Recently, Earth had a close encounter with two large asteroids, 2024 MK and 2011 UL21. While both asteroids posed no threat to our planet, their flybys provided scientists with valuable opportunities to study these rocks up close and further our understanding of the threats they may pose in the future. Potentially Hazardous Objects Earth’s vicinity
Space
The Moon, often known for its grey, rugged appearance, also has peculiar bright patches known as lunar swirls that have intrigued scientists for centuries. These light-colored regions, such as the well-known Reiner Gamma swirl, have remained shrouded in mystery since their discovery in the 1600s. However, a recent study from researchers at Stanford University and
Solar storms are a force to be reckoned with, showcasing the immense power that the Sun can emit as radiation. Apart from the mesmerizing aurora displays, there is a more destructive phenomenon known as “solar particle events”. These blasts of protons directly from the Sun’s surface can shoot out into space like a searchlight, potentially
Jupiter’s moon Io is a fascinating world that is teeming with volcanic activity. With approximately 150 of its 400 active volcanoes erupting at any given time, Io is truly a hotbed of volcanic excretions. Thanks to the Juno probe’s Jovian Infrared Auroral Mapper (JIRAM), scientists have been able to gain more insight into the volcanic
Within the vast expanse of the universe, the Milky Way is not a solitary entity. Instead, it is accompanied by numerous dwarf galaxies, characterized by their diminutive size and faint appearance. These dwarf galaxies, some containing as few as a thousand stars, orbit our cosmic neighborhood in elegant trajectories. While the exact number of these
A Chinese space firm, Tianbing Aerospace Technology, recently made headlines for an unexpected incident involving the launch of its Tianlong-3 rocket. During a test, the rocket accidentally lifted off from its launchpad, eventually crashing into a nearby mountainside. This catastrophic event was the result of a structural failure that led to the premature separation of
In a groundbreaking discovery, NASA scientists have uncovered peculiar shapes in the ionosphere, shedding light on the mysterious dynamics of Earth’s upper atmosphere. The ionosphere, positioned approximately 48–965 kilometers (30–600 miles) above the Earth’s surface, has long been a subject of scientific fascination. However, the recent findings have unveiled unprecedented X and C shapes that
A black hole discovered lurking in the Cosmic Dawn is just way too big to easily explain. Sitting at the center of a galaxy called J1120+0641, it tips the scales at well over a billion Suns’ worth of mass. Bigger black holes exist all around us today. The problem is the when of J1120+0641’s existence.
Jupiter, the largest planet in our Solar System, has always been a source of fascination for astronomers and scientists. With its turbulent atmosphere and iconic storm, the Great Red Spot, Jupiter continues to surprise researchers with new and intriguing discoveries. Recently, astronomers have identified strange, glowing features in Jupiter’s ionosphere, above the Great Red Spot,
The Solar System has gone through significant changes over its long evolution. Scientists have discovered that the shape of the Solar System was once donut-shaped before it flattened into a disk. By studying iron meteorites originating from the outer Solar System, researchers have gained valuable insights into the early structure of our planetary system. This
The latest analysis of data collected by a seismometer on Mars has unearthed a surprising revelation – the red planet is under a constant barrage of meteorite impacts. The frequency of these impacts is far greater than previously believed, with Mars experiencing almost daily collisions with rocks the size of basketballs. This discovery challenges our
In April 1995, a spectacular image known as the ‘Pillars of Creation’ captured the attention of the world. This iconic image, taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, showcased the stunning beauty of the Eagle Nebula, where the pillars are located. These pillars, composed mainly of cool molecular hydrogen and dust, are being eroded by the
Two rare asteroids are set to pass by Earth at a close range, within just 42 hours of each other this week. Despite being labeled as “potentially hazardous,” both of these space rocks will safely fly by at thousands of miles per hour without posing any immediate threat to Earth. The European Space Agency has
China’s Chang’e-6 spacecraft recently completed a groundbreaking mission on the far side of the moon, marking a significant milestone in lunar exploration history. The spacecraft successfully landed, collected samples, and returned them to Earth, making it the first mission to achieve such a feat. This achievement has sparked excitement and admiration from the global space
Boeing’s Starliner capsule has faced significant challenges recently, including helium leaks and thruster problems that have caused NASA to push back the return date from the International Space Station. The planned return date has been canceled, as NASA focuses on testing the capsule, understanding its issues, and exploring potential fixes. Despite the setbacks, the agency
