Tag

Neowise

All articles tagged with #neowise

Teen Scientist Uncovers 1.5 Million Hidden Cosmic Objects in NEOWISE Data
science20 days ago

Teen Scientist Uncovers 1.5 Million Hidden Cosmic Objects in NEOWISE Data

A Pasadena high-school student, Matteo Paz, and Caltech researchers used an AI model called VARnet to scan NASA’s NEOWISE infrared sky data, processing about 200 billion detections to flag roughly 1.5 million variable-object candidates. The full catalog, to be published in 2025, could reveal new quasars, variable stars, and transient events, though many candidates will require follow-up observations to confirm their nature. The approach combines wavelet decomposition, irregular time-series analysis, and a convolutional neural network for classification, with potential applications beyond astronomy.

Teen AI Finds 1.5 Million Hidden Space Objects in NASA Archive
technology1 month ago

Teen AI Finds 1.5 Million Hidden Space Objects in NASA Archive

Teen Matteo Paz used an AI-driven approach (VARnet) to analyze NASA's NEOWISE data and automatically identify about 1.5 million previously unidentified celestial objects, processing roughly 200 billion entries; he published a paper in The Astronomical Journal and won the Regeneron Science Talent Search, with Caltech planning to apply the method to binary-star studies and noting potential broader uses beyond astronomy.

Andromeda star quietly collapses into a black hole, archival data reveal
space1 month ago

Andromeda star quietly collapses into a black hole, archival data reveal

Astronomers using archival NEOWISE infrared data have captured the clearest evidence yet that a massive star in the Andromeda Galaxy directly collapsed into a black hole, after brightening in infrared for about three years and leaving a dust shell; the event (M31-2014-DS1) from 2014 suggests some massive stars die without a supernova, refining ideas about stellar deaths.

NASA's NEOWISE Telescope Bows Out with Stunning Final Images
science-and-technology1 year ago

NASA's NEOWISE Telescope Bows Out with Stunning Final Images

NASA's NEOWISE space telescope, originally launched as WISE in 2009, concluded its mission in July 2024 and reentered Earth's atmosphere in November, burning up. Before its end, NEOWISE conducted 21 sky surveys, capturing nearly 27 million images and studying over 3,000 near-Earth objects. The final data release includes never-before-seen images, offering insights into cosmic changes over time. The mission's legacy continues to impact time-domain science, providing valuable data for researchers and stunning images for the public.

Stunning New Space Images from Resilient NASA Telescope
science-and-technology1 year ago

Stunning New Space Images from Resilient NASA Telescope

NASA's NEOWISE mission, originally the WISE spacecraft launched in 2009, has concluded after nearly 15 years of observing the night sky. The mission, which focused on tracking asteroids and comets, released its final data on November 14. To celebrate, six new images from the telescope's archives were unveiled, including stunning infrared views of the California Nebula and the Gecko Nebula. These images highlight the mission's contributions to time-domain science and the study of celestial objects.

NEOWISE Telescope's Final Photos Captivate with Stunning Detail
science-and-technology1 year ago

NEOWISE Telescope's Final Photos Captivate with Stunning Detail

NASA's NEOWISE telescope, originally launched as WISE in 2009, has concluded its mission, leaving behind a rich legacy of data on near-Earth objects, comets, and celestial phenomena. Over 15 years, NEOWISE provided repeated observations of the same sky regions, enabling significant discoveries such as the characterization of over 3,000 near-Earth objects. The final data release includes stunning infrared images of regions like the California Nebula, highlighting the telescope's contributions to understanding the universe. The data will continue to aid future astronomical research.

Unveiling Hidden Treasures: NEOWISE's Final Data and Images
science1 year ago

Unveiling Hidden Treasures: NEOWISE's Final Data and Images

NASA's NEOWISE mission, which concluded in 2024, has released its final data set, including over 26 million images and nearly 200 billion detected sources. Originally launched as WISE in 2009, the mission was reactivated in 2013 to focus on near-Earth objects. NEOWISE's extensive infrared data has been invaluable for studying asteroids, comets, and other celestial phenomena. The final release includes six new images, highlighting regions like the California Nebula, and underscores the mission's lasting impact on astronomy.

NASA's NEOWISE Ends Mission with Fiery Re-Entry, Legacy Lives On
space1 year ago

NASA's NEOWISE Ends Mission with Fiery Re-Entry, Legacy Lives On

NASA's Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) telescope has concluded its mission by burning up in Earth's atmosphere after over a decade of monitoring asteroids and comets. Originally launched as WISE in 2009, the telescope was repurposed in 2013 to focus on planetary defense, identifying 215 near-Earth objects. NEOWISE's end was due to increased solar activity affecting its orbit. Despite its demise, the mission laid the groundwork for future planetary defense efforts, with its successor, NEO Surveyor, planned for launch after 2027.

NEOWISE Asteroid Hunter Ends Mission in Fiery Reentry
science-and-technology1 year ago

NEOWISE Asteroid Hunter Ends Mission in Fiery Reentry

NASA's NEOWISE spacecraft, originally launched as WISE in 2009, has ended its mission by burning up in Earth's atmosphere. The spacecraft, which surveyed 3,000 near-Earth objects, was repurposed in 2013 to focus on asteroid detection after its initial mission of observing the universe in infrared wavelengths. NEOWISE's demise was due to the solar maximum, which expanded Earth's atmosphere, causing the spacecraft to descend without propulsion. NASA plans to launch a successor, the NEO Surveyor, in 2027 to continue asteroid detection.

"Rare Sighting: 'Devil Comet' Photobombs Total Solar Eclipse"
astronomy2 years ago

"Rare Sighting: 'Devil Comet' Photobombs Total Solar Eclipse"

Comet 12P/Pons–Brooks, also known as the "Devil Comet," is currently visible in telescopes and binoculars in the western sky after sunset, and may become a naked eye object during the total solar eclipse on April 8. This "green comet," with a 71-year orbit around the sun, is currently at a magnitude of 5.9 and is best observed in early April when it's closest to the sun and Earth. Although it may be difficult to spot during the eclipse, it will be close to Jupiter and may be visible with binoculars or a small telescope.

"NASA's Controlled Demolition: The Science Behind Ending a Spacecraft's Mission"
science-and-technology2 years ago

"NASA's Controlled Demolition: The Science Behind Ending a Spacecraft's Mission"

NASA's NEOWISE spacecraft, which has been searching for near-Earth objects for over a decade, is nearing its end as it will drop into Earth's atmosphere and burn up due to increased solar activity affecting its low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft, originally the WISE mission, was repurposed in 2013 to search for near-Earth objects and has exceeded expectations. As NEOWISE prepares to go offline, the team is celebrating its accomplishments while also preparing for the launch of its successor, the NEO Surveyor mission.

NASA's Asteroid-Hunting Telescope Faces Imminent Earthbound Fate
space-science2 years ago

NASA's Asteroid-Hunting Telescope Faces Imminent Earthbound Fate

NASA's NEOWISE (Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer) telescope, which has been instrumental in surveying near-Earth objects and detecting potential threats, is nearing its end as increased solar activity is causing it to gradually fall out of orbit. The Sun's heating of Earth's atmosphere is leading to increased atmospheric drag, pulling the telescope lower in Earth's atmosphere. NEOWISE is expected to become unusable in early 2025 and will eventually burn up in Earth's atmosphere. Despite its impending demise, the valuable data gathered by NEOWISE will continue to contribute to advancements in the study of the infrared universe.

NASA's NEOWISE Mission: From Asteroid-Hunting to Earth's Atmosphere
space2 years ago

NASA's NEOWISE Mission: From Asteroid-Hunting to Earth's Atmosphere

NASA's NEOWISE mission, which has been hunting for asteroids and comets for over a decade, is expected to come to an end by 2025. The mission's space telescope, part of the WISE spacecraft, will be dragged out of orbit by solar activity and burn up in Earth's atmosphere. NEOWISE has made significant discoveries, including 215 asteroids and comets, but the rising phase of the solar cycle is causing the telescope to spiral back towards Earth with no means to keep it in orbit.

"NEOWISE: A Decade of Discovery Culminates in Final Mission"
science-and-technology2 years ago

"NEOWISE: A Decade of Discovery Culminates in Final Mission"

NASA's NEOWISE (Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer) space telescope, which has been instrumental in discovering comets, observing near-Earth objects, and supporting planetary defense strategies, is nearing the end of its mission. Solar activity is causing NEOWISE to fall out of orbit, and by early 2025, it is expected to drop low enough into Earth's atmosphere to become unusable. The spacecraft will eventually reenter the atmosphere and burn up. NEOWISE's legacy will be carried forward by NASA's upcoming NEO Surveyor, a next-generation infrared space telescope scheduled for launch in 2027.