So, as promised, I'm going to run a soundtrack in the column. Now, this one may not be to y'all's tastes — my musical tastes are eclectic in the extreme. But I liked it.
So, to start, what I think is the most interesting space news this week: potential signs of life. I imagine there will be abiotic mechanisms for these chemicals proposed as well, but this is pretty good for 124 light years from here.
Astronomers say they’ve found the strongest evidence yet for life beyond our solar system — on exoplanet K2-18b 🪐
— Latest in space (@latestinspace) April 17, 2025
• 124 light years away in the habitable zone of its star
• Detected potential biosignatures that are typically produced by life on Earth
• More data is… pic.twitter.com/b6OvGLmgjR
The space history for the week is that the Apollo 13 mission, explosion, and honestly, pretty amazing return that happened 55 years ago this week.
On this day 1970 - Apollo 13 Explosion
— Mike Constantine (@Moonpans) April 13, 2025
After a routine stir of an oxygen tank, damaged wiring insulation caused an explosion which depleted both of the Service Module’s oxygen tanks into space. The crew had to shut down the Command Module and move into the Lunar Module which… pic.twitter.com/QxHaK9xbwR
It's honestly amazing that this explosion didn't blow the whole Service Module apart. Came darn close.
On the 55th anniversary of Apollo 13 this week - the most detailed look yet at the damage caused by the explosion.
— Andy Saunders - Apollo Remastered (@AndySaunders_1) April 14, 2025
Created from 22 separate Hasselblad frames, digitally remastered from scans of the original film, aligned / animated and interpolated. pic.twitter.com/3AtXizh7ji
This is an example of the wonders of computers, really — composed and animated using a series of stills.
55 years ago- Apollo 13 lunar flyby
— Mike Constantine (@Moonpans) April 16, 2025
This stunning Apollo 13 Photo shows the Crater Chaplygin during the crew’s precious few moments to observe the Moon close up during their lunar flyby around the far side before heading back to Earth. pic.twitter.com/a6duBCQcao
I'm sure they were looking down wistfully.
So, back to this week, it's been a lively week on the Sun again. Got some nice aurora.
Aurora exploding over Black Church, Iceland pic.twitter.com/WZs4EXUGXs
— Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) April 9, 2025
Iceland gets all sorts of showy action.
Timelapse from Fridays Moon 🌒 lit Aurora 💃@dartanner pic.twitter.com/bWRaqy6864
— ᴛʀᴇᴇ ᴛᴀɴɴᴇʀ (@treetanner) April 8, 2025
There's lots of text with this one that's worth reading. I could put the text in line here, but I want to keep this column visual. So I recommend you click through. If you'd rather have me pull the text in the future, let me know.
When a massive star reaches the end of its life, something extraordinary happens. Its core collapses under its own gravity, triggering a titanic explosion known as a core-collapse supernova. While these events are among the brightest in the universe, the first signal they send us… pic.twitter.com/CpamIqZKaD
— Erika (@ExploreCosmos_) April 14, 2025
Another informative one, but golly, planetary nebulae are gorgeous.
The #JWST has captured its most detailed image yet of the planetary nebula NGC 1514, revealing intricate structures of gas and dust ejected by a dying star.
— Erika (@ExploreCosmos_) April 15, 2025
This nebula, located ~ 800 light-years away, showcases 'fuzzy' dusty rings and 'holes' in the central pink region where… pic.twitter.com/COrvs5jp9A
This is wild. I really have little idea how this ends up with two matching smoke rings.
There's roughly one supernova per galaxy per century
— ToughSF (@ToughSf) April 11, 2025
But that adds up to 30 supernovae per second across the Observable Universe!https://t.co/ivZlRYAS7r pic.twitter.com/66qhtf096W
If this was in a Star Wars movie, no one would ever believe it.
SpaceX launch captured in a timelapse above downtown Los Angeles.pic.twitter.com/592m5xvKxt
— Department of Government Efficiency News (@DOGE__news) April 13, 2025
Previously on Sky Candy: Sky Candy Near and Far
And that's the week that was. (Anyone remember that show?) As always, I'll be back next week with more Sky Candy. Do comment and let me know if this music is good or bugs you, and if you'd like me to include the informative text instead of needing to click through. Or just tell me you enjoy it. And don't forget, there's daily sky candy over at my new substack, The Stars Our Destination.
