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A Cold Supermoon will dazzle the world in the last month of 2025 on December 4. It gets its name from the frigid temperatures across the world at this time of the year. It is the third consecutive supermoon of 2025, and will be followed by another one in January 2026. Here is your guide to watching the last supermoon of the year, an astronomical delight that you do not want to miss. Supermoons get their name from their size as seen from Earth. When the Moon is at perigee, that is, the closest point to Earth, it becomes visibly larger and brighter, and is hence called a supermoon. December's full moon is also known as Cold Moon since the Northern hemisphere is welcoming icy nights and early winter cold at this time of the year.<h2>What is special about December's supermoon?</h2> According to EarthSky, the moon will be about 357,000 km away from us, making it the second-biggest supermoon of 2025. While you might not be able to tell the difference in size compared to a regular full moon, it will be much brighter, exceeding it by about 16 per cent. It will also be 100 per cent illuminated just 12 hours after its perigee. The Cold Moon will be at its highest point in the sky since the Sun will be at its lowest point because of the winter solstice on December 21.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/133-light-years-away-astronomers-may-have-spotted-a-monster-exomoon-for-the-first-time-1764661915304">133 light-years away, astronomers may have spotted a ‘monster’ exomoon for the first time</a><h2>Best time to see Cold Supermoon</h2> The supermoon will dazzle Earthlings on the night of December 4, although it will continue to appear larger for a few days after as well. The best time to see it is right after sunset, including in India. At this time, it will appear particularly bigger because of the so-called lunar illusion, which still lacks a scientific explanation. So a supermoon will be even bigger at moonrise, creating a mesmerising spectacle.&nbsp;

Cold Supermoon: The December full moon will be the second-largest and brightest supermoon of 2025. It is the third consecutive supermoon this year, with a fourth one rising in January. Here is all you need to know about Cold Moon.

A Cold Supermoon will dazzle the world in the last month of 2025 on December 4. It gets its name from the frigid temperatures across the world at this time of the year. It is the third consecutive supermoon of 2025, and will be followed by another one in January 2026. Here is your guide to watching the last supermoon of the year, an astronomical delight that you do not want to miss. Supermoons get their name from their size as seen from Earth. When the Moon is at perigee, that is, the closest point to Earth, it becomes visibly larger and brighter, and is hence called a supermoon. December's full moon is also known as Cold Moon since the Northern hemisphere is welcoming icy nights and early winter cold at this time of the year. What is special about December's supermoon? According to EarthSky, the moon will be about 357,000 km away from us, making it the second-biggest supermoon of 2025. While you might not be able to tell the difference in size compared to a regular full moon, it will be much brighter, exceeding it by about 16 per cent. It will also be 100 per cent illuminated just 12 hours after its perigee. The Cold Moon will be at its highest point in the sky since the Sun will be at its lowest point because of the winter solstice on December 21. Also Read: 133 light-years away, astronomers may have spotted a ‘monster’ exomoon for the first time Best time to see Cold Supermoon The supermoon will dazzle Earthlings on the night of December 4, although it will continue to appear larger for a few days after as well. The best time to see it is right after sunset, including in India. At this time, it will appear particularly bigger because of the so-called lunar illusion, which still lacks a scientific explanation. So a supermoon will be even bigger at moonrise, creating a mesmerising spectacle.

Cold Supermoon: December's full moon will be the second-largest and brightest supermoon of 2025. It is the third consecutive supermoon this year, with a fourth one rising in January. Here is all you need to know about Cold Moon.

Cold Supermoon rises tonight: Here is all you need to know

The Sun recently unleashed the strongest flares called X-rays, which not only triggered beautiful auroras but also led to a solar storm that breached previous recordings. The Sun is currently at solar maximum, the peak of its 11-year solar cycle that started in 2024. Because of this, Earth has been bearing the brunt of geomagnetic storms, with aeroplanes now facing hazardous conditions. The Surrey Space Centre (SSC) in the United Kingdom has noted in a study that a recent burst of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/solar-storms-can-trigger-heart-attacks-in-women-shocking-study-finds-1759219068368">solar activity</a> caused a sharp radiation spike. This was so strong that it was even detected from the ground, a first in nearly 20 years. “This was the strongest ground-level event we’ve seen since December 2006,” Clive Dyer, a climate scientist at the University of Surrey in the UK, said in a statement.&nbsp;On November 11, when an intense solar flare smashed into Earth, the UK and the Netherlands met offices released weather balloons to measure the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/solar-superstorm-to-hit-earth-this-week-what-will-happen-1747894017392">solar storm</a>. Flying at 40,000 ft, an altitude used by business jets and supersonic transport, they found that radiation levels were ten times the normal range. The readings were the highest in 20 years. "This was our first chance to use the new rapid-reaction balloon sensors in a real event, and it worked very well, giving us a ‘3D’ picture of radiation increases across UK airspace for the first time," Keith Ryden, SSC head, said in the statement.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/strongest-solar-storm-recorded-happened-14300-years-ago-9074835">Most dangerous solar storm to hit Earth potentially altered life thousands of years ago</a>&nbsp;Now, scientists are concerned that an even bigger geomagnetic storm might slam Earth, since it has happened in the past. A strong solar storm could prove damaging for on-board aircraft electronic systems and corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls. “We know from historical observations that significantly bigger events are possible, and we need to be ready," Dyer said.&nbsp;<h2>The Carrington Event - Strongest solar storm in recorded history</h2> The strongest solar storm that ripped through Earth happened in 1859 and is known as the Carrington Event. The geomagnetic storm peaked on September 1-2 during solar cycle 10, and was so intense that the resultant auroras woke up a group of gold miners over the Rocky Mountains in the US. They were even visible at lower latitudes and near the equator. Telegraph systems all over Europe and North America failed, and generated electric shocks to operators. There were also reports of fire from some places.&nbsp;

The solar storm recorded on November 11, which reached so deep into Earth that it was recorded from the ground, raised radiation in the zone where some aircraft fly by 10 times, a study has noted. Scientists are now warning of major consequences in the future. 

The Sun recently unleashed the strongest flares called X-rays, which not only triggered beautiful auroras but also led to a solar storm that breached previous recordings. The Sun is currently at solar maximum, the peak of its 11-year solar cycle that started in 2024. Because of this, Earth has been bearing the brunt of geomagnetic storms, with aeroplanes now facing hazardous conditions. The Surrey Space Centre (SSC) in the United Kingdom has noted in a study that a recent burst of solar activity caused a sharp radiation spike. This was so strong that it was even detected from the ground, a first in nearly 20 years. “This was the strongest ground-level event we’ve seen since December 2006,” Clive Dyer, a climate scientist at the University of Surrey in the UK, said in a statement. On November 11, when an intense solar flare smashed into Earth, the UK and the Netherlands met offices released weather balloons to measure the solar storm. Flying at 40,000 ft, an altitude used by business jets and supersonic transport, they found that radiation levels were ten times the normal range. The readings were the highest in 20 years. "This was our first chance to use the new rapid-reaction balloon sensors in a real event, and it worked very well, giving us a ‘3D’ picture of radiation increases across UK airspace for the first time," Keith Ryden, SSC head, said in the statement. Also Read: Most dangerous solar storm to hit Earth potentially altered life thousands of years ago Now, scientists are concerned that an even bigger geomagnetic storm might slam Earth, since it has happened in the past. A strong solar storm could prove damaging for on-board aircraft electronic systems and corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls. “We know from historical observations that significantly bigger events are possible, and we need to be ready," Dyer said. The Carrington Event - Strongest solar storm in recorded history The strongest solar storm that ripped through Earth happened in 1859 and is known as the Carrington Event. The geomagnetic storm peaked on September 1-2 during solar cycle 10, and was so intense that the resultant auroras woke up a group of gold miners over the Rocky Mountains in the US. They were even visible at lower latitudes and near the equator. Telegraph systems all over Europe and North America failed, and generated electric shocks to operators. There were also reports of fire from some places.

The solar storm recorded on November 11, which reached so deep into Earth that it was recorded from the ground, raised radiation in the zone where some aircraft fly by 10 times, a study has noted. Scientists are now warning of major consequences in the future.&nbsp;

'We need to be ready': Scientists warn of major solar storm as study notes huge radiation spike in flight zone

The entire Himalayan region was recently classified into the newly introduced highest-risk Zone VI in the newly released and revised seismic hazard map. More than 60 per cent of the country is under moderate to high earthquake risk zones. Earlier, in October, a <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2025GL118555">study </a>flagged the risk of massive earthquakes in the Himalayas, stating that the region could witness two high-intensity quakes in the future. KM Sreejith and his team measured both horizontal and vertical surface displacements to understand megathrust transitions, and "moment deficit and the spatial distribution of fault locking." Studying a stretch of approximately 800 km along the Himalayas revealed that the region is at risk of increased seismic hazard and could witness two 8.8 moment magnitude (Mw) earthquakes. Rishav Mallick, Eric J Fielding, MCM Jasir, Mark Simons and Ritesh Agrawal were also part of the research team.&nbsp;The researchers noted in the study titled "Geodetic Insights to the Himalayan Megathrust Kinematics Unravel Increased Earthquake Hazard" that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/why-does-delhi-experience-frequent-earthquakes-all-you-need-to-know-1752125662260">earthquakes </a>will release "interseismic strain" accumulated over 500-700 years. "The present analysis with improved geodetic observations and models suggests higher convergence and wider locking width for the Himalayan megathrust, implying an increased seismic hazard," the authors wrote.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-seismic-map-shifts-himalayan-region-into-high-risk-earthquake-zone-1764327866827">New seismic map shifts Himalayan region into high-risk earthquake zone</a>&nbsp;"Earlier Himalayan studies relied only on horizontal velocities from Global Navigational Satellite Systems, leaving details of how the megathrust transitions from locked to steady interseismic creep poorly constrained," they stated. But the latest method allowed for "measurements of both horizontal and vertical surface displacements."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nasa-astronaut-shares-photo-of-himalayas-and-cloudy-india-from-space-can-you-spot-everest-1760355595969">NASA astronaut shares photo of Himalayas and 'cloudy' India from space. Can you spot Everest?</a>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/what-keeps-the-mighty-himalayas-aloft-study-debunks-100-year-old-theory-1759145723932">Himalayas are not standing on Indian and Eurasian plates alone, as a secret third layer is revealed</a>&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/himalayas-due-for-a-megaquake-soon-1764353817589/embed<h2>Land under Himalayas is slowly rising upwards</h2>The researchers measured how the Earth’s surface in the Himalayas is moving right now using precise radar and satellite-based tools. They found that, over large parts of the "higher Himalayas," the land is slowly rising vertically, at a rate of about 5 to 8 millimetres per year, or about 0.5 to 0.8 metres every century. While this might not sound like much, it is a continuous process, proving that the Himalayas are still active. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientists-reveal-ghost-under-oman-forcibly-changed-india-s-direction-40-million-years-ago-1752313684421">Tectonic forces</a> are pushing and deforming the crust in real time today. This slow rise and deformation have led to stress being accumulated along the big fault zone under the mountains, which is the Main Himalayan Thrust. Scientifically speaking, this activity could lead to a massive earthquake.&nbsp;

An analysis of approximately 800 kilometre area near the Himalayas has revealed that the region is at risk of not one but two 8.8 magnitude earthquakes. This is because of the land rising vertically and the resultant stress that is being accumulated underneath.

The entire Himalayan region was recently classified into the newly introduced highest-risk Zone VI in the newly released and revised seismic hazard map. More than 60 per cent of the country is under moderate to high earthquake risk zones. Earlier, in October, a study flagged the risk of massive earthquakes in the Himalayas, stating that the region could witness two high-intensity quakes in the future. KM Sreejith and his team measured both horizontal and vertical surface displacements to understand megathrust transitions, and "moment deficit and the spatial distribution of fault locking." Studying a stretch of approximately 800 km along the Himalayas revealed that the region is at risk of increased seismic hazard and could witness two 8.8 moment magnitude (Mw) earthquakes. Rishav Mallick, Eric J Fielding, MCM Jasir, Mark Simons and Ritesh Agrawal were also part of the research team. The researchers noted in the study titled "Geodetic Insights to the Himalayan Megathrust Kinematics Unravel Increased Earthquake Hazard" that the earthquakes will release "interseismic strain" accumulated over 500-700 years. "The present analysis with improved geodetic observations and models suggests higher convergence and wider locking width for the Himalayan megathrust, implying an increased seismic hazard," the authors wrote. Also Read: New seismic map shifts Himalayan region into high-risk earthquake zone "Earlier Himalayan studies relied only on horizontal velocities from Global Navigational Satellite Systems, leaving details of how the megathrust transitions from locked to steady interseismic creep poorly constrained," they stated. But the latest method allowed for "measurements of both horizontal and vertical surface displacements." Also Read: NASA astronaut shares photo of Himalayas and 'cloudy' India from space. Can you spot Everest? Also Read: Himalayas are not standing on Indian and Eurasian plates alone, as a secret third layer is revealed https://www.wionews.com/videos/himalayas-due-for-a-megaquake-soon-1764353817589/embed Land under Himalayas is slowly rising upwards The researchers measured how the Earth’s surface in the Himalayas is moving right now using precise radar and satellite-based tools. They found that, over large parts of the "higher Himalayas," the land is slowly rising vertically, at a rate of about 5 to 8 millimetres per year, or about 0.5 to 0.8 metres every century. While this might not sound like much, it is a continuous process, proving that the Himalayas are still active. Tectonic forces are pushing and deforming the crust in real time today. This slow rise and deformation have led to stress being accumulated along the big fault zone under the mountains, which is the Main Himalayan Thrust. Scientifically speaking, this activity could lead to a massive earthquake.

An analysis of approximately 800 kilometre area near the Himalayas has revealed that the region is at risk of not one but two 8.8 magnitude earthquakes. This is because of the land rising vertically and the resultant stress that is being accumulated underneath.

700 years of built-up stress could trigger two Mw 8.8 earthquakes in Himalayas, study warns

The recent blow to the only launch pad Russia uses to launch humans into space has put a question mark on its cooperation with NASA to keep the International Space Station staffed and working. On November 27, the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan was damaged following the Soyuz MS-28 launch, which sent Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, alongside NASA astronaut Chris Williams, to the International Space Station (ISS). However, an inspection that followed protocol found that the platform was damaged. Reports suggest the service platform used to access rockets' engines fell into the "flame trench" below. Roscosmos did not confirm the exact nature of the damage, and said in a statement that the damage was "currently being assessed" and would be "repaired shortly."&nbsp;Roscosmos has not provided a timeline for the repairs. Until the launch pad is fixed, Russia cannot carry out any crewed launches to the ISS since this is the only workable base it has for such missions. NASA has also confirmed the problem, since the two countries work together to staff the space station. "NASA coordinates closely with its international partners, including Roscosmos, for the safe operations of the International Space Station and its crew members," a spokesperson for the American space agency told Futurism.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/russia-left-without-crew-launch-pad-for-first-time-in-nearly-70-years-after-damage-at-baikonur-1764645682574">Russia loses human-spaceflight capability for first time in nearly 70 years — Details</a><h2> Could Russia choose not to fix the Baikonur launch pad?</h2>Now, experts are doubtful about how soon, and whether, Russia would fix the base at Baikonur. The United States and Moscow have been at loggerheads over the Ukraine war. But the two countries have remained committed to working together on staffing the space station. Now that Russia's base in Kazakhstan is damaged, the Soyuz capsules cannot be used to launch astronauts to the ISS. The only other currently available method is SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.The Baikonur Cosmodrome was constructed in the late 1950s. After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Kazakhstan loaned the site to Russia for around $115 million a year.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/133-light-years-away-astronomers-may-have-spotted-a-monster-exomoon-for-the-first-time-1764661915304">133 light-years away, astronomers may have spotted a ‘monster’ exomoon for the first time</a>&nbsp;In the past, Russia has shown hesitation to continue with its commitment to keep the space station running. In 2021, the then deputy prime minister of the country, Yury Borisov, announced that Russia may decide if sending cosmonauts to the space outpost may no longer be worth it, according to The Moscow Times. “We need a technical inspection at the station to avoid any risks in the event of an emergency. We will make a decision based on the results and honestly notify our partners," Borisov’s office told the state-run TASS news agency. He was also the General Director of Roscosmos from 2022 to 2025. However, in late 2024, he confirmed that Russia would be supporting operations at least until 2028. Notably, NASA is committed to keeping the ISS running till 2030, after which it will de-orbit the space laboratory.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/asteroid-bennu-carries-the-building-blocks-of-happiness-nasa-finds-1764650332764">Universe makes us happy, quite literally: NASA finds ‘Happy Hormone’ molecule in asteroid Bennu</a>&nbsp;<h2>When a former Roscosmos chief threatened to drop ISS on US, India or China</h2>Dmitry Rogozin, who was the chief of Roscosmos from May 2018 to July 2022, once threatened to crash the ISS over the US or Europe, even mixing in India and China into the threats. Hitting back at the sanctions slapped on Russia after the start of the Ukraine war, he wrote on X that the 500-ton structure could fall onto any country. He questioned, "Who will save the ISS from an uncontrolled deorbit and fall into the United States or Europe?" "There is also the option of dropping a 500-ton structure to India and China. Do you want to threaten them with such a prospect?"&nbsp;Voyager Technologies senior official Jeff Manber told the New York Times, It's going to be "interesting" to see “how committed is the Russian leadership to fixing that launchpad and continuing the contributions to the International Space Station program?”

NASA has confirmed that the launchpad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan used by Russia is damaged. This means it would not be able to launch astronauts to the space station until it is fixed. Is there a possibility that Russia chooses not to fix it at all and abandons the ISS?

The recent blow to the only launch pad Russia uses to launch humans into space has put a question mark on its cooperation with NASA to keep the International Space Station staffed and working. On November 27, the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan was damaged following the Soyuz MS-28 launch, which sent Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, alongside NASA astronaut Chris Williams, to the International Space Station (ISS). However, an inspection that followed protocol found that the platform was damaged. Reports suggest the service platform used to access rockets' engines fell into the "flame trench" below. Roscosmos did not confirm the exact nature of the damage, and said in a statement that the damage was "currently being assessed" and would be "repaired shortly." Roscosmos has not provided a timeline for the repairs. Until the launch pad is fixed, Russia cannot carry out any crewed launches to the ISS since this is the only workable base it has for such missions. NASA has also confirmed the problem, since the two countries work together to staff the space station. "NASA coordinates closely with its international partners, including Roscosmos, for the safe operations of the International Space Station and its crew members," a spokesperson for the American space agency told Futurism. Also Read: Russia loses human-spaceflight capability for first time in nearly 70 years — Details Could Russia choose not to fix the Baikonur launch pad? Now, experts are doubtful about how soon, and whether, Russia would fix the base at Baikonur. The United States and Moscow have been at loggerheads over the Ukraine war. But the two countries have remained committed to working together on staffing the space station. Now that Russia's base in Kazakhstan is damaged, the Soyuz capsules cannot be used to launch astronauts to the ISS. The only other currently available method is SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. The Baikonur Cosmodrome was constructed in the late 1950s. After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Kazakhstan loaned the site to Russia for around $115 million a year. Also Read: 133 light-years away, astronomers may have spotted a ‘monster’ exomoon for the first time In the past, Russia has shown hesitation to continue with its commitment to keep the space station running. In 2021, the then deputy prime minister of the country, Yury Borisov, announced that Russia may decide if sending cosmonauts to the space outpost may no longer be worth it, according to The Moscow Times. “We need a technical inspection at the station to avoid any risks in the event of an emergency. We will make a decision based on the results and honestly notify our partners," Borisov’s office told the state-run TASS news agency. He was also the General Director of Roscosmos from 2022 to 2025. However, in late 2024, he confirmed that Russia would be supporting operations at least until 2028. Notably, NASA is committed to keeping the ISS running till 2030, after which it will de-orbit the space laboratory. Also Read: Universe makes us happy, quite literally: NASA finds ‘Happy Hormone’ molecule in asteroid Bennu When a former Roscosmos chief threatened to drop ISS on US, India or China Dmitry Rogozin, who was the chief of Roscosmos from May 2018 to July 2022, once threatened to crash the ISS over the US or Europe, even mixing in India and China into the threats. Hitting back at the sanctions slapped on Russia after the start of the Ukraine war, he wrote on X that the 500-ton structure could fall onto any country. He questioned, "Who will save the ISS from an uncontrolled deorbit and fall into the United States or Europe?" "There is also the option of dropping a 500-ton structure to India and China. Do you want to threaten them with such a prospect?" Voyager Technologies senior official Jeff Manber told the New York Times, It's going to be "interesting" to see “how committed is the Russian leadership to fixing that launchpad and continuing the contributions to the International Space Station program?”

NASA has confirmed that the launchpad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan used by Russia is damaged. This means it would not be able to launch astronauts to the space station until it is fixed. Is there a possibility that Russia chooses not to fix it at all and abandons the ISS?

After Baikonur accident, could Russia choose to abandon the ISS? Here's what it said in the past

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved several new milestones in the year 2025. The successful docking of two SPADEX satellites, the 100th mission for ISRO, and having the first Indian at the ISS are among the few that had the Indian flag flying high in 2025. 

YEARENDER: 7 Indian space achievements of 2025 — SpaDeX, an Indian at ISS, 100th mission

ISRO had several successful space missions in the year 2025. However, it was not 100 per cent since a few missions did not go as planned. While one mission faced a complete failure, another one did not achieve the desired result, but it is still working.

YEARENDER - Setbacks faced by ISRO space missions in 2025

If the Sun were to start dimming, what would happen to Earth? Will a gradual dimming keep our planet unaffected, or will it spell doom? If sunlight were to vanish all of a sudden, that would fling Earth out of the solar system, with all life wiped out soon.

What if the sun started dimming? What could happen to Earth? Gradual and sudden scenarios explained

Scientists might have, for the first time, discovered an exomoon, a body similar to our Moon, but way beyond our solar system. NASA officially confirmed in September this year that it had, to date, found a whopping 6,000 exoplanets. But exomoons only existed in theory, and none had ever been found. However, some astronomers now claim that they might have stumbled across the first exomoon. The candidate in contention to be officially declared the first exomoon resides 133 light-years from Earth and orbits HD 206893 B, a Jupiter-like exoplanet. The researchers used a new approach to identify any exomoons near this planet. They repurposed high-precision astrometry, a mathematical approach to mapping out stellar distance, to check for moons. And they seem to have tasted success.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nasa-wanted-to-blast-a-hydrogen-bomb-on-the-moon-in-1950s-here-s-why-it-did-not-1764598076559">NASA wanted to nuke the Moon in 1950s out of jealousy. Here's why it did not</a>&nbsp;While the planet is equal to the mass of 28 Jupiters, its exomoon is around 0.4 Jupiter masses. This is around the size of seven Neptunes put together, the scientists said. This makes it an exomoon of monstrous proportions. The paper submitted by a group of astronomers led by Quentin Kral of the Paris Observatory in France is currently available as a preprint. It still needs to be checked and verified by other astronomers. Even though their finding still needs to be confirmed by the wider community, they believe that astrometry will emerge as a promising method to detect exomoons.Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3iatlas-spewed-pristine-material-as-ice-volcanoes-erupted-near-the-sun-spanish-scientists-find-1764653508419"> 3I/ATLAS spewed pristine material as ice volcanoes erupted near the Sun, Spanish scientists find</a><h2>Why are exomoons hard to find?</h2> Scientists have often come across bodies that they thought were exomoons, only to be disappointed. Exomoons are much smaller than their planets, based on how things work in our solar system. Discovering verified exoplanets itself is a task, since confirmation is based on rigorous and multiple checks. According to NASA, there are nearly 8,000 exoplanets waiting for official status. On the cosmological scale, exoplanets are already considered extremely small. Since exomoons are even smaller, detecting them has been nearly impossible. The study adds that "there is no definition of what an exomoon is, and some ambiguity remains as to whether it may include, for instance, binary planets."The researchers added that this exomoon candidate has "a tentative nature" and needs further confirmation using GRAVITY data. If all goes well and the measurements stick, we might soon have out very first exomoon. &nbsp;

A group of astronomers claim they have found the first exomoon in the universe. While we know about around 6,000 exoplanets, an exomoon has never been found. That might soon change if the latest finding is confirmed by other astronomers. 

Scientists might have, for the first time, discovered an exomoon, a body similar to our Moon, but way beyond our solar system. NASA officially confirmed in September this year that it had, to date, found a whopping 6,000 exoplanets. But exomoons only existed in theory, and none had ever been found. However, some astronomers now claim that they might have stumbled across the first exomoon. The candidate in contention to be officially declared the first exomoon resides 133 light-years from Earth and orbits HD 206893 B, a Jupiter-like exoplanet. The researchers used a new approach to identify any exomoons near this planet. They repurposed high-precision astrometry, a mathematical approach to mapping out stellar distance, to check for moons. And they seem to have tasted success. Also Read: NASA wanted to nuke the Moon in 1950s out of jealousy. Here's why it did not While the planet is equal to the mass of 28 Jupiters, its exomoon is around 0.4 Jupiter masses. This is around the size of seven Neptunes put together, the scientists said. This makes it an exomoon of monstrous proportions. The paper submitted by a group of astronomers led by Quentin Kral of the Paris Observatory in France is currently available as a preprint. It still needs to be checked and verified by other astronomers. Even though their finding still needs to be confirmed by the wider community, they believe that astrometry will emerge as a promising method to detect exomoons. Also Read: 3I/ATLAS spewed pristine material as ice volcanoes erupted near the Sun, Spanish scientists find Why are exomoons hard to find? Scientists have often come across bodies that they thought were exomoons, only to be disappointed. Exomoons are much smaller than their planets, based on how things work in our solar system. Discovering verified exoplanets itself is a task, since confirmation is based on rigorous and multiple checks. According to NASA, there are nearly 8,000 exoplanets waiting for official status. On the cosmological scale, exoplanets are already considered extremely small. Since exomoons are even smaller, detecting them has been nearly impossible. The study adds that "there is no definition of what an exomoon is, and some ambiguity remains as to whether it may include, for instance, binary planets." The researchers added that this exomoon candidate has "a tentative nature" and needs further confirmation using GRAVITY data. If all goes well and the measurements stick, we might soon have out very first exomoon.

A group of astronomers claim they have found the first exomoon in the universe. While we know about around 6,000 exoplanets, an exomoon has never been found. That might soon change if the latest finding is confirmed by other astronomers.&nbsp;

133 light-years away, astronomers may have spotted a ‘monster’ exomoon for the first time

Samples from asteroid Bennu have once again been shown to have the essential building blocks of life on Earth. Turns out, humans feel happy because sometime in our planet's past, an asteroid carrying amino acids, genetic molecules, and more, slammed into our planet. Researchers from NASA and the University of Arizona may have, for the first time, detected tryptophan in Bennu samples. Tryptophan is one of the nine essential amino acids that the human body cannot make. It is responsible for creating important brain chemicals like serotonin, which is also known as the "happy hormone". It regulates mood, sleep, digestion, and other bodily functions, and a lack of it can cause depression. If the discovery is confirmed, this would be the first time that tryptophan has ever been found in an extraterrestrial sample.&nbsp;A team of researchers from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, wrote, "Our findings expand the evidence that prebiotic organic molecules can form within primitive accreting planetary bodies and could have been delivered via impacts to the early Earth and other Solar System bodies, potentially contributing to the origins of life." The latest finding, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, further cements the belief that primitive asteroids and comets seeded life on Earth.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nasa-wanted-to-blast-a-hydrogen-bomb-on-the-moon-in-1950s-here-s-why-it-did-not-1764598076559">NASA wanted to nuke the Moon in 1950s out of jealousy. Here's why it did not</a>&nbsp;<h2>Faint signal for tryptophan detected in Bennu</h2>The team, led by geochemist Angel Mojarro, studies the material to understand the chemical reaction pathways by which the amino acids may have formed, billions of years ago. They tested Bennu samples for the 20 amino acids that build protein in the body. They found several non-biological amino acids and nucleobases, confirming they were of extraterrestrial origin. The team confirmed 14 amino acids found in previous studies, and were surprised when they picked up hints of a faint signal for tryptophan.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientist-thinks-red-giant-star-with-a-weird-spin-feasted-on-one-of-its-own-planet-1764237022142">Scientist thinks red giant star with a weird spin feasted on its own planet</a>&nbsp;NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission landed on asteroid Bennu in 2018 and, in 2020, collected a fistful of its surface material, locking it in a capsule, which detached from the main spacecraft and returned to Earth in September 2023. Since then, scientists have been studying the Bennu samples and have made several discoveries.&nbsp;Earlier studies of samples gathered from Bennu and asteroid Ryugu have revealed the presence of extensive inventories of amino acids and nucleobases (the basic units that make up RNA and DNA). Ryugu has been found to have only one nucleobase, Bennu samples surprisingly carried all five common nucleobases - adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U).&nbsp; &nbsp;

NASA has detected signs of a molecule that creates the happy hormone serotonin in an asteroid. Scientists have long believed these cosmic bodies brought life to Earth. Earlier analysis of Ryugu and Bennu has revealed several amino-acids.   

Samples from asteroid Bennu have once again been shown to have the essential building blocks of life on Earth. Turns out, humans feel happy because sometime in our planet's past, an asteroid carrying amino acids, genetic molecules, and more, slammed into our planet. Researchers from NASA and the University of Arizona may have, for the first time, detected tryptophan in Bennu samples. Tryptophan is one of the nine essential amino acids that the human body cannot make. It is responsible for creating important brain chemicals like serotonin, which is also known as the "happy hormone". It regulates mood, sleep, digestion, and other bodily functions, and a lack of it can cause depression. If the discovery is confirmed, this would be the first time that tryptophan has ever been found in an extraterrestrial sample. A team of researchers from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, wrote, "Our findings expand the evidence that prebiotic organic molecules can form within primitive accreting planetary bodies and could have been delivered via impacts to the early Earth and other Solar System bodies, potentially contributing to the origins of life." The latest finding, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, further cements the belief that primitive asteroids and comets seeded life on Earth. Also Read: NASA wanted to nuke the Moon in 1950s out of jealousy. Here's why it did not Faint signal for tryptophan detected in Bennu The team, led by geochemist Angel Mojarro, studies the material to understand the chemical reaction pathways by which the amino acids may have formed, billions of years ago. They tested Bennu samples for the 20 amino acids that build protein in the body. They found several non-biological amino acids and nucleobases, confirming they were of extraterrestrial origin. The team confirmed 14 amino acids found in previous studies, and were surprised when they picked up hints of a faint signal for tryptophan. Also Read: Scientist thinks red giant star with a weird spin feasted on its own planet NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission landed on asteroid Bennu in 2018 and, in 2020, collected a fistful of its surface material, locking it in a capsule, which detached from the main spacecraft and returned to Earth in September 2023. Since then, scientists have been studying the Bennu samples and have made several discoveries. Earlier studies of samples gathered from Bennu and asteroid Ryugu have revealed the presence of extensive inventories of amino acids and nucleobases (the basic units that make up RNA and DNA). Ryugu has been found to have only one nucleobase, Bennu samples surprisingly carried all five common nucleobases - adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U).

NASA has detected signs of a molecule that creates the happy hormone serotonin in an asteroid. Scientists have long believed these cosmic bodies brought life to Earth. Earlier analysis of Ryugu and Bennu has revealed several amino-acids. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Universe makes us happy, quite literally: NASA finds ‘Happy Hormone’ molecule in asteroid Bennu

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS could be covered with icy volcanoes, which erupted as it neared the Sun, a study has found. Researchers say that as the comet's proximity to our star decreased, &nbsp;a series of cryovolcanoes, or ice volcanoes, erupted on its surface. According to the study posted November 24 to the preprint server arXiv, the composition of 3I/ATLAS can explain these icy jets. Study authors say that their findings show that the alien comet is similar to dwarf planets and other objects that orbit the sun beyond Neptune. This would mean that the interstellar comet shares some of the properties with several bodies in our solar system. Notably, 3I/ATLAS is dated to be 7-14 billion years old, way before our star system came into existence.&nbsp;The study was led by Josep Trigo-Rodríguez, a staff leading researcher at the Institute of Space Sciences (CSIC/IEEC) in Spain. His team tried to dive deep into the history of 3I/ATLAS, as it is only the third interstellar object. It can offer vital clues about the world beyond our solar system and the early universe. Trigo-Rodríguez and his colleagues used the Joan Oró Telescope at the Montsec Observatory in the northeastern Catalonia region of Spain to observe the comet, and also coordinated with observatories for better data.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/updates-on-3i-atlas-clearest-image-of-interstellar-comet-what-nasa-and-india-saw-and-live-observations-1764060396806">Updates on 3I/ATLAS: Clearest image of interstellar comet, what NASA and India saw, and live observations</a>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/asteroid-bennu-carries-the-building-blocks-of-happiness-nasa-finds-1764650332764">Universe makes us happy, quite literally: NASA finds ‘Happy Hormone’ molecule in asteroid Bennu</a>&nbsp;<h2>3I/ATLAS brightened near the Sun - Telescope captures jets of gas and dust</h2>The team observed 3I/ATLAS on October 29, right around the time it was to reach perihelion. They noted that as it approached the nearest point to the Sun, it got brighter. This is common for comets as the heat and radiation from our star triggers sublimation, that is, turning ice on comets into gas. However, in the case of 3I/ATLAS, they saw that the sublimation was way more intense when it got within about 378 million kilometres of the sun. The Joan Oró Telescope captured the highest-resolution images yet of jets of gas and dust particles on the comet. Trigo-Rodríguez's team believes these jets are clear signs of cryovolcanism on 3I/ATLAS.&nbsp;<h2>3I/ATLAS releases pristine material</h2>Within our solar system, trans-Neptunian bodies, such as Pluto and Eris, rich in ice, witness cryo-volcanic eruptions. For them, this happens because of internal heat. In the case of 3I/ATLAS, researchers believe the icy volcanoes are releasing pristine material locked within the comet. As it got closer to the Sun, the heat warmed up frozen carbon dioxide inside it, and the resultant gas rushed through the comet’s porous, icy body. It potentially carried or enabled other fluids or oxidising liquids to seep inward, triggering a reaction with metallic grains like nickel and iron sulfides.&nbsp;Scientists are unsure of the origin point of 3I/ATLAS. Some say it likely originated in the Milky Way's thick disk, while other studies suggest it could have been born in the thin disk. It is older than our solar system, and has been on a journey for billions of years. The comet will soon exit, never to return.

3I/ATLAS is covered with icy volcanoes that erupted as it came near the Sun. A team of Spanish scientists spotted jets of ice and dust being released from the interstellar comet at perihelion. This explains why it brightened near the Sun. 

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS could be covered with icy volcanoes, which erupted as it neared the Sun, a study has found. Researchers say that as the comet's proximity to our star decreased, a series of cryovolcanoes, or ice volcanoes, erupted on its surface. According to the study posted November 24 to the preprint server arXiv, the composition of 3I/ATLAS can explain these icy jets. Study authors say that their findings show that the alien comet is similar to dwarf planets and other objects that orbit the sun beyond Neptune. This would mean that the interstellar comet shares some of the properties with several bodies in our solar system. Notably, 3I/ATLAS is dated to be 7-14 billion years old, way before our star system came into existence. The study was led by Josep Trigo-Rodríguez, a staff leading researcher at the Institute of Space Sciences (CSIC/IEEC) in Spain. His team tried to dive deep into the history of 3I/ATLAS, as it is only the third interstellar object. It can offer vital clues about the world beyond our solar system and the early universe. Trigo-Rodríguez and his colleagues used the Joan Oró Telescope at the Montsec Observatory in the northeastern Catalonia region of Spain to observe the comet, and also coordinated with observatories for better data. Also Read: Updates on 3I/ATLAS: Clearest image of interstellar comet, what NASA and India saw, and live observations Also Read: Universe makes us happy, quite literally: NASA finds ‘Happy Hormone’ molecule in asteroid Bennu 3I/ATLAS brightened near the Sun - Telescope captures jets of gas and dust The team observed 3I/ATLAS on October 29, right around the time it was to reach perihelion. They noted that as it approached the nearest point to the Sun, it got brighter. This is common for comets as the heat and radiation from our star triggers sublimation, that is, turning ice on comets into gas. However, in the case of 3I/ATLAS, they saw that the sublimation was way more intense when it got within about 378 million kilometres of the sun. The Joan Oró Telescope captured the highest-resolution images yet of jets of gas and dust particles on the comet. Trigo-Rodríguez's team believes these jets are clear signs of cryovolcanism on 3I/ATLAS. 3I/ATLAS releases pristine material Within our solar system, trans-Neptunian bodies, such as Pluto and Eris, rich in ice, witness cryo-volcanic eruptions. For them, this happens because of internal heat. In the case of 3I/ATLAS, researchers believe the icy volcanoes are releasing pristine material locked within the comet. As it got closer to the Sun, the heat warmed up frozen carbon dioxide inside it, and the resultant gas rushed through the comet’s porous, icy body. It potentially carried or enabled other fluids or oxidising liquids to seep inward, triggering a reaction with metallic grains like nickel and iron sulfides. Scientists are unsure of the origin point of 3I/ATLAS. Some say it likely originated in the Milky Way's thick disk, while other studies suggest it could have been born in the thin disk. It is older than our solar system, and has been on a journey for billions of years. The comet will soon exit, never to return.

3I/ATLAS is covered with icy volcanoes that erupted as it came near the Sun. A team of Spanish scientists spotted jets of ice and dust being released from the interstellar comet at perihelion. This explains why it brightened near the Sun.&nbsp;

3I/ATLAS spewed pristine material as ice volcanoes erupted near the Sun, Spanish scientists find

Russia has a cosmic problem at hand. The country was left with a damaged launch pad after sending three cosmonauts to the International Space Station (ISS) on November 27. Based in Kazakhstan, it is the only working launch pad Russia uses to send humans into space. This means that, for the first time in more than 60 years, Roscosmos is unable to launch cosmonauts, Live Science reported. The Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft lifted off from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at around 2:30 pm local time. Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, alongside NASA astronaut Chris Williams, were on board the spacecraft. They reached the ISS successfully.<h2>What Russia space agency said about the damage</h2>However, after the launch, when Roscosmos inspected the launch pad, the engineers found significant damage after the take-off. "The launch pad was inspected, as is done every time a rocket is launched. Damage to several launch pad components was identified," Roscosmos representatives wrote in a translated statement on Telegram. They added that the damage was "currently being assessed" and would be "repaired shortly," giving no details on what had happened, and how long it would take to fix the problem.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nasa-wanted-to-blast-a-hydrogen-bomb-on-the-moon-in-1950s-here-s-why-it-did-not-1764598076559">NASA wanted to nuke the Moon in 1950s out of jealousy. Here's why it did not</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, Ars Technica reported that the problem occurred with the service platform used to access rockets' engines. Reportedly, the roughly 22-ton part fell into the "flame trench" below, the portion where the rocket's plumes are directed. Russia might opt to replace the platform if fixing it takes too long. However, till then, Roscosmos has no way to launch humans into space. "In effect, from this day, Russia has lost the ability to launch humans into space, something that has not happened since 1961," Russian space journalist Vitaliy Egorov wrote on Telegram, as reported by CNN.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-could-display-its-most-remarkable-anomaly-near-jupiter-rare-coincidence-at-perijove-1764325401352">3I/ATLAS could display its 'most remarkable anomaly' near Jupiter - Rare coincidence at perijove</a>&nbsp;Roscosmos retired the only other working pad, Site 1/5 (a.k.a. Gagarin's Start) in 2020. Since then, Site 31/6 is the only one it has that is capable of launching crewed Soyuz rockets. Even though it has two other active cosmodromes, Vostochny and Plesetsk, inside Russia, they cannot send crewed rockets into space. The Baikonur Cosmodrome was constructed in the late 1950s. After the Soviet Union fell in 1991, Kazakhstan loaned the site to Russia for around $115 million a year.

Russia has damaged the only launch pad it uses to send cosmonauts into space. This happened during its latest endeavour on November 27, when it launched two Russian and one American astronaut to the ISS. Roscosmos said it was assessing the damage and would make repairs soon. 

Russia has a cosmic problem at hand. The country was left with a damaged launch pad after sending three cosmonauts to the International Space Station (ISS) on November 27. Based in Kazakhstan, it is the only working launch pad Russia uses to send humans into space. This means that, for the first time in more than 60 years, Roscosmos is unable to launch cosmonauts, Live Science reported. The Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft lifted off from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at around 2:30 pm local time. Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, alongside NASA astronaut Chris Williams, were on board the spacecraft. They reached the ISS successfully. What Russia space agency said about the damage However, after the launch, when Roscosmos inspected the launch pad, the engineers found significant damage after the take-off. "The launch pad was inspected, as is done every time a rocket is launched. Damage to several launch pad components was identified," Roscosmos representatives wrote in a translated statement on Telegram. They added that the damage was "currently being assessed" and would be "repaired shortly," giving no details on what had happened, and how long it would take to fix the problem. Also Read: NASA wanted to nuke the Moon in 1950s out of jealousy. Here's why it did not Meanwhile, Ars Technica reported that the problem occurred with the service platform used to access rockets' engines. Reportedly, the roughly 22-ton part fell into the "flame trench" below, the portion where the rocket's plumes are directed. Russia might opt to replace the platform if fixing it takes too long. However, till then, Roscosmos has no way to launch humans into space. "In effect, from this day, Russia has lost the ability to launch humans into space, something that has not happened since 1961," Russian space journalist Vitaliy Egorov wrote on Telegram, as reported by CNN. Also Read: 3I/ATLAS could display its 'most remarkable anomaly' near Jupiter - Rare coincidence at perijove Roscosmos retired the only other working pad, Site 1/5 (a.k.a. Gagarin's Start) in 2020. Since then, Site 31/6 is the only one it has that is capable of launching crewed Soyuz rockets. Even though it has two other active cosmodromes, Vostochny and Plesetsk, inside Russia, they cannot send crewed rockets into space. The Baikonur Cosmodrome was constructed in the late 1950s. After the Soviet Union fell in 1991, Kazakhstan loaned the site to Russia for around $115 million a year.

Russia has damaged the only launch pad it uses to send cosmonauts into space. This happened during its latest endeavour on November 27, when it launched two Russian and one American astronaut to the ISS. Roscosmos said it was assessing the damage and would make repairs soon.&nbsp;

Russia loses human-spaceflight capability for first time in nearly 70 years — Details

Science has gifted the world with multiple inventions. However, there was rarely only one person working on an idea. Some of the most notable inventions can be credited to multiple scientists who came up with the idea at almost the same time. 

Multiple discovery hypothesis: 5 inventions created by more than one scientist at almost the same time

NASA and several other space agencies are today vying to land humans again on the Moon. But, do you know there was a time when the Americans planned to nuke our lunar satellite? This might sound like science fiction, but it was a very real plot aimed at denting Soviet space agendas. According to documents, as part of the top-secret Project A119, the US wanted to bomb the Moon way before Neil Armstrong landed there. In the 1950s, the USSR was moving closer to landing its first astronauts on the Moon. For the US, that would have meant a huge loss. So, it thought of carving a huge crater on the Moon with the hydrogen bomb, way more powerful than the atomic bomb.Also Read: <a href="Scientist thinks red giant star with a weird spin feasted on its own planet">Scientist thinks red giant star with a weird spin feasted on its own planet</a><h2>NASA wanted to create a flash of light on the Moon</h2>The US thought of the terrifying plan so that it could mark its territory on the Moon if Russian astronauts got too close to their goal. On October 4, 1957, the USSR launched the first-ever satellite into space, Sputnik 1. The US got jittery, so scientist Leonard Reiffel joined hands with the Air Force and made reports between May 1958 and January 1959 about the feasibility of plans to bomb the Moon. NASA wanted to detonate the hydrogen bomb right on the Moon’s Terminator Line, the border between the light and dark sides of the Moon, since this would create a flash of light visible to everyone on Earth.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/believe-it-or-not-uranus-initial-name-was-quite-controversial-and-so-it-was-renamed-1764238501728">Believe it or not, Uranus' initial name was quite controversial, and so it was renamed</a>&nbsp;This action and achievement would prove to everyone, especially the Soviet Union, that the US had the technology that would put it in the pole position in wars, and no one should take them lightly. Thankfully, NASA did not go ahead with the plan to nuke the Moon because the Air Force was scared the action could impact Earth as well. "Project A119 was one of several ideas that were floated for an exciting response to Sputnik," Alex Wellerstein, a historian of science and nuclear technology, told the BBC. According to him, one of the plans even included shooting down Sputnik-1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

NASA planned to detonate a hydrogen bomb on the Moon in the 1950s. This was part of its competition with the Soviet Union as both nations aimed to land a man on the Moon. The latter had launched the first satellite from Earth in 1957, but NASA was still not there.

NASA and several other space agencies are today vying to land humans again on the Moon. But, do you know there was a time when the Americans planned to nuke our lunar satellite? This might sound like science fiction, but it was a very real plot aimed at denting Soviet space agendas. According to documents, as part of the top-secret Project A119, the US wanted to bomb the Moon way before Neil Armstrong landed there. In the 1950s, the USSR was moving closer to landing its first astronauts on the Moon. For the US, that would have meant a huge loss. So, it thought of carving a huge crater on the Moon with the hydrogen bomb, way more powerful than the atomic bomb. Also Read: Scientist thinks red giant star with a weird spin feasted on its own planet NASA wanted to create a flash of light on the Moon The US thought of the terrifying plan so that it could mark its territory on the Moon if Russian astronauts got too close to their goal. On October 4, 1957, the USSR launched the first-ever satellite into space, Sputnik 1. The US got jittery, so scientist Leonard Reiffel joined hands with the Air Force and made reports between May 1958 and January 1959 about the feasibility of plans to bomb the Moon. NASA wanted to detonate the hydrogen bomb right on the Moon’s Terminator Line, the border between the light and dark sides of the Moon, since this would create a flash of light visible to everyone on Earth. Also Read: Believe it or not, Uranus' initial name was quite controversial, and so it was renamed This action and achievement would prove to everyone, especially the Soviet Union, that the US had the technology that would put it in the pole position in wars, and no one should take them lightly. Thankfully, NASA did not go ahead with the plan to nuke the Moon because the Air Force was scared the action could impact Earth as well. "Project A119 was one of several ideas that were floated for an exciting response to Sputnik," Alex Wellerstein, a historian of science and nuclear technology, told the BBC. According to him, one of the plans even included shooting down Sputnik-1.

NASA planned to detonate a hydrogen bomb on the Moon in the 1950s. This was part of its competition with the Soviet Union as both nations aimed to land a man on the Moon. The latter had launched the first satellite from Earth in 1957, but NASA was still not there.

NASA wanted to nuke the Moon in 1950s out of jealousy. Here's why it did not

For decades, the Southern Ocean, which wraps around Antartica, has absorbed extraordinary amounts of excess warming, over 90 per cent of the planet’s heat, and a quarter of human-generated CO₂. Scientists now warn that this vast reservoir may not remain contained. New modelling published in AGU Advances suggests the ocean could abruptly release the stored warmth in what researchers describe as a climatic 'burp', triggering a renewed rise in global temperatures even after humanity succeeds in cutting emissions. Such a release could keep warming alive for more than a hundred years and emerge only after global cooling has begun.&nbsp;According to Daily Galaxy, the model shows that this heat release would not unfold gradually. Instead, after several centuries of net-negative emissions, during which carbon is removed from the atmosphere and global temperatures steadily fall, the Southern Ocean could suddenly overturn, sending long-buried heat to the surface. The resulting warming would be comparable to rates driven by human activity today.&nbsp;

The ‘burp’ is marked by gray shading

&nbsp;<h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>How a Heat ‘Burp’ Forms</h2> The mechanism behind this potential surge lies in the ocean’s structure. As described by the study and reported by Phys.org, the Southern Ocean becomes colder and saltier at the surface as new sea ice forms; the freezing process rejects salt into surrounding waters, making the surface layer denser. Warm water, however, remains trapped at depth. Over time, this imbalance destabilises the water column. Phys.org, quoting Svenja Frey of the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre, wrote, "At some point, the water column becomes unstable, and that's when we have the deep convection event", effectively allowing the deep heat to rise rapidly. The study finds that the resulting warming pulse would be strongest and longest-lasting in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly affecting countries in the global south. While some CO₂ may also be released, Daily Galaxy notes that the primary impact is thermal, not chemical.&nbsp;<h2>Implications for Future Climate Strategy</h2> The scenario remains a projection, not a certainty, yet scientists view it as a crucial insight into long-term climate behaviour. Climate researcher Kirsten Zickfeld, according to Phys.org emphasises that Earth’s response to net-negative emissions is poorly understood and may involve 'surprises', including feedbacks like this one. Importantly, overall temperatures still fall in the model, just not smoothly. "To be clear, in this scenario, removing atmospheric carbon significantly reduces global temperatures, even factoring in the burp. And the faster we move away from fossil fuels, the less CO2 we'll have to remove down the line", says live science.com.&nbsp;Ric Williams of the University of Liverpool emphasised that negative emissions remain beneficial but argued that 'rather than do negative emissions, it's better not to do the positive emissions in the first place', according to LiveScience.com.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The mechanism behind this potential surge lies in the ocean’s structure. As described by the study, the Southern Ocean becomes colder and saltier at the surface as new sea ice forms; the freezing process rejects salt into surrounding waters, making the surface layer denser.

For decades, the Southern Ocean, which wraps around Antartica, has absorbed extraordinary amounts of excess warming, over 90 per cent of the planet’s heat, and a quarter of human-generated CO₂. Scientists now warn that this vast reservoir may not remain contained. New modelling published in AGU Advances suggests the ocean could abruptly release the stored warmth in what researchers describe as a climatic 'burp', triggering a renewed rise in global temperatures even after humanity succeeds in cutting emissions. Such a release could keep warming alive for more than a hundred years and emerge only after global cooling has begun. According to Daily Galaxy, the model shows that this heat release would not unfold gradually. Instead, after several centuries of net-negative emissions, during which carbon is removed from the atmosphere and global temperatures steadily fall, the Southern Ocean could suddenly overturn, sending long-buried heat to the surface. The resulting warming would be comparable to rates driven by human activity today.

The mechanism behind this potential surge lies in the ocean’s structure. As described by the study, the Southern Ocean becomes colder and saltier at the surface as new sea ice forms; the freezing process rejects salt into surrounding waters, making the surface layer denser.

Scientists warn Antarctica’s Southern Ocean is building up a massive thermal ‘burp’

Skywatchers worldwide will be treated to 2025’s final supermoon as the Cold Moon rises on 4 December. Marking the last full moon of the year, it promises a striking display, especially just after moonrise when the well-known 'moon illusion' makes it appear larger near the horizon, according to the Daily Galaxy. The name 'Cold Moon' is traditionally linked to the onset of winter’s longest, darkest nights, and this year it carries added significance as the last chance to witness a supermoon before the year ends.<h2>Why the Cold Moon Qualifies as a Supermoon</h2> Although 'supermoon' is a popular term rather than an official astronomical category, &nbsp;it is commonly defined as a full moon that comes within 90 per cent of perigee, the closest point to Earth in its orbit. This proximity makes the moon appear brighter and up to around 14 per cent larger than it does at its most distant point. Because the Cold Moon reaches this favourable position, observers can expect a noticeably enhanced lunar disk without needing any specialised equipment.&nbsp;The moon’s closeness also slightly intensifies its gravitational pull, contributing to stronger-than-usual tides. While this effect is not extreme, it is a measurable feature of supermoons and adds to their scientific interest. For stargazers, even simple binoculars can reveal sharper contrasts along the lunar surface, though the spectacle remains impressive to the naked eye.&nbsp;<h2>When and Where to See the Cold Moon</h2> Timing will be essential for anyone hoping to view the moon at its most dramatic. The Cold Moon will reach its peak illumination at 6:14 PM EST on December 4, but its most striking appearance may occur shortly after moonrise. In New York, the moon will rise at about 3:54 PM EST; in Los Angeles, moonrise follows at roughly 4:22 PM PST. Across both locations, and globally, the first moments above the horizon may present the most memorable views. This cold moon is also said to be the highest full moon in the Northern Hemisphere sky in 2025. The cold moon is the 12th and final full moon of 2025. While a solar year lasts 365.24 days, a lunar year totals about 354.37 days, which sometimes leads to 13 full moons in one year. This last occurred in 2023 and will happen again in 2028.&nbsp;

This proximity makes the moon appear brighter and up to around 14 per cent larger than it does at its most distant point. Because the Cold Moon reaches this favourable position, observers can expect a noticeably enhanced lunar disk without needing any specialised equipment.

Skywatchers worldwide will be treated to 2025’s final supermoon as the Cold Moon rises on 4 December. Marking the last full moon of the year, it promises a striking display, especially just after moonrise when the well-known 'moon illusion' makes it appear larger near the horizon, according to the Daily Galaxy. The name 'Cold Moon' is traditionally linked to the onset of winter’s longest, darkest nights, and this year it carries added significance as the last chance to witness a supermoon before the year ends. Why the Cold Moon Qualifies as a Supermoon Although 'supermoon' is a popular term rather than an official astronomical category, it is commonly defined as a full moon that comes within 90 per cent of perigee, the closest point to Earth in its orbit. This proximity makes the moon appear brighter and up to around 14 per cent larger than it does at its most distant point. Because the Cold Moon reaches this favourable position, observers can expect a noticeably enhanced lunar disk without needing any specialised equipment. The moon’s closeness also slightly intensifies its gravitational pull, contributing to stronger-than-usual tides. While this effect is not extreme, it is a measurable feature of supermoons and adds to their scientific interest. For stargazers, even simple binoculars can reveal sharper contrasts along the lunar surface, though the spectacle remains impressive to the naked eye. When and Where to See the Cold Moon Timing will be essential for anyone hoping to view the moon at its most dramatic. The Cold Moon will reach its peak illumination at 6:14 PM EST on December 4, but its most striking appearance may occur shortly after moonrise. In New York, the moon will rise at about 3:54 PM EST; in Los Angeles, moonrise follows at roughly 4:22 PM PST. Across both locations, and globally, the first moments above the horizon may present the most memorable views. This cold moon is also said to be the highest full moon in the Northern Hemisphere sky in 2025. The cold moon is the 12th and final full moon of 2025. While a solar year lasts 365.24 days, a lunar year totals about 354.37 days, which sometimes leads to 13 full moons in one year. This last occurred in 2023 and will happen again in 2028.

This proximity makes the moon appear brighter and up to around 14 per cent larger than it does at its most distant point. Because the Cold Moon reaches this favourable position, observers can expect a noticeably enhanced lunar disk without needing any specialised equipment.

Cold Moon 2025: Year’s final supermoon to light up the sky on December 4

Scientists have made an important new discovery in the Arctic after finding a surprising group of walruses (a large animal that lives in or near the sea in Arctic regions) on the remote shores of Svalbard, a region located between mainland Norway and the North Pole. This discovery was possible through the Walrus from Space project, run by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).&nbsp;&nbsp;The newly identified walrus haul-out in Svalbard is a major step forward for Arctic research. A haul-out is a place where many walruses gather on land and this one had never been recorded before.&nbsp;&nbsp;It was spotted using satellite photos as part of the Walrus from Space program. Since 2021, thousands of volunteers have helped to search these images to find and count walruses, providing valuable information for conservation work. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-could-display-its-most-remarkable-anomaly-near-jupiter-rare-coincidence-at-perijove-1764325401352">3I/ATLAS could display its 'most remarkable anomaly' near Jupiter at perijove</a>&nbsp;This project has become more important because walruses are under growing pressure from climate change. These huge animals, which can weigh up to two tonnes, depend on sea ice to rest. As the ice melts earlier and returns later each year, walruses struggle to find safe places to gather.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to Rod Downie from WWF, walruses play a key role in keeping the Arctic ecosystem healthy, and their decline can affect many other species.&nbsp;<h2>The growing need for Walrus protection</h2>As the climate warms, twice as fast in the Arctic as in the rest of the world, walruses face serious threats from shrinking sea ice, human activity and environmental damage.&nbsp;WWF and BAS are not only studying walruses but also pushing for stronger climate policies. Information from the Walrus from Space project is helping scientists to better understand the challenges these animals face and plan better ways to protect them in the neat future.

According to Rod Downie from WWF, walruses play a key role in keeping the Arctic ecosystem healthy, and their decline can affect many other species. 

Scientists have made an important new discovery in the Arctic after finding a surprising group of walruses (a large animal that lives in or near the sea in Arctic regions) on the remote shores of Svalbard, a region located between mainland Norway and the North Pole. This discovery was possible through the Walrus from Space project, run by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). The newly identified walrus haul-out in Svalbard is a major step forward for Arctic research. A haul-out is a place where many walruses gather on land and this one had never been recorded before. It was spotted using satellite photos as part of the Walrus from Space program. Since 2021, thousands of volunteers have helped to search these images to find and count walruses, providing valuable information for conservation work. Also Read - 3I/ATLAS could display its 'most remarkable anomaly' near Jupiter at perijove This project has become more important because walruses are under growing pressure from climate change. These huge animals, which can weigh up to two tonnes, depend on sea ice to rest. As the ice melts earlier and returns later each year, walruses struggle to find safe places to gather. According to Rod Downie from WWF, walruses play a key role in keeping the Arctic ecosystem healthy, and their decline can affect many other species. The growing need for Walrus protection As the climate warms, twice as fast in the Arctic as in the rest of the world, walruses face serious threats from shrinking sea ice, human activity and environmental damage. WWF and BAS are not only studying walruses but also pushing for stronger climate policies. Information from the Walrus from Space project is helping scientists to better understand the challenges these animals face and plan better ways to protect them in the neat future.

According to Rod Downie from WWF, walruses play a key role in keeping the Arctic ecosystem healthy, and their decline can affect many other species.&nbsp;

Never-seen-before discovery in Arctic! Scientists find THIS surprising species using satellite imagery

Scientists have revealed that doom-scrolling short-form content can have a major impact on the brain, triggering health issues such as depression and anxiety. A new study analysed data across social media platforms, analysing 98,299 participants across 71 studies to understand how watching Reels and TikTok affect us. This included both youths and adults, with researchers analysing their engagement patterns and various cognitive and mental health indicators. What they found was not shocking, considering how such content has carved a vast space in our lives.&nbsp;According to the study, endlessly watching short-form content can cause poor mental health, depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness. Higher SFV consumption also affected cognitive health and was linked to poorer attention span in a majority of subjects. "The continuous cycle of swiping and receiving new, emotionally stimulating content has been proposed to trigger dopamine release, creating a reinforcement loop that contributes to patterns of habitual use and greater emotional reliance on digital interactions," the study states.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientist-warns-next-big-disaster-hidden-volcano-ethiopia-hayli-gubbi-1764228500671">World is not ready for its next big disaster, scientist warns - ‘Nobody’s watching...’</a><h2>Addiction to short videos affects health</h2>The researchers wrote in the study that such content has "transformed social media platforms, with features like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts fostering their widespread adoption." Besides entertainment, "SFVs are increasingly used in education, political campaigns, advertising, and consumerism." However, the problem lies with the interface that lets users endlessly scroll through videos, raising "concerns about addiction and negative health implications."&nbsp;"This habitual engagement may be associated with heightened stress and anxiety, as some users report difficulties disengaging and regulating their emotions in offline settings." Experts have already called out the ill effects of doomscrolling right before bedtime, and this study also reiterated it. "Consumption of SFVs in the hours before bedtime has been linked to disrupted sleep quality due to the blue light emitting from electronic devices, which may inhibit the production of melatonin and serotonin," the authors wrote.&nbsp;

If you are someone who watches Reels and TikTok endlessly, then be warned. This habit-forming activity has been linked not only to declining cognitive health but can also trigger anxiety and depression. More reasons to quit doom-scrolling.

Scientists have revealed that doom-scrolling short-form content can have a major impact on the brain, triggering health issues such as depression and anxiety. A new study analysed data across social media platforms, analysing 98,299 participants across 71 studies to understand how watching Reels and TikTok affect us. This included both youths and adults, with researchers analysing their engagement patterns and various cognitive and mental health indicators. What they found was not shocking, considering how such content has carved a vast space in our lives. According to the study, endlessly watching short-form content can cause poor mental health, depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness. Higher SFV consumption also affected cognitive health and was linked to poorer attention span in a majority of subjects. "The continuous cycle of swiping and receiving new, emotionally stimulating content has been proposed to trigger dopamine release, creating a reinforcement loop that contributes to patterns of habitual use and greater emotional reliance on digital interactions," the study states. Also Read: World is not ready for its next big disaster, scientist warns - ‘Nobody’s watching...’ Addiction to short videos affects health The researchers wrote in the study that such content has "transformed social media platforms, with features like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts fostering their widespread adoption." Besides entertainment, "SFVs are increasingly used in education, political campaigns, advertising, and consumerism." However, the problem lies with the interface that lets users endlessly scroll through videos, raising "concerns about addiction and negative health implications." "This habitual engagement may be associated with heightened stress and anxiety, as some users report difficulties disengaging and regulating their emotions in offline settings." Experts have already called out the ill effects of doomscrolling right before bedtime, and this study also reiterated it. "Consumption of SFVs in the hours before bedtime has been linked to disrupted sleep quality due to the blue light emitting from electronic devices, which may inhibit the production of melatonin and serotonin," the authors wrote.

If you are someone who watches Reels and TikTok endlessly, then be warned. This habit-forming activity has been linked not only to declining cognitive health but can also trigger anxiety and depression. More reasons to quit doom-scrolling.

Is doom-scrolling short videos your daily ritual? Depression and anxiety are waiting for you

India has released a revised seismic hazard map as part of an updated Earthquake Design Code, marking a major overhaul in earthquake risk assessment. For the first time, the entire Himalayan region has been classified into the newly introduced highest-risk Zone VI, reflecting the region’s increasing vulnerability. This update, one of the most substantial shifts in seismic policy in decades, now places more than 60% of the country under moderate to high earthquake risk zones. Previously, the Himalayan arc was split between Zones IV and V, but the new approach offers a unified risk profile for the region, which had previously been underestimated due to the long absence of major earthquakes along fault lines, especially in the central Himalayas.<h2>Why the Himalayas are a danger zone?</h2>The Himalayas are classified as the highest seismic risk zone due to their position on one of the most active tectonic plate boundaries in the world. The Indian Plate is slowly moving northward at a rate of approximately 5 cm per year, colliding with the Eurasian Plate. This ongoing collision not only formed the Himalayas but continues to push the mountain range upward, causing significant stress beneath the Earth’s surface. When this stress is released, it results in powerful earthquakes.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cyclone-ditwah-claims-56-lives-in-sri-lanka-pm-modi-announces-dispatch-of-relief-material-1764328769867">Cyclone Ditwah claims 56 lives in Sri Lanka; PM Modi announces dispatch of relief material</a>&nbsp;Additionally, the geological youth of the region means the rocks are still adjusting, with frequent folding and breaking, which contributes to the instability of the area. Several large fault systems, including the Main Frontal Thrust and Main Central Thrust, are found beneath the Himalayas and are capable of producing devastating earthquakes. The region also has several seismic gaps, areas where major earthquakes have not occurred for centuries—indicating that significant energy has accumulated and is due for release.<h3>What's new in the revised zonation?</h3>The updated seismic map takes into account new data about earthquake risk, including the potential for rupture propagation along the Himalayan Frontal Thrust, which extends the danger zones into areas like Dehradun. Key changes also involve reclassifying regions in the outer Himalayas, where fault lines could trigger earthquakes that impact populated foothill areas.&nbsp;In this new map, boundary towns between seismic zones are now automatically classified into the higher-risk zone, ensuring that geological realities are prioritized over administrative borders. This shift ensures that cities, towns, and infrastructure in vulnerable regions are designed with stricter engineering standards to minimize earthquake damage.&nbsp;The updated map reflects the ongoing tectonic activity between the Indian and Eurasian plates, particularly in densely populated regions like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and parts of Uttar Pradesh. As a result, the map calls for urgent retrofitting of existing infrastructure, halting urban development on soft sediments or near active faults, and heightened awareness for earthquake preparedness. Experts praise this uniform approach as a critical step toward improving disaster resilience, especially as urbanisation continues to expand in these seismic hotspots. The new map, based on advanced modeling techniques, is a call to action for recalibrating India’s preparedness for seismic events across the nation.

New seismic map shifts Himalayan region into high-risk earthquake zone

India has released a revised seismic hazard map as part of an updated Earthquake Design Code, marking a major overhaul in earthquake risk assessment. For the first time, the entire Himalayan region has been classified into the newly introduced highest-risk Zone VI, reflecting the region’s increasing vulnerability. This update, one of the most substantial shifts in seismic policy in decades, now places more than 60% of the country under moderate to high earthquake risk zones. Previously, the Himalayan arc was split between Zones IV and V, but the new approach offers a unified risk profile for the region, which had previously been underestimated due to the long absence of major earthquakes along fault lines, especially in the central Himalayas. Why the Himalayas are a danger zone? The Himalayas are classified as the highest seismic risk zone due to their position on one of the most active tectonic plate boundaries in the world. The Indian Plate is slowly moving northward at a rate of approximately 5 cm per year, colliding with the Eurasian Plate. This ongoing collision not only formed the Himalayas but continues to push the mountain range upward, causing significant stress beneath the Earth’s surface. When this stress is released, it results in powerful earthquakes. Also Read: Cyclone Ditwah claims 56 lives in Sri Lanka; PM Modi announces dispatch of relief material Additionally, the geological youth of the region means the rocks are still adjusting, with frequent folding and breaking, which contributes to the instability of the area. Several large fault systems, including the Main Frontal Thrust and Main Central Thrust, are found beneath the Himalayas and are capable of producing devastating earthquakes. The region also has several seismic gaps, areas where major earthquakes have not occurred for centuries—indicating that significant energy has accumulated and is due for release. What's new in the revised zonation? The updated seismic map takes into account new data about earthquake risk, including the potential for rupture propagation along the Himalayan Frontal Thrust, which extends the danger zones into areas like Dehradun. Key changes also involve reclassifying regions in the outer Himalayas, where fault lines could trigger earthquakes that impact populated foothill areas. In this new map, boundary towns between seismic zones are now automatically classified into the higher-risk zone, ensuring that geological realities are prioritized over administrative borders. This shift ensures that cities, towns, and infrastructure in vulnerable regions are designed with stricter engineering standards to minimize earthquake damage. The updated map reflects the ongoing tectonic activity between the Indian and Eurasian plates, particularly in densely populated regions like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and parts of Uttar Pradesh. As a result, the map calls for urgent retrofitting of existing infrastructure, halting urban development on soft sediments or near active faults, and heightened awareness for earthquake preparedness. Experts praise this uniform approach as a critical step toward improving disaster resilience, especially as urbanisation continues to expand in these seismic hotspots. The new map, based on advanced modeling techniques, is a call to action for recalibrating India’s preparedness for seismic events across the nation.

India’s new seismic map elevates the Himalayas to the highest earthquake risk zone, signaling urgent infrastructure updates and disaster preparedness across vulnerable areas

3I/ATLAS is set to fly by Jupiter on March 16, 2026, and this is where its "most remarkable" anomaly might come to the fore. The interstellar comet will be 53.445 million kilometres from the gas giant at its closest point, or perijove. This is almost identical to the planet's expected Hill radius at the time, 53.502 million kilometres. The Hill radius is the region around Jupiter, or any cosmic body, inside which its gravity dominates that of the bigger object, in this the Sun. Any small object placed outside this radius will be removed from Jupiter by the Sun’s gravity. Harvard scientist Avi Loeb says this is quite a coincidence, and might be exactly when the object's "most remarkable anomaly" might come to light.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-will-be-thrown-off-course-by-jupiter-as-it-exits-the-solar-system-1764147641279">3I/ATLAS will be thrown off-course by Jupiter as it exits the solar system</a>&nbsp;Loeb says if at perijove, "the rare coincidence between the perijove distance of 3I/ATLAS and the Hill radius materialises," then it could be a sign of "technological signature." Being at this point, it could release "technological devices as artificial satellites of Jupiter." This could potentially happen at the planet's Lagrange points L1 and L2 on the Hill sphere, where orbital corrections and fuel requirements are minimal."<h2>3I/ATLAS non-gravitational acceleration and Jupiter's Hill radius?</h2>He says the "coincidence between the perijove distance and the Hill radius" based on the diameter of Jupiter’s orbit around the Sun has a statistical likelihood smaller than 0.00004. Loeb states that the non-gravitational acceleration observed when 3I/ATLAS was near the Sun could have something to do with it. Maybe it needed this acceleration "to achieve this match." In this case, "the rare coincidence will constitute the most remarkable anomaly of 3I/ATLAS," he says.More clarity will be gained on the perijove distance and Jupiter's Hill radius in the coming months, particularly by the spacecraft Juno, Juice or Psyche. &nbsp;

3I/ATLAS is likely to pass very close to Jupiter Hill radius in March next year, and at this point, it could release tiny objects that might get caught in the planet gravity. If it does achieve this match, then that would be the biggest anomaly noted till now

3I/ATLAS is set to fly by Jupiter on March 16, 2026, and this is where its "most remarkable" anomaly might come to the fore. The interstellar comet will be 53.445 million kilometres from the gas giant at its closest point, or perijove. This is almost identical to the planet's expected Hill radius at the time, 53.502 million kilometres. The Hill radius is the region around Jupiter, or any cosmic body, inside which its gravity dominates that of the bigger object, in this the Sun. Any small object placed outside this radius will be removed from Jupiter by the Sun’s gravity. Harvard scientist Avi Loeb says this is quite a coincidence, and might be exactly when the object's "most remarkable anomaly" might come to light. Also Read: 3I/ATLAS will be thrown off-course by Jupiter as it exits the solar system Loeb says if at perijove, "the rare coincidence between the perijove distance of 3I/ATLAS and the Hill radius materialises," then it could be a sign of "technological signature." Being at this point, it could release "technological devices as artificial satellites of Jupiter." This could potentially happen at the planet's Lagrange points L1 and L2 on the Hill sphere, where orbital corrections and fuel requirements are minimal." 3I/ATLAS non-gravitational acceleration and Jupiter's Hill radius? He says the "coincidence between the perijove distance and the Hill radius" based on the diameter of Jupiter’s orbit around the Sun has a statistical likelihood smaller than 0.00004. Loeb states that the non-gravitational acceleration observed when 3I/ATLAS was near the Sun could have something to do with it. Maybe it needed this acceleration "to achieve this match." In this case, "the rare coincidence will constitute the most remarkable anomaly of 3I/ATLAS," he says. More clarity will be gained on the perijove distance and Jupiter's Hill radius in the coming months, particularly by the spacecraft Juno, Juice or Psyche.

3I/ATLAS, comet or alien spaceship? Turns out, we are not ready to give this interstellar object the clean chit. A scientist says it is strange that it will pass exactly near Jupiter's Hill radius. At this point, it could release objects that will get caught in the planet's gravity.&nbsp;

3I/ATLAS could display its 'most remarkable anomaly' near Jupiter - Rare coincidence at perijove

Indian scientists have discovered a bamboo stem from the Ice Age that continued to thrive while the others died as they couldn't endure the harsh cold in Europe and other colder regions. Researchers from the Birbal Sahni Institution of Palaeosciences (BSIP) found an intact bamboo stem with thorn marks in the Chirang River in Manipur’s Imphal Valley. The 37,000-year-old stem is the earliest thorny bamboo fossil found in Asia, and can reveal the continent’s botanical history, and possibly alter it. It is rare to find bamboo fossils since its hollow stems and fibrous tissues decay pretty quickly. The only way to learn about the history of bamboo is to compare modern species with their habitats.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientist-finds-earliest-evidence-that-rig-veda-verses-influenced-civilisations-outside-india-1755591662063">Scientist finds earliest evidence that Rig Veda verses influenced civilisations outside India</a><h2>Finding the marks on the bamboo stem was completely unexpected</h2>But when researchers from the institute stumbled upon this bamboo with scars all over it during a field survey, they knew that they had found something rare. The nature of the unusual markings wasn't clear initially. A detailed analysis was carried out to understand the bamboo species and what those marks could be. Scientists from the autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) found that the marks were left behind by thorns the bamboo once had. The stem was also assigned to the genus Chimonobambusa. Not only was there a bamboo stem fossil, but it was one with fossilised thorn marks.&nbsp;They then compared the stem with living thorny bamboos such as Bambusa bambos and Chimonobambusa callosa to learn about how it defended itself and its place in the ecological chain. The thorns act as a way for bamboos to protect themselves against herbivores. This is the first fossil evidence that bamboos in Asia had already developed thorniness during the Ice Age. The discovery points to the fact that the warm and humid conditions of Northeast India were a haven for bamboo at a time when other regions were too cold, where bamboos perished.The research was published in the journal Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology and carried out by Harshita Bhatia, Pushpa Kumari, NH Singh and Gaurav Srivastava.

A fossilised bamboo stem from the Ice Age has been found in Manipur, which throws light on how the warm and humid conditions of Northeast India supported plant life at a time when other regions proved too cold and killed the bamboos.

Indian scientists have discovered a bamboo stem from the Ice Age that continued to thrive while the others died as they couldn't endure the harsh cold in Europe and other colder regions. Researchers from the Birbal Sahni Institution of Palaeosciences (BSIP) found an intact bamboo stem with thorn marks in the Chirang River in Manipur’s Imphal Valley. The 37,000-year-old stem is the earliest thorny bamboo fossil found in Asia, and can reveal the continent’s botanical history, and possibly alter it. It is rare to find bamboo fossils since its hollow stems and fibrous tissues decay pretty quickly. The only way to learn about the history of bamboo is to compare modern species with their habitats. Also Read: Scientist finds earliest evidence that Rig Veda verses influenced civilisations outside India Finding the marks on the bamboo stem was completely unexpected But when researchers from the institute stumbled upon this bamboo with scars all over it during a field survey, they knew that they had found something rare. The nature of the unusual markings wasn't clear initially. A detailed analysis was carried out to understand the bamboo species and what those marks could be. Scientists from the autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) found that the marks were left behind by thorns the bamboo once had. The stem was also assigned to the genus Chimonobambusa. Not only was there a bamboo stem fossil, but it was one with fossilised thorn marks. They then compared the stem with living thorny bamboos such as Bambusa bambos and Chimonobambusa callosa to learn about how it defended itself and its place in the ecological chain. The thorns act as a way for bamboos to protect themselves against herbivores. This is the first fossil evidence that bamboos in Asia had already developed thorniness during the Ice Age. The discovery points to the fact that the warm and humid conditions of Northeast India were a haven for bamboo at a time when other regions were too cold, where bamboos perished. The research was published in the journal Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology and carried out by Harshita Bhatia, Pushpa Kumari, NH Singh and Gaurav Srivastava.

A fossilised bamboo stem from the Ice Age has been found in Manipur, which throws light on how the warm and humid conditions of Northeast India supported plant life at a time when other regions proved too cold and killed the bamboos.

Indian scientists stumble upon 37,000-year-old bamboo stem with strange marks in Manipur. It changes things for Asia

Uranus, the seventh planet in our solar system, is often mocked for its name. However, did you know that this was not the first name it got? In fact, its initial name was deemed even more controversial. Uranus was discovered in 1781 by the German-British composer and scientist William Herschel. This ice giant is blue in colour, has faint rings and has at least 27 moons. The telescope that Herschel was using at the time of the discovery was the 40-foot Newtonian reflector telescope. Built in 1789, it was the largest, most powerful telescope in the world. King George III gave grants totalling around $5,230 at the time to build this telescope.&nbsp;&nbsp;So when Herschel discovered Uranus using this technological marvel, he thought about honouring the King. He named it somewhat on those lines. The planet was initially named "the Georgium Sidus," Latin for George's Star. Space enthusiasts and scientists weren't happy with the name, and it stirred quite a controversy. Planets were typically named based on Greek or Roman mythology. But the usual planet naming criterion was not followed in this case. Besides, having the word "star" there made no sense since it wasn't a star, but a planet.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientist-thinks-red-giant-star-with-a-weird-spin-feasted-on-one-of-its-own-planet-1764237022142">Scientist thinks red giant star with a weird spin feasted on its own planet</a>&nbsp;NASA says that German astronomer Johann Elert Bode was the first to suggest the name Uranus. However, it wasn't until 1850 that it became common usage. Today, most cosmic bodies are named after the person who discovered them. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) approves the names and is the only organisation authorised to name planets and stars.<h2>Uranus has a 42-year-long day</h2>Uranus attracts extreme awe and fascination because it rotates on its side. It has an axial tilt of about 98 degrees, which was likely caused by some sort of collision years ago. It takes 84 years to complete one orbit around the Sun. Because of the extreme tilt, each pole experiences about 42 years of continuous sunlight followed by 42 years of darkness.

Uranus has not always had this name. While the planets current name might trigger a bit of laughter, its initial name generated some controversy. Here is the history of the blue-green planet name.

Uranus, the seventh planet in our solar system, is often mocked for its name. However, did you know that this was not the first name it got? In fact, its initial name was deemed even more controversial. Uranus was discovered in 1781 by the German-British composer and scientist William Herschel. This ice giant is blue in colour, has faint rings and has at least 27 moons. The telescope that Herschel was using at the time of the discovery was the 40-foot Newtonian reflector telescope. Built in 1789, it was the largest, most powerful telescope in the world. King George III gave grants totalling around $5,230 at the time to build this telescope. So when Herschel discovered Uranus using this technological marvel, he thought about honouring the King. He named it somewhat on those lines. The planet was initially named "the Georgium Sidus," Latin for George's Star. Space enthusiasts and scientists weren't happy with the name, and it stirred quite a controversy. Planets were typically named based on Greek or Roman mythology. But the usual planet naming criterion was not followed in this case. Besides, having the word "star" there made no sense since it wasn't a star, but a planet. Also Read: Scientist thinks red giant star with a weird spin feasted on its own planet NASA says that German astronomer Johann Elert Bode was the first to suggest the name Uranus. However, it wasn't until 1850 that it became common usage. Today, most cosmic bodies are named after the person who discovered them. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) approves the names and is the only organisation authorised to name planets and stars. Uranus has a 42-year-long day Uranus attracts extreme awe and fascination because it rotates on its side. It has an axial tilt of about 98 degrees, which was likely caused by some sort of collision years ago. It takes 84 years to complete one orbit around the Sun. Because of the extreme tilt, each pole experiences about 42 years of continuous sunlight followed by 42 years of darkness.

Uranus hasn't always had this name. While the planet's current name might trigger a bit of laughter, its initial name generated some controversy. Here is the history of the blue-green planet's name.

Believe it or not, Uranus' initial name was quite controversial, and so it was renamed

Scientists have found why Kepler-56, a red giant star, has a weird spin, and according to a new study, this is because it likely gobbled up one of the planets orbiting it. Takato Tokuno, a doctoral student in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Tokyo, studied the star's peculiar movement. The outer envelope of Kepler-56 is spinning incredibly rapidly, more than what is ideal for a red giant star. The star's core is also misaligned with its outer envelope as it spins in different directions. This could probably have been because of one of its giant planets, since they can exert a pull on their star, just like Jupiter does on the Sun. The action repeated over millions of years could lead to the outer atmosphere spinning faster.&nbsp;However, this scenario seemed unlikely in this case, since for planets to raise rides and transfer rotational energy to the star would require a very perfect and efficient setting. Tokuno then tried to analyse the possibility that the star could have eaten up the planet, causing the weird spin. This action would affect the rotation of the star. A collision would lead to the star absorbing the energy of that impact and spinning faster. Kepler-56's core and atmosphere would also become misaligned if the strike happens at an odd angle.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/2300-foot-newly-discovered-killer-twilight-asteroid-near-sun-could-kill-billions-1764224226975">2,300ft newly discovered killer 'twilight' asteroid near the Sun could kill billions</a><h2>What was the planet that was eaten up by Kepler-56 like?&nbsp;</h2>In the paper, Tokuno suggests that a planet that would have become Kepler-56's meal would have weighed somewhere between half the mass of Jupiter and twice its mass and had an orbital period of between one and six days. This is what typical "hot Jupiter" exoplanets are like that ultimately meet a similar fate. However, it is also possible that the star was born with a high spin rate. But that wouldn't explain the misalignment between the core and the atmosphere. And even if we assume that it was born this way, the fast spin would again only be explained by the likelihood that it ate a planet while it was still young. The paper was uploaded to the preprint server arXiv on October 29.

However, this scenario seemed unlikely in this case, since for planets to raise rides and transfer rotational energy to the star would require a very perfect and efficient setting. Tokuno then tried to analyse the possibility that the star could have eaten up the planet, causing the weird spin. This action would affect the rotation of the star. A collision would lead to the star absorbing the energy of that impact and spinning faster. Kepler-56's core and atmosphere would also become misaligned if the strike happens at an odd angle.In the paper, Tokuno suggests that a planet that would have become Kepler-56's meal would have weighed somewhere between half the mass of Jupiter and twice its mass and had an orbital period of between one and six days. This is what typical "hot Jupiter" exoplanets are like that ultimately meet a similar fate. However, it is also possible that the star was born with a high spin rate. But that wouldn't explain the misalignment between the core and the atmosphere. And even if we assume that it was born this way, the fast spin would again only be explained by the likelihood that it ate a planet while it was still young. The paper was uploaded to the preprint server arXiv on October 29.

Kepler-56 is a red giant star slightly bigger than our Sun and with two planets around it. But it has a strange spin as its outer layer is moving faster and is also misaligned with its interior. A scientist thinks it is likely that it ate one of its planets, which caused this weird wobble.

Scientists have found why Kepler-56, a red giant star, has a weird spin, and according to a new study, this is because it likely gobbled up one of the planets orbiting it. Takato Tokuno, a doctoral student in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Tokyo, studied the star's peculiar movement. The outer envelope of Kepler-56 is spinning incredibly rapidly, more than what is ideal for a red giant star. The star's core is also misaligned with its outer envelope as it spins in different directions. This could probably have been because of one of its giant planets, since they can exert a pull on their star, just like Jupiter does on the Sun. The action repeated over millions of years could lead to the outer atmosphere spinning faster. However, this scenario seemed unlikely in this case, since for planets to raise rides and transfer rotational energy to the star would require a very perfect and efficient setting. Tokuno then tried to analyse the possibility that the star could have eaten up the planet, causing the weird spin. This action would affect the rotation of the star. A collision would lead to the star absorbing the energy of that impact and spinning faster. Kepler-56's core and atmosphere would also become misaligned if the strike happens at an odd angle. Also Read: 2,300ft newly discovered killer 'twilight' asteroid near the Sun could kill billions What was the planet that was eaten up by Kepler-56 like? In the paper, Tokuno suggests that a planet that would have become Kepler-56's meal would have weighed somewhere between half the mass of Jupiter and twice its mass and had an orbital period of between one and six days. This is what typical "hot Jupiter" exoplanets are like that ultimately meet a similar fate. However, it is also possible that the star was born with a high spin rate. But that wouldn't explain the misalignment between the core and the atmosphere. And even if we assume that it was born this way, the fast spin would again only be explained by the likelihood that it ate a planet while it was still young. The paper was uploaded to the preprint server arXiv on October 29.

Kepler-56 is a red giant star slightly bigger than our Sun and with two planets around it. But it has a strange spin as its outer layer is moving faster and is also misaligned with its interior. A scientist thinks it is likely that it ate one of its planets, which caused this weird wobble.

Scientist thinks red giant star with a weird spin feasted on its own planet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday virtually inaugurated Skyroot Aerospace's Infinity Campus in Hyderabad, unveiling Vikram-I, India's first orbital rocket developed by a private agency. PM Modi stated that India is on its way to emerge as a global leader in satellite launch systems, calling the achievement a symbol of the credibility and innovation of the country.&nbsp;"India has created its insignia in credibility, capacity, and value in the space sector," Prime Minister Modi said while virtually inaugurating the rocket and appreciated the founders of Skyroot, Pawan Chandana and Bharath Daka, calling them a "big inspiration for the youth of the country."&nbsp;While addressing, Prime Minister Modi underscored the growth of the private space sector, pioneered by companies like Skyroot, which is a direct testament to the reforms of the government aiming at fostering innovation and allowing private enterprise to enter the space domain.<h3>What is the Vikram-I rocket?</h3>Vikram-I, designed and developed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, which is India's new private orbital-class launch vehicle, has been named after space pioneer Vikram Sarabhai. The four-stage rocket, Vikram-I, targets the small satellite market, covering rapid and cost-effective launches.&nbsp;It is 20 meters tall with a diameter of 1.7 meters, which generates 1,200 kN of thrust using an all-carbon composite structure for lightweight strength, including efficiency. The design of the rocket covers simplicity, reliability, and quick reverse, enabling it to launch within 24 hours from any site. In addition, the solid-fueled first three stages of the rocket provide a robust initial boost, topped by a hypergolic liquid upper stage for precise orbital adjustments.&nbsp;Key advances include 3D-printed engines that cut weight by half and shorten production time by 80 per cent, along with ultra-low-shock pneumatic separation systems and upgraded avionics that enable real-time navigation.&nbsp;Skyroot’s Vikram-I launcher is capable of placing up to 350 kg into low Earth orbit (LEO) or 260 kg into a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), with its payload capacity varying by mission profile. For instance, it can carry 290 kg to a 500 km SSO, or 480 kg to a 500 km LEO at a 45-degree inclination.&nbsp;A series of successful trials, including Kalam-1200 proof-pressure testing and payload-fairing separation, has confirmed the rocket’s readiness. Vikram-I strengthens India’s private space sector and complements ISRO’s capabilities as global competition intensifies.&nbsp;Skyroot is aiming for an early-2026 debut flight, aiming to tap into the fast-expanding small-satellite market, within an Indian space economy expected to grow $77 billion by 2030.

Vikram-I, designed and developed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, which is India's new private orbital-class launch vehicle, has been named after space pioneer Vikram Sarabhai. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday virtually inaugurated Skyroot Aerospace's Infinity Campus in Hyderabad, unveiling Vikram-I, India's first orbital rocket developed by a private agency. PM Modi stated that India is on its way to emerge as a global leader in satellite launch systems, calling the achievement a symbol of the credibility and innovation of the country. "India has created its insignia in credibility, capacity, and value in the space sector," Prime Minister Modi said while virtually inaugurating the rocket and appreciated the founders of Skyroot, Pawan Chandana and Bharath Daka, calling them a "big inspiration for the youth of the country." While addressing, Prime Minister Modi underscored the growth of the private space sector, pioneered by companies like Skyroot, which is a direct testament to the reforms of the government aiming at fostering innovation and allowing private enterprise to enter the space domain. What is the Vikram-I rocket? Vikram-I, designed and developed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, which is India's new private orbital-class launch vehicle, has been named after space pioneer Vikram Sarabhai. The four-stage rocket, Vikram-I, targets the small satellite market, covering rapid and cost-effective launches. It is 20 meters tall with a diameter of 1.7 meters, which generates 1,200 kN of thrust using an all-carbon composite structure for lightweight strength, including efficiency. The design of the rocket covers simplicity, reliability, and quick reverse, enabling it to launch within 24 hours from any site. In addition, the solid-fueled first three stages of the rocket provide a robust initial boost, topped by a hypergolic liquid upper stage for precise orbital adjustments. Key advances include 3D-printed engines that cut weight by half and shorten production time by 80 per cent, along with ultra-low-shock pneumatic separation systems and upgraded avionics that enable real-time navigation. Skyroot’s Vikram-I launcher is capable of placing up to 350 kg into low Earth orbit (LEO) or 260 kg into a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), with its payload capacity varying by mission profile. For instance, it can carry 290 kg to a 500 km SSO, or 480 kg to a 500 km LEO at a 45-degree inclination. A series of successful trials, including Kalam-1200 proof-pressure testing and payload-fairing separation, has confirmed the rocket’s readiness. Vikram-I strengthens India’s private space sector and complements ISRO’s capabilities as global competition intensifies. Skyroot is aiming for an early-2026 debut flight, aiming to tap into the fast-expanding small-satellite market, within an Indian space economy expected to grow $77 billion by 2030.

Vikram-I, designed and developed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, which is India's new private orbital-class launch vehicle, has been named after space pioneer Vikram Sarabhai.&nbsp;

Unveiling Vikram-1: India's first commercial private rocket launched. know about payload and orbital adjustments

The Ethiopian volcano that erupted after nearly 12,000 years is a warning sign that the world is not ready to handle such a sudden natural event. While authorities look at active volcanoes, such as Mount Etna in Sicily or Yellowstone in the US, one that has been silent for a long time will cause the next global volcanic disaster, Mike Cassidy wrote in a paper published by The Conversation. He wrote that these "hidden" volcanoes erupt more often than most people realise. The Hayli Gubbi volcano in the Afar region of northern Ethiopia is an example of such an event. It erupted on November 23 after 11,700 years, and for the first time in the Holocene epoch, that is, since the end of the last ice age. It sent an ash cloud measuring 45,000 feet high, which drifted northeastward into northern India.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/ethiopian-volcano-eruption-for-first-time-in-12-000-years-captured-from-space-could-africa-split-be-to-blame-1764140242796">PHOTO: Ethiopian volcano eruption for first time in 12,000 years captured from space</a>&nbsp;Cassidy gives another example, that of the Mexican volcano El Chichón, which erupted in 1982 after being dormant for centuries. It wasn't a famous volcano, and so wasn't being monitored. Hot rock, gas and ash filled rivers and destroyed buildings, killing over 2,000 people and displacing 20,000. It also triggered a major change in climate as the sulphur formed reflective particles in the upper atmosphere. The northern hemisphere cooled, and the African monsoon shifted southwards, causing extreme drought, Cassidy wrote.&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/fire-fury-ethiopia-s-volcano-unveils-africa-s-slow-motion-break-1764177008641/embed<h2>Only a few popular volcanoes are monitored, leaving a major gap</h2>He claims that "fewer than half of active volcanoes are monitored, and scientific research still disproportionately focuses on the well-known few." He added, "There are more published studies on one volcano (Mount Etna) than on all the 160 volcanoes of Indonesia, Philippines and Vanuatu combined." Focusing attention on only a few known volcanic eruptions, such as the recent Iceland events, forms a "dangerous pattern," Cassidy warns. Sudden large volcanic eruptions can trigger famines, disease outbreaks and major social upheaval, but "scientists still lack a global system to anticipate or manage these future risks." He further warns that three-quarters of large eruptions come from volcanoes that have been quiet for at least 100 years. Cassidy pushed for proactive action and preparedness instead of reacting after an eruption.

The Ethiopian volcanic eruption is a warning that another similar event, or even a bigger one, is right around the corner. While experts watch only a few active volcanoes, a silent one that nobody is watching can trigger a global disaster.

The Ethiopian volcano that erupted after nearly 12,000 years is a warning sign that the world is not ready to handle such a sudden natural event. While authorities look at active volcanoes, such as Mount Etna in Sicily or Yellowstone in the US, one that has been silent for a long time will cause the next global volcanic disaster, Mike Cassidy wrote in a paper published by The Conversation. He wrote that these "hidden" volcanoes erupt more often than most people realise. The Hayli Gubbi volcano in the Afar region of northern Ethiopia is an example of such an event. It erupted on November 23 after 11,700 years, and for the first time in the Holocene epoch, that is, since the end of the last ice age. It sent an ash cloud measuring 45,000 feet high, which drifted northeastward into northern India. Also Read: PHOTO: Ethiopian volcano eruption for first time in 12,000 years captured from space Cassidy gives another example, that of the Mexican volcano El Chichón, which erupted in 1982 after being dormant for centuries. It wasn't a famous volcano, and so wasn't being monitored. Hot rock, gas and ash filled rivers and destroyed buildings, killing over 2,000 people and displacing 20,000. It also triggered a major change in climate as the sulphur formed reflective particles in the upper atmosphere. The northern hemisphere cooled, and the African monsoon shifted southwards, causing extreme drought, Cassidy wrote. https://www.wionews.com/videos/fire-fury-ethiopia-s-volcano-unveils-africa-s-slow-motion-break-1764177008641/embed Only a few popular volcanoes are monitored, leaving a major gap He claims that "fewer than half of active volcanoes are monitored, and scientific research still disproportionately focuses on the well-known few." He added, "There are more published studies on one volcano (Mount Etna) than on all the 160 volcanoes of Indonesia, Philippines and Vanuatu combined." Focusing attention on only a few known volcanic eruptions, such as the recent Iceland events, forms a "dangerous pattern," Cassidy warns. Sudden large volcanic eruptions can trigger famines, disease outbreaks and major social upheaval, but "scientists still lack a global system to anticipate or manage these future risks." He further warns that three-quarters of large eruptions come from volcanoes that have been quiet for at least 100 years. Cassidy pushed for proactive action and preparedness instead of reacting after an eruption.

The Ethiopian volcanic eruption is a warning that another similar event, or even a bigger one, is right around the corner. While experts watch only a few active volcanoes, a silent one that nobody is watching can trigger a global disaster.

World is not ready for its next big disaster, scientist warns - 'Nobody’s watching...'

An astronomer has discovered an asteroid that can cause a catastrophic impact on a continental scale in the near future. This space rock is only the 39th in a group of near-Earth asteroids, known as Atiras, that orbit entirely within Earth's orbit. The problem with them is that they hide in the Sun's glare, which makes them hard to detect. 2025 SC79 was discovered by a scientist at the Carnegie Institute for Science in September. It has an extremely short orbital period as it completes a trip around the Sun in only 128 days. 2025 SC79 has the third-shortest orbital period of any asteroid and is also the second known object with an orbit entirely within Venus' orbit. It also crosses Mercury's orbit, the closest planet to the Sun, which completes an orbit in 88 days.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/another-study-claims-signals-at-heart-of-milky-way-triggered-by-dark-matter-1764154545112">Another study claims signals at heart of Milky Way triggered by dark matter</a>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-will-be-thrown-off-course-by-jupiter-as-it-exits-the-solar-system-1764147641279">3I/ATLAS will be thrown off-course by Jupiter as it exits the solar system</a>&nbsp;<h2>Most killer asteroids are invisible</h2>The close distance to Earth is what makes such asteroids harder to discover. This also means that the Sun's glare drowns them out, making detection even harder. The failure to find these asteroids could one day lead to a catastrophic event on Earth. 2025 SC79 was discovered by Scott S. Sheppard using the Dark Energy Camera on the National Science Foundation’s Blanco 4-meter telescope, which is tasked with searching for killer asteroids. The newly discovered space rock is 2,300 ft in diameter, and if it ever crosses paths with Earth, mass destruction is inevitable, as it could kill billions of humans and animals. The NSF’s Gemini telescope and Carnegie Science’s Magellan telescopes confirmed the finding.&nbsp;“The most dangerous asteroids are the most difficult to detect,” Sheppard explained in a press release. He says most asteroids are discovered during nighttime, but not Atiras or other asteroids that lurk near the Sun. They can only be observed during twilight. "If these ‘twilight’ asteroids approach Earth, they could pose serious impact hazards," Sheppard said. Further analysis of the killer rock will have to wait as it is due to disappear behind the Sun soon. Scientists are waiting to probe its composition and origin, as it is possible it was kicked out of the asteroid belt. &nbsp;

Earth could be staring at a catastrophe waiting to happen because 39 asteroids roaming near us can possibly hit us at any time. There could be more of these invisible marauders in the vicinity, but the Sun makes detection harder. 

An astronomer has discovered an asteroid that can cause a catastrophic impact on a continental scale in the near future. This space rock is only the 39th in a group of near-Earth asteroids, known as Atiras, that orbit entirely within Earth's orbit. The problem with them is that they hide in the Sun's glare, which makes them hard to detect. 2025 SC79 was discovered by a scientist at the Carnegie Institute for Science in September. It has an extremely short orbital period as it completes a trip around the Sun in only 128 days. 2025 SC79 has the third-shortest orbital period of any asteroid and is also the second known object with an orbit entirely within Venus' orbit. It also crosses Mercury's orbit, the closest planet to the Sun, which completes an orbit in 88 days. Also Read: Another study claims signals at heart of Milky Way triggered by dark matter Also Read: 3I/ATLAS will be thrown off-course by Jupiter as it exits the solar system Most killer asteroids are invisible The close distance to Earth is what makes such asteroids harder to discover. This also means that the Sun's glare drowns them out, making detection even harder. The failure to find these asteroids could one day lead to a catastrophic event on Earth. 2025 SC79 was discovered by Scott S. Sheppard using the Dark Energy Camera on the National Science Foundation’s Blanco 4-meter telescope, which is tasked with searching for killer asteroids. The newly discovered space rock is 2,300 ft in diameter, and if it ever crosses paths with Earth, mass destruction is inevitable, as it could kill billions of humans and animals. The NSF’s Gemini telescope and Carnegie Science’s Magellan telescopes confirmed the finding. “The most dangerous asteroids are the most difficult to detect,” Sheppard explained in a press release. He says most asteroids are discovered during nighttime, but not Atiras or other asteroids that lurk near the Sun. They can only be observed during twilight. "If these ‘twilight’ asteroids approach Earth, they could pose serious impact hazards," Sheppard said. Further analysis of the killer rock will have to wait as it is due to disappear behind the Sun soon. Scientists are waiting to probe its composition and origin, as it is possible it was kicked out of the asteroid belt.

Earth could be staring at a catastrophe waiting to happen because 39 asteroids roaming near us can possibly hit us at any time. There could be more of these invisible marauders in the vicinity, but the Sun makes detection harder.&nbsp;

2,300ft newly discovered killer 'twilight' asteroid near the Sun could kill billions

A scientist has claimed that he might have stumbled upon the first evidence for dark matter, and it has been seen right here in our galaxy. Professor Tomonori Totani, an astrophysicist at the University of Tokyo, says gamma rays emanating from the centre of the Milky Way carry signs of dark matter. This mysterious invisible force is believed to form a web around galaxies and has existed merely in theory for decades. It has never been directly observed. In the 1930s, Swiss astronomer Fritz Zwicky first postulated the presence of dark matter, noting that distant galaxies with lesser mass appeared to be spinning faster. He said this was because of a cosmic object exerting gravitational pull on the galaxies. It isn't visible because it neither emits nor absorbs light.&nbsp;“This could be a crucial breakthrough in unravelling the nature of dark matter,” said Professor Tomonori Totani. The study was published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics. The research was based on the theory that dark matter is made from massive particles that do not interact well with each other. This is why they are also known as wimps. They are heavier than the protons found inside atoms, but there is a lack of interaction with normal matter. A collision between two wimps can annihilate each of them, triggering other particles and a burst of gamma rays.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/eerie-glow-at-the-centre-of-milky-way-could-reveal-a-cosmic-giant-never-seen-before-1760700098843">Eerie glow at the centre of Milky Way could reveal a cosmic giant never seen before</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Totani analysed data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, which can detect the highest-energy light in the electromagnetic spectrum. The pattern of gamma rays seen appeared to match the shape of the dark matter halo spreading out in a sphere from the centre of the Milky Way. Totani told The Guardian this "closely matches the properties of gamma-ray radiation predicted to be emitted by dark matter."&nbsp;<h2>More research on dark matter needed</h2>However, Totani clarified that more research is needed to rule out other processes that could be responsible for the signals. He says that the detection of gamma rays with the same spectrum from other regions of space, such as dwarf galaxies, will nail down his finding. In October 2025, researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics had proposed the exact claim about dark matter being present at the centre of Milky Way.&nbsp;&nbsp;Professor Joseph Silk, co–author of the study published in the journal Physical Review Letters, said, "Dark matter dominates the universe and holds galaxies together," and they are constantly thinking of ways to detect this elusive matter. "Gamma rays, and specifically the excess light we're observing at the centre of our galaxy, could be our first clue," he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A Japanese scientist thinks he has observed dark matter at the centre of the Milky Way. He says the halo in the galaxy is a signal being emitted by gamma rays. In October, another group of researchers had also presented similar findings.

A scientist has claimed that he might have stumbled upon the first evidence for dark matter, and it has been seen right here in our galaxy. Professor Tomonori Totani, an astrophysicist at the University of Tokyo, says gamma rays emanating from the centre of the Milky Way carry signs of dark matter. This mysterious invisible force is believed to form a web around galaxies and has existed merely in theory for decades. It has never been directly observed. In the 1930s, Swiss astronomer Fritz Zwicky first postulated the presence of dark matter, noting that distant galaxies with lesser mass appeared to be spinning faster. He said this was because of a cosmic object exerting gravitational pull on the galaxies. It isn't visible because it neither emits nor absorbs light. “This could be a crucial breakthrough in unravelling the nature of dark matter,” said Professor Tomonori Totani. The study was published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics. The research was based on the theory that dark matter is made from massive particles that do not interact well with each other. This is why they are also known as wimps. They are heavier than the protons found inside atoms, but there is a lack of interaction with normal matter. A collision between two wimps can annihilate each of them, triggering other particles and a burst of gamma rays. Also Read: Eerie glow at the centre of Milky Way could reveal a cosmic giant never seen before Totani analysed data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, which can detect the highest-energy light in the electromagnetic spectrum. The pattern of gamma rays seen appeared to match the shape of the dark matter halo spreading out in a sphere from the centre of the Milky Way. Totani told The Guardian this "closely matches the properties of gamma-ray radiation predicted to be emitted by dark matter." More research on dark matter needed However, Totani clarified that more research is needed to rule out other processes that could be responsible for the signals. He says that the detection of gamma rays with the same spectrum from other regions of space, such as dwarf galaxies, will nail down his finding. In October 2025, researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics had proposed the exact claim about dark matter being present at the centre of Milky Way. Professor Joseph Silk, co–author of the study published in the journal Physical Review Letters, said, "Dark matter dominates the universe and holds galaxies together," and they are constantly thinking of ways to detect this elusive matter. "Gamma rays, and specifically the excess light we're observing at the centre of our galaxy, could be our first clue," he added.

A Japanese scientist thinks he has observed dark matter at the centre of the Milky Way. He says the halo in the galaxy is a signal being emitted by gamma rays. In October, another group of researchers had also presented similar findings.

Another study claims signals at heart of Milky Way triggered by dark matter

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