From ancient climate changes caused by our solar system’s galactic road trip to NASA’s dishwasher-sized Moon explorer and Australia launching Vegemite into space, this month’s space roundup has it all. Plus, if you ever need to call ET, the 21 cm hydrogen signal might be your best bet! And did you know rogue planets aren’t necessarily kicked-out exiles? They might actually form on their own. 🚀🌍✨
NASA’s Europa Clipper is using Mars as a cosmic slingshot to get a speed boost on its journey to Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa. While zipping past at 884 km, scientists will test its instruments before it heads off on its 2.9-billion-kilometr trek. But Europa isn’t the only icy world making waves—new data suggests Jupiter’s Callisto also has a hidden ocean, and Saturn’s Enceladus has a mushy zone under its ice shell that might be hiding alien microbes. Beyond the frost line, the search for life is heating up! 🚀❄️👽
Mars isn’t just a rusty desert—it’s a rusty, once-beachy desert! 🌊🔴 Scientists have discovered that Mars’ red color might come from wet rust, not dry oxidation, hinting at a past with more water than we thought. Meanwhile, China’s Zhurong rover has uncovered ancient Martian shorelines, suggesting liquid water stuck around for longer—which means more time for potential alien microbes to evolve. And where did all that water go? New research shows Mars’ soil can trap and hold water, preserving ice beneath the surface. Could this hidden water still support life? 🚀🔬
This month’s space exploration column takes us from the frosty terrains of ancient Earth to the latest technological feats in Mars’ atmosphere and beyond. Discover the vital insights shared by astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and journey with us through groundbreaking discoveries about black holes, the intriguing potential for life on Titan, and the innovative strategies powering Artemis moon missions. Engage with the cultural significance of space exploration through Indigenous art and marvel at the celestial dance of orbital resonance. Dive into the cosmos with us at Milky-Way.Kiwi, where the universe is closer than ever.
We get inspired by the remarkable journey of Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, from the depths of the ocean to the vastness of space, and her visit to Wellington meeting with Women in Space and teachers at Hutt Valley High School.
Recently published research has demonstrated that the expansion of the universe and black holes may be linked.
We wrote this post back in 2019 and thought it was a good idea to update given SpinLaunch has begun testing their concept at Spaceport
During the nationwide observance of Matariki, on a mild winter morning in Takapō (Tekapo), the Dark Sky Project was launched. The Dark Sky Project, formally
Beresheet spacecraft entered lunar orbit and further speculation of the future of the SLS and commercial involvement in the Moon programme. The announcement that the Event Horizon Telescope may give us the first ever picture of the event horizon around the Super Massive Black Hole at the centre of our galaxy
The Vice President of the US announced that the administration wants the US to return astronauts to the Moon by 2024. For this to happen there needs to be a way of getting them there and the SLS will probably not be ready.
NASA acknowledged that a commercial rocket might be an option to get Exploration Mission 1 off the ground. Could the first flight of the Orion Spacecraft be on a Falcon Heavy?
The Brashear Telescope is a masterpiece of the Victorian age technology. It stands 9 m tall with a refracting lens of 18 inches (45.72 cm)
News from space in January and February 2019
OSIRIS-REx has been at Bennu for about a month on its mission to examine the asteroid and get a sample to bring back to Earth in 2023.
The Starship/Super Heavy combination that is the new name for SpaceX’s BFR (Big Falcon Rocket) is taking shape in Texas with construction of a test vehicle known as Starhopper.
Life needs CHNOPS, the six essential elements Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulphur. Curiosity found them on ancient Mars, but a new study shows Earth was born without them. Only a lucky impact with Theia made our world habitable. In contrast, Venus never stood a chance. Meet the three planetary siblings and discover why only Earth became a cradle for life.
Mars’s mantle contains ancient fragments up to 4km wide from its formation—preserved like geological fossils from the planet’s violent early history.
Cosmic rays are hitting the atmosphere constantly. One of the products of the collisions is muons, and we can detect muons on the surface of the Earth to learn about the cosmic rays.
NGC6025 is an beautiful open cluster close to Beta Trianguli Australis in Triangulum Australe. Visible with binoculars and great in a telescope, well worth a look.
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