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NASA satellites catch a “growth spurt” from a newborn protostar

Blog, Slider / By / 1 April, 2015

Infrared images from instruments at Kitt Peak National Observatory (left) and NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope document the outburst of HOPS 383, a young protostar in the Orion star-formation complex. Background: A wide view of the region taken from a Spitzer four-color infrared mosaic. E. Safron et al.; Background: NASA/JPL/T. Megeath (U-Toledo)   The observed outburst …

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Iron rain fell on early Earth, new Z machine data supports

Blog, Slider / By / 1 April, 2015

An artist’s concept shows a celestial body about the size of our moon slamming at great speed into a body the size of Mercury. NASA/JPL-Caltech Instead of core formation occurring by iron sinking down to the growing Earth’s core in large blobs, that iron was vaporized, spread out in a plume over the surface of …

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Why is Jupiter’s Great Red Spot … Red?

Blog / By / 30 November, 2014

Earlier this year, the Great Red Spot stood out prominently against Jupiter’s bright zones and dark belts. Damian Peach Scientists think they’ve figured out what causes the mysterious ruddy coloring in the giant planet’s enormous oval storm. When it comes to well-known planetary features, Jupiter’s iconic Great Red Spot is near the top of everyone’s …

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