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Space News
Knowridge
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Image Credit: Knowridge
Tidal steams of interstellar objects may flow through the Milky Way like braided rivers
- Interstellar objects (ISOs) occasionally visit our solar system.
- A new study suggests that star systems likely create bursts of ISOs, which then stream through the Milky Way.
- The Sun intersects with these interstellar streams regularly, resulting in plenty of interstellar visitors.
- Observatories like the Vera Rubin Observatory can help identify sibling ISOs and provide insights into the composition of planetary systems.
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Earthsky
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Image Credit: Earthsky
Odd, slowly repeating radio bursts traced to red dwarf star
- Astronomers have pinpointed the source of slowly repeating radio bursts in space for the first time: a red dwarf star with a possible white dwarf companion.
- In 2022, astronomers discovered a signal of powerful radio bursts from space that repeated every 18 minutes. They have been trying to determine their origin ever since.
- All of them are immensely far away, in the heart of our Milky Way galaxy, making it difficult to figure out what kind of star or object produces the radio waves.
- A team of astronomers led by researchers at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, said the source of a newly discovered slow repeater is a red dwarf star about 5,000 light-years away.
- According to current knowledge, pulsars that rotate as slow as that should not produce any radio waves, so it seemed less likely that a pulsar was the explanation.
- On the outskirts of their galaxy, astronomers have discovered another slow repeater radio source named GLEAM-X J0704-37, and it’s the slowest one yet with pulses repeating every 2.9 hours.
- The radio signals didn’t seem to be coming from the star itself, however, and it was most likely a white dwarf star, the researchers added.
- Red dwarf likely emits a stream of charged particles, like our sun’s solar wind. When those particles collide with the white dwarf’s magnetic field, that would create radio waves.
- Astronomers first detected similar repeating radio signals back in 2022, from a source dubbed GLEAM-X J162759.5-523504. They were intense in strength, but after three months, they vanished. What was causing them?
- The researchers wrote about the new findings in The Conversation on December 1, 2024, and published peer-reviewed results in The Astrophysical Journal Letters on November 26.
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Earthsky
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Image Credit: Earthsky
NASA’s Lucy spacecraft skimming Earth’s atmosphere today!
- NASA's Lucy spacecraft will receive its second Earth gravity assist on December 12, 2024, which will place the spacecraft on a new trajectory through Jupiter's Trojan asteroids.
- Observers in the Hawaiian Islands might be able to catch a glimpse of Lucy as the spacecraft approaches Earth, after which it will pass into Earth's shadow before becoming visible to observers with a telescope in Western Africa and Eastern South America.
- Lucy's next encounter will be with the asteroid Donaldjohanson on April 20, 2025.
- The second Earth gravity assist will dramatically change Lucy's propulsion, allowing it to travel through the Jupiter Trojan Asteroids, with the previous trajectory enabling it towards the inner limits of the asteroid belt where it encountered Dinkinesh asteroids.
- Lucy will approach earth from the direction of the sun and be invisible in the glare of the sun.
- Observers in the Hawaiian Islands may see Lucy before it passes into Earth's shadow.
- Lucy will travel over 33,000 miles per hour and will be visible to observers with a telescope in Western Africa and Eastern South America.
- The spacecraft was launched on October 16, 2021, and the upcoming gravity assist on December 12, 2024 will boost its trajectory into a six-year orbit.
- Lucy’s orbit will take it through the main asteroid belt, where it will fly past the asteroid Donaldjohanson and then lead Jupiter in its orbit for the first Trojan asteroid encounter in 2027.
- Lucy spacecraft imaged the Earth and Moon during its first Earth gravity assist in 2022, but there are no further calibrations needed for this event.
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Medium
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Into the dark, my heart calls out.
- The author reflects on their struggle of sharing their writing and seeking validation.
- They find guidance in honoring their emotions and sharing what feels true to themselves.
- The author expresses their love for people, storytelling, and their journey of self-discovery.
- They acknowledge their past pain and abandonment, but also express gratitude for true connections and love.
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StartupDaily
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Satellite startup Fleet Space orbits $800 million valuation with $150m Series D
- Australian startup Fleet Space Technologies has raised $150 million in Series D funding, valuing the company at over $800 million.
- The funding round was led by Teachers’ Venture Growth, the VC arm of Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.
- The funds will be used to expand Fleet Space's satellite mapping platform ExoSphere for mineral exploration.
- Fleet Space operates globally and its technology combines low earth orbit satellites, smart seismic sensors, and AI for mining industry applications.
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Knowridge
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Image Credit: Knowridge
Does life really need planets? Maybe not
- Scientists from Scotland and the US have suggested that ecosystems could generate and sustain the necessary conditions for their existence without requiring a planet. In the paper, which is titled “Self-Sustaining Living Habitats in Extraterrestrial Environments,” the researchers write that there are conditions, including providing light for photosynthesis and maintaining the right temperature and pressure range to keep water in a liquid state, that biologically generated barriers could mimic even without a planet. Robin Wordsworth and Charles Cockell are behind the paper.
- The consequences of relaxing conceptions surrounding these conditions on what makes a planet potentially habitable are also considered in the paper. Wordsworth and Cockell suggest that ecosystems have the capacity to develop conditions for their own survival, similar to photosynthetic life, even in the vacuum of space. Such abilities could prove invaluable for human space exploration.
- The idea of a “triple point,” which explains how water behaves under different temperatures and pressures, can be employed to tackle the issue of water on other celestial bodies. The authors calculate that organisms can survive and thrive while maintaining the same pressure and temperature that liquid water requires.
- Volatile loss is another serious challenge. Over a long period of time, the vacuum of space demarcates an essentially permanent sink for volatile species. Barriers that can maintain pressure and temperature would therefore inhibit volatile escape.
- Furthermore, the paper suggests that there are organisms on Earth that have already evolved to solve some of the problems that would pose a threat on other planets. Examples include the Saharan silver ant and what they have done to enhance their thermal emissivity and surface reflectivity to survive in higher ambient temperatures than their peers.
- The availability of solar energy for photosynthesis likely isn’t much of a barrier in many parts of the Solar System, the paper authors suggest. They point out that Arctic algae grows in extremely weak light under the ice.
- The authors use the paper to express their belief that completely autonomous living habitats cannot be completely ruled out. Given that existing photosynthetic life already produces amorphous silica and organic polymers, they posit that such organisms could evolve enough to create habitat walls.
- The research acknowledges that the evolution of life on other planets outside of Earth might have varied pathways compared to Earth's. If successfully proved, the research could provide new opportunities for studying extraterrestrial life.
- Future research will be required to investigate the possibility of different evolutionary events for life under alternative planetary boundary conditions, the authors say.
- The scientific paper was published in the journal Astrobiology and carries the title “Self-Sustaining Living Habitats in Extraterrestrial Environments.” Harvard Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences Robin Wordsworth and Professor of Astrobiology in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh Charles Cockell were the authors.
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Universe Today
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Image Credit: Universe Today
Zap! A Black Hole Scores a Direct Hit With its Jet
- Images captured by NASA's Chandra X-ray observatory show that a black hole's jet in the galaxy Centaurus A has struck a nearby object.
- The target is believed to be a giant star or a binary system, resulting in increased density and X-ray emissions.
- Black holes at the center of galaxies, including the one in Centaurus A, have immense gravitational pull and form accretion disks that generate jets.
- The collision between the particles in the jet and the stellar wind from the object has caused the observed X-ray emissions.
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Brighter Side of News
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Image Credit: Brighter Side of News
Researchers discover the origin of Earth’s water – billions of years ago
- Recent findings on comet, 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P), have reopened the case for comets as key water sources. The isotopic composition of water, particularly the ratio of deuterium (D) to hydrogen (H), provides essential clues about where an object formed in the solar system. Scientists analyzed the ratio in comets and asteroids to trace the origins of Earth’s water. Kathleen Mandt led a team to reanalyze 67P’s water data using advanced statistical techniques. By the time dust particles reached the outer coma, their deuterium-enriched water had dissipated, allowing for a clearer reading of the comet’s intrinsic water composition. Earth’s water likely came from a combination of sources.
- Understanding the variability in cometary D/H ratios is critical for interpreting the formation of the solar system. By revisiting previous observations and improving future missions, researchers aim to refine their models of water distribution. This ongoing research underscores the complexity of tracing Earth’s water to its origins.
- Comets like 67P, with their unique isotopic signatures and intricate dust-water interactions, hold vital clues.
- They not only inform our understanding of Earth’s history but also provide insights into the processes that govern the habitability of other worlds. As new missions explore these icy relics, the story of Earth’s water continues to unfold.
- This research also has broader implications for understanding the early solar system. Before the Sun formed, extremely cold temperatures allowed volatiles to freeze onto dust grains, forming ices rich in deuterium.
- Earth’s water likely came from a combination of sources. Volcanic activity released water vapor, which condensed into oceans.
- While asteroids have long been considered the primary contributors, Mandt’s research renews interest in the role of JFCs, particularly 67P.
- As these grains move into the coma, they release enriched water, temporarily altering the D/H ratio in localized regions. Laboratory experiments have shown that dust can adsorb HDO (water containing deuterium), enhancing the D/H ratio in the surrounding ice.
- The ongoing endeavor highlights the complexity of tracing Earth's water to its origins. Comets with intricate dust-water interactions and unique isotopic signatures like 67P can unravel the mystery of Earth's history and provide valuable insights into the habitability of other worlds, the article noted.
- Understanding the variability in cometary D/H ratios is critical for interpreting the formation of the solar system. Mandt emphasizes the importance of accounting for dust effects in future comet studies to achieve more accurate results.
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Nasa
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Image Credit: Nasa
Sols 4389-4390: A Wealth of Ripples, Nodules and Veins
- NASA's Mars rover Curiosity captured images of fractures and darker patches in its workspace.
- ChemCam LIBS targeted one of the prominent fractures called 'Garlock Fault' for analysis.
- The rover used APXS and MAHLI instruments to examine the composition of the darker patches.
- Mastcam captured images of ripple features in the rocks ahead, providing insight into the depositional environment.
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Nasa
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Image Credit: Nasa
Ames Engineers Recognized as Technology Rising Stars at Women of Color STEM Conference
- Michelle Dominguez and Dorcas Kaweesa from the Ames Aeromechanics Office were recognized as "Technology Rising Stars" at the Women of Color STEM Conference in Detroit, Michigan in October 2024.
- The Rising Star awards are given to young women who have 21 years or less in the workforce and are shaping the future of technology.
- Michelle Dominguez is a Mechanical Systems Engineer working on rotorcraft design for vertical-lift vehicles, while Dorcas Kaweesa is a Structural Analysis Engineer and Deputy Manager for planetary rotorcraft initiatives.
- More information about the award can be found at https://intouch.ccgmag.com/mpage/woc-stem-conference-awardees.
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Nasa
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Image Credit: Nasa
Artemis Accords Reach 50 Signatories as NASA Welcomes Panama, Austria
- Panama and Austria officially signed the Artemis Accords, bringing the total number of spacefaring nations to 50.
- The Artemis Accords lay out guidelines to ensure safe and responsible civil space exploration, outlining set principles that space-faring nations should adhere to when conducting lunar exploration.
- Through the Artemis Accords, the United States and other signatories have made specific commitments on non-interference, interoperability, release of scientific data, long-term sustainability guidelines, and registration.
- Austria's Ambassador to the U.S. Petra Schneebauer signed the accords on behalf of her country, emphasizing their support for scientific progress and responsible, cooperative use of space.
- NASA's Artemis program is geared toward putting humans back on the moon by 2024; 17 of the signatories, including Australia, pledged their support in 2024 alone.
- However, not everyone is keen on these guidelines; Russia and China have both criticized the accords as being too exclusive.
- Additional focus areas may include debris management for both lunar orbit and the surface of the Moon.
- The guidelines laid out by the Artemis Accords will be voluntary and non-binding on the signatories.
- The United States and seven other initial signatory nations established the Artemis Accords, which are grounded in the Outer Space Treaty and other agreements governing the use of space.
- NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated that the Artemis Accords establish a practical set of principles that guide space exploration cooperation among nations and help ensure safe and responsible space exploration.
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Nasa
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Image Credit: Nasa
Crew Works Biomedical, Robotics Research and Waits for Dragon Departure
- Scientists on the International Space Station are using microgravity environment to detect genetic mutations and viruses for disease detection.
- NASA Flight Engineer Nick Hague collected blood and saliva samples to study space-caused cellular stress and tissue damage.
- NASA Flight Engineer Butch Wilmore tested autonomous navigation and docking techniques using the Astrobee robotic free-flyer.
- Station Commander Suni Williams troubleshooted the Materials Science Laboratory for high-temperature observations of various materials.
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Livescience
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Image Credit: Livescience
'We know so little': Bizarre 'runaway' planets discovered by James Webb telescope may be failed stars in disguise
- The James Webb Space Telescope discovered pairs of Jupiter-sized objects named JuMBOs that are not orbiting around any parent star rather around each other at distance of 25 to 400 AU.
- Scientists assume that JuMBOs were formed after they were flung from their home system simultaneously by a passing star or as a result of their gravities tugging them toward each other and out of orbit during close encounters.
- However, a new study proposes a different idea: that the JuMBOs found in the Orion Nebula might not be pre-existing pairs of planets; rather, they are the hearts of embryonic stars that failed to form due to external radiation pressure from the massive stars in the Orion Nebula.
- The study suggests that when a star was forming from a pre-stellar core, if the core fragmented, it could form twin or even triplet stars. But radiation from massive stars in the surroundings could strip away the outer layer of cores, transforming it into a smaller mass object like a planet or a brown dwarf that would appear as a JuMBO binary pair.
- Researchers ran virtual pre-stellar cores in the study, each with an observed mass range and selected a value for the spacing between the siblings- again from values observed among star pairs. They applied Whitworth and Zinnecker's calculations to virtual cores and found paired JuMBO-like objects as the result.
- More data is required, such as the existence of JuMBOs in other star-forming complexes with massive stars, to confirm the hypothesis proposed.
- Richard Parker, a senior lecturer in astrophysics at the University of Sheffield in the UK, says "We know so little about them that it's feasible they may form from a variety of ways.
- The results of the study were published on November 5, 2021, in The Astrophysical Journal.
- JuMBOs are rogue and Jupiter-mass binary objects. Each JuMBO pair comprises two gas giants, and the members of each pair are so widely separated that a different mechanism must be involved.
- Researchers have proposed various ideas for how JuMBOs form, and the new study may explain some characteristics of JuMBOs, such as why members of each pair are so widely separated.
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Popsci
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Image Credit: Popsci
NASA is finishing its first off-world accident report
- NASA is about to publish the world’s first off-world aircraft accident investigation.
- The investigation will help NASA plan for the next generation of flying vehicles for Mars exploration.
- NASA's Ingenuity helicopter, which exceeded expectations, crashed on its 72nd flight due to a navigation system failure.
- The crash analysis provides valuable data for future Mars aerial vehicles and smaller, lighter designs.
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Geek Wire
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Lumen Orbit, a Seattle-area startup that wants to put data centers in space, raises $11M
- Lumen Orbit, a Seattle-area startup, has raised $11 million to put data centers in space.
- The company plans to launch a full-scale prototype in 2025.
- Lumen's constellation of orbital data centers will provide in-space edge processing for AI models from other satellites.
- The seed funding round was led by NFX and valued the company at $40 million.
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