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The Atmosphere of Mars

FROM EARTH TO SPACE: Where space begins and Earth’s atmosphere starts to fade away

Bits and pieces of the Carina Nebula

A site of intense star formation, the Carina Nebula complex is home to some of the brightest and most massive stars in our Galaxy, the Milky Way.

This immense nebula contains a dozen or more brilliant stars that are estimated to be at least 50 to 100 times the mass of our Sun. The most rich and extensive one is the variable star Eta Carinae.

The visible-light view comes from the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at the La Silla Observatory and the infrared picture comes from the HAWK-I camera on ESO’s Very Large Telescope.

Credit: ESO

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Chandra X-Ray Observatory, We Appreciate You

On July 23, 1999, the Space Shuttle Columbia blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center carrying the Chandra X-ray Observatory. In the two decades that have passed, Chandra’s powerful and unique X-ray eyes have contributed to a revolution in our understanding of the cosmos.

Since its launch 20 years ago, Chandra’s unrivaled X-ray vision has changed the way we see the universe.

Chandra has captured galaxy clusters – the largest gravitationally bound objects in the universe – in the process of merging.

Chandra has shown us the powerful wind and shock fronts that rumble through star-forming systems.

And a star school, so to speak – home to thousands of the Milky Way’s biggest and brightest.

Carl Sagan said, “We are made of star-stuff.“ It’s true. Most of the elements necessary for life are forged inside stars and blasted into interstellar space by supernovas. Chandra has tracked them.

Thank you Chandra X-Ray! To more adventures with you!

Check out Chandra’s 20th anniversary page to see how they are celebrating.

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com.

The Interstellar Medium.

Helix nebula

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Sleep is your superpower | Matt Walker

Sleep is your life-support system and Mother Nature’s best effort yet at immortality, says sleep scientist Matt Walker. In this deep dive into the science of slumber, Walker shares the wonderfully good things that happen when you get sleep – and the alarmingly bad things that happen when you don’t, for both your brain and body. Learn more about sleep’s impact on your learning, memory, immune system and even your genetic code – as well as some helpful tips for getting some shut-eye.

Bizarre planets.