<p>India's astronaut designates and Indian Air Force Test pilots, Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla and Prashant Balakrishnan Nair will commence their training at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, this week. Indian space agency ISRO announced on Friday (Aug 2) that India's Human Spaceflight Centre (HSFC) has entered into a spaceflight agreement (SFA) with Axiom Space Inc, an American firm that has been identified by NASA. Axiom is a private firm that facilitates a ride to space for paying customers. In this case, Axiom will facilitate the spaceflight of an Indian astronaut, aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Falcon 9 is the only contemporary American rocket with a proven track record of multiple astronaut-ferrying missions.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/isro?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#isro</a> confirms what we at <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WIONews</a> had reported on July 13th... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Indian</a> astronauts &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndianAirForce?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndianAirForce</a> test pilots Grp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla &amp; PB Nair to train at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NASA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NASA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA_Johnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASA_Johnson</a> from this month... One of these 2 will fly to <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a> <a href="https://t.co/dcbyJsrL3S">pic.twitter.com/dcbyJsrL3S</a></p>
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1819363517369073858?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>On July 13,&nbsp;2024, WION had&nbsp;exclusively reported on this development and mentioned that one among the two will fly to the International Space Station in a United States-led mission, later this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/exclusive-indian-astronauts-us-training-from-august-spaceflight-by-year-end-740415">Exclusive: Indian astronauts' US training from August; spaceflight by year-end</a></strong></p>

<p>According to ISRO, India's Primary Gaganyatri (space traveller) for this mission will be Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and the backup candidate will be Group Captain Prashant Balakrishnan Nair. One among them will be later approved to fly to the International Space Station (ISS), an orbiting lab that circles 425 kilometres&nbsp;above&nbsp;Earth. The Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP) is responsible for choosing the Indian candidate who will fly to the ISS.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>During his stay in space, as part of the Axiom-4 mission, the chosen Indian astronaut will be undertaking scientific research and technology demonstration experiments aboard the ISS.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is Gaganyaan? What is India preparing its astronaut candidates for?</strong></h2>

<p>India has revealed the names of four astronaut candidates who are to fly on the country's homegrown 'Gaganyaan' programme that aims to fly an astronaut-carrying capsule to Earth's orbit (400 km above the planet's surface) and bring them back safely for an oceanic splashdown landing. Gaganyaan was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, as India's maiden mission to fly humans (trained astronauts) to space.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gaganyaan would be carried out by the Indian Space Agency ISRO, with test pilots of the Indian Air Force, serving as the crew members. The four candidates have already completed their training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in&nbsp;Moscow, and are presently undergoing training at ISRO and Indian Air Force facilities, while also assisting ISRO teams in designing and developing some systems required for Gaganyaan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gaganyaan is the first step in a series of sustained human spaceflight missions that India wants to carry out in a phased manner. By the end of this decade, India hopes to put an uncrewed space station in Earth orbit. By 2035, it would be used as a crewed Indian outpost that's circling the earth. India also plans to land its astronauts on the moon by 2040, a feat that only America has accomplished in 1969, and China hopes to do so by the end of this decade.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Soviets flew the first&nbsp;Indian to space in 1984; the US to fly 2nd Indian to space in 2024</strong></h2>

<p>In 1984, 40 years ago,&nbsp;Indian Air Force Pilot Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma flew to space as part of the Soviet Interkosmos programme. He is the only Indian to have flown to space. He did so on the Soviet Soyuz T-11 mission to the Salyut-7 space station, a lab that circles above the Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gaganyaan is India's own attempt at launching astronauts to space on a largely homegrown mission, with support from the US, Russia, and France, among others. Of these, Russia (erstwhile Soviet Union) and the US have been the pioneers of human spaceflight, since the Cold War era.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2023, during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State visit to the US, President Joe Biden had announced that 'NASA would provide advanced training to Indian astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, with a goal of mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2024.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Given that India's only experience of human spaceflight comes from Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma who went to space 40&nbsp;years ago, the 2024 mission to the ISS is expected to offer significant insights and experiences related to contemporary spaceflight and relevant technologies. This would offer crucial lessons to ISRO and its chosen candidate, as it prepares for the homegrown Gaganyaan mission.</p>

<p>At present, India is in the process of gradually testing various systems and technologies required to execute an uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, slated for later this year or in early 2025. After a couple of flawless uncrewed missions, India will embark on the astronaut-carrying mission, perhaps, by 2026.&nbsp;</p>


India's astronaut designates and Indian Air Force Test pilots, Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla and Prashant Balakrishnan Nair will commence their training at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, this week.

India's astronaut designates and Indian Air Force Test pilots, Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla and Prashant Balakrishnan Nair will commence their training at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, this week. Indian space agency ISRO announced on Friday (Aug 2) that India's Human Spaceflight Centre (HSFC) has entered into a spaceflight agreement (SFA) with Axiom Space Inc, an American firm that has been identified by NASA. Axiom is a private firm that facilitates a ride to space for paying customers. In this case, Axiom will facilitate the spaceflight of an Indian astronaut, aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Falcon 9 is the only contemporary American rocket with a proven track record of multiple astronaut-ferrying missions. #isro confirms what we at @WIONews had reported on July 13th... #Indian astronauts & #IndianAirForce test pilots Grp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla & PB Nair to train at #NASA @NASA_Johnson from this month... One of these 2 will fly to @Space_Station pic.twitter.com/dcbyJsrL3S — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) August 2, 2024 × On July 13, 2024, WION had exclusively reported on this development and mentioned that one among the two will fly to the International Space Station in a United States-led mission, later this year. Also read: Exclusive: Indian astronauts' US training from August; spaceflight by year-end According to ISRO, India's Primary Gaganyatri (space traveller) for this mission will be Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and the backup candidate will be Group Captain Prashant Balakrishnan Nair. One among them will be later approved to fly to the International Space Station (ISS), an orbiting lab that circles 425 kilometres above Earth. The Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP) is responsible for choosing the Indian candidate who will fly to the ISS. pic.twitter.com/9TDvha19gS — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) August 2, 2024 × During his stay in space, as part of the Axiom-4 mission, the chosen Indian astronaut will be undertaking scientific research and technology demonstration experiments aboard the ISS. What is Gaganyaan? What is India preparing its astronaut candidates for? India has revealed the names of four astronaut candidates who are to fly on the country's homegrown 'Gaganyaan' programme that aims to fly an astronaut-carrying capsule to Earth's orbit (400 km above the planet's surface) and bring them back safely for an oceanic splashdown landing. Gaganyaan was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, as India's maiden mission to fly humans (trained astronauts) to space. Gaganyaan would be carried out by the Indian Space Agency ISRO, with test pilots of the Indian Air Force, serving as the crew members. The four candidates have already completed their training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Moscow, and are presently undergoing training at ISRO and Indian Air Force facilities, while also assisting ISRO teams in designing and developing some systems required for Gaganyaan. Gaganyaan is the first step in a series of sustained human spaceflight missions that India wants to carry out in a phased manner. By the end of this decade, India hopes to put an uncrewed space station in Earth orbit. By 2035, it would be used as a crewed Indian outpost that's circling the earth. India also plans to land its astronauts on the moon by 2040, a feat that only America has accomplished in 1969, and China hopes to do so by the end of this decade. Soviets flew the first Indian to space in 1984; the US to fly 2nd Indian to space in 2024 In 1984, 40 years ago, Indian Air Force Pilot Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma flew to space as part of the Soviet Interkosmos programme. He is the only Indian to have flown to space. He did so on the Soviet Soyuz T-11 mission to the Salyut-7 space station, a lab that circles above the Earth. Gaganyaan is India's own attempt at launching astronauts to space on a largely homegrown mission, with support from the US, Russia, and France, among others. Of these, Russia (erstwhile Soviet Union) and the US have been the pioneers of human spaceflight, since the Cold War era. In 2023, during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State visit to the US, President Joe Biden had announced that 'NASA would provide advanced training to Indian astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, with a goal of mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2024. Given that India's only experience of human spaceflight comes from Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma who went to space 40 years ago, the 2024 mission to the ISS is expected to offer significant insights and experiences related to contemporary spaceflight and relevant technologies. This would offer crucial lessons to ISRO and its chosen candidate, as it prepares for the homegrown Gaganyaan mission. At present, India is in the process of gradually testing various systems and technologies required to execute an uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, slated for later this year or in early 2025. After a couple of flawless uncrewed missions, India will embark on the astronaut-carrying mission, perhaps, by 2026.

Indian astronauts Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Prashant Nair chosen to train at NASA 

Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore find themselves in an indefinite stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) after a 10-day mission turned into a prolonged ordeal. Watch in for more details!

Butch Wilmore & Sunita Williams stranded in space, NASA says 'no date set for astronauts'

Stuck in space for 52 days, no way home for astronauts; Helium leaks delaying return

<p>NASA issued a double warning as two massive asteroids rushed towards Earth at a scary speed to make a close flyby on August 1.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory said that the asteroids - 2024 OE and 2024 OO - are not an immediate threat to Earth and are likely to pass by the planet&nbsp;silently.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The sizes of the two asteroids, 2024 OE and 2024 OO, are 190 feet and 88 feet in diameter, respectively, which is roughly as big as a commercial aeroplane.</p>

<p>The larger asteroid is expected to pass by Earth at a safe distance of about 1.26 million miles and the smaller one at a&nbsp;distance of 925,000 miles.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-on-alert-as-150-foot-asteroid-set-to-come-deathly-close-to-earth-if-it-hits-the-planet-it-can-745461">NASA on alert as 150-foot asteroid set to come 'deathly' close to Earth. If it hits the planet it can...</a></p>

<p>These distances are farther from the Moon's orbit which means that our planet will remain safe as of now. Such flybys of the asteroids help the scientists in understanding the solar system's dynamic nature.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Asteroids are the remnants of the early solar system which are constantly in motion and some of them at times venture close to the path of the Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How is NASA tracking asteroids?</strong></h2>

<p>NASA, along with other space agencies, has established a network of telescopes and advanced computing for identifying near-Earth objects (NEOs).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Even though many of the NEOs don't come very near to Earth, some of them do come at a scary distance and get tagged as potentially hazardous asteroids which need more attention.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Such asteroids are more than 460 feet (140 metres) in size and their orbits bring them within a distance of 7.5 million kilometres from Earth</p>

<p>NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) has been monitoring all the NEOs and looking for any potential impact risks.</p>

<p>The Minor Planet Centre's databases provided information regarding the orbital position of these asteroids.</p>

<p>The major chunk of the data is provided by NASA-funded observatories such as Pan-STARRS, the Catalina Sky Survey, and NASA’s NEOWISE mission.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Stuck in space for 52 days, no way home for astronauts; Helium leaks delaying return</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/stuck-in-space-for-52-days-no-way-home-for-astronauts-helium-leaks-delaying-return-746104/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The NEO Surveyor mission will bolster future observations. Planetary radar projects like JPL’s Goldstone Solar System Radar Group also play an important role in tracking the asteroids.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to NASA, meteorites as big as a car come close to Earth every year and those as big as football fields cross the planet once every 2000 years.</p>

<p>The impact of an asteroid is understood by its mass, speed, angle of entry, and if it hits the Earth, then where.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA issued a double warning as two massive asteroids rushed towards Earth at a scary speed to make a close flyby on August 1. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory said that the asteroids - 2024 OE and 2024 OO - are not an immediate threat to Earth and are likely to pass by the planet silently.

NASA issued a double warning as two massive asteroids rushed towards Earth at a scary speed to make a close flyby on August 1. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory said that the asteroids - 2024 OE and 2024 OO - are not an immediate threat to Earth and are likely to pass by the planet silently. The sizes of the two asteroids, 2024 OE and 2024 OO, are 190 feet and 88 feet in diameter, respectively, which is roughly as big as a commercial aeroplane. The larger asteroid is expected to pass by Earth at a safe distance of about 1.26 million miles and the smaller one at a distance of 925,000 miles. Also Read: NASA on alert as 150-foot asteroid set to come 'deathly' close to Earth. If it hits the planet it can... These distances are farther from the Moon's orbit which means that our planet will remain safe as of now. Such flybys of the asteroids help the scientists in understanding the solar system's dynamic nature. Asteroids are the remnants of the early solar system which are constantly in motion and some of them at times venture close to the path of the Earth. How is NASA tracking asteroids? NASA, along with other space agencies, has established a network of telescopes and advanced computing for identifying near-Earth objects (NEOs). Even though many of the NEOs don't come very near to Earth, some of them do come at a scary distance and get tagged as potentially hazardous asteroids which need more attention. Such asteroids are more than 460 feet (140 metres) in size and their orbits bring them within a distance of 7.5 million kilometres from Earth NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) has been monitoring all the NEOs and looking for any potential impact risks. The Minor Planet Centre's databases provided information regarding the orbital position of these asteroids. The major chunk of the data is provided by NASA-funded observatories such as Pan-STARRS, the Catalina Sky Survey, and NASA’s NEOWISE mission. Watch: Stuck in space for 52 days, no way home for astronauts; Helium leaks delaying return The NEO Surveyor mission will bolster future observations. Planetary radar projects like JPL’s Goldstone Solar System Radar Group also play an important role in tracking the asteroids. According to NASA, meteorites as big as a car come close to Earth every year and those as big as football fields cross the planet once every 2000 years. The impact of an asteroid is understood by its mass, speed, angle of entry, and if it hits the Earth, then where. (With inputs from agencies)

Double asteroid threat! NASA says two massive space rocks to make scary flyby Earth today

NASA's Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore faces indefinite stay in space

Long before Apollo astronauts set foot on the Moon, the lunar surface was a mystery. It all changed after NASA's Ranger 7 sent the first images of the lunar surface. The mission marked a turning point in America’s lunar exploration program.

NASA's Ranger 7 Photographed the Moon, 60 Years Ago

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore's extended stay in space has exacerbated bone density loss and muscle atrophy. With delays in their return to Earth due to a helium leak in their spacecraft, the Boeing Starliner, concerns mount as to how long the astronauts will be left in space before things get worse.

NASA'S Sunita Williams, Barry Battle Bone, Muscle Loss Due to Extended Stay in Space

<p>NASA has issued&nbsp;warning after they spotted a 150-foot (46-metre) asteroid&nbsp;named 2024 NS1, hurtling towards Earth at a threatening speed of 27,274 km/h.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The asteroid, which is almost the size of an aeroplane, will make its closest approach to Earth on August 2 at 00:05 UTC (5:35 IST).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Asteroid 2024 NS1 has been classified as an Apollo asteroid, which is part of a group of near-Earth objects (NEOs) whose orbits cross the path of the Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Even though many of the NEOs don't come very near to Earth, some of them do come at a scary distance and get tagged as potentially hazardous asteroids which need more attention.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-is-on-alert-as-gigantic-asteroid-zooms-too-close-to-earth-to-turn-catastrophic-if-moves-from-orbit-742645">NASA on alert as gigantic asteroid zooms too close to Earth, might turn catastrophic if moves from orbit</a></p>

<p>Such asteroids are more than 460 feet (140 metres) in size and their orbits bring them within the distance of 7.5 million kilometres from Earth. However, since asteroid 2024 NS1 is not a potentially hazardous asteroid, it will zoom at a safe distance of nearly 2 million kilometres from Earth.</p>

<p>It has not been identified as a potentially hazardous asteroid because of its size. However, NASA has been continuously monitoring it to ensure it is not undergoing any changes in its trajectory.</p>

<h2><strong>What will happen if asteroid 2024 NS1 hits Earth?</strong></h2>

<p>If an asteroid similar to 2024 NS1 hits Earth, the impact would depend on the asteroid's size, speed, and impact location.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A 150-foot asteroid has the potential to cause&nbsp;damage to property&nbsp;and extensive injuries. However, larger asteroids can cause catastrophic events, like climate changes and tsunamis.</p>

<p>NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) has been monitoring all the NEOs and looking for any potential impact risks.</p>

<p>The Minor Planet Centre's databases provided information regarding the orbital position of these asteroids.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;US to upgrade sensors, communications &amp; space technologies in Arctic</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-to-upgrade-sensors-communications-space-technologies-in-arctic-743496/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The major chunk of the data is provided by NASA-funded observatories such as Pan-STARRS, the Catalina Sky Survey, and NASA’s NEOWISE mission.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The NEO Surveyor mission will bolster future observations. Planetary radar projects like JPL’s Goldstone Solar System Radar Group also play an important role in tracking the asteroids.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As of now, all the data collected shows that 2024 NS1 will pass by Earth without causing any harm.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA has issued warning after they spotted a 150-foot (46-metre) asteroid named 2024 NS1, hurtling towards Earth at a threatening speed of 27,274 km/h. The asteroid, which is almost the size of an aeroplane, will make its closest approach to Earth on August 2 at 00:05 UTC (5:35 IST).

NASA has issued warning after they spotted a 150-foot (46-metre) asteroid named 2024 NS1, hurtling towards Earth at a threatening speed of 27,274 km/h. The asteroid, which is almost the size of an aeroplane, will make its closest approach to Earth on August 2 at 00:05 UTC (5:35 IST). Asteroid 2024 NS1 has been classified as an Apollo asteroid, which is part of a group of near-Earth objects (NEOs) whose orbits cross the path of the Earth. Even though many of the NEOs don't come very near to Earth, some of them do come at a scary distance and get tagged as potentially hazardous asteroids which need more attention. Also Read: NASA on alert as gigantic asteroid zooms too close to Earth, might turn catastrophic if moves from orbit Such asteroids are more than 460 feet (140 metres) in size and their orbits bring them within the distance of 7.5 million kilometres from Earth. However, since asteroid 2024 NS1 is not a potentially hazardous asteroid, it will zoom at a safe distance of nearly 2 million kilometres from Earth. It has not been identified as a potentially hazardous asteroid because of its size. However, NASA has been continuously monitoring it to ensure it is not undergoing any changes in its trajectory. What will happen if asteroid 2024 NS1 hits Earth? If an asteroid similar to 2024 NS1 hits Earth, the impact would depend on the asteroid's size, speed, and impact location. A 150-foot asteroid has the potential to cause damage to property and extensive injuries. However, larger asteroids can cause catastrophic events, like climate changes and tsunamis. NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) has been monitoring all the NEOs and looking for any potential impact risks. The Minor Planet Centre's databases provided information regarding the orbital position of these asteroids. Watch: US to upgrade sensors, communications & space technologies in Arctic The major chunk of the data is provided by NASA-funded observatories such as Pan-STARRS, the Catalina Sky Survey, and NASA’s NEOWISE mission. The NEO Surveyor mission will bolster future observations. Planetary radar projects like JPL’s Goldstone Solar System Radar Group also play an important role in tracking the asteroids. As of now, all the data collected shows that 2024 NS1 will pass by Earth without causing any harm. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA on alert as 150-foot asteroid set to come 'deathly' close to Earth. If it hits the planet it can...

NASA's Perseverance rover has discovered a rock on Mars that may have once hosted microbial life. Watch in for more details!

NASA Perseverance rover discovery hints at microbial life on Mars | WION Originals

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<p>The Indian space sector regulator and facilitator, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has given the authorisation to&nbsp;an Indian firm to build a facility that can be used to track and communicate with satellites.</p>

<p>Commonly known as a satellite ground station or an earth station, such facilities perform what is known as Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&amp;C). This involves tracking satellites, issuing commands to satellites, monitoring their health, and downloading data from satellites.</p>

<p>This approval for a private satellite ground station is in line with the Indian government's decision to permit private firms to perform all kinds of space activities.</p>

<p>Indian companies&nbsp;have already launched experimental rockets and are gearing up for space launches. Meanwhile,&nbsp;multiple Indian-built satellites have been launched from India and abroad. Likewise, the Indian government has now approved the setting up of a ground station by the firm AzistaBST.</p>

<p>Dr&nbsp;P K Jain, Director- Program Management and Authorization Directorate (PMAD), IN-SPACe, said, "This authorisation is yet another step by the Government to encourage and enable Indian satellite operators who will now have alternative Indian ground station service providers for their satellite operations and data reception in the UHF band."</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;US charges North Korean man with cyberattacks on NASA</strong></p>

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<p>While the government-run Indian space agency ISRO operates its own tracking facilities, the private one is aimed at domestic&nbsp;and international customers.</p>

<p>Many firms that operate satellites do not invest in their own ground stations, which are quite expensive to set up. Instead, they depend on those who operate ground stations and offer their service for a price. The space industry calls it Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS).</p>

<p>The private ground station has been approved to operate in the Ultra High Frequency(UHF) band of 300 MHz to 3 GHz. This band is primarily used for satellite communications, including data relay for remote sensing, telemetry, and control of satellites.</p>

<p>They support various applications such as weather forecasting, environmental monitoring, and communications for scientific research and military operations.</p>

<h2><strong>An Indian Earth-imaging satellite constellation </strong></h2>

<p>In an unprecedented move, the Indian government and private sector are to unite for building a constellation of earth-imaging satellites with multiple sensors.</p>

<p>Operating a constellation comprising dozens or hundreds of satellites can help in getting a comprehensive global coverage, and the capability of imaging the same location at regular intervals. Such constellations serve various commercial, scientific and strategic purposes.</p>

<p>This includes disaster management, agricultural monitoring, studying environmental changes and surveillance of sensitive areas.</p>

<p>As the first step towards building such a constellation, the IN-SPACe released an Expression of Interest (EOI).</p>

<p>It invites private Indian firms to build and manage a constellation under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This long-term project involves the design, development, launch, and maintenance of a constellation of satellites equipped with advanced imaging technologies.</p>

<p>These satellites would be placed in Low Earth orbit (a region that is 300-2000 km above the Earth's surface). As they are very close to the Earth, satellites placed in LEO can capture very high-resolution pictures and short videos and can transmit them in near-real-time.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-shows-how-carbon-dioxide-gets-churned-in-sky-in-stunning-video-744423">NASA shows how carbon dioxide gets churned in sky in stunning video</a></strong></p>

<p>Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe said, "This is an initiative by IN-SPACe &amp; ISRO towards creating a self-reliant, robust, and sustainable Earth Observation System catering to the growing demand for Earth Observation data."</p>

<p>The satellites in the proposed constellation are meant to carry a combination of sensors such as panchromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral, and microwave. Once built and tested, these satellites would be placed in orbit by Indian rockets.</p>

<p>It must be noted that building and maintaining a satellite constellation is a constant process. In this case, the private firm would have to monitor the health of all satellites in the constellation, download the data generated by the satellites, process the data and offer it for a multitude of applications.</p>

<p>The private entity will also have the option of developing their own ground-based facilities to communicate with the satellites, upload commands and download data. Alternatively, they could use the ground-based facilities of Ground Stations as a Service (GSaaS) providers such as AzisatBST. Therefore, this entire project is capable of generating a significant amount of economic activity within India.</p>


The Indian space sector regulator and facilitator, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has given the authorisation to an Indian firm to build a facility that can be used to track and communicate with satellites.

The Indian space sector regulator and facilitator, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has given the authorisation to an Indian firm to build a facility that can be used to track and communicate with satellites. Commonly known as a satellite ground station or an earth station, such facilities perform what is known as Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C). This involves tracking satellites, issuing commands to satellites, monitoring their health, and downloading data from satellites. This approval for a private satellite ground station is in line with the Indian government's decision to permit private firms to perform all kinds of space activities. Indian companies have already launched experimental rockets and are gearing up for space launches. Meanwhile, multiple Indian-built satellites have been launched from India and abroad. Likewise, the Indian government has now approved the setting up of a ground station by the firm AzistaBST. Dr P K Jain, Director- Program Management and Authorization Directorate (PMAD), IN-SPACe, said, "This authorisation is yet another step by the Government to encourage and enable Indian satellite operators who will now have alternative Indian ground station service providers for their satellite operations and data reception in the UHF band." Watch | US charges North Korean man with cyberattacks on NASA × While the government-run Indian space agency ISRO operates its own tracking facilities, the private one is aimed at domestic and international customers. Many firms that operate satellites do not invest in their own ground stations, which are quite expensive to set up. Instead, they depend on those who operate ground stations and offer their service for a price. The space industry calls it Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS). The private ground station has been approved to operate in the Ultra High Frequency(UHF) band of 300 MHz to 3 GHz. This band is primarily used for satellite communications, including data relay for remote sensing, telemetry, and control of satellites. They support various applications such as weather forecasting, environmental monitoring, and communications for scientific research and military operations. An Indian Earth-imaging satellite constellation In an unprecedented move, the Indian government and private sector are to unite for building a constellation of earth-imaging satellites with multiple sensors. Operating a constellation comprising dozens or hundreds of satellites can help in getting a comprehensive global coverage, and the capability of imaging the same location at regular intervals. Such constellations serve various commercial, scientific and strategic purposes. This includes disaster management, agricultural monitoring, studying environmental changes and surveillance of sensitive areas. As the first step towards building such a constellation, the IN-SPACe released an Expression of Interest (EOI). It invites private Indian firms to build and manage a constellation under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This long-term project involves the design, development, launch, and maintenance of a constellation of satellites equipped with advanced imaging technologies. These satellites would be placed in Low Earth orbit (a region that is 300-2000 km above the Earth's surface). As they are very close to the Earth, satellites placed in LEO can capture very high-resolution pictures and short videos and can transmit them in near-real-time. Also read: NASA shows how carbon dioxide gets churned in sky in stunning video Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe said, "This is an initiative by IN-SPACe & ISRO towards creating a self-reliant, robust, and sustainable Earth Observation System catering to the growing demand for Earth Observation data." The satellites in the proposed constellation are meant to carry a combination of sensors such as panchromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral, and microwave. Once built and tested, these satellites would be placed in orbit by Indian rockets. It must be noted that building and maintaining a satellite constellation is a constant process. In this case, the private firm would have to monitor the health of all satellites in the constellation, download the data generated by the satellites, process the data and offer it for a multitude of applications. The private entity will also have the option of developing their own ground-based facilities to communicate with the satellites, upload commands and download data. Alternatively, they could use the ground-based facilities of Ground Stations as a Service (GSaaS) providers such as AzisatBST. Therefore, this entire project is capable of generating a significant amount of economic activity within India.

Indian government approves satellite tracking facility in Hyderabad

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover has made what could be its most astonishing discovery to date: possible signs of ancient life on the Red Planet. The six-wheeled robotic explorer came across an intriguing, arrow-shaped rock dubbed "Cheyava Falls" that may harbour fossilised microbes from billions of years ago when Mars was a watery world.

NASA's rover uncovers startling finds on Mars

<p>The Earth has been warming due to greenhouse gas emissions including&nbsp;carbon dioxide, which is&nbsp;making it difficult for humans&nbsp;to survive in some regions of the planet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Earth also&nbsp;marked its&nbsp;hottest day consecutively for two days in July.&nbsp;The&nbsp;video released by NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio shows how&nbsp;wind and air currents are pushing emissions of carbon dioxide around the atmosphere of Earth from January to March 2020.</p>

<p>Greenhouse emissions are being mapped by NASA and what is seen in the video is the ghoulish churning of carbon dioxide in the sky.</p>

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<p>The high-resolution video zooms in and looks into the individual sources of carbon dioxide, which include power plants and forest fires.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/in-a-first-nasa-streams-4k-video-footage-from-aircraft-to-iss-and-back-744193">In a first, NASA streams 4K video footage from aircraft to ISS and back</a></p>

<p>Climate scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland Lesley Ott said, "As policymakers and as scientists, we're trying to account for where carbon comes from and how that impacts the planet. You see here how everything is interconnected by these different weather patterns."</p>

<h2><strong>So who's the culprit of carbon dioxide&nbsp;emissions?</strong></h2>

<p>In the video, it is seen that it doesn't matter where the carbon dioxide emissions are coming from, however, some interesting global differences were seen.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Most of the carbon is seen getting emitted from the power plants, transportation and industry located in South Asia, China and the United States.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, in Africa and South America, most of the emissions come from burning, which includes land clearing, agricultural burning and forest fires.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Indian astronauts to train at NASA from August</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gaganyaan-mission-indian-astronaut-to-fly-to-space-station-by-2026-740296/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The image was seen&nbsp;pulsing due to&nbsp;many reasons. During the day, the forest fires flare and are seen slowing down at night.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the day, trees and plants were seen carrying out photosynthesis which released oxygen and absorbed carbon dioxide. The oceans and land masses were seen working as carbon sinks.</p>

<p>The visualisations were created using GEOS (Goddard Earth Observing System), which is an integrated system to model the atmosphere, ocean, and land systems of the Earth.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The Earth has been warming due to greenhouse gas emissions including carbon dioxide, which is making it difficult for humans to survive in some regions of the planet.

The Earth has been warming due to greenhouse gas emissions including carbon dioxide, which is making it difficult for humans to survive in some regions of the planet. The Earth also marked its hottest day consecutively for two days in July. The video released by NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio shows how wind and air currents are pushing emissions of carbon dioxide around the atmosphere of Earth from January to March 2020. Greenhouse emissions are being mapped by NASA and what is seen in the video is the ghoulish churning of carbon dioxide in the sky. × The high-resolution video zooms in and looks into the individual sources of carbon dioxide, which include power plants and forest fires. Also Read: In a first, NASA streams 4K video footage from aircraft to ISS and back Climate scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland Lesley Ott said, "As policymakers and as scientists, we're trying to account for where carbon comes from and how that impacts the planet. You see here how everything is interconnected by these different weather patterns." So who's the culprit of carbon dioxide emissions? In the video, it is seen that it doesn't matter where the carbon dioxide emissions are coming from, however, some interesting global differences were seen. Most of the carbon is seen getting emitted from the power plants, transportation and industry located in South Asia, China and the United States. However, in Africa and South America, most of the emissions come from burning, which includes land clearing, agricultural burning and forest fires. Watch: Indian astronauts to train at NASA from August The image was seen pulsing due to many reasons. During the day, the forest fires flare and are seen slowing down at night. During the day, trees and plants were seen carrying out photosynthesis which released oxygen and absorbed carbon dioxide. The oceans and land masses were seen working as carbon sinks. The visualisations were created using GEOS (Goddard Earth Observing System), which is an integrated system to model the atmosphere, ocean, and land systems of the Earth. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA shows how carbon dioxide gets churned in sky in stunning video

<p>James Webb Space Telescope, which is the largest and most powerful telescope ever launched into space, spotted a "super Jupiter" around a neighbouring star — and it has a super orbit. The exoplanet is the 12th closest exoplanet to Earth known to date. It is also the closest planet bigger&nbsp;than Jupiter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said that the planet, Epsilon Indi Ab, is one of the coldest exoplanets observed to date.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The planet is roughly the same diameter as Jupiter but with six times the mass. The big difference is that it takes this planet more than a century, possibly as long as 250 years, to go around its star. Its atmosphere is also rich in hydrogen similar to that of Jupiter.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/two-dwarf-failed-stars-are-getting-slammed-by-hot-sandy-wind-spots-james-webb-743755">Two dwarf ‘failed stars’ are getting slammed by hot, sandy wind, spots James Webb</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>An international team of astronomers observed Epsilon Indi Ab using the coronagraph on Webb's MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument). The feat is extraordinary as the exoplanet has been directly imaged and only a few tens of exoplanets have been directly imaged previously by space- and ground-based observatories.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The exoplanets that have been previously photographed are often the hottest and youngest, still emitting a significant amount of energy from their initial formation. Planets get fainter and more difficult to image as they cool and contract during their lifetime.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The research article, titled "A temperate super-Jupiter imaged with JWST in the mid-infrared" was published in the journal Nature on Wednesday (Jul 24).&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-nasa-captures-suns-dark-plasma-wildly-exploding-hitting-earth-with-solar-storm-743665">WATCH: NASA captures Sun's 'dark' plasma wildly exploding, hitting Earth with solar storm</a></strong></p>

<p>As quoted by NASA, Elisabeth Matthews, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg, Germany, said: "This discovery is exciting because the planet is quite similar to Jupiter — it is a little warmer and is more massive, but is more similar to Jupiter than any other planet that has been imaged so far."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Matthews further explained, "Cold planets are very faint, and most of their emission is in the mid-infrared. Webb is ideally suited to conduct mid-infrared imaging, which is extremely hard to do from the ground. We also needed good spatial resolution to separate the planet and the star in our images, and the large Webb mirror is extremely helpful in this aspect."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Caroline Morley of the University of Texas at Austin, who is a team member, said, "Our prior observations of this system have been more indirect measurements of the star, which actually allowed us to see ahead of time that there was likely a giant planet in this system tugging on the star. That's why our team chose this system to observe first with Webb."&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


James Webb Space Telescope, which is the largest and most powerful telescope ever launched into space, spotted a "super Jupiter" around a neighbouring star — and it has a super orbit.

James Webb Space Telescope, which is the largest and most powerful telescope ever launched into space, spotted a "super Jupiter" around a neighbouring star — and it has a super orbit. The exoplanet is the 12th closest exoplanet to Earth known to date. It is also the closest planet bigger than Jupiter. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said that the planet, Epsilon Indi Ab, is one of the coldest exoplanets observed to date. The planet is roughly the same diameter as Jupiter but with six times the mass. The big difference is that it takes this planet more than a century, possibly as long as 250 years, to go around its star. Its atmosphere is also rich in hydrogen similar to that of Jupiter. Also read: Two dwarf ‘failed stars’ are getting slammed by hot, sandy wind, spots James Webb An international team of astronomers observed Epsilon Indi Ab using the coronagraph on Webb's MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument). The feat is extraordinary as the exoplanet has been directly imaged and only a few tens of exoplanets have been directly imaged previously by space- and ground-based observatories. The exoplanets that have been previously photographed are often the hottest and youngest, still emitting a significant amount of energy from their initial formation. Planets get fainter and more difficult to image as they cool and contract during their lifetime. The research article, titled "A temperate super-Jupiter imaged with JWST in the mid-infrared" was published in the journal Nature on Wednesday (Jul 24). Also read: WATCH: NASA captures Sun's 'dark' plasma wildly exploding, hitting Earth with solar storm As quoted by NASA, Elisabeth Matthews, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg, Germany, said: "This discovery is exciting because the planet is quite similar to Jupiter — it is a little warmer and is more massive, but is more similar to Jupiter than any other planet that has been imaged so far." Matthews further explained, "Cold planets are very faint, and most of their emission is in the mid-infrared. Webb is ideally suited to conduct mid-infrared imaging, which is extremely hard to do from the ground. We also needed good spatial resolution to separate the planet and the star in our images, and the large Webb mirror is extremely helpful in this aspect." Caroline Morley of the University of Texas at Austin, who is a team member, said, "Our prior observations of this system have been more indirect measurements of the star, which actually allowed us to see ahead of time that there was likely a giant planet in this system tugging on the star. That's why our team chose this system to observe first with Webb." (With inputs from agencies)

James Webb spots 'super Jupiter' and it is one of the coldest exoplanets observed to date

<p>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said that a team at its Glenn Research Center in Cleveland streamed 4K video footage from an aircraft to the International Space Station (ISS) and back for the first time using optical (or laser) communications.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The team carried out the experiment as part of a series of tests on new technology. The scientists hope that this technology could provide live video coverage of astronauts on the Moon during the Artemis missions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA has sent data to and from orbit via radio waves in the past also. Notably, laser communications can transfer 10–100 times more data more quickly by using infrared light compared to radio frequency systems.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/rock-varnish-from-indias-ladakh-may-help-find-habitable-environments-in-space-744147">Rock varnish from India’s Ladakh may help find habitable environments in space</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>For the test, the scientists worked with the Air Force Research Laboratory and NASA's Small Business Innovation Research programme. They temporarily installed a portable laser terminal on the belly of a Pilatus PC-12 aircraft.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They then flew over Lake Erie sending data from the aircraft to an optical ground station in Cleveland and it was then sent over an Earth-based network to White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The scientists at NASA's facility in New Mexico used infrared light signals to send the data. The space agency stated that the signals travelled 22,000 miles away from Earth to its Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD), which is an orbiting experimental platform.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/james-webb-spots-super-jupiter-and-it-is-one-of-the-coldest-exoplanets-observed-to-date-743898">James Webb spots 'super Jupiter' and it is one of the coldest exoplanets observed to date</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The signal was then relayed by the LCRD to the ILLUMA-T (Integrated LCRD LEO User Modem and Amplifier Terminal) payload mounted on the orbiting laboratory. In the end, ILLUMA-T sent the data back to Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dr Daniel Raible, who is a principal investigator for the HDTN project at Glenn, said, "These experiments are a tremendous accomplishment. We can now build upon the success of streaming 4K HD videos to and from the space station to provide future capabilities, like HD videoconferencing, for our Artemis astronauts, which will be important for crew health and activity coordination."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Mysterious dark oxygen found on ocean floor</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Missy Elliott's song sent into deep space</strong></h2>

<p>For the first time, NASA recently transmitted the lyrics of popular Missy Elliot's song "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" to Venus, which is about 158 million miles (254 million kilometres) away. The lyrics were beamed using DSN (Deep Space Network).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The space agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California sent the transmission at 10:05 am PDT on July 12.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2008, NASA beamed The Beatles song "Across the Universe" into space. Elliott's 1997 debut single became the first hip-hop song sent to deep space.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said that a team at its Glenn Research Center in Cleveland streamed 4K video footage from an aircraft to the International Space Station (ISS) and back for the first time using optical (or laser) communications.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said that a team at its Glenn Research Center in Cleveland streamed 4K video footage from an aircraft to the International Space Station (ISS) and back for the first time using optical (or laser) communications. The team carried out the experiment as part of a series of tests on new technology. The scientists hope that this technology could provide live video coverage of astronauts on the Moon during the Artemis missions. NASA has sent data to and from orbit via radio waves in the past also. Notably, laser communications can transfer 10–100 times more data more quickly by using infrared light compared to radio frequency systems. Also read: Rock varnish from India’s Ladakh may help find habitable environments in space For the test, the scientists worked with the Air Force Research Laboratory and NASA's Small Business Innovation Research programme. They temporarily installed a portable laser terminal on the belly of a Pilatus PC-12 aircraft. They then flew over Lake Erie sending data from the aircraft to an optical ground station in Cleveland and it was then sent over an Earth-based network to White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The scientists at NASA's facility in New Mexico used infrared light signals to send the data. The space agency stated that the signals travelled 22,000 miles away from Earth to its Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD), which is an orbiting experimental platform. Also read: James Webb spots 'super Jupiter' and it is one of the coldest exoplanets observed to date The signal was then relayed by the LCRD to the ILLUMA-T (Integrated LCRD LEO User Modem and Amplifier Terminal) payload mounted on the orbiting laboratory. In the end, ILLUMA-T sent the data back to Earth. Dr Daniel Raible, who is a principal investigator for the HDTN project at Glenn, said, "These experiments are a tremendous accomplishment. We can now build upon the success of streaming 4K HD videos to and from the space station to provide future capabilities, like HD videoconferencing, for our Artemis astronauts, which will be important for crew health and activity coordination." Watch: Gravitas: Mysterious dark oxygen found on ocean floor × Missy Elliott's song sent into deep space For the first time, NASA recently transmitted the lyrics of popular Missy Elliot's song "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" to Venus, which is about 158 million miles (254 million kilometres) away. The lyrics were beamed using DSN (Deep Space Network). The space agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California sent the transmission at 10:05 am PDT on July 12. In 2008, NASA beamed The Beatles song "Across the Universe" into space. Elliott's 1997 debut single became the first hip-hop song sent to deep space. (With inputs from agencies)

In a first, NASA streams 4K video footage from aircraft to ISS and back

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidogzO468mzJsz" /></p>

<p>A NASA&nbsp;spacecraft recorded a video of two loops of "dark" plasma exploding on the surface of the Sun on Sunday (Jul&nbsp;21).</p>

<p>NASA's&nbsp;Solar Dynamics Observatory&nbsp;(SDO) observed the two loops of cool, dense plasma eruption from the surface of the sun.</p>

<p>These black-coloured loops of plasma were found to be coronal mass ejection's&nbsp;(CME) beginning stages which is considered to be a solar magnetic mess that releases solar storms&nbsp;towards Earth.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-suggest-our-solar-system-was-shaped-like-donut-in-the-beginning-736475">Scientists suggest our Solar System was shaped like donut in the beginning</a></p>

<p>In the fast-forwarded video, two wispy black plumes of plasma are seen erupting from sunspot AR3757 along with an M1-class solar flare.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Watch two plumes of 'dark' plasma explode from the sun and send solar storm towards Earth (video) <a href="https://t.co/WKtcTmLQ0U">https://t.co/WKtcTmLQ0U</a> <a href="https://t.co/JSxDWcgcOF">pic.twitter.com/JSxDWcgcOF</a></p>
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<p>The active sunspot regions are capable of releasing electromagnetic energy from the corona of the sun at any moment and these plumes move away from the atmosphere of the sun, then collect more and more plasma which eventually consolidates into the inner making of the CME.</p>

<h2><strong>Why is the solar plasma dark?</strong></h2>

<p>According to scientists, when the plasma is spewed from the sunspot and moves away from the sun, it is at a comparatively lower density and temperature than when it is inside the Sun. This makes it appear dark in the imagery of the SDO.</p>

<p>After the CME is born, the images from the&nbsp;SOHO coronagraph are used by the scientists to spot the halo, which is its signature and understand if it is propagating toward Earth and can impact our planet.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Indian astronauts to train at NASA from August</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gaganyaan-mission-indian-astronaut-to-fly-to-space-station-by-2026-740296/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>According to the forecast of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC)<u>,</u> the CME is likely to reach Earth later on Wednesday&nbsp;(Jul&nbsp;24) and begin another geomagnetic activity.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A NASA spacecraft recorded a video of two loops of "dark" plasma exploding on the surface of the Sun on Sunday (Jul 21). NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) observed the two loops of cool, dense plasma eruption from the surface of the sun.

A NASA spacecraft recorded a video of two loops of "dark" plasma exploding on the surface of the Sun on Sunday (Jul 21). NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) observed the two loops of cool, dense plasma eruption from the surface of the sun. These black-coloured loops of plasma were found to be coronal mass ejection's (CME) beginning stages which is considered to be a solar magnetic mess that releases solar storms towards Earth. Also Read: Scientists suggest our Solar System was shaped like donut in the beginning In the fast-forwarded video, two wispy black plumes of plasma are seen erupting from sunspot AR3757 along with an M1-class solar flare. Watch two plumes of 'dark' plasma explode from the sun and send solar storm towards Earth (video) https://t.co/WKtcTmLQ0U pic.twitter.com/JSxDWcgcOF — All About Space (@spaceanswers) July 22, 2024 × The active sunspot regions are capable of releasing electromagnetic energy from the corona of the sun at any moment and these plumes move away from the atmosphere of the sun, then collect more and more plasma which eventually consolidates into the inner making of the CME. Why is the solar plasma dark? According to scientists, when the plasma is spewed from the sunspot and moves away from the sun, it is at a comparatively lower density and temperature than when it is inside the Sun. This makes it appear dark in the imagery of the SDO. After the CME is born, the images from the SOHO coronagraph are used by the scientists to spot the halo, which is its signature and understand if it is propagating toward Earth and can impact our planet. Watch: Indian astronauts to train at NASA from August According to the forecast of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), the CME is likely to reach Earth later on Wednesday (Jul 24) and begin another geomagnetic activity. (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH: NASA captures Sun's 'dark' plasma wildly exploding, hitting Earth with solar storm

<p>NASA has sounded&nbsp;an alarm regarding the massive 380-foot giant Asteroid 2011 MW1 which is hurtling at a dangerous speed towards Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The American space agency has revealed that Asteroid 2011 MW1 is not some typical space pebble.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is massive in size when&nbsp;compared&nbsp;to other asteroids which come into Earth's cosmic neighbourhood. This near-Earth object is as big as a skyscraper.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The asteroid is hurtling towards our planet at a scary speed of 28,946 km per hour and will be just 2.4 million miles when it makes its close approach, as per&nbsp;data from&nbsp;NASA’s CNEOS.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-warns-against-apollos-180-ft-asteroid-hurtling-towards-earth-at-scary-speed-741412">NASA warns against 180-ft asteroid hurtling towards Earth at scary speed</a></p>

<p>The asteroid is expected to make its closest approach on July 25. According to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), it will be flying at a distance of 4.43 million miles which is a stone's throw away, in astronomical terms.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In case the asteroid deviates from its orbit, the consequences can be scary and maybe catastrophic for Earth.</p>

<h2><strong>Is the 380-foot asteroid a threat to Earth?</strong></h2>

<p>Even though the 380-foot asteroid flying towards Earth at scary speed can raise concerns, as of now people don't need to panic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA has been tracking the trajectory of the asteroid and has said it will be flying at a safe distance. Hence, Asteroid 2011 MW1 has not been marked as potentially hazardous.</p>

<p>Scientists have always been concerned about the asteroids racing towards Earth and carrying the potential of wiping out the entire human race.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Indian astronauts to train at NASA from August</strong></p>

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<p>Such space rocks are remnants left when the solar systems were formed and frequently make a close flyby of Earth, often causing concern&nbsp;to those tracking it.</p>

<p>Even though many of them have not been able to become an immediate threat, some have even been deflected due to their alarming proximity and massive size.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA has sounded an alarm regarding the massive 380-foot giant Asteroid 2011 MW1 which is hurtling at a dangerous speed towards Earth. The American space agency has revealed that Asteroid 2011 MW1 is not some typical space pebble.

NASA has sounded an alarm regarding the massive 380-foot giant Asteroid 2011 MW1 which is hurtling at a dangerous speed towards Earth. The American space agency has revealed that Asteroid 2011 MW1 is not some typical space pebble. It is massive in size when compared to other asteroids which come into Earth's cosmic neighbourhood. This near-Earth object is as big as a skyscraper. The asteroid is hurtling towards our planet at a scary speed of 28,946 km per hour and will be just 2.4 million miles when it makes its close approach, as per data from NASA’s CNEOS. Also Read: NASA warns against 180-ft asteroid hurtling towards Earth at scary speed The asteroid is expected to make its closest approach on July 25. According to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), it will be flying at a distance of 4.43 million miles which is a stone's throw away, in astronomical terms. In case the asteroid deviates from its orbit, the consequences can be scary and maybe catastrophic for Earth. Is the 380-foot asteroid a threat to Earth? Even though the 380-foot asteroid flying towards Earth at scary speed can raise concerns, as of now people don't need to panic. NASA has been tracking the trajectory of the asteroid and has said it will be flying at a safe distance. Hence, Asteroid 2011 MW1 has not been marked as potentially hazardous. Scientists have always been concerned about the asteroids racing towards Earth and carrying the potential of wiping out the entire human race. Watch: Indian astronauts to train at NASA from August Such space rocks are remnants left when the solar systems were formed and frequently make a close flyby of Earth, often causing concern to those tracking it. Even though many of them have not been able to become an immediate threat, some have even been deflected due to their alarming proximity and massive size. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA on alert as gigantic asteroid zooms too close to Earth, might turn catastrophic if moves from orbit

<p>NASA and Elon Musk's SpaceX have joined hands in the mission to blast 450 tonnes of International Space Station (ISS) and finally push it inside an ocean grave.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ISS has served as the perfect abode for the astronauts in space in the last 23 years. NASA announced in June that SpaceX would be paid $843 million for helping them in decommissioning the ISS.</p>

<p>Now on Wednesday (July 17), the detailed plan for pushing the ISS into the ocean was shared by NASA and SpaceX.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/strictly-speaking-earth-is-not-revolving-around-the-sun-currently-heres-what-it-means-740359">Strictly speaking, Earth is not revolving around the Sun currently. Here's what it means</a></p>

<p>The plan involved an extra-large and superpowered Dragon spaceship&nbsp;which will push the space station outside its orbit and turn it into a fiery plummet which will eventually crash in a remote ocean grave, most likely by 2031.</p>

<h2><strong>How SpaceX's Dragon spaceships are preparing for blast?</strong></h2>

<p>Currently, SpaceX's Dragon spaceships have been shuttling NASA astronauts&nbsp;and cargo, which are extremely light, to and from the space station.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is the reason why SpaceX has been supercharging one of its Dragons to blast the space station.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">With 6x more propellant and 4x the power of today’s Dragon spacecraft, SpaceX was selected to design and develop the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle for a precise, controlled deorbit of the <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a> <a href="https://t.co/GgtuplTwqQ">https://t.co/GgtuplTwqQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/E23sS7CE4U">pic.twitter.com/E23sS7CE4U</a></p>
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1813632705281818671?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to the plan, one of the existing Cargo Dragon will be fitted with a new high-powered trunk by SpaceX and will be supercharged with 46 Draco engines.</p>

<p>The resulting "deorbit vehicle" will be nearly twice as long as any common Dragon ship and will be six times more propellant for producing four times the power.</p>

<p>SpaceX's director of Dragon mission management Sarah Walker said that the mission's most complex part is the final burn which will push the ISS towards its final descent.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Discover the impact of AI on the scientific operations of NASA's Mars Rover</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/discover-the-impact-of-ai-on-the-scientific-operations-of-nasas-mars-rover-741914/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"This burn must be powerful enough to fly the entire space station, all the while resisting the torques and forces caused by increasing atmospheric drag on the space station to ensure that it ultimately terminates in the intended location," said Walker, in a briefing on Wednesday (July 17).</p>

<p>The final destination of the project will be a remote area of the ocean like the South Pacific, which has not been finalised yet.</p>

<p>NASA has decided to crash the football field-sized spacecraft nowhere but only in the open ocean to minimise its impact on Earth.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


NASA and Elon Musk's SpaceX have joined hands in the mission to blast 450 tonnes of International Space Station (ISS) and finally push it inside an ocean grave. The ISS has served as the perfect abode for the astronauts in space in the last 23 years.

NASA and Elon Musk's SpaceX have joined hands in the mission to blast 450 tonnes of International Space Station (ISS) and finally push it inside an ocean grave. The ISS has served as the perfect abode for the astronauts in space in the last 23 years. NASA announced in June that SpaceX would be paid $843 million for helping them in decommissioning the ISS. Now on Wednesday (July 17), the detailed plan for pushing the ISS into the ocean was shared by NASA and SpaceX. Also Read: Strictly speaking, Earth is not revolving around the Sun currently. Here's what it means The plan involved an extra-large and superpowered Dragon spaceship which will push the space station outside its orbit and turn it into a fiery plummet which will eventually crash in a remote ocean grave, most likely by 2031. How SpaceX's Dragon spaceships are preparing for blast? Currently, SpaceX's Dragon spaceships have been shuttling NASA astronauts and cargo, which are extremely light, to and from the space station. This is the reason why SpaceX has been supercharging one of its Dragons to blast the space station. With 6x more propellant and 4x the power of today’s Dragon spacecraft, SpaceX was selected to design and develop the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle for a precise, controlled deorbit of the @Space_Station https://t.co/GgtuplTwqQ pic.twitter.com/E23sS7CE4U — SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 17, 2024 × According to the plan, one of the existing Cargo Dragon will be fitted with a new high-powered trunk by SpaceX and will be supercharged with 46 Draco engines. The resulting "deorbit vehicle" will be nearly twice as long as any common Dragon ship and will be six times more propellant for producing four times the power. SpaceX's director of Dragon mission management Sarah Walker said that the mission's most complex part is the final burn which will push the ISS towards its final descent. Watch: Discover the impact of AI on the scientific operations of NASA's Mars Rover "This burn must be powerful enough to fly the entire space station, all the while resisting the torques and forces caused by increasing atmospheric drag on the space station to ensure that it ultimately terminates in the intended location," said Walker, in a briefing on Wednesday (July 17). The final destination of the project will be a remote area of the ocean like the South Pacific, which has not been finalised yet. NASA has decided to crash the football field-sized spacecraft nowhere but only in the open ocean to minimise its impact on Earth. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA, SpaceX to turn 450-ton ISS into a fireball and crash it into ocean. Here's how it will impact Earth

<p>Another massive asteroid, from the group of Apollo asteroids, named 2024 LY2 is being closely monitored by NASA as it zooms towards Earth at a speed of more than 28,000 km/h.</p>

<p>The gigantic space rock, which measures approximately 290 feet (88 metres) in size, has been flying in space at a scary speed of 28,156 kilometres per hour.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is expected to make its closest approach towards Earth on July 23, 2024, at 07:52 UTC (1:22 PM IST). When it makes a flyby, it is expected to be at a distance of nearly 4.5 million kilometres from Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-warns-against-apollos-180-ft-asteroid-hurtling-towards-earth-at-scary-speed-741412">NASA warns against 180-ft asteroid hurtling towards Earth at scary speed</a></p>

<h2><strong>Earth's tryst with Apollo asteroids</strong></h2>

<p>This is not the first Apollo asteroid hurtling towards Earth, NASA had earlier issued an alert against asteroid 2024 MG1, which belonged to the same group.</p>

<p>Apollo asteroids are a group of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) and their orbits intersect the orbit of Earth. The group was given a name after the scientists discovered the first asteroid of this group called 1862 Apollo.&nbsp;<br />
Such asteroids carry the potential risks if their orbits intersect with the orbit of the Earth closely.</p>

<p>Not all asteroids are considered as a threat, however, some of them like 2024 LY2 are considered as potentially hazardous asteroids and hence are monitored to ensure timely deflection, if required.</p>

<p>These asteroids are generally larger than about 460 feet (140 metres) and sometimes come inside the 4.6 million miles (7.5 million kilometres) of Earth’s orbit.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Indian astronauts to train at NASA from August</strong></p>

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<p>According to scientists, if an asteroid like 2024 LY2 collides with Earth, there will be various consequences depending on its size, speed, and composition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Considering the asteroid's estimated size of 290 feet, its impact can lead to localised devastation.</p>

<p>NASA's Monitoring and Response NASA along with other space agencies have&nbsp;been tracking asteroids like 2024 MG1 with the use of telescopes and radar systems.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While monitoring the asteroids, scientists are able to predict their path and adopt various mitigation strategies which range from deflection missions to evacuation plans decided for potentially affected areas.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Another massive asteroid, from the group of Apollo asteroids, named 2024 LY2 is being closely monitored by NASA as it zooms towards Earth at a speed of more than 28,000 km/h.

Another massive asteroid, from the group of Apollo asteroids, named 2024 LY2 is being closely monitored by NASA as it zooms towards Earth at a speed of more than 28,000 km/h. The gigantic space rock, which measures approximately 290 feet (88 metres) in size, has been flying in space at a scary speed of 28,156 kilometres per hour. It is expected to make its closest approach towards Earth on July 23, 2024, at 07:52 UTC (1:22 PM IST). When it makes a flyby, it is expected to be at a distance of nearly 4.5 million kilometres from Earth. Also Read: NASA warns against 180-ft asteroid hurtling towards Earth at scary speed Earth's tryst with Apollo asteroids This is not the first Apollo asteroid hurtling towards Earth, NASA had earlier issued an alert against asteroid 2024 MG1, which belonged to the same group. Apollo asteroids are a group of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) and their orbits intersect the orbit of Earth. The group was given a name after the scientists discovered the first asteroid of this group called 1862 Apollo. Such asteroids carry the potential risks if their orbits intersect with the orbit of the Earth closely. Not all asteroids are considered as a threat, however, some of them like 2024 LY2 are considered as potentially hazardous asteroids and hence are monitored to ensure timely deflection, if required. These asteroids are generally larger than about 460 feet (140 metres) and sometimes come inside the 4.6 million miles (7.5 million kilometres) of Earth’s orbit. Watch: Indian astronauts to train at NASA from August According to scientists, if an asteroid like 2024 LY2 collides with Earth, there will be various consequences depending on its size, speed, and composition. Considering the asteroid's estimated size of 290 feet, its impact can lead to localised devastation. NASA's Monitoring and Response NASA along with other space agencies have been tracking asteroids like 2024 MG1 with the use of telescopes and radar systems. While monitoring the asteroids, scientists are able to predict their path and adopt various mitigation strategies which range from deflection missions to evacuation plans decided for potentially affected areas. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA is on alert as another 290-ft Apollo asteroid hurtles towards Earth at alarming speed

<p>The quest for water (or ice) on the Moon is significant&nbsp;for scientists around the world. It's because the water can be harnessed as potential fuel for future space exploration missions, with the Moon effectively hosting a fuel station for spacecraft. Taking this idea forward, American&nbsp;space agency NASA launched its Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission, which aimed to map ice on the south pole of the Moon and then drill it out on the surface. Now, as per reports, NASA on Wednesday (Jul 17) scrapped the project citing cost and delay concerns.</p>

<h2><strong>$450 million already spent</strong></h2>

<p>The decision comes even as the space agency has already spent a whopping $450 million on the project. A rover, that the agency planned to use in the mission, has already been assembled and the construction of the lander was in the works. Now, NASA says it's looking for potential buyers for that rover, which can be used in lunar exploration missions.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwieitrUjbOHAxVQUWwGHT9MANwQxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/decline-in-indias-vulture-population-impacted-human-health-contributing-to-thousands-of-deaths-report-741732" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/science/decline-in-indias-vulture-population-impacted-human-health-contributing-to-thousands-of-deaths-report-741732&amp;ved=2ahUKEwieitrUjbOHAxVQUWwGHT9MANwQxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE">Decline in India`s vulture population impacted human health, contributing to thousands of deaths: Report</a></strong></p>

<p>Nicola Fox, associate administrator for NASA’s science mission directorate, said it was a "tough decision."</p>

<p>“This has been a really tough decision, which we make in an uncertain budget environment,” Fox said. “But we do believe that this is a way for us to continue to support the entire CLPS portfolio.”</p>

<h2><strong>Why has the project been cancelled?</strong></h2>

<p>The United States&nbsp;Congress had allocated $433.5 million for the VIPER project. The mission's objective was to land the rover on the lunar surface by the end of 2023. But, new estimates suggested the mission will require $176 million more and would only be ready for launch by late 2025.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwieitrUjbOHAxVQUWwGHT9MANwQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-finally-know-why-do-we-blush-741791" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-finally-know-why-do-we-blush-741791&amp;ved=2ahUKEwieitrUjbOHAxVQUWwGHT9MANwQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">Scientists finally know why do we blush</a></strong></p>

<p>NASA was not ready for this budget increase, amidst the agency's increased focus on the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) programme, where it plans to join forces with private players to transport scientific equipment to space.</p>

<h2><strong>NASA's quest for water on the Moon still ON'</strong></h2>

<p>Despite the closure of the VIPER project, NASA isn't going to put a halt to its ongoing search for water on the Moon.</p>

<p>“Despite what’s happening with VIPER, we are committed to continuing to study the Moon and to look for water and ice in all of our future missions,” Fox said during the 17 July announcement.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The quest for water (or ice) on the Moon is significant for scientists around the world. It's because the water can be harnessed as potential fuel for future space exploration missions, with the Moon effectively hosting a fuel station for spacecraft.

The quest for water (or ice) on the Moon is significant for scientists around the world. It's because the water can be harnessed as potential fuel for future space exploration missions, with the Moon effectively hosting a fuel station for spacecraft. Taking this idea forward, American space agency NASA launched its Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission, which aimed to map ice on the south pole of the Moon and then drill it out on the surface. Now, as per reports, NASA on Wednesday (Jul 17) scrapped the project citing cost and delay concerns. $450 million already spent The decision comes even as the space agency has already spent a whopping $450 million on the project. A rover, that the agency planned to use in the mission, has already been assembled and the construction of the lander was in the works. Now, NASA says it's looking for potential buyers for that rover, which can be used in lunar exploration missions. Also read: Decline in India`s vulture population impacted human health, contributing to thousands of deaths: Report Nicola Fox, associate administrator for NASA’s science mission directorate, said it was a "tough decision." “This has been a really tough decision, which we make in an uncertain budget environment,” Fox said. “But we do believe that this is a way for us to continue to support the entire CLPS portfolio.” Why has the project been cancelled? The United States Congress had allocated $433.5 million for the VIPER project. The mission's objective was to land the rover on the lunar surface by the end of 2023. But, new estimates suggested the mission will require $176 million more and would only be ready for launch by late 2025. Also read: Scientists finally know why do we blush NASA was not ready for this budget increase, amidst the agency's increased focus on the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) programme, where it plans to join forces with private players to transport scientific equipment to space. NASA's quest for water on the Moon still ON' Despite the closure of the VIPER project, NASA isn't going to put a halt to its ongoing search for water on the Moon. “Despite what’s happening with VIPER, we are committed to continuing to study the Moon and to look for water and ice in all of our future missions,” Fox said during the 17 July announcement. (With inputs from agencies)

After spending $450mn on lunar exploration mission, NASA abruptly cancels it

NASA's Perseverance Rover uses AI and its PIXL instrument to decide when to drill and store rock cores for future return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign. Watch in for more details!

Discover the impact of AI on the scientific operations of NASA's Mars Rover

<p>NASA has scripted history by discovering&nbsp;six unknown worlds outside our Solar System, which has pushed the number of exoplanets hunted so far to 5,502.</p>

<p>The new find is likely to further expand the understanding of life beyond Earth and the Solar System.</p>

<p>In 1992, the scientists&nbsp;had found the first exoplanets&nbsp;- which were twin planets, Poltergeist and Phobetor - which orbited the pulsar PSR B1257+12.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What are these six exoplanets?</strong></h2>

<p>The six new exoplanets discovered are &nbsp;HD 36384 b, TOI-198 b, TOI-2095 b, TOI-2095 c, TOI-4860 b, and MWC 758 c.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/strictly-speaking-earth-is-not-revolving-around-the-sun-currently-heres-what-it-means-740359">Strictly speaking, Earth is not revolving around the Sun currently. Here's what it means</a></p>

<p>HD 36384 b is a type of super-Jupiter which orbits a huge M giant star.' The scientists discovered this planet with the help of the radial velocity method.</p>

<p>TOI-198 b has been identified as a rocky planet which orbits on the habitable zone's innermost edge around the M dwarf star. The scientists used the transit method to detect this planet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, TOI-2095 b and&nbsp;TOI-2095 c emerged as large and hot super-Earths which have been orbiting the same M dwarf star.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Scientists say the Earth's core is behaving oddly. Here's why</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/scientists-say-the-earths-core-is-behaving-oddly-heres-why-739062/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Even though they are being called super-Earth, they share more similarity with Venus.&nbsp;</p>

<p>TOI-4860 b is a “hot Jupiter" or Jupiter-sized gas giant which orbits an M dwarf star. The planet completes an orbit every 1.52 days which means it is close to its star.</p>

<p>MWC 758 c is a type of giant protoplanet which has been orbiting a very young star. There is a protoplanetary disk on this star which is a rotating disc of dust and gas and can surround a young star.</p>

<p>When the scientists discovered the planet using direct imaging, it was discovered carving spiral arms into the protoplanetary disk of the star.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA has scripted history by discovering six unknown worlds outside our Solar System, which has pushed the number of exoplanets hunted so far to 5,502. The new find is likely to further expand the understanding of life beyond Earth and the Solar System.

NASA has scripted history by discovering six unknown worlds outside our Solar System, which has pushed the number of exoplanets hunted so far to 5,502. The new find is likely to further expand the understanding of life beyond Earth and the Solar System. In 1992, the scientists had found the first exoplanets - which were twin planets, Poltergeist and Phobetor - which orbited the pulsar PSR B1257+12. What are these six exoplanets? The six new exoplanets discovered are HD 36384 b, TOI-198 b, TOI-2095 b, TOI-2095 c, TOI-4860 b, and MWC 758 c. Also Read: Strictly speaking, Earth is not revolving around the Sun currently. Here's what it means HD 36384 b is a type of super-Jupiter which orbits a huge M giant star.' The scientists discovered this planet with the help of the radial velocity method. TOI-198 b has been identified as a rocky planet which orbits on the habitable zone's innermost edge around the M dwarf star. The scientists used the transit method to detect this planet. Meanwhile, TOI-2095 b and TOI-2095 c emerged as large and hot super-Earths which have been orbiting the same M dwarf star. Watch: Scientists say the Earth's core is behaving oddly. Here's why Even though they are being called super-Earth, they share more similarity with Venus. TOI-4860 b is a “hot Jupiter" or Jupiter-sized gas giant which orbits an M dwarf star. The planet completes an orbit every 1.52 days which means it is close to its star. MWC 758 c is a type of giant protoplanet which has been orbiting a very young star. There is a protoplanetary disk on this star which is a rotating disc of dust and gas and can surround a young star. When the scientists discovered the planet using direct imaging, it was discovered carving spiral arms into the protoplanetary disk of the star. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA spots six alien worlds rotating beyond Solar System, two are 'hot super-Earths'

<p>An exoplanet has differences between its eternal morning and eternal evening atmosphere - this model was previously predicted and researchers have finally confirmed it using the James Webb Space Telescope.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Researchers are talking about WASP-39 b, which is a gas giant exoplanet that orbits a G-type star. The mass WASP-39 b is 0.28 Jupiter and it takes 4.1 days to complete one orbit of its star, NASA revealed. WASP-39 b has a similar mass to Saturn. It orbits a star about 700 light-years away from Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The discovery of WASP-39 b was announced in 2011 and in July 2022, it became the first exoplanet to be studied by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, which is the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-find-underground-cave-on-moon-that-could-be-prime-location-for-future-lunar-base-741166">Scientists find underground cave on Moon that could be prime location for future lunar base</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Researchers have established that WASP-39 b is tidally locked to its parent star, which means it has a constant dayside and a constant nightside. One side of the planet is always exposed to its star, while the other is always covered in darkness.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA in its reports said that astronomers confirmed a temperature difference between the eternal morning and eternal evening on WASP-39 b using Webb's NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The astronomers found that evening appeared hotter by about 200 degrees Celsius and there is evidence for different cloud cover, with the "forever morning portion of the planet being likely cloudier than the evening".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also&nbsp;read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-shares-stunning-images-of-a-space-get-away-captured-by-webb-and-chandra-741018">NASA shares stunning images of a space get-away captured by Webb and Chandra</a></strong></p>

<p>As quoted by nasa.gov, Néstor Espinoza, who is an exoplanet researcher at the Space Telescope Science Institute and lead author on the study, said,&nbsp;"WASP-39 b has become a sort of benchmark planet in studying the atmosphere of exoplanets with Webb."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It has an inflated, puffy atmosphere, so the signal coming from starlight filtered through the planet’s atmosphere is quite strong," Espinoza added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The complete day/night boundary is represented by the previously published Webb spectra of the atmosphere of WASP-39b, which showed the presence of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, water vapour and sodium. But there was no detailed attempt to differentiate between one side and the other.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the day/night boundary is now divided into two semicircles, one from the evening and one from the morning, by the new methodology, which constructs two distinct spectra from the terminator region.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/our-sun-has-been-emanating-mysterious-radio-signals-for-decades-nasa-plans-to-find-the-exact-source-740983">Our sun is sending mysterious radio signals for decades. NASA plans to find the exact source</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>"Data reveals the evening as significantly hotter, a searing 1,450 degrees Fahrenheit (800 degrees Celsius), and the morning a relatively cooler 1,150 degrees Fahrenheit (600 degrees Celsius)," NASA said in its report.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It's really stunning that we are able to parse this small difference out, and it’s only possible due Webb's sensitivity across near-infrared wavelengths and its extremely stable photometric sensors," said Espinoza. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"Any tiny movement in the instrument or with the observatory while collecting data would have severely limited our ability to make this detection. It must be extraordinarily precise, and Webb is just that," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The findings were published on Monday (Jul 15) in Nature, titled, "Inhomogeneous terminators on the exoplanet WASP-39 b".&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


An exoplanet has differences between its eternal morning and eternal evening atmosphere - this model was previously predicted and researchers have finally confirmed it using the James Webb Space Telescope.

An exoplanet has differences between its eternal morning and eternal evening atmosphere - this model was previously predicted and researchers have finally confirmed it using the James Webb Space Telescope. Researchers are talking about WASP-39 b, which is a gas giant exoplanet that orbits a G-type star. The mass WASP-39 b is 0.28 Jupiter and it takes 4.1 days to complete one orbit of its star, NASA revealed. WASP-39 b has a similar mass to Saturn. It orbits a star about 700 light-years away from Earth. The discovery of WASP-39 b was announced in 2011 and in July 2022, it became the first exoplanet to be studied by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, which is the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space. Also read: Scientists find underground cave on Moon that could be prime location for future lunar base Researchers have established that WASP-39 b is tidally locked to its parent star, which means it has a constant dayside and a constant nightside. One side of the planet is always exposed to its star, while the other is always covered in darkness. NASA in its reports said that astronomers confirmed a temperature difference between the eternal morning and eternal evening on WASP-39 b using Webb's NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph). The astronomers found that evening appeared hotter by about 200 degrees Celsius and there is evidence for different cloud cover, with the "forever morning portion of the planet being likely cloudier than the evening". Also read: NASA shares stunning images of a space get-away captured by Webb and Chandra As quoted by nasa.gov, Néstor Espinoza, who is an exoplanet researcher at the Space Telescope Science Institute and lead author on the study, said, "WASP-39 b has become a sort of benchmark planet in studying the atmosphere of exoplanets with Webb." "It has an inflated, puffy atmosphere, so the signal coming from starlight filtered through the planet’s atmosphere is quite strong," Espinoza added. The complete day/night boundary is represented by the previously published Webb spectra of the atmosphere of WASP-39b, which showed the presence of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, water vapour and sodium. But there was no detailed attempt to differentiate between one side and the other. However, the day/night boundary is now divided into two semicircles, one from the evening and one from the morning, by the new methodology, which constructs two distinct spectra from the terminator region. Also read: Our sun is sending mysterious radio signals for decades. NASA plans to find the exact source "Data reveals the evening as significantly hotter, a searing 1,450 degrees Fahrenheit (800 degrees Celsius), and the morning a relatively cooler 1,150 degrees Fahrenheit (600 degrees Celsius)," NASA said in its report. "It's really stunning that we are able to parse this small difference out, and it’s only possible due Webb's sensitivity across near-infrared wavelengths and its extremely stable photometric sensors," said Espinoza. "Any tiny movement in the instrument or with the observatory while collecting data would have severely limited our ability to make this detection. It must be extraordinarily precise, and Webb is just that," he added. The findings were published on Monday (Jul 15) in Nature, titled, "Inhomogeneous terminators on the exoplanet WASP-39 b". (With inputs from agencies)

Researchers using James Webb to probe eternal sunrises and sunsets on distant world

<p>NASA has issued an alert against asteroid 2024 MG1 - which belongs to a class of asteroids known as the Apollo group which have their Earth-crossing orbits - and has been hurtling towards our planet at a scary speed of 33,600 kilometres per hour.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The asteroid, which measures 180 feet (55 metres) in size, will be making its closest approach to Earth on July 21, 2024, at 21:31 UTC (3:01 AM IST on July 22). The asteroid is expected to come within the distance of 4.2 million kilometres.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In astronomical terms, there seems to be a significant distance between the asteroid and Earth, however, such close encounters always raise concerns regarding their potential impacts.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-issues-sudden-warning-as-100ft-asteroid-races-towards-earth-at-zooming-speed-740568">NASA issues sudden warning as 100ft asteroid races towards Earth at lightning speed</a></p>

<h2><strong>What are Apollo asteroids?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Apollo asteroids are a group of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) and their orbits intersect the orbit of Earth. The group was given a name after the scientists discovered the first asteroid of this group called 1862 Apollo.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Such asteroids carry the potential risks if their orbits intersect with the orbit of the Earth closely.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What will happen if the asteroid collides with Earth?</strong></h2>

<p>According to scientists, if an asteroid like 2024 MG1 collides with Earth, there will be various consequences depending on its size, speed, and composition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Considering the asteroid's estimated size of 180 feet, its impact can lead to localised devastation, however, such occurrences are doubtful as the chances of 2024 MG1 colliding with Earth are very low.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Space agencies and scientists keep monitoring such asteroids to timely predict their movements and take the required action.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Indian astronauts to train at NASA from August</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gaganyaan-mission-indian-astronaut-to-fly-to-space-station-by-2026-740296/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2><strong>How NASA is monitoring asteroids?</strong></h2>

<p>NASA's Monitoring and Response NASA along with other space agencies has been tracking asteroids like 2024 MG1 with the use of telescopes and radar systems.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While monitoring the asteroids, scientists are able to predict their path and adopt various mitigation strategies which range from deflection missions to evacuation plans decided for potentially affected areas.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


NASA has issued an alert against asteroid 2024 MG1 - which belongs to a class of asteroids known as the Apollo group which have their Earth-crossing orbits - and has been hurtling towards our planet at a scary speed of 33,600 kilometres per hour.

NASA has issued an alert against asteroid 2024 MG1 - which belongs to a class of asteroids known as the Apollo group which have their Earth-crossing orbits - and has been hurtling towards our planet at a scary speed of 33,600 kilometres per hour. The asteroid, which measures 180 feet (55 metres) in size, will be making its closest approach to Earth on July 21, 2024, at 21:31 UTC (3:01 AM IST on July 22). The asteroid is expected to come within the distance of 4.2 million kilometres. In astronomical terms, there seems to be a significant distance between the asteroid and Earth, however, such close encounters always raise concerns regarding their potential impacts. Also Read: NASA issues sudden warning as 100ft asteroid races towards Earth at lightning speed What are Apollo asteroids? Apollo asteroids are a group of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) and their orbits intersect the orbit of Earth. The group was given a name after the scientists discovered the first asteroid of this group called 1862 Apollo. Such asteroids carry the potential risks if their orbits intersect with the orbit of the Earth closely. What will happen if the asteroid collides with Earth? According to scientists, if an asteroid like 2024 MG1 collides with Earth, there will be various consequences depending on its size, speed, and composition. Considering the asteroid's estimated size of 180 feet, its impact can lead to localised devastation, however, such occurrences are doubtful as the chances of 2024 MG1 colliding with Earth are very low. Space agencies and scientists keep monitoring such asteroids to timely predict their movements and take the required action. Watch: Indian astronauts to train at NASA from August How NASA is monitoring asteroids? NASA's Monitoring and Response NASA along with other space agencies has been tracking asteroids like 2024 MG1 with the use of telescopes and radar systems. While monitoring the asteroids, scientists are able to predict their path and adopt various mitigation strategies which range from deflection missions to evacuation plans decided for potentially affected areas. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA warns against 180-ft asteroid hurtling towards Earth at scary speed

<p>A warning was issued by NASA after they spotted a 100-foot&nbsp;asteroid&nbsp;named&nbsp;2024 NB2 which is about to make an extremely close flyby Earth on Saturday (July 13).</p>

<p>The aeroplane-sized asteroid is travelling at a stunning speed of 47,921 kilometres per hour. Even though it will be very close to the Earth, scientists believe that it won't act as an immediate threat to the planet.</p>

<p>The astronomers spotted asteroid 2024 NB2 racing towards Earth at the Catalina Sky Survey in Tucson, Arizona.</p>

<p>NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has been closely monitoring this near-Earth object in Southern California.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When the space rock makes its closest approach, the asteroid will be just 2,390,000 miles (3,850,000 kilometres) away from Earth. In astronomical terms, this distance is considered safe.</p>

<p>Asteroid 2024 NB2 is also being tracked by the Goldstone Solar System Radar, which is part of NASA’s Deep Space Network.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This radar system, which is located near Barstow, can give detailed observation of the size, orbit and speed of the asteroid.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-2024-mt-1-makes-extremely-close-approach-to-earth-739111">Asteroid 2024 MT-1 makes extremely close approach to Earth</a></p>

<p>Such observations are important to understand how near-Earth objects behave in space and improvise planetary defence strategies.</p>

<h2><strong>How does NASA keep an eye on any potential hazards to Earth?</strong></h2>

<p>The way Asteroid 2024 NB2 is moving towards Earth also reflects the importance of keeping a tab on space to detect any potential hazards.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA’s Planetary Defence Coordination Office (PDCO) has been tracking such cosmic objects and ensuring that Earth remains safe.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Indian astronauts to train at NASA from August</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gaganyaan-mission-indian-astronaut-to-fly-to-space-station-by-2026-740296/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The high speed at which the asteroid is travelling shows the solar system's dynamic nature.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Asteroids keep moving across space constantly and are influenced by the planets' gravitation pull.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The scientists can predict future trajectories by understanding their movements. It also helps in assessing potential risks.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A warning was issued by NASA after they spotted a 100-foot asteroid named 2024 NB2 which is about to make an extremely close flyby Earth on Saturday (July 13). The aeroplane-sized asteroid is travelling at a stunning speed of 47,921 kilometres per hour.

A warning was issued by NASA after they spotted a 100-foot asteroid named 2024 NB2 which is about to make an extremely close flyby Earth on Saturday (July 13). The aeroplane-sized asteroid is travelling at a stunning speed of 47,921 kilometres per hour. Even though it will be very close to the Earth, scientists believe that it won't act as an immediate threat to the planet. The astronomers spotted asteroid 2024 NB2 racing towards Earth at the Catalina Sky Survey in Tucson, Arizona. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has been closely monitoring this near-Earth object in Southern California. When the space rock makes its closest approach, the asteroid will be just 2,390,000 miles (3,850,000 kilometres) away from Earth. In astronomical terms, this distance is considered safe. Asteroid 2024 NB2 is also being tracked by the Goldstone Solar System Radar, which is part of NASA’s Deep Space Network. This radar system, which is located near Barstow, can give detailed observation of the size, orbit and speed of the asteroid. Also Read: Asteroid 2024 MT-1 makes extremely close approach to Earth Such observations are important to understand how near-Earth objects behave in space and improvise planetary defence strategies. How does NASA keep an eye on any potential hazards to Earth? The way Asteroid 2024 NB2 is moving towards Earth also reflects the importance of keeping a tab on space to detect any potential hazards. NASA’s Planetary Defence Coordination Office (PDCO) has been tracking such cosmic objects and ensuring that Earth remains safe. Watch: Indian astronauts to train at NASA from August The high speed at which the asteroid is travelling shows the solar system's dynamic nature. Asteroids keep moving across space constantly and are influenced by the planets' gravitation pull. The scientists can predict future trajectories by understanding their movements. It also helps in assessing potential risks. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA issues sudden warning as 100ft asteroid races towards Earth at lightning speed

NASA released on Friday a pair of images taken by the James Webb Space Telescope showing two galaxies - one nicknamed the Penguin and the other the Egg - in the process of merging in sort of a cosmic ballet as the US space agency marked two years since it unveiled the orbiting observatory's first scientific results.

NASA releases Webb telescope images of a galactic merger

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


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

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

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

Imagine going on a 10 day long trip, you complete your stay and then don't return even after a month and 10 days, this is the plight of the NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore who flew to the space station on the now notorious Boeing Starliner. Watch in for more details!

Gravitas | Boeing Starliner: Sunita WIlliams, Barry Wilmore address press over return delays

<p>Two astronauts from NASA, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, may be stuck in Boeing's Starliner till mid-August due to technical problems.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both astronauts boarded the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5. The test mission was initially planned for one week. However, due to technical problems faced by the Boeing Starliner, their return has been delayed quite a few times.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Boeing Starliner has encountered several problems, like small helium leaks and faulty thrusters, which have raised safety concerns. “All this information is going to go in a big bucket, and all the engineers are going to review it and try to see if it doesn’t point to root cause or point to some additional testing that we can do in the future to eliminate this problem once and for all,” Mark Nappi, vice-president of and program manager of Boeing's commercial crew program told the media. He believes that these hurdles will help make the Boeing Starliner more efficient.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/when-will-sunita-williams-return-home-from-space-indian-origin-astronaut-speaks-from-space-739714">When will Sunita Williams return home? Indian-origin astronaut speaks from space</a></strong></p>

<p>NASA revealed on Wednesday (Jul 10)&nbsp;that they were still running tests to ensure smooth performance of the space capsule. NASA is confident that the Boeing Starliner is equipped with emergency evacuation provisions for the astronauts if needed.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Sunita Williams speaks to the media, says she is optimistic about her return to Earth&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore held a press conference on July 10 from the International Space Station (ISS). "I feel confident that, if we had to, if there was a problem with the International Space Station, we would get in (the Starliner spacecraft) and we could undock, talk to our team, and figure out the best way to come home," Sunita Williams told the CNN. "I have a real good feeling in my heart that the spacecraft will bring us home, no problem," Williams added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Starliner astronauts 'confident' on return trip, Sunita Williams &amp; Billy Wilmore address press</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/starliner-astronauts-confident-on-return-trip-sunita-williams-billy-wilmore-address-press-739752/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Both Williams and Wilmore are optimistic about their return to Earth and said that they trust the team working towards bringing them back. They are confident that the technical skillset of the people working at NASA will bring them back safely. Wilmore said that he and Williams were enjoying the "extra" time in space and were unperturbed by the issues.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Boeing under scrutiny after Starliner faces technical problems&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Earlier this year, Boeing was accused of a flawed manufacturing process for its 787 Dreamliner planes. With Boeing's Starliner also facing several technical problems, the company is under scrutiny.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Boeing's Starliner was designed to carry seven passengers for low-Earth orbit missions. The space capsule is designed to be reused 10 times with a six-month turnaround.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With the return of the astronauts at the ISS being delayed due to technical issues, Boeing is struggling to keep their image intact. There are doubts about the company's safety record and whether it maintains quality standards.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Two astronauts from NASA, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, may be stuck in Boeing's Starliner till mid-August due to technical problems. Both astronauts boarded the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5.

Two astronauts from NASA, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, may be stuck in Boeing's Starliner till mid-August due to technical problems. Both astronauts boarded the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5. The test mission was initially planned for one week. However, due to technical problems faced by the Boeing Starliner, their return has been delayed quite a few times. The Boeing Starliner has encountered several problems, like small helium leaks and faulty thrusters, which have raised safety concerns. “All this information is going to go in a big bucket, and all the engineers are going to review it and try to see if it doesn’t point to root cause or point to some additional testing that we can do in the future to eliminate this problem once and for all,” Mark Nappi, vice-president of and program manager of Boeing's commercial crew program told the media. He believes that these hurdles will help make the Boeing Starliner more efficient. Also read | When will Sunita Williams return home? Indian-origin astronaut speaks from space NASA revealed on Wednesday (Jul 10) that they were still running tests to ensure smooth performance of the space capsule. NASA is confident that the Boeing Starliner is equipped with emergency evacuation provisions for the astronauts if needed. Sunita Williams speaks to the media, says she is optimistic about her return to Earth Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore held a press conference on July 10 from the International Space Station (ISS). "I feel confident that, if we had to, if there was a problem with the International Space Station, we would get in (the Starliner spacecraft) and we could undock, talk to our team, and figure out the best way to come home," Sunita Williams told the CNN. "I have a real good feeling in my heart that the spacecraft will bring us home, no problem," Williams added. Watch | Starliner astronauts 'confident' on return trip, Sunita Williams & Billy Wilmore address press Both Williams and Wilmore are optimistic about their return to Earth and said that they trust the team working towards bringing them back. They are confident that the technical skillset of the people working at NASA will bring them back safely. Wilmore said that he and Williams were enjoying the "extra" time in space and were unperturbed by the issues. Boeing under scrutiny after Starliner faces technical problems Earlier this year, Boeing was accused of a flawed manufacturing process for its 787 Dreamliner planes. With Boeing's Starliner also facing several technical problems, the company is under scrutiny. Boeing's Starliner was designed to carry seven passengers for low-Earth orbit missions. The space capsule is designed to be reused 10 times with a six-month turnaround. With the return of the astronauts at the ISS being delayed due to technical issues, Boeing is struggling to keep their image intact. There are doubts about the company's safety record and whether it maintains quality standards. (With inputs from agencies)

Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore may be stuck in space this summer due to technical problems in Boeing capsule

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


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

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

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

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