NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day

July 8, 2025

The Pleiades in Red and Blue

If you have looked at the sky and seen a group of stars about the size of the full Moon, that's the Pleiades (M45). Perhaps the most famous star cluster in the sky, its brightest stars can be seen even from the light-polluted cities. But your unaided eye can also see its nebulosity the gas and dust surrounding it under dark skies. However, telescopes can catch even more. The bright blue stars of the Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters, light up their surrounding dust, causing it to appear a diffuse blue that can only be seen under long exposures. But that's not all. The cosmic dust appears to stretch upward like ethereal arms. And the entire structure is surrounded by a reddish glow from the most abundant element in the universe: hydrogen. The featured image is composed of nearly 25 hours of exposure and was captured last year from Starfront Observatory, in Texas, USA

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

Week Starts with Muscle Stimulation and Cellular Research During Cargo Transfers

July 7, 2025

The Expedition 73 crew kicked off the week studying electrical muscle stimulation and cellular immunity to protect crew health in microgravity.

The orbital residents are also unpacking a new cargo craft and continuing to support the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew aboard the International Space Station.

NASA Flight Engineers Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain joined each other in the Columbus laboratory module on Monday and explored stimulating muscles with small electrical signals to help prevent space-caused muscle atrophy.

Ayers wore electrodes as McClain operated biomedical gear sending electrical impulses to her legs simulating load forces on the ground.

Researchers are exploring electrical muscle stimulation to supplement daily space workouts and keep astronauts fit in weightlessness.

Ayers then partnered with NASA Flight Engineer Jonny Kim assisting him as he inspected hatches in the Quest airlock and the Harmony module and downlinked photographs for further analysis by engineers on the ground.

Kim began his day in the Tranquility module replacing orbital plumbing components then switched over to the Destiny laboratory module and swapped out research hardware.

Station Commander Takuya Onishi from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration) began his shift with a standard cognition test then documented his meals and medication for the day.

Afterward, Onishi set up computer hardware that supports the advanced resistive exercise device then collected his saliva samples for stowage in the Kubik incubator and later analysis to study cellular changes in microgravity.

Before she assisted Ayers, McClain serviced spacesuit life support gear then checked cable connections on a computer that supports the MUSES commercial Earth observation hardware.

McClain also worked throughout the day supporting the Ax-4 crew members as they conducted their private research.

Veteran astronaut and Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson spent Monday assisting her Ax-4 crewmates Shubhanshu Shukla, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu during their busy day of space experiments.

The quartet explored a wide array of subjects including space agriculture to provide fresh food for crews, how blood circulates in space, a human-computer interface, and more on Monday.

The new Progress 92 cargo craft is being unloaded today after its docking to the Poisk module on Saturday, July 5. Roscosmos Flight Engineers Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritskiy opened Progress’ hatch on Sunday and continued working into Monday transferring some of its three tons of food, fuel, and supplies into the orbital outpost. Ryzhikov later activated a camera pointed at Earth that students will remotely control for a weeklong observation session.

Flight Engineer Kirill Peskov assisted his cosmonaut crewmates with the cargo work, worked on computer electronics gear, and photographed the external condition of Poisk with the Progress 92 docked to it.

https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2025/07/07/week-starts-with-muscle-stimulation-and-cellular-research-during-cargo-transfers/

NASA Curiosity Rover

Curiosity Blog, Sol 4588: Ridges and troughs

Jul 07, 2025

Earth planning date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025

As we traverse the boxwork terrain, we are encountering a series of more resistant ridges/bedrock patches, and areas that are more rubbly and tend to form lower relief polygonal or trough-like features.

We came into planning this morning in one of the trough-like features after another successful drive. The science team is interested in determining why we see these different geomorphological and erosional expressions.

Is the rock that comprises the more resistant ridges and patches a different composition to the rock in the troughs and low relief areas? How do the rocks vary texturally?

Might the resistant bedrock be an indicator of what we will encounter when we reach the large boxworks that we are driving towards?

We managed to find a large enough area of rock to safely brush (target - “Guapay”), after which we will place APXS and MAHLI to determine the composition and texture.

ChemCam will also analyze a different rock target, “Taltal” for chemistry and texture, and we will also acquire an accompanying Mastcam documentation image.

The resistant ridge that we are planning to drive towards (“Volcan Pena Blanca”) and eventually investigate will be captured in a Mastcam mosaic.

ChemCam will utilize their long-distance imaging capabilities to image the "Mishe Mokwa" butte off to the southeast of our current location, which likely contains bedrock layers that we will eventually pass through as we continue our climb up Mount Sharp.

After a planned drive, taking us closer to the “Volcan Pena Blanca” ridge, MARDI will image the new terrain beneath the wheels, before we execute some atmospheric observations.

Mastcam will make a tau observation to monitor dust in the atmosphere and Navcam will acquire a zenith movie. Standard DAN, RAD and REMS activities round out the plan.

https://science.nasa.gov/blog/curiosity-blog-sol-4588-ridges-and-troughs/

Curiosity Blog, Sols 4589 – 4592: Setting up to explore Volcán Peña Blanca

Jul 07, 2025

Earth planning date: Thursday, July 3, 2025

The team was delighted this morning to learn that Wednesday’s drive had completed flawlessly, placing us in a stable position facing a ~3 foot high ridge located ~35 feet away.

This ridge is the eastern edge of a feature the team has informally named “Volcán Peña Blanca.”

This feature certainly looked intriguing in orbital images, but once we saw Curiosity’s pictures of it from the ground, we decided it was cool enough to spend the time to investigate it closer.

The images from the ground show a lot more detail than is visible in orbit, including clear sedimentary structures exposed along the ridge face which could provide important clues about how the rocks in the boxwork-bearing terrain were initially deposited – dunes? Rivers? Lakes? The team picked their favorite spot to approach the ridge and take a closer look during Wednesday’s planning, so Curiosity made a sharp right turn to take us in that direction.

Using today’s images, we refined our plan for the exact location to approach and planned a drive to take us there, setting us up for contact science on Monday.

We had the opportunity to plan four sols today, to cover the U.S. 4th of July holiday weekend, so there was lots of time for activities besides the drive.

Curiosity is currently sitting right in front of some light toned rocks, including one we gave the evocative name “Huellas de Dinosaurios.”

It’s extremely unlikely we’ll see dinosaur footprints in the rock, but we will get the chance to investigate it with APXS, MAHLI, and ChemCam.

We also have a pair of ChemCam only targets on a more typical bedrock target named “Amboro” and some pebbles named “Tunari.”

Mastcam will take a high resolution of mosaic covering Volcán Peña Blanca, some nearby rocks named “Laguna Verde,” a small light colored rock named “Suruto,” and various patterns in the ground.

Two ChemCam RMI mosaics of features in the distant Mishe Mokwa face and environment monitoring activities round out the plan.

https://science.nasa.gov/blog/curiosity-blog-sols-4589-4592-setting-up-to-explore-volcan-pena-blanca/

https://science.nasa.gov/mission/msl-curiosity/science-updates/

NASA’s Hubble and Webb Telescopes Reveal Two Faces of a Star Cluster Duo

Jul 07, 2025

A riotous expanse of gas, dust, and stars stake out the dazzling territory of a duo of star clusters in this combined image from NASA’s Hubble and Webb space telescopes.

Open clusters NGC 460 and NGC 456 reside in the Small Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy orbiting the Milky Way. Open clusters consist of anywhere from a few dozen to a few thousand young stars loosely bound together by gravity.

These particular clusters are part of an extensive complex of star clusters and nebulae that are likely linked to one another. As clouds of gas collapse, stars are born.

These young, hot stars expel intense stellar winds that shape the nebulae around them, carving out the clouds and triggering other collapses, which in turn give rise to more stars.

In these images, Hubble’s view captures the glowing, ionized gas as stellar radiation blows “bubbles” in the clouds of gas and dust (blue), while Webb’s infrared vision highlights the clumps and delicate filamentary structures of dust (red).

In Hubble images, dust is often seen silhouetted against and blocking light, but in Webb’s view, the dust – warmed by starlight – shines with its own infrared glow.

This mixture of gas and dust between the universe’s stars is known as the interstellar medium.

The nodules visible in these images are scenes of active star formation, with stars ranging from just one to 10 million years old. In contrast, our Sun is 4.5 billion years old.

The region that holds these clusters, known as the N83-84-85 complex, is home to multiple, rare O-type stars, hot and extremely massive stars that burn hydrogen like our Sun.

Astronomers estimate there are only around 20,000 O-type stars among the approximately 400 billion stars in the Milky Way.

The Small Magellanic Cloud is of great interest to researchers because it is less enriched in metals than the Milky Way.

Astronomers call all elements heavier than hydrogen and helium – that is, with more than two protons in the atom's nucleus – "metals."

This state mimics conditions in the early universe, so the Small Magellanic Cloud provides a relatively nearby laboratory to explore theories about star formation and the interstellar medium at early stages of cosmic history.

With these observations of NGC 460 and NGC 456, researchers intend to study how gas flows in the region converge or divide; refine the collision history between the Small Magellanic Cloud and its fellow dwarf galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud; examine how bursts of star formation occur in such gravitational interactions between galaxies; and better understand the interstellar medium.

https://science.nasa.gov/missions/hubble/nasas-hubble-and-webb-reveal-two-faces-of-star-cluster-duo/

Satellite Image Shows 'Optical Phenomenon' Captured by NASA Over Peru Lake

Jul 07, 2025 at 11:51 AM EDT

New insights into the depths of Peru's Lake Titicaca have been gleaned thanks to a satellite image showing an optical phenomenon known as "sunglint."

Sunglint occurs when water surfaces reflect sunlight directly back towards a sensor. In this case, the light trick has exposed new details about the lake's wind and wave patterns—as well as highlighting surface features like the wakes left by boats.

The image was captured by a NASA astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on October 20 last year.

Internal Waves

Sunglint made it possible for the photograph to reveal the lake's internal waves.

These disturbances in the water develop at depth and typically have a vertical amplitude on the order of feet—but are normally barely visible on the lake's surface.

Via sunglint, in contrast, Titicaca's internal waves can be seen as bright parallel lines. Based on maps of the seafloor depth across the lake, it appears that the waves spotted from orbit are the result of a flow of deep water encountering an underwater cliff near the shore of the lake, at a depth of around 65–165 feet.

Wind Direction

The image has also led to new insights into the direction of the wind, thanks to how the sunglint picked out patches of naturally occurring oils found on the surface of the lake.

These thin films of "biogenic" oil act to decrease the roughness of the lake's surface water, boosting the spectral reflections seen in the image.

In this case, the oil had helped to pick out several bright arc which are the result of easterly winds—a common phenomenon, NASA explains, at the time of year the image was taken.

The largest arcs lie to the east of the Taquili Island, which falls in the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca.

A smaller arc was spotted within the strait between Amantani Island and the Capachica Peninsula, as the camera examined the Altiplano region of southeastern Peru and western Bolivia.

The image also drew attention to several V-shaped lines, which NASA said are wakes left behind boats cruising westward. The lower left quarter of the image showed a second prominent wake, coming in from the east.

The brightest zone of the image lies in its left center, where the sunlight's reflection from the water surface back to the camera was at its strongest.

Against the bright shade of the water, land surfaces appeared almost black due to the exposure settings of the astronaut's camera. Land surfaces are typically photographed in a rusty-tan shade.

https://www.newsweek.com/satellite-image-light-trick-lake-secrets-sunglint-2095459

>>23294889

What NASA's Galileo Spacecraft Saw As It Plunged Into Jupiter

July 8, 2025

Though our telescopes have become pretty darn good over the last century, there's nothing quite like seeing a planet from the point of view of an approaching spaceship.

In 1979, 1980, and 1981, humanity got our first brief glimpses of Jupiter from close up, as Pioneer 10, Pioneer 11, Voyager 1, and Voyager 2 flew past the gas giant.

While the glimpses of the planet were tantalizing, in October 1989, NASA launched the Galileo probe, the first spaceship with a dedicated mission to study Jupiter.

On its way to Jupiter, the probe gained a gravity assist from Venus, sending back stunning photos of its clouds.

When it arrived at the gas giant in 1995, Galileo became the first spacecraft to orbit an outer planet. There, it began its primary task of studying Jupiter, its magnetosphere, and moons.

"The primary mission included a 23-month, 11-orbit tour of the Jovian system, including 10 close encounters of Jupiter's major moons," NASA explains.

"Although the primary mission was completed in December 1997, the mission was extended three times. Galileo had 35 encounters of Jupiter's major moons – 11 with Europa, eight with Callisto, eight with Ganymede, seven with Io and one with Amalthea."

The probe sent back the first detailed images and observations of the planet's moons, finding evidence of intense volcanic activity on Io, signs of a liquid ocean underneath Europa, and the magnetic field around Ganymede.

As well as the planned aspects of the mission, the spacecraft became the first (and only) spacecraft to witness a comet hitting the planet, as Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 impacted Jupiter's far side.

One of the most exciting parts of the mission came at the start, as Galileo dropped a descent probe into the planet's atmosphere in July 1995. The descent probe did not have its own fuel supply, and began a free fall into the planet.

"Eight minutes later, the orbiter started receiving data from the descent probe, which slammed into the top of the Jovian atmosphere at a comet-like speed of 170,000 kilometers per hour (106,000 miles per hour).

In the process, the probe withstood temperatures twice as hot as the Sun's surface," NASA explains, adding that the probe slowed itself through aerodynamic braking before deploying a parachute and heat shield.

"The wok-shaped probe floated down about 200 kilometers (125 miles) through the clouds, transmitting data to the orbiter on sunlight and heat flux, pressure, temperature, winds, lightning and atmospheric composition.

Fifty-eight minutes into its descent, high temperatures silenced the probe's transmitters. The probe sent data from a depth with a pressure 23 times that of the average on Earth's surface, more than twice the mission requirement."

Though the probe stopped sending back data just under an hour after it was deployed, it measured atmospheric elements within the planet, giving us data on how Jupiter's chemical abundances differ from those in the Sun, and clues on how the planet evolved in the early Solar System.

Galileo itself was not spared from a final, dramatic plunge into Jupiter. Thanks to data from the spacecraft, we learned that there was potentially salt water underneath the surface of the icy moon Europa.

On September 21, 2003, NASA deliberately plunged the spacecraft into Jupiter in order to protect Europa from a potential impact with the probe.

"Its entry point into the giant planet’s atmosphere was about 1/4 degree south of Jupiter's equator. If there were observers floating along at the cloud tops, they would see Galileo streaming in from a point about 22 degrees above the local horizon," NASA explains.

"Streaming in could also be described as screaming in, as the speed of the craft relative to those observers would be 48.2 kilometers per second (nearly 108,000 miles per hour). That is the equivalent of traveling from Los Angeles to New York City in 82 seconds."

https://www.iflscience.com/what-nasas-galileo-spacecraft-saw-as-it-plunged-into-jupiter-79908

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbsqWozEBBw

https://www.thetravel.com/nasa-says-something-weird-on-moons-far-side/

https://twitter.com/ExploreCosmos_/status/1786497656253977058

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YNZiasRG0Q

NASA Just Confirmed That There's Something Weird Going On Inside The Moon

July 8, 2025

Apart from the sun, nothing shines brighter in the sky than the moon, which has long amazed and inspired the people who have gazed upon its crater-covered surface.

Ancient peoples created gods and goddesses to explain the patterns and habits of the moon; however, modern science has revealed why the moon "behaves" the way it does.

For example, although the moon goes through a regular cycle of phases throughout a 28-day cycle, only one side of the moon ever faces Earth.

This phenomenon is known as tidal locking, which occurs when an object, such as the moon, has the same rotational period as its orbital period.

As a result, before the space age, humans had no idea what the dark side of the moon looked like, prompting some to come up with eyebrow-raising theories about what might be lurking on this mysterious side of the moon.

Astronauts and space probes have since captured images and data of the dark side of the Moon, revealing a crater-covered landscape on the surface, with fascinating geological features beneath the surface.

Scientists have also recently discovered that the dark side of the moon exhibits some striking differences from the near side, creating a stir among astronomers.

Discoveries About The Moon's "Dark" Side

Data collected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) has revealed significant differences between the surface and the ground beneath the dark side of the Moon and the near side of the Moon.

Most notably, NASA scientists have observed significant temperature differences on each side of the moon, resulting in different geological activities occurring on the near side and the far side.

Dr. Ryan Park of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) explained these findings, telling IFLScience:

“Our study shows that the Moon’s interior is not uniform: the side facing Earth (the nearside) is warmer and more geologically active deep down than the far side" - Dr. Ryan Park.

He added, "This difference is linked to the Moon’s volcanic history and explains why the two sides look so different. The Moon’s nearside and far side look very different, as shown by differences in topography, crustal thickness, and the amount of heat-producing elements inside."

As Dr. Ryan Park notes, the differences between the near side and the far side, also known as the dark side of the moon, are not just superficial, but rather plunge to the inner depths of the moon.

Each side of the moon has distinctly different topographic, geological, and internal features, formed over millions of years.

These findings represent some of the most significant discoveries about the moon in recent times and add to a list of remarkable recent discoveries from NASA, including the discovery of a major phenomenon that could pose a threat to satellites.

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>>23294981

Still Much To Learn About The Moon

The Earth's only moon has long piqued the interest of scientists and the curious, who have wondered what the moon is made of, why it changes shape over a month, and why it never reveals its "dark side."

Space missions throughout the 1960s and 70s helped to answer some of these questions, with the United States even sending men to the moon for the first time in 1969 on the Apollo XI mission.

The Apollo missions provided priceless data, insight, and even moon rock samples for generations of scientists to comb over, allowing them to understand how the moon formed and how it impacted life on Earth.

NASA and other space agencies continue to explore the Moon, and missions such as GRAIL help scientists determine intriguing details about differences on the Moon's surface.

In the coming years, NASA will move forward with the Artemis program, which will bring human beings back to the moon in a series of missions designed to establish colonies and research stations on the lunar surface.

These research stations will provide scientists with even more data about the moon, enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of the moon's origins and the key differences between various sections of its surface.

However, according to NASA, the moon is only the beginning, as the ARTEMIS program also serves as a staging ground for future explorations to the planet Mars. According to NASA's official website:

"With NASA’s Artemis campaign, we are exploring the Moon for scientific discovery, technology advancement, and to learn how to live and work on another world as we prepare for human missions to Mars."

"We will collaborate with commercial and international partners and establish the first long-term presence on the Moon," NASA's official website adds.

It is believed that Phase II of the Artemis mission, which involves a team of astronauts orbiting the moon, will take place in 2026, and Phase III, which entails astronauts landing on the moon, is scheduled for 2027.

However, delays have plagued the ARTEMIS project, pushing back some of the key phases of this important and fascinating mission.

A Bright Future For Moon Exploration

A human being has not stepped foot on the surface of the moon since 1972; however, scientists have conducted numerous studies and unmanned missions to the moon to explore a wide range of topics.

In the case of NASA's GRAIL project, scientists have discovered fascinating characteristics of the inner layers of the moon, which vary radially based on the side of the moon.

Future moon missions, such as the ARTEMIS missions, will uncover even more intriguing information about the moon and will help set the stage for future missions to the planet Mars.

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Second Budget Cut Rally At NASA Glenn

July 7, 2025

“Stand Up for Science, Cleveland Organizes Rally for NASA Glenn on Anniversary of Moon Landing”:

Who: Stand Up for Science Cleveland

What: Rally to Protest Budget Cuts at NASA Glenn

Where: Willard Park in downtown Cleveland

When: July 20, 2025, 2-4 PM

Contact: standupforsciencecleveland@gmail.com 216-706-9484

Stand Up for Science Cleveland, a local group fighting cuts to federal science funding, announces a rally in support of NASA’s Glenn Research Center. [info]

It is scheduled to take place on July 20, 2025 from 2-4 PM in Willard Park at the northwest corner of East 9th Street and Lakeside Avenue (map).

The purpose of the event is to bring attention to proposed severe cuts to NASA funding and jobs, to call on northeast Ohio’s Congressional representatives to oppose these cuts, and to demonstrate local support for the NASA Glenn civil servants and contractors operating who are working under great uncertainty at NASA Glenn.

A spokesperson for StandUpforScience Cleveland said the date of July 20th was chosen for the protest because it is the anniversary of the moon landing which is NASA’s crowning achievement.

“We’ve chosen the date of its 56th anniversary for our protest to remind our legislators what’s possible when we fund space science and exploration.”

Stand Up for Science Cleveland is a local hub of the national organization Stand Up for Science. Cleveland area researchers and students are working to connect with the community to protect space science funding and research at NASA Glenn.

Fact Sheet

Stand Up for Science Cleveland Supports NASA Glenn

The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) employs nearly 1,400 civil servants and a large number of contractors. The proposed FY26 budget would reduce the civil servants to 837 and layoff many contractor staff.

NASA Glenn is a local economic powerhouse. GRC supports over 9,000 jobs in Ohio. A 40% cut in funding for NASA Glenn will slash payroll and purchases GRC makes for materials and services in northeast Ohio, and severely impact businesses and families in northeast Ohio communities.

The site’s $607M in FY2023 funding had an impact of $1.9B in economic output in 2023, according to an impact study by Cleveland State University.

The administration’s decision to request significant staffing cuts at all GRC testing and research facilities decreases the resources critical to commercial airline safety.

The proposed staffing and budget cuts in the FY26 proposal will lead to the shutdown of several Glenn wind tunnels. Also, it would slash support for spacecraft development and testing.

The decision to drastically reduce funding to planetary science, astrophysics, heliophysics, and other science initiatives reduces the potential for future Moon and Mars missions.

The budget decision to eliminate the NASA office of STEM Outreach means that northeast Ohio’s next generations will lose opportunities to pursue science, technology, engineering, and math careers.

https://nasawatch.com/activism/second-budget-cut-rally-at-nasa-glenn/

https://www.standupforscience.net/

https://nasawatch.com/congress/all-living-former-nasa-science-aas-protest-fy-2026-budget-cuts/

https://nasawatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/AAletter.pdf

All Living Former NASA Science AAs Protest FY 2026 Budget Cuts

July 7, 2025

the following letter was sent to congressional leaders and signed by every living former NASA Science Associate Administrator:

“We are writing in opposition to the Administration’s FY 2026 NASA budget request, which proposes a 47% reduction to NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.

We request that the Congress preserve U.S. leadership in space science by maintaining funding for the NASA Science Mission Directorate at the FY 2025 enacted level.” More below.

As former Associate Administrators responsible for managing NASA’s science activities, we know first-hand the incredible talent and capability that our country has built and sustained in the space sciences and engineering over nearly seven decades, and the severe consequences such an indiscriminate cut would impose on the extraordinary U.S. accomplishments and future initiatives.

Congress, in a bi-partisan manner, has solidly supported NASA’s space sciences programs on behalf of the Nation.

Continuing this support of space science is critical both in terms of leveraging existing activities while also planning and implementing future investments in the next generation of U.S. scientists and engineers who will lead the world in space science.

To do otherwise would be to cede U.S. leadership in space and science to China and other nations, to severely damage a peerless and immensely capable engineering and scientific workforce, and to needlessly put to waste billions of dollars of taxpayer investments.

The proposed cuts would force the U.S. to abandon its international partners who historically contribute significantly to U.S. space science missions.

The economics of these proposed cuts ignore a fundamental truth: investments in NASA science have been and are a powerful driver of the U.S. economy and technological leadership.

In our former roles leading NASA’s space science enterprise, we consistently saw skilled teams innovate in the face of seemingly impossible goals, including landing a car-sized rover on Mars with pinpoint precision, build a massive telescope that can unfold in the vacuum of space to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos, design and operate a spacecraft hardy enough to survive temperatures of many thousands of degrees at the Sun, inspiring young and old alike worldwide by the stunning images from the Hubble Space Telescope, and pioneering the use of small satellites for science.

These activities inevitably result in novel technologies, algorithms, and advanced materials, while advancing the experience and knowledge of NASA engineers.

Collectively these have direct, positive, and measurable benefits to our economy and our national security. The proposed cuts to NASA space science will starve the nation of that unique engine of innovation.

NASA’s science programs enjoy broad public and bipartisan support for good reason: NASA science delivers for the American people, providing broad direct benefits in addition to giving citizens the awe and inspiration that only NASA can provide.

The science that NASA produces results in a positive view of America at home and around the world. They are a visible example of what makes America great.

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>>23295042

As former stewards of NASA’s science programs, we have also seen the power of these programs to inspire and motivate bright minds from all corners of the Nation and around the world.

Nearly every science mission supports student participation, providing unique training and career opportunities in aerospace, software design, and other high-demand skills.

Industries that have NASA science projects recruit the best and brightest engineers and scientists who also work on other projects helping drive our economy and national defense.

Turning off active missions, research programs, and ending so many future missions will result in thousands of lost opportunities to cultivate these skills in the nation.

In addition, without NASA’s science program universities across the country will not be able to retain specialized scientists, faculty, and students.

Key technical capabilities would atrophy within NASA field centers, aerospace contractors, and other strategic institutions across the U.S.

We know from experience that losing key technical capabilities could take decades to restore and would diminish the U.S. as a world leader in space science.

Finally, if the Administration is committed to countering the growing Chinese capability in space, the U.S. needs to continue its investment in U.S. space science, not cede it unilaterally.

Global space competition extends far past Moon and Mars exploration. The Chinese space science program is aggressive, ambitious, and well-funded.

It is proposing missions to return samples from Mars, explore Neptune, monitor climate change for the benefit of the Chinese industry and population, and peer into the universe — all activities that the FY 2026 NASA budget proposal indicates the U.S. will abandon.

NASA science endeavors are exercises in long-term national commitment that pays dividends to the American people.

Each one of us knows what it’s like to shepherd an ambitious project forward, knowing that its payoff will come years after we have left the agency.

This proposed budget ends nearly all future investments for both new missions and advanced technology for science.

It walks away from dozens of current, extraordinarily successful and productive science missions in extended operations on a combined budget that is only about three percent of NASA’s annual funding.

In closing, given the scale of the proposed cuts, their long-term consequences, and the potential loss of human knowledge and inspiration, we unanimously urge Congress to reject the proposed cuts to NASA’s budget.

We therefore request that the Congress preserve U.S. leadership in space science by maintaining funding for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate at the FY 2025 enacted level. Respectfully,

John Grunsfeld PhD (served 2012 – 2016)

Alphonso Diaz (served 2004 – 2005)

Lennard Fisk PhD (served 1987 – 1993)

Wesley Huntress PhD (served 1993 – 1998)

S. Alan Stern PhD (served 2007 – 2008)

Edward Weiler PhD (served 1998 – 2004; 2008 – 2011)

Thomas H. Zurbuchen PhD (served 2016 – 2022)

(every living prior Associate Administrator of NASA Science)

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Manly Bands launches collection of NASA inspired wedding rings

July 7, 2025

A custom ring maker that has infused millions of men's wedding bands with super heroes, the Second Age and fine spirits has taken a new leap … with NASA.

Manly Bands has launched its NASA Collection with three ring designs inspired by different aspects of spaceflight.

The NASA bands join the company's other rings inspired by DC comic book characters, Lord of the Rings and Jack Daniels, among others like Jeep and Fender.

"Introducing our NASA-Inspired Collection, forged for the men who never stop looking up," Manly Bands posted on Instagram.

"Whether you're chasing stars or just chasing your next big adventure, these rings are your mission-ready reminder to keep exploring."

"Bold materials. Galactic vibes. Zero gravity not included,"

The three bands in the NASA Collection include rings named "The Lunar," "The Aerospace" and "The Cosmos."

"The Lunar" reproduces the look of the moon's surface etched onto an 8-inch-wide (20-cm) titanium surface.

"This band is an official nod to our nearest celestial neighbor — the moon. 'The Lunar' is sleek, understated, and undeniably cosmic, like wearing a piece of the moon wrapped around your finger," reads Manly Bands' website.

The black zirconium "The Aerospace" has silvered sides and a gold leaf inlay, the latter meant to evoke "the glint of solar panels as they catch the sun's rays in orbit."

John Ruggiero and his wife Michelle, who co-founded Manly Bands, write that "The Aerospace" band was inspired by "the satellites that soar above our atmosphere."

Both "The Lunar" and "The Aerospace" have NASA's logotype — affectionately referred to as the "worm" — engraved on their interiors. "The Cosmos" puts the NASA brand front and center for all to see.

Also black zirconium, but with a crushed space titanium opal inlay, "'The Cosmos' captures the vibrant, chaotic beauty of deep space," according to the Utah-based company.

"Wearing this ring is like holding a galaxy in the palm of your hand."

The three NASA models list for $700 for the "The Lunar" and "The Cosmos" and $800 for "The Aerospace."

Beyond the NASA Collection, which is the first time that Manly Bands has featured the agency's logo, the company has other space-related products.

A number of their bands are made using Gibeon meteorite inlays, including "The Apollo," "The Hanks" and "The Sally," the latter designed for women.

There is also "The Astronomer," which has shredded meteorite and a blue glow and "The Galactic Raptor," which combines meteorite shreds and space titanium opal with triceratops dinosaur bone.

As with all of Manly Bands' rings, the NASA Collection models are available in a wide span of sizes and take about a month to ship (rush service is available).

http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-070725a-manly-brands-nasa-collection-wedding-rings.html

https://manlybands.com/collections/nasa

AWS Launches Space Accelerator Program Across Asia Pacific to Boost Space Innovation

Jul 8, 2025

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has officially launched the AWS Space Accelerator: APJ 2025, a 10-week program designed to support space tech startups in Australia, New Zealand, India, and Japan.

The initiative aims to fast-track innovation in the region's burgeoning space economy by equipping up to 40 selected startups with technical expertise, business mentorship, and financial support.

Open to startups at all stages, the program is now accepting applications through September 5, 2025.

Participants will gain access to up to USD 100,000 in AWS Activate credits, deep technical guidance from AWS and its partners, industry mentorship, and connections to investors and potential customers.

The program will be delivered in collaboration with top regional partners including T-Hub, Minfy, Fusic, and Ansys, and in partnership with leading space organisations such as the Australian Space Agency, IN-SPACe (India), iLAuNCH (Australia), and SKY Perfect JSAT (Japan).

The accelerator builds on the success of the 2024 India-focused edition, which supported 24 startups. These companies went on to achieve major milestones in propulsion systems, quantum key distribution, satellite imagery solutions, and more.

This year's edition aims to expand that success across Asia Pacific and Japan.

Clint Crosier, Director of Aerospace and Satellite at AWS, said, "The collaboration with Australian Space Agency, IN-SPACe, iLAuNCH, and Sky Perfect JSAT underscores our commitment to working with local space agencies and industry leaders to support the growth of the space economy in their respective countries."

"Through this accelerator program, we're not just supporting individual startups, we're helping to build a robust community that can drive economic growth and technological advancement throughout the region," he added.

The program focuses on startups innovating in three critical areas:

Earth Observation and Remote Sensing: Using satellite data for climate monitoring, agriculture, disaster response, and infrastructure planning.

Space Infrastructure: Advancing cost-effective manufacturing, propulsion, and launch technologies.

Drone and High-Altitude Systems: Developing aerial platforms that complement satellites for communication and environmental monitoring.

Space startups often face high capital barriers and talent shortages. By providing cloud-based tools for simulation, testing, and development, AWS hopes to reduce technical and financial risk while accelerating the time to market.

The accelerator will kick off in September 2025 with both virtual and in-person programming and culminate in a Demo Day in December 2025, where startups will showcase their solutions to potential investors and industry leaders.

With this initiative, AWS continues to strengthen its position as a critical enabler in the global space tech ecosystem, particularly in a region poised for exponential growth in space exploration and commercialisation.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-in/news-and-trends/aws-launches-space-accelerator-program-across-asia-pacific/494335

Ultrasound triggers nuclear decay anomaly hinting at flexible space-time

Jul 08, 2025

A pair of Italian physicists has observed unexpected changes in radioactive decay triggered by ultrasonic waves-findings that could reshape current views on the rigidity of space-time.

In experiments using cobalt-57, brief ultrasound pulses appeared to disrupt standard decay behavior, offering rare experimental support for the Deformed Space-Time (DST) theory.

Led by Stefano Bellucci of INFN-Frascati and Fabio Cardone of ISMN-CNR, the study revealed that even nanosecond-long bursts of ultrasound at 2.25 MHz can cause measurable alterations in nuclear behavior.

The key signal came from the 14.4 keV emission of iron-57, where the decay curve showed clear deviations from standard expectations.

"These changes occur after less than one percent of a single ultrasound wave cycle," said Bellucci. "It suggests that under certain conditions, space-time itself becomes distorted in ways that allow new nuclear processes to unfold."

The DST theory holds that at specific energy thresholds, space-time can deviate from its normal geometry, allowing alternative nuclear interactions to emerge.

One explanation proposed by the researchers is that ultrasonic stress generates microscopic cavities-called Ridolfi cavities-which serve as miniature nuclear reactors.

Within these, cobalt-57 atoms may undergo transformations bypassing classical radioactive decay channels.

Unlike traditional decay governed by the weak nuclear force, these alternative processes could involve the strong nuclear interaction-normally off-limits in such low-energy conditions.

This two-channel decay model offers a fresh lens for reexamining long-held assumptions in nuclear physics.

The researchers also point to similarities with earlier DST experiments involving thorium-228 and nickel-63, where similar ultrasonic effects drastically lowered radioactivity.

In the cobalt-57 study, long-lasting metric changes and unusual field couplings were recorded-features the team links to the "Mignani mimicry" phenomenon predicted by DST.

"This challenges the idea that decay rates are untouchable constants," said Cardone. "If external fields can deform space-time, it reshapes how we think about nuclear stability and even causality."

The researchers are now designing experiments to determine whether ultrasound speeds up natural decay or causes a fundamentally different type of nuclear transformation.

One proposed test involves real-time radiation monitoring during sonication. According to Bellucci, "If more radiation appears, we're seeing accelerated decay. If not, we're witnessing something entirely new."

This work could impact not only nuclear physics but also cosmology and field theory-areas where space-time, matter, and energy may interact in far more dynamic ways than previously thought.

https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Ultrasound_triggers_nuclear_decay_anomaly_hinting_at_flexible_space_time_999.html

https://www.elspub.com/papers/j/1844285944014254080

Starfighters Aerospace Showcases Rare Supersonic Flight from Kennedy Space Center

July 8, 2025

In a rare behind-the-scenes look at high-performance flight operations, Starfighters Aerospace recently shared footage of a full supersonic flight conducted in their single-seat Lockheed F-104S Starfighter, filmed from the cockpit at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

Over the past few years, Starfighters Aerospace has significantly expanded its training and flight operations at Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida.

Operating a fleet of former Italian Air Force Lockheed/Aeritalia F-104 Starfighters, the company has secured a series of missions and collaborative agreements that have driven this increased activity.

Headquartered at the Kennedy Space Center, Starfighters Space Inc. manages the world’s only commercial fleet capable of sustained Mach 2 flight and high-altitude payload deployment.

The video, narrated by Chief Pilot Piercarlo “Capone” Ciacchi and published on his own YouTube channel, offers viewers a glimpse into the incredible performance envelope of the legendary “missile with a man in it.”

While much of the mission’s details remain classified, the footage provides a captivating look at the preparation, takeoff, high-speed cruise, and landing of the iconic jet.

This particular flight was notable for carrying a payload mounted under the left wing—part of a program covered by proprietary or restricted information.

Due to the classified nature of the mission, external footage of the payload and portions of cockpit communications were withheld.

Nevertheless, the video illustrates the complexity and precision required to operate the supersonic interceptor in modern aerospace testing.

From engine checks to stabilizer configuration and final takeoff clearance, the video captures radio communications with ground control, including coordination with Miami Center.

The F-104 climbed to altitude before accelerating to speeds ranging between Mach 1.6 and Mach 2, depending on airspace availability. Despite the aircraft’s extraordinary speed and power, the mission was handled with controlled precision.

Throughout the flight, viewers are immersed in cockpit audio, instrument panel readouts, and the rhythmic callouts of “heat”—a nod to the jet’s thermal conditions under high-speed performance.

The mission was carefully timed, with the pilot monitoring fuel margins and preparing for a precise approach to runway 31. On final, speeds were managed down to 200 knots, and the touchdown was smooth, followed by taxi and shutdown.

Ciacchi briefly noted the possibility of another sortie later in the day, contingent on ground preparations and refueling.

As the cockpit canopy opened post-landing, the pilot reflected on a “pretty good flight,” pleased to finally share a glimpse of the speeds and performance the F-104 is still capable of achieving.

While much of Starfighters Aerospace’s work remains confidential, their ongoing efforts represent the cutting edge of high-speed flight testing.

The F-104A ASA-M remains a formidable platform—its sleek silhouette and supersonic capabilities continuing to play a role in specialized aerospace development missions.

For aviation enthusiasts, this rare footage is a reminder of the enduring legacy and ongoing relevance of Cold War-era technology adapted for 21st-century applications.

https://vintageaviationnews.com/warbirds-news/starfighters-aerospace-showcases-rare-supersonic-flight-from-kennedy-space-center-video.html

https://starfightersspace.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsrNGfl_q6E

Space industry urges US Congress not to axe system that prevents satellite collisions==

July 8, 2025 8:21 AM PDT

Summary

• More than 400 companies urge Congress to fund TraCSS for satellite safety

• Cuts risk U.S. leadership in global space traffic management, industry official warns

• Pentagon's Space-Track detracts from national security mission, officials argue

Hundreds of U.S. companies on Tuesday urged Congress to back off a plan to kill a small federal office tasked with managing satellite traffic in space, a badly needed civilian effort initiated by President Donald Trump's first administration but now imperiled by cuts.

The White House's 2026 budget proposal seeks $10 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Space Commerce, an 84% cut from the office's 2025 funding that would terminate Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS), a civilian system to help prevent satellite collisions and alert operators of potential crashes.

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/space-industry-urges-us-congress-not-axe-system-that-prevents-satellite-2025-07-08/

https://www.space.com/astronomy/time-machine-reveals-hidden-structures-in-the-universes-first-galaxies-images

https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2025/07/aa53896-25/aa53896-25.html

'Time machine' reveals hidden structures in the universe's first galaxies

July 7, 2025

Astronomers have turned the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) into a time machine to peer back in cosmic time to 1 billion years after the Big Bang.

This has revealed previously hidden structures within the universe's first galaxies, which could help us understand how the modern cosmos, including our galaxy, the Milky Way, took shape.

The data was collected as part of the CRISTAL survey ([CII] Resolved ISM in STar-forming galaxies with ALMA), which zoomed in on 39 typical star-forming galaxies in the infancy of the 13.8 billion-year-old universe.

ALMA had infrared assistance from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Hubble. The target galaxies were selected to represent the main population of galaxies shortly after the Big Bang.

"Thanks to ALMA’s unique sensitivity and resolution, we can resolve the internal structure of these early galaxies in ways never possible before," CRISTAL principal investigator Rodrigo Herrera-Camus said in a statement.

"CRISTAL is showing us how the first galactic disks formed, how stars emerged in giant clumps, and how gas shaped the galaxies we see today."

How ancient structures were revealed by CRISTAL

The CRISTAL findings were possible thanks to the sensitivity of ALMA, consisting of 66 radio antennas in the Atacama desert region of northern Chile, to a specific emission of ionized carbon atoms in cold interstellar gas.

This is called the [CII] line emission, and it acts as a tracer of cold gas and dust. Thus, the CRISTAL team was able to create a complex and detailed map of interstellar gas, the nebulous matter between stars, in galaxies.

One of the key things this cosmic map revealed was stars being born in vast clumps, each stretching for several thousand light-years. Additionally, in many of the CRISTAL galaxies, the [CII] emission was seen to extend far beyond the population of stars of those galaxies.

That indicates the presence of more cold gas that could go on to form more stars or could be driven out of these galaxies by the powerful stellar winds of infant stars. This hints at how star-forming regions gather and evolve.

Several of the galaxies seen by CRISTAL seemed to be spinning, which indicates how they could eventually flatten out into disk-like structures. These disk-shaped galaxies are thought to be the progenitors of spiral galaxies like the Milky Way.

"What's exciting about CRISTAL is that we are seeing early galaxies not just as points of light, but as complex ecosystems," team member and National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) scientist Loreto Barcos-Muñoz said.

"This project shows how ALMA can resolve the internal structure of galaxies even in the distant universe — revealing how they evolve, interact, and form stars."

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Two CRISTAL galaxies are real gems

As stunning and scientifically important as these 37 galaxies are, two seem to be something really special.

One galaxy that really stood out from these ALMA observations was CRISTAL-13 which is shrouded in vast and massive clouds of dust that block the visible light from its newborn stellar population.

These clouds absorb this light and reemit it in wavelengths that ALMA can detect, allowing it to see structures that would be hidden from telescopes observing CRISTAL-13 in visible light or even in infrared light as used by the JWST and Hubble.

Also exceptional, but arguably more mysterious, is CRISTAL-10. This ancient galaxy has ionized carbon that seems to be unusually faint compared to how bright the galaxy is in infrared.

This is a characteristic usually only seen in galaxies that are heavily obscured, like the local galaxy Arp 220. The fact that it is seen for CRISTAL-10 implies there are extreme physical conditions at work within its interstellar medium.

Another possibility is that there is something within the interstellar medium of CRISTAL-10 that is pumping out energy.

"These observations highlight ALMA’s potential as a time machine, allowing us to peer into the early ages of the Universe," ALMA head of science operations Sergio Martín said.

"Programs like CRISTAL demonstrate the power of ALMA's Large Programs to drive high-impact science. They allow us to tackle the big questions of cosmic evolution with the unprecedented depth and resolution that only a world-class observatory like ALMA can provide."

The CRISTAL survey hasn't just opened a new view of cosmic history by conducting the interstellar medium that can be compared with galaxies' stars and dust content, but it has set the stage for future surveys.

These could eventually reveal how the turbulent, violent, and chaotic early galaxies transformed into well-ordered and structurally well-defined modern galaxies like our own.

"CRISTAL provides the kind of multi-wavelength data that allows us to test and refine our theories of galaxy evolution," Herrera-Camus concluded. "This is a major step toward understanding how galaxies like our Milky Way came to be."

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