The Kitt Peak National Observatory, a collection of ground-based observatories for nighttime visible and infrared astronomy, left, is in Arizona. It produced the image at right of the Pleiades cluster. More: noirlab.edu/science/progra… #AURAPartners

Jane Rigby, NASA senior project scientist for the James Webb Space Telescope, will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. The 19 recipients will be awarded the medals at a ceremony in the White House later today.
washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/…

Join us as Dr. Eduardo Vitral talks about how advancements in Hubble observation techniques have improved our understanding of dark matter's nature, marking a significant step forward in the study of our universe—on Tuesday, May 7. youtube.com/live/_NosasFa1…

Transmission spectra are used to study the “fingerprints” of an exoplanet’s atmosphere. WASP-39 b’s spectrum marked the first time sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide were clearly detected in an exoplanet’s atmosphere.

How #NASAWebb studies exoplanets: bit.ly/49MLvHr

#NASAWebb mapped the weather on an exoplanet 280 light-years away, where it’s cloudy on the nightside and clear on the dayside—with equatorial winds howling around the planet at 5,000 miles per hour. (1/6) 🧵

Venture out on a pleasant night to stargaze! This month, you can pinpoint the Sombrero Galaxy, the Whirlpool Galaxy, and the Virgo Cluster with a telescope. And mark your calendar to watch the Eta Aquarid meteor shower. Watch “Tonight’s Sky” to learn more. youtu.be/qeRSwy8PkM8

Did you know that the difference between a nova and supernova is that while a supernova explosion destroys the star, a nova’s white dwarf star survives to explode another day—thanks to the companion star that feeds it? Credit: NASA and L. Hustak (STScI).

Just look at that shine! 😎 We're so excited that Rubin Observatory is another step closer to great science.

Astronomers using #NASAWebb expected to find methane on the nightside of exoplanet WASP-43 b, but there’s no sign. Why? Supersonic winds of hot gas must be blowing around from the dayside, churning up the atmosphere: webbtelescope.pub/3WkPjfs

#NASAWebb captured the top of iconic Horsehead Nebula in unprecedented detail, with a new view that focuses on the illuminated edge of the nebula’s distinctive structure. (1/5) 🧵