In the world of astronomy, where scientists typically focus on the grand scales of the universe, the introduction of a mini satellite the size of a breadbox has sparked a revolution in the field. The Landolt Space Mission, approved by NASA with a budget of US$19.5 million, aims to launch a CubeSat into Earth’s orbit
Space
Saturn, with its beautiful rings, has always been a source of fascination for scientists. Recently, researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery – Saturn exhibits a massive, seasonal energy imbalance across its entire globe. This revelation has far-reaching implications for our understanding of weather patterns, climate dynamics on gas giant planets, as well as their long-term
NASA’s Perseverance Rover has recently departed from Mount Washburn and has reached its latest location, Bright Angel. The rover has encountered an unusual type of rock formation, dubbed ‘popcorn rock’ by scientists, which serves as further evidence of the presence of water in the Jezero Crater. This location is crucial for Perseverance’s mission, which revolves
In the vast expanse of the night sky, a star named T Coronae Borealis (T CrB) is preparing to put on a dazzling show for us mere spectators on Earth. Located more than 2,500 light-years away in the Corona Borealis constellation, T CrB is set to explode in a spectacular event known as a classical
Jupiter’s Great Red Spot (GRS) has captivated astronomers for centuries, with its massive anti-cyclonic storm rotating counterclockwise. The storm, larger than Earth itself, has wind speeds exceeding 400 km/h (250 mp/h). Observations of the GRS date back to at least the 1600s, with conflicting reports on its formation and longevity. The earliest known observation of
After a lengthy period of transmitting incomprehensible data, Voyager 1, the farthest human-made object from Earth, is finally back in communication with scientists at NASA. This momentous occasion marks the resumption of normal science operations, allowing all four of the spacecraft’s instruments to collect and transmit valuable data from its interstellar journey. The unexpected hiatus
In the vast expanse of the Milky Way, most stars adhere to predictable and stable orbits around the galactic center. However, there are rare exceptions – hypervelocity stars that defy the norm by hurtling through space at incredible speeds. One such stellar outlier is CWISE J124909+362116.0, also known as J1249+36. This particular star not only
The formation of the Solar System over billions of years has left behind a trail of clues in the form of ancient rocks that have fallen to Earth from space. In 2018, an international team of scientists made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying traces of material within one such rock that originated in the protoplanetary
An incident on June 12, CDT, caused a brief panic when audio of a flight surgeon dealing with an emergency on the International Space Station was mistakenly broadcast on the ISS livestream channel. The conversation discussed the need for hyperbaric treatment for an unnamed commander who was experiencing decompression sickness. ISS mission control later clarified
The discovery of holes on Mars, also known as pits, has always been a subject of interest among scientists and space enthusiasts. These pits, situated on the flanks of ancient volcanoes in Mars’s Tharsis region, have sparked numerous conversations over the years. Recently, an image captured by the HiRISE camera in 2022 resurfaced on the
The Milky Way, one of the billions of galaxies in the Universe, has not reached its current massive state without undergoing a series of collisions and mergers with other galaxies. This chaotic process is a common phenomenon throughout the cosmos, with galaxies constantly interacting and influencing one another. One of the most prominent examples of
Recently, an unusual event occurred that allowed many more people around the world to witness the northern and southern lights with the naked eye. This phenomenon was triggered by a very strong solar storm, impacting the Earth’s magnetic field. The Sun is currently at the peak of its 11-year activity cycle, leading to more explosive
NASA has set its sights on the stars with the ambitious mission to build a telescope dedicated to hunting for habitable worlds. The proposed ‘Habitable Worlds Observatory’ (HWO) may be at least a decade away from completion, but the groundwork has already begun. Three companies have been chosen to spearhead the research and development of
Astronomers have recently detected a peculiar signal emanating from a neutron star named ASKAP J193505.1+214841.0 (ASKAP J1935+2148), located approximately 15,820 light-years away in the Milky Way. Unlike any signals previously observed, this neutron star exhibits strong pulses, weak pulses, and even periods of no pulsations at all. This bizarre behavior has left scientists puzzled and
SpaceX’s ambitious Starship rocket prototype achieved a significant milestone during its test flight on Thursday – its first-ever splashdown. The spacecraft descended over the Indian Ocean northwest of Australia, with fiery debris flying off, but ultimately holding together and surviving atmospheric reentry. Despite the loss of many tiles and a damaged flap, the Starship successfully