Fittingly nicknamed the Dark Wolf Nebula, this cosmic cloud was captured in a 283-million-pixel image by the VLT Survey Telescope (VST) at ESO’s Paranal Observatory in Chile. Located around 5300 light-years from Earth, the cold clouds of cosmic dust create the illusion of a wolf-like silhouette against a colourful backdrop of glowing gas clouds.
For Halloween, the European Southern Observatory (ESO) reveals this spooktacular image of a dark nebula that creates the illusion of a wolf-like silhouette against a colourful cosmic backdrop. Fittingly nicknamed the Dark Wolf Nebula, it was captured in a 283-million-pixel image by the VLT Survey Telescope (VST) at ESO’s Paranal Observatory in Chile.
Found in the constellation Scorpius, near the centre of the Milky Way on the sky, the Dark Wolf Nebula is located around 5300 light-years from Earth. This image takes up an area in the sky equivalent to four full Moons, but is actually part of an even larger nebula called Gum 55. If you look closely, the wolf could even be a werewolf, its hands ready to grab unsuspecting bystanders…
If you thought that darkness equals emptiness, think again. Dark nebulae are cold clouds of cosmic dust, so dense that they obscure the light of stars and other objects behind them. As their name suggests, they do not emit visible light, unlike other nebulae. Dust grains within them absorb visible light and only let through radiation at longer wavelengths, like infrared light. Astronomers study these clouds of frozen dust because they often contain new stars in the making.
Of course, tracing the wolf’s ghost-like presence in the sky is only possible because it contrasts with a bright background. This image shows in spectacular detail how the dark wolf stands out against the glowing star-forming clouds behind it. The colourful clouds are built up mostly of hydrogen gas and glow in reddish tones excited by the intense UV radiation from the newborn stars within them.
Some dark nebulae, like the Coalsack Nebula, can be seen with the naked eye –– and play a key role in how First Nations interpret the sky[1] –– but not the Dark Wolf. This image was created using data from the VLT Survey Telescope, which is owned by the National Institute for Astrophysics in Italy (INAF) and is hosted at ESO’s Paranal Observatory, in Chile’s Atacama Desert. The telescope is equipped with a specially designed camera to map the southern sky in visible light.
The picture was compiled from images taken at different times, each one with a filter letting in a different colour of light. They were all captured during the VST Photometric Hα Survey of the Southern Galactic Plane and Bulge (VPHAS+), which has studied some 500 million objects in our Milky Way. Surveys like this help scientists to better understand the life cycle of stars within our home galaxy, and the obtained data are made publicly available through the ESO science portal. Explore this treasure trove of data yourself: who knows what other eerie shapes you will uncover in the dark?
Notes
[1] The Mapuche people of south-central Chile refer to the Coalsack Nebula as ‘pozoko’ (water well), and the Incas called it ‘yutu’ (a partridge-like bird).
** NASA Astronaut Suni Williams Talks with WGBH Boston Public Radio – Wednesday, October 16, 2024 – NASA Video
Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 72 Commander Suni Williams of NASA discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview October 16 with WGBH/Boston Public Radio. Williams is in the midst of a long-duration mission living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration flights as part of NASA’s Moon and Mars exploration approach, including lunar missions through NASA’s Artemis program.
** NASA Astronaut Don Pettit Talks with KGW-TV, Portland – Thursday, October 10, 2024 – NASA Video
Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 72 Flight Engineer Don Pettit of NASA discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview October 10with KGW-TV, Portland. Pettit is in the midst of long-duration mission living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration flights as part of NASA’s Moon and Mars exploration approach, including lunar missions through NASA’s Artemis program.
** Science Launching on SpaceX’s 31st Cargo Resupply Mission to the Space Station – NASA
Scientific investigations launching to the International Space Station on the 31st SpaceX commercial resupply services mission include studies of solar wind, a radiation-tolerant moss, spacecraft materials, and cold welding in space.
Want the latest update for NASA’s Artemis campaign? Check out this update, which features how missions like the Europa Clipper mission will help future Artemis launches to the Moon.
Advancing NASA’s Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) spacesuit design, the AxEMU provides increased flexibility, performance, and safety, as well as specialized tools to aid in exploring the lunar south pole. The suit accommodates a wide range of crewmembers, including males and females from the first to 99th percentile (anthropomorphic sizing). It will withstand extreme temperatures at the lunar south pole and endure the coldest temperatures in the permanently shadowed regions for at least two hours. Astronauts will be able to perform spacewalks for at least eight hours.
The AxEMU incorporates multiple redundant systems and an onboard diagnostic system to ensure safety for crewmembers. The suit also uses a regenerable carbon dioxide scrubbing system and a robust cooling technology to remove heat from the system. It includes advanced coatings on the helmet and visor to enhance the astronauts’ view of their surroundings, as well as custom gloves made in-house featuring several advancements over the gloves used today. The spacesuit architecture includes life support systems, pressure garments, avionics and other innovative systems to meet exploration needs and expand scientific opportunities.
Axiom Space developed the AxEMU using a single, foundational architecture. The architecture is evolvable, scalable and adaptable for missions on the lunar surface and in low-Earth orbit (LEO).
Axiom Space has iteratively improved this next-gen spacesuit over the past two years to support the Artemis III mission. The AxEMU has undergone extensive testing and simulations with a wide range of astronauts and engineers at state-of-the-art Axiom Space, SpaceX and NASA facilities. Testing was conducted underwater to simulate the lunar environment with an unoccupied spacesuit at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) and reduced gravity simulations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
… a NASA contract to develop a Trash Compaction and Processing System (TCPS) and test it aboard the International Space Station in late-2026.
The technology may be critical for the success of future space exploration and is being developed to handle waste management, stowage, and water reclamation for long-duration missions, including crewed missions to the Moon and Mars. The TCPS could effectively reduce the volume of trash generated by astronauts and recover nearly all water entrained in the trash for further use.
Current primary waste systems in space cannot reclaim water or effectively reduce the volume of trash in a manner necessary for long-term space travel. The TCPS is being developed to recover nearly all the water from the trash for additional use. This capability may be vital not only for deep space exploration but also for commercial orbital facilities or extraterrestrial bases. As a stand-alone system, TCPS only requires access to power, data, and air-cooling interfaces and it provides a simple user interface to facilitate crew interactions.
…
The TCPS includes an innovative Catalytic Oxidizer (CatOx) that processes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other gaseous byproducts to maintain a safe and sterile environment in space habitats. Catalytic oxidation is a more energy-efficient and safer alternative to traditional VOC removal methods. This same CatOx technology is also employed in Sierra Space’s Environmental Controls and Life Support Systems (ECLSS). The TCPS technology compacts astronaut trash into solid square tiles that are easy to store, safe to handle, and capable of providing additional radiation protection. The system is designed to recover nearly all water from the trash for recycling, and the CatOx removes any noxious or harmful contaminants for crew safety.
Every detail of the Haven-1 interior has been implemented with an eye for detail, creating a visual hierarchy that allows the astronauts to focus on the task at hand, monitor the station’s systems, and enjoy their experience onboard. After docking with a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, Haven-1 crew members open the Haven-1 exterior hatch and are greeted by a sleek, functional layout upon entry. A real-time display shows the station status with temperature and lighting controls, and optimized cargo compartments ensure essential supplies are stored efficiently. Notably, Haven-1’s interior surfaces are soft and padded to provide an added safety component for crew and visitors as they float throughout.
Above and below the corridor, the station’s four private crew quarters offer astronauts a space to rest and recharge. Slightly larger than the crew quarters aboard the ISS, these expanded personal rooms are uniquely designed to allow for changing, entertainment, online communication with loved ones back on Earth (enabled by SpaceX Starlink connectivity), and, most importantly, a good night’s rest. Experience has shown that sleeping in space can be a restless endeavor. Maximizing sleep efficiency and comfort remains critical to the overall experience aboard the Vast station. Historically, zero gravity sleep has been uncomfortable for astronauts due to a lack of standardized and consistent restraint systems during weightless sleep and a deficit in the distributed gravity forces humans are accustomed to on Earth. Vast’s patent-pending signature sleep system is roughly the size of a queen bed, provides a customized amount of equal pressure throughout the night, and accommodates side and back sleepers alike.
Additionally, each room features a built-in storage compartment, vanity, and a custom amenities kit
See video below for imagery of the Haven-1 station. A second video gives a Haven-1 construction update.
During the 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Vast, the US-based space habitation technology company, unveiled Haven-2 — the proposed successor to the International Space Station (ISS) and the next step in the company’s vision to pioneer a path to long-term living and thriving in space.
With the planned retirement of the International Space Station (ISS) by 2030, NASA conceived the Commercial LEO Destination (CLD) program and is expected to select its Phase 2 winner(s) in mid-2026. Laser-focused on securing this prestigious contract to build the successor to the ISS, Vast has developed Haven-2, designed to offer the most compelling solution to ensure continued U.S. and international partner presence in low-Earth orbit (LEO).
“Our focus this decade is to win the NASA Commercial LEO Destination (CLD) contract and build the successor to the International Space Station,” said Max Haot, Vast CEO. “To achieve this, we will first demonstrate our capability by building and operating the world’s first commercial space station, Haven-1, which is set to launch in 2025.”
…
If selected in 2026, Vast plans to have the first module of Haven-2, an evolved and NASA-certified version of Haven-1, fully operational in orbit by 2028. This near-term timeline is made possible by leveraging Vast’s significant private investment in the design, build, launch, and operation of Haven-1. The first Haven-2 Module will be 5m longer than Haven-1, offering nearly twice the livable volume of its predecessor while utilizing all the same proven systems.
See the video below for imagery of the Haven-2 design.
— Vast Unveils Final Design for Haven-1, the World’s First Commercial Space Station – VAST Youtube
We’re excited to introduce the final design for Haven-1, a groundbreaking space station that sets a new standard for human-centric design, comfort, and productivity in space.
Haven-1 merges cutting-edge microgravity lab advancements with a focus on astronaut well-being and features:
1.1m Observation Window Dome for stunning views of Earth Patent-Pending Sleep System designed for optimal rest in zero gravity Onboard Fitness System to improve cardiovascular and bone health Warm, welcoming Interiors with natural materials, including maple wood veneer
Guided by visionary designer Peter Russell-Clarke and supported by veteran NASA astronaut Andrew Feustel, Haven-1 offers an unparalleled experience in space, balancing innovation with comfort.
Chief Design and Marketing Officer Hillary Coe emphasized the importance of human-first design, stating, “We have big ambitions to create a future where everyone is living and thriving on Earth and in space. This requires a shift in how we approach design for all backgrounds and comfort levels.”
We are excited to continue to push the boundaries of human spaceflight and pioneer the path to long-term living and thriving in space.
Less renders, more hardware. Yesterday, we revealed the final design of Haven-1. Today, we’re sharing our latest progress update as we build the team, facilities, and hardware for the launch of the world’s first commercial space station in the second half of next year. Every step brings us closer to redefining space exploration. Stay tuned for more milestones as we make history.
— Vast Unveils Haven-2: Our Proposed Successor to the International Space Station (ISS) – VAST Youtube
Today at IAC 2024, Vast introduced Haven-2, our proposed successor to the International Space Station (ISS). The first module will be fully operational by 2028, ensuring an overlap of operational space stations before the ISS retires in 2030. This near-term timeline is made possible by leveraging Vast’s significant private investment in the design, build, launch, and operation of Haven-1. When completed in 2032, Haven-2 is designed to surpass the ISS in volume, research facilities, and cost efficiency.
–— Starlab releases video showing interior design of the station module:
Now YOU can fly through #Starlab. If you’re at #IAC2024, you can experience Starlab’s spacious crew deck in extraordinary virtual reality. Come float inside the space station that will enable continuous, permanent human presence in #LEO . Grab a headset @ the @AirbusSpace booth… pic.twitter.com/sZ0c5w1IFF
We recently completed a full-scale mockup of one level of the Starlab Space Station and are conducting usability testing to improve Starlab’s operational efficiencies and overall crew experience.
A critical component involves placing humans in the simulated space station,… pic.twitter.com/E0cYrXVqof
** Shenzhou-18 Crew Gears Up for Entry of Shenzhou-19 Members into Tiangong – CCTV Video News Agency
The Shenzhou-18 mission crew has carried out their work in an orderly manner this week in preparation for the handover with the Shenzhou-19 members at China’s Tiangong space station later this month.
The Shenzhou-18 mission crew has carried out their work in an orderly manner this week in preparation for the handover with the Shenzhou-19 members at China’s Tiangong space station later this month.
=== Space settlement
** Robert Zubrin, The New World on Mars: What We Can Create on the Red Planet, an NSS Space Forum – National Space Society
National Space Society Space Forum, Aug 29, 2024, The New World on Mars: What We Can Create on the Red Planet with
Dr. Robert Zubrin President, The Mars Society Astronautical Engineer and Author Founder, Pioneer Astronautics
View this National Space Society (NSS) Space Forum for an opportunity to dive into a bold, new vision for humanity on Mars. Hear from Dr. Robert Zubrin, one of the most influential voices in space settlement, as he presents insights from his new book, “The New World on Mars: What We Can Create on the Red Planet.” Dr. Zubrin, who revolutionized our thinking about Mars with his classic “The Case for Mars,” is back with a detailed and actionable plan for establishing a sustainable human presence on the Red Planet.
In this forum, Dr. Zubrin lays out the technological breakthroughs, economic strategies, and political commitments required to turn the dream of Mars settlement into reality. Dr. Zubrin provides a compelling case for why Mars should be humanity’s next great adventure. From the first steps of reaching Mars to harnessing its resources and building thriving cities, he explores the full scope of what it takes to create a new world. You’ll also learn about the incredible scientific discoveries and cultural innovations that could emerge from a Mars settlement—ushering in a new era of human civilization.
Dr. Zubrin, in making the case, draws on his deep expertise and passion for space exploration as he offers this positive view for the long-term survival of humanity; suggesting a new frontier that could inspire innovation, drive economic growth, and safeguard the human race from potential global catastrophes.
Enjoy this exciting and informative space forum that offers an inspiring and thought-provoking vision of expanding our human boundaries and settling Mars. …
Rick Tumlinson returned to discuss the upcoming New Worlds Conference in Houston over Nov. 1-2. Rick provided us with a 20% discount code to use if you buy online tickets and register for the event: RickSave20. In addition to our conference discussion, we talked [about] the need for a space vision and lots of outreach. He linked this to both the conference and his [Earthlight] Foundation
We welcomed guest Matt Gialich of AstroForge to the program to discuss their space mining plans, their operations and challenges so far plus their short to medium term plans for asteroid mining for PGM and applicable asteroids. We talked technology, economics, regulations and more.
Dr. Cannon returned as our guest to talk about his new association with Ethos Space, their plans for lunar launch and landing pads, infrastructure and down the for a sun shield space umbrella to protect Earth from warming. Also discussed was living on the Moon, Mars, lunar and space mining and resource usage and building large structures in space for in-living living/settlement.
=== Other space habitat and settlement news and articles:
** Highlight: Boise ID – Wildfire Smoke – Oct 7, 2024 11:42 MDT – ISS Above
** Live Video from the International Space Station (Official NASA Stream) – NASA
Watch live video from the International Space Station, including inside views when the crew aboard the space station is on duty. Views of Earth are also streamed from an external camera located outside of the space station. During periods of signal loss due to handover between communications satellites, a blue screen is displayed.
The space station orbits Earth about 250 miles (425 kilometers) above the surface. An international partnership of five space agencies from 15 countries operates the station, and it has been continuously occupied since November 2000. It’s a microgravity laboratory where science, research, and human innovation make way for new technologies and research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. More: https://go.nasa.gov/3CkVtC8
Did you know you can spot the station without a telescope? It looks like a fast-moving star, but you have to know when to look up. Sign up for text messages or email alerts to let you know when (and where) to spot the station and wave to the crew: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov
** Space to Ground: Crew-9: Oct. 04, 2024 – NASA Johnson
** Docking confirmed! NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 arrives at space station – VideoFromSpace
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 docked with the International Space Station at 5:30pm ET on Sept. 29, 2024. Aboard the Dragon spacecraft were NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexsandr Gorbunov
** NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 enters space station after docking – VideoFromSpace
NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexsandr Gorbunov completed ingress into the International Space Station a few hours after docking on Sept. 29, 2024.
** NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8: Science, Innovation, and Discovery – NASA
NASA astronauts Michael Barratt, Matthew Dominick, and Jeanette Epps and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin are returning to Earth after several months aboard the International Space Station conducting scientific experiments and technology demonstrations for the agency’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission.
Here’s a look at some scientific milestones accomplished during their mission: https://go.nasa.gov/3Bmlkv2
** How Do Astronauts Drink Coffee in Space? – NASA Johnson
Sometimes coffee IS out of this world! Whether it’s sipping from the space cup or through a drink bag, learn how astronauts enjoy a cup of joe aboard the International Space Station.
** Additional Views of Hurricane Helene from the International Space Station – Sept. 26, 2024 – NASA Video
Cameras on the International Space Station captured views of Hurricane Helene at 2:25 p.m. EDT September 26 as it approached the Gulf coast of Florida packing winds in excess of 120 miles an hour. The National Hurricane Center forecast called for Helene to continue to strengthen before it makes landfall along the Big Bend region of Florida, then traverses up western Georgia and the Tennessee Valley.
** Live Views of Hurricane Helene from the International Space Station – Thursday, September 26, 2024 – NASA Video
Cameras on the International Space Station captured views of Hurricane Helene at 12:50 p.m. EDT September 26 as it approached the Gulf coast of Florida packing winds in excess of 100 miles an hour. The National Hurricane Center forecast called for Helene to strengthen into a major hurricane before it makes landfall along the Big Bend region of Florida, before moving inland as it traverses up western Georgia and the Tennessee Valley.
** International Space Station: Humanity’s Lab in Space (Narrated by Adam Savage)-NASA
Orbiting more than 200 miles (320 km) above Earth, the International Space Station is a powerhouse of cutting-edge science that is unlocking discoveries not possible on Earth. We’re testing technologies that are critical to our return to the Moon and contributing to medical and social breakthroughs that improve life on our home planet.
After more than two decades of results, we continue to inspire future generations from a platform that is one of the largest international collaborations of our time.
NASA CLD partners continue to make progress towards design of their future CLD concepts and business case development.
CLDP continues supporting the CLD partner milestones, providing NASA expertise, and sharing NASA technology, processes, data, and lessons learned on numerous subjects. This ensures the data gathered while developing and operating the ISS is passed on to CLD partners.
Private Astronaut Mission-3 was successfully completed providing valuable lessons learned to Axiom and NASA in how to operate in a commercial environment on future CLDs.
NASA is preparing for CLD Phase 2 procurement for future CLD services.
In August, Axiom Space welcomed a diverse group of astronauts as they arrived to begin preparations and training for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). This mission, set to launch no earlier than spring 2025, marks another significant step in commercial human spaceflight, bringing together astronauts from different corners of the globe to work toward a common goal: advancing human progress in space.
The assigned Ax-4 crew consisting of Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański from Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu from Hungary, arrived in Houston with a mix of excitement and determination. Their journey began at Axiom Space headquarters, where they underwent a comprehensive onboarding process. This included familiarization with the mission objectives, safety protocols, state-of-the-art facilities at Axiom Space, and dedicated mission teams who will support them throughout the mission.
During the first month of training, the assigned crew traveled to SpaceX in Hawthorne, Calif., for suit measurements and pressurization tests. They began familiarizing themselves with the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 launch vehicle ahead of additional training they’ll receive that includes orbital mechanics, operating in microgravity, emergency preparedness, spacesuit and spacecraft ingress and egress exercises, as well as partial and full mission simulations. Additionally, the crew visited NASA’s Johnson Space Center to get acquainted with the training facilities where they will spend significant time preparing for their mission.
Get ready for an exciting episode of Red Planet Live! Tune in on Tuesday, September 3rd (5pm PT / 8pm ET) for an in-depth conversation with Kirsten Whittingham, President of Max Space and a distinguished veteran in the aerospace industry. With her extensive experience and leadership in pioneering space projects, Kirsten will share insights and discuss the innovative advancements at Max Space.
At Vast, we’re designing, manufacturing, and assembling our battery packs in-house for Haven Demo and Haven-1, ensuring every step—from cell screening to pack assembly and testing—meets the highest safety and performance standards. These batteries will power our space station through day/night solar cycles every ~90 minutes in orbit.
Vast’s battery modules are recharged by our Maximum Power Point Trackers (MPPT), which extract energy from our solar arrays very efficiently. Our Battery Management Systems (BMS) give us real-time insight into the battery’s capabilities and allow our systems to make decisions based on the battery’s state.
— The Bishop Airlock was funded and built by Voyager Space and has been operational on the ISS since 2020:
When it comes to commercial airlocks, no one has more experience than @voyagerspace_. The Bishop Airlock is the first and only commercial airlock on the International Space Station, enabling advanced robotics testing, on-orbit maneuvers, payload transfers, and even efficient and… pic.twitter.com/x4aeXnuJGG
** Chinese Astronauts Capture Stunning Views of Hometowns from Space – CCTV Video News Agency
The Shenzhou-18 crew members on board China’s orbiting space station Tiangong captured stunning views of their hometowns from space, offering viewers a unique perspective of the nation’s diverse landscapes.
** Shenzhou-18 Crew Share Progress on Self-Sustaining Fish Ecosystem in Space – CCTV Video News Agency
China’s Shenzhou-18 crew have been carefully watching a small aquarium of fish in a novel experiment aboard the country’s space station that the astronauts said is going smoothly.
A NASA review board has given the Italian space agency the green light to move ahead with the development of its MPH lunar surface habitat.
ASI and NASA signed an agreement in 2022 that saw the Italian space agency take the lead on the design of the Multi-Purpose Habitation (MPH) module. MPH is designed to act as a home base on the lunar surface to extend a crewed mission to the Moon or as a refuge in case of emergency.
** Mega Scale Prop Production, with Saurav Shroff (CEO of Starpath) – Payload
The cost to build a mass scale propellant production system on the Moon? Much less than $100M according to Starpath cofounder and CEO Saurav Shroff. The LA-based startup is developing the infrastructure for lunar resource extraction—including a power plant, a fleet of rovers, and a processing plant.
In this episode, Saurav breaks down Starpath’s approach to off-planet fuel production and how it can enable cost-effective and reusable space travel. He also shares his thoughts on the future of lunar and Martian colonization and how propellant production plays a pivotal role in making interplanetary travel economically viable.
We also discuss:
– The technical hurdles of producing propellant on the Moon and Mars – The impact of propellant production on reducing the cost of space travel – The potential customers and business models – How Starpath’s approach complements the vision of companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin – The long-term vision for a human presence on the Moon and Mars, and what it will take to get there
And much more…
Chapters 00:00 – Intro 01:25 – What is Startpath? 04:11 – How was Starpath founded? 07:28 – The team 08:55 – Starpath with and without SpaceX 13:20 – Mega scale propellant production 16:30 – What type of propellant is Starpath making? 20:15 – What is Starpath building? 24:56 – Why build this power system yourself and why not nuclear? 28:56 – Plant & Rover 35:35 – Plan for success 39:59 – Speculation on SpaceX’s propellant production 43:49 – Who else is a potential customer? 45:49 – Revenue model 48:27 – Investors and common misconceptions 50:26 – Capital needs 51:43 – Competitors? China? 54:37 – First fuel production prediction 56:03 – 10-year vision 58:16 – Other businesses Saurav is excited about 1:00:17 – Which celebrity will play Saurav?
=== Mars habitation
** SpaceX aims for missions to Mars starting with uncrewed Starship flights in 2026:
By the way, our commercial Starlink program is the primary source of funding for Starship (NASA is helping too).
So thank for buying Starlink and supporting humanity’s future in space.
If you look closely at your Starlink router, you will notice that it has an illustration of…
**Jared Issacman comments on response to Elon Musk’s Mars plan:
It’s fascinating to see the reactions to @elonmusk recent Mars timeline. Like so many things, it sparks fierce debate from echo chambers—those who either cling to every word, believing he’s infallible, and those who focus only on the negative in everything he or @SpaceX has ever…
** Highlight: San Diego CA Tijuana MX – Las Vegas NV – Grand Canyon – Sep 25 2024 14:40 PDT –ISS Above
** Live Video from the International Space Station (Official NASA Stream) – NASA
Watch live video from the International Space Station, including inside views when the crew aboard the space station is on duty. Views of Earth are also streamed from an external camera located outside of the space station. During periods of signal loss due to handover between communications satellites, a blue screen is displayed.
The space station orbits Earth about 250 miles (425 kilometers) above the surface. An international partnership of five space agencies from 15 countries operates the station, and it has been continuously occupied since November 2000. It’s a microgravity laboratory where science, research, and human innovation make way for new technologies and research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. More: https://go.nasa.gov/3CkVtC8
Did you know you can spot the station without a telescope? It looks like a fast-moving star, but you have to know when to look up. Sign up for text messages or email alerts to let you know when (and where) to spot the station and wave to the crew: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov
Check out the night sky this month, October 2024. Here are videos highlighting the top sights to observe.
** What’s Up: October 2024 Skywatching Tips from NASA – NASA JPL
What are some skywatching highlights in October 2024?
A potentially bright comet (C/2023 A3) to look for after mid-month, good opportunities to spy the ocean world NASA’s launching to, and the monthly dance of four planets with the Moon.
0:00 Intro 0:21 October planet visibility 0:59 Viewing Europa 2:10 Moon & planet pairings 2:38 Comet C/2023 A3 3:58 September photo highlights 4:12 October Moon phases
Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What’s Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/skywatch….
Crisp, clear October nights are full of celestial showpieces. Find Pegasus, the flying horse of Greek myth, to pinpoint dense globular star clusters and galaxies, and keep watching for space-based views of M15, NGC 7331, and the Andromeda Galaxy.
About this Series … “Tonight’s Sky” is a monthly video of constellations you can observe in the night sky. The series is produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute, home of science operations for the Hubble Space Telescope, in partnership with NASA’s Universe of Learning. This is a recurring show, and you can find more episodes—and other astronomy videos—at https://hubblesite.org/resource-gallery/tonights-sky.
What’s in the night sky this month? Astronomers Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel reveal the best things to see in the sky in October 2024, including Comet A3, Saturn and Jupiter moon events, meteor showers and the deep sky.
00:00 Intro 00:14 Inner planets 03:45 Outer planets 10:42 Thin crescent Moon 12:37 Saturn and moon events 13:54 Southern Taurid meteor shower 14:48 Saturn and moons Titan and Dione 15:34 Perigee full Moon 16:48 moon and Pleiades 17:10 Orionid meteor shower 17:27 Ganymede shadow transit of Jupiter 19:00 Comet C/2023 A3 22:58 Stars, constellations and deep sky
** Sky & Telescope’s Sky Tour Podcast – October 2024 | A Comet, Andromeda, and Pegasus – Sky & Telescope Youtube
Our monthly Sky Tour #astronomy #podcast provides an informative and entertaining 10-minute guided tour of the #nighttime #sky. Join us for the October 2024 episode and ponder the #Moon’s whereabouts; spot a fast-moving #comet, learn what #andromeda and #pegasus have in common, circle around the pole star #Polaris, and watch for meteors shed by #halleyscomet.
Listen and subscribe to this podcast at https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/ and don’t forget to subscribe to S&T’s YouTube channel to get alerts about new videos, including this monthly podcast
This artist’s impression shows Barnard b, a sub-Earth-mass planet that was discovered orbiting Barnard’s star. Its signal was detected with the ESPRESSO instrument on ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), and astronomers were able to confirm it with data from other instruments. An earlier promising detection in 2018 around the same star could not be confirmed by these data. On this newly discovered exoplanet, which has at least half the mass of Venus but is too hot to support liquid water, a year lasts just over three Earth days.
Using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (ESO’s VLT), astronomers have discovered an exoplanet orbiting Barnard’s star, the closest single star to our Sun. On this newly discovered exoplanet, which has at least half the mass of Venus, a year lasts just over three Earth days. The team’s observations also hint at the existence of three more exoplanet candidates, in various orbits around the star.
Located just six light-years away, Barnard’s star is the second-closest stellar system — after Alpha Centauri’s three-star group — and the closest individual star to us. Owing to its proximity, it is a primary target in the search for Earth-like exoplanets. Despite a promising detection back in 2018, no planet orbiting Barnard’s star had been confirmed until now.
The discovery of this new exoplanet — announced in a paper published today in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics — is the result of observations made over the last five years with ESO’s VLT, located at Paranal Observatory in Chile.
“Even if it took a long time, we were always confident that we could find something,”
says Jonay González Hernández, a researcher at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias in Spain, and lead author of the paper. The team were looking for signals from possible exoplanets within the habitable or temperate zone of Barnard’s star — the range where liquid water can exist on the planet’s surface. Red dwarfs like Barnard’s star are often targeted by astronomers since low-mass rocky planets are easier to detect there than around larger Sun-like stars. [1]
Barnard b [2], as the newly discovered exoplanet is called, is twenty times closer to Barnard’s star than Mercury is to the Sun. It orbits its star in 3.15 Earth days and has a surface temperature around 125 °C.
“Barnard b is one of the lowest-mass exoplanets known and one of the few known with a mass less than that of Earth. But the planet is too close to the host star, closer than the habitable zone,” explains González Hernández. “Even if the star is about 2500 degrees cooler than our Sun, it is too hot there to maintain liquid water on the surface.”
For their observations, the team used ESPRESSO, a highly precise instrument designed to measure the wobble of a star caused by the gravitational pull of one or more orbiting planets. The results obtained from these observations were confirmed by data from other instruments also specialised in exoplanet hunting: HARPS at ESO’s La Silla Observatory, HARPS-N and CARMENES. The new data do not, however, support the existence of the exoplanet reported in 2018.
In addition to the confirmed planet, the international team also found hints of three more exoplanet candidates orbiting the same star. These candidates, however, will require additional observations with ESPRESSO to be confirmed.
“We now need to continue observing this star to confirm the other candidate signals,”
says Alejandro Suárez Mascareño, a researcher also at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias and co-author of the study.
“But the discovery of this planet, along with other previous discoveries such as Proxima b and d, shows that our cosmic backyard is full of low-mass planets.”
ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), currently under construction, is set to transform the field of exoplanet research. The ELT’s ANDES instrument will allow researchers to detect more of these small, rocky planets in the temperate zone around nearby stars, beyond the reach of current telescopes, and enable them to study the composition of their atmospheres.
Graphic representation of the relative distances between the nearest stars and the Sun. Barnard’s star is the second closest star system to the Sun, and the nearest single star to us.
Notes
[1] Astronomers target cool stars, like red dwarfs, because their temperate zone is much closer to the star than that of hotter stars, like the Sun. This means that the planets orbiting within their temperate zone have shorter orbital periods, allowing astronomers to monitor them over several days or weeks, rather than years. In addition, red dwarfs are much less massive than the Sun, so they are more easily disturbed by the gravitational pull of the planets around them and thus they wobble more strongly.
[2] It’s common practice in science to name exoplanets by the name of their host star with a lowercase letter added to it, ‘b’ indicating the first known planet, ’c’ the next one, and so on. The name Barnard b was therefore also given to a previously suspected planet candidate around Barnard’s star, which scientists were unable to confirm.
