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Earth recorded its shortest day in history, scientists say, and even shorter days are coming. This summer, Earth is spinning unusually fast. Our planet completed a full rotation in slightly under 24 hours, 1.3 milliseconds faster than the standard. According to the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS), July 22 and August 5 are expected to be similarly short.The reason is a complex interplay of geophysical forces. Experts point to a shift in the Earth's core, climate change-induced glacial melting, seismic activity, and even strong ocean tides as contributors to this acceleration. The phenomenon is known as “Chandler wobble”, a small irregular movement of Earth's geographical poles.“It’s a reminder,” said a geophysicist from the International Earth Rotation Service, “that our planet is not a static ball but a dynamic system constantly in flux.”&nbsp;<h2>Some Scientists say, ‘blame the moon’</h2>Scientists say this is also a result of the moon's position; when it is closer to the Moon, it rotates faster, when it's further away from the Moon, it slows down. The moon has always affected our Earth's spin through tidal braking, where our Moon's gravitational pull causes our planet to bulge. This deformation also slowly pulls away momentum from the Earth's rotation, causing our planet to slow down by 2 milliseconds every century.&nbsp;“It’s not a huge change in the Earth’s rotation that’s going to lead to some catastrophe or anything, but it is something notable,” said Duncan Agnew, a geophysicist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego.While the difference might be imperceptible to our human life, it resulted in IERS skipping a leap second in 2025, and may have to take back one leap second in 2029. But it is apparent that our planet has slowed down a little bit&nbsp; &nbsp;

The shortest ever day on Earth is recorded today, with Earth rotating 1.3 milliseconds faster than the standard time, scientists predicting even shorter days coming. 

Earth recorded its shortest day in history, scientists say, and even shorter days are coming. This summer, Earth is spinning unusually fast. Our planet completed a full rotation in slightly under 24 hours, 1.3 milliseconds faster than the standard. According to the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS), July 22 and August 5 are expected to be similarly short. The reason is a complex interplay of geophysical forces. Experts point to a shift in the Earth's core, climate change-induced glacial melting, seismic activity, and even strong ocean tides as contributors to this acceleration. The phenomenon is known as “Chandler wobble”, a small irregular movement of Earth's geographical poles. “It’s a reminder,” said a geophysicist from the International Earth Rotation Service, “that our planet is not a static ball but a dynamic system constantly in flux.” Some Scientists say, ‘blame the moon’ Scientists say this is also a result of the moon's position; when it is closer to the Moon, it rotates faster, when it's further away from the Moon, it slows down. The moon has always affected our Earth's spin through tidal braking, where our Moon's gravitational pull causes our planet to bulge. This deformation also slowly pulls away momentum from the Earth's rotation, causing our planet to slow down by 2 milliseconds every century. “It’s not a huge change in the Earth’s rotation that’s going to lead to some catastrophe or anything, but it is something notable,” said Duncan Agnew, a geophysicist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. While the difference might be imperceptible to our human life, it resulted in IERS skipping a leap second in 2025, and may have to take back one leap second in 2029. But it is apparent that our planet has slowed down a little bit

The shortest ever day on Earth is recorded today, with Earth rotating 1.3 milliseconds faster than the standard time, scientists predicting even shorter days coming.&nbsp;

Today was the shortest day ever recorded, even shorter days are coming

Four jet black eggs found in the Pacific Ocean left scientists stunned since they had never seen anything like this before. The eggs were attached to a rock and were discovered roughly at a depth of 6,200 meters (20,341 feet). The researchers from Tokyo University and Hokkaido University in Japan were exploring the region using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) when they came across the strange-looking eggs. The region was the abyssopelagic zone, the deepest layer of most of the ocean. Finding black eggs at this depth was a breakthrough since very little is known about the creatures that live here. So, University of Tokyo marine researcher Yasunori Kano decided to retrieve the eggs. Most of them were broken, but four were still intact. He sent them over to invertebrate biologists at Hokkaido University who analysed them. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/blind-creature-with-dragon-like-feature-found-crawling-in-south-korean-caves-1752133909769">Blind creature like a dragon, and also scorpion, is crawling in South Korean caves</a>&nbsp;<h2>Eggs or flatworm cocoons?</h2>They found these eggs to be tiny cocoons with flatworms inside them. Hokkaido University’s Keiichi Kakui, co-author of the study on the eggs published in the journal Biology Letters, told IFLScience that he "had never seen flatworm cocoons." When he cut one of them open, a milky liquid-like thing leaked from it. He blew it off and found fragile white bodies in the shell and realised that it was the cocoon of platyhelminths. &nbsp;Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/511-billion-barrels-of-oil-discovered-in-antarctica-can-trigger-world-war-1752036274384"> 511 billion barrels of oil discovered in Antarctica can trigger World War. Here's how</a>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientists-have-sequenced-the-dna-of-an-ancient-egyptian-who-lived-4-800-years-ago-1751535547119">Scientists have sequenced the DNA of an ancient Egyptian who lived 4,800 years ago</a>&nbsp;<h2>Deepest flatworms ever found in ocean</h2>He says that this is the first time these flatworms have been discovered at such depths. Before this, the , the deepest flatworm was observed at around 5,200 metres, discovered attached to a piece of wood. However, it could have fallen along with the wood into deeper waters and it is not clear if it lives there. DNA examination of the cocoons revealed that these flatworms were a species of phylum Platyhelminth that had remained undescribed till then. The paper states that despite being “the deepest known record of free-living platyhelminths,” the flatworms weren't different from the ones that live in shallow waters. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/string-of-structural-anomalies-south-of-gomati-creek-reignite-search-for-sunken-city-of-dwarka-1751961911015">String of structural anomalies south of Gomati creek reignite search for sunken city of Dwarka</a>&nbsp;The world's oceans are the biggest mystery to mankind yet. It is almost impossible to learn about every species that lives in the waters on Earth as they cover the biggest area on the planet. The discovery of black eggs at one of the deepest points is a step towards learning what is the ocean hiding.

Scientists from Japan were shocked to find jet black eggs at an unbelievable depth of 6,200 meters. When they studied them, they turned out to be something they had not comprehended.

Four jet black eggs found in the Pacific Ocean left scientists stunned since they had never seen anything like this before. The eggs were attached to a rock and were discovered roughly at a depth of 6,200 meters (20,341 feet). The researchers from Tokyo University and Hokkaido University in Japan were exploring the region using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) when they came across the strange-looking eggs. The region was the abyssopelagic zone, the deepest layer of most of the ocean. Finding black eggs at this depth was a breakthrough since very little is known about the creatures that live here. So, University of Tokyo marine researcher Yasunori Kano decided to retrieve the eggs. Most of them were broken, but four were still intact. He sent them over to invertebrate biologists at Hokkaido University who analysed them. Also Read: Blind creature like a dragon, and also scorpion, is crawling in South Korean caves Eggs or flatworm cocoons? They found these eggs to be tiny cocoons with flatworms inside them. Hokkaido University’s Keiichi Kakui, co-author of the study on the eggs published in the journal Biology Letters, told IFLScience that he "had never seen flatworm cocoons." When he cut one of them open, a milky liquid-like thing leaked from it. He blew it off and found fragile white bodies in the shell and realised that it was the cocoon of platyhelminths. Also Read: 511 billion barrels of oil discovered in Antarctica can trigger World War. Here's how Also Read: Scientists have sequenced the DNA of an ancient Egyptian who lived 4,800 years ago Deepest flatworms ever found in ocean He says that this is the first time these flatworms have been discovered at such depths. Before this, the , the deepest flatworm was observed at around 5,200 metres, discovered attached to a piece of wood. However, it could have fallen along with the wood into deeper waters and it is not clear if it lives there. DNA examination of the cocoons revealed that these flatworms were a species of phylum Platyhelminth that had remained undescribed till then. The paper states that despite being “the deepest known record of free-living platyhelminths,” the flatworms weren't different from the ones that live in shallow waters. Also Read: String of structural anomalies south of Gomati creek reignite search for sunken city of Dwarka The world's oceans are the biggest mystery to mankind yet. It is almost impossible to learn about every species that lives in the waters on Earth as they cover the biggest area on the planet. The discovery of black eggs at one of the deepest points is a step towards learning what is the ocean hiding.

Scientists from Japan were shocked to find jet black eggs at an unbelievable depth of 6,200 meters. When they studied them, they turned out to be something they had not comprehended.

Scientists stumbled upon four pitch-black eggs 20,000 feet below ocean. They turned out to be...

Indian space agency ISRO announced the recent successful completion of two engine firing tests of the system that will propel the Indian-made Gaganyaan astronaut-carrying capsule in space. Formally known as the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS), it was tested at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;Two short duration test firings were conducted for 30seconds and 100seconds to validate the test article configuration. The overall performance of the propulsion system during these hot tests was normal, as per pre-test predictions. During the 100seconds test, simultaneous operation of all Reaction Control System thrusters(small engines) in different modes (steady state; pulsed) along with all Liquid Apogee Motors(primary engines) was also successfully demonstrated.&nbsp;ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion System Centre (LPSC) is leading the technology development activities for the Gaganyaan SMPS. SMPS is a critical system of Gaganyaan Orbital Module and is required during orbital manoeuvring as well as specific abort scenarios. Simply put, the thrusters will help the Gaganyaan capsule manoeuvre in space, change its orientation.&nbsp;&nbsp;The SMPS comprises five Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) engines (each generating 440Newtons of thrust) and 16 Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters (each generating 100Newtons of thrust). In order to simulate the propulsion system conditions closer to flight, the SMPS test article for these hot tests incorporated improvements based on experience gained from earlier hot tests. With the confidence gained through these hot tests, ISRO will conduct a full duration hot test shortly.<h2>Liquid apogee motor did not fire in NVS-02</h2>In January this year, ISRO launched the NVS-02 satellite, which is the second among five satellites in the NVS-series. This series is meant to provide Position, Navigation, and Timing services over the Indian subcontinent region(Indian mainland and 1500kms away from Indian borders). While the GSLV Mk2 rocket placed the NVS-02 in its intended initial orbit, the satellite's primary engine(liquid apogee motor) firings did not happen as planned, which left the satellite stuck in its initial orbit.&nbsp;The engine that failed in the NVS-02 mission is the 440Newton thruster which also finds place in the Gaganyaan SMPS. Almost all engines that propel ISRO's satellites are bipropellant engines, which means a fuel and oxidizer must come into contact for the engine firing to happen.&nbsp;&nbsp;ISRO uses Monomethyl Hydrazine(MMH) as fuel and Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen(MON) as the oxidizer. This is known as a hypergolic combination, which means that the chemical reaction(burning) takes place as soon as the fuel and oxidizer come into contact with each other. Regarding the technical issue in the NVS-02 satellite, ISRO had said, "orbit raising operations towards positioning the satellite to the designated orbital slot could not be carried out as the valves for admitting the oxidizer to fire the thrusters for orbit raising did not open."&nbsp;Such setbacks would mean that ISRO has to further enhance its quality control, testing, given the crucial role played by the liquid apogee motors. While ISRO has not identified the exact cause that led to the NVS-02 failure, ISRO will be implementing some hardware and software changes in subsequent NVS satellites after thorough testing and analysis. Further, additional checkpoints, review mechanisms, verification methodologies are incorporated, ISRO revealed in response to an RTI(Right to Information) query.&nbsp;<h2>Preparations for Gaganyaan unmanned mission G-1</h2>This SMPS test is one among thousands of system and sub-system level testing that ISRO would be carrying out ahead of the Gaganyaan G1 mission, which is the maiden uncrewed flight of the Gaganyaan series. Instead of an astronaut, the uncrewed Gaganyaan craft would carry a humanoid robot Vyommitra to space and return to earth for a splashdown landing. ISRO intends to perform at least three flawless unmanned Gaganyaan missions, before putting astronauts on the Gaganyaan flight.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Formally known as the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS), it was tested at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu

Indian space agency ISRO announced the recent successful completion of two engine firing tests of the system that will propel the Indian-made Gaganyaan astronaut-carrying capsule in space. Formally known as the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS), it was tested at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. Two short duration test firings were conducted for 30seconds and 100seconds to validate the test article configuration. The overall performance of the propulsion system during these hot tests was normal, as per pre-test predictions. During the 100seconds test, simultaneous operation of all Reaction Control System thrusters(small engines) in different modes (steady state; pulsed) along with all Liquid Apogee Motors(primary engines) was also successfully demonstrated. ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion System Centre (LPSC) is leading the technology development activities for the Gaganyaan SMPS. SMPS is a critical system of Gaganyaan Orbital Module and is required during orbital manoeuvring as well as specific abort scenarios. Simply put, the thrusters will help the Gaganyaan capsule manoeuvre in space, change its orientation. The SMPS comprises five Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) engines (each generating 440Newtons of thrust) and 16 Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters (each generating 100Newtons of thrust). In order to simulate the propulsion system conditions closer to flight, the SMPS test article for these hot tests incorporated improvements based on experience gained from earlier hot tests. With the confidence gained through these hot tests, ISRO will conduct a full duration hot test shortly. Liquid apogee motor did not fire in NVS-02 In January this year, ISRO launched the NVS-02 satellite, which is the second among five satellites in the NVS-series. This series is meant to provide Position, Navigation, and Timing services over the Indian subcontinent region(Indian mainland and 1500kms away from Indian borders). While the GSLV Mk2 rocket placed the NVS-02 in its intended initial orbit, the satellite's primary engine(liquid apogee motor) firings did not happen as planned, which left the satellite stuck in its initial orbit. The engine that failed in the NVS-02 mission is the 440Newton thruster which also finds place in the Gaganyaan SMPS. Almost all engines that propel ISRO's satellites are bipropellant engines, which means a fuel and oxidizer must come into contact for the engine firing to happen. ISRO uses Monomethyl Hydrazine(MMH) as fuel and Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen(MON) as the oxidizer. This is known as a hypergolic combination, which means that the chemical reaction(burning) takes place as soon as the fuel and oxidizer come into contact with each other. Regarding the technical issue in the NVS-02 satellite, ISRO had said, "orbit raising operations towards positioning the satellite to the designated orbital slot could not be carried out as the valves for admitting the oxidizer to fire the thrusters for orbit raising did not open." Such setbacks would mean that ISRO has to further enhance its quality control, testing, given the crucial role played by the liquid apogee motors. While ISRO has not identified the exact cause that led to the NVS-02 failure, ISRO will be implementing some hardware and software changes in subsequent NVS satellites after thorough testing and analysis. Further, additional checkpoints, review mechanisms, verification methodologies are incorporated, ISRO revealed in response to an RTI(Right to Information) query. Preparations for Gaganyaan unmanned mission G-1 This SMPS test is one among thousands of system and sub-system level testing that ISRO would be carrying out ahead of the Gaganyaan G1 mission, which is the maiden uncrewed flight of the Gaganyaan series. Instead of an astronaut, the uncrewed Gaganyaan craft would carry a humanoid robot Vyommitra to space and return to earth for a splashdown landing. ISRO intends to perform at least three flawless unmanned Gaganyaan missions, before putting astronauts on the Gaganyaan flight.

Formally known as the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS), it was tested at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu

ISRO test fires engines that will propel Gaganyaan in space

The shortest day to be ever recorded by man is here. July 9 will have a few milliseconds less than your average day. This is because of our Moon's current position. Scientists say the phenomenon is rare, although this is the sixth one to occur since 2020. In the next few weeks, we'll have two more shorter days, one of them even shorter than July 9. The Moon is making the Earth spin faster this summer and will cut off anywhere from 1.3 to 1.6 milliseconds from the 24 hours on July 9. International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) stated that the Moon will be furthest from the equator on this day, and this will impact the speed of Earth’s rotation. The same will again happen on July 22, and then again on August 5, Popular Mechanics reported. Of the three, August 5 will be the shortest day. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/511-billion-barrels-of-oil-discovered-in-antarctica-can-trigger-world-war-1752036274384">511 billion barrels of oil discovered in Antarctica can trigger World War. Here's how</a>&nbsp;<h2>Shortest day in history</h2>The shortest day in the history of Earth was recorded on July 5, 2024 - 1.66 milliseconds shorter than average. It might sound too small to matter, but even this was a full half-millisecond faster than when Earth was observed to spin faster in 2020 for the first time. While this year's phenomenon is attributed to the Moon's position from the Equator, the past rotational changes were because of other things. Earthquakes, volcano eruptions, tidal forces, and other mechanisms could either lead Earth to slow down or move faster. Noting the frequency of change in Earth's rotation, Leonid Zotov, an Earth rotation expert from Moscow State University, told timeanddate.com, in 2022, “The cause of this acceleration is not explained. Most scientists believe it is something inside the Earth. Ocean and atmospheric models don’t explain this huge acceleration.” Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/great-wall-of-universe-10-billion-light-years-cosmic-monster-detected-in-space-should-not-exist-1751950803162">GREAT WALL of universe: 10 billion light-years long cosmic monster detected in space should not exist</a> &nbsp;<h2>World timekeepers will reduce a leap second</h2>This sudden change will lead the world timekeepers to subtract a leap second for the first time ever in 2029. &nbsp;Clocks may have to skip a second — called a “negative leap second” — around 2029, a study in the journal Nature noted in 2024. “This is an unprecedented situation and a big deal,” said geophysicist and study lead author Duncan Agnew. “It’s not a huge change in the Earth’s rotation that’s going to lead to some catastrophe or anything, but it is something notable. It’s yet another indication that we’re in a very unusual time.” Earth has not always had 24 hours in a day. Today, Earth completes one full rotation in 86,400 seconds. But during the era of the dinosaurs, days were 23 hours long. Similarly, during the Bronze Age, the average day was 0.47 seconds shorter. This trend continues as Earth ages, and 200 million years from now, a standard Earth day will actually be 25 hours long.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Earths days have been getting shorter since 2020. What has changed since then? Scientists are trying to understand what is going on. Is it something inside the planet? Although the July 9 event is due to the Moon. 

The shortest day to be ever recorded by man is here. July 9 will have a few milliseconds less than your average day. This is because of our Moon's current position. Scientists say the phenomenon is rare, although this is the sixth one to occur since 2020. In the next few weeks, we'll have two more shorter days, one of them even shorter than July 9. The Moon is making the Earth spin faster this summer and will cut off anywhere from 1.3 to 1.6 milliseconds from the 24 hours on July 9. International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) stated that the Moon will be furthest from the equator on this day, and this will impact the speed of Earth’s rotation. The same will again happen on July 22, and then again on August 5, Popular Mechanics reported. Of the three, August 5 will be the shortest day. Also Read: 511 billion barrels of oil discovered in Antarctica can trigger World War. Here's how Shortest day in history The shortest day in the history of Earth was recorded on July 5, 2024 - 1.66 milliseconds shorter than average. It might sound too small to matter, but even this was a full half-millisecond faster than when Earth was observed to spin faster in 2020 for the first time. While this year's phenomenon is attributed to the Moon's position from the Equator, the past rotational changes were because of other things. Earthquakes, volcano eruptions, tidal forces, and other mechanisms could either lead Earth to slow down or move faster. Noting the frequency of change in Earth's rotation, Leonid Zotov, an Earth rotation expert from Moscow State University, told timeanddate.com, in 2022, “The cause of this acceleration is not explained. Most scientists believe it is something inside the Earth. Ocean and atmospheric models don’t explain this huge acceleration.” Also Read: GREAT WALL of universe: 10 billion light-years long cosmic monster detected in space should not exist World timekeepers will reduce a leap second This sudden change will lead the world timekeepers to subtract a leap second for the first time ever in 2029. Clocks may have to skip a second — called a “negative leap second” — around 2029, a study in the journal Nature noted in 2024. “This is an unprecedented situation and a big deal,” said geophysicist and study lead author Duncan Agnew. “It’s not a huge change in the Earth’s rotation that’s going to lead to some catastrophe or anything, but it is something notable. It’s yet another indication that we’re in a very unusual time.” Earth has not always had 24 hours in a day. Today, Earth completes one full rotation in 86,400 seconds. But during the era of the dinosaurs, days were 23 hours long. Similarly, during the Bronze Age, the average day was 0.47 seconds shorter. This trend continues as Earth ages, and 200 million years from now, a standard Earth day will actually be 25 hours long.

Earth's days have been getting shorter since 2020. What has changed since then? Scientists are trying to understand what's going on. Is it something inside the planet? Although the July 9 event is due to the Moon.&nbsp;

Curse of 2020? Time will change in 2029 because of mysterious factors

The root cause of Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) might be more physical than mental, a study by Chinese researchers has found. It states that bacteria living in our gut could be responsible for OCD in most people. The study aimed to understand the link between the gut microbiota and OCD, and whether it plays a role in a person developing OCD. The team identified six types of bacteria that appear to be linked with the condition. Out brain and the gut have often been found to have a connection, with mental health affecting how the digestive system acts. However, this is the first time that scientists have gathered evidence that shows gut bacteria affects mental health conditions.&nbsp;Researchers from Chongqing Medical University wrote in their published paper, "Previous studies have indicated a potential link between the gut microbiota and OCD. However, the exact causal relationship remains uncertain. Our analysis suggested that specific gut microbiota might have a causal relationship with OCD, revealing potential intervention strategies for the prevention and treatment of this disorder."&nbsp;To establish a causal effect between the two, the Chinese researchers used a genetic approach known as Mendelian randomization where they analysed genetic variants that influence both OCD and gut bacteria. They took two sets of samples, in one of which they assessed links between genetic data and gut bacteria in 18,340 people. In the second one, consisting of 199,169 people, they studied the connection between genetic data and OCD. the Mendelian randomization helped them bridge the gap and connect gut bacteria patterns with OCD.&nbsp;The study found that the presence of one set of three bacteria protected against OCD, while another three upped the risk of OCD. Proteobacteria, Ruminococcaceae, and Bilophila fell in the first group, and Bacillales, Eubacterium, and Lachnospiraceae UCG001 were responsible for OCD. A link between gut and brain is not a new revelation. A past study found that low levels of Ruminococcaceae species could cause depression. "Future research should employ longitudinal designs and diverse populations to validate and expand upon these findings, as well as a more in-depth classification of microbes and their metabolic products, to further understand the role of gut microbiota in OCD," write the researchers.Scientists are hopeful that the latest research on gut microbe and OCD could help treat the condition some day. However, that might be still far off into the future. The research was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. &nbsp;

If you also suffer from Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), then the root cause might not be fully mental. Scientists have discovered a strange source for such behaviour. 

The root cause of Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) might be more physical than mental, a study by Chinese researchers has found. It states that bacteria living in our gut could be responsible for OCD in most people. The study aimed to understand the link between the gut microbiota and OCD, and whether it plays a role in a person developing OCD. The team identified six types of bacteria that appear to be linked with the condition. Out brain and the gut have often been found to have a connection, with mental health affecting how the digestive system acts. However, this is the first time that scientists have gathered evidence that shows gut bacteria affects mental health conditions. Researchers from Chongqing Medical University wrote in their published paper, "Previous studies have indicated a potential link between the gut microbiota and OCD. However, the exact causal relationship remains uncertain. Our analysis suggested that specific gut microbiota might have a causal relationship with OCD, revealing potential intervention strategies for the prevention and treatment of this disorder." To establish a causal effect between the two, the Chinese researchers used a genetic approach known as Mendelian randomization where they analysed genetic variants that influence both OCD and gut bacteria. They took two sets of samples, in one of which they assessed links between genetic data and gut bacteria in 18,340 people. In the second one, consisting of 199,169 people, they studied the connection between genetic data and OCD. the Mendelian randomization helped them bridge the gap and connect gut bacteria patterns with OCD. The study found that the presence of one set of three bacteria protected against OCD, while another three upped the risk of OCD. Proteobacteria, Ruminococcaceae, and Bilophila fell in the first group, and Bacillales, Eubacterium, and Lachnospiraceae UCG001 were responsible for OCD. A link between gut and brain is not a new revelation. A past study found that low levels of Ruminococcaceae species could cause depression. "Future research should employ longitudinal designs and diverse populations to validate and expand upon these findings, as well as a more in-depth classification of microbes and their metabolic products, to further understand the role of gut microbiota in OCD," write the researchers. Scientists are hopeful that the latest research on gut microbe and OCD could help treat the condition some day. However, that might be still far off into the future. The research was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.

If you also suffer from Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), then the root cause might not be fully mental. Scientists have discovered a strange source for such behaviour.&nbsp;

Repeatedly checking locks, gas and switches? The culprit is not your brain. Problem lies in...

The full moon of July will rise on 10 July and will be an opportunity to witness an optical effect known as the Moon illusion. The moon will appear extremely huge because of this illusion when it is close to the horizon. July's full moon is also known as the Buck Moon which will appear especially low in the sky after sunset. The moon will move slowly across the sky at a very shallow inclination. This is because of its proximity to the summer solstice. At this time, the sun is at its highest in the daytime sky, resulting in the moon tracking a lower path through the night, Space.com reported. This year, this view will appear even more stark because of a phenomenon known as a 'Major Lunar Standstill'. It occurs every &nbsp;18.6 years. At this time, "the sun's gravity drags the moon's tilted orbit into its most extreme inclination relative to Earth's celestial equator." Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/great-wall-of-universe-10-billion-light-years-cosmic-monster-detected-in-space-should-not-exist-1751950803162">GREAT WALL of universe: 10 billion light-years cosmic monster detected in space should not exist</a>&nbsp;<h2>Why is the moon low or high?</h2>A full moon occurs when the moon is directly opposite the sun in the sky. At this point, it appears fully lit from Earth. Here, its ecliptic longitude is 180 degrees from the Sun. The ecliptic is an imaginary plane which marks the Earth's orbit around the Sun and also marks the path the Sun takes across the sky throughout the year. Meanwhile, the Moon’s orbit is inclined to the ecliptic by around 5 degrees. If looked at as two hoops, one on top of the other, the moon will at times be above Earth's hoop, and at others below, BBC explains. It is joined at two points known as nodes. One of them takes the Moon higher, and on the other one, it descends. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-use-nasa-s-tess-to-discover-super-earth-that-could-host-billions-is-toi-1846-b-humanity-s-next-home-1751872216783">Scientists use NASA's TESS to discover ‘super-earth’ that could host billions—Is TOI-1846 b humanity's next home?</a>&nbsp;Every 18.6 years, the nodes precess around the ecliptic once. During this period, the moonrise and moonset points on the horizon are at the farthest point during the 18.6-year cycle. This happens because the Moon's orbit tilts and wobbles. Right now, there is a major lunar standstill. So the moon will appear enormous very close to the horizon.&nbsp;<h2>When to watch July's full moon and illusion?</h2>The best time to watch the abnormally large moon is just after sunrise, whose timing will depend on the region you are in. July's full moon is also known as The Buck Moon because at this time of year in North America, the male deer, known as bucks, begin to grow out their antlers. It is also called the Thunder Moon because of the summer storms in some parts of the US in July.&nbsp;

The full moon of July will appear extremely large despite being far away. This is because of a phenomenon, an illusion, that occurs every 18.6 years. Here is when to watch Julys full moon and why it is special.

The full moon of July will rise on 10 July and will be an opportunity to witness an optical effect known as the Moon illusion. The moon will appear extremely huge because of this illusion when it is close to the horizon. July's full moon is also known as the Buck Moon which will appear especially low in the sky after sunset. The moon will move slowly across the sky at a very shallow inclination. This is because of its proximity to the summer solstice. At this time, the sun is at its highest in the daytime sky, resulting in the moon tracking a lower path through the night, Space.com reported. This year, this view will appear even more stark because of a phenomenon known as a 'Major Lunar Standstill'. It occurs every 18.6 years. At this time, "the sun's gravity drags the moon's tilted orbit into its most extreme inclination relative to Earth's celestial equator." Also Read: GREAT WALL of universe: 10 billion light-years cosmic monster detected in space should not exist Why is the moon low or high? A full moon occurs when the moon is directly opposite the sun in the sky. At this point, it appears fully lit from Earth. Here, its ecliptic longitude is 180 degrees from the Sun. The ecliptic is an imaginary plane which marks the Earth's orbit around the Sun and also marks the path the Sun takes across the sky throughout the year. Meanwhile, the Moon’s orbit is inclined to the ecliptic by around 5 degrees. If looked at as two hoops, one on top of the other, the moon will at times be above Earth's hoop, and at others below, BBC explains. It is joined at two points known as nodes. One of them takes the Moon higher, and on the other one, it descends. Also Read: Scientists use NASA's TESS to discover ‘super-earth’ that could host billions—Is TOI-1846 b humanity's next home? Every 18.6 years, the nodes precess around the ecliptic once. During this period, the moonrise and moonset points on the horizon are at the farthest point during the 18.6-year cycle. This happens because the Moon's orbit tilts and wobbles. Right now, there is a major lunar standstill. So the moon will appear enormous very close to the horizon. When to watch July's full moon and illusion? The best time to watch the abnormally large moon is just after sunrise, whose timing will depend on the region you are in. July's full moon is also known as The Buck Moon because at this time of year in North America, the male deer, known as bucks, begin to grow out their antlers. It is also called the Thunder Moon because of the summer storms in some parts of the US in July.

The full moon of July will appear extremely large despite being far away. This is because of a phenomenon, an illusion, that occurs every 18.6 years. Here is when to watch July's full moon and why it is special.

July Full Moon: An optical illusion will make the moon appear abnormally large. Here's why

Elon Musk wants to land humans on Mars in the next decade. NASA also dreams of colonising the red planet. Earth is getting too hot, and to ensure the survival of the human species, experts are looking towards Mars. But who are these humans who will be sent to Mars once everything is in place? The mission would require special training, and one girl has been part of the plan for almost her entire life. Meet Alyssa Carson, the 24-year-old who has long been touted to be one of the first humans to go to Mars. She lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and has dreamt of going to the Red Planet since she was three. Carson could become the first human to land on Mars. She is preparing for the mission of a lifetime and knows that it might be a one-way trip. Her NASA callsign is ‘NASA Blueberry,’ and she is currently studying for a PhD in Astrobiology. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/great-wall-of-universe-10-billion-light-years-cosmic-monster-detected-in-space-should-not-exist-1751950803162">GREAT WALL of universe: 10 billion light-years cosmic monster detected in space should not exist</a>&nbsp;<h2>Alyssa Carson dreams of becoming first human on Mars</h2>When is this mission due? A human mission to Mars is currently scheduled for 2033, and Carson is determined to become the first to get on the spacecraft. The 24-year-old recently appeared on on the Flight Club Podcast and spoke about the importance of sending humans to Mars, and how that will change the way Earthlings look at the red planet. Carson said that after Earth, Mars is the most studied planet, and naturally becomes the next step in space exploration. "I think that we’ve always been interested in Mars, in fact, next to Earth, Mars is our most studied planet… I think with the natural progression…within the space industry, Mars is kind of like our next destination," she said. Carson stated that humans have been fascinated with the potential for life on Mars. NASA, ESA and other space agencies have landed rovers on the red planet to explore the barren land that scientists think can become our next home. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/7-years-2-asteroids-and-tonnes-of-shooting-meteorites-are-earth-astronauts-and-satellites-really-safe-1751364306598">City killer asteroid can shoot meteorites like bullets at Earth in 2032. Who is at risk?</a>&nbsp;<h2>Alyssa Carson's Mars dream started at 3, and continues</h2>Carson believes, that despite all this, “nothing can compete with the amount of information we’re able to gain once we send people to Mars.” Carson's fascination with going to Mars started at the age of three. She picked on the idea from The Backyardigans, an animated series about five adventurous animal friends. One episode showed them going on an imaginary mission to Mars. Carson turned to her father and said, “Daddy, I want to be an astronaut and go to Mars.” It wasn't a childhood dream that would fade away. She started reading books on Mars and by the age of six, she was memorising Martian maps. When her father asked her what she was doing, she replied, "When we get to Mars, I need to know where we are." At age seven, she attended her first NASA Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. Soon she became the only person to attend all three NASA Space Camps in the world: the US, Canada, and Turkey. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/red-planet-ready-for-humans-scientists-locate-potential-settlement-zone-on-mars-1751123153145">Red Planet ready for humans? Scientists locate potential settlement zone on Mars</a>&nbsp;<h2>By 13, Carson was speaking about Mars on TEDx talks</h2>At the age of 11, Carson delivered her first public talk to hundreds of kids at a camp. The next year, she became the youngest panellist at a NASA-hosted Mars conference in Washington. At 13, she gave TEDx talks on Mars in Romania, Austria, and Greece. Her love for Mars brought her face-to-face with NASA administrators and scientists. At 15, in 2016, Alyssa was already training to survive in space. She was the youngest person ever accepted into the Advanced PoSSUM Academy. After graduating, she was officially certified to go to space as a research astronaut trainee. The same year, she also earned her pilot’s license. Right now, a one-way trip to Mars will take six months. Alyssa thinks that technological advancements can cut down the journey to six weeks. She has been taking part in simulations and survival training to prepare for Mars. She is sure that one day a human will step on Mars, and she wants to be the first one to do so.&nbsp;

Alyssa Carson, a 24-year-old, dreams of becoming the first human to land on Mars. She has been training for it her entire life, and is positive that humans will go to Mars soon. Her story is an inspiration for millions of young girls. 

Elon Musk wants to land humans on Mars in the next decade. NASA also dreams of colonising the red planet. Earth is getting too hot, and to ensure the survival of the human species, experts are looking towards Mars. But who are these humans who will be sent to Mars once everything is in place? The mission would require special training, and one girl has been part of the plan for almost her entire life. Meet Alyssa Carson, the 24-year-old who has long been touted to be one of the first humans to go to Mars. She lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and has dreamt of going to the Red Planet since she was three. Carson could become the first human to land on Mars. She is preparing for the mission of a lifetime and knows that it might be a one-way trip. Her NASA callsign is ‘NASA Blueberry,’ and she is currently studying for a PhD in Astrobiology. Also Read: GREAT WALL of universe: 10 billion light-years cosmic monster detected in space should not exist Alyssa Carson dreams of becoming first human on Mars When is this mission due? A human mission to Mars is currently scheduled for 2033, and Carson is determined to become the first to get on the spacecraft. The 24-year-old recently appeared on on the Flight Club Podcast and spoke about the importance of sending humans to Mars, and how that will change the way Earthlings look at the red planet. Carson said that after Earth, Mars is the most studied planet, and naturally becomes the next step in space exploration. "I think that we’ve always been interested in Mars, in fact, next to Earth, Mars is our most studied planet… I think with the natural progression…within the space industry, Mars is kind of like our next destination," she said. Carson stated that humans have been fascinated with the potential for life on Mars. NASA, ESA and other space agencies have landed rovers on the red planet to explore the barren land that scientists think can become our next home. Also Read: City killer asteroid can shoot meteorites like bullets at Earth in 2032. Who is at risk? Alyssa Carson's Mars dream started at 3, and continues Carson believes, that despite all this, “nothing can compete with the amount of information we’re able to gain once we send people to Mars.” Carson's fascination with going to Mars started at the age of three. She picked on the idea from The Backyardigans, an animated series about five adventurous animal friends. One episode showed them going on an imaginary mission to Mars. Carson turned to her father and said, “Daddy, I want to be an astronaut and go to Mars.” It wasn't a childhood dream that would fade away. She started reading books on Mars and by the age of six, she was memorising Martian maps. When her father asked her what she was doing, she replied, "When we get to Mars, I need to know where we are." At age seven, she attended her first NASA Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. Soon she became the only person to attend all three NASA Space Camps in the world: the US, Canada, and Turkey. Also Read: Red Planet ready for humans? Scientists locate potential settlement zone on Mars By 13, Carson was speaking about Mars on TEDx talks At the age of 11, Carson delivered her first public talk to hundreds of kids at a camp. The next year, she became the youngest panellist at a NASA-hosted Mars conference in Washington. At 13, she gave TEDx talks on Mars in Romania, Austria, and Greece. Her love for Mars brought her face-to-face with NASA administrators and scientists. At 15, in 2016, Alyssa was already training to survive in space. She was the youngest person ever accepted into the Advanced PoSSUM Academy. After graduating, she was officially certified to go to space as a research astronaut trainee. The same year, she also earned her pilot’s license. Right now, a one-way trip to Mars will take six months. Alyssa thinks that technological advancements can cut down the journey to six weeks. She has been taking part in simulations and survival training to prepare for Mars. She is sure that one day a human will step on Mars, and she wants to be the first one to do so.

Alyssa Carson, a 24-year-old, dreams of becoming the first human to land on Mars. She has been training for it her entire life, and is positive that humans will go to Mars soon. Her story is an inspiration for millions of young girls.&nbsp;

Alyssa Carson, the 24-year-old training to be first human to step foot on Mars since the age of 3

Astronomers have discovered a Great Wall in the universe that is so huge that it defies logic and cosmological principles. The Great Wall of Hercules-Corona Borealis is a galaxy cluster that runs for approximately 10 billion light-years. Scientists have established that based on the universe's age, no cosmic structure can exceed 1.2 billion light-years. But the existence of this wall proves that matter is not evenly distributed in the universe. The Great Wall of Hercules-Corona Borealis has only now revealed how monstrous it is. This has become possible by the use of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), which are like beacons in space which throw light on galaxies that are too distant to be observed directly. The study of the Great Wall of Hercules-Corona Borealis is available on arXiv. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/this-is-what-earth-sounded-like-when-north-pole-became-south-pole-scientists-turn-ancient-chaos-into-eerie-sound-1751877029563">THIS is what Earth sounded like when North Pole became South Pole</a>&nbsp;<h2>Space beacons light up cosmic giants</h2>GBBs occur when a black hole forms, wither because of the collapse of a massive star or the collision of two neutron stars. They are the brightest explosions in the universe and emit particle jets that travel at nearly the speed of light. They come in contact with other cosmic objects and produce gamma and X-rays. When mapped through giant telescopes, they reveal structures that wouldn't be otherwise visible. This is how the Great Wall of Hercules-Corona Borealis showed itself as being much larger than previously thought. It is a wall that shouldn't exist. Scientists are intrigued by it as it defies long-held beliefs about how the universe works. Going by the age of the universe, the universe is homogeneous and isotropic on large scales, and no cosmic structure can be bigger than 1.2 billion light-years. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-use-nasa-s-tess-to-discover-super-earth-that-could-host-billions-is-toi-1846-b-humanity-s-next-home-1751872216783">Scientists use NASA's TESS to discover ‘super-earth’ that could host billions—Is TOI-1846 b humanity's next home?</a>&nbsp;<h2>The Great Wall of Hercules-Corona Borealis</h2>So, why does the Great Wall of Hercules-Corona Borealis span 10 billion light years? This wall in space is a hurdle in the exploration of the universe. It has forced scientists to reconsider existing theories and carry out innovative research to know how this wall came into being. They would need to revise cosmological models and pursue theories that incorporate more substantial primordial fluctuations. These could offer clues about the reason for the existence of such vast structures. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nasa-astronaut-captures-rare-electric-sprites-from-space-know-when-green-ghosts-were-seen-over-himalayas-1751626227003">NASA astronaut captures rare electric sprites from space. Know when green 'ghosts' were seen over Himalayas</a>&nbsp;Now that this wall has revealed itself to be much larger, scientists think it could be even more massive. They plan to use GRBs, zeroing in on the fainter and more distant GRBs, to map the structure even more precisely. Besides this method, spacecraft launched from Earth would also travel through the universe to reveal the mysteries of the dark world. European Space Agency’s THESEUS, a space telescope mission, that aims to study gamma-ray bursts and X-rays to learn more about the early universe, can also shed light on cosmic structures like the Great Wall. &nbsp;

A cosmic giant that defies all laws of physics has been detected in the universe. Scientists are baffled by its discovery and are turning the tables around on known cosmological principles to know what it is how a mammoth structure that should not exist came into being.

Astronomers have discovered a Great Wall in the universe that is so huge that it defies logic and cosmological principles. The Great Wall of Hercules-Corona Borealis is a galaxy cluster that runs for approximately 10 billion light-years. Scientists have established that based on the universe's age, no cosmic structure can exceed 1.2 billion light-years. But the existence of this wall proves that matter is not evenly distributed in the universe. The Great Wall of Hercules-Corona Borealis has only now revealed how monstrous it is. This has become possible by the use of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), which are like beacons in space which throw light on galaxies that are too distant to be observed directly. The study of the Great Wall of Hercules-Corona Borealis is available on arXiv. Also Read: THIS is what Earth sounded like when North Pole became South Pole Space beacons light up cosmic giants GBBs occur when a black hole forms, wither because of the collapse of a massive star or the collision of two neutron stars. They are the brightest explosions in the universe and emit particle jets that travel at nearly the speed of light. They come in contact with other cosmic objects and produce gamma and X-rays. When mapped through giant telescopes, they reveal structures that wouldn't be otherwise visible. This is how the Great Wall of Hercules-Corona Borealis showed itself as being much larger than previously thought. It is a wall that shouldn't exist. Scientists are intrigued by it as it defies long-held beliefs about how the universe works. Going by the age of the universe, the universe is homogeneous and isotropic on large scales, and no cosmic structure can be bigger than 1.2 billion light-years. Also Read: Scientists use NASA's TESS to discover ‘super-earth’ that could host billions—Is TOI-1846 b humanity's next home? The Great Wall of Hercules-Corona Borealis So, why does the Great Wall of Hercules-Corona Borealis span 10 billion light years? This wall in space is a hurdle in the exploration of the universe. It has forced scientists to reconsider existing theories and carry out innovative research to know how this wall came into being. They would need to revise cosmological models and pursue theories that incorporate more substantial primordial fluctuations. These could offer clues about the reason for the existence of such vast structures. Also Read: NASA astronaut captures rare electric sprites from space. Know when green 'ghosts' were seen over Himalayas Now that this wall has revealed itself to be much larger, scientists think it could be even more massive. They plan to use GRBs, zeroing in on the fainter and more distant GRBs, to map the structure even more precisely. Besides this method, spacecraft launched from Earth would also travel through the universe to reveal the mysteries of the dark world. European Space Agency’s THESEUS, a space telescope mission, that aims to study gamma-ray bursts and X-rays to learn more about the early universe, can also shed light on cosmic structures like the Great Wall.

A cosmic giant that defies all laws of physics has been detected in the universe. Scientists are baffled by its discovery and are turning the tables around on known cosmological principles to know what it is how a mammoth structure that should not exist came into being.

GREAT WALL of universe: 10 billion light-years long cosmic monster detected in space should not exist

After having spent more than 10days aboard the International Space Station, Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla rang up the ISRO Chief and top officials. According to ISRO, the call was held on Sunday, July 6th. During the call, ISRO Chief Dr. V.Narayanan expressed keen interest in Shubhanshu's well-being and inquired about the various scientific experiments and activities being conducted on the ISS.&nbsp;Given that Shukla's Axiom-4 mission serves as a precursor to India's own Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, the ISRO Chief emphasized the significance of documenting all experiments and activities meticulously after Shubhanshu's return to Earth. Shukla's experience would provide valuable insights and inputs for Gaganyaan, which India hopes to carry out by the end of this decade. The Gaganyaan program aims to demonstrate India's capability to launch a crewed spacecraft into low Earth orbit, using its own rocket and spacecraft, other associated technologies.&nbsp;The discussion with astronaut Shukla was attended by several senior officials from ISRO, including Dr. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and Chairman of the Program Management Council for Human Space Programme, M. Mohan, Director, iquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Padmakumar, Director of ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU), Ganesh Pillai, Scientific Secretary, ISRO, and Shri N Vedachalam, former Director of LPSC. They deliberated over various aspects of the mission and the experiments being conducted aboard the space station.&nbsp;During the call, Shubhanshu Shukla expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing him with this incredible opportunity to represent India on the ISS, ISRO said. Shukla is the first Indian aboard the International space station and the second Indian to undertake space travel. He also shared updates on the progress of the experiments and activities being carried out on the space station, highlighting the scientific objectives and the challenges being addressed.&nbsp;Over the last four decades(since the first Indian astronaut in space), technology, computing, automation, sensors and software have undergone a complete modernization and have changed the experience of human spaceflight. Further, human spaceflight is all about highly sophisticated human-machine interfaces, something that is outside of ISRO's core expertise. ISRO has vast experience in launching rockets and satellites, but has not undertaken missions involving humans. Which is why Axiom-4 offers many practical learning opportunities. Further, Shukla acknowledged the efforts of ISRO in ensuring his safe travel to the ISS. Dr. Narayanan reiterated that the entire ISRO team is working closely to support him throughout the mission.&nbsp;About Axiom-4 and its astronauts&nbsp;Axiom-4 mission has flown a crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station, where they would stay for two weeks and perform 60 experiments. The astronauts flew on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and the Crew Dragon capsule. Peggy Whitson, America's seniormost astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, leads the Axiom-4 mission, while ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla serves as pilot or second-in-command. The two mission specialists are ESA (European Space Agency) project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. Apart from Peggy, all those aboard this mission are first-time astronauts.&nbsp;This Axiom-4 mission facilitated the return to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, given that each nation’s first and only government-sponsored spaceflight had taken place more than 40 years ago. &nbsp;The Indian Government has paid almost $64mn(Rs.550cr) for Shukla's training and spaceflight as part of Axiom-4. &nbsp;

The Gaganyaan program aims to demonstrate Indias capability to launch a crewed spacecraft into low Earth orbit, using its own rocket and spacecraft, other associated technologies.

After having spent more than 10days aboard the International Space Station, Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla rang up the ISRO Chief and top officials. According to ISRO, the call was held on Sunday, July 6th. During the call, ISRO Chief Dr. V.Narayanan expressed keen interest in Shubhanshu's well-being and inquired about the various scientific experiments and activities being conducted on the ISS. Given that Shukla's Axiom-4 mission serves as a precursor to India's own Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, the ISRO Chief emphasized the significance of documenting all experiments and activities meticulously after Shubhanshu's return to Earth. Shukla's experience would provide valuable insights and inputs for Gaganyaan, which India hopes to carry out by the end of this decade. The Gaganyaan program aims to demonstrate India's capability to launch a crewed spacecraft into low Earth orbit, using its own rocket and spacecraft, other associated technologies. The discussion with astronaut Shukla was attended by several senior officials from ISRO, including Dr. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and Chairman of the Program Management Council for Human Space Programme, M. Mohan, Director, iquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Padmakumar, Director of ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU), Ganesh Pillai, Scientific Secretary, ISRO, and Shri N Vedachalam, former Director of LPSC. They deliberated over various aspects of the mission and the experiments being conducted aboard the space station. During the call, Shubhanshu Shukla expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing him with this incredible opportunity to represent India on the ISS, ISRO said. Shukla is the first Indian aboard the International space station and the second Indian to undertake space travel. He also shared updates on the progress of the experiments and activities being carried out on the space station, highlighting the scientific objectives and the challenges being addressed. Over the last four decades(since the first Indian astronaut in space), technology, computing, automation, sensors and software have undergone a complete modernization and have changed the experience of human spaceflight. Further, human spaceflight is all about highly sophisticated human-machine interfaces, something that is outside of ISRO's core expertise. ISRO has vast experience in launching rockets and satellites, but has not undertaken missions involving humans. Which is why Axiom-4 offers many practical learning opportunities. Further, Shukla acknowledged the efforts of ISRO in ensuring his safe travel to the ISS. Dr. Narayanan reiterated that the entire ISRO team is working closely to support him throughout the mission. About Axiom-4 and its astronauts Axiom-4 mission has flown a crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station, where they would stay for two weeks and perform 60 experiments. The astronauts flew on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and the Crew Dragon capsule. Peggy Whitson, America's seniormost astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, leads the Axiom-4 mission, while ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla serves as pilot or second-in-command. The two mission specialists are ESA (European Space Agency) project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. Apart from Peggy, all those aboard this mission are first-time astronauts. This Axiom-4 mission facilitated the return to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, given that each nation’s first and only government-sponsored spaceflight had taken place more than 40 years ago. The Indian Government has paid almost $64mn(Rs.550cr) for Shukla's training and spaceflight as part of Axiom-4.

The Gaganyaan program aims to demonstrate India's capability to launch a crewed spacecraft into low Earth orbit, using its own rocket and spacecraft, other associated technologies.

From space station, astronaut Shukla calls ISRO Chief and top officials

Earth is surrounded by an invisible force field — a vast magnetic shield generated by molten metal churning deep inside the planet. This magnetic field protects us from harmful solar winds and cosmic radiation, quietly doing its job day after day. But what happens when this shield falters — or even flips? Around 41,000 years ago, that's exactly what happened. This event is now known as the Laschamps event, or the time when Earth's magnetic poles switched places – the North Pole became the South Pole and vice versa. Now, scientists have managed to turn the cosmic event into a sound, and we can finally hear what that moment in Earth's history might have sounded like.<h2>The time when Earth screamed</h2>Using data collected by the European Space Agency's Swarm satellite mission, scientists from the Technical University of Denmark and Germany's Research Center for Geosciences managed to turn magnetic field variations into sound. As per the ESA, “The soundscape was made using recordings of natural noises like wood creaking and rocks falling, blending them into familiar and strange, almost alien-like, sounds. The process of transforming the sounds with data is similar to composing music from a score.” The result is eerie — a low, groaning composition of creaks and crashes that brings to mind what the slow collapse of a giant force might sound like. The sound is far from music; it's more of a sonic translation of Earth's ancient turmoil. You can hear the eerie sound here:

<h2>Earth's magnetic field: The hidden machinery beneath our feet</h2>Earth's magnetic field is created by the movement of liquid iron and nickel in the planet's outer core. This geodynamic process produces electrical currents that give rise to magnetic forces which extend far into space — forming the magnetosphere, which shields life on Earth from solar and cosmic particles. However, this magnetic field isn't constant. It wobbles, weakens, and sometimes even flips. This is exactly what happened 41,000 years ago, and it may be happening right now. In recent decades, scientists have tracked the magnetic north pole drifting away from Canada toward Siberia.

Scientists have managed to turn Laschamps event, or the cosmic event when Earth's magnetic poles switched places – the North Pole became the South Pole and vice versa – into a sound. We can finally hear what that moment in Earth's history might have sounded like.

Earth is surrounded by an invisible force field — a vast magnetic shield generated by molten metal churning deep inside the planet. This magnetic field protects us from harmful solar winds and cosmic radiation, quietly doing its job day after day. But what happens when this shield falters — or even flips? Around 41,000 years ago, that's exactly what happened. This event is now known as the Laschamps event, or the time when Earth's magnetic poles switched places – the North Pole became the South Pole and vice versa. Now, scientists have managed to turn the cosmic event into a sound, and we can finally hear what that moment in Earth's history might have sounded like. The time when Earth screamed Using data collected by the European Space Agency's Swarm satellite mission, scientists from the Technical University of Denmark and Germany's Research Center for Geosciences managed to turn magnetic field variations into sound. As per the ESA, “The soundscape was made using recordings of natural noises like wood creaking and rocks falling, blending them into familiar and strange, almost alien-like, sounds. The process of transforming the sounds with data is similar to composing music from a score.” The result is eerie — a low, groaning composition of creaks and crashes that brings to mind what the slow collapse of a giant force might sound like. The sound is far from music; it's more of a sonic translation of Earth's ancient turmoil. You can hear the eerie sound here:

Scientists have managed to turn Laschamps event, or the cosmic event when Earth's magnetic poles switched places – the North Pole became the South Pole and vice versa – into a sound. We can finally hear what it might have sounded like; click here to listen to the eerie sound.

THIS is what Earth sounded like when North Pole became South Pole: Scientists turn ancient chaos into eerie sound

The Government of India on Sunday (Jul 6) released the latest pictures of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla, who with the Axiom-4 mission became the first Indian on the ISS, can be seen observing Earth in the breathtaking pictures. After repeated delays, Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three other crew members – mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary; and Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States, a former NASA astronaut now with Axiom Space — docked with the ISS on June 26 after a 28-hour journey around the Earth.<h2>Gazing down from space: Shubhanshu Shukla's otherworldly pictures</h2>On X, the GOI's handle MyGovIndia on Sunday shared a set of pictures featuring Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and one word that can be used to describe them is "otherworldly". A total of four pictures were posted along with the caption: “Gazing Down From The Space!...Group Capt Shubhanshu Shukla enjoys the stunning panoramic view of Earth from the 7-windowed Cupola Module aboard the International Space Station. It’s been a remarkable journey as he marks a week in orbit, representing India among the stars.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Gazing Down From The Space! Group Capt Shubhanshu Shukla enjoys the stunning panoramic view of Earth from the 7-windowed Cupola Module aboard the International Space Station. It’s been a remarkable journey as he marks a week in orbit, representing India among the stars.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Axiom4?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Axiom4</a>… <a href="https://t.co/E9XKZIatng">pic.twitter.com/E9XKZIatng</a>&mdash; MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) <a href="https://twitter.com/mygovindia/status/1941712489424531612?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In two of the pictures, Shukla can be seen looking at our blue planet Earth from the ISS's 7-windowed Cupola Module. In the other two pictures, the beaming astronaut an be seen carrying out his experiments aboard the ISS.&nbsp;<h2>How long will astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla stay on the ISS?</h2>Shukla's success marks a key achievement for India. The last time India sent an astronaut to space, Shukla wasn't even born. He is the first Indian to reach space since Rakesh Sharma, who flew to the Salyut 7 station in 1984 as part of an Indo-Soviet mission."What a fantastic ride," Shukla said in Hindi after liftoff. "This isn't just the start of my journey to the International Space Station – it's the beginning of India's human space programme." The trailblazing astronaut's mission as per the schedule is set to last 14 days. He has already completed 11 days of living and working in the ISS's microgravity.

On X, the GOI's handle MyGovIndia on Sunday shared a set of pictures featuring Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and one word that can be used to describe them is "otherworldly".

The Government of India on Sunday (Jul 6) released the latest pictures of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla, who with the Axiom-4 mission became the first Indian on the ISS, can be seen observing Earth in the breathtaking pictures. After repeated delays, Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three other crew members – mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary; and Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States, a former NASA astronaut now with Axiom Space — docked with the ISS on June 26 after a 28-hour journey around the Earth. Gazing down from space: Shubhanshu Shukla's otherworldly pictures On X, the GOI's handle MyGovIndia on Sunday shared a set of pictures featuring Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and one word that can be used to describe them is "otherworldly". A total of four pictures were posted along with the caption: “Gazing Down From The Space!...Group Capt Shubhanshu Shukla enjoys the stunning panoramic view of Earth from the 7-windowed Cupola Module aboard the International Space Station. It’s been a remarkable journey as he marks a week in orbit, representing India among the stars.”

On X, the GOI's handle MyGovIndia on Sunday shared a set of pictures featuring Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and one word that can be used to describe them is "otherworldly".

‘Gazing Down From The Space’: Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s stunning space pics from ISS go viral

Scientists have discovered a "super-Earth" that can potentially support life. The exoplanet, if it can support life, can accommodate Earth's population and more, as it is nearly twice as big and is four times more massive than our blue planet. This super-Earth has been designated as TOI-1846 b and is estimated to be around 7.2 billion years old. It is located about 154 light-years away from our planet and has been discovered by a team of astronomers using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).<h2>All we know about super-earth TOI-1846 b</h2>The team of astronomers that discovered TOI-1846 b was led by Abderahmane Soubkiou of the Oukaimeden Observatory in Morocco. They have published their research on the arXiv preprint server. "We have validated TOI-1846 b using TESS and multicolour ground-based photometric data, high-resolution imaging, and spectroscopic observations," the researchers wrote in their paper.According to their findings, the exoplanet boasts a radius of around 1.792 Earth radii and is about 4.4 times more massive than our planet Earth. When compared to the Sun, this planet is only 40 per cent the size, while its mass is approximately 0.42 the solar mass. Just like Earth revolves around the Sun, this newly discovered super-Earth also orbits a host. However, its orbit is completed in 3.93 Earth days.<h2>Is TOI-1846 b habitable?</h2>According to the study, the planet's equilibrium temperature is around 568.1 K (or around 294.95). This is almost double the Earth's equilibrium temperature of 255 K, which means that the temperature may not be conducive to life. However, the planet, as per the research, is likely water-rich, which is a plus point for it being suitable for life. However, to accurately rule it as a habitable or non-habitable planet, scientists will first have to conduct radial velocity (RV) observations of TOI-1846 b to unveil the planet's composition. "These findings make TOI-1846 b well-suited for mass determination via RV observations. This could be possible with the MAROON-X instrument. (...) We find a TSM [transmission spectroscopy metric] of 47 for TOI-1846 b, which is below the 90 benchmark for small sub-Neptunes," wrote the paper's authors. &nbsp;

TOI-1846 b is estimated to be around 7.2 billion years old and is located about 154 light-years away from our planet and has been discovered by a team of astronomers using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).

Scientists have discovered a "super-Earth" that can potentially support life. The exoplanet, if it can support life, can accommodate Earth's population and more, as it is nearly twice as big and is four times more massive than our blue planet. This super-Earth has been designated as TOI-1846 b and is estimated to be around 7.2 billion years old. It is located about 154 light-years away from our planet and has been discovered by a team of astronomers using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). All we know about super-earth TOI-1846 b The team of astronomers that discovered TOI-1846 b was led by Abderahmane Soubkiou of the Oukaimeden Observatory in Morocco. They have published their research on the arXiv preprint server. "We have validated TOI-1846 b using TESS and multicolour ground-based photometric data, high-resolution imaging, and spectroscopic observations," the researchers wrote in their paper. According to their findings, the exoplanet boasts a radius of around 1.792 Earth radii and is about 4.4 times more massive than our planet Earth. When compared to the Sun, this planet is only 40 per cent the size, while its mass is approximately 0.42 the solar mass. Just like Earth revolves around the Sun, this newly discovered super-Earth also orbits a host. However, its orbit is completed in 3.93 Earth days. Is TOI-1846 b habitable? According to the study, the planet's equilibrium temperature is around 568.1 K (or around 294.95). This is almost double the Earth's equilibrium temperature of 255 K, which means that the temperature may not be conducive to life. However, the planet, as per the research, is likely water-rich, which is a plus point for it being suitable for life. However, to accurately rule it as a habitable or non-habitable planet, scientists will first have to conduct radial velocity (RV) observations of TOI-1846 b to unveil the planet's composition. "These findings make TOI-1846 b well-suited for mass determination via RV observations. This could be possible with the MAROON-X instrument. (...) We find a TSM [transmission spectroscopy metric] of 47 for TOI-1846 b, which is below the 90 benchmark for small sub-Neptunes," wrote the paper's authors.

TOI-1846 b is estimated to be around 7.2 billion years old and is located about 154 light-years away from our planet and has been discovered by a team of astronomers using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).

Scientists use NASA's TESS to discover ‘super-earth’ that could host billions—Is TOI-1846 b humanity's next home?

India has recently made history by sending Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS) through a commercial space mission called Axiom Mission 4. The mission was organised by the US-based company Axiom Space. The cost of India’s participation was around $70 million, and it is shared with countries like Hungary and Poland. It also marks that this is the first time India has paid for a spot on a private astronaut flight.&nbsp;This investment is a huge step toward India’s future human spaceflight project, Gaganyaan, and it also helps to strengthen space ties with the United States.&nbsp;The mission will give India hands-on experience in space travel while boosting cooperation between nations. The mission brought together many organisations. &nbsp;Axiom Space is also aiming to build its own space station and work with SpaceX in future.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-tambora-to-krakatoa-5-famous-volcanic-eruptions-in-history-no-1-is-most-deadliest-1751697915177">From Tambora to Krakatoa: 5 famous volcanic eruptions in history, No. 1 is most deadliest</a><h2>What is India using the International Space Station for?</h2>India is using the opportunity Shukla got to stay at the International Space Station (ISS) to perform seven science experiments in microgravity and in fields like medicine, materials and agriculture. In total, 60 experiments from 31 countries were carried out.<h2>Mission Akash Ganga: India's gateway to commercial space travel</h2>The mission is being called ‘Mission Akash Ganga’ in India, symbolising both science and cultural pride. It shows India's rising status as a space power and its ability to partner globally.&nbsp;With this mission, India has now entered the world of commercial space travel and cracked open new opportunities for future research and businesses in low Earth orbit.Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey shows how space missions can bring nations together and how India is ready to play a key role in shaping that future. &nbsp;

With this mission, India has entered the world of commercial space travel, opening up opportunities for future research and businesses in low Earth orbit.

India has recently made history by sending Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS) through a commercial space mission called Axiom Mission 4. The mission was organised by the US-based company Axiom Space. The cost of India’s participation was around $70 million, and it is shared with countries like Hungary and Poland. It also marks that this is the first time India has paid for a spot on a private astronaut flight. This investment is a huge step toward India’s future human spaceflight project, Gaganyaan, and it also helps to strengthen space ties with the United States. The mission will give India hands-on experience in space travel while boosting cooperation between nations. The mission brought together many organisations. Axiom Space is also aiming to build its own space station and work with SpaceX in future. Also read: From Tambora to Krakatoa: 5 famous volcanic eruptions in history, No. 1 is most deadliest What is India using the International Space Station for? India is using the opportunity Shukla got to stay at the International Space Station (ISS) to perform seven science experiments in microgravity and in fields like medicine, materials and agriculture. In total, 60 experiments from 31 countries were carried out. Mission Akash Ganga: India's gateway to commercial space travel The mission is being called ‘Mission Akash Ganga’ in India, symbolising both science and cultural pride. It shows India's rising status as a space power and its ability to partner globally. With this mission, India has now entered the world of commercial space travel and cracked open new opportunities for future research and businesses in low Earth orbit. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey shows how space missions can bring nations together and how India is ready to play a key role in shaping that future.

With this mission, India has entered the world of commercial space travel, opening up opportunities for future research and businesses in low Earth orbit.

How much did India spend to send astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to space? Was it worth it?

More than 1500 active volcanoes exist on Earth with at least one erupting every week. But some eruptions in history have been far more powerful than others. Here are some of the biggest volcanic eruptions ever recorded:

More than 1500 active volcanoes exist on Earth with at least one erupting every week. But some eruptions in history have been far more powerful than others. Here are some of the biggest volcanic eruptions ever recorded.&nbsp;

From Tambora to Krakatoa: 5 famous volcanic eruptions in history, No 1 is most deadliest

Scientists say that the length of your fingers can indicate your sex drive, sexual behaviour and preferences. A study noted that how a person behaves sexually is shaped while he is still a foetus in the womb. The manner in which the brain responds to hormones like androgens (male sex hormones), decides how one would turn out sexually. However, there is no method available to measure this impact. Researchers from Okayama University in Japan turned to rats to decode the mystery. They concluded that the length of rats' fingers can indicate their sexual drive and behaviour. The study was led by Professor Hirotaka Sakamoto and Dr. Himeka Hayashi and published in Experimental Animals on May 14, 2025.&nbsp;The team found that the ratio of the second digit to the fourth digit, known as 2D:4D, can predict sexual behaviour and preference in rats. Scientists have been studying the digit ratio for years, and have concluded that this ratio is lower in men than women. In simple terms, this means that their index fingers are shorter relative to their ring fingers. The study noted that a lower 2D:4D ratio, that is a smaller index finger, indicated a stronger sex drive. “We found that the 2D:4D ratio serves as a reliable biological marker for predicting sexual activity in rats,” said Sakamoto. “Rats with shorter second digits were not only more sexually active but also showed a clear preference for female scent.” Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/jaipur-5-star-hotel-room-couple-sex-no-curtains-traffic-jam-1750399471057">Couple forgets to draw curtains of 5-star Jaipur hotel room while getting intimate, triggers traffic jam</a>&nbsp;<h2>Rats with shorter fingers had higher sex drive</h2>To confirm the hypothesis, the rats were subjected to situations where they could mate. The male rats with shorter second digits ejaculated during their first encounter than those who didn't. These rats also had a higher sexual drive and had stronger erectile function. The team also tried to understand their sexual preferences. They put the male rats in a cage with two beddings - one scented by females and the other by males. Initially, most of them explored the male bedding. But soon some of them remained stuck to the female bedding, exploring and sniffing around. This was noted only in rats with shorter second digits.&nbsp;<h2>Brain is wired towards sexual behaviour before birth</h2>The other thing the study explored was how early the brain gets wired sexually. They found that this starts in the womb when hormone exposure affects the brain, which is later reflected in the 2D:4D ratio. It shapes a person's sexual orientation, sex drive and emotional attachment. “Our results suggest a profound link between the body and mind, with significant scientific and clinical implications,” said Sakamoto. “Simply examining our fingers could one day help identify aspects of our behavioural tendencies.” The results are only one-sided for now since only male rats were studied in this experiment.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The length of a mans finger can tell about his sex drive. A study has found that how men act sexually, their sexual preferences and their erectile function can all be revealed by one little test.

Scientists say that the length of your fingers can indicate your sex drive, sexual behaviour and preferences. A study noted that how a person behaves sexually is shaped while he is still a foetus in the womb. The manner in which the brain responds to hormones like androgens (male sex hormones), decides how one would turn out sexually. However, there is no method available to measure this impact. Researchers from Okayama University in Japan turned to rats to decode the mystery. They concluded that the length of rats' fingers can indicate their sexual drive and behaviour. The study was led by Professor Hirotaka Sakamoto and Dr. Himeka Hayashi and published in Experimental Animals on May 14, 2025. The team found that the ratio of the second digit to the fourth digit, known as 2D:4D, can predict sexual behaviour and preference in rats. Scientists have been studying the digit ratio for years, and have concluded that this ratio is lower in men than women. In simple terms, this means that their index fingers are shorter relative to their ring fingers. The study noted that a lower 2D:4D ratio, that is a smaller index finger, indicated a stronger sex drive. “We found that the 2D:4D ratio serves as a reliable biological marker for predicting sexual activity in rats,” said Sakamoto. “Rats with shorter second digits were not only more sexually active but also showed a clear preference for female scent.” Also Read: Couple forgets to draw curtains of 5-star Jaipur hotel room while getting intimate, triggers traffic jam Rats with shorter fingers had higher sex drive To confirm the hypothesis, the rats were subjected to situations where they could mate. The male rats with shorter second digits ejaculated during their first encounter than those who didn't. These rats also had a higher sexual drive and had stronger erectile function. The team also tried to understand their sexual preferences. They put the male rats in a cage with two beddings - one scented by females and the other by males. Initially, most of them explored the male bedding. But soon some of them remained stuck to the female bedding, exploring and sniffing around. This was noted only in rats with shorter second digits. Brain is wired towards sexual behaviour before birth The other thing the study explored was how early the brain gets wired sexually. They found that this starts in the womb when hormone exposure affects the brain, which is later reflected in the 2D:4D ratio. It shapes a person's sexual orientation, sex drive and emotional attachment. “Our results suggest a profound link between the body and mind, with significant scientific and clinical implications,” said Sakamoto. “Simply examining our fingers could one day help identify aspects of our behavioural tendencies.” The results are only one-sided for now since only male rats were studied in this experiment.

The length of a man's finger can tell about his sex drive. A study has found that how men act sexually, their sexual preferences and their erectile function can all be revealed by one little test.&nbsp;

Length of a man's fingers can reveal his sex drive. Shorter index finger means...

NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers captured a sprite from the space station while orbiting above Mexico and the United States. Sprites are a rare atmospheric phenomenon that occurs because of intense electrical activity in the storm clouds. Ayers shared the photo on X, and wrote alongside, “Just. Wow. As we went over Mexico and the US this morning, I caught this sprite.” Sprites are a type of Transient Luminous Event (TLE). Its small bursts of light occur high above thunderstorms. Sprite stands for Stratospheric Perturbations Resulting from Intense Thunderstorm Electrification. They are basically massive discharges of electricity in the Earth's upper atmosphere. Sprites have been earlier captured from Earth over the Himalayas.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/green-ghosts-and-red-sprites-scientists-reveal-what-caused-strange-phenomenon-in-himalayas-8873082">Green 'ghosts' and 'red sprites': Scientists reveal what caused strange phenomenon in Himalayas</a>&nbsp;Ayers noted that these pictures taken from space can help scientists understand more about sprites and what's really going on up there. "We have a great view above the clouds, so scientists can use these types of pictures to better understand the formation, characteristics, and relationship of TLEs to thunderstorms," he wrote. Sprites have not always been an accepted phenomenon. Until 1989, no one believed sprites were real. Pilots had often reported seeing the electric "red lightning", but only when they were accidentally photographed, scientists started believing in them.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Just. Wow. As we went over Mexico and the U.S. this morning, I caught this sprite. Sprites are TLEs or Transient Luminous Events, that happen above the clouds and are triggered by intense electrical activity in the thunderstorms below. We have a great view above the clouds, so… <a href="https://t.co/dCqIrn3vrA">pic.twitter.com/dCqIrn3vrA</a>&mdash; Nichole “Vapor” Ayers (@Astro_Ayers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Ayers/status/1940810789830451563?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;<h2>Red sprites and green ghost captured over Himalayas</h2>In 2022, red sprites were captured over the Himalayas. But at that time, no one knew what they were. The red lights were photographed from near a lake site in the southern Tibetan plateau. A study published in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences found that the red wonder that was seen in the Himalayas was linked to thunderstorms. Two astrophotographers near the Pumoyongcuo Lake in Tibet saw the "dancing red sprites" above the Himalayas. They clicked pictures while being scared at the same time as they looked like dancing jellyfish. It won the Skyscapes category of the 2023 Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition.&nbsp;There were not only red sprites but 16 rare secondary jets. A green airglow called "ghosts" at the base of the ionosphere was recorded for the first time in Asia. “Nearly half of these events involved dancing sprites, with an additional 16 uncommon secondary jets and at least four extremely rare green emissions called ‘ghosts’ observed following the associated sprites,” study authors wrote. They found that the sprites were triggered by a "high-peak current" positive cloud-to-ground lightning strikes within a massive convective system that spanned a cloud area of over 200,000sqkm.

NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers saw red sprites from space and took a photo. It shows a red spark with white light around it over a region of Mexico and the USA. 

NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers captured a sprite from the space station while orbiting above Mexico and the United States. Sprites are a rare atmospheric phenomenon that occurs because of intense electrical activity in the storm clouds. Ayers shared the photo on X, and wrote alongside, “Just. Wow. As we went over Mexico and the US this morning, I caught this sprite.” Sprites are a type of Transient Luminous Event (TLE). Its small bursts of light occur high above thunderstorms. Sprite stands for Stratospheric Perturbations Resulting from Intense Thunderstorm Electrification. They are basically massive discharges of electricity in the Earth's upper atmosphere. Sprites have been earlier captured from Earth over the Himalayas. Also Read: Green 'ghosts' and 'red sprites': Scientists reveal what caused strange phenomenon in Himalayas Ayers noted that these pictures taken from space can help scientists understand more about sprites and what's really going on up there. "We have a great view above the clouds, so scientists can use these types of pictures to better understand the formation, characteristics, and relationship of TLEs to thunderstorms," he wrote. Sprites have not always been an accepted phenomenon. Until 1989, no one believed sprites were real. Pilots had often reported seeing the electric "red lightning", but only when they were accidentally photographed, scientists started believing in them.

NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers saw red sprites from space and took a photo. It shows a red spark with white light around it over a region of Mexico and the USA.&nbsp;

NASA astronaut captures rare electric sprites from space. Know when green 'ghosts' were seen over Himalayas

Your Brain Changes When You Work Too Much. Research shows that working long hours, especially over 52 per week, can physically alter brain structure. A new study conducted in South Korea used MRI scans to compare brain volumes in healthcare workers. Those who were "overworked" had significant changes in regions responsible for decision‑making, memory, and emotional control.&nbsp;Overwork Linked to Brain Volume Increase Researchers at Chung‑Ang and Yonsei Universities compared 32 workers putting in 50+ hours per week to 78 with standard hours. They found around 19 per cent increase in volume of the left middle frontal gyrus, an area key to executive skills. Using voxel‑based morphometry, they noted similar increases in 17 brain regions, including the insula and superior frontal gyrus.<h2>What These Changes Mean</h2> While higher volume might look positive, experts say it could be the brain's response to chronic stress. It may temporarily boost focus, but long term side effects include fatigue, reduced emotional control, and can also lower cognitive ability. As of now this study's small size and health‑worker sample mean more research is needed.<h2>Why Work-Life Balance Matters</h2> This research adds to previous links between overwork and health problems, like stroke, heart disease and mental stress. Experts emphasise both individuals and employers need to act. Strategies include regular breaks, managing stress, and setting clear work‑hour limits.Dr Wanhyung Lee, who is co-author and assistant professor, states that organisations must support healthy work norms and not burden individuals to fix overwork alone.&nbsp;<h2>What You Can Do</h2>Take short breaks and stick to reasonable working hoursGet enough sleep, exercise, and rest.Employers should enforce decent workload limits and required mental health supportHealthy work habits can protect cognitive and emotional brain healthThis study is a warning: long working hours may lead to actual changes in your brain. Prioritising rest and balance can help preserve mental performance and emotional stability. Broader studies are needed; however, the early evidence is clear: overwork has real costs to brain health.

Working over 50+ hours a week can physically change brain structure, increasing volume in areas linked to decision-making and memory. While this may boost focus short-term, long-term effects include fatigue and reduced emotional control. Experts urge work-life balance for brain health.


Your Brain Changes When You Work Too Much. Research shows that working long hours, especially over 52 per week, can physically alter brain structure. A new study conducted in South Korea used MRI scans to compare brain volumes in healthcare workers. Those who were "overworked" had significant changes in regions responsible for decision‑making, memory, and emotional control. Overwork Linked to Brain Volume Increase Researchers at Chung‑Ang and Yonsei Universities compared 32 workers putting in 50+ hours per week to 78 with standard hours. They found around 19 per cent increase in volume of the left middle frontal gyrus, an area key to executive skills. Using voxel‑based morphometry, they noted similar increases in 17 brain regions, including the insula and superior frontal gyrus. What These Changes Mean While higher volume might look positive, experts say it could be the brain's response to chronic stress. It may temporarily boost focus, but long term side effects include fatigue, reduced emotional control, and can also lower cognitive ability. As of now this study's small size and health‑worker sample mean more research is needed. Why Work-Life Balance Matters This research adds to previous links between overwork and health problems, like stroke, heart disease and mental stress. Experts emphasise both individuals and employers need to act. Strategies include regular breaks, managing stress, and setting clear work‑hour limits. Dr Wanhyung Lee, who is co-author and assistant professor, states that organisations must support healthy work norms and not burden individuals to fix overwork alone. What You Can Do Take short breaks and stick to reasonable working hours Get enough sleep, exercise, and rest. Employers should enforce decent workload limits and required mental health support Healthy work habits can protect cognitive and emotional brain health This study is a warning: long working hours may lead to actual changes in your brain. Prioritising rest and balance can help preserve mental performance and emotional stability. Broader studies are needed; however, the early evidence is clear: overwork has real costs to brain health.

Working over 50+ hours a week can physically change brain structure, increasing volume in areas linked to decision-making and memory. While this may boost focus short-term, long-term effects include fatigue and reduced emotional control. Experts urge work-life balance for brain health.

Overwork could be silently damaging your brain and shrinking your emotional control and memory! Here’s how

Shubhanshu Shukla on Thursday (Jul 3) interacted with students from Lucknow and Kerala via a video conference from the International Space Station. Shukla is India’s first astronaut to reach space in 40 years and the first Indian to pilot a private mission to the orbital lab. The student interaction comes a week after the Axiom-4 Mission reached the ISS on June 26. Shukla appeared live on the screen as he answered questions from the excited student.&nbsp;Students bombarded Group Captain Shukla with several questions about life in space: from what astronauts eat and sleep to what happens if someone falls sick in space, and how their bodies adjust. Shukla enthusiastically answered all questions in detail and also shared the benefits of space missions. On fitness, he said, “We stay fit with yoga and regular exercise.” When asked by a student about the view of Earth from space, he responded by saying, “Seeing India from space was an emotional moment.”&nbsp;The interactive session was held in Shukla’s hometown, Lucknow, at the CMS Auditorium and at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram. Hundreds of students participated in the video conferencing. Shukla, who is part of the Axiom Mission 4, described the launch from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida as “amazing” and “dynamic”.&nbsp;Describing sleeping arrangements in space, Shukla said, “It is fun actually because in space there is no floor and no ceiling. So if you were to come and visit the station (ISS), you would find someone sleeping on the walls, someone on the ceiling.” He added, “It is so easy to float up and tie yourself to the ceiling. The challenge is to be found at the same place where you slept at night and to ensure that we tie our sleeping bags to ensure we don’t float away to some other place.”&nbsp;Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also interacted with Shubhanshu Shukla via video conferencing. On Wednesday, he completed a week aboard the ISS. He is expected to remain in space for up to 14 days in total and conduct experiments in microgravity.

The student interaction comes a week after the Axiom-4 Mission reached the ISS on June 26. Shukla appeared live on the screen as he answered questions from the excited student.

Shubhanshu Shukla on Thursday (Jul 3) interacted with students from Lucknow and Kerala via a video conference from the International Space Station. Shukla is India’s first astronaut to reach space in 40 years and the first Indian to pilot a private mission to the orbital lab. The student interaction comes a week after the Axiom-4 Mission reached the ISS on June 26. Shukla appeared live on the screen as he answered questions from the excited student. Students bombarded Group Captain Shukla with several questions about life in space: from what astronauts eat and sleep to what happens if someone falls sick in space, and how their bodies adjust. Shukla enthusiastically answered all questions in detail and also shared the benefits of space missions. On fitness, he said, “We stay fit with yoga and regular exercise.” When asked by a student about the view of Earth from space, he responded by saying, “Seeing India from space was an emotional moment.” The interactive session was held in Shukla’s hometown, Lucknow, at the CMS Auditorium and at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram. Hundreds of students participated in the video conferencing. Shukla, who is part of the Axiom Mission 4, described the launch from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida as “amazing” and “dynamic”. Describing sleeping arrangements in space, Shukla said, “It is fun actually because in space there is no floor and no ceiling. So if you were to come and visit the station (ISS), you would find someone sleeping on the walls, someone on the ceiling.” He added, “It is so easy to float up and tie yourself to the ceiling. The challenge is to be found at the same place where you slept at night and to ensure that we tie our sleeping bags to ensure we don’t float away to some other place.” Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also interacted with Shubhanshu Shukla via video conferencing. On Wednesday, he completed a week aboard the ISS. He is expected to remain in space for up to 14 days in total and conduct experiments in microgravity.

The student interaction comes a week after the Axiom-4 Mission reached the ISS on June 26. Shukla appeared live on the screen as he answered questions from the excited student.

‘Seeing India from space was...’: Shubhanshu Shukla shares his space experience with students

There are around 12,952 satellites currently orbiting Earth, according to the reports. These satellites are placed in different types of orbits such as Low Earth Orbit, Medium Earth Orbit and Geostationary Orbit. Here's a look at top ten countries with highest number of satellites in space.

There are around 12,952 satellites currently orbiting Earth, according to the reports. These satellites are placed in different types of orbits such as Low Earth Orbit, Medium Earth Orbit and Geostationary Orbit. Here's a look at top ten countries with highest number of satellites in space.

Top 10 countries with highest number of satellites in space (2025)

Scientists have extracted and sequenced the oldest Egyptian DNA yet that belongs to a man who lived around 4,500 to 4,800 years ago. The study was published in the journal Nature by researchers from the Francis Crick Institute and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU). It is also the first whole genome (the entire set of DNA in an individual) from ancient Egypt. The period the man belongs to is when the first pyramids appeared. The breakthrough comes 40 years after &nbsp;Nobel Prize winner Svante Pääbo for the first time attempted to extract ancient DNA from individuals from ancient Egypt. The study found that the ancient individual's genetic ancestry goes back to populations in both North Africa and West Asia. This shows that there was genetic diversity among early Egyptians. Till now, researchers believed that exchanges happened in only writing systems or pottery. But genetic evidence has been far to obtain since warm temperatures prevent DNA preservation.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientist-suggests-egyptian-pyramids-were-ancient-ports-built-near-a-nile-branch-that-disappeared-1750248323757">Scientist suggests Egyptian pyramids were 'ancient ports', built near a Nile branch that disappeared</a><h2>A complete ancient Egyptian genome put together</h2>Four decades ago, poor DNA preservation prevented the extraction and sequencing of DNA, and researchers could only partially reconstruct the genomes of just three ancient Egyptians. However, technological advancements have allowed them to piece together a complete ancient Egyptian genome. DNA extracted from a tooth of an individual buried in Nuwayrat, a village 265km south of Cairo, was sequenced in the study. The Egyptian Antiquities Service had donated the remains while under British rule to the excavation committee set up by John Garstang.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/20000-year-old-labyrinth-with-3000-rooms-lies-under-egypt-pyramid-9012892">20,000-year-old labyrinth with 3,000 rooms lies under Egypt pyramid, centuries-old claim resurfaces</a>&nbsp;“Piecing together all the clues from this individual’s DNA, bones, and teeth has allowed us to build a comprehensive picture. We hope that future DNA samples from ancient Egypt can expand on when precisely this movement from West Asia started,” study co-author Adeline Morez Jacobs, visiting research fellow and former PhD student at Liverpool John Moores University, said in a statement. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/a-sunken-pyramid-near-japan-could-rewrite-ancient-history-or-not-8942150">A sunken 'pyramid' near Japan could rewrite ancient history — or not</a>&nbsp;<h2>Mummification had not started in Egypt at this time</h2>The individual was buried sometime between two periods in Egyptian history - the Early Dynastic and Old Kingdom periods. The burial happened in a ceramic pot in a tomb cut into the hillside. During this time, artificial mummification had not started. The DNA analysis showed that most of his ancestry was from North Africa, while 20 per cent could be traced to people who lived in Mesopotamia, around modern-day Iraq. Examination of the chemical signals in his teeth provided clues about his diet and environment, and showed that he likely grew up in Egypt.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scientists-detect-huge-city-under-the-giza-pyramids-in-egypt-8880016">Scientists detect huge city under Giza pyramids in Egypt. Not possible, experts say</a>&nbsp;The skeleton was excavated in 1902 and remained at the World Museum Liverpool. The individual's skeleton was analysed to estimate his sex, age, height, and information on ancestry and lifestyle. His physical features suggest that he was likely a potter or in a trade that required a lot of movement. His bones showed muscle markings from sitting with outstretched limbs for long periods of time.&nbsp;“This individual has been on an extraordinary journey. He lived and died during a critical period of change in ancient Egypt, and his skeleton was excavated in 1902 and donated to the World Museum Liverpool, where it then survived bombings during the Blitz that destroyed most of the human remains in their collection. We’ve now been able to tell part of the individual’s story,” said co-author Linus Girdland Flink.

A man who lived nearly 4,800 years ago has been brought alive after his DNA was sequenced for the first time. The breakthrough comes 40 years after  Nobel Prize winner Svante Pääbo for the first time attempted to extract ancient DNA from individuals from ancient Egypt.

Scientists have extracted and sequenced the oldest Egyptian DNA yet that belongs to a man who lived around 4,500 to 4,800 years ago. The study was published in the journal Nature by researchers from the Francis Crick Institute and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU). It is also the first whole genome (the entire set of DNA in an individual) from ancient Egypt. The period the man belongs to is when the first pyramids appeared. The breakthrough comes 40 years after Nobel Prize winner Svante Pääbo for the first time attempted to extract ancient DNA from individuals from ancient Egypt. The study found that the ancient individual's genetic ancestry goes back to populations in both North Africa and West Asia. This shows that there was genetic diversity among early Egyptians. Till now, researchers believed that exchanges happened in only writing systems or pottery. But genetic evidence has been far to obtain since warm temperatures prevent DNA preservation. Also Read: Scientist suggests Egyptian pyramids were 'ancient ports', built near a Nile branch that disappeared A complete ancient Egyptian genome put together Four decades ago, poor DNA preservation prevented the extraction and sequencing of DNA, and researchers could only partially reconstruct the genomes of just three ancient Egyptians. However, technological advancements have allowed them to piece together a complete ancient Egyptian genome. DNA extracted from a tooth of an individual buried in Nuwayrat, a village 265km south of Cairo, was sequenced in the study. The Egyptian Antiquities Service had donated the remains while under British rule to the excavation committee set up by John Garstang. Also Read: 20,000-year-old labyrinth with 3,000 rooms lies under Egypt pyramid, centuries-old claim resurfaces “Piecing together all the clues from this individual’s DNA, bones, and teeth has allowed us to build a comprehensive picture. We hope that future DNA samples from ancient Egypt can expand on when precisely this movement from West Asia started,” study co-author Adeline Morez Jacobs, visiting research fellow and former PhD student at Liverpool John Moores University, said in a statement. Also Read: A sunken 'pyramid' near Japan could rewrite ancient history — or not Mummification had not started in Egypt at this time The individual was buried sometime between two periods in Egyptian history - the Early Dynastic and Old Kingdom periods. The burial happened in a ceramic pot in a tomb cut into the hillside. During this time, artificial mummification had not started. The DNA analysis showed that most of his ancestry was from North Africa, while 20 per cent could be traced to people who lived in Mesopotamia, around modern-day Iraq. Examination of the chemical signals in his teeth provided clues about his diet and environment, and showed that he likely grew up in Egypt. Also Read: Scientists detect huge city under Giza pyramids in Egypt. Not possible, experts say The skeleton was excavated in 1902 and remained at the World Museum Liverpool. The individual's skeleton was analysed to estimate his sex, age, height, and information on ancestry and lifestyle. His physical features suggest that he was likely a potter or in a trade that required a lot of movement. His bones showed muscle markings from sitting with outstretched limbs for long periods of time. “This individual has been on an extraordinary journey. He lived and died during a critical period of change in ancient Egypt, and his skeleton was excavated in 1902 and donated to the World Museum Liverpool, where it then survived bombings during the Blitz that destroyed most of the human remains in their collection. We’ve now been able to tell part of the individual’s story,” said co-author Linus Girdland Flink.

A man who lived nearly 4,800 years ago has been brought alive after his DNA was sequenced for the first time. The breakthrough comes 40 years after &nbsp;Nobel Prize winner Svante Pääbo for the first time attempted to extract ancient DNA from individuals from ancient Egypt.

Scientists have sequenced the DNA of an ancient Egyptian who lived 4,800 years ago

From Earth observation, lunar landers, to Mars missions, the world's leading space research agencies, NASA, ISRO, ESA, and private companies are gearing up for an ambitious and action-packed space exploration. Here are the top 10 space projects to expect in 2025 and beyond.

From Earth observation, lunar landers, to Mars missions, the world's leading space research agencies, NASA, ISRO, ESA, and private companies are gearing up for an ambitious and action-packed space exploration. Here are the top 10 space projects to expect in 2025 and beyond.&nbsp;

From NASA to ISRO: Who’s exploring what? Here are the top 10 space missions of 2025 and beyond

An interstellar object has been spotted moving at a speed of 60km/sec in the solar system, only the third such object ever discovered. That doesn't mean there aren't other such bodies that have visited us from outer space. However, it is hard to detect all of them. This intruder is the largest interstellar object seen zooming inside our solar system. Since it is not orbiting the Sun, it is not bound by its rules. Which means it is free to do what it wants and travel wherever it wishes to. Could this rogue behaviour bring it towards Earth? Does this strange object pose a danger to us or the other planets? The object has been designated 3I/Atlas by the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center. It has been classified as a comet after it was detected by the NASA-funded ATLAS survey in Hawaii on Tuesday.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>How long has the interstellar comet been inside the solar system?</h2>As soon as the news broke, amateur astronomers zoomed in on the comet and found that it had been there for over 15 days. Its trajectory was traced back to June 14. Scientists say that the comet is mostly ice and not rock. The object was initially believed to have originated inside the solar system. At the time, it was known as A11pl3Z. However, calculations showed that it is on a journey from outer space. Its trajectory was the tell-tale sign, as it did not follow the orbits most comets inside the solar system are on. Richard Moissl, head of planetary defence at the European Space Agency, said that its trajectory "means it's not orbiting our star, but coming from interstellar space and flying off to there again." Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/7-years-2-asteroids-and-tonnes-of-shooting-meteorites-are-earth-astronauts-and-satellites-really-safe-1751364306598">City killer asteroid can shoot meteorites like bullets at Earth in 2032. Who is at risk?</a>&nbsp;<h2>Can the comet crash into Earth?</h2>He also told AFP that the comet does not pose a threat to Earth. However, experts are planning to keep a check on its trajectory since that could change at any time. Right now, it is estimated to pass just inside the orbit of Mars and fly deep through the Solar System. It is travelling at a super speed of 60 kilometres (37 miles) a second. Scientists have also proposed the reasons for this cosmic body going rogue and entering a system that is unknown to it. According to Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, these tiny balls of ice are formed based on the associated star systems. However, if another star passes by, it "tugs on the ice ball, frees it out. It goes rogue, wanders through the galaxy, and now this one is just passing us." Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/supermassive-black-hole-invisible-murderer-in-space-reveals-its-location-with-a-cosmic-burp-it-is-an-anomaly-1751021991101">Invisible murderer in space reveals its location with a 'cosmic burp'. It is an anomaly</a>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/giant-comet-from-oort-cloud-spotted-moving-at-insane-speed-inside-solar-system-will-it-reach-earth-1750829164659">Giant comet from Oort cloud spotted moving at insane speed inside solar system. Will it reach Earth?</a><h2>How to see the interstellar comet? Where is it visible?</h2>The comet is 10-20 kilometres wide, making it the largest interstellar object yet observed. However, since it is made of ice, it could be reflecting light, giving the illusion that it is larger. The comet is going to be in the solar system for a long time. "It will get brighter and closer to the Sun until late October and then still be observable (by telescope) until next year," Moissl said. The newest entrant is moving much faster than the other two interstellar bodies. Right now, it is only visible in the Southern Hemisphere&nbsp;<h2>How many objects have come from outer space?</h2>The first interstellar visitor was Oumuamua, discovered in 2017. It had a strange shape and appeared to be an alien vessel. An astronomer even proposed that it really could be a vehicle used by extraterrestrial beings. However, the elongated orb turned out to be a space rock and nothing more. The second interstellar visitor was 2I/Borisov, spotted in 2019. Astronomers from Yale University observed the comet and said that its tail alone was 14 times the size of Earth. They called it "humbling to realise how small Earth is next to this visitor from another solar system."&nbsp;&nbsp;However, there could be at least 10,000 such objects travelling in the solar system at any point in time, Mark Norris, an astronomer at the UK's University of Central Lancashire, told AFP. He has his hopes pinned on the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, which could detect them almost every month.&nbsp; &nbsp;

A cosmic body from another star system has entered Earth and is the largest one ever seen. In the previous decade, two other outer space objects were spotted in the solar system. One looked like an alien spaceship.

An interstellar object has been spotted moving at a speed of 60km/sec in the solar system, only the third such object ever discovered. That doesn't mean there aren't other such bodies that have visited us from outer space. However, it is hard to detect all of them. This intruder is the largest interstellar object seen zooming inside our solar system. Since it is not orbiting the Sun, it is not bound by its rules. Which means it is free to do what it wants and travel wherever it wishes to. Could this rogue behaviour bring it towards Earth? Does this strange object pose a danger to us or the other planets? The object has been designated 3I/Atlas by the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center. It has been classified as a comet after it was detected by the NASA-funded ATLAS survey in Hawaii on Tuesday. How long has the interstellar comet been inside the solar system? As soon as the news broke, amateur astronomers zoomed in on the comet and found that it had been there for over 15 days. Its trajectory was traced back to June 14. Scientists say that the comet is mostly ice and not rock. The object was initially believed to have originated inside the solar system. At the time, it was known as A11pl3Z. However, calculations showed that it is on a journey from outer space. Its trajectory was the tell-tale sign, as it did not follow the orbits most comets inside the solar system are on. Richard Moissl, head of planetary defence at the European Space Agency, said that its trajectory "means it's not orbiting our star, but coming from interstellar space and flying off to there again." Also Read: City killer asteroid can shoot meteorites like bullets at Earth in 2032. Who is at risk? Can the comet crash into Earth? He also told AFP that the comet does not pose a threat to Earth. However, experts are planning to keep a check on its trajectory since that could change at any time. Right now, it is estimated to pass just inside the orbit of Mars and fly deep through the Solar System. It is travelling at a super speed of 60 kilometres (37 miles) a second. Scientists have also proposed the reasons for this cosmic body going rogue and entering a system that is unknown to it. According to Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, these tiny balls of ice are formed based on the associated star systems. However, if another star passes by, it "tugs on the ice ball, frees it out. It goes rogue, wanders through the galaxy, and now this one is just passing us." Also Read: Invisible murderer in space reveals its location with a 'cosmic burp'. It is an anomaly Also Read: Giant comet from Oort cloud spotted moving at insane speed inside solar system. Will it reach Earth? How to see the interstellar comet? Where is it visible? The comet is 10-20 kilometres wide, making it the largest interstellar object yet observed. However, since it is made of ice, it could be reflecting light, giving the illusion that it is larger. The comet is going to be in the solar system for a long time. "It will get brighter and closer to the Sun until late October and then still be observable (by telescope) until next year," Moissl said. The newest entrant is moving much faster than the other two interstellar bodies. Right now, it is only visible in the Southern Hemisphere How many objects have come from outer space? The first interstellar visitor was Oumuamua, discovered in 2017. It had a strange shape and appeared to be an alien vessel. An astronomer even proposed that it really could be a vehicle used by extraterrestrial beings. However, the elongated orb turned out to be a space rock and nothing more. The second interstellar visitor was 2I/Borisov, spotted in 2019. Astronomers from Yale University observed the comet and said that its tail alone was 14 times the size of Earth. They called it "humbling to realise how small Earth is next to this visitor from another solar system." However, there could be at least 10,000 such objects travelling in the solar system at any point in time, Mark Norris, an astronomer at the UK's University of Central Lancashire, told AFP. He has his hopes pinned on the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, which could detect them almost every month.

A cosmic body from another star system has entered Earth and is the largest one ever seen. In the previous decade, two other outer space objects were spotted in the solar system. One looked like an alien spaceship.

Interstellar visitor spotted is only the third: One of the other two appeared to be an 'alien vessel'

NASA has officially assigned astronaut Dr Anil Menon to his inaugural spaceflight mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Menon will serve as a flight engineer and a core member of Expedition 75. He is scheduled to launch in June 2026 on the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft, accompanied by Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. Menon will be the first Indian‑American NASA astronaut to follow directly after Sunita Williams since her last flight. The mission will lift off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, with the crew expected to live and work on the station for approximately eight months.&nbsp;During the expedition, Menon will contribute to a broad range of scientific investigations and technology demonstrations. These activities are designed to advance human understanding of spaceflight, improve life on Earth, and support NASA’s ambitions for long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars. Menon was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2021 and completed his training as part of NASA’s 23rd astronaut class in 2024. Following his graduation, he began preparations for his first spaceflight assignment, including technical briefings, mission simulations, and physical conditioning for long-duration space travel.<h3>Who Is Anil Menon?</h3>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. Menon holds a unique combination of academic, medical, and aerospace experience that distinguishes him within the NASA astronaut corps.He earned a bachelor’s degree in neurobiology from Harvard University, followed by a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Stanford University. He went on to complete residencies in both emergency medicine and aerospace medicine at Stanford University and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.&nbsp;Before becoming an astronaut, Menon made significant contributions to both the medical and aerospace communities. He served as SpaceX’s first flight surgeon, where he helped oversee the historic NASA-SpaceX Demo-2 mission — the first crewed flight of the Dragon spacecraft. He played a central role in establishing SpaceX’s human spaceflight medical program and supported NASA and SpaceX missions as a crew flight surgeon. Despite his demanding schedule, Menon continues to practice emergency medicine at Memorial Hermann’s Texas Medical Center and teaches residents in the University of Texas medical residency program, further demonstrating his commitment to both medicine and mentorship.&nbsp;Menon’s assignment to Expedition 75 underscores NASA’s continued investment in international collaboration and the development of the next generation of explorers. His journey to the ISS will support crucial research that underpins future missions under NASA’s Artemis campaign and its long-term goal of human exploration of Mars. As the International Space Station marks nearly a quarter-century of continuous human presence in space, Menon’s upcoming mission reflects both the enduring legacy of space exploration and its promising future.

Anil Menon, an Indian-American astronaut with NASA, has been assigned to his first space mission and will serve as a flight engineer on Expedition 75 aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The mission is scheduled to launch in June 2026 on Russia’s Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft.

NASA has officially assigned astronaut Dr Anil Menon to his inaugural spaceflight mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Menon will serve as a flight engineer and a core member of Expedition 75. He is scheduled to launch in June 2026 on the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft, accompanied by Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. Menon will be the first Indian‑American NASA astronaut to follow directly after Sunita Williams since her last flight. The mission will lift off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, with the crew expected to live and work on the station for approximately eight months. During the expedition, Menon will contribute to a broad range of scientific investigations and technology demonstrations. These activities are designed to advance human understanding of spaceflight, improve life on Earth, and support NASA’s ambitions for long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars. Menon was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2021 and completed his training as part of NASA’s 23rd astronaut class in 2024. Following his graduation, he began preparations for his first spaceflight assignment, including technical briefings, mission simulations, and physical conditioning for long-duration space travel. 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. Menon holds a unique combination of academic, medical, and aerospace experience that distinguishes him within the NASA astronaut corps.He earned a bachelor’s degree in neurobiology from Harvard University, followed by a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Stanford University. He went on to complete residencies in both emergency medicine and aerospace medicine at Stanford University and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Before becoming an astronaut, Menon made significant contributions to both the medical and aerospace communities. He served as SpaceX’s first flight surgeon, where he helped oversee the historic NASA-SpaceX Demo-2 mission — the first crewed flight of the Dragon spacecraft. He played a central role in establishing SpaceX’s human spaceflight medical program and supported NASA and SpaceX missions as a crew flight surgeon. Despite his demanding schedule, Menon continues to practice emergency medicine at Memorial Hermann’s Texas Medical Center and teaches residents in the University of Texas medical residency program, further demonstrating his commitment to both medicine and mentorship. Menon’s assignment to Expedition 75 underscores NASA’s continued investment in international collaboration and the development of the next generation of explorers. His journey to the ISS will support crucial research that underpins future missions under NASA’s Artemis campaign and its long-term goal of human exploration of Mars. As the International Space Station marks nearly a quarter-century of continuous human presence in space, Menon’s upcoming mission reflects both the enduring legacy of space exploration and its promising future.

Anil Menon, an Indian-American astronaut with NASA, has been assigned to his first space mission and will serve as a flight engineer on Expedition 75 aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The mission is scheduled to launch in June 2026 on Russia’s Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft.

Meet Anil Menon - Indian-Origin NASA astronaut assigned to first International Space Station mission: WHEN will the journey begin?

A ‘Blood Moon’ lunar eclipse will be visible from Earth on the night of September 7 and September 8. A lunar eclipse happens when Earth is directly between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the Moon and darkening its surface. The space event happened only during a full moon, when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun. The total lunar eclipse can be seen from various locations across the world.&nbsp;During the September 2025 total lunar eclipse, the full “Harvest Moon” will rise and later fall into Earth’s dark umbral shadow, turning reddish-orange. The totality will last 82 minutes, making it a long-duration total lunar eclipse.&nbsp;<h2>Where to see the lunar eclipse?</h2>&nbsp;Asia and Western Australia will be in the prime positions to see the total lunar eclipse. Some phases of the lunar event will also be visible from Europe, Africa, eastern Australia, and New Zealand. The eclipse will not be observable from the Americas.&nbsp;According to Time and Date, 77 per cent of the world’s population, which is 6.2 billion people, will be able to view all of the totality. During the last lunar eclipse, which happened in March this year, about a billion people were in the path of totality.&nbsp;<h2>When to watch the total lunar eclipse?</h2>&nbsp;A lunar eclipse occurs at the same time for everyone across the world. This total lunar eclipse will happen on September 7, 2025, between 15:28 and 20:55 UTC, lasting 82 minutes. The reddish lunar surface of the moon will be visible between 17:30 and 18:52 UTC. To catch a glimpse of the edge of Earth’s shadow inching across the moon during the partial phases, it is best to look at the moon 75 minutes before the totality time.

During the September 2025 total lunar eclipse, the full “Harvest Moon” will rise and later fall into Earth’s dark umbral shadow, turning reddish-orange. The totality will last 82 minutes, making it a long-duration total lunar eclipse.

A ‘Blood Moon’ lunar eclipse will be visible from Earth on the night of September 7 and September 8. A lunar eclipse happens when Earth is directly between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the Moon and darkening its surface. The space event happened only during a full moon, when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun. The total lunar eclipse can be seen from various locations across the world. During the September 2025 total lunar eclipse, the full “Harvest Moon” will rise and later fall into Earth’s dark umbral shadow, turning reddish-orange. The totality will last 82 minutes, making it a long-duration total lunar eclipse. Where to see the lunar eclipse? Asia and Western Australia will be in the prime positions to see the total lunar eclipse. Some phases of the lunar event will also be visible from Europe, Africa, eastern Australia, and New Zealand. The eclipse will not be observable from the Americas. According to Time and Date, 77 per cent of the world’s population, which is 6.2 billion people, will be able to view all of the totality. During the last lunar eclipse, which happened in March this year, about a billion people were in the path of totality. When to watch the total lunar eclipse? A lunar eclipse occurs at the same time for everyone across the world. This total lunar eclipse will happen on September 7, 2025, between 15:28 and 20:55 UTC, lasting 82 minutes. The reddish lunar surface of the moon will be visible between 17:30 and 18:52 UTC. To catch a glimpse of the edge of Earth’s shadow inching across the moon during the partial phases, it is best to look at the moon 75 minutes before the totality time.

During the September 2025 total lunar eclipse, the full “Harvest Moon” will rise and later fall into Earth’s dark umbral shadow, turning reddish-orange. The totality will last 82 minutes, making it a long-duration total lunar eclipse.

‘Blood Moon’ Total Lunar Eclipse September 2025: When, where, how to watch

Meteorites originating from Mars have been discovered on Earth in the past, but none from Mercury. This intrigued planetary scientist Ben Rider-Stokes of The Open University in the UK. His study shows that meteorites discovered in the Sahara desert might have come from Mercury as suspected, even though their composition did not match the description of the first planet of the solar system. So, how did he know? Mercury is only about 58 million km from the Sun, with a temperature of 167 degrees Celsius. It is a hot mess of iron and silicates. After the solar system formed, asteroids continued to bombard planets, releasing a ton of debris that littered other cosmic bodies. So something from Mercury was bound to be present on Earth.&nbsp;<h2>Meteorites found in Tunisia and Morocco</h2>&nbsp;Landing a rover is almost impossible on Mercury. The MESSENGER spacecraft that orbited Mercury learned about the composition of the planet. Stokes took the meteorite samples that were suspected of being from Mercury, but there was no confirmation. These meteorites were Ksar Ghilane 022, which was found in Tunisia, and Northwest Africa 15915, discovered in Morocco. The signs were promising. Their surface composition and mineralogy were similar to Mercury's crust. They are both achondrites that do not match previously known achondrites. They comprise silicates such as olivine and pyroxene, often found in igneous and metamorphic rocks, apart from plagioclase and oldhamite. However, the iron-free silicates and oxygen isotopes they have are similar to aubrites, a substance not found on Mercury. So these meteorites couldn't possibly be from Mercury.&nbsp;<h2>Pieces of ancient Mercury?</h2>&nbsp;Except, they could be. “It is not believed that the aubrites originated from Mercury, as the planet has an extremely red spectrum which differs from aubrite spectra, but it has been suggested that aubrites represent a proto-Mercury,” said Stokes. However, when the solar system was still in its infancy billions of years ago, Mercury could have had a different composition. The meteorites are dated to be 4.5 billion years old, way older than other material zooming through the solar system. Mercury today is smooth, and this happened only around 3.6 billion years ago. So the meteorites still could be from Mercury, possibly remnants of an ancient planet, when collisions had not exposed the material under it. BepiColombo, a joint mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is on its way to Mercury and is expected to arrive in early 2026. Stokes thinks that this spacecraft could possibly find a source for the material found in these mysterious rocks. &nbsp;

Meteorites from Mercury have never been found on Earth. But two pieces discovered in the Sahara desert might be remnants of an ancient Mercury, and are believed to be 4.5 billion years old. The presence of a mysterious material has created a little confusion. 

Meteorites originating from Mars have been discovered on Earth in the past, but none from Mercury. This intrigued planetary scientist Ben Rider-Stokes of The Open University in the UK. His study shows that meteorites discovered in the Sahara desert might have come from Mercury as suspected, even though their composition did not match the description of the first planet of the solar system. So, how did he know? Mercury is only about 58 million km from the Sun, with a temperature of 167 degrees Celsius. It is a hot mess of iron and silicates. After the solar system formed, asteroids continued to bombard planets, releasing a ton of debris that littered other cosmic bodies. So something from Mercury was bound to be present on Earth. Meteorites found in Tunisia and Morocco Landing a rover is almost impossible on Mercury. The MESSENGER spacecraft that orbited Mercury learned about the composition of the planet. Stokes took the meteorite samples that were suspected of being from Mercury, but there was no confirmation. These meteorites were Ksar Ghilane 022, which was found in Tunisia, and Northwest Africa 15915, discovered in Morocco. The signs were promising. Their surface composition and mineralogy were similar to Mercury's crust. They are both achondrites that do not match previously known achondrites. They comprise silicates such as olivine and pyroxene, often found in igneous and metamorphic rocks, apart from plagioclase and oldhamite. However, the iron-free silicates and oxygen isotopes they have are similar to aubrites, a substance not found on Mercury. So these meteorites couldn't possibly be from Mercury. Pieces of ancient Mercury? Except, they could be. “It is not believed that the aubrites originated from Mercury, as the planet has an extremely red spectrum which differs from aubrite spectra, but it has been suggested that aubrites represent a proto-Mercury,” said Stokes. However, when the solar system was still in its infancy billions of years ago, Mercury could have had a different composition. The meteorites are dated to be 4.5 billion years old, way older than other material zooming through the solar system. Mercury today is smooth, and this happened only around 3.6 billion years ago. So the meteorites still could be from Mercury, possibly remnants of an ancient planet, when collisions had not exposed the material under it. BepiColombo, a joint mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is on its way to Mercury and is expected to arrive in early 2026. Stokes thinks that this spacecraft could possibly find a source for the material found in these mysterious rocks.

Meteorites from Mercury have never been found on Earth. But two pieces discovered in the Sahara desert might be remnants of an ancient Mercury, and are believed to be 4.5 billion years old. The presence of a mysterious material has created a little confusion.&nbsp;

4.5-billion-year-old meteorites found in North Africa could be first pieces of Mercury on Earth

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is currently taking part in a historic mission on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). He is involved in more than 60 scientific experiments, including one that could change the way we understand and treat diabetes—not just for astronauts in space, but also for people on Earth.&nbsp;For a long time, people who rely on insulin to manage diabetes were not allowed to go on space missions. This is because it’s very hard to control blood sugar levels in space, where there is no gravity. But now, the Ax-4 mission is challenging that idea and exploring new ways to make space travel possible for them too.&nbsp;People with insulin-dependent diabetes are usually not allowed on the International Space Station (ISS) because space travel causes major changes in the human body. In zero gravity, food digests differently, insulin may not work the same way, and blood sugar becomes harder to control. Muscles weaken and shrink in space due to lack of gravity, which reduces physical activity—this also affects how the body uses insulin. Even healthy astronauts sometimes show signs of pre-diabetes during long missions because of these changes. Stress, disrupted sleep, and hormonal shifts in space can also push sugar levels up or down. Since there’s no full-time doctor onboard and emergency help is far away, it’s too risky to send someone who needs regular insulin—unless better ways to manage diabetes in space are developed.&nbsp;The 'Suite Ride' project: A move toward greater inclusion&nbsp;One of the main highlights of the Ax-4 mission is a study called "Suite Ride," which focuses on how the body handles glucose (sugar) in space.&nbsp;The goal is to make it safer for people with diabetes to live and work in space one day.&nbsp;Speaking to IndiaToday.in, Dr Mohammad Fityan, Clinical Lead for the Suite Ride project from Burjeel Holdings, said the study will also improve our understanding of diabetes and other conditions linked to blood sugar.&nbsp;Burjeel Holdings, which is working on this research, has teamed up with Axiom Space to find out how insulin and Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) work in space. These devices are already changing how diabetes is managed on Earth, and now the study wants to see if they can be safely used in space too.&nbsp;Why space could change the way we study diabetes&nbsp;In space, the absence of gravity gives scientists a unique chance to study how the human body works without the usual pressure from Earth's gravity. This helps them look at how the body processes sugar (glucose) in a completely new way.&nbsp;Dr. Fityan explained to IndiaToday.in that in microgravity, changes in muscle size, body fluids, and sleep patterns help reveal how insulin works in the body. This could lead to discovering new signs of insulin resistance and finding better ways to manage diabetes.&nbsp;By observing how healthy people’s bodies respond in space, scientists can learn how diabetes might behave in the same conditions. This is an important first step in making space travel safer for people who have long-term health conditions like diabetes.&nbsp;How the study is being done on the ISS&nbsp;During the two-week mission, one or more astronauts are using Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) the whole time. These small devices keep track of their blood sugar levels all day and night and send the information back to scientists on Earth for study.&nbsp;Dr. Fityan explained that one or more astronauts are wearing Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) throughout the mission. These devices constantly check blood sugar levels, and the data is being collected for research. Although insulin pens were sent along, astronauts are not using them—they are only being tested to see if insulin remains stable and effective in space. Blood samples are also being taken during the mission to double-check glucose readings. Burjeel Holdings provided the medical tools needed, like lancets, needles, and a device called i-STAT that checks blood sugar on the spot.&nbsp;Breaking Barriers for Diabetics in Space&nbsp;Dr Fityan shared the main reasons why people with diabetes are not yet allowed to go to space:Blood sugar levels can quickly change in space, and if they drop too low, it can be life-threatening—especially since there’s no quick medical help available. Storing and using diabetes medicine in space is hard because of temperature changes, body fluid shifts, and the way medicine is absorbed in zero gravity. Keeping blood sugar under perfect control for a long time is very difficult during space missions. The Ax-4 mission is helping scientists learn how a healthy body handles sugar in space and whether Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) can be safely used by astronauts with diabetes in the future.&nbsp;Improving Diabetes Care on Earth&nbsp;The Ax-4 mission isn't just about helping future astronauts—it could also bring big benefits to people living on Earth, especially those in remote or low-resource areas.&nbsp;This research could lead to:&nbsp;<ul><li>New ways to track sugar levels from a distance in real-time.</li><li>Better glucose monitors that work well in tough conditions.</li><li>Smart systems using AI to help manage diabetes more personally.</li><li>New medicines to make the body respond better to insulin.</li></ul> Speaking to IndiaToday.in, Dr. Fityan said this study aims to make space travel possible for people with long-term health issues like insulin-dependent diabetes—not by lowering safety rules, but by developing the right tools and systems to support them safely.&nbsp;What’s Coming Next?&nbsp;After the mission ends, scientists will carefully study all the data collected to plan the next steps. Dr. Fityan shared that they hope this research will lead to more studies—possibly even sending the first astronaut with diabetes into space—and also look into other long-term health conditions.&nbsp;With Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on board, the Ax-4 mission could be a turning point—showing that even people with chronic illnesses like diabetes might one day travel to space. And the knowledge gained from this mission could also improve healthcare for people back on Earth.

This is because it is very hard to control blood sugar levels in space, where there is no gravity. But now, the Ax-4 mission is challenging that idea and exploring new ways to make space travel possible for them too.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is currently taking part in a historic mission on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). He is involved in more than 60 scientific experiments, including one that could change the way we understand and treat diabetes—not just for astronauts in space, but also for people on Earth. For a long time, people who rely on insulin to manage diabetes were not allowed to go on space missions. This is because it’s very hard to control blood sugar levels in space, where there is no gravity. But now, the Ax-4 mission is challenging that idea and exploring new ways to make space travel possible for them too. People with insulin-dependent diabetes are usually not allowed on the International Space Station (ISS) because space travel causes major changes in the human body. In zero gravity, food digests differently, insulin may not work the same way, and blood sugar becomes harder to control. Muscles weaken and shrink in space due to lack of gravity, which reduces physical activity—this also affects how the body uses insulin. Even healthy astronauts sometimes show signs of pre-diabetes during long missions because of these changes. Stress, disrupted sleep, and hormonal shifts in space can also push sugar levels up or down. Since there’s no full-time doctor onboard and emergency help is far away, it’s too risky to send someone who needs regular insulin—unless better ways to manage diabetes in space are developed. The 'Suite Ride' project: A move toward greater inclusion One of the main highlights of the Ax-4 mission is a study called "Suite Ride," which focuses on how the body handles glucose (sugar) in space. The goal is to make it safer for people with diabetes to live and work in space one day. Speaking to IndiaToday.in, Dr Mohammad Fityan, Clinical Lead for the Suite Ride project from Burjeel Holdings, said the study will also improve our understanding of diabetes and other conditions linked to blood sugar. Burjeel Holdings, which is working on this research, has teamed up with Axiom Space to find out how insulin and Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) work in space. These devices are already changing how diabetes is managed on Earth, and now the study wants to see if they can be safely used in space too. Why space could change the way we study diabetes In space, the absence of gravity gives scientists a unique chance to study how the human body works without the usual pressure from Earth's gravity. This helps them look at how the body processes sugar (glucose) in a completely new way. Dr. Fityan explained to IndiaToday.in that in microgravity, changes in muscle size, body fluids, and sleep patterns help reveal how insulin works in the body. This could lead to discovering new signs of insulin resistance and finding better ways to manage diabetes. By observing how healthy people’s bodies respond in space, scientists can learn how diabetes might behave in the same conditions. This is an important first step in making space travel safer for people who have long-term health conditions like diabetes. How the study is being done on the ISS During the two-week mission, one or more astronauts are using Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) the whole time. These small devices keep track of their blood sugar levels all day and night and send the information back to scientists on Earth for study. Dr. Fityan explained that one or more astronauts are wearing Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) throughout the mission. These devices constantly check blood sugar levels, and the data is being collected for research. Although insulin pens were sent along, astronauts are not using them—they are only being tested to see if insulin remains stable and effective in space. Blood samples are also being taken during the mission to double-check glucose readings. Burjeel Holdings provided the medical tools needed, like lancets, needles, and a device called i-STAT that checks blood sugar on the spot. Breaking Barriers for Diabetics in Space Dr Fityan shared the main reasons why people with diabetes are not yet allowed to go to space: Blood sugar levels can quickly change in space, and if they drop too low, it can be life-threatening—especially since there’s no quick medical help available. Storing and using diabetes medicine in space is hard because of temperature changes, body fluid shifts, and the way medicine is absorbed in zero gravity. Keeping blood sugar under perfect control for a long time is very difficult during space missions. The Ax-4 mission is helping scientists learn how a healthy body handles sugar in space and whether Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) can be safely used by astronauts with diabetes in the future. Improving Diabetes Care on Earth The Ax-4 mission isn't just about helping future astronauts—it could also bring big benefits to people living on Earth, especially those in remote or low-resource areas. This research could lead to: New ways to track sugar levels from a distance in real-time. Better glucose monitors that work well in tough conditions. Smart systems using AI to help manage diabetes more personally. New medicines to make the body respond better to insulin. Speaking to IndiaToday.in, Dr. Fityan said this study aims to make space travel possible for people with long-term health issues like insulin-dependent diabetes—not by lowering safety rules, but by developing the right tools and systems to support them safely. What’s Coming Next? After the mission ends, scientists will carefully study all the data collected to plan the next steps. Dr. Fityan shared that they hope this research will lead to more studies—possibly even sending the first astronaut with diabetes into space—and also look into other long-term health conditions. With Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on board, the Ax-4 mission could be a turning point—showing that even people with chronic illnesses like diabetes might one day travel to space. And the knowledge gained from this mission could also improve healthcare for people back on Earth.

This is because it’s very hard to control blood sugar levels in space, where there is no gravity. But now, the Ax-4 mission is challenging that idea and exploring new ways to make space travel possible for them too.

Breaking barriers in orbit: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla redefines space travel for diabetics

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