Space Exploration

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope Detects Water Vapor on Small Exoplanet Main Ideas: Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have observed water vapor in the atmosphere of a small exoplanet called GJ 9827d. GJ 9827d is about twice the diameter of Earth and could be an example of planets with water-rich atmospheres in our galaxy. This is the first direct evidence of water vapor on an exoplanet of this size. Details of Hubble's Detection Astronomers used Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 to study the atmosphere of GJ 9827d. They detected water vapor by analyzing the absorption of light as the exoplanet passed in front of its host star. GJ 9827d completes an orbit around its star in just under 2 days, making it a "hot Neptune." The team is hoping to further study this exoplanet to better un...

NASA-Funded Study Uncovers New Insights About Moonquakes and Faults A NASA-funded study sheds light on the moonquakes and faults found on the Moon's surface. Researchers analyzed data from NASA's Apollo mission as well as other information to understand these seismic activities. The study suggests that the cooling and shrinking of the Moon's interior are responsible for moonquakes and the creation of faults. Scientists used an algorithm to study the seismic data and identify different types of moonquakes. Understanding moonquakes and faults is crucial for future lunar missions, especially those targeting the lunar South Pole. Data from NASA's Apollo Mission Helps Uncover Insights A recent NASA-funded study has provided new insights into the moonquakes and faults on the lunar surface. By...

NASA, Northrop Grumman, and SpaceX Targeting Next ISS Resupply Mission Launch scheduled for January 29, 12:29 p.m. EST NASA, Northrop Grumman, and SpaceX have announced their plans for the next resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch is scheduled for Monday, January 29, at 12:29 p.m. EST. This mission will be the 20th Northrop Grumman commercial resupply services mission to the ISS, and it will deliver science investigations, supplies, and equipment to the orbital laboratory. Key Points: - NASA, Northrop Grumman, and SpaceX have set the launch time for the next ISS resupply mission. - The launch is scheduled for January 29 at 12:29 p.m. EST. - This mission will be the 20th Northrop Grumman commercial resupply services mission to the ISS. - The mission's purpo...

NASA's IXPE Team Awarded Prestigious Rossi Prize Main Ideas: The High Energy Astrophysics Division of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) has awarded the 2024 Bruno Rossi Prize to NASA's IXPE (Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer) team. The Rossi Prize is a prestigious award in high-energy astronomy and is given to individuals or teams for outstanding contributions to the field. The IXPE team was recognized for their work in developing a cutting-edge X-ray telescope that can measure the polarization of cosmic X-rays, which provides valuable insights into the behavior of black holes and neutron stars. The team consists of retired NASA astrophysicist Martin Weisskopf and the Italian Space Agency principal investigator, Paolo Soffitta, along with several other team members from NAS...