Latest news with #Vesta
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Asteroid Vesta may be the last remaining fragment of a planet destroyed billions of years ago, according to scientists
Source: Asteroid Vesta , once thought to be a protoplanet that had been left behind in its formation, is now the subject of a groundbreaking investigation of what may be a remnant of a far larger planet that was present in the early solar system. New research, spearheaded by scientists at Michigan State University and published in Nature Astronomy in April 2025, challenges previous assumptions about Vesta being an embryonic planet, made based on observations from NASA's 2012 Dawn mission. The research instead suggests that Vesta may have been ejected from another, now-extinct planet in a massive collision some 4.5 billion years ago. Asteroid Vesta reveals surprising new insights about its structure The new research contradicts the old hypothesis that Vesta is an undifferentiated embryonic planet. Seth Jacobson, the lead author at Michigan State University, explained that the new data indicate the interior of Vesta is not in accordance with the fully differentiated planet model. This is an unusual interpretation of planetary science as it contradicts past research that suggested that Vesta might possess a dense metal core—a characteristic of differentiated planetary bodies. The research conclusions are based on precise gravity data obtained from the radio Doppler signals bounced back by the Dawn spacecraft. Using advanced calibration techniques, scientists found no sign of the metal-rich core that earlier research had indicated. The lack of core differentiation suggests that Vesta never existed as a fully formed planet. Instead, the evidence is for a scenario where Vesta is a fragment of a larger, older planet that was shattered in a gigantic collision billions of years ago. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Prince William & Kate Met Princess Diana's Secret Daughter. Plays Star Undo Vesta's volcanic features raise questions about its geologic origins However, Vesta's surface remains a mystery. The asteroid features evidence of volcanism, including a basaltic surface typical of bodies that have differentiated to a significant geological degree. But the absence of a differentiated interior calls into question the mechanism responsible for this activity. Jacobson assumes that Vesta could have experienced volcanic activity without complete differentiation, and this would mean that it retains some internal homogeneity that contradicts the earlier prediction for a planet-sized body. The study results offer a new explanation of the geologic features of Vesta. The volcano-formed surface of the asteroid may not be the result of a shared process of planetary evolution . Instead, Jacobson and co-workers propose that Vesta was created from a cataclysmic planetary impact-generated debris. According to this hypothesis, Vesta could have been created from a fully differentiated planet whose fragments now occupy the asteroid belt . Vesta's surprising features redefine planetary evolution This idea also paves the way for a broader theory: Vesta is merely one asteroid that is the product of such an impact. Other asteroids in the solar system could also be the remains of larger, disintegrated planets. This could be supported by future scans for gravity by NASA's Psyche mission and the European Space Agency's Hera mission, which are scheduled to find out more about asteroids and what planetary remains are made of. Vesta's makeup would imply a shared origin with Earth or other early planetary bodies. If that is the case, it would be a revolutionary break in asteroid science. Vesta's own features, such as its volcanic crust and lack of heavy core, contradict conventional thinking and imply that it might have had an earlier life in a more extensive planetary system, like early Earth or other terrestrial planets. What is Vesta Vesta is the second largest body in the asteroid belt and represents close to 9% of the total mass of all the asteroids in the belt. The only body smaller than it is Ceres, the largest asteroid in the asteroid belt, which is a dwarf planet. It was discovered by German astronomer Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers in 1807. It was believed to be a piece of a planet that had been destroyed. It was the fourth to be discovered, and it was named by German mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss after the Roman goddess of home and hearth. From July 2011 to September 2012, NASA's Dawn spacecraft orbited Vesta, accumulating critical data before heading to dwarf planet Ceres. Vesta is almost spherical and almost counted as a dwarf planet. Vesta is different from most other asteroids in that it is differentiated, i.e., it possesses a core, mantle, and crust, just like the terrestrial planets. Its surface exhibits the largest range of brightness of any solid solar system object, with dark spots believed to be residue of ancient asteroid impacts, and brighter areas made of native rocks. Also Read | Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to interact with students live from the ISS this June and conduct five additional experiments with NASA
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
May 16-22, 2025 Sky Watch: Asteroids, Planets & More Celestial Wonders!
Okay... I'm just going to say it: I'm a big fan of Star Trek. Always have been - every episode of every series, from The Original Series to Picard. And of course, Captain Jean-Luc Picard is at the top of my list. The man has class, but also a deep sense of wonder about the universe. So when I look up at the night sky, I often think of Picard's line, "The exploration of space is a privilege and an adventure." This week, the cosmos is offering us a privilege, and trust me - it's an adventure you don't want to miss. And no, please know I won't be calling myself a Trekkie anytime soon. The night sky is about to serve up a cosmic cocktail, and the Moon and Jupiter are the headliners. This rare event is when the Moon and Jupiter will be so close, that they'll practically be neighbors in the sky. As a bonus, this conjunction happens in the constellation Taurus - which, of course, has a rich mythological history. Jupiter, the king of the gods, seems even more regal when paired with the Moon. It's a sight that gives even the most seasoned skywatchers something to be excited about. When to Watch: Just after sunset until midnight. Pro Tip: Binoculars will let you see Jupiter's four largest moons as tiny dots next to the planet - kind of like a mini tour of Jupiter's moon system. When the Moon reaches its Last Quarter phase, it's not just the halfway point; it's prime time for deep-sky observing. It's like the universe clears its throat, allowing us to peer into some of the most breathtaking parts of the cosmos without the Moon's light getting in the way. Neil deGrasse Tyson often says that observing the sky is like getting a glimpse into the past - some of the stars we're seeing have already gone supernova. So, the next time you look at the stars, remember: you're looking into history. Blows my mind. When to Watch: Early morning hours, just after midnight. Pro Tip: This is the perfect time to break out the telescope and check out deep-sky objects like the Hercules Cluster and Whirlpool Galaxy - objects that look just as incredible as they did hundreds of years ago. Asteroid 4 Vesta is one of the largest objects in the asteroid belt and the second most massive after Ceres. When Vesta hits opposition, it's like a cosmic "hello" from the asteroid belt. This event provides a great opportunity to view a giant rock from space - without the stress of dodging it. While you're looking, you're essentially peering at an object that's been orbiting the Sun for billions of years. Something is humbling about that. When to Watch: Look just northwest of the red star Antares in Scorpius. Pro Tip: Use binoculars or a telescope to catch Vesta clearly. Make a point to track its movement each night—it's a cosmic dance! The Moon and Saturn are about to have a moment in the early morning sky. Saturn's rings will be beautifully tilted, offering a once-in-a-lifetime view for telescope users. It's an event that makes you feel like you're seeing something truly out of this world. Think about it - Saturn's rings are hundreds of thousands of miles wide, and yet they seem to exist in perfect harmony. Like a cosmic waltz - there's a reason we can't look away. When to Watch: Between 4:00–5:30 AM local time. Pro Tip: If you've got a telescope, this is the moment to see Saturn's rings tilt in all their glory. If not, just soak in the beauty of the crescent Moon and Saturn dancing in the sky. Venus is already a star in the pre-dawn sky, but on May 20th, it gets a little extra sparkle with the crescent Moon just 2 degrees away. Venus is so bright that it's often called the 'Morning Star,' but when it pairs up with the Moon, it becomes a cosmic masterpiece that's perfect for a photo op. Think of it as the universe's way of saying, "Let's give the photographers something to do!" When to Watch: Early morning, just before sunrise. Pro Tip: Get ready to capture an iconic shot! The delicate pairing of the Moon and Venus will be one of those moments you'll want to share. Mars will glide past the Beehive Cluster, a collection of stars so bright it's visible to the naked eye. This cluster has a rich history - it was originally named Praesepe in Latin, and today it is often referred to as the "manger of stars." Early astronomers gave it this name because the cluster's shape resembled a cradle or manger. It's been admired for centuries as a stellar nursery, where new stars are born, and now it's hosting Mars. What a cosmic dance! When to Watch: After sunset until around 10:30 PM local time. Pro Tip: Binoculars will give you the best view of Mars nestled among the cluster's stars. Don't miss the chance to see these ancient lights dancing across the sky. Mercury reaches its greatest eastern elongation, which means it's now far enough from the Sun to be visible in the evening sky. It's a faint, star-like object, so it can be tricky to spot, but when you do, you're seeing one of the fastest planets in the Solar System. Mercury's orbit is so fast that it whips around the Sun in just 88 days. A real speedster! When to Watch: Just after sunset, low in the northwest sky. Pro Tip: Get to an unobstructed horizon and look for Mercury just 30–45 minutes after sunset. It's your moment to see one of the most elusive planets in action! Let's dive into one of the most majestic constellations in the sky: Scorpius. For those in the Southern Hemisphere, Scorpius is like the sky's signature constellation - a standout in the summer months. In the Northern Hemisphere, it can still be spotted late into the evening, with Antares—the red, glowing heart of Scorpius—standing out brightly. Scorpius is ancient; the Greeks saw it as a symbol of danger, and to this day, it's associated with a fierce, protective energy. If you're into myths and legends, Scorpius is where the story of Orion and the scorpion unfolds, creating a dramatic celestial backdrop. When to Watch: Late evening, visible to the south or southeast. Pro Tip: Scorpius is a beautiful constellation to just sit back and enjoy with the naked eye - no equipment required, though a pair of binoculars can reveal some of its hidden treasures! M8 (Lagoon Nebula): A glowing star-forming region in Sagittarius - telescope required. Ring Nebula (M57): A cosmic smoke ring in Lyra - perfect through a telescope! For asteroid hunting, you have permission to geek the heck out - sketch Vesta's position nightly to watch it move. Try shooting time-lapses of the Moon-planet conjunctions for stunning social media content! So, grab your gear and get ready to share your stargazing moments! This week's sky is full of planetary drama, asteroid action, and stunning star clusters - perfect for both seasoned skywatchers and first-timers. Weather Words: Manhattanhenge NASA Orbiter Spots Star Trek Insignia on Mars' Surface Sign Of Life? New Discovery On A Distant Planet
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tilda Swinton to Star in David Lowery's Adaptation of Ottessa Moshfegh Novel ‘Death in Her Hands'
Tilda Swinton is set to lead another literary adaptation: Ottessa Moshfegh's psychological thriller 'Death in Her Hands,' with auteur David Lowery directing. Swinton, who most recently led Pedro Almodóvar's English feature debut 'The Room Next Door,' will star as widow Vesta Gul, who may or may not have stumbled upon a crime scene. The character finds a handwritten note while walking in the woods, with the letter reading, 'Her name was Magda. Nobody will ever know who killed her. It wasn't me. Here is her dead body.' Yet without a corpse in sight, recluse Vesta becomes obsessed with solving the would-be murder. The book's official synopsis reads, 'As her inner world begins to eclipse reality, the mystery of Magda threatens Vesta's grip on her own life — until, in a spellbinding operatic climax, we realize that Magda's death may finally allow Vesta to live.' The novel was published in 2000. More from IndieWire 'The Plague' Review: Charlie Polinger's Debut Takes Body Horror and 'Lord of the Flies' Into Extraordinary, Emotional Spaces Adam Sandler Pays Tribute to 'Happy Gilmore' Gator Morris, Who Died at Age 80-Ish: 'We Are All Gonna Miss You' Lowery will adapt the novel for the screen, with See-Saw Films producing. Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, and Jeanie Igoe are producing, with the executive producers including Simon Gillis and Ann Phillips. See-Saw's sales division Cross City Films and WME Independent are set to secure financing for the feature at Cannes. 'I am a devoted fan of Ottessa Moshfegh, and the opportunity to translate 'Death in Her Hands' to the big screen has been, in some ways, a subterfuge for getting to spend a great deal of time obsessing over her prose. But now the ruse is up!,' Lowery said in a press statement. 'The script begot by the novel will soon become a film, and I am suddenly aware more than ever that adapting this particular work represents a devious challenge (anyone who's read the novel will understand why)! But I'm ready for it, and am emboldened to have such wonderful collaborators at my side: the whole team at See-Saw, Jeanie, and of course, the incredible Tilda Swinton, who I know will illuminate Ottessa's story in ways I could only dream of.' Producers Canning and Sherman added, 'David Lowery is a master of crafting striking, atmospheric stories, and there's no one better to bring Ottessa Moshfegh's haunting and brilliant novel to the screen. We can't wait for audiences to step into the world he creates and be swept away by Vesta's story, played by the incomparable, magnetic, and endlessly compelling Tilda Swinton.' Lowery next has 'Mother Mary' in the works starring Anne Hathaway, which is currently in post-production. 'Death in Her Hands' isn't the only Moshfegh adaptation in the works: Author Moshfegh, who also collaborated with Hathaway for her adaptation of 'Eileen,' told IndieWire that she hand-selects who will adapt her work for the screen. 'I wouldn't just sign the rights over to a novel to anyone,' she said. 'There are people who have some doings around other IPs. I trust them, but that isn't to say I'm not good at detachment. I don't actually want to control other people's work. An adaptation is just an adaptation. It's not supposed to be a carbon copy. That's impossible. It's a reinterpretation, it's a translation, and it's a really creative process.' Moshfegh added at the time that the adaptation of 'My Year of Rest and Relaxation,' to which LuckyChap optioned the rights to in 2018 and Yorgos Lanthimos was rumored to be attached to direct, is still 'underway.' No director has been announced yet. 'I have no idea about the timeline on that, but hopefully sometime,' 'Causeway' screenwriter Moshfegh said in of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie The 55 Best LGBTQ Movies and TV Shows Streaming on Netflix Right Now
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Asteroid Vesta is at its brightest this week. Here's how to find it in the night sky
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. On Friday, May 2 the asteroid Vesta will reach opposition, marking the ideal period to spot the second largest asteroid orbiting in the rocky belt of debris located between Mars and Jupiter. A solar system body is considered to be 'in opposition' when it is located at the opposite point in the sky relative to the sun from the perspective of Earth, allowing the sun to illuminate it from our perspective. During these periods of alignment, the asteroid or celestial body in question is particularly bright, which often makes for ideal astronomical observing conditions. However, given its magnitude of around +5.7, Vesta will be challenging to spot with the naked eye, even in dark sky areas. As explained by NASA during a previous opposition, the asteroid should become easily detectable as a bright point of light with the aid of binoculars or a telescope. Thankfully the moon is still a diminutive waxing crescent in the western night sky, and so will offer relatively little glare as you search for the distant asteroid. Vesta will reach the point of opposition at 07:58 EDT (11:58:58 GMT) on May 2, according to stargazing website at which time the sun will be up and the asteroid will be below the horizon for those based in the U.S. During opposition, the massive hunk of primordial matter will pass a little under 110 million miles from Earth, which is the equivalent to 1.182 times the gulf separating our planet and the sun. Viewers in New York will get a chance to see Vesta close to opposition after the sun goes down on May 2. The asteroid will reach its highest point in the night sky approximately an hour after midnight local time, at which point it will be roughly 45 degrees above the southern horizon. TELESCOPE TOP PICK: Want to see asteroids in the night sky? The Celestron NexStar 4SE is ideal for beginners wanting quality, reliable and quick views of celestial objects. For a more in-depth look at our Celestron NexStar 4SE review. To find Vesta on the night of May 2, you first need to look to the south eastern horizon after sunset, and locate the constellation Libra, using a stargazing app. Then, find the brightest star in that constellation - a blue dwarf star named Zubeneschamali. Less than 10 degrees (about a fist's width at arm's length) to the upper right of Zubeneschamali you will find Vesta, in close proximity to the faint magnitude +4.5 star 16 Librae. Vesta has a number of characteristics working in its favor when it comes to its visibility in the night sky. For one, it boasts a diameter of 330 miles (530 km), making it the second largest asteroid in the main asteroid belt, second only to the dwarf planet Ceres. Its surface is also highly reflective relative to other main belt asteroids. NASA's Dawn spacecraft reached orbit around Vesta in July 2011, and spent over a year collecting data on the asteroid's composition, geology, craters, and countless other features before departing on a rendezvous course with Ceres. The data on Vesta has led to countless discoveries surrounding the history and formation of Vesta, and continues to be poured over by scientists today. Sadly, no further missions have been announced to rendezvous with Vesta, and so the best way for us to get fresh, new views of the asteroid is through a telescope. Vesta will not reach opposition with Earth again until Oct. 13, 2026, so be sure to head out and catch a glimpse of the distant asteroid before the orbital moment slips away. If you're looking for a telescope or binoculars to observe Vesta and other solar system objects, our guides for the best binoculars deals and the best telescope deals now can help. Our guides on the best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography can also help you prepare to capture the next opposition and countless other skywatching sights.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
A stadium-sized asteroid will fly past Earth on May 9, and you can watch it live (video)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. On May 9, a stadium-sized potentially hazardous asteroid will pass by Earth, and you can watch the flyby happen in real time courtesy of a livestream from The Virtual Telescope Project. The main belt asteroid 612356 2002 JX8 is estimated to have a diameter of 950 feet (290 meters) according to NASA, and will pose absolutely no threat to Earth during its 2025 flyby. The Virtual Telescope Project's YouTube channel will go live at 4:30 p.m. EDT (20:30 GMT) on May 9, just a few hours before 2002 JX8 makes its closest approach to Earth at (11:02 GMT). The stream will also show views of the asteroid Vesta, which reached opposition on May 2, and is still relatively bright in the night sky. TOP TELESCOPE PICK: Want to explore the solar system with your own eyes? The Celestron NexStar 4SE is ideal for beginners wanting quality, reliable and quick views of celestial objects. For a more in-depth look at our Celestron NexStar 4SE review. "We did follow-up observations of the Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (612356) 2002 JX8, slowly approaching our planet: on 9 May 2025, it will safely come as close as 4.2 millions of km [(2.6 million miles)] from us, 10.9 times the average lunar distance," wrote Gianluca Masi, founder of The Virtual Telescope Project in a recent blog post. "We will show it live!" Masi's organization has successfully captured several images of 2002 JX8 in the run up to its May 9 flyby, in which the asteroid appears as a distinct dot of light that could be seen shifting position relative to the stars behind it. The Virtual Telescope Project offers free online observing sessions for the public for asteroid flybys and similar events, as well as access to individual robotic telescopes. Potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs) such as 2002 JX8 are categorized as such based on their brightness (magnitude +22.0 or lower/brighter) and their ability to perform a "threatening close approach to Earth," according to NASA, which is defined as coming within within 0.05 astronomical units, or 4.6 million miles (7.5 million km) of our planet. For reference, 1 AU is the equivalent to 93 million miles (150 million km), which is the average distance separating Earth and the sun. NASA scientists believe that there are around 4,700 PHAs whizzing around our solar system, based on observations from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission. However, we will likely never see one actually impact our planet's surface. The agency estimates that an asteroid with a diameter of around 500 ft (140 m) impacts Earth just once every 20,000 years, while an asteroid with a diameter of 3,000 ft (1,000 m) collides with our planet once every 700,000 years. Scientists at the Center for Near Earth Object Studies responsible for tracking the long term potential orbits of near-Earth objects have also stated that it is unlikely that a large asteroid capable of causing widespread damage will strike Earth in the next 100 years. That leaves you plenty of time to get to know the night sky! If you want to catch a glimpse of a solar system planet or globular cluster for yourself, then be sure to check out our guides for the best binoculars deals and the best telescope deals in 2025.
