From Science Daily

• Research suggests our galaxy's brightest gamma-ray binary system may be powered by a magnetar star
  (Wed, 02 Dec 2020 11:45:17 EST)
  
  A research team has shed new night on the massive star and its neutron star companion, which are thought to be at the core of the gamma-ray binary system LS 5039.
  
  
• A hint of new physics in polarized radiation from the early universe
  (Wed, 02 Dec 2020 11:45:15 EST)
  
  Astronomers developed a new method to calibrate detectors to the light from dust in our Galaxy, thereby describing a new physics, with 99.2 percent accuracy, that may show parity symmetry breaking.
  
  
• Experiments unravelling the mystery of Mars' moon Phobos
  (Mon, 30 Nov 2020 13:15:03 EST)
  
  There is no weather in space - but there is weathering: Celestial bodies are bombarded by high energy particles. On the Mars moon Phobos, the situation is complicated: It is hit by particles from the sun, but it is partly shielded by Mars. New experiments explain what is going on, in 2024 a space mission will reach Phobos and check the results.
  
  
• Puzzling 'cold quasar' forming new stars in spite of active galactic nucleus
  (Mon, 30 Nov 2020 11:35:55 EST)
  
  Using NASA's SOFIA telescope, researchers have found CQ 4479, a galaxy which never had been closely studied before, to be generating new stars in spite of a luminous AGN at the galaxy's center.
  
  
• New Hubble data explains missing dark matter
  (Mon, 30 Nov 2020 11:35:27 EST)
  
  The missing dark matter in certain galaxies can be explained by the effects of tidal disruption: the gravity forces of a neighboring massive galaxy, literally tearing the smaller galaxy apart.
  
  
• Earth faster, closer to black hole, in new map of galaxy
  (Mon, 30 Nov 2020 10:12:41 EST)
  
  Earth 'just got' 7 km/s faster and about 2000 light-years closer to the supermassive black hole in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. But don't worry, this doesn't mean that our planet is critical. Instead the changes are results of a better model of the Milky Way Galaxy based on new observation data, including a catalog of objects observed over the course of more than 15 years.
  
  
• Fast-moving gas flowing away from young star caused by icy comet vaporization
  (Mon, 30 Nov 2020 08:54:14 EST)
  
  A unique stage of planetary system evolution has been imaged by astronomers, showing fast-moving carbon monoxide gas flowing away from a star system over 400 light years away, a discovery that provides an opportunity to study how our own solar system developed.
  
  
• New insights on health effects of long-duration space flight
  (Wed, 25 Nov 2020 11:44:05 EST)
  
  Among the new findings, the research team found that chronic oxidative stress during spaceflight contributed to the telomere elongation they observed. They also found that astronauts had shorter telomeres after spaceflight than they did before.
  
  
• Space travel can adversely impact energy production in a cell
  (Wed, 25 Nov 2020 11:44:03 EST)
  
  Studies of both mice and humans who have traveled into space reveal that critical parts of a cell's energy production machinery, the mitochondria, can be made dysfunctional due to changes in gravity, radiation exposure and other factors. These findings are part of an extensive research effort across many scientific disciplines to look at the health effects of travel into space.
  
  
• Blast from the past
  (Tue, 24 Nov 2020 12:29:33 EST)
  
  Astronomers have discovered that CK Vulpeculae, first seen as a bright new star in 1670, is approximately five times farther away than previously thought. This makes the 1670 explosion of CK Vulpeculae much more energetic than previously estimated and puts it into a mysterious class of objects that are too bright to be members of the well-understood type of explosions known as novae, but too faint to be supernovae.
  
  
• Galaxy encounter violently disturbed Milky Way
  (Mon, 23 Nov 2020 16:10:36 EST)
  
  The long-held belief that the Milky Way, the galaxy containing Earth and the solar system, is relatively static has been ruptured by fresh cosmic insight. The spiral-shaped disc of stars and planets is being pulled, twisted and deformed with extreme violence by the gravitational force of a smaller galaxy - the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC).
  
  
• Growing interest in Moon resources could cause tension
  (Mon, 23 Nov 2020 11:25:02 EST)
  
  An international team of scientists has identified a problem with the growing interest in extractable resources on the moon: there aren't enough of them to go around. With no international policies or agreements to decide 'who gets what from where,' scientists believe tensions, overcrowding, and quick exhaustion of resources to be one possible future for moon mining projects.
  
  

From Sky & Telescope

• The Arecibo Telescope Has Collapsed
  (Tue, 01 Dec 2020 19:25:05 +0000)
  
  The Arecibo telescope in Puerto Rico has collapsed less than two weeks after officials announced it was too dangerous to attempt repairs. The post The Arecibo Telescope Has Collapsed appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  
  
• China Lands Ambitious Sample-Return Mission on the Moon
  (Tue, 01 Dec 2020 16:30:00 +0000)
  
  The aim of China's Chang'e 5 mission is to return samples of lunar soil to Earth by the end of 2020. The post China Lands Ambitious Sample-Return Mission on the Moon appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  
  
• December 2020: A Busy Month
  (Tue, 01 Dec 2020 12:00:00 +0000)
  
  Step outside after sunset this month to spot Jupiter and Saturn's dramatic pairing, 2020's best meteor shower, and more! The post December 2020: A Busy Month appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  
  
• The Eventual Fate of Our Solar System
  (Mon, 30 Nov 2020 18:45:53 +0000)
  
  Have you ever wondered about the future of our solar system? Astronomers have predicted the effect of the Sun's expansion on its planets. The post The Eventual Fate of Our Solar System appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  
  
• Meet Capella, the Goat Star
  (Mon, 23 Nov 2020 13:44:39 +0000)
  
  Capella is the sixth-brightest star in the sky — and it's more than one star! The main two stars in the system are near-twins, bright yellow giants. The post Meet Capella, the Goat Star appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  
  
• Earth's New "Minimoon" May be a 1960s-Era Rocket Booster
  (Sat, 21 Nov 2020 14:00:00 +0000)
  
  An object set to pass near Earth next month may in fact be a relic of the early Space Age. The post Earth's New "Minimoon" May be a 1960s-Era Rocket Booster appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  
  
• Gamma-ray Flash Heralds Birth of a Magnetar
  (Fri, 20 Nov 2020 14:00:00 +0000)
  
  What happens when two neutron stars don't add up to a black hole? The post Gamma-ray Flash Heralds Birth of a Magnetar appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  
  
• Iconic Arecibo Telescope Damaged, To Be Dismantled
  (Thu, 19 Nov 2020 18:21:36 +0000)
  
  The iconic Arecibo telescope, damaged by two cable failures within three months, is beyond repair. The post Iconic Arecibo Telescope Damaged, To Be Dismantled appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  
  
• The Case of the Blue Ring Nebula
  (Wed, 18 Nov 2020 16:00:00 +0000)
  
  After 16 years, astronomers have figured out the origin of a strange ring of ultraviolet light, and shed light on a common — but rarely observed — event. The post The Case of the Blue Ring Nebula appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  
  
• Is the Phosphine Biosignature on Venus a Calibration Error?
  (Tue, 17 Nov 2020 14:01:11 +0000)
  
  The already tentative detection of phosphine is under heavy scrutiny from the scientific community. A problem with the ALMA data hasn't helped. The post Is the Phosphine Biosignature on Venus a Calibration Error? appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
  
  

GDACS - Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System

• Green earthquake alert (Magnitude 6M, Depth:10km) in Balleny Islands Region 01/12/2020 20:52 UTC, No people within 100km.
  (Tue, 01 Dec 2020 20:52:57 GMT)
  
  On 12/1/2020 8:52:57 PM, an earthquake occurred in Balleny Islands Region potentially affecting No people within 100km. The earthquake had Magnitude 6M, Depth:10km.
  
  
• Green earthquake alert (Magnitude 5.7M, Depth:10km) in United States 01/12/2020 16:35 UTC, No people within 100km.
  (Tue, 01 Dec 2020 16:35:48 GMT)
  
  On 12/1/2020 4:35:48 PM, an earthquake occurred in United States potentially affecting No people within 100km. The earthquake had Magnitude 5.7M, Depth:10km.
  
  
• Green earthquake alert (Magnitude 6.4M, Depth:23km) in United States 01/12/2020 16:22 UTC, Few people within 100km.
  (Tue, 01 Dec 2020 16:22:42 GMT)
  
  On 12/1/2020 4:22:42 PM, an earthquake occurred in United States potentially affecting Few people within 100km. The earthquake had Magnitude 6.4M, Depth:23km.
  
  
• Orange alert for tropical cyclone BUREVI-20. Population affected by Category 1 (120 km/h) wind speeds or higher is 0.
  (Wed, 02 Dec 2020 18:00:00 GMT)
  
  From 01/12/2020 to 02/12/2020, a Tropical Storm (maximum wind speed of 83 km/h) BUREVI-20 was active in NorthIndian. The cyclone affects these countries: Sri Lanka, India (vulnerability High). Estimated population affected by category 1 (120 km/h) wind speeds or higher is 0.
  
  
• Volcanic eruption is on going for Semeru in Indonesia
  (Tue, 01 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMT)
  
  Volcano Semeru is emitting ash clouds according to the regional VAAC. The aviation alert level is Green.
  
  
• Green earthquake alert (Magnitude 6.3M, Depth:147.79km) in Argentina 30/11/2020 22:54 UTC, About 10000 people within 100km.
  (Mon, 30 Nov 2020 22:54:59 GMT)
  
  On 11/30/2020 10:54:59 PM, an earthquake occurred in Argentina potentially affecting About 10000 people within 100km. The earthquake had Magnitude 6.3M, Depth:147.79km.
  
  
• Green earthquake alert (Magnitude 6.4M, Depth:586.95km) in Russia 30/11/2020 22:54 UTC, About 48000 people within 100km.
  (Mon, 30 Nov 2020 22:54:34 GMT)
  
  On 11/30/2020 10:54:34 PM, an earthquake occurred in Russia potentially affecting About 48000 people within 100km. The earthquake had Magnitude 6.4M, Depth:586.95km.
  
  
• Green earthquake alert (Magnitude 5.5M, Depth:30.89km) in United States 30/11/2020 04:59 UTC, Few people within 100km.
  (Mon, 30 Nov 2020 04:59:09 GMT)
  
  On 11/30/2020 4:59:09 AM, an earthquake occurred in United States potentially affecting Few people within 100km. The earthquake had Magnitude 5.5M, Depth:30.89km.
  
  
• Volcanic eruption is on going for Lewotolo in Indonesia
  (Mon, 30 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMT)
  
  Volcano Lewotolo is emitting ash clouds according to the regional VAAC. The aviation alert level is Green.
  
  
• Green earthquake alert (Magnitude 5.7M, Depth:10km) in Tonga 29/11/2020 23:56 UTC, Few people within 100km.
  (Sun, 29 Nov 2020 23:56:59 GMT)
  
  On 11/29/2020 11:56:59 PM, an earthquake occurred in Tonga potentially affecting Few people within 100km. The earthquake had Magnitude 5.7M, Depth:10km.
  
  
• Green earthquake alert (Magnitude 5.7M, Depth:10km) in Argentina 29/11/2020 16:40 UTC, 340000 people within 100km.
  (Sun, 29 Nov 2020 16:40:43 GMT)
  
  On 11/29/2020 4:40:43 PM, an earthquake occurred in Argentina potentially affecting 340000 people within 100km. The earthquake had Magnitude 5.7M, Depth:10km.
  
  
• Green earthquake alert (Magnitude 5.6M, Depth:109.02km) in Vanuatu 29/11/2020 09:01 UTC, About 67000 people within 100km.
  (Sun, 29 Nov 2020 09:01:35 GMT)
  
  On 11/29/2020 9:01:35 AM, an earthquake occurred in Vanuatu potentially affecting About 67000 people within 100km. The earthquake had Magnitude 5.6M, Depth:109.02km.