies beyond the human eye’s reach. Ultraviolet and X-ray observations of the galaxy have uncovered a fascinating feature: an active galactic nucleus (AGN). This is a particularly bright region at the ga...

  NASA's Perseverance rover captured its first view over Jezero Crater's rim on Dec. 10, 2024, from "Lookout Hill," using its right-front navigation camera on the 1,354th Martian day of the mission. NASA's Perseverance rover captured the slippery terrain challenging its climb to Jezero Crater's rim, with tracks trailing back toward the crater's floor. NASA's Perseverance Mars rover has successfully crested the top of Jezero Crater's rim, marking a major milestone in its mission. After a challenging 3½-month climb, Perseverance has reached "Lookout Hill" and is now rolling toward its first science stop on the other side of the rim. The climb, which covered 1,640 vertical feet (500 meters) and included navigating 20% grades, has opened the door to a new phase of exploration in a region of Mars that promises exciting scientific discoveries. During a media briefing on Dec. 12, 2024, at the American Geophysical Union’s annual meeting, the rove...

A newly discovered galaxy, dubbed Firefly Sparkle, has provided scientists with unprecedented insights into the formation of galaxies in the early universe. Captured by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, this galaxy, which formed around 600 million years after the Big Bang, is a treasure trove of information, showcasing 10 distinct star clusters that formed at different times, much like a swarm of fireflies lighting up a warm summer night. This discovery was made possible thanks to the natural phenomenon of gravitational lensing, which magnifies distant objects when aligned perfectly. The lensing effect, coupled with Webb's advanced infrared imaging capabilities, allowed researchers to analyze the Firefly Sparkle in stunning detail. The galaxy is remarkably similar in mass to what the Milky Way would have been during its early stages of development, offering a rare glimpse into the building blocks of galaxies. “It’s remarkable that we can resolve a galaxy from so early in the u...

  For the first time, astronomers have identified a still-forming galaxy that weighs about the same as our Milky Way would have when it was in its infancy. This newly discovered galaxy, nicknamed the Firefly Sparkle, is in the process of assembling and forming stars, existing just 600 million years after the Big Bang. The galaxy’s stretched and warped appearance is the result of gravitational lensing, a natural effect that magnifies distant objects. This phenomenon allowed researchers to gather unprecedented details about the galaxy’s structure, with some parts of the galaxy appearing over 40 times larger. The Firefly Sparkle galaxy shines brightly with star clusters in a range of infrared colors, which indicate that the stars are forming at different stages, rather than all at once. This provides a rare glimpse into the evolutionary stages of a galaxy as it forms. “I didn’t think it would be possible to resolve a galaxy that existed so early in the universe into so many distinct c...

  This artist’s concept depicts interstellar object 1I/2017 U1 (‘Oumuamua), whose motion through the solar system has helped researchers better understand the 14 dark comets discovered so far. A new paper published on Monday, December 9, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has revealed the discovery of seven more "dark comets," doubling the number of these mysterious celestial objects. These objects, which resemble asteroids but behave like comets, have now been categorized into two distinct populations based on their size, location in the solar system, and other unique traits. The first dark comet was identified less than two years ago, with another six discovered shortly thereafter. Researchers first suspected the existence of dark comets in March 2016 when the trajectory of asteroid 2003 RM deviated slightly from its expected orbit. Unlike typical asteroids, which exhibit very predictable movements, this deviation suggested a comet-like outgassing phenom...

  Astronomers using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have made an intriguing discovery in the galaxy Centaurus A (Cen A), located about 12 million light-years from Earth. The discovery centers around a mysterious "V-shaped" X-ray emission, which marks the impact of a powerful jet from a supermassive black hole striking an unknown object in its path. Centaurus A, known for its active supermassive black hole, has long been studied for its energetic jets of high-energy particles. These jets are not expelled from the black hole itself but are launched from the intense gravitational and magnetic fields surrounding it. The latest findings, published in The Astrophysical Journal, reveal that parts of this jet are traveling close to the speed of light, producing an unexpected and unprecedented X-ray emission. The "V-shaped" feature, located near the end of the jet's path, is linked to an enigmatic source of X-rays, identified as C4. This source lies in the direct pa...