{"id":70690,"date":"2020-01-07T19:00:38","date_gmt":"2020-01-08T00:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-457164"},"modified":"2024-05-16T15:25:31","modified_gmt":"2024-05-16T19:25:31","slug":"astrophysics-on-the-space-station","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/astrophysics-on-the-space-station\/","title":{"rendered":"Astrophysics on the Space Station"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss057e055500\/iss057e055500~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1078&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1078\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss057e055500\/iss057e055500~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1078&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss057e055500\/iss057e055500~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1078&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1920w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss057e055500\/iss057e055500~large.jpg?w=300&h=168&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss057e055500\/iss057e055500~large.jpg?w=768&h=431&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss057e055500\/iss057e055500~large.jpg?w=1024&h=575&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss057e055500\/iss057e055500~large.jpg?w=1536&h=862&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss057e055500\/iss057e055500~large.jpg?w=400&h=225&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss057e055500\/iss057e055500~large.jpg?w=600&h=337&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss057e055500\/iss057e055500~large.jpg?w=900&h=505&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss057e055500\/iss057e055500~large.jpg?w=1200&h=674&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">A view of NICER attached to the outside of the International Space Station, where it scans the sky for X-rays emitted from neutron stars for a study of matter.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\"><strong><em>NASA<\/em><\/strong><\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The outside of the International Space Station provides a perch for experiments that reach far into and beyond the galaxy, providing information ranging from the locations of black holes to the makeup of the universe itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Extraordinary Physics of Neutron Stars<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the experiments using this perch is NASA\u2019s\u00a0NICER, which studies the glowing cinders left behind when massive stars explode as supernovae and form neutron stars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNeutron stars are fantastic objects. They represent the densest matter that we know of in the universe. If you could squeeze a neutron star any further, it would implode into its event horizon and become a black hole,\u201d said Keith Gendreau, NICER principal investigator at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. \u201cWe do not know how matter behaves at these super-high densities because we cannot reproduce them in any experiment here on Earth or in the solar system.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Observations by\u00a0NICER\u00a0already have led to significant findings, including a sudden spike of X-rays on the surface of a pulsar<sup>1<\/sup>, the first-ever surface map of hot spots on a pulsar\u2019s surface<sup>2<\/sup>, and the discovery that matter in the heart of a neutron star is less squeezable than some physicists predicted<sup>3<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Investigators developed and patented new X-ray technology for the experiment that could be turned on or off in nanoseconds. That technology, the Miniaturized High-Speed Modulated X-ray Source (MXS), made computed tomography (CT) scans more accessible back on Earth by enabling the creation of smaller, more power-efficient machines. These devices have successfully been used to scan pig lungs and human hands<sup>4<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the space station, NICER continues its work analyzing neutron stars. \u201cWe are exploring quantum phenomena that are happening on enormous scales, and understanding them can have technological relevance to us,\u201d said Zaven Arzoumanian, NICER deputy principal investigator at Goddard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Zeroing in on X-ray Sources<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Since 2009, a JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) investigation called\u00a0MAXI\u00a0has continuously scanned the skies for X-ray sources. When MAXI detects these sources, the research team alerts other observatories so scientists can capture additional data. These data help scientists to explore fundamental astrophysics questions and better understand the current state and evolution of our universe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Working in concert with NICER, MAXI is using X-rays to uncover more mysteries of the universe and advance scientific understanding. MAXI scans 95% of the X-ray sky with each orbit of the station and NICER measures a much smaller patch of sky with significantly higher sensitivity to faint objects. The two instruments make a perfect pair, especially now that their relationship has been automated through a computer network on the station called\u00a0OHMAN. MAXI uses the network to directly alert NICER when it determines something is worth that instrument\u2019s attention, enabling NICER to follow up on the X-ray source within minutes rather than hours or days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, astronomers were unaware of the presence of black hole J1820 until MAXI spotted an outburst on March 11, 2018<sup>5<\/sup>. Black holes sometimes siphon gas from nearby companion stars, forming a ring of material called an accretion disk. Outbursts occur when an instability in the disk causes a flood of gas to move inward toward the black hole, like an avalanche. The causes of disk instabilities are poorly understood. J1820 went from an unknown black hole to one of the brightest sources in the X-ray sky over a few days. NICER moved quickly to capture this dramatic transition and followed the fading tail of the eruption over several months.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/jef-iss055e006395.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/jef-iss055e006395.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"The Japanese Kibo laboratory module with its Exposed Facility, Pressurized Module, Logistics Module, and robotic arm is pictured as the International Space Station orbited over the southern Pacific Ocean.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/jef-iss055e006395.jpg 5568w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/jef-iss055e006395.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/jef-iss055e006395.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/jef-iss055e006395.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/jef-iss055e006395.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/jef-iss055e006395.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/jef-iss055e006395.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/jef-iss055e006395.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/jef-iss055e006395.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/jef-iss055e006395.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/jef-iss055e006395.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">MAXI, the white box on the far left of the row of instruments at the bottom of this photo, systematically surveys X-ray sources coming from space.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\"><strong><em>NASA<\/em><\/strong><\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Searching for Antimatter and Dark Matter<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The space station also contributes to the challenge of determining the composition of the universe. We know the universe contains matter and antimatter, which are similar but have opposite charges. When antimatter and matter meet, they annihilate each other, leaving only energy. Models suggest that antimatter and matter should exist in equal quantities, yet matter appears to be more common than antimatter. Scientists are looking for the \u201cmissing\u201d antimatter using the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02), which detects antimatter using magnetic fields that cause particles to behave differently depending on their charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AMS-02 also helps look for dark matter. Scientists infer the existence of this mysterious form of matter, which may account for most of the matter in the universe, based on the gravitational behavior of galaxies. We currently have no way to detect dark matter, so AMS-02 instead looks for particles that may be generated when antimatter interacts with dark matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another JAXA investigation searching for signatures of dark matter,\u00a0CALET\u00a0is a charged particle telescope that scans the sky to track the trajectory of cosmic ray particles and measure their charge and energy. The instrument is optimized for measuring electrons and gamma rays, which may contain the signatures of dark matter or nearby sources of high-energy particle acceleration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CALET is designed to address many of the outstanding questions in high-energy astrophysics, such as the origin of cosmic rays, the mechanism of cosmic-ray acceleration and galactic propagation, and the existence of dark matter. One of its main goals is discovering the first experimental evidence of nearby cosmic-ray sources. It also helps to characterize the radiation environment encountered by humans and space electronics and the risks that environment poses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks to these space-based tools for studying space, scientists are getting closer than ever before to solving mysteries of our universe.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1_iss050e028862.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1363\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1_iss050e028862.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"AMS hardware seen outside the space station\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 22%; object-position: 50% 22%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1_iss050e028862.jpg 4928w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1_iss050e028862.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1_iss050e028862.jpg?resize=768,511 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1_iss050e028862.jpg?resize=1024,682 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1_iss050e028862.jpg?resize=1536,1022 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1_iss050e028862.jpg?resize=2048,1363 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1_iss050e028862.jpg?resize=400,266 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1_iss050e028862.jpg?resize=600,399 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1_iss050e028862.jpg?resize=900,599 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1_iss050e028862.jpg?resize=1200,799 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1_iss050e028862.jpg?resize=2000,1331 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-02, shown here on the outside of the International Space Station, contributes to the search for dark matter and antimatter.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\"><strong><em>NASA<\/em><\/strong><\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Citations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>1<\/sup> Bult PM, Jaisawal GK, Guver T, Strohmayer TE, Altamirano D, Arzoumanian Z, Ballantyne DR, Chakrabarty D, Chenevez J, Gendreau KC, Guillot S, Ludlam RM. A NICER thermonuclear burst from the millisecond X-ray pulsar SAX J1808.4\u20133658. The Astrophysical Journal. 2019 October; 885(1): L1. DOI: 10.3847\/2041-8213\/ab4ae1<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>2 <\/sup>Arzoumanian Z, Gendreau KC. Focus on NICER Constraints on the Dense Matter Equation of State. The Astrophysical Journal Letters. Dec 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>3 <\/sup>Miller MC, Lamb FK, Dittmann AJ, Bogdanov S, Arzoumanian Z, Gendreau KC, Guillot S, Ho WC, Lattimer JM, Loewenstein M, Morsink SM, Ray PS, Wolff MT, Baker CL, Cazeau T, Manthripragada SS, Markwardt CB, Okajima T, Pollard SE, Cognard I, Cromartie HT, Fonseca E, Guillemot L, Kerr M, Parthasarathy A, Pennucci TT, Ransom SM, Stairs IH. The radius of PSR J0740+6620 from NICER and XMM-Newton data. The Astrophysical Journal Letters. 2021 September 10; 918(2): L28. DOI: 10.3847\/2041-8213\/ac089b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>4 <\/sup>Cramer A, Hecla J, Wu D, Lai X, Boers T, Yang K, Moulton T, Kenyon SJ, Arzoumanian Z, Krull W, Gendreau KC, Gupta R. Stationary computed tomography for space and other resource-constrained environments. Scientific Reports. 2018 September 21; 8(1): 14195. DOI: 10.1038\/s41598-018-32505-z.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>5<\/sup> Kara E, Steiner JF, Fabian AC, Cackett EM, Uttley P, Remillard RA, Gendreau KC,  Arzoumanian Z, Altamirano D, Eikenberry S, Enoto T, Homan J, Neilsen J, Stevens AL. The corona contracts in a black-hole transient. Nature 2019 January 9; 565(7738): 198-201. DOI: 10.1038\/s41586-018-0803-x.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center nasa-button-link padding-y-1 padding-x-0 hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ISS_Research\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-true\" aria-label=\"Follow us on Twitter\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1\">Follow us on Twitter<\/span>\n\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center nasa-button-link padding-y-1 padding-x-0 hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/station\/research-explorer\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-true\" aria-label=\"Space Station Research Explorer Database\">\n\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1\">Space Station Research Explorer Database<\/span>\n\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More Topics<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-research-and-technology\/space-station-science-101\/space-station-science-101-earth-and-space-science\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Station Science 101: Earth and Space Science<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1041\" height=\"694\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss060e050367.jpg?w=1041\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss060e050367.jpg 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss060e050367.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss060e050367.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss060e050367.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss060e050367.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss060e050367.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss060e050367.jpg?resize=900,600 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1041px) 100vw, 1041px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-research-and-technology\/latest-news-from-space-station-research\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Latest News from Space Station Research<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=200,300 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=768,1152 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=683,1024 683w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=1024,1536 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=267,400 267w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=400,600 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=600,900 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/edu_iss066e135704_orig.jpg?resize=800,1200 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-research-and-technology\/benefits-for-humanity\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Station Benefits for Humanity<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/astrophysics\/stories\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Astrophysics Stories<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/stsci-01h44ay5ztcv1npb227b2p650j-temp.png\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The outside of the International Space Station provides a perch for experiments that reach far into and beyond the galaxy, providing information ranging from the locations of black holes to the makeup of the universe itself. The Extraordinary Physics of Neutron Stars One of the experiments using this perch is NASA\u2019s\u00a0NICER, which studies the glowing [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":77595,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2735,2656,11285,2662],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[3995,8610,5093],"coauthors":[12410],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Astrophysics on the Space Station","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/astrophysics-on-the-space-station\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/astrophysics-on-the-space-station\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1_iss050e028862.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1_iss050e028862.jpg"},"articleSection":"Missions","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Space Station Research Integration Office"}],"creator":["Space Station Research Integration Office"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["Science & Research","International Space Station (ISS)","Humans in Space","ISS Research"],"dateCreated":"2020-01-08T00:00:38Z","datePublished":"2020-01-08T00:00:38Z","dateModified":"2024-05-16T19:25:31Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Astrophysics on the Space Station\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/astrophysics-on-the-space-station\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1_iss050e028862.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2020-01-08T00:00:38Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"Missions\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"Science & Research,International Space Station (ISS),Humans in Space,ISS Research\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Space Station Research Integration Office\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":6,"time_ago":"4 years","featured_image":{"id":77595,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1_iss050e028862.jpg","title":"1_iss050e028862","alt":"AMS hardware seen outside the space station","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70690"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/64"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70690"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70690\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":469079,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70690\/revisions\/469079"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77595"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70690"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70690"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=70690"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=70690"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=70690"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}