NASA

3 min read NASA’s Webb Captures an Ethereal View of NGC 346 This new infrared image of NGC 346 from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) traces emission from cool gas and dust. In this image blue represents silicates and sooty chemical molecules known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. More diffuse red emission shines from warm dust heated by the brightest and most massive stars in the heart of the region. Bright patches and filaments mark areas with abundant numbers of protostars. This image includes 7.7-micron light shown in blue, 10 microns in cyan, 11.3 microns in green, 15 microns in yellow, and 21 microns in red (770W, 1000W, 1130W, 1500W, and 2100W filters, respectively). Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, N. Habel (JPL). Image Processing: P. Kavanagh (Maynooth University). Download the full-resolution version from the Space Telescope Science Institute. Filaments of dust and gas festoon this star-forming region in a new infrared image from MIRI. One of the greatest strengths of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is its ability to give astronomers detailed views of areas where new stars are being born. The latest example, showcased here in a new image from Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), is NGC 346 – the brightest and largest star-forming region in the Small Magellanic Cloud. The Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) is a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, visible to the unaided eye in the southern constellation Tucana. This small companion galaxy is more primeval than the Milky Way in that it possesses fewer heavy elements, which are forged in stars through nuclear fusion and supernova explosions, compared to our own galaxy. Since cosmic dust is formed from heavy elements like silicon and oxygen, scientists expected the SMC to lack significant amounts of dust. However the new MIRI image, as well as a previous image of NGC 346 from Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera released in January, show ample dust within this region. In this representative-color image, blue tendrils trace emission from material that includes dusty silicates and sooty chemical molecules known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. More diffuse red emission shines from warm dust heated by the brightest and most massive stars in the heart of the region. An arc at the center left may be a reflection of light from the star near the arc’s center. (Similar, fainter arcs appear associated with stars at lower left and upper right.) Lastly, bright patches and filaments mark areas with abundant numbers of protostars. The research team looked for the reddest stars, and found 1,001 pinpoint sources of light, most of them young stars still embedded in their dusty cocoons. By combining Webb data in both the near-infrared and mid-infrared, astronomers are able to take a fuller census of the stars and protostars within this dynamic region. The results have implications for our understanding of galaxies that existed billions of years ago, during an era in the universe known as “cosmic noon,” when star formation was at its peak and heavy element concentrations were lower, as seen in the SMC.The James Webb Space Telescope is the world’s premier space science observatory. Webb is solving mysteries in our solar system, looking beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probing the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international program led by NASA with its partners, ESA (European Space Agency) and the Canadian Space Agency. Media Contacts: Laura Betz NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. laura.e.betz@nasa.gov Christine Pulliam Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Md. cpulliam@stsci.edu About the AuthorNASA Webb Telescope TeamWebb Team Share Details Last Updated Oct 10, 2023 Related Terms GeneralGoddard Space Flight CenterJames Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Explore More 5 min read NASA’s Roman Mission Gears Up for a Torrent of Future Data Article 28 mins ago 2 min read Hubble Examines Entrancing Galaxy in Eridanus Hubble is sharing a brand new galaxy image every day through October 7, 2023! Visit… Article 3 days ago 2 min read NASA’s Global Science Hackathon Attracts Thousands of Participants Article 4 days ago View the full article

5 Min Read Tracing the Origin and Energization of Plasma inthe Heliosphere – Credits: Stephen Alvey, University of Michigan PROJECT: Solar Wind Pickup Ion Composition Energy Spectrometer (SPICES) SNAPSHOT: SPICES is a new sensor that will help scientists discover where matter originates and how it is energized throughout the solar system SPICES will measure plasma in space and trace its origin back to the Sun, planetary atmospheres, comet tails, and interstellar space. Stephen Alvey, University of Michigan Imagine that you have a secret decoder ring that you can use to decipher a secret message with important clues about things around you: where they came from, why they are there, and what will become of them in the future. Now imagine that the secret decoder ring is actually a sensor that can be flown in space to unravel secrets about the matter in the solar system. Where did this matter originate, how did it become energized, and how could it impact humans living on Earth and traveling in space? SPICES is like a decoder ring for the plasma (gas consisting of electrically charged particles) in the solar system. It has the potential to reveal important information about how the Sun behaves and interacts with planets and their atmospheres, and how the solar system is impacted by its own motion through interstellar space. The universe is mostly made of hydrogen, but the elements that make up life as well as the planets, comets, and many other celestial bodies are heavier than hydrogen. In fact, these heavier elements, although not as abundant, can hold the key to understanding how numerous processes in the universe work. In our solar system, these “heavy elements”—which are called “heavy ions” when they are electrically charged—can help us trace plasma to its origin at planets, comets, the Sun and solar atmosphere, and even to interstellar space. Heavy ions are an important piece of the puzzle that describes how the solar system supports and sustains life. They also play a role in large eruptions on the Sun that cause solar storms. For example, solar flares that emit vast amounts of X-rays are mostly due to excitation of heavy ions on the Sun. Being able to predict and prepare for solar storms is important to keep humans and robotics safe on space missions. SPICES will enable us to better understand how these solar storms form by giving scientists information about how eruptions on the Sun occur and how they accelerate plasma. With this information, scientists can better predict when and how severe solar storms will be. SPICES is designed to measure the chemical makeup of electrically charged streams of particles (also called wind) that blow in space. SPICES will measure the solar wind—the wind that blows away from the Sun, including the wind that results from the most severe solar storms. It will also measure neutral wind that blows into the solar system from interstellar space and becomes charged as it encounters the Sun, and wind that blows off planetary surfaces and out of planetary atmospheres. Measuring the chemical composition of these streams of particles can help us understand how the solar system was created, its behavior today, and how it will behave in the future. SPICES is optimized to detect less common heavy ions—like low-charge ions and isotopes—that are not well measured by current spaceborne sensors. The SPICES design incorporates a novel and state-of-the-art method of boosting the energy of incoming ions so that their fingerprints can be more clearly identified, allowing the abundance and variability of these rare species to be accurately measured. Some of these rarer species are only found inside solar storms and can change how these storms interact with Earth’s space environment. But boosting the energy of these incoming ions is challenging; it must be done safely, without putting the SPICES electronics or other instruments at risk, and without heating the sensor up too much. The methods used on SPICES to boost the ion energy are based on traditional methods, but the new design can boost the ion energy 60% higher than prior space sensors by stepping up the energy one stage at a time to reach the maximum level desired. The design also incorporates a protective bubble to shield electronics and other onboard systems from the high energy ions generated by SPICES. SPICES will soon be ready to fly on upcoming missions that study the global behavior of the Sun, planetary atmospheres, monitor space weather, or fly out to the edges of the solar system into interstellar space. This engineering challenge is being tackled by engineers at the University of Michigan Space Physics Research Laboratory, with contributions from Southwest Research Institute in Texas. The sensor’s original design was a result of collaboration of scientists at the University of Michigan including Dr. George Gloeckler, one of the pioneers of space-based ion mass spectrometers; Professor Susan Lepri; Dr. Jason Gilbert; and Associate Professor Jim Raines. PROJECT LEAD: Professor Susan Lepri, The University of Michigan SPONSORING ORGANIZATION Heliophysics Strategic Technology Office (HESTO) View the full article

NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope team is exploring ways to support community efforts that will prepare for the deluge of data the mission will return. Recently selected infrastructure teams will serve a vital role in the preliminary work by creating simulations, scouting the skies with other telescopes, calibrating Roman’s components, and much more. Their work will complement additional efforts by other teams and individuals around the world, who will join forces to maximize Roman’s scientific potential. The goal is to ensure that, when the mission launches by May 2027, scientists will already have the tools they need to uncover billions of cosmic objects and help untangle mysteries like dark energy. “We’re harnessing the science community at large to lay a foundation, so when we get to launch we’ll be able to do powerful science right out of the gate,” said Julie McEnery, Roman’s senior project scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. “There’s a lot of exciting work to do, and many different ways for scientists to get involved.” This animation shows a simulation of the type of science that astronomers will be able to do with future deep field observations from NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. The gravity of intervening galaxy clusters and dark matter can lens the light from farther objects, warping their appearance as shown in the animation. By studying the distorted light, astronomers can study elusive dark matter, which can only be measured indirectly through its gravitational effects on visible matter. As a bonus, this lensing also makes it easier to see the most distant galaxies whose light they magnify. Simulations like this one help astronomers understand what Roman’s future observations could tell us about the universe, and provide useful data to validate data analysis techniques.Credit: Caltech-IPAC/R. Hurt Simulations lie at the heart of the preparatory efforts. They enable scientists to test algorithms, estimate Roman’s scientific return, and fine-tune observing strategies so that we’ll learn as much as possible about the universe. Teams will be able to sprinkle different cosmic phenomena through a simulated dataset and then run machine learning algorithms to see how well they can automatically find the phenomena. Developing fast and efficient ways to identify underlying patterns will be vital given Roman’s enormous data collection rate. The mission is expected to amass 20,000 terabytes (20 petabytes) of observations containing trillions of individual measurements of stars and galaxies over the course of its five-year primary mission. “The preparatory work is complex, partly because everything Roman will do is quite interconnected,” McEnery said. “Each observation is going to be used by multiple teams for very different science cases, so we’re creating an environment that makes it as easy as possible for scientists to collaborate.” Some scientists will conduct precursor observations using other telescopes, including NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, the Keck Observatory in Hawaii, and Japan’s PRIME (Prime-focus Infrared Microlensing Experiment) located in the South African Astronomical Observatory in Sutherland. These observations will help astronomers optimize Roman’s observing plan by identifying the best individual targets and regions of space for Roman and better understand the data the mission is expected to deliver. Some teams will explore how they might combine data from different observatories and use multiple telescopes in tandem. For example, using PRIME and Roman together would help astronomers learn more about objects found via warped space-time. And Roman scientists will be able to lean on archived Hubble data to look back in time and see where cosmic objects were and how they were behaving, building a more complete history of the objects astronomers will use Roman to study. Roman will also identify interesting targets that observatories such as NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope can zoom in on for more detailed studies. This series of images shows how astronomers find stellar streams by reversing the light and dark, similar to negative images, but stretched to highlight the faint streams. Color images of each of the nearby galaxies featured are superposed to scale to highlight the easily visible disk. Galaxies are surrounded by enormous halos of hot gas sprinkled with sporadic stars, seen as the shadowy regions that encase each galaxy here. NASA’s upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is expected to improve on these observations by resolving individual stars to understand each stream’s stellar populations and see stellar streams of various sizes in even more galaxies.Credit: Carlin et al. (2016), based on images from Martínez-Delgado et al. (2008, 2010) It will take many teams working in parallel to plan for each Roman science case. “Scientists can take something Roman will explore, like wispy streams of stars that extend far beyond the apparent edges of many galaxies, and consider all of the things needed to study them really well,” said Dominic Benford, Roman’s program scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. “That could include algorithms for dim objects, developing ways to measure star positions very precisely, understanding how detector effects could influence the observations and knowing how to correct for them, coming up with the most effective strategy to image stellar streams, and much more.” One group is developing processing and analysis software for Roman’s Coronagraph Instrument. This instrument will demonstrate several cutting-edge technologies that could help astronomers directly image planets beyond our solar system. This team will also simulate different objects and planetary systems the Coronagraph could unveil, from dusty disks surrounding stars to old, cold worlds similar to Jupiter. The mission’s science centers are gearing up to manage Roman’s data pipeline and archive and establishing systems to plan and execute observations. As part of a separate, upcoming effort, they will convene a survey definition team that will take in all of the preparatory information scientists are generating now and all the interests from the broader astronomical community to determine Roman’s optimal observation plans in detail. “The team is looking forward to coordinating and funneling all the preliminary work,” McEnery said. “It’s a challenging but also exciting opportunity to set the stage for Roman and ensure each of its future observations will contribute to a wealth of scientific discoveries.” The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is managed at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, with participation by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Caltech/IPAC in Southern California, the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, and a science team comprising scientists from various research institutions. The primary industrial partners are Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corporation in Boulder, Colorado; L3Harris Technologies in Melbourne, Florida; and Teledyne Scientific & Imaging in Thousand Oaks, California. By Ashley Balzer NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. Media contact: Claire Andreoli NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. 301-286-1940 Explore More 3 min read NASA’s Webb Captures an Ethereal View of NGC 346 Article 11 mins ago 5 min read Tracing the Origin and Energization of Plasma inthe Heliosphere PROJECT: Solar Wind Pickup Ion Composition Energy Spectrometer (SPICES) SNAPSHOT: SPICES is a new sensor… Article 4 hours ago 2 min read Hubble Examines Entrancing Galaxy in Eridanus Hubble is sharing a brand new galaxy image every day through October 7, 2023! Visit… Article 3 days ago Share Details Last Updated Oct 10, 2023 Related Terms AstrophysicsDark Matter & Dark EnergyExoplanet Detection MethodsExoplanetsGalaxiesGalaxies, Stars, & Black HolesGalaxies, Stars, & Black Holes ResearchGas Giant ExoplanetsGoddard Space Flight CenterHubble Space TelescopeJames Webb Space Telescope (JWST)Nancy Grace Roman Space TelescopeScience & ResearchStarsThe Universe View the full article

3 min read Five Tips for Photographing the Annular Solar Eclipse on Oct. 14 Sarah Baker views the partial solar eclipse as the sun rises, Thursday, June 10, 2021, at Lewes Beach in Delaware. NASA/Aubrey Gemignani An annular solar eclipse is crossing the Americas on Oct. 14, 2023. This astronomical event is a perfect opportunity to capture unforgettable images of the Moon “taking a bite” out of the Sun or creating a “ring of fire” effect in the sky. Whether you’re an amateur photographer or a selfie master, try out these tips for photographing the eclipse. #1 – Safety First To take images as the Sun is being eclipsed, you’ll need to use a special solar filter to protect your camera, just as you’ll need a pair of eclipse glasses to protect your own eyes. Having a few other pieces of equipment can also come in handy during the eclipse. Using a tripod can help you stabilize the camera and avoid taking blurry images during the low lighting. Additionally, using a delayed shutter release timer will allow you to snap shots without jiggling the camera. #2 – Any Camera Is a Good Camera Taking a stunning photo has more to do with the photographer than the camera. Whether you have a high-end DSLR, or a camera phone, you can take great photos during the eclipse; after all, the best piece of equipment you can have is a good eye and a vision for the image you want to create. If you don’t have a telephoto zoom lens, focus on taking landscape shots, which capture the changing environment. A safe solar filter must be used in front of a camera lens whenever photographing an annular solar eclipse or a partial solar eclipse. Putting the camera on a tripod will help stabilize the view and produce clearer photos. Danny B. Thomas #3 – Look Up, Down, All Around While the Sun is the most commanding element of an eclipse, remember to look around you. As the Moon slips in front of the Sun, the landscape will be bathed in long shadows, creating eerie lighting across the landscape. Light filtering through the overlapping leaves of trees create natural pinholes, which will also create mini eclipse replicas on the ground. Everywhere you can point your camera can yield exceptional imagery, so be sure to compose some wide-angle photos that can capture your eclipse experience. NASA photographer Bill Ingalls recommends focusing on the human experience of watching the eclipse. “The real pictures are going to be of the people around you pointing, gawking, and watching it,” Ingalls noted. “Those are going to be some great moments to capture to show the emotion of the whole thing.” #4 – Practice Be sure you know the capabilities of your camera before eclipse day. Most cameras, and even many camera phones, have adjustable exposures, which can help you darken or lighten your image during the tricky eclipse lighting. Make sure you know how to manually focus the camera for crisp shots. For DSLR cameras, the best way to determine the correct exposure is to test settings on the uneclipsed Sun beforehand. Using a fixed aperture of f/8 to f/16, try shutter speeds between 1/1000 to 1/4 second to find the optimal setting, which you can then use to take images during the partial or annular stages of the eclipse. #5 – Share! Share your eclipse experience with friends and family afterwards. Tag @NASA to connect your photos on social media to those taken around the country and share them with NASA. While you’re out perfecting your perfect eclipse shot, don’t forget to stop and look at the eclipse with your own eyes. Just remember to wear your solar viewing glasses (or “eclipse glasses”) throughout the entire eclipse! Learn More About the Oct. 14, 2023 Annular Eclipse Share Details Last Updated Oct 10, 2023 Related Terms 2023 Solar Eclipse Eclipses Skywatching Solar Eclipses Explore More 5 min read To Study Atmosphere, NASA Rockets Will Fly into Oct. Eclipse’s Shadow Article 2 weeks ago 4 min read Introducing the 2023 Eclipse Explorer: Your Interactive Guide to the 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse Article 2 weeks ago 4 min read Meet the Creators, Part 2 Article 2 weeks ago Keep Exploring Discover Related Topics Missions Humans in Space Climate Change Solar System View the full article

3 min read Evolution Space to Produce and Test Solid Rocket Motors at NASA Stennis NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, joined with Evolution Space on Oct. 10 to announce plans for the aerospace company to establish production and testing operations for solid rocket motors onsite. “This is another great addition to south Mississippi’s commercial space engagement,” Center Director Dr. Rick Gilbrech said. “Evolution Space gains access to critical NASA Stennis infrastructure and expertise as it continues to build its propulsion capabilities. In turn, we continue frontline work with commercial companies as we support NASA’s commitment to increase access to space and grow our federal city. We look forward to working with Evolution Space.” The announcement grants access for Evolution Space to establish its Minor Scale Propulsion Center, while also opening the door to a larger future presence at the center. It also marks the first time in NASA Stennis’ 62-year history to support production and testing of solid rocket motors, and continues the center’s efforts to maximize use of its unique location, operating model, and propulsion infrastructure and capabilities by commercial aerospace companies and others. “By partnering with NASA, we are able to rapidly stand up a facility which will add considerable capability to the US solid rocket motor industrial base,” said Manny Ballestero, a U.S. Army veteran and Evolution Space vice president of production and development. “We look forward to the future of our partnership as we continue to expand our presence at Stennis.” Under the arrangement, Evolution Space gains access to previously vacant NASA Stennis facilities to mix, cast, and store propellants. The company’s production facility is expected to be operational by spring 2024. It also will use the E-3 Test Complex at NASA Stennis to conduct solid rocket motor hot fires onsite for the first time. Evolution Space will provide all equipment, components, and electrical systems needed for a blended team of company and NASA personnel to test the motors. “Evolution Space is moving fast and scaling with purpose,” added Josh Marino, U.S. Navy veteran and vice president of operations at Evolution Space. “We see our collaboration with the NASA Stennis propulsion center as a strategic expansion to help meet the growing demands of both the commercial and defense sectors.” The news represents the latest collaboration between NASA Stennis and a commercial aerospace company. The nation’s largest propulsion test site, NASA Stennis features a secure setting and 125,000-acre acoustical buffer zone that enables 365/24/7 operations and testing. Historically, the site has supported propulsion projects that use liquid fuels and oxidizers as propellants. For solid rocket motors, fuel and oxidizer are mixed together into a solid propellant. “This is an exciting agreement for NASA Stennis,” said Duane Armstrong, manager of the NASA Stennis Strategic Business Development Office. “It is yet another demonstration of the value of the center and its ability to support a range of commercial aerospace companies.” For information about Stennis Space Center, visit: www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/. C. Lacy Thompson Stennis Space Center, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi 228-363-5499 calvin.l.thompson@nasa.gov Share Details Last Updated Oct 10, 2023 Editor Contact Location Stennis Space Center Related Terms Stennis Space Center Explore More 4 min read Data Tells Story of NASA Moon Rocket Engine Tests Article 2 weeks ago 5 min read NASA Achieves Key Milestone for Production of Future Artemis Engines Article 3 months ago 4 min read Stennis Flashback: NASA Test Series Leads to Bold Space Shuttle Flight It may have been small, but the white puff of smoke exiting the B-2 Test… Article 5 months ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics from NASA Stennis Doing Business with NASA Stennis About NASA Stennis Visit NASA Stennis NASA Stennis Media Resources View the full article

Preparing to Journey to a Metal World on This Week @NASA – October 6, 2023

2 min read Hubble Examines Entrancing Galaxy in Eridanus NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope’s view of NGC 685 in the constellation Eridanus, the River. NASA, ESA, and J. Lee (Space Telescope Science Institute); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America) Hubble is sharing a brand new galaxy image every day through October 7, 2023! Visit our website daily, or follow along on X, Facebook, and Instagram. NGC 685 takes center stage amid faintly twinkling stars on an inky black background. This galaxy is clearly a barred spiral galaxy with its bright center bar and patchy, curving arms. It is about 58 million light-years away in the constellation Eridanus. NGC 685 lies south of the celestial equator and is visible from the southern hemisphere at certain times of the year. British astronomer John Herschel discovered NGC 685 in 1834, and early observers noted its apparent roundness. The whole galaxy is about 60,000 light-years across – a little more than half the size of our Milky Way. The patches of bright blue along the galaxy’s arms are star clusters, groups of stars held together by their mutual gravitational attraction. Wisps of dark red near the central bar depict interstellar gas and dust, the matter from which stars form. About two-thirds of all spiral galaxies have a central bar like NGC 685. Its intense glow comes from many stars concentrated in a relatively small area. NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope took this image as part of a scientific effort to study star cluster formation and evolution. Hubble’s ultraviolet capabilities are well-suited to this task, since young stars shine brightly at ultraviolet wavelengths. An average-sized galaxy like NGC 685 can have around 100 million stars, which is on the low end. See the new images and learn more about galaxies Media Contact: Claire Andreoli NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD claire.andreoli@nasa.gov Share Details Last Updated Oct 06, 2023 Editor Andrea Gianopoulos Contact Related Terms Astrophysics Division Galaxies Goddard Space Flight Center Hubble Space Telescope Missions Science Mission Directorate Spiral Galaxies The Universe Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Stars Stories Galaxies Stories Exoplanets Our Solar System View the full article

iss070e000663 (Sept. 30, 2023) — NASA astronaut and Expedition 70 Flight Engineer Loral O’Hara is pictured trimming her hair aboard the International Space Station.NASAView the full article

iss070e001594 (Oct. 2, 2023) — NASA astronaut and Expedition 70 Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli replaces cables on the advanced resistive exercise device inside the International Space Station’s Tranquility module.NASAView the full article

iss070e001677 (Oct. 3, 2023) — ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut and Expedition 70 Commander Andreas Mogensen is pictured with the International Space Station’s new exercise cycle after it was installed in the Destiny laboratory module.NASAView the full article

iss070e002150 (Oct. 5, 2023) — JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut and Expedition 70 Flight Engineer Satoshi Furukawa loads camera and light hardware into the Kibo laboratory module’s airlock that will be installed outside the International Space Station.NASAView the full article

iss070e002159_alt (Sept. 30, 2023) — NASA astronaut and Expedition 70 Flight Engineer Loral O’Hara shows off tools she will use during a spacewalk to swab surfaces on the International Space Station and collect potential microbe samples for analysis.NASAView the full article

iss070e002191 (Oct. 6, 2023) — The cities of Khartoum and Omdurman in Sudan are pictured from the International Space Station as it orbited 258 miles above the African nation.NASAView the full article

iss070e002272 (Oct. 6, 2023) — The Jibāl Hawlad mountain range, near the Red Sea, is pictured in the African nation of Sudan as the International Space Station orbited 258 miles above.NASAView the full article

NASA More than 50,000 participants have registered for the 2023 NASA Space Apps Challenge Saturday, Oct. 7, to Sunday, Oct. 8, which is the largest annual worldwide hackathon. During the two-day event, participants form teams and use software development, engineering, art, storytelling, science, and other skills to solve science-related challenges written by NASA personnel. Teams can be in-person at local events held around the world, or participate virtually. This year’s theme celebrates the benefits and successes created through sharing open data: Explore Open Science Together. “NASA has a 60-year legacy of pushing the limits of how science is used to understand our universe,” said Nicola Fox, associate administrator for science at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “This year’s Space Apps challenge supports one of our key goals to expand those limits: Spark a culture that ensures and insists our data is easily accessible for everyone. Open science produces research that is transparent, reproducible, and replicable – while increasing diversity and inclusion.” The Space Apps Challenge experience provides a platform to network locally and globally, develop new skills, and identify pathways to pursue academic and professional opportunities. Here is a list of hackathon activities online: Follow activities on Space Apps X, Space Apps Facebook, and Space Apps Instagram accounts. Use #SpaceApps on social posts. 5 p.m. EDT on Friday: “Welcome to Space Apps” kick-off video premieres on the Space Apps YouTube page 2:30 a.m. EDT on Sunday: Instagram Live on the Space Apps account featuring four local events from around the world (Italy, Australia, and two from across the United States) Once the hackathon concludes, projects are submitted for judging to NASA and other space agency experts. Participants compete for one of 10 global awards. Winners are expected to be announced in January 2024, followed by a winners’ celebration in June. Thirteen space agencies, as well as community partners and volunteers from around the world, collaborate with NASA to host a successful hackathon. Since its inception in 2021, the challenge has engaged more than 260,000 registrants from nearly 200 countries/territories around the world to build innovative solutions to challenges faced on Earth and in space. There is no cost to participate. Learn more about NASA’s Space Apps Challenge online: https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/2023/challenges/ View the full article

NSYNC’s Lance Bass Shows How to Safely View an Annular Solar Eclipse

Help Improve Federal Agency Forecasts of Procurement Opportunities Help Improve Federal Agency Forecasts of Procurement Opportunities The Office of Federal Procurement Policy in the Office of Management & Budget, Executive Office of the President, is hosting a three-week crowdsourcing campaign to seek feedback and preview changes under consideration for agency forecasts of procurement opportunities. Click HERE to participate in this campaign All are welcome to participate. We are especially interested in private sector input, including feedback from current and prospective vendors, to understand: How well do the changes that the Federal Government is considering for agency forecasts of procurement opportunities resonate with your business needs? Participate in the campaign any time October 3 – 31, 2023 to share your feedback on the changes under consideration. Your contributions will help shape plans and activities to ensure that Federal agency forecasts of procurement opportunities are strategic tools for business success. Thank you and we look forward to your feedback! Christine Harada Downloads Navigating Tomorow’s Opportunities Oct 6, 2023 PDF (202.35 KB) View the full article

MEDIA ADVISORY: J23-006 Oct. 6, 2023 NASA will open its gates to the public Saturday, Oct. 14, celebrating the agency’s 65th anniversary, the International Space Station’s 25th anniversary, and upcoming Artemis missions to the Moon. Media interested in participating in the event at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston must request credentials from the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 or jsccommu@mail.nasa.gov, no later than 12 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13. Media must check in upon arrival at the Johnson newsroom in Building 2N, where additional background materials will be available, and interviews may be requested. To help ensure an enjoyable visit for everyone when they drive through the center’s main gate from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CDT, NASA Johnson is asking visitors to abide by the following guidelines: Small, clear bags are allowed No backpacks, drones, coolers, food, or beverages (including alcohol) are permitted No pets (unless certified service dog) No firearms, weapons, or ammunition (includes license to carry) Motorcycle helmets are required on NASA property Entry into, continued presence on, or exit from the facility is contingent upon your consent to inspection of person or property Download the NASA SAFE app for information on parking, entry process, policies, maps, frequently asked questions, and emergency response During the open house, visitors will get a free, behind-the-scenes look at some of the agency’s most historic accomplishments, and the exciting work happening right now as NASA returns humans to the Moon and ultimately prepares for exploration of Mars. The incoming gate will close at 2:30 p.m. and visitors will be allowed to remain on site until 3 p.m. See a full list of what will be open and a map that includes parking, at: https://www.nasa.gov/johnson/open-house/ Visitors will have access to a variety of exhibits and hardware, ranging from Moon rocks collected during the Apollo missions, to full-size mockups of the International Space Station, NASA’s Orion spacecraft, and Gateway lunar space station. Guests also will have opportunities to meet astronauts and learn more about how human spaceflight missions are managed from Mission Control, Houston. Guests may also take advantage of an exciting opportunity to view an annular eclipse — also known as a “ring of fire” eclipse — of the Sun. In addition to facilities and exhibits, the center’s Teague Auditorium will feature programs and speakers from 9:30 a.m. through 3 p.m. NASA opened for business Oct. 1, 1958, following the signing of the agency’s founding legislation on July 29, 1958. After four decades that saw dozens of short-duration missions to the Moon and low Earth orbit, NASA and its international partners launched the first element of the International Space Station on Nov. 20, 1998, setting the stage for continuous human presence in space, which began in 2000. Visitors are welcomed year-round through Johnson’s official visitor center, Space Center Houston, which provides tram tours and visits inside several key facilities. However, this open house will allow visitors to have access to several locations not accessible during visitor center tours. Connect with Johnson Space Center on social media at: https://x.com/NASA_Johnson and https://www.facebook.com/NASAJSC -end- Kelly Humphries / Dylan Connell Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 kelly.o.humphries@nasa.gov dylan.b.connell@nasa.gov View the full article

An annular “ring of fire” solar eclipse on May 20, 2012NASA/Bill Dunford On Saturday, Oct. 14, the Moon will pass between Earth and the Sun, giving people across the United States an opportunity to see an annular solar eclipse. NASA will host live coverage of the eclipse starting at 11:30 a.m. EDT. Media have an opportunity to interview NASA experts live prior to the eclipse, and those on site at two locations where NASA will broadcast live also can request interviews that day. Also known as a ring of fire eclipse, an annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon is at or near its farthest point from Earth. Because the Moon is farther away than it is during a total solar eclipse, the Moon appears smaller and doesn’t block out the entire Sun when it passes in front of our star. Instead, the Moon leaves a bright ring of Sun visible at the eclipse’s peak, creating the ring of fire effect. Watch the agency’s eclipse coverage live on NASA Television, the agency’s website, and the NASA app. NASA also will stream the broadcast live on its Facebook, X, and YouTube social media accounts. This eclipse will be visible along a narrow path stretching from Oregon to Texas in the U.S. Outside this path, people across the contiguous U.S. – as well as Puerto Rico and parts of Alaska and Hawaii – will see a partial solar eclipse, when part of the Sun is covered by the Moon without creating the ring of fire effect. NASA’s coverage will be hosted from broadcast locations along the path of annularity in Kerrville, Texas, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. NASA’s coverage will include live views of the eclipse from multiple locations, interviews with scientists and other experts, as well as a live Q&A segment. Anyone can submit questions by using #askNASA. The eclipse broadcast also will feature live views of sounding rockets launching from White Sands, New Mexico, carrying scientific instruments to study the eclipse’s effects on the atmosphere. Media must contact Sarah Frazier at sarah.frazier@nasa.gov to request on-site interviews in Albuquerque, and Elizabeth Landau at elizabeth.r.landau@nasa.gov for on-site interviews in Kerrville. Ahead of the eclipse, NASA also has a limited number of live shot opportunities available for media beginning at 6 a.m. EDT on Friday, Oct. 13. Learn more and request an interview online. Watch, Engage in Person NASA’s interactive eclipse map provides details about the timing and type of eclipse visible in various locations. Because the Sun is never completely covered by the Moon, all eclipse-watchers will need to use specialized solar filters or an indirect viewing method to safely watch the eclipse. It is never safe to look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection, even when most of the Sun is covered by the Moon. Two easy ways to view the eclipse are to use certified solar viewing glasses or build a pinhole projector from household materials. More information about safe eclipse viewing is available on NASA’s eclipse website. The eclipse also provides a unique opportunity for citizen science. GLOBE Observer and Eclipse Soundscapes allow citizen scientists to submit observations on sounds, temperature, cloud cover, and more to help scientists understand how eclipses can affect Earth’s atmosphere and animal life. NASA also has STEM learning resources tied to the eclipse. The next solar eclipse takes place on April 8, 2024, when a total solar eclipse will cross the U.S. from Texas to Maine. During this event, a partial solar eclipse will be visible throughout the contiguous U.S., as well as in Puerto Rico and parts of Alaska and Hawaii. Learn more about the Oct. 14 eclipse at: go.nasa.gov/Eclipse2023 -end- Karen Fox / Denise Hill Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1275 / 202-308-2071 karen.c.fox@nasa.gov / denise.hill@nasa.gov Sarah Frazier Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. 202-853-7191 sarah.frazier@nasa.gov View the full article

2 min read NASA Concludes Significant Technical Challenge: In-Time Terminal Area Risk Management NASA’s System-Wide Safety project is working towards achieving NASA’s vision for safe, efficient skies.Busakorn Pongparnit Operations within the National Airspace System continue to grow in scale and complexity. As a result, causal factors of risks and hazards are increasingly complex and drive the need to transform the way we conduct risk management and safety assurance. NASA’s System-Wide Safety (SWS) project recently commemorated the completion of a major step towards that transformation with an engaging hybrid event reflecting on the completion of its Technical Challenge 1 (TC-1): In-Time Terminal Area Risk Management. The event highlighted key takeaways, provided technology demonstrations, and engaged stakeholders and partners in conversations around the myriad of capabilities and opportunities made possible by the tools, techniques, and processes developed under the technical challenge. Speakers from NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), airlines, and the aviation industry at large discussed how to best leverage TC-1 capabilities as the safety foundation of this new era of commercial aviation. New technologies developed in TC-1 identify emerging risks and monitor safety margins before an accident occurs – not after. Powered by prognostic and predictive risk assessment algorithms and human factors research, TC-1 work will both improve today’s safety management systems and help us shape future operational systems. Nikunj Oza, subproject manager for TC-1, speaks at the closeout event.NASA Through TC-1, NASA and its partners have developed and demonstrated: Methods to improve risk management and safety assurance processes by proactively identifying risks and causal factors before an accident/incident occurs. Integrated risk assessment capabilities to monitor and assess terminal area operations based on advanced data analytics methods and predictive model development. Machine Learning Analytics Tools, in collaboration with our partners, that identify and characterize operational risks, monitor, and integrate data, evaluate risk mitigation strategies, and determine causal and contributing factors. TC-1’s findings are the bedrock of the rest of the SWS technical challenges. They pave the way for a new technical challenge (TC-6) that seeks to expand on the work completed thus far and address the call to action set forth by the FAA to address safety challenges facing the transforming aviation industry. SWS extends sincere appreciation to TC-1’s subproject managers, Nikunj Oza and Chad Stephens, and to Abigail Glenn-Chase for coordinating such an impactful event. A recording of the event is available below. Facebook logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es Instagram logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es Linkedin logo @NASA Explore More 3 min read Meet System-Wide Safety’s Hannah Walsh Hannah Walsh, Computer Engineer Article 5 months ago 4 min read From the Streets to the Skies: Terry Morris Using NASA’s Vision to Transform Humanity Towards the Future Abused. Neglected. Abandoned. Terry Morris was dealt a horrible set of cards in life, but… Article 8 months ago 1 min read System-Wide Safety Hosts Panel at Crosscutting Meeting Article 8 months ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Missions Humans In Space Solar System Exploration Overview Since 1998, NASA’s Solar System Exploration hub has served as a real-time, living encyclopedia of the scientific exploration of… Explore NASA’s History Share Details Last Updated Oct 06, 2023 Editor Lillian Gipson Contact Jim Bankejim.banke@nasa.gov Related Terms System-Wide Safety View the full article

2 min read Hubble’s Multi-Wavelength View of Recently-Released Webb Image This NASA Hubble Space Telescope image of NGC 5068 uses data in ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light. NASA, ESA, R. Chandar (University of Toledo), and J. Lee (Space Telescope Science Institute); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America) Hubble is sharing a brand new galaxy image every day through October 7, 2023! Visit our website daily, or follow along on X, Facebook, and Instagram. Patches of bright pink and wisps of dark red paint the foreground of this new NASA Hubble Space Telescope image. NGC 5068 is a barred spiral galaxy with thousands of star-forming regions and large quantities of interstellar dust. First discovered by British astronomer William Herschel in 1785, NGC 5068 sits in the southern region of the constellation Virgo and is around 20 million light-years away. Astronomers estimate the galaxy is 45,000 light-years in diameter. At the top center of this image lies NGC 5068’s bright central bar, a densely packed region of mature stars. A black hole lurks behind the bar, tugging the stars together with its intense gravitational pull. The bright pinkish-red splotches along the bottom and sides of the image are regions of ionized hydrogen gas where young star clusters lie. Though not very clear from this angle, these splotches are along the galaxy’s spiral arms, where new stars typically form. Astronomers also found at least 110 Wolf-Rayet stars in NGC 5068. Wolf-Rayet stars are a type of old, massive star that loses mass at a very high rate. They are typically more than 25 times the mass of our Sun and up to a million times more luminous. There are about 220 Wolf-Rayet stars in our Milky Way galaxy. NGC 5068 is difficult to see with human eyes because it has relatively low surface brightness. Luckily, Hubble’s ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared capabilities helped capture the beauty and intrigue of this galaxy. Different cosmic objects emit different wavelengths of light; young and hot stars emit ultraviolet light, so Hubble uses ultraviolet observations to find them. This NASA Hubble Space Telescope image (upper-right) includes ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light. The Webb image (lower-right) is in infrared. The lower-left, wide-field image of NGC 5068 places the locations of the Hubble and Webb images within the context of the entire galaxy and to each other. NASA, ESA, R. Chandar (University of Toledo), and J. Lee (STScI); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America), DECam, Victor M. Blanco/CTIO, CSA, J. Lee and the PHANGS-JWST Team In June of 2023, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope released its own infrared image of NGC 5068 as part of a science campaign to learn more about star formation in gaseous regions of nearby galaxies. Many of Webb’s observations are building on earlier Hubble observations, specifically a collection of 10,000 images of star clusters. See the new images and learn more about galaxies Media Contact: Claire Andreoli NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD claire.andreoli@nasa.gov Share Details Last Updated Oct 06, 2023 Editor Andrea Gianopoulos Contact Related Terms Astrophysics Division Galaxies Goddard Space Flight Center Hubble Space Telescope James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Missions Science Mission Directorate Spiral Galaxies The Universe Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Stars Stories Galaxies Stories Exoplanets Our Solar System View the full article

jsc2023e014639 (March 10, 2023) — NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara conducts preflight training aboard a T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas, before beginning her mission to the International Space Station. NASAView the full article

jsc2023e014640 (March 10, 2023) — NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara conducts preflight training aboard a T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas, before beginning her mission to the International Space Station. NASAView the full article

jsc2023e014658 (March 10, 2023) — NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara conducts preflight training aboard a T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas, before beginning her mission to the International Space Station. NASAView the full article

jsc2023e052791 (Oct. 13, 2022) — Roscosmos cosmonaut and Expedition 70 Flight Engineer, including Soyuz MS-24 Commander, Oleg Kononenko poses for a portrait at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia. Credit: Andrey Shelepin NASAView the full article