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
Space
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
An American family in Florida is demanding more than $80,000 from NASA after a piece of debris fell from space and crashed through the roof of their home. This incident highlights the growing problem of space trash, which has become more prevalent with the increasing traffic in space. The response by NASA to this claim
The concept of warp drives, popularized by science fiction franchises, may not be as far-fetched as it initially seems. Warp drives have a scientific foundation, with Mexican physicist Miguel Alcubierre proposing a theoretical mechanism for faster-than-light travel back in 1994. While the idea of traveling faster than the speed of light goes against the known
Astronomers are known for dealing with massive objects such as big telescopes, giant galaxies, and exploding stars. However, one of the most revolutionary tools in astronomy today is a mini satellite the size of a breadbox. The CubeSat, as it is called, is set to act as an artificial star for astronomers to observe from
The recent findings from scientists regarding Saturn’s massive, seasonal energy imbalance have caused ripples in the scientific community. This revelation not only sheds light on the complex dynamics of gas giant planets but also challenges our existing knowledge of planetary and atmospheric science. Physicist Liming Li, from the University of Houston, emphasizes the significance of
As NASA’s Perseverance Rover continues its mission on Mars, it has reached its next destination – Bright Angel. This region has garnered attention for its unusual rocks, affectionately dubbed ‘popcorn rocks’ by scientists. These distinctive rocks provide further evidence of water’s past presence in Jezero Crater, where the rover is currently exploring. Perseverance’s primary objective