ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISPATCH

The James Webb Space Telescope Reveals the Orion Bar in Stunning Detail A team of astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has detected carbon molecules in a galaxy that is 13.4 billion light-years away. This means that the molecules were present just 300 million years after the Big Bang. The molecules, called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are a type of organic molecule that is thought to be a precursor to life. They are made up of carbon atoms that are bonded together in rings. The discovery of PAHs in the early universe is a significant finding. It provides new evidence that the building blocks of life may have been present very early on in the history of the universe. This could mean that life could have arisen more easily than previously thought. The PAHs were detected by the JWST's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). MIRI is designed to detect infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye. Infrared light can penetrate dust and gas, which...

A team of planetary scientists has found new evidence that suggests the moon's inner core is solid, like Earth's. The study, published in the journal Nature, was led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley. The researchers used data from several space missions and from several lunar-based ranging experiments to study the moon's core. They found that the inner core has a radius of approximately 258 kilometers and a density of approximately 7,822 kilograms per cubic meter. This is consistent with the findings of previous studies, which suggested that the inner core is solid. The researchers also found that the outer core is a fluid layer covering the inner core with a radius of 362 kilometers. This is also consistent with previous findings. The new study provides further evidence that the moon's core is similar to Earth's. This suggests that the moon may have formed in a similar way to Earth, from a cloud of dust and gas that collapsed und...

NASA’s Psyche mission is set to launch in October 2023, and it will be the first mission to explore a metal-rich asteroid. The asteroid, named Psyche, is located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It is about 140 miles (226 kilometers) in diameter, and it is thought to be the exposed nickel-iron core of an early planet. Credit: NASA The Psyche mission will use a solar-electric propulsion system to travel to the asteroid. The spacecraft will also carry a variety of scientific instruments, including a multispectral imager, a gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer, a magnetometer, and a gravity science instrument. The mission’s primary goal is to study the composition and structure of Psyche. Scientists hope to learn more about the formation of the solar system and the early history of planets. They also hope to learn more about the composition of Earth’s core. The Psyche mission is a high-risk, high-reward mission. If successful, it will provide valuable insights into the fo...

NASA is inviting the public to sign their names to a poem that will fly aboard the Europa Clipper spacecraft. The poem, written by U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón, is titled “In Praise of Mystery: A Poem for Europa.” The poem will be etched onto a microchip and placed on the spacecraft, which is scheduled to launch in October 2024. Europa is a moon of Jupiter that is thought to have a vast ocean of liquid water beneath its icy surface. Scientists believe that this ocean could potentially harbor life, making Europa one of the most important targets for future exploration. The Europa Clipper mission will conduct 34 flybys of Europa, during which it will use its instruments to study the moon’s surface, atmosphere, and ocean. The mission is expected to launch in October 2024 and arrive at Jupiter in 2027. The “Message in a Bottle” campaign is a way for the public to participate in the Europa Clipper mission and to show their support for space exploration. To sign the poem, visit t...