Low-density exoplanets orbiting close to their host stars tend to lose their atmosphere. Now, astronomers can measure how fast it disappears. The post Spotting a Faint Escaping Atmosphere appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreCategory: Telescopes
Things pointed at space
George Carruthers: Telescope Maker and Lunar Pioneer
Astronomer and engineer George Carruthers (1939–2020) designed, built, and trained astronauts to use the first observatory on another world. The post George Carruthers: Telescope Maker and Lunar Pioneer appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreAsteroid Apophis Will Miss Earth in 2068
Radar measurements taken early this month rule out any chance of a collision with Apophis over the next 100 years. The post Asteroid Apophis Will Miss Earth in 2068 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreJupiter’s Great Red Spot Gets Smaller — But Stronger
“Flakes” coming off the Great Red Spot have had some wondering if this epic storm is coming to an end. But observations and computer modeling show it’s only getting stronger. The post Jupiter's Great Red Spot Gets Smaller — But Stronger appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreThis Week’s Sky at a Glance, March 26 – April 3
Fading Mars glows above orange Aldebaran high in the west after dark. Orion tilts into his spring posture, with his belt horizontal. Arcturus climbs up in the east. The post This Week's Sky at a Glance, March 26 – April 3 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreJoin Us in Planning for the Next “Great American Eclipse”
Are you a solar eclipse enthusiast with an organizational bent? An upcoming virtual workshop geared toward planning for the 2023 and 2024 events could be just the thing for you. The post Join Us in Planning for the Next "Great American Eclipse" appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreAstronomers Detect Strong Magnetic Fields Around M87’s Black Hole
Event Horizon Telescope data support the idea that magnetic fields control how black holes feed and grow. The post Astronomers Detect Strong Magnetic Fields Around M87’s Black Hole appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreIngenuity Mars Helicopter Set for Historic Flight
NASA is getting ready to deploy Ingenuity, the first helicopter mission to take to alien skies. The post Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Set for Historic Flight appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreThe Milky Way’s Local Arm Is Longer Than We Thought
New maps of the Milky Way suggest the Local Arm that we call home is longer than expected — now upgraded to a major spiral feature (but not quite an arm). The post The Milky Way’s Local Arm Is Longer Than We Thought appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreA Supermassive Black Hole on the Move
This supermassive black hole is restless, and astronomers want to know why. The post A Supermassive Black Hole on the Move appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
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