̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge - NASA

First spaceflight for Gates Cambridge Scholar

fpjl2 — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 13:32:45 +0000

On 10th November Kayla Barron blasted off into space on her first trip to the International Space Station where she is part of a six-month science mission. Kayla, a Gates Cambridge alumna, was one of four astronauts on the SpaceX Crew Dragon.

First atmospheric study of Earth-sized exoplanets using Hubble telescope

sjr81 — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 17:15:38 +0000

Embarking on the first attempt at detecting the atmospheres of planets outside our solar system, a team of Cambridge and international researchers discovered that the exoplanets TRAPPIST-1b and TRAPPIST-1c, approximately 40 light-years away, are unlikely to have puffy, hydrogen-dominated atmospheres such as those usually found on gaseous worlds like Jupiter or Saturn.

̽��ֱ��lack of a hydrogen-helium envelope increases the Earth-likeliness of these planets and has caused considerable excitement among researchers taking part in the study. ̽��ֱ��results of their findings are published today in the journal Nature.

“Humanity’s remote exploration of alien environments has truly started,” said Amaury Triaud, a research fellow at Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy. “It is tantalizing to think that with another ten similar observations, we would start distinguishing whether those planets are more Venus-like, more Earth-like, or if they are radically different.”

Researchers observed the planets in near-infrared light and used spectroscopy to decode a change of light as the planets transited in front of their stars. During transit, starlight shines through a planet’s atmosphere making it possible to deduce its chemical makeup.

Both planets orbit TRAPPIST-1 – an ultracool dwarf star that is much cooler and redder than the sun, and barely larger than Jupiter. TRAPPIST-1 has a mass 8% that of the Sun and is located in the constellation of Aquarius. ̽��ֱ��planets orbiting the star were discovered in late 2015 through a series of observations by the TRAnsiting Planets and PlanetesImals Small Telescope (TRAPPIST), a Belgian robotic telescope located at ESO’s (European Southern Observatory’s) La Silla Observatory in Chile. ̽��ֱ��small size of the star TRAPPIST-1 boosts the signal produced by the planets’ atmospheres, easing their study by nearly 100 times compared to similar planets orbiting stars like the Sun.

TRAPPIST-1b completes a circuit around its red dwarf star in 1.5 days and TRAPPIST-1c in 2.4 days. Thanks to the faintness of the star they orbit, and to the planet’s short orbits, it is possible that parts of their surfaces have temperatures similar to the Earth. While it remains unclear whether the planets are habitable, they are the first worlds for which we can determine the existence of a habitable climate.

On May 4, astronomers took advantage of a rare simultaneous transit, when both planets crossed the face of their star within minutes of each other, to measure starlight as it filtered through any existing atmosphere. This double transit, which occurs only once every two years, provided a chance to hasten the atmospheric study of TRAPPIST-1b and TRAPPIST-1c.

̽��ֱ��researchers now hope to use Hubble to conduct follow-up observations to search for thinner atmospheres, composed of elements heavier than hydrogen, like those of Earth and Venus.

Observations from future telescopes, including NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, will help determine the full composition of these atmospheres and hunt for potential biosignatures, such as carbon dioxide and ozone, in addition to water vapor and methane. Webb also will analyze a planet’s temperature and surface pressure – key factors in assessing its habitability.

“Our observations demonstrate that Hubble has the capacity to play a central role,” said lead researcher Julien de Wit, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “It can carry-out an atmospheric pre-screening, to tell astronomers which of these Earth-sized planets are prime candidates for more detailed study with the Webb telescope.”

̽��ֱ��TRAPPIST telescope identified these two Earth-sized worlds during a prototype run for a more ambitious venture, called SPECULOOS, which is currently in construction at Cerro Paranal, Chile. SPECULOOS will monitor 1,000 nearby red dwarf stars seeking additional Earth-sized worlds.

Professor Didier Queloz, Professor of Physics at the Cavendish Laboratory, and a founding member of the project, said: “Within the next five years, SPECULOOS will likely detect 20-30 new Earth-sized planets. All of them will have atmospheres that can be investigated by the James Webb.”

Dr Brice-Olivier Demory, a senior research associate at the Cavendish Laboratory, said: “Soon we will have the right targets, and the right telescopes to start investigating rocky planet atmospheres beyond our Solar system. Finding out whether other worlds are indeed Earth-like is only a matter of time.”

̽��ֱ��Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and ESA. Goddard manages the telescope and STScI conducts Hubble science operations. STScI is operated for NASA by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy in Washington.

Two Earth-sized exoplanets have become the first rocky worlds to have their atmospheres studied using the Hubble Space Telescope.

Humanity’s remote exploration of alien environments has truly started.

Amaury Triaud

NASA

Artist's View of Planets Transiting Red Dwarf Star in TRAPPIST-1 System

̽��ֱ��text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. For image use please see separate credits above.

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Galactic ‘vapour trails’ uncovered in giant cluster

fpjl2 — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 09:44:57 +0000

Unusual gas filament ‘arms’ have been found in the central region of the Coma cluster, a large collection of thousands of galaxies located about 300 million light years from Earth - and one of the largest structures in the Universe held together by gravity.

These remarkably long arms – which bear resemblance to vast galactic vapour trails - glow in X-ray light, and tell astronomers about the collisions that took place between Coma and other galaxy clusters over the last billion years.

A team of astronomers from Cambridge and the Max Planck Institute discovered the enormous X-ray vapour trails – spanning at least half a million light years – in Coma by using data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory as well as ESA’s XMM-Newton. ̽��ֱ��elongated filaments of hot gas were revealed after enhancing the detail in Chandra X-ray images, shown in purple above.

Researchers think that these arms were most likely formed when smaller galaxy clusters had their hot gas stripped away while merging with the larger Coma cluster. This would have left a trail of superheated gas behind them similar to a jet leaving behind trails of water vapour as it moves across the sky.

Coma is an unusual galaxy cluster because it contains not one, but two giant elliptical galaxies near its centre. These two giant elliptical galaxies are probably the trace remains of each of the two largest galaxies that merged with Coma in the past. There are also other signs of past collisions and mergers that the researchers were able to uncover in the data.

̽��ֱ��newly discovered X-ray arms are thought to be about 300 million years old, and they appear to have a rather smooth shape. This gives researchers some clues about the conditions of the hot gas in Coma. Most theoretical models expect that mergers between clusters like those in Coma will produce strong turbulence, like ocean water that has been churned by passing ships. Instead, the smooth shape of these lengthy arms points to a rather calm setting for the hot gas in the Coma cluster, even after many mergers.

“Coma is like a giant cosmic train wreck where several clusters have collided with each other. We hadn’t expected that these rather delicate straight filaments would survive in that environment,” said lead author Dr Jeremy Sanders, who conducted much of the research whilst at Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy alongside Professor Andrew Fabian.

“ ̽��ֱ��existence of these long straight structures appears to point towards the centre of the Coma cluster being a much calmer environment than we had expected.”

Elongated structures of hot gas found after enhancing the detail in images taken with the Chandra (pink) and on larger scales XMM-Newton (purple) X-ray observatories

Two of the arms appear to be connected to a group of galaxies located about two million light years from the centre of Coma. One or both of the arms connects to a larger structure seen in the XMM-Newton data, and spans a distance of at least 1.5 million light years. A very thin tail also appears behind one of the galaxies in Coma. This is probably evidence of gas being stripped from a single galaxy, in addition to the groups or clusters that have merged there.

Galaxy clusters are the largest objects held together by gravity in the universe. ̽��ֱ��collisions and mergers between galaxy clusters of similar mass are the most energetic events in the nearby universe. These new results are important for understanding the physics of these enormous objects and how they grow.

Large-scale magnetic fields are likely responsible for the small amount of turbulence that is present in Coma. Estimating the amount of turbulence in a galaxy cluster has been a challenging problem for astrophysicists. Researchers have found a range of answers, some of them conflicting, and so observations of other clusters are needed.

These new results on the Coma cluster, which incorporate over six days worth of Chandra observing time, appears in the latest issue of the journal Science.

Text adapted from a NASA Chandra press release

Astronomers have discovered enormous smooth shapes that look like vapour trails in a gigantic galaxy cluster. These ‘arms’ span half a million light years and provide researchers with clues to a billion years of collisions within the “giant cosmic train wreck” of the Coma cluster.

Coma is like a giant cosmic train wreck where several clusters have collided with each other. We hadn’t expected that these rather delicate straight filaments would survive in that environment

Jeremy Sanders

NASA Chandra

Revealed elongated filaments of hot gas found after enhancing the detail in Chandra X-ray images (purple), also showing the optical light galaxies in cluster (taken from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey)

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Are we ready to meet ET?

sjr81 — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 14:38:23 +0000

̽��ֱ��idea of extra-terrestrial life forms fascinates some and terrifies others. And even though our search for ET never quite panned out, we never stopped looking.

However, could this all be about to change following the discovery of hundreds of exoplanets (planets outside our Solar System), and thousands of candidate exoplanetary systems, some of which might be habitable for life.

Speaking about these momentous discoveries at the Cambridge Science Festival on March 16, NASA’s Dr Jennifer Wiseman will reveal how these exoplanets may provide evidence of biological activity, and discuss the profound invigoration of scientific and related religious and philosophical thought this might inspire if we find that life could thrive beyond Earth.

In a recent interview, Dr Wiseman said: “It’s a very exciting time for astronomy; we are finding a plethora of planets around other stars, including some that may be similar to Earth in size and temperature. ̽��ֱ��question that humans have had for centuries – whether or not there are planets similar to our own around other stars – seems more and more to be best answered as, ‘Yes!’”

It is expected that there is at least one planet, on average, orbiting around each star in our Milky Way galaxy, resulting in hundreds of billions of exoplanets, some fraction of which are the size of Earth at similar distances from their parent stars as Earth is to the Sun. These staggering numbers means there is a real possibility that we are on the verge of discovering our twin. If so, could this also mean the discovery of alien life forms similar to humans? And, what could this mean for humanity’s self-image if we were to discover that we are not unique or alone in the universe?

As Senior Project Scientist for NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and Director of the Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Dr Wiseman is uniquely placed to provide both insights into the latest developments in the search for inhabitable exoplanets, as well as reflections on philosophical and religious implications of finding life on another planet.

From identifying seismic wave activity and colour patterns on these other worlds, to the use of enormous telescopes that could potentially hunt for evidence of alien life by their atmospheres, astronomers are continuing to find new ways to look for that tantalising hint of life.

In January this year, astronomers announced the discovery of an Earth-like exoplanet candidate orbiting a star similar to our Sun in the ‘habitable zone’ – the area around a star within which it is theoretically possible for water to exist on a planet’s surface (and therefore also the possibility of supporting life). And in February, Harvard researchers identified three planets as 'objects of interest' - meaning they could also be potentially habitable.

Harvard astronomer and lead author Courtney Dressing, who presented the findings at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, said: “We thought we would have to search vast distances to find an Earth-like planet. Now we realise another Earth is probably in our own backyard, waiting to be spotted.”

In addition, the World Economic Forum Global Risks report for 2013 states that, "Given the pace of space exploration, it is increasingly conceivable that we may discover the existence of alien life or other planets that could support human life. ... In 10 years' time, we may have evidence not only that Earth is not unique, but also that life exists elsewhere in the universe."

̽��ֱ��report continued, “ ̽��ֱ��discovery of even simple life would fuel speculation about the existence of other intelligent beings and challenge many assumptions that underpin human philosophy and religion.”

Professor Meric Srokosz, Associate Director of ̽��ֱ��Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, Cambridge (the organisers of the event) said: “This is a unique opportunity to hear a genuine expert in her field, and to learn and think about one of the questions that continues to fascinate: is there life out there in the universe?”

Further space-related events at the 2013 Cambridge Science Festival include:

Frozen worlds – 10am – 4pm, 12 – 16, 19 – 23 March, Polar Museum, Lensfield Road, CB2 1ER

̽��ֱ��Polar regions are a portal for exploring space. This exhibition presents some extraordinary technology developed to probe the most challenging places in the Universe. It examines how humans exist in harsh and otherwise inhospitable conditions such as the Poles and space. There will be activity boxes for people to use during their visit. Event: 10, Map: 51, Exhibition, Drop in, All ages.
A portal to space: frozen worlds panel discussion – 6pm – 7.30pm, 12 March
Polar Museum, Lensfield Road, CB2 1ER
̽��ֱ��Polar regions offer impressive opportunities to study space, as planetary analogues and a way of exploring human endurance in difficult and isolated conditions. ̽��ֱ��Polar Museum presents a panel discussion by leading experts on current research in Antarctica. Event: 15, Map: 51, Talk, Ages 14+, Pre book*

Astronomy by microscope – 6pm – 7.30pm, 12 March
̽��ֱ��Open ̽��ֱ��, 12 Hills Road, CB2 1PF
Traditionally, astronomers study stars and planets by telescope. But we can also learn about them byusing a microscope – through studying meteorites. From meteorites, we can learn about the processes and materials that shaped the Solar System and our planet. Tiny grains within meteorites have come from other stars, giving information about the stellar neighbourhood in which the Sun was born. In her lecture, Professor Monica Grady will describe how the microscope is another tool that can be employed to trace stellar and planetary processes. Event: 16, Map: 63, Talk, Ages 16+, Pre book tel: 01223 584647 or email: R06-Outreach@open.ac.uk

Think you can handle outer space? – 7pm – 8pm, 15 March
Institute of Astronomy, Sackler Lecture Theatre, Hoyle Building, Madingley Road, CB3 0HA
Discover the extremes of the Universe! Join us as we find out what it’s like on other planets and in outer space! See what happens to everyday things as they go from the burning hot to the freezing cold and up to extreme pressures. Get ready for some loud bangs and mess! An explosive talk about space. Event: 35, Map: 34, Talk, Ages 8+

Expedition to Mars – 7.30pm – 10.15pm, 16 March
̽��ֱ��Polar Museum, Lensfield Road, CB2 1ER
Prepare yourself for space exploration at the Poles! During one evening you will ‘train’for your space expedition at the Poles and go on to conquer space! A film screening of the 1950s classic space adventure ‘Conquest of Space’, with hands on activities and an introductory talk. Event: 87, Map: 51, Hands on, Talk/Film, Ages 16+, Pre book*

When we walked on the moon – 6pm – 7pm, 19 March
Mill Lane Lecture Room 3, Mill Lane, CB2 1RW
Sponsored by Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� Press
̽��ֱ��moon is still the only body beyond Earth on which humans have set foot. Ian Ridpath introduces the main features of the moon from its ancient plains of solidified lava to craters the size of cities blasted out by meteorite impacts. He traces the lunar exploration from the first space probes to the Apollo landings and describes why astronomers now think that the moon was born when another body hit the Earth billions of years ago. Event: 108, Map: 44, Talk, Ages 14+

Open afternoon at the Institute of Astronomy – 2.30pm – 6.30pm, 23 March
Institute of Astronomy, Madingley Road, CB3 0HA
̽��ֱ��Institute of Astronomy opens its doors for the annual open afternoon. We will have talks, displays,demonstrations and hands on activities for everyone to learn more about Astronomy, and the kind of research we do. There will also be an exhibition from the historical archives of the Library. Event: 133, Map: 34, Hands on, Drop in, Ages 8+

Public observing at the Institute of Astronomy – 7pm – 9pm, 23 March
Institute of Astronomy, Madingley Road, CB3 0HA
Stargazing on the Observatory lawns using both modern and historical telescopes if (and only if!) the weather is clear. If it is cloudy, the event will not go ahead. Event: 134, Map: 34, Demonstration, Drop in, Ages 8+

Once only science fiction, astronomers are now finding hundreds of planetary systems beyond our own. Given recent discoveries through space exploration, it is entirely feasible that we may soon discover the existence of extra-terrestrial life forms on other planets.

̽��ֱ��question that humans have had for centuries – whether or not there are planets similar to our own around other stars – seems more and more to be best answered as ‘Yes!’

Jennifer Wiseman

NASA Goddard Photo and Video

Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 6217

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