SPACERIUM

  Dark Energy In the late 1990s, astronomers found evidence that the expansion of the universe was not slowing down due to gravity as expected. Instead, the expansion speed was increasing. Something had to be powering this accelerating universe and, in part due to its unknown nature, this “something” was called dark energy. What Is Dark Energy? In the late 1990s, astronomers found evidence that the expansion of the universe was not slowing down due to gravity as expected. Instead, the expansion speed was increasing. Something had to be powering this accelerating universe and, in part due to its unknown nature, this “something” was called dark energy. Hubble plays an important role in verifying, characterizing and constraining dark energy. Both Hubble and ground-based observations measures a special type of stellar explosion, a white dwarf supernova, to measure accurate distances to galaxies.  ​ A galaxy located a billion light-years away provides a data point for the universe ...

 Zombie Planets Zombie planets, also known as "pulsar planets" or "planets around pulsars," are a fascinating and relatively rare astronomical phenomenon. Here's a more detailed description and some interesting facts about zombie planets: ​ Description: Zombie planets are exoplanets that survive the catastrophic death of their parent stars and continue to exist in orbit around a highly dense remnant called a pulsar. Pulsars are rapidly rotating neutron stars formed after massive stars undergo a supernova explosion. These pulsars emit intense beams of radiation from their poles, resembling lighthouse beams, due to their rapid rotation. If a planet is close enough to the pulsar but outside its destructive beam, it can potentially survive as a "zombie planet." ​ Facts: Host Star Demise: Zombie planets are the remnants of planetary systems that were once part of a massive star. When the star runs out of nuclear fuel, it undergoes a supernova, releasing an ...

 STAR VFTS102 :  Click Here STAR VFTS102: The Stellar Speed Demon Unveiled Introduction: In the vast expanse of the cosmos, the dance of celestial objects has always fascinated us. One particular celestial partner, binarity, has become increasingly recognized as a key player in the evolution of massive stars. This revelation stems from the fact that most OB-type stars reside in multiple systems, and the dynamics of such systems can lead to significant transformations in these massive stars. In this blog, we embark on a journey to explore a remarkable celestial entity known as VFTS102, located in the 30 Doradus region of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). This star's story is marked by extreme characteristics that set it apart from the cosmic crowd. Observations: Our voyage begins with the fundamental task of observation. VFTS102 came under the keen gaze of astronomers as part of the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey. Spectroscopic data covering a wide spectral range was collected wit...

 Chandrayaan-3 -  Click Here Chandrayaan-3: India's Next Leap in Lunar Exploration Introduction: India's remarkable progress in space exploration has been exemplified through its ambitious Chandrayaan series. Following the successes of Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for its next lunar mission - Chandrayaan-3. In this article, we will delve into the history, objectives, budget, and significance of Chandrayaan-3, shedding light on India's continued endeavors in lunar exploration. History of Chandrayaan Missions: Chandrayaan-1, India's maiden lunar mission, was launched in October 2008. It made significant contributions to lunar science by discovering water molecules on the moon's surface and mapping its topography. Despite a shorter-than-expected mission life, Chandrayaan-1 marked a monumental achievement for ISRO. Chandrayaan-2, launched in July 2019, was India's second lunar exploration mission and ai...

 LHS 1140b  -   Click Here LHS 1140b: Exploring the Super-Earth in the Goldilocks Zone In the vast cosmic arena, where stars sparkle like distant dreams, a super-Earth known as LHS 1140b has emerged as a celestial enigma. With a radius approximately 1.4 times that of our own planet, Earth, LHS 1140b resides within the hallowed confines of the habitable zone, a realm where liquid water may dance upon its surface—a cosmic dance of paramount importance in the quest for life beyond our pale blue dot. Join us as we embark on a voyage to unravel the mysteries of LHS 1140b. 1. Basic Characteristics: Size and Type: LHS 1140b, a super-Earth, occupies a middle ground between the terrestrial planets of our solar system and the expansive gas giants like Neptune. It boasts a radius 1.4 times that of Earth, evoking a sense of familiarity yet retaining an aura of cosmic intrigue. Orbit: As a dutiful celestial companion, LHS 1140b pirouettes around its parent star, LHS 1140, a red d...