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Have you ever wondered what happens when you are closest to death? A new study has found that the human body experiences vivid perceptions such as floating outside one’s body, moving through a tunnel toward a bright light, or feeling an overwhelming sense of peace. The latest study by the University of Virginia (UVA) came as a little help in the study of the mystery of death. Researchers found that roughly 15% of severely ill patients who survive life-threatening medical crises report experiencing this phenomenon.Scientists at UVA’s Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences surveyed 167 individuals who claimed to have undergone an NDE. The findings of the research were published in Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research and Practice. It said that such moments can leave a permanent mark on a human's life.It has also been reported that around 70 per cent of people experience a shift in their &nbsp;religious or spiritual beliefs after their experience of death. Also, they fear less of death.Around 64% of participants sought professional or spiritual support, while 78% found it helpful; many said they struggled to find understanding.“The research on how to support these patients and their specific needs is still limited. We hope to begin addressing this gap and inspire clinicians to devote time and care in pursuing these questions," Marieta Pehlivanova said as per New York Post.&nbsp;

The latest study by the University of Virginia (UVA) came as a little help in the study of the mystery of death. Researchers found that roughly 15% of severely ill patients who survive life-threatening medical crises report experiencing this phenomenon.

Have you ever wondered what happens when you are closest to death? A new study has found that the human body experiences vivid perceptions such as floating outside one’s body, moving through a tunnel toward a bright light, or feeling an overwhelming sense of peace. The latest study by the University of Virginia (UVA) came as a little help in the study of the mystery of death. Researchers found that roughly 15% of severely ill patients who survive life-threatening medical crises report experiencing this phenomenon. Scientists at UVA’s Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences surveyed 167 individuals who claimed to have undergone an NDE. The findings of the research were published in Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research and Practice. It said that such moments can leave a permanent mark on a human's life. It has also been reported that around 70 per cent of people experience a shift in their religious or spiritual beliefs after their experience of death. Also, they fear less of death. Around 64% of participants sought professional or spiritual support, while 78% found it helpful; many said they struggled to find understanding. “The research on how to support these patients and their specific needs is still limited. We hope to begin addressing this gap and inspire clinicians to devote time and care in pursuing these questions," Marieta Pehlivanova said as per New York Post.

The latest study by the University of Virginia (UVA) came as a little help in the study of the mystery of death. Researchers found that roughly 15% of severely ill patients who survive life-threatening medical crises report experiencing this phenomenon.

What happens when you die? New study finds you see a bright tunnel

Elon Musk's SpaceX on Monday (Oct 14) achieved another milestone with the 11th flight test of its Starship Super Heavy rocket. This launch highlights the company’s commitment to making the rocket fully reusable. Shortly after liftoff, the Starship’s booster and upper stage separated through a “hot staging” process. The booster then began its controlled descent back towards the Gulf of Mexico but eventually ended with a splashdown in the Indian Ocean. A loud explosion was heard as the Starship crashed into the Indian Ocean as planned.&nbsp;&nbsp;As the launch was livestreamed, Space X CEO Elon Musk unexpectedly appeared on the webcast to check in on the launch, surprising the hosts. This flight marks the second successful return of the Version 2 Starship prototypes, following a series of failed attempts earlier this year. Achieving controlled reentry and safe landing remains a critical step toward SpaceX’s goal of flying the rocket multiple times.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Watch Starship&#39;s eleventh flight test → <a href="https://t.co/YmvmGZTV8o">https://t.co/YmvmGZTV8o</a> <a href="https://t.co/zIRMX5mh9K">https://t.co/zIRMX5mh9K</a>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1972798064403357887?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Despite hearing a loud explosion during the mission, SpaceX confirmed that the Raptor engines ignited correctly at separation, prompting the booster to attempt a landing burn. Cheers erupted from the webcast hosts as the booster safely splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, and the upper stage completed its descent in the Indian Ocean, performing final landing maneuvers smoothly.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Thank you, 15-2! <a href="https://t.co/H2GNVk85BL">pic.twitter.com/H2GNVk85BL</a>&mdash; NSF - NASASpaceflight.com (@NASASpaceflight) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1977880658543341800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Meanwhile, Acting NASA administrator Sean Duffy hailed today’s test flight as “another major step toward landing Americans on the Moon’s south pole.” Earlier this year, this test ended in failure. In this test, a batch of mock Starlink satellites are deployed, briefly re-lighting its engines in space and testing new heat shield tiles during its blazing hot return from space before splashing down west of Australia, according to Reuters. SpaceX, in future tests, expects to launch a more advanced Starship prototype tailored with upgrades essential for long-duration missions in space. That includes docking adapters and other hardware changes key to orbital refueling, a complex process involving two Starships docking in orbit to transfer hundreds of tons of super-cooled propellant.&nbsp;

SpaceX's 11th Starship test flight achieved a major milestone with successful booster splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico and upper stage descent in the Indian Ocean. The mission tested reusability, heat shields, and deployed mock Starlink satellites.

Elon Musk's SpaceX on Monday (Oct 14) achieved another milestone with the 11th flight test of its Starship Super Heavy rocket. This launch highlights the company’s commitment to making the rocket fully reusable. Shortly after liftoff, the Starship’s booster and upper stage separated through a “hot staging” process. The booster then began its controlled descent back towards the Gulf of Mexico but eventually ended with a splashdown in the Indian Ocean. A loud explosion was heard as the Starship crashed into the Indian Ocean as planned. As the launch was livestreamed, Space X CEO Elon Musk unexpectedly appeared on the webcast to check in on the launch, surprising the hosts. This flight marks the second successful return of the Version 2 Starship prototypes, following a series of failed attempts earlier this year. Achieving controlled reentry and safe landing remains a critical step toward SpaceX’s goal of flying the rocket multiple times.

SpaceX's 11th Starship test flight achieved a major milestone with successful booster splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico and upper stage descent in the Indian Ocean. The mission tested reusability, heat shields, and deployed mock Starlink satellites.

SpaceX launches Starship for 11th test flight - It lifts off, separates and crashes into Indian Ocean...

A NASA astronaut has captured the majestic Mount Everest from space. A photo of the highest mountain on Earth, taken from the International Space Station (ISS), was shared by Don Pettit, known for his remarkable pictures from space. The image shows the snow-covered summit of Mount Everest with tough Nepalese terrain around it. Sharing the photo, he wrote, "Orbiting the Himalayas mountain range. Mount Everest is in this photo, with much of Nepal visible as well." The ISS was above the Himalayas at the time he took the photo. Pettit added in another comment that the lower left region in the photo "is a cloudy lower Nepal and India, China is above the range in this photo." Another user wrote, "This photo makes you realise going to space is way cooler than climbing Mount Everest."&nbsp;Meanwhile, others got to deciphering which peak in the photo is Everest. The photo shows the Himalayan range, and the Everest is right there, but hard to locate. Several people calculated using maps which peak exactly is Mount Everest. Another user pointed out how the Himalayas look completely different from space as compared to on Google. "Wow, what a view. Totally different from what we see on Google maps!" the user wrote.<h2> See Himalayas from space</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Orbiting the Himalayas mountain range. Mount Everest is in this photo, with much of Nepal visible as well. <a href="https://t.co/oXqyf9ah8m">pic.twitter.com/oXqyf9ah8m</a>&mdash; Don Pettit (@astro_Pettit) <a href="https://twitter.com/astro_Pettit/status/1977020383590334968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Can you see the trash on Everest? X user asks</h2>One user joked about whether he could also see all the trash on Everest. Notably, Mount Everest has a huge garbage problem. Years of summitting the peak have led to all kinds of waste getting accumulated on the mountain. According to data, an estimated 50 tons of waste, such as discarded tents, oxygen canisters, and human waste sit on the world's tallest peak.A few days ago, Pettit also shared a photo of Mount Etna taken from space. It is one of the world's most active volcanoes, with smoke billowing from it and visible from orbit.

NASA astronaut Don Pettit shared a photo of the Himalayas, with Mount Everest visible among the several peaks. The photo also shows India and Nepal with cloud cover. Netizens are having a tough time locating Everest in the photo. Can you spot it?

A NASA astronaut has captured the majestic Mount Everest from space. A photo of the highest mountain on Earth, taken from the International Space Station (ISS), was shared by Don Pettit, known for his remarkable pictures from space. The image shows the snow-covered summit of Mount Everest with tough Nepalese terrain around it. Sharing the photo, he wrote, "Orbiting the Himalayas mountain range. Mount Everest is in this photo, with much of Nepal visible as well." The ISS was above the Himalayas at the time he took the photo. Pettit added in another comment that the lower left region in the photo "is a cloudy lower Nepal and India, China is above the range in this photo." Another user wrote, "This photo makes you realise going to space is way cooler than climbing Mount Everest." Meanwhile, others got to deciphering which peak in the photo is Everest. The photo shows the Himalayan range, and the Everest is right there, but hard to locate. Several people calculated using maps which peak exactly is Mount Everest. Another user pointed out how the Himalayas look completely different from space as compared to on Google. "Wow, what a view. Totally different from what we see on Google maps!" the user wrote. See Himalayas from space

NASA astronaut Don Pettit shared a photo of the Himalayas, with Mount Everest visible among the several peaks. The photo also shows India and Nepal with cloud cover. Netizens are having a tough time locating Everest in the photo. Can you spot it?

NASA astronaut shares photo of Himalayas and 'cloudy' India from space. Can you spot Everest?

Scientist have finally managed to find out how plants make mitraphylline - a naturally occurring compound with strong anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties. By identifying the ingredients and process of plants making mitraphylline, it becomes easier for the researchers to develop it in a controlled environment, like a science lab and access its pharmaceutical value in treating various diseases. The research was done at UBC Okanagan and a team of University of Florida. By replicating the process used by plant to make this anti-cancer substance, scientists can now make the compound in lab easily.&nbsp;<h2>What is mitraphylline and how do plants make it?</h2>&nbsp;Mitraphylline is a rare plant-derived molecule which is known as spirooxindole alkaloids. They are famous of their unique twisted ring-like structure and are noteworthy for their biological effects including anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties. These molecule occur exist in very tiny quantity in nature and are found in trace amounts in coffee-family tropical trees namely Mitragyna (kratom) and Uncaria (cat’s claw).&nbsp;Plants use two enzymes that work together to give this molecule its unique twisted ring-like shape. One of the two enzymes is responsible for the molecule' 3D arrangement while the other gives it a twist which make the molecule complete.&nbsp;"This is similar to finding the missing links in an assembly line," says Dr. Dang, UBC Okanagan Principal's Research Chair in Natural Products Biotechnology. "It answers a long-standing question about how nature builds these complex molecules and gives us a new way to replicate that process."&nbsp;<h2>How does the discovery help in research?</h2>&nbsp;Now that the scientists have identified that enzymes responsible, they can replicate the process in the lab to make the resulting effectively and sustainably in the lab. This would help save money not only in research but gives the scientists a way to produce rare and thus expensive substances at a lower price and expedite the research on its biological properties to help green drug revolution.

Scientists can now replicate the process used by plant to make this anti-cancer substance in the lab. Here's what it's all about…

Scientist have finally managed to find out how plants make mitraphylline - a naturally occurring compound with strong anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties. By identifying the ingredients and process of plants making mitraphylline, it becomes easier for the researchers to develop it in a controlled environment, like a science lab and access its pharmaceutical value in treating various diseases. The research was done at UBC Okanagan and a team of University of Florida. By replicating the process used by plant to make this anti-cancer substance, scientists can now make the compound in lab easily. What is mitraphylline and how do plants make it? Mitraphylline is a rare plant-derived molecule which is known as spirooxindole alkaloids. They are famous of their unique twisted ring-like structure and are noteworthy for their biological effects including anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties. These molecule occur exist in very tiny quantity in nature and are found in trace amounts in coffee-family tropical trees namely Mitragyna (kratom) and Uncaria (cat’s claw). Plants use two enzymes that work together to give this molecule its unique twisted ring-like shape. One of the two enzymes is responsible for the molecule' 3D arrangement while the other gives it a twist which make the molecule complete. "This is similar to finding the missing links in an assembly line," says Dr. Dang, UBC Okanagan Principal's Research Chair in Natural Products Biotechnology. "It answers a long-standing question about how nature builds these complex molecules and gives us a new way to replicate that process." How does the discovery help in research? Now that the scientists have identified that enzymes responsible, they can replicate the process in the lab to make the resulting effectively and sustainably in the lab. This would help save money not only in research but gives the scientists a way to produce rare and thus expensive substances at a lower price and expedite the research on its biological properties to help green drug revolution.

Scientists can now replicate the process used by plant to make this anti-cancer substance in the lab. Here's what it's all about…

Scientists successfully unlock secret how plants twist molecules into anti-cancer substance

AI is here, where are you? Learn these 10 essential AI terms like Uncanny Valley, LLM, hallucination, and AGI to better understand artificial intelligence’s impact on technology and everyday life.



AI is here, where are you? Learn these 10 essential AI terms like Uncanny Valley, LLM, hallucination, and AGI to better understand artificial intelligence’s impact on technology and everyday life.&nbsp;

From Uncanny Valley to LLM, Hallucination and prompt engineering: 10 AI terms you should know about, now

India is losing sunshine hours, and this trend has greatly increased in the past three decades. A study done by Indian scientists shows that since 1988, the Sun's date with India has been on a downward trend, thanks to the cloud cover and the increasing number of aerosols in the air. The Banaras Hindu University, Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) collaborated on a study that studied data from 1988 to 2018. The monthly sunshine hours (SSH) analysis from 20 meteorological stations and from nine regions showed that the annual sunshine hours in India have been consistently declining. The research was published in the journal Nature on October 2.&nbsp;The study noted that there was a "persistent decline of SSH in the Indian subcontinent on all temporal scales, excluding the north eastern region, where mild seasonal levelling off was found." Meanwhile, there was a "significant increment from October to May followed by significant drops from June to July in six regions, except the northern inland and Himalayan region that showed comparatively opposite monthly trends." &nbsp;Previous studies have found decreasing trends in solar radiation across India and a persistent solar dimming in the 21st century. The researchers blame this on the rising aerosol levels, which went up because of urbanisation in the early 1990s.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mount-everest-himalaya-range-visible-from-jainagar-madhubani-in-bihar-video-1759944315194">WATCH | Mount Everest and Himalayan range visible from Bihar town in stunning occurrence</a> &nbsp;<h2>India did not take timely steps to control aerosols in environment</h2>The study notes that during the 1990s, "India’s economic growth drove urbanisation, land-use changes, and industrialisation, leading to increased fossil fuel consumption, vehicular emissions, and biomass burning." As a result, aerosol concentrations in the atmosphere rose, consequently reducing solar radiation. India was not the only country to undergo changes in the early 90s, with China and Japan also witnessing similar changes. However, the two countries implemented policies to control aerosol pollution. Beijing cracked down with the Clean Air Action Plan, while Japan successfully implemented clean technologies and emission controls. This lowered aerosol levels and caused a brightening trend, the study authors wrote.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/indian-mission-will-uncover-relics-of-a-civilisation-that-lived-on-the-moon-50-000-years-ago-scientist-claims-1759744011780">Indian mission will uncover relics of a civilisation that lived on the Moon 50,000 years ago, scientist claims</a>&nbsp;<h2>Cloud cover increasing because of aerosols</h2>They added that weather conditions have also driven this change, with clouds obstructing sunlight and reducing solar radiation and sunshine hours. Aerosols are responsible for the increasing cloud cover, the study states. "As per the theory of condensation for warm cloud systems, bigger cloud droplets are formed when the natural balance of aerosols and humidity persists, and formation of perceptible clouds is achieved." However, when the number of aerosols goes up in the same amount of humidity, "a greater number of smaller-sized cloud droplets are developed and the cloud lifetime is prolonged." As a result, the hours during which the solar radiation can reach the surface would also be impacted. &nbsp;

India has been experiencing a decline in sunlight since 1988. This has largely been due to uncontrolled air pollution, with aerosols jumping up, triggering the cloud cover to become unbalanced and prolonged. So India has been bereft of enough sunshine for nearly 40 years now. 

India is losing sunshine hours, and this trend has greatly increased in the past three decades. A study done by Indian scientists shows that since 1988, the Sun's date with India has been on a downward trend, thanks to the cloud cover and the increasing number of aerosols in the air. The Banaras Hindu University, Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) collaborated on a study that studied data from 1988 to 2018. The monthly sunshine hours (SSH) analysis from 20 meteorological stations and from nine regions showed that the annual sunshine hours in India have been consistently declining. The research was published in the journal Nature on October 2. The study noted that there was a "persistent decline of SSH in the Indian subcontinent on all temporal scales, excluding the north eastern region, where mild seasonal levelling off was found." Meanwhile, there was a "significant increment from October to May followed by significant drops from June to July in six regions, except the northern inland and Himalayan region that showed comparatively opposite monthly trends." Previous studies have found decreasing trends in solar radiation across India and a persistent solar dimming in the 21st century. The researchers blame this on the rising aerosol levels, which went up because of urbanisation in the early 1990s. Also Read: WATCH | Mount Everest and Himalayan range visible from Bihar town in stunning occurrence India did not take timely steps to control aerosols in environment The study notes that during the 1990s, "India’s economic growth drove urbanisation, land-use changes, and industrialisation, leading to increased fossil fuel consumption, vehicular emissions, and biomass burning." As a result, aerosol concentrations in the atmosphere rose, consequently reducing solar radiation. India was not the only country to undergo changes in the early 90s, with China and Japan also witnessing similar changes. However, the two countries implemented policies to control aerosol pollution. Beijing cracked down with the Clean Air Action Plan, while Japan successfully implemented clean technologies and emission controls. This lowered aerosol levels and caused a brightening trend, the study authors wrote. Also Read: Indian mission will uncover relics of a civilisation that lived on the Moon 50,000 years ago, scientist claims Cloud cover increasing because of aerosols They added that weather conditions have also driven this change, with clouds obstructing sunlight and reducing solar radiation and sunshine hours. Aerosols are responsible for the increasing cloud cover, the study states. "As per the theory of condensation for warm cloud systems, bigger cloud droplets are formed when the natural balance of aerosols and humidity persists, and formation of perceptible clouds is achieved." However, when the number of aerosols goes up in the same amount of humidity, "a greater number of smaller-sized cloud droplets are developed and the cloud lifetime is prolonged." As a result, the hours during which the solar radiation can reach the surface would also be impacted.

India has been experiencing a decline in sunlight since 1988. This has largely been due to uncontrolled air pollution, with aerosols jumping up, triggering the cloud cover to become unbalanced and prolonged. So India has been bereft of enough sunshine for nearly 40 years now.&nbsp;

Sun has not been shining much on India for nearly 40 years. Blame the government

Scientists have been warning against rising sea levels for a long but now the threat has become even bigger. If the studies are to be believed, then nearly 100 million buildings could be under threat in the global south by the end of the current century. The researchers say even if the countries around the world cut their greenhouse emissions as per the Paris Agreement, it won't be enough to save nearly five million buildings in the southern part of the world.<h2>Which areas would be most impacted?</h2>&nbsp;The study focuses on the impact of the rising sea levels in the global south consists of countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America. The study, published in Urban Sustainability, explored various scenarios where sea level rose between 0.5 metre to 20 metres. A rise of five metres of more in the sea level will put nearly 100 million buildings at risk. If the water level rises at its lowest level of 0.5 metres, it would still be enough to flood nearly three million building in the explored area of the study.“We were surprised at the large number of buildings at risk from relatively modest long-term sea level rise,” said Professor Jeff Cardile, co-author and professor at McGill University.&nbsp;“Sea level rise is a slow, but unstoppable consequence of warming that is already impacting coastal populations and will continue for centuries," Professor Natalya Gomez said, co-author of the study and Canada Research Chair in Ice Sheet–Sea Level Interactions at McGill University.&nbsp;<h2>How will India be impacted?</h2>&nbsp;The study only took Southeast Asia's islands into consideration for the study as data on water-level rising in seas around the mainland in Southeast Asia was incomplete. This means that his research did not include India, which, doesn't come in Southeast Asia but in South Asia, could still be at risk given it is surrounded by water on three sides.

The study focuses on the impact of the rising sea levels in the global south consists of countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America. 

Scientists have been warning against rising sea levels for a long but now the threat has become even bigger. If the studies are to be believed, then nearly 100 million buildings could be under threat in the global south by the end of the current century. The researchers say even if the countries around the world cut their greenhouse emissions as per the Paris Agreement, it won't be enough to save nearly five million buildings in the southern part of the world. Which areas would be most impacted? The study focuses on the impact of the rising sea levels in the global south consists of countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America. The study, published in Urban Sustainability, explored various scenarios where sea level rose between 0.5 metre to 20 metres. A rise of five metres of more in the sea level will put nearly 100 million buildings at risk. If the water level rises at its lowest level of 0.5 metres, it would still be enough to flood nearly three million building in the explored area of the study. “We were surprised at the large number of buildings at risk from relatively modest long-term sea level rise,” said Professor Jeff Cardile, co-author and professor at McGill University. “Sea level rise is a slow, but unstoppable consequence of warming that is already impacting coastal populations and will continue for centuries," Professor Natalya Gomez said, co-author of the study and Canada Research Chair in Ice Sheet–Sea Level Interactions at McGill University. How will India be impacted? The study only took Southeast Asia's islands into consideration for the study as data on water-level rising in seas around the mainland in Southeast Asia was incomplete. This means that his research did not include India, which, doesn't come in Southeast Asia but in South Asia, could still be at risk given it is surrounded by water on three sides.

The study focuses on the impact of the rising sea levels in the global south consists of countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America.&nbsp;

Sea level rising has put 100 million buildings at risk in global south, warn scientists. Does India face danger too?

There's a new ocean in making in the world as Africa - one of the largest continents in the world is splitting apart at its East coast. The process, despite being slower in general sense, could change the Earth's geography drastically in comparison to what is visible today. The process would also make Red Sea and Gulf of Aden meet with the new ocean in a rare tri-junction of large water bodies. The event, when occurs, would be similar to how the early Atlantic ocean was created when South America drifted from Africa millions of years ago.&nbsp;<h2>Where is the new ocean being made up?</h2>&nbsp;The new ocean is in the process of making on the East coat of Africa where countries namely Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are situated. The process is being carried out underneath the Earth surface on the above mentioned area where East African Rift lies. It starts from Ethiopia's Afar region and stretches to Tanzania and Mozambique in South East of the continent while passing through Kenya.&nbsp;The African plate in the region divides into the Nubian block on the west side and Somali block on the east. The crack in the rift are widening each year and eventually would pave the way for a new ocean which would also meet Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.&nbsp;<h2>How a ocean is created?</h2>&nbsp;The process of making of a new ocean starts lava underneath the rift comes up due to various reasons including earthquake. The Afar region lies on a fault line which means frequent earthquakes. Once the lava flows, magma opens up the intrusions called dikes. These dikes push the rocks made by cooled down lava to the side and the fault line deepens. The Earth crust above becomes thin and eventually seawater flows in to make the narrow basin a spreading ridge.&nbsp;<h2>What is the timeline of making a new ocean in Africa?</h2>&nbsp;The rate of cracks widening is a few millimeters per year. While this number may seem too small in general, it is shape-changing in terms of Earth's geography. The current East African Rift may take about 5 to 10 million years to tear apart and an ocean to run through it at the current rate as per the scientists.

The new ocean is in the process of making on the East coat of Africa where countries namely Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are situated.

There's a new ocean in making in the world as Africa - one of the largest continents in the world is splitting apart at its East coast. The process, despite being slower in general sense, could change the Earth's geography drastically in comparison to what is visible today. The process would also make Red Sea and Gulf of Aden meet with the new ocean in a rare tri-junction of large water bodies. The event, when occurs, would be similar to how the early Atlantic ocean was created when South America drifted from Africa millions of years ago. Where is the new ocean being made up? The new ocean is in the process of making on the East coat of Africa where countries namely Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are situated. The process is being carried out underneath the Earth surface on the above mentioned area where East African Rift lies. It starts from Ethiopia's Afar region and stretches to Tanzania and Mozambique in South East of the continent while passing through Kenya. The African plate in the region divides into the Nubian block on the west side and Somali block on the east. The crack in the rift are widening each year and eventually would pave the way for a new ocean which would also meet Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. How a ocean is created? The process of making of a new ocean starts lava underneath the rift comes up due to various reasons including earthquake. The Afar region lies on a fault line which means frequent earthquakes. Once the lava flows, magma opens up the intrusions called dikes. These dikes push the rocks made by cooled down lava to the side and the fault line deepens. The Earth crust above becomes thin and eventually seawater flows in to make the narrow basin a spreading ridge. What is the timeline of making a new ocean in Africa? The rate of cracks widening is a few millimeters per year. While this number may seem too small in general, it is shape-changing in terms of Earth's geography. The current East African Rift may take about 5 to 10 million years to tear apart and an ocean to run through it at the current rate as per the scientists.

The new ocean is in the process of making on the East coat of Africa where countries namely Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are situated.

A new ocean in the making: This as Africa continues to split into two on east coast

In something right out of a sci-fi horror movie, scientists have revived an ancient infectious lifeform that could potentially piggyback on an animal and eventually cause the next human pandemic. These microorganisms were reportedly frozen in Alaska for nearly 40,000 years. But now,&nbsp;researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder thawed samples of ancient permafrost — a mixture of frozen soil, rock, and ice — and found that once warmed, the microbes slowly returned to life.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ice-turns-arrest-into-meme-mocks-detainee-in-bizarre-ride-of-shame-video-outrage-erupts-as-white-house-reposts-video-watch-1759732361629">ICE turns arrest into meme; mocks detainee in bizarre ‘ride of shame’ video — outrage erupts as White House reposts video. Watch!</a><h2>How were the dormant ancient viruses brought to life?</h2>At first, nothing happened. But within months, the long-dormant microorganisms began forming thriving colonies, prompting concerns about what else could awaken as the Arctic melts, according to the Daily Mail.“These are not dead samples by any means,” said Dr Tristan Caro, a geoscientist who led the study published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences.The microbes, invisible to the naked eye, were collected from Alaska’s Permafrost Research Tunnel near Fairbanks — an underground passage known as an “icy graveyard.” Scientists incubated the samples at temperatures between 3°C and 12°C to simulate a warming Arctic summer.Within six months, microbial communities had transformed dramatically, forming biofilms — slimy layers of bacteria that are hard to eliminate.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-living-nostradamus-warns-of-imminent-crisis-makes-chilling-prophecy-about-trump-s-plans-for-us-military-1759738646707">‘Living Nostradamus’ warns of 'imminent crisis,' makes chilling prophecy about Trump's plans for US military</a><h2>Can these ancient viruses infect humans?</h2>While these microbes “likely couldn’t infect people,” researchers warned they could still pose serious risks, said the team behind their resurrection. As they reawaken, they release carbon dioxide and methane — greenhouse gases that accelerate climate change.However, longer, warmer Arctic summers could supercharge this process, Dr Caro said. “You might have a single hot day in the Alaskan summer, but what matters much more is the lengthening of the summer season to where these warm temperatures extend into the autumn and spring.”The ability of these microorganisms to survive tens of thousands of years raises deeper concerns. Experts fear that melting permafrost could one day expose ancient bacteria or viruses capable of infecting modern hosts.Dr Brigitta Evengård, an infectious disease expert from Sweden, cautioned that permafrost could release antibiotic-resistant bacteria. “The two that we know could come out of the permafrost are anthrax and pox viruses; other than that, it’s Pandora's box,” she told Greenpeace.Another study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, found that melting glaciers increase the risk of “viral spillover” — when a virus jumps to a new host species. As meltwater flows into Arctic lakes, ancient pathogens could find new routes to infect animals, or even humans.

Scientists have revived ancient microorganisms frozen in Alaska’s permafrost for nearly 40,000 years — sparking fears of what else could awaken as the Arctic warms. Here's why they did this. 

In something right out of a sci-fi horror movie, scientists have revived an ancient infectious lifeform that could potentially piggyback on an animal and eventually cause the next human pandemic. These microorganisms were reportedly frozen in Alaska for nearly 40,000 years. But now, researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder thawed samples of ancient permafrost — a mixture of frozen soil, rock, and ice — and found that once warmed, the microbes slowly returned to life. Also read | ICE turns arrest into meme; mocks detainee in bizarre ‘ride of shame’ video — outrage erupts as White House reposts video. Watch! How were the dormant ancient viruses brought to life? At first, nothing happened. But within months, the long-dormant microorganisms began forming thriving colonies, prompting concerns about what else could awaken as the Arctic melts, according to the Daily Mail. “These are not dead samples by any means,” said Dr Tristan Caro, a geoscientist who led the study published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences. The microbes, invisible to the naked eye, were collected from Alaska’s Permafrost Research Tunnel near Fairbanks — an underground passage known as an “icy graveyard.” Scientists incubated the samples at temperatures between 3°C and 12°C to simulate a warming Arctic summer. Within six months, microbial communities had transformed dramatically, forming biofilms — slimy layers of bacteria that are hard to eliminate. Also read | ‘Living Nostradamus’ warns of 'imminent crisis,' makes chilling prophecy about Trump's plans for US military Can these ancient viruses infect humans? While these microbes “likely couldn’t infect people,” researchers warned they could still pose serious risks, said the team behind their resurrection. As they reawaken, they release carbon dioxide and methane — greenhouse gases that accelerate climate change. However, longer, warmer Arctic summers could supercharge this process, Dr Caro said. “You might have a single hot day in the Alaskan summer, but what matters much more is the lengthening of the summer season to where these warm temperatures extend into the autumn and spring.” The ability of these microorganisms to survive tens of thousands of years raises deeper concerns. Experts fear that melting permafrost could one day expose ancient bacteria or viruses capable of infecting modern hosts. Dr Brigitta Evengård, an infectious disease expert from Sweden, cautioned that permafrost could release antibiotic-resistant bacteria. “The two that we know could come out of the permafrost are anthrax and pox viruses; other than that, it’s Pandora's box,” she told Greenpeace. Another study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, found that melting glaciers increase the risk of “viral spillover” — when a virus jumps to a new host species. As meltwater flows into Arctic lakes, ancient pathogens could find new routes to infect animals, or even humans.

Scientists have revived ancient microorganisms frozen in Alaska’s permafrost for nearly 40,000 years — sparking fears of what else could awaken as the Arctic warms. Here's why they did this.&nbsp;

Why?? Scientists revive 40,000-year-old ancient virus with 'pandemic potential' from Arctic ice

The European Space Agency (ESA) has inaugurated its most advanced deep-space antenna in the remote town of New Norcia, Western Australia, marking a major milestone in Europe’s space communication capabilities.&nbsp;The ceremony, held on October 4, 2025, was attended by ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and Australian Space Agency chief Enrico Palermo. The project, costing $110 million, adds a new dimension to ESA’s ability to communicate with spacecraft exploring the far reaches of our solar system.&nbsp;The antenna, known as New Norcia 3 (NNO-3), is 35 metres in diameter and becomes the fourth deep space antenna in ESA’s global Estrack network and the second installed at the New Norcia site.&nbsp;<h2>AI to power space communication</h2>What makes this antenna unique is its integration of artificial intelligence a first for ESA’s ground network. The AI system will help fine-tune signal detection, filter out background noise, and automatically adjust the antenna’s position for precise communication with distant spacecraft.&nbsp;Speaking to The Sunday Times, Aschbacher said, “This is one of our major antennas that helps us look deep into the universe and receive data from our telescopes and missions.”&nbsp;To ensure maximum sensitivity, parts of the antenna’s receiver system are cryogenically cooled to -263°C, close to absolute zero. This enables it to capture extremely weak signals travelling billions of kilometres from spacecraft across the solar system.&nbsp;<h2>Supporting Jupiter and Mercury missions</h2>The NNO-3 antenna will play a crucial role in two of ESA’s most ambitious missions the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) and BepiColombo mission to Mercury.&nbsp;The JUICE mission aims to explore Jupiter’s icy moons Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa, searching for subsurface oceans that might hold conditions for life. Scientists believe these moons contain more water beneath their icy crusts than all of Earth’s oceans combined.&nbsp;The BepiColombo mission, jointly run with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), will study Mercury’s surface and magnetic field under extreme heat and radiation. Data from these missions will be relayed through the New Norcia antenna, ensuring reliable communication despite vast distances.&nbsp;<h2>Expanding Europe’s space network</h2>When fully operational in 2026, NNO-3 will also support other flagship missions, including Solar Orbiter, Mars Express, Hera, and future explorations such as Plato, Envision, Ariel, Ramses, and Vigil.&nbsp;The facility strengthens Europe’s independent capacity to track and communicate with deep space missions, reducing reliance on international partners.&nbsp;Director General Aschbacher called the project a “significant step forward” for Europe’s role in global space exploration, adding that the partnership with Australia highlights the value of international collaboration in advancing science and technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ESA has launched its most advanced deep space antenna in New Norcia, Australia. Powered by AI, it will support missions like JUICE and BepiColombo, improving communication with spacecraft deep in the solar system a major leap in Europe's space exploration.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has inaugurated its most advanced deep-space antenna in the remote town of New Norcia, Western Australia, marking a major milestone in Europe’s space communication capabilities. The ceremony, held on October 4, 2025, was attended by ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and Australian Space Agency chief Enrico Palermo. The project, costing $110 million, adds a new dimension to ESA’s ability to communicate with spacecraft exploring the far reaches of our solar system. The antenna, known as New Norcia 3 (NNO-3), is 35 metres in diameter and becomes the fourth deep space antenna in ESA’s global Estrack network and the second installed at the New Norcia site. AI to power space communication What makes this antenna unique is its integration of artificial intelligence a first for ESA’s ground network. The AI system will help fine-tune signal detection, filter out background noise, and automatically adjust the antenna’s position for precise communication with distant spacecraft. Speaking to The Sunday Times, Aschbacher said, “This is one of our major antennas that helps us look deep into the universe and receive data from our telescopes and missions.” To ensure maximum sensitivity, parts of the antenna’s receiver system are cryogenically cooled to -263°C, close to absolute zero. This enables it to capture extremely weak signals travelling billions of kilometres from spacecraft across the solar system. Supporting Jupiter and Mercury missions The NNO-3 antenna will play a crucial role in two of ESA’s most ambitious missions the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) and BepiColombo mission to Mercury. The JUICE mission aims to explore Jupiter’s icy moons Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa, searching for subsurface oceans that might hold conditions for life. Scientists believe these moons contain more water beneath their icy crusts than all of Earth’s oceans combined. The BepiColombo mission, jointly run with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), will study Mercury’s surface and magnetic field under extreme heat and radiation. Data from these missions will be relayed through the New Norcia antenna, ensuring reliable communication despite vast distances. Expanding Europe’s space network When fully operational in 2026, NNO-3 will also support other flagship missions, including Solar Orbiter, Mars Express, Hera, and future explorations such as Plato, Envision, Ariel, Ramses, and Vigil. The facility strengthens Europe’s independent capacity to track and communicate with deep space missions, reducing reliance on international partners. Director General Aschbacher called the project a “significant step forward” for Europe’s role in global space exploration, adding that the partnership with Australia highlights the value of international collaboration in advancing science and technology.

ESA has launched its most advanced deep space antenna in New Norcia, Australia. Powered by AI, it will support missions like JUICE and BepiColombo, improving communication with spacecraft deep in the solar system a major leap in Europe's space exploration.

AI in space: How ESA’s new antenna will track missions across the solar system

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi “for their discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance.” Their research has revealed how the immune system maintains self-tolerance, preventing attacks on the body’s own tissues, a mechanism crucial for preventing autoimmune diseases. The Nobel Assembly recognised their contributions as transformative in immunology and therapeutic development.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BREAKING NEWS The 2025 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NobelPrize?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NobelPrize</a> in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi “for their discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance.” <a href="https://t.co/nhjxJSoZEr">pic.twitter.com/nhjxJSoZEr</a>&mdash; The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) <a href="https://twitter.com/NobelPrize/status/1975131786448699467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;<h2>Mary E. Brunkow</h2>Mary E. Brunkow, born in 1961, earned her Ph.D. from Princeton University and currently serves as senior program manager at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle. In 2001, Brunkow, alongside Fred Ramsdell, identified a mutation in the Foxp3 gene in scurfy mice that leads to severe autoimmune disorders. This discovery was pivotal in understanding the genetic basis of regulatory T cells and their role in maintaining immune tolerance.<h2>Fred Ramsdell: From Discovery to Therapeutic Applications</h2>Fred Ramsdell, born in 1960, completed his Ph.D. in immunology at UCLA and has held senior positions in several biotech companies, including Sonoma Biotherapeutics in San Francisco. His work, particularly the identification of the Foxp3 gene mutation, established the link between genetic defects and autoimmune diseases. Ramsdell’s research has provided the foundation for developing targeted therapies for conditions such as IPEX syndrome.<h2>Shimon Sakaguchi: The Pioneer of Regulatory T Cells</h2>Shimon Sakaguchi, born in 1951 in Japan, earned his M.D. and Ph.D. from Kyoto University and is a distinguished professor at the Immunology Frontier Research Center at Osaka University. In 1995, Sakaguchi discovered regulatory T cells, revealing a mechanism of immune tolerance beyond the thymus’s central system. His work has been instrumental in advancing immunotherapy approaches for autoimmune diseases and cancer.&nbsp;

How regulatory T cells protect us

&nbsp;The discoveries by Brunkow, Ramsdell, and Sakaguchi have reshaped immunology and opened avenues for practical medical applications. By uncovering regulatory T cells, they revealed how the immune system prevents self-attacks, offering hope for treatments of autoimmune diseases, safer stem cell transplants, and enhanced cancer therapies. Their work underscores that the immune system is both a defensive network and a tightly regulated system capable of maintaining internal balance, demonstrating the profound impact of basic science on modern medicine.&nbsp;The laureates’ discoveries have far-reaching implications. Understanding peripheral immune tolerance has enabled therapies that modulate the immune system to treat autoimmune disorders, prevent transplant rejection, and improve cancer immunotherapy. Their work exemplifies how fundamental scientific research can lead to transformative clinical applications, benefiting millions worldwide.&nbsp;Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi’s contributions to immunology have not only advanced scientific understanding but also opened new avenues for treating complex diseases, marking a major milestone in medical science.

Their research has revealed how the immune system maintains self-tolerance, preventing attacks on the body’s own tissues, a mechanism crucial for preventing autoimmune diseases. The Nobel Assembly recognised their contributions as transformative in immunology and therapeutic development.

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi “for their discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance.” Their research has revealed how the immune system maintains self-tolerance, preventing attacks on the body’s own tissues, a mechanism crucial for preventing autoimmune diseases. The Nobel Assembly recognised their contributions as transformative in immunology and therapeutic development.

Their research has revealed how the immune system maintains self-tolerance, preventing attacks on the body’s own tissues, a mechanism crucial for preventing autoimmune diseases. The Nobel Assembly recognised their contributions as transformative in immunology and therapeutic development.

Nobel Prize medicine winners 2025: Who are Mary Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi?

&nbsp;Astronomers have long relied on broad morphological categories, spiral, elliptical, lenticular, to sort galaxies into tidy boxes. But the recent Hubble image of NGC 2775 upends such simplicity. At roughly 67 million light-years distant in the constellation Cancer, this galaxy combines features from disparate classes in a way that resists easy classification. Its smooth, gas-poor central bulge looks like an elliptical galaxy, yet it is encircled by a dusty ring containing pockets of star formation, akin to a spiral.&nbsp;<h2>A Galaxy of Two Worlds</h2>At its core, NGC 2775 presents itself as deceptively simple. The inner region is smooth and devoid of gas, characteristics typical of elliptical galaxies. There, star formation has essentially ceased, leaving behind an ageing population of stars. Surrounding this core, however, lies a ring of dust and gas, punctuated by clusters of young stars and hints of faint, flocculent spiral arms.&nbsp;Many astronomers lean toward classifying it as a flocculent spiral galaxy, a type of spiral galaxy whose arms are loosely defined and patchy. Yet it also shows features reminiscent of a lenticular galaxy, a class that bridges spirals and ellipticals and is often thought to form when spirals exhaust their gas and lose their distinct structure.<h2>Clues from Past Encounters</h2>NGC 2775’s odd structure may be a fossil record of past mergers or close encounters. Observations have revealed a hydrogen gas tail stretching nearly 1,00,000 light-years, likely the remnant of a disrupted companion galaxy. The nearby irregular galaxy NGC 2777 appears to have a tidal hydrogen tail tracing back to NGC 2775, suggesting they may have interacted in the past. Such encounters could strip gas from the galaxy’s interior, weaken spiral arms, or gradually transform its shape. The shell-like structures in the outskirts and faint tidal debris support the idea that NGC 2775 is in an intermediate evolutionary phase.<h2>Why This Galaxy Matters</h2>This unusual system offers astronomers a rare laboratory for studying morphological transformation. Because we see it from only one angle, the classification remains uncertain, but that ambiguity is precisely what makes it valuable. It may reveal how spiral galaxies fade into lenticular or elliptical forms, or how mergers and interactions sculpt galactic structure.

The inner region is smooth and devoid of gas, characteristics typical of elliptical galaxies. There, star formation has essentially ceased, leaving behind an ageing population of stars.

Astronomers have long relied on broad morphological categories, spiral, elliptical, lenticular, to sort galaxies into tidy boxes. But the recent Hubble image of NGC 2775 upends such simplicity. At roughly 67 million light-years distant in the constellation Cancer, this galaxy combines features from disparate classes in a way that resists easy classification. Its smooth, gas-poor central bulge looks like an elliptical galaxy, yet it is encircled by a dusty ring containing pockets of star formation, akin to a spiral. A Galaxy of Two Worlds At its core, NGC 2775 presents itself as deceptively simple. The inner region is smooth and devoid of gas, characteristics typical of elliptical galaxies. There, star formation has essentially ceased, leaving behind an ageing population of stars. Surrounding this core, however, lies a ring of dust and gas, punctuated by clusters of young stars and hints of faint, flocculent spiral arms. Many astronomers lean toward classifying it as a flocculent spiral galaxy, a type of spiral galaxy whose arms are loosely defined and patchy. Yet it also shows features reminiscent of a lenticular galaxy, a class that bridges spirals and ellipticals and is often thought to form when spirals exhaust their gas and lose their distinct structure. Clues from Past Encounters NGC 2775’s odd structure may be a fossil record of past mergers or close encounters. Observations have revealed a hydrogen gas tail stretching nearly 1,00,000 light-years, likely the remnant of a disrupted companion galaxy. The nearby irregular galaxy NGC 2777 appears to have a tidal hydrogen tail tracing back to NGC 2775, suggesting they may have interacted in the past. Such encounters could strip gas from the galaxy’s interior, weaken spiral arms, or gradually transform its shape. The shell-like structures in the outskirts and faint tidal debris support the idea that NGC 2775 is in an intermediate evolutionary phase. Why This Galaxy Matters This unusual system offers astronomers a rare laboratory for studying morphological transformation. Because we see it from only one angle, the classification remains uncertain, but that ambiguity is precisely what makes it valuable. It may reveal how spiral galaxies fade into lenticular or elliptical forms, or how mergers and interactions sculpt galactic structure.

The inner region is smooth and devoid of gas, characteristics typical of elliptical galaxies. There, star formation has essentially ceased, leaving behind an ageing population of stars.

'Not spiral, not elliptical': Hubble spots a bizarre galaxy 67 million light-years away defying all known categories

For the last 15 years, a massive belt of algae has been growing, from space it looks like a giant brown ‘ribbon’ connecting the West Coast of Africa to the Gulf of Mexico. Once confined only to the Sargasso Sea, satellite images captured in May indicated that the massive brown ‘ribbon’ weighing 37.5 million tonnes of sargassum was spreading over 8,850 km. The phenomenon is termed the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (GASB). First major bloom observed in 2011, it has been growing ever since, and now almost double the width of the continent of America.<h2>Key Driver behind the growth of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt</h2>Sargassum generally inhabits oligotrophic or nutrient-poor, warm, and saline waters of the Sargasso Sea. But because of its explosive nutrient-driven growth, it is now found in nutrient-rich waters that are high in nitrogen and phosphorus. This is directly linked to the nutrient-driven algae boom. This can be traced back to the increased nutrient runoff from major rivers and other anthropogenic sources, such as agricultural runoff, wastewater, and airborne nutrients. A scientific study named Harmful Algae, by the Harbour Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University, reveals that between 1980 and 2020, the nitrogen content within the Sargassum tissue increased by 55 per cent, and the nitrogen to phosphorus ratio increased by 50 per cent. The Amazon River specifically contributes to the large nutrient loads. Natural ocean currents like the Gluf stream, Loop Current, transport the algae across the continent.&nbsp;<h2>Major ecological and economic impacts of the growth of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt</h2>The Sargassum Belt provide a diverse and complex ecosystem for many species, like fish, crab, shrimps, &nbsp;invertebrates like spiders, &nbsp;eels, turtles, etc. However, the rapid proliferation of it has raised a series of concerns among scientists. They block sunlight for coral reefs, which is necessary for photosynthesis. They can damage massive carbon sinks. Its decomposition releases hydrogen sulfide, methane and other greenhouse gases. When it washes up on shore, it causes Coastal damage, disruption to tourism, fisheries, and local economies. The cleanup process is costly and potentially damaging to infrastructure. In 1991, the accumulation of Sargassum across the Florida coast led to the temporary closure of a nuclear power plant. As oceans warm up, these will also provide an optimal temperature range for the growth of the Belt. Scientists predict a massive bloom of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt; climate variability change in wind and currents could lead to the spread of the Sargassum Belt far north of the Sargasso Sea.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For 15 years, the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt has grown into a massive 8,800 km seaweed bloom, weighing 37.5 million tonnes. Scientists link it to nutrient runoff, warming oceans, and climate change—raising ecological and economic concerns across the Atlantic.

For the last 15 years, a massive belt of algae has been growing, from space it looks like a giant brown ‘ribbon’ connecting the West Coast of Africa to the Gulf of Mexico. Once confined only to the Sargasso Sea, satellite images captured in May indicated that the massive brown ‘ribbon’ weighing 37.5 million tonnes of sargassum was spreading over 8,850 km. The phenomenon is termed the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (GASB). First major bloom observed in 2011, it has been growing ever since, and now almost double the width of the continent of America. Key Driver behind the growth of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt Sargassum generally inhabits oligotrophic or nutrient-poor, warm, and saline waters of the Sargasso Sea. But because of its explosive nutrient-driven growth, it is now found in nutrient-rich waters that are high in nitrogen and phosphorus. This is directly linked to the nutrient-driven algae boom. This can be traced back to the increased nutrient runoff from major rivers and other anthropogenic sources, such as agricultural runoff, wastewater, and airborne nutrients. A scientific study named Harmful Algae, by the Harbour Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University, reveals that between 1980 and 2020, the nitrogen content within the Sargassum tissue increased by 55 per cent, and the nitrogen to phosphorus ratio increased by 50 per cent. The Amazon River specifically contributes to the large nutrient loads. Natural ocean currents like the Gluf stream, Loop Current, transport the algae across the continent. Major ecological and economic impacts of the growth of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt The Sargassum Belt provide a diverse and complex ecosystem for many species, like fish, crab, shrimps, invertebrates like spiders, eels, turtles, etc. However, the rapid proliferation of it has raised a series of concerns among scientists. They block sunlight for coral reefs, which is necessary for photosynthesis. They can damage massive carbon sinks. Its decomposition releases hydrogen sulfide, methane and other greenhouse gases. When it washes up on shore, it causes Coastal damage, disruption to tourism, fisheries, and local economies. The cleanup process is costly and potentially damaging to infrastructure. In 1991, the accumulation of Sargassum across the Florida coast led to the temporary closure of a nuclear power plant. As oceans warm up, these will also provide an optimal temperature range for the growth of the Belt. Scientists predict a massive bloom of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt; climate variability change in wind and currents could lead to the spread of the Sargassum Belt far north of the Sargasso Sea.

For 15 years, the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt has grown into a massive 8,800 km seaweed bloom, weighing 37.5 million tonnes. Scientists link it to nutrient runoff, warming oceans, and climate change—raising ecological and economic concerns across the Atlantic.

Shocking 8,850 km long brown 'ribbon' spreading from Atlantic Ocean to Gulf of Mexico alarms scientists

Dark matter and dark energy are two things that scientists strongly believe exist in the universe, yet they have never been able to find them. They are believed to be the driving force behind the expansion of the universe. However, Professor Rajendra Gupta of the University of Ottawa has given a simple reason why dark matter has remained elusive till now - because it simply doesn't exist. His theory has raised eyebrows in the astronomy community, but Gupta claims the effects that have been attributed to dark matter till now have another explanation. He says that as the fundamental forces of the universe change over time, the cosmos witnesses things that scientists assume are happening because of dark matter. But that isn't the case. Gupta offers an alternate reason for why everything that we think is happening because of dark matter is actually happening. He says that constants, such as the speed of light and the force of gravity, govern the laws of physics. But some physicists think that they are not "constant" in reality, and in fact, evolve and change as the universe ages.&nbsp;Gupta wrote in the study, "Dark matter and dark energy...may be considered emerging from the weakening of the forces of nature in an expanding Universe." In his paper, he tried to explain everything that dark matter currently does, without assuming that these particles exist. He says the varying "covarying coupling constants" can be taken and put into Einstein's equations for cosmic expansion. This results in two mathematical terms - alpha–matter and alpha–energy. Both these behave just like dark matter and dark energy. What makes this theory really interesting is that the amount by which the constants vary changes depending on how much matter is concentrated in one place. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-nasa-is-currently-closed-nasa-shutters-down-its-website-indefinitely-details-1759506204419">'NASA is currently closed' - Space agency shuts down its website indefinitely | Details</a>&nbsp;<h2>Theory explains why outer stars are moving faster</h2>Under Gupta's theory, the amount by which the constants vary changes depending on the concentration of matter in one place. It states that at the centre of a galaxy, lots of normal matter is present and so physics acts just like it should. But in far-off regions, the matter reduces, the constants become weaker and alpha–matter and alpha–energy effects start becoming visible. Gupta says this explains why the outer regions of galaxies and the universe seem to be moving faster compared to stars in the inner core.&nbsp;Scientists seriously started considering the possibility that dark matter is real in the 1970s. Astronomer Vera Rubin noticed that galaxies' outermost stars were rotating a lot faster than they should. This led to the hypothesis that galaxies had a lot more mass than the visible matter could account for. This led to the assumption that dark matter occupied the space between cosmic bodies in the universe. However, no proof of its existence has ever been found. &nbsp;

Why haven't scientists found dark matter? One scientist thinks it is probably because it doesn't exist at all. Dark matter remains merely an assumption to date, and there has never been any proof that it is real.

Dark matter and dark energy are two things that scientists strongly believe exist in the universe, yet they have never been able to find them. They are believed to be the driving force behind the expansion of the universe. However, Professor Rajendra Gupta of the University of Ottawa has given a simple reason why dark matter has remained elusive till now - because it simply doesn't exist. His theory has raised eyebrows in the astronomy community, but Gupta claims the effects that have been attributed to dark matter till now have another explanation. He says that as the fundamental forces of the universe change over time, the cosmos witnesses things that scientists assume are happening because of dark matter. But that isn't the case. Gupta offers an alternate reason for why everything that we think is happening because of dark matter is actually happening. He says that constants, such as the speed of light and the force of gravity, govern the laws of physics. But some physicists think that they are not "constant" in reality, and in fact, evolve and change as the universe ages. Gupta wrote in the study, "Dark matter and dark energy...may be considered emerging from the weakening of the forces of nature in an expanding Universe." In his paper, he tried to explain everything that dark matter currently does, without assuming that these particles exist. He says the varying "covarying coupling constants" can be taken and put into Einstein's equations for cosmic expansion. This results in two mathematical terms - alpha–matter and alpha–energy. Both these behave just like dark matter and dark energy. What makes this theory really interesting is that the amount by which the constants vary changes depending on how much matter is concentrated in one place. Also Read: 'NASA is currently closed' - Space agency shuts down its website indefinitely | Details Theory explains why outer stars are moving faster Under Gupta's theory, the amount by which the constants vary changes depending on the concentration of matter in one place. It states that at the centre of a galaxy, lots of normal matter is present and so physics acts just like it should. But in far-off regions, the matter reduces, the constants become weaker and alpha–matter and alpha–energy effects start becoming visible. Gupta says this explains why the outer regions of galaxies and the universe seem to be moving faster compared to stars in the inner core. Scientists seriously started considering the possibility that dark matter is real in the 1970s. Astronomer Vera Rubin noticed that galaxies' outermost stars were rotating a lot faster than they should. This led to the hypothesis that galaxies had a lot more mass than the visible matter could account for. This led to the assumption that dark matter occupied the space between cosmic bodies in the universe. However, no proof of its existence has ever been found.

Why haven't scientists found dark matter? One scientist thinks it is probably because it doesn't exist at all. Dark matter remains merely an assumption to date, and there has never been any proof that it is real.

Why haven't we found dark matter yet? Because it doesn't exist, one scientist claims

Scientists are shocked to see a planet chowing on six billion tons of gas and dust each second, an event that has been going on for a couple of months. The so-called rogue planet is witnessing an extreme and unprecedented "growth spurt", proving that planets are not docile cosmic objects. The new observations were made by the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO's VLT). This free-floating planet is eating up gas and dust from its surroundings at an astounding rate, providing new insights into the formation of planets. Cha 1107-7626 is around five to 10 times the mass of Jupiter, and lives 620 light-years away in the constellation of Chamaeleon. The planet is being fed by a circumplanetary disk of gas and dust, which constantly falls into it. The process, known as accretion, witnessed a sudden acceleration by August 2025 in Cha 1107-7626. It sped up by eight times within a few months, leading it to its current rate of six billion tons per second. The discovery was published today in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.&nbsp;This planet is still forming, giving scientists a peek into how such large bodies develop. "We’ve caught this newborn rogue planet in the act of gobbling up stuff at a furious pace,” said Johns Hopkins University’s Professor Ray Jayawardhana. Lead author of the study, &nbsp;Víctor Almendros-Abad, said that this discovery proves that "planets are not quiet and stable worlds". An astronomer at the Astronomical Observatory of Palermo and National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), Italy, Almendros-Abad added, “This is the strongest accretion episode ever recorded for a planetary-mass object."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/is-nasa-nuking-an-asteroid-real-life-armageddon-could-happen-by-2031-details-1759238690934">Is NASA nuking an asteroid? Real-life Armageddon could happen by 2031 | Details</a> But this accretion is not stable. As pointed out above, the researchers noted that the speed of gulping down material changed vastly over a few months. "We have captured a rare glimpse into the baby phase of isolated objects not much heftier than Jupiter. Their infancy appears to be much more tumultuous than we had realised," Jayawardhana said. Besides ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), located in Chile’s Atacama Desert, the team also used data from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope and archival data from the SINFONI spectrograph on VLT.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/october-29-the-day-of-reckoning-for-3i-atlas-scientist-warns-of-historic-shift-1759390829002">October 29: The day of reckoning for 3I/ATLAS - Scientist warns of historic shift</a><h2>Rogue planet acting like a star</h2>Witnessing a rogue planet acting like a star has raised questions about how they are different from each other. "The origin of rogue planets remains an open question: are they the lowest-mass objects formed like stars, or giant planets ejected from their birth systems?" co-author Aleks Scholz, an astronomer at the University of St Andrews, United Kingdom, said. The findings prove that some rogue planets are formed in a similar manner as stars, since both witness bursts of accretion.&nbsp;“This discovery blurs the line between stars and planets and gives us a sneak peek into the earliest formation periods of rogue planets,” said Dr Belinda Damian, an astronomer at the University of St Andrews. Another thing that stumped researchers was the presence of water vapour in the disk around the planet during the accretion episode, but not after it. This phenomenon had been spotted in stars but never in a planet. “We’re struck by quite how much the infancy of free-floating planetary-mass objects resembles that of stars like the Sun,” Professor Jayawardhana said.&nbsp; &nbsp;

A planet located 620 light-years away in the constellation Chamaeleon is acting like a young star, chomping down on matter at the rate of six billion tons per second. Scientists are amazed to see the infant planet going through such a growth spurt.

Scientists are shocked to see a planet chowing on six billion tons of gas and dust each second, an event that has been going on for a couple of months. The so-called rogue planet is witnessing an extreme and unprecedented "growth spurt", proving that planets are not docile cosmic objects. The new observations were made by the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO's VLT). This free-floating planet is eating up gas and dust from its surroundings at an astounding rate, providing new insights into the formation of planets. Cha 1107-7626 is around five to 10 times the mass of Jupiter, and lives 620 light-years away in the constellation of Chamaeleon. The planet is being fed by a circumplanetary disk of gas and dust, which constantly falls into it. The process, known as accretion, witnessed a sudden acceleration by August 2025 in Cha 1107-7626. It sped up by eight times within a few months, leading it to its current rate of six billion tons per second. The discovery was published today in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. This planet is still forming, giving scientists a peek into how such large bodies develop. "We’ve caught this newborn rogue planet in the act of gobbling up stuff at a furious pace,” said Johns Hopkins University’s Professor Ray Jayawardhana. Lead author of the study, Víctor Almendros-Abad, said that this discovery proves that "planets are not quiet and stable worlds". An astronomer at the Astronomical Observatory of Palermo and National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), Italy, Almendros-Abad added, “This is the strongest accretion episode ever recorded for a planetary-mass object." Also Read: Is NASA nuking an asteroid? Real-life Armageddon could happen by 2031 | Details But this accretion is not stable. As pointed out above, the researchers noted that the speed of gulping down material changed vastly over a few months. "We have captured a rare glimpse into the baby phase of isolated objects not much heftier than Jupiter. Their infancy appears to be much more tumultuous than we had realised," Jayawardhana said. Besides ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), located in Chile’s Atacama Desert, the team also used data from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope and archival data from the SINFONI spectrograph on VLT. Also Read: October 29: The day of reckoning for 3I/ATLAS - Scientist warns of historic shift Rogue planet acting like a star Witnessing a rogue planet acting like a star has raised questions about how they are different from each other. "The origin of rogue planets remains an open question: are they the lowest-mass objects formed like stars, or giant planets ejected from their birth systems?" co-author Aleks Scholz, an astronomer at the University of St Andrews, United Kingdom, said. The findings prove that some rogue planets are formed in a similar manner as stars, since both witness bursts of accretion. “This discovery blurs the line between stars and planets and gives us a sneak peek into the earliest formation periods of rogue planets,” said Dr Belinda Damian, an astronomer at the University of St Andrews. Another thing that stumped researchers was the presence of water vapour in the disk around the planet during the accretion episode, but not after it. This phenomenon had been spotted in stars but never in a planet. “We’re struck by quite how much the infancy of free-floating planetary-mass objects resembles that of stars like the Sun,” Professor Jayawardhana said.

A planet located 620 light-years away in the constellation Chamaeleon is acting like a young star, chomping down on matter at the rate of six billion tons per second. Scientists are amazed to see the infant planet going through such a growth spurt.

Infant rogue planet 620 light-years away growing by 6 billion tonnes per second

American firm AST SpaceMobile has announced that its BlueBird 6 Internet-beaming satellite has completed its final assembly and testing, and is ready for flight. If all goes well, the firm is expected to load the satellite onto an Antonov cargo plane on October 12th and fly it to Chennai in Southern India, from where it would be trucked to the ISRO Spaceport Satish Dhawan Space Centre, about 85kms north of Chennai. ISRO's largest rocket, the LVM3, is meant to carry the 6,500kg BlueBird 6 to orbit (about 550km above Earth). The 6,500kg satellite would be the heaviest satellite to be carried by an Indian rocket.Once the satellite reaches the Indian spaceport in mid-October, it would be safe to assume that the launch would be carried out in 30-45 days, which means the BlueBird 6 could take to the skies by December. In the intervening 30-45 days, the assembly activities of the rocket, the testing, and fuelling of the satellite, and other pre-launch preparations are carried out.Notably, ISRO is gearing up for the launch of the Indian communications satellite CMS-02 by the end of October. Like the BlueBird 6, CMS-02 would also fly on an LVM3 rocket. As it stands, the CMS-02 would be launched on a rocket designated as LVM-M5, and the BlueBird would fly on LVM3-M6. Therefore, it would be safe to assume that ISRO would be executing two LVM3 launches in 3 months, something that has not been done before.As a launch services provider (rocket builder and operator), the Indian Space Agency launches foreign-origin satellites into space commercially. These commercial space missions (like a taxi ferrying a passenger) are handled by ISRO's commercial arm NSIL, which earns revenue for the Indian government.<h2>AST SpaceMobile and its internet-beaming satellites</h2>AST SpaceMobile is a Texas-based telecom company that aims to build and launch a fleet of satellites that can directly provide internet connectivity to mobile phones. As per reports, the firm presently has a fleet of five first-generation (Block-1) satellites in orbit. The firm plans to launch a fleet of 45-60 second-generation (Block-2) satellites to offer services in major global regions, it is said.The firm has announced that they have a series of satellites that will be launched in the coming months. "BlueBird 7 is expected to ship to the Cape Canaveral launch site in October, BlueBirds 8-16 are in various stages of production, with launches planned every 1-2 months on average during 2025 and 2026," the firm announced. &nbsp;They expect to have 45–60 satellites in orbit by year-end 2026. It is touted that these BlueBird satellites (by size) will be the largest commercial satellites ever deployed in Low Earth orbit (about 600kms above Earth). Each of these satellites would carry a 2,400 sq feet phased array antenna with true direct-to-cell broadband, with a claimed capability of up to 10,000 MHz of processing bandwidth and claimed peak speeds of 120 Mbps per cell.The firm says they have partnered with 50+ mobile network operators serving nearly 3 billion subscribers, supported by a flexible spectrum strategy blending their own licensed spectrum with partner spectrum.<h2>Repeated delays in BlueBird 6 launch</h2>As per the January 2025 announcement by the Indian government, the American satellite was to be launched by India's LVM3-M5 rocket in March 2025. In April, the Indian Government said that the BlueBird launch would take place aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket in July 2025.In July 2025, following the successful launch of the Indo-US NISAR satellite, ISRO Chief Dr V. Narayanan said that ISRO would be launching a CMS-02 satellite aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket. This meant that the rocket originally allocated for BlueBird was being reallocated to a different satellite, known as CMS-02. The reasons for this reallocation were not revealed.In August, in the run-up to the National Space Day celebrations, ISRO Chief Dr V. Narayanan shared an ISRO launch schedule which said that the BlueBird mission would be launched by the LVM3-M6 rocket between January and March 2026.Unconfirmed reports say that the US firm has been facing delays at its end, which has been delaying its planned Block-2 satellite launches from India and abroad.

AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 6 satellite, designed to beam internet directly to mobile phones, has completed assembly and testing and is set for transport to ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India by October 12.

American firm AST SpaceMobile has announced that its BlueBird 6 Internet-beaming satellite has completed its final assembly and testing, and is ready for flight. If all goes well, the firm is expected to load the satellite onto an Antonov cargo plane on October 12th and fly it to Chennai in Southern India, from where it would be trucked to the ISRO Spaceport Satish Dhawan Space Centre, about 85kms north of Chennai. ISRO's largest rocket, the LVM3, is meant to carry the 6,500kg BlueBird 6 to orbit (about 550km above Earth). The 6,500kg satellite would be the heaviest satellite to be carried by an Indian rocket. Once the satellite reaches the Indian spaceport in mid-October, it would be safe to assume that the launch would be carried out in 30-45 days, which means the BlueBird 6 could take to the skies by December. In the intervening 30-45 days, the assembly activities of the rocket, the testing, and fuelling of the satellite, and other pre-launch preparations are carried out. Notably, ISRO is gearing up for the launch of the Indian communications satellite CMS-02 by the end of October. Like the BlueBird 6, CMS-02 would also fly on an LVM3 rocket. As it stands, the CMS-02 would be launched on a rocket designated as LVM-M5, and the BlueBird would fly on LVM3-M6. Therefore, it would be safe to assume that ISRO would be executing two LVM3 launches in 3 months, something that has not been done before. As a launch services provider (rocket builder and operator), the Indian Space Agency launches foreign-origin satellites into space commercially. These commercial space missions (like a taxi ferrying a passenger) are handled by ISRO's commercial arm NSIL, which earns revenue for the Indian government. AST SpaceMobile and its internet-beaming satellites AST SpaceMobile is a Texas-based telecom company that aims to build and launch a fleet of satellites that can directly provide internet connectivity to mobile phones. As per reports, the firm presently has a fleet of five first-generation (Block-1) satellites in orbit. The firm plans to launch a fleet of 45-60 second-generation (Block-2) satellites to offer services in major global regions, it is said. The firm has announced that they have a series of satellites that will be launched in the coming months. "BlueBird 7 is expected to ship to the Cape Canaveral launch site in October, BlueBirds 8-16 are in various stages of production, with launches planned every 1-2 months on average during 2025 and 2026," the firm announced. They expect to have 45–60 satellites in orbit by year-end 2026. It is touted that these BlueBird satellites (by size) will be the largest commercial satellites ever deployed in Low Earth orbit (about 600kms above Earth). Each of these satellites would carry a 2,400 sq feet phased array antenna with true direct-to-cell broadband, with a claimed capability of up to 10,000 MHz of processing bandwidth and claimed peak speeds of 120 Mbps per cell. The firm says they have partnered with 50+ mobile network operators serving nearly 3 billion subscribers, supported by a flexible spectrum strategy blending their own licensed spectrum with partner spectrum. Repeated delays in BlueBird 6 launch As per the January 2025 announcement by the Indian government, the American satellite was to be launched by India's LVM3-M5 rocket in March 2025. In April, the Indian Government said that the BlueBird launch would take place aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket in July 2025. In July 2025, following the successful launch of the Indo-US NISAR satellite, ISRO Chief Dr V. Narayanan said that ISRO would be launching a CMS-02 satellite aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket. This meant that the rocket originally allocated for BlueBird was being reallocated to a different satellite, known as CMS-02. The reasons for this reallocation were not revealed. In August, in the run-up to the National Space Day celebrations, ISRO Chief Dr V. Narayanan shared an ISRO launch schedule which said that the BlueBird mission would be launched by the LVM3-M6 rocket between January and March 2026. Unconfirmed reports say that the US firm has been facing delays at its end, which has been delaying its planned Block-2 satellite launches from India and abroad.

AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 6 satellite, designed to beam internet directly to mobile phones, has completed assembly and testing and is set for transport to ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India by October 12.

US firm's BlueBird satellite to reach India in mid-Oct; Launch could take place by December

Russian Noah’s Ark satellite, Bion-M No.2 mission, Russian space experiment animals, mice in space 2025, flies in space, biological payload Russia, space biosatellite landing, Roscosmos animal experiment, spacecraft reentry fire, space biology research

Russia’s “Noah’s Ark” biosatellite, carrying 75 mice, 1,500 flies, plants and microbes, has returned to Earth after 30 days in orbit. The mission studied the effects of space on living organisms, with 65 mice and most specimens surviving.

Russia’s ‘Noah’s Ark’ satellite carrying 75 Mice and 1,500 flies lands after fiery reentry

NASA is considering going Armageddon on an asteroid that could crash into our Moon in 2032. Asteroid 2024 YR4 was earlier predicted to hit Earth, but later calculations put our planet in the safe zone. However, the worries didn't end here as scientists then noted that it could hit the Moon. If this happens, a huge amount of debris will be released from the lunar surface, which can then rain down on Earth, impacting satellites and the astronauts at the International Space Station. So the American space agency is now thinking about nuking the space rock. The idea of blasting a nuclear weapon was published in a study available on the arXiv preprint server. The yet-to-be-peer-reviewed paper quoted NASA experts as saying that “nuclear robust disruption missions” could be deployed between 2029 to 2031 to end the threat posed by the asteroid. This becomes important considering the consequences of a crash on the Moon.<h2>Asteroid YR4 2024 and an impact in 2032</h2>If an asteroid the size of 2024 YR4 strikes the Moon, a huge debris field will be created comprising micrometeoroids, which can then rain down on Earth. The amount of debris falling towards us could increase by up to 1,000 times the normal background level over several days. Asteroid YR4 2024 was estimated to have a 3.1 per cent chance of hitting Earth in 2032 after being first spotted last year. But this changed, and the Moon is now believed to be in direct line of an impact. The probability of that happening has increased to 4.3 per cent. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/7-years-2-asteroids-and-tonnes-of-shooting-meteorites-are-earth-astronauts-and-satellites-really-safe-1751364306598">City killer asteroid can shoot meteorites like bullets at Earth in 2032. Who is at risk?</a>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/100-000-000kg-debris-from-asteroid-collision-with-moon-could-threaten-earth-for-years-1750233294370">'City-killer' asteroid will gouge 1km crater in Moon, releasing debris that will threaten Earth for years</a><h2>What will happen when asteroid YR4 2024 collides with the Moon?</h2>Supposing that asteroid 2024 YR4 is around 174ft-220ft, 100,000,000 kilograms of debris will be generated when it crashes into the Moon. Most of it is expected to come hurtling towards Earth, endangering satellites, the International Space Station and astronauts. Other spacecraft will also bear the brunt as the debris could puncture them, rendering them unworkable. Scientists from the University of Western Ontario also found that the space rock will release energy equivalent to 6.5 megatons of TNT upon impact with our lunar satellite. This is more than the energy released by the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945 during World War II, which stood at nearly 0.015 megatons of TNT. It will also gouge a one-kilometre-deep crater in the Moon.

Can NASA nuke an asteroid? It has plans to do so with asteroid 2024 YR4, which is predicted to crash into our Moon in 2032. If the asteroid hits the Moon, 100,000,000 kilograms of debris could be generated, and most of it could rain down on Earth.

NASA is considering going Armageddon on an asteroid that could crash into our Moon in 2032. Asteroid 2024 YR4 was earlier predicted to hit Earth, but later calculations put our planet in the safe zone. However, the worries didn't end here as scientists then noted that it could hit the Moon. If this happens, a huge amount of debris will be released from the lunar surface, which can then rain down on Earth, impacting satellites and the astronauts at the International Space Station. So the American space agency is now thinking about nuking the space rock. The idea of blasting a nuclear weapon was published in a study available on the arXiv preprint server. The yet-to-be-peer-reviewed paper quoted NASA experts as saying that “nuclear robust disruption missions” could be deployed between 2029 to 2031 to end the threat posed by the asteroid. This becomes important considering the consequences of a crash on the Moon. Asteroid YR4 2024 and an impact in 2032 If an asteroid the size of 2024 YR4 strikes the Moon, a huge debris field will be created comprising micrometeoroids, which can then rain down on Earth. The amount of debris falling towards us could increase by up to 1,000 times the normal background level over several days. Asteroid YR4 2024 was estimated to have a 3.1 per cent chance of hitting Earth in 2032 after being first spotted last year. But this changed, and the Moon is now believed to be in direct line of an impact. The probability of that happening has increased to 4.3 per cent. Also Read: City killer asteroid can shoot meteorites like bullets at Earth in 2032. Who is at risk? Also Read: 'City-killer' asteroid will gouge 1km crater in Moon, releasing debris that will threaten Earth for years What will happen when asteroid YR4 2024 collides with the Moon? Supposing that asteroid 2024 YR4 is around 174ft-220ft, 100,000,000 kilograms of debris will be generated when it crashes into the Moon. Most of it is expected to come hurtling towards Earth, endangering satellites, the International Space Station and astronauts. Other spacecraft will also bear the brunt as the debris could puncture them, rendering them unworkable. Scientists from the University of Western Ontario also found that the space rock will release energy equivalent to 6.5 megatons of TNT upon impact with our lunar satellite. This is more than the energy released by the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945 during World War II, which stood at nearly 0.015 megatons of TNT. It will also gouge a one-kilometre-deep crater in the Moon.

Can NASA nuke an asteroid? It has plans to do so with asteroid 2024 YR4, which is predicted to crash into our Moon in 2032. If the asteroid hits the Moon, 100,000,000 kilograms of debris could be generated, and most of it could rain down on Earth.

Is NASA nuking an asteroid? Real-life Armageddon could happen by 2031 | Details

NASA has warned that the sun is becoming active and can slam Earth with extreme solar storms in the coming weeks. We are aware of the coomunications disruptions geostorms can cause; however, a study has revealed that they can wreak havoc on human health. Researchers from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) in Brazil have noted a bizarre consequence of solar storms striking the invisible shield around Earth. They revealed that women were at a three times higher risk of heart attacks on days when geomagnetic storms struck the planet's magnetic field. This protective bubble safeguards Earth from harmful solar radiation, and a weakening cover could adversely affect humans. When solar storms hit this shield, the &nbsp;heart is impacted, since the body's natural rhythms and stress systems take a hit, according to the new study. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/world-population-will-hit-a-dead-end-very-soon-un-predicts-100-million-drop-by-2100-1759136974121">World population will hit a dead end in THIS year — UN predicts 100mn drop by...</a>&nbsp;<h2>Solar particles can cause major health issues</h2>The study authors state that solar storms change extremely low-frequency signals in the magnetic field. This can adversely affect brain waves and cause a disbalance of hormones like melatonin and serotonin, which are essential for the proper functioning of the body. All these are vital to regulate blood pressure, heart function, and other processes. The team of scientists found that women over the age of 31 were more vulnerable to geomagnetic changes. Those between the ages of 31 and 60 could suffer three times as many heart attacks on days with magnetic disruptions. The other side effects include the risk of skin cancer due to excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation. People with asthma are also likely to suffer breathing issues during solar storms.&nbsp;The Sun often releases enormous flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which contain charged particles. They go into differen directions in space, and even travel towards Earth. When they strike the magnetic field, beautiful auroras are formed, while also having a negative impact, such as disruption in satellite communications. The research has been published in the journal Nature Communications Medicine. &nbsp;

Solar storms, geostorms or coronal mass ejections can affect human health. They not only create auroras and disrupt communications systems, but can also trigger heart attacks in women. The shocking revelation has been made by a group of Brazilian scientists. 

NASA has warned that the sun is becoming active and can slam Earth with extreme solar storms in the coming weeks. We are aware of the coomunications disruptions geostorms can cause; however, a study has revealed that they can wreak havoc on human health. Researchers from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) in Brazil have noted a bizarre consequence of solar storms striking the invisible shield around Earth. They revealed that women were at a three times higher risk of heart attacks on days when geomagnetic storms struck the planet's magnetic field. This protective bubble safeguards Earth from harmful solar radiation, and a weakening cover could adversely affect humans. When solar storms hit this shield, the heart is impacted, since the body's natural rhythms and stress systems take a hit, according to the new study. Also Read: World population will hit a dead end in THIS year — UN predicts 100mn drop by... Solar particles can cause major health issues The study authors state that solar storms change extremely low-frequency signals in the magnetic field. This can adversely affect brain waves and cause a disbalance of hormones like melatonin and serotonin, which are essential for the proper functioning of the body. All these are vital to regulate blood pressure, heart function, and other processes. The team of scientists found that women over the age of 31 were more vulnerable to geomagnetic changes. Those between the ages of 31 and 60 could suffer three times as many heart attacks on days with magnetic disruptions. The other side effects include the risk of skin cancer due to excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation. People with asthma are also likely to suffer breathing issues during solar storms. The Sun often releases enormous flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which contain charged particles. They go into differen directions in space, and even travel towards Earth. When they strike the magnetic field, beautiful auroras are formed, while also having a negative impact, such as disruption in satellite communications. The research has been published in the journal Nature Communications Medicine.

Solar storms, geostorms or coronal mass ejections can affect human health. They not only create auroras and disrupt communications systems, but can also trigger heart attacks in women. The shocking revelation has been made by a group of Brazilian scientists.&nbsp;

Solar storms can trigger heart attacks in women, shocking study finds

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, discovered on July 1, 2025, is approaching its closest distance from the Sun now. It is expected to be invisible from Earth soon. It will be on the opposite side of the Sun for some time. The interloper will reappear in the sky in late November, before approaching its closest passage to Earth, approximately 268 million kilometres or 1.8 Astronomical Units away in mid-December, which is approximately 1.8 times the distance between the Earth and the Sun.<h2>The best view of comet 3I/ATLAS</h2>The interstellar comet is now just a few degrees away from the Sun, making it optimal for visibility just an hour after the Sun sets. Its perihelion is expected on October 29, 2025, ie, closest to the Sun, at approximately 202 million kilometres distance. It will be closer than the other comets; however, Earth’s going to miss the moment. The best view of the comet will be in early December, just before its closest approach to Earth in mid-December.&nbsp;Due to its faintness, a telescope with a minimum 70 mm aperture will be needed for a clear look. A secluded area far from the light pollution of cities will be an optimal space to observe the comet.&nbsp;The fascinating interstellar visitor has a nucleus diameter of roughly 5.6 kilometres and is approaching at speeds over 210,000 km/h. Astronomers have carefully studied the light coming from the comet and found that it has cyanide and nickel in its coma. Additionally, NASA's SPHEREx spacecraft has detected carbon dioxide gas and water ice in the comet, confirming its composition. The Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is the third visitor after &nbsp;1I/’Oumuamua, discovered in 2017, and Comet 2I/Borisov, discovered in 2019. It is twice as fast and larger than the other two.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, discovered in July 2025, is approaching perihelion and will soon be temporarily invisible from Earth. The comet, larger and faster than its predecessors, will be best visible in early December. Learn how to view it and its unique composition.

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, discovered on July 1, 2025, is approaching its closest distance from the Sun now. It is expected to be invisible from Earth soon. It will be on the opposite side of the Sun for some time. The interloper will reappear in the sky in late November, before approaching its closest passage to Earth, approximately 268 million kilometres or 1.8 Astronomical Units away in mid-December, which is approximately 1.8 times the distance between the Earth and the Sun. The best view of comet 3I/ATLAS The interstellar comet is now just a few degrees away from the Sun, making it optimal for visibility just an hour after the Sun sets. Its perihelion is expected on October 29, 2025, ie, closest to the Sun, at approximately 202 million kilometres distance. It will be closer than the other comets; however, Earth’s going to miss the moment. The best view of the comet will be in early December, just before its closest approach to Earth in mid-December. Due to its faintness, a telescope with a minimum 70 mm aperture will be needed for a clear look. A secluded area far from the light pollution of cities will be an optimal space to observe the comet. The fascinating interstellar visitor has a nucleus diameter of roughly 5.6 kilometres and is approaching at speeds over 210,000 km/h. Astronomers have carefully studied the light coming from the comet and found that it has cyanide and nickel in its coma. Additionally, NASA's SPHEREx spacecraft has detected carbon dioxide gas and water ice in the comet, confirming its composition. The Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is the third visitor after 1I/’Oumuamua, discovered in 2017, and Comet 2I/Borisov, discovered in 2019. It is twice as fast and larger than the other two.

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, discovered in July 2025, is approaching perihelion and will soon be temporarily invisible from Earth. The comet, larger and faster than its predecessors, will be best visible in early December. Learn how to view it and its unique composition.

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS larger than expected, set to vanish from view before reappearing in November 2025

Three comets are currently in the sky - C/2025 K1 (ATLAS), C/2025 R2 (SWAN), and C/2025 A6 (Lemmon). However, not all of them will be visible to the naked eye. You'll need a powerful telescope to watch at least two of these comets. There is a high chance that the third comet will become a Halloween comet and be visible to the naked eye. It is comet season since, besides these three, 3I/Atlas is also making noise for several reasons, one of them being the suspicion that it isn't a natural object. In short, there is a lot astronomy and stargazing enthusiasts can look forward to in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, here is a lowdown on the three comets and when and how to see them.<h2>C/2025 K1 (ATLAS)&nbsp;</h2>The comet was first seen in May 2025. It will make its closest approach to Earth on November 24-25, 2025. However, right now it is lost in the glare of the Sun. If it manages to survive perihelion, its closest point to the Sun, on October 8, then it is expected to put on a spectacular show. It is getting brighter as it nears the Sun. But, even if it manages to survive, its position in the sky would only let a few people see it. Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) will remain below the horizon until late November. It will be about 40 million miles from Earth and will be too dim. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/threat-to-earth-speed-age-and-more-all-your-questions-about-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-answered-1759204932732">Interstellar comet 3I/Atlas: Threat to Earth, speed, age and other questions answered</a><h2>Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN)</h2>This comet was discovered by amateur astronomer Vladimir Bezugly. He was scanning through images from NASA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) when he spotted the comet on September 11. The comet is currently about 50 million miles from Earth. It has already survived perihelion and is peaking over the western horizon. It is getting brighter and will reach its closest point to Earth on October 19, when it will be only 24 million miles from us. But you will still need a telescope to see Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN). Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-s-asteroid-bound-spacecraft-sends-its-last-laser-message-from-deep-space-here-s-why-that-matters-1759209731077">NASA's asteroid-bound spacecraft sends its last laser message from deep space. Here's why that matters</a><h2>C/2025 A6 (Lemmon)&nbsp;</h2>This is the only comet this year that you might get a chance to see with the naked eye this year. It was discovered on January 3 by telescopes on Mount Lemmon in Arizona. Hundreds of observations have been made of the comet, and the trajectory of C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) confirms that it orbits the Sun in 1,396 years. It last visited Earth in the year 629. It will next zoom past us in the year 3421. It is steadily brightening, and you might get to see it in late October before reaching perihelion on November 8.&nbsp;Two other comets are also coming closer, but will reach the skies above Earth next year. Comet 24P/Schanmasse will reach its closest point to the Sun on 8 January 2026, and to Earth on January 4. Comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) is travelling from the Oort cloud and was discovered on 3 March 2024. It will make its closest approach to Earth on February 17, 2026 and reach perihelion on January 20.

It is comet season once again as three comets are nearing Earth in October. But not all of them will be visible to the naked eye. Two other comets will visit early next year, in 2026. Then, we also have 3I/Atlas, which won't be visible from Earth, but is making a lot of noise.

Three comets are currently in the sky - C/2025 K1 (ATLAS), C/2025 R2 (SWAN), and C/2025 A6 (Lemmon). However, not all of them will be visible to the naked eye. You'll need a powerful telescope to watch at least two of these comets. There is a high chance that the third comet will become a Halloween comet and be visible to the naked eye. It is comet season since, besides these three, 3I/Atlas is also making noise for several reasons, one of them being the suspicion that it isn't a natural object. In short, there is a lot astronomy and stargazing enthusiasts can look forward to in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, here is a lowdown on the three comets and when and how to see them. C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) The comet was first seen in May 2025. It will make its closest approach to Earth on November 24-25, 2025. However, right now it is lost in the glare of the Sun. If it manages to survive perihelion, its closest point to the Sun, on October 8, then it is expected to put on a spectacular show. It is getting brighter as it nears the Sun. But, even if it manages to survive, its position in the sky would only let a few people see it. Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) will remain below the horizon until late November. It will be about 40 million miles from Earth and will be too dim. Also Read: Interstellar comet 3I/Atlas: Threat to Earth, speed, age and other questions answered Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) This comet was discovered by amateur astronomer Vladimir Bezugly. He was scanning through images from NASA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) when he spotted the comet on September 11. The comet is currently about 50 million miles from Earth. It has already survived perihelion and is peaking over the western horizon. It is getting brighter and will reach its closest point to Earth on October 19, when it will be only 24 million miles from us. But you will still need a telescope to see Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN). Also Read: NASA's asteroid-bound spacecraft sends its last laser message from deep space. Here's why that matters C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) This is the only comet this year that you might get a chance to see with the naked eye this year. It was discovered on January 3 by telescopes on Mount Lemmon in Arizona. Hundreds of observations have been made of the comet, and the trajectory of C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) confirms that it orbits the Sun in 1,396 years. It last visited Earth in the year 629. It will next zoom past us in the year 3421. It is steadily brightening, and you might get to see it in late October before reaching perihelion on November 8. Two other comets are also coming closer, but will reach the skies above Earth next year. Comet 24P/Schanmasse will reach its closest point to the Sun on 8 January 2026, and to Earth on January 4. Comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) is travelling from the Oort cloud and was discovered on 3 March 2024. It will make its closest approach to Earth on February 17, 2026 and reach perihelion on January 20.

It is comet season once again as three comets are nearing Earth in October. But not all of them will be visible to the naked eye. Two other comets will visit early next year, in 2026. Then, we also have 3I/Atlas, which won't be visible from Earth, but is making a lot of noise.

Three comets are coming near Earth this year. Visibility, dates of arrival and other details

NASA's Psyche spacecraft has sent its final laser downlink signal from a distance of 350 million kilometres in space. This is a new milestone in the field of space communications. The infrared laser message was beamed in December 2024 from a distance of 494 million kilometres, a point which is more than twice the average distance between Earth and Mars. That's more than 1,285 times the distance between Earth and the Moon. Psyche is going to the asteroid belt to study one particular space rock. It has been tasked with exploring the metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche, a remnant of planetary formation, which can offer insights into the building blocks of terrestrial planet cores. The 65th message sent by Psyche was its last laser message before it started working on its mission. It is a big achievement for NASA's Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) technology test.&nbsp;From here on, Psyche will use more standard radio communications to downlink data back to Earth. Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy said, "NASA is setting America on the path to Mars, and advancing laser communications technologies brings us one step closer to streaming high-definition video and delivering valuable data from the Martian surface faster than ever before." The difference between the date the message was sent and when it was received comes down to Psyche's place in solar orbit. It is on a path which sometimes brings it closer to Earth and sometimes farther. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/threat-to-earth-speed-age-and-more-all-your-questions-about-interstellar-comet-3i-atlas-answered-1759204932732">Threat to Earth, speed, age and more: All your questions about interstellar comet 3I/Atlas answered</a>&nbsp;<h2>NASA and future missions</h2>Laser signals and radio transmissions are very different, and NASA has been working on effective communication techniques to further its plans in space and reach beyond the Moon and Mars. While radio communications are reliable, they are relatively slow. DSOC has successfully transferred 13.6 terabytes of data to Earth's ground terminals to date. It even beamed an ultra-high-definition video at 267 megabits per second from a distance of 30.5 million kilometres, a first for NASA.Experts at the space agency say that the DSOC technology works and can send large amounts of data from the deepest points in space. NASA is hoping to use it in its future Mars mission. &nbsp;

NASA's Psyche spacecraft, the was launched in 2023 to study a space rock in the asteroid belt in 2029, just sent its last laser message from deep space. The signal is a huge achievement for NASA and will help it in its future Moon and Mars missions.

NASA's Psyche spacecraft has sent its final laser downlink signal from a distance of 350 million kilometres in space. This is a new milestone in the field of space communications. The infrared laser message was beamed in December 2024 from a distance of 494 million kilometres, a point which is more than twice the average distance between Earth and Mars. That's more than 1,285 times the distance between Earth and the Moon. Psyche is going to the asteroid belt to study one particular space rock. It has been tasked with exploring the metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche, a remnant of planetary formation, which can offer insights into the building blocks of terrestrial planet cores. The 65th message sent by Psyche was its last laser message before it started working on its mission. It is a big achievement for NASA's Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) technology test. From here on, Psyche will use more standard radio communications to downlink data back to Earth. Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy said, "NASA is setting America on the path to Mars, and advancing laser communications technologies brings us one step closer to streaming high-definition video and delivering valuable data from the Martian surface faster than ever before." The difference between the date the message was sent and when it was received comes down to Psyche's place in solar orbit. It is on a path which sometimes brings it closer to Earth and sometimes farther. Also Read: Threat to Earth, speed, age and more: All your questions about interstellar comet 3I/Atlas answered NASA and future missions Laser signals and radio transmissions are very different, and NASA has been working on effective communication techniques to further its plans in space and reach beyond the Moon and Mars. While radio communications are reliable, they are relatively slow. DSOC has successfully transferred 13.6 terabytes of data to Earth's ground terminals to date. It even beamed an ultra-high-definition video at 267 megabits per second from a distance of 30.5 million kilometres, a first for NASA. Experts at the space agency say that the DSOC technology works and can send large amounts of data from the deepest points in space. NASA is hoping to use it in its future Mars mission.

NASA's Psyche spacecraft, the was launched in 2023 to study a space rock in the asteroid belt in 2029, just sent its last laser message from deep space. The signal is a huge achievement for NASA and will help it in its future Moon and Mars missions.

NASA's asteroid-bound spacecraft sends its last laser message from deep space. Here's why that matters

Around 41,000 years ago, Earth’s magnetic field weakened dramatically during the Laschamps excursion, reducing to just 10 per cent of its usual strength. Normally, the magnetic field shields the planet from cosmic and solar radiation, but its collapse exposed regions such as Europe and northern Africa to high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Early humans faced increased risks, including ocular damage and folate depletion, which could lead to birth defects. Researchers at the University of Michigan suggest that Homo sapiens developed behavioural and technological strategies to survive this period, while Neanderthals, lacking such innovations, may have been more vulnerable.&nbsp;

ochre, a red iron-rich pigment

&nbsp;<h2>Ochre and natural sun protection</h2>One key adaptation was the widespread use of ochre, a red iron-rich pigment. Archaeological evidence shows that early Homo sapiens applied ochre to their skin, which experimental studies indicate can act as a natural sunscreen. Previously used in cave art and body decoration, ochre’s sun-protective properties may have offered a critical survival advantage, shielding humans from harmful UV rays during one of Earth’s most intense solar exposures.&nbsp;Alongside ochre, early humans developed tailored clothing using tools such as needles, scrapers, and awls. Unlike simple coverings, these garments were fitted to the body, providing warmth and indirectly protecting skin from UV radiation. Additionally, the increased use of caves and natural shelters offered further protection from solar exposure. Together, these strategies helped Homo sapiens endure environmental extremes that coincided with the magnetic field’s collapse.<h2>Implications for Neanderthal extinction</h2>The study offers a fresh perspective on why Neanderthals disappeared around 40,000 years ago. Lacking comparable adaptations such as ochre use, tailored clothing, and strategic sheltering, they may have been more exposed to harmful UV radiation. Regions of high cosmic ray exposure during the Laschamps excursion overlap with sites of early modern human activity, suggesting that behavioural and technological innovations contributed to Homo sapiens’ survival advantage.&nbsp;While the findings are correlational, they highlight early humans’ ability to adapt to extreme environmental stressors. The research also provides insight into potential impacts of future magnetic fluctuations, which could disrupt modern technology and pose risks to human health. Prehistoric sunscreens, tailored clothing, and shelters thus illustrate the ingenuity that enabled our ancestors to thrive under a weakened protective shield.&nbsp;

Researchers at the University of Michigan suggest that Homo sapiens developed behavioural and technological strategies to survive this period, while Neanderthals, lacking such innovations, may have been more vulnerable.

Around 41,000 years ago, Earth’s magnetic field weakened dramatically during the Laschamps excursion, reducing to just 10 per cent of its usual strength. Normally, the magnetic field shields the planet from cosmic and solar radiation, but its collapse exposed regions such as Europe and northern Africa to high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Early humans faced increased risks, including ocular damage and folate depletion, which could lead to birth defects. Researchers at the University of Michigan suggest that Homo sapiens developed behavioural and technological strategies to survive this period, while Neanderthals, lacking such innovations, may have been more vulnerable.

Researchers at the University of Michigan suggest that Homo sapiens developed behavioural and technological strategies to survive this period, while Neanderthals, lacking such innovations, may have been more vulnerable.

Prehistoric sunscreens! Did you know humans had a sun protection secret 40,000 years ago?

Vladimir Komarov, a seasoned Soviet cosmonaut, became the first human to lose his life during a space mission on April 24, 1967. Tasked with testing the experimental Soyuz 1 spacecraft, he faced technical failures that turned a routine mission into a fatal tragedy. Komarov’s determination to complete the flight despite life-threatening malfunctions, the political pressures of the space race, and the ultimate failure of his parachute make his story both haunting and pivotal in the history of human space exploration. His death exposed the perils of early space travel and reshaped safety protocols for future missions.&nbsp;<h2>Early life and career</h2>&nbsp;Born on March 16, 1927 in Moscow, Vladimir Komarov began his journey into aviation at the age of 15 when he joined the Soviet Air Force. He graduated from the Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy in 1959 and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1964, he commanded Voskhod 1, the first spaceflight to carry more than one crew member, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in the Soviet space programme. His second mission, Soyuz 1, would tragically become his last. &nbsp;

Soyuz 1 spacecraft suffered a solar panel failure soon after entering orbit

&nbsp;<h2>The Soyuz 1 mission</h2>The Soyuz 1 mission, launched on April 23, 1967, was the first crewed flight of the Soviet Soyuz spacecraft, with Vladimir Komarov aboard. Intended as a test of the new spacecraft’s systems, including navigation, life support, and docking capabilities, the mission faced immediate problems. A solar panel failed to deploy, causing critical power shortages and compromising control systems. Despite these malfunctions, Komarov continued the mission under immense risk.&nbsp;During re-entry on April 24, 1967, the spacecraft’s main parachute failed, and the reserve became entangled. Soyuz 1 crashed violently in southeastern Russia, killing Komarov instantly. He became the first human to die during a spaceflight, highlighting the dangers of early space exploration. The mission exposed flaws in spacecraft design, rushed development, and political pressure during the Cold War space race. Komarov’s death prompted a redesign of Soyuz systems, reshaped safety protocols, and cemented his legacy as a symbol of bravery and sacrifice in human spaceflight.&nbsp;In recognition of his bravery and contributions, he was posthumously awarded the Order of Lenin and named a Hero of the Soviet Union. His ashes were interred in the Kremlin Wall, reflecting his status as a national hero and symbol of Soviet space achievement. Vladimir Komarov’s story is a poignant reminder of the human cost of exploration and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Soyuz 1 was intended as a test flight for a spacecraft designed to eventually transport cosmonauts to the Moon. Komarov launched on April 23, 1967, but the mission was plagued with problems from the outset. A solar panel failed to deploy, causing power shortages and navigation difficulties.

Vladimir Komarov, a seasoned Soviet cosmonaut, became the first human to lose his life during a space mission on April 24, 1967. Tasked with testing the experimental Soyuz 1 spacecraft, he faced technical failures that turned a routine mission into a fatal tragedy. Komarov’s determination to complete the flight despite life-threatening malfunctions, the political pressures of the space race, and the ultimate failure of his parachute make his story both haunting and pivotal in the history of human space exploration. His death exposed the perils of early space travel and reshaped safety protocols for future missions. Early life and career Born on March 16, 1927 in Moscow, Vladimir Komarov began his journey into aviation at the age of 15 when he joined the Soviet Air Force. He graduated from the Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy in 1959 and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1964, he commanded Voskhod 1, the first spaceflight to carry more than one crew member, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in the Soviet space programme. His second mission, Soyuz 1, would tragically become his last.

Soyuz 1 was intended as a test flight for a spacecraft designed to eventually transport cosmonauts to the Moon. Komarov launched on April 23, 1967, but the mission was plagued with problems from the outset. A solar panel failed to deploy, causing power shortages and navigation difficulties.

Who was the first man to lose his life in space? The untold story of Vladimir Komarov

On August 27, 1883, the eruption of Krakatoa in Indonesia produced the loudest sound ever recorded in human history. At 10:02 am, a cataclysmic explosion was heard over 4,800 kilometres away, from Mauritius in the Indian Ocean to Australia. The sound was so intense that it ruptured eardrums on nearby ships and was recorded on barographs worldwide. This singular event not only reshaped the landscape but also left an indelible mark on the Earth's atmosphere and climate.&nbsp;<h2>The Eruption's Magnitude and Global Impact</h2>&nbsp;The eruption of Krakatoa was a volcanic event of unprecedented scale. It released an estimated 200 megatons of TNT, making it four times more powerful than the largest nuclear bomb ever detonated, the Tsar Bomba. The explosion obliterated two-thirds of the island and generated tsunamis up to 46 meters high, devastating coastal regions of Java and Sumatra. The atmospheric shockwaves from the eruption circled the globe multiple times, and the resulting climatic effects led to a global temperature drop, known as a volcanic winter, causing widespread crop failures and food shortages.&nbsp;The eruption released energy equivalent to about 200 megatons of TNT, roughly 10,000 times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Its shockwaves destroyed over 160 villages and claimed more than 36,000 lives. Two-thirds of the volcanic island collapsed, triggering massive tsunamis up to 46 metres (151 feet) tall that devastated surrounding coastal areas. The eruption sent ash clouds soaring 25 kilometres into the atmosphere and was heard over 3,000 miles away, affecting nearly 8% of the Earth’s surface.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Other Loudest Sounds Recorded</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2>While Krakatoa holds the record for the loudest sound in recorded history, other events have also produced immense sonic energy. The 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera in New Zealand was heard over 1,000 kilometres away, while the 1908 Tunguska event in Siberia, caused by a meteor airburst, generated shockwaves that flattened over 2,000 square kilometres of forest. In more recent history, the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in the United States produced an explosion heard up to 320 kilometres away. Even underwater, the detonation of the 1961 Tsar Bomba and large volcanic eruptions like Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai in 2022 released sounds capable of traveling thousands of kilometres through air or water, highlighting nature’s capacity to unleash overwhelming energy.&nbsp;<h2>The Enduring Legacy of Krakatoa's Sound</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The eruption's sound waves were so powerful that they were detected by barometers around the world. In London, the atmospheric pressure fluctuations were recorded, and the shockwaves were observed to have traveled around the Earth several times. The event also had a profound impact on the study of volcanology and seismology, prompting scientific investigations into the causes and effects of such powerful eruptions.&nbsp;

The sound was so intense that it ruptured eardrums on nearby ships and was recorded on barographs worldwide. This singular event not only reshaped the landscape but also left an indelible mark on the Earth's atmosphere and climate.

On August 27, 1883, the eruption of Krakatoa in Indonesia produced the loudest sound ever recorded in human history. At 10:02 am, a cataclysmic explosion was heard over 4,800 kilometres away, from Mauritius in the Indian Ocean to Australia. The sound was so intense that it ruptured eardrums on nearby ships and was recorded on barographs worldwide. This singular event not only reshaped the landscape but also left an indelible mark on the Earth's atmosphere and climate. The Eruption's Magnitude and Global Impact The eruption of Krakatoa was a volcanic event of unprecedented scale. It released an estimated 200 megatons of TNT, making it four times more powerful than the largest nuclear bomb ever detonated, the Tsar Bomba. The explosion obliterated two-thirds of the island and generated tsunamis up to 46 meters high, devastating coastal regions of Java and Sumatra. The atmospheric shockwaves from the eruption circled the globe multiple times, and the resulting climatic effects led to a global temperature drop, known as a volcanic winter, causing widespread crop failures and food shortages. The eruption released energy equivalent to about 200 megatons of TNT, roughly 10,000 times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Its shockwaves destroyed over 160 villages and claimed more than 36,000 lives. Two-thirds of the volcanic island collapsed, triggering massive tsunamis up to 46 metres (151 feet) tall that devastated surrounding coastal areas. The eruption sent ash clouds soaring 25 kilometres into the atmosphere and was heard over 3,000 miles away, affecting nearly 8% of the Earth’s surface. Other Loudest Sounds Recorded While Krakatoa holds the record for the loudest sound in recorded history, other events have also produced immense sonic energy. The 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera in New Zealand was heard over 1,000 kilometres away, while the 1908 Tunguska event in Siberia, caused by a meteor airburst, generated shockwaves that flattened over 2,000 square kilometres of forest. In more recent history, the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in the United States produced an explosion heard up to 320 kilometres away. Even underwater, the detonation of the 1961 Tsar Bomba and large volcanic eruptions like Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai in 2022 released sounds capable of traveling thousands of kilometres through air or water, highlighting nature’s capacity to unleash overwhelming energy. The Enduring Legacy of Krakatoa's Sound The eruption's sound waves were so powerful that they were detected by barometers around the world. In London, the atmospheric pressure fluctuations were recorded, and the shockwaves were observed to have traveled around the Earth several times. The event also had a profound impact on the study of volcanology and seismology, prompting scientific investigations into the causes and effects of such powerful eruptions.

The sound was so intense that it ruptured eardrums on nearby ships and was recorded on barographs worldwide. This singular event not only reshaped the landscape but also left an indelible mark on the Earth's atmosphere and climate.

The loudest sound in history: How Krakatoa’s 1883 eruption shook the world

Beneath what is now a Lowe’s parking lot just off Route 55 in Mantua Township, New Jersey, lies a remarkable fossil site, soon to be the Edelman Fossil Park &amp; Museum. The site sits atop a layer of sediment known as the extinction layer, marking the boundary between the Cretaceous and Paleogene periods some 66 million years ago. This layer is evidence of the asteroid impact that ended the age of dinosaurs. Geologists and palaeontologists have uncovered more than 1,00,000 fossils to date, representing over 100 species, including marine reptiles, fish, turtles, and sharks. The quarry beneath the future museum provides a preserved ecosystem capturing the final moments of Cretaceous marine life.<h3>The Mosasaur and Ancient Seas</h3>Among the most striking finds are mosasaur bones, large marine predators that once ruled the shallow seas covering what is now southern New Jersey. These creatures could reach lengths of up to 50 feet, and their remains give scientists insight into marine biodiversity just before the end-Cretaceous mass extinction. The sediments around the fossils show that this region was submerged under the Atlantic Seaway, a warm shallow sea teeming with life. The fossil-rich marl layers include not just mosasaurs, but also marine crocodiles, sea turtles, and many invertebrates. A recent feature by Energy Reporters highlights that the fossils uncovered at Edelman Fossil Park are changing our understanding of the last days of the dinosaurs.&nbsp;The site had long been known for its fossil potential before becoming an official museum. Dr Kenneth Lacovara, founding executive director of Edelman Fossil Park &amp; Museum, led efforts to transform the former quarry into a public science and education facility. The museum officially opened in March 2025. It is located on ‘66 Million Mosasaur Way’ in Mantua, New Jersey. Visitors can take part in fossil digs, guided tours, and interactive programmes. The public aspect is central: this is one of the few places in the eastern United States with an open quarry where amateurs and school groups can help uncover fossils.<h3>Why It Matters</h3>This discovery reshapes our understanding of the end-Cretaceous marine world. The density and diversity of fossils in the extinction layer help fill in details about which species survived until the very end, which perished, and how ecosystems collapsed and rebounded in the wake of global catastrophe. The site also emphasises how fossil evidence can lie hidden under modern development, only to be revealed by careful geological and palaeontological study.&nbsp;

Geologists and palaeontologists have uncovered more than 1,00,000 fossils to date, representing over 100 species, including marine reptiles, fish, turtles, and sharks. The quarry beneath the future museum provides a preserved ecosystem capturing the final moments of Cretaceous marine life.

Beneath what is now a Lowe’s parking lot just off Route 55 in Mantua Township, New Jersey, lies a remarkable fossil site, soon to be the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum. The site sits atop a layer of sediment known as the extinction layer, marking the boundary between the Cretaceous and Paleogene periods some 66 million years ago. This layer is evidence of the asteroid impact that ended the age of dinosaurs. Geologists and palaeontologists have uncovered more than 1,00,000 fossils to date, representing over 100 species, including marine reptiles, fish, turtles, and sharks. The quarry beneath the future museum provides a preserved ecosystem capturing the final moments of Cretaceous marine life. The Mosasaur and Ancient Seas Among the most striking finds are mosasaur bones, large marine predators that once ruled the shallow seas covering what is now southern New Jersey. These creatures could reach lengths of up to 50 feet, and their remains give scientists insight into marine biodiversity just before the end-Cretaceous mass extinction. The sediments around the fossils show that this region was submerged under the Atlantic Seaway, a warm shallow sea teeming with life. The fossil-rich marl layers include not just mosasaurs, but also marine crocodiles, sea turtles, and many invertebrates. A recent feature by Energy Reporters highlights that the fossils uncovered at Edelman Fossil Park are changing our understanding of the last days of the dinosaurs. The site had long been known for its fossil potential before becoming an official museum. Dr Kenneth Lacovara, founding executive director of Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, led efforts to transform the former quarry into a public science and education facility. The museum officially opened in March 2025. It is located on ‘66 Million Mosasaur Way’ in Mantua, New Jersey. Visitors can take part in fossil digs, guided tours, and interactive programmes. The public aspect is central: this is one of the few places in the eastern United States with an open quarry where amateurs and school groups can help uncover fossils. Why It Matters This discovery reshapes our understanding of the end-Cretaceous marine world. The density and diversity of fossils in the extinction layer help fill in details about which species survived until the very end, which perished, and how ecosystems collapsed and rebounded in the wake of global catastrophe. The site also emphasises how fossil evidence can lie hidden under modern development, only to be revealed by careful geological and palaeontological study.

Geologists and palaeontologists have uncovered more than 1,00,000 fossils to date, representing over 100 species, including marine reptiles, fish, turtles, and sharks. The quarry beneath the future museum provides a preserved ecosystem capturing the final moments of Cretaceous marine life.

50-foot fossil predator from dinosaur age found beneath US shopping centre

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