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Astronomers observe companion star orbiting stellar giant Betelgeuse

Astronomers observe companion star orbiting stellar giant Betelgeuse

By Will Dunham WASHINGTON, July 29 (Reuters) - Betelgeuse is a superstar among the stars — one of the brightest in the night sky, a massive red supergiant in the constellation Orion that sometimes brightens and dims, and adds to its allure with the fact that it may be on the brink of exploding.
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First Photo of Total Solar Eclipse Captured in 1851

First Photo of Total Solar Eclipse Captured in 1851

On July 28, 1851, Johann Julius Friedrich Berkowski, a Prussian daguerreotypist, captured the first-ever photograph of a total solar eclipse. Using a small telescope, Berkowski managed an 84-second exposure that successfully documented the sun's corona during totality. This achievement marked a significant milestone in astronomical photography, allowing scientists to study solar eclipses and the sun's outer atmosphere in greater detail. Berkowski's work paved the way for future advancements in eclipse photography, making these rare celestial events more accessible to the public.
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NASA's Ongoing Search for Life on Mars: New Perspectives and Challenges

NASA's Ongoing Search for Life on Mars: New Perspectives and Challenges

NASA's search for life on Mars continues to be a topic of debate among scientists. The Viking landers, which touched down on Mars in 1976, were the first missions to search for signs of life on another planet. While their results were inconclusive, some scientists believe that evidence of life may have been overlooked due to the conservative burden of proof required for such claims. Recent missions, including the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers, have found intriguing signs that suggest ancient Mars could have been habitable. However, definitive proof of life remains elusive, and the scientific community continues to grapple with the challenges of interpreting potential biosignatures.
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Research Suggests Extreme Solar Storms Could Be More Devastating Than Previously Thought

Research Suggests Extreme Solar Storms Could Be More Devastating Than Previously Thought

New research indicates that the impact of extreme solar storms, such as the Carrington Event of 1859, could be more severe than previously believed. The study challenges the notion that Earth's magnetic field has a natural limit to its response to solar storms. Researchers found that previous analyses may have underestimated the potential impact due to measurement biases. The study suggests that during catastrophic events, the geomagnetic impact could be approximately twice as severe as traditional models have predicted.
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Asteroid Impact's Global Firestorm: New Insights into Dinosaur Extinction

Asteroid Impact's Global Firestorm: New Insights into Dinosaur Extinction

A new study led by Brandon Johnson at Purdue University reveals that the asteroid impact 66 million years ago caused a global firestorm, contributing to the extinction of the dinosaurs. The research, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, indicates that the impact vaporized a significant amount of rock, creating a dust cloud that enveloped the planet. This cloud trapped heat, leading to intense thermal radiation and widespread fires. The study challenges previous theories that focused on a 'nuclear winter' effect, suggesting instead that the immediate thermal impact played a crucial role in the mass extinction.
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The History of the Saros Cycle Explained

The History of the Saros Cycle Explained

The Saros cycle has been a cornerstone of astronomical knowledge for centuries, providing a reliable method for predicting eclipses. This cycle, wh...
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NASA Astronaut Chris Williams to Discuss Recent Space Station Mission

NASA Astronaut Chris Williams to Discuss Recent Space Station Mission

NASA astronaut Chris Williams is set to discuss his recent mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) during a news conference scheduled for August 4. Williams, who served as a flight engineer for Expeditions 73 and 74, returned to Earth on July 26 after spending 241 days in space. During his mission, he participated in various scientific investigations and technology demonstrations, including research on semiconductor crystals and cancer treatments. Williams also completed two spacewalks to upgrade the space station's power systems and repair the Canadarm2 robotic arm. The news conference will be held at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston and will be streamed live.
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NASA Announces New Opportunity for Habitable Worlds Observatory Precursor Science

NASA Announces New Opportunity for Habitable Worlds Observatory Precursor Science

NASA has released Amendment 68 to the ROSES-2025, introducing the D.8 Habitable Worlds Observatory Precursor Science Investigations (HWO-PSI). This initiative aims to advance the scientific foundation for a potential future mission designed to search for life outside our solar system. The HWO mission concept, recommended by the National Academies' decadal survey, would perform transformative science across astrophysics and planetary science. Proposals for the HWO-PSI program are due by October 26, 2026, and will undergo dual anonymous peer review.
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The Sample Return Capsule That Brought Bennu’s Chemistry Back to Earth

The Sample Return Capsule That Brought Bennu’s Chemistry Back to Earth

It traveled millions of miles on a high-stakes mission, and now this single cylinder holds the clues to the very origins of our solar system.
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NASA Announces New Opportunity for Habitable Worlds Observatory Science Investigations

NASA Announces New Opportunity for Habitable Worlds Observatory Science Investigations

NASA has released Amendment 68, introducing a new opportunity for the Habitable Worlds Observatory Precursor Science Investigations (HWO-PSI). This initiative is part of the ROSES-2025 program and aims to advance the scientific foundation for a potential future mission designed to search for life beyond our solar system. The HWO mission concept, recommended by the National Academies' Astro2020 survey, focuses on transformative science across astrophysics and planetary science. The program invites proposals, with mandatory Notices of Intent due by September 10, 2026, and full proposals by October 26, 2026.
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Astronomer Tycho Brahe's Observations of a Supernova Revolutionized Astronomy

Astronomer Tycho Brahe's Observations of a Supernova Revolutionized Astronomy

In 1572, Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe observed a supernova, a new star that appeared in the night sky, which was a significant event in the history of astronomy. This supernova, known as a Type Ia supernova, involved a white dwarf star accumulating material from a neighboring star until it exploded. At the time, the prevailing belief was that the heavens were unchanging and perfect. However, Brahe's meticulous observations demonstrated that the celestial sphere was dynamic, challenging the existing cosmological views. His work laid the groundwork for future astronomers, including Johannes Kepler, who used Brahe's data to develop the laws of planetary motion, supporting the heliocentric model of the universe.
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NASA Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Viking 1's Historic Mars Landing

NASA Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Viking 1's Historic Mars Landing

NASA commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Viking 1 mission, which marked humanity's first successful landing on Mars and the transmission of images from the Martian surface. Viking 1 landed on July 20, 1976, and provided the first view of Mars' surface, revealing a rocky terrain. The mission was a significant milestone in space exploration, paving the way for future Mars missions. Viking 1's success demonstrated the feasibility of landing on another planet and conducting scientific experiments remotely.