Tag: James Webb Space Telescope

  • Webb Detects Caldwell 69’s Hot Central Star After 200 Years

    Webb Detects Caldwell 69’s Hot Central Star After 200 Years

    Key Takeaways

    1. NGC 6302 is a planetary nebula located 3,400 light-years away in the constellation of Scorpius, resembling butterfly wings with its two lobes.
    2. The Webb telescope’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) provided detailed observations, allowing for the first identification of the central star within the nebula.
    3. The central star has a temperature of 220,000 Kelvin, making it one of the hottest known stars in planetary nebulae in the Milky Way.
    4. The dust band obscuring the central star is composed of crystalline silicate and larger dust grains, with jets of iron and nickel detected emanating from the star.
    5. The research combined data from the Webb telescope and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, aiding in the understanding of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in an oxygen-rich environment.

    NGC 6302 is a planetary nebula found 3400 light-years away in the constellation of Scorpius. Discovered in 1826 by William Herschel with a small telescope, it resembles butterfly wings with its two lobes. In the middle of the nebula, there’s a thick dust band that obscures the view of its central star.

    Advanced Observations

    The Webb telescope utilized its Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) to gain more insights into this intricate center. This observation was conducted in integral field unit mode, which pairs a camera with a spectrograph to capture multiple images across varying wavelengths.

    Discoveries Unveiled

    Thanks to Webb’s observations, the location of the central star within the nebula was pinpointed for the first time ever. This star boasts an impressive temperature of 220,000 Kelvin, ranking it among the hottest known central stars within planetary nebulae in our Milky Way galaxy.

    Dust Band Analysis

    Webb also explored the composition of the dust band that shrouds the central star. It uncovered that this band is made up of crystalline silicate, such as quartz, along with larger dust grains that measure about a millionth of a meter in size.

    The chemical activity beyond the central dust band is quite intriguing too. Webb identified jets of iron and nickel shooting out from the central star in opposing directions. The research team analyzing this data also discovered light emitted from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Finding PAHs in an oxygen-rich planetary nebula will aid scientists in understanding how these molecules form.

    The research team merged Webb’s findings with information from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array to achieve these important discoveries.

    ESA and NASA have both played a role in this groundbreaking research.

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  • Uranus Moon Discovery: Newly Found 29th Moon Revealed

    Uranus Moon Discovery: Newly Found 29th Moon Revealed

    Key Takeaways

    1. A new moon has been discovered orbiting Uranus, increasing the total number of known moons to 29.
    2. The newly found moon is small, with an estimated diameter of 6 miles (10 kilometers), likely missed by Voyager 2 in 1986.
    3. The moon orbits about 35,000 miles (56,500 km) from Uranus, making it the 14th small inner moon recognized around the planet.
    4. Uranus is unique for having many small inner moons, indicating a complex and turbulent history.
    5. The discovery highlights the advanced capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope in detecting faint celestial objects, with formal naming pending approval from the International Astronomical Union.

    A team of astronomers has found a small new moon orbiting Uranus by looking at data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. This finding—achieved by studying a set of long-exposure images taken on February 2, 2025—brings the total number of known moons orbiting Uranus to 29, making Earth seem a bit unlucky.

    Size and Discovery

    This newly discovered moon has an estimated diameter of just 6 miles (10 kilometers), which makes it quite small. Lead scientist Maryame El Moutamid believes its tiny size is probably why it wasn’t detected by Voyager 2 during its flyby of Uranus in 1986. However, that’s not the only thing the spacecraft overlooked; it has recently been found that Uranus emits more heat than it takes in from the sun, which alters prior scientific understanding.

    Orbital Details

    The new moon is the 14th recognized member of the ice giant’s group of small inner moons. It orbits approximately 35,000 miles (56,500 km) away from the planet’s center, situated between the orbits of Bianca and Ophelia.

    According to Matthew Tiscareno from the SETI Institute, no other planet has as many small inner moons as Uranus, and the elaborate interactions among them and the rings suggest a turbulent past.

    Future Considerations

    The researchers point out that the data comes from “Webb science in progress” and hasn’t yet undergone peer review. A formal naming of the moon will require approval from the International Astronomical Union. This discovery highlights the capabilities of Webb’s infrared sensitivity, which enables it to spot faint objects that previous telescopes could not, extending the boundaries of space exploration beyond what missions like Voyager 2 achieved.

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  • Most Distant Star Ever Observed: More Than Just a Star?

    Most Distant Star Ever Observed: More Than Just a Star?

    Key Takeaways

    1. Earendel is the furthest star observed, located over 28 billion light-years away and shining for nearly 12.9 billion years.
    2. Initially classified as a single star, recent research suggests Earendel might be a globular cluster instead.
    3. Globular clusters are round groups of stars that orbit galaxy centers and can contain hundreds of thousands to millions of stars.
    4. Studying globular clusters helps scientists understand the early universe and the conditions that existed shortly after the Big Bang.
    5. Further research with the James Webb Space Telescope is planned to determine Earendel’s true nature.

    Despite the numerous discoveries made every year, space still holds many secrets. This is especially true for a particular star, which is the furthest one ever seen and might be an entirely different kind of stellar object.

    Earendel’s Location and Age

    This star, known as Earendel, is situated over 28 billion light-years away from our planet and has been shining for nearly 12.9 billion years, roughly one billion years after the Big Bang happened. It was found in 2022 by the Hubble Space Telescope and was initially classified as a single star.

    New Insights from Research

    However, a recent study in The Astrophysical Journal brings into question what this star really is. The researchers examined the light from Earendel using the James Webb Space Telescope.

    The findings suggest that Earendel might actually be a globular cluster, a structure commonly found in various regions of space. To clarify, globular clusters are round groups of stars that orbit around the center of a galaxy. It’s worth mentioning that these clusters can contain hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of stars.

    Importance of Globular Clusters

    Astronomers and scientists find these objects fascinating because they are some of the oldest formations in the universe. Their ages often date back to the early days of our cosmos, and studying them helps us understand the conditions that existed during that time. Furthermore, stars within these globular clusters usually form around the same time from the same cloud of gas or dust, making it interesting for examining the chemical makeup of the oldest stars.

    In Earendel’s case, more research will be conducted with the James Webb Space Telescope to uncover its true nature.

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  • Oldest Black Hole Found: 1.3 Trillion Times Earth’s Mass

    Oldest Black Hole Found: 1.3 Trillion Times Earth’s Mass

    Key Takeaways

    1. A research group confirmed the existence of a black hole in the galaxy CAPERS-LRD-z9 using spectroscopy.
    2. CAPERS-LRD-z9 belongs to a group of ancient galaxies called “Little Red Dots” (LRDs) that are identified from the first 1.5 billion years of the universe.
    3. The brightness of LRDs suggests the presence of black holes, which consume gas and dust, creating intense radiation.
    4. The newly identified black hole is estimated to be 1.3 trillion times more massive than Earth and formed around 13.3 billion years ago.
    5. Observations were made using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, which explores various stages of the universe.

    A research group, guided by Anthony Taylor — a postdoctoral fellow at the Cosmic Frontier Center of the University of Texas at Austin — utilized spectroscopy to validate the existence of a black hole in the galaxy known as CAPERS-LRD-z9. This galaxy is part of a category of galaxies called “Little Red Dots” (LRDs).

    Bright Red Galaxies

    They got this name from their strikingly bright red look in telescope photographs. These ancient galaxies have only been identified within the first 1.5 billion years of the universe. Typically, the strong brightness characteristic of this galaxy type indicates the presence of many stars. However, due to the galaxy’s age, it seems unlikely that enough stars could have formed to create that level of brightness, leading to one reasonable conclusion — black holes. These black holes consume gas and dust, which spiral in at thousands of kilometers per second. This material gets compressed and heated to very high temperatures, resulting in intense radiation.

    Size and Age of the Black Hole

    What is particularly remarkable about the newly identified black hole in the CAPERS-LRD-Z9 galaxy is its immense size and ancient age. It is estimated to be up to 1.3 trillion times more massive than Earth, which is about half of CAPERS-LRD-Z9’s total stellar mass. Furthermore, it is an old giant, believed to have formed around 13.3 billion years ago, just 500 million years after the Universe was born.

    Observations Made by NASA

    The observation of CAPERS-LRD-Z9 and its giant black hole was accomplished using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, which has been examining every stage of our universe since its launch in December 2021.

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  • NASA’s Webb Telescope Discovers Anomaly in Dying Star’s Nebula

    NASA’s Webb Telescope Discovers Anomaly in Dying Star’s Nebula

    Key Takeaways

    1. Webb Space Telescope has provided a unique image of NGC 6072, showcasing its chaotic and unusual structure compared to typical planetary nebulae.
    2. NGC 6072 exhibits a multipolar structure with gas and dust moving in various directions, indicating complex dynamics at play.
    3. The presence of a companion star may be influencing the nebula’s shape by interacting with an aging star and contributing to its intricate design.
    4. Concentric rings observed in the nebula suggest pulsations that expelled gas or dust uniformly over time, likely due to the influence of a second star.
    5. The central star of NGC 6072 will eventually enrich the interstellar medium with heavier elements, playing a role in the formation of new stars and planets.

    Since the launch of Webb on December 25, 2021, scientists have been using it to explore planetary nebulae and their intricate details. Recently, Webb took a glance at NGC 6072, returning an image that NASA describes as looking like paint splattered across a canvas.

    Unusual Structures in Nebulae

    Typically, planetary nebulae exhibit more standard shapes, such as circular, elliptical, or bipolar forms. However, NGC 6072’s uneven shape defies these expectations, displaying a chaotic mass of gas and dust moving in various directions.

    A view from Webb’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) reveals that the nebula has a multipolar structure. Several elliptical flows are emerging from the center, heading in diverse directions. The disk that is positioned perpendicularly to the nebula implies that these outflows likely compress the surrounding materials as they progress.

    The Role of Companion Stars

    Researchers think this peculiar shape may indicate the existence of two stars at the heart of the nebula. A companion star is probably interacting with an aging star that has begun to lose its outer layers of gas and dust, contributing to the nebula’s remarkably intricate design.

    The concentric rings that expand from the central area, as shown by Webb’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument), might provide additional proof of a second star influencing the scene. These rings imply that some sort of pulsation happened, causing gas or dust to be expelled uniformly in all directions, potentially thousands of years apart.

    The Central Star’s Influence

    Another captivating feature captured by Webb’s MIRI is a small pinkish-white dot at the center, thought to be the star that is sculpting this entire structure. Over time, as the central star cools and dims, the nebula will gradually spread into the interstellar medium, enriching it with heavier elements that might one day contribute to the formation of new stars and planets.

    By providing such a clear image of NGC 6072, Webb opens doors for research into how complex planetary nebulae contribute to the environments where new stars and planets are birthed. The James Webb Space Telescope is known for its groundbreaking discoveries, having recently assisted NASA in correcting a previous misconception about Uranus.

    NGC 6072 is situated roughly 3,000 light-years away, making it observable with a telescope. However, you will require a strong telescope, like the Celestron NexStar 8 SE (current price: $1,699.99 on Amazon), which features a 203-mm (8-inch) aperture. Remember, good viewing conditions are essential — a dark sky with little light pollution is necessary for the best experience.

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    NASA's Webb Telescope Discovers Anomaly in Dying Star's Nebula

     

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  • Near-Earth Exoplanet May Support Life: Key Discoveries

    Near-Earth Exoplanet May Support Life: Key Discoveries

    Key Takeaways

    1. A fifth planet, L 98-59 f, has been discovered in the L 98-59 system, located 35 light-years away.
    2. The discovery was made by a Montreal team using the radial velocity method, adding to earlier findings of three planets by TESS and one by ESPRESSO.
    3. L 98-59 f is in the habitable zone of its red dwarf star, receiving a similar energy amount as Earth from the Sun.
    4. The planet has a mass 2.8 times that of Earth and a stable orbit of 23 days, making it a good candidate for studying its atmosphere.
    5. Further research with the James Webb Space Telescope is needed to explore the planet’s potential to support life.

    Many fascinating discoveries occur each year in the night sky, and some of them are truly remarkable. One such discovery is a planet that captivates astronomers because of its ability to support life due to its perfect location.

    A team from Montreal has made a significant breakthrough after years of gathering data with advanced tools, identifying a fifth planet in the L 98-59 system. This is quite an achievement since the star in this system is located 35 light-years away and is hardly visible in the night sky, making observations very challenging.

    Discovering New Worlds

    Since 2019, scientists have identified three planets using the TESS satellite, while a fourth was detected with the ESPRESSO spectrograph. Now, the fifth planet has been found through the radial velocity method, which is also known as Doppler spectroscopy.

    This newly discovered planet, referred to as L 98-59 f, is situated in the habitable zone of its star, which is a red dwarf, much like our Earth. Interestingly, it receives a similar amount of energy from its star as we receive from the Sun. In simpler terms, it is positioned in a region that is neither too hot nor too cold.

    Insights from Research

    Charles Cadieux, a researcher at the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (IREx), shared his thoughts on this planet: “With a mass 2.8 times that of Earth and a stable orbit of 23 days, L 98-59 f is a perfect candidate for atmospheric characterization.” He also noted that this discovery indicates that even small red dwarfs can host a variety of worlds: “It strengthens the belief that red dwarfs, despite their size, can contain intriguing and potentially habitable planets.”

    Certainly, more research is needed, especially regarding its atmosphere using the James Webb Space Telescope, to determine if it could support life now or in the future. However, this significant finding helps advance our quest for life beyond Earth by exploring other areas of the universe, and perhaps one day, we will finally uncover this long-standing mystery.

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  • Astromers Discover 2 Galaxies with 3 Black Holes for First Time

    Astromers Discover 2 Galaxies with 3 Black Holes for First Time

    Key Takeaways

    1. Researchers discovered the Infinity Galaxy, formed from the collision of two galaxies, using data from the James Webb Space Telescope.
    2. An active supermassive black hole was found floating between the two galaxies, rather than at their centers.
    3. This black hole supports the heavy seed theory of black hole formation, suggesting massive gas clouds can collapse directly into giant black holes.
    4. Observations show the black hole’s speed matches the gas cloud’s speed, indicating it likely formed in its current location rather than being expelled from another galaxy.
    5. The Infinity Galaxy is unique as it hosts three active supermassive black holes, including those in both original galactic nuclei.

    Researchers who are looking at public data from the James Webb Space Telescope have stumbled upon a peculiar object called the Infinity Galaxy. It seems to be the outcome of a direct collision between two galaxies. An even more astonishing find was made — an active, supermassive black hole that’s not located in the center of either galaxy, but instead floating in the large volume of gas that lies between them.

    New Insights on Black Hole Formation

    This black hole, which is not at the center, could be the strongest evidence for the heavy seed theory regarding the formation of black holes. This idea suggests that a huge cloud of gas can collapse directly into a giant black hole. This process might explain how the massive black holes spotted by Webb in the early universe became so large at such a rapid pace.

    “We believe we are observing the creation of a supermassive black hole – something never seen before,” says Pieter van Dokkum from Yale University, who is the main author of a paper discussing this discovery.

    Confirming the Findings

    The research team utilized Webb to carry out additional observations to verify their theory. The fresh data indicated that the speed of the black hole aligns perfectly with the speed of the gas cloud around it. This crucial finding makes it very unlikely that the black hole is a runaway object that was expelled from another galaxy; rather, it strongly hints that it formed right there from the collapsing gas.

    To make this discovery even more remarkable, the researchers also found out that both of the initial galactic nuclei have their own active supermassive black holes. This makes the Infinity Galaxy a unique system, hosting three such black holes. While the team notes that they cannot definitively assert they have found a black hole formed by direct collapse, they mention that the new data bolsters their argument while ruling out other possible explanations.

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    Astromers Discover 2 Galaxies with 3 Black Holes for First Time
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  • NASA Reveals Stunning New Details of the Cat’s Paw Nebula

    NASA Reveals Stunning New Details of the Cat’s Paw Nebula

    Key Takeaways

    1. NASA celebrates the third anniversary of the James Webb Space Telescope with a new image of the Cat’s Paw Nebula (NGC 6334), located 4,000 light-years from Earth.
    2. Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) captured a star-forming region, highlighting the chaotic creation of new stars and their effect on surrounding gas and dust clouds.
    3. The intense light from these young stars creates a vibrant glow in various shades of blue, showcasing dynamic star formation processes.
    4. Webb’s high-resolution imaging provides unprecedented insights into the structure of star formation, revealing details never seen before.
    5. The findings from Webb not only answer important questions about the universe but also pave the way for future research with upcoming telescopes like the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.

    NASA is marking the third year of its James Webb Space Telescope with the release of an amazing new image that showcases a star-forming area inside the Cat’s Paw Nebula. This nebula, which is also referred to as NGC 6334, is situated in the Scorpius constellation, approximately 4,000 light-years from Earth.

    A Closer Look at the Nebula

    Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) zoomed in on a specific part of the nebula, exposing a chaotic nursery where new stars are emerging. The image illustrates how these stars are actively shaping the surrounding gas and dust clouds. Their intense light brightens the region, creating a stunning, nebulous glow in various shades of blue. However, this vibrant activity is not permanent — the actions of these young stars will ultimately stop star formation in the area.

    Insights into Star Formation

    The recent observation allows scientists to delve into the intricate process of how stars are formed. Webb’s high-resolution imaging has brought to light structural details of this region that have never been seen before.

    Three years into its mission, Webb is proving its worth by uncovering aspects of the universe that were previously concealed, ranging from star formation to some of the earliest galaxies. — Shawn Domagal-Goldman, who is the acting director of the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters.

    He emphasized that the intriguing questions raised by Webb are just as thrilling as the answers it has uncovered, setting the stage for future research with the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and the Habitable Worlds Observatory.

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  • Scientists Find New Earth-Like Planet in the Universe

    Scientists Find New Earth-Like Planet in the Universe

    Key Takeaways

    1. Discovery of exoplanet TOI-1846 b, located 154 light-years away, similar to a super-Earth.
    2. TOI-1846 b is twice the size of Earth with a mass 4.4 times heavier and orbits its star every 3.93 days.
    3. The planet’s surface temperature is around 295°F (568.1 K), making it unlikely to support life.
    4. Scientists believe TOI-1846 b may have large amounts of water, potentially under a thick atmosphere or rock layers.
    5. Future research will utilize the James Webb Space Telescope and Extremely Large Telescopes to analyze the planet’s composition and atmospheric evolution.

    Regularly, many discoveries are made in the vastness of space, helping us to unravel certain mysteries while also sparking new theories. Recently, researchers have identified an exoplanet that bears resemblance to Earth, situated a mere 154 light-years away from our home planet.

    Discovery Details

    This exoplanet, known as TOI-1846 b, is akin to a super-Earth, being twice the size of Earth and orbiting a red dwarf star. NASA’s TESS satellite first detected it, and its existence was later confirmed through a mix of ground-based photometry and high-definition imaging techniques.

    From early observations, it appears to have a radius that is 1.792 times larger than Earth’s and a mass that is 4.4 times heavier. Its orbit is quite astonishing, as it completes a full circle around its star every 3.93 days, indicating it is very close to the star.

    Conditions and Composition

    Moreover, it is quite hard to visualize life existing on this planet, with an ambient temperature hovering around 295 degrees Fahrenheit, which is equivalent to 568.1 Kelvin. However, one of the more astonishing aspects is its makeup. Scientists theorize that its size and density indicate there are large amounts of water present on its surface, possibly concealed beneath a thick atmosphere or layers of rock.

    Even though this exoplanet might not support life, it could aid scientists in gaining a better understanding of this type of celestial body. Specifically, they can explore its planetary makeup, water retention abilities, and how its atmosphere evolves over time.

    Future Research Opportunities

    Various instruments will facilitate this exploration. The James Webb Space Telescope is set to delve deeper into studying this exoplanet, allowing for a more detailed analysis of its composition. Additionally, the upcoming Extremely Large Telescopes (ELT) will represent a new era of observational tools.

    But there’s more to uncover, as the star it orbits is a red dwarf, aged 7.2 billion years, and has only 42% of the Sun’s mass. Its temperature is also low, resting at just 3,568 Kelvin, which is typical for low-mass stars. Consequently, more research on this exoplanet will be essential to enhance our understanding of the origins of such celestial objects.

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  • Interstellar Object Travels at 60 km/s Through Our Solar System

    Interstellar Object Travels at 60 km/s Through Our Solar System

    Key Takeaways

    1. Discovery: A new interstellar object named A11pl3Z was discovered in June by the ATLAS system, featuring a diameter of 20 km and a speed of approximately 152,000 mph.

    2. Origin: A11pl3Z’s trajectory indicates it is not influenced by the Sun’s gravity, confirming it originates from outside our solar system.

    3. Safe Passage: The object is currently 3.8 astronomical units from the Sun and will approach Mars’ orbit on October 3, 2025, without posing any threat to Earth.

    4. Previous Interstellar Objects: A11pl3Z follows previous interstellar objects like 1I/ʻOumuamua and 2I/Borisov, highlighting the existence of multiple interstellar bodies.

    5. Future Observations: Scientists plan to observe A11pl3Z using advanced telescopes and rovers to learn more about its nature and origin, with a leading theory suggesting it may be a rocky fragment from a distant star system.

    Many celestial bodies, like comets and asteroids, have long been traveling through our solar system. Recently, however, astronomers have identified a new interstellar object that has captured the attention of scientists worldwide due to its unique speed and path.

    Discovery of A11pl3Z

    This object, given the temporary name A11pl3Z, was discovered at the end of June by the ATLAS system, which includes a network of telescopes in Hawaii, Chile, and South Africa. Unlike previous interstellar objects, A11pl3Z is estimated to have a diameter of 20 km and is moving at an astonishing speed of approximately 152,000 mph.

    An Intriguing Origin

    What makes this discovery even more fascinating is its origin. The initial calculations indicate that its trajectory seems not to be influenced by the Sun’s gravitational pull. This suggests that A11pl3Z is coming from outside our solar system, confirming its status as an interstellar object. Currently, it is positioned 3.8 astronomical units from the Sun and is predicted to approach Mars’ orbit on October 3, 2025. Fortunately, it poses no threat of colliding with Earth, as it will remain at a safe distance.

    In fact, A11pl3Z isn’t the first interstellar object to make its way through our solar system. Back in 2017, 1I/ʻOumuamua gained attention for its peculiar shape, with some speculating that it might be of extraterrestrial origin, especially given its unusual speed and trajectory variations. Then in 2019, comet 2I/Borisov helped scientists realize that numerous interstellar objects exist beyond our solar neighborhood.

    Scientific Observations Ahead

    Although A11pl3Z doesn’t threaten us and will only be passing through briefly, scientists are eager to observe it from various perspectives. They might utilize the powerful optical telescope Vera C. Rubin, along with rovers on Mars and the James Webb Space Telescope, which can detect unusual changes in speed or trajectory.

    Despite the excitement surrounding this interstellar bolide, various hypotheses are starting to emerge. The most plausible theory suggests that A11pl3Z could be a rocky fragment that was expelled from a distant star system millions of years ago. Regardless, future observations of this intriguing object will shed light on its true nature.

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