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James Webb Space Telescope Detects Atmosphere on Ultra-Hot Super-Earth TOI-561 b

James Webb Space Telescope Detects Atmosphere on Ultra-Hot Super-Earth TOI-561 b

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have discovered compelling evidence of an atmosphere around the rocky exoplanet TOI-561 b. This finding challenges the prevailing belief that small planets orbiting very close to their stars cannot sustain atmospheres. TOI-561 b, an ultra-hot super-Earth, orbits a 10-billion-year-old star located about 280 light-years from Earth. The planet completes a full orbit in under 11 hours, placing it in a class of ultra-short-period super-Earths. Despite the intense stellar radiation expected to strip away any atmosphere, observations from NASA's TESS space telescope revealed that TOI-561 b has an unusually low density for a purely rocky world. Using the JWST's NIRSpec instrument, scientists measured the planet's dayside temperature, finding it significantly cooler than expected if it lacked an atmosphere. This suggests the presence of a thick, volatile-rich atmosphere that could be maintained by a balance between the planet's molten surface and its atmospher...

Geminid Meteor Shower to Illuminate Montana Skies This Weekend

Geminid Meteor Shower to Illuminate Montana Skies This Weekend

Montana residents are set to witness a spectacular celestial event this weekend as the Geminid Meteor Shower reaches its peak. Scheduled to occur overnight on December 13 and 14, the meteor shower is expected to provide a stunning display, with the moon's waning phase minimizing interference. The Geminid Meteor Shower is unique because it originates from an asteroid rather than a comet, making it one of the most impressive meteor showers observable from Earth. This year, the shower is anticipated to be particularly strong, continuing a trend observed over nearly 200 years. Additionally, the 3I/Atlas comet, an interstellar object, will make its closest approach to Earth on December 19, although it will remain too distant to be seen without optical aids. Weather conditions, as reported by the National Weather Service, suggest that parts of Montana may experience clear skies, enhancing the visibility of this celestial event.

Astronomers Discover Tatooine-like Exoplanet with Unusual Orbit in Binary Star System

Astronomers Discover Tatooine-like Exoplanet with Unusual Orbit in Binary Star System

Astronomers have identified a rare exoplanet, HD 143811 AB b, orbiting a binary star system 446 light-years from Earth. This planet, reminiscent of the fictional Tatooine from Star Wars, is unique due to its proximity to its twin parent stars and its lengthy 300-year orbit. The discovery was made using archival data from the Gemini South telescope's Gemini Planet Imager, which captured images of the exoplanet by blocking the glare of its parent stars. The planet is notable for being six times closer to its stars than any previously imaged binary system exoplanet, offering a rare opportunity to study the dynamics of such systems.

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Captured in X-ray and Green Glow Imagery

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Captured in X-ray and Green Glow Imagery

The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has been observed in X-ray light by ESA's XMM-Newton and in visible light by the Gemini North telescope, revealing a green glow. The X-ray observations, conducted on December 3, 2025, show the comet emitting low-energy X-rays due to interactions between its gas emissions and the solar wind. The green glow, captured in late November, is attributed to diatomic carbon emissions. These observations are part of a broader effort to study the comet as it approaches its closest point to Earth on December 19, 2025.

Gemini North Telescope Captures Comet 3I/ATLAS Brightening and Changing Color as It Nears Earth

Gemini North Telescope Captures Comet 3I/ATLAS Brightening and Changing Color as It Nears Earth

The Gemini North telescope, located atop Hawaii's dormant Mauna Kea volcano, has captured new images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing that it has become brighter and greener since its close approach to the sun in late October. The images, taken on November 26, show the comet in one of its most active phases, with ice sublimating and releasing dust into space, forming a bright coma and a long tail. The comet's greenish hue is attributed to diatomic carbon, a molecule that emits green light when activated by solar radiation. This phenomenon is common among solar system comets, but 3I/ATLAS was initially observed to be redder, indicating the release of new molecules as it heats up.

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Exhibits Unusual 16.16-Hour Pulsing Pattern

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Exhibits Unusual 16.16-Hour Pulsing Pattern

The interstellar object 3I/ATLAS has been observed to exhibit a unique pulsing pattern, brightening and dimming every 16.16 hours. This phenomenon has intrigued scientists and sparked discussions about its implications. Initially, it was thought that the comet's rotation might cause the brightness changes, but new data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope revealed that the light emanates from a large cloud of gas and dust, known as a coma, surrounding the comet. The pulsing is attributed to jet activity on the comet's surface, where frozen material heats up and releases gas, causing the coma to expand and reflect more sunlight.

NASA's Hubble Telescope Captures Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS as It Passes Earth

NASA's Hubble Telescope Captures Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS as It Passes Earth

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has captured images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it passed approximately 178 million miles from Earth. The images, released by NASA, show the comet's luminous nucleus and bright coma, with background stars appearing as streaks due to the telescope's tracking of the fast-moving object. This comet is only the third interstellar object confirmed to have entered our solar system, sparking significant interest among astronomers. The comet reached its closest point to the sun at the end of October and is expected to fly by Earth on December 19, maintaining a safe distance of about 170 million miles.

James Webb Space Telescope Identifies Earliest Known Supernova

James Webb Space Telescope Identifies Earliest Known Supernova

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has identified the earliest known supernova, which exploded when the universe was only 730 million years old. This discovery marks the earliest detection of a supernova to date, with the telescope's near-infrared images also revealing the supernova's faint host galaxy. The observation was part of a coordinated effort with other international telescopes following a gamma-ray burst detected in March. The supernova's light, stretched over billions of years due to cosmic expansion, was captured by Webb three and a half months after the gamma-ray burst.

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Captured in New Images by Space Agencies

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Captured in New Images by Space Agencies

The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, only the third such object confirmed to have entered our solar system from another galaxy, has been the subject of intense observation by various space agencies. Recent images released by the European Space Agency and NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have added to the growing collection of data on this rare celestial visitor. The comet, which reached its closest point to the sun at the end of October, is set to pass by Earth on December 19, maintaining a safe distance of approximately 170 million miles. Observations have revealed that the comet's coma, a cloud of gas and dust surrounding its nucleus, contains ice water and carbon dioxide, similar to comets formed within our solar system.

NASA Reveals New Visuals of Black Hole Consuming Star, Shares Theories

NASA Reveals New Visuals of Black Hole Consuming Star, Shares Theories

NASA has released an animation depicting a black hole consuming a star, an event that occurred on July 2nd. Initially puzzling to scientists, the phenomenon has been identified as a new type of stellar explosion, named GRB 250702B. This discovery was announced on December 8th, following months of data analysis. The visuals provide a dramatic representation of the event, showcasing the immense gravitational forces at play as the black hole shreds the star. This finding contributes to the understanding of black holes and their interactions with surrounding celestial bodies.

James Webb Space Telescope Captures 'Cosmic Tornado' Phenomenon

James Webb Space Telescope Captures 'Cosmic Tornado' Phenomenon

The James Webb Space Telescope has captured a striking image of a 'cosmic tornado' in the Herbig-Haro 49/50 region, located approximately 630 light-years from Earth. This phenomenon is created by energetic jets from a nearby newly-forming star interacting with dense gas and dust, resulting in a tornado-like shape in space. The image is part of the 2025 Space Telescope Advent Calendar, which features daily releases of cosmic images leading up to December 25. The 'tip' of the tornado-like structure is actually a distant spiral galaxy, unrelated to the Herbig-Haro object.

New Study Challenges Dark Energy Theory with Supernova Age Bias Discovery

New Study Challenges Dark Energy Theory with Supernova Age Bias Discovery

A new study by researchers at Yonsei University has identified a significant age-driven bias in Type Ia supernovae, challenging the long-held belief that the universe is expanding at an accelerating pace due to dark energy. The study reveals that the brightness of these supernovae varies with the age of their host galaxies, affecting measurements of cosmic distances. This discovery suggests that the universe's expansion may not be accelerating as previously thought, but rather slowing down. The findings question the standard cosmological model, known as ΛCDM, which has been the foundation of modern cosmic evolution theories.