|
11/18/2019 04:29 PM
|
|
Scientists Construct a Global Map of Titan’s Geology
|
|
Titan’s methane-based hydrologic cycle makes it one of the Solar System’s most geologically diverse bodies. There are lakes of methane, methane rainfall, and even “snow” made of complex organic molecules. But all of that detail is hidden under the moon’s dense, hazy atmosphere. Now a team of scientists have used data from the Cassini mission …
Continue reading "Scientists Construct a Global Map of Titan’s Geology"
The post Scientists Construct a Global Map of Titan’s Geology appeared first on Universe Today.
|
|
11/18/2019 11:13 AM
|
|
How Large Can A Planet Be?
|
|
When it comes to planets, the largest planet in the universe probably isn't the most massive.
The post How Large Can A Planet Be? appeared first on Universe Today.
|
|
11/15/2019 09:20 PM
|
|
Stingray Glider to Explore the Cloudtops of Venus
|
|
Researchers at the University of Buffalo's CASH Lab are working on a glider inspired by the stingray to explore Venus.
The post Stingray Glider to Explore the Cloudtops of Venus appeared first on Universe Today.
|
|
11/15/2019 04:20 PM
|
|
Two of Neptune’s Moons Dance Around Each Other as they Orbit
|
|
Like a long-married couple accustomed to each other’s kitchen habits, two of Neptune’s moons are masters at sharing space without colliding. And though both situations may appear odd to an observer, there’s a certain dance-like quality to them both. We’re talking about Thalassa and Naiad, two Neptunian moons discovered by Voyager 2 in 1989. The …
Continue reading "Two of Neptune’s Moons Dance Around Each Other as they Orbit"
The post Two of Neptune’s Moons Dance Around Each Other as they Orbit appeared first on Universe Today.
|
|
11/15/2019 04:03 PM
|
|
New Horizon’s Flyby Target 2014 MU69 Gets its Official Name: Arrokoth
|
|
The KBO formerly known as Ultima Thule (2014 MU69) has officially been named "Arrokoth", the traditional Powhatan-Algonquin language.
The post New Horizon’s Flyby Target 2014 MU69 Gets its Official Name: Arrokoth appeared first on Universe Today.
|
|
11/15/2019 01:10 PM
|
|
Tatooines everywhere? Many of the Exoplanets Already Discovered are in Multi-Star Systems
|
|
Right now, we know of about 4,000 confirmed exoplanets, mostly thanks to the Kepler mission. TESS, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, will likely raise that 4000 by a lot. But what about the stars that all of these planets orbit? A new study from the Astrophysical Institute and University Observatory of the University of Jena …
Continue reading "Tatooines everywhere? Many of the Exoplanets Already Discovered are in Multi-Star Systems"
The post Tatooines everywhere? Many of the Exoplanets Already Discovered are in Multi-Star Systems appeared first on Universe Today.
|
|
11/14/2019 03:08 PM
|
|
It’s Time for Hayabusa-2 to Come Home
|
|
Japan’s Hayabusa 2 spacecraft is on its way home. The asteroid-visiting, sample-return mission departed asteroid Ryugu (162173 Ryugu) on Wednesday, beginning its year-long journey back to Earth. And it’s carrying some precious cargo. Hayabusa 2 launched in December 2014, and arrived at Ryugu near the end of June, 2018. Ryugu is a carbonaceous near-Earth asteroid. …
Continue reading "It’s Time for Hayabusa-2 to Come Home"
The post It’s Time for Hayabusa-2 to Come Home appeared first on Universe Today.
|
|
11/14/2019 01:28 PM
|
|
Apollo 12 Launched 50 Years Ago Today
|
|
The 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 was a huge celebration, and Apollo 13 may be an equally big commotion. Apollo 12 is tough sell in the middle. Even the Virginia Air & Space Center, which houses the Apollo 12 capsule, uses photographs of Apollo 11 to advertise. Ouch. This unique mission and its important contribution …
Continue reading "Apollo 12 Launched 50 Years Ago Today"
The post Apollo 12 Launched 50 Years Ago Today appeared first on Universe Today.
|
|
11/14/2019 11:54 AM
|
|
Molecular Oxygen on Mars is Behaving Unusually Through the Seasons. A Sign of Life?
|
|
An atmospheric drama has been playing out on Mars lately. Up until now, the main actor has been methane, and its unusual, spiking behaviour. But now Oxygen is taking the stage, and performing some theatrics of its own. NASA’s Curiosity rover is busy examining Mars to see if it could have supported microbial life in …
Continue reading "Molecular Oxygen on Mars is Behaving Unusually Through the Seasons. A Sign of Life?"
The post Molecular Oxygen on Mars is Behaving Unusually Through the Seasons. A Sign of Life? appeared first on Universe Today.
|
|
11/13/2019 03:31 PM
|
|
What’s the Best Way to Sail From World to World? Electric Sails or Solar Sails?
|
|
A new study compares two potential means of interstellar exploration, which could have implications for both space exploration and the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence.
The post What’s the Best Way to Sail From World to World? Electric Sails or Solar Sails? appeared first on Universe Today.
|
