Check out the night sky this month, February 2025. Here are videos and links to websites highlighting the top sights to observe.
** What’s Up: February 2025 Skywatching Tips from NASA – NASA JPL
What are some skywatching highlights in February 2025?
Venus blazes at its brightest in the early evening, despite being only a slim crescent through the telescope eyepiece. Mars and Jupiter to rule the night sky after Venus sets, amid the menagerie of bright winter stars in Orion, Taurus, and Gemini. And enhance your astronomy IQ by knowing the difference between a conjunction and an appulse.
0:00 Intro 0:13 Moon & planets 0:41 Appulses 1:39 Venus at maximum 2:51 February 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….
Sky chart showing Jupiter and Mars high overhead after nightfall in February. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech
** Venus and Mars dominate the sky. What’s in the night sky tonight, February 2025 – BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel reveal what’s visible in the night sky this month, including bright Venus dominating the sky in February 2025. Look out for Venus, Saturn and Uranus near the crescent Moon on the evening of 1 February.
Mars and Jupiter continue to dazzle, a particular highlight being a meeting between Mars and the Moon on 9 February 2025.
Also, February marks a final chance to enjoy and explore the constellation Orion before it disappears from view.
Aristarchus Crater Moon and Mars Seven Sisters ✨ Constellation of the Month: Taurus
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, looking at the night sky with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope, check out our Tour of the Night Sky to find out what you can see this month. #wins #Astronomy #WhatsInTheNightSky
Looking to expand your astronomy knowledge even further? The Astronomy Hub is the place to learn everything from what’s in the sky this month, to what gear can help you capture the best celestial images. Learn more here ➡️ https://www.highpointscientific.com/a…
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Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 00:31 – Moon Occults the Pleiades 01:17 – Nearest Neighbors 02:12 – Clown Face Nebula 03:02 – Messier 50 03:43 – Messier 67 04:15 – Tegmine 04:42 – Conclusion
** Space to Ground: Spacewalk 273: Jan. 17, 2025 – NASA Johnson
** Space to Ground: In the Year 2025: Jan. 10, 2025 – NASA Johnson
NASA has big plans for science, research, and exploration aboard the International Space Station in 2025. From spacewalks, to hydroponic and aeroponic plant growth techniques, there’s a lot to look forward to in low Earth orbit. This November, we will celebrate 25 years of continuous human presence on the International Space Station.
** NASA astronaut Suni Williams sees orbital sunrise during spacewalk – Time-lapse – VideoFromSpace
NASA astronaut Suni Williams works outside the International Space Station on Jan. 16, 2025.
** NASA Astronaut Don Pettit Talks with AstroKobi – January 8, 2025 – 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 Jan. 8 with the AstroKobi YouTube channel. Pettit 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.
** How Do Astronauts Exercise in Space? – NASA Johnson
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station typically exercise for two hours each day. From running to cycling to weightlifting, learn how crew members complete fitness regimens in space and commit to staying healthy – even in microgravity.
The India space agency ISRO recently launched the SpaDeX Mission, which consisted of two satellites that carried out a rendezvous and docking operation to demonstrate technology for future ISRO space stations.
SpaDeX mission is a cost-effective technology demonstrator mission for the demonstration of in-space docking using two small spacecraft launched by PSLV. This technology is essential for India’s space ambitions such as Indian on Moon, sample return from the Moon, the building and operation of Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), etc. In-space docking technology is essential when multiple rocket launches are required to achieve common mission objectives. Through this mission, India is marching towards becoming the fourth country in the world to have space docking technology.
** ISRO Successfully Conducts Space-Docking Test Under SpaDex Mission | WION
ISRO has completed the docking of satellites under its Space Docking Experiment – SpaDex mission. ISRO has released a video of successful docking on social media.
=== China
** Shenzhou-19 Crew Carry out In-Orbit Verification of Smart Assistant – CCTV Video News Agency
[Jan.5.2025] Last week, the crew aboard the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft conducted a series of in-orbit verifications for China’s first space station intelligent flight robot, “Xiao Hang.”
The combination of NASA’s ambitious commercialization proclamations with the reality of its slow follow-through underscores the urgency for a strategic intervention. By forcing sharper focus on commercial space development, particularly on identifying the next U.S.-led space station, the administration can lay a solid foundation for sustained U.S. presence and leadership in space. The U.S. has long been a leader in space exploration, a position that is not only a matter of national pride but one of strategic importance. That leadership is contingent upon the ability to adapt quickly and effectively to the evolving landscape, and today, to quickly adjust from government-led to commercial-led space activities. With the new administration taking the helm, an exciting opportunity arises to enact meaningful change and drive remarkable progress. With bold and swift action, the U.S. can preserve its pioneering spirit, transcend terrestrial limits and sustain humanity’s journey beyond our planet.
— Plans for 2025:
.@Axiom_Space closed 2024 with the completion of Axiom Station’s Phase 2 Critical Design Review (CDR), and 2025 will see even more progress and promise. We’re looking forward to CDR Phase 3 and the delivery of our first module to Houston! https://t.co/tUhlh1nZqfpic.twitter.com/nZRKwF3YkI
“This collaboration aligns with Axiom Space’s work to develop secure orbital data centers and commercial space station infrastructure.” -Jason Aspiotis, Global Director In-Space Data & Security, Axiom Space https://t.co/7Ua1khovoj
The future we have been building for is here! Last night, Blue Origin’s New Glenn successfully completed its maiden flight to orbit, a crucial step toward establishing reliable access to space. Today, SpaceX achieved a second booster catch during Starship flight 7, further… pic.twitter.com/crftF0dOJt
Starlab Space LLC today announced the opening of its first overseas subsidiary, Starlab Space GmbH. Located in Bremen, Germany, it will extend the company’s capabilities and demonstrates its commitment to its international partners, maintaining global cooperation and permanent human presence, and expanding microgravity research opportunities in a commercial LEO economy.
“Successful and sustainable operation of a commercial space station requires international partners, and therefore, a presence beyond America’s borders,” said Tim Kopra, Starlab CEO. “We’re thrilled to launch Starlab Space Europe, a regional hub that will facilitate industrial efficiencies and expanded partnerships with allied space agencies, including the European Space Agency and its member countries. More importantly, joining American and European presence sets the stage for life beyond the ISS, one that has a global, permanent crew thriving in low-Earth orbit and leading research that can transform all of humanity.”
— Starlab’s CCO, Brad Henderson, discusses the future of space exploration, the role of commercial space stations, the decommissioning of the ISS, and how new technologies allow for affordable access and operation of commercial stations: Entering the Commercial Space Station Era | Kratos Constellations – Jan.16.2025
But while more cost-effective and frequent commercial space launch options will make it easier to get to the space station, they can’t solve a larger economic problem – the incredible cost of operating a space station. Thankfully, that’s one area where advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies could play a role.
“How do we optimize our operations? That is really important to the transition – increasing the efficiency to drive down costs. How do we optimize our operations, crew schedules, and logistics streams?” Henderson asked. “Use the technology of today. The AI. The edge computing. Use the different tools that are available to find efficiencies.”
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Ultimately, these advancements in affordable commercial space launch, advanced AI solutions, and cutting-edge data relay services combine with many other advancements in life-support systems and other innovative technologies to open the door to a new era in space – the commercial space station era. This new era will be one of increased access to orbit – democratizing scientific research and advancement in microgravity, enabling space tourism, and making space a possible location for data centers and other critical infrastructure.
— Haven set to begin structural testing of habitat module qualification article:
Our Haven-1 primary structure qualification article was shipped to our Mojave, CA testing facility this morning. The shipment includes the domed window, hatch, and tank mass simulators, which will be used in the upcoming integrated load and pressure test.
The Hatch has been installed on our primary qualification unit, thoroughly inspected, and is now ready for testing. Principal Engineer Brian Landis conducts a final review before the unit heads to Mojave for pressure and load testing. pic.twitter.com/uEIH6ON5Dm
The Haven-1 primary structure qualification article has arrived at our Mojave, CA test site. The team is now conducting lift operations to install the article on the test stand. pic.twitter.com/IDNSVi39d1
— Explore Vast’s in-house space station manufacturing capability – VAST Youtube
A space station primary structure hasn’t been manufactured in the United States in decades. Haven-1 will be the world’s first commercial space station—a major step toward succeeding the ISS and advancing U.S. innovation and leadership in space. At the core of this effort is the Haven-1 qualification article, a full-scale model designed to rigorously test the structure’s strength, safety, and performance.
As a professor at Princeton, O’Neill developed, alongside his students, an alternative vision for space colonisation in which habitats would be constructed at gravitationally stable points called Lagrange Points in the vicinity of the Earth and Moon and made to rotate so that the centrifugal force felt by occupants would simulate gravity. Such stations would offer vastly more living space than is available on all the planetary surfaces in the solar system, and he therefore concluded that they would provide better locations for an expanding interplanetary civilisation in a repudiation of what Isaac Asimov jokingly referred to as the “planetary chauvinism” of science fiction.
O’Neill published a book entitled The High Frontier, which fleshed out his ideas, and lent his support to a NASA study that investigated the practicability of building such a habitat. He was reasonably well known at the time, having been interviewed on television about his ideas, but despite his immense influence in the space community he has since been largely forgotten by the broader public. His concepts enjoyed a brief popularity but then fell out of favour both because of political attacks from critics who disliked the idea of NASA spending money on such things, and because of the growing understanding that the Space Shuttle was never going to provide the cheap, regular access to space that such a project would require.
Join Joseph Pelton, Adriano Autino, Tommaso Sgobba, Robert Zubrin, Simonetta di Pippo, Madhu Thangavelu, Henk Rogers, Gary Barnhard, Pascalle Efrenfreund, Susan Jewell, discussing about Living in Space.
=== Other space habitat and settlement news and articles:
Calendar:
ARISS Informational Webinar, Jan 22, 2025 08:00 pm ET. ” The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between July 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025.“
** 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
2024 on the International Space Station was a year filled with excitement, challenges, and milestones as we mark 25 unbroken years of humans living, working, and flying in humanity’s home in low-earth orbit.
** Five spaceships were attached to ISS on Dec.16.2024:
“Dec. 16, 2024: International Space Station Configuration. Five spaceships are parked at the space station including the SpaceX Dragon Freedom, the Northrop Grumman Cygnus resupply ship, the Soyuz MS-26 crew ship, and the Progress 89 and 90 resupply ships.” Credits: NASA
** NASAs SpaceX 31st Commercial Resupply Services Undocking – Monday, December 16, 2024 – NASA Video
Loaded with scientific experiments and supplies, an unpiloted SpaceX Dragon undocked from the International Space Station Dec.16, completing a month-long mission to the outpost for the company’s 31st commercial resupply services mission for NASA. The SpaceX Dragon undocked from the forward port of the Harmony module, headed for a splashdown off the coast of Florida Dec.17 to complete its flight that delivered several tons of experiments and hardware to the station.
** SpaceX CRS-31 Dragon spacecraft drifts away from space station after undocking – VideoFromSpace
SpaceX’s CRS-31 Dragon cargo capsule undocked from the International Space Station on Dec. 16, 2024 at 11:05 a.m. EST (1605 GMT). See footage of the capsule post-undocking here.
** NASA Astronaut Don Pettit Talks with the Everyday Astronaut – Tuesday, December 17, 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 Dec. 17 with Tim Todd, the “Everyday Astronaut” on YouTube. Pettit 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.
** Roscosmos Spacewalk Conducted Outside Space Station – NASA Johnson
Outside the International Space Station, Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner of the Expedition 72 crew conducted a spacewalk on Dec. 19 to install an experiment package designed to monitor celestial x-ray sources and new electrical connector patch panels, remove several experiments for disposal, and relocate a control panel for the European Robotic Arm that is attached to the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module. It was the 272nd spacewalk in support of station maintenance and upgrades, the second for Ovchinin and the first for Vagner.
** Can The International Space Station Make It Until 2030? – NASASpaceflight
Since 2000, the International Space Station has been continuously inhabited, orbiting Earth as a symbol of international collaboration and human innovation. But after 25 years in space, the ISS is showing its age with leaks, outdated hardware, and operational challenges. From Zvezda’s pressure loss to spacewalk delays and cutting-edge IROSA solar arrays, we explore how the ISS is being maintained and upgraded to ensure it can last until its planned deorbit in 2030. Can the station hold on for another five years? Let’s dive into the details.
We revised our Axiom Station assembly sequence to enable an independent free flyer about two years earlier than planned! This strategic move supports customer needs and U.S. national & @Space_Station objectives. Read more: https://t.co/tUhlh1nZqfpic.twitter.com/GSWfOR9DoV
2024 was a year of important milestones for Gravitics! We signed over $100M in contracts, launched our hardware to the ISS, signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA, completed work for the Space Force, and closed our internal PDR (Preliminary Design Review) for our first commercial… pic.twitter.com/X6g3qvvy5T
A NASA-funded commercial space station, Starlab, recently completed four key developmental milestones, marking substantial progress in the station’s design and operational readiness.
The four milestones are part of a NASA Space Act Agreement awarded in 2021 and focused on reviews of the habitat structural test article preliminary design, systems integration, integrated operations, and a habitat structural test plan.
“These milestone achievements are great indicators to reflect Starlab’s commitment to the continued efforts and advancements of their commercial destination,” said Angela Hart, program manager for NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program. “As we look forward to the future of low Earth orbit, every successful milestone is one step closer to creating a dynamic and robust commercialized low Earth orbit.”
The commercial space station is designed to launch on a single flight and includes a large habitation and laboratory module with a smaller service module for power and propulsion.
Commercial space station partner, @Starlab_Space, recently completed key developmental milestones, marking substantial progress in the station’s design and operational readiness. ✅
… that SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will launch up to two Dragon missions to the International Space Station (ISS) in support of Vast’s future bid for NASA’s private astronaut missions (PAM). These missions, contingent on Vast being selected by NASA, will be the fifth and sixth PAMs ever awarded by the agency.
While Vast is developing its private space station, Haven-1, the company plans to leverage additional missions to the ISS in partnership with NASA to draw on the agency’s extensive expertise. These missions provide opportunities to collaborate with private individuals and international space agency customers through the NASA PAM program and strengthen current partnerships. This is an important step as Vast prepares to compete with its Haven-2 design in NASA’s upcoming Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destination (CLD) Phase II program, which is positioned to select a successor to the ISS.
”Enabling payload and crewed missions to the ISS is a key part of Vast’s strategy, allowing us to further our collaboration with NASA and global space agencies. These missions not only strengthen our expertise in human spaceflight operations and collaboration with NASA, but also position Vast as a leading contender to deliver the next-generation successor to the ISS, advancing the future of human space exploration,” said Max Haot, Chief Executive Officer of Vast.
These two missions expand Vast’s launch manifest with SpaceX, which includes the company’s Falcon 9 rocket delivering Haven-1 to low-Earth orbit and a subsequent Dragon mission to fly crew to the commercial space station. Haven-1 will also be supported by Starlink laser-based high-speed internet.
— NASA commercial space station policy
** Why NASA is changing commercial space station plans – Laura Forczyk
Axiom Space announced today plans to accelerate its commercial space station by changing how it assembles Axiom Station and help NASA prepare to deorbit the International Space Station. Earlier this week, NASA published its Low Earth Orbit Microgravity Strategy which outlines why NASA wants a “continuous heartbeat” in space (and what that even means) with a diversity of commercial LEO destination providers. And Roscosmos clarified when Russia plans to exit the ISS partnership.
I discuss the likelihood NASA’s LEO plans are going to happen as envisioned in the new administration and the major research that is not being done but needs to happen to expand humanity off-Earth.
** China’s Shenzhou 19 crew conducts spacewalk outside Tiangong space station – VideoFromSpace
Chinese astronauts Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong conducted a spacewalk outside the Tiangong Space Station on Dec. 18, 2024. Their tasks includes the “installation of the space station’s debris protection device and inspection of extravehicular equipment,” according to China Central Television.
The China Manned Space Agency on Monday released a first-ever progress report on the output from the country’s space station.
This CMSA report provides an overview of the work accomplished over the past two years.
Over those years, China carried out four crewed flights, three cargo resupply missions, and four spacecraft return missions.
Five “taikonaut” crews carried out 15 long-term stays in orbit, with 10 taikonauts performing extravehicular activities.
=== Lunar
** Commodities & Tech of a Lunar Architecture, with Tim Cichan & Christie Iacomini (Lockheed Martin) – Payload
In the second episode of our special three-part Pathfinder series on lunar architecture—brought to you by our partners at Lockheed Martin—we’re zooming in on the technologies and design principles that will help establish a sustainable, long-term presence on the Moon and pave the way for future missions to Mars. Joining us are Christie Iacomini, who manages Lockheed Martin’s lunar infrastructure technology portfolio, and Tim Cichan, the company’s space exploration architect.
Christie and Tim walk us through the building blocks of lunar infrastructure, from robust power systems and reliable communications networks to habitats and mobility solutions. They also highlight the importance of resource utilization, the evolving role of public-private partnerships, and the collaborative efforts needed to turn ambitious concepts into practical solutions.
We discuss: – The role of vertical solar arrays, nuclear fission systems, and power grids in supporting lunar operations – Communications challenges and the roadmap for building an interoperable lunar network – Innovative habitats and rovers designed to withstand extreme lunar conditions – Strategies for in-situ resource utilization, including extracting water ice and other key materials – The significance of international collaboration and commercial engagement in achieving lasting lunar sustainability
And much, much more…
• Chapters • 00:00 – Intro 03:45 – What is a space architect? 04:42 – Lockheed’s goal for Mars 08:23 – Technological advancements that have made a long-term Moon mission possible 09:52 – What does a successful Lunar mission look like? 11:46 – Power systems for Lunar and Mars missions and state of development cycles 18:15 – Tech in Artemis II and III 20:04 – Challenges for creating a seamless communications network for the Moon 22:34 – Effect of modern tech in space 27:10 – Lunar mobility capabilities 30:44 – Habitation 33:14 – Inflatable vs modular habitats 34:20 – Lunar resource utilization 36:42 – How to create seamless integration between mission-critical tech 41:55 – Planned contingencies 43:49 – Seemingly futuristic technology 45:54 – Getting around on the Moon 47:48 – How Lockheed works with other companies building Lunar architecture 49:01 – Technical milestones 50:58 – What will it take to land on the Moon on time? 52:07 – Inspirations for your work
** 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, January 2025. Here are videos and links to websites highlighting the top sights to observe.
** What’s Up: January 2025 Skywatching Tips from NASA – NASA JPL
What are some skywatching highlights in January 2025?
This month, four bright planets greet you in the early evening. Venus and Saturn cozy up on the 17th and 18th, while Mars is at its brightest in the past two years. The Moon occults Mars for those in the U.S. and Eastern Canada on Jan. 13. Plus, the Quadrantid meteors peak on the morning of Jan. 3 before dawn.
0:00 Intro 0:14 Four planets at once 1:02 Venus & Saturn Get Close 1:39 Mars at Opposition 2:31 Quadrantid Meteors Peak 3:07 January 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….
Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel reveal their pick of the best things to see in the night sky this month, including:
Mars at opposition, Jupiter near Orion, a lunar occultation of Saturn, the Quadrantid meteor shower, the Moon and the Pleiades, and the best deep-sky objects.
Our monthly Sky Tour #astronomy #podcast provides an informative and entertaining 12-minute guided tour of the #night #sky. Join us for the January 2025 episode and start the year with a strong #meteor shower, keep tabs on four bright #planets, watch #Mars disappear behind the full Wolf Moon, and focus on #Orion the Hunter and the #Pleiades star cluster. So grab your curiosity, and come along on this month’s Sky Tour.
Venus and Saturn Mars at Opposition Quadrantids Meteor Shower Clavius Crater
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, looking at the night sky with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope, check out our Tour of the Night Sky to find out what you can see this month. #WINS #Astronomy #WhatsInTheNightSky
In this episode of What’s in the Sky this Month, Teagan reviews some of the beautiful celestial objects you can see in January!
Read the full January 2025 Newsletter: https://www.highpointscientific.com/a…
Looking to expand your astronomy knowledge even further? The Astronomy Hub is the place to learn everything from what’s in the sky this month, to what gear can help you capture the best celestial images. Learn more here ➡️ https://www.highpointscientific.com/a…
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Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 00:36 – Nearest Neighbors 01:50 – Mars at Opposition 03:02 – Castor 03:31 – Messier 37 03:53 – NGC 2169 04:32 – Gamma Leporis 04:53 – Messier 42 05:53 – Conclusion
This image indicates the location of the newly discovered binary star D9, which is orbiting Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy. It is the first star pair ever found near a supermassive black hole. The cut-out shows the binary system as detected by the SINFONI spectrograph on ESO’s Very Large Telescope. While the two stars cannot be discerned separately in this image, the binary nature of D9 was revealed by the spectra captured by SINFONI over several years. These spectra showed that the light emitted by hydrogen gas around D9 oscillates periodically towards red and blue wavelengths as the two stars orbit each other.
An international team of researchers has detected a binary star orbiting close to Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy. It is the first time a stellar pair has been found in the vicinity of a supermassive black hole. The discovery, based on data collected by the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (ESO’s VLT), helps us understand how stars survive in environments with extreme gravity, and could pave the way for the detection of planets close to Sagittarius A*.
“Black holes are not as destructive as we thought”
says Florian Peißker, a researcher at the University of Cologne, Germany, and lead author of the study published today in Nature Communications. Binary stars, pairs of stars orbiting each other, are very common in the Universe, but they had never before been found near a supermassive black hole, where the intense gravity can make stellar systems unstable.
This new discovery shows that some binaries can briefly thrive, even under destructive conditions. D9, as the newly discovered binary star is called, was detected just in time: it is estimated to be only 2.7 million years old, and the strong gravitational force of the nearby black hole will probably cause it to merge into a single star within just one million years, a very narrow timespan for such a young system.
“This provides only a brief window on cosmic timescales to observe such a binary system — and we succeeded!”
explains co-author Emma Bordier, a researcher also at the University of Cologne and a former student at ESO.
For many years, scientists also thought that the extreme environment near a supermassive black hole prevented new stars from forming there. Several young stars found in close proximity to Sagittarius A* have disproved this assumption. The discovery of the young binary star now shows that even stellar pairs have the potential to form in these harsh conditions.
“The D9 system shows clear signs of the presence of gas and dust around the stars, which suggests that it could be a very young stellar system that must have formed in the vicinity of the supermassive black hole”
explains co-author Michal Zajaček, a researcher at Masaryk University, Czechia, and the University of Cologne.
The newly discovered binary was found in a dense cluster of stars and other objects orbiting Sagittarius A*, called the S cluster. Most enigmatic in this cluster are the G objects, which behave like stars but look like clouds of gas and dust.
It was during their observations of these mysterious objects that the team found a surprising pattern in D9. The data obtained with the VLT’s ERIS instrument, combined with archival data from the SINFONI instrument, revealed recurring variations in the velocity of the star, indicating D9 was actually two stars orbiting each other.
“I thought that my analysis was wrong,” Peißker says, “but the spectroscopic pattern covered about 15 years, and it was clear this detection is indeed the first binary observed in the S cluster.”
The results shed new light on what the mysterious G objects could be. The team proposes that they might actually be a combination of binary stars that have not yet merged and the leftover material from already merged stars.
The precise nature of many of the objects orbiting Sagittarius A*, as well as how they could have formed so close to the supermassive black hole, remain a mystery. But soon, the GRAVITY+ upgrade to the VLT Interferometer and the METIS instrument on ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), under construction in Chile, could change this. Both facilities will allow the team to carry out even more detailed observations of the Galactic centre, revealing the nature of known objects and undoubtedly uncovering more binary stars and young systems.
“Our discovery lets us speculate about the presence of planets, since these are often formed around young stars. It seems plausible that the detection of planets in the Galactic centre is just a matter of time”
concludes Peißker.
This chart shows the location of the field of view within which Sagittarius A* resides — the black hole is marked with a red circle within the constellation of Sagittarius (The Archer). This map shows most of the stars visible to the unaided eye under good conditions.
