Every week, TecMundo and #AstroMiniBR bring together five interesting and entertaining astronomical curiosities produced by the world’s collaborators. twitter profile to spread the knowledge of one of the oldest sciences in the world.
#1: Galactic neighbor of the Milky Way
The Andromeda Galaxy, also known as M31, is a beautiful spiral galaxy located in the cosmic neighborhood of our own galaxy, about 2.5 million light-years from Earth. For centuries in human history, the only way astronomers could admire this celestial marvel was to see them with the naked eye, which deprived them of the slightest idea of its true nature.
With the advent of telescopes, our view of this cosmic giant has undergone a revolution. In the twentieth century, ground-based telescopes begin to capture incredible details of Andromeda.
The ability to increase the aperture of telescopes and improve observation techniques has allowed us to not only observe the general shape of the galaxy, but also study its internal features. A structure of complex spiral arms, interstellar dust fibers and glowing star clusters has emerged, and we wondered how these structures formed.
The images above are a testament to the scientific progress we have made as a species, and each new technological advance allows us to penetrate even further into the cosmic vastness.
#2: Witnessing the Birth of Planets!
You are not looking at an ordinary painting! This protoplanetary disk is AS 209, one of the most impressive systems in exoplanet astronomy! Located about 400 light-years away in the constellation Aquarius, this forming star system is full of clues about the origin and evolution of planets.
The system consists of a disk of dust clouds and cosmic gas orbiting the young star AS 209. Within this disk, clumps of material gradually coalesce to form planetesimals and eventually complete planets. The above observations revealed complex structures such as rings and cavities that may be indicative of the dynamic processes occurring in these regions.
Detailed analysis of AS 209’s properties provides unprecedented insight into planet formation and may shed light on the diversity of planetary systems in our galaxy.
#3: Messenger of the Gods
Can you see a planet in the photo above? NO? Look again! The small bright spot in the middle of the image is Mercury.The closest planet to our star king!
Its name is derived from the Roman god Mercury, the messenger of the gods, reflecting its rapid orbital speed around the Sun: just like the Roman god known for his agility and communication skills, Mercury completes an orbit by “running” through the heavens. in just 88 days.
This extreme proximity to our central star makes Mercury uninhabitable, with extreme temperatures ranging from -173°C to 427°C. Its surface is marked by an arid landscape filled with craters, the result of intense bombardment by meteorites over billions of years.
#4: A cosmic combination!
The image above is a treat for any astronomy buff! Inside you can see comet C/2020 M3 ATLAS, discovered on June 27, 2020, passing in front of nebula IC 410. This comet, which has a highly elliptical orbit, attracted the attention of astronomers because of its interest. from the distant Kuiper Belt to its unusual orbit near the Sun..
Its bright appearance and distinctive tail provided beautiful and detailed observations, allowing studies of the chemical composition and internal structure of this celestial body. IC 410 is a true cosmic hospice located approximately 12,400 light-years from Earth.
Located in the constellation Auriga, this magnificent interstellar cloud offers an extraordinary glimpse into the birth and evolution of stars and structures sculpted by intense radiation from these forming systems!
#5: Geometry in Saturn’s clouds
One of the most intriguing features of the Solar System’s Lord of the Rings, the enigma of the hexagonal shape of the clouds lies at the north pole. Captured through the lens of orbiting spacecraft like the Cassini spacecraft, this unique pattern is an open question for scientists.
This perfect geometric structure, approximately 30,000 kilometers wide, consists of wind jets with very high speeds of up to 322 kilometers per hour. Although its origins remain unexplained, theories suggest that the combination of Saturn’s rapid rotation and the interaction between atmospheric motion and magnetic fields may be responsible for creating this fascinating phenomenon.
Source: Tec Mundo
I’m Blaine Morgan, an experienced journalist and writer with over 8 years of experience in the tech industry. My expertise lies in writing about technology news and trends, covering everything from cutting-edge gadgets to emerging software developments. I’ve written for several leading publications including Gadget Onus where I am an author.
