Tag: Space News
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When to Watch the November Supermoon: The Year’s Closest Encounter
What makes the November supermoon special The term “supermoon” describes a full moon that appears larger and brighter because the Moon is near its closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit. The November supermoon this year stands out as the closest such lunar event of the year, offering skywatchers a brighter, more pronounced satellite…
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November Supermoon: When to Watch the Closest of the Year
What is a November supermoon—and why it matters The term “supermoon” refers to a full moon that appears larger and brighter because the Moon is at or near its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit, called perigee. The November supermoon is special this year because it will be the closest one we’ll see…
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Interstellar Surprise: Comet 3I/ATLAS Brightens Unexpectedly Near Solar Flyby
An Interstellar Visitor with an Odd Glow The interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS has captivated astronomers again, this time with an unusually rapid brightening as it passed its closest approach to the Sun. Discovered in 2017 by the ATLAS survey, this comet is the first known object from outside our solar system to voyage through the inner…
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An Anti-Social Cosmic Explosion: Rethinking Dying Stars and Supernovas
What makes this explosion anti-social? A recent investigation into a spectacular cosmic explosion has raised fresh questions about how dying massive stars release energy and interact with their surroundings. The event, described by researchers as “anti-social” in the sense that its aftermath behaved differently than expected, calls into question long-standing ideas about how ejected debris…
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SpaceX Launches 28 Starlink Satellites from California, Falcon 9 Lands at Sea
Overview: A Routine but Record-Breaking SpaceX Launch SpaceX added another milestone to its rapid launch cadence on Oct. 27, sending 28 new Starlink broadband satellites into low Earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 8:43 p.m. EDT (5:43 p.m. local) and marked yet another chapter in…
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3I/ATLAS: The Interstellar Comet’s Trajectory and What’s Next
Overview: A visitor from beyond the solar system Discovered on July 1, 2024, the interstellar object known as 3I/ATLAS has captivated scientists and the public alike. As only the third confirmed interstellar visitor to pass through our solar system, it offers a rare chance to study material from another star system. After a pass by…
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SpaceX Readies Starship Flight 11 Megarocket Test Launch on Oct. 13
Overview: What to Expect from SpaceX’s Starship Flight 11 SpaceX is preparing to launch Starship Flight 11, the next major test in the company’s ambitious program to create the reusable megarocket that could redefine space travel. The launch window opens at 7:15 p.m. EDT (2315 GMT) on Monday, Oct. 13, from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in…
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Astronomers Detect Two Supermassive Black Holes in Binary Orbit
Two Cosmic Giants Locked in a Tight Dance In a landmark observation, astronomers have confirmed the presence of two supermassive black holes bound in a binary system, circling each other at the centers of a distant galaxy. The discovery provides a rare glimpse into the final stages of galactic mergers and offers crucial data for…
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Scientists detect possible wind from the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole
Introduction: A new clue from the heart of the Milky Way For years, the supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way—known as Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*)—has reminded us that galaxies are not calm, static islands in space. While it is relatively quiet compared with the blazing beasts that light up quasars elsewhere,…
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Watch | SpaceX Falcon 9 launches 28 Starlink satellites, booster flies eighth time
SpaceX Launches 28 Starlink Satellites from Florida In a late-night, or early-morning, operations window, SpaceX successfully lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, delivering 28 new Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. The mission, designated Starlink 10-59, marks SpaceX’s continued push to build a global broadband network through a constellation that now exceeds…