NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day
December 22, 2024
The Local Fluff
The stars are not alone. In the disk of our Milky Way Galaxy, about 10 percent of visible matter is in the form of gas called the interstellar medium (ISM). The ISM is not uniform and shows patchiness even near our Sun. It can be quite difficult to detect the local ISM because it is so tenuous and emits so little light. This mostly hydrogen gas, however, absorbs some very specific colors that can be detected in the light of the nearest stars. A working map of the local ISM within 20 light-years, based on ongoing observations and particle detections from the Earth-orbiting Interstellar Boundary Exporer satellite (IBEX), is shown here. These observations indicate that our Sun is moving through a Local Interstellar Cloud as this cloud flows outwards from the Scorpius-Centaurus Association star forming region. Our Sun may exit the Local Cloud, also called the Local Fluff, during the next 10,000 years. Much remains unknown about the local ISM, including details of its distribution, its origin, and how it affects the Sun and the Earth. Unexpectedly, IBEX spacecraft measurements indicate that the direction from which neutral interstellar particles flow through our Solar System is changing.
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
NASA Welcomes Liechtenstein as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory
Dec 20, 2024
Liechtenstein signed the Artemis Accords Friday during a ceremony hosted by NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, becoming the 52nd nation to commit to the responsible exploration of space for all humanity.
“Today, as Liechtenstein signs the Artemis Accords, we take another step forward together, united by the promise of international cooperation and discovery,” said Melroy.
“Liechtenstein’s commitment strengthens our vision, where space is explored with peace, transparency, and sustainability as guiding principles.
With each new signatory, the Artemis Accords community adds fresh energy and capabilities to ensure the benefits of space reach the entire world.”
Director of Liechtenstein’s Office for Communications Rainer Schnepfleitner signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of Liechtenstein.
TheAmbassador of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the United States Georg Sparber and U.S. Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein Scott Miller also participated in the event.
“With its participation in the Artemis Accords, Liechtenstein looks forward to advancing space exploration among a strong group of like-minded countries committed to the peaceful use of space for the benefit of all humanity,” Sparber said.
The United States, led by NASA and the U.S. Department of State, and seven other initial signatory nations established the Artemis Accords in 2020, identifying a set of principles promoting the beneficial use of space for humanity.
Since then, signatories have expanded to represent a quarter of the world’s countries, with 19 countries signing in 2024.
In addition to an increase in numbers, the Artemis Accords signatories, representing every region of the world, continued to build consensus this year and make significant progress in implementing the accords principles.
NASA co-chaired the Artemis Accords Principals’ Meeting in October, which brought together 42 nations and furthered discussions on the safe and responsible use of space.
They agreed on recommendations for non-interference, interoperability, release of scientific data, long-term sustainability guidelines, and registration of space objects to advance implementation.
https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-welcomes-liechtenstein-as-newest-artemis-accords-signatory/
https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-accords/
NASA astronaut spots 'two metallic spherical orbs' flying by his airplane over Texas
Updated: 10:22 EST, 21 December 2024
A former NASA astronaut has come forward to reveal that he personally witnessed 'two metallic spherical orbs' whizz by his plane this August while flying above Texas.
Leroy Chiao, who served as the commander of Expedition 10 to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2004 and 2005, was 9,000 feet in the air when objects 'zipped' on the left side of his airplane.
He said one flew on top of the other and each was about three feet in diameter. 'It's just kinda dumb luck that they didn't hit me,' said Chiao.
The former NASA astronaut estimates that the orbs were only 'about 20 feet away.'
'It could've been a bad result, if they had actually hit me,' Chiao said. 'It happened so quick, there wasn't even a chance to get scared.'
The NASA veteran, now an engineering consultant and entrepreneur, told NewsNation that the strange metallic orbs appeared to evade detection.
'It wasn't on radar,' he noted, 'Air traffic control certainly didn't alert me.
'[And] it wasn't on my display that shows other airplanes that are participating with the [Federal Aviation Administration] FAA-required transponders.'
'I don't know what it was,' the baffled former astronaut confessed.
Chiao unpacked the details of his odd late-summer UFO encounter to The Hill on NewsNation, stating that he 'got a good look at them' but 'only for a second.'
'I was flying back from Colorado and I had just refueled in the panhandle of Texas in my small airplane,' Chiao recalled.
'I was flying back to Houston on an instrument flight plan,' he said, referencing a more formal set of flight rules that are coordinated with FAA air traffic control along known and pre-established flight corridors.
But with the benefit of hindsight, the former astronaut believes that these orb UFOs are still not only 'mysterious' — but that the government's lack of transparency on these and other mystery drones over sensitive US sites has 'scary' implications.
'They could tell us what they know,' Chiao opined, 'and if they really don't know, that's a little more disconcerting.'
Citizens, police and politicians have all put forward theories on who or what is behind this recent wave of drone reports — from mass hysteria to foreign spies to space aliens — Chiao said that he leans toward it being a test of top secret US tech.
'My first guess is that it's some kind of military program, a drone of some kind,' he told NewsNation, 'but you know it's hard to say, right?'
'Frankly, I think whoever was operating the drone wasn't aware that I was there.'
Chao, who saw dealt with an interesting, but ultimately terrestrial 'UFO' case when he lived on board the ISS, said that he is personally concerned about some of the possible worst-case scenarios for America's late 2024 mystery drone wave.
'It is pretty mysterious,' he weighed in. 'It's hard to believe that our government doesn't really know what's going on.'
'At first blush, to me, it seems like some kind of a military program, our military,' he continued, 'and if it's not that, then it gets a little more scary.'
Chiao said that the past month of drone sightings over New Jersey and nearby states, as well as those over US military bases at home and abroad, seem 'way too widespread and organized to be some kind of a prank.'
He added that he feels the Pentagon and the rest of the federal government 'could be a little more transparent.'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14215047/NASA-astronaut-metallic-spherical-orbs-flying-Texas.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4xMH2D2K-Q
Chinese satellite burns up over Louisiana, visible across the region
December 21, 2024
Residents in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama were treated to a dazzling sight late Saturday as bright, slow-moving objects streaked across the sky, caused by a Chinese satellite which entered Earth’s atmosphere, astronomers said.
The event happened just after 10 p.m. and was visible from multiple states, according to witnesses who shared footage on social media.
While there was no word from officials, astronomer Jonathan McDowell identified the space debris as a Chinese satellite.
“The commercial imaging satellite 高景一号02星 (GaoJing 1-02, Superview 1-02), operated by Beijing-based SpaceView, reentered above New Orelans at 10:08 p.m. CST heading northbound towards Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri and was widely observed,” McDowell said.
McDowell added: “The satellite has been space junk and dead as a doornail since January 2023. This was an uncontrolled reentry.
We knew it was coming down today but only with ±2 hour accuracy estimate so we didn’t know where (at 17000 mph, ±2 hours is more than one trip round the Earth).”
Many observers initially speculated that the object was a meteor, but experts quickly dismissed this theory because meteors travel at incredibly high speeds, unlike Saturday’s space debris.
Space debris often burns up upon entry, creating bright streaks and fragments visible from the ground.
Social media platforms quickly filled with videos and photos of the event, with users across the region sharing their awe and curiosity.
The object’s slow pace and vivid brightness made it a captivating sight for many who happened to look skyward at the right moment.
This sighting adds to a growing list of re-entry events witnessed globally as humanity’s activity in space continues to increase.
Just last month, a fireball lit up the sky over North Texas, which astronomers identified as a SpaceX Starlink satellite which launched in 2022.
https://bnonews.com/index.php/2024/12/chinese-satellite-burns-up-over-louisiana/
The Winter Solstice Through NOAA’s Newest Eyes in Space
December 21, 2024
NOAA’s newest satellite, GOES-19, provided a beautiful view of Earth during the winter solstice.
Currently positioned over the Western Hemisphere at 89.5° west longitude, between NOAA’s GOES East and GOES West satellites, GOES-19 captured this celestial moment from space while undergoing post-launch testing.
Launched on June 25, it is set to replace GOES-16 in the GOES East position this spring.
The winter solstice marks a special moment as the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
At precisely 4:21 a.m. EST, the Northern Hemisphere reached its maximum tilt away from the sun, positioning the sun directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, 23.5° south of the equator.
The solstice doesn’t result in the latest sunrise or the earliest sunset. These occur a couple of weeks before and after the solstice due to Earth’s 23.5° tilt and its slightly elliptical orbit around the sun.
The winter solstice also signals the start of astronomical winter, which is defined by Earth’s position relative to the sun. This differs from meteorological winter, which is based on temperature patterns and starts on Dec. 1.
What Makes GOES-19 Special?
GOES-19 is the fourth and final satellite in NOAA’s advanced GOES-R series. While still undergoing scheduled testing before becoming operational, its current position provides a view of Earth that complements its “siblings” GOES East and GOES West.
GOES-19 is also equipped with NOAA’s first coronagraph, Compact Coronagraph-1 (CCOR-1), designed to observe the outer atmosphere of the sun, called the corona.
This capability enables GOES-19 to monitor space weather events that could disrupt power grids, communication networks, navigation systems, and more.
In March 2025 GOES-19 will move to its operational location at 75.2° west longitude, where it will officially assume the title and role of GOES East in and replace GOES-16 in April.
This transition ensures NOAA’s satellite constellation continues to provide critical data for weather forecasts, storm tracking, and environmental monitoring. GOES-16 will become the primary on-orbit back-up for the GOES constellation.
https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/news/the-winter-solstice-through-noaas-newest-eyes-space
U.S. Space Force celebrates fifth anniversary, directorate advances medical space capabilities
Dec. 20, 2024
The Air Force Medical Service joins the U.S. Space Force in celebrating its fifth anniversary, Dec. 20, 2024, commemorating the creation of a military branch dedicated to the pursuit of space superiority.
When the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 was signed into law, it created the first new branch of the armed services in 73 years.
The NDAA aligned the Space Force under the Department of Air Force and tasked the AFMS support Guardian medical readiness.
While the AFMS has supported the USSF since its inception, the U.S. Air Force Surgeon General, who is the senior medical advisor to the Chief of Space Operations, established the Space Force Medical Operations Directorate March 19, 2023.
The directorate consists of a Total Force Headquarters team with a mix of active duty, Air National Guard, Reserve, and civilian personnel located in the National Capitol Region and Colorado.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Sean T. Collins, Air Force Medical Command Commander, who concurrently serves as the HAF/SG SF director and the ANG Assistant to the Surgeon General, shared his insights on its increased capabilities.
“The directorate’s Total Force team has exceeded all expectations in 2024,” he said.
“They have leveraged relationships across the whole of government, industry and academia, enabling USSF mission superiority, human systems integration, and human performance optimization of our Guardian warfighters.”
U.S. Space Force Medical Operations Directorate at a glance
Recently renamed the Space Force Directorate, the AF/SG SF provides advice on and implements medical operational support strategy for the Air Force and Space Force surgeon general and CSO, supporting the USSF mission in, from, and to the space domain, enabling force presentation and capabilities for joint combatant commanders.
The directorate collaborates with the Surgeon General Medical Operations Directorate and other components of AFMS to ensure Guardians are supported.
The medical team generates force readiness, creates policy and programs supporting the USSF human system in line with the AF/SG SF’s portfolio and medical efforts to support the DAF as it reoptimizes for Great Power Competition.
The directorate’s leadership includes a medical operations and standards division chief, support division chief, and the USSF Director of Psychological Health.
Brig. Gen. Alfred Flowers, Jr., Chief of Staff, Defense Health Agency, and Chief, Medical Service Corps, who served as command surgeon for Space Operations Command from July 2020 to July 2021, commended the directorate’s endeavors throughout its first year supporting Guardians.
“The Space Force Directorate has done a remarkable job integrating and synchronizing efforts when they matter most,” Flowers, Jr. said.
“Space superiority remains at the top of the list for Great Power Competition and the relevance of Space Operations is understated.
Every Guardian and mission matters and we will ensure they are ready.”
Future direction in the medical space frontier
The AF/SG SF Directorate is actively building the next generation of aerospace medicine experts, innovating human performance readiness solutions for scenarios that push the limits of imagination.
In August 2024, the directorate staff held a successful two-day strategic planning session at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, to focus on the next steps enabling the directorate’s mission and vision.
During the session, they mapped the way forward to operationalize its strategy and to develop people, capabilities, readiness, and power projection.
From Dec. 3 to Dec. 6, USSF and AF/SG SF representatives participated in the 2024 AFMS Senior Leader Workshop, updating medical leaders on Space Force activities and medical advancements supporting space operations.
“The Space Force is its own service with their own mantra, core values, and creed,” Col. Lidia Ilcus, Deputy Director of the AF/SG’s Space Force Directorate and Chief of Aerospace Medicine Operations and Policy, said at the workshop.
“We need to understand that they are warfighters 24/7,” she said. “We are working to develop policies, partnerships, and talent management strategies to support the unique medical and operational needs of the Space Force.”
Today, Guardians are called to protect and defend national interests, standing ready, every day, always above. The Air Force Medical Service will deliver ready Medics and medically ready Airmen and Guardians, anytime … anywhere.
https://www.patrick.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4015421/us-space-force-celebrates-fifth-anniversary-directorate-advances-medical-space/
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4015153/space-force-marks-half-decade-of-service/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4xMH2D2K-Q
Drones over New Jersey: Mystery continues month after first sightings
Updated: Dec 22, 2024 / 02:02 AM CST
After more than a month of sightings across multiple states, lawmakers and the general public are no closer to finding out what the mysterious drones are spotted in New Jersey and a handful of other states.
An unexplained large number of drones began flying over sensitive military sites in New Jersey in mid-November, and while the White House and the Pentagon insist they don’t pose a threat, lawmakers are demanding answers.
Recap
What are lawmakers doing about the drones?
On Dec. 12, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, along with three other U.S. senators, sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Aviation Administration requesting a briefing on the situation.
Since sightings of the drones have spread in news outlets and on social media, a slew of elected officials — local, state and federal — have been outspoken about what they call a lack of transparency from the government.
FAA bans drones in parts of New Jersey
Last week, a group of New Jersey lawmakers met with state police and DHS, but some were left frustrated about the lack of answers they received.
Republican New Jersey state Rep. Brian Bergen told NewsNation that meeting was “a whole lot of nothing.
“All they did was tell us they don’t know anything that’s going on,” he said.
Where are the drones?
Other than New Jersey, they have been spotted in other Northeastern states, including New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Sightings have also been reported in California, Florida, Ohio and Minnesota.
NewsNation confirmed House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., received a classified briefing on the drones, and lawmakers on both sides have called for the drones to be intercepted.
“We should be doing some very urgent intelligence analysis and take them out of the skies, especially if they’re flying over airports or military bases,” said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., last week.
FAA bans drones in parts of New Jersey
Following the large number of mysterious drone sightings, the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily banned drone flights in 22 areas of New Jersey where critical infrastructure is located.
FAA officials said federal security agencies requested the flight restrictions, which are effective through Jan. 17.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the restrictions are out of an “abundance of caution,” without explaining further.
https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/northeast/drones-over-new-jersey-mystery-continues/
https://www.newsnationnow.com/politics/elizondo-government-drones/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK_pCRbIv5g