Herschel solves mystery of Jupiter's water!!

(news courtesy ESA)

Shoemaker-Levy 9 impact site G

24 April 2013

Jupiter, the largest planet in the Solar System, is mostly made of the gases hydrogen and helium. Tiny amounts of water have been found in its upper atmosphere, but, until now, no one was sure where this water came from. The answer to the long-standing mystery has been given by ESA’s Herschel space observatory, the most sensitive infrared telescope ever launched. Herschel has found conclusive evidence that the water was delivered by multiple comet impacts in July 1994!

Collisions with incoming cosmic debris are a continuous threat to the planets of the Solar System, including Earth. However, few impacts have actually been observed by scientists. The first direct observation of such an event occurred at Jupiter, 19 years ago. Astronomers watched in astonishment as 21 pieces of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 plunged into the planet’s upper atmosphere and exploded.

Water in Jupiter's Atmosphere

ESA’s Infrared Space Observatory, launched in 1995, was the first to detect and study water in Jupiter's upper atmosphere. Scientists were able to exclude an internal source, such as water rising from below. But if the water was delivered from outside, where did it come from?

It was widely speculated that comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 may have been the origin of this water, but direct proof was missing. Now Herschel’s sensitive infrared eyes have solved the mystery. The space observatory has found 2-3 times more water in the southern hemisphere of Jupiter than in the northern hemisphere. The traces of water are only found at high altitudes and most of it is concentrated around the sites of the 1994 comet impacts.

Even more detailed observations of the gases that make up Jupiter’s massive atmosphere will be made by ESA’s JUICE mission, which is planned for launch towards the giant world in 2022.

Comets can do so much and more!! 

Here come the Perseids!

Here come the Perseids!
(news courtesy ESA)

Perseids meteor shower (Credits: Ali Jarekji, Reuters)

1 August 2013

Sky watchers will be in for a treat in mid-August, when the annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak! If you have never before seen a meteor, this is the ideal opportunity. The shower lasts from late July until 20 August, with maximum activity expected between 11 and 13 August. The sky will be dark, as the crescent Moon will be setting below the horizon in mid-evening. And the night should also be warm, so you won’t even need to wrap up! Just keep away from bright lights, let your eyes adapt to the darkness, then lie back and stare at the sky.

Perseids are named after the constellation of Perseus, from which they seem to radiate outwards. However, they can appear anywhere in the sky. The best direction to look is wherever your sky is darkest, probably straight up. The constellation is low in the north-northeast before midnight and rises higher above the horizon during the early morning. The shower is best observed from 11 pm or midnight onward, when you may see 60-100 meteors per hour.

Credits: NASA

The Perseids are sand - to pea - sized bits of rocky debris that were ejected long ago by comet Swift-Tuttle. The comet is slowly disintegrating as it orbits the Sun. Over the centuries, its crumbly remains have spread along its orbit to form a stream of particles hundreds of millions of kilometers long.

Earth’s path around the Sun carries us through this comet debris every mid-August. The particles, or meteoroids, are travelling at 60 km per second with respect to Earth. When one of them hits the upper atmosphere, it creates a white-hot streak of super-heated air. Occasional brighter ones may survive for several seconds, leaving short-lived trails of glowing smoke and gas.

The Perseids are ideal for digital imaging. Attach your camera to a tripod, preferably with a wide angle lens and a high ISO (darkness) setting. Keep the shutter open for 10-15 seconds at a time (longer in a really dark place). With a bit of luck, you should capture one or more Perseids streaking across the photo!

Enjoy observing the August Night Sky!!

Space & Science Workshop Conducted at Delhi Public School, Nashik

Our team from Delhi was recently in Nashik to conduct a Science Workshop at the newly inaugurated Delhi Public School (Nashik). The school is nicely situated at the outskirts of the city with a fine infrastructure and a very cordial staff. ­

Around 40 students of 4th& 5th Standard attended this 3 day workshop. The aim of the workshop was to impart learning by involving kids in various hands on activities related to space and science like Circumference of Earth, Sun Spots Observation, Hydro Rocketry & Evening Sky Observation. Learning is always fun when you can practically apply what is taught to you!!


Day 1: 22nd May’13

The workshop started around 11:00 A.M and continued till 3:00 P.M, the first topic covered was Circumference of Earth – Kids used Eratosthenes primitive yet effective way to evaluate COE. 
Later the kids observed Sun Spots using Sky Watcher EQ 3-2 (telescope) securely covered by a solar filter as we should not see the sun through naked eye. (Viewing the sun directly through naked eye can permanently damage the eyes). 

Day 2: 23rd May’13

On the second day of the workshop the kids were introduced to Hydro Rocketry. The session started with a presentation where they learnt about the dynamics and trajectory of Rockets. 

Later the students applied the concepts learned during the presentation by designing their own Double Bottle Rockets. The whole group was divided into 4 teams while designing the rockets. The kids were at their creative best and had lots of fun designing their own rockets.

The last and the most exciting step was to launch those rockets. This final step hardly lasts a few minutes but is the most fun when you see the rockets going high above the ground and crashing 100 feet away!!

Day 3: 24th May’13
The last day of the workshop had the most interesting part - Evening Sky Observation which started around 6:00 P.M and went on till 9:00 P.M. The kids observed Saturn and Moon using the Sky Watcher EQ 3-2. On this final day the kids were accompanied by their parents and even the parents actively and excitedly participated in observing these celestial objects. 

During the first half of this workshop the kids were given a presentation to make them understand the working and handling of a telescope. Later the kids were divided into 4 teams and each team was given a 3.5 inch reflector telescope which they handled themselves and observed Saturn and Moon. As expected the kids and their parents were in awe when they observed the crater’s on the Moon and the Rings of Saturn.

Lastly there was a small closing ceremony where everybody together celebrated the successful completion of the workshop. We presented the kids with certificates & medals, and the school was given a memento and in return our team was presented with return gifts as an appreciation gesture.

Chinmaya Vidyalya Night Sky Observation Ssession at Camp Mustang

Chinmaya Vidyalya Night Sky Observation Session at Camp Mustang

Excitement was in the air so was in the little hearts about the night sky universe adventure which was about to start. 21 little ones were all geared up for their first night sky session at Zlife Education center of learning, Camp Mustang

We departed from school at around 1700 hrs and reached our destination, camp mustang at about 1830 hrs. It was cold but not enough to set back the curiosity of the students. 

Kids already had an idea of what they were going to see and experience in the night as they were briefed in the bus on our way. After entering the camp, we rested in the lounge area, where kids enjoyed evening snacks and beverages. 

At about 1930 hrs we briefed the kids about the camp and the program followed by the allocation of their respective tents. We gathered back in the lounge at around 2000hrs with our hopes up and feet down. I briefed kids about the program in short and emphasized on the medal distribution part, 1 could see the sparkle and a willingness to grab that shiny gold medal, in their eyes.

 2 groups were divided, one of which played the solar walk quiz and the other went to watch the moon and Jupiter through our very own 6” Newtonian telescope and vice versa.

Kids were jumping as if they have seen a fairy tale superhero and were ecstatic. We continued our venture of astro observation after a splendid vegetarian meal at 2100 hrs. 

After a break, kids were finally introduced to the basics of night sky observation with some definitions and concepts that are very handy for astro enthusiasts. Later they were taught about the sky map, planishphere. 

Now they were all geared up to go out there under the shades of the stars and look freely and be a part of the cosmos. After a refreshing beverage drink, at around 0000hrs we went out and learned about the constellations, myths, stories and their whereabouts in the sky.

 I set the telescope towards Pleiades star cluster and the mighty Orion Nebula in the constellation Taurus and Orion respectively. Now was the time for us to scoot back into the cosy and warm lounge area as the winter chills were knocking at our very sensitive senses. 

Kids were given a short break and after that they played 'SKETCH WHAT YOU SAW' competition in which  they drew the heavenly bodies on the paper, which were stored rather permanently in a safe section of their minds.

 I sent the kids to bed, beside them bragging about to learn more and more as the night was at peak and little minds needs rest too. At around 0500 hrs in the morning medals were distributed to the already wide awake kids and we bid our goodbyes to the camp after a nice breakfast. The night left its imprints on our minds and souls, the night observation of Chinmaya Vidyala