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<p>The eerie red lights, which were glowing in the atmosphere of the Earth and above the coast of South Africa, were captured by a NASA astronaut from a window aboard the International Space Station (ISS).</p>

<p>On June 21, NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 mission commander Matthew Dominick captured the mesmerising image. The red glowing light was actually a sudden flash of a weather phenomenon called 'red sprite' lightning.</p>

<p>Red sprites are said to flash above thunderclouds in the upper atmosphere, known as the mesosphere, which extends up to 53 miles (85 kilometres) above the surface.</p>

<p>In the image, blood-red bursts of energy were seen shining above the coast of South Africa. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/china-is-set-to-shoot-a-space-projectile-at-an-asteroid-in-space-by-2030-will-it-threaten-earth-739985">China set to shoot projectile at asteroid in space by 2030. Will it threaten Earth?</a></p>

<p>"Super lucky a few weeks ago when shooting a timelapse of a lightning storm off the coast of South Africa," said Dominick, as he explained the image in a post to social site X. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Super lucky a few weeks ago when shooting a timelapse of a lightning storm off the coast of South Africa. One of the frames in the timelapse had a red sprite. A rare event. My knowledge is pretty much just from Wikipedia but I want to know more.<br />
<br />
50mm lens, f1.2, 1/5s, ISO 3200 <a href="https://t.co/CU1JpMwE8u">pic.twitter.com/CU1JpMwE8u</a></p>
— Matthew Dominick (@dominickmatthew) <a href="https://twitter.com/dominickmatthew/status/1803909515630236084?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>"One of the frames in the timelapse had a red sprite. If there are any red sprite experts out there I would enjoy tips on how to capture more of these. Clearly, look for lightning storms, but I'm thinking the stronger the storm the better," he added.</p>

<p>The image of the red sprites was captured by Dominick from a vantage point which is hundreds of miles above the high-altitude electrical discharges and falls in the orbit within the ISS.</p>

<h2><strong>What is a red sprite?</strong></h2>

<p>Red sprites are a type of electrical bursts of light which are formed above the highly active thunderstorms.</p>

<p>These are found in the D region of the ionosphere, which is the area above the dense lower atmosphere nearly 37 to 56 miles from the Earth.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;NASA's manned mission to Mars around the corner?</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasas-manned-mission-to-mars-around-the-corner-739024/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The light appears red at higher altitudes and turns to blue at lower heights. For nearly a century, scientists have known that atmospheric sprites, however, their origins have remained a mystery.</p>

<p>They occur for only a few milliseconds and are comparatively dim in comparison to other lightning.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The eerie red lights, which were glowing in the atmosphere of the Earth and above the coast of South Africa, were captured by a NASA astronaut from a window aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

The eerie red lights, which were glowing in the atmosphere of the Earth and above the coast of South Africa, were captured by a NASA astronaut from a window aboard the International Space Station (ISS). On June 21, NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 mission commander Matthew Dominick captured the mesmerising image. The red glowing light was actually a sudden flash of a weather phenomenon called 'red sprite' lightning. Red sprites are said to flash above thunderclouds in the upper atmosphere, known as the mesosphere, which extends up to 53 miles (85 kilometres) above the surface. In the image, blood-red bursts of energy were seen shining above the coast of South Africa. Also Read: China set to shoot projectile at asteroid in space by 2030. Will it threaten Earth? "Super lucky a few weeks ago when shooting a timelapse of a lightning storm off the coast of South Africa," said Dominick, as he explained the image in a post to social site X. Super lucky a few weeks ago when shooting a timelapse of a lightning storm off the coast of South Africa. One of the frames in the timelapse had a red sprite. A rare event. My knowledge is pretty much just from Wikipedia but I want to know more. 50mm lens, f1.2, 1/5s, ISO 3200 pic.twitter.com/CU1JpMwE8u — Matthew Dominick (@dominickmatthew) June 20, 2024 × "One of the frames in the timelapse had a red sprite. If there are any red sprite experts out there I would enjoy tips on how to capture more of these. Clearly, look for lightning storms, but I'm thinking the stronger the storm the better," he added. The image of the red sprites was captured by Dominick from a vantage point which is hundreds of miles above the high-altitude electrical discharges and falls in the orbit within the ISS. What is a red sprite? Red sprites are a type of electrical bursts of light which are formed above the highly active thunderstorms. These are found in the D region of the ionosphere, which is the area above the dense lower atmosphere nearly 37 to 56 miles from the Earth. Watch: NASA's manned mission to Mars around the corner? The light appears red at higher altitudes and turns to blue at lower heights. For nearly a century, scientists have known that atmospheric sprites, however, their origins have remained a mystery. They occur for only a few milliseconds and are comparatively dim in comparison to other lightning. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA captures eerie red light above South Africa. Here's what 'red sprite' was doing in Earth's atmosphere

<p>SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket had a rare anomaly while launching Starlink internet satellites on Thursday night (Jul&nbsp;11). The launch was taking place at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Notably, the rocket's upper stage was carrying&nbsp;20 Starlink spacecraft to low Earth orbit. Everything was fine with the Falcon 9 initially. Two of its stages separated on time. The first stage started returning for a landing on a drone ship about eight minutes after liftoff.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, according to SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk, a problem occurred with the rocket's upper stage.</p>

<p>"Upper stage restart to raise perigee resulted in an engine RUD for reasons currently unknown. Team is reviewing data tonight to understand the root cause. Starlink satellites were deployed, but the perigee may be too low for them to raise orbit. Will know more in a few hours," Musk said via X about two hours after liftoff.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a>, any update on the 2nd stage? <a href="https://t.co/rpQPdDj3pI">https://t.co/rpQPdDj3pI</a></p>
— S.E. Robinson, Jr. (@SERobinsonJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/SERobinsonJr/status/1811611191841628658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Later, SpaceX detailed what had happened in another post.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"During tonight’s Falcon 9 launch of Starlink, the second-stage engine did not complete its second burn. As a result, the Starlink satellites were deployed into a lower-than-intended orbit. SpaceX has made contact with 5 of the satellites so far and is attempting to have them raise orbit using their ion thrusters," the company wrote.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/cryopreservation-the-rich-are-freezing-themselves-in-hopes-of-coming-back-to-life-in-the-future-740150">The rich are freezing themselves in hopes of coming back to life in the future</a></p>

<p>The Falcon 9's upper stage is powered by a single Merlin engine. A buildup of fluffy white ice could be seen near the engine as the rocket fired off in SpaceX's launch webcast, Space.com reported. Such ice usually is an indication of a propellant leak.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>About Falcon 9</h2>

<p>The Falcon 9 has carried out several launches till now. In 2024 alone, 69 launches have already been undertaken by the powerful rocket. One full in-flight failure happened in 2015 during the launch of a robotic Dragon cargo capsule to the International Space Station (ISS).</p>

<p>It has also carried out crewed mission, launching 13 of them to date. Nince of them were for NASA and sent sent astronauts to the ISS.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket had a rare anomaly while launching Starlink internet satellites on Thursday night (Jul 11). The launch was taking place at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket had a rare anomaly while launching Starlink internet satellites on Thursday night (Jul 11). The launch was taking place at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Notably, the rocket's upper stage was carrying 20 Starlink spacecraft to low Earth orbit. Everything was fine with the Falcon 9 initially. Two of its stages separated on time. The first stage started returning for a landing on a drone ship about eight minutes after liftoff. However, according to SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk, a problem occurred with the rocket's upper stage. "Upper stage restart to raise perigee resulted in an engine RUD for reasons currently unknown. Team is reviewing data tonight to understand the root cause. Starlink satellites were deployed, but the perigee may be too low for them to raise orbit. Will know more in a few hours," Musk said via X about two hours after liftoff. @elonmusk, any update on the 2nd stage? https://t.co/rpQPdDj3pI — S.E. Robinson, Jr. (@SERobinsonJr) July 12, 2024 × Later, SpaceX detailed what had happened in another post. "During tonight’s Falcon 9 launch of Starlink, the second-stage engine did not complete its second burn. As a result, the Starlink satellites were deployed into a lower-than-intended orbit. SpaceX has made contact with 5 of the satellites so far and is attempting to have them raise orbit using their ion thrusters," the company wrote. Also Read: The rich are freezing themselves in hopes of coming back to life in the future The Falcon 9's upper stage is powered by a single Merlin engine. A buildup of fluffy white ice could be seen near the engine as the rocket fired off in SpaceX's launch webcast, Space.com reported. Such ice usually is an indication of a propellant leak. About Falcon 9 The Falcon 9 has carried out several launches till now. In 2024 alone, 69 launches have already been undertaken by the powerful rocket. One full in-flight failure happened in 2015 during the launch of a robotic Dragon cargo capsule to the International Space Station (ISS). It has also carried out crewed mission, launching 13 of them to date. Nince of them were for NASA and sent sent astronauts to the ISS.

Falcon 9 carrying 20 Starlink spacecraft suffers rare anomaly

<p>Narcissistic people tend to get more agreeable, generous and empathetic as they age from childhood through older adulthood, new research into the particular personality trait has revealed.&nbsp;Narcissism is usually associated with a person having a sense of entitlement and superiority over others.</p>

<p>The study published by the&nbsp;American Psychological Association noted&nbsp;that the difference among individuals, however, remains&nbsp;stable over time. This means&nbsp;people who were more narcissistic than their peers as children tend to remain that way as adults.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Methodolgy&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>To arrive at the conclusion, the researchers collected data from 51 studies (some conducted over decades)&nbsp;that analysed how the narcissism levels amongst an individual changed over time. As many as 37,247 participants with age groups ranging from eight to 77 took part in the study.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The researchers looked for three types of narcissists viz.&nbsp;Agentic narcissists (feelings of grandiosity),&nbsp;Antagonistic narcissists (arrogance, entitlement) and Neurotic narcissists (emotional dysregulation, hypersensitivity).</p>

<p>They studied the participants from the three types, based on questionnaires, and found that, generally, narcissism scores declined with age.</p>

<p>“These findings have important implications given that high levels of narcissism influence people’s lives in many ways—both the lives of the narcissistic individuals themselves and, maybe even more, the lives of their families and friends,” lead author Ulrich Orth at&nbsp;the University of Bern in Switzerland told journal <em>Psychological Bulletin</em>.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/heres-why-narcissists-are-happier-in-their-lives-than-psychopaths-705811"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Here's why narcissists are happier in their lives than psychopaths</strong></a></p>

<p>The changes among the aforementioned types were slight and gradual. While there was an odd individual who showed the change more strongly, researchers stated that you wouldn't&nbsp;"expect someone you knew as a very narcissistic person to have completely changed".&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Signs you are around a narcissist, according to experts:</p>

<ul>
	<li>They crave drama all the time. Chaos and conflict are their bread and butter<br />
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Half-hearted apologies that do not mean anything. Most narcissists do not take responsibility for their poor behaviours, making the other person feel bad about themselves<br />
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>They effectively shift the blame on the other person by manipulation.<br />
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-sleeping-late-at-night-may-be-just-right-740049"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas | Sleeping late at night may be just, right?</strong></a></p>

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<p>Explaining the scope of expanding the research, the experts said most of the data&nbsp;analysed in the study was from the United States and Western Europe.&nbsp;&nbsp;So future research could examine narcissism across a broader range of countries and cultures to better fit with the idea that narcissism decreases with age, albeit not in great magnitude.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Narcissistic people tend to get more agreeable, generous and empathetic as they age from childhood through older adulthood, new research into the particular personality trait has revealed.

Narcissistic people tend to get more agreeable, generous and empathetic as they age from childhood through older adulthood, new research into the particular personality trait has revealed. Narcissism is usually associated with a person having a sense of entitlement and superiority over others. The study published by the American Psychological Association noted that the difference among individuals, however, remains stable over time. This means people who were more narcissistic than their peers as children tend to remain that way as adults. Methodolgy To arrive at the conclusion, the researchers collected data from 51 studies (some conducted over decades) that analysed how the narcissism levels amongst an individual changed over time. As many as 37,247 participants with age groups ranging from eight to 77 took part in the study. The researchers looked for three types of narcissists viz. Agentic narcissists (feelings of grandiosity), Antagonistic narcissists (arrogance, entitlement) and Neurotic narcissists (emotional dysregulation, hypersensitivity). They studied the participants from the three types, based on questionnaires, and found that, generally, narcissism scores declined with age. “These findings have important implications given that high levels of narcissism influence people’s lives in many ways—both the lives of the narcissistic individuals themselves and, maybe even more, the lives of their families and friends,” lead author Ulrich Orth at the University of Bern in Switzerland told journal Psychological Bulletin. Also read | Here's why narcissists are happier in their lives than psychopaths The changes among the aforementioned types were slight and gradual. While there was an odd individual who showed the change more strongly, researchers stated that you wouldn't "expect someone you knew as a very narcissistic person to have completely changed". Signs you are around a narcissist, according to experts: They crave drama all the time. Chaos and conflict are their bread and butter Half-hearted apologies that do not mean anything. Most narcissists do not take responsibility for their poor behaviours, making the other person feel bad about themselves They effectively shift the blame on the other person by manipulation. Watch | Gravitas | Sleeping late at night may be just, right? × Explaining the scope of expanding the research, the experts said most of the data analysed in the study was from the United States and Western Europe. So future research could examine narcissism across a broader range of countries and cultures to better fit with the idea that narcissism decreases with age, albeit not in great magnitude. (With inputs from agencies)

What happens to narcissist people as they grow older? Science has the answer

<p>One of the most fundamental elements of the universe, time may not be real but an illusion created by quantum physics, suggests a new study.</p>

<p>The groundbreaking study shows time emerging from quantum entanglement- a weird connection between two very distinct particles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Time has always been a tricky subject to define in Physics due to its inconsistent behaviour between the best universe theories available. Time has always led to a dead-end, preventing researchers from explaining all of the physics in the universe, what is called a “theory of everything.”</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/cryopreservation-the-rich-are-freezing-themselves-in-hopes-of-coming-back-to-life-in-the-future-740150">The rich are freezing themselves in hopes of coming back to life in the future</a></p>

<p>But the new study, published on May 10 in the journal Physical Review A, brings hope in solving this deadlock.</p>

<p>"There exists a way to introduce time which is consistent with both classical laws and quantum laws and is a manifestation of entanglement," first author Alessandro Coppo, a physicist at the National Research Council of Italy, told Live Science.</p>

<h2><strong>The problem of time</strong></h2>

<p>There are two theories on time- one in quantum mechanics and one illustrated by Einstein’s theory of general relativity.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In quantum mechanics, time is a fixed phenomenon with a&nbsp;unidirectional flow from the past to the present. It remains external from the ever-changing quantum systems it measures and can be seen only by observing changes to outside entities, such as the hands of a clock.</p>

<p>But to Einstein's theory of general relativity- time is interwoven with space and can be warped and dilated at high speeds or in the presence of gravity.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/dune-style-spacesuits-can-convert-urine-into-water-and-can-be-used-in-artemis-missions-740120">Arrakis-style spacesuits can convert urine into water within 5 minutes</a></p>

<p>This leaves our two best theories of reality at a fundamental impasse. Without its resolution, a coherent theory of everything remains out of reach.</p>

<p>"It seems there is a serious inconsistency in quantum theory," Coppo said. "This is what we call the problem of time."</p>

<h2><strong>Probable solution</strong></h2>

<p>To resolve this problem, the researchers turned to a theory called the Page and Wootters mechanism. First proposed in 1983, the theory suggests that time emerges for one object through its quantum entanglement with another acting as a clock. For an unentangled system, on the other hand, time does not exist, and the system perceives the universe as frozen and unchanging.&nbsp;</p>

<p>By applying this theory to two entangled but noninteracting theoretical quantum states — one a vibrating harmonic oscillator and the other a set of tiny magnets acting as a clock — the physicists found that their system could be perfectly described by the Schrödinger equation.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/boeing-starliner-is-facing-a-hot-doghouse-problem-and-nasa-is-working-to-fix-it-740082">A 'hot doghouse' problem is plaguing Boeing Starliner and NASA is working to fix it</a></p>

<p>They repeated their calculations twice, assuming first that the magnet clock and then the harmonic oscillator were macroscopic (larger) objects. Their equations simplified, suggesting that time's flow is a consequence of entanglement even for objects on large scales.</p>

<p>"We strongly believe that the correct and logical direction is to start from quantum physics and understand how to reach classical physics, not the other way around," Coppo said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


One of the most fundamental elements of the universe, time may not be real but an illusion created by quantum physics, suggests a new study. The groundbreaking study shows time emerging from quantum entanglement- a weird connection between two very distinct particles.

One of the most fundamental elements of the universe, time may not be real but an illusion created by quantum physics, suggests a new study. The groundbreaking study shows time emerging from quantum entanglement- a weird connection between two very distinct particles. Time has always been a tricky subject to define in Physics due to its inconsistent behaviour between the best universe theories available. Time has always led to a dead-end, preventing researchers from explaining all of the physics in the universe, what is called a “theory of everything.” Also Read | The rich are freezing themselves in hopes of coming back to life in the future But the new study, published on May 10 in the journal Physical Review A, brings hope in solving this deadlock. "There exists a way to introduce time which is consistent with both classical laws and quantum laws and is a manifestation of entanglement," first author Alessandro Coppo, a physicist at the National Research Council of Italy, told Live Science. The problem of time There are two theories on time- one in quantum mechanics and one illustrated by Einstein’s theory of general relativity. In quantum mechanics, time is a fixed phenomenon with a unidirectional flow from the past to the present. It remains external from the ever-changing quantum systems it measures and can be seen only by observing changes to outside entities, such as the hands of a clock. But to Einstein's theory of general relativity- time is interwoven with space and can be warped and dilated at high speeds or in the presence of gravity. Also Read | Arrakis-style spacesuits can convert urine into water within 5 minutes This leaves our two best theories of reality at a fundamental impasse. Without its resolution, a coherent theory of everything remains out of reach. "It seems there is a serious inconsistency in quantum theory," Coppo said. "This is what we call the problem of time." Probable solution To resolve this problem, the researchers turned to a theory called the Page and Wootters mechanism. First proposed in 1983, the theory suggests that time emerges for one object through its quantum entanglement with another acting as a clock. For an unentangled system, on the other hand, time does not exist, and the system perceives the universe as frozen and unchanging. By applying this theory to two entangled but noninteracting theoretical quantum states — one a vibrating harmonic oscillator and the other a set of tiny magnets acting as a clock — the physicists found that their system could be perfectly described by the Schrödinger equation. Also Read | A 'hot doghouse' problem is plaguing Boeing Starliner and NASA is working to fix it They repeated their calculations twice, assuming first that the magnet clock and then the harmonic oscillator were macroscopic (larger) objects. Their equations simplified, suggesting that time's flow is a consequence of entanglement even for objects on large scales. "We strongly believe that the correct and logical direction is to start from quantum physics and understand how to reach classical physics, not the other way around," Coppo said. (With inputs from agencies)

Time may not be real, but an illusion created by quantum physics, study suggests

<p>Remember how in sci-fi films astronauts go into a cryosleep to pass the years ahead of them before they reach their destination? This keeps them alive while years pass by without the need for any food or other resources.<em> Interstellar, Passengers</em> and more such films have depicted this scenario.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Some companies are doing something similar where a person is frozen in hopes of waking him up in the future. Here the dream is that man will one day have the technology to do so. Cryopreservation is becoming popular among billionaires where their bodies are frozen with hopes of coming back to life in the future.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It sounds like a totally unrealistic idea, something we only read in books or see in TV shows and films. But some billionaires have actually gone through with it. In fact, 500 people worldwide have already been frozen for future revival. Most of them are from the United States.</p>

<p>Arizona-based cryonics facility Alcor Life Extension Foundation has frozen 230 people and has a total of 1,400 members.</p>

<h2>Cryopreservation process</h2>

<p>The procedure of freezing a human body is known as vitrification. In this, a person's blood is replaced with a cryoprotectant solution which prevents ice crystals from forming as they can damage cells and tissues. Later, the body is cooled to -196 degrees Celsius and then stored in a vacuum-insulated metal container that is filled with liquid nitrogen.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/dune-style-spacesuits-can-convert-urine-into-water-and-can-be-used-in-artemis-missions-740120">Dune-style spacesuits can convert urine into water and be used in Artemis missions</a></p>

<h2>How much does cryopreservation cost?</h2>

<p>It definitely comes with a huge price tag. So those with multi-million and multi-billion wealth are the only ones opting for it. Alcor charges $220,000 (nearly Rs 2 crore) for the cryopreservation of the whole body. You can also choose to preserve only your brain under the process called neuro cryopreservation for just $80,000 (nearly Rs 66 lakh).&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Is there a guarantee of revival?</h2>

<p>No. It can't be said for sure that one day human beings will develop a technology when the body can be revived, reversing the damage caused by the preservation process. But it is with the hope of witnessing a time when terminal illnesses will be a thing of the past and ageing can be treated like a regular disease.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>How do you ensure survival after revival?</h2>

<p>Through a trust fund which you create for your future self and to care for your cryopreserved body. For example, at Alcor, &nbsp;$115,000 is put into the Alcor Patient Care Trust for whole-body preservation and $25,000 for brain preservation. Besides, caring for the body, the money will be given to you if and when you are revived in the future.&nbsp;</p>


Remember how in sci-fi films astronauts go into a cryosleep to pass the years ahead of them before they reach their destination? This keeps them alive while years pass by without the need for any food or other resources.

Remember how in sci-fi films astronauts go into a cryosleep to pass the years ahead of them before they reach their destination? This keeps them alive while years pass by without the need for any food or other resources. Interstellar, Passengers and more such films have depicted this scenario. Some companies are doing something similar where a person is frozen in hopes of waking him up in the future. Here the dream is that man will one day have the technology to do so. Cryopreservation is becoming popular among billionaires where their bodies are frozen with hopes of coming back to life in the future. It sounds like a totally unrealistic idea, something we only read in books or see in TV shows and films. But some billionaires have actually gone through with it. In fact, 500 people worldwide have already been frozen for future revival. Most of them are from the United States. Arizona-based cryonics facility Alcor Life Extension Foundation has frozen 230 people and has a total of 1,400 members. Cryopreservation process The procedure of freezing a human body is known as vitrification. In this, a person's blood is replaced with a cryoprotectant solution which prevents ice crystals from forming as they can damage cells and tissues. Later, the body is cooled to -196 degrees Celsius and then stored in a vacuum-insulated metal container that is filled with liquid nitrogen. Also Read: Dune-style spacesuits can convert urine into water and be used in Artemis missions How much does cryopreservation cost? It definitely comes with a huge price tag. So those with multi-million and multi-billion wealth are the only ones opting for it. Alcor charges $220,000 (nearly Rs 2 crore) for the cryopreservation of the whole body. You can also choose to preserve only your brain under the process called neuro cryopreservation for just $80,000 (nearly Rs 66 lakh). Is there a guarantee of revival? No. It can't be said for sure that one day human beings will develop a technology when the body can be revived, reversing the damage caused by the preservation process. But it is with the hope of witnessing a time when terminal illnesses will be a thing of the past and ageing can be treated like a regular disease. How do you ensure survival after revival? Through a trust fund which you create for your future self and to care for your cryopreserved body. For example, at Alcor, $115,000 is put into the Alcor Patient Care Trust for whole-body preservation and $25,000 for brain preservation. Besides, caring for the body, the money will be given to you if and when you are revived in the future.

The rich are freezing their bodies in hopes of coming back to life in the future

<p>We saw the residents of Arrakis in Dune killing people to gain access to their body water created after filtering their body fluids, like sweat and urine. All this was possible because of the stillsuits the Fremen wore which did the job and provided the wearer with water in the harsh climate of Arrakis. Now, scientists have created a real-life stillsuit for astronauts.</p>

<p>This stillsuit prototype, or the spacesuit, can collect and purify urine, before returning it to the astronaut through a drinking tube within five minutes. The spacesuit is particularly of interest now as it can prove to be crucial in space missions aiming to send people to the moon and beyond.</p>

<p>The creators of the stillsuit are hoping to deploy it soon enough so that it can be used in NASA’s Artemis programme. The Artemis mission aims to send people to the moon and set up bases there to help man move to Mars from there. The Artemis I mission will send a crewed spacecraft to the moon in September 2025 which will hover over the moon.</p>

<p>In September 2026, NASA aims to land people on the moon with the Artemis III mission. A spacesuit that creates water using body fluids can prove crucial for when humans land on other celestial bodies. The space agency wants to launch humans to Mars from the lunar bases by the 2030s.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/boeing-starliner-is-facing-a-hot-doghouse-problem-and-nasa-is-working-to-fix-it-740082">A 'hot doghouse' problem is plaguing Boeing Starliner and NASA is working to fix it</a></p>

<h2>Design of the spacesuit</h2>

<p>Sofia Etlin, a researcher at Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell University and co-designer of the suit, says the suit can provide a "continuous supply of potable water with multiple safety mechanisms to ensure astronaut wellbeing".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The design includes a vacuum-based external catheter leading to a combined forward-reverse osmosis unit."</p>

<p>A collection cup of moulded silicone fits around the genitalia and is inside an undergarment of multiple layers of flexible fabric. As the astronaut urinates in the cup, a moisture-activated vacuum pump switches on automatically. The urine is then diverted to the filtration system where it gets recycled into water with an efficiency of 87%.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, recycled urine and sweat are a source of water on the International Space Station. However, Etlin says that a spacesuit that does the same is important for when "astronauts are out on expedition".</p>

<h2>Problems with the current waste management system</h2>

<p>Astronauts have often complained about the so-called maximum absorbency garment (MAG), or an adult nappy, they wear. They are leak-prone and unhygienic. “The astronauts talk about how at a certain point they can’t tell whether it’s urine or sweat any more. They’re like: ‘Yes, I’m an astronaut and this is a burden I have to bear'," Etlin says.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The garment has also caused astronauts to suffer from urinary tract infections (UTIs).&nbsp;</p>


We saw the residents of Arrakis in Dune killing people to gain access to their body water created after filtering their body fluids, like sweat and urine. All this was possible because of the stillsuits the Fremen wore which did the job and provided the wearer with water in the harsh climate of Arrakis.

We saw the residents of Arrakis in Dune killing people to gain access to their body water created after filtering their body fluids, like sweat and urine. All this was possible because of the stillsuits the Fremen wore which did the job and provided the wearer with water in the harsh climate of Arrakis. Now, scientists have created a real-life stillsuit for astronauts. This stillsuit prototype, or the spacesuit, can collect and purify urine, before returning it to the astronaut through a drinking tube within five minutes. The spacesuit is particularly of interest now as it can prove to be crucial in space missions aiming to send people to the moon and beyond. The creators of the stillsuit are hoping to deploy it soon enough so that it can be used in NASA’s Artemis programme. The Artemis mission aims to send people to the moon and set up bases there to help man move to Mars from there. The Artemis I mission will send a crewed spacecraft to the moon in September 2025 which will hover over the moon. In September 2026, NASA aims to land people on the moon with the Artemis III mission. A spacesuit that creates water using body fluids can prove crucial for when humans land on other celestial bodies. The space agency wants to launch humans to Mars from the lunar bases by the 2030s. Also Read: A 'hot doghouse' problem is plaguing Boeing Starliner and NASA is working to fix it Design of the spacesuit Sofia Etlin, a researcher at Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell University and co-designer of the suit, says the suit can provide a "continuous supply of potable water with multiple safety mechanisms to ensure astronaut wellbeing". "The design includes a vacuum-based external catheter leading to a combined forward-reverse osmosis unit." A collection cup of moulded silicone fits around the genitalia and is inside an undergarment of multiple layers of flexible fabric. As the astronaut urinates in the cup, a moisture-activated vacuum pump switches on automatically. The urine is then diverted to the filtration system where it gets recycled into water with an efficiency of 87%. Notably, recycled urine and sweat are a source of water on the International Space Station. However, Etlin says that a spacesuit that does the same is important for when "astronauts are out on expedition". Problems with the current waste management system Astronauts have often complained about the so-called maximum absorbency garment (MAG), or an adult nappy, they wear. They are leak-prone and unhygienic. “The astronauts talk about how at a certain point they can’t tell whether it’s urine or sweat any more. They’re like: ‘Yes, I’m an astronaut and this is a burden I have to bear'," Etlin says. The garment has also caused astronauts to suffer from urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Arrakis-style spacesuits can convert urine into water within 5 minutes

<p>Nearly one out of four people depend on&nbsp;groundwater - which is pumped from below the surface of the Earth - for survival since they lack access to streams, dams and freshwater lakes.</p>

<p>However, by the end of&nbsp;this century, tens to hundreds of millions are likely to be deprived of this groundwater as rising temperatures are likely to make it toxic and undrinkable.</p>

<p>The findings were based on the&nbsp;global-scale model of heat transport&nbsp;developed by an international team of researchers to measure how the temperature would change in groundwater sources across the world under different warming conditions.</p>

<p>According to this study, around 590 million people are likely to rely on water sources which may not&nbsp;meet the strictest standards for potable water till 2100.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-water-crisis-atishi-blasts-haryana-government-as-blame-game-continues-729981">Delhi water crisis: Atishi blasts Haryana government as blame game continues</a></p>

<p>"A lot of focus on&nbsp;climate change&nbsp;has rightfully been to do with weather events and the availability of water,"&nbsp;said hydrologist Dylan Irvine from Charles Darwin University in Australia, as quoted&nbsp;by Science Alert.</p>

<p>"But we do need to think more broadly about the impact that climate change will have on groundwater," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>Warming groundwater can have catastrophic consequences</strong></h2>

<p>The warming of groundwater and its catastrophic consequences have been ignored for years. The water trapped within porous rocks can be filled with dissolved minerals,&nbsp;pollutants, and&nbsp;potential pathogens,</p>

<p>If this water is heated by a degree or two, it can take away oxygen from the environment and lead to the growth of dangerous bacteria. It can also cause the dissolution of excessive concentrations of heavy metals like manganese or arsenic.</p>

<p>A geoscientist at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany and the study's lead author Susanne Benz said, "There are already about 30 million people living in regions where the groundwater is warmer than stipulated in the strictest drinking water guidelines."</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Water security threat amidst low snow on Himalayas, says report</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/water-security-threat-amidst-low-snow-on-himalayas-says-report-732944/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"That means it may not be safe to drink the water there without treatment. It may need to be boiled first, for example. The drinking water also gets warmed up in water pipes by heat in the ground," he added.</p>

<p>Even in populations which have sufficiently sized surface reservoirs, the heated groundwater's discharges can cause an alteration of key dynamics which keep its water safe for human consumption.</p>

<p>In the wake of the 'shared socioeconomic pathway', the current figures can double with 188 million people living in an area in which the groundwater is not meeting the strictest of standards for drinkability by 2100.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Nearly one out of four people depend on groundwater - which is pumped from below the surface of the Earth - for survival since they lack access to streams, dams and freshwater lakes.

Nearly one out of four people depend on groundwater - which is pumped from below the surface of the Earth - for survival since they lack access to streams, dams and freshwater lakes. However, by the end of this century, tens to hundreds of millions are likely to be deprived of this groundwater as rising temperatures are likely to make it toxic and undrinkable. The findings were based on the global-scale model of heat transport developed by an international team of researchers to measure how the temperature would change in groundwater sources across the world under different warming conditions. According to this study, around 590 million people are likely to rely on water sources which may not meet the strictest standards for potable water till 2100. Also Read: Delhi water crisis: Atishi blasts Haryana government as blame game continues "A lot of focus on climate change has rightfully been to do with weather events and the availability of water," said hydrologist Dylan Irvine from Charles Darwin University in Australia, as quoted by Science Alert. "But we do need to think more broadly about the impact that climate change will have on groundwater," he added. Warming groundwater can have catastrophic consequences The warming of groundwater and its catastrophic consequences have been ignored for years. The water trapped within porous rocks can be filled with dissolved minerals, pollutants, and potential pathogens, If this water is heated by a degree or two, it can take away oxygen from the environment and lead to the growth of dangerous bacteria. It can also cause the dissolution of excessive concentrations of heavy metals like manganese or arsenic. A geoscientist at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany and the study's lead author Susanne Benz said, "There are already about 30 million people living in regions where the groundwater is warmer than stipulated in the strictest drinking water guidelines." Watch: Water security threat amidst low snow on Himalayas, says report "That means it may not be safe to drink the water there without treatment. It may need to be boiled first, for example. The drinking water also gets warmed up in water pipes by heat in the ground," he added. Even in populations which have sufficiently sized surface reservoirs, the heated groundwater's discharges can cause an alteration of key dynamics which keep its water safe for human consumption. In the wake of the 'shared socioeconomic pathway', the current figures can double with 188 million people living in an area in which the groundwater is not meeting the strictest of standards for drinkability by 2100. (With inputs from agencies)

Earth's groundwater to turn 'undrinkable' for half a billion people by 2100: Study

<p>Scientists have been hunting for any trace of life on planet Mars for decades and now a new study has spilled out the details of the past climatic conditions on the Red Planet which has dampened&nbsp;down their hopes of encountering an alien life.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For all those who had hoped that the planet was warm and wet and may have had seas and rivers flowing, the study has presented a starkly different picture of the planet which existed millions of years ago.</p>

<p>The study has said that Mars was rather icy and frigid, which has decreased its chances of supporting any kind of life in the past.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/organic-chemistry-uncovered-on-mars-may-give-clues-to-life-on-earth-738683">Organic material found on Mars by Curiosity rover may reveal clues to life on Earth</a></p>

<p>In the latest study, scientists have found similarities between soils present on Mars and those picked from Newfoundland in Canada, which has a cold subarctic climate.</p>

<h2><strong>Scientists study soils in the Gale Crater of Mars</strong></h2>

<p>Researchers of the study,&nbsp;published&nbsp;in&nbsp;Communications Earth and Environment, searched for soils on Earth which contained comparable materials to those present in the Gale Crater of Mars.</p>

<p>Scientists generally use soil to understand environmental history since the minerals are able to present the story of landscape evolution with the help of time.</p>

<p>Researchers have studied the rocks and soils of Gale Crater which gave them details of the climatic conditions of Mars nearly three&nbsp;and four&nbsp;billion years ago. In this period, the first life is said to have appeared on Earth.</p>

<p>In a statement, soil scientist and geomorphologist at Desert Research Institute in Las Vegas Anthony Feldman said, "Gale Crater is a paleo lakebed—there was obviously water present. But what were the&nbsp;environmental conditions&nbsp;when the water was there?"&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;NASA's manned mission to Mars around the corner?</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasas-manned-mission-to-mars-around-the-corner-739024/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"We're never going to find a direct analogue to the Martian surface, because conditions are so different between Mars and Earth. But we can look at trends under terrestrial conditions and use those to try to extrapolate to Martian questions," he added.</p>

<p>The Curiosity Rover of NASA has been investigating Gale Crater since 2011, and has discovered a plethora of soil materials which are called "X-ray amorphous material."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Such components of the soil do not have repeating atomic structure which defines minerals and it is difficult to characterise them using traditional techniques like X-ray diffraction.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Scientists have been hunting for any trace of life on planet Mars for decades and now a new study has spilled out the details of the past climatic conditions on the Red Planet which has dampened down their hopes of encountering an alien life.

Scientists have been hunting for any trace of life on planet Mars for decades and now a new study has spilled out the details of the past climatic conditions on the Red Planet which has dampened down their hopes of encountering an alien life. For all those who had hoped that the planet was warm and wet and may have had seas and rivers flowing, the study has presented a starkly different picture of the planet which existed millions of years ago. The study has said that Mars was rather icy and frigid, which has decreased its chances of supporting any kind of life in the past. Also Read: Organic material found on Mars by Curiosity rover may reveal clues to life on Earth In the latest study, scientists have found similarities between soils present on Mars and those picked from Newfoundland in Canada, which has a cold subarctic climate. Scientists study soils in the Gale Crater of Mars Researchers of the study, published in Communications Earth and Environment, searched for soils on Earth which contained comparable materials to those present in the Gale Crater of Mars. Scientists generally use soil to understand environmental history since the minerals are able to present the story of landscape evolution with the help of time. Researchers have studied the rocks and soils of Gale Crater which gave them details of the climatic conditions of Mars nearly three and four billion years ago. In this period, the first life is said to have appeared on Earth. In a statement, soil scientist and geomorphologist at Desert Research Institute in Las Vegas Anthony Feldman said, "Gale Crater is a paleo lakebed—there was obviously water present. But what were the environmental conditions when the water was there?" Watch: NASA's manned mission to Mars around the corner? "We're never going to find a direct analogue to the Martian surface, because conditions are so different between Mars and Earth. But we can look at trends under terrestrial conditions and use those to try to extrapolate to Martian questions," he added. The Curiosity Rover of NASA has been investigating Gale Crater since 2011, and has discovered a plethora of soil materials which are called "X-ray amorphous material." Such components of the soil do not have repeating atomic structure which defines minerals and it is difficult to characterise them using traditional techniques like X-ray diffraction. (With inputs from agencies)

Mars was once an iceball. Here's what past climatic history of the Red Planet hints at about existence of life

<p>A new study has challenged the existence of extreme cosmic objects, called&nbsp;"kugelblitze", which are black holes formed only from light.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The new theory states that it is not possible for such a black hole to be formed in our universe which challenges the theory of general relativity given by scientist Albert Einstein.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study has shown how general relativity and quantum mechanics can be reconciled for solving complex scientific questions and placed some constraints on cosmological models.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-discovers-jewelled-ring-shaped-exoplanet-floating-6-billion-light-years-away-from-earth-739692">NASA discovers jewelled ring-shaped exoplanet floating 6 billion light-years away from Earth</a></p>

<p>Black holes&nbsp;are massive cosmic bodies which have intense gravitational pull from which even light fails to escape.</p>

<p>The black holes are formed because of the collapse of massive stars when their life cycles end and the pressure from thermonuclear reactions in their cores is no longer able to counteract the force of&nbsp;gravity.</p>

<h2><strong>What is kugelblitz,&nbsp;a 'hypothetical black hole'?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>However, there is one type of black hole formation formula which is a more exotic hypothesis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This theory explains the creation of a "kugelblitz", which is a German word for "ball lightning."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Explaining this black hole to Live Science, physicist and study co-author&nbsp;Jose Polo-Gomez at the University of Waterloo and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Canada said, "A kugelblitz is a hypothetical black hole that, instead of forming from the collapse of 'ordinary matter' (whose main constituents are protons, neutrons, and electrons), is formed from concentrating humongous amounts of electromagnetic radiation, such as light."</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Scientists unveil Black Hole's plunge, bizarre region around black holes found</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/scientists-unveil-black-holes-plunge-bizarre-region-around-black-holes-found-722629/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"Even though light does not have mass, it does carry energy," added Polo-Gomez. He said that Einstein's theory of general relativity proposes that energy leads to the creation of curvatures in space-time which result in gravitational attractions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Because of that, it is in principle possible for light to form black holes — if we concentrate enough of it in a small enough volume," the author said.</p>

<p>The team discovered that, even under the most extreme circumstances, it is not possible for pure light to reach the required energy threshold for forming a black hole.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A new study has challenged the existence of extreme cosmic objects, called "kugelblitze", which are black holes formed only from light. The new theory states that it is not possible for such a black hole to be formed in our universe which challenges the theory of general relativity given by scientist Albert Einstein.

A new study has challenged the existence of extreme cosmic objects, called "kugelblitze", which are black holes formed only from light. The new theory states that it is not possible for such a black hole to be formed in our universe which challenges the theory of general relativity given by scientist Albert Einstein. The study has shown how general relativity and quantum mechanics can be reconciled for solving complex scientific questions and placed some constraints on cosmological models. Also Read: NASA discovers jewelled ring-shaped exoplanet floating 6 billion light-years away from Earth Black holes are massive cosmic bodies which have intense gravitational pull from which even light fails to escape. The black holes are formed because of the collapse of massive stars when their life cycles end and the pressure from thermonuclear reactions in their cores is no longer able to counteract the force of gravity. What is kugelblitz, a 'hypothetical black hole'? However, there is one type of black hole formation formula which is a more exotic hypothesis. This theory explains the creation of a "kugelblitz", which is a German word for "ball lightning." Explaining this black hole to Live Science, physicist and study co-author Jose Polo-Gomez at the University of Waterloo and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Canada said, "A kugelblitz is a hypothetical black hole that, instead of forming from the collapse of 'ordinary matter' (whose main constituents are protons, neutrons, and electrons), is formed from concentrating humongous amounts of electromagnetic radiation, such as light." Watch: Scientists unveil Black Hole's plunge, bizarre region around black holes found "Even though light does not have mass, it does carry energy," added Polo-Gomez. He said that Einstein's theory of general relativity proposes that energy leads to the creation of curvatures in space-time which result in gravitational attractions. "Because of that, it is in principle possible for light to form black holes — if we concentrate enough of it in a small enough volume," the author said. The team discovered that, even under the most extreme circumstances, it is not possible for pure light to reach the required energy threshold for forming a black hole. (With inputs from agencies)

No black holes birthed by light exist in universe. So, was Einstein wrong?

<p>To make a mark in the world of space science, China has now planned to strike an asteroid to deflect it by 2030, on the pretext of planetary defence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The scientists have said that the mission has a dual purpose - the asteroid will be impacted by one spacecraft and its partner will make observations of the space rock to understand more about the solar system and its formation.</p>

<p>As per the reports, the&nbsp;near-Earth object&nbsp;(NEO) 2015 XF261 - which is a 100-foot-wide (30-metre)&nbsp;asteroid - is most probably the selected target of the China National Space Administration&nbsp;(CNSA) mission.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-2024-mt-1-makes-extremely-close-approach-to-earth-739111">Asteroid 2024 MT-1 makes extremely close approach to Earth</a></p>

<p>According to the database of NASA's&nbsp;Jet Propulsion Laboratory&nbsp;(JPL), asteroid 2015 XF261 had made a relatively close flyby to Earth&nbsp;on Tuesday (July 9). It was at a distance of 31 million miles (50 million kilometres) from Earth.</p>

<p>The space rock whizzed at a speed of around 26,000 mph (42,000 kph), which was 30 times faster than the speed of sound.</p>

<h2><strong>NASA's DART to pave way for Chinese mission</strong></h2>

<p>It was reported by the nonprofit Planetary Society that the proposed 2015 XF261-targeting mission was discussed in a recent paper in the&nbsp;Journal of Deep Space Exploration.</p>

<p>"For China's first near-Earth asteroid defence on-orbit verification mission, a defensive disposal demonstration will be carried out on the potential risk of near-Earth asteroids impacting the Earth," stated the study.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The scientific objectives of the on-orbit verification of&nbsp;asteroid defence&nbsp;and its specific scientific exploration mission will be designed and proposed," it added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"A scientific payload demand analysis will be carried out, and payload configuration plans and exploration mission requirements will be proposed to provide a decision-making basis for the future implementation of asteroid defence missions," researchers wrote.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Starliner astronauts 'confident' on return trip, Sunita Williams &amp; Billy Wilmore address press</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/starliner-astronauts-confident-on-return-trip-sunita-williams-billy-wilmore-address-press-739752/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>China is set to follow in the footsteps of NASA's planetary defence mission - the&nbsp;Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) - which deflected a small body in the&nbsp;Didymos binary asteroid system in September 2022.</p>

<p>It is difficult to say if the asteroid will be safely deflected or if our Earth will face some impact, in case the process goes wrong. One cannot&nbsp;forget the mounting evidence which suggests&nbsp;how an asteroid hitting the planet Earth led to the extinction of the dinosaurs.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


To make a mark in the world of space science, China has now planned to strike an asteroid to deflect it by 2030, on the pretext of planetary defence. The scientists have said that the mission has a dual purpose - the asteroid will be impacted by one spacecraft and its partner will make observations of the space rock to understand more about the solar system and its formation.

To make a mark in the world of space science, China has now planned to strike an asteroid to deflect it by 2030, on the pretext of planetary defence. The scientists have said that the mission has a dual purpose - the asteroid will be impacted by one spacecraft and its partner will make observations of the space rock to understand more about the solar system and its formation. As per the reports, the near-Earth object (NEO) 2015 XF261 - which is a 100-foot-wide (30-metre) asteroid - is most probably the selected target of the China National Space Administration (CNSA) mission. Also Read: Asteroid 2024 MT-1 makes extremely close approach to Earth According to the database of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), asteroid 2015 XF261 had made a relatively close flyby to Earth on Tuesday (July 9). It was at a distance of 31 million miles (50 million kilometres) from Earth. The space rock whizzed at a speed of around 26,000 mph (42,000 kph), which was 30 times faster than the speed of sound. NASA's DART to pave way for Chinese mission It was reported by the nonprofit Planetary Society that the proposed 2015 XF261-targeting mission was discussed in a recent paper in the Journal of Deep Space Exploration. "For China's first near-Earth asteroid defence on-orbit verification mission, a defensive disposal demonstration will be carried out on the potential risk of near-Earth asteroids impacting the Earth," stated the study. "The scientific objectives of the on-orbit verification of asteroid defence and its specific scientific exploration mission will be designed and proposed," it added. "A scientific payload demand analysis will be carried out, and payload configuration plans and exploration mission requirements will be proposed to provide a decision-making basis for the future implementation of asteroid defence missions," researchers wrote. Watch: Starliner astronauts 'confident' on return trip, Sunita Williams & Billy Wilmore address press China is set to follow in the footsteps of NASA's planetary defence mission - the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) - which deflected a small body in the Didymos binary asteroid system in September 2022. It is difficult to say if the asteroid will be safely deflected or if our Earth will face some impact, in case the process goes wrong. One cannot forget the mounting evidence which suggests how an asteroid hitting the planet Earth led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. (With inputs from agencies)

China set to shoot projectile at asteroid in space by 2030. Will it threaten Earth?

<p>Disposable sanitary products have been in the eye of controversy for years, especially with concerns raised about them being an environmental hazard. While they have also been flagged for being unsafe for health, a new study has now found the specific type of dangerous matter that tampons contain. Researchers have found worrying levels of several toxic metals in tampons, including lead, which shockingly had the highest concentration.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jenni Shearston, an environmental epidemiologist at Columbia University in the United States, says "this is the first paper to measure metals in tampons".</p>

<p>"Despite this large potential for public health concern, very little research has been done to measure chemicals in tampons," she added.</p>

<p>"Concerningly, we found concentrations of all metals we tested for, including toxic metals like arsenic and lead."</p>

<p>The finding is extremely important as there is a risk of the body soaking up these metals which can then enter the bloodstream. A highly absorptive tissue lines the walls of the human vagina which can absorb stray pollutants, like metals. These metals will continue to stay in the bloodstream without being filtered by the liver first.</p>

<p>Notably, up to 86 per cent of menstruating people in the US use tampons.</p>

<h2>The study method</h2>

<p>The researchers assessed concentrations of 16 different metals using mass spectrometry. Thirty tampons from 14 brands, across 18 product lines were used in the study. While no manufacturers, brands, or product lines were named in the study, products were supposedly bought from the United Kingdom, the US, and Europe.</p>

<p>Metals assessed include arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium, and zinc. Shockingly, measurable concentrations of all these metals were found in the tampons.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/black-hole-of-palaeontology-dinosaur-that-burrowed-and-lived-underground-discovered-739519">'Black hole of palaeontology': Dinosaur that burrowed and lived underground discovered</a></strong></p>

<p>With an average concentration of 120 nanograms per gram of tampon, lead was way ahead of other metals found in the tampons. Cadmium, at 6.74 nanograms per gram, and arsenic, at 2.56 nanograms per gram, are next on the list.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Organic tampons were also not found to be safe and had higher levels of arsenic. Lead concentrations were highest in non-organic tampons. Overall, none of the tampons tested had consistently lower levels of metals.</p>

<h2>How did the metals enter the tampons?</h2>

<p>Researchers say that this likely happened during the manufacturing process. The absorbent material in the tampons is made up of cotton, rayon, or viscose which can be laced with metals due to the pesticides, fertilisers, and wastewater in the soil. Pigments or antibacterial agents added later in the manufacturing process can also cause tampons to take in more chemicals.</p>

<p>There is a lack of data on the absorption of chemicals through the vagina walls. However, the researchers think that the results of the study show that safety standards around sanitary products need to be revised.</p>


Disposable sanitary products have been in the eye of controversy for years, especially with concerns raised about them being an environmental hazard. While they have also been flagged for being unsafe for health, a new study has now found the specific type of dangerous matter that tampons contain.

Disposable sanitary products have been in the eye of controversy for years, especially with concerns raised about them being an environmental hazard. While they have also been flagged for being unsafe for health, a new study has now found the specific type of dangerous matter that tampons contain. Researchers have found worrying levels of several toxic metals in tampons, including lead, which shockingly had the highest concentration. Jenni Shearston, an environmental epidemiologist at Columbia University in the United States, says "this is the first paper to measure metals in tampons". "Despite this large potential for public health concern, very little research has been done to measure chemicals in tampons," she added. "Concerningly, we found concentrations of all metals we tested for, including toxic metals like arsenic and lead." The finding is extremely important as there is a risk of the body soaking up these metals which can then enter the bloodstream. A highly absorptive tissue lines the walls of the human vagina which can absorb stray pollutants, like metals. These metals will continue to stay in the bloodstream without being filtered by the liver first. Notably, up to 86 per cent of menstruating people in the US use tampons. The study method The researchers assessed concentrations of 16 different metals using mass spectrometry. Thirty tampons from 14 brands, across 18 product lines were used in the study. While no manufacturers, brands, or product lines were named in the study, products were supposedly bought from the United Kingdom, the US, and Europe. Metals assessed include arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium, and zinc. Shockingly, measurable concentrations of all these metals were found in the tampons. Also Read: 'Black hole of palaeontology': Dinosaur that burrowed and lived underground discovered With an average concentration of 120 nanograms per gram of tampon, lead was way ahead of other metals found in the tampons. Cadmium, at 6.74 nanograms per gram, and arsenic, at 2.56 nanograms per gram, are next on the list. Organic tampons were also not found to be safe and had higher levels of arsenic. Lead concentrations were highest in non-organic tampons. Overall, none of the tampons tested had consistently lower levels of metals. How did the metals enter the tampons? Researchers say that this likely happened during the manufacturing process. The absorbent material in the tampons is made up of cotton, rayon, or viscose which can be laced with metals due to the pesticides, fertilisers, and wastewater in the soil. Pigments or antibacterial agents added later in the manufacturing process can also cause tampons to take in more chemicals. There is a lack of data on the absorption of chemicals through the vagina walls. However, the researchers think that the results of the study show that safety standards around sanitary products need to be revised.

Lead and arsenic found in tampons in first-of-its-kind study raising concerns about their safety

<p>Scientists have been talking about setting a time zone on the Moon, or in technical terms, a lunar standard time. While work goes on on that, we for now know how much ahead or behind time is on the Moon. The time the Moon is ahead of us by the end of a day on Earth is 57 millionths (0.0000575) of a second. That means it has moved only 1.1 seconds ahead of us ever since the last time human beings were on the Moon.</p>

<p>Slava Turyshev, a physicist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory who led the study, says that the team reached this figure by calculating the sliding scale of time for Earth and the Moon relative to the barycentre of the Solar System. "This is the Solar System's common centre of mass, around which the Sun, planets and satellites orbit in a delicate balance," he told New Scientist's Jonathan O'Callaghan.</p>

<p>The finding of the study is important considering NASA is planning to send humans back to the moon as part of the Artemis mission which makes syncing up of navigation systems extremely important.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Time differences between cosmic bodies with different gravitational pulls are bound to happen. The same goes for Earth and the Moon, and so the time differs between the two celestial bodies. But studies haven't been conducted on it till now as humans haven't returned to the moon ever since the last manned Apollo mission.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But now the Artemis missions make it compulsory for scientists to understand the time difference between the Moon and our planet. When man landed on the lunar surface, it was only for a little time. So the Moon, with one-sixth of Earth's gravity, didn't have a lot of effect on the astronauts.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/crescent-moon-in-a-never-before-seen-avatar-captured-from-international-space-station-739412">Crescent moon in a never-before-seen avatar captured from International Space Station</a></p>

<h2>The Artemis missions</h2>

<p>As part of the Artemis Mission, scientists want to study places on the moon where bases can be set up which can then be used to move further in the universe, especially Mars. Scientists are also planning to set up rail tracks on the moon along with&nbsp;a transit system to transfer humans and cargo to the lunar body.</p>

<p>"Infrastructure on Earth such as GPS provides time down to the nanosecond level," NASA's Cheryl Gramling, a navigation systems engineer at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, told New Scientist's Jonathan O'Callaghan.</p>

<p>"If you're trying to navigate or land on the Moon, and avoid dangerous areas, then that precision matters."</p>

<p>Work on a unified time reference system for the Moon has started and the latest finding is a step in that direction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The results of the study are yet to be peer-reviewed.</p>


Scientists have been talking about setting a time zone on the Moon, or in technical terms, a lunar standard time. While work goes on on that, we for now know how much ahead or behind time is on the Moon.

Scientists have been talking about setting a time zone on the Moon, or in technical terms, a lunar standard time. While work goes on on that, we for now know how much ahead or behind time is on the Moon. The time the Moon is ahead of us by the end of a day on Earth is 57 millionths (0.0000575) of a second. That means it has moved only 1.1 seconds ahead of us ever since the last time human beings were on the Moon. Slava Turyshev, a physicist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory who led the study, says that the team reached this figure by calculating the sliding scale of time for Earth and the Moon relative to the barycentre of the Solar System. "This is the Solar System's common centre of mass, around which the Sun, planets and satellites orbit in a delicate balance," he told New Scientist's Jonathan O'Callaghan. The finding of the study is important considering NASA is planning to send humans back to the moon as part of the Artemis mission which makes syncing up of navigation systems extremely important. Time differences between cosmic bodies with different gravitational pulls are bound to happen. The same goes for Earth and the Moon, and so the time differs between the two celestial bodies. But studies haven't been conducted on it till now as humans haven't returned to the moon ever since the last manned Apollo mission. But now the Artemis missions make it compulsory for scientists to understand the time difference between the Moon and our planet. When man landed on the lunar surface, it was only for a little time. So the Moon, with one-sixth of Earth's gravity, didn't have a lot of effect on the astronauts. Also Read: Crescent moon in a never-before-seen avatar captured from International Space Station The Artemis missions As part of the Artemis Mission, scientists want to study places on the moon where bases can be set up which can then be used to move further in the universe, especially Mars. Scientists are also planning to set up rail tracks on the moon along with a transit system to transfer humans and cargo to the lunar body. "Infrastructure on Earth such as GPS provides time down to the nanosecond level," NASA's Cheryl Gramling, a navigation systems engineer at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, told New Scientist's Jonathan O'Callaghan. "If you're trying to navigate or land on the Moon, and avoid dangerous areas, then that precision matters." Work on a unified time reference system for the Moon has started and the latest finding is a step in that direction. The results of the study are yet to be peer-reviewed.

Time on the Moon moves faster than on Earth. This is by how much

<p>An Indian startup is planning to script history by launching a 'space habitat' by 2027 in collaboration with Elon Musk's SpaceX.</p>

<p>As the name suggests, these ‘expandable space habitats’ will serve as living quarters for space tourists, astronauts and researchers.</p>

<p>The Bengaluru-based company AkashaLabdhi, which was incubated at&nbsp;IIT Roorkee, has been designing these proposed space habitats.</p>

<p>The company calls itself a ‘home among the stars’ on LinkedIn and says that its area of expertise is cutting at signal processing, seamless automation and robust power electronics.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/when-will-sunita-williams-return-home-from-space-indian-origin-astronaut-speaks-from-space-739714">When will Sunita Williams return home? Indian-origin astronaut speaks from space</a></p>

<p>They wrote on LinkedIn, “AkashaLabdhi is as engineering firm providing solutions for modern engineering challenges. We specialize in delivering comprehensive solutions encompassing both Software and Hardware domains. Our proficiency extends to signal processing, PCB design, power electronics, and automation, positioning us as a versatile engineering firm.”</p>

<h2><strong>Here's what the space habitat will look like</strong></h2>

<p>The space habitat will become a home for anyone visiting the space and will accommodate&nbsp;six to 16 people.</p>

<p>According to a report published by The Times Of India, AkashaLabdhi has at present made a prototype model of the habitat, which is known as ‘Antariksh HAB’.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Antariksh HAB boasts features like an expandable shell which ensures ‘exceptional orbital debris and radiation protection’. The design can also serve multiple purposes apart from being a space habitat.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Starliner astronauts 'confident' on return trip, Sunita Williams &amp; Billy Wilmore address press</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/starliner-astronauts-confident-on-return-trip-sunita-williams-billy-wilmore-address-press-739752/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The scientists can use Antariksh HAB for microgravity experiments, satellite maintenance, orbital logistics storage, said the company on its website.</p>

<p>“With a forward-looking perspective, this adaptable habitat holds potential for long-term lunar surface exploration," it added.</p>

<p>Speaking to the newspaper, the company's CEO Siddarth Jena said that the space habitat will need nearly seven days to fully inflate after reaching its destination.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the report, the company has been discussing the project with billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX with the aim of booking a slot for the mission.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


An Indian startup is planning to script history by launching a 'space habitat' by 2027 in collaboration with Elon Musk's SpaceX. As the name suggests, these ‘expandable space habitats’ will serve as living quarters for space tourists, astronauts and researchers.

An Indian startup is planning to script history by launching a 'space habitat' by 2027 in collaboration with Elon Musk's SpaceX. As the name suggests, these ‘expandable space habitats’ will serve as living quarters for space tourists, astronauts and researchers. The Bengaluru-based company AkashaLabdhi, which was incubated at IIT Roorkee, has been designing these proposed space habitats. The company calls itself a ‘home among the stars’ on LinkedIn and says that its area of expertise is cutting at signal processing, seamless automation and robust power electronics. Also Read: When will Sunita Williams return home? Indian-origin astronaut speaks from space They wrote on LinkedIn, “AkashaLabdhi is as engineering firm providing solutions for modern engineering challenges. We specialize in delivering comprehensive solutions encompassing both Software and Hardware domains. Our proficiency extends to signal processing, PCB design, power electronics, and automation, positioning us as a versatile engineering firm.” Here's what the space habitat will look like The space habitat will become a home for anyone visiting the space and will accommodate six to 16 people. According to a report published by The Times Of India, AkashaLabdhi has at present made a prototype model of the habitat, which is known as ‘Antariksh HAB’. The Antariksh HAB boasts features like an expandable shell which ensures ‘exceptional orbital debris and radiation protection’. The design can also serve multiple purposes apart from being a space habitat. Watch: Starliner astronauts 'confident' on return trip, Sunita Williams & Billy Wilmore address press The scientists can use Antariksh HAB for microgravity experiments, satellite maintenance, orbital logistics storage, said the company on its website. “With a forward-looking perspective, this adaptable habitat holds potential for long-term lunar surface exploration," it added. Speaking to the newspaper, the company's CEO Siddarth Jena said that the space habitat will need nearly seven days to fully inflate after reaching its destination. According to the report, the company has been discussing the project with billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX with the aim of booking a slot for the mission. (With inputs from agencies)

House for astronauts? Indian startup discusses launch of 'space habitat' by 2027 with SpaceX

<p>Comet C/2023 A3, also known as Tsuchinshan–ATLAS has been nearing Earth and was reported to be visible in the night sky in the coming months. However, things seem to have taken a turn as the comet is likely to break apart before its close approach to Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The comet was to make an extremely close approach to Earth on October 12. At approximately 70.6 million kilometres (43.9 million miles) away, the comet would have been brighter than Jupiter. But that mesmerising view might not materialise as astronomer Zdenek Sekanina says that the comet might not make it to our home planet in one piece.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sekanina says the comet might disintegrate when it heads towards the sun on September 27, at which point it will be 58.6 million kilometres (36.4 million miles) from it.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>The Sun will impact the comet&nbsp;</h2>

<p>He states that coming close to the Sun leads to the comets heating up and they outgas. The dust that forms their trail or coma is next to go. This action can also change the trajectory, rotation, and speed of the comet. The comet has also not brightened as expected.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/new-microcontinent-identified-between-greenland-and-canada-is-a-crustal-anomaly-739758">New microcontinent identified between Greenland and Canada is a crustal anomaly</a></p>

<p>"The first issue, which was recently called attention to by I. Ferrin, is this Oort cloud comet’s failure to brighten at a heliocentric distance exceeding 2 AU, about 160 days pre-perihelion, accompanied by a sharp drop in the production of dust," Sekanina writes in the paper.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also, this comet seems to have come from the Oort cloud as its tail is unusually thin and it also has an odd shape. Sekanina says that such objects aren't likely to escape the wrath of the Sun as they approach it. Notably, Comet C/2023 A3 will be almost as near to the Sun as Mercury.</p>

<p>"The comets of this class have a tendency to disintegrate if they are intrinsically faint and depleted in dust by the time they are near 1 AU from the Sun," he says.</p>

<p>Sekanina says "the object will disappear and cease to exist as an active comet before perihelion."<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Comet C/2023 A3, also known as Tsuchinshan–ATLAS has been nearing Earth and was reported to be visible in the night sky in the coming months. However, things seem to have taken a turn as the comet is likely to break apart before its close approach to Earth.

Comet C/2023 A3, also known as Tsuchinshan–ATLAS has been nearing Earth and was reported to be visible in the night sky in the coming months. However, things seem to have taken a turn as the comet is likely to break apart before its close approach to Earth. The comet was to make an extremely close approach to Earth on October 12. At approximately 70.6 million kilometres (43.9 million miles) away, the comet would have been brighter than Jupiter. But that mesmerising view might not materialise as astronomer Zdenek Sekanina says that the comet might not make it to our home planet in one piece. Sekanina says the comet might disintegrate when it heads towards the sun on September 27, at which point it will be 58.6 million kilometres (36.4 million miles) from it. The Sun will impact the comet He states that coming close to the Sun leads to the comets heating up and they outgas. The dust that forms their trail or coma is next to go. This action can also change the trajectory, rotation, and speed of the comet. The comet has also not brightened as expected. Also Read: New microcontinent identified between Greenland and Canada is a crustal anomaly "The first issue, which was recently called attention to by I. Ferrin, is this Oort cloud comet’s failure to brighten at a heliocentric distance exceeding 2 AU, about 160 days pre-perihelion, accompanied by a sharp drop in the production of dust," Sekanina writes in the paper. Also, this comet seems to have come from the Oort cloud as its tail is unusually thin and it also has an odd shape. Sekanina says that such objects aren't likely to escape the wrath of the Sun as they approach it. Notably, Comet C/2023 A3 will be almost as near to the Sun as Mercury. "The comets of this class have a tendency to disintegrate if they are intrinsically faint and depleted in dust by the time they are near 1 AU from the Sun," he says. Sekanina says "the object will disappear and cease to exist as an active comet before perihelion."

Comet C/2023 A3 might shatter into pieces as it approaches Earth

<p>Waking up early in the morning might not be all good for you. In fact, if you are sacrificing sleep to wake up early, then your mental abilities might take a hit.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>A UK Biobank study, led by academics at Imperial College London, checked the sleep patterns and cognition of almost 27,000 participants to conclude that night owls perform better in cognitive tests.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study also says that people who are more active in the evening are likely to be mentally sharper.</p>

<p>The study found "superior cognitive function" among the night owls and people who don't fit in any of the chronotypes - "morningness" or "eveningness".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Surprisingly, cognitive performance was likely to be worse in women when taken into consideration along with all other criteria,&nbsp;as per the study published in&nbsp;the journal BMJ Public Health. Increasing age, an angina diagnosis, high blood pressure and diabetes also lowered the performance.</p>

<p>The study tried to understand the link between the duration of sleep, its quality and the chronotypes. The results clearly showed that people who got between seven and nine hours of sleep each night delivered excellently on tests that gauged intelligence, reasoning skills, reaction times and memory.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/japan-makes-it-mandatory-for-people-to-laugh-out-loud-once-a-day-739837">Japan makes it mandatory for people to laugh out loud once a day&nbsp;</a></p>

<p>"Our study found that adults who are naturally more active in the evening - what we called 'eveningness' - tended to perform better on cognitive tests than those who are 'morning people'," lead author of the study, Dr Raha West, from the Department of Surgery and Cancer at Imperial College London, said.</p>

<p>She added that it is important to get enough sleep irrespective of what you prefer. Sleeping too little and sleeping too much, both are likely to have an adverse impact on cognitive abilities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This is crucial for keeping your brain healthy and functioning at its best," she said.</p>

<p>The researchers advised people to proactively manage their sleep patterns as "sleep duration has a direct effect on brain function" and to safeguard "the way our brains work".</p>


Waking up early in the morning might not be all good for you. In fact, if you are sacrificing sleep to wake up early, then your mental abilities might take a hit.

Waking up early in the morning might not be all good for you. In fact, if you are sacrificing sleep to wake up early, then your mental abilities might take a hit. A UK Biobank study, led by academics at Imperial College London, checked the sleep patterns and cognition of almost 27,000 participants to conclude that night owls perform better in cognitive tests. The study also says that people who are more active in the evening are likely to be mentally sharper. The study found "superior cognitive function" among the night owls and people who don't fit in any of the chronotypes - "morningness" or "eveningness". Surprisingly, cognitive performance was likely to be worse in women when taken into consideration along with all other criteria, as per the study published in the journal BMJ Public Health. Increasing age, an angina diagnosis, high blood pressure and diabetes also lowered the performance. The study tried to understand the link between the duration of sleep, its quality and the chronotypes. The results clearly showed that people who got between seven and nine hours of sleep each night delivered excellently on tests that gauged intelligence, reasoning skills, reaction times and memory. Also Read: Japan makes it mandatory for people to laugh out loud once a day "Our study found that adults who are naturally more active in the evening - what we called 'eveningness' - tended to perform better on cognitive tests than those who are 'morning people'," lead author of the study, Dr Raha West, from the Department of Surgery and Cancer at Imperial College London, said. She added that it is important to get enough sleep irrespective of what you prefer. Sleeping too little and sleeping too much, both are likely to have an adverse impact on cognitive abilities. "This is crucial for keeping your brain healthy and functioning at its best," she said. The researchers advised people to proactively manage their sleep patterns as "sleep duration has a direct effect on brain function" and to safeguard "the way our brains work".

Your cognitive abilities likely depend on whether you are a morning or an evening person

<p>Several near-Earth objects move around in our solar system. But not all of them are asteroids, instead up to 60 per cent of them might be dark comets, a study says. The study conducted by the University of Michigan adds that some of them might even contain or at one point contained ice. Previous studies have suggested that these cosmic bodies might have been responsible for bringing water to Earth. The latest study also highlights the same possibility.</p>

<p>The study stressed that asteroids moving around in the asteroid belt located between Jupiter and Mars have subsurface ice. Aster Taylor, a U-M graduate student in astronomy and lead author of the study says the path which was possibly used to deliver ice to the near-Earth solar system has also been identified in the study.</p>

<p>One of these dark comets might have come from the Jupiter family of comets, the ones with an orbit that takes them closer to&nbsp;Jupiter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We don't know if these dark comets delivered water to Earth. We can't say that. But we can say that there is still debate over how exactly the Earth's water got here," Taylor said. "The work we've done has shown that this is another pathway to get ice from somewhere in the rest of the solar system to the Earth's environment."</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/comet-c2023-a3-might-shatter-into-pieces-before-approaching-earth-739798">Comet C/2023 A3 might shatter into pieces as it approaches Earth</a></p>

<h2><strong>What are dark comets?</strong></h2>

<p>Dark comets are a combination of both asteroids and comets. While asteroids are rocky bodies with no ice, comets are icy bodies. Asteroids orbit closer to the sun, making any ice on it change directly into gas, also known as sublimation. Comets have a fuzzy coma, and any ice that sublimates carries dust with it, creating a cloud around the comet. They are also not accelerated by gravitation but by the sublimation process.</p>

<p>Researchers examined seven dark comets and, based on the above analysis, say that between 0.5 and 60 per cent&nbsp;of all near-Earth objects could be dark comets. They don't comae and are propelled by nongravitational accelerations.</p>

<p>"We think these objects came from the inner and/or outer main asteroid belt, and the implication of that is that this is another mechanism for getting some ice into the inner solar system," Taylor said.</p>

<p>As part of the study, Taylor and his team also worked to discover where do the dark comets come from.</p>


Several near-Earth objects move around in our solar system. But not all of them are asteroids, instead up to 60 per cent of them might be dark comets, a study says.

Several near-Earth objects move around in our solar system. But not all of them are asteroids, instead up to 60 per cent of them might be dark comets, a study says. The study conducted by the University of Michigan adds that some of them might even contain or at one point contained ice. Previous studies have suggested that these cosmic bodies might have been responsible for bringing water to Earth. The latest study also highlights the same possibility. The study stressed that asteroids moving around in the asteroid belt located between Jupiter and Mars have subsurface ice. Aster Taylor, a U-M graduate student in astronomy and lead author of the study says the path which was possibly used to deliver ice to the near-Earth solar system has also been identified in the study. One of these dark comets might have come from the Jupiter family of comets, the ones with an orbit that takes them closer to Jupiter. "We don't know if these dark comets delivered water to Earth. We can't say that. But we can say that there is still debate over how exactly the Earth's water got here," Taylor said. "The work we've done has shown that this is another pathway to get ice from somewhere in the rest of the solar system to the Earth's environment." Also Read: Comet C/2023 A3 might shatter into pieces as it approaches Earth What are dark comets? Dark comets are a combination of both asteroids and comets. While asteroids are rocky bodies with no ice, comets are icy bodies. Asteroids orbit closer to the sun, making any ice on it change directly into gas, also known as sublimation. Comets have a fuzzy coma, and any ice that sublimates carries dust with it, creating a cloud around the comet. They are also not accelerated by gravitation but by the sublimation process. Researchers examined seven dark comets and, based on the above analysis, say that between 0.5 and 60 per cent of all near-Earth objects could be dark comets. They don't comae and are propelled by nongravitational accelerations. "We think these objects came from the inner and/or outer main asteroid belt, and the implication of that is that this is another mechanism for getting some ice into the inner solar system," Taylor said. As part of the study, Taylor and his team also worked to discover where do the dark comets come from.

Solar system might be filled with dark comets orbiting the sun

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidtvHlthSmiCux" /></p>

<p>The particles which are flying around planet Uranus are facing "traffic jams". Now, scientists have found the reason behind this weird scenario in the cosmic world.</p>

<p>The weak radiation belts of the ice giant may have led to its lopsided and curiously tilted magnetic field which in turn has been causing the jams.</p>

<p>The mystery of these "traffic jams" dates&nbsp;back to the visit of Voyager 2 to Uranus in January 1986; long before the probe left our&nbsp;solar system in 2018.</p>

<p>The spacecraft had discovered that the magnetic field of the Uranus is asymmetric and is tilted roughly at 60°, away from the planet's spin axis.</p>

<p>Voyager 2 also discovered the radiation belts of Uranus, which were filled with particles trapped by this magnetic field, are nearly 100 times weaker than expected.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/exoplanet-which-receives-rains-of-glass-and-is-close-to-earth-is-stinking-like-rotten-eggs-heres-why-739116">Exoplanet which receives rains of glass and is close to Earth is stinking like rotten eggs. Here's why</a></p>

<p>The latest study, which is based on the simulations made using Voyager 2 data, says that ice giants these two strange aspects are related.</p>

<p>"It has a magnetic field like no other in the solar system. Most planets have strong intrinsic&nbsp;magnetic fields, like Earth,&nbsp;Jupiter&nbsp;and&nbsp;Saturn. They have a very 'traditional' magnetic field shape, which is known as a dipole," said lead author Matthew Acevski, while speaking to Space.com.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>"This is the same magnetic field shape as you would expect from your everyday bar magnet. At Uranus, this is not the case; Uranus' field is highly asymmetric — and it becomes increasingly so closer to the planet’s surface," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>Magnetic asymmetry of Uranus causing commotion?</strong></h2>

<p>Acevski said that in the research it has been highlighted how the magnetic asymmetry of Uranus wraps the structure of the planet's&nbsp;proton&nbsp;radiation belts, especially close to the the region passed by Voyager 2.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"My hypothesis was that the magnetic asymmetry was warping the proton radiation belts, forming regions around the planet where the radiation belts were more compressed," Acevski said,&nbsp;"and, thus, with stronger intensity; other regions where they were more spread out, leading to weaker intensity.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Earth's days may be getting little longer: Unveiling the planet's mysteries</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/earths-days-may-be-getting-little-longer-unveiling-the-planets-mysteries-731789/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>He added, "If Voyager 2 flew through a region where the radiation belts were more spread out, that could explain its observations of weaker-than-expected proton radiation belts."</p>

<p>Uranus is the coldest planet in the solar system&nbsp;and is odd among the other worlds present in our planetary system.</p>

<p>It appears to rotate like a cosmic ball which is tilted in one direction at a 97-degree angle from its orbit's plane.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The particles which are flying around planet Uranus are facing "traffic jams". Now, scientists have found the reason behind this weird scenario in the cosmic world.

The particles which are flying around planet Uranus are facing "traffic jams". Now, scientists have found the reason behind this weird scenario in the cosmic world. The weak radiation belts of the ice giant may have led to its lopsided and curiously tilted magnetic field which in turn has been causing the jams. The mystery of these "traffic jams" dates back to the visit of Voyager 2 to Uranus in January 1986; long before the probe left our solar system in 2018. The spacecraft had discovered that the magnetic field of the Uranus is asymmetric and is tilted roughly at 60°, away from the planet's spin axis. Voyager 2 also discovered the radiation belts of Uranus, which were filled with particles trapped by this magnetic field, are nearly 100 times weaker than expected. Also Read: Exoplanet which receives rains of glass and is close to Earth is stinking like rotten eggs. Here's why The latest study, which is based on the simulations made using Voyager 2 data, says that ice giants these two strange aspects are related. "It has a magnetic field like no other in the solar system. Most planets have strong intrinsic magnetic fields, like Earth, Jupiter and Saturn. They have a very 'traditional' magnetic field shape, which is known as a dipole," said lead author Matthew Acevski, while speaking to Space.com. "This is the same magnetic field shape as you would expect from your everyday bar magnet. At Uranus, this is not the case; Uranus' field is highly asymmetric — and it becomes increasingly so closer to the planet’s surface," he added. Magnetic asymmetry of Uranus causing commotion? Acevski said that in the research it has been highlighted how the magnetic asymmetry of Uranus wraps the structure of the planet's proton radiation belts, especially close to the the region passed by Voyager 2. "My hypothesis was that the magnetic asymmetry was warping the proton radiation belts, forming regions around the planet where the radiation belts were more compressed," Acevski said, "and, thus, with stronger intensity; other regions where they were more spread out, leading to weaker intensity. Watch: Earth's days may be getting little longer: Unveiling the planet's mysteries He added, "If Voyager 2 flew through a region where the radiation belts were more spread out, that could explain its observations of weaker-than-expected proton radiation belts." Uranus is the coldest planet in the solar system and is odd among the other worlds present in our planetary system. It appears to rotate like a cosmic ball which is tilted in one direction at a 97-degree angle from its orbit's plane. (With inputs from agencies)

Uranus is facing 'traffic jams' in the cosmic world. Here's why

<p>NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has made a magnificent discovery and was able to even capture it for the world to see the mysteries of the cosmos.</p>

<p>An exoplanet, which appeared like a sparkling jewelled ring, was captured by the telescope. The jewelled ring of the exoplanet was found to be a result of a cosmic phenomenon called gravitational lensing.</p>

<p>The exoplanet captured is a distant&nbsp;quasar, which is called RX J1131-1231, and is floating six&nbsp;billion&nbsp;light-years&nbsp;from&nbsp;Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/saturns-hellish-exoplanet-has-water-vapours-whats-hiding-in-this-alien-world-739618">Saturn's hellish exoplanet has water vapours! What's hiding in this alien world?</a></p>

<p>A nearby elliptical galaxy's powerful gravitational field appeared to have warped the light of the quasar, which is an extremely luminous&nbsp;active galactic nucleus (AGN) and formed a bright arc as well as duplicate views of the object, eventually procuring a visual which appeared like gemstones on a ring.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is gravitational lensing?</strong></h2>

<p>The James Webb Telescope captured the quasars which are filled with large amounts of gas and dust falling inside the supermassive black hole of the galaxy, which makes the region shine very brightly.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The gravitational lensing occurs when the light from a more distant source is bent by a massive object. Its effects allow astronomers to observe regions close to the black hole part of distant quasars, said the European Space Agency&nbsp;(ESA) in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the image, the elliptical galaxy, which led&nbsp;to the gravitational lens, appears as a small blue dot in the centre of the ring.</p>

<p>The galaxy works as a natural telescope which magnifies the light from the more distant&nbsp;quasar.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Earth's days may be getting little longer: Unveiling the planet's mysteries</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/earths-days-may-be-getting-little-longer-unveiling-the-planets-mysteries-731789/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"If a black hole grows primarily from collisions and mergers between galaxies, it should accumulate material in a stable disc, and the steady supply of new material from the disc should lead to a rapidly spinning black hole," said ESA officials, in the statement.</p>

<p>"On the other hand, if the&nbsp;black hole&nbsp;grew through many small accretion episodes, it would accumulate material from random directions. Observations have indicated that the black hole in this particular quasar is spinning at over half the&nbsp;speed of light, which suggests that this black hole has grown via mergers, rather than pulling material in from different directions," &nbsp;they added.</p>

<p>JWST's&nbsp;Mid-Infrared Instrument&nbsp;(MIRI) was used to take the image as part of the study being conducted on dark matter&nbsp;and its distribution in&nbsp;the universe.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has made a magnificent discovery and was able to even capture it for the world to see the mysteries of the cosmos. An exoplanet, which appeared like a sparkling jewelled ring, was captured by the telescope.

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has made a magnificent discovery and was able to even capture it for the world to see the mysteries of the cosmos. An exoplanet, which appeared like a sparkling jewelled ring, was captured by the telescope. The jewelled ring of the exoplanet was found to be a result of a cosmic phenomenon called gravitational lensing. The exoplanet captured is a distant quasar, which is called RX J1131-1231, and is floating six billion light-years from Earth. Also Read: Saturn's hellish exoplanet has water vapours! What's hiding in this alien world? A nearby elliptical galaxy's powerful gravitational field appeared to have warped the light of the quasar, which is an extremely luminous active galactic nucleus (AGN) and formed a bright arc as well as duplicate views of the object, eventually procuring a visual which appeared like gemstones on a ring. What is gravitational lensing? The James Webb Telescope captured the quasars which are filled with large amounts of gas and dust falling inside the supermassive black hole of the galaxy, which makes the region shine very brightly. The gravitational lensing occurs when the light from a more distant source is bent by a massive object. Its effects allow astronomers to observe regions close to the black hole part of distant quasars, said the European Space Agency (ESA) in a statement. In the image, the elliptical galaxy, which led to the gravitational lens, appears as a small blue dot in the centre of the ring. The galaxy works as a natural telescope which magnifies the light from the more distant quasar. Watch: Earth's days may be getting little longer: Unveiling the planet's mysteries "If a black hole grows primarily from collisions and mergers between galaxies, it should accumulate material in a stable disc, and the steady supply of new material from the disc should lead to a rapidly spinning black hole," said ESA officials, in the statement. "On the other hand, if the black hole grew through many small accretion episodes, it would accumulate material from random directions. Observations have indicated that the black hole in this particular quasar is spinning at over half the speed of light, which suggests that this black hole has grown via mergers, rather than pulling material in from different directions," they added. JWST's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) was used to take the image as part of the study being conducted on dark matter and its distribution in the universe. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA discovers jewelled ring-shaped exoplanet floating 6 billion light-years away from Earth

<p>The archaeologists were left stunned when they discovered dozens of graves of children, which belonged to the Bronze and Iron Ages,&nbsp;in southern Norway.</p>

<p>Each of the burials&nbsp;was&nbsp;marked with circles of meticulously placed stones&nbsp;and are said to be hundreds of years old. The discovery was made by a team from Norway's Museum of Cultural History,&nbsp;last year, nearly 50 miles (80 kilometres) south of Oslo, close to the Swedish border.</p>

<p>"They've lain here as a secret until we found them," said museum archaeologist Guro Fossum, while speaking to Science Norway. "We uncovered one after another and ended up with 41 round stone formations," he added.</p>

<p>The circles of stones, each of which measured up to six&nbsp;feet (two&nbsp;metres) across, were kept together. These circles were placed around a huge, central zone.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/archaeologists-discover-ruins-of-4000-year-old-temple-738555">Archaeologists discover ruins of 4,000-year-old ceremonial temple</a></p>

<p>The archaeologists, after carrying out further investigations, found pottery shards and burned bones beneath those stones.</p>

<h2><strong>Children buried were infants or 3 to 6 years old</strong></h2>

<p>In a new analysis, it was discovered that nearly all the burials were graves of children who were killed between 800 and 200 BC.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Among them, many were infants and others were between three&nbsp;to six&nbsp;years old.</p>

<p>"The dating shows that the burial site was used over a long period, so they couldn't all have died in the same natural disaster or outbreak of disease or epidemic," said Fossum.</p>

<p>The museum, in a statement, said that such a concentration of the ancient graves of children is very unique in Europe.</p>

<p>The statement added that the area around the burial ground is filled with rock carvings which represent Sun worship and voyages.</p>

<p>Archaeologists have decided to analyse the artefacts recovered from the site, which include a metal brooch and pieces of pottery.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Greece: Athens Acropolis closes due to heatwave</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/greece-athens-acropolis-closes-due-to-heatwave-731204/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"Analyses of the pottery fragments can tell us a lot. It doesn't appear that all the vessels were containers for burnt bones; some were placed between the graves, and we are very curious about what was inside them," Fossum said.</p>

<p>He added that the burial ground was discovered by the archaeologists after they investigated a Stone Age settlement nearby.</p>

<p>However, Fossum said that the burial site at Fredrikstad was rather unusual.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The graves are very close together. They must have been in an open landscape, with thoroughfares nearby, so everyone would have known about them. Cooking pits and fireplaces around the site suggest that gatherings and ceremonies were held in connection with burials," he said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The archaeologists were left stunned when they discovered dozens of graves of children, which belonged to the Bronze and Iron Ages, in southern Norway. Each of the burials was marked with circles of meticulously placed stones and are said to be hundreds of years old.

The archaeologists were left stunned when they discovered dozens of graves of children, which belonged to the Bronze and Iron Ages, in southern Norway. Each of the burials was marked with circles of meticulously placed stones and are said to be hundreds of years old. The discovery was made by a team from Norway's Museum of Cultural History, last year, nearly 50 miles (80 kilometres) south of Oslo, close to the Swedish border. "They've lain here as a secret until we found them," said museum archaeologist Guro Fossum, while speaking to Science Norway. "We uncovered one after another and ended up with 41 round stone formations," he added. The circles of stones, each of which measured up to six feet (two metres) across, were kept together. These circles were placed around a huge, central zone. Also Read: Archaeologists discover ruins of 4,000-year-old ceremonial temple The archaeologists, after carrying out further investigations, found pottery shards and burned bones beneath those stones. Children buried were infants or 3 to 6 years old In a new analysis, it was discovered that nearly all the burials were graves of children who were killed between 800 and 200 BC. Among them, many were infants and others were between three to six years old. "The dating shows that the burial site was used over a long period, so they couldn't all have died in the same natural disaster or outbreak of disease or epidemic," said Fossum. The museum, in a statement, said that such a concentration of the ancient graves of children is very unique in Europe. The statement added that the area around the burial ground is filled with rock carvings which represent Sun worship and voyages. Archaeologists have decided to analyse the artefacts recovered from the site, which include a metal brooch and pieces of pottery. Watch: Greece: Athens Acropolis closes due to heatwave "Analyses of the pottery fragments can tell us a lot. It doesn't appear that all the vessels were containers for burnt bones; some were placed between the graves, and we are very curious about what was inside them," Fossum said. He added that the burial ground was discovered by the archaeologists after they investigated a Stone Age settlement nearby. However, Fossum said that the burial site at Fredrikstad was rather unusual. "The graves are very close together. They must have been in an open landscape, with thoroughfares nearby, so everyone would have known about them. Cooking pits and fireplaces around the site suggest that gatherings and ceremonies were held in connection with burials," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Norway unearths graves of children buried for 600 years beneath ancient stone circles

<p>The International Space Station has served as a centre point for several mesmerising pictures in the recent past. NASA has shared another stunning gem showing the moon just above the Earth's horizon. The moon appears crescent in shape with most of it dark. NASA stated that the photo had been clicked from a "unique vantage point" inside the International Space Station.</p>

<p>NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, who has been aboard the ISS for approximately four months, took the picture. He is the commander of NASA’s @SpaceX Crew-8 mission that went to space on March 3 this year. Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin and NASA astronauts Michael Barratt and Jeanette Epps were the other astronauts who went to space as part of it.</p>

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<p>"A crescent moon floats over the Earth’s atmosphere, which resembles ocean-blue water," the caption says.</p>

<p>"Layers of orange and black appear underneath the horizontal band of blue stretching across the centre of the image," the space agency described the beautiful scene.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The crescent moon is white and stands out against the blackness of space."</p>

<p>Dominick described the picture as "A sliver of a moon rises out of noctilucent clouds and appears to look towards the horizon awaiting the imminent sunrise."</p>

<h2><br />
Dominick shared picture of ISS passing an aurora</h2>

<p>Dominick recently also shared an incredible time lapse video of the ISS cruising past an aurora. The video was shot from the space station as Boeing Starliner astronauts performed a crucial in-flight test. Notably, astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams have been stuck at the ISS due to technical issues with the Starliner.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Timelapse video of aurora streaming behind Starliner taken from a Dragon window with Butch and Suni in the window of Starliner. Their flashlights light up the cabin.<br />
<br />
0.5 second interval, f 1.4, 6400 ISO, 1/4 second exposure, 24mm lens. <a href="https://t.co/gZuxYZu0Af">pic.twitter.com/gZuxYZu0Af</a></p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Starliner was to initially undock from the ISS on June 14 and return to Earth. It had a small helium leak when it rocketed into orbit, with several more developing later. The inaugural Starliner crew launched from Florida on June 5.&nbsp;</p>


The International Space Station has served as a centre point for several mesmerising pictures in the recent past. NASA has shared another stunning gem showing the moon just above the Earth's horizon.

The International Space Station has served as a centre point for several mesmerising pictures in the recent past. NASA has shared another stunning gem showing the moon just above the Earth's horizon. The moon appears crescent in shape with most of it dark. NASA stated that the photo had been clicked from a "unique vantage point" inside the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, who has been aboard the ISS for approximately four months, took the picture. He is the commander of NASA’s @SpaceX Crew-8 mission that went to space on March 3 this year. Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin and NASA astronauts Michael Barratt and Jeanette Epps were the other astronauts who went to space as part of it. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NASA Artemis (@nasaartemis) × "A crescent moon floats over the Earth’s atmosphere, which resembles ocean-blue water," the caption says. "Layers of orange and black appear underneath the horizontal band of blue stretching across the centre of the image," the space agency described the beautiful scene. "The crescent moon is white and stands out against the blackness of space." Dominick described the picture as "A sliver of a moon rises out of noctilucent clouds and appears to look towards the horizon awaiting the imminent sunrise." Dominick shared picture of ISS passing an aurora Dominick recently also shared an incredible time lapse video of the ISS cruising past an aurora. The video was shot from the space station as Boeing Starliner astronauts performed a crucial in-flight test. Notably, astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams have been stuck at the ISS due to technical issues with the Starliner. Timelapse video of aurora streaming behind Starliner taken from a Dragon window with Butch and Suni in the window of Starliner. Their flashlights light up the cabin. 0.5 second interval, f 1.4, 6400 ISO, 1/4 second exposure, 24mm lens. pic.twitter.com/gZuxYZu0Af — Matthew Dominick (@dominickmatthew) June 16, 2024 × Starliner was to initially undock from the ISS on June 14 and return to Earth. It had a small helium leak when it rocketed into orbit, with several more developing later. The inaugural Starliner crew launched from Florida on June 5.

Crescent moon in a never-before-seen avatar captured from International Space Station

<p>Mysterious ancient artefacts, which may have traces of the Black Plague, have been appearing in the melting ice glaciers of the Swiss Alps and puzzling the archaeologists.&nbsp;</p>

<p>People, who belonged to the Iron Age,&nbsp;Ancient Rome and the Middle Ages, have travelled across the icy mountain passes of the Alps along with cows, mules, oil, wine, skis, weapons, and more.</p>

<p>Their belongings which they may have lost or abandoned are now surfacing as the glaciers melt in the mountains and leaving clues regarding their past civilizations&nbsp;and eras.</p>

<p>According to Business Insider, the objects which humans have left behind ages ago, are now coming out of the melting glaciers.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/antikythera-mechanism-an-ancient-greek-computer-tracked-lunar-calendar-736318">Antikythera mechanism, an ancient Greek 'computer' tracked lunar calendar</a></p>

<p>Switzerland&nbsp;has the largest number of glaciers in comparison to any other European country and it has been receding quickly as global temperatures soar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According&nbsp;to the Swiss Academy of Sciences, the country lost nearly 10 per cent of its total glacier volume in 2022 and 2023.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Many people after finding these unique artefacts lying on the ice, take them as keepsakes.</p>

<h2><strong>Researchers study artefacts at Valais Museum&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Many of these mysterious artefacts have been kept by the Valais History Museum, which is located atop a steep hill towering in the centre of town.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The museum also organised a travelling glacial archaeology exhibition of these artefacts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The archives, in which additional artefacts have been kept and studied, are present in a discrete building in another part of town.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The researchers have hidden the glacial findings in a giant freezer in the basement and in rooms full of bins.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Original 'Harry Potter' cover art up for sale</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/original-harry-potter-cover-art-up-for-sale-735032/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The researchers have been carrying out the study of the new objects closely in the museum's archives.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These discoveries are giving more information regarding human history and ancient economies in the region.</p>

<p>Nearly 30 such discoveries have been reported by hikers on the app in the first two years. Around half of those discoveries were old bombs or human remains.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Mysterious ancient artefacts, which may have traces of the Black Plague, have been appearing in the melting ice glaciers of the Swiss Alps and puzzling the archaeologists.

Mysterious ancient artefacts, which may have traces of the Black Plague, have been appearing in the melting ice glaciers of the Swiss Alps and puzzling the archaeologists. People, who belonged to the Iron Age, Ancient Rome and the Middle Ages, have travelled across the icy mountain passes of the Alps along with cows, mules, oil, wine, skis, weapons, and more. Their belongings which they may have lost or abandoned are now surfacing as the glaciers melt in the mountains and leaving clues regarding their past civilizations and eras. According to Business Insider, the objects which humans have left behind ages ago, are now coming out of the melting glaciers. Also Read: Antikythera mechanism, an ancient Greek 'computer' tracked lunar calendar Switzerland has the largest number of glaciers in comparison to any other European country and it has been receding quickly as global temperatures soar. According to the Swiss Academy of Sciences, the country lost nearly 10 per cent of its total glacier volume in 2022 and 2023. Many people after finding these unique artefacts lying on the ice, take them as keepsakes. Researchers study artefacts at Valais Museum Many of these mysterious artefacts have been kept by the Valais History Museum, which is located atop a steep hill towering in the centre of town. The museum also organised a travelling glacial archaeology exhibition of these artefacts. The archives, in which additional artefacts have been kept and studied, are present in a discrete building in another part of town. The researchers have hidden the glacial findings in a giant freezer in the basement and in rooms full of bins. Watch: Original 'Harry Potter' cover art up for sale The researchers have been carrying out the study of the new objects closely in the museum's archives. These discoveries are giving more information regarding human history and ancient economies in the region. Nearly 30 such discoveries have been reported by hikers on the app in the first two years. Around half of those discoveries were old bombs or human remains. (With inputs from agencies)

Artefacts, which may have traces of Black Plague, emerge mysteriously from Alps glaciers

<p>The auroras have always appeared mesmerising and mythical to humans, however, a new study suggests that they can actually be a threat to our planet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The forces which lead to the generation&nbsp;of the auroras also cause&nbsp;the formation of currents which can damage infrastructure through which electricity is conducted, like pipelines.</p>

<p>The scientists wrote about how harmful these auroras can be in the&nbsp;journal,&nbsp;Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences.</p>

<p>They also noted that the impact angle of interplanetary shocks is the reason which determines the strength of the current and gives an opportunity for forecasting dangerous shocks and shielding critical infrastructure.</p>

<p>The article's lead author, Dr&nbsp;Denny Oliveira from&nbsp;NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre&nbsp;said, "Auroras and geomagnetically induced currents are caused by similar space weather drivers. The aurora is a visual warning that indicates that&nbsp;electric currents&nbsp;in space can generate these geomagnetically-induced currents on the ground."</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/earth-witnessed-never-ever-seen-polar-rain-aurora-heres-how-this-eerie-glow-was-formed-738543">Earth witnessed never-ever-seen 'polar rain' aurora. Here's how this eerie glow was formed</a></p>

<p>"The auroral region can greatly expand during severe geomagnetic storms," he added.</p>

<p>"Usually, its southernmost boundary is around latitudes of 70 degrees, but during&nbsp;extreme events, it can go down to 40 degrees or even further, which certainly occurred during the May 2024 storm—the most severe storm in the past two decades," said Oliveira.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How&nbsp;are&nbsp;auroras formed?</strong></h2>

<p>The auroras are created by two processes - when particles ejected from the Sun reach the magnetic field of Earth and lead to a geomagnetic storm, or when Earth's magnetic field is compressed by interplanetary shocks.</p>

<p>The shocks also lead to the generation of geomagnetically induced currents. This has the capacity of damaging the infrastructure which conducts electricity.&nbsp;</p>

<p>More powerful interplanetary shocks hint at more powerful currents and auroras.&nbsp;However, researchers noted that&nbsp;less powerful and frequent shocks can also be damaging.</p>

<p>"Arguably, the most intense deleterious effects on power infrastructure occurred in March 1989 following a severe geomagnetic storm—the Hydro-Quebec system in Canada was shut down for nearly nine hours, leaving millions of people with no electricity," Oliveira said.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Human spaceflight - The riskiest venture of mankind</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-human-spaceflight-the-riskiest-venture-of-mankind-737576/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"But weaker, more frequent events such as interplanetary shocks can pose threats to ground conductors over time. Our work shows that considerable geoelectric currents occur quite frequently aftershocks, and they deserve attention," he added.</p>

<p>The lead author further suggested, "One thing power infrastructure operators could do to safeguard their equipment is to manage a few specific electric circuits when a shock alert is issued. This would prevent geomagnetically induced currents from reducing the lifetime of the equipment."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The auroras have always appeared mesmerising and mythical to humans, however, a new study suggests that they can actually be a threat to our planet. The forces which lead to the generation of the auroras also cause the formation of currents which can damage infrastructure through which electricity is conducted, like pipelines.

The auroras have always appeared mesmerising and mythical to humans, however, a new study suggests that they can actually be a threat to our planet. The forces which lead to the generation of the auroras also cause the formation of currents which can damage infrastructure through which electricity is conducted, like pipelines. The scientists wrote about how harmful these auroras can be in the journal, Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences. They also noted that the impact angle of interplanetary shocks is the reason which determines the strength of the current and gives an opportunity for forecasting dangerous shocks and shielding critical infrastructure. The article's lead author, Dr Denny Oliveira from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre said, "Auroras and geomagnetically induced currents are caused by similar space weather drivers. The aurora is a visual warning that indicates that electric currents in space can generate these geomagnetically-induced currents on the ground." Also Read: Earth witnessed never-ever-seen 'polar rain' aurora. Here's how this eerie glow was formed "The auroral region can greatly expand during severe geomagnetic storms," he added. "Usually, its southernmost boundary is around latitudes of 70 degrees, but during extreme events, it can go down to 40 degrees or even further, which certainly occurred during the May 2024 storm—the most severe storm in the past two decades," said Oliveira. How are auroras formed? The auroras are created by two processes - when particles ejected from the Sun reach the magnetic field of Earth and lead to a geomagnetic storm, or when Earth's magnetic field is compressed by interplanetary shocks. The shocks also lead to the generation of geomagnetically induced currents. This has the capacity of damaging the infrastructure which conducts electricity. More powerful interplanetary shocks hint at more powerful currents and auroras. However, researchers noted that less powerful and frequent shocks can also be damaging. "Arguably, the most intense deleterious effects on power infrastructure occurred in March 1989 following a severe geomagnetic storm—the Hydro-Quebec system in Canada was shut down for nearly nine hours, leaving millions of people with no electricity," Oliveira said. Watch: Gravitas: Human spaceflight - The riskiest venture of mankind "But weaker, more frequent events such as interplanetary shocks can pose threats to ground conductors over time. Our work shows that considerable geoelectric currents occur quite frequently aftershocks, and they deserve attention," he added. The lead author further suggested, "One thing power infrastructure operators could do to safeguard their equipment is to manage a few specific electric circuits when a shock alert is issued. This would prevent geomagnetically induced currents from reducing the lifetime of the equipment." (With inputs from agencies)

Mesmerising auroras can threaten planet Earth, harm critical infrastructure: Scientists

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidmsispesZeESO" /></p>

<p>Scientists have made a stunning discovery of water vapours looming in the atmosphere of the hot exoplanet of Saturn with the help of the CARMENES spectrograph.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The exoplanet has been designated the HD 149026 b, which has been dubbed Smertrios.</p>

<p>The scientists reported the findings in a research paper&nbsp;which was published on the preprint server&nbsp;arXiv<em>. </em>The scientists said that research can give a better understanding of the structure of this alien planet and how it was formed.</p>

<p>The exoplanet Smertrios is a metal-rich hot planet which orbits a yellow subgiant star of spectral type G0 IV named HD 149026. This is located at a distance of nearly 248.5 light years.</p>

<p>The planet has a radius of about 0.81 Jupiter radii and is nearly three times less massive than Jupiter.</p>

<p>According to the previous observations, Smertrios orbits its host every 2.876 days, which is nearly 0.043 AU from it. The equilibrium temperature of the planet is estimated to be 1,693 K.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/exoplanet-which-receives-rains-of-glass-and-is-close-to-earth-is-stinking-like-rotten-eggs-heres-why-739116">Exoplanet which receives rains of glass and is close to Earth is stinking like rotten eggs. Here's why</a></p>

<p>The team of&nbsp;astronomers led&nbsp;by Sayyed A&nbsp;Rafi of the University of Tokyo in Japan used CARMENES at the Calar-Alto Observatory to carry out high-resolution cross-correlation spectroscopy of Smertrios.</p>

<p>The scientists had aimed to gain&nbsp;more knowledge about the composition of the atmosphere of this exoplanet.</p>

<p>"Transmission spectroscopy presents one of the most successful approaches for investigating the atmospheres of exoplanets. We analyzed the near-infrared high-resolution transmission spectrum of a hot Saturn, HD 149026 b, taken using CARMENES spectrograph," wrote the researchers in the paper.</p>

<h2><strong>What does the existence of water vapour hint at?</strong></h2>

<p>Rafi's team analysed the CARMENES data and discovered evidence of a water signal - which was found really close to the expected location of Smertrios.</p>

<p>The signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of the strongest signal was 4.8. The astronomers emphasised that the detected signal can be considered as evidence of the existence of water vapour.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Earth's days may be getting little longer: Unveiling the planet's mysteries</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/earths-days-may-be-getting-little-longer-unveiling-the-planets-mysteries-731789/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>As per the study, the water vapour evidence in the atmosphere of the exoplanet suggests that the carbon-to-oxygen ratio of the planet is likely to be less than one if the atmosphere is homogeneous and remains at a chemical equilibrium since the hydrogen cyanide abundance is likely to be very low.</p>

<p>The researchers looked for hydrogen cyanide in the atmosphere of Smertrios.&nbsp;However, they failed to find any evidence of this compound. The astronomers stated that this was because of the relatively low S/N dataset.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Scientists have made a stunning discovery of water vapours looming in the atmosphere of the hot exoplanet of Saturn with the help of the CARMENES spectrograph. The exoplanet has been designated the HD 149026 b, which has been dubbed Smertrios.

Scientists have made a stunning discovery of water vapours looming in the atmosphere of the hot exoplanet of Saturn with the help of the CARMENES spectrograph. The exoplanet has been designated the HD 149026 b, which has been dubbed Smertrios. The scientists reported the findings in a research paper which was published on the preprint server arXiv. The scientists said that research can give a better understanding of the structure of this alien planet and how it was formed. The exoplanet Smertrios is a metal-rich hot planet which orbits a yellow subgiant star of spectral type G0 IV named HD 149026. This is located at a distance of nearly 248.5 light years. The planet has a radius of about 0.81 Jupiter radii and is nearly three times less massive than Jupiter. According to the previous observations, Smertrios orbits its host every 2.876 days, which is nearly 0.043 AU from it. The equilibrium temperature of the planet is estimated to be 1,693 K. Also Read: Exoplanet which receives rains of glass and is close to Earth is stinking like rotten eggs. Here's why The team of astronomers led by Sayyed A Rafi of the University of Tokyo in Japan used CARMENES at the Calar-Alto Observatory to carry out high-resolution cross-correlation spectroscopy of Smertrios. The scientists had aimed to gain more knowledge about the composition of the atmosphere of this exoplanet. "Transmission spectroscopy presents one of the most successful approaches for investigating the atmospheres of exoplanets. We analyzed the near-infrared high-resolution transmission spectrum of a hot Saturn, HD 149026 b, taken using CARMENES spectrograph," wrote the researchers in the paper. What does the existence of water vapour hint at? Rafi's team analysed the CARMENES data and discovered evidence of a water signal - which was found really close to the expected location of Smertrios. The signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of the strongest signal was 4.8. The astronomers emphasised that the detected signal can be considered as evidence of the existence of water vapour. Watch: Earth's days may be getting little longer: Unveiling the planet's mysteries As per the study, the water vapour evidence in the atmosphere of the exoplanet suggests that the carbon-to-oxygen ratio of the planet is likely to be less than one if the atmosphere is homogeneous and remains at a chemical equilibrium since the hydrogen cyanide abundance is likely to be very low. The researchers looked for hydrogen cyanide in the atmosphere of Smertrios. However, they failed to find any evidence of this compound. The astronomers stated that this was because of the relatively low S/N dataset. (With inputs from agencies)

Saturn's hellish exoplanet has water vapours! What's hiding in this alien world?

<p>Humans have long&nbsp;been invested in the possibility of the existence of aliens or any other life forms outside our&nbsp;planet.&nbsp;Many conspiracy theories, some backed by scientists, have made&nbsp;rounds over the internet in the past.</p>

<p>In&nbsp;this series, a new theory has popped up (with no concrete evidence)- that there is extraterrestrial life out there, which is trying to land on Earth but a natural barrier is preventing them from doing so, a Reddit user claimed. &nbsp;</p>

<p>According to a Reddit post by @Blitt_Blitt99, multiple aliens have told humans that there is a barrier around Earth, preventing them from coming to our planet without permission.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwinmILTvZyHAxV-XWwGHdCzAR0QxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/aliens-may-be-travelling-from-one-planet-to-another-via-meteorites-study-713790" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/science/aliens-may-be-travelling-from-one-planet-to-another-via-meteorites-study-713790&amp;ved=2ahUKEwinmILTvZyHAxV-XWwGHdCzAR0QxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">Aliens may be travelling from one planet to another via meteorites: Study</a></p>

<p>Reddit user @Blit_Blitt99 posted several sources that he cited as evidence. In one of these, an Irishman who has been studying UFOs for more than 20 years says that he believes that the orbs discussed at NASA meetings are a global defence network.</p>

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<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" data-embed-height="316" style="height:316px"><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/aliens/comments/1dwpyns/multiple_aliens_have_told_humans_that_there_is_a/">Multiple aliens have told humans that there is a barrier around Earth, preventing aliens from coming here without permission. Here's what they said.</a><br />
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<p>Delores Cannon’s book <em>The Custodians: Beyond Abduction</em> is about UFO abductions and the law of one which is said to be a telepathic conversation with an alien entity. The book also talks&nbsp;about the phenomenon of UFOs from simple to complex, discovering areas untouched by other investigators.</p>

<p>The Reddit post stirred up a storm of reactions from netizens, as many users praised this claim and the sources shared&nbsp;that some have described it as a barrier as well as a means of limiting humans.</p>

<p>One user remarked, “The writing is surprisingly accurate. As a species, we defend our territory, so the idea that Earth is protected by a more advanced intelligence is a compelling interpretation of the evidence.”</p>

<p>Another countered, “I believe there’s a barrier, but it’s not a protective one. It’s a quarantine to keep us in.”</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwinmILTvZyHAxV-XWwGHdCzAR0QxfQBKAB6BAgMEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/evidence-of-aliens-scientists-find-gas-only-produced-by-life-on-distant-exoplanet-twice-as-big-as-earth-716192" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/science/evidence-of-aliens-scientists-find-gas-only-produced-by-life-on-distant-exoplanet-twice-as-big-as-earth-716192&amp;ved=2ahUKEwinmILTvZyHAxV-XWwGHdCzAR0QxfQBKAB6BAgMEAE">An Earth-like planet? Tantalising proof of life on THIS exoplanet has scientists in `shock`</a></strong></p>

<p>The Reddit post reignited interest and debate around one of the most intriguing topics for commoners and scientists alike.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A recent paper from researchers at Harvard suggested that aliens might already be on Earth, potentially living underground or on the Moon.</p>

<p>The study, which explores unconventional hypotheses, posits that these beings, referred to as "cryptoterrestrials," could be either descendants of ancient civilizations or evolved intelligent species hiding in plain sight.</p>

<p>As technology advances and our methods of exploration improve, we may one day uncover the truth behind these mysteries, bringing us closer to answering the age-old quest.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Humans have long been invested in the possibility of the existence of aliens or any other life forms outside our planet. Many conspiracy theories, some backed by scientists, have made rounds over the internet in the past.

Humans have long been invested in the possibility of the existence of aliens or any other life forms outside our planet. Many conspiracy theories, some backed by scientists, have made rounds over the internet in the past. In this series, a new theory has popped up (with no concrete evidence)- that there is extraterrestrial life out there, which is trying to land on Earth but a natural barrier is preventing them from doing so, a Reddit user claimed. According to a Reddit post by @Blitt_Blitt99, multiple aliens have told humans that there is a barrier around Earth, preventing them from coming to our planet without permission. Also Read | Aliens may be travelling from one planet to another via meteorites: Study Reddit user @Blit_Blitt99 posted several sources that he cited as evidence. In one of these, an Irishman who has been studying UFOs for more than 20 years says that he believes that the orbs discussed at NASA meetings are a global defence network. Multiple aliens have told humans that there is a barrier around Earth, preventing aliens from coming here without permission. Here's what they said. byu/blit_blit99 inaliens × Delores Cannon’s book The Custodians: Beyond Abduction is about UFO abductions and the law of one which is said to be a telepathic conversation with an alien entity. The book also talks about the phenomenon of UFOs from simple to complex, discovering areas untouched by other investigators. The Reddit post stirred up a storm of reactions from netizens, as many users praised this claim and the sources shared that some have described it as a barrier as well as a means of limiting humans. One user remarked, “The writing is surprisingly accurate. As a species, we defend our territory, so the idea that Earth is protected by a more advanced intelligence is a compelling interpretation of the evidence.” Another countered, “I believe there’s a barrier, but it’s not a protective one. It’s a quarantine to keep us in.” Also Read | An Earth-like planet? Tantalising proof of life on THIS exoplanet has scientists in `shock` The Reddit post reignited interest and debate around one of the most intriguing topics for commoners and scientists alike. A recent paper from researchers at Harvard suggested that aliens might already be on Earth, potentially living underground or on the Moon. The study, which explores unconventional hypotheses, posits that these beings, referred to as "cryptoterrestrials," could be either descendants of ancient civilizations or evolved intelligent species hiding in plain sight. As technology advances and our methods of exploration improve, we may one day uncover the truth behind these mysteries, bringing us closer to answering the age-old quest. (With inputs from agencies)

Aliens trying communicating to humans, keep getting blocked by mysterious Earth barrier, claims Reddit user

<p>Long before human civilisation existed on our planet, Earth was just a dry fireball with no water on it and appeared very similar to other exoplanets.</p>

<p>So how, did this burning and hellish planet get water bodies and become a hospitable place for human civilisation?&nbsp;</p>

<p>The researchers, while studying certain meteorite classes, found the source that led to the existence of water-rich cosmic bodies in the primordial solar system.</p>

<p>The scientists identified mini astronomical structures,&nbsp;known as planetesimals, as agents that made the cosmic delivery of water.</p>

<p>The planetesimals brought materials for planet construction, which included our Earth, which had very little water to start with.</p>

<p>Explaining these cosmic bodies, Director of the Klaus Tschira Laboratory for Cosmochemistry at Heidelberg University’s&nbsp;Institute of Earth Sciences, Professor Dr. Mario Trieloff said, “These small bodies did not just supply the building materials for the planets. They are, in reality, the very source of Earth’s water."&nbsp;</p>

<p>These planetesimals remained at cooler temperatures in the&nbsp;outer solar system. In this place, ice remained as solid-state water.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-2024-mt-1-makes-extremely-close-approach-to-earth-739111">Asteroid 2024 MT-1 makes extremely close approach to Earth</a></p>

<p>These planetesimals were starkly different from other celestial bodies which were formed earlier in the history of the solar system. Those bodies were too hot and very close to the Sun, which made it impossible to create ice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These bodies, which were formed at an early stage in the universe, faced intense thermal conditions which prevented the accumulation or retention of volatile substances like water.</p>

<h2><strong>How was the research carried out?</strong></h2>

<p>The international research team, which included distinguished earth scientists from Heidelberg University, meticulously analysed age data and used sophisticated computational models, to trace the thermal evolution of these planetesimals' parent bodies.</p>

<p>Throughout their research, they carried out the examination of isotopic compositions and conducted simulations to understand the material composition and heat dynamics of these early solar system objects.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Scientists say the Earth's core is behaving oddly. Here's why</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/scientists-say-the-earths-core-is-behaving-oddly-heres-why-739062/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>In the research, the team found that some planetesimals&nbsp;formed extremely rapidly in a time span of less than two million years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The bodies faced intense heating, melted completely, and lost all their volatile elements, which included water.</p>

<p>Short-lived radioactive isotopes, that release substantial amounts of heat, started decaying, which led to rapid heating.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, in the study, it was found that a second group of planetesimals was formed later on&nbsp;at cooler temperatures in the outer reaches of the solar system.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Long before human civilisation existed on our planet, Earth was just a dry fireball with no water on it and appeared very similar to other exoplanets. So how, did this burning and hellish planet get water bodies and become a hospitable place for human civilisation?

Long before human civilisation existed on our planet, Earth was just a dry fireball with no water on it and appeared very similar to other exoplanets. So how, did this burning and hellish planet get water bodies and become a hospitable place for human civilisation? The researchers, while studying certain meteorite classes, found the source that led to the existence of water-rich cosmic bodies in the primordial solar system. The scientists identified mini astronomical structures, known as planetesimals, as agents that made the cosmic delivery of water. The planetesimals brought materials for planet construction, which included our Earth, which had very little water to start with. Explaining these cosmic bodies, Director of the Klaus Tschira Laboratory for Cosmochemistry at Heidelberg University’s Institute of Earth Sciences, Professor Dr. Mario Trieloff said, “These small bodies did not just supply the building materials for the planets. They are, in reality, the very source of Earth’s water." These planetesimals remained at cooler temperatures in the outer solar system. In this place, ice remained as solid-state water. Also Read: Asteroid 2024 MT-1 makes extremely close approach to Earth These planetesimals were starkly different from other celestial bodies which were formed earlier in the history of the solar system. Those bodies were too hot and very close to the Sun, which made it impossible to create ice. These bodies, which were formed at an early stage in the universe, faced intense thermal conditions which prevented the accumulation or retention of volatile substances like water. How was the research carried out? The international research team, which included distinguished earth scientists from Heidelberg University, meticulously analysed age data and used sophisticated computational models, to trace the thermal evolution of these planetesimals' parent bodies. Throughout their research, they carried out the examination of isotopic compositions and conducted simulations to understand the material composition and heat dynamics of these early solar system objects. Watch: Scientists say the Earth's core is behaving oddly. Here's why In the research, the team found that some planetesimals formed extremely rapidly in a time span of less than two million years. The bodies faced intense heating, melted completely, and lost all their volatile elements, which included water. Short-lived radioactive isotopes, that release substantial amounts of heat, started decaying, which led to rapid heating. Meanwhile, in the study, it was found that a second group of planetesimals was formed later on at cooler temperatures in the outer reaches of the solar system. (With inputs from agencies)

Earth received cosmic delivery of water in its early days when it was a fireball. This was the source

<p>Dinosaurs, till now, were only known to either move on land, fly in the air or even live in the sea. But North Carolina scientists have now found what they believe is a dinosaur that lived in a burrow like an armadillo. Its eating habits, they say, resemble that of a deer. It was a seven-foot-long, plant-eating dinosaur and as per evidence, the dinosaur species spent at least part of their time in underground burrows if not all.</p>

<p>Named Fona herzogae, this dinosaur lived 99 million years ago in a warm, wet, muddy region which is now in Utah. There was a massive inland ocean along with active volcanoes, mountains and numerous rivers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The fossil of this dinosaur was discovered by North Carolina State University and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences palaeontologists. Several more specimens have also been dug up ever since work started in 2013.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A dinosaur has not been known to be burrowing before, which is why the discovery becomes extremely special. Haviv Avrahami, a PhD student at NC State and digital technician for the new Dueling Dinosaurs program at the Museum of Natural Sciences, said, "It's incredibly rare. It’s only been identified as a behaviour in one closely related species."</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/ancient-egyptians-pampered-crocodiles-with-bread-meat-and-wine-study-739231">Egyptians pampered this dreaded sea reptile with bread, meat and wine: Study</a></p>

<h2>How do we know the dinosaur was a borrower?</h2>

<p>Several physical attributes of this dinosaur hint at it being a burrower. Its hind legs are strong and its "feet are also freakishly large for the size of its body and would’ve helped it kick dirt out of its home," Avrahami said.</p>

<p>Avrahami says that Fona is part of a group of dinosaurs that "is almost like one of the biggest black holes in palaeontology."</p>

<h2>Another dinosaur discovery</h2>

<p>In the past few years, palaeontologists have also been fascinated with a mostly complete dinosaur fossil buried in Mississippi. It was discovered in 2007 and yet 85 per cent of it remains buried. It is a hadrosaur and belongs to a family of duck-billed, herbivorous dinosaurs. These dinosaurs existed on Earth more than 82 million years ago.&nbsp;</p>


Dinosaurs, till now, were only known to either move on land, fly in the air or even live in the sea. But North Carolina scientists have now found what they believe is a dinosaur that lived in a burrow like an armadillo.

Dinosaurs, till now, were only known to either move on land, fly in the air or even live in the sea. But North Carolina scientists have now found what they believe is a dinosaur that lived in a burrow like an armadillo. Its eating habits, they say, resemble that of a deer. It was a seven-foot-long, plant-eating dinosaur and as per evidence, the dinosaur species spent at least part of their time in underground burrows if not all. Named Fona herzogae, this dinosaur lived 99 million years ago in a warm, wet, muddy region which is now in Utah. There was a massive inland ocean along with active volcanoes, mountains and numerous rivers. The fossil of this dinosaur was discovered by North Carolina State University and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences palaeontologists. Several more specimens have also been dug up ever since work started in 2013. A dinosaur has not been known to be burrowing before, which is why the discovery becomes extremely special. Haviv Avrahami, a PhD student at NC State and digital technician for the new Dueling Dinosaurs program at the Museum of Natural Sciences, said, "It's incredibly rare. It’s only been identified as a behaviour in one closely related species." Also Read: Egyptians pampered this dreaded sea reptile with bread, meat and wine: Study How do we know the dinosaur was a borrower? Several physical attributes of this dinosaur hint at it being a burrower. Its hind legs are strong and its "feet are also freakishly large for the size of its body and would’ve helped it kick dirt out of its home," Avrahami said. Avrahami says that Fona is part of a group of dinosaurs that "is almost like one of the biggest black holes in palaeontology." Another dinosaur discovery In the past few years, palaeontologists have also been fascinated with a mostly complete dinosaur fossil buried in Mississippi. It was discovered in 2007 and yet 85 per cent of it remains buried. It is a hadrosaur and belongs to a family of duck-billed, herbivorous dinosaurs. These dinosaurs existed on Earth more than 82 million years ago.

'Black hole of palaeontology': Dinosaur that burrowed and lived underground discovered

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