Astronomy news

• SpaceX targeting Aug. 26 for historic Polaris Dawn astronaut mission

  07-08-2024 22:30 via space.com
  
  SpaceX is now targeting Aug. 26 for the launch of Polaris Dawn, a crewed flight to Earth orbit that will feature the first-ever private spacewalk.
  
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• NASA considers sending Boeing Starliner astronauts home on SpaceX Dragon

  07-08-2024 21:33 via space.com
  
  As Starliner's planned 10-day mission stretches past two months, the next ISS SpaceX launch will now delay into September to give NASA the option of including the Starliner crew on its ride home.
  
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• China launches 1st batch of satellites for planned 14,000-strong megaconstellation (video)

  07-08-2024 20:30 via space.com
  
  A Long March 6A rocket launched 18 internet satellites Wednesday morning (Aug. 7), kicking off construction of a Chinese constellation that could eventually host 14,000 spacecraft.
  
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• Private space launches could double by 2028, FAA says

  07-08-2024 20:00 via space.com
  
  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expects the number of licensed launches each year to continue rising steeply, potentially reaching 338 by 2028.
  
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• Private launch numbers will double by 2028, FAA says

  07-08-2024 20:00 via space.com
  
  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expects the number of licensed launches each year to continue rising steeply, potentially reaching 338 by 2028.
  
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• Over 300 hidden planet-devouring stars within the Milky Way found by AI

  07-08-2024 19:00 via space.com
  
  A new AI-powered algorithm has discovered over 300 polluted white dwarfs in the Milky Way that were overlooked in old telescope data.
  
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• Bubble-blowing dead stars could create 'most violent phenomena in the universe'

  07-08-2024 18:30 via space.com
  
  Scientists have tracked mysterious, violent blasts of radiation called fast radio bursts to plasma-blowing, highly magnetic dead stars or magnetars.
  
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• Group of ancient stars spotted near the sun could rewrite the Milky Way's history

  07-08-2024 18:00 via space.com
  
  Researchers using the Gaia space telescope studied some ancient stars near the sun, revealing that our corner of the Milky Way may be billions of years older than once thought.
  
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• Night sky for tonight: Visible planets, stars and more in this evening's sky

  07-08-2024 17:22 via space.com
  
  Find out what you can see in the night sky for tonight, from planets and stars to dazzling meteor showers.
  
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• On this day in space! Aug. 7, 1976: A big day for Mars and NASA's Viking missions

  07-08-2024 17:11 via space.com
  
  On Aug. 7, 1976, NASA's Viking 2 spacecraft reached Mars orbit as it was announced Viking 1 had found possible life-signs on the Red Planet.
  
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• NASA's Parker Solar Probe finds fresh clues to decades-old mystery surrounding the sun

  07-08-2024 17:00 via space.com
  
  In its search for answers to why our sun's corona is hotter than its surface, NASA's Parker Solar Probe has ruled out one explanation.
  
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• Satellite imagery reveals hidden monastery at Buddhist holy site: report

  07-08-2024 16:00 via space.com
  
  Satellite imagery of the Mahabodhi Temple Complex uncovered a possible buried monastery and other buildings. The results are now awaiting peer review and publication.
  
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• Watch SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket generate sonic boom during landing (video)

  07-08-2024 15:00 via space.com
  
  A SpaceX video shows a Falcon 9 first stage's post-launch return to Earth in great detail, even capturing the sonic boom generated during the descent.
  
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• Life on the moon: Lockheed Martin shares exploration vision for 2044

  07-08-2024 14:00 via space.com
  
  Lockheed Martin has shared its vision for humanity's future in space, as global space agencies aim for the moon and beyond.
  
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• NASA moon probe plays laser tag with Japanese lunar lander

  07-08-2024 12:00 via space.com
  
  NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter bounced a laser off Japan's SLIM lander recently, showcasing tech that could aid future moon exploration.
  
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• 14 Aug 2024 (7 days away): Lunar occultation of Antares

  07-08-2024 01:13 via in-the-sky.org
  
  The Moon will pass in front of Antares (Alpha Scorpii), creating a lunar occultation visible from French Polynesia, Cook Islands and Pitcairn.
  
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• 13 Aug 2024 (7 days away): Messier 15 is well placed

  07-08-2024 01:13 via in-the-sky.org
  
  The globular cluster M15 (NGC 7078; mag 6.3) in Pegasus culminates at around midnight local time.
  
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• 12 Aug 2024 (5 days away): Perseid meteor shower 2024

  07-08-2024 01:13 via in-the-sky.org
  
  The Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak.
  
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• 12 Aug 2024 (5 days away): Moon at First Quarter

  07-08-2024 01:13 via in-the-sky.org
  
  The Moon reaches first quarter phase – appearing high in the sky at sunset and setting in the west at around midnight.
  
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• 10 Aug 2024 (3 days away): Lunar occultation of Spica

  07-08-2024 01:13 via in-the-sky.org
  
  The Moon will pass in front of Spica (Alpha Virginis), creating a lunar occultation visible from Micronesia, Eastern and Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, Spratly Islands and Paracel Islands.
  
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• 09 Aug 2024 (2 days away): The Moon at apogee

  07-08-2024 01:13 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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