Breaking Space News: Nov 24 - 30, 2024

Explorer, welcome back!🚀

This week we have some stunning images from across the Universe! Commercial Space is picking up pace and so is Research into Dark Matter. Don’t forget to go here for the best reading experience/in case your newsletter gets clipped at the bottom.

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• IMAGES

  • Sombrero Galaxy : JWST

  • 'Flame-Throwing' Guitar Nebula : Chandra X-Ray, Hubble

  • NGC 2090 : James Webb Space Telescope

  • 3D Simulation of Sun's Turbulent Dynamics : NASA

• SCIENCE

  • Abrupt Decline in Global Freshwater Levels: NASA

  • Spaceflight Causes Temporary Cognitive Changes

  • Europa Clipper Begins Deploying Instruments

  • Earth-Based Contamination of Ryugu Asteroid Sample

  • Space Lasers Using Bacterial Photosynthesis

  • China to Enhance BeiDou Network

  • How AI Communicates Could Aid in Talking To Aliens

• GOVERNANCE

  • FAA Review & FCC Approval Advance SpaceX Plans

  • Space Debris Threat Demands Better Data & Regulation

  • Trump Administration Could Reshape Space Contracting

• MILITARY

  • SpaceX Launches Next-Gen US Spy Satellites

  • Space Force Extends Raytheon's GPS Contract

• COMMERCIAL

  • Chinese Launch Startup Deploys Satellites in Orbit

  • Slingshot to Design UX for Space Traffic System

  • Open Cosmos to Develop ESA's NanoMagSat Mission

  • SpaceX to Launch NASA's Titan Mission in 2028

  • Astroscale Nears Key Design Milestone for OneWeb De-Orbit

  • Firefly Sets January Launch for Lunar Mission

  • EnduroSat Orders 100 Propulsion Systems from Enpulsion

  • Russia Extends Offer to Build Spaceports in Africa

• SPOTLIGHT

  • Astronomers Find Possible Cause for Mystery Signals

  • Observing A Supernova Could Lead to Dark Matter Discovery

  • 5 Unusual Dwarf Galaxies Challenge Dark Matter Model

  • Hypervelocity Stars as Alien Spaceships?

  • Jupiter's Hidden Earth-Sized Magnetic Tornadoes

  • New Theory for Origins of Martian Moons

  • Cause of Crab Nebula's Zebra Pattern Uncovered

IMAGES

Sombrero Galaxy : Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), James Webb Space Telescope

'Flame-Throwing' Guitar Nebula : Chandra X-Ray Observatory, Hubble Space Telescope

NGC 2090 : James Webb Space Telescope

3D Simulation of Sun's Turbulent Dynamics : NASA

NASA scientists have released a dazzling 3D simulation showcasing the sun's turbulent behavior, revealing intricate flows within its layers. The simulation, powered by the Pleiades supercomputer, uses data from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory to visualize the movement of solar plasma. This research aims to decode the sun's complex dynamics, which influence Earth's weather, ocean currents, and space weather. The findings could enhance our understanding of solar phenomena and improve space weather predictions, crucial for protecting satellites and astronauts.

SCIENCE

Global Freshwater Levels See Sharp Decline, NASA Reports

NASA satellites have revealed a significant and abrupt drop in global freshwater levels since May 2014, indicating that Earth's continents may be entering a persistently drier phase. Measurements from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites show that from 2015 through 2023, the average amount of freshwater stored on land was 290 cubic miles (1,200 cubic kilometers) lower than the average levels from 2002 through 2014. This reduction in freshwater is attributed to a combination of factors, including prolonged droughts, increased reliance on groundwater for agriculture and urban needs, and the effects of global warming.

The decline in freshwater levels began with a massive drought in northern and central Brazil, followed by major droughts in regions such as Australasia, South America, North America, Europe, and Africa. Even after the significant El Niño event of 2014-2016, global freshwater levels have not rebounded, with 13 of the world's 30 most intense droughts occurring since January 2015. Scientists suspect that global warming, which leads to more extreme precipitation events and prolonged dry periods, may be contributing to the enduring freshwater depletion.

This reduction in available water poses significant challenges for farmers and communities, potentially leading to famine, conflicts, poverty, and an increased risk of disease as people turn to contaminated water sources. The findings, published in the journal Surveys in Geophysics underscore the urgent need for sustainable water management practices and further research into the impacts of climate change on freshwater resources.

Research Shows Temporary Cognitive Changes in Space-Traveling Astronauts

NASA scientists have found that while astronauts' cognitive performance is affected during long-duration space missions, the changes are not permanent. Working with 25 astronauts who spent an average of six months on the International Space Station (ISS), researchers discovered that processing speed, working memory, and attention slowed down, but accuracy remained unaffected. These cognitive changes did not persist long-term, suggesting that extended space missions do not lead to significant brain damage. This research provides valuable insights for future deep-space missions, including trips to the moon and Mars. The research was published in the journal Frontiers in Physiology.

NASA's Europa Clipper Begins Scientific Investigations En Route to Jupiter, Instruments Deployed

NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft, launched on October 14, 2024, is en route to Jupiter's moon Europa. Recently, the probe successfully deployed two critical science instruments: the magnetometer boom and several radar antennas. These instruments will help scientists study Europa's subsurface ocean by measuring the moon's magnetic field and ice shell thickness. The spacecraft, traveling at 22 miles per second, will perform gravity assists around Mars and Earth before reaching Jupiter in 2030. The mission aims to determine if Europa's ocean has the conditions necessary to support life.

Rapid Colonization of Ryugu Asteroid Sample by Earth Microorganisms: Imperial College

Scientists at Imperial College London studying a sample from asteroid Ryugu, returned by Japan's Hayabusa2 mission, discovered that it was rapidly colonized by terrestrial microorganisms despite stringent contamination controls. The sample, analyzed under strict laboratory conditions, showed signs of filamentous microorganisms, likely bacteria, which appeared within a week of exposure to Earth's atmosphere. This finding underscores the resilience of Earth-based life and the challenges of preventing contamination in space missions. Enhanced protocols may be necessary for future sample-return missions to ensure the integrity of extraterrestrial materials. The research was published in the journal Meteoritics & Planetary Science

Researchers Develop Space Lasers Using Bacterial Photosynthesis

Researchers are exploring the use of photosynthetic bacteria to develop a new generation of space-borne lasers. The APACE project, led by Heriot-Watt University, aims to replace heavy and complex solar arrays with bacterial photosynthetic structures. This innovative approach could provide a sustainable, low-mass power source for satellites, potentially extending their lifespans and reducing launch costs. Early tests have shown promise, and the project is now moving towards simulated space conditions to further validate the concept.

China Announces Timeline for BeiDou Positioning and Navigation System Upgrade Amid Radar Satellite Launch & Rocket Debut

China is set to develop and deploy its next-generation BeiDou Navigation Satellite System and high-resolution Earth observation system by 2035. Three experimental satellites for this navigation system are slated for launch around 2027. The network deployment will commence around 2029 and is expected to be fully operational by 2035.

BeiDou, like GPS and other European and Russian systems, supports global civilian applications (driving, aviation, maritime navigation) and sectors (industry, agriculture, finance). It also serves military uses, including precision munitions, UAVs, and battlefield navigation. China currently operates a global BeiDou navigation system consisting of 30 satellites. This system includes 24 satellites in medium Earth orbits, divided into three orbital planes with eight satellites each, excluding backups. Additionally, there are three BeiDou satellites in inclined geosynchronous orbits and three in geostationary orbits, providing comprehensive positioning, navigation, and timing services worldwide. On the other hand, China also plans to retrieve Martian samples around 2031 through its Tianwen 3 mission, aiming to search for life signatures on the red planet.

Meanwhile, on November 24, 2024, China launched a pair of SuperView Neo-2 radar satellites using a Long March 2C rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. These high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites are part of a larger constellation aimed at enhancing natural resource management, city security, emergency response, and maritime operations.

Additionally, on November 30, 2024, China debuted its first Long March 12 rocket from the newly established Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site. This two-stage rocket, capable of carrying significant payloads to low Earth orbit (LEO) and sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), marks a milestone in China's efforts to increase its launch frequency and support its lunar exploration plans.

Studying How AI Communicates Could Aid in Talking with Aliens

Researchers propose that studying how AI agents develop their own languages could simplify future communication with extraterrestrial life. This research involves giving AI simple tasks requiring communication, allowing scientists to observe the evolution of AI languages. By studying these emergent languages, scientists aim to gain insights into how languages evolve, potentially aiding in deciphering alien languages. The researchers believe that AI language development mirrors natural language evolution, providing a model for understanding alien communication.

This approach could prove crucial for humanity's efforts to communicate with alien civilizations, offering a systematic method to decode and understand potential extraterrestrial languages. This interdisciplinary research combines insights from linguistics, AI, and astrobiology, highlighting the potential of AI as a tool for exploring one of humanity's greatest mysteries: the possibility of intelligent extraterrestrial life. Read about the research in detail in this The Conversation article, written by Olaf Lipinski, PhD Student in Artificial Intelligence, University of Southampton

GOVERNANCE

FAA Updates Starship Environmental Review as SpaceX Nears Increased Launches and FCC’s conditional approval Direct-to-Smartphone Service

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently updated its environmental review for SpaceX's Starship vehicle, bringing the company one step closer to increasing its launch rate from Texas. The updated draft environmental assessment examines the impacts of up to 25 launches and landings per year at SpaceX's Starbase test site in Boca Chica, Texas. The FAA has concluded that the proposed increase conforms to prior environmental documentation and does not present significant new environmental impacts. The public comment period for this assessment will run through January 17, 2025, with several public meetings scheduled to gather input.

Meanwhile, SpaceX has received conditional approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its proposed direct-to-smartphone service. This service aims to provide high-speed internet access directly to users' smartphones without the need for additional hardware. The conditional approval is contingent upon SpaceX meeting certain regulatory requirements and demonstrating that the service will not interfere with other communications systems. The company's plans for increased launch cadence and new communication services are expected to influence the future of space exploration and telecommunications..

Space Tech Expo Panel Addresses Growing Space Debris Challenge, Threat Demands Better Data and Regulation

The growing threat of space debris requires better data, innovation, and regulation, according to experts at the Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen. Participants, including representatives from Astroscale, Neuraspace, and Look Up Space, emphasized the need for improved sensor capabilities, economic incentives, and new technologies to address the issue. With approximately one million objects between 1 cm and 10 cm orbiting Earth, the risk of collisions is increasing, particularly in low Earth orbit (LEO).

The International Space Station (ISS) has conducted multiple collision avoidance maneuvers, underscoring the urgency. Experts stressed the importance of filling data gaps and enhancing space situational awareness. Additionally, they called for regulatory frameworks to keep pace with the rapid growth in orbital activity, ensuring sustainable space exploration. Collaboration between governments, industry, and international bodies is crucial to developing effective solutions to the space debris problem.

Space Firms Anticipate Shifts in Government Contracting Under New Administration

The incoming Trump administration's close ties to tech billionaires like Elon Musk could disrupt traditional Pentagon procurement practices, according to space and defense industry executives at the Baird Defense & Government Conference in McLean, Virginia. The established defense contractor ecosystem might face competition from newer, tech-focused players as the administration promotes a "cost minus" model, challenging the traditional "cost plus" approach. Vice President-elect JD Vance's background as a venture capitalist, including investments in defense and space tech company Anduril Industries, exemplifies these connections. Experts anticipate more budgets shifting from legacy programs to newer space firms, though significant challenges remain in aligning commercial innovation with military procurement.

MILITARY

SpaceX Launches Next-Gen US Spy Satellites

On November 30, SpaceX launched its fifth mission for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office's (NRO) proliferated spy satellite constellation from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The Falcon 9 rocket carried an unspecified number of government satellites and 20 Starlink internet satellites. This mission, known as NROL-126, is part of the NRO's strategy to rapidly deploy numerous smaller satellites designed for capability and resilience.

The NRO expects to enhance timeliness of access, diversify communications pathways, and improve resilience by delivering data in minutes or even seconds. The Falcon 9's first stage booster successfully landed on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean, marking the first flight for this particular booster. This launch underscores the growing collaboration between SpaceX and the NRO, as well as the increasing importance of satellite constellations in national security and global communications.

Space Force Awards Raytheon $196.7 Million Contract Extension for GPS System Upgrade

The U.S. Space Force has awarded Raytheon a $196.7 million contract extension for the Global Positioning System Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX), a critical upgrade to the GPS infrastructure. This contract, announced on November 27, aims to deliver the next software upgrade by November 2025. The OCX program, which has faced significant delays, seeks to modernize GPS ground control infrastructure to enhance navigation signal accuracy and cybersecurity for both military and civilian applications. The program has been delayed by approximately seven years, with the original delivery slated for 2018. The Space Force has relied on interim software from Lockheed Martin during this period. The Government Accountability Office has flagged these delays as risks to the GPS enterprise.

COMMERCIAL

China's Landspace Deploys Satellites on Fourth Flight with Enhanced Zhuque-2E

Blue Arrow Aerospace Technology Corp, a Chinese launch startup, doing business as Landspace, , has successfully placed two satellites into orbit with the enhanced Zhuque-2E rocket on November 27, 2024. The launch, from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Area at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, one failure and two successess later, marks the fourth flight of the Zhuque-2 series. The improved rocket features advanced engines and a common bulkhead tank structure, enhancing its payload capacity to 4,000 kg for sun-synchronous orbit.

US NOAA Awards Contract to Slingshot Aerospace for Design of Space Traffic System User Experience

Slingshot Aerospace, a California (U.S.)-based space tracking and analytics company, has has secured a $5.3 million contract from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Space Commerce to design the user experience for the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS). This next-generation platform aims to modernize U.S. space traffic management for civil and commercial satellites. The 12-month contract includes options for four additional years, potentially bringing the total value to $13.3 million. Slingshot will integrate its proprietary Beacon software to enhance satellite operators' capabilities for real-time information sharing and maneuver coordination. The TraCSS system is expected to be operational by late 2025, ahead of the migration from the Department of Defense’s legacy system.

ESA Awards $36.5M Contract to Open Cosmos for NanoMagSat Mission

The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded a contract to Open Cosmos to develop the NanoMagSat mission, which aims to study the Earth's magnetic field and ionosphere. The contract, worth 34.6 million euros ($36.5 million), covers the development, launch, and commissioning of three 16U cubesats. The satellites will operate at an altitude of 545 kilometers, with two in 60-degree inclined orbits and one in a polar orbit. The first satellite is scheduled for launch in late 2027, with the remaining two following in 2028. This mission is part of ESA's Scout program, designed to leverage commercial development processes for cost-effective and agile missions. The data collected will enhance understanding of the Earth's magnetic field and contribute to space weather studies.

NASA Selects SpaceX Falcon Heavy for 2028 Dragonfly Mission to Titan

NASA has selected SpaceX to provide launch services for its Dragonfly mission, a rotorcraft lander designed to explore Saturn's largest moon, Titan. The mission, part of NASA's New Frontiers Program, aims to sample materials and determine surface composition in various geologic settings to advance the search for the building blocks of life. The Dragonfly rotorcraft, powered by a radioisotope thermoelectric generator, will navigate Titan's unique, organic-rich environment, which includes a dense atmosphere and swamp-like surface, for about 2.5 Earth years.

The $3.35 billion mission is set to launch between July 5-25, 2028, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A in Florida. The contract, valued at approximately $256.6 million, covers launch services and other mission-related costs. Dragonfly's scientific payload will investigate the moon's habitability, prebiotic chemistry, and potential signs of past life, making it a groundbreaking step in planetary exploration.

Astroscale Nears Key Design Milestone for OneWeb De-Orbit Mission

The British subsidiary of Japan's Astroscale, is gearing up for a critical design review early next year for its ELSA-M (End-of-Life Services by Astroscale-Multiple) program. This mission aims to capture and de-orbit a defunct OneWeb broadband satellite from low Earth orbit (LEO) in 2026. The 500-kilogram servicer is currently undergoing testing and checkout in a "flatsat" phase, where its components are laid out for evaluation.

The mission is a collaborative effort involving Astroscale, Eutelsat's OneWeb, the UK Space Agency, and the European Space Agency, aiming to make space more sustainable. The servicer will use a capture mechanism compatible with magnetic docking plates on OneWeb's satellites. After finalizing algorithms and completing the design review, Astroscale plans to integrate the subsystems in 2025, with a launch likely in the second quarter of 2026.

Astroscale's ELSA-M builds on the ELSA-d demonstration, which successfully released and recaptured a small satellite in 2021. However, ELSA-d faced challenges when it lost half its thrusters, preventing a controlled descent. The upcoming ELSA-M mission aims to overcome these hurdles and pave the way for a commercial de-orbit business.

Firefly Announces January Launch for Blue Ghost Lunar Lander

Firefly Aerospace has announced a January 2025 launch date for its Blue Ghost lunar lander, marking the company's first lunar mission. The spacecraft, which recently completed environmental testing at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida. The mission, dubbed "Ghost Riders in the Sky," will carry 10 NASA payloads as part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. The lander is set to touch down near Mons Latreille in Mare Crisium on the moon's northeastern near side. The mission will last approximately 60 days, including a 45-day transit to the moon. Firefly's CEO, Jason Kim, expressed confidence in the team's ability to successfully complete the mission despite the challenges ahead. This follows Firefly's historic achievement in February 2024 when its Odysseus spacecraft became the first private spacecraft to land on the moon, marking the first U.S. moon landing since 1972.

Bulgarian EnduroSat to Integrate 100 Enpulsion Propulsion Systems in Future Satellites

Bulgarian microsatellite specialist EnduroSat has ordered 100 electric propulsion systems from Austria's Enpulsion, responding to the growing demand for larger spacecraft. The propulsion systems will be integrated as standard for satellites measuring 6U and larger, enhancing their capabilities and operational life. The first 30 systems are expected to be delivered within the next year, with some arriving by the end of 2024. This move aligns with the industry trend towards more capable satellites, driven by falling launch prices.

Russia Seeks to Build Spaceports in Algeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe

Russia has offered to build spaceports in several African nations, including Algeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, according to Roscosmos head Yury Borisov. The proposal aims to leverage the Earth's rotational velocity near the equator, enhancing payload capacity and reducing fuel requirements for launches.

This move is part of Russia's strategy to diversify its services and strengthen cooperation with friendly nations in Africa and Southeast Asia. Recent agreements with African countries for satellite development and space exploration underscore Russia's expanding footprint on the continent.

SPOTLIGHT

Astronomers Trace Mysterious, Record-Breaking Energy Bursts to Binary Star System

Astronomers from the Curtin University (Australia) node of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) have identified the source of a mysterious, long-period radio transient named GLEAM-X J0704-37. Detected in archival data from the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), this energy burst occurs every three hours and lasts 30-60 seconds, making it the longest-period radio transient ever recorded. A radio transient is a brief burst of radio waves that can last from a fraction of a second to several minutes. The team pinpointed the radio waves to one specific star using the MeerKAT telescope in South Africa and confirmed it was an 'M dwarf' with the SOAR observatory in Chile, located 5,000 light-years away in the Puppis constellation. This finding, however, raised questions as M dwarfs alone couldn't generate the observed energy levels. Their data suggests the M dwarf is in a binary system with a white dwarf, together powering the radio emission.

Associate Professor Natasha Hurley-Walker explained that the discovery was made possible by the less crowded region of space where the transient was found, allowing the team to pinpoint its source. The team used multiple radio telescopes, including the MeerKAT telescope in South Africa and the Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) Telescope observatory in Chile, to trace the radio waves to the specific star system. This research was published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Nearby Supernova Could Offer Potential Breakthrough in Dark Matter Discovery

Astrophysicists at the University of California, Berkeley, propose that a nearby supernova could potentially end the long-standing search for dark matter. They suggest that axions, a leading candidate for dark matter, could be detected within seconds of observing gamma rays from such an explosion. During the initial 10 seconds after a massive star collapses into a neutron star, axions would be generated in vast quantities and transformed into high-energy gamma rays by the star's intense magnetic field.

Supernovae are powerful explosions that occur at the end of a star's life cycle, often resulting in neutron stars, which are dense stellar remnants composed primarily of neutrons. The challenge lies in the rarity of nearby supernovae and the need for precise alignment of the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. The last nearby supernova, 1987A, was not detected with sufficient sensitivity, but modern telescopes could change that. A successful detection would pinpoint the axion's mass, while a lack of detection would narrow down the search parameters significantly. The research was published in the journal Physical Review Letters.

Unusual Dwarf Galaxy Grouping Challenges Standard Dark Matter Model

Astronomers from Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, and other institutions have discovered a rare group of five star-forming dwarf galaxies, designated D1 to D5, aligned in a near-straight line about 117 million light-years away. This discovery, based on data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), challenges the cold dark matter (CDM) theory, which predicts disordered galaxy groupings. The galaxies share a common rotational direction, suggesting they formed from the same gas clump. Dwarf galaxy D2 is the most massive member with a stellar mass of 275 million solar masses, while D4 is the least massive at 14.7 million solar masses. The group's dynamical mass is estimated at 60.2 billion solar masses. Dynamical mass is a measure of the total mass within a system that influences the motion of objects within it. It includes not only the visible matter, like stars and gas, but also dark matter, which is inferred from the gravitational effects it has on visible objects.

This observation supports the warm dark matter (WDM) theory, which proposes that dark matter particles are less massive and move faster than those in the CDM model. The discovery, made using data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), could provide new insights into galaxy formation and the nature of dark matter. Study lead author Sanjaya Paudel of Yonsei University in South Korea noted, "Why do they have the same rotation? They must have a connection with each other — that would be a very strong question that cannot be explained by the ΛCDM model." The research paper was published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

New Theory Proposes Hypervelocity Stars as Alien-Propelled Objects

A new paper is exploring the possibility that the fastest-moving stars in the galaxy, known as hypervelocity stars, could be propelled by advanced extraterrestrial civilizations. Clement Vidal, a philosopher at Vrije Universiteit Brussels, suggests that these stars might be part of binary systems where one star is a neutron star and the other a low-mass companion. By manipulating the companion star, an advanced civilization could create thrust, moving the entire system across the galaxy. The idea involves using powerful magnetic fields or gravitational interactions to transfer angular momentum, thereby propelling the binary star system.

This concept, termed the "Spider Stellar Engine," proposes that such civilizations could use their stars as natural spaceships. Hypervelocity stars travel at speeds of several hundred kilometers per second, far exceeding typical stellar velocities. The "Spider Stellar Engine" could provide a novel perspective on interstellar travel and challenge traditional notions of alien life and technological capabilities. While the idea remains speculative and unproven, it opens new avenues for understanding the potential reach and influence of advanced civilizations in the cosmos.

Jupiter's Poles Are Hiding Earth-Sized, UV-Absorbing, Magnetic Tornadoes

Astronomers at the University of California, Berkeley, have discovered unusual, Earth-sized dark ovals in the polar haze of Jupiter, visible only in ultraviolet light. These ovals, appearing more frequently at the south pole, are thought to be caused by magnetically driven vortices in Jupiter's ionosphere. The dark UV ovals, embedded in layers of stratospheric haze, absorb more UV light than their surroundings, making them appear dark in Hubble Space Telescope images. This discovery, reported in the journal Nature Astronomy, suggests that unusual processes are occurring in Jupiter's strong magnetic field, propagating down to the poles and deep into the atmosphere. The findings offer new insights into Jupiter's atmospheric dynamics and the planet's powerful magnetic field.

Advanced Simulations Propose New Model for Origins of Martian Moons

Astronomers at NASA and Durham University have proposed a new theory for the formation of Mars's moons, Phobos and Deimos, using supercomputer simulations. The study suggests that an asteroid passing near Mars could have been ripped apart by the planet's strong gravitational pull, creating rocky fragments that eventually formed the moons. This new model challenges the previous theories that suggested the moons were either captured asteroids or formed from a giant impact on Mars. The simulations revealed that the debris from the disrupted asteroid would coalesce over time, leading to the formation of the two moons. The research was published in the journal Icarus.

New Theory Explains Zebra Pattern in Crab Nebula Pulses

A theoretical astrophysicist from the University of Kansas, Mikhail Medvedev, has proposed a solution to the nearly two-decade-old mystery of the Crab Nebula's "zebra" pattern. This pattern, observed in high-frequency radio pulses from the Crab Pulsar, features unusual band spacing in the electromagnetic spectrum. Medvedev's study, recently published in Physical Review Letters, uses wave optics to gauge the density of the pulsar's plasma. By analyzing the fringe pattern in the electromagnetic pulses, he established a method to understand the plasma density variations caused by the neutron star's magnetic field. This breakthrough provides insights into the unique high-frequency interpulse, ranging between 5 and 30 gigahertz, and its stability and high polarization. The findings could help unravel other astronomical puzzles and enhance our understanding of neutron stars.

Despatch Out. 👽🛸