The Milky Way has 44 planets in other star systems that resemble Earth, according to a new machine learning model. The AI Earth-like planet predictor has been created by Researchers at the University of Bern and the National Centre of Competence in Research PlanetS (NCCR PlanetS), Switzerland.
They say that the algorithm employed by the model is 99 per cent accurate. Their Earth-like planet predictor had the ability to tell which planetary systems might have planets like Earth. The research was published in Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics.
The scientists who were part of the study said that the AI model is extremely promising and can help astronomers focus their attention only on star systems that have a high chance of having exoplanets that might be able to host life.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/revolutionary-moment-as-astronomers-find-strongest-evidence-of-life-beyond-our-solar-system-8970458" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">K2-18b: 'Revolutionary moment' as astronomers find 'strongest evidence' of life beyond our solar system</a>
"The model identified 44 systems that are highly likely to harbour undetected Earth-like planets,&rdquo; Dr Jeanne Davoult, lead author of the paper, said.&nbsp;
The basis of discovering such exoplanets is the path of their orbit. A planet in the habitable zone is most likely to host life. This means it should be in a place where it is neither too hot nor too cold to be able to have liquid water. Exoplanets that fulfil this condition are the most promising candidates when looking for other worlds where life can exist.
The AI model was tested using known data about other planetary systems. The authors said that when information about systems whose properties the scientists are aware of was fed to the model, it did amazingly well.&nbsp;
According to the AI model, there are 44 such planets in the Milky Way. The researchers tested the results further, and a second study proved that there is a "theoretical possibility for these systems to host an Earth-like planet."
<h2>AI model is 99% accurate</h2>
Davoult says the model achieves precision values of up to 0.99. This means that of all the results, at least 99 per cent of systems have at least one Earth-like planet.
"This is a significant step in the search for planets with conditions favourable to life and, ultimately, for the search for life in the universe," co-author Dr. Yann Alibert said.
NASA, ESA and other space agencies are regularly looking to discover exoplanets that might be similar to Earth. Testing every planetary system is not possible. An AI model like this one can prove to be of great help in the endeavour by telling astronomers where exactly to look.

An Artificial Intelligence model has predicted that our galaxy has 44 planets that are just like Earth. Scientists say the results are almost completely accurate. Science & Tech Trending

The Milky Way has 44 planets in other star systems that resemble Earth, according to a new machine learning model. The AI Earth-like planet predictor has been created by Researchers at the University of Bern and the National Centre of Competence in Research PlanetS (NCCR PlanetS), Switzerland. They say that the algorithm employed by the model is 99 per cent accurate. Their Earth-like planet predictor had the ability to tell which planetary systems might have planets like Earth. The research was published in Astronomy & Astrophysics. The scientists who were part of the study said that the AI model is extremely promising and can help astronomers focus their attention only on star systems that have a high chance of having exoplanets that might be able to host life. Also Read: K2-18b: 'Revolutionary moment' as astronomers find 'strongest evidence' of life beyond our solar system "The model identified 44 systems that are highly likely to harbour undetected Earth-like planets,” Dr Jeanne Davoult, lead author of the paper, said. The basis of discovering such exoplanets is the path of their orbit. A planet in the habitable zone is most likely to host life. This means it should be in a place where it is neither too hot nor too cold to be able to have liquid water. Exoplanets that fulfil this condition are the most promising candidates when looking for other worlds where life can exist. The AI model was tested using known data about other planetary systems. The authors said that when information about systems whose properties the scientists are aware of was fed to the model, it did amazingly well. According to the AI model, there are 44 such planets in the Milky Way. The researchers tested the results further, and a second study proved that there is a "theoretical possibility for these systems to host an Earth-like planet." AI model is 99% accurate Davoult says the model achieves precision values of up to 0.99. This means that of all the results, at least 99 per cent of systems have at least one Earth-like planet. "This is a significant step in the search for planets with conditions favourable to life and, ultimately, for the search for life in the universe," co-author Dr. Yann Alibert said. NASA, ESA and other space agencies are regularly looking to discover exoplanets that might be similar to Earth. Testing every planetary system is not possible. An AI model like this one can prove to be of great help in the endeavour by telling astronomers where exactly to look.

How many Earth-like planets are in the Milky Way? AI has the answer

Using groundbreaking data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, scientists have captured a planet's final moments as it spirals into its star—and Earth is next. Discover the terrifying physics behind orbital decay, the "drag of doom" that could incinerate our world, and why astronomers say Earth’s fate is a 50/50 coin toss.

Cosmic countdown: Planet's death dive offers glimpse into Earth's future

Cosmic countdown: Earth's 5-billion-year expiration date

Out of 700 people who have ventured into space women account for only about 12 to 14% of them but this figure is now changing with Blue Origin's historic launch of an all female crew for space tourism. Watch in for more details!

Historic Blue Origin flight: Women astronauts experience panoramic views of Earth

Apparently, something strange is happening to our Earth. Its magnetic field is weakening, and NASA scientists say this mysterious dent in the Earth's magnetic field is growing. Our next story explains how this could be a cause for concern for all of us.

Earth's magnetic mystery: Earth's magnetic field helped life evolve, protect us

Earth's magnetic mystery: scientists race for answers, should you be worried

Earth has been hiding several mysteries in its heart ever since it was born billions of years ago, the focus being "heart" here. Scientists say that just like the people who live here, our home planet Earth, also has a heartbeat. It is a faint one that occurs approximately every 26 seconds. The "heartbeat" was first discovered in the 1960s by a geologist named Jack Oliver. But even after over 60 years, not much is known about them, primarily because seismologists have better things to do.
Earth's mysterious "heartbeat" is like mini earthquakes that strike every few seconds. The origin is believed to lie somewhere in the southern or equatorial Atlantic Ocean. Even though Oliver was the first to notice it, he could not study the pulses in detail because of a lack of equipment.
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Earth's "heartbeat" once again grabbed attention decades later when Mike Ritzwoller, a seismologist at the University of Colorado, noticed that something was pulsating inside the planet. This time, he could do something about it because of the advancement in technology.
This "heartbeat" is scientifically known as microseisms. Besides Ritzwoller, Garrett Eule is another seismologist who has observed the strange pulses and tried to zero in on the source.
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His work led him to narrow down the source to a part of the Gulf of Guinea called the Bight of Bonny. He talked about it at the Seismological Society of America conference in 2013.&nbsp;
<h2>What's causing Earth's heart to beat?</h2>
Eule says it is because of the ocean waves and the pressure difference in the water during its movement. When waves hit the continental shelf, where the solid ground is much closer to the surface, the pressure deforms the ocean floor, Eule said. This causes seismic pulses, also known as microseisms.
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However, a Chinese scientist says the "heartbeat" is the result of volcanoes. Yingjie Xia from the Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics in Wuhan, China, points to a volcano on the island of S&atilde;o Tom&eacute; in the Bight of Bonny. He states that the origin of the pulses was close to this volcano. He says a similar occurrence has also been observed at the Aso Volcano in Japan.
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<h2>Why is no one studying Earth's "heartbeat"?</h2>
Despite generating so much excitement, scientists are not keen on devoting a lot of time to solving the mystery of the pulses, Earth's "heartbeat". Scientist Doug Wines told Discover Magazine, "We want to determine the structure beneath the continents, things like that. This is just a little bit outside what we would typically study."
It seems the reason behind Earth's "heartbeat" might not be revealed for many more years to come unless someone deems solving the mystery crucial.

A Chinese scientist says the "heartbeat" is the result of volcanoes, while another thinks the pulses are caused by waves. Science & Tech Trending

Earth has been hiding several mysteries in its heart ever since it was born billions of years ago, the focus being "heart" here. Scientists say that just like the people who live here, our home planet Earth, also has a heartbeat. It is a faint one that occurs approximately every 26 seconds. The "heartbeat" was first discovered in the 1960s by a geologist named Jack Oliver. But even after over 60 years, not much is known about them, primarily because seismologists have better things to do. Earth's mysterious "heartbeat" is like mini earthquakes that strike every few seconds. The origin is believed to lie somewhere in the southern or equatorial Atlantic Ocean. Even though Oliver was the first to notice it, he could not study the pulses in detail because of a lack of equipment. Also Read: Navy SEAL Jonny Kim blasts off to space aboard Russian Soyuz capsule. Who is he? Earth's "heartbeat" once again grabbed attention decades later when Mike Ritzwoller, a seismologist at the University of Colorado, noticed that something was pulsating inside the planet. This time, he could do something about it because of the advancement in technology. This "heartbeat" is scientifically known as microseisms. Besides Ritzwoller, Garrett Eule is another seismologist who has observed the strange pulses and tried to zero in on the source. Also Read: The Tower of Brahma, a puzzle that dictates when the world will end. 'With a thunderclap...' His work led him to narrow down the source to a part of the Gulf of Guinea called the Bight of Bonny. He talked about it at the Seismological Society of America conference in 2013. What's causing Earth's heart to beat? Eule says it is because of the ocean waves and the pressure difference in the water during its movement. When waves hit the continental shelf, where the solid ground is much closer to the surface, the pressure deforms the ocean floor, Eule said. This causes seismic pulses, also known as microseisms. Also Read: Spider eggs on Mars? NASA scientists spot strange, mysterious object on Red Planet However, a Chinese scientist says the "heartbeat" is the result of volcanoes. Yingjie Xia from the Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics in Wuhan, China, points to a volcano on the island of São Tomé in the Bight of Bonny. He states that the origin of the pulses was close to this volcano. He says a similar occurrence has also been observed at the Aso Volcano in Japan. Also Read: 13-billion-year-old galaxy mysteriously crosses a cosmic veil to reach Webb Why is no one studying Earth's "heartbeat"? Despite generating so much excitement, scientists are not keen on devoting a lot of time to solving the mystery of the pulses, Earth's "heartbeat". Scientist Doug Wines told Discover Magazine, "We want to determine the structure beneath the continents, things like that. This is just a little bit outside what we would typically study." It seems the reason behind Earth's "heartbeat" might not be revealed for many more years to come unless someone deems solving the mystery crucial.

Earth's 'heartbeat' reverberates every 26 seconds. No one is interested in finding the reason

NASA has confirmed that asteroid 2024 YR4, initially feared to be heading toward Earth, is now on course to hit the Moon. While Earth is safe from impact in 2032, scientists are closely monitoring the asteroid’s trajectory. What does this mean for future space threats?

Asteroid that threatened to hit Earth, could collide with Moon

Asteroid headed towards Earth could now smash into the Moon

Earth witnessed this year’s first solar eclipse on Saturday, March 29.

Skygazers witness first partial solar eclipse across UK, US

Scientists have figured out a method to generate electricity from Earth's rotation. A device developed by Scientists from Princeton University and NASA&rsquo;s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) can create tiny amounts of electricity leveraging Earth's movement. According to a report by The Debrief, the electricity generated, despite being small, can be measured.&nbsp;
Theoretically, it is not possible to create electricity from a uniform field like Earth&rsquo;s magnetic field. However, the team of researchers say that there is a tiny loophole which helped them achieve the results.
Princeton University Professor Christopher Chyba told the publication that he discovered the method while working on something else. He said that he and study co-author and co-inventor, JPL&rsquo;s Dr. Kevin Hand, were working on something that wasn't supposed to translate into anything practical, but that's how they got the idea of generating electricity from the Earth&rsquo;s rotation.
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Chyba and Hand have published a paper describing the theory, testing and construction of their device. The paper states that the working is similar to traditional power stations. Electricity is generated by passing a conductor through a magnetic field. Theoretically, if you were to put a conductor on Earth&rsquo;s surface, "it would move through some portion of the field, causing electrons to move and generating power," the paper states.
Their material suggested that certain items shaped into a cylindrical tube "might channel the Earth&rsquo;s magnetic field in a way that creates an imbalance in the electrostatic force inside the device."
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Using their calculations, they built a lab at Princeton where they first made a hollow cylinder from a soft, magnetic material containing manganese, zinc, and iron. Then, they made a customised wood &ldquo;turntable&rdquo; and placed it on top of an MRI cart. The total cost incurred on the device was around $25,000.
<h2>Their device generated a small amount of electricity from Earth's rotation</h2>
They made sure the device was not giving a false energy signal and then measured it to see if it was generating electricity. It was a eureka moment as they observed a tiny 17-&mu;V voltage. When the orientation of the device was changed in relation to the Earth&rsquo;s magnetic field, it stopped generating electricity. Even though small, they knew they had something.
&ldquo;The voltage is 0 when the device is oriented with its long axis in the E-W direction and -18 microvolts when the device is oriented with the &ldquo;red&rdquo; end toward the north (we call this the 0 degree orientation),&rdquo; Chyba explained, &ldquo;but +18 microvolts when the &ldquo;red&rdquo; end is oriented toward the south (the 180 degree orientation).&rdquo;
The scientists have added equations in their paper that &ldquo;show how to scale up the output&rdquo; of their device and attain higher voltage outputs. They are also looking at ways to create a practical device that can generate electricity from Earth's rotation by making the device's dimensions better.

Earth's magnetic field can be used to generate electricity, according to a new study. The scientists are now trying to convert it into a practical solution. Science & Tech Trending

Scientists have figured out a method to generate electricity from Earth's rotation. A device developed by Scientists from Princeton University and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) can create tiny amounts of electricity leveraging Earth's movement. According to a report by The Debrief, the electricity generated, despite being small, can be measured. Theoretically, it is not possible to create electricity from a uniform field like Earth’s magnetic field. However, the team of researchers say that there is a tiny loophole which helped them achieve the results. Princeton University Professor Christopher Chyba told the publication that he discovered the method while working on something else. He said that he and study co-author and co-inventor, JPL’s Dr. Kevin Hand, were working on something that wasn't supposed to translate into anything practical, but that's how they got the idea of generating electricity from the Earth’s rotation. Also Read: Star-mapping space telescope Gaia shut down after being in service for over a decade Chyba and Hand have published a paper describing the theory, testing and construction of their device. The paper states that the working is similar to traditional power stations. Electricity is generated by passing a conductor through a magnetic field. Theoretically, if you were to put a conductor on Earth’s surface, "it would move through some portion of the field, causing electrons to move and generating power," the paper states. Their material suggested that certain items shaped into a cylindrical tube "might channel the Earth’s magnetic field in a way that creates an imbalance in the electrostatic force inside the device." Also Read: Deep space radio signal travels from a place defying the rules of universe Using their calculations, they built a lab at Princeton where they first made a hollow cylinder from a soft, magnetic material containing manganese, zinc, and iron. Then, they made a customised wood “turntable” and placed it on top of an MRI cart. The total cost incurred on the device was around $25,000. Their device generated a small amount of electricity from Earth's rotation They made sure the device was not giving a false energy signal and then measured it to see if it was generating electricity. It was a eureka moment as they observed a tiny 17-μV voltage. When the orientation of the device was changed in relation to the Earth’s magnetic field, it stopped generating electricity. Even though small, they knew they had something. “The voltage is 0 when the device is oriented with its long axis in the E-W direction and -18 microvolts when the device is oriented with the “red” end toward the north (we call this the 0 degree orientation),” Chyba explained, “but +18 microvolts when the “red” end is oriented toward the south (the 180 degree orientation).” The scientists have added equations in their paper that “show how to scale up the output” of their device and attain higher voltage outputs. They are also looking at ways to create a practical device that can generate electricity from Earth's rotation by making the device's dimensions better.

Scientists have leveraged Earth's rotation to generate electricity

Theia, a theoretical ancient planet about the size of Mars, is believed to have collided with Earth during its infancy, triggering debris that collected to later form the moon. However, contrary to popular belief, no remnants of Theia contributed to forming the moon and instead the lunar satellite is likely only made of material ejected from Earth because of the collision.
A new study suggests that Theia had little to do with the Moon taking shape and no parts of the ancient planet exist in the Moon's composition. A BBC report, citing the study, says that the debris that formed the moon only comprised material from Earth and nothing from Theia.
Also Read: <a title="Post View" href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/explainer-how-isros-chandrayaan-4-will-bring-moon-samples-to-earth-8876009" target="_blank" rel="dofollow noopener">Explainer: How ISRO's Chandrayaan-4 will bring Moon samples to Earth</a>
Theia is believed to exist in Earth's core to date.
<h2>Is Moon all Earth?&nbsp;</h2>
Scientists studied 14 lunar rock samples and similar minerals from Earth. They compared the two and measured them for levels of oxygen-17, a rare isotope of oxygen. They found strikingly similar levels of the component in both sets of samples, thus deducing that the point of origin for both Earth and the Moon was the same.&nbsp;
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Since there was no other external material in the picture, they believe that the material ejected from Earth because of the collision with Theia, came together over several years to form the Moon as we know it today. Meanwhile, nothing from Theia contributed to its structure.
Andreas Pack from G&ouml;ttingen University, a part of the team of scientists that conducted the study, said, "One explanation is that Theia lost its rocky mantle in earlier collisions and then slammed into the early Earth like a metallic cannonball."
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<h2>Theia lies inside Earth?</h2>
He added that if this had happened, then Theia "would be part of Earth&rsquo;s core today, and the Moon would have formed from ejected material from Earth&rsquo;s mantle."
Meanwhile, the scientists also took a dive into the source of water on Earth. Theia is believed to have brought water to the planet, but that is only a theory. The study suggests that water was brought to Earth most likely by asteroids that collided with the planet long after the Moon was formed.
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A class of meteorites called enstatite chondrites could have brought water to Earth since the study found similar levels of oxygen-17 in the composition of these meteorites and the samples from Earth.
Theia has long fascinated scientists and it is also theorised to be the reason for the formation of continents on Earth and even impacted volcanic activity.

Theia and Earth did not combine to form Moon, a new study suggests. The Moon might be a part of only Earth, a sibling 384,400 kilometres away. Science & Tech Trending

Theia, a theoretical ancient planet about the size of Mars, is believed to have collided with Earth during its infancy, triggering debris that collected to later form the moon. However, contrary to popular belief, no remnants of Theia contributed to forming the moon and instead the lunar satellite is likely only made of material ejected from Earth because of the collision. A new study suggests that Theia had little to do with the Moon taking shape and no parts of the ancient planet exist in the Moon's composition. A BBC report, citing the study, says that the debris that formed the moon only comprised material from Earth and nothing from Theia. Also Read: Explainer: How ISRO's Chandrayaan-4 will bring Moon samples to Earth Theia is believed to exist in Earth's core to date. Is Moon all Earth? Scientists studied 14 lunar rock samples and similar minerals from Earth. They compared the two and measured them for levels of oxygen-17, a rare isotope of oxygen. They found strikingly similar levels of the component in both sets of samples, thus deducing that the point of origin for both Earth and the Moon was the same. Also Read: Cosmic explosions killed all life on Earth 445mn yrs ago and then again 73mn years later: Report Since there was no other external material in the picture, they believe that the material ejected from Earth because of the collision with Theia, came together over several years to form the Moon as we know it today. Meanwhile, nothing from Theia contributed to its structure. Andreas Pack from Göttingen University, a part of the team of scientists that conducted the study, said, "One explanation is that Theia lost its rocky mantle in earlier collisions and then slammed into the early Earth like a metallic cannonball." Also Read: Astronomers detect oxygen in the most distant galaxy ever found: 'I was astonished' Theia lies inside Earth? He added that if this had happened, then Theia "would be part of Earth’s core today, and the Moon would have formed from ejected material from Earth’s mantle." Meanwhile, the scientists also took a dive into the source of water on Earth. Theia is believed to have brought water to the planet, but that is only a theory. The study suggests that water was brought to Earth most likely by asteroids that collided with the planet long after the Moon was formed. Also Read: Pieces of lost continent found under Antarctica and India point to one thing A class of meteorites called enstatite chondrites could have brought water to Earth since the study found similar levels of oxygen-17 in the composition of these meteorites and the samples from Earth. Theia has long fascinated scientists and it is also theorised to be the reason for the formation of continents on Earth and even impacted volcanic activity.

When Theia smashed into Earth: The common DNA Moon and our planet share

Estimates suggest that the current human population stands at 8.2 billion people. However, a researcher says that this number might be wrong and is not an accurate count of the human population on Earth. He reached the conclusion after studying 300 rural dam projects across 35 countries and says that the numbers do not properly account for people living in rural areas.&nbsp;
Josias L&aacute;ng-Ritter&mdash;a postdoctoral researcher at Aalto University in Finland and lead author of the study says that the difference might be huge. "The actual population living in rural areas is much higher than the global population data indicates," he said.
His study was published in the journal Nature Communications.
Citing his study, Josias L&aacute;ng-Ritter says, "Depending on the dataset, rural populations have been underestimated by between 53 per cent to 84 per cent over the period studied."
The results are remarkable, as these datasets have been used in thousands of studies and extensively support decision-making, yet their accuracy has not been systematically evaluated.&rdquo;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/happiest-countries-in-the-world-2025-finland-on-top-israel-at-number-8-guess-where-india-is-ranked-8871454" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Happiest Countries in the World 2025: Finland on top, Israel at number 8; guess where India is ranked</a>
<h2>Dam data hints at improper count of human population</h2>
To evaluate the accuracy of population data, he used his background in water resource management. Gathering different kinds of population data from rural dam projects of 35 countries, L&aacute;ng-Ritter matched them with other population totals calculated by organizations like WorldPop, GWP, GRUMP, LandScan, and GHS-POP (which were also analyzed in this study).
He says this system is reliable because when dams are built, people from the area are relocated. They are counted precisely "because dam companies pay compensation to those affected."
"Unlike global population datasets, such local impact statements provide comprehensive, on-the-ground population counts that are not skewed by administrative boundaries. We then combined these with spatial information from satellite imagery," he said in a statement.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/world/why-are-americans-unhappy-this-is-the-reason-according-to-world-happiness-report-8872028" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Why are Americans unhappy? THIS is the reason, according to World Happiness Report</a>
As per the study, the problem with correctly counting the number of people in rural areas stems from a lack of resources and challenges in travelling to these places. When the rural population is misrepresented, it creates a problem of properly dividing resources.
Meanwhile, several experts do not agree with L&aacute;ng-Ritter, especially not such a wide gap between the numbers. &ldquo;If we really are undercounting by that massive amount, it&rsquo;s a massive news story and goes against all the years of thousands of other datasets," Stuart Gietel-Basten from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology told New Scientist said.

How many people are there on Earth? Official estimates suggest 8.2 billion, but a new study says there might be millions or even billions more of us here. World Trending

Estimates suggest that the current human population stands at 8.2 billion people. However, a researcher says that this number might be wrong and is not an accurate count of the human population on Earth. He reached the conclusion after studying 300 rural dam projects across 35 countries and says that the numbers do not properly account for people living in rural areas. Josias Láng-Ritter—a postdoctoral researcher at Aalto University in Finland and lead author of the study says that the difference might be huge. "The actual population living in rural areas is much higher than the global population data indicates," he said. His study was published in the journal Nature Communications. Citing his study, Josias Láng-Ritter says, "Depending on the dataset, rural populations have been underestimated by between 53 per cent to 84 per cent over the period studied." The results are remarkable, as these datasets have been used in thousands of studies and extensively support decision-making, yet their accuracy has not been systematically evaluated.” Also Read: Happiest Countries in the World 2025: Finland on top, Israel at number 8; guess where India is ranked Dam data hints at improper count of human population To evaluate the accuracy of population data, he used his background in water resource management. Gathering different kinds of population data from rural dam projects of 35 countries, Láng-Ritter matched them with other population totals calculated by organizations like WorldPop, GWP, GRUMP, LandScan, and GHS-POP (which were also analyzed in this study). He says this system is reliable because when dams are built, people from the area are relocated. They are counted precisely "because dam companies pay compensation to those affected." "Unlike global population datasets, such local impact statements provide comprehensive, on-the-ground population counts that are not skewed by administrative boundaries. We then combined these with spatial information from satellite imagery," he said in a statement. Also Read: Why are Americans unhappy? THIS is the reason, according to World Happiness Report As per the study, the problem with correctly counting the number of people in rural areas stems from a lack of resources and challenges in travelling to these places. When the rural population is misrepresented, it creates a problem of properly dividing resources. Meanwhile, several experts do not agree with Láng-Ritter, especially not such a wide gap between the numbers. “If we really are undercounting by that massive amount, it’s a massive news story and goes against all the years of thousands of other datasets," Stuart Gietel-Basten from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology told New Scientist said.

Are there really 8.2 billion people on Earth? Study suggests there is a huge miscalculation

Scientists have detected mysterious signals coming from an unexplored region of space, leaving experts puzzled. This unprecedented discovery raises new questions about deep space phenomena and the possibility of unknown cosmic events. Could this signal reveal something groundbreaking about our universe?

Scientists puzzled at signals coming from 'unprecedented' part of space

Long-time stranded NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore's return to Earth has once again got delayed after SpaceX and NASA postponed the launch of a replacement crew to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday (March 12).
The ISS said that their return was delayed due to an unexpected technical problem.&nbsp;
William and Butch Wilmore have been stranded in space for nine months now after their trip aboard Boeing's faulty Starliner.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/sunita-williams-and-butch-wilmores-return-cancelled-as-nasa-postpones-iss-mission-8848558">Sunita Williams stuck in space: NASA, SpaceX postpone rescue operation</a>
<h2>When are they coming back now?&nbsp;</h2>
NASA'S SpaceX Crew-10 now is targeting no earlier than 7:03 pm EDT on Friday (4.33 am IST on Saturday), according to the NASA website.
Now, the launch coverage will begin at 3 pm on March on NASA+. Further, docking is scheduled for 11:30 pm on Saturday (March 15).&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/NASA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASA</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceX</a> now target the launch of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Crew10?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Crew10</a> mission for no earlier than 7:03pm ET on Friday, March 14, to the International Space Station. <a href="https://t.co/B9vkvcVbZ9">https://t.co/B9vkvcVbZ9</a>
&mdash; International Space Station (@Space_Station) <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station/status/1900013375796764764?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2025</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Moreover, the launch teams are also working to address a hydraulic system issue with a ground support clamp arm for the Falcon 9 rocket at Launch Complex 39A at NASA&rsquo;s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/sunita-williams-returns-to-earth-physical-effects-to-expect-8844997">Sunita Williams to get 'baby feet' after returning to Earth. What does it mean?</a>&nbsp;
<h2>Why did they delay the return?</h2>
The mission managers decided to wave off the launch attempt on Thursday due to high winds and precipitation forecast in the flight path of Dragon.&nbsp;
"Crew-10 is the 10th crew rotation mission of SpaceX&rsquo;s human space transportation system and its 11th flight with crew aboard, including the Demo-2 test flight, to the space station through NASA&rsquo;s Commercial Crew Program," the NASA blog read.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-trump-hopes-nasa-astronauts-sunita-williams-and-butch-wilmore-love-each-other-8830063">Trump calls Sunita Williams 'woman with wild hair', hopes she and Butch Wilmore 'love each other'</a>
Earlier, Williams and Butch Wilmore were due to spend only eight days on the ISS but have been stranded there after the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that was supposed to bring them back suffered propulsion problems.&nbsp;
Health concerns have been raised for Williams, as the human body is not built for spaceflight, with its microgravity conditions, exposure to high-energy radiation and other issues. As a result, trekking beyond the Earth's confines causes many physiological changes that affect an astronaut's health.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/usd-488-million-nasa-mission-launched-to-find-secrets-about-the-big-bang-and-study-sun-8847872">$488 million NASA mission launched to find secrets about the &lsquo;Big Bang&rsquo; and study the Sun</a>
(With inputs from agencies)

World, trending: NASA'S SpaceX Crew-10 now is targeting no earlier than 7:03 pm EDT on Friday (4.33 am IST on Saturday), according to the NASA website.

Long-time stranded NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore's return to Earth has once again got delayed after SpaceX and NASA postponed the launch of a replacement crew to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday (March 12). The ISS said that their return was delayed due to an unexpected technical problem. William and Butch Wilmore have been stranded in space for nine months now after their trip aboard Boeing's faulty Starliner. Also read: Sunita Williams stuck in space: NASA, SpaceX postpone rescue operation When are they coming back now? NASA'S SpaceX Crew-10 now is targeting no earlier than 7:03 pm EDT on Friday (4.33 am IST on Saturday), according to the NASA website. Now, the launch coverage will begin at 3 pm on March on NASA+. Further, docking is scheduled for 11:30 pm on Saturday (March 15). .@NASA and @SpaceX now target the launch of the #Crew10 mission for no earlier than 7:03pm ET on Friday, March 14, to the International Space Station. https://t.co/B9vkvcVbZ9 — International Space Station (@Space_Station) March 13, 2025 Moreover, the launch teams are also working to address a hydraulic system issue with a ground support clamp arm for the Falcon 9 rocket at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Also read: Sunita Williams to get 'baby feet' after returning to Earth. What does it mean? Why did they delay the return? The mission managers decided to wave off the launch attempt on Thursday due to high winds and precipitation forecast in the flight path of Dragon. "Crew-10 is the 10th crew rotation mission of SpaceX’s human space transportation system and its 11th flight with crew aboard, including the Demo-2 test flight, to the space station through NASA’s Commercial Crew Program," the NASA blog read. Also read: Trump calls Sunita Williams 'woman with wild hair', hopes she and Butch Wilmore 'love each other' Earlier, Williams and Butch Wilmore were due to spend only eight days on the ISS but have been stranded there after the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that was supposed to bring them back suffered propulsion problems. Health concerns have been raised for Williams, as the human body is not built for spaceflight, with its microgravity conditions, exposure to high-energy radiation and other issues. As a result, trekking beyond the Earth's confines causes many physiological changes that affect an astronaut's health. Also read: $488 million NASA mission launched to find secrets about the ‘Big Bang’ and study the Sun (With inputs from agencies)

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams will return to Earth on THIS date | Check here

Two colossal structures, 100 times higher than Mount Everest, are hidden inside our planet and no one knows what they are or how they were created. These continent-sized rock formations are known as blobs and are a mystery to scientists. They only know that they are different from the surrounding mantle in composition.
Geophysicists have termed these structures "large low-shear-velocity provinces" (LLSVPs), since they have noted that seismic waves slow down as they pass through them. This is a hint that they are not the same as other parts of the mantle. However, there is no clarity on whether they are more dense or lighter.
<h2>Where do these colossal mountainous structures lie inside Earth?</h2>
Scientists have known about them since the 1970s, but not a lot has been discovered about them. However, what they do know is that they start thousands of miles below Earth's surface.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/noahs-ark-built-on-gods-orders-might-have-been-real-8844933" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Noah's Ark, built on God's orders, might lie right where we long suspected</a>
The massive structures are located inside Earth in two places - under the Pacific Ocean and beneath Africa and parts of the Atlantic. They are so huge that if they were present on Earth, they would reach the orbit of the International Space Station.&nbsp;
According to &nbsp;University of Maryland geologist Ved Lekic, who talked to Eos reporter Jenessa Duncombe, these structures are about 100 times higher than Mount Everest. "They're among the largest things inside the Earth, and yet we literally don't know what they are, where they came from, how long they've been around, or what they do," Lekic said.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/heres-why-nasa-engineers-switch-off-instruments-voyager-space-probes-8839192" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Here&rsquo;s why NASA engineers are switching off instruments on Voyager space probes</a>
The structures sit right where the planet's rocky lower mantle meets the molten outer core. Their effect on happenings on Earth's surface isn't clear. However, at this point inside the Earth's mantle, things get tricky, Lekic states.
"At these depths, the chemistry changes totally. For all we know there are some minerals that would become more transparent," he said.
Scientists have been trying to figure out how are these structures linked to occurrences, such as volcanoes, on Earth. Some of them believe that the blobs might be driving some volcanic hotspots, like the ones in Iceland, Hawaii, and the Gal&aacute;pagos Islands. Live Science quoted University of Oxford researcher Maria Tsekhmistrenko as saying that "the tips of the blobs extend into plumes of hot material that might feed these volcanic regions".
<h2>How did these blobs inside Earth form?</h2>
Some experts speculate that they might be a result of a planetary collision billions of years ago. They can be remnants of another space rock in the universe that possibly collided with Earth sometime in the early universe. A few also point fingers at Theia, the planet that is believed to have crashed into Earth billions of years ago, forming the Moon. However, there is no consensus on this and studies are still going on to ascertain what birthed these towering structures.

Two massive structures are located inside Earth - under the Pacific Ocean and beneath Africa and parts of the Atlantic. No one knows what they are. Science & Tech Trending

Two colossal structures, 100 times higher than Mount Everest, are hidden inside our planet and no one knows what they are or how they were created. These continent-sized rock formations are known as blobs and are a mystery to scientists. They only know that they are different from the surrounding mantle in composition. Geophysicists have termed these structures "large low-shear-velocity provinces" (LLSVPs), since they have noted that seismic waves slow down as they pass through them. This is a hint that they are not the same as other parts of the mantle. However, there is no clarity on whether they are more dense or lighter. Where do these colossal mountainous structures lie inside Earth? Scientists have known about them since the 1970s, but not a lot has been discovered about them. However, what they do know is that they start thousands of miles below Earth's surface. Also Read: Noah's Ark, built on God's orders, might lie right where we long suspected The massive structures are located inside Earth in two places - under the Pacific Ocean and beneath Africa and parts of the Atlantic. They are so huge that if they were present on Earth, they would reach the orbit of the International Space Station. According to University of Maryland geologist Ved Lekic, who talked to Eos reporter Jenessa Duncombe, these structures are about 100 times higher than Mount Everest. "They're among the largest things inside the Earth, and yet we literally don't know what they are, where they came from, how long they've been around, or what they do," Lekic said. Also Read: Here’s why NASA engineers are switching off instruments on Voyager space probes The structures sit right where the planet's rocky lower mantle meets the molten outer core. Their effect on happenings on Earth's surface isn't clear. However, at this point inside the Earth's mantle, things get tricky, Lekic states. "At these depths, the chemistry changes totally. For all we know there are some minerals that would become more transparent," he said. Scientists have been trying to figure out how are these structures linked to occurrences, such as volcanoes, on Earth. Some of them believe that the blobs might be driving some volcanic hotspots, like the ones in Iceland, Hawaii, and the Galápagos Islands. Live Science quoted University of Oxford researcher Maria Tsekhmistrenko as saying that "the tips of the blobs extend into plumes of hot material that might feed these volcanic regions". How did these blobs inside Earth form? Some experts speculate that they might be a result of a planetary collision billions of years ago. They can be remnants of another space rock in the universe that possibly collided with Earth sometime in the early universe. A few also point fingers at Theia, the planet that is believed to have crashed into Earth billions of years ago, forming the Moon. However, there is no consensus on this and studies are still going on to ascertain what birthed these towering structures.

Monstrous structures '100 times higher than Everest' lie underneath Earth. Are they pieces of Theia?

In January, about 120 Spacex Starlink satellites burnt up in the Earth’s atmosphere. Three to four of them re-entered the Earth each day. While these may seem harmless, scientists have raised concerns about the threats being posed to the environment. Watch this video to find out more.

Scientists worry fall of satellites could pollute environment

The latest scientific findings by NASA suggest that the chances of an asteroid collision have increased for the third time, raising concerns. How worried should we be? What happens if the asteroid is indeed on a collision course, and is there any hope for us? These are the pressing questions on many minds as experts work to assess the risks and potential responses.

NASA increases collision chances, experts assure: no need for panic

City-Killer asteroid: Earth faces a growing threat

An asteroid could potentially collide with Earth eight years from now, as its orbit around the sun briefly intersects the path of our planet. Watch this report for more details!

Scientists issue stark warning about asteroid moving toward earth

Scientists say the Earth's core is slowing down and it could possibly be rotating in reverse.
How is this possible?
What does it mean for our planet?

Scientists say earth's mysterious inner core is changing shape

A new study reveals that Earth's inner core is rotating slower than the rest of the planet. Scientists suggest this shift could impact Earth's magnetic field and even alter the length of our days. What does this mean for our planet’s future?

What if the earth stopped spinning? Unprecedented changes in Earth’s inner core

Study: Core rotating slower than the rest of the planet

In 2024, scientists came up with a strange theory that the Moon got substantially cooler during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the lockdown was the reason for it. The hypothesis forced normal people to think about the time when Earth was gripped by the pandemic in early 2020 and nations imposed lockdowns. But now, scientists have said that the two aspects - the pandemic and Moon's temperature - were not related.&nbsp;
Last year, scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory in India's Ahmedabad observed that lunar nighttime surface temperatures dipped substantially across six observation sites on the near side of the Moon between April and May 2020.&nbsp;
Their findings were published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/earth-faces-2032-collision-risk-scientists-track-potential-impact-threat-8697308">Earth faces 2032 collision risk; scientists track potential impact threat</a>
However, researchers from the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&amp;T) and the University of West Indies (UWI) found issues with the hypothesis when they analysed the data closely.&nbsp;
In the latest study, published in the same journal, researchers noted that just like in 2020, there was also a dip in lunar temperatures in 2018. There was a steady decline in 2019. The collective timestamp doesn't align with the period of the Covid pandemic and its lockdowns.&nbsp;
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As quoted by Science Alert, civil engineer William Schonberg from Missouri S&amp;T said, "The idea that our activity, or lack of activity, on Earth would have a significant influence on the temperatures of the Moon &ndash; which is almost 240,000 miles from us &ndash; didn't seem likely, but we decided to keep an open mind and conduct additional research."&nbsp;
The study noted that the temperature readings gathered by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter suggest cyclical fluctuations instead of one significant dip.&nbsp;
In the latest article, the researchers said several factors are responsible for any change in Moon's temperature and also weighed in on a 2021 study which found that emissions reduction during the pandemic could only have affected the lower parts of Earth's atmosphere.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/hubble-space-telescope-nasas-plan-for-more-cosmic-discoveries-728929">Hubble Space Telescope faces a hiccup, but to stay in service for 'years to come'</a>
"We're not disputing that the temperatures did go down at different times during the time frame studied, but it seems to be a bit of a stretch to state with any certainty that human activity was the primary cause of this," Schonberg added.&nbsp;
In the conclusion of the new study, the researchers said that be it Covid or any other period, human activity is unlikely to have an impact on the temperatures on the Moon.&nbsp;
"During the Moon's nighttime, there is a small possibility that heat and radiation from Earth might have a very small effect on the lunar surface temperatures," Schonberg said.&nbsp;
"But this influence would probably be so minimal that it would be difficult to measure or even notice," he added.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Science | Trending | Data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter suggests natural fluctuations in Moon's temperatures rather than human-induced changes during the Covid pandemic 

In 2024, scientists came up with a strange theory that the Moon got substantially cooler during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the lockdown was the reason for it. The hypothesis forced normal people to think about the time when Earth was gripped by the pandemic in early 2020 and nations imposed lockdowns. But now, scientists have said that the two aspects - the pandemic and Moon's temperature - were not related. Last year, scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory in India's Ahmedabad observed that lunar nighttime surface temperatures dipped substantially across six observation sites on the near side of the Moon between April and May 2020. Their findings were published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters. Also read: Earth faces 2032 collision risk; scientists track potential impact threat However, researchers from the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) and the University of West Indies (UWI) found issues with the hypothesis when they analysed the data closely. In the latest study, published in the same journal, researchers noted that just like in 2020, there was also a dip in lunar temperatures in 2018. There was a steady decline in 2019. The collective timestamp doesn't align with the period of the Covid pandemic and its lockdowns. Also read: Earth's temporary ‘mini moon’ may have been a piece of actual moon As quoted by Science Alert, civil engineer William Schonberg from Missouri S&T said, "The idea that our activity, or lack of activity, on Earth would have a significant influence on the temperatures of the Moon – which is almost 240,000 miles from us – didn't seem likely, but we decided to keep an open mind and conduct additional research." The study noted that the temperature readings gathered by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter suggest cyclical fluctuations instead of one significant dip. In the latest article, the researchers said several factors are responsible for any change in Moon's temperature and also weighed in on a 2021 study which found that emissions reduction during the pandemic could only have affected the lower parts of Earth's atmosphere. Also read: Hubble Space Telescope faces a hiccup, but to stay in service for 'years to come' "We're not disputing that the temperatures did go down at different times during the time frame studied, but it seems to be a bit of a stretch to state with any certainty that human activity was the primary cause of this," Schonberg added. In the conclusion of the new study, the researchers said that be it Covid or any other period, human activity is unlikely to have an impact on the temperatures on the Moon. "During the Moon's nighttime, there is a small possibility that heat and radiation from Earth might have a very small effect on the lunar surface temperatures," Schonberg said. "But this influence would probably be so minimal that it would be difficult to measure or even notice," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

No, humans did not really change Moon's temperatures during Covid lockdown: Study

An asteroid has a one in 83 chance of hitting Earth in just over seven years. While most space rocks pass by harmlessly, this one, known as 2024 YR4, which is about half the size of a football field, is too close for comfort. Here's more.

NASA scientist warns, we can't stop a big asteroid

Earth faces 2032 collision risk; scientists track potential impact threat

Earth braces for potential asteroid impact in 2032

Two 'secret' mountains have been discovered on the boundary between Africa and the Pacific Ocean, and they're 100 times taller than Everest.

Hidden mountains beneath Earth's surface

A team of scientists led by Joanne Stephenson from the Australian National University (ANU) has made a surprising discovery about Earth's inner core. Their research suggests that the core may have an additional, hidden layer inside it, challenging what scientists have long believed about the planet's structure. This research was published in the Journal of Geophysical Research.
<h2>Challenging long-standing beliefs</h2>
For decades, Earth has been understood to have four main layers: the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core. The inner core, mostly made of iron and nickel, has always been thought to be solid and uniform. However, this new study indicates there could be more to the story.
Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/230m-away-from-docking-isro-spadex-satellites-are-at-their-closest-so-far-8610805">230m away from docking- ISRO Spadex satellites are at their closest so far</a>
<h2>Seismic waves reveal new clues</h2>
The team used data from seismic waves&mdash;energy waves that travel through the Earth after earthquakes&mdash;to study the inner core. They found that these waves travel at different speeds in different directions, suggesting that the inner core might have two layers instead of one. This discovery could be the result of two separate cooling events in Earth's history.
Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/mark-zuckerberg-slams-joe-biden-administration-claims-officials-would-scream-and-curse-to-get-certain-covid-19-content-removed-from-facebook-8609556">Zuckerberg claims Biden officials would 'scream' to enforce Covid 'censorship' on Facebook</a>
<h2>Hints of two cooling events &nbsp;</h2>
One of the most intriguing findings is that the structure of iron inside the inner core might have changed over time. Scientists believe that this could be the result of two separate cooling events in Earth's history. This discovery could explain some inconsistencies seen in earlier models of Earth&rsquo;s core.
Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/china-mulling-recreating-three-gorges-dam-project-in-space-8607027">China mulling re-creating &lsquo;Three Gorges Dam project&rsquo; in space. Here is how</a>
<h2>Data gaps and future research</h2>
While the results are exciting, the researchers caution that there are still gaps in the data, particularly from polar regions, which could affect the conclusions. Despite this, the study is a major step forward in understanding the mysteries of Earth&rsquo;s interior.

Science | Their research suggests that the core may have an additional, hidden layer inside it, challenging what scientists have long believed about the planet's structure. This research was published in the Journal of Geophysical Research.

A team of scientists led by Joanne Stephenson from the Australian National University (ANU) has made a surprising discovery about Earth's inner core. Their research suggests that the core may have an additional, hidden layer inside it, challenging what scientists have long believed about the planet's structure. This research was published in the Journal of Geophysical Research. Challenging long-standing beliefs For decades, Earth has been understood to have four main layers: the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core. The inner core, mostly made of iron and nickel, has always been thought to be solid and uniform. However, this new study indicates there could be more to the story. Also Read | 230m away from docking- ISRO Spadex satellites are at their closest so far Seismic waves reveal new clues The team used data from seismic waves—energy waves that travel through the Earth after earthquakes—to study the inner core. They found that these waves travel at different speeds in different directions, suggesting that the inner core might have two layers instead of one. This discovery could be the result of two separate cooling events in Earth's history. Also Read | Zuckerberg claims Biden officials would 'scream' to enforce Covid 'censorship' on Facebook Hints of two cooling events One of the most intriguing findings is that the structure of iron inside the inner core might have changed over time. Scientists believe that this could be the result of two separate cooling events in Earth's history. This discovery could explain some inconsistencies seen in earlier models of Earth’s core. Also Read | China mulling re-creating ‘Three Gorges Dam project’ in space. Here is how Data gaps and future research While the results are exciting, the researchers caution that there are still gaps in the data, particularly from polar regions, which could affect the conclusions. Despite this, the study is a major step forward in understanding the mysteries of Earth’s interior.

Scientists uncover evidence of second core layer beneath Earth's surface

This month, six planets in the solar system - Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, and Saturn will appear in Earth's skies in a "parade of planets." Watch this report for more details!

Planetary parade to occur on january 21 and March 8, 2025

California, United States
Researchers from the United States, France and Germany have discovered that Earth’s natural satellite may have been formed as early as 4.53 billion years ago. This estimate derived from the new analysis is hundreds of millions of years earlier than previous ones.
This discovery may help in answering other questions about the Moon like why it has less metal compared to Earth and why it has fewer big impact basins than expected. The research can also provide better insights into the evolution and history of our own planet, according to the team led by geologist Francis Nimmo of the University of California Santa Cruz.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/skygazers-get-a-rare-cosmic-treat-as-cold-moon-shines-in-sky-after-19-years-784317">Skygazers get a rare cosmic treat as 'Cold Moon' shines after 19 years</a>
Earlier, it was believed that the Moon was formed after a large object, roughly the size of Mars, struck the Earth, while it was still in its formation stages about 4.35 billion years ago. However, the new research suggests it was formed much earlier and then experienced a dramatic “re-melting” at the time which was assumed for its creation.
According to the research, this re-melting event occurred due to the Earth’s and Moon’s gravitational pull tugging at each other, called a tidal force, which caused it to stretch and squish and warm the Moon drastically due to friction.
The study also explains the existence of zircon crystals, a mineral found on lunar rocks during the Apollo mission. The age of this mineral can be determined by observing the ratio of uranium to lead.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/saturns-rings-may-have-existed-since-the-solar-system-was-created-study-784694">Saturn's rings may have existed since the Solar System was created: Study</a>
The zircon crystals have been dated significantly older than the age of the Moon. While one crystal has been measured to be 4.46 billion years old, another was calculated to have formed 4.51 billion years ago.
The melting process altered the lunar surface, causing the metals to sink below and hiding the Moon’s real age, according to the study that was published in the journal Nature. This would imply that our planet has been with its natural satellite for almost its entire lifespan as it is estimated to have formed 4.54 billion years ago.
(With inputs from agencies)

This discovery may help in answering other questions about the Moon like why it has less metal compared to Earth and why it has fewer big impact basins than expected



California, United States Researchers from the United States, France and Germany have discovered that Earth’s natural satellite may have been formed as early as 4.53 billion years ago. This estimate derived from the new analysis is hundreds of millions of years earlier than previous ones. This discovery may help in answering other questions about the Moon like why it has less metal compared to Earth and why it has fewer big impact basins than expected. The research can also provide better insights into the evolution and history of our own planet, according to the team led by geologist Francis Nimmo of the University of California Santa Cruz. Also read | Skygazers get a rare cosmic treat as 'Cold Moon' shines after 19 years Earlier, it was believed that the Moon was formed after a large object, roughly the size of Mars, struck the Earth, while it was still in its formation stages about 4.35 billion years ago. However, the new research suggests it was formed much earlier and then experienced a dramatic “re-melting” at the time which was assumed for its creation. According to the research, this re-melting event occurred due to the Earth’s and Moon’s gravitational pull tugging at each other, called a tidal force, which caused it to stretch and squish and warm the Moon drastically due to friction. The study also explains the existence of zircon crystals, a mineral found on lunar rocks during the Apollo mission. The age of this mineral can be determined by observing the ratio of uranium to lead. Also read | Saturn's rings may have existed since the Solar System was created: Study The zircon crystals have been dated significantly older than the age of the Moon. While one crystal has been measured to be 4.46 billion years old, another was calculated to have formed 4.51 billion years ago. The melting process altered the lunar surface, causing the metals to sink below and hiding the Moon’s real age, according to the study that was published in the journal Nature. This would imply that our planet has been with its natural satellite for almost its entire lifespan as it is estimated to have formed 4.54 billion years ago. (With inputs from agencies)

The Moon may be much older than we thought, new study suggests

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