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    Category Astronomy/Space

    Mars Orbiters Reveal Seasonal Dust Storm Pattern

    June 10, 2016, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    NASA Mars orbiters reveal seasonal dust storm pattern

    This graphic presents Martian atmospheric temperature data as curtains over an image of Mars taken during a regional dust storm. The temperature profiles extend from the surface to about 50 miles up. Temperatures are color coded, from minus 243 degrees Fahrenheit (purple) to minus 9 F (red). Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

    After decades of research to discern seasonal patterns in Martian dust storms from images showing the dust, but the clearest pattern appears to be captured by measuring the temperature of the atmosphere. For 6 recent Martian yrs, temperature records from NASA Mars orbiters reveal a pattern of 3 types of large regional dust storms occurring in sequence at about the same times each year during the southern hemisphere spring and summer. Each Martian year lasts about 2 Earth years.

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    Likely New Planet may be in Slow Death Spiral

    June 10, 2016, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    An artist's impression of likely new giant planet PTFO8-8695 b, which is believed to orbit a star in the constellation Orion every 11 hours. Gravity from the newborn star appears to be pulling away the outer layers of the Jupiter-like planet. Credit: Image by A. Passwaters/Rice University based on original available under CC license at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kepler-70b.png (By Skyhawk92 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons)

    An artist’s impression of likely new giant planet PTFO8-8695 b, which is believed to orbit a star in the constellation Orion every 11 hours. Gravity from the newborn star appears to be pulling away the outer layers of the Jupiter-like planet. Credit: Image by A. Passwaters/Rice University based on original available under CC license at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kepler-70b.png (By Skyhawk92 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons)

    Young star appears to be ripping away layers of close-orbiting ‘hot Jupiter’. Astronomers searching for the galaxy’s youngest planets have found compelling evidence for one unlike any other, a newborn “hot Jupiter” whose outer layers are being torn away by the star it orbits every 11 hours...

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    Scientists observe Supermassive Black Hole feeding on Cold Gas

    June 9, 2016, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    Deep in the heart of the Abell 2597 Brightest Cluster Galaxy, astronomers see a small cluster of giant gas clouds raining in on the central black hole, as illustrated in this artist concept image. Credit: NRAO/AUI/NSF; D. Berry/SkyWorks; ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

    Deep in the heart of the Abell 2597 Brightest Cluster Galaxy, astronomers see a small cluster of giant gas clouds raining in on the central black hole, as illustrated in this artist concept image. Credit: NRAO/AUI/NSF; D. Berry/SkyWorks; ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

    Findings suggest 2 dining styles for black holes. For the first time, astronomers have detected billowy clouds of cold, clumpy gas streaming toward a black hole, at the center of a massive galaxy cluster. The clouds are traveling at up to 355km/s and may be only 150 light years away from its edge, almost certain to fall into the black hole. The observations represent the first direct evidence to support the hypothesis that black holes feed on clouds of cold gas...

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    Cloudy Days on Exoplanets may hide Atmospheric Water

    June 9, 2016, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    Hot Jupiters, exoplanets around the same size as Jupiter that orbit very closely to their stars, often have cloud or haze layers in their atmospheres. This may prevent space telescopes from detecting atmospheric water that lies beneath the clouds, according to a study in the Astrophysical Journal. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

    Hot Jupiters, exoplanets around the same size as Jupiter that orbit very closely to their stars, often have cloud or haze layers in their atmospheres. This may prevent space telescopes from detecting atmospheric water that lies beneath the clouds, according to a study in the Astrophysical Journal. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

    Water is a hot topic in the study of exoplanets, including “hot Jupiters,” whose masses are similar to that of Jupiter, but which are much closer to their parent star than Jupiter is to the sun. They can reach a scorching 2,000F, meaning any water they host would take the form of water vapor. Astronomers have found many hot Jupiters with water in their atmospheres, but others appear to have none...

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