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The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are at risk of melting, which could lead to a rise in the sea level by multiple feet and “catastrophic” migration away from coastlines, a new study has highlighted. Researchers have warned that the melting process may continue even if the world manages to keep global warming to within 1.5 degrees Celsius.&nbsp;The findings were revealed after studying data from satellites, climate models and evidence from the past, from things like ice cores, deep-sea sediments and even octopus DNA.&nbsp;The scientists discovered that even if the world sustains today’s level of warming at 1.2 degrees Celsius, it would still lead to rapid ice sheet melting and catastrophic sea level rise. It is predicted that global warming could reach up to 2.9 degrees Celsius by 2100.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/pollen-grains-are-telling-the-story-of-asteroids-dinosaurs-mayans-1747816046382">Pollen grains are telling the story of asteroids, dinosaurs, Mayans and others</a>&nbsp;The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets together hold water to raise the global sea level by around 213 feet. Since the 1990s, the ice has melted quadrupled, with about 370 billion tons lost each year, and the rate of sea level rise has doubled over the last 30 years.&nbsp;“You don’t slow sea level rise at 1.5, in fact, you see quite a rapid acceleration,” said Chris Stokes, co-author of the study and glaciologist at Durham University, told CNN.&nbsp;The study has warned that even a small amount of ice melting could lead to a reshaping of coastlines, displacing hundreds of millions of people and causing severe damage. The world is already starting to witness some of the worst-case scenarios in terms of ice loss.&nbsp;Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/china-accuses-us-of-being-covid-19-ground-zero-in-fiery-white-paper-claims-america-tried-to-shift-the-blame-9020646">China accuses US of being Covid-19 ground zero in fiery white paper, claims America 'tried to shift the blame'</a>&nbsp;“There’s very little that we’re observing that gives us hope here,” Stokes said. “The absolute best-case scenario is that sea level rise is slow and steady.”&nbsp;To avoid this, the researchers urged to cut fossil fuel use sharply. However, the goal is unlikely with countries like the US still using oil, coal, and gas, the scientists say.&nbsp;“Limiting warming to 1.5 will be a major achievement. It should absolutely be our target, but in no sense will it slow or stop sea level rise and melting ice sheets,” Stokes added.

The scientists discovered that even if the world sustains today’s level of warming at 1.2 degrees Celsius, it would still lead to rapid ice sheet melting and catastrophic sea level rise.

The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are at risk of melting, which could lead to a rise in the sea level by multiple feet and “catastrophic” migration away from coastlines, a new study has highlighted. Researchers have warned that the melting process may continue even if the world manages to keep global warming to within 1.5 degrees Celsius. The findings were revealed after studying data from satellites, climate models and evidence from the past, from things like ice cores, deep-sea sediments and even octopus DNA. The scientists discovered that even if the world sustains today’s level of warming at 1.2 degrees Celsius, it would still lead to rapid ice sheet melting and catastrophic sea level rise. It is predicted that global warming could reach up to 2.9 degrees Celsius by 2100. Also read | Pollen grains are telling the story of asteroids, dinosaurs, Mayans and others The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets together hold water to raise the global sea level by around 213 feet. Since the 1990s, the ice has melted quadrupled, with about 370 billion tons lost each year, and the rate of sea level rise has doubled over the last 30 years. “You don’t slow sea level rise at 1.5, in fact, you see quite a rapid acceleration,” said Chris Stokes, co-author of the study and glaciologist at Durham University, told CNN. The study has warned that even a small amount of ice melting could lead to a reshaping of coastlines, displacing hundreds of millions of people and causing severe damage. The world is already starting to witness some of the worst-case scenarios in terms of ice loss. Also read | China accuses US of being Covid-19 ground zero in fiery white paper, claims America 'tried to shift the blame' “There’s very little that we’re observing that gives us hope here,” Stokes said. “The absolute best-case scenario is that sea level rise is slow and steady.” To avoid this, the researchers urged to cut fossil fuel use sharply. However, the goal is unlikely with countries like the US still using oil, coal, and gas, the scientists say. “Limiting warming to 1.5 will be a major achievement. It should absolutely be our target, but in no sense will it slow or stop sea level rise and melting ice sheets,” Stokes added.

The scientists discovered that even if the world sustains today’s level of warming at 1.2 degrees Celsius, it would still lead to rapid ice sheet melting and catastrophic sea level rise.

Ice sheets are melting faster than we think! Scientists sound dire warning of catastrophic changes to coastlines

Humans have long tried to figure out the reason for our existence. It is both a scientific and mystical question. The Big Bang has been the answer to the dilemma about how the universe came into being. However, we still don't know why the universe exists. Theoretically, we shouldn't be here since during the birth of the universe, two kinds of particles were created which should ideally cancel each other out - Matter, which is found in everything in equal amounts and antimatter.&nbsp;Two teams of scientists are working to find the reason for the existence of the universe - the stars, the planets, asteroids and more. Both of them are building detectors that study a subatomic particle called a neutrino. The US-led international collaboration has built the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (Dune). The instruments to be used here are being deployed by 1,400 scientists from 35 countries.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/pollen-grains-are-telling-the-story-of-asteroids-dinosaurs-mayans-1747816046382">Pollen grains are telling the story of asteroids, dinosaurs, Mayans and others</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;The structure is located 1,500 metres below the surface, with three vast underground caverns that are meant to cut off noise and radiation. A BBC report quotes Dr Jaret Heise as calling the giant caves "cathedrals to science". He has been involved in the construction of these caverns at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (Surf) for nearly ten years.&nbsp;<h2>The puzzle of our existence</h2>&nbsp;Scientists believe studying neutrinos and antineutrinos can solve the puzzle of our existence. They basically want to understand why matter and antimatter do not cancel each other out. For the experiment, neutrino and anti-neutrino beams will be fired from deep underground in Illinois to the detectors 1287 kilometres away in South Dakota.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mars-forms-rings-because-of-phobos-1747806749752">Crash, RINGS, Repeat: Mars, Phobos and an epic saga of death and resurrection</a>&nbsp;Both of them will undergo changes. What scientists want to know is whether those changes are different for the neutrinos and anti-neutrinos. If this is true, then it would be the first step to answering why matter and antimatter don't cancel each other out.&nbsp;In Japan, scientists are putting together shining golden globes to build Hyper-K, a bigger and better version of their existing neutrino detector, Super-K. They will be firing their neutrino beams in less than three years, way before the American team. Whoever gets to the absolute truth first doesn't matter, as long as humans learn about the reason for their existence.

Two teams, 9,650 km apart, in a race to reveal the reason for our existence.

Humans have long tried to figure out the reason for our existence. It is both a scientific and mystical question. The Big Bang has been the answer to the dilemma about how the universe came into being. However, we still don't know why the universe exists. Theoretically, we shouldn't be here since during the birth of the universe, two kinds of particles were created which should ideally cancel each other out - Matter, which is found in everything in equal amounts and antimatter. Two teams of scientists are working to find the reason for the existence of the universe - the stars, the planets, asteroids and more. Both of them are building detectors that study a subatomic particle called a neutrino. The US-led international collaboration has built the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (Dune). The instruments to be used here are being deployed by 1,400 scientists from 35 countries. Also Read: Pollen grains are telling the story of asteroids, dinosaurs, Mayans and others The structure is located 1,500 metres below the surface, with three vast underground caverns that are meant to cut off noise and radiation. A BBC report quotes Dr Jaret Heise as calling the giant caves "cathedrals to science". He has been involved in the construction of these caverns at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (Surf) for nearly ten years. The puzzle of our existence Scientists believe studying neutrinos and antineutrinos can solve the puzzle of our existence. They basically want to understand why matter and antimatter do not cancel each other out. For the experiment, neutrino and anti-neutrino beams will be fired from deep underground in Illinois to the detectors 1287 kilometres away in South Dakota. Also Read: Crash, RINGS, Repeat: Mars, Phobos and an epic saga of death and resurrection Both of them will undergo changes. What scientists want to know is whether those changes are different for the neutrinos and anti-neutrinos. If this is true, then it would be the first step to answering why matter and antimatter don't cancel each other out. In Japan, scientists are putting together shining golden globes to build Hyper-K, a bigger and better version of their existing neutrino detector, Super-K. They will be firing their neutrino beams in less than three years, way before the American team. Whoever gets to the absolute truth first doesn't matter, as long as humans learn about the reason for their existence.

Two teams of scientists are working to find the reason for the existence of the universe - the stars, the planets, asteroids and more.

Two teams, 9,650 km apart, in race to reveal the reason for the existence of the universe

To learn about past humans, scientists dig up regions, look at fossils, tree rings, and more. While these are commonly known ways that are used to unearth humanity's past, an unusual item also acts like a time capsule, The Conversation stated in a study. These tiny beings are pollen grains.They encapsulate a lot of history, hinting at the make-up of the ecological system during different times. According to the report, pollen grains provide a plethora of data to "reconstruct ancient forests, track sea-level changes and identify the fingerprints of significant events, such as asteroid impacts or civilisations collapsing."&nbsp;<h2>Story of asteroid that killed the dinosaurs</h2>&nbsp;One of the most well-known incidents on Earth happened 65 million years ago when an asteroid crashed into the planet, killing the dinosaurs. Scientists have found fossilised pollen from the Late Cretaceous and Early Palaeocene periods that tells the story of everything that changed after the cosmic event.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dinosaur-in-india-maleriraptor-kuttyi-survived-mass-extinction-gondwana-9064669">Dinosaur that roamed India 220 million years ago identified as Maleriraptor kuttyi</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;When the asteroid smashed into Earth, it hit what is now Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. This resulted in a tidal wave crashing onto North America, carrying marine animals and rocks with it. Millions of years later, scientists found marine fossils, rock fragments and fossilised pollen in southeastern Missouri.&nbsp;Palynologists studied the pollen from gymnosperms, such as pines, ferns, flowering plants, grasses, herbs and palm trees. They found a clear pattern. After the impact, some forest pollen disappeared. This means that the regions’ vegetation changed. But they reemerged gradually when the environment stabilised.&nbsp;<h2>Rising of sea levels 33.9 to 28 million years ago</h2>&nbsp;They were also able to identify dramatic changes that occurred along the eastern Gulf Coast states of Mississippi and Alabama. "During the Early Oligocene, around 33.9 to 28 million years ago, sea levels rose and flooded low-lying conifer forests in the region," the report stated.They noticed a distinct change in pollen released by Sequoia-type trees.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/this-unknown-dinosaur-species-lived-in-zimbabwe-heres-what-its-fossils-tell-us-about-predators-727224">This unknown dinosaur species lived in Zimbabwe. Here's what its fossils tell us about predators</a>&nbsp;The pollen records have been used to reconstruct how far the shoreline moved inland.&nbsp;<h2>Story of Mayans and pollen</h2>&nbsp;Lake Izabal in Guatemala shows the history of Mayans over the past 1,300 years. "This sediment record reflects both natural climate variation and the profound impact of human land use".The report adds that around 1,125 to 1,200 years ago, pollen from maize and opportunistic herbs surged, while tree pollen dropped. This change hinted at widespread deforestation. Historical records show political centres in the region collapsed soon after.&nbsp;The forests recovered after population pressure eased. Vegetation returned, even though rainfall declined during the Little Ice Age between the 14th and mid-19th centuries. &nbsp;

One of the most well-known incidents on Earth happened 65 million years ago when an asteroid crashed into the planet, killing the dinosaurs. Pollen grains are telling their story.

To learn about past humans, scientists dig up regions, look at fossils, tree rings, and more. While these are commonly known ways that are used to unearth humanity's past, an unusual item also acts like a time capsule, The Conversation stated in a study. These tiny beings are pollen grains. They encapsulate a lot of history, hinting at the make-up of the ecological system during different times. According to the report, pollen grains provide a plethora of data to "reconstruct ancient forests, track sea-level changes and identify the fingerprints of significant events, such as asteroid impacts or civilisations collapsing." Story of asteroid that killed the dinosaurs One of the most well-known incidents on Earth happened 65 million years ago when an asteroid crashed into the planet, killing the dinosaurs. Scientists have found fossilised pollen from the Late Cretaceous and Early Palaeocene periods that tells the story of everything that changed after the cosmic event. Also Read: Dinosaur that roamed India 220 million years ago identified as Maleriraptor kuttyi When the asteroid smashed into Earth, it hit what is now Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. This resulted in a tidal wave crashing onto North America, carrying marine animals and rocks with it. Millions of years later, scientists found marine fossils, rock fragments and fossilised pollen in southeastern Missouri. Palynologists studied the pollen from gymnosperms, such as pines, ferns, flowering plants, grasses, herbs and palm trees. They found a clear pattern. After the impact, some forest pollen disappeared. This means that the regions’ vegetation changed. But they reemerged gradually when the environment stabilised. Rising of sea levels 33.9 to 28 million years ago They were also able to identify dramatic changes that occurred along the eastern Gulf Coast states of Mississippi and Alabama. "During the Early Oligocene, around 33.9 to 28 million years ago, sea levels rose and flooded low-lying conifer forests in the region," the report stated. They noticed a distinct change in pollen released by Sequoia-type trees. Also Read: This unknown dinosaur species lived in Zimbabwe. Here's what its fossils tell us about predators The pollen records have been used to reconstruct how far the shoreline moved inland. Story of Mayans and pollen Lake Izabal in Guatemala shows the history of Mayans over the past 1,300 years. "This sediment record reflects both natural climate variation and the profound impact of human land use". The report adds that around 1,125 to 1,200 years ago, pollen from maize and opportunistic herbs surged, while tree pollen dropped. This change hinted at widespread deforestation. Historical records show political centres in the region collapsed soon after. The forests recovered after population pressure eased. Vegetation returned, even though rainfall declined during the Little Ice Age between the 14th and mid-19th centuries.

One of the most well-known incidents on Earth happened 65 million years ago when an asteroid crashed into the planet, killing the dinosaurs. Pollen grains are telling their story.

Pollen grains are telling the story of asteroids, dinosaurs, Mayans and others

Of the eight planets in our solar system, four have rings - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. However, in the coming years, a fifth name might also be added to the list. Our neighbouring planet, Mars, is believed to form rings in the next 50 million to 70 million years. Surprisingly, this would not be the first time that the red planet would have rings. Scientists think that Mars has had rings in the past, shedding them and later again embracing them.&nbsp;The rings around Mars are a result of its moon Phobos. According to studies, Phobos disintegrates at a certain point in its life, and the debris surrounds the planet to form the rings.Phobos is one of Mars' two moons, the other one being Deimos.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/mysterious-structure-under-mars-can-force-olympus-mons-volcano-to-erupt-9074517">Mysterious structure detected under Mars can alter long-held belief about red planet</a>&nbsp;The former is slowly moving towards the planet, inching closer by about six feet every 100 years. At this rate, scientists say that Phobos will either crash into the planet or break apart.&nbsp;<h2>NASA studies on Mars and its moons</h2>&nbsp;NASA has carried out studies to learn more about Mars and its moons. One of them, conducted at Purdue University, noted that a cosmic body slammed into Mars around 4.3 billion years ago. The resulting debris spread around the planet, forming a ring. Over millions of years, this debris clumped together to create Phobos, Mars's moon.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/mars-had-lakes-and-water-honeycomb-waffle-structures-red-planet-9064048">NASA finds strange designs on Mars that hint at what happened 3.8 million years ago</a>&nbsp;This process is not a one-time thing. In fact, they discovered that Phobos regularly breaks apart, creating the temporary ring and later comes back together again to form the moon. Every time this process happens, the resulting moon is five times smaller than the previous one.&nbsp;<h2>Why is Phobos getting closer to Mars?</h2>&nbsp;Phobos is being pulled towards Mars by the planet's gravitational force. At one stage, it reaches the Roche limit. At this distance, the planet's tidal forces destroy Phobos since it is only held together by gravity.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/600-million-light-years-away-two-black-holes-are-caught-in-a-cosmic-mystery-9051067">This black hole can hold 1 million suns, but an even bigger monster near it poses a mystery</a>&nbsp;David Minton and Andrew Hesselbrock, who carried out the study at Purdue, believe this has already happened about three to seven times in the history of the planet.&nbsp;<h2>What about Mars' other moon, Deimos?</h2>&nbsp;Deimos is much farther away from Mars than Phobos. It is in an orbit at a distance of 23,460 km, while Phobos is only 6,000 km from Mars. Deimos is on exactly the opposite trajectory from Phobos.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/600-million-light-years-away-two-black-holes-are-caught-in-a-cosmic-mystery-9051067">Dead star travelling at 3.2mn km/h made kinks in cosmic 'snake'; radio signal offers clues</a>&nbsp;It is slowly moving away from Mars and is expected to escape its orbit in the coming years.&nbsp;<h2>Can Earth have rings?</h2>&nbsp;The scenario of our moon crashing into Earth is not likely since it is in a stable orbit. It is 384,400 km away from the planet, much farther than Phobos and Deimos are to Mars. In fact, our moon is also moving away from us, shifting about a few centimetres every year. However, it can change course in the distant future if things change in the solar system.

Mars had rings in the past and it can happen again. It has been engaged in a tussle with one of its moon for billions of years, and the fight is not expected to be over any time soon.

Of the eight planets in our solar system, four have rings - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. However, in the coming years, a fifth name might also be added to the list. Our neighbouring planet, Mars, is believed to form rings in the next 50 million to 70 million years. Surprisingly, this would not be the first time that the red planet would have rings. Scientists think that Mars has had rings in the past, shedding them and later again embracing them. The rings around Mars are a result of its moon Phobos. According to studies, Phobos disintegrates at a certain point in its life, and the debris surrounds the planet to form the rings. Phobos is one of Mars' two moons, the other one being Deimos. Also Read: Mysterious structure detected under Mars can alter long-held belief about red planet The former is slowly moving towards the planet, inching closer by about six feet every 100 years. At this rate, scientists say that Phobos will either crash into the planet or break apart. NASA studies on Mars and its moons NASA has carried out studies to learn more about Mars and its moons. One of them, conducted at Purdue University, noted that a cosmic body slammed into Mars around 4.3 billion years ago. The resulting debris spread around the planet, forming a ring. Over millions of years, this debris clumped together to create Phobos, Mars's moon. Also Read: NASA finds strange designs on Mars that hint at what happened 3.8 million years ago This process is not a one-time thing. In fact, they discovered that Phobos regularly breaks apart, creating the temporary ring and later comes back together again to form the moon. Every time this process happens, the resulting moon is five times smaller than the previous one. Why is Phobos getting closer to Mars? Phobos is being pulled towards Mars by the planet's gravitational force. At one stage, it reaches the Roche limit. At this distance, the planet's tidal forces destroy Phobos since it is only held together by gravity. Also Read: This black hole can hold 1 million suns, but an even bigger monster near it poses a mystery David Minton and Andrew Hesselbrock, who carried out the study at Purdue, believe this has already happened about three to seven times in the history of the planet. What about Mars' other moon, Deimos? Deimos is much farther away from Mars than Phobos. It is in an orbit at a distance of 23,460 km, while Phobos is only 6,000 km from Mars. Deimos is on exactly the opposite trajectory from Phobos. Also Read: Dead star travelling at 3.2mn km/h made kinks in cosmic 'snake'; radio signal offers clues It is slowly moving away from Mars and is expected to escape its orbit in the coming years. Can Earth have rings? The scenario of our moon crashing into Earth is not likely since it is in a stable orbit. It is 384,400 km away from the planet, much farther than Phobos and Deimos are to Mars. In fact, our moon is also moving away from us, shifting about a few centimetres every year. However, it can change course in the distant future if things change in the solar system.

Mars had rings in the past and it can happen again. It has been engaged in a tussle with one of its moon for billions of years, and the fight is not expected to be over any time soon.

Saturn is not the only planet with rings. Our close neighbour also had them, and they will return

Astronomers have spotted a perfect sphere floating in space. It is a bubble which is believed to comprise remnants of a supernova and is in the Milky Way. However, the problem is figuring out how it was formed. Scientists are also struggling to learn its age. Seeing how perfectly spherical the bubble is, a team led by astrophysicist Miroslav Filipović of Western Sydney University in Australia has named the object Teleios - Greek for "perfection".&nbsp;The discovery is part of an analysis that has been submitted to the Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia.&nbsp;Teleios is unlike other such objects found in the universe. The Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) has located several circles in the sky, but Teleios has thrown up quite a few problems for scientists. It is closer and smaller, but it is difficult to ascertain how how far away it is, which has consequently created a problem about understanding its origin.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/solar-flare-sunspot-geomagnetic-storm-and-auroras-on-earth-9073872">Sunspot that released 1 million kilometre solar flare may soon face Earth. What to expect?</a>&nbsp;The sphere glows faintly only in radio wavelengths, leading scientists to conclude that it is a remnant of a Type Ia supernova – one of the brightest types of supernova in the universe. This type of supernova occurs when a white dwarf locked in a binary orbit with another star pulls in a lot of material from it, causing it to exceed its mass limit and explode.&nbsp;<h2>How far is the sphere? How big is it? How old?</h2>&nbsp;About its distance, researchers think it could be either around 7,175 light-years from Earth, or around 25,114 light-years. Figuring out its size is a problem if its exact distance is not known. Depending on how far it is, its size and age would differ widely. If it is at the nearest distance mentioned above, then the supernova remnant would be 46 light-years across. At the greater distance, it would be 157 light-years across.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/mars-had-lakes-and-water-honeycomb-waffle-structures-red-planet-9064048">NASA finds strange designs on Mars that hint at what happened 3.8 million years ago</a>&nbsp;A supernova remnant has material that keeps expanding. So to know its age, one must know its size as well. A supernova remnant that is closer suggests it is younger since it hasn't had much time to grow, less than 1,000 years. At a greater distance, it would have to be more than 10,000 years old.&nbsp;<h2>Could it be a 'zombie' star remnant?</h2>&nbsp;Scientists applied another scenario - one where it is a remnant of a Type Iax supernova. In this case, the white dwarf isn't destroyed entirely, but leaves behind a 'zombie' star remnant. Teleios could fit the bill, but it needs to be around 3,262 light-years away for this scenario. It would also be smaller, about 11 light-years across.&nbsp;"We have made an exhaustive exploration of the possible evolutionary state of the supernova based on its surface brightness, apparent size and possible distances," the researchers write.It is a perfect sphere, and might seem like a rarity. However, scientists say such symmetrical supernovas can be found in empty spaces. It will continue to expand and lose the perfection when it reaches the point of fragmentation. &nbsp;

Teleios is unlike other such objects found in the universe. It is a perfect sphere, a rare sight in space. Scientists don't know how it was formed, or how old is it, or how big.

Astronomers have spotted a perfect sphere floating in space. It is a bubble which is believed to comprise remnants of a supernova and is in the Milky Way. However, the problem is figuring out how it was formed. Scientists are also struggling to learn its age. Seeing how perfectly spherical the bubble is, a team led by astrophysicist Miroslav Filipović of Western Sydney University in Australia has named the object Teleios - Greek for "perfection". The discovery is part of an analysis that has been submitted to the Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia. Teleios is unlike other such objects found in the universe. The Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) has located several circles in the sky, but Teleios has thrown up quite a few problems for scientists. It is closer and smaller, but it is difficult to ascertain how how far away it is, which has consequently created a problem about understanding its origin. Also Read: Sunspot that released 1 million kilometre solar flare may soon face Earth. What to expect? The sphere glows faintly only in radio wavelengths, leading scientists to conclude that it is a remnant of a Type Ia supernova – one of the brightest types of supernova in the universe. This type of supernova occurs when a white dwarf locked in a binary orbit with another star pulls in a lot of material from it, causing it to exceed its mass limit and explode. How far is the sphere? How big is it? How old? About its distance, researchers think it could be either around 7,175 light-years from Earth, or around 25,114 light-years. Figuring out its size is a problem if its exact distance is not known. Depending on how far it is, its size and age would differ widely. If it is at the nearest distance mentioned above, then the supernova remnant would be 46 light-years across. At the greater distance, it would be 157 light-years across. Also Read: NASA finds strange designs on Mars that hint at what happened 3.8 million years ago A supernova remnant has material that keeps expanding. So to know its age, one must know its size as well. A supernova remnant that is closer suggests it is younger since it hasn't had much time to grow, less than 1,000 years. At a greater distance, it would have to be more than 10,000 years old. Could it be a 'zombie' star remnant? Scientists applied another scenario - one where it is a remnant of a Type Iax supernova. In this case, the white dwarf isn't destroyed entirely, but leaves behind a 'zombie' star remnant. Teleios could fit the bill, but it needs to be around 3,262 light-years away for this scenario. It would also be smaller, about 11 light-years across. "We have made an exhaustive exploration of the possible evolutionary state of the supernova based on its surface brightness, apparent size and possible distances," the researchers write. It is a perfect sphere, and might seem like a rarity. However, scientists say such symmetrical supernovas can be found in empty spaces. It will continue to expand and lose the perfection when it reaches the point of fragmentation.

Teleios is unlike other such objects found in the universe. It is a perfect sphere, a rare sight in space. Scientists don't know how it was formed, or how old is it, or how big.

Discovery of a perfect sphere glowing in Milky Way poses several questions

Human teeth cannot grow back. Once you lose a tooth, a new one can either be implanted, or you can leave a hole in your mouth. However, that can change in the coming years. Scientists in Japan are working on an experimental drug that can grow back teeth, and it is already in the human trial phase.&nbsp;They have figured out that an antibody named Uterine sensitisation–associated gene-1 (USAG-1) stops teeth from growing in ferrets and mice. In 2021, scientists from the Kyoto University, discovered a monoclonal antibody (a technique usually used in fighting cancer) that can stop the USAG-1 from interacting with molecules known as bone morphogenetic protein, or BMP.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/strongest-solar-storm-recorded-happened-14300-years-ago-9074835">Most dangerous solar storm to hit Earth potentially altered life thousands of years ago</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Now they knew that "suppressing USAG-1 benefits tooth growth", but, "What we did not know was whether it would be enough,” Kyoto University’s Katsu Takahashi, a co-author of the study, said in a press statement.&nbsp;<h2>Human trial of teeth-growing medicine</h2>&nbsp;The human trial started last year and will last 11 months. It involves 30 males between the ages of 30 and 64 who will be administered the drug intravenously to check if it works and its safety. There have been no reports of side effects in previous animal studies.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/brain-stent-for-iphone-users-apple-technology-to-run-devices-using-mind-9071797">Brain 'stent' for iPhone: Apple might soon let users run their devices through just their mind</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;If the human trials prove successful, the drug will be given to children (2-7 years old) who are missing at least four teeth. Scientists are hoping to make the tooth-growing medicine available by 2030. Initially, only people with congenital tooth deficiency will be the patients to get it. However, later it should be able to help others who have lost a tooth.&nbsp;“The idea of growing new teeth is every dentist’s dream. I’ve been working on this since I was a graduate student. I was confident I’d be able to make it happen,” Takahashi told Mainichi. “We’re hoping to see a time when tooth regrowth medicine is a third choice alongside dentures and implants.”&nbsp;<h2>Humans have a third set of teeth</h2>&nbsp;In an earlier research, Takahashi discovered that humans have a third set of teeth, which are present but not visible. They sprout up in about one per cent of humans with hyperdontia, where more than a full set of teeth is present. Takahashi focused on this third set and believes the right gene manipulation could promote tooth regrowth.&nbsp;<h2>Which animals can regrow teeth?</h2>&nbsp;There are some creatures that see tooth regrowth. Sharks are one such group of animals that can regrow their teeth. While human teeth are linked to the jawbone, shark teeth are not. So, despite falling out constantly, sharks are never without teeth. The shark's jaw always has new teeth being created, which move forward once the front teeth go bad. Because of this speciality, sharks can have as many as 20,000 teeth in a lifetime. &nbsp;

Human teeth do not regrow. But that might change in the next five years. However, there is one creature that can regrow teeth and used up to 20,000 of them in a lifetime.

Human teeth cannot grow back. Once you lose a tooth, a new one can either be implanted, or you can leave a hole in your mouth. However, that can change in the coming years. Scientists in Japan are working on an experimental drug that can grow back teeth, and it is already in the human trial phase. They have figured out that an antibody named Uterine sensitisation–associated gene-1 (USAG-1) stops teeth from growing in ferrets and mice. In 2021, scientists from the Kyoto University, discovered a monoclonal antibody (a technique usually used in fighting cancer) that can stop the USAG-1 from interacting with molecules known as bone morphogenetic protein, or BMP. Also Read: Most dangerous solar storm to hit Earth potentially altered life thousands of years ago Now they knew that "suppressing USAG-1 benefits tooth growth", but, "What we did not know was whether it would be enough,” Kyoto University’s Katsu Takahashi, a co-author of the study, said in a press statement. Human trial of teeth-growing medicine The human trial started last year and will last 11 months. It involves 30 males between the ages of 30 and 64 who will be administered the drug intravenously to check if it works and its safety. There have been no reports of side effects in previous animal studies. Also Read: Brain 'stent' for iPhone: Apple might soon let users run their devices through just their mind If the human trials prove successful, the drug will be given to children (2-7 years old) who are missing at least four teeth. Scientists are hoping to make the tooth-growing medicine available by 2030. Initially, only people with congenital tooth deficiency will be the patients to get it. However, later it should be able to help others who have lost a tooth. “The idea of growing new teeth is every dentist’s dream. I’ve been working on this since I was a graduate student. I was confident I’d be able to make it happen,” Takahashi told Mainichi. “We’re hoping to see a time when tooth regrowth medicine is a third choice alongside dentures and implants.” Humans have a third set of teeth In an earlier research, Takahashi discovered that humans have a third set of teeth, which are present but not visible. They sprout up in about one per cent of humans with hyperdontia, where more than a full set of teeth is present. Takahashi focused on this third set and believes the right gene manipulation could promote tooth regrowth. Which animals can regrow teeth? There are some creatures that see tooth regrowth. Sharks are one such group of animals that can regrow their teeth. While human teeth are linked to the jawbone, shark teeth are not. So, despite falling out constantly, sharks are never without teeth. The shark's jaw always has new teeth being created, which move forward once the front teeth go bad. Because of this speciality, sharks can have as many as 20,000 teeth in a lifetime.

Human teeth do not regrow. But that might change in the next five years. However, there is one creature that can regrow teeth and uses up to 20,000 of them in a lifetime.

20,000 teeth in a lifetime: Scientists are working to regrow human teeth. One creature can already do so

At 7:59 am IST on Saturday (17th May), the Indian space agency ISRO commenced the 22-hour countdown to the May 18th launch of the EOS-09 earth-imaging satellite aboard the PSLV rocket, WION has learnt. At 5:59 am Sunday, the PSLV-XL rocket is expected to blast-off from the first launchpad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, India's lone spaceport. The exact launch time is likely to change by a few seconds or a few minutes, depending on the possibility of space debris or other satellites coming in the rocket's flight path.&nbsp;
PSLV-C61 marks the 63rd flight of India's most flown rocket, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. This also marks the 101st launch from the spaceport that is situated on India's southeast coast. EOS-09 is a radar imaging satellite (earlier known as RISAT) that is capable of day and night imaging. It can see through clouds, deliver images under all weather conditions. This 1,700kg satellite is meant to have an operational life of at least five years. Almost 18 minutes after lift-off, the EOS-09 satellite will be placed in its Sun Synchronous Polar orbit that is 529 km above the Earth.
&nbsp;After the satellite is injected into its orbit, the final stage of the rocket would use orbit change thrusters to lower its orbit. This orbit lowering would gradually help in de-orbiting the spent upper stage of the rocket, thereby helping reduce space debris. Likewise, even the EOS-09 satellite is carrying extra fuel for de-orbiting. Closer to the satellite's end of life, the satellite will use the extra fuel to lower its orbit, which will ensure that it naturally de-orbits and burns up and does not end up as space debris.
The launch of this strategic satellite comes a week after nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire, following three days of a rapidly escalating warlike situation. However, it must be emphasised that the space launch mission taking place at this time is a mere coincidence. The PSLV rocket takes a little over a month to assemble, and it takes well over a year to build a satellite like EOS-09. At the Indian spaceport, the preparations for this launch are said to have commenced in mid-March, more than a month before the situation between India and Pakistan deteriorated.&nbsp;
India operates multiple satellites for strategic purposes. This includes the Cartosat series of satellites, the RISAT (Radar imaging satellites) series, EMISAT, etc. In addition to this, there are large communication satellites such as GSAT-7 that cater to the Indian Navy and the GSAT-7A that cater to the Indian Air Force and Strategic Forces Command.
RISAT series of satellites are unique because they do not take pictures like a conventional camera-carrying satellite. Instead of giving an optics-based picture (like a photograph), the RISAT beams radar waves onto the Earth. The features on the earth's surface, (buildings, trees, mountains, water bodies, roads) reflect these radar waves back to the satellite. It is by collecting and processing the reflected radar waves that RISAT provides the end product, which is round-the-clock, all-weather imagery. While conventional optical satellite images are in colour, radar satellite images are inherently black and white.&nbsp;
In recent years, ISRO has been following a different naming convention where all earth-imaging satellites are referred to as 'EOS', which stands for Earth Observation Satellite. It must also be emphasised that all satellites equipped with a camera can be put to defence and civilian use. In total, India has about 55 satellites in orbit that serve various purposes.
Following the April 22nd Pahalgam terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, ISRO Chief Dr V. Narayanan had cited the need for launching 100-150 satellites to keep a constant vigil over India's 7,500 km long coastline and 15,000 km long land borders. However, it must be remembered that ISRO cannot build and launch any of these satellites without the necessary approvals and budget allocations from the relevant ministries of the Indian Government.
As per the existing government procedure, the specific ministry or department that will be using the satellite will have to obtain approvals and allocate funds for it before placing orders with ISRO for building and launching the rockets and satellites. For example, surveillance satellites would have to be approved and funded by the Defence Ministry, while weather satellites would have to be approved and funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
<h2>40 Indian Parliamentarians to visit Sriharikota, witness PSLV-C61 launch&nbsp;</h2>
WION has learnt that 40 Indian parliamentarians, who are part of the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Science and Technology, will be at the spaceport in Sriharikota to witness the launch. The parliamentarians are to visit multiple government establishments across two southern Indian states, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, between 16th and 19th May.
&nbsp;

Discover ISRO's latest mission as they countdown to launch PSLV rocket's 63rd flight, deploying the advanced EOS-earth-imaging satellite for strategic purposes.

At 7:59 am IST on Saturday (17th May), the Indian space agency ISRO commenced the 22-hour countdown to the May 18th launch of the EOS-09 earth-imaging satellite aboard the PSLV rocket, WION has learnt. At 5:59 am Sunday, the PSLV-XL rocket is expected to blast-off from the first launchpad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, India's lone spaceport. The exact launch time is likely to change by a few seconds or a few minutes, depending on the possibility of space debris or other satellites coming in the rocket's flight path. PSLV-C61 marks the 63rd flight of India's most flown rocket, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. This also marks the 101st launch from the spaceport that is situated on India's southeast coast. EOS-09 is a radar imaging satellite (earlier known as RISAT) that is capable of day and night imaging. It can see through clouds, deliver images under all weather conditions. This 1,700kg satellite is meant to have an operational life of at least five years. Almost 18 minutes after lift-off, the EOS-09 satellite will be placed in its Sun Synchronous Polar orbit that is 529 km above the Earth. After the satellite is injected into its orbit, the final stage of the rocket would use orbit change thrusters to lower its orbit. This orbit lowering would gradually help in de-orbiting the spent upper stage of the rocket, thereby helping reduce space debris. Likewise, even the EOS-09 satellite is carrying extra fuel for de-orbiting. Closer to the satellite's end of life, the satellite will use the extra fuel to lower its orbit, which will ensure that it naturally de-orbits and burns up and does not end up as space debris. The launch of this strategic satellite comes a week after nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire, following three days of a rapidly escalating warlike situation. However, it must be emphasised that the space launch mission taking place at this time is a mere coincidence. The PSLV rocket takes a little over a month to assemble, and it takes well over a year to build a satellite like EOS-09. At the Indian spaceport, the preparations for this launch are said to have commenced in mid-March, more than a month before the situation between India and Pakistan deteriorated. India operates multiple satellites for strategic purposes. This includes the Cartosat series of satellites, the RISAT (Radar imaging satellites) series, EMISAT, etc. In addition to this, there are large communication satellites such as GSAT-7 that cater to the Indian Navy and the GSAT-7A that cater to the Indian Air Force and Strategic Forces Command. RISAT series of satellites are unique because they do not take pictures like a conventional camera-carrying satellite. Instead of giving an optics-based picture (like a photograph), the RISAT beams radar waves onto the Earth. The features on the earth's surface, (buildings, trees, mountains, water bodies, roads) reflect these radar waves back to the satellite. It is by collecting and processing the reflected radar waves that RISAT provides the end product, which is round-the-clock, all-weather imagery. While conventional optical satellite images are in colour, radar satellite images are inherently black and white. In recent years, ISRO has been following a different naming convention where all earth-imaging satellites are referred to as 'EOS', which stands for Earth Observation Satellite. It must also be emphasised that all satellites equipped with a camera can be put to defence and civilian use. In total, India has about 55 satellites in orbit that serve various purposes. Following the April 22nd Pahalgam terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, ISRO Chief Dr V. Narayanan had cited the need for launching 100-150 satellites to keep a constant vigil over India's 7,500 km long coastline and 15,000 km long land borders. However, it must be remembered that ISRO cannot build and launch any of these satellites without the necessary approvals and budget allocations from the relevant ministries of the Indian Government. As per the existing government procedure, the specific ministry or department that will be using the satellite will have to obtain approvals and allocate funds for it before placing orders with ISRO for building and launching the rockets and satellites. For example, surveillance satellites would have to be approved and funded by the Defence Ministry, while weather satellites would have to be approved and funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. 40 Indian Parliamentarians to visit Sriharikota, witness PSLV-C61 launch WION has learnt that 40 Indian parliamentarians, who are part of the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Science and Technology, will be at the spaceport in Sriharikota to witness the launch. The parliamentarians are to visit multiple government establishments across two southern Indian states, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, between 16th and 19th May.

ISRO starts 22-hour countdown to PSLV rocket's 63rd launch

In what could be seen as a provocative escalation of the global debate over Covid-19's origins, China has released a government white paper accusing the United States of being a possible ground zero for the pandemic that has killed more than seven million people worldwide.
<h2>A blame game</h2>
The document, issued Wednesday (Apr 30) by the State Council Information Office, pushes back against renewed claims from Donald Trump's presidential campaign that the virus may have leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). Instead, Beijing suggests it is the US that owes the world an explanation.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-killed-old-people-rfk-jr-claims-autism-was-worse-than-the-pandemic-8988994">RFK Jr says COVID-19 only killed 'old people'; says autism was worse than the pandemic</a>
"The US government, instead of facing squarely its failure in response to Covid-19 and reflecting on its shortcomings, has tried to shift the blame and divert people's attention by shamelessly politicising SARS-Cov-2 origins tracing," the paper reads, as reported by the Express.
Calling for a "thorough and in-depth investigation" into the pandemic's roots&mdash;this time on American soil&mdash;Chinese officials cite what they describe as "substantial evidence" that SARS-CoV-2 "might have emerged in the United States earlier than its officially claimed timeline and earlier than the outbreak in China."
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-lab-leak-theory-what-is-it-as-per-trumps-new-website-amid-tariff-war-with-china-8977834">COVID-19 'lab-leak' theory: What is it as per Trump's new website amid tariff war with China?</a>
<h2>What evidence does China have?</h2>
Slamming the US, China's white paper says that the US "should not continue to pretend to be deaf and dumb" and answer the global community's questions.
It accuses the US of making "China the primary scapegoat for its own mismanaged Covid-19 response. The US government's indifference and delayed actions wasted the precious time China had secured for the global fight against the pandemic."
Among the evidence, it cites a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study that found Covid-19 antibodies in 106 out of 7,389 blood samples from nine states between December 2019 and January 2020. It also mentions a National Institutes of Health (NIH) analysis showing antibody presence across all 50 states by March 2020.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scientists-develop-common-vaccine-for-covid-19-flu-and-common-cold-8891565">Scientists develop common vaccine for COVID-19, flu and common cold</a>
<h2>A counteroffensive to US accusations?</h2>
Beijing's bold move appears to be a direct rebuttal to mounting scrutiny from American intelligence agencies. US intelligence agencies like the CIA and FBI now acknowledge that a lab leak from Wuhan remains a plausible theory. Meanwhile, many scientists still support a zoonotic origin, where the virus jumped from animals to humans.

World | Science news | China releases a provocative white paper accusing the US of being the COVID-19 ground zero, countering claims of virus origin from Wuhan.

In what could be seen as a provocative escalation of the global debate over Covid-19's origins, China has released a government white paper accusing the United States of being a possible ground zero for the pandemic that has killed more than seven million people worldwide. A blame game The document, issued Wednesday (Apr 30) by the State Council Information Office, pushes back against renewed claims from Donald Trump's presidential campaign that the virus may have leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). Instead, Beijing suggests it is the US that owes the world an explanation. Also read | RFK Jr says COVID-19 only killed 'old people'; says autism was worse than the pandemic "The US government, instead of facing squarely its failure in response to Covid-19 and reflecting on its shortcomings, has tried to shift the blame and divert people's attention by shamelessly politicising SARS-Cov-2 origins tracing," the paper reads, as reported by the Express. Calling for a "thorough and in-depth investigation" into the pandemic's roots—this time on American soil—Chinese officials cite what they describe as "substantial evidence" that SARS-CoV-2 "might have emerged in the United States earlier than its officially claimed timeline and earlier than the outbreak in China." Also read | COVID-19 'lab-leak' theory: What is it as per Trump's new website amid tariff war with China? What evidence does China have? Slamming the US, China's white paper says that the US "should not continue to pretend to be deaf and dumb" and answer the global community's questions. It accuses the US of making "China the primary scapegoat for its own mismanaged Covid-19 response. The US government's indifference and delayed actions wasted the precious time China had secured for the global fight against the pandemic." Among the evidence, it cites a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study that found Covid-19 antibodies in 106 out of 7,389 blood samples from nine states between December 2019 and January 2020. It also mentions a National Institutes of Health (NIH) analysis showing antibody presence across all 50 states by March 2020. Also read | Scientists develop common vaccine for COVID-19, flu and common cold A counteroffensive to US accusations? Beijing's bold move appears to be a direct rebuttal to mounting scrutiny from American intelligence agencies. US intelligence agencies like the CIA and FBI now acknowledge that a lab leak from Wuhan remains a plausible theory. Meanwhile, many scientists still support a zoonotic origin, where the virus jumped from animals to humans.

China accuses US of being Covid-19 ground zero in fiery white paper, claims America 'tried to shift the blame'

Here is a detailed, neutrally toned, and British English version of the story:
<hr>
Katy Perry Becomes First Pop Star to Sing in Space, Succeeding Where Others Fell Short
Katy Perry has become the first pop singer to perform in space, marking a new milestone in the intersection of entertainment and spaceflight. On 14 April 2025, Perry flew aboard Blue Origin&rsquo;s New Shepard rocket alongside five other women, all part of an all-female crew selected for the suborbital mission. During the brief journey, she sang &ldquo;What a Wonderful World&rdquo; after observing Earth from above, becoming the first artist to deliver a live vocal performance beyond the atmosphere.
<a href="https://x.com/blueorigin/status/1911759100859531504/photo/1" rel="dofollow">https://x.com/blueorigin/status/1911759100859531504/photo/1</a>
The achievement comes after years of speculation and attempts by other high-profile artists to reach space &mdash; efforts that, despite their visibility, did not come to fruition.
<h3>Lance Bass: Early Attempt with Soyuz</h3>
The first documented case of a pop singer preparing for space travel dates back to 2002, when NSYNC member Lance Bass underwent cosmonaut training in Russia. At age 23, Bass was scheduled to fly aboard a Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS). The trip, backed by a documentary project, would have cost $20 million. However, the mission was eventually cancelled after the project&rsquo;s insurance provider withdrew support shortly before launch. Despite the setback, Bass later said the training experience alone was valuable.
<h3>Beyonce and Jay-Z: Space Music Video Plans</h3>
In the early 2010s, reports emerged that Beyonce and Jay-Z were exploring the idea of recording a music video in space with Virgin Galactic. The couple was believed to be among the hundreds of individuals who had placed a reservation for a suborbital flight on the SpaceShipTwo vehicle. Although the company did not confirm the reservation, media speculation persisted. Following a fatal test flight accident in 2014, it remains unclear whether they retained their tickets.
<h3>Justin Bieber: Confirmed Ticket Holder</h3>
Singer Justin Bieber, along with his manager Scooter Braun, publicly confirmed a Virgin Galactic flight booking in 2013. Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson welcomed them in a social media post at the time. Bieber also expressed interest in filming a music video in space. However, like other early ticket holders, he has yet to fly. Virgin Galactic&rsquo;s SpaceShipTwo has since been used for a series of test and commercial flights, though the company is now transitioning to its next-generation &ldquo;Delta&rdquo; spaceplanes, with passenger services expected to resume in 2026.
<h3>Lady Gaga: Planned Space Performance Delayed</h3>
Lady Gaga was also reported to have purchased a ticket on Virgin Galactic in 2013. She had planned to perform a song during a 2015 flight as part of a high-profile event, the &ldquo;Zero G Colony,&rdquo; at Spaceport America in New Mexico. However, Virgin Galactic's space tourism programme faced delays, and Gaga&rsquo;s flight was postponed indefinitely. She has not yet flown.
<h3>Sarah Brightman: Withdrawn from ISS Mission</h3>
British soprano Sarah Brightman was scheduled to travel to the International Space Station in 2015 as a space tourist through a deal with Russia&rsquo;s space agency. She began training in Star City, similar to Bass, but later withdrew from the flight due to &ldquo;personal family reasons.&rdquo; The seat was eventually filled by a different passenger.
<h3>A Milestone Amid Past Attempts</h3>
Katy Perry&rsquo;s successful suborbital journey makes her the first musical artist to perform in space, achieving what several others had aimed for over the past two decades. While other celebrities have participated in spaceflights through companies like Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, Perry is the first from the pop music industry to combine the experience with a live vocal performance.
As private space travel becomes more accessible, more artists may follow in her footsteps. But for now, Perry&rsquo;s brief rendition of &ldquo;What a Wonderful World&rdquo; in microgravity stands as a first in music and space history.

The achievement comes after years of speculation and attempts by other high-profile artists to reach space — efforts that, despite their visibility, did not come to fruition.

Here is a detailed, neutrally toned, and British English version of the story: Katy Perry Becomes First Pop Star to Sing in Space, Succeeding Where Others Fell Short Katy Perry has become the first pop singer to perform in space, marking a new milestone in the intersection of entertainment and spaceflight. On 14 April 2025, Perry flew aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket alongside five other women, all part of an all-female crew selected for the suborbital mission. During the brief journey, she sang “What a Wonderful World” after observing Earth from above, becoming the first artist to deliver a live vocal performance beyond the atmosphere. https://x.com/blueorigin/status/1911759100859531504/photo/1 The achievement comes after years of speculation and attempts by other high-profile artists to reach space — efforts that, despite their visibility, did not come to fruition. Lance Bass: Early Attempt with Soyuz The first documented case of a pop singer preparing for space travel dates back to 2002, when NSYNC member Lance Bass underwent cosmonaut training in Russia. At age 23, Bass was scheduled to fly aboard a Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS). The trip, backed by a documentary project, would have cost $20 million. However, the mission was eventually cancelled after the project’s insurance provider withdrew support shortly before launch. Despite the setback, Bass later said the training experience alone was valuable. Beyonce and Jay-Z: Space Music Video Plans In the early 2010s, reports emerged that Beyonce and Jay-Z were exploring the idea of recording a music video in space with Virgin Galactic. The couple was believed to be among the hundreds of individuals who had placed a reservation for a suborbital flight on the SpaceShipTwo vehicle. Although the company did not confirm the reservation, media speculation persisted. Following a fatal test flight accident in 2014, it remains unclear whether they retained their tickets. Justin Bieber: Confirmed Ticket Holder Singer Justin Bieber, along with his manager Scooter Braun, publicly confirmed a Virgin Galactic flight booking in 2013. Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson welcomed them in a social media post at the time. Bieber also expressed interest in filming a music video in space. However, like other early ticket holders, he has yet to fly. Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo has since been used for a series of test and commercial flights, though the company is now transitioning to its next-generation “Delta” spaceplanes, with passenger services expected to resume in 2026. Lady Gaga: Planned Space Performance Delayed Lady Gaga was also reported to have purchased a ticket on Virgin Galactic in 2013. She had planned to perform a song during a 2015 flight as part of a high-profile event, the “Zero G Colony,” at Spaceport America in New Mexico. However, Virgin Galactic's space tourism programme faced delays, and Gaga’s flight was postponed indefinitely. She has not yet flown. Sarah Brightman: Withdrawn from ISS Mission British soprano Sarah Brightman was scheduled to travel to the International Space Station in 2015 as a space tourist through a deal with Russia’s space agency. She began training in Star City, similar to Bass, but later withdrew from the flight due to “personal family reasons.” The seat was eventually filled by a different passenger. A Milestone Amid Past Attempts Katy Perry’s successful suborbital journey makes her the first musical artist to perform in space, achieving what several others had aimed for over the past two decades. While other celebrities have participated in spaceflights through companies like Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, Perry is the first from the pop music industry to combine the experience with a live vocal performance. As private space travel becomes more accessible, more artists may follow in her footsteps. But for now, Perry’s brief rendition of “What a Wonderful World” in microgravity stands as a first in music and space history.

Katy Perry becomes first to sing in space, leaving behind Lady Gaga, Justice Bieber and others

Here&rsquo;s a detailed news story rephrased in a clear, British English format:
<hr>
SpaceX successfully launched the 10th mission under the United States National Reconnaissance Office's (NRO) "proliferated architecture" programme on Saturday, 20 April.
A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 8:29 a.m. EDT (1229 GMT; 5:29 a.m. local time). The mission, designated NROL-145, deployed another set of small reconnaissance satellites into orbit. These satellites are part of the NRO's evolving strategy to rely on a broader network of cost-effective, small-scale satellites, rather than a limited number of larger, high-capability spacecraft.
NROL-145 marks the latest step in the NRO's shift towards distributed satellite systems aimed at improving the speed and reliability of intelligence collection. According to NRO Director Chris Scolese, the increased number of smaller satellites in orbit is expected to provide improved revisit rates, wider geographical coverage, and quicker access to information.
The launch proceeded as planned. Approximately eight minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9&rsquo;s first stage successfully landed on a SpaceX drone ship stationed in the Pacific Ocean. This flight marked the 12th launch and recovery for the specific booster used in this mission.
The NRO did not release any specific details or visuals of the payload. SpaceX ended its livestream shortly after the booster landing at the NRO&rsquo;s request, and no footage from the upper stage or details of the satellites were shared. The agency typically maintains a high level of secrecy regarding its reconnaissance payloads.
While not officially confirmed, the satellites in the proliferated architecture programme are believed to be modified versions of SpaceX&rsquo;s Starlink internet satellites, enhanced with surveillance equipment tailored for government use.
The first of these missions was launched in May 2024. Since then, all 10 launches under the proliferated architecture initiative have used Falcon 9 rockets and have taken place from the Vandenberg site.
This approach, using a larger number of satellites deployed frequently, reflects a growing trend in space-based intelligence gathering. The method aims to increase operational resilience and responsiveness in a rapidly changing global environment.

These satellites are part of the NRO's evolving strategy to rely on a broader network of cost-effective, small-scale satellites, rather than a limited number of larger, high-capability spacecraft.

Here’s a detailed news story rephrased in a clear, British English format: SpaceX successfully launched the 10th mission under the United States National Reconnaissance Office's (NRO) "proliferated architecture" programme on Saturday, 20 April. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 8:29 a.m. EDT (1229 GMT; 5:29 a.m. local time). The mission, designated NROL-145, deployed another set of small reconnaissance satellites into orbit. These satellites are part of the NRO's evolving strategy to rely on a broader network of cost-effective, small-scale satellites, rather than a limited number of larger, high-capability spacecraft. NROL-145 marks the latest step in the NRO's shift towards distributed satellite systems aimed at improving the speed and reliability of intelligence collection. According to NRO Director Chris Scolese, the increased number of smaller satellites in orbit is expected to provide improved revisit rates, wider geographical coverage, and quicker access to information. The launch proceeded as planned. Approximately eight minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9’s first stage successfully landed on a SpaceX drone ship stationed in the Pacific Ocean. This flight marked the 12th launch and recovery for the specific booster used in this mission. The NRO did not release any specific details or visuals of the payload. SpaceX ended its livestream shortly after the booster landing at the NRO’s request, and no footage from the upper stage or details of the satellites were shared. The agency typically maintains a high level of secrecy regarding its reconnaissance payloads. While not officially confirmed, the satellites in the proliferated architecture programme are believed to be modified versions of SpaceX’s Starlink internet satellites, enhanced with surveillance equipment tailored for government use. The first of these missions was launched in May 2024. Since then, all 10 launches under the proliferated architecture initiative have used Falcon 9 rockets and have taken place from the Vandenberg site. This approach, using a larger number of satellites deployed frequently, reflects a growing trend in space-based intelligence gathering. The method aims to increase operational resilience and responsiveness in a rapidly changing global environment.

'Web of Watchers': SpaceX sends 10th fleet of spy satellites into orbit for US reconnaissance

A new space mission concept led by researchers at ETH Zurich aims to determine how common life is in the universe &mdash; even if no signs of life are detected. Known as LIFE (Large Interferometer For Exoplanets), the proposed mission would use four space telescopes flying in formation around a central combiner spacecraft to examine rocky planets located in their stars' habitable zones.
The LIFE mission intends to investigate the atmospheres of exoplanets for biosignatures &mdash; chemical indicators of life such as oxygen, water vapour, methane, and others. Using a technique called nulling interferometry, the telescopes would cancel out the light of host stars, allowing the faint signals from orbiting planets to be observed. Although the telescopes would not directly image the planets, they would perform mid-infrared spectroscopy to identify atmospheric molecules.
Currently, LIFE remains a mission concept and has not been adopted by any space agency. However, scientists at ETH Zurich have been examining what such a mission could reveal even in the absence of a positive detection.
Using Bayesian statistical modelling, the team calculated how many Earth-like exoplanets the mission would need to survey to make a meaningful statement about the rarity of life. According to their analysis, if LIFE observed between 40 and 80 planets without detecting any biosignatures, it could suggest &mdash; with statistical confidence &mdash; that fewer than 10 to 20 per cent of similar planets in the galaxy host life.
The study highlights the importance of the chosen statistical approach. Bayesian statistics uses existing knowledge to refine probability estimates, while frequentist statistics relies on large samples and repeated trials. The researchers applied both methods to ensure robustness in their conclusions and found similar results from both approaches.
The team acknowledges that uncertainties remain. Biosignatures may be present but undetectable, or some planets might be misclassified as habitable. These factors could affect interpretations of the data.
Emily Garvin, a doctoral researcher at ETH Zurich, noted that different survey goals may require tailored statistical methods. The study presents a framework for adopting multiple approaches to interpret findings from future space-based observations.
Even if LIFE does not detect biosignatures, its observations could place upper limits on how common inhabited planets are &mdash; contributing to a broader understanding of life's distribution in the universe. The findings were published in The Astronomical Journal on 7 April.

LIFE remains a mission concept and has not been adopted by any space agency. However, scientists at ETH Zurich have been examining what such a mission could reveal even in the absence of a positive detection.

A new space mission concept led by researchers at ETH Zurich aims to determine how common life is in the universe — even if no signs of life are detected. Known as LIFE (Large Interferometer For Exoplanets), the proposed mission would use four space telescopes flying in formation around a central combiner spacecraft to examine rocky planets located in their stars' habitable zones. The LIFE mission intends to investigate the atmospheres of exoplanets for biosignatures — chemical indicators of life such as oxygen, water vapour, methane, and others. Using a technique called nulling interferometry, the telescopes would cancel out the light of host stars, allowing the faint signals from orbiting planets to be observed. Although the telescopes would not directly image the planets, they would perform mid-infrared spectroscopy to identify atmospheric molecules. Currently, LIFE remains a mission concept and has not been adopted by any space agency. However, scientists at ETH Zurich have been examining what such a mission could reveal even in the absence of a positive detection. Using Bayesian statistical modelling, the team calculated how many Earth-like exoplanets the mission would need to survey to make a meaningful statement about the rarity of life. According to their analysis, if LIFE observed between 40 and 80 planets without detecting any biosignatures, it could suggest — with statistical confidence — that fewer than 10 to 20 per cent of similar planets in the galaxy host life. The study highlights the importance of the chosen statistical approach. Bayesian statistics uses existing knowledge to refine probability estimates, while frequentist statistics relies on large samples and repeated trials. The researchers applied both methods to ensure robustness in their conclusions and found similar results from both approaches. The team acknowledges that uncertainties remain. Biosignatures may be present but undetectable, or some planets might be misclassified as habitable. These factors could affect interpretations of the data. Emily Garvin, a doctoral researcher at ETH Zurich, noted that different survey goals may require tailored statistical methods. The study presents a framework for adopting multiple approaches to interpret findings from future space-based observations. Even if LIFE does not detect biosignatures, its observations could place upper limits on how common inhabited planets are — contributing to a broader understanding of life's distribution in the universe. The findings were published in The Astronomical Journal on 7 April.

'Hunting for aliens': How a new space telescope called 'LIFE' could change everything

A new short documentary released by the European Space Agency (ESA) raises concerns about the increasing volume of debris orbiting Earth. Titled&nbsp;"Space Debris: Is it a Crisis?", the eight-minute film opens by stating that around 70 per cent of the approximately 20,000 satellites launched since the beginning of the space age remain in orbit. These are joined by hundreds of millions of smaller fragments created through collisions, explosions, and deliberate destruction.
The documentary examines the potential consequences of the rising number of satellite constellations, such as those deployed for global internet services. It notes that the increase in such constellations will likely add to the already growing population of orbital debris, as additional fragments are produced during launches and as non-operational satellites remain in space without retrieval mechanisms.
ESA&rsquo;s film uses data and orbital models to explore how debris can affect active satellites. Even small fragments, due to the high speeds involved in orbit, can significantly damage functioning spacecraft. In the event of a collision between two satellites, the consequences could be severe. The film also acknowledges that some debris re-enters Earth&rsquo;s atmosphere in an uncontrolled manner.
The documentary points out that different orbital zones face different levels of risk, with low Earth orbit&mdash;home to satellites used for communication, navigation, and climate monitoring&mdash;particularly vulnerable.
While discussing potential mitigation strategies, the film warns against hasty actions. It calls for a more considered approach to ensure that long-term sustainability is not undermined by short-term fixes. ESA underlines the complexity of addressing the debris issue without shifting the burden elsewhere.

The documentary points out that different orbital zones face different levels of risk, with low Earth orbit—home to satellites used for communication, navigation, and climate monitoring—particularly vulnerable.

A new short documentary released by the European Space Agency (ESA) raises concerns about the increasing volume of debris orbiting Earth. Titled "Space Debris: Is it a Crisis?", the eight-minute film opens by stating that around 70 per cent of the approximately 20,000 satellites launched since the beginning of the space age remain in orbit. These are joined by hundreds of millions of smaller fragments created through collisions, explosions, and deliberate destruction. The documentary examines the potential consequences of the rising number of satellite constellations, such as those deployed for global internet services. It notes that the increase in such constellations will likely add to the already growing population of orbital debris, as additional fragments are produced during launches and as non-operational satellites remain in space without retrieval mechanisms. ESA’s film uses data and orbital models to explore how debris can affect active satellites. Even small fragments, due to the high speeds involved in orbit, can significantly damage functioning spacecraft. In the event of a collision between two satellites, the consequences could be severe. The film also acknowledges that some debris re-enters Earth’s atmosphere in an uncontrolled manner. The documentary points out that different orbital zones face different levels of risk, with low Earth orbit—home to satellites used for communication, navigation, and climate monitoring—particularly vulnerable. While discussing potential mitigation strategies, the film warns against hasty actions. It calls for a more considered approach to ensure that long-term sustainability is not undermined by short-term fixes. ESA underlines the complexity of addressing the debris issue without shifting the burden elsewhere.

ESA new short film investigates impact of increasing orbital debris

Axiom Space is set to deploy its first two orbiting data centre nodes in low Earth orbit before the end of 2025. These initial satellites, ODC 1 and ODC 2, will mark the company&rsquo;s entry into the development of in-space cloud computing infrastructure.
The data centre nodes will be integrated with Kepler Communications&rsquo; upcoming optical relay constellation. Kepler, a Canada-based company, is planning to begin launches for its constellation in late 2025. Each of the 10 planned Kepler satellites will weigh approximately 260 kilograms, with two allocated for Axiom's data centre payloads.
The orbital data centres are designed to process Earth-observation data using artificial intelligence and machine learning directly in space. This approach aims to reduce the latency associated with transmitting data to Earth-based stations for processing and to improve bandwidth efficiency by only transmitting relevant data.
Currently, most satellite data is downlinked to ground stations for analysis, which can introduce delays and raise security concerns. By processing information in orbit, Axiom aims to minimise the risk of data interception and streamline the transfer of essential insights to end users.
The company&rsquo;s orbital data centre concept expands on earlier plans to include such capabilities on its future space station, scheduled for launch in 2027. According to Axiom, the new distributed approach&mdash;leveraging hosted payloads on third-party satellites&mdash;will support the delivery of cloud services to global clients.
Axiom has previously tested a smaller-scale computing payload, based on Amazon Web Services&rsquo; Snowcone device, aboard the International Space Station. A larger system, known as Data Centre Unit-1 (AxDCU-1), is due for launch soon, intended to validate hardware and software performance in preparation for the full deployment of ODCs.
Jason Aspiotis, Axiom Space&rsquo;s global director of in-space data and security, stated that the deployment of the first two nodes accelerates the company&rsquo;s broader plan to establish multiple free-flying computing units in orbit to meet increasing global demand.
The data centres will be linked to Kepler&rsquo;s network via high-speed 2.5 Gbps optical links, allowing for communication with other satellites and terrestrial data facilities.
Despite the progress, developers must still address technical challenges, such as protecting electronics from space radiation, which can significantly affect the durability of computing hardware in orbit.

The orbital data centres are designed to process Earth-observation data using artificial intelligence and machine learning directly in space

Axiom Space is set to deploy its first two orbiting data centre nodes in low Earth orbit before the end of 2025. These initial satellites, ODC 1 and ODC 2, will mark the company’s entry into the development of in-space cloud computing infrastructure. The data centre nodes will be integrated with Kepler Communications’ upcoming optical relay constellation. Kepler, a Canada-based company, is planning to begin launches for its constellation in late 2025. Each of the 10 planned Kepler satellites will weigh approximately 260 kilograms, with two allocated for Axiom's data centre payloads. The orbital data centres are designed to process Earth-observation data using artificial intelligence and machine learning directly in space. This approach aims to reduce the latency associated with transmitting data to Earth-based stations for processing and to improve bandwidth efficiency by only transmitting relevant data. Currently, most satellite data is downlinked to ground stations for analysis, which can introduce delays and raise security concerns. By processing information in orbit, Axiom aims to minimise the risk of data interception and streamline the transfer of essential insights to end users. The company’s orbital data centre concept expands on earlier plans to include such capabilities on its future space station, scheduled for launch in 2027. According to Axiom, the new distributed approach—leveraging hosted payloads on third-party satellites—will support the delivery of cloud services to global clients. Axiom has previously tested a smaller-scale computing payload, based on Amazon Web Services’ Snowcone device, aboard the International Space Station. A larger system, known as Data Centre Unit-1 (AxDCU-1), is due for launch soon, intended to validate hardware and software performance in preparation for the full deployment of ODCs. Jason Aspiotis, Axiom Space’s global director of in-space data and security, stated that the deployment of the first two nodes accelerates the company’s broader plan to establish multiple free-flying computing units in orbit to meet increasing global demand. The data centres will be linked to Kepler’s network via high-speed 2.5 Gbps optical links, allowing for communication with other satellites and terrestrial data facilities. Despite the progress, developers must still address technical challenges, such as protecting electronics from space radiation, which can significantly affect the durability of computing hardware in orbit.

'Orbiting data centre': Axiom Space sets stage for first cloud among the stars by late 2025

A whale shark measuring 60 feet in length has been observed in the Pacific Ocean, making it the largest specimen of its kind ever recorded in the region, according to a report from&nbsp;Animals Around the Globe. The sighting has drawn interest from marine scientists, as the species typically grows to between 18 and 33 feet, with rare individuals reaching up to 40 feet.
Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world and are known for their slow movements and filter-feeding behaviour. They consume plankton, krill, and small fish by swimming with their mouths open. Despite their size, they pose no threat to humans and are often encountered by divers in tropical and warm-temperate waters.
This particular whale shark was spotted near coastal areas commonly frequented by the species. Researchers consider the sighting an opportunity to further study aspects of whale shark biology, including feeding habits, migratory routes, and general behaviour. Given its exceptional size, the discovery is regarded as an important data point in understanding the species&rsquo; growth potential and habitat range.
Whale sharks contribute to marine ecosystems by helping regulate populations of plankton and small fish, which in turn supports the health of coral reefs and balances food webs. Their long migrations across global waters, including between the Philippines and the Gulf of Mexico, have been partially tracked through satellite tagging.
However, the species faces several conservation challenges. Overfishing, accidental capture, marine pollution, and habitat degradation continue to affect their populations. Their slow reproductive rates make them particularly vulnerable to population decline.
Marine conservationists are pushing for greater protection through marine reserves, regulatory frameworks, and public education. Advances in technology such as satellite tracking and underwater monitoring are enabling more detailed studies of whale sharks, helping inform conservation strategies aimed at preserving their numbers and habitats.

This particular whale shark was spotted near coastal areas commonly frequented by the species.

A whale shark measuring 60 feet in length has been observed in the Pacific Ocean, making it the largest specimen of its kind ever recorded in the region, according to a report from Animals Around the Globe. The sighting has drawn interest from marine scientists, as the species typically grows to between 18 and 33 feet, with rare individuals reaching up to 40 feet. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world and are known for their slow movements and filter-feeding behaviour. They consume plankton, krill, and small fish by swimming with their mouths open. Despite their size, they pose no threat to humans and are often encountered by divers in tropical and warm-temperate waters. This particular whale shark was spotted near coastal areas commonly frequented by the species. Researchers consider the sighting an opportunity to further study aspects of whale shark biology, including feeding habits, migratory routes, and general behaviour. Given its exceptional size, the discovery is regarded as an important data point in understanding the species’ growth potential and habitat range. Whale sharks contribute to marine ecosystems by helping regulate populations of plankton and small fish, which in turn supports the health of coral reefs and balances food webs. Their long migrations across global waters, including between the Philippines and the Gulf of Mexico, have been partially tracked through satellite tagging. However, the species faces several conservation challenges. Overfishing, accidental capture, marine pollution, and habitat degradation continue to affect their populations. Their slow reproductive rates make them particularly vulnerable to population decline. Marine conservationists are pushing for greater protection through marine reserves, regulatory frameworks, and public education. Advances in technology such as satellite tracking and underwater monitoring are enabling more detailed studies of whale sharks, helping inform conservation strategies aimed at preserving their numbers and habitats.

Scientists discover largest fish ever in the depths of Pacific Ocean

A recent study has revealed that the majority of Europeans living 5,000 years ago, including the ancient builders of Stonehenge in Britain, likely had dark skin tones.
Previous genetic research had already suggested that Stone Age inhabitants, such as Cheddar Man, who lived around 10,000 years ago, had distinctive physical characteristics, including blue eyes and "dark brown to black" skin.
New research suggests that the paler skin tones in Western and Northern Europe may have emerged later than previously believed, with darker skin tones remaining prevalent for many centuries.
Researchers analysed genetic data from 348 genomes, spanning from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, including samples from individuals who lived in Britain.
<h2>What did the study find?</h2>
Analysis of ancient genomes from the Paleolithic period, which spanned between 13,000 and 35,000 years ago, revealed that approximately 92 per cent of individuals had dark skin, 8 per cent had "intermediate" skin tones, and remarkably, none had pale skin.
Fast-forwarding to the Iron Age, which occurred between 1,700 and 3,000 years ago, the genetic data showed a shift in skin tone distribution: 55 per cent of individuals still had dark skin, 27 per cent had intermediate skin tones, and 18 per cent had pale skin, marking a gradual increase in lighter skin tones.
&ldquo;The shift towards lighter pigmentations turned out to be &hellip; slower than expected, with half of the individuals showing dark or intermediate skin colours well into the Copper and Iron Ages&rdquo;, according to the study, published as a pre-print paper on the open-access BioRxiv site.
Research identified at least 26 genes linked to melanin production, which is responsible for determining skin, hair, and eye colour. Two primary types of melanin, eumelanin and pheomelanin, play a crucial role in shaping these physical characteristics.
&ldquo;By a probabilistic approach, we showed that eye, hair, and skin colour changed substantially through time in Eurasia. It was reasonable to imagine that the first hunting-gathering settlers, who came from warmer climates, had mostly dark pigmentation," the study noted.
&ldquo;What was less expected was the long persistence of their phenotypes &hellip; Things changed afterwards, but very slowly, so that only in the Iron Age did the frequency of light skins equal that of dark skins; during much of prehistory, most Europeans were dark-skinned.&rdquo;
According to the study, the influx of lighter-skinned farmers from Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) contributed significantly to the shift towards a lighter-skinned population in Europe.
&ldquo;For decades it was assumed that our species rapidly acquired light skin pigmentation once we moved into Europe from Africa about 60,000 years ago,&rdquo; Silvia Ghirotto, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Ferrara in Italy, told The Telegraph.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I would say that, given that Stonehenge was built during the transition from Neolithic to Bronze Age, and given the high frequency of dark-skinned samples we inferred for that period even in northern Europe, it is likely that Britons who built Stonehenge displayed dark features.&rdquo;

Science: According to the study, the influx of lighter-skinned farmers from Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) contributed significantly to the shift towards a lighter-skinned population in Europe.

A recent study has revealed that the majority of Europeans living 5,000 years ago, including the ancient builders of Stonehenge in Britain, likely had dark skin tones. Previous genetic research had already suggested that Stone Age inhabitants, such as Cheddar Man, who lived around 10,000 years ago, had distinctive physical characteristics, including blue eyes and "dark brown to black" skin. New research suggests that the paler skin tones in Western and Northern Europe may have emerged later than previously believed, with darker skin tones remaining prevalent for many centuries. Researchers analysed genetic data from 348 genomes, spanning from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, including samples from individuals who lived in Britain. What did the study find? Analysis of ancient genomes from the Paleolithic period, which spanned between 13,000 and 35,000 years ago, revealed that approximately 92 per cent of individuals had dark skin, 8 per cent had "intermediate" skin tones, and remarkably, none had pale skin. Fast-forwarding to the Iron Age, which occurred between 1,700 and 3,000 years ago, the genetic data showed a shift in skin tone distribution: 55 per cent of individuals still had dark skin, 27 per cent had intermediate skin tones, and 18 per cent had pale skin, marking a gradual increase in lighter skin tones. “The shift towards lighter pigmentations turned out to be … slower than expected, with half of the individuals showing dark or intermediate skin colours well into the Copper and Iron Ages”, according to the study, published as a pre-print paper on the open-access BioRxiv site. Research identified at least 26 genes linked to melanin production, which is responsible for determining skin, hair, and eye colour. Two primary types of melanin, eumelanin and pheomelanin, play a crucial role in shaping these physical characteristics. “By a probabilistic approach, we showed that eye, hair, and skin colour changed substantially through time in Eurasia. It was reasonable to imagine that the first hunting-gathering settlers, who came from warmer climates, had mostly dark pigmentation," the study noted. “What was less expected was the long persistence of their phenotypes … Things changed afterwards, but very slowly, so that only in the Iron Age did the frequency of light skins equal that of dark skins; during much of prehistory, most Europeans were dark-skinned.” According to the study, the influx of lighter-skinned farmers from Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) contributed significantly to the shift towards a lighter-skinned population in Europe. “For decades it was assumed that our species rapidly acquired light skin pigmentation once we moved into Europe from Africa about 60,000 years ago,” Silvia Ghirotto, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Ferrara in Italy, told The Telegraph. “I would say that, given that Stonehenge was built during the transition from Neolithic to Bronze Age, and given the high frequency of dark-skinned samples we inferred for that period even in northern Europe, it is likely that Britons who built Stonehenge displayed dark features.”

Study unveils surprising find: Britons who built Stonehenge likely had dark skin

Europe&rsquo;s Ariane 6 commercial launch has been postponed for the second time due to an anomaly detected on the ground, French aerospace company Arianespace announced on Monday. The mission was set to take off from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana but was called off minutes before launch. Arianespace CEO David Cavailloles confirmed that the decision to delay the launch was necessary and that it would not take place on the scheduled day.
The first commercial flight of Ariane 6 was initially scheduled for 26 February but was delayed due to a previous anomaly. Arianespace has not provided a revised launch date.
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<h2>CSO-3 Satellite</h2>
The mission aims to deploy the CSO-3 satellite, developed for the French Defence Procurement and Technology Agency (DGA) and the French space agency CNES, on behalf of the French Air and Space Force&rsquo;s Space Command (CDE). The satellite is part of the Optical Space Component (CSO) programme, which enhances France&rsquo;s defence and reconnaissance capabilities.
Ariane 6 is Europe&rsquo;s next-generation heavy-lift launcher, designed to succeed the Ariane 5 rocket. It comes in two configurations: Ariane 62, equipped with two boosters, and Ariane 64, with four boosters for higher payload capacity.
The Ariane 62 version was set to carry the CSO-3 satellite into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of approximately 800 km. The satellite was expected to separate from the rocket around an hour and six minutes after launch. The CSO-3 satellite is the third and final component of the CSO constellation, joining CSO-1, launched in December 2018, and CSO-2, launched in December 2020.
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The satellites are supposed to be positioned in different sun-synchronous orbits to perform distinct roles: CSO-1 and CSO-3 focus on reconnaissance, covering operational theatres, and providing revisit capability, while CSO-2 is dedicated to high-resolution imaging and analysis. The constellation is designed to support the Multinational Space-based Imaging System (MUSIS), an initiative led by the DGA.&nbsp;
The CSO satellites are built by Airbus Defence and Space, with Thales Alenia Space supplying the very high-resolution optical imaging instrument. Each satellite has an expected operational lifespan of ten years. Arianespace has been working closely with CNES and the French military to ensure the successful deployment of the CSO-3 satellite, but further technical evaluations will now be required before a new launch date is confirmed.

Science: ESA's Ariane 6 mission was set to take off from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana but was called off minutes before launch due to a ground system anomaly.

Europe’s Ariane 6 commercial launch has been postponed for the second time due to an anomaly detected on the ground, French aerospace company Arianespace announced on Monday. The mission was set to take off from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana but was called off minutes before launch. Arianespace CEO David Cavailloles confirmed that the decision to delay the launch was necessary and that it would not take place on the scheduled day. The first commercial flight of Ariane 6 was initially scheduled for 26 February but was delayed due to a previous anomaly. Arianespace has not provided a revised launch date. Also read: 'Thermonuclear blast': A star is about to explode in deep space and it will be visible from Earth CSO-3 Satellite The mission aims to deploy the CSO-3 satellite, developed for the French Defence Procurement and Technology Agency (DGA) and the French space agency CNES, on behalf of the French Air and Space Force’s Space Command (CDE). The satellite is part of the Optical Space Component (CSO) programme, which enhances France’s defence and reconnaissance capabilities. Ariane 6 is Europe’s next-generation heavy-lift launcher, designed to succeed the Ariane 5 rocket. It comes in two configurations: Ariane 62, equipped with two boosters, and Ariane 64, with four boosters for higher payload capacity. The Ariane 62 version was set to carry the CSO-3 satellite into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of approximately 800 km. The satellite was expected to separate from the rocket around an hour and six minutes after launch. The CSO-3 satellite is the third and final component of the CSO constellation, joining CSO-1, launched in December 2018, and CSO-2, launched in December 2020. Also read: '36 billion suns inside': NASA's Hubble Telescope discovers one of the largest black hole hiding inside an Einstein Ring The satellites are supposed to be positioned in different sun-synchronous orbits to perform distinct roles: CSO-1 and CSO-3 focus on reconnaissance, covering operational theatres, and providing revisit capability, while CSO-2 is dedicated to high-resolution imaging and analysis. The constellation is designed to support the Multinational Space-based Imaging System (MUSIS), an initiative led by the DGA. The CSO satellites are built by Airbus Defence and Space, with Thales Alenia Space supplying the very high-resolution optical imaging instrument. Each satellite has an expected operational lifespan of ten years. Arianespace has been working closely with CNES and the French military to ensure the successful deployment of the CSO-3 satellite, but further technical evaluations will now be required before a new launch date is confirmed.

ESA's Ariane 6 launch delayed again due to ground system anomaly

Scientists have determined that a fossilised plant first discovered near a ghost town in Utah 55 years ago does not belong to any currently known plant family, either living or extinct. The plant, named&nbsp;Othniophyton elongatum, was initially identified in 1969 when researchers found fossilised leaves and believed it could be related to ginseng.
A recent study has challenged this hypothesis. Steven Manchester, curator of palaeobotany at the Florida Museum of Natural History, came across a well-preserved plant fossil in the University of California, Berkeley&rsquo;s palaeobotany collection. The fossil originated from the same area as the Othniophyton leaves. Manchester&rsquo;s research team analysed the specimen and concluded it belonged to the same species. Their findings were published on 9 November in the Annals of Botany.
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Both fossils were excavated from the Green River Formation in eastern Utah, near the now-abandoned town of Rainbow. Around 47 million years ago, the region was a lake ecosystem near active volcanoes. The combination of lake sediments and volcanic ash preserved the remains of fish, reptiles, birds, and plants.
Unlike the original fossil, the specimen at UC Berkeley contained leaves, flowers, and fruits. The researchers compared its physical features with existing plant families but found no match. The structure differed significantly from ginseng-related plants, leading scientists to discount the previous classification.
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The Florida Museum of Natural History later used advanced microscopy and artificial intelligence technology to study the fossil further. They identified micro-impressions of developing seeds and stamens that remained attached to mature fruits, a characteristic not observed in modern plants.
Attempts to link Othniophyton elongatum to any known extinct plant families were also unsuccessful. This discovery follows previous findings from the Green River Formation, where fossilised fruits and leaves of unidentified plants have led to the recognition of extinct groups. Scientists continue to examine these fossils to understand the region&rsquo;s ancient plant diversity.

Around 47 million years ago, the region was a lake ecosystem near active volcanoes. The combination of lake sediments and volcanic ash preserved the remains of fish, reptiles, birds, and plants.

Scientists have determined that a fossilised plant first discovered near a ghost town in Utah 55 years ago does not belong to any currently known plant family, either living or extinct. The plant, named Othniophyton elongatum, was initially identified in 1969 when researchers found fossilised leaves and believed it could be related to ginseng. A recent study has challenged this hypothesis. Steven Manchester, curator of palaeobotany at the Florida Museum of Natural History, came across a well-preserved plant fossil in the University of California, Berkeley’s palaeobotany collection. The fossil originated from the same area as the Othniophyton leaves. Manchester’s research team analysed the specimen and concluded it belonged to the same species. Their findings were published on 9 November in the Annals of Botany. Also read: 'Invisible space bomb': Asteroid YR4 to disappear in April, leaving Earth defenceless until 2028 Both fossils were excavated from the Green River Formation in eastern Utah, near the now-abandoned town of Rainbow. Around 47 million years ago, the region was a lake ecosystem near active volcanoes. The combination of lake sediments and volcanic ash preserved the remains of fish, reptiles, birds, and plants. Unlike the original fossil, the specimen at UC Berkeley contained leaves, flowers, and fruits. The researchers compared its physical features with existing plant families but found no match. The structure differed significantly from ginseng-related plants, leading scientists to discount the previous classification. Also read: 'Metal foam': ISRO's Bhartiya Space Station to get an upgrade from the researchers of IIT-Madras The Florida Museum of Natural History later used advanced microscopy and artificial intelligence technology to study the fossil further. They identified micro-impressions of developing seeds and stamens that remained attached to mature fruits, a characteristic not observed in modern plants. Attempts to link Othniophyton elongatum to any known extinct plant families were also unsuccessful. This discovery follows previous findings from the Green River Formation, where fossilised fruits and leaves of unidentified plants have led to the recognition of extinct groups. Scientists continue to examine these fossils to understand the region’s ancient plant diversity.

Not from this world? Scientists discover mysterious 'alien plant' fossil near Utah's ghost town

NASA has revised its plans for the return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station (ISS), now considering March 19, 2025 as their new departure date. This update moves their return forward by approximately two weeks from the previously scheduled early April timeline, according to a report by Daily Mail.
The decision is linked to adjustments in the schedule for SpaceX&rsquo;s Crew-10 mission. Originally set for launch in February, the Crew-10 mission was delayed due to a technical issue with the new Dragon capsule intended for the flight. As a result, the launch was postponed to March, which in turn delayed Williams and Wilmore&rsquo;s return.
Williams and Wilmore are expected to travel back to Earth aboard the Crew-9 capsule, which has been docked at the ISS since 29 September 2024. However, NASA protocol requires Crew-9 to remain at the station until Crew-10 arrives to ensure a structured transition. This procedure allows for a handover period in which the outgoing crew briefs the incoming team, maintaining continuity of operations aboard the ISS.
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<h2 class="p1">NASA's Preparations</h2>
To facilitate an earlier launch, NASA has opted to switch the Dragon capsule originally assigned to Crew-10. This change is expected to clear the way for Crew-10&rsquo;s revised launch schedule, thereby enabling Crew-9, along with Williams and Wilmore, to return to Earth sooner than initially planned.
Williams and Wilmore&rsquo;s return had already been postponed multiple times due to technical concerns with Boeing&rsquo;s Starliner spacecraft. The pair launched aboard Starliner on 5 June 2024 as part of its first crewed mission under the Starliner Crew Flight Test. However, propulsion system issues and helium leaks detected during the mission led to repeated delays in their journey back to Earth.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/science-technology/cant-remember-how-to-walk-why-nasas-sunita-williams-is-losing-basic-human-movements-in-space-8682779">'Can't remember how to walk': Why NASA's Sunita Williams is losing basic human movements in space</a>
In a separate development, former US President Donald Trump recently commented on the astronauts&rsquo; extended stay aboard the ISS. He claimed that Williams and Wilmore were &ldquo;stranded&rdquo; in space and called on Elon Musk&rsquo;s SpaceX to intervene. Despite Trump&rsquo;s remarks, NASA has confirmed that the astronauts are not stranded and that plans for their return in March are proceeding as scheduled.

Originally set for launch in February, the Crew-10 mission was delayed due to a technical issue with the new Dragon capsule intended for the flight. 

NASA has revised its plans for the return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station (ISS), now considering March 19, 2025 as their new departure date. This update moves their return forward by approximately two weeks from the previously scheduled early April timeline, according to a report by Daily Mail. The decision is linked to adjustments in the schedule for SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission. Originally set for launch in February, the Crew-10 mission was delayed due to a technical issue with the new Dragon capsule intended for the flight. As a result, the launch was postponed to March, which in turn delayed Williams and Wilmore’s return. Williams and Wilmore are expected to travel back to Earth aboard the Crew-9 capsule, which has been docked at the ISS since 29 September 2024. However, NASA protocol requires Crew-9 to remain at the station until Crew-10 arrives to ensure a structured transition. This procedure allows for a handover period in which the outgoing crew briefs the incoming team, maintaining continuity of operations aboard the ISS. Also read: 'An asteroid is coming': Humans could face dinosaur type extinction level event if... NASA's Preparations To facilitate an earlier launch, NASA has opted to switch the Dragon capsule originally assigned to Crew-10. This change is expected to clear the way for Crew-10’s revised launch schedule, thereby enabling Crew-9, along with Williams and Wilmore, to return to Earth sooner than initially planned. Williams and Wilmore’s return had already been postponed multiple times due to technical concerns with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The pair launched aboard Starliner on 5 June 2024 as part of its first crewed mission under the Starliner Crew Flight Test. However, propulsion system issues and helium leaks detected during the mission led to repeated delays in their journey back to Earth. Also read: 'Can't remember how to walk': Why NASA's Sunita Williams is losing basic human movements in space In a separate development, former US President Donald Trump recently commented on the astronauts’ extended stay aboard the ISS. He claimed that Williams and Wilmore were “stranded” in space and called on Elon Musk’s SpaceX to intervene. Despite Trump’s remarks, NASA has confirmed that the astronauts are not stranded and that plans for their return in March are proceeding as scheduled.

NASA confirms March 19 as return date for Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore

Stargazers had a year full of treats as several celestial visitors came towards Earth, some of them setting up a wonderful scene in the night sky. There were comets, eclipses and more that caught the attention of the people on Earth. The most amazing celestial events in 2024 were the meteor and asteroid strikes that were seen by several people across the world. Here are some beautiful celestial wonders that stargazers could not get enough of in 2024. &nbsp;
<h2> Total Solar Eclipse</h2>
&nbsp;
North America witnessed a total solar eclipse on April 8. It spanned from Mexico's Pacific coast to Newfoundland, Canada. It was called the Great North American Eclipse. The eclipse started over the South Pacific Ocean with totality first reported from Mexico&rsquo;s Pacific coast. It then moved towards the United States, covering Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
<h2> &nbsp; Comet 12P/Pons&ndash;Brooks&nbsp;</h2>
This comet was in the skies over Earth in the first half of this year, with its closest approach coming on June 2. It was also famously known as Devil Comet because of the &ldquo;horns&rdquo; it developed following multiple explosions.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/comet-expected-to-die-near-the-sun-might-survive-the-trip-visit-earth-in-october-754227" rel="dofollow">Comet expected to die near the sun might survive, then visit Earth in October</a>
It is a periodic comet and takes 71 years to complete one orbit. Such comets are also known as Halley-type comets.
<h2> &nbsp; Comet 13P/Olbers&nbsp;</h2>
 This was another once-in-a-lifetime comet with an orbital period of 69 years. It is also a Halley-type comet. Such comets have a period between 20 and 200 years. It was discovered on March 6, 1815, by Heinrich Wilhelm Matthias Olbers. It later came close to Earth in 1887 and then again in 1956. The comet made its closest approach to the Sun on June 30, 2024.&nbsp;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/halloween-comet-no-more-unfortunately-the-headless-icy-visitor-is-dying-770376" rel="dofollow">Halloween comet no more? The headless icy visitor might be dying</a>
It later started becoming even brighter and came to its nearest point to Earth on July 20. It was the brightest comet in the sky at that time.
<h2>Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan&ndash;ATLAS)</h2>
 The highlight of the year 2024 was Comet A3 or Comet Atlas. It was visible to the naked eye in the middle of October, with stargazers snapping amazing pictures of the comet. It was just 43,911,824 miles from Earth at its closest point. It had astronomers excited for weeks before it paid us a visit. At one point, some feared that it might fizzle out near the sun and might not return to Earth. However, all these reports were later proven wrong as the comet not only survived but stayed in the skies above Earth for days.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/asteroid-hits-earth-near-california-moments-after-being-discovered-770523" rel="dofollow">Asteroid hits Earth near California moments after being discovered</a>
Even astronauts at the International Space Station were able to catch a glimpse of the comet.
<h2>The comet that did not make it</h2>
Comet C/2024 S1 (ATLAS), a stargazing comet, was expected to become the second visitor in October. However, the sungrazer comet that belonged to the Kreutz family burnt out near the Sun.
<h2>Asteroid and meteorite strikes</h2>
In August, a meteorite hit South Africa. People saw a streak of bright light in the sky over St Francis Bay on Sunday (August 25) morning. It broke up into a bright fireball. Professor Roger Gibson from the Wits School of Geosciences said that it was similar to "a rocky asteroid about the size of a car entering Earth's atmosphere at very high speed." A sonic boom was heard as far away as Plettenberg Bay, over 200 km from Gqberha. Ground tremors were also reported in the area.&nbsp;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/asteroid-in-siberia-fourth-imminent-impactor-of-2024-strikes-over-yakutia-781292" rel="dofollow">Asteroid in Siberia: Fourth imminent impactor of 2024 strikes over Yakutia</a>
There were at least four asteroids that were caught mere hours before impact in 2024. On September 4, the first imminent impactor was reported over the Philippines. Asteroid 2024 RW1 was discovered by research technologist Jacqueline Fazekas with the NASA-funded Catalina Sky Survey, just hours before it collided. It burnt up in a green fireball, with many people spotting it.&nbsp;
The second such asteroid was reported near California on Oct 22. It was around three feet in diameter and was initially named A11dc6D. It was later officially called 2024 UQ. The asteroid impacted Earth's atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean and thus wasn't seen by people. It burst into a bright fireball about 1,000 km off the California coast and was spotted by NASA&rsquo;s Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS).
On Dec 3, an asteroid hit the skies over Siberia. It measured around 1.6 to four feet, about the size of a small bicycle tyre. It was initially named C0WEPC5 and was later officially designated 2024 XA1. It came to notice only hours before impact. The European Space Agency saw the asteroid at 4:27 am ET (2:57 pm IST) and issued an alert, stating that it might hit in the next few hours. also&nbsp;

Space, asteroids, eclipses, comets and more events in space kept stargazers busy in 2024. A lot was happening in the skies and on Earth this year

Stargazers had a year full of treats as several celestial visitors came towards Earth, some of them setting up a wonderful scene in the night sky. There were comets, eclipses and more that caught the attention of the people on Earth. The most amazing celestial events in 2024 were the meteor and asteroid strikes that were seen by several people across the world. Here are some beautiful celestial wonders that stargazers could not get enough of in 2024. Total Solar Eclipse North America witnessed a total solar eclipse on April 8. It spanned from Mexico's Pacific coast to Newfoundland, Canada. It was called the Great North American Eclipse. The eclipse started over the South Pacific Ocean with totality first reported from Mexico’s Pacific coast. It then moved towards the United States, covering Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Comet 12P/Pons–Brooks This comet was in the skies over Earth in the first half of this year, with its closest approach coming on June 2. It was also famously known as Devil Comet because of the “horns” it developed following multiple explosions. Also Read: Comet expected to die near the sun might survive, then visit Earth in October It is a periodic comet and takes 71 years to complete one orbit. Such comets are also known as Halley-type comets. Comet 13P/Olbers This was another once-in-a-lifetime comet with an orbital period of 69 years. It is also a Halley-type comet. Such comets have a period between 20 and 200 years. It was discovered on March 6, 1815, by Heinrich Wilhelm Matthias Olbers. It later came close to Earth in 1887 and then again in 1956. The comet made its closest approach to the Sun on June 30, 2024. Also Read: Halloween comet no more? The headless icy visitor might be dying It later started becoming even brighter and came to its nearest point to Earth on July 20. It was the brightest comet in the sky at that time. Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) The highlight of the year 2024 was Comet A3 or Comet Atlas. It was visible to the naked eye in the middle of October, with stargazers snapping amazing pictures of the comet. It was just 43,911,824 miles from Earth at its closest point. It had astronomers excited for weeks before it paid us a visit. At one point, some feared that it might fizzle out near the sun and might not return to Earth. However, all these reports were later proven wrong as the comet not only survived but stayed in the skies above Earth for days. Also Read: Asteroid hits Earth near California moments after being discovered Even astronauts at the International Space Station were able to catch a glimpse of the comet. The comet that did not make it Comet C/2024 S1 (ATLAS), a stargazing comet, was expected to become the second visitor in October. However, the sungrazer comet that belonged to the Kreutz family burnt out near the Sun. Asteroid and meteorite strikes In August, a meteorite hit South Africa. People saw a streak of bright light in the sky over St Francis Bay on Sunday (August 25) morning. It broke up into a bright fireball. Professor Roger Gibson from the Wits School of Geosciences said that it was similar to "a rocky asteroid about the size of a car entering Earth's atmosphere at very high speed." A sonic boom was heard as far away as Plettenberg Bay, over 200 km from Gqberha. Ground tremors were also reported in the area. Also Read: Asteroid in Siberia: Fourth imminent impactor of 2024 strikes over Yakutia There were at least four asteroids that were caught mere hours before impact in 2024. On September 4, the first imminent impactor was reported over the Philippines. Asteroid 2024 RW1 was discovered by research technologist Jacqueline Fazekas with the NASA-funded Catalina Sky Survey, just hours before it collided. It burnt up in a green fireball, with many people spotting it. The second such asteroid was reported near California on Oct 22. It was around three feet in diameter and was initially named A11dc6D. It was later officially called 2024 UQ. The asteroid impacted Earth's atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean and thus wasn't seen by people. It burst into a bright fireball about 1,000 km off the California coast and was spotted by NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). On Dec 3, an asteroid hit the skies over Siberia. It measured around 1.6 to four feet, about the size of a small bicycle tyre. It was initially named C0WEPC5 and was later officially designated 2024 XA1. It came to notice only hours before impact. The European Space Agency saw the asteroid at 4:27 am ET (2:57 pm IST) and issued an alert, stating that it might hit in the next few hours. also

Yearender 2024: Asteroids, comets and other celestial events

A NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) spacecraft made history on Thursday (Dec 16) by surviving the closest-ever approach to the sun.&nbsp;
Parker Solar Probe gave a signal to scientists just before midnight on Thursday (Dec 26) after being out of communication for several days.&nbsp;
The space agency said the probe was &ldquo;safe&rdquo; and was operating after passing just 3.8 million miles from the solar space.&nbsp;
Also read | <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/milky-ways-fluffiest-system-found-a-new-planet-786724" aria-label="Milky Way's fluffiest system found a new planet">Milky Way's fluffiest system found a new planet</a>
NASA had been awaiting the signal since then as it was expected to be received on December 28.&nbsp;
As per the NASA website, moving at up to 692,000 kph, the spacecraft endured temperature of 980C.&nbsp;
The space agency said, "This close-up study of the Sun allows Parker Solar Probe to take measurements that help scientists better understand how material in this region gets heated to millions of degrees, trace the origin of the solar wind (a continuous flow of material escaping the Sun), and discover how energetic particles are accelerated to near light speed.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Dr Nicola Fox, head of science at NASA, previously told BBC News that people have studied the Sun for centuries, but &ldquo;you don't experience the atmosphere of a place until you actually go [and] visit it&rdquo;.&nbsp;
He further added, &ldquo;And so we can't really experience the atmosphere of our star unless we fly through it.&rdquo;
Parker Solar Probe was launched in 2018 and was aimed to head to the centre of our solar system.&nbsp;
It has swept past the Sun 21 times till now while getting nearer to the star.&nbsp;
Dr Fox told BBC, "We are 93 million miles away from the Sun, so if I put the Sun and the Earth one metre apart, Parker Solar Probe is 4cm from the Sun - so that's close."
<h3>But what's the purpose?</h3>
Scientists want to get closer to the Sun as they hope that as the spacecraft passes through the outer atmosphere of the Sun (Its corona), it will collect some unknown data that might solve a mystery.&nbsp;
Dr Jenifer Millard, an astronomer at Fifth Star Labs in Wales, explained to BBC, "The corona is really, really hot, and we have no idea why."
Also read | <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-probe-to-make-closest-approach-ever-in-human-history-to-fiery-surface-of-sun-on-christmas-eve-785998" aria-label="NASA probe to make closest approach ever in human history to fiery surface of sun on Christmas Eve">NASA probe to make closest approach ever in human history to fiery surface of sun on Christmas Eve</a>
"The surface of the Sun is about 6,000C or so, but the corona, this tenuous outer atmosphere that you can see during solar eclipses, reaches millions of degrees - and that is further away from the Sun. So how is that atmosphere getting hotter," she further added.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

Science | NASA said the probe was “safe” and was operating after passing just 3.8 million miles from the solar space. NASA had been awaiting the signal since then as it was expected to be received on December 28. 

A NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) spacecraft made history on Thursday (Dec 16) by surviving the closest-ever approach to the sun. Parker Solar Probe gave a signal to scientists just before midnight on Thursday (Dec 26) after being out of communication for several days. The space agency said the probe was “safe” and was operating after passing just 3.8 million miles from the solar space. Also read | Milky Way's fluffiest system found a new planet NASA had been awaiting the signal since then as it was expected to be received on December 28. As per the NASA website, moving at up to 692,000 kph, the spacecraft endured temperature of 980C. The space agency said, "This close-up study of the Sun allows Parker Solar Probe to take measurements that help scientists better understand how material in this region gets heated to millions of degrees, trace the origin of the solar wind (a continuous flow of material escaping the Sun), and discover how energetic particles are accelerated to near light speed.” Dr Nicola Fox, head of science at NASA, previously told BBC News that people have studied the Sun for centuries, but “you don't experience the atmosphere of a place until you actually go [and] visit it”. He further added, “And so we can't really experience the atmosphere of our star unless we fly through it.” Parker Solar Probe was launched in 2018 and was aimed to head to the centre of our solar system. It has swept past the Sun 21 times till now while getting nearer to the star. Dr Fox told BBC, "We are 93 million miles away from the Sun, so if I put the Sun and the Earth one metre apart, Parker Solar Probe is 4cm from the Sun - so that's close." But what's the purpose? Scientists want to get closer to the Sun as they hope that as the spacecraft passes through the outer atmosphere of the Sun (Its corona), it will collect some unknown data that might solve a mystery. Dr Jenifer Millard, an astronomer at Fifth Star Labs in Wales, explained to BBC, "The corona is really, really hot, and we have no idea why." Also read | NASA probe to make closest approach ever in human history to fiery surface of sun on Christmas Eve "The surface of the Sun is about 6,000C or so, but the corona, this tenuous outer atmosphere that you can see during solar eclipses, reaches millions of degrees - and that is further away from the Sun. So how is that atmosphere getting hotter," she further added. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA spacecraft makes history by getting closest-ever to Sun

California, United States
Researchers from the California Institute of Technology have quantified the speed of the human brain at which it processes information, revealing we may not be as sharp as we might think. The study has opened new avenues of exploration for neuroscience.
The study has revealed that the speed of human thought is just 10 bits per second, much less than what we’d like to imagine. Our brain processes thoughts one at a time, making it a slow and crowded queue.
This new information is in contrast to the way the peripheral nervous system functions, processing gigabits of sensory data in a second, raising many questions for scientists.
The research led by neurobiologist Jieyu Zheng was conducted in the laboratory of Markus Meister and published in the journal Neuron on December 17.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/having-your-tonsils-removed-as-a-child-may-increase-the-risk-of-stress-disorders-study-785951">Having your tonsils removed as a child may increase the risk of stress disorders: Study</a>
“This is an extremely low number,” Meister says. “Every moment, we are extracting just 10 bits from the trillion that our senses are taking in and using those 10 to perceive the world around us and make decisions. This raises a paradox: What is the brain doing to filter all of this information?”
Zheng and Meister have highlighted in their published paper that despite the richness in our mind’s eye, photographic memory, and unconscious processing, the brain really does operate at a sluggish pace, which rarely goes above 10 bits a second.
According to the researchers, the brain processes at just under 12 bits a second while solving a Rubik’s cube blindfolded and around 10 bits while playing a strategy video game. 
“The current understanding is not commensurate with the enormous processing resources available, and we have seen no viable proposal for what would create a neural bottleneck that forces single-strand operation,” the authors write.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/aging-a-thing-of-the-past-new-study-finds-70-is-the-new-60-785451">Ageing a thing of the past? New study finds 70 is the new 60 because...</a>
With over 85 billion neurons in the brain that form trillions of connections, allowing us to feel and think, why each of them can’t process collectively at a faster speed is not known.
“Our ancestors have chosen an ecological niche where the world is slow enough to make survival possible,” Zheng and Meister write. “In fact, the 10 bits per second are needed only in worst-case situations, and most of the time our environment changes at a much more leisurely pace.”
Scientists have suggested developing an interface that can link brains and computers for humans to communicate faster than the normal pace of speaking or typing, the new study has shown that our brains can only communicate at the same speed of 10 bits per second.
(With inputs from agencies)

The new information is in contrast to the way the peripheral nervous system functions, processing gigabits of sensory data in a second, raising many questions for scientists



California, United States Researchers from the California Institute of Technology have quantified the speed of the human brain at which it processes information, revealing we may not be as sharp as we might think. The study has opened new avenues of exploration for neuroscience. The study has revealed that the speed of human thought is just 10 bits per second, much less than what we’d like to imagine. Our brain processes thoughts one at a time, making it a slow and crowded queue. This new information is in contrast to the way the peripheral nervous system functions, processing gigabits of sensory data in a second, raising many questions for scientists. The research led by neurobiologist Jieyu Zheng was conducted in the laboratory of Markus Meister and published in the journal Neuron on December 17. Also read | Having your tonsils removed as a child may increase the risk of stress disorders: Study “This is an extremely low number,” Meister says. “Every moment, we are extracting just 10 bits from the trillion that our senses are taking in and using those 10 to perceive the world around us and make decisions. This raises a paradox: What is the brain doing to filter all of this information?” Zheng and Meister have highlighted in their published paper that despite the richness in our mind’s eye, photographic memory, and unconscious processing, the brain really does operate at a sluggish pace, which rarely goes above 10 bits a second. According to the researchers, the brain processes at just under 12 bits a second while solving a Rubik’s cube blindfolded and around 10 bits while playing a strategy video game. “The current understanding is not commensurate with the enormous processing resources available, and we have seen no viable proposal for what would create a neural bottleneck that forces single-strand operation,” the authors write. Also read | Ageing a thing of the past? New study finds 70 is the new 60 because... With over 85 billion neurons in the brain that form trillions of connections, allowing us to feel and think, why each of them can’t process collectively at a faster speed is not known. “Our ancestors have chosen an ecological niche where the world is slow enough to make survival possible,” Zheng and Meister write. “In fact, the 10 bits per second are needed only in worst-case situations, and most of the time our environment changes at a much more leisurely pace.” Scientists have suggested developing an interface that can link brains and computers for humans to communicate faster than the normal pace of speaking or typing, the new study has shown that our brains can only communicate at the same speed of 10 bits per second. (With inputs from agencies)

Our brain is not as fast as we might think, study reveals speed of human thought

New Delhi: In 2012, it was found that Kepler-52, the Sun-like yellow dwarf star has three exoplanets in its orbit. Each of those exoplanets turned out to be with a density higher than cotton candy. This led to putting them in a category called super puff world.&nbsp;
Now reports came that scientists have found a fourth one in the category.&nbsp;
Jessica Libby-Roberts, a planetary scientist at Pennsylvania State University, said in a statement, "Super puff planets are fairly rare, and when they do occur, they tend to be the only one in a planetary system."&nbsp;
She further reported adding, "If trying to explain how three super puffs formed in one system wasn't challenging enough, now we have to explain a fourth planet, whether it's a super puff or not. And we can't rule out additional planets in the system either."
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It was 2019 when the strange nature of the three exoplanets orbiting Kepler-51 was established and observations were made by astronomers to create measurements of the radii and masses of the exoplanets. The acquired measurements were used to calculate their densities, which were found to be less than 0.1 grams per cubic centimetre.&nbsp;
When a team of astronomers co-led by Libby-Roberts and Kento Masuda of Osaka University set out to catch one of the discovered exoplanets, they found that there might be more exoplanets than do not get caught in the eyes.&nbsp;
The team then further pored out data on transit timings obtained by NASA's planet-hunting telescope TESS, and observations from several ground-based telescopes as well.&nbsp;
After they carefully went back to their data to ensure no errors were made, the conclusion said there was an unseen exoplanet.&nbsp;
The newly found fourth exoplanet will be named Kepler-51e as the other previous found were named Kepler-51b, Kepler-51c, and Kepler-51d.&nbsp;
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-taliban-government-spokesperson-claims-46-killed-in-pakistans-overnight-strike-786677">Afghanistan: Taliban government spokesperson claims 46 killed in Pakistan's overnight strike</a>
Masudsa explained, "We conducted what is called a 'brute force' search, testing out many different combinations of planet properties to find the four-planet model that explains all of the transit data gathered over the past 14 years."&nbsp;
She further said, "We found that the signal is best explained if Kepler-51e has a mass similar to the other three planets and follows a fairly circular orbit of about 264 days &ndash; something we would expect based on other planetary systems. Other possible solutions we found involve a more massive planet on a wider orbit, though we think these are less likely."
(With inputs from agencies)

She further reported adding, "If trying to explain how three super puffs formed in one system wasn't challenging enough, now we have to explain a fourth planet, whether it's a super puff or not. And we can't rule out additional planets in the system either."



New Delhi: In 2012, it was found that Kepler-52, the Sun-like yellow dwarf star has three exoplanets in its orbit. Each of those exoplanets turned out to be with a density higher than cotton candy. This led to putting them in a category called super puff world. Now reports came that scientists have found a fourth one in the category. Jessica Libby-Roberts, a planetary scientist at Pennsylvania State University, said in a statement, "Super puff planets are fairly rare, and when they do occur, they tend to be the only one in a planetary system." She further reported adding, "If trying to explain how three super puffs formed in one system wasn't challenging enough, now we have to explain a fourth planet, whether it's a super puff or not. And we can't rule out additional planets in the system either." Also read | 42 killed as Azerbaijan Airlines plane bursts into flames after emergency landing in Kazakhstan It was 2019 when the strange nature of the three exoplanets orbiting Kepler-51 was established and observations were made by astronomers to create measurements of the radii and masses of the exoplanets. The acquired measurements were used to calculate their densities, which were found to be less than 0.1 grams per cubic centimetre. When a team of astronomers co-led by Libby-Roberts and Kento Masuda of Osaka University set out to catch one of the discovered exoplanets, they found that there might be more exoplanets than do not get caught in the eyes. The team then further pored out data on transit timings obtained by NASA's planet-hunting telescope TESS, and observations from several ground-based telescopes as well. After they carefully went back to their data to ensure no errors were made, the conclusion said there was an unseen exoplanet. The newly found fourth exoplanet will be named Kepler-51e as the other previous found were named Kepler-51b, Kepler-51c, and Kepler-51d. Also read | Afghanistan: Taliban government spokesperson claims 46 killed in Pakistan's overnight strike Masudsa explained, "We conducted what is called a 'brute force' search, testing out many different combinations of planet properties to find the four-planet model that explains all of the transit data gathered over the past 14 years." She further said, "We found that the signal is best explained if Kepler-51e has a mass similar to the other three planets and follows a fairly circular orbit of about 264 days – something we would expect based on other planetary systems. Other possible solutions we found involve a more massive planet on a wider orbit, though we think these are less likely." (With inputs from agencies)

Milky Way's fluffiest system found a new planet

Osaka, Japan: For people who love to unwind after a long day by taking a relaxing bath but do not have enough time for it, Japanese engineers have created something that may be perfect for them.&nbsp;
The 'Mirai Ningen Sentakuki' or 'human washing machine of the future' built by an Osaka-based showerhead company, Science Co., can wash and dry your body after analysing it with AI technology.
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?AI-POWERED HUMAN WASHING MACHINE: BECAUSE WHO HAS TIME TO SCRUB?
Japan&rsquo;s "Mirai Ningen Sentakuki" is here to wash your...everything.
A 15-minute AI-powered bath capsule uses jets, microbubbles, and calming videos to cleanse bodies and soothe egos.
Chairman Yasuaki Aoyama&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/0GBwOtCV9r">pic.twitter.com/0GBwOtCV9r</a>
&mdash; Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1863839198609870945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2024</a>
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The bizarre device works similarly to a washing machine and only takes 15 minutes to complete a human rinse cycle. The futuristic machine, which resembles the cockpit of a fighter jet or a pod, will be showcased at the Osaka Kansai Expo in Japan, where 1,000 people may get a chance to try it.
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<h2>How does the device work?</h2>
Once a user enters the plastic pod, it will fill halfway up with warm water. After that, high-speed water jets containing extremely small air bubbles are blasted. The bubbles burst and create a small but powerful pressure wave that removes the dirt from the skin. The same process is used for cleaning electrical parts that can&rsquo;t be washed using chemicals.
Science Co. says that this human washing machine not only cleans the body but can also &lsquo;wash the mind&rsquo;. During the wash, the electrodes in the chair gather the biological information of the user and adjust the water temperature accordingly. The AI sensor interprets whether the user is calm or excited and plays specifically selected videos inside the pod to calm the nerves.
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/are-we-living-in-a-simulation-physicist-suggests-master-ai-is-controlling-an-advanced-ai-world-781064">Are humans trapped in a simulation? Physicist suggests 'master AI' is controlling an 'advanced AI world'</a>
According to the company, the machine can result in a quick wash, and make the bather feel physically and mentally refreshed.
The device is based on a 50-year-old design, originally designed by Sanyo Electric Co., now Panasonic Holdings Corp. Although showcased at the World Exposition, the 1970s device did not make it to the markets.
Science Co. has not confirmed yet when the machine will be available&nbsp;for purchase and what will be its cost.
(With inputs from agencies)

The 'Mirai Ningen Sentakuki' or 'human washing machine of the future' built by an Osaka-based showerhead company, Science Co., can wash and dry your body after analysing it with AI technology.



Osaka, Japan: For people who love to unwind after a long day by taking a relaxing bath but do not have enough time for it, Japanese engineers have created something that may be perfect for them. The 'Mirai Ningen Sentakuki' or 'human washing machine of the future' built by an Osaka-based showerhead company, Science Co., can wash and dry your body after analysing it with AI technology. ?AI-POWERED HUMAN WASHING MACHINE: BECAUSE WHO HAS TIME TO SCRUB? Japan’s "Mirai Ningen Sentakuki" is here to wash your...everything. A 15-minute AI-powered bath capsule uses jets, microbubbles, and calming videos to cleanse bodies and soothe egos. Chairman Yasuaki Aoyama… pic.twitter.com/0GBwOtCV9r — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 3, 2024 × The bizarre device works similarly to a washing machine and only takes 15 minutes to complete a human rinse cycle. The futuristic machine, which resembles the cockpit of a fighter jet or a pod, will be showcased at the Osaka Kansai Expo in Japan, where 1,000 people may get a chance to try it. Also read | China: Passengers may experience 5G connectivity in 1,000km/h trains, says study How does the device work? Once a user enters the plastic pod, it will fill halfway up with warm water. After that, high-speed water jets containing extremely small air bubbles are blasted. The bubbles burst and create a small but powerful pressure wave that removes the dirt from the skin. The same process is used for cleaning electrical parts that can’t be washed using chemicals. Science Co. says that this human washing machine not only cleans the body but can also ‘wash the mind’. During the wash, the electrodes in the chair gather the biological information of the user and adjust the water temperature accordingly. The AI sensor interprets whether the user is calm or excited and plays specifically selected videos inside the pod to calm the nerves. Also read | Are humans trapped in a simulation? Physicist suggests 'master AI' is controlling an 'advanced AI world' According to the company, the machine can result in a quick wash, and make the bather feel physically and mentally refreshed. The device is based on a 50-year-old design, originally designed by Sanyo Electric Co., now Panasonic Holdings Corp. Although showcased at the World Exposition, the 1970s device did not make it to the markets. Science Co. has not confirmed yet when the machine will be available for purchase and what will be its cost. (With inputs from agencies)

Japanese engineers build AI-powered human washing machine that cleans body in 15 minutes

In 2012, it was found that Kepler-52, the Sun-like yellow dwarf star has three exoplanets in its orbit. Each of those exoplanets turned out to be with a density higher than cotton candy. This led to putting them in a category called super puff world.&nbsp;

Now reports came that scientists have found a fourth one in the category.&nbsp;

Jessica Libby-Roberts, a planetary scientist at Pennsylvania State University, said in a statement, "Super puff planets are fairly rare, and when they do occur, they tend to be the only one in a planetary system."&nbsp;

She further reported adding, "If trying to explain how three super puffs formed in one system wasn't challenging enough, now we have to explain a fourth planet, whether it's a super puff or not. And we can't rule out additional planets in the system either."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/azerbaijan-airlines-plane-carrying-62-passengers-crashes-in-kazakhstan-watch-video-786683">42 killed as Azerbaijan Airlines plane bursts into flames after emergency landing in Kazakhstan</a>

It was 2019 when the strange nature of the three exoplanets orbiting Kepler-51 was established and observations were made by astronomers to create measurements of the radii and masses of the exoplanets. The acquired measurements were used to calculate their densities, which were found to be less than 0.1 grams per cubic centimetre.&nbsp;

When a team of astronomers co-led by Libby-Roberts and Kento Masuda of Osaka University set out to catch one of the discovered exoplanets, they found that there might be more exoplanets than do not get caught in the eyes.&nbsp;

The team then further pored out data on transit timings obtained by NASA's planet-hunting telescope TESS, and observations from several ground-based telescopes as well.&nbsp;

After they carefully went back to their data to ensure no errors were made, the conclusion said there was an unseen exoplanet.&nbsp;

The newly found fourth exoplanet will be named Kepler-51e as the other previous found were named Kepler-51b, Kepler-51c, and Kepler-51d.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-taliban-government-spokesperson-claims-46-killed-in-pakistans-overnight-strike-786677">Afghanistan: Taliban government spokesperson claims 46 killed in Pakistan's overnight strike</a>

Masudsa explained, "We conducted what is called a 'brute force' search, testing out many different combinations of planet properties to find the four-planet model that explains all of the transit data gathered over the past 14 years."&nbsp;

She further said, "We found that the signal is best explained if Kepler-51e has a mass similar to the other three planets and follows a fairly circular orbit of about 264 days – something we would expect based on other planetary systems. Other possible solutions we found involve a more massive planet on a wider orbit, though we think these are less likely."

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

In 2012, it was found that Kepler-52, the Sun-like yellow dwarf star has three exoplanets in its orbit. Each of those exoplanets turned out to be with a density higher than cotton candy.

In 2012, it was found that Kepler-52, the Sun-like yellow dwarf star has three exoplanets in its orbit. Each of those exoplanets turned out to be with a density higher than cotton candy. This led to putting them in a category called super puff world. Now reports came that scientists have found a fourth one in the category. Jessica Libby-Roberts, a planetary scientist at Pennsylvania State University, said in a statement, "Super puff planets are fairly rare, and when they do occur, they tend to be the only one in a planetary system." She further reported adding, "If trying to explain how three super puffs formed in one system wasn't challenging enough, now we have to explain a fourth planet, whether it's a super puff or not. And we can't rule out additional planets in the system either." Also read | 42 killed as Azerbaijan Airlines plane bursts into flames after emergency landing in Kazakhstan It was 2019 when the strange nature of the three exoplanets orbiting Kepler-51 was established and observations were made by astronomers to create measurements of the radii and masses of the exoplanets. The acquired measurements were used to calculate their densities, which were found to be less than 0.1 grams per cubic centimetre. When a team of astronomers co-led by Libby-Roberts and Kento Masuda of Osaka University set out to catch one of the discovered exoplanets, they found that there might be more exoplanets than do not get caught in the eyes. The team then further pored out data on transit timings obtained by NASA's planet-hunting telescope TESS, and observations from several ground-based telescopes as well. After they carefully went back to their data to ensure no errors were made, the conclusion said there was an unseen exoplanet. The newly found fourth exoplanet will be named Kepler-51e as the other previous found were named Kepler-51b, Kepler-51c, and Kepler-51d. Also read | Afghanistan: Taliban government spokesperson claims 46 killed in Pakistan's overnight strike Masudsa explained, "We conducted what is called a 'brute force' search, testing out many different combinations of planet properties to find the four-planet model that explains all of the transit data gathered over the past 14 years." She further said, "We found that the signal is best explained if Kepler-51e has a mass similar to the other three planets and follows a fairly circular orbit of about 264 days – something we would expect based on other planetary systems. Other possible solutions we found involve a more massive planet on a wider orbit, though we think these are less likely." (With inputs from agencies)

Siberia, Russia 
Researchers in Russia revealed on Monday (Dec 24) that the carcass of a 50,000-year-old female baby mammoth was found in the Yakutia region of Siberia in June.
<meta charset="utf-8"/>
The remains of the female mammoth were named Yana after the river in whose basin it was found by some local residents. Experts said it is the best-preserved mammoth carcass in the world, and one of only seven remains ever found.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/chris-hemsworth-backed-company-plans-to-revive-woolly-mammoths-by-2028-764497">Chris Hemsworth-backed company plans to revive woolly mammoth by 2028</a>
<h2 dir="ltr">Mammoth remains 'found'</h2>
The remains of the mammoth were found in the Batagaika Crater, which has expanded since the 1960s, unveiling other historic finds such as a horse and bison, TASS, the Russian state news agency, reported.
&gt; The carcass was discovered as a portion of the crater collapsed unveiling half of the mammoth which led to the local residents finding it.
&gt; Maksim Cheprasov, a researcher, said it was a “unique discovery”. The carcass's front part fell to the bottom of the hole while the back half which included hind legs was in the permafrost. The back half was later collected by his colleagues.
&gt; The carcass weighs 180 kg (397 lbs) and is 120 cm (4 ft) tall and 200 cm long.
Watch | Remains of 50,000 Old Young Mammoth Found
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/files/2024/12/24/2412_wion_mamoth_11am-1735023615-00000003.jpg&videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/2412_wion_mamoth_11am.mp4/index.m3u8&duration=116&tags=mammoth,remains of mammoth,baby mammoth" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
<h2 dir="ltr">Previous findings </h2>
North-Eastern Federal University is reviewing the carcass presently. Before the discovery of this baby mammoth, only six mammoth carcasses had been traced globally, five in Russia and one in Canada, the university said. 
“We were all surprised by the exceptional preservation of the mammoth,” said the university rector, Anatoly Nikolayev.
Studies continue to learn more about the carcass’s exact age.
Watch | Mammoth Remains Found Nearly Intact In Siberian Permafrost
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/files/2024/12/24/2312_wion_mamoth_10pm-1734987311-00000003.jpg&videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/2312_wion_mamoth_10pm.mp4/index.m3u8&duration=139&tags=mammoth,Siberian Forest,russia,World News,WION" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"> </div>
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">(With inputs from agencies) </div>

The remains of the mammoth were found in the Batagaika Crater, which has expanded since the 1960s, unveiling other historic finds such as a horse and bison, TASS, the Russian state news agency, reported.



Siberia, Russia Researchers in Russia revealed on Monday (Dec 24) that the carcass of a 50,000-year-old female baby mammoth was found in the Yakutia region of Siberia in June. The remains of the female mammoth were named Yana after the river in whose basin it was found by some local residents. Experts said it is the best-preserved mammoth carcass in the world, and one of only seven remains ever found. Also Read: Chris Hemsworth-backed company plans to revive woolly mammoth by 2028 Mammoth remains 'found' The remains of the mammoth were found in the Batagaika Crater, which has expanded since the 1960s, unveiling other historic finds such as a horse and bison, TASS, the Russian state news agency, reported. > The carcass was discovered as a portion of the crater collapsed unveiling half of the mammoth which led to the local residents finding it. > Maksim Cheprasov, a researcher, said it was a “unique discovery”. The carcass's front part fell to the bottom of the hole while the back half which included hind legs was in the permafrost. The back half was later collected by his colleagues. > The carcass weighs 180 kg (397 lbs) and is 120 cm (4 ft) tall and 200 cm long. Watch | Remains of 50,000 Old Young Mammoth Found Previous findings North-Eastern Federal University is reviewing the carcass presently. Before the discovery of this baby mammoth, only six mammoth carcasses had been traced globally, five in Russia and one in Canada, the university said. “We were all surprised by the exceptional preservation of the mammoth,” said the university rector, Anatoly Nikolayev. Studies continue to learn more about the carcass’s exact age. Watch | Mammoth Remains Found Nearly Intact In Siberian Permafrost (With inputs from agencies)

'Best preserved' mammoth carcass discovered in Siberia

Christmas will be full of brightness for NASA's Parker Solar Probe as it will fly closest to the fiery surface of the sun ever in human history on Christmas Eve.

This is the closest any man-made machine will travel to the burning star. Parker will be at a distance of 3.8 million miles from the surface of the star.&nbsp;

It will zoom towards the star at around 430,000 mph while cutting through the plumes of plasma while encircling it, said the space agency in a statement.

During its closest approach, the probe will lose contact with the 110-pound spacecraft, which is the fastest object ever created on Earth.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earth-to-be-hit-by-devastating-solar-flare-which-will-be-equal-to-billions-of-atomic-bombs-warn-scientists-784116">Earth to be hit by devastating solar flare which will be equal to billions of atomic bombs, warn scientists</a>

On December 27, a beacon tone will be transmitted by Parker to mission operators at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Maryland to confirm its health after the flyby.

Speaking about the NASA probe, Parker programme scientist Arik Posner said, “We can’t wait to receive that first status update from the spacecraft and start receiving the science data in the coming weeks."

<h2>NASA's Parker probe and its ambitious plan</h2>

In 2018, the Parker probe was launched by NASA as part of its Living With a Star programme, which is aimed at “touching” the sun.&nbsp;

Since then, the Parker probe has circled the flaming hot sun more than 20 times to explore its outermost layer called the corona, which can uncover how life is affected by the sun-earth system.

The study of the corona provides them with insight into topics which include solar wind and space weather that can interact with the magnetic field of Earth and can damage the satellites, supercharge the northern lights, and knock out power grids.

Watch:&nbsp;ISRO Successfully Launches ESA’s Proba-3 Mission To Study Sun’s Corona

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/isro-successfully-launches-esas-proba-3-mission-to-study-suns-corona-781782/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The flyby on Christmas Eve will be among the first of three last close swings planned as part of the mission.

“No human-made object has ever passed this close to a star, so Parker will truly be returning data from uncharted territory,” explained Nick Pinkine, Parker Solar Probe mission operations manager at APL.

“We’re excited to hear back from the spacecraft when it swings back around the Sun,” he said.

The mission was renamed to honour American physicist Eugene Parker in 2017,&nbsp;making&nbsp;it the first NASA spacecraft to&nbsp;have&nbsp;been named after a living person.

(With inputs taken from agencies)&nbsp;

Christmas will be full of brightness for NASA's Parker Solar Probe as it will fly closest to the fiery surface of the sun ever in human history on Christmas Eve.

Christmas will be full of brightness for NASA's Parker Solar Probe as it will fly closest to the fiery surface of the sun ever in human history on Christmas Eve. This is the closest any man-made machine will travel to the burning star. Parker will be at a distance of 3.8 million miles from the surface of the star. It will zoom towards the star at around 430,000 mph while cutting through the plumes of plasma while encircling it, said the space agency in a statement. During its closest approach, the probe will lose contact with the 110-pound spacecraft, which is the fastest object ever created on Earth. Also Read: Earth to be hit by devastating solar flare which will be equal to billions of atomic bombs, warn scientists On December 27, a beacon tone will be transmitted by Parker to mission operators at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Maryland to confirm its health after the flyby. Speaking about the NASA probe, Parker programme scientist Arik Posner said, “We can’t wait to receive that first status update from the spacecraft and start receiving the science data in the coming weeks." NASA's Parker probe and its ambitious plan In 2018, the Parker probe was launched by NASA as part of its Living With a Star programme, which is aimed at “touching” the sun. Since then, the Parker probe has circled the flaming hot sun more than 20 times to explore its outermost layer called the corona, which can uncover how life is affected by the sun-earth system. The study of the corona provides them with insight into topics which include solar wind and space weather that can interact with the magnetic field of Earth and can damage the satellites, supercharge the northern lights, and knock out power grids. Watch: ISRO Successfully Launches ESA’s Proba-3 Mission To Study Sun’s Corona The flyby on Christmas Eve will be among the first of three last close swings planned as part of the mission. “No human-made object has ever passed this close to a star, so Parker will truly be returning data from uncharted territory,” explained Nick Pinkine, Parker Solar Probe mission operations manager at APL. “We’re excited to hear back from the spacecraft when it swings back around the Sun,” he said. The mission was renamed to honour American physicist Eugene Parker in 2017, making it the first NASA spacecraft to have been named after a living person. (With inputs taken from agencies)

NASA probe to make closest approach ever in human history to fiery surface of sun on Christmas Eve

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