WhyCosmo

Instead of the usual festive stuff this holiday season, treat yourself to a fantastic celestial display! The Running Chicken Nebula, home to young stars, has been revealed in stunning detail with a massive 1.5-billion-pixel image from the European Southern Observatory (ESO). The VLT Survey Telescope (VST) captured the fantastic picture at the ESO's Paranal site in Chile. Located in the Centaurus constellation , about 6,500 light-years away, the Running Chicken Nebula shines in bright pink, thanks to the intense radiation from its young stars. The gigantic image covers a space in the sky equal to about 25 full moons and highlights various areas, with IC 2948 being the brightest. Some people even see a chicken's head or rear end in this region, while wispy gas and dust add a magical touch to the cosmic scenery. Looking closely at the image, you'll spot IC 2944 with its bright pillar-like structure and Lambda Centauri , a star we can see with the naked eye, closer to us than

  Embark on a celestial adventure as we reveal the captivating splendor of the cosmos, captured by state-of-the-art telescopes and spacecraft. The celestial wonders captured in 2023 are nothing short of breathtaking, each image telling a unique story of the vastness and mystique of space. 1. Sporadic 'rainbow clouds' light up Arctic skies for three days in a row Witness the ethereal beauty of Arctic skies adorned with a rare celestial phenomenon – rainbow clouds. For three consecutive days, the heavens put on a mesmerizing display, painting the polar landscape with hues beyond imagination. 2. 'Hidden' rings of Uranus revealed in dazzling new James Webb telescope images Explore the secrets of our neighboring ice giant, Uranus, as the James Webb Space Telescope unveils its concealed rings. These stunning images redefine our understanding of the outer planets and their mysteries. 3. James Webb space telescope finds a secret at the Crab Nebula's heart Peer into the hear

 In the vast cosmic dance, the Hubble Space Telescope has once again dazzled us with a captivating picture showcasing a multitude of spiral galaxies. Among the celestial gems captured, the spotlight is on NGC 1356, a grand spiral galaxy reigning on the right side of the cosmic canvas. The seemingly more minor but equally enchanting spiral companions accompany it—LEDA 467699 hovers above, and LEDA 95415 is positioned closely on its left. Completing this cosmic quartet is IC 1947, gracefully adorning the left side of the image. This cosmic portrait not only bewitches with its celestial beauty but also challenges our perception of spatial proximity. At first glance, one might assume a cosmic camaraderie between NGC 1356, LEDA 467699, and LEDA 95415, with IC 1947 appearing to be the distant observer. However, the heavenly reality is far more intriguing. The captivating image highlights the limitation of two-dimensional representation. While the galaxies may seem to share a cosmic closeness

In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have observed the extraordinary aftermath of a cosmic collision between two Neptune-sized planets, occurring 1,800 light-years from Earth. Telescopes detected a surge of infrared light emanating from a distant star, unveiling the remnants of a spectacular planetary smashup. This unprecedented event challenges our understanding of celestial dynamics and offers a unique opportunity to witness the aftermath of an exoplanetary collision. Astronomer Matthew Kenworthy stumbled upon this cosmic spectacle while searching for exoplanetary rings, not anticipating the celestial drama that awaited him. The star, ASASSN-21qj, exhibited unusual dimming in visible light, prompting Kenworthy's investigation. Social media played an unexpected role in this discovery when citizen scientist Arttu Sainio pointed out an infrared brightening of the star, which led to a colossal collision. The collision's aftermath is believed to have vaporized the two Neptun

In a celestial spectacle, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has gifted us an extraordinary image of Uranus, shedding light on the ice giant's intricate ring system, luminous moons, and ever-changing atmosphere. This noteworthy observation, recorded on Feb. 6, follows closely behind the awe-inspiring depiction of Neptune by the JWST, showcasing the other ice giant in our solar system. The captivating image showcases 11 of Uranus's 13 known rings, with some merging into a dazzling display of cosmic beauty. Remarkably, the Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) of the JWST has outperformed prior observations by capturing the elusive innermost two rings of dust around Uranus—a feat previously accomplished only by the Voyager 2 spacecraft in 1986 and the sophisticated adaptive optics of the Keck Observatory. When Voyager 2 glimpsed Uranus in 1986, it portrayed a seemingly inert blue marble. Fast forward to today, and JWST's image vividly depicts a dynamic and ever-evolving world. The

In a groundbreaking revelation, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured mesmerizing images of Jupiter, unveiling a high-speed jet stream encircling the equator at an altitude never seen before. While researchers have long been acquainted with Jovian jet streams, this newfound phenomenon in the stratosphere, moving at an astonishing 500 kilometers per hour, has astounded scientists. Since the Voyager spacecraft's flyby 1979, scientists have observed relatively stable jet streams near Jupiter's main cloud decks in the troposphere. However, the recent discovery by astrophysicist Ricardo Hueso and his team reveals a jet stream located 20 to 40 kilometers above, in the stratosphere. The speed of this newly spotted jet, twice that of its counterparts below, raises intriguing questions about the dynamics of Jupiter's atmosphere. From the University of the Basque Country in Bilbao, Spain, Hueso expressed surprise, saying, "We were not expecting to find these strange

In a groundbreaking achievement, NASA has achieved a significant milestone in space communication technology by successfully conducting a two-way laser experiment. This leap forward in interplanetary communication promises to revolutionize future missions to celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars. NASA's triumph in transmitting data between Earth and two spacecraft using lasers marks a pivotal moment in space exploration. The experiment, conducted on December 5, involved laser terminals in different orbits, showcasing the potential for faster and more efficient communication in the vastness of space. The Integrated LCRD Low Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T) played a crucial role in this achievement. Delivered to the ISS (International Space Station) on November 9, ILLUMA-T was installed and tested for functionality before establishing a laser link with NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) satellite. The ISS, orbiting 230–275 miles above

 In a groundbreaking revelation of the cosmos, fresh evidence suggests that Saturn's moon, Enceladus, might be a hotbed for alien life within our solar system. The icy moon, shrouded in mystery, has long fascinated scientists, and now, a reanalysis of data collected by NASA's Cassini-Huygens mission has unveiled a remarkable chemical diversity that makes Enceladus a top contender in the quest for extraterrestrial life. Harvard University biophysicist Jonah Peter, the study's lead author published in Nature Astronomy, and his colleagues at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory revisited Cassini's samples, delving deeper into the molecular makeup of Enceladus's water plumes. The results? Not only did they confirm the presence of essential molecules like water, carbon dioxide, methane, and ammonia, but they also discovered more complex compounds—hydrocarbons like hydrogen cyanide and ethane, along with traces of partially oxidized compounds such as methanol. Initially o

  The cosmos is staging a celestial drama as NASA sounds the alarm bells, tracking a colossal asteroid hurtling towards Earth at an astonishing 55,680 km/h. Brace yourselves as we delve into the details of this humongous space rock, Asteroid 2023 VD6, and unravel the cosmic dance unfolding in the vast expanse of our solar system. Asteroid 2023 VD6: A Gargantuan Visitor 🌠 This mammoth, building-sized celestial body, part of the Apollo group, is making a close encounter with Earth today, December 23, 2023, at a mere 2.53 million miles away. Zooming through space at breakneck speed, it completes an orbit around the Sun in just 1,378 days. 🚀 Details about its trajectory reveal a gripping narrative—its aphelion at a staggering 610 million kilometers and perihelion at 115 million kilometers. According to experts at the-sky.org, please mark your calendars for another rendezvous on May 03, 2039, when it will come within 9.83 million kilometers of our planet. Apollo Asteroids: Cosmic Wonders

 In a groundbreaking revelation, scientists have uncovered evidence of the long-sought vibrations produced by the L argest black-hole merger ever detected . The colossal collision, seen on May 21, 2019, appeared to create a black hole 150 times the mass of the Sun, challenging established theories. The latest findings bring forth a new frontier in understanding the universe, providing a stringent test for Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity. The research, published in Physical Review Letters, delves into the aftermath of the massive merger. Physicist Badri Krishnan, a study co-author, expressed his astonishment at witnessing such a measurement in his lifetime. The discovery opens up a new avenue in gravitational-wave astronomy, pushing the boundaries of our comprehension. Among the routine black-hole mergers detected since 2015, the standout event, GW190521, defied expectations. Its merging frequency was so low that it entered the sensitivity range of the LIGO and Virgo

  Introduction: In a revolutionary breakthrough, the James Webb Space Telescope(JSWT) unveiled the universe's oldest black hole, a colossal entity with a mass equivalent to 1.6 million suns, lurking an astounding 13 billion years in the past. This cosmic revelation gives astronomers vital insights into these cosmic behemoths' mysterious origins and rapid growth. Body: The JWST, equipped with powerful cameras that can peer into cosmic history, detected this supermassive black hole at the heart of the infant galaxy GN-z11, a mere 440 million years after the universe's inception. This finding challenges our understanding of how black holes, especially supermassive ones like those anchoring galaxies today, swiftly attained such staggering sizes. During the cosmic dawn, approximately 100 million years after the Big Bang, countless black holes, including the newly discovered ancient giant, underwent rapid expansion. The mechanism behind this growth remains elusive, sparking curio

 In a celestial discovery that's music to astronomers' ears, China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) has tuned into the rhythmic pulse of Messier 15, an old Galactic globular cluster residing 35,700 light years away. The cosmic symphony reveals three new pulsars, adding fascinating notes to the stellar composition. Pulsars, those highly magnetized, rotating neutron stars emitting electromagnetic radiation, are no strangers to Messier 15. Yet, FAST has uncovered a trio that steals the spotlight this time. Two boast leisurely spins, earning the title of long-period pulsars, while the third dazzles as a millisecond pulsar, whirling with rapid intensity. The standout, PSR J2129+1210J, commands attention as an isolated millisecond pulsar, showcasing a mesmerizing spin period of 11.84 milliseconds. Meanwhile, its companions, PSR J2129+1210K and PSR J2129+1210L reveal their distinctive long-period rhythms, marking an extraordinary celestial dance withi