3000 Years Old Star Map // Lunar Starship Elevator Test // Io Close Flyby

Fraser Cain17 minutes read

NASA's Juno spacecraft completed its 57th flyby of Jupiter, ventured to explore Jupiter's moon IO, while Hubble studied changes in the atmosphere of the exoplanet WASP 121b. Archaeologists found ancient stone discs in Italy tracking stars, a giant cyclonic storm observed on WASP 121b, and NASA preparing for the upcoming Artemis 3 mission.

Insights

  • Juno spacecraft completed its 57th flyby of Jupiter, utilizing long elliptical orbits to collect data safely despite the planet's radiation, now exploring IO, Jupiter's closest moon, navigating through the hazardous environment of Jupiter's magnetosphere.
  • Hubble's observation of exoplanet atmospheres, particularly the hot Jupiter planet WASP 121b, revealed changes over three years, including the detection of a giant cyclonic storm, marking a significant advancement in studying weather patterns on exoplanets.

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Recent questions

  • What is the purpose of NASA's Juno spacecraft?

    NASA's Juno spacecraft is designed to gather data on Jupiter's atmosphere and magnetic field by completing flybys of the planet, using long elliptical orbits to avoid the harmful radiation.

  • What is the significance of Hubble studying exoplanet atmospheres?

    Hubble's study of exoplanet atmospheres, such as the hot Jupiter planet WASP 121b, allows astronomers to detect changes in these atmospheres over time, providing insights into weather patterns and atmospheric composition on distant planets.

  • What did archaeologists discover in Italy related to astronomy?

    Archaeologists found ancient stone discs in Italy with chiseled spots matching stars in the sky, dating back to 1800-400 BCE, possibly used for tracking astronomical events like supernovae.

  • What is the current solar activity trend towards?

    Solar activity is increasing towards the solar maximum, with recent powerful solar flares causing auroras visible in Northern and Southern latitudes, indicating heightened solar activity.

  • What are astronomers observing in the star-forming region 30 Doradus B?

    Astronomers are observing a star-forming region called 30 Doradus B in the Large Magellanic Cloud, containing some of the most massive stars believed to be 8 to 10 million years old, showcasing the process of star formation in the universe.

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Summary

00:00

Juno explores Jupiter's moons, Hubble studies exoplanets

  • NASA's Juno spacecraft has completed its 57th flyby of Jupiter, using long elliptical orbits to gather data safely from the planet's radiation.
  • Juno is now exploring IO, Jupiter's closest moon, despite the dangerous environment due to Jupiter's magnetosphere.
  • Juno recently completed a flyby within 1,500 kilometers of IO, catching up to previous work done by NASA's Galileo spacecraft.
  • Hubble has been studying exoplanet atmospheres, with a focus on a hot Jupiter planet called WASP 121b, detecting changes in its atmosphere over three years.
  • Astronomers have observed a giant cyclonic storm on WASP 121b, indicating weather patterns on exoplanets can now be studied.
  • Archaeologists found ancient stone discs in Italy with chiseled spots matching stars in the sky, dating back to 1800-400 BCE, possibly tracking a supernova.
  • Solar activity is increasing towards the solar maximum, with a recent powerful solar flare causing auroras visible in Northern and Southern latitudes.
  • NASA's 2024 awardees for Advanced Innovative Concepts have been announced, supporting out-of-the-box ideas for space exploration.
  • Astronauts are reminded of space debris dangers, with a photo showing damage to the Canadarm 2 caused by a micrometeoroid.
  • NASA astronauts are testing an elevator on the Starship for the upcoming Artemis 3 mission to safely transport crew to the Moon's surface.

15:26

Starry Nebula, Dark Globules, and Aurora Tips

  • Reflection nebula and Bok globules are visible in the image, representing dark gas and dust areas resisting radiation from newly forming stars.
  • The image showcases a star-forming region called 30 Doradus B in the Large Magellanic Cloud, containing some of the most massive stars, believed to be 8 to 10 million years old.
  • To increase chances of witnessing an aurora, monitor solar activity for coronal mass ejections, use aurora alert apps or NOAA alerts, find a dark location away from city lights with a view towards the poles, and be prepared with a camera for potential aurora sightings.
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