An amateur astronomer may have just spotted the first known comet (or asteroid) impact on Saturn.
We've seen impact flashes on the Moon & Jupiter, but this would be by far the most distant one yet observed. 🧪🔭
https://earthsky.org/space/did-space-rock-hit-saturn-photo/ #space #science #nature #astronomy
In a recent #SETILive episode hosted by Beth Johnson, Dr. Ben Tutolo, an associate professor at the University of Calgary and a participating scientist on NASA's Curiosity Rover team, unveiled how an unassuming iron carbonate - siderite - is the key to unlocking #Mars's atmospheric secrets.
Learn more: https://www.seti.org/marss-ancient-carbon-cycle-how-rocks-mars-tell-story-vanishing-climate
#PPOD: This Magellan full-resolution mosaic shows an area 160 kilometers by 250 kilometers in the Eistla region of Venus. The prominent circular features are volcanic domes, 65 kilometers in diameter, with broad, flat tops less than one kilometer in height. Sometimes called 'pancake' domes, they represent a unique category of volcanic extrusions on Venus formed from viscous (sticky) lava. Credit: NASA/JPL
In a serious gain in efficiency, a Space X Starship prototype has exploded without actually being launched.
They're next plan is to see if they can produce an explosion during the assembly process.
NASA's Parker Solar Probe made the closest-ever studies of the Sun -- and got this unprecedented look at multiple solar eruptions piling up on top of each other.
https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/heliophysics/nasas-parker-solar-probe-snaps-closest-ever-images-to-sun/ #space #science #nature #astronomy #nasa
PRESS RELEASE: https://www.seti.org/news/a-unique-martian-mineral-offers-fresh-clues-about-planet-s-past/
New research published in Nature Communications identifies an iron sulfate on Mars that may represent a brand-new mineral. Sulfur is common on Mars and combines with other elements to form minerals, especially sulfates. While most sulfates are highly soluble and readily dissolve on Earth during rainfall, on the dry surface of Mars, these minerals can survive for billions of years and preserve important clues on the planet’s early history.
From tracking a rare interstellar visitor to revealing hidden star systems, the SETI Institute is at the forefront of space science. Explore four recent stories showcasing our role in groundbreaking discoveries and global scientific collaboration.
Read the full stories: https://www.seti.org/news/seti-institute-in-the-news-2025-july-roundup/
Interstellar clouds are brewing rich organic chemistry. Astronomers just detected a complex molecule called cyanocoronene (C₂₄H₁₁CN) floating between the stars in Taurus.
We don't know if life is common in the universe. But prebiotic chemistry sure is.
https://public.nrao.edu/news/cosmic-chemistry-breakthrough-largest-aromatic-molecule-found-in-deep-space/ #science #space #technology
#PPOD: This video, made from images taken by Parker Solar Probe’s WISPR instrument during its record-breaking flyby of the Sun on Dec. 25, 2024, shows the solar wind racing out from the Sun’s outer atmosphere, the corona. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Naval Research Lab
Next #SETILive: A Vaporizing Planet
TODAY, Jul 17, 2025 | 3:30 PM PDT / 6:30 PM EDT
Join communications specialist Beth Johnson for a live interview with astrophysicist Marc Hon (MIT), lead author of a new study revealing one of the most extreme exoplanets ever discovered — a small, rocky world that's literally disintegrating as it orbits its star.
WATCH LIVE: https://www.youtube.com/live/kcMRyGUYR_g?si=NAl-ASSBYvkBlXOZ
#PPOD: HOPS-315 is a baby star where astronomers have observed early planet formation. The image from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and JWST data shows hot minerals starting to solidify.
In orange, we see the distribution of carbon monoxide, blowing away from the star in a butterfly-shaped wind. In blue, we see a narrow jet of silicon monoxide, also beaming away from the star.
Credit: ALMA(ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/M. McClure et al.
Last year, astronomers detected a fast radio burst that got them excited as to a new discovery, but confused them as to the signal's power
When they pinpointed the signal it turned out to be... a #NASA satellite that died in 1964
They have some good theories as to how the zombie satellite fired off some signals but us #StarTrek fans know what's going on
V'GER
https://phys.org/news/2025-06-mysterious-fast-radio-dead-nasa.html
🚨 Astronomers have witnessed the dawn of a new solar system!
Using ALMA and JWST they observed the first specks of planet-forming material — hot minerals beginning to solidify around HOPS-315, a baby star 1300 light-years away.
This marks the first time a planetary system has been identified at such an early stage in its formation – a window to the past of our own Solar System.
https://www.eso.org/public/images/eso2512a/
#astrodon #astronomy #astrophysics #space #science
📷 ALMA(ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/M. McClure et al
The rapid rise in rocket launches may be slowing the recovery of the ozone layer, a scientist warns. Read more from phys.org:
dev update: we have lumpy space rocks, i repeat, we have lumpy space rocks 🌌🪐🎸🔭
The SETI Institute is contributing to a new kind of space exploration — a cultural and scientific experiment. Crew-11 is carrying the world’s first cultural crop payload to the ISS. The initiative is part of Jaguar Space’s Space for Agriculture and Agriculture for Space program, in collaboration with The Karman Project, whose mission is to enable international cooperation and peace in space through unconventional global coalitions.
75 Years Ago, The Most Influential Filmmaker You Never Heard of Sparked The Golden Age of Sci-Fi
Short overview of George Pal and “Destination Moon,”1950–template for sci-fi epic films.
@bookstodon @books @religion #ChristianSciFi #ProfessorK #amwritingsf #secretscifinetwork #space #sciencefiction #1950sSciFiFilms #GeorgePal #DestinationMoon
https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/destination-moon-75-year-anniversary
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#space #science #seti #astrobiology
In a recent episode of SETI Live, Communications Specialist Beth Johnson spoke with Ian Pamerleau, lead author of a new study diving into the mysteries of Ceres published in Nature Astronomy. Pamerleau, a graduate student and researcher at Purdue University, used advanced computer simulations to investigate the physical structure of Ceres’ crust. His findings suggest a significant reevaluation of how we perceive this small yet complex world.
Trump Administration Looking to Slash Environmental Protection Rules for Rocket Launches
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A draft executive order viewed by ProPublica directs the secretary of transportation to “use all available authorities to eliminate or expedite” environmental reviews for launch licenses — a change Elon Musk’s SpaceX and others have long sought.
#News #Environment #Aviation #SpaceX #Space #ElonMusk #Regulation #Trump
#PPOD: Naturally erupting dust streaks on Mars create structures that look surprisingly like trees near the planet's north pole. These streaks are dark basaltic sand pushed to the surface of sand dunes by sun-heated solid carbon dioxide ice, or dry ice, sublimating directly into vapor. The sand dunes form a nearly complete ring around Mars' north pole and are covered by a thin layer of reddish Martian dust and patches of dry ice. Credit: NASA, HiRISE, MRO, LPL (U. Arizona)
I just gave a presentation on the biblical themes in Interstellar. But as the article says, still no chance of getting information or yourself back out (unless you’re Matthew McConaughey.)
@books @bookstodon @religion #ChristianSciFi #ProfessorK #secretscifinetwork #amwritingSF #sciencefiction #space #interstellar
https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/deep-space/a65487140/how-to-enter-black-hole-safely/
Breaking: Astronomers have found a likely new interstellar object passing through our solar system.
A11pl3Z seems to have the most extreme hyperbolic orbit yet measured. More observations coming soon.
https://earthsky.org/space/new-interstellar-object-candidate-heading-toward-the-sun-a11pl3z/ #science #nature #space
