Not one, but three supermassive black holes discovered at core of distant galaxy

(Artists conception of a black hole – Photo credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

For the first time, three supermassive black holes have been identified in the centre of a galaxy located four billion light-years away. Locked in a tight embrace, this is the most compact trio of black holes known to date. The discovery, made by radio telescopes located in Europe, Asia and South Africa, even suggests that these closely packed systems of black holes could be more common than previously thought.

Sun has a much larger solar atmosphere than previously observed

(Scientists used these observations of the sun’s atmosphere to define the outer limits of the corona – Photo Credit: NASA/STEREO)

NASA’s Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory has discovered that the sun’s atmosphere, known as the corona, is much larger than previously believed. 

NASA sets new launch date for saucer-shaped spacecraft

(The vehicle during pre-launch testing – Photo Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

NASA have set a new launch date for their Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) project after previous attempts earlier in June were scrubbed due to unacceptable weather conditions. The rocket-powered, saucer-shaped test vehicle will travel into near-space from the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii later this week.

Images of the Day: 27/6/14

(Looking north on the Red Sea.The left shoreline is Egypt, the right shoreline is Saudi Arabia. Photo Credit: Steve Swanson/NASA)

Expedition 40 have been very busy onboard the International Space Station. As well as taking part in interviews, completing a number of scientific experiments and watching the world cup, the crew have also taken some spectacular photos of Africa, Asia and the Middle East.