Bright daylight fireball over Kanto, Japan
A bright daylight meteor was recorded over Japan’ Kanto Region at 06:55 JST on January 15, 2024. The event was accompanied by a sonic boom.
First images from XRISM show detailed chemical maps of distant galaxies, paving a new path in X-ray astronomy
The XRISM (X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission), a Japan-led observatory with collaboration from NASA and ESA, has released its first look at the detailed X-ray universe, showcasing unprecedented data collection capabilities ahead of its full science operations later this year.
True colors of Uranus and Neptune revealed
Recent research led by Professor Patrick Irwin from the University of Oxford has unveiled that Neptune and Uranus, traditionally thought to be distinctly blue and green respectively, are in fact much closer in color – both portraying shades of greenish blue.
InSight mission confirms eight meteoroid impact events on Mars
A team of researchers utilizing data provided by NASA’s InSight mission has confirmed two new seismic events caused by meteoroid impacts on Mars, bringing the total number to 8. The study, employing a combination of seismic data and orbital imagery, has successfully pinpointed fresh impact craters, enhancing our understanding of Martian surface and atmospheric interactions.
Asteroid 2024 AD to fly past Earth at 0.6 LD on January 4
A newly-discovered asteroid designated 2024 AD will fly past Earth at a distance of 0.6 LD / 0.00162 AU (242 647 km / 150 791 miles) from the center of our planet at 18:15 UTC on January 4, 2024.
Asteroid 2023 XW5 flew past Earth at 0.19 LD
A newly-discovered asteroid designated 2023 XW5 flew past Earth at 0.19 LD / 0.00050 AU (74 189 km / 46 099 miles) from the center of our planet at 02:10 UTC on December 9, 2023.
Big comet makes close approach to the Sun
A new comet made what appears its final approach towards the Sun from December 10 – 12, 2023.
Birth of a new meteor shower expected on December 12
Meteor watchers are gearing up for the birth of a new meteor shower, the λ-Sculptorids, on December 12, 2023, with prime viewing from Eastern Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia.
Extremely rare astronomical event: Asteroid Leona to eclipse red supergiant Betelgeuse
An extremely rare celestial event will unfold at the beginning of next week as the main belt asteroid Leona transits in front of Betelgeuse, the famed red supergiant in the Orion constellation. This rare astronomical occurrence, observable from regions stretching from South Florida to Italy and Greece, will offer a unique spectacle where the luminous Betelgeuse may temporarily dim or even vanish from the night sky.
Asteroid 2023 XJ1 to fly past Earth at 0.27 LD
A newly-discovered asteroid designated 2023 XJ1 will fly past Earth at a distance of 0.27 LD / 0.00066 AU (98 242 km / 61 045 miles) from the center of our planet at 18:57 UTC on December 6, 2023.