Dust, not "alien megastructures", cause of unusual dimming of star
Posted: Sun, Jan 7, 2018, 9:22 AM ET (1422 GMT)
Astronomers announced this week that they believe the unusual changes in brightness in a distant star can be explained by a natural, and not artificial, cause. Observations of the star KIC 8462852 by NASA's Kepler spacecraft captured the attention of astronomers because of an unusual dimming pattern that some suggested could be explained if giant structures, created by some alien civilization, were orbiting the star. New observations of the star, though, show that the star dims by different amounts at different wavelengths, and thus whatever is causing the dimming is not opaque. Instead of alien megastructures, astronomers suggest dust clouds around the star may be causing the brightness changes.
Astronomers announced this week that they believe the unusual changes in brightness in a distant star can be explained by a natural, and not artificial, cause. Observations of the star KIC 8462852 by NASA's Kepler spacecraft captured the attention of astronomers because of an unusual dimming pattern that some suggested could be explained if giant structures, created by some alien civilization, were orbiting the star. New observations of the star, though, show that the star dims by different amounts at different wavelengths, and thus whatever is causing the dimming is not opaque. Instead of alien megastructures, astronomers suggest dust clouds around the star may be causing the brightness changes.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
FAA restricts hours for commercial launches during shutdown
Posted: Sun, Nov 9 9:05 AM ET (1405 GMT) China postpones Shenzhou-20 return on orbital debris concerns
Posted: Sun, Nov 9 8:58 AM ET (1358 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, November 13
Firefly Aerospace identifies cause of Alpha test anomaly
NasaSpaceFlight.com — 4:12 am ET (0912 GMT) Firefly Plans Alpha Pad Return For Lockheed Martin Demo By Early 2026
Aviation Week — 4:12 am ET (0912 GMT) Alpha launch expectations lift Firefly despite Q3 losses
Austin (TX) American-Statesman — 4:11 am ET (0911 GMT) The Bright Side: Scientists witness supernova's early stages for the first time
France 24 — 4:09 am ET (0909 GMT) France steps into the space race
Defence24 — 4:06 am ET (0906 GMT) |
