NASA Just Opened The Largest Asteroid Sample But Saw Unexpected Things Inside
NASA finally opened the space capsule containing the largest asteroid sample ever collected by a space mission. The sample came from Bennu, a potentially hazardous asteroid that's like a time capsule from the early solar system. On 26 September 2023, scientists at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston opened the lid on the sample return canister from the OSIRIS-REx mission, which had returned to Earth two days earlier with a sample from the asteroid. As the lid was lifted, scientists gasped at what they saw: a layer of black dust and debris on the avionics deck of the canister. Also, the sample weighed 100 grams more than what was collected at Bennu. This was unexpected, as the sample was safely stored in a sealed container all along the way.
So, how did this happen in the first place? What's the source of the unexpected black dust on the avionics deck of the canister? Finally, and most importantly, what do scientists expect to find in the detailed analysis of the largest asteroid sample that has ever returned to Earth?
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Tracking a Mission’s Historic Return to Earth on This Week @NASA – September 22, 2023
Tracking a mission’s historic return to Earth, a year of science onboard the space station, and the safe arrival of the station’s newest resident astronaut … a few of the stories to tell you about – This Week at NASA!
Asteroid Sample Return Mission is Back on Earth
Our first asteroid sample return mission is back on Earth, a record ride in space for a NASA astronaut, and our Artemis II mission is making prelaunch progress. A few of the stories to tell you about – This Week at NASA!
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Don't Miss These Astronomy Events In September 2023 | Comet Nishimura | Meteor Shower | Supermoon
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Astronomy Calendar September 2023: Must watch events this month
September 1: Aurigid Meteor Shower
September 4: Jupiter enters retrograde motion
September 6: Moon meets the Pleiades cluster
September 1-8: Comet C/2023 P1 Nishimura
September 12: Moon at Apogee
September 15: New Moon
September 17-18: Last chance to see the comet
September 18: Venus at greatest brightness
September 19: Neptune at Opposition
September 22: Mercury at the highest altitude in the morning sky
September 23: The Fall Equinox
September 27: Conjunction of Moon and Saturn
September 29: Super Corn Moon
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NASA Advances Our Understanding of Earth’s Climate
The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument aboard NASA's Aqua satellite has been scanning Earth for 20 years and now has a long enough record to help support climate change research. AIRS data on Earth’s atmosphere are improving weather forecasts and advancing our understanding of Earth’s climate.
AIRS' infrared technology creates 3D maps of air and surface temperature, water vapor, and cloud properties. The infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum is rich in information about gases, especially greenhouse gases such as ozone and carbon dioxide. The advantage of having such an instrument in orbit is the availability of rapid global coverage. AIRS data form a 'fingerprint' of the state of the atmosphere for a given time and place, contributing to climate data for future generations
NASA's Aqua satellite, with AIRS onboard, launched into Earth orbit on May 4, 2002.
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Top Astronomy Events In January 2022
January 1: Comet Leonard
January 2: 2022's First New Moon
January 3: Comet Leonard at perihelion
January 3-4: Quadrantid meteor shower
January 4-5: Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn
January 7: Mercury at greatest elongation east
January 9: Mercury at dichotomy
January 14: Moon at apogee
January 17: Wolf Moon
January 18: Uranus ends retrograde motion
January 29: Moon at perigee
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Top Astronomy Events In February 2022
Here are the top astronomy events in 2022
Space Apps: https://bit.ly/space_apps_2022
Astronomy Calendar 2022: https://bit.ly/astro_2022
February 4: Saturn at Solar Conjunction
February 5: Conjunction of Mars and M22
February 7: Lunar Occultation of Uranus
February 8: Mercury at Highest Altitude in the Morning Sky
February 9: Venus at its Peak Brightness
February 9: Moon at Apogee
February 10: Mercury at Dichotomy
February 11: Mercury, Pluto, Mars, and Venus
February 16: Snow Moon
February 23: Venus at Its Highest Altitude In the Morning Sky
February 26: Moon at Perigee
Feb 27-28: Moon, Venus, and Mars
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Top Astronomy Events In March 2022
Here are the top astronomical events in March 2022:
Best astronomy apps: https://bit.ly/space_apps_2022
March 2: Conjunction of Mercury and Saturn
March 2: New Moon
March 5: Jupiter at solar conjunction
March 6: Lunar occultation of Uranus
March 10: Moon at apogee
March 13: Neptune at solar conjunction
March 14: γ-Normid meteor shower 2022
March 15: Venus-Mars conjunction
March 18: Worm Moon
March 20: The Spring Equinox
March 20: Venus at dichotomy
March 23: The Moon at perigee
March 28: Moon, Mars, Saturn, and Venus
March 29: Conjunction of Saturn and Venus
March 31: New Moon
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Top Astronomy Events In April 2022
Here are all the important astronomical events in April 2022 you should not miss:
April 1: The Planetary Belt
April 4-5: Saturn-Mars Conjunction
April 7: Moon at Apogee
April 12: Jupiter-Neptune Conjunction
April 14: Whirlpool Galaxy is Well Placed
April 16: Pink Moon
April 16: Planet Parade Begins
April 19: Moon at Perigee
April 22: Lyrid Meteor Shower
April 24: Moon Joins the Planet Parade
April 27: Conjunction of Venus and Neptune
April 28: Mercury at Highest Altitude in the Evening Sky
April 30: Partial Solar Eclipse
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Top Astronomy Events In April 2022
Five planets - Jupiter, Neptune, Venus, Saturn, and Mars are going to align with an asteroid and a comet in the pre-dawn skies of April and May 2022. This alignment of planets will lead to some spectacular shown and close planetary conjunctions. In this video, all the important dates and planetary configurations have been discussed in detail.
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Must Watch Astronomy Events In May 2022 | Lunar Eclipse | Blood Moon | Conjunction | Meteor Shower
Here are the top astronomical events in May 2022:
Top Space Apps: https://bit.ly/space_apps_2022
Basics of Astrophysics series: https://bit.ly/3xII54M
May 2: Close approach of Moon and Mercury
May 5: Moon at apogee
May 6: η-Aquariid meteor shower
May 8: η-Lyrids meteor shower
May 15: Total Lunar Eclipse
May 17: Moon at perigee
May 17: Mars-Neptune conjunction
May 25: Clustering of Moon, Jupiter, and Mars
May 26: Lunar occultation of Venus
May 29: Jupiter-Mars conjunction
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It Has Begun! Don't Miss The Lyrid Meteor Shower of April 2022
The Lyrid meteor shower is an annual shower that occurs when the Earth passes through the stream of dust created by the comet Thatcher. The April 2022 Lyrid meteor shower will be active from April 14 to April 30, reaching its peak activity on April 22. This video explains how to watch the April 2022 Lyrid meteor shower.
Sky Illustrations: Stellarium Web, EarthSky
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Must Watch Astronomy Events In June 2022 | Planet Alignment | Meteor Shower | Super Moon
Here are the top astronomical events in June 2022:
Top Space Apps: https://bit.ly/space_apps_2022
Basics of Astrophysics series: https://bit.ly/3xII54M
June 2: Moon at apogee
June 5: Saturn enters retrograde motion
June 11: Conjunction of Venus and Uranus
June 14: Super Strawberry Moon
June 17: Mercury at greatest elongation west
June 20: Ptolemy cluster is well-placed
June 21: Summer Solstice
June 21: Close approach of Moon and Jupiter
June 22: Mercury at dichotomy
June 22: Conjunction of Moon and Mars
June 24: The grand celestial alignment
June 25: Lunar occultation of Uranus
June 26: Close approach of Moon and Venus
June 27: June Bootid meteor shower
June 28: Neptune enters retrograde motion
June 29: New Moon
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All Planets Have Aligned In The June Sky And You Should Not Miss This Show
While astronomy enthusiasts await the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope, we've got a spectacular celestial event to relish: the grand planetary alignment of June 2022. The planets have been putting up great shows in the predawn sky since March last week. As a result, we have had several planetary conjunctions and two planet parades. Unfortunately, Mercury and Uranus were missing in the April and May planetary alignments. But the two planets have joined the parade in June, and we have an alignment of all the seven planets as seen from the Earth. The last time such an event took place was way back in December 2004, almost 18 years ago.
Top Space Apps: https://bit.ly/space_apps_2022
Basics of Astrophysics series: https://bit.ly/3xII54M
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Must Watch Astronomy Events In July 2022 | Webb First Images | Biggest Supermoon
Here are the top astronomical events in July 2022.
Top Space Apps: https://bit.ly/space_apps_2022
Basics of Astrophysics series: https://bit.ly/3xII54M
July 4: Earth at aphelion
July 12: James Webb Space Telescope First Images
July 13: Super Buck Moon
July 16: Close approach of Moon and Saturn
July 19: Close approach of Moon and Jupiter
July 20: Pluto at opposition
July 21: Double Occultation
July 26: Moon at apogee
July 28: New Moon
July 29: Jupiter enters retrograde motion
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Don't Miss These Astronomy Events In August 2022 | Perseid Meteor Shower | Saturn Opposition
Astronomy Calendar August 2022: Must watch events this month
Top Space Apps: https://bit.ly/space_apps_2022
Basics of Astrophysics series: https://bit.ly/3xII54M
August 1: Conjunction of Mars and Uranus
August 2: Comet PANSTARRS reaches its brightest
August 10: The Moon at Perigee
August 11-12: Full Moon
August 12-13: Perseid Meteor Shower
August 14: Saturn at Opposition
August 15: Close approach of Moon and Jupiter
August 18: κ-Cygnid Meteor Shower
August 18: Mercury at its highest altitude
August 19: Close approach of Moon and Mars
August 23: The Moon at Apogee
August 24: Uranus Enters Retrograde Motion
August 27: New Moon
August 29: Mercury at Dichotomy
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It Has Begun! Look Up For The Perseid Meteor Shower of August 2022
The Perseid meteor shower is an annual shower that occurs when the Earth passes through the stream of dust created by the comet Swift Tuttle. The August 2022 Perseid meteor shower will be active from July 14 to August 27, reaching its peak activity on August 11-12. This video explains how to watch the August 2022 Perseid meteor shower.
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Don't Miss These Astronomy Events In September 2022 | Meteor Shower | Jupiter Opposition | Equinox
Astronomy Calendar September 2022: Must watch events this month
Top Space Apps: https://bit.ly/space_apps_2022
Basics of Astrophysics series: https://bit.ly/3xII54M
September 1: Aurigid Meteor Shower
September 7: Moon at perigee
September 9: Conjunction of Moon and Saturn
September 10: Full Moon
September 12: Conjunction of Moon and Jupiter
September 15: Lunar occultation of Uranus
September 17: Neptune at Opposition
September 17: Close approach of Moon and Mars
September 19: Moon at Apogee
September 23: Autumn Equinox
September 27: Jupiter at opposition
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Don't Miss These Astronomy Events In October 2022 | Meteor Shower | Solar Eclipse | Mars Retrograde
Astronomy Calendar October 2022: Must watch events this month
Top Space Apps: https://bit.ly/space_apps_2022
Basics of Astrophysics series: https://bit.ly/3xII54M
October 2: Andromeda at Culmination
October 4: Moon at perigee
October 8: Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
October 9: Draconid meteor shower
October 9: Mercury at its highest altitude in the morning sky
October 10: Full Moon
October 10: Southern Taurid Meteor Shower
October 12: Lunar occultation of Uranus
October 15: Close approach of Moon and Mars
October 17: Moon at Apogee
October 21: Orionid Meteor Shower
October 23: Saturn Ends Retrograde Motion
October 25: Partial Solar Eclipse
October 30: Mars enters Retrograde Motion
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Don't Miss These Astronomy Events In November 2022 | Meteor Shower | Lunar Eclipse | Blood Moon
Astronomy Calendar November 2022: Must watch events this month
Top Space Apps: https://bit.ly/space_apps_2022
Basics of Astrophysics series: https://bit.ly/3xII54M
November 5: Conjunction of Jupiter and Moon
November 8: Total Lunar Eclipse
November 11: Close Approach of Moon and Mars
November 12: Taurid Meteor Shower
November 14: The Moon at apogee
November 17: Leonid Meteor Shower
November 24: New Moon
November 24: Jupiter ends retrograde motion
November 26: The Moon at perigee
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Year's Longest Lunar Eclipse Is Coming! Don't Miss The November 2022 Total Lunar Eclipse
The fourth and final eclipse of 2022 will take place on November 8. It will be a total lunar eclipse, and the Moon will turn blood red, as seen from some parts of the world. The total lunar eclipse of November 2022 will be the last total lunar eclipse until March 2025.
Besides the eclipse, the Leonid meteor shower is another exciting event this month. It's the best meteor shower of the month and can produce up to 15 meteors per hour. The shower will peak shortly before dawn when its radiant, in Leo, is well up in the sky.
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Look Up! The Best Meteor Shower of October 2022 Has Begun | Orionid Meteor Shower | Orionids | Space
The Orionid meteor shower is an annual shower that occurs when the Earth passes through the stream of dust created by Halley's comet. The October 2022 Orionid meteor shower will be active from October 2 to November 10, reaching its peak activity on October 20-21. This video explains how to watch the October 2022 Orionid meteor shower.
Sky Illustrations: Stellarium Web, EarthSky
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Don't Miss These Astronomy Events In December 2022 | Geminid Meteor Shower | Winter Solstice | Mars
Astronomy Calendar December 2022: Must watch events this month
Top Space Apps: https://bit.ly/space_apps_2022
Basics of Astrophysics series: https://bit.ly/3xII54M
December 1: Mars at perigee
December 2: Conjunction of Moon and Jupiter
December 4: Neptune ends its retrograde motion
December 5: Lunar Occultation of Uranus
December 8: Mars at Opposition
December 8: Lunar Occultation of Mars
December 12: The Moon at apogee
December 14: Geminid meteor shower
December 22: The Winter Solstice
December 22: Ursid Meteor Shower
December 23: New Moon
December 24-25: Moon, Mercury, and Venus
December 29: Conjunction of Venus and Mercury
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Look Up! Jupiter Is At Its Closest To Earth In 59 Years
If you love astronomy and sky gazing, the upcoming week is going to be an exciting one. Jupiter will be at its closest to Earth in the last 59 years as it reaches its opposition. From the viewpoint of Earth's surface, an opposition happens when an astronomical object rises in the east as the Sun sets in the west, placing the object and the Sun on opposite sides of Earth.
According to NASA, Jupiter's opposition occurs every 13 months, making the planet appear larger and brighter than any other time of the year. But that's not all. Jupiter will also make its closest approach to Earth in the last 59 years. This happens because Earth and Jupiter do not orbit the Sun in perfect circles – meaning the planets will pass each other at different distances throughout the year.
Jupiter's closest approach to Earth rarely coincides with opposition, which means this year's views will be extraordinary. At its closest approach, Jupiter will be approximately 367 million miles or 590 million kilometers from Earth, about the same distance it was in 1963. The massive planet is about 600 million miles or 965 million km away from Earth at its farthest point.
This video explains how to see Jupiter as it reaches its opposition.
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Astronomy Calendar 2022
Astronomy Calendar 2022: In this video, you will find all the important astronomical events taking place in 2022; meteor showers, eclipses, comets, and planetary conjunctions. As it turns out, 2022 is going to be a great year for astronomy enthusiasts. It has four eclipses, three supermoons, and several planetary conjunctions.
Best space apps: https://bit.ly/space_apps_2022
Basics of Astrophysics series: https://bit.ly/3xII54M
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