29
Jun 11

Analysing 3D galaxies

Source: University of Toronto

 

Astronomers usually only see flat versions of the real galaxies in the Universe, as pictures projected on their computer screens. ButĀ  researchers in the international collaboration ATLAS3D have used a clever trick to figure out what 260 galaxies do in the third dimension missing from their images.

They added motion to the picture by measuring the velocities of stars going through the plane of the image. Using this method, the ATLAS3D researchers were able to tell whether stars were part of a flattened spinning disk or a motionless balloon-shaped blob (called elliptical galaxy).

This advance should help them figure out how galaxies change as they age and collide with one another. (read more)

Twitter del.icio.us Digg Facebook linked-in Yahoo Buzz StumbleUpon
29
Jun 11

NASA sets launch date for final Space Shuttle mission

Source: NASA


Space Shuttle approaching ISS. Image credit: NASA.

Space shuttle Atlantis' Commander Chris Ferguson and his three crewmates are scheduled to begin a 12-day mission to the International Space Station with a launch at 11:26 a.m. EDT on July 8, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The STS-135 mission is the finalĀ  flight of the Space Shuttle Program.(read more)

Twitter del.icio.us Digg Facebook linked-in Yahoo Buzz StumbleUpon