Friday, May 24, 2013

ScienceDaily: Astronomy News

ScienceDaily: Astronomy News


Accurate distance measurement resolves major astronomical mystery

Posted: 23 May 2013 11:30 AM PDT

Astronomers have resolved a major problem in their understanding of a class of stars that undergo regular outbursts by accurately measuring the distance to a famous example of the type.

Hubble reveals the Ring Nebula’s true shape

Posted: 23 May 2013 08:32 AM PDT

The Ring Nebula's distinctive shape makes it a popular illustration for astronomy books. But new observations by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope of the glowing gas shroud around an old, dying, sun-like star reveal a new twist.

Hidden population of exotic neutron stars

Posted: 23 May 2013 08:25 AM PDT

Magnetars -- the dense remains of dead stars that erupt sporadically with bursts of high-energy radiation -- are some of the most extreme objects known in the Universe. A major campaign using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and several other satellites shows magnetars may be more diverse -- and common -- than previously thought.

Spectacular stellar nursery: ESO's Very Large Telescope celebrates 15 years of success

Posted: 23 May 2013 05:29 AM PDT

With this new view of a spectacular stellar nursery ESO is celebrating 15 years of the Very Large Telescope — the world's most advanced optical instrument. This picture reveals thick clumps of dust silhouetted against the pink glowing gas cloud known to astronomers as IC 2944. These opaque blobs resemble drops of ink floating in a strawberry cocktail, their whimsical shapes sculpted by powerful radiation coming from the nearby brilliant young stars.

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