|
|
| ESA contracts Astrium UK to build Solar Orbiter |
| ESA has awarded the contract to build its next-generation Sun explorer to Astrium UK. Solar Orbiter will investigate how the Sun creates and controls the heliosphere, the extended atmosphere of the Sun. |
| Date: 26 Apr 2012 |
|
|
| Mars Express explores the roots of Martian volcanoes |
| Recent analysis of radio signals sent back by ESA's Mars Express orbiter has enabled a team of Belgian and German scientists to probe deep beneath the surface of Mars. The first targeted, high resolution measurements of Martian gravity provide new insights into the formation of the planet's massive volcanoes. |
| Date: 26 Apr 2012 |
|
|
| Far-off cousin of part-time African lake found on Titan |
| A region on Saturn's moon Titan has been found to be similar to the Etosha Pan in Namibia, Africa. Both are ephemeral lakes - large, shallow depressions that sometimes fill with liquid. |
| Date: 19 Apr 2012 |
|
|
| Hubble's panoramic view of a turbulent star-making region [heic1206] |
| Several million stars are vying for attention in this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image of a raucous stellar breeding ground in 30 Doradus, located in the heart of the Tarantula nebula. |
| Date: 17 Apr 2012 |
|
|
| Massive glitch moves magnetar modelling forward |
| The chance discovery with ESA's INTEGRAL observatory, in 2004, of highly energetic X-rays emanating from a young neutron star with an extremely strong magnetic field, provided scientists with a challenge: to explain how these objects, also known as magnetars, produce such energetic non-thermal radiation. A new, comprehensive study of one particular magnetar, that was observed by several observatories over a period of 27 months, may provide the key to homing in on the processes at play in the extreme environments of these exotic stars. |
| Date: 12 Apr 2012 |
|
|
| Herschel images extrasolar analogue of the Kuiper Belt |
| New images from ESA's Herschel Space Observatory reveal the glow from dust in the debris disc - a structure resembling the Kuiper Belt in the primordial Solar System - around the young star Fomalhaut. Detailed studies suggest that the dust in this debris disc consists of 'fluffy' aggregates of grains, which are produced by the frequent collisions taking place between comets within the disc. |
| Date: 11 Apr 2012 |
|
|
| Astro-H agreement signed with JAXA |
| An agreement was signed by ESA and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for cooperation on Astro-H, an important mission that will provide a unique opportunity to investigate the structure of the Universe and its evolution. |
| Date: 10 Apr 2012 |
|
|
| A magnetic surprise for Venus Express |
| Venus is a rarity among planets - a world that does not internally generate a magnetic field. Despite the absence of a large protective magnetosphere, the near-Venus environment does exhibit a number of similarities with planets such as Earth. The latest, surprising, example is the evidence for magnetic reconnection in Venus' induced magnetotail. |
| Date: 05 Apr 2012 |
|
|
