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ISS astronauts will finally get to check out the HoloLens this week

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It’s pretty sad that even people in space get to check out Microsoft’s HoloLens before we do, and yet, that’s exactly what’s going to happen a bit later this week. The occasion? Why, NASA has partnered with aerospace manufacturer Orbital ATK for a new resupply mission to the ISS and it seems like a pair of HoloLens devices will be among the items that are being sent to the space station. This is the fourth such mission for Orbital ATK, the company that had to replace SpaceX after Elon Musk and co. failed to complete a similar venture to the ISS back in June.

Needless to say, the mission is about much more than just delivering a couple of augmented reality devices to space, as Orbital ATK CRS-4 will ship supplies and other cargo that are essential to the astronauts and the station. Having said that, the HoloLens is not just new toy for astronauts to play with either and may actually prove very useful to them in the long run. By using Microsoft’s augmented reality technology, the crew aboard the ISS can communicate with those on the ground in new and exciting ways.

Entitled Project Sidekick, this is Microsoft’s attempt at making things easier for everyone by allowing ground operators to see in real time through the eyes of the astronauts while they chat on Skype. According to NASA’s Jeff Norris, “it is operationally significant to see an astronaut’s perspective as they work.” He also adds that “historically this is not a perspective that’s been easy to get until now.” This new way of working together is being called Remote Expert Mode and is one of two modes provided by Microsoft’s HoloLens.

The second one, Procedure Mode, is yet another helpful tool that brings augmented reality straight to the ISS and aids the astronauts with holograms that can be seen only by the wearer of the HoloLens. These holograms are the equivalent of illustrated tips and instructions that essentially make manuals and tablets pretty much obsolete. Why look for instructions on a tablet when you can have everything you need right in front of your eyes?

As mentioned earlier, SpaceX was supposed to carry the HoloLens devices to the ISS earlier this year, but since that mission ended up failing, it’s now up to Orbital ATK to get the job done. The new mission is scheduled to commence this Thursday at 5:55 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 41 in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Although George has many hobbies, he likes nothing more than to play around with cameras and other photography equipment.

Astronomy

Unexpected! The Japanese Lunar Lander SLIM successfully endures its second night of intense lunar activity

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The reports regarding the downfall of Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) are highly overstated. The SLIM mission successfully executed a lunar landing in late January, showcasing a notable level of precision in landing on an unfamiliar celestial body. Regrettably, the touchdown was somewhat uneven, introducing complexities to the overall operation. However, it is evident that the technology was sufficiently robust to endure the significant decrease in temperature encountered during the harsh lunar night, not just once but twice!

Upon landing on January 19, SLIM’s disadvantaged position rendered it incapable of utilizing its solar panels for power generation. Although the position was regrettable, it is worth noting that SLIM was making progress in the correct direction. As the Moon underwent orbital motion around the Earth, the Sun initiated its illumination on the inclined surface where the solar panels were situated, thereby supplying the necessary energy.

The Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) announced in late February that SLIM had successfully endured its inaugural lunar night. Now, it has been reported that the robust inclined lander has once again achieved this feat, although its future remains unknown.

The previous evening, #SLIM informed us that the spacecraft had successfully crossed the lunar night for the second time. According to Jaxa’s report on the SLIM Twitter account, due to the bright sun and the equipment’s high temperature, we only captured a few images of the typical scenery using the navigation camera.

Based on the collected data, it has been observed that certain temperature sensors and unused battery cells are experiencing malfunctions. However, the bulk of functionalities that were operational during the initial lunar night were observed to persist even after the subsequent lunar night.

We can hope that SLIM will make it through a third night because good things tend to happen in groups of three. Whether it does or not, it has far exceeded our expectations. A smart lander for investigating the moon is what SLIM stands for. The point of it was to show that it is possible to land very precisely on another world. The goal was to soft-land just 330 feet (100 meters) from a certain target spot. From what we know now, it looks like it landed only 55 meters (180 feet) from where it was supposed to.

The moon’s night may have missed SLIM, but it did kill Odysseus, which also landed on its side. It’s not a new trend that all the cool people who live on the moon are doing this. This is proof of how hard it is to soft-land anywhere, even on the moon. Odysseus was the first US lander to land on the Moon in 50 years. It was also the first private lander that didn’t crash-land on the moon’s surface. It was owned by intuitive machines, which said it did not wake up a few days ago.

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Astronomy

The upcoming Total Solar Eclipse next month may feature uncommon vibrant pink streamers

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There exists a rationale for individuals actively seeking out solar eclipses across the globe, as it is evident that this occurrence is not a universally seen phenomenon. However, it is important to note that every solar eclipse exhibits unique characteristics. In the case of the April 8 North American complete solar eclipse, it is anticipated that several additional elements would be present, such as a profusion of red, pink, and potentially white streamers and loops.

The forthcoming solar eclipse will have a longer duration than the majority of others and will take place during a period when multiple planets, and potentially a comet, are present in the sky, enhancing the overall spectacle. Nevertheless, the most notable characteristic of this eclipse is its proximity to the solar maximum, which coincides with the peak likelihood of flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).

Solar storms are unpredictable, typically occurring over a week in advance. Therefore, it is now uncertain whether there will be any activity when the sun is obscured by the moon, which presents an opportunity to observe its corona. Nevertheless, it is evident from statistical data that the probability is significantly greater at present compared to the previous complete solar eclipse in the United States in 2017, where solar activity experienced a fall from a peak that was far lower than the current one.

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The phenomenon of solar maximum is a consequence of the 22-year periodicity of the Sun’s magnetic field, wherein two distinct maxima manifest approximately 11 years apart. Currently, the magnetic field is entangled, resulting in the formation of sunspots, flares, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that give rise to auroras.

Prominences can be observed at the Sun’s periphery even during periods of low solar activity, either through the use of hydrogen alpha filters or when the Moon obstructs a significant portion of the Sun’s light. Nevertheless, on this occasion, they ought to be somewhat longer and more plentiful, resembling streamers directed away from the Sun, frequently exhibiting hues of red and pink. If a flare is properly timed, it is possible to observe its upward movement from the Sun. Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are infrequent; however, they can remain visible for extended periods. Even if they happen before to the eclipse, they can still be observed.

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There were a lot of nice prominences during the 2023 solar eclipse that happened off the coast of Australia. And the eclipse was a lot shorter than it is now. The sun was also not as busy at that time.

There have been prominences that were as long as the sun’s width. Most prominences are longer than the Earth’s diameter. Most of the time, one end is attached to the sun, making it look like a streamer. But sometimes it looks like an arch, with both ends attached to sunspot regions.

Some people don’t know what causes prominences, but they are made up of hydrogen and helium, just like the sun, and magnetic fields hold them up against gravity. Rarer coronal loops can look like a curved prominence, but they are much hotter.

Since prominences go through the hydrogen alpha transition, they give off light in the red part of the spectrum. When mixed with white light from normal heat emissions, though, it can make things look pink.

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All of these phenomena are distinct from the typical occurrences of eclipses, such as the Diamond Ring effect, which is triggered by a thin slither of unobstructed Sun, and Baily’s Beads, which become apparent when valleys between lunar highlands permit the passage of sunlight.

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Astronomy

The initial observation of the magnetic fields surrounding the supermassive black hole within our galaxy is quite remarkable

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The team responsible for capturing the initial photograph of a black hole has now unveiled a fresh image of Sagittarius A*, the colossal black hole located at the core of the Milky Way. This new image is observed using polarized light, marking the first instance of such a visual representation. The recorded image depicts the magnetic field patterns encircling the black hole, resembling those observed in the vicinity of M87*. This observation implies the potential presence of robust, twisted, and well-structured magnetic fields within black holes.

In order to create a single array of dimensions equal to Earth’s, radio telescopes located all over the world are utilized by the Event Horizon Telescope, an international collaboration that makes it possible to image a black hole. Should you have that kind of resolution in your vision, you could see a doughnut on the moon. The initial visual representation of Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) and the significantly larger and more potent black hole located at the core of the enormous elliptical galaxy Messier 87 has been provided. In 2021, it successfully detected the magnetic fields of M87*, marking the first instance of a black hole being detected using polarized light.

The team has successfully utilized the polarization of light to visualize the magnetic fields of Sgr A*, marking the first instance of such an application. Light is generated through the oscillation of electromagnetic waves, and when these waves oscillate in a specific direction, they are referred to as polarized. 3D glasses function by utilizing two lenses with distinct polarization, allowing just a portion of the light to enter. This enables our brains to generate a three-dimensional image within our mind. Polarized light reduces glare from strong light sources, allowing the researchers to see the black hole’s edge more clearly and precisely delineate the magnetic field lines inside of it.

“We have acquired polarimetric images of the black hole located at the center of our galaxy, Sgr A*, at the event horizon scale for the first time,” stated Professor Mariafelicia De Laurentis, Deputy Project Scientist at the EHT and professor at the University of Naples Federico II, in an interview .

The polarization of light allows for the observation of a highly intricate and well-organized magnetic structure surrounding the black hole, as depicted in these photos. The inclusion of polarized light in these photographs is critical, as it enables us to visually perceive and comprehend the intricate structure of the magnetic field around the black hole, a vital element that cannot be adequately represented by non-polarized light alone.

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Plasma, composed of charged particles, exhibits motion along the magnetic field lines surrounding a supermassive black hole. When these particles rotate, they generate a polarization pattern on the light that is oriented at a right angle to the magnetic field. The measurement of polarization provides precise information regarding the manner in which the magnetic field is around the supermassive black hole.

According to Professor De Laurentis, the significance of polarization in the examination of black holes lies in its ability to furnish valuable insights on the geometry and dynamics of the magnetic fields encompassing the black hole. These fields are of significant importance in the processes of accretion and jet emissions since they have a direct impact on the observation of black holes and our comprehension of the underlying physics that control these extraordinary entities.

The processes of accretion and jet emissions are not commonly observed in our neighboring supermassive black hole. Sagittarius A* is rather tranquil and serene compared to other black holes, which is advantageous because even at a distance of 26,000 light-years, an active supermassive black hole may still exert a significant influence. These objects have the ability to influence the fate of a whole galaxy.

However, the magnetic fields play a crucial role in the emission of high-energy jets for M87*. The phenomenon of the supermassive black hole emitting jets of particles with velocities approaching the speed of light, spanning around 5,000 light-years from M87*, has been documented. The observation of identical magnetic structures that drive extensive phenomena in M87 within our own supermassive black hole implies the existence of fundamental mechanisms that are common to all black holes.

According to Professor De Laurentis, the magnetic fields play a crucial role in regulating the accumulation of mass within black holes and the expulsion of very intense jets, which are considered to be some of the most remarkable occurrences in the cosmos. Understanding these areas lets us look into the strange things that happen close to black holes, which means testing theories of gravity and magnetohydrodynamics in situations where Einstein’s general relativity is very important.

This image of Sagittarius A* represents a significant advancement in comprehending the behavior of black holes and their impact on the galaxies they inhabit. Additionally, it serves as an excellent platform for testing theoretical models that describe the actions of black holes.

The aforementioned observations signify a significant technical achievement, demonstrating the capability of contemporary astronomy instruments and protocols. According to Professor De Laurentis, their work established a precedent for subsequent observational efforts and theoretical investigations, thereby expanding the frontiers of our comprehension of the cosmos.

The upcoming iteration of the Event Horizon Telescope will exhibit enhanced performance.

The research findings are documented in two scholarly articles published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

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