ESO's Very Large Telescope Obtains Unique Spectrum of a Meteor

User rating: not rated yet

Meteor Caught in the Act (MASCOT)
While observing a supernova in a distant galaxy with the FORS instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope at the Paranal Observatory (Chile), astronomers were incredibly lucky to obtain serendipitously a high quality spectrum of a very large meteor in the terrestrial atmosphere.

The VLT spectrograph provided a well calibrated spectrum, making it a reference in this field of research. From this spectrum, the temperature of the meteor trail was estimated to be about 4600 degrees centigrade.


Full story »
All News summaries from Space & Earth science news
All News summaries for July 30, 2004

Climate deadlock seen at G8 despite 'constructive' Bush

43 minutes ago | User rating: not rated yet
US President George W. Bush pledged Sunday to play a "constructive" role on climate change at a summit of rich nations, but hopes for a breakthrough were dim as he pressed developing countries.

Germany wants to build 30 windfarms

43 minutes ago | User rating: not rated yet
The German government wants to build up to 30 offshore windfarms in a bid to meet its renewable energy targets, Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee said in an interview published Sunday.

Extinct plant found in Australia

5 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
A plant thought to have been extinct for more than 100 years has been discovered in eastern Australia, an official said Sunday.

Australian climate report like 'disaster novel': minister

5 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
Heatwaves, less rain and increased drought are the likely prospect for Australia, according to a new report on climate change which the agriculture minister said read like a "disaster novel".

Ferrari to slash sports cars' carbon emissions: president

8 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
Sports car manufacturer Ferrari intends to cut its vehicles' greenhouse gas emissions by nearly half and is working on developing hybrid vehicles, the company president said Saturday.
Goto Archive PhysOrg Forum Goto Archive Video Goto Archive Editorials Goto Archive Free Magazines Goto Archive Newsletter

News Archive