A Glimpse into Cosmos

Science and Significance of Polaris, the North Star

Polaris, also known as the North Star, is one of the most recognizable stars in the night sky. It is located in the constellation Ursa Minor, or the Little Dipper, and is known for its constant position in the northern sky. Because of this, it has long been used for navigation by sailors, hikers, and astronomers alike.

Polaris is actually a triple-star system, with the main star being a yellow supergiant. It has a diameter approximately 46 times that of the sun and a luminosity about 2,500 times greater. The two smaller stars in the system orbit each other and are located about 240 billion miles away from the main star.

One interesting fact about Polaris is that it is not actually the brightest star in the night sky. However, it appears bright because of its location almost directly above the North Pole. This means that it appears to remain stationary in the sky while the other stars appear to rotate around it.

The star is also important in many cultures and mythologies. In ancient Greek mythology, it was associated with the goddess Athena, while in ancient Egyptian mythology, it was associated with the god Horus. It continues to be a symbol of guidance, stability, and constancy in many cultures today. 

Photo © Steve Mandel (Hidden Valley Observatory)

A Glimpse into Cosmos

𝐉𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐬: 𝐔𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡

Exploring the possibility of life beyond Earth has been one of the most intriguing questions for scientists and the general public alike.

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system and has more than 79 moons orbiting it. Among these moons, Europa and Ganymede are two of the most promising candidates to harbour life beyond Earth.

Europa is slightly smaller than Earth's moon and is covered by a thick layer of ice, beneath which scientists believe there is a liquid ocean. This subsurface ocean is estimated to contain two to three times the volume of all the Earth's oceans combined. Recent observations made by the Hubble Space Telescope suggest that plumes of water vapour may be erupting from Europa's surface, providing evidence for the existence of this subsurface ocean.

Ganymede, on the other hand, is the largest moon in the solar system and is the only moon known to have its own magnetic field. Scientists believe that Ganymede has a rocky mantle and a subsurface ocean, similar to Europa. Additionally, Ganymede's surface contains regions of both dark and light terrain, suggesting a complex geological history.

Both Europa and Ganymede are considered prime targets in the search for extraterrestrial life because they contain the three essential ingredients for life: liquid water, organic compounds, and a source of energy. NASA's upcoming Europa Clipper mission, set to launch in the 2020s, will conduct detailed investigations of Europa's surface and subsurface to determine if the moon is habitable for life as we know it.

The discovery of life on Jupiter's moons would be a monumental achievement for science and would revolutionize our understanding of the universe and our place in it. It would also have profound implications for the search for life elsewhere in the Cosmos.

PHOTO © NASA/JPL

A Glimpse into Cosmos

Stunning photo of Saturn's moons Rhea and Epimetheus by the Cassini Probe on March 24, 2010.

Credits: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute – P. Byrne

A Glimpse into Cosmos

The Universe fascinates me. I often look up at night to see the stars and planets visible to the naked eye. 

I occasionally gaze at Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star in Orion's constellation. "You're still there," I tell myself, knowing it could go supernova between now and the next 100,000 years.

It was different today. Would you like to know why?

I saw the crescent Moon, followed by two white spots, one shinier than the other. "There you are," I said to Jupiter and Venus, smiling.

They are easy to spot in the late afternoon twilight, low in the West after sunset. They are visible between this February 21 and March 1.

A Glimpse into Cosmos

On February 1st, the comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) made its 42 million-kilometre approach to Earth, visible with either a telescope, binoculars or even the naked eye if the sky was starry.

This rare green-tailed celestial body "passed" Earth approximately 50,000 years ago, during the Middle Paleolithic period.

Meanwhile, almost every night, I stare at another celestial body, the Moon, which is 4.51 billion years old.

Image Copyright: Dan Bartlett

A Glimpse into Cosmos

 The Hand of God

A Glimpse to Cosmos

Artemis I mission

Stunning view of crescent Earth during the Orion spacecraft’s Moon flyby.

 

Photo Credit: NASA

Looking Around

SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION

We made it to the Moon. We landed on Venus. We landed on Mars. And we landed on Titan. What's next?

Man on the Moon

Venera-13 spacecraft on Venus

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover

Huygens probe on Titan, Saturn's largest moon

A Glimpse into Cosmos

 Jupiter, a failed star that binds us together.

 

Source: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute

A Glimpse to Cosmos

Do I see God?

Photo: "Carina Nebula" by James Webb Space Telescope.