<p>NASA announced on Tuesday (April 16) that its Ingenuity Mars helicopter has sent its last transmission to Earth and will now serve as an immobile data-gathering unit on the surface of the red planet.</p>

<p>This aircraft, about the size of a tissue box, made history by completing the first powered flight on another celestial body. It accomplished this feat by hitching a ride under the Perseverance rover, which initially departed the Martian surface on April 19, 2021.</p>

<p>"A long goodbye," NASA said on social media site X.</p>

<p>"Ingenuity's team received their final message from the #MarsHelicopter, which will now serve as a stationary testbed, collecting data that could benefit future explorers of the Red Planet," it further wrote.</p>

<p>Originally intended only to prove flight was possible in the ultra-thin Martian atmosphere through five test runs, Ingenuity defied all expectations.</p>

<p>Throughout its deployment, it took to the skies a total of 72 times, accumulating over two hours of flight time through brief hops. It navigated through challenges including dust storms, difficult terrain, a malfunctioning sensor, and extreme cold conditions.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/tiny-moon-big-ocean-this-is-how-a-huge-ocean-was-created-on-saturns-death-star-moon-mimas-712562">Tiny moon, big ocean: THIS is how a huge ocean was created on Saturn's 'Death Star' moon Mimas</a></p>

<p>Its role evolved into that of an aerial scout, aiding its wheeled companion in the exploration for evidence of ancient microbial life from a time when Mars was significantly wetter and warmer than it is today.</p>

<p>Especially designed to operate in springtime, its solar-powered heating system was unable to remain on throughout the night in winter. That led to the flight computer freezing over and forced engineers to devise new protocols.</p>

<p>NASA was trying to bring Martian rocks collected by the rover back to Earth faster and more cheaply, amid the agency facing mounting criticism for going massively over budget.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ancient-humans-lived-in-this-vast-lava-tube-in-saudi-arabia-7000-years-ago-712474">Ancient humans lived in THIS vast lava tube in Saudi Arabia 7,000 years ago</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The effort comes as China is making progress towards a simpler "grab-and-go" sample return mission to the red planet "around 2030," according to state media, which would make it the first nation to achieve the feat.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA announced on Tuesday (April 16) that its Ingenuity Mars helicopter has sent its last transmission to Earth and will now serve as an immobile data-gathering unit on the surface of the red planet.

NASA announced on Tuesday (April 16) that its Ingenuity Mars helicopter has sent its last transmission to Earth and will now serve as an immobile data-gathering unit on the surface of the red planet. This aircraft, about the size of a tissue box, made history by completing the first powered flight on another celestial body. It accomplished this feat by hitching a ride under the Perseverance rover, which initially departed the Martian surface on April 19, 2021. "A long goodbye," NASA said on social media site X. "Ingenuity's team received their final message from the #MarsHelicopter, which will now serve as a stationary testbed, collecting data that could benefit future explorers of the Red Planet," it further wrote. Originally intended only to prove flight was possible in the ultra-thin Martian atmosphere through five test runs, Ingenuity defied all expectations. Throughout its deployment, it took to the skies a total of 72 times, accumulating over two hours of flight time through brief hops. It navigated through challenges including dust storms, difficult terrain, a malfunctioning sensor, and extreme cold conditions. Also read: Tiny moon, big ocean: THIS is how a huge ocean was created on Saturn's 'Death Star' moon Mimas Its role evolved into that of an aerial scout, aiding its wheeled companion in the exploration for evidence of ancient microbial life from a time when Mars was significantly wetter and warmer than it is today. Especially designed to operate in springtime, its solar-powered heating system was unable to remain on throughout the night in winter. That led to the flight computer freezing over and forced engineers to devise new protocols. NASA was trying to bring Martian rocks collected by the rover back to Earth faster and more cheaply, amid the agency facing mounting criticism for going massively over budget. Also read: Ancient humans lived in THIS vast lava tube in Saudi Arabia 7,000 years ago. The effort comes as China is making progress towards a simpler "grab-and-go" sample return mission to the red planet "around 2030," according to state media, which would make it the first nation to achieve the feat. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter sends last message to Earth

<p>The chief of US space agency NASA has told lawmakers in Washington that China is using civilian programmes to hide military objectives in space.</p>

<p>"China has made extraordinary strides [in space] especially in the last 10 years, but they are very, very secretive," Bill Nelson told the appropriations committee of the US House of Representatives as he testified on the US space agency's 2025 budget request.</p>

<p>"We believe that a lot of their so-called civilian space programme is a military programme. And I think, in effect, we are in a race."</p>

<p>Nelson also stressed that it was "incumbent on us" get to the moon, first as he warned: "my concern is if China got there first and suddenly said 'ok this is our territory, you stay out'."</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<meta name="uuid" content="uuid9VEXVM7C4oiS" /><meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="http://wionews.com/science/nasas-juno-captures-erupting-volcanoes-on-jupiters-moon-io-watch-712172" target="_blank">NASA's Juno captures closest views of erupting volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Io. Watch!</a></strong></p>

<p>The NASA chief said that the US was not going to lose its "global edge" in space, "but you got to be realistic that China is really throwing a lot of money at it and they've got a lot of room in their budget to grow."</p>

<p>"I think that we just better not let down our guard," Nelson added.</p>

<p>The NASA chief said he hoped "the Chinese space programme would come to its senses and understand that civilian space is for peaceful uses," but added: "We have not seen that demonstrated by China."</p>

<p>With the Artemis programme NASA wants to put humans on the moon again after more than 50 years. The moon landing mission Artemis 3 was recently postponed to September 2026.</p>

<p>The long-term goal of Artemis is to establish a permanent lunar base as a foundation for missions to Mars.</p>


The chief of US space agency NASA has told lawmakers in Washington that China is using civilian programmes to hide military objectives in space. "China has made extraordinary strides [in space] especially in the last 10 years, but they are very, very secretive," Bill Nelson told the appropriations committee of the US House of Representatives as he testified on the US space agency's 2025 budget request.

The chief of US space agency NASA has told lawmakers in Washington that China is using civilian programmes to hide military objectives in space. "China has made extraordinary strides [in space] especially in the last 10 years, but they are very, very secretive," Bill Nelson told the appropriations committee of the US House of Representatives as he testified on the US space agency's 2025 budget request. "We believe that a lot of their so-called civilian space programme is a military programme. And I think, in effect, we are in a race." Nelson also stressed that it was "incumbent on us" get to the moon, first as he warned: "my concern is if China got there first and suddenly said 'ok this is our territory, you stay out'." Also read: NASA's Juno captures closest views of erupting volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Io. Watch! The NASA chief said that the US was not going to lose its "global edge" in space, "but you got to be realistic that China is really throwing a lot of money at it and they've got a lot of room in their budget to grow." "I think that we just better not let down our guard," Nelson added. The NASA chief said he hoped "the Chinese space programme would come to its senses and understand that civilian space is for peaceful uses," but added: "We have not seen that demonstrated by China." With the Artemis programme NASA wants to put humans on the moon again after more than 50 years. The moon landing mission Artemis 3 was recently postponed to September 2026. The long-term goal of Artemis is to establish a permanent lunar base as a foundation for missions to Mars.

NASA chief warns of China's secretive space militarisation, urges accelerated moon mission

The chief of US space agency NASA has told lawmakers in Washington that China is using civilian programmes to hide military objectives in space. Watch to know more.

NASA Chief Bill Nelson warns of China`s space militarisation, Urges accelerated moon mission

<p>Erupting volcanoes are fascinating, and the countless volcano models children&nbsp;make in schools are a testament to that. But, if volcanoes on the Earth are so intriguing, how much more amazing would it be to be able to watch volcanoes erupting somewhere out in space?</p>

<p>This is now possible, all thanks to NASA's Juno. The probe which last week conducted a planned flyby near Jupiter's moon 'Io' has managed to capture fascinating visuals of the alien world teeming with volcanoes.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/more-complex-than-we-thought-cosmologists-set-to-question-the-standards-of-how-we-view-the-universe-711506">More complex than we thought? Cosmologists set to question the standards of how we view the universe</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Astonishing visuals from space</strong></h2>

<p>Taking to X, Jason Perry, a professional photographer for CaSSIS, HiRISE, and Io Volcano Observer shared an animated GIF showing 13 images from "Juno's encounter with Io this week!".</p>

<p>Have a look here:</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Animated gif showing 13 of the images from Juno's encounter with Io this week! Great views of Pele, Xihe, and Io's south polar region. <a href="https://t.co/rh8zWfJiiI">pic.twitter.com/rh8zWfJiiI</a></p>
— Jason Perry (@volcanopele) <a href="https://twitter.com/volcanopele/status/1778946227700457728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>These images, as per Mashable, have been processed to remove noise and distortion. This, the publication reports, was done by both professional and amateur image processors, some of whom work for NASA or related space research programmes.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Jupiter's Io and the&nbsp;Juno probe&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>As per NASA, Jupiter's rocky moon Io is the "most volcanically active world in the solar system, with hundreds of volcanoes, some erupting lava fountains dozens of miles (or kilometres) high".</p>

<p>This, as per the US space agency, is due to a "tug-of-war between Jupiter's powerful gravity and smaller but precisely timed pulls from two neighbouring moons that orbit farther from Jupiter – Europa and Ganymede."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/us-space-force-readies-for-first-of-its-kind-military-exercise-in-earth-orbit-711464">US Space Force readies for first-of-its-kind military exercise in Earth orbit</a></strong></p>

<p>Because of the constant volcanism and intense radiation, Io, which is a bit larger than Earth's moon, is an "unlikely destination for life". It is also the third largest of Jupiter's moons.</p>

<p>NASA's Juno spacecraft has been probing "beneath the dense, forbidding clouds encircling the giant planet" since it arrived there in 2016.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The spacecraft which is the first orbiter to peer so closely at Io has conducted around 60 flybys, of which the closest ones were made recently on&nbsp;Dec&nbsp;30, 2023, and Feb&nbsp;3, 2024.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Erupting volcanoes are fascinating, and the countless volcano models children make in schools are a testament to that. But, if volcanoes on the Earth are so intriguing, how much more amazing would it be to be able to watch volcanoes erupting somewhere out in space?

Erupting volcanoes are fascinating, and the countless volcano models children make in schools are a testament to that. But, if volcanoes on the Earth are so intriguing, how much more amazing would it be to be able to watch volcanoes erupting somewhere out in space? This is now possible, all thanks to NASA's Juno. The probe which last week conducted a planned flyby near Jupiter's moon 'Io' has managed to capture fascinating visuals of the alien world teeming with volcanoes. Also read | More complex than we thought? Cosmologists set to question the standards of how we view the universe Astonishing visuals from space Taking to X, Jason Perry, a professional photographer for CaSSIS, HiRISE, and Io Volcano Observer shared an animated GIF showing 13 images from "Juno's encounter with Io this week!". Have a look here: Animated gif showing 13 of the images from Juno's encounter with Io this week! Great views of Pele, Xihe, and Io's south polar region. pic.twitter.com/rh8zWfJiiI — Jason Perry (@volcanopele) April 13, 2024 × These images, as per Mashable, have been processed to remove noise and distortion. This, the publication reports, was done by both professional and amateur image processors, some of whom work for NASA or related space research programmes. Jupiter's Io and the Juno probe As per NASA, Jupiter's rocky moon Io is the "most volcanically active world in the solar system, with hundreds of volcanoes, some erupting lava fountains dozens of miles (or kilometres) high". This, as per the US space agency, is due to a "tug-of-war between Jupiter's powerful gravity and smaller but precisely timed pulls from two neighbouring moons that orbit farther from Jupiter – Europa and Ganymede." Also read | US Space Force readies for first-of-its-kind military exercise in Earth orbit Because of the constant volcanism and intense radiation, Io, which is a bit larger than Earth's moon, is an "unlikely destination for life". It is also the third largest of Jupiter's moons. NASA's Juno spacecraft has been probing "beneath the dense, forbidding clouds encircling the giant planet" since it arrived there in 2016. The spacecraft which is the first orbiter to peer so closely at Io has conducted around 60 flybys, of which the closest ones were made recently on Dec 30, 2023, and Feb 3, 2024. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Juno captures closest views of erupting volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Io. Watch!

<p>The American space agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) released an image of a galaxy called IC 4633, taken by the NASA-European Space Agency (ESA) Hubble Space Telescope, which is located around 100 million light-years away from us in the constellation Apus. A part of this galaxy had been hidden due to “a stretch of dark dust,” said the ESA.</p>

<h2><strong>About the IC 4633</strong></h2>

<p>The galaxy is spiral-shaped, rich in star-forming activity, and also hosts an active galactic nucleus at its core, said the ESA, in a statement. &nbsp;</p>

<p>If seen from our point of view, it would appear that the galaxy is “tilted mostly towards us” which allows astronomers to see its billions of stars, it added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sleep-triggers-built-in-garbage-disposal-system-in-our-brains-startling-study-shows-711608">Sleep triggers built-in garbage disposal system in our brains, startling study shows</a></strong></p>

<p>However, the space agencies cannot fully view the galaxy and its features – at least in visible light – as it is partially covered by a dark dust cloud.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="1" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b49cccc1-8052-4f00-b64c-e23eb15e6633" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WION%20IMAGES%21%20-%202024-04-16T003656.997.png" /></p>

<h5><em><strong>(Photo credit:&nbsp;ESA/Hubble &amp; NASA, J. Dalcanton, Dark Energy Survey/DOE/FNAL/DECam/CTIO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA; Acknowledgement: L. Shatz)</strong></em></h5>

<p>The cloud in question overlaps IC 4633 and is a part of the Chamaeleon star-forming region which is some 500 light-years from us.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, this region, which is in a nearby part of our Milky Way galaxy, occupies a large area of the southern sky.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>'Treasury of young stars'</strong></h2>

<p>The European Space Agency also noted that the cloud has been well-studied for its “treasury of young stars, particularly the cloud Cha I, which has been photographed by both Hubble and the James Webb Space Telescope.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the ESA, the cloud which overlaps the galaxy lies east of the well-known Cha I, II, and III, and is also known as MW9 and the South Celestial Serpent, which has been classified as an integrated flux nebula (IFN).&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/experts-believe-rare-lunar-event-may-be-linked-to-stonehenges-alignment-711657">Experts believe rare lunar event may be linked to Stonehenge's alignment</a></strong></p>

<p>IFN, according to space agencies, is a “cloud of gas and dust in the Milky Way galaxy that’s not near to any single star and is only faintly lit by the total light of all the galaxy’s stars”.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It also described the South Celestial Serpent as a “vast, narrow trail of faint gas that snakes over the southern celestial pole and is much more subdued looking than its neighbours,” adding that Hubble has no problem in identifying the IFN. However, the image only captures a tiny part of it.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The American space agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) released an image of a galaxy called IC 4633, taken by the NASA-European Space Agency (ESA) Hubble Space Telescope, which is located around 100 million light-years away from us in the constellation Apus.

The American space agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) released an image of a galaxy called IC 4633, taken by the NASA-European Space Agency (ESA) Hubble Space Telescope, which is located around 100 million light-years away from us in the constellation Apus. A part of this galaxy had been hidden due to “a stretch of dark dust,” said the ESA. About the IC 4633 The galaxy is spiral-shaped, rich in star-forming activity, and also hosts an active galactic nucleus at its core, said the ESA, in a statement. If seen from our point of view, it would appear that the galaxy is “tilted mostly towards us” which allows astronomers to see its billions of stars, it added. Also Read | Sleep triggers built-in garbage disposal system in our brains, startling study shows However, the space agencies cannot fully view the galaxy and its features – at least in visible light – as it is partially covered by a dark dust cloud. (Photo credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, J. Dalcanton, Dark Energy Survey/DOE/FNAL/DECam/CTIO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA; Acknowledgement: L. Shatz) The cloud in question overlaps IC 4633 and is a part of the Chamaeleon star-forming region which is some 500 light-years from us. Notably, this region, which is in a nearby part of our Milky Way galaxy, occupies a large area of the southern sky. 'Treasury of young stars' The European Space Agency also noted that the cloud has been well-studied for its “treasury of young stars, particularly the cloud Cha I, which has been photographed by both Hubble and the James Webb Space Telescope. According to the ESA, the cloud which overlaps the galaxy lies east of the well-known Cha I, II, and III, and is also known as MW9 and the South Celestial Serpent, which has been classified as an integrated flux nebula (IFN). Also Read | Experts believe rare lunar event may be linked to Stonehenge's alignment IFN, according to space agencies, is a “cloud of gas and dust in the Milky Way galaxy that’s not near to any single star and is only faintly lit by the total light of all the galaxy’s stars”. It also described the South Celestial Serpent as a “vast, narrow trail of faint gas that snakes over the southern celestial pole and is much more subdued looking than its neighbours,” adding that Hubble has no problem in identifying the IFN. However, the image only captures a tiny part of it. (With inputs from agencies)

Hubble telescope spots ‘hidden’ galaxy with billions of stars, ‘mostly tilted towards us’

<p>Radar images of a 2,000-foot-wide asteroid were captured by NASA astronomers as the "potentially hazardous" asteroid safely passed by Earth on April 15.</p>

<p>The asteroid, which has been named 2013 NK4, was snapped by scientists using the Goldstone Radar in California on April 13.</p>

<p>"Radar narrow echoes probably establish that 2013 NK4 rotates very slowly, and the shape is bifurcated," said NASA.</p>

<p>According to the observations, asteroid 2013 NK4 is most likely a binary contact, which means the asteroid is made up of two bodies or asteroids which gravitated towards each other till they touched and hence, created the elongated shape.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/car-sized-asteroid-has-super-close-encounter-with-earth-flies-30-times-closer-than-moon-710374">Car-sized asteroid comes eerily close to Earth, much closer than even the Moon</a></p>

<p>The closest approach to the Earth was made by the space rock at 10:50 am&nbsp;EDT on Monday (April 15), when the asteroid was just around 2 million miles (3.2 million kilometres) away from our planet, as per NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What's new about the asteroid?</strong></h2>

<p>This "city-killer" asteroid, which safely passed across Earth after making its closest approach, was classified as "potentially hazardous" because of its size, even though it did not pose any threat to our planet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The asteroid, which has been named 2013 NK4, is nearly 2,000 feet (610 meters) wide which makes it twice the size of the "god of chaos" asteroid Apophis which is expected to make a super-close approach to Earth in 2029.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas | The impact of NASA asteroid deflection</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-impact-of-nasa-asteroid-deflection-707437/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The asteroid is so large that it can destroy a large city and also lead to serious environmental impacts if it hits the Earth.</p>

<p>However, as per NASA's calculations, this asteroid will never have an impact on the Earth. The new thing about the asteroid is that for the first time, it is visible through amateur telescopes from April 15 to April 17.</p>

<p>One does not need a professional astronomer to see the space rock zooming in space. Anyone, who has a decent astronomy telescope, will be able to see the asteroid till April 17.</p>

<p>However, because of the asteroid's orientation relative to Earth, it will be more clearly seen on April 16 and April 17, according to EarthSky.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Radar images of a 2,000-foot-wide asteroid were captured by NASA astronomers as the "potentially hazardous" asteroid safely passed by Earth on April 15. The asteroid, which has been named 2013 NK4, was snapped by scientists using the Goldstone Radar in California on April 13.

Radar images of a 2,000-foot-wide asteroid were captured by NASA astronomers as the "potentially hazardous" asteroid safely passed by Earth on April 15. The asteroid, which has been named 2013 NK4, was snapped by scientists using the Goldstone Radar in California on April 13. "Radar narrow echoes probably establish that 2013 NK4 rotates very slowly, and the shape is bifurcated," said NASA. According to the observations, asteroid 2013 NK4 is most likely a binary contact, which means the asteroid is made up of two bodies or asteroids which gravitated towards each other till they touched and hence, created the elongated shape. Also Read: Car-sized asteroid comes eerily close to Earth, much closer than even the Moon The closest approach to the Earth was made by the space rock at 10:50 am EDT on Monday (April 15), when the asteroid was just around 2 million miles (3.2 million kilometres) away from our planet, as per NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). What's new about the asteroid? This "city-killer" asteroid, which safely passed across Earth after making its closest approach, was classified as "potentially hazardous" because of its size, even though it did not pose any threat to our planet. The asteroid, which has been named 2013 NK4, is nearly 2,000 feet (610 meters) wide which makes it twice the size of the "god of chaos" asteroid Apophis which is expected to make a super-close approach to Earth in 2029. Watch: Gravitas | The impact of NASA asteroid deflection The asteroid is so large that it can destroy a large city and also lead to serious environmental impacts if it hits the Earth. However, as per NASA's calculations, this asteroid will never have an impact on the Earth. The new thing about the asteroid is that for the first time, it is visible through amateur telescopes from April 15 to April 17. One does not need a professional astronomer to see the space rock zooming in space. Anyone, who has a decent astronomy telescope, will be able to see the asteroid till April 17. However, because of the asteroid's orientation relative to Earth, it will be more clearly seen on April 16 and April 17, according to EarthSky. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA snaps 2,000-foot-wide asteroid, visible through amateur telescopes, as it zips past Earth

<p>NASA's quest to bring back rock samples from Mars to Earth to study traces of any existence of life is going through a huge overhaul.</p>

<p>The US space agency has said that the mission which has been currently planned won't be able to bring the rocks before 2040 on the basis of the existing funds and the $11 billion needed to make the plan successful sooner is not sustainable.</p>

<p>Hence, now the space agency is looking for cheaper and faster alternatives and they are planning to have a solution on their drawing board by the end of the year.</p>

<p>In planetary exploration, the return of rock samples from Mars is seen as an important step.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-set-to-make-massive-announcement-about-mars-sample-return-mission-check-date-and-time-711391">What will happen to Mars Sample Return mission? NASA is set to tell us soon</a></p>

<p>Similar to how the rocks brought back by Apollo astronauts&nbsp;from the Moon helped scientists revolutionise the early Solar System's understanding, the rocks from the Red Planet may help understand the possibilities of life beyond Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA has now accepted that its plan to bring back the samples from Mars is simply unrealistic in the current fiscal environment.</p>

<p>Speaking to the reporters during a Monday teleconference, NASA administrator Bill Nelson said, "The bottom line is that $11bn is too expensive, and not returning samples until 2040 is unacceptably too long."</p>

<p>The former US senator stated that he will not let other agency science missions be "cannibalised" by the ongoing Mars project.</p>

<h2><strong>NASA in search of 'out-of-the-box possibilities'&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Hence, NASA administrator Bill Nelson is now finding fresh ways to bring back rock samples from Mars.</p>

<p>The Mars Sample Return (MSR) programme is NASA's joint endeavour with the European Space Agency (ESA).</p>

<p>The programme is already carried out and the rock samples to be brought back to Earth are being collected and catalogued on Mars by NASA's Perseverance rover.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;NASA's Dart mission asteroid: Asteroid Dimorphos debris may rain on Mars</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasas-dart-mission-asteroid-asteroid-dimorphos-debris-may-rain-on-mars-707482/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Later this decade, a follow-up mission was due to be launched which will carry a rocket to the surface of Mars.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Director of NASA's science directorate Dr Nicola Fox said, "We are looking at out-of-the-box possibilities that could return the samples earlier and at a lower cost."</p>

<p>"This is definitely a very ambitious goal, and we're going to need to go after some very innovative new possibilities for design, and certainly leave no stone unturned. Those new possibilities could include a smaller, simpler rocket," she added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA's quest to bring back rock samples from Mars to Earth to study traces of any existence of life is going through a huge overhaul. The US space agency has said that the mission which has been currently planned won't be able to bring the rocks before 2040 on the basis of the existing funds and the $11 billion needed to make the plan successful sooner is not sustainable.

NASA's quest to bring back rock samples from Mars to Earth to study traces of any existence of life is going through a huge overhaul. The US space agency has said that the mission which has been currently planned won't be able to bring the rocks before 2040 on the basis of the existing funds and the $11 billion needed to make the plan successful sooner is not sustainable. Hence, now the space agency is looking for cheaper and faster alternatives and they are planning to have a solution on their drawing board by the end of the year. In planetary exploration, the return of rock samples from Mars is seen as an important step. Also Read: What will happen to Mars Sample Return mission? NASA is set to tell us soon Similar to how the rocks brought back by Apollo astronauts from the Moon helped scientists revolutionise the early Solar System's understanding, the rocks from the Red Planet may help understand the possibilities of life beyond Earth. NASA has now accepted that its plan to bring back the samples from Mars is simply unrealistic in the current fiscal environment. Speaking to the reporters during a Monday teleconference, NASA administrator Bill Nelson said, "The bottom line is that $11bn is too expensive, and not returning samples until 2040 is unacceptably too long." The former US senator stated that he will not let other agency science missions be "cannibalised" by the ongoing Mars project. NASA in search of 'out-of-the-box possibilities' Hence, NASA administrator Bill Nelson is now finding fresh ways to bring back rock samples from Mars. The Mars Sample Return (MSR) programme is NASA's joint endeavour with the European Space Agency (ESA). The programme is already carried out and the rock samples to be brought back to Earth are being collected and catalogued on Mars by NASA's Perseverance rover. Watch: NASA's Dart mission asteroid: Asteroid Dimorphos debris may rain on Mars Later this decade, a follow-up mission was due to be launched which will carry a rocket to the surface of Mars. Director of NASA's science directorate Dr Nicola Fox said, "We are looking at out-of-the-box possibilities that could return the samples earlier and at a lower cost." "This is definitely a very ambitious goal, and we're going to need to go after some very innovative new possibilities for design, and certainly leave no stone unturned. Those new possibilities could include a smaller, simpler rocket," she added. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA working on a simpler, cheaper and quicker way to bring back samples from Mars

<p><strong>News about NASA:</strong> NASA on Monday (April 15) confirmed that an object which crashed through a Florida home's roof was actually a piece of space junk which was equipment discarded at the International Space Station.</p>

<p>On March 8, the cylindrical object that tore through the roof of the home in Naples was eventually taken to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral to carry out an analysis.</p>

<p>According to the space agency, the object was a metal support used for mounting old batteries on a cargo pallet for disposal.</p>

<p>"Based on the examination, the agency determined the debris to be a stanchion from the NASA flight support equipment used to mount the batteries on the cargo pallet," said agency officials in an update.</p>

<p>In 2021, the pallet was supposedly dropped from the space station, and it was expected that the load would eventually fully burn up after entering into the atmosphere of Earth. However, one piece survived.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-mars-sample-return-plan-faces-expense-issues-agency-looks-for-cheaper-plans-711710">NASA's Mars sample return plan faces expense issues, agency looks for 'cheaper plans'</a></p>

<p>"The International Space Station will perform a detailed investigation of the jettison and reentry analysis to determine the cause of the debris survival and to update modelling and analysis, as needed," stated the NASA officials.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"NASA specialists use engineering models to estimate how objects heat up and break apart during atmospheric reentry. These models require detailed input parameters and are regularly updated when debris is found to have survived atmospheric reentry to the ground," they added.</p>

<h2><strong>Owner of house where metal chunk crashed awaits analysis result</strong></h2>

<p>The metal chunk weighed nearly 1.6 pounds (0.7 kilograms) and it was reported to be 4 inches (10 centimetres) tall and roughly 1 1/2 inches (4 centimetres) wide.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, homeowner Alejandro Otero, speaking to television station WINK, said that he had gone on a vacation when the incident occurred and was informed by his son about the crashing of the metal junk.</p>

<p>Otero hurried back home early to check what had happened.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Life beyond Earth? NASA probe bound for Jupiter's moon</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-life-beyond-earth-nasa-probe-bound-for-jupiters-moon-710673/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>“I was shaking. I was completely in disbelief. What are the chances of something landing on my house with such force to cause so much damage. I’m super grateful that nobody got hurt," Otero said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The new analysis of NASA is likely to have financial consequences for the agency.</p>

<p>"I eagerly await communication from the responsible agencies, as their assistance is crucial in resolving the damages from this deliberate release. But more importantly how in the future to arrange the payload so it will burn in its entirety as it reenters," wrote Otero, on X, after his home was hit by the metal.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


News about NASA: NASA on Monday (April 15) confirmed that an object which crashed through a Florida home's roof was actually a piece of space junk which was equipment discarded at the International Space Station.

News about NASA: NASA on Monday (April 15) confirmed that an object which crashed through a Florida home's roof was actually a piece of space junk which was equipment discarded at the International Space Station. On March 8, the cylindrical object that tore through the roof of the home in Naples was eventually taken to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral to carry out an analysis. According to the space agency, the object was a metal support used for mounting old batteries on a cargo pallet for disposal. "Based on the examination, the agency determined the debris to be a stanchion from the NASA flight support equipment used to mount the batteries on the cargo pallet," said agency officials in an update. In 2021, the pallet was supposedly dropped from the space station, and it was expected that the load would eventually fully burn up after entering into the atmosphere of Earth. However, one piece survived. Also Read: NASA's Mars sample return plan faces expense issues, agency looks for 'cheaper plans' "The International Space Station will perform a detailed investigation of the jettison and reentry analysis to determine the cause of the debris survival and to update modelling and analysis, as needed," stated the NASA officials. "NASA specialists use engineering models to estimate how objects heat up and break apart during atmospheric reentry. These models require detailed input parameters and are regularly updated when debris is found to have survived atmospheric reentry to the ground," they added. Owner of house where metal chunk crashed awaits analysis result The metal chunk weighed nearly 1.6 pounds (0.7 kilograms) and it was reported to be 4 inches (10 centimetres) tall and roughly 1 1/2 inches (4 centimetres) wide. Meanwhile, homeowner Alejandro Otero, speaking to television station WINK, said that he had gone on a vacation when the incident occurred and was informed by his son about the crashing of the metal junk. Otero hurried back home early to check what had happened. Watch: Gravitas: Life beyond Earth? NASA probe bound for Jupiter's moon “I was shaking. I was completely in disbelief. What are the chances of something landing on my house with such force to cause so much damage. I’m super grateful that nobody got hurt," Otero said. The new analysis of NASA is likely to have financial consequences for the agency. "I eagerly await communication from the responsible agencies, as their assistance is crucial in resolving the damages from this deliberate release. But more importantly how in the future to arrange the payload so it will burn in its entirety as it reenters," wrote Otero, on X, after his home was hit by the metal. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA reveals identity of mystery object that crashed into Florida home. Here's what it was

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<p>NASA will host a media teleconference on&nbsp;April 12, 2024 at 01:00 pm EDT (10:30 pm IST in India) to announce what's happening with NASA's Mars Sample Return mission that's in a difficult situation. During the teleconference, NASA will set out its recommendations for moving forward.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA's beleaguered mission has been ongoing for several years now. Perseverance rover, deployed in 2021, is also a part of this mission, whose aim was to gather intriguing samples of Martian rock collected by another mission and return to Earth.</p>

<p>However, last year, an independent review stated that the Mars Sample Return (MSR) had an "unrealistic budget and schedule," an "unwieldy structure," and was "not arranged to be led effectively". Due to this review, the future of the MSR mission became shaky.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Subsequently, the House and Senate appropriations committees suggested a budget that comprised a cut of $454,080,000 to NASA's 2024 budget. The Mars Sample Return Mission suffered heavily due to this.</p>

<p>Moreover, NASA has lowered its overall spending on the mission. The space administration has also laid off several workers and contractors from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is leading the mission.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-webb-telescope-found-margarita-vinegar-like-chemicals-on-protostar-711242">NASA's Webb Telescope found margarita, vinegar-like chemicals on protostar</a></p>

<p>The budget cuts and layoffs have led to&nbsp;alarm that NASA might halt the mission and the canisters loaded by Perseverance might be left useless on the Martian surface. However, NASA's upcoming announcement offers a glimmer of hope for the mission.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA states, "Mars Sample Return has been a major long-term goal of international planetary exploration for the past two decades. NASA's Perseverance rover is collecting compelling science samples that will help scientists understand the geological history of Mars, the evolution of its climate and prepare for future human explorers. The return of the samples will also help NASA's search for signs of ancient life."</p>

<p>According to the incumbent plan, there's an orbiter launching in 2027, a lander&nbsp;in 2028 and unique Mars samples returning to Earth in 2033.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA will host a media teleconference on April 12, 2024 at 01:00 pm EDT (10:30 pm IST in India) to announce what's happening with NASA's Mars Sample Return mission that's in a difficult situation.

NASA will host a media teleconference on April 12, 2024 at 01:00 pm EDT (10:30 pm IST in India) to announce what's happening with NASA's Mars Sample Return mission that's in a difficult situation. During the teleconference, NASA will set out its recommendations for moving forward. NASA's beleaguered mission has been ongoing for several years now. Perseverance rover, deployed in 2021, is also a part of this mission, whose aim was to gather intriguing samples of Martian rock collected by another mission and return to Earth. However, last year, an independent review stated that the Mars Sample Return (MSR) had an "unrealistic budget and schedule," an "unwieldy structure," and was "not arranged to be led effectively". Due to this review, the future of the MSR mission became shaky. Subsequently, the House and Senate appropriations committees suggested a budget that comprised a cut of $454,080,000 to NASA's 2024 budget. The Mars Sample Return Mission suffered heavily due to this. Moreover, NASA has lowered its overall spending on the mission. The space administration has also laid off several workers and contractors from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is leading the mission. ALSO READ | NASA's Webb Telescope found margarita, vinegar-like chemicals on protostar The budget cuts and layoffs have led to alarm that NASA might halt the mission and the canisters loaded by Perseverance might be left useless on the Martian surface. However, NASA's upcoming announcement offers a glimmer of hope for the mission. NASA states, "Mars Sample Return has been a major long-term goal of international planetary exploration for the past two decades. NASA's Perseverance rover is collecting compelling science samples that will help scientists understand the geological history of Mars, the evolution of its climate and prepare for future human explorers. The return of the samples will also help NASA's search for signs of ancient life." According to the incumbent plan, there's an orbiter launching in 2027, a lander in 2028 and unique Mars samples returning to Earth in 2033. (With inputs from agencies)

What will happen to Mars Sample Return mission? NASA is set to tell us soon

<p>NASA's Webb Telescope discovered margarita and vinegar-like chemicals on a protostar. They shared this finding on Instagram. These substances were found in two young stars without planets.</p>

<p>"There are two servings in this discovery. This image shows the region near protostar IRAS 23385. Protostar IRAS 2A may be similar to the early stages of our own solar system. Chemicals identified around this protostar may also have been in the first stages of development of our solar system and later delivered to the primitive Earth," the post read.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>"Image of a molecular cloud region. The orange cloud is dense and bright near the top and grows darker and wispier toward the bottom. One bright star with short diffraction spikes and several dimmer stars are visible," NASA said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This post, shared on April 14, has gathered over 300,000&nbsp;likes and many comments. People shared their reactions in the comments section.</p>

<p>A person wrote, "Then we can consider another exoplanet on the way? Or maybe planets that would eventually lead to develop life due to the presence of these chemicals?"</p>

<p>A second shared, "That looks like a snowflake only with gas."</p>

<p>"Gobsmacked again by the universe!" posted a third.</p>

<p>A fourth added, "What are those shapes? I've never seen shapes like that in space photos."</p>

<p>"Am I the only one that thinks the brightest dot (the star probably) looks like a pretty snowflake," said another.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Life beyond Earth? NASA probe bound for Jupiter's moon</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>NASA’s Europa Clipper mission</strong></h2>

<p>The primary scientific objective of the Europa Clipper mission is to assess whether there are potentially habitable environments beneath the icy surface of Jupiter's moon, Europa. The mission's three key scientific goals involve investigating the characteristics of the ice shell and the subsurface ocean, analysing the composition of Europa, and studying its geological features, according to NASA.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/exploring-jupiter-all-about-nasas-europa-clipper-mission-711220">Also read |&nbsp;Exploring Jupiter: All about NASA’s Europa Clipper mission</a></p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


NASA's Webb Telescope discovered margarita and vinegar-like chemicals on a protostar. They shared this finding on Instagram. These substances were found in two young stars without planets.

NASA's Webb Telescope discovered margarita and vinegar-like chemicals on a protostar. They shared this finding on Instagram. These substances were found in two young stars without planets. "There are two servings in this discovery. This image shows the region near protostar IRAS 23385. Protostar IRAS 2A may be similar to the early stages of our own solar system. Chemicals identified around this protostar may also have been in the first stages of development of our solar system and later delivered to the primitive Earth," the post read. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NASA (@nasa) × "Image of a molecular cloud region. The orange cloud is dense and bright near the top and grows darker and wispier toward the bottom. One bright star with short diffraction spikes and several dimmer stars are visible," NASA said. This post, shared on April 14, has gathered over 300,000 likes and many comments. People shared their reactions in the comments section. A person wrote, "Then we can consider another exoplanet on the way? Or maybe planets that would eventually lead to develop life due to the presence of these chemicals?" A second shared, "That looks like a snowflake only with gas." "Gobsmacked again by the universe!" posted a third. A fourth added, "What are those shapes? I've never seen shapes like that in space photos." "Am I the only one that thinks the brightest dot (the star probably) looks like a pretty snowflake," said another. Also watch | Gravitas: Life beyond Earth? NASA probe bound for Jupiter's moon NASA’s Europa Clipper mission The primary scientific objective of the Europa Clipper mission is to assess whether there are potentially habitable environments beneath the icy surface of Jupiter's moon, Europa. The mission's three key scientific goals involve investigating the characteristics of the ice shell and the subsurface ocean, analysing the composition of Europa, and studying its geological features, according to NASA. Also read | Exploring Jupiter: All about NASA’s Europa Clipper mission (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Webb Telescope found margarita, vinegar-like chemicals on protostar

Are there extra-terrestrials on Jupiter's moon? NASA's probe has its destination set for one of Jupiter's moon Europa. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Life beyond Earth? NASA probe bound for Jupiter's moon

<p>A professor of Engineering Physics and Director of the Space and Atmospheric Instrumentation Lab at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), the Indian-origin Aroh Barjatya, spearheaded a recent NASA mission where the space agency launched three sounding rockets during the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.</p>

<p>Notably, sounding rockets, the suborbital rockets designed to carry scientific experiments into the upper atmosphere of the Earth, are used for atmospheric studies. The mission rockets - Atmospheric Perturbations around Eclipse Path (APEP) saw what effects the eclipse has on Earth's upper atmosphere. Led by Barjatya, the rockets lifted off from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.</p>

<p>After the launch of the sounding rockets, Barjatya posted, "What a spectacular day!!! #eclipse2024 It's been a long day since reporting to station at 6:30 am and wrapping up the launch party at 9:30 pm."&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Who is India-born&nbsp;Aroh Barjatya?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>His father, Ashok Kumar Barjatya, is a chemical engineer and his mother, Rajeshwari, is a homemaker. Aroh pursued his education in India before moving to the United States in 2001. Aroh received his early education in Patalganga near Mumbai and later attended schools in Pilani, Jaipur, Solapur, and Hyderabad. He graduated with a degree in electronics engineering from the Walchand Institute of Technology in Solapur.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/spinal-cords-can-make-their-own-memories-neuroscientists-reveal-710548">Spinal cords can make their own memories, neuroscientists reveal</a></p>

<p>After completing his master's in electrical and electronics engineering at Utah State University, he earned his PhD&nbsp;in spacecraft instrumentation from the Utah State University Research Foundation.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-reveal-baby-stars-release-cosmic-sneezes-during-development-710472">Scientists reveal baby stars release cosmic 'sneezes' during development</a></p>

<p>With over 16 years of experience in space systems engineering and aerospace instrumentation research, Barjatya played an important role in the success of the mission. He has also spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives encompassing high-altitude balloons, CubeSats, space situational awareness, and embedded electronics.&nbsp;Aroh's sister, Apurva Barjatya, is a mechanical engineer.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/worlds-first-cybercrime-index-cybercrimes-rampant-around-the-world-growing-threat-of-cybercrimes-710536">World's first cybercrime index: Cybercrimes rampant around the world, growing threat of cybercrimes</a></strong></p>

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<p>As per his LinkedIn profile, he also holds certifications from MIT School of Engineering in Architecture and Systems Engineering: Models and Methods to Manage Complex Systems, Quantitative Methods in Systems Engineering, Model-Based Systems Engineering: Documentation and Analysis, Models in Engineering, and Architecture of Complex Systems.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A professor of Engineering Physics and Director of the Space and Atmospheric Instrumentation Lab at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), the Indian-origin Aroh Barjatya, spearheaded a recent NASA mission where the space agency launched three sounding rockets during the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.

A professor of Engineering Physics and Director of the Space and Atmospheric Instrumentation Lab at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), the Indian-origin Aroh Barjatya, spearheaded a recent NASA mission where the space agency launched three sounding rockets during the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Notably, sounding rockets, the suborbital rockets designed to carry scientific experiments into the upper atmosphere of the Earth, are used for atmospheric studies. The mission rockets - Atmospheric Perturbations around Eclipse Path (APEP) saw what effects the eclipse has on Earth's upper atmosphere. Led by Barjatya, the rockets lifted off from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. After the launch of the sounding rockets, Barjatya posted, "What a spectacular day!!! #eclipse2024 It's been a long day since reporting to station at 6:30 am and wrapping up the launch party at 9:30 pm." Who is India-born Aroh Barjatya? His father, Ashok Kumar Barjatya, is a chemical engineer and his mother, Rajeshwari, is a homemaker. Aroh pursued his education in India before moving to the United States in 2001. Aroh received his early education in Patalganga near Mumbai and later attended schools in Pilani, Jaipur, Solapur, and Hyderabad. He graduated with a degree in electronics engineering from the Walchand Institute of Technology in Solapur. Also Read | Spinal cords can make their own memories, neuroscientists reveal After completing his master's in electrical and electronics engineering at Utah State University, he earned his PhD in spacecraft instrumentation from the Utah State University Research Foundation. Also Read | Scientists reveal baby stars release cosmic 'sneezes' during development With over 16 years of experience in space systems engineering and aerospace instrumentation research, Barjatya played an important role in the success of the mission. He has also spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives encompassing high-altitude balloons, CubeSats, space situational awareness, and embedded electronics. Aroh's sister, Apurva Barjatya, is a mechanical engineer. Watch | World's first cybercrime index: Cybercrimes rampant around the world, growing threat of cybercrimes × As per his LinkedIn profile, he also holds certifications from MIT School of Engineering in Architecture and Systems Engineering: Models and Methods to Manage Complex Systems, Quantitative Methods in Systems Engineering, Model-Based Systems Engineering: Documentation and Analysis, Models in Engineering, and Architecture of Complex Systems. (With inputs from agencies)

Who is Aroh Barjatya? Indian-origin professor who led NASA mission during solar eclipse

<p>Scientists have finally found out what's happening to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s pioneering Voyager 1 spacecraft, and what's behind the gibberish sounds coming from it in November. NASA launched the space probe Voyager 1 in 1977 to study the outer Solar System, the interstellar space beyond the Sun's heliosphere.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Voyager 1, which is the most distant spacecraft to Earth, has been acting weird and talking gibberish on the interplanetary "radio". It has left the scientists perplexed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA previously said that the engineers and other experts were working to resolve an issue with one of Voyager 1's three onboard computers, called the flight data system (FDS).&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-spots-mysterious-silver-object-orbiting-the-moon-see-pics-709522">NASA spots 'mysterious' silver object orbiting the Moon - see pics</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The FDS collects data from the science instruments and works on compiling information into a data package when it works properly. It also tells about the health and status of the spacecraft.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The data is then transmitted back to Earth using the telecommunications unit (TMU) once compiled.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The spacecraft was apparently receiving and executing commands sent from Earth. However, the FDS is not communicating properly with one of the probes TMU.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hence, data was reaching Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/moon-once-literally-turned-itself-inside-out-scientists-wonder-how-709404">Moon once 'literally turned itself inside out'. Scientists wonder 'how'</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>NASA said that the data was&nbsp;in the form of ones and zeros (or binary code). But scientists might finally make sense of the gibberish data.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This happened after a computer onboard the Voyager called the FDS after being asked about it in a coded message and sent in March in the form of a poke command. The spacecraft revealed the issue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After analysing the data which was a software readout, scientists have found out that three per cent of its memory is corrupted.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;How does Aditya-L1 spacecraft create an artificial solar eclipse?</strong></p>

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<p>The report revealed scientists were unable to fix the issue as they were unaware, hence, turning the FDS on and off also didn't help last year in November.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The team is analysing the readout. Using that information to devise a potential solution and attempt to put it into action will take time," NASA said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from&nbsp;agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Scientists have finally found out what's happening to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s pioneering Voyager 1 spacecraft, and what's behind the gibberish sounds coming from it in November.

Scientists have finally found out what's happening to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s pioneering Voyager 1 spacecraft, and what's behind the gibberish sounds coming from it in November. NASA launched the space probe Voyager 1 in 1977 to study the outer Solar System, the interstellar space beyond the Sun's heliosphere. Voyager 1, which is the most distant spacecraft to Earth, has been acting weird and talking gibberish on the interplanetary "radio". It has left the scientists perplexed. NASA previously said that the engineers and other experts were working to resolve an issue with one of Voyager 1's three onboard computers, called the flight data system (FDS). Also read: NASA spots 'mysterious' silver object orbiting the Moon - see pics The FDS collects data from the science instruments and works on compiling information into a data package when it works properly. It also tells about the health and status of the spacecraft. The data is then transmitted back to Earth using the telecommunications unit (TMU) once compiled. The spacecraft was apparently receiving and executing commands sent from Earth. However, the FDS is not communicating properly with one of the probes TMU. Hence, data was reaching Earth. Also read: Moon once 'literally turned itself inside out'. Scientists wonder 'how' NASA said that the data was in the form of ones and zeros (or binary code). But scientists might finally make sense of the gibberish data. This happened after a computer onboard the Voyager called the FDS after being asked about it in a coded message and sent in March in the form of a poke command. The spacecraft revealed the issue. After analysing the data which was a software readout, scientists have found out that three per cent of its memory is corrupted. Watch: How does Aditya-L1 spacecraft create an artificial solar eclipse? × The report revealed scientists were unable to fix the issue as they were unaware, hence, turning the FDS on and off also didn't help last year in November. "The team is analysing the readout. Using that information to devise a potential solution and attempt to put it into action will take time," NASA said in a statement. (With inputs from agencies)

Voyager 1: Scientists finally know reason behind glitchy sound coming from space

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidvW0YBhtCk3dN" /><meta charset="utf-8" />The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Friday (Apr 5) released images of a mysterious silver surfboard-shaped object&nbsp;which was orbiting the Moon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The identity of the object, which was captured by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) last month, has now been revealed. LRO has been circling and studying the Moon for 15 years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The curious souls might think it's an Unidentified flying object (UFO), but it's not.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/moon-once-literally-turned-itself-inside-out-scientists-wonder-how-709404">Moon once 'literally turned itself inside out'. Scientists wonder 'how'</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>NASA revealed that LRO last month captured several images of Korea Aerospace Research Institute's Danuri lunar orbiter, which may appear to be mysterious unless explained.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA said that the two spacecraft zipped past each other in opposite directions between March 5 and 6, 2024. Both spacecraft were travelling in nearly parallel orbits.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Danuri is Korea's first spacecraft on the Moon and has been in lunar orbit since December 2022.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/crushed-and-grounded-to-dust-a-violent-end-awaits-our-solar-system-709327">A violent end awaits our solar system as all planets will be 'crushed' to dust one day</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>NASA said in its reports that the LRO operations team at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland needed "exquisite timing" in pointing LROC to the right place at the right time to catch a glimpse of Danuri.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The task, however, was not easy because of the fast relative velocities between the two spacecraft, which is about 11,500 kilometres per hour.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The American space agency said that LRO's narrow-angle camera captured the images during three orbits that happened to be close enough to Danuri’s to grab the images.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">To be clear, the Danuri orbiter is not a weirdly thin load of pixels—it's a fairly normal-looking orbiter. But the terrific speeds involved mean that it's smeared on the LRO's camera detector.<br />
<br />
Here it is in "unsmeared" form, by the LRO team: <a href="https://t.co/qrcXH428CP">pic.twitter.com/qrcXH428CP</a></p>
— Paul Byrne (@ThePlanetaryGuy) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThePlanetaryGuy/status/1776303112883507357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="und">I pronađemo. Orbiter 'Danuri', Južna Koreja, na 8 km ispod LRO <a href="https://t.co/S2IfS1GYpk">pic.twitter.com/S2IfS1GYpk</a></p>
— Underdog (@BLANKTIPLER) <a href="https://twitter.com/BLANKTIPLER/status/1776496012476981532?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Darkness blankets Niagara falls during solar eclipse</strong></p>

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<p>LRO was launched in 2009 and has collected crucial data with its seven powerful instruments. It has emerged as an invaluable contribution to the study of the Moon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Although LRO's camera exposure time was very short, only 0.338 milliseconds, Danuri still appears smeared to 10 times its size in the opposite direction of travel because of the relative high travel velocities between the two spacecraft," NASA said in its report.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Friday (Apr 5) released images of a mysterious silver surfboard-shaped object which was orbiting the Moon.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Friday (Apr 5) released images of a mysterious silver surfboard-shaped object which was orbiting the Moon. The identity of the object, which was captured by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) last month, has now been revealed. LRO has been circling and studying the Moon for 15 years. The curious souls might think it's an Unidentified flying object (UFO), but it's not. Also read: Moon once 'literally turned itself inside out'. Scientists wonder 'how' NASA revealed that LRO last month captured several images of Korea Aerospace Research Institute's Danuri lunar orbiter, which may appear to be mysterious unless explained. NASA said that the two spacecraft zipped past each other in opposite directions between March 5 and 6, 2024. Both spacecraft were travelling in nearly parallel orbits. Danuri is Korea's first spacecraft on the Moon and has been in lunar orbit since December 2022. Also read: A violent end awaits our solar system as all planets will be 'crushed' to dust one day NASA said in its reports that the LRO operations team at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland needed "exquisite timing" in pointing LROC to the right place at the right time to catch a glimpse of Danuri. The task, however, was not easy because of the fast relative velocities between the two spacecraft, which is about 11,500 kilometres per hour. The American space agency said that LRO's narrow-angle camera captured the images during three orbits that happened to be close enough to Danuri’s to grab the images. To be clear, the Danuri orbiter is not a weirdly thin load of pixels—it's a fairly normal-looking orbiter. But the terrific speeds involved mean that it's smeared on the LRO's camera detector. Here it is in "unsmeared" form, by the LRO team: pic.twitter.com/qrcXH428CP — Paul Byrne (@ThePlanetaryGuy) April 5, 2024 × I pronađemo. Orbiter 'Danuri', Južna Koreja, na 8 km ispod LRO pic.twitter.com/S2IfS1GYpk — Underdog (@BLANKTIPLER) April 6, 2024 × Watch: Darkness blankets Niagara falls during solar eclipse × LRO was launched in 2009 and has collected crucial data with its seven powerful instruments. It has emerged as an invaluable contribution to the study of the Moon. "Although LRO's camera exposure time was very short, only 0.338 milliseconds, Danuri still appears smeared to 10 times its size in the opposite direction of travel because of the relative high travel velocities between the two spacecraft," NASA said in its report. (With inputs from agencies)

A mysterious silver object has been orbiting the Moon for 15 years. What is it?

<p>Millions of people in North America witnessed the rare total solar eclipse on April 8. The scenes of a sunny day turning into greyscale shadows looked straight out of a dystopian novel that left people mesmerised,&nbsp;a&nbsp;sight that observers will remember for years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, NASA shared some enchanting pictures of how the solar eclipse looked from space.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Take a look.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ever seen a total solar <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/eclipse?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#eclipse</a> from space?<br />
<br />
Here is our astronauts' view from the <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a> <a href="https://t.co/2VrZ3Y1Fqz">pic.twitter.com/2VrZ3Y1Fqz</a></p>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1777420419311493356?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>The video and pictures of the total solar eclipse were shared by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday. The video shows the eclipse over the Earth, as it can be seen that a part of our planet turned black while the celestial event took place.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-solar-retinopathy-google-explodes-with-my-eyes-hurt-searches-after-eclipse-709258">What is solar retinopathy? Google explodes with 'my eyes hurt' searches after eclipse</a></p>

<p>As ISS shared the video and informed, "The Expedition 71 crew soared into the Moon's shadow, or umbra, during the solar eclipse on Monday afternoon while working on cargo transfers, spacesuits, and science. The umbra on Earth was visible from the space station as it orbited into the path of the solar eclipse over southeastern Canada."</p>

<p>The path of totality, a tiny area where the Moon completely obscures the Sun, was only visible in parts of the United States, Mexico and Canada. A partial eclipse was visible in parts of some Caribbean countries, Colombia, Venezuela, Spain, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal, and Iceland.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-curiosity-rover-starts-exploring-possibly-dried-up-ancient-water-body-on-mars-708951">NASA’s Curiosity rover starts exploring possibly dried-up ancient water body on Mars</a></p>

<p>In the path of totality, temperatures drop by around 10 degrees, and it also starts to feel more humid, as per reports.</p>

<p>Starklink, Elon Musk’s venture of satellite internet constellation, also posted a video of Earth’s orbit as captured by the satellite during the eclipse.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">View of the eclipse from orbit<br />
<a href="https://t.co/2jQGNhPf2v">pic.twitter.com/2jQGNhPf2v</a></p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1777493587925647795?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>NASA had estimated that 31.6 million people live in the path of totality this year compared to just 12 million in 2017.</p>

<p>While for people&nbsp;this was a celestial treat, for scientists this is another astronomical class where they observe the sun and its solar material flow. The last total solar eclipse was observed in 2017.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The next eclipse is expected in March 2034, which will also make a sighting in India.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Millions of people in North America witnessed the rare total solar eclipse on April 8. The scenes of a sunny day turning into greyscale shadows looked straight out of a dystopian novel that left people mesmerised, a sight that observers will remember for years.

Millions of people in North America witnessed the rare total solar eclipse on April 8. The scenes of a sunny day turning into greyscale shadows looked straight out of a dystopian novel that left people mesmerised, a sight that observers will remember for years. Meanwhile, NASA shared some enchanting pictures of how the solar eclipse looked from space. Take a look. Ever seen a total solar #eclipse from space? Here is our astronauts' view from the @Space_Station pic.twitter.com/2VrZ3Y1Fqz — NASA (@NASA) April 8, 2024 × The video and pictures of the total solar eclipse were shared by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday. The video shows the eclipse over the Earth, as it can be seen that a part of our planet turned black while the celestial event took place. Also Read | What is solar retinopathy? Google explodes with 'my eyes hurt' searches after eclipse As ISS shared the video and informed, "The Expedition 71 crew soared into the Moon's shadow, or umbra, during the solar eclipse on Monday afternoon while working on cargo transfers, spacesuits, and science. The umbra on Earth was visible from the space station as it orbited into the path of the solar eclipse over southeastern Canada." The path of totality, a tiny area where the Moon completely obscures the Sun, was only visible in parts of the United States, Mexico and Canada. A partial eclipse was visible in parts of some Caribbean countries, Colombia, Venezuela, Spain, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal, and Iceland. Also Read | NASA’s Curiosity rover starts exploring possibly dried-up ancient water body on Mars In the path of totality, temperatures drop by around 10 degrees, and it also starts to feel more humid, as per reports. Starklink, Elon Musk’s venture of satellite internet constellation, also posted a video of Earth’s orbit as captured by the satellite during the eclipse. View of the eclipse from orbit pic.twitter.com/2jQGNhPf2v — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 9, 2024 × NASA had estimated that 31.6 million people live in the path of totality this year compared to just 12 million in 2017. While for people this was a celestial treat, for scientists this is another astronomical class where they observe the sun and its solar material flow. The last total solar eclipse was observed in 2017. The next eclipse is expected in March 2034, which will also make a sighting in India. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch | Enchanting view of total solar eclipse as seen from space

<p>Scientists at a leading gravitational wave observatory detected a mysterious signal with chilling origins. As per reports, the signal has its origins in the collision between a star corpse and an unknown object.</p>

<h2><strong>Star corpse?</strong></h2>

<p>Yes, star corpse, or better known as the stellar remnant of a neuron star. It is what's left when a massive star collapses, leaving behind only a dense core.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One of the densest objects in the universe, Neutron stars are less dense than black holes, which have gravity so strong that even light cannot escape.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/glory-effect-rare-rainbow-like-rings-observed-on-a-planet-outside-our-solar-system-708284">Glory effect: Rare rainbow-like rings observed on a planet outside our solar system</a></strong></p>

<p>The signal, which was named GW230529_181500, as per Gizmodo, travelled 650 million light-years to reach Earth. It was picked up by the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration, a network of observatories, last year. This was, in May 2023, just after it resumed its operations following upgrades to improve sensitivity.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While researchers have identified one object in the collision as likely being a neutron star, the other much object was more massive than any known neutron star, suggesting it could be a small black hole. However, the team will further scrutinise the collision to find out what it exactly is.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This unknown object fills the "mass gap" between the heaviest neutron stars and the lightest black holes. A paper describing the findings has been posted on the LIGO website.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/groundbreaking-study-reveals-how-to-cut-cost-of-prostate-cancer-scans-by-half-708547">Groundbreaking study reveals how to cut cost of prostate cancer scans by half</a></strong></p>

<p>In a release Jess McIver, an astronomer at the University of British Columbia and Deputy Spokesperson of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration said that the detection "reveals that there may be a higher rate of similar collisions between neutron stars and low-mass black holes than we previously thought."</p>

<p>As per the report, only one other merger involving an object in this mass range has been observed before, known as GW190814.</p>

<p>There's a lot to look forward to. The LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration is preparing for its fourth observing run, scheduled to start on April 10, 2023, and run until February 2025. During this time, they expect to observe more than 200 gravitational wave signals.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Scientists at a leading gravitational wave observatory detected a mysterious signal with chilling origins. As per reports, the signal has its origins in the collision between a star corpse and an unknown object.

Scientists at a leading gravitational wave observatory detected a mysterious signal with chilling origins. As per reports, the signal has its origins in the collision between a star corpse and an unknown object. Star corpse? Yes, star corpse, or better known as the stellar remnant of a neuron star. It is what's left when a massive star collapses, leaving behind only a dense core. One of the densest objects in the universe, Neutron stars are less dense than black holes, which have gravity so strong that even light cannot escape. Also read | Glory effect: Rare rainbow-like rings observed on a planet outside our solar system The signal, which was named GW230529_181500, as per Gizmodo, travelled 650 million light-years to reach Earth. It was picked up by the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration, a network of observatories, last year. This was, in May 2023, just after it resumed its operations following upgrades to improve sensitivity. While researchers have identified one object in the collision as likely being a neutron star, the other much object was more massive than any known neutron star, suggesting it could be a small black hole. However, the team will further scrutinise the collision to find out what it exactly is. This unknown object fills the "mass gap" between the heaviest neutron stars and the lightest black holes. A paper describing the findings has been posted on the LIGO website. Also read | Groundbreaking study reveals how to cut cost of prostate cancer scans by half In a release Jess McIver, an astronomer at the University of British Columbia and Deputy Spokesperson of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration said that the detection "reveals that there may be a higher rate of similar collisions between neutron stars and low-mass black holes than we previously thought." As per the report, only one other merger involving an object in this mass range has been observed before, known as GW190814. There's a lot to look forward to. The LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration is preparing for its fourth observing run, scheduled to start on April 10, 2023, and run until February 2025. During this time, they expect to observe more than 200 gravitational wave signals. (With inputs from agencies)

Travelling 650 million light-years, a mysterious signal possibly from a star corpse has reached Earth

<p>A Soyuz spacecraft early Saturday (Apr 6) successfully took back a Russian cosmonaut, a guest astronaut from Belarus, and a NASA crew member to Earth. The trio was on the International Space Station (ISS) on a crewed mission.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Russian crewed Soyuz spaceflight, Soyuz MS-24, had&nbsp;embarked on its journey from Baikonur on September 15, 2023, following which there have been several crew rotations.</p>

<p>Initially, the spacecraft ferried station commander Oleg Kononenko, O'Hara, and Nikolai Chub to the station.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Soyuz spacecraft is a series of spacecraft designed for human spaceflight operations, originally developed by the Soviet Union and now operated by the Russian space agency, Roscosmos.&nbsp;The spacecraft has been used for various missions, including transporting astronauts and cosmonauts to and from space stations, such the ISS.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Landing on Earth&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Commander Oleg Novitskiy, Marina Vasilevskaya from Belarus, and NASA's Loral O'Hara, touched down in Kazakhstan at 3:17 am EDT. After their landing on Earth, recovery teams quickly arrived to assist the returning space travellers as they adjusted to Earth's gravity after their journey.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mysteries-of-antarctic-researchers-find-13-new-papillomaviruses-in-antarctic-seals-708432">Mysteries of Antarctic: Researchers find 13 new papillomaviruses in seals</a></p>

<p>Notably, Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya had spent two weeks aboard the space station.&nbsp; Novitskiy, Vasilevskaya, as well as NASA veteran Tracy Dyson, were earlier launched to ISS on March 23 this year for crew rotation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/groundbreaking-study-reveals-how-to-cut-cost-of-prostate-cancer-scans-by-half-708547">Groundbreaking study reveals how to cut cost of prostate cancer scans by half</a></p>

<p>All three that landed back to Earth were in good health. Vasilevskaya, the first citizen of Belarus to fly in space since the Soviet era, conveyed her overwhelming emotions and reportedly said, "It's something incredible. I wish all people on Earth to treasure and cherish what they have, because this is precious."</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | 57 companies directly linked to 80% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions: Study</strong></p>

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<p>Following medical checks and communication with loved ones, the trio was scheduled to be transported to Karaganda by helicopter, with O'Hara heading to Houston and Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya returning to Star City near Moscow.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A Soyuz spacecraft early Saturday (Apr 6) successfully took back a Russian cosmonaut, a guest astronaut from Belarus, and a NASA crew member to Earth. The trio was on the International Space Station (ISS) on a crewed mission.

A Soyuz spacecraft early Saturday (Apr 6) successfully took back a Russian cosmonaut, a guest astronaut from Belarus, and a NASA crew member to Earth. The trio was on the International Space Station (ISS) on a crewed mission. The Russian crewed Soyuz spaceflight, Soyuz MS-24, had embarked on its journey from Baikonur on September 15, 2023, following which there have been several crew rotations. Initially, the spacecraft ferried station commander Oleg Kononenko, O'Hara, and Nikolai Chub to the station. The Soyuz spacecraft is a series of spacecraft designed for human spaceflight operations, originally developed by the Soviet Union and now operated by the Russian space agency, Roscosmos. The spacecraft has been used for various missions, including transporting astronauts and cosmonauts to and from space stations, such the ISS. Landing on Earth Commander Oleg Novitskiy, Marina Vasilevskaya from Belarus, and NASA's Loral O'Hara, touched down in Kazakhstan at 3:17 am EDT. After their landing on Earth, recovery teams quickly arrived to assist the returning space travellers as they adjusted to Earth's gravity after their journey. Also Read | Mysteries of Antarctic: Researchers find 13 new papillomaviruses in seals Notably, Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya had spent two weeks aboard the space station. Novitskiy, Vasilevskaya, as well as NASA veteran Tracy Dyson, were earlier launched to ISS on March 23 this year for crew rotation. Also Read | Groundbreaking study reveals how to cut cost of prostate cancer scans by half All three that landed back to Earth were in good health. Vasilevskaya, the first citizen of Belarus to fly in space since the Soviet era, conveyed her overwhelming emotions and reportedly said, "It's something incredible. I wish all people on Earth to treasure and cherish what they have, because this is precious." WATCH | 57 companies directly linked to 80% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions: Study × Following medical checks and communication with loved ones, the trio was scheduled to be transported to Karaganda by helicopter, with O'Hara heading to Houston and Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya returning to Star City near Moscow. (With inputs from agencies)

Soyuz spacecraft brings cosmonaut, Belarusian astronaut, and NASA crew member safely back to Earth

<p>Scientists for the first time have observed a rare phenomenon, called the "glory effect" on a planet that is outside our solar system. The glory effect is a set of rainbow-like colorful concentric rings which occur only under peculiar conditions. Such rings are seen often on Earth, and apart from that the effect has only been found once on another planet, Venus.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In what seems to be the first extrasolar "glory", data by the European Space Agency's CHEOPS Exoplanet Characterization Satellite, along with several other ESA and NASA missions, showed that there could be rainbow rings between the unbearable heat on WASP-76b's day side that faces its sun and the endless night on its dark side.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-hubble-telescope-shows-stunning-image-of-tarantula-nebula-ignites-wonder-among-space-enthusiasts-708192">NASA's Hubble telescope shows stunning image of Tarantula Nebula, ignites wonder among space enthusiasts</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The hellish atmosphere of ultra-hot gas giant WASP-76b is estimated to be 637 light-years away from Earth. Scientists have said that&nbsp;this first extrasolar glory will reveal more about the nature of this exoplanet if confirmed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Olivier Demangeon, who is an astronomer at the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences) in Portugal and lead author of the study, said, "There's a reason no glory has been seen before outside our Solar System – it requires very peculiar conditions."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/the-rare-devils-comet-is-now-visible-in-the-night-sky-heres-how-to-watch-it-in-india-708094">Rare Devil's Comet is now visible in the night sky. Here's how to watch it in India</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🆕 Have astronomers detected the first ever extrasolar ‘glory’?<br />
<br />
🌈 Potential signs of the rainbow-like ‘glory effect’ have been detected on a hellish planet outside our Solar System.<br />
<br />
🤝 The team used data from <a href="https://twitter.com/ESA_CHEOPS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESA_CHEOPS</a> &amp; other missions 👉 <a href="https://t.co/hSQ8XKoEeW">https://t.co/hSQ8XKoEeW</a> <a href="https://t.co/wXXQRcUrJN">pic.twitter.com/wXXQRcUrJN</a></p>
— ESA Science (@esascience) <a href="https://twitter.com/esascience/status/1776158815731225003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>"First, you need atmospheric particles that are close-to-perfectly spherical, completely uniform and stable enough to be observed over a long time. The planet's nearby star needs to shine directly at it, with the observer – here Cheops – at just the right orientation," Demangeon added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Matthew Standing, an ESA Research Fellow studying exoplanets, explained, "What's important to keep in mind is the incredible scale of what we're witnessing. WASP-76b is several hundred light-years away – an intensely hot gas giant planet where it likely rains molten iron. Despite the chaos, it looks like we've detected the potential signs of a glory. It's an incredibly faint signal."&nbsp;</p>


Scientists for the first time have observed a rare phenomenon, called the "glory effect" on a planet that is outside our solar system. The glory effect is a set of rainbow-like colorful concentric rings which occur only under peculiar conditions.

Scientists for the first time have observed a rare phenomenon, called the "glory effect" on a planet that is outside our solar system. The glory effect is a set of rainbow-like colorful concentric rings which occur only under peculiar conditions. Such rings are seen often on Earth, and apart from that the effect has only been found once on another planet, Venus. In what seems to be the first extrasolar "glory", data by the European Space Agency's CHEOPS Exoplanet Characterization Satellite, along with several other ESA and NASA missions, showed that there could be rainbow rings between the unbearable heat on WASP-76b's day side that faces its sun and the endless night on its dark side. Also read: NASA's Hubble telescope shows stunning image of Tarantula Nebula, ignites wonder among space enthusiasts The hellish atmosphere of ultra-hot gas giant WASP-76b is estimated to be 637 light-years away from Earth. Scientists have said that this first extrasolar glory will reveal more about the nature of this exoplanet if confirmed. Olivier Demangeon, who is an astronomer at the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences) in Portugal and lead author of the study, said, "There's a reason no glory has been seen before outside our Solar System – it requires very peculiar conditions." Also read: Rare Devil's Comet is now visible in the night sky. Here's how to watch it in India 🆕 Have astronomers detected the first ever extrasolar ‘glory’? 🌈 Potential signs of the rainbow-like ‘glory effect’ have been detected on a hellish planet outside our Solar System. 🤝 The team used data from @ESA_CHEOPS & other missions 👉 https://t.co/hSQ8XKoEeW pic.twitter.com/wXXQRcUrJN — ESA Science (@esascience) April 5, 2024 × "First, you need atmospheric particles that are close-to-perfectly spherical, completely uniform and stable enough to be observed over a long time. The planet's nearby star needs to shine directly at it, with the observer – here Cheops – at just the right orientation," Demangeon added. Matthew Standing, an ESA Research Fellow studying exoplanets, explained, "What's important to keep in mind is the incredible scale of what we're witnessing. WASP-76b is several hundred light-years away – an intensely hot gas giant planet where it likely rains molten iron. Despite the chaos, it looks like we've detected the potential signs of a glory. It's an incredibly faint signal."

Glory effect: Rare rainbow-like rings observed on a planet outside our solar system

<p>NASA, in its ongoing quest to unravel the mysteries of the universe, has once again astounded space enthusiasts with a captivating glimpse into the cosmos.</p>

<p>Recently, the Hubble Space Telescope, a flagship project of the US Space Agency, unveiled a mesmerising picture of the Tarantula Nebula.</p>

<p>Displayed prominently in the image are clusters of brilliant blue stars. They are surrounded with swirling clouds of burnt orange and tan-hued gas and dust. At the core of the nebula lies a mysterious dark formation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As the Hubble Space Telescope is equipped with instruments capable of observing various wavelengths of light, including ultraviolet (UV) light, this breathtaking snapshot was captured using UV data.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/trees-to-reveal-clues-for-dangerous-solar-storms-by-measuring-radiocarbon-spike-708115">Trees to reveal clues of largest solar storm to have hit Earth</a></p>

<p>Ultraviolet light has shorter wavelengths than visible light and it is important for astronomers because it reveals different aspects of celestial objects, such as hot stars, active galactic nuclei, and regions of star formation.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/the-rare-devils-comet-is-now-visible-in-the-night-sky-heres-how-to-watch-it-in-india-708094">Rare Devil's Comet is now visible in the night sky. Here's how to watch it in India</a></p>

<p>The data was acquired as part of an extensive survey called the Ultraviolet Legacy Library of Young Stars as Essential Standards (ULLYSES).</p>

<p><strong>Watch | 57 companies directly linked to 80% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions: Study</strong></p>

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<p>According to the space agency, “Two categories of stars were studied in this survey: Super-hot massive stars and young less massive stars. The super-hot massive, blue stars are a million times brighter than the Sun and have a fierce glow in ultraviolet light which can be easily detected by Hubble. These stars have powerful winds that drive galaxy evolution."</p>

<p>"ULLYSES targeted these blue stars in nearby galaxies because they were common in the early universe,” the space agency added.</p>

<p>NASA said that these "observations are just a stepping stone to understanding the first stars of the universe and how they impacted the evolution of the galaxy."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The formation of the Tarantula Nebula happens on a larger scale due to its massive size and intense star-forming activity.&nbsp;Just like in the formation of other nebulae, gravitational forces cause regions within the giant molecular cloud to collapse under their own gravity. These massive stars emit intense radiation and powerful stellar winds which shapes the surrounding nebula and trigger star formation.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA, in its ongoing quest to unravel the mysteries of the universe, has once again astounded space enthusiasts with a captivating glimpse into the cosmos. Recently, the Hubble Space Telescope, a flagship project of the US Space Agency, unveiled a mesmerising picture of the Tarantula Nebula.

NASA, in its ongoing quest to unravel the mysteries of the universe, has once again astounded space enthusiasts with a captivating glimpse into the cosmos. Recently, the Hubble Space Telescope, a flagship project of the US Space Agency, unveiled a mesmerising picture of the Tarantula Nebula. Displayed prominently in the image are clusters of brilliant blue stars. They are surrounded with swirling clouds of burnt orange and tan-hued gas and dust. At the core of the nebula lies a mysterious dark formation. As the Hubble Space Telescope is equipped with instruments capable of observing various wavelengths of light, including ultraviolet (UV) light, this breathtaking snapshot was captured using UV data. Also Read | Trees to reveal clues of largest solar storm to have hit Earth Ultraviolet light has shorter wavelengths than visible light and it is important for astronomers because it reveals different aspects of celestial objects, such as hot stars, active galactic nuclei, and regions of star formation. Also Read | Rare Devil's Comet is now visible in the night sky. Here's how to watch it in India The data was acquired as part of an extensive survey called the Ultraviolet Legacy Library of Young Stars as Essential Standards (ULLYSES). Watch | 57 companies directly linked to 80% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions: Study × According to the space agency, “Two categories of stars were studied in this survey: Super-hot massive stars and young less massive stars. The super-hot massive, blue stars are a million times brighter than the Sun and have a fierce glow in ultraviolet light which can be easily detected by Hubble. These stars have powerful winds that drive galaxy evolution." "ULLYSES targeted these blue stars in nearby galaxies because they were common in the early universe,” the space agency added. NASA said that these "observations are just a stepping stone to understanding the first stars of the universe and how they impacted the evolution of the galaxy." The formation of the Tarantula Nebula happens on a larger scale due to its massive size and intense star-forming activity. Just like in the formation of other nebulae, gravitational forces cause regions within the giant molecular cloud to collapse under their own gravity. These massive stars emit intense radiation and powerful stellar winds which shapes the surrounding nebula and trigger star formation. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Hubble telescope shows stunning image of Tarantula Nebula, ignites wonder among space enthusiasts

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<p>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has named three companies to advance capabilities for a lunar terrain vehicle (LTV)- a rover that astronauts will drive on the Moon. In a statement, NASA said on Wednesday (Apr 3) that astronauts will use the LTV to travel around the lunar surface, conducting scientific research during the Artemis campaign on the Moon and preparing for human missions to Mars.</p>

<p>The companies that have been chosen are- Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost, and Venturi Astrolab.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We look forward to the development of the Artemis generation lunar exploration vehicle to help us advance what we learn at the Moon,” Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, said on Wednesday.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-blasts-an-asteroid-in-space-it-now-fears-its-debris-may-collide-with-mars-707195">NASA blasted an asteroid in space. It now fears boulders may collide with Mars</a></strong></p>

<p>“This vehicle will greatly increase our astronauts’ ability to explore and conduct science on the lunar surface while also serving as a science platform between crewed missions,” Wyche added.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>The contract</strong></h2>

<p>The statement said that NASA would acquire the LTV as a service from industry. "The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, milestone-based Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services contract with firm-fixed-price task orders has a combined maximum potential value of $4.6 billion for all awards," the statement said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Each provider would begin with a feasibility task order, which would be a year-long special study to develop a system that meets NASA’s requirements through the preliminary design maturity project phase.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Why is NASA creating a time standard for the Moon?</strong></p>

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<p>The American space agency would issue a subsequent request for task order proposal to the eligible provider(s) for a demonstration mission to continue developing the LTV, deliver it to the surface of the Moon, and validate its performance and safety ahead of Artemis V.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"NASA will issue additional task orders to provide unpressurized rover capabilities for the agency’s moonwalking and scientific exploration needs through 2039," the statement further added.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>'Explore, transport, collect samples'</strong></h2>

<p>NASA said that the LTV would be able to handle the extreme conditions at the Moon's South Pole. Crews would use the terrain vehicle to explore, transport scientific equipment, and collect samples of the lunar surface, much farther than they could on foot, enabling increased science returns.</p>

<p>"Between Artemis missions, when crews are not on the Moon, the LTV will operate remotely to support NASA’s scientific objectives as needed," the statement also said.&nbsp;</p>


The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has named three companies to advance capabilities for a lunar terrain vehicle (LTV)- a rover that astronauts will drive on the Moon.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has named three companies to advance capabilities for a lunar terrain vehicle (LTV)- a rover that astronauts will drive on the Moon. In a statement, NASA said on Wednesday (Apr 3) that astronauts will use the LTV to travel around the lunar surface, conducting scientific research during the Artemis campaign on the Moon and preparing for human missions to Mars. The companies that have been chosen are- Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost, and Venturi Astrolab. “We look forward to the development of the Artemis generation lunar exploration vehicle to help us advance what we learn at the Moon,” Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, said on Wednesday. Also read | NASA blasted an asteroid in space. It now fears boulders may collide with Mars “This vehicle will greatly increase our astronauts’ ability to explore and conduct science on the lunar surface while also serving as a science platform between crewed missions,” Wyche added. The contract The statement said that NASA would acquire the LTV as a service from industry. "The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, milestone-based Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services contract with firm-fixed-price task orders has a combined maximum potential value of $4.6 billion for all awards," the statement said. Each provider would begin with a feasibility task order, which would be a year-long special study to develop a system that meets NASA’s requirements through the preliminary design maturity project phase. Also watch | Why is NASA creating a time standard for the Moon? × The American space agency would issue a subsequent request for task order proposal to the eligible provider(s) for a demonstration mission to continue developing the LTV, deliver it to the surface of the Moon, and validate its performance and safety ahead of Artemis V. "NASA will issue additional task orders to provide unpressurized rover capabilities for the agency’s moonwalking and scientific exploration needs through 2039," the statement further added. 'Explore, transport, collect samples' NASA said that the LTV would be able to handle the extreme conditions at the Moon's South Pole. Crews would use the terrain vehicle to explore, transport scientific equipment, and collect samples of the lunar surface, much farther than they could on foot, enabling increased science returns. "Between Artemis missions, when crews are not on the Moon, the LTV will operate remotely to support NASA’s scientific objectives as needed," the statement also said.

Astronauts to drive around in Moon cars that will be brought to life by these three companies

<p>For the first time, four NASA pilots will be flying two specialised WB-57 planes off the coast of Mexico and chasing the total solar eclipse on April 8 to capture a 'never-before-seen' view.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The solar eclipse, which will be observed by many from the ground, will for the first time be captured from a relatively closer view.</p>

<p>The pilots will follow the path of totality or total darkness, which is from southwest to northeast, and will remain in the shadows till the moon crosses the sun.</p>

<p>From the skies, this journey will take place in seven minutes in comparison to four minutes from the ground.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/devil-comet-may-appear-during-total-solar-eclipse-to-show-its-stunning-celestial-display-696285">&nbsp;'Devil Comet' likely to make an appearance during total solar eclipse in April</a></p>

<p>NASA pilot Tony Casey. a sensor equipment operator (SEO) on one of the two aircraft, said, "It's extremely exciting. I am stoked. I'm so excited to be able to fly this mission. I'm looking forward to just the experience of being there in this moment and the shadow overtaking you."</p>

<p>Casey will be the second crewman among the two WB-57 planes and is responsible for operating the instruments of the aircraft to study the eclipse.</p>

<h2><strong>How will the pilots capture the eclipse?</strong></h2>

<p>The pilots will be flying the plane, in which a camera and a telescope system will be installed. This will be used for capturing the images of the Sun in infrared and visible light.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It will also help scientists study its atmosphere, the corona. The scientists through the image will also look for a dust ring and asteroids which might be visible near the Sun.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Solar eclipse: Canada's Niagara declares state of emergency</strong></p>

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<p>The planes "have this system that mounts onto the nose of the aircraft that allows you to put a telescope in there," said Amir Caspi, who is a solar physicist at the Southwest Research Institute in Colorado and runs the experiment which Casey will be operating. In 2017, similar experiments were carried out when a previous total solar eclipse happened in the United States.</p>

<p>When the pilots will tear through the sky, the eclipse will happen towards the right-hand side.</p>

<p>The camera will be operated by Casey and he will zoom into different locations on the Sun while the team will fly to the ground.</p>

<p>"The field of view only covers a third of the Sun," he said, adding that he will try to place the camera between each side of the star to capture a total view during the eclipse and click any "interesting flare".&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


For the first time, four NASA pilots will be flying two specialised WB-57 planes off the coast of Mexico and chasing the total solar eclipse on April 8 to capture a 'never-before-seen' view.

For the first time, four NASA pilots will be flying two specialised WB-57 planes off the coast of Mexico and chasing the total solar eclipse on April 8 to capture a 'never-before-seen' view. The solar eclipse, which will be observed by many from the ground, will for the first time be captured from a relatively closer view. The pilots will follow the path of totality or total darkness, which is from southwest to northeast, and will remain in the shadows till the moon crosses the sun. From the skies, this journey will take place in seven minutes in comparison to four minutes from the ground. Also Read: 'Devil Comet' likely to make an appearance during total solar eclipse in April NASA pilot Tony Casey. a sensor equipment operator (SEO) on one of the two aircraft, said, "It's extremely exciting. I am stoked. I'm so excited to be able to fly this mission. I'm looking forward to just the experience of being there in this moment and the shadow overtaking you." Casey will be the second crewman among the two WB-57 planes and is responsible for operating the instruments of the aircraft to study the eclipse. How will the pilots capture the eclipse? The pilots will be flying the plane, in which a camera and a telescope system will be installed. This will be used for capturing the images of the Sun in infrared and visible light. It will also help scientists study its atmosphere, the corona. The scientists through the image will also look for a dust ring and asteroids which might be visible near the Sun. Watch: Solar eclipse: Canada's Niagara declares state of emergency The planes "have this system that mounts onto the nose of the aircraft that allows you to put a telescope in there," said Amir Caspi, who is a solar physicist at the Southwest Research Institute in Colorado and runs the experiment which Casey will be operating. In 2017, similar experiments were carried out when a previous total solar eclipse happened in the United States. When the pilots will tear through the sky, the eclipse will happen towards the right-hand side. The camera will be operated by Casey and he will zoom into different locations on the Sun while the team will fly to the ground. "The field of view only covers a third of the Sun," he said, adding that he will try to place the camera between each side of the star to capture a total view during the eclipse and click any "interesting flare". (With inputs from agencies)

Four NASA pilots to chase solar eclipse on April 8 to capture never-before-seen views

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

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

<p>Mars, the red planet has puzzled scientists once again. NASA's Perseverance rover which has been exploring Mars' Jezero Crater since early 2021 has discovered thousands of white rocks strewn across its surface. Recently delivered images by the rover show over 4,000 light-toned, pebble-sized "unusual" rocks scattered throughout the crater floor.</p>

<p>"These rocks are very unusual, and we're trying to understand their origin," said Candice Bedford, a planetary scientist at Purdue University and a member of the Mars 2020 science team, during the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) last month.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/james-webb-captures-creation-of-third-world-and-birth-of-moons-400-light-years-away-707585">James Webb captures creation of 'third world' and birth of moons 400 light-years away</a></strong></p>

<p>This comes as NASA completes an architectural review of its Mars Sample Return (MSR) program, which aims to bring Martian rocks back to Earth for analysis.</p>

<h2><strong>Analysis of rocks found THIS</strong></h2>

<p>Initial analysis of the rocks by Perseverance's instruments revealed that they are dehydrated. Not only do they lack water content, but also other minerals like iron, magnesium, calcium, and sodium.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"These rocks are pretty depleted in a lot of things," Bedford noted.</p>

<p>She suggests that the dehydrated nature of the rocks indicates they were heated and metamorphosed by processes like lava flows or asteroid impacts elsewhere on Mars before being deposited in the crater.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-names-three-companies-to-develop-rover-that-astronauts-will-drive-on-moon-707655">NASA names three companies to develop rover that astronauts will drive on Moon</a></strong></p>

<p>The team is keen to understand the origins of these rocks, in order to provide insights into Mars' past, including the timing of water presence in the Jezero crater, which is now a dry landscape.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Perseverance, which has covered over 15 miles (24.8 kilometers) on Mars, celebrated its 1,000th day on the planet in&nbsp;December last year. It has filled 26 of its 43 sample tubes with Martian rock samples, which could be studied extensively.</p>

<p>"Each sample has innumerable grains that we could potentially study for forever, essentially," said Benjamin Weiss, a professor of planetary sciences at MIT and a member of the Mars 2020 team.</p>

<p>As part of a bonus mission, Perseverance has started moving towards the Jezero Crater rim, where its long-distance camera has already spotted more light-toned rocks. Scientists believe the crater rim and beyond hold unique geology, including rocks that could provide clues about Mars' early climate and the possibility of past life.</p>

<p>Returning these samples to Earth is crucial for scientists to fully understand Mars' history. "It will revolutionize our understanding of Mars," said Benjamin Weiss.</p>

<h2><strong>Mars Sample Return (MSR) programme</strong></h2>

<p>NASA's Mars Sample Return (MSR) program is spearheading the effort to bring these samples back to Earth. Questions remain about the program, including the timeline and approach for returning the samples. A response team (MIRT) was commissioned to evaluate alternative approaches after an independent review board (IRB) found issues with the current plan. NASA's budget for MSR is yet to be finalised, with a revised plan and budget expected in April.</p>


Mars, the red planet has puzzled scientists once again. NASA's Perseverance rover which has been exploring Mars' Jezero Crater since early 2021 has discovered thousands of white rocks strewn across its surface.

Mars, the red planet has puzzled scientists once again. NASA's Perseverance rover which has been exploring Mars' Jezero Crater since early 2021 has discovered thousands of white rocks strewn across its surface. Recently delivered images by the rover show over 4,000 light-toned, pebble-sized "unusual" rocks scattered throughout the crater floor. "These rocks are very unusual, and we're trying to understand their origin," said Candice Bedford, a planetary scientist at Purdue University and a member of the Mars 2020 science team, during the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) last month. Also read | James Webb captures creation of 'third world' and birth of moons 400 light-years away This comes as NASA completes an architectural review of its Mars Sample Return (MSR) program, which aims to bring Martian rocks back to Earth for analysis. Analysis of rocks found THIS Initial analysis of the rocks by Perseverance's instruments revealed that they are dehydrated. Not only do they lack water content, but also other minerals like iron, magnesium, calcium, and sodium. "These rocks are pretty depleted in a lot of things," Bedford noted. She suggests that the dehydrated nature of the rocks indicates they were heated and metamorphosed by processes like lava flows or asteroid impacts elsewhere on Mars before being deposited in the crater. Also read | NASA names three companies to develop rover that astronauts will drive on Moon The team is keen to understand the origins of these rocks, in order to provide insights into Mars' past, including the timing of water presence in the Jezero crater, which is now a dry landscape. Perseverance, which has covered over 15 miles (24.8 kilometers) on Mars, celebrated its 1,000th day on the planet in December last year. It has filled 26 of its 43 sample tubes with Martian rock samples, which could be studied extensively. "Each sample has innumerable grains that we could potentially study for forever, essentially," said Benjamin Weiss, a professor of planetary sciences at MIT and a member of the Mars 2020 team. As part of a bonus mission, Perseverance has started moving towards the Jezero Crater rim, where its long-distance camera has already spotted more light-toned rocks. Scientists believe the crater rim and beyond hold unique geology, including rocks that could provide clues about Mars' early climate and the possibility of past life. Returning these samples to Earth is crucial for scientists to fully understand Mars' history. "It will revolutionize our understanding of Mars," said Benjamin Weiss. Mars Sample Return (MSR) programme NASA's Mars Sample Return (MSR) program is spearheading the effort to bring these samples back to Earth. Questions remain about the program, including the timeline and approach for returning the samples. A response team (MIRT) was commissioned to evaluate alternative approaches after an independent review board (IRB) found issues with the current plan. NASA's budget for MSR is yet to be finalised, with a revised plan and budget expected in April.

NASA's Perseverance rover spots thousands of 'unusual' white rocks on Mars

Gravitas | The impact of NASA asteroid deflection

<p>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is looking into an incident when a two-pound object crashed into a Florida man's house last month. The space agency is analysing whether or not the object came from the International Space Station (ISS). In case it came from ISS, it would be a rare incident of an object falling out of orbit and damaging someone's property, or having the potential to harm a person.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per local reports, the homeowner said that the object crashed through the roof of his Naples home at 2:34 pm (local time) on March 8. Its sound was recorded by his Ring security camera.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The homeowner, identified as Alejandro Otero, told WINK News, "It was a tremendous sound. It almost hit my son. He was two rooms over and heard it all. Something ripped through the house and then made a big hole on the floor and on the ceiling."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/greenery-on-moon-soon-nasa-to-put-plants-on-lunar-surface-by-2026-706920">Greenery on Moon soon? NASA to put plants on lunar surface by 2026</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>In his social media post earlier, Otero addressed a post stating, "Can you please assist with getting NASA to connect with me? I've left messages and emails without a response."&nbsp;</p>

<p>A report by the European Space Agency (ESA) estimated that the annual risk of an individual human being injured by space debris is less than 1 in 100 billion. It means it is 1.5 million times lower than the risk of being killed in an accident at home, around 65,000 times lower than the risk of being struck by lightning, and three times lower than the risk of being struck by a meteorite.</p>

<p>Falling space debris has never killed anyone, but the incident that happened with Otero could have caused casualties, as the man said that it almost hit his son.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/us-tennessee-pass-geoengineering-ban-as-chemtrails-conspiracy-theories-rise-706959">Tennessee Senate passes bill banning geoengineering amid ‘chemtrails’ conspiracy theories</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>According to the scientific journal Ars Technica, the object was probably from ISS. The journal said that the US space command recorded the re-entry of a piece of space debris over the Gulf of Mexico on a path towards southwest Florida at 2.29 pm (local time) that day. The timing was just five minutes before Otero's Nest home security camera captured the sound of the crash.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It used to have a cylindrical shape, and you can tell by the shape of the top that it travelled in this direction through the atmosphere," Otero said.</p>

<p>Josh Finch, who is a NASA spokesperson, told Ars Technica that the analysis will take&nbsp;place "as soon as possible to determine its origin".&nbsp;</p>


The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is looking into an incident when a two-pound object crashed into a Florida man's house last month. The space agency is analysing whether or not the object came from the International Space Station (ISS).

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is looking into an incident when a two-pound object crashed into a Florida man's house last month. The space agency is analysing whether or not the object came from the International Space Station (ISS). In case it came from ISS, it would be a rare incident of an object falling out of orbit and damaging someone's property, or having the potential to harm a person. As per local reports, the homeowner said that the object crashed through the roof of his Naples home at 2:34 pm (local time) on March 8. Its sound was recorded by his Ring security camera. The homeowner, identified as Alejandro Otero, told WINK News, "It was a tremendous sound. It almost hit my son. He was two rooms over and heard it all. Something ripped through the house and then made a big hole on the floor and on the ceiling." Also read: Greenery on Moon soon? NASA to put plants on lunar surface by 2026 In his social media post earlier, Otero addressed a post stating, "Can you please assist with getting NASA to connect with me? I've left messages and emails without a response." A report by the European Space Agency (ESA) estimated that the annual risk of an individual human being injured by space debris is less than 1 in 100 billion. It means it is 1.5 million times lower than the risk of being killed in an accident at home, around 65,000 times lower than the risk of being struck by lightning, and three times lower than the risk of being struck by a meteorite. Falling space debris has never killed anyone, but the incident that happened with Otero could have caused casualties, as the man said that it almost hit his son. Also read: Tennessee Senate passes bill banning geoengineering amid ‘chemtrails’ conspiracy theories According to the scientific journal Ars Technica, the object was probably from ISS. The journal said that the US space command recorded the re-entry of a piece of space debris over the Gulf of Mexico on a path towards southwest Florida at 2.29 pm (local time) that day. The timing was just five minutes before Otero's Nest home security camera captured the sound of the crash. "It used to have a cylindrical shape, and you can tell by the shape of the top that it travelled in this direction through the atmosphere," Otero said. Josh Finch, who is a NASA spokesperson, told Ars Technica that the analysis will take place "as soon as possible to determine its origin".

An object crashed through the roof of a man's house. Did it come from space?

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

Why is NASA creating a time standard for the moon?

NASA's dart fallout! Asteroid Dimorphos debris may rain on Mars

<p><strong>NASA Dart Mission Asteroid:</strong> A distant asteroid was broken into pieces by NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in space in 2022 as part of a test programme&nbsp;to deflect&nbsp;celestial bodies threatening to hit&nbsp;Earth. While the DART mission was the talk of the town at the time, the debris of the asteroid in question is&nbsp;returning to haunt a planet. Worry not, as&nbsp;Earth is safe but our red neighbour&nbsp;Mars is not.</p>

<h2><strong>NASA Dart Mission</strong></h2>

<p>An asteroid, known as Dimorphos, was knocked off its original orbit and shattered into pieces by NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in a groundbreaking mission. In this mission, it was also proved that the scientists on Earth have the capability to redirect an asteroid if it ever poses a threat to the planet.</p>

<p>The test ended successfully as NASA was able to prove that a kinetic impactor has the capability of changing an asteroid's orbit and also altering its overall trajectory.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/james-webb-space-telescope-probes-binary-asteroid-system-mors-somnus-in-kuiper-belt-to-know-neptunes-past-697855">James Webb Space Telescope probes binary asteroid system Mors-Somnus in Kuiper Belt to know Neptune's past</a></p>

<p>In the test, a vending machine-sized spacecraft was launched by NASA at an asteroid system which had two space rocks, Didymos and Dimorphos. The collision of the DART spacecraft reduced the speed of &nbsp;Dimorphos' orbit time around Didymos by 32 minutes and 42 seconds.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Humans generate a meteor storm</strong></h2>

<p>In a paper, which was published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, the researchers said that the pieces of Dimorphos can enter the thin atmosphere of Mars and even hit its surface, where it will create craters.</p>

<p>The study, which is yet to be peer-reviewed, has stated the myriad ways in which these boulders are likely to orbit around the Sun in the next 20,000 years. However, the scientists failed to find any possibility of them getting burnt up in the skies of the Earth.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Collision with NASA spacecraft altered shape of asteroid</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/collision-with-nasa-spacecraft-altered-shape-of-asteroid-702408/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>A near-Earth object dynamicist at the European Space Agency’s Near-Earth Objects Coordination Centre study author Marco Fenucci said, "But they’re going to cross the orbit of Mars."</p>

<p>They added that if by any chance both Mars and the mini-asteroids meet at a crossing, some of them will enter its thin atmosphere. “And they will arrive to the ground and make a crater,” said Fenucci.</p>

<p>This is the first time humans have generated their own meteor storm which is likely to end up hitting a rocky planet.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA Dart Mission Asteroid: A distant asteroid was broken into pieces by NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in space in 2022 as part of a test programme to deflect celestial bodies threatening to hit Earth.

NASA Dart Mission Asteroid: A distant asteroid was broken into pieces by NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in space in 2022 as part of a test programme to deflect celestial bodies threatening to hit Earth. While the DART mission was the talk of the town at the time, the debris of the asteroid in question is returning to haunt a planet. Worry not, as Earth is safe but our red neighbour Mars is not. NASA Dart Mission An asteroid, known as Dimorphos, was knocked off its original orbit and shattered into pieces by NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in a groundbreaking mission. In this mission, it was also proved that the scientists on Earth have the capability to redirect an asteroid if it ever poses a threat to the planet. The test ended successfully as NASA was able to prove that a kinetic impactor has the capability of changing an asteroid's orbit and also altering its overall trajectory. Also Read: James Webb Space Telescope probes binary asteroid system Mors-Somnus in Kuiper Belt to know Neptune's past In the test, a vending machine-sized spacecraft was launched by NASA at an asteroid system which had two space rocks, Didymos and Dimorphos. The collision of the DART spacecraft reduced the speed of Dimorphos' orbit time around Didymos by 32 minutes and 42 seconds. Humans generate a meteor storm In a paper, which was published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, the researchers said that the pieces of Dimorphos can enter the thin atmosphere of Mars and even hit its surface, where it will create craters. The study, which is yet to be peer-reviewed, has stated the myriad ways in which these boulders are likely to orbit around the Sun in the next 20,000 years. However, the scientists failed to find any possibility of them getting burnt up in the skies of the Earth. Watch: Collision with NASA spacecraft altered shape of asteroid A near-Earth object dynamicist at the European Space Agency’s Near-Earth Objects Coordination Centre study author Marco Fenucci said, "But they’re going to cross the orbit of Mars." They added that if by any chance both Mars and the mini-asteroids meet at a crossing, some of them will enter its thin atmosphere. “And they will arrive to the ground and make a crater,” said Fenucci. This is the first time humans have generated their own meteor storm which is likely to end up hitting a rocky planet. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA blasted an asteroid in space. It now fears boulders may collide with Mars

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidSZgpjSgDWIjX" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>NASA has shared some tips on how to shoot the total&nbsp;solar eclipse ahead of the cosmic event on April 8, which will be visible in parts of some countries like the United States and Canada.</p>

<p>For people within the path of the Moon's shadow, a total solar eclipse is a stunning celestial view, NASA said. While it's a precious chance for scientists to study the sun and the impact of a total solar eclipse on Earth, it's also great for people to capture memorable pictures.</p>

<p>NASA has shared some photography tips for everyone, from amateurs to selfie masters. Here they are:</p>

<h2><strong>Safety First</strong></h2>

<p>It's dangerous to look directly at the sun. One should use a special solar filter to protect the camera and a pair of solar viewing glasses to protect your eyes. Only then can a person click images when the sun is partially eclipsed.</p>

<p>However, when the Moon blocks the sun entirely, one can remove the cover and see the Sun's outer atmosphere called corona.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Which Camera To Use?</strong></h2>

<p>According to NASA, any camera is a good camera, whether you have a high-end DSLR or a camera phone. To take great photos during the eclipse, one needs a good eye and a vision for the image they wish to create.</p>

<p>NASA has urged people to focus on taking landscape shots if they don't have a telephoto zoom lens, capturing the changing environment during the eclipse.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, having some equipment handy can prove beneficial during the eclipse. If you need stability for your camera and want to avoid taking blurry images when there is low lighting, a tripod can come in handy. Furthermore, using a delayed shutter release time will allow you to click pictures without shaking your camera.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Look Around!</strong></h2>

<p>As the most dominating element of a solar eclipse, the Sun tends to draw our attention, but it is important to remember to look around you. During a solar eclipse, the surroundings have eerie lighting and shadows. As the sunlight filters through the overlapping leaves of trees, it creates natural pinholes that project miniature eclipse replicas on the ground. Therefore, wherever you point your camera, it can yield exceptional imagery. Be sure to capture some wide-angle photos to document your eclipse experience.</p>

<h2><strong>Practice</strong></h2>

<p>It is important to familiarise yourself with the capabilities of your camera before the day of the eclipse. Many cameras, including some camera phones, have adjustable exposures that can help you adjust the brightness of your image under the difficult lighting conditions of an eclipse. Additionally, it is essential to know how to manually focus your camera to capture clear and precise shots.</p>

<p>NASA has also asked to share the images on social media and tag their official handle.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA has shared some tips on how to shoot the total solar eclipse ahead of the cosmic event on April 8, which will be visible in parts of some countries like the United States and Canada.

NASA has shared some tips on how to shoot the total solar eclipse ahead of the cosmic event on April 8, which will be visible in parts of some countries like the United States and Canada. For people within the path of the Moon's shadow, a total solar eclipse is a stunning celestial view, NASA said. While it's a precious chance for scientists to study the sun and the impact of a total solar eclipse on Earth, it's also great for people to capture memorable pictures. NASA has shared some photography tips for everyone, from amateurs to selfie masters. Here they are: Safety First It's dangerous to look directly at the sun. One should use a special solar filter to protect the camera and a pair of solar viewing glasses to protect your eyes. Only then can a person click images when the sun is partially eclipsed. However, when the Moon blocks the sun entirely, one can remove the cover and see the Sun's outer atmosphere called corona. Which Camera To Use? According to NASA, any camera is a good camera, whether you have a high-end DSLR or a camera phone. To take great photos during the eclipse, one needs a good eye and a vision for the image they wish to create. NASA has urged people to focus on taking landscape shots if they don't have a telephoto zoom lens, capturing the changing environment during the eclipse. However, having some equipment handy can prove beneficial during the eclipse. If you need stability for your camera and want to avoid taking blurry images when there is low lighting, a tripod can come in handy. Furthermore, using a delayed shutter release time will allow you to click pictures without shaking your camera. Look Around! As the most dominating element of a solar eclipse, the Sun tends to draw our attention, but it is important to remember to look around you. During a solar eclipse, the surroundings have eerie lighting and shadows. As the sunlight filters through the overlapping leaves of trees, it creates natural pinholes that project miniature eclipse replicas on the ground. Therefore, wherever you point your camera, it can yield exceptional imagery. Be sure to capture some wide-angle photos to document your eclipse experience. Practice It is important to familiarise yourself with the capabilities of your camera before the day of the eclipse. Many cameras, including some camera phones, have adjustable exposures that can help you adjust the brightness of your image under the difficult lighting conditions of an eclipse. Additionally, it is essential to know how to manually focus your camera to capture clear and precise shots. NASA has also asked to share the images on social media and tag their official handle. (With inputs from agencies)

Want to shoot the solar eclipse? Here are four tips by NASA

<p>NASA's cutting-edge James Webb Space Telescope has once again helped humanity unveil cosmic wonders beyond our imagination. Following up on the work of NASA's infrared Spitzer Space Telescope, Webb has now found an Earth-like planet that emits light.</p>

<p>Now, if you're wondering why this is groundbreaking, the answer is a simple one: this is the first time any light has been detected as being emitted from another planet outside of our solar system.</p>

<h2><strong>First such find</strong></h2>

<p>In a statement, NASA said, "This is the first detection of any form of light emitted by an exoplanet as small and as cool as the rocky planets in our own solar system."</p>

<p>"The result marks an important step in determining whether planets orbiting small active stars like TRAPPIST-1 can sustain atmospheres needed to support life."</p>

<p>"It also bodes well for Webb's ability to characterise temperate, Earth-sized exoplanets using MIRI," added the American space agency.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mars-may-have-hosted-life-for-millions-of-years-longer-than-previously-thought-706772">Mars may have hosted life for millions of years longer than previously thought</a></strong></p>

<p>Thomas Greene, an astrophysicist at NASA's Ames Research Center, emphasised the significance of these observations, and said: "These observations really take advantage of Webb’s mid-infrared capability."</p>

<p>"No previous telescopes have had the sensitivity to measure such dim mid-infrared light," he added, lauding the findings published in the journal Nature.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>TRAPPIST-1 b</strong></h2>

<p>The planet in question is called 'TRAPPIST-1 b' and it shares Earth's composition. It is also roughly the same size as our planet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The researchers, as per the ESA Webb website, employed secondary eclipse photometry, a technique using the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI)&nbsp;to measure changes in brightness as the planet moved behind its star. It found that while TRAPPIST-1 b does not emit visible light, it does emit infrared light.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, as per a LAD bible report, the planet is missing an atmosphere and thus cannot support life.</p>

<p>"Previous observations of TRAPPIST-1 b with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, as well as NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, found no evidence for a puffy atmosphere, but were not able to rule out a dense one," says the WSA Webb website.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-announce-new-world-record-of-artificial-sun-at-100-million-degrees-706852">Scientists announce new world record of ‘artificial sun’ at 100 million degrees Celsius</a></strong></p>

<p>As per Pierre-Olivier Lagage from CEA, a co-author on the paper, "This planet is tidally locked, with one side facing the star at all times and the other in permanent darkness."</p>

<p>"If it has an atmosphere to circulate and redistribute the heat, the dayside will be cooler than if there is no atmosphere," said Lagage.</p>

<p>The planet which gets about four times the amount of energy that Earth gets from the Sun has a dayside temperature of around 500 kelvins, or 230 degrees Celsius — not an ideal temperature for life.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA's cutting-edge James Webb Space Telescope has once again helped humanity unveil cosmic wonders beyond our imagination. Following up on the work of NASA's infrared Spitzer Space Telescope, Webb has now found an Earth-like planet that emits light.

NASA's cutting-edge James Webb Space Telescope has once again helped humanity unveil cosmic wonders beyond our imagination. Following up on the work of NASA's infrared Spitzer Space Telescope, Webb has now found an Earth-like planet that emits light. Now, if you're wondering why this is groundbreaking, the answer is a simple one: this is the first time any light has been detected as being emitted from another planet outside of our solar system. First such find In a statement, NASA said, "This is the first detection of any form of light emitted by an exoplanet as small and as cool as the rocky planets in our own solar system." "The result marks an important step in determining whether planets orbiting small active stars like TRAPPIST-1 can sustain atmospheres needed to support life." "It also bodes well for Webb's ability to characterise temperate, Earth-sized exoplanets using MIRI," added the American space agency. Also read | Mars may have hosted life for millions of years longer than previously thought Thomas Greene, an astrophysicist at NASA's Ames Research Center, emphasised the significance of these observations, and said: "These observations really take advantage of Webb’s mid-infrared capability." "No previous telescopes have had the sensitivity to measure such dim mid-infrared light," he added, lauding the findings published in the journal Nature. TRAPPIST-1 b The planet in question is called 'TRAPPIST-1 b' and it shares Earth's composition. It is also roughly the same size as our planet. The researchers, as per the ESA Webb website, employed secondary eclipse photometry, a technique using the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) to measure changes in brightness as the planet moved behind its star. It found that while TRAPPIST-1 b does not emit visible light, it does emit infrared light. However, as per a LAD bible report, the planet is missing an atmosphere and thus cannot support life. "Previous observations of TRAPPIST-1 b with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, as well as NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, found no evidence for a puffy atmosphere, but were not able to rule out a dense one," says the WSA Webb website. Also read | Scientists announce new world record of ‘artificial sun’ at 100 million degrees Celsius As per Pierre-Olivier Lagage from CEA, a co-author on the paper, "This planet is tidally locked, with one side facing the star at all times and the other in permanent darkness." "If it has an atmosphere to circulate and redistribute the heat, the dayside will be cooler than if there is no atmosphere," said Lagage. The planet which gets about four times the amount of energy that Earth gets from the Sun has a dayside temperature of around 500 kelvins, or 230 degrees Celsius — not an ideal temperature for life. (With inputs from agencies)

James Webb Telescope spots extraterrestrial light outside our solar system. Here's what NASA has to say

<p><strong>Moon Standard Time:</strong> The daunting task of setting up a standard time zone on the Moon has been given to the space agency NASA by the White House with the hope that people on Earth will be able to tell what time it is on the Moon.</p>

<p>The space agency was sent a memo by the head of the US Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on Tuesday (April 2) in which they were asked to work in coordination with other US agencies and international agencies for setting up a moon-centric time reference system.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA has been given time till the end of 2026 to set up what is known as Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC).&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How different is the moon's time zone from that of Earth?</strong></h2>

<p>The time zone on the Moon won't be very similar to the standard time zones we have on Earth. Actually, Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) will be an entire frame of time covering all the regions on the Moon.</p>

<p>Since the gravity on the moon is less, time shifts a bit quickly - 58.7 microseconds every day – in comparison to Earth.</p>

<p>Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) will also provide scientists with a time-keeping benchmark for lunar satellites and spacecraft that require extreme precision for their missions.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/greenery-on-moon-soon-nasa-to-put-plants-on-lunar-surface-by-2026-706920">Greenery on Moon soon? NASA to put plants on lunar surface by 2026</a></p>

<p>“An atomic clock on the moon will tick at a different rate than a clock on Earth,” said Kevin Coggins, a top communications and navigation official at NASA.</p>

<p>“It makes sense that when you go to another body, like the moon or Mars, that each one gets its own heartbeat," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>Why is&nbsp;Moon Standard Time important?</strong></h2>

<p>In September 2026, NASA is planning to send its astronaut missions to the moon through its Artemis programme. They will also establish a scientific lunar base which can help set the stage for future missions to Mars.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Various spacecraft, companies and countries are part of the effort.</p>

<p>Speaking to Reuters, an OSTP official said that without a unified lunar time standard, the scientists will find it challenging to ensure that secured data transfers are taking place between spacecraft. It will also be difficult to synchronise communications among Earth, lunar satellites, bases and astronauts.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Pluto: Should 'Pluto' be a planet again? The debate rages on</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pluto-should-pluto-be-a-planet-again-the-debate-rages-on-706731/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>According to the official, the discrepancies in time can also result in errors in mapping the moon and locating positions on or orbiting around the natural satellite.</p>

<p>“Imagine if the world wasn’t syncing their clocks to the same time, how disruptive that might be and how challenging everyday things become,” said the official.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


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

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

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

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