Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #aas238
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Science discoveries made by @NASAWebb are expected to revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos and our origins within the universe! Dive into what Webb could reveal about the cosmos: bit.ly/3wJ1r9U Credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser. #AAS238 (1/9) 
Mission goals for Webb include: Search for the first galaxies that formed in early universe; study the evolution of galaxies; observe star formation; and measure physical and chemical properties and investigate the potential for life in planetary systems. #AAS238 (2/9)
Webb is equipped with specialized instruments that detect infrared wavelengths, the light just beyond the visible spectrum. Infrared radiation can penetrate dense molecular clouds, whose dust blocks most of the light detectable by Hubble. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech #AAS238 (3/9)
The 2nd presentation in today’s first #AAS238 presser looks at ways to find planets by looking at the composition of stars.
A Statistical Search for Chemical Signatures of Planet Formation in Sun-like Stars
Jacob Nibauer (University of Pennsylvania)
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A Statistical Search for Chemical Signatures of Planet Formation in Sun-like Stars
Jacob Nibauer (University of Pennsylvania)
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There was a lot of chemistry in this talk, but the bottom line is this: If you have two stars that formed from the same kind of stuff, then the star that forms rocky worlds will have less of the stuff needed to make those planets then a star that didn’t make planets.
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To test this concept, need to cross-match Kepler & TESS exoplanet hosts to identify if they do or don’t show expected depletions, need to consider binaries.
I’m curious if we have enough data to consistently say, here are rocky worlds, & here aren’t rocky worlds?
Will ask.
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I’m curious if we have enough data to consistently say, here are rocky worlds, & here aren’t rocky worlds?
Will ask.
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Research telescopes include scientific instruments that record light precisely. The extreme sensitivity and precision of @NASAWebb’s four instruments support its unprecedented scientific power: bit.ly/3fIQm35 Credit: NASA. #AAS238 (1/7)
Each of Webb’s four instruments is like a Swiss army knife of specialized components, with multiple ways of observing. All four can be used for investigations of the wide variety of objects that make up the universe, including planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies. #AAS238 (2/7)
Webb’s instruments are housed in the Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM), which is situated behind the primary mirror on the cold side of the telescope where it is protected by the sunshield. Credit: NASA and STScI. #AAS238 (3/7)
The bigger the telescope, the better its vision. @NASAWebb is the largest telescope NASA has ever sent into space. Webb is designed to be as light as possible, but still measure large enough to achieve its scientific goals: bit.ly/3icJRa4 Credit: NASA. #AAS238 (1/10)
Webb’s key components include an enormous primary mirror to collect infrared light, a supersized sunshield to keep the telescope cold, and four scientific instruments to conduct its ambitious science operations. Credit: NASA. #AAS238 (2/10)
Webb’s primary mirror towers more than two stories high. For the telescope to fit in the launch vehicle, an Ariane 5 rocket, it must fold origami-style to about a quarter of its full size, then unfold on its way to its orbit location. #AAS238 (3/10)
Now for release I most looked forward to:
Eta Carinae's Change of State as Seen by Hubble from 1998 to 2021
Kris Davidson, University of Minnesota
Eta Car failed to go SN in the past but will likely go boom in the future. AND it’s only 7500ly away.
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Eta Carinae's Change of State as Seen by Hubble from 1998 to 2021
Kris Davidson, University of Minnesota
Eta Car failed to go SN in the past but will likely go boom in the future. AND it’s only 7500ly away.
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Davidson reminds us at #AAS238 presser that Eta Car was one of the brightest stars in the sky… until it wasn’t. In 1800s there was a great eruption but then the star fadded away… only to slowly rebrighten again. It continues to work its way back to bright.
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Eta Car is actually 2 stars: a giant & a companion. They orbit every 5.5 yr & have a highly elliptical orbit that causes them to get much closer every 5.5 years. In the past, during this close passing, massive star dumped so much matter on companion it blocked UV.
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