Fire in the dark clouds

The Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) in Chile offers a beautiful view of clouds of cosmic dust in the group Orion. In observable light, this dense interstellar cloud appears dark and solid. The LABOCA camera on APEX, however, can detect the heat radiation emitted by dust and so do the hideouts of the just emerging star locate. One of these dark clouds is not what it seems.

Dense clouds of cosmic gas and dust in space are the birthplaces of new stars. In visible light, the dust appears dark and opaque so that it hides the stars behind. 

The largest-ever solar boat

American scientist’s Agency NASA makes known plans to launch in 2014, the year of the largest in the history of the solar sail. Sail area of 1.2 thousand square meters. The name of this project served as a famous story by Arthur C. Clarke of 1964 Sun jammier, which refers to the regatta "solar boat". Side length of the sail is almost 38 meters high, and it will produce L" Grade - the company that in the late twentieth century sent experimental" inflatable "antenna on the ISS. 

Make stars are born

Astronomers have calculated that the birth of planets around young stars can occur even at a later stage than previously considered. In the study of the properties of star TW Hydra found strong evidence. This star is at a distance of 176 light-years from Earth, refers to the spectral type K8 and attracts the surrounding gas and dust astronomers drive. A few years ago, close to the TW Hydra was discovered planet, which weighs slightly larger than Jupiter.