Latest news with #BrendaCulbertson
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
‘New star' may appear in the night sky after deep space explosion
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Astronomers are excitedly waiting for the arrival of a new light in the sky this year that appears once every 80 years. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shared on May 1 a list of important astronomical events to keep an eye out for in the days ahead. Among the highlights was a notice for an eagerly anticipated nova event that will add just a little more light to the sky soon. 27 News reached out to Solar System Ambassador Brenda Culbertson with the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) for an explanation on this special event and how people can spot it in the night sky. She said the light is expected to appear in the Corona Borealis, also known as the Northern Crown, morning constellation. 'T Coronae Borealis (T CrB for short) is a binary system, two stars orbiting a central point of gravity,' Culbertson said. 'One of the stars is a Red Giant, an older, larger, and relatively cooler star, and the other is a White Dwarf, a smaller (about the size of Earth), denser, and relatively hotter star. Gravity of the White Dwarf accumulates some of the gases from the Red Giant partner. As the gases from the Red Giant build up on the White Dwarf, pressure increases and causes a thermonuclear reaction, and an explosion occurs that blows the outer shell of the White Dwarf out into space. The explosion is called a nova. Only the outer shell of gases is blown off, and the star, itself, remains.' Big sunspot appears, what this means for Earth Culbertson said the explosive process can happen multiple times with the last recorded nova from this binary star system appearing in 1946. NASA also reports that documented outbursts from T CrB have been reported in 1866, 1787 and possibly even in 1217. Astronomers now expect the same event to occur again in the near future. NASA has likened the event to a 'new star' appearing in the night sky for casual observers. However, this nova will be a temporary brightening of a star system that will be visible for only a few nights. 'T CrB, also known as the Blaze Star, was expected to go nova in 2024, but we are still waiting for it to happen,' Culbertson said. 'It is not what is being called a new star, but one that exists and will brighten at some point. If it happens when we are watching, and we see it go nova, that will be a nice sight to see, for sure.' People should be able to view the nova with the unaided eye once the sun goes down. You can learn more about T CrB and the nova process by clicking here. What new Kansas laws go into effect on July 1, 2025? For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Big sunspot appears, what this means for Earth
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Astronomers are monitoring a large dark spot on the sun's surface which could impact Earth in the days ahead. 27 News spoke with Brenda Culbertson this week, a solar system ambassador with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL), about a massive sunspot, dubbed 4079, and what it could mean for residents on Earth. She said astronomers have been monitoring the sunspot complex, which stretches nearly 87,000 miles across, for several days. 'The energy from 4079 is very strong, and as it approaches the center of the solar face, it faces Earth directly,' Culbertson said. 'If any major solar flares occur while it is facing Earth, we will receive a direct hit of solar energy and solar particles, setting off a geomagnetic storm.' What new Kansas laws go into effect on July 1, 2025? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) describes geomagnetic storms as major disturbances in the Earth's magnetosphere which can result in increased activity of the northern lights/aurora borealis. Sunspots can erupt in events referred to as coronal mass ejections (CME) which send solar particles out into space and towards Earth on occasion. Periods of especially intense geomagnetic storms can result in disruptions to technology and widespread blackouts. 'One of the largest sunspot areas in recorded history occurred 1-2 September 1859, and it produced what is now called the Carrington Event,' Culbertson said. 'That was a geomagnetic storm so strong that aurora was seen around Earth, disrupted electric grids, caused blackouts, and even reportedly started fires in telegraph stations. Sunspot 4079 covers about half the area that caused the Carrington Event, so we do not expect anything majorly disruptive from it.' People in the U.S. witnessed the impact of one especially potent geomagnetic storm in 2024, referred to as the Gannon solar storm, that brought the northern lights into parts of the Midwest. Culbertson said some people may see strong activity of the lights in the days ahead if conditions prove favorable. For now, Culbertson and other astronomers will continue to monitor sunspot 4079. The SWPC may issue an alert for a geomagnetic storm in the near future, ranking it on a scale of G1 to G5 depending on its strength, to notify people about the possibility of seeing the northern lights. What is corporal punishment and is it allowed in Kansas? For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Kansas astronomer on space probe that will crash into earth
KANSAS (KSNT) – A Soviet space probe built to withstand Venus' harsh atmosphere will crash into Earth at an unknown location sometime next week. 27 News spoke to NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Brenda Culbertson to get an idea of when and where the craft could crash down. She said the craft was supposed to fly to Venus, but because of a faulty mechanism didn't make it out of Earth's orbit. In 1972, the probe split into two parts, the 'main bus' and the 'descent craft'. The descent craft will crash into Earth between May 7 and May 13, according to NASA. Gov. Kelly declares state of disaster for fuel supplies The mission was originally part of the Soviet space program that started in 1962, and the name 'Cosmos/Kosmos' was given to Soviet spacecraft that remained in Earth's orbit. 'So far, scientists do not know exactly when or where KOSMOS 482 will reenter Earth's atmosphere, but because it was designed to fly through the atmosphere of Venus, the craft is expected to remain intact, even after it reaches the ground,' Culbertson said. Culbertson said KOSMOS 482 has parachutes that were designed to help with landing on Venus but after all this time in space, they likely won't work. 'Of course, not knowing exactly where it will wind up, the extent of any damage is unknown,' Culbertson said. 'Since Earth is mostly covered by water, and the reentry location can be anywhere between the latitudes of 52 degrees south to 52 degrees north, the reentry will most likely be over one of the oceans.' 'Budget constraints': USS Topeka won't attend military event According to Culbertson, the probe is small, about 3.2 feet in diameter and weighs about 495 pounds. She said it shouldn't cause major damage at the speed of 150 mph as it passes through Earth's atmosphere. She said that if the probe is seen, it will likely appear like meteors do when they streak across the sky. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hindustan Times
25-04-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Missed it? Venus, Saturn, and Moon formed a rare ‘smiley face' in the sky today
Sky smiled back! In the early hours of Friday, April 25, skywatchers around the globe witnessed a rare celestial event — a 'smiley face' in the sky, thanks to a phenomenon known as a 'triple conjunction'. According to a Live Science report, this cosmic spectacle occurred due to the close alignment of Venus, Saturn, and a thin crescent moon near the eastern horizon, creating a formation that resembled a smiling face. While the alignment was visible to the naked eye just before sunrise, the report noted that stargazers could enjoy finer details with the help of a backyard telescope or a good pair of binoculars. The rare celestial display known as a 'triple conjunction' occurs in astronomy when three celestial bodies appear very close together in the night sky. Typically, a conjunction refers to the visual proximity of two or more objects, but when three are involved, it is termed a triple conjunction. NASA Solar System Ambassador Brenda Culbertson explained the visual arrangement during the event to the Kansas-based TV station KSNT: "Venus is higher above the eastern horizon with Saturn lower, and a thin, crescent Moon a bit lower and a little farther north," she said. "The thin, crescent Moon looks like a smile. To some people, the triangle of bright objects may appear as a smiley face." The alignment was expected to be visible globally, including in India, provided the weather conditions were clear. However, the window for observing it was brief, according to the Live Science report. As per BBC magazine, the event would be visible between 05:00 and 05:30 local time from any observation point, low on the eastern horizon. Venus has been a prominent morning object throughout the week, rising in the east around 5:00 am and visible just before the Sun at approximately 6:00 am. Each morning leading up to Friday, April 25, Venus rises at the same time and place, while the Moon moves eastward, getting closer to Venus. The Moon, currently a thin crescent, was a full Moon on April 13 and is now waning toward the new Moon on April 27. According to BBC magazine, by the morning of April 25, Venus and the crescent Moon rose together at around 05:00 BST, with Venus positioned above the Moon. While this could be observed with the naked eye, caution was needed not to look directly at the Sun, which rose shortly after Venus, the Moon, and Saturn. BST stands for British Summer Time, which is the daylight saving time in the UK.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Celestial bodies to conjure ‘smiley face' in space; When and where to watch the rare occurrence
The sky is 'smiling' at you – quite literally! Skygazers around the globe are in for a magical treat this weekend, as three celestial bodies are set to come into a miraculous alignment to form a smiling face in the sky! What, when, where – read on to find out! by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Invest $200 in Amazon without buying stocks to earn a second salary Marketsall Sign Up Undo Just Look Up! Skywatchers are in for a charming cosmic display before the Sun rises Friday, as three celestial bodies will appear in close conjunction. The arrangement of Venus, Saturn and a slender crescent Moon will create a unique visual phenomenon resembling a smiling face in the sky, according to NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Brenda Culbertson. While the two planets will act as the 'eyes' of the 'smile', the delicate crescent Moon forming the 'curved smile', Culbertson detailed. Venus will be the brighter of the two planets. This alignment will be visible to anyone who has a clear view of the eastern horizon before sunrise. While the event is not considered a major astronomical occurrence like a total solar eclipse, it offers a beautiful and unusual sight for early risers. When to watch? Early birds on Earth will have the chance to witness the smiley face in the sky . Between 30 to 40 minutes before sunrise on Friday, April 25, a slender waning crescent moon will appear left of a bright planet Venus and the much fainter Saturn to create a tilted happy face, according to EarthSky. Venus, shining at its brightest for the year at magnitude -4.4, will be the higher and more prominent 'eye,' with Saturn sitting lower and appearing fainter due to its proximity to the horizon and the encroaching dawn light. NASA and astronomers advise that the best chance to witness this rare alignment is to find a clear, unobstructed view of the eastern horizon. Where to watch: For the smiley face in the sky, the moon and Venus will be fairly easy to see with the naked eye, but the dimness of Saturn may pose a challenge for some. Viewers are strongly advised to avoid looking at the sun's glare without safety eyewear to avoid irreversible eye damage. The lopsided celestial smile will be visible across the eastern sky until the sun rises, EarthSky reported. As per the American space agency – given a clear sky without clouds blocking their view – the smiley face alignment will be visible from the countries in the Northern Hemisphere along the eastern horizon. Solar eclipse 2020: A look at the rare celestial event visible in India
