Researchers may have discovered proof of a new planet similar to Earth.
A team of astronomers in Japan, including those from the country’s National Astronomical Observatory, believe that there is an unknown planet that may be circling the Sun in an orbit past Neptune. As of now, we know for sure that there are eight planets in our solar system. Their order from nearest the Sun to furthest away goes: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Satum, Uranus, Neptune and then a possible Planet Nine.
The published research suggests that this possible Planet Nine, could be hiding in the Kuiper Belt. The researchers found that the way that some of the objects in the Kuiper Belt behave suggests there could be a small planet among them. The astronomers think this new planet could be three times as big as Earth but it would not have life as we know it, because the temperatures would be too cold. The team say finding this new discovery near the Kuiper Belt, could lead to finding more possible planets.
Word Check
According to NASA, the Kuiper Belt is a doughnut shaped region of icy bodies beyond the orbit of Neptune – the eighth and most distant planet in our solar system.
science.nasa.gov
Did You Know?
For more than 70 years, Pluto was considered to be the ninth planet in our solar system. However, in 2006, the International Astronomical Union downgraded Pluto to a dwarf planet. A dwarf planet orbits the sun just like other planets, but it is smaller.
On November 16, 2022, NASA launched its Artemis I Moon Mission which aims to “land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon” for exploration of the lunar surface. The mission will also inspire a new generation of astronauts, leaders, and scientists. It’ll also mark the return of astronauts to the moon for the first time since 1972.
NASA’s Artemis program is an ongoing series of missions that will take place in three missions:
The Artemis I mission has launched an uncrewed capsule called the Orion which will be journeying the Moon’s orbit and will help scientists and technicians at NASA to prepare well for Artemis II Mission.
Artemis II will have a crew orbiting the lunar orbit which will not be landing on its surface to collect more data and information for the Artemis III mission. It will also be the furthest human mission in space and is expected to be launched in 2024.
Artemis III is the ultimate mission which will be carrying the first female astronaut and first person of color on the Moon. The mission will involve the crew members performing week-long scientific research on the lunar surface which is set to take place in 2025.
What is the ultimate aim of the Artemis Moon Mission?
The scientists and leaders at NASA aim to establish the first long-term presence on the Moon. With the successful launch of Artemis III, scientific studies and data research will help NASA to learn about the lunar environment, as well as its surroundings. These studies will further help NASA take its next giant leap which is to send the first astronaut to Mars.
Apart from the big Mars mission, the Artemis series is also focused on attaining deeper scientific discoveries, inspiring a new generation of young explorers which will be called the Artemis Generation, and economic benefits.
The Latest Update on Artemis I
As of November 23, Artemis I has completed 8 days of flight in space. The spacecraft had lost communication with Orion at around 12:09 AM CST for 47 minutes. With reconfiguration efforts by NASA engineers, the communication link has been restored.
Why is the mission named ‘Artemis’?
Artemis is a Greek mythological goddess of the Moon and also the twin sister of Apollo. The Apollo mission program from 1969 to 1972 was the first successful mission to fly humans to Moon with a successful landing.
And the Orion capsule is the crewed spacecraft that is the hunting companion of Artemis in classical mythology.
Interesting Facts About NASA’s Artemis I Mission
The Artemis mission is a five-year-long mission that has been in progress since 2017.
The mission was delayed four times before its successful launch on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 1:47 AM (EST).
Artemis II is set to be launched in the year 2024.
If all goes to plan then we will see the launch of Artemis III in 2025.
The launch vehicles for the Artemis I mission were Space Launch Systems (SLS) and Commercial Launch Vehicles.
Crew models of the Artemis Mission series are Lunar Gateway, Orion, and Human Launch System (HLS).
The initial goal by NASA for a human landing on Moon was planned to take place in 2024. However, scientists confirmed in November 2021 that this date would need to be pushed back to 2025.
As per NASA Inspector General Paul Martin, the crew landing is likely to be pushed until 2026.
The James Webb Space Telescope launched on December 25, 2021, is the largest and most powerful space telescope ever created. It is the successor of the Hubble telescope that released its first image on July 12, 2022. It aims to enable researchers to examine the state of the universe 200 million years after the Big Bang. Some of the very first galaxies to develop will be visible in photographs taken by the telescope. It will also be able to observe objects in our solar system from Mars outward, see into dust clouds to determine where new stars and planets are developing, and investigate the atmospheres of planets circling distant stars.
James Webb Space Telescope Discoveries & Interesting Facts:
1. Images That Have Been Captured By The James Webb NASA Telescope
Since its launch on December 25, 2021, the James Webb telescope has provided a significant amount of information with image data. It has captured some of the most awe-inspiring cosmic images with greater details than those provided by NASA’s Hubble telescope.
The James Webb Telescope surprised people all over the world with the release of its first image of the Carina Nebula, Southern Ring Nebula, and Stephen’s Quintet on July 12, 2022.
The most recent images that left us in awe were of the Tarantula Nebula and the clearest images of Neptune which showed its rings. Tarantula Nebula images were released on September 6, 2022, and the photos of Neptune’s ring were published on September 21, 2022.
Source: nasa.com Source: nasa.com
2. Indian Scientists That Were A Part of the James Webb Telescope Project
A large group of genius scientists were involved in the success of NASA’s James Webb Telescope. But do you know the 3 Indian-origin scientists who were also behind the success of this revolutionary space telescope?
Hashima Hasan
Lucknow-based Dr. Hashima Hasan is the Deputy Program Scientist of the James Webb Space Telescope mission. She expressed her dream of becoming a scientist in an interview which began when she was just 5 years old. When she was young her grandmother had taken her out in the backyard to spot the Sputnik satellite. As a Deputy Program Scientist, Dr. Hasan ensures that the James Webb Telescope mission stays true to NASA’s strategic objectives.
Dr. Hashima Hasan Source: JWST
Kalyani Sukhatme
Kalyani Sukhatme was born in Mumbai and works at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She is working as a Project Manager for the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on James Webb Space Telescope. MIRI is one of the four key instruments that support NASA’s James Webb Telescope mission. Her journey as a Project Manager at MIRI began in 2010, and since then Kalyani has contributed significantly to the development of infrared detectors which is a vital component of the James Webb Space Telescope.
Kalyani Sukhatme Source: JWST
Kartik Sheth
NASA’s Programme Scientist Kartik Sheth is a member of the communications team of the James Webb mission. He has received NASA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award for his work against racism within the organization. Apart from his contribution to the success of the James Webb Space Telescope, Kartik has also been behind the success of SOFIA, Spitzer, the Origins Space Telescope, and the Hubble fellowship program.
Kartik Sheth Source: JWST
3. Interesting Facts About The James Webb Space Telescope
The size of Webb telescope is as big as a tennis court and is as tall as a three-story building.
A light that is undetectable to the human eye is seen by the James Webb Space Telescope. We experience heat from this light, which is known as infrared radiation. The infrared cameras on the James Webb Space Telescope will allow it to see through cosmic dust.
It will also be able to see objects (like the first galaxies) that are so far away that the expansion of the universe has made their light shift from visible to infrared.
Scientists have discovered thousands of planets orbiting stars other than our Sun and they are known as exoplanets. The James Webb Space Telescope will help to study the atmospheres of these exoplanets too.
The James Webb Space Telescope is the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope.
