The 365 Days of Astronomy

EVSN - Active Black Hole's Surge in Brightness Due to Magnetic Flip

Nov 21, 2025
In this intriguing discussion, Dr. Cathy Weitz, a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, shares insights on a newly discovered hardened layer at Mount Sharp on Mars. She explains the significance of this marker horizon for understanding Mars' geological history. The conversation covers various hypotheses about its formation, including ash and enhanced salt cementation. Weitz also highlights how Curiosity's observations tie into broader Martian timelines and potential evidence of water, offering a thrilling glimpse into planetary science.
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INSIGHT

Hubble Asteroid Hunt Yielded 1,701 Trails

  • Citizen scientists found 1,701 asteroid light trails in Hubble images from 2002–2021.
  • Over 1,000 of those trails are previously unassociated faint asteroids, mainly in the main belt.
ADVICE

Combine Citizens And ML For Better Discoveries

  • Use community classifications to train machine learning and amplify discoveries.
  • Combine volunteer identifications with algorithms to uncover faint objects missed in initial searches.
INSIGHT

Dust Threatens Solar Rover Health

  • Martian dust and seasonal sunlight changes threaten small solar-powered explorers in winter.
  • Teams must plan charging strategies and communications priorities to maintain operations through dust season.
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