October 14, 2024

This Week @NASA: Artemis II Moon Rocket, Moon Water Map, Gritty Clouds on Remote Planet

Researchers observing with NASAs James Webb Space Telescope have identified silicate cloud functions in a remote worlds atmosphere. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI).
The Artemis II Moon rocket is coming together …
A high honor for some space explorers …
And an intriguing find for the Webb Space Telescope … a few of the stories to tell you about– This Week at NASA!

Artemis II Moon Rocket Coming Together.
The core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for NASAs Artemis II mission is coming together at NASAs Michoud Assembly Facility. Groups just recently included the engine area and will complete the stage by installing four RS-25 rocket engines. Artemis II will be the first Artemis flight around the Moon and back with astronauts.
Mark Clampin, director of the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters, accepts the 2023 Michael Collins Trophy for Lifetime and Current Achievements from Christopher Browne, John and Adrienne Mars Director of the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum. The prize was awarded to the group behind NASAs James Webb Space Telescope in an event at the museums Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, on March 23, 2023. Credit: Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum.
Bill Anders, Webb Telescope Team Awarded Michael Collins Trophy.
During a March 23 event, the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum awarded its Michael Collins Trophy for Lifetime Achievement and for Current Achievement to previous NASA astronaut Bill Anders, and to the James Webb Space Telescope Team, respectively. Anders took the popular Earthrise photograph on the Apollo 8 Moon objective, and the just recently deployed Webb telescope is currently giving astronomers an increased understanding of deep space.
This illustration conceptualizes the swirling clouds determined by the James Webb Space Telescope in the environment of exoplanet VHS 1256 b. Researchers identified both brighter and darker cloud spots, showing some clouds are lower and hotter or higher and cooler than others, respectively. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI).
Webb Spots Swirling, Gritty Clouds on Remote Planet.
The Webb Space Telescope has actually identified a planet about 40 light-years from us with silicate cloud features in its swirling atmosphere. The telescope also detected carbon, methane, and water monoxide, in addition to proof of co2. This is the biggest variety of particles ever determined all at when on a world outside our planetary system.
A still picture of the Moon and the northern portion of the SOFIA water data. Credit: NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio/Ernie Wright.
Research Study Reveals Map of Water Near Moons South Pole.
A brand-new study using data from the just recently retired SOFIA flying observatory has led to the very first comprehensive, wide-area map of water distribution on the Moon. The study offers tips about how water might be crossing the lunar surface near the Moons South Pole– a crucial area of exploration for future Artemis missions.
Thats whats up today @NASA.

Researchers observing with NASAs James Webb Space Telescope have actually identified silicate cloud functions in a distant planets environment. The core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for NASAs Artemis II objective is coming together at NASAs Michoud Assembly Facility. Mark Clampin, director of the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters, accepts the 2023 Michael Collins Trophy for Lifetime and Current Achievements from Christopher Browne, John and Adrienne Mars Director of the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum. The trophy was awarded to the team behind NASAs James Webb Space Telescope in a ceremony at the museums Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, on March 23, 2023. The Webb Space Telescope has spotted a world about 40 light-years from us with silicate cloud features in its swirling environment.