NASA space telescope sees interstellar visitor comet 3I/ATLAS flare up while exiting the solar system
02 Mar
Science & Technology

NASA space telescope sees interstellar visitor comet 3I/ATLAS flare up while exiting the solar system

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NASA's SPHEREx captured these infrared observations during a December 2025 campaign, revealing dust, water, organic molecules and carbon dioxide in comet 3I/ATLAS's coma.(Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)New infrared observations reveal the rare interstellar visitor comet 3I/ATLAS dramatically brightening during its farewell tour of the solar system. NASA's SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer) space telescope captured views in December 2025 of the comet releasing a surge of gas, dust and complex molecules two months after the object's closest approach to the sun — a surprising outburst that's giving scientists their clearest chemical look yet at material formed around another star, according to a statement from NASA."Comet 3I/ATLAS was full-on erupting into space in December 2025, after its close flyby of the sun, causing it to significantly brighten," Carey Lisse, lead...
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Webb’s Infrared Vision Reveals Planetary Nebula that Looks Strikingly Like Celestial Brain
02 Mar
Science & Technology

Webb’s Infrared Vision Reveals Planetary Nebula that Looks Strikingly Like Celestial Brain

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The unmatched sensitivity of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope in both near- and mid-infrared light sheds new light on PMR 1, a little-studied nebula in the constellation of Vela.These Webb images show PMR 1, a planetary nebula some 5,000 light-years away in the constellation of Vela. Image credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / Joseph DePasquale, STScI.PMR 1 is a planetary nebula located approximately 5,000 light-years away in the constellation of Vela.Also known as IRAS 09269-4923, the object was first revealed in infrared light by NASA’s now-retired Spitzer Space Telescope in 2013.Webb’s advanced instruments now show detail that enhances the nebula’s brain-like appearance.“The nebula appears to have distinct regions that capture different phases of its evolution — an outer shell of gas that was blown off first and consists mostly of hydrogen,...
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NASA Grants Infrared Telescope Facility Operations Contract | Mirage News
30 Jun
Science & Technology

NASA Grants Infrared Telescope Facility Operations Contract | Mirage News

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NASA Space Technology Credits: NASANASA has selected the University of Hawaii in Honolulu to maintain and operate the agency's Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) on Mauna Kea in Hilo, Hawaii.The Management and Operations of NASA's IRTF is a hybrid firm-fixed-price contract with an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity provision. The contract has a maximum potential value of approximately $85.5 million, with a base period of performance from Monday, July 1 to June 30, 2025. Nine optional periods, if exercised, would extend the contract through Dec. 31, 2033.Under this contract, the University of Hawaii will provide maintenance and operation services for NASA at the telescope facility. The university will also develop and implement an operations strategy so that the facility can be used by the scientific community through peer-reviewed competition to assist NASA in achieving its goals in scientific discovery, mission...
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