An ATIC probe descends via parachute. Credit: LSU/ATIC

A series of balloon flights over Antarctica was designed to count up the kinds of cosmic rays that shower through the solar system from distant regions of the galaxy. These cosmic rays are usually produced by violent events such as supernovae explosions. The Advanced Thin Ionization Calorimeter (ATIC) detectors did indeed find lots of high energy particles, but many more high energy electrons than expected. This is curious because it is hard for the electrons to travel over large distances — they usually hit something along the way. So they must have come from nearby. But from what?

• Space.com on cosmic rays and dark matter.
• The ATIC Web site.

Artist's concept of the Titan orbiter. Credit: OPFM/NASA

A proposal to learn more about Saturn’s fascinating moon, Titan, involves three parts: an orbiting spacecraft, a hot air balloon, and a surface probe. The landing probe could be fitted with a helicopter rotor that would help transport it from area to area, and a scoop to pick up soil and analyze it. The orbiter would map the surface. And the balloon would examine the hazy atmosphere, potentially similar to that of primordial Earth.

• The Titan Saturn Systems Mission
• Space.com on the potential mission.

Starburst galaxy NGC 1569

Why does a small, nearby, isolated galaxy pump out stars faster than any other galaxy in our local neighborhood? The secret is in the details. Maybe this puzzling galaxy, the loner starburst galaxy NGC 1569, is not as nearby as we thought. Hubble discovered new information about the galaxy using the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 and Advanced Camera for Surveys. Detailed analysis is important for determining accurate distances to galaxies, and therein lies the clue to this mystery.

• HubbleSite news release.

Charged particles emanate from the Sun. Credit: Goddard Space Flight Center

Future astronauts could benefit from a magnetic “umbrella” that deflects harmful space radiation around a spacecraft. The Sun is a constant source of charged particles that stream into space and pose significant threat to astronauts on any long-duration mission, such as to Moon or Mars. Now researchers have come up with a way to avert these dangerous particles and protect traveling space crews.

• BBC quick report on the magnetic shield
• Longer BBC report on the shield.
• NASA asks whether people can go to Mars.

The International Space Station could be in danger from orbiting debris.

Humanity has filled the space near Earth with satellites — and debris. The flotsam, ranging from large satellite pieces to small nuts and bolts, can impact and severely damage functioning satellites and the International Space Station. What can be done? Since satellites are launched by nations, commercial companies and other private entities, all these organizations need to come together globally to look at how to map and control debris.

• Space.com on regulating space "traffic."
• The Google Earth Blog shows space debriws from a destroyed satelllite.

Hubble has spied a planet outside the solar system for the first time. The strangely bright planet, three times as big as Jupiter, will likely be a target of future telescopes as well. Astronomers have solved the mystery of an oddly active galaxy. And Hubble is back to work after a temporary technical setback.

• Hubble Directly Observes Planet Orbiting Fomalhaut
• Hubble Resolves Puzzle About Loner Starburst Galaxy
• Hubble Resumes Observations

Enceladus, one of Saturn's moons.

In 2005, NASA’s Cassini probe revealed a plume of ice particles and water vapor shooting out from the south pole region of Saturn’s moon, Enceladus. It’s thought the moon may hold ocean of liquid water beneath surface and be a potential habitat for extraterrestrial life. Cassini could be used to look for organic chemicals in the plume.

• New Scientist on Cassini and the plume.
• NASA scientists discuss the possibility of life on Enceladus.
• ScienceDaily on whether Enceladus could harbor life.

The planet can be seen in this ring of debris around a star.

Hubble recently took the first image of a planet around another star. Planets are typically found by looking for changes in their parent stars that indicate the presence of a planet — a wobble that shows a gravitational tug, a dimming that shows something is passing in front of the star. But this giant planet was bright enough, and far enough away from its star, for Hubble to capture a picture.

• HubbleSite news release.
• The Jet Propulsion Laboratory explains how to find a planet.
• ScienceDaily extrasolar planets news.