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Sleeping Black Hole Finally Wakes Up

Jul 03, 2015 10:37 AM EDT

Astronomers recently discovered a sleeping black hole that has finally awakened after its 26-year nap. On June 15, an active black hole released a burst of X-rays that lit up astronomical observatories. It was identified as an “X-ray nova,” has projected a sudden increase in star luminosity that came from a binary system in the Cygnus constellation. The outburst from the two-body system called V404 Cygni, which is made up of a star slightly smaller than the sun that orbits a black hole 10 times its mass, was first captured by NASA’s Swift satellite and by a Japanese experiment on the International Space Station called Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI).

Are You Ready For NASA’s Pluto Flyby? 5 Facts About Distant Dwarf Planet

KJ Belonio |

Jul 03, 2015 04:23 AM EDT

NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft will gather information about the mysterious dwarf planet, Pluto. Excitement is now escalating as the probe makes its closest approach of the dwarf planet on July 16. While we’re practically learning more about Pluto every day, the flyby will give us more detailed and far-superior images of this diminutive member of the solar system.

Why Students Are Disappointed Over SpaceX Explosion

KJ Belonio |

Jul 02, 2015 06:58 AM EDT

The unmanned SpaceX rocket was on a resupply mission to bring a SpaceX Dragon capsule filled with 4,000 pounds of supplies, 30 student projects, two HoloLenses, as well as a docking adapter for the ISS that would allow for future commercial crewed capsules to dock with the station. Unfortunately, the rocket had broken up completely after launch Sunday, at an altitude of about 34 kilometers. Aside from the supplies, the rocket also carried scientific experiments created by students. However, the students, who spent months working on the science experiment, were disappointed because their dreams were dampened by the unmanned SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket explosion.

What Is Saturn's Age

KJ Belonio |

Jun 30, 2015 03:45 PM EDT

Planets typically cool with age. However, Saturn is a mystery to astrophysicists in terms of the connection between its age and temperature since the planet is much hotter than its expected age if it is in line with rest of solar system. But scientists believe that the planet is two billion years older than its temperature indicates.

SpaceX Mission UPDATE: Why SpaceX ISS Resupply Mission Failed

KJ Belonio |

Jun 29, 2015 04:56 AM EDT

The latest SpaceX Mission attempt, which aimed to bring supplies and scientific cargo to the International Space Station, has failed for unknown reason. On Sunday morning, the unmanned Falcon 9 rocket exploded mid-air just two and a half minutes after launching from Cape Canaveral in Florida.

Dark Knight: 3 Things You Should Know About This Blacker Than Coal Exoplanet

KJ Belonio |

Jun 28, 2015 05:26 PM EDT

On June 28, a planet nicknamed “Dark Knight” was observed in a live public observation online. The darker than coal exoplanet was spotted using the 1.52 meter infrared Carlos Sánchez Telescope, which is the world’s largest infrared telescope. Despite being so dark, exoplanet TrES-2b or “Dark Knight” still absorbs light.

Spaceflight Taking A Toll On Astronauts; Research Probes Effects Of Space Stress

KJ Belonio |

Jun 27, 2015 10:34 AM EDT

A recent study aims to give an insight on how stress affects astronauts in space and several Human Research Program probes have been conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS). During NASA’s 1YM, five Behavioral Health investigations were conducted to further learn and understand the brain’s activity once it is exposed to stress and fatigue in outer space. Since NASA prepares for future missions to asteroids, Mars and other celestial bodies, the space agency deemed it vital to fully understanding these stresses and how space crewmembers respond to them. And through the investigation, researchers hope they can reduce the negative impact that stress can cause to astronauts

Solar Storm To Send Billions Of Solar Atmospheric Material To Earth Over The Weekend

KJ Belonio |

Jun 27, 2015 07:07 AM EDT

As the sun continues throwing a fit, the coronal mass ejections have sent billions of tons of solar atmospheric materials spurting through the solar system toward the Earth. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), the massive chunks are expected to reach the planet Saturday afternoon.

Chinese Scientists Say It Is Possible To Develop Fuel-Free Spacecraft

Roguero Caler |

Jun 26, 2015 07:46 PM EDT

Is it really possible to create a spacecraft that does not run on fuel? This is the question Chinese scientists are facing in their yet another ambitious goal of expanding their horizons in deep space. Chinese scientists have said that developing a fuel-free spacecraft will be possible with the help of sunlight to power it.

NASA To Take Virtual Reality Gear HoloLens To A Different Level

KJ Belonio |

Jun 26, 2015 05:31 PM EDT

On Thursday, NASA announced that two HoloLens units will be sent to the International Space Station on the next SpaceX-operated resupply mission, due to go up on Sunday. The units will be used for a new "Sidekick" pilot program that's designed to help crews work on the ISS. The program provides augmented-reality overlays to educate astronauts how to perform certain procedures on the station, which could eventually reduce the need for extensive crew training.

China To Match NASA, SpaceX Outer Space Endeavors Starting With Beidou 2 Project

Roguero Caler |

Jun 20, 2015 06:16 AM EDT

China is hoping to match if not outplay United States' NASA and SpaceX agencies with its own outer space project, Beidou 2. The Chinese’s cosmos-centered plan comes after Chinese astronauts expressed their desire to engage in otherworldly projects and adventures. It also comes after the U.S. barred NASA from inviting China to join space ventures in 2011.

NASA to Study Interior Structure of Mars Using CubeSats in 2016

Roguero Caler |

Jun 13, 2015 08:13 AM EDT

NASA is planning on making history by flying two tiny satellites called CubeSats in deep space—the first time ever the space exploration agency is relying on standardized small spacecraft to gather data from a celestial body.

Student Captures Intriguing X-Files Sounds from Outer Space

Marco Foronda |

May 08, 2015 05:50 AM EDT

Current guesses include sound from a wind farm, the ocean, wind or vibrations from cables on the balloon.

$5M Prize Waits Winner of NASA’s Cube Quest Challenge

Vittorio Hernandez |

Nov 28, 2014 03:56 AM EST

After offering on Wednesday up to $3 million prize money for the builder of a telescope on a giant airship, the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) opened on Thursday the registration for its Cube Quest Challenge. The prize money, the largest in NASA's history, is a whopping $5 million.