4 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) While stationary for two weeks during Mars solar conjunction in November 2023, NASA’s Curiosity rover used its front and rear black-and-white Hazcams to capture 12 hours of a Martian day. The rover’s shadow is visible on the surface in these images taken by the front Hazcam. Videos from the rover show its shadow moving across the Martian surface during a 12-hour sequence while Curiosity remained parked. When NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover isn’t on the move, it works pretty well…
Read MoreTag: Planets
Ringing in the Holidays
NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI The ice giant Uranus and its rings steal the show in this Dec. 18, 2023, image from the James Webb Space Telescope. The telescope captured new images of Uranus, revealing detailed features of the planet’s rings and seasonal north polar cap, as well as bright storms near and below the southern border of the cap. This Webb image also shows 14 of the planet’s 27 moons: Oberon, Titania, Umbriel, Juliet, Perdita, Rosalind, Puck, Belinda, Desdemona, Cressida, Ariel, Miranda, Bianca, and Portia. Webb’s extreme sensitivity also picks…
Read MoreA Miniature Mariner-C
NASA A model of the Mariner-C spacecraft seems to float in the darkness of space in this photo from a June 1964 Conference on New Technology at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. Mariner-C and Mariner-D were identical spacecraft designed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to fly by Mars and photograph the Martian surface. Mariner-C was launched on Nov. 4, 1964, but the mission ended unsuccessfully two days later. Mariner-D, or Mariner 4, launched on Nov. 28, 1964, and became the first successful mission to Mars, as well as the…
Read MoreHubble Provides Unique Ultraviolet View of Jupiter
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope reveals an ultraviolet view of Jupiter. NASA, ESA, and M. Wong (University of California – Berkeley); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America) This newly released image from the NASA Hubble Space Telescope shows the planet Jupiter in a color composite of ultraviolet wavelengths. Released in honor of Jupiter reaching opposition, which occurs when the planet and the Sun are in opposite sides of the sky, this view of the gas giant planet includes the iconic, massive storm called the “Great Red Spot.” Though the storm appears red…
Read MoreSee a Rare Transit of Iapetus on July 17–18
It’s tiny. It’s challenging. But you won’t get the chance to see Iapetus transit the globe of Saturn again until 2037! The post See a Rare Transit of Iapetus on July 17–18 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreTitan Occults a Bright Star, Mira Awakens, and Comet PanSTARRS Shines
Pick one or see them all. July offers a potpourri of celestial events for both naked-eye observers and telescope users that include a rare occultation by Saturn’s moon Titan, a bright comet, and Mira at maximum. The post Titan Occults a Bright Star, Mira Awakens, and Comet PanSTARRS Shines appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreSolar System Gets its Ducks in a Row
We’ll have not one but many opportunities to enjoy a rare lineup of the bright planets over the next few weeks. Amazingly, they’ll be aligned in order of their distance from the Sun. The post Solar System Gets its Ducks in a Row appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MorePlanet Parade to Grace the Dawn Sky this Month
All five naked-eye planets will line up in the dawn sky in June. Not only that, they’ll also be in their proper order from the Sun. The post Planet Parade to Grace the Dawn Sky this Month appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MorePiano Concerto on the Planets Premieres
A piano concerto based on the solar system’s planets just had its world premiere. And you can hear a sampling of the music right here! The post Piano Concerto on the Planets Premieres appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreWill Saturn Sprout Spots this Observing Season?
As Saturn returns to the morning sky, will this otherwise serene-looking planet experience another bout of severe weather? Keep your eyes peeled for white spots! The post Will Saturn Sprout Spots this Observing Season? appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
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