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<p>Parts of the US, Canada and Mexico will thrust into darkness as the Moon glides completely covering the Sun, marking a total solar eclipse on April 8.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While millions of spectators are excited, NASA engineers in Virginia plan to make the most of the few minutes of darkness by launching rockets straight into the eclipse's shadow, LiveScience reported.</p>

<p>These launches have a crucial science goal besides the cool factor. They will enable the scientists to understand how the sudden drop in sunlight impacts Earth's blanket of air.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The swift transition from day to night during the eclipse causes sudden temperature drops. It also tricks animals into engaging in nighttime behaviours.</p>

<p>However, scientists know little about how these brief moments of darkness affect the boundary between our planet's upper and lower atmosphere, called the ionosphere. The ionosphere extends between 55 to 310 miles (90 to 500 kilometres) above the planet's surface.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><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></p>

<p>In the ionosphere, ultraviolet radiation from the Sun drives away electrons from atoms, creating electrically charged particles that puff up the upper atmosphere abundantly. During sunset, these ions recombine into neutral atoms, thinning out the charged particles. However, they are ripped away again the next morning.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"If you think of the ionosphere as a pond with some gentle ripples on it, the eclipse is like a motorboat that suddenly rips through the water," Aroh Barjatya, a professor of engineering and physics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, said in a 2023 NASA article. "It creates a wake immediately underneath and behind it, and then the water level momentarily goes up as it rushes back in," he added.</p>

<p>NASA engineers expect to gather enough data to predict such disturbances, which interfere with radio and satellite communications. They will launch three rockets from Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia. The Moon will block only 81.4 per cent of the sun's light at this facility. However, the team expects to use the temporary dimming.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The same research team performed a similar experiment during last October's partial "ring of fire" solar eclipse when the Moon blocked a maximum of 90 per cent of the Sun's light.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The experiment revealed that the drop in sunlight caused disturbances capable of impacting radio and satellite communications, highlighting the need for improved capability to anticipate them.</p>

<p>"We are super excited to relaunch [the rockets] during the total eclipse, to see if the perturbations start at the same altitude and if their magnitude and scale remain the same," Barjatya concluded in a NASA statement.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Parts of the US, Canada and Mexico will thrust into darkness as the Moon glides completely covering the Sun, marking a total solar eclipse on April 8. While millions of spectators are excited, NASA engineers in Virginia plan to make the most of the few minutes of darkness by launching rockets straight into the eclipse's shadow, LiveScience reported.

Parts of the US, Canada and Mexico will thrust into darkness as the Moon glides completely covering the Sun, marking a total solar eclipse on April 8. While millions of spectators are excited, NASA engineers in Virginia plan to make the most of the few minutes of darkness by launching rockets straight into the eclipse's shadow, LiveScience reported. These launches have a crucial science goal besides the cool factor. They will enable the scientists to understand how the sudden drop in sunlight impacts Earth's blanket of air. The swift transition from day to night during the eclipse causes sudden temperature drops. It also tricks animals into engaging in nighttime behaviours. However, scientists know little about how these brief moments of darkness affect the boundary between our planet's upper and lower atmosphere, called the ionosphere. The ionosphere extends between 55 to 310 miles (90 to 500 kilometres) above the planet's surface. ALSO READ | Mars may have hosted life for millions of years longer than previously thought In the ionosphere, ultraviolet radiation from the Sun drives away electrons from atoms, creating electrically charged particles that puff up the upper atmosphere abundantly. During sunset, these ions recombine into neutral atoms, thinning out the charged particles. However, they are ripped away again the next morning. "If you think of the ionosphere as a pond with some gentle ripples on it, the eclipse is like a motorboat that suddenly rips through the water," Aroh Barjatya, a professor of engineering and physics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, said in a 2023 NASA article. "It creates a wake immediately underneath and behind it, and then the water level momentarily goes up as it rushes back in," he added. NASA engineers expect to gather enough data to predict such disturbances, which interfere with radio and satellite communications. They will launch three rockets from Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia. The Moon will block only 81.4 per cent of the sun's light at this facility. However, the team expects to use the temporary dimming. The same research team performed a similar experiment during last October's partial "ring of fire" solar eclipse when the Moon blocked a maximum of 90 per cent of the Sun's light. The experiment revealed that the drop in sunlight caused disturbances capable of impacting radio and satellite communications, highlighting the need for improved capability to anticipate them. "We are super excited to relaunch [the rockets] during the total eclipse, to see if the perturbations start at the same altitude and if their magnitude and scale remain the same," Barjatya concluded in a NASA statement. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA plans to launch three rockets into the solar eclipse shadow next week. Here’s why

<p><strong>Water on Mars:</strong> Mars may have hosted life for much longer than once believed, according to scientists. How much longer? Its habitable period might actually have been longer by millions of years.</p>

<h2><strong>Water on Mars</strong></h2>

<p>In its ancient past, Mars boasted oceans, lakes, and rivers, painting a picture reminiscent of early Earth during the solar system's infancy.</p>

<p>As per estimates, the gradually changing climate rendered the red planet barren, as we know it today.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/martians-wanted-nasa-is-looking-for-volunteers-to-live-in-a-mars-simulator-for-a-year-692066">‘Martians wanted’: NASA is looking for volunteers to live in a Mars simulator for a year</a></strong></p>

<p>Competing theories exist regarding the disappearance of Martian water. Some propose it evaporated into space as the planet's atmosphere thinned, while others suggest it became trapped within the planet's crust, forming an icy permafrost layer.</p>

<p>Traditionally, scientists thought Mars lost its water during the Hesperian period, about 3.7 to 2.9 billion years ago. However, recent findings propose water may have persisted until the late Hesperian period.</p>

<p>However, a research team by the UK's Imperial College has now found signs that water was abundant in a 154&nbsp;km-diameter basin just south of Mars' equator called Gale Crater. According to them, Mars had water "long after the planet was thought to have become dry and inhospitable."</p>

<h2><strong>Why does water on Mars matter?</strong></h2>

<p>The findings, as per the researchers, "have implications for our understanding of Mars' changing climate, as well as where we now look for signs of habitability."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Using data from the Curiosity rover's exploration, researchers spotted deformed layers in Mars' desert sandstone, which they say "could only have been formed by water".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-curiosity-rover-finds-evidence-mars-was-once-a-planet-of-rivers-651444">Life on Mars? Curiosity rover discovers that it was once a 'planet of rivers'</a></strong></p>

<p>Dr Steven Banham, the lead author of the study&nbsp;published in Geology, noted that "the sandstone revealed that water was probably abundant more recently, and for longer than previously thought—but by which process did the water leave these clues? "</p>

<p>"This water might have been pressurised liquid, forced into and deforming the sediment; frozen, with the repeat freezing and thawing process causing the deformation; or briny, and subject to large temperature swings."</p>

<p>"What's clear is that behind each of these potential ways to deform this sandstone, water is the common link," he noted.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Water on Mars: Mars may have hosted life for much longer than once believed, according to scientists. How much longer? Its habitable period might actually have been longer by millions of years.

Water on Mars: Mars may have hosted life for much longer than once believed, according to scientists. How much longer? Its habitable period might actually have been longer by millions of years. Water on Mars In its ancient past, Mars boasted oceans, lakes, and rivers, painting a picture reminiscent of early Earth during the solar system's infancy. As per estimates, the gradually changing climate rendered the red planet barren, as we know it today. Also read | ‘Martians wanted’: NASA is looking for volunteers to live in a Mars simulator for a year Competing theories exist regarding the disappearance of Martian water. Some propose it evaporated into space as the planet's atmosphere thinned, while others suggest it became trapped within the planet's crust, forming an icy permafrost layer. Traditionally, scientists thought Mars lost its water during the Hesperian period, about 3.7 to 2.9 billion years ago. However, recent findings propose water may have persisted until the late Hesperian period. However, a research team by the UK's Imperial College has now found signs that water was abundant in a 154 km-diameter basin just south of Mars' equator called Gale Crater. According to them, Mars had water "long after the planet was thought to have become dry and inhospitable." Why does water on Mars matter? The findings, as per the researchers, "have implications for our understanding of Mars' changing climate, as well as where we now look for signs of habitability." Using data from the Curiosity rover's exploration, researchers spotted deformed layers in Mars' desert sandstone, which they say "could only have been formed by water". Also read | Life on Mars? Curiosity rover discovers that it was once a 'planet of rivers' Dr Steven Banham, the lead author of the study published in Geology, noted that "the sandstone revealed that water was probably abundant more recently, and for longer than previously thought—but by which process did the water leave these clues? " "This water might have been pressurised liquid, forced into and deforming the sediment; frozen, with the repeat freezing and thawing process causing the deformation; or briny, and subject to large temperature swings." "What's clear is that behind each of these potential ways to deform this sandstone, water is the common link," he noted. (With inputs from agencies)

Mars may have hosted life for millions of years longer than previously thought

<p>NASA is gearing up to launch three sounding rockets during the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.</p>

<p>Notably, sounding rockets are suborbital rockets designed to carry scientific instruments or experiments into the upper atmosphere of the Earth for the purpose of gathering data. They are typically used for atmospheric studies.</p>

<p>The mission rockets - Atmospheric Perturbations around Eclipse Path (APEP) - will see what effects the eclipse have on Earth's upper atmosphere. Led by Aroh Barjatya from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the rockets will lift off from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.</p>

<p>The APEP rockets, previously used during the 2023 annular solar eclipse, have been refurbished with new instrumentation for this mission. As per the space agency NASA, these rockets will be launched at different intervals - 45 minutes before, during, and 45 minutes after the peak of the local eclipse.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These launches are timed to gather data on how the sudden dimming of sunlight during an eclipse influences the ionosphere.&nbsp;The ionosphere is a region of the Earth's upper atmosphere that extends from about 48 kilometres (30 miles) to several hundred kilometres above the Earth's surface. It is abundant in ions from the ionisation of molecules and atoms by solar radiation.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/archaeologists-used-ancient-dna-to-construct-the-face-of-the-sixth-century-chinese-emperor-705587">Archaeologists used ancient DNA to construct the face of the sixth-century Chinese emperor</a></p>

<p>Barjatya pointed out, “It’s an electrified region that reflects and refracts radio signals, and also impacts satellite communications as the signals pass through."</p>

<p>He added, “Understanding the ionosphere and developing models to help us predict disturbances is crucial to making sure our increasingly communication-dependent world operates smoothly.”</p>

<p>The APEP rockets will soar to a maximum altitude of 260 miles. They will measure charged and neutral particle density, as well as electric and magnetic fields. Moreover, each rocket will release secondary instruments to gather more comprehensive data.</p>

<p>“Each rocket will eject four secondary instruments the size of a two-liter soda bottle that also measure the same data points, so it's similar to results from fifteen rockets, while only launching three,” Barjatya noted.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/aliens-on-venus-a-new-experiment-suggests-planet-can-host-lives-in-a-toxic-cloud-705569">Aliens on Venus? A new experiment suggests planet can host lives in a toxic cloud</a></p>

<p>Alongside the rocket launches, teams across the US will employ various methods to study the ionosphere, including high-altitude balloons and ground-based radars.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Planting trees in wrong places could lead to global warming: Study</strong></p>

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<p>“We saw the perturbations capable of affecting radio communications in the second and third rockets, but not during the first rocket that was before peak local eclipse” said Barjatya while adding, “We are super excited to relaunch them during the total eclipse, to see if the perturbations start at the same altitude and if their magnitude and scale remain the same.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA is gearing up to launch three sounding rockets during the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Notably, sounding rockets are suborbital rockets designed to carry scientific instruments or experiments into the upper atmosphere of the Earth for the purpose of gathering data.

NASA is gearing up to launch three sounding rockets during the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Notably, sounding rockets are suborbital rockets designed to carry scientific instruments or experiments into the upper atmosphere of the Earth for the purpose of gathering data. They are typically used for atmospheric studies. The mission rockets - Atmospheric Perturbations around Eclipse Path (APEP) - will see what effects the eclipse have on Earth's upper atmosphere. Led by Aroh Barjatya from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the rockets will lift off from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The APEP rockets, previously used during the 2023 annular solar eclipse, have been refurbished with new instrumentation for this mission. As per the space agency NASA, these rockets will be launched at different intervals - 45 minutes before, during, and 45 minutes after the peak of the local eclipse. These launches are timed to gather data on how the sudden dimming of sunlight during an eclipse influences the ionosphere. The ionosphere is a region of the Earth's upper atmosphere that extends from about 48 kilometres (30 miles) to several hundred kilometres above the Earth's surface. It is abundant in ions from the ionisation of molecules and atoms by solar radiation. Also Read | Archaeologists used ancient DNA to construct the face of the sixth-century Chinese emperor Barjatya pointed out, “It’s an electrified region that reflects and refracts radio signals, and also impacts satellite communications as the signals pass through." He added, “Understanding the ionosphere and developing models to help us predict disturbances is crucial to making sure our increasingly communication-dependent world operates smoothly.” The APEP rockets will soar to a maximum altitude of 260 miles. They will measure charged and neutral particle density, as well as electric and magnetic fields. Moreover, each rocket will release secondary instruments to gather more comprehensive data. “Each rocket will eject four secondary instruments the size of a two-liter soda bottle that also measure the same data points, so it's similar to results from fifteen rockets, while only launching three,” Barjatya noted. Also Read | Aliens on Venus? A new experiment suggests planet can host lives in a toxic cloud Alongside the rocket launches, teams across the US will employ various methods to study the ionosphere, including high-altitude balloons and ground-based radars. Watch | Planting trees in wrong places could lead to global warming: Study × “We saw the perturbations capable of affecting radio communications in the second and third rockets, but not during the first rocket that was before peak local eclipse” said Barjatya while adding, “We are super excited to relaunch them during the total eclipse, to see if the perturbations start at the same altitude and if their magnitude and scale remain the same.” (With inputs from agencies)

NASA rockets to probe Earth's upper atmosphere during Solar Eclipse 2024

<p>NASA’s compact satellite BurstCube has embarked on its journey to the International Space Station,&nbsp;laboratory for scientific research.&nbsp;The spacecraft hitched a ride aboard SpaceX’s 30th Commercial Resupply Services mission.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was launched at 4:55 pm EDT on Thursday (Mar 21) from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, US.&nbsp;BurstCube is a NASA mission designed to detect and locate gamma-ray bursts (GRBs).</p>

<p>GRBs are powerful explosions that occur in distant galaxies and are among the most energetic events in the universe. BurstCube is aiming to study these bursts to better understand their origins and properties.</p>

<p>Upon reaching the station, BurstCube will be unpacked and subsequently deployed into orbit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“BurstCube may be small, but in addition to investigating these extreme events, it’s testing new technology and providing important experience for early career astronomers and aerospace engineers,” remarked Jeremy Perkins, BurstCube’s principal investigator at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/charon-plutos-planetary-bestie-goes-viral-as-nasa-shares-stunning-snapshot-703738">Charon, Pluto's planetary bestie goes viral as NASA shares stunning snapshot</a></p>

<p>Short gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are thought to be formed by the merger of two neutron stars. There stars spiral inward and eventually merge due to gravitational wave emission.</p>

<p>These bursts play a role in the creation of heavy elements like gold or iodine.&nbsp;During a GRB, particularly those associated, extremely high-energy conditions are present. These conditions, including high temperatures and densities, facilitate the production of heavy elements.&nbsp;</p>

<p>BurstCube's detectors are strategically positioned to enable wide-area detection and localisation of events, as per research scientist&nbsp; Israel Martinez at the University of Maryland, College Park, and Goddard.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Our current gamma-ray missions can only see about 70 per cent of the sky at any moment because Earth blocks their view. Increasing our coverage with satellites like BurstCube improves the odds we’ll catch more bursts coincident with gravitational wave detections.”</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/water-plumes-collected-from-jupiters-moon-europa-may-bear-signs-of-alien-life-703701">Water plumes collected from Jupiter’s moon Europa may bear signs of alien life</a></p>

<p>The satellite’s primary instrument is adept at capturing gamma rays within the energy range of 50,000 to 1 million electron volts.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | Study: Climate change-led temperature rise to boost inflation</strong></p>

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<p>Julie Cox, a BurstCube mechanical engineer at Goddard said, “We were able to order many of BurstCube’s parts, like solar panels and other off-the-shelf components, which are becoming standardised for CubeSats."</p>

<p>“That allowed us to focus on the mission’s novel aspects, like the made-in-house components and the instrument, which will demonstrate how a new generation of miniaturised gamma-ray detectors work in space.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA’s compact satellite BurstCube has embarked on its journey to the International Space Station, laboratory for scientific research. The spacecraft hitched a ride aboard SpaceX’s 30th Commercial Resupply Services mission.

NASA’s compact satellite BurstCube has embarked on its journey to the International Space Station, laboratory for scientific research. The spacecraft hitched a ride aboard SpaceX’s 30th Commercial Resupply Services mission. It was launched at 4:55 pm EDT on Thursday (Mar 21) from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, US. BurstCube is a NASA mission designed to detect and locate gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). GRBs are powerful explosions that occur in distant galaxies and are among the most energetic events in the universe. BurstCube is aiming to study these bursts to better understand their origins and properties. Upon reaching the station, BurstCube will be unpacked and subsequently deployed into orbit. “BurstCube may be small, but in addition to investigating these extreme events, it’s testing new technology and providing important experience for early career astronomers and aerospace engineers,” remarked Jeremy Perkins, BurstCube’s principal investigator at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Also Read | Charon, Pluto's planetary bestie goes viral as NASA shares stunning snapshot Short gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are thought to be formed by the merger of two neutron stars. There stars spiral inward and eventually merge due to gravitational wave emission. These bursts play a role in the creation of heavy elements like gold or iodine. During a GRB, particularly those associated, extremely high-energy conditions are present. These conditions, including high temperatures and densities, facilitate the production of heavy elements. BurstCube's detectors are strategically positioned to enable wide-area detection and localisation of events, as per research scientist Israel Martinez at the University of Maryland, College Park, and Goddard. “Our current gamma-ray missions can only see about 70 per cent of the sky at any moment because Earth blocks their view. Increasing our coverage with satellites like BurstCube improves the odds we’ll catch more bursts coincident with gravitational wave detections.” Also Read | Water plumes collected from Jupiter’s moon Europa may bear signs of alien life The satellite’s primary instrument is adept at capturing gamma rays within the energy range of 50,000 to 1 million electron volts. WATCH | Study: Climate change-led temperature rise to boost inflation × Julie Cox, a BurstCube mechanical engineer at Goddard said, “We were able to order many of BurstCube’s parts, like solar panels and other off-the-shelf components, which are becoming standardised for CubeSats." “That allowed us to focus on the mission’s novel aspects, like the made-in-house components and the instrument, which will demonstrate how a new generation of miniaturised gamma-ray detectors work in space.” (With inputs from agencies)

NASA’s shoebox-sized ‘BurstCube’ satellite set to study short gamma-ray bursts

<p>Mysteries abound and wonders never cease in the vast expanse of space. NASA has once again captivated the world with a mesmerising glimpse into the cosmos. This time, it wasn't just any celestial marvel but a striking portrait of planetary companionship - Pluto and its planetary bestie and moon, Charon.</p>

<p>Shared by NASA on its social media handle, the image was captured by the New Horizons spacecraft just before its closest encounter with Pluto on July 14, 2015. NASA also accompanied the post with a caption and shared that the besties are "sometimes referred to as a double dwarf planet system."</p>

<p>"Charon is the largest of Pluto's five moons – Charon is 754 miles (1,214 km) across, and Pluto is about 1,400 miles wide. The distance between them is 12,200 miles (19,640 km)," NASA said in the caption of the post.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/water-plumes-collected-from-jupiters-moon-europa-may-bear-signs-of-alien-life-703701">Water plumes collected from Jupiter’s moon Europa may bear signs of alien life</a></p>

<p>But it's not just their proportions that intrigue scientists. The post also shared a remarkable phenomenon - mutual tidal locking. "The same surfaces of Charon and Pluto always face each other," NASA explained, highlighting that it is called&nbsp;"a phenomenon called mutual tidal locking."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Describing the image itself, NASA detailed the features of Charon, depicting its predominantly grey surface with a reddish north polar region, countless impact craters, and a distinctive ridge dividing its terrain.</p>

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<p>The internet, as expected, erupted in awe and wonder at this cosmic spectacle.</p>

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<p>Since its posting on March 22, the image garnered over 6,00,000 views and sparked a flurry of comments from intrigued netizens.</p>

<p>One user marvelled at the uncanny resemblance of Charon to a bun.&nbsp;"Wow, it looks like a delicious bun! NASA what are you doing! Now I wanted to eat in the middle of the night!"</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Study: Climate change-led temperature rise to boost inflation</strong></p>

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<p>Others pondered the timeless beauty of space photography.&nbsp;"Crazy to think this image is already nearly 10 years old, space photography truly is timeless," one user wrote.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One witty observer even likened Charon to a tortilla in a playful banter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Amid the whimsical musings, genuine inquiries also seemed to arise about the origins of the moon's craters.</p>

<p>"What causes all those craters?" one user questioned.&nbsp;"This is very beautiful," another user said in awe.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Mysteries abound and wonders never cease in the vast expanse of space. NASA has once again captivated the world with a mesmerising glimpse into the cosmos. This time, it wasn't just any celestial marvel but a striking portrait of planetary companionship - Pluto and its planetary bestie and moon, Charon.

Mysteries abound and wonders never cease in the vast expanse of space. NASA has once again captivated the world with a mesmerising glimpse into the cosmos. This time, it wasn't just any celestial marvel but a striking portrait of planetary companionship - Pluto and its planetary bestie and moon, Charon. Shared by NASA on its social media handle, the image was captured by the New Horizons spacecraft just before its closest encounter with Pluto on July 14, 2015. NASA also accompanied the post with a caption and shared that the besties are "sometimes referred to as a double dwarf planet system." "Charon is the largest of Pluto's five moons – Charon is 754 miles (1,214 km) across, and Pluto is about 1,400 miles wide. The distance between them is 12,200 miles (19,640 km)," NASA said in the caption of the post. Also Read | Water plumes collected from Jupiter’s moon Europa may bear signs of alien life But it's not just their proportions that intrigue scientists. The post also shared a remarkable phenomenon - mutual tidal locking. "The same surfaces of Charon and Pluto always face each other," NASA explained, highlighting that it is called "a phenomenon called mutual tidal locking." Describing the image itself, NASA detailed the features of Charon, depicting its predominantly grey surface with a reddish north polar region, countless impact craters, and a distinctive ridge dividing its terrain. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NASA (@nasa) × The internet, as expected, erupted in awe and wonder at this cosmic spectacle. Also Read | Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is 'biological', key study confirms Since its posting on March 22, the image garnered over 6,00,000 views and sparked a flurry of comments from intrigued netizens. One user marvelled at the uncanny resemblance of Charon to a bun. "Wow, it looks like a delicious bun! NASA what are you doing! Now I wanted to eat in the middle of the night!" Watch | Study: Climate change-led temperature rise to boost inflation × Others pondered the timeless beauty of space photography. "Crazy to think this image is already nearly 10 years old, space photography truly is timeless," one user wrote. One witty observer even likened Charon to a tortilla in a playful banter. Amid the whimsical musings, genuine inquiries also seemed to arise about the origins of the moon's craters. "What causes all those craters?" one user questioned. "This is very beautiful," another user said in awe. (With inputs from agencies)

Charon, Pluto’s planetary bestie goes viral as NASA shares stunning snapshot

Studies of the 4.5 billion year old asteroid Bennu sample collected in space and brought to Earth by NASA reveals never seen before minerals. Watch in for more details!

NASA OSIRIS-Rex Mission: Asteroid Bennu harbors building blocks of life & minerals

When NASA sent its DART spacecraft to slam into the asteroid Dimorphos in 2022, the U.S. space agency demonstrated that it was possible to change a celestial object's trajectory, if needed, to protect Earth. It turns out that this collision changed not only the asteroid's path but its shape as well.

Collision with NASA spacecraft altered shape of asteroid

Studies of the 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid Bennu sample collected in space and brought to Earth by NASA reveals never seen before minerals. The asteroid also contains also high-carbon content and water, which together could indicate the building blocks of life on earth may be found in the rock.

NASA's Bennu asteroid sample contains carbon, water

<p>Reshaping our understanding of extraterrestrial chemistry, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has unearthed a cosmic cocktail of ingredients essential for life's formation. Recent observations unveiled a surprising array of icy compounds surrounding young protostars IRAS 2A and IRAS 23385, including familiar substances like ethanol, and possibly acetic acid.</p>

<p>This revelation, made possible by Webb's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), highlights the foundations&nbsp;of potentially habitable worlds, where conditions might be suitable for life.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per NASA, "MIRI was developed through a 50-50 partnership between NASA and ESA. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory led the US efforts for MIRI, and a multinational consortium of European astronomical institutes contributes for ESA."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Astronomers speculate that these complex organic molecules (COMs) likely originated from icy materials undergoing sublimation, transitioning directly from the solid to the gas phase. The detection of COMs within ices raises hopes for unraveling the genesis of larger molecules in space.</p>

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<p>Moreover, simpler compounds such as formic acid, methane, formaldehyde, and sulfur dioxide were also identified, hinting at potential parallels to early Earth's chemistry. Notably, sulfur-containing compounds like sulfur dioxide may have played a pivotal role in driving metabolic reactions on our primitive planet.</p>

<p>“All of these molecules can become part of comets and asteroids and eventually new planetary systems when the icy material is transported inward to the planet-forming disk as the protostellar system evolves,” said Ewine van Dishoeck, one of the coordinators of the science program at Leiden University.</p>

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<p>“We look forward to following this astrochemical trail step-by-step with more Webb data in the coming years, he added.</p>

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<p>These findings hold profound implications for our understanding of planetary formation and the potential for life beyond our own world.</p>

<p>The study, conducted under the James Webb Observations of Young ProtoStars (JOYS+) program, pays tribute to Harold Linnartz, a valued team member whose contributions were integral to the project. He passed away in December 2023.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Reshaping our understanding of extraterrestrial chemistry, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has unearthed a cosmic cocktail of ingredients essential for life's formation.

Reshaping our understanding of extraterrestrial chemistry, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has unearthed a cosmic cocktail of ingredients essential for life's formation. Recent observations unveiled a surprising array of icy compounds surrounding young protostars IRAS 2A and IRAS 23385, including familiar substances like ethanol, and possibly acetic acid. This revelation, made possible by Webb's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), highlights the foundations of potentially habitable worlds, where conditions might be suitable for life. As per NASA, "MIRI was developed through a 50-50 partnership between NASA and ESA. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory led the US efforts for MIRI, and a multinational consortium of European astronomical institutes contributes for ESA." Astronomers speculate that these complex organic molecules (COMs) likely originated from icy materials undergoing sublimation, transitioning directly from the solid to the gas phase. The detection of COMs within ices raises hopes for unraveling the genesis of larger molecules in space. Also Read | Scientists spot black hole devouring star at close proximity to Earth Moreover, simpler compounds such as formic acid, methane, formaldehyde, and sulfur dioxide were also identified, hinting at potential parallels to early Earth's chemistry. Notably, sulfur-containing compounds like sulfur dioxide may have played a pivotal role in driving metabolic reactions on our primitive planet. “All of these molecules can become part of comets and asteroids and eventually new planetary systems when the icy material is transported inward to the planet-forming disk as the protostellar system evolves,” said Ewine van Dishoeck, one of the coordinators of the science program at Leiden University. Also Read | Greenland ice sheet melting rates can predict Europe's summer weather. Here's how “We look forward to following this astrochemical trail step-by-step with more Webb data in the coming years, he added. Watch | China's wetland parks welcome hundreds of swans & other migratory birds × These findings hold profound implications for our understanding of planetary formation and the potential for life beyond our own world. The study, conducted under the James Webb Observations of Young ProtoStars (JOYS+) program, pays tribute to Harold Linnartz, a valued team member whose contributions were integral to the project. He passed away in December 2023. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Webb Telescope finds icy compounds with life ingredients in space near these protostars

<p>NASA's Europa Clipper mission in October 2024 will&nbsp;embark on a journey to explore Europa, a moon of Jupiter harbouring tantalising evidence of a subsurface ocean. However, beyond its scientific objectives, Europa Clipper will also aim to carry humanity's aspirations into the cosmos through a carefully curated message sealed within the spacecraft's vault.</p>

<p>"The plate combines the best humanity has to offer across the universe – science, technology, education, art, and math," Lori Glaze, director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington reportedly said. "The message of connection through water, essential for all forms of life as we know it, perfectly illustrates Earth’s tie to this mysterious ocean world we are setting out to explore."</p>

<h2><strong>What is the message within Europa Clipper?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>A triangular plate in Europa Clipper will bear an array of symbols and inscriptions. Crafted from tantalum, this artifact will embody the spirit of exploration and the quest for understanding.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-james-webb-telescope-finds-exoplanet-with-boiling-ocean-is-it-a-leap-in-habitable-exploration-698270">NASA's James Webb Telescope finds exoplanet with 'boiling ocean'. Is it a leap in habitable exploration?</a></p>

<p>The outward-facing panel will showcase an engraving of US Poet Laureate Ada Limon’s poem "In Praise of Mystery: A Poem for Europa," alongside over 2.6 million names submitted by the public.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, linguists have etched waveforms representing the word "water" spoken in 103 languages, highlighting the universal significance of this vital element.</p>

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<p>As Europa Clipper is set to venture into the depths of space, it will carry with it the hopes and aspirations of generations.</p>

<p>From Frank Drake's pioneering equation to the visionary efforts of scientists like Ron Greeley, the mission will encapsulate humanity's relentless pursuit of knowledge.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Drake Equation was developed by American astronomer Frank Drake in 1961 and is used to estimate the number of active, communicative extraterrestrial civilisations in the Milky Way galaxy.</p>

<p>The equation takes into account various factors such as the rate of star formation, the fraction of stars with planets, the number of planets that could potentially support life, the probability of life emerging on those planets, the likelihood of intelligent life evolving, and the duration for which such civilisations release detectable signals into space.</p>

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<p>"It’s been a decades-long journey, and we can’t wait to see what Europa Clipper shows us at this water world," remarked Project Scientist Robert Pappalardo of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.</p>

<p>"In 2030, after a 1.6-billion-mile (2.6-billion-kilometer) journey, Europa Clipper will begin orbiting Jupiter, making 49 close flybys of Europa," as per NASA.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With its launch scheduled from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Europa Clipper will unveil the mysteries of one of the solar system's most enigmatic moons, igniting our collective imagination and inspiring future generations to explore the cosmos.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA's Europa Clipper mission in October 2024 will embark on a journey to explore Europa, a moon of Jupiter harbouring tantalising evidence of a subsurface ocean.

NASA's Europa Clipper mission in October 2024 will embark on a journey to explore Europa, a moon of Jupiter harbouring tantalising evidence of a subsurface ocean. However, beyond its scientific objectives, Europa Clipper will also aim to carry humanity's aspirations into the cosmos through a carefully curated message sealed within the spacecraft's vault. "The plate combines the best humanity has to offer across the universe – science, technology, education, art, and math," Lori Glaze, director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington reportedly said. "The message of connection through water, essential for all forms of life as we know it, perfectly illustrates Earth’s tie to this mysterious ocean world we are setting out to explore." What is the message within Europa Clipper? A triangular plate in Europa Clipper will bear an array of symbols and inscriptions. Crafted from tantalum, this artifact will embody the spirit of exploration and the quest for understanding. Also Read | NASA's James Webb Telescope finds exoplanet with 'boiling ocean'. Is it a leap in habitable exploration? The outward-facing panel will showcase an engraving of US Poet Laureate Ada Limon’s poem "In Praise of Mystery: A Poem for Europa," alongside over 2.6 million names submitted by the public. Meanwhile, linguists have etched waveforms representing the word "water" spoken in 103 languages, highlighting the universal significance of this vital element. Also Read | Scientists discover a snake-like amphibian that produces milk for its young As Europa Clipper is set to venture into the depths of space, it will carry with it the hopes and aspirations of generations. From Frank Drake's pioneering equation to the visionary efforts of scientists like Ron Greeley, the mission will encapsulate humanity's relentless pursuit of knowledge. The Drake Equation was developed by American astronomer Frank Drake in 1961 and is used to estimate the number of active, communicative extraterrestrial civilisations in the Milky Way galaxy. The equation takes into account various factors such as the rate of star formation, the fraction of stars with planets, the number of planets that could potentially support life, the probability of life emerging on those planets, the likelihood of intelligent life evolving, and the duration for which such civilisations release detectable signals into space. Watch | Mystery of MH370: Families seek closure, what really happened to Malaysia's missing airplane? × "It’s been a decades-long journey, and we can’t wait to see what Europa Clipper shows us at this water world," remarked Project Scientist Robert Pappalardo of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. "In 2030, after a 1.6-billion-mile (2.6-billion-kilometer) journey, Europa Clipper will begin orbiting Jupiter, making 49 close flybys of Europa," as per NASA. With its launch scheduled from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Europa Clipper will unveil the mysteries of one of the solar system's most enigmatic moons, igniting our collective imagination and inspiring future generations to explore the cosmos. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Europa Clipper mission to send humanity's message to one of Jupiter's largest moons

<p>In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers utilising NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have detected a distant exoplanet potentially cloaked entirely by a vast ocean of water. This finding marks a significant leap in the exploration of habitable conditions beyond Earth.</p>

<p>The observations, facilitated by the JWST, unveiled the presence of water vapour along with chemical signatures of methane and carbon dioxide within the atmosphere of the exoplanet.</p>

<p>Researchers from the University of Cambridge suggested that this chemical composition indicates a 'water world' scenario where the ocean blankets the entire surface, coupled with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.</p>

<p>Professor Nikku Madhusudhan, leading the analysis, speculated on the extreme conditions of the exoplanet's ocean, stating, "The ocean could be upwards of 100 degrees [Celsius] or more." However, the habitability of such an environment remains uncertain.</p>

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<p>Debates arise from a Canadian team's additional observations of the same exoplanet, challenging the proposed scenario.</p>

<p>They argue that the planet's temperature might be too high for liquid water to exist, estimating it could reach a staggering 4,000 degrees Celsius.</p>

<h2><strong>Habitable?</strong></h2>

<p>By analysing starlight filtered through exoplanet atmospheres, astronomers can discern detailed chemical compositions, shedding light on potential habitability.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ancient-love-preserved-termites-found-frozen-in-amber-while-mating-38mn-years-ago-697969">Ancient love preserved: Termites found frozen in amber while mating 38mn years ago</a></p>

<p>The absence of ammonia in the atmosphere of TOI-270 d supports the 'hycean world' hypothesis, suggesting an ocean beneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. However, further observations are needed to ascertain the abundance of water vapour and clarify the likelihood of an oceanic expanse.</p>

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<p>Dr. Jo Barstow of the Open University expressed excitement over the discovery, saying, "Spectra of these small planets with JWST are really exciting because these are brand new environments for which we have no solar system equivalent."&nbsp;</p>

<p>While the search for extraterrestrial life remains ongoing, scientists caution against premature conclusions. "We need to be extremely careful about how we communicate findings on this kind of object," Madhusudhan stressed, highlighting the complexity of interpreting data from distant worlds.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers utilising NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have detected a distant exoplanet potentially cloaked entirely by a vast ocean of water.

In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers utilising NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have detected a distant exoplanet potentially cloaked entirely by a vast ocean of water. This finding marks a significant leap in the exploration of habitable conditions beyond Earth. The observations, facilitated by the JWST, unveiled the presence of water vapour along with chemical signatures of methane and carbon dioxide within the atmosphere of the exoplanet. Researchers from the University of Cambridge suggested that this chemical composition indicates a 'water world' scenario where the ocean blankets the entire surface, coupled with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. Professor Nikku Madhusudhan, leading the analysis, speculated on the extreme conditions of the exoplanet's ocean, stating, "The ocean could be upwards of 100 degrees [Celsius] or more." However, the habitability of such an environment remains uncertain. Also Read | Scientists discover a snake-like amphibian that produces milk for its young Debates arise from a Canadian team's additional observations of the same exoplanet, challenging the proposed scenario. They argue that the planet's temperature might be too high for liquid water to exist, estimating it could reach a staggering 4,000 degrees Celsius. Habitable? By analysing starlight filtered through exoplanet atmospheres, astronomers can discern detailed chemical compositions, shedding light on potential habitability. Also Read | Ancient love preserved: Termites found frozen in amber while mating 38mn years ago The absence of ammonia in the atmosphere of TOI-270 d supports the 'hycean world' hypothesis, suggesting an ocean beneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. However, further observations are needed to ascertain the abundance of water vapour and clarify the likelihood of an oceanic expanse. Watch | Mystery of MH370: Families seek closure, what really happened to Malaysia's missing airplane? × Dr. Jo Barstow of the Open University expressed excitement over the discovery, saying, "Spectra of these small planets with JWST are really exciting because these are brand new environments for which we have no solar system equivalent." While the search for extraterrestrial life remains ongoing, scientists caution against premature conclusions. "We need to be extremely careful about how we communicate findings on this kind of object," Madhusudhan stressed, highlighting the complexity of interpreting data from distant worlds. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's James Webb Telescope finds exoplanet with 'boiling ocean'. Is it a leap in habitable exploration?

Did life exist on Mars? This is a question to which all of us want answers too well an American Rover built by NASA's jet propulsion lab has been driving around and studying Mars for over 3 years. Watch this interview to know more.

NASA's 'Perseverance' completes three years on Mars

<p>Ever wonder to what extent some individual can go to fulfill their civic duties? Of course, with the government's assistance. This time, it was a couple of astronauts who did what could appear as a seemingly impossible task. They cast their ballots from space. Yes, quite literally from above our world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The unprecedented demonstration of civic responsibility was made by astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara. Even the vastness of space did not hinder them from participating in the electoral process of US primary voting.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The duo shared their extraterrestrial voting experience on X, formerly known as Twitter, encouraging Earthbound citizens to exercise their right to vote.</p>

<p>"Being in space didn’t stop (O’Hara) and I from voting. Go vote today!" Moghbeli wrote in her tweet.<img alt="Astronaut" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0e25a50d-4386-49d5-a273-64896133f808" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/USWhiteHouse%20%281%29.png" /></p>

<p>NASA's intricate space voting procedure involves astronauts completing electronic absentee ballots aboard the International Space Station. Once the vote is cast, the encrypted document embarks on a journey through the cosmos. It travels via a tracking and data relay satellite to a ground antenna situated at the White Sands Complex in New Mexico.</p>

<p>From there, the ballot takes the cosmic route to the Mission Control Center in Houston, serving as a relay station before reaching the county clerk’s office.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What does it mean?</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>This interstellar voting process underscores the lengths to which modern technology and innovation can facilitate participation in democratic practices, even beyond the confines of our planet.</p>

<h2><strong>Who are the astronauts who voted from space?</strong></h2>

<p>Jasmin Moghbeli was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017. Moghbeli launched to the International Space Station as Commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft on August 26, 2023 and successfully docked on August 27, 2023.</p>

<p>In May 2017, Loral O’Hara was selected as a member of the 22nd NASA astronaut class. O’Hara was safely launched and docked to the International Space Station aboard a Soyuz rocket on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023.<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Ever wonder to what extent some individual can go to fulfill their civic duties? Of course, with the government's assistance. This time, it was a couple of astronauts who did what could appear as a seemingly impossible task.

Ever wonder to what extent some individual can go to fulfill their civic duties? Of course, with the government's assistance. This time, it was a couple of astronauts who did what could appear as a seemingly impossible task. They cast their ballots from space. Yes, quite literally from above our world. The unprecedented demonstration of civic responsibility was made by astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara. Even the vastness of space did not hinder them from participating in the electoral process of US primary voting. The duo shared their extraterrestrial voting experience on X, formerly known as Twitter, encouraging Earthbound citizens to exercise their right to vote. "Being in space didn’t stop (O’Hara) and I from voting. Go vote today!" Moghbeli wrote in her tweet. NASA's intricate space voting procedure involves astronauts completing electronic absentee ballots aboard the International Space Station. Once the vote is cast, the encrypted document embarks on a journey through the cosmos. It travels via a tracking and data relay satellite to a ground antenna situated at the White Sands Complex in New Mexico. From there, the ballot takes the cosmic route to the Mission Control Center in Houston, serving as a relay station before reaching the county clerk’s office. What does it mean? This interstellar voting process underscores the lengths to which modern technology and innovation can facilitate participation in democratic practices, even beyond the confines of our planet. Who are the astronauts who voted from space? Jasmin Moghbeli was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017. Moghbeli launched to the International Space Station as Commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft on August 26, 2023 and successfully docked on August 27, 2023. In May 2017, Loral O’Hara was selected as a member of the 22nd NASA astronaut class. O’Hara was safely launched and docked to the International Space Station aboard a Soyuz rocket on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA astronauts vote from space in US primary elections

A SpaceX rocket lifted off from Florida night carrying a crew of three U.S. astronauts & a Russian cosmonaut on their way to the ISS. The crew began a six-month science mission in Earth's orbit,

SpaceX launches eighth long-duration crew to ISS, webcast captures spectacular nightime launch

<p>In 2019, an unmanned space probe called Beresheet crashed into the moon, scattering its cargo on the lunar surface. Included in the cargo were tardigrades, a nearly indestructible critter that is known for its ability to survive in any environment. But can they survive an environment as foreign as that on the moon? Here's all you need to know.</p>

<h2><strong>The doomed spacecraft</strong></h2>

<p>In April 2019, Israeli spacecraft, originally designated SpaceIL, was a lunar lander funded and built by the non-profit organisation SpaceIL and Israel Aerospace Industries. Israel Space Agency provided technical support for it.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-warn-against-alarming-rise-in-pre-term-births-due-to-climate-change-696268">Scientists warn against alarming rise in pre-term births due to climate change</a></strong></p>

<p>The spacecraft, which was launched on February 22, 2019, attempted a soft landing on April 11.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the NASA website, the plan was for Beresheet to land in Mare Serenitatis and transmit data from the surface for about 2 days.</p>

<p>However, due to the main engine failure, it crashed on the lunar surface.</p>

<p>Its precious cargo included tardigrades and "lunar library" - something resembling a DVD that contains a 30-million-page archive of human history viewable under microscopes, as well as human DNA - was being carried on the Beresheet robot lander.</p>

<h2><strong>Tardigrades on moon</strong></h2>

<p>Aboard the Beresheet spacecraft were water bears or tardigrades, creatures which are under a millimetre long and can survive despite being heated to 150C or being frozen to almost absolute zero.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They were dehydrated and placed in suspended animation before being loaded on to the spacecraft.</p>

<p>Back then, Arch Mission Foundation boss Nova Spivack, as quoted by BBC, said that they "believe the chances of survival for the tardigrades… are extremely high."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/devil-comet-may-appear-during-total-solar-eclipse-to-show-its-stunning-celestial-display-696285">'Devil Comet' likely to make an appearance during total solar eclipse in April</a></strong></p>

<p>Now, as per a Science Alert report, these tiny animals may have colonised the moon thanks to their remarkable abilities to survive almost anything.</p>

<p>Apparently, laboratory tests have shown that frozen specimens of tardigrade's Hypsibius dujardini species, travelling in a vacuum, were fatally damaged when smashed into sand. However, at a little slower — 2,600 km/h or less — they survived. The moon crash was slower than that, so the chances of water bears on the moon would be very high, if not for the lack of liquid water necessary for their survival.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In 2019, an unmanned space probe called Beresheet crashed into the moon, scattering its cargo on the lunar surface. Included in the cargo were tardigrades, a nearly indestructible critter that is known for its ability to survive in any environment.

In 2019, an unmanned space probe called Beresheet crashed into the moon, scattering its cargo on the lunar surface. Included in the cargo were tardigrades, a nearly indestructible critter that is known for its ability to survive in any environment. But can they survive an environment as foreign as that on the moon? Here's all you need to know. The doomed spacecraft In April 2019, Israeli spacecraft, originally designated SpaceIL, was a lunar lander funded and built by the non-profit organisation SpaceIL and Israel Aerospace Industries. Israel Space Agency provided technical support for it. Also read | Scientists warn against alarming rise in pre-term births due to climate change The spacecraft, which was launched on February 22, 2019, attempted a soft landing on April 11. As per the NASA website, the plan was for Beresheet to land in Mare Serenitatis and transmit data from the surface for about 2 days. However, due to the main engine failure, it crashed on the lunar surface. Its precious cargo included tardigrades and "lunar library" - something resembling a DVD that contains a 30-million-page archive of human history viewable under microscopes, as well as human DNA - was being carried on the Beresheet robot lander. Tardigrades on moon Aboard the Beresheet spacecraft were water bears or tardigrades, creatures which are under a millimetre long and can survive despite being heated to 150C or being frozen to almost absolute zero. They were dehydrated and placed in suspended animation before being loaded on to the spacecraft. Back then, Arch Mission Foundation boss Nova Spivack, as quoted by BBC, said that they "believe the chances of survival for the tardigrades… are extremely high." Also read | 'Devil Comet' likely to make an appearance during total solar eclipse in April Now, as per a Science Alert report, these tiny animals may have colonised the moon thanks to their remarkable abilities to survive almost anything. Apparently, laboratory tests have shown that frozen specimens of tardigrade's Hypsibius dujardini species, travelling in a vacuum, were fatally damaged when smashed into sand. However, at a little slower — 2,600 km/h or less — they survived. The moon crash was slower than that, so the chances of water bears on the moon would be very high, if not for the lack of liquid water necessary for their survival. (With inputs from agencies)

These Earth critters may be colonising the moon, all thanks to a 2019 crash. Here's all you need to know

A SpaceX rocket lifted off from Florida night carrying a crew of three U.S. astronauts & a Russian cosmonaut on their way to the ISS. The crew began a six-month science mission in Earth's orbit.

SpaceX launches its eighth long-duration crew to the International Space Station

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidJO4pH4PvssDJ" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>SpaceX successfully launched the Crew-8 mission in collaboration with NASA on Sunday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA and SpaceX launched a crew of four to the International Space Station in the Dragon spacecraft, marking the third attempt after they cancelled it twice due to poor weather conditions. The launch marked SpaceX's eighth crew rotation mission in the ISS with NASA's Commercial Crew Program.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA astronauts involved in the mission are Commander Mattew Dominick, Pilot Michael Barratt, and Mission Specialists Jeanette Epps and Alexander Grebenkin, a Russian Roscosmos cosmonaut. Barratt would be making his third visit to the ISS with this mission.</p>

<p>The four-member crew will return to Earth in the fall. They will spend&nbsp;six months at the ISS.&nbsp;</p>

<p>SpaceX used their "reusable, two-stage rocket" Falcon 9 to launch the Dragon spacecraft. After detaching from Dragon, the Falcon 9 will land at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/devil-comet-may-appear-during-total-solar-eclipse-to-show-its-stunning-celestial-display-696285">'Devil Comet' likely to make an appearance during total solar eclipse in April</a></p>

<p>A few days ahead of the launch, the administrators discovered a small air leak at the space station. ISS Program Manager Joel Montalbano stated at a Crew-8 mission briefing, "It's not an impact to Crew-8, but I didn't want anybody to be surprised."&nbsp;</p>

<p>At 10:53 pm on Sunday, the mission lifted off after the engineers concluded that a small crack on the hatch seal wouldn't be an issue in launching the mission. The mission crew members cheered on the ground as the first-stage booster separated from Dragon and the spacecraft moved towards space.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The crew will perform over 200 science experiments at the ISS, often referred to as a "floating laboratory." These experiments are a part of the long-term mission to prepare humanity for long-term stays in space.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One such experiment is taking stem cells to space to study their effects on degenerative disease. Another involves observing the cellular impact of microgravity and ultraviolet radiation on plants.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Furthermore, the crew will test pressure cuffs on legs to check whether they help relieve health problems. Astronauts will also see whether microalgae can help remove carbon dioxide from the air, providing food and oxygen for them.</p>

<p>In the last year, SpaceX undertook almost a hundred launches. Their next launch is the Transporter-10 mission. SpaceX's official website says, "Transporter-10 is SpaceX's 10th dedicated smallsat rideshare mission. There will be 53 payloads on this flight, including CubeSats, MicroSats, and a hosted payload."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


SpaceX successfully launched the Crew-8 mission in collaboration with NASA on Sunday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA and SpaceX launched a crew of four to the International Space Station in the Dragon spacecraft, marking the third attempt after they cancelled it twice due to poor weather conditions.

SpaceX successfully launched the Crew-8 mission in collaboration with NASA on Sunday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA and SpaceX launched a crew of four to the International Space Station in the Dragon spacecraft, marking the third attempt after they cancelled it twice due to poor weather conditions. The launch marked SpaceX's eighth crew rotation mission in the ISS with NASA's Commercial Crew Program. NASA astronauts involved in the mission are Commander Mattew Dominick, Pilot Michael Barratt, and Mission Specialists Jeanette Epps and Alexander Grebenkin, a Russian Roscosmos cosmonaut. Barratt would be making his third visit to the ISS with this mission. The four-member crew will return to Earth in the fall. They will spend six months at the ISS. SpaceX used their "reusable, two-stage rocket" Falcon 9 to launch the Dragon spacecraft. After detaching from Dragon, the Falcon 9 will land at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. ALSO READ | 'Devil Comet' likely to make an appearance during total solar eclipse in April A few days ahead of the launch, the administrators discovered a small air leak at the space station. ISS Program Manager Joel Montalbano stated at a Crew-8 mission briefing, "It's not an impact to Crew-8, but I didn't want anybody to be surprised." At 10:53 pm on Sunday, the mission lifted off after the engineers concluded that a small crack on the hatch seal wouldn't be an issue in launching the mission. The mission crew members cheered on the ground as the first-stage booster separated from Dragon and the spacecraft moved towards space. The crew will perform over 200 science experiments at the ISS, often referred to as a "floating laboratory." These experiments are a part of the long-term mission to prepare humanity for long-term stays in space. One such experiment is taking stem cells to space to study their effects on degenerative disease. Another involves observing the cellular impact of microgravity and ultraviolet radiation on plants. Furthermore, the crew will test pressure cuffs on legs to check whether they help relieve health problems. Astronauts will also see whether microalgae can help remove carbon dioxide from the air, providing food and oxygen for them. In the last year, SpaceX undertook almost a hundred launches. Their next launch is the Transporter-10 mission. SpaceX's official website says, "Transporter-10 is SpaceX's 10th dedicated smallsat rideshare mission. There will be 53 payloads on this flight, including CubeSats, MicroSats, and a hosted payload." (With inputs from agencies)

SpaceX, NASA launch Crew-8 astronaut mission to International Space Station

<p>Odysseus, an American lunar lander that had a doomed, wonky descent on the moon, sent its final image&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;before its power banks depleted, said Intuitive Machines (IM), the private company behind the project that saw America reach the Moon after over 50 years.</p>

<h2><strong>The final image</strong></h2>

<p>The photograph "showcases the crescent Earth in the backdrop, a subtle reminder of humanity's presence in the universe," said IM. As per the company, the image was actually captured more than a week back on February 22, the day Odysseus touched down near the Moon's south pole. However, it was only received on Thursday.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/quite-the-photographer-us-lunar-spacecraft-odysseus-shares-new-pictures-it-is-expected-to-go-dark-soon-694602">'Quite the photographer': US lunar spacecraft Odysseus shares new pictures</a></strong></p>

<p>"Goodnight, Odie. We hope to hear from you again," said the company to the spaceship that achieved America's first lunar touchdown since the manned Apollo 17 mission in 1972.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Before its power was depleted, Odysseus completed a fitting farewell transmission. Received today, this image from February 22nd showcases the crescent Earth in the backdrop, a subtle reminder of humanity’s presence in the universe.<br />
<br />
Goodnight, Odie. We hope to hear from you… <a href="https://t.co/RwOWsH1TSz">pic.twitter.com/RwOWsH1TSz</a></p>
— Intuitive Machines (@Int_Machines) <a href="https://twitter.com/Int_Machines/status/1763336637432385813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>Is Odysseus out of commission forever?</strong></h2>

<p>With the onset of the long lunar night, flight controllers cannot attempt to awaken the lander for another two or three weeks. However, nothing is certain. Recently, Japan's SLIM spaceship, which in January had landed upside down, was successfully resurrected.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Odysseus moon landing: Historic mission reaches lunar surface</strong></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/odysseus-moon-landing-historic-mission-reaches-lunar-surface-692967/embed" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2><strong>Toppled over craft</strong></h2>

<p>Odysseus reached the Moon last Thursday (Feb 22) after an 11th-hour navigational glitch and white-knuckle descent that ended with it landing in a sideways or sharply tilted position. This toppled position has impeded the spacecraft's communications and solar-charging capability.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/us-spaceship-odysseus-may-have-tipped-over-on-moon-surface-likely-fractured-landing-equipment-693303">US spaceship Odysseus may have 'tipped over' on Moon surface, likely 'fractured' landing equipment</a></strong></p>

<p>On Friday, Intuitive Machines said that two of the spacecraft's communication antennae were pointed the wrong way and thus were knocked out of commission. Likewise, Odysseus' solar panels were facing the wrong direction, thereby limiting the vehicle's ability to recharge its batteries.</p>

<p>As per the company, the navigational issues were due to human error.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Odysseus, an American lunar lander that had a doomed, wonky descent on the moon, sent its final image on Thursday before its power banks depleted, said Intuitive Machines (IM), the private company behind the project that saw America reach the Moon after over 50 years.

Odysseus, an American lunar lander that had a doomed, wonky descent on the moon, sent its final image on Thursday before its power banks depleted, said Intuitive Machines (IM), the private company behind the project that saw America reach the Moon after over 50 years. The final image The photograph "showcases the crescent Earth in the backdrop, a subtle reminder of humanity's presence in the universe," said IM. As per the company, the image was actually captured more than a week back on February 22, the day Odysseus touched down near the Moon's south pole. However, it was only received on Thursday. Also read | 'Quite the photographer': US lunar spacecraft Odysseus shares new pictures "Goodnight, Odie. We hope to hear from you again," said the company to the spaceship that achieved America's first lunar touchdown since the manned Apollo 17 mission in 1972. Before its power was depleted, Odysseus completed a fitting farewell transmission. Received today, this image from February 22nd showcases the crescent Earth in the backdrop, a subtle reminder of humanity’s presence in the universe. Goodnight, Odie. We hope to hear from you… pic.twitter.com/RwOWsH1TSz — Intuitive Machines (@Int_Machines) February 29, 2024 × Is Odysseus out of commission forever? With the onset of the long lunar night, flight controllers cannot attempt to awaken the lander for another two or three weeks. However, nothing is certain. Recently, Japan's SLIM spaceship, which in January had landed upside down, was successfully resurrected. Watch: Odysseus moon landing: Historic mission reaches lunar surface Toppled over craft Odysseus reached the Moon last Thursday (Feb 22) after an 11th-hour navigational glitch and white-knuckle descent that ended with it landing in a sideways or sharply tilted position. This toppled position has impeded the spacecraft's communications and solar-charging capability. Watch | US spaceship Odysseus may have 'tipped over' on Moon surface, likely 'fractured' landing equipment On Friday, Intuitive Machines said that two of the spacecraft's communication antennae were pointed the wrong way and thus were knocked out of commission. Likewise, Odysseus' solar panels were facing the wrong direction, thereby limiting the vehicle's ability to recharge its batteries. As per the company, the navigational issues were due to human error. (With inputs from agencies)

'Goodnight Odie': Wonky US Moon lander Odysseus goes dark with power banks depleted

<p>A new project, launched by NASA, has been turning the beauty of the universe into sound and giving the visually impaired a chance to experience the hidden wonders of space.</p>

<p>Through a process known as sonification, NASA has translated data into sound which gets accompanied by new images of celestial objects observed by the space telescopes of the agency.</p>

<p>The audio was released by NASA along with a new documentary, "Listen to the Universe". It&nbsp;was uploaded on the new NASA+ streaming platform on Wednesday (Feb 28).&nbsp;</p>

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<p>"Sonifications add a new dimension to stunning space imagery, and make those images accessible to the blind and low-vision community for the first time," stated Liz Landau, who heads multimedia efforts for NASA’s Astrophysics Division and also looks over the production of the documentary.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/fiery-red-supermassive-black-hole-found-when-universe-was-in-infancy-694718">Scientists find oldest fiery-red supermassive black hole from universe’s infancy</a></p>

<p>"I was honoured to help tell the story of how Dr. Arcand and the System Sounds team make these unique sonic experiences and the broad impact those sonifications have had," Landau said.</p>

<h2><strong>All about NASA sonification project</strong></h2>

<p>The NASA sonification project started in 2020 and came from other Chandra X-ray Observatory projects which is aimed at targetting blind and visually impaired audiences. "Listen to the Universe" looks into the process of how these sonifications are created.</p>

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<p>Telescopes like Chandra X-ray Observatory generally collect scientific data from space in the form of digital signals and convert them into visual images. Sonification is also a similar process but it involves audio.</p>

<p>The first sonification was done of a supernova remnant which was blowing a cloud of energised particles.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Universe's brightest and hungriest black hole</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/universes-brightest-and-hungriest-black-hole-692383/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Another was created of a spiral galaxy, which is similar to the Milky Way, and the third of a spatial cloud of gas and dust, nicknamed the "Jellyfish Nebula."</p>

<p>The NASA+ streaming platform was established to provide on-demand video and other content regarding the agency to the public.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A new project, launched by NASA, has been turning the beauty of the universe into sound and giving the visually impaired a chance to experience the hidden wonders of space.

A new project, launched by NASA, has been turning the beauty of the universe into sound and giving the visually impaired a chance to experience the hidden wonders of space. Through a process known as sonification, NASA has translated data into sound which gets accompanied by new images of celestial objects observed by the space telescopes of the agency. The audio was released by NASA along with a new documentary, "Listen to the Universe". It was uploaded on the new NASA+ streaming platform on Wednesday (Feb 28). × "Sonifications add a new dimension to stunning space imagery, and make those images accessible to the blind and low-vision community for the first time," stated Liz Landau, who heads multimedia efforts for NASA’s Astrophysics Division and also looks over the production of the documentary. Also Read: Scientists find oldest fiery-red supermassive black hole from universe’s infancy "I was honoured to help tell the story of how Dr. Arcand and the System Sounds team make these unique sonic experiences and the broad impact those sonifications have had," Landau said. All about NASA sonification project The NASA sonification project started in 2020 and came from other Chandra X-ray Observatory projects which is aimed at targetting blind and visually impaired audiences. "Listen to the Universe" looks into the process of how these sonifications are created. × Telescopes like Chandra X-ray Observatory generally collect scientific data from space in the form of digital signals and convert them into visual images. Sonification is also a similar process but it involves audio. The first sonification was done of a supernova remnant which was blowing a cloud of energised particles. Watch: Universe's brightest and hungriest black hole Another was created of a spiral galaxy, which is similar to the Milky Way, and the third of a spatial cloud of gas and dust, nicknamed the "Jellyfish Nebula." The NASA+ streaming platform was established to provide on-demand video and other content regarding the agency to the public. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA converts beauty of universe into sound for visually impaired to experience

<p>NASA's Terra satellite recently captured a strange image of the sky above the Gulf of Mexico and just off the coast of Florida, which revealed some odd, eerie holes in the clouds.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is not the first time that such holes have been spotted. In fact, for more than 60 years, these holes have been puzzling the scientists, some even linking it to paranormal phenomena. However, now scientists have decoded the mystery behind these clouds.</p>

<p>In the photo, which was captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) using NASA's Terra satellite last month, a cluster of ellipse-shaped figures or circles appeared which looked like they had been neatly cut out from the clouds. As per NASA, they even depicted "feathery wisps" in the middle of the hole.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/fiery-red-supermassive-black-hole-found-when-universe-was-in-infancy-694718">Scientists find oldest fiery-red supermassive black hole from universe’s infancy</a></p>

<h2><strong>What are these holes and what causes them?</strong></h2>

<p>These holes are called cavum clouds, hole-punch clouds or fallstreak holes. Such holes are caused by aeroplanes which travel through banks of altocumulus clouds, as per NASA, which cited a study published by University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) scientists in 2010 and 2011.</p>

<p>NASA claimed these mid-level clouds are filled with liquid water droplets which are "supercooled." &nbsp;Because of this, the droplets remain in a liquid state even when temperatures fall to the typical freezing point of water.</p>

<p>"Supercooling happens when water droplets are exceptionally pure and lack small particles, such as dust, fungal spores, pollen, or bacteria, around which ice crystals typically form," said NASA.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Universe's brightest and hungriest black hole</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/universes-brightest-and-hungriest-black-hole-692383/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"Supercooling may sound exotic, but it occurs routinely in Earth’s atmosphere. Altocumulus clouds, which cover about 8 per cent of Earth’s surface at any given time, are mostly composed of liquid water droplets supercooled to a temperature of about (5 degrees Fahrenheit)," it added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>UCAR scientists finally found that when planes pass through clouds, they sometimes create either cavum or canal clouds. Cavum clouds are formed when planes pass at a fairly sharp angle, while canal clouds appear when planes pass at a longer, shallow angle.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA's Terra satellite recently captured a strange image of the sky above the Gulf of Mexico and just off the coast of Florida, which revealed some odd, eerie holes in the clouds.

NASA's Terra satellite recently captured a strange image of the sky above the Gulf of Mexico and just off the coast of Florida, which revealed some odd, eerie holes in the clouds. This is not the first time that such holes have been spotted. In fact, for more than 60 years, these holes have been puzzling the scientists, some even linking it to paranormal phenomena. However, now scientists have decoded the mystery behind these clouds. In the photo, which was captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) using NASA's Terra satellite last month, a cluster of ellipse-shaped figures or circles appeared which looked like they had been neatly cut out from the clouds. As per NASA, they even depicted "feathery wisps" in the middle of the hole. Also Read: Scientists find oldest fiery-red supermassive black hole from universe’s infancy What are these holes and what causes them? These holes are called cavum clouds, hole-punch clouds or fallstreak holes. Such holes are caused by aeroplanes which travel through banks of altocumulus clouds, as per NASA, which cited a study published by University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) scientists in 2010 and 2011. NASA claimed these mid-level clouds are filled with liquid water droplets which are "supercooled." Because of this, the droplets remain in a liquid state even when temperatures fall to the typical freezing point of water. "Supercooling happens when water droplets are exceptionally pure and lack small particles, such as dust, fungal spores, pollen, or bacteria, around which ice crystals typically form," said NASA. Watch: Universe's brightest and hungriest black hole "Supercooling may sound exotic, but it occurs routinely in Earth’s atmosphere. Altocumulus clouds, which cover about 8 per cent of Earth’s surface at any given time, are mostly composed of liquid water droplets supercooled to a temperature of about (5 degrees Fahrenheit)," it added. UCAR scientists finally found that when planes pass through clouds, they sometimes create either cavum or canal clouds. Cavum clouds are formed when planes pass at a fairly sharp angle, while canal clouds appear when planes pass at a longer, shallow angle. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA spots eerie holes in clouds above Florida. Are they a paranormal phenomenon or...

<p>A close call unfolded in low-Earth orbit early Wednesday (Feb 28) as a US&nbsp;NASA spacecraft and a Russian satellite approached dangerously close to each other, narrowly averting a potential collision, NASA said.</p>

<p>Prior to the anticipated close pass, NASA issued a warning, indicating that both the space agency and the US&nbsp;Department of Defense were closely monitoring the trajectory of the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) mission spacecraft from NASA and Russia's Cosmos 2221 satellite.</p>

<h2><strong>Closest pass details</strong></h2>

<p>The non-maneuverable spacecraft were projected to reach their closest point at approximately 1:30 am&nbsp;EST at an altitude of around 373 miles (600 km), according to NASA's press release.</p>

<p>NASA later confirmed that the TIMED spacecraft and the Russian satellite successfully navigated past each other in orbit around 1:34 am&nbsp;EST, with the TIMED mission continuing to operate as usual.</p>

<p>Although a collision was not expected, NASA stressed on&nbsp;the significant risk of debris generation had the two spacecraft collided.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/fiery-red-supermassive-black-hole-found-when-universe-was-in-infancy-694718">Also read |&nbsp;Scientists find oldest fiery-red supermassive black hole from universe’s infancy</a></p>

<p>While this encounter marked their closest approach based on current orbit predictions, the two spacecraft are slated to encounter each other again. Nevertheless, they are anticipated to gradually diverge in altitude over time.</p>

<p>NASA and the Department of Defense remain vigilant, continually monitoring the evolving situation to ensure the safety of assets in space.</p>

<p>The TIMED science mission, a core focus of NASA, delves into understanding the sun's impact on Earth's atmosphere. Amidst scientific activities, concerns mount over the proliferation of space debris, posing risks of potential collisions with operational satellites and spacecraft.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;NASA Chief says Aliens exist</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasa-chief-says-aliens-exist-this-world-636678/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The escalating presence of space debris, comprising remnants of rockets and defunct satellites, poses a growing threat in low-Earth orbit. Scientists have warned of the potential for catastrophic collisions as space traffic intensifies. In a recent incident in 2022, the International Space Station narrowly evaded debris from a Russian satellite, Cosmos 1408.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A close call unfolded in low-Earth orbit early Wednesday (Feb 28) as a US NASA spacecraft and a Russian satellite approached dangerously close to each other, narrowly averting a potential collision, NASA said.

A close call unfolded in low-Earth orbit early Wednesday (Feb 28) as a US NASA spacecraft and a Russian satellite approached dangerously close to each other, narrowly averting a potential collision, NASA said. Prior to the anticipated close pass, NASA issued a warning, indicating that both the space agency and the US Department of Defense were closely monitoring the trajectory of the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) mission spacecraft from NASA and Russia's Cosmos 2221 satellite. Closest pass details The non-maneuverable spacecraft were projected to reach their closest point at approximately 1:30 am EST at an altitude of around 373 miles (600 km), according to NASA's press release. NASA later confirmed that the TIMED spacecraft and the Russian satellite successfully navigated past each other in orbit around 1:34 am EST, with the TIMED mission continuing to operate as usual. Although a collision was not expected, NASA stressed on the significant risk of debris generation had the two spacecraft collided. Also read | Scientists find oldest fiery-red supermassive black hole from universe’s infancy While this encounter marked their closest approach based on current orbit predictions, the two spacecraft are slated to encounter each other again. Nevertheless, they are anticipated to gradually diverge in altitude over time. NASA and the Department of Defense remain vigilant, continually monitoring the evolving situation to ensure the safety of assets in space. The TIMED science mission, a core focus of NASA, delves into understanding the sun's impact on Earth's atmosphere. Amidst scientific activities, concerns mount over the proliferation of space debris, posing risks of potential collisions with operational satellites and spacecraft. Also watch | NASA Chief says Aliens exist The escalating presence of space debris, comprising remnants of rockets and defunct satellites, poses a growing threat in low-Earth orbit. Scientists have warned of the potential for catastrophic collisions as space traffic intensifies. In a recent incident in 2022, the International Space Station narrowly evaded debris from a Russian satellite, Cosmos 1408. (With inputs from agencies)

Close call: US spacecraft and Russian satellite avoid major collision

<p>The universe could bless stargazers with a “once-in-a-lifetime viewing opportunity” of a 3000 light years away star system that will soon be visible to the naked eye from Earth, said NASA. The star system, T Coronae Borealis, also known as T CrB is expected to shine bright in the sky between February and September 2024.</p>

<p>The last time it exploded into a spectacle was back in 1946, and the next time this&nbsp;happens will be after 80 years.&nbsp;So this is indeed a rare event that many people might witness this year.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/odysseus-moon-lander-to-be-put-to-sleep-for-lunar-night-hopes-to-awaken-in-3-weeks-694953">Odysseus: New pics emerge as moon lander to be 'put to sleep' for lunar night</a></p>

<h2><strong>The star system will become visible this year</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>The star system T CrB, normally has a magnitude of +10, which is quite far to see with unaided eyes. But during the Feb-Sep 2024 period, T CrB will jump to magnitude +2, making it quite bright to be seen with the naked eye. As per NASA, the star system will have similar brightness to the North Star, Polaris.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/7300-year-old-underwater-volcano-eruption-emerges-as-largest-in-history-reveals-new-study-694976">7,300-year-old underwater volcano eruption emerges as largest in history, reveals new study</a></p>

<p>Once its brightness peaks, it should be visible to the unaided eye for several days and just over a week with binoculars before it dims again, possibly for another 80 years.</p>

<p>This phenomenon of a distant star system changing its magnitude and becoming visible to the naked eye is called a nova outburst.</p>

<h2><strong>Corona Borealis constellation</strong></h2>

<p>The constellation Corona Borealis is also known as Northern Crown, which is a small, semi-circular arc near Bootes and Hercules. This is the site where the outburst will appear as a “new” bright star, as per NASA.&nbsp;</p>
<img alt="Corona Borealis constellation" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fe60b0fd-1f77-4080-96a0-fc8912f95120" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/FindHercules_NSN896.jpg" />
<p>This recurrent nova is just one of five observed within our galaxy. The phenomenon occurs due to the binary nature of the system T CrB, which consists of a white dwarf and a red giant.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/great-barrier-reef-authority-plans-full-survey-after-observing-extensive-coral-bleaching-694810">Great Barrier Reef authority plans full survey after observing extensive coral bleaching</a></p>

<p>The proximity of these stars enables a fascinating process- as the red giant experiences instability due to rising temperature and pressure; it sheds its outer layers, which are then captured by the white dwarf.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Over time, the accumulated matter on the white dwarf's surface ignites in a runaway thermonuclear reaction, resulting in the spectacular nova visible from Earth.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The universe could bless stargazers with a “once-in-a-lifetime viewing opportunity” of a 3000 light years away star system that will soon be visible to the naked eye from Earth, said NASA.

The universe could bless stargazers with a “once-in-a-lifetime viewing opportunity” of a 3000 light years away star system that will soon be visible to the naked eye from Earth, said NASA. The star system, T Coronae Borealis, also known as T CrB is expected to shine bright in the sky between February and September 2024. The last time it exploded into a spectacle was back in 1946, and the next time this happens will be after 80 years. So this is indeed a rare event that many people might witness this year. Also Read | Odysseus: New pics emerge as moon lander to be 'put to sleep' for lunar night The star system will become visible this year The star system T CrB, normally has a magnitude of +10, which is quite far to see with unaided eyes. But during the Feb-Sep 2024 period, T CrB will jump to magnitude +2, making it quite bright to be seen with the naked eye. As per NASA, the star system will have similar brightness to the North Star, Polaris. Also Read | 7,300-year-old underwater volcano eruption emerges as largest in history, reveals new study Once its brightness peaks, it should be visible to the unaided eye for several days and just over a week with binoculars before it dims again, possibly for another 80 years. This phenomenon of a distant star system changing its magnitude and becoming visible to the naked eye is called a nova outburst. Corona Borealis constellation The constellation Corona Borealis is also known as Northern Crown, which is a small, semi-circular arc near Bootes and Hercules. This is the site where the outburst will appear as a “new” bright star, as per NASA. This recurrent nova is just one of five observed within our galaxy. The phenomenon occurs due to the binary nature of the system T CrB, which consists of a white dwarf and a red giant. Also Read | Great Barrier Reef authority plans full survey after observing extensive coral bleaching The proximity of these stars enables a fascinating process- as the red giant experiences instability due to rising temperature and pressure; it sheds its outer layers, which are then captured by the white dwarf. Over time, the accumulated matter on the white dwarf's surface ignites in a runaway thermonuclear reaction, resulting in the spectacular nova visible from Earth. (With inputs from agencies)

A 'new' star will soon appear in the night sky, only to vanish for 80 years

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidY9Ol7P3OFAzg" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>Unravelling a best-kept secret, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed the names of the four Indian astronauts who will be taking part in the country's 'Gaganyaan' Human spaceflight mission. The astronaut candidates are Indian Air Force test Pilots, who have been specifically shortlisted and trained to undergo the rigours of spaceflight. They are -Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan, Group Captain Ajith Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, Wing Commader Shubhanshu Shukla.<br />
<br />
Having completed 13 months of rigorous training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, near Moscow, Russia and various levels of theoretical and physical training in India, the astronauts are all set to undergo training in the US. Earlier, ISRO Chairman Dr. S. Somanath had confirmed to WION that the US leg of training would happen soon at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Texas.</p>

<p>It was 40 years ago, in 1984, that Indian Air Force Pilot Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel to space. He did so as part of the Soviet Interkosmos programme. Gaganyaan is India's own attempt at launching astronauts to space on a largely homegrown mission, with support from US, Russia, France, among others. Of these, Russia and US are the pioneers of human spaceflight, since the Cold War era.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As part of the Russian training at Star City, near Moscow, the Indian astronaut candidates were put through survival training in snow, in deserts, on water. Such a training is necessary to ensure that the crew can survive an emergency landing in any such hostile terrain and keep themselves safe, until help can arrive.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They also experienced micro-gravity (weightlessness) while flying in special aircraft that are meant to induce such a space-like condition. Astronauts have to be able to handle high G-forces that are experienced during spaceflight. People on earth experience a sustained load of 1G Force (which means that a person would experience and feel their actual body weight). However, those who are travelling in rapidly accelerating/decelerating fighter planes or rockets experience multi-fold G Force. WION had earlier reported that Indian astronauts would experience a sustained load of 4G for about 16 minutes, when ascending to space. Effectively, this means that an astronaut who weighs 70kg, would feel like he weighs 280kg.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Fighter pilots are known to handle such high G Force scenarios and encounter almost 9G during their missions and training. Which is why fighter pilots are the preferred candidates for astronaut training. However, in the case of a mid-flight abort of the astronaut-carrying capsule, the Gaganyaan astronauts would experience loads of 12G, for a few seconds.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>US training of Gaganyaan astronauts</strong></h2>

<p>The Indian astronaut candidates completed their Russian training and returned to India in 2021. Since then, they have also undergone several theoretical and practical sessions at ISRO's Human Spaceflight Centre and the Indian Air Force's Institute of Aerospace Medicine. They have also been visiting various ISRO centres, such as ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram and Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.</p>

<p>As a part of the Gaganyaan team, they are also assisting ISRO with the design and development of the crew-carrying capsule. At India's Human Spaceflight Centre in Bengaluru, they have also been undergoing simulator training and physical training.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In June 2023, pathbreaking initiatives towards Indo-US Space Cooperation were announced during the Joint Statement delivered by Prime Minister Modi and President Biden. It included the announcement by NASA to provide advanced training to Indian astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, with a goal of mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024.</p>

<p>Dr. S. Somanath had told WION that it is on India's wish list to have an astronaut flying to the International Space Station (ISS), as India's only reference point for Human Spaceflight is that of Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma (Retd), who flew in 1984. That maiden spaceflight by an Indian was on a Soviet-era crew capsule and since then the technologies have changed drastically.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The US Human spaceflight scenario is completely changed and the launches are being carried out by the private firms and it is not being done by the US Government, as was the case earlier. As per the India-US (ISRO-NASA) arrangement, NASA will sponsor a seat in the private launch that will happen to the ISS, our astronaut will undergo training at their facility and will then be sent to the International Space Station," the ISRO Chief had told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As part of the announcement made by President Biden, Indian astronaut candidates would be offered advanced training at NASA's Johnson Space Center, which is also known in the US as the Hub of Human Spaceflight. Established in 1961, this facility in Houston, Texas, started off as the Manned Spacecraft Centre, the home and Mission Control Center for the US Human Spaceflight programme. In 1973, the facility was renamed in honour of the late President and Texas Native Lyndon B Johnson. In more than six decades of operation, the facility has made notable advances in science, technology, engineering and medicine, thereby enabling crewed space exploration.</p>


Unravelling a best-kept secret, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed the names of the four Indian astronauts who will be taking part in the country's 'Gaganyaan' Human spaceflight mission.

Unravelling a best-kept secret, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed the names of the four Indian astronauts who will be taking part in the country's 'Gaganyaan' Human spaceflight mission. The astronaut candidates are Indian Air Force test Pilots, who have been specifically shortlisted and trained to undergo the rigours of spaceflight. They are -Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan, Group Captain Ajith Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, Wing Commader Shubhanshu Shukla. Having completed 13 months of rigorous training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, near Moscow, Russia and various levels of theoretical and physical training in India, the astronauts are all set to undergo training in the US. Earlier, ISRO Chairman Dr. S. Somanath had confirmed to WION that the US leg of training would happen soon at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Texas. It was 40 years ago, in 1984, that Indian Air Force Pilot Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel to space. He did so as part of the Soviet Interkosmos programme. Gaganyaan is India's own attempt at launching astronauts to space on a largely homegrown mission, with support from US, Russia, France, among others. Of these, Russia and US are the pioneers of human spaceflight, since the Cold War era. As part of the Russian training at Star City, near Moscow, the Indian astronaut candidates were put through survival training in snow, in deserts, on water. Such a training is necessary to ensure that the crew can survive an emergency landing in any such hostile terrain and keep themselves safe, until help can arrive. They also experienced micro-gravity (weightlessness) while flying in special aircraft that are meant to induce such a space-like condition. Astronauts have to be able to handle high G-forces that are experienced during spaceflight. People on earth experience a sustained load of 1G Force (which means that a person would experience and feel their actual body weight). However, those who are travelling in rapidly accelerating/decelerating fighter planes or rockets experience multi-fold G Force. WION had earlier reported that Indian astronauts would experience a sustained load of 4G for about 16 minutes, when ascending to space. Effectively, this means that an astronaut who weighs 70kg, would feel like he weighs 280kg. Fighter pilots are known to handle such high G Force scenarios and encounter almost 9G during their missions and training. Which is why fighter pilots are the preferred candidates for astronaut training. However, in the case of a mid-flight abort of the astronaut-carrying capsule, the Gaganyaan astronauts would experience loads of 12G, for a few seconds. US training of Gaganyaan astronauts The Indian astronaut candidates completed their Russian training and returned to India in 2021. Since then, they have also undergone several theoretical and practical sessions at ISRO's Human Spaceflight Centre and the Indian Air Force's Institute of Aerospace Medicine. They have also been visiting various ISRO centres, such as ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram and Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. As a part of the Gaganyaan team, they are also assisting ISRO with the design and development of the crew-carrying capsule. At India's Human Spaceflight Centre in Bengaluru, they have also been undergoing simulator training and physical training. In June 2023, pathbreaking initiatives towards Indo-US Space Cooperation were announced during the Joint Statement delivered by Prime Minister Modi and President Biden. It included the announcement by NASA to provide advanced training to Indian astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, with a goal of mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024. Dr. S. Somanath had told WION that it is on India's wish list to have an astronaut flying to the International Space Station (ISS), as India's only reference point for Human Spaceflight is that of Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma (Retd), who flew in 1984. That maiden spaceflight by an Indian was on a Soviet-era crew capsule and since then the technologies have changed drastically. "The US Human spaceflight scenario is completely changed and the launches are being carried out by the private firms and it is not being done by the US Government, as was the case earlier. As per the India-US (ISRO-NASA) arrangement, NASA will sponsor a seat in the private launch that will happen to the ISS, our astronaut will undergo training at their facility and will then be sent to the International Space Station," the ISRO Chief had told WION. As part of the announcement made by President Biden, Indian astronaut candidates would be offered advanced training at NASA's Johnson Space Center, which is also known in the US as the Hub of Human Spaceflight. Established in 1961, this facility in Houston, Texas, started off as the Manned Spacecraft Centre, the home and Mission Control Center for the US Human Spaceflight programme. In 1973, the facility was renamed in honour of the late President and Texas Native Lyndon B Johnson. In more than six decades of operation, the facility has made notable advances in science, technology, engineering and medicine, thereby enabling crewed space exploration.

Best of both worlds - Indian astronauts will benefit from Russian and US training

<p>Odysseus, the toppled US Spacecraft at the end of its fifth day (Tuesday, Feb 28) on the lunar surface, was still operational, reported Texas-based Intuitive Machines (IM). However, as per their estimates, the spacecraft was in its final hours before it was expected to go dark.</p>

<h2><strong>Day five update</strong></h2>

<p>Intuitive Machines in an update posted on Tuesday said that Flight Controllers from its control centre in Houston remained in contact with the lander which has "efficiently sent payload science data and imagery in furtherance of the company's mission objectives."</p>

<p>"Flight controllers are working on final determination of battery life on the lander, which may continue up to an additional 10-20 hours," it added.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ill-fated-odysseus-lander-sends-grainy-images-from-moon-hours-before-going-dark-694156">Ill-fated Odysseus lander sends grainy images from Moon hours before going dark</a></strong></p>

<p>Posting pictures captured by Odysseus on X, it said: "The images included here are the closest observations of any spaceflight mission to the south pole region of the Moon."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Flight Controllers continue to communicate with Odysseus. This morning, Odysseus efficiently sent payload science data and imagery in furtherance of the Company’s mission objectives. Flight controllers are working on final determination of battery life on the lander, which may… <a href="https://t.co/EbZ1NNOrvO">pic.twitter.com/EbZ1NNOrvO</a></p>
— Intuitive Machines (@Int_Machines) <a href="https://twitter.com/Int_Machines/status/1762490074048958522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>"Odysseus is quite the photographer, capturing this image approximately 30 meters above the lunar surface, while his main engine throttled down more than 24,000 mph. Another day of exploration on the south pole region of the Moon," it added.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Odysseus moon landing: Historic mission reaches lunar surface</strong></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/odysseus-moon-landing-historic-mission-reaches-lunar-surface-692967/embed" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2><strong>Toppled over craft</strong></h2>

<p>Odysseus reached the Moon last Thursday (Feb 22) after an 11th-hour navigational glitch and white-knuckle descent that ended with it landing in a sideways or sharply tilted position. This toppled position has impeded the spacecraft's communications and solar-charging capability.</p>

<p>On Friday, Intuitive Machines said that two of the spacecraft's communication antennae were pointed the wrong way and thus were knocked out of commission. Likewise, Odysseus' solar panels were facing the wrong direction, thereby limiting the vehicle's ability to recharge its batteries.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/us-spaceship-odysseus-may-have-tipped-over-on-moon-surface-likely-fractured-landing-equipment-693303">US spaceship Odysseus may have 'tipped over' on Moon surface, likely 'fractured' landing equipment</a></strong></p>

<p>As per the company, the navigational issues were due to human error.</p>

<p>The mission, which was intended to operate on the lunar surface for about seven to 10 days, is expected to go dark soon. On Tuesday morning, IM said that it expects to lose contact with Odysseus, however, as per the latest update, it may continue to operate for "up to an additional 10-20 hours."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Odysseus, the toppled US Spacecraft at the end of its fifth day (Tuesday, Feb 28) on the lunar surface, was still operational, reported Texas-based Intuitive Machines (IM).

Odysseus, the toppled US Spacecraft at the end of its fifth day (Tuesday, Feb 28) on the lunar surface, was still operational, reported Texas-based Intuitive Machines (IM). However, as per their estimates, the spacecraft was in its final hours before it was expected to go dark. Day five update Intuitive Machines in an update posted on Tuesday said that Flight Controllers from its control centre in Houston remained in contact with the lander which has "efficiently sent payload science data and imagery in furtherance of the company's mission objectives." "Flight controllers are working on final determination of battery life on the lander, which may continue up to an additional 10-20 hours," it added. Also read | Ill-fated Odysseus lander sends grainy images from Moon hours before going dark Posting pictures captured by Odysseus on X, it said: "The images included here are the closest observations of any spaceflight mission to the south pole region of the Moon." Flight Controllers continue to communicate with Odysseus. This morning, Odysseus efficiently sent payload science data and imagery in furtherance of the Company’s mission objectives. Flight controllers are working on final determination of battery life on the lander, which may… pic.twitter.com/EbZ1NNOrvO — Intuitive Machines (@Int_Machines) February 27, 2024 × "Odysseus is quite the photographer, capturing this image approximately 30 meters above the lunar surface, while his main engine throttled down more than 24,000 mph. Another day of exploration on the south pole region of the Moon," it added. Watch: Odysseus moon landing: Historic mission reaches lunar surface Toppled over craft Odysseus reached the Moon last Thursday (Feb 22) after an 11th-hour navigational glitch and white-knuckle descent that ended with it landing in a sideways or sharply tilted position. This toppled position has impeded the spacecraft's communications and solar-charging capability. On Friday, Intuitive Machines said that two of the spacecraft's communication antennae were pointed the wrong way and thus were knocked out of commission. Likewise, Odysseus' solar panels were facing the wrong direction, thereby limiting the vehicle's ability to recharge its batteries. Watch | US spaceship Odysseus may have 'tipped over' on Moon surface, likely 'fractured' landing equipment As per the company, the navigational issues were due to human error. The mission, which was intended to operate on the lunar surface for about seven to 10 days, is expected to go dark soon. On Tuesday morning, IM said that it expects to lose contact with Odysseus, however, as per the latest update, it may continue to operate for "up to an additional 10-20 hours." (With inputs from agencies)

'Quite the photographer': US lunar spacecraft Odysseus shares new pictures

<p>NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft that was deliberately crashed into an asteroid may have&nbsp;reshaped the celestial body by its impact from a squat orb into a flat-topped oval, like an M&amp;M candy., scientists have discovered.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Investigation into the spacecraft's collision with the asteroid&nbsp;named Dimorphos, published in <em>Nature Astronomy</em>,&nbsp;has found that DART's impact was so severe that instead of a&nbsp;normal, bowl-shaped crater, something resembling a dent was formed on the widened surface.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Simulations run by the scientists showed that between 0.5 per cent and one per cent of&nbsp;Dimorphos' mass was ejected due to DART's impact, while eight per cent of its mass was redistributed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The material properties and structure of Dimorphos as derived in this study suggests the small moon likely formed through rotational mass shedding and re-accumulation from Didymos," said&nbsp;Sabina Raducan, a scientist at the University of Bern who led the study.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study corroborates what&nbsp;the European Space Agency, James Webb and Hubble said after DART successfully crashed into Dimorphos.</p>

<p>&nbsp;At the time,&nbsp;an image taken by James Webb's Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) four hours after impact showed&nbsp;"plumes of material appearing as wisps streaming away from the centre of where the impact took place".&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasas-dart-mission-the-worlds-first-planetary-defence-520044" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH | NASA's Dart mission: The world's first planetary defence</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>DART changes Dimorphos' orbit&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>After the successful impact, NASA released a&nbsp;series of satellite-acquired images, and radar images amongst other indicators to show that the harmless asteroid, millions of miles away from&nbsp;Earth was slotted away from its original orbit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Analysis of data obtained over the past two weeks by NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) investigation team shows the spacecraft's kinetic impact with its target asteroid, Dimorphos, successfully altered the asteroid’s orbit," said the premier space agency in a statement.</p>

<p>The $325 million DART spacecraft was the first attempt to move any natural object in space. It was&nbsp;launched in November 2021 and developed by the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-struck-by-nasa-probe-leaves-a-10000-km-trail-in-its-wake-522817"><strong>Read more:&nbsp;Asteroid struck by NASA spacecraft leaves a 10,000 km trail in its wake</strong></a></p>

<p>The primary aim of DART was to test planetary defence methods in case a civilisation-threatening object hurtled towards the planet. The tech employed by DART may have been primitive but it has provided a base for the scientists to further their research to prepare and stave off rogue space bodies.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft that was deliberately crashed into an asteroid may have reshaped the celestial body by its impact from a squat orb into a flat-topped oval, like an M&M candy.

NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft that was deliberately crashed into an asteroid may have reshaped the celestial body by its impact from a squat orb into a flat-topped oval, like an M&M candy., scientists have discovered. Investigation into the spacecraft's collision with the asteroid named Dimorphos, published in Nature Astronomy, has found that DART's impact was so severe that instead of a normal, bowl-shaped crater, something resembling a dent was formed on the widened surface. Simulations run by the scientists showed that between 0.5 per cent and one per cent of Dimorphos' mass was ejected due to DART's impact, while eight per cent of its mass was redistributed. "The material properties and structure of Dimorphos as derived in this study suggests the small moon likely formed through rotational mass shedding and re-accumulation from Didymos," said Sabina Raducan, a scientist at the University of Bern who led the study. The study corroborates what the European Space Agency, James Webb and Hubble said after DART successfully crashed into Dimorphos. At the time, an image taken by James Webb's Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) four hours after impact showed "plumes of material appearing as wisps streaming away from the centre of where the impact took place". WATCH | NASA's Dart mission: The world's first planetary defence DART changes Dimorphos' orbit After the successful impact, NASA released a series of satellite-acquired images, and radar images amongst other indicators to show that the harmless asteroid, millions of miles away from Earth was slotted away from its original orbit. "Analysis of data obtained over the past two weeks by NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) investigation team shows the spacecraft's kinetic impact with its target asteroid, Dimorphos, successfully altered the asteroid’s orbit," said the premier space agency in a statement. The $325 million DART spacecraft was the first attempt to move any natural object in space. It was launched in November 2021 and developed by the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University. Read more: Asteroid struck by NASA spacecraft leaves a 10,000 km trail in its wake The primary aim of DART was to test planetary defence methods in case a civilisation-threatening object hurtled towards the planet. The tech employed by DART may have been primitive but it has provided a base for the scientists to further their research to prepare and stave off rogue space bodies. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's DART mission altered shape of asteroid it crashed into, scientists reveal

<p>Asteroids are fun to study and look at and so on... only till they don't collide with Earth. In case they do, we have plans ready to prevent total annihilation of human civilization as we know it. But these plans aren't fool-proof. So studies continue to enhance our knowledge of asteroids and how to tackle a nasty one who may one day cross our path.</p>

<p>An interesting phenomenon in this regard has been observed, that of an asteroid 'healing' itself after impact.</p>

<p>NASA rammed its DART probe ( Double Asteroid Redirection Test) into the asteroid Dimorphos in September 2022. The shape of the tiny asteroid changed considerably after the impact.</p>

<p>The mission was carried out as a test of our abilities to change the trajectory of an asteroid by ramming a spacecraft into it. This may come handy in a future mission in which we would ram such an object into an incoming asteroid, averting its collission with Earth and preventing end of humanity.</p>

<p>After the DART mission, a subsequent mission will be sent to observe Dimorphos. It is likely that the mission will find a 'healed' pile of rocks instead of an impact crater as it was left by DART.</p>

<p>A study led by planetary scientist Sabina Raducan from University of Bern made a simulation of the collision between DART probe and Dimorphos. They tried to replicate result of the actual collision. The results were consistent with what was actually obtained during the acrtual collision.</p>

<p>According to the simulation, it is predicted by the scientists that DART collision didn't create an impact crater that lasted for a long time. But the material which forms the asteroid 'healed' (or bounced back) after some time period.</p>

<p>This confirms what scientists think, Dimorphos is made of loose material of lesser density.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The European Space Agency (ESA) is launching the Hera Mission later this year to study Dimorphos and Didymos, another asteroid around which Dimorphos revolves. This is likely to shed more light on these two space rocks.</p>

<p>The current study has been published in Nature Astronomy.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Asteroids are fun to study and look at and so on... only till they don't collide with Earth. In case they do, we have plans ready to prevent total annihilation of human civilization as we know it.

Asteroids are fun to study and look at and so on... only till they don't collide with Earth. In case they do, we have plans ready to prevent total annihilation of human civilization as we know it. But these plans aren't fool-proof. So studies continue to enhance our knowledge of asteroids and how to tackle a nasty one who may one day cross our path. An interesting phenomenon in this regard has been observed, that of an asteroid 'healing' itself after impact. NASA rammed its DART probe ( Double Asteroid Redirection Test) into the asteroid Dimorphos in September 2022. The shape of the tiny asteroid changed considerably after the impact. The mission was carried out as a test of our abilities to change the trajectory of an asteroid by ramming a spacecraft into it. This may come handy in a future mission in which we would ram such an object into an incoming asteroid, averting its collission with Earth and preventing end of humanity. After the DART mission, a subsequent mission will be sent to observe Dimorphos. It is likely that the mission will find a 'healed' pile of rocks instead of an impact crater as it was left by DART. A study led by planetary scientist Sabina Raducan from University of Bern made a simulation of the collision between DART probe and Dimorphos. They tried to replicate result of the actual collision. The results were consistent with what was actually obtained during the acrtual collision. According to the simulation, it is predicted by the scientists that DART collision didn't create an impact crater that lasted for a long time. But the material which forms the asteroid 'healed' (or bounced back) after some time period. This confirms what scientists think, Dimorphos is made of loose material of lesser density. The European Space Agency (ESA) is launching the Hera Mission later this year to study Dimorphos and Didymos, another asteroid around which Dimorphos revolves. This is likely to shed more light on these two space rocks. The current study has been published in Nature Astronomy. (With inputs from agencies)

DART mission asteroid 'healed' after space probe's impact: Study

In 2022, when NASA's $325 million spacecraft crashed into an asteroid named Dimorphos at 14,000 miles per hour, cheers and applause erupted back on Earth. A new study using simulations suggests the impact in 2022 transformed the space rock into an M&M-like flat-top oval.

NASA's dart mission may have altered the shape of asteroid it crashed into | Trending on WION

<p>Climate change is no longer something that'll happen in the future. It has very much arrived and the effects are for everyone to see. Data from NASA has now revealed that there was an uptick in absorption of solar radiation by Earth in the year 2023. This is a crucial observation as how and how much solar radiation Earth absorbs has an ultimate effect on climate.</p>

<p>NASA's Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) Energy Balanced and Filled (EBAF) Edition 4.2 has reported major fluctuations in Earth's absorption of solar radiation in 2023. There was an uptick in the months of February, March and December.</p>

<p>As the year started, there was a sharp increase in absorption of solar radiation. It peaked at 3.9 watts per square metre in the month of February and further rose to 6.2 watts per square metre in March.</p>

<p>There is a major contrast when these figures are compared with those for the corresponding months in the year 2000. This points at an upward trend in absorption.</p>

<p>NASA's CERES indicated that in December 2023, the pattern of high solar radiation absorption continued.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | World needs "Trillions" of dollars to tackle climate change: COP28 President Jaber</strong></p>

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<p>The mean absorption levels have shifted as well. They were higher in 2023 than they were at the start of the century.</p>

<p>This has implications on energy balance on the Earth and may lead to changes in climate, sea level and temperature.</p>

<p>In addition to spikes in the year 2023, the data also shows upticks during the years 2011, 2017, 2022.</p>

<p>Although it is well established that there is an upward trend, the most recent years have shown an especially pronounced upward tick. The year 2023 represented a year with an especially high mean absorbed solar radiation change.</p>

<p>This is likely to have profound effect on Earth's climate and measures to mitigate may be necessary.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Climate change is no longer something that'll happen in the future. It has very much arrived and the effects are for everyone to see. Data from NASA has now revealed that there was an uptick in absorption of solar radiation by Earth in the year 2023.

Climate change is no longer something that'll happen in the future. It has very much arrived and the effects are for everyone to see. Data from NASA has now revealed that there was an uptick in absorption of solar radiation by Earth in the year 2023. This is a crucial observation as how and how much solar radiation Earth absorbs has an ultimate effect on climate. NASA's Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) Energy Balanced and Filled (EBAF) Edition 4.2 has reported major fluctuations in Earth's absorption of solar radiation in 2023. There was an uptick in the months of February, March and December. As the year started, there was a sharp increase in absorption of solar radiation. It peaked at 3.9 watts per square metre in the month of February and further rose to 6.2 watts per square metre in March. There is a major contrast when these figures are compared with those for the corresponding months in the year 2000. This points at an upward trend in absorption. NASA's CERES indicated that in December 2023, the pattern of high solar radiation absorption continued. Watch | World needs "Trillions" of dollars to tackle climate change: COP28 President Jaber × The mean absorption levels have shifted as well. They were higher in 2023 than they were at the start of the century. This has implications on energy balance on the Earth and may lead to changes in climate, sea level and temperature. In addition to spikes in the year 2023, the data also shows upticks during the years 2011, 2017, 2022. Although it is well established that there is an upward trend, the most recent years have shown an especially pronounced upward tick. The year 2023 represented a year with an especially high mean absorbed solar radiation change. This is likely to have profound effect on Earth's climate and measures to mitigate may be necessary. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA data reveals Earth is increasingly absorbing more solar radiation

<p>&nbsp;Hubble has done it again! In times when James Webb Space Telescope appears to be hogging all the limelight, trusty ol' Hubble Space Telescope is quietly but consistently doing its work and sending us brilliant pics to marvel at. This time, it has clicked an image that shows a region in space 'teeming with' star-formation activity.</p>

<p>This region, known as IRAS 16562-3959 is not too far away and is within the Milky Way Galaxy. It is 5900 lightyears away from us and is located in the constellation Scorpius.</p>

<p>This image has been clicked by Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3. The camera has been able to capture the colour, beauty and nuance of the celestial body by using four separate filters.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | NASA seeking volunteers to simulate a mission to Mars. Here's how to apply</strong></p>

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<p>At the centre of the image, there are signs that IRAS 16562-3959 possibly has a massive star. It is estimated that this star is about 30 times the mass of the Sun. The star is still in the process of forming. The clouds around this part of the image appear dark because of the presence of light-obscuring dust that blocks the near-infrared wavelengths of light that the Hubble was observing.</p>

<p>But we're in luck because the near-infrared light is leaking out from the upper left and lower right. Here, a powerful jet from the protostar (star in its nascent stage) blew the dust away. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/glitches-from-dead-star-could-reveal-origin-of-mysterious-deep-space-signals-study-692374">'Glitches' from dead star could reveal origin of mysterious deep space signals: Study</a></strong></p>

<p>"Multi-wavelength images like this incredible Hubble scene help us gain a better understanding of how the most massive, brightest stars in our galaxy form," says NASA on its website.</p>

<p>Hubble Space Telescope, though ageing, still packs a good punch. Over the past few decades, the Hubble Space Telescope has contributed to many significant and even groundbreaking discoveries. Observations made by Hubble have led to improved estimates of the rate of the universe's expansion. This has greatly helped our understanding of the cosmos.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Hubble has done it again! In times when James Webb Space Telescope appears to be hogging all the limelight, trusty ol' Hubble Space Telescope is quietly but consistently doing its work and sending us brilliant pics to marvel at.

Hubble has done it again! In times when James Webb Space Telescope appears to be hogging all the limelight, trusty ol' Hubble Space Telescope is quietly but consistently doing its work and sending us brilliant pics to marvel at. This time, it has clicked an image that shows a region in space 'teeming with' star-formation activity. This region, known as IRAS 16562-3959 is not too far away and is within the Milky Way Galaxy. It is 5900 lightyears away from us and is located in the constellation Scorpius. This image has been clicked by Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3. The camera has been able to capture the colour, beauty and nuance of the celestial body by using four separate filters. Watch | NASA seeking volunteers to simulate a mission to Mars. Here's how to apply × At the centre of the image, there are signs that IRAS 16562-3959 possibly has a massive star. It is estimated that this star is about 30 times the mass of the Sun. The star is still in the process of forming. The clouds around this part of the image appear dark because of the presence of light-obscuring dust that blocks the near-infrared wavelengths of light that the Hubble was observing. But we're in luck because the near-infrared light is leaking out from the upper left and lower right. Here, a powerful jet from the protostar (star in its nascent stage) blew the dust away. Also Read | 'Glitches' from dead star could reveal origin of mysterious deep space signals: Study "Multi-wavelength images like this incredible Hubble scene help us gain a better understanding of how the most massive, brightest stars in our galaxy form," says NASA on its website. Hubble Space Telescope, though ageing, still packs a good punch. Over the past few decades, the Hubble Space Telescope has contributed to many significant and even groundbreaking discoveries. Observations made by Hubble have led to improved estimates of the rate of the universe's expansion. This has greatly helped our understanding of the cosmos. (With inputs from agencies)

Hubble Space Telescope spots a massive star-forming region in the Milky Way

<p>So NASA sends rockets in space and clicks nice pictures. Yes, we know. But the space agency has a robust social media presence and even if a post is sort of a repeat, the way it is presented sparks a renewed interest about that particular celestial body. On Thursday (Feb 22), NASA threw a riddle at its followers on Instagram.</p>

<p>"We’ve got another Hubble puzzle for you to solve. What do you think this image is? Comment your guess before time runs out!...," says NASA in its post. The actual post is not a usual image but one that is revealed gradually in tiles that resemble pieces of a puzzle.</p>

<p>The black spots give way to a splendid, yet intriguing picture that resembles a cat's eye. And indeed this nebula is called Cat's Eye Nebula.</p>

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<p>The Cat's Eye Nebula is also designated as 'NGC 6543'. It is a planetary nebula that's in the northern constellation called Draco. This particular image was taken by Hubble Space Telescope, the predecessor of James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).</p>

<p>It is often tricky to find distance between Earth and such nebulae as the latter are just mass of gas and dust. But after years of careful observation through the lenses of Hubble, scientists have concluded that the Cat's Eye Nebula is 3,300 lightyears away from us.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | NASA seeking volunteers to simulate a mission to Mars. Here's how to apply</strong></p>

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<p>The Cat's Eye Nebula was formed when a star caused mass ejections in intervals of 1,500 years. This led to formation of 'dust shells'. Such a process forms an onion skin-like structure as it is visible in case of the Cat's Eye Nebula.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/james-webb-space-telescope-spots-evidence-for-neutron-star-from-supernova-remnant-692998">James Webb Space Telescope spots evidence of neutron star from supernova remnant</a></strong></p>

<p>Scientists are still intrigued by the unique structure of the Cat's Eye Nebula. It has been postulated before that the mass ejections from the dying star may have been the result of a process in that star similar to 'magnetic flip' in the Sun.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


So NASA sends rockets in space and clicks nice pictures. Yes, we know. But the space agency has a robust social media presence and even if a post is sort of a repeat, the way it is presented sparks a renewed interest about that particular celestial body.

So NASA sends rockets in space and clicks nice pictures. Yes, we know. But the space agency has a robust social media presence and even if a post is sort of a repeat, the way it is presented sparks a renewed interest about that particular celestial body. On Thursday (Feb 22), NASA threw a riddle at its followers on Instagram. "We’ve got another Hubble puzzle for you to solve. What do you think this image is? Comment your guess before time runs out!...," says NASA in its post. The actual post is not a usual image but one that is revealed gradually in tiles that resemble pieces of a puzzle. The black spots give way to a splendid, yet intriguing picture that resembles a cat's eye. And indeed this nebula is called Cat's Eye Nebula. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hubble Space Telescope (@nasahubble) × The Cat's Eye Nebula is also designated as 'NGC 6543'. It is a planetary nebula that's in the northern constellation called Draco. This particular image was taken by Hubble Space Telescope, the predecessor of James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). It is often tricky to find distance between Earth and such nebulae as the latter are just mass of gas and dust. But after years of careful observation through the lenses of Hubble, scientists have concluded that the Cat's Eye Nebula is 3,300 lightyears away from us. Watch | NASA seeking volunteers to simulate a mission to Mars. Here's how to apply × The Cat's Eye Nebula was formed when a star caused mass ejections in intervals of 1,500 years. This led to formation of 'dust shells'. Such a process forms an onion skin-like structure as it is visible in case of the Cat's Eye Nebula. Also Read | James Webb Space Telescope spots evidence of neutron star from supernova remnant Scientists are still intrigued by the unique structure of the Cat's Eye Nebula. It has been postulated before that the mass ejections from the dying star may have been the result of a process in that star similar to 'magnetic flip' in the Sun. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA posts intriguing image of 'cat's eye' in the sky

<p>The increasing sea levels are not only threatening the United States East Coast but are also actually sinking some of the major cities of the country like New York and Baltimore, according to NASA images.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A NASA-funded team of scientists, working at Virginia Tech's Earth Observation and Innovation Lab found that the geographical problem is "happening rapidly enough to threaten infrastructure, farmland, and wetlands that tens of millions of people along the coast rely upon".&nbsp;</p>

<p>The scientists studied satellite data and GPS sensors to understand the motion of the coast and discovered that infrastructure in major cities like Norfolk, Baltimore,&nbsp;New York and Virginia, is built on land which has considerably sunken between 2007 and 2020.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The land sank by an average of 1 to 2 millimetres every year. Some counties in Delaware, Maryland, South Carolina and Georgia also witnessed the sinking of the land at twice or thrice the speed.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-say-tectonic-plate-tearing-apart-under-pacific-ocean-from-japan-to-new-zealand-688973">Scientists say tectonic plate tearing apart under Pacific Ocean from Japan to New Zealand</a></p>

<p>The land in marshes sank by more than 3 millimetres every year, as per the scientists. The forests have also suffered displacement because of the intrusion of saltwater and the subsiding land.</p>

<p>However, wildlife is not the only thing which has been affected. Nearly 897,000 structures, which include highways and airports, are present on the land which is subsiding.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The findings, which followed another study carried out by the Virginia Tech lab, were published in PNAS Nexus.</p>

<h2><strong>Mid-Atlantic region sinking further: NASA images</strong></h2>

<p>The maps were created by NASA using data collected by satellites from the US, Japan and Europe.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the images, the Mid-Atlantic region was seen sinking more, caused by the Laurentide ice sheet, which started retreating 12,000 years ago and led to the sinking of the region downwards.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Universe's brightest and hungriest black hole</strong></p>

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<p>Geophysicist at Virginia Tech Leonard Ohenhen, while speaking to Newsweek, said, "In this research, we analyzed satellite radar data to assess how land subsidence increases the vulnerability of communities, properties and infrastructure to coastal hazards. Our major findings show that between 2,000 to 74,000 square kilometres of land area, which is home to 1.2 to 14 million people and 476,000 to 6.3 million properties, are sinking at a rate of 1 to 2 millimetres per year."</p>

<p>"This sinking land affects more than half of the infrastructure in several major cities, putting them at an increased risk of flooding and other coastal hazards," he added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The increasing sea levels are not only threatening the United States East Coast but are also actually sinking some of the major cities of the country like New York and Baltimore, according to NASA images.

The increasing sea levels are not only threatening the United States East Coast but are also actually sinking some of the major cities of the country like New York and Baltimore, according to NASA images. A NASA-funded team of scientists, working at Virginia Tech's Earth Observation and Innovation Lab found that the geographical problem is "happening rapidly enough to threaten infrastructure, farmland, and wetlands that tens of millions of people along the coast rely upon". The scientists studied satellite data and GPS sensors to understand the motion of the coast and discovered that infrastructure in major cities like Norfolk, Baltimore, New York and Virginia, is built on land which has considerably sunken between 2007 and 2020. The land sank by an average of 1 to 2 millimetres every year. Some counties in Delaware, Maryland, South Carolina and Georgia also witnessed the sinking of the land at twice or thrice the speed. Also Read: Scientists say tectonic plate tearing apart under Pacific Ocean from Japan to New Zealand The land in marshes sank by more than 3 millimetres every year, as per the scientists. The forests have also suffered displacement because of the intrusion of saltwater and the subsiding land. However, wildlife is not the only thing which has been affected. Nearly 897,000 structures, which include highways and airports, are present on the land which is subsiding. The findings, which followed another study carried out by the Virginia Tech lab, were published in PNAS Nexus. Mid-Atlantic region sinking further: NASA images The maps were created by NASA using data collected by satellites from the US, Japan and Europe. In the images, the Mid-Atlantic region was seen sinking more, caused by the Laurentide ice sheet, which started retreating 12,000 years ago and led to the sinking of the region downwards. Watch: Universe's brightest and hungriest black hole Geophysicist at Virginia Tech Leonard Ohenhen, while speaking to Newsweek, said, "In this research, we analyzed satellite radar data to assess how land subsidence increases the vulnerability of communities, properties and infrastructure to coastal hazards. Our major findings show that between 2,000 to 74,000 square kilometres of land area, which is home to 1.2 to 14 million people and 476,000 to 6.3 million properties, are sinking at a rate of 1 to 2 millimetres per year." "This sinking land affects more than half of the infrastructure in several major cities, putting them at an increased risk of flooding and other coastal hazards," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Major cities of United States are sinking, warns NASA

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