Our Solar System is situated almost exactly in the middle of a giant, relatively empty bubble in space. This mysterious bubble is 1000 lightyears across. Inside the bubble, temperature of the interstellar medium is greater than that outside the bubble.

For years, presence of this bubble has baffled scientists. A strong explanation behind existence of this bubble, known as Local Bubble, was not present. But now we may know why this bubble exists.

A team of astronomers led by the Harvard &amp; Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) has mapped the Local Bubble with highest precision till date. The team has found that a number of supernovas (explosion of stars) formed the bubble millions of years ago. Supernovas can carve a cavity in interstellar medium.&nbsp;

Astronomers found that the bubble's history started 14.4 million years ago. This started with formation of stars. Supernovas of these short-lived stars followed. The energy of the explosion pushed the interstellar material away and formed the bubble inside which temperature was higher than thant outside it. Density of the interstellar material inside the bubble is less than outside.

Astronomers found that there were 15 supernovas inside the bubble.

The Local Bubble is still growing at a rate of 6.7 kilometres per second. This is quite a slow speed when we consider events in space.

But why is Solar System right in the middle of the Local Bubble? Well that's purely due to chance. When the first supernova took place, Solar System was quite away from it. But Solar System's travel around the galaxy brought it (by chance) in the middle of the Local Bubble.

Our Solar System is situated almost exactly in the middle of a giant, relatively empty bubble in space. This mysterious bubble is 1000 lightyears across. Inside the bubble, temperature of the interstellar medium is greater than that outside the bubble.

Our Solar System is situated almost exactly in the middle of a giant, relatively empty bubble in space. This mysterious bubble is 1000 lightyears across. Inside the bubble, temperature of the interstellar medium is greater than that outside the bubble. For years, presence of this bubble has baffled scientists. A strong explanation behind existence of this bubble, known as Local Bubble, was not present. But now we may know why this bubble exists. A team of astronomers led by the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) has mapped the Local Bubble with highest precision till date. The team has found that a number of supernovas (explosion of stars) formed the bubble millions of years ago. Supernovas can carve a cavity in interstellar medium. Astronomers found that the bubble's history started 14.4 million years ago. This started with formation of stars. Supernovas of these short-lived stars followed. The energy of the explosion pushed the interstellar material away and formed the bubble inside which temperature was higher than thant outside it. Density of the interstellar material inside the bubble is less than outside. Astronomers found that there were 15 supernovas inside the bubble. The Local Bubble is still growing at a rate of 6.7 kilometres per second. This is quite a slow speed when we consider events in space. But why is Solar System right in the middle of the Local Bubble? Well that's purely due to chance. When the first supernova took place, Solar System was quite away from it. But Solar System's travel around the galaxy brought it (by chance) in the middle of the Local Bubble.

Solar system is at the center of giant space bubble, now we know why

A new record has been set by the Chinese 'artificial sun' or the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak (EAST) fusion energy reactor in Hefei as it ran at 70 million°C) for 1,056 seconds, which is over 17 minutes. The record was apparently achieved on December 30.&nbsp;

Media reports have mentioned that the achieved temperature is almost five times hotter than the real Sun, which hits a temperature of 15 million°C at its core.

Quoting experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinhua reported that the continuous high-temperature plasma operation is the longest time of operation of its kind in the world.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/part-of-failed-russian-rocket-makes-uncontrolled-re-entry-into-earths-atmosphere-crashes-442554">Part of failed Russian rocket makes uncontrolled re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, crashes</a>

The previous record set by EAST set was in May by running for 101 seconds at a higher temperature of 20 million°C. &nbsp;

It is learned that the aim of EAST is basically to create nuclear fusion like the Sun to provide clean energy after using deuterium abound in the sea.&nbsp;

Gong Xianzu, who is a researcher at the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, announced the development. Xianzu is in charge of the experiment conducted in Hefei. &nbsp;&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/chemical-leftovers-from-earths-creation-still-lingering-deep-within-our-planet-study-442513">Chemical leftovers from Earth's creation still lingering deep within our planet: Study</a>

"We achieved a plasma temperature of 120 million degrees Celsius for 101 seconds in an experiment in the first half of 2021," said Xianzu, as quoted by Xinhua.

"This time, steady-state plasma operation was sustained for 1,056 seconds at a temperature close to 70 million degrees Celsius, laying a solid scientific and experimental foundation toward the running of a fusion reactor," he added.&nbsp;

Important to note that nuclear fusion power works by colliding heavy hydrogen atoms to form helium. It releases vast amounts of energy.&nbsp;

A new record has been set by the Chinese 'artificial sun' or the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak (EAST) fusion energy reactor in Hefei as it ran at 70 million°C) for 1,056 seconds, which is over 17 minutes.

A new record has been set by the Chinese 'artificial sun' or the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak (EAST) fusion energy reactor in Hefei as it ran at 70 million°C) for 1,056 seconds, which is over 17 minutes. The record was apparently achieved on December 30. Media reports have mentioned that the achieved temperature is almost five times hotter than the real Sun, which hits a temperature of 15 million°C at its core. Quoting experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinhua reported that the continuous high-temperature plasma operation is the longest time of operation of its kind in the world. ALSO READ | Part of failed Russian rocket makes uncontrolled re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, crashes The previous record set by EAST set was in May by running for 101 seconds at a higher temperature of 20 million°C. It is learned that the aim of EAST is basically to create nuclear fusion like the Sun to provide clean energy after using deuterium abound in the sea. Gong Xianzu, who is a researcher at the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, announced the development. Xianzu is in charge of the experiment conducted in Hefei. ALSO READ | Chemical leftovers from Earth's creation still lingering deep within our planet: Study "We achieved a plasma temperature of 120 million degrees Celsius for 101 seconds in an experiment in the first half of 2021," said Xianzu, as quoted by Xinhua. "This time, steady-state plasma operation was sustained for 1,056 seconds at a temperature close to 70 million degrees Celsius, laying a solid scientific and experimental foundation toward the running of a fusion reactor," he added. Important to note that nuclear fusion power works by colliding heavy hydrogen atoms to form helium. It releases vast amounts of energy.

Hotter than the real Sun?: China's 'artificial Sun' sets massive record for plasma fusion

The staff at Big Cabal, a media startup, wanted to ditch its diesel generator, but needed something to keep the office air conditioners running. The generator was noisy, expensive and, maybe worst of all, bad for the environment.

Hoping for a greener solution to its problem, Big Cabal in 2019 bought solar panels for its two-story office building.

But the leap to solar didn’t go according to plan — and the reasons illuminate the big challenges Africa faces from climate change. The region is rich in fossil fuels and is eager to use them to fix its notoriously unreliable power grids. But to slow global warming, nations must burn less oil and gas, not more. Meantime, Africa is heating up much faster than the rest of the world.

For starters, Big Cabal found that the solar panels cost about three times more than the generator in maintenance costs. And, even though the company’s finance manager, Sophia Abu, scouted for the most powerful units the company could afford, they still weren’t quite enough to run the air conditioners. So while Big Cabal’s staff, who write technology and culture news, sweltered in the summer heat, the AC units hummed cheerfully and pushed out warm air.

“We’ve had to buy more batteries, and more panels,” Abu said, as well as special air conditioners that work with solar inverters, devices that can accommodate battery storage.

Now, the diesel generator is back, screaming behind the office. The company switches between power from the local utility, the generator and the solar panels.

That juggling act gets to the heart of a big question facing African nations: Who gets to keep using fossil fuels, and for how long, during the transition to clean energy?

“When they say cut in Africa, what do they want to cut?” asked Titus Gwemende, Zimbabwe-based climate director at the Open Society Foundation, a grants organization. “There’s nothing to cut here. African countries are the ones on the receiving end of this problem. It’s the bigger emitters that should have the responsibility to cut,” he said. “We should be sensitive to history.”

A swift transition is crucial in the global fight against climate change. But not only would that be particularly costly in poorer nations, many African countries have an abundance of natural gas or other fossil fuels, and they argue forcefully that the rest of the world doesn’t have a right to tell them not to use it.

Proven crude oil reserves on the African continent total more than 100 billion barrels spanning 11 countries, with Libya and Nigeria among the 10 biggest producers globally. The region is rich in gas, too: Combined, Nigeria, Algeria and Mozambique hold about 6% of the world’s natural gas reserves.

As world leaders meet at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, some African leaders and activists are, for the first time, vocally opposing a speedier pivot to renewables for their countries. Instead, they are pressing for a slower transition, one that would embrace a continued reliance on fossil fuels — particularly natural gas, which burns more cleanly than coal or oil, but which still pumps planet-warming carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Their calls come at an awkward time.

This year alone, scientists and researchers have issued numerous reports showing the damage that the widespread burning of fossil fuels has caused to the climate over the decades. The scientific findings highlight the urgency of switching to cleaner energy if the world is to prevent global temperatures from rising 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial times, a target set by the Paris accord, the agreement among nations to slow climate change.

Beyond that temperature threshold, scientists say, the risk of calamities like deadly heat waves, water shortages and ecosystem collapse grows sharply.

But in order to hit that target and avert the worst climate catastrophes, analysts here say, African nations should be supported financially by wealthier ones as they seek alternative pathways to reducing emissions. When the time comes, Gwemende said, developed countries should also transfer technical knowledge on renewables to Africa.

Pulling Away the Ladder

Insisting that African countries transition more swiftly to renewables, some analysts say, is akin to developed nations using a ladder to climb a wall, then pulling it up before developing countries can do the same.

Under growing pressure to act, development banks and richer countries alike have been rolling back their support for fossil fuel projects like coal-burning power plants.

In 2017, the World Bank cut funding for projects like these and began to invest more in renewable energy projects. And in Glasgow, rich countries like Britain, the United States, Canada and Denmark have pledged to stop spending on fossil fuel projects abroad by 2022, barring some exemptions&lt;strong&gt;.&lt;/strong&gt;

So far, at least one gas project in Mozambique, a gas-rich country in southern Africa, will not be going ahead according to the Africa Energy Chamber, an advisory firm. Oil giant BP has said it will roll back its oil and gas production, including on the continent.

African leaders are voicing their displeasure. In several seminars at the Glasgow climate conference, as well as in opinion pieces in recent months, they’ve taken sharp jabs at these cutbacks.

“Efforts to restrict fossil fuel investments in Africa are even harder to stomach because many of the wealthy countries behind them — including Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States — include natural gas in their own multidecade plans to transition to clean energy,” Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s vice president, wrote in Foreign Affairs in the run-up to the talks, known as COP26.

Nigeria depends largely on gas for electricity, and on crude for revenue. “Climate action shouldn’t mean strangling all fossil fuel projects but rather facilitating the flow of capital to the countries that need it most,” Osinbajo wrote.

Sub-Saharan Africa contributes about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, among the lowest of the world’s regions. Yet African countries are particularly hard hit by the consequences of climate change. The region is warming faster than the global average and experiencing bigger increases in sea-level rise.

Parts of East Africa haven’t seen rain in years and are battling droughts. The Sahel region of West Africa has recorded a sharp rise in conflicts between farmers and herders caused by vegetation loss. And in southern Madagascar, families are boiling cactus leaves for food in what the United Nations is calling one of the world’s first famines induced by climate change.

Yet, at the same time, the development stakes are particularly high for the continent, which is home to some 1.2 billion people, half of whom don’t have access to electricity — a group equivalent to the entire population of the European Union.

The problems in electrification are wide-ranging and vary from country to country: Absence of power-generating capacity, absence of technical expertise, and widespread corruption.

There are plans, under the African Union, to rely largely on renewables by 2050 but only a handful of countries like South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia and Morocco have high renewable capacities presently.

More Time, More Money

In the Lagos office, a ding announces a power cut. But the lights quickly blink on again, as the solar system takes over.

Big Cabal’s employees have settled into a routine with their complex mix of electricity sources. But it required much time and money.

It’s that time and money that African leaders say the continent needs more of, in order to make a transition to renewable power. Renewable technologies are expensive in almost all regions, but, on top of those costs, African countries also face the expenses of industrializing, providing better health care and building food and education systems.

However, getting world leaders to agree to keep funding oil and gas projects could prove difficult. In Glasgow, Britain and other rich countries have pledged to fund Africa with billions of dollars to increase warning systems, protect vulnerable communities in the Sahel, and, for coal-reliant South Africa, to help speed the transition to clean energy.

But some are not enthusiastic about the new announcements. The same countries promised $100 billion annually in 2009 to developing countries, but those funds have been slow to come. The announcements are only a first step, said Lily Odarno of the Clean Air Task Force, a Washington nonprofit. Until the money arrives, she said, “it’s better to wait and see.”

Meanwhile, the U.N.’s environmental agency says developing countries spend about $70 billion on adaptation costs — responding to floods and droughts, for example — annually.

Sidelining Africa’s concerns could have consequences, analysts say. Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to see doubled population growth rates by 2050 and Nigeria will overtake the United States to become the second-most-populous country in the world. Africa also has the fastest urban growth rate in the world. By 2050, these populations are likely to be using up a lot of energy, whether it is clean or not.

Some analysts argue that Africa’s leaders should, in fact, make faster progress on renewable energy, citing in particular the continent’s huge solar potential. Happy Khambule, a senior political adviser with Greenpeace Africa, said his organization rejected the calls to continue using fossil fuels on the continent and equated it with “burning up the house we all live in.”

But overall, the message from African leaders at this month’s Glasgow climate talks is that the continent should be able to stick with some fossil fuels as part of the transition, considering the region’s economic and historic realities.

“It will be a successful COP if the bulk of the action is done by countries outside the continent,” said Gwemende, of Open Society Foundation. “It will be successful if the moneys are dispensed by the big emitters. But our work should go beyond COP. There’s more work to do after.” 
&nbsp;

The staff at Big Cabal, a media startup, wanted to ditch its diesel generator, but needed something to keep the office air conditioners running. The generator was noisy, expensive and, maybe worst of all, bad for the environment.

The staff at Big Cabal, a media startup, wanted to ditch its diesel generator, but needed something to keep the office air conditioners running. The generator was noisy, expensive and, maybe worst of all, bad for the environment. Hoping for a greener solution to its problem, Big Cabal in 2019 bought solar panels for its two-story office building. But the leap to solar didn’t go according to plan — and the reasons illuminate the big challenges Africa faces from climate change. The region is rich in fossil fuels and is eager to use them to fix its notoriously unreliable power grids. But to slow global warming, nations must burn less oil and gas, not more. Meantime, Africa is heating up much faster than the rest of the world. For starters, Big Cabal found that the solar panels cost about three times more than the generator in maintenance costs. And, even though the company’s finance manager, Sophia Abu, scouted for the most powerful units the company could afford, they still weren’t quite enough to run the air conditioners. So while Big Cabal’s staff, who write technology and culture news, sweltered in the summer heat, the AC units hummed cheerfully and pushed out warm air. “We’ve had to buy more batteries, and more panels,” Abu said, as well as special air conditioners that work with solar inverters, devices that can accommodate battery storage. Now, the diesel generator is back, screaming behind the office. The company switches between power from the local utility, the generator and the solar panels. That juggling act gets to the heart of a big question facing African nations: Who gets to keep using fossil fuels, and for how long, during the transition to clean energy? “When they say cut in Africa, what do they want to cut?” asked Titus Gwemende, Zimbabwe-based climate director at the Open Society Foundation, a grants organization. “There’s nothing to cut here. African countries are the ones on the receiving end of this problem. It’s the bigger emitters that should have the responsibility to cut,” he said. “We should be sensitive to history.” A swift transition is crucial in the global fight against climate change. But not only would that be particularly costly in poorer nations, many African countries have an abundance of natural gas or other fossil fuels, and they argue forcefully that the rest of the world doesn’t have a right to tell them not to use it. Proven crude oil reserves on the African continent total more than 100 billion barrels spanning 11 countries, with Libya and Nigeria among the 10 biggest producers globally. The region is rich in gas, too: Combined, Nigeria, Algeria and Mozambique hold about 6% of the world’s natural gas reserves. As world leaders meet at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, some African leaders and activists are, for the first time, vocally opposing a speedier pivot to renewables for their countries. Instead, they are pressing for a slower transition, one that would embrace a continued reliance on fossil fuels — particularly natural gas, which burns more cleanly than coal or oil, but which still pumps planet-warming carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Their calls come at an awkward time. This year alone, scientists and researchers have issued numerous reports showing the damage that the widespread burning of fossil fuels has caused to the climate over the decades. The scientific findings highlight the urgency of switching to cleaner energy if the world is to prevent global temperatures from rising 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial times, a target set by the Paris accord, the agreement among nations to slow climate change. Beyond that temperature threshold, scientists say, the risk of calamities like deadly heat waves, water shortages and ecosystem collapse grows sharply. But in order to hit that target and avert the worst climate catastrophes, analysts here say, African nations should be supported financially by wealthier ones as they seek alternative pathways to reducing emissions. When the time comes, Gwemende said, developed countries should also transfer technical knowledge on renewables to Africa. Pulling Away the Ladder Insisting that African countries transition more swiftly to renewables, some analysts say, is akin to developed nations using a ladder to climb a wall, then pulling it up before developing countries can do the same. Under growing pressure to act, development banks and richer countries alike have been rolling back their support for fossil fuel projects like coal-burning power plants. In 2017, the World Bank cut funding for projects like these and began to invest more in renewable energy projects. And in Glasgow, rich countries like Britain, the United States, Canada and Denmark have pledged to stop spending on fossil fuel projects abroad by 2022, barring some exemptions. So far, at least one gas project in Mozambique, a gas-rich country in southern Africa, will not be going ahead according to the Africa Energy Chamber, an advisory firm. Oil giant BP has said it will roll back its oil and gas production, including on the continent. African leaders are voicing their displeasure. In several seminars at the Glasgow climate conference, as well as in opinion pieces in recent months, they’ve taken sharp jabs at these cutbacks. “Efforts to restrict fossil fuel investments in Africa are even harder to stomach because many of the wealthy countries behind them — including Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States — include natural gas in their own multidecade plans to transition to clean energy,” Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s vice president, wrote in Foreign Affairs in the run-up to the talks, known as COP26. Nigeria depends largely on gas for electricity, and on crude for revenue. “Climate action shouldn’t mean strangling all fossil fuel projects but rather facilitating the flow of capital to the countries that need it most,” Osinbajo wrote. Sub-Saharan Africa contributes about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, among the lowest of the world’s regions. Yet African countries are particularly hard hit by the consequences of climate change. The region is warming faster than the global average and experiencing bigger increases in sea-level rise. Parts of East Africa haven’t seen rain in years and are battling droughts. The Sahel region of West Africa has recorded a sharp rise in conflicts between farmers and herders caused by vegetation loss. And in southern Madagascar, families are boiling cactus leaves for food in what the United Nations is calling one of the world’s first famines induced by climate change. Yet, at the same time, the development stakes are particularly high for the continent, which is home to some 1.2 billion people, half of whom don’t have access to electricity — a group equivalent to the entire population of the European Union. The problems in electrification are wide-ranging and vary from country to country: Absence of power-generating capacity, absence of technical expertise, and widespread corruption. There are plans, under the African Union, to rely largely on renewables by 2050 but only a handful of countries like South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia and Morocco have high renewable capacities presently. More Time, More Money In the Lagos office, a ding announces a power cut. But the lights quickly blink on again, as the solar system takes over. Big Cabal’s employees have settled into a routine with their complex mix of electricity sources. But it required much time and money. It’s that time and money that African leaders say the continent needs more of, in order to make a transition to renewable power. Renewable technologies are expensive in almost all regions, but, on top of those costs, African countries also face the expenses of industrializing, providing better health care and building food and education systems. However, getting world leaders to agree to keep funding oil and gas projects could prove difficult. In Glasgow, Britain and other rich countries have pledged to fund Africa with billions of dollars to increase warning systems, protect vulnerable communities in the Sahel, and, for coal-reliant South Africa, to help speed the transition to clean energy. But some are not enthusiastic about the new announcements. The same countries promised $100 billion annually in 2009 to developing countries, but those funds have been slow to come. The announcements are only a first step, said Lily Odarno of the Clean Air Task Force, a Washington nonprofit. Until the money arrives, she said, “it’s better to wait and see.” Meanwhile, the U.N.’s environmental agency says developing countries spend about $70 billion on adaptation costs — responding to floods and droughts, for example — annually. Sidelining Africa’s concerns could have consequences, analysts say. Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to see doubled population growth rates by 2050 and Nigeria will overtake the United States to become the second-most-populous country in the world. Africa also has the fastest urban growth rate in the world. By 2050, these populations are likely to be using up a lot of energy, whether it is clean or not. Some analysts argue that Africa’s leaders should, in fact, make faster progress on renewable energy, citing in particular the continent’s huge solar potential. Happy Khambule, a senior political adviser with Greenpeace Africa, said his organization rejected the calls to continue using fossil fuels on the continent and equated it with “burning up the house we all live in.” But overall, the message from African leaders at this month’s Glasgow climate talks is that the continent should be able to stick with some fossil fuels as part of the transition, considering the region’s economic and historic realities. “It will be a successful COP if the bulk of the action is done by countries outside the continent,” said Gwemende, of Open Society Foundation. “It will be successful if the moneys are dispensed by the big emitters. But our work should go beyond COP. There’s more work to do after.”

The world needs to quit oil and gas. Africa has an idea: Rich countries first.

A new discovery made by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory is baffling astronomers.

Potentially representing what would be the first planet seen to transit a star outside of the Milky Way, scientists have found evidence for a possible planet candidate in the M51 ("Whirlpool") galaxy.

It is located about 28 million light-years away from Earth. A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion km).

The study, led by&nbsp;Rosanne Di Stefano from the&nbsp;Centre&nbsp;for Astrophysics,&nbsp;was published today in Nature Astronomy.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/blue-origin-owner-jeff-bezos-unveils-plan-to-build-commercial-space-station-424048" hreflang="en">Blue Origin owner Jeff Bezos unveils plan to build commercial space station</a>

''We are trying to open up a whole new arena for finding other worlds by searching for planet candidates at X-ray wavelengths, a strategy that makes it possible to discover them in other galaxies, said&nbsp;Di Stefano.

Astronomers used the transit technique to detect a dimming of X-rays from an "X-ray binary" which they believe is a planet passing in front of the neutron star or black hole.

Stars burst to life within clouds of interstellar gas and dust scattered throughout galaxies.

Leftover material spinning around a new star then coalesces into planets, and circumplanetary disks surrounding some planets similarly yield moons.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/want-to-become-a-space-tourist-here-is-all-you-need-to-do-399437" hreflang="en">Want to become a space tourist? Here is all you need to do</a>

More than 4,400 planets have been discovered outside our solar system, called exoplanets.

Scientists have discovered exoplanets using transits with optical light telescopes, which detect the range of light humans can see with their eyes and more.

This includes both ground-based telescopes and space-based ones like NASA's Kepler mission.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/oxygen-sucking-asteroids-could-have-permanently-altered-earths-atmosphere-422864" hreflang="en">Oxygen sucking asteroids could have permanently altered Earth's atmosphere</a>

These optical light transit detections require very high levels of sensitivity because the planet is much smaller than the star it passes in front of, and, therefore, only a tiny fraction of the light is blocked.&nbsp;

NASA expects to pinpoint thousands more previously unknown worlds, perhaps hundreds of them Earth-sized or ''super-Earth''&nbsp;sized which will&nbsp;not be any larger than or twice as big as our home planet.

Scientists are eager to learn more about how they are born as cold gas and dust consolidate in these disks surrounding new stars.

Those are believed the most likely to feature rocky surfaces or oceans and are thus considered the best candidates for life to evolve. 
&nbsp;

A new discovery made by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory is baffling astronomers. Potentially representing what would be the first planet seen to transit a star outside of the Milky Way, scientists have found evidence for a possible planet candidate in the M51 ("Whirlpool") galaxy.

A new discovery made by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory is baffling astronomers. Potentially representing what would be the first planet seen to transit a star outside of the Milky Way, scientists have found evidence for a possible planet candidate in the M51 ("Whirlpool") galaxy. It is located about 28 million light-years away from Earth. A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion km). The study, led by Rosanne Di Stefano from the Centre for Astrophysics, was published today in Nature Astronomy. Also read | Blue Origin owner Jeff Bezos unveils plan to build commercial space station ''We are trying to open up a whole new arena for finding other worlds by searching for planet candidates at X-ray wavelengths, a strategy that makes it possible to discover them in other galaxies, said Di Stefano. Astronomers used the transit technique to detect a dimming of X-rays from an "X-ray binary" which they believe is a planet passing in front of the neutron star or black hole. Stars burst to life within clouds of interstellar gas and dust scattered throughout galaxies. Leftover material spinning around a new star then coalesces into planets, and circumplanetary disks surrounding some planets similarly yield moons. Also see | Want to become a space tourist? Here is all you need to do More than 4,400 planets have been discovered outside our solar system, called exoplanets. Scientists have discovered exoplanets using transits with optical light telescopes, which detect the range of light humans can see with their eyes and more. This includes both ground-based telescopes and space-based ones like NASA's Kepler mission. Also read | Oxygen sucking asteroids could have permanently altered Earth's atmosphere These optical light transit detections require very high levels of sensitivity because the planet is much smaller than the star it passes in front of, and, therefore, only a tiny fraction of the light is blocked. NASA expects to pinpoint thousands more previously unknown worlds, perhaps hundreds of them Earth-sized or ''super-Earth'' sized which will not be any larger than or twice as big as our home planet. Scientists are eager to learn more about how they are born as cold gas and dust consolidate in these disks surrounding new stars. Those are believed the most likely to feature rocky surfaces or oceans and are thus considered the best candidates for life to evolve.

Planet outside Milky Way galaxy: This unique discovery is baffling scientists

The death of the first known exoplanet to survive the death of its star provides a glimpse of the solar system's future, as per a new study.

The death of the solar system has been a question regarding which there has been a lot of speculation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mystery-of-two-identical-galaxies-solved-420507" hreflang="en">Mystery of two 'identical galaxies' solved</a>

Research has stated that the Sun will become a burnt remnant of a white dwarf and will eventually fade into darkness. Will planets suffer a similar fate?&nbsp;

More than 4,500 exoplanets revolve around the Sun. But a new Jupiter-like exoplanet discovered by the Keck Observatory has provided a crucial glimpse into the snapshot of planetory survivors.

Astronomers observed the exoplanet's transformation from a ''red giant'' to a ''giant branch'' star and published their findings in Nature.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/astronauts-photo-from-space-reveals-a-strange-blue-glow-on-earth-420466" hreflang="en">Astronaut's photo from space reveals a strange blue glow on Earth</a>

The exoplanet would have been engulfed in the star's expansion if it had been closer to its parent star.

The findings of the study confirm that asteroids break up when they come in close contact with the surface of the white dwarf.

Aiding the hunt&nbsp;for extraterrestrial life, scientists have discovered a planet relatively close to the sun that has a rocky surface but an Earth-like atmosphere.

Called&nbsp;Gliese 486 b and it has been&nbsp;classified as a ‘super-Earth'. It resembles Venus as it is hot and dry.

The death of the first known exoplanet to survive the death of its star provides a glimpse of the solar system's future, as per a new study. The death of the solar system has been a question regarding which there has been a lot of speculation.

The death of the first known exoplanet to survive the death of its star provides a glimpse of the solar system's future, as per a new study. The death of the solar system has been a question regarding which there has been a lot of speculation. Also read | Mystery of two 'identical galaxies' solved Research has stated that the Sun will become a burnt remnant of a white dwarf and will eventually fade into darkness. Will planets suffer a similar fate? More than 4,500 exoplanets revolve around the Sun. But a new Jupiter-like exoplanet discovered by the Keck Observatory has provided a crucial glimpse into the snapshot of planetory survivors. Astronomers observed the exoplanet's transformation from a ''red giant'' to a ''giant branch'' star and published their findings in Nature. Also read | Astronaut's photo from space reveals a strange blue glow on Earth The exoplanet would have been engulfed in the star's expansion if it had been closer to its parent star. The findings of the study confirm that asteroids break up when they come in close contact with the surface of the white dwarf. Aiding the hunt for extraterrestrial life, scientists have discovered a planet relatively close to the sun that has a rocky surface but an Earth-like atmosphere. Called Gliese 486 b and it has been classified as a ‘super-Earth'. It resembles Venus as it is hot and dry.

First exoplanet to survive death of its star provides hint of solar system's future

Earth and Venus are somewhat similar planets when it comes to size. But there are vast differences. Earth is moderate and supports life while Venus is quite literally hellish. It is the hottest planet in the solar system with surface temperature of 475 degrees Celcius.

The early solar system was a violent place. There were huge collisions between space rocks. Some of them grew in size because of that and became planet. Both, Earth and Venus underwent this violent process.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-posts-video-of-moon-parade-with-saturn-in-background-419171">NASA posts video of 'moon parade' with Saturn in background</a>

Now a study has said that there were some space rocks that grazed the Earth but collided with Venus. So what was hit-and-run for Earth was a full-blown collision for Venus. In other words, these huge space rocks 'bounced off' the early Earth and collided with early Venus often becoming part of the planet.

The study has been published in Planetary Journal Science.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/what-is-the-significance-of-change-5-less-than-2-billion-years-old-lunar-samples-419140">What is the significance of Chang'e-5 less than 2 billion years old lunar samples?</a>

The scientists carrying out the study analysed 4000 computer simulations. In these simulations, Mars-sized protoplanets were crashing with early Earth and Venus. The researchers found that about half of the space rocks just grazed the Earth and about half of these collided with Venus. Grazing the Earth slowed down the speed of these protoplanets because of which they were able to collide and stick with Venus.

Such studies hold potential to shed more light on why there is (literally) world of a difference between Earth and Venus, planets with similar mass and almost similar orbit around the Sun.

Earth and Venus are somewhat similar planets when it comes to size. But there are vast differences. Earth is moderate and supports life while Venus is quite literally hellish.

Earth and Venus are somewhat similar planets when it comes to size. But there are vast differences. Earth is moderate and supports life while Venus is quite literally hellish. It is the hottest planet in the solar system with surface temperature of 475 degrees Celcius. The early solar system was a violent place. There were huge collisions between space rocks. Some of them grew in size because of that and became planet. Both, Earth and Venus underwent this violent process. Also Read | NASA posts video of 'moon parade' with Saturn in background Now a study has said that there were some space rocks that grazed the Earth but collided with Venus. So what was hit-and-run for Earth was a full-blown collision for Venus. In other words, these huge space rocks 'bounced off' the early Earth and collided with early Venus often becoming part of the planet. The study has been published in Planetary Journal Science. Also Read | What is the significance of Chang'e-5 less than 2 billion years old lunar samples? The scientists carrying out the study analysed 4000 computer simulations. In these simulations, Mars-sized protoplanets were crashing with early Earth and Venus. The researchers found that about half of the space rocks just grazed the Earth and about half of these collided with Venus. Grazing the Earth slowed down the speed of these protoplanets because of which they were able to collide and stick with Venus. Such studies hold potential to shed more light on why there is (literally) world of a difference between Earth and Venus, planets with similar mass and almost similar orbit around the Sun.

Space rocks bounced off Earth before collision with Venus: Study

Talk about comets or asteroids coming anywhere near us and mind immediately goes back to what happened to dinosaurs. It just needed a space rock to end the reign of those fearsome reptiles who dominated nearly the entire foodchain. The asteroid that killed dinosaurs was just 10 kilometres across. But now a comet larger than Mars's moons is speeding up toward the solar system.&nbsp;

Bernardinelli-Bernstein comet is a mammoth! Remember Hale-Bopp? The comet that went around us in the year 1997? It was called a massive comet. And Bernardinelli-Bernstein is 10 times the mass of Hale-Bopp.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-posts-image-of-hand-of-god-netizens-are-awestruck-416265">NASA posts image of 'Hand of God', netizens are awestruck</a>

In fact it is larger than both moons of Mars. If you line-up these moons, the comet would still be twice the size!

Such a mega thing is coming towards our solar system!

NASA is currently monitoring the comet and we may get better idea about it as it comes nearer. But that comet has already begun to put on a show!

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-ingenuity-helicopter-latest-mars-flying-tougher-415112">NASA's Ingenuity helicopter is finding it tougher to fly on Mars</a>

Recently, Las Cumbres Observatory reported that the comet is getting brighter and brighter. This is happening as it gradually comes towards us through space.

Just like its size, the comet has an orbit that has a superhuge diameter. As per calculations from Bad Astrnomy, the comet goes from being about 1.6 billion km away from the Sun to a mind-boggling 2 trillion kilometres away from the Sun. To put things in perspective, this is a fifth of a light-year!

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-hubble-telescope-captures-massive-eye-of-dying-star-414846">NASA's Hubble Telescope captures massive 'eye' of dying star</a>

The comet is expected to make closest approach to the Sun in the year 2031 and it will be comfortably away from Earth when it passes through the solar system. Humanity gets another chance!

Talk about comets or asteroids coming anywhere near us and mind immediately goes back to what happened to dinosaurs. It just needed a space rock to end the reign of those fearsome reptiles who dominated nearly the entire foodchain.

Talk about comets or asteroids coming anywhere near us and mind immediately goes back to what happened to dinosaurs. It just needed a space rock to end the reign of those fearsome reptiles who dominated nearly the entire foodchain. The asteroid that killed dinosaurs was just 10 kilometres across. But now a comet larger than Mars's moons is speeding up toward the solar system. Bernardinelli-Bernstein comet is a mammoth! Remember Hale-Bopp? The comet that went around us in the year 1997? It was called a massive comet. And Bernardinelli-Bernstein is 10 times the mass of Hale-Bopp. Also Read | NASA posts image of 'Hand of God', netizens are awestruck In fact it is larger than both moons of Mars. If you line-up these moons, the comet would still be twice the size! Such a mega thing is coming towards our solar system! NASA is currently monitoring the comet and we may get better idea about it as it comes nearer. But that comet has already begun to put on a show! Also Read | NASA's Ingenuity helicopter is finding it tougher to fly on Mars Recently, Las Cumbres Observatory reported that the comet is getting brighter and brighter. This is happening as it gradually comes towards us through space. Just like its size, the comet has an orbit that has a superhuge diameter. As per calculations from Bad Astrnomy, the comet goes from being about 1.6 billion km away from the Sun to a mind-boggling 2 trillion kilometres away from the Sun. To put things in perspective, this is a fifth of a light-year! Also Read | NASA's Hubble Telescope captures massive 'eye' of dying star The comet is expected to make closest approach to the Sun in the year 2031 and it will be comfortably away from Earth when it passes through the solar system. Humanity gets another chance!

A super-huge comet is hurtling through space towards solar system

As per experts, signs of life may be detectable within two to three years. Researchers have mostly looked for planets of a similar size, mass, temperature and atmospheric composition to Earth.&nbsp;

However, the University of Cambridge astronomers believe there may be more promising possibilities after the recent work suggested that a “mini-Neptune” more than twice the radius of Earth and more than eight times as massive may also be habitable.&nbsp;

The researchers have also identified a new class of habitable exoplanets, called hycean planets.&nbsp;

These are hot, ocean-covered and with hydrogen-rich atmospheres – which are more numerous and observable than Earth-like planets. The mini-Neptune, known as K2-18b, is one and there could be many more in existence.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-maldives-to-sign-pact-on-mega-greater-male-connectivity-project-408440">Also read |&nbsp;India, Maldives to sign pact on mega Greater Malé Connectivity Project</a>

Dr Nikku Madhusudhan, the lead author of the research from the University of Cambridge, was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "Hyceans are basically water worlds with hydrogen-rich atmospheres".

He added, "We are saying that within two to three years we may see the first biosignature detection if these planets host life".

Madhusudhan highlighted that the small size of Earth-like planets relative to sun-like stars gave rise to weak atmospheric signatures.&nbsp;

This makes it difficult to detect signs of life.

However, hyceans can be more than twice the radius of Earth for a planetabout 10 times the mass, and significantly hotter, with average atmospheric temperatures reaching almost 200C.

As per experts, signs of life may be detectable within two to three years. Researchers have mostly looked for planets of a similar size, mass, temperature and atmospheric composition to Earth.

As per experts, signs of life may be detectable within two to three years. Researchers have mostly looked for planets of a similar size, mass, temperature and atmospheric composition to Earth. However, the University of Cambridge astronomers believe there may be more promising possibilities after the recent work suggested that a “mini-Neptune” more than twice the radius of Earth and more than eight times as massive may also be habitable. The researchers have also identified a new class of habitable exoplanets, called hycean planets. These are hot, ocean-covered and with hydrogen-rich atmospheres – which are more numerous and observable than Earth-like planets. The mini-Neptune, known as K2-18b, is one and there could be many more in existence. Also read | India, Maldives to sign pact on mega Greater Malé Connectivity Project Dr Nikku Madhusudhan, the lead author of the research from the University of Cambridge, was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "Hyceans are basically water worlds with hydrogen-rich atmospheres". He added, "We are saying that within two to three years we may see the first biosignature detection if these planets host life". Madhusudhan highlighted that the small size of Earth-like planets relative to sun-like stars gave rise to weak atmospheric signatures. This makes it difficult to detect signs of life. However, hyceans can be more than twice the radius of Earth for a planetabout 10 times the mass, and significantly hotter, with average atmospheric temperatures reaching almost 200C.

Region beyond solar system may soon yield signs of life

The Hubble Space Telescope recently discovered water vapour around Jupiter's moon Ganymede &nbsp;- the largest moon in our solar system.

The water vapour is formed around the icy surface of the moon through the process of sublimation in which the vapour turns into gaseous form from solid. To detect this water vapour, astronomers used a combination of fresh observations and archival content from the Hubble Telescope, in a study published on Monday in the journal Nature Astronomy.

Ganymede is the ninth-largest object in our solar system and contains more water than all of of the oceans on Earth. According to previous research, Jupiter's moon is 2.4 times smaller than Earth. Jupiter moon's is a cold body, with temperatures that can drop as low as -184 degree Celsius (300 degrees Fahrenheit). The surface of the moon is made up of frozen water ice shell.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earths-vital-signs-are-worsening-due-to-climate-change-scientists-warn-401135" hreflang="en">Earth's 'vital signs' are worsening due to climate change, scientists warn</a>

At least 161 kilometres (100 miles) below the moon's crust lies a salty ocean. Earlier, researchers were convinced that the ocean couldn't have evaporated from the ice shell to create vapour.

The moon is named after an ancient Greek divine hero and is also the only moon to possess a magnetic field, which produces auroras on the moon's north and south poles. The first ultraviolet images of Ganymede were captured by the Hubble in 1998 which revealed these auroras. The same telescope was used in 1996 with no clear indications about the peculiar features of the moon.

Ganymede doesn't have a persistent temperature across the day and it changes significantly over the duration of the day - during noon, the moon's equator becomes warm enough for&nbsp;the ice to sublimate or to essentially release water molecules in small amounts.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-to-search-for-signs-of-extraterrestrial-technology-401116" hreflang="en">Scientists to search for signs of extraterrestrial technology</a>

This helped scientists understand the differences in two sets of images taken by the Hubble Telescope. NASA's Juno mission recently released the first close-up images taken in the last two decades.

The Hubble Space Telescope recently discovered water vapour around Jupiter's moon Ganymede - the largest moon in our solar system. The water vapour is formed around the icy surface of the moon through the process of sublimation in which the vapour turns into gaseous form from solid.

The Hubble Space Telescope recently discovered water vapour around Jupiter's moon Ganymede - the largest moon in our solar system. The water vapour is formed around the icy surface of the moon through the process of sublimation in which the vapour turns into gaseous form from solid. To detect this water vapour, astronomers used a combination of fresh observations and archival content from the Hubble Telescope, in a study published on Monday in the journal Nature Astronomy. Ganymede is the ninth-largest object in our solar system and contains more water than all of of the oceans on Earth. According to previous research, Jupiter's moon is 2.4 times smaller than Earth. Jupiter moon's is a cold body, with temperatures that can drop as low as -184 degree Celsius (300 degrees Fahrenheit). The surface of the moon is made up of frozen water ice shell. Also read: Earth's 'vital signs' are worsening due to climate change, scientists warn At least 161 kilometres (100 miles) below the moon's crust lies a salty ocean. Earlier, researchers were convinced that the ocean couldn't have evaporated from the ice shell to create vapour. The moon is named after an ancient Greek divine hero and is also the only moon to possess a magnetic field, which produces auroras on the moon's north and south poles. The first ultraviolet images of Ganymede were captured by the Hubble in 1998 which revealed these auroras. The same telescope was used in 1996 with no clear indications about the peculiar features of the moon. Ganymede doesn't have a persistent temperature across the day and it changes significantly over the duration of the day - during noon, the moon's equator becomes warm enough for the ice to sublimate or to essentially release water molecules in small amounts. Also read: Scientists to search for signs of extraterrestrial technology This helped scientists understand the differences in two sets of images taken by the Hubble Telescope. NASA's Juno mission recently released the first close-up images taken in the last two decades.

Hubble discovers water vapour around Jupiter's Ganymede, largest moon in our solar system

The universe holds secrets we’re not completely programmed to understand. But humanity is always at the cusp of a breakthrough when it comes to knowledge accumulation and the new 3D map of our solar system proves just that!

Ever thought about what lies at the edge of our very own solar system? Turns out, it’s a blob!&nbsp;

What's the edge of our solar system?

The edge of our system is where cosmic forces collide. On one edge lies solar wind comprising charged particles that emanate from the Sun. On the other side lie winds of space, laden with radiation absorbed from billions of stars situated nearby.

Solar winds or flares cause blackouts on Earth every once in a while but otherwise do an excellent job of protecting the planet from space radiation.

According to LiveScience, the solar winds wrap our solar system in a protective layer, preventing 70 per cent of space radiation from entering our system. Earth’s own magnetic shield does the job of protecting us from the leftover radiation.

This protective layer is called the heliosphere and its edge is called heliopause. At this junction lies a physical border where our solar system ends and the outside space begins.&nbsp;

What does the 3D map reveal?

On June 10, a new study in the Astrophysical Journal revealed the first 3D map of the heliosphere ever.

To achieve this, scientists used data collected by NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer satellite over 10 years. Using this, they tracked particles in solar winds that travel from the Sun to the edge of solar system and back.

Based on this, they calculated how far the solar wind was able to go before being blown back by interstellar radiation. This allowed the researchers to map the edges of our solar system.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/we-finally-know-what-causes-mesmerising-auroras-in-polar-night-skies-393085" hreflang="en">We finally know what causes mesmerising auroras in polar night skies!</a>

The map shows how the heliosphere isn’t really a sphere, but a squishy looking blob-like entity with inconsistent borders. In one end the border is thick while it is extremely thin on the other side.

This is because the Sun is also locked in orbit at the centre of the Milky Way, akin to Earth’s orbit around Sun. In one direction, the Sun has more scope of pushing out solar winds that counter interstellar radiation, explaining the inconsistency of the border.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/indian-scientists-discover-four-near-earth-asteroids-in-nasa-backed-research-programme-393060" hreflang="en">Indian scientists discover four near-Earth asteroids in NASA-backed research programme</a>

The universe holds secrets we’re not completely programmed to understand. But humanity is always at the cusp of a breakthrough when it comes to knowledge accumulation and the new 3D map of our solar system proves just that!

The universe holds secrets we’re not completely programmed to understand. But humanity is always at the cusp of a breakthrough when it comes to knowledge accumulation and the new 3D map of our solar system proves just that! Ever thought about what lies at the edge of our very own solar system? Turns out, it’s a blob! What's the edge of our solar system? The edge of our system is where cosmic forces collide. On one edge lies solar wind comprising charged particles that emanate from the Sun. On the other side lie winds of space, laden with radiation absorbed from billions of stars situated nearby. Solar winds or flares cause blackouts on Earth every once in a while but otherwise do an excellent job of protecting the planet from space radiation. According to LiveScience, the solar winds wrap our solar system in a protective layer, preventing 70 per cent of space radiation from entering our system. Earth’s own magnetic shield does the job of protecting us from the leftover radiation. This protective layer is called the heliosphere and its edge is called heliopause. At this junction lies a physical border where our solar system ends and the outside space begins. What does the 3D map reveal? On June 10, a new study in the Astrophysical Journal revealed the first 3D map of the heliosphere ever. To achieve this, scientists used data collected by NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer satellite over 10 years. Using this, they tracked particles in solar winds that travel from the Sun to the edge of solar system and back. Based on this, they calculated how far the solar wind was able to go before being blown back by interstellar radiation. This allowed the researchers to map the edges of our solar system. Also read: We finally know what causes mesmerising auroras in polar night skies! The map shows how the heliosphere isn’t really a sphere, but a squishy looking blob-like entity with inconsistent borders. In one end the border is thick while it is extremely thin on the other side. This is because the Sun is also locked in orbit at the centre of the Milky Way, akin to Earth’s orbit around Sun. In one direction, the Sun has more scope of pushing out solar winds that counter interstellar radiation, explaining the inconsistency of the border. Also read: Indian scientists discover four near-Earth asteroids in NASA-backed research programme

In a first, new 3D map reveals details about the edge of our solar system

Astronomers have observed the most ''pristine'' visitor from outer space ever seen in our Solar System,&nbsp;according to a pair of studies released Tuesday detailing its unique characteristics.

Pristine, in astronomical terms, describes a comet that has never passed close enough to a star to be transformed by its searing heat.

2I/Borisov was discovered in 2019 by Ukrainian astrophysicist Gennady Borisov at the MARGO Observatory in Crimea and is only the second interstellar object detected in our planetary system.

The first,&nbsp;the asteroid known as Oumaumua, which roughly means "Scout" in the Hawaiian language,&nbsp;baffled scientists for its unprecedented properties.

Both objects had trajectories unbound by the Sun, suggesting they came our way through the emptiness of deep space from another Solar System.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-detect-how-many-interstellar-objects-may-be-visiting-our-solar-system-370700">Astronomers detect how many interstellar objects may be visiting our solar system</a>

Writing in the journal Nature Communications, an international team describe how 2I/Borisov's coma,&nbsp;the nebulous envelope around the nucleus of a comet, polarised light at a higher rate than typical comets.&nbsp;

This is evidence that the comet probably didn't pass very close to its own star before embarking on its interstellar voyage.

The heat from a star can evaporate a comet's ice particles, liberating dust particles.&nbsp;

Lighter particles form the comet's tail while heavier ones fall back on to its surface, building a crust. Observing the tail of a comet can help scientists see how pristine&nbsp;or intact&nbsp;it is.

Co-author Lioudmila Kolokolova from the University of Maryland's Department of Astronomy explained the findings with reference to the coma, the cloud of gases and particles enveloping the comet core.

"Since we have observed a very homogeneous coma, without any signs of jets and other features, we suppose that the comet does not have a crust," she said.

"Thus it is really a pristine object, not affected much by radiation and charged particles."

The researchers said that only one other comet, Hale-Bopp, discovered by amateur astronomers in 1995,&nbsp;had exhibited similarly polarised light.

&nbsp;'Extremely low odds'

A second paper, published in Nature Astronomy, analysed the dust in the 2I/Borisov's coma and found it consisted of tiny "pebbles".

This compact pebble dust may have resulted from its formation, "perhaps due to gravitational stirring by giant planets much like in our own Solar system" according to lead author Bin Yang, an astronomer at the European Southern Observatory.&nbsp;

She said that the indications were that 2I/Borisov's composition was "quite similar to a solar system comet".

There are likely to be far more interstellar objects out there in the vast expanse of space than the two observed so far in our Solar System, she added.

"We think there are many asteroids and comets around other stars," she said.

"However, because of the vast distance between us and other stars, the odds of finding these wandering objects is extremely low."&nbsp;

Astronomers have observed the most ''pristine'' visitor from outer space ever seen in our Solar System, according to a pair of studies released Tuesday detailing its unique characteristics.

Astronomers have observed the most ''pristine'' visitor from outer space ever seen in our Solar System, according to a pair of studies released Tuesday detailing its unique characteristics. Pristine, in astronomical terms, describes a comet that has never passed close enough to a star to be transformed by its searing heat. 2I/Borisov was discovered in 2019 by Ukrainian astrophysicist Gennady Borisov at the MARGO Observatory in Crimea and is only the second interstellar object detected in our planetary system. The first, the asteroid known as Oumaumua, which roughly means "Scout" in the Hawaiian language, baffled scientists for its unprecedented properties. Both objects had trajectories unbound by the Sun, suggesting they came our way through the emptiness of deep space from another Solar System. Also read| Astronomers detect how many interstellar objects may be visiting our solar system Writing in the journal Nature Communications, an international team describe how 2I/Borisov's coma, the nebulous envelope around the nucleus of a comet, polarised light at a higher rate than typical comets. This is evidence that the comet probably didn't pass very close to its own star before embarking on its interstellar voyage. The heat from a star can evaporate a comet's ice particles, liberating dust particles. Lighter particles form the comet's tail while heavier ones fall back on to its surface, building a crust. Observing the tail of a comet can help scientists see how pristine or intact it is. Co-author Lioudmila Kolokolova from the University of Maryland's Department of Astronomy explained the findings with reference to the coma, the cloud of gases and particles enveloping the comet core. "Since we have observed a very homogeneous coma, without any signs of jets and other features, we suppose that the comet does not have a crust," she said. "Thus it is really a pristine object, not affected much by radiation and charged particles." The researchers said that only one other comet, Hale-Bopp, discovered by amateur astronomers in 1995, had exhibited similarly polarised light. 'Extremely low odds' A second paper, published in Nature Astronomy, analysed the dust in the 2I/Borisov's coma and found it consisted of tiny "pebbles". This compact pebble dust may have resulted from its formation, "perhaps due to gravitational stirring by giant planets much like in our own Solar system" according to lead author Bin Yang, an astronomer at the European Southern Observatory. She said that the indications were that 2I/Borisov's composition was "quite similar to a solar system comet". There are likely to be far more interstellar objects out there in the vast expanse of space than the two observed so far in our Solar System, she added. "We think there are many asteroids and comets around other stars," she said. "However, because of the vast distance between us and other stars, the odds of finding these wandering objects is extremely low."

Astronomers observe most 'pristine' comet from outer space in Solar system

The field of Astronomy has made progress&nbsp;by leaps and bounds. We not only peer deep into space but also theorise to find answers to questions such as how the universe came to be and what lies in future.

With the tremendous knowledge and technology we have today, it is hard to believe that there are things that are still unknown to us.

We think we know it all, but the universe always has something up its sleeve to surprise us every time.

A new analysis of Gaia satellite data has revealed that the closest star cluster to our Solar System is being torn apart due to some reason. Scientists believe that gravitational pull from something massive is causing this.

We do not know what this is.

Scientists think that dark matter is causing the star cluster to fall apart.

What is dark matter?

'Normal' matter is the one we can see, feel and so on. But dark matter is a tricky thing as is not possible to see or feel it. This becomes its detection very hard.

Scientists and researchers can only predict presence of dark matter by looking for effects of its gravitational pull on nearby 'visible' matter.

It has been said that dark matter makes up 80 per cent of all matter in the universe. Dark matter is considered to be important for the formation of galaxies.

It is possible, as per the scientists that dark matter may be the reason why the closest star structure to our solar system is being torn apart.

The field of Astronomy has made progress by leaps and bounds. We not only peer deep into space but also theorise to find answers to questions such as how the universe came to be and what lies in future.

The field of Astronomy has made progress by leaps and bounds. We not only peer deep into space but also theorise to find answers to questions such as how the universe came to be and what lies in future. With the tremendous knowledge and technology we have today, it is hard to believe that there are things that are still unknown to us. We think we know it all, but the universe always has something up its sleeve to surprise us every time. A new analysis of Gaia satellite data has revealed that the closest star cluster to our Solar System is being torn apart due to some reason. Scientists believe that gravitational pull from something massive is causing this. We do not know what this is. Scientists think that dark matter is causing the star cluster to fall apart. What is dark matter? 'Normal' matter is the one we can see, feel and so on. But dark matter is a tricky thing as is not possible to see or feel it. This becomes its detection very hard. Scientists and researchers can only predict presence of dark matter by looking for effects of its gravitational pull on nearby 'visible' matter. It has been said that dark matter makes up 80 per cent of all matter in the universe. Dark matter is considered to be important for the formation of galaxies. It is possible, as per the scientists that dark matter may be the reason why the closest star structure to our solar system is being torn apart.

Something is tearing apart star cluster closest to Solar System

A space object which has eluded scientists since it passed through Earth in 2017 is now back in the limelight for its disputed origins. Called “Oumuamua”, the object has been pitched as a lot of things - an alien spaceship, an exploit from a different galaxy, or just a mere rock.

Its name translates into “messenger” from Hawaiian, and there is strong evidence to suggest that the object came from outside our planetary system. When it was first spotted, many researchers including Harvard University’s Avi Loeb posited that the object was an alien spaceship.

Many others suggested that it was an asteroid or a comet.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/aliens-in-our-galaxy-may-have-perished-due-to-too-much-progress-study-suggests-351849" hreflang="en">Aliens in our galaxy may have perished due to too much progress, study suggests</a>

New findings published in the American Geophysical Union journal now suggest a new theory - that the object is a piece of another planet, that too from a different solar system.

Steven Desch, an astrophysicist at Arizona State University, in a press release said that they have “resolved the mystery” of Oumuamua, calling it a chunk of an “exo-Pluto” - essentially a Pluto-like planet in a different solar system.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/scientists-recently-scanned-10-million-stars-for-alien-technology-what-did-they-find-326020" hreflang="en">Scientists recently scanned 10 million stars for alien technology, what did they find?</a>

The researchers believe that about half a billion years ago, Oumuamua's parent planet was hit by an object, which sent it hurling towards our solar system. They added that this piece of the planet must have entered our solar system in 1995, which we likely missed. Over time, it lost 95 per cent of its mass and became its current size.

The existence of Oumuamua was confirmed in 2017, but it was already spacing away from Earth at really high speeds. Owing to this, scientists only had a little to study the object. Now, Oumuamua is too far away and too dim to be observed for further study.

A space object which has eluded scientists since it passed through Earth in 2017 is now back in the limelight for its disputed origins. Called “Oumuamua”, the object has been pitched as a lot of things - an alien spaceship, an exploit from a different galaxy, or just a mere rock.

A space object which has eluded scientists since it passed through Earth in 2017 is now back in the limelight for its disputed origins. Called “Oumuamua”, the object has been pitched as a lot of things - an alien spaceship, an exploit from a different galaxy, or just a mere rock. Its name translates into “messenger” from Hawaiian, and there is strong evidence to suggest that the object came from outside our planetary system. When it was first spotted, many researchers including Harvard University’s Avi Loeb posited that the object was an alien spaceship. Many others suggested that it was an asteroid or a comet. Also read: Aliens in our galaxy may have perished due to too much progress, study suggests New findings published in the American Geophysical Union journal now suggest a new theory - that the object is a piece of another planet, that too from a different solar system. Steven Desch, an astrophysicist at Arizona State University, in a press release said that they have “resolved the mystery” of Oumuamua, calling it a chunk of an “exo-Pluto” - essentially a Pluto-like planet in a different solar system. Also read: Scientists recently scanned 10 million stars for alien technology, what did they find? The researchers believe that about half a billion years ago, Oumuamua's parent planet was hit by an object, which sent it hurling towards our solar system. They added that this piece of the planet must have entered our solar system in 1995, which we likely missed. Over time, it lost 95 per cent of its mass and became its current size. The existence of Oumuamua was confirmed in 2017, but it was already spacing away from Earth at really high speeds. Owing to this, scientists only had a little to study the object. Now, Oumuamua is too far away and too dim to be observed for further study.

Mystery of 'Oumuamua' solved: Find out where the foreign space object came from!

Astronomers have detected&nbsp;how many interstellar objects may be visiting our solar system, in a recent study.

The research conducted by Cornell University shows interstellar objects (ISOs) passing through the solar system can be directly observed by Earth-based telescopes and potentially explored at close range by spacecraft.

The aim of the study was to find&nbsp;additional ISOs and planning missions to intercept or rendezvous with these bodies will greatly benefit from the knowledge of their likely orbits and arrival rates.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/occams-razor-harvard-astronomer-says-that-alien-vessel-paid-us-a-visit-362060">'Occam's razor': Harvard astronomer says that alien vessel paid us a visit</a>

&nbsp;

The feasibility of reaching interstellar objects passing through the solar system has been assessed with specific missions to the interstellar objects 1I/’Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov,&nbsp;&nbsp;the first InterStellar Objects (ISOs) discovered passing through the solar system.

Observations made with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and others show that the object is moving faster than predicted while leaving the Solar System.

Researchers assume that venting material from its surface due to solar heating is responsible for this behaviour. This outgassing can be seen in this artist’s impression as a subtle cloud being ejected from the side of the object facing the Sun. As outgassing is a behaviour typical for comets, the team thinks that `Oumuamua’s previous classification as an interstellar asteroid has to be corrected.

Such missions are feasible with more massive spacecraft (100 kg or larger) using existing rockets and technologies either if they can be initiated around the time of perihelion passage, for example, by a Comet Interceptor type mission or by using a combination of planetary flybys and solar Oberth manoeuvres (rocket accelerations at high speed close to the Sun) to overtake the ISO as it retreats from the Sun.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-identify-surprising-similarities-between-humans-and-strange-creatures-from-550-million-years-ago-369169" hreflang="en">Scientists identify surprising similarities between humans and strange creatures from 550 million years ago</a>

Marshall Eubanks, the lead author of the study said&nbsp;"[J]ust by proving that they exist, it has had a profound impact, creating a field of study almost from nothing (a field that funding authorities are just beginning to recognize).''

He added, ''Interstellar Objects provide us with the opportunity to study, and in the future literally touch, exobodies decades before the earliest possible missions to even the nearest stars, such as Proxima Centauri."

As per the study, led by researchers from the Initiative for Interstellar Studies (i4is), roughly seven ISOs enter our Solar System every year and follow predictable orbits while they visit the Earth.

The study of 'Oumuamua in October of 2017 was not only was this an object that had formed in another star system, but its arrival and detection implied a large population of such objects.

The detection of 2I/Borisov in 2019 confirmed that ISOs enter our Solar System on a pretty regular basis.

Asteroid surveys may have a streak limit, a limit on the acceptance of fast-moving small objects, in order to reduce confusion with terrestrial satellites.

Interstellar objects likely formed very far from the solar system in both time and space; their direct exploration will constrain the formation and history of small bodies, situating them within the dynamical assembly and chemical evolution of the Galaxy. The velocities of many of these objects in the solar system will make their detection and their exploration by spacecraft challenging, but not impossible with present and near-future technology.

If the number of density estimates based on the discovery of 1I/’Oumuamua are even approximately correct, there should be a number of 1I-type interstellar objects in the solar system at any one time.

Even a fast flyby of an ISO passing through the solar system would be scientifically very rewarding, especially if the object can be subjected to the analysis of impact signatures.

Unfortunately, 2I-type interstellar comets appear to be much rarer, which a much smaller infall rate, and will probably be a once in a decade phenomena.

Astronomers have detected how many interstellar objects may be visiting our solar system, in a recent study. The research conducted by Cornell University shows interstellar objects (ISOs) passing through the solar system can be directly observed by Earth-based telescopes and potentially explored at close range by spacecraft.

Astronomers have detected how many interstellar objects may be visiting our solar system, in a recent study. The research conducted by Cornell University shows interstellar objects (ISOs) passing through the solar system can be directly observed by Earth-based telescopes and potentially explored at close range by spacecraft. The aim of the study was to find additional ISOs and planning missions to intercept or rendezvous with these bodies will greatly benefit from the knowledge of their likely orbits and arrival rates. Also read| 'Occam's razor': Harvard astronomer says that alien vessel paid us a visit The feasibility of reaching interstellar objects passing through the solar system has been assessed with specific missions to the interstellar objects 1I/’Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov, the first InterStellar Objects (ISOs) discovered passing through the solar system. Observations made with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and others show that the object is moving faster than predicted while leaving the Solar System. Researchers assume that venting material from its surface due to solar heating is responsible for this behaviour. This outgassing can be seen in this artist’s impression as a subtle cloud being ejected from the side of the object facing the Sun. As outgassing is a behaviour typical for comets, the team thinks that `Oumuamua’s previous classification as an interstellar asteroid has to be corrected. Such missions are feasible with more massive spacecraft (100 kg or larger) using existing rockets and technologies either if they can be initiated around the time of perihelion passage, for example, by a Comet Interceptor type mission or by using a combination of planetary flybys and solar Oberth manoeuvres (rocket accelerations at high speed close to the Sun) to overtake the ISO as it retreats from the Sun. Also read: Scientists identify surprising similarities between humans and strange creatures from 550 million years ago Marshall Eubanks, the lead author of the study said "[J]ust by proving that they exist, it has had a profound impact, creating a field of study almost from nothing (a field that funding authorities are just beginning to recognize).'' He added, ''Interstellar Objects provide us with the opportunity to study, and in the future literally touch, exobodies decades before the earliest possible missions to even the nearest stars, such as Proxima Centauri." As per the study, led by researchers from the Initiative for Interstellar Studies (i4is), roughly seven ISOs enter our Solar System every year and follow predictable orbits while they visit the Earth. The study of 'Oumuamua in October of 2017 was not only was this an object that had formed in another star system, but its arrival and detection implied a large population of such objects. The detection of 2I/Borisov in 2019 confirmed that ISOs enter our Solar System on a pretty regular basis. Asteroid surveys may have a streak limit, a limit on the acceptance of fast-moving small objects, in order to reduce confusion with terrestrial satellites. Interstellar objects likely formed very far from the solar system in both time and space; their direct exploration will constrain the formation and history of small bodies, situating them within the dynamical assembly and chemical evolution of the Galaxy. The velocities of many of these objects in the solar system will make their detection and their exploration by spacecraft challenging, but not impossible with present and near-future technology. If the number of density estimates based on the discovery of 1I/’Oumuamua are even approximately correct, there should be a number of 1I-type interstellar objects in the solar system at any one time. Even a fast flyby of an ISO passing through the solar system would be scientifically very rewarding, especially if the object can be subjected to the analysis of impact signatures. Unfortunately, 2I-type interstellar comets appear to be much rarer, which a much smaller infall rate, and will probably be a once in a decade phenomena.

Astronomers detect how many interstellar objects may be visiting our solar system

The 'fireball' meteorite that blazed across the night sky over Britain last month has been found - after landing in a driveway in Gloucestershire.&nbsp;

Many rocky fragments have been found from the fireball and they all came down in the Winchcombe area of Gloucestershire.&nbsp;

The recovered meteorite is a rare kind of space rock known as a carbonaceous chondrite – extremely ancient pieces of interplanetary debris that predate our own planet, explains Dr Ashley King from London's Natural History Museum (NHM), who was a member of the team that verified and retrieved the meteorites.

He said that "We study them to learn about how our solar system formed and the origin of habitable planets like the Earth,”.

There are about 65,000 known meteorites in the entire world and of those only 51 of them are carbonaceous chondrites that have been seen to fall like this one.

Earlier on the night of 28 February, shortly before 10 pm over the western part of the UK, a fireball was spotted blazing across the night sky.

Lasting about six seconds, the bright flash of light was reported by hundreds of people as it was recorded on doorbell cameras, car dashcams and picked up by the dedicated network of cameras across the UK trained at the sky for precisely this kind of event.

(With inputs from agencies)

The 'fireball' meteorite that blazed across the night sky over Britain last month has been found - after landing in a driveway in Gloucestershire. Many rocky fragments have been found from the fireball and they all came down in the Winchcombe area of Gloucestershire.

The 'fireball' meteorite that blazed across the night sky over Britain last month has been found - after landing in a driveway in Gloucestershire. Many rocky fragments have been found from the fireball and they all came down in the Winchcombe area of Gloucestershire. The recovered meteorite is a rare kind of space rock known as a carbonaceous chondrite – extremely ancient pieces of interplanetary debris that predate our own planet, explains Dr Ashley King from London's Natural History Museum (NHM), who was a member of the team that verified and retrieved the meteorites. He said that "We study them to learn about how our solar system formed and the origin of habitable planets like the Earth,”. There are about 65,000 known meteorites in the entire world and of those only 51 of them are carbonaceous chondrites that have been seen to fall like this one. Earlier on the night of 28 February, shortly before 10 pm over the western part of the UK, a fireball was spotted blazing across the night sky. Lasting about six seconds, the bright flash of light was reported by hundreds of people as it was recorded on doorbell cameras, car dashcams and picked up by the dedicated network of cameras across the UK trained at the sky for precisely this kind of event. (With inputs from agencies)

Fireball meteorite that lights up the sky above the UK recovered from a driveway

Astronomers have discovered a new exoplanet that can be instrumental in the hunt for traces of life beyond the solar system, as per a new study.

The&nbsp;study, published in the prestigious journal Science&nbsp;discovered a new planet outside our solar system, an exoplanet, which turns out to be an ideal candidate to seek an atmosphere there, and in fine, perhaps, traces of life around a star other than our Sun.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-confirm-existence-of-an-earth-size-exoplanet-303296">Astronomers confirm existence of an Earth-size exoplanet</a>

"The end of the road is finding biomarkers or biosignatures in the atmospheres of exoplanets, which is signs of life on habitable Earth-like planets," said Jose Caballero, an astronomer at Spain's Centro de Astrobiologia and one of the co-authors of the study.

About 4,000 exoplanets have been discovered during the past 25 years and some have been found to have an atmosphere.

But these are "gaseous planets or icy planets," Caballero said, and planets the size of Earth have not been investigated yet.

The latest discovery opens up the possibility for researchers to study an exoplanet that is "rocky in nature, like the Earth," he said.

The name of the exoplanet is Gliese 486b and it is "only" 26 light-years away.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/chain-of-resonance-six-alien-planets-with-rhythmic-movement-are-locked-in-a-rare-orbital-dance-362329">'Chain of resonance': Six alien planets with rhythmic movement are locked in a rare orbital dance</a>

It is about 30 per cent larger than Earth but with a mass 2.8 times that of our planet and is located in what is called a habitable zone around a star.

To identify it, researchers used two methods: "transit photometry" -- slight variations in a star's brightness as a planet passes in front of it -- and "Doppler radial velocity," which measures the "wobbling" of stars from the gravitational pull of orbiting planets.

'Have to start with something'&nbsp;

Since Gliese 486b is very near its star, Gliese 486, it takes only slightly less than 1.5 days to complete an orbit around it.

"We surveyed about 350 small red-dwarf stars for signs of low-mass planets," said Trifon Trifonov, a researcher with the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy and the lead author of the study involving contributions from five continents.

Trifonov said Gliese 486b is not habitable with temperatures ranging around 430 degrees Celsius.

"The proximity to the red dwarf Gliese 486 heats the planet significantly, making its landscape hot and dry, interspersed with volcanos and glowing lava rivers," Trifonov said.

At the same time, Caballero said "if our planet has an atmosphere, then any planet at wider separation (from its star), and with roughly the same planet characteristics... will also have an atmosphere."

If it doesn't have an atmosphere then the other planets in the orbit will not be habitable either.

"We have to start with something," Caballero said.

Trifonov said Gliese 486b is a "remarkable discovery, which will likely become the 'Rosetta Stone' for atmospheric investigations of rocky exoplanets."

He is anxiously awaiting the deployment later this year of the James Webb Space Telescope.

It should allow researchers to tell no earlier than three years from now whether the exoplanet has an atmosphere and its composition.

And eventually, in a couple of decades, to tell whether there are any traces of life, Caballero said

Astronomers have discovered a new exoplanet that can be instrumental in the hunt for traces of life beyond the solar system, as per a new study. The study, published in the prestigious journal Science discovered a new planet outside our solar system, an exoplanet, which turns out to be an ideal candidate to seek an atmosphere there, and in fine, perhaps, traces of life around a star other than our Sun.

Astronomers have discovered a new exoplanet that can be instrumental in the hunt for traces of life beyond the solar system, as per a new study. The study, published in the prestigious journal Science discovered a new planet outside our solar system, an exoplanet, which turns out to be an ideal candidate to seek an atmosphere there, and in fine, perhaps, traces of life around a star other than our Sun. Also read| Astronomers confirm existence of an Earth-size exoplanet "The end of the road is finding biomarkers or biosignatures in the atmospheres of exoplanets, which is signs of life on habitable Earth-like planets," said Jose Caballero, an astronomer at Spain's Centro de Astrobiologia and one of the co-authors of the study. About 4,000 exoplanets have been discovered during the past 25 years and some have been found to have an atmosphere. But these are "gaseous planets or icy planets," Caballero said, and planets the size of Earth have not been investigated yet. The latest discovery opens up the possibility for researchers to study an exoplanet that is "rocky in nature, like the Earth," he said. The name of the exoplanet is Gliese 486b and it is "only" 26 light-years away. Also read| 'Chain of resonance': Six alien planets with rhythmic movement are locked in a rare orbital dance It is about 30 per cent larger than Earth but with a mass 2.8 times that of our planet and is located in what is called a habitable zone around a star. To identify it, researchers used two methods: "transit photometry" -- slight variations in a star's brightness as a planet passes in front of it -- and "Doppler radial velocity," which measures the "wobbling" of stars from the gravitational pull of orbiting planets. 'Have to start with something' Since Gliese 486b is very near its star, Gliese 486, it takes only slightly less than 1.5 days to complete an orbit around it. "We surveyed about 350 small red-dwarf stars for signs of low-mass planets," said Trifon Trifonov, a researcher with the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy and the lead author of the study involving contributions from five continents. Trifonov said Gliese 486b is not habitable with temperatures ranging around 430 degrees Celsius. "The proximity to the red dwarf Gliese 486 heats the planet significantly, making its landscape hot and dry, interspersed with volcanos and glowing lava rivers," Trifonov said. At the same time, Caballero said "if our planet has an atmosphere, then any planet at wider separation (from its star), and with roughly the same planet characteristics... will also have an atmosphere." If it doesn't have an atmosphere then the other planets in the orbit will not be habitable either. "We have to start with something," Caballero said. Trifonov said Gliese 486b is a "remarkable discovery, which will likely become the 'Rosetta Stone' for atmospheric investigations of rocky exoplanets." He is anxiously awaiting the deployment later this year of the James Webb Space Telescope. It should allow researchers to tell no earlier than three years from now whether the exoplanet has an atmosphere and its composition. And eventually, in a couple of decades, to tell whether there are any traces of life, Caballero said

Astronomers discover new exoplanet instrumental in hunt for traces of life beyond solar system

In a series of revelations flowing in from our galactic backyard, geologists have now solved the mysteries surrounding glaciers on Mars. Turns out, our red neighbour has undergone at least 20 separate ice ages!

Why is this important? 
The majority of Mars' surface froze over hundreds of millions of years and remains covered in glaciers. For long, scientists wondered whether the glaciers formed as a result of a single Ice Age or by multiple ice ages that eclipsed the red planet over time.

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Ice ages are caused by a change in obliquity, or put simply - changes in the tilt of a planet's axis. This realisation could help scientists better understand the secret of life on Mars. If the exact timelines of ice ages are ascertained by scientists, then they may also be able to decrypt what lies beneath all the ice on the planet. They may be able to understand what kind of rocks, microbes, gases, and fossils lie beneath the red planet's surface.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/nasa-releases-360-degree-panorama-of-mars-366636" hreflang="en">NASA releases 360-degree panorama of Mars</a>

Scientists at Colgate University took up the study, which was led by&nbsp;geology professor Joe Levy. The scientists also received help from NASA, the University of Arizona, Fitchburg State University, and the University of Texas-Austin. "There are really good models for Mars' orbital parameters for the last 20 million years... After that the models tend to get chaotic", Levy said in a release from Colgate University.

Levy's team took into account 45 glaciers and employed high-resolution images which came from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter satellite, which can successfully achieve a resolution of 25 cms per pixel.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/mars-landing-nasas-perseverance-sends-spectacular-new-colour-images-364943" hreflang="en">Mars landing: NASA's Perseverance sends spectacular new colour images</a>

Using artificial intelligence, the scientists analysed over 60,000 rocks with a focus on how the rocks are placed on the planet and the sizes of these rocks. They were also looking for signs of erosion. They were able to pinpoint the location of boulders across glaciers on Mars.

How did they reach the conclusion? 
Instead of eroding in a fashion that is normally witnessed by scientists, the rocks were moving along the inside of glaciers. This meant that separate flows happened over time, instead of a one-off event. 
 
Based on this, scientists concluded that Mars underwent six to 20 ice ages in the last 300-800 million years. The scientists published their findings in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

In a series of revelations flowing in from our galactic backyard, geologists have now solved the mysteries surrounding glaciers on Mars. Turns out, our red neighbour has undergone at least 20 separate ice ages!

In a series of revelations flowing in from our galactic backyard, geologists have now solved the mysteries surrounding glaciers on Mars. Turns out, our red neighbour has undergone at least 20 separate ice ages! Why is this important? The majority of Mars' surface froze over hundreds of millions of years and remains covered in glaciers. For long, scientists wondered whether the glaciers formed as a result of a single Ice Age or by multiple ice ages that eclipsed the red planet over time. Ice ages are caused by a change in obliquity, or put simply - changes in the tilt of a planet's axis. This realisation could help scientists better understand the secret of life on Mars. If the exact timelines of ice ages are ascertained by scientists, then they may also be able to decrypt what lies beneath all the ice on the planet. They may be able to understand what kind of rocks, microbes, gases, and fossils lie beneath the red planet's surface. Also read: NASA releases 360-degree panorama of Mars Scientists at Colgate University took up the study, which was led by geology professor Joe Levy. The scientists also received help from NASA, the University of Arizona, Fitchburg State University, and the University of Texas-Austin. "There are really good models for Mars' orbital parameters for the last 20 million years... After that the models tend to get chaotic", Levy said in a release from Colgate University. Levy's team took into account 45 glaciers and employed high-resolution images which came from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter satellite, which can successfully achieve a resolution of 25 cms per pixel. Also read: Mars landing: NASA's Perseverance sends spectacular new colour images Using artificial intelligence, the scientists analysed over 60,000 rocks with a focus on how the rocks are placed on the planet and the sizes of these rocks. They were also looking for signs of erosion. They were able to pinpoint the location of boulders across glaciers on Mars. How did they reach the conclusion? Instead of eroding in a fashion that is normally witnessed by scientists, the rocks were moving along the inside of glaciers. This meant that separate flows happened over time, instead of a one-off event. Based on this, scientists concluded that Mars underwent six to 20 ice ages in the last 300-800 million years. The scientists published their findings in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Turns out Mars underwent not one, but up to 20 separate ice ages!

Yep, that's the name and the space object 'FarFarOut' is Really far away in our solar system. For comparisan, Pluto takes 246 years to complete one orbit around the Sun. This alone tells us how far Pluto is. But FarFarOut takes 800 years to take a single round trip around the Sun! That means last time FarFarOut was where it today is, Genghis Khan was expanding its empire in Asia and was knocking on the doors of Europe.

FarFarOut is 132 astronomical units away from the Sun (1 astronomical unit = 150 million kilometres) and is just 400 kilometres across (250 miles) in size. It was discovered in 2018.

The story behind how it got its nickname is funny.

Before its discovery, another very distant space object was discovered in 2018. It was 124 astronomical units away from the Sun. The object was really far out, and a surprised exclamation from Scott Sheppard of the Carnegie Institution for Science gave it a nickname Farout.

And what's more distant than Farout? Yep. FarFarOut!

The distances involved in studying FarFarout are so huge that constant astronomical observations are needed to take place for several years just to plot its trajectory.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/life-on-mars-study-gives-fresh-evidence-to-back-the-claim-362767">Life on Mars? Study gives fresh evidence to back the claim</a>

Talking about trajectory, FarFarOut has a weird orbit around the Sun. It is wildly oval. At its furthest, FarFarOut is 175 astronomical units away from the Sun while at its nearest, it is 27 astronomical units away.

Scientists think that Neptune's gravity is the reason why FarFarOut has such a wild orbit around the Sun.

It is expected that more interaction between Neptune and FarFarOut is likely in the future.

Yep, that's the name and the space object 'FarFarOut' is Really far away in our solar system. For comparisan, Pluto takes 246 years to complete one orbit around the Sun.

Yep, that's the name and the space object 'FarFarOut' is Really far away in our solar system. For comparisan, Pluto takes 246 years to complete one orbit around the Sun. This alone tells us how far Pluto is. But FarFarOut takes 800 years to take a single round trip around the Sun! That means last time FarFarOut was where it today is, Genghis Khan was expanding its empire in Asia and was knocking on the doors of Europe. FarFarOut is 132 astronomical units away from the Sun (1 astronomical unit = 150 million kilometres) and is just 400 kilometres across (250 miles) in size. It was discovered in 2018. The story behind how it got its nickname is funny. Before its discovery, another very distant space object was discovered in 2018. It was 124 astronomical units away from the Sun. The object was really far out, and a surprised exclamation from Scott Sheppard of the Carnegie Institution for Science gave it a nickname Farout. And what's more distant than Farout? Yep. FarFarOut! The distances involved in studying FarFarout are so huge that constant astronomical observations are needed to take place for several years just to plot its trajectory. Also Read | Life on Mars? Study gives fresh evidence to back the claim Talking about trajectory, FarFarOut has a weird orbit around the Sun. It is wildly oval. At its furthest, FarFarOut is 175 astronomical units away from the Sun while at its nearest, it is 27 astronomical units away. Scientists think that Neptune's gravity is the reason why FarFarOut has such a wild orbit around the Sun. It is expected that more interaction between Neptune and FarFarOut is likely in the future.

Space object named 'FarFarOut' is the most distant thing in solar system

The solar system's two biggest planets, Jupiter and Saturn, came within planetary kissing range in Monday's evening sky, an intimacy that will not occur again until 2080.

Jupiter, Saturn forms the great conjuction in a rare cosmic event

The universe is a shade too bright.

That might be the last news you expected to hear toward the darkening end of a dark year. But that is what a band of astronomers has discovered, using cameras on the New Horizons spacecraft that once visited Pluto to measure the darkness of interplanetary space.

“There’s something out there unknown,” said Tod Lauer, of the National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory in Tucson, Arizona. “The universe is not completely dark, and we don’t yet completely know what it comprises.”

Four billion miles from the sun, far from bright planets and the light scattered by interplanetary dust, empty space was about twice as bright as would be expected Lauer and his colleagues found. The most likely explanation, he said, was that there were more very faint galaxies or star clusters contributing to the background light of the universe than their models indicated. Or even that black holes in the centers of otherwise undistinguished galaxies were pumping extra energy into the void.

A less exciting possibility, Lauer said in an email, was that “we messed up and missed a light source or camera artifact that we should have figured out. This is what I worry about the most.”

A more intriguing, if speculative, suggestion involves what might be called cold dim matter. The universe is thought to be filled with “dark matter,” its exact substance unknown but whose gravity shapes the visible cosmos. Some theories suggest that this matter could be clouds of exotic subatomic particles that decay radioactively or collide and annihilate themselves in flashes of energy that add to the universal glow.

Lauer and his colleagues prefer to leave such speculations to particle physicists. “Our work is solely concerned with measuring the flux level itself,” he said in an email. “As observers, we offer this up for those who can figure out what to do with it.”

Marc Postman, an astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore and an author of the report, which was published online in November, said, “It is important to do this to get an estimate of the total energy content of the universe, which helps inform us about the overall cosmic history of star formation.”

For the record, the amount of extra light they found bouncing around the universe is about 10 nanowatts per square meter per steradian, a measure of solid angle on the sky. (It takes 4(PIE) steradians to cover the entire sky).

Lauer compared this measurement to the amount of light supplied by the star Sirius or an open refrigerator a mile away. “To make it a little closer to what we did, you can think of lying in bed with the curtains open on a dark moonless night,” he wrote in an email. “Perhaps you’re awake and are staring at the walls. When Sirius clears the mountains, or your neighbor raids his fridge, we would see the light in the room get a little brighter.”

However, he noted, “Your distant neighbor eating leftover turkey at three in the morning is not going to wake you up at night from the glare.”

He said the measurement had a 5% chance of being a fluke; that margin of error is known as 2 sigma, and is a far cry from the gold standard for a discovery of “5 sigma,” or 1 chance in 3.5 million of being wrong.

The team’s measurement included only light in the visible wavelengths and needed to be augmented by radio, X-ray and infrared background measurements, Postman said.

For centuries, the darkness of the night sky was the source of a paradox named after German astronomer Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers. Presumably, in an infinite static universe, every line of sight ends at a star, so shouldn’t the sky appear as bright as the sun?

But astronomers now know that the universe is only 13.8 billion years old and expanding. As a result, most lines of sight do not end on stars but on the fading glow of the Big Bang, and the wavelengths of the glow are now so extended that they are invisible to the eye, making the sky look dark.

But how dark is dark?

It’s no small feat to add up all the light you cannot see. There are distant galaxies too faint to trip the most sensitive detectors on giant telescopes, but which pump energy into the dust and gas that is strewn about space.

The New Horizons spacecraft was launched on Jan. 19, 2006, and sped by Pluto on July 14, 2015. On Jan. 1, 2019, it zoomed past Arrokoth, formerly called Ultima Thule, one of untold numbers of cosmic icebergs that live in the Kuiper belt on the outskirts of the solar system. It is still going.

Lauer’s measurements were based on seven images from the Long-Range Reconnaissance Imager, a camera on New Horizons, and taken when the spacecraft was some 4 billion miles from Earth. At that distance the spacecraft was well beyond the distracting glow of planets or of interplanetary dust. Indeed, Postman said, going even 10 times farther out would not have produced a cleaner darkness.

“When you have a telescope on New Horizons way out at the edge of the solar system, you can ask, How dark does space get anyway,” Lauer wrote. “Use your camera just to measure the glow from the sky.” In this case, the images were of distant Kuiper belt objects. Subtract them, and any stars, and what remains is pure sky.

The camera, Postman said, is a “white light imager,” receiving light across a wide spectrum spanning visible and some ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths.

Once the team measured the level of light in the sky background, they then had to resort to mathematical models of how many faint galaxies were lurking under the normal limits of detection. When that amount was subtracted from their measurements, an equal amount of light remained of unknown origin.

“It’s as if you counted all the people on Earth but left out Asia,” Postman said. Lauer said this was the most accurate measurement of the background light yet.

The study follows on earlier work by Michael Zemcov of the Rochester Institute of Technology, who had a smaller set of images to analyze — four 10-second exposures instead of 195 30-second exposures.

He and his colleagues derived an upper limit of about 19 nanowatts per square meter per steradian — in the same ballpark as Lauer’s results.

“This kind of measurement really pushes our understanding of both the instrument and the brightness of the light from all the stuff between us and the distant universe,” Zemcov said in an email. “People have posited a variety of sources, but the jury is still out on what it could be.”

What we can’t see may yet change our understanding of the universe, but Dan Hooper, a physicist at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois, splashed cold water on the idea that the culprit was dark matter. In an email, he said that he and his colleagues, brainstorming, had not come up with any new physics that would explain this added light, “with the exception of a couple of really baroque and otherwise unappealing options.”

The universe is a shade too bright. That might be the last news you expected to hear toward the darkening end of a dark year. But that is what a band of astronomers has discovered, using cameras on the New Horizons spacecraft that once visited Pluto to measure the darkness of interplanetary space.

The universe is a shade too bright. That might be the last news you expected to hear toward the darkening end of a dark year. But that is what a band of astronomers has discovered, using cameras on the New Horizons spacecraft that once visited Pluto to measure the darkness of interplanetary space. “There’s something out there unknown,” said Tod Lauer, of the National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory in Tucson, Arizona. “The universe is not completely dark, and we don’t yet completely know what it comprises.” Four billion miles from the sun, far from bright planets and the light scattered by interplanetary dust, empty space was about twice as bright as would be expected Lauer and his colleagues found. The most likely explanation, he said, was that there were more very faint galaxies or star clusters contributing to the background light of the universe than their models indicated. Or even that black holes in the centers of otherwise undistinguished galaxies were pumping extra energy into the void. A less exciting possibility, Lauer said in an email, was that “we messed up and missed a light source or camera artifact that we should have figured out. This is what I worry about the most.” A more intriguing, if speculative, suggestion involves what might be called cold dim matter. The universe is thought to be filled with “dark matter,” its exact substance unknown but whose gravity shapes the visible cosmos. Some theories suggest that this matter could be clouds of exotic subatomic particles that decay radioactively or collide and annihilate themselves in flashes of energy that add to the universal glow. Lauer and his colleagues prefer to leave such speculations to particle physicists. “Our work is solely concerned with measuring the flux level itself,” he said in an email. “As observers, we offer this up for those who can figure out what to do with it.” Marc Postman, an astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore and an author of the report, which was published online in November, said, “It is important to do this to get an estimate of the total energy content of the universe, which helps inform us about the overall cosmic history of star formation.” For the record, the amount of extra light they found bouncing around the universe is about 10 nanowatts per square meter per steradian, a measure of solid angle on the sky. (It takes 4(PIE) steradians to cover the entire sky). Lauer compared this measurement to the amount of light supplied by the star Sirius or an open refrigerator a mile away. “To make it a little closer to what we did, you can think of lying in bed with the curtains open on a dark moonless night,” he wrote in an email. “Perhaps you’re awake and are staring at the walls. When Sirius clears the mountains, or your neighbor raids his fridge, we would see the light in the room get a little brighter.” However, he noted, “Your distant neighbor eating leftover turkey at three in the morning is not going to wake you up at night from the glare.” He said the measurement had a 5% chance of being a fluke; that margin of error is known as 2 sigma, and is a far cry from the gold standard for a discovery of “5 sigma,” or 1 chance in 3.5 million of being wrong. The team’s measurement included only light in the visible wavelengths and needed to be augmented by radio, X-ray and infrared background measurements, Postman said. For centuries, the darkness of the night sky was the source of a paradox named after German astronomer Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers. Presumably, in an infinite static universe, every line of sight ends at a star, so shouldn’t the sky appear as bright as the sun? But astronomers now know that the universe is only 13.8 billion years old and expanding. As a result, most lines of sight do not end on stars but on the fading glow of the Big Bang, and the wavelengths of the glow are now so extended that they are invisible to the eye, making the sky look dark. But how dark is dark? It’s no small feat to add up all the light you cannot see. There are distant galaxies too faint to trip the most sensitive detectors on giant telescopes, but which pump energy into the dust and gas that is strewn about space. The New Horizons spacecraft was launched on Jan. 19, 2006, and sped by Pluto on July 14, 2015. On Jan. 1, 2019, it zoomed past Arrokoth, formerly called Ultima Thule, one of untold numbers of cosmic icebergs that live in the Kuiper belt on the outskirts of the solar system. It is still going. Lauer’s measurements were based on seven images from the Long-Range Reconnaissance Imager, a camera on New Horizons, and taken when the spacecraft was some 4 billion miles from Earth. At that distance the spacecraft was well beyond the distracting glow of planets or of interplanetary dust. Indeed, Postman said, going even 10 times farther out would not have produced a cleaner darkness. “When you have a telescope on New Horizons way out at the edge of the solar system, you can ask, How dark does space get anyway,” Lauer wrote. “Use your camera just to measure the glow from the sky.” In this case, the images were of distant Kuiper belt objects. Subtract them, and any stars, and what remains is pure sky. The camera, Postman said, is a “white light imager,” receiving light across a wide spectrum spanning visible and some ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths. Once the team measured the level of light in the sky background, they then had to resort to mathematical models of how many faint galaxies were lurking under the normal limits of detection. When that amount was subtracted from their measurements, an equal amount of light remained of unknown origin. “It’s as if you counted all the people on Earth but left out Asia,” Postman said. Lauer said this was the most accurate measurement of the background light yet. The study follows on earlier work by Michael Zemcov of the Rochester Institute of Technology, who had a smaller set of images to analyze — four 10-second exposures instead of 195 30-second exposures. He and his colleagues derived an upper limit of about 19 nanowatts per square meter per steradian — in the same ballpark as Lauer’s results. “This kind of measurement really pushes our understanding of both the instrument and the brightness of the light from all the stuff between us and the distant universe,” Zemcov said in an email. “People have posited a variety of sources, but the jury is still out on what it could be.” What we can’t see may yet change our understanding of the universe, but Dan Hooper, a physicist at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois, splashed cold water on the idea that the culprit was dark matter. In an email, he said that he and his colleagues, brainstorming, had not come up with any new physics that would explain this added light, “with the exception of a couple of really baroque and otherwise unappealing options.”

Outer space just got a little brighter

A team of international scientists has detected traces of phosphine gas in the atmosphere of Venus. A paper on this discovery was published in Nature Astronomy journal by a team of international scientists.

WION Dispatch: Experts detect Phosphine gas on Venus

Phosphine is a chemical compound made up of one atom of phosphorus and three atoms of hydrogen, and scientists have also spotted it on Earth, Jupiter and Saturn.

Scientists see hints of life on Venus | Phosphine discovered in Venus' clouds

Scientists recently discovered 37 volcanic structures on the planet of Venus situated in our solar system. These volcano-esque structures were active until very recently, or perhaps still are - scientists are not sure.

For a long time, Venus was perceived as a dormant planet, but this new information proves otherwise.&nbsp;The researchers focused on coronae, which are ring-like structures made after hot rocks emerge from the deep centre of the planet. This in turn, solidified claims of intense tectonic activity on the planet.

Not a dormant planet

On Monday, July 20, scientists claimed the planet not only had volcanic structures but these were also very similar to those on Earth, contrary to previous beliefs. Earth’s surface is reshaped by tectonics, the similar ones found on Venus. It was earlier believed that Venus had stayed dormant for the past half a billion years.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/science/earths-magnetic-poles-may-be-flipping-by-10deg-each-year-way-more-than-previously-thought-312931" hreflang="en">Earth's magnetic poles may be flipping by 10° each year, way more than previously thought!</a>

"Our work shows that some of that interior heat is still able to reach the surface even today. Venus is clearly not so geologically dead or dormant as previously thought," said Anna Gülcher, Earth and planetary scientist, the Institute of Geophysics in&nbsp;Zurich, lead author of the research published in the journal Nature Geoscience.

Based on their findings, the scientists extrapolated that such features appear on planets if there was a recently active corona, suggesting similar offshoot activity on the planet.

<h6><img alt="Two coronae, ring-like structures formed when hot material from deep inside the planet rises through the mantle and erupts through the crust, are observed on the surface of Venus in a 3-D rendition provided to Reuters July 20, 2020. " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cbf25a96-6b46-41e2-9ced-7a232486fe2e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-3_28.jpg" /> 
Two coronae, ring-like structures formed when hot material from deep inside the planet rises through the mantle and erupts through the crust, are observed on the surface of Venus in a 3-D rendition provided to Reuters July 20, 2020. | Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

Looking for more answers, the scientists juxtaposed old NASA data with their findings. They referred to radar images of Venus from NASA’s Magellan spacecraft from the 1990s to find coronae which would fit the description.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/science/we-all-come-from-star-dust-is-no-longer-just-a-saying-and-scientists-agree-311418" hreflang="en">'We all come from star dust' is no longer just a saying, and scientists agree!</a>

They went looking for one, but found many. Out of the 133 which were examined, 37 showed signs of activity in the last 2-3 million years. In geological terms, it’s not as long as one might think. Stars and planets live for way longer than human beings before collapsing or becoming dormant, and this is testimony to that.

Still active? Probably yes! 
 
In fact, scientists believe that many of such structures could actually be active today. "In my opinion, many of these structures are indeed active today," said University of Maryland geophysicist and study co-author Laurent Montesi.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/science/a-massive-star-in-a-far-off-galaxy-just-disappeared-leaving-behind-no-trace-310032" hreflang="en">A massive star in a far-off galaxy just disappeared, leaving behind no trace!</a>

Coronae, as the name suggests, signify a circular area and the fields around it. These fields include lava flows, and considerable tectonic faults, similar to the movement that triggers eruptions and earthquakes on Earth.

Most of the 37 coronas were found within a large circular area in the Southern Hemisphere of Venus. One of these coronas span over 2,100 kilometres (1,300 miles) in diameter. It’s called Artemis!

Venus is Earth’s closest neighbour, and is sized similar to our planet. However, the planet is way hotter than Earth. Clouded by sulfuric acid, it is hot enough to melt lead!

Scientists recently discovered 37 volcanic structures on the planet of Venus situated in our solar system. These volcano-esque structures were active until very recently, or perhaps still are - scientists are not sure.

Scientists recently discovered 37 volcanic structures on the planet of Venus situated in our solar system. These volcano-esque structures were active until very recently, or perhaps still are - scientists are not sure. For a long time, Venus was perceived as a dormant planet, but this new information proves otherwise. The researchers focused on coronae, which are ring-like structures made after hot rocks emerge from the deep centre of the planet. This in turn, solidified claims of intense tectonic activity on the planet. Not a dormant planet On Monday, July 20, scientists claimed the planet not only had volcanic structures but these were also very similar to those on Earth, contrary to previous beliefs. Earth’s surface is reshaped by tectonics, the similar ones found on Venus. It was earlier believed that Venus had stayed dormant for the past half a billion years. Also read: Earth's magnetic poles may be flipping by 10° each year, way more than previously thought! "Our work shows that some of that interior heat is still able to reach the surface even today. Venus is clearly not so geologically dead or dormant as previously thought," said Anna Gülcher, Earth and planetary scientist, the Institute of Geophysics in Zurich, lead author of the research published in the journal Nature Geoscience. Based on their findings, the scientists extrapolated that such features appear on planets if there was a recently active corona, suggesting similar offshoot activity on the planet. Two coronae, ring-like structures formed when hot material from deep inside the planet rises through the mantle and erupts through the crust, are observed on the surface of Venus in a 3-D rendition provided to Reuters July 20, 2020. | Reuters Looking for more answers, the scientists juxtaposed old NASA data with their findings. They referred to radar images of Venus from NASA’s Magellan spacecraft from the 1990s to find coronae which would fit the description. Also read: 'We all come from star dust' is no longer just a saying, and scientists agree! They went looking for one, but found many. Out of the 133 which were examined, 37 showed signs of activity in the last 2-3 million years. In geological terms, it’s not as long as one might think. Stars and planets live for way longer than human beings before collapsing or becoming dormant, and this is testimony to that. Still active? Probably yes! In fact, scientists believe that many of such structures could actually be active today. "In my opinion, many of these structures are indeed active today," said University of Maryland geophysicist and study co-author Laurent Montesi. Also read: A massive star in a far-off galaxy just disappeared, leaving behind no trace! Coronae, as the name suggests, signify a circular area and the fields around it. These fields include lava flows, and considerable tectonic faults, similar to the movement that triggers eruptions and earthquakes on Earth. Most of the 37 coronas were found within a large circular area in the Southern Hemisphere of Venus. One of these coronas span over 2,100 kilometres (1,300 miles) in diameter. It’s called Artemis! Venus is Earth’s closest neighbour, and is sized similar to our planet. However, the planet is way hotter than Earth. Clouded by sulfuric acid, it is hot enough to melt lead!

Not a dormant planet: Venus is home to 37 recently active volcanic structures!

Throughout this week, Jupiter will be at its brightest in the sky. The planet will reach “opposition” last night (July 14), which implies that the planet will now be directly opposite the sun in the sky, and the nearest to Earth.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/science/earths-magnetic-poles-may-be-flipping-by-10deg-each-year-way-more-than-previously-thought-312931" hreflang="en">Earth's magnetic poles may be flipping by 10° each year, way more than previously thought!</a>

Due to this, the planet will be visible with the naked eye in the constellation Sagittarius for the whole month. People in North America will be able to see the constellation. One can follow the Summer Triangle asterism to find the constellation if you’re unable to find it. This can be achieved by imagining a line from the Deneb star, and then through the Altari star, through which one could locate the constellation.

Leave the city!

To get the best view of the planet, one should get out of the city lights, and buildings around the city. Also, once you are able to reach a pitch dark location, give your eyes 15 minutes to acclimatise to the red filters.

<h6><img alt="This NASA image taken on September 1, 2017 and obtained on February 21, 2020 shows Jupiter's southern equatorial region. The image is oriented so Jupiter's poles (not visible) run left-to-right of frame. " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="786f1d95-25b2-4e95-bdfd-f3cde84fac36" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_118.jpg" /> 
This NASA image taken on September 1, 2017 and obtained on February 21, 2020 shows Jupiter's southern equatorial region. The image is oriented so Jupiter's poles (not visible) run left-to-right of frame. | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

The planet will be visible in the sky immediately after sunset, and will be at a magnitude of -2.7, which denotes the brightness of the planet. The more negative this is, the more bright the planet is. Today, Jupiter will be brighter than the star which emits the most light in the Earth sky - Sirius, a Northern Hemisphere star.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/science/we-all-come-from-star-dust-is-no-longer-just-a-saying-and-scientists-agree-311418" hreflang="en">'We all come from star dust' is no longer just a saying, and scientists agree!</a>

Last night, the planet reached its highest points in the sky around midnight, giving a glimpse of the star.

If you wish to witness the planet’s movement - a pair of binoculars will come in handy! A telescope is also a good accessory to witness the planet’s movement.

However, incase the sky is hazed with clouds and you are unable to witness it, don’t fret. The planet will be visible for the upcoming weeks.

According to a skywatching website - In The Sky, the planet will reach its highest point in the sky every night, but with a haste of 4 minutes over the preceding night. Additionally, it may be witnessed in the evening sky for a few months.

Throughout this week, Jupiter will be at its brightest in the sky. The planet will reach “opposition” last night (July 14), which implies that the planet will now be directly opposite the sun in the sky, and the nearest to Earth.

Throughout this week, Jupiter will be at its brightest in the sky. The planet will reach “opposition” last night (July 14), which implies that the planet will now be directly opposite the sun in the sky, and the nearest to Earth. Also read: Earth's magnetic poles may be flipping by 10° each year, way more than previously thought! Due to this, the planet will be visible with the naked eye in the constellation Sagittarius for the whole month. People in North America will be able to see the constellation. One can follow the Summer Triangle asterism to find the constellation if you’re unable to find it. This can be achieved by imagining a line from the Deneb star, and then through the Altari star, through which one could locate the constellation. Leave the city! To get the best view of the planet, one should get out of the city lights, and buildings around the city. Also, once you are able to reach a pitch dark location, give your eyes 15 minutes to acclimatise to the red filters. This NASA image taken on September 1, 2017 and obtained on February 21, 2020 shows Jupiter's southern equatorial region. The image is oriented so Jupiter's poles (not visible) run left-to-right of frame. | AFP The planet will be visible in the sky immediately after sunset, and will be at a magnitude of -2.7, which denotes the brightness of the planet. The more negative this is, the more bright the planet is. Today, Jupiter will be brighter than the star which emits the most light in the Earth sky - Sirius, a Northern Hemisphere star. Also read: 'We all come from star dust' is no longer just a saying, and scientists agree! Last night, the planet reached its highest points in the sky around midnight, giving a glimpse of the star. If you wish to witness the planet’s movement - a pair of binoculars will come in handy! A telescope is also a good accessory to witness the planet’s movement. However, incase the sky is hazed with clouds and you are unable to witness it, don’t fret. The planet will be visible for the upcoming weeks. According to a skywatching website - In The Sky, the planet will reach its highest point in the sky every night, but with a haste of 4 minutes over the preceding night. Additionally, it may be witnessed in the evening sky for a few months.

Jupiter is currently emitting more light than our brightest star Sirius!

Astronomers may have just discovered the source of all life in the universe!&nbsp;A new study published on Monday in the journal Nature Astronomy claims that the source of all life is white dwarfs.

For clarity - all stars have an expiry date. When they die, they go out with a large explosion which is called a “supernova”. Stars usually collapse due to the weight of gravity when they run out of fuel, which produces a strong explosion. Additionally, some stars simply morph into a black hole. There are the two ways for stars to go out.

What are white dwarfs?&nbsp;

Most stars, after completing their life cycle simply become white dwarfs, which refers to the core of what once used to be a star. And now, astronomers claim that the core material is the key ingredient in all living forms.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/science/a-massive-star-in-a-far-off-galaxy-just-disappeared-leaving-behind-no-trace-310032" hreflang="en">A massive star in a far-off galaxy just disappeared, leaving behind no trace!</a>

This core contains carbon atoms, which are the key components of every living form.&nbsp;90 per cent of all stars in the universe turn into white dwarfs after finishing their life-cycle.

<h6><img alt="These Hubble Space Telescope images released 24 April 2002 by NASA show the oldest burned-out stars in our Milky Way Galaxy. Located in the globular cluster M4, these small, dying stars - called white dwarfs, circled in blue, - are giving astronomers a fresh reading on one of the biggest questions in astronomy: How old is the universe? The ancient white dwarfs in M4 are about 12 to 13 billion years old. A section of that region is seen in the picture at left . A sampling of an even smaller region of the cluster is shown at right and is only about one light-year across" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="21bbf761-b9f5-48ce-afe2-5aca63ea721a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/space%202.jpg" /> 
These Hubble Space Telescope images released 24 April 2002 by NASA show the oldest burned-out stars in our Milky Way Galaxy. Located in the globular cluster M4, these small, dying stars - called white dwarfs, circled in blue, - are giving astronomers a fresh reading on one of the biggest questions in astronomy: How old is the universe? The ancient white dwarfs in M4 are about 12 to 13 billion years old. A section of that region is seen in the picture at left . A sampling of an even smaller region of the cluster is shown at right and is only about one light-year across | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

What's in the core?

The dwarfs have a very high temperature, running as high as 99,000 degree Celsius. Over billions of years, the stars cool down and become dimmer, until only the core remains. The other remains that are shedded off by these bodies contain carbon, which is the fourth-most&nbsp;found chemical in the universe. No life can function without carbon!&nbsp;All of the carbon in the universe is released by stars.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/science/a-blazing-fireball-produced-a-sonic-boom-in-tokyo-skies-leaving-residents-confused-311108" hreflang="en">A blazing fireball produced a sonic boom in Tokyo skies, leaving residents confused!</a>

In the study mentioned above, scientists observed stars in the Milky Way, and analysed the data of a star before they became dwarfs and in the aftermath. The bigger the star, the bigger its dwarf, ie, the core! However, scientists realised the mass of the core was much bigger than previously thought.

Based on the study, the astronomers ascertained that stars bigger than 2 solar masses contributed in the universal dissemination of carbon, while stars smaller than 1.5 solar masses did not.

Their study points to a basic and imperative conclusion, that carbon has been trapped in the universe for more than 4.6 billion years, when our Solar System was formed.

Astronomers may have just discovered the source of all life in the universe! A new study published on Monday in the journal Nature Astronomy claims that the source of all life is white dwarfs.

Astronomers may have just discovered the source of all life in the universe! A new study published on Monday in the journal Nature Astronomy claims that the source of all life is white dwarfs. For clarity - all stars have an expiry date. When they die, they go out with a large explosion which is called a “supernova”. Stars usually collapse due to the weight of gravity when they run out of fuel, which produces a strong explosion. Additionally, some stars simply morph into a black hole. There are the two ways for stars to go out. What are white dwarfs? Most stars, after completing their life cycle simply become white dwarfs, which refers to the core of what once used to be a star. And now, astronomers claim that the core material is the key ingredient in all living forms. Also read: A massive star in a far-off galaxy just disappeared, leaving behind no trace! This core contains carbon atoms, which are the key components of every living form. 90 per cent of all stars in the universe turn into white dwarfs after finishing their life-cycle. These Hubble Space Telescope images released 24 April 2002 by NASA show the oldest burned-out stars in our Milky Way Galaxy. Located in the globular cluster M4, these small, dying stars - called white dwarfs, circled in blue, - are giving astronomers a fresh reading on one of the biggest questions in astronomy: How old is the universe? The ancient white dwarfs in M4 are about 12 to 13 billion years old. A section of that region is seen in the picture at left . A sampling of an even smaller region of the cluster is shown at right and is only about one light-year across | AFP What's in the core? The dwarfs have a very high temperature, running as high as 99,000 degree Celsius. Over billions of years, the stars cool down and become dimmer, until only the core remains. The other remains that are shedded off by these bodies contain carbon, which is the fourth-most found chemical in the universe. No life can function without carbon! All of the carbon in the universe is released by stars. Also read: A blazing fireball produced a sonic boom in Tokyo skies, leaving residents confused! In the study mentioned above, scientists observed stars in the Milky Way, and analysed the data of a star before they became dwarfs and in the aftermath. The bigger the star, the bigger its dwarf, ie, the core! However, scientists realised the mass of the core was much bigger than previously thought. Based on the study, the astronomers ascertained that stars bigger than 2 solar masses contributed in the universal dissemination of carbon, while stars smaller than 1.5 solar masses did not. Their study points to a basic and imperative conclusion, that carbon has been trapped in the universe for more than 4.6 billion years, when our Solar System was formed.

'We all come from star dust' is no longer just a saying, and scientists agree!

Pluto, a dwarf planet which was formerly known as the ninth planet in our solar system may have a subsurface ocean owing to its initial warm temperatures, researches posited on Monday.

NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft took images of the dwarf planet’s surface in 2015, which led researchers to believe that the planet had a “hot start” 4.5 billion years ago, when Earth, along with our whole solar system was created.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/science/spacexs-envisioned-machinery-will-not-only-take-us-to-mars-but-reduce-travel-time-on-earth-tremendously-306615" hreflang="en">SpaceX's envisioned machinery will not only take us to Mars, but reduce travel time on Earth tremendously!</a>

"When Pluto was forming, new material would have been coming in and impacting its surface. Each impact is like an explosion that would warm the nearby area," said Carver Bierson, University of California Santa Cruz planetary scientist and the lead author of the research published in the journal Nature Geoscience.

"If Pluto formed slowly, the surface would cool between each impact and generally stay very cold. If Pluto formed quickly, you have impact on top of impact and the surface doesn't have time to cool. We calculate that if Pluto formed in less than 30,000 years, the heat from these impacts could have been sufficient to lead to an early ocean," Bierson added.

<h6><img alt="The planet Pluto is pictured in a handout image made up of four images from New Horizons' Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) taken in July 2015 combined with color data from the Ralph instrument to create this enhanced color global view" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aee9560c-1bdf-4326-a9df-33ad0cb2548b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-4_8.jpg" /> 
The planet Pluto is pictured in a handout image made up of four images from New Horizons' Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) taken in July 2015 combined with color data from the Ralph instrument to create this enhanced color global view | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

Pluto is situated in the region called the “Kuiper Belt”, and orbits the sun 40 times farther away than the Earth.

Additionally, the planet may have an icy outer shell spanning hundreds of kilometres. Scientists believe this layer protects an ocean of water which may be mixed with salts and ammonia. Pluto may also have a solid rocky core below.

If this is true, the cracks on Pluto’s surface would finally make sense. Water is bound to expand as it freezes, and this implies that Pluto’s oceans froze over time.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/science/astronomers-detect-another-mysterious-recurring-radio-burst-in-space-304417" hreflang="en">Astronomers detect another mysterious, recurring radio burst in space</a>

Pluto is a very cold planet, with temperatures running as low as minus 230 degree Celsius (minus 480 degrees F).

Water, an important ingredient of sustaining life, may point to Pluto’s ability to be able to host living organisms.

"Water could have been interacting chemically with the rocky core beneath the ocean, giving you more chemical ingredients to work with," Bierson added. "Are those the right ingredients for life? We don't know. We need to learn more about how life forms, or how life could form, to find these answers."

(With inputs from Reuters)

Pluto, a dwarf planet which was formerly known as the ninth planet in our solar system may have a subsurface ocean owing to its initial warm temperatures, researches posited on Monday.

Pluto, a dwarf planet which was formerly known as the ninth planet in our solar system may have a subsurface ocean owing to its initial warm temperatures, researches posited on Monday. NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft took images of the dwarf planet’s surface in 2015, which led researchers to believe that the planet had a “hot start” 4.5 billion years ago, when Earth, along with our whole solar system was created. Also read: SpaceX's envisioned machinery will not only take us to Mars, but reduce travel time on Earth tremendously! "When Pluto was forming, new material would have been coming in and impacting its surface. Each impact is like an explosion that would warm the nearby area," said Carver Bierson, University of California Santa Cruz planetary scientist and the lead author of the research published in the journal Nature Geoscience. "If Pluto formed slowly, the surface would cool between each impact and generally stay very cold. If Pluto formed quickly, you have impact on top of impact and the surface doesn't have time to cool. We calculate that if Pluto formed in less than 30,000 years, the heat from these impacts could have been sufficient to lead to an early ocean," Bierson added. The planet Pluto is pictured in a handout image made up of four images from New Horizons' Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) taken in July 2015 combined with color data from the Ralph instrument to create this enhanced color global view | AFP Pluto is situated in the region called the “Kuiper Belt”, and orbits the sun 40 times farther away than the Earth. Additionally, the planet may have an icy outer shell spanning hundreds of kilometres. Scientists believe this layer protects an ocean of water which may be mixed with salts and ammonia. Pluto may also have a solid rocky core below. If this is true, the cracks on Pluto’s surface would finally make sense. Water is bound to expand as it freezes, and this implies that Pluto’s oceans froze over time. Also read: Astronomers detect another mysterious, recurring radio burst in space Pluto is a very cold planet, with temperatures running as low as minus 230 degree Celsius (minus 480 degrees F). Water, an important ingredient of sustaining life, may point to Pluto’s ability to be able to host living organisms. "Water could have been interacting chemically with the rocky core beneath the ocean, giving you more chemical ingredients to work with," Bierson added. "Are those the right ingredients for life? We don't know. We need to learn more about how life forms, or how life could form, to find these answers." (With inputs from Reuters)

Pluto may have been a warmer body when it was formed 4.5 billion years ago

Astronomers, for the first time, have spotted what appears to be a planet in the process of being born -- within a huge disk of dense gas and dust surrounding a newly formed star.

This large young planet is forming around a star called AB Aurigae that is about 2.4 times the mass of the sun and located in our Milky Way galaxy 520 light years from Earth, researchers said on Wednesday.

The scientists used the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile to spot a spiral structure within the swirling disk around AB Aurigae generated by the presence of a planet. They detected a “twist” pattern of gas and dust in the spiral structure marking where the planet was coalescing.

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"We can say that we were likely able to catch a planet in the process of formation," said Observatoire de Paris astronomer Anthony Boccaletti, who led the research published in the journal Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics.

The planet is located about 30 times further from its star than Earth’s distance from the sun -- about the distance of the planet Neptune in our solar system. It appears to be a large gas planet, not a rocky planet like Earth or Mars, and may be more massive than our solar system’s largest planet Jupiter.

(with inputs from Reuters)

Astronomers, for the first time, have spotted what appears to be a planet in the process of being born -- within a huge disk of dense gas and dust surrounding a newly formed star.

Astronomers, for the first time, have spotted what appears to be a planet in the process of being born -- within a huge disk of dense gas and dust surrounding a newly formed star. This large young planet is forming around a star called AB Aurigae that is about 2.4 times the mass of the sun and located in our Milky Way galaxy 520 light years from Earth, researchers said on Wednesday. The scientists used the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile to spot a spiral structure within the swirling disk around AB Aurigae generated by the presence of a planet. They detected a “twist” pattern of gas and dust in the spiral structure marking where the planet was coalescing. "We can say that we were likely able to catch a planet in the process of formation," said Observatoire de Paris astronomer Anthony Boccaletti, who led the research published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. The planet is located about 30 times further from its star than Earth’s distance from the sun -- about the distance of the planet Neptune in our solar system. It appears to be a large gas planet, not a rocky planet like Earth or Mars, and may be more massive than our solar system’s largest planet Jupiter. (with inputs from Reuters)

Astronomers have spotted an alien planet as it is being formed

Uranus wasn’t always tilted! A study claims that the planet was struck by an earth-size rock which then titled it and may also be responsible for birthing the planet’s moons.

Most planets in our solar system reflect the poles of the sun, the centre of our solar system. However, Uranus has always stood out.&nbsp;

The planet’s axis is titled by almost 98 degrees, which might not mean much, but stands out when compared to other planets.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/science-technology/massive-white-dwarf-star-resembling-space-snowman-spotted-by-scientists-283954" hreflang="en">Massive white dwarf star resembling 'space snowman' spotted by scientists</a>

For instance, our very own Earth is titled by over 23 degrees while Jupiter is tilted by 3 degrees.

In essence, Uranus is the only planet that spins on its side.

A Japanese study has now claimed that the collision with another giant rock may not just have titled the planet, but also birthed its 27 known moons.

Out of these, eighteen moons circle around the planet’s equator, as is customary.&nbsp;

However, Yuya Ishizawa at Kyoto University in Japan claims that these are the regular moons. For clarity - the irregular moons are those that were captured by the planet, hence they do not orbit around the planet’s equator, but circle the planet in a haphazard manner!

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/node/280673" hreflang="en">Doughnut in space: NASA unveils most distant object ever visited</a>

The Uranus, shortly after being born, was struck by a rock roughly the size of Earth, which tilted it.

The debris from the impact would then get stuck around the planet, which would then assume the characteristics of the planet’s natural moons and then stick around, or the researchers claim “captured”.

"Material from the two bodies is ejected in a debris disk, and finally satellites are formed from the debris disk," Ishizawa said in a conversation with Space.com. "It is possible to explain the axial tilt and the formation of the regular satellites of Uranus simultaneously", the researcher added.&nbsp;

Uranus wasn’t always tilted! A study claims that the planet was struck by an earth-size rock which then titled it and may also be responsible for birthing the planet’s moons.

Uranus wasn’t always tilted! A study claims that the planet was struck by an earth-size rock which then titled it and may also be responsible for birthing the planet’s moons. Most planets in our solar system reflect the poles of the sun, the centre of our solar system. However, Uranus has always stood out. The planet’s axis is titled by almost 98 degrees, which might not mean much, but stands out when compared to other planets. Also read: Massive white dwarf star resembling 'space snowman' spotted by scientists For instance, our very own Earth is titled by over 23 degrees while Jupiter is tilted by 3 degrees. In essence, Uranus is the only planet that spins on its side. A Japanese study has now claimed that the collision with another giant rock may not just have titled the planet, but also birthed its 27 known moons. Out of these, eighteen moons circle around the planet’s equator, as is customary. However, Yuya Ishizawa at Kyoto University in Japan claims that these are the regular moons. For clarity - the irregular moons are those that were captured by the planet, hence they do not orbit around the planet’s equator, but circle the planet in a haphazard manner! Also read: Doughnut in space: NASA unveils most distant object ever visited The Uranus, shortly after being born, was struck by a rock roughly the size of Earth, which tilted it. The debris from the impact would then get stuck around the planet, which would then assume the characteristics of the planet’s natural moons and then stick around, or the researchers claim “captured”. "Material from the two bodies is ejected in a debris disk, and finally satellites are formed from the debris disk," Ishizawa said in a conversation with Space.com. "It is possible to explain the axial tilt and the formation of the regular satellites of Uranus simultaneously", the researcher added.

Uranus wasn't always tilted: Find out what actually happened!

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/node/280673">NASA </a>is going to fund four concept studies for potential robotic missions to Venus, Jupiter’s moon Io and Neptune’s moon Triton under its Discovery Program to investigate how the cosmos came into existence.

These three cosmic objects are among the four finalists for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/node/280673">NASA's </a>next round of Discovery missions.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/node/280673">Doughnut in space: NASA unveils most distant object ever visited</a>

The space agency chose the four mission concepts as semi-finalists from more than a dozen proposals submitted by US scientists last year.&nbsp;

The Discovery Program develops relatively low-cost robotic-exploration efforts to develop concept studies for possible new missions.

According to Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/node/280673">NASA's </a>Science Mission Directorate, "these selected missions have the potential to transform our understanding of some of the solar system's most active and complex worlds".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-expecting-applications-to-further-expeditions-to-the-moon-mars-and-beyond-280296">Need some space? NASA has got the job for you</a>

"Exploring any one of these celestial bodies will help unlock the secrets of how they, and other bodies like them&nbsp;became a part of the cosmos," he added.

The teams behind the four mission concepts will each receive $3 million to continue maturing their ideas over the next nine months and submit reports to NASA.

These reports will be evaluated by agency officials.

Out of these four, only two will be selected for continued development toward flight.

Previously, two of the Discovery missions called Lucy and Psyche were selected for launch in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/node/280673">NASA </a>plans to select up to two of the final four proposals in 2021 to proceed into full development for a pair of launch opportunities in 2025 or 2026 and 2028 or 2029.

NASA is going to fund four concept studies for potential robotic missions to Venus, Jupiter’s moon Io and Neptune’s moon Triton under its Discovery Program to investigate how the cosmos came into existence.

NASA is going to fund four concept studies for potential robotic missions to Venus, Jupiter’s moon Io and Neptune’s moon Triton under its Discovery Program to investigate how the cosmos came into existence. These three cosmic objects are among the four finalists for NASA's next round of Discovery missions. Also read: Doughnut in space: NASA unveils most distant object ever visited The space agency chose the four mission concepts as semi-finalists from more than a dozen proposals submitted by US scientists last year. The Discovery Program develops relatively low-cost robotic-exploration efforts to develop concept studies for possible new missions. According to Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, "these selected missions have the potential to transform our understanding of some of the solar system's most active and complex worlds". Also read: Need some space? NASA has got the job for you "Exploring any one of these celestial bodies will help unlock the secrets of how they, and other bodies like them became a part of the cosmos," he added. The teams behind the four mission concepts will each receive $3 million to continue maturing their ideas over the next nine months and submit reports to NASA. These reports will be evaluated by agency officials. Out of these four, only two will be selected for continued development toward flight. Previously, two of the Discovery missions called Lucy and Psyche were selected for launch in 2021 and 2022 respectively. NASA plans to select up to two of the final four proposals in 2021 to proceed into full development for a pair of launch opportunities in 2025 or 2026 and 2028 or 2029.

NASA to explore Venus, moons of Jupiter and Neptune next

The journey of NASA's dauntless Voyager 2 spacecraft through our solar system's farthest reaches has given scientists new insight into a poorly understood distant frontier: the unexpectedly distinct boundary marking where the sun's energetic influence ends and interstellar space begins.

The US&nbsp;space agency previously announced that Voyager 2, the second human-made object ever to depart the solar system following its twin Voyager 1, had zipped into interstellar space on November&nbsp;5, 2018 at a point more than 17.7 billion km&nbsp;from the sun. Several research papers published on Monday provided scientific details of that crossing.

Both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 were launched in 1977, designed for five-year missions. Voyager 1 left the solar system at a different location in 2012. Both are now traversing the Milky Way galaxy's interstellar medium, a chillier region filling the vast expanses between the galaxy's stars and planetary systems.

The solar wind,&nbsp;the unending flow of charged particles emanating from the outer atmosphere of the sun,&nbsp;creates an immense protective bubble called the heliosphere that envelopes the solar system. The boundary of the solar system - the place where the solar wind ends and interstellar space begins,&nbsp;is called the heliopause.

Voyager 2's scientific instruments detected abrupt differences in plasma density and magnetic particles upon crossing the heliopause, the researchers said. The researchers said the heliopause appeared to be much thinner than expected.

Plasma - the fourth state of matter after solids, liquids and gases - exists in the solar system as a soup of the charged particles beaming continuously outward from the sun and clashing with interstellar plasma that darts inward from other cosmic events like stellar explosions.

"This is a very exciting time for us," California Institute of Technology physicist Edward Stone, project manager of the Voyager program, told reporters. "We will see a transition from the magnetic field inside to a different magnetic field outside, and we continue to have surprises compared to what we had expected."

The electromagnetic junction just outside the heliosphere was thought to be a deeper transitional place of intermingling cosmic weather, but Voyager 2's plasma wave instrument - built by University of Iowa researchers - detected sharp jumps in plasma density, much like two different fluids coming into contact with one another."Think of a cold front that forms when a very cold air mass comes down to the U.S. from Canada," said Don Gurnett, professor of physics at the University of Iowa. "Here we find a very hot plasma mass coming outward from the sun that encounters the cold plasma in the interstellar medium. It does not surprise me that a sharp boundary forms."

Scientists are still trying to understand the nature of interstellar space wind and how much of it can seep through the heliopause to reach planets in our solar system.

"We also have galactic cosmic rays, which are out in the interstellar space trying to flow in," Stone said, referring to the high-energy atomic particles whizzing around the universe faster than the speed of light. "And some of them, only about 30 per cent of what's outside, can actually reach Earth."

Voyager 2 entered the interstellar medium far beyond the orbit of Pluto at a spot about 120 times further from the sun than Earth's orbit.

The research was published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

The journey of NASA's dauntless Voyager 2 spacecraft through our solar system's farthest reaches has given scientists new insight into a poorly understood distant frontier: the unexpectedly distinct boundary marking where the sun's energetic influence ends and interstellar space begins.

The journey of NASA's dauntless Voyager 2 spacecraft through our solar system's farthest reaches has given scientists new insight into a poorly understood distant frontier: the unexpectedly distinct boundary marking where the sun's energetic influence ends and interstellar space begins. The US space agency previously announced that Voyager 2, the second human-made object ever to depart the solar system following its twin Voyager 1, had zipped into interstellar space on November 5, 2018 at a point more than 17.7 billion km from the sun. Several research papers published on Monday provided scientific details of that crossing. Both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 were launched in 1977, designed for five-year missions. Voyager 1 left the solar system at a different location in 2012. Both are now traversing the Milky Way galaxy's interstellar medium, a chillier region filling the vast expanses between the galaxy's stars and planetary systems. The solar wind, the unending flow of charged particles emanating from the outer atmosphere of the sun, creates an immense protective bubble called the heliosphere that envelopes the solar system. The boundary of the solar system - the place where the solar wind ends and interstellar space begins, is called the heliopause. Voyager 2's scientific instruments detected abrupt differences in plasma density and magnetic particles upon crossing the heliopause, the researchers said. The researchers said the heliopause appeared to be much thinner than expected. Plasma - the fourth state of matter after solids, liquids and gases - exists in the solar system as a soup of the charged particles beaming continuously outward from the sun and clashing with interstellar plasma that darts inward from other cosmic events like stellar explosions. "This is a very exciting time for us," California Institute of Technology physicist Edward Stone, project manager of the Voyager program, told reporters. "We will see a transition from the magnetic field inside to a different magnetic field outside, and we continue to have surprises compared to what we had expected." The electromagnetic junction just outside the heliosphere was thought to be a deeper transitional place of intermingling cosmic weather, but Voyager 2's plasma wave instrument - built by University of Iowa researchers - detected sharp jumps in plasma density, much like two different fluids coming into contact with one another."Think of a cold front that forms when a very cold air mass comes down to the U.S. from Canada," said Don Gurnett, professor of physics at the University of Iowa. "Here we find a very hot plasma mass coming outward from the sun that encounters the cold plasma in the interstellar medium. It does not surprise me that a sharp boundary forms." Scientists are still trying to understand the nature of interstellar space wind and how much of it can seep through the heliopause to reach planets in our solar system. "We also have galactic cosmic rays, which are out in the interstellar space trying to flow in," Stone said, referring to the high-energy atomic particles whizzing around the universe faster than the speed of light. "And some of them, only about 30 per cent of what's outside, can actually reach Earth." Voyager 2 entered the interstellar medium far beyond the orbit of Pluto at a spot about 120 times further from the sun than Earth's orbit. The research was published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

NASA probe provides insight on solar system's border with interstellar space

In a conversation with WION, Angelos Tsiaras, an astronomer at UCL, shared insights on the presence of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-a-first-water-found-on-earth-like-planet-beyond-our-solar-system-249176">water on an Earth-like planet outside our solar system</a>.&nbsp;

Water vapour was found in the atmosphere of K2-18b, one of the hundreds of "super-Earths" - worlds ranging in size between Earth and Neptune - documented in a growing new field of astronomy devoted to the exploration of so-called exoplanets elsewhere in the Milky Way galaxy.

Here are some excerpts from the interview:

WION: Why is the discovery of water on this exoplanet significant?

Tsiaras: This planet as of now is one of the best candidates to be a habitable place out there in the universe. To find signs of life or a habitable planet we will need much better observations. This will come in the next decades.&nbsp;

Unless we don't have these big telescopes we cannot say much.

WION: What do we know of this exoplanet, is it gaseous in nature or does it have a surface?

Tsiaras: The planet has a density similar to Mars or Moon. This means that probably, it has a surface. It is definitely not a gas giant.&nbsp;

WION: How is water found here any different from water on the moons of Jupiter and Saturn?

Tsiaras: Water on icy moons is in the liquid form, it is like an ocean inside an ice cover. Here, we are talking about gaseous water. We don't know if there is liquid water. We know that the planet can support liquid water but we cannot say that for sure.&nbsp;

WION: What is the next step?

Tsiaras: The next step will be to use the James Webb Space Telescope, it will be able to give us a much better spectrum of the planet. We will try to find methane on the planet as the next step. As we know, on Earth methane is a sign of life. It is produced because life is here. We don't know if life outside in the universe is working in the same way.&nbsp;

Scientists for the first time have detected water in the atmosphere of an Earth-like planet orbiting a distant star, evidence that a key ingredient for life exists beyond our solar system, according to a study published on Wednesday.

 
&nbsp;

In a conversation with WION, Angelos Tsiaras, an astronomer at UCL, shared insights on the presence of water on an Earth-like planet outside our solar system. Water vapour was found in the atmosphere of K2-18b, one of the hundreds of "super-Earths" - worlds ranging in size between Earth and Neptune - documented in a growing new field of astronomy devoted to the exploration of so-called exoplanets elsewhere in the Milky Way galaxy.

In a conversation with WION, Angelos Tsiaras, an astronomer at UCL, shared insights on the presence of water on an Earth-like planet outside our solar system. Water vapour was found in the atmosphere of K2-18b, one of the hundreds of "super-Earths" - worlds ranging in size between Earth and Neptune - documented in a growing new field of astronomy devoted to the exploration of so-called exoplanets elsewhere in the Milky Way galaxy. Here are some excerpts from the interview: WION: Why is the discovery of water on this exoplanet significant? Tsiaras: This planet as of now is one of the best candidates to be a habitable place out there in the universe. To find signs of life or a habitable planet we will need much better observations. This will come in the next decades. Unless we don't have these big telescopes we cannot say much. WION: What do we know of this exoplanet, is it gaseous in nature or does it have a surface? Tsiaras: The planet has a density similar to Mars or Moon. This means that probably, it has a surface. It is definitely not a gas giant. WION: How is water found here any different from water on the moons of Jupiter and Saturn? Tsiaras: Water on icy moons is in the liquid form, it is like an ocean inside an ice cover. Here, we are talking about gaseous water. We don't know if there is liquid water. We know that the planet can support liquid water but we cannot say that for sure. WION: What is the next step? Tsiaras: The next step will be to use the James Webb Space Telescope, it will be able to give us a much better spectrum of the planet. We will try to find methane on the planet as the next step. As we know, on Earth methane is a sign of life. It is produced because life is here. We don't know if life outside in the universe is working in the same way. Scientists for the first time have detected water in the atmosphere of an Earth-like planet orbiting a distant star, evidence that a key ingredient for life exists beyond our solar system, according to a study published on Wednesday.

Watch: 'Will try to find methane next,' says astronomer on water found on exoplanet

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