#observatory

The Chandra X-Ray Observatory Unmasks a Supernova Impostor

Some stars, called Luminous Blue Variables, can be confused with supernovae explosions. They exhibit similar outbursts, but unlike supernovae, which explode once and then are gone forever, these stars have periodic outbursts. New research found that one of these 'supernova impostors' is in a binary relationship with a black hole or a neutron star, and that explains its periodic outbursts.

Universe Today · EN

Rubin Observatory discovers two hidden companions of the Milky Way. Hundreds more may be waiting

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has already uncovered two previously unknown companions of the Milky Way using preliminary observations covering just 7% of the night sky. The discoveries include an extremely faint galaxy 355,000 light-years away and a star cluster hidden behind cosmic dust. Scientists suspect hundreds of additional satellite galaxies remain undiscovered, and Rubin's powerful telescope could finally bring them into view.

ScienceDaily · EN

NASA's Swift Observatory Is Falling to Earth

joshuark shares a report from Wired: After 22 years in orbit and a failed rescue mission this summer, it is highly likely that the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory will crash into Earth sometime next week. It is not known where on the planet the spacecraft -- which is roughly as big as a large elevator -- will fall. Despite its size, experts say the risk to the public is relatively low. The observatory was designed to operate for a few years in low Earth orbit, but it far exceeded its expected lifespan, helping to make many important discoveries about the evolution of the cosmos, including the s

Slashdot · EN

What Vera Rubin Observatory’s first new dwarf planet means

Back in 2006, the International Astronomical Union controversially demoted Pluto . This composite image of Pluto and its largest moon, Charon, was based on photographs taken by the New Horizons mission as it flew by the Plutonian planetary system back in 2015. Charon’s appearance is vastly different from Pluto’s, but both bodies are shown with the correct relative size and albedo. The surface features on Pluto show evidence of recent changes, indicating that the next time we visit Pluto to image it at this level of precision, it may exhibit a remarkably different appearance. Credit : NASA, APL

Big Think · EN