It is already known that Covid infection affects physical as well as mental health. But a new study suggests that cognitive impairment caused due to severe Covid infection may be equal to drop of 10 IQ points.

In other words, severe Covid infections may result in loss of cognitive abilities which happens between 50 and 70 years of age. The study has been carried out by a team of scientists from University of Cambridge and Imperial College London.

The study points at the possibility that effects of Covid may be detectable in a person even more than six months after the infection. The cognitive recovery may at best be gradual.

For this study, the researchers sifted through data of 46 patients who were admitted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge for treatment of Covid.

Six months after their acute illness, the patients were asked to take detailed cognitive tests that checked their memory, attention and reasoning. Results obtained from the group of patients were compared to those obtained from a control group.

It was found that Covid survivors had slower response time and were less accurate in their answers in the cognitive tests. Such results were detected six months after the infection.

It was found during the study that cognitive impairment was strongest among patients who needed mechanical ventilation during their illness. In other words, they were severely infected by Covid.

The researchers compared the results with larger dataset obtained from 66,008 members of the public and inferred that the cognitive impairment due to severe infection of Covid was equivalent to 10 IQ points.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It is already known that Covid infection affects physical as well as mental health. But a new study suggests that cognitive impairment caused due to severe Covid infection may be equal to drop of 10 IQ points.

It is already known that Covid infection affects physical as well as mental health. But a new study suggests that cognitive impairment caused due to severe Covid infection may be equal to drop of 10 IQ points. In other words, severe Covid infections may result in loss of cognitive abilities which happens between 50 and 70 years of age. The study has been carried out by a team of scientists from University of Cambridge and Imperial College London. The study points at the possibility that effects of Covid may be detectable in a person even more than six months after the infection. The cognitive recovery may at best be gradual. For this study, the researchers sifted through data of 46 patients who were admitted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge for treatment of Covid. Six months after their acute illness, the patients were asked to take detailed cognitive tests that checked their memory, attention and reasoning. Results obtained from the group of patients were compared to those obtained from a control group. It was found that Covid survivors had slower response time and were less accurate in their answers in the cognitive tests. Such results were detected six months after the infection. It was found during the study that cognitive impairment was strongest among patients who needed mechanical ventilation during their illness. In other words, they were severely infected by Covid. The researchers compared the results with larger dataset obtained from 66,008 members of the public and inferred that the cognitive impairment due to severe infection of Covid was equivalent to 10 IQ points. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Severe Covid infection may affect thinking similar to 20 years of ageing: Study

It is a known fact that Moon affects tides of the seas. The vast oceans on the Earth's surface are affected by effect of Moon's gravity. This is common knowledge with school textbooks across the world teaching this scientifically proven fact that has been observed for centuries before the scientific age.

But our only natural satellite may also be 'siphoning off' water for itself. A study says that water on Moon may originally have been on Earth!

There are various theories as to how molecules of water reached the lunar surface. Suggestions like imapact of water-rich asteroids and comets have been made to explain presence of water on the Moon.

But this new study puts forth an interesting idea. The research suggests that Hydrogen and Oxygen ions escaped from the Earth's atmosphere fuse again to form water on the surface of the Moon.

But how can such a seemingly unbelievable thing actually take place.

The research suggests that the process takes place when Moon passes through the tail of Earth's magnetosphere (A teardrop shaped bubble formed due to Earth's magnetic field).

When solar wind hits Earth's protective magnetic field, some of the magnetic lines of force are broken. When the Moon passes through the tail of the magnetosphere, some broken magnetic lines get fixed. This results in what is called a 'shower' of Hydrogen and Oxygen ions. These ions fuse to form water on the surface of the Moon.

This research has been published in journal Scientific Reports.

It is a known fact that Moon affects tides of the seas. The vast oceans on the Earth's surface are affected by effect of Moon's gravity. This is common knowledge with school textbooks across the world teaching this scientifically proven fact that has been observed for centuries before the scientific age.

It is a known fact that Moon affects tides of the seas. The vast oceans on the Earth's surface are affected by effect of Moon's gravity. This is common knowledge with school textbooks across the world teaching this scientifically proven fact that has been observed for centuries before the scientific age. But our only natural satellite may also be 'siphoning off' water for itself. A study says that water on Moon may originally have been on Earth! There are various theories as to how molecules of water reached the lunar surface. Suggestions like imapact of water-rich asteroids and comets have been made to explain presence of water on the Moon. But this new study puts forth an interesting idea. The research suggests that Hydrogen and Oxygen ions escaped from the Earth's atmosphere fuse again to form water on the surface of the Moon. But how can such a seemingly unbelievable thing actually take place. The research suggests that the process takes place when Moon passes through the tail of Earth's magnetosphere (A teardrop shaped bubble formed due to Earth's magnetic field). When solar wind hits Earth's protective magnetic field, some of the magnetic lines of force are broken. When the Moon passes through the tail of the magnetosphere, some broken magnetic lines get fixed. This results in what is called a 'shower' of Hydrogen and Oxygen ions. These ions fuse to form water on the surface of the Moon. This research has been published in journal Scientific Reports.

Moon may be 'stealing' Earth's water for itself, here is how

The Universe is expanding, this is a known fact. According to The Big Bang Theory (not the series, the actual scientific theory), the Universe originated in an unimaginably massive Big Bang, and material got thrown outwards from a single point.

It is thus easy to imagine that the Universe has been expanding for the last 13.8 billion years. A blast of any kind throws material outwards so expansion is quite logical.

Interesting thing is that instead of slowing down, the expansion of the universe has accelerated. The reason for this is Dark Energy. This form of mysterious energy has a repulsive effect greater than gravity and thus makes the entire Universe expand.

But scientists now think that the Universe will start contracting remarkably soon. They have put forth their research in the journal Scientific Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences.

The team of scientists behind this study has built a model of the Universe in which Dark Energy is not a constant force of nature but an entity called quintessence. This entity can decay over time.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-nasa-video-of-a-black-hole-goes-crazy-viral-476057">Watch: NASA video of a black hole goes crazy viral</a>&nbsp;

So the scientists say that the acceleration of the Universe would stop in next 65 million years. In next 100 million years (a very short time when space is considered) it will stop expanding and start contracting. And billions of years after that, the Universe may meet its death (or a rebirth of time and space).

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

The Universe is expanding, this is a known fact. According to The Big Bang Theory (not the series, the actual scientific theory), the Universe originated in an unimaginably massive Big Bang, and material got thrown outwards from a single point.

The Universe is expanding, this is a known fact. According to The Big Bang Theory (not the series, the actual scientific theory), the Universe originated in an unimaginably massive Big Bang, and material got thrown outwards from a single point. It is thus easy to imagine that the Universe has been expanding for the last 13.8 billion years. A blast of any kind throws material outwards so expansion is quite logical. Interesting thing is that instead of slowing down, the expansion of the universe has accelerated. The reason for this is Dark Energy. This form of mysterious energy has a repulsive effect greater than gravity and thus makes the entire Universe expand. But scientists now think that the Universe will start contracting remarkably soon. They have put forth their research in the journal Scientific Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences. The team of scientists behind this study has built a model of the Universe in which Dark Energy is not a constant force of nature but an entity called quintessence. This entity can decay over time. Watch: NASA video of a black hole goes crazy viral So the scientists say that the acceleration of the Universe would stop in next 65 million years. In next 100 million years (a very short time when space is considered) it will stop expanding and start contracting. And billions of years after that, the Universe may meet its death (or a rebirth of time and space). WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Our Universe may start contracting soon enough, say scientists

Black holes are an enigma. We can only theorise what happens inside this mysterious celestial structure but we don't know for sure as no one, or nothing from our planet has entered black hole and returned to tell the tale. Gravitational pull of black hole is so unimaginably powerful that even light, the fastest entity in the universe, cannot escape the grip of a black hole.

NASA and other space agencies across that world continuously study this cosmic wonder and post beautiful photos and videos for us to marvel at.

A video posted by NASA has gone crazy viral.

It's a visualisation of a black hole.

“This visualization simulates the appearance of a black hole as seen on its edge, where inbound matter has collected into a thin, hot structure called an accretion disk. The black hole’s extreme gravity alters the paths of light coming from different parts of the disk, making rings of matter visible above and below. At the center lies the black hole's shadow, an area roughly twice the size of the event horizon — its point of no return,” says NASA. The video has been posted on Instagram.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CdEfPJwpL2P/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CdEfPJwpL2P/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CdEfPJwpL2P/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CdEfPJwpL2P/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by NASA (@nasa)</a>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

NASA further provides information that this visualisation was first published in September 2019. This was the period when scientists were able to take very first photo of a black hole.

It is tricky to 'see' a black hole. As light can't escape from it, we cannot 'see' a black hole. Its presence can only be detected with the help of the effects it has on surrounding space.

Within just 13 hours of posting this video, it has been seen more than 2 million times.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Black holes are an enigma. We can only theorise what happens inside this mysterious celestial structure but we don't know for sure as no one, or nothing from our planet has entered black hole and returned to tell the tale.

Black holes are an enigma. We can only theorise what happens inside this mysterious celestial structure but we don't know for sure as no one, or nothing from our planet has entered black hole and returned to tell the tale. Gravitational pull of black hole is so unimaginably powerful that even light, the fastest entity in the universe, cannot escape the grip of a black hole. NASA and other space agencies across that world continuously study this cosmic wonder and post beautiful photos and videos for us to marvel at. A video posted by NASA has gone crazy viral. It's a visualisation of a black hole. “This visualization simulates the appearance of a black hole as seen on its edge, where inbound matter has collected into a thin, hot structure called an accretion disk. The black hole’s extreme gravity alters the paths of light coming from different parts of the disk, making rings of matter visible above and below. At the center lies the black hole's shadow, an area roughly twice the size of the event horizon — its point of no return,” says NASA. The video has been posted on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NASA (@nasa) × NASA further provides information that this visualisation was first published in September 2019. This was the period when scientists were able to take very first photo of a black hole. It is tricky to 'see' a black hole. As light can't escape from it, we cannot 'see' a black hole. Its presence can only be detected with the help of the effects it has on surrounding space. Within just 13 hours of posting this video, it has been seen more than 2 million times. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Watch: NASA video of a black hole goes crazy viral 

Even and odd numbers are fairly simple right? Numbers fully divisible by 2 are called even numbers (2,4,6,...). Rest are called odd numbers (1,3,5,7,....). Learning this fact was quick and easy for us. But apparently, learning to differentiate between even and odd numbers (parity association) is apparently a fairly high mathematical ability.

Humans demonstrate accuracy, speed, language, and spatial relationship biases when categorizing numbers as odd or even. There has been observed an innate ability in humans to associate even numbers with right hand and odd with the left.

It has been found that honeybees can differentiate between even and odd numbers and do that by associating this ability with something. This has been found in a research published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution.

In their experiment, the scientists divided honeybees into two groups. One group of honeybees was taught to associate even numbers with sugar water and odd number with quinine, a bitter testing liquid.

The second group was taught to associated odd numbers with sugar water and even numbers with quinine.

Then the groups were taught odd and even numbers (1-10) by using respective number of shapes.

It was found that the group of bees that was taught to associate odd numbers learnt quickly than the other group. Hence, the learning bias was found to be opposite to that of humans.

Even and odd numbers are fairly simple right? Numbers fully divisible by 2 are called even numbers (2,4,6,...). Rest are called odd numbers (1,3,5,7,....). Learning this fact was quick and easy for us.

Even and odd numbers are fairly simple right? Numbers fully divisible by 2 are called even numbers (2,4,6,...). Rest are called odd numbers (1,3,5,7,....). Learning this fact was quick and easy for us. But apparently, learning to differentiate between even and odd numbers (parity association) is apparently a fairly high mathematical ability. Humans demonstrate accuracy, speed, language, and spatial relationship biases when categorizing numbers as odd or even. There has been observed an innate ability in humans to associate even numbers with right hand and odd with the left. It has been found that honeybees can differentiate between even and odd numbers and do that by associating this ability with something. This has been found in a research published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. In their experiment, the scientists divided honeybees into two groups. One group of honeybees was taught to associate even numbers with sugar water and odd number with quinine, a bitter testing liquid. The second group was taught to associated odd numbers with sugar water and even numbers with quinine. Then the groups were taught odd and even numbers (1-10) by using respective number of shapes. It was found that the group of bees that was taught to associate odd numbers learnt quickly than the other group. Hence, the learning bias was found to be opposite to that of humans.

Even honeybees can tell diffrence between even and odd numbers 

Planet Earth may have harboured and nurtured life for millions of years but there have been catastrophic events in the past. Some of them were (literally) out of this world. An asteroid that struck Earth millions of years ago wiped off the majority of the life on the planet in one stroke. It spelt doom for dominance of dinosaurs and paved way for mammals to dominate the world.

Just because another asteroid of this power hasn't struck Earth since does not give a reason to relax. Such celestial rocks often zoom past Earth and space agencies around the world keep a close eye.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has said that a huge asteroid is coming into Earth's neigbourhood. This asteroid has been named 418135 (2008 AG33).

This asteroid has been labelled potentially hazardous asteroid. It is 450 metres wide. This makes it comparable to Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. It has been classified as Apollo-class asteroid.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/presence-of-alien-tech-on-earth-scientist-wants-to-probe-interstellar-object-lying-in-the-pacific-ocean-473699">Presence of alien tech on Earth? Scientist wants to probe interstellar object 'lying in the Pacific Ocean'</a>

The asteroid is set to make its closest approach on Thursday (April 28).&nbsp;

Luckily for all life on Earth, the asteroid is going to zoom past the Earth. It packs enough punch to cause widespread destruction on Earth if it was to hit Earth head-on.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

It will fly past the Earth at a distance of 3,240,000 kilometres. This may sound a lot but in astronomical terms, it is too small a distance.

Planet Earth may have harboured and nurtured life for millions of years but there have been catastrophic events in the past. Some of them were (literally) out of this world.

Planet Earth may have harboured and nurtured life for millions of years but there have been catastrophic events in the past. Some of them were (literally) out of this world. An asteroid that struck Earth millions of years ago wiped off the majority of the life on the planet in one stroke. It spelt doom for dominance of dinosaurs and paved way for mammals to dominate the world. Just because another asteroid of this power hasn't struck Earth since does not give a reason to relax. Such celestial rocks often zoom past Earth and space agencies around the world keep a close eye. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has said that a huge asteroid is coming into Earth's neigbourhood. This asteroid has been named 418135 (2008 AG33). This asteroid has been labelled potentially hazardous asteroid. It is 450 metres wide. This makes it comparable to Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. It has been classified as Apollo-class asteroid. Also Read | Presence of alien tech on Earth? Scientist wants to probe interstellar object 'lying in the Pacific Ocean' The asteroid is set to make its closest approach on Thursday (April 28). Luckily for all life on Earth, the asteroid is going to zoom past the Earth. It packs enough punch to cause widespread destruction on Earth if it was to hit Earth head-on. WATCH WION LIVE HERE × It will fly past the Earth at a distance of 3,240,000 kilometres. This may sound a lot but in astronomical terms, it is too small a distance.

Asteroid the size of Golden Gate Bridge is approaching Earth

For early birds among us, sunrise is a sight to behold. Well yes, the event occurs daily but there is something undeniably refreshing about it. We don't need anyone's help to witness the beauty of a sunrise.&nbsp;But how about if it is on Mars?

The interesting and enthralling idea of sunrise on Mars is no longer confined to imagination courtesy NASA.

A few days ago, NASA's InSight lander captured a marvelous video of sunrise from Martian surface. The space agency posted the footage in form of a GIF on Twitter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I’ll never tire of sunrise on Mars. ☀️ Each morning, that distant dot climbs higher in the sky, giving me energy for another round of listening to the rumbles beneath my feet. <a href="https://t.co/QB4uVOBLAP">https://t.co/QB4uVOBLAP</a> <a href="https://t.co/61dZe75k2I">pic.twitter.com/61dZe75k2I</a>
— NASA InSight (@NASAInSight) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAInSight/status/1514282311528841220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

InSight lander captured this beautiful Martian dawn on April 10, 2022. It was 1198th Martian day of the mission.

InSight is NASA's first mission to study Mars' interior (crust, mantle and core). InSight is short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy, and Heat Transport

InSight landed on the Martian surface in November 2018. It touched down in a region of Mars called Elysium Planitia. Objectives of the preliminary mission during the first Martian year have already been met.

A Martian year is longer than a year on Earth. Since Mars is located further away from Sun than Earth, the planet takes more time to complete one revolution around the Sun than Earth.

One Martian year consists of 687 Earth days.

For early birds among us, sunrise is a sight to behold. Well yes, the event occurs daily but there is something undeniably refreshing about it. We don't need anyone's help to witness the beauty of a sunrise.

For early birds among us, sunrise is a sight to behold. Well yes, the event occurs daily but there is something undeniably refreshing about it. We don't need anyone's help to witness the beauty of a sunrise. But how about if it is on Mars? The interesting and enthralling idea of sunrise on Mars is no longer confined to imagination courtesy NASA. A few days ago, NASA's InSight lander captured a marvelous video of sunrise from Martian surface. The space agency posted the footage in form of a GIF on Twitter. I’ll never tire of sunrise on Mars. ☀️ Each morning, that distant dot climbs higher in the sky, giving me energy for another round of listening to the rumbles beneath my feet. https://t.co/QB4uVOBLAP pic.twitter.com/61dZe75k2I — NASA InSight (@NASAInSight) April 13, 2022 × InSight lander captured this beautiful Martian dawn on April 10, 2022. It was 1198th Martian day of the mission. InSight is NASA's first mission to study Mars' interior (crust, mantle and core). InSight is short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy, and Heat Transport InSight landed on the Martian surface in November 2018. It touched down in a region of Mars called Elysium Planitia. Objectives of the preliminary mission during the first Martian year have already been met. A Martian year is longer than a year on Earth. Since Mars is located further away from Sun than Earth, the planet takes more time to complete one revolution around the Sun than Earth. One Martian year consists of 687 Earth days.

NASA InSight lander captures images of sunrise on Mars

Although James Webb Space Telescope is soon to open entirely new vista of space research for us, good ol' Hubble deserves its due. Humanity's very firt eye in the sky has been steadfast in sending pictures of far corners of space for last three decades. And to commemorate its 32nd year of operation, a unique image has been released.

The image shows five galaxies that are eventually going to collide. The galaxies are so closely situated (well in galactic terms) that it in itself is a thing of wonder.

This group of galaxies is called Hickson Compact Group 40. These galaxies are situated unusually close.

These galaxies are on a collision course, about a billion years from now, all five galaxies would collide to form a single elliptical galaxy.

So what are the types of galaxies present in the photo?

We can see three spiral galaxies, marked by orange colour visible due to space dust. The one in the middle is an elliptical galaxy. The one in the bottom right corner is a lenticular (lens-like) galaxy.

This galactic huddle is sitting somewhere in the direction of constellation Hydra.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/breakthrough-in-search-for-aliens-what-does-a-habitable-ice-shell-on-jupiters-moon-europa-mean-472318">Breakthrough in search for aliens? What does a habitable ice shell on Jupiter's moon Europa mean?</a>

How big is this huddle? Well all five of these galaxies would fit inside two Milky Ways.

Scientists think Dark Matter is playing part in merger of these galaxies. They think that the Dark Matter is forming a cloud around the group and slowing individual galaxies down.

Although James Webb Space Telescope is soon to open entirely new vista of space research for us, good ol' Hubble deserves its due. Humanity's very firt eye in the sky has been steadfast in sending pictures of far corners of space for last three decades.

Although James Webb Space Telescope is soon to open entirely new vista of space research for us, good ol' Hubble deserves its due. Humanity's very firt eye in the sky has been steadfast in sending pictures of far corners of space for last three decades. And to commemorate its 32nd year of operation, a unique image has been released. The image shows five galaxies that are eventually going to collide. The galaxies are so closely situated (well in galactic terms) that it in itself is a thing of wonder. This group of galaxies is called Hickson Compact Group 40. These galaxies are situated unusually close. These galaxies are on a collision course, about a billion years from now, all five galaxies would collide to form a single elliptical galaxy. So what are the types of galaxies present in the photo? We can see three spiral galaxies, marked by orange colour visible due to space dust. The one in the middle is an elliptical galaxy. The one in the bottom right corner is a lenticular (lens-like) galaxy. This galactic huddle is sitting somewhere in the direction of constellation Hydra. Also Read | Breakthrough in search for aliens? What does a habitable ice shell on Jupiter's moon Europa mean? How big is this huddle? Well all five of these galaxies would fit inside two Milky Ways. Scientists think Dark Matter is playing part in merger of these galaxies. They think that the Dark Matter is forming a cloud around the group and slowing individual galaxies down.

Check out this fantastic Hubble image of five colliding galaxies

We've seen it in movies. The protagonist is travelling in a spacecraft. A few beeps later, he receives a sophisticated telephone call. In other words, the person wanting to connect with our hero appears almost in flesh. A projection of the caller appears in thin air and both of them carry out conversation as if they would be talking in real life.

NASA made this translate into reality as it 'holoported' a surgeon to the International Space Station (ISS). NASA flight surgeon Josef Schmid conversed with astronauts as a virtual presence in real time. NASA made this information public last week. The actual holoportation took place in October 2021.

"This is [a] completely new manner of human communication across vast distances," says Schmid, as quoted by NASA.&nbsp;

"It is a brand-new way of human exploration, where our human entity is able to travel off the planet."

"NASA is demonstrating this new form of communication as a precursor for more extensive use on future missions. Plans are to use this next with two-way communication, where people on Earth are holoported to space and astronauts are placed back on earth," said the information on the NASA website.

The surgeon was holoported to the ISS using Microsoft Hololens technology.

There appears to be an exciting way ahead for such technology. Imagine something going wrong in a spacecraft millions of miles away from Earth. The best instructor or the best expert can jump into the spacecraft using holoportation and help the astronauts resolve the issue.

We've seen it in movies. The protagonist is travelling in a spacecraft. A few beeps later, he receives a sophisticated telephone call. In other words, the person wanting to connect with our hero appears almost in flesh.

We've seen it in movies. The protagonist is travelling in a spacecraft. A few beeps later, he receives a sophisticated telephone call. In other words, the person wanting to connect with our hero appears almost in flesh. A projection of the caller appears in thin air and both of them carry out conversation as if they would be talking in real life. NASA made this translate into reality as it 'holoported' a surgeon to the International Space Station (ISS). NASA flight surgeon Josef Schmid conversed with astronauts as a virtual presence in real time. NASA made this information public last week. The actual holoportation took place in October 2021. "This is [a] completely new manner of human communication across vast distances," says Schmid, as quoted by NASA. "It is a brand-new way of human exploration, where our human entity is able to travel off the planet." "NASA is demonstrating this new form of communication as a precursor for more extensive use on future missions. Plans are to use this next with two-way communication, where people on Earth are holoported to space and astronauts are placed back on earth," said the information on the NASA website. The surgeon was holoported to the ISS using Microsoft Hololens technology. There appears to be an exciting way ahead for such technology. Imagine something going wrong in a spacecraft millions of miles away from Earth. The best instructor or the best expert can jump into the spacecraft using holoportation and help the astronauts resolve the issue.

NASA 'holoports' a doctor on Earth to ISS in first such achievement

NASA keeps sending brilliant pictures our way. These range from those of distant galaxies to our own backyard in the solar system, and everything in between. Sometimes these pics resemble 'Hand of God' or anything our perception allows us to see. This time, NASA has clicked a space butterfly!

This cosmic butterfly has been captured by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. It is a nebula. Nebulas are huge masses of gas and space dust in which new stars form. The infrared image of this 'space butterfly' shows two 'wings'.

In its Instagram post, NASA explains that these 'wings' are giant bubbles of hot, interstellar gas blowing from the hottest, most massive stars that are in the process of getting formed.&nbsp;

"...Besides being beautiful, this nebula demonstrates how the formation of stars results in the destruction of the very clouds that helped create them. Inside giant clouds of gas and dust in space, the force of gravity pulls material together into dense clumps. Sometimes these clumps reach a critical density that allows stars to form at their cores. Radiation and winds coming from the most massive stars in those clouds—combined with the material spewed into space when those stars eventually explode—sometimes form bubbles like those pictured here. But these processes also disperse the gas and dust, breaking up dense clumps and reducing or halting further new star formation. In fact, the material that forms this nebula’s wings was ejected from a dense cluster of stars that lies between them..." says NASA in the Instagram post.

The beautiful image was posted on April 15 and within a day, it has garnered more than 700,000 likes.

"I wanna get lost in that Space Butterfly, can I please?" comments a user.

NASA keeps sending brilliant pictures our way. These range from those of distant galaxies to our own backyard in the solar system, and everything in between. Sometimes these pics resemble 'Hand of God' or anything our perception allows us to see.

NASA keeps sending brilliant pictures our way. These range from those of distant galaxies to our own backyard in the solar system, and everything in between. Sometimes these pics resemble 'Hand of God' or anything our perception allows us to see. This time, NASA has clicked a space butterfly! This cosmic butterfly has been captured by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. It is a nebula. Nebulas are huge masses of gas and space dust in which new stars form. The infrared image of this 'space butterfly' shows two 'wings'. In its Instagram post, NASA explains that these 'wings' are giant bubbles of hot, interstellar gas blowing from the hottest, most massive stars that are in the process of getting formed. "...Besides being beautiful, this nebula demonstrates how the formation of stars results in the destruction of the very clouds that helped create them. Inside giant clouds of gas and dust in space, the force of gravity pulls material together into dense clumps. Sometimes these clumps reach a critical density that allows stars to form at their cores. Radiation and winds coming from the most massive stars in those clouds—combined with the material spewed into space when those stars eventually explode—sometimes form bubbles like those pictured here. But these processes also disperse the gas and dust, breaking up dense clumps and reducing or halting further new star formation. In fact, the material that forms this nebula’s wings was ejected from a dense cluster of stars that lies between them..." says NASA in the Instagram post. The beautiful image was posted on April 15 and within a day, it has garnered more than 700,000 likes. "I wanna get lost in that Space Butterfly, can I please?" comments a user.

NASA clicks photo of a 'space butterfly'

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) never fails to amaze us. Not only the US space agency is at the forefront of space exploration and research, but its social media feeds are also widely admired for brearthtaking images and interesting chunks of space info. And it never fails to enthral us.

So what's on the menu this time? An image of Earth, but with a twist.

As the new month dawned, NASA tweeted a pic taken by its Cassini probe that is studying Saturn. The image show Saturn in all its glory with the majestic rings. But also depicts a curious blue dot.

"You are here. 
&nbsp; 
In 2013, the Cassini spacecraft captured this wide-angle view of Saturn and a chunk of its rings. That pale blue dot just below the rings? That’s Earth from about 898 million miles (1.4 billion kilometers) away," says NASA in its tweet.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
You are here. 
 
In 2013, the Cassini spacecraft captured this wide-angle view of Saturn and a chunk of its rings. That pale blue dot just below the rings? That’s Earth from about 898 million miles (1.4 billion kilometers) away. Explore <a href="https://twitter.com/NASASolarSystem?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASASolarSystem</a>: <a href="https://t.co/9sLPATJHaE">https://t.co/9sLPATJHaE</a> <a href="https://t.co/NlTxVXRANR">pic.twitter.com/NlTxVXRANR</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1497734089692135428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The image is perhaps a lesson for the self-centred human race which probably thinks it is the centre of the universe. As you go away from the planet, other celestial bodies dwarf us. And all conflicts appear fruitless. This is the only planet we've got. No other space rock has been found to harbour life just like ours&nbsp;Peaceful co-existence is that tough, eh?

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) never fails to amaze us. Not only the US space agency is at the forefront of space exploration and research, but its social media feeds are also widely admired for brearthtaking images and interesting chunks of space info.

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) never fails to amaze us. Not only the US space agency is at the forefront of space exploration and research, but its social media feeds are also widely admired for brearthtaking images and interesting chunks of space info. And it never fails to enthral us. So what's on the menu this time? An image of Earth, but with a twist. As the new month dawned, NASA tweeted a pic taken by its Cassini probe that is studying Saturn. The image show Saturn in all its glory with the majestic rings. But also depicts a curious blue dot. "You are here. In 2013, the Cassini spacecraft captured this wide-angle view of Saturn and a chunk of its rings. That pale blue dot just below the rings? That’s Earth from about 898 million miles (1.4 billion kilometers) away," says NASA in its tweet. You are here. In 2013, the Cassini spacecraft captured this wide-angle view of Saturn and a chunk of its rings. That pale blue dot just below the rings? That’s Earth from about 898 million miles (1.4 billion kilometers) away. Explore @NASASolarSystem: https://t.co/9sLPATJHaE pic.twitter.com/NlTxVXRANR — NASA (@NASA) February 27, 2022 × The image is perhaps a lesson for the self-centred human race which probably thinks it is the centre of the universe. As you go away from the planet, other celestial bodies dwarf us. And all conflicts appear fruitless. This is the only planet we've got. No other space rock has been found to harbour life just like ours Peaceful co-existence is that tough, eh?

NASA tweets brilliant image that may make you a bit introspective

Scientists have made new findings regarding the W boson, a fundamental particle, in a new research published in the Science journal.

The study shows that it has a significantly greater mass than previously theorised in the Standard Model of particle physics.

During the research, more than 400 scientists scrutinised four million W boson candidates out of a "dataset of around 450 trillion collisions" for over over 10 years.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/after-blood-microplastics-found-in-human-lungs-now-469285/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Ashutosh Kotwal, a physicist at Duke University who led the study, said the Tevatron collider in the US state of Illinois was used for the research in the beginning.

"In this framework of clues that there are missing pieces to the standard model, we have contributed one more, very interesting, and somewhat large clue," Kotwal said.

After a decade of meticulous measurements, scientists found that collisions were made by smashing particles together at mind-bending speeds. They used the Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF) for the collection of data.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/reversal-of-time-scientists-de-age-human-skin-cells-by-30-years-in-trial-469278" hreflang="en">Reversal of time? Scientists de-age human skin cells by 30 years in trial</a>

The new theory is "probably the most successful scientific theory that has ever been written down" as per Harry Cliff, a particle physicist at Cambridge University who works at the Large Hadron Collider.

"It can make fantastically precise predictions. It's like a house of cards, you pull on one bit of it too much, the whole thing comes crashing down," he told the AFP news agency.

''This is either a major discovery or a problem in the analysis of data,'' said Jan Stark, physicist and director of research at the French CNRS institute.&nbsp;

He also predicted "quite heated discussions in the years to come".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-solar-physics-mysterious-vortex-waves-discovered-on-the-sun-travelling-faster-than-expected-465470" hreflang="en">New solar physics? Mysterious vortex waves discovered on the Sun travelling faster than expected</a>

In the study, scientists determined the W boson's mass twice in size in comparison to the previous prediction. It had seven variations called sigma.

"The chances of getting a five sigma result by dumb luck is one in three and a half million," said Cliff.

"If this is real, and not some systematic bias or misunderstanding of how to do the calculations, then it's a huge deal because it would mean there's a new fundamental ingredient to our universe that we haven't discovered before," he said.

"But if you're going to say something as big as we've broken the standard model of particle physics, and there's new particles out there to discover, to convince people of that you probably need more than one measurement from more than one experiment."

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have made new findings regarding the W boson, a fundamental particle, in a new research published in the Science journal. The study shows that it has a significantly greater mass than previously theorised in the Standard Model of particle physics.

Scientists have made new findings regarding the W boson, a fundamental particle, in a new research published in the Science journal. The study shows that it has a significantly greater mass than previously theorised in the Standard Model of particle physics. During the research, more than 400 scientists scrutinised four million W boson candidates out of a "dataset of around 450 trillion collisions" for over over 10 years. Ashutosh Kotwal, a physicist at Duke University who led the study, said the Tevatron collider in the US state of Illinois was used for the research in the beginning. "In this framework of clues that there are missing pieces to the standard model, we have contributed one more, very interesting, and somewhat large clue," Kotwal said. After a decade of meticulous measurements, scientists found that collisions were made by smashing particles together at mind-bending speeds. They used the Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF) for the collection of data. Also read | Reversal of time? Scientists de-age human skin cells by 30 years in trial The new theory is "probably the most successful scientific theory that has ever been written down" as per Harry Cliff, a particle physicist at Cambridge University who works at the Large Hadron Collider. "It can make fantastically precise predictions. It's like a house of cards, you pull on one bit of it too much, the whole thing comes crashing down," he told the AFP news agency. ''This is either a major discovery or a problem in the analysis of data,'' said Jan Stark, physicist and director of research at the French CNRS institute. He also predicted "quite heated discussions in the years to come". Also read | New solar physics? Mysterious vortex waves discovered on the Sun travelling faster than expected In the study, scientists determined the W boson's mass twice in size in comparison to the previous prediction. It had seven variations called sigma. "The chances of getting a five sigma result by dumb luck is one in three and a half million," said Cliff. "If this is real, and not some systematic bias or misunderstanding of how to do the calculations, then it's a huge deal because it would mean there's a new fundamental ingredient to our universe that we haven't discovered before," he said. "But if you're going to say something as big as we've broken the standard model of particle physics, and there's new particles out there to discover, to convince people of that you probably need more than one measurement from more than one experiment." (With inputs from agencies)

New findings regarding W boson contradicts understanding of universe

Indian astronomers in collaboration with their French counterpart, have found a galaxy that has a 'ghost-like' appearance. Stars are very much being formed in this galaxy. This faint galaxy was previously unseen due to the presence of a bright galaxy.

The galaxy was found by a team of researchers the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru and a French astronomer from College de France, Paris. The team consisted of Jyoti Yadav, Mousumi Das and Sudhanshu Barway and Francoise Combes.

India's Ministry of Science and Technology has made announcement about the discovery.

Faint galaxies form about 15 per cent of the mass of the universe. Faint galaxies are also called low surface brightness galaxies or ultra-diffuse galaxies. These galaxies are at least ten times fainter than the night sky around them. The galaxies are faint in their appearance because of low disc density.

The newly discovered galaxy is around 136 light-years away from Earth.

"The researchers measured the distance of NGC6902A, a previously known galaxy and the faint star-forming regions using emission lines in the spectra. They found that these star-forming regions are at a distance of around 136 million light-years, whereas the distance of NGC 6902A is around 825 million light-years. This means that the diffuse blue emission was from a foreground galaxy," said India's Ministry of Science and Technology.

The research has been published in the journal ‘Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics’.

Indian astronomers in collaboration with their French counterpart, have found a galaxy that has a 'ghost-like' appearance. Stars are very much being formed in this galaxy.

Indian astronomers in collaboration with their French counterpart, have found a galaxy that has a 'ghost-like' appearance. Stars are very much being formed in this galaxy. This faint galaxy was previously unseen due to the presence of a bright galaxy. The galaxy was found by a team of researchers the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru and a French astronomer from College de France, Paris. The team consisted of Jyoti Yadav, Mousumi Das and Sudhanshu Barway and Francoise Combes. India's Ministry of Science and Technology has made announcement about the discovery. Faint galaxies form about 15 per cent of the mass of the universe. Faint galaxies are also called low surface brightness galaxies or ultra-diffuse galaxies. These galaxies are at least ten times fainter than the night sky around them. The galaxies are faint in their appearance because of low disc density. The newly discovered galaxy is around 136 light-years away from Earth. "The researchers measured the distance of NGC6902A, a previously known galaxy and the faint star-forming regions using emission lines in the spectra. They found that these star-forming regions are at a distance of around 136 million light-years, whereas the distance of NGC 6902A is around 825 million light-years. This means that the diffuse blue emission was from a foreground galaxy," said India's Ministry of Science and Technology. The research has been published in the journal ‘Astronomy & Astrophysics’.

Indian astronomers find galaxy having 'ghost-like' appearance

Saturn sure makes for a grand view in the night sky. After all, it is the only planet in our solar system with easily visible majestic rings. If you have seen Saturn through an everyday telescope, it's hard to miss the mesmerising beauty of the planet.

Saturn's rings are made of rock, ice and dust. It is estimated that the rings are 10 to 100 million years old. That might sound a lot but not much when we know&nbsp;dinosaurs roamed the Earth just 66 million years ago.

Saturn may flaunt its distinct look in the night sky today but the planet is losing its rings.

Imagine pointing your telescope at the sky and finding no difference between Saturn and other planets! Yes, that sounds sad.

Saturn is losing its rings due to what is being called 'ring rain'. No, there is no mysterious rain chipping away at the rings. Saturn is itself attracting the 'ring matter' which is falling towards it from the ring and vapourising. In other words, Saturn is eating away its own rings!

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/an-astronomer-has-created-video-on-saturns-spinning-rings-375558">An astronomer has created video on Saturn's spinning rings</a>

This destructive process was revealed to The Atlantic by astronomers. It is estimated that 10 tonnes of ring matter are falling into Saturn every second!

NASA's Cassini Mission has studied Saturn extensively.

We can heave a sigh of relief though. Saturn is unlikely to lose its grandeur during our lifetimes. At the current rate of degradation, it is estimated that the core of the ring would disappear in 100 million years and the rings will completely disappear in 300 million years. But it will be a sad moment indeed, whenever it comes.

Saturn sure makes for a grand view in the night sky. After all, it is the only planet in our solar system with easily visible majestic rings. If you have seen Saturn through an everyday telescope, it's hard to miss the mesmerising beauty of the planet.

Saturn sure makes for a grand view in the night sky. After all, it is the only planet in our solar system with easily visible majestic rings. If you have seen Saturn through an everyday telescope, it's hard to miss the mesmerising beauty of the planet. Saturn's rings are made of rock, ice and dust. It is estimated that the rings are 10 to 100 million years old. That might sound a lot but not much when we know dinosaurs roamed the Earth just 66 million years ago. Saturn may flaunt its distinct look in the night sky today but the planet is losing its rings. Imagine pointing your telescope at the sky and finding no difference between Saturn and other planets! Yes, that sounds sad. Saturn is losing its rings due to what is being called 'ring rain'. No, there is no mysterious rain chipping away at the rings. Saturn is itself attracting the 'ring matter' which is falling towards it from the ring and vapourising. In other words, Saturn is eating away its own rings! Also Read: An astronomer has created video on Saturn's spinning rings This destructive process was revealed to The Atlantic by astronomers. It is estimated that 10 tonnes of ring matter are falling into Saturn every second! NASA's Cassini Mission has studied Saturn extensively. We can heave a sigh of relief though. Saturn is unlikely to lose its grandeur during our lifetimes. At the current rate of degradation, it is estimated that the core of the ring would disappear in 100 million years and the rings will completely disappear in 300 million years. But it will be a sad moment indeed, whenever it comes.

Saturn is 'eating' its own rings, they may disappear altogether

USA's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Sunday issued a warning on Sunday alerting everyone about G1-class geomagnetic storm or solar storm. This storm had a K-index of 5. This, said the alert,&nbsp;may have caused Aurora borealis to be visible from few states in the US.

What are auroras?

Our Sun constantly gives out a stream of highly charged, magnetic particles. Solar storms refer to Coronal Mass Ejections (CME). In the case of a solar storm, a flood of magnetic particles travels in the direction of our planet.&nbsp;

Our Earth's atmosphere protects us from harmful effects of these magnetic particles emitted by the Sun. But these particles are able to interact with magnetic field of the Earth. This interaction results in what is visible from the surface of the Earth as aurora.

Though the NOAA gave an alert about the strong solar storm, NASA and NOAA differed in their predictions as to when the storm would impact the Earth.

“Fast Hit or Slow? An Earth-directed #solarstorm is on its way to Earth, but NASA &amp; NOAA predictions disagree on impact time. NASA says the impact will be near midnight on March 28, but NOAA believes 18 hours earlier. Either way #aurora could reach to mid-latitudes!" tweeted popular space weather forecaster Dr Tamitha Skov a few days ago.

USA's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Sunday issued a warning on Sunday alerting everyone about G1-class geomagnetic storm or solar storm.

USA's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Sunday issued a warning on Sunday alerting everyone about G1-class geomagnetic storm or solar storm. This storm had a K-index of 5. This, said the alert, may have caused Aurora borealis to be visible from few states in the US. What are auroras? Our Sun constantly gives out a stream of highly charged, magnetic particles. Solar storms refer to Coronal Mass Ejections (CME). In the case of a solar storm, a flood of magnetic particles travels in the direction of our planet. Our Earth's atmosphere protects us from harmful effects of these magnetic particles emitted by the Sun. But these particles are able to interact with magnetic field of the Earth. This interaction results in what is visible from the surface of the Earth as aurora. Though the NOAA gave an alert about the strong solar storm, NASA and NOAA differed in their predictions as to when the storm would impact the Earth. “Fast Hit or Slow? An Earth-directed #solarstorm is on its way to Earth, but NASA & NOAA predictions disagree on impact time. NASA says the impact will be near midnight on March 28, but NOAA believes 18 hours earlier. Either way #aurora could reach to mid-latitudes!" tweeted popular space weather forecaster Dr Tamitha Skov a few days ago.

A solar storm may have caused auroras in the US

The word 'supernova' means blast of a star. It occurs as the star dies. The process is quite violent. But a particular star is confusing scientists because it is literally forming rings around itself. The star is dying and its behaviour has made scientists question their own knowledge about death of a star.

The star in question is V Hydrae (V Hya). It is a carbon-rich red giant star. V hya is located in Hydra constellation about 1300 light years away from Earth.&nbsp;

This star is classified in the category of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. Scientists are often curious about V Hydrae as it emits plasma in space every eight years.

In addition to this, the star is emitting stellar material every few hundred years and this is forming rings around the star.

A group of scientists have studied the star and published the study in the Astrophysical Journal.

"This is the first and only time that a series of expanding rings has been seen around a star that is in its death throes — a series of expanding 'smoke rings' that we have calculated are being blown every few hundred years. We have caught this dying star in the process of shedding its atmosphere — ultimately most of its mass — which is something that most late-stage red giant stars do. But much to our surprise, we have found that the matter, in this case, is being expelled as a series of rings," says Mark Morris, co-author of the study.

The researchers made use of Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Hubble Space Telescope.

The word 'supernova' means blast of a star. It occurs as the star dies. The process is quite violent. But a particular star is confusing scientists because it is literally forming rings around itself.

The word 'supernova' means blast of a star. It occurs as the star dies. The process is quite violent. But a particular star is confusing scientists because it is literally forming rings around itself. The star is dying and its behaviour has made scientists question their own knowledge about death of a star. The star in question is V Hydrae (V Hya). It is a carbon-rich red giant star. V hya is located in Hydra constellation about 1300 light years away from Earth. This star is classified in the category of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. Scientists are often curious about V Hydrae as it emits plasma in space every eight years. In addition to this, the star is emitting stellar material every few hundred years and this is forming rings around the star. A group of scientists have studied the star and published the study in the Astrophysical Journal. "This is the first and only time that a series of expanding rings has been seen around a star that is in its death throes — a series of expanding 'smoke rings' that we have calculated are being blown every few hundred years. We have caught this dying star in the process of shedding its atmosphere — ultimately most of its mass — which is something that most late-stage red giant stars do. But much to our surprise, we have found that the matter, in this case, is being expelled as a series of rings," says Mark Morris, co-author of the study. The researchers made use of Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Hubble Space Telescope.

A dying star is forming rings around itself, confusing scientists

The concept of the spacewalk is fascinating, to say the least. Yes, its less of a walk and more of 'space-floating'. The idea of being outside the protective spacecraft with almost nothing between you and the stars is surreal to imagine. There is an element of thrill as well. There have been enough movies showing the tether connecting the astronaut and the spacecraft snapping and the hapless bro (or sis) doing all they can to prevent being drifted into unending space.

Till now we had to rely on videos shot by space agencies of astronauts as they spacewalked. It's almost unimaginable to look up from Earth and see astronauts doing their thing.

But a fascinating new development has enabled us to take a 'human's-eye view' of the recently concluded spacewalk.

On March 23, NASA astronaut Raja Chari and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Matthias Maurer conducted a spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS). The spacewalk lasted for 7 hours during which the astronauts performed maintenance work at the ISS.

An astrophotographer has captured what he says is a "once in a lifetime" photo of this spacewalk. He was on Earth, and incidentally in Maurer's hometown in Germany.

"Yesterday I witnessed the #spacewalk shortly after sunset. Here comes a first photo. #ESA #astronaut Matthias Maurer was just 'climbing' at this moment. The rod-shaped structure (Canadarm2) is the robot arm. Greetings from Matthias Maurer's hometown — it was very exciting. #iss," Dr Sebastian Voltmer, the astrophotographer tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Yesterday I witnessed the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/spacewalk?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#spacewalk</a> shortly after sunset. Here comes a first photo. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ESA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/astronaut?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#astronaut</a> Matthias Maurer was just "climbing" at this moment. 
The rod-shaped structure (Canadarm2) is the robot arm. 
Greetings from Matthias Maurers hometown - it was very exciting. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/iss?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#iss</a> <a href="https://t.co/39Q7YlG64u">pic.twitter.com/39Q7YlG64u</a>
— Dr. Sebastian Voltmer (@SeVoSpace) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeVoSpace/status/1506912147737088002?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Voltmer used Celestron 11-inch EdgeHD telescope on a GM2000 HPS mount and an ASI290 planetary camera to get the shot, as per his e-mail to Space.com

Voltmer analysed the photo and in an updated, indicated the positions of both astronauts.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Update: 2 Spacewalkers Imaged From The Ground 
 
During the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/spacewalk?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#spacewalk</a> of the two astronauts <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Raja?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Astro_Raja</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/astro_matthias?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@astro_matthias</a> the International Space Station appeared shortly after sunset in the bright evening sky over Germany. This image of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ISS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ISS</a> was taken on March 23, 2022. <a href="https://t.co/xkKJtSoZFc">pic.twitter.com/xkKJtSoZFc</a>
— Dr. Sebastian Voltmer (@SeVoSpace) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeVoSpace/status/1508239974893768712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"It's probably the first ground-based picture showing two spacewalkers on the ISS at the same time." he told spaceweather.com

The photos certainly don't show both astronauts discernibly but to point you camera at the sky and clicking image of spacewalking astronauts with clarity of this degree is a feat indeed! 
&nbsp;

The concept of the spacewalk is fascinating, to say the least. Yes, its less of a walk and more of 'space-floating'. The idea of being outside the protective spacecraft with almost nothing between you and the stars is surreal to imagine.

The concept of the spacewalk is fascinating, to say the least. Yes, its less of a walk and more of 'space-floating'. The idea of being outside the protective spacecraft with almost nothing between you and the stars is surreal to imagine. There is an element of thrill as well. There have been enough movies showing the tether connecting the astronaut and the spacecraft snapping and the hapless bro (or sis) doing all they can to prevent being drifted into unending space. Till now we had to rely on videos shot by space agencies of astronauts as they spacewalked. It's almost unimaginable to look up from Earth and see astronauts doing their thing. But a fascinating new development has enabled us to take a 'human's-eye view' of the recently concluded spacewalk. On March 23, NASA astronaut Raja Chari and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Matthias Maurer conducted a spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS). The spacewalk lasted for 7 hours during which the astronauts performed maintenance work at the ISS. An astrophotographer has captured what he says is a "once in a lifetime" photo of this spacewalk. He was on Earth, and incidentally in Maurer's hometown in Germany. "Yesterday I witnessed the #spacewalk shortly after sunset. Here comes a first photo. #ESA #astronaut Matthias Maurer was just 'climbing' at this moment. The rod-shaped structure (Canadarm2) is the robot arm. Greetings from Matthias Maurer's hometown — it was very exciting. #iss," Dr Sebastian Voltmer, the astrophotographer tweeted. Yesterday I witnessed the #spacewalk shortly after sunset. Here comes a first photo. #ESA #astronaut Matthias Maurer was just "climbing" at this moment. The rod-shaped structure (Canadarm2) is the robot arm. Greetings from Matthias Maurers hometown - it was very exciting. #iss pic.twitter.com/39Q7YlG64u — Dr. Sebastian Voltmer (@SeVoSpace) March 24, 2022 × Voltmer used Celestron 11-inch EdgeHD telescope on a GM2000 HPS mount and an ASI290 planetary camera to get the shot, as per his e-mail to Space.com Voltmer analysed the photo and in an updated, indicated the positions of both astronauts. Update: 2 Spacewalkers Imaged From The Ground During the #spacewalk of the two astronauts @Astro_Raja and @astro_matthias the International Space Station appeared shortly after sunset in the bright evening sky over Germany. This image of the #ISS was taken on March 23, 2022. pic.twitter.com/xkKJtSoZFc — Dr. Sebastian Voltmer (@SeVoSpace) March 28, 2022 × "It's probably the first ground-based picture showing two spacewalkers on the ISS at the same time." he told spaceweather.com The photos certainly don't show both astronauts discernibly but to point you camera at the sky and clicking image of spacewalking astronauts with clarity of this degree is a feat indeed!

Astrophotographer takes photo of spacewalking astronauts, from Earth

The Earth has a slow, steady 'heartbeat' of geological activity every 27 million years or so that has perplexed astronomers as per a study published in Geoscience Frontiers.

“Many geologists believe that geological events are random over time. But our study provides statistical evidence for a common cycle, suggesting that these geologic events are correlated and not random,” said Michael Rampino, a geologist and professor in New York University’s Department of Biology, as well as the study’s lead author.

Over the past five decades, researchers have proposed cycles of major geological events, including volcanic activity and mass extinctions on land and sea, ranging from roughly 26 to 36 million years.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-spitzer-space-telescope-spots-star-sized-debris-cloud-from-distant-collision-465743" hreflang="en">NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope spots star-sized debris cloud from distant collision</a>

But early work on these correlations in the geological record was hampered by limitations in the age-dating of geologic events, which prevented scientists from conducting quantitative investigations.

However, there have been significant improvements in radio-isotopic dating techniques and changes in the geologic timescale, leading to new data on the timing of past events.

Using the latest age-dating data available, Rampino and his colleagues compiled updated records of major geological events over the last 260 million years and conducted new analyses.

The team analysed the ages of 89 well-dated major geological events of the last 260 million years. These events include marine and land extinctions, major volcanic outpourings of lava called flood-basalt eruptions, events when oceans were depleted of oxygen, sea-level fluctuations, and changes or reorganisation in the Earth’s tectonic plates.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-solar-physics-mysterious-vortex-waves-discovered-on-the-sun-travelling-faster-than-expected-465470" hreflang="en">New solar physics? Mysterious vortex waves discovered on the Sun travelling faster than expected</a>

They found that these global geologic events are generally clustered at 10 different timepoints over the 260 million years, grouped in peaks or pulses of roughly 27.5 million years apart.

The most recent cluster of geological events was approximately 7 million years ago, suggesting that the next pulse of major geological activity is more than 20 million years in the future.

The researchers posit that these pulses may be a function of cycles of activity in the Earth's interior, geophysical processes related to the dynamics of plate tectonics and climate. However, similar cycles in the Earth’s orbit in space might also be pacing these events.

“Whatever the origins of these cyclical episodes, our findings support the case for a largely periodic, coordinated, and intermittently catastrophic geologic record, which is a departure from the views held by many geologists,” explained Rampino.

In addition to Rampino, study authors include Yuhong Zhu of NYU’s Centre for Data Science and Ken Caldeira of the Carnegie Institution for Science.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Earth has a slow, steady 'heartbeat' of geological activity every 27 million years or so that has perplexed astronomers as per a study published in Geoscience Frontiers.

The Earth has a slow, steady 'heartbeat' of geological activity every 27 million years or so that has perplexed astronomers as per a study published in Geoscience Frontiers. “Many geologists believe that geological events are random over time. But our study provides statistical evidence for a common cycle, suggesting that these geologic events are correlated and not random,” said Michael Rampino, a geologist and professor in New York University’s Department of Biology, as well as the study’s lead author. Over the past five decades, researchers have proposed cycles of major geological events, including volcanic activity and mass extinctions on land and sea, ranging from roughly 26 to 36 million years. Also read | NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope spots star-sized debris cloud from distant collision But early work on these correlations in the geological record was hampered by limitations in the age-dating of geologic events, which prevented scientists from conducting quantitative investigations. However, there have been significant improvements in radio-isotopic dating techniques and changes in the geologic timescale, leading to new data on the timing of past events. Using the latest age-dating data available, Rampino and his colleagues compiled updated records of major geological events over the last 260 million years and conducted new analyses. The team analysed the ages of 89 well-dated major geological events of the last 260 million years. These events include marine and land extinctions, major volcanic outpourings of lava called flood-basalt eruptions, events when oceans were depleted of oxygen, sea-level fluctuations, and changes or reorganisation in the Earth’s tectonic plates. Also read | New solar physics? Mysterious vortex waves discovered on the Sun travelling faster than expected They found that these global geologic events are generally clustered at 10 different timepoints over the 260 million years, grouped in peaks or pulses of roughly 27.5 million years apart. The most recent cluster of geological events was approximately 7 million years ago, suggesting that the next pulse of major geological activity is more than 20 million years in the future. The researchers posit that these pulses may be a function of cycles of activity in the Earth's interior, geophysical processes related to the dynamics of plate tectonics and climate. However, similar cycles in the Earth’s orbit in space might also be pacing these events. “Whatever the origins of these cyclical episodes, our findings support the case for a largely periodic, coordinated, and intermittently catastrophic geologic record, which is a departure from the views held by many geologists,” explained Rampino. In addition to Rampino, study authors include Yuhong Zhu of NYU’s Centre for Data Science and Ken Caldeira of the Carnegie Institution for Science. (With inputs from agencies)

Astronomers perplexed by Earth's 27.5-million-year cycle of 'heartbeat'

NASA has confirmed that there are now more than 5,000 confirmed planets beyond our solar system.&nbsp;

"It's not just a number," said Jessie Christiansen, science lead for the archive and a research scientist with the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, in a statement.&nbsp;

"Each one of them is a new world, a brand-new planet. I get excited about everyone because we don't know anything about them."

It's a groundbreaking moment for the fairly young field of exoplanet science and experts estimate that there are likely billions of exoplanets waiting to be found.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-spitzer-space-telescope-spots-star-sized-debris-cloud-from-distant-collision-465743" hreflang="en">NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope spots star-sized debris cloud from distant collision</a>

In the 30 years that have passed since two planets were found orbiting pulsar PSR1257+12, the field of exoplanet science has exploded. New missions, instruments, and detection techniques have proliferated, and with them the discoveries of all sorts of alien worlds.

The 5,000-plus planets found so far include small, rocky worlds like Earth, gas giants many times larger than Jupiter, and “hot Jupiters” in scorchingly close orbits around their stars.&nbsp;

There are “super-Earths,” which are possible rocky worlds bigger than our own, and “mini-Neptunes,” smaller versions of our system’s Neptune. Add to the mix planets orbiting two stars at once and planets stubbornly orbiting the collapsed remnants of dead stars.

Our galaxy likely holds hundreds of billions of such planets. The steady drumbeat of discovery began in 1992 with strange new worlds orbiting an even stranger star. It was a type of neutron star known as a pulsar, a rapidly spinning stellar corpse that pulses with millisecond bursts of searing radiation. Measuring slight changes in the timing of the pulses allowed scientists to reveal planets in orbit around the pulsar.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-esa-solar-orbiter-clicks-the-most-detailed-pictures-of-the-sun-take-a-look-465533" hreflang="en">NASA-ESA solar orbiter clicks the most detailed pictures of the Sun. Take a look!</a>

Finding just three planets around this spinning star essentially opened the floodgates, said Alexander Wolszczan, the lead author on the paper that, 30 years ago, unveiled the first planets to be confirmed outside our solar system.

“If you can find planets around a neutron star, planets have to be basically everywhere,” Wolszczan said. “The planet production process has to be very robust.”

Wolszczan, who still searches for exoplanets as a professor at Penn State, says we’re opening an era of discovery that will go beyond simply adding new planets to the list.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-solar-physics-mysterious-vortex-waves-discovered-on-the-sun-travelling-faster-than-expected-465470" hreflang="en">New solar physics? Mysterious vortex waves discovered on the Sun travelling faster than expected</a>

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), launched in 2018, continues to make new exoplanet discoveries. But soon powerful next-generation telescopes and their highly sensitive instruments, starting with the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope, will capture light from the atmospheres of exoplanets, reading which gases are present to potentially identify tell-tale signs of habitable conditions.

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, expected to launch in 2027, will make new exoplanet discoveries using a variety of methods. The ESA (European Space Agency) mission ARIEL, launching in 2029, will observe exoplanet atmospheres; a piece of NASA technology aboard, called CASE, will help zero in on exoplanet clouds and hazes.

“To my thinking, it is inevitable that we’ll find some kind of life somewhere – most likely of some primitive kind,” Wolszczan said. The close connection between the chemistry of life on Earth and chemistry found throughout the universe, as well as the detection of widespread organic molecules, suggests detection of life itself is only a matter of time, he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA has confirmed that there are now more than 5,000 confirmed planets beyond our solar system. "It's not just a number," said Jessie Christiansen, science lead for the archive and a research scientist with the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, in a statement.

NASA has confirmed that there are now more than 5,000 confirmed planets beyond our solar system. "It's not just a number," said Jessie Christiansen, science lead for the archive and a research scientist with the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, in a statement. "Each one of them is a new world, a brand-new planet. I get excited about everyone because we don't know anything about them." It's a groundbreaking moment for the fairly young field of exoplanet science and experts estimate that there are likely billions of exoplanets waiting to be found. Also read | NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope spots star-sized debris cloud from distant collision In the 30 years that have passed since two planets were found orbiting pulsar PSR1257+12, the field of exoplanet science has exploded. New missions, instruments, and detection techniques have proliferated, and with them the discoveries of all sorts of alien worlds. The 5,000-plus planets found so far include small, rocky worlds like Earth, gas giants many times larger than Jupiter, and “hot Jupiters” in scorchingly close orbits around their stars. There are “super-Earths,” which are possible rocky worlds bigger than our own, and “mini-Neptunes,” smaller versions of our system’s Neptune. Add to the mix planets orbiting two stars at once and planets stubbornly orbiting the collapsed remnants of dead stars. Our galaxy likely holds hundreds of billions of such planets. The steady drumbeat of discovery began in 1992 with strange new worlds orbiting an even stranger star. It was a type of neutron star known as a pulsar, a rapidly spinning stellar corpse that pulses with millisecond bursts of searing radiation. Measuring slight changes in the timing of the pulses allowed scientists to reveal planets in orbit around the pulsar. Also read | NASA-ESA solar orbiter clicks the most detailed pictures of the Sun. Take a look! Finding just three planets around this spinning star essentially opened the floodgates, said Alexander Wolszczan, the lead author on the paper that, 30 years ago, unveiled the first planets to be confirmed outside our solar system. “If you can find planets around a neutron star, planets have to be basically everywhere,” Wolszczan said. “The planet production process has to be very robust.” Wolszczan, who still searches for exoplanets as a professor at Penn State, says we’re opening an era of discovery that will go beyond simply adding new planets to the list. Also read | New solar physics? Mysterious vortex waves discovered on the Sun travelling faster than expected The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), launched in 2018, continues to make new exoplanet discoveries. But soon powerful next-generation telescopes and their highly sensitive instruments, starting with the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope, will capture light from the atmospheres of exoplanets, reading which gases are present to potentially identify tell-tale signs of habitable conditions. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, expected to launch in 2027, will make new exoplanet discoveries using a variety of methods. The ESA (European Space Agency) mission ARIEL, launching in 2029, will observe exoplanet atmospheres; a piece of NASA technology aboard, called CASE, will help zero in on exoplanet clouds and hazes. “To my thinking, it is inevitable that we’ll find some kind of life somewhere – most likely of some primitive kind,” Wolszczan said. The close connection between the chemistry of life on Earth and chemistry found throughout the universe, as well as the detection of widespread organic molecules, suggests detection of life itself is only a matter of time, he added. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA confirms existence of more than 5,000 planets beyond our solar system

Physicists believe that the discovery of mysterious vortex waves suggests that there is new solar physics to be uncovered.&nbsp;

They have said that these new set of waves in the Sun, unexpectedly, appear to travel much faster than predicted by theory.

The research, published in Nature Astronomy, details how scientists from NYU Abu Dhabi’s (NYUAD) Centre for Space Science analysed 25 years of space and ground-based data to detect these waves.&nbsp;

The high-frequency retrograde (HFR) waves, which move in the opposite direction of the Sun’s rotation, appear as a pattern of vortices (swirling motions) on the surface of the Sun and move at three times the speed established by current theory.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/video-watch-the-most-active-region-on-the-sun-132020/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The interior of the Sun and stars cannot be imaged by conventional astronomy, for example, optical and x-ray, and scientists rely on interpreting the surface signatures of a variety of waves to image the interiors. These new HFR waves may yet be an important puzzle piece in our understanding of stars.

Complex interactions between other well-known waves and magnetism, gravity, or convection could drive the HFR waves at this speed.&nbsp;

"If the high-frequency retrograde waves could be attributed to any of these three processes, then the finding would have answered some open questions we still have about the Sun," says lead author Chris Hanson.

"However, these new waves don't appear to be a result of these processes, and that's exciting because it leads to a whole new set of questions."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-has-space-business-has-become-the-final-profitable-frontier-452928" hreflang="en">Why has space business has become the final profitable frontier?</a>

By studying the Sun’s interior dynamics,&nbsp;through the use of waves,&nbsp;scientists can better appreciate the Sun's potential impact on the Earth and other planets in our solar system.

“The very existence of HFR modes and their origin is a true mystery and may allude to exciting physics at play,” said Shravan Hanasoge, a co-author of the paper.&nbsp;

“It has the potential to shed insight on the otherwise unobservable interior of the Sun.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Physicists believe that the discovery of mysterious vortex waves suggests that there is new solar physics to be uncovered. They have said that these new set of waves in the Sun, unexpectedly, appear to travel much faster than predicted by theory.

Physicists believe that the discovery of mysterious vortex waves suggests that there is new solar physics to be uncovered. They have said that these new set of waves in the Sun, unexpectedly, appear to travel much faster than predicted by theory. The research, published in Nature Astronomy, details how scientists from NYU Abu Dhabi’s (NYUAD) Centre for Space Science analysed 25 years of space and ground-based data to detect these waves. The high-frequency retrograde (HFR) waves, which move in the opposite direction of the Sun’s rotation, appear as a pattern of vortices (swirling motions) on the surface of the Sun and move at three times the speed established by current theory. The interior of the Sun and stars cannot be imaged by conventional astronomy, for example, optical and x-ray, and scientists rely on interpreting the surface signatures of a variety of waves to image the interiors. These new HFR waves may yet be an important puzzle piece in our understanding of stars. Complex interactions between other well-known waves and magnetism, gravity, or convection could drive the HFR waves at this speed. "If the high-frequency retrograde waves could be attributed to any of these three processes, then the finding would have answered some open questions we still have about the Sun," says lead author Chris Hanson. "However, these new waves don't appear to be a result of these processes, and that's exciting because it leads to a whole new set of questions." Also read | Why has space business has become the final profitable frontier? By studying the Sun’s interior dynamics, through the use of waves, scientists can better appreciate the Sun's potential impact on the Earth and other planets in our solar system. “The very existence of HFR modes and their origin is a true mystery and may allude to exciting physics at play,” said Shravan Hanasoge, a co-author of the paper. “It has the potential to shed insight on the otherwise unobservable interior of the Sun.” (With inputs from agencies)

New solar physics? Mysterious vortex waves discovered on the Sun travelling faster than expected

Comet Leonard, which was easily visible from Earth in the month of December last year has disintegrated on its close approach to the Sun, say media reports. What remains of the comet is now moving away from the Sun.&nbsp;

Comet Leonard had its closest approach to the Sun on January 3, 2022. What has made astronomers confirm that Comet Leonard has disintegrated is the observation that remnants of the comet moving away from the Sun no longer show the existence of two important parts of any comet: NUcleus and Coma.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-potentially-hazardous-asteroid-is-coming-near-earth-on-thursday-nasa-464865">A 'potentially hazardous' asteroid is coming near Earth on Thursday: NASA</a>

Nucleus of a comet is its core while Coma is the temporary envelope of atmosphere the comet develops when it approaches the Sun.

Comet Leonard was discovered by Gregory Leonard on January 3 last year.

The comet made closest approach to Earth on December 12 last year. Around that time, the comet had garnered attention for being the brightest comet of the year 2021.

Watching Comet Leonard was hailed as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as its huge orbit brought it close to Earth once every 80,000 years.

Comet Leonard's orbit was so huge that it was 3500 times the distance between Earth and the Sun. Its disintegration means that the icy body will no longer be able to orbit the Sun as we knew it previously.

Comet Leonard, which was easily visible from Earth in the month of December last year has disintegrated on its close approach to the Sun, say media reports. What remains of the comet is now moving away from the Sun.

Comet Leonard, which was easily visible from Earth in the month of December last year has disintegrated on its close approach to the Sun, say media reports. What remains of the comet is now moving away from the Sun. Comet Leonard had its closest approach to the Sun on January 3, 2022. What has made astronomers confirm that Comet Leonard has disintegrated is the observation that remnants of the comet moving away from the Sun no longer show the existence of two important parts of any comet: NUcleus and Coma. Also Read | A 'potentially hazardous' asteroid is coming near Earth on Thursday: NASA Nucleus of a comet is its core while Coma is the temporary envelope of atmosphere the comet develops when it approaches the Sun. Comet Leonard was discovered by Gregory Leonard on January 3 last year. The comet made closest approach to Earth on December 12 last year. Around that time, the comet had garnered attention for being the brightest comet of the year 2021. Watching Comet Leonard was hailed as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as its huge orbit brought it close to Earth once every 80,000 years. Comet Leonard's orbit was so huge that it was 3500 times the distance between Earth and the Sun. Its disintegration means that the icy body will no longer be able to orbit the Sun as we knew it previously.

Comet Leonard disintegrates as it goes around the Sun

A 'potentially hazardous'&nbsp;asteroid is on its way to come near Earth. The asteroid isn't exactly small. It is comparable to Empire State Building. If this asteroid hits the Earth, it packs more than enough punch to cause widespread destruction.

Asteroid 2013 BO76, as it has been named is 450 metres (Nearly a half kilometre) across. The size may seem small but the high speed with which it is travelling gives it enough potential to cause major damage on Earth if it hits. The asteroid is flying at a staggering speed of 49513.45 kilometres per hour.&nbsp;

NASA has categorised the asteroid to be 'potentially hazardous'. It is then perhaps a good thing that it will fly past Earth at a distance of 51,11,759 kilometres. It will zoom past Earth on Thursday (March 24).

This is not the first time this asteroid has come into our neighbourhood to say Hi.&nbsp;

In 2013, it zoomed past the Earth at a distance of 78,88,295 kilometres. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has said that after Thursday's flyby, the same asteroid will visit Earth on July 14, 2033. At that time, it is expected to be at a distance of 1,91,85,926 kilometres from the Earth.

NASA's JPL has also orbital parameters of the asteroid along with its orbital diagram around Earth.

<img alt="NASA asteroid" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="56a74fd6-049b-44f3-828d-40b0bcb93980" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/asteroid.png" />

The intersecting orbits of the planets and the asteroid can clearly be seen in the picture above. Earth's orbit is visible in light blue colour while that of the asteroid has been depicted in white.

A 'potentially hazardous' asteroid is on its way to come near Earth. The asteroid isn't exactly small. It is comparable to Empire State Building. If this asteroid hits the Earth, it packs more than enough punch to cause widespread destruction.

A 'potentially hazardous' asteroid is on its way to come near Earth. The asteroid isn't exactly small. It is comparable to Empire State Building. If this asteroid hits the Earth, it packs more than enough punch to cause widespread destruction. Asteroid 2013 BO76, as it has been named is 450 metres (Nearly a half kilometre) across. The size may seem small but the high speed with which it is travelling gives it enough potential to cause major damage on Earth if it hits. The asteroid is flying at a staggering speed of 49513.45 kilometres per hour. NASA has categorised the asteroid to be 'potentially hazardous'. It is then perhaps a good thing that it will fly past Earth at a distance of 51,11,759 kilometres. It will zoom past Earth on Thursday (March 24). This is not the first time this asteroid has come into our neighbourhood to say Hi. In 2013, it zoomed past the Earth at a distance of 78,88,295 kilometres. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has said that after Thursday's flyby, the same asteroid will visit Earth on July 14, 2033. At that time, it is expected to be at a distance of 1,91,85,926 kilometres from the Earth. NASA's JPL has also orbital parameters of the asteroid along with its orbital diagram around Earth. The intersecting orbits of the planets and the asteroid can clearly be seen in the picture above. Earth's orbit is visible in light blue colour while that of the asteroid has been depicted in white.

A 'potentially hazardous' asteroid is coming near Earth on Thursday: NASA

Galaxies are not just a massive collection of stars. They are also stellar nurseries. New stars form and old die-out. However, the rate at which new stars are formed is not constant universally. Some galaxies form new stars at a greater rate while others are in a state of semi-retirement, that is, star formation is taking place at a much lower rate in these galaxies.

What is the reason behind these varying rates of star formation? What causes the rate of star formation to lower? These and some other questions have been in focus of space research for decades.&nbsp;

A study has pointed at the reason why star formation slows down in a galaxy. The answer is, supermassive black holes.

Supermassive black holes have mass millions or even billions of times of that of the Sun. Supermassive black holes are found at the centre of spiral galaxies. Their unimaginably strong gravitational force holds the entire galaxy together.

To find out what slows down star formation in a galaxy, researchers from the University of Cambridge used three state-of-the-art cosmological simulations -- EAGLE, Illustris and IllustrisTNG.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/decoding-pigs-emotions-scientists-can-now-tell-if-the-animal-is-happy-or-sad-464604">Decoding emotions: Scientists can now tell if a pig is happy or sad</a>

The researchers applied a machine-learning algorithm and classified galaxies into two types, 'star-forming' and 'quiescent'

The new simulations predicted that mass of the supermassive black hole was most important factor slowing down star formation in a galaxy.

Galaxies are not just a massive collection of stars. They are also stellar nurseries. New stars form and old die-out. However, the rate at which new stars are formed is not constant universally.

Galaxies are not just a massive collection of stars. They are also stellar nurseries. New stars form and old die-out. However, the rate at which new stars are formed is not constant universally. Some galaxies form new stars at a greater rate while others are in a state of semi-retirement, that is, star formation is taking place at a much lower rate in these galaxies. What is the reason behind these varying rates of star formation? What causes the rate of star formation to lower? These and some other questions have been in focus of space research for decades. A study has pointed at the reason why star formation slows down in a galaxy. The answer is, supermassive black holes. Supermassive black holes have mass millions or even billions of times of that of the Sun. Supermassive black holes are found at the centre of spiral galaxies. Their unimaginably strong gravitational force holds the entire galaxy together. To find out what slows down star formation in a galaxy, researchers from the University of Cambridge used three state-of-the-art cosmological simulations -- EAGLE, Illustris and IllustrisTNG. Also Read | Decoding emotions: Scientists can now tell if a pig is happy or sad The researchers applied a machine-learning algorithm and classified galaxies into two types, 'star-forming' and 'quiescent' The new simulations predicted that mass of the supermassive black hole was most important factor slowing down star formation in a galaxy.

What slows down star-formation in a galaxy? This is the answer

Scientists believe that a mysterious signal coming from our galaxy could be one of the rarest known objects.

The paper, uploaded to preprint server arXiv, discusses GLEAM-X J16279.5-523504.3 as a White Dwarf Pulsar.

The Milky Way began to form relatively soon after the Big Bang explosion that marked the beginning of the universe some 13.8 billion years ago.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-galaxy-with-split-personality-heres-what-we-mean-by-this-464411">A galaxy with split personality? Here's what we mean by this</a>

The sun, located roughly 26,000 light-years from the supermassive black hole residing at the centre of the galaxy, formed about 4.5 billion years ago.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/physicists-believe-they-have-cracked-stephen-hawkings-black-hole-information-paradox-463502" hreflang="en">Physicists believe they have cracked Stephen Hawking’s black hole information paradox</a>

According to a paper by astrophysicist Jonathan Katz of Washington University at St. Louis, "Since the early days of pulsar astronomy there has been speculation that a rotating magnetic white dwarf might show pulsar-like activity."

"The recently discovered periodic radio transient GLEAM-X J162759.5−523504.3 is a candidate for the first true white dwarf pulsar. It has a period of 18.18 minutes (1091 s) and its pulses show low frequency (72–215 MHz) emission with a brightness temperature ∼ 1016 K implying coherent emission. It has no binary companion with which to interact. It thus meets the criteria of a classical pulsar, although its period is hundreds of times longer than any of theirs."

The low-frequency radio source GLEAM-X J162759.5−523504.3 emits pulsed coherent polarised emission like that of radio pulsars.&nbsp;

Yet its period of 18.18 min is hundreds of times longer than those of confirmed radio pulsars, and if it is a neutron star its mean radiated power exceeds the upper limit on its spin-down power by more than an order of magnitude.&nbsp;

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-has-space-business-has-become-the-final-profitable-frontier-452928" hreflang="en">Why has space business has become the final profitable frontier?</a>

This may be explained if it is a white dwarf pulsar, with a moment of inertia several orders of magnitude greater than those of neutron stars. The Lorentz factor of the emitting charge bunches may be bounded from below by the widths of the temporal substructure of their radiation.&nbsp;

If the emission is curvature radiation, the radius of curvature may be estimated from the Lorentz factor and the frequencies of emission; it is consistent with a white dwarf's inner magnetosphere but not a neutron star's.

"Nobody expected to directly detect one like this because we didn't expect them to be so bright," astrophysicist Natasha Hurley-Walker of the Curtin University node of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) in Australia explained at the time.&nbsp;

"Somehow it's converting magnetic energy to radio waves much more effectively than anything we've seen before."

"If it were bright enough, optical observations could also determine its magnetic field, spectroscopically or polarimetrically," Katz explained.

"The fast-rotating, strongly magnetised, white dwarves would be promising targets for low frequency radio observations to determine if any of them are white dwarf pulsars."

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Scientists believe that a mysterious signal coming from our galaxy could be one of the rarest known objects. The paper, uploaded to preprint server arXiv, discusses GLEAM-X J16279.

Scientists believe that a mysterious signal coming from our galaxy could be one of the rarest known objects. The paper, uploaded to preprint server arXiv, discusses GLEAM-X J16279.5-523504.3 as a White Dwarf Pulsar. The Milky Way began to form relatively soon after the Big Bang explosion that marked the beginning of the universe some 13.8 billion years ago. Also Read | A galaxy with split personality? Here's what we mean by this The sun, located roughly 26,000 light-years from the supermassive black hole residing at the centre of the galaxy, formed about 4.5 billion years ago. Also read | Physicists believe they have cracked Stephen Hawking’s black hole information paradox According to a paper by astrophysicist Jonathan Katz of Washington University at St. Louis, "Since the early days of pulsar astronomy there has been speculation that a rotating magnetic white dwarf might show pulsar-like activity." "The recently discovered periodic radio transient GLEAM-X J162759.5−523504.3 is a candidate for the first true white dwarf pulsar. It has a period of 18.18 minutes (1091 s) and its pulses show low frequency (72–215 MHz) emission with a brightness temperature ∼ 1016 K implying coherent emission. It has no binary companion with which to interact. It thus meets the criteria of a classical pulsar, although its period is hundreds of times longer than any of theirs." The low-frequency radio source GLEAM-X J162759.5−523504.3 emits pulsed coherent polarised emission like that of radio pulsars. Yet its period of 18.18 min is hundreds of times longer than those of confirmed radio pulsars, and if it is a neutron star its mean radiated power exceeds the upper limit on its spin-down power by more than an order of magnitude. Also see | Why has space business has become the final profitable frontier? This may be explained if it is a white dwarf pulsar, with a moment of inertia several orders of magnitude greater than those of neutron stars. The Lorentz factor of the emitting charge bunches may be bounded from below by the widths of the temporal substructure of their radiation. If the emission is curvature radiation, the radius of curvature may be estimated from the Lorentz factor and the frequencies of emission; it is consistent with a white dwarf's inner magnetosphere but not a neutron star's. "Nobody expected to directly detect one like this because we didn't expect them to be so bright," astrophysicist Natasha Hurley-Walker of the Curtin University node of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) in Australia explained at the time. "Somehow it's converting magnetic energy to radio waves much more effectively than anything we've seen before." "If it were bright enough, optical observations could also determine its magnetic field, spectroscopically or polarimetrically," Katz explained. "The fast-rotating, strongly magnetised, white dwarves would be promising targets for low frequency radio observations to determine if any of them are white dwarf pulsars." (With inputs from agencies)

Mysterious signal coming from Milky Way galaxy could be one of the rarest known objects

Space images are mesmerising. There is no doubt about that. Though we know a lot about what's out there, there's lot that is still to be found. But sometimes old images reveal something astoundingly whacky that our eyes go on a different trip altogether.

We know that various wavelengths mean that space looks in a particular way in 'visible' wavelengths of light. But a lot is hidden in wavelengths that are invisible to the naked eye and we have to make use of specialised telescopes to see the other wavelengths.

But its not often that a picture including invisible wavelengths opens a box of colours amazingly distinct from one that includes only visible wavelengths.

For example, check this image taken by Hubble telescope. This image contains wavelengths visible to the naked eye.

<img alt="Hubble" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="acb2abba-0294-4f03-948b-30fb101c3563" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Hubble.png" />

(Image: NASA)

And here's the same galaxy with inclusion of wavelengths that are invisible to the naked eye

<img alt="Galaxy" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8dac84dc-6722-4e24-8ae4-37e8d89edcc5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/galaxy.png" />

(Image: ESO)

It's almost like the galaxy was hiding a personality, like that of a person seemingly introvert but who's a party freak on the inside.

The galaxy in the photo is called GC 4254, or Messier 99. The recent image of this galaxy has been clicked using Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) on European Southern Obervatory's (ESO) Very Large Telescope. The ESO is located in Chile.

The galaxy is 50 lightyears away from us.

Space images are mesmerising. There is no doubt about that. Though we know a lot about what's out there, there's lot that is still to be found. But sometimes old images reveal something astoundingly whacky that our eyes go on a different trip altogether.

Space images are mesmerising. There is no doubt about that. Though we know a lot about what's out there, there's lot that is still to be found. But sometimes old images reveal something astoundingly whacky that our eyes go on a different trip altogether. We know that various wavelengths mean that space looks in a particular way in 'visible' wavelengths of light. But a lot is hidden in wavelengths that are invisible to the naked eye and we have to make use of specialised telescopes to see the other wavelengths. But its not often that a picture including invisible wavelengths opens a box of colours amazingly distinct from one that includes only visible wavelengths. For example, check this image taken by Hubble telescope. This image contains wavelengths visible to the naked eye. (Image: NASA) And here's the same galaxy with inclusion of wavelengths that are invisible to the naked eye (Image: ESO) It's almost like the galaxy was hiding a personality, like that of a person seemingly introvert but who's a party freak on the inside. The galaxy in the photo is called GC 4254, or Messier 99. The recent image of this galaxy has been clicked using Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) on European Southern Obervatory's (ESO) Very Large Telescope. The ESO is located in Chile. The galaxy is 50 lightyears away from us.

A galaxy with split personality? Here's what we mean by this

The US-based space agency NASA has shared new images of Jupiter's moons Io and Europa which are beamed back by Juno spacecraft.&nbsp;

The space agency informed that the stunning view of Jupiter's southern hemisphere was captured during Juno mission's 39th close flyby of the planet on January 12, 2022.&nbsp;

The intriguing images of moons Io (left) and Europa (right) can be seen clearly after zooming in on the right portion of the image. The image looks like two more worlds have been revealed in the same frame.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/lucky-for-now-fridge-sized-asteroid-gets-spotted-just-two-hours-before-hitting-earth-says-nasa-464282">Lucky for now? Fridge-sized asteroid gets spotted just two hours before hitting Earth, says NASA</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;

As informed by NASA, the image was taken when Juno spacecraft was about 61,000 kilometres from Jupiter's cloud tops, at a latitude of about 52 degrees south.&nbsp;

NASA said that the breathtaking image has been created by citizen scientist Andrea Luck using raw data from the JunoCam instrument.&nbsp;

Io is the solar system's most volcanic body, while Europa's icy surface hides a global ocean of liquid water beneath. NASA said that Juno will have an opportunity to capture much more detailed observations of Europa, using several scientific instruments, in September 2022.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/unprecedented-heatwaves-recorded-at-earths-poles-scientists-warn-of-climate-calamity-464304">‘Unprecedented’ heatwaves recorded at Earth’s poles, scientists warn of climate calamity</a>

<img alt="NASA" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c0f17689-38a4-48e0-89f2-886dc6599eed" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Nasa%20%2811%29.jpg" />

Image credit: NASA

At this time, the spacecraft makes the closest fly-by of the enigmatic moon in decades. The mission will also make close approaches to Io in late 2023 and early 2024.&nbsp;

The mission is currently expected to end in September 2025. The Juno mission will also make close approaches to Io in late 2023 and early 2024, according to the NASA statement.&nbsp;

Juno spacecraft, which entered Jupiter's orbit in 2016, made the last closest flyby to Jupiter's largest Moon Ganymede on June 7.&nbsp;

The flyby was the closest-known since NASA's Galileo spacecraft made its penultimate close approach back on May 20, 2000.&nbsp;

Besides Juno, the future missions to the Jovian system include NASA's Europa Clipper slated for a launch in October 2024 and expected to arrive in April 2030 and European Space Agency's JUpiter ICy moons Explorer [JUICE] mission.&nbsp;

JUICE is planned for launch in 2022 and arrival at Jupiter in 2029.&nbsp;

The US-based space agency NASA has shared new images of Jupiter's moons Io and Europa which are beamed back by Juno spacecraft. The space agency informed that the stunning view of Jupiter's southern hemisphere was captured during Juno mission's 39th close flyby of the planet on January 12, 2022.

The US-based space agency NASA has shared new images of Jupiter's moons Io and Europa which are beamed back by Juno spacecraft. The space agency informed that the stunning view of Jupiter's southern hemisphere was captured during Juno mission's 39th close flyby of the planet on January 12, 2022. The intriguing images of moons Io (left) and Europa (right) can be seen clearly after zooming in on the right portion of the image. The image looks like two more worlds have been revealed in the same frame. ALSO READ | Lucky for now? Fridge-sized asteroid gets spotted just two hours before hitting Earth, says NASA As informed by NASA, the image was taken when Juno spacecraft was about 61,000 kilometres from Jupiter's cloud tops, at a latitude of about 52 degrees south. NASA said that the breathtaking image has been created by citizen scientist Andrea Luck using raw data from the JunoCam instrument. Io is the solar system's most volcanic body, while Europa's icy surface hides a global ocean of liquid water beneath. NASA said that Juno will have an opportunity to capture much more detailed observations of Europa, using several scientific instruments, in September 2022. ALSO READ | ‘Unprecedented’ heatwaves recorded at Earth’s poles, scientists warn of climate calamity Image credit: NASA At this time, the spacecraft makes the closest fly-by of the enigmatic moon in decades. The mission will also make close approaches to Io in late 2023 and early 2024. The mission is currently expected to end in September 2025. The Juno mission will also make close approaches to Io in late 2023 and early 2024, according to the NASA statement. Juno spacecraft, which entered Jupiter's orbit in 2016, made the last closest flyby to Jupiter's largest Moon Ganymede on June 7. The flyby was the closest-known since NASA's Galileo spacecraft made its penultimate close approach back on May 20, 2000. Besides Juno, the future missions to the Jovian system include NASA's Europa Clipper slated for a launch in October 2024 and expected to arrive in April 2030 and European Space Agency's JUpiter ICy moons Explorer [JUICE] mission. JUICE is planned for launch in 2022 and arrival at Jupiter in 2029.

NASA's Juno spacecraft snaps stunning images of Jupiter's moons Io and Europa

Physicists believe that they have finally cracked Stephen Hawking's famous black hole paradox.

The research, published in Physical Review Letters, explores the relationship between the quantum state of a compact matter source and of its asymptotic graviton field.&nbsp;

Black holes are extremely dense, with gravitational pulls so ferocious not even light escapes. Some, the “supermassive” black holes, are immense, like the one at our Milky Way galaxy’s center 4 million times the sun’s mass. Smaller “stellar-mass” black holes possess the mass of a single star.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-identify-formation-of-three-planetary-systems-around-this-binary-star-462675" hreflang="en">Scientists identify formation of three planetary systems around this binary star</a>

Approximately half a century ago, Hawking came to the realisation that black holes must 'shine' in a rather unique way. Their warping of the Universe would change the wave-like nature of surrounding quantum fields such that a form of heat radiation was produced.

Effective field theory allows us to compute a purely quantum gravitational effect which causes the subleading asymptotic behavior of the graviton state to depend on the internal structure of the source. This establishes the existence of ubiquitous quantum hair due to gravitational effects.

Every particle that exists in the Universe has a certain amount of information inherent to it. Some of those properties are static: things like mass, charge, magnetic moment, etc.&nbsp;

But other properties are dependent on the system that it’s a part of, as well as the history of its interactions: things like its quantum entanglement properties, its spin and orbital angular momentum, and whether it’s bound to other quantum particles.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-confirm-several-geomagnetic-storms-are-going-to-hit-earth-this-week-462259" hreflang="en">Scientists confirm several geomagnetic storms are going to hit Earth this week</a>

In the 1960s, physicist John Archibald Wheeler, discussing black holes’ lack of observable features beyond their total mass, spin, and charge, coined the phrase ‘black holes have no hair’ aka the no-hair theorem.

However, the newly discovered ‘quantum hair’ provides a way for information to be preserved as a black hole collapses and, as such, resolves one of modern science’s most famous quandaries, experts say.

''It was generally assumed within the scientific community that resolving this paradox would require a huge paradigm shift in physics, forcing the potential reformulation of either quantum mechanics or general relativity,'' he said.

''A crucial aspect is that black holes are formed by the collapse of compact objects and then, according to the quantum theory, there is no absolute separation between the interior and the exterior of the black hole,'' said Roberto Casadio, Professor of Theoretical Physics from the University of Bologna, explaining the discovery of the ‘quantum hair’. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Physicists believe that they have finally cracked Stephen Hawking's famous black hole paradox. The research, published in Physical Review Letters, explores the relationship between the quantum state of a compact matter source and of its asymptotic graviton field.

Physicists believe that they have finally cracked Stephen Hawking's famous black hole paradox. The research, published in Physical Review Letters, explores the relationship between the quantum state of a compact matter source and of its asymptotic graviton field. Black holes are extremely dense, with gravitational pulls so ferocious not even light escapes. Some, the “supermassive” black holes, are immense, like the one at our Milky Way galaxy’s center 4 million times the sun’s mass. Smaller “stellar-mass” black holes possess the mass of a single star. Also read | Scientists identify formation of three planetary systems around this binary star Approximately half a century ago, Hawking came to the realisation that black holes must 'shine' in a rather unique way. Their warping of the Universe would change the wave-like nature of surrounding quantum fields such that a form of heat radiation was produced. Effective field theory allows us to compute a purely quantum gravitational effect which causes the subleading asymptotic behavior of the graviton state to depend on the internal structure of the source. This establishes the existence of ubiquitous quantum hair due to gravitational effects. Every particle that exists in the Universe has a certain amount of information inherent to it. Some of those properties are static: things like mass, charge, magnetic moment, etc. But other properties are dependent on the system that it’s a part of, as well as the history of its interactions: things like its quantum entanglement properties, its spin and orbital angular momentum, and whether it’s bound to other quantum particles. Also read | Scientists confirm several geomagnetic storms are going to hit Earth this week In the 1960s, physicist John Archibald Wheeler, discussing black holes’ lack of observable features beyond their total mass, spin, and charge, coined the phrase ‘black holes have no hair’ aka the no-hair theorem. However, the newly discovered ‘quantum hair’ provides a way for information to be preserved as a black hole collapses and, as such, resolves one of modern science’s most famous quandaries, experts say. ''It was generally assumed within the scientific community that resolving this paradox would require a huge paradigm shift in physics, forcing the potential reformulation of either quantum mechanics or general relativity,'' he said. ''A crucial aspect is that black holes are formed by the collapse of compact objects and then, according to the quantum theory, there is no absolute separation between the interior and the exterior of the black hole,'' said Roberto Casadio, Professor of Theoretical Physics from the University of Bologna, explaining the discovery of the ‘quantum hair’. (With inputs from agencies)

Physicists believe they have cracked Stephen Hawking’s black hole information paradox

Even before we had sophisticated technology at hand, we have been keen to look at the skies to uncover its secrets. As tech developed, we realised that what we could see was just a fraction of what was out there. We continued to gaze into the space nonetheless.

One of main thrusts of our skywatching has been to find exoplanets, and some that would possibly harbour life! But everything doesn't always go according to plan and our observations sometimes are not that accurate. That's life we suppose.

Astronomers have 'lost' three exoplanets. This means that these three space objects, previously considered to be exoplanets are not planets at all.&nbsp;

The objects Kepler-854b, Kepler-840b, and Kepler-699b have appeared to be too big to be exoplanets. So what are they?&nbsp;

Scientists think that they are stars!

Another object, Kepler-747b is considered to be a borderline case to qualify as a planet.

How are exoplanets discovered?

Planets may be notoriously hard to spot as, unlike stars, they do not emit their own light. So how are they found?

We can spot the light coming from a star. When a planet comes in between the star and us, there is a slight decrease or 'dip' in the light caught by our sophisticated lenses pointed at the sky.

As the tech is advancing, we are making use of newer techniques to accurately find exoplanets.

Even before we had sophisticated technology at hand, we have been keen to look at the skies to uncover its secrets. As tech developed, we realised that what we could see was just a fraction of what was out there.

Even before we had sophisticated technology at hand, we have been keen to look at the skies to uncover its secrets. As tech developed, we realised that what we could see was just a fraction of what was out there. We continued to gaze into the space nonetheless. One of main thrusts of our skywatching has been to find exoplanets, and some that would possibly harbour life! But everything doesn't always go according to plan and our observations sometimes are not that accurate. That's life we suppose. Astronomers have 'lost' three exoplanets. This means that these three space objects, previously considered to be exoplanets are not planets at all. The objects Kepler-854b, Kepler-840b, and Kepler-699b have appeared to be too big to be exoplanets. So what are they? Scientists think that they are stars! Another object, Kepler-747b is considered to be a borderline case to qualify as a planet. How are exoplanets discovered? Planets may be notoriously hard to spot as, unlike stars, they do not emit their own light. So how are they found? We can spot the light coming from a star. When a planet comes in between the star and us, there is a slight decrease or 'dip' in the light caught by our sophisticated lenses pointed at the sky. As the tech is advancing, we are making use of newer techniques to accurately find exoplanets.

Three exoplanets have been 'lost', here's what's the deal

Scientists have identified the formation of three planetary systems around a binary star system called SVS 13.

Located 980 light-years away, the binary star system and the complex structures of dust around it are shedding light on how planetary systems are born in these fascinating environments.

The research has been accepted by The Astrophysical Journal and is available on preprint server arXiv.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-confirm-several-geomagnetic-storms-are-going-to-hit-earth-this-week-462259" hreflang="en">Scientists confirm several geomagnetic storms are going to hit Earth this week</a>

Bringing together three decades of study, an international group of scientists have observed a pair of stars orbiting each other, to reveal that these stars are surrounded by disks of gas and dust.

Using the Very Large Array (VLA) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA), the scientific group has studied the binary star SVS 13, still in its embryonic phase. This work has provided the best description available so far on a binary system in formation.

Models of planet formation suggest that planets form by the slow aggregation of ice and dust particles in protoplanetary disks around forming stars. Usually these models consider only single stars, such as the Sun.&nbsp;

However, most stars form binary systems, in which two stars rotate around a common centre. &nbsp;Very little is yet known about how planets are born around these important twin star systems, in which the gravitational interaction between the two stars plays an essential role.&nbsp;

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-has-space-business-has-become-the-final-profitable-frontier-452928" hreflang="en">Why has space business has become the final profitable frontier?</a>

"Our results have revealed that each star has a disk of gas and dust around it and that, in addition, a larger disk is forming around both stars," says Ana Karla Díaz-Rodríguez, a researcher at the IAA-CSIC and the UK ALMA Regional Centre (UK-ARC) at The University of Manchester, who leads the work.

“This outer disk shows a spiral structure that is feeding matter into the individual disks, and in all of them planetary systems could form in the future. This is clear evidence for the presence of disks around both stars and the existence of a common disk in a binary system.”

The binary system SVS 13 consists of two stellar embryos with a total mass similar to that of the Sun. The two stars in the system are very close to each other, with a distance of only about ninety times that between the Earth and the Sun.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-is-cracking-open-a-50-year-old-vacuum-sealed-tube-of-lunar-gas-and-soil-461921" hreflang="en">NASA is cracking open a 50-year-old vacuum-sealed tube of lunar gas and soil</a>

The work has made it possible to study the composition of gas, dust and ionised matter in the system. In addition, nearly thirty different molecules have been identified around both protostars, including thirteen complex organic molecules precursors of life (seven of them detected for the first time in this system).&nbsp;

"This means that when planets begin to form around these two suns, the building blocks of life will be there," says Ana Karla Díaz-Rodríguez.

The scientific team has used the observations of SVS 13 obtained by the VLA over thirty years, together with new data from ALMA, and has followed the motion of both stars over this period, which has allowed their orbit to be traced, as well as the geometry and orientation of the system, along with many fundamental parameters, such as the mass of the protostars, the mass of the disks, and their temperature.&nbsp;

Gary Fuller of The University of Manchester, a collaborator on the project, says: “This work shows how careful, systematic studies of young stars can provide a remarkably detailed view of their structure and properties.“

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have identified the formation of three planetary systems around a binary star system called SVS 13. Located 980 light-years away, the binary star system and the complex structures of dust around it are shedding light on how planetary systems are born in these fascinating environments.

Scientists have identified the formation of three planetary systems around a binary star system called SVS 13. Located 980 light-years away, the binary star system and the complex structures of dust around it are shedding light on how planetary systems are born in these fascinating environments. The research has been accepted by The Astrophysical Journal and is available on preprint server arXiv. Also read | Scientists confirm several geomagnetic storms are going to hit Earth this week Bringing together three decades of study, an international group of scientists have observed a pair of stars orbiting each other, to reveal that these stars are surrounded by disks of gas and dust. Using the Very Large Array (VLA) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA), the scientific group has studied the binary star SVS 13, still in its embryonic phase. This work has provided the best description available so far on a binary system in formation. Models of planet formation suggest that planets form by the slow aggregation of ice and dust particles in protoplanetary disks around forming stars. Usually these models consider only single stars, such as the Sun. However, most stars form binary systems, in which two stars rotate around a common centre. Very little is yet known about how planets are born around these important twin star systems, in which the gravitational interaction between the two stars plays an essential role. Also see | Why has space business has become the final profitable frontier? "Our results have revealed that each star has a disk of gas and dust around it and that, in addition, a larger disk is forming around both stars," says Ana Karla Díaz-Rodríguez, a researcher at the IAA-CSIC and the UK ALMA Regional Centre (UK-ARC) at The University of Manchester, who leads the work. “This outer disk shows a spiral structure that is feeding matter into the individual disks, and in all of them planetary systems could form in the future. This is clear evidence for the presence of disks around both stars and the existence of a common disk in a binary system.” The binary system SVS 13 consists of two stellar embryos with a total mass similar to that of the Sun. The two stars in the system are very close to each other, with a distance of only about ninety times that between the Earth and the Sun. Also read | NASA is cracking open a 50-year-old vacuum-sealed tube of lunar gas and soil The work has made it possible to study the composition of gas, dust and ionised matter in the system. In addition, nearly thirty different molecules have been identified around both protostars, including thirteen complex organic molecules precursors of life (seven of them detected for the first time in this system). "This means that when planets begin to form around these two suns, the building blocks of life will be there," says Ana Karla Díaz-Rodríguez. The scientific team has used the observations of SVS 13 obtained by the VLA over thirty years, together with new data from ALMA, and has followed the motion of both stars over this period, which has allowed their orbit to be traced, as well as the geometry and orientation of the system, along with many fundamental parameters, such as the mass of the protostars, the mass of the disks, and their temperature. Gary Fuller of The University of Manchester, a collaborator on the project, says: “This work shows how careful, systematic studies of young stars can provide a remarkably detailed view of their structure and properties.“ (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists identify formation of three planetary systems around this binary star

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is cracking open a 50-year-old vacuum-sealed tube of lunar gas and soil.

It was among one of the 2,196 rock samples collected during NASA's Apollo missions to Earth. Dubbed 73001, the sample in question was collected by astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt in December 1972.

The tube, 35 cm long and 4 cm (13.8 inches by 1.6 inches) wide, had been hammered into the ground of the Moon's Taurus-Littrow valley to collect the rocks.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-is-collecting-names-to-send-into-space-aboard-orion-capsule-to-the-moon-461661" hreflang="en">NASA is collecting names to send into space aboard Orion capsule to the Moon</a>

Of the only two samples to have been vacuum sealed on the Moon, this is the first to be opened. It could as such contain gases or volatile substances (water, carbon dioxide, etc.)

And the aim is to extract these gases, which are probably only present in very small quantities, to be able to analyze them using spectrometry techniques that have become extremely precise in recent years.&nbsp;

NASA knew "science and technology would evolve and allow scientists to study the material in new ways to address new questions in the future," Lori Glaze, director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters, said in a statement.

The US space agency has extended its target date for sending astronauts back to the moon to 2025 at the earliest, stretching out by at least a year the timeline pronounced under former President Donald Trump.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-has-space-business-has-become-the-final-profitable-frontier-452928" hreflang="en">Why has space business has become the final profitable frontier?</a>

Trump's administration had set the aggressive goal of returning humans to the lunar surface by 2024, an initiative named Artemis intended as a stepping stone toward the even-more-ambitious objective of sending astronauts to Mars.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson cited delays from legal wrangling over the SpaceX contract to build the Artemis lunar landing vehicle as a major reason for extending the target date.

"We lost nearly seven months in litigation, and that likely has pushed the first human landing likely to no earlier than 2025," Nelson told a news conference. "We are estimating no earlier than 2025 for Artemis 3, which would be the human lander on the first demonstration landing."

Nelson, a former astronaut and US&nbsp;senator appointed by President Joe Biden to lead the space agency, said delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic also played a role.

NASA had previously aimed to return crewed spacecraft to the lunar surface by 2028, after putting a "Gateway" space station into orbit around the moon by 2024.

But the Trump administration, in a surprise 2019 pronouncement from then-Vice President Mike Pence, set a deadline for putting Americans back on the moon within five years "by any means necessary."

At the time, Pence said the United States was in a new "space race," borrowing vocabulary from the 1960s Cold War era, to counter the potential space weaponry capabilities of Russia and China.

(With inputs from agencies)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is cracking open a 50-year-old vacuum-sealed tube of lunar gas and soil. It was among one of the 2,196 rock samples collected during NASA's Apollo missions to Earth.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is cracking open a 50-year-old vacuum-sealed tube of lunar gas and soil. It was among one of the 2,196 rock samples collected during NASA's Apollo missions to Earth. Dubbed 73001, the sample in question was collected by astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt in December 1972. The tube, 35 cm long and 4 cm (13.8 inches by 1.6 inches) wide, had been hammered into the ground of the Moon's Taurus-Littrow valley to collect the rocks. Also read | NASA is collecting names to send into space aboard Orion capsule to the Moon Of the only two samples to have been vacuum sealed on the Moon, this is the first to be opened. It could as such contain gases or volatile substances (water, carbon dioxide, etc.) And the aim is to extract these gases, which are probably only present in very small quantities, to be able to analyze them using spectrometry techniques that have become extremely precise in recent years. NASA knew "science and technology would evolve and allow scientists to study the material in new ways to address new questions in the future," Lori Glaze, director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters, said in a statement. The US space agency has extended its target date for sending astronauts back to the moon to 2025 at the earliest, stretching out by at least a year the timeline pronounced under former President Donald Trump. Also read | Why has space business has become the final profitable frontier? Trump's administration had set the aggressive goal of returning humans to the lunar surface by 2024, an initiative named Artemis intended as a stepping stone toward the even-more-ambitious objective of sending astronauts to Mars. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson cited delays from legal wrangling over the SpaceX contract to build the Artemis lunar landing vehicle as a major reason for extending the target date. "We lost nearly seven months in litigation, and that likely has pushed the first human landing likely to no earlier than 2025," Nelson told a news conference. "We are estimating no earlier than 2025 for Artemis 3, which would be the human lander on the first demonstration landing." Nelson, a former astronaut and US senator appointed by President Joe Biden to lead the space agency, said delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic also played a role. NASA had previously aimed to return crewed spacecraft to the lunar surface by 2028, after putting a "Gateway" space station into orbit around the moon by 2024. But the Trump administration, in a surprise 2019 pronouncement from then-Vice President Mike Pence, set a deadline for putting Americans back on the moon within five years "by any means necessary." At the time, Pence said the United States was in a new "space race," borrowing vocabulary from the 1960s Cold War era, to counter the potential space weaponry capabilities of Russia and China. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA is cracking open a 50-year-old vacuum-sealed tube of lunar gas and soil

Physicists have said that 'quantum gravity' could emerge from a holographic universe. The research, published in Nature Communications, sheds light on the secrets of the Universe.

A grand challenge in modern theoretical physics is to find a ‘unified theory’ that can describe all the laws of nature within a single framework – connecting Einstein's general theory of relativity, which describes the universe on a large scale, and quantum mechanics, which describes our world at the atomic level.&nbsp;

Such a theory of ‘quantum gravity’ would include both a macroscopic and microscopic description of nature.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/breakthrough-in-physics-artificial-intelligence-successfully-controls-plasma-in-nuclear-fusion-experiment-455165">Also read |&nbsp;'Breakthrough in Physics': Artificial Intelligence successfully controls plasma in nuclear fusion experiment</a>

“We strive to understand the laws of nature and the language in which these are written is mathematics. When we seek answers to questions in physics, we are often led to new discoveries in mathematics too. This interaction is particularly prominent in the search for quantum gravity – where it is extremely difficult to perform experiments,” explains Daniel Persson, Professor at the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Chalmers university of technology.

An example of a phenomenon that requires this type of unified description is black holes. A black hole forms when a sufficiently heavy star expands and collapses under its own gravitational force, so that all its mass is concentrated in an extremely small volume.&nbsp;

The quantum mechanical description of black holes is still in its infancy but involves spectacular advanced mathematics.

“The challenge is to describe how gravity arises as an ‘emergent’ phenomenon. Just as everyday phenomena – such as the flow of a liquid – emerge from the chaotic movements of individual droplets, we want to describe how gravity emerges from the quantum mechanical system at the microscopic level,” says Robert Berman, Professor at the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the Chalmers University of Technology.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/einsteins-theory-of-time-dilation-new-atomic-clocks-can-measure-it-at-millimeter-scale-454133">Also read |&nbsp;Einstein’s theory of time dilation: New atomic clocks can measure it at millimeter scale</a>

“Using techniques from the mathematics that I have researched before, we managed to formulate an explanation for how gravity emerges by the holographic principle, in a more precise way than has previously been done,” explains Berman.

The new paper may also offer new insight into mysterious dark energy. In Einstein's general theory of relativity, gravity is described as a geometric phenomenon.&nbsp;

Just as a newly made bed curves under a person's weight, heavy objects can bend the geometric shape of the universe.&nbsp;

But according to Einstein's theory, even the empty space,&nbsp;the ‘vacuum state’ of the universe,&nbsp;has a rich geometric structure. It is this mysterious form of energy that, from a larger perspective, is responsible for the accelerated expansion of the universe.

The study may lead to new insights into how and why these microscopic quantum mechanical ripples arise, as well as the relationship between Einstein's theory of gravity and quantum mechanics, something that has eluded scientists for decades.

“These results open up the possibility to test other aspects of the holographic principle such as the microscopic description of black holes. We also hope to be able to use these new connections in the future to break new ground in mathematics,” says Daniel Persson.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Physicists have said that 'quantum gravity' could emerge from a holographic universe. The research, published in Nature Communications, sheds light on the secrets of the Universe.

Physicists have said that 'quantum gravity' could emerge from a holographic universe. The research, published in Nature Communications, sheds light on the secrets of the Universe. A grand challenge in modern theoretical physics is to find a ‘unified theory’ that can describe all the laws of nature within a single framework – connecting Einstein's general theory of relativity, which describes the universe on a large scale, and quantum mechanics, which describes our world at the atomic level. Such a theory of ‘quantum gravity’ would include both a macroscopic and microscopic description of nature. Also read | 'Breakthrough in Physics': Artificial Intelligence successfully controls plasma in nuclear fusion experiment “We strive to understand the laws of nature and the language in which these are written is mathematics. When we seek answers to questions in physics, we are often led to new discoveries in mathematics too. This interaction is particularly prominent in the search for quantum gravity – where it is extremely difficult to perform experiments,” explains Daniel Persson, Professor at the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Chalmers university of technology. An example of a phenomenon that requires this type of unified description is black holes. A black hole forms when a sufficiently heavy star expands and collapses under its own gravitational force, so that all its mass is concentrated in an extremely small volume. The quantum mechanical description of black holes is still in its infancy but involves spectacular advanced mathematics. “The challenge is to describe how gravity arises as an ‘emergent’ phenomenon. Just as everyday phenomena – such as the flow of a liquid – emerge from the chaotic movements of individual droplets, we want to describe how gravity emerges from the quantum mechanical system at the microscopic level,” says Robert Berman, Professor at the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the Chalmers University of Technology. Also read | Einstein’s theory of time dilation: New atomic clocks can measure it at millimeter scale “Using techniques from the mathematics that I have researched before, we managed to formulate an explanation for how gravity emerges by the holographic principle, in a more precise way than has previously been done,” explains Berman. The new paper may also offer new insight into mysterious dark energy. In Einstein's general theory of relativity, gravity is described as a geometric phenomenon. Just as a newly made bed curves under a person's weight, heavy objects can bend the geometric shape of the universe. But according to Einstein's theory, even the empty space, the ‘vacuum state’ of the universe, has a rich geometric structure. It is this mysterious form of energy that, from a larger perspective, is responsible for the accelerated expansion of the universe. The study may lead to new insights into how and why these microscopic quantum mechanical ripples arise, as well as the relationship between Einstein's theory of gravity and quantum mechanics, something that has eluded scientists for decades. “These results open up the possibility to test other aspects of the holographic principle such as the microscopic description of black holes. We also hope to be able to use these new connections in the future to break new ground in mathematics,” says Daniel Persson. (With inputs from agencies)

Physicists say 'quantum gravity' could emerge from a holographic universe

science-news

Science News, News on Science News, stories on Science News, articles on Science News, Science News stories at Wion, Science News news, Science News latest news

science news