NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day

Oct 24, 2023

Arp 87: Merging Galaxies from Hubble

This dance is to the death. As these two large galaxies duel, a cosmic bridge of stars, gas, and dust currently stretches over 75,000 light-years and joins them. The bridge itself is strong evidence that these two immense star systems have passed close to each other and experienced violent tides induced by mutual gravity. As further evidence, the face-on spiral galaxy on the right, also known as NGC 3808A, exhibits many young blue star clusters produced in a burst of star formation. The twisted edge-on spiral on the left (NGC 3808B) seems to be wrapped in the material bridging the galaxies and surrounded by a curious polar ring. Together, the system is known as Arp 87. While such interactions are drawn out over billions of years, repeated close passages will ultimately create one merged galaxy. Although this scenario does look unusual, galactic mergers are thought to be common, with Arp 87 representing a stage in this inevitable process. The Arp 87 dancing pair are about 300 million light-years distant toward the constellation of the Lion (Leo). The prominent edge-on spiral galaxy at the far left appears to be a more distant background galaxy and not involved in the on-going merger.

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html?

Brazil drought reveals ancient rock carvings of human faces

Oct 24, 2023

A drop in water levels of the Amazon has revealed rock carvings which had been mostly submerged since they were carved more than a thousand years ago.

A severe drought means that the human faces carved into rocks on the shore can now be easily spotted.

Some had been sighted during a previous drought but archaeologists say they have been able to locate a greater variety of the carvings this time.

The discovery was made in the city of Manaus, in northern Brazil.

They are located on a stretch of shore known as Ponta das Lajes, near where the Rio Negro and the Solimões river flow into the Amazon.

Archaeologist Jaime Oliveira told local media that they were carved by people who lived in the area in pre-Columbian times.

"This region is a pre-colonial site which has evidence of occupation dating back some 1,000 to 2,000 years," he said.

"What we're seeing here are representations of anthropomorphic figures."

Another rock has grooves thought to have been used by indigenous people in the area to sharpen their arrows.

The carvings were last seen in 2010, when the water level of the Rio Negro dropped to 13.63m (44.7 ft).

On Sunday, the river's level dropped for the first time to below 13m and on Monday it fell even further to 12.89m.

The Brazilian government attributes the drought to climate change and the El Niño weather phenomenon, which has caused the volume of rainfall in the northern Amazon to fall below the historical average and river levels to drop to near record levels.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-67204409

DEL 15 activates final subordinate squadron: 15th CYS

Oct. 20, 2023

Space Delta 15 stood up its final subordinate squadron, the 15th Cyberspace Squadron during a ceremony here, Oct. 20, 2023.

“This new squadron will rally to the hunt and forge the spirit of defense for the Delta,” said U.S. Space Force Col. Stephen Lyon, Joint Task Force-Space Defense director of operations, National Space Defense Center director, and commander of DEL 15. “The 15th CYS will be lifted as the vision for which our Guardian defenders strive toward. Our war dogs will clear the path to space superiority and the defense of our nation!”

The mission of the 15th CYS is to conduct intelligence-driven cyberspace defensive operations with mission partners to assure the NSDC’s mission by identifying, preventing denying, and eliminating threats.

The 15th CYS will defend against maligned cyber activities to preserve the sovereignty of the NSDC’s on-orbit command-and-control mission.

U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Megan Belger took command as the inaugural squadron commander of the 15th CYS.

“It is an honor to help lay the foundation for the USSF’s first truly integrated Delta,” said Belger. “The 15th CYS will employ integrated cyber defense operations to safeguard and enhance space-to-space operations in a contested environment.”

Belger continued, “I want to create an environment where Guardians fight to become part of this united and empowered team.”

DEL 15 activated two additional subordinate squadrons this year, including the 15th Command and Control Squadron, June 30, and 15th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Squadron, July 13.

DEL 15 and its subordinate squadrons are the U.S. Space Force’s force presentation to U.S. Space Command to organize, train and equip the NSDC.

The mission of DEL 15 is to provide service command-and-control capability, mission ready crew forces, skills training, certifications, ISR, and cyber mission defense support, as well as special mission support to the NSDC.

DEL 15 and its subordinate squadrons will be co-located with the NSDC, here.

https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3566027/del-15-activates-final-subordinate-squadron-15th-cys/

Space Operations Command reveals ‘futuristic’ official painting

Oct. 20, 2023

Space Operations Command revealed the command’s first official painting during a ceremony October 20.

The painting was commissioned with artist Rick Herter and is titled “High Ground Intercept” for its depiction of space as a warfighting arena, now and into the future.

The artwork depicts a futuristic U.S. Space vehicle intercepting an adversary satellite, who in turn is positioning to disable a friendly satellite. The futuristic intercept vehicle has historic links to the X-20 Dyna-Soar, the first U.S. space plane design, with its low-wing delta shape and vertical winglets. The bay doors of the intercept vehicle are opening as the space plane moves into position and prepares to defend the friendly satellite.

“Because of the highly classified nature of many space operations, SpOC requested that Herter rely on historic space planes and his own imagination,” explained Christopher Rumley, command historian.

Upon undertaking the historic task, Herter explained the importance of detail when it comes to delivering a product that meets his client’s vision.

“The most challenging projects are when a client gives the artist a general concept of what they want but can’t give specifics,” said Herter. “In order to get the proportions and angles of the vehicle correct within the painting, I built a crude model of my space plane design, which I could then use as my reference point.”

For centuries, artists have depicted battles and war victories to inspire national pride and record momentous acts of courage. Though challenging, Rumley expressed confidence that Herter succeeded.

“It was not an easy task, but Rick was able to fuse where we’ve been as a force with where we are going,” said Rumley.

Today, the Department of the Air Force Art Collection houses thousands of pieces of art documenting the deeds of Airmen and Guardians through major conflicts, humanitarian operations, military training exercises and operations, and other subjects that encompass the Air Force’s and Space Force’s goals and mission.

Space Operations Command is the fight-tonight force and first Field Command of the U.S. Space Force. SpOC’s mission is to protect America and our allies in, from and to space…now and into the future.

https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3566022/space-operations-command-reveals-futuristic-official-painting/

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