Detailed map of Arctic sea-ice thickness
Using data from ESA’s CryoSat satellite, scientists can observe the changes in Arctic sea-ice thickness between October 2010 and March 2011. Every year, the Arctic Ocean during the winter months experiences the formation of vast amounts of floating ice, and melting during the summer months.
Earth’s magnetic field is protecting us
This artist’s impression shows how the solar wind shapes the magnetospheres of Venus (top), Earth (middle) and Mars (bottom). Earth has an internal magnetic field which makes its magnetosphere bigger (unlike Venus and Mars). The lines coming out of the Sun symbolise the outward propagation of the solar wind (planet’s distances are not shown to scale). Credits: ESA
Hubble reveal strange Exoplanet
Observations by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have come up with a new class of planet, a waterworld enshrouded by a thick, steamy atmosphere. It’s smaller than Uranus but larger than Earth.
The mysterious Galactic Haze
New images from the Planck mission show previously undiscovered islands of star formation and a mysterious haze of microwave emissions in our Milky Way galaxy. The views give scientists new treasures to mine and take them closer to understanding the secrets of our galaxy. Image credit: ESA/Planck Collaboration
Evidence for former Mars ocean
ESA’s Mars Express has returned strong evidence for an ocean once covering part of Mars. Using radar, it has detected sediments reminiscent of an ocean floor within the boundaries of previously identified, ancient shorelines on Mars.
Fastest Rotating Star found
This artist’s concept pictures the fastest rotating star found to date. The massive, bright young star, called VFTS 102, rotates at a million miles per hour, or 100 times faster than our sun does.
‘Rose’ made of Galaxies
In celebration of the twenty-first anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope’s deployment in April 2011, astronomers at the Space Telescope Science Institute pointed Hubble’s eye to an especially photogenic group of interacting galaxies called Arp 273.
ESA’s IXV experimental reentry vehicle
Europe’s ambition for a spacecraft to return autonomously from low orbit is a cornerstone for a wide range of space applications, including space transportation, exploration and robotic servicing of space infrastructure.
Space weather warning services
Our Sun is more active now than it has been for the past four years. Increasingly, energetic particles and radiation are being ejected toward the Earth, posing significant hazards for our spaceborne and ground-based infrastructure. Next year will see the start of ESA’s precursor space weather warning services under the SSA Preparatory Programme. Credits: ESA
Most amazing Window ever created by Humankind
The most amazing window ever created by humankind is not on this planet, but floating in space, the most spectacular part of the International Space Station. It’s the ISS Cupola.
