Planetary atmospheres are fragile things, constantly losing material to the vacuum of space. Earth, for example, loses approximately 90 tonnes of atmospheric material every day. This gradual leakage provides valuable insights into the composition and evolution of other planets within our solar system. Ancient Venus Once believed to be a temperate world similar to Earth,
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Pluto, the dwarf planet at the edge of our solar system, is known for its distinctive “heart” feature called Tombaugh Regio. This heart-shaped region has intrigued scientists for years, with its bright appearance and unique geological characteristics. Researchers have long been puzzled by how this heart got started, but a recent study published in Nature
When NASA initiated the Perseverance rover mission to Mars with the goal of collecting samples, it may have underestimated the complexity of the task. The initial mission cost of US$2.4 billion seemed significant, but as the mission progressed, it became clear that bringing those samples back to Earth would be a monumental challenge. The Ambitious
NASA’s Mars Sample Return mission has been facing uncertainty in recent times due to budget and schedule issues. An independent review highlighted unrealistic expectations, an unwieldy structure, and ineffective leadership within the program. As a result, there have been significant budget cuts proposed by both the House and Senate appropriations committees, leading to NASA reducing
In the 16th century, Hungarian countess Elizabeth Báthory was rumored to have murdered hundreds of girls in a twisted effort to retain her youthful appearance. While the truth behind these accusations remains unclear, the desire for eternal youth continues to captivate the human imagination. Recent studies have uncovered a fascinating phenomenon in the Milky Way’s
Solar energy has long been regarded as a free and virtually unlimited resource here on Earth. However, its potential extends far beyond our planet, especially when it comes to spacecraft operating in the inner Solar System. In addition to providing electrical energy, the Sun emits a steady stream of solar wind that can be harnessed
Since its launch in 2009, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has been diligently mapping the lunar surface, showcasing NASA’s expertise and precision. The LRO’s mission is to identify potential landing sites, resources, and interesting features such as lava tubes. To date, the LRO has mapped approximately 98.2% of the lunar surface, excluding the deeply shadowed
Voyager 1, the most distant spacecraft from Earth, has been sending back puzzling signals composed of seemingly random 1s and 0s. Scientists at NASA were baffled by this gibberish until they decided to send a coded command to the spacecraft’s flight data subsystem (FDS) in March. This command triggered a response that unveiled a startling
In the vast expanse of the universe, there is a binary star system located 3,000 light years from Earth in the constellation Corona Borealis, also known as the “northern crown.” This system is generally too dim to be seen with the naked eye, but every 80 years or so, something extraordinary happens. The two stars
A rare astronomical occurrence is set to captivate skywatchers on April 8. While a total solar eclipse will darken skies across a significant part of the US, there will also be another celestial event to look out for. Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, known as the “Mother of Dragons” or “Devil comet,” will be making its closest approach
In a recent announcement, the White House has tasked NASA with creating a unified time standard for the Moon and other celestial bodies. This initiative comes as governments and private companies are increasingly exploring opportunities in space. The aim is to set international norms beyond Earth’s orbit to ensure safety and accuracy for missions to
Recent research has shed light on the creation of spherical carbon ‘cages’ known as fullerenes, which play a crucial role in the origins of life. By combining the results of laboratory studies with simulation software, scientists have made a significant discovery. These findings have important implications not only for our understanding of how life emerged
Total solar eclipses are a fascinating astronomical event that occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the Sun’s face. This phenomenon plunges observers into a darkness similar to dawn or dusk. These events are relatively rare, happening roughly every 18 months at some location on Earth. The upcoming total solar
A recent discovery in Antarctica has shed light on the presence of a unique grain of olivine in an ancient meteorite. This speck of olivine displays isotope compositions that can only be traced back to a star that perished long before the birth of our Solar System. These presolar grains, although challenging to identify due
Researchers have made an extraordinary discovery by revealing the magnetic fields that spiral around the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* in our galaxy. Using twisted light to detect and measure the effect of polarization in a direct image of the shadow of Sgr A*, scientists have uncovered a magnetic field structure similar to that of
