<p>The curation team at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston has successfully removed the two fasteners that had impeded access to the remaining sample material collected from OSIRIS-REx's asteroid Bennu. The curation team&nbsp;collected 2.48 ounces (70.3 grams) of asteroid material, surpassing NASA's goal of bringing at least 60 grams to Earth.</p>

<p>Eileen Stansbery, division chief for ARES (Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science)&nbsp;at Johnson, appreciated the dedication of the team, stating, “Our engineers and scientists have worked tirelessly behind the scenes for months to not only process the more than 70 grams of material we were able to access previously but also design, develop, and test new tools that allowed us to move past this hurdle.”</p>

<p>The disassembly of the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) head is now underway, revealing rocks and dust delivered by NASA’s first asteroid sample return mission.</p>

<p>“The innovation and dedication of this team has been remarkable. We are all excited to see the remaining treasure OSIRIS-REx holds,"&nbsp;Stansbery added.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/worlds-oldest-forest-found-in-us-first-ever-investigation-reveals-ages-of-ancient-plants-trees-679667">World’s oldest forest found in US: First-ever investigation reveals ages of ancient plants, trees</a></p>

<p>Following additional disassembly steps, image specialists will capture ultra-high-resolution pictures of the bulk sample still inside the TAGSAM head. This portion will then be removed, weighed, and the total mass of Bennu material captured by the mission will be determined.</p>

<h2>Roadblock faced by the team</h2>

<p>The curation team faced a challenge in mid-October when two fasteners could not be removed with the approved tools inside the OSIRIS-REx glovebox.</p>

<p>Following this challenge, new multi-part tools were designed. This one featured custom-fabricated bits made from surgical, non-magnetic stainless steel.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-fermi-telescope-spots-new-gamma-ray-beyond-milky-way-which-could-help-solve-cosmic-mystery-679638">NASA’s Fermi telescope spots new gamma-ray beyond Milky Way, which could help solve cosmic mystery</a></p>

<p>Dr. Nicole Lunning, OSIRIS-REx curator at Johnson, highlighted the design challenge, stating, “In addition to the design challenge of being limited to curation-approved materials to protect the scientific value of the asteroid sample, these new tools also needed to function within the tightly-confined space of the glovebox.”</p>

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			<td headers="view-title-table-column"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/videos/nasa-unveils-x-59-plane-to-test-supersonic-flight-over-us-cities-679600" hreflang="en">NASA unveils X-59 plane to test supersonic flight over US cities</a></strong></td>
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<p>However, it was not that simple. Before even starting the successful removal, the team rigorously tested the tools and removal procedures in a rehearsal lab, which demonstrated success in achieving the required torque while minimising the risk of damage to the TAGSAM head. It also reduced the risk of contamination of the sample.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The curation team at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston has successfully removed the two fasteners that had impeded access to the remaining sample material collected from OSIRIS-REx's asteroid Bennu.

The curation team at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston has successfully removed the two fasteners that had impeded access to the remaining sample material collected from OSIRIS-REx's asteroid Bennu. The curation team collected 2.48 ounces (70.3 grams) of asteroid material, surpassing NASA's goal of bringing at least 60 grams to Earth. Eileen Stansbery, division chief for ARES (Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science) at Johnson, appreciated the dedication of the team, stating, “Our engineers and scientists have worked tirelessly behind the scenes for months to not only process the more than 70 grams of material we were able to access previously but also design, develop, and test new tools that allowed us to move past this hurdle.” The disassembly of the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) head is now underway, revealing rocks and dust delivered by NASA’s first asteroid sample return mission. “The innovation and dedication of this team has been remarkable. We are all excited to see the remaining treasure OSIRIS-REx holds," Stansbery added. Also Read | World’s oldest forest found in US: First-ever investigation reveals ages of ancient plants, trees Following additional disassembly steps, image specialists will capture ultra-high-resolution pictures of the bulk sample still inside the TAGSAM head. This portion will then be removed, weighed, and the total mass of Bennu material captured by the mission will be determined. Roadblock faced by the team The curation team faced a challenge in mid-October when two fasteners could not be removed with the approved tools inside the OSIRIS-REx glovebox. Following this challenge, new multi-part tools were designed. This one featured custom-fabricated bits made from surgical, non-magnetic stainless steel. Also Read | NASA’s Fermi telescope spots new gamma-ray beyond Milky Way, which could help solve cosmic mystery Dr. Nicole Lunning, OSIRIS-REx curator at Johnson, highlighted the design challenge, stating, “In addition to the design challenge of being limited to curation-approved materials to protect the scientific value of the asteroid sample, these new tools also needed to function within the tightly-confined space of the glovebox.” Watch | NASA unveils X-59 plane to test supersonic flight over US cities × However, it was not that simple. Before even starting the successful removal, the team rigorously tested the tools and removal procedures in a rehearsal lab, which demonstrated success in achieving the required torque while minimising the risk of damage to the TAGSAM head. It also reduced the risk of contamination of the sample. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA finally unlocks the container with samples from asteroid Bennu

<p>The world of space never seizes to surprise, and yet again it left scientists and astronomers astonished with a new mystery. In recent events of cosmic exploration, astronomers discovered high-intensity light called gamma rays radiating outside our Milky Way galaxy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The discovery was made when a team of NASA scientists and University of Maryland cosmologist Alexander Kashlinsky stumbled upon the strong gamma-ray signal while searching through 13 years of data from NASA’s Fermi Telescope.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/us-university-uses-ai-to-prove-our-fingerprints-are-not-unique-report-679377">US university uses AI to prove our fingerprints are not unique: Report</a></p>

<p>Kashlinksy called it a “completely serendipitous discovery” in the part of the cosmic universe where they were exactly looking for.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Newly found gamma-ray signals outside Milky Way deepen&nbsp;their mystery</strong></h2>

<p>The origins of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) like gamma rays have always been one of the biggest mysteries in astrophysics. The discovery source of this newly found gamma-ray signal outside the Milky Way has now deepened this mystery further.</p>

<p>The team thinks the newfound signal is related to these high-energy particles, or cosmic rays, which are made up mostly of protons, neutrons and atomic nuclei. The signal is quite similar to the characteristics of a cosmic microwave background (CMB).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/even-bigger-giant-newly-discovered-mammoth-relative-of-t-rex-amazes-scientists-679358">Dinosaur bigger and older than the T. rex once roamed the Earth, scientists find</a></p>

<p>The CMB represents the oldest light in the universe and is a cosmic fossil left over from an event that occurred around 380,000 years after the Big Bang. Before this, the universe was quite hot with densely populated free electrons and protons through which light could not travel.</p>

<p>After some time, the universe cooled down, so much so that it allowed electrons and protons to join together to form primordial atoms, this caused a sudden void. The lack of free electrons meant that photons were no longer endlessly scattered by these negatively charged particles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The universe turned transparent from being opaque which allowed the first light to travel. The CMB made up these first free-travelling photons.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-accidentally-stumble-upon-a-galaxy-with-no-stars-679461">A galaxy with no stars? Scientists find one 270 million light-years away</a></p>

<p>The CMB was first spotted by American radio astronomers Robert Wilson and Arno Penzias in May 1964 as microwave radiation in all directions of the sky over Earth. In the 1990s, however, this seeming uniformity was challenged when NASA's Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) spacecraft discovered tiny variations in the CMB temperature.</p>

<p>COBE found that the CMB is 0.12% hotter and has more microwaves toward the direction of the constellation Leo. This pattern or "dipole" in CMB gave attribution to the motion of our solar system.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/game-changing-x-59-quiet-supersonic-aircraft-unveiled-by-nasa-lockheed-martin-679572">Game changing! X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft unveiled by NASA, Lockheed Martin</a></p>

<p>Astronomers are hunting for this effect in other types of light so they can confirm the CMB dipole is the result of our movement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Astronomers now want to investigate the locations of this new emission to determine the source, or maybe multiple sources, of this ultra-high energy light and these ultra-high energy particles to see if they are indeed connected.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The world of space never seizes to surprise, and yet again it left scientists and astronomers astonished with a new mystery. In recent events of cosmic exploration, astronomers discovered high-intensity light called gamma rays radiating outside our Milky Way galaxy.

The world of space never seizes to surprise, and yet again it left scientists and astronomers astonished with a new mystery. In recent events of cosmic exploration, astronomers discovered high-intensity light called gamma rays radiating outside our Milky Way galaxy. The discovery was made when a team of NASA scientists and University of Maryland cosmologist Alexander Kashlinsky stumbled upon the strong gamma-ray signal while searching through 13 years of data from NASA’s Fermi Telescope. Also Read | US university uses AI to prove our fingerprints are not unique: Report Kashlinksy called it a “completely serendipitous discovery” in the part of the cosmic universe where they were exactly looking for. Newly found gamma-ray signals outside Milky Way deepen their mystery The origins of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) like gamma rays have always been one of the biggest mysteries in astrophysics. The discovery source of this newly found gamma-ray signal outside the Milky Way has now deepened this mystery further. The team thinks the newfound signal is related to these high-energy particles, or cosmic rays, which are made up mostly of protons, neutrons and atomic nuclei. The signal is quite similar to the characteristics of a cosmic microwave background (CMB). Also Read | Dinosaur bigger and older than the T. rex once roamed the Earth, scientists find The CMB represents the oldest light in the universe and is a cosmic fossil left over from an event that occurred around 380,000 years after the Big Bang. Before this, the universe was quite hot with densely populated free electrons and protons through which light could not travel. After some time, the universe cooled down, so much so that it allowed electrons and protons to join together to form primordial atoms, this caused a sudden void. The lack of free electrons meant that photons were no longer endlessly scattered by these negatively charged particles. The universe turned transparent from being opaque which allowed the first light to travel. The CMB made up these first free-travelling photons. Also Read | A galaxy with no stars? Scientists find one 270 million light-years away The CMB was first spotted by American radio astronomers Robert Wilson and Arno Penzias in May 1964 as microwave radiation in all directions of the sky over Earth. In the 1990s, however, this seeming uniformity was challenged when NASA's Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) spacecraft discovered tiny variations in the CMB temperature. COBE found that the CMB is 0.12% hotter and has more microwaves toward the direction of the constellation Leo. This pattern or "dipole" in CMB gave attribution to the motion of our solar system. Also Read | Game changing! X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft unveiled by NASA, Lockheed Martin Astronomers are hunting for this effect in other types of light so they can confirm the CMB dipole is the result of our movement. Astronomers now want to investigate the locations of this new emission to determine the source, or maybe multiple sources, of this ultra-high energy light and these ultra-high energy particles to see if they are indeed connected. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA’s Fermi telescope spots new gamma-ray beyond Milky Way, which could help solve cosmic mystery

<p>Perhaps, the time to fly in a commercial flight&nbsp;capable of surpassing the speed of sound is not too far away.&nbsp;NASA, in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, officially revealed its X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft on Friday (Jan 12),&nbsp;opening the door of potential to a new era of commercial aircraft. The unique experimental airplane will collect data and "will help change the way we travel, bringing us closer together in much less time."</p>

<p>"The aircraft is scheduled for its inaugural flight later this year, followed by its first quiet supersonic flight," NASA said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “This is a major accomplishment made possible only through the hard work and ingenuity from NASA and the entire X-59 team. In just a few short years, we’ve gone from an ambitious concept to reality."</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-accidentally-stumble-upon-a-galaxy-with-no-stars-679461">Scientists 'accidentally' stumble upon a galaxy with no stars</a></p>

<p>The aircraft was showcased during a ceremony at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works' facility in Palmdale, California.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Presently, rules prohibit commercial supersonic flight over land because of noise pollution, safety concerns and other environmental issues.&nbsp;The X-59 plays a central role in NASA’s Quesst mission and will now help in&nbsp;providing data to reconsider these regulations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bob Pearce, associate administrator for aeronautics research at NASA Headquarters, highlighted the ambitious nature of Quesst. He said, "NASA will share the data and technology we generate from this one-of-a-kind mission with regulators and with industry."</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/even-bigger-giant-newly-discovered-mammoth-relative-of-t-rex-amazes-scientists-679358">'Even bigger giant': Newly discovered mammoth relative of dinosaur T. rex amazes scientists</a></p>

<p>With the completion of the rollout, the Quesst team will proceed to integrated systems testing, engine runs, and taxi testing for the X-59.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-presidential-elections-cold-wave-grips-iowa-ahead-of-republican-caucus-world-news-wion-679568">US Presidential Elections: Cold wave grips Iowa ahead of Republican caucus | World news&nbsp;</a></strong></p>

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<p>John Clark, vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, praised the collaborative effort, saying, “Across both teams, talented, dedicated, and passionate scientists, engineers, and production artisans have collaborated to develop and produce this aircraft. We’re honored to be a part of this journey to shape the future of supersonic travel over land alongside NASA and our suppliers.”</p>

<h2><strong>What are the features of X-59?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The X-59 has some amazing features that enable quiet supersonic flight. It measures 99.7 feet long and 29.5 feet wide. The aircraft's thin, tapered nose, which accounts for almost a third of its length, breaks up shock waves. It also prevents the typical sonic boom associated with supersonic flight.</p>

<p>The cockpit, located almost halfway down the aircraft, lacks a forward-facing window.</p>

<p>So what replaces the window?</p>

<p>Instead, the Quesst team devised the eXternal Vision System, incorporating high-resolution cameras feeding a 4K monitor in the cockpit.&nbsp;NASA statement said, "The Quesst team also designed the aircraft with its engine mounted on top and gave it a smooth underside to help keep shockwaves from merging behind the aircraft and causing a sonic boom."&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Perhaps, the time to fly in a commercial flight capable of surpassing the speed of sound is not too far away. NASA, in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, officially revealed its X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft on Friday (Jan 12), opening the door of potential to a new era of commercial aircraft.

Perhaps, the time to fly in a commercial flight capable of surpassing the speed of sound is not too far away. NASA, in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, officially revealed its X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft on Friday (Jan 12), opening the door of potential to a new era of commercial aircraft. The unique experimental airplane will collect data and "will help change the way we travel, bringing us closer together in much less time." "The aircraft is scheduled for its inaugural flight later this year, followed by its first quiet supersonic flight," NASA said in a statement. NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “This is a major accomplishment made possible only through the hard work and ingenuity from NASA and the entire X-59 team. In just a few short years, we’ve gone from an ambitious concept to reality." Also Read | Scientists 'accidentally' stumble upon a galaxy with no stars The aircraft was showcased during a ceremony at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works' facility in Palmdale, California. Presently, rules prohibit commercial supersonic flight over land because of noise pollution, safety concerns and other environmental issues. The X-59 plays a central role in NASA’s Quesst mission and will now help in providing data to reconsider these regulations. Bob Pearce, associate administrator for aeronautics research at NASA Headquarters, highlighted the ambitious nature of Quesst. He said, "NASA will share the data and technology we generate from this one-of-a-kind mission with regulators and with industry." Also Read | 'Even bigger giant': Newly discovered mammoth relative of dinosaur T. rex amazes scientists With the completion of the rollout, the Quesst team will proceed to integrated systems testing, engine runs, and taxi testing for the X-59. Watch | US Presidential Elections: Cold wave grips Iowa ahead of Republican caucus | World news × John Clark, vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, praised the collaborative effort, saying, “Across both teams, talented, dedicated, and passionate scientists, engineers, and production artisans have collaborated to develop and produce this aircraft. We’re honored to be a part of this journey to shape the future of supersonic travel over land alongside NASA and our suppliers.” What are the features of X-59? The X-59 has some amazing features that enable quiet supersonic flight. It measures 99.7 feet long and 29.5 feet wide. The aircraft's thin, tapered nose, which accounts for almost a third of its length, breaks up shock waves. It also prevents the typical sonic boom associated with supersonic flight. The cockpit, located almost halfway down the aircraft, lacks a forward-facing window. So what replaces the window? Instead, the Quesst team devised the eXternal Vision System, incorporating high-resolution cameras feeding a 4K monitor in the cockpit. NASA statement said, "The Quesst team also designed the aircraft with its engine mounted on top and gave it a smooth underside to help keep shockwaves from merging behind the aircraft and causing a sonic boom." (With inputs from agencies)

Game changer! X-59 'quiet' supersonic aircraft unveiled by NASA, Lockheed Martin

The US space agency NASA has presented its new supersonic aircraft X-59 to the public for the first time. NASA also revealed that the X-59, an experimental aircraft that is expected to fly at 1.4 times the speed of sound – or 925mph (1,488 km/h).

NASA unveils X-59 plane to test supersonic flight over US cities

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<p>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said on Thursday that Elon Musk's SpaceX was not in violation of workplace rules on alcohol and drugs which could jeopardize rocket launch and its government contracts. In a statement, NASA said it did not have evidence of non-compliance from SpaceX "on how the company addresses the drug- and alcohol-free workforce regulations."</p>

<p>“We expect our commercial partners to meet all workplace safety requirements in the execution of those missions and the services they provide the American people,” the statement added.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-files-case-against-us-agency-over-accusation-of-firing-workers-critical-of-musk-676900">SpaceX files case against US agency over accusation of firing workers critical of Musk</a></strong></p>

<p>NASA further said that it enforces and verifies compliance with alcohol and drug-free workplace contract clauses that mandate contractors maintain a “robust and effective” corporate culture and safety program.</p>

<h2><strong>Report says Musk used illegal drugs</strong></h2>

<p>NASA's comments came nearly a week after a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) said that Elon Musk had used illegal drugs that worried employees at SpaceX as well as Tesla.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report said that Musk has used LSD, cocaine, and ecstasy, often at private parties around the world. The world's wealthiest person has previously smoked marijuana in public and has said that he has a prescription for ketamine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>People close to Musk, 52, said his drug use is ongoing, especially his consumption of ketamine, and that they are concerned it could cause a health crisis, the WSJ report said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch:&nbsp;SpaceX and Tesla officials upset over Elon Musk's alleged drug use</strong></p>

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<p>Alex Spiro,&nbsp;Musk's lawyer, said that his client was regularly and randomly drug-tested at SpaceX and has never failed a test.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Citing sources, the publication's report said that one former Tesla director was so frustrated with Musk's volatility and her concerns about his drug consumption that she didn’t stand for re-election to the electric car company’s board in 2019.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said on Thursday that Elon Musk's SpaceX was not in violation of workplace rules on alcohol and drugs which could jeopardize rocket launch and its government contracts.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said on Thursday that Elon Musk's SpaceX was not in violation of workplace rules on alcohol and drugs which could jeopardize rocket launch and its government contracts. In a statement, NASA said it did not have evidence of non-compliance from SpaceX "on how the company addresses the drug- and alcohol-free workforce regulations." “We expect our commercial partners to meet all workplace safety requirements in the execution of those missions and the services they provide the American people,” the statement added. Also read: SpaceX files case against US agency over accusation of firing workers critical of Musk NASA further said that it enforces and verifies compliance with alcohol and drug-free workplace contract clauses that mandate contractors maintain a “robust and effective” corporate culture and safety program. Report says Musk used illegal drugs NASA's comments came nearly a week after a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) said that Elon Musk had used illegal drugs that worried employees at SpaceX as well as Tesla. The report said that Musk has used LSD, cocaine, and ecstasy, often at private parties around the world. The world's wealthiest person has previously smoked marijuana in public and has said that he has a prescription for ketamine. People close to Musk, 52, said his drug use is ongoing, especially his consumption of ketamine, and that they are concerned it could cause a health crisis, the WSJ report said. Also watch: SpaceX and Tesla officials upset over Elon Musk's alleged drug use × Alex Spiro, Musk's lawyer, said that his client was regularly and randomly drug-tested at SpaceX and has never failed a test. Citing sources, the publication's report said that one former Tesla director was so frustrated with Musk's volatility and her concerns about his drug consumption that she didn’t stand for re-election to the electric car company’s board in 2019. (With inputs from agencies)

No evidence of drug use at SpaceX that can risk rocket launch: NASA

<p>The mother of all collisions for Earth has (till now) been the asteroid that struck millions of years ago bringing the age of the dinosaurs to an end. Let's hope that remains the only planet-scale collision our homeworld has ever had the ill-fate to suffer. But Universe is filled with celestial bodies hundreds of times bigger than Earth. And when you consider galactic collisions, the scale is mind-boggling.</p>

<p>NASA and the European Space Agency's (ESA) Hubble Space Telescope has captured one such collision or merger of two galaxies each of which contains milliions and millions of stars and planets.</p>

<p>On Monday (January 8), the ESA posted the image on its official handle on X (formerly Twitter).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The image shows 'Arp 122'. It's a galaxy that contains two galaxies that are in the process of merging. In the upper part of this merger, is the galaxy NGC 6040. It is a spiral galaxy that's currently being warped due to the merger. Immediately below it, we have LEDA 59642, another spiral galaxy that's visible in 'face-on' position.</p>

<p>Both the galaxies are colliding</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">📷 This NASA/ESA <a href="https://twitter.com/HUBBLE_space?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HUBBLE_space</a> Telescope image features Arp 122, a peculiar galaxy that in fact comprises two galaxies — NGC 6040, the tilted, warped spiral galaxy and LEDA 59642, the round, face-on spiral — that are in the midst of a collision.<br />
<br />
Galactic collisions and mergers… <a href="https://t.co/riQOmPKb4r">pic.twitter.com/riQOmPKb4r</a></p>
— ESA (@esa) <a href="https://twitter.com/esa/status/1744279587738042615?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Due to their immense size, it takes years and years for such mergers to complete. We are talking about millions and millions of years. This is because, galaxies have so many stars planets, gas and dust that to neatly accommodate it with millions of stars, planets, gas and dust of the other galaxy, it requires time. And truly huge distances in space make galactic merger a really slow and long-drawn process.</p>

<p>Our Milky Way Galaxy will merge with its neighbour Andromeda galaxy. When they merge, both galaxies will lose their spiral shape and the resultant galaxy will not have the beautiful spiral arms we associate with Milky Way Galaxy.</p>

<p>But 4 billion years are to pass before both galaxies will even begin to merge. And complete merger will takes hundreds of millions of years more.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The mother of all collisions for Earth has (till now) been the asteroid that struck millions of years ago bringing the age of the dinosaurs to an end. Let's hope that remains the only planet-scale collision our homeworld has ever had the ill-fate to suffer.

The mother of all collisions for Earth has (till now) been the asteroid that struck millions of years ago bringing the age of the dinosaurs to an end. Let's hope that remains the only planet-scale collision our homeworld has ever had the ill-fate to suffer. But Universe is filled with celestial bodies hundreds of times bigger than Earth. And when you consider galactic collisions, the scale is mind-boggling. NASA and the European Space Agency's (ESA) Hubble Space Telescope has captured one such collision or merger of two galaxies each of which contains milliions and millions of stars and planets. On Monday (January 8), the ESA posted the image on its official handle on X (formerly Twitter). The image shows 'Arp 122'. It's a galaxy that contains two galaxies that are in the process of merging. In the upper part of this merger, is the galaxy NGC 6040. It is a spiral galaxy that's currently being warped due to the merger. Immediately below it, we have LEDA 59642, another spiral galaxy that's visible in 'face-on' position. Both the galaxies are colliding 📷 This NASA/ESA @HUBBLE_space Telescope image features Arp 122, a peculiar galaxy that in fact comprises two galaxies — NGC 6040, the tilted, warped spiral galaxy and LEDA 59642, the round, face-on spiral — that are in the midst of a collision. Galactic collisions and mergers… pic.twitter.com/riQOmPKb4r — ESA (@esa) January 8, 2024 × Due to their immense size, it takes years and years for such mergers to complete. We are talking about millions and millions of years. This is because, galaxies have so many stars planets, gas and dust that to neatly accommodate it with millions of stars, planets, gas and dust of the other galaxy, it requires time. And truly huge distances in space make galactic merger a really slow and long-drawn process. Our Milky Way Galaxy will merge with its neighbour Andromeda galaxy. When they merge, both galaxies will lose their spiral shape and the resultant galaxy will not have the beautiful spiral arms we associate with Milky Way Galaxy. But 4 billion years are to pass before both galaxies will even begin to merge. And complete merger will takes hundreds of millions of years more. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Hubble Telescope captures a spectacular galactic collision

<p>Vulcan Centaur, the first American spacecraft to attempt a Moon landing in more than half a century, blasted off early Monday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.</p>

<p>This time, leading America&nbsp;back to the surface of the Moon is the nation's private industry.</p>

<h2><strong>A success</strong></h2>

<p>The brand-new rocket, by United Launch Alliance, lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 2:18 am (7:18 GMT) for its maiden voyage. Abroad the spacecraft is Astrobotic's Peregrine Lunar Lander, which is scheduled for touchdown in mid-February.</p>

<p>Taking to X after launch, ULA posted "Successful #VulcanRocket staging, ignition."</p>

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<p>As per AFP, if all goes to plan, Peregrine, which is headed for Sinus Viscositatis, a mid-latitude region of the Moon, will touch down on February 23.</p>

<p>"Leading America back to the surface of the Moon for the first time since Apollo is a momentous honour," said Astrobotic's CEO John Thornton before the launch.</p>

<h2><strong>Curious cargo</strong></h2>

<p>The lander Peregrine is carrying a suite of scientific instruments that will probe the Moon's radiation and surface composition. This will help pave the way for the return of astronauts to the lunar surface.</p>

<p>But it also has some controversial cargo: the cremated remains and DNA of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, legendary sci-fi author and scientist Arthur C. Clarke and a dog. It is also carrying&nbsp;a shoebox-sized rover built by Carnegie Mellon University and a physical Bitcoin.</p>

<h2><strong>Private companies&nbsp;helm the mission</strong></h2>

<p>Under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) programme, the United States has turned to the commercial sector to ship its hardware to the moon at a fraction of the cost.</p>

<p>For the moon landing, it paid Astrobotic more than $100 million for the task. Another moon mission, to land near the South Pole, will be undertaken by Houston-based Intuitive Machines in February.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-responds-to-reports-that-lost-asteroid-might-hit-earth-in-2024-677727">Will a lost asteroid hit Earth this year? This is what NASA has to say</a></strong></p>

<p>As per Joel Kearns, NASA's deputy associate administrator for exploration, "We think that it's going to allow... more cost-effective and more rapidly accomplished trips to the lunar surface to prepare for Artemis."</p>

<p>Artemis is the US' attempt to return humans to the Moon this decade.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>A momentous feat</strong></h2>

<p>Controlled touchdown on the Moon, as per the report, is a challenging undertaking. Roughly half the attempts to land on the moon have resulted in failure.</p>

<p>To date, only a handful of nations have succeeded: The Soviet Union in 1966, the United States in 1969 — the only nation to put humans on the Moon, China — which has successfully landed thrice in the last decade and India: the latest to achieve this feat, on its second attempt.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Vulcan Centaur, the first American spacecraft to attempt a Moon landing in more than half a century, blasted off early Monday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Vulcan Centaur, the first American spacecraft to attempt a Moon landing in more than half a century, blasted off early Monday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This time, leading America back to the surface of the Moon is the nation's private industry. A success The brand-new rocket, by United Launch Alliance, lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 2:18 am (7:18 GMT) for its maiden voyage. Abroad the spacecraft is Astrobotic's Peregrine Lunar Lander, which is scheduled for touchdown in mid-February. Taking to X after launch, ULA posted "Successful #VulcanRocket staging, ignition." Also read | US coal miners discover mammoth tusk buried for thousands of years As per AFP, if all goes to plan, Peregrine, which is headed for Sinus Viscositatis, a mid-latitude region of the Moon, will touch down on February 23. "Leading America back to the surface of the Moon for the first time since Apollo is a momentous honour," said Astrobotic's CEO John Thornton before the launch. Curious cargo The lander Peregrine is carrying a suite of scientific instruments that will probe the Moon's radiation and surface composition. This will help pave the way for the return of astronauts to the lunar surface. But it also has some controversial cargo: the cremated remains and DNA of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, legendary sci-fi author and scientist Arthur C. Clarke and a dog. It is also carrying a shoebox-sized rover built by Carnegie Mellon University and a physical Bitcoin. Private companies helm the mission Under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) programme, the United States has turned to the commercial sector to ship its hardware to the moon at a fraction of the cost. For the moon landing, it paid Astrobotic more than $100 million for the task. Another moon mission, to land near the South Pole, will be undertaken by Houston-based Intuitive Machines in February. Also read | Will a lost asteroid hit Earth this year? This is what NASA has to say As per Joel Kearns, NASA's deputy associate administrator for exploration, "We think that it's going to allow... more cost-effective and more rapidly accomplished trips to the lunar surface to prepare for Artemis." Artemis is the US' attempt to return humans to the Moon this decade. A momentous feat Controlled touchdown on the Moon, as per the report, is a challenging undertaking. Roughly half the attempts to land on the moon have resulted in failure. To date, only a handful of nations have succeeded: The Soviet Union in 1966, the United States in 1969 — the only nation to put humans on the Moon, China — which has successfully landed thrice in the last decade and India: the latest to achieve this feat, on its second attempt. (With inputs from agencies)

Vulcan Centaur, America's first lunar lander in more than 50 years, takes off for the Moon

NASA's James Webb celebrates two years of stunning observations. A look at NASA' James Webb space telescope's latest images. Watch the video to know more!

NASA James Webb Telescope captures stunning pictures of the universe | Science News | WION

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuiduQV2JdBtHKzk" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>NASA ha put an end to concerns about a lost 54-million-tonne asteroid hitting Earth in 2024.</p>

<p>In response to a November report by a news outlet stating that 2007 FT3, the asteroid, had a slight possibility of striking Earth in 2024, the space agency has issued a statement saying that there are no known asteroid crash dangers to Earth at any time in the century.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2007, scientists first spotted the 984-foot-long asteroid. However, eventually, they lost track of it and categorised it as a "lost asteroid."</p>

<p>According to the report by the news outlet, the chances of the asteroid slamming into Earth were around 1 in 10 million on 3 March 2030 and 1 in 11.5 million on 5 October 2024.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA told The Standard, "There are no known asteroid impact threats to Earth at any time in the next century. NASA and its partners diligently watch the skies to find, track, and categorise asteroids and near-Earth objects (NEOs), including those who come close to Earth."</p>

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<p>Before scientists lost track of the 2007 FT3, they were able to gather information about the asteroid. They observed 14 points in its arc over the two days it remained in NASA's view. The researchers have also calculated its orbit and looked into its possible collisions with Earth.</p>

<p>The asteroid has made it to NASA's Sentry Risk Table of objects that could impact our planet. NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies has also identified 89 potential impacts that 2007 FT3 can have on Earth, one of which is on 5 October 2024.</p>

<p>However, the space agency clarified that it was nothing to worry about, as one potential point of impact when the asteroid was closest to the Earth had already passed in 2019.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"An important note here is planetary scientists define asteroid approaches that come within 30 million miles of Earth's orbit as close approaches. The larger an asteroid is, the easier it is for our planetary defence experts to find, meaning that their orbits around the sun are usually very well-known and understood for years or even decades," NASA said.</p>

<p>NASA and other space agencies keep watching the near-Earth objects that could cause devastation if they cross paths with Earth.</p>

<p>Astronomers can predict the orbits of these space bodies up to about a hundred years in the future.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA ha put an end to concerns about a lost 54-million-tonne asteroid hitting Earth in 2024. In response to a November report by a news outlet stating that 2007 FT3, the asteroid, had a slight possibility of striking Earth in 2024, the space agency has issued a statement saying that there are no known asteroid crash dangers to Earth at any time in the century.

NASA ha put an end to concerns about a lost 54-million-tonne asteroid hitting Earth in 2024. In response to a November report by a news outlet stating that 2007 FT3, the asteroid, had a slight possibility of striking Earth in 2024, the space agency has issued a statement saying that there are no known asteroid crash dangers to Earth at any time in the century. In 2007, scientists first spotted the 984-foot-long asteroid. However, eventually, they lost track of it and categorised it as a "lost asteroid." According to the report by the news outlet, the chances of the asteroid slamming into Earth were around 1 in 10 million on 3 March 2030 and 1 in 11.5 million on 5 October 2024. NASA told The Standard, "There are no known asteroid impact threats to Earth at any time in the next century. NASA and its partners diligently watch the skies to find, track, and categorise asteroids and near-Earth objects (NEOs), including those who come close to Earth." ALSO READ | In shocking first, shark’s fin regenerates less than a year after being ‘torn by humans’ Before scientists lost track of the 2007 FT3, they were able to gather information about the asteroid. They observed 14 points in its arc over the two days it remained in NASA's view. The researchers have also calculated its orbit and looked into its possible collisions with Earth. The asteroid has made it to NASA's Sentry Risk Table of objects that could impact our planet. NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies has also identified 89 potential impacts that 2007 FT3 can have on Earth, one of which is on 5 October 2024. However, the space agency clarified that it was nothing to worry about, as one potential point of impact when the asteroid was closest to the Earth had already passed in 2019. "An important note here is planetary scientists define asteroid approaches that come within 30 million miles of Earth's orbit as close approaches. The larger an asteroid is, the easier it is for our planetary defence experts to find, meaning that their orbits around the sun are usually very well-known and understood for years or even decades," NASA said. NASA and other space agencies keep watching the near-Earth objects that could cause devastation if they cross paths with Earth. Astronomers can predict the orbits of these space bodies up to about a hundred years in the future. (With inputs from agencies)

Will a lost asteroid hit Earth this year? This is what NASA has to say

<p>Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have uncovered potential massive cyclones, storms, and dynamic weather activity on the hot, Jupiter-sized exoplanet WASP-121 b, located 880 light-years away.</p>

<p>This discovery, achieved by combining years of Hubble observations and sophisticated computer modeling is a crucial early step in unraveling the mysteries of weather patterns on distant worlds.</p>

<p>Although WASP-121 b&nbsp;is uninhabitable, the findings hold promise for identifying potentially habitable exoplanets with stable, long-term climates in the future.</p>

<p>"The remarkable details of our exoplanet atmosphere simulations allow us to accurately model the weather on ultra-hot planets like WASP-121 b," Jack Skinner, a postdoctoral fellow at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California, and co-leader of the study said, as per NASA.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Here we make a significant step forward by combining observational constraints with atmosphere simulations to understand the time-varying weather on these planets."</p>

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<p>The international team of astronomers, led by Quentin Changeat, a European Space Agency Research Fellow at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, meticulously assembled and reprocessed Hubble observations of WASP-121 b taken in 2016, 2018, and 2019.</p>

<p>Their findings unveiled a dynamic atmosphere on WASP-121 b over time.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The team's research suggested that the existence of massive weather fronts, storms, and cyclones on WASP-121 b is triggered by the substantial temperature difference between the star-facing side and the dark side of the exoplanet.</p>

<p>Additionally, an offset between the hottest region and the point closest to the star, along with variability in the chemical composition of the atmosphere, was detected through spectroscopy.</p>

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<p>WASP-121 b's close proximity to its parent star results in an incredibly short orbital period of 1.27 days. Daytime temperatures on the star-facing side reach a scorching 3,450 degrees Fahrenheit (2,150 degrees Kelvin).</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have uncovered potential massive cyclones, storms, and dynamic weather activity on the hot, Jupiter-sized exoplanet WASP-121 b, located 880 light-years away.

Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have uncovered potential massive cyclones, storms, and dynamic weather activity on the hot, Jupiter-sized exoplanet WASP-121 b, located 880 light-years away. This discovery, achieved by combining years of Hubble observations and sophisticated computer modeling is a crucial early step in unraveling the mysteries of weather patterns on distant worlds. Although WASP-121 b is uninhabitable, the findings hold promise for identifying potentially habitable exoplanets with stable, long-term climates in the future. "The remarkable details of our exoplanet atmosphere simulations allow us to accurately model the weather on ultra-hot planets like WASP-121 b," Jack Skinner, a postdoctoral fellow at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California, and co-leader of the study said, as per NASA. "Here we make a significant step forward by combining observational constraints with atmosphere simulations to understand the time-varying weather on these planets." Also Read | Spectacular! Japan's XRISM satellite provides first glimpse into X-ray cosmos The international team of astronomers, led by Quentin Changeat, a European Space Agency Research Fellow at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, meticulously assembled and reprocessed Hubble observations of WASP-121 b taken in 2016, 2018, and 2019. Their findings unveiled a dynamic atmosphere on WASP-121 b over time. Also Read | Sulfuric acid-laden Venusian clouds reveal potential for extraterrestrial life: New study The team's research suggested that the existence of massive weather fronts, storms, and cyclones on WASP-121 b is triggered by the substantial temperature difference between the star-facing side and the dark side of the exoplanet. Additionally, an offset between the hottest region and the point closest to the star, along with variability in the chemical composition of the atmosphere, was detected through spectroscopy. Watch | Bangladesh General Elections: PM Sheikh Hasina's Awami league set for fourth consecutive term × WASP-121 b's close proximity to its parent star results in an incredibly short orbital period of 1.27 days. Daytime temperatures on the star-facing side reach a scorching 3,450 degrees Fahrenheit (2,150 degrees Kelvin). (With inputs from agencies)

Massive cyclones, storms... NASA’s Hubble space telescope sees chaos on exoplanet WASP-121 b

Intuitive Machines, Inc. announced last month — in coordination with SpaceX — the launch of the Company’s IM-1 lunar mission, now targeted for a multi-day launch window that opens no earlier than mid-February this year.

Intuitive Machines scheduled to launch IM-1 lunar mission in February

<p>In a rare move, NASA is extending a unique opportunity to the public to have their names fly to the lunar surface aboard the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER), as per a statement by the space agency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As part of the "Send Your Name with VIPER" campaign, space enthusiasts worldwide can now be a part of history by sending their names before the deadline on March 15, 2024.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nicola Fox, Associate Administrator of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, reportedly expressed the importance of the moon mission, stating, "With VIPER, we are going to study and explore parts of the Moon’s surface no one has ever been to before – and with this campaign, we are inviting the world to be part of that risky yet rewarding journey."</p>

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<p>NASA's "Send Your Name with VIPER" website not only allows participants to submit their names but also offers the chance to create and download a virtual boarding pass as a memento of their involvement in this historic mission.</p>

<p>Social media users are encouraged to share their excitement using the hashtag #SendYourName, as per the space agency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Daniel Andrews, VIPER's project manager at NASA’s Ames Research Center, stressed the rover's groundbreaking role, stating, "Our VIPER is a game-changer. It’s the first mission of its kind, expanding our understanding of where lunar resources could be harvested to support a long-term human presence on the Moon."</p>

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<p>Scheduled for a late 2024 delivery to the lunar surface by Astrobotic Technologies’ Griffin Mission One, VIPER is set to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.</p>

<p>The rover, a part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative under the Artemis programme, will endure a roughly 100-day mission to gather crucial data about lunar ice and potential resources.</p>

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<p>NASA's VIPER mission is a pivotal step towards establishing a long-term cadence of Moon missions in preparation for human exploration near the lunar South Pole and future missions to Mars.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a rare move, NASA is extending a unique opportunity to the public to have their names fly to the lunar surface aboard the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER), as per a statement by the space agency.

In a rare move, NASA is extending a unique opportunity to the public to have their names fly to the lunar surface aboard the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER), as per a statement by the space agency. As part of the "Send Your Name with VIPER" campaign, space enthusiasts worldwide can now be a part of history by sending their names before the deadline on March 15, 2024. Nicola Fox, Associate Administrator of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, reportedly expressed the importance of the moon mission, stating, "With VIPER, we are going to study and explore parts of the Moon’s surface no one has ever been to before – and with this campaign, we are inviting the world to be part of that risky yet rewarding journey." Also Read | ISRO prepares for crucial manoeuvre of Aditya-L1 solar probe NASA's "Send Your Name with VIPER" website not only allows participants to submit their names but also offers the chance to create and download a virtual boarding pass as a memento of their involvement in this historic mission. Social media users are encouraged to share their excitement using the hashtag #SendYourName, as per the space agency. Daniel Andrews, VIPER's project manager at NASA’s Ames Research Center, stressed the rover's groundbreaking role, stating, "Our VIPER is a game-changer. It’s the first mission of its kind, expanding our understanding of where lunar resources could be harvested to support a long-term human presence on the Moon." Also Read | NASA announces 13 ideas that won $175,000 under prestigious NIAC programme Scheduled for a late 2024 delivery to the lunar surface by Astrobotic Technologies’ Griffin Mission One, VIPER is set to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The rover, a part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative under the Artemis programme, will endure a roughly 100-day mission to gather crucial data about lunar ice and potential resources. Watch | McDonald's CEO blames 'misinformation' for West Asia sales hit × NASA's VIPER mission is a pivotal step towards establishing a long-term cadence of Moon missions in preparation for human exploration near the lunar South Pole and future missions to Mars. (With inputs from agencies)

Want to fly your name to Moon? Here’s how NASA campaign can help

NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program is funding 13 revolutionary ideas set to transform space exploration. With advancements in areas like solar-powered flight, nuclear engine technology, and strategies for Mars habitation, among others, NASA aims to transform space exploration by funding future-proof concepts that can make the next giant leap.

Gravitas | NASA reveals 13 groundbreaking concepts to revolutionise space exploration

Nasa selects awardees to receive 2024 NIAC phase i grants for innovative concept studies. The American space agency chooses 13 recipients who will get a combined maximum award of $175,000 to operationalise their ideas.

Nasa names 2024 innovative concept studies

<p>Scientists have compiled a captivating time-lapse movie using 14 years of data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. The footage, compiled by Seth Digel, a senior staff scientist at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, shows the Sun traversing the celestial expanse against a backdrop of high-energy sources from both our Milky Way galaxy and beyond.</p>

<p>"The bright, steady gamma-ray glow of the Milky Way is interspersed with intense, days-long flares emanating from near-light-speed jets fueled by supermassive black holes in distant galaxy cores," Digel said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These spectacular eruptions, visible across the sky, occurred millions to billions of years ago, with their light only now reaching Fermi's sensors.</p>

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<p>Gamma rays, the most energetic form of light, take centre stage in the movie. It shows the intensities above 200 million electron volts detected by Fermi's Large Area Telescope between August 2008 and August 2022.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For context, visible light ranges between 2 and 3 electron volts, and brighter colours denote locations with more potent gamma-ray sources.</p>

<h2><strong>What exactly is the time-lapse showing?</strong></h2>

<p>The time-lapse presents two views of the sky.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The first, a rectangular view, shows the entire sky with the Milky Way's central plane as the focal point. This area glows in gamma rays produced by cosmic rays colliding with interstellar gas and starlight, revealing various sources, including neutron stars and supernova remnants.</p>

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<p>The second view, centred on our galaxy's poles, shows distant galaxies, particularly blazars, each hosting a central black hole with a mass exceeding a million suns.</p>

<h2><strong>But where are the gamma-ray bursts?</strong></h2>

<p>Despite the awe-inspiring display, the time-lapse doesn't capture shorter events like gamma-ray bursts, the universe's most powerful explosions. The limitation is due to data processing spanning several days for image refinement.</p>

<h2><strong>About Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope contributes to the study of the intersection between astrophysics and particle physics. It is managed by Goddard Space Flight Center and developed in partnership with the US Department of Energy.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Scientists have compiled a captivating time-lapse movie using 14 years of data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. The footage, compiled by Seth Digel, a senior staff scientist at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, shows the Sun traversing the celestial expanse against a backdrop of high-energy sources from both our Milky Way galaxy and beyond.

Scientists have compiled a captivating time-lapse movie using 14 years of data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. The footage, compiled by Seth Digel, a senior staff scientist at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, shows the Sun traversing the celestial expanse against a backdrop of high-energy sources from both our Milky Way galaxy and beyond. "The bright, steady gamma-ray glow of the Milky Way is interspersed with intense, days-long flares emanating from near-light-speed jets fueled by supermassive black holes in distant galaxy cores," Digel said. These spectacular eruptions, visible across the sky, occurred millions to billions of years ago, with their light only now reaching Fermi's sensors. Also read | Mesmerising time-lapse video captures Earth's beauty from International Space Station Gamma rays, the most energetic form of light, take centre stage in the movie. It shows the intensities above 200 million electron volts detected by Fermi's Large Area Telescope between August 2008 and August 2022. For context, visible light ranges between 2 and 3 electron volts, and brighter colours denote locations with more potent gamma-ray sources. What exactly is the time-lapse showing? The time-lapse presents two views of the sky. The first, a rectangular view, shows the entire sky with the Milky Way's central plane as the focal point. This area glows in gamma rays produced by cosmic rays colliding with interstellar gas and starlight, revealing various sources, including neutron stars and supernova remnants. × The second view, centred on our galaxy's poles, shows distant galaxies, particularly blazars, each hosting a central black hole with a mass exceeding a million suns. But where are the gamma-ray bursts? Despite the awe-inspiring display, the time-lapse doesn't capture shorter events like gamma-ray bursts, the universe's most powerful explosions. The limitation is due to data processing spanning several days for image refinement. About Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope contributes to the study of the intersection between astrophysics and particle physics. It is managed by Goddard Space Flight Center and developed in partnership with the US Department of Energy. (With inputs from agencies)

Video: NASA releases stunning time-lapse footage of gamma-ray sky

<p>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), on Thursday (Jan 4)&nbsp;announced the winners of Phase 1 of the 2024 NIAC (NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts) programme.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is NIAC?</strong></h2>

<p>This programme, as per the US space agency, "fosters pioneering ideas by funding early-stage technology concept studies for future consideration and potential commercialization".&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free, "The daring missions NASA undertakes for the benefit of humanity all begin as just an idea, and NIAC is responsible for inspiring many of those ideas."</p>

<p>"The Ingenuity helicopter flying on Mars and instruments on the MarCO deep space CubeSats can trace their lineage back to NIAC, proving there is a path from creative idea to mission success. And, while not all these concepts will fly, NASA and our partners worldwide can learn from fresh approaches and may eventually use technologies advanced by NIAC," he added.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/video-nasa-releases-stunning-time-lapse-footage-of-gamma-ray-sky-676739">Video: NASA releases stunning time-lapse footage of gamma-ray sky</a></strong></p>

<p>In phase 1, NASA is funding 13 concepts it has chosen from among companies and institutions across the United States. Each idea will receive a maximum of $175,000 in grants.</p>

<p>Here are some interesting, "visionary" ideas that "could transform future NASA missions with the creation of breakthroughs ".</p>

<p>— Mars Aerial and Ground Global Intelligent Explorer (MAGGIE)</p>

<p>Ge-Cheng Zha Coflow Jet, LLC proposes a novel global mobility Mars exploration platform called the Mars Aerial and Ground Intelligent Explorer (MAGGIE). Powered by solar energy, MAGGIE a compact fixed-wing aircraft will fly in the Martian atmosphere with vertical take-off/landing (VTOL) capability.&nbsp;</p>

<p>— A Revolutionary Approach to Interplanetary Space Travel: Studying Torpor in Animals for Space-health in Humans (STASH)</p>

<p>Mammalian hibernation is suggested as a promising way to mitigate the physical and mental health risks of space travel. An essential feature of that is 'torpor' an energy-conserving state involving an active and often deep reduction in metabolic rate. Using animals, Ryan Sprenger from Fauna Bio Inc. wants to study this.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/explained-why-is-india-paying-elon-musks-spacex-to-launch-gsat-20-676608">Explained: Why is India paying Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch GSAT-20?</a></strong></p>

<p>— Add-on to Large-Scale Water Mining Operations on Mars to Screen for Introduced and Alien Life</p>

<p>Steven Benner from the Foundation For Applied Molecular Evolution poses that planned human missions to Mars can complicate the search for life on the alien planet. This project states that dry cached rocks aren't enough and that water mined in preparation for human missions can be used to extract genetic polymers (DNA or alien) using an “agnostic life finding” (ALF) system.</p>

<p>— Swarming Proxima Centauri: Coherent Picospacecraft Swarms Over Interstellar Distances</p>

<p>Thomas Eubanks, Space Initiatives Inc. in Florida, poses that a swarm of tiny probes pushed by a laser light could travel to another star (Proxima Centauri) this century. This swarm of 1000s of probes holds the capability to send an optical signal strong enough to send data back to Earth.</p>

<p>— Sample Return from the Surface of Venus</p>

<p>Venus with temperatures of around 450&nbsp;°C and atmospheric pressure of around 92 has the most hostile environment. Geoffrey Landis NASA Glenn Research Center proposes a new approach to return samples from the planet. They want to use innovations in high-temperature technology and solar aircraft for this.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Apart from these, the following ideas have won the prestigious grant:</strong></h2>

<p>— James Bickford, Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Massachusetts: Thin Film Isotope Nuclear Engine Rocket</p>

<p>— Peter Cabauy, City Labs, Inc., Florida: Autonomous Tritium Micropowered Sensors</p>

<p>— Kenneth Carpenter, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland: A Lunar Long-Baseline Optical Imaging Interferometer: Artemis-enabled Stellar Image</p>

<p>— Matthew McQuinn, University of Washington, Seattle: Solar System-Scale VLBI to Dramatically Improve Cosmological Distance Measurements</p>

<p>— Aaswath Pattabhi Raman, University of California, Los Angeles: Electro-Luminescently Cooled Zero-Boil-Off Propellant Depots Enabling Crewed Exploration of Mars&nbsp;</p>

<p>— Alvaro Romeo-Calvo, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta: Magnetohydrodynamic Drive for Hydrogen and Oxygen Production in Mars Transfer</p>

<p>— Lynn Rothschild, NASA’s Ames Research Center, California’s Silicon Valley: Detoxifying Mars: The Biocatalytic Elimination of Omnipresent Perchlorates</p>

<p>—&nbsp;Beijia Zhang, MIT’s Lincoln Lab, Massachusetts: LIFA: Lightweight Fiber-based Antenna for Small Sat-Compatible Radiometry</p>


The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), on Thursday (Jan 4) announced the winners of Phase 1 of the 2024 NIAC (NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts) programme.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), on Thursday (Jan 4) announced the winners of Phase 1 of the 2024 NIAC (NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts) programme. What is NIAC? This programme, as per the US space agency, "fosters pioneering ideas by funding early-stage technology concept studies for future consideration and potential commercialization". As per NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free, "The daring missions NASA undertakes for the benefit of humanity all begin as just an idea, and NIAC is responsible for inspiring many of those ideas." "The Ingenuity helicopter flying on Mars and instruments on the MarCO deep space CubeSats can trace their lineage back to NIAC, proving there is a path from creative idea to mission success. And, while not all these concepts will fly, NASA and our partners worldwide can learn from fresh approaches and may eventually use technologies advanced by NIAC," he added. Also read | Video: NASA releases stunning time-lapse footage of gamma-ray sky In phase 1, NASA is funding 13 concepts it has chosen from among companies and institutions across the United States. Each idea will receive a maximum of $175,000 in grants. Here are some interesting, "visionary" ideas that "could transform future NASA missions with the creation of breakthroughs ". — Mars Aerial and Ground Global Intelligent Explorer (MAGGIE) Ge-Cheng Zha Coflow Jet, LLC proposes a novel global mobility Mars exploration platform called the Mars Aerial and Ground Intelligent Explorer (MAGGIE). Powered by solar energy, MAGGIE a compact fixed-wing aircraft will fly in the Martian atmosphere with vertical take-off/landing (VTOL) capability. — A Revolutionary Approach to Interplanetary Space Travel: Studying Torpor in Animals for Space-health in Humans (STASH) Mammalian hibernation is suggested as a promising way to mitigate the physical and mental health risks of space travel. An essential feature of that is 'torpor' an energy-conserving state involving an active and often deep reduction in metabolic rate. Using animals, Ryan Sprenger from Fauna Bio Inc. wants to study this. Also read | Explained: Why is India paying Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch GSAT-20? — Add-on to Large-Scale Water Mining Operations on Mars to Screen for Introduced and Alien Life Steven Benner from the Foundation For Applied Molecular Evolution poses that planned human missions to Mars can complicate the search for life on the alien planet. This project states that dry cached rocks aren't enough and that water mined in preparation for human missions can be used to extract genetic polymers (DNA or alien) using an “agnostic life finding” (ALF) system. — Swarming Proxima Centauri: Coherent Picospacecraft Swarms Over Interstellar Distances Thomas Eubanks, Space Initiatives Inc. in Florida, poses that a swarm of tiny probes pushed by a laser light could travel to another star (Proxima Centauri) this century. This swarm of 1000s of probes holds the capability to send an optical signal strong enough to send data back to Earth. — Sample Return from the Surface of Venus Venus with temperatures of around 450 °C and atmospheric pressure of around 92 has the most hostile environment. Geoffrey Landis NASA Glenn Research Center proposes a new approach to return samples from the planet. They want to use innovations in high-temperature technology and solar aircraft for this. Apart from these, the following ideas have won the prestigious grant: — James Bickford, Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Massachusetts: Thin Film Isotope Nuclear Engine Rocket — Peter Cabauy, City Labs, Inc., Florida: Autonomous Tritium Micropowered Sensors — Kenneth Carpenter, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland: A Lunar Long-Baseline Optical Imaging Interferometer: Artemis-enabled Stellar Image — Matthew McQuinn, University of Washington, Seattle: Solar System-Scale VLBI to Dramatically Improve Cosmological Distance Measurements — Aaswath Pattabhi Raman, University of California, Los Angeles: Electro-Luminescently Cooled Zero-Boil-Off Propellant Depots Enabling Crewed Exploration of Mars — Alvaro Romeo-Calvo, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta: Magnetohydrodynamic Drive for Hydrogen and Oxygen Production in Mars Transfer — Lynn Rothschild, NASA’s Ames Research Center, California’s Silicon Valley: Detoxifying Mars: The Biocatalytic Elimination of Omnipresent Perchlorates — Beijia Zhang, MIT’s Lincoln Lab, Massachusetts: LIFA: Lightweight Fiber-based Antenna for Small Sat-Compatible Radiometry

NASA announces 13 ideas that won $175,000 under prestigious NIAC programme

<p>Humanity has come a long way from considering Mars a god and even a pesky annoyance on horoscope to actually sending rovers there to study the red planet. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has for decades sents multiple rovers. Curiosity is in one of these rovers that are still on the Martian surface and sending invaluable pictures and videos back to Earth.</p>

<p>And the Martian 'Dawn to Dusk' video has become talk of the town now. Curiosity rover has captured a time-lapse video that shows the passage of time on a Martian day or 'Sol' as it is called. The silhouette of the rover is visible as well.</p>

<p>NASA has said that Curiosity's Hazard-Avoidance Cameras detection cameras or Hazcams have been used to record the time-lapse video.</p>

<p>The video was shot on November 8, which was the 4002nd Martian Day, or sol.</p>

<p>The Hazcams are usually used to detect any obstacles in Curiosity's path and seldom for anything else. Obstacles like big rocks, slopes and so on may hinder the rover's movement or it can even be a safety issue.</p>

<p>But Hazcams were used to make this video as Curiosity's operations are temporarily being scaled-down in light of Mars solar conjunction.</p>

<p>Check out the video</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hey look – I’m a sundial!<br />
<br />
Ok, not exactly, but I did get a sol to enjoy my surroundings. During solar conjunction, I used my hazard cameras to study the Martian weather and dust.<br />
<br />
As this Earth year comes to an end, I hope you’ll take the time to soak in what’s around you. <a href="https://t.co/eCQAcVtT1L">pic.twitter.com/eCQAcVtT1L</a></p>
— Curiosity Rover (@MarsCuriosity) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarsCuriosity/status/1740418956010406302?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Mars solar conjunction is a period when the Sun is between Mars and the Earth. Since solar plasma can interfere with radio communication between the rover and the Earth. Issuing fresh commands to the rover is temporarily stopped for several weeks.</p>

<p>The 'dawn to dusk' video was part of last few commands given before the conjunction.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-creates-roadmap-for-robots-to-visit-icy-moons-with-water-oceans-674692">NASA moving forward with plans to get robots to drill into icy moons of other planets</a></strong></p>

<p>The interesting bit is, that it was not the intention of the scientists to make a dawn-to-dusk video. The intention was to capture the Martian weather.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/massive-devil-comet-with-horns-set-to-blow-tomorrow-say-scientists-674687">Massive 'devil comet' with horns set for another eruption soon, say scientists</a></strong></p>

<p>However, in this particular video, scientists did not see any notable weather phenomenon in the Martian atmosphere. But it made for an interesting watch nonetheless.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Humanity has come a long way from considering Mars a god and even a pesky annoyance on horoscope to actually sending rovers there to study the red planet. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has for decades sents multiple rovers.

Humanity has come a long way from considering Mars a god and even a pesky annoyance on horoscope to actually sending rovers there to study the red planet. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has for decades sents multiple rovers. Curiosity is in one of these rovers that are still on the Martian surface and sending invaluable pictures and videos back to Earth. And the Martian 'Dawn to Dusk' video has become talk of the town now. Curiosity rover has captured a time-lapse video that shows the passage of time on a Martian day or 'Sol' as it is called. The silhouette of the rover is visible as well. NASA has said that Curiosity's Hazard-Avoidance Cameras detection cameras or Hazcams have been used to record the time-lapse video. The video was shot on November 8, which was the 4002nd Martian Day, or sol. The Hazcams are usually used to detect any obstacles in Curiosity's path and seldom for anything else. Obstacles like big rocks, slopes and so on may hinder the rover's movement or it can even be a safety issue. But Hazcams were used to make this video as Curiosity's operations are temporarily being scaled-down in light of Mars solar conjunction. Check out the video Hey look – I’m a sundial! Ok, not exactly, but I did get a sol to enjoy my surroundings. During solar conjunction, I used my hazard cameras to study the Martian weather and dust. As this Earth year comes to an end, I hope you’ll take the time to soak in what’s around you. pic.twitter.com/eCQAcVtT1L — Curiosity Rover (@MarsCuriosity) December 28, 2023 × Mars solar conjunction is a period when the Sun is between Mars and the Earth. Since solar plasma can interfere with radio communication between the rover and the Earth. Issuing fresh commands to the rover is temporarily stopped for several weeks. The 'dawn to dusk' video was part of last few commands given before the conjunction. Also Read | NASA moving forward with plans to get robots to drill into icy moons of other planets The interesting bit is, that it was not the intention of the scientists to make a dawn-to-dusk video. The intention was to capture the Martian weather. Also Read | Massive 'devil comet' with horns set for another eruption soon, say scientists However, in this particular video, scientists did not see any notable weather phenomenon in the Martian atmosphere. But it made for an interesting watch nonetheless. (With inputs from agencies)

Curiosity rover records a Martian day from dawn to dusk in breathtaking video

<p>BTS might be on a break right now,&nbsp;but the boy band continues to remain in the news and break records. US space agency NASA has reportedly selected three of the band's songs for their upcoming lunar mission. Most of the members of the seven-member band are currently on their mandatory military enlistment, including singer-rapper RM. However, the 29-year-old artist has created history as his solo track Moonchild features in NASA's The Moon Tunes Playlist.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
So which BTS songs has NASA selected for their latest voyage? Apart from RM's solo track "Moonchild", the space agency has selected two space-themed BTS songs. The Moon Tunes Playlist will feature BTS' "Mikrokosmos" and "134340".<br />
<br />
RM&nbsp;is now the only K-pop solo artist whose song will be played in space during NASA's 2024 voyage. The selection of the song is being seen as a big cultural move.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
NASA is currently gearing up for its next moon mission to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11. For their upcoming voyage, they have curated a special playlist and named it Moon Tunes playlist.&nbsp;</p>


BTS might be on a break right now, but the boy band continues to remain in the news and break records. US space agency NASA has reportedly selected three of the band's songs for their upcoming lunar mission.

BTS might be on a break right now, but the boy band continues to remain in the news and break records. US space agency NASA has reportedly selected three of the band's songs for their upcoming lunar mission. Most of the members of the seven-member band are currently on their mandatory military enlistment, including singer-rapper RM. However, the 29-year-old artist has created history as his solo track Moonchild features in NASA's The Moon Tunes Playlist. So which BTS songs has NASA selected for their latest voyage? Apart from RM's solo track "Moonchild", the space agency has selected two space-themed BTS songs. The Moon Tunes Playlist will feature BTS' "Mikrokosmos" and "134340". RM is now the only K-pop solo artist whose song will be played in space during NASA's 2024 voyage. The selection of the song is being seen as a big cultural move. NASA is currently gearing up for its next moon mission to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11. For their upcoming voyage, they have curated a special playlist and named it Moon Tunes playlist.

NASA's new voyage to have two BTS tracks and a solo track by RM 

<p>Forty years after Indian Air Force Pilot and Astronaut Rakesh Sharma flew to space and stayed there for a week (as part of the Soviet Interkosmos programme), Indian astronauts are to commence training for a trip to the International Space Station (ISS), as part of a US-led mission. Expected to happen in 2024, the Indian trip to the International Space Station (ISS) is meant to offer a practical learning experience and serve as a precursor to India's own effort to send&nbsp;astronauts to space and return&nbsp;them safely - an ambitious mission known as 'Gaganyaan'. So far, astronauts from more than 20 nations have visited and stayed at the ISS, a space-based lab that has been orbiting the Earth (at an altitude of 400 km) for more than 25 years.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">India: ISRO plans 2 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gaganyaan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gaganyaan</a> unmanned flights in 2024<br />
<br />
It's a highly challenging mission, we need to gain experience, and our astronauts are going through training for it: S. Somanath, <a href="https://twitter.com/isro?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@isro</a> chief, speaks to <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sdhrthmp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aditi_dv?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@aditi_dv</a> brings you this report<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WIONExclusive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIONExclusive</a> <a href="https://t.co/x56OgkefGU">pic.twitter.com/x56OgkefGU</a></p>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1742413351987421615?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Starting the New Year with a successful launch mission PSLV-C58/XPoSat, Dr S&nbsp;Somanath, the chief of the Indian space agency said, 2024 would be the year of Gaganyaan preparedness. "Our target is to carry out the astronaut mission by 2025-end, for that we have to cross many milestones. Some of the milestones are three unmanned flights (full rehearsals) of the Human spaceflight mission but without the astronauts. In 2024, we have scheduled two unmanned missions and everything should go well," he told WION.</p>

<p>In the unmanned flights, ISRO would be flying a humanoid robot 'Vyommitra', designed and developed by the ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU). The AI-equipped humanoid robot, onboard computers, and a host of sensors would offer ISRO situational awareness about the conditions within the astronaut-carrying capsule that's going to space and returning.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/rewind-2023-india-has-204-space-startups-sector-received-123mn-investments-675353">Rewind 2023: India has 204 space startups, sector received $123mn investments</a></p>

<p>In October 2023, ISRO had flight tested the Crew Escape System (a mission designated TV-D1), a means of ejecting the crew capsule from the rocket, in case of a mid-flight failure, thereby ensuring a slow and safe parachute-assisted landing in the ocean. ISRO hopes to perform three more such tests, under varying conditions. Two of these are expected in 2024 and one in 2025.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In addition to these, ISRO would have to conduct helicopter-drop tests of the crew-carrying capsule, to validate the parachute systems and also conduct a Pad-abort test, which ejects the crew-carrying capsule from the rocket, in case of a mishap while the rocket is at the launchpad. Overall, 2024 would be a year where ISRO would have to carry out routine launch missions of its operational rockets (SSLV, PSLV, GSLV and LVM3), while also developing and engineering key technologies related to the Gaganyaan mission.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">“Collaboration on Human Spaceflight, including sending an <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Indian</a> astronaut to the International <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/space?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#space</a> station in 2024” says <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> as he lists out areas of bilateral cooperation between <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/india?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#india</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USA</a><br />
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Travel to <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a> &amp; working there will prep astronauts for Gaganyaan <a href="https://t.co/mJfcX4sKdP">pic.twitter.com/mJfcX4sKdP</a></p>
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1672074359031361537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>In recent years, Indian astronaut candidates (specifically chosen Indian Air Force pilots) have completed their initial training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, in Russia. They were at the famed Russian 'Star City', about 30 kilometres north of Moscow, where several generations of Russian and American astronauts have trained for their respective missions. After their return to India, the astronaut candidates have also undergone several theoretical and practical sessions at ISRO centres in India and the Indian Air Force's Institute of Aerospace Medicine. 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</p>

<p>Queried about the commencement of the US phase of training for the Indian astronauts, Dr&nbsp;Somanath told WION that it will happen soon. He 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," he had told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;India plans two Gaganyaan unmanned flights in 2024 | ISRO Chief S Somanath speaks to WION</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-plans-two-gaganyaan-unmanned-flights-in-2024-isro-chief-s-somanath-speaks-to-wion-676051/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>He added that there are many crew modules and different approaches being taken by various American firms to reach the Space Station. He referred to the SpaceX Crew Dragon Capsule, the Boeing Starliner capsule and the variant offered by Blue Origin.&nbsp;</p>

<p>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>

<p>Significant initiatives towards Indo-US Space Cooperation were announced during the Joint Statement delivered by Prime Minister Modi and President Biden, in June 2022. 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>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">First-look of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/indian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#indian</a> astronaut candidates revealed in latest <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndianAirForce?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndianAirForce</a> video 🇮🇳🚀👨‍🚀<br />
<br />
Could be the IAF pilot-astronauts working out&amp; preparing for their new role..why else would they share a back-facing-camera shot ?? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/isro?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#isro</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/india?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#india</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/space?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#space</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gaganyaan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gaganyaan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Science?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Science</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tech?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#tech</a> <a href="https://t.co/0WbsyHElXI">pic.twitter.com/0WbsyHElXI</a></p>
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1709200253130543198?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>So far, the identities of the four Indian astronaut candidates have not been revealed. The only glimpse offered in this regard is from an Indian Air Force video released as part of the 91st IAF Day celebrations.&nbsp;</p>


Forty years after Indian Air Force Pilot and Astronaut Rakesh Sharma flew to space and stayed there for a week (as part of the Soviet Interkosmos programme), Indian astronauts are to commence training for a trip to the International Space Station (ISS), as part of a US-led mission.

Forty years after Indian Air Force Pilot and Astronaut Rakesh Sharma flew to space and stayed there for a week (as part of the Soviet Interkosmos programme), Indian astronauts are to commence training for a trip to the International Space Station (ISS), as part of a US-led mission. Expected to happen in 2024, the Indian trip to the International Space Station (ISS) is meant to offer a practical learning experience and serve as a precursor to India's own effort to send astronauts to space and return them safely - an ambitious mission known as 'Gaganyaan'. So far, astronauts from more than 20 nations have visited and stayed at the ISS, a space-based lab that has been orbiting the Earth (at an altitude of 400 km) for more than 25 years. India: ISRO plans 2 #Gaganyaan unmanned flights in 2024 It's a highly challenging mission, we need to gain experience, and our astronauts are going through training for it: S. Somanath, @isro chief, speaks to @sdhrthmp @aditi_dv brings you this report#WIONExclusive pic.twitter.com/x56OgkefGU — WION (@WIONews) January 3, 2024 × Starting the New Year with a successful launch mission PSLV-C58/XPoSat, Dr S Somanath, the chief of the Indian space agency said, 2024 would be the year of Gaganyaan preparedness. "Our target is to carry out the astronaut mission by 2025-end, for that we have to cross many milestones. Some of the milestones are three unmanned flights (full rehearsals) of the Human spaceflight mission but without the astronauts. In 2024, we have scheduled two unmanned missions and everything should go well," he told WION. In the unmanned flights, ISRO would be flying a humanoid robot 'Vyommitra', designed and developed by the ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU). The AI-equipped humanoid robot, onboard computers, and a host of sensors would offer ISRO situational awareness about the conditions within the astronaut-carrying capsule that's going to space and returning. Also read: Rewind 2023: India has 204 space startups, sector received $123mn investments In October 2023, ISRO had flight tested the Crew Escape System (a mission designated TV-D1), a means of ejecting the crew capsule from the rocket, in case of a mid-flight failure, thereby ensuring a slow and safe parachute-assisted landing in the ocean. ISRO hopes to perform three more such tests, under varying conditions. Two of these are expected in 2024 and one in 2025. In addition to these, ISRO would have to conduct helicopter-drop tests of the crew-carrying capsule, to validate the parachute systems and also conduct a Pad-abort test, which ejects the crew-carrying capsule from the rocket, in case of a mishap while the rocket is at the launchpad. Overall, 2024 would be a year where ISRO would have to carry out routine launch missions of its operational rockets (SSLV, PSLV, GSLV and LVM3), while also developing and engineering key technologies related to the Gaganyaan mission. “Collaboration on Human Spaceflight, including sending an #Indian astronaut to the International #space station in 2024” says @POTUS as he lists out areas of bilateral cooperation between #india & #USA Travel to @Space_Station & working there will prep astronauts for Gaganyaan pic.twitter.com/mJfcX4sKdP — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) June 23, 2023 × In recent years, Indian astronaut candidates (specifically chosen Indian Air Force pilots) have completed their initial training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, in Russia. They were at the famed Russian 'Star City', about 30 kilometres north of Moscow, where several generations of Russian and American astronauts have trained for their respective missions. After their return to India, the astronaut candidates have also undergone several theoretical and practical sessions at ISRO centres in India and the Indian Air Force's Institute of Aerospace Medicine. 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 Queried about the commencement of the US phase of training for the Indian astronauts, Dr Somanath told WION that it will happen soon. He 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," he had told WION. Watch: India plans two Gaganyaan unmanned flights in 2024 | ISRO Chief S Somanath speaks to WION He added that there are many crew modules and different approaches being taken by various American firms to reach the Space Station. He referred to the SpaceX Crew Dragon Capsule, the Boeing Starliner capsule and the variant offered by Blue Origin. 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. Significant initiatives towards Indo-US Space Cooperation were announced during the Joint Statement delivered by Prime Minister Modi and President Biden, in June 2022. 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. First-look of #indian astronaut candidates revealed in latest #IndianAirForce video 🇮🇳🚀👨‍🚀 Could be the IAF pilot-astronauts working out& preparing for their new role..why else would they share a back-facing-camera shot ?? #isro #india #space #Gaganyaan #Science #tech pic.twitter.com/0WbsyHElXI — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) October 3, 2023 × So far, the identities of the four Indian astronaut candidates have not been revealed. The only glimpse offered in this regard is from an Indian Air Force video released as part of the 91st IAF Day celebrations.

Exclusive: Indian astronauts to soon train at NASA's Johnson Space Center

After Chandrayaan-3's success, ISRO is determined to send two unmanned flights in 2024. The Gaganyaan mission targetted for 2025 aims to send astronauts to space and the mission will carry a crew of two or three astronauts.

WION Exclusive: Indian astronauts to soon train at NASA's Johnson Centre | India News | WION

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<p>Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, has been a topic of fascination among astronomers for decades. A whopping 95 Jupiter moons have been&nbsp;officially discovered and recognised to date. These moons have generated an equal amount of interest, especially lo, the one that sees intense volcanic activity.</p>

<p>Juno, the NASA spacecraft orbiting Jupiter,&nbsp;has captured some extremely close images of Jupiter's tortured moon, Io, the most volcanic world in our solar system. These images are unlike anything you have ever seen and might even give you the shivers.</p>

<p>Juno, on December 30, was just some 930 miles (1.500 kilometres) away from Jupiter's volcanic moon. Juno has moved progressively closer to Io over the last year. In space terms, this distance is quite close, only three times farther than the Hubble telescope orbits Earth.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">On Dec. 30, our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JunoMission?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JunoMission</a> made its closest-ever approach to Jupiter’s moon Io, soaring about 930 miles (1,500 km) above the solar system’s most volcanic world.<br />
<br />
Juno captured Io’s molten surface and will return for another look in February: <a href="https://t.co/UnZpyaFMsC">https://t.co/UnZpyaFMsC</a> <a href="https://t.co/NO4iGndmZ0">pic.twitter.com/NO4iGndmZ0</a></p>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1742310312571760843?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Juno survived the extreme radiation around the gas giant to make the near pass and captured impressive images of volcanoes on Jupiter's volcano-blanketed moon. Such high levels of radiation could damage the spacecraft's instruments. For example, a radiation surge during an Io flyby caused the loss of some pictures in 2022.</p>

<p>In 2016, NASA's Alas arrived around Jupiter and endured after following a 1,740-million-mile journey.</p>

<p>Professional and amateur image processors working for NASA or related space research programmes have processed the images sent by NASA's Juno, removing the noise and distortion. Over the two decades, these images are the closest views of Io captured.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>About NASA's Juno</strong></h2>

<p>Juno has performed 56 flybys of Jupiter, documenting close encounters with three of its four largest moons. Juno's principal investigator, Scott Bolton of the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas, said, "By combining data from this flyby with our previous observations, the Juno science team is studying how Io's volcanoes vary."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/perihelion-day-2024-when-earth-is-closest-to-the-sun-all-you-need-to-know-about-astronomical-event-675924">Perihelion Day 2024: When Earth is closest to the Sun | All you need to know about astronomical event</a></p>

<p>Using Juno, researchers will study Io's volcanoes, including their eruption frequencies, brightness, temperatures, and changes in the shape of the lava flow. They will also use the spacecraft to study how Io's activity connects to the flow of charged particles in Jupiter's magnetosphere.&nbsp;</p>
<img alt="Montage of all 5 images of Io taken by NASA Juno 's JunoCAM instrument during the PJ49 encounter on December 30." data-align="center" data-caption="Montage of all 5 images of Io taken by NASA Juno 's JunoCAM instrument during the PJ49 encounter on December 30." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4ec455bd-c1bc-4e18-9586-ebf611fbeb06" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Jupiter%27s%20Io%20%282%29.png" />
<p>Juno will make another close flyby on February 3.</p>

<p>Juno is a part of NASA's New Frontiers Program, managed at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for the agency's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Researchers at NASA will also use Juno to find the source of Io's massive volcanic activity. They will also study the significance of tidal forces from Jupiter, which relentlessly squeeze the tortured moon.</p>

<p>NASA's spacecraft has been watching Io's volcanic activities from distances ranging from about 6,830 miles (11,000 kilometres) to over 62,100 miles (100,000 kilometres). Juo gave the first glimpse of the moon's north and south poles. It has also made close flybys of Jupiter's icy moons, Ganymede and Europa.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, has been a topic of fascination among astronomers for decades. A whopping 95 Jupiter moons have been officially discovered and recognised to date.

Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, has been a topic of fascination among astronomers for decades. A whopping 95 Jupiter moons have been officially discovered and recognised to date. These moons have generated an equal amount of interest, especially lo, the one that sees intense volcanic activity. Juno, the NASA spacecraft orbiting Jupiter, has captured some extremely close images of Jupiter's tortured moon, Io, the most volcanic world in our solar system. These images are unlike anything you have ever seen and might even give you the shivers. Juno, on December 30, was just some 930 miles (1.500 kilometres) away from Jupiter's volcanic moon. Juno has moved progressively closer to Io over the last year. In space terms, this distance is quite close, only three times farther than the Hubble telescope orbits Earth. On Dec. 30, our #JunoMission made its closest-ever approach to Jupiter’s moon Io, soaring about 930 miles (1,500 km) above the solar system’s most volcanic world. Juno captured Io’s molten surface and will return for another look in February: https://t.co/UnZpyaFMsC pic.twitter.com/NO4iGndmZ0 — NASA (@NASA) January 2, 2024 × Juno survived the extreme radiation around the gas giant to make the near pass and captured impressive images of volcanoes on Jupiter's volcano-blanketed moon. Such high levels of radiation could damage the spacecraft's instruments. For example, a radiation surge during an Io flyby caused the loss of some pictures in 2022. In 2016, NASA's Alas arrived around Jupiter and endured after following a 1,740-million-mile journey. Professional and amateur image processors working for NASA or related space research programmes have processed the images sent by NASA's Juno, removing the noise and distortion. Over the two decades, these images are the closest views of Io captured. About NASA's Juno Juno has performed 56 flybys of Jupiter, documenting close encounters with three of its four largest moons. Juno's principal investigator, Scott Bolton of the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas, said, "By combining data from this flyby with our previous observations, the Juno science team is studying how Io's volcanoes vary." ALSO READ | Perihelion Day 2024: When Earth is closest to the Sun | All you need to know about astronomical event Using Juno, researchers will study Io's volcanoes, including their eruption frequencies, brightness, temperatures, and changes in the shape of the lava flow. They will also use the spacecraft to study how Io's activity connects to the flow of charged particles in Jupiter's magnetosphere. Juno will make another close flyby on February 3. Juno is a part of NASA's New Frontiers Program, managed at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for the agency's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Researchers at NASA will also use Juno to find the source of Io's massive volcanic activity. They will also study the significance of tidal forces from Jupiter, which relentlessly squeeze the tortured moon. NASA's spacecraft has been watching Io's volcanic activities from distances ranging from about 6,830 miles (11,000 kilometres) to over 62,100 miles (100,000 kilometres). Juo gave the first glimpse of the moon's north and south poles. It has also made close flybys of Jupiter's icy moons, Ganymede and Europa. (With inputs from agencies)

These closest-ever photos of Jupiter's moon blasting lava will give you cold shivers

Rewind 2023: NASA's James Webb telescope clicked some really good images

NASA's Parker Solar Probe is set to race past the sun at a godly speed of 195 km/s, or 435,000 mph on December 24, 2024.

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe plans to ‘touch the Sun’ in 2024

<p>As the world eagerly anticipates the dawn of 2024, NASA is setting the stage for a year filled with groundbreaking missions, lunar explorations, and a giant leap toward Mars. The space agency's motto for the year, "Onward and Upward," is capturing the essence of its ambitious agenda.</p>

<p>In a captivating video released on its website, NASA outlined a spectacular lineup of missions that promise to push the boundaries of space exploration.</p>

<p>“Landing science on the Moon, demonstrating quiet supersonic aircraft, and launching two new Earth climate satellites, plus a mission to Europa, one of Jupiter’s icy moons, are just a few of the milestones we have planned for 2024,” NASA declared in a statement.</p>

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<p>The Artemis lunar rover, named VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover), is set to touch down on the Moon's South Pole in late 2024. This mobile robot will embark on a 100-day mission into the Moon's extreme environment in search of ice and potential resources and provide crucial details for future human space exploration.</p>

<p>The Artemis mission, a key component of NASA's 2024 agenda, will mark historic milestones by landing the first woman and the first person of colour on the Moon.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-overeating-during-christmas-dont-go-for-quick-fix-weight-loss-jabs-warn-experts-674856">Overeating during Christmas? Don't go for quick-fix weight loss jabs, warn experts</a></p>

<p>These missions will make use of innovative technologies to explore more lunar surfaces than ever before, with an overarching goal of establishing the first long-term human presence on the Moon. The knowledge gained from these endeavours will serve as a springboard for the next monumental achievement: sending astronauts to Mars.</p>

<p>To achieve these ambitious goals, NASA will have the expertise of Axiom Space, which will provide spacesuits for moonwalkers during the Artemis III mission.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-nasas-curiosity-rover-records-dawn-to-dusk-video-on-mars-674781">NASA's Curiosity rover records 'dawn to dusk' video on Mars</a></p>

<p>This collaboration will underscore the importance of cutting-edge technology in ensuring the success of lunar explorations.</p>

<p>Moreover, NASA's Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission to the International Space Station (ISS) is set to take centre stage in 2024. Two astronaut test pilots will participate in this mission, living and working off the Earth for about a week. This mission will be a critical step in NASA's continuous efforts to expand human presence beyond our planet.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


As the world eagerly anticipates the dawn of 2024, NASA is setting the stage for a year filled with groundbreaking missions, lunar explorations, and a giant leap toward Mars.

As the world eagerly anticipates the dawn of 2024, NASA is setting the stage for a year filled with groundbreaking missions, lunar explorations, and a giant leap toward Mars. The space agency's motto for the year, "Onward and Upward," is capturing the essence of its ambitious agenda. In a captivating video released on its website, NASA outlined a spectacular lineup of missions that promise to push the boundaries of space exploration. “Landing science on the Moon, demonstrating quiet supersonic aircraft, and launching two new Earth climate satellites, plus a mission to Europa, one of Jupiter’s icy moons, are just a few of the milestones we have planned for 2024,” NASA declared in a statement. × The Artemis lunar rover, named VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover), is set to touch down on the Moon's South Pole in late 2024. This mobile robot will embark on a 100-day mission into the Moon's extreme environment in search of ice and potential resources and provide crucial details for future human space exploration. The Artemis mission, a key component of NASA's 2024 agenda, will mark historic milestones by landing the first woman and the first person of colour on the Moon. Also Read | Overeating during Christmas? Don't go for quick-fix weight loss jabs, warn experts These missions will make use of innovative technologies to explore more lunar surfaces than ever before, with an overarching goal of establishing the first long-term human presence on the Moon. The knowledge gained from these endeavours will serve as a springboard for the next monumental achievement: sending astronauts to Mars. To achieve these ambitious goals, NASA will have the expertise of Axiom Space, which will provide spacesuits for moonwalkers during the Artemis III mission. Also Read | NASA's Curiosity rover records 'dawn to dusk' video on Mars This collaboration will underscore the importance of cutting-edge technology in ensuring the success of lunar explorations. Moreover, NASA's Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission to the International Space Station (ISS) is set to take centre stage in 2024. Two astronaut test pilots will participate in this mission, living and working off the Earth for about a week. This mission will be a critical step in NASA's continuous efforts to expand human presence beyond our planet. (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH | Moon landings, giant leap on Mars, and more... NASA reveals its 2024 plans

<p lang="en-US">NASA's Parker Solar Probe is set to race past the sun at a godly speed of 195 km/s, or 435,000 mph on December 24, 2024.</p>

<p lang="en-US">Till now, no human-made object has got so close to the surface of the Sun. The probe will be just 6.1 million km, or 3.8 million miles away from the star's boiling surface.</p>

<p lang="en-US">Speaking to BBC News, Parker project scientist Dr Nour Raouafi said, “We are basically almost landing on a star.”</p>

<p lang="en-US">"This will be a monumental achievement for all humanity. This is equivalent to the Moon landing of 1969," said the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory scientist, while speaking to BBC News.</p>

<p lang="en-US"><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sun-releases-strong-x-class-solar-flare-most-powerful-since-2017-669820">Sun releases strongest X-class solar flare since 2017, radio blackout reported over Americas</a></p>

<p lang="en-US">The probe will get its speed from the immense gravitational pull which it feels as it will move towards the Sun. It will be similar to flying from New York to London in just 30 seconds.</p>

<h2 lang="en-US"><strong>Parker Solar Probe and its unearthly challenges</strong></h2>

<p lang="en-US">The Parker Solar Probe of the US Space Agency is one of the most audacious missions to be ever launched. The probe was launched in 2018 and its goal is to make repeated and closer passes of the Sun.</p>

<p lang="en-US">The kind of challenges the probe will face in this mission will be huge. At perihelion, which is the point in the orbit of the probe when it is closest to the star, the temperature on the spacecraft's front will probably reach 1,400ºC.</p>

<p lang="en-US">The strategy of Parker is to get in and out quickly while taking measurements of the solar environment using a suite of instruments which are deployed from behind a thick heat shield.</p>

<p lang="en-US"><strong>Watch:&nbsp;New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller, says report</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/new-evidence-suggests-size-of-the-sun-could-be-smaller-says-report-world-news-wion-656872/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p lang="en-US">The researchers have been hoping that they will get a breakthrough in their knowledge of a few key solar processes. Speaking about the mission, Dr Raouafi said, "This takes on a new dimension, especially now that we're thinking of sending women and men back to the Moon and even setting up a permanent presence on the lunar surface.”</p>

<p lang="en-US">Meanwhile, lead scientist on Parker Dr Nicky Fox, while speaking to BBC News said, "We don't know what we'll find, but we'll be looking for waves in the solar wind associated with the heating. I suspect we'll sense lots of different types of waves which would point to a mix of processes that people have been arguing over for years."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA's Parker Solar Probe is set to race past the sun at a godly speed of 195 km/s, or 435,000 mph on December 24, 2024. Till now, no human-made object has got so close to the surface of the Sun.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe is set to race past the sun at a godly speed of 195 km/s, or 435,000 mph on December 24, 2024. Till now, no human-made object has got so close to the surface of the Sun. The probe will be just 6.1 million km, or 3.8 million miles away from the star's boiling surface. Speaking to BBC News, Parker project scientist Dr Nour Raouafi said, “We are basically almost landing on a star.” "This will be a monumental achievement for all humanity. This is equivalent to the Moon landing of 1969," said the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory scientist, while speaking to BBC News. Also read: Sun releases strongest X-class solar flare since 2017, radio blackout reported over Americas The probe will get its speed from the immense gravitational pull which it feels as it will move towards the Sun. It will be similar to flying from New York to London in just 30 seconds. Parker Solar Probe and its unearthly challenges The Parker Solar Probe of the US Space Agency is one of the most audacious missions to be ever launched. The probe was launched in 2018 and its goal is to make repeated and closer passes of the Sun. The kind of challenges the probe will face in this mission will be huge. At perihelion, which is the point in the orbit of the probe when it is closest to the star, the temperature on the spacecraft's front will probably reach 1,400ºC. The strategy of Parker is to get in and out quickly while taking measurements of the solar environment using a suite of instruments which are deployed from behind a thick heat shield. Watch: New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller, says report The researchers have been hoping that they will get a breakthrough in their knowledge of a few key solar processes. Speaking about the mission, Dr Raouafi said, "This takes on a new dimension, especially now that we're thinking of sending women and men back to the Moon and even setting up a permanent presence on the lunar surface.” Meanwhile, lead scientist on Parker Dr Nicky Fox, while speaking to BBC News said, "We don't know what we'll find, but we'll be looking for waves in the solar wind associated with the heating. I suspect we'll sense lots of different types of waves which would point to a mix of processes that people have been arguing over for years." (With inputs from agencies)

<p>A roadmap was laid out by NASA for addressing major aspects in the development of a robotic system which can explore icy moons with water oceans and are able to crack their thick, icy shells and explore subsurface seas in the hunt for life.<br />
<br />
The space agency recently revealed results from a NASA-sponsored workshop, which was held in February, in which scientists and engineers had collected to hold a discussion around possible "cryobot" mission concepts.<br />
<br />
Scientists have been aiming to crack through the icy exteriors of moons present in the solar system, like Saturn's moon Enceladus or Jupiter's moon Europa, and drop a probe within that which can analyse the underlying liquid ocean.<br />
<br />
The cryobot concept which scientists are trying to explore is similar to drilling into a world and involves the use of a cylindrical device which has been dispatched at the surface of an icy ocean world. The device is expected to melt the ice and slip down slowly as water flows around it and refreezes.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-begins-mission-to-detect-god-of-chaos-asteroid-before-it-hits-earths-orbit-673950">Asteroid Apophis to flyby Earth in first of its kind encounter in recorded history</a></p>

<p>These probes, which use&nbsp;"thermal drilling" technique, have been commonly employed for investigating glaciers and ice caps which are present on Earth. However, the icy shells present in Europa and Enceladus are colder and thicker and the behavioural patterns of these places are far less predictable.<br />
<br />
The focus of researchers has been parlaying current terrestrial thermal drilling operations into extraterrestrial environments through cryobots and NASA's Scientific Exploration Subsurface Access Mechanism for Europa (SESAME) and Concepts for Ocean Worlds Life Detection Technology (COLDTech) programmes.<br />
<br />
Through time, humans have learned much about the ice-capped ocean worlds and hence, the workshop organised at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) gave the scientists the chance to get involved in these projects to reconvene and ensure that these developments include&nbsp;robot mission architecture.</p>

<h2><strong>Finding traces of life in water bodies</strong></h2>

<p>It is known that life is dependent on many important molecules, compounds, and elements and most importantly water. Now, the discovery made by scientists that water overflowed on the arid landscape of Mars offers the inarguably exciting opportunity to discover remains of ancient life.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;NASA streams an ultra-high-definition video of a cat back to Earth from deep space</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasa-streams-an-ultra-high-definition-video-of-a-cat-back-to-earth-from-deep-space-671832/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>However, ocean moons like Europa and Enceladus provide a chance for discovering worlds which are currently habitable and may be actually hosting living things in their waters. Even though they are likely to be microbial, if found it will be revolutionary.<br />
<br />
As per NASA, the Caltech workshop has helped in the identification of four key aspects which will help in creating the roadmap for the alien-water-world-exploring robot's development. Those aspects are communication, mobility, thermal capability and power.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A roadmap was laid out by NASA for addressing major aspects in the development of a robotic system which can explore icy moons with water oceans and are able to crack their thick, icy shells and explore subsurface seas in the hunt for life.

A roadmap was laid out by NASA for addressing major aspects in the development of a robotic system which can explore icy moons with water oceans and are able to crack their thick, icy shells and explore subsurface seas in the hunt for life. The space agency recently revealed results from a NASA-sponsored workshop, which was held in February, in which scientists and engineers had collected to hold a discussion around possible "cryobot" mission concepts. Scientists have been aiming to crack through the icy exteriors of moons present in the solar system, like Saturn's moon Enceladus or Jupiter's moon Europa, and drop a probe within that which can analyse the underlying liquid ocean. The cryobot concept which scientists are trying to explore is similar to drilling into a world and involves the use of a cylindrical device which has been dispatched at the surface of an icy ocean world. The device is expected to melt the ice and slip down slowly as water flows around it and refreezes. Also read: Asteroid Apophis to flyby Earth in first of its kind encounter in recorded history These probes, which use "thermal drilling" technique, have been commonly employed for investigating glaciers and ice caps which are present on Earth. However, the icy shells present in Europa and Enceladus are colder and thicker and the behavioural patterns of these places are far less predictable. The focus of researchers has been parlaying current terrestrial thermal drilling operations into extraterrestrial environments through cryobots and NASA's Scientific Exploration Subsurface Access Mechanism for Europa (SESAME) and Concepts for Ocean Worlds Life Detection Technology (COLDTech) programmes. Through time, humans have learned much about the ice-capped ocean worlds and hence, the workshop organised at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) gave the scientists the chance to get involved in these projects to reconvene and ensure that these developments include robot mission architecture. Finding traces of life in water bodies It is known that life is dependent on many important molecules, compounds, and elements and most importantly water. Now, the discovery made by scientists that water overflowed on the arid landscape of Mars offers the inarguably exciting opportunity to discover remains of ancient life. Watch: NASA streams an ultra-high-definition video of a cat back to Earth from deep space However, ocean moons like Europa and Enceladus provide a chance for discovering worlds which are currently habitable and may be actually hosting living things in their waters. Even though they are likely to be microbial, if found it will be revolutionary. As per NASA, the Caltech workshop has helped in the identification of four key aspects which will help in creating the roadmap for the alien-water-world-exploring robot's development. Those aspects are communication, mobility, thermal capability and power. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA moving forward with plans to get robots to drill into icy moons of other planets

<p>NASA relaunched a mission to study&nbsp;the “God of Chaos” asteroid as it started coming closer to the orbit of Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A spacecraft, which had recently returned from deep space, was returned by NASA to carry out three studies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA’s spacecraft OSIRIS-REx - which has been named the OSIRIS-APEX - was sent off to study the extremely close flyby of asteroid Apophis&nbsp;in 2029, the like&nbsp;of which “hasn’t happened since the dawn of recorded history,” announced NASA.</p>

<p>The spacecraft came back to Earth in September after it collected samples from space rock Bennu for seven years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Apophis, also called the “God of Chaos”, is likely to fly close to Earth on April 13, 2029, and will be only 20,000 miles away, which is closer in comparison to a few manmade satellites and will be visible in the Eastern Hemisphere.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-says-an-asteroid-has-come-near-earth-check-details-673517">NASA says an asteroid has come near Earth, check details</a></p>

<p>The space rock, which measures nearly 370 yards across, approaches the Earth every 7,500 years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The gravity of Earth will affect the space rock as it comes close to the orbit and OSIRIS-APEX will understand the aftermath to see “how its surface changes,” as per Amy Simon, the mission’s project scientist.</p>

<h2><strong>Earth to alter length of day on asteroid</strong></h2>

<p>The Earth’s effects are likely to change the length of the asteroid's day, which at present is around 30.6 hours per day. It can also lead to landslides and quakes on the "God of Chaos".</p>

<p>"We know that tidal forces and the accumulation of rubble pile material are foundational processes that could play a role in planet formation,” said Dani Mendoza DellaGiustina, principal investigator for OSIRIS-APEX at the University of Arizona in Tucson, in a statement.</p>

<p>"They could inform how we got from debris in the early solar system to full-blown planets," DellaGiustina added. On April 13, 2029, the spacecraft will meet the S-type asteroid, but will not land on its surface, and will “operate in proximity” to it for the next 18 months.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;WION Rewind India's moments of glory: India creates Lunar history with Chandrayaan-3</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-rewind-indias-moments-of-glory-india-creates-lunar-history-with-chandrayaan-3-672955/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>NASA said that the spacecraft would not only look to observe the surface changes but would also map the surface and analyse the chemical makeup of the rock.</p>

<p>The spacecraft will also go within 16 feet of the surface of the rock so that its thrusters can be fired downwards to see what has stirred it up and provide scientists with a “peek at the material that lies below.”</p>

<p>Even though the rock is still five years away from coming close to the Earth, scientists will keep tracking it as it reaches its first of six close passes with the sun.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA relaunched a mission to study the “God of Chaos” asteroid as it started coming closer to the orbit of Earth. A spacecraft, which had recently returned from deep space, was returned by NASA to carry out three studies.

NASA relaunched a mission to study the “God of Chaos” asteroid as it started coming closer to the orbit of Earth. A spacecraft, which had recently returned from deep space, was returned by NASA to carry out three studies. NASA’s spacecraft OSIRIS-REx - which has been named the OSIRIS-APEX - was sent off to study the extremely close flyby of asteroid Apophis in 2029, the like of which “hasn’t happened since the dawn of recorded history,” announced NASA. The spacecraft came back to Earth in September after it collected samples from space rock Bennu for seven years. Apophis, also called the “God of Chaos”, is likely to fly close to Earth on April 13, 2029, and will be only 20,000 miles away, which is closer in comparison to a few manmade satellites and will be visible in the Eastern Hemisphere. Also read: NASA says an asteroid has come near Earth, check details The space rock, which measures nearly 370 yards across, approaches the Earth every 7,500 years. The gravity of Earth will affect the space rock as it comes close to the orbit and OSIRIS-APEX will understand the aftermath to see “how its surface changes,” as per Amy Simon, the mission’s project scientist. Earth to alter length of day on asteroid The Earth’s effects are likely to change the length of the asteroid's day, which at present is around 30.6 hours per day. It can also lead to landslides and quakes on the "God of Chaos". "We know that tidal forces and the accumulation of rubble pile material are foundational processes that could play a role in planet formation,” said Dani Mendoza DellaGiustina, principal investigator for OSIRIS-APEX at the University of Arizona in Tucson, in a statement. "They could inform how we got from debris in the early solar system to full-blown planets," DellaGiustina added. On April 13, 2029, the spacecraft will meet the S-type asteroid, but will not land on its surface, and will “operate in proximity” to it for the next 18 months. Watch: WION Rewind India's moments of glory: India creates Lunar history with Chandrayaan-3 NASA said that the spacecraft would not only look to observe the surface changes but would also map the surface and analyse the chemical makeup of the rock. The spacecraft will also go within 16 feet of the surface of the rock so that its thrusters can be fired downwards to see what has stirred it up and provide scientists with a “peek at the material that lies below.” Even though the rock is still five years away from coming close to the Earth, scientists will keep tracking it as it reaches its first of six close passes with the sun. (With inputs from agencies)

Asteroid Apophis to flyby Earth in first of its kind encounter in recorded history

<p>The year 2023 saw some pretty 'out there' moments that at first glance seem like something right out of a sci-fi book. From the space rock being dropped to our planet Earth, to a dangerous journey underwater that took a tragic turn, here are some moments from the departing year that belong in the science fiction aisle of a library.</p>

<h2><strong>Titan Submersible Implosion&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>On June 18th, Titan, a submersible carrying five passengers, embarked on a fascinating expedition to view the wreck of Titanic, a ship known for its tragic end. However, merely 1 hour and 45 minutes into the dive, the submersible lost contact with its mother ship, the 'Polar Prince'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Four days after it went missing, a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) discovered debris containing parts of Titan. It was found merely 500 metres (1,640.42 feet) from the bow of the Titanic.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-lets-rewind-2023-to-medical-breakthroughs-that-gave-world-hope-668897">Explained | Let's 'Rewind 2023' to medical breakthroughs that gave the world hope</a></strong></p>

<p>The Coast Guard announcing the discovery of debris said that it indicated the Titan's implosion and the instantaneous loss of all onboard — Stockton Rush, the founder and CEO of OceanGate; Hamish Harding, a British airline executive; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a renowned French scientist and Titanic expert; and Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, a father-son duo.</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/07/03/364126-new-wion-58.png?imwidth=3840" /></p>

<h2><strong>Alien Mummies in Mexico</strong></h2>

<p>On September 13, journalist and UFO enthusiast Jaime Maussan presented the specimens at a Mexico congressional event on UFOs or FANIs in Spanish.</p>

<p>At the time, Maussan said that the bodies believed to have been found near the mysterious ancient Nazca lines in Peru were not related to life on Earth.</p>

<p>As expected, the scientific community had its doubts. However, in November, at a Congressional hearing in Mexico, researchers declared that the previously displayed three-fingered Peruvian mummies were authentic. However, they cautiously steered away from certifying the remains' extraterrestrial origins.</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/11/08/391965-new-wion-2023-11-08t162956628.jpg?imwidth=3840" /></p>

<h2><strong>NASA's First-Ever Report on UFOs</strong></h2>

<p>September was truly a month of extraterrestrials. Apart from the Peruvian mummies that month, NASA also unveiled a report on UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects), or UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena).</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/trending/8-aigenerated-images-that-went-viral-in-2023-1702466372303" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/trending/8-aigenerated-images-that-went-viral-in-2023-1702466372303&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwis1e6UibKDAxVZTmwGHV1_D9AQFnoECAcQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw2O8NmctanKgzpaYTcgG0pX" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/trending/8-aigenerated-images-that-went-viral-in-2023-1702466372303" target="_blank">Rewind 2023: 8 AI-Generated Images That Went Viral This Year</a></strong></p>

<p>In its report, the US space agency said that it did not find any evidence that the recently reported a spate of UFOs were of extraterrestrial origin. However, Bill Nelson, Administrator of NASA, said that the finding does not mean that the space agency is denying the possibility of life existing elsewhere in the universe.</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/05/17/352229-new-wion-77.png?imwidth=3840" /></p>

<h2><strong>A Special Delivery From Space</strong></h2>

<p>In October, NASA successfully brought to the Earth the largest soil sample scooped from the surface of an asteroid called Bennu. The materials, dating back around 4.5 billion years, were collected by NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe in 2020. Finally, this year, the precious samples travelled some 67,000 miles (107,826.05 kilometres) to touch down on Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"That was the moment I knew we made it home... For me, the real science is just beginning," said the Osiris-Rex mission's principal investigator Dante Lauretta at the time.</p>

<p>The celestial specimen can potentially hold answers to questions like how Earth became habitable and much more as&nbsp;asteroid samples, are composed of the 'original materials of the solar system' and are considered relics of the early solar system.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/09/24/381732-untitled-design-2023-09-24t210010052.png?imwidth=3840" /></p>

<h2><strong>Crashing Into The Moon</strong></h2>

<p>You've heard of car crashes, but 2023 was the year of a space crash. In August, Russia's first moon mission in 47 years failed, with the Luna-25 spacecraft spinning out of control and crashing into the moon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The spacecraft sought to land on the Moon's South Pole, and collect geological samples from the lunar surface. This was seen as a precursor to the eventual human colony on the moon.</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/09/01/376706-copy-of-untitled-4.png?imwidth=3840" /></p>

<h2><strong>Dark Side of the Moon&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Soon after Russia failed, India succeeded in landing on the South Pole or the dark side of the moon. On August 23, the Chandrayaan-3 mission, with its lander Vikram and rover Pragyan, made the historic achievement, making India the first country to touch down on the unexplored side of the Earth's lunar satellite. Not just that, India also etched its name in history as only the fourth nation to touch the lunar surface.&nbsp;<br />
<img alt="Chandrayaan 3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7765fb88-73fa-4349-a58f-24daee16d22d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20%2878%29.jpg" /></p>

<h2><strong>Mysterious Object Haunts Australia Beach</strong></h2>

<p>In July, a large mysterious object was found on a remote West Australian beach. Initially, it was thought to be rocket debris from India's moon mission, Chandrayaan-3. However, India denied any links to the object and the origins of this object still remain unknown. It was eventually moved to a secret location.</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/07/19/368161-new-wion40.png?imwidth=3840" /></p>

<h2><strong>Life on Mars?</strong></h2>

<p>In October, NASA announced that it had found evidence that points towards the existence of life on Mars… once upon a time. Examining data collected by NASA's Mars Curiosity Rover, a team of researchers deduced that the planet in ancient times had a huge network of rivers flowing with life-giving water.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We're finding evidence that Mars was likely a planet of rivers," said the research's lead author, Benjamin Cardenas, a geoscientist at Penn State University. The findings were published in Geophysical Research Letters.</p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/10/26/389117-new-wion-13.jpg?imwidth=3840" /></p>


The year 2023 saw some pretty 'out there' moments that at first glance seem like something right out of a sci-fi book. From the space rock being dropped to our planet Earth, to a dangerous journey underwater that took a tragic turn, here are some moments from the departing year that belong in the science fiction aisle of a library.

The year 2023 saw some pretty 'out there' moments that at first glance seem like something right out of a sci-fi book. From the space rock being dropped to our planet Earth, to a dangerous journey underwater that took a tragic turn, here are some moments from the departing year that belong in the science fiction aisle of a library. Titan Submersible Implosion On June 18th, Titan, a submersible carrying five passengers, embarked on a fascinating expedition to view the wreck of Titanic, a ship known for its tragic end. However, merely 1 hour and 45 minutes into the dive, the submersible lost contact with its mother ship, the 'Polar Prince'. Four days after it went missing, a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) discovered debris containing parts of Titan. It was found merely 500 metres (1,640.42 feet) from the bow of the Titanic. Also read | Explained | Let's 'Rewind 2023' to medical breakthroughs that gave the world hope The Coast Guard announcing the discovery of debris said that it indicated the Titan's implosion and the instantaneous loss of all onboard — Stockton Rush, the founder and CEO of OceanGate; Hamish Harding, a British airline executive; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a renowned French scientist and Titanic expert; and Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, a father-son duo. Alien Mummies in Mexico On September 13, journalist and UFO enthusiast Jaime Maussan presented the specimens at a Mexico congressional event on UFOs or FANIs in Spanish. At the time, Maussan said that the bodies believed to have been found near the mysterious ancient Nazca lines in Peru were not related to life on Earth. As expected, the scientific community had its doubts. However, in November, at a Congressional hearing in Mexico, researchers declared that the previously displayed three-fingered Peruvian mummies were authentic. However, they cautiously steered away from certifying the remains' extraterrestrial origins. NASA's First-Ever Report on UFOs September was truly a month of extraterrestrials. Apart from the Peruvian mummies that month, NASA also unveiled a report on UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects), or UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena). Also read | Rewind 2023: 8 AI-Generated Images That Went Viral This Year In its report, the US space agency said that it did not find any evidence that the recently reported a spate of UFOs were of extraterrestrial origin. However, Bill Nelson, Administrator of NASA, said that the finding does not mean that the space agency is denying the possibility of life existing elsewhere in the universe. A Special Delivery From Space In October, NASA successfully brought to the Earth the largest soil sample scooped from the surface of an asteroid called Bennu. The materials, dating back around 4.5 billion years, were collected by NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe in 2020. Finally, this year, the precious samples travelled some 67,000 miles (107,826.05 kilometres) to touch down on Earth. "That was the moment I knew we made it home... For me, the real science is just beginning," said the Osiris-Rex mission's principal investigator Dante Lauretta at the time. The celestial specimen can potentially hold answers to questions like how Earth became habitable and much more as asteroid samples, are composed of the 'original materials of the solar system' and are considered relics of the early solar system. Crashing Into The Moon You've heard of car crashes, but 2023 was the year of a space crash. In August, Russia's first moon mission in 47 years failed, with the Luna-25 spacecraft spinning out of control and crashing into the moon. The spacecraft sought to land on the Moon's South Pole, and collect geological samples from the lunar surface. This was seen as a precursor to the eventual human colony on the moon. Dark Side of the Moon Soon after Russia failed, India succeeded in landing on the South Pole or the dark side of the moon. On August 23, the Chandrayaan-3 mission, with its lander Vikram and rover Pragyan, made the historic achievement, making India the first country to touch down on the unexplored side of the Earth's lunar satellite. Not just that, India also etched its name in history as only the fourth nation to touch the lunar surface. Mysterious Object Haunts Australia Beach In July, a large mysterious object was found on a remote West Australian beach. Initially, it was thought to be rocket debris from India's moon mission, Chandrayaan-3. However, India denied any links to the object and the origins of this object still remain unknown. It was eventually moved to a secret location. Life on Mars? In October, NASA announced that it had found evidence that points towards the existence of life on Mars… once upon a time. Examining data collected by NASA's Mars Curiosity Rover, a team of researchers deduced that the planet in ancient times had a huge network of rivers flowing with life-giving water. "We're finding evidence that Mars was likely a planet of rivers," said the research's lead author, Benjamin Cardenas, a geoscientist at Penn State University. The findings were published in Geophysical Research Letters.

Rewind 2023: Moments this year that seemed straight out of science fiction

<p>As the world celebrated Christmas, the European Space Agency (ESA) shared a stunning image following "Santa's path" through the cosmos.</p>

<p>Sadly, the image, which was captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, is just the European Space Agency&nbsp;jumping onto the Christmas bandwagon. However, that doesn't discount the glorious, ethereal beauty of the picture.</p>

<p>"On 25 December 2021, an Ariane 5 rocket followed Santa Claus and launched @esawebb into space. Today, Webb brings what looks like the path left by Santa's sleigh," writes ESA.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-says-an-asteroid-has-come-near-earth-check-details-673517">NASA says an asteroid has come near Earth, check details</a></strong></p>

<p>The image which has quite predictably garnered significant attention on social media is actually of the Herbig-Haro objects. In merely 13 hours, the stunning image got more than 12,780 likes, with the numbers rolling up every minute. &nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What are Herbig Haro objects?</strong></h2>

<p>As per the ESA, "Herbig-Haro objects are luminous regions surrounding newborn stars (known as protostars), and are formed when stellar winds or jets of gas spewing from these newborn stars form shockwaves colliding with nearby gas and dust at high speeds."</p>

<p>"HH 797, which dominates the lower half of this image, is located close to the young open star cluster IC 348, which is located near the eastern edge of the Perseus dark cloud complex. The bright infrared objects in the upper portion of the image are thought to host two further protostars," it adds.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/japans-moon-sniper-enters-lunar-orbit-on-christmas-sets-stage-for-landing-on-jan-20-next-year-673453">Japan's 'Moon Sniper' enters lunar orbit on Christmas, sets stage for landing on Jan 20 next year</a></strong></p>

<p>Furthermore, the space agency details that using ground-based observations, "researchers have previously found that for cold molecular gas associated with HH 797, most of the red-shifted gas (moving away from us) is found to the south (bottom right), while the blue-shifted gas (moving towards us) is to the north (bottom left)."</p>

<p>Awestruck by the glorious display of stars, netizens left comments like "What a magnificence", and "magical", while others pointed out that it looked like a snake or a spaghetti monster.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


As the world celebrated Christmas, the European Space Agency (ESA) shared a stunning image following "Santa's path" through the cosmos. Sadly, the image, which was captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, is just the European Space Agency jumping onto the Christmas bandwagon.

As the world celebrated Christmas, the European Space Agency (ESA) shared a stunning image following "Santa's path" through the cosmos. Sadly, the image, which was captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, is just the European Space Agency jumping onto the Christmas bandwagon. However, that doesn't discount the glorious, ethereal beauty of the picture. "On 25 December 2021, an Ariane 5 rocket followed Santa Claus and launched @esawebb into space. Today, Webb brings what looks like the path left by Santa's sleigh," writes ESA. Also read | NASA says an asteroid has come near Earth, check details The image which has quite predictably garnered significant attention on social media is actually of the Herbig-Haro objects. In merely 13 hours, the stunning image got more than 12,780 likes, with the numbers rolling up every minute. What are Herbig Haro objects? As per the ESA, "Herbig-Haro objects are luminous regions surrounding newborn stars (known as protostars), and are formed when stellar winds or jets of gas spewing from these newborn stars form shockwaves colliding with nearby gas and dust at high speeds." "HH 797, which dominates the lower half of this image, is located close to the young open star cluster IC 348, which is located near the eastern edge of the Perseus dark cloud complex. The bright infrared objects in the upper portion of the image are thought to host two further protostars," it adds. Also read | Japan's 'Moon Sniper' enters lunar orbit on Christmas, sets stage for landing on Jan 20 next year Furthermore, the space agency details that using ground-based observations, "researchers have previously found that for cold molecular gas associated with HH 797, most of the red-shifted gas (moving away from us) is found to the south (bottom right), while the blue-shifted gas (moving towards us) is to the north (bottom left)." Awestruck by the glorious display of stars, netizens left comments like "What a magnificence", and "magical", while others pointed out that it looked like a snake or a spaghetti monster. (With inputs from agencies)

ESA's Christmas gift: James Webb Telescope captures stunning image of 'Santa's Path'

<p>If asteroids made a whooshing sound every time one passed by our home planet, we'll have a highway-like&nbsp;scene in our immediate space neighbourhood. Asteroids are passing through inner solar system all the time, at least, more frequently than we can casually imagine. We can of course, be more than happy for the asteroids to whoosh past Earth and not slam directly into it. This is why space agencies across the world, NASA and more, have their lenses trained at asteroids in the Earth's vicinity.</p>

<p>So the latest one under the scanner is Asteroid 2020 KT4. This asteroid belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids. These are Near-Earth Asteroids. The asteroid has come in Earth's vicinity right in the holiday season. It is hurtling through space at a huge speed of 25,000 kilometres per hour. This makes it faster than even Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM).</p>

<p><strong>Watch | NASA to take international astronauts to Lunar Space</strong></p>

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<p>NASA says that this is not the first time Asteroid 2020 KT4 has come near Earth. It first said hello on October 4, 1906. At that time, it made a fly-by at a distance of about 72 million kilometres from Earth. After his travel past Earth in the Christmas season, it will again come close to Earth on July 8, 2024.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/how-safe-is-nuking-earh-bound-asteroid-scientists-create-simulation-to-answer-672511">How safe is nuking earth-bound asteroid? Scientists create simulation to answer</a></strong></p>

<p>The asteroid is the size of a big aircraft, it is about 250 feet wide.</p>

<h2><strong>Is there danger to us?</strong></h2>

<p>The asteroid has not been classified as Potentially Hazardous Object. It does not pose a threat to Earth.</p>

<p>We may normally dismiss asteroids as mere space rocks but they may have performed greater function. Scientists think that ingredients required for life on Earth were actually 'delivered' to Earth by asteroids and even comets.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-hubble-telescope-captures-mysterious-spokes-on-rings-of-saturn-672959">NASA's Hubble telescope captures mysterious spokes on rings of Saturn</a></strong></p>

<p>But the mode of 'delivery' of anything via asteroids may have involved direct collissions. Considering this, its probably good for us that such a delivery service has stopped, at least till now.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


If asteroids made a whooshing sound every time one passed by our home planet, we'll have a highway-like scene in our immediate space neighbourhood. Asteroids are passing through inner solar system all the time, at least, more frequently than we can casually imagine.

If asteroids made a whooshing sound every time one passed by our home planet, we'll have a highway-like scene in our immediate space neighbourhood. Asteroids are passing through inner solar system all the time, at least, more frequently than we can casually imagine. We can of course, be more than happy for the asteroids to whoosh past Earth and not slam directly into it. This is why space agencies across the world, NASA and more, have their lenses trained at asteroids in the Earth's vicinity. So the latest one under the scanner is Asteroid 2020 KT4. This asteroid belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids. These are Near-Earth Asteroids. The asteroid has come in Earth's vicinity right in the holiday season. It is hurtling through space at a huge speed of 25,000 kilometres per hour. This makes it faster than even Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM). Watch | NASA to take international astronauts to Lunar Space × NASA says that this is not the first time Asteroid 2020 KT4 has come near Earth. It first said hello on October 4, 1906. At that time, it made a fly-by at a distance of about 72 million kilometres from Earth. After his travel past Earth in the Christmas season, it will again come close to Earth on July 8, 2024. Also Read | How safe is nuking earth-bound asteroid? Scientists create simulation to answer The asteroid is the size of a big aircraft, it is about 250 feet wide. Is there danger to us? The asteroid has not been classified as Potentially Hazardous Object. It does not pose a threat to Earth. We may normally dismiss asteroids as mere space rocks but they may have performed greater function. Scientists think that ingredients required for life on Earth were actually 'delivered' to Earth by asteroids and even comets. Also Read | NASA's Hubble telescope captures mysterious spokes on rings of Saturn But the mode of 'delivery' of anything via asteroids may have involved direct collissions. Considering this, its probably good for us that such a delivery service has stopped, at least till now. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA says an asteroid has come near Earth, check details

<p>Mars and everything around it have remained a topic of fascination for humanity since antiquity. The red planet, the hue of which is visible even with the naked eye has been a god, a planet of aliens, a planet of invaders and whatnot. Scientific study over decades has led to the conclusion that Mars indeed had water on its surface millions of years ago and possibly life. But conclusive proof of the latter is still to be found. But scientists are sure that Mars was a watery world once upon a time.</p>

<p>Perseverance, NASA's rover that's roaming on the Martian surface carrying out important observations, recently found evidence of gushing water.</p>

<p>NASA released a photo earlier this month. The image, captured by Prserverance's Mastcam-Z camera, shows a curious collection of rocks and pebbles strewn around in Mars' Jezero Crater.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | NASA to take international astronauts to Lunar Space</strong></p>

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<p>The exact location? 'Castell Henllys' in the Jezero Crater. NASA has said that the rocks and pebbles visible in the photo were brought in by 'strong flood waters billions of years ago'.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-hubble-telescope-captures-mysterious-spokes-on-rings-of-saturn-672959">NASA's Hubble telescope captures mysterious spokes on rings of Saturn</a></strong></p>

<p>Among the important objectives of the Perseverance mission are those that deal with Astrobiology, which involves conclusive evidence of life on another planet.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/how-safe-is-nuking-earh-bound-asteroid-scientists-create-simulation-to-answer-672511">How safe is nuking earth-bound asteroid? Scientists create simulation to answer</a></strong></p>

<p>The 'life' may not always be the antenna-bearing aliens we've come to know through popular media but even conclusive proof of micro-organisms, or their fossils on Mars will be a groundbreaking discovery.</p>

<h2><strong>Why do we always search for water on other planets?</strong></h2>

<p>The answer is around us on our own planet. After the lifeless phase Earth endured in the very early years of its formation, life started in water in the form of microorganisms which then led to the formation of complex aquatic organisms. Scientists believe that animals and plants on land developed afterwards.</p>

<p>It is then almost a given that if a planet has water, there are greater chances of it developing life forms. Other than Mars, one of the favourite candidates for search for life is Europa, the satellite of Jupiter. Europa is a frozen world and scientists believe that there is a vast liquid ocean below the thick ice cover which may harbour life.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Mars and everything around it have remained a topic of fascination for humanity since antiquity. The red planet, the hue of which is visible even with the naked eye has been a god, a planet of aliens, a planet of invaders and whatnot.

Mars and everything around it have remained a topic of fascination for humanity since antiquity. The red planet, the hue of which is visible even with the naked eye has been a god, a planet of aliens, a planet of invaders and whatnot. Scientific study over decades has led to the conclusion that Mars indeed had water on its surface millions of years ago and possibly life. But conclusive proof of the latter is still to be found. But scientists are sure that Mars was a watery world once upon a time. Perseverance, NASA's rover that's roaming on the Martian surface carrying out important observations, recently found evidence of gushing water. NASA released a photo earlier this month. The image, captured by Prserverance's Mastcam-Z camera, shows a curious collection of rocks and pebbles strewn around in Mars' Jezero Crater. Watch | NASA to take international astronauts to Lunar Space × The exact location? 'Castell Henllys' in the Jezero Crater. NASA has said that the rocks and pebbles visible in the photo were brought in by 'strong flood waters billions of years ago'. Also Read | NASA's Hubble telescope captures mysterious spokes on rings of Saturn Among the important objectives of the Perseverance mission are those that deal with Astrobiology, which involves conclusive evidence of life on another planet. Also Read | How safe is nuking earth-bound asteroid? Scientists create simulation to answer The 'life' may not always be the antenna-bearing aliens we've come to know through popular media but even conclusive proof of micro-organisms, or their fossils on Mars will be a groundbreaking discovery. Why do we always search for water on other planets? The answer is around us on our own planet. After the lifeless phase Earth endured in the very early years of its formation, life started in water in the form of microorganisms which then led to the formation of complex aquatic organisms. Scientists believe that animals and plants on land developed afterwards. It is then almost a given that if a planet has water, there are greater chances of it developing life forms. Other than Mars, one of the favourite candidates for search for life is Europa, the satellite of Jupiter. Europa is a frozen world and scientists believe that there is a vast liquid ocean below the thick ice cover which may harbour life. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Perseverance rover finds evidence of flowing water on Mars

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