Astronomers have observed a planet some 200 light-years from Earth that, for a few hours, becomes 700 ºC hotter every time its elliptical orbit brings it close to its sun.

In a study today in the British journal Nature, the scientists say they have generated the most realistic images ever captured of an exoplanet.

Hotter than molten lava

They used infrared data collected from NASA’s space-based Spitzer telescope to gain pictures of a strange world exposed briefly to a raging inferno. The computer generated images show a thin blue crescent on the dark side of the planet, opposite its star, while the scorched side glows a deep, crimson red.

Known as HD 80606b, the planet is a giant ball of gas that has four times the mass of Jupiter, the biggest planet of our system. [...]

Source: Cosmos Online – click here for full article

 

 

Orion is by far the most brilliant of the constellations and is visible from every inhabited part of the Earth.

The most brilliant of all the constellations dominates our evening sky this week, climbing well up in the south around 9 p.m. local time. It is, of course, Orion, the Hunter. But just exactly who was he?

As is also the case with the mighty Hercules, the figure of Orion has been associated in virtually all-ancient cultures with great national heroes, warriors, or demigods. Yet, in contrast to Hercules, who was credited with a detailed series of exploits, Orion seems to us a vague and shadowy figure.

The ancient mythological stories of Orion are so many and so confused that it is almost impossible to choose among all of them. Even the origin of the name Orion is obscure, though some scholars have suggested a connection with the Greek “Arion,” meaning simply warrior. All, however, agree that he was the mightiest hunter in the world and he is always pictured in the stars with his club upraised in his right hand. [...]

Source: Spacw.com – click here for full article

 

A mock Orion capsule and launch abort tower arrived at NASA’s spaceport Wednesday.

An aerodynamically exact mock-up of the Orion spacecraft of NASA and the accompanying launch abort system all arrived at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This is a milestone toward the launch this year of the Ares I test flight. It will be the first such test flight.

Source: Space.com News – click here for full article