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NASA's XRISM Mission Observes Pulsar Capturing Stellar Wind, Advancing Understanding of Extreme Universe

NASA's XRISM Mission Observes Pulsar Capturing Stellar Wind, Advancing Understanding of Extreme Universe

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), has utilized data from the X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) observatory to directly observe a pulsar capturing stellar wind from its companion star. This phenomenon, where a giant star's outflow (stellar wind) is captured by a compact object, powers strong X-ray flares. The research, published in the journal Science Advances, focuses on the BP Crucis system, a high-mass X-ray binary located approximately 13,000 light-years away. The system consists of Wray 977, a blue hypergiant 40 times the Sun's mass, and GX 301-2, a neutron star (pulsar) that rotates every 11 minutes. The XRISM's Resolve instrument captured highly detailed X-ray spectra, revealing rapidly changing emission and absorption lines, particularly from highly ionized iron, which indicated the speed and direction of plasma near the pulsar. This marks the first time clear indications of wind plasma falling ...

Soviet Union's Luna 16 Successfully Retrieves Lunar Samples Robotically

Soviet Union's Luna 16 Successfully Retrieves Lunar Samples Robotically

On September 20, 1970, the Soviet Union's Luna 16 moon probe successfully landed on the moon, collected a soil sample, and returned it to Earth. This mission marked the first time a robotic spacecraft achieved such a feat, demonstrating the Soviet Union's capability to gather lunar samples without the need for crewed missions. The Luna 16 spacecraft made a soft landing in a lunar mare known as 'the Sea of Fertility' and retrieved 101 grams of lunar soil. The process involved drilling approximately 35 centimeters into the moon's surface, which took about seven minutes and was conducted entirely in darkness. The return capsule, carrying the lunar material, landed in the steppes of Kazakhstan on September 24, 1970, four days after its landing on the moon. This mission was the third lunar sample brought to Earth, following NASA's Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 missions.

David Joyce, Kentucky Astrophotographer, Captures Deep Space from Backyard

David Joyce, Kentucky Astrophotographer, Captures Deep Space from Backyard

David Joyce, a self-taught astrophotographer from Lexington, Kentucky, known as 'AstroDavido' on Instagram, has gained recognition for capturing stunning images of galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and planets from his suburban backyard. Despite working under light-polluted skies, Joyce has managed to photograph celestial objects millions of light-years away, including the Andromeda Galaxy. His process involves stacking hours of exposures taken over multiple nights to create each detailed image. Some of his photographs have required over 50 hours of total exposure time. Joyce emphasizes that astrophotography allows him to explore the universe without leaving his home, and he hopes his work inspires others to look up at the night sky.

College football scores yesterday: Who won top 25, notable matchups?

College football scores yesterday: Who won top 25, notable matchups?

Here is every score for every top 25 team - and a few other notable matchups - from Week 3 of the college football season.

Week 3 Flop 10: Woof Pig Sooie, Woof-pack and when smack talk backfires

Week 3 Flop 10: Woof Pig Sooie, Woof-pack and when smack talk backfires

Arkansas has gotten pretty bad before things could even get started. Plus, NC State blows it big time and Colorado gets beat in the Flop 10.

Tennis-Zverev leads Germany into Davis Cup Final 8, Spain also through

Tennis-Zverev leads Germany into Davis Cup Final 8, Spain also through

LONDON, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Newly crowned US Open champion Alexander Zverev sent Germany into the Davis Cup Final 8 as he eased past Croatia's Dino Prizmic to secure his side an unassailable 3-1 lead in Halle on Sunday while Spain also progressed.

Deloitte Report Projects Lunar Economy to Reach $566 Billion by 2050

Deloitte Report Projects Lunar Economy to Reach $566 Billion by 2050

Deloitte Report Projects Lunar Economy to Reach $566 Billion by 2050

Southern Illinois University Carbondale Scientists Create Edible Cookies from Plastic Waste for Astronauts

Southern Illinois University Carbondale Scientists Create Edible Cookies from Plastic Waste for Astronauts

Scientists at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, led by microbiologist Lahiru Jayakody, have developed edible cookies, dubbed 'µBites,' from plastic waste as part of a NASA-led Deep Space Food Challenge. This innovative process involves breaking down waste plastics, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from water bottles, and agricultural waste into smaller molecules. These molecules are then fed to genetically engineered microbes, which metabolize them into acids, fats, and proteins. After adding starch, fiber, and a sweetener, the resulting substance is 3D-printed into high-protein cookies. The team collaborated with microbiologist Sandhya Jayasekra to engineer microbes that produce vanillin for flavor and beta carotene for nutritional value, which the body converts into vitamin A. The process, called oxidative hydrothermal dissolution (OHD), uses water and oxygen under specific conditions to break down carbon-carbon bonds in plastics, producing minimal CO2 as a byproduct.

Falcons Draft 2027: 11 2027 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch for the Falcons in Week 3 of College Football

Falcons Draft 2027: 11 2027 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch for the Falcons in Week 3 of College Football

From quarterbacks to defenders, 11 prospects Falcons fans need to watch closely today.

NASA's Curiosity Rover Investigates Martian Wind-Blown Sediments in Gale Crater

NASA's Curiosity Rover Investigates Martian Wind-Blown Sediments in Gale Crater

NASA's Curiosity rover is actively studying wind-blown sediments within Mars' Gale Crater to gain a deeper understanding of the planet's surface evolution. According to a mission update from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the rover team recently executed a demanding sequence of observations (sols 5002 to 5009) specifically targeting sedimentary structures shaped by Martian winds. This investigation aims to reveal the intricate interactions between dust, sand, and geological processes within the Gale Crater environment. Operating for over a decade on Mars, Curiosity continues to explore scientifically valuable regions, utilizing its instruments to analyze rocks and sediments directly from the Martian surface. This direct analysis provides insights that cannot be obtained through orbital observations alone, contributing to NASA's ongoing effort to reconstruct Mars' geological history and its transformation from a water-rich planet to its current arid state.

Say Goodbye to the Biggest Cinderella in the Best Things Ever Tourney

Say Goodbye to the Biggest Cinderella in the Best Things Ever Tourney

Hubble, it was good to know ye.

NASA Funds Early Stage Innovations in Space Technology Research Grants for U.S. Universities

NASA Funds Early Stage Innovations in Space Technology Research Grants for U.S. Universities

NASA's Early Stage Innovations (ESI) program is actively funding groundbreaking, high-risk, high-reward space technologies through partnerships with U.S. universities. This initiative, part of NASA's Space Technology Research Grants (STRG), focuses on advancing technologies at low Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) to lay the groundwork for future space missions. The program supports research and technology development for up to three years, with awards reaching up to $750,000. The ESI26 solicitation, for instance, focused on eight specific topics, including advanced computational fluid dynamics, autonomous maintenance and manufacturing for the Moon and Mars, and electrospray thrusters. Recent projects funded include the development of spherical flying robots, or "Aerobots," for exploring Titan's caves, and a lunar levitation track system called FLOAT for revolutionizing lunar transportation. The application process involves a mandatory preliminary proposal followed by an invited full proposal, ensuring th...