Unusual polarimetric properties for interstellar comet 2I/Borisov | Nature Communications

So far, only two interstellar objects have been observed within our Solar System. While the first one, 1I/‘Oumuamua, had asteroidal characteristics, the second one, 2I/Borisov, showed clear evidence of cometary activity. We performed polarimetric observations of comet 2I/Borisov using the European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope to derive the physical characteristics of its coma dust particles. Here we show that the polarization of 2I/Borisov is higher than what is typically measured for Solar System comets.
www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-22000-x

SN11 performed a propellant transition to the internal header tanks, which hold landing propellant, before reorienting itself for reentry and a controlled aerodynamic descent. | SpaceX – Starship

On Tuesday, March 30, SpaceX launched its fourth high-altitude flight test of Starship from Starbase in Texas. Similar to previous high-altitude flight tests, Starship Serial Number 11 (SN11) was powered through ascent by three Raptor engines, each shutting down in sequence prior to the vehicle reaching apogee – approximately 10 km in altitude. SN11 performed a propellant transition to the internal header tanks, which hold landing propellant, before reorienting itself for reentry and a controlled aerodynamic descent.
Shortly after the landing burn started, SN11 experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly. Teams will continue to review data and work toward our next flight test.
www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/

総合地球環境学研究所 創立20周年特設サイト | 総合地球環境学研究所

地球研の20年を振り返り、未来を考える催しとして、第1部と第2部から成るシンポジウムを2日間にわたって開催することになりました。
第1部は主に研究者の方々を対象とし、総合地球環境学の未来を考えます。第2部は、より広い皆さまにもご参加いただきながら、人新世における人類と地球の未来可能性を考えます。皆さまのご参加をお待ちしております。
www.chikyu.ac.jp/rihn/20th/index.html

First interstellar comet may be the most pristine ever found | ESO

New observations with the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (ESO’s VLT) indicate that the rogue comet 2I/Borisov, which is only the second and most recently detected interstellar visitor to our Solar System, is one of the most pristine ever observed. Astronomers suspect that the comet most likely never passed close to a star, making it an undisturbed relic of the cloud of gas and dust it formed from.

www.eso.org/public/news/eso2106/?lang