• Astronomers are raising alarms over SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation, which is leaking unintended radio signals that could severely interfere with cosmic observations. While Starlink satellites are designed to beam internet across the globe, researchers have discovered that these spacecraft are also emitting low-level radio frequencies outside their intended transmission bands. This unintentional leakage could hinder the ability of radio telescopes to detect faint signals from the early universe, effectively masking some of the oldest and most distant cosmic phenomena.

    Despite SpaceX’s efforts—like disabling signal beams over major observatories—the growing swarm of satellites continues to pose a challenge. With over 6,000 Starlink units already in orbit, and tens of thousands more planned, the scale of potential interference is massive. This issue underscores a rising conflict between tech innovation and scientific exploration, sparking urgent calls for stronger regulations and international coordination to protect the integrity of space-based astronomy.

    #Starlink #AstronomyThreat #RadioInterference #SpaceScience #ProtectAstronomy
    Astronomers are raising alarms over SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation, which is leaking unintended radio signals that could severely interfere with cosmic observations. While Starlink satellites are designed to beam internet across the globe, researchers have discovered that these spacecraft are also emitting low-level radio frequencies outside their intended transmission bands. This unintentional leakage could hinder the ability of radio telescopes to detect faint signals from the early universe, effectively masking some of the oldest and most distant cosmic phenomena. Despite SpaceX’s efforts—like disabling signal beams over major observatories—the growing swarm of satellites continues to pose a challenge. With over 6,000 Starlink units already in orbit, and tens of thousands more planned, the scale of potential interference is massive. This issue underscores a rising conflict between tech innovation and scientific exploration, sparking urgent calls for stronger regulations and international coordination to protect the integrity of space-based astronomy. #Starlink #AstronomyThreat #RadioInterference #SpaceScience #ProtectAstronomy
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  • A Planet with Two Suns… and Endless Sandstorms!

    Meet VHS 1256 b — a mysterious, fiery world located just 70 light-years away, orbiting a pair of stars.
    Thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope, we now know this isn’t your typical exoplanet—it sits right on the edge between a giant planet and a brown dwarf.

    Temperatures? Around 830°C (1,526°F).
    Weather? Non-stop silicate sandstorms raging across its skies.

    JWST's powerful instruments detected a mix of methane, carbon monoxide, water, and even signs of carbon dioxide—the most molecules ever detected at once in a single alien atmosphere!

    Its skies are chaotic:

    Heavy silicate grains sink back down.

    Lighter particles ride up.
    This vertical dance creates wild brightness swings over its 22-hour day—like watching an alien sunset on fast-forward.

    And because VHS 1256 b orbits far from its two stars, its light can be studied in isolation, giving astronomers an unfiltered view of its dynamic, dusty atmosphere.

    But the biggest mystery?
    Did it form like a planet—or like a star?
    We still don’t know.

    RESEARCH PAPER:
    Brittany E. Miles et al., The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 2023

    #JamesWebb #Exoplanets #VHS1256b #AstronomyNews #BrownDwarf #PlanetWithTwoSuns #SpaceWeather
    A Planet with Two Suns… and Endless Sandstorms! Meet VHS 1256 b — a mysterious, fiery world located just 70 light-years away, orbiting a pair of stars. Thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope, we now know this isn’t your typical exoplanet—it sits right on the edge between a giant planet and a brown dwarf. Temperatures? Around 830°C (1,526°F). Weather? Non-stop silicate sandstorms raging across its skies. JWST's powerful instruments detected a mix of methane, carbon monoxide, water, and even signs of carbon dioxide—the most molecules ever detected at once in a single alien atmosphere! Its skies are chaotic: Heavy silicate grains sink back down. Lighter particles ride up. This vertical dance creates wild brightness swings over its 22-hour day—like watching an alien sunset on fast-forward. And because VHS 1256 b orbits far from its two stars, its light can be studied in isolation, giving astronomers an unfiltered view of its dynamic, dusty atmosphere. But the biggest mystery? Did it form like a planet—or like a star? We still don’t know. RESEARCH PAPER: Brittany E. Miles et al., The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 2023 #JamesWebb #Exoplanets #VHS1256b #AstronomyNews #BrownDwarf #PlanetWithTwoSuns #SpaceWeather
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  • If we dropped Betelgeuse into our solar system, it would stretch beyond Jupiter’s orbit—swallowing Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and the asteroid belt!

    But here’s the wild part: Betelgeuse is on the brink of death. And when it goes supernova—within the next 100,000 years—it could shine brighter than the Moon for weeks!

    #Betelgeuse #Supernova #SpaceFacts #MindBlown
    If we dropped Betelgeuse into our solar system, it would stretch beyond Jupiter’s orbit—swallowing Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and the asteroid belt! But here’s the wild part: Betelgeuse is on the brink of death. And when it goes supernova—within the next 100,000 years—it could shine brighter than the Moon for weeks! #Betelgeuse #Supernova #SpaceFacts #MindBlown
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  • Meet BD+05 4868 b — one of the most extreme exoplanets ever found. Located 140 light-years away, this scorching world orbits its star every 30.5 hours, putting it 20 times closer than Mercury is to our Sun.

    At that range, the heat is so intense it’s vaporizing the planet’s rocky surface, creating a dust tail over 9 million kilometers long — nearly half of its orbit!

    Nicknamed the “melting Mercury”, this tiny planet is losing mass fast — about the size of Mount Everest every orbit. With weak gravity and a shrinking core, scientists believe the planet could completely vanish within 1 to 2 million years.

    But there’s a silver lining: this doomed planet’s dusty trail gives astronomers a rare chance to study the interior makeup of a rocky exoplanet — potentially unlocking secrets of how planets form and what makes them habitable.

    Research by: Marc Hon et al., The Astrophysical Journal Letters (2025)
    Title: "A Disintegrating Rocky Planet with Prominent Comet-like Tails around a Bright Star"

    #Exoplanet #SpaceDiscovery #Astronomy #MeltingPlanet #ScienceNews #Cosmos #JWST #SpaceDust #PlanetHunting #Astrophysics
    Meet BD+05 4868 b — one of the most extreme exoplanets ever found. Located 140 light-years away, this scorching world orbits its star every 30.5 hours, putting it 20 times closer than Mercury is to our Sun. At that range, the heat is so intense it’s vaporizing the planet’s rocky surface, creating a dust tail over 9 million kilometers long — nearly half of its orbit! Nicknamed the “melting Mercury”, this tiny planet is losing mass fast — about the size of Mount Everest every orbit. With weak gravity and a shrinking core, scientists believe the planet could completely vanish within 1 to 2 million years. But there’s a silver lining: this doomed planet’s dusty trail gives astronomers a rare chance to study the interior makeup of a rocky exoplanet — potentially unlocking secrets of how planets form and what makes them habitable. Research by: Marc Hon et al., The Astrophysical Journal Letters (2025) Title: "A Disintegrating Rocky Planet with Prominent Comet-like Tails around a Bright Star" #Exoplanet #SpaceDiscovery #Astronomy #MeltingPlanet #ScienceNews #Cosmos #JWST #SpaceDust #PlanetHunting #Astrophysics
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  • Ever wondered where humanity and our robotic explorers have actually landed on the Moon? This map shows the historic touchdown sites of some of the most iconic lunar missions — from the legendary Apollo landings, to robotic Surveyor probes, Soviet Luna landers, and China’s recent Chang’e missions.

    The U.S. Apollo program (1969–1972) sent 12 astronauts to walk on the Moon — a feat still unmatched.
    NASA’s Surveyor missions helped test landing tech before the Apollo era.
    The Soviet Union’s Luna landers were the first to impact, orbit, and soft-land on the Moon.
    China made history with Chang’e-3 and Chang’e-4 — the first to land on the Moon's far side!

    Each dot on this Moon map represents years of planning, incredible science, and the dream of exploring beyond Earth.

    Which mission inspires you the most?

    #moon #moonlanding #Apollo #NASA #spaceexploration #lunarmission #spacetech #galaxy #universe #orbit #satellite #spacehistory #ChangE #Surveyor #Luna
    Ever wondered where humanity and our robotic explorers have actually landed on the Moon? This map shows the historic touchdown sites of some of the most iconic lunar missions — from the legendary Apollo landings, to robotic Surveyor probes, Soviet Luna landers, and China’s recent Chang’e missions. The U.S. Apollo program (1969–1972) sent 12 astronauts to walk on the Moon — a feat still unmatched. NASA’s Surveyor missions helped test landing tech before the Apollo era. The Soviet Union’s Luna landers were the first to impact, orbit, and soft-land on the Moon. China made history with Chang’e-3 and Chang’e-4 — the first to land on the Moon's far side! Each dot on this Moon map represents years of planning, incredible science, and the dream of exploring beyond Earth. Which mission inspires you the most? #moon #moonlanding #Apollo #NASA #spaceexploration #lunarmission #spacetech #galaxy #universe #orbit #satellite #spacehistory #ChangE #Surveyor #Luna
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