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In 2024, an amateur astronomer found a large pit in Quebec, Canada, while browsing through Google Maps to plan a camping trip. It formed a perfect ring spanning 25 kilometres in diameter and centred around Lake Marsal. It looked too huge to be a regular pit, and so Joël Lapointe contacted French geophysicist Pierre Rochette, who believed that it was a crater made by an asteroid or a comet. Now, findings have confirmed that it is a 390-million-year-old crater from a meteor.&nbsp;To learn about the origin of the large ditch, scientists retrieved and tested samples. There were a few things that could prove its extraterrestrial origin. One of them was a mineral called zircon, which is formed during meteor impacts. However, it was not enough, and so a team of researchers went to the site to examine the pit. They were looking for evidence of shock metamorphism, something that "occurs due to the immense pressures created by asteroid or cometary impacts, or nuclear explosions", Gordon Osinski, professor of planetary geology at Western University, told Live Science.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/tracked-by-nasa-since-1998-missing-asteroid-reappears-as-mysterious-dark-comet-1784286114510">Tracked by NASA since 1998, missing asteroid reappears as mysterious dark comet</a> &nbsp;Osinski and other geologists were specifically looking for signs of shockwaves that would have passed through the ground of an asteroid or meteor were involved. Osinski said travelling to the crater was "one of the most arduous expeditions" he had ever taken. "The terrain was incredibly rough and rugged, plus [there were] lots of bugs." However, the ordeal bore fruit when they found what they were looking for - shatter cones, depicted by grooves or lines in the rock's surface.<h2>Signs of impact crater in Canada</h2>An impact event triggers an extreme rise in temperature and pressure as well, leading to the formation of melt rock. Scientists found big cliffs of it, proving an ancient impact. The last time a meteorite crater was discovered in Canada was in 2010. The latest crater discovered has been named Uhaachatik Crater, and the team will present their work at the Annual Meeting of the Meteorological Society in Germany next month.

A nearly 400-million-year-old crater has been discovered in Canada in an extremely rugged terrain that was extremely hard to reach. Scientists have confirmed that it is a meteor crash site, first seen on Google Maps by an amateur astronomer. 

In 2024, an amateur astronomer found a large pit in Quebec, Canada, while browsing through Google Maps to plan a camping trip. It formed a perfect ring spanning 25 kilometres in diameter and centred around Lake Marsal. It looked too huge to be a regular pit, and so Joël Lapointe contacted French geophysicist Pierre Rochette, who believed that it was a crater made by an asteroid or a comet. Now, findings have confirmed that it is a 390-million-year-old crater from a meteor. To learn about the origin of the large ditch, scientists retrieved and tested samples. There were a few things that could prove its extraterrestrial origin. One of them was a mineral called zircon, which is formed during meteor impacts. However, it was not enough, and so a team of researchers went to the site to examine the pit. They were looking for evidence of shock metamorphism, something that "occurs due to the immense pressures created by asteroid or cometary impacts, or nuclear explosions", Gordon Osinski, professor of planetary geology at Western University, told Live Science. Also Read: Tracked by NASA since 1998, missing asteroid reappears as mysterious dark comet Osinski and other geologists were specifically looking for signs of shockwaves that would have passed through the ground of an asteroid or meteor were involved. Osinski said travelling to the crater was "one of the most arduous expeditions" he had ever taken. "The terrain was incredibly rough and rugged, plus [there were] lots of bugs." However, the ordeal bore fruit when they found what they were looking for - shatter cones, depicted by grooves or lines in the rock's surface. Signs of impact crater in Canada An impact event triggers an extreme rise in temperature and pressure as well, leading to the formation of melt rock. Scientists found big cliffs of it, proving an ancient impact. The last time a meteorite crater was discovered in Canada was in 2010. The latest crater discovered has been named Uhaachatik Crater, and the team will present their work at the Annual Meeting of the Meteorological Society in Germany next month.

A nearly 400-million-year-old crater has been discovered in Canada in an extremely rugged terrain that was extremely hard to reach. Scientists have confirmed that it is a meteor crash site, first seen on Google Maps by an amateur astronomer.&nbsp;

25km meteor crater in rugged Canadian terrain remained hidden for 390 million years

Skyroot Aerospace is set to achieve a milestone, creating history with the maiden launch of Vikram-1, marking India's first privately owned orbital-class rocket, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 18. The Mission, named Aagaman, aims to validate the rocket's performance ahead of its commercial operations debut. If the launch succeeds, it will become the first instance of an Indian private company placing a rocket into orbit from Indian soil, marking a major milestone in the country's rapidly growing India's private space industry after recent policy reforms.&nbsp;In 2020, the Government of India introduced sweeping reforms in the space sector, opening the field to greater participation of non-governmental entities (NGEs) in enabling them to undertake end-to-end activities in the space domain on an equal footing. Building on these reforms, the government introduced the Indian Space Policy 2023 to provide a clear regulatory framework and foster a vibrant space ecosystem. The policy seeks to strengthen India's space capabilities, promote commercial participation, drive technological innovation, expand international cooperation, and accelerate the adoption of space-based applications across sectors.&nbsp;The vision of the reform was to augment space capabilities allowing to enable, enabling, encouraging, and developing a rising commercial presence in space; using space as a driver of technology development and fetching benefits in allied areas; pursuing international relations, along with creating an ecosystem for effective implementation of space applications among all stakeholders.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/spacex-aborts-starship-launch-seconds-before-liftoff-after-engine-failure-elon-musk-says-next-attempt-next-week-1784275988606">SpaceX aborts Starship launch seconds before liftoff after engine failure; Elon Musk says next attempt next week</a><h3>How have private companies changed India's space ecosystem?</h3>Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, confirmed that the space economy has risen to an estimated $8.4 billion, with 399 start-ups now operating across launch vehicles, satellites, propulsion systems and space-grade electronics. The reforms formulated a conducive environment for private investment and entrepreneurship in a sector that had remained largely government-driven for more than 10 years. This resulted in the rise of the space start-ups, which have increased sharply from single-digit levels to 399 at present. It has also prompted the space sector to be valued at about $8.4 billion, which is likely to grow four to five times over the next eight to ten years, potentially reaching $40–45 billion. The Minister also underscored the revenue generated after the launch of foreign satellites. He noted that out of the 434 foreign satellites launched by ISRO so far, 399 were launched after 2014, earning India revenues of nearly € 323 million and $233 million. This growth has reflected the country’s growing presence in the global space launch market. The proposed change is transitioning from a “Supply-Based Model” to a “Demand-Based Model”. In addition, it will also help ISRO to carry out capacity building in the space domain through the development of new technologies and capabilities, allowing the sharing of facilities by NewSpace India Limited &nbsp;(NSIL) and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).<h3>NGEs to play a larger role</h3>Further in future, the policy encourages Non-Government Entities (NGEs) to play a larger role in India's space sector by allowing them to provide a wide range of commercial space services. They can offer satellite-based communication services using their own, leased or procured satellites, establish and operate ground infrastructure such as satellite control centres and tracking stations, and use both Indian and foreign orbital resources. NGEs are also permitted to develop and operate remote-sensing satellite systems, distribute satellite data and related applications, and commercialise technologies in navigation, communication and remote sensing. The framework allows private companies to manufacture and operate launch vehicles, build launch infrastructure, and develop reusable and advanced space transportation technologies. They can also strengthen space situational awareness, conduct research and innovation for the long-term sustainability of space activities, and provide end-to-end services for safe space operations. Additionally, the policy permits commercial recovery, ownership, transport, use and sale of asteroids or other space resources in accordance with Indian laws and international obligations, while enabling participation in other commercial space activities approved by IN-SPACe.

The Government of India introduced sweeping reforms in the space sector in 2020, opening the field to greater participation of non-governmental entities (NGEs) in enabling them to undertake end-to-end activities in the space domain on an equal footing.

Skyroot Aerospace is set to achieve a milestone, creating history with the maiden launch of Vikram-1, marking India's first privately owned orbital-class rocket, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 18. The Mission, named Aagaman, aims to validate the rocket's performance ahead of its commercial operations debut. If the launch succeeds, it will become the first instance of an Indian private company placing a rocket into orbit from Indian soil, marking a major milestone in the country's rapidly growing India's private space industry after recent policy reforms. In 2020, the Government of India introduced sweeping reforms in the space sector, opening the field to greater participation of non-governmental entities (NGEs) in enabling them to undertake end-to-end activities in the space domain on an equal footing. Building on these reforms, the government introduced the Indian Space Policy 2023 to provide a clear regulatory framework and foster a vibrant space ecosystem. The policy seeks to strengthen India's space capabilities, promote commercial participation, drive technological innovation, expand international cooperation, and accelerate the adoption of space-based applications across sectors. The vision of the reform was to augment space capabilities allowing to enable, enabling, encouraging, and developing a rising commercial presence in space; using space as a driver of technology development and fetching benefits in allied areas; pursuing international relations, along with creating an ecosystem for effective implementation of space applications among all stakeholders. Also read: SpaceX aborts Starship launch seconds before liftoff after engine failure; Elon Musk says next attempt next week How have private companies changed India's space ecosystem? Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, confirmed that the space economy has risen to an estimated $8.4 billion, with 399 start-ups now operating across launch vehicles, satellites, propulsion systems and space-grade electronics. The reforms formulated a conducive environment for private investment and entrepreneurship in a sector that had remained largely government-driven for more than 10 years. This resulted in the rise of the space start-ups, which have increased sharply from single-digit levels to 399 at present. It has also prompted the space sector to be valued at about $8.4 billion, which is likely to grow four to five times over the next eight to ten years, potentially reaching $40–45 billion. The Minister also underscored the revenue generated after the launch of foreign satellites. He noted that out of the 434 foreign satellites launched by ISRO so far, 399 were launched after 2014, earning India revenues of nearly € 323 million and $233 million. This growth has reflected the country’s growing presence in the global space launch market. The proposed change is transitioning from a “Supply-Based Model” to a “Demand-Based Model”. In addition, it will also help ISRO to carry out capacity building in the space domain through the development of new technologies and capabilities, allowing the sharing of facilities by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe). NGEs to play a larger role Further in future, the policy encourages Non-Government Entities (NGEs) to play a larger role in India's space sector by allowing them to provide a wide range of commercial space services. They can offer satellite-based communication services using their own, leased or procured satellites, establish and operate ground infrastructure such as satellite control centres and tracking stations, and use both Indian and foreign orbital resources. NGEs are also permitted to develop and operate remote-sensing satellite systems, distribute satellite data and related applications, and commercialise technologies in navigation, communication and remote sensing. The framework allows private companies to manufacture and operate launch vehicles, build launch infrastructure, and develop reusable and advanced space transportation technologies. They can also strengthen space situational awareness, conduct research and innovation for the long-term sustainability of space activities, and provide end-to-end services for safe space operations. Additionally, the policy permits commercial recovery, ownership, transport, use and sale of asteroids or other space resources in accordance with Indian laws and international obligations, while enabling participation in other commercial space activities approved by IN-SPACe.

The Government of India introduced sweeping reforms in the space sector in 2020, opening the field to greater participation of non-governmental entities (NGEs) in enabling them to undertake end-to-end activities in the space domain on an equal footing.

How is opening India's space sector to private firms transforming the industry? EXPLAINED

An asteroid discovered in 1998 failed to show up decades later where it should have been, which led to a whole new revelation. Astronomers now say it isn't an asteroid at all, but a dark comet, a class of space objects that are still a mystery to humans. The space rock was missing when scientists were observing it last year. According to their calculations, it should have been in that particular region in space. They were stumped to see that it had missed its date with them.&nbsp;After a year of analysis, a team of researchers has stated that this mysterious object is not an asteroid, and showed activity consistent with another cosmic object. The study, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, states that 1998 SH2 is not a common space rock. Astronomers have observed it for nearly three decades, during which time they have calculated its orbit and noted other things about it. Turns out, they had it all wrong. And they only found this out while waiting for it in August 2025.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/world-asteroid-day-hazardous-asteroids-flagged-to-hit-earth-and-current-status-1782828620702">World Asteroid Day: Hazardous asteroids flagged to hit Earth and current status</a>&nbsp;Asteroid 1998 SH2 was due to return at this time, and so the astronomers were ready with their telescopes. But it did not show up on its orbital path. Later, Brazil’s Southern Observatory for Near Earth Asteroids Research caught it, but it had moved beyond its expected position and path. This was unusual for a near-Earth asteroid, and experts went back to the drawing board to understand what they had missed.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/move-over-rapture-another-prophecy-claims-comet-will-end-the-world-in-2026-1758790270916">Rapture did not happen, but another world-ending event has been prophesied for 2026</a>&nbsp;Jet Propulsion Lab and Caltech researcher Davide Farnocchia and his team now have the answer. They noted in the study that the object displayed weak cometary outgassing, where jets of gas were escaping from beneath its surface. This is something that happens with comets. However, it had none of the other characteristics of a comet, which presented another mystery. There was neither a glowing tail, nor a coma. This is why initially astronomers didn't suspect that it could be a comet.&nbsp;Layered composite imagery in follow-up analysis revealed faint traces of these features. This led them to conclude that 1998 SH2 was a type of dark comet, a space rock that is not commonly seen in the universe.<h2>‘Oumuamua, the most famous dark comet</h2>The finding has presented a new challenge for planetary defense. There is a high chance that many more asteroids could be comets. These objects can change orbits and acceleration, complicating tracking efforts. Notably, the first interstellar object ‘Oumuamua, was also classified as a dark comet.

Asteroid 1998 SH2 managed to fool astronomers for nearly 30 years by its appearance and movement. But when it dodged a date with them in 2025, they knew something was wrong. Analysis showed that it was never an asteroid. 

An asteroid discovered in 1998 failed to show up decades later where it should have been, which led to a whole new revelation. Astronomers now say it isn't an asteroid at all, but a dark comet, a class of space objects that are still a mystery to humans. The space rock was missing when scientists were observing it last year. According to their calculations, it should have been in that particular region in space. They were stumped to see that it had missed its date with them. After a year of analysis, a team of researchers has stated that this mysterious object is not an asteroid, and showed activity consistent with another cosmic object. The study, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, states that 1998 SH2 is not a common space rock. Astronomers have observed it for nearly three decades, during which time they have calculated its orbit and noted other things about it. Turns out, they had it all wrong. And they only found this out while waiting for it in August 2025. Also Read: World Asteroid Day: Hazardous asteroids flagged to hit Earth and current status Asteroid 1998 SH2 was due to return at this time, and so the astronomers were ready with their telescopes. But it did not show up on its orbital path. Later, Brazil’s Southern Observatory for Near Earth Asteroids Research caught it, but it had moved beyond its expected position and path. This was unusual for a near-Earth asteroid, and experts went back to the drawing board to understand what they had missed. Also Read: Rapture did not happen, but another world-ending event has been prophesied for 2026 Jet Propulsion Lab and Caltech researcher Davide Farnocchia and his team now have the answer. They noted in the study that the object displayed weak cometary outgassing, where jets of gas were escaping from beneath its surface. This is something that happens with comets. However, it had none of the other characteristics of a comet, which presented another mystery. There was neither a glowing tail, nor a coma. This is why initially astronomers didn't suspect that it could be a comet. Layered composite imagery in follow-up analysis revealed faint traces of these features. This led them to conclude that 1998 SH2 was a type of dark comet, a space rock that is not commonly seen in the universe. ‘Oumuamua, the most famous dark comet The finding has presented a new challenge for planetary defense. There is a high chance that many more asteroids could be comets. These objects can change orbits and acceleration, complicating tracking efforts. Notably, the first interstellar object ‘Oumuamua, was also classified as a dark comet.

Asteroid 1998 SH2 managed to fool astronomers for nearly 30 years by its appearance and movement. But when it dodged a date with them in 2025, they knew something was wrong. Analysis showed that it was never an asteroid.&nbsp;

Tracked by NASA since 1998, missing asteroid reappears as mysterious dark comet

Fossilised leaves surfaced from the Makum Coalfield of Assam have disclosed that the kewra (kevda) plant—best known for its fragrant essence used in sweets, perfumes, traditional medicine and temple rituals- has survived for at least 24 million years on the Indian subcontinent. The discovery has indicated that this plant is far older than human civilisation and predates the rise of the Himalayas. The discovery was published in the international journal Geobios by researchers identified as Harshita Bhatia and Gaurav Srivastava of the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow, an autonomous institute that falls under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/spacex-aborts-starship-launch-seconds-before-liftoff-after-engine-failure-elon-musk-says-next-attempt-next-week-1784275988606">SpaceX aborts Starship launch seconds before liftoff after engine failure; Elon Musk says next attempt next week</a><h3>Fossils belong to screw-pine family</h3>The researchers recovered well-preserved fossil leaves from the Tikak Parbat Formation in the Makum Coalfield of Tinsukia district. Further study related to morphological and microscopic features indicated that the fossils belong to the Pandanaceae, or screw-pine family, to which the modern kewra (Pandanus) belongs. Scientists found that the fossil leaves share the same key features as modern kewra (Pandanus) plants, including long sword-shaped leaves, parallel veins, an M-shaped cross-section and sharp prickles along the edges, showing the species has changed very little over millions of years. The discovery bridges a major gap in the evolutionary history of the screw-pine family by linking older fossils from Europe and North America with younger ones from Asia and Australia. Researchers say the findings highlight the Indian subcontinent as a vital refuge for ancient tropical plants during global climate shifts. Although Pandanus is now restricted to tropical regions, its ancestors were once widespread across the Northern Hemisphere. “The Makum fossils suggest Paleogene persistence and ecological continuity of Pandanaceae across the paleotropics,” the researchers noted. It further added that the discovery collides with the evolutionary diversification of modern Pandanus species during the late Eocene-Oligocene. In addition, the study also indicated that Assam was covered by warm, humid forests, freshwater swamps and river ecosystems around 24 million years ago, providing ideal conditions for screw-pines. Researchers say the discovery further establishes the Makum Coalfield as one of India's richest fossil sites, with previous finds of palms, mangroves and rainforest plants offering valuable insights into the evolution of Northeast India's forests, biodiversity and ancient climate.

Scientists found that the fossil leaves share the same key features as modern kewra (Pandanus) plants, including long sword-shaped leaves, parallel veins, an M-shaped cross-section and sharp prickles along the edges.

Fossilised leaves surfaced from the Makum Coalfield of Assam have disclosed that the kewra (kevda) plant—best known for its fragrant essence used in sweets, perfumes, traditional medicine and temple rituals- has survived for at least 24 million years on the Indian subcontinent. The discovery has indicated that this plant is far older than human civilisation and predates the rise of the Himalayas. The discovery was published in the international journal Geobios by researchers identified as Harshita Bhatia and Gaurav Srivastava of the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow, an autonomous institute that falls under the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Also read: SpaceX aborts Starship launch seconds before liftoff after engine failure; Elon Musk says next attempt next week Fossils belong to screw-pine family The researchers recovered well-preserved fossil leaves from the Tikak Parbat Formation in the Makum Coalfield of Tinsukia district. Further study related to morphological and microscopic features indicated that the fossils belong to the Pandanaceae, or screw-pine family, to which the modern kewra (Pandanus) belongs. Scientists found that the fossil leaves share the same key features as modern kewra (Pandanus) plants, including long sword-shaped leaves, parallel veins, an M-shaped cross-section and sharp prickles along the edges, showing the species has changed very little over millions of years. The discovery bridges a major gap in the evolutionary history of the screw-pine family by linking older fossils from Europe and North America with younger ones from Asia and Australia. Researchers say the findings highlight the Indian subcontinent as a vital refuge for ancient tropical plants during global climate shifts. Although Pandanus is now restricted to tropical regions, its ancestors were once widespread across the Northern Hemisphere. “The Makum fossils suggest Paleogene persistence and ecological continuity of Pandanaceae across the paleotropics,” the researchers noted. It further added that the discovery collides with the evolutionary diversification of modern Pandanus species during the late Eocene-Oligocene. In addition, the study also indicated that Assam was covered by warm, humid forests, freshwater swamps and river ecosystems around 24 million years ago, providing ideal conditions for screw-pines. Researchers say the discovery further establishes the Makum Coalfield as one of India's richest fossil sites, with previous finds of palms, mangroves and rainforest plants offering valuable insights into the evolution of Northeast India's forests, biodiversity and ancient climate.

Scientists found that the fossil leaves share the same key features as modern kewra (Pandanus) plants, including long sword-shaped leaves, parallel veins, an M-shaped cross-section and sharp prickles along the edges.

Older than Himalayas: 85mn-year-old Kewra plant reached India 24mn years ago, fossil discovery in Assam shows

A planet with an atmosphere has been detected 48 light-years from Earth, in the first-of-its-kind discovery. "An atmosphere is essential for a planet to support life as we know it," lead author Collin Cherubim said. LHS 1140 b is an Earth-like, rocky planet orbiting a red dwarf within the habitable zone. The discovery is evidence that it is possible that other planets outside the solar system could harbour conditions for life. Astronomers have till now, found more than 6000 planets orbiting other stars, but never has one displayed a stable atmosphere.&nbsp;The research was published in Science. "This is the first time anyone has found an atmosphere on a rocky planet in the habitable zone of another star," Cherubim said. The study notes that the rocky planet is leaking helium gas into space, which shows it has held on to its atmosphere even billions of years after it was born.&nbsp;&nbsp;"The exciting part about this paper, and why I think it was accepted into Science, was that this is the first time that we're seeing a rocky, Earth-like planet that could still have an atmosphere," University of Florida Assistant Professor of Astronomy Jason Dittmann, who first discovered the planet in 2016, said.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/50mn-tonnes-of-sugar-from-deep-space-delivered-a-sweet-start-to-life-on-earth-1784028014232">50mn tonnes of sugar from deep space delivered a sweet start to life on Earth</a>&nbsp;The Magellan Clay telescope at Las Campanas Observatory detected helium escaping from the planet. Cherubim and the theoretical model created by his team predicted that LHS 1140 b has an upper atmosphere rich in helium. Dittmann says the rocky world should have a temperature similar to Earth's. There is a second planet in the system, LHS 1140c. It is located outside the system's habitable zone and doesn't have an atmosphere.<h2>LHS 1140 b atmosphere is over three billion years old</h2>Several rocky exoplanets have been discovered in the past. However, all of them lost their atmosphere at some point in time. But not LHS 1140 b. It has been around for nearly five billion years, but the helium has persisted. All of it would have been lost had it not been replenishing its own supply, clearly a sign that an atmosphere is present on this world. Cherubim now wants to study the complete composition of this planet and later investigate whether it has surface oceans or other signs that it could support life.&nbsp;

An exoplanet that is over three billion years old has sustained an atmosphere all this time. Astronomers detected helium leaking into space, a clear sign that it has been replenishing itself on its own. This is the first ever exoplanet to reveal an atmosphere.

A planet with an atmosphere has been detected 48 light-years from Earth, in the first-of-its-kind discovery. "An atmosphere is essential for a planet to support life as we know it," lead author Collin Cherubim said. LHS 1140 b is an Earth-like, rocky planet orbiting a red dwarf within the habitable zone. The discovery is evidence that it is possible that other planets outside the solar system could harbour conditions for life. Astronomers have till now, found more than 6000 planets orbiting other stars, but never has one displayed a stable atmosphere. The research was published in Science. "This is the first time anyone has found an atmosphere on a rocky planet in the habitable zone of another star," Cherubim said. The study notes that the rocky planet is leaking helium gas into space, which shows it has held on to its atmosphere even billions of years after it was born. "The exciting part about this paper, and why I think it was accepted into Science, was that this is the first time that we're seeing a rocky, Earth-like planet that could still have an atmosphere," University of Florida Assistant Professor of Astronomy Jason Dittmann, who first discovered the planet in 2016, said. Also Read: 50mn tonnes of sugar from deep space delivered a sweet start to life on Earth The Magellan Clay telescope at Las Campanas Observatory detected helium escaping from the planet. Cherubim and the theoretical model created by his team predicted that LHS 1140 b has an upper atmosphere rich in helium. Dittmann says the rocky world should have a temperature similar to Earth's. There is a second planet in the system, LHS 1140c. It is located outside the system's habitable zone and doesn't have an atmosphere. LHS 1140 b atmosphere is over three billion years old Several rocky exoplanets have been discovered in the past. However, all of them lost their atmosphere at some point in time. But not LHS 1140 b. It has been around for nearly five billion years, but the helium has persisted. All of it would have been lost had it not been replenishing its own supply, clearly a sign that an atmosphere is present on this world. Cherubim now wants to study the complete composition of this planet and later investigate whether it has surface oceans or other signs that it could support life.

An exoplanet that is nearly five billion years old has sustained an atmosphere all this time. Astronomers detected helium leaking into space, a clear sign that it has been replenishing itself on its own. This is the first ever exoplanet to reveal an atmosphere.

'Eyeball Earth' older than our planet and leaking helium reveals an atmosphere

SpaceX's latest attempt to launch its giant Starship rocket ended dramatically on the launch pad after an automatic abort stopped the mission just moments before liftoff in South Texas.The countdown had reached zero, the launch pad's water deluge system activated and the Super Heavy booster began igniting its engines. But within seconds, the engines shut down and the mission was cancelled automatically. Soon afterwards, Elon Musk explained the reason on X, saying that some of the Raptor engines failed to start, triggering the onboard safety system. He added that SpaceX will replace two engines and target another launch attempt next week.<h2>What went wrong during launch?</h2>According to SpaceX's live broadcast, multiple engines failed to ignite properly during startup.The Starship system relies on dozens of Raptor engines firing in a carefully timed sequence. If enough engines fail to reach required performance, onboard software immediately aborts the launch to prevent a catastrophic failure. The automatic shutdown worked exactly as intended, avoiding damage to the rocket and launch infrastructure. Engineers must now safely drain thousands of tonnes of cryogenic methane and liquid oxygen before inspecting the affected engines and preparing the vehicle for another attempt.<h2>Why this mission mattered</h2>This was more than another Starship test.SpaceX planned to launch the first third-generation Starlink satellites, representing the next evolution of its global satellite internet network. Although the satellites were expected to burn up after deployment because Starship has yet to demonstrate a complete orbital mission, the flight would have validated key technologies for future operational launches. The mission also marked Starship's return after May's first Version 3 (V3) test flight, during which both the Super Heavy booster and upper stage experienced technical issues despite achieving several important milestones.The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) only cleared SpaceX to fly again earlier this week after reviewing corrective actions following the previous test.<h2>Starship remains central to SpaceX's future</h2>Despite the setback, Starship remains the centrepiece of SpaceX's long-term strategy.The fully reusable rocket is designed to carry massive satellite payloads, support future Moon missions under NASA's Artemis programme and eventually transport humans to Mars.It is also expected to deploy larger and more capable Starlink satellites that could significantly expand SpaceX's satellite broadband business—the company's biggest source of revenue. The launch attempt also came weeks after SpaceX's record-breaking public listing. Investor attention has intensified as the company works to prove Starship can become a reliable commercial launch system.While the aborted launch disappointed spectators, it also demonstrated the importance of automated safety systems. Rather than risking an explosion after detecting abnormal engine performance, Starship shut itself down exactly as designed. If repairs proceed as planned, SpaceX hopes to try again as early as next week.

SpaceX aborted its latest Starship launch seconds before liftoff after multiple Raptor engines failed to ignite. Elon Musk said two engines will be replaced before another launch attempt next week, delaying the company's first mission carrying third-generation Starlink satellites.

SpaceX's latest attempt to launch its giant Starship rocket ended dramatically on the launch pad after an automatic abort stopped the mission just moments before liftoff in South Texas. The countdown had reached zero, the launch pad's water deluge system activated and the Super Heavy booster began igniting its engines. But within seconds, the engines shut down and the mission was cancelled automatically. Soon afterwards, Elon Musk explained the reason on X, saying that some of the Raptor engines failed to start, triggering the onboard safety system. He added that SpaceX will replace two engines and target another launch attempt next week. What went wrong during launch? According to SpaceX's live broadcast, multiple engines failed to ignite properly during startup. The Starship system relies on dozens of Raptor engines firing in a carefully timed sequence. If enough engines fail to reach required performance, onboard software immediately aborts the launch to prevent a catastrophic failure. The automatic shutdown worked exactly as intended, avoiding damage to the rocket and launch infrastructure. Engineers must now safely drain thousands of tonnes of cryogenic methane and liquid oxygen before inspecting the affected engines and preparing the vehicle for another attempt. Why this mission mattered This was more than another Starship test. SpaceX planned to launch the first third-generation Starlink satellites, representing the next evolution of its global satellite internet network. Although the satellites were expected to burn up after deployment because Starship has yet to demonstrate a complete orbital mission, the flight would have validated key technologies for future operational launches. The mission also marked Starship's return after May's first Version 3 (V3) test flight, during which both the Super Heavy booster and upper stage experienced technical issues despite achieving several important milestones. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) only cleared SpaceX to fly again earlier this week after reviewing corrective actions following the previous test. Starship remains central to SpaceX's future Despite the setback, Starship remains the centrepiece of SpaceX's long-term strategy. The fully reusable rocket is designed to carry massive satellite payloads, support future Moon missions under NASA's Artemis programme and eventually transport humans to Mars. It is also expected to deploy larger and more capable Starlink satellites that could significantly expand SpaceX's satellite broadband business—the company's biggest source of revenue. The launch attempt also came weeks after SpaceX's record-breaking public listing. Investor attention has intensified as the company works to prove Starship can become a reliable commercial launch system. While the aborted launch disappointed spectators, it also demonstrated the importance of automated safety systems. Rather than risking an explosion after detecting abnormal engine performance, Starship shut itself down exactly as designed. If repairs proceed as planned, SpaceX hopes to try again as early as next week.

SpaceX aborted its latest Starship launch seconds before liftoff after multiple Raptor engines failed to ignite. Elon Musk said two engines will be replaced before another launch attempt next week, delaying the company's first mission carrying third-generation Starlink satellites.

SpaceX aborts Starship launch seconds before liftoff after engine failure; Elon Musk says next attempt next week

Even as El Niño wreaks havoc across the world, a rare Atlantic Niña is emerging in the tropics. The former has warmed the Pacific, while the latter, as the name suggests, is brewing in the Atlantic. It is different from La Niña, which is the opposite of El Niño. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released a sea surface temperature anomaly map, clearly showing the difference between what is happening in the Atlantic and the Pacific. The phenomenon causes sea surface temperatures to drop below average, but instead of the Pacific, it happens in the eastern equatorial Atlantic Ocean.&nbsp;Experts say that if temperatures remain 0.5 degrees Celsius below average for two overlapping seasons, it will become the sixth Atlantic Niña of the last 40 years. The NOAA map shows El Niño stretching outward from the northeastern coast of South America, and the Atlantic Nina is off the southeastern coast of Africa. Even though the two work on opposite poles, they are in perfect alignment, says they are actually perfectly aligned in their atmospheric impact,” senior meteorologist Andrej Flis wrote in a piece for Severe Weather Europe.<h2>How does Atlantic Nina affect weather?</h2> According to NOAA, Atlantic Nina makes it harder for thunderstorms and tropical cyclones to form because the cooler waters cause a drop in the amount of heat and moisture needed to fuel convection. Expect half the number of tropical cyclones elsewhere, and hurricanes in the US, than an average year. This is similar to how El Niño works, which depletes the chances of storms turning into hurricanes. The forecast by NOAA for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season includes eight to 14 named storms, three to six hurricanes, and one to three major hurricanes.&nbsp;The effects are already visible. By July 17, at least two named storms had formed in the Atlantic Basin. But there is just Tropical Storm Arthur for now, which brought floods to the southern US in June. There is no hurricane on the horizon yet; however, the first one starts developing around August 11 in a year. There are two Atlantic disturbances, and one of them could develop into a cyclone in the next seven days. In conclusion, the presence of both El Niño and Atlantic Niña at the same time means a year with fewer hurricanes and cyclones.<h2>Atlantic Nina effect on India</h2> The phenomenon has an inverse relationship with the Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR). A cooler Atlantic means stronger monsoon rains in India. Initially, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast below-normal to uneven rainfall nationwide for July 2026; conditions have led to severe, extremely heavy rain events across multiple states. Heavy rainfall is predicted for many northern, eastern and central states during the active monsoon phase till July 20. Ladakh recorded 65% more rainfall than normal as of mid-July.&nbsp;

A rare Atlantic Nina has joined forces with the Super El Niño in 2026. So the Pacific waters are warm, and portions of the Atlantic are cooler. Here is how it will affect the hurricane season in the US and the monsoon in India.

Even as El Niño wreaks havoc across the world, a rare Atlantic Niña is emerging in the tropics. The former has warmed the Pacific, while the latter, as the name suggests, is brewing in the Atlantic. It is different from La Niña, which is the opposite of El Niño. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released a sea surface temperature anomaly map, clearly showing the difference between what is happening in the Atlantic and the Pacific. The phenomenon causes sea surface temperatures to drop below average, but instead of the Pacific, it happens in the eastern equatorial Atlantic Ocean. Experts say that if temperatures remain 0.5 degrees Celsius below average for two overlapping seasons, it will become the sixth Atlantic Niña of the last 40 years. The NOAA map shows El Niño stretching outward from the northeastern coast of South America, and the Atlantic Nina is off the southeastern coast of Africa. Even though the two work on opposite poles, they are in perfect alignment, says they are actually perfectly aligned in their atmospheric impact,” senior meteorologist Andrej Flis wrote in a piece for Severe Weather Europe. How does Atlantic Nina affect weather? According to NOAA, Atlantic Nina makes it harder for thunderstorms and tropical cyclones to form because the cooler waters cause a drop in the amount of heat and moisture needed to fuel convection. Expect half the number of tropical cyclones elsewhere, and hurricanes in the US, than an average year. This is similar to how El Niño works, which depletes the chances of storms turning into hurricanes. The forecast by NOAA for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season includes eight to 14 named storms, three to six hurricanes, and one to three major hurricanes. The effects are already visible. By July 17, at least two named storms had formed in the Atlantic Basin. But there is just Tropical Storm Arthur for now, which brought floods to the southern US in June. There is no hurricane on the horizon yet; however, the first one starts developing around August 11 in a year. There are two Atlantic disturbances, and one of them could develop into a cyclone in the next seven days. In conclusion, the presence of both El Niño and Atlantic Niña at the same time means a year with fewer hurricanes and cyclones. Atlantic Nina effect on India The phenomenon has an inverse relationship with the Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR). A cooler Atlantic means stronger monsoon rains in India. Initially, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast below-normal to uneven rainfall nationwide for July 2026; conditions have led to severe, extremely heavy rain events across multiple states. Heavy rainfall is predicted for many northern, eastern and central states during the active monsoon phase till July 20. Ladakh recorded 65% more rainfall than normal as of mid-July.

A rare Atlantic Nina has joined forces with the Super El Niño in 2026. So the Pacific waters are warm, and portions of the Atlantic are cooler. Here is how it will affect the hurricane season in the US and the monsoon in India.

5 times in 40 years: Rare Atlantic Niña could soon grip Earth as Super El Niño tightens its jaws. What to expect?

Can a couple lose the right to become parents because Parliament changed the law years after they froze their embryos? The Allahabad High Court has answered that question with a clear no, saying reproductive rights cannot be taken away retrospectively. What are the key provisions of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 and why were they introduced? What did the Allahabad HC say in its new groundbreaking ruling? WION Decodes.<h2>Allahabad HC's ruling: What it says</h2>Imagine spending years undergoing IVF, finally creating embryos after repeated failed attempts, only to discover that a new law now says you're too old to use them. That was the question before the Allahabad High Court, and its answer could have implications far beyond one couple from Lucknow.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/if-india-wants-a-permanent-unsc-seat-why-is-it-still-contesting-for-a-temporary-one-wion-decodes-1784104714747">If India wants a permanent UNSC seat, why is it still contesting for a temporary one? WION Decodes</a>In a significant ruling, the court held that the age limits under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 cannot be applied retrospectively to couples who had already created and frozen embryos before the law came into force. The judges said doing so would violate the constitutional right to reproductive autonomy, which forms part of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21.<h2>Why did the court make an exception?</h2>The case involved a couple who had been married for more than 17 years and had undergone multiple rounds of IVF without success. In 2015, they created and cryopreserved three embryos with the intention of pursuing surrogacy if conventional IVF failed. At the time, there was no statutory upper age limit preventing them from doing so.But by the time they were ready to proceed, the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 had come into force. The law allows surrogacy only if the intending woman is between 23 and 50 years of age and the intending man is between 26 and 55. The wife had crossed the age threshold, leaving the couple unable to move forward.The High Court held that the law could not be used to extinguish a right that had already accrued years before Parliament enacted the legislation.<h2>When does the surrogacy process actually begin?</h2>A key question before the court was whether surrogacy begins when a surrogate is identified or much earlier.Relying on recent Supreme Court judgments, the Allahabad High Court said the process effectively begins when eggs and sperm are fertilised and embryos are frozen with the intention of using them for surrogacy.In other words, the legal clock starts ticking when the embryos are created, not when they are implanted.That distinction proved crucial in this case. Since the embryos had been frozen in 2015, the couple's right to pursue parenthood had already crystallised under the legal framework that existed at the time. The later age restrictions could not be imposed retrospectively.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wion-decodes-why-is-the-us-threatening-india-with-fresh-12-5-tariff-under-section-301-which-industries-stand-to-lose-the-most-1783489179101">WION Decodes: Why is the US threatening India with fresh 12.5% tariff under Section 301? Which industries stand to lose the most?</a><h2>What does India's Surrogacy Act say?</h2>The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 was introduced to regulate assisted reproduction and curb commercial surrogacy.Among its key provisions are:<ol><li>Only altruistic surrogacy is permitted.</li><li>Commercial surrogacy is prohibited.</li><li>Women must be between 23 and 50 years of age, while men must be between 26 and 55.</li><li>Intending couples must obtain eligibility certificates and medical approvals.</li><li>Registered clinics and strict oversight are mandatory.</li><li>The law also prohibits sex selection and seeks to protect surrogate mothers and children born through surrogacy.</li></ol>The High Court did not strike down these provisions. Instead, it ruled that they cannot be applied to embryos frozen before the law came into effect.<h2>Could this help other IVF couples?</h2>Potentially, yes. The ruling is based on Supreme Court precedents and reinforces the principle that reproductive rights cannot be taken away simply because a law changes after a medical procedure has already begun. That means other couples who froze embryos before January 25, 2022 and later crossed the statutory age limit may also have stronger grounds to seek permission for surrogacy.However, the judgment does not create a blanket exemption. Such couples must still satisfy the other requirements of the Surrogacy Act, including medical eligibility and statutory approvals.<h2>Why this judgment matters</h2>The ruling goes beyond one couple's struggle. As more Indians turn to IVF and embryo freezing, courts are increasingly being asked to decide what happens when science moves faster than the law.The Allahabad High Court's judgment suggests that once embryos are legally created and preserved, the right to use them cannot simply disappear because Parliament later changes the rules.

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 cannot be applied retrospectively to couples who froze embryos before the law came into force, holding that reproductive rights under Article 21 cannot be taken away by subsequent legislation.

Can a couple lose the right to become parents because Parliament changed the law years after they froze their embryos? The Allahabad High Court has answered that question with a clear no, saying reproductive rights cannot be taken away retrospectively. What are the key provisions of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 and why were they introduced? What did the Allahabad HC say in its new groundbreaking ruling? WION Decodes. Allahabad HC's ruling: What it says Imagine spending years undergoing IVF, finally creating embryos after repeated failed attempts, only to discover that a new law now says you're too old to use them. That was the question before the Allahabad High Court, and its answer could have implications far beyond one couple from Lucknow. Also read | If India wants a permanent UNSC seat, why is it still contesting for a temporary one? WION Decodes In a significant ruling, the court held that the age limits under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 cannot be applied retrospectively to couples who had already created and frozen embryos before the law came into force. The judges said doing so would violate the constitutional right to reproductive autonomy, which forms part of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21. Why did the court make an exception? The case involved a couple who had been married for more than 17 years and had undergone multiple rounds of IVF without success. In 2015, they created and cryopreserved three embryos with the intention of pursuing surrogacy if conventional IVF failed. At the time, there was no statutory upper age limit preventing them from doing so. But by the time they were ready to proceed, the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 had come into force. The law allows surrogacy only if the intending woman is between 23 and 50 years of age and the intending man is between 26 and 55. The wife had crossed the age threshold, leaving the couple unable to move forward. The High Court held that the law could not be used to extinguish a right that had already accrued years before Parliament enacted the legislation. When does the surrogacy process actually begin? A key question before the court was whether surrogacy begins when a surrogate is identified or much earlier. Relying on recent Supreme Court judgments, the Allahabad High Court said the process effectively begins when eggs and sperm are fertilised and embryos are frozen with the intention of using them for surrogacy. In other words, the legal clock starts ticking when the embryos are created, not when they are implanted. That distinction proved crucial in this case. Since the embryos had been frozen in 2015, the couple's right to pursue parenthood had already crystallised under the legal framework that existed at the time. The later age restrictions could not be imposed retrospectively. Also read | WION Decodes: Why is the US threatening India with fresh 12.5% tariff under Section 301? Which industries stand to lose the most? What does India's Surrogacy Act say? The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 was introduced to regulate assisted reproduction and curb commercial surrogacy. Among its key provisions are: Only altruistic surrogacy is permitted. Commercial surrogacy is prohibited. Women must be between 23 and 50 years of age, while men must be between 26 and 55. Intending couples must obtain eligibility certificates and medical approvals. Registered clinics and strict oversight are mandatory. The law also prohibits sex selection and seeks to protect surrogate mothers and children born through surrogacy. The High Court did not strike down these provisions. Instead, it ruled that they cannot be applied to embryos frozen before the law came into effect. Could this help other IVF couples? Potentially, yes. The ruling is based on Supreme Court precedents and reinforces the principle that reproductive rights cannot be taken away simply because a law changes after a medical procedure has already begun. That means other couples who froze embryos before January 25, 2022 and later crossed the statutory age limit may also have stronger grounds to seek permission for surrogacy. However, the judgment does not create a blanket exemption. Such couples must still satisfy the other requirements of the Surrogacy Act, including medical eligibility and statutory approvals. Why this judgment matters The ruling goes beyond one couple's struggle. As more Indians turn to IVF and embryo freezing, courts are increasingly being asked to decide what happens when science moves faster than the law. The Allahabad High Court's judgment suggests that once embryos are legally created and preserved, the right to use them cannot simply disappear because Parliament later changes the rules.

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 cannot be applied retrospectively to couples who froze embryos before the law came into force, holding that reproductive rights under Article 21 cannot be taken away by subsequent legislation.

WION Decodes: Does freezing an embryo give you a legal right to become a parent later? Allahabad HC says...

India's first privately designed and built spacefaring rocket 'Vikram-1' is scheduled to launch at 11:30am IST, 18th July, Saturday. Since the start of this month, the Hyderabad-based firm Skyroot Aerospace's seven-storeys-tall 'Vikram 1' rocket has been fully integrated and stacked at the lone Indian spaceport, Satish Dhawan Space Centre(SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This will be the first time that a private spacefaring rocket is lifting off from the first launchpad of the Government-run Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). So far, only rockets designed and developed by ISRO have been launched from the first and second launchpads at SDSC, Sriharikota.Concerned authorities have issued the necessary airspace and maritime notices, formally designating the restricted zones along Vikram-1's ascent and impact corridor for launch day, Skyroot said about the launch readiness. “We have done everything that could be done to test Vikram-1 on ground. On 18th July, we are eager to see how Vikram-1 performs in a real flight environment for the first time. This is our first test flight, and we will be getting valuable data from it. This will be foundational to Skyroot's aspirations of establishing launch cadence. We are excited to see this through," said Pawan Kumar Chandana, Co-founder &amp; CEO, Skyroot Aerospace.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rs-5-lakh-for-neet-questions-cbi-uncovers-conspiracy-behind-paper-leak-1784186292410">Rs 5 lakh for NEET questions: CBI uncovers conspiracy behind paper leak</a> Vikram-1 will carry technology demonstration payloads from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, DCubed and Skyroot's own SCOPE, along with Cosmos Diamonds' artwork "Cosmic Bloom" and a micro-art piece. Dubbed 'Mission Aagaman', meaning “the arrival”, the launch mission of Vikram-1 marks Skyroot’s second mission following the successful suborbital flight of Vikram-S, a rocket that was meant to fly to the edge of space and not deploy satellites. The November 2022 launch of Vikram-S was the first attempt of that sort by an Indian private firm. "What we are aiming to do on 18 July is bigger than a single launch. It represents the hopes and hard work of around 1,000 people, the contributions of over 400 suppliers, and nearly 3,000 days of resolve to build a global offering from India. This test flight will show us how every technology we have developed over the years performs in real-world conditions. With the in-flight data gathered from this mission, we will return to the shop floor to learn, improve, and build further. This test flight is the first step towards creating a reliable, on-demand launch company for the world from India." — Naga Bharath Daka, Co-founder &amp; COO, Skyroot Aerospace<h2>About the Vikram-1 rocket</h2>Vikram-1 is a seven-storey-tall, multi-stage orbital launch vehicle built with an all-carbon composite structure and powered by in-house developed propulsion systems, including 3D-printed engines and high-thrust solid-fuel rocket boosters. Designed to carry small satellites weighing up to 350 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Vikram-1's maiden mission will target an orbit at an altitude of 450 km with a 60-degree orbital inclination.Orbital inclination is the tilt of a satellite's path with respect to the Earth's equator. For context, a satellite that circles along the Earth's equator will have a 0-degree inclination; a satellite that circles from pole to pole will have a 90-degree inclination. Therefore, a 60-degree inclination in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) means the satellite circles the planet tilted at a 60-degree angle to the equator. It traces a path that flies over populated regions between 60° North and 60° South latitude. It leaves the extreme polar regions unobserved but covers nearly all inhabited areas.Vikram-1's first launch mission will help Skyroot gather critical data across propulsion, stage separation, guidance, navigation, control and overall vehicle performance, supporting the evolution of Skyroot into a commercially operational launch company. Typically, spacefaring rocket makers regard the first three launches of a rocket as developmental or demonstration flights. It is based on the outcomes of the first three missions and their learnings that the firm would declare the rocket operational. Skyroot says that it will commence full commercial launches after one or two successful demonstration launches to orbit.Watch | ISRO genius preparing India's future minds | Vijay govt's big move<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/isro-genius-preparing-india-s-future-minds-vijay-govt-s-big-move-1782928647168/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/isro-genius-preparing-india-s-future-minds-vijay-govt-s-big-move-1782928647168/embed</a>&nbsp;

Vikram-1, will carry technology demonstration payloads from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, DCubed and Skyroot's own SCOPE, along with Cosmos Diamonds' artwork "Cosmic Bloom" and a micro-art piece.

India's first privately designed and built spacefaring rocket 'Vikram-1' is scheduled to launch at 11:30am IST, 18th July, Saturday. Since the start of this month, the Hyderabad-based firm Skyroot Aerospace's seven-storeys-tall 'Vikram 1' rocket has been fully integrated and stacked at the lone Indian spaceport, Satish Dhawan Space Centre(SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This will be the first time that a private spacefaring rocket is lifting off from the first launchpad of the Government-run Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). So far, only rockets designed and developed by ISRO have been launched from the first and second launchpads at SDSC, Sriharikota. Concerned authorities have issued the necessary airspace and maritime notices, formally designating the restricted zones along Vikram-1's ascent and impact corridor for launch day, Skyroot said about the launch readiness. “We have done everything that could be done to test Vikram-1 on ground. On 18th July, we are eager to see how Vikram-1 performs in a real flight environment for the first time. This is our first test flight, and we will be getting valuable data from it. This will be foundational to Skyroot's aspirations of establishing launch cadence. We are excited to see this through," said Pawan Kumar Chandana, Co-founder & CEO, Skyroot Aerospace. Also read | Rs 5 lakh for NEET questions: CBI uncovers conspiracy behind paper leak Vikram-1 will carry technology demonstration payloads from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, DCubed and Skyroot's own SCOPE, along with Cosmos Diamonds' artwork "Cosmic Bloom" and a micro-art piece. Dubbed 'Mission Aagaman', meaning “the arrival”, the launch mission of Vikram-1 marks Skyroot’s second mission following the successful suborbital flight of Vikram-S, a rocket that was meant to fly to the edge of space and not deploy satellites. The November 2022 launch of Vikram-S was the first attempt of that sort by an Indian private firm. "What we are aiming to do on 18 July is bigger than a single launch. It represents the hopes and hard work of around 1,000 people, the contributions of over 400 suppliers, and nearly 3,000 days of resolve to build a global offering from India. This test flight will show us how every technology we have developed over the years performs in real-world conditions. With the in-flight data gathered from this mission, we will return to the shop floor to learn, improve, and build further. This test flight is the first step towards creating a reliable, on-demand launch company for the world from India." — Naga Bharath Daka, Co-founder & COO, Skyroot Aerospace About the Vikram-1 rocket Vikram-1 is a seven-storey-tall, multi-stage orbital launch vehicle built with an all-carbon composite structure and powered by in-house developed propulsion systems, including 3D-printed engines and high-thrust solid-fuel rocket boosters. Designed to carry small satellites weighing up to 350 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Vikram-1's maiden mission will target an orbit at an altitude of 450 km with a 60-degree orbital inclination. Orbital inclination is the tilt of a satellite's path with respect to the Earth's equator. For context, a satellite that circles along the Earth's equator will have a 0-degree inclination; a satellite that circles from pole to pole will have a 90-degree inclination. Therefore, a 60-degree inclination in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) means the satellite circles the planet tilted at a 60-degree angle to the equator. It traces a path that flies over populated regions between 60° North and 60° South latitude. It leaves the extreme polar regions unobserved but covers nearly all inhabited areas. Vikram-1's first launch mission will help Skyroot gather critical data across propulsion, stage separation, guidance, navigation, control and overall vehicle performance, supporting the evolution of Skyroot into a commercially operational launch company. Typically, spacefaring rocket makers regard the first three launches of a rocket as developmental or demonstration flights. It is based on the outcomes of the first three missions and their learnings that the firm would declare the rocket operational. Skyroot says that it will commence full commercial launches after one or two successful demonstration launches to orbit. Watch | ISRO genius preparing India's future minds | Vijay govt's big move https://www.wionews.com/videos/isro-genius-preparing-india-s-future-minds-vijay-govt-s-big-move-1782928647168/embed

Vikram-1, will carry technology demonstration payloads from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, DCubed and Skyroot's own SCOPE, along with Cosmos Diamonds' artwork "Cosmic Bloom" and a micro-art piece.

Vikram-1: India's first privately designed & built spacefaring rocket to liftoff on July 18

A monkey species that was first seen in 2008 has finally been confirmed 18 years later. The primate with orangish-pink lips and black fur lives in the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Researchers photographed it in the dense tropical forests of Lomami National Park. It is only the fifth African monkey species to be discovered in the last 75 years. The findings have been published in PLOS One, and it has been named Colobus congoensis, locally known as Likweli.&nbsp;Conservationists took a blurry photo of the monkey in 2008 during an expedition. It was new and different, but they did not see it again. The unidentified primate was again seen 10 years later. So scientists decided to officially look for it. Their work bore fruit as over the next four years, they saw the creature 114 times between the Lomami and Lilo rivers. The team described the monkey as "quiet, shy and with a watchful nature."&nbsp;Kate Detwiler and Junior Amboko, from Florida Atlantic University, said that instead of fleeing, these monkeys climbed higher into the canopy and watched them. "It often feels as though we’re studying each other," they said. Several people in the region already knew about the monkeys. The researchers interviewed people in 52 villages in the nearby areas, and only people in eight villages said they had seen them.&nbsp;"These are really important African monkeys that don't have thumbs," Detwiler said. The monkeys have bright facial markings, which the team thinks could be a way to attract partners to mate, and could also be used for identification purposes.&nbsp;Another unique feature is their loud roar. "You often hear them, but don't see them," said Amboko. The roar can be heard over long distances. The sounds they make are acoustically distinct from those of other colobus monkeys. This was another reason the team was sure they had encountered a unique species.&nbsp;They also said that they are hunted for meat, and are hoping that the Colobus congoensis classification would lead them to be termed a distinct species so they can be officially protected.

Democratic Republic of Congo has revealed a new monkey species with orange and pink lips and bright facial hair. The animals also make a distinct roar. It has been named Colobus congoensis, and is apparently shy and watchful.

A monkey species that was first seen in 2008 has finally been confirmed 18 years later. The primate with orangish-pink lips and black fur lives in the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Researchers photographed it in the dense tropical forests of Lomami National Park. It is only the fifth African monkey species to be discovered in the last 75 years. The findings have been published in PLOS One, and it has been named Colobus congoensis, locally known as Likweli. Conservationists took a blurry photo of the monkey in 2008 during an expedition. It was new and different, but they did not see it again. The unidentified primate was again seen 10 years later. So scientists decided to officially look for it. Their work bore fruit as over the next four years, they saw the creature 114 times between the Lomami and Lilo rivers. The team described the monkey as "quiet, shy and with a watchful nature." Kate Detwiler and Junior Amboko, from Florida Atlantic University, said that instead of fleeing, these monkeys climbed higher into the canopy and watched them. "It often feels as though we’re studying each other," they said. Several people in the region already knew about the monkeys. The researchers interviewed people in 52 villages in the nearby areas, and only people in eight villages said they had seen them. "These are really important African monkeys that don't have thumbs," Detwiler said. The monkeys have bright facial markings, which the team thinks could be a way to attract partners to mate, and could also be used for identification purposes. Another unique feature is their loud roar. "You often hear them, but don't see them," said Amboko. The roar can be heard over long distances. The sounds they make are acoustically distinct from those of other colobus monkeys. This was another reason the team was sure they had encountered a unique species. They also said that they are hunted for meat, and are hoping that the Colobus congoensis classification would lead them to be termed a distinct species so they can be officially protected.

Democratic Republic of Congo has revealed a new monkey species with orange and pink lips and bright facial hair. The animals also make a distinct roar. It has been named Colobus congoensis, and is apparently shy and watchful.

'Shy and watchful' monkey with no thumb and orange lips discovered in Africa

The forensic laboratory analysis of a two-pound meteorite that crashed through the roof of a New Jersey home has revealed an unprecedented glimpse into the chemistry of an alien world. The extraordinary cosmic rock, now known as the Hillsborough meteorite, fell to Earth in 2024. Screaming through the atmosphere at 32,000 miles per hour (14.4 km/s) it triggered a massive sonic boom over New York before tearing through the ceiling of a Hillsborough home's master bedroom.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/neil-armstrong-and-buzz-aldrin-almost-died-on-the-moon-the-plastic-pen-that-saved-them-just-sold-for-857-600-1784175823499">Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin almost died on the Moon. The plastic pen that saved them just sold for $857,600</a><h2>Clues to the origins of life</h2>The forensic breakdown of the Hillsborough meteorite has revealed a highly altered environment rich in liquid water and complex organic matter, offering critical insights into how life may have been sparked on early Earth.Researchers studying the two pound meteorite say it contains signs of an unusual salty water environment that has never before been identified in this class of asteroid. The findings, they say, could reshape scientists' understanding of how the building blocks of life formed billions of years ago."I was at home at the time, heard a loud crash and found a hole in the ceiling of the master bedroom," the homeowner recalled. "I smelled a strong sulphur-like odor and saw many black fragments... covering my bed."<h2>Tracing the rock back to the asteroid belt</h2>Scientists traced the object to the lower asteroid belt, where they believe it originated from a primitive asteroid that experienced an unexpected episode of concentrated salty water activity."A forensic study of the fragments revealed that they contained preserved bits from near the surface of a primitive asteroid where it experienced concentrated salty fluids, a process not previously known from this type of protoplanet world," said lead author Peter Jenniskens of the SETI Institute and NASA's Ames Research Center.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/built-to-outlive-us-all-earth-is-getting-an-indestructible-black-box-to-record-the-end-of-human-civilisation-1783747790087">Built to outlive us all: Earth is getting an indestructible ‘black box’ to record the end of human civilisation</a><h2>Meteorite packed with life's building blocks</h2>Laboratory analysis revealed that the meteorite contains a rich mixture of carbon, nitrogen, amino acids and dozens of soluble organic compounds. Researchers found evidence that many of these molecules formed through interactions between minerals and highly concentrated briny water, an environment capable of driving complex chemical reactions.The meteorite contained about 1.8 per cent carbon and 0.07 per cent nitrogen, with isotope signatures matching those seen in primitive CM type carbonaceous chondrites, some of the oldest material in the Solar System.Scientists also identified magnesium based organic compounds whose origin remains uncertain. They may have formed through the asteroid's salty water chemistry or during ancient impact events.<h2>Could asteroids have helped spark life on Earth?</h2>The discovery adds weight to the idea that primitive asteroids delivered key ingredients needed for life to emerge on the young Earth.NASA astrobiologist Danny Glavin and colleagues concluded that amino acids, carboxylic acids and other organic molecules carried by meteorites like Hillsborough may have contributed to the chemical inventory that existed before life began.Because the fragments were recovered within hours of impact and carefully preserved, researchers say they remain among the cleanest meteorite samples ever analysed. Several pieces will now be housed at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, where they will continue to be studied for clues about the origins of the Solar System and, perhaps, life itself. &nbsp;

Scientists have discovered previously unknown salty water chemistry and complex organic molecules inside the Hillsborough meteorite that crashed through a New Jersey home's roof, offering new clues about the origins of life on Earth.

The forensic laboratory analysis of a two-pound meteorite that crashed through the roof of a New Jersey home has revealed an unprecedented glimpse into the chemistry of an alien world. The extraordinary cosmic rock, now known as the Hillsborough meteorite, fell to Earth in 2024. Screaming through the atmosphere at 32,000 miles per hour (14.4 km/s) it triggered a massive sonic boom over New York before tearing through the ceiling of a Hillsborough home's master bedroom. Also read | Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin almost died on the Moon. The plastic pen that saved them just sold for $857,600 Clues to the origins of life The forensic breakdown of the Hillsborough meteorite has revealed a highly altered environment rich in liquid water and complex organic matter, offering critical insights into how life may have been sparked on early Earth. Researchers studying the two pound meteorite say it contains signs of an unusual salty water environment that has never before been identified in this class of asteroid. The findings, they say, could reshape scientists' understanding of how the building blocks of life formed billions of years ago. "I was at home at the time, heard a loud crash and found a hole in the ceiling of the master bedroom," the homeowner recalled. "I smelled a strong sulphur-like odor and saw many black fragments... covering my bed." Tracing the rock back to the asteroid belt Scientists traced the object to the lower asteroid belt, where they believe it originated from a primitive asteroid that experienced an unexpected episode of concentrated salty water activity. "A forensic study of the fragments revealed that they contained preserved bits from near the surface of a primitive asteroid where it experienced concentrated salty fluids, a process not previously known from this type of protoplanet world," said lead author Peter Jenniskens of the SETI Institute and NASA's Ames Research Center. Also read | Built to outlive us all: Earth is getting an indestructible ‘black box’ to record the end of human civilisation Meteorite packed with life's building blocks Laboratory analysis revealed that the meteorite contains a rich mixture of carbon, nitrogen, amino acids and dozens of soluble organic compounds. Researchers found evidence that many of these molecules formed through interactions between minerals and highly concentrated briny water, an environment capable of driving complex chemical reactions. The meteorite contained about 1.8 per cent carbon and 0.07 per cent nitrogen, with isotope signatures matching those seen in primitive CM type carbonaceous chondrites, some of the oldest material in the Solar System. Scientists also identified magnesium based organic compounds whose origin remains uncertain. They may have formed through the asteroid's salty water chemistry or during ancient impact events. Could asteroids have helped spark life on Earth? The discovery adds weight to the idea that primitive asteroids delivered key ingredients needed for life to emerge on the young Earth. NASA astrobiologist Danny Glavin and colleagues concluded that amino acids, carboxylic acids and other organic molecules carried by meteorites like Hillsborough may have contributed to the chemical inventory that existed before life began. Because the fragments were recovered within hours of impact and carefully preserved, researchers say they remain among the cleanest meteorite samples ever analysed. Several pieces will now be housed at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, where they will continue to be studied for clues about the origins of the Solar System and, perhaps, life itself.

Scientists have discovered previously unknown salty water chemistry and complex organic molecules inside the Hillsborough meteorite that crashed through a New Jersey home's roof, offering new clues about the origins of life on Earth.

'Alien chemistry' discovered in meteorite that crashed into a New Jersey bedroom

In July 1969, as NASA astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin famously took the "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," they almost got stuck on the lunar surface. What saved the Apollo landing from ending in a tragedy was a simple plastic pen, which has now been sold at an auction for over $850,000 (£630,000).<h2>How did the pen save astronauts from certain death in space?</h2>The dented silver plastic Duro Rocket pen was used by Buzz Aldrin, the second man on the moon, to save Neil Armstrong and himself from being "struck on the moon for ever".Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/is-a-prison-for-fallen-angels-hidden-beneath-antarctica-why-the-book-of-enoch-theory-is-going-viral-1784085520567">Is a prison for fallen angels hidden beneath Antarctica? Why the Book of Enoch theory is going viral</a>Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the surface of the moon back in July 1969 as part of the historic Apollo 11 mission. After the historic landing, the two astronauts were preparing to catch up on some ZZ's when they noticed that small black switch on the floor of the cabin, which turned out to be a vital piece of the circuit breaker that sends electrical power to the ascent engine.In his 2009 autobiography 'Magnificent Desolation', Buzz Aldrin detailed the nerve-wrecking moment, “My heart jolted a bit … The broken switch had snapped off from the engine-arm circuit breaker, the one vital breaker needed to send electrical power to the ascent engine that would lift Neil and me off the moon.”

The Broken Circuit Breaker Switch that Nearly Ended Apollo 11, and the Pen that Saved the Crew and the Mission

Eventually, the astronaut came up with the ingenious plan of inserting the pen into the circuit thereby rerouting the power. The pen which was part of Aldrin's personal preference kit "did the trick;the circuit breaker held. We could return to Earth after all!," said Aldrin.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/built-to-outlive-us-all-earth-is-getting-an-indestructible-black-box-to-record-the-end-of-human-civilisation-1783747790087">Built to outlive us all: Earth is getting an indestructible ‘black box’ to record the end of human civilisation</a><h2>Auction and more</h2>The felt tip pen was sold along with a letter of provenance in which Aldrin jokes: "I think Neil broke the switch off and Neil thinks that I broke the switch off.""In the end, what mattered most was that we had to figure out how to solve the problem of the broken switch so that we could leave the lunar surface and get home to Earth."Sotheby estimated the auction price for the pen to be between $800,000 and $1.2m. After being pursued by five bidders, the pen was eventually sold for $857,600.

A plastic pen that Buzz Aldrin used to restore power to Apollo 11's lunar module after a critical circuit breaker broke, preventing the astronauts from being stranded on the Moon, has sold at auction for $857,600.

In July 1969, as NASA astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin famously took the "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," they almost got stuck on the lunar surface. What saved the Apollo landing from ending in a tragedy was a simple plastic pen, which has now been sold at an auction for over $850,000 (£630,000). How did the pen save astronauts from certain death in space? The dented silver plastic Duro Rocket pen was used by Buzz Aldrin, the second man on the moon, to save Neil Armstrong and himself from being "struck on the moon for ever". Also read | Is a prison for fallen angels hidden beneath Antarctica? Why the Book of Enoch theory is going viral Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the surface of the moon back in July 1969 as part of the historic Apollo 11 mission. After the historic landing, the two astronauts were preparing to catch up on some ZZ's when they noticed that small black switch on the floor of the cabin, which turned out to be a vital piece of the circuit breaker that sends electrical power to the ascent engine. In his 2009 autobiography 'Magnificent Desolation', Buzz Aldrin detailed the nerve-wrecking moment, “My heart jolted a bit … The broken switch had snapped off from the engine-arm circuit breaker, the one vital breaker needed to send electrical power to the ascent engine that would lift Neil and me off the moon.”

A plastic pen that Buzz Aldrin used to restore power to Apollo 11's lunar module after a critical circuit breaker broke, preventing the astronauts from being stranded on the Moon, has sold at auction for $857,600.

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin almost died on the Moon. The plastic pen that saved them just sold for $857,600

A centuries old religious text, left out of the Bible used by most Christians, has found a fresh audience online after social media users began claiming it describes a prison for fallen angels buried beneath Antarctica.The book at the centre of the theory is the Book of Enoch, an ancient work traditionally linked to Enoch, the great grandfather of Noah. It describes fallen angels, giants and the origins of demons, but never made it into the biblical canon followed by most Christian traditions.Now, parts of the text are being pulled into a modern conspiracy theory. Supporters say its references to sealed chambers, frozen storehouses, imprisoned heavenly beings and the “end of heaven and earth” are not symbolic at all, but a coded description of East Antarctica.<h2>Why are people linking the Book of Enoch to Antarctica?</h2>The theory leans heavily on passages that describe the Watchers, 200 angels who are said to have abandoned their duties, taken human wives and fathered the Nephilim, giant beings blamed in the text for violence and corruption. God is then said to have ordered the Watchers chained and locked away in a fiery abyss until judgment day.That is where the Antarctica theory begins. Online believers argue that the text’s references to the “ends of the earth” point to the southernmost edge of the planet. They also point to the continent’s vast ice sheet, subglacial lakes such as Lake Vostok and the buried Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains, which lie hidden under miles of ice.<h2>Mysterious radio signals from Antarctica lend weight to theory</h2>Another reason the theory has spread online is its attempt to connect the Book of Enoch with unexplained signals detected by NASA's Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) experiment.ANITA recorded unusual radio events in 2006 and 2014 that appeared to originate from beneath the Antarctic ice. While the signals remain the subject of scientific investigation, researchers have proposed explanations ranging from unusual cosmic ray interactions to unknown physical processes.<h2>What do biblical scholars say?</h2>Most biblical scholars reject the Antarctica interpretation.They argue that the Book of Enoch uses symbolic language to describe a supernatural realm rather than a physical place on Earth. References to the "ends of the earth", fiery prisons and cosmic mountains are widely understood as apocalyptic imagery common in ancient Jewish literature, not geographical directions.Likewise, the book never mentions Antarctica by name, nor does it provide any identifiable location that can be matched to the continent.

An ancient book excluded from most versions of the Bible is at the centre of a viral conspiracy claiming Antarctica hides a prison for fallen angels. Supporters point to mysterious passages, buried mountains and even unexplained radio signals, but what does the Book of Enoch actually say?

A centuries old religious text, left out of the Bible used by most Christians, has found a fresh audience online after social media users began claiming it describes a prison for fallen angels buried beneath Antarctica. The book at the centre of the theory is the Book of Enoch, an ancient work traditionally linked to Enoch, the great grandfather of Noah. It describes fallen angels, giants and the origins of demons, but never made it into the biblical canon followed by most Christian traditions. Now, parts of the text are being pulled into a modern conspiracy theory. Supporters say its references to sealed chambers, frozen storehouses, imprisoned heavenly beings and the “end of heaven and earth” are not symbolic at all, but a coded description of East Antarctica. Why are people linking the Book of Enoch to Antarctica? The theory leans heavily on passages that describe the Watchers, 200 angels who are said to have abandoned their duties, taken human wives and fathered the Nephilim, giant beings blamed in the text for violence and corruption. God is then said to have ordered the Watchers chained and locked away in a fiery abyss until judgment day. That is where the Antarctica theory begins. Online believers argue that the text’s references to the “ends of the earth” point to the southernmost edge of the planet. They also point to the continent’s vast ice sheet, subglacial lakes such as Lake Vostok and the buried Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains, which lie hidden under miles of ice. Mysterious radio signals from Antarctica lend weight to theory Another reason the theory has spread online is its attempt to connect the Book of Enoch with unexplained signals detected by NASA's Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) experiment. ANITA recorded unusual radio events in 2006 and 2014 that appeared to originate from beneath the Antarctic ice. While the signals remain the subject of scientific investigation, researchers have proposed explanations ranging from unusual cosmic ray interactions to unknown physical processes. What do biblical scholars say? Most biblical scholars reject the Antarctica interpretation. They argue that the Book of Enoch uses symbolic language to describe a supernatural realm rather than a physical place on Earth. References to the "ends of the earth", fiery prisons and cosmic mountains are widely understood as apocalyptic imagery common in ancient Jewish literature, not geographical directions. Likewise, the book never mentions Antarctica by name, nor does it provide any identifiable location that can be matched to the continent.

An ancient book excluded from most versions of the Bible is at the centre of a viral conspiracy claiming Antarctica hides a prison for fallen angels. Supporters point to mysterious passages, buried mountains and even unexplained radio signals, but what does the Book of Enoch actually say?

Is a prison for fallen angels hidden beneath Antarctica? Why the Book of Enoch theory is going viral

Scientists have detected sugar molecules at the centre of the Milky Way, suggesting that the clouds of interstellar gas could have carried a vital ingredient for life to bloom on Earth. Erythrulose – the first true sugar ever found in interstellar space - has been found at the galactic centre. Cosmochemist Izaskun Jiménez-Serra of the Spanish Astrobiology Center, led a team of researchers who believe that "interstellar erythrulose could have contributed to the sugar inventory available for early metabolic and replication processes" on our planet.&nbsp;This happened about four billion years ago when our solar system was still taking shape. Up to 50 million tonnes of sugar fell on Earth from deep space, providing the building blocks of life. Sugars are molecules cells need for energy and as raw materials to build larger biological molecules. They also form the backbone of RNA and DNA. The interstellar clouds could have similarly seeded other parts of the universe with life, the study suggests.<h2>Earth's violent period of formation brought sugar for life</h2>For nearly 300 million years, every planet in the solar system was bombarded with asteroids and meteorites. This is how we got our Moon. This is also when interstellar dust brought sugar to Earth. Simple sugar precursors such as glycolaldehyde and (Z)-1,2-ethenediol &nbsp;have been found in space before. However, scientists peered at the centre of the Milky Way to find true sugar, containing three or more carbon atoms. This region is filled with thick clouds of gas and dust that are rich with complex organic molecules.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/physicist-creates-mini-universe-in-lab-to-show-time-is-an-illusion-1783508424513">Physicist creates 'mini-universe' in lab and proves time is an illusion</a> &nbsp;Two radio telescopes in Spain watched the cloud named G+0.693, where prebiotic molecules have been found. The team was expecting to find simpler sugars containing three carbon atoms. However, they were surprised to come across four-carbon erythrulose, which was at least 8 to 17 times more abundant than the three-carbon sugars. The huge amount of sugar at the galactic centre meant that Earth also got a lot of it in its initial years.<h2>How much sugar fell on Earth?</h2>“Based on the abundance of erythrulose measured in the molecular cloud, the researchers estimate that between 0.5 and 50 million tonnes of this sugar could have reached Earth’s surface during the late heavy bombardment,” the team said.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/how-to-spot-a-nuclear-weapon-in-space-1783602276606">Scientist says nuclear weapons could be lurking in space undetected. An explosion could trigger chaos above Earth</a>&nbsp;They also used the data to understand how sugar forms in interstellar space. Analysis showed that it formed on the icy surfaces of tiny dust grains carrying two-carbon molecules – glycolaldehyde and ethylene glycol. When activated by radiation, they could combine to build erythrulose. The discovery shows that complex molecules “can form under interstellar conditions”.&nbsp;“The detection of erythrulose is very exciting because it opens up the possibility of discovering in space other sugars such as ribose, which is part of RNA, and other important molecules for the origin of life,” co-author Carlos Briones said. They concluded that as the sugars were knocked off the cosmic dust, they could have landed not only on ancient Earth but also somewhere else in the universe.

Sugar is a crucial building block of life, and Earth received nearly 50 million tonnes of it over four billion years ago. Interstellar dust is full of it, a study has found, and could have possibly sprinkled it on other parts of the universe as well.

Scientists have detected sugar molecules at the centre of the Milky Way, suggesting that the clouds of interstellar gas could have carried a vital ingredient for life to bloom on Earth. Erythrulose – the first true sugar ever found in interstellar space - has been found at the galactic centre. Cosmochemist Izaskun Jiménez-Serra of the Spanish Astrobiology Center, led a team of researchers who believe that "interstellar erythrulose could have contributed to the sugar inventory available for early metabolic and replication processes" on our planet. This happened about four billion years ago when our solar system was still taking shape. Up to 50 million tonnes of sugar fell on Earth from deep space, providing the building blocks of life. Sugars are molecules cells need for energy and as raw materials to build larger biological molecules. They also form the backbone of RNA and DNA. The interstellar clouds could have similarly seeded other parts of the universe with life, the study suggests. Earth's violent period of formation brought sugar for life For nearly 300 million years, every planet in the solar system was bombarded with asteroids and meteorites. This is how we got our Moon. This is also when interstellar dust brought sugar to Earth. Simple sugar precursors such as glycolaldehyde and (Z)-1,2-ethenediol have been found in space before. However, scientists peered at the centre of the Milky Way to find true sugar, containing three or more carbon atoms. This region is filled with thick clouds of gas and dust that are rich with complex organic molecules. Also Read: Physicist creates 'mini-universe' in lab and proves time is an illusion Two radio telescopes in Spain watched the cloud named G+0.693, where prebiotic molecules have been found. The team was expecting to find simpler sugars containing three carbon atoms. However, they were surprised to come across four-carbon erythrulose, which was at least 8 to 17 times more abundant than the three-carbon sugars. The huge amount of sugar at the galactic centre meant that Earth also got a lot of it in its initial years. How much sugar fell on Earth? “Based on the abundance of erythrulose measured in the molecular cloud, the researchers estimate that between 0.5 and 50 million tonnes of this sugar could have reached Earth’s surface during the late heavy bombardment,” the team said. Also Read: Scientist says nuclear weapons could be lurking in space undetected. An explosion could trigger chaos above Earth They also used the data to understand how sugar forms in interstellar space. Analysis showed that it formed on the icy surfaces of tiny dust grains carrying two-carbon molecules – glycolaldehyde and ethylene glycol. When activated by radiation, they could combine to build erythrulose. The discovery shows that complex molecules “can form under interstellar conditions”. “The detection of erythrulose is very exciting because it opens up the possibility of discovering in space other sugars such as ribose, which is part of RNA, and other important molecules for the origin of life,” co-author Carlos Briones said. They concluded that as the sugars were knocked off the cosmic dust, they could have landed not only on ancient Earth but also somewhere else in the universe.

Sugar is a crucial building block of life, and Earth received nearly 50 million tonnes of it over four billion years ago. Interstellar dust is full of it, a study has found, and could have possibly sprinkled it on other parts of the universe as well.

50mn tonnes of sugar from deep space delivered a sweet start to life on Earth

Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly brought about a broader transformation for companies in terms of hiring, evaluating and retaining talent globally. Alongside technical expertise and academic qualification, employers are increasingly prioritising candidates with AI skills who can adapt to changing technologies and solve business problems using human skills along with technical. Recruiters are no longer looking only for employees who can execute predefined tasks. Instead, organisations are seeking professionals who can combine AI tools with critical thinking, business understanding, communication and ethical judgement. A report published by the World Economic Forum in 2025 indicated that nearly 69 per cent of employers plan to hire talent with AI-related skills and nearly 62 per cent seek to recruit candidates capable of working effectively alongside AI. Similarly, LinkedIn's Work Change Report forecast that approximately 70 per cent of the skills used are set to change by 2030, with AI emerging as one of the biggest drivers of workforce transformation. The report also highlights that companies increasingly value employees who combine AI literacy with human capabilities such as creativity, communication and problem-solving. In response, Industry leaders indicate that these changes are already visible in hiring decisions across technology, manufacturing and executive recruitment in most of the biggest firms.&nbsp;Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-nuclear-fuel-company-counters-barc-s-safety-concerns-over-thorium-fuel-for-reactors-more-details-inside-1784003959432"> US nuclear fuel company counters BARC’s safety concerns over thorium fuel for reactors: More details inside</a><h3>Change in hiring priorities</h3>Venkat Raghavan M, Chief Operating Officer, LOWCODEMINDS, said hiring priorities have evolved significantly over the last two years as AI has become part of everyday business operations. Reacting to the question whether employers are looking for different skills than they were two years ago, he said, "Yes, hiring priorities have changed significantly over the past two years. Technical expertise and domain knowledge remain essential, but they are no longer the only qualities employers evaluate. As AI becomes embedded in everyday business operations, organisations are increasingly looking for professionals who can understand business context, learn continuously, and use AI to solve real business problems." &nbsp;"In the hiring conversations I've been part of, we have moved beyond asking whether someone can implement technology. We now spend more time assessing whether they can connect technology with business outcomes, collaborate across functions, question AI-generated recommendations when necessary, and adapt as the technology evolves," Raghavan added. Amid rising concern over the AI threat to jobs, Raghavan assured that AI raises the value of uniquely human capabilities, including judgment, communication, creativity, and ethical decision-making. He added that AI can boost analysis and execution; however, people remain accountable for making informed decisions and driving business outcomes. "For me, one question has become increasingly important during hiring: Can this person continue learning as technology evolves? In an AI-driven workplace, that mindset is often a stronger predictor of long-term success than any individual technical skill," he further said.&nbsp;WATCH: https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-turns-to-ai-for-next-drug-breakthroughs-1784005943869/embed<h3>AI is transforming jobs, not replacing people</h3>Similarly, over job threat, Sandeep Das, Global HR Leader, Green Power International Pvt. Ltd., believes AI is changing the nature of work rather than eliminating the need for employees. He indicated that the demand for skills has certainly evolved in the industry at the global level. "AI is undeniably reshaping the job market, bringing both disruption and change to the way we work. Traditional roles have always been mechanically intensive and process-driven. With the growth of automation and AI, the demand for skills has certainly evolved. As clean energy technologies continue to gain momentum, we now look for talent that goes beyond technical expertise. While we do give preference to candidates with relevant knowledge and experience, skill readiness is equally important, as it enables new hires to adapt quickly to modern and evolving technologies," Sandeep Das said. "That said, the advent of artificial intelligence does not mean replacing people; it means transforming the way they work. For our sector, it is crucial to build a workforce that combines digital proficiency with strong operational and engineering capabilities. To achieve this, we believe in continuous upskilling and lifelong learning to drive sustainable growth. The future workforce will not just operate equipment; it will manage intelligent, data-driven energy systems," he added.<h3>Leadership roles increasingly demand AI understanding</h3>Sahil Thakur, Director &amp; Head of Tech-Enabled Businesses, Grassik Search, said organisations are increasingly seeking leaders who understand both business strategy and AI implementation. Highlighting the threat, he indicated that those individual who will fail to understand the application &amp; impact of AI, within their respective job profile, are going to become more vulnerable in the coming days. "With the pace at which AI is being integrated into our professional lives, the skills required to understand &amp; adapt to new technologies have become critical. Today, it is critical to not only adopt AI tools but also master their application to maximise efficiency and optimise time management. Those who fail to understand the application &amp; impact of AI, within their domain, are going to be more vulnerable in the near future," Thakur said. "At a leadership level, organisations are prioritising executives who can navigate this volatile environment and leverage AI to eliminate inefficiencies. However, companies must carefully vet candidates to ensure they genuinely understand the technology. The goal is to hire leaders who can deploy AI strategically, rather than those who implement it blindly without clear objectives," he added.&nbsp;

A report published by the World Economic Forum in 2025 indicated that nearly 69 per cent of employers plan to hire talent with AI-related skills and nearly 62 per cent seek to recruit candidates capable of working effectively alongside AI.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly brought about a broader transformation for companies in terms of hiring, evaluating and retaining talent globally. Alongside technical expertise and academic qualification, employers are increasingly prioritising candidates with AI skills who can adapt to changing technologies and solve business problems using human skills along with technical. Recruiters are no longer looking only for employees who can execute predefined tasks. Instead, organisations are seeking professionals who can combine AI tools with critical thinking, business understanding, communication and ethical judgement. A report published by the World Economic Forum in 2025 indicated that nearly 69 per cent of employers plan to hire talent with AI-related skills and nearly 62 per cent seek to recruit candidates capable of working effectively alongside AI. Similarly, LinkedIn's Work Change Report forecast that approximately 70 per cent of the skills used are set to change by 2030, with AI emerging as one of the biggest drivers of workforce transformation. The report also highlights that companies increasingly value employees who combine AI literacy with human capabilities such as creativity, communication and problem-solving. In response, Industry leaders indicate that these changes are already visible in hiring decisions across technology, manufacturing and executive recruitment in most of the biggest firms. Also read: US nuclear fuel company counters BARC’s safety concerns over thorium fuel for reactors: More details inside Change in hiring priorities Venkat Raghavan M, Chief Operating Officer, LOWCODEMINDS, said hiring priorities have evolved significantly over the last two years as AI has become part of everyday business operations. Reacting to the question whether employers are looking for different skills than they were two years ago, he said, "Yes, hiring priorities have changed significantly over the past two years. Technical expertise and domain knowledge remain essential, but they are no longer the only qualities employers evaluate. As AI becomes embedded in everyday business operations, organisations are increasingly looking for professionals who can understand business context, learn continuously, and use AI to solve real business problems." "In the hiring conversations I've been part of, we have moved beyond asking whether someone can implement technology. We now spend more time assessing whether they can connect technology with business outcomes, collaborate across functions, question AI-generated recommendations when necessary, and adapt as the technology evolves," Raghavan added. Amid rising concern over the AI threat to jobs, Raghavan assured that AI raises the value of uniquely human capabilities, including judgment, communication, creativity, and ethical decision-making. He added that AI can boost analysis and execution; however, people remain accountable for making informed decisions and driving business outcomes. "For me, one question has become increasingly important during hiring: Can this person continue learning as technology evolves? In an AI-driven workplace, that mindset is often a stronger predictor of long-term success than any individual technical skill," he further said. WATCH: https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-turns-to-ai-for-next-drug-breakthroughs-1784005943869/embed AI is transforming jobs, not replacing people Similarly, over job threat, Sandeep Das, Global HR Leader, Green Power International Pvt. Ltd., believes AI is changing the nature of work rather than eliminating the need for employees. He indicated that the demand for skills has certainly evolved in the industry at the global level. "AI is undeniably reshaping the job market, bringing both disruption and change to the way we work. Traditional roles have always been mechanically intensive and process-driven. With the growth of automation and AI, the demand for skills has certainly evolved. As clean energy technologies continue to gain momentum, we now look for talent that goes beyond technical expertise. While we do give preference to candidates with relevant knowledge and experience, skill readiness is equally important, as it enables new hires to adapt quickly to modern and evolving technologies," Sandeep Das said. "That said, the advent of artificial intelligence does not mean replacing people; it means transforming the way they work. For our sector, it is crucial to build a workforce that combines digital proficiency with strong operational and engineering capabilities. To achieve this, we believe in continuous upskilling and lifelong learning to drive sustainable growth. The future workforce will not just operate equipment; it will manage intelligent, data-driven energy systems," he added. Leadership roles increasingly demand AI understanding Sahil Thakur, Director & Head of Tech-Enabled Businesses, Grassik Search, said organisations are increasingly seeking leaders who understand both business strategy and AI implementation. Highlighting the threat, he indicated that those individual who will fail to understand the application & impact of AI, within their respective job profile, are going to become more vulnerable in the coming days. "With the pace at which AI is being integrated into our professional lives, the skills required to understand & adapt to new technologies have become critical. Today, it is critical to not only adopt AI tools but also master their application to maximise efficiency and optimise time management. Those who fail to understand the application & impact of AI, within their domain, are going to be more vulnerable in the near future," Thakur said. "At a leadership level, organisations are prioritising executives who can navigate this volatile environment and leverage AI to eliminate inefficiencies. However, companies must carefully vet candidates to ensure they genuinely understand the technology. The goal is to hire leaders who can deploy AI strategically, rather than those who implement it blindly without clear objectives," he added.

A report published by the World Economic Forum in 2025 indicated that nearly 69 per cent of employers plan to hire talent with AI-related skills and nearly 62 per cent seek to recruit candidates capable of working effectively alongside AI.

AI is changing hiring priorities: Are employers looking for different skills than they did 2 years ago?

AI is increasingly becoming a defining force in the future technology including public healthcare, with countries at the global level competing to integrate it into national health systems of the respective nations. While the Unites States, China, Singapore and the United Kingdom have taken an early lead by investing in AI-enabled healthcare to make it more accessible, particularly for underserved populations, while bolstering digital health systems that improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Debjit Patra, Founder and Chairman of MediElaj, stated that the success of AI in public health should be measured by its ability to bridge healthcare inequalities rather than by technological sophistication alone. "The global race to deploy AI in public health isn't just a race for technology. It is a race for equity. The real winners aren't the nations with the most complex, isolated algorithms. They are the ones using AI to dismantle healthcare's oldest barrier, geography. As I have always believed, technology alone cannot drive the adoption of healthcare; trust and behaviour are the actual drivers. That is why the future belongs to nations embedding digital intelligence directly into grassroots, physical public health infrastructure. Look at India’s journey as a prime example. By treating digital connectivity as vital clinical infrastructure, the country is executing a massive behavioural shift. Through large-scale teleconsultation frameworks and digital health missions, AI-driven diagnostics and multi-modal data analytics are moving past the pilot phase," Patra said. He emphasised that the real way to determine success for healthcare AI must be effective care predictive, proactive, and precise for the patient at the very bottom of the socioeconomic ladder, rather than the sophistication of the technology. "Instead of waiting for episodic, reactive interventions, we are finally enabling continuous, proactive health monitoring for populations long left invisible by traditional systems. The true measure of success for healthcare AI shouldn't be the sophistication of the technology itself. It must be how effectively it makes care predictive, proactive, and precise for the patient at the very bottom of the socioeconomic ladder. Nations that design their AI strategies around a blend of digital intelligence and physical presence for the patient with the least access, not the most, are the ones setting the true global standard," Patra added.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/can-ai-make-scientific-breakthroughs-faster-researchers-weigh-in-1783757929693">Can AI make scientific breakthroughs faster? Researchers weigh in</a><h3>AI's role in strong digital foundations</h3>Reacting to the same topic, Alok Katiyar, Co-Founder of WeClinic Homoeopathy, said countries leading AI adoption in healthcare have built strong digital foundations that allow the technology to be integrated into routine clinical practice. "The leading nations in deploying AI in public health today are the United States, China, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. What sets them apart is not only their investment in AI but also their ability to integrate it into healthcare systems through digitised patient records, connected digital infrastructure, and large patient datasets. India is one of the most interesting countries to watch in this global race. Initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, combined with the world's largest population, make it a compelling case study for the deployment of AI in public health," Alok Katiyar said. "For instance, homoeopathy has always relied on detailed case histories, long-term follow-ups, and understanding patterns across a patient's health journey. As clinics become increasingly digitised, AI can help analyse large volumes of patient data, identify trends, and support better clinical decision-making. The countries that will lead this race will be those that use AI to make healthcare more accessible, more informed, and more human," he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The experts said the real way to determine success for healthcare AI must be effective care predictive, proactive, and precise for the patient at the very bottom of the socioeconomic ladder, rather than the sophistication of the technology.

AI is increasingly becoming a defining force in the future technology including public healthcare, with countries at the global level competing to integrate it into national health systems of the respective nations. While the Unites States, China, Singapore and the United Kingdom have taken an early lead by investing in AI-enabled healthcare to make it more accessible, particularly for underserved populations, while bolstering digital health systems that improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Debjit Patra, Founder and Chairman of MediElaj, stated that the success of AI in public health should be measured by its ability to bridge healthcare inequalities rather than by technological sophistication alone. "The global race to deploy AI in public health isn't just a race for technology. It is a race for equity. The real winners aren't the nations with the most complex, isolated algorithms. They are the ones using AI to dismantle healthcare's oldest barrier, geography. As I have always believed, technology alone cannot drive the adoption of healthcare; trust and behaviour are the actual drivers. That is why the future belongs to nations embedding digital intelligence directly into grassroots, physical public health infrastructure. Look at India’s journey as a prime example. By treating digital connectivity as vital clinical infrastructure, the country is executing a massive behavioural shift. Through large-scale teleconsultation frameworks and digital health missions, AI-driven diagnostics and multi-modal data analytics are moving past the pilot phase," Patra said. He emphasised that the real way to determine success for healthcare AI must be effective care predictive, proactive, and precise for the patient at the very bottom of the socioeconomic ladder, rather than the sophistication of the technology. "Instead of waiting for episodic, reactive interventions, we are finally enabling continuous, proactive health monitoring for populations long left invisible by traditional systems. The true measure of success for healthcare AI shouldn't be the sophistication of the technology itself. It must be how effectively it makes care predictive, proactive, and precise for the patient at the very bottom of the socioeconomic ladder. Nations that design their AI strategies around a blend of digital intelligence and physical presence for the patient with the least access, not the most, are the ones setting the true global standard," Patra added. Also read: Can AI make scientific breakthroughs faster? Researchers weigh in AI's role in strong digital foundations Reacting to the same topic, Alok Katiyar, Co-Founder of WeClinic Homoeopathy, said countries leading AI adoption in healthcare have built strong digital foundations that allow the technology to be integrated into routine clinical practice. "The leading nations in deploying AI in public health today are the United States, China, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. What sets them apart is not only their investment in AI but also their ability to integrate it into healthcare systems through digitised patient records, connected digital infrastructure, and large patient datasets. India is one of the most interesting countries to watch in this global race. Initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, combined with the world's largest population, make it a compelling case study for the deployment of AI in public health," Alok Katiyar said. "For instance, homoeopathy has always relied on detailed case histories, long-term follow-ups, and understanding patterns across a patient's health journey. As clinics become increasingly digitised, AI can help analyse large volumes of patient data, identify trends, and support better clinical decision-making. The countries that will lead this race will be those that use AI to make healthcare more accessible, more informed, and more human," he added.

The experts said the real way to determine success for healthcare AI must be effective care predictive, proactive, and precise for the patient at the very bottom of the socioeconomic ladder, rather than the sophistication of the technology.

New healthcare divide: Which countries are winning race to deploy AI in public health? Experts weigh in

Life on Earth has an expiry date. The end of life on Earth is usually imagined as a dramatic asteroid strike or a catastrophic climate disaster. However, a new study suggests that the real ending is likely to be far slower and far quieter, and every living being, tree, flower and blade of grass on Earth will just die. The question is when. A new study may have an answer to that question.<h2>When will life on Earth end?</h2>Researchers now estimate that Earth’s plant life could survive for about 1.8 billion more years before the planet becomes too hostile for most vegetation to endure. The main reason is simple, and a little unsettling: the Sun is slowly getting brighter.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/did-nasa-chief-just-confirm-aliens-us-space-agency-s-director-jared-isaacman-reveals-we-have-images-1783665017249">Did NASA chief just confirm aliens? US Space agency's director Jared Isaacman REVEALS: 'We have images...'</a>The study suggests plant life may last almost until Earth begins to lose its oceans and becomes permanently uninhabitable. Long before that, humans and animals were expected to be gone. "Earth's vegetative biosphere could survive up to about 1.8 billion years from now, about the same time that Earth would lose its oceans to space," said researchers.As that heat rises, Earth will become steadily less forgiving. Temperatures will climb, oceans will shrink, and the atmosphere may eventually lose too much carbon dioxide for plants to make food through photosynthesis. In that future, even hardy vegetation would struggle to hang on.<h2>How did scientists calculate this?</h2>The study, from the University of Colorado Boulder and Blue Marble Space in Seattle, published in JGR Atmospheres, used a three-dimensional climate model to simulate what Earth might look like over the next two billion years. Unlike older estimates, this model took into account not just heat, but also clouds, rainfall, oceans and the movement of the atmosphere. That gave the researchers a more complete picture of how the planet may change.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/built-to-outlive-us-all-earth-is-getting-an-indestructible-black-box-to-record-the-end-of-human-civilisation-1783747790087">Built to outlive us all: Earth is getting an indestructible ‘black box’ to record the end of human civilisation</a>They tested two main scenarios. In one, carbon dioxide keeps falling as rocks absorb more of it over time. In the other, carbon dioxide stays roughly steady while the planet keeps warming. In both cases, the conclusion was broadly the same: plant life could survive far longer than many previous models had predicted.The last plants standing would likely be the tough, drought-friendly types, including cacti and others adapted to harsh conditions. Some plants with specialised forms of photosynthesis may also hold out longer than the rest.<h2>Is this "expiry date" final?</h2>No, the study did not factor in how plants might evolve over such vast stretches of time, or how future human technology could change the picture. That leaves room for surprises. The researchers even suggested that plants could one day adapt to hotter conditions, possibly spreading into higher parts of the atmosphere if the environment keeps changing. &nbsp;

Long after humans and larger animals have vanished due to the intense heat, the final flora standing will be incredibly resilient, drought-adapted species like cacti.

Life on Earth has an expiry date. The end of life on Earth is usually imagined as a dramatic asteroid strike or a catastrophic climate disaster. However, a new study suggests that the real ending is likely to be far slower and far quieter, and every living being, tree, flower and blade of grass on Earth will just die. The question is when. A new study may have an answer to that question. When will life on Earth end? Researchers now estimate that Earth’s plant life could survive for about 1.8 billion more years before the planet becomes too hostile for most vegetation to endure. The main reason is simple, and a little unsettling: the Sun is slowly getting brighter. Also read | Did NASA chief just confirm aliens? US Space agency's director Jared Isaacman REVEALS: 'We have images...' The study suggests plant life may last almost until Earth begins to lose its oceans and becomes permanently uninhabitable. Long before that, humans and animals were expected to be gone. "Earth's vegetative biosphere could survive up to about 1.8 billion years from now, about the same time that Earth would lose its oceans to space," said researchers. As that heat rises, Earth will become steadily less forgiving. Temperatures will climb, oceans will shrink, and the atmosphere may eventually lose too much carbon dioxide for plants to make food through photosynthesis. In that future, even hardy vegetation would struggle to hang on. How did scientists calculate this? The study, from the University of Colorado Boulder and Blue Marble Space in Seattle, published in JGR Atmospheres, used a three-dimensional climate model to simulate what Earth might look like over the next two billion years. Unlike older estimates, this model took into account not just heat, but also clouds, rainfall, oceans and the movement of the atmosphere. That gave the researchers a more complete picture of how the planet may change. Also read | Built to outlive us all: Earth is getting an indestructible ‘black box’ to record the end of human civilisation They tested two main scenarios. In one, carbon dioxide keeps falling as rocks absorb more of it over time. In the other, carbon dioxide stays roughly steady while the planet keeps warming. In both cases, the conclusion was broadly the same: plant life could survive far longer than many previous models had predicted. The last plants standing would likely be the tough, drought-friendly types, including cacti and others adapted to harsh conditions. Some plants with specialised forms of photosynthesis may also hold out longer than the rest. Is this "expiry date" final? No, the study did not factor in how plants might evolve over such vast stretches of time, or how future human technology could change the picture. That leaves room for surprises. The researchers even suggested that plants could one day adapt to hotter conditions, possibly spreading into higher parts of the atmosphere if the environment keeps changing.

Long after humans and larger animals have vanished due to the intense heat, the final flora standing will be incredibly resilient, drought-adapted species like cacti.

How long before sun destroys the Earth? Scientists may have discovered the planet's 'expiry date'

Researchers at Stanford University found that AI is also transforming scientific discovery by helping scientists to analyse complex data, generate hypotheses and formulate experiments faster than old methods. AI is entering multiple sectors, including biology, medicine, engineering, and astrophysics, to overcome limitations connected to time, resources, and data complexity. AI is also playing an increasingly significant role in biology and medicine by helping researchers analyse genetic data, identify biological patterns and develop advanced models for studying disease. According to Stanford researchers, AI-powered virtual cell models could significantly accelerate drug discovery and pave the way for more personalised healthcare.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/japanese-researchers-found-invisible-gold-in-massive-quantities-hiding-beneath-seafloor-1783752058979">Japanese researchers find invisible gold in massive quantities hiding beneath seafloor</a><h3>Integration of AI agents</h3>AI agents are also becoming an integral part of scientific research, helping with tasks such as reviewing academic literature, designing experiments and interpreting data. However, researchers emphasise that human expertise remains indispensable, as AI-generated findings and hypotheses must still be scientifically validated and assessed for real-world applicability. From uncovering the complexities of genetic systems to exploring the structure of the universe, AI is allowing scientists to investigate questions that were previously difficult to address. Stanford researchers believe future scientific breakthroughs will rely on combining AI's computational power with human knowledge to solve increasingly complex problems. Rather than serving only as a productivity tool, AI is evolving into a fundamental component of scientific research. By analysing massive datasets, generating new hypotheses and simulating complex systems, it has the potential to accelerate discoveries across medicine, engineering, climate science and astrophysics. The findings reinforce that no matter how AI advances and enters several fields, scientific progress will continue to rely completely on human expertise. AI can speed up the process of analysis and experimentation; however, rigorous validation, ethical oversight and critical judgement will always remain vital to ensuring research results are reliable and reproducible. &nbsp;

Stanford researchers believe future scientific breakthroughs will rely on combining AI's computational power with human knowledge to solve increasingly complex problems.

Researchers at Stanford University found that AI is also transforming scientific discovery by helping scientists to analyse complex data, generate hypotheses and formulate experiments faster than old methods. AI is entering multiple sectors, including biology, medicine, engineering, and astrophysics, to overcome limitations connected to time, resources, and data complexity. AI is also playing an increasingly significant role in biology and medicine by helping researchers analyse genetic data, identify biological patterns and develop advanced models for studying disease. According to Stanford researchers, AI-powered virtual cell models could significantly accelerate drug discovery and pave the way for more personalised healthcare. Also read: Japanese researchers find invisible gold in massive quantities hiding beneath seafloor Integration of AI agents AI agents are also becoming an integral part of scientific research, helping with tasks such as reviewing academic literature, designing experiments and interpreting data. However, researchers emphasise that human expertise remains indispensable, as AI-generated findings and hypotheses must still be scientifically validated and assessed for real-world applicability. From uncovering the complexities of genetic systems to exploring the structure of the universe, AI is allowing scientists to investigate questions that were previously difficult to address. Stanford researchers believe future scientific breakthroughs will rely on combining AI's computational power with human knowledge to solve increasingly complex problems. Rather than serving only as a productivity tool, AI is evolving into a fundamental component of scientific research. By analysing massive datasets, generating new hypotheses and simulating complex systems, it has the potential to accelerate discoveries across medicine, engineering, climate science and astrophysics. The findings reinforce that no matter how AI advances and enters several fields, scientific progress will continue to rely completely on human expertise. AI can speed up the process of analysis and experimentation; however, rigorous validation, ethical oversight and critical judgement will always remain vital to ensuring research results are reliable and reproducible.

Stanford researchers believe future scientific breakthroughs will rely on combining AI's computational power with human knowledge to solve increasingly complex problems.

Can AI make scientific breakthroughs faster? Researchers weigh in

Japanese researchers discovered black smoker chimneys and hydrothermal mounds that are actively forging vast quantities of gold along the submerged volcanic crater off the southeastern coast of Japan. The hydrothermal vents are not only releasing small particles of gold but are also producing "invisible gold" that cannot be seen with the naked eye or even through a regular microscope.&nbsp;Instead, the gold is wrapped up inside materials on the seafloor. Scientists reported that the concentration of this hidden gold in the underwater crater is the highest ever recorded worldwide. The discovery was published in the report after an international team of scientists warned that active seafloor mounds need to be protected from commercial mining interests. The Higashi-Aogashima vents were discovered in 2015 within Japan's exclusive economic zone, and to this day, it remains unknown how much marine life these hydrothermal fields host. Researchers from Shizuoka University, Waseda University, and the University of Tokyo in Japan jointly analysed rock samples from hydrothermal fields located nearly 350 kilometres (217 miles) south of Tokyo.&nbsp;Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/arachnophobes-beware-fastest-spider-on-earth-has-just-been-identified-1783662778735"> Arachnophobes beware! Fastest spider on Earth, that moves 12 feet in 1 second, has just been identified</a><h3>Japan's hydrothermal vent</h3>Using secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), a highly sensitive method capable of detecting small amounts of gold, researchers discovered secret deposits of "extremely high-grade" invisible gold. These tiny gold nanoparticles are trapped inside pyrite, a sulfide mineral formed when hot, metal-rich fluids spew from the seafloor. Because of its shiny appearance, pyrite is commonly known as "fool's gold." The study found that real gold exists within pyrite in two forms: as microscopic nanoparticles and as individual gold atoms embedded within the mineral's crystal structure. Both forms were identified in the Higashi-Aogashima caldera. According to the researchers, the pyrite found in the underwater crater contains the highest concentration of gold ever recorded. The site is also relatively shallow compared with other hydrothermal vent fields in Japan being considered for resource development, making it a promising location for future mining. Although no commercial gold mine currently operates on the ocean floor, the Higashi-Aogashima caldera's accessibility and exceptionally high gold content have made it a strong candidate for future extraction. Scientists, however, are still working to develop an economical and efficient method to recover this "invisible gold" from seafloor minerals.

The Higashi-Aogashima vents were discovered in 2015 within Japan's exclusive economic zone, and to this day, it remains unknown how much marine life these hydrothermal fields host. 

Japanese researchers discovered black smoker chimneys and hydrothermal mounds that are actively forging vast quantities of gold along the submerged volcanic crater off the southeastern coast of Japan. The hydrothermal vents are not only releasing small particles of gold but are also producing "invisible gold" that cannot be seen with the naked eye or even through a regular microscope. Instead, the gold is wrapped up inside materials on the seafloor. Scientists reported that the concentration of this hidden gold in the underwater crater is the highest ever recorded worldwide. The discovery was published in the report after an international team of scientists warned that active seafloor mounds need to be protected from commercial mining interests. The Higashi-Aogashima vents were discovered in 2015 within Japan's exclusive economic zone, and to this day, it remains unknown how much marine life these hydrothermal fields host. Researchers from Shizuoka University, Waseda University, and the University of Tokyo in Japan jointly analysed rock samples from hydrothermal fields located nearly 350 kilometres (217 miles) south of Tokyo. Also read: Arachnophobes beware! Fastest spider on Earth, that moves 12 feet in 1 second, has just been identified Japan's hydrothermal vent Using secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), a highly sensitive method capable of detecting small amounts of gold, researchers discovered secret deposits of "extremely high-grade" invisible gold. These tiny gold nanoparticles are trapped inside pyrite, a sulfide mineral formed when hot, metal-rich fluids spew from the seafloor. Because of its shiny appearance, pyrite is commonly known as "fool's gold." The study found that real gold exists within pyrite in two forms: as microscopic nanoparticles and as individual gold atoms embedded within the mineral's crystal structure. Both forms were identified in the Higashi-Aogashima caldera. According to the researchers, the pyrite found in the underwater crater contains the highest concentration of gold ever recorded. The site is also relatively shallow compared with other hydrothermal vent fields in Japan being considered for resource development, making it a promising location for future mining. Although no commercial gold mine currently operates on the ocean floor, the Higashi-Aogashima caldera's accessibility and exceptionally high gold content have made it a strong candidate for future extraction. Scientists, however, are still working to develop an economical and efficient method to recover this "invisible gold" from seafloor minerals.

The Higashi-Aogashima vents were discovered in 2015 within Japan's exclusive economic zone, and to this day, it remains unknown how much marine life these hydrothermal fields host.&nbsp;

Japanese researchers find invisible gold in massive quantities hiding beneath seafloor

How will humanity tell the story of its self-manufactured destruction? The answer lies in a striking, angular steel monolith known as "Earth's Black Box." Hidden away on Tasmania's rugged, isolated West Coast, this silent witness is being constructed to stand as an apocalyptic archive. Amid climate change, rising temperatures and an increasingly divisive world, representatives of our species have decided to set up a box that will record and keep safe the story of humans for whatever civilisation comes next. The so-called Earth's Black Box was contructed in 2022, and would be up and running by the end of this year, if all goes to plan. But, why does humanity need such a sinister thing? All you need to know.&nbsp;<h2>'History is written by the victors' but humans will be the losers</h2>Named after the black box flight recorder, an almost indestructible device on airplanes that stores flight data, including pilots’ decisions, and helps investigators reconstruct accidents, this historical record would "provide an unbiased account of the events that lead to the demise of the planet".In this dark metaphorical rewrite, for the purpose of this project, think of Earth as the plane and humanity the pilot, flying it toward a catastrophic system failure.<h2>But, why does why does humanity need such a sinister record?</h2>"Unless we dramatically transform our way of life, climate change and other man-made perils will cause our civilization to crash. Earth’s Black Box will record every step we take towards this catastrophe," read's the project's website.According to CNN, the box is actually part art installation, part data repository, part time capsule and part a warning. The box's primary purpose, as per the people behind it, including ad agency Clemenger, environmental communications agency Rouser Lab and art collective Glue Society is to generate fear and snap people into action against the escalating climate crisis.<h2>Inside the monolith engineered to outlast us: Where will humanity's tenebrous history rest for the next civilisation?</h2>The <a href="https://www.instagram.com/earthsblackbox/">Black Box</a> will be housed on a disused airport in Tasmania. According to the project's website, it will roughly be the size of a city bus and will be made using 3-inch-steel. It will be surrounded by concrete panels and a roof of tough glass with solar panels, rendering it virtually indestructible, in case of a apocalyptic future.The box will record everything that could potentially lead to humanity's demise, including climate data points and pieces of contextual information, everything from temperatures and sea level rise to political speeches and climate reports.Rob Beamish, founder and creative director of Rouser Lab, called it "an almost indestructible, self-powered device for recording data."&nbsp;The records are not just for future civilisations, people would also be able to access the findings via their phones once the box is up and running. However, the core idea is to create a historical record for future civilisations.While the box aims to provoke fear, Beamish said there's still hope. "The plane’s still in the air … there is still hope to really avoid the very worst of climate change," he said.&nbsp; &nbsp;

What if humanity disappeared tomorrow? A giant steel 'Black Box' being built in Tasmania aims to preserve the story of how civilisation changed the planet and possibly destroyed itself. Scroll down to find out why the project exists, what it will record, and who it's really meant for.

How will humanity tell the story of its self-manufactured destruction? The answer lies in a striking, angular steel monolith known as "Earth's Black Box." Hidden away on Tasmania's rugged, isolated West Coast, this silent witness is being constructed to stand as an apocalyptic archive. Amid climate change, rising temperatures and an increasingly divisive world, representatives of our species have decided to set up a box that will record and keep safe the story of humans for whatever civilisation comes next. The so-called Earth's Black Box was contructed in 2022, and would be up and running by the end of this year, if all goes to plan. But, why does humanity need such a sinister thing? All you need to know. 'History is written by the victors' but humans will be the losers Named after the black box flight recorder, an almost indestructible device on airplanes that stores flight data, including pilots’ decisions, and helps investigators reconstruct accidents, this historical record would "provide an unbiased account of the events that lead to the demise of the planet". In this dark metaphorical rewrite, for the purpose of this project, think of Earth as the plane and humanity the pilot, flying it toward a catastrophic system failure. But, why does why does humanity need such a sinister record? "Unless we dramatically transform our way of life, climate change and other man-made perils will cause our civilization to crash. Earth’s Black Box will record every step we take towards this catastrophe," read's the project's website. According to CNN, the box is actually part art installation, part data repository, part time capsule and part a warning. The box's primary purpose, as per the people behind it, including ad agency Clemenger, environmental communications agency Rouser Lab and art collective Glue Society is to generate fear and snap people into action against the escalating climate crisis. Inside the monolith engineered to outlast us: Where will humanity's tenebrous history rest for the next civilisation? The Black Box will be housed on a disused airport in Tasmania. According to the project's website, it will roughly be the size of a city bus and will be made using 3-inch-steel. It will be surrounded by concrete panels and a roof of tough glass with solar panels, rendering it virtually indestructible, in case of a apocalyptic future. The box will record everything that could potentially lead to humanity's demise, including climate data points and pieces of contextual information, everything from temperatures and sea level rise to political speeches and climate reports. Rob Beamish, founder and creative director of Rouser Lab, called it "an almost indestructible, self-powered device for recording data." The records are not just for future civilisations, people would also be able to access the findings via their phones once the box is up and running. However, the core idea is to create a historical record for future civilisations. While the box aims to provoke fear, Beamish said there's still hope. "The plane’s still in the air … there is still hope to really avoid the very worst of climate change," he said.

What if humanity disappeared tomorrow? A giant steel 'Black Box' being built in Tasmania aims to preserve the story of how civilisation changed the planet and possibly destroyed itself. Scroll down to find out why the project exists, what it will record, and who it's really meant for.

Built to outlive us all: Earth is getting an indestructible ‘black box’ to record the end of human civilisation

For several years, India’s space programme has been known for doing the improbable on a modest budget. The Mars mission that cost less than many Hollywood productions, the moon landing that etched India’s name in history books and the satellites launched for countries – the world has seen India’s reliable and affordable technology. However, Gaganyaan comes with different challenges.India is preparing to launch its first human spaceflight that could place India among a select group of nations that have independently sent humans into space. So far, only the United States, Russia and China have achieved that milestone.While a rocket carrying a satellite only needs to protect a machine, a spacecraft carrying astronauts has to ensure human lives remain safe. Having a significance far beyond the launch pad, Gaganyaan is a test of whether India can move from mastering robotic missions to building the much more demanding ecosystem required to keep humans alive beyond Earth.The mission, approved by the Union Cabinet in 2018 with an initial budget of ₹9,023 crore, aims to send Indian astronauts into a low Earth orbit of around 400 kilometres and bring them back safely. The spacecraft will be launched using India’s heaviest operational rocket, the human-rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), after extensive testing and validation.Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-will-e20-fuel-affect-your-car-here-s-what-science-says-1783249256370"> Will E20 fuel affect your car? Here's what science says</a><h2>From satellites to astronauts: India’s biggest space test yet</h2>India has spent decades building expertise in launch vehicles and satellite technology. But human spaceflight belongs to a different league. This requires a spacecraft that can handle emergencies, systems that can sustain astronauts in orbit and technology that can safely bring them back through Earth’s atmosphere.The achievement would not just add another milestone to India’s space record; it would signal that the country has developed capabilities that few nations possess.Human spaceflight requires an ecosystem. It needs companies that can manufacture precision components, develop electronics, build specialised materials and create technologies capable of operating in extreme conditions.The mission could also encourage greater investment in India’s space start-up ecosystem, which has seen rapid growth in recent years.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/as-global-supply-chains-shift-can-india-become-the-next-manufacturing-hub-1783159714059">As global supply chains shift, can India become the next manufacturing hub?</a><h2>A new race beyond Earth</h2>Gaganyaan comes at a time when the global space industry is moving beyond traditional satellite launches. The United States is preparing for future Moon missions under NASA’s Artemis programme, China is operating its Tiangong space station, and private companies are developing commercial orbital platforms. The focus is shifting towards sustained human activity in space.For India, developing human spaceflight capability is an important step towards its own long-term plans, including the proposed Bharatiya Antariksh Station and future exploration missions. The ability to send humans into orbit is not just a technological achievement; it is also a measure of a country’s scientific and industrial strength.<h2>More than a one-time mission</h2>The success of Gaganyaan will ultimately be judged by more than the launch day photographs or the astronauts’ return to Earth. The larger question is what India builds around it. A successful mission could create demand for new technologies, strengthen private participation and give Indian companies experience in one of the most advanced areas of aerospace.India has already proved it can reach space efficiently. With Gaganyaan, it is attempting to prove it can operate there with humans on board.Watch | ISRO genius preparing India's future minds | Vijay govt's big move<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/isro-genius-preparing-india-s-future-minds-vijay-govt-s-big-move-1782928647168/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/isro-genius-preparing-india-s-future-minds-vijay-govt-s-big-move-1782928647168/embed</a>&nbsp;

Gaganyaan could reshape India’s role in the global space industry by proving human spaceflight capability, boosting private space companies, driving innovation and opening new opportunities in the commercial space economy.

For several years, India’s space programme has been known for doing the improbable on a modest budget. The Mars mission that cost less than many Hollywood productions, the moon landing that etched India’s name in history books and the satellites launched for countries – the world has seen India’s reliable and affordable technology. However, Gaganyaan comes with different challenges. India is preparing to launch its first human spaceflight that could place India among a select group of nations that have independently sent humans into space. So far, only the United States, Russia and China have achieved that milestone. While a rocket carrying a satellite only needs to protect a machine, a spacecraft carrying astronauts has to ensure human lives remain safe. Having a significance far beyond the launch pad, Gaganyaan is a test of whether India can move from mastering robotic missions to building the much more demanding ecosystem required to keep humans alive beyond Earth. The mission, approved by the Union Cabinet in 2018 with an initial budget of ₹9,023 crore, aims to send Indian astronauts into a low Earth orbit of around 400 kilometres and bring them back safely. The spacecraft will be launched using India’s heaviest operational rocket, the human-rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), after extensive testing and validation. Also read | Will E20 fuel affect your car? Here's what science says From satellites to astronauts: India’s biggest space test yet India has spent decades building expertise in launch vehicles and satellite technology. But human spaceflight belongs to a different league. This requires a spacecraft that can handle emergencies, systems that can sustain astronauts in orbit and technology that can safely bring them back through Earth’s atmosphere. The achievement would not just add another milestone to India’s space record; it would signal that the country has developed capabilities that few nations possess. Human spaceflight requires an ecosystem. It needs companies that can manufacture precision components, develop electronics, build specialised materials and create technologies capable of operating in extreme conditions. The mission could also encourage greater investment in India’s space start-up ecosystem, which has seen rapid growth in recent years. Also read | As global supply chains shift, can India become the next manufacturing hub? A new race beyond Earth Gaganyaan comes at a time when the global space industry is moving beyond traditional satellite launches. The United States is preparing for future Moon missions under NASA’s Artemis programme, China is operating its Tiangong space station, and private companies are developing commercial orbital platforms. The focus is shifting towards sustained human activity in space. For India, developing human spaceflight capability is an important step towards its own long-term plans, including the proposed Bharatiya Antariksh Station and future exploration missions. The ability to send humans into orbit is not just a technological achievement; it is also a measure of a country’s scientific and industrial strength. More than a one-time mission The success of Gaganyaan will ultimately be judged by more than the launch day photographs or the astronauts’ return to Earth. The larger question is what India builds around it. A successful mission could create demand for new technologies, strengthen private participation and give Indian companies experience in one of the most advanced areas of aerospace. India has already proved it can reach space efficiently. With Gaganyaan, it is attempting to prove it can operate there with humans on board. Watch | ISRO genius preparing India's future minds | Vijay govt's big move https://www.wionews.com/videos/isro-genius-preparing-india-s-future-minds-vijay-govt-s-big-move-1782928647168/embed

Gaganyaan could reshape India’s role in the global space industry by proving human spaceflight capability, boosting private space companies, driving innovation and opening new opportunities in the commercial space economy.

Gaganyaan: The mission that could change how the world sees India’s space ambitions

Indian origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon is set to begin his first space mission to the International Space Station on July 14. The mission will mark his maiden journey into space and will see him spend about eight months aboard the orbiting laboratory, where he will carry out a series of scientific experiments focused on long-duration space travel.&nbsp;According to NASA, Menon will lift off aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS 29 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on July 14. He will serve as a flight engineer alongside Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. The crew will join Expedition 74 before later becoming part of Expedition 75 aboard the International Space Station.&nbsp;NASA will broadcast live launch and docking coverage on its YouTube channel beginning at 9:45 a.m. EDT on Tuesday.<h2>Who is Anil Menon?</h2>Dr Anil Menon is a physician, mechanical engineer and colonel in the United States Space Force. He was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Indian and Ukrainian immigrant parents. His background combines medicine, engineering and aerospace experience, making him one of NASA's multidisciplinary astronauts.&nbsp;Menon earned a bachelor's degree in neurobiology from Harvard University before completing a master's degree in mechanical engineering and a Doctor of Medicine from Stanford University. He later finished residencies in emergency medicine and aerospace medicine at Stanford University and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/typhoon-bavi-triggers-deadly-landslides-kills-at-least-15-in-philippines-as-taiwan-braces-for-impact-1783681076513">Typhoon Bavi triggers deadly landslides, kills at least 15 in Philippines as Taiwan braces for impact</a>&nbsp;Before joining NASA's astronaut corps, Menon served as SpaceX's first flight surgeon. He helped oversee the NASA SpaceX Demo 2 mission, the first crewed flight of the Dragon spacecraft. He also played a key role in building SpaceX's human spaceflight medical programme and supported NASA and SpaceX missions as a crew flight surgeon.&nbsp;Alongside his space work, Menon continues to practise emergency medicine at Memorial Hermann's Texas Medical Centre and teaches residents in the University of Texas medical residency programme.<h2>What will Menon do on the ISS?</h2>During his stay aboard the International Space Station, Menon will carry out scientific research and technology demonstrations designed to support future human space missions while also benefiting life on Earth.&nbsp;According to NASA, he will continue research to improve the space production of semiconductor crystals, helping support large-scale manufacturing of components used in high-performance computers, artificial intelligence and advanced medical devices.Menon will also perform ultrasound using augmented reality and artificial intelligence methods that could reduce the need for medical support from Earth during future space missions.&nbsp;He will take part as a test subject in research examining how spaceflight affects blood flow, helping scientists develop ways to protect future astronauts. In addition, he will test bioprinting vascular constructs in microgravity to improve understanding of the ageing process and support future therapeutic developments.

On his first space mission, Anil Menon will spend around eight months on the ISS carrying out scientific experiments on long-duration space travel.

Indian origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon is set to begin his first space mission to the International Space Station on July 14. The mission will mark his maiden journey into space and will see him spend about eight months aboard the orbiting laboratory, where he will carry out a series of scientific experiments focused on long-duration space travel. According to NASA, Menon will lift off aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS 29 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on July 14. He will serve as a flight engineer alongside Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. The crew will join Expedition 74 before later becoming part of Expedition 75 aboard the International Space Station. NASA will broadcast live launch and docking coverage on its YouTube channel beginning at 9:45 a.m. EDT on Tuesday. Who is Anil Menon? Dr Anil Menon is a physician, mechanical engineer and colonel in the United States Space Force. He was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Indian and Ukrainian immigrant parents. His background combines medicine, engineering and aerospace experience, making him one of NASA's multidisciplinary astronauts. Menon earned a bachelor's degree in neurobiology from Harvard University before completing a master's degree in mechanical engineering and a Doctor of Medicine from Stanford University. He later finished residencies in emergency medicine and aerospace medicine at Stanford University and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Also Read: Typhoon Bavi triggers deadly landslides, kills at least 15 in Philippines as Taiwan braces for impact Before joining NASA's astronaut corps, Menon served as SpaceX's first flight surgeon. He helped oversee the NASA SpaceX Demo 2 mission, the first crewed flight of the Dragon spacecraft. He also played a key role in building SpaceX's human spaceflight medical programme and supported NASA and SpaceX missions as a crew flight surgeon. Alongside his space work, Menon continues to practise emergency medicine at Memorial Hermann's Texas Medical Centre and teaches residents in the University of Texas medical residency programme. What will Menon do on the ISS? During his stay aboard the International Space Station, Menon will carry out scientific research and technology demonstrations designed to support future human space missions while also benefiting life on Earth. According to NASA, he will continue research to improve the space production of semiconductor crystals, helping support large-scale manufacturing of components used in high-performance computers, artificial intelligence and advanced medical devices. Menon will also perform ultrasound using augmented reality and artificial intelligence methods that could reduce the need for medical support from Earth during future space missions. He will take part as a test subject in research examining how spaceflight affects blood flow, helping scientists develop ways to protect future astronauts. In addition, he will test bioprinting vascular constructs in microgravity to improve understanding of the ageing process and support future therapeutic developments.

On his first space mission, Anil Menon will spend around eight months on the ISS carrying out scientific experiments on long-duration space travel.

Who is Anil Menon? Indian-origin NASA astronaut set for July 14 launch on eight month ISS mission

The United States has taken a major step towards space warfare with a new electromagnetic weapon capable of disrupting enemy satellites. Meadowlands, developed by L3 Harris, does not physically damage them, and simply silences them. The US Space Force has acknowledged that this offensive weapon can block radio waves, rendering them incapable of communicating or sharing data with forces on the ground. The Space Force said in a statement that it provides the military with a "robust toolkit for spectrum dominance."&nbsp;Meadowlands reportedly consists of an antenna dish mounted to a wheeled trailer. It can be moved around on the ground or on a large cargo aircraft and deployed under enemy satellites. Reports suggest that Space Force has requested nearly $460 million in Fiscal Year 2027 to develop Meadowlands, and for related training. The US Space Force has a dedicated unit for systems like the Meadowlands.&nbsp;<h2>Donald Trump has stressed Space Superiority</h2>President Donald Trump has often made it clear that the country needs to strengthen its defences in space. In his second term, he is treating space as an active warfighting domain and wants to achieve undisputed "Space Superiority".&nbsp;US Space Force Col. Angelo Fernandez, commander of Mission Delta 3 – Space Electromagnetic Warfare, said, "Continued U.S. Space Force investment in electromagnetic warfare systems, software, and advanced training is essential to modern warfare." The agency added that such warfare capabilities were at the centre of Operation Midnight Hammer against Iran in June 2025 when the US military attacked the country's nuclear sites.&nbsp;&nbsp;It said in a statement that electromagnetic warfare professionals "created a silence zone to ensure secure bomber ingress and egress, effectively halting adversary communications to provide vital indications and warnings."&nbsp;On day one of Operation Epic Fury, the current war against Iran, the US deployed similar capabilities, Guardians from Mission Delta 3, and launched targeted non-kinetic strikes. It jammed and disrupted Iran's ground-based air defence sensors and military communications networks

US Space Force has acquired a weapon that can be counted as a major step in space warfare. It can deny and disrupt signals on enemy satellites to prevent communication. The agency described it as a "robust toolkit for spectrum dominance."

The United States has taken a major step towards space warfare with a new electromagnetic weapon capable of disrupting enemy satellites. Meadowlands, developed by L3 Harris, does not physically damage them, and simply silences them. The US Space Force has acknowledged that this offensive weapon can block radio waves, rendering them incapable of communicating or sharing data with forces on the ground. The Space Force said in a statement that it provides the military with a "robust toolkit for spectrum dominance." Meadowlands reportedly consists of an antenna dish mounted to a wheeled trailer. It can be moved around on the ground or on a large cargo aircraft and deployed under enemy satellites. Reports suggest that Space Force has requested nearly $460 million in Fiscal Year 2027 to develop Meadowlands, and for related training. The US Space Force has a dedicated unit for systems like the Meadowlands. Donald Trump has stressed Space Superiority President Donald Trump has often made it clear that the country needs to strengthen its defences in space. In his second term, he is treating space as an active warfighting domain and wants to achieve undisputed "Space Superiority". US Space Force Col. Angelo Fernandez, commander of Mission Delta 3 – Space Electromagnetic Warfare, said, "Continued U.S. Space Force investment in electromagnetic warfare systems, software, and advanced training is essential to modern warfare." The agency added that such warfare capabilities were at the centre of Operation Midnight Hammer against Iran in June 2025 when the US military attacked the country's nuclear sites. It said in a statement that electromagnetic warfare professionals "created a silence zone to ensure secure bomber ingress and egress, effectively halting adversary communications to provide vital indications and warnings." On day one of Operation Epic Fury, the current war against Iran, the US deployed similar capabilities, Guardians from Mission Delta 3, and launched targeted non-kinetic strikes. It jammed and disrupted Iran's ground-based air defence sensors and military communications networks

US Space Force has acquired a weapon that can be counted as a major step in space warfare. It can deny and disrupt signals on enemy satellites to prevent communication. The agency described it as a "robust toolkit for spectrum dominance."

Declaration of space wars? America's latest weapon can jam enemy satellites

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has confirmed that the US space agency possesses images of unidentified objects which scientists have not yet been able to explain. Speaking on The Jack Gordon Podcast, Isaacman said some imagery collected by NASA could not currently be explained away as comets or other known natural phenomena."We have captured imagery... based on the data that we have within that imagery, we don't know what it is," Isaacman said, adding that President Donald Trump has been supportive of greater transparency around such material.<h2>There's life out there</h2>While Isaacman stopped short of saying that the unexplained images could be proof of aliens, he said he believes humanity could eventually discover that life is common across the universe, though he acknowledged there is no definitive evidence yet."I think there's a very real possibility we're going to arrive at a conclusion in our lifetime that perhaps there's life everywhere out there and that it isn't as infrequent as we might think it to possibly be," he said.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/do-not-open-until-2276-inside-the-us-time-capsule-that-won-t-be-opened-for-250-years-america-anniversary-1783040677941">Do not open until 2276: Inside the US time capsule that won't be opened for 250 years</a><h2>NASA may have proof of alien life</h2>While Isaacman said NASA has images that remain unexplained, he rejected one of the most persistent UFO conspiracy theories. When asked whether the US government had recovered crashed alien spacecraft or extraterrestrial bodies, he said he had never seen evidence to support those claims.However, Isaacman revealed that NASA may already have proof of aliens. "We got samples on Mars right now. If we bring them back, there is a very high probability that they will point to, at some point, microbial life at least on Mars," he said.NASA has long viewed Mars sample analysis as one of the best opportunities to determine whether the Red Planet once hosted microscopic life, although plans to return those samples have faced delays and funding challenges.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/humans-to-live-on-the-moon-by-2029-nasa-awards-600mn-in-contracts-unveils-next-phase-of-lunar-base-plans-1782868223488">Humans to live on the Moon by 2029? NASA awards $600mn in contracts, unveils next phase of lunar base plans</a><h2>'Are we alone?'</h2>Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and civilian astronaut appointed to lead NASA, said the search for life elsewhere remains one of the agency's biggest scientific goals."I can't hate the subject. In fact, I'm incredibly fascinated about it because that is at the heart of what we're trying to do at NASA, answer the question: Are we alone?" said the NASA director. He also defended future human exploration of space, arguing that humanity's long-term future should not be confined to Earth. "I do not believe it is our destiny to remain on one planet," Isaacman said. &nbsp;

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman says the agency has captured images of unidentified objects that scientists still cannot explain. He also claimed that Mars samples could provide evidence of ancient alien life and help answer humanity's biggest question: Are we alone?

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has confirmed that the US space agency possesses images of unidentified objects which scientists have not yet been able to explain. Speaking on The Jack Gordon Podcast, Isaacman said some imagery collected by NASA could not currently be explained away as comets or other known natural phenomena. "We have captured imagery... based on the data that we have within that imagery, we don't know what it is," Isaacman said, adding that President Donald Trump has been supportive of greater transparency around such material. There's life out there While Isaacman stopped short of saying that the unexplained images could be proof of aliens, he said he believes humanity could eventually discover that life is common across the universe, though he acknowledged there is no definitive evidence yet. "I think there's a very real possibility we're going to arrive at a conclusion in our lifetime that perhaps there's life everywhere out there and that it isn't as infrequent as we might think it to possibly be," he said. Also read | Do not open until 2276: Inside the US time capsule that won't be opened for 250 years NASA may have proof of alien life While Isaacman said NASA has images that remain unexplained, he rejected one of the most persistent UFO conspiracy theories. When asked whether the US government had recovered crashed alien spacecraft or extraterrestrial bodies, he said he had never seen evidence to support those claims. However, Isaacman revealed that NASA may already have proof of aliens. "We got samples on Mars right now. If we bring them back, there is a very high probability that they will point to, at some point, microbial life at least on Mars," he said. NASA has long viewed Mars sample analysis as one of the best opportunities to determine whether the Red Planet once hosted microscopic life, although plans to return those samples have faced delays and funding challenges. Also read | Humans to live on the Moon by 2029? NASA awards $600mn in contracts, unveils next phase of lunar base plans 'Are we alone?' Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and civilian astronaut appointed to lead NASA, said the search for life elsewhere remains one of the agency's biggest scientific goals. "I can't hate the subject. In fact, I'm incredibly fascinated about it because that is at the heart of what we're trying to do at NASA, answer the question: Are we alone?" said the NASA director. He also defended future human exploration of space, arguing that humanity's long-term future should not be confined to Earth. "I do not believe it is our destiny to remain on one planet," Isaacman said.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman says the agency has captured images of unidentified objects that scientists still cannot explain. He also claimed that Mars samples could provide evidence of ancient alien life and help answer humanity's biggest question: Are we alone?

Did NASA chief just confirm aliens? US Space agency's director Jared Isaacman REVEALS: 'We have images...'

A remotely controlled pair of humanoid robots completed a surgery for the first time ever. In another case, one humanoid with human assistance carried out the procedure. The proof-of-concept preclinical trial was carried out by scientists at the University of California San Diego and involved gallbladder removals in large, non-primate mammals, Popular Science reported. Robotic surgeries are common today, but they are massive devices with multiple arms and weigh over 800 kg. However, the humanoids that carried out the procedures in this case are only about five feet tall and just 27 kg. Nicknamed Surgie, the bots can be customised and are much more affordable.&nbsp;Michael Yip, an engineer at the University of California San Diego, published their study in the journal Nature. They said that the robots were equipped with adapters to hold surgical tools, and that controlling them remotely felt natural. “We were surprised at how well Surgie meshed with our workspace and workflow,” said UC San Diego surgeon Nikita Thareja.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/man-from-year-3700-warns-of-apocalyptic-war-with-robots-1783492147310">Man claims he travelled to year 3700. Robots had killed 30% of humans. Here is what else he says he saw</a><h2>Humanoid robots cost much less</h2>Study co-author Shanglei Liu said these humanoids are easy to deploy in the operating room since they take up a fraction of the space and cost a fraction as much. The researchers concur that humanoid robots can help address the healthcare crisis in the world. They can be easily deployed in rural areas, on the battlefield, and even in space.<h2>Challenges faced by humanoid robots</h2>However, the Surgie bots did face some challenges. They had to be recalibrated multiple times, which stretched the surgery for a longer period compared to existing surgical systems. There was a lag in response time between the controller and the robot, which researchers said needs to be worked on. The team cited real world examples to express confidence that this issue would be overcome. Notably, robotic laparoscopic surgery took six hours when it was carried out for the first time. Today it only takes around 30 minutes.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/humanoid-robots-are-learning-to-cook-and-clean-in-china-here-s-how-they-could-replace-millions-of-jobs-1782834768024">Humanoid robots are learning to cook and clean in China: Here's how they could replace millions of jobs</a>&nbsp;Scientists say that besides doing the surgery, Surgies can also assist in grabbing tools and cleaning up later. Yip said the goal is to create an "autonomous surgical assistant." He added that the goal is to have an operating theatre where humanoid robots and humans work side by side as an integrated team.

In a world first, scientists at the University of California San Diego controlled humanoid robots remotely to carry out a surgery. The team believes this has major implications for the future, as they can be deployed in rural areas, on the battlefield and even in space.

A remotely controlled pair of humanoid robots completed a surgery for the first time ever. In another case, one humanoid with human assistance carried out the procedure. The proof-of-concept preclinical trial was carried out by scientists at the University of California San Diego and involved gallbladder removals in large, non-primate mammals, Popular Science reported. Robotic surgeries are common today, but they are massive devices with multiple arms and weigh over 800 kg. However, the humanoids that carried out the procedures in this case are only about five feet tall and just 27 kg. Nicknamed Surgie, the bots can be customised and are much more affordable. Michael Yip, an engineer at the University of California San Diego, published their study in the journal Nature. They said that the robots were equipped with adapters to hold surgical tools, and that controlling them remotely felt natural. “We were surprised at how well Surgie meshed with our workspace and workflow,” said UC San Diego surgeon Nikita Thareja. Also Read: Man claims he travelled to year 3700. Robots had killed 30% of humans. Here is what else he says he saw Humanoid robots cost much less Study co-author Shanglei Liu said these humanoids are easy to deploy in the operating room since they take up a fraction of the space and cost a fraction as much. The researchers concur that humanoid robots can help address the healthcare crisis in the world. They can be easily deployed in rural areas, on the battlefield, and even in space. Challenges faced by humanoid robots However, the Surgie bots did face some challenges. They had to be recalibrated multiple times, which stretched the surgery for a longer period compared to existing surgical systems. There was a lag in response time between the controller and the robot, which researchers said needs to be worked on. The team cited real world examples to express confidence that this issue would be overcome. Notably, robotic laparoscopic surgery took six hours when it was carried out for the first time. Today it only takes around 30 minutes. Also Read: Humanoid robots are learning to cook and clean in China: Here's how they could replace millions of jobs Scientists say that besides doing the surgery, Surgies can also assist in grabbing tools and cleaning up later. Yip said the goal is to create an "autonomous surgical assistant." He added that the goal is to have an operating theatre where humanoid robots and humans work side by side as an integrated team.

In a world first, scientists at the University of California San Diego controlled humanoid robots remotely to carry out a surgery. The team believes this has major implications for the future, as they can be deployed in rural areas, on the battlefield and even in space.

Humanoid robots make medical history, perform surgery for the first time. Here's how 'Surgies' worked

Pedro Neto's modified football boot became one of the most talked-about images during Portugal's World Cup last-16 defeat to Spain, leaving fans wondering why the winger had a large section cut out from the back of his expensive footwear. The unusual sight of Neto's sock protruding through the heel of his boot was no dressing-room prank. Instead, it highlighted a little-known issue that affects several professional footballers. Players including Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Mats Hummels and Daniele De Rossi have all worn similarly altered boots over the years. One possible explanation is Haglund's deformity, a painful heel condition that can make standard football boots uncomfortable.<h2>What is Haglund's deformity?</h2>Haglund's deformity is a bony enlargement at the back of the heel near where the Achilles tendon attaches. According to musculoskeletal physiotherapist Michael Robson, not everyone with the condition experiences pain. "It really only becomes a painful syndrome when that enlarged bone repeatedly irritates the soft tissue around it," Robson told The Athletic.&nbsp;The irritation can affect the Achilles tendon as well as the retrocalcaneal bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that cushions the heel. Bartholomew Hudson-Gill, a physiotherapist who has worked with elite footballers at a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, explains that the condition develops through a combination of heel bone shape, thickening of the Achilles tendon and inflammation of the surrounding bursa. "That bursa, essentially, is like a shock absorber," Hudson-Gill said. "The tendon becomes thicker, the bursa gets irritated, then the bone starts to get irritated. “They load it more, it gets more sore. That soreness means there are changes in the bone, which means it then gets more sore.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/mbappe-dembele-fire-france-into-fifa-world-cup-2026-semifinals-beat-morocco-2-0-1783634367156">Mbappe, Dembele fire France into FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals, beat Morocco 2-0</a><h2>Why do players cut holes in their boots?</h2>Although Pedro Neto has never publicly confirmed why his boot was modified, specialists say cutting away the rigid heel section can significantly reduce pressure if a player is dealing with Haglund's deformity. The stiff heel counter found in most football boots can press directly against the swollen area, causing ongoing pain. Removing part of the boot allows the heel more room and reduces friction during matches.&nbsp;"That stops the boot physically compressing that tendon and that bone so that it stops irritating," Hudson-Gill says. In professional football, these changes are often carried out by club podiatrists rather than players themselves to ensure the boot remains structurally stable while relieving pressure.<h2>Can Haglund's deformity be treated?</h2>The condition cannot simply be reversed once the bony enlargement has developed. Instead, treatment focuses on controlling pain and reducing irritation. Rehabilitation usually includes lowering stress on the heel, strengthening the calf and Achilles tendon, physiotherapy, and gradually returning players to full training. However, during a busy season or major tournament, players often continue competing while managing symptoms.&nbsp;"They're not going to stop playing because of a little bit of pain in the back of their heel," Hudson-Gill said. “They might be needed for a cup final or World Cup qualifiers.” Many footballers successfully manage the condition through customised boots, physiotherapy, shockwave therapy, injection therapy and carefully controlled workloads. Surgery remains an option if conservative treatment fails, although many elite players avoid needing an operation.&nbsp;Named after Swedish surgeon Patrick Haglund, who first described the condition in 1927, Haglund's deformity remains a common issue in elite football. For many professionals, a simple cut in the back of a boot can make the difference between playing and sitting on the sidelines.

Why did Pedro Neto cut a hole in his football boot? Discover how Haglund's deformity affects footballers, why players modify boots, and treatment options

Pedro Neto's modified football boot became one of the most talked-about images during Portugal's World Cup last-16 defeat to Spain, leaving fans wondering why the winger had a large section cut out from the back of his expensive footwear. The unusual sight of Neto's sock protruding through the heel of his boot was no dressing-room prank. Instead, it highlighted a little-known issue that affects several professional footballers. Players including Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Mats Hummels and Daniele De Rossi have all worn similarly altered boots over the years. One possible explanation is Haglund's deformity, a painful heel condition that can make standard football boots uncomfortable. What is Haglund's deformity? Haglund's deformity is a bony enlargement at the back of the heel near where the Achilles tendon attaches. According to musculoskeletal physiotherapist Michael Robson, not everyone with the condition experiences pain. "It really only becomes a painful syndrome when that enlarged bone repeatedly irritates the soft tissue around it," Robson told The Athletic. The irritation can affect the Achilles tendon as well as the retrocalcaneal bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that cushions the heel. Bartholomew Hudson-Gill, a physiotherapist who has worked with elite footballers at a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, explains that the condition develops through a combination of heel bone shape, thickening of the Achilles tendon and inflammation of the surrounding bursa. "That bursa, essentially, is like a shock absorber," Hudson-Gill said. "The tendon becomes thicker, the bursa gets irritated, then the bone starts to get irritated. “They load it more, it gets more sore. That soreness means there are changes in the bone, which means it then gets more sore.” Also Read: Mbappe, Dembele fire France into FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals, beat Morocco 2-0 Why do players cut holes in their boots? Although Pedro Neto has never publicly confirmed why his boot was modified, specialists say cutting away the rigid heel section can significantly reduce pressure if a player is dealing with Haglund's deformity. The stiff heel counter found in most football boots can press directly against the swollen area, causing ongoing pain. Removing part of the boot allows the heel more room and reduces friction during matches. "That stops the boot physically compressing that tendon and that bone so that it stops irritating," Hudson-Gill says. In professional football, these changes are often carried out by club podiatrists rather than players themselves to ensure the boot remains structurally stable while relieving pressure. Can Haglund's deformity be treated? The condition cannot simply be reversed once the bony enlargement has developed. Instead, treatment focuses on controlling pain and reducing irritation. Rehabilitation usually includes lowering stress on the heel, strengthening the calf and Achilles tendon, physiotherapy, and gradually returning players to full training. However, during a busy season or major tournament, players often continue competing while managing symptoms. "They're not going to stop playing because of a little bit of pain in the back of their heel," Hudson-Gill said. “They might be needed for a cup final or World Cup qualifiers.” Many footballers successfully manage the condition through customised boots, physiotherapy, shockwave therapy, injection therapy and carefully controlled workloads. Surgery remains an option if conservative treatment fails, although many elite players avoid needing an operation. Named after Swedish surgeon Patrick Haglund, who first described the condition in 1927, Haglund's deformity remains a common issue in elite football. For many professionals, a simple cut in the back of a boot can make the difference between playing and sitting on the sidelines.

Pedro Neto's cut-up football boot sparked curiosity, but experts say Haglund's deformity may explain why some players modify their footwear

Why did Pedro Neto cut a hole in his football boot? The Haglund's deformity explained

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Why did Pedro Neto cut hole in his football boot? Haglund's deformity explained