@AkaSci@fosstodon.org
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AkaSci

@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

SatCom Scientist
Writing occasionally about space missions, astronomy, planetary science, satellites and science in general.
He/Him
#science #space #technology #astronomy #satellites #Democracy

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AkaSci, (edited ) to random
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

How do multiple planets line up in the sky as is expected around June 3?

The planets must be located on the same side of the line from earth to the Sun. The planets lie in the plane of ecliptic and therefore follow the path that the Sun travels on any given day as seen from earth; they always appear lined up along that arc.

So, all #planets besides Venus will be present in the pre-dawn sky, but Jupiter and Mercury will be very low, Uranus and Neptune require binocs.

https://www.cnet.com/science/planet-parade-plan-now-to-see-6-planets-in-the-sky-on-june-3/
1/

AkaSci, (edited ) to random
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

Weather today not as severe as yesterday, but 14 tornadoes detected so far today. More severe weather in store tonight and tomorrow ☹️
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/
#Tornado #wxok
1/n

AkaSci, (edited )
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

An impressive looking wide-angle shot of a tornado and the circulation around it taken west of Olustee, OK.
Credit: Brett Wright
#Tornado #wxok
2/n

spacegeck, to random
@spacegeck@astrodon.social avatar

I've been meaning to check out this early release Euclid data. It's pretty amazing. I've been watching the image releases and feel like they have a few issues with color balance and clipped histograms. After some investigating I still think that's true. Here's a roughly processed image. You can compare them yourself and see if you agree. https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2024/05/Euclid_s_new_image_of_star-forming_region_Messier_78

AkaSci,
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

@spacegeck
What is the curved diffraction spike caused by? It is present in most Euclid images with bright spikes.

AkaSci,
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

@spacegeck
Same here, I could not find any info on the subject. We are all familiar with the 4 and 6 radiating diffraction spikes and their cause. But the curved one in Euclid images looks new. Perhaps caused by the edge of one of the mirrors?

Separate question: Can the spikes be removed by post-processing? Would it require multiple images with different look angles?

AkaSci, (edited ) to random
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

As expected, the forecast by NOAA for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season calls for above-normal activity and strength.

NOAA is forecasting a range of 17 to 25 total named storms (winds of 62 km/h or higher).

Other forecasts:
UPenn: 33.1 +/- 5.8 named storms
Colorado State University: 23
ECMWF: 23
UK Meteorology Service : 22

Named storms in 2023: 20
In 2020: 30

https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-predicts-above-normal-2024-atlantic-hurricane-season
https://web.sas.upenn.edu/mannresearchgroup/highlights/highlights-2024hurricane/
1/n

AkaSci, (edited ) to random
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

Here are the much anticipated 10 images taken by the Euclid "Dark Matter Hunter" space telescope.

The images and accompanying papers were presented today at a gathering by the Euclid Consortium. We have seen the first image before.

These are part of the Euclid Early Release Observation program. The first results from Euclid’s wide and deep main surveys will take until fall, first cosmology papers at least until late 2025.

https://www.euclid-ec.org/first-early-release-observation-science-and-reference-paper-release/
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Euclid/ESA_s_Euclid_celebrates_first_science_with_sparkling_cosmic_views

1/n

AkaSci, (edited )
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

The Euclid space telescope has 2 instruments to analyze light captured by its 1.2 meter 3-mirror Korsch type telescope.

  1. The VISible Imager (VIS) (576 Megapixels) and
  2. The Near-Infrared Spectrometer and Photometer (NISP).

Both instruments have a much wider Field of View compared to JWST and Hubble and have detectors with very large number of pixels.

The table below shows some key parameters of the instruments.

https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/euclid#spacecraft
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euclid_(spacecraft)

2/n

AkaSci,
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

Here is a beautiful video from the Euclid Consortium, exploring the 10 new images released today as part of the Euclid Early Release Observation program.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ_uyOQ61lg
3/n

AkaSci, (edited )
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

Launched on July 1, 2023, the Euclid space telescope is operating in a Lissajous/halo orbit around the Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point.

Other space telescopes in orbit around L2 include Gaia and JWST.

Unlike a Halo orbit, a Lissajous orbit precesses after each revolution. Both orbits are unstable and require periodic (~monthly) thruster firings for station-keeping.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361812339_The_Euclid_Wide_Survey

See these threads for more info on Euclid -
https://fosstodon.org/@AkaSci/111366111544508128
https://fosstodon.org/@AkaSci/110638590040160036

4/n

AkaSci,
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

@wolf480pl
Please take a look at post #4 in this thread for more info on this topic.

Euclid and JWST are not located at the L2 Sun-Earth Lagrange point; they orbit in a wide orbit around that point. Hence they see the Sun all the time, which provides power to the spacecraft.

AkaSci,
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

The image below shows the directional location and names of the 17 Euclid ERO fields on an all-sky map.

"The ERO programme spans observations from the Galactic plane to the southern Galactic cap, areas that were accessible during the observation period."

The images can be explored in more detail by following the links at https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/euclid/ero-public-release.

Links to papers at https://www.euclid-ec.org/science/publications/

https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/euclid/ero-fields
5/n

AkaSci, (edited )
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

For those wondering about the significance of these images from Euclid and what they may tell us about dark matter, dark energy and the fate of the Universe, the answer is that we will have to read the papers 🙁

I have not read them yet; as I get time, I will try to summarize the findings.

Also, follow posts by @franco_vazza, who has much deeper knowledge about these images and about astrophysics in general.

Also, follow @TMEubanks @coreyspowell @cosmos4u @markmccaughrean


6/n

AkaSci,
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

@mgarraha
Thanks for pointing that out!
I have NGC 6744 listed twice on the image collage. I will fix it soon.

AkaSci, (edited )
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

My God, It's Full of Galaxies!

This is a 8kx8k image of Abell 2390, a galaxy cluster 2.7 billion light-years away in the constellation of Pegasus. The image, ~34 million light years across, contains over 50,000 galaxies.

The 2nd image is a zoom in into the central region of the 1st image. It shows several arcs cause by gravitational bending/lensing of light from distant galaxies caused by the mass of intervening galaxies and their associated dark matter.

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2024/05/Euclid_s_new_image_of_galaxy_cluster_Abell_2390
#ESAEuclid
7/n

AkaSci,
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

@tehstu
Post 7 has the width of the image = 34 millions light years.
Post 2 has the field of view of the instruments = ~0.7°.
The moon is about 0.5° wide.
width = distance * fov_angle_in_radians

AkaSci, (edited )
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

My God, It's full of Stars!

This is an 8kx8k image by Euclid of the reflection nebula Messier 78.

M78 is a vibrant nursery of young stars that are forming within the complex filaments of interstellar gas and dust.

The image, taken in visible and IR wavelengths, contains over 300K new objects, including sub-stellar objects like brown dwarfs and free-floating or ‘rogue’ planets 🌎🏴‍☠️.

Location: Near Orion's belt
Distance: 1,300 ly
FOV: 0.722°
Size: 16 ly

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2024/05/Euclid_s_new_image_of_star-forming_region_Messier_78
#ESAEuclid
8/n

AkaSci, (edited )
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

The arc next to the 6 spikes around bright stars in Euclid NISP images is caused by the grisms and filters as they are rotated in front of the camera.

An observation sequence consists of a 565s exposure for spectroscopy and 3 exposures with 3 filters, ~2 minutes each. The sequence is repeated 4 times.

As the filter/grism wheels rotate, the detectors remain exposed; there is no separate shutter for NISP. Arcs created across bright stars persist on the detectors when the image is sampled.

9/n

AkaSci, (edited ) to random
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

On May 22, 1849, Congressman Abraham Lincoln received a patent for his method of lifting boats over shoals.

The invention "Buoying Vessels Over Shoals" used a set of inflatable fabric bladders along the sides of a boat to lift the boat, to help it pass over bars and shallow waters, and to help free it when stuck.

There is no evidence that the invention was ever put to practical use.

#Lincoln remains the only U.S. president to have a patent in his name.

https://patents.google.com/patent/US6469A/en
1/n

AkaSci, (edited )
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

Lincoln also submitted a scale model of his invention, fabricated with the help of Walter Davis, a Springfield mechanic. The model is now kept at the Smithsonian.

"The idea came as a result of river and lake expeditions he made as a young man, ferrying people and produce on the Mississippi and the Great Lakes. At least twice his boats ran aground on sandbars or hung up on other obstacles."

https://www.si.edu/object/abraham-lincolns-patent-model%3Anmah_213141
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/abraham-lincoln-only-president-have-patent-131184751/
2/n

AkaSci, to random
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

A particularly dangerous situation (PDS) tornado watch for northwestern Illinois, eastern and central Iowa, southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin valid until 9 p.m. CDT.

A tornado watch for western Iowa and northwest Missouri until 5 p.m. CDT.

A tornado watch for most of western Missouri, extreme eastern Kansas, northeast Oklahoma and extreme northwest Arkansas until 10 p.m. CDT.

Over 12 tornadoes so far.

If you are in the area, please take precautions.
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/
1/n

AkaSci,
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

The sharp temperature differential along the Mississippi river matches the storm front.

http://www.karstenhaustein.com/climate
5/n

AkaSci,
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

Horrific scene and the path of the tornado in Greenfield, Iowa, about 60 miles southwest of Des Moines.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew9mlhlGO9E
6/n

AkaSci,
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

As the earlier storm line moves north, new cells are erupting over Arkansas. Tornado watch is in effect for many counties.

From https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/ww0283.html -
Primary threats include -

  • A couple tornadoes possible
  • Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2 inches in diameter possible
  • Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

7/n

AkaSci, (edited ) to random
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

The venerable Voyager 1 spacecraft is experiencing another glitch. Instead of sending science and engg. data, it is sending a 0101 bit pattern.

The problem has been narrowed down to the flight data system (FDS), which is not communicating properly with the telecom unit (TMU). A reboot did not help.

Stay tuned as NASA engrs work out a fix for this 1970's era computer, which has performed magnificently during its long 46-year journey to the planets and to outer space.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/sunspot/
1/n

AkaSci, (edited )
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

Confirmation today from the Voyager 1 team that the transmission received on Sunday contained science data from 2 of the 4 operating instruments - the plasma wave subsystem and the magnetometer. The other 2 instruments - the cosmic ray subsystem and the low energy charged particle instrument - require recalibration, which will be done in the coming weeks.

The delicate software operation is working as expected.

👏 :mastodance:

https://blogs.nasa.gov/voyager/2024/05/22/voyager-1-resumes-sending-science-data-from-two-instruments/

32/n

AkaSci, (edited )
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org avatar

Here is some info on the various instruments on the two Voyager spacecraft and their current status.

Note that several instruments have been permanently turned off either because of failures or to save power (power level from the RTGs has dropped over 50% since start-of-mission, over 46 years ago).

https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status/

33/n

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