Which star shines the brightest at night? At first glance, stars may seem identical tiny flickering dots in the sky. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that some stars shine brightly, while others are barely visible. This article delves into the brightest celestial bodies, their locations, and the factors that affect their luminosity.
Giant Solar Prominence Recorded by Japanese Observatory A giant solar prominence, towering approximately 600,000 km in height, was observed by the Japanese Norikura Observatory on July 21, 1992. The recorded solar prominence, a massive eruption of plasma from the Sun's surface, was a notable event due to its significant size and the detailed observation capabilities of the Norikura Observatory. Observing such solar phenomena is crucial for understanding the Sun's behavior and its impact on space weather.
Red Spider Nebula Revealed by James Webb Telescope The planetary nebula Red Spider (NGC 6537) has been captured in a new image by the James Webb Telescope, showcasing the final stages of Sun-like stars' evolution. When these stars become red giants, they shed outer layers, exposing their hot cores that transform into white dwarfs. The central star's ultraviolet radiation ionizes the ejected matter, causing it to glow, a phase that lasts tens of thousands of years. In the image, the central star of the Red Spider shines brighter than the surrounding dust and gas threads, resembling a "web-like" structure. While only one star is visible at the Nebula's center, there might be a concealed companion star nearby. The potential presence of this stellar pair could elucidate the distinct narrow "waist" and expansive nebular outflows observed in the Red Spider Nebula.
Meteorite Explosion Scatters Fragments Across Moscow and Surrounding Regions A meteorite exploded over Moscow on October 27, scattering fragments that reached the Novgorod and Tver regions. The object entered the atmosphere at a high speed of 35 km/s, starting to disintegrate at an altitude of 42 km. In a mere 20 seconds, it traveled over Vologda, Cherepovets, and part of the Rybinsk Reservoir. Debris from the meteorite can now be found near the M-11 highway connecting Moscow and St. Petersburg, indicating the extensive reach of the explosion.
Meteorite Explosion Over Moscow Sends Debris Across Regions A meteorite detonated over Moscow on October 27, scattering remnants across the Novgorod and Tver areas. The celestial object pierced the atmosphere at 35 km/s, disintegrating at 42 km altitude. Within 20 seconds, it traversed Vologda, Cherepovets, and a segment of the Rybinsk Reservoir. Debris from the explosion has been discovered close to the M-11 highway connecting Moscow and St. Petersburg, showcasing the extensive reach of the meteorite fragments.
Mikhail Kovalchuk Allows Construction of Thermonuclear Power Plant in Space Mikhail Kovalchuk, the head of the Kurchatov Institute, has approved the idea of building a thermonuclear power plant in space. He highlighted the importance of two main conditions for achieving thermonuclear fusion in space: the presence of a vacuum and extremely low temperatures. Kovalchuk also revealed that in Russia, there are considerations for using plasma thrusters for long-distance space travel. These innovative thrusters operate by utilizing ionized gas instead of traditional fuel sources.
Interstellar Comet Hit by Sun's Plasma Cloud The Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences captured a video showing comet 3I/ATLAS moving alongside a star. Overnight from October 21 to 22, the comet experienced a powerful plasma eruption from the sun, marking one of the strongest events in the current 25th solar cycle. Following the incident, the comet 3I/ATLAS has moved out of the LASCO instrument's field of view, making further observation of its movement impossible. The next opportunity to observe this interstellar comet from Earth is expected to be in mid-November.
Meteorite Explosion Over Moscow Sends Debris Across Regions A meteorite burst over Moscow on October 27, scattering debris to the Novgorod and Tver regions. Traveling at 35 km/s, the object fragmented at 42 km altitude, passing over Vologda, Cherepovets, and part of the Rybinsk Reservoir within 20 seconds. Remnants of the meteorite have been discovered near the M-11 highway connecting Moscow and St. Petersburg, showcasing the widespread reach of the celestial event.
The Mysterious Octagon This image displays Jupiter's north pole, taken by the JIRAM instrument on the Juno spacecraft in the infrared spectrum. The picture reveals a massive cyclonic storm with a diameter of approximately three thousand kilometers, encircled by an octagon formation of smaller cyclones. The color scheme indicates cloud temperatures, with brighter shades representing warmer areas, ranging from -13° to -118.33°C.
Meteorite Explosion Over Moscow Sends Fragments to Novgorod and Tver Regions A meteorite exploded over Moscow on October 27, scattering fragments to the Novgorod and Tver regions. The celestial object entered the atmosphere at a speed of 35 km/s, disintegrating at an altitude of 42 km. In a span of just 20 seconds, it traversed areas including Vologda, Cherepovets, and part of the Rybinsk Reservoir. Debris from the meteorite has been discovered near the M-11 highway connecting Moscow and St. Petersburg, indicating the extent of its reach beyond the initial explosion site.
