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Five Star Wars-style ‘double star systems’ found that could host alien life
Any Star Wars fan will recognize an iconic shot of two suns glowing in the skies of Tatooine — Luke Skywalker’s home planet. But new research shows this strange world isn’t as far from reality as you might think. Siegfried Eggl, a research scientist in astronomy at the UW, is quoted.
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"We Really Have No Good Explination for Why Phosphine Should be in Venus's Atmosphere"
The debate over the habitability of Venus continues to burn as hot as the planet’s scorching temperatures. Michael Wong, a postdoctoral researcher in astronomy at the UW, is quoted.
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We're entombing the Earth in an impenetrable shell of dead satellites
Dr. Meredith Rawls, astronomy research scientist, discusses the issue of space debris.
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Debris from SpaceX rocket re-entering atmosphere recovered in Grant County
A composite-overwrapped pressure vessel from a Falcon 9 rocket was recovered from a private property owner in southwest Grant County. James Davenport, a research assistant professor of astronomy at the UW, is referenced.
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Science behind the streaking rocket debris that wowed Puget Sound and beyond
A long streak of rocket debris from SpaceX was seen from Snohomish County to Salem, Oregon Thursday night. James Davenport, a research assistant professor of astronomy at the UW, is interviewed.
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WATCH: SpaceX rocket debris puts on light show over Washington
A long streak of lights slow-danced over the Pacific Northwest around 9 p.m. Thursday. The bright show dazzled onlookers from Snohomish County to Salem, Oregon, leaving many to wonder what caused the spectacle. While viewers speculated it could be a meteor shower, fireworks or something extra-terrestrial, scientists report the sight was actually human-made. James Davenport, a research assistant professor of astronomy at the UW, is interviewed.
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Emily Levesque: How Have Telescopes Transformed Our Understanding Of The Universe?
Astronomers once gazed at the night sky and charted the stars using their naked eyes. Emily Levesque, associate professor of astronomy at the UW, describes how generations of telescopes have unlocked the wonders of the universe.
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Opinion: NASA needs to rename the James Webb Space Telescope
"Without the knowledge of [James] Webb’s silence at State and his participation in making psychological warfare a tool of the military industrial complex, perhaps our gratitude for his work was sufficient. With that knowledge, we think it is time to rename JWST [James Webb Space Telescope] because the name of such an important mission, which promises to live in the popular and scientific psyche for decades, is a reflection of our values," write Sarah Tuttle, assistant professor of astronomy at the UW; Chanda Prescod-Weinstein of the University of New Hamphsire; Lucianne Walkowicz of the Adler Planetarium; and Brian Nord of the University of Chicago.
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If Perseverance finds life on Mars, this is what it will look like
Dr. Michael L. Wong, a research associate in the astrobiology program and astronomy department, explains what life on Mars could be.
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Life on Venus? The Picture Gets Cloudier
Five months after findings pointing to life floating in the clouds of Venus, scientists are not quite sure what to make of the data and what it might mean. It might spur a renaissance in the study of Venus, which has largely been overlooked for decades. It could point to exotic volcanism and new geological puzzles. It could indeed be aliens. Or it could be nothing at all. Victoria Meadows, professor of astronomy, is quoted.
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Signs of life' on Venus might just be ordinary sulfur gas
The detection of phosphine on Venus, theorized to be from microbes, may have been caused instead by sulfur dioxide, which is not a clear sign of life. Victoria Meadows, professor of astronomy at the UW, is quoted.
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Astronomy surveys aim to up the pace with army of tiny robots
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey and other sky surveys are adopting speedy robots. They will save valuable observation time and allow the surveys to keep up with Europe’s Gaia satellite, the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile and other efforts that produce huge catalogs of objects needing spectroscopic study. Eric Bellm, research assistant professor of astronomy at the UW, is quoted.
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Life on Venus claim faces strongest challenge yet
New studies knock down a controversial report observing phosphine in Venus’ atmosphere. Victoria Meadows, professor of astronomy at the UW, is quoted. Andrew Lincowski, a doctoral student in astronomy and astrobiology, is mentioned.
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Intriguing 'Life' Signal on Venus Was Plain Old Sulphur Dioxide, New Research Suggests
Scientists stunned the world last year by claiming to have discovered traces of phosphine in the Venusian clouds. New research suggests this gas — which, excitingly, is produced by microbes — was not actually responsible for the signal they detected. Instead, it was likely sulfur dioxide, a not-so-thrilling chemical. Victoria Meadows, professor of astronomy at the UW, is quoted. Andrew Lincowski, a doctoral student in astronomy and astrobiology at the UW, is mentioned.
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Purported phosphine on Venus more likely to be ordinary sulfur dioxide, new study shows
A research team, including researchers from the UW, has released a study that casts doubt on phosphine on Venus as evidence of life.