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A new theoretical study by University of Virginia astrophysicist Jonathan Tan, a research professor with the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences’ Department of Astronomy, proposes a comprehensive framework for the birth of supermassive black holes.

New images from NASA's Psyche spacecraft show that its cameras are working just fine. By pointing them at Earth and the Moon, NASA was able to test the spacecraft's cameras and science instruments. Since both bodies reflect light like Psyche, and since their spectra are familiar, it's a valuable opportunity to test and calibrate the instruments.

For thousands of years, humanity viewed the skies as unchanging, except for a few “wandering stars” (that we now know are planets). As we improved our ability to perceive the cosmos with light-gathering telescopes and electronic detectors, we realized that the universe is full of things that change in brightness, whether it be an exploding star or a matter-gulping black hole. NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is poised to deliver an avalanche of such transients, including thousands of “standard candle” supernovae that allow us to measure the expansion history of the universe.

The discovery of an extremely rare quadruple star system could significantly advance our understanding of brown dwarfs, astronomers say. Brown dwarfs in wide binary orbits offer a chance to determine their properties more clearly.

The hunt will be on shortly, to once again recover a clandestine mission in low Earth orbit. SpaceX is set to launch a Falcon-9 rocket from launch pad LC-39A at the Kennedy Space Center Thursday night August 21st, with the classified USSF-36 mission. The U.S. Space Force has announced that this is the eighth mission for its fleet of two Orbital Test Vehicles (OTV-8). This is the automated ‘mini-space shuttle’ about the size of a large SUV that launches like a rocket, and lands like a plane.

Sometimes inspiration can strike from the most unexpected places. It can result in a cross-pollination between ideas commonly used in one field but applied to a completely different one. That might have been the case with a recent paper on lightsail design from researchers at the University of Nottingham that used techniques typically used in video games to develop a new and improved structure of a lightsail.

In this roundup of recent news, birds react to light pollution and a respected mirror maker calls it a day.

The post 60-Second Astro News: Light Pollution, Birds, and Zambuto Mirrors appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

Users’ Internet search questions can strengthen echo chambers, even on factual topics, but there are simple ways to lessen the effect

In honor of SciAm’s 180th birthday, we’re spotlighting the biggest “wait, what?” moments in science history.

The European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) is on track for its gravity-assist flyby at Venus on 31 August, following the successful resolution of a spacecraft communication anomaly that temporarily severed contact with Earth.

The issue, which emerged during a routine ground station pass on 16 July, temporarily disrupted Juice’s ability to transmit information about its health and status (telemetry).

Thanks to swift and coordinated action by the teams at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, and Juice’s manufacturer, Airbus, communication was restored in time to prepare for the upcoming planetary encounter.

NASA's Psyche spacecraft, which is headed toward a big and bizarre metal asteroid, has delivered a stunning perspective of our home planet from deep space.

Lindy Garay always knew she wanted to develop software. She did not anticipate that her work would contribute to human spaceflight.

The electrical and software engineering degree Garay earned from the University of Texas at Austin paved the way for a 25-year career with NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Her first job out of college was developing software for the International Space Station Program’s original space station training facility simulator. “I had not always been interested in working in the space program, but I became enamored with being able to contribute to such an important mission,” she said.

Official portrait of Lindy Garay.NASA

Today, Garay serves as a training systems software architect and is the technical lead for training system external interfaces. That means she leads the team that helps connect training simulations from NASA’s external partners with simulations run by Johnson’s Mission Training Center (MTC) to support crew and flight controller training. The MTC currently provides training capabilities for the International Space Station Program, the Commercial Crew Program, and Artemis campaign components such as the Orion Program and the human landing system.

Garay said that not having an aerospace background was challenging at the beginning of her career, but she overcame that by leaning on teammates who had knowledge and experience in the field. “Every successful endeavor depends on having a solid team of dedicated people working toward one goal,” she said. “Success also depends on good communication, flexibility, and being willing to listen to different opinions,” she added.

Garay was recently named as a 2025 NASA Space Flight Awareness Program Honoree – one of the highest recognitions presented to the agency’s workforce. Recipients must have significantly contributed to the human spaceflight program to ensure flight safety and mission success. Garay’s commendation acknowledged her “sustained superior performance, dedication, and commitment to the Flight Operations Directorate’s goals” and her instrumental role in the success of several major training systems projects. In particular, she was recognized for contributions to the High-Level Architecture simulation framework, which is used to create realistic simulations of visiting vehicles’ arrival, docking, and departure from the space station.

From left to right, Johnson Space Flight Awareness (SFA) Lead Jessica Cordero, SFA Coordinator Michelle Minor, Johnson Space Center Acting Director Stephen Koerner, Drew Faulkner, Adam Korona, Teresa Sindelar, Lindy Garay, Lindsay Kirk, Keith Barr, Ephram Rubin, and NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik. NASA/Kim Shiflett

Garay and 36 other agency honorees were celebrated during a special ceremony in Cocoa Beach, Florida, and had the opportunity to attend the launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. “That was quite an honor,” she said.

Outside of work, Garay may be found cheering on Houston’s sports teams. She enjoys traveling to watch the Texans and the Astros play.

Garay is also rooting for the Artemis Generation as NASA prepares to return to the Moon and journey on to Mars. She offered this advice: “Always remember the importance and the magnitude of the whole mission.”

Explore More 4 min read Washington State Student Wins 2025 NASA Art Contest Article 14 hours ago 1 min read NASA Implementation of Executive Order 14303 Article 15 hours ago 3 min read NASA Shares Final Contenders for Artemis II Moon Mascot Design Contest Article 4 days ago

Lindy Garay always knew she wanted to develop software. She did not anticipate that her work would contribute to human spaceflight.

The electrical and software engineering degree Garay earned from the University of Texas at Austin paved the way for a 25-year career with NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Her first job out of college was developing software for the International Space Station Program’s original space station training facility simulator. “I had not always been interested in working in the space program, but I became enamored with being able to contribute to such an important mission,” she said.

Official portrait of Lindy Garay.NASA

Today, Garay serves as a training systems software architect and is the technical lead for training system external interfaces. That means she leads the team that helps connect training simulations from NASA’s external partners with simulations run by Johnson’s Mission Training Center (MTC) to support crew and flight controller training. The MTC currently provides training capabilities for the International Space Station Program, the Commercial Crew Program, and Artemis campaign components such as the Orion Program and the human landing system.

Garay said that not having an aerospace background was challenging at the beginning of her career, but she overcame that by leaning on teammates who had knowledge and experience in the field. “Every successful endeavor depends on having a solid team of dedicated people working toward one goal,” she said. “Success also depends on good communication, flexibility, and being willing to listen to different opinions,” she added.

Garay was recently named as a 2025 NASA Space Flight Awareness Program Honoree – one of the highest recognitions presented to the agency’s workforce. Recipients must have significantly contributed to the human spaceflight program to ensure flight safety and mission success. Garay’s commendation acknowledged her “sustained superior performance, dedication, and commitment to the Flight Operations Directorate’s goals” and her instrumental role in the success of several major training systems projects. In particular, she was recognized for contributions to the High-Level Architecture simulation framework, which is used to create realistic simulations of visiting vehicles’ arrival, docking, and departure from the space station.

From left to right, Johnson Space Flight Awareness (SFA) Lead Jessica Cordero, SFA Coordinator Michelle Minor, Johnson Space Center Acting Director Stephen Koerner, Drew Faulkner, Adam Korona, Teresa Sindelar, Lindy Garay, Lindsay Kirk, Keith Barr, Ephram Rubin, and NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik. NASA/Kim Shiflett

Garay and 36 other agency honorees were celebrated during a special ceremony in Cocoa Beach, Florida, and had the opportunity to attend the launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. “That was quite an honor,” she said.

Outside of work, Garay may be found cheering on Houston’s sports teams. She enjoys traveling to watch the Texans and the Astros play.

Garay is also rooting for the Artemis Generation as NASA prepares to return to the Moon and journey on to Mars. She offered this advice: “Always remember the importance and the magnitude of the whole mission.”

Explore More 3 min read NASA Shares Final Contenders for Artemis II Moon Mascot Design Contest Article 3 days ago 5 min read NASA’s Bennu Samples Reveal Complex Origins, Dramatic Transformation

Asteroid Bennu, sampled by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission in 2020, is a mixture of dust that…

Article 3 days ago 4 min read NASA’s Artemis II Lunar Science Operations to Inform Future Missions

While the Artemis II crew will be the first humans to test NASA’s Orion spacecraft…

Article 4 days ago

SpaceX scrubbed the planned 10th test flight of its Starship megarocket today (Aug. 24), citing a problem with ground systems at its Starbase site in South Texas.

This galaxy is not only pretty -- it's useful.

A SpaceX cargo ship arrived at the International Space Station on Aug. 25 carrying about 5,000 pounds (2,270 kilograms) of food, supplies and scientific experiments.

Could you be the Lord of the rings (of Saturn)? Try your hand at our Saturn-themed space quiz!

From the semi-annoying antics of 'ALF' to 'Knight Rider's' awesome autonomous auto, the 1980s were a transitional time for stimulating small-screen science fiction!

A new wave of climate research is sounding a stark warning: Human activity may be driving drought more intensely — and more directly — than previously understood.

A new wave of delusional thinking fueled by artificial intelligence has researchers investigating the dark side of AI companionship