Latest News

1. This Planet is so Metal. Iron and Titanium Vapour Found in the Atmosphere of an “Ultra-Hot Jupiter”

   According to a new study by an international team of scientists, the gas giant KELT-9b is so hot that its atmosphere contains vaporized iron and titanium.

   The post This Planet is so Metal. Iron and Titanium Vapour Found in the Atmosphere of an “Ultra-Hot Jupiter” appeared first on Universe Today.

2. Catch Comet 21/P Giacobini-Zinner at Its Best

   A periodic comet may put on a fine show for northern hemisphere viewers over the next few months.

   Comet 21/P Giacobini-Zinner is currently a fine binocular comet shining at +8th magnitude and cruising across the constellation Cassiopeia. This places it above the horizon for the entire night for observers north of the equator in August, transiting the local meridian at local dawn.

   The post Catch Comet 21/P Giacobini-Zinner at Its Best appeared first on Universe Today.

3. Oort Clouds Around Other Stars Should be Visible in the Cosmic Microwave Background

   A new study by a team from the University of Pennsylvania suggests using maps of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) to find evidence of extra-solar Oort Clouds (EXOCs).

   The post Oort Clouds Around Other Stars Should be Visible in the Cosmic Microwave Background appeared first on Universe Today.

4. Spinning Heat Shield Concept Could Provide a Lightweight Way to Survive Atmospheric Re-entry

   A team from the University of Manchester recently tested their prototype for a spinning heat shield, a lightweight, compact design that could provide cost-effective protection for future space missions.

   The post Spinning Heat Shield Concept Could Provide a Lightweight Way to Survive Atmospheric Re-entry appeared first on Universe Today.

5. Carnival of Space #574

   This week’s Carnival of Space is hosted by Allen Versfeld at his Urban Astronomer blog. Click here to read Carnival of Space #574. And if you’re interested in looking back, here’s an archive to all the past Carnivals of Space. If you’ve got a space-related blog, you should really join the carnival. Just email an entry […]

   The post Carnival of Space #574 appeared first on Universe Today.

6. The Sun is Actually One of the Most Difficult Places to Reach in the Solar System. Here’s how the Parker Solar Probe Will Do It

   The Parker Solar Probe, which will spend the next seven years getting closer to the Sun than any previous mission, recently launched from Cape Canaveral.

   The post The Sun is Actually One of the Most Difficult Places to Reach in the Solar System. Here’s how the Parker Solar Probe Will Do It appeared first on Universe Today.

7. As the Martian Dust Storm Subsides, There’s Still No Word From Opportunity

   The Martian dust storm that has been raging for months finally appears to be subsiding, though it will still be some time before contact can be reestablished with Opportunity.

   The post As the Martian Dust Storm Subsides, There’s Still No Word From Opportunity appeared first on Universe Today.

8. TESS Practices on a Comet Before Starting on its Science Operations

   Before commencing its mission to find exoplanets, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite took some impressive images of a comet in our Solar System.

   The post TESS Practices on a Comet Before Starting on its Science Operations appeared first on Universe Today.

9. 170 Years Ago, Eta Carinae Erupted Dramatically. Astronomers Now Think They Know Why

   170 years after the star Eta Carinae erupted and became the second brightest star in the galaxy, astronomers now have a theory for what caused this.

   The post 170 Years Ago, Eta Carinae Erupted Dramatically. Astronomers Now Think They Know Why appeared first on Universe Today.

10. Is it a Massive Planet or a Tiny Brown Dwarf. This Object is Right at the Border Between Planet and Star

    In a new study, a team from Caltech recently used the Very Large Array to confirm that a rogue planet just 20 light years away is on the cusp between being a planet and a brown dwarf

    The post Is it a Massive Planet or a Tiny Brown Dwarf. This Object is Right at the Border Between Planet and Star appeared first on Universe Today.