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NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day
March 9, 2025
Cyclones at Jupiter's North Pole
Why are there so many cyclones around the north pole of Jupiter? The topic is still being researched. NASA's robotic Juno mission orbiting Jupiter took data in 2018 that was used to construct this stunning view of the curious cyclones at Jupiter's north pole. Measuring the thermal emission from Jovian cloud tops, the infrared observations are not restricted to the hemisphere illuminated by sunlight. They reveal eight cyclonic features that surround a cyclone about 4,000 kilometers in diameter, just offset from the giant planet's geographic north pole. Similar data show a cyclone at the Jovian south pole with five circumpolar cyclones. The south pole cyclones are slightly larger than their northern cousins. Oddly, data from the once Saturn-orbiting Cassini mission has shown that Saturn's north and south poles each have only a single cyclonic storm system.
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
Hubble Unveils a Glittering View of Sh2-284
Mar 08, 2025
A tiny fraction of the stellar nursery known as Sh2-284 is visible in this glittering, star-filled NASA Hubble Space Telescope image.
This immense region of gas and dust is the birthing place of stars, which shine among the clouds.
Bright clusters of newborn stars glow pink in infrared light, and clouds of gas and dust, resembling puffy cumulus clouds, are dotted with dark knots of denser dust.
This image shows an infrared view from Hubble, giving an excellent view of the stars that might otherwise be obscured by Sh2-284’s clouds.
Unlike visible light, infrared wavelengths can travel through clouds of gas and dust, providing a glimpse of the stars forming within the obscuring clouds.
The nebula is shaped by a young central star cluster, Dolidze 25 (not visible in the Hubble image), whose stars range from 1.5 to 13 million years old (our Sun, in contrast, is 4.6 billion years old).
The cluster blasts out ionizing winds and radiation, pushing at the gas and dust of the nebula and carving out intricate shapes and pillars, as seen in detail here.
This ionizing radiation gives Sh2-284 its classification as an HII region, an emission nebula consisting primarily of ionized hydrogen.
An emission nebula like Sh2-284 glows with its own light as stars within or nearby energize its gas with a flood of intense ultraviolet radiation.
Sh2-284 is also a low-metallicity region, which means it is poor in elements heavier than hydrogen and helium.
These conditions mimic the early universe, when matter was mostly helium and hydrogen and heavier elements were just beginning to form via nuclear fusion within massive stars.
Hubble took these images as part of an effort to examine how low metallicity influences stellar formation and how this would apply to the early universe.
Sh2-284 resides 15,000 light-years away at the end of an outer spiral arm of our Milky Way galaxy, in the constellation Monoceros.
https://science.nasa.gov/missions/hubble/hubble-unveils-a-glittering-view-of-sh2-284/
Hubble Jams With A Cosmic Guitar
Mar 08, 2025
Arp 105 is a dazzling ongoing merger between an elliptical galaxy and a spiral galaxy drawn together by gravity, characterized by a long, drawn out tidal tail of stars and gas more than 362,000 light-years long.
The immense tail, which extends beyond this image from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, was pulled from the two galaxies by their gravitational interactions and is embedded with star clusters and dwarf galaxies.
The distinctively shaped arrangement of galaxies and tail gives the grouping its nickname: The Guitar.
The gravitational dance between elliptical galaxy NGC 3561B and spiral galaxy NGC 3561A creates a wealth of fascinating colliding galaxy features.
A long lane of dark dust emerging from the elliptical galaxy ends in, and may be feeding, a bright blue area of star formation on the base of the guitar known as Ambartsumian’s Knot.
Ambartsumian’s Knot is a tidal dwarf galaxy, a type of star-forming system that develops from the debris in tidal arms of interacting galaxies.
Two more bright blue areas of star formation are obvious in the Hubble image at the edges of the distorted spiral galaxy.
The region to the left in the spiral galaxy is likely very similar to Ambartsumian’s Knot, a knot of intense star formation triggered by the merger.
The region to the right is still under investigation ― it could be part of the collision, but its velocity and spectral data (indicating distance) are different from the rest of the system, so it may be a foreground galaxy.
Thin, faint tendrils of gas and dust are just barely visible stretching between and connecting the two galaxies.
These tendrils are particularly interesting to astronomers since they may help define the timescale of the evolution of this collision.
A multitude of more-distant background galaxies are visible around and even through this merging duo.
The bright blue blob of stars to the left of Ambartsumian’s Knot may be a particularly bright background galaxy.
Arp 105 is one of the brightest objects in the crowded galaxy cluster Abell 1185 in the constellation Ursa Major.
Abell 1185, located around 400 million light-years away, is a chaotic cluster of at least 82 galaxies, many of which are interacting, as well as a number of wandering globular clusters that are not gravitationally attached to any particular galaxy.
This Hubble image was taken as part of a study of the ongoing creation of galactic and intergalactic stellar populations in Abell 1185.
https://science.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/goddard/hubble-jams-with-a-cosmic-guitar/
Hubble Spies a Spectacular Starburst Galaxy
Mar 08, 2025
Sweeping spiral arms extend from NGC 4536, littered with bright blue clusters of star formation and red clumps of hydrogen gas shining among dark lanes of dust.
The galaxy’s shape may seem a little unusual, and that’s because it’s what’s known as an “intermediate galaxy”: not quite a barred spiral, but not exactly an unbarred spiral, either ― a hybrid of the two.
NGC 4536 is also a starburst galaxy, in which star formation is happening at a tremendous rate that uses up the gas in the galaxy relatively quickly, by galactic standards.
Starburst galaxies can happen due to gravitational interactions with other galaxies or ― as seems to be the case for NGC 4536 ― when gas is packed into a small region.
The bar-like structure of NGC 4536 may be driving gas inwards toward the nucleus, giving rise to a crescendo of star formation in a ring around the nucleus.
Starburst galaxies birth lots of hot blue stars that burn fast and die quickly in explosions that unleash intense ultraviolet light (visible in blue), turning their surroundings into glowing clouds of ionized hydrogen, called HII regions (visible in red).
NGC 4536 is approximately 50 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo. It was discovered in 1784 by astronomer William Herschel.
Hubble took this image of NGC 4536 as part of a project to study galactic environments to understand connections between young stars and cold gas, particularly star clusters and molecular clouds, throughout the local universe.
https://science.nasa.gov/missions/hubble/hubble-spies-a-spectacular-starburst-galaxy/
The 4,000-year-old Insect-built Structure Visible From Space
March 8, 2025
In the heart of Brazil, an ancient network of termite mounds stretches across an area so vast it can be seen from space.
These towering structures, estimated to be around 4,000 years old, are the result of generations of termites working together to build one of the largest and most enduring architectural feats in nature.
A Massive Hidden Landscape
The Brazilian termite mound network covers approximately 230,000 square kilometers—an area nearly the size of Great Britain.
These mounds, built by termites of the Syntermes dirus species, can stand over 10 feet tall and reach 50 feet wide.
From the ground, the landscape appears to be covered in evenly spaced, cone-like formations.
But from above, satellite imagery reveals an immense and intricate network that has been built over thousands of years.
Unlike traditional termite mounds, these structures don’t house entire colonies.
Instead, they serve as waste deposits, allowing worker termites to excavate tunnels underground while maintaining a stable living environment.
The sheer scale of these formations has led scientists to call them the most extensive bioengineering effort by a single insect species.
How Termites Build Such Massive Structures?
Despite being blind and tiny, termites are master builders. Using mud, termite saliva, and feces, they create durable, insulated structures that regulate temperature and humidity.
The process can take decades, with millions of termites working collectively to expand and maintain their colony.
Termite mounds are designed with natural ventilation systems, allowing airflow to circulate and prevent overheating in the hot climates where they are found.
The Brazilian network, in particular, represents centuries of careful construction and adaptation to environmental conditions.
Scientists estimate that termites have moved nearly 10 cubic kilometers of soil—a volume comparable to some of the world’s largest human-made structures.
A Key Player In Ecosystem Health
Far from being simple dirt piles, termite mounds enhance soil fertility and create microhabitats for other species.
As you know, termites dig tunnels and transport materials, they aerate the soil, increasing its ability to retain water and nutrients.
This process encourages plant growth in regions that might otherwise remain barren.
In arid environments, termite mounds have been shown to slow desertification, providing stable ground for vegetation to take root.
Research suggests that their presence boosts biodiversity, attracting various insects, birds, and even larger animals that rely on the nutrients and shelter provided by these formations.
Learning From Termites: The Future Of Sustainable Architecture
Termites may be tiny, but their building techniques have inspired innovative human architecture.
The natural temperature control of termite mounds has been studied as a model for energy-efficient buildings, reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling.
One well-known example is the Eastgate Centre in Zimbabwe, a commercial building designed with a ventilation system mimicking termite mound airflow.
This approach significantly cuts down energy consumption and offers a sustainable alternative to conventional climate control methods.
The microbial activity within termite mound soil has been linked to increased crop productivity, hinting at potential benefits for large-scale farming.
https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/03/4000-year-old-insect-built-visible-space/
NASA launches plush mascot contest for next moon mission
Mar. 08, 2025, 12:30 p.m.
Calling all designers: NASA wants your ideas for a plush mascot that will fly with astronauts around the moon next year.
The space agency is holding a contest for the “zero gravity indicator” that will be carried aboard the Artemis II mission, due to launch in April 2026.
A “zero gravity indicator” is a small, plush item that gives a visual indication – by floating – of when a spacecraft reaches space.
Many past missions to the International Space Station have included a plush zero gravity indicator, according to NASA.
A plush Snoopy mascot rode inside the Orion capsule during the uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022.
Original designs, which are due by May 27, should “represent the significance of NASA’s Artemis campaign, the mission, or exploration and discovery,” according to the space agency.
There are specific requirements for materials and size, which can be reviewed on the contest website. Up to 25 finalists, including from a K-12 student division, will be selected.
The Artemis II crew will choose one design that NASA’s Thermal Blanket Lab will then fabricate to fly alongside them in the Orion spacecraft.
Crowdsourcing company Freelancer is hosting the challenge, called Moon Mascot: NASA Artemis II ZGI Design Contest, on behalf of the agency through the NASA Tournament Lab.
Artemis II will be the first test flight of the Space Launch System rocket, Orion spacecraft, and supporting ground system with crew aboard.
The 10-day mission will see NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen venture around the moon and back to Earth.
The mission is the first crewed flight under NASA’s Artemis campaign, which is designed to establish a permanent human presence on the lunar surface as a steppingstone to future crewed missions to Mars.
https://www.al.com/news/huntsville/2025/03/nasa-launches-plush-mascot-contest-for-next-moon-mission.html
https://www.freelancer.com/contest/Moon-Mascot-NASA-Artemis-II-ZGI-Design-Challenge-2527909/detailshttps
https://spacenews.com/tracking-doges-impact-on-space-and-the-federal-workforce/
Tracking DOGE’s impact on space and the federal workforce
March 9, 2025
he White House and the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency have spent the first weeks of Donald Trump’s new administration looking to reduce the number of federal workers and shrink spending.
The cuts have followed roughly the same formula from agency to agency. What does that mean for space?
It’s challenging to track every corner of the federal workforce that works on space, making it difficult to determine exactly how many jobs have been lost.
Below are the latest developments for each department, including what we don’t know. SpaceNews reporters are on Signal and welcome tips.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Total number of employees: ~18,000
Were employees offered the deferred resignation program or did they receive the so-called “fork in the road” email?
Yes. NASA officials have said about 5% of employees have accepted the offer. That would translate to roughly 900 positions.
Were there probationary layoffs? Layoffs of probationary employees have been deferred for now. Roughly 1,000 employees were thought to be part of the cut.
Notes: NASA leaders are developing plans for a larger reduction in force as part of Trump’s vision to shrink the federal workforce.
The Planetary Society, an advocacy group, has estimated that the 10% cut would be the largest single reduction in force at the agency since the end of the Apollo program more than a half-century ago.
Department of Defense
Total number of civilian employees: +700,000
Total number of civilian employees in the Space Force: ~5,600
Were employees offered the deferred resignation program or did they receive the so-called “fork in the road” email?
Yes. Specifically, the Department of the Air Force, which oversees the Air Force and Space Force, sent the email to employees Feb. 28. Pentagon officials have not disclosed how many employees accepted the offer thus far.
Were there probationary layoffs? Not yet. But some officials have said those could begin before the end of March.
Notes: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told Pentagon officials to plan for a 7% reduction of budget and a senior Pentagon official has said to anticipate a reduction of the Department’s civilian workforce by 5-8% to produce efficiencies.
It is unclear how many of those employees will work for the Space Force or on space programs.
Specifics: The head of Space Systems Command, the Space Force’s primary acquisition arm, said March 4 that the office “had a considerable number” of employees apply for the deferred resignation program.
He expected those employees to leave soon, according to Defense News.
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Total number of employees: ~12,000
Were employees offered the deferred resignation program or did they receive the so-called “fork in the road” email? Yes.
The New York Times reported approximately 500 people took that offer and left the agency Feb. 28. It is unclear how many of them worked on space programs.
Were there probationary layoffs? Yes. CBS News reported that about 880 people were fired Feb. 27. It is unclear how many of them worked on space programs.
Specifics: Layoffs at the Office of Space Commerce within NOAA Feb. 27 included staff working on the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) and in the Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs Division, which oversees commercial imaging satellite licensing.
TraCSS is set to take over space traffic coordination from the Defense Department. The cuts, which affected as many as a quarter of the office’s 60-person staff, are expected to disrupt programs, a former NOAA official said.
However, by March 4, two senior leaders, the TraCSS program manager and a division director, had been reinstated after industry groups raised concerns with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
Total number of employees: ~14,500
Were employees offered the deferred resignation program or did they receive the so-called “fork in the road” email? Yes.
Were there probationary layoffs? None have been reported thus far.
Notes: There was confusion at NGA — a U.S. intelligence agency that analyzes geospatial data for the U.S. military, allies and homeland security organizations — because many employees believed their role in national security made them exempt from the hiring freeze announced Jan. 20 and from subsequent layoffs.
National Reconnaissance Office
Total number of employees: ~3,000
Were employees offered the deferred resignation program or did they receive the so-called “fork in the road” email? Yes.
Were there probationary layoffs? None have been reported thus far.
Notes: The NRO builds and acquires satellites for the intelligence community.
Like the NGA, many employees believed their role in national security made them exempt from the hiring freeze announced Jan. 20 and from subsequent layoffs.
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S.F. police shoot man who purportedly shot at SFPD drone, officers
March 8, 2025, 11:01 pm
In a possible first, a suspect in the Outer Sunset today fired upon a San Francisco police drone — and, later, at officers — before police returned fire and sent him to the hospital with a non-life-threatening gun wound.
The incident may be the first instance of a San Francisco Police Department drone being fired upon — the department only began using drones last year. It is unclear if the drone was hit.
At 4:32 p.m. on Saturday, officers had been called out to 41st Avenue between Lincoln Way and Irving Street responding to a man armed with a gun who was “threatening neighbors,” according to the San Francisco Police Department.
It’s unclear how exactly the shooting occurred, but the department said the man fired his gun first.
Officers “attempted to make contact with the armed subject,” the department wrote, and “during the encounter, the subject discharged his firearm and an officer-involved shooting occurred.”
The man was “struck by gunfire,” the department wrote, and officers subsequently rendered aid before paramedics arrived and took him to the hospital. It is unclear how many officers took part in the shooting.
The incident is being investigated by the San Francisco district attorney’s office, the Investigative Services Detail of SFPD, and the Department of Police Accountability.
SFPD will hold a town hall within 10 days of the shooting, as legally required, to present the circumstances that led to it.
https://missionlocal.org/2025/03/sf-police-shooting-drone-armed-man-outer-sunset/
Incredible drone images reveal scale of devastation caused by Ventnor rockfall
Sun 9 March 2025 at 4:08 am GMT-7
THE full scale of a major rockfall in Ventnor has been captured by drone images
Thanks to Steve Mew, a member of the Isle of Wight County Press Camera Club, who flew his drone over the site, we now able to see how extensive Friday night's massive rockfall was.
The pictures reveal the damage, which saw heavy metal bollards flattened, and metal railings buckled under the avalanche of rock, which cascaded onto Belgrave road.
A ONCE iconic landmark on the Isle of Wight — Ventnor Rock — which collapsed this weekend, once featured on postcards.
The unusual geological feature on Belgrave Road, at the junction with Church Road, fell away on Friday night (March 7).
Also known locally as 'The Outcrop', it was so well known, it was once the subject of a postcard.
Sophie Blake, who owns the Longshoreman Museum on Ventnor seafront, kindly supplied the featured photo of 'Ventnor Rock', believed to be circa 1920s.
Ventnor Rock postcard, circa 1920s (Image: Sophie Blake)
Ventnor Rock was reduced to rubble on Friday night (March 7). (Image: County Press)
It pre-dates the building of the former Rex cinema, opened in 1938, which would have been visible on the photo if the image had been taken at that time.
The Rex was destroyed by fire in 1993.
'Ventnor Rock' may even have been a popular feature for Victorian visitors, almost two centuries ago.
Sophie lives on Esplanade Road, which is directly below the rock.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/incredible-drone-images-reveal-scale-110851597.html