NASA's Hubble space telescope has detected the light of a star that existed within the first billion years after the universe’s birth in the big bang, astronomers said on Wednesday (March 30). It is said to be the farthest individual star ever seen to date.&nbsp;

NASA informed that the newly discovered star, called "Earendel". Scientists have said that the star is so far away its light has taken 12.9 billion years to reach Earth, when the universe was seven per cent its current age.&nbsp;

"We almost didn’t believe it at first, it was so much farther than the previous most-distant, highest redshift star," said astronomer Brian Welch of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.&nbsp;

Welch is the lead author of the paper describing the discovery, which is published in the March 30 journal Nature.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/saturn-is-eating-its-own-rings-they-may-disappear-altogether-466925">Saturn is 'eating' its own rings, they may disappear altogether</a>

NASA has informed that the discovery was made from data collected during Hubble's RELICS (Reionization Lensing Cluster Survey) programme. The programme was led by co-author Dan Coe at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI).&nbsp;

As per NASA, the previous single-star record holder was detected by Hubble in 2018. That star existed when the universe was about four billion years old, or 30 per cent of its current age. At a time that astronomers referred to as "redshift 1.5."&nbsp;

NASA revealed that scientists use the word "redshift" because as the universe expands, light from distant objects is stretched or "shifted" to longer and redder wavelengths as it travels toward us.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, talking about the newly-detected star, NASA said that Earendel's light came from an era called redshift 6.2.&nbsp;

Welch said, "Normally at these distances, entire galaxies look like small smudges, the light from millions of stars blending together."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-dying-star-is-forming-rings-around-itself-confusing-scientists-466682">A dying star is forming rings around itself, confusing scientists</a>

The galaxy hosting the star has been naturally magnified and distorted by an effect called gravitational lensing.&nbsp;

"The galaxy hosting this star has been magnified and distorted by gravitational lensing into a long crescent that we named the Sunrise Arc," said Welch.&nbsp;

After he studied the galaxy in detail, Welch found that one feature is an extremely magnified star that he called Earendel, which means "morning star" in Old English.&nbsp;

Welch added that Earendel existed so long ago that it may not have had the same raw materials as the stars that exist today.

"It's like we've been reading a really interesting book, but we started with the second chapter, and now we will have a chance to see how it all got started," he said.

Astronomers intend to gaze at the star using the James Webb Space Telescope, Hubble's successor, which is highly sensitive to infrared light from the oldest celestial bodies, in order to confirm Earendel's age, mass and radius.

It has been hypothesized that primordial stars were made solely from the elements forged after the Big Bang: hydrogen, helium and trace amounts of lithium, and should be more massive than stars that exist today.&nbsp;

It remains to be seen if Earendel belongs to these so-called "Population III" stars, but while the probability is small, it is enticing, said Welch.&nbsp;

WATCH | Gravitas: Giant ice volcanoes spotted on Pluto

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(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

NASA's Hubble space telescope has detected the light of a star that existed within the first billion years after the universe’s birth in the big bang, astronomers said on Wednesday (March 30).

NASA's Hubble space telescope has detected the light of a star that existed within the first billion years after the universe’s birth in the big bang, astronomers said on Wednesday (March 30). It is said to be the farthest individual star ever seen to date. NASA informed that the newly discovered star, called "Earendel". Scientists have said that the star is so far away its light has taken 12.9 billion years to reach Earth, when the universe was seven per cent its current age. "We almost didn’t believe it at first, it was so much farther than the previous most-distant, highest redshift star," said astronomer Brian Welch of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Welch is the lead author of the paper describing the discovery, which is published in the March 30 journal Nature. ALSO READ | Saturn is 'eating' its own rings, they may disappear altogether NASA has informed that the discovery was made from data collected during Hubble's RELICS (Reionization Lensing Cluster Survey) programme. The programme was led by co-author Dan Coe at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI). As per NASA, the previous single-star record holder was detected by Hubble in 2018. That star existed when the universe was about four billion years old, or 30 per cent of its current age. At a time that astronomers referred to as "redshift 1.5." NASA revealed that scientists use the word "redshift" because as the universe expands, light from distant objects is stretched or "shifted" to longer and redder wavelengths as it travels toward us. Meanwhile, talking about the newly-detected star, NASA said that Earendel's light came from an era called redshift 6.2. Welch said, "Normally at these distances, entire galaxies look like small smudges, the light from millions of stars blending together." ALSO READ | A dying star is forming rings around itself, confusing scientists The galaxy hosting the star has been naturally magnified and distorted by an effect called gravitational lensing. "The galaxy hosting this star has been magnified and distorted by gravitational lensing into a long crescent that we named the Sunrise Arc," said Welch. After he studied the galaxy in detail, Welch found that one feature is an extremely magnified star that he called Earendel, which means "morning star" in Old English. Welch added that Earendel existed so long ago that it may not have had the same raw materials as the stars that exist today. "It's like we've been reading a really interesting book, but we started with the second chapter, and now we will have a chance to see how it all got started," he said. Astronomers intend to gaze at the star using the James Webb Space Telescope, Hubble's successor, which is highly sensitive to infrared light from the oldest celestial bodies, in order to confirm Earendel's age, mass and radius. It has been hypothesized that primordial stars were made solely from the elements forged after the Big Bang: hydrogen, helium and trace amounts of lithium, and should be more massive than stars that exist today. It remains to be seen if Earendel belongs to these so-called "Population III" stars, but while the probability is small, it is enticing, said Welch. WATCH | Gravitas: Giant ice volcanoes spotted on Pluto × (With inputs from agencies)

Extraordinary Earendel! NASA's Hubble sees most distant star ever

The number of confirmed exoplanets just surpassed 5,000, marking the culmination of a 30-year journey. In a milestone celebration, NASA announced that its space telescopes helped confirm thousands of new exoplanets.&nbsp;

In the not-so-distant past, there were only a few known planets. However, a flurry of recent discoveries has marked a scientific high point: more than 5,000 planets are now confirmed to exist beyond our solar system.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/what-slows-down-star-formation-in-a-galaxy-this-is-the-answer-464620" hreflang="en">What slows down star-formation in a galaxy? This is the answer</a>

In March, the NASA Exoplanet Archive added 65 new exoplanets - planets outside our solar system - to the planetary odometer. The archive contains exoplanet discoveries that appeared in peer-reviewed scientific papers and have been confirmed through multiple detection methods or analytical methods.

Planets found to date range from small, rocky worlds like Earth to gas giants much larger than Jupiter and “hot Jupiters” that orbit in scorchingly close orbits around their stars. Additionally, there are "super-Earths," giant rocky worlds that might be larger than our own. As well as "mini-Neptunes" which are smaller versions of our solar system's Neptune.&nbsp;

<img alt="Exoplanets" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="84fef865-f32c-4d6a-8661-1a548e7fea27" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_181.jpg" />

(Illustration Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

As far as we know, our galaxy likely contains hundreds of billions of such planets.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-galaxy-with-split-personality-heres-what-we-mean-by-this-464411" hreflang="en">A galaxy with split personality? Here's what we mean by this</a>

Jessie Christiansen, science lead for the archive and a research scientist at Caltech's NASA Exoplanet Science Institute, explained that it is more than just a number.

“Each one of them is a new world, a brand-new planet. I get excited about every one because we don’t know anything about them.”

Alexander Wolszczan, a professor at Penn State who searches for exoplanets, believes we are entering a period of discovery that will go beyond simply adding new planets to the list.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;A new frontier in space exploration

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“To my thinking, it is inevitable that we’ll find some kind of life somewhere – most likely of some primitive kind,” Wolszczan said.

He pointed out the close relationship between the chemistry of life on Earth and chemistry found in the universe, together with widespread organic molecules, makes the discovery of the existence of life elsewhere only a matter of time.

(With inputs from agencies)

The number of confirmed exoplanets just surpassed 5,000, marking the culmination of a 30-year journey. In a milestone celebration, NASA announced that its space telescopes helped confirm thousands of new exoplanets.

The number of confirmed exoplanets just surpassed 5,000, marking the culmination of a 30-year journey. In a milestone celebration, NASA announced that its space telescopes helped confirm thousands of new exoplanets. In the not-so-distant past, there were only a few known planets. However, a flurry of recent discoveries has marked a scientific high point: more than 5,000 planets are now confirmed to exist beyond our solar system. Also read | What slows down star-formation in a galaxy? This is the answer In March, the NASA Exoplanet Archive added 65 new exoplanets - planets outside our solar system - to the planetary odometer. The archive contains exoplanet discoveries that appeared in peer-reviewed scientific papers and have been confirmed through multiple detection methods or analytical methods. Planets found to date range from small, rocky worlds like Earth to gas giants much larger than Jupiter and “hot Jupiters” that orbit in scorchingly close orbits around their stars. Additionally, there are "super-Earths," giant rocky worlds that might be larger than our own. As well as "mini-Neptunes" which are smaller versions of our solar system's Neptune. (Illustration Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech) As far as we know, our galaxy likely contains hundreds of billions of such planets. Also read | A galaxy with split personality? Here's what we mean by this Jessie Christiansen, science lead for the archive and a research scientist at Caltech's NASA Exoplanet Science Institute, explained that it is more than just a number. “Each one of them is a new world, a brand-new planet. I get excited about every one because we don’t know anything about them.” Alexander Wolszczan, a professor at Penn State who searches for exoplanets, believes we are entering a period of discovery that will go beyond simply adding new planets to the list. Watch | A new frontier in space exploration “To my thinking, it is inevitable that we’ll find some kind of life somewhere – most likely of some primitive kind,” Wolszczan said. He pointed out the close relationship between the chemistry of life on Earth and chemistry found in the universe, together with widespread organic molecules, makes the discovery of the existence of life elsewhere only a matter of time. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA confirms a 'celestial milestone', 5000 exoplanets confirmed so far

The wide, open Universe is filled with frenzied activity. Collisions of galaxies are one of the oft-seen phenomena. The idea of galaxies, comprising billions of stars, colliding with another galaxy appears horrific to imagine. We may think of loud boom, bangs just like in the movies.

But such collisions are often less eventful than universe-shattering drama we imagine in our minds. But there is a lot of tug-of-war involved when two galaxies collide. And depending upon which one packs more punch, a single galaxy may emerge victorious or the mishmash of stellar material may give rise to a wholly new galaxy.

But what&nbsp;Hubble Space Telescope has clicked has puzzled the scientists. A head-on collision of two galaxies has formed a weird-looking triangle shape&nbsp;in space.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-with-three-moons-of-its-own-found-for-the-first-time-454794">Asteroid with three moons of its own found for the first time</a>

So meet our two contenders in the ring. On the right in a spiral galaxy named NGC 2445. On the left is another spiral galaxy but with a name NGC 2445. Both of these galaxies are colliding. By the looks of it, scientists say that NGC 2444 (galaxy in left corner) is winning the tug-of-war and drawing material out of the right-hand side galaxy.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-believe-liquid-jewels-rain-on-this-sizzling-exoplanet-that-has-metal-vapour-clouds-455491">Astronomers believe liquid jewels rain on this sizzling exoplanet that has metal vapour clouds</a> 
 
This has caused newly minted stars from the right-hand side galaxy to leave their places and get arranged in a starnge triangle shape. The triangle is still witnessing a star-birthing frenzy because the right-hand side galaxy has a lot of gas, a necessary fuel needed for birth of new stars.

But what puzzles the scientist is the triangle formed by the stars moving towards the right-hand side galaxy.

Astronomer Julianne Dalcanton of the Flatiron Institute’s Center for Computational Astrophysics in New York was quoted by NASA when he said that star-formation rings are formed quite commonly at the time of collisions between two galaxies. But this particular collision does not depict a 'ring' but a star-forming triangle. This,&nbsp;in her opinion, is 'weird'.

The wide, open Universe is filled with frenzied activity. Collisions of galaxies are one of the oft-seen phenomena. The idea of galaxies, comprising billions of stars, colliding with another galaxy appears horrific to imagine.

The wide, open Universe is filled with frenzied activity. Collisions of galaxies are one of the oft-seen phenomena. The idea of galaxies, comprising billions of stars, colliding with another galaxy appears horrific to imagine. We may think of loud boom, bangs just like in the movies. But such collisions are often less eventful than universe-shattering drama we imagine in our minds. But there is a lot of tug-of-war involved when two galaxies collide. And depending upon which one packs more punch, a single galaxy may emerge victorious or the mishmash of stellar material may give rise to a wholly new galaxy. But what Hubble Space Telescope has clicked has puzzled the scientists. A head-on collision of two galaxies has formed a weird-looking triangle shape in space. Also Read | Asteroid with three moons of its own found for the first time So meet our two contenders in the ring. On the right in a spiral galaxy named NGC 2445. On the left is another spiral galaxy but with a name NGC 2445. Both of these galaxies are colliding. By the looks of it, scientists say that NGC 2444 (galaxy in left corner) is winning the tug-of-war and drawing material out of the right-hand side galaxy. Also Read | Astronomers believe liquid jewels rain on this sizzling exoplanet that has metal vapour clouds This has caused newly minted stars from the right-hand side galaxy to leave their places and get arranged in a starnge triangle shape. The triangle is still witnessing a star-birthing frenzy because the right-hand side galaxy has a lot of gas, a necessary fuel needed for birth of new stars. But what puzzles the scientist is the triangle formed by the stars moving towards the right-hand side galaxy. Astronomer Julianne Dalcanton of the Flatiron Institute’s Center for Computational Astrophysics in New York was quoted by NASA when he said that star-formation rings are formed quite commonly at the time of collisions between two galaxies. But this particular collision does not depict a 'ring' but a star-forming triangle. This, in her opinion, is 'weird'.

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope clicks colliding galaxies forming a strange space triangle

Astronomers believe liquid jewels rain on this sizzling exoplanet that has metal vapour clouds.

This study, published in&nbsp;Nature Astronomy, is a big step in deciphering the global cycles of matter and energy in the atmospheres of exoplanets.

Using the Hubble Space Telescope, an international collaboration of scientists led by Thomas Mikal-Evans from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) in Heidelberg, Germany, investigated the atmospheric properties of the hot Jupiter WASP-121 b.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-has-space-business-has-become-the-final-profitable-frontier-452928" hreflang="en">Why has space business has become the final profitable frontier?</a>

Astronomers had discovered this exoplanet in 2015 in the constellation Puppis at a distance of 855 light-years. Its mass is about 20 per cent&nbsp;greater than that of Jupiter, while WASP-121&nbsp;b has a diameter that is nearly twice as large.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-hubble-space-telescope-clicks-colliding-galaxies-forming-a-strange-space-triangle-455686">NASA's Hubble Space Telescope clicks colliding galaxies forming a strange space triangle</a> 
 
By including measurements from the dayside hemisphere, they determined how water changes physical states when moving between the hemispheres of the exoplanet WASP-121 b. While airborne metals and minerals evaporate on the hot dayside, the cooler night side features metal clouds and rain made of liquid gems.

This study is a big step in deciphering the global cycles of matter and energy in the atmospheres of exoplanets.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/breakthrough-in-physics-artificial-intelligence-successfully-controls-plasma-in-nuclear-fusion-experiment-455165" hreflang="en">'Breakthrough in Physics': Artificial Intelligence successfully controls plasma in nuclear fusion experiment</a>

Scientists have discovered more than 4,300 exoplanets. Some have been large gas planets akin to Jupiter. Others have been smaller, rocky Earth-like worlds, the kind considered candidates for harboring life, but currently available scientific instruments tell us little about their atmospheres.

"Despite the discovery of thousands of exoplanets, we've only been able to study the atmospheres of a small fraction due to the challenging nature of the observations," says astronomer Thomas Mikal-Evans of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Germany.

"We're now moving beyond taking isolated snapshots of specific regions of exoplanet atmospheres, to study them as the 3D systems they truly are," he adds.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-chart-milky-ways-dramatic-history-in-new-map-454668" hreflang="en">Astronomers chart Milky Way's dramatic history in new map</a>

The chemical composition of an atmosphere can tell a lot about a planet and its habitability. Scientists are interested in looking at the combination of gases in the atmospheres of Earth-like exoplanets, with a mix of oxygen, carbon dioxide and methane like that of our own planet a potential indication of life.

"The amount of carbon and oxygen in the atmosphere provides clues on where these kinds of planets form," Mikal-Evans explains

"We saw this water feature and mapped how it changed at different parts of the planet's orbit."&nbsp;

"That encodes information about what the temperature of the planet's atmosphere is doing as a function of altitude."

"These winds are much faster than our jet stream, and can probably move clouds across the entire planet in about 20 hours," says astrophysicist Tansu Daylan of MIT.

(With inputs from agencies)

Astronomers believe liquid jewels rain on this sizzling exoplanet that has metal vapour clouds. This study, published in Nature Astronomy, is a big step in deciphering the global cycles of matter and energy in the atmospheres of exoplanets.

Astronomers believe liquid jewels rain on this sizzling exoplanet that has metal vapour clouds. This study, published in Nature Astronomy, is a big step in deciphering the global cycles of matter and energy in the atmospheres of exoplanets. Using the Hubble Space Telescope, an international collaboration of scientists led by Thomas Mikal-Evans from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) in Heidelberg, Germany, investigated the atmospheric properties of the hot Jupiter WASP-121 b. Also see | Why has space business has become the final profitable frontier? Astronomers had discovered this exoplanet in 2015 in the constellation Puppis at a distance of 855 light-years. Its mass is about 20 per cent greater than that of Jupiter, while WASP-121 b has a diameter that is nearly twice as large. Also Read | NASA's Hubble Space Telescope clicks colliding galaxies forming a strange space triangle By including measurements from the dayside hemisphere, they determined how water changes physical states when moving between the hemispheres of the exoplanet WASP-121 b. While airborne metals and minerals evaporate on the hot dayside, the cooler night side features metal clouds and rain made of liquid gems. This study is a big step in deciphering the global cycles of matter and energy in the atmospheres of exoplanets. Also read | 'Breakthrough in Physics': Artificial Intelligence successfully controls plasma in nuclear fusion experiment Scientists have discovered more than 4,300 exoplanets. Some have been large gas planets akin to Jupiter. Others have been smaller, rocky Earth-like worlds, the kind considered candidates for harboring life, but currently available scientific instruments tell us little about their atmospheres. "Despite the discovery of thousands of exoplanets, we've only been able to study the atmospheres of a small fraction due to the challenging nature of the observations," says astronomer Thomas Mikal-Evans of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Germany. "We're now moving beyond taking isolated snapshots of specific regions of exoplanet atmospheres, to study them as the 3D systems they truly are," he adds. Also read | Astronomers chart Milky Way's dramatic history in new map The chemical composition of an atmosphere can tell a lot about a planet and its habitability. Scientists are interested in looking at the combination of gases in the atmospheres of Earth-like exoplanets, with a mix of oxygen, carbon dioxide and methane like that of our own planet a potential indication of life. "The amount of carbon and oxygen in the atmosphere provides clues on where these kinds of planets form," Mikal-Evans explains "We saw this water feature and mapped how it changed at different parts of the planet's orbit." "That encodes information about what the temperature of the planet's atmosphere is doing as a function of altitude." "These winds are much faster than our jet stream, and can probably move clouds across the entire planet in about 20 hours," says astrophysicist Tansu Daylan of MIT. (With inputs from agencies)

Astronomers believe liquid jewels rain on this sizzling exoplanet that has metal vapour clouds

Astronomers have identified the first-ever wandering black hole in the Milky Way galaxy as per a new study.

"We report the first unambiguous detection and mass measurement of an isolated stellar-mass black hole," wrote a team of astronomers led by Kailash Sahu of the Space Telescope Science Institute.

Moving at a speed of 45 kilometers (28 miles) per second, the black hole is 5,200 light-years away. It received a modest natal 'kick' from its supernova explosion.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/russia-ukraine-crisis-deterring-aliens-from-making-their-presence-known-says-ufo-specialist-449854" hreflang="en">Russia-Ukraine crisis deterring aliens from making their presence known, says UFO specialist</a>

The researchers used Hubble Space Telescope (HST) to carry out precise astrometry of the source star of the event MOA-2011-BLG191/OGLE-2011-BLG-0462, in the direction of the Galactic bulge.

The remarkable event lasted around 270 days and was also unusual as it had high magnification.

The study, submitted to The Astrophysical Journal, is available on the pre-print server arXiv.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-identify-interesting-similarity-between-this-exoplanet-and-earth-449674" hreflang="en">Scientists identify interesting similarity between this exoplanet and Earth</a>

Black holes are extremely dense, with gravitational pulls so ferocious, not even light escapes.&nbsp;

"We show that the lens emits no detectable light, which, along with having a mass higher than is possible for a white dwarf or neutron star, confirms its black hole nature," Sahu said.

There are three categories of black holes. The smallest, like 'the Unicorn,' are so-called stellar mass black holes formed by the gravitational collapse of a single star. There are gargantuan 'supermassive' black holes like the one at our galaxy's center, 26,000 light years from Earth, which is four million times the sun's mass. A few intermediate-mass black holes also have been found with masses somewhere in between.

Cygnus X-1 is the Milky Way’s largest-known stellar-mass black hole and among the strongest X-ray sources seen from Earth, said astronomer James Miller-Jones of Curtin University and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research.

This black hole spins so rapidly, nearly light speed, that it approaches the maximum rate envisioned under physicist Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity, Miller-Jones added.

It devours material blowing from the surface of the companion star it tightly orbits, a “blue supergiant” about 40 times our sun’s mass. It started its existence 4 million to 5 million years ago as a star up to 75 times the sun’s mass and collapsed into a black hole a few tens of thousands of years ago.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Astronomers have identified the first-ever wandering black hole in the Milky Way galaxy as per a new study. "We report the first unambiguous detection and mass measurement of an isolated stellar-mass black hole," wrote a team of astronomers led by Kailash Sahu of the Space Telescope Science Institute.

Astronomers have identified the first-ever wandering black hole in the Milky Way galaxy as per a new study. "We report the first unambiguous detection and mass measurement of an isolated stellar-mass black hole," wrote a team of astronomers led by Kailash Sahu of the Space Telescope Science Institute. Moving at a speed of 45 kilometers (28 miles) per second, the black hole is 5,200 light-years away. It received a modest natal 'kick' from its supernova explosion. Also read | Russia-Ukraine crisis deterring aliens from making their presence known, says UFO specialist The researchers used Hubble Space Telescope (HST) to carry out precise astrometry of the source star of the event MOA-2011-BLG191/OGLE-2011-BLG-0462, in the direction of the Galactic bulge. The remarkable event lasted around 270 days and was also unusual as it had high magnification. The study, submitted to The Astrophysical Journal, is available on the pre-print server arXiv. Also read | Scientists identify interesting similarity between this exoplanet and Earth Black holes are extremely dense, with gravitational pulls so ferocious, not even light escapes. "We show that the lens emits no detectable light, which, along with having a mass higher than is possible for a white dwarf or neutron star, confirms its black hole nature," Sahu said. There are three categories of black holes. The smallest, like 'the Unicorn,' are so-called stellar mass black holes formed by the gravitational collapse of a single star. There are gargantuan 'supermassive' black holes like the one at our galaxy's center, 26,000 light years from Earth, which is four million times the sun's mass. A few intermediate-mass black holes also have been found with masses somewhere in between. Cygnus X-1 is the Milky Way’s largest-known stellar-mass black hole and among the strongest X-ray sources seen from Earth, said astronomer James Miller-Jones of Curtin University and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research. This black hole spins so rapidly, nearly light speed, that it approaches the maximum rate envisioned under physicist Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity, Miller-Jones added. It devours material blowing from the surface of the companion star it tightly orbits, a “blue supergiant” about 40 times our sun’s mass. It started its existence 4 million to 5 million years ago as a star up to 75 times the sun’s mass and collapsed into a black hole a few tens of thousands of years ago. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists identify first-ever wandering black hole in Milky Way galaxy

A sense of excitement has engrossed the scientific community as NASA readies to launch the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)—the largest space telescope ever and the most noteworthy after Hubble— which seeks to unveil many secrets of the universe, especially related to the formation of stars and galaxies in the early period after the Big Bang.

The powerful infrared telescope, which is hailed by NASA as the “premiere space-science observatory of the next decade”, is packed inside the cargo bay of an Ariane 5 rocket and poised for blastoff at 12.20 GMT (5:50 pm Indian Standard Time) from the European Space Agency`s (ESA) launch base in French Guiana.

If all goes according to plan, the 14,000-pound instrument will be released from the French-built rocket after a 26-minute ride into space.

What is the James Webb Space Telescope?

The telescope is named after James Edwin Webb—one of the architects of the Apollo Moon programme, and the space agencies of the US, Europe and Canada, who are all partners on the project. &nbsp;

The JWST is a product of an international partnership between NASA, ESA, and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). It is not just the largest but also the most powerful telescope ever to be launched into space.

The ESA is providing the launch service to the telescope as part of the international agreement.

It's a project that has taken 30 years and cost $10 billion to design and build. It is regarded as one of the grand scientific endeavours of the 21st Century.

JWST will also be positioned much deeper into the space, about a million miles from Earth, at a spot known as L2. It is one of the five points, known as Lagrange’s points, in any revolving two-body system like Earth and Sun, where the gravitational forces of the two large bodies cancel each other out.

What is the difference between JSWT and Hubble?

The primary difference between the Hubble and the JWST is the wavelength of light that they are designed to image.

Hubble is sensitive to ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light (200-2,400 nanometers). In contrast, JWST is focused mostly on the infrared spectrum (600-28,000 nanometers), with some limited capability of seeing some red/orange visible light, but not the other colours.

This change in technology will help scientists to dwell more deeply into the past and get a first-hand look at how the universe originated.

Scientists from 44 countries will be able to make use of the JSWT telescope, with proposals including using the infrared capabilities to penetrate the supermassive black holes at the centre of galaxies, including our own.

Where to watch the launch?

NASA will run a live stream on its YouTube channel and on its Twitter and Facebook accounts as well. Moreover, the ESA will also be running its own live stream in French and Spanish languages on its website.

A sense of excitement has engrossed the scientific community as NASA readies to launch the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)—the largest space telescope ever and the most noteworthy after Hubble— which seeks to unveil many secrets of the universe, especially related to the formation of stars and galaxies in the early period after the Big Bang.

A sense of excitement has engrossed the scientific community as NASA readies to launch the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)—the largest space telescope ever and the most noteworthy after Hubble— which seeks to unveil many secrets of the universe, especially related to the formation of stars and galaxies in the early period after the Big Bang. The powerful infrared telescope, which is hailed by NASA as the “premiere space-science observatory of the next decade”, is packed inside the cargo bay of an Ariane 5 rocket and poised for blastoff at 12.20 GMT (5:50 pm Indian Standard Time) from the European Space Agency`s (ESA) launch base in French Guiana. If all goes according to plan, the 14,000-pound instrument will be released from the French-built rocket after a 26-minute ride into space. What is the James Webb Space Telescope? The telescope is named after James Edwin Webb—one of the architects of the Apollo Moon programme, and the space agencies of the US, Europe and Canada, who are all partners on the project. The JWST is a product of an international partnership between NASA, ESA, and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). It is not just the largest but also the most powerful telescope ever to be launched into space. The ESA is providing the launch service to the telescope as part of the international agreement. It's a project that has taken 30 years and cost $10 billion to design and build. It is regarded as one of the grand scientific endeavours of the 21st Century. JWST will also be positioned much deeper into the space, about a million miles from Earth, at a spot known as L2. It is one of the five points, known as Lagrange’s points, in any revolving two-body system like Earth and Sun, where the gravitational forces of the two large bodies cancel each other out. What is the difference between JSWT and Hubble? The primary difference between the Hubble and the JWST is the wavelength of light that they are designed to image. Hubble is sensitive to ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light (200-2,400 nanometers). In contrast, JWST is focused mostly on the infrared spectrum (600-28,000 nanometers), with some limited capability of seeing some red/orange visible light, but not the other colours. This change in technology will help scientists to dwell more deeply into the past and get a first-hand look at how the universe originated. Scientists from 44 countries will be able to make use of the JSWT telescope, with proposals including using the infrared capabilities to penetrate the supermassive black holes at the centre of galaxies, including our own. Where to watch the launch? NASA will run a live stream on its YouTube channel and on its Twitter and Facebook accounts as well. Moreover, the ESA will also be running its own live stream in French and Spanish languages on its website.

Explainer: What is James Webb Space Telescope that is set to be launched today

Nasa is all set to launch its biggest telescope into the orbit in a few hours from now. It is also almost a hundred times more powerful than Hubble and will explore the possibilities of life beyond earth.

A new frontier in space exploration

In a new image taken by Hubble Space Telescope, a sparkling side of a spiral galaxy can be seen. &nbsp;

The telescope was able to capture an image of UGC 11537, a galaxy, which is 230 million light years away in the constellation named Aquila. &nbsp;

This galaxy is around 10 times farther than the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), which is barely visible from naked eye in sky on Earth. &nbsp;

In late November, the European Space Agency (ESA) said that as UGC 11537 is near the plane of the Milky Way where most stars of galaxy reside, two starry interlopers, which are closer to home, also snuck into the image. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-discover-trouble-making-nemesis-twin-of-the-sun-435917" hreflang="en">Astronomers discover trouble-making 'nemesis' twin of the Sun</a>

In the description of the image, ESA added, "The spikes surrounding these stars are imaging artifacts, called diffraction spikes. They are the result of starlight interacting with the structure that supports Hubble’s secondary mirror." &nbsp;

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🌌 Happy <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HubbleFriday?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HubbleFriday</a>! 
 
This week’s image shows the spiral galaxy UGC 11537, which lies about 230 million light-years away. 
 
The two foreground stars are making a cosmic photobomb, as they’re actually within our galaxy, the Milky Way: <a href="https://t.co/02AT9uIbMF">https://t.co/02AT9uIbMF</a> <a href="https://t.co/wavUVovyqZ">pic.twitter.com/wavUVovyqZ</a>
— Hubble (@NASAHubble) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAHubble/status/1469321765444800516?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The image of the spiral galaxy came across during a search for supermassive black holes, which are embedded in these star structures. &nbsp;

The image came due to data from Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/too-many-launchings-federal-aviation-administration-to-stop-providing-commercial-astronaut-wings-436015" hreflang="en">'Too many launchings': Federal Aviation Administration to stop providing commercial astronaut wings</a>

Earlier, Hubble Space Telescope was made fully functional again. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was able to take care of the glitches and the aging space telescope's instruments were online again. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In October this year, Hubble had developed a glitch with synchronisation of its internal communication. Because of this, all four of its science instruments went offline. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a new image taken by Hubble Space Telescope, a sparkling side of a spiral galaxy can be seen. The telescope was able to capture an image of UGC 11537, a galaxy, which is 230 million light years away in the constellation named Aquila.

In a new image taken by Hubble Space Telescope, a sparkling side of a spiral galaxy can be seen. The telescope was able to capture an image of UGC 11537, a galaxy, which is 230 million light years away in the constellation named Aquila. This galaxy is around 10 times farther than the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), which is barely visible from naked eye in sky on Earth. In late November, the European Space Agency (ESA) said that as UGC 11537 is near the plane of the Milky Way where most stars of galaxy reside, two starry interlopers, which are closer to home, also snuck into the image. Also Read: Astronomers discover trouble-making 'nemesis' twin of the Sun In the description of the image, ESA added, "The spikes surrounding these stars are imaging artifacts, called diffraction spikes. They are the result of starlight interacting with the structure that supports Hubble’s secondary mirror." 🌌 Happy #HubbleFriday! This week’s image shows the spiral galaxy UGC 11537, which lies about 230 million light-years away. The two foreground stars are making a cosmic photobomb, as they’re actually within our galaxy, the Milky Way: https://t.co/02AT9uIbMF pic.twitter.com/wavUVovyqZ — Hubble (@NASAHubble) December 10, 2021 × The image of the spiral galaxy came across during a search for supermassive black holes, which are embedded in these star structures. The image came due to data from Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3. Also Read: 'Too many launchings': Federal Aviation Administration to stop providing commercial astronaut wings Earlier, Hubble Space Telescope was made fully functional again. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was able to take care of the glitches and the aging space telescope's instruments were online again. In October this year, Hubble had developed a glitch with synchronisation of its internal communication. Because of this, all four of its science instruments went offline. (With inputs from agencies)

Hubble Space Telescope’s new image shows a spiral galaxy’s sparkling stars

Hubble Space Telescope is fully functional again. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been able to take care of the glitches and the aging space telescope's instruments are online again.

In October this year, Hubble had developed a glitch with synchronisation of its internal communication. Because of this, all four of its science instruments went offline.

The first instrument to come online was Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) on November 7. At the time, remaining instruments went in a 'Safe Mode' for protection.

But earlier this week the space telscope became fully functional.

"The team will continue work on developing and testing changes to instrument software that would allow them to conduct science operations even if they encounter several lost synchronization messages in the future," said NASA.

Hubble is due to get a software update this month. This software update will be for Cosmic Origins Spectrograph instrument of the space telescope.

NASA said in a statement that other instruments of the telescope will also receive software update in coming months.

Hubble will soon be joined by another powerful telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope. The Webb telescope is going to be launched soon. While Hubble has been able to bring important images of the universe to Earth in last few decades, James Webb Space Telescope, equipped with the latest technology, is expected to be humanity's much-improved eye in the sky.

Hubble Space Telescope is fully functional again. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been able to take care of the glitches and the aging space telescope's instruments are online again.

Hubble Space Telescope is fully functional again. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been able to take care of the glitches and the aging space telescope's instruments are online again. In October this year, Hubble had developed a glitch with synchronisation of its internal communication. Because of this, all four of its science instruments went offline. The first instrument to come online was Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) on November 7. At the time, remaining instruments went in a 'Safe Mode' for protection. But earlier this week the space telscope became fully functional. "The team will continue work on developing and testing changes to instrument software that would allow them to conduct science operations even if they encounter several lost synchronization messages in the future," said NASA. Hubble is due to get a software update this month. This software update will be for Cosmic Origins Spectrograph instrument of the space telescope. NASA said in a statement that other instruments of the telescope will also receive software update in coming months. Hubble will soon be joined by another powerful telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope. The Webb telescope is going to be launched soon. While Hubble has been able to bring important images of the universe to Earth in last few decades, James Webb Space Telescope, equipped with the latest technology, is expected to be humanity's much-improved eye in the sky.

Hubble Space Telescope is fully functional again

Nebulas are places in space where stars form. Nebulas are made up of interstellar gas and dust. They are formed when old stars explode. Amd in turn, new stars are formed from the stellar material deposited in the nebula.

NASA's Hubble space telescope has captured image of Prawn Nebula, a massive stellar nursery. The nebula is 250 might-years wide and is situated at a distance of 6000 light-years away from Earth. Formally, the Prawn Nebula is called IC 4628.

The nebula has been classified as emission nebula. This is because the gas in the nebula is being ionised by stars forming inside it. This forms electrons that re-emit the absorbed energy in the form of infrared light. Human eye cannot see infrared light. And thus good-ol Hubble comes into play.

Hubble's unique vantage point in space gives it a unique advantage when it comes to clicking pictures of celestial bodies. Needless to say, its vast array of cameras and lenses makes it capable of perceiving light not ordinarily visible to human eye.

This image has been taken by Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3. The image was clicked as part of an initiative to survey large and intermediate-size stars which are in early stage of their development.

Nebulas are places in space where stars form. Nebulas are made up of interstellar gas and dust. They are formed when old stars explode. Amd in turn, new stars are formed from the stellar material deposited in the nebula.

Nebulas are places in space where stars form. Nebulas are made up of interstellar gas and dust. They are formed when old stars explode. Amd in turn, new stars are formed from the stellar material deposited in the nebula. NASA's Hubble space telescope has captured image of Prawn Nebula, a massive stellar nursery. The nebula is 250 might-years wide and is situated at a distance of 6000 light-years away from Earth. Formally, the Prawn Nebula is called IC 4628. The nebula has been classified as emission nebula. This is because the gas in the nebula is being ionised by stars forming inside it. This forms electrons that re-emit the absorbed energy in the form of infrared light. Human eye cannot see infrared light. And thus good-ol Hubble comes into play. Hubble's unique vantage point in space gives it a unique advantage when it comes to clicking pictures of celestial bodies. Needless to say, its vast array of cameras and lenses makes it capable of perceiving light not ordinarily visible to human eye. This image has been taken by Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3. The image was clicked as part of an initiative to survey large and intermediate-size stars which are in early stage of their development.

Hubble telescope captures pic of Prawn Nebula, a massive stellar nursery

NASA's Hubble Telescope has unveiled new images that could offer a sneak preview of the demise of the Sun.

The sun,&nbsp;essentially a hot ball of hydrogen and helium,&nbsp;is an average-sized star that formed more than 4.5 billion years ago and is roughly halfway through its lifespan.

Its diameter is about 864,000 miles (1.4 million km). Its surface temperature is about 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit (5,500 degrees Celsius).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/this-element-is-found-in-both-our-teeth-and-in-a-galaxy-which-is-12-billion-light-years-away-426901" hreflang="en">This element is found in both our teeth and in a galaxy which is 12 billion light years away</a>

Known as NGC 2438, the planetary nebula is the Sun-like stars. It is located roughly 1,370 light-years away from the Earth.

Planetary nebulae are massive gas clouds ejected from dying stars like that resemble the Sun.

During the end of its lifespan, the sun will run out of hydrogen to fuse in the core. This will make the Sun unstable and it will collapse into a white dwarf.

The sun appears to be far less active than similar stars in terms of brightness variations caused by sunspots and other phenomena.

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“Temperature and rotation period are thought to be the major ingredients for the dynamo inside the star, which generates its magnetic field, and eventually the number and size of the spots causing the brightness to vary. Finding such stars with very similar parameters as our sun but being five times more variable was surprising,” Reinhold said.

Elevated magnetic activity associated with sunspots can lead to solar flares, coronal mass ejections - large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the outermost part of the sun’s atmosphere - and other electromagnetic phenomena that can affect Earth, for example disrupting satellites and communications and endangering astronauts.

Solar monotony may be good news.

“A much more active sun might have also affected Earth on geological time scales - paleoclimatology. A ‘too active’ star would definitively change the conditions for life on the planet, so living with a quite boring star is not the worst option,” Reinhold said.

The researchers compared data on similar stars to historical records of the sun’s activity. These records included about 400 years of observational data on sunspots and about 9,000 years of data based on chemical element variants in tree rings and ice cores caused by solar activity. These records indicated the sun has not been much more active than it is now.

The findings, Reinhold said, do not rule out that the sun may be in a quiet phase and may become more variable in the future.

NASA's Hubble Telescope has unveiled new images that could offer a sneak preview of the demise of the Sun. The sun, essentially a hot ball of hydrogen and helium, is an average-sized star that formed more than 4.

NASA's Hubble Telescope has unveiled new images that could offer a sneak preview of the demise of the Sun. The sun, essentially a hot ball of hydrogen and helium, is an average-sized star that formed more than 4.5 billion years ago and is roughly halfway through its lifespan. Its diameter is about 864,000 miles (1.4 million km). Its surface temperature is about 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit (5,500 degrees Celsius). Also read | This element is found in both our teeth and in a galaxy which is 12 billion light years away Known as NGC 2438, the planetary nebula is the Sun-like stars. It is located roughly 1,370 light-years away from the Earth. Planetary nebulae are massive gas clouds ejected from dying stars like that resemble the Sun. During the end of its lifespan, the sun will run out of hydrogen to fuse in the core. This will make the Sun unstable and it will collapse into a white dwarf. The sun appears to be far less active than similar stars in terms of brightness variations caused by sunspots and other phenomena. Also read | Earth's 'planetary defence': NASA unveils spacecraft that targets asteroids “Temperature and rotation period are thought to be the major ingredients for the dynamo inside the star, which generates its magnetic field, and eventually the number and size of the spots causing the brightness to vary. Finding such stars with very similar parameters as our sun but being five times more variable was surprising,” Reinhold said. Elevated magnetic activity associated with sunspots can lead to solar flares, coronal mass ejections - large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the outermost part of the sun’s atmosphere - and other electromagnetic phenomena that can affect Earth, for example disrupting satellites and communications and endangering astronauts. Solar monotony may be good news. “A much more active sun might have also affected Earth on geological time scales - paleoclimatology. A ‘too active’ star would definitively change the conditions for life on the planet, so living with a quite boring star is not the worst option,” Reinhold said. The researchers compared data on similar stars to historical records of the sun’s activity. These records included about 400 years of observational data on sunspots and about 9,000 years of data based on chemical element variants in tree rings and ice cores caused by solar activity. These records indicated the sun has not been much more active than it is now. The findings, Reinhold said, do not rule out that the sun may be in a quiet phase and may become more variable in the future.

Astronomers offer hint on how Sun's death might unfold

The iconic Hubble Space Telescope has developed a glitch yet again and has entered 'safe mode' suspending scientific operation. The iconic but ageing piece of technology has needed constant repairs in recent years underlining need for new eye in the sky.

Hubble's safe mode allows the telescope to remain powered using its solar panels as scientists figure out ways to address the issue.

"The Hubble operations team is continuing work to resolve the issue that caused Hubble’s science instruments to enter safe mode Oct. 25. They are analyzing existing data and collecting additional data to further isolate and address the issue," NASA tweeted on Tuesday.

Hubble has been facing trouble since October 23 due to synchronisation errors. NASA says that synchronisation messages are necessary to provide “information the instruments use to correctly respond to data requests and commands.”

Scientists were able to rectify the problem after October 23 glitch by resetting the instruments on the space telescope but the problem occurred again on October 25.

Hubble Space Telescope was launched in 1990 to eliminate problems we face in observing the universe from the Earth's surface.

This is not the first time Hubble has developed problems. Hubble's payload computer malfunctioned in June this year and the space telescope entered safe mode.

James Webb Telescope, a successor to Hubble is all set to be launched into space next month. The telescope is armed with the latest technology and will be able to observe the universe in much better way than Hubble currently does. It is expected that Hubble will be able to aid space research for a decade more.

The iconic Hubble Space Telescope has developed a glitch yet again and has entered 'safe mode' suspending scientific operation. The iconic but ageing piece of technology has needed constant repairs in recent years underlining need for new eye in the sky.

The iconic Hubble Space Telescope has developed a glitch yet again and has entered 'safe mode' suspending scientific operation. The iconic but ageing piece of technology has needed constant repairs in recent years underlining need for new eye in the sky. Hubble's safe mode allows the telescope to remain powered using its solar panels as scientists figure out ways to address the issue. "The Hubble operations team is continuing work to resolve the issue that caused Hubble’s science instruments to enter safe mode Oct. 25. They are analyzing existing data and collecting additional data to further isolate and address the issue," NASA tweeted on Tuesday. Hubble has been facing trouble since October 23 due to synchronisation errors. NASA says that synchronisation messages are necessary to provide “information the instruments use to correctly respond to data requests and commands.” Scientists were able to rectify the problem after October 23 glitch by resetting the instruments on the space telescope but the problem occurred again on October 25. Hubble Space Telescope was launched in 1990 to eliminate problems we face in observing the universe from the Earth's surface. This is not the first time Hubble has developed problems. Hubble's payload computer malfunctioned in June this year and the space telescope entered safe mode. James Webb Telescope, a successor to Hubble is all set to be launched into space next month. The telescope is armed with the latest technology and will be able to observe the universe in much better way than Hubble currently does. It is expected that Hubble will be able to aid space research for a decade more.

Hubble in trouble: Space telescope enters safe mode, suspends operations

The plentiful but enigmatic material that does not emit light or energy is&nbsp;called&nbsp;dark matter.

Even though it is invisible, it&nbsp;is considered as a fundamental part of all galaxies including our own Milky Way.

It is thought to comprise about a quarter of the universe’s combined mass and energy and about 80 percent of its total mass but has not been directly observed.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-nasa-discovers-first-planet-outside-milky-way-galaxy-424278/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Scientists believe it exists based on the gravitational effects it seems to exert on galaxies.

The universe’s ordinary matter includes things like gas, stars, black holes and planets, not to mention shoes, umbrellas, platypuses and whatever else you might see on Earth.

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Dark matter may have played a key role in forming the earliest stars, according to researchers who suggest that the mysterious and invisible material may also have been responsible for creating black holes.

As the universe initially was only helium and hydrogen, dark matter was critical in providing the gravitational force to pull these elements together to form stars. Now that there are other objects in the galaxy, dark matter is not needed to form stars.

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When the light from distant sources like faraway galaxies travels through matter such as another galaxy or a cluster of them, the light is deflected and bends - a phenomenon called ''gravitational lensing.''

The new observations have shown that gravitational lensing effects produced by galaxies residing inside the huge galaxy clusters were far stronger than the current dark matter theory envisioned, suggesting an unexpectedly large concentration of dark matter in these galaxies.

Like dark matter, cosmologists have little idea what dark energy is. They estimate that it accounts for 72 per cent of the universe.&nbsp;

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An explanation for dark energy is that it is a property of space. Albert Einstein was the first person to realise that empty space is not nothing. Space has amazing properties, many of which are just beginning to be understood.&nbsp;

A property that Einstein discovered is that it is possible for more space to come into existence.

As per the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of a very distant supernovae showed that, a long time ago, the universe was actually expanding more slowly than it is today.&nbsp;

So, the expansion of the universe has not been slowing due to gravity, as everyone thought, it has been accelerating.

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Most astronomers believe dark energy&nbsp;is a form of material that has an inverse gravity, repelling matter that comes close to it. This, scientists theorise, is driving the expansion of the universe, pushing stars, planets, and galaxies farther and farther apart.

Despite both components being visible, we know a lot more about dark matter since its existence was suggested as early as the 1920s, while dark energy wasn't discovered until 1998.

According to a study conducted by Cambridge University, an experiment to detect dark matter may instead have shown the presence of dark energy.

It conducted an underground, large-scale experiment INFN Laboritori Nazionalli del Gran Sasso in Italy and called it XENON1T.

The team constructed a physical model, which used a screening mechanism known as chamelon screening, to show that dark energy particles produced in the Sun's strong electromagnetic fields could explain the signal seen in the XENON1T.

Similarly, another project called PandaX-xT at China Jinping Underground Laboratory could help directly detect dark energy within the next decade.

The plentiful but enigmatic material that does not emit light or energy is called dark matter. Even though it is invisible, it is considered as a fundamental part of all galaxies including our own Milky Way.

The plentiful but enigmatic material that does not emit light or energy is called dark matter. Even though it is invisible, it is considered as a fundamental part of all galaxies including our own Milky Way. It is thought to comprise about a quarter of the universe’s combined mass and energy and about 80 percent of its total mass but has not been directly observed. Scientists believe it exists based on the gravitational effects it seems to exert on galaxies. The universe’s ordinary matter includes things like gas, stars, black holes and planets, not to mention shoes, umbrellas, platypuses and whatever else you might see on Earth. Also see | What a blast: The rush of amateur astronauts Dark matter may have played a key role in forming the earliest stars, according to researchers who suggest that the mysterious and invisible material may also have been responsible for creating black holes. As the universe initially was only helium and hydrogen, dark matter was critical in providing the gravitational force to pull these elements together to form stars. Now that there are other objects in the galaxy, dark matter is not needed to form stars. Also see | Want to become a space tourist? Here is all you need to do When the light from distant sources like faraway galaxies travels through matter such as another galaxy or a cluster of them, the light is deflected and bends - a phenomenon called ''gravitational lensing.'' The new observations have shown that gravitational lensing effects produced by galaxies residing inside the huge galaxy clusters were far stronger than the current dark matter theory envisioned, suggesting an unexpectedly large concentration of dark matter in these galaxies. Like dark matter, cosmologists have little idea what dark energy is. They estimate that it accounts for 72 per cent of the universe. Also see | Who is winning space tourism race between Bezos, Branson and Musk? An explanation for dark energy is that it is a property of space. Albert Einstein was the first person to realise that empty space is not nothing. Space has amazing properties, many of which are just beginning to be understood. A property that Einstein discovered is that it is possible for more space to come into existence. As per the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of a very distant supernovae showed that, a long time ago, the universe was actually expanding more slowly than it is today. So, the expansion of the universe has not been slowing due to gravity, as everyone thought, it has been accelerating. Also read | NASA's Lucy spacecraft facing technical problems, solar panels get jammed Most astronomers believe dark energy is a form of material that has an inverse gravity, repelling matter that comes close to it. This, scientists theorise, is driving the expansion of the universe, pushing stars, planets, and galaxies farther and farther apart. Despite both components being visible, we know a lot more about dark matter since its existence was suggested as early as the 1920s, while dark energy wasn't discovered until 1998. According to a study conducted by Cambridge University, an experiment to detect dark matter may instead have shown the presence of dark energy. It conducted an underground, large-scale experiment INFN Laboritori Nazionalli del Gran Sasso in Italy and called it XENON1T. The team constructed a physical model, which used a screening mechanism known as chamelon screening, to show that dark energy particles produced in the Sun's strong electromagnetic fields could explain the signal seen in the XENON1T. Similarly, another project called PandaX-xT at China Jinping Underground Laboratory could help directly detect dark energy within the next decade.

Why is mysterious dark energy leading to expansion of the universe?

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has said that&nbsp;the&nbsp;Hubble&nbsp;Space Telescope returned to full science operations&nbsp;and captured images of two unusual galaxies.

The telescope's operations had been suspended for a month following a computer anomaly.&nbsp;When the main computer failed to receive a signal from the payload computer, it automatically placed Hubble’s science instruments into safe mode.

NASA released&nbsp;Hubble's images of a pair of interacting galaxies in the southern hemisphere, named ARP-MADORE2115-273 and ARP-MADORE0002-503.

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While the former&nbsp;is a rarely observed example of a pair of interacting galaxies in the southern hemisphere. The latter&nbsp;is a large spiral galaxy with unusual, extended spiral arms. While most disk galaxies have an even number of spiral arms, this one has three.

These snapshots, from a program led by Julianne Dalcanton of the University of Washington in Seattle, feature a galaxy with unusual extended spiral arms and the first high-resolution glimpse at an intriguing pair of colliding galaxies.

Other initial targets for Hubble included globular star clusters and aurorae on the giant planet Jupiter.

Hubble has taken more than 600,000 observations, bringing its lifetime total to more than 1.5 million.

“I’m thrilled to see that Hubble has its eye back on the universe, once again capturing the kind of images that have intrigued and inspired us for decades,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

“This is a moment to celebrate the success of a team truly dedicated to the mission. Through their efforts, Hubble will continue its 32nd year of discovery, and we will continue to learn from the observatory’s transformational vision,” he added.

The&nbsp;Hubble&nbsp;was launched in 1990 and has become a crucial tool in space exploration, observing stars and galaxies from its orbit 350 miles (563 km) above Earth.

(With inputs from agencies)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has said that the Hubble Space Telescope returned to full science operations and captured images of two unusual galaxies.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has said that the Hubble Space Telescope returned to full science operations and captured images of two unusual galaxies. The telescope's operations had been suspended for a month following a computer anomaly. When the main computer failed to receive a signal from the payload computer, it automatically placed Hubble’s science instruments into safe mode. NASA released Hubble's images of a pair of interacting galaxies in the southern hemisphere, named ARP-MADORE2115-273 and ARP-MADORE0002-503. Also Read | Marsquakes reveal secrets of Mars' interior While the former is a rarely observed example of a pair of interacting galaxies in the southern hemisphere. The latter is a large spiral galaxy with unusual, extended spiral arms. While most disk galaxies have an even number of spiral arms, this one has three. These snapshots, from a program led by Julianne Dalcanton of the University of Washington in Seattle, feature a galaxy with unusual extended spiral arms and the first high-resolution glimpse at an intriguing pair of colliding galaxies. Other initial targets for Hubble included globular star clusters and aurorae on the giant planet Jupiter. Hubble has taken more than 600,000 observations, bringing its lifetime total to more than 1.5 million. “I’m thrilled to see that Hubble has its eye back on the universe, once again capturing the kind of images that have intrigued and inspired us for decades,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “This is a moment to celebrate the success of a team truly dedicated to the mission. Through their efforts, Hubble will continue its 32nd year of discovery, and we will continue to learn from the observatory’s transformational vision,” he added. The Hubble was launched in 1990 and has become a crucial tool in space exploration, observing stars and galaxies from its orbit 350 miles (563 km) above Earth. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captures images of two unusual galaxies

The Hubble Space Telescope is damaged, and NASA is scrambling to figure out what's wrong with the workhorse observatory's most significant problem in almost a decade.

Astronomers were using the 31-year-old Hubble telescope to study pulsing stars 200 million miles away when it suddenly stopped working on June 13.&nbsp; 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-reports-trouble-with-hubble-space-telescope-392571">NASA reports trouble with Hubble Space Telescope</a>

After one of its onboard computers malfunctioned on June 13, the Hubble Space Telescope was put into safe mode, with science operations shut off.&nbsp; 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-technology/nasas-giant-webb-telescope-succeeds-in-key-pre-launch-test-384613">NASA's giant Webb telescope succeeds in key pre-launch test</a>&nbsp;

"NASA completed a review to assess all factors and minimise risks related to Hubble’s possible switch to backup hardware, which may occur later this week. Investigation into the cause of the payload computer issue is ongoing," NASA&nbsp;said.

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The agency's initial findings pointed to a degrading computer memory module as the source of the computer halt. When the operations team attempted to switch to a backup memory module, however, the command to initiate the backup module failed to complete. 
 
The main computer then automatically placed all science instruments in a safe mode configuration. Control centre personnel at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland restarted the payload computer on Monday, June 14, but it soon experienced the same problem, the space agency said. 
 
Hundreds of astronomy projects had to be placed on pause or cancelled due to the failure of the orbiting telescope, which NASA is trying to figure out what went wrong.

Efforts to comprehend galaxies, comets, stars, exoplanets, and the entire cosmos are at stake.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Hubble Space Telescope is damaged, and NASA is scrambling to figure out what's wrong with the workhorse observatory's most significant problem in almost a decade.

The Hubble Space Telescope is damaged, and NASA is scrambling to figure out what's wrong with the workhorse observatory's most significant problem in almost a decade. Astronomers were using the 31-year-old Hubble telescope to study pulsing stars 200 million miles away when it suddenly stopped working on June 13. Also read | NASA reports trouble with Hubble Space Telescope After one of its onboard computers malfunctioned on June 13, the Hubble Space Telescope was put into safe mode, with science operations shut off. Also read | NASA's giant Webb telescope succeeds in key pre-launch test "NASA completed a review to assess all factors and minimise risks related to Hubble’s possible switch to backup hardware, which may occur later this week. Investigation into the cause of the payload computer issue is ongoing," NASA said. × The agency's initial findings pointed to a degrading computer memory module as the source of the computer halt. When the operations team attempted to switch to a backup memory module, however, the command to initiate the backup module failed to complete. The main computer then automatically placed all science instruments in a safe mode configuration. Control centre personnel at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland restarted the payload computer on Monday, June 14, but it soon experienced the same problem, the space agency said. Hundreds of astronomy projects had to be placed on pause or cancelled due to the failure of the orbiting telescope, which NASA is trying to figure out what went wrong. Efforts to comprehend galaxies, comets, stars, exoplanets, and the entire cosmos are at stake. (With inputs from agencies)

Down for a month: NASA faces Hubble Space Telescope's most serious glitch in years

The&nbsp;Hubble&nbsp;Space Telescope, which has been peering into the universe for more than 30 years, has been down for the past few days, NASA said Friday.

The problem is a payload computer that stopped working last Sunday, the US space agency said.It insisted the telescope itself and scientific instruments that accompany it are "in good health."

"The payload computer's purpose is to control and coordinate the science instruments and monitor them for health and safety purposes," NASA said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/hubble-space-telescope-beams-back-mesmerising-image-of-a-nebula-370330">Also Read |&nbsp;Hubble Space Telescope beams back mesmerising image of a nebula!</a>

An attempt to restart it on Monday failed. NASA said initial evidence pointed to a degrading computer memory module as the source of the computer problem.

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NASA continues to work to resolve an issue with the payload computer on the Hubble Space Telescope, which halted on June 13. 
 
Launched in 1990, Hubble has contributed greatly to our understanding of the universe over the past 30 years. <a href="https://t.co/qEmIUQCtuX">https://t.co/qEmIUQCtuX</a>
— Hubble (@NASAHubble) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAHubble/status/1405939940471492619?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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An attempt to switch to a backup memory module also failed.The technology for the payload computer dates back to the 1980s, and it was replaced during maintenance work in 2009.

Launched in 1990, the&nbsp;Hubble&nbsp;Space Telescope revolutionized the world of astronomy and changed our vision of the universe as it sent back images of the solar system, the Milky Way and distant galaxies.

A new and more powerful one, called the James Webb Space Telescope, is scheduled to be deployed late this year. It is designed to peer deeper into the cosmos than ever before.

The Hubble Space Telescope, which has been peering into the universe for more than 30 years, has been down for the past few days, NASA said Friday. The problem is a payload computer that stopped working last Sunday, the US space agency said.

The Hubble Space Telescope, which has been peering into the universe for more than 30 years, has been down for the past few days, NASA said Friday. The problem is a payload computer that stopped working last Sunday, the US space agency said.It insisted the telescope itself and scientific instruments that accompany it are "in good health." "The payload computer's purpose is to control and coordinate the science instruments and monitor them for health and safety purposes," NASA said. Also Read | Hubble Space Telescope beams back mesmerising image of a nebula! An attempt to restart it on Monday failed. NASA said initial evidence pointed to a degrading computer memory module as the source of the computer problem. NASA continues to work to resolve an issue with the payload computer on the Hubble Space Telescope, which halted on June 13. Launched in 1990, Hubble has contributed greatly to our understanding of the universe over the past 30 years. https://t.co/qEmIUQCtuX — Hubble (@NASAHubble) June 18, 2021 × An attempt to switch to a backup memory module also failed.The technology for the payload computer dates back to the 1980s, and it was replaced during maintenance work in 2009. Launched in 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope revolutionized the world of astronomy and changed our vision of the universe as it sent back images of the solar system, the Milky Way and distant galaxies. A new and more powerful one, called the James Webb Space Telescope, is scheduled to be deployed late this year. It is designed to peer deeper into the cosmos than ever before.

NASA reports trouble with Hubble Space Telescope

The world's largest and most powerful&nbsp;space&nbsp;telescope&nbsp;unfolded its&nbsp;giant&nbsp;golden mirror for the last time on Earth on Tuesday, a&nbsp;key&nbsp;milestone before the $10 billion observatory is launched later this year.

The James&nbsp;Webb&nbsp;Space&nbsp;Telescope's 21 feet 4 inches (6.5 meters) mirror was commanded to fully expand and lock itself into place,&nbsp;NASA&nbsp;said, a final&nbsp;test&nbsp;to ensure it will survive its million-mile (1.6 million kilometers) journey and is ready to discover the origins of the Universe.

"It's like building a Swiss watch at 40-feet-tall... and getting it ready for this journey that we take into the vacuum at minus 400 degrees Fahrenheit (-240 Celsius), four times further than the Moon," said Scott Willoughby of lead contractor Northrop Grumman.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-shares-image-of-nearly-5-billion-year-old-asteroid-crossing-the-earth-384509">NASA shares image of nearly 5-billion-year-old asteroid crossing the Earth</a>

He was speaking at the company's spaceport in Redondo Beach, California, from where the&nbsp;telescope&nbsp;will be shipped to French Guiana to be launched on an Ariane 5 rocket, with&nbsp;NASA&nbsp;targeting October 31 for liftoff.

Webb's primary mirror is made of 18 hexagonal segments coated with an ultra-thin layer of gold to improve its reflection of infrared light.

It will fly to&nbsp;space&nbsp;folded like a piece of origami artwork, which allows it to fit inside a 16-foot (5-meter) rocket fairing, and will then use 132 individual actuators and motors to bend each mirror into a specific position.

Together, the mirrors will function as one massive reflector, to enable the&nbsp;telescope&nbsp;to peer deeper into the cosmos than ever before.

Time machine

Scientists want to use the&nbsp;telescope&nbsp;to look back in time over 13.5 billion years ago and see for the first time the first stars and galaxies that formed, a few hundred million years after the Big Bang.

To do this, they need to detect infrared. The current premier&nbsp;space&nbsp;telescope, Hubble, only has limited infrared capacity.

This is&nbsp;key&nbsp;because, by the time the light from the first objects reaches our telescopes, it has been shifted towards the red end of the electromagnetic spectrum as a result of the Universe extending the&nbsp;space&nbsp;between objects as it expands.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/perseverance-rover-captures-sound-of-ingenuity-flying-on-mars-383610">Perseverance rover captures sound of Ingenuity flying on Mars</a>

Another&nbsp;key&nbsp;area will be the discovery of alien worlds. The first planets to orbit other stars were detected in the 1990s and there are now more than 4,000 exoplanets that have been confirmed.

Webb&nbsp;"has instrumentation that will propel this new and exciting field into its next epic of discovery," said Eric Smith, James&nbsp;Webb&nbsp;telescope&nbsp;program scientist.

Scientists from 44 countries will be able to make use of the&nbsp;telescope, with proposals including using the infrared capabilities to penetrate the supermassive black holes at the centre of galaxies, including our own.

"The discovery capability of&nbsp;Webb&nbsp;is limited only by our own imaginations, and scientists around the world will soon be using this general purpose observatory to take us places we haven't dreamed of going before," said Smith.

The world's largest and most powerful space telescope unfolded its giant golden mirror for the last time on Earth on Tuesday, a key milestone before the $10 billion observatory is launched later this year.

The world's largest and most powerful space telescope unfolded its giant golden mirror for the last time on Earth on Tuesday, a key milestone before the $10 billion observatory is launched later this year. The James Webb Space Telescope's 21 feet 4 inches (6.5 meters) mirror was commanded to fully expand and lock itself into place, NASA said, a final test to ensure it will survive its million-mile (1.6 million kilometers) journey and is ready to discover the origins of the Universe. "It's like building a Swiss watch at 40-feet-tall... and getting it ready for this journey that we take into the vacuum at minus 400 degrees Fahrenheit (-240 Celsius), four times further than the Moon," said Scott Willoughby of lead contractor Northrop Grumman. Also read | NASA shares image of nearly 5-billion-year-old asteroid crossing the Earth He was speaking at the company's spaceport in Redondo Beach, California, from where the telescope will be shipped to French Guiana to be launched on an Ariane 5 rocket, with NASA targeting October 31 for liftoff. Webb's primary mirror is made of 18 hexagonal segments coated with an ultra-thin layer of gold to improve its reflection of infrared light. It will fly to space folded like a piece of origami artwork, which allows it to fit inside a 16-foot (5-meter) rocket fairing, and will then use 132 individual actuators and motors to bend each mirror into a specific position. Together, the mirrors will function as one massive reflector, to enable the telescope to peer deeper into the cosmos than ever before. Time machine Scientists want to use the telescope to look back in time over 13.5 billion years ago and see for the first time the first stars and galaxies that formed, a few hundred million years after the Big Bang. To do this, they need to detect infrared. The current premier space telescope, Hubble, only has limited infrared capacity. This is key because, by the time the light from the first objects reaches our telescopes, it has been shifted towards the red end of the electromagnetic spectrum as a result of the Universe extending the space between objects as it expands. Also read | Perseverance rover captures sound of Ingenuity flying on Mars Another key area will be the discovery of alien worlds. The first planets to orbit other stars were detected in the 1990s and there are now more than 4,000 exoplanets that have been confirmed. Webb "has instrumentation that will propel this new and exciting field into its next epic of discovery," said Eric Smith, James Webb telescope program scientist. Scientists from 44 countries will be able to make use of the telescope, with proposals including using the infrared capabilities to penetrate the supermassive black holes at the centre of galaxies, including our own. "The discovery capability of Webb is limited only by our own imaginations, and scientists around the world will soon be using this general purpose observatory to take us places we haven't dreamed of going before," said Smith.

NASA's giant Webb telescope succeeds in key pre-launch test

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has detected that&nbsp;torrential outflows from infant stars may not stop them from growing.

The unexpected discovery made in the study, which will appear in&nbsp;an upcoming issue of The Astrophysical Journal, may change&nbsp;our understanding of star formation.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-juno-spacecraft-unveils-dark-origins-of-jupiters-mysterious-auroral-storms-for-first-time-371195" hreflang="en">NASA's Juno spacecraft unveils dark origins of Jupiter's mysterious auroral storms for first time</a>

It has been assumed that a newly forming star blows off a lot of hot gas through lightsaber-shaped outflowing jets and hurricane-like winds launched from the encircling disk by powerful magnetic fields. These fireworks should squelch further growth of the central star. But a new, comprehensive Hubble survey shows that this most common explanation doesn't seem to work, leaving astronomers puzzled.

Researchers used data previously collected from NASA's Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes and the European Space Agency's Herschel Space Telescope to analyze 304 developing stars, called protostars, in the Orion Complex, the nearest major star-forming region to Earth. (Spitzer and Herschel are no longer operational).

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In this largest-ever survey of nascent stars to date, researchers are finding that gas-clearing by a star's outflow may not be as important in determining its final mass as conventional theories suggest. The researchers' goal was to determine whether stellar outflows halt the infall of gas onto a star and stop it from growing.

Instead, they found that the cavities in the surrounding gas cloud sculpted by a forming star's outflow did not grow regularly as they matured, as theories propose.

"In one stellar formation model, if you start out with a small cavity, as the protostar rapidly becomes more evolved, its outflow creates an ever-larger cavity until the surrounding gas is eventually blown away, leaving an isolated star," explained lead researcher Nolan Habel of the University of Toledo in Ohio.

"Our observations indicate there is no progressive growth that we can find, so the cavities are not growing until they push out all of the mass in the cloud. So, there must be some other process going on that gets rid of the gas that doesn't end up in the star."

A Star is Born

During a star's relatively brief birthing stage, lasting only about 500,000 years, the star quickly bulks up on mass. What gets messy is that, as the star grows, it launches a wind, as well as a pair of spinning, lawn-sprinkler-style jets shooting off in opposite directions. These outflows begin to eat away at the surrounding cloud, creating cavities in the gas.

Popular theories predict that as the young star evolves and the outflows continue, the cavities grow wider until the entire gas cloud around the star is completely pushed away. With its gas tank empty, the star stops accreting mass – in other words, it stops growing.

To look for cavity growth, the researchers first sorted the protostars by age by analyzing Herschel and Spitzer data of each star's light output. The protostars in the Hubble observations were also observed as part of the Herschel telescope's Herschel Orion Protostar Survey.

Then the astronomers observed the cavities in near-infrared light with Hubble's Near-infrared Camera and Multi-object Spectrometer and Wide Field Camera 3. The observations were taken between 2008 and 2017. Although the stars themselves are shrouded in dust, they emit powerful radiation which strikes the cavity walls and scatters off dust grains, illuminating the gaps in the gaseous envelopes in infrared light.

The Hubble images reveal the details of the cavities produced by protostars at various stages of evolution. Habel's team used the images to measure the structures' shapes and estimate the volumes of gas cleared out to form the cavities. From this analysis, they could estimate the amount of mass that had been cleared out by the stars' outbursts. 
 
"We find that at the end of the protostellar phase, where most of the gas has fallen from the surrounding cloud onto the star, a number of young stars still have fairly narrow cavities," said team member Tom Megeath of the University of Toledo. "So, this picture that is still commonly held of what determines the mass of a star and what halts the infall of gas is that this growing outflow cavity scoops up all of the gas. This has been pretty fundamental to our idea of how star formation proceeds, but it just doesn't seem to fit the data here."

Future telescopes such as NASA's upcoming James Webb Space Telescope will probe deeper into a protostar's formation process. Webb spectroscopic observations will observe the inner regions of disks surrounding protostars in infrared light, looking for jets in the youngest sources. Webb also will help astronomers measure the accretion rate of material from the disk onto the star, and study how the inner disk is interacting with the outflow.

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has detected that torrential outflows from infant stars may not stop them from growing. The unexpected discovery made in the study, which will appear in an upcoming issue of The Astrophysical Journal, may change our understanding of star formation.

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has detected that torrential outflows from infant stars may not stop them from growing. The unexpected discovery made in the study, which will appear in an upcoming issue of The Astrophysical Journal, may change our understanding of star formation. Also read| NASA's Juno spacecraft unveils dark origins of Jupiter's mysterious auroral storms for first time It has been assumed that a newly forming star blows off a lot of hot gas through lightsaber-shaped outflowing jets and hurricane-like winds launched from the encircling disk by powerful magnetic fields. These fireworks should squelch further growth of the central star. But a new, comprehensive Hubble survey shows that this most common explanation doesn't seem to work, leaving astronomers puzzled. Researchers used data previously collected from NASA's Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes and the European Space Agency's Herschel Space Telescope to analyze 304 developing stars, called protostars, in the Orion Complex, the nearest major star-forming region to Earth. (Spitzer and Herschel are no longer operational). In this largest-ever survey of nascent stars to date, researchers are finding that gas-clearing by a star's outflow may not be as important in determining its final mass as conventional theories suggest. The researchers' goal was to determine whether stellar outflows halt the infall of gas onto a star and stop it from growing. Instead, they found that the cavities in the surrounding gas cloud sculpted by a forming star's outflow did not grow regularly as they matured, as theories propose. "In one stellar formation model, if you start out with a small cavity, as the protostar rapidly becomes more evolved, its outflow creates an ever-larger cavity until the surrounding gas is eventually blown away, leaving an isolated star," explained lead researcher Nolan Habel of the University of Toledo in Ohio. "Our observations indicate there is no progressive growth that we can find, so the cavities are not growing until they push out all of the mass in the cloud. So, there must be some other process going on that gets rid of the gas that doesn't end up in the star." A Star is Born During a star's relatively brief birthing stage, lasting only about 500,000 years, the star quickly bulks up on mass. What gets messy is that, as the star grows, it launches a wind, as well as a pair of spinning, lawn-sprinkler-style jets shooting off in opposite directions. These outflows begin to eat away at the surrounding cloud, creating cavities in the gas. Popular theories predict that as the young star evolves and the outflows continue, the cavities grow wider until the entire gas cloud around the star is completely pushed away. With its gas tank empty, the star stops accreting mass – in other words, it stops growing. To look for cavity growth, the researchers first sorted the protostars by age by analyzing Herschel and Spitzer data of each star's light output. The protostars in the Hubble observations were also observed as part of the Herschel telescope's Herschel Orion Protostar Survey. Then the astronomers observed the cavities in near-infrared light with Hubble's Near-infrared Camera and Multi-object Spectrometer and Wide Field Camera 3. The observations were taken between 2008 and 2017. Although the stars themselves are shrouded in dust, they emit powerful radiation which strikes the cavity walls and scatters off dust grains, illuminating the gaps in the gaseous envelopes in infrared light. The Hubble images reveal the details of the cavities produced by protostars at various stages of evolution. Habel's team used the images to measure the structures' shapes and estimate the volumes of gas cleared out to form the cavities. From this analysis, they could estimate the amount of mass that had been cleared out by the stars' outbursts. "We find that at the end of the protostellar phase, where most of the gas has fallen from the surrounding cloud onto the star, a number of young stars still have fairly narrow cavities," said team member Tom Megeath of the University of Toledo. "So, this picture that is still commonly held of what determines the mass of a star and what halts the infall of gas is that this growing outflow cavity scoops up all of the gas. This has been pretty fundamental to our idea of how star formation proceeds, but it just doesn't seem to fit the data here." Future telescopes such as NASA's upcoming James Webb Space Telescope will probe deeper into a protostar's formation process. Webb spectroscopic observations will observe the inner regions of disks surrounding protostars in infrared light, looking for jets in the youngest sources. Webb also will help astronomers measure the accretion rate of material from the disk onto the star, and study how the inner disk is interacting with the outflow.

Astronomers detect torrential outflows from infant stars may not stop them from growing

The Juno spacecraft of the&nbsp;National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has revealed the&nbsp;dark origins of Jupiter's mysterious auroral storms, in a recent study.

The findings of the research, published in the journal AGU Advances state that the&nbsp;Ultraviolet Spectrograph instrument of the Juno mission, the gas-giant orbiter is illuminating the provenance of Jovian polar light.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-discovers-three-microbes-that-may-help-grow-plants-on-mars-370933">NASA discovers three microbes that may help grow plants on Mars</a>

It reveals&nbsp;for the first time the birth of auroral dawn storms – the early morning brightening unique to Jupiter’s spectacular aurorae. These immense, transient displays of light occur at both Jovian poles and had previously been observed only by ground-based and Earth-orbiting observatories, notably NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.

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First discovered by Hubble’s Faint Object Camera in 1994, dawn storms consist of short-lived but intense brightening and broadening of Jupiter’s main auroral oval – an oblong curtain of light that surrounds both poles – near where the atmosphere emerges from the darkness in the early morning region.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-detects-fm-signals-from-jupiters-moon-ganymede-for-the-first-time-356822">NASA detects FM signals from Jupiter's moon Ganymede for the first time</a>

Before Juno, observations of Jovian ultraviolet aurora had offered only side views, hiding everything happening on the nightside of the planet.&nbsp;

According to&nbsp;Bertrand Bonfond, a researcher from the University of Liège in Belgium and lead author of the study,&nbsp;“Observing Jupiter’s aurora from Earth does not allow you to see beyond the limb, into the nightside of Jupiter’s poles. Explorations by other spacecraft – Voyager, Galileo, Cassini – happened from relatively large distances and did not fly over the poles, so they could not see the complete picture.”

&nbsp;“That’s why the Juno data is a real game-changer, allowing us a better understanding of what is happening on the nightside, where the dawn storms are born.”

Researchers found dawn storms are born on the nightside of the gas giant. As the planet rotates, the soon-to-be dawn storm rotates with it into the dayside, where these complex and intensely bright auroral features grow even more luminous, emitting anywhere from hundreds to thousands of gigawatts of ultraviolet light into space.

The jump in brightness implies that dawn storms are dumping at least 10 times more energy into Jupiter's upper atmosphere than typical aurora.

The interior of Jupiter is just as intriguing as the planet’s dazzling surface, with a swirling mixture of liquid hydrogen and helium at its centre, vast atmospheric jet streams and exotic gravitational properties.

Data from NASA’s Juno spacecraft, orbiting the solar system’s largest planet since 2016, is providing researchers with what they called unprecedented insight into Jupiter’s internal dynamics and structure. Until now, scientists have had scant information about what lies below Jupiter’s thick red, brown, yellow and white clouds.

Jupiter is a type of planet called a gas giant, as opposed to rocky planets like Earth and Mars, and its composition is 99 percent hydrogen and helium. Juno’s data showed that as you go deeper under the surface, Jupiter’s gas becomes ionized and eventually turns into a hot, dense metallic liquid.

The Juno spacecraft of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has revealed the dark origins of Jupiter's mysterious auroral storms, in a recent study.

The Juno spacecraft of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has revealed the dark origins of Jupiter's mysterious auroral storms, in a recent study. The findings of the research, published in the journal AGU Advances state that the Ultraviolet Spectrograph instrument of the Juno mission, the gas-giant orbiter is illuminating the provenance of Jovian polar light. Also read: NASA discovers three microbes that may help grow plants on Mars It reveals for the first time the birth of auroral dawn storms – the early morning brightening unique to Jupiter’s spectacular aurorae. These immense, transient displays of light occur at both Jovian poles and had previously been observed only by ground-based and Earth-orbiting observatories, notably NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. First discovered by Hubble’s Faint Object Camera in 1994, dawn storms consist of short-lived but intense brightening and broadening of Jupiter’s main auroral oval – an oblong curtain of light that surrounds both poles – near where the atmosphere emerges from the darkness in the early morning region. Also read: NASA detects FM signals from Jupiter's moon Ganymede for the first time Before Juno, observations of Jovian ultraviolet aurora had offered only side views, hiding everything happening on the nightside of the planet. According to Bertrand Bonfond, a researcher from the University of Liège in Belgium and lead author of the study, “Observing Jupiter’s aurora from Earth does not allow you to see beyond the limb, into the nightside of Jupiter’s poles. Explorations by other spacecraft – Voyager, Galileo, Cassini – happened from relatively large distances and did not fly over the poles, so they could not see the complete picture.” “That’s why the Juno data is a real game-changer, allowing us a better understanding of what is happening on the nightside, where the dawn storms are born.” Researchers found dawn storms are born on the nightside of the gas giant. As the planet rotates, the soon-to-be dawn storm rotates with it into the dayside, where these complex and intensely bright auroral features grow even more luminous, emitting anywhere from hundreds to thousands of gigawatts of ultraviolet light into space. The jump in brightness implies that dawn storms are dumping at least 10 times more energy into Jupiter's upper atmosphere than typical aurora. The interior of Jupiter is just as intriguing as the planet’s dazzling surface, with a swirling mixture of liquid hydrogen and helium at its centre, vast atmospheric jet streams and exotic gravitational properties. Data from NASA’s Juno spacecraft, orbiting the solar system’s largest planet since 2016, is providing researchers with what they called unprecedented insight into Jupiter’s internal dynamics and structure. Until now, scientists have had scant information about what lies below Jupiter’s thick red, brown, yellow and white clouds. Jupiter is a type of planet called a gas giant, as opposed to rocky planets like Earth and Mars, and its composition is 99 percent hydrogen and helium. Juno’s data showed that as you go deeper under the surface, Jupiter’s gas becomes ionized and eventually turns into a hot, dense metallic liquid.

NASA's Juno spacecraft unveils dark origins of Jupiter's mysterious auroral storms for first time

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a wayward comet-like object has been spotted near the family of ancient asteroids.

Watch:

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"The object has settled near a family of captured ancient asteroids, called Trojans," NASA said on its website. The object has been orbiting the Sun alongside Jupiter.

The US space agency said the object belongs to "a class of icy bodies found in space between Jupiter and Neptune" called Centaurs. The object has been captured by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.

NASA said the "vagabond object shows signs of comet activity, such as a tail, outgassing in the form of jets, and an enshrouding coma of dust and gas."

Hubble researcher Bryce Bolin of Caltech in Pasadena, California said: “The visitor had to have come into the orbit of Jupiter at just the right trajectory to have this kind of configuration that gives it the appearance of sharing its orbit with the planet. We’re investigating how it was captured by Jupiter and landed among the Trojans. But we think it could be related to the fact that it had a somewhat close encounter with Jupiter."

NASA said the "nomadic object" was first spotted two years ago after Japanese amateur astronomer Seiichi Yoshida tipped off the Hubble team to possible comet activity.

The space agency then scanned data to find the object in fact existed. NASA said the "unexpected guest" will not stay among the asteroid for very long after conducting computer simulations.

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a wayward comet-like object has been spotted near the family of ancient asteroids. Watch: "The object has settled near a family of captured ancient asteroids, called Trojans," NASA said on its website.

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a wayward comet-like object has been spotted near the family of ancient asteroids. Watch: "The object has settled near a family of captured ancient asteroids, called Trojans," NASA said on its website. The object has been orbiting the Sun alongside Jupiter. The US space agency said the object belongs to "a class of icy bodies found in space between Jupiter and Neptune" called Centaurs. The object has been captured by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. NASA said the "vagabond object shows signs of comet activity, such as a tail, outgassing in the form of jets, and an enshrouding coma of dust and gas." Hubble researcher Bryce Bolin of Caltech in Pasadena, California said: “The visitor had to have come into the orbit of Jupiter at just the right trajectory to have this kind of configuration that gives it the appearance of sharing its orbit with the planet. We’re investigating how it was captured by Jupiter and landed among the Trojans. But we think it could be related to the fact that it had a somewhat close encounter with Jupiter." NASA said the "nomadic object" was first spotted two years ago after Japanese amateur astronomer Seiichi Yoshida tipped off the Hubble team to possible comet activity. The space agency then scanned data to find the object in fact existed. NASA said the "unexpected guest" will not stay among the asteroid for very long after conducting computer simulations.

Why a 'vagabond' comet-like object near ancient Trojan asteroids has caught NASA's attention

Astronomers have discovered&nbsp;cosmic dust that holds the ingredients for star birth throughout the universe, in the latest study.

The study published in 'The Astrophysical Journal' on Friday highlights&nbsp;how&nbsp;NASA's Hubble Space Telescope&nbsp;has photographed a concentration of elements that are responsible for the formation of stars in our galaxy and throughout the universe.

These opaque, dark knots of gas and dust are called "Bok globules," and they are absorbing light in the centre of the nearby emission nebula and star-forming region, NGC 281.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/we-all-come-from-star-dust-is-no-longer-just-a-saying-and-scientists-agree-311418">'We all come from star dust' is no longer just a saying, and scientists agree!</a>

The globules, named after astronomer Bart Bok, who proposed their existence,&nbsp;can become perturbed and form small pockets where the dust and gas are highly concentrated.

&nbsp;These small pockets become gravitationally bound and accumulate dust and gas from the surrounding area. If they can capture enough mass, they have the potential of creating stars in their cores; however, not all Bok globules will form stars.&nbsp;

Near the globules are bright blue stars, members of the young open cluster IC 1590. The cluster is made up of a few hundred stars. The cluster's core, off the image towards the top, is a tight grouping of extremely hot, massive stars with an immense stellar wind. The stars emit visible and ultraviolet light that energizes the surrounding hydrogen gas in NGC 281. This gas then becomes superheated in a process called ionization, and it glows pink in the image.

The Bok globules in NGC 281 are located very close to the centre of the IC 1590 cluster. The exquisite resolution of these Hubble observations shows the jagged structure of the dust clouds as if they are being stripped apart from the outside. The heavy fracturing of the globules may appear beautifully serene but is in fact evidence of the harsh, violent environment created by the nearby massive stars.

The Bok globules in NGC 281 are visually striking nonetheless. They are silhouetted against the luminous pink hydrogen gas of the emission nebula, creating a stark visual contrast. The dust knots are opaque in visual light. Conversely, the nebulous gas surrounding the globules is transparent and allows light from background stars and even background galaxies to shine through.

These images were taken with Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys in October 2005. The hydrogen-emission image that clearly shows the outline of the dark globules was combined with images taken in red, blue, and green light in order to help establish the true colour of the stars in the field. NGC 281 is located nearly 9,500 light-years away in the direction of the constellation Cassiopeia.

Astronomers have discovered cosmic dust that holds the ingredients for star birth throughout the universe, in the latest study. The study published in 'The Astrophysical Journal' on Friday highlights how NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has photographed a concentration of elements that are responsible for the formation of stars in our galaxy and throughout the universe.

Astronomers have discovered cosmic dust that holds the ingredients for star birth throughout the universe, in the latest study. The study published in 'The Astrophysical Journal' on Friday highlights how NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has photographed a concentration of elements that are responsible for the formation of stars in our galaxy and throughout the universe. These opaque, dark knots of gas and dust are called "Bok globules," and they are absorbing light in the centre of the nearby emission nebula and star-forming region, NGC 281. Also read: 'We all come from star dust' is no longer just a saying, and scientists agree! The globules, named after astronomer Bart Bok, who proposed their existence, can become perturbed and form small pockets where the dust and gas are highly concentrated. These small pockets become gravitationally bound and accumulate dust and gas from the surrounding area. If they can capture enough mass, they have the potential of creating stars in their cores; however, not all Bok globules will form stars. Near the globules are bright blue stars, members of the young open cluster IC 1590. The cluster is made up of a few hundred stars. The cluster's core, off the image towards the top, is a tight grouping of extremely hot, massive stars with an immense stellar wind. The stars emit visible and ultraviolet light that energizes the surrounding hydrogen gas in NGC 281. This gas then becomes superheated in a process called ionization, and it glows pink in the image. The Bok globules in NGC 281 are located very close to the centre of the IC 1590 cluster. The exquisite resolution of these Hubble observations shows the jagged structure of the dust clouds as if they are being stripped apart from the outside. The heavy fracturing of the globules may appear beautifully serene but is in fact evidence of the harsh, violent environment created by the nearby massive stars. The Bok globules in NGC 281 are visually striking nonetheless. They are silhouetted against the luminous pink hydrogen gas of the emission nebula, creating a stark visual contrast. The dust knots are opaque in visual light. Conversely, the nebulous gas surrounding the globules is transparent and allows light from background stars and even background galaxies to shine through. These images were taken with Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys in October 2005. The hydrogen-emission image that clearly shows the outline of the dark globules was combined with images taken in red, blue, and green light in order to help establish the true colour of the stars in the field. NGC 281 is located nearly 9,500 light-years away in the direction of the constellation Cassiopeia.

Scientists discover cosmic dust that holds the ingredients for star birth

The Hubble Space Telescope has captured the image of NGC 613, a barred spiral galaxy, NASA said in a post.

The galaxy that was first found by German-English astronomer William Herschel in 1798 lies in the southern constellation of Sculptor and is 67 million light-years away.&nbsp;

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NASA's post said the galaxy is "easily distinguishable" as it has "well-defined central bar and long arms".

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"It is easily distinguishable as such because of its well-defined central bar and long arms, which spiral loosely around its nucleus," NASA said.&nbsp;

"As revealed by surveys, about two-thirds of spiral galaxies, including our own Milky Way galaxy, contain a bar."

The post said that recent researches have shown that bars are more common in galaxies than they earlier were, thereby giving important insights about "galaxy formation and evolution".

"The bright colors in this Hubble image aren't just beautiful to look at, as they actually tell us about the population of stars within NGC 4535," Hubble astronomers was quoted as saying by Sci-News.&nbsp;

"The bright blue-ish colors, seen nestled amongst its long, spiral arms, indicate the presence of a greater number of younger and hotter stars."

When this galaxy was observed from a smaller telescope, it had a hazy, ghostly appearance, which led the famous amateur astronomer Leland S. Copeland to call it "The Lost Galaxy" in the 1950s.

The Hubble astronomers said the galaxy was studied as part of the PHANGS survey, which intends to clarify the connections between "cold gas clouds, star formation, and the overall shape and other properties of galaxies."&nbsp;

The Hubble Space Telescope has captured the image of NGC 613, a barred spiral galaxy, NASA said in a post. The galaxy that was first found by German-English astronomer William Herschel in 1798 lies in the southern constellation of Sculptor and is 67 million light-years away.

The Hubble Space Telescope has captured the image of NGC 613, a barred spiral galaxy, NASA said in a post. The galaxy that was first found by German-English astronomer William Herschel in 1798 lies in the southern constellation of Sculptor and is 67 million light-years away. Also read | Scientists want to turn Mars green. How will they do it? NASA's post said the galaxy is "easily distinguishable" as it has "well-defined central bar and long arms". Also read | Netizens express delight as NASA shares image of neutron star "It is easily distinguishable as such because of its well-defined central bar and long arms, which spiral loosely around its nucleus," NASA said. "As revealed by surveys, about two-thirds of spiral galaxies, including our own Milky Way galaxy, contain a bar." The post said that recent researches have shown that bars are more common in galaxies than they earlier were, thereby giving important insights about "galaxy formation and evolution". "The bright colors in this Hubble image aren't just beautiful to look at, as they actually tell us about the population of stars within NGC 4535," Hubble astronomers was quoted as saying by Sci-News. "The bright blue-ish colors, seen nestled amongst its long, spiral arms, indicate the presence of a greater number of younger and hotter stars." When this galaxy was observed from a smaller telescope, it had a hazy, ghostly appearance, which led the famous amateur astronomer Leland S. Copeland to call it "The Lost Galaxy" in the 1950s. The Hubble astronomers said the galaxy was studied as part of the PHANGS survey, which intends to clarify the connections between "cold gas clouds, star formation, and the overall shape and other properties of galaxies."

Hubble telescope shares image of barred spiral galaxy NGC 4535

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Tuesday captured the 'magnetic&nbsp;fingerprint' of a galaxy across&nbsp;24,000 light-years.

The mesmerising image depicts magnetic fields in galaxy NGC 1068&nbsp;or M77,&nbsp;streamlining&nbsp;over visible light and X-ray composite image of the galaxy from the&nbsp;Hubble Space Telescope,&nbsp;NuSTAR&nbsp;or the Nuclear Spectroscopic Array, and the&nbsp;Sloan Digital Sky Survey.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/molten-ring-nasa-captures-the-largest-einstein-rings-of-the-universe-352969" hreflang="en">'Molten ring': NASA captures the largest Einstein rings of the universe</a>

NGC 1068 appears to have a complex inner structure.&nbsp;This galaxy is basically analogous to NGC 4736 (M94) showing a strikingly similar overall morphology.&nbsp;The extended outer disk shows signs of interaction and misalignment, probably a result of a recent bombardment.

The magnetic fields aligned along the entire length of the massive spiral arms,&nbsp;24,000 light-years across (0.8 kiloparsecs)&nbsp;implying that the gravitational forces that created the galaxy’s shape are also compressing its magnetic field.

This supports the leading theory of how the spiral arms are forced into their iconic shape known as “density wave theory.”&nbsp;

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA),&nbsp;studied the galaxy using far-infrared light (89 microns) to reveal facets of its magnetic fields than previous observations using visible and radio telescopes could not detect.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Tuesday captured the 'magnetic fingerprint' of a galaxy across 24,000 light-years. The mesmerising image depicts magnetic fields in galaxy NGC 1068 or M77, streamlining over visible light and X-ray composite image of the galaxy from the Hubble Space Telescope, NuSTAR or the Nuclear Spectroscopic Array, and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Tuesday captured the 'magnetic fingerprint' of a galaxy across 24,000 light-years. The mesmerising image depicts magnetic fields in galaxy NGC 1068 or M77, streamlining over visible light and X-ray composite image of the galaxy from the Hubble Space Telescope, NuSTAR or the Nuclear Spectroscopic Array, and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Also read: 'Molten ring': NASA captures the largest Einstein rings of the universe NGC 1068 appears to have a complex inner structure. This galaxy is basically analogous to NGC 4736 (M94) showing a strikingly similar overall morphology. The extended outer disk shows signs of interaction and misalignment, probably a result of a recent bombardment. The magnetic fields aligned along the entire length of the massive spiral arms, 24,000 light-years across (0.8 kiloparsecs) implying that the gravitational forces that created the galaxy’s shape are also compressing its magnetic field. This supports the leading theory of how the spiral arms are forced into their iconic shape known as “density wave theory.” The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), studied the galaxy using far-infrared light (89 microns) to reveal facets of its magnetic fields than previous observations using visible and radio telescopes could not detect.

NASA captures 'magnetic fingerprint' of a galaxy across 24,000 light years

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has captured&nbsp;the largest and one of the most complete&nbsp;Einstein rings&nbsp;ever discovered in our universe.

Named&nbsp;GAL-CLUS-022058s, the Einstein ring is&nbsp;located in the southern hemisphere constellation of&nbsp;Fornax&nbsp;(the Furnace) and was&nbsp;captured by&nbsp;Hubble Space Telescope.

The object has been nicknamed by astronomers studying this Einstein ring as the "Molten Ring," which alludes to its appearance and host constellation.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/top-10-mind-bending-space-discoveries-and-observations-from-2020-349472" hreflang="en">Top 10 mind-bending space discoveries and observations from 2020</a>

First theorised to exist by Einstein in his general theory of&nbsp;relativity, this object’s unusual shape can be explained by a process called&nbsp;gravitational lensing, which causes light shining from far away to be bent and pulled by the gravity of an object between its source and the observer.

One of the advantages of this lensing effect is that it actually allows scientists to better study the farther away galaxy, which might have been completely invisible otherwise.

In this case, the light from the background galaxy has been distorted into the curve we see by the gravity of the galaxy cluster sitting in front of it.

While this is not the only known example of the phenomenon happening, it is one of the most striking.

The near exact alignment of the background galaxy with the central elliptical galaxy of the cluster, seen in the middle of this image,&nbsp;has warped and magnified the image of the background galaxy into an almost perfect ring. The gravity from other galaxies in the cluster causes additional distortions.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has captured the largest and one of the most complete Einstein rings ever discovered in our universe. Named GAL-CLUS-022058s, the Einstein ring is located in the southern hemisphere constellation of Fornax (the Furnace) and was captured by Hubble Space Telescope.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has captured the largest and one of the most complete Einstein rings ever discovered in our universe. Named GAL-CLUS-022058s, the Einstein ring is located in the southern hemisphere constellation of Fornax (the Furnace) and was captured by Hubble Space Telescope. The object has been nicknamed by astronomers studying this Einstein ring as the "Molten Ring," which alludes to its appearance and host constellation. Also see: Top 10 mind-bending space discoveries and observations from 2020 First theorised to exist by Einstein in his general theory of relativity, this object’s unusual shape can be explained by a process called gravitational lensing, which causes light shining from far away to be bent and pulled by the gravity of an object between its source and the observer. One of the advantages of this lensing effect is that it actually allows scientists to better study the farther away galaxy, which might have been completely invisible otherwise. In this case, the light from the background galaxy has been distorted into the curve we see by the gravity of the galaxy cluster sitting in front of it. While this is not the only known example of the phenomenon happening, it is one of the most striking. The near exact alignment of the background galaxy with the central elliptical galaxy of the cluster, seen in the middle of this image, has warped and magnified the image of the background galaxy into an almost perfect ring. The gravity from other galaxies in the cluster causes additional distortions.

'Molten ring': NASA captures the largest Einstein rings of the universe

The&nbsp;Hubble Space Telescope by the&nbsp;National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has captured a cosmic cinnamon bun.

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Nom nom nom 😋 Our <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAHubble?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASAHubble</a> Space Telescope captured a delicious glance of what resembles a cosmic cinnamon bun. Bluer stars sprinkled around the edges highlight the regions where new stars are most likely being formed: <a href="https://t.co/Uc4r0suWOm">https://t.co/Uc4r0suWOm</a> <a href="https://t.co/mmg02e6jkk">pic.twitter.com/mmg02e6jkk</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1330595660849172480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Unlike many spiral galaxies, UGC 12588 displays neither a&nbsp;bar of stars across its center&nbsp;nor the classic prominent&nbsp;spiral arm pattern. Instead, to a viewer, its circular, white and mostly unstructured center makes this galaxy more reminiscent of a cinnamon bun than a megastructure of stars and gas in space.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-resolves-the-mystery-of-blue-ring-nebula-reveal-stellar-missing-link-344087" hreflang="en">NASA resolves the mystery of Blue Ring Nebula, reveal stellar missing link</a>

Lying in the constellation of&nbsp;Andromeda&nbsp;in the Northern Hemisphere, this galaxy is classified as a&nbsp;spiral galaxy. Unlike the classic image of a spiral galaxy, however, the huge arms of stars and gas in UGC 12588 are very faint, undistinguished, and tightly wound around its center.

The clearest view of the spiral arms comes from the bluer stars sprinkled around the edges of the galaxy that highlight the regions where new star formation is most likely taking place.

&nbsp;

The Hubble Space Telescope by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has captured a cosmic cinnamon bun. Nom nom nom 😋 Our @NASAHubble Space Telescope captured a delicious glance of what resembles a cosmic cinnamon bun.

The Hubble Space Telescope by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has captured a cosmic cinnamon bun. Nom nom nom 😋 Our @NASAHubble Space Telescope captured a delicious glance of what resembles a cosmic cinnamon bun. Bluer stars sprinkled around the edges highlight the regions where new stars are most likely being formed: https://t.co/Uc4r0suWOm pic.twitter.com/mmg02e6jkk — NASA (@NASA) November 22, 2020 × Unlike many spiral galaxies, UGC 12588 displays neither a bar of stars across its center nor the classic prominent spiral arm pattern. Instead, to a viewer, its circular, white and mostly unstructured center makes this galaxy more reminiscent of a cinnamon bun than a megastructure of stars and gas in space. Also read: NASA resolves the mystery of Blue Ring Nebula, reveal stellar missing link Lying in the constellation of Andromeda in the Northern Hemisphere, this galaxy is classified as a spiral galaxy. Unlike the classic image of a spiral galaxy, however, the huge arms of stars and gas in UGC 12588 are very faint, undistinguished, and tightly wound around its center. The clearest view of the spiral arms comes from the bluer stars sprinkled around the edges of the galaxy that highlight the regions where new star formation is most likely taking place.

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captures 'cosmic cinnamon bun'

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has been used to study a rare metallic asteroid, named Psyche 16, during two points of its rotation. The investigation has given interesting results.

The new study, which was published this week in The Planetary Science Journal, indicates that asteroid’s composition is key to its astronomical value.

The value when written out in full comes out to be $10,000,000,000,000,000,000. This makes Psyche 70,000 times more valuable than the global economy, worth about $142 trillion in 2019.

Also, the said asteroid could have been a protoplanet. Researchers said, "The Earth has a metallic core, a mantle and a crust. It is possible that during the formation of a protoplanet Psyche, it was struck by another object in our solar system and lost its mantle and crust."

The asteroid is the largest piece of space debris in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It is currently about 230 million miles from Earth in the Solar System’s main asteroid belt.

NASA plans to send a spacecraft into orbit around the asteroid. The mission, named Psyche, will launch in 2022, with the spacecraft reaching the asteroid in 2026.

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has been used to study a rare metallic asteroid, named Psyche 16, during two points of its rotation. The investigation has given interesting results.

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has been used to study a rare metallic asteroid, named Psyche 16, during two points of its rotation. The investigation has given interesting results. The new study, which was published this week in The Planetary Science Journal, indicates that asteroid’s composition is key to its astronomical value. The value when written out in full comes out to be $10,000,000,000,000,000,000. This makes Psyche 70,000 times more valuable than the global economy, worth about $142 trillion in 2019. Also, the said asteroid could have been a protoplanet. Researchers said, "The Earth has a metallic core, a mantle and a crust. It is possible that during the formation of a protoplanet Psyche, it was struck by another object in our solar system and lost its mantle and crust." The asteroid is the largest piece of space debris in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It is currently about 230 million miles from Earth in the Solar System’s main asteroid belt. NASA plans to send a spacecraft into orbit around the asteroid. The mission, named Psyche, will launch in 2022, with the spacecraft reaching the asteroid in 2026.

Hubble telescope gives closer look at rare asteroid worth 70,000 times the global economy

A NASA spaceship is zooming toward the farthest, and quite possibly the oldest, cosmic body ever photographed by humankind, a tiny, distant world called Ultima Thule some four billion miles (6.4 billion kilometers) away.

The US space agency will ring in the New Year with a live online broadcast to mark historic flyby of the mysterious object in a dark and frigid region of space known as the Kuiper Belt at 12:33 am January 1 (local time).

A guitar anthem recorded by legendary Queen guitarist Brian May - who also holds an advanced degree in astrophysics - will be released just after midnight to accompany a video simulation of the flyby, as NASA commentators describe the close pass on www.Nasa.Gov/nasalive.

Real-time video of the actual flyby is impossible since it takes more six hours for a signal sent from Earth to reach the spaceship, named New Horizons, and another six hours for the response to arrive.

But if all goes well, the first images should be in hand by the end of New Year's Day.

And judging by the latest tweet from Alan Stern, the lead scientist on the New Horizons mission, the excitement among team members is palpable.

"IT'S HAPPENING!! Flyby is upon us! @NewHorizons2015 is healthy and on course! The farthest exploration of worlds in history!" he wrote on Saturday.

Scientists are not sure what Ultima Thule (pronounced TOO-lee) looks like - whether it is round or oblong or even if it is a single object or a cluster.

It was discovered in 2014 with the help of the Hubble Space Telescope, and is believed to be 12-20 miles (20-30 kilometers) in size.

Scientists decided to study it with New Horizons after the spaceship, which launched in 2006, completed its main mission of flying by Pluto in 2015, returning the most detailed images ever taken of the dwarf planet.

"At closest approach we are going to try to image Ultima at three times the resolution we had for Pluto," said Stern.

"If we can accomplish that it will be spectacular." Hurtling through space at a speed of 32,000 miles (51,500 kilometers) per hour, the spacecraft aims to make its closest approach within 2,200 miles (3,500 kilometers) of the surface of Ultima Thule.

The flyby will be fast, at a speed of nine miles (14 kilometers) per second. Seven instruments on board will record high-resolution images and gather data about its size and composition.

Ultima Thule is named for a mythical, far-northern island in medieval literature and cartography, according to NASA.

"Ultima Thule means 'beyond Thule' - beyond the borders of the known world - symbolising the exploration of the distant Kuiper Belt and Kuiper Belt objects that New Horizons is performing, something never before done," the US space agency said in a statement.

According to project scientist Hal Weaver of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, mankind didn't even know the Kuiper Belt - a vast ring of relics from the formation days of the solar system - existed until the 1990s. "This is the frontier of planetary science," said Weaver.

"We finally have reached the outskirts of the solar system, these things that have been there since the beginning and have hardly changed - we think. We will find out."

Despite the partial US government shutdown, sparked by a feud over funding for a border wall with Mexico between President Donald Trump and opposition Democrats,

NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine vowed that the US space agency would broadcast the flyby.

Normally, NASA TV and NASA's website would go dark during a government shutdown.

NASA will also provide updates about another spacecraft, called OSIRIS-REx, that will enter orbit around the asteroid Bennu on New Year's Eve, Bridenstine said.

A NASA spaceship is zooming toward the farthest, and quite possibly the oldest, cosmic body ever photographed by humankind, a tiny, distant world called Ultima Thule some four billion miles (6.

A NASA spaceship is zooming toward the farthest, and quite possibly the oldest, cosmic body ever photographed by humankind, a tiny, distant world called Ultima Thule some four billion miles (6.4 billion kilometers) away. The US space agency will ring in the New Year with a live online broadcast to mark historic flyby of the mysterious object in a dark and frigid region of space known as the Kuiper Belt at 12:33 am January 1 (local time). A guitar anthem recorded by legendary Queen guitarist Brian May - who also holds an advanced degree in astrophysics - will be released just after midnight to accompany a video simulation of the flyby, as NASA commentators describe the close pass on www.Nasa.Gov/nasalive. Real-time video of the actual flyby is impossible since it takes more six hours for a signal sent from Earth to reach the spaceship, named New Horizons, and another six hours for the response to arrive. But if all goes well, the first images should be in hand by the end of New Year's Day. And judging by the latest tweet from Alan Stern, the lead scientist on the New Horizons mission, the excitement among team members is palpable. "IT'S HAPPENING!! Flyby is upon us! @NewHorizons2015 is healthy and on course! The farthest exploration of worlds in history!" he wrote on Saturday. Scientists are not sure what Ultima Thule (pronounced TOO-lee) looks like - whether it is round or oblong or even if it is a single object or a cluster. It was discovered in 2014 with the help of the Hubble Space Telescope, and is believed to be 12-20 miles (20-30 kilometers) in size. Scientists decided to study it with New Horizons after the spaceship, which launched in 2006, completed its main mission of flying by Pluto in 2015, returning the most detailed images ever taken of the dwarf planet. "At closest approach we are going to try to image Ultima at three times the resolution we had for Pluto," said Stern. "If we can accomplish that it will be spectacular." Hurtling through space at a speed of 32,000 miles (51,500 kilometers) per hour, the spacecraft aims to make its closest approach within 2,200 miles (3,500 kilometers) of the surface of Ultima Thule. The flyby will be fast, at a speed of nine miles (14 kilometers) per second. Seven instruments on board will record high-resolution images and gather data about its size and composition. Ultima Thule is named for a mythical, far-northern island in medieval literature and cartography, according to NASA. "Ultima Thule means 'beyond Thule' - beyond the borders of the known world - symbolising the exploration of the distant Kuiper Belt and Kuiper Belt objects that New Horizons is performing, something never before done," the US space agency said in a statement. According to project scientist Hal Weaver of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, mankind didn't even know the Kuiper Belt - a vast ring of relics from the formation days of the solar system - existed until the 1990s. "This is the frontier of planetary science," said Weaver. "We finally have reached the outskirts of the solar system, these things that have been there since the beginning and have hardly changed - we think. We will find out." Despite the partial US government shutdown, sparked by a feud over funding for a border wall with Mexico between President Donald Trump and opposition Democrats, NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine vowed that the US space agency would broadcast the flyby. Normally, NASA TV and NASA's website would go dark during a government shutdown. NASA will also provide updates about another spacecraft, called OSIRIS-REx, that will enter orbit around the asteroid Bennu on New Year's Eve, Bridenstine said.

NASA spaceship zooms toward farthest world ever photographed

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