deep space

Latest about deep space

a large triangular sail made of silver foil is unfurled in a hangar as scientists look on

Watch NASA unfurl basketball-court-sized solar sail for deep space propulsion (video)

By Andrew Jones published

NASA and Redwire Space successfully deployed a massive solar sail in a test, potentially paving the way for this revolutionary propulsion technology to be used for deep space transportation.

Technology
several giant satellite dishes stand scattered in a vast rolling field, pointed toward the night sky and an array of stars next to the arm of the milky way

Scientists find record-breaking collection of molecules in 2 extremely ancient galaxies

By Keith Cooper published

"We knew these galaxies were prodigious star factories, perhaps among the biggest the universe has ever seen."

Galaxies
Screenshot from a computer simulation shows jets push through material surrounding a merger created black hole to launch long gamma-ray bursts.

The elusive origins of long gamma-ray bursts may finally be revealed

By Robert Lea published

New research helps resolve the mystery surrounding strange long gamma-ray bursts, suggesting these blasts of high-energy radiation emerge from collisions of neutron stars that birth black holes.

Particle Physics
The Fermi bubbles (in pink) are believed to be two enormous orbs of gas and cosmic rays that tower over the Milky Way.

High-energy cosmic rays may originate within the Milky Way galaxy

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

The most energetic particles in the universe appear to emerge from sources within the Milky Way, our own home.

Particle Physics
a glowing with galaxy hangs center amongst small, distant dots, which are also galaxies.

Hubble telescope spots glowing galactic disk floating in deep space (photo)

By Samantha Mathewson published

The Hubble Space Telescope photographed a mesmerizing new photo of the lenticular galaxy NGC 3156, whose older stars emanate a hazy glow.

Hubble Space Telescope
The narrow galaxy elegantly curving around its spherical companion in this image is a fantastic example of a truly strange and very rare phenomenon — gravitational lensing.

A cosmic magnifying glass: What is gravitational lensing?

By Robert Lea published

Reference Gravitational lensing is a powerful tool for telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope as it images some of the most distant and faint early galaxies.

Reference
Leaders of several national space agencies speak onstage at the International Astronautical Congress 2022 in Paris.

Global space agency leaders see asteroid deflection, moon missions as top priorities

By Andrew Jones published

Heads of the world's major space agencies presented their big plans for the coming years at a major congress in Paris, while underlining the serious challenges that could affect space and humanity.

Asteroid & Comet Missions
The PolyCam camera on NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft took this picture of Bennu on March 4, 2021 about 186 miles (300 km) away from the asteroid. A portion of the asteroid's equatorial ridge and its northern hemisphere are visible here.

NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft begins its farewell tour of near-Earth asteroid Bennu

By Doris Elin Urrutia last updated

A spacecraft carrying pristine asteroid samples and 4,000 megabytes of data recently flew away from the space rock Bennu.

Asteroid & Comet Missions
NASA is planning a deep-space habitat around the moon called the Gateway, as the next destination for astronauts. The cis-lunar space station will be a waypoint for future missions to the moon and beyond.

The Gateway: NASA's proposed lunar space station

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

NASA's proposed Gateway is a lunar outpost that could house astronauts for months at a time, allowing them to perform advanced scientific experiments and travel into deep space.

Missions
NASA's Deep Space Atomic Clock, seen here in an artist's illustration, is testing new technology for deep-space navigation.

NASA Just Activated Its Deep Space Atomic Clock

By Chelsea Gohd published

NASA's Deep Space Atomic Clock, which will pave the way for deep space exploration, has been activated and will now begin a year-long tech demo.

Technology
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