A NASA satellite that will search for potentially deadly asteroids and comets heading towards Earth&nbsp;has taken a significant step closer to launch.&nbsp;

NASA officials announced on June 11 that the Near-Earth Object (NEO) Surveyor satellite telescope has been allowed to go onto "preliminary design," the next phase of development on the way to a planned launch in 2026.&nbsp;

The 20-foot (6-metre) infrared telescope would enhance planetary security by assisting astronomers in locating asteroids and comets that approach Earth's orbit within 30 million miles (48 million kilometres).&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-that-hit-botswana-in-2018-was-22-million-years-old-researchers-381137">Also read | Asteroid that hit Botswana in 2018 was 22 million years old: Researchers</a>

"NEO Surveyor will have the capability to rapidly accelerate the rate at which NASA is able to discover asteroids and comets that could pose a hazard to the Earth, and it is being designed to discover 90% of asteroids 140 metres (460 feet) in size or larger within a decade of being launched," Mike Kelley, NEO Surveyor program scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, said in a statement.

In response to a congressional mandate, NASA has been working toward the 90 per cent discovery target since 2005. Scientists have discovered roughly 40% of NEOs with a diameter of at least 460 feet, which would inflict massive damage if they collided with Earth.&nbsp;

NEO Surveyor is a reinvention of the NEOCam concept, which competed in NASA's planetary research missions Discovery programme.

NEOCam was a finalist in the Discovery competition that ended in early 2017 and received funds for extra studies despite not being picked for development. 
&nbsp;

A NASA satellite that will search for potentially deadly asteroids and comets heading towards Earth has taken a significant step closer to launch. NASA officials announced on June 11 that the Near-Earth Object (NEO) Surveyor satellite telescope has been allowed to go onto "preliminary design," the next phase of development on the way to a planned launch in 2026.

A NASA satellite that will search for potentially deadly asteroids and comets heading towards Earth has taken a significant step closer to launch. NASA officials announced on June 11 that the Near-Earth Object (NEO) Surveyor satellite telescope has been allowed to go onto "preliminary design," the next phase of development on the way to a planned launch in 2026. The 20-foot (6-metre) infrared telescope would enhance planetary security by assisting astronomers in locating asteroids and comets that approach Earth's orbit within 30 million miles (48 million kilometres). Also read | Asteroid that hit Botswana in 2018 was 22 million years old: Researchers "NEO Surveyor will have the capability to rapidly accelerate the rate at which NASA is able to discover asteroids and comets that could pose a hazard to the Earth, and it is being designed to discover 90% of asteroids 140 metres (460 feet) in size or larger within a decade of being launched," Mike Kelley, NEO Surveyor program scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, said in a statement. In response to a congressional mandate, NASA has been working toward the 90 per cent discovery target since 2005. Scientists have discovered roughly 40% of NEOs with a diameter of at least 460 feet, which would inflict massive damage if they collided with Earth. NEO Surveyor is a reinvention of the NEOCam concept, which competed in NASA's planetary research missions Discovery programme. NEOCam was a finalist in the Discovery competition that ended in early 2017 and received funds for extra studies despite not being picked for development.

NEO Surveyor: Space telescope to detect potentially dangerous asteroids heading for Earth

A recent study published in Science Advances reveals that the Japanese researchers found that the mouse sperm which was exposed to high levels of cosmic radiation for nearly six years has produced a large brood of healthy, unremarkable "space pups.

A recent study published in Science Advances reveals that the Japanese researchers found that the mouse sperm which was exposed to high levels of cosmic radiation for nearly six years has produced a large brood of healthy, unremarkable "space pups." No signs of Mousezillas or rodent Hulks have been observed so far. The study reveals that the sperm was stored in the International Space Station in freeze-dried form. When it was brought back to Earth and rehydrated, it gave birth to 168 young, free of genetic defects. While speaking with AFP, Developmental biologist and lead author Teruhiko Wakayama told that there was very little difference between mice fertilized by space sperm and sperm that had remained confined to our planet. "All pups had normal appearance," he said, and when researchers examined their genes "no abnormalities were found." Also Read | Croatian town Legrad selling houses for less than $1, here is all you need to know It all started in 2013 when Wakayama and colleagues at the University of Yamanashi in Japan launched three boxes. Each of these boxes contained 48 ampoules of freeze-dried sperm. The aim was to determine whether long-term exposure to radiation in space would damage DNA in reproductive cells or pass mutations along to offspring. The batches were sent back to Earth for fertilization after the first nine months, then after two years, and finally after six years. This is what led to a hundred births. The ampoules were small and very light. On reaching adulthood, the space mice were randomly mated and the next generation appeared normal as well. The researchers used freeze-dried sperm for the experiment because it could be preserved at room temperature. In the paper, Wakayama and his colleagues wrote, "In the future, when the time comes to migrate to other planets, we will need to maintain the diversity of genetic resources, not only for humans but also for pets and domestic animals". The paper further read, "For cost and safety reasons, it is likely that stored germ cells will be transported by spaceships rather than by living animals".

Mouse sperm stored at ISS produces unremarkable 'space pups'

Our planet Earth does not deserve more bad news. A global pandemic which continues to kill scores everyday to the ongoing threats caused by climate change - there is a lot on our&nbsp;plate. And now, there’s more - The Sun has awoken!

Just a few days ago, millions of tonnes of super hot gas was ejected from the surface of Sun and shot off towards Earth. Officially known as a “coronal mass ejection”, the event wasn’t powerful enough to cause serious harm to the planet. But it did set off the strongest geomagnetic storm seen on our planet in years.&nbsp;Not many people even felt it. But scientists believe this points to a worrying trend in the future - that the Sun is up and running after years of dormancy.

These ejections are harmless to anyone on the Earth’s surface but have a serious potential to damage power grids, restrict radio communication, expose airline workers and passengers to toxic radiation. The worst perhaps is the ability of the waves to take satellites off the grid.

In 2020, the Sun began its new 11-year cycle which is expected to peak in 2025. Essentially, solar storms&nbsp;and its effects are expected to become more common in the coming years. The last time such solar storms hit our planet was 17 years ago. Over the last two decades, our reliance on technology has increased multi-fold. And scientists fear continuous increase in solar storms&nbsp;could potentially disrupt tech globally.

What are the potential effects?

Space weather conditions aren’t usually taken seriously by stakeholders, analysts fear, which could cause multiple losses if serious solar storms and other adverse space weather incidents were to affect Earth in the near future.

The dangers posed by space weather changes aren’t imagined. It can jam communication systems during dire situations like natural disasters as was seen during Hurricane Irma. That’s not it! Solar storms could knock off the GPS off its feet.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/astronomers-detect-how-many-interstellar-objects-may-be-visiting-our-solar-system-370700" hreflang="en">Astronomers detect how many interstellar objects may be visiting our solar system</a>

In addition, people that are exposed to such storms directly namely airline crew have a higher risk of developing cataract and miscarriages.

Solar storms are caused by 11-year Sun cycles that shift the polarity of the energy source’s magnetic field. In the process, flares escape the Sun and hurl towards outer space. A strong solar flare could leave millions of people without power!

Our planet Earth does not deserve more bad news. A global pandemic which continues to kill scores everyday to the ongoing threats caused by climate change - there is a lot on our plate.

Our planet Earth does not deserve more bad news. A global pandemic which continues to kill scores everyday to the ongoing threats caused by climate change - there is a lot on our plate. And now, there’s more - The Sun has awoken! Just a few days ago, millions of tonnes of super hot gas was ejected from the surface of Sun and shot off towards Earth. Officially known as a “coronal mass ejection”, the event wasn’t powerful enough to cause serious harm to the planet. But it did set off the strongest geomagnetic storm seen on our planet in years. Not many people even felt it. But scientists believe this points to a worrying trend in the future - that the Sun is up and running after years of dormancy. These ejections are harmless to anyone on the Earth’s surface but have a serious potential to damage power grids, restrict radio communication, expose airline workers and passengers to toxic radiation. The worst perhaps is the ability of the waves to take satellites off the grid. In 2020, the Sun began its new 11-year cycle which is expected to peak in 2025. Essentially, solar storms and its effects are expected to become more common in the coming years. The last time such solar storms hit our planet was 17 years ago. Over the last two decades, our reliance on technology has increased multi-fold. And scientists fear continuous increase in solar storms could potentially disrupt tech globally. What are the potential effects? Space weather conditions aren’t usually taken seriously by stakeholders, analysts fear, which could cause multiple losses if serious solar storms and other adverse space weather incidents were to affect Earth in the near future. The dangers posed by space weather changes aren’t imagined. It can jam communication systems during dire situations like natural disasters as was seen during Hurricane Irma. That’s not it! Solar storms could knock off the GPS off its feet. Also read: Astronomers detect how many interstellar objects may be visiting our solar system In addition, people that are exposed to such storms directly namely airline crew have a higher risk of developing cataract and miscarriages. Solar storms are caused by 11-year Sun cycles that shift the polarity of the energy source’s magnetic field. In the process, flares escape the Sun and hurl towards outer space. A strong solar flare could leave millions of people without power!

Sun has awoken and sent solar storms Earth's way. What are the dangers?

Universe is a wonderful place. It generates life, but also has a place for gigantic, unimaginable explosions that dwarf even our most dangerous nuclear weapons. The result is a constant flux of celestial activity.

Many of these cosmic events have effect on us on Earth. From solar flares to cosmic rays, we are just one planet in the cosmos that goes through everything it throws at us.

But an 'alien' isotope found in Earth's crust has scientists interested. This isotope is radioactive Iron.

Building atoms is serious business. Making simple atoms like Helium and Hydrogen takes massive power of a star. But building radioactive atoms takes massive firepower of a literal explosion of a star, a Supernova.

Scientists at Australian National University have found such a radioactive isotope of Iron (Iron 60) 1500 metres below Pacific Ocean. This is a 'blink-and-you-miss-it' sort of an isotope which has a very short half-life on cosmic scale.

Presence of Iron-60 isotope indicates that Earth was subjected to energy released by supernovas in our immediate neighbourhood. The isotope has been formed due to an 'alien' cosmic activity.

The rock sample containing Iron-60 is being analysed more. The scientists have published their findings in the scientific journal Science

Universe is a wonderful place. It generates life, but also has a place for gigantic, unimaginable explosions that dwarf even our most dangerous nuclear weapons. The result is a constant flux of celestial activity.

Universe is a wonderful place. It generates life, but also has a place for gigantic, unimaginable explosions that dwarf even our most dangerous nuclear weapons. The result is a constant flux of celestial activity. Many of these cosmic events have effect on us on Earth. From solar flares to cosmic rays, we are just one planet in the cosmos that goes through everything it throws at us. But an 'alien' isotope found in Earth's crust has scientists interested. This isotope is radioactive Iron. Building atoms is serious business. Making simple atoms like Helium and Hydrogen takes massive power of a star. But building radioactive atoms takes massive firepower of a literal explosion of a star, a Supernova. Scientists at Australian National University have found such a radioactive isotope of Iron (Iron 60) 1500 metres below Pacific Ocean. This is a 'blink-and-you-miss-it' sort of an isotope which has a very short half-life on cosmic scale. Presence of Iron-60 isotope indicates that Earth was subjected to energy released by supernovas in our immediate neighbourhood. The isotope has been formed due to an 'alien' cosmic activity. The rock sample containing Iron-60 is being analysed more. The scientists have published their findings in the scientific journal Science

'Alien' isotope found in Earth's crust

Researchers from the University of Toronto have discovered the world’s oldest sample of water, a finding that could offer clues about the possibility of life on Mars.

Professor Barbara Sherwood Lollar and her team found the water three kilometres beneath the Earth’s surface at a base metal mine in Timmins, Ontario in 2009.

Tests conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford found that the mean age of the samples was 1.6 billion years old, making it the oldest water sample ever found on Earth.

This discovery might just solve one of humanity’s biggest unanswered questions, that is, “could there be life on other planets?”

The 58-year-old Canadian geologist is also a professor at the University of Toronto in the Department of Earth Sciences. She was recently honoured with the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering from the Research Council of Canada.

“This water is full of all kinds of dissolved elements, dissolved chemicals and it’s those chemicals that allow life to eke out an existence in these deep, dark places,” Sherwood Lollar said.

Oliver Warr, a postdoctoral researcher and the leader of the team, said that this discovery could have significant ramifications on how life might exist and survive in such depths.

An article in Maclean's reported that the musty smell of the oldest water is its dead giveaway. "It literally is following your nose right up to the rock, to find the crack or the fractures where the water is discharging," says Lollar.

She noted that the water is highly saline, which is ten times saltier than seawater. But despite its musty smell, it required more than a gifted schnozz to locate it.

(With inputs from agencies)

Researchers from the University of Toronto have discovered the world’s oldest sample of water, a finding that could offer clues about the possibility of life on Mars.

Researchers from the University of Toronto have discovered the world’s oldest sample of water, a finding that could offer clues about the possibility of life on Mars. Professor Barbara Sherwood Lollar and her team found the water three kilometres beneath the Earth’s surface at a base metal mine in Timmins, Ontario in 2009. Tests conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford found that the mean age of the samples was 1.6 billion years old, making it the oldest water sample ever found on Earth. This discovery might just solve one of humanity’s biggest unanswered questions, that is, “could there be life on other planets?” The 58-year-old Canadian geologist is also a professor at the University of Toronto in the Department of Earth Sciences. She was recently honoured with the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering from the Research Council of Canada. “This water is full of all kinds of dissolved elements, dissolved chemicals and it’s those chemicals that allow life to eke out an existence in these deep, dark places,” Sherwood Lollar said. Oliver Warr, a postdoctoral researcher and the leader of the team, said that this discovery could have significant ramifications on how life might exist and survive in such depths. An article in Maclean's reported that the musty smell of the oldest water is its dead giveaway. "It literally is following your nose right up to the rock, to find the crack or the fractures where the water is discharging," says Lollar. She noted that the water is highly saline, which is ten times saltier than seawater. But despite its musty smell, it required more than a gifted schnozz to locate it. (With inputs from agencies)

Oldest water on earth found in a Canadian mine

Dismissed a decade ago as far-fetched and dangerous, schemes to tame the effects of global warming by engineering the climate have migrated from the margins of policy debates towards centre stage.

"Plan A" refers to solving&nbsp;the problem at its source. But the UN's top climate science body has made it clear that slashing carbon pollution won't be enough to keep Earth from overheating. That has opened the door to a host of&nbsp;geoengineering&nbsp;schemes, from building underwater walls to shore up an Antarctic glacier the size of Britain to injecting a giant sunscreen into the stratosphere.

Here is a menu of "Plan B"&nbsp;geoengineering&nbsp;solutions, along with their potential drawbacks:

Direct CO2 capture&nbsp;

Experiments have shown it is possible to suck planet-warming carbon dioxide directly from the air, converting it into fuel pellets or storing it underground.

A company backed by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates launched a pilot facility in Canada in 2015, and another company operates one in Iceland.

Drawback: The technology is currently prohibitively expensive and might take decades to operate at scale.

Solar radiation management

Unlike other strategies, solar radiation management does not target CO2. The goal is simple: prevent some of the sun's rays from hitting the planet's surface, forcing them back up into space.

One idea is to inject or spray tiny reflective particles into the stratosphere, possibly with balloons, aircraft or through giant tubes.

Nature sometimes does the same: Debris from the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines lowered the planet's average surface temperature for a year or two afterwards.

Sixty-six million years ago, a ten-kilometre wide asteroid strike threw up so much debris that it wiped out land-based dinosaurs built for steamy tropical climes.&nbsp;

In April, a balloon test flight in Sweden for the Harvard-led project SCoPEx, short for "Stratospheric Controlled Perturbation Experiment", was postponed amid concerns over the implications for the environment and people in the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In Australia, trials of a controversial technique to spray microscopic salt crystals into the air above the threatened Great Barrier Reef to make the clouds brighter began last year.&nbsp;

Australian scientists say if successful and combined with other climate and protection measures this could help slow the decline of the reef.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Afforestation

Extensive planting of trees could significantly slow the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, which currently stands at more than 510 parts per million, 50 per cent more than 150 years ago.

Drawback: Even if deforestation could be reversed, more than 100,000 square kilometres of tropical forests have disappeared each year since 2013,&nbsp;the huge number of trees needed to put a dent in CO2 emissions would clash with food and biofuel crops.

BECCS&nbsp;

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) marries a natural process with a high-tech one.&nbsp;

The first step is to plant rapeseed, sugarcane, corn or "2nd-generation" biofuel crops such as switchgrass, which pull CO2 from the air while growing. The second step is while burning the harvested plants for energy to sequester the CO2 produced.

In theory, the result is less CO2 in the atmosphere than when the process started. Virtually all climate change models projecting a future consistent with the Paris Agreement's temperature targets assume a key role for BECCS.

Drawback: Studies calculate that up to twice the area of India would need to be given over to biofuels, putting BECCS in conflict with food crops. Such schemes would also require vast amounts of freshwater.

Ocean fertilisation&nbsp;

Microscopic ocean plants called phytoplankton gobble up CO2 and drag it to the bottom of the ocean when they die. Their colony size is limited by a lack of natural iron, but experiments have shown that sowing the ocean with iron sulphate powder creates large blooms.

Drawbacks: Scientists worry about unintended impacts. Die-offs of plankton, for example, use up oxygen, which could create massive "dead zones" in the oceans, something already on the rise.

Enhanced weathering&nbsp;

Natural weathering of rocks removes about one billion tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere every year, about two per cent of total man-made C02 emissions.&nbsp;

Spreading a powdered form of a greenish iron silicate called olivine across certain landscapes can mimic that process, experiments have shown.

Drawbacks: It would be expensive to mine and mill enough olivine to make a difference.

Biochar&nbsp;

Biochar is charcoal made by heating plant waste, rice straw, peanut shells, wood scraps, over long periods in low-oxygen conditions. It can store CO2 for long periods, and also enriches soil.

Drawback: The scientific jury is still out on how quickly this method could be scaled up, and on the stability of biochar used as a fertiliser.

(With inputs from agencies)

Dismissed a decade ago as far-fetched and dangerous, schemes to tame the effects of global warming by engineering the climate have migrated from the margins of policy debates towards centre stage.

Dismissed a decade ago as far-fetched and dangerous, schemes to tame the effects of global warming by engineering the climate have migrated from the margins of policy debates towards centre stage. "Plan A" refers to solving the problem at its source. But the UN's top climate science body has made it clear that slashing carbon pollution won't be enough to keep Earth from overheating. That has opened the door to a host of geoengineering schemes, from building underwater walls to shore up an Antarctic glacier the size of Britain to injecting a giant sunscreen into the stratosphere. Here is a menu of "Plan B" geoengineering solutions, along with their potential drawbacks: Direct CO2 capture Experiments have shown it is possible to suck planet-warming carbon dioxide directly from the air, converting it into fuel pellets or storing it underground. A company backed by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates launched a pilot facility in Canada in 2015, and another company operates one in Iceland. Drawback: The technology is currently prohibitively expensive and might take decades to operate at scale. Solar radiation management Unlike other strategies, solar radiation management does not target CO2. The goal is simple: prevent some of the sun's rays from hitting the planet's surface, forcing them back up into space. One idea is to inject or spray tiny reflective particles into the stratosphere, possibly with balloons, aircraft or through giant tubes. Nature sometimes does the same: Debris from the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines lowered the planet's average surface temperature for a year or two afterwards. Sixty-six million years ago, a ten-kilometre wide asteroid strike threw up so much debris that it wiped out land-based dinosaurs built for steamy tropical climes. In April, a balloon test flight in Sweden for the Harvard-led project SCoPEx, short for "Stratospheric Controlled Perturbation Experiment", was postponed amid concerns over the implications for the environment and people in the country. In Australia, trials of a controversial technique to spray microscopic salt crystals into the air above the threatened Great Barrier Reef to make the clouds brighter began last year. Australian scientists say if successful and combined with other climate and protection measures this could help slow the decline of the reef. Afforestation Extensive planting of trees could significantly slow the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, which currently stands at more than 510 parts per million, 50 per cent more than 150 years ago. Drawback: Even if deforestation could be reversed, more than 100,000 square kilometres of tropical forests have disappeared each year since 2013, the huge number of trees needed to put a dent in CO2 emissions would clash with food and biofuel crops. BECCS Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) marries a natural process with a high-tech one. The first step is to plant rapeseed, sugarcane, corn or "2nd-generation" biofuel crops such as switchgrass, which pull CO2 from the air while growing. The second step is while burning the harvested plants for energy to sequester the CO2 produced. In theory, the result is less CO2 in the atmosphere than when the process started. Virtually all climate change models projecting a future consistent with the Paris Agreement's temperature targets assume a key role for BECCS. Drawback: Studies calculate that up to twice the area of India would need to be given over to biofuels, putting BECCS in conflict with food crops. Such schemes would also require vast amounts of freshwater. Ocean fertilisation Microscopic ocean plants called phytoplankton gobble up CO2 and drag it to the bottom of the ocean when they die. Their colony size is limited by a lack of natural iron, but experiments have shown that sowing the ocean with iron sulphate powder creates large blooms. Drawbacks: Scientists worry about unintended impacts. Die-offs of plankton, for example, use up oxygen, which could create massive "dead zones" in the oceans, something already on the rise. Enhanced weathering Natural weathering of rocks removes about one billion tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere every year, about two per cent of total man-made C02 emissions. Spreading a powdered form of a greenish iron silicate called olivine across certain landscapes can mimic that process, experiments have shown. Drawbacks: It would be expensive to mine and mill enough olivine to make a difference. Biochar Biochar is charcoal made by heating plant waste, rice straw, peanut shells, wood scraps, over long periods in low-oxygen conditions. It can store CO2 for long periods, and also enriches soil. Drawback: The scientific jury is still out on how quickly this method could be scaled up, and on the stability of biochar used as a fertiliser. (With inputs from agencies)

Here are some climate engineering schemes that can act as 'Plan B' for Earth

A few years back, the beautiful country of Botswana in Southern Africa was impacted by asteroid debris. After more than two years, scientists have finally concluded the questions surrounding the origin of that debris.

The analysis proved out to be tough for scientists because they had to rely largely on video and picture evidence to examine rock samples due as the observations had been picked up a little after the debris had come in contact with the Earth.

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This incident that took place in the Kalahari Desert in Botswana on June 02, 2018, was being studied by researchers at the Meteoritics and Planetary Science.

As per the researchers, the debris belongs to Vesta, which is one of the largest objects in our solar system and is believed to be the second-largest space rock in the asteroid belt.

The origin of the rock that shook the Botswana farm is believed to be nearly 22 million years ago. It is believed it was formed after Vesta collided with another space body roughly 22 million years ago which led to the formation of a larger family of debris — some of which landed on the Earth.

A few years back, the beautiful country of Botswana in Southern Africa was impacted by asteroid debris. After more than two years, scientists have finally concluded the questions surrounding the origin of that debris.

A few years back, the beautiful country of Botswana in Southern Africa was impacted by asteroid debris. After more than two years, scientists have finally concluded the questions surrounding the origin of that debris. The analysis proved out to be tough for scientists because they had to rely largely on video and picture evidence to examine rock samples due as the observations had been picked up a little after the debris had come in contact with the Earth. × This incident that took place in the Kalahari Desert in Botswana on June 02, 2018, was being studied by researchers at the Meteoritics and Planetary Science. As per the researchers, the debris belongs to Vesta, which is one of the largest objects in our solar system and is believed to be the second-largest space rock in the asteroid belt. The origin of the rock that shook the Botswana farm is believed to be nearly 22 million years ago. It is believed it was formed after Vesta collided with another space body roughly 22 million years ago which led to the formation of a larger family of debris — some of which landed on the Earth.

Asteroid that hit Botswana in 2018 was 22 million years old: Researchers

Carbon survived an interstellar journey to reach the Earth, entirely avoiding vaporisation, as believed earlier, according to a new study.

Carbon is the backbone of life on Earth. It is responsible for regulating climate and making Earth a habitable planet.

The study, detailed in the journal ‘Science Advances’, showed that most of Earth’s carbon was inherited directly from the interstellar medium -- the material that exists in space between stars in a galaxy.

This likely happened after the cloud of dust and gas that circled our young sun and contained the building blocks of the planets, formed and warmed up.

Further, carbon was also likely isolated into solids within one million years of the sun’s birth, said the research team from the University of Michigan in the US.

The team quashed the previously believed condensation model saying that the gas molecules that carry carbon would not be available to build the Earth because once carbon vaporises, it does not condense back into a solid state.

"The condensation model has been widely used for decades. It assumes that during the formation of the sun, all of the planet’s elements got vaporised, and as the disk cooled, some of these gases condensed and supplied chemical ingredients to solid bodies. But that doesn’t work for carbon," said Jie (Jackie) Li, Professor at the Michigan University.

For the study, the team estimated the upper bounds of how much carbon the Earth might contain. It helped the researchers to find when the carbon might have been delivered here.

Carbon must exist in the right proportion to support life on the Earth. While excess carbon can make Earth like planet Venus, trapping heat from the sun and maintaining a temperature of about 880 degrees Fahrenheit, too little, on the other hand, would resemble Mars: An inhospitable planet unable to support water-based life, and having temperatures around minus 60.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Carbon survived an interstellar journey to reach the Earth, entirely avoiding vaporisation, as believed earlier, according to a new study. Carbon is the backbone of life on Earth.

Carbon survived an interstellar journey to reach the Earth, entirely avoiding vaporisation, as believed earlier, according to a new study. Carbon is the backbone of life on Earth. It is responsible for regulating climate and making Earth a habitable planet. The study, detailed in the journal ‘Science Advances’, showed that most of Earth’s carbon was inherited directly from the interstellar medium -- the material that exists in space between stars in a galaxy. This likely happened after the cloud of dust and gas that circled our young sun and contained the building blocks of the planets, formed and warmed up. Further, carbon was also likely isolated into solids within one million years of the sun’s birth, said the research team from the University of Michigan in the US. The team quashed the previously believed condensation model saying that the gas molecules that carry carbon would not be available to build the Earth because once carbon vaporises, it does not condense back into a solid state. "The condensation model has been widely used for decades. It assumes that during the formation of the sun, all of the planet’s elements got vaporised, and as the disk cooled, some of these gases condensed and supplied chemical ingredients to solid bodies. But that doesn’t work for carbon," said Jie (Jackie) Li, Professor at the Michigan University. For the study, the team estimated the upper bounds of how much carbon the Earth might contain. It helped the researchers to find when the carbon might have been delivered here. Carbon must exist in the right proportion to support life on the Earth. While excess carbon can make Earth like planet Venus, trapping heat from the sun and maintaining a temperature of about 880 degrees Fahrenheit, too little, on the other hand, would resemble Mars: An inhospitable planet unable to support water-based life, and having temperatures around minus 60. (With inputs from agencies)

From where did Earth get carbon?

Social media is roaring with reports of an asteroid heading Earth’s way to cause major mayhem. But NASA believes the asteroid in question - “Apophis” poses no risks to the planet…. For now, and for a century to follow.

For the last 15 years, scientists have been worried about Apophis ramming into Earth. Now, they’re no longer worried. Apophis is a 340 metre (1,100) space rock which caused a frenzy in 2004 upon its discovery by scientists. Many previous estimates claimed that the asteroid would come extremely close to earth in 2029, and then again in 2036.

These two close approaches were ruled out by NASA a while ago. But scientists feared that a 2068 collision would be imminent. That was until scientists made some new observations to rule out any risk from the asteroid. In fact, it has been taken off NASA’s “risk list”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/alien-invasion-spectacular-display-of-lights-across-us-sparks-conspiracy-theories-373462" hreflang="en">'Alien invasion': Spectacular display of lights across US sparks conspiracy theories</a>

In a statement, Davide Farnocchia of NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies said that a collision in 2068 is no longer in the “realm of possibility”.&nbsp; “Our calculations don’t show any impact risk for at least the next 100 years”, he said.

Scientists located and learned more about the orbit of the asteroid based on recent radar observations from March.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/invisible-ghost-stars-may-be-holding-galaxies-together-in-space-what-does-this-revelation-change-373361" hreflang="en">Invisible 'ghost stars' may be holding galaxies together in space. What does this revelation change?</a>

On April 13, 2029, the asteroid will be within 32,000 kilometres (20,000 miles) of Earth. Scientists hope to get a better look at the asteroid in 2029 when it approaches the planet.

Most asteroids in our solar system are situated in a belt between Mars and Jupiter, but not all of them remain there. Belonging to the Aten family, Apophis is situation in the Earth’s orbit, putting it between our planet and the sun.

Social media is roaring with reports of an asteroid heading Earth’s way to cause major mayhem. But NASA believes the asteroid in question - “Apophis” poses no risks to the planet….

Social media is roaring with reports of an asteroid heading Earth’s way to cause major mayhem. But NASA believes the asteroid in question - “Apophis” poses no risks to the planet…. For now, and for a century to follow. For the last 15 years, scientists have been worried about Apophis ramming into Earth. Now, they’re no longer worried. Apophis is a 340 metre (1,100) space rock which caused a frenzy in 2004 upon its discovery by scientists. Many previous estimates claimed that the asteroid would come extremely close to earth in 2029, and then again in 2036. These two close approaches were ruled out by NASA a while ago. But scientists feared that a 2068 collision would be imminent. That was until scientists made some new observations to rule out any risk from the asteroid. In fact, it has been taken off NASA’s “risk list”. Also read: 'Alien invasion': Spectacular display of lights across US sparks conspiracy theories In a statement, Davide Farnocchia of NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies said that a collision in 2068 is no longer in the “realm of possibility”. “Our calculations don’t show any impact risk for at least the next 100 years”, he said. Scientists located and learned more about the orbit of the asteroid based on recent radar observations from March. Also read: Invisible 'ghost stars' may be holding galaxies together in space. What does this revelation change? On April 13, 2029, the asteroid will be within 32,000 kilometres (20,000 miles) of Earth. Scientists hope to get a better look at the asteroid in 2029 when it approaches the planet. Most asteroids in our solar system are situated in a belt between Mars and Jupiter, but not all of them remain there. Belonging to the Aten family, Apophis is situation in the Earth’s orbit, putting it between our planet and the sun.

Apophis the asteroid is not hurling towards Earth... But only for now!

The astronomers who gave the world its first true glimpse of a black hole have produced another landmark image, this time capturing the polarised light swirling around the same star-eating monster's magnetic fields.

Never before has it been possible to measure polarisation -- which causes light waves to vibrate in a single plane -- so close to the edge of a black hole.&nbsp;

The new observations,&nbsp;published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, are&nbsp;based on data collected by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) in 2017.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/pentagon-ready-to-unveil-secret-report-of-ufos-breaking-sound-barrier-372357" hreflang="en">Pentagon ready to unveil secret report of UFOs breaking sound barrier</a>

They are key to understanding how a galaxy can project streams of energy thousands of lightyears outward from its core, more than 300 scientists reported Wednesday in a pair of studies.&nbsp;

"We are now seeing the next crucial piece of evidence to understand how magnetic fields behave around black holes," said co-author Monika Moscibrodzka, an assistant professor at Radboud University in the Netherlands. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"Activity in this very compact region of space can drive powerful jets that extend far beyond the galaxy."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-detect-torrential-outflows-from-infant-stars-may-not-stop-them-from-growing-371717" hreflang="en">Astronomers detect torrential outflows from infant stars may not stop them from growing</a>

After releasing the historic image of the supermassive black hole at the heart of galaxy M87, more than 55 million light-years from Earth, the researchers discovered that a significant fraction of its surrounding light was polarised. &nbsp;

"The polarisation of light carries information that allows us to better understand the physics behind the image we saw in April 2019," explained co-author Ivan Marti-Vidal, a researcher at the University of Valencia.

Virtual Earth-sized telescope&nbsp;

It took several years to process and analyse the data, he added, calling the result "a major milestone."

When light is emitted in hot regions of space where magnetic fields are present it becomes polarised.

In the same way that specially treated sunglasses reduce reflections and glare from bright surfaces, astronomers can see the regions around a black hole better by looking at how the light is polarised.

This makes it possible to map the magnetic field lines at the black hole's inner edge.

Matter in a black hole is so dense as to create a gravity field from which even light cannot escape. At the same scale of compression, Earth would fit inside a thimble.&nbsp;

This makes black holes difficult to see. They are most often detected by the radiation produced when their gravity pulls in surrounding gases, a process called accretion.

The bright jets of energy and matter that extend some 5,000 lightyears from M87’s core are one of the galaxy’s great mysteries.

Most matter lying close to the edge of a black hole falls in, but some particles escape moments before capture and are blown far out into space.

A million Suns

The groundbreaking image of M87's black hole and its shadow in polarised light allows astronomers to see for the first time this interplay between matter flowing in and being ejected.&nbsp;

Of the competing theoretical models, only those assuming strongly magnetised gas are consistent with these new observations, the researchers said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The EHT is not a single instrument but a network of eight radio telescopes spanning the globe in order to create a virtual, Earth-sized telescope.&nbsp;

Even then, locking in an image of M87's supermassive black hole is comparable to photographing a pebble on the Moon.

There are two kinds of black hole.

The first form when the centre of a very big star collapses in on itself, creating a supernova. These can be up to 20 times more massive than the Sun, but are tiny in space.

So-called supermassive black holes -- such as the one sitting at the centre of the Milky Way and most galaxies -- are at least a million times bigger than the Sun. 
&nbsp;

The astronomers who gave the world its first true glimpse of a black hole have produced another landmark image, this time capturing the polarised light swirling around the same star-eating monster's magnetic fields.

The astronomers who gave the world its first true glimpse of a black hole have produced another landmark image, this time capturing the polarised light swirling around the same star-eating monster's magnetic fields. Never before has it been possible to measure polarisation -- which causes light waves to vibrate in a single plane -- so close to the edge of a black hole. The new observations, published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, are based on data collected by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) in 2017. Also read| Pentagon ready to unveil secret report of UFOs breaking sound barrier They are key to understanding how a galaxy can project streams of energy thousands of lightyears outward from its core, more than 300 scientists reported Wednesday in a pair of studies. "We are now seeing the next crucial piece of evidence to understand how magnetic fields behave around black holes," said co-author Monika Moscibrodzka, an assistant professor at Radboud University in the Netherlands. "Activity in this very compact region of space can drive powerful jets that extend far beyond the galaxy." Also read| Astronomers detect torrential outflows from infant stars may not stop them from growing After releasing the historic image of the supermassive black hole at the heart of galaxy M87, more than 55 million light-years from Earth, the researchers discovered that a significant fraction of its surrounding light was polarised. "The polarisation of light carries information that allows us to better understand the physics behind the image we saw in April 2019," explained co-author Ivan Marti-Vidal, a researcher at the University of Valencia. Virtual Earth-sized telescope It took several years to process and analyse the data, he added, calling the result "a major milestone." When light is emitted in hot regions of space where magnetic fields are present it becomes polarised. In the same way that specially treated sunglasses reduce reflections and glare from bright surfaces, astronomers can see the regions around a black hole better by looking at how the light is polarised. This makes it possible to map the magnetic field lines at the black hole's inner edge. Matter in a black hole is so dense as to create a gravity field from which even light cannot escape. At the same scale of compression, Earth would fit inside a thimble. This makes black holes difficult to see. They are most often detected by the radiation produced when their gravity pulls in surrounding gases, a process called accretion. The bright jets of energy and matter that extend some 5,000 lightyears from M87’s core are one of the galaxy’s great mysteries. Most matter lying close to the edge of a black hole falls in, but some particles escape moments before capture and are blown far out into space. A million Suns The groundbreaking image of M87's black hole and its shadow in polarised light allows astronomers to see for the first time this interplay between matter flowing in and being ejected. Of the competing theoretical models, only those assuming strongly magnetised gas are consistent with these new observations, the researchers said. The EHT is not a single instrument but a network of eight radio telescopes spanning the globe in order to create a virtual, Earth-sized telescope. Even then, locking in an image of M87's supermassive black hole is comparable to photographing a pebble on the Moon. There are two kinds of black hole. The first form when the centre of a very big star collapses in on itself, creating a supernova. These can be up to 20 times more massive than the Sun, but are tiny in space. So-called supermassive black holes -- such as the one sitting at the centre of the Milky Way and most galaxies -- are at least a million times bigger than the Sun.

Astronomers capture polarised light swirling around black hole's magnetic fields

Asteroids vary in sizes, some are negligible, others pack enough punch to wipe out life on Earth (remember dinosaurs?) The asteroid that will pass by Earth isn't as big as the one that killed dinosaurs but it is biggest space body to pass by Earth this year. What's more, the asteroid has been termed 'potentially hazardous asteroid'.

So this asteroid is called 2001 FO32 and it will pass by Earth at a distance of about two million kilometres from it. This distance may seem too much but in astronomical terms, it is not that much. One thing is certain about space is that though we know a good deal, there is always a lot we will still need to learn.

This asteroid is about 900 metres across. Again, this may make the asteroid a minion in our minds but this one packs a punch.

It is travelling through space at a mid boggling speed of 124,000 kilometres per hour.

Imagine the momentum this space rock must possess. A direct hit from this asteroid will certainly be stuff of nightmares.

The asteroid is set to fly by the Earth at 1600 GMT

Asteroids vary in sizes, some are negligible, others pack enough punch to wipe out life on Earth (remember dinosaurs?) The asteroid that will pass by Earth isn't as big as the one that killed dinosaurs but it is biggest space body to pass by Earth this year.

Asteroids vary in sizes, some are negligible, others pack enough punch to wipe out life on Earth (remember dinosaurs?) The asteroid that will pass by Earth isn't as big as the one that killed dinosaurs but it is biggest space body to pass by Earth this year. What's more, the asteroid has been termed 'potentially hazardous asteroid'. So this asteroid is called 2001 FO32 and it will pass by Earth at a distance of about two million kilometres from it. This distance may seem too much but in astronomical terms, it is not that much. One thing is certain about space is that though we know a good deal, there is always a lot we will still need to learn. This asteroid is about 900 metres across. Again, this may make the asteroid a minion in our minds but this one packs a punch. It is travelling through space at a mid boggling speed of 124,000 kilometres per hour. Imagine the momentum this space rock must possess. A direct hit from this asteroid will certainly be stuff of nightmares. The asteroid is set to fly by the Earth at 1600 GMT

Biggest asteroid of 2021 to pass by Earth tonight 

The&nbsp;National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has discovered three bacterial strains at the International Space Station that may&nbsp;help grow plants on Mars.

In order to withstand the rigours of space on deep-space missions, food grown outside of Earth needs a little extra help from bacteria.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/breakthrough-first-plant-transplant-takes-place-in-international-space-station-360217">'Breakthrough': First plant transplant takes place in International Space Station</a>

The recent discovery aboard the International Space Station (ISS) can help researchers create the 'fuel' to help plants withstand such stressful situations.

The findings published in the&nbsp;Frontiers in Microbiology described the discovery&nbsp;of bacteria belonging to the family Methylobacteriaceae from different locations aboard the ISS across two consecutive flights.

While 1 strain was identified as Methylorubrum rhodesianum, the other 3 were previously undiscovered and belong to a novel species novel. The rod-shaped, motile bacteria were given the designations IF7SW-B2T, IIF1SW-B5, and IIF4SW-B5 with genetic analysis showing them to be closely related to Methylobacterium indicum.

Methylobacterium species are involved in nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, abiotic stress tolerance, plant growth promotion and biocontrol activity against plant pathogens.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/perseverance-searches-for-life-on-mars-369682/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Potential for Mars missions

Now, in honor of the renowned Indian biodiversity scientists Dr Ajmal Khan, the team has proposed to call the novel species Methylobacterium ajmalii.

Commenting on the discovery, Dr Kasthuri Venkateswaran (Venkat) and Dr Nitin Kumar Singh of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, (JPL), says that the strains might possess " biotechnologically useful genetic determinants" for the growing of crops in space.

However, further experimental biology is needed to prove that it is, indeed, a potential game-changer for space farming.

"To grow plants in extreme places where resources are minimal, isolation of novel microbes that help to promote plant growth under stressful conditions is essential," they said.

Along with JPL, other researchers collaborating on this discovery are based at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles; Cornell University and the University of Hyderabad in India.

With NASA one day looking to take humans to the surface of Mars - and potentially beyond - the US National Research Council Decadal Survey recommends that the space agency use the ISS as a "test-bed for surveying microorganisms", according to Venkat and Singh.

"Since our group possess expertise in cultivating microorganisms from extreme niches, we have been tasked by the NASA Space Biology Program to survey the ISS for the presence and persistence of the microorganisms," they add.

"Needless to say, the ISS is a cleanly-maintained extreme environment. Crew safety is the number 1 priority and hence understanding human/plant pathogens are important, but beneficial microbes like this novel Methylobacterium ajmalii are also needed."

Expanding the ISS lab

As part of an ongoing surveillance mission, 8 locations on the ISS are being monitored for bacterial growths and have been for the last 6 years. These sample areas include where the crew assembles or where experiments are conducted, such as the plant growth chamber.

While hundreds of bacterial samples from the ISS have been analyzed to date, approximately 1,000 samples have been collected from various other locations on the space station but are awaiting a trip back to Earth where they can be examined.

According to Venkat and Singh, the eventual goal is to bypass this lengthy process and potentially find new novel strains using molecular biology equipment developed and demonstrated for the ISS.

"Instead of bringing samples back to Earth for analyses, we need an integrated microbial monitoring system that collect, process, and analyze samples in space using molecular technologies," Venkat and Singh said.

"This miniaturized 'omics in space' technology - a biosensor development - will help NASA and other space-faring nations achieve safe and sustainable space exploration for long periods of time." 
&nbsp;

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has discovered three bacterial strains at the International Space Station that may help grow plants on Mars.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has discovered three bacterial strains at the International Space Station that may help grow plants on Mars. In order to withstand the rigours of space on deep-space missions, food grown outside of Earth needs a little extra help from bacteria. Also read| 'Breakthrough': First plant transplant takes place in International Space Station The recent discovery aboard the International Space Station (ISS) can help researchers create the 'fuel' to help plants withstand such stressful situations. The findings published in the Frontiers in Microbiology described the discovery of bacteria belonging to the family Methylobacteriaceae from different locations aboard the ISS across two consecutive flights. While 1 strain was identified as Methylorubrum rhodesianum, the other 3 were previously undiscovered and belong to a novel species novel. The rod-shaped, motile bacteria were given the designations IF7SW-B2T, IIF1SW-B5, and IIF4SW-B5 with genetic analysis showing them to be closely related to Methylobacterium indicum. Methylobacterium species are involved in nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, abiotic stress tolerance, plant growth promotion and biocontrol activity against plant pathogens. Potential for Mars missions Now, in honor of the renowned Indian biodiversity scientists Dr Ajmal Khan, the team has proposed to call the novel species Methylobacterium ajmalii. Commenting on the discovery, Dr Kasthuri Venkateswaran (Venkat) and Dr Nitin Kumar Singh of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, (JPL), says that the strains might possess " biotechnologically useful genetic determinants" for the growing of crops in space. However, further experimental biology is needed to prove that it is, indeed, a potential game-changer for space farming. "To grow plants in extreme places where resources are minimal, isolation of novel microbes that help to promote plant growth under stressful conditions is essential," they said. Along with JPL, other researchers collaborating on this discovery are based at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles; Cornell University and the University of Hyderabad in India. With NASA one day looking to take humans to the surface of Mars - and potentially beyond - the US National Research Council Decadal Survey recommends that the space agency use the ISS as a "test-bed for surveying microorganisms", according to Venkat and Singh. "Since our group possess expertise in cultivating microorganisms from extreme niches, we have been tasked by the NASA Space Biology Program to survey the ISS for the presence and persistence of the microorganisms," they add. "Needless to say, the ISS is a cleanly-maintained extreme environment. Crew safety is the number 1 priority and hence understanding human/plant pathogens are important, but beneficial microbes like this novel Methylobacterium ajmalii are also needed." Expanding the ISS lab As part of an ongoing surveillance mission, 8 locations on the ISS are being monitored for bacterial growths and have been for the last 6 years. These sample areas include where the crew assembles or where experiments are conducted, such as the plant growth chamber. While hundreds of bacterial samples from the ISS have been analyzed to date, approximately 1,000 samples have been collected from various other locations on the space station but are awaiting a trip back to Earth where they can be examined. According to Venkat and Singh, the eventual goal is to bypass this lengthy process and potentially find new novel strains using molecular biology equipment developed and demonstrated for the ISS. "Instead of bringing samples back to Earth for analyses, we need an integrated microbial monitoring system that collect, process, and analyze samples in space using molecular technologies," Venkat and Singh said. "This miniaturized 'omics in space' technology - a biosensor development - will help NASA and other space-faring nations achieve safe and sustainable space exploration for long periods of time."

NASA discovers three microbes that may help grow plants on Mars

We've all wasted countless precious minutes of our lives tinkering with Google Earth. From trying to find our homes to checking how famous tourist destinations looked from space, we've done it all. But now Google Earth is bringing a function that is being touted to be a 'time machine'. As per reports, the feature will be added to Google Earth's Android app.

Google Earth shows how an area looks now. But with the new feature, you would be able to check how the same area looked in past. The feature is also reported to have a timelapse function that will give us a cool view of how changes took place.

By the looks of it, this function may come in handy for purposes more than just plain time kill. Urban planners and students alike will be able to look at a particular area to get better idea of cities. Citizens will freely be able to check how their cities are evolving and will be able to keep a check on authorities if they choose to.

News reports have mentioned that the feature has been rolled out for San Francisco. But if you are a tech junkie, you can try this:&nbsp;

Geek speak&nbsp;

If you have a rooted phone, toggling with experimental preference menu by either modifying preference file of the app with a root explorer or preference-editing app may help you gain access to this function. Tinkering with Termux commands may help too.

But after all, it is highly recommended that you should wait for this function to be officially and legally available.

We've all wasted countless precious minutes of our lives tinkering with Google Earth. From trying to find our homes to checking how famous tourist destinations looked from space, we've done it all.

We've all wasted countless precious minutes of our lives tinkering with Google Earth. From trying to find our homes to checking how famous tourist destinations looked from space, we've done it all. But now Google Earth is bringing a function that is being touted to be a 'time machine'. As per reports, the feature will be added to Google Earth's Android app. Google Earth shows how an area looks now. But with the new feature, you would be able to check how the same area looked in past. The feature is also reported to have a timelapse function that will give us a cool view of how changes took place. By the looks of it, this function may come in handy for purposes more than just plain time kill. Urban planners and students alike will be able to look at a particular area to get better idea of cities. Citizens will freely be able to check how their cities are evolving and will be able to keep a check on authorities if they choose to. News reports have mentioned that the feature has been rolled out for San Francisco. But if you are a tech junkie, you can try this: Geek speak If you have a rooted phone, toggling with experimental preference menu by either modifying preference file of the app with a root explorer or preference-editing app may help you gain access to this function. Tinkering with Termux commands may help too. But after all, it is highly recommended that you should wait for this function to be officially and legally available.

Google Earth to bring a 'time machine' to look into the past

It may be just another day for us here on Earth. We may get up and go about as if nothing is going to happen. But ask those Dinosaurs who were out on the day an asteroid struck Earth.

Well, you can't of course because all of them are dead (along with around 75 per cent of life at that time on the planet).

This is what happens when a huge space rock decides that it is tired of travelling through space and wants to 'settle down' on the cosy planet we call Earth.

Asteroids may be small compared to size of the Earth but they can cause massive destruction owing to their very high speeds.

And this is why NASA and other space agencies around the world keep close watch on any rogue rocks that may be coming our way, or at least make a close call.

And one such asteroid has been detected. The asteroid has been named 2020 XU6. And it will reach its closest point from Earth today (February 22).

2020 XU6 is the size of a 'stadium'. For perspective, Statue of Liberty will fall short if it tries to compete with the asteroid to check who was taller. Even Big Ben would not be able to win.

The asteroid in 700 feet across (213 m). It is coming closer to Earth indeed.

But we need not fret about extinction of humans just yet because it will miss the Earth by 4,087,734 km (2,540,000 m)&nbsp;

You can safely go about your day now.

It may be just another day for us here on Earth. We may get up and go about as if nothing is going to happen. But ask those Dinosaurs who were out on the day an asteroid struck Earth.

It may be just another day for us here on Earth. We may get up and go about as if nothing is going to happen. But ask those Dinosaurs who were out on the day an asteroid struck Earth. Well, you can't of course because all of them are dead (along with around 75 per cent of life at that time on the planet). This is what happens when a huge space rock decides that it is tired of travelling through space and wants to 'settle down' on the cosy planet we call Earth. Asteroids may be small compared to size of the Earth but they can cause massive destruction owing to their very high speeds. And this is why NASA and other space agencies around the world keep close watch on any rogue rocks that may be coming our way, or at least make a close call. And one such asteroid has been detected. The asteroid has been named 2020 XU6. And it will reach its closest point from Earth today (February 22). 2020 XU6 is the size of a 'stadium'. For perspective, Statue of Liberty will fall short if it tries to compete with the asteroid to check who was taller. Even Big Ben would not be able to win. The asteroid in 700 feet across (213 m). It is coming closer to Earth indeed. But we need not fret about extinction of humans just yet because it will miss the Earth by 4,087,734 km (2,540,000 m) You can safely go about your day now.

Asteroid alert: A 'stadium sized' space rock is hurtling towards Earth

Our universe is extremely complex, and there is perhaps a lot we might never be able to grasp. But understanding our own planet - the Earth is a good place to start! And while scientists recently attempted to pursue this goal, they were shocked to see that our planet has another layer locked deep inside its core.

What we usually call our “inner core” is usually perceived as the centre of our planet, and its innermost layer. But turns out, the inner core has an inner core of its own!

A challenge to traditional understanding

The traditional understanding of Earth puts forward four layers - the crust, the mantle, the outer core, and the inner core. Each layer represents the history of our planet’s creation and evolution.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-oldest-volcanic-rock-to-exist-on-earth-369109" hreflang="en">Scientists discover oldest volcanic rock to exist on Earth</a>

Most knowledge about the planet’s insides comes from what volcanoes around the globe have spewed out over the years, along with directions of seismic waves. Scientists believe with a temperature running upto 5,000 degrees Celsius (9,000 Fahrenheit), the inner core represents only a per cent of the planet’s volume.

Now, researchers think there are two layers within the inner core, something researchers believe would “rewrite textbooks”.&nbsp; The research was undertaken by a team from the Australian National University.

How did they do it?

Based on gatherings from the International Seismological Centre, the team used algorithms to go through various models of our planet’s inner core - taking into account data about how long seismic waves take to travel through the planet.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-just-spotted-most-distant-radio-blast-to-ever-reach-earth-369043" hreflang="en">Scientists just spotted most distant radio blast to ever reach Earth!</a>

Then, the scientists conducted an anisotropy, which essentially tracked how differences in core’s material changed the properties of seismic waves. They found that the depth of the inner core did not throw up many variations, but there was a change 54 degree angle change.&nbsp;

"We found evidence that may indicate a change in the structure of iron, which suggests perhaps two separate cooling events in Earth's history," Joanne Stephenson, the lead author of the study said told the University.

Our universe is extremely complex, and there is perhaps a lot we might never be able to grasp. But understanding our own planet - the Earth is a good place to start!

Our universe is extremely complex, and there is perhaps a lot we might never be able to grasp. But understanding our own planet - the Earth is a good place to start! And while scientists recently attempted to pursue this goal, they were shocked to see that our planet has another layer locked deep inside its core. What we usually call our “inner core” is usually perceived as the centre of our planet, and its innermost layer. But turns out, the inner core has an inner core of its own! A challenge to traditional understanding The traditional understanding of Earth puts forward four layers - the crust, the mantle, the outer core, and the inner core. Each layer represents the history of our planet’s creation and evolution. Also read: Scientists discover oldest volcanic rock to exist on Earth Most knowledge about the planet’s insides comes from what volcanoes around the globe have spewed out over the years, along with directions of seismic waves. Scientists believe with a temperature running upto 5,000 degrees Celsius (9,000 Fahrenheit), the inner core represents only a per cent of the planet’s volume. Now, researchers think there are two layers within the inner core, something researchers believe would “rewrite textbooks”. The research was undertaken by a team from the Australian National University. How did they do it? Based on gatherings from the International Seismological Centre, the team used algorithms to go through various models of our planet’s inner core - taking into account data about how long seismic waves take to travel through the planet. Also read: Scientists just spotted most distant radio blast to ever reach Earth! Then, the scientists conducted an anisotropy, which essentially tracked how differences in core’s material changed the properties of seismic waves. They found that the depth of the inner core did not throw up many variations, but there was a change 54 degree angle change. "We found evidence that may indicate a change in the structure of iron, which suggests perhaps two separate cooling events in Earth's history," Joanne Stephenson, the lead author of the study said told the University.

Our planet Earth may have not one, but two inner cores!

As NASA’s rover Perseverance explores the surface of Mars, scientists hunting for signs of ancient life on the distant planet are using data gathered on a mission much closer to home at a lake in southwest Turkey.

NASA says the minerals and rock deposits at Salda are the nearest match on earth to those around the Jezero Crater where the spacecraft landed and which is believed to have once been flooded with water.

Information gathered from Lake Salda may help the scientists as they search for fossilised traces of microbial life preserved in sediment thought to have been deposited around the delta and the long-vanished lake it once fed.

“Salda ... will serve as a powerful analogue in which we can learn and interrogate,” Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA associate administrator for science, told Reuters.

A team of American and Turkish planetary scientists carried out research in 2019 on the shorelines of the lake, known as Turkey’s Maldives because of its azure water and white shores.

Scientists believe that the sediments around the lake eroded from large mounds that are formed with the help of microbes and are known as microbialites.

The team behind the Perseverance rover, the most advanced astrobiology lab ever flown to another world, wants to find out whether there are microbialites in Jezero Crater.

They will also compare the beach sediments from Salda with carbonate minerals - formed from carbon dioxide and water, a key ingredient for life - detected on the margins of Jezero Crater.

“When we find something at Perseverance we can go back to look at Lake Salda to really look at both processes, (looking at) similarities but equally importantly differences that are really between Perseverance and Lake Salda,” Zurbuchen said.

“So we are really glad we have that lake, just because I think it will be with us for a long time”.

Samples of rock drilled from Martian soil are to be stored on the surface for eventual retrieval and delivery to Earth by two future robotic missions, as early as 2031.

As NASA’s rover Perseverance explores the surface of Mars, scientists hunting for signs of ancient life on the distant planet are using data gathered on a mission much closer to home at a lake in southwest Turkey.

As NASA’s rover Perseverance explores the surface of Mars, scientists hunting for signs of ancient life on the distant planet are using data gathered on a mission much closer to home at a lake in southwest Turkey. NASA says the minerals and rock deposits at Salda are the nearest match on earth to those around the Jezero Crater where the spacecraft landed and which is believed to have once been flooded with water. Information gathered from Lake Salda may help the scientists as they search for fossilised traces of microbial life preserved in sediment thought to have been deposited around the delta and the long-vanished lake it once fed. “Salda ... will serve as a powerful analogue in which we can learn and interrogate,” Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA associate administrator for science, told Reuters. A team of American and Turkish planetary scientists carried out research in 2019 on the shorelines of the lake, known as Turkey’s Maldives because of its azure water and white shores. Scientists believe that the sediments around the lake eroded from large mounds that are formed with the help of microbes and are known as microbialites. The team behind the Perseverance rover, the most advanced astrobiology lab ever flown to another world, wants to find out whether there are microbialites in Jezero Crater. They will also compare the beach sediments from Salda with carbonate minerals - formed from carbon dioxide and water, a key ingredient for life - detected on the margins of Jezero Crater. “When we find something at Perseverance we can go back to look at Lake Salda to really look at both processes, (looking at) similarities but equally importantly differences that are really between Perseverance and Lake Salda,” Zurbuchen said. “So we are really glad we have that lake, just because I think it will be with us for a long time”. Samples of rock drilled from Martian soil are to be stored on the surface for eventual retrieval and delivery to Earth by two future robotic missions, as early as 2031.

Mars on Earth: Turkish lake may hold clues to ancient life on planet

Like all things in the universe, our planet Earth too will fizzle out eventually. Scientists estimate that Earth has about five billion years before the Sun loses its energy, and swallows most of what is currently our solar system.&nbsp;

Think five billion years is a long time? Think again, for scientists now believe that the Earth will perish much before the Sun's existential shenanigans consume life on our planet.

A new study claims that Earth now has only a billion years before it slowly dies out. The planet will not be devoured by fire, a collision, or alien invasion, but actually will perish in the face of diminishing oxygen reserves.

Earth is already losing oxygen and will expel most of the life-sustaining gas from its atmosphere in a billion years' time.&nbsp; &nbsp;Currently, oxygen accounts for 20 per cent of the Earth's atmosphere. A lot of this is produced by plants on the planet, which keeps all creatures breathing.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-recently-created-artificial-glowing-clouds-in-the-earths-atmosphere-367174" hreflang="en">NASA recently created artificial glowing clouds in the Earth's atmosphere!</a>

Researchers from Georgia Tech and Toho University recently joined hands to ascertain the life span of oxygen in the planet's atmosphere, which in turn will essentially dictate how quickly life vanishes from Earth - an inevitable truth for all things born in the universe. They published their study in Nature Geoscience.

To reach a conclusion, scientists came up with simulations of basic systems on Earth - including climate, along with biological and geological processes which dictate the route of life. They observed the change in oxygen levels as the stimulation shuffled between air, water, and rock - the three basic tenets of earthly life.

In pics:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/whats-behind-these-strange-stripes-in-russia-nasa-answers-367187">What's behind these strange stripes in Russia? NASA answers!</a> 
 
The atmosphere as we know it right now will continue to flourish for a billion years, after which it will begin to deteriorate rapidly. 1.1 billion years from now, oxygen levels are slated to drop to a whopping 1 per cent of the planet's current capability.

Beginning a billion years from now, the same old cycle of life will prevail on planet Earth, making it as desolate as it was 2.4 billion years ago.&nbsp;

Like all things in the universe, our planet Earth too will fizzle out eventually. Scientists estimate that Earth has about five billion years before the Sun loses its energy, and swallows most of what is currently our solar system.

Like all things in the universe, our planet Earth too will fizzle out eventually. Scientists estimate that Earth has about five billion years before the Sun loses its energy, and swallows most of what is currently our solar system. Think five billion years is a long time? Think again, for scientists now believe that the Earth will perish much before the Sun's existential shenanigans consume life on our planet. A new study claims that Earth now has only a billion years before it slowly dies out. The planet will not be devoured by fire, a collision, or alien invasion, but actually will perish in the face of diminishing oxygen reserves. Earth is already losing oxygen and will expel most of the life-sustaining gas from its atmosphere in a billion years' time. Currently, oxygen accounts for 20 per cent of the Earth's atmosphere. A lot of this is produced by plants on the planet, which keeps all creatures breathing. Also read: NASA recently created artificial glowing clouds in the Earth's atmosphere! Researchers from Georgia Tech and Toho University recently joined hands to ascertain the life span of oxygen in the planet's atmosphere, which in turn will essentially dictate how quickly life vanishes from Earth - an inevitable truth for all things born in the universe. They published their study in Nature Geoscience. To reach a conclusion, scientists came up with simulations of basic systems on Earth - including climate, along with biological and geological processes which dictate the route of life. They observed the change in oxygen levels as the stimulation shuffled between air, water, and rock - the three basic tenets of earthly life. In pics: What's behind these strange stripes in Russia? NASA answers! The atmosphere as we know it right now will continue to flourish for a billion years, after which it will begin to deteriorate rapidly. 1.1 billion years from now, oxygen levels are slated to drop to a whopping 1 per cent of the planet's current capability. Beginning a billion years from now, the same old cycle of life will prevail on planet Earth, making it as desolate as it was 2.4 billion years ago.

Why scientists believe life on Earth will perish way earlier than previously thought

Earth had its quietest period in decades during 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced human activity and its impact on the planet's crust, according to scientists working on a global study.

Planet Earth its quietest in decades as lockdowns reduce seismic noise

Planet Earth witnessed its quietest period in decades during 2020 as lockdowns significantly reduced human activity and its impact on the planet's crust, according to scientists working on a global study.

&nbsp;An international group of seismologists from 33 countries measured a drop of up to 50 per cent in so-called ambient noise generated by humans travelling and factories humming after lockdowns came into force around the world.

The team, which included experts from the Swiss Seismological Service at ETH Zurich, a university, measured lower noise levels at 185 of the 268 seismic stations analysed around the world.

Urban ambient noise fell by up to 50 per cent at some measuring stations during the tightest lockdown weeks, as buses and train services were reduced, aircraft grounded and factories shuttered.

This made it much quieter than Christmas, traditionally the quietest time of the year.

referring to data archives covering the last 20 years, seismologist John Clinton said "The weeks during lockdown were the quietest period we have on record."

"With human noise always increasing, it is highly likely that it was the quietest period for a very long time."

The experts, led by Thomas Lecocq from the Royal Observatory of Belgium, were able to track the "wave of quiet" around the world as lockdown came first in China, then Italy, before spreading across the rest of Europe and onto the Americas.

Lower background noise during lockdowns also means small earthquakes that otherwise would not be observed have been detected in some places.

Small tremors allow us to improve our understanding of the seismic hazard, said scientist Frederick Massin, and also help assess the probability of larger earthquakes in the future.

"This was an unprecedented opportunity. There's no way we would normally be able to do this kind of experiment," said Massin.

Planet Earth witnessed its quietest period in decades during 2020 as lockdowns significantly reduced human activity and its impact on the planet's crust, according to scientists working on a global study.

Planet Earth witnessed its quietest period in decades during 2020 as lockdowns significantly reduced human activity and its impact on the planet's crust, according to scientists working on a global study. An international group of seismologists from 33 countries measured a drop of up to 50 per cent in so-called ambient noise generated by humans travelling and factories humming after lockdowns came into force around the world. The team, which included experts from the Swiss Seismological Service at ETH Zurich, a university, measured lower noise levels at 185 of the 268 seismic stations analysed around the world. Urban ambient noise fell by up to 50 per cent at some measuring stations during the tightest lockdown weeks, as buses and train services were reduced, aircraft grounded and factories shuttered. This made it much quieter than Christmas, traditionally the quietest time of the year. referring to data archives covering the last 20 years, seismologist John Clinton said "The weeks during lockdown were the quietest period we have on record." "With human noise always increasing, it is highly likely that it was the quietest period for a very long time." The experts, led by Thomas Lecocq from the Royal Observatory of Belgium, were able to track the "wave of quiet" around the world as lockdown came first in China, then Italy, before spreading across the rest of Europe and onto the Americas. Lower background noise during lockdowns also means small earthquakes that otherwise would not be observed have been detected in some places. Small tremors allow us to improve our understanding of the seismic hazard, said scientist Frederick Massin, and also help assess the probability of larger earthquakes in the future. "This was an unprecedented opportunity. There's no way we would normally be able to do this kind of experiment," said Massin.

Planet Earth witnessed its quietest period in decades during 2020

Our planet Earth may be spinning faster than it has in over 50 years!

Scientists believe that each day is shorter than 24 hours owing to the change in the speed of earth’s rotation, which has increased over the last 5 decades.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/aliens-in-our-galaxy-may-have-perished-due-to-too-much-progress-study-suggests-351849" hreflang="en">Aliens in our galaxy may have perished due to too much progress, study suggests</a>

Daily Mail reported that since 2020, every day is taking less than 24 hours. In fact, July 19, 2020 market the shortest day ever since data collection by scientists began in the 1960s.

July 19, 2020 was 1.4602 milliseconds shorter than the regular 24 hours. This goes in direct opposition of previous records, under which the planet took longer than 24 hours to complete a rotation.

In July 2020, the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) had announced that no ‘’leap second’’ would be added to the world’s official timekeeping in December 2020.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/look-at-the-most-detailed-image-of-a-sunspot-ever-captured-349615" hreflang="en">Look at the most detailed image of a sunspot ever captured!</a>

Leap seconds refer to adjustment of time, akin to leap years. According to the IERS, leap seconds have been added to 27 days since the 1970s. The most recent addition of leap second happened on December 31, 2016.

And leap seconds are added on either the last day of June or December. This implies that the next potential date for a leap second is June 20, 2021.

A study from 2015 posited that this change in the earth’s rotation may be due to global warming.&nbsp; Published in Science Advances, it claimed that the melting of glaciers is partly responsible for the planet to spin faster on its axis.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/top-10-mind-bending-space-discoveries-and-observations-from-2020-349472" hreflang="en">Top 10 mind-bending space discoveries and observations from 2020</a>

Scientists claim that on average, days are about 0.5 seconds shorter than 24 hours. Scientists around the world are considering whether to delete a second from time. Called a ‘’negative leap second’’, it would be done to account for the change, and to keep passage of time in sync with the Earth’s rotation.

Keeping atomic time in sync with solar time is important to keep satellites and other communications equipment in sync.

Our planet Earth may be spinning faster than it has in over 50 years! Scientists believe that each day is shorter than 24 hours owing to the change in the speed of earth’s rotation, which has increased over the last 5 decades.

Our planet Earth may be spinning faster than it has in over 50 years! Scientists believe that each day is shorter than 24 hours owing to the change in the speed of earth’s rotation, which has increased over the last 5 decades. Also read: Aliens in our galaxy may have perished due to too much progress, study suggests Daily Mail reported that since 2020, every day is taking less than 24 hours. In fact, July 19, 2020 market the shortest day ever since data collection by scientists began in the 1960s. July 19, 2020 was 1.4602 milliseconds shorter than the regular 24 hours. This goes in direct opposition of previous records, under which the planet took longer than 24 hours to complete a rotation. In July 2020, the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) had announced that no ‘’leap second’’ would be added to the world’s official timekeeping in December 2020. Also read: Look at the most detailed image of a sunspot ever captured! Leap seconds refer to adjustment of time, akin to leap years. According to the IERS, leap seconds have been added to 27 days since the 1970s. The most recent addition of leap second happened on December 31, 2016. And leap seconds are added on either the last day of June or December. This implies that the next potential date for a leap second is June 20, 2021. A study from 2015 posited that this change in the earth’s rotation may be due to global warming. Published in Science Advances, it claimed that the melting of glaciers is partly responsible for the planet to spin faster on its axis. Also read: Top 10 mind-bending space discoveries and observations from 2020 Scientists claim that on average, days are about 0.5 seconds shorter than 24 hours. Scientists around the world are considering whether to delete a second from time. Called a ‘’negative leap second’’, it would be done to account for the change, and to keep passage of time in sync with the Earth’s rotation. Keeping atomic time in sync with solar time is important to keep satellites and other communications equipment in sync.

Why is Earth spinning faster than it has in 50 years?

NASA has warned that a monstrous 220-meter asteroid is headed Earth’s way early in the new year.

Year 2020’s final asteroid, 2020 YB4, measuring just 36 metres in diameter or roughly half the wingspan of a 747, passed by the Earth shortly after 6 am UTC at a distance of 6.1 million kilometres.

Keeping up with the trend, in the first days of January, three additional, small Near Earth Objects (NEOs) will grace the Earth with their presence.&nbsp;

The 15-metre asteroid 2019 YB4 will fly by at a safe distance of 6.4 million kilometres. It will be followed up by two more chunks of cosmic debris in the form of the 15-meter 2020 YA1 and the 21-meter 2020 YP4, which will pass by at 
1.5 and 2.1 million kilometers respectively, the next day.

A bigger asteroid will shoot past Earth on January 3, as the relatively mountainous 2003 AF23, measuring an impressive 220m in diameter or about as wide as the Golden Gate Bridge is tall, at 6.9 million kilometers.

NASA has warned that a monstrous 220-meter asteroid is headed Earth’s way early in the new year. Year 2020’s final asteroid, 2020 YB4, measuring just 36 metres in diameter or roughly half the wingspan of a 747, passed by the Earth shortly after 6 am UTC at a distance of 6.

NASA has warned that a monstrous 220-meter asteroid is headed Earth’s way early in the new year. Year 2020’s final asteroid, 2020 YB4, measuring just 36 metres in diameter or roughly half the wingspan of a 747, passed by the Earth shortly after 6 am UTC at a distance of 6.1 million kilometres. Keeping up with the trend, in the first days of January, three additional, small Near Earth Objects (NEOs) will grace the Earth with their presence. The 15-metre asteroid 2019 YB4 will fly by at a safe distance of 6.4 million kilometres. It will be followed up by two more chunks of cosmic debris in the form of the 15-meter 2020 YA1 and the 21-meter 2020 YP4, which will pass by at 1.5 and 2.1 million kilometers respectively, the next day. A bigger asteroid will shoot past Earth on January 3, as the relatively mountainous 2003 AF23, measuring an impressive 220m in diameter or about as wide as the Golden Gate Bridge is tall, at 6.9 million kilometers.

A huge asteroid and three small NEOs will shoot past Earth in early Jan, NASA warns

This is the 21st century and anything is now possible with the help of technology, and Tesla owner <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a> seems to be quite excited to combine technology and a collective mission of 'green Earth'.

Making sure that he can help along with his technologically advanced ideas, Musk has now suggested constructing road tunnels under the busy city US roads.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/elon-musk-responds-to-game-developer-who-prodded-him-with-the-same-tweet-for-22-weeks-357727">Elon Musk responds to game developer who prodded him with the same Tweet for 22 weeks</a>

The birth of this idea took place in a series of exchanged tweets between the tech tycoon Elon Musk and Miami's Mayor.

"Battery cell production is the fundamental rate-limiter slowing down a sustainable energy future. Very important problem," Musk tweeted.

Miami's Mayor Francis Suarez agreed to it, saying, "couldn’t agree more...would love to have you @CityofMiami. City Hall to discuss it and potential solutions for the benefit of our future..."

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.<a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> couldn’t agree more...would love to have you <a href="https://twitter.com/CityofMiami?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CityofMiami</a> City Hall to discuss it and potential solutions for the benefit of our future... <a href="https://t.co/KCPifpSqw7">https://t.co/KCPifpSqw7</a>
— Mayor Francis Suarez (@FrancisSuarez) <a href="https://twitter.com/FrancisSuarez/status/1351080594940293124?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Musk explained that the traffic jams "generate megatons of toxic gases &amp; particulate, but @boringcompany road tunnels under Miami would solve traffic &amp; be an example to the world."

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Cars &amp; trucks stuck in traffic generate megatons of toxic gases &amp; particulate, but <a href="https://twitter.com/boringcompany?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@boringcompany</a> road tunnels under Miami would solve traffic &amp; be an example to the world. 
 
Spoke with <a href="https://twitter.com/RonDeSantisFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RonDeSantisFL</a> about tunnels last week. If Governor &amp; Mayor want this done, we will do it.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1351091106805645312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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He also added that he has already had a word about this with the Florida Governor Ron DeSantis last week. "If Governor &amp; Mayor want this done, we will do it," Musk tweeted.

While the idea sounds nice, many Floridians are not convinced about the same as they feel it does not sound do-able due to the shallow water table and the heavy expense the construction will incur.

This is the 21st century and anything is now possible with the help of technology, and Tesla owner Elon Musk seems to be quite excited to combine technology and a collective mission of 'green Earth'.

This is the 21st century and anything is now possible with the help of technology, and Tesla owner Elon Musk seems to be quite excited to combine technology and a collective mission of 'green Earth'. Making sure that he can help along with his technologically advanced ideas, Musk has now suggested constructing road tunnels under the busy city US roads. Also read| Elon Musk responds to game developer who prodded him with the same Tweet for 22 weeks The birth of this idea took place in a series of exchanged tweets between the tech tycoon Elon Musk and Miami's Mayor. "Battery cell production is the fundamental rate-limiter slowing down a sustainable energy future. Very important problem," Musk tweeted. Miami's Mayor Francis Suarez agreed to it, saying, "couldn’t agree more...would love to have you @CityofMiami. City Hall to discuss it and potential solutions for the benefit of our future..." .@elonmusk couldn’t agree more...would love to have you @CityofMiami City Hall to discuss it and potential solutions for the benefit of our future... https://t.co/KCPifpSqw7 — Mayor Francis Suarez (@FrancisSuarez) January 18, 2021 × Musk explained that the traffic jams "generate megatons of toxic gases & particulate, but @boringcompany road tunnels under Miami would solve traffic & be an example to the world." Cars & trucks stuck in traffic generate megatons of toxic gases & particulate, but @boringcompany road tunnels under Miami would solve traffic & be an example to the world. Spoke with @RonDeSantisFL about tunnels last week. If Governor & Mayor want this done, we will do it. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 18, 2021 × He also added that he has already had a word about this with the Florida Governor Ron DeSantis last week. "If Governor & Mayor want this done, we will do it," Musk tweeted. While the idea sounds nice, many Floridians are not convinced about the same as they feel it does not sound do-able due to the shallow water table and the heavy expense the construction will incur.

Tweet meet: Elon Musk suggests road tunnels for green Earth; Miami Mayor agrees

'Great Conjunction' of Saturn and Jupiter brings delight on Earth

2020 has given us a lot to clutch our heads and scream. While coronavirus pandemic was the major reason, the year will live in infamy due to many horrible reasons. And just as when we thought we were slipping past its grip, the news has arrived that five asteroids are slated to make a close call to Earth in a single week. And two of them are going to flyby at a distance less than that between Earth and the Moon

Remember what happened last time an asteroid struck Earth? It wiped out 95 per cent of life on the planet including the dinosaurs who were the dominant species then.

No prize for guessing which dominant species on Earth will be wiped out now if a space rock is to strike our planet at a speed of thousands of kilometres per hour

So let's take a look

Asteroid 2020 XF4 is just 11 metres across but its superspeed gives it a deadly momentum. It's a good thing then it is going to miss the Earth. However, it will come closer to Earth than the Moon. It will fly past Earth at a distance of 343,047 km. Distance between Earth and the Moon is 386,000 km

Asteroid 2020 VY1 is slightly bigger. This 24-metre space-rock will fly by at a distance of 5 million kilometres.

Then there is asteroid 2020 XS5 which will hurtle past Earth at distance of 2 million km&nbsp;

Watch: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-nasa-captures-himalayan-mountains-delhis-city-lights-from-space-350259">NASA captures Himalayan mountains, Delhi's city lights from space</a>

However, asteroid 2020 XX3 will come much much closer. It will give Earth a miss at only 57 thousand kilometres. This distance may appear to be a lot but considering measurements in Space, this is not much.

Finally, asteroid 2020 XF3 will pass by Earth. But it will cut a wide berth at 6.9 million kilometres.

Let's hope the year 2020 does not have any more surprises.

2020 has given us a lot to clutch our heads and scream. While coronavirus pandemic was the major reason, the year will live in infamy due to many horrible reasons.

2020 has given us a lot to clutch our heads and scream. While coronavirus pandemic was the major reason, the year will live in infamy due to many horrible reasons. And just as when we thought we were slipping past its grip, the news has arrived that five asteroids are slated to make a close call to Earth in a single week. And two of them are going to flyby at a distance less than that between Earth and the Moon Remember what happened last time an asteroid struck Earth? It wiped out 95 per cent of life on the planet including the dinosaurs who were the dominant species then. No prize for guessing which dominant species on Earth will be wiped out now if a space rock is to strike our planet at a speed of thousands of kilometres per hour So let's take a look Asteroid 2020 XF4 is just 11 metres across but its superspeed gives it a deadly momentum. It's a good thing then it is going to miss the Earth. However, it will come closer to Earth than the Moon. It will fly past Earth at a distance of 343,047 km. Distance between Earth and the Moon is 386,000 km Asteroid 2020 VY1 is slightly bigger. This 24-metre space-rock will fly by at a distance of 5 million kilometres. Then there is asteroid 2020 XS5 which will hurtle past Earth at distance of 2 million km Watch: NASA captures Himalayan mountains, Delhi's city lights from space However, asteroid 2020 XX3 will come much much closer. It will give Earth a miss at only 57 thousand kilometres. This distance may appear to be a lot but considering measurements in Space, this is not much. Finally, asteroid 2020 XF3 will pass by Earth. But it will cut a wide berth at 6.9 million kilometres. Let's hope the year 2020 does not have any more surprises.

Five asteroids to make close call to Earth this week

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