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NASA's SPARCS Sends First Images of Low-Mass Stars

3/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

NASA's Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat (SPARCS) has transmitted its first images of low-mass stars.
Launched on January 11, SPARCS aims to study how stellar activity influences the habitability of nearby planets.
The spacecraft, about the size of a cereal box, will observe around 20 stars over its one-year mission using ultraviolet detector technology.
Arizona State University leads the mission.
NASA funds the mission to advance small-scale astrophysics.

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Story summary

NASA's Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat (SPARCS) has transmitted its first images of low-mass stars.
Launched on January 11, SPARCS aims to study how stellar activity influences the habitability of nearby planets.
The spacecraft, about the size of a cereal box, will observe around 20 stars over its one-year mission using ultraviolet detector technology.
Arizona State University leads the mission.
NASA funds the mission to advance small-scale astrophysics.