<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-government-shuts-news-site-linked-to-ex-pm-amid-protests-336771">Thai government shuts news site linked to ex-PM amid protests</a>

<img alt="Thailand protests" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dea1f629-1f66-424e-8244-81325e1f0c43" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/THAK_0.jpg" />

At least two protest leaders were arrested on Tuesday as Prayuth Chan-ocha's cabinet agreed to an emergency session of parliament next week.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-osiris-rex-grabs-a-piece-of-asteroid-bennu-in-historic-mission-336773">NASA's Osiris-Rex grabs a piece of asteroid Bennu in historic mission</a>

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The historic mission was 12 years in the making and rested on a critical 16 second period where the spacecraft performed a delicate autonomous maneuver to grab its payload.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/us-offers-1-billion-deal-to-brazil-to-sway-it-away-from-chinas-huawei-5g-network-336778">US offers $1 billion deal to Brazil to sway it away from China's Huawei 5G network</a>

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China is Brazil's top trading partner, and Huawei has emerged as the leading supplier of fast and cheap next-generation telecoms infrastructure.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-manchester-uniteds-rashford-stuns-paris-saint-germain-336795">Champions League: Manchester United's Rashford stuns Paris Saint-Germain</a>

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&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-china-the-only-country-profiting-in-the-pandemic-336768">Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: China - The only country profiting in the pandemic</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-china-the-only-country-profiting-in-the-pandemic-336768/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Thai government shuts news site linked to ex-PM amid protests At least two protest leaders were arrested on Tuesday as Prayuth Chan-ocha's cabinet agreed to an emergency session of parliament next week.

Thai government shuts news site linked to ex-PM amid protests At least two protest leaders were arrested on Tuesday as Prayuth Chan-ocha's cabinet agreed to an emergency session of parliament next week. NASA's Osiris-Rex grabs a piece of asteroid Bennu in historic mission The historic mission was 12 years in the making and rested on a critical 16 second period where the spacecraft performed a delicate autonomous maneuver to grab its payload. US offers $1 billion deal to Brazil to sway it away from China's Huawei 5G network China is Brazil's top trading partner, and Huawei has emerged as the leading supplier of fast and cheap next-generation telecoms infrastructure. Champions League: Manchester United's Rashford stuns Paris Saint-Germain Watch: Gravitas: China - The only country profiting in the pandemic

Morning news brief: Thai government shuts news site amid protests, Manchester United's Rashford stuns PSG in Champions League & more

A first-of-its-kind near-Earth mission launched by US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will briefly touch down an asteroid called Bennu on Tuesday.

The American spacecraft is going to lower itself and manoeuvre for a 'high-five' and deliver a squirt of gas to stir up the surface.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="426" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gtUgarROs08" width="756"></iframe>

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-osiris-rex-all-set-to-grab-a-piece-of-asteroid-bennu-336579" hreflang="en">NASA's Osiris-Rex all set to grab a piece of asteroid Bennu</a>

It can be watched live on October 20 at around 3:12 p.m. on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/">NASA TV</a>&nbsp;and will also post it on the agency's website.

Lockheed Martin, who had built the&nbsp;robot explorer will also stream the daring mission live.

The main goal collect of the mission is to carbon samples from an asteroid, a cosmic body that may have delivered life-giving materials to our planet billions of years.&nbsp;

It is also expected to&nbsp;shed light on how to find precious resources such as water and metals in asteroids, a field that has generated increasing interest worldwide.

The&nbsp;first-of-its-kind near-Earth asteroid mission had blasted off at 7:05 pm (23:05 GMT) atop an Atlas V rocket in Cape Canaveral, Florida on September 8, 2016.

A first-of-its-kind near-Earth mission launched by US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will briefly touch down an asteroid called Bennu on Tuesday.

A first-of-its-kind near-Earth mission launched by US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will briefly touch down an asteroid called Bennu on Tuesday. The American spacecraft is going to lower itself and manoeuvre for a 'high-five' and deliver a squirt of gas to stir up the surface. Also read: NASA's Osiris-Rex all set to grab a piece of asteroid Bennu It can be watched live on October 20 at around 3:12 p.m. on NASA TV and will also post it on the agency's website. Lockheed Martin, who had built the robot explorer will also stream the daring mission live. The main goal collect of the mission is to carbon samples from an asteroid, a cosmic body that may have delivered life-giving materials to our planet billions of years. It is also expected to shed light on how to find precious resources such as water and metals in asteroids, a field that has generated increasing interest worldwide. The first-of-its-kind near-Earth asteroid mission had blasted off at 7:05 pm (23:05 GMT) atop an Atlas V rocket in Cape Canaveral, Florida on September 8, 2016.

NASA's Osiris-Rex poised to grab a piece of asteroid Bennu: How to watch live

In a first, NASA's van-size asteroid chaser Osiris-Rex probe&nbsp;is going to attempt the audacious task of grabbing a piece of asteroid Bennu.

The event marks a potential boon for science, exploration, and the comprehension of the solar system.

It can be watched live on October 20 at around 3:12 p.m. on <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/">NASA TV</a> and will also post it on the agency's website.

The American spacecraft is going to lower itself and manoeuvre for a 'high-five' and deliver a squirt of gas to stir up the surface.

The main goal collect of the mission is to carbon samples from an asteroid, a cosmic body that may have delivered life-giving materials to our planet billions of years.&nbsp;

It is also expected to&nbsp;shed light on how to find precious resources such as water and metals in asteroids, a field that has generated increasing interest worldwide.

The&nbsp;first-of-its-kind near-Earth asteroid mission had blasted off at 7:05 pm (23:05 GMT) atop an Atlas V rocket in Cape Canaveral, Florida on September 8, 2016.

The robot explorer has been built by Lockheed Martin to carry out the seven-year, $1 billion mission to and from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu.

In a first, NASA's van-size asteroid chaser Osiris-Rex probe is going to attempt the audacious task of grabbing a piece of asteroid Bennu. The event marks a potential boon for science, exploration, and the comprehension of the solar system.

In a first, NASA's van-size asteroid chaser Osiris-Rex probe is going to attempt the audacious task of grabbing a piece of asteroid Bennu. The event marks a potential boon for science, exploration, and the comprehension of the solar system. It can be watched live on October 20 at around 3:12 p.m. on NASA TV and will also post it on the agency's website. The American spacecraft is going to lower itself and manoeuvre for a 'high-five' and deliver a squirt of gas to stir up the surface. The main goal collect of the mission is to carbon samples from an asteroid, a cosmic body that may have delivered life-giving materials to our planet billions of years. It is also expected to shed light on how to find precious resources such as water and metals in asteroids, a field that has generated increasing interest worldwide. The first-of-its-kind near-Earth asteroid mission had blasted off at 7:05 pm (23:05 GMT) atop an Atlas V rocket in Cape Canaveral, Florida on September 8, 2016. The robot explorer has been built by Lockheed Martin to carry out the seven-year, $1 billion mission to and from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu.

NASA's Osiris-Rex all set to grab a piece of asteroid Bennu

An expert at NASA has claimed that a newly discovered object approaching the Earth is actually an old rocket from a failed lunar mission.

This comes after speculation earlier this month the object would become a new “mini-moon” and join other small asteroids in getting trapped in our planet’s orbit.

The new object, dubbed 2020 SO, is expected to fall into our orbit, where it will spin from mid-October to May 2021.

It is believed 2020 SO is actually the Centaur upper rocket stage that propelled NASA’s Surveyor 2 lander to the moon.

The rocket took flight in 1966, and ended up crashing on the surface of the moon after one of its thrusters failed to fire up approach the rock. It has since remained in space as floating debris.

Current estimates put the size of the object between roughly six and 14 metres in length -- based on its observed brightness.

It won’t get very close and is on a “highly-chaotic path,” wrote orbit simulator Tony Dunn on Twitter. In fact, projections suggest it will pass by Earth on Dec. 1 at a distance of about 50,000 kilometres, and later in February at about 220,000 kilometres.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Asteroid 2020 SO may get captured by Earth from Oct 2020 - May 2021. Current nominal trajectory shows shows capture through L2, and escape through L1. Highly-chaotic path, so be prepared for lots of revisions as new observations come in. <a href="https://twitter.com/renerpho?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@renerpho</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nrco0e?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nrco0e</a> <a href="https://t.co/h4JaG2rHEd">https://t.co/h4JaG2rHEd</a> <a href="https://t.co/RfUaeLtEWq">pic.twitter.com/RfUaeLtEWq</a>
— Tony Dunn (@tony873004) <a href="https://twitter.com/tony873004/status/1307729521869611008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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An expert at NASA has claimed that a newly discovered object approaching the Earth is actually an old rocket from a failed lunar mission. This comes after speculation earlier this month the object would become a new “mini-moon” and join other small asteroids in getting trapped in our planet’s orbit.

An expert at NASA has claimed that a newly discovered object approaching the Earth is actually an old rocket from a failed lunar mission. This comes after speculation earlier this month the object would become a new “mini-moon” and join other small asteroids in getting trapped in our planet’s orbit. The new object, dubbed 2020 SO, is expected to fall into our orbit, where it will spin from mid-October to May 2021. It is believed 2020 SO is actually the Centaur upper rocket stage that propelled NASA’s Surveyor 2 lander to the moon. The rocket took flight in 1966, and ended up crashing on the surface of the moon after one of its thrusters failed to fire up approach the rock. It has since remained in space as floating debris. Current estimates put the size of the object between roughly six and 14 metres in length -- based on its observed brightness. It won’t get very close and is on a “highly-chaotic path,” wrote orbit simulator Tony Dunn on Twitter. In fact, projections suggest it will pass by Earth on Dec. 1 at a distance of about 50,000 kilometres, and later in February at about 220,000 kilometres. Asteroid 2020 SO may get captured by Earth from Oct 2020 - May 2021. Current nominal trajectory shows shows capture through L2, and escape through L1. Highly-chaotic path, so be prepared for lots of revisions as new observations come in. @renerpho @nrco0e https://t.co/h4JaG2rHEd pic.twitter.com/RfUaeLtEWq — Tony Dunn (@tony873004) September 20, 2020 ×

NASA identifies space rock approaching Earth as junk from 1966 rocket launch

Network is precious, network is everything. All of us yearn for that extra bar on our phones when we are watching movies or doing anything that is data-heavy. The buffering circle is the most annoying thing when all we want to do is unwind. We run around our homes for that perfect sweet spot of abundant network.

But what if we told you, you'll get 4G network on Moon too?

Yes, NASA seems to be doing such a thing. It has awarded USD 14.1 million to Nokia to deploy 4G cellular network on Moon.

Think about it, if you go to the Moon and in case you lose network, you can call it 'out of the world problem' instead of first/second world one. This seemingly sad tip may bring in a lot of social media cred!

But right now the set up of 4G cellular network on the Moon appears to be for scientific and research purposes.

"The system could support lunar surface communications at greater distances, increased speeds and provide more reliability than current standards," NASA noted in its contract award announcement.

The grant given to Nokia is part of USD 370 million worth of contracts signed under NASA`s "Tipping Point" selections, meant to advance research and development for space exploration.

According to United Press International, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine in a live broadcast said that the space agency must quickly develop new technologies for living and working on the moon if it wants to realise its goal to have astronauts working at a lunar base by 2028.

"We need power systems that can last a long time on the surface of the moon, and we need habitation capability on the surface," Bridenstine said.

Nokia`s research arm, Bell Labs, provided more details in a Twitter thread. The company intends for the network to support wireless operation of lunar rovers and navigation, as well as streaming video.

"Working with our partners at @Int_Machines, this groundbreaking network will be the critical communications fabric for data transmission applications, including the control of lunar rovers, real-time navigation over lunar geography and streaming of high definition video," Bell Labs said in a tweet.

This is not Nokia`s first attempt to launch an LTE network on the moon. It was planned to do this in 2018 in collaboration with PTScientists, a German space company, and Vodafone UK to launch an LTE network at the site of the Apollo 17 landing, but the mission never got off the ground.

(With IANS inputs)

Network is precious, network is everything. All of us yearn for that extra bar on our phones when we are watching movies or doing anything that is data-heavy. The buffering circle is the most annoying thing when all we want to do is unwind.

Network is precious, network is everything. All of us yearn for that extra bar on our phones when we are watching movies or doing anything that is data-heavy. The buffering circle is the most annoying thing when all we want to do is unwind. We run around our homes for that perfect sweet spot of abundant network. But what if we told you, you'll get 4G network on Moon too? Yes, NASA seems to be doing such a thing. It has awarded USD 14.1 million to Nokia to deploy 4G cellular network on Moon. Think about it, if you go to the Moon and in case you lose network, you can call it 'out of the world problem' instead of first/second world one. This seemingly sad tip may bring in a lot of social media cred! But right now the set up of 4G cellular network on the Moon appears to be for scientific and research purposes. "The system could support lunar surface communications at greater distances, increased speeds and provide more reliability than current standards," NASA noted in its contract award announcement. The grant given to Nokia is part of USD 370 million worth of contracts signed under NASA`s "Tipping Point" selections, meant to advance research and development for space exploration. According to United Press International, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine in a live broadcast said that the space agency must quickly develop new technologies for living and working on the moon if it wants to realise its goal to have astronauts working at a lunar base by 2028. "We need power systems that can last a long time on the surface of the moon, and we need habitation capability on the surface," Bridenstine said. Nokia`s research arm, Bell Labs, provided more details in a Twitter thread. The company intends for the network to support wireless operation of lunar rovers and navigation, as well as streaming video. "Working with our partners at @Int_Machines, this groundbreaking network will be the critical communications fabric for data transmission applications, including the control of lunar rovers, real-time navigation over lunar geography and streaming of high definition video," Bell Labs said in a tweet. This is not Nokia`s first attempt to launch an LTE network on the moon. It was planned to do this in 2018 in collaboration with PTScientists, a German space company, and Vodafone UK to launch an LTE network at the site of the Apollo 17 landing, but the mission never got off the ground. (With IANS inputs)

Nokia will now set up 4G network on Moon, courtesy NASA

Eight countries have signed an international pact for moon exploration called the Artemis Accords, NASA announced on Tuesday as the U.S. space agency tries to shape standards for building long-term settlements on the lunar surface.

Eight nations sign NASA's international agreement for Moon exploration

NASA said on Tuesday that eight nations have signed the international agreement for Moon exploration called the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-led-united-states-to-secretly-draft-artemis-accords-pact-for-moon-mining-297300">Artemis Accords</a>.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-picks-four-us-small-businesses-to-build-artemis-lunar-tech-311891">Also Read:&nbsp;</a><a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/nasa-picks-four-us-small-businesses-to-build-artemis-lunar-tech-311891" hreflang="en">NASA picks four US small businesses to build Artemis lunar tech</a>

The US space agency aims to humans to the Moon and beyond by 2024. The signatories include the United States, UAE, Canada, Japan, Australia, Italy, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom.

"Artemis will be the broadest and most diverse international human space exploration program in history, and the Artemis Accords are the vehicle that will establish this singular global coalition," Jim Bridenstine, NASA administrator said, adding,"What we’re trying to do is establish norms of behaviour that every nation can agree to."

The accord seeks to create international space law by establishing "safety zones" in order to prevent countries from getting involved in conflicts in outer space.

Last year, US Vice President Mike Pence had directed NASA to send humans to the Moon by 2024. The US space agency intends to first send a robotic rover to the Moon before sending humans.

"With today's signing, we are uniting with our partners to explore the Moon and are establishing vital principles that will create a safe, peaceful, and prosperous future in space for all of humanity to enjoy," Bridenstine asserted.

According to the agreement, the members would have to adhere to peaceful exploration and create hardware which can be used operated&nbsp;by other member nation ensuring transparency.

Russia said it was unlikely to join the group, with China excluded from the agreement.

NASA said on Tuesday that eight nations have signed the international agreement for Moon exploration called the Artemis Accords. Also Read: NASA picks four US small businesses to build Artemis lunar tech The US space agency aims to humans to the Moon and beyond by 2024.

NASA said on Tuesday that eight nations have signed the international agreement for Moon exploration called the Artemis Accords. Also Read: NASA picks four US small businesses to build Artemis lunar tech The US space agency aims to humans to the Moon and beyond by 2024. The signatories include the United States, UAE, Canada, Japan, Australia, Italy, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom. "Artemis will be the broadest and most diverse international human space exploration program in history, and the Artemis Accords are the vehicle that will establish this singular global coalition," Jim Bridenstine, NASA administrator said, adding,"What we’re trying to do is establish norms of behaviour that every nation can agree to." The accord seeks to create international space law by establishing "safety zones" in order to prevent countries from getting involved in conflicts in outer space. Last year, US Vice President Mike Pence had directed NASA to send humans to the Moon by 2024. The US space agency intends to first send a robotic rover to the Moon before sending humans. "With today's signing, we are uniting with our partners to explore the Moon and are establishing vital principles that will create a safe, peaceful, and prosperous future in space for all of humanity to enjoy," Bridenstine asserted. According to the agreement, the members would have to adhere to peaceful exploration and create hardware which can be used operated by other member nation ensuring transparency. Russia said it was unlikely to join the group, with China excluded from the agreement.

Eight nations sign NASA'S space coalition mission under Artemis Accords

NASA has delayed the launch of the SpaceX Crew-1 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) until early-to-mid November, providing additional time for SpaceX to complete hardware testing and data reviews. 
 
Originally scheduled for October 31st, the planned six-month mission was delayed as Elon Musk-run SpaceX evaluates off-nominal behaviour of Falcon 9 first stage engine gas generators observed during a recent non-NASA mission launch attempt. 
 
The SpaceX Crew Dragon Resilience spacecraft will carry four astronauts to the International Space Station as part of NASA`s Commercial Crew Programme. 
 
"With the high cadence of missions SpaceX performs, it really gives us incredible insight into this commercial system and helps us make informed decisions about the status of our missions," said Kathy Lueders, associate administrator of NASA`s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. 
 
"The teams are actively working this finding on the engines, and we should be a lot smarter within the coming week," Lueders said in a statement late on Saturday. 
 
NASA`s SpaceX Crew-1 mission will launch NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, and Shannon Walker, along with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) mission specialist Soichi Noguchi, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA`s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 
 
After launch, Crew Dragon will perform a series of maneuvers culminating with rendezvous and docking with the space station. 
 
That milestone will mark the Crew-1 astronauts` integration with the Expedition 64 astronauts Kate Rubins, as well as Expedition 64 commander Sergey Ryzhikov and flight engineer Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, both of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. 
 
During their stay on the orbiting laboratory, astronauts of Crew-1 will see a range of unpiloted spacecraft including the Northrop Grumman Cygnus, the next generation of SpaceX cargo Dragon spacecraft, and the Boeing CST-100 Starliner on its uncrewed flight test to the station. 
 
They also will conduct a variety of spacewalks and welcome crews of the Russian Soyuz vehicle and the next SpaceX Crew Dragon in 2021, NASA said. 
 
At the conclusion of the mission, Crew Dragon will autonomously undock with the four astronauts on board, depart the space station and re-enter the Earth`s atmosphere. 
&nbsp;

NASA has delayed the launch of the SpaceX Crew-1 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) until early-to-mid November, providing additional time for SpaceX to complete hardware testing and data reviews.

NASA has delayed the launch of the SpaceX Crew-1 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) until early-to-mid November, providing additional time for SpaceX to complete hardware testing and data reviews. Originally scheduled for October 31st, the planned six-month mission was delayed as Elon Musk-run SpaceX evaluates off-nominal behaviour of Falcon 9 first stage engine gas generators observed during a recent non-NASA mission launch attempt. The SpaceX Crew Dragon Resilience spacecraft will carry four astronauts to the International Space Station as part of NASA`s Commercial Crew Programme. "With the high cadence of missions SpaceX performs, it really gives us incredible insight into this commercial system and helps us make informed decisions about the status of our missions," said Kathy Lueders, associate administrator of NASA`s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. "The teams are actively working this finding on the engines, and we should be a lot smarter within the coming week," Lueders said in a statement late on Saturday. NASA`s SpaceX Crew-1 mission will launch NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, and Shannon Walker, along with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) mission specialist Soichi Noguchi, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA`s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After launch, Crew Dragon will perform a series of maneuvers culminating with rendezvous and docking with the space station. That milestone will mark the Crew-1 astronauts` integration with the Expedition 64 astronauts Kate Rubins, as well as Expedition 64 commander Sergey Ryzhikov and flight engineer Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, both of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. During their stay on the orbiting laboratory, astronauts of Crew-1 will see a range of unpiloted spacecraft including the Northrop Grumman Cygnus, the next generation of SpaceX cargo Dragon spacecraft, and the Boeing CST-100 Starliner on its uncrewed flight test to the station. They also will conduct a variety of spacewalks and welcome crews of the Russian Soyuz vehicle and the next SpaceX Crew Dragon in 2021, NASA said. At the conclusion of the mission, Crew Dragon will autonomously undock with the four astronauts on board, depart the space station and re-enter the Earth`s atmosphere.

NASA delays manned SpaceX mission to space station till November

American spcae agency NASA has shared a video depicting the explosion of a gigantic star which is 70 million light years away from the Earth.

The thermonuclear explosion was captured by the <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2020/hubble-watches-exploding-star-fade-into-oblivion/?utm_source=TWITTER&amp;utm_medium=NASAHubble&amp;utm_campaign=NASASocial&amp;linkId=100924096">Hubble Space Telescope</a> which is jointly run by NASA and the Euoropean Sapce Agency.&nbsp;

The type of supernova seen in this sequence originated from a burned-out star,&nbsp;a white dwarf located in a close binary system, that is accreting material from its companion star.

When the white dwarf reaches a critical mass, its core becomes hot enough to ignite nuclear fusion, turning it into a giant atomic bomb. This thermonuclear runaway process tears the dwarf apart. The opulence is short-lived as the fireball fades away.

According to the introduction of the video it zooms into the barred spiral galaxy NGC 2525, located 70 million light-years away in the southern constellation Puppis.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GQ13j55P3sE" width="560"></iframe>

Roughly half the diameter of our Milky Way, it was discovered by British astronomer William Herschel in 1791 as a "spiral nebula."

In the time-lapse sequence, spanning nearly a year, the supernova first appears as a blazing star located on the galaxy's outer edge. It initially outshines the brightest stars in the galaxy before fading out of sight.

Nobel laureate Adam Riess, of the Space Telescope Science Institute and Johns Hopkins University&nbsp;in Baltimore,&nbsp;leader of the&nbsp;High-z Supernova Search Team, said&nbsp;"No Earthly fireworks display can compete with this supernova, captured in its fading glory by the Hubble Space Telescope.

Knowing the actual brightness of the supernova and observing its brightness in the sky, astronomers can calculate the distances of their host galaxies. This allows astronomers to measure the expansion rate of the universe.

Hubble didn't record the initial blast in January 2018, but for nearly one year took consecutive photos, from 2018 to 2019, that have been assembled into a time-lapse sequence. At its peak, the exploding star was as bright as 5 billion Suns.

American spcae agency NASA has shared a video depicting the explosion of a gigantic star which is 70 million light years away from the Earth. The thermonuclear explosion was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope which is jointly run by NASA and the Euoropean Sapce Agency.

American spcae agency NASA has shared a video depicting the explosion of a gigantic star which is 70 million light years away from the Earth. The thermonuclear explosion was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope which is jointly run by NASA and the Euoropean Sapce Agency. The type of supernova seen in this sequence originated from a burned-out star, a white dwarf located in a close binary system, that is accreting material from its companion star. When the white dwarf reaches a critical mass, its core becomes hot enough to ignite nuclear fusion, turning it into a giant atomic bomb. This thermonuclear runaway process tears the dwarf apart. The opulence is short-lived as the fireball fades away. According to the introduction of the video it zooms into the barred spiral galaxy NGC 2525, located 70 million light-years away in the southern constellation Puppis. Roughly half the diameter of our Milky Way, it was discovered by British astronomer William Herschel in 1791 as a "spiral nebula." In the time-lapse sequence, spanning nearly a year, the supernova first appears as a blazing star located on the galaxy's outer edge. It initially outshines the brightest stars in the galaxy before fading out of sight. Nobel laureate Adam Riess, of the Space Telescope Science Institute and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, leader of the High-z Supernova Search Team, said "No Earthly fireworks display can compete with this supernova, captured in its fading glory by the Hubble Space Telescope. Knowing the actual brightness of the supernova and observing its brightness in the sky, astronomers can calculate the distances of their host galaxies. This allows astronomers to measure the expansion rate of the universe. Hubble didn't record the initial blast in January 2018, but for nearly one year took consecutive photos, from 2018 to 2019, that have been assembled into a time-lapse sequence. At its peak, the exploding star was as bright as 5 billion Suns.

NASA's new stunning time lapse video shows a gigantic star exploding

NASA is planning to send a new zero-gravity toilet to the International Space Station. The toilet, that's worth $23 million- will be sent to the station for testing on a cargo ship. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: A new space toilet for International Space Station

NASA is about to launch an upgraded microgravity toilet to the International Space Station. Touted as smaller and lighter than the current toilets on the ISS, the new commode is also supposed to be more accommodating for women astronauts needing to use the space facilities.

NASA introduces an upgraded microgravity toilet to the ISS

NASA recently spent $23 million to come up with a new space toilet to improve the lives of astronauts on the International Space Station. The agency is launching the toilet on Thursday, October 1.&nbsp;

The toilet is designed to be efficient in space, and to specially cater to the needs of female astronauts onboard the ISS.

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The UWMS

The new toilet is called the Universal Waste Management System (UWMS), and is reportedly 65 per cent lighter and 40 per cent smaller than the previous model.&nbsp; The original Waste Collection System is still used on the station, and was built in the 1990s.

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To Boldly Go 
What's more exciting than a new toilet? A new SPACE toilet.<a href="https://twitter.com/NASA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASA</a> <a href="https://t.co/6sIh97TsNI">https://t.co/6sIh97TsNI</a> <a href="https://t.co/c1hHQxDtzw">pic.twitter.com/c1hHQxDtzw</a>
— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cmdr_Hadfield/status/1309832925035278336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The primary rationale behind designing a new toilet was to account for women’s needs on the space station. The earlier model only had room for the user to urinate or defecate, but not both at once - the new system eliminates that, making it more comfortable for all.

The new design, even though might come off as small and weird looking, is best designed to meet the comfort standards of space defecation.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-election-2020-nasa-astronauts-on-spacexs-crew-dragon-will-vote-from-space-331336" hreflang="en">US election 2020: NASA astronauts on SpaceX's Crew Dragon will vote from space</a>

The new design will also require lesser maintenance and plumbing. Additionally, thigh restraints have been removed, and now footholds and handholds will be in place to ensure comfort.

Even though defecation may be getting easier, disposing it still remains a problem. Most of it is put into airtight bags, and then stored in a cargo ship which is sent back to Earth, but burns into the process of reentering.&nbsp; Urine, on the other hand, is filtered and reused&nbsp;on the station.

The earliest space missions did not have toilets on board. In fact, astronaut Alan Shepard had to urinate in his spacesuit in 1961.&nbsp;The earliest solution to peeing in space was to use plastic tubes, but it did not work out, especially for women, and also caused leakage.

Due to the lack of gravity on the ISS, the toilets are made keeping in mind airflow instead of gravity.&nbsp;

NASA is launching the new toilet on October 1, at 9.38 PM EDT / 7.08 AM IST.

NASA recently spent $23 million to come up with a new space toilet to improve the lives of astronauts on the International Space Station. The agency is launching the toilet on Thursday, October 1.

NASA recently spent $23 million to come up with a new space toilet to improve the lives of astronauts on the International Space Station. The agency is launching the toilet on Thursday, October 1. The toilet is designed to be efficient in space, and to specially cater to the needs of female astronauts onboard the ISS. The UWMS The new toilet is called the Universal Waste Management System (UWMS), and is reportedly 65 per cent lighter and 40 per cent smaller than the previous model. The original Waste Collection System is still used on the station, and was built in the 1990s. To Boldly Go What's more exciting than a new toilet? A new SPACE toilet.@NASA https://t.co/6sIh97TsNI pic.twitter.com/c1hHQxDtzw — Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) September 26, 2020 × The primary rationale behind designing a new toilet was to account for women’s needs on the space station. The earlier model only had room for the user to urinate or defecate, but not both at once - the new system eliminates that, making it more comfortable for all. The new design, even though might come off as small and weird looking, is best designed to meet the comfort standards of space defecation. Also read: US election 2020: NASA astronauts on SpaceX's Crew Dragon will vote from space The new design will also require lesser maintenance and plumbing. Additionally, thigh restraints have been removed, and now footholds and handholds will be in place to ensure comfort. Even though defecation may be getting easier, disposing it still remains a problem. Most of it is put into airtight bags, and then stored in a cargo ship which is sent back to Earth, but burns into the process of reentering. Urine, on the other hand, is filtered and reused on the station. The earliest space missions did not have toilets on board. In fact, astronaut Alan Shepard had to urinate in his spacesuit in 1961. The earliest solution to peeing in space was to use plastic tubes, but it did not work out, especially for women, and also caused leakage. Due to the lack of gravity on the ISS, the toilets are made keeping in mind airflow instead of gravity. NASA is launching the new toilet on October 1, at 9.38 PM EDT / 7.08 AM IST.

NASA to send its new $23 million toilet to International Space Station

Three NASA astronauts on SpaceX's first operational Crew Dragon mission will vote from space in the US election 2020 to be held on November 3.

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Resilience capsule will carry NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker and Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi to the space station October&nbsp;31 as the company’s first non-test mission after completing a successful two-man preliminary mission last summer.

“All of us are planning on voting from space,” Walker told a news conference, explaining that the three US&nbsp;astronauts will fill out an electronic PDF file aboard the station some 250 miles above Earth and email it to elections officials.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-awards-united-launch-alliance-spacex-launch-contracts-318987">Pentagon awards United Launch Alliance, SpaceX launch contracts</a>

The crew’s more than six month mission in space, enabled by SpaceX’s new gumdrop-shaped Crew Dragon space capsule, comes as NASA regains its capability of sending astronauts to space after nearly a decade-long dependence on Russia’s Soyuz vehicles.

Meanwhile, another American astronaut Kate Rubins will also vote from space as she is a part of the launch of the Russian Soyuz that will take place on October 14 from the International Space Staion.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-launches-third-batch-of-mini-satellites-into-orbit-272623">SpaceX launches third batch of mini-satellites into orbit</a>

Following tradition from SpaceX’s last crewed mission named “Endeavor,” which ended in August with a successful splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, Hopkins said the crew chose the name “Resilience” as a tribute to a “challenging” 2020.

“I think all of us can agree that 2020 has certainly been a challenging year,” Hopkins said, adding that SpaceX and NASA have pressed on with launch plans despite a slew of events like the “global pandemic, economic hardships, civil unrest, isolation” that have punctuated this year.

SpaceX made a few tweaks to Crew Dragon’s heat shield and altitude sensors after analyzing data from the summer test flight carrying NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, the company’s Crew Dragon chief Benji Reed said during a separate press conference on Tuesday.

Three NASA astronauts on SpaceX's first operational Crew Dragon mission will vote from space in the US election 2020 to be held on November 3. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Resilience capsule will carry NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker and Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi to the space station October 31 as the company’s first non-test mission after completing a successful two-man preliminary mission last summer.

Three NASA astronauts on SpaceX's first operational Crew Dragon mission will vote from space in the US election 2020 to be held on November 3. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Resilience capsule will carry NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker and Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi to the space station October 31 as the company’s first non-test mission after completing a successful two-man preliminary mission last summer. “All of us are planning on voting from space,” Walker told a news conference, explaining that the three US astronauts will fill out an electronic PDF file aboard the station some 250 miles above Earth and email it to elections officials. Also read: Pentagon awards United Launch Alliance, SpaceX launch contracts The crew’s more than six month mission in space, enabled by SpaceX’s new gumdrop-shaped Crew Dragon space capsule, comes as NASA regains its capability of sending astronauts to space after nearly a decade-long dependence on Russia’s Soyuz vehicles. Meanwhile, another American astronaut Kate Rubins will also vote from space as she is a part of the launch of the Russian Soyuz that will take place on October 14 from the International Space Staion. Also read: SpaceX launches third batch of mini-satellites into orbit Following tradition from SpaceX’s last crewed mission named “Endeavor,” which ended in August with a successful splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, Hopkins said the crew chose the name “Resilience” as a tribute to a “challenging” 2020. “I think all of us can agree that 2020 has certainly been a challenging year,” Hopkins said, adding that SpaceX and NASA have pressed on with launch plans despite a slew of events like the “global pandemic, economic hardships, civil unrest, isolation” that have punctuated this year. SpaceX made a few tweaks to Crew Dragon’s heat shield and altitude sensors after analyzing data from the summer test flight carrying NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, the company’s Crew Dragon chief Benji Reed said during a separate press conference on Tuesday.

US election 2020: NASA astronauts on SpaceX's Crew Dragon will vote from space

Russian space station is leaking air in above normal volumes but according to NASA, the leak presence no danger to the Russian & American crew.

Your Story: Air leak in international space station | No danger to astronauts: NASA

Asteroid collision with Earth - US space agency NASA has said that an asteroid will fly past the Earth on Thursday which would be just 28,254 km from the Earth's surface.&nbsp;

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/a-giant-asteroid-just-whizzed-past-earth-and-no-one-had-a-clue-239162/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">The asteroid would be speeding at around 27, 900 km per hour, the space agency said.</div>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-heading-towards-earth-a-day-before-us-elections-nasa-322513">Also Read:&nbsp;Asteroid heading towards Earth a day before US elections</a>

The asteroid named 2020 SW is around 15 to 30 feet wide, the NASA scientists said, which is roughly the size of a small bus.

The rock which was discovered just last week will continue on its journey around the Sun and wouldn't return to the Earth's atmosphere before 2041, scientists said.

According to EarthSky, the asteroid is so small that the Earth's gravity is expected to change the rock's course when it goes past the Earth. However, it will be a close call as it will pass just 7 per cent of the Moon’s distance and will be passing closer than geostationary satellites which are placed 35,888 km from our planet’s surface.&nbsp;

However, EarthSky said that "there is no risk of impact." The rocks is expected to be at its closet when it passes over Australia or New Zealand.

However, there is bad news for stargazers as it won't be visible through the naked eye but can be viewed through a 6 or 8-inch diameter telescope and is likely to increase in brightness as it approaches the Earth.

"The space rock is currently in the constellation of Pegasus the Flying Horse, and will then move to the constellation of Pisces the Fish," EarthSky said.

Asteroid collision with Earth - US space agency NASA has said that an asteroid will fly past the Earth on Thursday which would be just 28,254 km from the Earth's surface.

Asteroid collision with Earth - US space agency NASA has said that an asteroid will fly past the Earth on Thursday which would be just 28,254 km from the Earth's surface. Watch: The asteroid would be speeding at around 27, 900 km per hour, the space agency said. Also Read: Asteroid heading towards Earth a day before US elections The asteroid named 2020 SW is around 15 to 30 feet wide, the NASA scientists said, which is roughly the size of a small bus. The rock which was discovered just last week will continue on its journey around the Sun and wouldn't return to the Earth's atmosphere before 2041, scientists said. According to EarthSky, the asteroid is so small that the Earth's gravity is expected to change the rock's course when it goes past the Earth. However, it will be a close call as it will pass just 7 per cent of the Moon’s distance and will be passing closer than geostationary satellites which are placed 35,888 km from our planet’s surface. However, EarthSky said that "there is no risk of impact." The rocks is expected to be at its closet when it passes over Australia or New Zealand. However, there is bad news for stargazers as it won't be visible through the naked eye but can be viewed through a 6 or 8-inch diameter telescope and is likely to increase in brightness as it approaches the Earth. "The space rock is currently in the constellation of Pegasus the Flying Horse, and will then move to the constellation of Pisces the Fish," EarthSky said.

Asteroid alert: Space rock to zip past Earth today, will be closer than geostationary satellites

International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday was moved away in orbit on Tuesday in order to avoid collision with space debris. NASA said that the ISS carried out a '150 second reboost' to avoid 'unknown' space debris. As per NASA's calculations, the space debris was to pass by the ISS at a distance of 1.39 km, an extremely short range in space.

Currently, there are 3 astronauts at the ISS. NASA instructed them, 'out of abundance of caution', to move to the Russian section of the ISS closer to Soyuz spacecraft. This would have helped to extract the astronauts safely in case of any emergency.

ISS is currently orbiting the earth at the speed of 27,568km/h (17,130 mph). At this speed, even a small object can create damage to ISS, repair work of which is a costly affair going up to the tune of millions of dollars.

NASA stressed that there was no danger to the astronauts.

The issue with space debris

Space debris is a huge impediment in space exploration. According to Daily Mail, there are 160 million pieces of debris around Earth. These include large objects like defunct, old satellite and also small in dimensions of a few centimeters. But all of them are capable of causing great damage to satellites that are functioning.

Amid global calls for comprehensive action to control space debris, UK announced funding for clean up of the space through its space agency UKSA.

The £1 million funding (around $12,96,880) will be used to clear space debris, even though no concrete way to remove it has been formulated yet. 
&nbsp;

International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday was moved away in orbit on Tuesday in order to avoid collision with space debris. NASA said that the ISS carried out a '150 second reboost' to avoid 'unknown' space debris.

International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday was moved away in orbit on Tuesday in order to avoid collision with space debris. NASA said that the ISS carried out a '150 second reboost' to avoid 'unknown' space debris. As per NASA's calculations, the space debris was to pass by the ISS at a distance of 1.39 km, an extremely short range in space. Currently, there are 3 astronauts at the ISS. NASA instructed them, 'out of abundance of caution', to move to the Russian section of the ISS closer to Soyuz spacecraft. This would have helped to extract the astronauts safely in case of any emergency. ISS is currently orbiting the earth at the speed of 27,568km/h (17,130 mph). At this speed, even a small object can create damage to ISS, repair work of which is a costly affair going up to the tune of millions of dollars. NASA stressed that there was no danger to the astronauts. The issue with space debris Space debris is a huge impediment in space exploration. According to Daily Mail, there are 160 million pieces of debris around Earth. These include large objects like defunct, old satellite and also small in dimensions of a few centimeters. But all of them are capable of causing great damage to satellites that are functioning. Amid global calls for comprehensive action to control space debris, UK announced funding for clean up of the space through its space agency UKSA. The £1 million funding (around $12,96,880) will be used to clear space debris, even though no concrete way to remove it has been formulated yet.

International Space Station moved in orbit to avoid collision with space debris

NASA on Monday revealed its latest plan to return astronauts to the Moon in 2024, and estimated the cost of meeting that deadline at $28 billion, $16 billion of which would be spent on the lunar landing module.

Congress, which faces elections on November 3, will have to sign off on the financing for a project that has been set by US President Donald Trump as a top priority. The $28 billion would cover the budgetary years of 2021-25.

In a phone briefing with journalists Monday on the Artemis mission to return human beings to the Moon, NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine noted that "political risks" were often the biggest threat to NASA's work, especially before such a crucial election.

Barack Obama cancelled plans for a manned Mars mission, after his predecessor spent billions of dollars on the project.

If Congress approves the first tranche of $3.2 billion by Christmas, "we're still on track for a 2024 moon landing," Bridenstine said.

"To be clear, we're going to the South Pole," he said, ruling out the sites of the Apollo landings on the Moon's equator between 1969 and 1972. "There's no discussion of anything other than that."

Three different projects are in competition to build the lunar lander that will carry two astronauts -- one of them a woman -- to the Moon from their vessel Orion.

The first one is being developed by Blue Origin, founded by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, in partnership with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Draper. The other two projects are being undertaken by Elon Musk's SpaceX and by the company Dynetics.

The first flight, Artemis I, scheduled for November of 2021, will be unmanned: the new giant rocket SLS, currently in its test phase, will take off for the first time with the Orion capsule.

Artemis II, in 2023, will take astronauts around the Moon but will not land.

Finally, Artemis III will be the equivalent of Apollo 11 in 1969, but the stay on the Moon will last longer -- for a week -- and will include two to five "extravehicular activities."

"The science that we would be doing is really very different than anything we've done before," said Bridenstine. "We have to remember during the Apollo era, we thought the moon was bone dry. Now we know that there's lots of water ice and we know that it's at the South Pole."

NASA on Monday revealed its latest plan to return astronauts to the Moon in 2024, and estimated the cost of meeting that deadline at $28 billion, $16 billion of which would be spent on the lunar landing module.

NASA on Monday revealed its latest plan to return astronauts to the Moon in 2024, and estimated the cost of meeting that deadline at $28 billion, $16 billion of which would be spent on the lunar landing module. Congress, which faces elections on November 3, will have to sign off on the financing for a project that has been set by US President Donald Trump as a top priority. The $28 billion would cover the budgetary years of 2021-25. In a phone briefing with journalists Monday on the Artemis mission to return human beings to the Moon, NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine noted that "political risks" were often the biggest threat to NASA's work, especially before such a crucial election. Barack Obama cancelled plans for a manned Mars mission, after his predecessor spent billions of dollars on the project. If Congress approves the first tranche of $3.2 billion by Christmas, "we're still on track for a 2024 moon landing," Bridenstine said. "To be clear, we're going to the South Pole," he said, ruling out the sites of the Apollo landings on the Moon's equator between 1969 and 1972. "There's no discussion of anything other than that." Three different projects are in competition to build the lunar lander that will carry two astronauts -- one of them a woman -- to the Moon from their vessel Orion. The first one is being developed by Blue Origin, founded by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, in partnership with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Draper. The other two projects are being undertaken by Elon Musk's SpaceX and by the company Dynetics. The first flight, Artemis I, scheduled for November of 2021, will be unmanned: the new giant rocket SLS, currently in its test phase, will take off for the first time with the Orion capsule. Artemis II, in 2023, will take astronauts around the Moon but will not land. Finally, Artemis III will be the equivalent of Apollo 11 in 1969, but the stay on the Moon will last longer -- for a week -- and will include two to five "extravehicular activities." "The science that we would be doing is really very different than anything we've done before," said Bridenstine. "We have to remember during the Apollo era, we thought the moon was bone dry. Now we know that there's lots of water ice and we know that it's at the South Pole."

NASA plans mission to moon by 2024, to cost $28 billion

After the discovery of a gas that provides strong evidence of the presence of living organisms in Venus, NASA is considering giving approval to a mission to the planet on the solar system.&nbsp;

On Monday, a team of scientists confirmed the presence of phosphine in Venus, a flammable gas present on Earth which provides evidence of the existence of living organisms.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/potential-sign-of-alien-life-detected-on-inhospitable-venus-327530">Potential sign of alien life detected on inhospitable Venus</a>

The US space agency is reveiwing four proposals, including two robotic probes on Venus, which can be approved by next April.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-seeking-explorers-for-mining-on-the-moon-all-nationalities-welcome-326795">NASA seeking explorers for mining on the moon, all nationalities welcome</a>

One of the proposals is called DAVINCI+, which intends to probe the Venusian atmosphere.

"Davinci is the logical one to choose if you're motivated in part by wanting to follow this up - because the way to follow this up is to actually go there and see what's going on in the atmosphere," said David Grinspoon, an astrobiologist working on the DAVINCI+ proposal, as quoted by news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

The name of the second proposal on Venus is VERITAS, that would target on understanding the planet's geological history.&nbsp;

Earlier NASA chief Jim Bridenstine called the findings about Venus "most significant development" and called for "prioritising Venus".&nbsp;

"Life on Venus? The discovery of phosphine, a byproduct of anaerobic biology, is the most significant development yet in building the case for life off Earth," he said on Twitter.&nbsp;

After the discovery of a gas that provides strong evidence of the presence of living organisms in Venus, NASA is considering giving approval to a mission to the planet on the solar system.

After the discovery of a gas that provides strong evidence of the presence of living organisms in Venus, NASA is considering giving approval to a mission to the planet on the solar system. On Monday, a team of scientists confirmed the presence of phosphine in Venus, a flammable gas present on Earth which provides evidence of the existence of living organisms. Also read | Potential sign of alien life detected on inhospitable Venus The US space agency is reveiwing four proposals, including two robotic probes on Venus, which can be approved by next April. Also read | NASA seeking explorers for mining on the moon, all nationalities welcome One of the proposals is called DAVINCI+, which intends to probe the Venusian atmosphere. "Davinci is the logical one to choose if you're motivated in part by wanting to follow this up - because the way to follow this up is to actually go there and see what's going on in the atmosphere," said David Grinspoon, an astrobiologist working on the DAVINCI+ proposal, as quoted by news agency Reuters. The name of the second proposal on Venus is VERITAS, that would target on understanding the planet's geological history. Earlier NASA chief Jim Bridenstine called the findings about Venus "most significant development" and called for "prioritising Venus". "Life on Venus? The discovery of phosphine, a byproduct of anaerobic biology, is the most significant development yet in building the case for life off Earth," he said on Twitter.

Life on Venus? NASA considering probe to find possible life

The European space agency (ESA) signed a deal worth 129 million euros ($154 million) on Tuesday to make a spacecraft for a joint project with NASA looking at how to deflect an asteroid heading for Earth.

NASA is due to launch a spacecraft in June 2021 set on a collision course with the Dimorphos asteroid to test whether it would be possible to nudge objects that might be threatening Earth onto a safer path.

ESA will then launch its spacecraft - named Hera after the Greek goddess of marriage - in October 2024 to map the resulting impact crater and measure the asteroid’s mass, reaching the area in late 2026 for a six-month survey.

The mission is reminiscent of the 1998 film Armageddon, in which actor Bruce Willis plays a member of a team sent to destroy an asteroid to save Earth.

“We want to try for the first time to steer an asteroid on its potential collision course with Earth,” ESA director Rolf Densing told Reuters television.

Dimorphos has a diameter of 160 metres, about the width of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, which ESA said was big enough to destroy an entire city if it were to hit Earth.

Hera, set to be only the size of a desk, should navigate autonomously around the asteroid while it collects data. It will also launch mini satellites - 10 cm cubes which will be able to fly much closer to the asteroid’s surface.

Marco Fuchs, chief executive of German space and technology group OHB that will develop the Hera craft, said trying to divert an asteroid was like “playing billiards” and noted the challenge of steering towards such a small celestial body.

“You have to steer very precisely, you have to find it first and then approach it in such a way that you can really observe what has happened as a result of the impact of the American probe,” he said.

The European space agency (ESA) signed a deal worth 129 million euros ($154 million) on Tuesday to make a spacecraft for a joint project with NASA looking at how to deflect an asteroid heading for Earth.

The European space agency (ESA) signed a deal worth 129 million euros ($154 million) on Tuesday to make a spacecraft for a joint project with NASA looking at how to deflect an asteroid heading for Earth. NASA is due to launch a spacecraft in June 2021 set on a collision course with the Dimorphos asteroid to test whether it would be possible to nudge objects that might be threatening Earth onto a safer path. ESA will then launch its spacecraft - named Hera after the Greek goddess of marriage - in October 2024 to map the resulting impact crater and measure the asteroid’s mass, reaching the area in late 2026 for a six-month survey. The mission is reminiscent of the 1998 film Armageddon, in which actor Bruce Willis plays a member of a team sent to destroy an asteroid to save Earth. “We want to try for the first time to steer an asteroid on its potential collision course with Earth,” ESA director Rolf Densing told Reuters television. Dimorphos has a diameter of 160 metres, about the width of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, which ESA said was big enough to destroy an entire city if it were to hit Earth. Hera, set to be only the size of a desk, should navigate autonomously around the asteroid while it collects data. It will also launch mini satellites - 10 cm cubes which will be able to fly much closer to the asteroid’s surface. Marco Fuchs, chief executive of German space and technology group OHB that will develop the Hera craft, said trying to divert an asteroid was like “playing billiards” and noted the challenge of steering towards such a small celestial body. “You have to steer very precisely, you have to find it first and then approach it in such a way that you can really observe what has happened as a result of the impact of the American probe,” he said.

European space agency signs deal for asteroid defence mission

NASA&nbsp;on Thursday launched an effort to pay companies to mine resources on the moon, announcing it would buy from them rocks, dirt and other lunar materials as the US&nbsp;space agency seeks to spur private extraction of coveted off-world resources for its use.

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✨ We're looking for the next class of NASA flight directors, and today is the last day to apply. 
 
Be part of the team leading astronauts on missions to the <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Artemis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Artemis</a> missions to the Moon: <a href="https://t.co/6fRdqmQF6J">https://t.co/6fRdqmQF6J</a> <a href="https://t.co/MUITVVaRl1">pic.twitter.com/MUITVVaRl1</a>
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NASA&nbsp;Administrator Jim Bridenstine wrote in a blog post accompanying the announcement that the plans would not violate a 1967 treaty that holds that celestial bodies and space are exempt from national claims of ownership.

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FILE PHOTO:&nbsp;NASA&nbsp;Administrator Jim Bridenstine speaks about the upcoming year's budget during an address to the workers at&nbsp;NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, US&nbsp;March 11, 2019/REUTERS

The initiative, targeting companies that plan to send robots to mine lunar resources, is part of&nbsp;NASA's goal of setting what Bridenstine called "norms of behavior" in space and allowing private mining on the moon in ways&nbsp;that could help&nbsp;sustain future astronaut missions.&nbsp;

NASA&nbsp;said it views the mined resources as the property of the company, and the materials would become "the sole property of&nbsp;NASA" after purchase.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bezoss-blue-origin-and-musks-spacex-to-collaborate-in-building-nasas-lunar-lander-296099">Bezos's Blue Origin and Musk's SpaceX to collaborate in building NASA's lunar lander</a>

Under&nbsp;NASA's Artemis program, President Donald Trump's administration envisions a return of American astronauts to the moon by 2024.&nbsp;NASA&nbsp;has cast such as mission as a precursor to a future first human voyage to Mars.

"The bottom line is we are going to buy some lunar soil for the purpose of it demonstrating that it can be done," Bridenstine said during an event hosted by the Secure World Foundation, a space policy organization.

Bridenstine said&nbsp;NASA&nbsp;eventually&nbsp;would buy more types of resources such as ice and other materials that may be discovered on the moon.&nbsp;

NASA&nbsp;in May set the stage for a global debate over the basic principles governing how people will live and work on the moon, releasing the main tenets of what it hopes will become an international pact for moon exploration called the Artemis Accords. This would permit companies to own the lunar resources they mine, a crucial element in allowing&nbsp;NASA&nbsp;contractors to convert the moon's water ice for rocket fuel or mine lunar minerals to construct landing pads.

Under the initiative disclosed on Thursday,&nbsp;NASA&nbsp;offered to purchase limited amounts of lunar resources and asked companies to offer proposals. Under contracts whose terms would vary,&nbsp;a company mining on the moon would collect lunar rocks or dirt to sell to&nbsp;NASA&nbsp;without having to bring the resources back to Earth.

&nbsp; "This is one small step for space resources, but a giant leap for policy and precedent," said&nbsp;Mike Gold,&nbsp;NASA's chief of international relations.

"They are paying the company to sell them a rock that the company owns. That's the product," Joanne Gabrynowicz, former&nbsp;editor-in-chief of the Journal of Space Law, said in an interview. "A company has to decide for itself if it's worth taking the financial and technological risk to do this to sell a rock."

NASA on Thursday launched an effort to pay companies to mine resources on the moon, announcing it would buy from them rocks, dirt and other lunar materials as the US space agency seeks to spur private extraction of coveted off-world resources for its use.

NASA on Thursday launched an effort to pay companies to mine resources on the moon, announcing it would buy from them rocks, dirt and other lunar materials as the US space agency seeks to spur private extraction of coveted off-world resources for its use. ✨ We're looking for the next class of NASA flight directors, and today is the last day to apply. Be part of the team leading astronauts on missions to the @Space_Station and #Artemis missions to the Moon: https://t.co/6fRdqmQF6J pic.twitter.com/MUITVVaRl1 — NASA (@NASA) September 10, 2020 × NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine wrote in a blog post accompanying the announcement that the plans would not violate a 1967 treaty that holds that celestial bodies and space are exempt from national claims of ownership. FILE PHOTO: NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine speaks about the upcoming year's budget during an address to the workers at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, US March 11, 2019/REUTERS The initiative, targeting companies that plan to send robots to mine lunar resources, is part of NASA's goal of setting what Bridenstine called "norms of behavior" in space and allowing private mining on the moon in ways that could help sustain future astronaut missions. NASA said it views the mined resources as the property of the company, and the materials would become "the sole property of NASA" after purchase. Also read: Bezos's Blue Origin and Musk's SpaceX to collaborate in building NASA's lunar lander Under NASA's Artemis program, President Donald Trump's administration envisions a return of American astronauts to the moon by 2024. NASA has cast such as mission as a precursor to a future first human voyage to Mars. "The bottom line is we are going to buy some lunar soil for the purpose of it demonstrating that it can be done," Bridenstine said during an event hosted by the Secure World Foundation, a space policy organization. Bridenstine said NASA eventually would buy more types of resources such as ice and other materials that may be discovered on the moon. NASA in May set the stage for a global debate over the basic principles governing how people will live and work on the moon, releasing the main tenets of what it hopes will become an international pact for moon exploration called the Artemis Accords. This would permit companies to own the lunar resources they mine, a crucial element in allowing NASA contractors to convert the moon's water ice for rocket fuel or mine lunar minerals to construct landing pads. Under the initiative disclosed on Thursday, NASA offered to purchase limited amounts of lunar resources and asked companies to offer proposals. Under contracts whose terms would vary, a company mining on the moon would collect lunar rocks or dirt to sell to NASA without having to bring the resources back to Earth. "This is one small step for space resources, but a giant leap for policy and precedent," said Mike Gold, NASA's chief of international relations. "They are paying the company to sell them a rock that the company owns. That's the product," Joanne Gabrynowicz, former editor-in-chief of the Journal of Space Law, said in an interview. "A company has to decide for itself if it's worth taking the financial and technological risk to do this to sell a rock."

NASA seeking explorers for mining on the moon, all nationalities welcome

September 05 in history: Great London fire, NASA launch and more

September 3 in history: First official Polo tournament, Viking 2 lands on Mars and more

After a car-sized asteroid went past the Earth, NASA scientists say an asteroid twice the size of&nbsp;the Great Pyramid of Giza is set to hit the&nbsp;Earth's orbit on Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/students-from-gujarat-in-india-spot-an-asteroid-heading-towards-earth-316642">Also Read: Students from Gujarat in India spot an asteroid heading towards Earth</a>

The asteroid called the "Near-Earth Object" will be entering the Earth's orbit on September 6, according to NASA scientists.

The huge object is reportedly travelling at a speed of 31,400mph. The scientists have reportedly been tracking it since 2010. The asteroid, dubbed 465824 (2010 FR), will be 4.6 million miles away from the Earth and poses no threat to our planet, however, it has been classified as "close approach"&nbsp;by NASA.

The asteroid is reported to be 120-270 metres in diameter which is twice as big as the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt.

An SUV-sized asteroid had passed Earth's orbit last month which was 1,830 miles away, the closest an asteroid has ever been observed passing the planet.

The asteroid named "2020 QG" was reportedly three to six meters long moving at nearly eight miles per second, the scientists had said.

NASA had said that similarly sized asteroids pass by Earth at a similar distance a few times per year, however, they are&nbsp;difficult to record, unless they&nbsp;head&nbsp;directly towards the planet, in which case the explosion in the atmosphere is usually noticed.

After a car-sized asteroid went past the Earth, NASA scientists say an asteroid twice the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza is set to hit the Earth's orbit on Sunday.

After a car-sized asteroid went past the Earth, NASA scientists say an asteroid twice the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza is set to hit the Earth's orbit on Sunday. Also Read: Students from Gujarat in India spot an asteroid heading towards Earth The asteroid called the "Near-Earth Object" will be entering the Earth's orbit on September 6, according to NASA scientists. The huge object is reportedly travelling at a speed of 31,400mph. The scientists have reportedly been tracking it since 2010. The asteroid, dubbed 465824 (2010 FR), will be 4.6 million miles away from the Earth and poses no threat to our planet, however, it has been classified as "close approach" by NASA. The asteroid is reported to be 120-270 metres in diameter which is twice as big as the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. An SUV-sized asteroid had passed Earth's orbit last month which was 1,830 miles away, the closest an asteroid has ever been observed passing the planet. The asteroid named "2020 QG" was reportedly three to six meters long moving at nearly eight miles per second, the scientists had said. NASA had said that similarly sized asteroids pass by Earth at a similar distance a few times per year, however, they are difficult to record, unless they head directly towards the planet, in which case the explosion in the atmosphere is usually noticed.

Asteroid bigger than Great Pyramid of Giza to hit Earth's orbit this week

NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has spotted a galaxy which resembled to TIE Fighter, a famous and fictional ship from Star Wars.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/artificial-intelligence-identifies-50-new-planets-from-nasa-data-323333" hreflang="en">Artificial Intelligence identifies 50 new planets from NASA data</a>

This galaxy is 500 million light-years away from Cassiopeia. The galaxy is called TXS 0128+554. It is an active galaxy that emits more life than all of the stars within the galaxy altogether.

This galaxy was originally discovered in 2015 through gamma rays. However, scientists haven’t had a full grasp of what it looked like until now.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/indian-satellite-astrosat-detects-uv-light-from-galaxy-93-billion-light-years-away-from-earth-322936" hreflang="en">Indian satellite AstroSat detects UV light from galaxy 9.3 billion light-years away from Earth</a>

Matthew Lister, Purdue University professor and lead author of the study that examined the galaxy, said it reminded him of “Star Wars.”

He said: "We zoomed in a million times closer on the galaxy using the (Very Long Baseline Array’s) radio antennas and charted its shape over time. The first time I saw the results, I immediately thought it looked like Darth Vader’s TIE fighter spacecraft from ‘Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.’"&nbsp;

"That was a fun surprise, but its appearance at different radio frequencies also helped us learn more about how active galaxies can change dramatically on decade time scales," he added.&nbsp;

NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has spotted a galaxy which resembled to TIE Fighter, a famous and fictional ship from Star Wars. Also read: Artificial Intelligence identifies 50 new planets from NASA data This galaxy is 500 million light-years away from Cassiopeia.

NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has spotted a galaxy which resembled to TIE Fighter, a famous and fictional ship from Star Wars. Also read: Artificial Intelligence identifies 50 new planets from NASA data This galaxy is 500 million light-years away from Cassiopeia. The galaxy is called TXS 0128+554. It is an active galaxy that emits more life than all of the stars within the galaxy altogether. This galaxy was originally discovered in 2015 through gamma rays. However, scientists haven’t had a full grasp of what it looked like until now. Also read: Indian satellite AstroSat detects UV light from galaxy 9.3 billion light-years away from Earth Matthew Lister, Purdue University professor and lead author of the study that examined the galaxy, said it reminded him of “Star Wars.” He said: "We zoomed in a million times closer on the galaxy using the (Very Long Baseline Array’s) radio antennas and charted its shape over time. The first time I saw the results, I immediately thought it looked like Darth Vader’s TIE fighter spacecraft from ‘Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.’" "That was a fun surprise, but its appearance at different radio frequencies also helped us learn more about how active galaxies can change dramatically on decade time scales," he added.

NASA scientists discover a galaxy similar to Star Wars 'TIE Fighter'

Glaciers have been melting increasingly due to climate change, and it was widely believed that they end up in oceans upon melting. However, recent studies have found that'll meltwater does not go into the oceans.

The volume of lakes formed by glacier's meltwater has increased to 50 per cent in the last 30 years, new satellite images and data has revealed.

"We have known that not all meltwater is making it into the oceans immediately," lead author Dan Shugar, a geomorphologist and associate professor at the University of Calgary, said in a statement.

"But until now there were no data to estimate how much was being stored in lakes or groundwater."

The study was published in&nbsp;Nature Climate Change on Monday. Shugar believes the study will help other scientists and researchers in identifying hazards to communities that live near these&nbsp;unstable lakes. The study can also help improve the accuracy of the estimates in sea level.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/greenland-ice-has-shrunk-beyond-return-study-finds-320639">Also read:&nbsp;Greenland ice has shrunk beyond return, study finds</a>

The glacier lakes are highly unstable and pose a threat to communities living near it, as they are&nbsp;dammed by ice or sediment composed of loose rock and debris. The water from these lakes can cause heavy floods.

Known as glacial lake outbursts, this kind of flooding has been responsible for thousands of deaths in the last century, as well as the destruction of villages, infrastructure and livestock, according to the study, published in Nature Climate Change.

The most recent recorded incident was a glacial lake outburst that washed through the Hunza Valley in Pakistan in May.

The other main sources of sea level rise are ice sheets and the expansion of ocean water as it warms.

"In the past 100 years, 35 percent of global sea-level rises came from glacier melting," Anders Levermann, climate professor at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Change Impact told media.

The glacier melt has increased as the Earth's temperature has increased one degree Celsius since preindustrial times&nbsp;and the temperature in high-mountain areas have increased twice that pace.

The recent study is based on&nbsp;based on 250,000 scenes from NASA's Landsat satellite missions. Through these images, it has been estimated that the current glacial lakes volume at more than 150 cubic kilometres (37 cubic miles), equivalent to one-third the volume of Lake Erie in the United States or twice the volume of Lake Geneva.

Earlier this year, the UN Development Programme had also estimated a threat to almost seven million people from the&nbsp;3,000 glacial lakes that have formed&nbsp;in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region.

Glaciers have been melting increasingly due to climate change, and it was widely believed that they end up in oceans upon melting. However, recent studies have found that'll meltwater does not go into the oceans.

Glaciers have been melting increasingly due to climate change, and it was widely believed that they end up in oceans upon melting. However, recent studies have found that'll meltwater does not go into the oceans. The volume of lakes formed by glacier's meltwater has increased to 50 per cent in the last 30 years, new satellite images and data has revealed. "We have known that not all meltwater is making it into the oceans immediately," lead author Dan Shugar, a geomorphologist and associate professor at the University of Calgary, said in a statement. "But until now there were no data to estimate how much was being stored in lakes or groundwater." The study was published in Nature Climate Change on Monday. Shugar believes the study will help other scientists and researchers in identifying hazards to communities that live near these unstable lakes. The study can also help improve the accuracy of the estimates in sea level. Also read: Greenland ice has shrunk beyond return, study finds The glacier lakes are highly unstable and pose a threat to communities living near it, as they are dammed by ice or sediment composed of loose rock and debris. The water from these lakes can cause heavy floods. Known as glacial lake outbursts, this kind of flooding has been responsible for thousands of deaths in the last century, as well as the destruction of villages, infrastructure and livestock, according to the study, published in Nature Climate Change. The most recent recorded incident was a glacial lake outburst that washed through the Hunza Valley in Pakistan in May. The other main sources of sea level rise are ice sheets and the expansion of ocean water as it warms. "In the past 100 years, 35 percent of global sea-level rises came from glacier melting," Anders Levermann, climate professor at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Change Impact told media. The glacier melt has increased as the Earth's temperature has increased one degree Celsius since preindustrial times and the temperature in high-mountain areas have increased twice that pace. The recent study is based on based on 250,000 scenes from NASA's Landsat satellite missions. Through these images, it has been estimated that the current glacial lakes volume at more than 150 cubic kilometres (37 cubic miles), equivalent to one-third the volume of Lake Erie in the United States or twice the volume of Lake Geneva. Earlier this year, the UN Development Programme had also estimated a threat to almost seven million people from the 3,000 glacial lakes that have formed in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region.

Glacier lakes have increased 50% in last 30 years: Study

In a groundbreaking first, British researchers have identified 50 new planets using artificial intelligence.

A research team led by David Armstrong at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom&nbsp;created a&nbsp;machine learning&nbsp;algorithm and trained it using data on confirmed planets and false-positives from&nbsp;NASA's retired Kepler mission.&nbsp;

The scientists&nbsp;then used the algorithm on a dataset of still unconfirmed planetary candidates from Kepler, resulting in fifty new confirmed planets and the first to be validated by machine learning.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/growing-dent-on-earths-magnetic-field-can-damage-satellites-and-navigation-321602" hreflang="en">Growing dent on Earth’s magnetic field can damage satellites and navigation</a>

Their results were reported in a new study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, where they also perform the first large scale comparison of such planet validation techniques.

Previous machine learning techniques have ranked candidates, but never determined the probability that a candidate was a true planet by themselves, a required step for planet validation.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/car-sized-asteroid-becomes-closest-ever-seen-passing-earth-nasa-321591" hreflang="en">Car-sized asteroid becomes closest ever seen passing Earth: NASA</a>

These 50 exoplanets,&nbsp;range from worlds as large as Neptune to smaller than the Earth, with orbits as long as 200 days to as little as a single day. By confirming that these fifty planets are real, astronomers can now prioritise these for further observations with dedicated telescopes.

"The algorithm we have developed lets us take fifty candidates across the threshold for planet validation, upgrading them to real planets. We hope to apply this technique to large samples of candidates from current and future missions like TESS and PLATO,"&nbsp;Armstrong said.

"In terms of planet validation, no-one has used a machine learning technique before. Machine learning has been used for ranking planetary candidates but never in a probabilistic framework, which is what you need to truly validate a planet. Rather than saying which candidates are more likely to be planets, we can now say what the precise statistical likelihood is. Where there is less than a 1 per cent&nbsp;chance of a candidate being a false positive, it is considered a validated planet," added Armstrong.

"Probabilistic approaches to statistical machine learning are especially suited for an exciting problem like this in astrophysics that requires incorporation of prior knowledge,&nbsp;from experts like Dr Armstrong&nbsp;and quantification of uncertainty in predictions. A prime example when the additional computational complexity of probabilistic methods pays off significantly," Dr Theo Damoulas from the University of Warwick Department of Computer Science, and Deputy Director, Data Centric Engineering and Turing Fellow at The Alan Turing Institute, said.

Once built and trained the algorithm is faster than existing techniques and can be completely automated, making it ideal for analysing the potentially thousands of planetary candidates observed in current surveys like TESS.

The researchers argue that it should be one of the tools to be collectively used to validate planets in future.

"Almost 30 per cent of the known planets to date have been validated using just one method, and that`s not ideal. Developing new methods for validation is desirable for that reason alone. But machine learning also lets us do it very quickly and prioritise candidates much faster. We still have to spend time training the algorithm, but once that is done it becomes much easier to apply it to future candidates," Dr Armstrong said.

"You can also incorporate new discoveries to progressively improve it. A survey like TESS is predicted to have tens of thousands of planetary candidates and it is ideal to be able to analyse them all consistently. Fast, automated systems like this that can take us all the way to validated planets in fewer steps let us do that efficiently," added Dr Armstrong.

In a groundbreaking first, British researchers have identified 50 new planets using artificial intelligence. A research team led by David Armstrong at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom created a machine learning algorithm and trained it using data on confirmed planets and false-positives from NASA's retired Kepler mission.

In a groundbreaking first, British researchers have identified 50 new planets using artificial intelligence. A research team led by David Armstrong at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom created a machine learning algorithm and trained it using data on confirmed planets and false-positives from NASA's retired Kepler mission. The scientists then used the algorithm on a dataset of still unconfirmed planetary candidates from Kepler, resulting in fifty new confirmed planets and the first to be validated by machine learning. Also read: Growing dent on Earth’s magnetic field can damage satellites and navigation Their results were reported in a new study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, where they also perform the first large scale comparison of such planet validation techniques. Previous machine learning techniques have ranked candidates, but never determined the probability that a candidate was a true planet by themselves, a required step for planet validation. Also read: Car-sized asteroid becomes closest ever seen passing Earth: NASA These 50 exoplanets, range from worlds as large as Neptune to smaller than the Earth, with orbits as long as 200 days to as little as a single day. By confirming that these fifty planets are real, astronomers can now prioritise these for further observations with dedicated telescopes. "The algorithm we have developed lets us take fifty candidates across the threshold for planet validation, upgrading them to real planets. We hope to apply this technique to large samples of candidates from current and future missions like TESS and PLATO," Armstrong said. "In terms of planet validation, no-one has used a machine learning technique before. Machine learning has been used for ranking planetary candidates but never in a probabilistic framework, which is what you need to truly validate a planet. Rather than saying which candidates are more likely to be planets, we can now say what the precise statistical likelihood is. Where there is less than a 1 per cent chance of a candidate being a false positive, it is considered a validated planet," added Armstrong. "Probabilistic approaches to statistical machine learning are especially suited for an exciting problem like this in astrophysics that requires incorporation of prior knowledge, from experts like Dr Armstrong and quantification of uncertainty in predictions. A prime example when the additional computational complexity of probabilistic methods pays off significantly," Dr Theo Damoulas from the University of Warwick Department of Computer Science, and Deputy Director, Data Centric Engineering and Turing Fellow at The Alan Turing Institute, said. Once built and trained the algorithm is faster than existing techniques and can be completely automated, making it ideal for analysing the potentially thousands of planetary candidates observed in current surveys like TESS. The researchers argue that it should be one of the tools to be collectively used to validate planets in future. "Almost 30 per cent of the known planets to date have been validated using just one method, and that`s not ideal. Developing new methods for validation is desirable for that reason alone. But machine learning also lets us do it very quickly and prioritise candidates much faster. We still have to spend time training the algorithm, but once that is done it becomes much easier to apply it to future candidates," Dr Armstrong said. "You can also incorporate new discoveries to progressively improve it. A survey like TESS is predicted to have tens of thousands of planetary candidates and it is ideal to be able to analyse them all consistently. Fast, automated systems like this that can take us all the way to validated planets in fewer steps let us do that efficiently," added Dr Armstrong.

Artificial Intelligence identifies 50 new planets from NASA data

Scientists have found a radiation-resistant bacteria can survive at least three years exposed in orbit, suggesting simple life forms could manage the long journey between between Earth and Mars unprotected.

The Japanese scientists behind the research said Wednesday the finding lends credence to so-called "panspermia theory", which posits that microbes can travel from one planet to another, seeding life on arrival.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/indian-satellite-astrosat-detects-uv-light-from-galaxy-93-billion-light-years-away-from-earth-322936">Also read|&nbsp;Indian satellite AstroSat detects UV light from galaxy 9.3 billion light-years away from Earth</a>

To test the theory, the researchers deposited a bacteria called Deinococcus radiodurans outside the International Space Station at an altitude of 400 kilometres (250 miles) from the Earth.

Despite enduring the harsh environment of outer space and exposure to strong UV and large temperature changes, the bacteria was still alive in parts after three years.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/iss-crew-switch-cabins-to-look-for-source-of-small-cabin-air-leak-322157">Also read|&nbsp;ISS crew switch cabins to look for source of small cabin air leak</a>

"I knew it would survive after carrying out various experiments in the lab, but when it came back alive, I was relieved," Akihiko Yamagishi, study author and emeritus professor at Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, told AFP.

The results show that the bacteria could weather a journey between Mars and Earth, and opens up intriguing possibilities, he said.

"Everyone thinks the origin of life started on Earth, but the new findings indicate that other planets could also be where life began."

Yamagishi and his team hope to carry out similar experiments outside the Van Allen radiation belt, which would expose the bacteria to even more radiation.

Scientists believe that more than three billion years ago Mars was much warmer than today and was covered in rivers and lakes, conditions which could have led to simple microbial life.

The discovery, published Wednesday in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology, comes with Mars back in the headlines as three missions head for the Red Planet.

They include the Hope probe from the United Arab Emirates, the Tianwen-1 from China and Mars 2020 from the United States, all of which are taking advantage of a period when the Earth and Mars are nearer to each other than usual.

Scientists have found a radiation-resistant bacteria can survive at least three years exposed in orbit, suggesting simple life forms could manage the long journey between between Earth and Mars unprotected.

Scientists have found a radiation-resistant bacteria can survive at least three years exposed in orbit, suggesting simple life forms could manage the long journey between between Earth and Mars unprotected. The Japanese scientists behind the research said Wednesday the finding lends credence to so-called "panspermia theory", which posits that microbes can travel from one planet to another, seeding life on arrival. Also read| Indian satellite AstroSat detects UV light from galaxy 9.3 billion light-years away from Earth To test the theory, the researchers deposited a bacteria called Deinococcus radiodurans outside the International Space Station at an altitude of 400 kilometres (250 miles) from the Earth. Despite enduring the harsh environment of outer space and exposure to strong UV and large temperature changes, the bacteria was still alive in parts after three years. Also read| ISS crew switch cabins to look for source of small cabin air leak "I knew it would survive after carrying out various experiments in the lab, but when it came back alive, I was relieved," Akihiko Yamagishi, study author and emeritus professor at Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, told AFP. The results show that the bacteria could weather a journey between Mars and Earth, and opens up intriguing possibilities, he said. "Everyone thinks the origin of life started on Earth, but the new findings indicate that other planets could also be where life began." Yamagishi and his team hope to carry out similar experiments outside the Van Allen radiation belt, which would expose the bacteria to even more radiation. Scientists believe that more than three billion years ago Mars was much warmer than today and was covered in rivers and lakes, conditions which could have led to simple microbial life. The discovery, published Wednesday in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology, comes with Mars back in the headlines as three missions head for the Red Planet. They include the Hope probe from the United Arab Emirates, the Tianwen-1 from China and Mars 2020 from the United States, all of which are taking advantage of a period when the Earth and Mars are nearer to each other than usual.

Bacteria can survive cosmic trip: International Space Station study

August 25 in history: Demonstration of the first telescope, first spacecraft to enter Interstellar space and more

The US Presidential elections are always a huge affair and comes with its own problems and controversies. This year, with the ongoing pandemic, problems have doubled up. However, to make matters worse, an asteroid is headed towards the United States.

The celestial object, 2018VP1, is headed towards the Earth and that too on November 02 — a day before the much-controversial elections.

Center for Near Earth Objects Studies at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has claimed the asteroid is&nbsp;diameter is 0.002 km, or about 6.5 feet, but probably won't have a deep impact.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/car-sized-asteroid-becomes-closest-ever-seen-passing-earth-nasa-321591">Also read|&nbsp;Car-sized asteroid becomes closest ever seen passing Earth: NASA</a>

The asteroid, which was first discovered in Palomar Observatory in California in 2018, can have three imoacts but NASA has observed that "based on 21 observations spanning 12.968 days", there is only a&nbsp;0.41 per cent chance of the asteroid actually hitting the Earth.

The upcoming US Presidential elections have always been facing problems due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, that has made it difficult for voters to go to voting centres to vote. The US lawmakers are urging people to opt for mail-in voting, which the US President Donald Trump feels will be an "embarassment" for the country.

Trump is re-running for the post of President against Joe Biden, who is winning the race, as per the early polls. The elections are scheduled for November 03, with Trump claiming that the results will not be announced for weeks.

The US Presidential elections are always a huge affair and comes with its own problems and controversies. This year, with the ongoing pandemic, problems have doubled up.

The US Presidential elections are always a huge affair and comes with its own problems and controversies. This year, with the ongoing pandemic, problems have doubled up. However, to make matters worse, an asteroid is headed towards the United States. The celestial object, 2018VP1, is headed towards the Earth and that too on November 02 — a day before the much-controversial elections. Center for Near Earth Objects Studies at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has claimed the asteroid is diameter is 0.002 km, or about 6.5 feet, but probably won't have a deep impact. Also read| Car-sized asteroid becomes closest ever seen passing Earth: NASA The asteroid, which was first discovered in Palomar Observatory in California in 2018, can have three imoacts but NASA has observed that "based on 21 observations spanning 12.968 days", there is only a 0.41 per cent chance of the asteroid actually hitting the Earth. The upcoming US Presidential elections have always been facing problems due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, that has made it difficult for voters to go to voting centres to vote. The US lawmakers are urging people to opt for mail-in voting, which the US President Donald Trump feels will be an "embarassment" for the country. Trump is re-running for the post of President against Joe Biden, who is winning the race, as per the early polls. The elections are scheduled for November 03, with Trump claiming that the results will not be announced for weeks.

Asteroid heading towards Earth a day before US elections: NASA

In one of the rare instances, three crew members onboard the International Space Station (ISS) will be spending the weekend in the Russian area of the vessel.

NASA’s Chris Cassidy and Russia’s Ivan Vagner and Anatoly Ivanishin will be shifting to be able to search for the source of a cabin air leak, NASA and Russian space agency Roscosmos announced.

“In September 2019, NASA and its international partners first saw indications of a slight increase above the standard cabin air leak rate,” NASA said in a statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/growing-dent-on-earths-magnetic-field-can-damage-satellites-and-navigation-321602">Also read:&nbsp;Growing dent on Earth’s magnetic field can damage satellites and navigation</a>

According to sources, the leak was identified by a machine used to measure the amount of&nbsp;nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide in the station. The machine is reportedly used by the Russian segment of the vessel.

The process is something that has been taught to the crew members during their training and is considered to be in the&nbsp;on-board documentation.

This decision was taken by&nbsp;Roscosmos and NASA jointly. Both the bodies have assured that there is no danger to the crew or thr space station.

In one of the rare instances, three crew members onboard the International Space Station (ISS) will be spending the weekend in the Russian area of the vessel. NASA’s Chris Cassidy and Russia’s Ivan Vagner and Anatoly Ivanishin will be shifting to be able to search for the source of a cabin air leak, NASA and Russian space agency Roscosmos announced.

In one of the rare instances, three crew members onboard the International Space Station (ISS) will be spending the weekend in the Russian area of the vessel. NASA’s Chris Cassidy and Russia’s Ivan Vagner and Anatoly Ivanishin will be shifting to be able to search for the source of a cabin air leak, NASA and Russian space agency Roscosmos announced. “In September 2019, NASA and its international partners first saw indications of a slight increase above the standard cabin air leak rate,” NASA said in a statement. Also read: Growing dent on Earth’s magnetic field can damage satellites and navigation According to sources, the leak was identified by a machine used to measure the amount of nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide in the station. The machine is reportedly used by the Russian segment of the vessel. The process is something that has been taught to the crew members during their training and is considered to be in the on-board documentation. This decision was taken by Roscosmos and NASA jointly. Both the bodies have assured that there is no danger to the crew or thr space station.

ISS crew switch cabins to look for source of small cabin air leak

NASA researchers are tracking an evolving dent&nbsp;on Earth’s magnetic field splitting in two, that could impact satellites, navigation and spacecraft.

Earth’s magnetic field acts like a protective shield around the planet, repelling and trapping charged particles from the Sun.

But an unusually weak spot in the field called the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA)&nbsp;stretching out between South America and southwest Africa, allows these particles to dip closer to the surface than normal.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/car-sized-asteroid-becomes-closest-ever-seen-passing-earth-nasa-321591" hreflang="en">Car-sized asteroid becomes closest ever seen passing Earth: NASA</a>

Particle radiation in this region can knock out onboard computers and interfere with the data collection of satellites that pass through it, a key reason why NASA scientists want to track and study the anomaly.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qpdQcw_52iM" width="560"></iframe>

The South Atlantic Anomaly, new data has also shown, is weakening and expanding westward. Moreover, it's splitting into two lobes, rather than one large one, which will cause further headaches for managing satellite missions.

If satellites traveling through this weak area in the magnetic field are hit by energized particles, they can short-circuit, glitch or even sustain permanent damage. So satellite operators regularly shut down satellite components when they travel through the anomaly so they don't risk losing key instruments or the whole satellite.

The&nbsp;International Space Station, which is in low-Earth orbit, also passes through the SAA. It is well protected, and astronauts are safe from harm while inside.

However, the ISS has other passengers affected by the higher radiation levels: Instruments like the&nbsp;Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation&nbsp;mission, or GEDI, collect data from various positions on the outside of the ISS.

These random hits may usually only produce low-level glitches, but they do carry the risk of causing significant data loss, or even permanent damage to key components.

According to NASA, the Earth's magnetic field is produced by its molten, iron-rich core, which is in a constant state of motion 1,800 miles below the surface. These motions act like a generator, which is known as the geodynamo, and the electric currents that the movements create produce the magnetic field.

NASA researchers are tracking an evolving dent on Earth’s magnetic field splitting in two, that could impact satellites, navigation and spacecraft. Earth’s magnetic field acts like a protective shield around the planet, repelling and trapping charged particles from the Sun.

NASA researchers are tracking an evolving dent on Earth’s magnetic field splitting in two, that could impact satellites, navigation and spacecraft. Earth’s magnetic field acts like a protective shield around the planet, repelling and trapping charged particles from the Sun. But an unusually weak spot in the field called the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) stretching out between South America and southwest Africa, allows these particles to dip closer to the surface than normal. Also read: Car-sized asteroid becomes closest ever seen passing Earth: NASA Particle radiation in this region can knock out onboard computers and interfere with the data collection of satellites that pass through it, a key reason why NASA scientists want to track and study the anomaly. The South Atlantic Anomaly, new data has also shown, is weakening and expanding westward. Moreover, it's splitting into two lobes, rather than one large one, which will cause further headaches for managing satellite missions. If satellites traveling through this weak area in the magnetic field are hit by energized particles, they can short-circuit, glitch or even sustain permanent damage. So satellite operators regularly shut down satellite components when they travel through the anomaly so they don't risk losing key instruments or the whole satellite. The International Space Station, which is in low-Earth orbit, also passes through the SAA. It is well protected, and astronauts are safe from harm while inside. However, the ISS has other passengers affected by the higher radiation levels: Instruments like the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation mission, or GEDI, collect data from various positions on the outside of the ISS. These random hits may usually only produce low-level glitches, but they do carry the risk of causing significant data loss, or even permanent damage to key components. According to NASA, the Earth's magnetic field is produced by its molten, iron-rich core, which is in a constant state of motion 1,800 miles below the surface. These motions act like a generator, which is known as the geodynamo, and the electric currents that the movements create produce the magnetic field.

Growing dent on Earth’s magnetic field can damage satellites and navigation

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