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Astronomical instrumentation are the tools used to observe objects and phenomena that occur in space. These can include both terrestrial and satellite-borne telescopes. High precision optical components such as mirrors and lenses at all wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum are crucial to the development of these devices.
A comprehensive inventory of the carbon footprints of 1,211 ground-based astronomical observatories and space missions over a period of 78 years is used to model the expected future annual carbon footprint from astronomical research infrastructures.
NASA’s Cold Atom Lab has operated on the International Space Station since 2018 to study quantum gases and mature quantum technologies in Earth’s orbit. Here, Williams et al., report on a series of pathfinding experiments exploring the first quantum sensor using atom interferometry in space.
Merging supermassive black holes emit low-frequency gravitational waves, difficult to observe with current and future detectors. Stegmann et al. show that these black holes can leave measurable traces in high-frequency signals from adjacent sources.
According to a life-cycle analysis, the main environmental impacts of building and operating an astronomical telescope are greenhouse gas emissions and the use of mineral resources. Impacts can be reduced by using renewable energy and by making design changes.
Spectroscopic observations of the CHASE mission reveal the differential rotation of the solar atmosphere, finding quantitively that the Sun rotates progressively faster from the bottom of the photosphere to the chromosphere.
Increasing light emissions threaten human and ecological health. This Review outlines existing measurements and projections of light pollution trends and impacts, as well as developments in ground-based and remote sensing techniques that are needed to improve them.
While the early 2020s are seeing a resurgence in new space-based X-ray missions — including the NASA-led Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer — a stalwart of the field, Chandra, faces an uncertain future.
In his previous Thesis, Bruce Gibb introduced us to the chemistry of Jupiter’s moons. Now, he takes us on a tour of NASA’s Europa Clipper, the spacefaring chemistry lab set to revolutionize our understanding of Jupiter’s most intriguing satellite.
Exoplanetary science has been advancing in leaps and bounds since its beginnings almost 30 years ago. This issue of Nature Astronomy celebrates its progress with a range of papers that sample the breadth of this booming discipline.