Thursday 15 December 2016

Astronomers discover dark past of planet-eating 'Death Star'

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Scientists have made the rare discovery of a planetary system with a host star similar to Earth's sun. Especially intriguing is the star's unusual composition, which indicates it ingested some of its planets.
via Science Daily
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Microlensing study suggests most common outer planets likely Neptune-mass

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A new statistical study of planets found by a technique called gravitational microlensing suggests that Neptune-mass worlds are likely the most common type of planet to form in the icy outer realms of planetary systems.
via Science Daily
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Researchers dial in to 'thermostat' in Earth's upper atmosphere

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A team has found the mechanism behind the sudden onset of a 'natural thermostat' in Earth's upper atmosphere that dramatically cools the air after it has been heated by violent solar activity.
via Science Daily
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Rosetta’s last words: science descending to a comet

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ESA’s Rosetta completed its incredible mission on 30 September, collecting unprecedented images and data right until the moment of contact with the comet's surface.


via ESA Space Science
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Rosetta_s_last_words_science_descending_to_a_comet

Seagull to Sirius

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This broad, beautiful mosaic spans almost 20 degrees across planet Earth's sky. The nebula-rich region lies near the edge of the Orion-Eridanus supperbubble, filled with looping, expanding shells of gas and dust embedded in molecular clouds near the plane of the Milky Way Galaxy. Recognizable at the left is the expansive Seagull Nebula, composed of emission nebula NGC 2327, seen as the seagull's head, with the more diffuse IC 2177 as the wings and body. Some 3,800 light-years away, the wings of the Seagull Nebula spread about 240 light-years, still within our local spiral arm. The bluish light of Sirius, alpha star of Canis Major and brightest star in the night, easily dominates the scene at right but shines from a distance of only 8.6 light-years. Study the big picture and you should also be rewarded with star cluster Messier 41, also known as NGC 2287, not to mention the mighty Thor's Helmet.
Tomorrow's picture: meteors in moonlight
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