When it comes to the conditions necessary for life on a planet, we often think of water, warmth, and food as the primary factors. However, scientist Luigi Petraccone has introduced a new element called “entropy” into the equation. Entropy plays a crucial role in determining if a planet can sustain and foster complex life forms.
Space
A recent discovery in space has left astronomers scratching their heads. A newly found brown dwarf, a failed star that is not massive enough to undergo hydrogen fusion, is causing a stir in the scientific community. With a mass of only 3 to 4 times that of Jupiter, it is the lowest-mass object of its
In a surprising turn of events, the atmosphere of Mars experienced a remarkable expansion as a powerful gust of solar wind swept through the planet’s vicinity. On 26 December 2022, the MAVEN spacecraft, on its mission to orbit Mars, observed a sudden decrease in solar particles coinciding with a peculiar transformation in the Martian atmosphere.
When the Sun gets rowdy, Earth’s sky lights up with beautiful dancing lights. Around the poles, colorful auroral streams dance and flicker across the sky. Closer to the equator, though, a different empyrean glow appears: the blushing, mauve-pink STEVE, and its attendant green-striped picket fence. What these lights are, and why they appear in our
Every year, astronomers and meteor enthusiasts eagerly await the arrival of the Geminid meteor shower. Dubbed as the best natural fireworks display of the year, this extraordinary celestial event never fails to captivate people from all corners of the world. As December approaches, anticipation grows as the Earth prepares to pass through streams of dust
The topic of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) has always piqued human curiosity, but recent developments have brought it into the spotlight once again. With the release of the Pentagon’s report on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) in 2021, the interest in UFOs has soared. Now in 2023, even NASA has taken notice and formed a panel
Stars, those luminous celestial bodies, have fascinated humanity for millennia. These colossal structures not only illuminate the night sky but also play a crucial role in the creation of elements. The process of element formation in stars has long intrigued scientists, and recent research led by Dr. Ian Roederer of the University of Michigan has
The Moon, once pristine and untouched, is now marred by human presence. Over the past fifty years, we have left our marks on its gray and cratered surface. From abandoned equipment to crashed spacecraft, art installations, and even our own waste, the Moon bears witness to humanity’s exploration and exploitation. According to scientists, it is
The galactic center of the Milky Way harbors a captivating set of stars known as the S-stars, whose existence has perplexed astronomers for years. The enigma surrounding these celestial bodies primarily stems from their improbable origins, as the tumultuous environment surrounding a supermassive black hole is considered unsuitable for star formation. However, a recent study,
In approximately one billion years, the sun’s increasing temperature will lead to the boiling of all the oceans on our planet, ultimately causing the destruction of life as we know it. Scientists have long believed that the fate of life on Earth is nearly sealed. However, a recent study conducted by scientists from the University
As we venture into the boundless expanse of the universe beyond the Milky Way, we are greeted by a tapestry of galaxies scattering the darkness like twinkling stars. It is natural to assume that these galaxies are evenly distributed throughout spacetime. However, upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that galaxies tend to cluster together, forming
A recent breakthrough in astrophysics has brought us closer to understanding the mysteries of gamma-ray pulsars. The Fermi catalog of gamma-ray pulsars, compiled by the Fermi Large Area Telescope, now contains over 340 objects, thanks to the identification of 294 previously unknown stars. With this significant expansion since its launch in 2008, the Third Fermi
The quest to explore and colonize the Moon has long been a fascination for scientists and space enthusiasts alike. While the Moon may seem desolate and barren, recent research by the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) suggests that there may be a potential source of water on the lunar surface. This discovery has far-reaching implications
Astronomers have made an incredible discovery – the first ever sighting of an extended disk of dust and gas around a star in a different galaxy. This unprecedented find was made in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy located 179,000 light-years away from the Milky Way. While the presence of a rotating disk around
After more than 50 years since the last Apollo mission, the United States is embarking on a new lunar venture. Astrobotic, an American company, is set to launch a lander named Peregrine to touch down on the Moon’s surface on January 25. Unlike previous missions, Peregrine will be unmanned, carrying NASA instruments to study the
