Amazing science imagery from Wānaka's NASA balloon

Check out the science imagery from the Super Pressure Balloon Imaging Telescope (SuperBIT) that launched on a scientific super pressure balloon April 15, 2023, from Wānaka.

The two preliminary research images below are secondary science goals for the SuperBIT mission, which is to characterize the types of stars in other galaxies that are similar to ones in our own Milky Way Galaxy.

The team uses color to determine the age and size of a star. Many small stars together tend to age slowly, appearing red in imagery. Larger stars burn faster and die quicker and will appear white or ultraviolet in the time they can be observed.

The ongoing science balloon flight is monitored real-time from NASA’s Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Palestine, Texas, and anyone can track the position of the balloon here.

The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy 

A preliminary image of the Messier 83, also know as the The Southern Pinwheel spiral galaxy, taken by the SuperBIT telescope flying on a super pressure balloon. Credit: NASA/SuperBIT

The Sombrero Galaxy

A preliminary image of the Messier 104, also known as The Sombrero Galaxy, taken by the SuperBIT telescope flying on a super pressure balloon. Credit: NASA/SuperBIT

By Jamie Adkins - NASA balloon blog.

Main image (NASA/SuperBIT): The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy