ScientistPankaj: NASA astronaut photographs SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn capsule reentry from ISS (photo)

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

NASA astronaut photographs SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn capsule reentry from ISS (photo)

NASA astronaut photographs SpaceX's Polaris Dawn reentry | The Harvest Moon Supermoon lunar eclipse is tonight! | Auroras galore! Geomagnetic storm sparks aurora across US

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September 17, 2024

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The Launchpad

NASA astronaut photographs SpaceX's Polaris Dawn reentry

(NASA / Don Pettit)

An epic picture of Polaris Dawn's nighttime reentry has been beamed to Earth from space. NASA astronaut Don Pettit caught the conclusion of Polaris Dawn, a private space mission that included the first-ever commercial spacewalk, during its SpaceX Dragon spacecraft's return to Earth before dawn on Sunday (Sept. 15). "In addition to the multi-colored entry trail over Florida, the basic cone shape of the Dragon capsule can be seen," Pettit wrote on X, formerly Twitter, Sunday afternoon about his picture taken from the International Space Station (ISS).

Full Story: Space (9/16)

The Harvest Moon Supermoon lunar eclipse is tonight!

(Starry Night Software)

September's full moon will put on quite the show on the evening of Sept. 17. Not only are we treated to a slightly larger-than-average "supermoon" but also a partial lunar eclipse.

Full Story: Space (9/17)

Skywatching

Auroras galore! Geomagnetic storm sparks aurora across US

(Hasan Akbas/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Rolling in about 6 hours later than predicted, a huge plume of plasma and magnetic field from the sun, known as a coronal mass ejection (CME) slammed into Earth, triggering a severe geomagnetic storm. The CME hit around 7:41 p.m. EDT (2341 GMT) on Sept. 16, triggering a dazzling northern lights display visible as far south as the Texas Panhandle.

Full Story: Space (9/17)

Spaceflight

China prepares for 1st launch of new Long March 8A rocket

(CCTV)

China completed a launch site rehearsal for a new, improved rocket this month. Teams at the new Hainan commercial space launch site conducted tests with the first Long March 8A rocket including integration with the launch pad and fueling. The new launcher is now set to fly for the first time around December.

Full Story: Space (9/16)

Science & Astronomy

JWST witnesses a black hole 'killing' its galaxy (photo)

(Francesco D'Eugenio)

Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers have observed a supermassive black hole in the early universe that is killing its galaxy by starving it to death. Remarkably, this "galactic death by starvation" seems to have proceeded very quickly thanks to the creation of 2 million miles per hour winds of gas.

Full Story: Space (9/16)

Search for Life

Scientists spot ancient 'smiley face' on Mars

(ESA/TGO/CaSSIS)

Astronomers recently spotted a surprising "smiley face" beaming up from the surface of Mars as they surveyed the alien landscape as part of a new study. The emoticon-like structure, which is only visible under certain conditions, is the remnant of an ancient lake that dried up billions of years ago - and could be harboring signs of former life on the Red Planet.

Full Story: Space (9/17)

Star Wars

'Star Trek: Lore War' will bring back Data's evil brother

(IDW)

In a reality-warping cosmic event two years in the making, IDW Publishing is celebrating all the creative foundational work after relaunching its award-winning "Star Trek" comics with the Eisner-nominated "Star Trek #400" to present an epic new crossover project next year, "Star Trek: Lore War." Hailing from top-tier creators Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, Christopher Cantwell, and illustrator Davide Tinto, this intertwined sci-fi tale arriving in March of 2025 will carry over into the prime "Star Trek" ongoing series, "Star Trek: Defiant," and several special one-shot tie-in issues to be announced later.

Full Story: Space (9/16)