Titan’s magic island mystery has just become more interesting after two new such islands were observed by astronomers. Last year, a strange bright feature was seen by scientists in Ligeia Mare sea, the second largest body of liquid on Saturn’s biggest moon. This bright island was photographed in May however, in July it disappeared, only to reappear a year later. Now, Kraken Mare, Titan’s … [Read more...]
NASA Orbiter Discovers LADEE Moon Probe Crash Crater
Earlier in 2014, after completing its mission, the NASA LADEE moon orbiter was intentionally crashed into the lunar surface. Now, several months later, the NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter was sent to take photographs of the LADEE probe final resting place, on the moon’s far side. A small crater is all that remains. The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer, LADEE, was launched in … [Read more...]
Death Star Wobble Could Foreshadow Subterranean Ocean
Mimas, one of Saturn’s more mysterious moons has been shown to have a telltale wobble that might just be indicative of the presence of underground water (or even a subterranean ocean). A new study conducted by an international team of astronomers has focused on Mimas, the smallest of Saturn’s main moons. Scientists from the United States, Belgium and France have taken countless high-resolution … [Read more...]
Moon Ocean Formed Due to Volcanic Activity
The bright side of the Moon is dominated by seas. The largest one, Oceanus Procellarum, is more than 1,500 miles across. Until now, researchers believed that the vast ocean appeared as a result of an asteroid impact. But new data provided by the Grail mission shows that this was not the case. The ocean is the result of the Moon’s own volcanic activity, according to an article published in Nature … [Read more...]
Fly Me to the Moon: Man on the Moon
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first humans to experience the most unique of feelings: that of discovering a new world. Forty-five years ago, they had the honor and opportunity of walking on the surface of the moon for the first time during their Apollo 11 mission. And although it happened on the 20th of July 1969, the event still stirs hearts in 2014 as it did back then. NASA is … [Read more...]
Moon once flipped on its side by violent event, claim researchers
A group of researchers has found certain clues that suggest that the Moon was once flipped on its side by a violent event. The researchers say, there is a common assumption among us that the Moon is a static, dead world with no atmosphere and no plate tectonics. But, the researchers say, there are various signs that suggest that the Moon has been active. The volcanoes and indications of a … [Read more...]
Sun gives celestial treat to skygazers in Perth
The sky gazers in Perth had a rare hide and seek game with the Sun on Tuesday as patchy cloud threatened a rare view of a solar eclipse. According to the scientists, the Moon crept into the Sun's path shortly after 1.00 p.m.. This led to covering 49 percent of the Earth’s closest star by 2.42 p.m.. The rare celestial event continued till 4.00 p.m.. According to Astronomy educator Richard … [Read more...]
Missed the ‘Blood Moon’? Here’s next for you
Those who have missed to have that rare glimpse of the ‘Blood Moon’ need not worry as the Earth’s satellite will glow red three more times in the next 18 months, scientists say. Scientists call it to be part of a lunar eclipse "tetrad" that means a series of four consecutive total lunar eclipses that happen at about six-month intervals. According to NASA, the next one is due October 8, … [Read more...]
NASA images suggest birth of new Saturn Moon
Some recent images taken by NASA's Cassini spacecraft in April 2013 have suggested the birth of a new Saturn moon. The images show a bright arc about 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) long and 6 miles (10 km) wide at the edge of Saturn's outermost ring (known as the A ring). According to the scientists, this arc and some strange bumps nearby were probably created by the gravity of a small, icy … [Read more...]
Americans witness year’s first rare blood moon on lunar eclipse
The sky gazers in the North and South America experienced a rare celestial show when the Earth engulfed the Moon into its shadow between late Monday and early Tuesday (April 15). The celestial event lasted about 3.5 hours. It was a rare sight as the Moon changed its colour from orange to blood red during the total lunar eclipse. From 08:06 BST (07:06 GMT), Earth’s natural satellite was fully … [Read more...]
