Observation 1

http://www.astronomycast.com/2015/01/ep-364-the-corot-mission/

CoRoT (English: COnvection ROtation and planetary Transits) is a space mission led by the French Space Agency (CNES) in conjunction with the European Space Agency (ESA) and other international partners. The mission's two objectives are to search for extrasolar planets with short orbital periods, particularly those of large terrestrial size, and to perform asteroseismology by measuring solar-like oscillations in stars. It was launched on 27 December 2006, atop a Soyuz 2.1b carrier rocket, reporting first light on 18 January 2007. Subsequently, the probe started to collect science data on 2 February 2007. CoRoT is the first spacecraft dedicated to the detection of transiting extrasolar planets, opening the way for more advanced probes such as Kepler as well as future missions such as TESS and PLATO. It detected its first extrasolar planet, COROT-1b, in May 2007, just 3 months after the start of the observations. Mission flight operations were originally scheduled to end 2.5 years from launch but operations were extended to 2013. On 2 November 2012, CoRoT suffered a computer failure that made it impossible to retrieve any data from its telescope. After repair attempts, on 24 June 2013, it was announced that CoRoT has been retired and would be decommissioned; lowered in orbit to allow it to burn up in the atmosphere.

APOD 3.8

At first glance, the most prominent thing one notices is the dark red clouds conglomerated and spanning across this image. The contrast with the blue stars and dark red clouds provides for a brilliant image of the cosmos. One can mouse over the image to reveal extensive information about the constellation and also the many celestial objects located in this image. One of these clouds, known as the Great Orion Nebula, is the closest large star-forming region to us, being located only 1,500 years away. The image has been enhanced in order for one to more easily make out normally faint hydrogen tendrils, among other many more much more normally faint celestial objects.

APOD 3.7

The Pelican Nebula is contained within the constellation Cygnus, the Swan, making it akin to an interstellar Turducken, but with different birds and much more space. Newly formed stars litter the area of the Pelican Nebula, and it also happens to be fouled with dark dust, fitting considering it is fowl within fowl. An immense stellar nursery, the Pelican Nebula will be the birthplace of numerous stars to come, and is an excellent example of the beginnings of a life cycle of a star. Only two thousand light years away, the Pelican Nebula can be viewed with a relatively small telescope to the northeast of the star Deneb.

APOD 3.6

This time-lapse poses an interesting question: which is older, the sky above us or the rocks below? Surprisingly, it is usually the rocks below us that have been there longer. Their sediments were settled in place long before light escaped any of the stars or nebulae that we perceive in the night sky. However, if you gaze far out enough, the stars will indeed become far more ancient. The beautiful scenery of the earth below provides incredible contrast with the vastness and magnificence of the stars above. The layers of differing rock composition through time are much more readily apparent than the differing lifespans of the stars and celestial objects. The multicolored bands visible in the sky below the Milky Way are actually a product of our atmospheric interference. The picture provides data about the vast amount of visuals present in the image when hovered over, allowing the viewer to better appreciate what they see in terms of distance and longevity.

APOD 3.5

A prime example of a striking spiral galaxy, M106 consists of blue dust cloud spiral arms with notable red dust arms near the center of the spiraling entity. Radio and X-ray emissions are particularly prominent from the core of this spiral galaxy, which also goes along with the peculiarity in that the core has a strange glow. It is believed that M106 can credit this glow to a high concentration of glowing gas surrounding a black hole. M106, also known as NGC 4258, is a part of the constellation Canes Venatici.

APOD 3.4

This fantastic image is not of our own galaxy, but it is extremely similar in form and brilliance, being a grand design spiral galaxy with over 100 billion stars and numerous well-defined spiral arms. NGC 4321 contains clusters of stars that were key in studying to better determine the approximate size and age of the universe. The progression inward from the dark outer arms of the galaxy into the bright core is pleasing to the eye and simultaneously inspires awe in the observer. The dust clouds permeating the entire galaxy provide brilliant contrast with the bright stars seen elsewhere in it.

APOD 3.3

This image is a time lapse of four rocket launches, and is extremely drawn out to give the viewer a full view of the sky in a circular field of vision. These rockets were launched on January 26 at the Poker Flat Research Range. The skies above are incredibly clear and also filled with elegantly green auroras. The rockets carried devices designed to leave vapor trails for observers to record data about the atmosphere regarding the movement of the vapor trails. The green trails are also laser tracers that were captured in the time-lapse.