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    Category Astronomy/Space

    Layering, not Liquid: Astronomers explain Mars’ Watery Reflections

    September 27, 2022, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    Martian South Pole Layered Deposit
    This image from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows the edge of the Martian South Pole Layered Deposit. The stack of fine layering is highlighted by the rays of the polar sun.

    Cornell astronomers believe bright reflections beneath the surface of Mars’ South Pole are not necessarily evidence of liquid water, but instead geological layers.

    Researchers detail their alternative explanation in Nature Astronomy.

    “On Earth, reflections that bright are often an indication of liquid water, even buried lakes like Lake Vostok,” said Dan Lalich, research associate. “But on Mars, the prevailing opinion was that it should be too cold for similar lakes to form.”

    But the fact remains, Lalich said, that the bright reflection exists and requires an explanation.

    Lalich created simulati...

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    Analysis of Particles of the Asteroid Ryugu Delivers Surprising Results

    September 24, 2022, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    The asteroid Ryugu from a distance of 20 kilometres, photographed by the Hayabusa 2 space probe. Photo credit: JAXA, University of Tokyo, Kochi University, Rikkyo University, Nagoya University, Chiba Institute of Technology, Meiji University, University of Aizu and AIST

    In December 2020, a small landing capsule brought rock particles from the asteroid Ryugu to Earth — material from the beginnings of our solar system. The Japanese space probe Hayabusa 2 had collected the samples. Geoscientist Professor Frank Brenker and his team from Goethe University Frankfurt were among the first researchers wordwide allowed literally to “shed light” on these scientifically precious samples. In the process, they discovered areas with a massive accumulation of rare earths and unexpected structures...

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    Newly Formed Craters Located on Mars

    September 22, 2022, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    The largest crater is approximately 5.7 meters (nearly 19 feet) in diameter, while the smallest crater spans less than a meter (three feet). Image courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona.

    These craters hold interesting clues about the planet’s atmosphere and interior, including how it formed and evolved over time. An international team of researchers with NASA’s InSight mission located four new craters created by impacts on the surface of Mars. Using data from a seismometer and visuals acquired from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, the team successfully calculated and confirmed the impact locations. This is the first time that researchers have been able to capture the dynamics of an impact on Mars...

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    First 3D renders from JunoCam data reveal ‘Frosted Cupcake’ Clouds on Jupiter

    September 22, 2022, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    First 3D renders from JunoCam data reveal “frosted cupcake” clouds on Jupiter
    Intensity data of visible light seen by a camera can be plotted as a 3D elevation landscape. This is a still from a computer animation showing a flight over such a landscape for processed, red-filtered image data collected by JunoCam, the wide-angle visible light imager of NASA’s Juno spacecraft, during its 43rd close Jupiter flyby. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SwRI / MSSS / Gerald Eichstädt

    Animations of the relative heights of the cloud tops of Jupiter reveal delicately textured swirls and peaks that resemble the frosting on top of a cupcake. The results have been presented today by citizen scientist and professional mathematician and software developer, Gerald Eichstädt, at the Europlanet Science Congress (EPSC) 2022 in Granada.

    The animation uses data from JunoCam, the visible...

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