NASA's next-generation rocket that blasted off last month from New Zealand is now ready to test an 860 Square ft solar sail from within a microwave-sized Cube. The advanced solar sail boom could of course allow the Rockets to launch into space without fuel.

NASA to test 860 square foot Solar Sail to utilize sunlight to power deep space exploration

A NASA contractor has appealed to the space agency to stop the upcoming Boeing Starliner launch because of serious safety concerns being raised with the wares of the aerospace company.

A NASA contractor has appealed to the space agency to stop the upcoming Boeing Starliner launch because of serious safety concerns being raised with the wares of the aerospace company. In a press release, NASA contractor and president of ValveTech, which supplies parts to the agency, said that the officials heard a buzzing sound during the now-scrubbed Starliner launch which is likely to be an indication of something wrong with the transport capsule. "As a valued NASA partner and as valve experts, we strongly urge them not to attempt a second launch due to the risk of a disaster occurring on the launchpad," warned ValveTech president Erin Faville, while speaking to Futurism. "According to media reports, a buzzing sound indicating the leaking valve was noticed by someone walking by the Starliner minutes before launch. This sound could indicate that the valve has passed its lifecycle," he added. Also Read: From countdown to letdown: Sunita Williams' third trip to space delayed as Starliner launch is scrubbed After the buzzing sound was heard just before the first crewed launch attempt of Starliner earlier on May 6, NASA announced that the second attempt wouldn't happen at least before May 17. According to Faville, a lot of steps need to be taken to move away from the worst possible outcomes. "NASA needs to re-double safety checks and re-examine safety protocols," Faville said, adding, "to make sure the Starliner is safe before something catastrophic happens to the astronauts and to the people on the ground." United Launch Alliance pushes back warnings against Boeing Starliner The CEO of United Launch Alliance - the company which has been assigned the task of launching the craft into orbit - strongly refused to heed the warnings on X. "Not sure what to say about this one. Close to none of it is correct: Not urgent. Not leaking. Etc. Remarkable that the particular person quoted doesn't seem to know how this type of valve works," he said. The warnings of ValveTech came not just after the scrubbed Starliner launch but also in the wake of Boeing being embroiled in a controversy which included its parts falling off mid-air, the deaths of two whistleblowers and government investigations. Watch: Boeing Starliner launch postponed | Israel delegation to discuss Hamas proposal According to the press release notes of the company, the launch scrub took place after a November 2023 ruling in which a federal court discovered that a valve from another aerospace company Aerojet Rocketdyne was used by Boeing. Aerojet Rocketdyne is believed to be copying the designs of ValveTech's designs. As per a witness in the trial, the part was not perfect for the job it was meant to do, and as of now, the company has not replaced it. "ValveTech continues to question how NASA, Boeing and Aerojet could have qualified this valve for the mission without proper supporting data or previous history or legacy information, which in its experience, goes against aerospace-industry qualification protocols established by NASA," read the press release. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA contractor warns of 'disaster on launchpad' during second Starliner launch attempt

Black holes present in the universe have always intrigued astronomers who have tried to unravel the mysteries they encompass within their unknown vastness. Till now many black holes have been discovered by astronomers some of which are only a few times the sun's mass while some are tens of billions of times the mass of our sun.

Black holes present in the universe have always intrigued astronomers who have tried to unravel the mysteries they encompass within their unknown vastness. Till now many black holes have been discovered by astronomers some of which are only a few times the sun's mass while some are tens of billions of times the mass of our sun. It has now been suggested by a group of scientists that NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope can find a class of "featherweight" black holes which may have eluded detection till now. Also Read: Will falling into a black hole take you to fifth dimension? Here's what might actually happen The black holes are formed either when a massive star collapses or when there is a merger of heavy objects in the galaxies. The scientists, however, suspect that smaller "primordial" black holes, which include some with masses similar to that of Earth, may have been formed during the first chaotic moments of the early universe. University of California Santa Cruz's postdoctoral researcher William DeRocco said, "Detecting a population of Earth-mass primordial black holes would be an incredible step for both astronomy and particle physics because these objects can't be formed by any known physical process." He had led the study about how the black holes can be revealed by Roman. How primordial black holes may have been formed? According to scientists, the universe experienced a brief but intense phase when it was born, which is known as inflation when space stretched out faster than the speed of light. In such conditions, the areas which were denser in comparison to the surroundings are likely to have collapsed and formed low-mass primordial black holes. Although, the theory predicts that the smallest ones may have evaporated before the universe reached its present state, those which had masses similar to Earth may have survived. Watch: Gravitas: Cosmic hello from 226 million kilometres Scientists are trying to discover these tiny objects which they believe will have an enormous impact on physics and astronomy. Astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore Kailash Sahu said, "It would affect everything from galaxy formation to the universe's dark matter content to cosmic history." "Confirming their identities will be hard work and astronomers will need a lot of convincing, but it would be well worth it," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA telescope hunts for 'featherweight' black holes which have gone undetected

Scientists have found rocky planets outside of our solar system that contain an atmosphere, which is a&nbsp;necessary condition&nbsp;for any chance of sustaining life. However, this planet&nbsp;appears to have a molten rock surface and is inhabitable.

Scientists describe the planet as a "super-Earth," larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. This planet circles a star that is dimmer and smaller than our sun. It completes its orbit in around 18 hours.

The existence of the large hostile planet was revealed by the James Webb Space Telescope's infrared scans with two sensors.

"The atmosphere is likely rich in carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide, but can also have other gases such as water vapor and sulfur dioxide. The current observations cannot pinpoint the exact atmospheric composition," said planetary scientist Renyu Hu, the lead author of the study published in the journal Nature.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://wionews.com/science/water-world-lava-hell-former-nasa-scientist-hints-at-planets-where-alien-life-may-exist-719735">Water world, lava hell: Former NASA scientist hints at planets where alien life may exist</a>

The atmosphere's thickness was not evident from the Webb data. Hu said that it may be just as thick as Earth's or even thicker.

The planet known as Janssen, or 55 Cancri e, has a diameter of around twice that of Earth and is roughly 8.8 times more massive than Earth. It circles its star at a distance one-fifth that of Mercury. Consequently, the temperature at its surface is around 3,140 degrees Fahrenheit (1,725 degrees Celsius/2,000 degrees Kelvin).

"Indeed, this is one of the hottest-known rocky exoplanets," said astrophysicist and study co-author Brice-Olivier Demory. "There are likely better places for a vacation spot in our galaxy," he added.

The planet is situated in the constellation Cancer, approximately 41 light-years from Earth, within our Milky Way galaxy. &nbsp;

"On Earth, the atmosphere is key for life," Demory said.

"This result on 55 Cnc e entertains the hope that Webb could conduct similar investigations on planets that are much cooler than 55 Cnc e, which could support liquid water at their surface. But we are not there yet," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have found rocky planets outside of our solar system that contain an atmosphere, which is a necessary condition for any chance of sustaining life. However, this planet appears to have a molten rock surface and is inhabitable.

Scientists have found rocky planets outside of our solar system that contain an atmosphere, which is a necessary condition for any chance of sustaining life. However, this planet appears to have a molten rock surface and is inhabitable. Scientists describe the planet as a "super-Earth," larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. This planet circles a star that is dimmer and smaller than our sun. It completes its orbit in around 18 hours. The existence of the large hostile planet was revealed by the James Webb Space Telescope's infrared scans with two sensors. "The atmosphere is likely rich in carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide, but can also have other gases such as water vapor and sulfur dioxide. The current observations cannot pinpoint the exact atmospheric composition," said planetary scientist Renyu Hu, the lead author of the study published in the journal Nature. Also read: Water world, lava hell: Former NASA scientist hints at planets where alien life may exist The atmosphere's thickness was not evident from the Webb data. Hu said that it may be just as thick as Earth's or even thicker. The planet known as Janssen, or 55 Cancri e, has a diameter of around twice that of Earth and is roughly 8.8 times more massive than Earth. It circles its star at a distance one-fifth that of Mercury. Consequently, the temperature at its surface is around 3,140 degrees Fahrenheit (1,725 degrees Celsius/2,000 degrees Kelvin). "Indeed, this is one of the hottest-known rocky exoplanets," said astrophysicist and study co-author Brice-Olivier Demory. "There are likely better places for a vacation spot in our galaxy," he added. The planet is situated in the constellation Cancer, approximately 41 light-years from Earth, within our Milky Way galaxy. "On Earth, the atmosphere is key for life," Demory said. "This result on 55 Cnc e entertains the hope that Webb could conduct similar investigations on planets that are much cooler than 55 Cnc e, which could support liquid water at their surface. But we are not there yet," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

'Super-Earth' with atmosphere discovered outside solar system - Is it habitable?

NASA's retired Spitzer Space Telescope captured images of streams of dust, which are thousands of light-years long, moving towards the supermassive black hole which is present at the centre of the Andromeda galaxy.

NASA's retired Spitzer Space Telescope captured images of streams of dust, which are thousands of light-years long, moving towards the supermassive black hole which is present at the centre of the Andromeda galaxy. This observation has now helped scientists understand how black holes, which are billions of times the mass of our sun, are able to satiate their hunger while remaining "quiet" eaters. When supermassive black holes consume gas and dust, the temperature of the material rises just before it falls into the cosmic abyss and creates sparkling lights, some of which are even brighter in comparison to an entire galaxy full of stars. Once the cosmic elements are consumed in clumps of different sizes, the black hole's brightness fluctuates. Also Read: NASA telescope hunts for 'featherweight' black holes which have gone undetected However, the black holes which are at the centre of Andromeda (one of our nearest galactic neighbours) and Milky Way (Earth's home galaxy) have emerged as the quietest eaters present in the universe. The light emitted by them does not vary significantly in the parameters of brightness which suggests that they have been consuming a small but steady flow of food and not eating large clumps. The black hole is approached by the streams little by little and in a spiral shape. What is the food source for black holes in Andromeda galaxy? According to a study published in The Astrophysical Journal, the theory of a supermassive black hole feeding on a steady stream of gas was applied while looking into the Andromeda galaxy. With the use of computer models, the authors simulated how the behaviour of gas and dust will alter if it is brought in proximity with Andromeda's supermassive black hole. In the simulated condition, it is demonstrated that a small disk of hot gas is likely to be formed closely to the supermassive black hole and continuously feed it. Watch: Scientists decode 'phonetic alphabet' of Sperm Whales The disk can be replenished and maintained through various streams of gas and dust. The researchers also found that those streams will have to stay in a particular size and flow rate or else the cosmic material will start falling in irregular clumps inside the black hole and lead to more light fluctuation. Looking at the findings of NASA's Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescope, the scientists agreed that the spirals have been satiating the supermassive black hole of Andromeda galaxy. The study's co-author and astrophysicist at the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands and the University Observatory Munich Almudena Prieto said, "This is a great example of scientists reexamining archival data to reveal more about galaxy dynamics by comparing it to the latest computer simulations." "We have 20-year-old data telling us things we didn't recognise in it when we first collected it," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Are black holes quiet eaters? NASA decodes elements that satiate the cosmic giants

NASA’s James Webb Telescope detected the most distant supermassive black hole yet seen in X-rays. Even at an early stage of its growth, the mass of the black hole is similar to that of its host galaxy, a spectacle that had never been witnessed before.

This result will help in understanding the formation of some of the earliest supermassive black holes. The finding was published in the journal Nature and highlighted by NASA during its Black Hole Week campaign.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/space-cookie-could-still-smell-fresh-after-4-years-know-how-719972">Space cookie still smells fresh after four years. Know how</a>

The supermassive black hole was found at the centre of GN-z11, an extremely luminous galaxy that was alive when the universe was only about 430 million years old, a fraction of its current age, which is nearing 14 billion.&nbsp;

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It’s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackHoleWeek?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlackHoleWeek</a>, a special week where we celebrate black holes! Join us as we dive into all things new and cool about these intriguing objects … figuratively, of course. We don’t want to jump into a black hole, so instead, we’ll meet you at the event horizon. <a href="https://t.co/Sn9CUdVNJI">pic.twitter.com/Sn9CUdVNJI</a>
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The growing black hole was detected with the help of the combined data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and NASA’s JWST.&nbsp;

“We needed Webb to find this remarkably distant galaxy and Chandra to find its supermassive black hole,” said Akos Bogdan of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard &amp; Smithsonian (CfA) who leads a new paper in the journal Nature Astronomy describing these results.&nbsp;

“We also took advantage of a cosmic magnifying glass that boosted the amount of light we detected.” This magnifying effect is known as gravitational lensing.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/elon-musk-claims-aliens-have-never-visited-earth-and-heres-the-proof-719996">Elon Musk claims aliens have never visited Earth and here's the proof...</a>

This discovery is important for understanding how some supermassive black holes can reach colossal masses soon after the big bang, wrote NASA in its official newsletter.

Many astrophysicists and cosmologists have always believed that these invisible giants are hiding at the centre of virtually all galaxies. The recent observations have bolstered the belief that&nbsp;supermassive black holes begin in the dusty cores of stardust galaxies, where new stars are rapidly assembled.&nbsp;

A team of scientists using Webb was able to discern that GN-z11 has a central black hole with a few pieces of evidence.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-nancy-grace-roman-telescope-to-hunt-for-primordial-black-holes-from-big-bang-era-720023">NASA's Nancy Grace Roman telescope to hunt for primordial black holes from Big Bang era</a>

"We found extremely dense gas that is common in the vicinity of supermassive black holes accreting gas,” said Roberto Maiolino, the principal investigator at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, in a statement.

&nbsp;“These were the first clear signatures that GN-z11 is hosting a black hole that is gobbling matter.”

Then, the team found signs of electrically charged chemicals that are usually found near active supermassive black holes. The scientists also observed the ancient galaxy blasting out a powerful wind, something also linked to supermassive black holes with voracious appetites.&nbsp;

Based on all these observations, the team believes GN-z11 has a central black hole as massive as two million suns.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

NASA’s James Webb Telescope detected the most distant supermassive black hole yet seen in X-rays. Even at an early stage of its growth, the mass of the black hole is similar to that of its host galaxy, a spectacle that had never been witnessed before.

NASA’s James Webb Telescope detected the most distant supermassive black hole yet seen in X-rays. Even at an early stage of its growth, the mass of the black hole is similar to that of its host galaxy, a spectacle that had never been witnessed before. This result will help in understanding the formation of some of the earliest supermassive black holes. The finding was published in the journal Nature and highlighted by NASA during its Black Hole Week campaign. Also Read | Space cookie still smells fresh after four years. Know how The supermassive black hole was found at the centre of GN-z11, an extremely luminous galaxy that was alive when the universe was only about 430 million years old, a fraction of its current age, which is nearing 14 billion. It’s #BlackHoleWeek, a special week where we celebrate black holes! Join us as we dive into all things new and cool about these intriguing objects … figuratively, of course. We don’t want to jump into a black hole, so instead, we’ll meet you at the event horizon. pic.twitter.com/Sn9CUdVNJI — NASA Universe (@NASAUniverse) May 6, 2024 × The growing black hole was detected with the help of the combined data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and NASA’s JWST. “We needed Webb to find this remarkably distant galaxy and Chandra to find its supermassive black hole,” said Akos Bogdan of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) who leads a new paper in the journal Nature Astronomy describing these results. “We also took advantage of a cosmic magnifying glass that boosted the amount of light we detected.” This magnifying effect is known as gravitational lensing. Also Read | Elon Musk claims aliens have never visited Earth and here's the proof... This discovery is important for understanding how some supermassive black holes can reach colossal masses soon after the big bang, wrote NASA in its official newsletter. Many astrophysicists and cosmologists have always believed that these invisible giants are hiding at the centre of virtually all galaxies. The recent observations have bolstered the belief that supermassive black holes begin in the dusty cores of stardust galaxies, where new stars are rapidly assembled. A team of scientists using Webb was able to discern that GN-z11 has a central black hole with a few pieces of evidence. Also Read | NASA's Nancy Grace Roman telescope to hunt for primordial black holes from Big Bang era "We found extremely dense gas that is common in the vicinity of supermassive black holes accreting gas,” said Roberto Maiolino, the principal investigator at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, in a statement. “These were the first clear signatures that GN-z11 is hosting a black hole that is gobbling matter.” Then, the team found signs of electrically charged chemicals that are usually found near active supermassive black holes. The scientists also observed the ancient galaxy blasting out a powerful wind, something also linked to supermassive black holes with voracious appetites. Based on all these observations, the team believes GN-z11 has a central black hole as massive as two million suns. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA detects the farthest supermassive black hole ever observed

With Black Hole Week in full swing, let's explore NASA's upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which is poised to embark on a groundbreaking mission: hunting for primordial black holes dating back billions of years to the Big Bang.

The mission is set to launch in late 2026.

Black holes

The term black hole normally conjures up images of massive celestial entities. However, Roman aims to detect far smaller, ancient counterparts that are theorised to have a mass similar to Earth.&nbsp;

A team of researchers has published research in the journal Physical Review D postulating exactly how Roman will set upon hunting primordial black holes.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/elon-musk-claims-aliens-have-never-visited-earth-and-heres-the-proof-719996">Elon Musk claims aliens have never visited Earth and here's the proof...</a>

"Detecting a population of Earth-mass primordial black holes would be an incredible step for both astronomy and particle physics because these objects can't be formed by any known physical process," said William DeRocco, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California Santa Cruz, team lead of the research.

In a statement, as quoted by space.com, he added, "If we find them, it will shake up the field of theoretical physics."

Dubbed "primordial black holes," these enigmatic entities, if proven to exist, could challenge our understanding of the universe's early epochs some 13.8 billion years ago.

These miniature black holes with masses comparable to asteroids or even Earth might have originated during the universe's inception, some 13.8 billion years ago, speculate scientists.

<h2>Doubtful existence</h2>

As per the report, the existence of primordial black holes remains a matter of speculation.

One famous personality whose research contributed to the doubts surrounding their existence is Stephen Hawking.

Hawking's theory of Hawking radiation proposes that black holes "leak" radiation and eventually evaporate. For primordial black holes to survive billions of years without evaporating, they must defy Hawking's predictions.

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<h2>How will Roman seek to defy the postulations of Hawking's radiation theory?</h2>

Roman's strategy for detecting these cosmic fossils hinges on gravitational microlensing, a phenomenon predicted by Einstein's general relativity. Currently, microlensing helps scientists find rogue planets, but it has the potential to help prove the existence of primordial black holes.

This principle suggests that massive objects can bend light, causing distortions observed from Earth. By monitoring these distortions, Roman could help prove the presence of primordial black holes, which, as per speculation, could potentially be disguised as Earth-mass rogue planets.

"There's no way to tell between Earth-mass black holes and rogue planets on a case-by-case basis," said DeRocco.&nbsp;

"Roman will be extremely powerful in differentiating between the two statistically."

(With inputs from agencies)

With Black Hole Week in full swing, let's explore NASA's upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which is poised to embark on a groundbreaking mission: hunting for primordial black holes dating back billions of years to the Big Bang.

With Black Hole Week in full swing, let's explore NASA's upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which is poised to embark on a groundbreaking mission: hunting for primordial black holes dating back billions of years to the Big Bang. The mission is set to launch in late 2026. Black holes The term black hole normally conjures up images of massive celestial entities. However, Roman aims to detect far smaller, ancient counterparts that are theorised to have a mass similar to Earth. A team of researchers has published research in the journal Physical Review D postulating exactly how Roman will set upon hunting primordial black holes. Also read | Elon Musk claims aliens have never visited Earth and here's the proof... "Detecting a population of Earth-mass primordial black holes would be an incredible step for both astronomy and particle physics because these objects can't be formed by any known physical process," said William DeRocco, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California Santa Cruz, team lead of the research. In a statement, as quoted by space.com, he added, "If we find them, it will shake up the field of theoretical physics." Dubbed "primordial black holes," these enigmatic entities, if proven to exist, could challenge our understanding of the universe's early epochs some 13.8 billion years ago. These miniature black holes with masses comparable to asteroids or even Earth might have originated during the universe's inception, some 13.8 billion years ago, speculate scientists. Doubtful existence As per the report, the existence of primordial black holes remains a matter of speculation. One famous personality whose research contributed to the doubts surrounding their existence is Stephen Hawking. Hawking's theory of Hawking radiation proposes that black holes "leak" radiation and eventually evaporate. For primordial black holes to survive billions of years without evaporating, they must defy Hawking's predictions. Also read | Human trial of Elon Musk's Neuralink hits snag as brain chip begins to detach How will Roman seek to defy the postulations of Hawking's radiation theory? Roman's strategy for detecting these cosmic fossils hinges on gravitational microlensing, a phenomenon predicted by Einstein's general relativity. Currently, microlensing helps scientists find rogue planets, but it has the potential to help prove the existence of primordial black holes. This principle suggests that massive objects can bend light, causing distortions observed from Earth. By monitoring these distortions, Roman could help prove the presence of primordial black holes, which, as per speculation, could potentially be disguised as Earth-mass rogue planets. "There's no way to tell between Earth-mass black holes and rogue planets on a case-by-case basis," said DeRocco. "Roman will be extremely powerful in differentiating between the two statistically." (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Nancy Grace Roman telescope to hunt for primordial black holes from Big Bang era

Elon Musk, a gifted visionary, billionaire and often a controversial figure, believes aliens have never visited our planet Earth.

Addressing the perennial question at a panel titled "How to save the human race and other light topics" at the 2024 Milken Institute Global Conference held in Los Angeles on Tuesday (May 7), Musk, however, said if humanity was to send probes into the universe, we would surely find "remains of long-dead alien civilisations."&nbsp;

<h2>What proof does Musk have?</h2>

The SpaceX founder, whose company operates the Starlink satellite constellation consisting of approximately 6,000 units, said that his company has never come across unidentified flying objects that could suggest alien presence.&nbsp;

"I've not seen any evidence of aliens," said Musk, as quoted by space.com.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/knock-knock-whos-therealiens-when-humanity-tried-to-talk-to-the-little-green-men-475713">Knock! Knock! Who's there?...Aliens: When humanity tried to talk to the little green men</a>

"And SpaceX, with the Starlink constellation, has roughly 6,000 satellites, and not once have we had to manoeuvre around a UFO… Never. So I'm like, okay, I don't see any evidence of aliens," he reasoned.

He said that this lack of evidence leads him to believe that if such advanced alien civilisations existed, they would have made their presence known more concretely.

However, he said he is open to concrete proof about visitations by the so-called little green men.

"If somebody has evidence of aliens, you know, that's not just a fuzzy blob, then I'd love to see it, love to hear about it," he said, adding&nbsp;"But I don't think there is."

Watch |&nbsp;Are Peruvian Alien Mummies Real or a Clever Hoax? Harvard Expert Weighs In!

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<h2>Humanity, a 'tiny candle in vast darkness': Musk</h2>

Mulling over what this means for the future of humanity, Musk suggested that the absence of contact with alien civilisations might indicate that advanced societies are both "precarious and rare".&nbsp;

He said that if there are aliens out there and an alien species has managed to survive for a million years or so, it should've been able to settle in the entire Milky Way galaxy.

"So, they haven't, so why not?" he asked before speculating a probable answer.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/know-something-about-aliens-or-ufos-pentagon-wants-to-know-launches-online-reporting-tool-654294">Know something about aliens or UFOs? You can tell Pentagon all about it at...</a>

"I think the answer might be, probably,&nbsp;that civilisation is precarious and rare. And that we should really think of human civilisation as being like a tiny candle in a vast darkness." 
&nbsp; 
This, he argued, underscores the importance of safeguarding human civilisation.

"We should do everything possible to ensure that the candle does not go out," he stressed.

(With inputs from agencies)

Elon Musk, a gifted visionary, billionaire and often a controversial figure, believes aliens have never visited our planet Earth. Addressing the perennial question at a panel titled "How to save the human race and other light topics" at the 2024 Milken Institute Global Conference held in Los Angeles on Tuesday (May 7), Musk, however, said if humanity was to send probes into the universe, we would surely find "remains of long-dead alien civilisations.

Elon Musk, a gifted visionary, billionaire and often a controversial figure, believes aliens have never visited our planet Earth. Addressing the perennial question at a panel titled "How to save the human race and other light topics" at the 2024 Milken Institute Global Conference held in Los Angeles on Tuesday (May 7), Musk, however, said if humanity was to send probes into the universe, we would surely find "remains of long-dead alien civilisations." What proof does Musk have? The SpaceX founder, whose company operates the Starlink satellite constellation consisting of approximately 6,000 units, said that his company has never come across unidentified flying objects that could suggest alien presence. "I've not seen any evidence of aliens," said Musk, as quoted by space.com. Also read | Knock! Knock! Who's there?...Aliens: When humanity tried to talk to the little green men "And SpaceX, with the Starlink constellation, has roughly 6,000 satellites, and not once have we had to manoeuvre around a UFO… Never. So I'm like, okay, I don't see any evidence of aliens," he reasoned. He said that this lack of evidence leads him to believe that if such advanced alien civilisations existed, they would have made their presence known more concretely. However, he said he is open to concrete proof about visitations by the so-called little green men. "If somebody has evidence of aliens, you know, that's not just a fuzzy blob, then I'd love to see it, love to hear about it," he said, adding "But I don't think there is." Watch | Are Peruvian Alien Mummies Real or a Clever Hoax? Harvard Expert Weighs In! Humanity, a 'tiny candle in vast darkness': Musk Mulling over what this means for the future of humanity, Musk suggested that the absence of contact with alien civilisations might indicate that advanced societies are both "precarious and rare". He said that if there are aliens out there and an alien species has managed to survive for a million years or so, it should've been able to settle in the entire Milky Way galaxy. "So, they haven't, so why not?" he asked before speculating a probable answer. Also read | Know something about aliens or UFOs? You can tell Pentagon all about it at... "I think the answer might be, probably, that civilisation is precarious and rare. And that we should really think of human civilisation as being like a tiny candle in a vast darkness." This, he argued, underscores the importance of safeguarding human civilisation. "We should do everything possible to ensure that the candle does not go out," he stressed. (With inputs from agencies)

Elon Musk cites simple proof to assert his belief that aliens don't exist

Astrophysicist and NASA's former scientist Lisa Kaltenegger surveyed the galaxy for her new book Alien Earths in which she hinted at the possibility of the existence of alien life in a water world dominated by octopus-like creatures, a planet which has a dark side where the sun never rises and a lava hell where the planet experiences molten rock rains from the sky.

Astrophysicist and NASA's former scientist Lisa Kaltenegger surveyed the galaxy for her new book Alien Earths in which she hinted at the possibility of the existence of alien life in a water world dominated by octopus-like creatures, a planet which has a dark side where the sun never rises and a lava hell where the planet experiences molten rock rains from the sky. The astrophysicist has documented dozens of exoplanets which orbit stars outside our solar system and have been classified as 'Earth-like' or 'potentially habitable'. In another work of hers, titled The Worlds That Shook Science, Kaltenegge said that astronomy breakthroughs made in the last three decades show that humans are living in "a completely new golden era of exploration". Also Read: Alien encounter in backyard of a Las Vegas house not fake, expert examiner says Since humans will need another 6.9 million years to get to the fastest man-made machine, Dr Kaltenegge said that the next goal of humanity will be to look out for the creativity required to detect as well as communicate with alien lifeforms. "I hope to convey just how difficult the search for alien life will be," said Dr Kaltenegger, in her book. "We might not even recognise it when it is staring us in the face," she added while speaking to The Daily Mail. Planet's light holds secrets of alien life? Scientists have discovered 5,000 planets outside of our solar system till now, since the first of these 'exoplanets', which was a gas giant named 'Dimidium', was first found in 1992. "Solving the puzzle of these new worlds requires using a wide range of tools like cultivating colourful biota in our biology lab [...] and reaching back into the long history of Earth's evolution for clues on what to search for," the researcher explained. Dr Kaltenegger said that for scientists, Earth will become 'our laboratory' where new ideas will be tested to understand how life evolves differently out in the galaxy. Watch: Strongest sign of alien found: The search for life beyond earth According to the researcher, the hints of the existence of extraterrestrial life on other planets are "written in a planet's light—if you know how to read it." She explained that when light from distant stars passes across the atmosphere of an exoplanet, then "the chemical makeup of the atmosphere of an alien world is encoded in the light that arrives at my telescope." (With inputs from agencies)

Water world, lava hell: Former NASA scientist hints at planets where alien life may exist

What will happen to the many languages around the world if humans cease to exist tomorrow? Quite predictably, our languages and their cultural value will also be wiped off the face of this planet. But what about another planet? Maybe we can preserve our linguistic treasures elsewhere in space.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is teaming up with a Japanese lunar exploration company to do just that.

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<h2>Languages, other worlds and the end of humanity</h2>

As per Space.com, Japanese lunar exploration firm ispace is working to put human presence into space and on the moon. In collaboration with UNESCO, the company is planning to send to the lunar surface an important part of humanity: 275 languages and other cultural artefacts.

If you're wondering how this will happen, the answer is 'Memory Disk'.

Similar to the time capsules many of us remember preserving our memories in, the two organisations will send the languages and artefacts to the moon aboard ispace's upcoming Hakuto-R Mission 2.

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<h2>Hakuto-R Mission 2</h2>

The upcoming Hakuto-R Mission 2 will send a robotic lander to the surface of the Moon. It will also deliver to Earth's natural satellite a memory disk that seeks to keep humanity alive in case something threatens humanity's existence on our planet.

"UNESCO is committed to preserving the linguistic diversity that represents human cultures from any crisis that threatens their destruction in the future, and preservation on the lunar surface is one means to preserve cultures," says ispace in a release posted on its website.&nbsp;

To fulfil this mission, the memory disk will contain the UNESCO Constitution's Preamble, which expresses "the importance of preserving world unity, linguistic diversity, and cultures". This preamble will be translated into 275 languages.

Hakuto-R Mission 2 is slated to be sent to the Moon sometime in 2024. However, this is only true if the current timelines hold.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

What will happen to the many languages around the world if humans cease to exist tomorrow? Quite predictably, our languages and their cultural value will also be wiped off the face of this planet.

What will happen to the many languages around the world if humans cease to exist tomorrow? Quite predictably, our languages and their cultural value will also be wiped off the face of this planet. But what about another planet? Maybe we can preserve our linguistic treasures elsewhere in space. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is teaming up with a Japanese lunar exploration company to do just that. Also read | Advances in artificial intelligence mean 'deadbots' can 'haunt' the living, warn experts. Here's what it means Languages, other worlds and the end of humanity As per Space.com, Japanese lunar exploration firm ispace is working to put human presence into space and on the moon. In collaboration with UNESCO, the company is planning to send to the lunar surface an important part of humanity: 275 languages and other cultural artefacts. If you're wondering how this will happen, the answer is 'Memory Disk'. Similar to the time capsules many of us remember preserving our memories in, the two organisations will send the languages and artefacts to the moon aboard ispace's upcoming Hakuto-R Mission 2. Also read | Have we 'already lost climate battle'?: April continues damning 11-month trend, emerges as hottest since 1940 Hakuto-R Mission 2 The upcoming Hakuto-R Mission 2 will send a robotic lander to the surface of the Moon. It will also deliver to Earth's natural satellite a memory disk that seeks to keep humanity alive in case something threatens humanity's existence on our planet. "UNESCO is committed to preserving the linguistic diversity that represents human cultures from any crisis that threatens their destruction in the future, and preservation on the lunar surface is one means to preserve cultures," says ispace in a release posted on its website. To fulfil this mission, the memory disk will contain the UNESCO Constitution's Preamble, which expresses "the importance of preserving world unity, linguistic diversity, and cultures". This preamble will be translated into 275 languages. Hakuto-R Mission 2 is slated to be sent to the Moon sometime in 2024. However, this is only true if the current timelines hold. (With inputs from agencies)

What if humanity ends on Earth? Scientists plan to preserve 275 languages on the Moon

Just two hours before blast off, the long-awaited test flight of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft was called off over a technical glitch with the Atlas V rocket.

The launch has been postponed for at least 24 hours because of an issue with the Atlas V rocket that was being readied to launch the new astronaut capsule to orbit on Monday&nbsp;(May 6)&nbsp;night.

<h2>The glitch</h2>

As per Reuters, the two-member crew, consisting of NASA astronauts 61-year-old Barry "Butch" Wilmore, 61, and 58-year-old Sunita "Suni" Williams, had been strapped into their seats aboard the spacecraft for about an hour before launch activities were suspended.

The issue arose with the Atlas rocket's second-stage activities.

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While it is not clear how long fixing the glitch would take, the next available launch windows for the mission are Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday nights.

The flight would mark the first crewed voyage to space using an Atlas rocket since the launch vehicles first sent astronauts on orbital flights for NASA's Mercury programme in the 1960s.

<h2>Is the delay a sign that the mission is in danger?</h2>

Not necessarily, it is not uncommon for countdowns to be halted at the 11th hour and for launches to be delayed for days, and at times weeks over minor glitches. This is especially true for a new spacecraft flying humans for the first time.

Furthermore, this mission is of utmost importance, as its success would pave the way for Starliner's six further planned missions for NASA.

<h2>The ambitious Boeing-Starliner&nbsp;mission</h2>

Previously, after a failed mission in 2019, the gumdrop-shaped capsule completed an uncrewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This is the first time it would be transporting humans to the orbital laboratory.

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Once launched, following a flight of about 26 hours, the capsule will arrive at the space station and dock with the orbiting research outpost some 250 miles (402.34 kilometres) above Earth. There, the resident ISS crew, currently comprising four US astronauts and three Russian cosmonauts, will greet Wilmore, the designated commander of the flight, and Williams, the pilot.

The two astronauts are expected to remain at the space station for about a week. After that, they are to ride the Starliner back to Earth for a parachute and airbag-assisted landing in the US Desert Southwest — another first.

(With inputs from agencies)

Just two hours before blast off, the long-awaited test flight of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft was called off over a technical glitch with the Atlas V rocket. The launch has been postponed for at least 24 hours because of an issue with the Atlas V rocket that was being readied to launch the new astronaut capsule to orbit on Monday (May 6) night.

Just two hours before blast off, the long-awaited test flight of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft was called off over a technical glitch with the Atlas V rocket. The launch has been postponed for at least 24 hours because of an issue with the Atlas V rocket that was being readied to launch the new astronaut capsule to orbit on Monday (May 6) night. The glitch As per Reuters, the two-member crew, consisting of NASA astronauts 61-year-old Barry "Butch" Wilmore, 61, and 58-year-old Sunita "Suni" Williams, had been strapped into their seats aboard the spacecraft for about an hour before launch activities were suspended. The issue arose with the Atlas rocket's second-stage activities. Also read | 'Lost in space': Satellite missing since 1990s located in Earth's orbit. How can someone lose a satellite? While it is not clear how long fixing the glitch would take, the next available launch windows for the mission are Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. The flight would mark the first crewed voyage to space using an Atlas rocket since the launch vehicles first sent astronauts on orbital flights for NASA's Mercury programme in the 1960s. Is the delay a sign that the mission is in danger? Not necessarily, it is not uncommon for countdowns to be halted at the 11th hour and for launches to be delayed for days, and at times weeks over minor glitches. This is especially true for a new spacecraft flying humans for the first time. Furthermore, this mission is of utmost importance, as its success would pave the way for Starliner's six further planned missions for NASA. The ambitious Boeing-Starliner mission Previously, after a failed mission in 2019, the gumdrop-shaped capsule completed an uncrewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This is the first time it would be transporting humans to the orbital laboratory. Also read | Sunita Williams goes to space again with Boeing Starliner's launch of first crewed mission: How to watch Once launched, following a flight of about 26 hours, the capsule will arrive at the space station and dock with the orbiting research outpost some 250 miles (402.34 kilometres) above Earth. There, the resident ISS crew, currently comprising four US astronauts and three Russian cosmonauts, will greet Wilmore, the designated commander of the flight, and Williams, the pilot. The two astronauts are expected to remain at the space station for about a week. After that, they are to ride the Starliner back to Earth for a parachute and airbag-assisted landing in the US Desert Southwest — another first. (With inputs from agencies)

From countdown to letdown: Sunita Williams' third trip to space delayed as Starliner launch is scrubbed

In hopes of turning science fiction into reality, NASA has been funding projects which seem far from reality, but if completed can take mankind's achievements in space to new heights.

In hopes of turning science fiction into reality, NASA has been funding projects which seem far from reality, but if completed can take mankind's achievements in space to new heights. Speaking about such ambitious projects, even the space agency's representative John Nelson calls them "science fiction-like concepts". Although there is no guarantee of them materialising, projects like the lunar rail system may become part of an aerospace mission someday. What are these 'ambitious' projects of NASA? These 'ambitious' projects include a fluid-based telescope, a transit system to transfer humans and cargo to Mars and a lunar railway system. These projects are part of NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) programme that has been set aside to be funded for continuous research. Also Read: 'Grab your popcorn', NASA just released mesmerising Nebula timelapses captured by Chandra observatory In all, there are six projects and each of them has completed the initial NIAC phase. Moving into Phase II, the conceptual studies will get more than $600,000 for continuing their research in the next two years. No guarantee of success These projects are still in the exploratory stage and there is no guarantee of success. However, the projects have been moving on the intended path for a future aerospace mission if they reach the final NIAC phase. NIAC programme executive at NASA headquarters in Washington John Nelson said, "Our NIAC fellows never cease to amaze and inspire, and this class definitely gives NASA a lot to think about in terms of what's possible in the future." To advance this space research, a fundamental requirement is ever-larger telescope development. According to NASA's Edward Balaban, it does not appear economically viable to scale current space telescope technologies to aperture sizes beyond 10 metres. "Thus, there is a need for cost-effective solutions to scale space telescopes to larger sizes," he said. What do these projects promise? The FLUTE project gives a potential solution for creating space observatories which have a large aperture or unsegmented liquid primary mirrors. Such liquid primary mirrors get formed in space with the use of fluidic shaping in microgravity, said Balaban. Watch: Strongest sign of alien found: The search for life beyond earth The scientists have already demonstrated this concept in laboratories amid neutral buoyancy environments, aboard the International Space Station and during parabolic microgravity flights. Meanwhile, another project of NASA is the Pulsed Plasma Rocket entailing electric spacecraft propulsion. As of now, no technology allows the shifting of humans and cargo efficiently and rapidly through the vast distances of space. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA working on building rail tracks on Moon, sending humans and cargo to Mars

With the launch of its Starliner spaceship on Monday night, which will finally send two NASA astronauts into orbit, Boeing's spaceflight programme might achieve a significant milestone.

The Crew Flight Test mission is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Monday at 10:34 pm&nbsp;ET. The space agency says that live streaming of the ceremony will start on NASA channels on Monday at 6:30 pm&nbsp;ET.

The event has been planned for a decade, and it marks the completion of Boeing's efforts to create a spaceship capable of transporting humans to and from the International Space Station as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Programme.

Starliner's journey to the launchpad has been hampered by expensive failures, test flight issues, and development hold-ups. In the meanwhile, SpaceX, Boeing's competitor in NASA's commercial crew programme, has emerged as the preferred astronaut transportation provider. At last, NASA and Boeing have decided that the Starliner spaceship is all set for the most important test yet which is letting astronauts take a spin around the planet.

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Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, two veteran NASA astronauts, will fly on Monday's flight to the International Space Station for a week.

A number of experiments will be carried out by Wilmore and Williams during their journey, such as a brief takeover of the autonomous spacecraft's controls and an assessment of how the ship functions for astronauts. For Boeing, a successful flight might represent a turning point for the spaceflight program and the company as a whole.

“We’ve had a couple (of) launch dates, and we’ve been like, ‘OK, we’re ready to go,’” Williams said at a news conference. “But now it’s like, heck — five days. It is actually, finally real, and I sort of have to pinch myself a little bit to understand, actually, we’re going.”

(With inputs from agencies)

With the launch of its Starliner spaceship on Monday night, which will finally send two NASA astronauts into orbit, Boeing's spaceflight programme might achieve a significant milestone.

With the launch of its Starliner spaceship on Monday night, which will finally send two NASA astronauts into orbit, Boeing's spaceflight programme might achieve a significant milestone. The Crew Flight Test mission is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Monday at 10:34 pm ET. The space agency says that live streaming of the ceremony will start on NASA channels on Monday at 6:30 pm ET. The event has been planned for a decade, and it marks the completion of Boeing's efforts to create a spaceship capable of transporting humans to and from the International Space Station as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Programme. Starliner's journey to the launchpad has been hampered by expensive failures, test flight issues, and development hold-ups. In the meanwhile, SpaceX, Boeing's competitor in NASA's commercial crew programme, has emerged as the preferred astronaut transportation provider. At last, NASA and Boeing have decided that the Starliner spaceship is all set for the most important test yet which is letting astronauts take a spin around the planet. Also read: Asteroid Dinkinesh's duo Selam spotted by NASA's Lucy spacecraft turns out to be cosmic toddler Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, two veteran NASA astronauts, will fly on Monday's flight to the International Space Station for a week. A number of experiments will be carried out by Wilmore and Williams during their journey, such as a brief takeover of the autonomous spacecraft's controls and an assessment of how the ship functions for astronauts. For Boeing, a successful flight might represent a turning point for the spaceflight program and the company as a whole. “We’ve had a couple (of) launch dates, and we’ve been like, ‘OK, we’re ready to go,’” Williams said at a news conference. “But now it’s like, heck — five days. It is actually, finally real, and I sort of have to pinch myself a little bit to understand, actually, we’re going.” (With inputs from agencies)

Sunita Williams goes to space again with Boeing Starliner's launch of first crewed mission: How to watch

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has spotted winds blowing at unprecedented speeds on the exoplanet WASP-43b, which is around 283 light-years away from Earth.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has spotted winds blowing at unprecedented speeds on the exoplanet WASP-43b, which is around 283 light-years away from Earth. The exoplanet's one side permanently faces its sun and the other is cloaked in eternal night. WASP-43b is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium and is significantly hotter than any gas giant in the solar system, due to its closeness to its host star, which it orbits once every 19 Earth hours. According to a report by Live Science, this proximity meant that WASP-43b was also tidally locked to its star. The report said that researchers discovered that this tidal lock permanently heats one side of the planet to temperatures around 1,260 degrees Celsius. A change in temperature that drives fierce winds In a recent study, scientists discovered that the temperature difference between the day and night side drove fierce winds that could reach speeds of up to 9,000 km/hour. In a statement, Taylor Bell, a researcher from the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute and the study's lead author said, "With Hubble, we could clearly see that there is water vapour on the dayside. Both Hubble and Spitzer suggested there might be clouds on the nightside." Also read | James Webb captures stunning Horsehead Nebula as ‘you’ve never seen it before...’ "But we needed more precise measurements from Webb to really begin mapping the temperature, cloud cover, winds, and more detailed atmospheric composition all the way around the planet,” Bell added. The scientists used Webb’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) to measure light from the WASP-43 system every 10 seconds for more than 24 hours. “By observing over an entire orbit, we were able to calculate the temperature of different sides of the planet as they rotate into view,” Bell said. "The measurements show that the dayside has an average temperature of nearly 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit (1,250 degrees Celsius) – hot enough to forge iron. Meanwhile, the nightside is significantly cooler at 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit (600 degrees Celsius)," the statement said. "The data also helps locate the hottest spot on the planet (the “hotspot”), which is shifted slightly eastward from the point that receives the most stellar radiation, where the star is highest in the planet’s sky. This shift occurs because of supersonic winds, which move heated air eastward," it added. Exoplanet discovered in 2011 WASP-43b was discovered in 2011. According to NASA, WASP-43b orbits a K-type star. The exoplanet was initially studied by the Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes. However, the JWST has now captured the finer details of its atmosphere. (With inputs from agencies)

James Webb Space Telescope  spots fierce winds on exoplanet WASP-43b

Signs of life on another planet? People of Earth keep fascinating with scientists making strides to answer this question. In the latest significant development, manganese has been observed on Mars by the NASA Curiosity rover at multiple places. However, the rover found more of it in the Gale crater.&nbsp;

The deposits were detected by the ChemCam instrument which is onboard the rover. The findings, which have been published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets on May 1, suggest that the manganese sediments had formed in a river, delta, or near the shoreline of an ancient lake.&nbsp;

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Patrick Gasda, of Los Alamos National Laboratory's Space Science and Applications group and lead author on the study, said as quoted by phys.org, "It is difficult for manganese oxide to form on the surface of Mars, so we didn't expect to find it in such high concentrations in a shoreline deposit."&nbsp;

"On Earth, these types of deposits happen all the time because of the high oxygen in our atmosphere produced by photosynthetic life, and from microbes that help catalyze those manganese oxidation reactions," he further said.&nbsp;

"On Mars, we don't have evidence for life, and the mechanism to produce oxygen in Mars's ancient atmosphere is unclear, so how the manganese oxide was formed and concentrated here is really puzzling. These findings point to larger processes occurring in the Martian atmosphere or surface water and show that more work needs to be done to understand oxidation on Mars," Gasda added.&nbsp;

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While exploring the results, the researchers analysed how manganese could have been enriched in these sands on Mars. They also attempted to find what oxidant could be responsible for the precipitation of manganese in the rocks. The paper compared the findings with the availability of Manganese on Earth.&nbsp;

On Earth, manganese deposits occur as a result of oxygen in the atmosphere, and the presence of bacteria frequently accelerates this process. Notably, the microbes on Earth can use manganese's many oxidation states as energy for metabolism.&nbsp;

The higher levels of manganese in the rocks along the lake shore on the Red Planet would have been an important energy source for life if life existed on ancient Mars.&nbsp;

Signs of life on another planet? People of Earth keep fascinating with scientists making strides to answer this question. In the latest significant development, manganese has been observed on Mars by the NASA Curiosity rover at multiple places.

Signs of life on another planet? People of Earth keep fascinating with scientists making strides to answer this question. In the latest significant development, manganese has been observed on Mars by the NASA Curiosity rover at multiple places. However, the rover found more of it in the Gale crater. The deposits were detected by the ChemCam instrument which is onboard the rover. The findings, which have been published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets on May 1, suggest that the manganese sediments had formed in a river, delta, or near the shoreline of an ancient lake. Also read: Massive, near X-class, solar flares led to radio blackouts across the Pacific Patrick Gasda, of Los Alamos National Laboratory's Space Science and Applications group and lead author on the study, said as quoted by phys.org, "It is difficult for manganese oxide to form on the surface of Mars, so we didn't expect to find it in such high concentrations in a shoreline deposit." "On Earth, these types of deposits happen all the time because of the high oxygen in our atmosphere produced by photosynthetic life, and from microbes that help catalyze those manganese oxidation reactions," he further said. "On Mars, we don't have evidence for life, and the mechanism to produce oxygen in Mars's ancient atmosphere is unclear, so how the manganese oxide was formed and concentrated here is really puzzling. These findings point to larger processes occurring in the Martian atmosphere or surface water and show that more work needs to be done to understand oxidation on Mars," Gasda added. Also read: 'Surprise'! Scientists discover earliest known galaxies since about beginning of time While exploring the results, the researchers analysed how manganese could have been enriched in these sands on Mars. They also attempted to find what oxidant could be responsible for the precipitation of manganese in the rocks. The paper compared the findings with the availability of Manganese on Earth. On Earth, manganese deposits occur as a result of oxygen in the atmosphere, and the presence of bacteria frequently accelerates this process. Notably, the microbes on Earth can use manganese's many oxidation states as energy for metabolism. The higher levels of manganese in the rocks along the lake shore on the Red Planet would have been an important energy source for life if life existed on ancient Mars.

New study hints at Earth-like condition on ancient Mars: 'These findings point to...'

Have you ever wondered what our fiery sun would look like close up? Don't worry, you won't have to make the perilous journey to the star to see that, as the European Space Agency (ESA) has recently shared a captivating and mind-boggling close-up of the Sun's surface.

<h2>Mind-boggling video</h2>

The video was captured by the Solar Orbiter's Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI), and it offers an unprecedented close-up look at the dynamic activities on the Sun's surface.&nbsp;

Recorded on September 27, 2023, this footage provides a detailed glimpse into the complex solar phenomena that play a crucial role in influencing space weather.

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"At the time, the spacecraft was at roughly a third of the Earth’s distance from the Sun, heading for a closest approach of 43 million km on 7 October," revealed ESA.

The spacecraft is scheduled for an even closer approach to the Sun in October, promising more detailed observations of our nearest star.

Take a look here:

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The video, which is nearly a minute long, showcases various solar features in extraordinary detail. It shows delicate, feathery structures resembling hair, which are actually streams of plasma tracing the magnetic field lines from the Sun's lower atmosphere into the hotter outer corona.&nbsp;

These visuals not only highlight the beauty of our star, but also the powerful forces at play.

"The brightest regions are around one million degrees Celsius, while cooler material looks dark as it absorbs radiation," explains the ESA.

Among the phenomena displayed are coronal moss, spicules, and coronal rain—each contributing uniquely to the Sun’s ecosystem.&nbsp;

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Coronal moss also appears in the left corner of the footage as intricate, lace-like patterns.

"It usually appears around the base of large coronal loops that are too hot or too tenuous to be seen with the chosen instrument settings."

Spicules 'spires of gas', on the other hand, are depicted as towering spires of gas that extend approximately 10,000 km (6,214 miles) above the Sun’s chromosphere, resembling jets shooting from the solar surface. Coronal rain features in the video as high-density plasma clumps that descend back to the Sun, driven by gravity.

A particularly striking moment occurs around the 20-second mark, where a "small" eruption unfolds in the centre of the view. However, ESA warns, "Don’t be fooled by the use of 'small' here: this eruption is bigger than Earth!"&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Have you ever wondered what our fiery sun would look like close up? Don't worry, you won't have to make the perilous journey to the star to see that, as the European Space Agency (ESA) has recently shared a captivating and mind-boggling close-up of the Sun's surface.

Have you ever wondered what our fiery sun would look like close up? Don't worry, you won't have to make the perilous journey to the star to see that, as the European Space Agency (ESA) has recently shared a captivating and mind-boggling close-up of the Sun's surface. Mind-boggling video The video was captured by the Solar Orbiter's Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI), and it offers an unprecedented close-up look at the dynamic activities on the Sun's surface. Recorded on September 27, 2023, this footage provides a detailed glimpse into the complex solar phenomena that play a crucial role in influencing space weather. Also read | Scientists unveil what 75,000 year-old Neanderthal woman 'Shanidar Z' looked like "At the time, the spacecraft was at roughly a third of the Earth’s distance from the Sun, heading for a closest approach of 43 million km on 7 October," revealed ESA. The spacecraft is scheduled for an even closer approach to the Sun in October, promising more detailed observations of our nearest star. Take a look here: × The video, which is nearly a minute long, showcases various solar features in extraordinary detail. It shows delicate, feathery structures resembling hair, which are actually streams of plasma tracing the magnetic field lines from the Sun's lower atmosphere into the hotter outer corona. These visuals not only highlight the beauty of our star, but also the powerful forces at play. "The brightest regions are around one million degrees Celsius, while cooler material looks dark as it absorbs radiation," explains the ESA. Among the phenomena displayed are coronal moss, spicules, and coronal rain—each contributing uniquely to the Sun’s ecosystem. Also read | Massive, near X-class, solar flares led to radio blackouts across the Pacific Coronal moss also appears in the left corner of the footage as intricate, lace-like patterns. "It usually appears around the base of large coronal loops that are too hot or too tenuous to be seen with the chosen instrument settings." Spicules 'spires of gas', on the other hand, are depicted as towering spires of gas that extend approximately 10,000 km (6,214 miles) above the Sun’s chromosphere, resembling jets shooting from the solar surface. Coronal rain features in the video as high-density plasma clumps that descend back to the Sun, driven by gravity. A particularly striking moment occurs around the 20-second mark, where a "small" eruption unfolds in the centre of the view. However, ESA warns, "Don’t be fooled by the use of 'small' here: this eruption is bigger than Earth!" (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Scientists manage to capture Sun's closest video yet; ESA cautions 'don't be fooled' because...

Last year in November, NASA’s Lucy spacecraft on its mission to study asteroid Dinkinesh, found out that it is actually a binary. That little piece of rock hidden behind asteroid Dinkinesh or Dinky was named Selam by astronomers. Since then, experts have been studying the little moonlet for more information.

In one such study, they tried to estimate the age of Selam and found out that it is actually a toddler. According to their calculations, the tiny Selam which&nbsp;separated from its larger companion Dinky about&nbsp;2 to 3 million years back is way younger than known.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/were-neanderthals-spiritual-and-religious-netflix-documentary-secrets-of-the-neanderthals-explores-717631">Were Neanderthals spiritual and religious? Netflix documentary has some answers</a>

"Finding the ages of asteroids is important to understanding them, and this one is remarkably young when compared to the age of the solar system, meaning it formed somewhat recently," Colby Merrill, a doctoral student at Cornell University, said in a statement.&nbsp;

<h2>How astronomers found&nbsp;Selam is a toddler&nbsp;</h2>

Merill and team have been investigating the newly found asteroid’s dynamics and began constructing a model of how Selam orbits Dinkinesh. They found out that Selam orbits Dinkinesh in loosely packed debris ejected by the asteroid. Assuming that this is the origin of Selam, the team used a model to estimate the asteroid’s age.&nbsp;

Generally, astronomers date an asteroid by counting the number of impact craters on its surface- the more the craters, the longer&nbsp;an asteroid has been around to receive those impacts. But Merrill and his colleagues used a different method.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/change-6-china-launches-historic-mission-to-collect-samples-from-far-side-of-the-moon-717698">Chang’e-6: China launches historic mission to collect samples from far side of the Moon</a>

They simulated Selam forming from Dinkinesh under a range of different starting conditions and waited until Selam reached the orbit that Lucy glimpsed last November.

The team simulated 1 million scenarios that resulted in a Selam-like body forming. The median scenario dated Selam as 3 million years old, while the most common answer was closer to 2 million. “If either of these figures is correct, Selam may actually be younger than Lucy's namesake, the 3.2-million-year old human ancestor Australopithecus afarensis discovered in Ethiopia in the 1970s”, concludes the team.

"Obtaining the age of this one body can help us to understand the population as a whole,” Merrill further said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/lost-in-space-satellite-missing-since-1990s-located-in-earths-orbit-how-can-someone-lose-a-satellite-717732">'Lost in space': Satellite missing since 1990s located in Earth's orbit. How can someone lose a satellite?</a>

The authors published their work in the journal Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics on April 5.

For Lucy, it has only begun its tour of the solar system. The next asteroid on its itinerary, located between Mars and Jupiter, is 52246 Donaldjohanson, which Lucy will visit in 2025.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Last year in November, NASA’s Lucy spacecraft on its mission to study asteroid Dinkinesh, found out that it is actually a binary. That little piece of rock hidden behind asteroid Dinkinesh or Dinky was named Selam by astronomers.

Last year in November, NASA’s Lucy spacecraft on its mission to study asteroid Dinkinesh, found out that it is actually a binary. That little piece of rock hidden behind asteroid Dinkinesh or Dinky was named Selam by astronomers. Since then, experts have been studying the little moonlet for more information. In one such study, they tried to estimate the age of Selam and found out that it is actually a toddler. According to their calculations, the tiny Selam which separated from its larger companion Dinky about 2 to 3 million years back is way younger than known. Also Read | Were Neanderthals spiritual and religious? Netflix documentary has some answers "Finding the ages of asteroids is important to understanding them, and this one is remarkably young when compared to the age of the solar system, meaning it formed somewhat recently," Colby Merrill, a doctoral student at Cornell University, said in a statement. How astronomers found Selam is a toddler Merill and team have been investigating the newly found asteroid’s dynamics and began constructing a model of how Selam orbits Dinkinesh. They found out that Selam orbits Dinkinesh in loosely packed debris ejected by the asteroid. Assuming that this is the origin of Selam, the team used a model to estimate the asteroid’s age. Generally, astronomers date an asteroid by counting the number of impact craters on its surface- the more the craters, the longer an asteroid has been around to receive those impacts. But Merrill and his colleagues used a different method. Also Read | Chang’e-6: China launches historic mission to collect samples from far side of the Moon They simulated Selam forming from Dinkinesh under a range of different starting conditions and waited until Selam reached the orbit that Lucy glimpsed last November. The team simulated 1 million scenarios that resulted in a Selam-like body forming. The median scenario dated Selam as 3 million years old, while the most common answer was closer to 2 million. “If either of these figures is correct, Selam may actually be younger than Lucy's namesake, the 3.2-million-year old human ancestor Australopithecus afarensis discovered in Ethiopia in the 1970s”, concludes the team. "Obtaining the age of this one body can help us to understand the population as a whole,” Merrill further said. Also Read | 'Lost in space': Satellite missing since 1990s located in Earth's orbit. How can someone lose a satellite? The authors published their work in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics on April 5. For Lucy, it has only begun its tour of the solar system. The next asteroid on its itinerary, located between Mars and Jupiter, is 52246 Donaldjohanson, which Lucy will visit in 2025. (With inputs from agencies)

Asteroid Dinkinesh's duo Selam spotted by NASA's Lucy spacecraft turns out to be cosmic toddler

Do you think losing your keys for days is bad? Scientists lost a whole satellite for an entire 25 years.&nbsp;The satellite has now been spotted, but the story of the S73-7 satellite is like a cosmic mystery novel. Here's all you need to know.

<h2>Lost in Space</h2>

Imagine a satellite launched in 1974, only to vanish in the 1990s, lost in the sea of space debris orbiting Earth.&nbsp;

For decades, the satellite remained invisible to tracking systems, until this week…when it suddenly reappeared on radar screens, all thanks to the efforts of the Space Force's 18th Space Defence Squadron.

On X, formerly Twitter, Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, announced, "The S73-7 satellite has been rediscovered after being untracked for 25 years."&nbsp;

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The S73-7 satellite has been rediscovered after being untracked for 25 years. New TLEs for object 7244 started appearing on Apr 25. Congrats to whichever <a href="https://twitter.com/18thSDS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@18thSDS</a> analyst made the identification. <a href="https://t.co/YJOow5o4ND">pic.twitter.com/YJOow5o4ND</a>
— Jonathan McDowell (@planet4589) <a href="https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1784809456548663518?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<h2>How can anyone lose a satellite?</h2>

The satellite, officially known as the Infra-Red Calibration Balloon, was part of the United States Air Force's Space Test Program.&nbsp;

Launched on April 10, 1974, the satellite's mission was to inflate in orbit and serve as a&nbsp;calibration target for remote sensing instruments.&nbsp;However, a deployment failure set it adrift in space, its whereabouts unknown.

As per Gizmodo, often, defunct satellites or debris can go missing for years in the increasingly crowded Earth orbit.

Jonathan McDowell, in a conversation with the publication, revealed that S73-7 had been tracked in the 1970s, before vanishing in the 1990s once again.&nbsp;

The satellite possibly has a "very low radar cross-section," said McDowell, adding "And maybe the thing that they’re tracking is a dispenser or a piece of the balloon that didn't deploy right, so it’s not metal and doesn’t show up well on radar."

As per the report, on Earth, there are ground-based radar and optical seasons that any time are tracking more than 20,000 objects in orbit. This is tricky business, as the majority of these objects don't transmit their identities. Instead, tracking relies on matching orbits, a task made harder in geostationary orbits where tracking gaps exist.

"There's actually a hole in the tracking…If you hug the equator, you can hide from the tracking," explained McDowell.

"It's basically like air traffic control. All this stuff is whizzing around and if you're going to try flying through that, you want to know where the hazards are."

This rediscovery highlights the challenges of tracking the 27,000 objects in Earth's orbit, ranging from operational satellites to debris.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Do you think losing your keys for days is bad? Scientists lost a whole satellite for an entire 25 years. The satellite has now been spotted, but the story of the S73-7 satellite is like a cosmic mystery novel.

Do you think losing your keys for days is bad? Scientists lost a whole satellite for an entire 25 years. The satellite has now been spotted, but the story of the S73-7 satellite is like a cosmic mystery novel. Here's all you need to know. Lost in Space Imagine a satellite launched in 1974, only to vanish in the 1990s, lost in the sea of space debris orbiting Earth. For decades, the satellite remained invisible to tracking systems, until this week…when it suddenly reappeared on radar screens, all thanks to the efforts of the Space Force's 18th Space Defence Squadron. On X, formerly Twitter, Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, announced, "The S73-7 satellite has been rediscovered after being untracked for 25 years." The S73-7 satellite has been rediscovered after being untracked for 25 years. New TLEs for object 7244 started appearing on Apr 25. Congrats to whichever @18thSDS analyst made the identification. pic.twitter.com/YJOow5o4ND — Jonathan McDowell (@planet4589) April 29, 2024 × How can anyone lose a satellite? The satellite, officially known as the Infra-Red Calibration Balloon, was part of the United States Air Force's Space Test Program. Launched on April 10, 1974, the satellite's mission was to inflate in orbit and serve as a calibration target for remote sensing instruments. However, a deployment failure set it adrift in space, its whereabouts unknown. As per Gizmodo, often, defunct satellites or debris can go missing for years in the increasingly crowded Earth orbit. Jonathan McDowell, in a conversation with the publication, revealed that S73-7 had been tracked in the 1970s, before vanishing in the 1990s once again. The satellite possibly has a "very low radar cross-section," said McDowell, adding "And maybe the thing that they’re tracking is a dispenser or a piece of the balloon that didn't deploy right, so it’s not metal and doesn’t show up well on radar." As per the report, on Earth, there are ground-based radar and optical seasons that any time are tracking more than 20,000 objects in orbit. This is tricky business, as the majority of these objects don't transmit their identities. Instead, tracking relies on matching orbits, a task made harder in geostationary orbits where tracking gaps exist. "There's actually a hole in the tracking…If you hug the equator, you can hide from the tracking," explained McDowell. "It's basically like air traffic control. All this stuff is whizzing around and if you're going to try flying through that, you want to know where the hazards are." This rediscovery highlights the challenges of tracking the 27,000 objects in Earth's orbit, ranging from operational satellites to debris. (With inputs from agencies)

'Lost in space': Satellite missing since 1990s located in Earth's orbit. How can someone lose a satellite?

With NASA’s Artemis programme, humans are set to return to the lunar surface after more than half a century. The last time humans set foot on the Moon was in 1972, under the iconic Apollo programme.&nbsp;

As NASA and other space agencies&nbsp;gear up for the journey, researchers are thinking of ways to help astronauts brave the hostile lunar environment, including the provision of basics like&nbsp;air, food and water. One such important chore also includes- exercise.

Exercise is much more important for astronauts in space than on Earth. Due to the low gravity on the Moon, astronauts tend to become weak and feeble, so much so, that sometimes they need help to stand up or walk after landing back on Earth.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-unveil-what-75000-year-old-neanderthal-woman-shanidar-zs-looked-like-717254">Scientists unveil what 75,000 year-old Neanderthal woman 'Shanidar Z' looked like</a>

One famous instance related to this was of US astronaut Chris Caddy who was carried by multiple men upon his landing in Kazakhstan after 166 days on the International Space Station.
<img alt="Chris Cassidy" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ebf5d1d9-634d-47e8-aa46-2210c4399807" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/skynews-nasa-astronaut_6539525.jpg" />
To tackle this, researchers at the University of Milan found a way that could help astronauts exercise on the Moon - a “Wall of Death” workout.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the ‘Wall of Death’ workout?</h2>

The team of researchers at the University of Milan tied people to bungee cords to replicate lunar gravity and asked them to run fast enough around the “Wall of Death”- a giant wooden cylinder used for motorcycle stunts at fairs.&nbsp;

The test subjects were asked to be fast enough to prevent themselves from skidding down the wall. Due to the presence of Earth’s gravity, this task sounded difficult, but with the help of bungee cords, the team was successful in reducing the gravity, and people were able to stick to the wall for multiple laps.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/moons-north-pole-could-have-more-water-ice-than-south-says-study-717103">Moon's north pole could have more water ice than south, says study</a>

This same model can be used on the lunar surface&nbsp;during the stint of astronauts on the Moon.

This exercise is high impact and "just twice a day, for three or four laps" would be enough to keep astronauts' muscles and bones healthy on the moon, said lead researcher Professor Alberto Minetti.

“This could be a convenient way to train on the moon.”

Calculations by Minetti and his colleagues show that humans would find it extremely difficult to run around a Wall of Death on Earth without falling down. But in lunar gravity, which is one-sixth that on Earth, the feat is much easier.&nbsp;

Exercise on the Moon has concerned researchers for years. The reduced gravity on the lunar surface means the astronauts’ muscles would bear 83 per cent less body weight than on Earth. This risks their fitness levels, as their muscles experience atrophying, and symptoms similar to osteoporosis as their bones become brittle.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/women-experience-more-years-in-poor-health-than-men-key-study-finds-717194">Women experience more years in poor health than men, key study finds</a>

Rather than transporting an actual Wall of Death to the moon, astronauts could be housed in circular habitats, allowing them to run around the walls of their off-world homes, the team wrote in Royal Society Open Science.

While the idea of a Wall of Death workout for astronauts on the Moon looks promising, it remains to be seen how practical it would be under the environmental circumstances of the lunar surface.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

With NASA’s Artemis programme, humans are set to return to the lunar surface after more than half a century. The last time humans set foot on the Moon was in 1972, under the iconic Apollo programme.

With NASA’s Artemis programme, humans are set to return to the lunar surface after more than half a century. The last time humans set foot on the Moon was in 1972, under the iconic Apollo programme. As NASA and other space agencies gear up for the journey, researchers are thinking of ways to help astronauts brave the hostile lunar environment, including the provision of basics like air, food and water. One such important chore also includes- exercise. Exercise is much more important for astronauts in space than on Earth. Due to the low gravity on the Moon, astronauts tend to become weak and feeble, so much so, that sometimes they need help to stand up or walk after landing back on Earth. Also Read | Scientists unveil what 75,000 year-old Neanderthal woman 'Shanidar Z' looked like One famous instance related to this was of US astronaut Chris Caddy who was carried by multiple men upon his landing in Kazakhstan after 166 days on the International Space Station. To tackle this, researchers at the University of Milan found a way that could help astronauts exercise on the Moon - a “Wall of Death” workout. What is the ‘Wall of Death’ workout? The team of researchers at the University of Milan tied people to bungee cords to replicate lunar gravity and asked them to run fast enough around the “Wall of Death”- a giant wooden cylinder used for motorcycle stunts at fairs. The test subjects were asked to be fast enough to prevent themselves from skidding down the wall. Due to the presence of Earth’s gravity, this task sounded difficult, but with the help of bungee cords, the team was successful in reducing the gravity, and people were able to stick to the wall for multiple laps. Also Read | Moon's north pole could have more water ice than south, says study This same model can be used on the lunar surface during the stint of astronauts on the Moon. This exercise is high impact and "just twice a day, for three or four laps" would be enough to keep astronauts' muscles and bones healthy on the moon, said lead researcher Professor Alberto Minetti. “This could be a convenient way to train on the moon.” Calculations by Minetti and his colleagues show that humans would find it extremely difficult to run around a Wall of Death on Earth without falling down. But in lunar gravity, which is one-sixth that on Earth, the feat is much easier. Exercise on the Moon has concerned researchers for years. The reduced gravity on the lunar surface means the astronauts’ muscles would bear 83 per cent less body weight than on Earth. This risks their fitness levels, as their muscles experience atrophying, and symptoms similar to osteoporosis as their bones become brittle. Also Read | Women experience more years in poor health than men, key study finds Rather than transporting an actual Wall of Death to the moon, astronauts could be housed in circular habitats, allowing them to run around the walls of their off-world homes, the team wrote in Royal Society Open Science. While the idea of a Wall of Death workout for astronauts on the Moon looks promising, it remains to be seen how practical it would be under the environmental circumstances of the lunar surface. (With inputs from agencies)

'Wall of Death' workout can keep astronauts fit on the Moon. Here's how it works

Are the aliens trying to communicate with us? If they do how would they talk to us? Well, they could be sending messages that would be captured by big radio antennas but recently something amazing has happened. Watch to know more.

Mysterious laser transmission strikes Earth, are aliens trying to communicate with us?

China's space agency unveiled a CGI video depicting its ambitious plans for a lunar base, aiming for construction within the coming few decades.&nbsp;

The video has gained attention for an unexpected detail - a NASA Space Shuttle launching from a distant pad, as first noted by Space.com.

This inclusion is curious, as the Space Shuttle programme ended over a decade ago, and China and NASA currently have limited collaboration in space exploration.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-propose-wall-of-death-workout-to-keep-astronauts-fit-on-moon-717266">'Wall of Death' workout can keep astronauts fit on the Moon. Here's how it works</a>

As per&nbsp;space reporter Jack Kuhr, the state-run China Global Television Network had come up with a&nbsp;fix to hide the Shuttle taking off in the background. He posted a hilarious tweet saying, "boom, it has been fixed".

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Boom problem solved. CGTN went ahead and slapped an ol' reliable blur bar over the Shuttle <a href="https://t.co/GltGw0c17x">https://t.co/GltGw0c17x</a> <a href="https://t.co/bkuBT86YaN">pic.twitter.com/bkuBT86YaN</a>
— Jack Kuhr 👨‍🚀 (@JackKuhr) <a href="https://twitter.com/JackKuhr/status/1783622508417040666?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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NASA retired its workhorse spacecraft in 2011, relying on Russia's Soyuz capsules to staff the International Space Station until the advent of SpaceX's Crew Dragon.

While retired in 2011, the Space Shuttle remains a widely recognised symbol of spaceflight and may have been a readily available 3D model for the animation.&nbsp;

This detail is particularly interesting given the current restrictions on collaboration between China's space programme and NASA. Last month, NASA administrator Bill Nelson raised concerns about potential military applications within China's space activities.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/is-your-iphone-alarm-not-playing-a-sound-apple-says-its-working-to-fix-issue-717319">Is your iPhone alarm not playing a sound? Apple says it's working to fix issue</a>

China's space agency has made major headwinds in its efforts to explore space, from successfully landing a spacecraft on the far side of the Moon to building&nbsp;an entire space station in a matter of just two years.

China's space agency is pioneering methods for building lunar habitats using bricks made from moon dust.&nbsp;

China is also exploring the possibility of utilising ancient lunar lava tubes for potential bases. China's technical progress in lunar construction is undeniable.

They are a strong contender in the race to establish a lasting human presence on the Moon.

(With inputs from agencies)

China's space agency unveiled a CGI video depicting its ambitious plans for a lunar base, aiming for construction within the coming few decades. The video has gained attention for an unexpected detail - a NASA Space Shuttle launching from a distant pad, as first noted by Space.

China's space agency unveiled a CGI video depicting its ambitious plans for a lunar base, aiming for construction within the coming few decades. The video has gained attention for an unexpected detail - a NASA Space Shuttle launching from a distant pad, as first noted by Space.com. This inclusion is curious, as the Space Shuttle programme ended over a decade ago, and China and NASA currently have limited collaboration in space exploration. Also read: 'Wall of Death' workout can keep astronauts fit on the Moon. Here's how it works As per space reporter Jack Kuhr, the state-run China Global Television Network had come up with a fix to hide the Shuttle taking off in the background. He posted a hilarious tweet saying, "boom, it has been fixed". Boom problem solved. CGTN went ahead and slapped an ol' reliable blur bar over the Shuttle https://t.co/GltGw0c17x pic.twitter.com/bkuBT86YaN — Jack Kuhr 👨‍🚀 (@JackKuhr) April 25, 2024 × NASA retired its workhorse spacecraft in 2011, relying on Russia's Soyuz capsules to staff the International Space Station until the advent of SpaceX's Crew Dragon. While retired in 2011, the Space Shuttle remains a widely recognised symbol of spaceflight and may have been a readily available 3D model for the animation. This detail is particularly interesting given the current restrictions on collaboration between China's space programme and NASA. Last month, NASA administrator Bill Nelson raised concerns about potential military applications within China's space activities. Also read: Is your iPhone alarm not playing a sound? Apple says it's working to fix issue China's space agency has made major headwinds in its efforts to explore space, from successfully landing a spacecraft on the far side of the Moon to building an entire space station in a matter of just two years. China's space agency is pioneering methods for building lunar habitats using bricks made from moon dust. China is also exploring the possibility of utilising ancient lunar lava tubes for potential bases. China's technical progress in lunar construction is undeniable. They are a strong contender in the race to establish a lasting human presence on the Moon. (With inputs from agencies)

CGI video of Chinese lunar base has an unexpected inclusion. Wait, is that a US shuttle?

Boeing Starliner's debut crew, Sunita Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore are super excited for their liftoff.

While talking to the reporters on Wednesday (May 1), the astronauts said that their test pilot experience with the US Navy will help them assess the spacecraft during its debut crewed launch.&nbsp;

The liftoff is set for Monday (May 6) at 10:34 p.m. EDT (0234 GMT May 7), and the event will be live-streamed via NASA Television.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/boeing-aim-may-6th-for-first-starliner-astronaut-mission-715135">Sunita Williams set to pilot Starliner spacecraft for her first trip to ISS in 12 years</a>

Wilmore and Williams, both ex-Navy test pilots, aim to dock at the space station on May 8th. If their mission goes well, they'll return to Earth around May 15.

"It almost feels unreal," said Williams, who will be the mission pilot. The discussion was conducted remotely because both Williams and Wilmore are currently quarantining for the impending journey.

Notably, its historic liftoff will mount both the astronauts atop the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket — another first for humans.&nbsp;

Sunita Williams is going to the International Space Station after 12 years. Williams boasts a seasoned career with two previous space missions under her belt — Expeditions 14/15 and 32/33.

<h2>About the&nbsp;Starliner mission</h2>

A successful mission paves the way for regular Starliner crew rotations starting in 2025, with launches alternating between Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon. This would provide NASA with a robust two-company system for ferrying astronauts to the station.

Since the beginning, NASA's plan was to have both SpaceX and Boeing operational. This means their Crew Dragon and Starliner capsules would act as backups for each other. In case of technical problems or delays with one spacecraft, astronauts could still launch on the other. This two-capsule system provides redundancy and ensures a more reliable path to space for NASA's crews.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/spiders-on-mars-esas-mars-express-captures-unique-phenomenon-on-the-red-planet-714917">Spiders on Mars? European mission captures weird black spots near Inca City</a>

NASA at first did not envision that SpaceX’s Crew Dragon would function on its own for nearly four years before Boeing’s Starliner reached its first crewed test flight.

Earlier in 2014, when NASA awarded contracts to SpaceX and Boeing, the space agency initially leaned towards Boeing as it has been a trusted partner since the mid-20th century. However, SpaceX on the other hand, was a young and ambitious company, seen by some at NASA as a bit of a gamble.

(With inputs from agencies)

Boeing Starliner's debut crew, Sunita Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore are super excited for their liftoff. While talking to the reporters on Wednesday (May 1), the astronauts said that their test pilot experience with the US Navy will help them assess the spacecraft during its debut crewed launch.

Boeing Starliner's debut crew, Sunita Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore are super excited for their liftoff. While talking to the reporters on Wednesday (May 1), the astronauts said that their test pilot experience with the US Navy will help them assess the spacecraft during its debut crewed launch. The liftoff is set for Monday (May 6) at 10:34 p.m. EDT (0234 GMT May 7), and the event will be live-streamed via NASA Television. Also read: Sunita Williams set to pilot Starliner spacecraft for her first trip to ISS in 12 years Wilmore and Williams, both ex-Navy test pilots, aim to dock at the space station on May 8th. If their mission goes well, they'll return to Earth around May 15. "It almost feels unreal," said Williams, who will be the mission pilot. The discussion was conducted remotely because both Williams and Wilmore are currently quarantining for the impending journey. Notably, its historic liftoff will mount both the astronauts atop the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket — another first for humans. Sunita Williams is going to the International Space Station after 12 years. Williams boasts a seasoned career with two previous space missions under her belt — Expeditions 14/15 and 32/33. About the Starliner mission A successful mission paves the way for regular Starliner crew rotations starting in 2025, with launches alternating between Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon. This would provide NASA with a robust two-company system for ferrying astronauts to the station. Since the beginning, NASA's plan was to have both SpaceX and Boeing operational. This means their Crew Dragon and Starliner capsules would act as backups for each other. In case of technical problems or delays with one spacecraft, astronauts could still launch on the other. This two-capsule system provides redundancy and ensures a more reliable path to space for NASA's crews. Also read: Spiders on Mars? European mission captures weird black spots near Inca City NASA at first did not envision that SpaceX’s Crew Dragon would function on its own for nearly four years before Boeing’s Starliner reached its first crewed test flight. Earlier in 2014, when NASA awarded contracts to SpaceX and Boeing, the space agency initially leaned towards Boeing as it has been a trusted partner since the mid-20th century. However, SpaceX on the other hand, was a young and ambitious company, seen by some at NASA as a bit of a gamble. (With inputs from agencies)

Sunita Williams excited for first-ever human launch of Boeing Starliner

Asteroids are thought to have been the cause of demise of the mighty dinosaurs, and many theories suggest they would probably be the reason for humanity's downfall too. However, a groundbreaking algorithm has helped asteroid hunters identify a whopping 27,500 overlooked near-Earth objects, make or break information that could potentially help us avoid the doom.

<h2>The THOR-like technology</h2>

Known as Tracklet-less Heliocentric Orbit Recovery (THOR), the technology is revolutionising the way astronomers detect near-Earth asteroids, potentially enhancing our planetary defence capabilities.&nbsp;

THOR, which was developed by researchers at the University of Washington and the Asteroid Institute, THOR employs a novel approach by sifting through archival space photographs to identify celestial bodies.

Using the vast digital archives of the National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab), which contains millions of space images, and the help of Google Cloud technology, THOR processed the images in just five weeks, demonstrating its efficiency and scalability.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/cosmic-rush-hour-traffic-jams-in-space-can-cause-black-holes-to-collide-716627">Cosmic vicious cycle: Black holes are crashing into each other due to 'traffic jams' in space</a>

This innovative method has led to the identification of the over 27,500 previously unnoticed near-Earth objects. This, as per the New York Post, surpasses the total number discovered by all global telescopes last year.&nbsp;

Among these are 100 asteroids that traverse within Earth's orbit, with the majority located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

As per the New York Post, while none of the identified objects were on collision course with earth, this proves vital data that could one day prevent potential cosmic threats.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/fastest-spinning-asteroid-recently-hit-earths-atmosphere-and-crashed-in-berlin-716624">Fastest-spinning asteroid&nbsp;recently hit Earth’s atmosphere and crashed in Berlin</a>

<h2>'Sea change' in how astronomical research can be conducted</h2>

Unlike traditional observation techniques that track objects across multiple images over time, THOR connects isolated points of light from different images, inferring that they represent the same object. This approach, and the results as per Ed Lu, executive director of the Asteroid Institute, represent "a sea change" in how astronomical research can be conducted.&nbsp;

As Matthew Holman, dynamicist and search algorithm expert at the Center for Astrophysics at Harvard &amp; Smithsonian in Cambridge, Massachusetts, said in a 2022 press release, a comprehensive map of the solar system can give "astronomers critical insights both for science and planetary defence."

(With inputs from agencies)

Asteroids are thought to have been the cause of demise of the mighty dinosaurs, and many theories suggest they would probably be the reason for humanity's downfall too.

Asteroids are thought to have been the cause of demise of the mighty dinosaurs, and many theories suggest they would probably be the reason for humanity's downfall too. However, a groundbreaking algorithm has helped asteroid hunters identify a whopping 27,500 overlooked near-Earth objects, make or break information that could potentially help us avoid the doom. The THOR-like technology Known as Tracklet-less Heliocentric Orbit Recovery (THOR), the technology is revolutionising the way astronomers detect near-Earth asteroids, potentially enhancing our planetary defence capabilities. THOR, which was developed by researchers at the University of Washington and the Asteroid Institute, THOR employs a novel approach by sifting through archival space photographs to identify celestial bodies. Using the vast digital archives of the National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab), which contains millions of space images, and the help of Google Cloud technology, THOR processed the images in just five weeks, demonstrating its efficiency and scalability. Also read | Cosmic vicious cycle: Black holes are crashing into each other due to 'traffic jams' in space This innovative method has led to the identification of the over 27,500 previously unnoticed near-Earth objects. This, as per the New York Post, surpasses the total number discovered by all global telescopes last year. Among these are 100 asteroids that traverse within Earth's orbit, with the majority located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. As per the New York Post, while none of the identified objects were on collision course with earth, this proves vital data that could one day prevent potential cosmic threats. Also read | Fastest-spinning asteroid recently hit Earth’s atmosphere and crashed in Berlin 'Sea change' in how astronomical research can be conducted Unlike traditional observation techniques that track objects across multiple images over time, THOR connects isolated points of light from different images, inferring that they represent the same object. This approach, and the results as per Ed Lu, executive director of the Asteroid Institute, represent "a sea change" in how astronomical research can be conducted. As Matthew Holman, dynamicist and search algorithm expert at the Center for Astrophysics at Harvard & Smithsonian in Cambridge, Massachusetts, said in a 2022 press release, a comprehensive map of the solar system can give "astronomers critical insights both for science and planetary defence." (With inputs from agencies)

Over 27,500 previously unnoticed asteroids near Earth identified. Were they a threat?

James Webb Space Telescope, which is the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space, has captured the sharpest infrared images to date of the Horsehead Nebula, which is one of the most distinctive objects in our skies.

James Webb Space Telescope, which is the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space, has captured the sharpest infrared images to date of the Horsehead Nebula, which is one of the most distinctive objects in our skies. The images shared on the official website of the European Space Agency (ESA) show observations of a part of the iconic nebula in a whole new light. The latest images have captured the complexity of the nebula with "unprecedented spatial resolution", the official statement said. Also read: ISRO delayed Chandrayaan-3’s launch by four seconds to avoid massive collision in space The observations show the top of the "horse's mane" or the edge of this iconic nebula. The images also show part of the sky in the constellation Orion (The Hunter), on the western side of a dense region known as the Orion B molecular cloud. Horsehead Nebula is seen rising from turbulent waves of dust and gas, which is otherwise known as Barnard 33. It resides roughly 1,300 light-years away. 🆕 The Horsehead Nebula as you've never seen it before... The NASA/ESA/CSA James #Webb Space Telescope has captured the sharpest infrared images to date of one of the most distinctive objects in our skies, showing a part of the iconic nebula in unprecedented spatial resolution. pic.twitter.com/1Gdwyzh5wI — European Space Agency (@esa) April 29, 2024 × 🐴⭐The Horsehead Nebula as seen by three space telescopes! 🤩 From @ESA_Euclid to @HUBBLE_space to @ESA_Webb, delve into the complementary views from these #BFFinSpace! Details 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/RdtzijNYdL — ESA Science (@esascience) April 29, 2024 × Also read: NASA confirms meteor crash created Luna crater, estimates impact happened 6,900 years ago Formation of Horsehead Nebula The nebula was formed from a collapsing interstellar cloud of material. The official statement revealed that it glows because it is illuminated by a nearby hot star. "The gas clouds surrounding the Horsehead have already dissipated, but the jutting pillar is made of thick clumps of material that is harder to erode," ESA said. According to the astronomers, the Horsehead has about five million years left before it too disintegrates. Thanks to the MIRI and NIRCam instruments of James Webb, a team of astronomers has revealed the small-scale structures of the illuminated edge of the Horsehead for the first time. (With inputs from agencies)

James Webb captures stunning Horsehead Nebula as ‘you’ve never seen it before...’

The search for life beyond Earth is really just getting started, but science has an encouraging early answer: there are plenty of planets in the galaxy, many with similarities to our own. But what we don’t know fills volumes. Observations from the ground and from space have confirmed thousands of planets beyond our solar system.

Strongest sign of alien found: The search for life beyond earth

Decades can sometimes pass in the blink of an eye, or about 20 seconds. NASA has released two dramatic time-lapses of two of the most famous objects in the sky, compressing 20 years into just 20 seconds.

The time-lapses are of Cassiopeia A and the Crab Nebula, both leftovers of massive stars going supernova in our galaxy.

<h2>'Grab your popcorn' for the mesmerising time-lapse videos</h2>

NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory recorded the mesmerising time-lapse videos. Posting them on social media, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) wrote: "Grab your popcorn".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/hubble-space-telescope-temporarily-goes-off-duty-as-key-device-provides-faulty-reading-715992">Hubble space telescope temporarily goes off duty as key device provides faulty&nbsp;reading</a>

Watch the gorgeous videos here:

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Grab your popcorn 🍿 <a href="https://twitter.com/chandraxray?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chandraxray</a> has released new timelapses of the Crab Nebula and Cassiopeia A! 
 
Each video includes X-ray data collected by Chandra over about two decades, showing dramatic changes from these two supernova remnants. 
 
READ MORE &gt;&gt; <a href="https://t.co/jeEbIVKjHn">https://t.co/jeEbIVKjHn</a> <a href="https://t.co/Np7MsTZD1B">pic.twitter.com/Np7MsTZD1B</a>
— NASA Marshall (@NASA_Marshall) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA_Marshall/status/1783197244528681102?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The Crab Nebula, as per NASA, was born from a supernova seen by Chinese astronomers and witnessed globally nearly a thousand years ago in 1054.&nbsp;

"At its centre is a neutron star, a super-dense star produced by the supernova. As it rotates at about 30 times per second, its beam of radiation passes over the Earth every orbit, like a cosmic lighthouse," explains NASA.

Also read&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/vampire-facials-lead-to-women-catching-hiv-cdc-reports-cases-of-transmission-via-cosmetic-procedures-715134">'Vampire facials' lead to women catching HIV; CDC reports cases of transmission via cosmetic procedures</a>

Chandra has been closely monitoring them from 2000 to 2022. This ongoing study is set to continue later this year.

On the other hand, Cassiopeia A (Cas A) is a younger supernova remnant, estimated to have exploded about 340 years ago.&nbsp;

Chandra has been observing it for years. The time-lapse features data from 2000 to 2019. Chandra's discovery of a neutron star at the heart of Cassiopeia A shortly after its 1999 launch has been crucial in deepening our understanding of how stars explode and form neutron stars or pulsars.

<h2>Scientists race to save Chandra</h2>

These gorgeous time-lapses come as the craft which was launched in 1999 becomes the subject of pay cuts that X-ray astronomers in the US contend would effectively mean the end of the mission.

NASA claims that the craft "has been degrading over its mission lifetime to the extent that several systems require active management…increasing management costs beyond what NASA can afford." However, researchers contend that Chandra "has plenty of life left in it."

(With inputs from agencies)

Decades can sometimes pass in the blink of an eye, or about 20 seconds. NASA has released two dramatic time-lapses of two of the most famous objects in the sky, compressing 20 years into just 20 seconds.

Decades can sometimes pass in the blink of an eye, or about 20 seconds. NASA has released two dramatic time-lapses of two of the most famous objects in the sky, compressing 20 years into just 20 seconds. The time-lapses are of Cassiopeia A and the Crab Nebula, both leftovers of massive stars going supernova in our galaxy. 'Grab your popcorn' for the mesmerising time-lapse videos NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory recorded the mesmerising time-lapse videos. Posting them on social media, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) wrote: "Grab your popcorn". Also read | Hubble space telescope temporarily goes off duty as key device provides faulty reading Watch the gorgeous videos here: Grab your popcorn 🍿 @chandraxray has released new timelapses of the Crab Nebula and Cassiopeia A! Each video includes X-ray data collected by Chandra over about two decades, showing dramatic changes from these two supernova remnants. READ MORE >> https://t.co/jeEbIVKjHn pic.twitter.com/Np7MsTZD1B — NASA Marshall (@NASA_Marshall) April 24, 2024 × The Crab Nebula, as per NASA, was born from a supernova seen by Chinese astronomers and witnessed globally nearly a thousand years ago in 1054. "At its centre is a neutron star, a super-dense star produced by the supernova. As it rotates at about 30 times per second, its beam of radiation passes over the Earth every orbit, like a cosmic lighthouse," explains NASA. Also read | 'Vampire facials' lead to women catching HIV; CDC reports cases of transmission via cosmetic procedures Chandra has been closely monitoring them from 2000 to 2022. This ongoing study is set to continue later this year. On the other hand, Cassiopeia A (Cas A) is a younger supernova remnant, estimated to have exploded about 340 years ago. Chandra has been observing it for years. The time-lapse features data from 2000 to 2019. Chandra's discovery of a neutron star at the heart of Cassiopeia A shortly after its 1999 launch has been crucial in deepening our understanding of how stars explode and form neutron stars or pulsars. Scientists race to save Chandra These gorgeous time-lapses come as the craft which was launched in 1999 becomes the subject of pay cuts that X-ray astronomers in the US contend would effectively mean the end of the mission. NASA claims that the craft "has been degrading over its mission lifetime to the extent that several systems require active management…increasing management costs beyond what NASA can afford." However, researchers contend that Chandra "has plenty of life left in it." (With inputs from agencies)

'Grab your popcorn', NASA just released mesmerising Nebula timelapses captured by Chandra observatory

The orbiting satellite of NASA Earth Observatory recorded an image of Luna crater which is located in the Kutch region of the Indian state of Gujarat. The US Space Agency's official site revealed that in a recent geochemical analysis, it was found that “it contains the characteristic signatures of a meteorite impact.

The orbiting satellite of NASA Earth Observatory recorded an image of Luna crater which is located in the Kutch region of the Indian state of Gujarat. The US Space Agency's official site revealed that in a recent geochemical analysis, it was found that “it contains the characteristic signatures of a meteorite impact.” According to the report, the OLI (Operational Land Imager) captured the footprint of the Luna impact crater on the Landsat 8 satellite on February 24. The new development gained the spotlight after a zoomed-in picture of the crater was posted by NASA on X. Also Read: Largest meteorite in history fell in India 4,000 years ago? Huge crater hints so NASA, sharing the image, wrote, “You've heard of Clair de Lune, but what about Crater de Luna? The #Landsat 8 satellite captured this image of a meteorite impact site—Luna crater—located in India's Gujarat state in the Banni Plains grassland in February 2024.” You've heard of Clair de Lune, but what about crater de Luna? 🪨 The #Landsat 8 satellite captured this image of a meteorite impact site—Luna crater—located in India's Gujarat state in the Banni Plains grassland in February 2024. https://t.co/EnV3LbCPsM pic.twitter.com/Z7xvSwZ4Xq — NASA Earth (@NASAEarth) April 27, 2024 × Meanwhile, it stated in its report, “In the Kutch district of northwest India, a vast desert where salt is harvested in colourful rectangular ponds stretches to the Arabian Sea. Scientists in India had suspected, but not confirmed, that an object from outer space made this mark on the landscape. Now, a geochemical analysis of the structure has revealed it contains the characteristic signatures of a meteorite impact.” Crater impacts very rare on Earth, says space agency The agency stated that it is very rare to find impact of craters on Earth and less than 200 of them are known to be there across the globe. NASA said that various meteorites, which journeyed through Earth's atmosphere, crashed into the water bodies. Speaking about the Luna crater, NASA said, “The footprint of the newly studied Luna impact crater—named for its proximity to a village of the same name—is visible in this image, acquired by the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on the Landsat 8 satellite on February 24, 2024.” The crater measures approximately 1.8 kilometres (1.1 miles) in width, and the outer rim is slightly more than 6 meters (20 feet) above the crater floor. Watch: Gravitas | The impact of NASA asteroid deflection “The Luna structure is situated in India's Gujarat state in a grassland called the Banni Plains. The Great Rann of Kutch, an expansive white salt desert, lies just to the north. Parts of these low-lying areas are submerged for much of the year, and the Luna crater often contains water. Researchers took advantage of a dry period in May 2022 to collect samples from throughout the structure," NASA added. The space agency stated they carried out the radiocarbon dating of plant remnants - which were present in silt at the site - and found that the impact occurred nearly 6,900 years ago. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA confirms meteor crash created Luna crater, estimates impact happened 6,900 years ago

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams is all set for her third space mission.She will embark on her third space mission with NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test to the International Space Station. The mission is scheduled for liftoff on May 6.

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams set for third space mission

Following years of delays and numerous setbacks during test flights, Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is finally set to make its inaugural crew launch.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, two of NASA's most seasoned astronauts, will be the pilots of the Crew Flight Test mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

The two veteran astronauts will travel to and from the International Space Station, marking what could be a historic and long-awaited victory for the beleaguered Starliner programme.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/spiders-on-mars-esas-mars-express-captures-unique-phenomenon-on-the-red-planet-714917">Spiders on Mars? European mission captures weird black spots near Inca City</a>

“We love the Kennedy Space Center because this is where you launch humans into space," Butch Wilmore told reporters and added, "In less than two weeks, the next flight we take we'll be laying on our backs and (launching) into the heavens."

"This is where the rubber meets the road, where we are going to leave this planet, and that is pretty darn cool,” said Sunita Williams.

Notably, Sunita Williams is going to the International Space Station after 12 years. Williams boasts a seasoned career with two previous space missions under her belt — Expeditions 14/15 and 32/33.

On Thursday (Apr 25), NASA and Boeing gave the go-ahead for a launch attempt within the next two weeks. But officials are stressing flexibility.&nbsp;

“May 6th is the target, but liftoff will only happen when everything is ready,” said Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-say-asteroid-kamooalewa-is-likely-the-second-moon-which-once-belonged-to-our-moon-714140">This asteroid orbits the Sun, left a massive crater on Moon, but without ever hitting it</a>

This successful mission would mark a major milestone. Boeing's Starliner would join SpaceX's Crew Dragon in carrying astronauts to and from the International Space Station, ensuring a reliable flow of crew for the orbiting lab.

“This is history in the making,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said of the upcoming Starliner mission during a news conference, “We’re now in the golden era of space exploration.”

Watch:&nbsp;Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams set for third space mission

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Astronauts Wilmore and Williams, both ex-Navy test pilots aim to dock at the space station on May 8th. If their mission goes well, they'll return to Earth around May 15th.&nbsp;

A successful mission paves the way for regular Starliner crew rotations starting in 2025, with launches alternating between Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon. This would provide NASA with a robust two-company system for ferrying astronauts to the station.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-say-asteroid-kamooalewa-is-likely-the-second-moon-which-once-belonged-to-our-moon-714140">This asteroid orbits the Sun, left a massive crater on Moon, but without ever hitting it</a>

SpaceX and Boeing developed their individual vehicles under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, a partnership with private industry contractors.&nbsp;

Since the beginning, NASA's plan was to have both SpaceX and Boeing operational. This means their Crew Dragon and Starliner capsules would act as backups for each other. In case of technical problems or delays with one spacecraft, astronauts could still launch on the other. This two-capsule system provides redundancy and ensures a more reliable path to space for NASA's crews.

NASA at first did not envision that SpaceX’s Crew Dragon would function on its own for nearly four years before Boeing’s Starliner reached its first crewed test flight.

Earlier in 2014, when NASA awarded contracts to SpaceX and Boeing, the space agency initially leaned towards Boeing as it has&nbsp;been a trusted partner since the mid-20th century. However, SpaceX on the other hand, was a young and ambitious company, seen by some at NASA as a bit of a gamble.

(With inputs from agencies)

Following years of delays and numerous setbacks during test flights, Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is finally set to make its inaugural crew launch. NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, two of NASA's most seasoned astronauts, will be the pilots of the Crew Flight Test mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

Following years of delays and numerous setbacks during test flights, Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is finally set to make its inaugural crew launch. NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, two of NASA's most seasoned astronauts, will be the pilots of the Crew Flight Test mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The two veteran astronauts will travel to and from the International Space Station, marking what could be a historic and long-awaited victory for the beleaguered Starliner programme. Also read: Spiders on Mars? European mission captures weird black spots near Inca City “We love the Kennedy Space Center because this is where you launch humans into space," Butch Wilmore told reporters and added, "In less than two weeks, the next flight we take we'll be laying on our backs and (launching) into the heavens." "This is where the rubber meets the road, where we are going to leave this planet, and that is pretty darn cool,” said Sunita Williams. Notably, Sunita Williams is going to the International Space Station after 12 years. Williams boasts a seasoned career with two previous space missions under her belt — Expeditions 14/15 and 32/33. On Thursday (Apr 25), NASA and Boeing gave the go-ahead for a launch attempt within the next two weeks. But officials are stressing flexibility. “May 6th is the target, but liftoff will only happen when everything is ready,” said Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate. Also read: This asteroid orbits the Sun, left a massive crater on Moon, but without ever hitting it This successful mission would mark a major milestone. Boeing's Starliner would join SpaceX's Crew Dragon in carrying astronauts to and from the International Space Station, ensuring a reliable flow of crew for the orbiting lab. “This is history in the making,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said of the upcoming Starliner mission during a news conference, “We’re now in the golden era of space exploration.” Watch: Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams set for third space mission × Astronauts Wilmore and Williams, both ex-Navy test pilots aim to dock at the space station on May 8th. If their mission goes well, they'll return to Earth around May 15th. A successful mission paves the way for regular Starliner crew rotations starting in 2025, with launches alternating between Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon. This would provide NASA with a robust two-company system for ferrying astronauts to the station. Also read: This asteroid orbits the Sun, left a massive crater on Moon, but without ever hitting it SpaceX and Boeing developed their individual vehicles under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, a partnership with private industry contractors. Since the beginning, NASA's plan was to have both SpaceX and Boeing operational. This means their Crew Dragon and Starliner capsules would act as backups for each other. In case of technical problems or delays with one spacecraft, astronauts could still launch on the other. This two-capsule system provides redundancy and ensures a more reliable path to space for NASA's crews. NASA at first did not envision that SpaceX’s Crew Dragon would function on its own for nearly four years before Boeing’s Starliner reached its first crewed test flight. Earlier in 2014, when NASA awarded contracts to SpaceX and Boeing, the space agency initially leaned towards Boeing as it has been a trusted partner since the mid-20th century. However, SpaceX on the other hand, was a young and ambitious company, seen by some at NASA as a bit of a gamble. (With inputs from agencies)

Sunita Williams set to pilot Starliner spacecraft for her first trip to ISS in 12 years

The legendary Hubble Space Telescope, known for producing stunning images of the cosmos, has completed 34 years in orbit. Hubble Space Telescope has helped scientists prove that our universe is 13.

The legendary Hubble Space Telescope, known for producing stunning images of the cosmos, has completed 34 years in orbit. Hubble Space Telescope has helped scientists prove that our universe is 13.7 billion years old and that many galaxies host humongous black holes at their centres. The spaceborne eye also helped scientists map the mysterious substance dark matter in 3D. NASA's Hubble Mission team stated, "Most of Hubble's discoveries were not anticipated before launch. The space telescope is the most scientifically productive space astrophysics mission in NASA history. The demand for using Hubble is so high it is currently oversubscribed by a factor of six-to-one." On the 34th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers revealed a fresh picture of the Dumbbell Nebula or M76, Space.com reported. It is a two-lobed, expanding shell of gas shed by a dying star at the centre. M76 resembles "a balloon that's been pinched around a middle waist." It's located 3,400 light-years from Earth in the constellation Perseus. Moreover, a glowing ring of gas and dust ejected by the central star when it runs out of fuel borders it. ALSO READ | 'Vampire facials' lead to women catching HIV; CDC reports cases of transmission via cosmetic procedures The star's temperature exceeds 130,000 degrees Celsius (250,000 degrees Fahrenheit), making it one of the hottest known stellar remnants. It is roughly 24 times the temperature of our Sun's surface. The Hubble image shows the outer layers form a dumbbell-shaped ring around the star, which hosts a myriad of dense knots of gas and dust ranging from 17 billion kilometres to 56 billion kilometres. Each knot has as much mass as three whole Earths. While there's a chance that the binary star might have shaped the ring, the companion star isn't visible in the Hubble images. A theory by NASA suggests that the central star might've consumed the shredded invisible star. However, despite being classified as a "planetary nebula," the M76 has no association with any known planets. The Hubble Space Telescope is right above Earth's atmosphere, orbiting our planet roughly 320 miles (515 km) above the ground. However, NASA has boosted the telescope into slightly higher orbits several times to keep it from gradually being dragged into the Earth's atmosphere. According to NASA, the telescope will operate until at least the late 2020s. The agency plans to attach a propulsion module to the telescope, enabling a controlled re-entry into the Pacific Ocean or elevate it into a higher orbit to keep it above during the next decade. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA marks 34th anniversary of Hubble Space Telescope by unveiling stunning images of Dumbbell Nebula

NASA's Curiosity Mars Rover has made the most surprising revelation that methane is seeping from the surface of Gale Crater. Since scientists did not find any signs of current or ancient life on Mars, they did not expect the gas to be present there, as living creatures produce most methane.

NASA's Curiosity Mars Rover has made the most surprising revelation that methane is seeping from the surface of Gale Crater. Since scientists did not find any signs of current or ancient life on Mars, they did not expect the gas to be present there, as living creatures produce most methane. While SAM (Sample Analysis Mars) or the portable laboratory on Curiosity has detected traces of the gas near the surface of the Gale Crater, the European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter found no methane in the atmosphere of the Red Planet. Furthermore, Gale Crater is the only place on Mars where traces of methane have been found, likely due to geological mechanisms involving water and rocks deep underground. Methane also exhibits unexpected behaviour in Gale Crater by appearing at night and disappearing during the day, fluctuating seasonally, and sometimes spiking 40 times higher than usual. In March, a NASA research group proposed a paper in the journal Geophysical Research: Planets, explaining why the gas behaves unexpectedly and is present in the Gale Crater. ALSO READ | Debris from rare 'super' explosion on Sun with four solar flares erupting simultaneously likely to hit Earth The "soil" on Mars comprises broken rock and dust. The study suggests that the solidified salt formed in the Martian regolith could seal methane underneath despite its origin. The methane could seep out as the temperature rises during warmer seasons or times of day, weakening the seal. Alexander Pavlov, a planetary scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, led the research, which suggests that the gas could also erupt in whiffs when the seals crack under the pressure of a small SUV-sized rover. The origin of this hypothesis goes back to an experiment Pavlov conducted in 2017, which involved growing microorganisms in a simulated Martian permafrost infused with salt. While the microbe-growing results proved inconclusive, the researchers noticed that the top layer of the soil formed a salt crust as salty ice sublimated, turning from a solid to a gas and leaving the salt behind. The research team tested five samples of permafrost infused with varying concentrations of the salt perchlorate, widely present on Mars. They exposed each sample to different temperatures and air pressure inside a Mars simulation chamber. Periodically, they injected neon, a methane analogue, underneath the soil sample and measured the gas pressure below and above the surface. They found higher pressure under the sample, indicating the gas was trapped. Within three to 13 days, a seal formed under the Mars-like conditions only in samples with five to ten per cent perchlorate concentration. However, Curiosity has measured much higher concentration in Gale Crater. (With inputs from agencies)

Is methane seeping on Mars? NASA scientists explain unusual behaviour of gas on the Red Planet's Gale Crater

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