8 Space Discoveries of 2020 Could Mean Life Beyond Earth

8 Space Discoveries of 2020 Could Mean Life Beyond Earth




 

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'Elves' and 'blue jet' lightning in Earth's stratosphere spotted from space

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  'Elves' and 'blue jet' lightning in Earth's stratosphere spotted from space Newly published observations from space are showing researchers more about the nature of Earth's lightning storms, including whimsically named phenomena such as  "blue jets" and "elves." The International Space Station's Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) observatory caught a single blue "jet" (upward-shooting lightning) from a thunderstorm cell, along with four "elves," or optical and ultraviolet emissions from the bottom of the ionosphere, according to  a Nature paper published Wednesday  (Jan. 20). ASIM, a European instrument, can peer down at lightning from space. Its unique perch allows researchers to chase down  elusive lightning phenomena  that remain poorly understood after decades of research, mostly from ground observations.  Related:  NASA's Juno spacecraft spots 'sprites' and 'elves' dancing in Jupite...
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NASA to conduct 2nd 'hot fire' test with SLS megarocket in February

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  NASA to conduct 2nd 'hot fire' test with SLS megarocket in February NASA will conduct a second critical engine test for its first   Space Launch System   megarocket in February after the first attempt ended earlier than planned this month. "NASA plans to conduct a second green run hot fire test as early as the fourth week in February with the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket's core stage that will launch the Artemis 1 mission to the moon,"  NASA officials said in a statement  Friday (Jan. 29).  Artemis 1 is the first uncrewed test flight of the SLS rocket for NASA's  Artemis program , which aims to return astronauts to the moon by 2024. The mission was slated to launch to the moon later this year. But that schedule hinges on the SLS rocket passing its "green run" tests, a series of trials to prove the booster is ready to fly. On on Jan. 16, when NASA ignited the SLS core stage's four main RS-25 engines together for the first time,  they shut do...
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