Hayabusa2 fired its laser twice at asteroid Torifune during a high‑speed flyby. Here’s how laser ranging works and why it matters for future missions.
Tag: Astronomy
A global roughness map says Mercury shrank more than thought: nearly 12 miles in diameter, a 10–30% boost tied to debris-hidden wrinkles.
Hubble spots a giant decagon around Saturn’s south pole—about 104,250 miles wide—inviting comparisons with the long‑lived northern hexagon.
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launched Aug. 30, 2026; 30 days to L2, about three months of commissioning, then a five-year, 1.4‑TB/day survey.
Dust in Antarctic snow matches solar system cloud crossings, while 10% N2O under a 70% Sun warms Earth’s equator to about 41°F.
Discover the fastest known star in the Milky Way, orbiting the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* at incredible speeds.
The 2026 total solar eclipse cast a mesmerizing shadow from Greenland to Spain, offering a rare celestial spectacle.
Supermassive black holes eject winds 100 times more powerful than previously estimated, impacting galaxy formation.
The Perseids Meteor Shower, a dazzling celestial event, peaks in August, offering stargazers a breathtaking view of shooting stars.
The James Webb Space Telescope captures stunning infrared images of the Lion Nebula, revealing intricate details of its structure and composition.