Justin, Author at JustSpaceThings

A Major Solar Storm Will Bring The Northern Lights Again

10Oct

By JustinNo Comments

A Major Solar Storm Will Bring The Northern Lights Again

Once again, a major solar storm has hit our planet. This time around, the Northern Lights will be visible farther south.The storm is classified as severe, marked 4/5 in severity. It's also expected to continue into Friday morning, and could possibly upgrade to a 5/5 storm.If you are interested, go take a look outside. Even if you are further south, pull out your phone - they are more sensitive and can sometimes pick these up. If you miss out, don't worry. It seems like we are getting more and more of these.This major solar storm is happening because of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) which reached us at 11AM EDT.

We Know More About How Mars Became Inhabitable

8Oct

By JustinNo Comments

Mars

We Know More About How Mars Became Inhabitable

Long time ago, we believe Mars had the conditions for life to be possible. Nowadays, it's the complete opposite. NASA is helping us learn more, thanks to it's robotic explorers on Mars.Using instruments on the curiosity rover, researchers measured the composition of carbon-rich minerals to gather insights.According to David Burtt at the Goddard Space Center, "The isotope values of these carbonates point toward extreme amounts of evaporation, suggesting that these carbonates likely formed in a climate that could only support transient liquid water." He goes on to say that the samples are not consistent with an ancient mars with life. However, it doesn't rule out the possibility of an underground biosphere or surface biosphere before the carbonates formed.If you didn't know, Is...

NASA’s Gateway Lunar Station Is Getting Closer To Reality

6Oct

By JustinNo Comments

Moon

NASA’s Gateway Lunar Station Is Getting Closer To Reality

NASA wants to house astronauts in the Moon's orbit. To do that, they have been working on the Gateway Lunar Station. According to the agency, we are getting closer to it happening.The agency said Gateway's HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost) passed a round of "static load testing". This is basically a stress test, defining how it would respond and work in deep space.This means the Gateway Lunar Station won't break down in space. This part of the station is currently in Italy, and will; now be transferred to Arizona. Once its there, engineers will adding finishing touches.If and when the Gateway Lunar Station launches, it will be our first structure to orbit the moon with humans. NASA hopes to launch it on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket in December 2027, and then inhabit it...

Charon Seems To Have Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen Peroxide

2Oct

By JustinNo Comments

JWST

Charon Seems To Have Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen Peroxide

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, we have learned more about Pluto's largest moon - Charon. For the first time, traces of carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide were found on the moon.The team that discovered this was led by Silvia Protopapa, of the Southwest Research Institute. This is one of Pluto's largest moons, which orbits Pluto every 6.4 days. It's also about 754 miles across, and was discovered by James Christy and Robert Harrington in 1978.

Strange Noises Were Heard Aboard The Boeing Starliner

2Sep

By JustinNo Comments

NASA

Strange Noises Were Heard Aboard The Boeing Starliner

Astronauts aboard the Boeing Starliner were in shock recently when a strange noise was heard. Thankfully, NASA has assured us it's not aliens.Over the weekend, the astronauts heard a strange noise that was repeating. The noise was shared online, where people started speculating.https://twitter.com/ajtourville/status/1830256447583916110NASA has finally released a statement to the public, stating the noise was result of feedback on the speakers. The starliner was docked to the ISS, where speakers on the ISS were giving feedback, resulting in the noise.So no, these astronauts weren't in danger of being eaten by aliens. The craft is scheduled to undock from the ISS no earlier than September 6.Image Credit: NASA

‘ Warm Jupiter ‘ Exoplanet Was Found 300 Light Years Away

2Sep

By JustinNo Comments

Discoveries

‘ Warm Jupiter ‘ Exoplanet Was Found 300 Light Years Away

Another exoplanet has been found, which is similar to a warm Jupiter type planet. What makes the discovery interesting this time is it was found by amateur astronomers.Amateur astronomers usually use the average telescope, something anyone can get their hands on. This new exoplanet was found by a group of citizen scientists, and is officially named TIC 393818343 b. It was then confirmed by both the UNISTELLAR Network, and NASA's Exoplanet Watch.It lies 300 light-years away from us, and is part of a new class of exoplanets called "Warm Jupiters". It seems this planet orbits very close to its star, meaning it will eventually turn into a "hot" jupiter-like planet.This just shows that anyone can have a serious passion for space. Interesting things are being found all the time, lik...

Hubble Captures Amazing Image of Dwarf Galaxy Known As UGC 4879

20Aug

By Justin1 Comment

Discoveries, Hubble

Hubble Captures Amazing Image of Dwarf Galaxy Known As UGC 4879

The Hubble Space Telescope continues to prove itself useful. In a image the telescope captures, we can see the dwarf galaxy known as UGC 4879.UGC 4879 is located four million light years way. Astronomers have been studying it to determine if it's a undisturbed galaxy.They theorize that these low mass galaxies may have been the first to form. If this galaxy truly is old, it could provide clues to the evolution of other galaxies, and even the universe itself.

NASA’s Percy Rover Is About To Trek Up The Rim of Jezero Crater

14Aug

By JustinNo Comments

Moon

NASA’s Percy Rover Is About To Trek Up The Rim of Jezero Crater

NASA's Percy Rover is about to mark a new journey. Taking a month long, the rover is about to ascend up the rim of the Jezero Crater.The exploration of the Jerzo crater took about two and a half years. On August 19, NASA expects the rover to start ascending up the western rim of the Jezero Crater. The rover will rely on auto-navigation systems, while coming across slopes of up to 23 degrees.Once it reaches the top, NASA says the rover will have gained 1,000 feet in elevation.

NASA’s NEOWISE Spacecraft Is Set To Retire

9Aug

By JustinNo Comments

Uncategorized

NASA’s NEOWISE Spacecraft Is Set To Retire

On Thursday, NASA commanded the NEOWISE spacecraft to turn off its instruments. The spacecraft has been in service for over ten years at NASA.During that time, NEOWISE helped NASA do many things, such as tracking asteroids and comets which could be hazardous to us. The reasoning behind ending it's mission is because the spacecraft will soon drop too low, making it impossible to provide useful data.The spacecraft is expected to burn up in our atmosphere sometime this year.

Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Soon. Here’s What To Know.

8Aug

By JustinNo Comments

Events

Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Soon. Here’s What To Know.

This weekend and beyond, the Perseid Meteor Shower will peak. If you are interested in viewing this show, you should expect to see the highlights Sunday night and into early Monday.Assuming their are no clouds in your area, you can expect to see around 50-100 meteors per hour at its peak. Like other meteor showers, you should stay clear away from city lights and leave your phone inside.The Perseid Meteor shower is one of the best showers of the year, you don't want to miss out. For more coverage on upcoming meteor showers, visit our calendar.