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- Breaking Space News: September 29 - October 5, 2024
Breaking Space News: September 29 - October 5, 2024
This Week in Space News: From Nebulae That Look Like Chicken to Van Gogh's Grasp of Turbulence. Learn About Dyson Spheres with a Cool Infographic by Artist Karl Tate, U.S.-Russia Collaboration to Plug ISS Air Leaks, Chinese Spacesuits, Observatories and Megaconstellations, Space Startups, and the Human Heart in Space.
Lagrangian Despatch
October 06, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 36 minutes
Dear Lagrangian,
Welcome back Explorers.🚀
Another eventful week! Whatever your interests in space, do not forget to scroll to the Spotlight section for the intriguing research about Van Gogh’s Starry Night, a catalogue of neighboring galaxies and futuristic Dyson Spheres (our favorite). So for the best reading experience, we recommend viewing this newsletter in your web browser.
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Enjoy reading!
IMAGES
Gas Cloud IC2948 In The Running Chicken Nebula: VLT Survey Telescope, ESO
The gas cloud IC2948, a stellar nursery within the Running Chicken Nebula, is a star birth haven. Spanning nearly 25 full moons (the full moon appears about half a degree wide in the sky), this snippet is less than a third of a moon. The 1.5-billion-pixel image by the VLT Survey Telescope (VST) captures its vibrant complexity. Located in the constellation Centaurus, the Running Chicken Nebula is a labyrinth of gas, dust, and young stars whose intense radiation erodes the surrounding material. (Credit: ESO/VPHAS+ team. Acknowledgement: CASU)
Rosette Nebula: Dark Energy Camera, National Science Foundation NOIRLab
NOIRLab recently released a stunning image of the Rosette Nebula, highlighting the young star cluster NGC 2244 and the young stellar object Rosette HH1. This detailed capture, taken with the Dark Energy Camera, showcases the nebula's vibrant colors and intricate structures, offering insights into star formation and the early universe. (Credit: CTIO/NOIRLab/DOE/NSF/AURA, Image Processing: T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF NOIRLab), D. de Martin & M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab))
This image shows some of the interesting features of the Rosette Nebula. The dashed circle highlights the nebula's central star cluster, NGC 2244. The hazy smudge at the center of NGC 2244 is the young stellar object (YSO), Rosette HH1 (1). YSOs are stars in their early stage of evolution, before they become main-sequence stars, that often exhibit characteristics such as jets, bipolar outflows, protoplanetary discs, and other indicators of a new star being born. Around the nebula’s excavated nucleus is a string of dark clouds dubbed ‘elephant trunks,’ so-named because of their trunk-like pillars (2, 4) One of these dark features is the Wrench Trunk (3). Unlike the prototypical Pillars of Creation trunks which stand like straight columns, the Wrench’s ‘handle’ has an unusual spiral shape which traces the magnetic field of the nebula. This image was captured with the Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera, mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, a Program of NSF NOIRLab. (Credit: CTIO/NOIRLab/DOE/NSF/AURA, Image Processing: T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF NOIRLab), D. de Martin & M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab))
Unexplained Stellar Eruption Caused by M87's Black Hole Jet: Hubble Space Telescope
A Hubble Space Telescope image of the giant galaxy M87 shows a 3,000-light-year-long jet of plasma blasting from the galaxy's 6.5-billion-solar-mass central black hole. The blowtorch-like jet seems to cause stars to erupt along its trajectory. These novae are not caught inside the jet, but are apparently in a dangerous neighborhood nearby. During a recent 9-month survey, astronomers using Hubble found twice as many of these novae going off near the jet as elsewhere in the galaxy. The galaxy is the home of several trillion stars and thousands of star-like globular star clusters. (Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI, Alec Lessing (Stanford University), Mike Shara (AMNH); Acknowledgment: Edward Baltz (Stanford University); Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI))
Astronomers discovered that the supermassive black hole's blowtorch-like jet in galaxy M87 triggers stellar eruptions along its path, in stars near the jet, not within it, suggesting a previously unknown interaction between black hole jets and their surroundings. The video posted on YouTube by NASA explains the finding. (Credit: NASA)
SCIENCE
ESA/JAXA’s BepiColombo Maps Mercury's Magnetic Field in Record Time
In a June 2023 flyby, European Space Agency's and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s BepiColombo spacecraft mapped Mercury's magnetic landscape in just 30 minutes, revealing a magnetic field much weaker than Earth's but still capable of forming a protective magnetosphere. This magnetosphere acts as a buffer against the solar wind, much like Earth's magnetic field.
BepiColombo’s images of Mercury may appear empty, but the space is teeming with particles. Mercury’s magnetic field interacts with the solar wind, creating a constantly changing magnetosphere. This simulation shows BepiColombo's path during its fourth flyby on 4 September 2024. Studying Mercury’s magnetic environment helps us understand how planets respond to their host stars. At Mercury, the solar wind is ten times stronger than at Earth, while its magnetic field is 2000 times weaker. This leads to a highly variable magnetosphere. The simulation shows the density of solar wind particles around Mercury, with the highest density in yellow and the lowest in purple/black. (Credit: ESA)
On 19 June 2023, ESA/JAXA’s BepiColombo spacecraft sped through Mercury's magnetosphere during its third flyby. Using data from JAXA’s Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter’s MSA, MIA, and MEA, the origin of detected ions was determined. BepiColombo’s yellow trajectory line in this graphic highlights various features encountered. (Credit: ESA)
The spacecraft's observations have provided valuable insights into the interaction between Mercury's surface and its plasma environment. These findings are crucial for understanding why Mercury, despite its proximity to the Sun, maintains a magnetic field and how it protects the planet from charged particles.
Satellite Pollution and the Montreal Protocol: A New Environmental Challenge
As satellite numbers in orbit soar, so do concerns over their environmental impact. When satellites re-enter Earth's atmosphere and burn up, they release harmful chemicals that contribute to air pollution. This issue has been largely overlooked by international space treaties and Earth-focused environmental laws. Researchers now suggest these chemicals should be regulated under the Montreal Protocol, the 1987 treaty that successfully phased out ozone-depleting substances. Without action, the impact of satellite pollution could become a significant global problem within the next decade.
The rise of megaconstellations, comprising hundreds or thousands of satellites, means the amount of human-made space debris is increasing. This could lead to a significant rise in air pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), and particulate matter (PM), which are harmful to human health and the environment. A recent study in Geophysical Research Letters shows the potential for satellite pollution to cause significant ozone depletion due to the long-term accumulation of aluminum oxide nanoparticles in the atmosphere. This adds urgency to the call for regulating satellite pollution under international environmental agreements. Read more on the topic at Space.com.
Webb Telescope Uncovers New Insights into Hubble Tension
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has recently made a groundbreaking discovery that adds to the ongoing debate about the universe's expansion rate, known as the Hubble constant or H0 (pronounced H-naught). By observing a gravitationally lensed supernova, nicknamed "supernova H0pe," astronomers have confirmed the discrepancy between measurements of the universe's expansion rate from the early universe and the nearby universe, a phenomenon known as Hubble tension.
The Hubble constant is a measure of the rate at which the universe is expanding, but different methods yield conflicting values (Hubble Tension). When scientists measure the Hubble constant using the early universe, peering far out into the universe (like the cosmic microwave background radiation), they get a different value compared to when they measure it using nearby galaxies and supernovae. This discrepancy suggests there might be new physics or unknown factors at play that we don't yet understand.
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRCam captures the galaxy cluster PLCK G165.7+67.0 (G165). The left side showcases the magnifying effect of a foreground cluster on the distant universe. The right side zooms in on supernova H0pe, triply imaged due to gravitational lensing (white dashed circles). The supernova’s light, bent by the galaxy cluster, traveled along three different paths, offering astronomers a unique way to calculate a new value for the Hubble constant. (Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Brenda Frye (University of Arizona), Rogier Windhorst (ASU), S. Cohen (ASU), Jordan C. J. D'Silva (UWA), Anton M. Koekemoer (STScI), Jake Summers (ASU))
The JWST's observation of supernova Hope, which appears three times due to gravitational lensing, provides a new way to measure the Hubble constant with greater precision. These points of light, not visible in 2015 Hubble imaging of the same cluster, were evident when images arrived from Webb. The field was chosen for its high star formation rate, correlating with higher supernova rates. This discovery underscores the need for new physics to resolve the Hubble tension and improve our understanding of the universe's expansion.
NASA's JWST has already contributed significantly to this ongoing discussion by using data containing Cepheid variables and Type Ia supernovae, reliable distance markers, to confirm previous measurements by the Hubble Space Telescope. A Cepheid variable is a star that pulsates radially, causing predictable brightness changes, and is used as a "cosmic yardstick" for measuring space distances. Type Ia supernovae, an explosion of a white dwarf star, known as "standard candles," have a known intrinsic brightness. Researchers, led by Brenda Frye from the University of Arizona, are improving the Hubble constant's precision by measuring gravitationally lensed supernovae, following the JWST's discovery in a distant galaxy cluster.
China To Boost FAST Telescope's Power with 24 New Dishes to Study Gravitational Waves, Radio Bursts, and Black Holes
China has embarked on a significant expansion of the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST), the world's largest single-dish radio telescope. The second phase of construction, which began on September 25, 2024, involves adding 24 new moveable radio telescopes, each with a diameter of 40 meters, around the existing FAST structure. This expansion, known as the FAST Core Array, aims to enhance the telescope's resolution and detection capabilities by leveraging the "quiet" electromagnetic environment within a 5-kilometer radius of the site.
According to a recent paper on arXiv, the FAST Core Array will combine the unprecedented sensitivity of FAST with high angular resolution, surpassing the capabilities of other next-generation radio telescope arrays like the Square Kilometre Array Phase 1 and the next-generation Very Large Array. This upgrade is expected to significantly boost FAST's ability to study cosmic phenomena such as gravitational waves, fast radio bursts, and black holes.
Bioengineered Heart Tissues Weaken by Half in Space: New Study
Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists have discovered that low gravity conditions in space weaken and disrupt the normal rhythmic beats of human bioengineered heart tissues. The study involved sending 48 heart tissue samples to the International Space Station (ISS) for a 30-day period. Upon return, researchers found that these tissues beat about half as strong as those that remained on Earth. The tissues also showed molecular and genetic changes similar to those seen in aging, including markers of inflammation and oxidative damage. The researchers identified a decrease in the expression of genes associated with the structure and function of heart muscle cells, as well as an increase in genes linked to stress responses.
The study helps expand our understanding of how the human body responds to microgravity environments and may serve as a model for studying heart muscle aging and therapeutics on Earth.
China Debuts 'Feitian' Spacesuit for Future Lunar Missions
China has unveiled its new lunar spacesuit, dubbed the "Feitian" (meaning "flying to space"), designed for its upcoming crewed moon mission, aiming to land astronauts on the lunar surface by 2030. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) showcased the red-and-white suit, highlighting its lightweight and flexible design. The design, inspired by traditional Chinese armor, was revealed in a ceremony in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, where technicians demonstrated its mobility and functionality.
China unveiled Feitan, its new spacesuit for Moon missions, during a ceremony on Sept. 28, 2024. (Credit: CCTV)
Experts on China's first-ever lunar spacesuit provided additional details on the garment. According to China Central Television (CCTV), the suit's attributes include a comprehensively protective fabric that shields against the harsh thermal environment, radiation and lunar dust, a panoramic glare-proof visor for improved vision, two cameras on the sides of the helmet for video recording, and a multi-functional control console on the chest that streamlines operations for greater efficiency. This spacesuit is a crucial component of China's broader lunar mission plans, which include developing a new launcher, deep space crew spacecraft, and a crew lander.
NASA, Roscosmos Collaborate to Combat ISS Air Leak
NASA's Office of Inspector General recently highlighted in a report, a persistent air leak in the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS) as the top safety risk. The leak, first detected in 2019, has been increasing and was rated the highest level of risk in June 2024. Despite this, NASA has reported progress in reducing the leak rate, which had spiked to 3.7 pounds of air per day in April. The affected area is a tunnel connecting the Russian Service Module to a docking port. NASA and Roscosmos are collaborating to address the issue, with Roscosmos confident in their ability to monitor and manage the leak. Read more on the story at Space.com.
A diagram of the International Space Station highlights the service module transfer tunnel, with Russian segments, including the tunnel, marked in red. The air leak in this area peaked at 3.7 pounds per day in April 2024, up from 2.4 pounds per day in February. (Credit: NASA OIG)
Astronaut working on the outside of the International Space Station. (Credit: NASA)
China Launches Shijian-19: A Reusable Satellite for Space Breeding and Tech Tests
China has launched the Shijian-19, its first reusable satellite, on September 27, 2024, using a Long March 2D rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), Shijian-19 aims to conduct space breeding experiments and test domestically developed materials and electronic components. The satellite will facilitate studies in microgravity physics, life sciences, and the improvement of plant seeds.
GOVERNANCE
FAA Mandates Probe, SpaceX Suspends Falcon 9 Launches After Crew-9 Deorbit Anomaly; ESA Continues Hera Preparations Despite Grounding
SpaceX has temporarily suspended Falcon 9 launches following an anomaly during the Crew-9 mission's upper stage deorbit burn on September 28, 2024. Although the Crew-9 mission was successfully launched towards the International Space Station (ISS) earlier that day, the second stage of the rocket, which was supposed to re-enter the atmosphere and splash down in a designated area, instead landed outside the targeted zone. This marks the second upper stage anomaly in less than three months. SpaceX has stated that it will resume launches only after a thorough investigation to determine the root cause of the issue.
Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated an investigation into the incident, emphasizing that the inquiry is not optional. Meanwhile, the European Space Agency (ESA) continues preparations for its Hera asteroid mission, which is scheduled to launch on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on October 7, 2024. Despite the grounding, ESA officials have confirmed that they are proceeding with launch preparations, including encapsulating the spacecraft into the rocket's payload fairing.
NASA's Crew-9 mission launched on Saturday, September 28th, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. (Credit: NASA via CNN Newsource)
This development comes in the wake of an ongoing feud between SpaceX and the FAA which escalated with the FAA proposing a $633,000 fine against SpaceX for alleged violations of launch license requirements during two launches in 2023. SpaceX has contested the fines, arguing that the violations were minor and that the FAA's regulatory processes are outdated and slow10. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has even called for the resignation of the FAA Administrator over the dispute.
The duration of SpaceX's grounding is unknown, leaving the fate of its October launches, including NASA's Europa Clipper mission to Jupiter’s moon, on a Falcon Heavy rocket, which shares the same upper stage as the Falcon 9, uncertain.
China's Broadband Constellation's Brightness Intensify Megaconstellation Debate, Raises Astronomers' Alarms
The first satellites of a Chinese broadband constellation, known as Qianfan or "Thousand Sails," have raised concerns among astronomers due to their significant brightness. Launched in August 2024, these satellites are much brighter than those of Western systems. A paper on the arXiv preprint server reports that the 18 Qianfan satellites have brightness levels ranging from magnitude 8 when low in the sky to magnitude 4 when nearly overhead.
The Long March 6A rocket blasts off in Shanxi province on Tuesday. (Credit: Zhu Xingxin/China Daily)
On the astronomical magnitude scale, lower numbers indicate brighter objects. For context, a magnitude 4 object is 100 times brighter than a magnitude 8 object. This makes the satellites visible to the naked eye, which can see objects down to magnitude 6 in dark skies, and well above the threshold of magnitude 7 recommended by astronomers to mitigate interference with ground-based observatories. The constellation, which may eventually consist of over 14,000 satellites, poses a new challenge for astronomical observations.
Ongoing concerns about megaconstellations and the increasing number of satellites in orbit have led to petitions from nonprofits like DarkSky International and U.S. PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) urging feasibility studies on the impact of satellite brightness on astronomy, particularly targeting SpaceX's Starlink constellation. PIRG's August report, "WasteX: Environmental Harms of Satellite Internet Mega-Constellations," highlights the environmental risks posed by the rapid increase in satellite launches.
MILITARY
U.S. Defense Sector Tackles Data, Propulsion, Radar, and Remote Sensing Amidst Report Rising Chinese Competition
The U.S. defense sector is pushing for innovative satellite technology to enhance military capabilities and Earth observation, addressing data integration, propulsion, and radar imaging advancements.
The U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the Department of Defense (DoD) are collaborating to resolve data integration issues as they deploy more satellites. NRO Director Chris Scolese highlighted the transition from the demonstration phase to operational testing, aiming to enhance real-time battlefield surveillance.
In parallel, the U.S. DoD is seeking innovations in small-satellite propulsion, focusing on electrospray thrusters. These thrusters offer high fuel efficiency and precise control, crucial for the military's increasing reliance on smaller satellites for communications and intelligence.
Meanwhile, radar imaging companies are advancing synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology to provide high-resolution images in all weather conditions, catering to military and defense needs for precise ground surveillance. Companies like Iceye are enhancing SAR satellites to discern specific types of military equipment and spot objects through tree cover and foliage. Last month the U.S. Air Force had awarded Capella Space a $14.9 million contract to integrate SAR data into an experimental cloud-based platform, demonstrating the technology's value for Earth observation and defense applications.
These developments come amid reports indicating that the United States is encountering significant competition from China within the satellite remote sensing sector. The report titled "Gold Rush: The 2024 Commercial Remote Sensing Global Rankings" published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), ranks the world's best commercial space-based remote sensing systems, revealing that Chinese systems outperformed U.S. systems in several categories. The U.S. has been a leader in this field for years, but China’s rapid advancements in technology are challenging this dominance. China’s edge can be attributed to significant investments in their space sector, resulting in advanced capabilities and increased output.
Anduril Teams Up with Apex to Launch AI-Powered Satellites for Advanced U.S. Military Missions
Defense technology firm Anduril Industries has partnered with Apex, a Los Angeles, U.S.-based satellite manufacturing startup, to provide satellite buses for its military space missions. This collaboration, announced on October 1, 2024, is part of Anduril's strategy to expand into the military space business. Apex's Aries satellite bus, known for its rapid production timelines, will host Anduril's AI-powered payloads for applications like space domain awareness and on-orbit sensor data processing. This partnership aims to deliver advanced defense capabilities more quickly and cost-effectively.
COMMERCIAL
Startups Secure Funding, Test New Tech, and Land Contracts in Space Industry Surge
Funding and innovation are propelling startups in the space industry, focusing on satellite transportation, connectivity, and power solutions. California, US-based Impulse Space has raised $150 million in a Series B funding round led by Founders Fund to scale up its orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs). The company, founded by former SpaceX engineer Tom Mueller, is developing two OTVs: Mira for last-mile deliveries and Helios for high-energy transfers from low Earth orbit to geosynchronous orbit. This funding will support the upcoming LEO Express-2 mission and further development of Helios. Orbital transfer is the process of moving a satellite or spacecraft between orbits by altering its altitude, inclination, or shape.
Impulse Space aims to offer GEO rideshare services with its Helios tug. (Credit: Impulse Space)
Meanwhile, U.K. based, All.Space secured $44 million in Series C funding from defense-focused Boka Group to launch its first multi-orbit flat panel antenna. The terminal, featuring electronically steered antenna (ESA) technology, allows seamless switching between different orbits and terrestrial networks. This technology has been validated in tests with SES, a geostationary and medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite operator.
Additionally, London-based Charter Space has begun beta testing its space systems and program management software platform, Ubik, designed to help engineering teams manage space programs throughout their lifecycles. The platform has already attracted companies like OHB Sweden and Esper Satellite Imagery for testing.
New Mexico, U.S. based mPower Technology won a significant contract with Airbus Netherlands B.V. to provide solar power modules for over 200 satellites. The DragonSCALES modules will generate 1.1 megawatts of power, supporting Airbus' Sparkwing solar arrays.
Space42 Debuts with $3 Billion Valuation: Yahsat and Bayanat Merge for Cutting-Edge Satellite Comms and Geospatial AI
Emirati satellite operator Yahsat and geospatial AI provider Bayanat, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, have completed their merger, forming Space42, a new company valued at $3 billion on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. The merger combines Yahsat's satellite communications with Bayanat's advanced geospatial analytics, positioning Space42 to address the evolving needs of the global SpaceTech industry.
Led by Karim Sabbagh, former CEO of SES (Société Européenne des Satellites) a geostationary and medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite operator, Space42 aims to develop hybrid connectivity and geospatial services for autonomous vehicles and other emerging technologies. The company has around 700 employees, with two-thirds coming from Yahsat. Space42 made its trading debut on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange with shares ending their first session flat at 2.38 dirhams.
Momentus Battles Nasdaq Delisting Amid Compliance Issues
In-space transportation company Momentus is facing delisting from Nasdaq due to its low share price and other compliance issues. The company received a notice from Nasdaq on September 26, 2024, stating that trading of its shares would be suspended on October 3 unless Momentus appeals the decision. This follows a warning in March that Momentus had 180 days to raise its share price to at least $1 per share. Despite briefly surpassing this threshold in late August, the stock price fell again, closing at $0.44 on September 30. Momentus also failed to file its Form 10-Qs for the periods ended March 31 and June 30, 2024, further complicating its compliance status.
Vigoride tugs developed by Momentus change orbits using the company's Microwave Electrothermal Thruster. (Credit: Momentus)
Momentus became famous in 2019 for its innovative Microwave Electrothermal Thruster (MET) technology, which enables efficient in-space transportation and orbit adjustments.
Strategic Investments Propel Africa's $22.64 Billion Space Industry
Africa's space industry is rapidly emerging as a significant player in the global space economy, currently valued at USD 22.64 billion. According to the 2024 African Space Annual Industry Report by Space in Africa, a leading market intelligence and consulting firm, the market is expected to experience substantial growth by 2026, driven by strategic initiatives in satellite manufacturing, infrastructure development, and the rise of NewSpace companies. Despite a 27.86% reduction in government funding from 2023, African governments and the African Union Commission have allocated USD 465.34 million to space activities in 2024, demonstrating a strategic shift towards enhancing the continent's space capabilities.
The 2024 African Satellite Manufacturing and Launch Market Report, also published by Space in Africa, highlights that investment in satellite manufacturing by African governments is projected to rise to USD 2.6 billion between September 2024 and 2030, from USD 1.9 billion between 2018 and August 2024. By 2030, 20 African countries are expected to launch 72 satellites, six of which will be undertaking their first-ever satellite missions.
SPOTLIGHT
Scientists Reveal Van Gogh's Intuitive Grasp of Turbulence: Kolmogorov's Theory in 'The Starry Night'
Scientists from Xiamen University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have unveiled that Vincent van Gogh's iconic painting "The Starry Night" accurately depicts real-world atmospheric turbulence. By scrutinizing the painting's brushstrokes and luminance patterns, researchers discovered that van Gogh's portrayal aligns with Kolmogorov's theory of turbulence, which describes the complex motion of fluids. This finding suggests that van Gogh had an intuitive grasp of fluid dynamics, despite lacking formal scientific training.
Vincent Van Gogh's The Starry Night.
The authors measured the relative scale and spacing of the whirling brush strokes in van Gogh’s “The Starry Night,” along with variances in luminance of the paint, to see if the laws that apply in the physics of real skies apply in the artist’s depiction. The results suggest van Gogh had an innate understanding of atmospheric dynamics. He captured multiple dimensions of atmospheric physics with surprising accuracy. (Credit: Yinxiang Ma)
The study, published in the journal Physics of Fluids, highlights the intersection of art and science, showcasing how van Gogh's artistic genius transcends the canvas. Researchers used advanced image processing techniques to analyze the painting, revealing hidden patterns that mirror natural phenomena. This discovery not only enriches our appreciation of van Gogh's masterpiece but also provides a unique perspective on the links between visual art and the scientific understanding of nature. It underscores the timeless relevance of van Gogh's work and its ability to inspire across disciplines.
The Rare Cosmic Configuration of Milky Way and it's Quiescent Satellite Galaxies
Three recent studies have shed new light on the uniqueness of the Milky Way galaxy. In the Satellites Around Galactic Analogs (SAGA) Survey, with the goal to characterize satellite systems around other host galaxies that have similar stellar masses as the Milky Way Galaxy, 378 satellite galaxies were identified studied across 101 Milky Way-like galaxies. This survey also aims to understand the distribution and properties of these satellite galaxies, providing crucial insights into galaxy formation and evolution.
A mosaic displaying images of 378 satellite galaxies across 101 Milky Way-like systems surveyed by the SAGA team. The satellite images are sorted by their luminosity from left to right. (Credit: Yao-Yuan Mao (Utah), with images from the DESI Legacy Surveys Sky Viewer)
An image of a Milky Way-like galaxy and its system of satellite galaxies. The SAGA survey identified six small satellite galaxies in orbit around this Milky Way analog. (Credit: Yasmeen Asali (Yale), with images from the DESI Legacy Surveys Sky Viewer)
Unlike other galaxies with numerous star-forming dwarf galaxies, the Milky Way's satellites are primarily quiescent, with little to no star formation. This anomaly could be due to the Milky Way’s specific history and environment, which may have inhibited the growth of its satellite galaxies. Additionally, the Milky Way's relatively isolated position in the Local Group and its merger history may have played a significant role in shaping its satellite system. Moreover, only the Milky Way has large satellite galaxies comparable to the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). While similar galaxies have an average of 13 satellite galaxies, the Milky Way has only four prominent ones. These studies reveal the Milky Way's unique satellite population, suggesting our galaxy's rare configuration and offering key insights into galaxy formation and evolution.
The WISE Signal Controversy: Dyson Spheres From Advanced Civilizations or Just Luminous Galaxies?
NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) had sparked debate earlier this year, by detecting signals that some scientists suggest could indicate the presence of Dyson spheres—hypothetical megastructures built by advanced civilizations to harness star energy. However, a recent paper on arXiv argues that these signals are more likely from Hot DOGs (Hot Dust-Obscured Galaxies), which are extremely luminous galaxies with active supermassive black holes. The confusion highlights the challenges of interpreting astronomical data and the need for careful analysis to avoid misidentifying natural phenomena as evidence of extraterrestrial technology.
A section of the all-sky survey conducted by NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), showcasing the first of approximately 1,000 Hot DOGs discovered by the mission. (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA)
Advanced civilizations could construct Dyson spheres by encircling their star with swarms of energy-collecting satellites. (Credit: Karl Tate, Infographics Artist)
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