SPACERIUM

Launched in 1977, NASA's  Voyager 1  and   Voyager 2  spacecraft have been on an extraordinary journey, venturing beyond our solar system into interstellar space. Designed for a five-year mission to study the outer planets, these probes have far exceeded expectations, operating for over 47 years. However, as their power sources diminish, NASA has begun deactivating certain instruments to extend their operational lifespans. Power Constraints and Instrument Deactivations Both Voyager spacecraft are powered by radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), which convert heat from decaying plutonium-238 into electricity. These RTGs lose approximately 4 watts of power annually, necessitating strategic shutdowns of onboard instruments to conserve energy. Voyager 1 : On February 25, 2025, NASA engineers deactivated the   Cosmic Ray Subsystem (CRS)  experiment. This suite of three telescopes was designed to study cosmic rays, including protons from the galaxy and...

  Gazing up at the night sky, we glimpse a universe teeming with galaxies, each a colossal island of stars, dust, and gas. Among these celestial wonders lies NGC 4088, a captivating grand design spiral galaxy residing roughly 51.5 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. A Majestic Spiral with a Quirky Twist NGC 4088 stuns with its well-defined spiral arms, a hallmark of grand design spirals. These elegant arms, swirling outwards from a bright central core, are likely cradles of fervent star birth. Evidence for this ongoing stellar production comes from the dramatic supernovae, exploding stars, witnessed within the galaxy in 1991 and 2009. However, NGC 4088 holds a curious secret. In visible light, one of its spiral arms appears to have a detached segment. This unusual feature caught the eye of astronomer Halton Arp, who included NGC 4088 in his catalog of peculiar galaxies. Is this a true anomaly, or is there a more nuanced explanation? Further study is needed to ...

Exploring Messier 88: Unveiling the Mysteries of a Cosmic Gem In the celestial tapestry of the universe, galaxies like Messier 88 stand out as jewels, beckoning us to unravel their mysteries and behold their beauty. Nestled within the constellation Coma Berenices, Messier 88, also known as M88 or NGC 4501, is a striking spiral galaxy that has captured the imagination of astronomers and stargazers alike since its discovery by Charles Messier in 1781. Let us embark on a journey to delve deeper into the enigmatic allure of this cosmic gem. Discovery and Classification Charles Messier, a French astronomer renowned for his catalogue of celestial objects, stumbled upon Messier 88 while scouring the night sky in search of comets. Mesmerized by its ethereal glow, he cataloged it as the 88th object in his list of deep-sky wonders. Located approximately 47 million light-years away from Earth, Messier 88 enchants observers with its intricate spiral structure and celestial splendor. Physical Chara...