Great Brief And Wonderful Pic!

Largest Batch of Earth-size, Habitable Zone Planets

Our Spitzer Space Telescope has revealed the first known system of seven Earth-size planets around a single star. Three of these planets are firmly located in an area called the habitable zone, where liquid water is most likely to exist on a rocky planet.

This exoplanet system is called TRAPPIST-1, named for The Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope (TRAPPIST) in Chile. In May 2016, researchers using TRAPPIST announced they had discovered three planets in the system.

Assisted by several ground-based telescopes, Spitzer confirmed the existence of two of these planets and discovered five additional ones, increasing the number of known planets in the system to seven.

This is the FIRST time three terrestrial planets have been found in the habitable zone of a star, and this is the FIRST time we have been able to measure both the masses and the radius for habitable zone Earth-sized planets.

All of these seven planets could have liquid water, key to life as we know it, under the right atmospheric conditions, but the chances are highest with the three in the habitable zone.

At about 40 light-years (235 trillion miles) from Earth, the system of planets is relatively close to us, in the constellation Aquarius. Because they are located outside of our solar system, these planets are scientifically known as exoplanets. To clarify, exoplanets are planets outside our solar system that orbit a sun-like star.

In this animation, you can see the planets orbiting the star, with the green area representing the famous habitable zone, defined as the range of distance to the star for which an Earth-like planet is the most likely to harbor abundant liquid water on its surface. Planets e, f and g fall in the habitable zone of the star.

Using Spitzer data, the team precisely measured the sizes of the seven planets and developed first estimates of the masses of six of them. The mass of the seventh and farthest exoplanet has not yet been estimated.

For comparison…if our sun was the size of a basketball, the TRAPPIST-1 star would be the size of a golf ball.

Based on their densities, all of the TRAPPIST-1 planets are likely to be rocky. Further observations will not only help determine whether they are rich in water, but also possibly reveal whether any could have liquid water on their surfaces.

The sun at the center of this system is classified as an ultra-cool dwarf and is so cool that liquid water could survive on planets orbiting very close to it, closer than is possible on planets in our solar system. All seven of the TRAPPIST-1 planetary orbits are closer to their host star than Mercury is to our sun.

 The planets also are very close to each other. How close? Well, if a person was standing on one of the planet’s surface, they could gaze up and potentially see geological features or clouds of neighboring worlds, which would sometimes appear larger than the moon in Earth’s sky.

The planets may also be tidally-locked to their star, which means the same side of the planet is always facing the star, therefore each side is either perpetual day or night. This could mean they have weather patterns totally unlike those on Earth, such as strong wind blowing from the day side to the night side, and extreme temperature changes.

Because most TRAPPIST-1 planets are likely to be rocky, and they are very close to one another, scientists view the Galilean moons of Jupiter – lo, Europa, Callisto, Ganymede – as good comparisons in our solar system. All of these moons are also tidally locked to Jupiter. The TRAPPIST-1 star is only slightly wider than Jupiter, yet much warmer. 

How Did the Spitzer Space Telescope Detect this System?

Spitzer, an infrared telescope that trails Earth as it orbits the sun, was well-suited for studying TRAPPIST-1 because the star glows brightest in infrared light, whose wavelengths are longer than the eye can see. Spitzer is uniquely positioned in its orbit to observe enough crossing (aka transits) of the planets in front of the host star to reveal the complex architecture of the system. 

Every time a planet passes by, or transits, a star, it blocks out some light. Spitzer measured the dips in light and based on how big the dip, you can determine the size of the planet. The timing of the transits tells you how long it takes for the planet to orbit the star.

The TRAPPIST-1 system provides one of the best opportunities in the next decade to study the atmospheres around Earth-size planets. Spitzer, Hubble and Kepler will help astronomers plan for follow-up studies using our upcoming James Webb Space Telescope, launching in 2018. With much greater sensitivity, Webb will be able to detect the chemical fingerprints of water, methane, oxygen, ozone and other components of a planet’s atmosphere.

At 40 light-years away, humans won’t be visiting this system in person anytime soon…that said…this poster can help us imagine what it would be like: 

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com

The Pinwheel Galaxy has around a trillion stars, twice the number in the Milky Way. [6000 × 4690]

Happy Valentine's Day, Kimmy!

Happy Valentine’s Day 💗💜💗

Here’s round 2 of funny space themed Valentine’s Day cards to send to the people you love (or for yourself because you should love yourself too) 💞

(I got a little artsy for the promo videos and wanted to share...) PATHWAY TO THE STARS: PART 2, ELIZA WILLIAMS is the second in the space opera booklet series, PATHWAY TO THE STARS. "We need to understand how dark energy and dark matter work, find ways to slow down the expansion or cause the Universe to breathe just enough to protect itself and all of life along with it. We need everyone who is willing." ~ Yesha Alevtina talking with Eliza Williams The story continues, Experience the early life of our future scientific and political hero, Eliza Williams, and the beginning of a new era! Vesha Celeste continues her training and journey with Yesha Alevtina, who shows and teaches her about Eliza Williams, through complete experiential immersion in the Virtual Universe. With the added advantages of time-dilation, neural linking, and nano-technology giving her tactile-reference, she sees Eliza’s life as if she were Eliza, herself. Vesha witnesses the critical aspects that lead to Eliza’s transformation and the formation of Pathway LLC. Eliza’s work to create the first biopods for physiological and neurological optimizations will be one of her primary vehicles to drive all of her advances and designs, solar-system-wide. There is a lot for Vesha to learn, and she too will play an integral role in our journeys throughout the cosmos, as this story progresses. Each ability she experiences in others, her optimized mind will be capable of learning and expounding upon exponentially. Enjoy the second part of this space opera booklet series, as we see our team of heroes doing what they can to help humanity in their quest to save the Universe one very-important step at a time. Enjoy this continuing saga as we are introduced to Eliza Williams, a critical leader-in-the-making, in this pathway to the stars! Available in paperback on Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble online. eBook available for $2.99 via Kindle eBooks. Audiobook is in the works, narrated and produced by Allison Taylor. #spaceopera #spaceoperabooks #scifibooks #scifi #fantasy #books #solarsystem #CRISPR #neuroscience #longevity #wellbeingfirst #pathwaytothestars https://www.instagram.com/p/B1YlbtWhFxK/?igshid=lovyil9nitpj

Pathway to the Stars: Part 1, Vesha Celeste Posted on October 6, 2018 by Matthew Opdyke (FTB) Soon to be released (eBook-Kindle, Oct 9, 2018), is the first in a latched-on (or related) series, Pathway to the Stars: Part 1, Vesha Celeste. This will be a slightly more descriptive portion that goes into more detail of the first character introduced, Vesha Celeste. Please pre-order, read, review, comment, and enjoy! Thank you! Vesha Celeste journeys with Yesha Alevtina and her dream-angel, Sky, following a long life of high hopes, dreams, and professional achievements in astronomy and astrophysics. Yesha shows and teaches Vesha about biopods, spaceports, tech cities that are hidden, cloaked with invisibility, and located solar-system-wide. She introduces Vesha to the Virtual Universe and teaches her how Eliza Williams worked with Yesha and James Cooper to develop all of her advances and designs. There is a lot for her to learn, in this more-detailed prequel to a giant space opera awaiting humanity, in their quest to save the Universe, one very important step at a time. Enjoy Vesha’s beginning journey, in the first of a multi-story series, called Pathway to the Stars! https://matthew-opdyke-ftb.com/2018/10/06/pathway-to-the-stars-part-1-vesha-celeste/ #scifi #strongfemalelead #fantasy #spaceopera #biotechnology #nanotechnology #politicalscifi #physics #theoreticalphysics #darkmatter #utopian #hope #edifying #entertainment https://www.instagram.com/p/BomBkaNHxWv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19fgl64n8927t

This Is Why Hubble Can’t See The Very First Galaxies

“By observing dark, empty patches of sky, it reveals ancient galaxies without nearby interference. When distant galaxy clusters are present, these massive gravitational clumps behave as natural magnifying lenses. The most distant observed galaxies have their light bent, distorted, and amplified along the journey. Hubble discovered the current cosmic record-holder, GN-z11, via lensing. Its light arrives from 407 million years after the Big Bang: 3% of the Universe’s current age.”

No astronomical observatory has revolutionized our view of the Universe quite like NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. With the various servicing missions and instrument upgrades that have taken place over its lifetime, Hubble has pushed back the cosmic frontier of the first stars and galaxies to limits never before known. Yet there must be galaxies before them; some of the most distant Hubble galaxies have stars in them that push back the time of the first galaxies to just 250 million years after the Big Bang. Yet Hubble is physically incapable of seeing that far. Three factors: cosmic redshift, warm temperatures, and light-blocking gas, prevent us from going much beyond what we’ve already seen. In fact, we’re remarkably lucky to have gotten as distant as we have. 

Find out why Hubble can’t see the very first galaxies, and why we need the James Webb space telescope!

Merry Christmas! I spent time with my dear and sweet Kim. Let's go #furtherthanbefore with our #pathwaytothestars where get to explore solutions to worldwide issues, directing malcontent toward a refocus of their energies to #longevity and other sciences of #physics #biotechnology and #neuroscience through entertainment that takes us on a #scifi #fantasy journey with #strongfemaleleads #strongmalerolemodels and a beautiful #spaceopera with plenty of #politicalsciencefiction in the mix. (at Gene Leahy Mall) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrUuZFvgda1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=s26phhseo3jb

"Your dreams are yours to pursue, they are beautiful, and you can't let anyone slow you down." ~ Sky Taylor to Vesha Celeste Pathway to the Stars: Part 1, Vesha Celeste #scifiauthor #spaceopera #authorsofinstagram #scifi #sciencefictionnovels #biotechnology #neuroscience #nanotechnology #longevity #theoreticalphysics #astronomy #virtualuniverse https://www.instagram.com/p/Bunk5e_ARbJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=fezlj30jxc0z

https://www.amazon.com/author/matthewopdyke -- Link on Author Page, @matthewopdyke Now, together, Part 1, Vesha Celeste, and Part 2, Eliza Williams, have been paired together, and are available for those interested in the types of science, the directions of science, and the speculation that leads to well-being and quality of life, feel free to follow, message, and share ideas, and be a part of a positive future where, if we so choose, we can navigate the stars. This is just the beginning of this series and prequel, “Pathway to the Stars,” to a giant series, “Further than Before!” Please enjoy. https://www.amazon.com/author/matthewopdyke #sciencefiction #scifi #sciencefictionfantasy #scififantasy #politicalscifi #politicalsciencefiction #strongfemalelead #utopian #utopianscifi #technologyidealism #neuroscience #nanotech #nanotechnology #physics #theoreticalphysics #problemresolution #apoliticalscifi #biology #CRISPR #stemcellresearch #geneticmodification #spacemining #spaceforce #spacecraft #longevity #longevitysciences #longevityscifi #superheroes #healingnotharming #moonbase #techcities #advancedtechnology #neurologicaloptimizations #physiologicaloptimizations #neurology #physiology #humanitarianism #problemsolving #healthyenvironment #healthyemotionalenvironment #healthyphysicalenvironment #healthyearth #helpmothernature #givemothernaturearest #evolvingourselves #desiredresultsvsmixed #controlledchaos #balanceinlife #sportsindifferentgravityzones #advancedcivilization #evolutionofmind #evolutionofbody #preservetheearth #preservethesolarsystem #solarsystem #oortcloud #asteroids #asteroidmining #astrobiology #astrophysics #astronauts #bigdata #medicaladvancements #progeria #hutchisonguilfordprogeriasyndrome #cancercures #curesforcancer #diabetescures #curesfordiabetes #heartdisease #curesforheartdisease #lungdisease #curesforlungdisease #genetherapies #geneticdatastudies #genedata #databasemoons #seismicactivity #naturaldisasters #nonpredation #preservationoflife #cleanmeats #advancedarchitecture #biopods #virtualuniverse #smartsuits #holowardrobe #moonbase #planetaryshields #inhabitingtheuninhabitable #matthewopdyke #furtherthanbefore #pathwa https://www.instagram.com/p/BpUMW6ZgB1I/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1m6wsy3eldq7e

Earth’s Ocean and Beyond

Image Credit: NOAA

Earth’s ocean has been the backdrop for ancient epics, tales of fictional fish and numerous scientific discoveries. It was, and will always be, a significant piece of the Earth’s story. Most of the ocean is unexplored– about 95% of this underwater realm is unseen by human eyes (NOAA). There is only one global Ocean. In fact, the ocean represents over 70% of the Earth’s surface and contains 96.5% of the Earth’s water.

We and the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research work together alongside organizations like the Schmidt Ocean Institute and Ocean Exploration Trust to better understand our oceans and its processes. While space may be the final frontier, understanding our own planet helps scientists as they explore space and study how our universe came to be.

On #WorldOceansDay let’s explore how Earth’s ocean informs our research throughout the solar system.

Earth and Exoplanets

“In interpreting what we see elsewhere in the solar system and universe, we always compare with phenomena that we already know of on Earth…We work from the familiar toward the unknown.” - Norman Kuring, NASA Goddard

We know of only one living planet: our own. As we move to the next stage in the search for alien life, the effort will require the expertise of scientists of all disciplines. However, the knowledge and tools NASA has developed to study life on Earth will also be one of the greatest assets to the quest.

The photo above shows what Earth would look like at a resolution of 3 pixels, the same that exoplanet-discovering missions would see. What should we look for, in the search of other planets like our own? What are the unmistakable signs of life, even if it comes in a form we don’t fully understand? Liquid water; every cell we know of – even bacteria around deep-sea vents that exist without sunlight – requires water.

Phytoplankton (Algae) Bloom vs. Atmosphere of Jupiter

Jupiter’s storms are mesmerizing in their beauty, captured in many gorgeous photos throughout the decades from missions like Voyager 1 and Juno. The ethereal swirls of Jupiter are the result of fluids in motion on a rotating body, which might come as a surprise, since its atmosphere is made of gas!

The eddies in Jupiter’s clouds appear very similar to those found in Earth’s ocean, like in the phytoplankton (or algae) bloom in the Baltic Sea, pictured above. The bloom was swept up in a vortex, just a part of how the ocean moves heat, carbon, and nutrients around the planet. Blooms like this, however, are not all beauty - they create “dead zones” in the areas where they grow, blooming and decaying at such a high rate that they consume all the oxygen in the water around them.

Arctic Sea Ice and Europa Ice Crust

While the Arctic (North Pole) and the Antarctic (South Pole) are “polar opposites,” there is one huge difference between the North and South Poles– land mass. The Arctic is ocean surrounded by land, while the Antarctic is land surrounded by ocean. The North Pole  is located in the middle of the Arctic Ocean amid waters that are almost permanently covered with constantly shifting sea ice.

By studying this sea ice, scientists can research its impact on Earth system and even formation processes on other bodies like Europa, an icy moon of Jupiter. For example, it is possible that the reddish surface features on Europa’s ice may have communicated with a global subsurface ocean layer during or after their formation. 

Aquanauts and Astronauts

As new missions are being developed, scientists are using Earth as a testbed. Just as prototypes for our Mars rovers made their trial runs on Earth’s deserts, researchers are testing both hypotheses and technology on our oceans and extreme environments.

NEEMO, our Extreme Environment Mission Operations project, is an analog mission that sends groups of astronauts, engineers and scientists to live in Aquarius, the world’s only undersea research station located off the Florida Keys, 62 feet (19 meters) below the surface. Much like space, the undersea world is a hostile, alien place for humans to live. NEEMO crew members, known as aquanauts, experience some of the same challenges there that they would on a distant asteroid, planet or moon.

Deep-sea Robotic Exploration and Space Robotic Exploration

Video credit: Deep Sea Robotics/Schmidt Ocean Institute and Mars Curiosity rover/NASA

From mapping the seafloor through bathymetry to collecting samples on the surface of Mars, researchers are utilizing new technologies more than ever to explore. Satellite and robotic technology allow us to explore where humans may not be able to– yet. They teach us valuable lessons about the extreme and changing environments, science, as well as provide a platform to test new technologies.

Jezero Crater and Dvina River Delta, Arkhangelsk, Russia/Mars Delta

River deltas, the point where a river meets the ocean, are sites of rich sediment and incredible biodiversity. The nutrients that rivers carry to the coastlines make a fertile place for fish and shellfish to lay their eggs.

The Jezero crater on Mars (pictured in false-color on the right) has been selected as the Mars2020 landing site, and has a structure that looks much like a river delta here on Earth! Pictures from our Mars Global Surveyor orbiter show eroded ancient deposits of transported sediment long since hardened into interweaving, curved ridges of layered rock. This is one of many hints that Mars was once covered in an ancient ocean that had more water than the Arctic Ocean. Studying these deltas on Earth helps us spot them on other planets, and learning about the ocean that was once on Mars informs how our own formed.

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com.