The recent discovery of a black hole in the cluster of stars known as IRS 13 has reignited the search for intermediate mass black holes – a rare and elusive category that falls between stellar-mass black holes and supermassive black holes. This finding is a breakthrough in the realm of astrophysics as it opens the
Space
When we gaze upon the expanse of space surrounding Earth’s orbit, we are met with a plethora of rocky objects. There are over 35,000 near-Earth asteroids and comets that traverse our corner of the Solar System. However, a recent study has shed light on a fascinating discovery – dark comets. These enigmatic celestial bodies, once
Mosses are remarkable organisms that have the ability to transform barren landscapes into fertile grounds. Now, scientists are considering the possibility of using these non-vascular plants to terraform Mars. This idea raises ethical questions about introducing life from Earth onto another planet, especially given our mixed track record with biological interventions. However, if we decide
The recent discovery by the Curiosity rover on Mars has sparked excitement among scientists and space enthusiasts alike. The rover accidentally cracked open a rock on the red planet, revealing yellow crystals of elemental sulfur. This surprising find has opened up new possibilities for understanding the geological history of Mars. Sulfates, which are salts formed
The International Space Station has served as a home away from home for numerous astronauts over the past 23 years. However, it seems that its days are now numbered. NASA recently announced a partnership with SpaceX, Elon Musk’s company, to assist in decommissioning the ISS. The plan involves utilizing a superpowered, extra-large Dragon spaceship to
One of the most intriguing events in the universe is about to take place – the eruption of a new star, T Coronae Borealis (T CrB). This celestial phenomenon is a unique opportunity for skywatchers to witness a rare event that occurs once every 80 years. Located in the constellation of the northern crown, T
Neutron stars are truly fascinating celestial bodies, formed from the remnants of giant stars that have collapsed in on themselves. The sheer mass of a neutron star is mind-boggling, as it can weigh more than our own Sun while being compressed to the size of a city. This extreme density causes the matter within these
Sending humans to Mars has always been a dream of space exploration, but one major obstacle has stood in the way – travel time. Currently, a round-trip to the red planet would take almost two years, exposing astronauts to significant health risks such as high levels of radiation, zero-gravity effects, and isolation. Space radiation, in
When NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore embarked on a mission to the International Space Station aboard Boeing’s Starliner spaceship, they had no idea they would be there much longer than planned. Initially scheduled for an eight-day stay, the duo found themselves stuck onboard the ISS due to unexpected glitches that plagued the spacecraft.
Planets in the Milky Way can sometimes offer surprises that are both fascinating and a little gross. The recent discovery of hydrogen sulfide in the atmosphere of the exoplanet HD-189733b, similar to the smell of rotten eggs, has opened up new possibilities for understanding the chemical makeup of worlds beyond our Solar System. With this
In 2017, astronomers made an exciting discovery when they identified an exoplanet known as LHS-1140b as one of the most promising locations for life to exist outside our Solar System. However, recent observations have made this alien world even more intriguing and bizarre. Scientists now believe that LHS-1140b may be an ‘eyeball’ planet, characterized by
Gravity has always been a topic of fascination when it comes to how it affects time. Ever since Albert Einstein introduced his general theory of relativity, scientists have been intrigued by the idea that gravity can actually slow down time. However, it wasn’t until the last decade or so that we had the technology to
The origins of the free-flying photons in the early cosmic dawn have long been a mystery. However, new data from the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes have shed light on this phenomenon and revealed that small dwarf galaxies played a crucial role in illuminating the dark and formless void of the early Universe. This
Martin Vargic, a space enthusiast, author, and graphic artist hailing from Slovakia, has recently unveiled two stunning infographic posters. These posters showcase nearly 1600 exoplanets of varying types and sizes. Despite encountering light pollution in his surroundings, Vargic’s passion for astronomy and space exploration ignited at a young age. Vargic’s journey into the realm of
A little over ten years ago, a groundbreaking discovery was made on Mars – the presence of organic material in the ancient lakebeds of the red planet. This revelation sparked a wave of excitement in the scientific community as it hinted at the possibility of carbon chemistry being widespread on Mars. While it is important
