LND topic: heliospheric-observatory page 1

heliospheric observatory

Aging Star Sends Out a Cosmic Valentine

February 15, 2026

In a cosmic twist, a star has been caught sending out a heart-shaped cloud of dust and gas. This star, Mira A, is not just any star. It's a red giant, and it's part of a binary system with a white dwarf called Mira B. Both stars are located in the constellation Cetus, about 300 light-years from Eart

science

NASA's Science Missions Face Unexpected Funding Freeze

February 14, 2026

NASA has been asked to hit the brakes on spending for over 15 science projects. This pause comes from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), even though Congress recently approved a budget that restored NASA's funding. The projects on hold include some big names, like the Chandra X-Ray Observato

science

A Scientist Who Challenged the Skies

February 10, 2026

Michael McElroy grew up in Belfast and earned a Ph. D. in applied mathematics from Queen’s University, where he famously solved ten test problems instead of the required three. His curiosity pushed him from planetary studies during the space race to deep investigations of Earth’s atmosphere. At Kit

science

A Black Hole on the Run: What Happened?

January 9, 2026

Astronomers have spotted something extraordinary: a supermassive black hole that seems to be fleeing its home galaxy at an incredible speed. This isn't just any black hole; it's one of the most massive types, with a weight equivalent to 20 million suns. The evidence? A trail of young stars stretchin

science

Space Rocks Spinning Faster Than Ever Before

January 9, 2026

Astronomers have found a bunch of asteroids that are spinning super fast. One of them is really big and spins so quickly that it completes a full rotation in just about two minutes. This is a big deal because most asteroids are like loose piles of rocks. They are held together by gravity, not streng

science

A Giant Space Rock Spins Like Crazy!

January 8, 2026

In just seven nights of observation, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory spotted a massive asteroid that's breaking records. This space rock, named 2025 MN45, is about 2, 300 feet wide, making it bigger than most skyscrapers. What's even crazier? It spins super fast, completing a full rotation in just 113

science

Sun's Fiery Show: How Scientists Tracked a Record-Breaking Solar Storm

January 5, 2026

The Sun, our closest star, has been putting on quite a show lately. In 2024, scientists got a front-row seat to one of the most active solar regions in decades. This wasn't just any solar activity; it was a massive, complex magnetic structure that caused some of the strongest solar storms in years. ...

science

Mount Hamilton's Weather Worries: Protecting a Piece of Astronomy History

January 3, 2026

Up on Mount Hamilton, a historic telescope is in trouble. A fierce storm on Christmas morning tore open the dome housing the Great Refractor telescope. This telescope, built way back in the 1880s, is a big deal in astronomy. It's still a star attraction, drawing crowds to peek through its lens. But

science

Unraveling the Secrets of the Mysterious 3I/ATLAS

January 2, 2026

The latest Hubble image of the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, processed by SpaceTracker, has revealed some fascinating details. This object, which has been closely watched by astronomers, shows a structure that doesn't fit the usual patterns seen in comets. The image, which was captured on November 3

science

2026: A Year of Big Moves in Space

December 31, 2025

2026 is shaping up to be a thrilling year for space exploration. It's not just about launching rockets; it's about pushing boundaries and making big strides in understanding our universe. The moon is getting a lot of attention. NASA's Artemis II mission is set to take astronauts on a 10-day trip ar