The Thwaites Glacier, also known as the Doomsday Glacier, is set to lose its ice shelf this year. It is already the most vulnerable body of ice in the world, and its downfall could cause global sea levels to rise by 2.1 feet. New Scientist reported, citing satellite images, that the Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf (TEIS) will soon separate from the glacier. Ice shelves are different from glaciers in the sense that the latter are attached to the ground. Ice shelves float in the sea and are attached to the glacier, acting as a buttress and stopping the ice from the glacier from flowing into the sea. According to Robert Larter, a marine geophysicist at the British Antarctic Survey, this event of grave consequences will most likely happen in 2026. He is in charge of the UK arm of the science coordination office at the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration. "The last bit of ice shelf in front of the glacier is poised to disintegrate," he told Live Science. He added that they don't know how it will happen, but it most definitely will.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientists-drilled-3-300-feet-deep-into-doomsday-glacier-thwaites-1770284941763">Scientists drilled 3,300 feet deep into Doomsday Glacier. It wasn't enough</a>&nbsp;Thwaites Glacier is the largest glacier in West Antarctica, and measures about 120 kilometres across its ocean front. It is more than 6,500 feet wide in some places. Its immense width and volume have led to it being named the Doomsday Glacier because it has been losing hundreds of billions of tonnes of ice since the 1980s. The warm ocean water underneath it is affecting its structural integrity as the glacier is melting from its base. Thwaites has retreated around 20 km since 1992. The movement on the side where the ice is breaking away has nearly doubled over the last eight months, Larter said.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/doomsday-gets-closer-cracks-on-thwaites-glacier-have-doubled-in-two-decades-1766981007538">Doomsday gets closer: Cracks on Thwaites Glacier have doubled in two decades</a>&nbsp;A study published March 9 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters noted that global warming could cause it to lose 180 billion to 200 billion tons of ice per year by 2067. While Thwaites itself will cause major damage to coastlines, its collapse would make the rest of the ice sheet vulnerable as well. British Antarctic Survey estimates that if the entire ice sheet slips into the ocean, sea levels would rise by 10.8 feet.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/major-catastrophe-unfolding-in-antarctica-as-hundreds-of-earthquakes-slam-doomsday-glacier-1767680441864">Major catastrophe unfolding in Antarctica as hundreds of earthquakes slam Doomsday Glacier</a><h2>Glacial earthquakes hit Thwaites</h2>A series of earthquakes over 13 years has also shaken Thwaites, adding to fears that it could collapse. Thanh-Son Pham, a researcher at the Australian National University, found that hundreds of iceberg earthquakes have jolted it between 2010 and 2023. The study published in Geophysical Research Letters stated that 362 glacial earthquakes were reported in Antarctica in over a decade, and 245 of them occurred in Doomsday Glacier.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/doomsday-thwaites-glacier-camp-study-melting-1769681591672">Scientists set up camp on 'Doomsday Glacier', but they are on a tight deadline: Here is why it matters</a>&nbsp;Another team of researchers from the University of Manitoba stated that more cracks are forming in one zone. &nbsp;"Over the past two decades, the shelf has experienced progressive fracturing around a prominent shear zone upstream of its pinning point, gradually compromising its structural integrity," they wrote.&nbsp;

Doomsday Glacier in Antarctica will lose its ice shelf in 2026, paving the way for a major climate catastrophe to widen. The glacier has been losing tonnes of ice for nearly 50 years, and when this shelf detaches itself, global sea levels could become the casualty.

The Thwaites Glacier, also known as the Doomsday Glacier, is set to lose its ice shelf this year. It is already the most vulnerable body of ice in the world, and its downfall could cause global sea levels to rise by 2.1 feet. New Scientist reported, citing satellite images, that the Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf (TEIS) will soon separate from the glacier. Ice shelves are different from glaciers in the sense that the latter are attached to the ground. Ice shelves float in the sea and are attached to the glacier, acting as a buttress and stopping the ice from the glacier from flowing into the sea. According to Robert Larter, a marine geophysicist at the British Antarctic Survey, this event of grave consequences will most likely happen in 2026. He is in charge of the UK arm of the science coordination office at the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration. "The last bit of ice shelf in front of the glacier is poised to disintegrate," he told Live Science. He added that they don't know how it will happen, but it most definitely will. Also Read: Scientists drilled 3,300 feet deep into Doomsday Glacier. It wasn't enough Thwaites Glacier is the largest glacier in West Antarctica, and measures about 120 kilometres across its ocean front. It is more than 6,500 feet wide in some places. Its immense width and volume have led to it being named the Doomsday Glacier because it has been losing hundreds of billions of tonnes of ice since the 1980s. The warm ocean water underneath it is affecting its structural integrity as the glacier is melting from its base. Thwaites has retreated around 20 km since 1992. The movement on the side where the ice is breaking away has nearly doubled over the last eight months, Larter said. Also Read: Doomsday gets closer: Cracks on Thwaites Glacier have doubled in two decades A study published March 9 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters noted that global warming could cause it to lose 180 billion to 200 billion tons of ice per year by 2067. While Thwaites itself will cause major damage to coastlines, its collapse would make the rest of the ice sheet vulnerable as well. British Antarctic Survey estimates that if the entire ice sheet slips into the ocean, sea levels would rise by 10.8 feet. Also Read: Major catastrophe unfolding in Antarctica as hundreds of earthquakes slam Doomsday Glacier Glacial earthquakes hit Thwaites A series of earthquakes over 13 years has also shaken Thwaites, adding to fears that it could collapse. Thanh-Son Pham, a researcher at the Australian National University, found that hundreds of iceberg earthquakes have jolted it between 2010 and 2023. The study published in Geophysical Research Letters stated that 362 glacial earthquakes were reported in Antarctica in over a decade, and 245 of them occurred in Doomsday Glacier. Also Read: Scientists set up camp on 'Doomsday Glacier', but they are on a tight deadline: Here is why it matters Another team of researchers from the University of Manitoba stated that more cracks are forming in one zone. "Over the past two decades, the shelf has experienced progressive fracturing around a prominent shear zone upstream of its pinning point, gradually compromising its structural integrity," they wrote.

Doomsday Glacier in Antarctica will lose its ice shelf in 2026, paving the way for a major climate catastrophe to widen. The glacier has been losing tonnes of ice for nearly 50 years, and when this shelf detaches itself, global sea levels could become the casualty.

Ice shelf the size of Indian capital city Delhi will detach from 'Doomsday Glacier' in 2026

An underwater volcano has been erupting in the southwestern Pacific Ocean since early May, sending giant steamy-white plumes 10,000 feet above the ocean surface. The volcano sits in the Bismarck Sea, along the Titan Ridge just off the north coast of Papua New Guinea. It is also releasing a volcanic rock called pumice that is floating out into the sea. Scientists say this could lead to the formation of a new island, a geological occurrence rarely ever seen in satellite images. They first suspected volcanic activity in this region on May 8 after seismometers detected several earthquakes.&nbsp;&nbsp;Later, satellite images by NASA’s Aqua and Terra showed volcanic plumes rising above the sea. There is no set rule for how long underwater volcano eruptions could last. In 1972, one eruption 16 kilometres away from the current one lasted only four days, and another one in 1957 in the same sea went on for nearly four years.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/smiley-face-spider-discovered-in-indian-himalayas-it-was-only-ever-found-in-hawaii-1779358656559">Smiley face spider discovered in Indian Himalayas. It was only ever found in Hawaii</a>&nbsp;This underwater zone in the Pacific is believed to be quite deep, as shown by bathymetry. However, experts say that looking at the current volcanic activity, it seems it is quite shallow. Simon Carn, a volcanologist at Michigan Tech, told EarthSky, “There must be a lot of hot material near the surface to generate so many thermal anomalies. This suggests a fairly shallow eruption vent, much shallower than what’s implied by the existing bathymetry.”<h2>New island could form in the Pacific</h2>Recent satellite images suggest that this event is changing the underwater landscape, and there is a high chance that a new island will emerge from the eruption. Jim Garvin, the chief scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, said, they are "eagerly waiting to see if a new island is about to be born" as this is something they have "only rarely been able to observe with satellites as it happens." This would be an opportunity to see how plants and animals take over the new island.<h2>Submarine volcanoes</h2>Oceans continue to remain a mystery since humans have only explored and studied about 5 per cent to 10 per cent of the underwater areas. Only about 28.7 per cent of the global seafloor has been mapped. The majority is it still harbours species and formations that we have yet to see. Underwater or submarine volcanoes make up for roughly 75 per cent of Earth's magma output, and outnumber the ones on land.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The volcano in the Bismarck Sea could lead to the formation of a new island, scientists say. It has been erupting for weeks now, sending plumes 10,000 feet above the ocean surface. Experts are curious to see the island taking shape in real time.

An underwater volcano has been erupting in the southwestern Pacific Ocean since early May, sending giant steamy-white plumes 10,000 feet above the ocean surface. The volcano sits in the Bismarck Sea, along the Titan Ridge just off the north coast of Papua New Guinea. It is also releasing a volcanic rock called pumice that is floating out into the sea. Scientists say this could lead to the formation of a new island, a geological occurrence rarely ever seen in satellite images. They first suspected volcanic activity in this region on May 8 after seismometers detected several earthquakes. Later, satellite images by NASA’s Aqua and Terra showed volcanic plumes rising above the sea. There is no set rule for how long underwater volcano eruptions could last. In 1972, one eruption 16 kilometres away from the current one lasted only four days, and another one in 1957 in the same sea went on for nearly four years. Also Read: Smiley face spider discovered in Indian Himalayas. It was only ever found in Hawaii This underwater zone in the Pacific is believed to be quite deep, as shown by bathymetry. However, experts say that looking at the current volcanic activity, it seems it is quite shallow. Simon Carn, a volcanologist at Michigan Tech, told EarthSky, “There must be a lot of hot material near the surface to generate so many thermal anomalies. This suggests a fairly shallow eruption vent, much shallower than what’s implied by the existing bathymetry.” New island could form in the Pacific Recent satellite images suggest that this event is changing the underwater landscape, and there is a high chance that a new island will emerge from the eruption. Jim Garvin, the chief scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, said, they are "eagerly waiting to see if a new island is about to be born" as this is something they have "only rarely been able to observe with satellites as it happens." This would be an opportunity to see how plants and animals take over the new island. Submarine volcanoes Oceans continue to remain a mystery since humans have only explored and studied about 5 per cent to 10 per cent of the underwater areas. Only about 28.7 per cent of the global seafloor has been mapped. The majority is it still harbours species and formations that we have yet to see. Underwater or submarine volcanoes make up for roughly 75 per cent of Earth's magma output, and outnumber the ones on land.

The volcano in the Bismarck Sea could lead to the formation of a new island, scientists say. It has been erupting for weeks now, sending plumes 10,000 feet above the ocean surface. Experts are curious to see the island taking shape in real time.

Underwater volcano erupting for weeks could birth a new island in the Pacific

&nbsp;The 3-Body Problem series, released in 2024 on Netflix, is based on the books written by Chinese author Liu Cixin. They are extremely popular worldwide and translated into more than 40 languages. Liu became the first Chinese writer to win the prestigious Hugo Award, the biggest prize awarded for the best science fiction or fantasy works. In China, the trilogy spawned a whole world with movies, video games, books, magazines and exhibits.<h2>What is the 3-Body Problem trilogy about?</h2> Humanity faces an alien invasion from a three-sun star system where the residents of one planet are in search of a new home. The three suns create a gravitational chaos which leads to their planet being frequently destroyed because of cosmic shifts and extreme weather. As they embark on the journey to Earth that would take 400 years, the San-Ti/Trisolaris civilisation realises they need to stop humans from advancing their technology to prevent them from fighting them when they reach Earth. So they send highly advanced, dimension-bending subatomic particles to Earth as spies and to sabotage scientific experiments.<h2>3-Body Problem: The Physics behind it</h2> In our solar system, the Sun exerts a gravitational pull on all the planets that revolve around it. All of them remain in stable orbits because of the single force being exerted upon them. However, when three suns are introduced into a system, gravitational chaos occurs. The orbits become unpredictable, and the third object alters the paths of the other two; the erratic movement in turn alters the path of the third. Mathematics has no simple formula to solve this problem, as scientists cannot accurately predict how three bodies will interact far into the future.<h2>How the 3-Body Problem led to a murder</h2>A Netflix deal led to a fallout between Yoozoo Game founder Lin Qi and his associate Xu Yao. Yoozoo held the film adaptation rights for the science-fiction trilogy. Xu helped the billionaire gaming tycoon land the Netflix deal for the adaptation of "The 3-Body Problem" in September 2020. Lin was named an executive producer and appointed Xu to lead the 3-Body Universe in 2018.&nbsp; Xu headed up a subsidiary that was in charge of all business related to all the productions related to the books, according to local news reports. In September 2020, Netflix acquired the rights to produce an adaptation of the popular books, and Xu played an important role in striking the deal. But soon after, he was sidelined, which led to resentment. According to local media reports, Xu bought highly toxic substances online, costing hundreds of thousands of yuan. This included alpha-amanitin, a lethal compound found in some poisonous mushrooms.&nbsp;He disguised them as probiotic pills, put them in coffee capsules, water containers and whiskey bottles, and gave them to Lin and other employees. The 39-year-old fell sick after drinking a cup of poisoned tea, was rushed to the hospital and died a few days later. Many others at the company also fell sick but recovered. Shanghai business magazine Yicai Global and other outlets reported Xu was executed on May 21.&nbsp;

China executed Xu Yao, an associate of Yoozoo Game founder Lin Qi, for murdering his billionaire boss after the two had a tiff over a Netflix deal. The 3-Body Problem is at the centre of the murder saga. The show released in 2024, while the books remain popular worldwide. 

The 3-Body Problem series, released in 2024 on Netflix, is based on the books written by Chinese author Liu Cixin. They are extremely popular worldwide and translated into more than 40 languages. Liu became the first Chinese writer to win the prestigious Hugo Award, the biggest prize awarded for the best science fiction or fantasy works. In China, the trilogy spawned a whole world with movies, video games, books, magazines and exhibits. What is the 3-Body Problem trilogy about? Humanity faces an alien invasion from a three-sun star system where the residents of one planet are in search of a new home. The three suns create a gravitational chaos which leads to their planet being frequently destroyed because of cosmic shifts and extreme weather. As they embark on the journey to Earth that would take 400 years, the San-Ti/Trisolaris civilisation realises they need to stop humans from advancing their technology to prevent them from fighting them when they reach Earth. So they send highly advanced, dimension-bending subatomic particles to Earth as spies and to sabotage scientific experiments. 3-Body Problem: The Physics behind it In our solar system, the Sun exerts a gravitational pull on all the planets that revolve around it. All of them remain in stable orbits because of the single force being exerted upon them. However, when three suns are introduced into a system, gravitational chaos occurs. The orbits become unpredictable, and the third object alters the paths of the other two; the erratic movement in turn alters the path of the third. Mathematics has no simple formula to solve this problem, as scientists cannot accurately predict how three bodies will interact far into the future. How the 3-Body Problem led to a murder A Netflix deal led to a fallout between Yoozoo Game founder Lin Qi and his associate Xu Yao. Yoozoo held the film adaptation rights for the science-fiction trilogy. Xu helped the billionaire gaming tycoon land the Netflix deal for the adaptation of "The 3-Body Problem" in September 2020. Lin was named an executive producer and appointed Xu to lead the 3-Body Universe in 2018. Xu headed up a subsidiary that was in charge of all business related to all the productions related to the books, according to local news reports. In September 2020, Netflix acquired the rights to produce an adaptation of the popular books, and Xu played an important role in striking the deal. But soon after, he was sidelined, which led to resentment. According to local media reports, Xu bought highly toxic substances online, costing hundreds of thousands of yuan. This included alpha-amanitin, a lethal compound found in some poisonous mushrooms. He disguised them as probiotic pills, put them in coffee capsules, water containers and whiskey bottles, and gave them to Lin and other employees. The 39-year-old fell sick after drinking a cup of poisoned tea, was rushed to the hospital and died a few days later. Many others at the company also fell sick but recovered. Shanghai business magazine Yicai Global and other outlets reported Xu was executed on May 21.

China executed Xu Yao, an associate of Yoozoo Game founder Lin Qi, for murdering his billionaire boss after the two had a tiff over a Netflix deal. The 3-Body Problem is at the centre of the murder saga. The show released in 2024, while the books remain popular worldwide.&nbsp;

The 3-Body Problem murder: A Netflix deal, fatal poisoning and the most perplexing physics problem

Scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, have conducted a detailed investigation of sub-surface ice in the lunar South Polar Region using observations from the Chandrayaan-2 Dual Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (DFSAR). The DFSAR onboard the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter is a microwave imaging instrument operating in L- and S-band frequencies, making it the first fully-polarimetric SAR to study the Moon.&nbsp;The study focuses on "doubly shadowed craters," which are special craters located inside permanently shadowed regions (PSRs). Due to continuous shielding from sunlight and thermal radiation, these regions remain extremely cold, with temperatures around 25K, making them favourable locations for preserving water-ice over long geological timescales.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/isro-gets-russian-3-d-printer-to-make-aerospace-components-1777555247478">ISRO gets Russian 3-D printer to make aerospace components</a>&nbsp;Using advanced radar polarimetric analysis, scientists identified radar signatures consistent with the possible presence of subsurface ice beneath the floors of four doubly shadowed craters. The study proposes a refined radar-based criterion for identifying subsurface ice, where Circular Polarisation Ratio (CPR) values greater than 1, together with Degree of Polarisation (DOP) values lower than 0.13, indicate volumetric scattering potentially associated with subsurface ice. DOP measures how much of the reflected radar signal retains its original polarisation state after interacting with the material, helping distinguish genuine ice signatures from rough, rocky terrain.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/isro-technology-being-sold-cheaply-to-private-firms-parliamentary-panel-finds-1774613564517">ISRO technology being sold cheaply to private firms, Parliamentary panel finds</a>&nbsp;Among the investigated craters, a 1.1 km diameter crater (designated as F2) within the Faustini crater shows particularly strong evidence of subsurface ice. This is supported by both radar observations and distinctive lobate-rim morphological characteristics. This flow-like or lobed appearance suggests the impact may have penetrated subsurface ice to produce the observed crater.&nbsp;These findings provide important new insights into the distribution of lunar polar volatiles and have significant implications for future missions, including identifying potential ice-bearing regions for future landing and in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) activities.

Scientists from Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, have used Chandrayaan-2's DFSAR instrument to identify radar signatures consistent with subsurface ice beneath four craters in the lunar South Polar Region, with one crater in Faustini showing particularly strong evidence.

Scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, have conducted a detailed investigation of sub-surface ice in the lunar South Polar Region using observations from the Chandrayaan-2 Dual Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (DFSAR). The DFSAR onboard the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter is a microwave imaging instrument operating in L- and S-band frequencies, making it the first fully-polarimetric SAR to study the Moon. The study focuses on "doubly shadowed craters," which are special craters located inside permanently shadowed regions (PSRs). Due to continuous shielding from sunlight and thermal radiation, these regions remain extremely cold, with temperatures around 25K, making them favourable locations for preserving water-ice over long geological timescales. Also read: ISRO gets Russian 3-D printer to make aerospace components Using advanced radar polarimetric analysis, scientists identified radar signatures consistent with the possible presence of subsurface ice beneath the floors of four doubly shadowed craters. The study proposes a refined radar-based criterion for identifying subsurface ice, where Circular Polarisation Ratio (CPR) values greater than 1, together with Degree of Polarisation (DOP) values lower than 0.13, indicate volumetric scattering potentially associated with subsurface ice. DOP measures how much of the reflected radar signal retains its original polarisation state after interacting with the material, helping distinguish genuine ice signatures from rough, rocky terrain. Also read: ISRO technology being sold cheaply to private firms, Parliamentary panel finds Among the investigated craters, a 1.1 km diameter crater (designated as F2) within the Faustini crater shows particularly strong evidence of subsurface ice. This is supported by both radar observations and distinctive lobate-rim morphological characteristics. This flow-like or lobed appearance suggests the impact may have penetrated subsurface ice to produce the observed crater. These findings provide important new insights into the distribution of lunar polar volatiles and have significant implications for future missions, including identifying potential ice-bearing regions for future landing and in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) activities.

Scientists from Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, have used Chandrayaan-2's DFSAR instrument to identify radar signatures consistent with subsurface ice beneath four craters in the lunar South Polar Region, with one crater in Faustini showing particularly strong evidence.

Chandrayaan-2 radar detects possible subsurface ice at Moon's south pole

A report has warned that China's "space habitation and lunar ambitions" can pose a security threat to the United States. It states that the two countries could fight "over control of lunar resources and territory" as Beijing prepares to land humans on the Moon, as does the US, Defense One reported. The paper by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies paints a bleak outlook for the space race, which is being led by the two countries. According to the author, active-duty US Space Force (USSF) personnel would need to be stationed on the Moon and the space station to defend against China’s alleged military-focused space initiatives. Retired USSF Colonel Kyle Pumroy also slammed the US human spaceflight and Moon programs that he says have suffered because of "inconsistency in vision, policy, and funding", and this has led "China to gain steady ground over time."&nbsp;Pumroy says it is crucial to immediately develop a military human spaceflight program which allows for Guardians in space. China's space agency has taken huge strides in the cosmos, completing the Tiangong Space Station in 2022 and landing rovers on the Moon. Its next step is to send humans to the Moon, a target the US is also working towards. While Donald Trump has asserted that the US would leave China behind, the latter's progress in space missions means that it is not far behind either.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sun-released-a-record-breaking-radio-burst-for-19-days-nasa-and-esa-probes-reveal-what-happened-1779873159921">Record-breaking solar radio burst lasted 19 days. NASA and ESA probes reveal what happened</a><h2>Report claims “hard power” needed in new space race</h2>However, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans military activities in space and states that no country can stake a claim to the Moon. But Pumroy says the US might have to abandon it as China has a "record of ignoring treaty agreements and territorial aggression". He claims the habitat it wants to build on the Moon is aligned with the country's military. “When territorial conquest, the potential for economic gain, and national interests overlap, societies seek to establish favourable norms and standards and do so using various degrees of hard power,” he wrote, adding "hard power will ultimately matter in this new space race."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/unexplainable-activity-in-w-constellation-cassiopeia-finally-has-an-answer-160-years-later-1779719224496">Unexplainable 'ghost' activity in Cassiopeia finally has an answer 160 years later</a>&nbsp;The Space Force was established in 2019 and the Guardians (its members) manage space launches, maintain GPS, weather and communication satellites, and work on other related things. However, the paper says that a military human spaceflight program with Title 10 authorities should instead be created. This would grant the Department of Defense the authority to organise, train, and deploy military forces globally.

Space would need to be defended as China and the US pursue their ambitions in orbit and on the Moon. The report states that the US should urgently work to prepare a force that can be stationed on the Moon and stop China from asserting authority over the lunar body. 

A report has warned that China's "space habitation and lunar ambitions" can pose a security threat to the United States. It states that the two countries could fight "over control of lunar resources and territory" as Beijing prepares to land humans on the Moon, as does the US, Defense One reported. The paper by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies paints a bleak outlook for the space race, which is being led by the two countries. According to the author, active-duty US Space Force (USSF) personnel would need to be stationed on the Moon and the space station to defend against China’s alleged military-focused space initiatives. Retired USSF Colonel Kyle Pumroy also slammed the US human spaceflight and Moon programs that he says have suffered because of "inconsistency in vision, policy, and funding", and this has led "China to gain steady ground over time." Pumroy says it is crucial to immediately develop a military human spaceflight program which allows for Guardians in space. China's space agency has taken huge strides in the cosmos, completing the Tiangong Space Station in 2022 and landing rovers on the Moon. Its next step is to send humans to the Moon, a target the US is also working towards. While Donald Trump has asserted that the US would leave China behind, the latter's progress in space missions means that it is not far behind either. Also Read: Record-breaking solar radio burst lasted 19 days. NASA and ESA probes reveal what happened Report claims “hard power” needed in new space race However, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans military activities in space and states that no country can stake a claim to the Moon. But Pumroy says the US might have to abandon it as China has a "record of ignoring treaty agreements and territorial aggression". He claims the habitat it wants to build on the Moon is aligned with the country's military. “When territorial conquest, the potential for economic gain, and national interests overlap, societies seek to establish favourable norms and standards and do so using various degrees of hard power,” he wrote, adding "hard power will ultimately matter in this new space race." Also Read: Unexplainable 'ghost' activity in Cassiopeia finally has an answer 160 years later The Space Force was established in 2019 and the Guardians (its members) manage space launches, maintain GPS, weather and communication satellites, and work on other related things. However, the paper says that a military human spaceflight program with Title 10 authorities should instead be created. This would grant the Department of Defense the authority to organise, train, and deploy military forces globally.

Space would need to be defended as China and the US pursue their ambitions in orbit and on the Moon. The report states that the US should urgently work to prepare a force that can be stationed on the Moon and stop China from asserting authority over the lunar body.&nbsp;

Treaty poopers: Think Tank warns US needs actual 'Guardians of the Galaxy' before China claims the Moon

A study has painted a worrying picture created by the multiple rocket launches, with the fuel being used as the main problem, Universe Today reported. According to lead author Conner Barker of University College London, the startling growth of Satellite megaconstellations (SMCs), like SpaceX's Starlink, will soon lead to a scenario where they will account for up to 42 per cent of the overall climate impact of the space launch industry. The problem area here is the primary fuel used in the main rocket engine that launches SMCs into orbit - kerosene. It produces black carbon, or soot, which is typically washed away by the rain when produced by ground sources. However, this one stays in the atmosphere for a longer time. According to the paper, when it’s launched into the stratosphere behind a rocket, it can stay there for up to four years.<h2>Soot from kerosene is heating the upper atmosphere</h2>The authors state that soot from the SMC launches is heating up the upper atmosphere, even though, by blocking the sunlight, the lower atmosphere gets cooler. But the launches are responsible for 56 per cent of this "instantaneous warming", and with companies pushing to create megaconstellations, this number will only increase. The scientists back their report using real-world data from NOAA’s SABRE aircraft campaign. As part of this, researchers flew a high-altitude research aircraft directly through a Falcon 9 rocket plume to check the precise chemical composition of its exhaust.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/deep-space-signal-that-lasted-25-000-seconds-gets-a-possible-explanation-1779876010241">Deep space signal that lasted 25,200 seconds gets a possible explanation</a>&nbsp;The mission revealed that rockets generate significant amounts of nitrous oxides elevated high into the upper atmosphere. This phenomenon appears to be driven by an "afterburner effect," a process where the scorching rocket exhaust continuously reacts with surrounding atmospheric oxygen. However, the long-term consequences on the environment of injecting these compounds into the upper atmosphere remain poorly understood.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/james-webb-space-telescope-rock-clouds-on-hot-jupiter-1779722150175">Rock clouds on Hot Jupiter 700 light-years from Earth form in the morning and disappear by evening</a>&nbsp;The paper also presents some positive sides to these rocket launches. Since SMCs aren't placed very high up in the atmosphere, the propellant needed is much less. Furthermore, while rocket launches do emit chlorine—a chemical known to actively degrade the ozone layer—the study notes that the entire global space launch industry is currently responsible for a mere 0.02% of total ozone depletion. &nbsp;

Satellite megaconstellations are creating a problem for the environment, creating a high-altitude pollution problem that mimics an unregulated geoengineering experiment. Researchers used real-world atmospheric data from NOAA’s SABRE aircraft campaign to validate their models.

A study has painted a worrying picture created by the multiple rocket launches, with the fuel being used as the main problem, Universe Today reported. According to lead author Conner Barker of University College London, the startling growth of Satellite megaconstellations (SMCs), like SpaceX's Starlink, will soon lead to a scenario where they will account for up to 42 per cent of the overall climate impact of the space launch industry. The problem area here is the primary fuel used in the main rocket engine that launches SMCs into orbit - kerosene. It produces black carbon, or soot, which is typically washed away by the rain when produced by ground sources. However, this one stays in the atmosphere for a longer time. According to the paper, when it’s launched into the stratosphere behind a rocket, it can stay there for up to four years. Soot from kerosene is heating the upper atmosphere The authors state that soot from the SMC launches is heating up the upper atmosphere, even though, by blocking the sunlight, the lower atmosphere gets cooler. But the launches are responsible for 56 per cent of this "instantaneous warming", and with companies pushing to create megaconstellations, this number will only increase. The scientists back their report using real-world data from NOAA’s SABRE aircraft campaign. As part of this, researchers flew a high-altitude research aircraft directly through a Falcon 9 rocket plume to check the precise chemical composition of its exhaust. Also Read: Deep space signal that lasted 25,200 seconds gets a possible explanation The mission revealed that rockets generate significant amounts of nitrous oxides elevated high into the upper atmosphere. This phenomenon appears to be driven by an "afterburner effect," a process where the scorching rocket exhaust continuously reacts with surrounding atmospheric oxygen. However, the long-term consequences on the environment of injecting these compounds into the upper atmosphere remain poorly understood. Also Read: Rock clouds on Hot Jupiter 700 light-years from Earth form in the morning and disappear by evening The paper also presents some positive sides to these rocket launches. Since SMCs aren't placed very high up in the atmosphere, the propellant needed is much less. Furthermore, while rocket launches do emit chlorine—a chemical known to actively degrade the ozone layer—the study notes that the entire global space launch industry is currently responsible for a mere 0.02% of total ozone depletion.

Satellite megaconstellations are creating a problem for the environment, creating a high-altitude pollution problem that mimics an unregulated geoengineering experiment. Researchers used real-world atmospheric data from NOAA’s SABRE aircraft campaign to validate their models.

How satellite launches are accidentally 'geoengineering' our atmosphere

A blast from deep space that lasted for seven hours surprised astronomers in 2025. It was a signal coming from some intensely active region. Designated GRB 250702B, it was first detected in the 1960s by the US military. However, over the years, as technology developed, instruments detected more of them. This signal intrigued scientists because of how long it lasted. Typically, these bursts can go from a few milliseconds to several minutes. The longest burst before GRB 250702B was recorded last year and was 15,000 seconds long. GRBs largely have two points of origin - Supernovae or Kilonovae. The former occurs when a star spiralling at extreme speeds falls into a black hole, while the latter occurs when two ultra-dense neutron stars collide and merge.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/deadly-cosmic-cocktail-floating-in-milky-way-tastes-like-raspberries-and-smells-like-rum-1779779817684">Deadly 'cosmic cocktail' floating in Milky Way tastes like raspberries and smells like rum</a>&nbsp;But none of them would have produced high-energy jets for seven hours, or 25,000 seconds. So scientists started searching for the origin, and what could have caused such a long signal. For starters, they knew that the reason had to be something new since GRB 250702B shattered standard physics models. Astrophysicists and researchers from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center collected all the data, including from ground instruments like the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope. They noted that the culprit was possibly a rare "helium merger."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/unexplainable-activity-in-w-constellation-cassiopeia-finally-has-an-answer-160-years-later-1779719224496">Unexplainable 'ghost' activity in Cassiopeia finally has an answer 160 years later</a><h2>Helium star locked with a black hole</h2>They theorised that a binary system was where it originated, where a stellar-mass black hole was locked in a tight orbit with a helium star, one that has already shed its outer layers of hydrogen, and is merely a highly dense helium core. As the helium star naturally aged and expanded, the black hole drifted inside the star's outer envelope. It rapidly consumed the dense helium star from the inside out, and this led to a huge amount of rotational energy being transferred to the black hole. A high-energy jet was unleashed that could fire gamma rays for seven hours. NASA is now preparing to study more stellar deaths.

Deep space bursts of energy commonly happen because of either supernovae or kilonovae. But in 2025, something else triggered a signal which lasted for seven hours. Scientists now have a theory about what could have happened.

A blast from deep space that lasted for seven hours surprised astronomers in 2025. It was a signal coming from some intensely active region. Designated GRB 250702B, it was first detected in the 1960s by the US military. However, over the years, as technology developed, instruments detected more of them. This signal intrigued scientists because of how long it lasted. Typically, these bursts can go from a few milliseconds to several minutes. The longest burst before GRB 250702B was recorded last year and was 15,000 seconds long. GRBs largely have two points of origin - Supernovae or Kilonovae. The former occurs when a star spiralling at extreme speeds falls into a black hole, while the latter occurs when two ultra-dense neutron stars collide and merge. Also Read: Deadly 'cosmic cocktail' floating in Milky Way tastes like raspberries and smells like rum But none of them would have produced high-energy jets for seven hours, or 25,000 seconds. So scientists started searching for the origin, and what could have caused such a long signal. For starters, they knew that the reason had to be something new since GRB 250702B shattered standard physics models. Astrophysicists and researchers from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center collected all the data, including from ground instruments like the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope. They noted that the culprit was possibly a rare "helium merger." Also Read: Unexplainable 'ghost' activity in Cassiopeia finally has an answer 160 years later Helium star locked with a black hole They theorised that a binary system was where it originated, where a stellar-mass black hole was locked in a tight orbit with a helium star, one that has already shed its outer layers of hydrogen, and is merely a highly dense helium core. As the helium star naturally aged and expanded, the black hole drifted inside the star's outer envelope. It rapidly consumed the dense helium star from the inside out, and this led to a huge amount of rotational energy being transferred to the black hole. A high-energy jet was unleashed that could fire gamma rays for seven hours. NASA is now preparing to study more stellar deaths.

Deep space bursts of energy commonly happen because of either supernovae or kilonovae. But in 2025, something else triggered a signal which lasted for seven hours. Scientists now have a theory about what could have happened.

Deep space signal that lasted 25,200 seconds gets a possible explanation

Our Sun routinely releases radio bursts that can last from a few hours to days. In August 2025, it did something extraordinary, releasing a Type IV radio burst that lasted for 19 days. Type IV radio bursts are produced when electrons trapped inside the Sun's magnetic fields swirl around and release energy as they go. They are not dangerous, but the magnetic environments that produce them can trigger particle storms into the solar system that can damage satellites and spacecraft. The August event last year was captured by four human probes - NASA's STEREO, Parker Solar Probe, and Wind missions, alongside ESA and NASA's Solar Orbiter. None of them got the full picture, and when data from each of them was pieced together, something amazing was revealed.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sun-mysteriously-shut-down-for-70-years-indicating-a-hibernation-could-strike-earth-any-time-1776088106940">Sun mysteriously shut down for 70 years, indicating a hibernation could strike Earth any time</a><h2>Supercharged helmet streamer</h2>This radio had lasted for 19 days, nearly four times longer than anything previously recorded. Each of these spacecraft recorded the burst for a few days before it moved onto the next one. The Sun's rotation led to the source region moving in and out of each of these probes. Scientists applied a new analysis technique to STEREO data, which revealed that the burst was coming from a large magnetic structure in the Sun's outer atmosphere called a helmet streamer - a distinctive V-shaped feature visible during solar eclipses. In this zone, magnetic field lines arch up from the Sun's surface and spread into space. The magnetic activity is concentrated in these regions stretching outwards.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sun-unleashes-m-class-solar-flare-auroras-could-light-up-earth-this-week-details-1778572341489">Sun unleashes M-class solar flare, auroras could light up Earth this week. Details</a>&nbsp;Collating data from STEREO, Parker, Wind missions and Solar Orbiter revealed what had happened. Three coronal mass ejections had been released in quick succession from this particular zone, effectively supercharging it. This led to the magnetic trap being constantly fed with material, and this is what kept the radio burst energised far beyond its normal lifespan. The findings were published in the journal Astrophysical Journal Letters. Scientists say that such information is crucial in improving space weather forecasting and better identifying the radio bursts.

Scientists now know what happened during the historic 19-day solar radio burst in 2025. They analysed data from NASA and ESA probes and revealed that a supercharged “helmet streamer” was the culprit.

Our Sun routinely releases radio bursts that can last from a few hours to days. In August 2025, it did something extraordinary, releasing a Type IV radio burst that lasted for 19 days. Type IV radio bursts are produced when electrons trapped inside the Sun's magnetic fields swirl around and release energy as they go. They are not dangerous, but the magnetic environments that produce them can trigger particle storms into the solar system that can damage satellites and spacecraft. The August event last year was captured by four human probes - NASA's STEREO, Parker Solar Probe, and Wind missions, alongside ESA and NASA's Solar Orbiter. None of them got the full picture, and when data from each of them was pieced together, something amazing was revealed. Also Read: Sun mysteriously shut down for 70 years, indicating a hibernation could strike Earth any time Supercharged helmet streamer This radio had lasted for 19 days, nearly four times longer than anything previously recorded. Each of these spacecraft recorded the burst for a few days before it moved onto the next one. The Sun's rotation led to the source region moving in and out of each of these probes. Scientists applied a new analysis technique to STEREO data, which revealed that the burst was coming from a large magnetic structure in the Sun's outer atmosphere called a helmet streamer - a distinctive V-shaped feature visible during solar eclipses. In this zone, magnetic field lines arch up from the Sun's surface and spread into space. The magnetic activity is concentrated in these regions stretching outwards. Also Read: Sun unleashes M-class solar flare, auroras could light up Earth this week. Details Collating data from STEREO, Parker, Wind missions and Solar Orbiter revealed what had happened. Three coronal mass ejections had been released in quick succession from this particular zone, effectively supercharging it. This led to the magnetic trap being constantly fed with material, and this is what kept the radio burst energised far beyond its normal lifespan. The findings were published in the journal Astrophysical Journal Letters. Scientists say that such information is crucial in improving space weather forecasting and better identifying the radio bursts.

Scientists now know what happened during the historic 19-day solar radio burst in 2025. They analysed data from NASA and ESA probes and revealed that a supercharged “helmet streamer” was the culprit.

Record-breaking solar radio burst lasted 19 days. NASA and ESA probes reveal what happened

Russia has claimed that its Ebola vaccine may offer protection against Bundibugyo, the rare strain driving the current outbreak in Central Africa. This comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the situation an international public health emergency. The vaccine announcement was made by Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, according to the Russian Embassy in South Africa.<h2>How effective is the vaccine against Ebola's Bundibugyo strain?</h2>In a statement, the embassy said Russian researchers had created a vaccine against Ebola. The embassy added that scientists believe the vaccine "may also protect" against the current strain responsible for the outbreak in Congo. The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a rare and highly dangerous variant, is now driving outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighbouring Uganda. According to Alexander Gintsburg, scientific director of the Gamaleya Centre, the Russian Ebola vaccine likely protects against the rare Bundibugyo strain. He noted that the genetic similarity between this virus variant and the vaccine strain is about 60-70 per cent.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ebola-in-europe-two-aid-workers-in-italy-show-signs-of-ebola-after-returning-from-uganda-1779801873935">Two aid workers in Italy show signs of Ebola after returning from Uganda</a><h2>WHO declares PHEIC over DRC's Ebola outbreak</h2>On May 17, the WHO officially declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), its highest level of global health alert under the International Health Regulations.Africa CDC has separately labelled the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security.<h2>Why the outbreak is alarming</h2>The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has emerged as the centre of the outbreak. According to figures released by Congolese authorities, the disease has already caused 204 deaths and at least 867 suspected cases. Uganda has also confirmed cases, including at least one death.The WHO believes the actual spread may be significantly wider than official figures suggest, warning that the virus may have circulated undetected for some time before authorities identified the outbreak.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-mandates-21-day-ebola-quarantine-for-drc-and-uganda-arrivals-1779796413904">Thailand mandates 21-day Ebola quarantine for DRC and Uganda arrivals</a><h2>What is Ebola?</h2>Ebola is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever that spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids. The disease can trigger internal bleeding, organ failure and death, with mortality rates often extremely high during outbreaks.What makes the current situation particularly concerning is the Bundibugyo strain itself. Unlike the more widely known Zaire Ebola strain, there are currently no fully approved vaccines or specific treatments specifically designed for Bundibugyo Ebola.

A dangerous new Ebola strain is spreading across Central Africa. Russia now claims its vaccine can potentially protect against it. With the WHO declaring a global health emergency and deaths rising in Congo and Uganda, concerns are growing over the rare Bundibugyo strain.

Russia has claimed that its Ebola vaccine may offer protection against Bundibugyo, the rare strain driving the current outbreak in Central Africa. This comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the situation an international public health emergency. The vaccine announcement was made by Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, according to the Russian Embassy in South Africa. How effective is the vaccine against Ebola's Bundibugyo strain? In a statement, the embassy said Russian researchers had created a vaccine against Ebola. The embassy added that scientists believe the vaccine "may also protect" against the current strain responsible for the outbreak in Congo. The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a rare and highly dangerous variant, is now driving outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighbouring Uganda. According to Alexander Gintsburg, scientific director of the Gamaleya Centre, the Russian Ebola vaccine likely protects against the rare Bundibugyo strain. He noted that the genetic similarity between this virus variant and the vaccine strain is about 60-70 per cent. Also read | Two aid workers in Italy show signs of Ebola after returning from Uganda WHO declares PHEIC over DRC's Ebola outbreak On May 17, the WHO officially declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), its highest level of global health alert under the International Health Regulations. Africa CDC has separately labelled the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security. Why the outbreak is alarming The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has emerged as the centre of the outbreak. According to figures released by Congolese authorities, the disease has already caused 204 deaths and at least 867 suspected cases. Uganda has also confirmed cases, including at least one death. The WHO believes the actual spread may be significantly wider than official figures suggest, warning that the virus may have circulated undetected for some time before authorities identified the outbreak. Also read | Thailand mandates 21-day Ebola quarantine for DRC and Uganda arrivals What is Ebola? Ebola is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever that spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids. The disease can trigger internal bleeding, organ failure and death, with mortality rates often extremely high during outbreaks. What makes the current situation particularly concerning is the Bundibugyo strain itself. Unlike the more widely known Zaire Ebola strain, there are currently no fully approved vaccines or specific treatments specifically designed for Bundibugyo Ebola.

A dangerous new Ebola strain is spreading across Central Africa. Russia now claims its vaccine can potentially protect against it. With the WHO declaring a global health emergency and deaths rising in Congo and Uganda, concerns are growing over the rare Bundibugyo strain.

Russia claims its Ebola vaccine may protect against Bundibugyo strain that has killed 204 in DRC? All you need to know

Dr Ronaldo Laishram, a 29-year-old astrophysicist from Manipur, discovered an ancient structure in the universe and named it after the state's iconic Loktak Lake. He used data from Japan’s Subaru Telescope and NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to detect this giant housing young galaxies in the early universe. Laishram is a resident of Khangabok in Thoubal district&nbsp;and is a researcher at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ). He completed his Master’s and PhD in Astronomy at Tohoku University in Japan, and has been working with the NAOJ since October 2024. His work is mainly focused on galaxy formation and the early universe.&nbsp;Talking about his discovery, Laishram said that this structure is a protocluster, a cosmic "nest" or "embryo" of galaxies that will eventually grow into a massive galaxy cluster. The light from it travelled 12.6 billion years, barely one billion years after the universe was formed. It is still a work in progress, with gravity building the cluster. Laishram said that his discovery throws light on galaxy formation in the early universe. Explaining what he recorded, he said that galaxies in crowded regions were acting differently from galaxies in quieter, less-populated regions. His findings show that the region in which a galaxy takes shape can affect how it grows. The research has been published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/deadly-cosmic-cocktail-floating-in-milky-way-tastes-like-raspberries-and-smells-like-rum-1779779817684">Deadly 'cosmic cocktail' floating in Milky Way tastes like raspberries and smells like rum</a><h2>What is the "Loktak" protocluster discovered by the Indian astrophysicist</h2>The "Loktak" protocluster is located in a zone called the COSMOS field. The cluster consists of four distinct, highly crowded pockets of galaxies chained together into a larger structure. The core has galaxies packed together four times more densely than in normal space. The primary question the team wanted to answer was - "Did a galaxy's neighbourhood affect its growth even during the very dawn of the universe, or did all baby galaxies start out growing the same way?"Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/unexplainable-activity-in-w-constellation-cassiopeia-finally-has-an-answer-160-years-later-1779719224496">Unexplainable 'ghost' activity in Cassiopeia finally has an answer 160 years later</a>&nbsp;The researchers compared the young galaxies inside the Loktak protocluster to isolated galaxies outside of it. There was no visible difference in ultraviolet light, as both the crowded galaxies and the lonely galaxies were forming fresh stars at the same rate. However, when viewed in infrared light, galaxies inside the crowded protocluster were 1.4 times larger than those on the outside. This showed that galaxies in crowded urban neighbourhoods had already built up their expansive outer structures of mature stars much faster than their rural counterparts. The findings show that in such regions, galaxies were producing stars and evolving much before the clusters fully matured.

Ronaldo Laishram was part of a team of Japanese astronomers at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. He discovered the protocluster that consists of four distinct, highly crowded pockets of galaxies from 12.6 billion years ago.

Dr Ronaldo Laishram, a 29-year-old astrophysicist from Manipur, discovered an ancient structure in the universe and named it after the state's iconic Loktak Lake. He used data from Japan’s Subaru Telescope and NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to detect this giant housing young galaxies in the early universe. Laishram is a resident of Khangabok in Thoubal district and is a researcher at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ). He completed his Master’s and PhD in Astronomy at Tohoku University in Japan, and has been working with the NAOJ since October 2024. His work is mainly focused on galaxy formation and the early universe. Talking about his discovery, Laishram said that this structure is a protocluster, a cosmic "nest" or "embryo" of galaxies that will eventually grow into a massive galaxy cluster. The light from it travelled 12.6 billion years, barely one billion years after the universe was formed. It is still a work in progress, with gravity building the cluster. Laishram said that his discovery throws light on galaxy formation in the early universe. Explaining what he recorded, he said that galaxies in crowded regions were acting differently from galaxies in quieter, less-populated regions. His findings show that the region in which a galaxy takes shape can affect how it grows. The research has been published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. Also Read: Deadly 'cosmic cocktail' floating in Milky Way tastes like raspberries and smells like rum What is the "Loktak" protocluster discovered by the Indian astrophysicist The "Loktak" protocluster is located in a zone called the COSMOS field. The cluster consists of four distinct, highly crowded pockets of galaxies chained together into a larger structure. The core has galaxies packed together four times more densely than in normal space. The primary question the team wanted to answer was - "Did a galaxy's neighbourhood affect its growth even during the very dawn of the universe, or did all baby galaxies start out growing the same way?" Also Read: Unexplainable 'ghost' activity in Cassiopeia finally has an answer 160 years later The researchers compared the young galaxies inside the Loktak protocluster to isolated galaxies outside of it. There was no visible difference in ultraviolet light, as both the crowded galaxies and the lonely galaxies were forming fresh stars at the same rate. However, when viewed in infrared light, galaxies inside the crowded protocluster were 1.4 times larger than those on the outside. This showed that galaxies in crowded urban neighbourhoods had already built up their expansive outer structures of mature stars much faster than their rural counterparts. The findings show that in such regions, galaxies were producing stars and evolving much before the clusters fully matured.

Ronaldo Laishram was part of a team of Japanese astrophysicists at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. He discovered the protocluster that consists of four distinct, highly crowded pockets of galaxies from 12.6 billion years ago.

What is the primordial Loktak protocluster discovered by Indian astrophysicist Ronaldo Laishram?

Voyager 1 will soon reach the ‘one light-day’ mark from Earth, which will be no doubt a major milestone for the probe and humans. It will be 25.9 billion kilometres from home while moving at 300,000 kilometres per second. Here are some facts about Voyager 1.

Voyager 1 will soon reach the ‘one light-day’ mark from Earth, which will be no doubt a major milestone for the probe and humans. It will be 25.9 billion kilometres from home while moving at 300,000 kilometres per second. Here are some facts about Voyager 1.

6 mind-blowing facts as Voyager 1 nears ‘one light-day’ from Earth

Pope Leo XIV on Monday (May 25) called for the “disarming” of artificial intelligence in his long-awaited first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity). Leo, the first US pope, warned against “a race for ever more powerful algorithms and larger datasets, driven by the desire to secure geopolitical or commercial dominance”, comparing the technology race to the biblical builders of the Tower of Babel. What did he mean by that? What is the biblical Tower of Babel? WION Decodes.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-s-students-deserve-better-cockroach-janata-party-revives-petition-targeting-edu-minister-dharmendra-pradhan-neet-2026-paper-leak-1779774614724">'India’s students deserve better': Cockroach Janata Party revives petition targeting Edu Minister Dharmendra Pradhan</a><h2>What did the Pope say?</h2>Calling for “robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, informed users and a political system that does not abdicate its responsibility”, Leo invoked the story of the Tower of Babel.“With the heart of a shepherd and a father, I ask everyone to abandon the construction of yet another Tower of Babel and to join forces in building up the common good,” wrote Pope Leo. He warned that AI risks reducing humans to merely “cogs”.<h2>What is the Tower of Babel?</h2>In Christian lore, the Tower of Babel represents a civilisation driven by pride, centralised power and human ambition detached from moral responsibility. The tale from Genesis 11:1-9 in the Hebrew Bible tells the story of a world where everyone spoke the same language and understood one another. However, as time passed and the population grew, humanity migrated eastward until people found a vast, fertile plain in the land of Shinar (Babylonia). There, they decided to settle and build a city.They planned to build a tower “that reaches all the way into the heavens!”. This, they said, would help them “make a great name for ourselves, and we will never be scattered or lost across the earth.”Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/green-card-applicants-should-go-home-new-us-citizenship-rule-may-hit-indians-hardest-check-how-you-could-be-affected-1779514161561">Green card applicants should go home? New US citizenship rule may hit Indians hardest; check how you could be affected</a>As the story goes, they did not use ordinary stone. Instead, they baked mud into hard clay bricks and used thick black tar for mortar, building the tower higher and higher. Their intense ambition did not go unnoticed, and God descended from heaven to see the tower.God realised that the people had been blinded by ambition and pride, and decided to intervene. He confused their speech, making it difficult for them to understand one another. Eventually, unable to communicate, the people scattered across the earth, abandoning the Tower of Babel, which is now known as the symbol of confusion and division.

Why did Pope Leo compare today’s AI race to the biblical Tower of Babel? In his first major message as pope, Leo warned that humanity risks repeating an ancient mistake. So what exactly is the Tower of Babel story? Scroll down to find out.

Pope Leo XIV on Monday (May 25) called for the “disarming” of artificial intelligence in his long-awaited first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity). Leo, the first US pope, warned against “a race for ever more powerful algorithms and larger datasets, driven by the desire to secure geopolitical or commercial dominance”, comparing the technology race to the biblical builders of the Tower of Babel. What did he mean by that? What is the biblical Tower of Babel? WION Decodes. Also read | 'India’s students deserve better': Cockroach Janata Party revives petition targeting Edu Minister Dharmendra Pradhan What did the Pope say? Calling for “robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, informed users and a political system that does not abdicate its responsibility”, Leo invoked the story of the Tower of Babel. “With the heart of a shepherd and a father, I ask everyone to abandon the construction of yet another Tower of Babel and to join forces in building up the common good,” wrote Pope Leo. He warned that AI risks reducing humans to merely “cogs”. What is the Tower of Babel? In Christian lore, the Tower of Babel represents a civilisation driven by pride, centralised power and human ambition detached from moral responsibility. The tale from Genesis 11:1-9 in the Hebrew Bible tells the story of a world where everyone spoke the same language and understood one another. However, as time passed and the population grew, humanity migrated eastward until people found a vast, fertile plain in the land of Shinar (Babylonia). There, they decided to settle and build a city. They planned to build a tower “that reaches all the way into the heavens!”. This, they said, would help them “make a great name for ourselves, and we will never be scattered or lost across the earth.” Also read | Green card applicants should go home? New US citizenship rule may hit Indians hardest; check how you could be affected As the story goes, they did not use ordinary stone. Instead, they baked mud into hard clay bricks and used thick black tar for mortar, building the tower higher and higher. Their intense ambition did not go unnoticed, and God descended from heaven to see the tower. God realised that the people had been blinded by ambition and pride, and decided to intervene. He confused their speech, making it difficult for them to understand one another. Eventually, unable to communicate, the people scattered across the earth, abandoning the Tower of Babel, which is now known as the symbol of confusion and division.

Why did Pope Leo compare today’s AI race to the biblical Tower of Babel? In his first major message as pope, Leo warned that humanity risks repeating an ancient mistake. So what exactly is the Tower of Babel story? Scroll down to find out.

Pope Leo warns humanity risks repeating ancient mistake: What is the Tower of Babel and what does it have to do with AI?

China sent embryo-like structures into space aboard the Tianzhou-10 cargo craft on May 10. They are made from living human stem cells and spent five days at the Tiangong space station in an experiment aimed at understanding how microgravity could affect the early development of human embryos. Also known as blastoids or embryoids, scientists stressed that they are not real embryos but created in a laboratory to mimic key stages of growth. China has previously sent embryos of the aquarium fish zebrafish (Danio rerio) and mice as part of a broader programme of biological research. The embryos are in the stage between the 14th and 21st day after fertilisation, a period which can reveal congenital defects and diseases. However, testing the same on real human embryos on Earth is not possible since guidelines restrict researchers from growing human embryos in a lab past two weeks.&nbsp;In a way, China is breaking a rule and utilising a powerful double loophole, but for a good cause. First, these models aren't legally "human embryos," so they can surpass the critical 14-to-21-day developmental window without violating international bioethics laws. Second, it has taken this research into off-world laboratories that are not governed by terrestrial guidelines.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/unexplainable-activity-in-w-constellation-cassiopeia-finally-has-an-answer-160-years-later-1779719224496">Unexplainable 'ghost' activity in Cassiopeia finally has an answer 160 years later</a><h2>About the experiment</h2> Two types of models of artificial embryos with different phases of embryonic development were made. The first set of samples recreates the critical stage of when an embryo attaches itself to the uterine wall. The other samples placed inside a microfluidic chip were at the stage where a single layer of cells reorganises to form tissues and organs. “This is not a real human embryo and cannot develop into an individual. However, it can serve as a model for studying early human development," Yu Leqian, the project leader, said.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/in-major-breakthrough-3d-printed-artificial-egg-hatched-to-produce-26-chickens-1779196170468">In major breakthrough, 3D-printed artificial egg hatched to produce 26 chickens</a><h2>The 14th and 21st day critical window</h2> Leqian said that the models are between the 14th and 21st day stage after fertilisation. This is when the body’s basic structure begins to form. The positioning of body parts is determined at this time, and organs also begin to form. Any problems at this time can subsequently lead to congenital defects and diseases. Such experiments are already being carried out on Earth with artificial embryos since they are not governed by the 14-day rule. But the latest experiment takes it up a notch and into space, where biological defects that are not presenting themselves in the lab could reveal themselves in microgravity and cosmic radiation.&nbsp;<h2>Aim of the experiment</h2>&nbsp;The main purpose of this first-of-its-kind experiment is to understand whether space has a direct influence on early biological organisation and how they organised themselves into complex structures of the body. Identifying potential risks associated with development in space is another aim of the experiment. The artificial embryos are being monitored by taikonauts with nutrient solutions that are changed daily, helping maintain stable conditions for their growth. The samples will then be frozen in orbit and later brought back to Earth for analysis.&nbsp; &nbsp;

China sent artificial embryos in space aboard the Tianzhou-10 spacecraft, where they will undergo a 5-day experiment at the Tiangong space station. The purpose is to know the effects of space environment on their development, and reveal defects that would not be visible on Earth.

China sent embryo-like structures into space aboard the Tianzhou-10 cargo craft on May 10. They are made from living human stem cells and spent five days at the Tiangong space station in an experiment aimed at understanding how microgravity could affect the early development of human embryos. Also known as blastoids or embryoids, scientists stressed that they are not real embryos but created in a laboratory to mimic key stages of growth. China has previously sent embryos of the aquarium fish zebrafish (Danio rerio) and mice as part of a broader programme of biological research. The embryos are in the stage between the 14th and 21st day after fertilisation, a period which can reveal congenital defects and diseases. However, testing the same on real human embryos on Earth is not possible since guidelines restrict researchers from growing human embryos in a lab past two weeks. In a way, China is breaking a rule and utilising a powerful double loophole, but for a good cause. First, these models aren't legally "human embryos," so they can surpass the critical 14-to-21-day developmental window without violating international bioethics laws. Second, it has taken this research into off-world laboratories that are not governed by terrestrial guidelines. Also Read: Unexplainable 'ghost' activity in Cassiopeia finally has an answer 160 years later About the experiment Two types of models of artificial embryos with different phases of embryonic development were made. The first set of samples recreates the critical stage of when an embryo attaches itself to the uterine wall. The other samples placed inside a microfluidic chip were at the stage where a single layer of cells reorganises to form tissues and organs. “This is not a real human embryo and cannot develop into an individual. However, it can serve as a model for studying early human development," Yu Leqian, the project leader, said. Also Read: In major breakthrough, 3D-printed artificial egg hatched to produce 26 chickens The 14th and 21st day critical window Leqian said that the models are between the 14th and 21st day stage after fertilisation. This is when the body’s basic structure begins to form. The positioning of body parts is determined at this time, and organs also begin to form. Any problems at this time can subsequently lead to congenital defects and diseases. Such experiments are already being carried out on Earth with artificial embryos since they are not governed by the 14-day rule. But the latest experiment takes it up a notch and into space, where biological defects that are not presenting themselves in the lab could reveal themselves in microgravity and cosmic radiation. Aim of the experiment The main purpose of this first-of-its-kind experiment is to understand whether space has a direct influence on early biological organisation and how they organised themselves into complex structures of the body. Identifying potential risks associated with development in space is another aim of the experiment. The artificial embryos are being monitored by taikonauts with nutrient solutions that are changed daily, helping maintain stable conditions for their growth. The samples will then be frozen in orbit and later brought back to Earth for analysis.

China sent artificial embryos in space aboard the Tianzhou-10 spacecraft, where they will undergo a 5-day experiment at the Tiangong space station. The purpose is to know the effects of space environment on their development, and reveal defects that would not be visible on Earth.

Bypassing the 14-day rule: China’s ‘artificial embryos’ exploit a double loophole in orbit

Sagittarius B2 is a giant molecular cloud at the centre of our galaxy, located roughly 300 light-years from Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy. It smells like rum and tastes like raspberries, and is the Milky Way's most prolific stellar nursery. Scientists used the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to look past the thick dust at the galactic centre, where they came across some fascinating things. Let's take a quick dive into the world of Sagittarius B2, a dense "cosmic chemistry lab" that has left astronomers amazed.<h2>Rum and raspberry cloud</h2> The first time Sagittarius B2 revealed itself to be a cocktail of raspberry and rum signature was in 2009. It is located about 26,000 to 27,000 light-years away from Earth, and 330 to 390 light-years from the galactic center. The dense, freezing cloud of gas and dust attracted astronomers who used the IRAM radio telescope in Spain to look for the chemical signatures of complex molecules that might be precursors to life. But they ended up making another insightful discovery. This region was filled with ethyl formate, or C3H6O2. This chemical compound revealed what this centre would taste and smell like - raspberries and rum - since this is the exact signature found in the sweet fruit and the alcohol.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/unexplainable-activity-in-w-constellation-cassiopeia-finally-has-an-answer-160-years-later-1779719224496">Unexplainable 'ghost' activity in Cassiopeia finally has an answer 160 years later</a>&nbsp;Sagittarius B2 spans 150 light-years, and all of it is basically a massive reservoir of ethanol (drinking alcohol), methanol, and propanol. This fruity cocktail is not as happy trippy as it sounds. It also contains an extremely lethal concoction of hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide. Just a quick whiff is lethal enough to kill a human.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/james-webb-space-telescope-rock-clouds-on-hot-jupiter-1779722150175">Rock clouds on Hot Jupiter 700 light-years from Earth form in the morning and disappear by evening</a><h2>The scientific importance of ethyl formate in the universe</h2> Besides the fun part of alcohol floating around in the cloud, it also has huge scientific implications. The discovery of ethyl formate in deep space suggests that the complex organic chemistry needed for life can take shape anywhere and doesn't necessarily need a planet. Nooks and crannies of interstellar space could become a cocoon for complex chemicals to form and interact. Second, ethyl formate was found alongside other molecules like butyronitrile, a key requirement for the creation of amino acids, which are the building blocks of DNA.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/did-milky-way-secretly-swallow-another-galaxy-ancient-stars-hint-at-lost-star-system-1779622848063">Did Milky Way secretly swallow another galaxy? Ancient stars hint at lost star system</a><h2>JWST tried to solve a galactic centre paradox</h2> The centre of the Milky Way has been a long-standing astrophysical mystery. Despite being heavily stocked with dense molecular gas, its overall star production rate is remarkably low. However, Sagittarius B2 is an exception. It sits at the centre of the galaxy, holding a mere 10 per cent of the total gas, and yet, it is responsible for producing over 50 per cent of its newborn stars. Astronomers are trying to understand what makes Sagittarius B2 special. The data collected by JWST is being used to model the local magnetic fields, extreme turbulent shockwaves, and how intense radiation fields interact to trigger such hyper-efficient stellar collapses, while blocking star formation in other regions of the galactic centre.

Sagittarius B2 is a cloud sitting at the centre of our galaxy. It is filled with drinking alcohol laced with poisonous substances like hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide. This region produced more stars than any other part of the galactic centre.

Sagittarius B2 is a giant molecular cloud at the centre of our galaxy, located roughly 300 light-years from Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy. It smells like rum and tastes like raspberries, and is the Milky Way's most prolific stellar nursery. Scientists used the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to look past the thick dust at the galactic centre, where they came across some fascinating things. Let's take a quick dive into the world of Sagittarius B2, a dense "cosmic chemistry lab" that has left astronomers amazed. Rum and raspberry cloud The first time Sagittarius B2 revealed itself to be a cocktail of raspberry and rum signature was in 2009. It is located about 26,000 to 27,000 light-years away from Earth, and 330 to 390 light-years from the galactic center. The dense, freezing cloud of gas and dust attracted astronomers who used the IRAM radio telescope in Spain to look for the chemical signatures of complex molecules that might be precursors to life. But they ended up making another insightful discovery. This region was filled with ethyl formate, or C3H6O2. This chemical compound revealed what this centre would taste and smell like - raspberries and rum - since this is the exact signature found in the sweet fruit and the alcohol. Also Read: Unexplainable 'ghost' activity in Cassiopeia finally has an answer 160 years later Sagittarius B2 spans 150 light-years, and all of it is basically a massive reservoir of ethanol (drinking alcohol), methanol, and propanol. This fruity cocktail is not as happy trippy as it sounds. It also contains an extremely lethal concoction of hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide. Just a quick whiff is lethal enough to kill a human. Also Read: Rock clouds on Hot Jupiter 700 light-years from Earth form in the morning and disappear by evening The scientific importance of ethyl formate in the universe Besides the fun part of alcohol floating around in the cloud, it also has huge scientific implications. The discovery of ethyl formate in deep space suggests that the complex organic chemistry needed for life can take shape anywhere and doesn't necessarily need a planet. Nooks and crannies of interstellar space could become a cocoon for complex chemicals to form and interact. Second, ethyl formate was found alongside other molecules like butyronitrile, a key requirement for the creation of amino acids, which are the building blocks of DNA. Also Read: Did Milky Way secretly swallow another galaxy? Ancient stars hint at lost star system JWST tried to solve a galactic centre paradox The centre of the Milky Way has been a long-standing astrophysical mystery. Despite being heavily stocked with dense molecular gas, its overall star production rate is remarkably low. However, Sagittarius B2 is an exception. It sits at the centre of the galaxy, holding a mere 10 per cent of the total gas, and yet, it is responsible for producing over 50 per cent of its newborn stars. Astronomers are trying to understand what makes Sagittarius B2 special. The data collected by JWST is being used to model the local magnetic fields, extreme turbulent shockwaves, and how intense radiation fields interact to trigger such hyper-efficient stellar collapses, while blocking star formation in other regions of the galactic centre.

Sagittarius B2 is a cloud sitting at the centre of our galaxy. It is filled with drinking alcohol laced with poisonous substances like hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide. This region produced more stars than any other part of the galactic centre.

Deadly 'cosmic cocktail' floating in Milky Way tastes like raspberries and smells like rum

Scientists have discovered a planet where rock clouds form in the day and vanish by night. WASP-94A b is a distant Hot Jupiter which was spotted by the James Webb Space Telescope. The weather shifts from one extreme to another within a matter of a few hours from our perspective, something that would typically take days or weeks on Earth. Rock-forming minerals gather early morning to form clouds, start dissipating as the atmosphere heats up and completely vanish by evening. This giant planet orbits extremely close to its star and is located nearly 700 light-years from Earth in the constellation Microscopium. It is too far for regular, clear observations, and so astronomers turned the JWST towards it. The telescope captured the subtle changes in starlight as the planet crossed in front of its star. The findings were published in the journal Science.&nbsp;JWST noticed that WASP-94A b has a daily cloud cycle, something which is believed to be common among hot Jupiter planets. This is the clearest detection yet of this activity on such a body. The team separated cloudy regions from clearer parts of the atmosphere to get data on the planet’s chemistry.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/unexplainable-activity-in-w-constellation-cassiopeia-finally-has-an-answer-160-years-later-1779719224496">Unexplainable 'ghost' activity in Cassiopeia finally has an answer 160 years later</a>&nbsp;"We’ve known for quite a while that clouds are pervasive on Hot Jupiter planets, which is annoying because it’s like trying to look at the planet through a foggy window,” said co-author and program PI, David Sing. The Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Johns Hopkins said that not only is it a clear view, "but we can finally pin down what the clouds are made out of and how they’re condensing and evaporating as they move around the planet."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/antarctic-cosmic-dust-proves-earth-has-been-traversing-through-supernova-debris-for-80-000-years-1778588358806">Antarctic cosmic dust proves Earth has been traversing through supernova debris for 80,000 years</a><h2>How JWST studied the Hot Jupiter</h2>As the planet passed in front of its star, JWST measured its leading edge at the start of the transit and its trailing edge as it moved away. Both edges represented different times of day on the planet. In the first instance, the air was observed moving from the nightside into the dayside - morning conditions. At the trailing edge, air moves from day to night, representing evening. WASP-94A b’s mornings contain clouds made of magnesium silicate, a rock-forming mineral, but these clouds are not seen during the evening. The team proposed two possible explanations. One is that strong winds may push clouds high into the atmosphere on the cooler side of the planet. They are then driven downward on the hotter dayside, hiding them deep inside the planet before evening.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/aliens-looking-to-meet-us-would-be-intelligent-enough-to-scream-not-whisper-1778072334596">Aliens looking to meet us would be intelligent enough to scream, not whisper</a>&nbsp;Another possibility is that it could be similar to how morning fog vanished from Earth, except that the conditions are a bit more extreme. Clouds may form in the darkness of the nightside and then vaporise as they enter the dayside, with temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius. “It was a huge surprise...what we saw was a real dichotomy between the weather on both sides of the planet, and huge differences in cloud coverage, and that changes our whole picture of the planet," Sing said.&nbsp;Hot Jupiters are intensely heated and exposed to strong radiation. The team examined eight other hot gas giants and found the same type of cloud cycle on two more planets, WASP-39 b and WASP-17 b. &nbsp;

WASP-94A b is a Hot Jupiter that resides 700 light-years from Earth. The James Webb Space Telescope found strange clouds forming in the morning and vanishing by evening. They state that these clouds are made of rocks.  

Scientists have discovered a planet where rock clouds form in the day and vanish by night. WASP-94A b is a distant Hot Jupiter which was spotted by the James Webb Space Telescope. The weather shifts from one extreme to another within a matter of a few hours from our perspective, something that would typically take days or weeks on Earth. Rock-forming minerals gather early morning to form clouds, start dissipating as the atmosphere heats up and completely vanish by evening. This giant planet orbits extremely close to its star and is located nearly 700 light-years from Earth in the constellation Microscopium. It is too far for regular, clear observations, and so astronomers turned the JWST towards it. The telescope captured the subtle changes in starlight as the planet crossed in front of its star. The findings were published in the journal Science. JWST noticed that WASP-94A b has a daily cloud cycle, something which is believed to be common among hot Jupiter planets. This is the clearest detection yet of this activity on such a body. The team separated cloudy regions from clearer parts of the atmosphere to get data on the planet’s chemistry. Also Read: Unexplainable 'ghost' activity in Cassiopeia finally has an answer 160 years later "We’ve known for quite a while that clouds are pervasive on Hot Jupiter planets, which is annoying because it’s like trying to look at the planet through a foggy window,” said co-author and program PI, David Sing. The Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Johns Hopkins said that not only is it a clear view, "but we can finally pin down what the clouds are made out of and how they’re condensing and evaporating as they move around the planet." Also Read: Antarctic cosmic dust proves Earth has been traversing through supernova debris for 80,000 years How JWST studied the Hot Jupiter As the planet passed in front of its star, JWST measured its leading edge at the start of the transit and its trailing edge as it moved away. Both edges represented different times of day on the planet. In the first instance, the air was observed moving from the nightside into the dayside - morning conditions. At the trailing edge, air moves from day to night, representing evening. WASP-94A b’s mornings contain clouds made of magnesium silicate, a rock-forming mineral, but these clouds are not seen during the evening. The team proposed two possible explanations. One is that strong winds may push clouds high into the atmosphere on the cooler side of the planet. They are then driven downward on the hotter dayside, hiding them deep inside the planet before evening. Also Read: Aliens looking to meet us would be intelligent enough to scream, not whisper Another possibility is that it could be similar to how morning fog vanished from Earth, except that the conditions are a bit more extreme. Clouds may form in the darkness of the nightside and then vaporise as they enter the dayside, with temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius. “It was a huge surprise...what we saw was a real dichotomy between the weather on both sides of the planet, and huge differences in cloud coverage, and that changes our whole picture of the planet," Sing said. Hot Jupiters are intensely heated and exposed to strong radiation. The team examined eight other hot gas giants and found the same type of cloud cycle on two more planets, WASP-39 b and WASP-17 b.

WASP-94A b is a Hot Jupiter that resides 700 light-years from Earth. The James Webb Space Telescope found strange clouds forming in the morning and vanishing by evening. They state that these clouds are made of rocks. &nbsp;

Rock clouds on Hot Jupiter 700 light-years from Earth form in the morning and disappear by evening

Scientists have solved a mystery that has haunted them for 160 years. Gamma Cassiopeiae is one of the five stars that make up the W-shaped Cassiopeia constellation. In 1866, Italian astronomer Angelo Secchi noticed something odd about this star - a strange hydrogen signature. There were points where the star’s hydrogen emissions were dark, when they should have been bright. It was highly unusual, and Secchi had never come across anything like this in the 4,000-odd stars that he had studied in his lifetime. So he came up with an entirely new stellar classification, the Be star, where B stood for the temperature and e for its hydrogen emission lines. Be stars are described as "a hot blue-white star with peculiar emission lines caused by a fast-spinning, ejected disk of matter."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-bound-mission-caught-mars-in-a-completely-new-light-1779458912239">Asteroid-bound mission caught Mars in a completely new light</a><h2>Two theories were proposed for strange X-rays from the star</h2>In 1976, astronomers discovered the star was pumping out incredibly intense, fluctuating X-ray emissions that were roughly 40 times brighter than typical stars of its size, and were being fueled by plasma heated to over 100 million degrees. Since then, two theories have been proposed for these extreme X-rays: magnetic activity and a hidden companion. The first proposed that localised magnetic reconnection/clashes could be occurring between the surface of the fast-spinning Be star and its surrounding disk of ejected gas. The second one stated that a small, unseen companion star is pulling material from Gamma Cas's disk, heating that matter to extreme temperatures as it falls.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/dying-star-glows-like-a-cosmic-crystal-ball-in-stunning-new-telescope-image-1779453783893">Dying star glows like a cosmic crystal ball in stunning new telescope image</a><h2>Study reveals which of the two is the culprit</h2>A new study published in the journal Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics has identified the reason for this behaviour. Using JAXA’s X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) space telescope, scientists now know that the curious X-ray emissions are linked to the orbital motion of a companion white dwarf. University of Liège’s Yaël Nazé, lead author of the study, said in a statement released by the European Space Agency (ESA), "We think the key is in understanding how exactly the interactions take place between the two stars." Scientists believe this could be a common arrangement among low-mass stars. However, data suggest that it is actually much rarer and only seen in high-mass Be stars.&nbsp;"Now that we know the true nature of gamma-Cas, we can create models specifically for this class of stellar systems, and update our understanding of binary evolution accordingly," Nazé added.&nbsp;

Gamma Cassiopeiae is the middle star in the W-shaped Cassiopeia constellation and has been a mystery ever since an astronomer detected anomalous hydrogen emissions coming from it in 1866. Scientists now finally know what is going on there.

Scientists have solved a mystery that has haunted them for 160 years. Gamma Cassiopeiae is one of the five stars that make up the W-shaped Cassiopeia constellation. In 1866, Italian astronomer Angelo Secchi noticed something odd about this star - a strange hydrogen signature. There were points where the star’s hydrogen emissions were dark, when they should have been bright. It was highly unusual, and Secchi had never come across anything like this in the 4,000-odd stars that he had studied in his lifetime. So he came up with an entirely new stellar classification, the Be star, where B stood for the temperature and e for its hydrogen emission lines. Be stars are described as "a hot blue-white star with peculiar emission lines caused by a fast-spinning, ejected disk of matter." Also Read: Asteroid-bound mission caught Mars in a completely new light Two theories were proposed for strange X-rays from the star In 1976, astronomers discovered the star was pumping out incredibly intense, fluctuating X-ray emissions that were roughly 40 times brighter than typical stars of its size, and were being fueled by plasma heated to over 100 million degrees. Since then, two theories have been proposed for these extreme X-rays: magnetic activity and a hidden companion. The first proposed that localised magnetic reconnection/clashes could be occurring between the surface of the fast-spinning Be star and its surrounding disk of ejected gas. The second one stated that a small, unseen companion star is pulling material from Gamma Cas's disk, heating that matter to extreme temperatures as it falls. Also Read: Dying star glows like a cosmic crystal ball in stunning new telescope image Study reveals which of the two is the culprit A new study published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics has identified the reason for this behaviour. Using JAXA’s X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) space telescope, scientists now know that the curious X-ray emissions are linked to the orbital motion of a companion white dwarf. University of Liège’s Yaël Nazé, lead author of the study, said in a statement released by the European Space Agency (ESA), "We think the key is in understanding how exactly the interactions take place between the two stars." Scientists believe this could be a common arrangement among low-mass stars. However, data suggest that it is actually much rarer and only seen in high-mass Be stars. "Now that we know the true nature of gamma-Cas, we can create models specifically for this class of stellar systems, and update our understanding of binary evolution accordingly," Nazé added.

Gamma Cassiopeiae is the middle star in the W-shaped Cassiopeia constellation and has been a mystery ever since an astronomer detected anomalous hydrogen emissions coming from it in 1866. Scientists now finally know what is going on there.

Unexplainable 'ghost' activity in Cassiopeia finally has an answer 160 years later

China launched the crewed Shenzhou-23 mission to the Tiangong space station, marking another major step in Beijing’s plan to land astronauts on the Moon before 2030 and expand long-term space exploration.

China launched the crewed Shenzhou-23 mission to the Tiangong space station, marking another major step in Beijing’s plan to land astronauts on the Moon before 2030 and expand long-term space exploration.

PICS | China launches crewed Shenzhou-23 mission to Tiangong as Beijing eyes Moon landing by 2030

A single drop of blood may soon help detect early-stage cancer, according to Wen Liaoyong of Westlake University in Hangzhou. Wen and his team have transformed a cancer detection system that once required equipment the size of a refrigerator into something that fits in your hand while improving its accuracy nearly 10,000 times more than traditional methods. “This work establishes a scalable and robust nanophotonic biosensing paradigm for miniaturised, high-performance diagnostics in clinical, remote and at-home settings,” Wen wrote in the introduction of the paper, which was published in the journal Nature Photonics on May 13.<h3>Special 3D chip&nbsp;</h3>To achieve this result, scientists have changed the method to measure the signal. Instead of measuring light's wavelength, scientists have used a special 3D chip to measure the intensity of light. It allows the device to detect very small changes in the blood sample.&nbsp;In response, Wen Liaoyong stated that if the measurement range is connected to a 1-meter ruler, it can detect all small changes. In addition, the research team is also looking to find a way to drastically reduce the cost of manufacturing the chip.&nbsp;Previously a researcher at the University of Connecticut, Wen joined Westlake University’s School of Engineering in 2019 as an assistant professor and independent principal investigator, before being promoted to associate professor last July. His research mainly explores innovative multi-component nanostructured materials and their wide-ranging multifunctional applications.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/elon-musk-s-jesus-level-miracles-remark-on-neuralink-sparks-row-1779640754631">Elon Musk’s ‘Jesus-level miracles’ remark on Neuralink sparks row</a>

A team led by Wen Liaoyong at Westlake University has shrunk a refrigerator-sized cancer detection system into a handheld device, per a study in Nature Photonics. The nanophotonic biosensing device uses a single blood drop and is 10,000 times more accurate than traditional methods.

A single drop of blood may soon help detect early-stage cancer, according to Wen Liaoyong of Westlake University in Hangzhou. Wen and his team have transformed a cancer detection system that once required equipment the size of a refrigerator into something that fits in your hand while improving its accuracy nearly 10,000 times more than traditional methods. “This work establishes a scalable and robust nanophotonic biosensing paradigm for miniaturised, high-performance diagnostics in clinical, remote and at-home settings,” Wen wrote in the introduction of the paper, which was published in the journal Nature Photonics on May 13. Special 3D chip To achieve this result, scientists have changed the method to measure the signal. Instead of measuring light's wavelength, scientists have used a special 3D chip to measure the intensity of light. It allows the device to detect very small changes in the blood sample. In response, Wen Liaoyong stated that if the measurement range is connected to a 1-meter ruler, it can detect all small changes. In addition, the research team is also looking to find a way to drastically reduce the cost of manufacturing the chip. Previously a researcher at the University of Connecticut, Wen joined Westlake University’s School of Engineering in 2019 as an assistant professor and independent principal investigator, before being promoted to associate professor last July. His research mainly explores innovative multi-component nanostructured materials and their wide-ranging multifunctional applications. Also read: Elon Musk’s ‘Jesus-level miracles’ remark on Neuralink sparks row

A team led by Wen Liaoyong at Westlake University has shrunk a refrigerator-sized cancer detection system into a handheld device, per a study in Nature Photonics. The nanophotonic biosensing device uses a single blood drop and is 10,000 times more accurate than traditional methods.

THIS device could detect Cancer 10,000 times more accurate from one drop of blood

The original size and mass of the Milky Way galaxy have always driven scientists to search for evidence of the galaxies it consumed to determine its history and evolution. To determine those puzzles of the galaxy, astronomers have identified a group of metal-poor stars located unusually close to the galactic disk, according to a study published in May in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Researchers are studying these stars because they are located near the Milky Way’s galactic disk, a huge rotating region that contains many of the Milky Way’s stars, as the earliest stars in the universe were mainly made of hydrogen and helium. Over time, they created heavier elements in their cores before exploding and unleashing, helping in enriching future generations of stars. Stars with very low amounts of heavy elements, known as metal-poor stars, are usually linked to ancient dwarf galaxies. Scientists believe the Milky Way may have absorbed many such smaller galaxies over billions of years as it grew larger. The discovery of these ancient metal-poor stars near the galactic disk suggests that the Milky Way may have swallowed a large galaxy early in its history, leaving behind hidden traces inside our galaxy today. Cara Battersby, an associate professor of physics at the University of Connecticut who was not involved in the study, said astronomers work like detectives trying to uncover the origins of the universe. She added that very metal-poor stars are an important clue in understanding how galaxies formed and evolved. “VMP stars have been around for billions of years, holding within them clues to the formation of the Universe’s earliest generations of stars,” Battersby wrote in an email. She added that studying the metal-poor stars’ composition and motion can open up the details about the conditions and dynamics of the early universe.<h3>Inside the disk of the Milky Way</h3>Researchers' search for metal-poor stars in the Milky Way has always centred around the galaxy’s stellar halo, which is quite large and has a round diffuse cloud that surrounds the galactic disk. Several scientists think that evidence of more ancient mergers could be discovered deeper inside the disk of the Milky Way. Meanwhile, an author, Dr Federico Sestito, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Hertfordshire’s Centre for Astrophysics Research in England, said that a huge amount of young, metal-rich stars, as well as a plethora of dust, crowded within the galactic disk, has made it very hard to track metal-poor stars. Davide Sestito and his team discovered 20 metal-poor stars located unexpectedly close to the galactic disk using data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia telescope. The observatory tracked the movement and composition of nearly 2 billion stars in the Milky Way between July 2014 and January 2025. The researchers later used a high-resolution spectrograph at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope on Maunakea in Hawaii to study these stars in greater detail.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/spacex-launches-upgraded-starship-v3-on-debut-test-flight-loses-booster-on-return-1779491563837">SpaceX launches upgraded Starship V3 on debut test flight; loses booster on return</a> Although scientists have not been able to determine the stars’ exact ages, their chemical makeup indicates they are more than 10 billion years old, according to Sestito. All 20 stars are located around 7,000 light-years from our solar system and share similar chemical properties, suggesting they likely originated from the same metal-poor dwarf galaxy, the study said. The Milky Way stretches nearly 100,000 light-years and contains an estimated 100 to 400 billion stars, according to NASA. Scientists believe the galaxy gradually expanded over the past 12 billion years by merging with smaller dwarf galaxies. However, its original size and mass remain unknown, prompting researchers to search for traces of ancient galaxies absorbed during its evolution.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The discovery of these ancient metal-poor stars near the galactic disk suggests that the Milky Way may have swallowed a large galaxy early in its history, leaving behind hidden traces inside our galaxy today.

The original size and mass of the Milky Way galaxy have always driven scientists to search for evidence of the galaxies it consumed to determine its history and evolution. To determine those puzzles of the galaxy, astronomers have identified a group of metal-poor stars located unusually close to the galactic disk, according to a study published in May in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Researchers are studying these stars because they are located near the Milky Way’s galactic disk, a huge rotating region that contains many of the Milky Way’s stars, as the earliest stars in the universe were mainly made of hydrogen and helium. Over time, they created heavier elements in their cores before exploding and unleashing, helping in enriching future generations of stars. Stars with very low amounts of heavy elements, known as metal-poor stars, are usually linked to ancient dwarf galaxies. Scientists believe the Milky Way may have absorbed many such smaller galaxies over billions of years as it grew larger. The discovery of these ancient metal-poor stars near the galactic disk suggests that the Milky Way may have swallowed a large galaxy early in its history, leaving behind hidden traces inside our galaxy today. Cara Battersby, an associate professor of physics at the University of Connecticut who was not involved in the study, said astronomers work like detectives trying to uncover the origins of the universe. She added that very metal-poor stars are an important clue in understanding how galaxies formed and evolved. “VMP stars have been around for billions of years, holding within them clues to the formation of the Universe’s earliest generations of stars,” Battersby wrote in an email. She added that studying the metal-poor stars’ composition and motion can open up the details about the conditions and dynamics of the early universe. Inside the disk of the Milky Way Researchers' search for metal-poor stars in the Milky Way has always centred around the galaxy’s stellar halo, which is quite large and has a round diffuse cloud that surrounds the galactic disk. Several scientists think that evidence of more ancient mergers could be discovered deeper inside the disk of the Milky Way. Meanwhile, an author, Dr Federico Sestito, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Hertfordshire’s Centre for Astrophysics Research in England, said that a huge amount of young, metal-rich stars, as well as a plethora of dust, crowded within the galactic disk, has made it very hard to track metal-poor stars. Davide Sestito and his team discovered 20 metal-poor stars located unexpectedly close to the galactic disk using data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia telescope. The observatory tracked the movement and composition of nearly 2 billion stars in the Milky Way between July 2014 and January 2025. The researchers later used a high-resolution spectrograph at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope on Maunakea in Hawaii to study these stars in greater detail. Also read: SpaceX launches upgraded Starship V3 on debut test flight; loses booster on return Although scientists have not been able to determine the stars’ exact ages, their chemical makeup indicates they are more than 10 billion years old, according to Sestito. All 20 stars are located around 7,000 light-years from our solar system and share similar chemical properties, suggesting they likely originated from the same metal-poor dwarf galaxy, the study said. The Milky Way stretches nearly 100,000 light-years and contains an estimated 100 to 400 billion stars, according to NASA. Scientists believe the galaxy gradually expanded over the past 12 billion years by merging with smaller dwarf galaxies. However, its original size and mass remain unknown, prompting researchers to search for traces of ancient galaxies absorbed during its evolution.

The discovery of these ancient metal-poor stars near the galactic disk suggests that the Milky Way may have swallowed a large galaxy early in its history, leaving behind hidden traces inside our galaxy today.

Did Milky Way secretly swallow another galaxy? Ancient stars hint at lost star system

The Psyche mission, headed for Asteroid 16 Psyche, has captured a never-before-seen view of Mars on its journey through space. Looking at it from a high angle, it caught the Red Planet from a unique perspective, capturing an illuminated crescent. The probe is travelling to the outer part of the main asteroid belt that lies between Mars and Jupiter. With millions of asteroids in the belt, Psyche pulled interest because of its reflective metal surface, which showed that it is a large metallic asteroid.&nbsp;&nbsp;Scientists believe it could be the core of an ancient planetary rock which did not get to turn into a planet. Launched in 2023, Psyche will travel 3.6 billion kilometres to reach the asteroid in 2029. The journey included a Mars flyby to use the gravitational force of the planet to slingshot the probe on a trajectory towards Mars while saving fuel.Also Read: <a href="Antarctic cosmic dust proves Earth has been traversing through supernova debris for 80,000 years">Antarctic cosmic dust proves Earth has been traversing through supernova debris for 80,000 years</a><h2>Mars gravity boost&nbsp;</h2>During the manoeuvre, the Psyche spacecraft came within 4,609 kilometres of the Martian surface. “We’ve confirmed that Mars gave the spacecraft a 1,000-mile-per-hour boost and shifted its orbital plane by about 1 degree relative to the Sun,” Don Han, Psyche’s navigation lead at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, said. The team also used this opportunity to test the systems and camera on board the spacecraft, which took pictures of the Red Planet. From a high vantage point, the probe saw a red crescent.&nbsp;&nbsp;After flying away, it also snapped a nearly "full Mars" view. “The thin crescent on approach and the nearly ‘full Mars’ view after we fly past create opportunities for the imaging team for both great calibration observations as well as just plain beautiful photos,” Jim Bell, the Psyche imager instrument lead at Arizona State University, said, before the flyby.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260522/image-1779459119456.png"></figure>A full view of Mars captured by Psyche (NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU)&nbsp;Psyche took thousands of photos of Mars and also saw nighttime and daytime across different regions. It also captured its south pole region and dust scattered by the wind streaking across surface craters.&nbsp;&nbsp;The testing done using Mars was crucial to ensure that the cameras and instruments are working fine before it finally reaches the asteroid. Once it reaches the asteroid, it will enter an orbit that shifts lower and higher in altitude to map the space rock fully. If the probe successfully finds evidence that the shiny portion on the asteroid is the interior of a planet, it would be a major breakthrough in planetary science and would be the first time displaying what the insides of our own planet likely look like. &nbsp;

The Psyche mission is en route to its namesake asteroid, and on the way, it flew by Mars and saw the Red Planet in a completely new light. The crescent seen in this photo is Mars. The probe also captured winds blowing on the Red Planet and a full view. 

The Psyche mission, headed for Asteroid 16 Psyche, has captured a never-before-seen view of Mars on its journey through space. Looking at it from a high angle, it caught the Red Planet from a unique perspective, capturing an illuminated crescent. The probe is travelling to the outer part of the main asteroid belt that lies between Mars and Jupiter. With millions of asteroids in the belt, Psyche pulled interest because of its reflective metal surface, which showed that it is a large metallic asteroid. Scientists believe it could be the core of an ancient planetary rock which did not get to turn into a planet. Launched in 2023, Psyche will travel 3.6 billion kilometres to reach the asteroid in 2029. The journey included a Mars flyby to use the gravitational force of the planet to slingshot the probe on a trajectory towards Mars while saving fuel. Also Read: Antarctic cosmic dust proves Earth has been traversing through supernova debris for 80,000 years Mars gravity boost During the manoeuvre, the Psyche spacecraft came within 4,609 kilometres of the Martian surface. “We’ve confirmed that Mars gave the spacecraft a 1,000-mile-per-hour boost and shifted its orbital plane by about 1 degree relative to the Sun,” Don Han, Psyche’s navigation lead at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, said. The team also used this opportunity to test the systems and camera on board the spacecraft, which took pictures of the Red Planet. From a high vantage point, the probe saw a red crescent. After flying away, it also snapped a nearly "full Mars" view. “The thin crescent on approach and the nearly ‘full Mars’ view after we fly past create opportunities for the imaging team for both great calibration observations as well as just plain beautiful photos,” Jim Bell, the Psyche imager instrument lead at Arizona State University, said, before the flyby. A full view of Mars captured by Psyche (NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU) Psyche took thousands of photos of Mars and also saw nighttime and daytime across different regions. It also captured its south pole region and dust scattered by the wind streaking across surface craters. The testing done using Mars was crucial to ensure that the cameras and instruments are working fine before it finally reaches the asteroid. Once it reaches the asteroid, it will enter an orbit that shifts lower and higher in altitude to map the space rock fully. If the probe successfully finds evidence that the shiny portion on the asteroid is the interior of a planet, it would be a major breakthrough in planetary science and would be the first time displaying what the insides of our own planet likely look like.

The Psyche mission is en route to its namesake asteroid, and on the way, it flew by Mars and saw the Red Planet in a completely new light. The crescent seen in this photo is Mars. The probe also captured winds blowing on the Red Planet and a full view.&nbsp;

Asteroid-bound mission caught Mars in a completely new light

Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have uncovered new clues about one of Neptune’s most unusual moons, suggesting that Nereid may be the lone surviving remnant of a violent cosmic disruption that reshaped the outer planet’s moon system billions of years ago. The findings, reported by researchers analysing Webb telescope observations, indicate that Nereid differs sharply from Neptune’s other moons in both composition and behaviour. Scientists believe the moon may preserve evidence from an earlier era of the Solar System before Neptune captured its largest moon, Triton.&nbsp;Discovered in 1949 by Dutch-American astronomer Gerard Kuiper, Nereid is Neptune’s third-largest moon and follows one of the most unusually elongated or eccentric orbits known among planetary satellites. Roughly 350 kilometres (220 miles) wide, the moon travels on an extreme orbital path around the distant planet.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-green-orbs-discs-and-fireballs-pentagon-releases-second-batch-of-declassified-ufo-files-1779456364072">‘Green orbs, discs and fireballs’: Pentagon releases second batch of declassified UFO files</a>&nbsp;<h2>A moon unlike the others</h2>&nbsp;Researchers say Nereid’s unusual properties have long puzzled astronomers. Unlike Neptune’s inner moons, which appear darker and more uniform, Nereid reflects significantly more sunlight and displays characteristics more commonly associated with icy bodies found in the distant Kuiper Belt. According to the Associated Press, a team led by the California Institute of Technology used NASA’s Webb Space Telescope to study Nereid, the gethered data revealed strong signatures of water ice and carbon dioxide ice on Nereid’s surface. Scientists noted that its composition appears strikingly different from nearby moons, strengthening theories that it may have originated elsewhere.&nbsp;According to researchers, Neptune’s moon system likely underwent massive disruption after Triton, Neptune’s largest moon, was gravitationally captured by the planet billions of years ago. That event may have destabilised or destroyed many of Neptune’s original moons. Scientists now suspect Nereid could be one of the few objects that survived the chaos.&nbsp;The observations show for the first time that Nereid’s peculiar orbit matches ‘the history we might expect from a moon that originally formed close to Neptune and was later pushed outward from the capture of Triton,’ a Carnegie Science planetary astronomer, Scott Sheppard said, according to AP.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/dying-star-glows-like-a-cosmic-crystal-ball-in-stunning-new-telescope-image-1779453783893">Dying star glows like a cosmic crystal ball in stunning new telescope image</a>&nbsp;<h2>Clues to the Solar System’s violent past</h2>&nbsp;Researchers believe studying Nereid could help explain how giant planets evolved during the early formation of the Solar System. The moon’s highly stretched orbit is viewed as possible evidence of past gravitational upheaval linked to Triton’s arrival.The Webb telescope observations also suggest Nereid has remained relatively unchanged over billions of years, potentially preserving material from the outer Solar System’s earliest period.&nbsp;Astronomers say the discovery is important because Neptune remains one of the least explored planets in the Solar System. Only NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft has ever flown past the planet, during its historic 1989 mission. Scientists hope future observations of Nereid and Neptune’s wider moon system could provide deeper insight into how planetary collisions, moon capture events and orbital instability shaped the architecture of the modern Solar System.&nbsp;

Nereid, discovered in 1949 by Dutch-American astronomer Gerard Kuiper, is the third-largest moon orbiting Neptune and follows one of the most eccentric orbits of any known planetary satellite.

Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have uncovered new clues about one of Neptune’s most unusual moons, suggesting that Nereid may be the lone surviving remnant of a violent cosmic disruption that reshaped the outer planet’s moon system billions of years ago. The findings, reported by researchers analysing Webb telescope observations, indicate that Nereid differs sharply from Neptune’s other moons in both composition and behaviour. Scientists believe the moon may preserve evidence from an earlier era of the Solar System before Neptune captured its largest moon, Triton. Discovered in 1949 by Dutch-American astronomer Gerard Kuiper, Nereid is Neptune’s third-largest moon and follows one of the most unusually elongated or eccentric orbits known among planetary satellites. Roughly 350 kilometres (220 miles) wide, the moon travels on an extreme orbital path around the distant planet. ALSO READ: ‘Green orbs, discs and fireballs’: Pentagon releases second batch of declassified UFO files A moon unlike the others Researchers say Nereid’s unusual properties have long puzzled astronomers. Unlike Neptune’s inner moons, which appear darker and more uniform, Nereid reflects significantly more sunlight and displays characteristics more commonly associated with icy bodies found in the distant Kuiper Belt. According to the Associated Press, a team led by the California Institute of Technology used NASA’s Webb Space Telescope to study Nereid, the gethered data revealed strong signatures of water ice and carbon dioxide ice on Nereid’s surface. Scientists noted that its composition appears strikingly different from nearby moons, strengthening theories that it may have originated elsewhere. According to researchers, Neptune’s moon system likely underwent massive disruption after Triton, Neptune’s largest moon, was gravitationally captured by the planet billions of years ago. That event may have destabilised or destroyed many of Neptune’s original moons. Scientists now suspect Nereid could be one of the few objects that survived the chaos. The observations show for the first time that Nereid’s peculiar orbit matches ‘the history we might expect from a moon that originally formed close to Neptune and was later pushed outward from the capture of Triton,’ a Carnegie Science planetary astronomer, Scott Sheppard said, according to AP. ALSO READ: Dying star glows like a cosmic crystal ball in stunning new telescope image Clues to the Solar System’s violent past Researchers believe studying Nereid could help explain how giant planets evolved during the early formation of the Solar System. The moon’s highly stretched orbit is viewed as possible evidence of past gravitational upheaval linked to Triton’s arrival. The Webb telescope observations also suggest Nereid has remained relatively unchanged over billions of years, potentially preserving material from the outer Solar System’s earliest period. Astronomers say the discovery is important because Neptune remains one of the least explored planets in the Solar System. Only NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft has ever flown past the planet, during its historic 1989 mission. Scientists hope future observations of Nereid and Neptune’s wider moon system could provide deeper insight into how planetary collisions, moon capture events and orbital instability shaped the architecture of the modern Solar System.

Nereid, discovered in 1949 by Dutch-American astronomer Gerard Kuiper, is the third-largest moon orbiting Neptune and follows one of the most eccentric orbits of any known planetary satellite.

Neptune’s mysterious moon Nereid may be the only survivor of an ancient cosmic crash, NASA's JSWT finds

The United States Defense Department on Friday released a second batch of declassified files relating to unidentified flying objects, or what officials formally describe as Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). The disclosure includes hundreds of documents, videos and photographs detailing decades of reported sightings involving mysterious ‘green orbs’, discs and fireballs near sensitive military locations. The latest release forms part of a broader transparency initiative ordered by US President Donald Trump under the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters, known as PURSUE. The files are being published through the Pentagon’s dedicated portal, WAR.GOV/UFO.<h2>Pentagon says public interest has surged</h2>According to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, the website has received more than one billion hits worldwide since its launch on May 8, reflecting intense global interest in long-classified government records connected to UFO investigations. The Department of War confirmed that the latest release contains 222 files. Officials also said a third batch of material is already being prepared and will be released “in the near future”.&nbsp;&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/dying-star-glows-like-a-cosmic-crystal-ball-in-stunning-new-telescope-image-1779453783893">Dying star glows like a cosmic crystal ball in stunning new telescope image</a>&nbsp;“It’s time the American people see it for themselves,” Pete Hegseth said in a statement accompanying the release. He noted that photographs, videos and official reports concerning UAP sightings had fuelled speculation for decades.<h2>&nbsp;</h2>

Infrared imagery captured by a US military platform in CENTCOM region in 2022

&nbsp;<h2>Reports include sightings near military facilities</h2>Among the newly released material is a 116-page document relating to investigations conducted between 1948 and 1950 at a top-secret facility in Sandia, New Mexico. “This file contains 209 sightings of ‘green orbs’, ‘discs’, and ‘fireballs’ reported near the military base,” the Defense Department said, according to Reuters. Another report details an account from a US intelligence officer who claimed to have witnessed “two large orbs flare up” close to his helicopter during a military operation.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-police-say-investigation-into-ex-prince-andrew-will-be-lengthy-and-complex-seek-witnesses-in-inquiry-1779436663731">UK police say investigation into ex-Prince Andrew will be lengthy and complex, seek witnesses in inquiry</a>&nbsp;Friday’s disclosure follows the first release earlier this month, which included declassified FBI UFO case files, reports from military pilots describing unexplained aerial encounters, diplomatic cables and images linked to NASA missions.<h2>No evidence of extraterrestrial technology</h2>Despite the scale of the disclosures, experts reviewing the material have cautioned that the files do not provide definitive proof of alien life or extraterrestrial technology. Analysts said many of the videos and photographs document previously known sightings or unexplained aerial incidents without reaching conclusive findings.&nbsp;The Pentagon has repeatedly stated that the release of historical records is intended to improve transparency and public access rather than confirm theories surrounding extraterrestrial activity.

The latest release forms part of a broader transparency initiative ordered by US President Donald Trump under the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters, known as PURSUE.

The United States Defense Department on Friday released a second batch of declassified files relating to unidentified flying objects, or what officials formally describe as Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). The disclosure includes hundreds of documents, videos and photographs detailing decades of reported sightings involving mysterious ‘green orbs’, discs and fireballs near sensitive military locations. The latest release forms part of a broader transparency initiative ordered by US President Donald Trump under the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters, known as PURSUE. The files are being published through the Pentagon’s dedicated portal, WAR.GOV/UFO. Pentagon says public interest has surged According to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, the website has received more than one billion hits worldwide since its launch on May 8, reflecting intense global interest in long-classified government records connected to UFO investigations. The Department of War confirmed that the latest release contains 222 files. Officials also said a third batch of material is already being prepared and will be released “in the near future”. ALSO READ: Dying star glows like a cosmic crystal ball in stunning new telescope image “It’s time the American people see it for themselves,” Pete Hegseth said in a statement accompanying the release. He noted that photographs, videos and official reports concerning UAP sightings had fuelled speculation for decades.

The latest release forms part of a broader transparency initiative ordered by US President Donald Trump under the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters, known as PURSUE.

‘Green orbs, discs and fireballs’: Pentagon releases second batch of declassified UFO files

Astronomers have released a striking new image of a dying star system located roughly 1,500 light-years from Earth, revealing a glowing cloud of gas that resembles a giant crystal ball drifting through deep space. The image was captured by the Gemini North Telescope atop Maunakea, Hawai‘i’s tallest peak, and released by the National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab. The object, formally known as NGC 1514, is commonly referred to as the Crystal Ball Nebula because of its milky-white spherical appearance. Scientists say the image offers a detailed look at the final stages of a star’s life cycle, a process that unfolded long before the light reached Earth.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rbi-approves-record-rs-2-87-trillion-dividend-to-government-amid-rising-fiscal-pressure-1779452883324">RBI approves record Rs. 2.87 trillion dividend to government amid rising fiscal pressure</a>&nbsp;<h2>A celestial object first spotted in 1790</h2>&nbsp;According to PHYS.ORG, the Crystal Ball Nebula was first discovered in 1790 by German-British astronomer William Herschel. Located in the constellation Taurus near the border of Perseus, the nebula belongs to a class of objects known as planetary nebulae. Herschel coined the term in the 18th century after observing their rounded shapes, which resembled planets through early telescopes. Scientists now know planetary nebulae have no connection to planets. Instead, they form when low- or intermediate-mass stars eject their outer layers near the end of their existence.&nbsp;The gas expelled by the dying star gradually expands outward, forming vast glowing clouds in space. In the case of NGC 1514, the exposed stellar core heats the surrounding gas to temperatures estimated at around 15,000 Kelvin, creating its luminous appearance.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-police-say-investigation-into-ex-prince-andrew-will-be-lengthy-and-complex-seek-witnesses-in-inquiry-1779436663731">UK police say investigation into ex-Prince Andrew will be lengthy and complex, seek witnesses in inquiry</a>&nbsp;<h2>A binary system unlike most planetary nebulae</h2>&nbsp;At the centre of the Crystal Ball Nebula lies a binary star system, with two stars orbiting one another. Researchers believe one of those stars, once larger than the Sun, shed its outer layers as it neared the end of its life. Unlike many planetary nebulae that appear smooth and symmetrical, NGC 1514 stands out for its uneven and layered gas shells. Scientists believe the unusual structure is being shaped by the interaction of the two central stars.&nbsp;The image was captured using the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph mounted on the 8.1-metre Gemini North Telescope. Observations were made last year, while the colour image was completed only recently. The nebula’s immense distance also means astronomers are effectively looking into the past. Since NGC 1514 is located around 1,500 light-years away, the light captured in the image began its journey roughly 1,500 years ago. A single light-year equals nearly six trillion miles, highlighting the enormous scale of the universe and the vast distances involved in astronomical observation.

The image was captured by the Gemini North Telescope atop Maunakea, Hawai‘i’s tallest peak, and released by the National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab.

Astronomers have released a striking new image of a dying star system located roughly 1,500 light-years from Earth, revealing a glowing cloud of gas that resembles a giant crystal ball drifting through deep space. The image was captured by the Gemini North Telescope atop Maunakea, Hawai‘i’s tallest peak, and released by the National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab. The object, formally known as NGC 1514, is commonly referred to as the Crystal Ball Nebula because of its milky-white spherical appearance. Scientists say the image offers a detailed look at the final stages of a star’s life cycle, a process that unfolded long before the light reached Earth. ALSO READ: RBI approves record Rs. 2.87 trillion dividend to government amid rising fiscal pressure A celestial object first spotted in 1790 According to PHYS.ORG, the Crystal Ball Nebula was first discovered in 1790 by German-British astronomer William Herschel. Located in the constellation Taurus near the border of Perseus, the nebula belongs to a class of objects known as planetary nebulae. Herschel coined the term in the 18th century after observing their rounded shapes, which resembled planets through early telescopes. Scientists now know planetary nebulae have no connection to planets. Instead, they form when low- or intermediate-mass stars eject their outer layers near the end of their existence. The gas expelled by the dying star gradually expands outward, forming vast glowing clouds in space. In the case of NGC 1514, the exposed stellar core heats the surrounding gas to temperatures estimated at around 15,000 Kelvin, creating its luminous appearance. ALSO READ: UK police say investigation into ex-Prince Andrew will be lengthy and complex, seek witnesses in inquiry A binary system unlike most planetary nebulae At the centre of the Crystal Ball Nebula lies a binary star system, with two stars orbiting one another. Researchers believe one of those stars, once larger than the Sun, shed its outer layers as it neared the end of its life. Unlike many planetary nebulae that appear smooth and symmetrical, NGC 1514 stands out for its uneven and layered gas shells. Scientists believe the unusual structure is being shaped by the interaction of the two central stars. The image was captured using the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph mounted on the 8.1-metre Gemini North Telescope. Observations were made last year, while the colour image was completed only recently. The nebula’s immense distance also means astronomers are effectively looking into the past. Since NGC 1514 is located around 1,500 light-years away, the light captured in the image began its journey roughly 1,500 years ago. A single light-year equals nearly six trillion miles, highlighting the enormous scale of the universe and the vast distances involved in astronomical observation.

The image was captured by the Gemini North Telescope atop Maunakea, Hawai‘i’s tallest peak, and released by the National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab.

Dying star glows like a cosmic crystal ball in stunning new telescope image

As SpaceX moves closer to a public listing, new details reveal how Elon Musk is likely to retain and in some ways increase his control over the company.According to the company’s IPO filing, Musk will continue to hold a dominant position even after SpaceX becomes a publicly traded firm, raising important questions for future investors.&nbsp;<h2>Musk’s control will remain above 50%</h2>Even after the IPO, Musk is expected to retain more than 50 per cent of voting power, ensuring that he remains in full control of key decisions.He will continue to serve as CEO, CTO and chairman, giving him authority across both management and governance.This means Musk will be able to:Appoint board membersApprove major decisionsMaintain long-term strategic directionIn practical terms, this structure makes it difficult for shareholders to influence company decisions.<h2>Dual-class shares strengthen voting power</h2>SpaceX uses a dual-class share structure, where certain shares carry higher voting rights.Musk holds a large portion of these super-voting shares, giving him far greater influence than regular shareholders.Public investors will mainly receive Class A shares, which come with lower voting power. This creates a gap between ownership and control.Such structures are already used by companies like Google and Meta, but experts say SpaceX’s model goes further in concentrating power.<h2>Limits on shareholder rights</h2>The IPO filing outlines several restrictions on shareholder influence.The company states that investors may have limited ability to:Influence corporate decisionsChallenge management legallyElect directors independently&nbsp;In addition, SpaceX has structured its legal framework in a way that makes shareholder lawsuits more difficult.For example, investors would need to hold at least 3 per cent of shares to file certain types of legal claims. At current valuation estimates, this could require tens of billions of dollars in holdings.<h2>Texas incorporation adds legal protection</h2>SpaceX has chosen to incorporate in Texas, which offers a different regulatory environment compared to states like Delaware.The company has also included provisions that direct most legal disputes to specific courts or arbitration systems.Experts say this reduces the likelihood of legal challenges against management decisions.<h2>Stock market dynamics may support valuation</h2>The company is expected to be added quickly to major stock indexes such as the Nasdaq 100 after listing.This could lead to increased demand from institutional investors, as index funds are required to buy shares of companies included in these benchmarks.As a result, early trading may see strong demand, which could support the stock price in the initial phase.<h2>Additional financial advantages for Musk</h2>Musk has also been granted a compensation package that includes 1 billion additional shares, tied to long-term performance goals.Even before these shares fully vest, he is allowed to:Vote using these sharesUse them as collateral for loansThis provides financial flexibility and additional influence over the company.<h2>What this means for investors</h2>The SpaceX IPO offers an opportunity to invest in one of the world’s most valuable private companies. However, the structure means that public shareholders will have limited control. Investors may benefit from the company’s growth, but decision-making will remain concentrated with Musk.<h2>What happens next</h2>Further details about pricing and share allocation are expected closer to the IPO date.The listing is likely to attract strong interest from global investors, but attention will remain on how the company balances growth with governance.The SpaceX IPO highlights a broader trend in technology companies, where founders retain strong control even after going public.

As SpaceX moves closer to a public listing, new details reveal how Elon Musk is likely to retain and in some ways increase his control over the company.


As SpaceX moves closer to a public listing, new details reveal how Elon Musk is likely to retain and in some ways increase his control over the company. According to the company’s IPO filing, Musk will continue to hold a dominant position even after SpaceX becomes a publicly traded firm, raising important questions for future investors. Musk’s control will remain above 50% Even after the IPO, Musk is expected to retain more than 50 per cent of voting power, ensuring that he remains in full control of key decisions. He will continue to serve as CEO, CTO and chairman, giving him authority across both management and governance. This means Musk will be able to: Appoint board members Approve major decisions Maintain long-term strategic direction In practical terms, this structure makes it difficult for shareholders to influence company decisions. Dual-class shares strengthen voting power SpaceX uses a dual-class share structure, where certain shares carry higher voting rights. Musk holds a large portion of these super-voting shares, giving him far greater influence than regular shareholders. Public investors will mainly receive Class A shares, which come with lower voting power. This creates a gap between ownership and control. Such structures are already used by companies like Google and Meta, but experts say SpaceX’s model goes further in concentrating power. Limits on shareholder rights The IPO filing outlines several restrictions on shareholder influence. The company states that investors may have limited ability to: Influence corporate decisions Challenge management legally Elect directors independently In addition, SpaceX has structured its legal framework in a way that makes shareholder lawsuits more difficult. For example, investors would need to hold at least 3 per cent of shares to file certain types of legal claims. At current valuation estimates, this could require tens of billions of dollars in holdings. Texas incorporation adds legal protection SpaceX has chosen to incorporate in Texas, which offers a different regulatory environment compared to states like Delaware. The company has also included provisions that direct most legal disputes to specific courts or arbitration systems. Experts say this reduces the likelihood of legal challenges against management decisions. Stock market dynamics may support valuation The company is expected to be added quickly to major stock indexes such as the Nasdaq 100 after listing. This could lead to increased demand from institutional investors, as index funds are required to buy shares of companies included in these benchmarks. As a result, early trading may see strong demand, which could support the stock price in the initial phase. Additional financial advantages for Musk Musk has also been granted a compensation package that includes 1 billion additional shares, tied to long-term performance goals. Even before these shares fully vest, he is allowed to: Vote using these shares Use them as collateral for loans This provides financial flexibility and additional influence over the company. What this means for investors The SpaceX IPO offers an opportunity to invest in one of the world’s most valuable private companies. However, the structure means that public shareholders will have limited control. Investors may benefit from the company’s growth, but decision-making will remain concentrated with Musk. What happens next Further details about pricing and share allocation are expected closer to the IPO date. The listing is likely to attract strong interest from global investors, but attention will remain on how the company balances growth with governance. The SpaceX IPO highlights a broader trend in technology companies, where founders retain strong control even after going public.

As SpaceX moves closer to a public listing, new details reveal how Elon Musk is likely to retain and in some ways increase his control over the company.

'SpaceX IPO': How Elon Musk is set to strengthen control after listing

As SpaceX prepares for a potential public listing, new disclosures highlight who stands to benefit the most from the company’s initial public offering (IPO). The filings show that Elon Musk remains the dominant shareholder, with a level of control that sets him apart from other investors.According to details from the company’s S-1 filing, Musk holds a significant majority of voting power, giving him control over key decisions even after the IPO.&nbsp;<h2>Elon Musk’s dominant stake explained</h2>Musk owns more than 6.4 billion shares in total, including:Around 850 million Class A shares (one vote per share)Nearly 5.6 billion Class B shares (10 votes per share)This dual-class share structure gives Musk overwhelming voting power. Reports suggest that even additional shares linked to long-term targets, such as future Mars missions, do not materially change his already strong control.This means Musk is likely to remain the key decision-maker even after SpaceX becomes a public company.<h2>Who else benefits from the IPO</h2>Apart from Musk, a small group of insiders and early investors also hold significant stakes.These include:Antonio Gracias, investor and board member, with over 503 million sharesLuke Nosek, investor, with nearly 33 million sharesGwynne Shotwell, COO, with around 12.6 million sharesBret Johnsen, CFO, with nearly 9.6 million sharesThese individuals are among the largest shareholders after Musk and could see substantial gains if the IPO performs well.<h2>Estimated valuation and potential gains</h2>Market estimates suggest that the SpaceX IPO could raise around $75 billion, with a possible valuation of $1.7 trillion.At this level:A 1 per cent stake could be worth around $17 billionEven smaller stakes could translate into billions of dollars in valueThis highlights the scale of wealth that could be created for major shareholders.<h2>Role of early investors</h2>SpaceX has raised around $30 billion in private funding from hundreds of investors over the years.Early investors bought shares at much lower prices:Around $1 per share in early funding roundsAbout $7.50 in mid-stage roundsUp to $270 per share in later roundsThis wide range shows how early backers could see significant returns if the company lists at a high valuation.<h2>Why control matters in this IPO</h2>Unlike many public companies, SpaceX’s ownership structure ensures that Musk retains control even after listing.The dual-class share system allows him to:Maintain voting powerInfluence strategic decisionsControl long-term directionThis structure is often used by founder-led companies to protect their vision while raising capital.<h2>What this means for investors</h2>For public investors, the IPO could offer access to one of the world’s most valuable private companies. However, the structure means that minority shareholders may have limited influence over decisions.For insiders, the listing represents a major financial opportunity, with potential gains tied to the company’s future performance.<h2>What happens next</h2>Details such as pricing, share allocation and listing timelines are yet to be finalised. However, the disclosures provide a clear picture of who stands to benefit the most.As SpaceX moves closer to going public, attention is likely to remain on its ownership structure and how it shapes the company’s future

As SpaceX prepares for a potential public listing, new disclosures highlight who stands to benefit the most from the company’s initial public offering (IPO). The filings show that Elon Musk remains the dominant shareholder, with a level of control that sets him apart from other investors.


As SpaceX prepares for a potential public listing, new disclosures highlight who stands to benefit the most from the company’s initial public offering (IPO). The filings show that Elon Musk remains the dominant shareholder, with a level of control that sets him apart from other investors. According to details from the company’s S-1 filing, Musk holds a significant majority of voting power, giving him control over key decisions even after the IPO. Elon Musk’s dominant stake explained Musk owns more than 6.4 billion shares in total, including: Around 850 million Class A shares (one vote per share) Nearly 5.6 billion Class B shares (10 votes per share) This dual-class share structure gives Musk overwhelming voting power. Reports suggest that even additional shares linked to long-term targets, such as future Mars missions, do not materially change his already strong control. This means Musk is likely to remain the key decision-maker even after SpaceX becomes a public company. Who else benefits from the IPO Apart from Musk, a small group of insiders and early investors also hold significant stakes. These include: Antonio Gracias, investor and board member, with over 503 million shares Luke Nosek, investor, with nearly 33 million shares Gwynne Shotwell, COO, with around 12.6 million shares Bret Johnsen, CFO, with nearly 9.6 million shares These individuals are among the largest shareholders after Musk and could see substantial gains if the IPO performs well. Estimated valuation and potential gains Market estimates suggest that the SpaceX IPO could raise around $75 billion, with a possible valuation of $1.7 trillion. At this level: A 1 per cent stake could be worth around $17 billion Even smaller stakes could translate into billions of dollars in value This highlights the scale of wealth that could be created for major shareholders. Role of early investors SpaceX has raised around $30 billion in private funding from hundreds of investors over the years. Early investors bought shares at much lower prices: Around $1 per share in early funding rounds About $7.50 in mid-stage rounds Up to $270 per share in later rounds This wide range shows how early backers could see significant returns if the company lists at a high valuation. Why control matters in this IPO Unlike many public companies, SpaceX’s ownership structure ensures that Musk retains control even after listing. The dual-class share system allows him to: Maintain voting power Influence strategic decisions Control long-term direction This structure is often used by founder-led companies to protect their vision while raising capital. What this means for investors For public investors, the IPO could offer access to one of the world’s most valuable private companies. However, the structure means that minority shareholders may have limited influence over decisions. For insiders, the listing represents a major financial opportunity, with potential gains tied to the company’s future performance. What happens next Details such as pricing, share allocation and listing timelines are yet to be finalised. However, the disclosures provide a clear picture of who stands to benefit the most. As SpaceX moves closer to going public, attention is likely to remain on its ownership structure and how it shapes the company’s future

As SpaceX prepares for a potential public listing, new disclosures highlight who stands to benefit the most from the company’s initial public offering (IPO). The filings show that Elon Musk remains the dominant shareholder, with a level of control that sets him apart from other investors.

'$1.7 trillion valuation': Who will win big from SpaceX’s listing?

India’s indigenous RayStrike-9 (3kW–9kW) laser weapon, built by Paras Defence and DRDO-CHESS, fires at the speed of light to neutralise drone swarms and missiles within a 1.2–2.5 km range. Using AI targeting and electro-optics, its infinite magazine cuts the cost of modern anti-drone warfare.

India’s indigenous RayStrike-9 (3kW–9kW) laser weapon, built by Paras Defence and DRDO-CHESS, fires at the speed of light to neutralise drone swarms and missiles within a 1.2–2.5 km range. Using AI targeting and electro-optics, its infinite magazine cuts the cost of modern anti-drone warfare.

Speed-of-light weapon: What makes India’s new RayStrike-9 laser system capable of neutralising swarm drones

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'SpaceX IPO': How Elon Musk is set to strengthen control after listing