December 23, 2011 – 12:00 am
SwRI researchers discover new evidence for complex molecules on Pluto's surface - The new and highly sensitive Cosmic Origins Spectrograph aboard the Hubble Space Telescope has discovered a strong ultraviolet-wavelength absorber on Pluto's surface, providing new evidence that points to the possibility of complex hydrocarbon and/or nitrile molecules lying on the surface, according to a paper recently published in the Astronomical Journal by researchers from Southwest Research Institute and Nebraska Wesleyan University.
December 7, 2011 – 12:00 am
Recycling hydrogen: A galactic enterprise - Galaxies have been recycling immense volumes of hydrogen gas and heavy elements for billions of years. In so doing they have helped to build successive generations of stars in processes that stretch out across deep time and deep space, according to data obtained using the ultraviolet-sensitive Cosmic Origins Spectrograph. Some galaxies can ignite a rapid firestorm of star birth that ultimately blows away their fuel in a final flash of glory, extinguishing more star-birth activity early in their lives. However, new spectrographic observations suggest that other types of galaxy initiate an ongoing recycling process that prevents them from emptying their "fuel tanks" and allows them to sustain their star-forming epoch for more than 10 billion years. It's might just be the last word in sustainable, renewable energy.
About