Recently, one of the world's leading astronomical observatories&nbsp;reported cyberattacks that temporarily shut down two of its telescopes. The United States-based National Science Foundation's National Optical-Infared Astronomy Research Laboratory or NOIRLab confirmed the news in its statement, Space.com reported.

NOIRLab&nbsp;on its website said, "Our staff are working with cybersecurity experts to get all the impacted telescopes and our website back online as soon as possible and are encouraged by the progress made thus far."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/chandrayaan-3-mission-pragyan-rover-finds-sulphur-on-moons-south-pole-region-hunt-on-for-hydrogen-630305">Chandrayaan-3 mission: Pragyan rover finds sulphur on Moon's south pole region, hunt on for hydrogen</a>

The space company added that the cybersecurity incident occurred on August 1, which temporarily halted&nbsp;functions at its Gemini North Telescope and Gemini South Chile in Hawaii and Chile respectively.

The incident happened just days before the United States Nations Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) issued a two-page bulletin advising space agency companies and research organisations about the threat of espionage and cyberattacks.

The bulletin read, "Foreign spies and hackers recognise the importance of the commercial space industry to the US economy and national security, including the growing dependence of critical infrastructure on space-based assets. They see US space-related innovation and assets as potential threats as well as valuable opportunities to acquire vital technologies and expertise."

An official told the news agency Reuters, "We anticipate growing threats to this burgeoning sector of the US economy."

<h2>Motive not identified; probe on&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</h2>

The authorities are still unclear on the motive and place from where the cyberattack occurred. They added that the investigation is still on and the organisation will now be more cautious about what information it shares.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/meteor-remnants-found-on-pacific-not-part-of-solar-system-could-be-alien-technology-harvard-scientist-630303">Meteor remnants found in Pacific not part of solar system, could be 'alien technology': Harvard scientist</a>

"We plan to provide the community with more information when we are able to, in alignment with our commitment to transparency as well as our dedication to the security of our infrastructure."

This isn't the first time that astronomical observatories have been the target of cyberattacks.&nbsp;

Back in October 2022, hackers disrupted operations at the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile and US NASA had also been a victim of cyberattacks for years. In 2021, it was affected by a worldwide SolarWinds breach.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Recently, one of the world's leading astronomical observatories reported cyberattacks that temporarily shut down two of its telescopes. The United States-based National Science Foundation's National Optical-Infared Astronomy Research Laboratory or NOIRLab confirmed the news in its statement, Space.

Recently, one of the world's leading astronomical observatories reported cyberattacks that temporarily shut down two of its telescopes. The United States-based National Science Foundation's National Optical-Infared Astronomy Research Laboratory or NOIRLab confirmed the news in its statement, Space.com reported. NOIRLab on its website said, "Our staff are working with cybersecurity experts to get all the impacted telescopes and our website back online as soon as possible and are encouraged by the progress made thus far." Also read | Chandrayaan-3 mission: Pragyan rover finds sulphur on Moon's south pole region, hunt on for hydrogen The space company added that the cybersecurity incident occurred on August 1, which temporarily halted functions at its Gemini North Telescope and Gemini South Chile in Hawaii and Chile respectively. The incident happened just days before the United States Nations Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) issued a two-page bulletin advising space agency companies and research organisations about the threat of espionage and cyberattacks. The bulletin read, "Foreign spies and hackers recognise the importance of the commercial space industry to the US economy and national security, including the growing dependence of critical infrastructure on space-based assets. They see US space-related innovation and assets as potential threats as well as valuable opportunities to acquire vital technologies and expertise." An official told the news agency Reuters, "We anticipate growing threats to this burgeoning sector of the US economy." Motive not identified; probe on The authorities are still unclear on the motive and place from where the cyberattack occurred. They added that the investigation is still on and the organisation will now be more cautious about what information it shares. Also read | Meteor remnants found in Pacific not part of solar system, could be 'alien technology': Harvard scientist "We plan to provide the community with more information when we are able to, in alignment with our commitment to transparency as well as our dedication to the security of our infrastructure." This isn't the first time that astronomical observatories have been the target of cyberattacks. Back in October 2022, hackers disrupted operations at the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile and US NASA had also been a victim of cyberattacks for years. In 2021, it was affected by a worldwide SolarWinds breach. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: Mysterious hackers temporarily shut down 2 of the most advanced telescopes; probe on

Space is not all crash, boom, bang. Yes, it started its life after The Big Bang (the OG. Not the sitcom), and collisions, explosions and crashes form large part of its daily schedule, the serenity of it reflected in a quiet night sky cannot be denied. So, what if we told you that a 'space symphony has been created inspired and illustrated by NASA's latest mind-boggling images?

The world premiere outside Washington last week of "Cosmic Cycles" showcased vivid imagery compiled by the US space agency alongside the first-ever public performance of the music.

Henry Dehlinger, the symphony American composer, described the music as "almost like a total artwork".

"It's not just music, it's not just visuals -- it's not a score for a film either," the 56-year-old told AFP before the concert. 
 
"It's more of an immersive experience that encapsulates both visuals and sound."

<h2>Not the first time</h2>

A similar attempt was made almost a century ago by Gustav Holst, an English composer. He wrote his famous ode to "The planets".

However, much of the astronomy was in theoretical stage at that time.

Much has happened since then. Humans reached the Moon, our rovers reached Mars and telescopes have become breathtakingly powerful to scan the farthest reaches of space.&nbsp;

The images from that research, compiled by NASA producers into seven short films, served as the inspiration for Dehlinger.

"I had to almost pinch myself and remind myself that this isn't pretend -- this is the real deal. Not science fiction, it's the actual science," he said.

Piotr Gajewski, music director and conductor of the National Philharmonic, told AFP that the idea for the project came after previous work with NASA on visuals to go with a double-billing of Claude Debussy's "La Mer" ("The Sea") and Holst's "The Planets."

For their next collaboration, 64-year-old Gajewski said he suggested to NASA "that we turn the tables on them."

"Rather than them getting a piece of music and putting pictures to it, that they start by putting short videos together... of their very, very best work."

Wade Sisler, executive producer at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, said the challenge was worth the effort.

"It's a journey unlike one that I have ever helped anyone take," Sisler, 64, told AFP.

<h2>The symphony&nbsp;</h2>

It is a seven-part piece. It begins at the heart of our solar system -- the Sun -- there are shots of its swirling and gurgling surface along with explosion of particles out to the planets.

Next two movements home-in on Earth, our own planet. It is global perspective that involves Earth photos taken by astronauts.

Apart from photos and videos, interspersed throughout the seven films are a "mesmerizing collection of data visualizations" created by NASA, Sisler explained.

Data on ocean currents, for example, "look like Van Gogh paintings when you put them in motion. The colours are beautiful, you see patterns that you never realised before."

A fourth segment on the Moon is followed by profiles of each planet -- including a focus on images of the Martian surface taken by NASA Rovers.

Jupiter, a "regal subject" according to Dehlinger, is introduced by roaring chimes and horns.

The symphony does attempt to keep itself up-to-date as it takes a detailed look at recent experiments on asteroids before a big finale of black holes, nebulae and other phenomenon in the galaxy.

In addition to two performances at venues outside Washington, NASA has released the videos to its YouTube page with a synthesized version of Dehlinger's soundtrack. 
 
 
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Space is not all crash, boom, bang. Yes, it started its life after The Big Bang (the OG. Not the sitcom), and collisions, explosions and crashes form large part of its daily schedule, the serenity of it reflected in a quiet night sky cannot be denied.

Space is not all crash, boom, bang. Yes, it started its life after The Big Bang (the OG. Not the sitcom), and collisions, explosions and crashes form large part of its daily schedule, the serenity of it reflected in a quiet night sky cannot be denied. So, what if we told you that a 'space symphony has been created inspired and illustrated by NASA's latest mind-boggling images? The world premiere outside Washington last week of "Cosmic Cycles" showcased vivid imagery compiled by the US space agency alongside the first-ever public performance of the music. Henry Dehlinger, the symphony American composer, described the music as "almost like a total artwork". "It's not just music, it's not just visuals -- it's not a score for a film either," the 56-year-old told AFP before the concert. "It's more of an immersive experience that encapsulates both visuals and sound." Not the first time A similar attempt was made almost a century ago by Gustav Holst, an English composer. He wrote his famous ode to "The planets". However, much of the astronomy was in theoretical stage at that time. Much has happened since then. Humans reached the Moon, our rovers reached Mars and telescopes have become breathtakingly powerful to scan the farthest reaches of space. The images from that research, compiled by NASA producers into seven short films, served as the inspiration for Dehlinger. "I had to almost pinch myself and remind myself that this isn't pretend -- this is the real deal. Not science fiction, it's the actual science," he said. Piotr Gajewski, music director and conductor of the National Philharmonic, told AFP that the idea for the project came after previous work with NASA on visuals to go with a double-billing of Claude Debussy's "La Mer" ("The Sea") and Holst's "The Planets." For their next collaboration, 64-year-old Gajewski said he suggested to NASA "that we turn the tables on them." "Rather than them getting a piece of music and putting pictures to it, that they start by putting short videos together... of their very, very best work." Wade Sisler, executive producer at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, said the challenge was worth the effort. "It's a journey unlike one that I have ever helped anyone take," Sisler, 64, told AFP. The symphony It is a seven-part piece. It begins at the heart of our solar system -- the Sun -- there are shots of its swirling and gurgling surface along with explosion of particles out to the planets. Next two movements home-in on Earth, our own planet. It is global perspective that involves Earth photos taken by astronauts. Apart from photos and videos, interspersed throughout the seven films are a "mesmerizing collection of data visualizations" created by NASA, Sisler explained. Data on ocean currents, for example, "look like Van Gogh paintings when you put them in motion. The colours are beautiful, you see patterns that you never realised before." A fourth segment on the Moon is followed by profiles of each planet -- including a focus on images of the Martian surface taken by NASA Rovers. Jupiter, a "regal subject" according to Dehlinger, is introduced by roaring chimes and horns. The symphony does attempt to keep itself up-to-date as it takes a detailed look at recent experiments on asteroids before a big finale of black holes, nebulae and other phenomenon in the galaxy. In addition to two performances at venues outside Washington, NASA has released the videos to its YouTube page with a synthesized version of Dehlinger's soundtrack. WATCH WION LIVE HERE × You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

‘Cosmic Cycles’: An immersive fusion of NASA’s captivating space imagery, and music

US military's X-37B robotic space plane is set to create a new record of staying aloft for 780 days. The reusable spaceplane has currently completed 773 days. According to the US Air Force, it is a premier reusable and unmanned spacecraft which allows scientists to recover experiments in space.

It had landed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center three years ago. The US Air Force has said that the spacecraft "performs risk reduction, experimentation and concept of operations development for reusable space vehicle technologies".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ancient-alien-life-is-likely-buried-deep-under-mars-surface-nasa-study-493117">Also Read | Ancient alien life is likely buried deep under Mars’ surface: NASA study</a>

The last time it flew the X-37B completed Air Force research laboratory experiments and helped to take small satellites.

Watch: Why is this rocket launch by NASA historical?

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The unique spacecraft tests new systems in space as the US seeks to maintain space superiority. It also conducts experiments for America’s future space exploration.

The &nbsp;X-37B's mission 4 had stayed in orbit for 718 days. The latest mission was launched into orbit on May 17, 2020. Reports claim one of the experiments of the current mission includes investigating transforming solar power into radio frequency microwave energy and the deployment of FalconSat-8 which is said to be a small satellite.

The X-37B will also study seeds which are used to grow food in a space environment. The exact date of the mission to land on Earth is still unknown with many experiments which are to be undertaken still classified.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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US military's X-37B robotic space plane is set to create a new record of staying aloft for 780 days. The reusable spaceplane has currently completed 773 days. According to the US Air Force, it is a premier reusable and unmanned spacecraft which allows scientists to recover experiments in space.

US military's X-37B robotic space plane is set to create a new record of staying aloft for 780 days. The reusable spaceplane has currently completed 773 days. According to the US Air Force, it is a premier reusable and unmanned spacecraft which allows scientists to recover experiments in space. It had landed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center three years ago. The US Air Force has said that the spacecraft "performs risk reduction, experimentation and concept of operations development for reusable space vehicle technologies". Also Read | Ancient alien life is likely buried deep under Mars’ surface: NASA study The last time it flew the X-37B completed Air Force research laboratory experiments and helped to take small satellites. Watch: Why is this rocket launch by NASA historical? The unique spacecraft tests new systems in space as the US seeks to maintain space superiority. It also conducts experiments for America’s future space exploration. The X-37B's mission 4 had stayed in orbit for 718 days. The latest mission was launched into orbit on May 17, 2020. Reports claim one of the experiments of the current mission includes investigating transforming solar power into radio frequency microwave energy and the deployment of FalconSat-8 which is said to be a small satellite. The X-37B will also study seeds which are used to grow food in a space environment. The exact date of the mission to land on Earth is still unknown with many experiments which are to be undertaken still classified. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Mysterious US X-37B space plane eyes orbital record

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

Could the <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/International-Space-Station" pg="AS1_InlineMedia#AS1_https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-wants-to-privatize-international-space-station-report/articleshow/62884992.cms~International Space Station-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/International-Space-Station">International Space Station</a> become a commercial venture run by private industry?

That is the wish of the White House, which hopes to end funding for the costly program within a few years, The Washington Post reported yesterday. 
 
The US plan, the paper said, involves privatizing the ISS, a low-orbit space station piloted by the US space agency NASA and developed jointly with its Russian counterpart. 
 
The station has allowed international crews- notably in collaboration with the Canadian, European and Japanese space agencies- to pursue scientific research in the environment of a low Earth orbit. 
 
&quot;The decision to end direct federal support for the ISS in 2025 does not imply that the platform itself will be deorbited at that time,&quot; says an internal NASA document obtained by the Post. &quot;It is possible that industry could continue to operate certain elements or capabilities of the ISS as part of a future commercial platform.&quot; 
 
&quot;NASA will expand international and commercial partnerships over the next seven years in order to ensure continued human access to and presence in low Earth orbit,&quot; the document says.

A budget request to be issued today by the Trump administration will call for $150 million to be spent on the ISS in the 2019 fiscal year, and more in succeeding years, &quot;to enable the development and maturation of commercial entities and capabilities which will ensure that commercial successors to the ISS... are operational when they are needed.&quot; 
 
To ensure a smooth transition, the White House would ask the private sector to provide market analyses and development plans, the Post reported.

The plan is expected to face stiff opposition. The United States has already spent some $100 billion to launch, operate and support the orbital station. 
 
Beginning during the presidency of George W. Bush (2001- 2009), NASA has subcontracted certain ISS support operations, starting with the supply flights now carried out by the SpaceX and Orbital ATK companies -- a trend that gained speed during the Obama presidency.

It was not clear, however, how private companies might profit from taking over the ageing station &mdash; its first section was launched in 1998. 
 
NASA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The station has allowed international crews- notably in collaboration with the Canadian, European and Japanese space agencies- to pursue scientific research in the environment of a low Earth orbit

Could the International Space Station become a commercial venture run by private industry? That is the wish of the White House, which hopes to end funding for the costly program within a few years, The Washington Post reported yesterday. The US plan, the paper said, involves privatizing the ISS, a low-orbit space station piloted by the US space agency NASA and developed jointly with its Russian counterpart. The station has allowed international crews- notably in collaboration with the Canadian, European and Japanese space agencies- to pursue scientific research in the environment of a low Earth orbit. "The decision to end direct federal support for the ISS in 2025 does not imply that the platform itself will be deorbited at that time," says an internal NASA document obtained by the Post. "It is possible that industry could continue to operate certain elements or capabilities of the ISS as part of a future commercial platform." "NASA will expand international and commercial partnerships over the next seven years in order to ensure continued human access to and presence in low Earth orbit," the document says. A budget request to be issued today by the Trump administration will call for $150 million to be spent on the ISS in the 2019 fiscal year, and more in succeeding years, "to enable the development and maturation of commercial entities and capabilities which will ensure that commercial successors to the ISS... are operational when they are needed." To ensure a smooth transition, the White House would ask the private sector to provide market analyses and development plans, the Post reported. The plan is expected to face stiff opposition. The United States has already spent some $100 billion to launch, operate and support the orbital station. Beginning during the presidency of George W. Bush (2001- 2009), NASA has subcontracted certain ISS support operations, starting with the supply flights now carried out by the SpaceX and Orbital ATK companies -- a trend that gained speed during the Obama presidency. It was not clear, however, how private companies might profit from taking over the ageing station — its first section was launched in 1998. NASA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

US wants to privatise International Space Station: Report