Astronomers have picked up a gravitational-wave signal originating from a dramatic collision deep in the cosmos. The event, dubbed GW230529, was recorded by the LIGO Livingston detector in May 2023.&nbsp;

Gravitational waves are caused by the acceleration of massive objects, such as merging black holes or neutron stars. According to Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity, massive objects like planets, stars, and black holes distort the fabric of spacetime around them.

When these massive objects accelerate or change speed, they create waves that propagate outward at the speed of light.&nbsp;The detection of gravitational waves opens up a new window for observing the universe, allowing scientists to study phenomena that were previously inaccessible, such as the mergers of black holes and neutron stars, as well as the nature of gravity itself.

GW230529, which happened due to the collision of a neutron star with an object falling into the "mass gap" between neutron stars and black holes, challenges prior assumptions about the prevalence of such events.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-highly-detailed-3d-map-of-universe-with-6-million-galaxies-can-unravel-mysteries-of-dark-matter-708292">New highly-detailed 3D map of universe with 6 million galaxies can unravel mysteries of dark matter</a>

Assistant&nbsp;Professor at the University of British Columbia Dr Jess McIver pointed out that the discovery "reveals that there may be a higher rate of similar collisions between neutron stars and low-mass black holes than we previously thought."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/glory-effect-rare-rainbow-like-rings-observed-on-a-planet-outside-our-solar-system-708284">Glory effect: Rare rainbow-like rings observed on a planet outside our solar system</a>

It is the first time such a gravitational wave detection involving a mass-gap object paired with a neutron star has been observed.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2>Neutron stars</h2>

Neutron stars typically have masses ranging from about 1.4 to 2 times that of the Sun. This density means that just a teaspoonful of neutron star material would weigh billions of tonnes on Earth.

They also have incredibly strong magnetic fields, trillions of times stronger than Earth's magnetic field. These characteristics make neutron stars a focus of study for astrophysicists trying to understand extreme conditions in the universe.

<section>
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Despite the excitement surrounding GW230529, pinpointing its exact source remains elusive. The detection, made just five days into the observing run, took place at 650 million light-years from Earth
</section>

(With inputs from agencies)

Astronomers have picked up a gravitational-wave signal originating from a dramatic collision deep in the cosmos. The event, dubbed GW230529, was recorded by the LIGO Livingston detector in May 2023.

Astronomers have picked up a gravitational-wave signal originating from a dramatic collision deep in the cosmos. The event, dubbed GW230529, was recorded by the LIGO Livingston detector in May 2023. Gravitational waves are caused by the acceleration of massive objects, such as merging black holes or neutron stars. According to Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity, massive objects like planets, stars, and black holes distort the fabric of spacetime around them. When these massive objects accelerate or change speed, they create waves that propagate outward at the speed of light. The detection of gravitational waves opens up a new window for observing the universe, allowing scientists to study phenomena that were previously inaccessible, such as the mergers of black holes and neutron stars, as well as the nature of gravity itself. GW230529, which happened due to the collision of a neutron star with an object falling into the "mass gap" between neutron stars and black holes, challenges prior assumptions about the prevalence of such events. Also Read | New highly-detailed 3D map of universe with 6 million galaxies can unravel mysteries of dark matter Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia Dr Jess McIver pointed out that the discovery "reveals that there may be a higher rate of similar collisions between neutron stars and low-mass black holes than we previously thought." Also Read | Glory effect: Rare rainbow-like rings observed on a planet outside our solar system It is the first time such a gravitational wave detection involving a mass-gap object paired with a neutron star has been observed. Neutron stars Neutron stars typically have masses ranging from about 1.4 to 2 times that of the Sun. This density means that just a teaspoonful of neutron star material would weigh billions of tonnes on Earth. They also have incredibly strong magnetic fields, trillions of times stronger than Earth's magnetic field. These characteristics make neutron stars a focus of study for astrophysicists trying to understand extreme conditions in the universe. Watch | India's Cancer treatment breakthrough | India makes a mark on global map × Despite the excitement surrounding GW230529, pinpointing its exact source remains elusive. The detection, made just five days into the observing run, took place at 650 million light-years from Earth (With inputs from agencies)

Deep space collision  650 million light-years away sends gravitational-wave signal

Scientists at The University of Texas at Austin have uncovered an important step in the process of transforming seafloors into towering mountains using tiny minerals called zircons.

Zircons are a type of mineral belonging to the group of nesosilicates. They are commonly found in igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks. Zircon crystals are typically tetragonal prisms with pyramidal ends.

These crystals, no bigger than grains of sand, have revealed a previously overlooked phase in tectonic activity. This new finding may potentially reshape our understanding of Earth's geological history.

Published in the journal Geology, the study focused on zircons extracted from the Andes mountains in Patagonia. While these zircons formed during tectonic plate collisions, their chemical composition suggested a surprising association with plates moving apart. This has defied conventional models.

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Lead author Fernando Rey, a doctoral student at UT's Jackson School of Geosciences, said that this anomaly may be explained by a previously undocumented process involving the mixing of oceanic and continental crusts in magma chambers.

Rey suggested, "If you put some oceanic basin below this magma, you have a change in the composition of this magma as it's incorporated."&nbsp;

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This theory of oceanic magma mixing could represent a critical transitional phase in the formation of back-arc basins.

Coauthor Matt Malkowski highlighted the importance of back-arc basins, stating, "This is the Earth's way of sequestering carbon."

The zircons collected from Patagonia revealed unexpected chemical signatures. While zircons from the basin's opening phase displayed anticipated characteristics, those from its closure phase exhibited an unexplained delay in chemical shifts.

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The researchers proposed a model where tectonic forces not only squeeze oceanic crust into mountains but also underthrust portions of that crust towards magma chambers. This influenced zircon signatures.

This transitional phase, where zircons are influenced by oceanic crust, might be&nbsp;a widespread phenomenon in back-arc basins worldwide.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists at The University of Texas at Austin have uncovered an important step in the process of transforming seafloors into towering mountains using tiny minerals called zircons.

Scientists at The University of Texas at Austin have uncovered an important step in the process of transforming seafloors into towering mountains using tiny minerals called zircons. Zircons are a type of mineral belonging to the group of nesosilicates. They are commonly found in igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks. Zircon crystals are typically tetragonal prisms with pyramidal ends. These crystals, no bigger than grains of sand, have revealed a previously overlooked phase in tectonic activity. This new finding may potentially reshape our understanding of Earth's geological history. Published in the journal Geology, the study focused on zircons extracted from the Andes mountains in Patagonia. While these zircons formed during tectonic plate collisions, their chemical composition suggested a surprising association with plates moving apart. This has defied conventional models. Also Read | Biden, Netanyahu hold talk - first after WCK aid workers killed in Israeli strikes Lead author Fernando Rey, a doctoral student at UT's Jackson School of Geosciences, said that this anomaly may be explained by a previously undocumented process involving the mixing of oceanic and continental crusts in magma chambers. Rey suggested, "If you put some oceanic basin below this magma, you have a change in the composition of this magma as it's incorporated." Also Read | Experts flag potential Bird Flu epidemic as '100 times worse than Covid' This theory of oceanic magma mixing could represent a critical transitional phase in the formation of back-arc basins. Coauthor Matt Malkowski highlighted the importance of back-arc basins, stating, "This is the Earth's way of sequestering carbon." The zircons collected from Patagonia revealed unexpected chemical signatures. While zircons from the basin's opening phase displayed anticipated characteristics, those from its closure phase exhibited an unexplained delay in chemical shifts. Watch | Russia and NATO are now in 'direct confrontation', says Kremlin × The researchers proposed a model where tectonic forces not only squeeze oceanic crust into mountains but also underthrust portions of that crust towards magma chambers. This influenced zircon signatures. This transitional phase, where zircons are influenced by oceanic crust, might be a widespread phenomenon in back-arc basins worldwide. (With inputs from agencies)

How do seafloors transform into towering mountains? Scientists uncover crucial step

NASA achieved a resounding success last year when it intentionally crashed a spacecraft into an asteroid. The test was a way to deflect potentially hazardous space rocks from hitting Earth. Our next story tells you how this first-of-his-kind planetary defence experiment now has unintended unintended consequences.

NASA's Dart mission asteroid: Asteroid Dimorphos debris may rain on Mars

In a stunning discovery, the astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) were able to see a third world being formed around the infant star PDS 70&nbsp;400 light-years away from Earth.&nbsp;

The creation of the "third world" was captured under the MIRI mid-infrared Disk Survey (MINDS) project. Two planets taking shape in a disk of gas and dust had already been discovered some time back.

The scientists, with the help of JWST's Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam), also noticed a large spiral stream of material which was enhancing the growth of an already discovered planet PDS 70C.&nbsp;

PDS 70C, a giant planet, is surrounded by its own disk of material and the spiral stream is&nbsp;feeding it as well which will soon result in the the birth of its moons.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-blasts-an-asteroid-in-space-it-now-fears-its-debris-may-collide-with-mars-707195">NASA blasted an asteroid in space. It now fears boulders may collide with Mars</a>

Speaking to Space.com, MINDS team member and KU Leuven and the University of Liege postdoctoral researcher Valentin Christiaens said, "We found new evidence for the presence of a third planet in the system, which was proposed based on VLT observations."

"Furthermore, the new infrared measurements we obtained for the two known protoplanets suggest the presence of heated material around them — which may be the building blocks for moons forming around them," added Christiaens.

<h2>Astronomers' tryst with PDS 70 system&nbsp;</h2>

The astronomers have used various telescopes, which include the ground-based Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the VLT, for studying the PDS 70 system.

The astronomers have remained fascinated about the system since the protostar and its protoplanetary disk are likely no older than 5.5 million years. 
&nbsp; 
"PDS 70 is special, as it is the only protoplanetary disk so far where all astronomers agree that we have found forming planets caught in the act," said Christiaens.&nbsp;

"Detailed study of this system has thus allowed us to learn a lot about planet formation," he added.

Watch:&nbsp;NASA's Dart mission asteroid: Asteroid Dimorphos debris may rain on Mars

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The researchers are not much aware of the potential third planet's properties. If the planet gets confirmed, it will be named PDS 70D and will remain shrouded in a vast amount of dust.&nbsp;

"What is interesting is that this separation places it near 1:2:4 mean-motion resonance with planets PDS 70B and PDS 70C. This means its orbit would be almost exactly twice as short as B and four times shorter than planet C, respectively," said Christiaens said.&nbsp;

"This is a situation we know in the solar system with the three innermost Galilean moons of Jupiter: Io, Europa, and Ganymede," the astronomer said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a stunning discovery, the astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) were able to see a third world being formed around the infant star PDS 70 400 light-years away from Earth.

In a stunning discovery, the astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) were able to see a third world being formed around the infant star PDS 70 400 light-years away from Earth. The creation of the "third world" was captured under the MIRI mid-infrared Disk Survey (MINDS) project. Two planets taking shape in a disk of gas and dust had already been discovered some time back. The scientists, with the help of JWST's Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam), also noticed a large spiral stream of material which was enhancing the growth of an already discovered planet PDS 70C. PDS 70C, a giant planet, is surrounded by its own disk of material and the spiral stream is feeding it as well which will soon result in the the birth of its moons. Also Read: NASA blasted an asteroid in space. It now fears boulders may collide with Mars Speaking to Space.com, MINDS team member and KU Leuven and the University of Liege postdoctoral researcher Valentin Christiaens said, "We found new evidence for the presence of a third planet in the system, which was proposed based on VLT observations." "Furthermore, the new infrared measurements we obtained for the two known protoplanets suggest the presence of heated material around them — which may be the building blocks for moons forming around them," added Christiaens. Astronomers' tryst with PDS 70 system The astronomers have used various telescopes, which include the ground-based Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the VLT, for studying the PDS 70 system. The astronomers have remained fascinated about the system since the protostar and its protoplanetary disk are likely no older than 5.5 million years. "PDS 70 is special, as it is the only protoplanetary disk so far where all astronomers agree that we have found forming planets caught in the act," said Christiaens. "Detailed study of this system has thus allowed us to learn a lot about planet formation," he added. Watch: NASA's Dart mission asteroid: Asteroid Dimorphos debris may rain on Mars The researchers are not much aware of the potential third planet's properties. If the planet gets confirmed, it will be named PDS 70D and will remain shrouded in a vast amount of dust. "What is interesting is that this separation places it near 1:2:4 mean-motion resonance with planets PDS 70B and PDS 70C. This means its orbit would be almost exactly twice as short as B and four times shorter than planet C, respectively," said Christiaens said. "This is a situation we know in the solar system with the three innermost Galilean moons of Jupiter: Io, Europa, and Ganymede," the astronomer said. (With inputs from agencies)

James Webb captures creation of 'third world' and birth of potential moons 400 light-years away

Scientists have discovered an ocean about 700 kilometres below the Earth's surface. It is triple the size of all the oceans on the Earth's surface combined.

Gravitas | Ocean found below the Earth's surface!

Standard time is the synchronisation of clocks within a geographical region to a single time standard. UTC is the time standard commonly used on the Earth. Now, the White House wants NASA to figure out how to tell time on the moon as well.

Why is NASA creating a time standard for the moon?

Moon Standard Time: The daunting task of setting up a standard time zone on the Moon has been given to the space agency NASA by the White House with the hope that people on Earth will be able to tell what time it is on the Moon.

The space agency was sent a memo by the head of the US Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on Tuesday (April 2) in which they were asked to work in coordination with other US agencies and international agencies for setting up a moon-centric time reference system.&nbsp;

NASA has been given time till the end of 2026 to set up what is known as Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC).&nbsp;

<h2>How different is the moon's time zone from that of Earth?</h2>

The time zone on the Moon won't be very similar to the standard time zones we have on Earth. Actually, Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) will be an entire frame of time covering all the regions on the Moon.

Since the gravity on the moon is less, time shifts a bit quickly - 58.7 microseconds every day – in comparison to Earth.

Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) will also provide scientists with a time-keeping benchmark for lunar satellites and spacecraft that require extreme precision for their missions.&nbsp;

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“An atomic clock on the moon will tick at a different rate than a clock on Earth,” said Kevin Coggins, a top communications and navigation official at NASA.

“It makes sense that when you go to another body, like the moon or Mars, that each one gets its own heartbeat," he added.

<h2>Why is&nbsp;Moon Standard Time important?</h2>

In September 2026, NASA is planning to send its astronaut missions to the moon through its Artemis programme. They will also establish a scientific lunar base which can help set the stage for future missions to Mars.&nbsp;

Various spacecraft, companies and countries are part of the effort.

Speaking to Reuters, an OSTP official said that without a unified lunar time standard, the scientists will find it challenging to ensure that secured data transfers are taking place between spacecraft. It will also be difficult to synchronise communications among Earth, lunar satellites, bases and astronauts.

Watch:&nbsp;Pluto: Should 'Pluto' be a planet again? The debate rages on

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According to the official, the discrepancies in time can also result in errors in mapping the moon and locating positions on or orbiting around the natural satellite.

“Imagine if the world wasn’t syncing their clocks to the same time, how disruptive that might be and how challenging everyday things become,” said the official.

(With inputs from agencies)

Moon Standard Time: The daunting task of setting up a standard time zone on the Moon has been given to the space agency NASA by the White House with the hope that people on Earth will be able to tell what time it is on the Moon.

Moon Standard Time: The daunting task of setting up a standard time zone on the Moon has been given to the space agency NASA by the White House with the hope that people on Earth will be able to tell what time it is on the Moon. The space agency was sent a memo by the head of the US Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on Tuesday (April 2) in which they were asked to work in coordination with other US agencies and international agencies for setting up a moon-centric time reference system. NASA has been given time till the end of 2026 to set up what is known as Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC). How different is the moon's time zone from that of Earth? The time zone on the Moon won't be very similar to the standard time zones we have on Earth. Actually, Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) will be an entire frame of time covering all the regions on the Moon. Since the gravity on the moon is less, time shifts a bit quickly - 58.7 microseconds every day – in comparison to Earth. Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) will also provide scientists with a time-keeping benchmark for lunar satellites and spacecraft that require extreme precision for their missions. Also Read: Greenery on Moon soon? NASA to put plants on lunar surface by 2026 “An atomic clock on the moon will tick at a different rate than a clock on Earth,” said Kevin Coggins, a top communications and navigation official at NASA. “It makes sense that when you go to another body, like the moon or Mars, that each one gets its own heartbeat," he added. Why is Moon Standard Time important? In September 2026, NASA is planning to send its astronaut missions to the moon through its Artemis programme. They will also establish a scientific lunar base which can help set the stage for future missions to Mars. Various spacecraft, companies and countries are part of the effort. Speaking to Reuters, an OSTP official said that without a unified lunar time standard, the scientists will find it challenging to ensure that secured data transfers are taking place between spacecraft. It will also be difficult to synchronise communications among Earth, lunar satellites, bases and astronauts. Watch: Pluto: Should 'Pluto' be a planet again? The debate rages on According to the official, the discrepancies in time can also result in errors in mapping the moon and locating positions on or orbiting around the natural satellite. “Imagine if the world wasn’t syncing their clocks to the same time, how disruptive that might be and how challenging everyday things become,” said the official. (With inputs from agencies)

Earthlings will soon be able to calculate what time it is on the Moon. Here's how

The scientists from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois have discovered a reservoir of water that is three times the size of all of Earth's oceans, deep beneath the planet's surface. This underground water supply rests some 700 km beneath our feet.

The quest to find the origins of Earth’s water led researchers to the&nbsp;massive find—a colossal ocean ensconced within the Earth’s mantle, over 700 kilometres below the surface.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earth-may-have-hosted-dune-like-sandworm-more-than-500-million-years-ago-706802">Earth may have hosted ‘Dune’-like sandworm more than 500 million years ago</a>

This hidden ocean, concealed within a blue rock known as ringwoodite, dares our understanding of where Earth’s water came from. The size of this subterranean sea is triple&nbsp;the volume of all the planet’s surface oceans combined.

This new discovery not only enthrals with its scale but also proposes a new theory about Earth’s water cycle. It recommends that instead of arriving via comet impacts, as some theories have posited, Earth’s oceans may have slowly seeped out from its very core.

Science Behind The Discovery

Steven Jacobsen, a researcher at Northwestern University in Illinois and the lead author of the study, informs, “This is substantial evidence that water on Earth came from within.”&nbsp;

To uncover this underground ocean, researchers used an array of 2000 seismographs across the United States, analysing seismic waves from over 500 earthquakes. Waves&nbsp;which travel through Earth’s inner layers, including its core, slow down when passing through wet rock, allowing scientists to assume the presence of this vast water deposit.

Earth’s Water Cycle Reimagined

The possibility that water exists in the Earth's mantle and sweats between the rock grains may change our perception of the planet's water cycle. Jacobsen further emphasised&nbsp;the importance of this reservoir, pointing out that without it, water would be on the surface of the Earth and that the only visible land may be the peaks of mountains.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mars-may-have-hosted-life-for-millions-of-years-longer-than-previously-thought-706772">Mars may have hosted life for millions of years longer than previously thought</a>

Now, with this revolutionary discovery, researchers are keen on gathering more seismic data from around the world to determine if this mantle melting is a common occurrence. Their findings could revolutionise our understanding of the water cycle on Earth, offering new insights into one of our planet’s most fundamental processes.

(With inputs from agencies)

The scientists from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois have discovered a reservoir of water that is three times the size of all of Earth's oceans, deep beneath the planet's surface.

The scientists from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois have discovered a reservoir of water that is three times the size of all of Earth's oceans, deep beneath the planet's surface. This underground water supply rests some 700 km beneath our feet. The quest to find the origins of Earth’s water led researchers to the massive find—a colossal ocean ensconced within the Earth’s mantle, over 700 kilometres below the surface. Also read: Earth may have hosted ‘Dune’-like sandworm more than 500 million years ago This hidden ocean, concealed within a blue rock known as ringwoodite, dares our understanding of where Earth’s water came from. The size of this subterranean sea is triple the volume of all the planet’s surface oceans combined. This new discovery not only enthrals with its scale but also proposes a new theory about Earth’s water cycle. It recommends that instead of arriving via comet impacts, as some theories have posited, Earth’s oceans may have slowly seeped out from its very core. Science Behind The Discovery Steven Jacobsen, a researcher at Northwestern University in Illinois and the lead author of the study, informs, “This is substantial evidence that water on Earth came from within.” To uncover this underground ocean, researchers used an array of 2000 seismographs across the United States, analysing seismic waves from over 500 earthquakes. Waves which travel through Earth’s inner layers, including its core, slow down when passing through wet rock, allowing scientists to assume the presence of this vast water deposit. Earth’s Water Cycle Reimagined The possibility that water exists in the Earth's mantle and sweats between the rock grains may change our perception of the planet's water cycle. Jacobsen further emphasised the importance of this reservoir, pointing out that without it, water would be on the surface of the Earth and that the only visible land may be the peaks of mountains. Also read: Mars may have hosted life for millions of years longer than previously thought Now, with this revolutionary discovery, researchers are keen on gathering more seismic data from around the world to determine if this mantle melting is a common occurrence. Their findings could revolutionise our understanding of the water cycle on Earth, offering new insights into one of our planet’s most fundamental processes. (With inputs from agencies)

Gigantic ocean triple the volume of all of Earth's surface oceans has just been found

Earth has been impacted by multiple space phenomenon in the last few weeks.&nbsp;Numerous asteroid approaches were also witnessed lately.

While these asteroids do not pose a danger like solar storms, they pass Earth very close, making it crucial to observe them to predict any potential collision with our planet. With its advanced technology, NASA has shed light on a 150-foot asteroid that is expected to pass Earth by a narrow margin on March 27.

As per reports by NASA, Asteroid 2024 EA3 is just one of the millions of asteroids that orbit the Sun, and is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

The Center for Near-Earth Object Studies or CNEOS, an organisation that keeps a check on celestial substance like asteroids and comets, revealed that the asteroid will pass by Earth at a distance of 3.14 million kilometres.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/massive-asteroid-led-to-two-billion-craters-on-surface-of-mars-claim-scientists-705186">Massive asteroid led to two billion craters on surface of Mars, claim scientists</a>

It is travelling in its orbit around the Sun at a speed of approximately 38754 kilometres per hour, which is much faster than an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)! It is just one of the two asteroids that have been designated to pass Earth, alongside Asteroid 2024 EL4.

Asteroid 2024 EA3 fit in to the Apollo group of Near-Earth Asteroids, which are Earth-crossing space rocks with semi-major axes larger than Earth's. These asteroids are named after the enormous 1862 Apollo asteroid, which was found in the 1930s by German astronomer Karl Reinmuth.

How big is it?

While talking about the size, the asteroid is approximately 150 feet wide, NASA says and it can be compared to a large airplane. However, it is not expected to actually impact Earth's surface and cause any damage to life or property but it will come very close to the planet and that is why it has been named as a Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA).

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/surprising-images-of-black-hole-at-center-of-milky-way-alter-our-understanding-of-black-holes-705103">Surprising images of black hole at centre of Milky Way alter our understanding of black holes</a>

lt comes very close to the planet and that is why it has been named as a Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA).

(With inputs from agencies)

Earth has been impacted by multiple space phenomenon in the last few weeks. Numerous asteroid approaches were also witnessed lately. While these asteroids do not pose a danger like solar storms, they pass Earth very close, making it crucial to observe them to predict any potential collision with our planet.

Earth has been impacted by multiple space phenomenon in the last few weeks. Numerous asteroid approaches were also witnessed lately. While these asteroids do not pose a danger like solar storms, they pass Earth very close, making it crucial to observe them to predict any potential collision with our planet. With its advanced technology, NASA has shed light on a 150-foot asteroid that is expected to pass Earth by a narrow margin on March 27. As per reports by NASA, Asteroid 2024 EA3 is just one of the millions of asteroids that orbit the Sun, and is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The Center for Near-Earth Object Studies or CNEOS, an organisation that keeps a check on celestial substance like asteroids and comets, revealed that the asteroid will pass by Earth at a distance of 3.14 million kilometres. Also read: Massive asteroid led to two billion craters on surface of Mars, claim scientists It is travelling in its orbit around the Sun at a speed of approximately 38754 kilometres per hour, which is much faster than an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)! It is just one of the two asteroids that have been designated to pass Earth, alongside Asteroid 2024 EL4. Asteroid 2024 EA3 fit in to the Apollo group of Near-Earth Asteroids, which are Earth-crossing space rocks with semi-major axes larger than Earth's. These asteroids are named after the enormous 1862 Apollo asteroid, which was found in the 1930s by German astronomer Karl Reinmuth. How big is it? While talking about the size, the asteroid is approximately 150 feet wide, NASA says and it can be compared to a large airplane. However, it is not expected to actually impact Earth's surface and cause any damage to life or property but it will come very close to the planet and that is why it has been named as a Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA). Also read: Surprising images of black hole at centre of Milky Way alter our understanding of black holes lt comes very close to the planet and that is why it has been named as a Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA). (With inputs from agencies)

Trio of massive asteroids approaching earth for another close encounter: All you need to know

The razor-toothed sandworms which were seen inhabiting the deserts of Arrakis in the movie “Dune: Part Two” have stark&nbsp;similarities with something that existed as a predator on Earth nearly 500 million years ago.

These ancient Selkirkia worms, which are likely to have crawled on Earth during the Cambrian Explosion, existed inside long and cone-shaped tubes and were among the most common predators present on the seafloor.

Speaking about the worm, Karma Nanglu, a palaeontologist at Harvard University, said, “If you were a small invertebrate coming across them, it would have been your worst nightmare. It’s like being engulfed by a conveyor belt of fangs and teeth.”

However, these ravenous worms disappeared from Earth hundreds of millions of years ago.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-a-snake-like-amphibian-that-produces-milk-for-its-young-698014">Scientists discover a snake-like amphibian that produces milk for its young</a>

<h2>Analysed fossils of these worms reveal secrets hidden for years</h2>

A trove of fossils, recovered from Morocco, was recently analysed and revealed that these predators, which were only 1 or 2 inches in length, existed much longer than earlier believed.

In a paper which was published in the journal Biology Letters on Tuesday (April 2),&nbsp;Nanglu's team&nbsp;said that the new species of Selkirkia worm lived for more than 25 million years after they were believed to have gone extinct.

Nanglu and his colleagues found the tubular worms while sifting through fossils kept in the collection of Harvard’s Museum of Comparative Zoology.&nbsp;

The fossils belonged to Fezouata Formation in Morocco which is a deposit that belongs to the Early Ordovician period which started around 488 million years ago and spanned across 45 million years.&nbsp;

While looking into the specimens of the museum, they noticed various fiery-hued fossils of tapering tubes, which appeared identical to Selkirkia fossils, found in ancient Cambrian deposits like the Burgess Shale.

“We don’t expect this guy to be around any more. It’s 25 million years out of place," said Nanglu. After analysing it closely, it was confirmed that these were the tubes of a new species of Selkirkia worm.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Plastic-eating worm to address plastic pollution challenges

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/plastic-eating-worm-to-address-plastic-pollution-challenges-699469/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The new species was named tsering, which means “long life” in the Tibetan language, by the researchers.

The new species not only enlarged Selkirkia worms' temporal record but also confirmed that they lived in environments which are closer to the South Pole, where Morocco was located in the Ordovician period.

As per the Royal Ontario Museum's paleontologist in Toronto Jean-Bernard Caron, who was not a part of the new paper, the discovery highlighted that few Cambrian creatures were able to exist even though diversity exploded in the Ordovician era.

“This new study adds to a growing body of evidence that many members of Cambrian communities continued to thrive during the following Ordovician period and were not quickly replaced as previous evolutionary models might have suggested,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The razor-toothed sandworms which were seen inhabiting the deserts of Arrakis in the movie “Dune: Part Two” have stark similarities with something that existed as a predator on Earth nearly 500 million years ago.

The razor-toothed sandworms which were seen inhabiting the deserts of Arrakis in the movie “Dune: Part Two” have stark similarities with something that existed as a predator on Earth nearly 500 million years ago. These ancient Selkirkia worms, which are likely to have crawled on Earth during the Cambrian Explosion, existed inside long and cone-shaped tubes and were among the most common predators present on the seafloor. Speaking about the worm, Karma Nanglu, a palaeontologist at Harvard University, said, “If you were a small invertebrate coming across them, it would have been your worst nightmare. It’s like being engulfed by a conveyor belt of fangs and teeth.” However, these ravenous worms disappeared from Earth hundreds of millions of years ago. Also Read: Scientists discover a snake-like amphibian that produces milk for its young Analysed fossils of these worms reveal secrets hidden for years A trove of fossils, recovered from Morocco, was recently analysed and revealed that these predators, which were only 1 or 2 inches in length, existed much longer than earlier believed. In a paper which was published in the journal Biology Letters on Tuesday (April 2), Nanglu's team said that the new species of Selkirkia worm lived for more than 25 million years after they were believed to have gone extinct. Nanglu and his colleagues found the tubular worms while sifting through fossils kept in the collection of Harvard’s Museum of Comparative Zoology. The fossils belonged to Fezouata Formation in Morocco which is a deposit that belongs to the Early Ordovician period which started around 488 million years ago and spanned across 45 million years. While looking into the specimens of the museum, they noticed various fiery-hued fossils of tapering tubes, which appeared identical to Selkirkia fossils, found in ancient Cambrian deposits like the Burgess Shale. “We don’t expect this guy to be around any more. It’s 25 million years out of place," said Nanglu. After analysing it closely, it was confirmed that these were the tubes of a new species of Selkirkia worm. Watch: Plastic-eating worm to address plastic pollution challenges The new species was named tsering, which means “long life” in the Tibetan language, by the researchers. The new species not only enlarged Selkirkia worms' temporal record but also confirmed that they lived in environments which are closer to the South Pole, where Morocco was located in the Ordovician period. As per the Royal Ontario Museum's paleontologist in Toronto Jean-Bernard Caron, who was not a part of the new paper, the discovery highlighted that few Cambrian creatures were able to exist even though diversity exploded in the Ordovician era. “This new study adds to a growing body of evidence that many members of Cambrian communities continued to thrive during the following Ordovician period and were not quickly replaced as previous evolutionary models might have suggested,” he said. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Dune’-like sandworms crawled on Earth more than 500 million years ago

The rare Devil Comet, which is also known as the “Mother of Dragons” comet and goes by the&nbsp;scientific name Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, is now finally visible to the human eye in the northern hemisphere's night skies.

The appearance of the Devil Comet gives stargazers and professional astronomers a spectacular opportunity to view the rare marvel.

The Halley-type comet, which revolves around the Sun every 71 years and has a nucleus which measures nearly 30 kilometres in diameter, is famous for its outbursts of gas and dust amid its voyages across the solar system.

<h2>All about the Devil Comet&nbsp;</h2>

The comet, which has been&nbsp;tracked for a long time, stands out because of its distinct “horned” appearance.

Like the other comets, 12P/Pons-Brooks is filled with ice, dust, and rocky material. When it reaches close to the sun, the comet goes through a transformation as the ice within it changes from solid to gas.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/devil-comet-may-appear-during-total-solar-eclipse-to-show-its-stunning-celestial-display-696285">'Devil Comet' likely to make an appearance during total solar eclipse in April</a>

In the process, gas and dust are propelled from the surface of the comet and an expansive cloud with a distinctive tail is formed.

This tail, which is shaped and driven by solar winds, works as a visible marker of the path of the comet through space.

<h2>Comet to be visible after 70 years in Australian skies</h2>

The comet will also be visible to the naked eye for a brief period of time without the help of any special equipment to the Australians.

Speaking to 7News, Australian National University astrophysicist Brad Tucker said that this opportunity to notice a comet with the naked eye will happen during the early hours of April 22.

To catch sight of the comet, one will need to simply look upwards before sunrise. The comet will appear like a "green, fuzzy dot".

Watch:&nbsp;Trash-grabbing robot in Space helps clearing congestion caused by debris&nbsp;

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"Venus is the bright star in the morning sky — if you can see where Venus is, look below, and the comet will be somewhere in that line between the sun and Venus," explained Tucker.

"If you're in a dark spot, you should be able to see it with your naked eye. But if you have a pair of binoculars, even small ones, it will make it great," he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The rare Devil Comet, which is also known as the “Mother of Dragons” comet and goes by the scientific name Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, is now finally visible to the human eye in the northern hemisphere's night skies.

The rare Devil Comet, which is also known as the “Mother of Dragons” comet and goes by the scientific name Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, is now finally visible to the human eye in the northern hemisphere's night skies. The appearance of the Devil Comet gives stargazers and professional astronomers a spectacular opportunity to view the rare marvel. The Halley-type comet, which revolves around the Sun every 71 years and has a nucleus which measures nearly 30 kilometres in diameter, is famous for its outbursts of gas and dust amid its voyages across the solar system. All about the Devil Comet The comet, which has been tracked for a long time, stands out because of its distinct “horned” appearance. Like the other comets, 12P/Pons-Brooks is filled with ice, dust, and rocky material. When it reaches close to the sun, the comet goes through a transformation as the ice within it changes from solid to gas. Also Read: 'Devil Comet' likely to make an appearance during total solar eclipse in April In the process, gas and dust are propelled from the surface of the comet and an expansive cloud with a distinctive tail is formed. This tail, which is shaped and driven by solar winds, works as a visible marker of the path of the comet through space. Comet to be visible after 70 years in Australian skies The comet will also be visible to the naked eye for a brief period of time without the help of any special equipment to the Australians. Speaking to 7News, Australian National University astrophysicist Brad Tucker said that this opportunity to notice a comet with the naked eye will happen during the early hours of April 22. To catch sight of the comet, one will need to simply look upwards before sunrise. The comet will appear like a "green, fuzzy dot". Watch: Trash-grabbing robot in Space helps clearing congestion caused by debris "Venus is the bright star in the morning sky — if you can see where Venus is, look below, and the comet will be somewhere in that line between the sun and Venus," explained Tucker. "If you're in a dark spot, you should be able to see it with your naked eye. But if you have a pair of binoculars, even small ones, it will make it great," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Devil Comet can now be spotted from Earth, but right now only in this region

Scientists in new research found a piece of rock which is likely to hold the answers to the mysteries of our planet and tell the world about its uniqueness. The researchers stumbled upon a part of the Earth’s crust which is likely to have been hidden for more than 3 billion years in Northern Europe’s oldest mountains in Finland.

Scientists in new research found a piece of rock which is likely to hold the answers to the mysteries of our planet and tell the world about its uniqueness. The researchers stumbled upon a part of the Earth’s crust which is likely to have been hidden for more than 3 billion years in Northern Europe’s oldest mountains in Finland. The discovery emphasises the formation of the continent and even suggests that the birth of Denmark and Scandinavia actually took place some 3.75 billion years ago in Greenland. “Our data suggest that the oldest part of Earth’s crust beneath Scandinavia originates in Greenland and is about 250 million years older than we previously thought,” said Professor Tod Waight, who is a geologist at the University of Copenhagen, in a statement. The traces of the ancient crust were first found in the mineral zircon by Waight and his colleagues and then its chemical fingerprint matched with some of the oldest rocks on the planet which were found in West Greenland. “The zircon crystals we found in river sand and rocks from Finland have signatures that point towards them being much older than anything ever found in Scandinavia while matching the age of Greenlandic rock sample,” said researcher Andreas Petersson, who was part of the study. “At the same time, the results of three independent isotope analyses confirm that Scandinavia’s bedrock was most likely linked to Greenland," he added. Also Read: Delving deep: Earth's crust holds more water than its ice caps, reveals study Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark sit above a section of the Earth’s crust which is called the Fennoscandian Shield, or the Baltic Shield. According to the scientists, this shield got detached from Greenland as a “seed” and moved for hundreds of millions of years till it “took root” where Finland exists today. The plate continued to develop here as new geological material accumulated near it and it slowly became Scandinavia. Earth existed like a watery planet when the crust got detached: Study The study emphasises that when the crust got detached from Greenland, the planet was very different from what it looks now. “Earth was probably a watery planet, like in the movie Waterworld, but without any oxygen in the atmosphere and without emergent crust,” said Prof Waight. “But, because that’s so far back in time, we can’t really be sure about what it actually looked like," he added. Watch: Melting polar ice is slowing earth's rotation As per his team, Earth stands out from its galactic neighbours because of the continental crust which is composed of granite. “This is unique in our solar system,” Petersson said. “And, evidence of liquid water and a granite crust are key factors when trying to identify habitable exoplanets and the possibility of life beyond Earth," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

A hidden Earth's crust suggests Scandinavia was born some 3.75 billion years ago in Greenland

Melting polar ice caps are redistributing a massive amount of water from the north and south poles across the world's oceans. This is causing the earth's rotation to significantly slow. The melting ice caused due to climate change is not just slowing earth's rotation, but its also affecting time. Watch this report to know more.

Melting polar ice is slowing earth's rotation

We've all grown up hearing that Earth is a blue planet, with the majority of its surface — a whopping 71 per cent or three quarters — covered with water.

But, is there any water in Earth's crust? If so, how much water lies underground?&nbsp;

<h2>Underground water</h2>

Yes, as per a 2021 study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, there is more water underground or under the earth's surface than in the planet's ice caps and glaciers.

This underground water is held in soil or in pores in rocks, and the amount there is may shock you.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/role-reversal-humans-to-blame-shocking-study-reveals-humans-infect-animals-twice-as-much-704746">We are the infectors: Humans pass on viruses to animals twice than the other way around!</a>

Talking to Live Science, Grant Ferguson, a hydrogeologist at the University of Saskatchewan and lead author of the 2021 study, revealed that the Earth's crust holds approximately 43.9 million cubic kilometres (10.5 million cubic miles) of water.

In comparison, Antarctica's ice contains about 6.5 million cubic miles (27 million cubic km) of water, Greenland's ice holds around 720,000 cubic miles (3 million cubic km). Additionally, glaciers outside Antarctica and Greenland have about 38,000 cubic miles (158,000 cubic km) of water.

Nevertheless, the oceans on Earth's surface remain the planet's largest water reservoir, holding approximately 312 million cubic miles (1.3 billion cubic km) of water.&nbsp;

Now we know that after oceans, groundwater is the Earth's largest water reservoir.

The 2021 study has expanded previous estimates by considering groundwater within the upper 6.2 miles (9.98 kilometres) of Earth's crust, including sedimentary rocks, which are more porous than crystalline rocks. With this, our previous estimates of groundwater have more than doubled from about 2 million cubic miles (8.5 million cubic km) to 4.9 million cubic miles (20.3 million cubic km).&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/time-to-stop-in-2029-melting-polar-ice-slows-earths-rotation-scientists-warn-705093">Time to stop in 2029? Melting polar ice slows Earth's rotation, scientists warn...</a>

This new estimate, as per Live Science, is nearly as large as the 5.7 million cubic miles (23.6 million cubic km) calculated for shallow groundwater.&nbsp;

<h2>Why does this matters?</h2>

The deeper groundwater, which is mostly salty, is isolated from the rest of the planet's water and as per the scientists, has been trapped for extraordinarily long spans of time in some places. This, as per Ferguson, can offer valuable insights into Earth's history.

"We know very little about these waters at depths greater than a few kilometres, making it a frontier area for science," he said. Furthermore, he said that the water may support microbial ecosystems that are still active today, which can help ascertain how life evolved on Earth.

(With inputs from agencies)

We've all grown up hearing that Earth is a blue planet, with the majority of its surface — a whopping 71 per cent or three quarters — covered with water. But, is there any water in Earth's crust?

We've all grown up hearing that Earth is a blue planet, with the majority of its surface — a whopping 71 per cent or three quarters — covered with water. But, is there any water in Earth's crust? If so, how much water lies underground? Underground water Yes, as per a 2021 study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, there is more water underground or under the earth's surface than in the planet's ice caps and glaciers. This underground water is held in soil or in pores in rocks, and the amount there is may shock you. Also read | We are the infectors: Humans pass on viruses to animals twice than the other way around! Talking to Live Science, Grant Ferguson, a hydrogeologist at the University of Saskatchewan and lead author of the 2021 study, revealed that the Earth's crust holds approximately 43.9 million cubic kilometres (10.5 million cubic miles) of water. In comparison, Antarctica's ice contains about 6.5 million cubic miles (27 million cubic km) of water, Greenland's ice holds around 720,000 cubic miles (3 million cubic km). Additionally, glaciers outside Antarctica and Greenland have about 38,000 cubic miles (158,000 cubic km) of water. Nevertheless, the oceans on Earth's surface remain the planet's largest water reservoir, holding approximately 312 million cubic miles (1.3 billion cubic km) of water. Now we know that after oceans, groundwater is the Earth's largest water reservoir. The 2021 study has expanded previous estimates by considering groundwater within the upper 6.2 miles (9.98 kilometres) of Earth's crust, including sedimentary rocks, which are more porous than crystalline rocks. With this, our previous estimates of groundwater have more than doubled from about 2 million cubic miles (8.5 million cubic km) to 4.9 million cubic miles (20.3 million cubic km). Also read | Time to stop in 2029? Melting polar ice slows Earth's rotation, scientists warn... This new estimate, as per Live Science, is nearly as large as the 5.7 million cubic miles (23.6 million cubic km) calculated for shallow groundwater. Why does this matters? The deeper groundwater, which is mostly salty, is isolated from the rest of the planet's water and as per the scientists, has been trapped for extraordinarily long spans of time in some places. This, as per Ferguson, can offer valuable insights into Earth's history. "We know very little about these waters at depths greater than a few kilometres, making it a frontier area for science," he said. Furthermore, he said that the water may support microbial ecosystems that are still active today, which can help ascertain how life evolved on Earth. (With inputs from agencies)

Delving deep: Earth's crust holds more water than its ice caps, reveals study

In a never-heard situation, global warming and melting of polar ice are slowing down the rotation of Earth and this can affect how time is measured.&nbsp;

In a study published on Wednesday (Mar 27), it was discovered that the melting of polar ice, which has been happening continuously due to climate change, has slowed down the spinning of Earth.&nbsp;

The study's author Duncan Agnew, who is a geophysicist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego, said&nbsp;the rapid melting of ice on the poles changes where the mass of the Earth is concentrated.&nbsp;

In turn, the change affects the angular velocity of the planet as the presence of less solid ice at the poles will lead to more mass around the equator.&nbsp;

Speaking to NBC News, Thomas Herring, a professor of geophysics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who was not part of the new study said, “What you’re doing with the ice melt is you’re taking water that’s frozen solid in places like Antarctica and Greenland, and that frozen water is melting, and you move the fluids to other places on the planet. The water flows off towards the equator.”&nbsp;

The groundbreaking study has showcased how humans have been capable of doing something never thought was in control of humanity.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-plan-to-suck-out-water-from-earths-atmosphere-to-fight-climate-change-695106">Scientists plan to suck out water from Earth's atmosphere to fight climate change</a>

“It’s kind of impressive, even to me, that we’ve done something that measurably changes how fast the Earth rotates. Things are happening that are unprecedented," Agnew said.&nbsp;

<h2>So, why will time stop in 2029?</h2>

It is universally known that an extra day gets added in the month of February once every four years, which is known as a leap year.&nbsp;

However, after every few years, a 'leap second' also gets added which is usually at the end of December or June.

This happens because the speed at which Earth spins around its axis slightly fluctuates, which means one complete rotation is not exactly one day.&nbsp;

However, after the study, Agnew has called for a 'negative' leap second, which is the deletion of a second for the first time in history.&nbsp;

The professor suggested that the negative leap second should occur in 2029 to account the for fast spinning of the Earth, however, he warned that that this can cause 'unprecedented' problems in smartphones and computers.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Asteroid flew past Earth in near miss

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-asteroid-flew-past-earth-in-near-miss-690710/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Extrapolating the trends for the core and other relevant phenomena to predict future Earth orientation shows that Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) as now defined will require a negative discontinuity by 2029," said Professor Agnew, in his new paper.&nbsp;

"This will pose an unprecedented problem for computer network timing and may require changes in UTC to be made earlier than is planned," he added.&nbsp;

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the ultra-precise 'atomic clock' which keeps ticking continuously and precisely around the world.&nbsp;

However, these atomic clocks fail to align with the observed 'solar time', as per which every day is the representation of a single rotation of the Earth.

If the rotation of the Earth is not slowed by the melting ice, there will be a requirement of the negative leap second three years earlier in 2026, said Professor Agnew.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a never-heard situation, global warming and melting of polar ice are slowing down the rotation of Earth and this can affect how time is measured. In a study published on Wednesday (Mar 27), it was discovered that the melting of polar ice, which has been happening continuously due to climate change, has slowed down the spinning of Earth.

In a never-heard situation, global warming and melting of polar ice are slowing down the rotation of Earth and this can affect how time is measured. In a study published on Wednesday (Mar 27), it was discovered that the melting of polar ice, which has been happening continuously due to climate change, has slowed down the spinning of Earth. The study's author Duncan Agnew, who is a geophysicist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego, said the rapid melting of ice on the poles changes where the mass of the Earth is concentrated. In turn, the change affects the angular velocity of the planet as the presence of less solid ice at the poles will lead to more mass around the equator. Speaking to NBC News, Thomas Herring, a professor of geophysics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who was not part of the new study said, “What you’re doing with the ice melt is you’re taking water that’s frozen solid in places like Antarctica and Greenland, and that frozen water is melting, and you move the fluids to other places on the planet. The water flows off towards the equator.” The groundbreaking study has showcased how humans have been capable of doing something never thought was in control of humanity. Also Read: Scientists plan to suck out water from Earth's atmosphere to fight climate change “It’s kind of impressive, even to me, that we’ve done something that measurably changes how fast the Earth rotates. Things are happening that are unprecedented," Agnew said. So, why will time stop in 2029? It is universally known that an extra day gets added in the month of February once every four years, which is known as a leap year. However, after every few years, a 'leap second' also gets added which is usually at the end of December or June. This happens because the speed at which Earth spins around its axis slightly fluctuates, which means one complete rotation is not exactly one day. However, after the study, Agnew has called for a 'negative' leap second, which is the deletion of a second for the first time in history. The professor suggested that the negative leap second should occur in 2029 to account the for fast spinning of the Earth, however, he warned that that this can cause 'unprecedented' problems in smartphones and computers. Watch: Gravitas: Asteroid flew past Earth in near miss "Extrapolating the trends for the core and other relevant phenomena to predict future Earth orientation shows that Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) as now defined will require a negative discontinuity by 2029," said Professor Agnew, in his new paper. "This will pose an unprecedented problem for computer network timing and may require changes in UTC to be made earlier than is planned," he added. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the ultra-precise 'atomic clock' which keeps ticking continuously and precisely around the world. However, these atomic clocks fail to align with the observed 'solar time', as per which every day is the representation of a single rotation of the Earth. If the rotation of the Earth is not slowed by the melting ice, there will be a requirement of the negative leap second three years earlier in 2026, said Professor Agnew. (With inputs from agencies)

Time will stop in 2029? Melting polar ice slows Earth's rotation, scientists warn...

The strongest geomagnetic storm in at least five years slammed the Earth and filled the sky with green and purple hues of aurora.

The solar storm was also reported to have caused "a major disturbance in Earth's magnetic field" which is likely to have impacted infrastructure and caused the northern lights to become visible to the human eye, said officials.

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Level 4 Solar Storm <a href="https://t.co/wFDvxeCpnv">pic.twitter.com/wFDvxeCpnv</a>
— SpaceWeatherNews (@SunWeatherMan) <a href="https://twitter.com/SunWeatherMan/status/1772006222264463375?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Centre on Saturday (Mar 23) issued a geomagnetic storm watch and said that they have detected a coronal mass ejection.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/northern-lights-to-be-seen-in-us-and-uk-after-solar-storms-could-disrupt-radio-communications-704150">Northern Lights to be seen in US and UK after solar storms; could disrupt radio communications</a>

Coronal mass ejections or CMEs are created by a large cloud of magnetic and plasma field bursts from the corona of the sun.

<h2>Northern Lights shine across sky, sparkle over volcano in Iceland</h2>

After the solar storm hit planet Earth, it created beautiful green, purple and red auroras for the skywatchers across the skies in Europe, New Zealand and parts of the northern United States.&nbsp;

The auroras, also called the northern and southern lights, were created by the solar storm. However, they soon disappeared after the geomagnetic activity quickly waned.

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March 25, 2024 
South Indian Lake, MB<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/auroraborealis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#auroraborealis</a> danced in the sky around 9:30 PM tonight. The fringe of pink <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/aurora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#aurora</a> color appeared as well. What a nice way to treat myself this spring break. Watch the serene beauty of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/northernlights?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#northernlights</a> during the spring break night! <a href="https://t.co/DvzlK2uCLD">pic.twitter.com/DvzlK2uCLD</a>
— Rj Roldan ™ 🔅 (@rjayroldan) <a href="https://twitter.com/rjayroldan/status/1772464603944947807?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Taking to SpaceWeather.com, “aurora hunter" Alexander Kuznetsov in Finland said that the “aurora did one amazing dance just after the fall of darkness".&nbsp;

He said, “It started as a sharp dancing arc in the Southern horizon, and it quickly went overhead, producing some of the most vibrant red &amp; purple auroras that I’ve seen in my entire aurora hunting career!”

Meanwhile, aurora watcher in southwest Finland, Matti Helin said that a “nice display” lasted just 20 minutes.

Watch:&nbsp;Space Race: India and China reach for the stars

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/space-race-india-and-china-reach-for-the-stars-701819/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

This natural phenomenon was also captured in the skies above a volcano near the Icelandic town of Grindavik which erupted as the Northern Lights dazzled in the night sky.

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Northern Lights shine over erupting volcano in Iceland <a href="https://t.co/WYipY80ZII">https://t.co/WYipY80ZII</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateChange?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ClimateChange</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateEmergency?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ClimateEmergency</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateActionNow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ClimateActionNow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateCrisis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ClimateCrisis</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GlobalBoiling?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GlobalBoiling</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Earthquake?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Earthquake</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CO2?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CO2</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iceland?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iceland</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Volcano?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Volcano</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Grindavik?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Grindavik</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ToxicGas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ToxicGas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Magma?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Magma</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lava?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lava</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SolarStorm?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SolarStorm</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Aurora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Aurora</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/XFlare?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#XFlare</a> <a href="https://t.co/hchttu4SeR">pic.twitter.com/hchttu4SeR</a>
— firehorse23 (@firehorse249791) <a href="https://twitter.com/firehorse249791/status/1772325438037147812?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Auroras are created when multiple solar particles are sent by the sun towards Earth which disturbs the magnetic field and creates a geomagnetic storm.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The strongest geomagnetic storm in at least five years slammed the Earth and filled the sky with green and purple hues of aurora. The solar storm was also reported to have caused "a major disturbance in Earth's magnetic field" which is likely to have impacted infrastructure and caused the northern lights to become visible to the human eye, said officials.

The strongest geomagnetic storm in at least five years slammed the Earth and filled the sky with green and purple hues of aurora. The solar storm was also reported to have caused "a major disturbance in Earth's magnetic field" which is likely to have impacted infrastructure and caused the northern lights to become visible to the human eye, said officials. Level 4 Solar Storm pic.twitter.com/wFDvxeCpnv — SpaceWeatherNews (@SunWeatherMan) March 24, 2024 × NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Centre on Saturday (Mar 23) issued a geomagnetic storm watch and said that they have detected a coronal mass ejection. Also Read: Northern Lights to be seen in US and UK after solar storms; could disrupt radio communications Coronal mass ejections or CMEs are created by a large cloud of magnetic and plasma field bursts from the corona of the sun. Northern Lights shine across sky, sparkle over volcano in Iceland After the solar storm hit planet Earth, it created beautiful green, purple and red auroras for the skywatchers across the skies in Europe, New Zealand and parts of the northern United States. The auroras, also called the northern and southern lights, were created by the solar storm. However, they soon disappeared after the geomagnetic activity quickly waned. March 25, 2024 South Indian Lake, MB#auroraborealis danced in the sky around 9:30 PM tonight. The fringe of pink #aurora color appeared as well. What a nice way to treat myself this spring break. Watch the serene beauty of the #northernlights during the spring break night! pic.twitter.com/DvzlK2uCLD — Rj Roldan ™ 🔅 (@rjayroldan) March 26, 2024 × Taking to SpaceWeather.com, “aurora hunter" Alexander Kuznetsov in Finland said that the “aurora did one amazing dance just after the fall of darkness". He said, “It started as a sharp dancing arc in the Southern horizon, and it quickly went overhead, producing some of the most vibrant red & purple auroras that I’ve seen in my entire aurora hunting career!” Meanwhile, aurora watcher in southwest Finland, Matti Helin said that a “nice display” lasted just 20 minutes. Watch: Space Race: India and China reach for the stars This natural phenomenon was also captured in the skies above a volcano near the Icelandic town of Grindavik which erupted as the Northern Lights dazzled in the night sky. Northern Lights shine over erupting volcano in Iceland https://t.co/WYipY80ZII #ClimateChange #ClimateEmergency #ClimateActionNow #ClimateCrisis #GlobalBoiling #Earthquake #CO2 #Iceland #Volcano #Grindavik #ToxicGas #Magma #Lava #SolarStorm #Aurora #XFlare pic.twitter.com/hchttu4SeR — firehorse23 (@firehorse249791) March 25, 2024 × Auroras are created when multiple solar particles are sent by the sun towards Earth which disturbs the magnetic field and creates a geomagnetic storm. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Strongest geomagnetic storm in years hits Earth, triggering green and purple aurora

Recently faced a very unusual event recently 2,000 earthquakes were recorded in a single day. Scientists believe that they hold a grim warning and that the ocean floor is ripping apart and ripping off Canada's Coast...Watch in for more details!

Quakes suggest the ocean floor is ripping apart: Scientists

Studies of the 4.5 billion year old asteroid Bennu sample collected in space and brought to Earth by NASA reveals never seen before minerals. Watch in for more details!

NASA OSIRIS-Rex Mission: Asteroid Bennu harbors building blocks of life & minerals

Every major global climate record was broken last year, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Tuesday, with its chief voicing particular concern about ocean heat and shrinking sea ice. Watch in for more details!

UN weather agency issues ‘Red Alert’ as world smashes heat records in 2023

The scientists, who have been working at the IceCube observatory, which remains buried deep in the icy south pole, spotted seven exotic and rarely-seen "ghost particle" candidates as they passed through Earth.&nbsp;

The signals hinted at the particles being astrophysical tau neutrinos which act as important messengers between humans and powerful celestial events.

The neutrinos, which are mass-less and charge-less particles blast across the cosmos at the speed of light. Due to those parameters, the neutrinos do not interact with anything.&nbsp;

Nearly 100 trillion of such neutrinos pass through the human body every second. Because of this, the neutrinos have been nicknamed "ghost particles."

The high-energy neutrinos which are released from cosmic sources at the Milky Way's edge are&nbsp;known as "astrophysical neutrinos". There are three types of them: Electron neutrinos, muon neutrinos and tau neutrinos.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-oldest-dead-galaxy-ever-found-in-our-universe-697623">Scientists discover oldest 'dead' galaxy ever found in our universe</a>

These kinds&nbsp;of phantom particles are very elusive and it is the mission of IceCube to nail them down.&nbsp;

The astrophysical neutrinos were first detected by the observatory in 2013.

"The detection of seven candidate tau neutrino events in the data, combined with the very low amount of expected background, allows us to claim that it is highly unlikely that backgrounds are conspiring to produce seven tau neutrino imposters," said Doug Cowen, study co-leader and professor of physics at Penn State University, in a statement.

&nbsp;"The discovery of astrophysical tau neutrinos also provides a strong confirmation of IceCube’s earlier discovery of the diffuse astrophysical neutrino flux," he added.&nbsp;

<h2>IceCube uses digital optical modules for detecting neutrinos&nbsp;</h2>

IceCube has been using a string of golden globes, known as digital optical modules, or DOMs, which are embedded in ice for detecting neutrinos which pass through the Earth.

Watch:&nbsp;Universe's brightest and hungriest black hole

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/universes-brightest-and-hungriest-black-hole-692383/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The observatory in total has 5,160 DOMs which are buried deep within Antarctic ice and they are waiting for the interaction of neutrinos with molecules in the ice for the production of the charged particles.&nbsp;

If scientists are able to understand neutrino oscillations, it will help them determine how these ghost particles get generated and what events forced them to hurtle through space.

"All in all, this exciting discovery comes with the intriguing possibility of leveraging tau neutrinos to uncover new physics," Cowen said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The scientists, who have been working at the IceCube observatory, which remains buried deep in the icy south pole, spotted seven exotic and rarely-seen "ghost particle" candidates as they passed through Earth.

The scientists, who have been working at the IceCube observatory, which remains buried deep in the icy south pole, spotted seven exotic and rarely-seen "ghost particle" candidates as they passed through Earth. The signals hinted at the particles being astrophysical tau neutrinos which act as important messengers between humans and powerful celestial events. The neutrinos, which are mass-less and charge-less particles blast across the cosmos at the speed of light. Due to those parameters, the neutrinos do not interact with anything. Nearly 100 trillion of such neutrinos pass through the human body every second. Because of this, the neutrinos have been nicknamed "ghost particles." The high-energy neutrinos which are released from cosmic sources at the Milky Way's edge are known as "astrophysical neutrinos". There are three types of them: Electron neutrinos, muon neutrinos and tau neutrinos. Also Read: Scientists discover oldest 'dead' galaxy ever found in our universe These kinds of phantom particles are very elusive and it is the mission of IceCube to nail them down. The astrophysical neutrinos were first detected by the observatory in 2013. "The detection of seven candidate tau neutrino events in the data, combined with the very low amount of expected background, allows us to claim that it is highly unlikely that backgrounds are conspiring to produce seven tau neutrino imposters," said Doug Cowen, study co-leader and professor of physics at Penn State University, in a statement. "The discovery of astrophysical tau neutrinos also provides a strong confirmation of IceCube’s earlier discovery of the diffuse astrophysical neutrino flux," he added. IceCube uses digital optical modules for detecting neutrinos IceCube has been using a string of golden globes, known as digital optical modules, or DOMs, which are embedded in ice for detecting neutrinos which pass through the Earth. Watch: Universe's brightest and hungriest black hole The observatory in total has 5,160 DOMs which are buried deep within Antarctic ice and they are waiting for the interaction of neutrinos with molecules in the ice for the production of the charged particles. If scientists are able to understand neutrino oscillations, it will help them determine how these ghost particles get generated and what events forced them to hurtle through space. "All in all, this exciting discovery comes with the intriguing possibility of leveraging tau neutrinos to uncover new physics," Cowen said. (With inputs from agencies)

Seven 'ghost particles' pierce through Earth, get captured by IceCube observatory at South Pole

In a rare visual, astronomers have noticed a supermassive black hole devouring a star at very close proximity to Earth.&nbsp;

The gory death of the star took place after a black hole, which has a mass equal to nearly one million suns, devoured it.&nbsp;

The event took place in the active star-birthing galaxy NGC 3799 which is constellation of Leo and is 160 million light-years away from Earth.

The scientists, who were from the&nbsp;Hawaii&nbsp;Institute for Astronomy, spotted the stellar murder which is called a tidal disruption event (TDE).&nbsp;

It was spotted when the barred spiral galaxy's sudden brightening and rapid fading occurred within it. The All-Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN) system saw the death of the star on February 22, 2023.&nbsp;

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/two-supermassive-black-holes-weigh-28-billion-times-more-than-sun-scientists-695825">&nbsp;Two supermassive black holes weigh 28 billion times more than sun: Scientists</a>

In a statement, research co-leader Willem Hoogendam said, "While black holes destroying stars have been seen before, this is the first one we have seen this close using visible light."

"This could give us a much better understanding of how&nbsp;supermassive black holes grow and collect material around them," he added.

<h2>Discovery of TDE close to Earth a rare phenomenon</h2>

The tidal disruption events (TDEx) take place when stars come very close to supermassive black holes which are present in the hearts of all large galaxies and are as heavy as millions or billions of suns.&nbsp;

The immense gravitational forces of these black holes create huge tidal forces which stretch the stars horizontally as well as vertically.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Universe's brightest and hungriest black hole

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/universes-brightest-and-hungriest-black-hole-692383/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The stars then break down into stellar material which are wrapped around by supermassive black holes. This process is called "spaghettification".

The supermassive black hole eventually feeds every destroyed star. The destruction of stars and their devouring generate extremely bright flares which are visible from Earth, with the help of instruments.

Although these events are very common, discovering TDEs in close proximity to the Earth is rare. The scientists will now investigate TDE in NGC 3799, which is designated ASASSN-23bd.

"This discovery suggests that black holes ripping stars apart nearby could be more common than previously thought — we just haven’t witnessed it happening frequently," Hoogendam said.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a rare visual, astronomers have noticed a supermassive black hole devouring a star at very close proximity to Earth. The gory death of the star took place after a black hole, which has a mass equal to nearly one million suns, devoured it.

In a rare visual, astronomers have noticed a supermassive black hole devouring a star at very close proximity to Earth. The gory death of the star took place after a black hole, which has a mass equal to nearly one million suns, devoured it. The event took place in the active star-birthing galaxy NGC 3799 which is constellation of Leo and is 160 million light-years away from Earth. The scientists, who were from the Hawaii Institute for Astronomy, spotted the stellar murder which is called a tidal disruption event (TDE). It was spotted when the barred spiral galaxy's sudden brightening and rapid fading occurred within it. The All-Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN) system saw the death of the star on February 22, 2023. Also Read: Two supermassive black holes weigh 28 billion times more than sun: Scientists In a statement, research co-leader Willem Hoogendam said, "While black holes destroying stars have been seen before, this is the first one we have seen this close using visible light." "This could give us a much better understanding of how supermassive black holes grow and collect material around them," he added. Discovery of TDE close to Earth a rare phenomenon The tidal disruption events (TDEx) take place when stars come very close to supermassive black holes which are present in the hearts of all large galaxies and are as heavy as millions or billions of suns. The immense gravitational forces of these black holes create huge tidal forces which stretch the stars horizontally as well as vertically. Watch: Universe's brightest and hungriest black hole The stars then break down into stellar material which are wrapped around by supermassive black holes. This process is called "spaghettification". The supermassive black hole eventually feeds every destroyed star. The destruction of stars and their devouring generate extremely bright flares which are visible from Earth, with the help of instruments. Although these events are very common, discovering TDEs in close proximity to the Earth is rare. The scientists will now investigate TDE in NGC 3799, which is designated ASASSN-23bd. "This discovery suggests that black holes ripping stars apart nearby could be more common than previously thought — we just haven’t witnessed it happening frequently," Hoogendam said. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists spot black hole devouring star at close proximity to Earth

The researchers, in a groundbreaking investigation, have finally found the estimated age of the largest sand dunes in the world.

As reported by the BBC, these dunes known as 'Star dunes' or 'pyramid dunes' have been named on the basis of their distinctive shapes and have hundreds of metres of height.&nbsp;

These deserts are spread across lands which includes sand seas of Africa, Arabia, China, and North America and are also found on the surface of Mars and Saturn.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sand-dunes-meet-ice-layers-at-martian-north-pole-as-mars-express-spacecraft-reveals-stunning-images-695053">Sand dunes meet ice layers on Martian North Pole in stunning images shared by Mars Express spacecraft</a>

Prof Geoff Duller of the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth&nbsp;said, ''They are extraordinary things, one of the natural wonders of the world. From the ground, they look like pyramids but from the air, you see a peak and radiating off it in three or four directions these arms make them look like stars.''

<h2>What is the estimated age of the Moroccan star dune?&nbsp;</h2>

Now, in a first, the researchers have found the estimated age of one such star dune, known as Lala Lallia in Morocco.

&nbsp;A technique, known as luminescence, was used to find out the age of the star dune. The method was used to calculate when the grains of sand were exposed to daylight last time.&nbsp;

To carry out the study, the team of researchers from the United Kingdom, travelled to the southeast of Morocco, to examine the 100-metre-high and 700-metre-wide Lala Lallia.&nbsp;

The researchers found the that dune's base was nearly 13,000 years old, however, the structure's upper part was formed in the last 1,000 years or so, as reported in The Guardian.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Asteroid flew past Earth in near miss

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-asteroid-flew-past-earth-in-near-miss-690710/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It took more than 900 years for the dune to get formed and it grew by 6,400 metric tonnes every year. After the dune's initial formation, its growth stopped for nearly 8,000 years and then again quickly expanded in the last several thousand years.

According to the researchers, the recent findings support the theory that the formation of the star dune was accompanied by a change in wind direction.

Explaining the formation of star dunes, Birkbeck University's and fellow study co-author Charlie Bristow said, "Star dunes are formed in areas with complex wind regimes, which means winds blowing from different directions, and net sand accumulation, points within the desert where big piles of sand can be blown around to form giant dunes. They form extraordinary and awe-inspiring landscapes… From the ground, they can be intimidating, mobile mountains of sand.''

(With inputs from agencies)

The researchers, in a groundbreaking investigation, have finally found the estimated age of the largest sand dunes in the world. As reported by the BBC, these dunes known as 'Star dunes' or 'pyramid dunes' have been named on the basis of their distinctive shapes and have hundreds of metres of height.

The researchers, in a groundbreaking investigation, have finally found the estimated age of the largest sand dunes in the world. As reported by the BBC, these dunes known as 'Star dunes' or 'pyramid dunes' have been named on the basis of their distinctive shapes and have hundreds of metres of height. These deserts are spread across lands which includes sand seas of Africa, Arabia, China, and North America and are also found on the surface of Mars and Saturn. Also Read: Sand dunes meet ice layers on Martian North Pole in stunning images shared by Mars Express spacecraft Prof Geoff Duller of the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth said, ''They are extraordinary things, one of the natural wonders of the world. From the ground, they look like pyramids but from the air, you see a peak and radiating off it in three or four directions these arms make them look like stars.'' What is the estimated age of the Moroccan star dune? Now, in a first, the researchers have found the estimated age of one such star dune, known as Lala Lallia in Morocco. A technique, known as luminescence, was used to find out the age of the star dune. The method was used to calculate when the grains of sand were exposed to daylight last time. To carry out the study, the team of researchers from the United Kingdom, travelled to the southeast of Morocco, to examine the 100-metre-high and 700-metre-wide Lala Lallia. The researchers found the that dune's base was nearly 13,000 years old, however, the structure's upper part was formed in the last 1,000 years or so, as reported in The Guardian. Watch: Gravitas: Asteroid flew past Earth in near miss It took more than 900 years for the dune to get formed and it grew by 6,400 metric tonnes every year. After the dune's initial formation, its growth stopped for nearly 8,000 years and then again quickly expanded in the last several thousand years. According to the researchers, the recent findings support the theory that the formation of the star dune was accompanied by a change in wind direction. Explaining the formation of star dunes, Birkbeck University's and fellow study co-author Charlie Bristow said, "Star dunes are formed in areas with complex wind regimes, which means winds blowing from different directions, and net sand accumulation, points within the desert where big piles of sand can be blown around to form giant dunes. They form extraordinary and awe-inspiring landscapes… From the ground, they can be intimidating, mobile mountains of sand.'' (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists reveal mystery around Earth's largest star sand dunes. Here's what they found

In a new study, it has been found that Spain has remained prone to rare and deep earthquakes because of a capsized tectonic plate beneath the Earth's surface.&nbsp;

As per the seismographic reports, when Africa and Eurasia slowly collided, a piece of the surface of the planet went upside down deep beneath the Mediterranean.&nbsp;

"Since 1954, there have been five closely located large deep‐focus earthquakes with depths greater than 600 kilometres beneath [the Spanish city of] Granada," said geologists Daoyuan Sun from the University of Science and Technology of China as well as Meghan Miller from Australian National University, in a statement.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-plan-to-suck-out-water-from-earths-atmosphere-to-fight-climate-change-695106">Scientists plan to suck out water from Earth's atmosphere to fight climate change</a>

<h2>Here's what experts found after examining Spain's 2010 earthquake</h2>

Generally, earthquakes which occur at such deep depths are&nbsp;followed by major aftershocks. However, when seismic data collected from Spain's 2010 earthquake was examined by Sun and Miller, there were no aftershocks found.

When the tectonic plates underneath the surface of the Earth get pushed into each other, they are generally displaced so that one slides beneath the other in a process which is called subduction.&nbsp;

These collisions sometimes destroy the plate's sinking part and raise the crust which creates mountains and interlocks the two plates.

At other times, the wrestling crusts remain separate but stacked as one slab slowly sinks further towards the mantle of Earth.

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Asteroid flew past Earth in near miss

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-asteroid-flew-past-earth-in-near-miss-690710/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

This is what took place at the border between the African and Eurasian plates where the Mediterranean floor is slowly sinking beneath Europe.

During the 2010 Granada earthquake, the seismic waves lasted unusually long and had an extra phase of activity. This happened because the seismic waves were moving slower and that too at the bottom of the Alboran slab and not the top.

"A significant amount of water has been carried down to the mantle transition zone, indicating a relatively cold slab," said geologists Daoyuan Sun.

"Considering a relatively young seafloor age in the western Mediterranean, for the slab to remain cool, the subduction speed must be quite fast, such as a moderate speed of about 70 millimetres per year," he explained.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a new study, it has been found that Spain has remained prone to rare and deep earthquakes because of a capsized tectonic plate beneath the Earth's surface. As per the seismographic reports, when Africa and Eurasia slowly collided, a piece of the surface of the planet went upside down deep beneath the Mediterranean.

In a new study, it has been found that Spain has remained prone to rare and deep earthquakes because of a capsized tectonic plate beneath the Earth's surface. As per the seismographic reports, when Africa and Eurasia slowly collided, a piece of the surface of the planet went upside down deep beneath the Mediterranean. "Since 1954, there have been five closely located large deep‐focus earthquakes with depths greater than 600 kilometres beneath [the Spanish city of] Granada," said geologists Daoyuan Sun from the University of Science and Technology of China as well as Meghan Miller from Australian National University, in a statement. Also Read: Scientists plan to suck out water from Earth's atmosphere to fight climate change Here's what experts found after examining Spain's 2010 earthquake Generally, earthquakes which occur at such deep depths are followed by major aftershocks. However, when seismic data collected from Spain's 2010 earthquake was examined by Sun and Miller, there were no aftershocks found. When the tectonic plates underneath the surface of the Earth get pushed into each other, they are generally displaced so that one slides beneath the other in a process which is called subduction. These collisions sometimes destroy the plate's sinking part and raise the crust which creates mountains and interlocks the two plates. At other times, the wrestling crusts remain separate but stacked as one slab slowly sinks further towards the mantle of Earth. Watch: Gravitas: Asteroid flew past Earth in near miss This is what took place at the border between the African and Eurasian plates where the Mediterranean floor is slowly sinking beneath Europe. During the 2010 Granada earthquake, the seismic waves lasted unusually long and had an extra phase of activity. This happened because the seismic waves were moving slower and that too at the bottom of the Alboran slab and not the top. "A significant amount of water has been carried down to the mantle transition zone, indicating a relatively cold slab," said geologists Daoyuan Sun. "Considering a relatively young seafloor age in the western Mediterranean, for the slab to remain cool, the subduction speed must be quite fast, such as a moderate speed of about 70 millimetres per year," he explained. (With inputs from agencies)

Spain prone to deep earthquakes due to Earth's crust lying upside down under Mediterranean: Study

Water, the universal solvent, has been the cradle in which life on Earth developed. Even when hunting for signs of life in space, the presence of water is taken to be a promising one. Now, scientists have found water, thrice than that in all of Earth's oceans taken together, in a disc around a young star. The water is present in the disc which can subsequently form planet/s revolving around the star.&nbsp;

The discovery was made by these scientists using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. The European Southern Observatory (ESO) is a partner in the ALMA project.

The scientists have not only captured the image of the star but have also mapped the water swirling in the planet-forming disc.

“I had never imagined that we could capture an image of oceans of water vapour in the same region where a planet is likely forming,” says Stefano Facchini, an astronomer from the University of Milan, as quoted by EurekaAlert.

Facchini led the study which was published in the journal Nature Astronomy on Thursday (Feb 29)

HL Tauri, the star around which the water is swirling is 450 light-years away from Earth in the Taurus constellation.

"It is truly remarkable that we can not only detect but also capture detailed images and spatially resolve water vapour at a distance of 450 light-years from us,” says co-author Leonardo Testi, an astronomer from the University of Bologna, Italy.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earth-like-exoplanet-destroys-its-own-atmosphere-reduces-hope-for-existence-of-alien-life-695153">Earth-like exoplanet destroys its own atmosphere, reduces hope of existence of alien life</a>

"Taking part in such an important discovery in the iconic HL Tauri disc was beyond what I had ever expected for my first research experience in astronomy,” Mathieu Vander Donckt from the University of Liège, Belgium said. He was a masters student when he took part in the research.

“Our recent images reveal a substantial quantity of water vapour at a range of distances from the star that include a gap where a planet could potentially be forming at the present time,” says Facchini.

All of them were quoted by EurekaAlert.

(With inputs from agencies)

Water, the universal solvent, has been the cradle in which life on Earth developed. Even when hunting for signs of life in space, the presence of water is taken to be a promising one.

Water, the universal solvent, has been the cradle in which life on Earth developed. Even when hunting for signs of life in space, the presence of water is taken to be a promising one. Now, scientists have found water, thrice than that in all of Earth's oceans taken together, in a disc around a young star. The water is present in the disc which can subsequently form planet/s revolving around the star. The discovery was made by these scientists using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. The European Southern Observatory (ESO) is a partner in the ALMA project. The scientists have not only captured the image of the star but have also mapped the water swirling in the planet-forming disc. “I had never imagined that we could capture an image of oceans of water vapour in the same region where a planet is likely forming,” says Stefano Facchini, an astronomer from the University of Milan, as quoted by EurekaAlert. Facchini led the study which was published in the journal Nature Astronomy on Thursday (Feb 29) HL Tauri, the star around which the water is swirling is 450 light-years away from Earth in the Taurus constellation. "It is truly remarkable that we can not only detect but also capture detailed images and spatially resolve water vapour at a distance of 450 light-years from us,” says co-author Leonardo Testi, an astronomer from the University of Bologna, Italy. Also Read | Earth-like exoplanet destroys its own atmosphere, reduces hope of existence of alien life "Taking part in such an important discovery in the iconic HL Tauri disc was beyond what I had ever expected for my first research experience in astronomy,” Mathieu Vander Donckt from the University of Liège, Belgium said. He was a masters student when he took part in the research. “Our recent images reveal a substantial quantity of water vapour at a range of distances from the star that include a gap where a planet could potentially be forming at the present time,” says Facchini. All of them were quoted by EurekaAlert. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists find water thrice that on Earth swirling around a young star

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