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4 min czytania

Explore JPL to Take Place Oct. 10, 11

Visitors are welcome to Explore JPL to learn more about space exploration, robotics, and technology being developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Tickets for the popular, free event become available on Aug. 29 and go fast. NASA/JPL-Caltech Celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory invites the public to its campus at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains in Southern California for an open-house event, Explore JPL. On Oct. 10 and 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. PDT, visitors will get the chance to visit JPL’s most iconic facilities and explore four thematic areas: Missions That Changed the World, Moon to Mars, In Flight, and Makerspace.  Tickets are free but very limited and have gone quickly for past Explore JPL events. They will be available  on the Explore JPL webpage  at 9 a.m. PDT Sunday, Aug. 29, and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum of five tickets per requestor. Orders for more than five tickets may be subject to cancellation. Tickets will be provided for specific time slots and must be reserved for specific names. Attendees will not be admitted to JPL before the designated time printed on their ticket.  A division of Caltech in Pasadena, California, JPL traces its origins to rocket-propulsion development in 1936. By 1958, the lab had built and helped launch America’s first satellite, Explorer 1. That same year, Congress established NASA, and JPL became a part of the agency. Since then, JPL has managed such historic missions as Voyager, Galileo, Cassini, the Mars Exploration Rover program, the Perseverance Mars rover, Europa Clipper, and many more. Among other highlights, Explore JPL guests will get to:  Visit JPL’s legendary Space Flight Operations Facility, a National Historic Landmark where engineers send commands and receive data from spacecraft billions of miles away. Discover the Spacecraft Assembly Facility and JPL Machine Shop, where precision spacecraft components are crafted. See the latest cutting-edge innovations in robotics research, from autonomous lunar rovers to search-and-rescue robots. Get up close with full-scale models of the Mars Perseverance rover, Voyager, and Galileo. Step inside the Microdevices Laboratory to see how miniature technologies developed there are shaping the future of space exploration and Earth science. To attend Explore JPL, visitors must have their tickets in hand and anyone age 18 or over must show government-issued identification. Tickets are not transferable and cannot be sold. Children under age 2 do not require a ticket, but experiences at the event are not intended for very young guests.  Visitors may not bring these items to JPL: weapons or explosives of any kind, incendiary devices, glass containers, alcohol, cannabis or illegal drugs, pets (except certified service animals), banners or signs, flags, boom boxes, air horns, musical instruments, and professional camera equipment with detachable telephoto lenses. Use of laser pointers or whistles is not allowed. No bags, backpacks, or hard-sided coolers are permitted, either, except small purses and diaper bags. Drones are not allowed to fly over JPL under any circumstances. Skates, skateboards, scooters, Segways, and bicycles are not permitted inside the event, as the venues are crowded with pedestrians.  Vehicles entering JPL property are subject to inspection. Parking is free.  Follow JPL on  Facebook ,  X , and  Instagram .  To get a virtual tour of JPL, visit: https://www. jpl.nasa.gov/virtual-tour/ Media Contact [email protected] Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Voyager Voyager 1 and its twin Voyager 2 are the only spacecraft ever to operate outside the heliosphere, the protective bubble… Mars 2020: Perseverance Rover NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover seeks signs of ancient life and collects samples of rock and regolith for possible Earth return. Europa Clipper

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1 min czytania

NASA’s Chandra Finds Unexpected Fireworks in Aftermath of Stellar Explosions

6 Min Read NASA’s Chandra Finds Unexpected Fireworks in Aftermath of Stellar Explosions To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A composite image of the nearby galaxy Messier 83, and short timelapse videos of two curious supernova remnants hidden inside. X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: NASA/ESA/AURA/STScI, Hubble Heritage Team, W. Blair (STScI/Johns Hopkins University) and R. O’Connell (University of Virginia); Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/A. Jubett, L. Frattare and P. Edmonds The aftermath of a supernova, a stellar explosion, is usually a slowly fading cloud of hot gas. So when astronomers pointed NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory at the nearby galaxy Messier 83 (M83), they did not expect to find a population of supernova remnants, or the debris from these explosions, showing dramatic changes in their brightness. The new results were presented at the American Astronomical Society meeting in Pasadena, California, and published in The Astrophysical Journal. The galaxy M83, located about 15 million light-years from Earth, is forming stars at a high rate. Researchers analyzed 14 years of Chandra data of the galaxy, spanning 2000 to 2014. Using this extensive set of data, the researchers caught surprising variations in the X-ray brightness of sources previously identified as supernova remnants. The researchers expected supernova remnants older than a century or so to fade gradually in X-rays, but not change dramatically in brightness. The team found that roughly half of the 22 X-ray sources associated with supernova remnants in their sample showed changes in X-ray brightness over the 14-year span of observations — a result that was completely unexpected. “We knew that individual X-ray sources could vary dramatically,” said Andrea Prestwich, of the Catholic University of America who led the study. “But finding that so many supernova remnants were behaving this way was a real surprise. Something unusual is going on in these objects. Pinpointing the cause remains a challenge, as M83’s distance limits the detail we can observe.” One of the 22 variable supernova remnants has a straightforward explanation: SN 1957D, the debris from a supernova first observed nearly 70 years ago, is ramming into material surrounding the explosion site, producing the observed X-ray flares. But this cannot explain the rest of the sample. There is no evidence to suggest that all 22 remnants were formed within the last century. Something else must be driving the variability. The most likely explanation is that the team has uncovered a population of stellar survivors stars that lived through their partner’s destruction in a supernova explosion. In this scenario, each variable X-ray source began as a pair of massive stars orbiting each other. The more massive star collapsed and exploded as a supernova, leaving behind a black hole or ultra-dense neutron star. Its companion survived. Galaxy M83 in X-ray and Optical Light. X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: NASA/ESA/AURA/STScI, Hubble Heritage Team, W. Blair (STScI/Johns Hopkins University) and R. O’Connell (University of Virginia); Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/A. Jubett, L. Frattare and P. Edmonds “It may be that this galaxy contains a collection of supernova remnants where one massive star survives the supernova and becomes locked into an orbit with a black hole or neutron star,” said co-author Michael McCollough of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA). “The neutron star or black hole can then start pulling material from the massive star’s surface.” That infalling material is superheated by the intense gravitational pull, producing the X-rays Chandra detects. These types of systems, known as high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs), are among the most variable X-ray sources in the universe. Researchers say they may be the cause of the variations seen in M83’s supernova remnants. Astronomers have known about HMXBs for decades, but the difference with this group in M83 is their connection to supernova remnants. Previously, only a handful of supernova remnants associated with HMXBs had been identified across observations of all galaxies. It is unprecedented to find more than 20 strong candidates in just one galaxy. The authors found that the variable supernova remnants are in regions with higher concentrations of massive stars than in other parts of the galaxy, increasing the chances of a link between the remnants and HMXBs. There is another possible explanation: Instead of pulling in material from a companion star, the black hole or neutron star may be recapturing some of the material blasted outward by the original explosion. “This could be an example of cosmic recycling, where debris from the explosion falls back onto the very object the supernova created,” said co-author Roy Kilgard of Wesleyan University. “And it’s quite possible that both explanations are at play — different sources in our sample may have different origins.” These results are not unique to M83. A follow-up study of the nearby star-forming galaxy M51 by Zoe Hoiland of Vassar College and Kilgard has uncovered a similar population of variable X-ray sources associated with supernova remnants, suggesting that such systems may be a feature of galaxies undergoing vigorous star formation. This is a composite image of the galaxy M51 combining data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory (purple) with optical data (red, green and blue) taken with ground-based telescopes by a team of astrophotographers. A surprisingly high number of X-ray sources associated with supernova remnants in M51 show large changes in brightness, similar to the behavior seen in M83. Chandra X-ray Data: NASA/CXC/SAO; Astrobin/Optical Groundbased: C.Björk, T.Bähnck, S.Donoso, J.Gentillon, A. and D.Grelin, S.Guberski, R. Hall, T.Heuberger, J.Jacks, P.Kent, Br.Meyers, W.Ostling, N.Puig, T.Schaeffer, F.Schöfbänker, M.Vasilev The Chandra data for M83 began with single observations in 2000 and 2001, followed by 10 observations from 2010 to 2011 and another observation in 2014. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, manages the Chandra program. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s Chandra X-ray Center controls science operations from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and flight operations from Burlington, Massachusetts. Visual Description This release features a composite image of the nearby galaxy Messier 83, and short timelapse videos of two curious supernova remnants hidden inside. In the composite image, Messier 83, or M83, is shown to have a spiral structure, viewed straight on. At the center is a brilliant white and yellow pool of light. From that light, spiral arms of hot pink cloud corkscrew out in wide, sweeping arches. The galaxy is covered in a faint grey haze, and flecked with red, green, blue, white, and yellow dots. In an annotated version of the composite image, two tiny dots to our lower right of center are highlighted by white circles. These are two of the supernova remnants being considered by researchers. Each is examined further in a separate timelapse video. Over a 14-year period from 2000 to 2014, astronomers pointed NASA’s X-ray observatory at the M83 galaxy. They discovered that about half of the X-ray sources believed to be supernova remnants, the aftermath of stellar explosions, were exhibiting dramatic changes in brightness. This result was entirely unexpected. Those changes in brightness are highlighted in the timelapse videos. In each video, a series of static images flashes by, focused on one of the two X-ray sources once believed to be supernova remnants. In the videos, the X-ray sources appear as bright blue blobs with glowing cores. But in each image, taken months or years apart, the shapes change, as does the intensity of the blue color, and the brightness of the core. By presenting the substantively different images of the same objects one after another in quick succession, short timelapse videos are created. The most likely explanation for the changes in brightness is that the team has uncovered a population of stellar survivors, stars that lived through an orbiting partner’s destruction in a supernova explosion. Material is being pulled from the surviving star onto the black hole or neutron star that formed in the supernova, a process known to cause rapid changes in X-ray brightness. Read more from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory To learn more about NASA’s Chandra mission, visit: https://science.nasa.gov/chandra https://chandra.si.edu News Media Contact Megan Watzke Chandra X-ray Center Cambridge, Mass. 617-496-7998 [email protected] Joel Wallace Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama 256-544-0034 [email protected] About the Author Lee Mohon Share Details Last Updated Jun 15, 2026 Editor Lee Mohon Contact Joel Wallace Location Marshall Space Flight Center Related Terms Chandra X-Ray Observatory Galaxies Hubble Space Telescope Marshall Astrophysics Marshall Space Flight Center Supernova Remnants Supernovae The Universe Explore More 5 min read NASA’s Chandra Discovers Possible Supernova Remnant in Galactic Center Article 4 days ago 1 min read Pretty in Pink Saturn and its rings are prominently shown in this color image, along with three of… Article 22 years ago 4 min read NASA Connects Little Red Dots with Chandra, Webb Article 2 months ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory The Chandra X-ray Observatory is the world’s most powerful X-ray telescope. James Webb Space Telescope Webb is the premier observatory of the next decade, serving thousands of astronomers worldwide. It studies every phase in the… Hubble Space Telescope Since its 1990 launch, the Hubble Space Telescope has changed our fundamental understanding of the universe. Universe

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2 min czytania

NASA Astronauts to Answer Questions from New Jersey Students

NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Chris Williams collect frozen research samples while living and working aboard the International Space Station. Credit: ESA/Sophie Adenot Students in New Jersey will hear from NASA astronauts Chris Williams and Jessica Meir as they answer prerecorded STEM questions while aboard the  International Space Station . The Earth-to-space call will begin at 12:05 p.m. EDT, Thursday, June 18, and will stream live on the agency’s Learn With NASA YouTube channel. This event is hosted by Newton Public Schools in Newton, New Jersey, for students in grades K-12 and members of the community. This unique opportunity aims to deepen understanding of space exploration and enhance awareness of STEM careers. Media interested in covering the event must RSVP no later than 5 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, June 17, to Dr. Joseph Piccirillo at: 973-383-7392, x4229 or  [email protected] . For more than 25 years, astronauts have continuously lived and worked aboard the space station, testing technologies, performing science, and developing skills needed to explore farther from Earth. Astronauts communicate with NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston 24 hours a day through  SCaN’s  (Space Communications and Navigation) Near Space Network. Research and technology investigations taking place aboard the space station benefit people on Earth and lay the groundwork for other agency deep space missions. As part of NASA’s  Artemis  program, the agency will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future human exploration of Mars, inspiring the world through discovery in a new Golden Age of innovation and exploration. For more information on NASA in-flight calls, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation Share Details Last Updated Jun 15, 2026 Related Terms In-flight Education Downlinks Humans in Space International Space Station (ISS) Learning Resources

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6 min czytania

NASA’s SpaceX CRS-34 Dragon Returns Packed with Space Station Science

Scientists await a big splash in the Pacific Ocean as one of the most research-packed Dragon spacecraft to date returns, completing the 34th SpaceX commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station for NASA. Biological and materials samples, along with tested hardware, are heading back to research teams on Earth for further analysis, advancing NASA’s work to prepare humans for exploration beyond low Earth orbit and to deliver benefits back home. Tiny cells, huge health insights NASA astronaut Jessica Meir prepares samples in the Life Sciences Glovebox to study how weightlessness affects crew blood clotting and immune function for the Megakaryocyte Flying-One investigation. NASA Some samples returning are for NASA’s Hematopoietic Stem Cell Expansion in Space: Pathfinder Investigation ( InSPA-StemCellEX-H2 ), which seeks to use the microgravity environment to scale up the production of stems cells. On Earth, lab-produced blood stem cells lose their ability to form different cell types, like red and white blood cells that are critical to treating patients with certain blood diseases and cancers. In microgravity, researchers believe this ability will be better preserved while also growing these stem cells in greater numbers. The returning samples will undergo further analysis to determine if space-based efforts produce larger quantities of enhanced stem cells suitable for clinical use. The team behind NASA’s Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn)  Infection of Cardiac Tissue ( MVP Cell-09 ) experiment is awaiting the return of stem cell-derived heart tissues that were intentionally infected with a pneumonia-causing bacterium as part of ongoing microgravity research. Pneumonia increases the risk of heart disease, which is not fully understood. Because bacteria tend to become more active and virulent in microgravity, this experiment could amplify their effects, making it possible to detect cellular responses that cannot be observed on Earth. NASA’s Megakaryocyte Flying-One ( MeF1 ) samples are returning to Earth to help understand how large cells found in bone marrow, known as megakaryocytes, and the platelets they produce adapt to spaceflight. Megakaryocytes and platelets play important roles in the formation of blood clots and immune responses. The returning samples, including those taken from astronauts, could show us how the human immune system reacts aboard the space station and help prepare for future exploration missions. Driving design enhancements NASA astronaut Mike Fincke and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui work on hardware for the Zero Boil-Off Tank investigation. NASA Many spacecraft use cryogenic fuels for propulsion, but temperature swings in space can cause these extremely cold fuels to slowly evaporate and escape their tank, reducing fuel efficiency and complicating mission planning. NASA’s Zero Boil-Off Tank Noncondensables ( ZBOT-NC ) investigation aboard station studies how gases that do not condense into liquids at cold temperatures affect pressure control and fluid behaviors in propellant tanks. Hardware returning aboard Dragon, including drives containing fluid-physics data, could help validate models and contribute to the design of more efficient cryogenic fuel storage systems for long-duration missions. Semiconductor research samples as part of NASA’s In-Space Production of Semimetal-Semiconductor Composite Bulk Crystals in Microgravity ( SUBSA-InSPA-SSCug ) investigation are returning to Earth for further analysis. This study manufactured semimetal-semiconductor composite alloy crystals in space, which have applications in many electronics, including sensors and lasers. Researchers believe microgravity could enable the production of significantly greater and higher-quality crystals, supporting the development of next-generation semiconductor technologies. Innovative medical research mix Stem cells grown along a DNA-inspired nanomaterial on space station as part of DNA Nano Therapeutics-Mission 2, a percussor to DNA Nano Therapeutics-3. University of Connecticut NASA’s DNA Nano Therapeutics-3 research team will receive tiny, space-assembled DNA-inspired materials that are combined with medicines to create active cancer treatments. Producing these treatments in microgravity can improve how well they perform in the body. This research could improve patient outcomes by helping therapies reach tumors more effectively, stay in the body longer, and improve medicine release. Tissue models of the brain, heart, liver, and kidney that were tested with novel RNA-based medicines as part of NASA’s InSPA-Sachi Nanoligomer investigation are also returning. Microgravity can accelerate aging and disease processes, giving researchers a unique environment to better observe how well these new drugs work on different organs ahead of clinical trials. The left image shows various wood-derived products of different shapes, and the right image shows a sample of this same material in a laboratory setting on Earth. These products may have applications in the medical field by providing scaffolding for patients with fragile bones. GreenBone Ortho Samples from ESA’s (European Space Agency) Green Bone investigation are returning to Earth to help understand how bone cells grow and develop on a new scaffold made from wood. Designed to mimic real bone, this scaffold was tested in microgravity to understand its ability to heal defects and fractures. Because living in microgravity simulates conditions like osteoporosis, a skeletal disorder which affects millions of people worldwide, the results could help treat patients with these fragile bone conditions.  NASA’s 3D Bone Marrow Analog research team will analyze the returning 3D-printed tissues that mimic parts of the bone marrow. Spaceflight can cause aging-like changes, including bone and muscle loss. To investigate potential countermeasures, these tissue models were exposed to small vibrations aboard the space station to simulate exercise. After the samples return to Earth, researchers will measure bone-like mineral formations and observe cellular and genetic changes. Findings from this investigation could help develop new strategies to maintain astronaut bone and muscle health during future long-duration missions. In the United States, more than 900,000 knee cartilage injuries occur annually, with many requiring surgery. NASA’s InSPA-Auxilium Bioprinter-Cell Printing is investigating how to treat these injuries and is returning 3D-printed cartilage tissue samples from space station. This investigation uses the orbiting laboratory’s unique microgravity environment to bioprint cartilage tissues with more evenly distributed cells compared to those printed on Earth. The results could help produce higher-quality cartilage prints to treat joint injuries. Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Latest News from Space Station Research International Space Station Humans In Space Space Station Research Results

Frontiers Forum Speaker Series

2 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Aya Collins, director of the engagement division of NASA’s Office of Communications, moderates a discussion with, from left to right, NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke, and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui, Monday, June 1, 2026 at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. Fincke, Cardman, and Yui served as part of Expeditions 73 and 74 onboard the International Space Station. NASA/Aubrey Gemignani Voices Shaping the Future of Space Members of the public are invited to join some of NASA’s brightest minds as they discuss agency missions and current topics in aerospace technology, science, and innovation. Each event will feature NASA experts, and the series will cover a range of topics including our search for life within the universe, the Moon Base, airplanes of the future, and the impact of artificial intelligence on education and the technological workforce. There is no cost to attend, and preregistration is not required. Seating is limited and available on a first -come, first-served basis. For all series events, the location is the Webb Auditorium within NASA Headquarters located at 300 Hidden Figures Way SW, Washington, D.C. Event Schedule & Speakers (all times Eastern) Thursday, June 18 | 11-11:30 a.m. AVATAR – (A Virtual Astronaut Tissue Analog Response) Flies Around the Moon Featured Speaker: Dr. Lisa Carnell , director, Biological and Physical Sciences Division Thursday, June 18 | 2-2:30 p.m. Eclipse Science – How NASA Uses Total Solar Eclipses for Science Featured Speakers: Nicki Rayl , deputy division director, Heliophysics Division, and Dr. Kelly Korreck , program scientist, Heliophysics Division Monday, June 22 | 11-11:30 a.m. NASA’s Bold Horizon: Internships, NASA Force, and Your Role in History Featured Speakers: Kelly Elliott , chief human capital officer, and Daniel Costello, director, Human Capital Office, NASA’s Johnson Space Center Monday, June 22 | 2-2:30 p.m. Speaker Spotlight with Dr. Lori Glaze , acting associate administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate  Tuesday, June 23 | 11-11:30 a.m. Speaker Spotlight with Elaine Ho , associate administrator, NASA Office of STEM Engagement Tuesday, June 23 | 2-2:30 p.m. Future of Flight and the Airplanes of Tomorrow Friday, June 26 | 11-11:30 a.m. Other Worlds: The Search for Life in the Universe Featured Speakers: Dr. Joshua Pepper , program scientist, Astrophysics Division, and Dr. Hannah Jang-Condell, program scientist, Exoplanet Mass Measurement Tuesday, June 30 | 11-11:30 a.m. Moving Faster Toward the Future of Astrophysics Featured Speaker:  Dr. Jessica Gaskin , research astrophysicist, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center  Tuesday, June 30 | 2-2:30 p.m . Space Weather: Overview of astronaut safety and Earth-based end user implications For More Information To ask questions about the Frontiers Forum Speaker Series, email: [email protected] . Visit NASA Headquarters

NASA Astronaut Anil Menon Available for Prelaunch Virtual Interviews

NASA astronaut and International Space Station Expedition 74/75 flight engineer Anil Menon poses for a portrait at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. NASA/James Blair NASA astronaut Anil Menon will be available for limited media interviews beginning at 9 a.m. EDT Monday, June 22, to discuss his upcoming mission to the International Space Station as part of Expeditions 74/75. The virtual interviews will take place from the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, and will stream live on the agency’s YouTube channel. Media interested in participating must submit a request to the newsroom at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, by emailing  [email protected] . A copy of NASA’s  media accreditation policy  is online. Menon is scheduled to launch to the space station Tuesday, July 14, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft with Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. The trio will spend about eight months aboard the orbiting laboratory before returning to Earth in spring 2027. During his expedition, Menon will conduct scientific investigations and technology demonstrations to help humans prepare for future exploration missions to the Moon and Mars, and to provide benefits on Earth. Among the hundreds of experiments planned during his mission, he will participate in studies to better understand astronaut vein structure, blood flow, and blood composition in microgravity. He also will test producing intravenous fluids using the space station’s potable water. The Soyuz MS-29 mission will be his first spaceflight after he was selected as part of NASA’s 2021 astronaut class. A native of Minneapolis, Menon is an emergency medicine physician, mechanical engineer, and colonel in the United States Space Force. He also has served as an expedition flight surgeon supporting the agency’s crew members aboard the space station. For more than 25 years, people have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge and making research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. The space station helps NASA understand and overcome the challenges of human spaceflight, expand commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit, and build on the foundation for long-duration missions to the Moon, as part of the Artemis program, and to Mars. To learn more about International Space Station research, operations, and its crews, visit:  https://www.nasa.gov/station -end-  Jimi Russell   Headquarters, Washington  202-358-1100  [email protected] Anna Schneider / Mary Pfister Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 [email protected] / [email protected] Share Details Last Updated Jun 15, 2026 Location NASA Headquarters Related Terms Humans in Space Anil Menon Astronauts International Space Station (ISS) Missions

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1 min czytania

San Francisco’s Patchwork Streets

A period of unsettled weather brought scattered showers and thunderstorms to California’s Bay Area on May 27, 2026. That afternoon, a break in the clouds left downtown San Francisco and nearby communities beneath mostly cloud-free skies, allowing an astronaut aboard the International Space Station to take this photograph. NASA An astronaut aboard the International Space Station took this picture of downtown San Francisco and nearby communities on May 27, 2026. The image captures two of the region’s iconic bridges. The Golden Gate Bridge connects the northern San Francisco Peninsula with Marin County to the north, while the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge spans the bay toward Oakland to the east.   Read more about this photograph on Earth Observatory. Text credit: Kathryn Hansen Image credit: NASA

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7 min czytania

Experience the Launch of NASA’s Roman Space Telescope

8 Min Read Experience the Launch of NASA’s Roman Space Telescope Are you ready for a new view of the universe? The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will reveal distant worlds, dark energy, and the structure of the cosmos, and we want you to be a part of it!   Digital creators and social media users are invited to register to our NASA Social for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launch. Roman is NASA’s next flagship astrophysics mission, designed to explore everything from our outer solar system to the edge of the observable universe. This mission is scheduled to launch on Aug. 30, 2026, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.   Are you passionate about social media and communications? Do you love to create content for an audience? Are you a fan of new, unique experiences? If you said yes, this NASA Social event is for you! This is your opportunity to be on the front lines of this historic mission.  The NASA Social event will take place over two days, including the day of launch. A maximum of 50 digital creators will be selected to attend this two-day event and will be given access similar to news media.  NASA Social participants will have the opportunity to:  Tour NASA’s Kennedy Space Center  Learn directly from astrophysics subject matter experts  Meet fellow digital creators and social media users  Spend time with members of NASA’s social media team  View the launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope   NASA Social events are intended for members of the public. Current or former NASA civil servants, NASA contractors, NASA interns, and individuals or organizations currently under contract to provide products or services to NASA are not eligible to apply or participate in NASA Social events. NASA Social registration for the Roman launch opens on this page on Monday, June 15 and the deadline to apply is at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, June 28. All applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. APPLY NOW   Do I need to have a social media account to register?   Yes. This event is designed for people who:  Actively use multiple social networking platforms and tools to disseminate information to a unique audience.  Regularly produce new content that features multimedia elements.  Have the potential to reach a large number of people using digital platforms.  Reach a unique audience, separate and distinctive from traditional news media and/or NASA audiences.  Must have an established history of posting content on social media platforms.  Have previous postings that are highly visible, respected, and widely recognized.  Users are encouraged to follow @NASARoman for Roman updates on  X ,  Facebook , and  @NASAGoddard  and  @NASAUniverse  on Instagram. Updates and information about the event will be shared on X via  @NASA_Events How do I register?   Registration for this event opens Monday, June 15 and closes at 5 p.m. EDT on Sunday, June 28. Registration is for one person only (you) and is non-transferable. Each individual wishing to attend must register separately. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Can I register if I am not a U.S. citizen?   Yes, this event is open for all to apply.  When will I know if I am selected?   After registrations have been received and processed, an email with confirmation information and additional instructions will be sent to those selected. We expect to send the first notifications on July 17 and waitlist notifications on July 22. What are NASA Social credentials?   All NASA social applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Those chosen must prove through the registration process they meet specific engagement criteria.  If you do not make the registration list for this NASA Social, you still can attend the launch off site and participate in the conversation online. Find out about ways to experience a launch at  https://www.nasa.gov/kennedy/see-a-launch-up-close/ . What are the registration requirements?   Registration indicates your intent to travel to NASA Kennedy and attend the two-day event in person. You are responsible for your own expenses for travel, accommodation, food, and other amenities.  The schedule of events and special guest appearances are subject to change without notice. NASA is not responsible for loss or damage incurred as a result of attending. NASA, moreover, is not responsible for loss or damage incurred if the event is canceled with limited or no notice. Please plan accordingly.  Kennedy is a government facility. Those who are selected may need to complete additional steps to receive clearance to enter the secure areas.  IMPORTANT :  Those without proper identification cannot be admitted .  For United States Citizens:  You will be required to present a  REAL ID  compliant identification or valid U.S. passport PLUS one of the following: Acceptable documents to accompany federal or state identification:  U.S. Passport  Unexpired Employment Authorization Card (Form I-688A)  Unexpired Employment Authorization Document issued by DHS that contains a photograph (Form I-688B)  Driver’s license or ID card issued by a state or outlying possession of the United States provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color, and address  ID card issued by federal, state, or local government agencies or entities, provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color, and address  School ID card with a photograph  Voter’s Registration Card  Military Dependent’s ID Card  U.S. Military card or draft record  U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card  Native American Tribal Document  U.S. Social Security Card issued by the Social Security Administration (other than a card stating it is not valid for employment)  Original or Certified copy of birth certificate issued by a state, county, municipal authority, or outlying possessions of the United States bearing an official seal  U.S. Citizen ID Card (Form I-197)  ID Card for use of Resident Citizens of the United States (Form I-179)  Unexpired employment authorization document issued by DHS (other than those listed previously)  For Foreign Nationals:  Same items required of U.S. Citizens (SSN only when applicable)  Unexpired foreign passport, with I-551 stamp or attached Form I-94 indicating unexpired employment authorization  Passport number and registration date  Citizenship  Driver’s license issued by a Canadian Government authority  For Legal Resident Aliens:  Same items required of U.S. Citizens, and:  Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card with photograph (Form I-551)  Unexpired Temporary Resident Card (Form I-688)  Certification of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State (Form FS-545 or Form DS-1350)  The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 to establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.  All registrants must be at least 18 years old.  What if the launch date changes?   Hundreds of different factors can cause a scheduled launch date to change multiple times. The launch date will not be official until after the Flight Readiness Review. If the launch date changes prior to the review, NASA may adjust the date of the NASA Social accordingly to coincide with the new target launch date, and will notify registrants of any changes via email.  If the launch is postponed, attendees will be invited to attend a later launch date. If the launch is postponed beyond 72 hours, the NASA Social event may be canceled.  NASA Social attendees are responsible for any additional costs they incur related to any launch delay. We strongly encourage participants to make travel arrangements that are refundable and/or flexible.  What if I cannot come to the Kennedy Space Center?   If you cannot come to NASA Kennedy and attend in person, you should not register for the NASA Social. Join the conversation by following @NASARoman on  X  and  Facebook , and  @NASAGoddard  and  @NASAUniverse  on Instagram. You can watch the launch at nasa.gov/live. NASA will provide regular launch and mission updates on  @NASA .  If you cannot make this NASA Social, don’t worry; NASA is planning many other NASA Social events in the near future at various locations! Check for updates on  NASA Socials . 

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Pumice Rafts Encroach on Admiralty Islands

Earth Observatory Science Earth Observatory Pumice Rafts Encroach on… Earth Earth Observatory Image of the Day EO Explorer Topics All Topics Atmosphere Land Heat & Radiation Life on Earth Human Dimensions Natural Events Oceans Remote Sensing Technology Snow & Ice Water More Content Collections Global Maps World of Change Articles Earth Matters Blog Blue Marble: Next Generation EO Kids Mission: Biomes About About Us Subscribe 🛜 RSS Contact Us Search June 4, 2026 On May 8, 2026, satellites detected signs of an unexpected submarine volcanic eruption in the Bismarck Sea near the islands of Papua New Guinea. Over the next several weeks, plumes of steam and ash streamed over the sea, and areas of discolored water surrounded the eruption site. Relatively little is known about the ocean floor in this area or the volcanic feature that is presently erupting. But experts think the new activity, ongoing as of mid-June, might be occurring along the Titan Ridge and has the potential to form an ephemeral new island. Despite the unknowns, the effects of the eruption became unmistakable for some communities in Papua New Guinea’s Admiralty Islands . In early June, rafts of pumice drifted northwest from the eruption site and clogged up coastlines on several of the islands. Bands of the buoyant volcanic material are visible in this image, acquired with the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 8 on June 4, as they drifted with surface currents on the Bismarck Sea. Several days after the image, news outlets reported acute impacts from thick masses of pumice reaching coastal areas. Communities on Lou Island and Baluan Island, to the south, were described by officials as among the worst affected, according to reports from local media . Outlets reported that a layer of pumice up to several meters thick blanketed the shore, cutting off access to the water. The volcanic fragments similarly choked the coast and key waterways around the much larger Manus Island , about 125 kilometers (80 miles) northwest of the volcano and out of frame. A submarine volcano produces a plume of discolored water and vents steam into the air in an image acquired on June 4, 2026, with the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 8 . Pumice is visible near the base of the plume and exhibits a thermal signature in infrared imagery. NASA Earth Observatory/Lauren Dauphin Studies of past pumice raft events have found that the material can remain afloat for months to years before sinking out of satellite view. Larger rafts can form with the help of ash, which serves to “weld” together fragments of the porous rock, said Jim Garvin, the chief scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, noting this process occurred during the 2022 eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha‘apai . “These masses can pile up around erupting vents to protect the eruption centers and produce ephemeral new lands in some cases,” he said. When adrift, such pumice platforms can act as floating homes for marine organisms—from microalgae to bryozoans to barnacles—and enable them to disperse over long distances . Though beneficial to life in some ways, the rafts can pose serious threats to humans and other species. Some of the larger fragments of pumice stack up to form ridges when they reach the coastlines of islands. Reports from Papua New Guinea highlight the disruptions to fishing, the transport of goods, and access to critical services that can occur when pumice accumulates along the coast. Communities have expressed concerns over the pumice’s effects on marine ecosystems, as well. Researchers have noted that the sustained presence of pumice can block sunlight and may inhibit photosynthesis in seagrass and corals below, and the rocks may physically damage reef structures. In a review of the ecological effects of pumice reaching Japan’s coast in 2021, researchers noted the die-off of filter-feeding fish in fishery cages from ingesting pumice, warning that other wildlife may be harmed by mistakenly consuming the rocks. New studies using an ensemble of orbital remote sensing platforms—including Landsat, hyperspectral instruments, and imaging radars—are tracking developments in this Bismarck Sea region, Garvin said. These observations can provide new perspectives on hazards as well as unique scientific opportunities for improved understanding of submarine eruptions. NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey . Story by Lindsey Doermann. Downloads June 4, 2026 JPEG (7.36 MB) References & Resources ABC News (2026, June 7) Titan Ridge volcano in Papua New Guinea inundates Manus coastlines with pumice rocks . Accessed June 12, 2026. Carn, S., via Bluesky (2026, June 2) The #BismarckSea / #TitanRidge eruption continues as of June 2 . Accessed June 12, 2026. Global Volcanism Program (2026, June 10) Titan Ridge. Accessed June 12, 2026. He, S., et al. (2025) Pumice rafts in the global ocean: a remote sensing assessment . GIScience & Remote Sensing , 62(1). NASA Earth Observatory (2026, May 21) New Eruption in the Bismarck Sea . Accessed June 12, 2026. NASA Earth Observatory (2019, August 23) A Raft of Rock . Accessed June 12, 2026. The National (2026, June 9) Manus coast facing floating pumice blockade . Accessed June 12, 2026. Ohno, Y., et al. (2022) Coastal ecological impacts from pumice rafts . Scientific Reports , 12, 11187. Radio New Zealand (2026, June 8) ‘This is a disaster’: Huge pumice rafts from volcano hit Manus Island coast . Accessed June 12, 2026. You may also be interested in: Stay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet. New Eruption in the Bismarck Sea 5 min read Satellite imagery shows a surge of new volcanic activity in the ocean near Papua New Guinea. Article Home Reef Adds On 3 min read The Tongan volcano expanded its mid-Pacific real estate during its latest eruptive phase. Article Restless Kīlauea Launches Lava and Ash 3 min read Episode 43 of the Hawaiian volcano’s current eruption was marked by high lava fountains and widespread ash dispersal. Article 1 2 3 4 Next Keep Exploring Discover More from NASA Earth Science Subscribe to Earth Observatory Newsletters Subscribe to the Earth Observatory and get the Earth in your inbox. Earth Observatory Image of the Day NASA’s Earth Observatory brings you the Earth, every day, with in-depth stories and stunning imagery. Explore Earth Science Earth Science Data Open access to NASA’s archive of Earth science data

NASA to Cover 34th SpaceX Resupply Mission Space Station Departure

The SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft supporting the company’s 34th commercial resupply services mission for NASA approaches the International Space Station on May 17, 2026, carrying nearly 6,500 pounds of food, supplies, and equipment for the Expedition 74 crew. Credit: NASA NASA and its international partners are set to receive scientific research samples and hardware as a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to depart the International Space Station on Tuesday, June 16, for its return to Earth. Watch NASA’s live undocking coverage beginning at 11:45 a.m. EDT on NASA+ , Amazon Prime , and the agency’s YouTube channel. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of online platforms, including social media. The Dragon spacecraft will undock from the forward port of the station’s Harmony module at about 12:05 p.m., after receiving a command from SpaceX ground controllers. The spacecraft then will fire its thrusters to move safely away from the orbiting complex. Following a June 16 departure, the spacecraft will reenter Earth’s atmosphere on Wednesday, June 17, before splashing down off the coast of California at approximately 5:08 a.m. PDT. NASA will not stream the splashdown but will post updates on its space station blog . Dragon will return to Earth with thousands of pounds of cargo, carrying samples that could shape future space exploration and life on Earth. Research returning includes bioprinted organ and cartilage tissue, data on improving cryogenic fuel storage for future space missions, and DNA‑inspired materials to develop new cancer treatments. The returning hardware includes an ocular imaging device used to monitor crew members’ eye health, an absorbent bed that filters trace contaminants from cabin air, and a separator pump from the waste and hygiene compartment. Loaded with nearly 6,500 pounds of crew cargo and science experiments, Dragon arrived at the station on May 17 after launching two days earlier on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. For more than 25 years, people have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge and making research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. The space station helps NASA understand and overcome the challenges of human spaceflight, expand commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit, and build on the foundation for long-duration missions to the Moon, as part of the Artemis program, and to Mars. Get breaking news, images, and features from the space station on Instagram , Facebook , and X . Learn more about International Space Station research and operations at: https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station -end- Jimi Russell Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1100 [email protected] Leah Cheshier Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 [email protected] Share Details Last Updated Jun 12, 2026 Location NASA Headquarters Related Terms International Space Station (ISS) Humans in Space SpaceX Commercial Resupply

Hubble Sees Swarm of Galaxies

Explore Hubble Hubble Home Overview About Hubble The History of Hubble Hubble Timeline Why Have a Telescope in Space? Hubble by the Numbers At the Museum FAQs Impact & Benefits Hubble’s Impact & Benefits Science Impacts Cultural Impact Technology Benefits Impact on Human Spaceflight Astro Community Impacts Science Hubble Science Science Themes Science Highlights Science Behind Discoveries Universe Uncovered Hubble’s Partners in Science Hubble & Citizen Science AI & Hubble Science Explore the Night Sky Observatory Hubble Observatory Hubble Design Mission Operations Science Operations Astronaut Missions to Hubble Hubble vs Webb Team Hubble Team Career Aspirations Hubble Astronauts Multimedia Images Videos Online Activities e-Books Sonifications Podcasts 3D Hubble Models Lithographs Fact Sheets Posters Hubble on the NASA App Glossary News Hubble News Social Media Media Resources 35th Anniversary More Online Activities 2 min read Hubble Sees Swarm of Galaxies This NASA Hubble Space Telescope image features the galaxy cluster MACS0329-0211. NASA, ESA, M. Postman (STScI); Image Processing: G. Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America) Looking somewhat like a swarm of bees returning to their hive, this NASA Hubble Space Telescope image features the galaxy cluster MACS0329-0211. Galaxy clusters like MACS0329-0211 are important signposts in the story of how the structure of the universe evolved, and are the ultimate telescopic lenses, placing gravitationally lensed galaxies from the earliest stages of the universe into our view. Zoom into this galaxy swarm and you will find large, oval-shaped elliptical galaxies, and thin spiral and lenticular galaxies viewed from the edge. We can also see the full, face-on view of spiral galaxies and their curving spiral arms. The image’s upper-right quadrant holds faint arcs of distant galaxies gravitationally lensed by the cluster’s massive gravity. The largest of these arcs appears above the bright oval shape of a giant elliptical galaxy. Closer inspection of the image’s center reveals several bright-white intersecting curves that appear as a distorted figure eight. This may be another distant galaxy whose light was magnified and distorted by this massive cluster’s gravity. Hubble looked at MACS0329-0211 as part of an observing program of X-ray bright galaxy clusters. Researchers used Hubble’s two main cameras, the Advanced Camera for Surveys and its Wide Field Camera 3 , to gather data visible and infrared light from the cluster. Hubble’s ability to see such a broad spectrum of light makes it a valuable tool in understanding the very nature of these galaxy clusters. Facebook logo @NASAHubble @NASAHubble Instagram logo @NASAHubble Media Contact : Claire Andreoli NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center , Greenbelt, MD [email protected] Share Details Last Updated Jun 12, 2026 Editor Andrea Gianopoulos Location NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Related Terms Hubble Space Telescope Astrophysics Astrophysics Division Galaxies Galaxy clusters Goddard Space Flight Center The Universe Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From Hubble Hubble Space Telescope Since its 1990 launch, the Hubble Space Telescope has changed our fundamental understanding of the universe. Hubble’s Galaxies Hubble Science Highlights Hubble Images