April 24, 2019

The First Direct Image of a Black Hole

The First Direct Image of a Black Hole

Astronomers have successfully captured one of the most important pictures in scientific history – an actual image of a supermassive black hole.

SpaceTime Series 22 Episode 31  The astronomy and space science news podcast.

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*Astronomers capture the first ever direct image of a black hole

Astronomers have successfully captured one of the most important pictures in scientific history – an actual image of a supermassive black hole.  This breakthrough was announced in a series of six papers published in a special issue of The Astrophysical Journal Letters, and at a co-ordinated series of special press conferences held simultaneously around the globe.

*Mercury has a solid inner core

Scientists have determined that the planet Mercury has a solid metallic inner core similar in size to the Earth’s. The findings reported in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, help scientists better understand Mercury while at the same time offering clues about how the solar system formed and how rocky planets evolve over time.

*Preparing CHEOPSThe European Space Agency’s mission to study strange worlds orbiting distant stars has moved a step closer to launch with the spacecraft now fully assembled and tested in preparation for launch. The CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite or CHEOPS has finally left the cleanroom in Switzerland and is now in Madrid for further launch preparations. Youtube video URL: http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com/post/183443264918 

*If at first you don’t succeed

Despite much hope, the private Israeli bid to land a spacecraft on the surface on the Moon has failed. But like the proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes, supporters from around the world have rallied around the company Space IL -- determined to try again.

*The Science Report

Scientists at Tel Aviv University successfully print the world's first 3D vascularised engineered heart.

Some four thousand European Alpine glaciers will lose half their ice by 2050.

An El Niño which began forming late last year is now fully entrenched across the Pacific Ocean.

Fossils from a previously unknown member of the human family tree discovered in the Philippines.

Why it’s better to keep your cats indoors.

Moves to stop claims by promoters of alternative medicines – but is it enough?

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