The recent surge in auroral activity that dazzled skywatchers around the world was a result of a massive solar flare sending energetic particles hurtling towards Earth. This phenomenon, known as the aurora borealis or aurora australis, is caused by charged particles from the Sun colliding with Earth’s atmosphere. While these charged particles are typically blocked
Space
In recent nights, Earth has been illuminated by mesmerizing green and red lights painting the skies, thanks to the impact of solar storms. These solar storms are the result of massive outflows of material exploding from the Sun and colliding with our planet’s magnetic field. While solar storms are not uncommon, the current series stands
The Universe never ceases to surprise us with its mysterious and awe-inspiring phenomena. Recently, astronomers have stumbled upon a colossal structure known as the Big Ring, located in the distant Universe. Spanning an astonishing 1.3 billion light-years in diameter, this ring of galaxies has left experts scratching their heads in confusion. The Big Ring defies
The search for extraterrestrial civilizations has always been a fascinating subject for scientists and enthusiasts alike. The idea of detecting other civilizations beyond our solar system, especially those capable of building Dyson spheres, captures the imagination. These megastructures, theorized by advanced civilizations, would allow them to harness the energy of an entire star. The concept
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been advancing rapidly in recent years, with some scientists now exploring the development of artificial superintelligence (ASI) – a form of AI that could surpass human intelligence. But what if this advancement poses a threat to the long-term survival of civilizations rather than being a remarkable achievement? This question forms the
Recently, a groundbreaking technique in radio astronomy has allowed astronomers to unveil the lowest frequencies of the radio Universe in unprecedented clarity. Previously, the turbulent interference generated by Earth’s ionosphere posed a significant challenge in observing the radio sky below 30 megahertz. However, a team of astronomers led by Christian Groeneveld from Leiden University in
Venus, often referred to as Earth’s “sister planet,” has long puzzled scientists with its lack of water despite similarities in size and mass. While Earth is teeming with life and covered in oceans, Venus is a barren, desolate wasteland. Scientists have been trying to understand where Venus’ water went, as it should have had a
Boeing’s Starliner capsule is finally taking off to the International Space Station on its first crewed mission after several years of delays following rival SpaceX’s success in achieving the same milestone. The mission is crucial for Boeing, a giant in the US aerospace industry, as it aims to establish its reputation after facing safety concerns
Exploring the lunar surface is becoming more likely in the next decade, but the toll that low-gravity environments take on the human body is a certainty. Muscle atrophy, bone demineralization, cardiovascular conditioning issues, and neural control problems are just a few of the challenges faced by astronauts in such environments. While scientists have made progress
The Sun is a familiar sight in our sky, but thanks to ESA’s Solar Orbiter mission, we are now seeing it in a whole new light. With the help of advanced imaging technology, we can now observe the Sun’s lower atmosphere in stunning detail, revealing feathery, hair-like structures made of plasma that follow magnetic field
In a groundbreaking discovery, the Curiosity rover has unearthed evidence that suggests Mars may have once been a habitable environment billions of years ago. By scrutinizing rocks in the ancient Gale Crater, Curiosity has detected a significant amount of manganese oxide – a mineral commonly found in Earth’s lakes. The presence of manganese oxide indicates
Meteors, or shooting stars, are a breathtaking sight that can be observed on any given night. The Earth’s journey around the Sun brings us into contact with various streams of dust and debris from comets and asteroids, resulting in what we know as meteor showers. These showers offer a dramatic increase in the number of
The Horsehead Nebula, a distinctive cloud structure resembling a horse’s head, has been the subject of a fascinating new study. Recent observations using mid- and near-infrared filters from the James Webb Space Telescope have provided unprecedented detail of this remarkable space cloud located approximately 1,300 light-years away as part of the Orion molecular cloud complex.
Recent research conducted by astronomer Konstantin Batygin and his colleagues at the California Institute of Technology has provided strong statistical evidence for the existence of a ninth planet in our Solar System. By tracking the movements of Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs) – celestial bodies beyond Neptune’s orbit – the researchers were able to analyze the orbits
Solar sails are revolutionizing the way we think about space travel. Drawing from the concept of sail ships from the past, these majestic sails harness the power of sunlight to propel spacecraft across the vast expanse of space. This innovative technology presents a more efficient and sustainable way to explore the cosmos. The Historical Evolution