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Category Archives: Astronomy

Ten exciting astronomy stories from 2014

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Looking back at the science news released by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in 2014, the staff scientists at NRAO selected what they believe are the top 10 stories based on both scientific impact and public interest.

"These 'top ten' are just a small sampling of the myriad ways in which the state-of-the-art NRAO facilities are enabling forefront research by the astronomical community," said NRAO Chief Scientist Chris Carilli. "Using new telescopes, instrumentation, and techniques, facilitated by the NRAO, U.S. and international astronomers are addressing the most pressing problems in planet, star, and galaxy formation, fundamental physics and cosmology, and astrochemistry and biology, while finding some real surprises along the way!"

#10 Image Release: Starbursting in the Galaxy M82

A new radio image, made with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), reveals fresh information about the central 5200 light-years of the starbursting galaxy M82. The radio emission seen in the image is produced by ionized gas and by fast-moving electrons interacting with the interstellar magnetic field. The bright dots are a mix of star-forming regions and supernova remnants, the debris from stellar explosions; analysis of the VLA data tells scientists which of these are which. Scientists also are studying the faint, wispy features, many of which were previously unseen, to investigate their relationship with this galaxy's starburst-driven superwind.

#9 Remarkable White Dwarf Star Possibly Coldest, Dimmest Ever Detected

A team of astronomers has identified possibly the coldest, faintest white dwarf star ever detected. This ancient stellar remnant is so cool that its carbon has crystallized, forming -- in effect -- an Earth-size diamond in space. The researchers found this stellar gem using the National Radio Astronomy Observatory's (NRAO) Green Bank Telescope (GBT) and Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), as well as other observatories. Other such stars have been identified and they are theoretically not that rare, but with a low intrinsic brightness, they can be deucedly difficult to detect. Its fortuitous location in a binary system with a neutron star enabled the team to identify this one.

#8 Newly Identified Galactic Supercluster Is Home to the Milky Way

Astronomers using the National Science Foundation's Green Bank Telescope (GBT) -- among other telescopes -- have determined that our own Milky Way galaxy is part of a newly identified ginormous supercluster of galaxies, which they have dubbed "Laniakea," which means "immense heaven" in Hawaiian. This discovery clarifies the boundaries of our galactic neighborhood and establishes previously unrecognized linkages among various galaxy clusters in the local Universe. By using the GBT and other radio telescopes to map the velocities of galaxies throughout our local Universe, the team was able to define the region of space where each supercluster dominates.

#7 Planet-forming Lifeline Discovered in a Binary Star System

Scientists using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have detected a streamer of dust and gas flowing from a massive outer disk toward the inner reaches of a binary star system known as GG Tau-A. This newly discovered feature may be responsible for sustaining a second, smaller disk of planet-forming material that otherwise would have disappeared long ago. Like a wheel in a wheel, GG Tau-A contains a large, outer disk encircling the entire system as well as an inner disk around the main central star. While observing these structures with ALMA, the team made the exciting discovery of gas clumps in the region between the two disks. The new observations suggest that material is being transferred from the outer disk to the inner disk, creating a sustaining lifeline between the two.

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Ten exciting astronomy stories from 2014

The Eagle Nebula – A closer look – Video of the Day – Ultra HD / 4K Astronomy Video – Video

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The Eagle Nebula - A closer look - Video of the Day - Ultra HD / 4K Astronomy Video
Some of my favourite images : The Eagle Nebula , in Ultra HD / 4K Bringing you the BEST Space and Astronomy videos online. Showcasing videos and images from ...

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The Eagle Nebula - A closer look - Video of the Day - Ultra HD / 4K Astronomy Video - Video

In Plaistow, business owner is seeing stars

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PLAISTOW It's easy enough to buy a telescope through a big online retailers and point it at the stars, but getting the most out of the experience requires a lot more than taking the telescope out of a box, says the owner of a telescope business.

Anthony Costanzo has run the Astronomy Shoppe on Elm Street in Plaistow for 12 years. For Costanzo, who has a background in teaching and grinding his own lenses, operating an astronomy store is about much more than just selling telescopes.

We're not just selling telescopes, we are providing a lot of information, Costanzo said. I try to get everyone who comes in here involved with a local astronomy club.

On the sales side of his business, Costanzo offers telescopes from national and international manufacturers for every one from beginners to the most experienced amateur astronomers.

A quality tabletop Orion telescope that is a perfect starter telescope for children sells for under $100.

It's in the intermediate range, and you can see the moon, the planets, and deep sky objects, Costanzo said.

On the other end of the spectrum are the American-made Questar telescopes, which features the finest mirrors and lenses and can retail for more than $5,000.

Costanzo said he has seen his business grow consistently over the past five years, and this year is set to be his best yet.

Much of that growth is due to the services and items he provides in addition to telescope sales.

The Astronomy Shoppe also sells other items, from telescope holders to Bluetooth devices that connect telescopes to tablets and smart phones, that Costanzo has made or designed.

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In Plaistow, business owner is seeing stars


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