The International Astronomical Union’s Post

📃Scientific paper: A Chronological History of X-Ray Astronomy Missions Abstract: In this chapter, we briefly review the history of X-ray astronomy through its missions. We follow a temporal development, from the first instruments onboard rockets and balloons to the most recent and complex space missions. We intend to provide the reader with detailed information and references on the many missions and instruments that have contributed to the success of the exploration of the X-ray universe. We have not included missions that are still operating, providing the worldwide community with high-quality observations. Specific chapters for these missions are included in a dedicated section of the handbook. Discover the rest of the scientific article on es/iode ➡️https://etcse.fr/mW2FD

Articles are invited for a special issue @Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences (a Q2 Journal having impact factor 3.0) https://lnkd.in/g3sR-6KZ

We are proud to co-sponsor the pivotal conference room paper, 'Protection of Astronomy and Science on the Moon,' now available on the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) website. This critical document, presented at the 67th United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), outlines the need for dedicated processes to preserve the Moon's unique scientific potential in astronomy. Developed in collaboration with the The International Astronomical Union , For All Moonkind, Inc., and the International Academy of Astronautics , this paper emphasizes the importance of safeguarding lunar sites from contamination and interference to ensure the sustainability of future scientific missions. Explore the full paper here: https://buff.ly/45ICXjz.

#OnThisDay, January 3, 1920, Edwin Hubble forever altered the course of astronomy and basic science by identifying Cepheid variable stars in the Andromeda Nebula using the 100-inch Hooker telescope. His revelation that Andromeda was a separate galaxy expanded the very boundaries of our universe. This fundamental discovery underscores the incredible impact of basic science on our understanding of the cosmos. Delve into more foundational scientific breakthroughs by exploring #BigMomentInBasicScience!

The bright band of the Milky Way seems to spill from the open dome of the Rubin Observatory Auxiliary Telescope (AuxTel) in this #imageoftheweek from the recent NOIRLab 2022 Photo Expedition. As well as the spectacular Milky Way, replete with intricate clouds of gas and dust, an amorphous airglow is visible along both horizons. The AuxTel will take a variety of measurements and calibrations during the operations of @ Rubin Observatory, a Program of NSF's NOIRLab. These complementary data will be used to understand atmospheric conditions and make scientific observations more accurate as Rubin Observatory conducts its decade-long sky survey. In contrast to the new Simonyi Survey Telescope of Rubin Observatory, the AuxTel was repurposed for use at the observatory, a donation from astronomer Edgar Smith. Rubin Observatory is a joint initiative of the National Science Foundation and the US Department of Energy (DOE). Once completed, Rubin will be operated jointly by NSF’s NOIRLab and DOE's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory to carry out the Legacy Survey of Space and Time. Credit: Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/P. Horálek (Institute of Physics in Opava) Download the high resolution image here: https://lnkd.in/dS_bQFPS #wednesdayvibes #rubintelescope #milkyway

📡✨Gas distribution around the triple protostars IRAS 04239+2436, (left) as observed in SO molecule emissions with ALMA, and (right) as reproduced by the numerical simulation on the supercomputer ATERUI. In the left panel, protostars A and B, shown in blue, indicate the radio waves from the dust around the protostars. Within protostar A, two unresolved protostars are thought to exist. In the right panel, the locations of the three protostars are shown by the blue crosses. https://lnkd.in/ea6iY2HE 📷: ALMA ( European Southern Observatory / NAOJ / National Radio Astronomy Observatory ), J.-E. Lee et al.

📃Scientific paper: The Colorado Ultraviolet Transit Experiment (CUTE) signal to noise calculator Abstract: We present here the signal-to-noise (S/N) calculator developed for the Colorado Ultraviolet Transit Experiment (CUTE) mission. CUTE is a 6U CubeSat operating in the near-ultraviolet (NUV) observing exoplanetary transits to study their upper atmospheres. CUTE was launched into a low-Earth orbit in September 2021 and it is currently gathering scientific data. As part of the S/N calculator, we also present the error propagation for computing transit depth uncertainties starting from the S/N of the original spectroscopic observations. The CUTE S/N calculator is currently extensively used for target selection and scheduling. The modular construction of the CUTE S/N calculator enables its adaptation and can be used also for other missions and instruments. ;Comment: Accepted for publication in Astrophysics and Space Science Discover the rest of the scientific article on es/iode ➡️https://etcse.fr/i8

The 72nd CRAF meeting hosted in the INAF - Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica offices in Bologna has just concluded. Several topics were covered, such as the importance of VGOS facilities and protection from satellite constellations. Highlights included tours of the radio telescopes Northern Cross and the 32m parabola in Medicina, as well as productive discussions with local spectrum monitoring authorities on protecting radio astronomy. #radioastronomy #INAF #CRAF #geodesy

Georgia State professor granted $5 million to identify and characterize objects in space, Atlanta GA (SPX) Dec 05, 2023 Georgia State Professor of Physics and Astronomy Stuart Jefferies has been awarded a $5 million, multi-institutional grant by the U.S. Air Force to develop techniques to detect, map and image faint objects in space. The work could have far-reaching impacts, including strengthening national security in an increasingly congested space domain. The work will also advance the next generation

#worldnewsastronomy #WRC23 #ORPJIVE 🔊 The Opticon RadioNet Pilot (ORP), of which JIVE is a partner, supports the radio astronomy community's efforts in the ongoing World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) in Dubai, aimed at protecting the radio skies from the increasing satellite constellation interference. Michael Kramer, Director of the Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie and Chair of the ORP Sky Protection Group, emphasises: "Preserving the sky for future generations is one of the most important goals of the Opticon RadioNet Pilot. We have, therefore, actively contributed to these initiatives." The outcomes of the conference, set to conclude on December 15th, hold significant interest for JIVE, as an active member of the radio astronomy community, partner of the ORP, and home to the Frequency Manager of the Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies (CRAF), Waleed Madkour, who is also part of CRAF's WRC23 delegation. For more details on these efforts, visit https://lnkd.in/eYDggF3x, and stay tuned for developments, outcomes, and future initiatives by following CRAF's or JIVE's LinkedIn page. More about the ORP project: https://www.orp-h2020.eu/ and on X: @ORP_Astro 📷 NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/P. Marenfeld. Retrieved from the website of the IAU CPS (Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference): https://cps.iau.org/about/