Author: NeRD

‘Our understanding of the universe may be incomplete’: James Webb Space Telescope data suggests we need a ‘new cosmic feature’ to explain it all

NeRD

New observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have corroborated data from its predecessor, the Hubble Space Telescope, to determine something is missing from our recipe of the cosmos. The JWST conducted its largest survey yet of the accelerating expansion of the cosmos as scientists attempt to discover why the universe is expanding faster today than our picture of its infancy, billions of years ago, says that it should. Currently, scientists theorize that the accelerating expansion is caused by a placeholder element, “dark energy,” but they really need to…

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Geminid meteor shower peaks this week: Here’s what to expect from the last big meteor shower of the year

NeRD

The Geminid meteor shower is one of the most prolific annual meteor showers, impressing skywatchers year after year. It is possible to see up to 120 meteors per hour under dark conditions when the Geminids peak each year. Unfortunately for skywatchers this year, the almost full moon could interfere with shooting star-hunting efforts when the Geminid meteor shower peaks overnight on Dec.13 -14. But while the moonlight will wash out the fainter meteors, it’ll still be possible to see some of the bigger and brighter meteors, so it’s definitely worth…

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Ancient cosmic collisions may have birthed the universe’s most monstrous galaxies

NeRD

Astronomers have discovered that large flows of cold gas created by collisions between galaxies in the early universe may have forged some of the most monstrous star systems. The formation of ancient gigantic galaxies that bulge like footballs compared to our relatively flat spiral galaxy, the Milky Way, has confused astronomers for decades. Now, a team led by scientists from the University of Southampton may have scored a touchdown in this quest. They believe their research may finally solve this long-standing galactic puzzle. “Two disk galaxies smashing together caused gas…

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Kennedy Space Center viewing gantry gaining rocket engine test sim in 2025

NeRD

A countdown is underway at NASA’s Florida spaceport, ticking down the days until the public can experience a rocket engine test closer than ever before — by standing directly under the engine’s nozzle. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has announced the upcoming opening of The Gantry at LC-39, a former launch pad viewing tower that has now been renovated to become an “innovative, interactive experience” that includes a simulated test fire of a rocket engine. The reimagined attraction is slated to debut in early 2025, returning as a regular…

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See the moon cozy up to Saturn during ‘conjunction’ today

NeRD

Saturn will cozy up next to the moon today (Dec. 8), as the pair make a close approach of each other in the cold night sky. This event, known as a conjunction, occurs when two celestial objects share the same right ascension — the astronomical equivalent of longitude — and appear close together in the night sky when viewed from Earth. The half moon will pass only 18 arcminutes to the north of Saturn today, officially reaching conjunction at 3:55 a.m. EST (0855 GMT), according to In-the-Sky.org. For viewers in…

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The yearning for Uranus: A far-out world with a tale to tell

NeRD

For sure, it was a far-reaching recommendation: The planet Uranus and its moons should be NASA’s highest-priority new flagship mission for startup in the decade 2023-2032. The proposed mission, known as Uranus Orbiter and Probe (UOP), would conduct a multiyear orbital tour to yield knowledge of ice giants in general and the Uranus system in particular, doing so through flybys and the delivery of an atmospheric probe. The payoff: “transformative, breakthrough science across a broad range of topics.” UOP was advocated within the pages of “Origins, Worlds, and Life —…

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Lilo & Stitch live-action remake: Release date, plot, & everything we know

NeRD

Prepare yourself, as a Lilo & Stitch live-action remake is crash-landing on Earth in 2025. “‘ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten”… especially when it comes to live-action remakes of Disney classics, and next in line is 2002’s animated sci-fi romp Lilo & Stitch. Everyone’s favorite cheeky, koala-like alien is coming back to the big screen, with a few changes. What we do know is that Disney will be sticking to the original movie outline of “give us Steven Spielberg’s E.T. but make it Hawaii,” and…

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This Week In Space podcast: Episode 139 —Look to the Skies

NeRD

Look to the Skies – Leonard David, Jared Isaacman, UFOs & UAPs – YouTube Watch On On Episode 139 of This Week In Space, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik talk with seasoned space reporter and journalist Leonard David to cover a broad swath, from the choice for the next NASA Administrator to new delays for the Artemis lunar program to UFOs/UAPs! President-Designate Donald Trump’s pick for NASA, billionaire and private astronaut Jared Isaacman, came as a surprise to space watchers, and his name was not just missing from the shortlist…

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Students Aim High at NASA JPL ‘Candy Toss’ Competition

NeRD

Members belonging to one of three teams from Oakwood School aim their devices — armed with chocolate-coated-peanut candies — at a target during JPL’s annual Invention Challenge on Dec. 6. NASA/JPL-Caltech Teams competed with homemade devices to try to launch 50 peanut candies in 60 seconds into a target container. NASA/JPL-Caltech More points were awarded for successfully landing the candy into the highest, smallest level of the triangular Plexiglas target — not an easy task. NASA/JPL-Caltech Treats went flying through the air by the dozens at the annual Invention Challenge…

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Sols 4384-4385: Leaving the Bishop Quad

NeRD

Curiosity Navigation Curiosity Home Mission Overview Where is Curiosity? Mission Updates Science Overview Instruments Highlights Exploration Goals News and Features Multimedia Curiosity Raw Images Images Videos Audio Mosaics More Resources Mars Missions Mars Sample Return Mars Perseverance Rover Mars Curiosity Rover MAVEN Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mars Odyssey More Mars Missions The Solar System The Sun Mercury Venus Earth The Moon Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto & Dwarf Planets Asteroids, Comets & Meteors The Kuiper Belt The Oort Cloud 3 min read Sols 4384-4385: Leaving the Bishop Quad NASA’s Mars…

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