Astronomy news

• Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket put a satellite in the wrong orbit in December. Now we know why.

  20-02-2024 23:00 via space.com
  
  A software issue caused Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket to deploy a satellite into the wrong orbit on its four-ever launch this past December, company representatives said.
  
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• Sian Proctor on her legacy of being the 1st Black woman to pilot a spacecraft

  20-02-2024 22:31 via space.com
  
  Sian Proctor spoke to Space.com about her captivating story of a woman who soared past barriers to pave the way for more diversity and inclusivity in space.
  
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• Everything we know about '3 Body Problem'

  20-02-2024 20:00 via space.com
  
  Here's everything we know about Netflix's upcoming sci-fi event series, "3 Body Problem"
  
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• Former Disney TV star Bridgit Mendler co-founds satellite 'data highway' startup

  20-02-2024 19:45 via space.com
  
  Once known for her beloved roles on Disney Channel, Bridgit Mendler has re-introduced herself as a CEO in the space business game.
  
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• Intuitive Machines' private Odysseus moon lander on track for Feb. 22 lunar landing

  20-02-2024 19:07 via space.com
  
  The Intuitive Machines moon landing machine is on course to the moon after 2 crucial engine burns in deep space. Lunar orbit insertion will happen on Feb. 21.
  
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• Intuitive Machines moon lander on track for Feb. 22 landing after engine burns

  20-02-2024 19:07 via space.com
  
  The Intuitive Machines moon landing machine is on course to the moon after 2 crucial engine burns in deep space. Lunar orbit insertion will happen on Feb. 21.
  
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• Studying lake deposits in Idaho could give scientists insight into ancient traces of life on Mars

  20-02-2024 18:00 via space.com
  
  Does life exist elsewhere in the universe? If so, how do scientists search for and identify it? Finding life beyond Earth is extremely difficult, partly because other planets are so far away and partly because we are not sure what to look for.
  
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• These supernovas are whipping up a storm, contributing to cosmic life and death

  20-02-2024 17:00 via space.com
  
  Astronomers have observed a so-called standard candle supernova generating clouds of cosmic dust, bringing us a step closer to understanding the life and death cycle of stars.
  
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• 'We are approaching the tipping point': Marker for the collapse of key Atlantic current discovered

  20-02-2024 16:00 via space.com
  
  A vital Atlantic current that includes the Gulf Stream and keeps our climate in check may be giving off a warning sign of collapse.
  
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• SpaceX to launch Indonesian communications satellite today

  20-02-2024 15:00 via space.com
  
  SpaceX plans to launch the Merah Putih 2 satellite for Indonesian communications company Telkomsat today (Feb. 20) during a two-hour window that opens at 3:11 p.m. EST (2011 GMT).
  
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• SpaceX launches Indonesian satellite on 300th successful Falcon 9 mission (video)

  20-02-2024 15:00 via space.com
  
  SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket notched its 300th successful mission today (Feb. 20), launching the Merah Putih 2 satellite for Indonesian communications company Telkomsat.
  
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• SpaceX launches Indonesian communications satellite to orbit (video)

  20-02-2024 15:00 via space.com
  
  SpaceX launched the Merah Putih 2 satellite for Indonesian communications company Telkomsat today (Feb. 20).
  
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• SpaceX launches Indonesian communications satellite to orbit

  20-02-2024 15:00 via space.com
  
  SpaceX launched the Merah Putih 2 satellite for Indonesian communications company Telkomsat today (Feb. 20).
  
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• Astronomers Find Universe's Possibly Brightest Object

  20-02-2024 14:15
  
  The quasar with a black hole at its heart is growing so fast that it swallows the equivalent of a sun a day.
  
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• Black hole-like 'gravastars' could be stacked like Russian tea dolls

  20-02-2024 14:00 via space.com
  
  A new solution to Einstein's theory of general relativity suggests a hypothetical star could be made of stacked black holes.
  
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• Very Large Telescope snaps gorgeous shot of Milky Way's star-studded core (photo)

  20-02-2024 12:00 via space.com
  
  A new view from the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope captures the abundant star-forming region at the center of the Milky Way.
  
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• 27 Feb 2024 (7 days away): The Moon at aphelion

  20-02-2024 01:25 via in-the-sky.org
  
  The Moon recedes to its orbit's furthest point from the Sun, which happens each month around the time of full moon.
  
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• 25 Feb 2024 (5 days away): The Moon at apogee

  20-02-2024 01:25 via in-the-sky.org
  
  The Moon recedes to its orbit's furthest point from the Earth, making it appear fractionally smaller than at other times of the month.
  
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• 24 Feb 2024 (4 days away): Full Moon

  20-02-2024 01:25 via in-the-sky.org
  
  The Moon reaches full phase and is visible for much of the night.
  
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• 22 Feb 2024 (2 days away): Conjunction of Venus and Mars

  20-02-2024 01:25 via in-the-sky.org
  
  Venus and Mars share the same right ascension, at a separation of 38'.
  
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• 22 Feb 2024 (2 days away): Close approach of Venus and Mars

  20-02-2024 01:25 via in-the-sky.org
  
  Venus and Mars pass within 37' of each other.
  
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• 21 Feb 2024 (Tomorrow): The cluster NGC 3114 is well placed

  20-02-2024 01:25 via in-the-sky.org
  
  The open star cluster NGC 3114 (mag 4.2) in Carina culminates at around midnight local time.
  
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• 27 Feb 2024 (8 days away): The Moon at aphelion

  20-02-2024 00:59 via in-the-sky.org
  
  The Moon recedes to its orbit's furthest point from the Sun, which happens each month around the time of full moon.
  
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• 19 Feb 2024 (8 days ago): Messier 81 is well placed

  20-02-2024 00:59 via in-the-sky.org
  
  Bode's Galaxy M81 (NGC 3031; mag 6.9) in Ursa Major culminates at around midnight local time.
  
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• 19 Feb 2024 (7 days ago): Messier 81 is well placed

  20-02-2024 00:59 via in-the-sky.org
  
  Bode's Galaxy M81 (NGC 3031; mag 6.9) in Ursa Major culminates at around midnight local time.
  
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• 19 Feb 2024 (6 days ago): Messier 81 is well placed

  20-02-2024 00:59 via in-the-sky.org
  
  Bode's Galaxy M81 (NGC 3031; mag 6.9) in Ursa Major culminates at around midnight local time.
  
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• 19 Feb 2024 (5 days ago): Messier 81 is well placed

  20-02-2024 00:59 via in-the-sky.org
  
  Bode's Galaxy M81 (NGC 3031; mag 6.9) in Ursa Major culminates at around midnight local time.
  
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• 19 Feb 2024 (4 days ago): Messier 81 is well placed

  20-02-2024 00:59 via in-the-sky.org
  
  Bode's Galaxy M81 (NGC 3031; mag 6.9) in Ursa Major culminates at around midnight local time.
  
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• 19 Feb 2024 (3 days ago): Messier 81 is well placed

  20-02-2024 00:59 via in-the-sky.org
  
  Bode's Galaxy M81 (NGC 3031; mag 6.9) in Ursa Major culminates at around midnight local time.
  
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• 19 Feb 2024 (2 days ago): Messier 81 is well placed

  20-02-2024 00:59 via in-the-sky.org
  
  Bode's Galaxy M81 (NGC 3031; mag 6.9) in Ursa Major culminates at around midnight local time.
  
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