Kate Middleton, Prince William celebrate King Charles' 78th birthday with a special social media post

Exclusive: India backs freedom of navigation in South China Sea, opposes Myanmar isolation

Macron’s awkward embrace with Iceland PM Kristrún Frostadóttir goes viral – What happened?

‘I hope you die…’: Jensen Huang told Indian-origin Nvidia VP in an outburst during meeting

US flight chaos: Transport chief warns 'some delays, cancellations' to continue as thousands stranded after flight disruption

Why is the United States trying to control China's access to advanced AI chips?

Mumbai: 20-year-old arrested for allegedly surveying 26/11 target Chabad House, probe points to overseas links

IND vs NZ: New Zealand tour ends in disappointment as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli fall cheaply in 5th ODI

Iran plotting to target Trump? Report claims Mossad shared intel with CIA

US-Iran war | Iran: Targeted US early-warning radar in Bahrain

Why are liquid-cooled GPUs becoming important for modern AI data centres?

ASEAN Summit 2026: PM Modi to Grace 3-Day ASEAN-India & East Asia Summit in Manila

Shape-shifting UFO sighting in Oregon leaves mother-daughter sick: 'Fell like a dead bird'

‘Outstanding day for Indian cricket’: PM Modi congratulates U19 team on Asia Cup win

'Currently has no role...': Megaspeed breaks silence on former boss Alice Huang and Nvidia CEO's affair

'Democracy was destroyed in 2014': Rahul Gandhi questions legitimacy of elections at Bharat Summit in Hyderabad

Why do AI GPUs consume so much electricity?

Netanyahu warns against Eisenkot's minority government plans

Indian ambassador to ASEAN Srinivas Gotru backs freedom of navigation in South China Sea, opposes isolating Myanmar

'I don’t negotiate with terrorists'- US school district faces lawsuit over teacher's remark to student

IndiGo flight makes emergency landing in Pune after mid-air scare – What happened?

AUS vs ENG: Perth hero Mahli Beardman rested for 2nd ODI; Nathan Ellis ruled out of T20I series

How is China trying to build its own Nvidia to challenge the US chip industry?

Blasts, sirens rock Bahrain as Iran claims drone attack on US military base

Oak Ridge Boys' Richard Sterban dies at 83 after battle with cancer, tributes pour in

Jensen Huang seen with wife Lori in Paris in photos shared by daughter Madison

'No civic sense': Viral video shows family bursting crackers inside highway tunnel, sparks outrage | Watch

Why do Nvidia and Apple depend so heavily on Taiwan?

Paris protests | Interior Ministry: 106,000 take part in protests, 121 arrested

WATCH | SpaceX catches Starship spacecraft midair for first time after 22-hour orbital flight

Blinken says US ties with India, Pakistan are ‘fundamentally different’

Meta fined €805 million in Italy over alleged access to users’ phone galleries

Israel elections: Netanyahu urges Eisenkot to join unity government, says only a coalition can eliminate Iran threat 'once and for all'

'It exploded in his mouth': Man dies after friend gives him bomb disguised as rasgulla on Diwali in Madhya Pradesh's Dindori

'He promised me a green card': Lebanese woman accuses Texas ICE officer of sexually assaulting her in detention

Aaryavir Sehwag chants ‘Sita Ram’ to stay calm during India-Pakistan U19 Asia Cup final | WATCH

Israel-Gaza war: Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital kills 6, wounds 20

First game after Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement ends in Portugal's 4-1 loss to Denmark

Indian student sentenced to 30 years in UK for online grooming of over 70 children

Harry Potter: HBO series unveils new Hogwarts scene, Dumbledore's conversation with McGonagall grabs attention

Scientists have known for years that homo sapiens carry Neanderthal DNA, but not a lot of it. Some humans do not have any of their genes. They have now found the reason behind it. According to a study, the intermingling and mating happened in one very specific pattern - Neanderthal men and human women were the ones who established physical relations. There is a time period when both species lived together. During this time, home sapien women apparently preferred the short and stout Neanderthal men. For 20 years, experts have talked about &nbsp;"Neanderthal deserts," or places in the modern-human genome where Neanderthal genes are rare. They have proposed several reasons for this. One of them is that the Neanderthal DNA was toxic and was removed by natural selection. The two groups interbred a few times, but the genes we inherited from Neanderthals are present only in tiny patches on our X chromosome. This has stumped scientists for years.<h2>The mystery of the X chromosome</h2>Ancestors of the two groups went their separate ways 600,000 years ago. Today, most non-African people carry an average of 2 per cent Neanderthal DNA, while a few groups in Africa have up to 1.5 per cent. But they inherited the genes from Homo sapiens, who mixed with Neanderthals in Eurasia and then moved to Africa. The genes from the now-extinct species can be found in greater numbers across our other chromosomes, but not on X. In fact, there are regions on the X chromosome where no living humans have any Neanderthal ancestry. Alexander Platt, a population geneticist at the University of Pennsylvania, said in a statement, that the belief has been that their genes were biologically "toxic" to humans and caused health issues. So they were purged with evolution.&nbsp;In a study published on Thursday (February 26) in the journal Science, researchers concluded that "Neanderthal deserts" actually happened because of mate preference. They analysed the genomes of 73 women from three modern-day African populations with no Neanderthal ancestry, and compared them with those of a few Neanderthals. The latter's X chromosomes had significantly higher amounts of modern-human DNA, which they say is because of how they mated. If female homo sapiens mated with male Neanderthals, it would lead to fewer Neanderthal X chromosomes entering the human gene pool. Previous studies showed that male Homo sapiens and female Neanderthals were mating. But clearly, they were wrong. &nbsp;

Neanderthal and homo sapiens mated, but it was mostly only the men of the former species with the females of the latter. This explains a major DNA problem that scientists have noticed in the human genes today.

Scientists have known for years that homo sapiens carry Neanderthal DNA, but not a lot of it. Some humans do not have any of their genes. They have now found the reason behind it. According to a study, the intermingling and mating happened in one very specific pattern - Neanderthal men and human women were the ones who established physical relations. There is a time period when both species lived together. During this time, home sapien women apparently preferred the short and stout Neanderthal men. For 20 years, experts have talked about "Neanderthal deserts," or places in the modern-human genome where Neanderthal genes are rare. They have proposed several reasons for this. One of them is that the Neanderthal DNA was toxic and was removed by natural selection. The two groups interbred a few times, but the genes we inherited from Neanderthals are present only in tiny patches on our X chromosome. This has stumped scientists for years. The mystery of the X chromosome Ancestors of the two groups went their separate ways 600,000 years ago. Today, most non-African people carry an average of 2 per cent Neanderthal DNA, while a few groups in Africa have up to 1.5 per cent. But they inherited the genes from Homo sapiens, who mixed with Neanderthals in Eurasia and then moved to Africa. The genes from the now-extinct species can be found in greater numbers across our other chromosomes, but not on X. In fact, there are regions on the X chromosome where no living humans have any Neanderthal ancestry. Alexander Platt, a population geneticist at the University of Pennsylvania, said in a statement, that the belief has been that their genes were biologically "toxic" to humans and caused health issues. So they were purged with evolution. In a study published on Thursday (February 26) in the journal Science, researchers concluded that "Neanderthal deserts" actually happened because of mate preference. They analysed the genomes of 73 women from three modern-day African populations with no Neanderthal ancestry, and compared them with those of a few Neanderthals. The latter's X chromosomes had significantly higher amounts of modern-human DNA, which they say is because of how they mated. If female homo sapiens mated with male Neanderthals, it would lead to fewer Neanderthal X chromosomes entering the human gene pool. Previous studies showed that male Homo sapiens and female Neanderthals were mating. But clearly, they were wrong.

Neanderthal and homo sapiens mated, but it was mostly only the men of the former species with the females of the latter. This explains a major DNA problem that scientists have noticed in the human genes today.

Human women preferred Neanderthal men. This solves a major DNA mystery

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory sent out its first set of notifications on Tuesday night using the new alert system, sending 800,000 of them. It peered into a region of the universe and picked up a lot of activity. While this number might seem like a lot, it is nothing compared to what could be coming. The observatory uses the Alert Production Pipeline, a software developed at the University of Washington, to send alerts to astronomers across the world. It is capable of generating a whopping 7 million of them in one night. The Rubin Observatory detects and notifies of all kinds of things it locates in the cosmos. It could be a supernova or new asteroids. Hsin-Fang Chiang, lead of operations for data processing at the US Data Facility, said in a statement, "The scale and speed of the alerts are unprecedented."&nbsp;&nbsp;The Vera observatory generated "hundreds of thousands of test alerts in the last few months". The alerts are sent within two minutes of the discovery. Vera has the largest digital camera ever built and an ultra-sensitive 28-foot primary mirror. Rubin is like a high-speed, wide-angle security camera that can scan the entire Southern Hemisphere sky instead of just one point. Located in Chile, it has been designed to create the first-ever "motion picture" of our universe. It will map billions of galaxies in the coming days and is expected to detect never-before-seen asteroids. On Tuesday night, it spotted supernovae, variable stars, active galactic nuclei, and new asteroids. Every time something changes in a portion of the sky, Rubin shoots an alert. It could be something as simple as a body that moved or a star that has dimmed since its last observation.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/2-300-foot-asteroid-spinning-every-1-88-minutes-leaves-scientists-stunned-1767961166669">Asteroid spinning every 1.88 minutes is an anomaly because of its massive size</a><h2>Vera can gather and process 10 terabytes of images every night</h2>While the Vera observatory itself took two decades to build, researchers worked on the alert system for 10 years, since they needed to figure out how to process 10 terabytes of images, since that is how much data it would gather each night. “Enabling real-time discovery on such a massive data stream has required years of technical innovation in image processing algorithms, databases and data orchestration,” Eric Bellm, an astronomy professor at the University of Washington, and lead of the Alert Production Pipeline Group for the Rubin Observatory, said in a statement. The observatory launched last year and released the first images on June 23, 2025. After the alert system, the telescope’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) will launch later this year. It will scan the sky every few nights for the next 10 years to generate a massive, high-resolution "digital movie" of the universe.&nbsp;

Astronomers across the world received 800,000 alerts from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in just one night, informing them of any new observations or changes in one region of the universe. The observatory in Chile has been built to deliver 10 terabytes of data every night. 

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory sent out its first set of notifications on Tuesday night using the new alert system, sending 800,000 of them. It peered into a region of the universe and picked up a lot of activity. While this number might seem like a lot, it is nothing compared to what could be coming. The observatory uses the Alert Production Pipeline, a software developed at the University of Washington, to send alerts to astronomers across the world. It is capable of generating a whopping 7 million of them in one night. The Rubin Observatory detects and notifies of all kinds of things it locates in the cosmos. It could be a supernova or new asteroids. Hsin-Fang Chiang, lead of operations for data processing at the US Data Facility, said in a statement, "The scale and speed of the alerts are unprecedented." The Vera observatory generated "hundreds of thousands of test alerts in the last few months". The alerts are sent within two minutes of the discovery. Vera has the largest digital camera ever built and an ultra-sensitive 28-foot primary mirror. Rubin is like a high-speed, wide-angle security camera that can scan the entire Southern Hemisphere sky instead of just one point. Located in Chile, it has been designed to create the first-ever "motion picture" of our universe. It will map billions of galaxies in the coming days and is expected to detect never-before-seen asteroids. On Tuesday night, it spotted supernovae, variable stars, active galactic nuclei, and new asteroids. Every time something changes in a portion of the sky, Rubin shoots an alert. It could be something as simple as a body that moved or a star that has dimmed since its last observation. Also Read: Asteroid spinning every 1.88 minutes is an anomaly because of its massive size Vera can gather and process 10 terabytes of images every night While the Vera observatory itself took two decades to build, researchers worked on the alert system for 10 years, since they needed to figure out how to process 10 terabytes of images, since that is how much data it would gather each night. “Enabling real-time discovery on such a massive data stream has required years of technical innovation in image processing algorithms, databases and data orchestration,” Eric Bellm, an astronomy professor at the University of Washington, and lead of the Alert Production Pipeline Group for the Rubin Observatory, said in a statement. The observatory launched last year and released the first images on June 23, 2025. After the alert system, the telescope’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) will launch later this year. It will scan the sky every few nights for the next 10 years to generate a massive, high-resolution "digital movie" of the universe.

Astronomers across the world received 800,000 alerts from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in just one night, informing them of any new observations or changes in one region of the universe. The observatory in Chile has been built to deliver 10 terabytes of data every night.&nbsp;

8 lakh cosmic alerts in one night: Too much? Vera will scale this number up to millions

Scientists have discovered the first field of tektites in Brazil, proving that the country witnessed an ancient impact from an extraterrestrial object. This event happened 6.3 million years ago, as shown by the analysis of the pieces of natural glass found strewn over several kilometres in the northern region. Tektites are formed when a cosmic body slams into the planet with huge force, melting surface rock and throwing it through the atmosphere. They appear black and opaque, but when held to light, are translucent greyish-green. They could be shaped like teardrops, spheres, or even dumbbells. They were first discovered in the state of Minas Gerais, and have been named geraisites. The fragments were initially found in three municipalities in northern Minas Gerais, Taiobeiras, Curral de Dentro, and São João do Paraíso in an area spanning 90 kilometres. Later, scientists found additional samples in the states of Bahia and Piaui. Over 600 pieces of tektites have been found over a 900-kilometre area.&nbsp;“This growth in the area of occurrence is entirely consistent with what is observed in other tektite fields around the world. The size of the field depends directly on the energy of the impact, among other factors,” Álvaro Penteado Crósta, a geologist and senior professor at the Institute of Geosciences at the State University of Campinas (IG-UNICAMP), said. The findings were detailed in the journal Geology. The discovery means that South America witnessed an ancient impact, something rarely seen in the history of the continent. However, the collision did not create a crater.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientist-claims-heaven-lies-in-the-physical-universe-and-tells-its-exact-location-1771939781638">Scientist claims heaven lies in the physical universe, and tells its EXACT location</a> Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/incas-sacrificed-children-with-fatal-head-blows-then-revered-their-mummified-remains-1771930730097">Incas sacrificed children with fatal head blows, then revered their mummified remains</a><h2>Tektite fields in the world, with and without craters&nbsp;</h2>Till now, only five major tektite fields have been found worldwide - Australasia, Central Europe, the Ivory Coast, North America, and Belize. Only three of the tektite fields have craters, with the largest one in Australasia believed to harbour an oceanic crater. Researchers had found around 500 pieces till July 2025, and the number increased to nearly 600 when more tektites were discovered in other states. They weigh between one gram and 85.4 grams. Some of them are 5 centimetres long and "reflect the aerodynamic shaping that occurs while molten material travels through the atmosphere." Geraisites are dark and have numerous small cavities on the outside. “These small cavities are traces of gas bubbles that escaped during the rapid cooling of the molten material as it travelled through the atmosphere, a process also observed in volcanic lava but especially characteristic of tektites,” Crósta said.

The tektite field in Brazil shows that the region was hit by an extraterrestrial object millions of years ago. It is only the sixth such field discovered worldwide, strewn with glass pieces that formed when a cosmic object slammed into Earth with immense pressure.

Scientists have discovered the first field of tektites in Brazil, proving that the country witnessed an ancient impact from an extraterrestrial object. This event happened 6.3 million years ago, as shown by the analysis of the pieces of natural glass found strewn over several kilometres in the northern region. Tektites are formed when a cosmic body slams into the planet with huge force, melting surface rock and throwing it through the atmosphere. They appear black and opaque, but when held to light, are translucent greyish-green. They could be shaped like teardrops, spheres, or even dumbbells. They were first discovered in the state of Minas Gerais, and have been named geraisites. The fragments were initially found in three municipalities in northern Minas Gerais, Taiobeiras, Curral de Dentro, and São João do Paraíso in an area spanning 90 kilometres. Later, scientists found additional samples in the states of Bahia and Piaui. Over 600 pieces of tektites have been found over a 900-kilometre area. “This growth in the area of occurrence is entirely consistent with what is observed in other tektite fields around the world. The size of the field depends directly on the energy of the impact, among other factors,” Álvaro Penteado Crósta, a geologist and senior professor at the Institute of Geosciences at the State University of Campinas (IG-UNICAMP), said. The findings were detailed in the journal Geology. The discovery means that South America witnessed an ancient impact, something rarely seen in the history of the continent. However, the collision did not create a crater. Also Read: Scientist claims heaven lies in the physical universe, and tells its EXACT location Also Read: Incas sacrificed children with fatal head blows, then revered their mummified remains Tektite fields in the world, with and without craters Till now, only five major tektite fields have been found worldwide - Australasia, Central Europe, the Ivory Coast, North America, and Belize. Only three of the tektite fields have craters, with the largest one in Australasia believed to harbour an oceanic crater. Researchers had found around 500 pieces till July 2025, and the number increased to nearly 600 when more tektites were discovered in other states. They weigh between one gram and 85.4 grams. Some of them are 5 centimetres long and "reflect the aerodynamic shaping that occurs while molten material travels through the atmosphere." Geraisites are dark and have numerous small cavities on the outside. “These small cavities are traces of gas bubbles that escaped during the rapid cooling of the molten material as it travelled through the atmosphere, a process also observed in volcanic lava but especially characteristic of tektites,” Crósta said.

The tektite field in Brazil shows that the region was hit by an extraterrestrial object millions of years ago. It is only the sixth such field discovered worldwide, strewn with glass pieces that formed when a cosmic object slammed into Earth with immense pressure.

Scientists say extraterrestrial object slammed into Brazil 6.3mn years ago, but left no crater. There is another proof

A stunning image of the annular solar eclipse that occurred on February 17 has been captured from space. The European Space Agency (ESA) released a photo taken by the PROBA-2 satellite. Any pictures of the solar eclipse were difficult to obtain from Earth, as it was only visible in Antarctica and a few places off its coast. The agency also released a photo taken from the Concordia Station in Antarctica, the best viewing point on Earth. The moon moved in front of the sun to create a ring of fire that reportedly remained visible for two minutes from the station. "Because the Moon was at a more distant point along its elliptical orbit around Earth, it didn't entirely cover the Sun and left a ‘ring of fire'," ESA wrote. The space agency said that as the spacecraft flew around Earth, it captured the eclipse four times. It stated that the "perfect ring of fire" occurred at 11:31 Universal Time. PROBA-2 hosts two primary instruments that specifically observe the sun and other instruments to study space weather.<h2>See photos of annular solar eclipse</h2>&nbsp;

Ring of fire solar eclipse from Antarctica

Ring of fire solar eclipse from space

<h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>What causes ring of fire eclipse?</h2>The ring of fire eclipse happens because the moon appears slightly smaller than the sun in the sky. The moon passes directly between the sun and Earth, but doesn't cover our star entirely, which leaves a halo around it. This is what gives the eclipse the name "ring of fire". Some researchers clicked a photo of the eclipse from the Italian-French Concordia research station as well. Meanwhile, a partial solar eclipse was seen from the southern tip of Chile and Argentina, as well as southern Africa.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/longest-solar-eclipse-2027-date-duration-india-visibility-1765618318806">Rare 2027 solar eclipse to last over 6 minutes, longest in a century: Will India see it?</a><h2>Blood Moon and upcoming solar eclipses</h2>A total lunar eclipse is the next celestial event on March 3. Earth will cast a shadow on the Moon, turning it dark red. It is also known as the Blood Moon. People in Asia, Australia, the Pacific Islands and the Americas will be able to see it partially. The next three solar eclipses are scheduled to happen on 12 August 2026 and 2 August 2027 (both total solar eclipses), followed by an annular eclipse on 26 January 2028.&nbsp;

The ring of fire solar eclipse was captured from space by the PROBA-2 satellite four times. From Antarctica, the only place where the February 17 eclipse was visible in its entirety, a picture was taken from the Concordia Station.

A stunning image of the annular solar eclipse that occurred on February 17 has been captured from space. The European Space Agency (ESA) released a photo taken by the PROBA-2 satellite. Any pictures of the solar eclipse were difficult to obtain from Earth, as it was only visible in Antarctica and a few places off its coast. The agency also released a photo taken from the Concordia Station in Antarctica, the best viewing point on Earth. The moon moved in front of the sun to create a ring of fire that reportedly remained visible for two minutes from the station. "Because the Moon was at a more distant point along its elliptical orbit around Earth, it didn't entirely cover the Sun and left a ‘ring of fire'," ESA wrote. The space agency said that as the spacecraft flew around Earth, it captured the eclipse four times. It stated that the "perfect ring of fire" occurred at 11:31 Universal Time. PROBA-2 hosts two primary instruments that specifically observe the sun and other instruments to study space weather. See photos of annular solar eclipse

The ring of fire solar eclipse was captured from space by the PROBA-2 satellite four times. From Antarctica, the only place where the February 17 eclipse was visible in its entirety, a picture was taken from the Concordia Station.

Ring of fire solar eclipse as seen from space and Antarctica | Photos inside

In a historic development, scientists in China have reversed the type-2 diabetes using stem-cell therapy, marking a globally significant milestone. The Chinese researchers succeeded after they established stem cell therapy to transplant healthy pancreatic cells to copy the work of insulin that is regulated inside our body. The experiment succeeded for the first time, wherein the patient isn't dependent on injectable insulin or medication while managing their blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to use insulin effectively, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. To manage the condition, patients are often prescribed insulin or other medications. However, once a person becomes insulin dependent, it becomes extremely difficult to restore the normal function of the body, according to a report in the NDTV.<h3>How was type-2 diabetes reversed during experiments?</h3>While reversing type 2 diabetes, researchers involved several key steps. First, researchers obtain stem cells either from the patient or from a donor. These cells are used because of their unique ability to develop into various specialised cell types capable of carrying out specific functions. In laboratory settings, scientists expose the stem cells to targeted chemical and genetic signals that direct them to become pancreatic islet cells, particularly beta cells, which naturally produce insulin. Once reprogrammed, these cells are cultivated into clusters that replicate the structure of healthy pancreatic tissue. These clusters can detect changes in blood glucose levels and release insulin as required. Later, these clusters that produce insulin are transplanted into the body of the patient, most likely in the abdomen. Once inserted, they combined with the blood supply of the patient. But the primary issue experienced is determining whether the cells are accepted or rejected, which will determine the outcome. After transplantation, the newly developed cells begin functioning like healthy pancreatic beta cells, sensing rising blood glucose and releasing insulin as needed to bring sugar levels down naturally. As a result, patients may significantly reduce or no longer need external insulin injections. In the final stage, doctors closely observe patients to confirm that the transplanted cells remain viable, continue producing insulin, and do not cause immune reactions or other complications. Stem cell–based treatment for type 2 diabetes represents a form of regenerative medicine with the potential to offer more personalised and long-term solutions for managing the disease.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientist-claims-heaven-lies-in-the-physical-universe-and-tells-its-exact-location-1771939781638">Scientist claims heaven lies in the physical universe, and tells its EXACT locatio</a>n

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to use insulin effectively, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. To manage the condition, patients are often prescribed insulin or other medications. 

In a historic development, scientists in China have reversed the type-2 diabetes using stem-cell therapy, marking a globally significant milestone. The Chinese researchers succeeded after they established stem cell therapy to transplant healthy pancreatic cells to copy the work of insulin that is regulated inside our body. The experiment succeeded for the first time, wherein the patient isn't dependent on injectable insulin or medication while managing their blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to use insulin effectively, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. To manage the condition, patients are often prescribed insulin or other medications. However, once a person becomes insulin dependent, it becomes extremely difficult to restore the normal function of the body, according to a report in the NDTV. How was type-2 diabetes reversed during experiments? While reversing type 2 diabetes, researchers involved several key steps. First, researchers obtain stem cells either from the patient or from a donor. These cells are used because of their unique ability to develop into various specialised cell types capable of carrying out specific functions. In laboratory settings, scientists expose the stem cells to targeted chemical and genetic signals that direct them to become pancreatic islet cells, particularly beta cells, which naturally produce insulin. Once reprogrammed, these cells are cultivated into clusters that replicate the structure of healthy pancreatic tissue. These clusters can detect changes in blood glucose levels and release insulin as required. Later, these clusters that produce insulin are transplanted into the body of the patient, most likely in the abdomen. Once inserted, they combined with the blood supply of the patient. But the primary issue experienced is determining whether the cells are accepted or rejected, which will determine the outcome. After transplantation, the newly developed cells begin functioning like healthy pancreatic beta cells, sensing rising blood glucose and releasing insulin as needed to bring sugar levels down naturally. As a result, patients may significantly reduce or no longer need external insulin injections. In the final stage, doctors closely observe patients to confirm that the transplanted cells remain viable, continue producing insulin, and do not cause immune reactions or other complications. Stem cell–based treatment for type 2 diabetes represents a form of regenerative medicine with the potential to offer more personalised and long-term solutions for managing the disease. Also read: Scientist claims heaven lies in the physical universe, and tells its EXACT location

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to use insulin effectively, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. To manage the condition, patients are often prescribed insulin or other medications.&nbsp;

Hope for millions? China shocks the world with breakthrough diabetes cure: Here's how it succeeded

Do you remember the white noise that came on television channels when no station was available? It apparently carried a tiny afterglow of the Big Bang. The static hiss contained at least 1 per cent of cosmic microwave background (CMB), a remnant of the birth of the universe 13.8 billion years ago. Not only on TV, but the same noise was also heard on radios. Everyone alive at the time these analogue televisions existed inadvertently time-travelled, in the sense that they witnessed the Big Bang, the universe's past. A sliver of CMB seeped through this disturbance and into our homes, without us even realising it. Cosmic microwave background radiation was discovered decades ago by astronomers Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson. Later, Robert Dicke at Princeton University found that the CMB was nothing but a faint, cold afterglow of the Big Bang.<h2>Constant fuzzy noise disturbed two scientists</h2>In 1964, Penzias and Wilson were disturbed by a stubborn hum in their radio telescope while working at Bell Labs, Holmdel, New Jersey. They were trying to listen to the microwave signals transmitted from our Solar System using a large radio antenna. But a background hiss kept interfering. They tried to locate the source so that it could be removed. They assumed it could be radio signals from nearby cities, and even checked the antenna for pigeons. Penzias and Wilson spent one year trying to figure out what this noise was and where it was coming from. Their work revealed that the universe was awash with microwaves at a temperature of around three degrees above absolute zero. However, they did not know the actual source of this noise.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientist-claims-heaven-lies-in-the-physical-universe-and-tells-its-exact-location-1771939781638">Scientist claims heaven lies in the physical universe, and tells its EXACT location</a> Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earth-radio-signal-every-22-minutes-cosmic-oxymoron-1771576248446">Every 22 minutes, a strange object has been sending a signal to Earth for 38 years</a><h2>CMB proved Big Bang was real</h2>Dicke and his colleagues worked to find the afterglow of the Big Bang to prove that this is how the universe was formed. Cosmic microwave background radiation turned out to be missing evidence that backed the Big Bang. The universe was hot and dense in the beginning, and started expanding and cooling later. Around 380,000 years later, photons started moving across the cosmos and formed the CMB. The old antennas we used for televisions picked up this radiation, a piece of the birth of our universe. The rest of the noise came from earthly sources and the sun. As digital transmission took over, this hiss started dying out. &nbsp;

White noise on televisions and radios contained remnants of the Big Bang. When we saw it on screen during a bad reception or when channels were unavailable, we were unknowingly watching our universe's past in the present moment.  

Do you remember the white noise that came on television channels when no station was available? It apparently carried a tiny afterglow of the Big Bang. The static hiss contained at least 1 per cent of cosmic microwave background (CMB), a remnant of the birth of the universe 13.8 billion years ago. Not only on TV, but the same noise was also heard on radios. Everyone alive at the time these analogue televisions existed inadvertently time-travelled, in the sense that they witnessed the Big Bang, the universe's past. A sliver of CMB seeped through this disturbance and into our homes, without us even realising it. Cosmic microwave background radiation was discovered decades ago by astronomers Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson. Later, Robert Dicke at Princeton University found that the CMB was nothing but a faint, cold afterglow of the Big Bang. Constant fuzzy noise disturbed two scientists In 1964, Penzias and Wilson were disturbed by a stubborn hum in their radio telescope while working at Bell Labs, Holmdel, New Jersey. They were trying to listen to the microwave signals transmitted from our Solar System using a large radio antenna. But a background hiss kept interfering. They tried to locate the source so that it could be removed. They assumed it could be radio signals from nearby cities, and even checked the antenna for pigeons. Penzias and Wilson spent one year trying to figure out what this noise was and where it was coming from. Their work revealed that the universe was awash with microwaves at a temperature of around three degrees above absolute zero. However, they did not know the actual source of this noise. Also Read: Scientist claims heaven lies in the physical universe, and tells its EXACT location Also Read: Every 22 minutes, a strange object has been sending a signal to Earth for 38 years CMB proved Big Bang was real Dicke and his colleagues worked to find the afterglow of the Big Bang to prove that this is how the universe was formed. Cosmic microwave background radiation turned out to be missing evidence that backed the Big Bang. The universe was hot and dense in the beginning, and started expanding and cooling later. Around 380,000 years later, photons started moving across the cosmos and formed the CMB. The old antennas we used for televisions picked up this radiation, a piece of the birth of our universe. The rest of the noise came from earthly sources and the sun. As digital transmission took over, this hiss started dying out.

White noise on televisions and radios contained remnants of the Big Bang. When we saw it on screen during a bad reception or when channels were unavailable, we were unknowingly watching our universe's past in the present moment. &nbsp;

You saw remnants of Big Bang as TV static happened, and you didn't even know

A scientist has suggested that heaven might be a physical place in the universe and has even theorised its location. According to Michael Guillén, PhD, a former Harvard physics lecturer and science communicator, who wrote in an op-ed recently that this place we call paradise could be sitting beyond the Cosmic Horizon. Hubble's Law states that the farther a galaxy is from Earth, the faster it’s moving away from us. Edwin Hubble discovered that galaxies are speeding away from each other at such a speed that only the speed of light can match it. Guillen says that "heaven may be located on the other side of the Cosmic Horizon." This distance is 439 billion trillion kilometres away from Earth. However, his theory has been dismissed by other scientists who think this is a topic of metaphysics and not science.&nbsp;Guillen presents four reasons for stating this. He cites modern cosmology, which states that "an entire universe exists beyond the Cosmic Horizon. But it’s permanently hidden from us because we can never reach, let alone cross over, the Cosmic Horizon." Alex Gianninas, PhD, an associate teaching professor of astronomy at Connecticut College, argues against it. He told Popular Mechanics, “The cosmic horizon is not a physical place, but a finite boundary beyond which we simply cannot see or communicate."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earth-radio-signal-every-22-minutes-cosmic-oxymoron-1771576248446">Every 22 minutes, a strange object has been sending a signal to Earth for 38 years</a> Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/ancient-indian-texts-say-one-universe-ends-and-another-begins-is-this-what-big-bang-was-1768563626475">Ancient Indian texts say one universe ends, and another is born. Is this what Big Bang was?</a><h2>Universe extends beyond we can see</h2>Just because we cannot see beyond it, doesn't mean the universe ends there. Since the universe is about 13.8 billion years old, and light moves at around 300,000 kilometres per second, it is only possible to see regions from where light has had enough time to reach Earth. Other places are so far that light from there would never reach us.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-think-we-have-received-a-signal-from-a-parallel-universe-via-a-wormhole-1758602937635">Scientists think we have received a signal from a parallel universe via a WORMHOLE</a>&nbsp;Another argument Guillen presents is Einstein’s theories of special and general relativity. He says that Einstein states that time stops at the Cosmic Horizon. This means there is no past, present or future after this point, and heaven likely lies in a place with timelessness. He further argues that modern cosmology states that the Cosmic Horizon has the "very oldest celestial objects in the observable universe". Which means, anything beyond this is so old that they possibly "predate the so-called big bang".&nbsp;Guillen is not the only scientist to talk about "partially religious, spiritual, or metaphysical" entities. Some of them have stated that treating the Big Bang as the end-all, be-all beginning risks a "creation-story language".&nbsp; &nbsp;

A scientist has claimed the place we cannot see beyond the observable universe is where heaven could be located. This place begins from where the Cosmic Horizon ends. However, critics have dismissed his theory.

A scientist has suggested that heaven might be a physical place in the universe and has even theorised its location. According to Michael Guillén, PhD, a former Harvard physics lecturer and science communicator, who wrote in an op-ed recently that this place we call paradise could be sitting beyond the Cosmic Horizon. Hubble's Law states that the farther a galaxy is from Earth, the faster it’s moving away from us. Edwin Hubble discovered that galaxies are speeding away from each other at such a speed that only the speed of light can match it. Guillen says that "heaven may be located on the other side of the Cosmic Horizon." This distance is 439 billion trillion kilometres away from Earth. However, his theory has been dismissed by other scientists who think this is a topic of metaphysics and not science. Guillen presents four reasons for stating this. He cites modern cosmology, which states that "an entire universe exists beyond the Cosmic Horizon. But it’s permanently hidden from us because we can never reach, let alone cross over, the Cosmic Horizon." Alex Gianninas, PhD, an associate teaching professor of astronomy at Connecticut College, argues against it. He told Popular Mechanics, “The cosmic horizon is not a physical place, but a finite boundary beyond which we simply cannot see or communicate." Also Read: Every 22 minutes, a strange object has been sending a signal to Earth for 38 years Also Read: Ancient Indian texts say one universe ends, and another is born. Is this what Big Bang was? Universe extends beyond we can see Just because we cannot see beyond it, doesn't mean the universe ends there. Since the universe is about 13.8 billion years old, and light moves at around 300,000 kilometres per second, it is only possible to see regions from where light has had enough time to reach Earth. Other places are so far that light from there would never reach us. Also Read: Scientists think we have received a signal from a parallel universe via a WORMHOLE Another argument Guillen presents is Einstein’s theories of special and general relativity. He says that Einstein states that time stops at the Cosmic Horizon. This means there is no past, present or future after this point, and heaven likely lies in a place with timelessness. He further argues that modern cosmology states that the Cosmic Horizon has the "very oldest celestial objects in the observable universe". Which means, anything beyond this is so old that they possibly "predate the so-called big bang". Guillen is not the only scientist to talk about "partially religious, spiritual, or metaphysical" entities. Some of them have stated that treating the Big Bang as the end-all, be-all beginning risks a "creation-story language".

A scientist has claimed the place we cannot see beyond the observable universe is where heaven could be located. This place begins from where the Cosmic Horizon ends. However, critics have dismissed his theory.

Scientist claims heaven lies in the physical universe, and tells its EXACT location

Incas sacrificed children in a deadly ritual centuries ago, and now a team of scientists has found exactly what happened to them. Remains of four of them were recovered from the top of volcanoes in Peru years ago. Researchers who analysed the mummified bodies say that their heads were bashed to kill them. The children were sacrificed in an Inca ritual called capacocha. The team says that it was "one of the most significant ceremonial rituals of the Inca Empire." They now have direct evidence of the practice gathered following CT scans of their mummified remains. The study was published in January in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. Bioarchaeologist and co-author of the study, Dagmara Socha, told Gizmodo, “The capacocha children served as representatives of their living communities before the deities.”Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/13-000-years-ago-a-tribe-vanished-and-mammoths-died-when-a-cosmic-explosion-ripped-earth-1763624710450">13,000 years ago, a tribe vanished, and mammoths died - When a cosmic explosion ripped Earth</a><h2>All children sacrificed by Incas had a common injury</h2>The remains of the four children have been named after the volcanoes on which they were found. There is Ampato #1, Ampato #2, Ampato #4, and Sara Sara. Ampato #1, also known as the Lady of Ampato, died of injuries in her cranium and the areas of her pelvis and chest at the age of 14. The freezing conditions naturally mummified her body. Researchers also found corn, pottery fragments, and figurines near her. Sara Sara mummy also died at around 14 years old from cranial injuries. Ampato #2 was scarificed at the age of eight, again receiving a blow to her head. She had a health condition contrary to what previous studies state about the physical conditions of the victims. Sara Sara also revealed similar health issues. Ampato #4 also died of a head injury at around 10 years old. CT scan showed that her body had been modified after she died and was likely buried twice. Some of her bones were missing, and her abdominal cavity was filled with rocks and pieces of textiles, suggesting she was mummified by the Incas, the first such instance.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/500-year-old-rumoured-labyrinth-under-peru-temple-proves-to-be-real-we-suspect-that-1767603037927">500-year-old rumoured labyrinth under Peru temple proves to be real: ‘We suspect that...’</a><h2>Incas took approval for marriages from mummified relatives</h2>Her ancestors moved her to a different place, as records show the Inca Empire resettled populations. They took the mummified remains with them. The researchers state that carrying bodies with them to another place offers "the first direct evidence that the role of children sacrificed in the capacocha ritual did not end with their death." Historical records suggest that the Incas sought blessings and approval of the mummies of dead rulers for marriages. Socha believes Ampato #4 "played a similar role in the religious life of provincial communities."&nbsp; &nbsp;

Scientists have found the way children were sacrificed during the reign of the Incas, and it is pretty gruesome. But it didn't end there. The people carried mummified remains with them while relocating and sought their approval for marriages. 

Incas sacrificed children in a deadly ritual centuries ago, and now a team of scientists has found exactly what happened to them. Remains of four of them were recovered from the top of volcanoes in Peru years ago. Researchers who analysed the mummified bodies say that their heads were bashed to kill them. The children were sacrificed in an Inca ritual called capacocha. The team says that it was "one of the most significant ceremonial rituals of the Inca Empire." They now have direct evidence of the practice gathered following CT scans of their mummified remains. The study was published in January in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. Bioarchaeologist and co-author of the study, Dagmara Socha, told Gizmodo, “The capacocha children served as representatives of their living communities before the deities.” Also Read: 13,000 years ago, a tribe vanished, and mammoths died - When a cosmic explosion ripped Earth All children sacrificed by Incas had a common injury The remains of the four children have been named after the volcanoes on which they were found. There is Ampato #1, Ampato #2, Ampato #4, and Sara Sara. Ampato #1, also known as the Lady of Ampato, died of injuries in her cranium and the areas of her pelvis and chest at the age of 14. The freezing conditions naturally mummified her body. Researchers also found corn, pottery fragments, and figurines near her. Sara Sara mummy also died at around 14 years old from cranial injuries. Ampato #2 was scarificed at the age of eight, again receiving a blow to her head. She had a health condition contrary to what previous studies state about the physical conditions of the victims. Sara Sara also revealed similar health issues. Ampato #4 also died of a head injury at around 10 years old. CT scan showed that her body had been modified after she died and was likely buried twice. Some of her bones were missing, and her abdominal cavity was filled with rocks and pieces of textiles, suggesting she was mummified by the Incas, the first such instance. Also Read: 500-year-old rumoured labyrinth under Peru temple proves to be real: ‘We suspect that...’ Incas took approval for marriages from mummified relatives Her ancestors moved her to a different place, as records show the Inca Empire resettled populations. They took the mummified remains with them. The researchers state that carrying bodies with them to another place offers "the first direct evidence that the role of children sacrificed in the capacocha ritual did not end with their death." Historical records suggest that the Incas sought blessings and approval of the mummies of dead rulers for marriages. Socha believes Ampato #4 "played a similar role in the religious life of provincial communities."

Scientists have found the way children were sacrificed during the reign of the Incas, and it is pretty gruesome. But it didn't end there. The people carried mummified remains with them while relocating and sought their approval for marriages.&nbsp;

Incas sacrificed children with fatal head blows, then revered their mummified remains

A planetary alignment will delight people across the globe on February 28. Six planets - Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Uranus, and Neptune - will come together in one line. You will be able to see at least six of them with the naked eye. Jupiter will be the brightest and is already shining in the night sky. Here is everything you need to know about the planetary parade of February.&nbsp;<h2>Why does planetary alignment happen?</h2>Planetary alignment is an occurrence where several planets become visible at the same time. They form something like a line, so you can spot all of them almost in the same region from your point of view. All the planets are part of the ecliptic, an imaginary line traced by the Sun. All the planets in the solar system are located in almost the same orbital plane since they were all born from one protoplanetary disk. This is why the planets appear in a line during planetary alignments.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/moon-is-shrinking-1114-new-cracks-discovered-bad-news-for-nasa-1771583051297">Moon is shrinking as 1,114 new cracks are discovered. It is bad news for NASA's lunar bases</a><h2>Which planets will be visible and where to look?</h2>As mentioned above, six planets, barring Mars, will be part of this spectacle. Jupiter will be the brightest and easiest to locate. Locate the Orion constellation, and look towards the south. Jupiter appears as a bright star between two dimmer stars, which are Castor and Pollux in Gemini. Uranus is also visible high in the sky. It is located under the Pleiades star cluster. It might not be visible to the naked eye, and you will require binoculars or a telescope to see Uranus. Finding the rest of the four planets will be a task since they will be lower down in the west. If you can find a spot with a flat western horizon, Mercury, Venus and Saturn will be visible without any aids. Let the sun set altogether to try and find them to protect your eyes from the glare. They will be best seen from a place with least light pollution.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earth-radio-signal-every-22-minutes-cosmic-oxymoron-1771576248446">Every 22 minutes, a strange object has been sending a signal to Earth for 38 years</a><h2>Don't look for the planets too early after sunset</h2>Neptune will only be visible through telescopes or binoculars. It will be very low down in the sky, just like Mercury, Venus and Saturn after sunset. For the same reason, you should not try to attempt to view these planets very soon. The planetary alignment will take place on February 28. Although, this would be the best day to see the planets, the visual will start appearing a few days earlier. Some of them have already been captured on cameras by astronomers across the globe.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Planetary alignment in February: Six planets will come into line and become visible at the same time in February. Here is where to locate the planets, which one will appear the brightest and the precautions you need to take.

A planetary alignment will delight people across the globe on February 28. Six planets - Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Uranus, and Neptune - will come together in one line. You will be able to see at least six of them with the naked eye. Jupiter will be the brightest and is already shining in the night sky. Here is everything you need to know about the planetary parade of February. Why does planetary alignment happen? Planetary alignment is an occurrence where several planets become visible at the same time. They form something like a line, so you can spot all of them almost in the same region from your point of view. All the planets are part of the ecliptic, an imaginary line traced by the Sun. All the planets in the solar system are located in almost the same orbital plane since they were all born from one protoplanetary disk. This is why the planets appear in a line during planetary alignments. Also Read: Moon is shrinking as 1,114 new cracks are discovered. It is bad news for NASA's lunar bases Which planets will be visible and where to look? As mentioned above, six planets, barring Mars, will be part of this spectacle. Jupiter will be the brightest and easiest to locate. Locate the Orion constellation, and look towards the south. Jupiter appears as a bright star between two dimmer stars, which are Castor and Pollux in Gemini. Uranus is also visible high in the sky. It is located under the Pleiades star cluster. It might not be visible to the naked eye, and you will require binoculars or a telescope to see Uranus. Finding the rest of the four planets will be a task since they will be lower down in the west. If you can find a spot with a flat western horizon, Mercury, Venus and Saturn will be visible without any aids. Let the sun set altogether to try and find them to protect your eyes from the glare. They will be best seen from a place with least light pollution. Also Read: Every 22 minutes, a strange object has been sending a signal to Earth for 38 years Don't look for the planets too early after sunset Neptune will only be visible through telescopes or binoculars. It will be very low down in the sky, just like Mercury, Venus and Saturn after sunset. For the same reason, you should not try to attempt to view these planets very soon. The planetary alignment will take place on February 28. Although, this would be the best day to see the planets, the visual will start appearing a few days earlier. Some of them have already been captured on cameras by astronomers across the globe.

Planetary alignment in February: Six planets will come into line and become visible at the same time in February. Here is where to locate the planets, which one will appear the brightest and the precautions you need to take.

February planetary parade: Visible planets, watch guide and precautions

Since 1988, Earth has been receiving a signal from space that repeats in a strange pattern. GPM J1839-10 emits a radio pulse every 22 minutes, which lasts few seconds to several minutes every time. This is a cosmic anomaly, as the gap between bursts is unexplainable since this is not how radio bursts behave. They are typically shot out by pulsars, the remains of dead stars that spin at unbelievable speeds. They are like lighthouses that dazzle space with intense, millisecond-long flashes. Their high-speed wobble means that they repeat these signals every few fractions of a second to a few seconds. But what scientists noticed about GPM J1839-10 is that it is sending a signal every 1,000 seconds or so. This defies the rules of astrophysics since this means that the signal is being emitted by a slow-moving neutron star. However, a stellar corpse that is moving slowly should not emit strong pulses.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/this-radio-signal-is-coming-from-a-place-that-is-bending-the-rules-of-physics-8896132">Deep space radio signal travels from a place defying the rules of universe</a> Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/deep-space-radio-signals-cosmic-mystery-object-pulsar-magnetar-1748517706567">44 minutes apart, 2 minutes every time: Something from deep space is sending signals to Earth</a><h2>How is a slow-moving object releasing radio bursts?</h2>GPM J1839-10 is located 15,000 light-years away in the constellation Scutum. The signal was discovered by Curtin University in 2022. Archival data from the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope and Very Large Array showed that the object has been emitting the signal since 1988. Since then, its pattern has not changed as it continues to release radio bursts every 22 minutes. The length of the pulses can last anywhere between 30 seconds and 5 minutes. Several explanations have been offered for this radio burst. Some believe it could be coming from an ultra-long-period magnetar or possibly a white dwarf pulsar. Whatever this object is, it likely lies at the edge of the "death line" for normal pulsar emission, a threshold after which the emissions should stop.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-latest-updates-today-emits-radio-signals-near-sun-1762603420289">First radio signal detected from 3I/ATLAS as it swiped past the Sun</a> Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/source-of-mysterious-radio-signal-that-took-8-billion-years-to-reach-earth-revealed-678566">Radio signal that took 8 billion years to reach Earth came from seven interacting galaxies</a><h2>What does the discovery of this radio burst mean?</h2>The discovery of this strange-behaving object has changed the way astronomers think about pulsars and radio signals. To see that something moving so slowly can also generate strong signals has triggered the debate about whether such bodies could be present in the universe. They are reanalysing which types of objects can produce stable, repeating cosmic signals.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Radio signals emanating from an object located 15,000 light-years away from Earth are going against everything scientists know about pulsars. A strong burst reaches us around every 1,000 seconds, and it is a scientific anomaly.  

Since 1988, Earth has been receiving a signal from space that repeats in a strange pattern. GPM J1839-10 emits a radio pulse every 22 minutes, which lasts few seconds to several minutes every time. This is a cosmic anomaly, as the gap between bursts is unexplainable since this is not how radio bursts behave. They are typically shot out by pulsars, the remains of dead stars that spin at unbelievable speeds. They are like lighthouses that dazzle space with intense, millisecond-long flashes. Their high-speed wobble means that they repeat these signals every few fractions of a second to a few seconds. But what scientists noticed about GPM J1839-10 is that it is sending a signal every 1,000 seconds or so. This defies the rules of astrophysics since this means that the signal is being emitted by a slow-moving neutron star. However, a stellar corpse that is moving slowly should not emit strong pulses. Also Read: Deep space radio signal travels from a place defying the rules of universe Also Read: 44 minutes apart, 2 minutes every time: Something from deep space is sending signals to Earth How is a slow-moving object releasing radio bursts? GPM J1839-10 is located 15,000 light-years away in the constellation Scutum. The signal was discovered by Curtin University in 2022. Archival data from the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope and Very Large Array showed that the object has been emitting the signal since 1988. Since then, its pattern has not changed as it continues to release radio bursts every 22 minutes. The length of the pulses can last anywhere between 30 seconds and 5 minutes. Several explanations have been offered for this radio burst. Some believe it could be coming from an ultra-long-period magnetar or possibly a white dwarf pulsar. Whatever this object is, it likely lies at the edge of the "death line" for normal pulsar emission, a threshold after which the emissions should stop. Also Read: First radio signal detected from 3I/ATLAS as it swiped past the Sun Also Read: Radio signal that took 8 billion years to reach Earth came from seven interacting galaxies What does the discovery of this radio burst mean? The discovery of this strange-behaving object has changed the way astronomers think about pulsars and radio signals. To see that something moving so slowly can also generate strong signals has triggered the debate about whether such bodies could be present in the universe. They are reanalysing which types of objects can produce stable, repeating cosmic signals.

Radio signals emanating from an object located 15,000 light-years away from Earth are going against everything scientists know about pulsars. A strong burst reaches us around every 1,000 seconds, and it is a scientific anomaly. &nbsp;

Every 22 minutes, a strange object has been sending a signal to Earth for 38 years

Scientists at the Institute for Theoretical Physics at Heidelberg University have discovered a hypothesis indicating two major perspectives in modern quantum physics focusing on how a single unusual particle acts inside a multi-level body system filled with fermions, referred to as a Fermi sea.&nbsp;This new hypothesis describes how quasiparticles come to light, connecting two quantum states that were earlier considered as separate. Following the discovery, the Heidelberg team confirmed that this unified approach will lead current experiments in quantum matter.<h3>About the Quasiparticle Model and the Fermi Polaron</h3>Physicists have earlier debated about exotic electrons or atoms interacting with large numbers of surrounding particles. In terms of the Quasiparticle Model, a single particle travels through a sea of fermions, which include electrons, protons, or neutrons, and interacts persistently with its neighbours, according to a report in the SciTech daily.&nbsp;When the particles travel, they attract neighbouring particles surrounded with it, forming an entity identified as a Fermi polaron. In fact, it reflects the coordinated motion of the impurity and the particles near it. A doctoral candidate at Heidelberg University’s Institute for Theoretical Physics, Eugen Dizer, explained that this idea has become vital for strongly interacting systems that range from ultracold atomic gases to solid materials and even nuclear matter.<h3>Impurity reshapes the many-body system</h3>A contrasting scenario is the so-called Anderson orthogonality catastrophe, which arises when an impurity is so massive that it effectively becomes stationary. The mere presence of such an impurity drastically reshapes the many-body system, causing the surrounding fermions’ wave functions to change entirely. Their original structure breaks down, leading to a complex background that disrupts collective motion and suppresses the formation of quasiparticles.&nbsp;For many years, physicists lacked a unified theory capable of connecting this static limit with models describing mobile quasiparticles. Using a combination of analytical methods, researchers in Heidelberg have now succeeded in unifying these two pictures within a single theoretical framework.&nbsp;“The theoretical framework we developed explains how quasiparticles emerge in systems with an extremely heavy impurity, connecting two paradigms that have long been treated separately,” said Eugen Dizer, a member of the Quantum Matter Theory group led by Prof. Dr Richard Schmidt.&nbsp;One of the key insights of the new theory is that even extremely heavy impurities are never completely immobile. As the surrounding medium reorganises itself, these particles experience minute motions. These subtle shifts open an energy gap that makes quasiparticle formation possible, even in a strongly correlated and complex environment. The study further shows that this mechanism naturally explains the transition from polaron-like quantum states to molecular quantum states.

In terms of the Quasiparticle Model, a single particle travels through a sea of fermions, which include electrons, protons, or neutrons, and interacts persistently with its neighbours. 

Scientists at the Institute for Theoretical Physics at Heidelberg University have discovered a hypothesis indicating two major perspectives in modern quantum physics focusing on how a single unusual particle acts inside a multi-level body system filled with fermions, referred to as a Fermi sea. This new hypothesis describes how quasiparticles come to light, connecting two quantum states that were earlier considered as separate. Following the discovery, the Heidelberg team confirmed that this unified approach will lead current experiments in quantum matter. About the Quasiparticle Model and the Fermi Polaron Physicists have earlier debated about exotic electrons or atoms interacting with large numbers of surrounding particles. In terms of the Quasiparticle Model, a single particle travels through a sea of fermions, which include electrons, protons, or neutrons, and interacts persistently with its neighbours, according to a report in the SciTech daily. When the particles travel, they attract neighbouring particles surrounded with it, forming an entity identified as a Fermi polaron. In fact, it reflects the coordinated motion of the impurity and the particles near it. A doctoral candidate at Heidelberg University’s Institute for Theoretical Physics, Eugen Dizer, explained that this idea has become vital for strongly interacting systems that range from ultracold atomic gases to solid materials and even nuclear matter. Impurity reshapes the many-body system A contrasting scenario is the so-called Anderson orthogonality catastrophe, which arises when an impurity is so massive that it effectively becomes stationary. The mere presence of such an impurity drastically reshapes the many-body system, causing the surrounding fermions’ wave functions to change entirely. Their original structure breaks down, leading to a complex background that disrupts collective motion and suppresses the formation of quasiparticles. For many years, physicists lacked a unified theory capable of connecting this static limit with models describing mobile quasiparticles. Using a combination of analytical methods, researchers in Heidelberg have now succeeded in unifying these two pictures within a single theoretical framework. “The theoretical framework we developed explains how quasiparticles emerge in systems with an extremely heavy impurity, connecting two paradigms that have long been treated separately,” said Eugen Dizer, a member of the Quantum Matter Theory group led by Prof. Dr Richard Schmidt. One of the key insights of the new theory is that even extremely heavy impurities are never completely immobile. As the surrounding medium reorganises itself, these particles experience minute motions. These subtle shifts open an energy gap that makes quasiparticle formation possible, even in a strongly correlated and complex environment. The study further shows that this mechanism naturally explains the transition from polaron-like quantum states to molecular quantum states.

In terms of the Quasiparticle Model, a single particle travels through a sea of fermions, which include electrons, protons, or neutrons, and interacts persistently with its neighbours.&nbsp;

Connecting two opposite realities: How one heavy particle can reshape an entire Quantum world

NASA is targeting March 6 for the launch of Artemis II, a historic mission that will send astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years.According to NASA officials, the earliest launch opportunity is March 6. The date follows a successful “wet dress rehearsal” at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where engineers fuelled the rocket and ran a full countdown test without liftoff.If successful, Artemis II will mark humanity’s furthest crewed journey into space since the Apollo era.<h2>What is Artemis II and why it matters</h2>Artemis II is the second mission under NASA’s Artemis programme. It will carry four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the far side of the Moon and back to Earth.The crew includes three Americans Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch and one Canadian, Jeremy Hansen.The last time humans travelled to the Moon was in 1972 during Apollo 17. Artemis II will not land on the lunar surface but will pave the way for Artemis III, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon by 2028, according to NASA’s current timeline.<h2>Rocket, spacecraft and mission plan</h2>The astronauts will launch aboard NASA’s 98-metre-tall Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The SLS has flown only once before, in November 2022, during the uncrewed Artemis I mission.At the top of the rocket sits the Orion spacecraft. The capsule, roughly the size of a minibus inside, will serve as the crew’s home for the 10-day mission.<h2>The mission plan includes:</h2>One day in orbit around EarthAround four days travelling to the MoonFlying 6,500 to 9,500 km above the lunar surfacePassing around the Moon’s far sideFour days returning to EarthSplashdown in the Pacific OceanNASA officials said the astronauts will spend several hours observing and photographing the Moon’s surface during the flyby.&nbsp;<h2>Wet dress rehearsal clears key hurdle</h2>NASA confirmed that the latest wet dress rehearsal was completed successfully after an earlier attempt in February was stopped due to a liquid hydrogen leak.Officials said seals and filters linked to the fuel system were replaced and tested. According to NASA’s Lori Glaze, engineers were able to fully fuel the SLS rocket within the planned timeline and complete the countdown sequence.The successful test allowed NASA to set March 6 as the earliest launch window.Artemis III, SpaceX and global competitionIf Artemis II is successful, Artemis III will attempt to land astronauts near the Moon’s south pole. NASA has contracted SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, to build the lunar lander using its Starship rocket system.However, delays in Starship development have prompted NASA to request updated plans from SpaceX. The agency has also asked Blue Origin, owned by Jeff Bezos, to accelerate its own lunar lander plans.The US faces competition from China, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030. Both countries are targeting the Moon’s south pole due to the presence of water ice and scientific interest.

NASA is targeting March 6 for the launch of Artemis II, the first crewed mission to travel around the Moon since 1972. After a successful wet dress rehearsal at Kennedy Space Center, the mission will send four astronauts aboard Orion on a lunar flyby, paving the way for a future Moon landing.

NASA is targeting March 6 for the launch of Artemis II, a historic mission that will send astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. According to NASA officials, the earliest launch opportunity is March 6. The date follows a successful “wet dress rehearsal” at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where engineers fuelled the rocket and ran a full countdown test without liftoff. If successful, Artemis II will mark humanity’s furthest crewed journey into space since the Apollo era. What is Artemis II and why it matters Artemis II is the second mission under NASA’s Artemis programme. It will carry four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the far side of the Moon and back to Earth. The crew includes three Americans Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch and one Canadian, Jeremy Hansen. The last time humans travelled to the Moon was in 1972 during Apollo 17. Artemis II will not land on the lunar surface but will pave the way for Artemis III, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon by 2028, according to NASA’s current timeline. Rocket, spacecraft and mission plan The astronauts will launch aboard NASA’s 98-metre-tall Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The SLS has flown only once before, in November 2022, during the uncrewed Artemis I mission. At the top of the rocket sits the Orion spacecraft. The capsule, roughly the size of a minibus inside, will serve as the crew’s home for the 10-day mission. The mission plan includes: One day in orbit around Earth Around four days travelling to the Moon Flying 6,500 to 9,500 km above the lunar surface Passing around the Moon’s far side Four days returning to Earth Splashdown in the Pacific Ocean NASA officials said the astronauts will spend several hours observing and photographing the Moon’s surface during the flyby. Wet dress rehearsal clears key hurdle NASA confirmed that the latest wet dress rehearsal was completed successfully after an earlier attempt in February was stopped due to a liquid hydrogen leak. Officials said seals and filters linked to the fuel system were replaced and tested. According to NASA’s Lori Glaze, engineers were able to fully fuel the SLS rocket within the planned timeline and complete the countdown sequence. The successful test allowed NASA to set March 6 as the earliest launch window. Artemis III, SpaceX and global competition If Artemis II is successful, Artemis III will attempt to land astronauts near the Moon’s south pole. NASA has contracted SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, to build the lunar lander using its Starship rocket system. However, delays in Starship development have prompted NASA to request updated plans from SpaceX. The agency has also asked Blue Origin, owned by Jeff Bezos, to accelerate its own lunar lander plans. The US faces competition from China, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030. Both countries are targeting the Moon’s south pole due to the presence of water ice and scientific interest.

NASA is targeting March 6 for the launch of Artemis II, the first crewed mission to travel around the Moon since 1972. After a successful wet dress rehearsal at Kennedy Space Center, the mission will send four astronauts aboard Orion on a lunar flyby, paving the way for a future Moon landing.

NASA targets March 6 launch for Artemis II mission: After 52 years, NASA to send humans around the Moon

Russia has developed a new class of photocatalysts which is capable of purifying water using visible sunlight. The method was created by scientists working at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), marking a breakthrough that could significantly advance sustainable water treatment, according to the official website of the institute.&nbsp;The study, done by experts from MIPT's Centre for Photonics and Two-Dimensional Materials in collaboration with international scientists, identified an optimal material structure for high photocatalytic efficiency under visible light, as reported by TV BRICS.&nbsp;Photocatalysis is considered a promising method for removing organic pollutants such as dyes, pharmaceutical residues, pesticides and oil traces from water. Most existing photocatalysts, however, rely mainly on ultraviolet light, which makes up nearly 5 per cent of the solar spectrum. By contrast, visible light accounts for nearly half of solar radiation, making its use crucial for scalable and sustainable purification technologies, &nbsp;according to TV BRICS.<h3>What others method scientists use?</h3>To address this limitation, scientists used femtosecond laser ablation in liquids, a method that involves ultra-short, high-energy laser pulses to vaporise a material's surfaces. The resulting vapour condenses into nanoparticles with tailored electronic characteristics. Crucially, this technique produces stable, water-based colloidal solutions without the need for surfactants, making the process both clean and environmentally friendly.&nbsp;The scientists studied two niobium-based materials: niobium pentoxide (Nb₂O₅) and lithium niobate (LiNbO₃). Laser treatment affected them in distinct ways. Nb₂O₅ lost its crystalline order and became fully amorphous, whereas the more thermodynamically stable LiNbO₃ retained its crystal structure while developing controlled point defects.&nbsp;Amorphous materials typically cause rapid recombination of light-generated charge carriers, limiting efficiency. In contrast, engineered defects within crystalline materials improve visible-light absorption and prolong charge-carrier lifetimes, allowing the formation of reactive species that more effectively degrade pollutants.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nasa-boeing-starliner-mishap-challenger-columbia-sunita-williams-1771557827933">NASA admits capsule that took Sunita Williams to space avoided major tragedy: Lethality risk similar to Columbia</a>

The study, done by experts from MIPT's Centre for Photonics and Two-Dimensional Materials in collaboration with international scientists, identified an optimal material structure for high photocatalytic efficiency under visible light.

Russia has developed a new class of photocatalysts which is capable of purifying water using visible sunlight. The method was created by scientists working at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), marking a breakthrough that could significantly advance sustainable water treatment, according to the official website of the institute. The study, done by experts from MIPT's Centre for Photonics and Two-Dimensional Materials in collaboration with international scientists, identified an optimal material structure for high photocatalytic efficiency under visible light, as reported by TV BRICS. Photocatalysis is considered a promising method for removing organic pollutants such as dyes, pharmaceutical residues, pesticides and oil traces from water. Most existing photocatalysts, however, rely mainly on ultraviolet light, which makes up nearly 5 per cent of the solar spectrum. By contrast, visible light accounts for nearly half of solar radiation, making its use crucial for scalable and sustainable purification technologies, according to TV BRICS. What others method scientists use? To address this limitation, scientists used femtosecond laser ablation in liquids, a method that involves ultra-short, high-energy laser pulses to vaporise a material's surfaces. The resulting vapour condenses into nanoparticles with tailored electronic characteristics. Crucially, this technique produces stable, water-based colloidal solutions without the need for surfactants, making the process both clean and environmentally friendly. The scientists studied two niobium-based materials: niobium pentoxide (Nb₂O₅) and lithium niobate (LiNbO₃). Laser treatment affected them in distinct ways. Nb₂O₅ lost its crystalline order and became fully amorphous, whereas the more thermodynamically stable LiNbO₃ retained its crystal structure while developing controlled point defects. Amorphous materials typically cause rapid recombination of light-generated charge carriers, limiting efficiency. In contrast, engineered defects within crystalline materials improve visible-light absorption and prolong charge-carrier lifetimes, allowing the formation of reactive species that more effectively degrade pollutants. Also read: NASA admits capsule that took Sunita Williams to space avoided major tragedy: Lethality risk similar to Columbia

The study, done by experts from MIPT's Centre for Photonics and Two-Dimensional Materials in collaboration with international scientists, identified an optimal material structure for high photocatalytic efficiency under visible light.

Russian scientists develop high-efficiency solar catalysts that clean water using sunlight

The moon is actively shrinking, leaving behind thousands of cracks on the surface. Scientists from the National Air and Space Museum's Center for Earth and Planetary Studies have discovered fresh cracks on the moon. They say that our satellite is reshaping itself, which basically means it is contracting. Moon is cooling from the inside, and consequently, its surface is getting smaller. Scientists have known about this occurrence since 2010. However, the cracks were only seen in the lunar highlands. But researchers have now seen them in another area called lunar maria. The region owes its birth to ancient volcanic eruptions that created large, dark, basaltic plains on the Moon. In the highlands, forces from compression of the moon's crust have pushed material upwards to create landforms known as "lobate scarps". Now, similar features have been seen throughout the lunar mare. Scientists have named the cracks small mare ridges (SMRs).Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/moonquakes-and-fault-lines-detected-near-lunar-south-pole-which-is-also-artemis-astronauts-landing-site-683936">Moonquakes and fault lines detected near lunar South Pole, which is also Artemis astronauts' landing site</a><h2>How many new cracks were found on Moon?</h2>Cole Nypaver, lead author of the study, said, "Since the Apollo era, we've known about the prevalence of lobate scarps throughout the lunar highlands, but this is the first time scientists have documented the widespread prevalence of similar features throughout the lunar mare." The team discovered a total of 1,114 SMRs, bringing the total number of cracks found on the moon to 2,634. Researchers say that SMRs are older than lobate scarps, with the former being 124 million years old and the scarps around 105 million years old. "Our detection of young, small ridges in the maria, and our discovery of their cause, completes a global picture of a dynamic, contracting moon,' said Tom Watters, who discovered the cracks in 2010. This makes them some of the youngest geological features on the moon when compared to other structures.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/an-american-flag-that-has-waited-56-years-to-go-to-space-finally-gets-its-chance-with-artemis-2-1769173675138">An American flag that has waited 56 years to go to space finally gets its chance with Artemis 2</a><h2>Moonquakes are a threat to human missions</h2>However, this means that the moon is witnessing quakes, or moonquakes. Tectonic activity on the lunar surface might not be good news for humans who are planning to build colonies there. Nypaver is hopeful that the upcoming Artemis and other lunar exploration missions will gather data on these moonquakes, which can help make future missions safer. "Upcoming lunar exploration programs, such as Artemis, will provide a wealth of new information about our moon. A better understanding of lunar tectonics and seismic activity will directly benefit the safety and scientific success of those and future missions," he said. NASA is planning to return astronauts to the moon in February this year, and land them on the surface by 2028. &nbsp;

Moonquakes are a common occurrence. But this is creating cracks on the moon, triggering the birth of new structures and also reshaping the lunar body. Scientists say that the moon is not only going away from us, but is also getting smaller.

The moon is actively shrinking, leaving behind thousands of cracks on the surface. Scientists from the National Air and Space Museum's Center for Earth and Planetary Studies have discovered fresh cracks on the moon. They say that our satellite is reshaping itself, which basically means it is contracting. Moon is cooling from the inside, and consequently, its surface is getting smaller. Scientists have known about this occurrence since 2010. However, the cracks were only seen in the lunar highlands. But researchers have now seen them in another area called lunar maria. The region owes its birth to ancient volcanic eruptions that created large, dark, basaltic plains on the Moon. In the highlands, forces from compression of the moon's crust have pushed material upwards to create landforms known as "lobate scarps". Now, similar features have been seen throughout the lunar mare. Scientists have named the cracks small mare ridges (SMRs). Also Read: Moonquakes and fault lines detected near lunar South Pole, which is also Artemis astronauts' landing site How many new cracks were found on Moon? Cole Nypaver, lead author of the study, said, "Since the Apollo era, we've known about the prevalence of lobate scarps throughout the lunar highlands, but this is the first time scientists have documented the widespread prevalence of similar features throughout the lunar mare." The team discovered a total of 1,114 SMRs, bringing the total number of cracks found on the moon to 2,634. Researchers say that SMRs are older than lobate scarps, with the former being 124 million years old and the scarps around 105 million years old. "Our detection of young, small ridges in the maria, and our discovery of their cause, completes a global picture of a dynamic, contracting moon,' said Tom Watters, who discovered the cracks in 2010. This makes them some of the youngest geological features on the moon when compared to other structures. Also Read: An American flag that has waited 56 years to go to space finally gets its chance with Artemis 2 Moonquakes are a threat to human missions However, this means that the moon is witnessing quakes, or moonquakes. Tectonic activity on the lunar surface might not be good news for humans who are planning to build colonies there. Nypaver is hopeful that the upcoming Artemis and other lunar exploration missions will gather data on these moonquakes, which can help make future missions safer. "Upcoming lunar exploration programs, such as Artemis, will provide a wealth of new information about our moon. A better understanding of lunar tectonics and seismic activity will directly benefit the safety and scientific success of those and future missions," he said. NASA is planning to return astronauts to the moon in February this year, and land them on the surface by 2028.

Moonquakes are a common occurrence. But this is creating cracks on the moon, triggering the birth of new structures and also reshaping the lunar body. Scientists say that the moon is not only going away from us, but is also getting smaller.

Moon is shrinking as 1,114 new cracks are discovered. It is bad news for NASA's lunar bases

NASA has successfully completed a full rehearsal of the launch of its Artemis 2 mission, marking an important step towards sending astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than five decades. The US space agency confirmed on Thursday, February 19, 2026, that the rehearsal of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket went as planned. The countdown stopped at T-29 seconds, which is the scheduled end point for the test. The test was conducted under real launch conditions at Cape Canaveral, Florida. &nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">NASA teams successfully fueled the Artemis II rocket during tonight’s prelaunch test for the lunar mission. Our Artemis experts will answer questions about the important milestone and next steps during a briefing tomorrow at 11am ET (1600 UTC). <a href="https://t.co/fVjFOmK5dy">https://t.co/fVjFOmK5dy</a> <a href="https://t.co/WoWwYGm99T">pic.twitter.com/WoWwYGm99T</a>&mdash; NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/2024701930501558759?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>What is the Artemis 2 wet dress rehearsal?</h2>A wet dress rehearsal is a full practice launch without liftoff. Engineers load the rocket with liquid propellants, including liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, and run through all technical checks.The Artemis 2 rehearsal included filling the SLS rocket’s tanks and carrying out the same countdown steps that will be followed on launch day.NASA said the test ended successfully at T-29 seconds in the countdown. The agency is now expected to announce a confirmed launch date. A media briefing is scheduled for February 20, 2026.<h2>Earlier hydrogen leak delayed launch plans</h2>This successful test comes after technical issues earlier in February forced NASA to stop a previous rehearsal.During that attempt, a liquid hydrogen leak was detected. The problem led to the cancellation of the test and dashed hopes of launching the mission in February.Following repairs and additional checks, NASA carried out this new rehearsal, which proceeded without the earlier issue.Because of the previous setback, the earliest possible launch date has shifted to March 6, 2026, according to NASA’s updated timeline.&nbsp;<h2>Why Artemis 2 is important</h2>Artemis 2 will be the first crewed mission to fly past the Moon in more than 50 years. The last time astronauts travelled beyond low Earth orbit was during the Apollo era in the early 1970s.The mission will carry four astronauts three from the United States and one from Canada. They will travel aboard the Orion spacecraft, launched on top of the SLS rocket.Although Artemis 2 will not land on the Moon, it is a critical step in NASA’s broader Artemis programme. The goal of the programme is to return humans to the lunar surface and prepare for future missions to Mars.<h2>What’s next?</h2>With the successful rehearsal complete, NASA will now review the data collected during the test. Engineers will analyse tank performance, fuel flow, pressure levels and countdown operations.If everything remains within expected limits, NASA will move forward with final launch preparations.The Artemis 2 mission is seen as a key milestone in the next phase of human space exploration. After years of development and technical challenges, the successful rehearsal suggests the mission is moving closer to launch.&nbsp;

NASA has completed a successful wet dress rehearsal for Artemis II at Cape Canaveral, stopping the countdown at T-29 seconds as planned. After earlier hydrogen leak delays, the test clears a key hurdle toward the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years, with launch now targeted for March.

NASA has successfully completed a full rehearsal of the launch of its Artemis 2 mission, marking an important step towards sending astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than five decades. The US space agency confirmed on Thursday, February 19, 2026, that the rehearsal of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket went as planned. The countdown stopped at T-29 seconds, which is the scheduled end point for the test. The test was conducted under real launch conditions at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

NASA has completed a successful wet dress rehearsal for Artemis II at Cape Canaveral, stopping the countdown at T-29 seconds as planned. After earlier hydrogen leak delays, the test clears a key hurdle toward the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years, with launch now targeted for March.

NASA completes Artemis 2 launch rehearsal, sets stage for Moon mission after 50 years

The Boeing Starliner mishap that kept two astronauts in space for nine months was more dangerous than NASA made it out to be at the time. The space agency has now placed the seriousness of the problem on the same level as the space shuttle Challenger and Columbia tragedies. While the former saw seven crew members die after the space shuttle broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, the latter disintegrated upon re-entering Earth's atmosphere, killing all seven astronauts on board. NASA has reclassified Starliner's Crew Flight Test (CFT) as a "Type A mishap", the worst one you can have. "This was a really challenging event in our recent history. We almost had a really terrible day," NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya said during a press conference on Thursday (February 19).&nbsp;&nbsp;Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore went to the International Space Station on board Starliner on June 5, 2024. They were supposed to stay only for 10 days. But on their way to the ISS, the spacecraft suffered multiple thruster failures. NASA classifies issues into 5 categories - Type A, Type B, Type C, Type D, and "close calls", with the first one being the most lethal.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nasa-bent-the-rules-for-starliner-docking-was-scarier-than-thought-8919760">'We didn't know why...': NASA bent the rules for Starliner, docking was scarier than thought</a><h2>NASA admits Starliner avoided major disaster</h2>NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman admitted on Thursday that it was way scarier and could have led to disastrous consequences had certain decisions not been made. "Flight rules were appropriately challenged, control was recovered, and docking was achieved," he read from a letter. Isaacman added, "It is worth restating what should be obvious: At that moment, had different decisions been made, had thrusters not been recovered, or had docking been unsuccessful, the outcome of this mission could have been very, very different."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/what-sunita-williams-said-as-starliner-began-its-return-journey-to-earth-756585">What Sunita Williams said as Starliner began its return journey to Earth. ‘Bring her back...’</a><h2>Starliner suffered problems while undocking</h2>While Williams and Wilmore remained on the ISS, NASA tried to fix the thruster problem from land. However, they failed to fix it and decided to bring Starliner back on September 6 without its crew. The capsule might have made a safe return, but this, too, did not go smoothly. Isaacman revealed that, as it undocked from the ISS, "an unexpected crew module propulsion failure" occurred. During re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, it lacked "fault tolerance" in its thrusters.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/the-gravity-of-politics-sunitas-extended-starliner-mission-and-the-earthbound-echoes-8865423">The gravity of politics: Sunita's extended Starliner Mission and the earthbound echoes</a><h2>Why did NASA not admit Starliner's failure at the time?</h2>If such serious problems occurred with the Starliner, why didn't NASA classify it as a Type A mishap at the time? This apparently has to do with getting Boeing's spacecraft certified to carry astronauts to space. Isaacman even admitted this. "Concern for the Starliner program's reputation influenced that decision," he said. Isaacman added that this "placed the mission, the crew and America's space program at risk in ways that were not fully understood at the time", and " that can never happen again".Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/strange-noises-coming-from-starliner-are-quite-common-says-nasa-755379">'Strange noises' coming from Starliner are quite common, says NASA</a>&nbsp;Over a year later, &nbsp;NASA and Boeing are still trying to figure out what caused the problem with the thrusters. NASA has been trying to have an alternative to SpaceX to carry astronauts to space. But Boeing's failure to build a reliable vehicle after winning the contract in 2014 is problematic.

NASA says Starliner suffered such great problems as it reached space in June 2024 that things could have gone terribly wrong. Boeing's failed spacecraft could have faced disastrous consequences because of the thruster problem if the right decisions had not been taken.

The Boeing Starliner mishap that kept two astronauts in space for nine months was more dangerous than NASA made it out to be at the time. The space agency has now placed the seriousness of the problem on the same level as the space shuttle Challenger and Columbia tragedies. While the former saw seven crew members die after the space shuttle broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, the latter disintegrated upon re-entering Earth's atmosphere, killing all seven astronauts on board. NASA has reclassified Starliner's Crew Flight Test (CFT) as a "Type A mishap", the worst one you can have. "This was a really challenging event in our recent history. We almost had a really terrible day," NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya said during a press conference on Thursday (February 19). Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore went to the International Space Station on board Starliner on June 5, 2024. They were supposed to stay only for 10 days. But on their way to the ISS, the spacecraft suffered multiple thruster failures. NASA classifies issues into 5 categories - Type A, Type B, Type C, Type D, and "close calls", with the first one being the most lethal. Also Read: 'We didn't know why...': NASA bent the rules for Starliner, docking was scarier than thought NASA admits Starliner avoided major disaster NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman admitted on Thursday that it was way scarier and could have led to disastrous consequences had certain decisions not been made. "Flight rules were appropriately challenged, control was recovered, and docking was achieved," he read from a letter. Isaacman added, "It is worth restating what should be obvious: At that moment, had different decisions been made, had thrusters not been recovered, or had docking been unsuccessful, the outcome of this mission could have been very, very different." Also Read: What Sunita Williams said as Starliner began its return journey to Earth. ‘Bring her back...’ Starliner suffered problems while undocking While Williams and Wilmore remained on the ISS, NASA tried to fix the thruster problem from land. However, they failed to fix it and decided to bring Starliner back on September 6 without its crew. The capsule might have made a safe return, but this, too, did not go smoothly. Isaacman revealed that, as it undocked from the ISS, "an unexpected crew module propulsion failure" occurred. During re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, it lacked "fault tolerance" in its thrusters. Also Read: The gravity of politics: Sunita's extended Starliner Mission and the earthbound echoes Why did NASA not admit Starliner's failure at the time? If such serious problems occurred with the Starliner, why didn't NASA classify it as a Type A mishap at the time? This apparently has to do with getting Boeing's spacecraft certified to carry astronauts to space. Isaacman even admitted this. "Concern for the Starliner program's reputation influenced that decision," he said. Isaacman added that this "placed the mission, the crew and America's space program at risk in ways that were not fully understood at the time", and " that can never happen again". Also Read: 'Strange noises' coming from Starliner are quite common, says NASA Over a year later, NASA and Boeing are still trying to figure out what caused the problem with the thrusters. NASA has been trying to have an alternative to SpaceX to carry astronauts to space. But Boeing's failure to build a reliable vehicle after winning the contract in 2014 is problematic.

NASA says Starliner suffered such great problems as it reached space in June 2024 that things could have gone terribly wrong. Boeing's failed spacecraft could have faced disastrous consequences because of the thruster problem if the right decisions had not been taken.

NASA admits capsule that took Sunita Williams to space avoided major tragedy: Lethality risk similar to Columbia

Palaeontologists have discovered a 92-foot-long dinosaur in China from the Late Jurassic period. It is a giant sauropod dinosaur named Tongnanlong zhimingi. The fossil was found in Chongqing’s Tongnan District in rocks that spanned nearly 147 million years ago. The area is known as the Suining Formation, a Late Jurassic sedimentary unit in Sichuan. Scientists say the dinosaur belongs to a family of sauropods that had extremely elongated necks. Tongnanlong zhimingi have three back vertebrae, six tail vertebrae, a shoulder girdle, and hindlimb parts. Estimating the entire length of a dinosaur without having a full skeleton was tricky.&nbsp;&nbsp;But the shoulder blade gave away the dinosaur's length, which is estimated to be between 75 and 92 feet. “The new specimen enriches the diversity of Mamenchisauridae and provides additional information for understanding the evolution and diversity of eusauropod dinosaurs,” Xuefang Wei of the Chengdu Center of China Geological Survey wrote in the paper.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/dinosaur-era-bird-found-with-800-stones-jammed-in-its-throat-1767012949400">Dinosaur-era bird found with 800 stones jammed in its throat: It ate them all. Why?</a>&nbsp;Sauropods are a species of dinosaurs that had extremely long necks. Never have all the pieces of a dinosaur belonging to this group been found. This makes estimating the entire length of the dinosaur difficult. Another paper also stated the same thing, that most famous sauropod necks are incomplete, so reconstructing them has been a challenge. The team that discovered the latest dinosaur took a cautious approach and only worked around plausible estimates. The main things at their disposal were long bones like the scapula and fibula. Based on these bones, the team reached various numbers. Their data showed that even by the most conservative standards, the dinosaur found in China was humongous. They have pegged it to be at least 92 feet long.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/t-rex-tooth-leads-scientists-to-make-a-shocking-discovery-about-brute-that-ate-dinosaurs-1765876628520">T. rex tooth leads scientists to make a shocking discovery about brute that ate dinosaurs</a><h2>Long-necked dinosaurs lived in this Chinese region</h2>The Suining Formation has previously revealed fossils of the long-necked dinosaur Qijianglong guokr. A paper on them stated that at the time these dinosaurs diversified during the Late Jurassic period. To find another long-necked dinosaur in the same area shows that several large, long-necked lineages shared the region. The discovery fills gaps in the Sichuan Basin’s Late Jurassic record, showing that mammoth mamenchisaurids lived alongside smaller dinosaurs of the same family.

Scientists have discovered a giant dinosaur from the Late Jurassic period in China's Suining Formation. Researchers estimate the dinosaur measured over 90 feet long, even though they did not find the complete skeleton of the long-necked beast.

Palaeontologists have discovered a 92-foot-long dinosaur in China from the Late Jurassic period. It is a giant sauropod dinosaur named Tongnanlong zhimingi. The fossil was found in Chongqing’s Tongnan District in rocks that spanned nearly 147 million years ago. The area is known as the Suining Formation, a Late Jurassic sedimentary unit in Sichuan. Scientists say the dinosaur belongs to a family of sauropods that had extremely elongated necks. Tongnanlong zhimingi have three back vertebrae, six tail vertebrae, a shoulder girdle, and hindlimb parts. Estimating the entire length of a dinosaur without having a full skeleton was tricky. But the shoulder blade gave away the dinosaur's length, which is estimated to be between 75 and 92 feet. “The new specimen enriches the diversity of Mamenchisauridae and provides additional information for understanding the evolution and diversity of eusauropod dinosaurs,” Xuefang Wei of the Chengdu Center of China Geological Survey wrote in the paper. Also Read: Dinosaur-era bird found with 800 stones jammed in its throat: It ate them all. Why? Sauropods are a species of dinosaurs that had extremely long necks. Never have all the pieces of a dinosaur belonging to this group been found. This makes estimating the entire length of the dinosaur difficult. Another paper also stated the same thing, that most famous sauropod necks are incomplete, so reconstructing them has been a challenge. The team that discovered the latest dinosaur took a cautious approach and only worked around plausible estimates. The main things at their disposal were long bones like the scapula and fibula. Based on these bones, the team reached various numbers. Their data showed that even by the most conservative standards, the dinosaur found in China was humongous. They have pegged it to be at least 92 feet long. Also Read: T. rex tooth leads scientists to make a shocking discovery about brute that ate dinosaurs Long-necked dinosaurs lived in this Chinese region The Suining Formation has previously revealed fossils of the long-necked dinosaur Qijianglong guokr. A paper on them stated that at the time these dinosaurs diversified during the Late Jurassic period. To find another long-necked dinosaur in the same area shows that several large, long-necked lineages shared the region. The discovery fills gaps in the Sichuan Basin’s Late Jurassic record, showing that mammoth mamenchisaurids lived alongside smaller dinosaurs of the same family.

Scientists have discovered a giant dinosaur from the Late Jurassic period in China's Suining Formation. Researchers estimate the dinosaur measured over 90 feet long, even though they did not find the complete skeleton of the long-necked beast.

92-foot-long dinosaur from the Late Jurassic period discovered in China

Microsoft has created a storage device that can keep several terabytes of data safe for nearly 10,000 years. It has been made as part of "Project Silica" and is a breakthrough in long-term data storage. The technology involves laser-modified glass storage for data, which can never be erased as it is etched into the glass with a laser. The system called Silica has been described in a paper published in the journal Nature. The system uses a tiny square of borosilica glass, roughly 0.08 inches (2 millimetres) thick, on which data is encoded by harnessing the properties of light. The thin slice of glass has been theoretically built to last for thousands of years. Unlike regular hard disks, data on this tiny glass cannot be erased. Which means, anything added to it will be available to future humanity.&nbsp;Silica is made to resist all kinds of threats, such as fire, water, microwave radiation, and electromagnetic pulses. Data in Silica is recorded using differences in the phase of light wavelengths in voxels, or a three-dimensional equivalent of a pixel. The glass chip can store 4.8 terabytes of data—equivalent to about 2 million printed books or 5,000 ultra-high-definition films, according to the paper. The team took inspiration from an earlier research that experimented to check the feasibility of harnessing the physical properties of light as an extra “dimension” for data storage, Gizmodo reported. &nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/turkey-north-anatolian-fault-marmara-sea-mega-earthquake-1770805526312">'Invisible' fault line silent for centuries could trigger the next mega earthquake in THIS region</a><h2>How laser-etched glass storage started</h2>James Chon, an optical physicist at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia, used extremely quick pulses of light to make glass material for encoding information. &nbsp;Peter Kazansky, an optical physicist at the University of Southampton, took the work ahead and was able to make etch Isaac Asimov’s Foundation trilogy on glass, which was sent to space.&nbsp;Microsoft took note and saw the potential to create a storage device that would be like an "archival storage technology." Richard Black, Project Silica’s research director, told Gizmodo, “We realised that if we could tame the physics and scale it, there was the potential for [laser-modified glass] to be disruptive as archival storage technology."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-autonomous-drone-swarming-tech-musk-s-spacex-xai-place-bids-in-secret-pentagon-competition-wion-explains-1771301948635">What is autonomous drone swarming tech? Musk's SpaceX, xAI bid in secret Pentagon competition</a><h2>How it works</h2> To write information on the chip, an ultra-fast "femtosecond" laser etches tiny 3D shapes (called voxels) inside the glass. To read the information, a high-speed microscope is used to scan the glass, and AI algorithms translate those 3D shapes back into digital data. The glass plates need no maintenance and are a sustainable method.&nbsp;

Microsoft has built a glass chip that can store more than 4 terabytes of data. But the main thing about this store device is that it can last for eternity, at least 10,000 years theoretically. This gives man a way to archive information that he thinks future humans should know.

Microsoft has created a storage device that can keep several terabytes of data safe for nearly 10,000 years. It has been made as part of "Project Silica" and is a breakthrough in long-term data storage. The technology involves laser-modified glass storage for data, which can never be erased as it is etched into the glass with a laser. The system called Silica has been described in a paper published in the journal Nature. The system uses a tiny square of borosilica glass, roughly 0.08 inches (2 millimetres) thick, on which data is encoded by harnessing the properties of light. The thin slice of glass has been theoretically built to last for thousands of years. Unlike regular hard disks, data on this tiny glass cannot be erased. Which means, anything added to it will be available to future humanity. Silica is made to resist all kinds of threats, such as fire, water, microwave radiation, and electromagnetic pulses. Data in Silica is recorded using differences in the phase of light wavelengths in voxels, or a three-dimensional equivalent of a pixel. The glass chip can store 4.8 terabytes of data—equivalent to about 2 million printed books or 5,000 ultra-high-definition films, according to the paper. The team took inspiration from an earlier research that experimented to check the feasibility of harnessing the physical properties of light as an extra “dimension” for data storage, Gizmodo reported. Also Read: 'Invisible' fault line silent for centuries could trigger the next mega earthquake in THIS region How laser-etched glass storage started James Chon, an optical physicist at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia, used extremely quick pulses of light to make glass material for encoding information. Peter Kazansky, an optical physicist at the University of Southampton, took the work ahead and was able to make etch Isaac Asimov’s Foundation trilogy on glass, which was sent to space. Microsoft took note and saw the potential to create a storage device that would be like an "archival storage technology." Richard Black, Project Silica’s research director, told Gizmodo, “We realised that if we could tame the physics and scale it, there was the potential for [laser-modified glass] to be disruptive as archival storage technology." Also Read: What is autonomous drone swarming tech? Musk's SpaceX, xAI bid in secret Pentagon competition How it works To write information on the chip, an ultra-fast "femtosecond" laser etches tiny 3D shapes (called voxels) inside the glass. To read the information, a high-speed microscope is used to scan the glass, and AI algorithms translate those 3D shapes back into digital data. The glass plates need no maintenance and are a sustainable method.

Microsoft has built a glass chip that can store more than 4 terabytes of data. But the main thing about this store device is that it can last for eternity, at least 10,000 years theoretically. This gives man a way to archive information that he thinks future humans should know.

Scientists develop tiny glass tablet that can store laser-etched data for 10,000 years

Gravity isn't the same everywhere on Earth. In one place under Antarctica, it is so weak that a gravity hole has formed. This point is also extremely strong at the same time, and this happened over tens of millions of years. Inside our planet, where the material is dense, the tug of gravity is stronger, and where the mass is less, the pull is weaker. Under the frozen continent lies the weakest such point. This weak gravity hole has strengethed and could have contributed to freezing Antarctica. Scientists from the University of Florida say in a study that the Antarctic Geoid Low (AGL) evolved slowly. It has become a major force and likely shaped Earth's climate, creating the Antarctic ice sheets. In a study published in Scientific Reports, researchers analysed this Gravity Hole and discovered that it has strengthened over the last 70 million years and is a force that dictates Earth’s global climate. The team created computer models of shifting rocks, which put the timeline between 50 and 30 million years ago. This period coincides with glaciation in Antarctica.<h2>Are Antarctica's climate and gravity hole linked?&nbsp;</h2>Gravity also shapes the oceans. Because of this gravity hole, the sea surface around Antarctica is slightly lower relative to Earth’s centre. The Antarctic Geoid Low anomaly has been known for several years, with satellite missions tracing it. But scientists do not know how it formed or whether there is a link between Antarctica's climate and the hole. They used global earthquake data and advanced physics modelling to analyse the gravity hole. "If we can better understand how Earth’s interior shapes gravity and sea levels, we gain insight into factors that may matter for the growth and stability of large ice sheets,” Alessandro Forte, PhD, a professor of geophysics at the University of Florida and co-author of the new study.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/a-robot-got-lost-in-antarctica-it-revealed-scary-secrets-from-underneath-another-glacier-1766997802759">A robot got lost in Antarctica. It revealed scary secrets from underneath another glacier</a>&nbsp;Seismic waves were used like a CT scan to measure Earth's three-dimensional structure. “Imagine doing a CT scan of the whole Earth, but we don’t have X-rays as we do in a medical office. We have earthquakes. Earthquake waves provide the ‘light’ that illuminates the interior of the planet,” Forte said. The method helped researchers reconstruct the density of the rock beneath Antarctica and calculate the gravity field. They then ran the model backwards through geological time to understand how mantle material rearranged over millions of years. They noted that the gravitational low was weaker, but between 50 and 30 million years ago, it started becoming stronger. This is when large ice sheets started to form in Antarctica.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/a23a-world-s-largest-iceberg-on-the-move-for-40-years-on-the-verge-of-vanishing-1768818311512">NASA images show world's largest iceberg, on the move for 40 years, on the verge of vanishing</a>&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/fossils-reveal-temperate-antarctica-90-million-years-ago-1769570477092/embed&nbsp;The data did not show that this caused the ice to grow. However, it proves that deep-Earth processes affected sea level, the height of the continent and boundary conditions that affected ice-sheet stability. &nbsp;

Why is Antarctica frozen? It is in the polar region, which is one explanation. But something deep underneath the continent could have also played a role in turning Antarctica into a frozen continent. It is a gravity hole that changed over millions of years. 

Gravity isn't the same everywhere on Earth. In one place under Antarctica, it is so weak that a gravity hole has formed. This point is also extremely strong at the same time, and this happened over tens of millions of years. Inside our planet, where the material is dense, the tug of gravity is stronger, and where the mass is less, the pull is weaker. Under the frozen continent lies the weakest such point. This weak gravity hole has strengethed and could have contributed to freezing Antarctica. Scientists from the University of Florida say in a study that the Antarctic Geoid Low (AGL) evolved slowly. It has become a major force and likely shaped Earth's climate, creating the Antarctic ice sheets. In a study published in Scientific Reports, researchers analysed this Gravity Hole and discovered that it has strengthened over the last 70 million years and is a force that dictates Earth’s global climate. The team created computer models of shifting rocks, which put the timeline between 50 and 30 million years ago. This period coincides with glaciation in Antarctica. Are Antarctica's climate and gravity hole linked? Gravity also shapes the oceans. Because of this gravity hole, the sea surface around Antarctica is slightly lower relative to Earth’s centre. The Antarctic Geoid Low anomaly has been known for several years, with satellite missions tracing it. But scientists do not know how it formed or whether there is a link between Antarctica's climate and the hole. They used global earthquake data and advanced physics modelling to analyse the gravity hole. "If we can better understand how Earth’s interior shapes gravity and sea levels, we gain insight into factors that may matter for the growth and stability of large ice sheets,” Alessandro Forte, PhD, a professor of geophysics at the University of Florida and co-author of the new study. Also Read: A robot got lost in Antarctica. It revealed scary secrets from underneath another glacier Seismic waves were used like a CT scan to measure Earth's three-dimensional structure. “Imagine doing a CT scan of the whole Earth, but we don’t have X-rays as we do in a medical office. We have earthquakes. Earthquake waves provide the ‘light’ that illuminates the interior of the planet,” Forte said. The method helped researchers reconstruct the density of the rock beneath Antarctica and calculate the gravity field. They then ran the model backwards through geological time to understand how mantle material rearranged over millions of years. They noted that the gravitational low was weaker, but between 50 and 30 million years ago, it started becoming stronger. This is when large ice sheets started to form in Antarctica. Also Read: NASA images show world's largest iceberg, on the move for 40 years, on the verge of vanishing https://www.wionews.com/videos/fossils-reveal-temperate-antarctica-90-million-years-ago-1769570477092/embed The data did not show that this caused the ice to grow. However, it proves that deep-Earth processes affected sea level, the height of the continent and boundary conditions that affected ice-sheet stability.

Why is Antarctica frozen? It is in the polar region, which is one explanation. But something deep underneath the continent could have also played a role in turning Antarctica into a frozen continent. It is a gravity hole that changed over millions of years.&nbsp;

Weakest gravity point under Antarctica is also immensely strong, and likely froze the continent

Humans are incapable of protecting themselves from an asteroid strike, a NASA scientist has warned. Even though the space agency is regularly monitoring space rocks that could pose danger to Earth, there are nearly 25,000 of them hovering around us that remain undetected. These asteroids have the potential to flatten cities in a particular region. So even though a global catastrophe might not occur, these rocks can definitely cause massive regional destruction. Kelly Fast, head of planetary defence at NASA, has triggered panic after she admitted that nobody is ready to protect us from city-killers. "What keeps me up at night is the asteroids we don’t know about," Fast said while speaking to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, The Sun reported. She says we know about the small rocks and about those that are huge. But the asteroids that are about 140 metres and large remain hidden from sight, but are lurking near Earth.&nbsp;Fast said these asteroids can "really do regional rather than global damage, and we don’t know where they are." She added, "It’s estimated there are about 25,000 of those and we’re only about 40 per cent of the way through." Adding to the worry is another scientist, Dr Nancy Chabot, from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. She headed NASA's DART mission in 2022, and yet, isn't optimistic about saving Earth from a potential city-killer asteroid. She said, "We don’t know where 50 per cent of the 140-metre asteroids are, which is a concern. We would not have any way to go and actively deflect one right now." Chatbot says there is no investment being made into protecting Earth from these asteroids, as there is a lack of cash.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/nasa-says-asteroid-2024-yr4-can-hit-the-moon-8776642">'Once in 1,000 years...': NASA says asteroid 2024 YR4 can hit the Moon. Is Earth safe?</a><h2>Why can't a mission like DART save Earth from an asteroid today?</h2>Chabot says this is because we don't have anything like it ready to go. "We don’t have [another] DART just lying around. If something like YR4 had been headed towards the Earth, we would not have any way to go and deflect it actively right now," she said. Asteroid 2024 YR4 is a city-killer space rock that was given a small chance of smashing into Earth in 2032. However, later calculations showed that this will not happen. This asteroid has a high probability of crashing into the Moon, according to NASA.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/is-nasa-nuking-an-asteroid-real-life-armageddon-could-happen-by-2031-details-1759238690934">Is NASA nuking an asteroid? Real-life Armageddon could happen by 2031 | Details</a>&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/moon-in-crosshairs-4-chance-of-massive-asteroid-hit-1769745979134/embed<h2>DART mission</h2>The DART spacecraft slammed into Dimorphos, a moonlet of the asteroid Didymos in 2022. It was meant to test a method of planetary defence against near-Earth objects (NEOs). It launched on 24 November 2021 and hit Dimorphos on 26 September 2022, almost a year later. Using a similar defence mechanism against another asteroid would more or less require a similar window. This means if an asteroid were to make a sudden appearance, Nancy and Kelly's fear might come true. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Two NASA scientists claim Earth is at risk from over 25,000 unknown asteroids that are yet to be discovered. If one of them moves towards the planet, no amount of preparation or a mission like DART would help.

Humans are incapable of protecting themselves from an asteroid strike, a NASA scientist has warned. Even though the space agency is regularly monitoring space rocks that could pose danger to Earth, there are nearly 25,000 of them hovering around us that remain undetected. These asteroids have the potential to flatten cities in a particular region. So even though a global catastrophe might not occur, these rocks can definitely cause massive regional destruction. Kelly Fast, head of planetary defence at NASA, has triggered panic after she admitted that nobody is ready to protect us from city-killers. "What keeps me up at night is the asteroids we don’t know about," Fast said while speaking to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, The Sun reported. She says we know about the small rocks and about those that are huge. But the asteroids that are about 140 metres and large remain hidden from sight, but are lurking near Earth. Fast said these asteroids can "really do regional rather than global damage, and we don’t know where they are." She added, "It’s estimated there are about 25,000 of those and we’re only about 40 per cent of the way through." Adding to the worry is another scientist, Dr Nancy Chabot, from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. She headed NASA's DART mission in 2022, and yet, isn't optimistic about saving Earth from a potential city-killer asteroid. She said, "We don’t know where 50 per cent of the 140-metre asteroids are, which is a concern. We would not have any way to go and actively deflect one right now." Chatbot says there is no investment being made into protecting Earth from these asteroids, as there is a lack of cash. Also Read: 'Once in 1,000 years...': NASA says asteroid 2024 YR4 can hit the Moon. Is Earth safe? Why can't a mission like DART save Earth from an asteroid today? Chabot says this is because we don't have anything like it ready to go. "We don’t have [another] DART just lying around. If something like YR4 had been headed towards the Earth, we would not have any way to go and deflect it actively right now," she said. Asteroid 2024 YR4 is a city-killer space rock that was given a small chance of smashing into Earth in 2032. However, later calculations showed that this will not happen. This asteroid has a high probability of crashing into the Moon, according to NASA. Also Read: Is NASA nuking an asteroid? Real-life Armageddon could happen by 2031 | Details https://www.wionews.com/videos/moon-in-crosshairs-4-chance-of-massive-asteroid-hit-1769745979134/embed DART mission The DART spacecraft slammed into Dimorphos, a moonlet of the asteroid Didymos in 2022. It was meant to test a method of planetary defence against near-Earth objects (NEOs). It launched on 24 November 2021 and hit Dimorphos on 26 September 2022, almost a year later. Using a similar defence mechanism against another asteroid would more or less require a similar window. This means if an asteroid were to make a sudden appearance, Nancy and Kelly's fear might come true.

Two NASA scientists claim Earth is at risk from over 25,000 unknown asteroids that are yet to be discovered. If one of them moves towards the planet, no amount of preparation or a mission like DART would help.

25,000 hidden asteroids lurking near Earth pose major threat: NASA scientist says the fear 'keeps me up at night'

A comet discovered nearly a century ago is putting up a spectacular show in the night sky. Comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann underwent an explosion in February 2026, which increased its brightness by several magnitudes. On the brightness meter, the cryovolcanic explosions have led it to jump from approximately magnitude 13.5 to 11.5. This event that unfolded within hours has increased its visibility. By February 13, its coma had expanded to about 45 inches, Bob King wrote on Sky and Telescope. He observed a "dense and impenetrable" core and a "very faint, stellar pseudo-nucleus." The comet will continue to become bigger over the next few days before fading again. King suggests getting a glimpse as soon as possible. Explosions aren't uncommon for comets. As they move nearer to the Sun, heat builds up inside the comet as volatile ices like carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide start vaporising. When the pressure becomes too intense, the material breaks through the crust in an explosion. This event increases their brightness.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/3iatlas-interstellar-objects-35-million-avi-loeb-solar-system-1770972758535">Scientist claims 35 million interstellar objects reside between Sun and Earth - ‘100 trillion metric tons...’</a><h2>Fizzy cocktail brews and explodes from comet</h2>The explosion in the case of Comet 29P was so massive that it sent debris flying into space at speeds of 3218 km/hr. The dynamic process will cause the comet's size and appearance to change almost every night. Richard Miles, director of the Asteroids &amp; Remote Planets section of the British Astronomical Association (BAA), attributes it to a "fizzy cocktail" heating up inside the comet comprising liquid methane, ethane and propane, mixing with dissolved carbon dioxide. Astronomers expect the comet to undergo more explosions since something this big is typically followed by smaller ones. Comet 29P also witnessed two explosions in the year 2025.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/inside-out-planetary-system-lhs-1903-baffles-scientists-1770966994675">Rock, gas, gas, rock? Star system with 'strange disorder' baffles scientists</a><h2>Slow rotation period of Comet 29P</h2>Comet 29P is different from other comets in terms of distance from the sun and the corresponding activity. As opposed to comets that undergo cryovolcanism when they approach the Sun, 29P stays far away and yet undergoes such activity. It is a Centaur (an object between Jupiter and Neptune) that stays in a nearly circular orbit. It is one of the most active bodies in the solar system, thanks to its 57-day rotation period. This exposes parts of it to solar heat for several days, causing internal pressure to build up, which then releases.&nbsp;

Comet in sky: Comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann has had another outburst, and a big one. An astronomer saw the comet discovered in 1927 undergoing an explosion so big that its brightness increased by several magnitudes.

A comet discovered nearly a century ago is putting up a spectacular show in the night sky. Comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann underwent an explosion in February 2026, which increased its brightness by several magnitudes. On the brightness meter, the cryovolcanic explosions have led it to jump from approximately magnitude 13.5 to 11.5. This event that unfolded within hours has increased its visibility. By February 13, its coma had expanded to about 45 inches, Bob King wrote on Sky and Telescope. He observed a "dense and impenetrable" core and a "very faint, stellar pseudo-nucleus." The comet will continue to become bigger over the next few days before fading again. King suggests getting a glimpse as soon as possible. Explosions aren't uncommon for comets. As they move nearer to the Sun, heat builds up inside the comet as volatile ices like carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide start vaporising. When the pressure becomes too intense, the material breaks through the crust in an explosion. This event increases their brightness. Also Read: Scientist claims 35 million interstellar objects reside between Sun and Earth - ‘100 trillion metric tons...’ Fizzy cocktail brews and explodes from comet The explosion in the case of Comet 29P was so massive that it sent debris flying into space at speeds of 3218 km/hr. The dynamic process will cause the comet's size and appearance to change almost every night. Richard Miles, director of the Asteroids & Remote Planets section of the British Astronomical Association (BAA), attributes it to a "fizzy cocktail" heating up inside the comet comprising liquid methane, ethane and propane, mixing with dissolved carbon dioxide. Astronomers expect the comet to undergo more explosions since something this big is typically followed by smaller ones. Comet 29P also witnessed two explosions in the year 2025. Also Read: Rock, gas, gas, rock? Star system with 'strange disorder' baffles scientists Slow rotation period of Comet 29P Comet 29P is different from other comets in terms of distance from the sun and the corresponding activity. As opposed to comets that undergo cryovolcanism when they approach the Sun, 29P stays far away and yet undergoes such activity. It is a Centaur (an object between Jupiter and Neptune) that stays in a nearly circular orbit. It is one of the most active bodies in the solar system, thanks to its 57-day rotation period. This exposes parts of it to solar heat for several days, causing internal pressure to build up, which then releases.

Comet in sky: Comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann has had another outburst, and a big one. An astronomer saw the comet discovered in 1927 undergoing an explosion so big that its brightness increased by several magnitudes.

Comet 29P explodes, blasting a 'fizzy cocktail' into space at 3218 km/hr

NASA’s long-awaited return to the Moon has faced another technical challenge. During a recent test of its Artemis II mission, engineers detected a reduced flow of liquid hydrogen while preparing the rocket for a key rehearsal ahead of the crewed lunar fly-by.The issue emerged during a ground test aimed at checking newly replaced seals in the rocket’s hydrogen system. While several test goals were met, the lower-than-expected hydrogen flow added another complication to a programme already under pressure.<h2>What went wrong during the latest Artemis test</h2>According to NASA, the problem appeared when teams tried to partially fill the liquid hydrogen tank of the Space Launch System. The test was meant to confirm that new seals could prevent leaks that disrupted earlier rehearsals.Engineers later traced the reduced flow to ground support equipment, not the rocket itself. A clogged filter is now the main suspect. NASA said teams will clean the affected lines and replace the filter before deciding when to attempt the next full wet dress rehearsal.Despite the issue, NASA confirmed that valuable data was collected from the same areas where hydrogen leaks were seen in the past.<h2>Why hydrogen leaks matter for Artemis II</h2>Liquid hydrogen is a critical fuel for the Space Launch System. Even small issues can force delays because hydrogen is difficult to handle safely.NASA has spent nearly three years fixing leak problems first seen during early tests in 2022. However, similar issues resurfaced earlier this month, raising concerns about whether the system is finally stable.Data from the latest test will help engineers decide if the hydrogen problem has been fully understood or if further fixes are needed before launch.<h2>Artemis II&nbsp;</h2>The Artemis II mission will carry four astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen on a journey around the Moon. It will be the first crewed mission beyond Earth orbit since the Apollo era ended in 1972.During the mission, the Orion spacecraft will fly past the Moon’s far side, a region never seen directly by humans. Astronauts will observe lunar craters, lava plains and surface features, sending images and data back to Earth to support future Moon landings.NASA says these observations are vital for preparing later missions to the Moon’s south pole.<h2>Launch timeline</h2>NASA has said March remains the earliest possible launch window for Artemis II, with five potential dates between March 6 and March 11. If those dates are missed, the mission could be pushed to April.&nbsp;

NASA’s Artemis II faces a possible delay after engineers found reduced liquid hydrogen flow during a key test. The issue was traced to ground equipment, adding pressure to the Moon mission’s tight March-April launch window.

NASA’s long-awaited return to the Moon has faced another technical challenge. During a recent test of its Artemis II mission, engineers detected a reduced flow of liquid hydrogen while preparing the rocket for a key rehearsal ahead of the crewed lunar fly-by. The issue emerged during a ground test aimed at checking newly replaced seals in the rocket’s hydrogen system. While several test goals were met, the lower-than-expected hydrogen flow added another complication to a programme already under pressure. What went wrong during the latest Artemis test According to NASA, the problem appeared when teams tried to partially fill the liquid hydrogen tank of the Space Launch System. The test was meant to confirm that new seals could prevent leaks that disrupted earlier rehearsals. Engineers later traced the reduced flow to ground support equipment, not the rocket itself. A clogged filter is now the main suspect. NASA said teams will clean the affected lines and replace the filter before deciding when to attempt the next full wet dress rehearsal. Despite the issue, NASA confirmed that valuable data was collected from the same areas where hydrogen leaks were seen in the past. Why hydrogen leaks matter for Artemis II Liquid hydrogen is a critical fuel for the Space Launch System. Even small issues can force delays because hydrogen is difficult to handle safely. NASA has spent nearly three years fixing leak problems first seen during early tests in 2022. However, similar issues resurfaced earlier this month, raising concerns about whether the system is finally stable. Data from the latest test will help engineers decide if the hydrogen problem has been fully understood or if further fixes are needed before launch. Artemis II The Artemis II mission will carry four astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen on a journey around the Moon. It will be the first crewed mission beyond Earth orbit since the Apollo era ended in 1972. During the mission, the Orion spacecraft will fly past the Moon’s far side, a region never seen directly by humans. Astronauts will observe lunar craters, lava plains and surface features, sending images and data back to Earth to support future Moon landings. NASA says these observations are vital for preparing later missions to the Moon’s south pole. Launch timeline NASA has said March remains the earliest possible launch window for Artemis II, with five potential dates between March 6 and March 11. If those dates are missed, the mission could be pushed to April.

NASA’s Artemis II faces a possible delay after engineers found reduced liquid hydrogen flow during a key test. The issue was traced to ground equipment, adding pressure to the Moon mission’s tight March-April launch window.

NASA’s Artemis moon mission faces new issue after test shows reduced hydrogen flow

Quantum teleportation sends information, not matter, using entanglement from one place to another. In 2024, scientists teleported a quantum state of light over 30 km of fibre-optic cable alongside live internet traffic. 

Quantum teleportation sends information, not matter, using entanglement from one place to another. In 2024, scientists teleported a quantum state of light over 30 km of fibre-optic cable alongside live internet traffic.&nbsp;

What is Quantum Teleportation? How scientists made a breakthrough for the first time

Harvard scientist Avi Loeb has claimed that there could be 35 million interstellar objects inside Earth's orbit. In 2025, 3I/ATLAS, the third known interstellar object, was discovered in the solar system and became the star of the astronomy world overnight. But Loeb has presented calculations, according to which objects from the outer world are extremely common. He studied two meteors that probably came from another star system to estimate the number of interstellar objects in our solar system. CNEOS-22 was detected in 2022 over the Pacific, and CNEOS-25 was spotted over the Barents Sea in the Arctic in 2025. They were both around six feet and four feet across, but large enough to exceed the Solar System's escape velocity. Loeb stated that such meteors collide with Earth on average once every three years. Using this premise, he concluded that these objects exist in large numbers in Earth's orbit.&nbsp;"Given the detection of two interstellar meteors in the CNEOS fireballs database over a period of 7 years, the inferred collision rate of meter-scale interstellar objects with Earth is about 0.3 per year," Loeb wrote. He added, "This implies that there are about 35 million meter-scale interstellar objects embedded at any time within the orbit of the Earth around the Sun." The scientists calculated that each object carries about 3 million metric tons of material, which means that "hundred trillion (10^{14}) metric tons of interstellar material is present" in the interior of Earth’s orbit around the Sun.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3iatlas-latest-update-nasa-tess-images-jupiter-1769745274633">NASA's TESS captures 3I/ATLAS once again. But some data is missing. Here's what happened</a> Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-is-not-unique-scientist-says-a-trillion-interstellar-objects-are-in-the-solar-system-right-now-1767097867958">Scientist says a trillion 3I/ATLAS-like objects are in the solar system right now</a><h2>35 million interstellar objects</h2>3I/ATLAS was larger than these meteors, as it likely didn't disintegrate much. But the 35 million interstellar objects that Loeb claims are present inside Earth's orbit are probably fragments of objects like 3I/ATLAS. Loeb is planning to carry out ocean expeditions to recover material from CNEOS-22 and CNEOS-25. Performing radioactive dating could reveal how long the meteor travelled through interstellar space and its origin.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-could-be-coming-from-a-star-that-is-already-dead-a-star-that-s-so-ancient-1767162151025">3I/ATLAS could be coming from a star that is already dead: ‘A star that’s so ancient...’</a>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-heartbeat-aligns-with-a-144-second-timing-system-used-by-ancient-indians-researcher-claims-1766144196301">3I/ATLAS 'heartbeat' aligns with a 144-second timing system used by ancient Indians, researcher claims</a><h2>3I/ATLAS and other interstellar objects</h2>Before 3I/ATLAS, scientists discovered 'Oumuamua, a dry, rocky body floating through space that had come from outside our solar system. Its elongated shape stumped astronomers who struggled to explain its origins. Next came 2I/Borisov, an interstellar comet that became only the second object to be spotted coming from an outer world. 3I/ATLAS was discovered on July 1 by the ATLAS telescope in Chile. It became a sensation instantly, especially after scientists learned that it was born billions of years before our solar system. 3I/ATLAS is estimated to be 7-13 billion years old. Its trajectory proved that it was not bound to our Sun's gravitation, which showed that it was an interstellar object. For months, astronomers across the world tracked 3I/ATLAS and saw it changing speed, brightness and its path.&nbsp; &nbsp;

3I/ATLAS might have been only the third interstellar object we noticed, but a scientist claims that there could be millions of such objects within Earth's orbit around the sun, travelling from interstellar space. He estimates that they would weigh 100 trillion metric tons when combined.

Harvard scientist Avi Loeb has claimed that there could be 35 million interstellar objects inside Earth's orbit. In 2025, 3I/ATLAS, the third known interstellar object, was discovered in the solar system and became the star of the astronomy world overnight. But Loeb has presented calculations, according to which objects from the outer world are extremely common. He studied two meteors that probably came from another star system to estimate the number of interstellar objects in our solar system. CNEOS-22 was detected in 2022 over the Pacific, and CNEOS-25 was spotted over the Barents Sea in the Arctic in 2025. They were both around six feet and four feet across, but large enough to exceed the Solar System's escape velocity. Loeb stated that such meteors collide with Earth on average once every three years. Using this premise, he concluded that these objects exist in large numbers in Earth's orbit. "Given the detection of two interstellar meteors in the CNEOS fireballs database over a period of 7 years, the inferred collision rate of meter-scale interstellar objects with Earth is about 0.3 per year," Loeb wrote. He added, "This implies that there are about 35 million meter-scale interstellar objects embedded at any time within the orbit of the Earth around the Sun." The scientists calculated that each object carries about 3 million metric tons of material, which means that "hundred trillion (10^{14}) metric tons of interstellar material is present" in the interior of Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Also Read: NASA's TESS captures 3I/ATLAS once again. But some data is missing. Here's what happened Also Read: Scientist says a trillion 3I/ATLAS-like objects are in the solar system right now 35 million interstellar objects 3I/ATLAS was larger than these meteors, as it likely didn't disintegrate much. But the 35 million interstellar objects that Loeb claims are present inside Earth's orbit are probably fragments of objects like 3I/ATLAS. Loeb is planning to carry out ocean expeditions to recover material from CNEOS-22 and CNEOS-25. Performing radioactive dating could reveal how long the meteor travelled through interstellar space and its origin. Also Read: 3I/ATLAS could be coming from a star that is already dead: ‘A star that’s so ancient...’ Also Read: 3I/ATLAS 'heartbeat' aligns with a 144-second timing system used by ancient Indians, researcher claims 3I/ATLAS and other interstellar objects Before 3I/ATLAS, scientists discovered 'Oumuamua, a dry, rocky body floating through space that had come from outside our solar system. Its elongated shape stumped astronomers who struggled to explain its origins. Next came 2I/Borisov, an interstellar comet that became only the second object to be spotted coming from an outer world. 3I/ATLAS was discovered on July 1 by the ATLAS telescope in Chile. It became a sensation instantly, especially after scientists learned that it was born billions of years before our solar system. 3I/ATLAS is estimated to be 7-13 billion years old. Its trajectory proved that it was not bound to our Sun's gravitation, which showed that it was an interstellar object. For months, astronomers across the world tracked 3I/ATLAS and saw it changing speed, brightness and its path.

3I/ATLAS might have been only the third interstellar object we noticed, but a scientist claims that there could be millions of such objects within Earth's orbit around the sun, travelling from interstellar space. He estimates that they would weigh 100 trillion metric tons when combined.

Scientist claims 35 million interstellar objects reside between Sun and Earth - '100 trillion metric tons...'

A planetary system located at the farthest edges of the Milky Way has a planetary line-up that goes against basic scientific logic. A star called LHS 1903, located 116 light-years away from Earth, has four planets. Interestingly, the planet closest to it is rocky, followed by two gaseous planets and then...surprise...another rocky planet. Typically, rocky planets are closest to their star, while the gaseous ones follow them, and that's about it. This pattern of rocky to gaseous is the norm in every planetary system seen in the Milky Way. So why does the LHS 1903 system have a rocky planet at the end? The discovery was made by an international research team that observed the system using the European Space Agency's CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS) telescope. The research was published on February 12, 2026, in the peer-reviewed journal Science.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earth-like-exoplanet-found-146-light-years-away-1770206371665">Is this another Earth? Astronomers find Earth-like exoplanet 146 light-years away</a><h2>How are planets formed?</h2>LHS 1903 &nbsp;is a cool, faint red dwarf star with four planets around it, but they defy the basic playbook of planetary formation and placement. In any system, the rocky planets form nearer to the star since the radiation blows away all the gas. The rocky material left behind coalesces to form these planets, such as Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, in our solar system. The gas swept outwards and collects in the far reaches to form gas planets. This is where it ends. But the latest observation shows that for some reason, the LHS 1903 system has a rocky planet at the end. Scientists say either it lost its gas in the later stages of its life, or it never had any. Lead author, Thomas Wilson from the University of Warwick said, "This strange disorder makes it a unique inside-out system. Rocky planets don’t usually form far away from their home star, on the outside of the gaseous worlds."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/not-water-or-location-but-the-chemical-goldilocks-zone-is-the-secret-reason-earth-exists-1770804882558">Not water or location, but the 'chemical Goldilocks zone' is the secret reason Earth exists</a><h2>Each planet was born at a different time</h2>The researchers examined the theory that the planets may have switched places at some point in time, or the last one lost its gases. None of these options was feasible, and they came up with a more plausible explanation. According to the study, instead of forming all at once, each planet in the system was born one by one. Co-author Annelies Mortier, from the University of Birmingham, said, "The most compelling theory to explain the rocky planet says that LHS 1903 gave birth to its four planets one after another from the inner to outermost planet, instead of bearing quadruplets at once. This means that each planet evolved separately, sweeping up nearby dust and gas, with further out worlds waiting their turn for the next planet to form."&nbsp;So by the time it was the fourth planet's turn, the environment was very different, and all the gases likely ran out, leaving it to become a rocky world. Scientists say it changes their understanding of how planets form, and has left them wondering whether it is an exception, or the first look at a new way planets form. &nbsp;

LHS 1903 is located 116 light-years away and has four planets, which are placed incorrectly. The placement of the planets goes against standard knowledge and has never been seen before. Scientists are calling it an inside-out star system. 

A planetary system located at the farthest edges of the Milky Way has a planetary line-up that goes against basic scientific logic. A star called LHS 1903, located 116 light-years away from Earth, has four planets. Interestingly, the planet closest to it is rocky, followed by two gaseous planets and then...surprise...another rocky planet. Typically, rocky planets are closest to their star, while the gaseous ones follow them, and that's about it. This pattern of rocky to gaseous is the norm in every planetary system seen in the Milky Way. So why does the LHS 1903 system have a rocky planet at the end? The discovery was made by an international research team that observed the system using the European Space Agency's CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS) telescope. The research was published on February 12, 2026, in the peer-reviewed journal Science. Also Read: Is this another Earth? Astronomers find Earth-like exoplanet 146 light-years away How are planets formed? LHS 1903 is a cool, faint red dwarf star with four planets around it, but they defy the basic playbook of planetary formation and placement. In any system, the rocky planets form nearer to the star since the radiation blows away all the gas. The rocky material left behind coalesces to form these planets, such as Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, in our solar system. The gas swept outwards and collects in the far reaches to form gas planets. This is where it ends. But the latest observation shows that for some reason, the LHS 1903 system has a rocky planet at the end. Scientists say either it lost its gas in the later stages of its life, or it never had any. Lead author, Thomas Wilson from the University of Warwick said, "This strange disorder makes it a unique inside-out system. Rocky planets don’t usually form far away from their home star, on the outside of the gaseous worlds." Also Read: Not water or location, but the 'chemical Goldilocks zone' is the secret reason Earth exists Each planet was born at a different time The researchers examined the theory that the planets may have switched places at some point in time, or the last one lost its gases. None of these options was feasible, and they came up with a more plausible explanation. According to the study, instead of forming all at once, each planet in the system was born one by one. Co-author Annelies Mortier, from the University of Birmingham, said, "The most compelling theory to explain the rocky planet says that LHS 1903 gave birth to its four planets one after another from the inner to outermost planet, instead of bearing quadruplets at once. This means that each planet evolved separately, sweeping up nearby dust and gas, with further out worlds waiting their turn for the next planet to form." So by the time it was the fourth planet's turn, the environment was very different, and all the gases likely ran out, leaving it to become a rocky world. Scientists say it changes their understanding of how planets form, and has left them wondering whether it is an exception, or the first look at a new way planets form.

LHS 1903 is located 116 light-years away and has four planets, which are placed incorrectly. The placement of the planets goes against standard knowledge and has never been seen before. Scientists are calling it an inside-out star system.&nbsp;

Rock, gas, gas, rock? Star system with 'strange disorder' baffles scientists

Imagine our scientists at ISRO like detectives searching for the perfect place to dig treasure on the Moon. Well, they just found it! They have identified a special location called MM-4 in the Mons Mouton area, right near the Moon’s South Pole. This is where India’s next big space mission, called Chandrayaan-4, will land around 2028. It is like finding the perfect address for your new home—everything has to be just right.&nbsp;Mons Mouton (MM) is a mountain-like highland area near the Moon’s South Pole, and it is considered important because this region may have water ice and safer terrain for future missions.&nbsp;Now, why is this Chandrayaan-4 mission so special and exciting for all of us? Think of it this way: our earlier Moon missions were like sending a camera to take pictures and send them back. But Chandrayaan-4 is different. It is India’s first mission that will actually collect Moon soil and rock pieces and bring them back to Earth. Yes, you read it right—we will have real Moon samples in our Indian laboratories! Scientists will study these samples like examining precious gems under a microscope. The spacecraft will have five special parts working together—first it goes there, then it collects samples, then it launches back, and finally it returns home safely. It is like a perfectly planned operation where everything must work without any mistakes.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-japan-annual-summit-pm-modi-hails-isro-jaxa-collaboration-on-chandrayaan-5-mission-1756487042954">India-Japan Annual Summit: PM Modi hails ISRO, JAXA collaboration on Chandrayaan-5 mission</a>&nbsp;So why did our scientists choose the Moon’s South Pole, and specifically this MM-4 spot? Here is the exciting part that affects all of us. The South Pole has special areas that stay in permanent shadow, like the darkest corner of your room that never gets sunlight. These cold, shadowy areas are like natural freezers that have kept water ice trapped there for billions of years. This water ice is not just frozen water—it is treasure! If scientists can find enough of it, we can make drinking water for people, oxygen for them to breathe, and even rocket fuel. Imagine astronauts staying on the Moon without carrying everything from Earth. That is the dream, and it starts with finding this water ice.&nbsp;But landing on the Moon’s South Pole is not easy. The terrain is very rough, with mountains, craters, and huge boulders scattered everywhere, like an obstacle course. A wrong landing can mean disaster—the spacecraft could crash or break. ISRO needed to find a spot that is relatively flat and smooth, gets enough sunlight for solar power to work, is free from dangerous boulders, and has good communication link with Earth. It is like finding a parking space in Mumbai that is not too slanted, not too dark, and not too crowded with obstacles.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-and-japan-discuss-progress-of-chandrayaan-5-lupex-moon-landing-mission-9073130">India and Japan discuss progress of Chandrayaan-5-LUPEX moon landing mission</a>&nbsp;ISRO scientists took high-quality pictures using a special camera on the Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft that is still orbiting the Moon. They studied four possible sites like MM-1, MM-3, MM-4, and MM-5. They looked at every detail—the slope angle, the height, how many hazards like rocks and craters were there, and where were the safe flat patches where the lander could touch down. After careful examination, MM-4 emerged as the clear winner. In a one-kilometre area around it, the slope is only about five degrees—that is very gentle, almost like a slightly tilted table. The hazards are the lowest at around nine per cent. There are five hundred and sixty-eight safe spots where the lander can land. It is like comparing four houses for rent, and this MM-4 is the safest one with the best views and strongest foundation.&nbsp;What will India gain from landing here? First is safety—the mission needs to land successfully to collect samples. Second is scientific knowledge—the samples from this highland area near the South Pole will teach us about the Moon’s ancient history, its rocks, and whether water ice really exists nearby. Third is preparation—if we confirm water ice exists here, it will help India plan longer stays on the Moon or even build a base there one day. This would make India a major player in space exploration, earning respect from all nations worldwide.&nbsp;Other countries are watching this spot too. China’s missions have visited different Moon areas. America also wanted to send a rover here to search for ice. The South Pole has become like a hotspot where everyone wants to explore because of the resources it holds. By choosing MM-4, ISRO proves it is making smart, careful decisions using its own Moon data. Success in Chandrayaan-4 will not just bring Moon pieces to our labs but will inspire countless people and open doors to discoveries we cannot imagine today.

ISRO has selected MM-4 near the Moon’s South Pole as its spot for Chandrayaan-4’s 2028 landing. This mission will collect Moon soil and rocks and return to Earth with them, helping India study lunar history and possible water ice.

Imagine our scientists at ISRO like detectives searching for the perfect place to dig treasure on the Moon. Well, they just found it! They have identified a special location called MM-4 in the Mons Mouton area, right near the Moon’s South Pole. This is where India’s next big space mission, called Chandrayaan-4, will land around 2028. It is like finding the perfect address for your new home—everything has to be just right. Mons Mouton (MM) is a mountain-like highland area near the Moon’s South Pole, and it is considered important because this region may have water ice and safer terrain for future missions. Now, why is this Chandrayaan-4 mission so special and exciting for all of us? Think of it this way: our earlier Moon missions were like sending a camera to take pictures and send them back. But Chandrayaan-4 is different. It is India’s first mission that will actually collect Moon soil and rock pieces and bring them back to Earth. Yes, you read it right—we will have real Moon samples in our Indian laboratories! Scientists will study these samples like examining precious gems under a microscope. The spacecraft will have five special parts working together—first it goes there, then it collects samples, then it launches back, and finally it returns home safely. It is like a perfectly planned operation where everything must work without any mistakes. Also Read: India-Japan Annual Summit: PM Modi hails ISRO, JAXA collaboration on Chandrayaan-5 mission So why did our scientists choose the Moon’s South Pole, and specifically this MM-4 spot? Here is the exciting part that affects all of us. The South Pole has special areas that stay in permanent shadow, like the darkest corner of your room that never gets sunlight. These cold, shadowy areas are like natural freezers that have kept water ice trapped there for billions of years. This water ice is not just frozen water—it is treasure! If scientists can find enough of it, we can make drinking water for people, oxygen for them to breathe, and even rocket fuel. Imagine astronauts staying on the Moon without carrying everything from Earth. That is the dream, and it starts with finding this water ice. But landing on the Moon’s South Pole is not easy. The terrain is very rough, with mountains, craters, and huge boulders scattered everywhere, like an obstacle course. A wrong landing can mean disaster—the spacecraft could crash or break. ISRO needed to find a spot that is relatively flat and smooth, gets enough sunlight for solar power to work, is free from dangerous boulders, and has good communication link with Earth. It is like finding a parking space in Mumbai that is not too slanted, not too dark, and not too crowded with obstacles. Also Read: India and Japan discuss progress of Chandrayaan-5-LUPEX moon landing mission ISRO scientists took high-quality pictures using a special camera on the Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft that is still orbiting the Moon. They studied four possible sites like MM-1, MM-3, MM-4, and MM-5. They looked at every detail—the slope angle, the height, how many hazards like rocks and craters were there, and where were the safe flat patches where the lander could touch down. After careful examination, MM-4 emerged as the clear winner. In a one-kilometre area around it, the slope is only about five degrees—that is very gentle, almost like a slightly tilted table. The hazards are the lowest at around nine per cent. There are five hundred and sixty-eight safe spots where the lander can land. It is like comparing four houses for rent, and this MM-4 is the safest one with the best views and strongest foundation. What will India gain from landing here? First is safety—the mission needs to land successfully to collect samples. Second is scientific knowledge—the samples from this highland area near the South Pole will teach us about the Moon’s ancient history, its rocks, and whether water ice really exists nearby. Third is preparation—if we confirm water ice exists here, it will help India plan longer stays on the Moon or even build a base there one day. This would make India a major player in space exploration, earning respect from all nations worldwide. Other countries are watching this spot too. China’s missions have visited different Moon areas. America also wanted to send a rover here to search for ice. The South Pole has become like a hotspot where everyone wants to explore because of the resources it holds. By choosing MM-4, ISRO proves it is making smart, careful decisions using its own Moon data. Success in Chandrayaan-4 will not just bring Moon pieces to our labs but will inspire countless people and open doors to discoveries we cannot imagine today.

ISRO has selected MM-4 near the Moon’s South Pole as its spot for Chandrayaan-4’s 2028 landing. This mission will collect Moon soil and rocks and return to Earth with them, helping India study lunar history and possible water ice.

Moon treasure hunt: India finds the perfect location on the map

science

Science, News on Science, stories on Science, articles on Science, Science stories at Wion, Science news, Science latest news

science

Human women preferred Neanderthal men. This solves a major DNA mystery

8 lakh cosmic alerts in one night: Vera will scale this number up to millions

Extraterrestrial object slammed into Brazil 6.3mn years ago, but left no crater

Ring of fire solar eclipse as seen from space and Antarctica | Photos inside

Hope for millions? China shocks the world with breakthrough diabetes cure

Humans unknowingly time travelled through universe’s birth in old TV static

Scientist claims heaven lies in physical universe, and tells its EXACT location

Incas sacrificed children with fatal head blows, then revered mummified remains

February planetary parade: Visible planets, watch guide and precautions

For 38 years, Earth has been receiving a radio signal every 22 minutes

Connecting opposite realities: How one heavy particle can reshape Quantum world

March 6 launch window: What to know about NASA’s Artemis II mission

Russian scientists develop high-efficiency solar catalysts that clean water using sunlight

Moon is shrinking as 1,114 new cracks are discovered. It is bad news for NASA

NASA completes Artemis 2 launch rehearsal, sets stage for Moon mission

NASA admits Starliner averted major tragedy, mishap on same scale as Columbia

92-foot-long dinosaur from the Late Jurassic period discovered in China

Scientists develop glass tablet that can store laser-etched data for 10K years

Weak gravity point under Antarctica is immensely strong at the same time

25,000 hidden asteroids lurking near Earth pose threat: 'Keep me up at night'

Comet 29P explodes, blasting a 'fizzy cocktail' into space at 3218 km/hr

NASA’s Artemis Moon mission faces new issue after hydrogen flow drops in test

What is Quantum Teleportation? How scientists made breakthrough for first time

Scientist claims 35 million interstellar objects reside between Sun and Earth