This weekend, SpaceX will take a telescope into orbit that will study the most common types of stars in the galaxy. Researchers from the University of Arizona and Arizona State University helped develop the device.
The cereal-box-sized telescope, called Star Planet Activity Research CubeSat or SPARC for short, will study what are called M type and K type stars, which can be quite a bit smaller than our own sun.
Researchers will use the space telescope to study the stars’ solar flares. This will give them more information on how solar storms interact with the atmospheres, or remove them entirely on the nearby exoplanets. There are roughly 50-billion planets in those star habitable zones in the Milky Way.
Researchers with ASU helped design and assemble the telescope which is set to launch Sunday night.
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A local company started by alumni from Arizona State University works with various farms to incorporate AI-powered technology in the field. -
Anyone who was at Gilbert's Hale Theatre on Jan. 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 should watch for symptoms of measles through the end of this month. -
Between August 2024 and August 2025, the number of overdose deaths in Arizona rose by almost 18%, while they fell by 20% nationally. -
A recent survey finds more than half of health care workers nationwide say they plan to look for a new job in the next year, either within their organization or outside of it. -
Here in Arizona, 2025 was our second hottest year on record — with 122 days above 100 degrees and higher nighttime and winter temperatures as well.
