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Magnetic fields in NGC 1068, or M77, are shown as streamlines over a visible light and X-ray composite image of the galaxy from the Hubble Space Telescope, the Nuclear Spectroscopic Array, and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. The magnetic fields align along the entire length of the massive spiral arms ? 24,000 light years across (0.8 kiloparsecs) ? implying that the gravitational forces that created the galaxy?s shape are also compressing its magnetic field. This supports the leading theory of how the spiral arms are forced into their iconic shape known as ?density wave theory.? SOFIA studied the galaxy using far-infrared light (89 microns) to reveal facets of its magnetic fields that previous observations using visible and radio telescopes could not detect. Credits: NASA/SOFIA; NASA/JPL-Caltech/Roma Tre Univ. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/how-to-shape-a-spiral-galaxy

Space

Did magnetism shape the universe? An epic experiment suggests it did

The idea that magnetism helped shape the universe has been dismissed by scientists for decades, but now new experiments involving plasma that is hotter than the sun are prompting a rethink

Features

The Hubble Space Telescope

Space

SpaceX may help the Hubble Space Telescope boost its lifespan

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For the first time, NASA?s James Webb Space Telescope and Hubble Space Telescope have taken simultaneous observations of the same target. These images, Hubble on left and Webb on the right, show observations of the Didymos-Dimorphos system several hours after NASA?s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) intentionally impacted the moonlet asteroid. It was the world?s first test of the kinetic impact technique using a spacecraft to deflect an asteroid by modifying its orbit. Both Webb and Hubble observed the asteroid before and after the collision took place. Scientists will use the combined observations from Hubble and Webb to gain knowledge about the nature of the surface of Dimorphos, how much material was ejected by the collision, how fast it was ejected, and the distribution of particle sizes in the expanding dust cloud. In the coming months, scientists will also use Webb?s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) and Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) to observe ejecta from Dimorphos further. Spectroscopic data will provide researchers with insight into the asteroid?s composition. Hubble will monitor Dimorphos ten more times over the next three weeks to monitor how the ejecta cloud expands and fades over time. Hubble observations were conducted in one filter, WFC3/UVIS F350LP (assigned the color blue), while Webb observed at F070W (0.7 microns, assigned the color red).

Space

Hubble and JWST both saw the aftermath of NASA's DART asteroid mission

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This image of the spiral galaxy IC 5332, taken by the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope with its MIRI instrument, has been scaled and cropped to match the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope???s view of the same galaxy.

Space

JWST has taken a picture of the gaseous ‘skeleton’ of a spiral galaxy

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How NASA's DART spacecraft will divert asteroids

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How NASA's DART spacecraft will divert asteroids

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VESPER - Still 1

Humans

Vesper review: Exquisite dystopian sci-fi has a Brothers Grimm edge

Culture

Webb?s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) image of Neptune, taken on July 12, 2022, brings the planet?s rings into full focus for the first time in more than three decades. The most prominent features of Neptune?s atmosphere in this image are a series of bright patches in the planet?s southern hemisphere that represent high-altitude methane-ice clouds. More subtly, a thin line of brightness circling the planet?s equator could be a visual signature of global atmospheric circulation that powers Neptune?s winds and storms. Additionally, for the first time, Webb has teased out a continuous band of high-latitude clouds surrounding a previously-known vortex at Neptune?s southern pole.

Space

JWST has captured an astonishing view of Neptune and its rings

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Webb?s first images of Mars, captured by its NIRCam instrument Sept. 5, 2022 [Guaranteed Time Observation Program 1415]. Left: Reference map of the observed hemisphere of Mars from NASA and the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA). Top right: NIRCam image showing 2.1-micron (F212 filter) reflected sunlight, revealing surface features such as craters and dust layers. Bottom right: Simultaneous NIRCam image showing ~4.3-micron (F430M filter) emitted light that reveals temperature differences with latitude and time of day, as well as darkening of the Hellas Basin caused by atmospheric effects. The bright yellow area is just at the saturation limit of the detector

Space

James Webb Space Telescope captures its first pictures of Mars

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Astronomy Photographer of the Year photos are out of this world

Space

Astronomy Photographer of the Year photos are out of this world

Regulars

View of Moon limb with Earth rising on the horizon. Footprints as an evidence of people being there or great forgery. Collage. Elements of this image furnished by NASA.; Shutterstock ID 1454730908; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Space

Why we should go back to the moon – and this time to build a home

Achieving a lunar outpost is important not as a means of escaping our home planet, but learning better ways to thrive on it

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Environment

How to make leaf mould to nourish your garden

Regulars

Space

Lori Garver on why NASA is returning to the moon for the wrong reasons

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Space

Strange hexagonal diamonds found in meteorite from another planet

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Space

JWST has caught hot stars destroying gas and dust in the Orion Nebula

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