A new technique has not only helped astronomers find a super-Earth at a neighbouring star but may also have imaged it.&nbsp;

Earlier, it was thought ultra-powerful telescopes currently being developed would be required to image exoplanets.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/space-object-named-farfarout-is-the-most-distant-thing-in-solar-system-362874">Space object named 'FarFarOut' is the most distant thing in solar system</a>

However, a team of researchers, have used a new technique which they say have imaged a possible sub-Neptune/super-Earth-sized planet orbiting Alpha Centauri A, reports&nbsp;ScienceAlert.&nbsp;

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>

Alpha Centauri A is one of the Earth's closest neighbours.&nbsp;

The researchers published their findings in Nature Communications titled: "Imaging low-mass planets within the habitable zone of α Centauri."

Exoplanets have been discovered earlier, but astronomers have never sensed their light.&nbsp;

This time, though, the researchers have used infrared.&nbsp;

A major challenge with infrared is to discern the light appearing from an exoplanet.&nbsp;

Exoplanets before this use to rely on wavelengths, where the background infrared doesn't exist, but the problem was in finding temperate Earth-like planets.&nbsp;

In this research, an instrument known as NEAR (New Earths in the AlphaCen Region), mounted on the ESO (European Southern Observatory's) Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile was used.&nbsp;

The instrument works with the VISIR instrument, also on the VLT.&nbsp;

So, the researchers' results came after 100 hours of cumulative observations with the VLT and NEAR.

The findings, authors say "demonstrate the feasibility of imaging rocky habitable-zone exoplanets with current and upcoming telescopes."

A new technique has not only helped astronomers find a super-Earth at a neighbouring star but may also have imaged it. Earlier, it was thought ultra-powerful telescopes currently being developed would be required to image exoplanets.

A new technique has not only helped astronomers find a super-Earth at a neighbouring star but may also have imaged it. Earlier, it was thought ultra-powerful telescopes currently being developed would be required to image exoplanets. Also read | Space object named 'FarFarOut' is the most distant thing in solar system However, a team of researchers, have used a new technique which they say have imaged a possible sub-Neptune/super-Earth-sized planet orbiting Alpha Centauri A, reports ScienceAlert. Also read | Life on Mars? Study gives fresh evidence to back the claim Alpha Centauri A is one of the Earth's closest neighbours. The researchers published their findings in Nature Communications titled: "Imaging low-mass planets within the habitable zone of α Centauri." Exoplanets have been discovered earlier, but astronomers have never sensed their light. This time, though, the researchers have used infrared. A major challenge with infrared is to discern the light appearing from an exoplanet. Exoplanets before this use to rely on wavelengths, where the background infrared doesn't exist, but the problem was in finding temperate Earth-like planets. In this research, an instrument known as NEAR (New Earths in the AlphaCen Region), mounted on the ESO (European Southern Observatory's) Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile was used. The instrument works with the VISIR instrument, also on the VLT. So, the researchers' results came after 100 hours of cumulative observations with the VLT and NEAR. The findings, authors say "demonstrate the feasibility of imaging rocky habitable-zone exoplanets with current and upcoming telescopes."

Researchers spot possible Super-Earth using new technique

Asteroids are beautiful things as long as they put on a stellar show while burning to dust in Earth's atmosphere. Asteroids that are a bit bigger leave space rocks on Earths surface for scientists to study. Anything bigger than that, well, ask dinosaurs what happens when such a thing strikes the Earth.

An asteroid by the name of Apophis is approaching our home planet. Apophis is the Egyptian God of chaos and darkness. Anything named after such a deity is surely not going to be anything sweet. On top of it, it's an asteroid.

Apophis, known officially as &nbsp;99942 Apophis (2004 MN4) is three football-fields wide. It may appear to be small given how huge Earth is. But remember, asteroids zap around in space at speeds of thousands of kms an hour. And that's why if any of the astroids strikes the Earth, the explosion would be comparable to one caused by several exploding atomic bombs.

Apophis is going to have a very close flyby past Earth in 2029. At its closest point, Apophis will be at an altitude of some of our artificial satellites. Previously, Apophis had a 3 per cent chance of hitting the Earth. This again may sound pretty small a number. But for a space body as large as Apophis, this is a terrifying figure.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/potentially-hazardous-largest-known-asteroid-to-fly-past-earth-in-2021-362083">'Potentially hazardous': Largest known asteroid to fly past Earth in 2021</a>

Fortunately, scientists have now able to determine that Apophis will not hit the Earth 2029.

But while 2029 seems a bit away, it may scare you to know that another close approach is scheduled to take place this year. Next month to be precise.

Apophis will fly by Earth on March 5, 2021. This time though it will be at a much greater distance away from Earth than its approach scheduled to take place in 2029.

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>

But both of these events are going to provide scientists with an opportunity to study the trajectory and motion of Apophis.&nbsp;

Why the study?

Because Apophis will make another close call to Earth in the year 2068 and it will give all of us relief if know 100 per cent that it will not strike the Earth at that time.

Asteroids are beautiful things as long as they put on a stellar show while burning to dust in Earth's atmosphere. Asteroids that are a bit bigger leave space rocks on Earths surface for scientists to study.

Asteroids are beautiful things as long as they put on a stellar show while burning to dust in Earth's atmosphere. Asteroids that are a bit bigger leave space rocks on Earths surface for scientists to study. Anything bigger than that, well, ask dinosaurs what happens when such a thing strikes the Earth. An asteroid by the name of Apophis is approaching our home planet. Apophis is the Egyptian God of chaos and darkness. Anything named after such a deity is surely not going to be anything sweet. On top of it, it's an asteroid. Apophis, known officially as 99942 Apophis (2004 MN4) is three football-fields wide. It may appear to be small given how huge Earth is. But remember, asteroids zap around in space at speeds of thousands of kms an hour. And that's why if any of the astroids strikes the Earth, the explosion would be comparable to one caused by several exploding atomic bombs. Apophis is going to have a very close flyby past Earth in 2029. At its closest point, Apophis will be at an altitude of some of our artificial satellites. Previously, Apophis had a 3 per cent chance of hitting the Earth. This again may sound pretty small a number. But for a space body as large as Apophis, this is a terrifying figure. Also Read | 'Potentially hazardous': Largest known asteroid to fly past Earth in 2021 Fortunately, scientists have now able to determine that Apophis will not hit the Earth 2029. But while 2029 seems a bit away, it may scare you to know that another close approach is scheduled to take place this year. Next month to be precise. Apophis will fly by Earth on March 5, 2021. This time though it will be at a much greater distance away from Earth than its approach scheduled to take place in 2029. Also Read | Life on Mars? Study gives fresh evidence to back the claim But both of these events are going to provide scientists with an opportunity to study the trajectory and motion of Apophis. Why the study? Because Apophis will make another close call to Earth in the year 2068 and it will give all of us relief if know 100 per cent that it will not strike the Earth at that time.

Asteroid Apophis approaches Earth, scientists have their eyes set

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

Will our neighbour turn green soon? If it’s up to scientists - yes! In a new study published in Icarus, available on Science Direct, scientists put forward plans to turn Mars green by finding ways to start producing food on the planet.

According to the study, NASA is helping scientists to achieve the feat through “In-Situ Resource Utilisation” which includes replacing objects that are common on Earth. These objects will b e used for the establishment of a community on Mars, and also to meet farming needs of everyone on Earth.

To achieve this, researchers are trying to find ways which would allow the soil on Mars to grow organic life. If successful, it could potentially change the course of space exploration for scientists on Earth.

Changing the landscape of Mars sounds like a fictional show at the moment, but it is possible if the scientific community across the world pursues the cause.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/netizens-express-delight-as-nasa-shares-image-of-neutron-star-357494" hreflang="en">Netizens express delight as NASA shares image of neutron star</a>

The soil found on Mars - Regolith carries essential nutrient giving elements including potassium, iron, calcium, and magnesium. The rocks, however, on the planet’s surface are highly oxidised.

“Soil on Mars is known to contain the majority of planet essential nutrients, but many questions of both the benefits (e.g. bioavailability of present nutrients) and limitations (e.g. extent of toxins) of Martian soil as a plant growth medium remain unanswered,” researchers claimed in the study.

Also read:&nbsp;

An ocean engineering and marine science associate professor Andrew Palmer told Florida Tech News that ISRU food solutions are at a lower technological readiness than believed earlier. More development could making farming on Mars possible

Will our neighbour turn green soon? If it’s up to scientists - yes! In a new study published in Icarus, available on Science Direct, scientists put forward plans to turn Mars green by finding ways to start producing food on the planet.

Will our neighbour turn green soon? If it’s up to scientists - yes! In a new study published in Icarus, available on Science Direct, scientists put forward plans to turn Mars green by finding ways to start producing food on the planet. According to the study, NASA is helping scientists to achieve the feat through “In-Situ Resource Utilisation” which includes replacing objects that are common on Earth. These objects will b e used for the establishment of a community on Mars, and also to meet farming needs of everyone on Earth. To achieve this, researchers are trying to find ways which would allow the soil on Mars to grow organic life. If successful, it could potentially change the course of space exploration for scientists on Earth. Changing the landscape of Mars sounds like a fictional show at the moment, but it is possible if the scientific community across the world pursues the cause. Also read: Netizens express delight as NASA shares image of neutron star The soil found on Mars - Regolith carries essential nutrient giving elements including potassium, iron, calcium, and magnesium. The rocks, however, on the planet’s surface are highly oxidised. “Soil on Mars is known to contain the majority of planet essential nutrients, but many questions of both the benefits (e.g. bioavailability of present nutrients) and limitations (e.g. extent of toxins) of Martian soil as a plant growth medium remain unanswered,” researchers claimed in the study. Also read: An ocean engineering and marine science associate professor Andrew Palmer told Florida Tech News that ISRU food solutions are at a lower technological readiness than believed earlier. More development could making farming on Mars possible

Scientists want to turn Mars green. How will they do it?

Scientists have discovered that the most distant quasar ever found is hiding a supermassive black hole, as per the latest study submitted to the American Astronomical Society.

The discovery made by researchers at the University of Arizona may help in&nbsp;solving the mystery of the formation of enormous black holes.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/caught-in-the-act-astronomers-capture-precise-moment-in-which-a-black-hole-sucks-a-star-334909">Caught in the act: Astronomers capture precise moment in which a black hole sucks a star</a>

Anti-galactic nuclei quasars are among the brightest objects in the universe powered by supermassive black holes that are actively feeding on materials nearby.

&nbsp;

The infant Universe following the Big Bang is relatively well known through extensive theoretical models and observation of cosmic microwave background -- the electromagnetic radiation of the nascent cosmos.

The most distant quasar, called&nbsp;J0313-1806, dates back to 670 million years after the Big Bang and has a mass of 1.6 billion of our suns.

Co-author&nbsp;Xiaohui Fan said, "This tells you that no matter what you do, the seed of this black hole must have formed by a different mechanism. In this case, one that involves vast quantities of primordial, cold hydrogen gas directly collapsing into a seed black hole."

It has two asymmetric ''dips'' that correspond to the absorption at two different wavelengths.&nbsp;

Presenting both a crisis and a unique opportunity for astronomers, it's a mystery how a black hole can exist this early on. It is at least 20 million years old and it's twice as massive the most distant quasar.

The newly discovered quasar provides a new benchmark by ruling out two current models of how supermassive black holes form in such short timescales.

Scientists have discovered evidence that there is a wind of superheated gas flowing from around the galaxy's supermassive black hole, with this gas travelling at one-fifth the speed of light.

Lead author Feige Wang&nbsp;said, "This is the earliest evidence of how a supermassive black hole is affecting its host galaxy around it."

"From observations of less distant galaxies, we know that this has to happen, but we have never seen it happening so early in the universe," he added.

Scientists have discovered that the most distant quasar ever found is hiding a supermassive black hole, as per the latest study submitted to the American Astronomical Society.

Scientists have discovered that the most distant quasar ever found is hiding a supermassive black hole, as per the latest study submitted to the American Astronomical Society. The discovery made by researchers at the University of Arizona may help in solving the mystery of the formation of enormous black holes. Also read: Caught in the act: Astronomers capture precise moment in which a black hole sucks a star Anti-galactic nuclei quasars are among the brightest objects in the universe powered by supermassive black holes that are actively feeding on materials nearby. The infant Universe following the Big Bang is relatively well known through extensive theoretical models and observation of cosmic microwave background -- the electromagnetic radiation of the nascent cosmos. The most distant quasar, called J0313-1806, dates back to 670 million years after the Big Bang and has a mass of 1.6 billion of our suns. Co-author Xiaohui Fan said, "This tells you that no matter what you do, the seed of this black hole must have formed by a different mechanism. In this case, one that involves vast quantities of primordial, cold hydrogen gas directly collapsing into a seed black hole." It has two asymmetric ''dips'' that correspond to the absorption at two different wavelengths. Presenting both a crisis and a unique opportunity for astronomers, it's a mystery how a black hole can exist this early on. It is at least 20 million years old and it's twice as massive the most distant quasar. The newly discovered quasar provides a new benchmark by ruling out two current models of how supermassive black holes form in such short timescales. Scientists have discovered evidence that there is a wind of superheated gas flowing from around the galaxy's supermassive black hole, with this gas travelling at one-fifth the speed of light. Lead author Feige Wang said, "This is the earliest evidence of how a supermassive black hole is affecting its host galaxy around it." "From observations of less distant galaxies, we know that this has to happen, but we have never seen it happening so early in the universe," he added.

Most distant quasar ever found is hiding 'biggest' and 'youngest' black hole

Scientists recently witnessed four distant white dwarfs consuming the crust of dead planets.

Most stars, after completing their life cycle simply become white dwarfs, which refers to the core of what once used to be a star. Astronomers claim that the core material is the key ingredient in all living forms.

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.

Mark Hollands from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom, along with his colleagues witnessed white dwarfs munching on what resembled remains of dead planets. They found that the material which was being consumed by white dwarfs resembled Earth's crust.

This could further help shed light on the creation of planets, and the processes involved in the creation of such planets across our galaxy, and the universe.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/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>

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 shed&nbsp;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="https://www.wionews.com/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 a different study, 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.

Scientists recently witnessed four distant white dwarfs consuming the crust of dead planets. Most stars, after completing their life cycle simply become white dwarfs, which refers to the core of what once used to be a star.

Scientists recently witnessed four distant white dwarfs consuming the crust of dead planets. Most stars, after completing their life cycle simply become white dwarfs, which refers to the core of what once used to be a star. Astronomers claim that the core material is the key ingredient in all living forms. 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. Mark Hollands from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom, along with his colleagues witnessed white dwarfs munching on what resembled remains of dead planets. They found that the material which was being consumed by white dwarfs resembled Earth's crust. This could further help shed light on the creation of planets, and the processes involved in the creation of such planets across our galaxy, and the universe. Also read: A massive star in a far-off galaxy just disappeared, leaving behind no trace! 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 shed 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 a different study, 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.

Scientists just witnessed dead stars munching on remains of planets

NASA recently shared a mesmerising image of the "Fireworks Galaxy". Officially known as the "NGC 6946", the galaxy has undergone 10 supernovae in just the last century, a characteristic on which its name is based.

For comparison, our galaxy - the Milky Way experiences one to two supernova every century.&nbsp;In the image, which was clicked by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, one can see the stars, the spiralling arms, and other celestial facets of the Fireworks Galaxy.

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The galaxy is situated 25.2 million light-years away from Earth, and lies along the border of the constellations of Cepheus and Cygnus, which are situated in the north.

"In the last century alone, the Fireworks Galaxy (or NGC 6946) has experienced 10 observed supernovae. For context, our Milky Way Galaxy averages just one to two supernova events per century! The Fireworks Galaxy resides 25.2 million light-years away from us, along the border of the northern constellations of Cepheus and Cygnus," said NASA Hubble's Instagram caption.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/scientists-discover-the-oldest-most-distant-galaxy-till-date-354750" hreflang="en">Scientists discover the oldest, most distant galaxy till date</a>

The galaxy is in the "face-on" position as opposed to the "edge-on" position, which means that the galaxy is facing us, as opposed to appearing from its side.

Officially, it is classified as an intermediate spiral galaxy as well as a starburst galaxy.

Another galaxy-related feat achieved&nbsp;

Earlier, astronomers peeked into what they considered the oldest and most distant galaxy to date.

Called GN-z11, the galaxy is 13.4 billion light-years or 134 nonillion kilometres away from us.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/nasa-captures-magnetic-fingerprint-of-a-galaxy-across-24000-light-years-353208" hreflang="en">NASA captures 'magnetic fingerprint' of a galaxy across 24,000 light years</a>

The galaxy has been discovered by an international team of astronomers led by Nobunari Kashikawa, a professor at the department of astronomy at the University of Tokyo.

Kashikawa said - “From previous studies, the galaxy GN-z11 seems to be the farthest detectable galaxy from us, at 13.4 billion light-years, or 134 nonillion kilometres (that’s 134 followed by 30 zeros). But measuring and verifying such a distance is not an easy task.”

NASA recently shared a mesmerising image of the "Fireworks Galaxy". Officially known as the "NGC 6946", the galaxy has undergone 10 supernovae in just the last century, a characteristic on which its name is based.

NASA recently shared a mesmerising image of the "Fireworks Galaxy". Officially known as the "NGC 6946", the galaxy has undergone 10 supernovae in just the last century, a characteristic on which its name is based. For comparison, our galaxy - the Milky Way experiences one to two supernova every century. In the image, which was clicked by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, one can see the stars, the spiralling arms, and other celestial facets of the Fireworks Galaxy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hubble Space Telescope (@nasahubble) The galaxy is situated 25.2 million light-years away from Earth, and lies along the border of the constellations of Cepheus and Cygnus, which are situated in the north. "In the last century alone, the Fireworks Galaxy (or NGC 6946) has experienced 10 observed supernovae. For context, our Milky Way Galaxy averages just one to two supernova events per century! The Fireworks Galaxy resides 25.2 million light-years away from us, along the border of the northern constellations of Cepheus and Cygnus," said NASA Hubble's Instagram caption. Also read: Scientists discover the oldest, most distant galaxy till date The galaxy is in the "face-on" position as opposed to the "edge-on" position, which means that the galaxy is facing us, as opposed to appearing from its side. Officially, it is classified as an intermediate spiral galaxy as well as a starburst galaxy. Another galaxy-related feat achieved Earlier, astronomers peeked into what they considered the oldest and most distant galaxy to date. Called GN-z11, the galaxy is 13.4 billion light-years or 134 nonillion kilometres away from us. Also read: NASA captures 'magnetic fingerprint' of a galaxy across 24,000 light years The galaxy has been discovered by an international team of astronomers led by Nobunari Kashikawa, a professor at the department of astronomy at the University of Tokyo. Kashikawa said - “From previous studies, the galaxy GN-z11 seems to be the farthest detectable galaxy from us, at 13.4 billion light-years, or 134 nonillion kilometres (that’s 134 followed by 30 zeros). But measuring and verifying such a distance is not an easy task.”

Take a look at this newly released mesmerising image of 'Fireworks Galaxy'

The Grand Canyon in the US state of Arizona may be huge, but it doesn’t stand a chance against the Martian counterpart. The Valles Marineris Canyon on Mars runs along the equator for over 4023 kilometres (2500 miles). NASA claims that it is so vast that it would reach from New York City to San Francisco had it existed on Earth.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/why-is-earth-spinning-faster-than-it-has-in-50-years-354845" hreflang="en">Why is Earth spinning faster than it has in 50 years?</a> 
 
Considered the largest canyon in the solar system, new images from NASA reinforce this claim.&nbsp;

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<h6>Image courtesy: NASA/University of Arizona/JPL</h6>

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter recently revealed more details about this mega canyon. Images of the canyon were taken using the HiRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) - which is the most powerful camera ever to be sent to another planet.

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> 
 
According to the University of Arizona, it’s one of six instruments onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Scientists still don’t understand how the huge canyon came into being.

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<h6>Image courtesy: NASA/University of Arizona/JPL</h6>

"Unlike Earth's Grand Canyon, Valles Marineris probably wasn't carved out by billions of years of rushing water; the Red Planet is too hot and dry to have ever accommodated a river large enough to slash through the crust like that,"&nbsp;LiveScience claims.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/look-at-the-most-detailed-image-of-a-sunspot-ever-captured-349615" hreflang="en">Look at the most detailed image of a sunspot ever captured!</a>

It is also entirely possible that a large area of the canyon cracked open billions of years ago, as claimed by the European Space Agency.

They claim that volcanoes in the Tharsis region may be partially responsible for the formation of the canyon.

The Grand Canyon in the US state of Arizona may be huge, but it doesn’t stand a chance against the Martian counterpart. The Valles Marineris Canyon on Mars runs along the equator for over 4023 kilometres (2500 miles).

The Grand Canyon in the US state of Arizona may be huge, but it doesn’t stand a chance against the Martian counterpart. The Valles Marineris Canyon on Mars runs along the equator for over 4023 kilometres (2500 miles). NASA claims that it is so vast that it would reach from New York City to San Francisco had it existed on Earth. Also read: Why is Earth spinning faster than it has in 50 years? Considered the largest canyon in the solar system, new images from NASA reinforce this claim. Image courtesy: NASA/University of Arizona/JPL The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter recently revealed more details about this mega canyon. Images of the canyon were taken using the HiRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) - which is the most powerful camera ever to be sent to another planet. Also read: Aliens in our galaxy may have perished due to too much progress, study suggests According to the University of Arizona, it’s one of six instruments onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Scientists still don’t understand how the huge canyon came into being. Image courtesy: NASA/University of Arizona/JPL "Unlike Earth's Grand Canyon, Valles Marineris probably wasn't carved out by billions of years of rushing water; the Red Planet is too hot and dry to have ever accommodated a river large enough to slash through the crust like that," LiveScience claims. Also read: Look at the most detailed image of a sunspot ever captured! It is also entirely possible that a large area of the canyon cracked open billions of years ago, as claimed by the European Space Agency. They claim that volcanoes in the Tharsis region may be partially responsible for the formation of the canyon.

Photos by NASA reveal stunning details of our solar system's largest canyon

Why is today’s "Great Conjunction"&nbsp;between Jupiter and Saturn so historic?

In a non-pandemic situation, December is usually one of the most exciting times of the year - with an array of festivals and the closing of a year. However, the celebrations are low-key this year.

But fret not! The universe has found an equaliser in the "Great Conjunction" of two planets from our solar system - Jupiter and Saturn set to take place today, nearly after 400 years!

The Star of Bethlehem?

Netizens were quick to point out how today’s event is being seen by many as the embodiment of “Christmas Star” or “Star of Bethlehem”.

According to Space(dot)com, the “two planets might be a replica of the legendary Star of Bethlehem”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/great-conjunction-saturn-jupiter-and-the-moon-to-form-triangle-in-the-sky-350477" hreflang="en">'Great conjunction': Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon to form triangle in the sky</a>

This is not the first time scientists and watchers alike have wondered the possibility of the star’s existence, especially so close to Christmas.

A theory claims that in the year 7 BCE, Jupiter and Saturn underwent three such conjunctions - making it seem they were watching a different celestial object altogether.&nbsp;According to the Biblical story, the “Star of Bethlehem” guided three men to Jesus the baby.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/jupiter-and-saturn-set-to-align-into-christmas-star-after-397-years-351392">WATCH|</a>

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What's a conjunction?

Saturn and Jupiter will come in conjunction due to their same right ascension or celestial longitude, or in other words - the “Great Conjunction”.

This event occurs every 20 years, but not on this scale, which is why it’s so monumental.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/jupiter-saturn-to-come-mighty-close-in-rare-conjunction-details-inside-347446" hreflang="en">Jupiter, Saturn to come mighty close in rare conjunction! Details inside</a>

According to the national Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), this is an event in four centuries but also in eight centuries. Confused? This is what NASA said - "It's been nearly 400 years since the planets passed this close to each other in the sky, and nearly 800 years since the alignment of Saturn and Jupiter occurred at night, as it will for 2020, allowing nearly everyone around the world to witness this 'Great conjunction'".&nbsp;&nbsp;

The degree matters!

Additionally, Saturn and Jupiter will be separated only by 0.1 degrees, or “one-fifth the apparent width of the Moon”.

This time, it’s also more symbolic, for it is coinciding with the Winter Solstice, when Sun begins it return to the Northern Hemisphere.

Why is today’s "Great Conjunction" between Jupiter and Saturn so historic? In a non-pandemic situation, December is usually one of the most exciting times of the year - with an array of festivals and the closing of a year.

Why is today’s "Great Conjunction" between Jupiter and Saturn so historic? In a non-pandemic situation, December is usually one of the most exciting times of the year - with an array of festivals and the closing of a year. However, the celebrations are low-key this year. But fret not! The universe has found an equaliser in the "Great Conjunction" of two planets from our solar system - Jupiter and Saturn set to take place today, nearly after 400 years! The Star of Bethlehem? Netizens were quick to point out how today’s event is being seen by many as the embodiment of “Christmas Star” or “Star of Bethlehem”. According to Space(dot)com, the “two planets might be a replica of the legendary Star of Bethlehem”. Also read: 'Great conjunction': Saturn, Jupiter and the Moon to form triangle in the sky This is not the first time scientists and watchers alike have wondered the possibility of the star’s existence, especially so close to Christmas. A theory claims that in the year 7 BCE, Jupiter and Saturn underwent three such conjunctions - making it seem they were watching a different celestial object altogether. According to the Biblical story, the “Star of Bethlehem” guided three men to Jesus the baby. WATCH| × What's a conjunction? Saturn and Jupiter will come in conjunction due to their same right ascension or celestial longitude, or in other words - the “Great Conjunction”. This event occurs every 20 years, but not on this scale, which is why it’s so monumental. Also read: Jupiter, Saturn to come mighty close in rare conjunction! Details inside According to the national Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), this is an event in four centuries but also in eight centuries. Confused? This is what NASA said - "It's been nearly 400 years since the planets passed this close to each other in the sky, and nearly 800 years since the alignment of Saturn and Jupiter occurred at night, as it will for 2020, allowing nearly everyone around the world to witness this 'Great conjunction'". The degree matters! Additionally, Saturn and Jupiter will be separated only by 0.1 degrees, or “one-fifth the apparent width of the Moon”. This time, it’s also more symbolic, for it is coinciding with the Winter Solstice, when Sun begins it return to the Northern Hemisphere.

Why today’s ‘Great Conjunction’ between Jupiter and Saturn is truly great

Top 10 mind-bending space discoveries and observations from 2020

The&nbsp;Hubble Space Telescope by the&nbsp;National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has captured a cosmic cinnamon bun.

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Nom nom nom 😋 Our <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAHubble?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASAHubble</a> Space Telescope captured a delicious glance of what resembles a cosmic cinnamon bun. Bluer stars sprinkled around the edges highlight the regions where new stars are most likely being formed: <a href="https://t.co/Uc4r0suWOm">https://t.co/Uc4r0suWOm</a> <a href="https://t.co/mmg02e6jkk">pic.twitter.com/mmg02e6jkk</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1330595660849172480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Unlike many spiral galaxies, UGC 12588 displays neither a&nbsp;bar of stars across its center&nbsp;nor the classic prominent&nbsp;spiral arm pattern. Instead, to a viewer, its circular, white and mostly unstructured center makes this galaxy more reminiscent of a cinnamon bun than a megastructure of stars and gas in space.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-resolves-the-mystery-of-blue-ring-nebula-reveal-stellar-missing-link-344087" hreflang="en">NASA resolves the mystery of Blue Ring Nebula, reveal stellar missing link</a>

Lying in the constellation of&nbsp;Andromeda&nbsp;in the Northern Hemisphere, this galaxy is classified as a&nbsp;spiral galaxy. Unlike the classic image of a spiral galaxy, however, the huge arms of stars and gas in UGC 12588 are very faint, undistinguished, and tightly wound around its center.

The clearest view of the spiral arms comes from the bluer stars sprinkled around the edges of the galaxy that highlight the regions where new star formation is most likely taking place.

&nbsp;

The Hubble Space Telescope by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has captured a cosmic cinnamon bun. Nom nom nom 😋 Our @NASAHubble Space Telescope captured a delicious glance of what resembles a cosmic cinnamon bun.

The Hubble Space Telescope by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has captured a cosmic cinnamon bun. Nom nom nom 😋 Our @NASAHubble Space Telescope captured a delicious glance of what resembles a cosmic cinnamon bun. Bluer stars sprinkled around the edges highlight the regions where new stars are most likely being formed: https://t.co/Uc4r0suWOm pic.twitter.com/mmg02e6jkk — NASA (@NASA) November 22, 2020 × Unlike many spiral galaxies, UGC 12588 displays neither a bar of stars across its center nor the classic prominent spiral arm pattern. Instead, to a viewer, its circular, white and mostly unstructured center makes this galaxy more reminiscent of a cinnamon bun than a megastructure of stars and gas in space. Also read: NASA resolves the mystery of Blue Ring Nebula, reveal stellar missing link Lying in the constellation of Andromeda in the Northern Hemisphere, this galaxy is classified as a spiral galaxy. Unlike the classic image of a spiral galaxy, however, the huge arms of stars and gas in UGC 12588 are very faint, undistinguished, and tightly wound around its center. The clearest view of the spiral arms comes from the bluer stars sprinkled around the edges of the galaxy that highlight the regions where new star formation is most likely taking place.

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captures 'cosmic cinnamon bun'

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has resolved a&nbsp;16-year-old cosmic mystery and found the missing links to the&nbsp;Blue Ring Nebula.

The Blue Ring Nebula spotted by the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) perplexed scientists for several years.

A new study published online on Wednesday&nbsp;in the journal Nature may have cracked the case.&nbsp;

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16-year-old cosmic mystery solved!🧐 
The Blue Ring Nebula spotted by the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) perplexed scientists for years. It appears to be the youngest known example of 2 stars merged into 1 &amp; first known merged star system at this stage. <a href="https://t.co/wedtyWgsuz">https://t.co/wedtyWgsuz</a> <a href="https://t.co/8th7ccZBcf">pic.twitter.com/8th7ccZBcf</a>
— NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAJPL/status/1329099012926971904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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By applying cutting-edge theoretical models to the slew of data that has been collected on this object, the authors posit the nebula,&nbsp;a cloud of gas in space,&nbsp;is likely composed of debris from two stars that collided and merged into a single star.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WY8J8hFHhiw" width="560"></iframe>

While combined star frameworks are believed to be genuinely normal, they are almost difficult to concentrate following they structure since they're clouded by flotsam and jetsam the crash kicks up. When the garbage has cleared - at any rate countless years after the fact - they're trying to distinguish on the grounds that they look like non-consolidated stars.

The Blue Ring Nebula has all the earmarks of being the missing connection: Astronomers are seeing the star framework two or three thousand years after the consolidation when proof of the association is as yet abundant. It gives off an impression of being the main known cause of a consolidated star framework at this stage.&nbsp;

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The Blue Ring Nebula consists of two hollow, cone-shaped clouds of debris moving in opposite directions away from the central star. The base of one cone is traveling almost directly toward Earth. As a result, astronomers looking at the nebula see two circles that partially overlap. Credit: NASA

The group inferred that the cloud was the result of a moderately new heavenly consolidation that probably happened between a star like our Sun and another star just around one-10th that size (or around multiple times the mass of Jupiter). Approaching an incredible finish, the Sun-like star started to grow, crawling nearer to its buddy. In the end, the more modest star fell into a descending twisting toward its bigger buddy. En route, the bigger star destroyed the more modest star, enclosing itself by a ring of flotsam and jetsam prior to gulping the more modest star altogether.&nbsp;

This was the savage occasion that prompted the development of the Blue Ring Nebula. The consolidation dispatched a haze of hot trash into space that was cut in two by the gas plate. This made two cone-formed trash veils of mist, their bases moving ceaselessly from the star in inverse ways and getting more extensive as they travel outward. The base of one cone is coming straightforwardly toward Earth and the other legitimately away. They are too weak to even think about seeing alone, however, the territory where the cones cover (as observed from Earth) frames the focal blue ring GALEX noticed.&nbsp;

Centuries passed. The extending flotsam and jetsam cloud cooled and shaped particles and residue, including hydrogen atoms that crashed into the interstellar medium, the scanty assortment of molecules, and vigorous particles that occupy the space between stars. The impacts energized the hydrogen atoms, making them emanate in a particular frequency of far-UV light. Over the long haul, the shine turned out to be sufficiently brilliant for GALEX to see.&nbsp;

Heavenly consolidations may happen as regularly as once like clockwork in our Milky Way world, which means it's conceivable that a sizeable populace of the stars we find in the sky was once two.&nbsp;

"We see a lot of two-star frameworks that may combine some time in the future, and we think we've recognized stars that blended possibly a great many years prior. However, we have practically no information on what occurs in the middle of," said Metzger. "We think there are presumably a lot of youthful remainders of heavenly consolidations in our system, and the Blue Ring Nebula may show us what they resemble so we can recognize a greater amount of them."&nbsp;

Despite the fact that this is likely the determination of a 16-year-old riddle, it might likewise be the start of another part in the investigation of heavenly consolidations.&nbsp;

"Unfortunately GALEX had the option to discover this truly weak article that we weren't searching for however that ends up being something truly intriguing to space experts," said Seibert. "It just repeats that when you take a gander at the universe in another frequency or in another way, you discover things you never envisioned you would."

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has resolved a 16-year-old cosmic mystery and found the missing links to the Blue Ring Nebula. The Blue Ring Nebula spotted by the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) perplexed scientists for several years.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has resolved a 16-year-old cosmic mystery and found the missing links to the Blue Ring Nebula. The Blue Ring Nebula spotted by the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) perplexed scientists for several years. A new study published online on Wednesday in the journal Nature may have cracked the case. 16-year-old cosmic mystery solved!🧐 The Blue Ring Nebula spotted by the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) perplexed scientists for years. It appears to be the youngest known example of 2 stars merged into 1 & first known merged star system at this stage. https://t.co/wedtyWgsuz pic.twitter.com/8th7ccZBcf — NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) November 18, 2020 × By applying cutting-edge theoretical models to the slew of data that has been collected on this object, the authors posit the nebula, a cloud of gas in space, is likely composed of debris from two stars that collided and merged into a single star. While combined star frameworks are believed to be genuinely normal, they are almost difficult to concentrate following they structure since they're clouded by flotsam and jetsam the crash kicks up. When the garbage has cleared - at any rate countless years after the fact - they're trying to distinguish on the grounds that they look like non-consolidated stars. The Blue Ring Nebula has all the earmarks of being the missing connection: Astronomers are seeing the star framework two or three thousand years after the consolidation when proof of the association is as yet abundant. It gives off an impression of being the main known cause of a consolidated star framework at this stage. The Blue Ring Nebula consists of two hollow, cone-shaped clouds of debris moving in opposite directions away from the central star. The base of one cone is traveling almost directly toward Earth. As a result, astronomers looking at the nebula see two circles that partially overlap. Credit: NASA The group inferred that the cloud was the result of a moderately new heavenly consolidation that probably happened between a star like our Sun and another star just around one-10th that size (or around multiple times the mass of Jupiter). Approaching an incredible finish, the Sun-like star started to grow, crawling nearer to its buddy. In the end, the more modest star fell into a descending twisting toward its bigger buddy. En route, the bigger star destroyed the more modest star, enclosing itself by a ring of flotsam and jetsam prior to gulping the more modest star altogether. This was the savage occasion that prompted the development of the Blue Ring Nebula. The consolidation dispatched a haze of hot trash into space that was cut in two by the gas plate. This made two cone-formed trash veils of mist, their bases moving ceaselessly from the star in inverse ways and getting more extensive as they travel outward. The base of one cone is coming straightforwardly toward Earth and the other legitimately away. They are too weak to even think about seeing alone, however, the territory where the cones cover (as observed from Earth) frames the focal blue ring GALEX noticed. Centuries passed. The extending flotsam and jetsam cloud cooled and shaped particles and residue, including hydrogen atoms that crashed into the interstellar medium, the scanty assortment of molecules, and vigorous particles that occupy the space between stars. The impacts energized the hydrogen atoms, making them emanate in a particular frequency of far-UV light. Over the long haul, the shine turned out to be sufficiently brilliant for GALEX to see. Heavenly consolidations may happen as regularly as once like clockwork in our Milky Way world, which means it's conceivable that a sizeable populace of the stars we find in the sky was once two. "We see a lot of two-star frameworks that may combine some time in the future, and we think we've recognized stars that blended possibly a great many years prior. However, we have practically no information on what occurs in the middle of," said Metzger. "We think there are presumably a lot of youthful remainders of heavenly consolidations in our system, and the Blue Ring Nebula may show us what they resemble so we can recognize a greater amount of them." Despite the fact that this is likely the determination of a 16-year-old riddle, it might likewise be the start of another part in the investigation of heavenly consolidations. "Unfortunately GALEX had the option to discover this truly weak article that we weren't searching for however that ends up being something truly intriguing to space experts," said Seibert. "It just repeats that when you take a gander at the universe in another frequency or in another way, you discover things you never envisioned you would."

NASA resolves the mystery of Blue Ring Nebula, reveal stellar missing link

On Monday, SpaceX and NASA made history by successfully launching a four-member team for the International Space Station. The launch event was attended by Vice President Mike Pence and his wife as well as NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine.

News Alert: SpaceX-NASA makes history, successfully launches first operational crew mission

A group of space experts has found a peculiar item that can exist around a couple of dark openings. The disclosure could assist with unwinding the character of the dim issue and uncover the idea of room time.&nbsp;

A new examination found that the exceptional molecule can exist around a couple of dark openings in a way like how an electron exists around a couple of hydrogen iotas. It's the first run through the presence of a supposed "gravitational atom" that has ever been clarified.&nbsp;

To unload what this all methods, it must be recalled that in present-day material science the electron is spoken to as a field – a numerical item that has an incentive for each point in existence.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/three-asteroids-over-30-metres-in-diametre-travelling-earths-way-341959" hreflang="en">Three asteroids over 30 metres in diametre travelling Earth’s way</a>

A particle is fundamentally a little core encompassed by the electron field, that electron field reacts to the presence of the core and permits the electron to show up just in specific locales.&nbsp;

Curiously, the climate of a dark opening can be depicted along these lines. The focal point of a dark opening is to some degree like the core of an iota, while the general climate is like the one that portrays a subatomic molecule.&nbsp;

The creators of the new examination found that specific sorts of fields – called scalar fields – can exist around paired dark openings. It was additionally found that they can shape themselves into designs that look like how electron fields organize themselves in particles.&nbsp;

The advancement implies that researchers may before long have the option to identify the dim issues with existing gravitational wave finders. It raises the tempting possibility of focusing light on the ineffectively perceived dull area of the universe.

A group of space experts has found a peculiar item that can exist around a couple of dark openings. The disclosure could assist with unwinding the character of the dim issue and uncover the idea of room time.

A group of space experts has found a peculiar item that can exist around a couple of dark openings. The disclosure could assist with unwinding the character of the dim issue and uncover the idea of room time. A new examination found that the exceptional molecule can exist around a couple of dark openings in a way like how an electron exists around a couple of hydrogen iotas. It's the first run through the presence of a supposed "gravitational atom" that has ever been clarified. To unload what this all methods, it must be recalled that in present-day material science the electron is spoken to as a field – a numerical item that has an incentive for each point in existence. Also read: Three asteroids over 30 metres in diametre travelling Earth’s way A particle is fundamentally a little core encompassed by the electron field, that electron field reacts to the presence of the core and permits the electron to show up just in specific locales. Curiously, the climate of a dark opening can be depicted along these lines. The focal point of a dark opening is to some degree like the core of an iota, while the general climate is like the one that portrays a subatomic molecule. The creators of the new examination found that specific sorts of fields – called scalar fields – can exist around paired dark openings. It was additionally found that they can shape themselves into designs that look like how electron fields organize themselves in particles. The advancement implies that researchers may before long have the option to identify the dim issues with existing gravitational wave finders. It raises the tempting possibility of focusing light on the ineffectively perceived dull area of the universe.

Unusual 'electron' to reveal insight into dark matter, space-time mysteries

Did we just discover the Moon's sibling?

Scientists have reason to believe that the Earth’s Moon has a sibling. According to The Guardian, its official name is (101429) 1998 VF31, and it could be our Moon’s sibling. The celestial body is probably 4.5 billion years old, with a lunar appearance, and is twinned with the moon.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/water-more-widespread-on-moon-than-previously-thought-339296" hreflang="en">Water more widespread on Moon than previously thought</a>

Until now, scientists didn’t know our natural satellite even had a sibling. Turns out, it was too small to be noticed by astronomers. Considering how old it is, we are rather discovering it late.

Where is the Moon's sibling located?

Just because it may be the Moon’s siblings does not mean they’re aligned nearby. The asteroid ‘sibling’, with a diameter of 1 kilometres has been hiding behind the red planet, Mars for most of its life.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/scientists-found-unexpected-molecule-in-atmosphere-of-saturns-largest-moon-338725" hreflang="en">Scientists found unexpected molecule in atmosphere of Saturn’s largest moon</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasa-reveals-discovery-of-water-molecules-on-moon-338297/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

How is it Moon’s sibling?

Scientists posit that the moon is one of the largest natural satellites in the solar system, relative to the size of its planet - Earth. This is due to the fact that a large body had collided into the Earth, breaking apart the previous body, parts of which constitute our current moon, explaining its huge size.

According to scientists, the relatively small asteroid is made of the same stuff as our Moon, making them somehow related.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/nasa-discovers-water-on-sunlit-surface-of-the-moon-338137" hreflang="en">NASA discovers water on sunlit surface of the Moon</a>

This was ascertained by a spectroscopic observation, which was noticed by the Very Large Telescope (no pun intended) in the Atacama Desert in Chile.

The lead author of the study, which was undertaken by Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (AOP) - Dr Apostolos Christou told The Guardian that it has the same colour as the moon.

Based on the analysis, the asteroid boasts pyroxene and iron, constituting a “dead-ringer” for moon’s parts.

Even though the relationship between the moon and this object was ascertained just recently, the object was discovered in 1998, and it is a “Trojan”, which are space bodies stationed between the gravitational fields of sun and Mars, and are called “Lagrange points”.

It is possible that this asteroid is part of the Moon which broke off and found its own way.

Did we just discover the Moon's sibling? Scientists have reason to believe that the Earth’s Moon has a sibling. According to The Guardian, its official name is (101429) 1998 VF31, and it could be our Moon’s sibling.

Did we just discover the Moon's sibling? Scientists have reason to believe that the Earth’s Moon has a sibling. According to The Guardian, its official name is (101429) 1998 VF31, and it could be our Moon’s sibling. The celestial body is probably 4.5 billion years old, with a lunar appearance, and is twinned with the moon. Also read: Water more widespread on Moon than previously thought Until now, scientists didn’t know our natural satellite even had a sibling. Turns out, it was too small to be noticed by astronomers. Considering how old it is, we are rather discovering it late. Where is the Moon's sibling located? Just because it may be the Moon’s siblings does not mean they’re aligned nearby. The asteroid ‘sibling’, with a diameter of 1 kilometres has been hiding behind the red planet, Mars for most of its life. Also read: Scientists found unexpected molecule in atmosphere of Saturn’s largest moon How is it Moon’s sibling? Scientists posit that the moon is one of the largest natural satellites in the solar system, relative to the size of its planet - Earth. This is due to the fact that a large body had collided into the Earth, breaking apart the previous body, parts of which constitute our current moon, explaining its huge size. According to scientists, the relatively small asteroid is made of the same stuff as our Moon, making them somehow related. Also read: NASA discovers water on sunlit surface of the Moon This was ascertained by a spectroscopic observation, which was noticed by the Very Large Telescope (no pun intended) in the Atacama Desert in Chile. The lead author of the study, which was undertaken by Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (AOP) - Dr Apostolos Christou told The Guardian that it has the same colour as the moon. Based on the analysis, the asteroid boasts pyroxene and iron, constituting a “dead-ringer” for moon’s parts. Even though the relationship between the moon and this object was ascertained just recently, the object was discovered in 1998, and it is a “Trojan”, which are space bodies stationed between the gravitational fields of sun and Mars, and are called “Lagrange points”. It is possible that this asteroid is part of the Moon which broke off and found its own way.

Did we just discover the Moon's long-lost sibling?

2,000+ active satellites, 3,000+ defunct satellites, Junk is whizzing around in low-Earth orbit. Has space become the Earth's dustbin? Watch what experts have to say on WION Wideangle.

Space: The Earth's Dustbin?

Back in 2015, students in Maggie Samudio’s second-grade class at Cumberland Elementary School in West Lafayette, Indiana, were contemplating an offbeat science question: If a firefly went to space, would it still be able to light up as it floated in zero gravity?

Samudio said she would ask a friend of hers, Steven Collicott, an aerospace professor at nearby Purdue University, for the answer.

“He teaches a class on zero gravity, and he would be the perfect person to answer the question,” Samudio recalled in an email.

A day later, Collicott replied, and Samudio was surprised by his answer: Instead of guessing, why not actually build the experiment and send it to space?

Blue Origin, the rocket company started by Jeff Bezos, chief executive of Amazon, was planning to offer the ability for schools to fly small experiments on its New Shepard suborbital spacecraft for as little as $8,000.

“That is a game-changer,” said Erika Wagner, the payload sales director at Blue Origin. “Kids as young as elementary school are flying things to space.”

Collicott, who had sent several fluid flow experiments on New Shepard launches, pointed Samudio and her second-graders to Blue Origin.

“For the small payload 4 inches square by 8 inches tall, we’re able to fly that for half the cost of high school football uniforms,” Collicott said. “So really any school district now that affords football can afford spaceflight.”

Cumberland Elementary has not been the only school to see the value of paying for an experiment aboard the New Shepard rocket. A Montessori middle school in Colorado sent up a sensor package designed and programmed by the students. An Alabama high school launched an experiment to test temperature fluctuations in microgravity. And this past December, an elementary school in Ohio sent up baby jellyfish.

On board for the latest flight, which launched last Tuesday, were 1.2 million tomato seeds, which will be distributed to students in 15,000 classes, kindergarten through high school, across the United States and Canada.

Following Collicott’s suggestion, Samudio’s children at Cumberland got to work, collaborating with Purdue students in Collicott’s classes.

“For the next two years, I had aeronautical engineers in my second-grade classroom teaching mini-lessons on basic principles of flight and propulsion as well as the basic principles of ‘firefly’ chemistry,” Samudio said.

On Dec. 12, 2017, the firefly experiment was on board New Shepard. It did not contain any actual fireflies. “It appears when scared, fireflies don’t light up,” Collicott said. “And we were concerned that the boost would scare them. And then there are also issues of I don’t know how to keep fireflies alive and keep them happy.”

Instead, the apparatus replicated the chemistry of how fireflies generate light, with syringes mixing the glow-creating substances together as the capsule reached the top of the trajectory more than 60 miles above West Texas. A tiny video camera recorded what happened in the payload box.

Collicott attended the launching, and two days later, was back in Samudio’s classroom presenting the results.

Fireflies can indeed glow in space.

“That kind of turnaround is just amazing, that spaceflight to these students is not distant,” Collicott said. “It happens fast. It’s kind of cool.”

The space experiment wrapped into a larger project undertaken by Samudio’s classes. One of her students, Kayla Xu, had noted with distress that most states had a state insect, and Indiana did not; she wanted to fix that.

That effort succeeded, too. On March 23, 2018, Gov. Eric Holcomb went to Cumberland Elementary School to sign a bill that declared the Say’s firefly, a species native to the area, the state insect of Indiana.

“Several parents told me that the simple question of asking their child what they had done in school that day exploded into amazing family conversations, extra reading and research, and the contemplation of future personal pursuits and goals,” Samudio said.

Back in 2015, students in Maggie Samudio’s second-grade class at Cumberland Elementary School in West Lafayette, Indiana, were contemplating an offbeat science question: If a firefly went to space, would it still be able to light up as it floated in zero gravity?

Back in 2015, students in Maggie Samudio’s second-grade class at Cumberland Elementary School in West Lafayette, Indiana, were contemplating an offbeat science question: If a firefly went to space, would it still be able to light up as it floated in zero gravity? Samudio said she would ask a friend of hers, Steven Collicott, an aerospace professor at nearby Purdue University, for the answer. “He teaches a class on zero gravity, and he would be the perfect person to answer the question,” Samudio recalled in an email. A day later, Collicott replied, and Samudio was surprised by his answer: Instead of guessing, why not actually build the experiment and send it to space? Blue Origin, the rocket company started by Jeff Bezos, chief executive of Amazon, was planning to offer the ability for schools to fly small experiments on its New Shepard suborbital spacecraft for as little as $8,000. “That is a game-changer,” said Erika Wagner, the payload sales director at Blue Origin. “Kids as young as elementary school are flying things to space.” Collicott, who had sent several fluid flow experiments on New Shepard launches, pointed Samudio and her second-graders to Blue Origin. “For the small payload 4 inches square by 8 inches tall, we’re able to fly that for half the cost of high school football uniforms,” Collicott said. “So really any school district now that affords football can afford spaceflight.” Cumberland Elementary has not been the only school to see the value of paying for an experiment aboard the New Shepard rocket. A Montessori middle school in Colorado sent up a sensor package designed and programmed by the students. An Alabama high school launched an experiment to test temperature fluctuations in microgravity. And this past December, an elementary school in Ohio sent up baby jellyfish. On board for the latest flight, which launched last Tuesday, were 1.2 million tomato seeds, which will be distributed to students in 15,000 classes, kindergarten through high school, across the United States and Canada. Following Collicott’s suggestion, Samudio’s children at Cumberland got to work, collaborating with Purdue students in Collicott’s classes. “For the next two years, I had aeronautical engineers in my second-grade classroom teaching mini-lessons on basic principles of flight and propulsion as well as the basic principles of ‘firefly’ chemistry,” Samudio said. On Dec. 12, 2017, the firefly experiment was on board New Shepard. It did not contain any actual fireflies. “It appears when scared, fireflies don’t light up,” Collicott said. “And we were concerned that the boost would scare them. And then there are also issues of I don’t know how to keep fireflies alive and keep them happy.” Instead, the apparatus replicated the chemistry of how fireflies generate light, with syringes mixing the glow-creating substances together as the capsule reached the top of the trajectory more than 60 miles above West Texas. A tiny video camera recorded what happened in the payload box. Collicott attended the launching, and two days later, was back in Samudio’s classroom presenting the results. Fireflies can indeed glow in space. “That kind of turnaround is just amazing, that spaceflight to these students is not distant,” Collicott said. “It happens fast. It’s kind of cool.” The space experiment wrapped into a larger project undertaken by Samudio’s classes. One of her students, Kayla Xu, had noted with distress that most states had a state insect, and Indiana did not; she wanted to fix that. That effort succeeded, too. On March 23, 2018, Gov. Eric Holcomb went to Cumberland Elementary School to sign a bill that declared the Say’s firefly, a species native to the area, the state insect of Indiana. “Several parents told me that the simple question of asking their child what they had done in school that day exploded into amazing family conversations, extra reading and research, and the contemplation of future personal pursuits and goals,” Samudio said.

How a 2nd-grade class sent a science experiment to space

Astronomers have captured the precise&nbsp;moment in which a massive black hole devoured a star by a process called 'spaghettification'.

Using the European Southern Observatory's&nbsp;Very Large Telescope&nbsp;(ESO's VLT), researchers spotted the ''tidal disruption event'' (TDE) which creates&nbsp;spaghettification,&nbsp;is the closest such known event to happen, at only 215 million light years away from Earth.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AKCp-1OGGP4" width="560"></iframe>

The TDE, AT2019qiz was first spotted by&nbsp;Matt Nicholl, the new study's lead author and a lecturer and Royal Astronomical Society research fellow at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-detect-most-powerful-black-hole-explosion-ever-324893">Astronomers detect most powerful black hole explosion ever</a>

Nicholl&nbsp;said&nbsp;"The idea of a black hole 'sucking in' a nearby star sounds like science fiction. But this is exactly what happens in a tidal disruption event."&nbsp;

The star, roughly the same size as our sun, was eventually sucked into oblivion in a rare cosmic occurrence that astronomers call a tidal disruption event.

Such phenomena happen when a star ventures too close to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/first-black-hole-photo-confirms-einsteins-theory-of-relativity-209527">supermassive black hole</a>, objects that reside at the centre of most large galaxies including our Milky Way. The black hole's tremendous gravitational forces tear the star to shreds, with some of its material tossed into space and the rest plunging into the black hole, forming a disk of hot, bright gas as it is swallowed.

Edo Berger from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics explained,&nbsp;"In this case the star was torn apart with about half of its mass feeding or accreting into a black hole of one million times the mass of the sun, and the other half was ejected outward."

Observing the oscillation of light as the black hole gobbles the star and spews stellar material in an outward spiral could help astronomers understand the black hole's behaviour, a scientific mystery since physicist Albert Einstein's work more than a century ago examined gravity's influence on light in motion.

Astronomers have captured the precise moment in which a massive black hole devoured a star by a process called 'spaghettification'. Using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO's VLT), researchers spotted the ''tidal disruption event'' (TDE) which creates spaghettification, is the closest such known event to happen, at only 215 million light years away from Earth.

Astronomers have captured the precise moment in which a massive black hole devoured a star by a process called 'spaghettification'. Using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO's VLT), researchers spotted the ''tidal disruption event'' (TDE) which creates spaghettification, is the closest such known event to happen, at only 215 million light years away from Earth. The TDE, AT2019qiz was first spotted by Matt Nicholl, the new study's lead author and a lecturer and Royal Astronomical Society research fellow at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. Also read: Astronomers detect most powerful black hole explosion ever Nicholl said "The idea of a black hole 'sucking in' a nearby star sounds like science fiction. But this is exactly what happens in a tidal disruption event." The star, roughly the same size as our sun, was eventually sucked into oblivion in a rare cosmic occurrence that astronomers call a tidal disruption event. Such phenomena happen when a star ventures too close to a supermassive black hole, objects that reside at the centre of most large galaxies including our Milky Way. The black hole's tremendous gravitational forces tear the star to shreds, with some of its material tossed into space and the rest plunging into the black hole, forming a disk of hot, bright gas as it is swallowed. Edo Berger from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics explained, "In this case the star was torn apart with about half of its mass feeding or accreting into a black hole of one million times the mass of the sun, and the other half was ejected outward." Observing the oscillation of light as the black hole gobbles the star and spews stellar material in an outward spiral could help astronomers understand the black hole's behaviour, a scientific mystery since physicist Albert Einstein's work more than a century ago examined gravity's influence on light in motion.

Caught in the act: Astronomers capture precise moment in which a black hole sucks a star

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

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

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

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

Scientists have identified 24 planets outside our solar system that they say may have conditions more suitable for life than the Earth. 
The study, published in the journal Astrobiology, details characteristics of potential "superhabitable" planets, that include those that are older, a little larger, slightly warmer and possibly wetter than Earth.

The researchers from the Washington State University (WSU) in the US noted life could more easily thrive on planets that circle more slowly changing stars with longer lifespans than our Sun.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-new-stunning-time-lapse-video-shows-a-gigantic-star-exploding-332599">NASA's new stunning time lapse video shows a gigantic star exploding</a>

The 24 top contenders for superhabitable planets are all more than 100 light years away, but the study could help focus future observation efforts, such as from NASA's James Web Space Telescope, they said.

"With the next space telescopes coming up, we will get more information, so it is important to select some targets," said Dirk Schulze-Makuch, a professor at WSU and the Technical University in Berlin.

"We have to focus on certain planets that have the most promising conditions for complex life. However, we have to be careful to not get stuck looking for a second Earth because there could be planets that might be more suitable for life than ours," Schulze-Makuch said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-to-send-its-new-23-million-toilet-to-international-space-station-331467" hreflang="en">NASA to send its new $23 million toilet to International Space Station</a>

The researchers identified superhabitability criteria and searched among the 4,500 known exoplanets beyond our solar system for good candidates.

Habitability does not mean these planets definitely have life, merely the conditions that would be conducive to life, they noted.

The researchers selected planet-star systems with probable terrestrial planets orbiting within the host star's liquid water habitable zone from the Kepler Object of Interest Exoplanet Archive of transiting exoplanets.

While the Sun is the centre of our solar system, it has a relatively short lifespan of less than 10 billion years, they said.

Since it took nearly 4 billion years before any form of complex life appeared on Earth, many similar stars to our sun, called G stars, might run out of fuel before complex life can develop, according to the researchers.

In addition to looking at systems with cooler G stars, they also looked at systems with K dwarf stars, which are somewhat cooler, less massive and less luminous than the Sun.

The researchers said K stars have the advantage of long lifespans of 20 billion to 70 billion years.

This would allow orbiting planets to be older as well as giving life more time to advance to the complexity currently found on Earth, they said.

However, to be habitable, planets should not be so old that they have exhausted their geothermal heat and lack protective geomagnetic fields.

Earth is around 4.5 billion years old, but the researchers argue that the sweet spot for life is a planet that is between 5 billion to 8 billion years old. Size and mass also matter.

A planet that is 10 per cent larger than the Earth should have more habitable land, the researchers said.

One that is about 1.5 times Earth's mass would be expected to retain its interior heating through radioactive decay longer and would also have a stronger gravity to retain an atmosphere over a longer time period, they said.

Water is key to life and the researchers argue that a little more of it would help, especially in the form of moisture, clouds and humidity.

They noted that a slightly overall warmer temperature, a mean surface temperature of about 5 degrees Celsius greater than Earth, together with the additional moisture, would be also better for life.

Among the 24 top planet candidates none of them met all the criteria for superhabitable planets, but one has four of the critical characteristics, making it possibly much more comfortable for life than our home planet, the researchers added.

Scientists have identified 24 planets outside our solar system that they say may have conditions more suitable for life than the Earth. The study, published in the journal Astrobiology, details characteristics of potential "superhabitable" planets, that include those that are older, a little larger, slightly warmer and possibly wetter than Earth.

Scientists have identified 24 planets outside our solar system that they say may have conditions more suitable for life than the Earth. The study, published in the journal Astrobiology, details characteristics of potential "superhabitable" planets, that include those that are older, a little larger, slightly warmer and possibly wetter than Earth. The researchers from the Washington State University (WSU) in the US noted life could more easily thrive on planets that circle more slowly changing stars with longer lifespans than our Sun. Also read: NASA's new stunning time lapse video shows a gigantic star exploding The 24 top contenders for superhabitable planets are all more than 100 light years away, but the study could help focus future observation efforts, such as from NASA's James Web Space Telescope, they said. "With the next space telescopes coming up, we will get more information, so it is important to select some targets," said Dirk Schulze-Makuch, a professor at WSU and the Technical University in Berlin. "We have to focus on certain planets that have the most promising conditions for complex life. However, we have to be careful to not get stuck looking for a second Earth because there could be planets that might be more suitable for life than ours," Schulze-Makuch said. Also read: NASA to send its new $23 million toilet to International Space Station The researchers identified superhabitability criteria and searched among the 4,500 known exoplanets beyond our solar system for good candidates. Habitability does not mean these planets definitely have life, merely the conditions that would be conducive to life, they noted. The researchers selected planet-star systems with probable terrestrial planets orbiting within the host star's liquid water habitable zone from the Kepler Object of Interest Exoplanet Archive of transiting exoplanets. While the Sun is the centre of our solar system, it has a relatively short lifespan of less than 10 billion years, they said. Since it took nearly 4 billion years before any form of complex life appeared on Earth, many similar stars to our sun, called G stars, might run out of fuel before complex life can develop, according to the researchers. In addition to looking at systems with cooler G stars, they also looked at systems with K dwarf stars, which are somewhat cooler, less massive and less luminous than the Sun. The researchers said K stars have the advantage of long lifespans of 20 billion to 70 billion years. This would allow orbiting planets to be older as well as giving life more time to advance to the complexity currently found on Earth, they said. However, to be habitable, planets should not be so old that they have exhausted their geothermal heat and lack protective geomagnetic fields. Earth is around 4.5 billion years old, but the researchers argue that the sweet spot for life is a planet that is between 5 billion to 8 billion years old. Size and mass also matter. A planet that is 10 per cent larger than the Earth should have more habitable land, the researchers said. One that is about 1.5 times Earth's mass would be expected to retain its interior heating through radioactive decay longer and would also have a stronger gravity to retain an atmosphere over a longer time period, they said. Water is key to life and the researchers argue that a little more of it would help, especially in the form of moisture, clouds and humidity. They noted that a slightly overall warmer temperature, a mean surface temperature of about 5 degrees Celsius greater than Earth, together with the additional moisture, would be also better for life. Among the 24 top planet candidates none of them met all the criteria for superhabitable planets, but one has four of the critical characteristics, making it possibly much more comfortable for life than our home planet, the researchers added.

24 planets may have more suitable conditions for life than Earth: Study

Indian aerospace start-up AgniKul Cosmos has signed a memorandum of agreement with Alaska Aerospace Corporation to test launch their Indian-made Agnibaan rocket from the Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska (PSCA) on Kodiak Island in the United States. The launch from Alaska is expected to take place from 2022 onwards.&nbsp;

Under this agreement, Alaska Aerospace and AgniKul will work together to secure several regulatory approvals. They include US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launch licensing, US export control, and will comply with export laws &amp; regulations in India to receive necessary clearances from the Indian authorities as well. The aim is to define launch vehicle-spaceport interfaces, related procedures and conduct at least one test launch from PSCA.

“We are thrilled AgniKul has partnered with Alaska Aerospace for high inclination flight testing,” said Mark Lester, President and CEO of Alaska Aerospace. “Agnikul has established itself as a leading rocket technology company, and we are pleased Alaska’s proven launch infrastructure and expertise continue to attract new space launch companies from around the world”, he added.&nbsp;

Srinath Ravichandran, CEO and Co-founder of AgniKul Cosmos said that this announcement was further evidence of their company’s steady progress towards launch. “Alaska Aerospace and AgniKul share a vision of providing rapid, agile, and low-cost access to space. This is a great platform for us to demonstrate our 'Made In India, for the world' launch services solution through our mobile vehicle Agnibaan” he elaborated.&nbsp;

When asked about the reason behind choosing the Alaskan launch port, Srinath said that for certain types of orbits which are preferred by customers, it was preferred to launch from a high latitude location. “In some cases we might have to launch closer from poles and Alaska offers that, when it comes to launches from close to the equator, Sriharikota is an option and we are working with India’s In-space for this” he told WION.&nbsp;

When WION asked about the complexities in the logistics of getting a rocket to a foreign land, he said that it would be similar to how flights land in foreign airports. “The rocket can be shipped to the destination and at the launch port we’ll be provided facilities like fuel and tracking and telemetry systems. This enables us to go where the customer is” he said.&nbsp;

He also feels that there isn’t much of a competition n the segment that his company is targeting - payload of upto 100 kg to low Earth orbits up to 700 km. “There are quite a lot of players making rockets, but very few in the less than 100kg segment” he said, adding that they were targeting a maiden test launch by end of 2021.

“By partnering with Alaska Aerospace, AgniKul engineers and staff can focus on the technical complexities of perfecting our rocket Agnibaan's launch operations from different environmental conditions across geographies,” said AgniKul Co-founder &amp; COO Moin SPM. "Having access to high latitude launch locations is an important aspect of our strategy for offering customer-centric launch services, and this partnership with Alaska Aerospace is going to be directly helpful” he added.&nbsp;

Under the agreement with the Alaska Aerospace Corporation additional tests and operational launches are also possible under. This is said to be an important step in moving the small satellite launch market towards a customer-centric business model as opposed to what it is today – a vehicle-centric model. This would mean faster, easier commercial space access, and ultimately will open up space for everyone.&nbsp;

AgniKul Cosmos Private Limited is a Chennai, India-based start-up incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and the company is targeting commercial rocket launches from 2022 onwards.&nbsp;

Indian aerospace start-up AgniKul Cosmos has signed a memorandum of agreement with Alaska Aerospace Corporation to test launch their Indian-made Agnibaan rocket from the Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska (PSCA) on Kodiak Island in the United States.

Indian aerospace start-up AgniKul Cosmos has signed a memorandum of agreement with Alaska Aerospace Corporation to test launch their Indian-made Agnibaan rocket from the Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska (PSCA) on Kodiak Island in the United States. The launch from Alaska is expected to take place from 2022 onwards. Under this agreement, Alaska Aerospace and AgniKul will work together to secure several regulatory approvals. They include US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launch licensing, US export control, and will comply with export laws & regulations in India to receive necessary clearances from the Indian authorities as well. The aim is to define launch vehicle-spaceport interfaces, related procedures and conduct at least one test launch from PSCA. “We are thrilled AgniKul has partnered with Alaska Aerospace for high inclination flight testing,” said Mark Lester, President and CEO of Alaska Aerospace. “Agnikul has established itself as a leading rocket technology company, and we are pleased Alaska’s proven launch infrastructure and expertise continue to attract new space launch companies from around the world”, he added. Srinath Ravichandran, CEO and Co-founder of AgniKul Cosmos said that this announcement was further evidence of their company’s steady progress towards launch. “Alaska Aerospace and AgniKul share a vision of providing rapid, agile, and low-cost access to space. This is a great platform for us to demonstrate our 'Made In India, for the world' launch services solution through our mobile vehicle Agnibaan” he elaborated. When asked about the reason behind choosing the Alaskan launch port, Srinath said that for certain types of orbits which are preferred by customers, it was preferred to launch from a high latitude location. “In some cases we might have to launch closer from poles and Alaska offers that, when it comes to launches from close to the equator, Sriharikota is an option and we are working with India’s In-space for this” he told WION. When WION asked about the complexities in the logistics of getting a rocket to a foreign land, he said that it would be similar to how flights land in foreign airports. “The rocket can be shipped to the destination and at the launch port we’ll be provided facilities like fuel and tracking and telemetry systems. This enables us to go where the customer is” he said. He also feels that there isn’t much of a competition n the segment that his company is targeting - payload of upto 100 kg to low Earth orbits up to 700 km. “There are quite a lot of players making rockets, but very few in the less than 100kg segment” he said, adding that they were targeting a maiden test launch by end of 2021. “By partnering with Alaska Aerospace, AgniKul engineers and staff can focus on the technical complexities of perfecting our rocket Agnibaan's launch operations from different environmental conditions across geographies,” said AgniKul Co-founder & COO Moin SPM. "Having access to high latitude launch locations is an important aspect of our strategy for offering customer-centric launch services, and this partnership with Alaska Aerospace is going to be directly helpful” he added. Under the agreement with the Alaska Aerospace Corporation additional tests and operational launches are also possible under. This is said to be an important step in moving the small satellite launch market towards a customer-centric business model as opposed to what it is today – a vehicle-centric model. This would mean faster, easier commercial space access, and ultimately will open up space for everyone. AgniKul Cosmos Private Limited is a Chennai, India-based start-up incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and the company is targeting commercial rocket launches from 2022 onwards.

Agnibaan rocket by Indian start-up to be test launched from Alaska, USA

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) marked five years of the lunch of AstroSat, which is India’s first multi-wavelength mission, which was launched from Sriharikota spaceport on 28th September 2018. The satellite is being operated as a proposal-based observatory, covering a wide band ranging from Ultraviolet(UV) to high energy X-rays.&nbsp;

While a vast majority of ISRO’s satellites are meant to serve purposes like communication, surveillance, imagery, remote sensing etc. A handful of missions/satellites are purely for exploring and helping understand unexplored sciences. Such missions are Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan and AstroSat.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/with-isro-assistance-indias-skyroot-aerospace-aims-maiden-rocket-launch-by-dec-2021-320835" hreflang="en">With ISRO assistance, India’s Skyroot Aerospace aims maiden rocket launch by Dec-2021</a>

ISRO says that the unique observation capability of AstroSat in this wide band makes it one of the major space science observatories in the world. According to the Indian Space agency, AstroSat was also the mission which led to the discovery of one of the earliest galaxies in extreme Ultraviolet light, marking a major breakthrough. Called AUDFs01, this galaxy is said to be 9.3 billion light years away from earth.&nbsp;

The discovery was made by an international team of astronomers led by Dr. Kanak Saha, at the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune. This team was comprised of scientists from India, Switzerland, France, USA, Japan and Netherlands.&nbsp;

Speaking at a virtual event, to mark five years of AstroSat, R. Umamaheswaran, Scientific Secretary, ISRO said that the data generated from the AstroSat mission has been shared with over 1500 users across 43 countries, hailing the mission as an ‘international success’. “AstroSat was launched into a unique circular orbit, with low incline of 6 degrees and five of its payloads can function simultaneously” he said.&nbsp;

Chairman ISRO, DR. K.Sivan said that, the study of the universe played a major role in defining research of ISRO and AstroSat has brought us into the big league of space astronomy and provided excellent results. He added that the satellite had served its mission life of five years, with all five on-board equipment in ‘very fine’ condition and that it would continue to serve for years to come.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/chandrayaan-2-mapping-lunar-surface-as-per-mission-plan-isro-315205" hreflang="en">Chandrayaan-2 mapping lunar surface as per mission plan: ISRO</a>

Referring to AstroSat as a multi-agency mission, Dr.Sivan elaborated that academia and R&amp;D institutions had worked in the engineering and testing phase of this project.&nbsp;

Speaking of ISRO’s ‘big future plans’ in space exploration and science, he said, that Exposat and Aditya L-1 were upcoming missions which would open exciting possibilities. While Exposat was meant to study X-ray polarisation from cosmic sources, it would also be the first polarimetric mission after half a century, Sivan added. Aditya L-1 is a mission that was slated for launch by mid-2020, the scientific objective of the mission was to study the Sun.&nbsp;

“There are exciting possibilities - missions to detect Eletromagnetic counterparts of gravitational events, to study atmospheric composition of rocky planets and discovery of all life forms outside our solar system” he said. He urged the scientific community to use the scientific data and research to the maximum extent and also indicate the importance of generating future Human Resources by involving school students.&nbsp;

Thus far, in 2020 ISRO has not had any launches owing to the pandemic-induced lockdowns and logistical challenges etc. ISRO officials have said that 4 satellites are ready for launch, namely -&nbsp;&nbsp;GISAT-1, Microsat 2-A, GSAT-12R and RISAT-2BR2.&nbsp;

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) marked five years of the lunch of AstroSat, which is India’s first multi-wavelength mission, which was launched from Sriharikota spaceport on 28th September 2018.

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) marked five years of the lunch of AstroSat, which is India’s first multi-wavelength mission, which was launched from Sriharikota spaceport on 28th September 2018. The satellite is being operated as a proposal-based observatory, covering a wide band ranging from Ultraviolet(UV) to high energy X-rays. While a vast majority of ISRO’s satellites are meant to serve purposes like communication, surveillance, imagery, remote sensing etc. A handful of missions/satellites are purely for exploring and helping understand unexplored sciences. Such missions are Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan and AstroSat. Also read: With ISRO assistance, India’s Skyroot Aerospace aims maiden rocket launch by Dec-2021 ISRO says that the unique observation capability of AstroSat in this wide band makes it one of the major space science observatories in the world. According to the Indian Space agency, AstroSat was also the mission which led to the discovery of one of the earliest galaxies in extreme Ultraviolet light, marking a major breakthrough. Called AUDFs01, this galaxy is said to be 9.3 billion light years away from earth. The discovery was made by an international team of astronomers led by Dr. Kanak Saha, at the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune. This team was comprised of scientists from India, Switzerland, France, USA, Japan and Netherlands. Speaking at a virtual event, to mark five years of AstroSat, R. Umamaheswaran, Scientific Secretary, ISRO said that the data generated from the AstroSat mission has been shared with over 1500 users across 43 countries, hailing the mission as an ‘international success’. “AstroSat was launched into a unique circular orbit, with low incline of 6 degrees and five of its payloads can function simultaneously” he said. Chairman ISRO, DR. K.Sivan said that, the study of the universe played a major role in defining research of ISRO and AstroSat has brought us into the big league of space astronomy and provided excellent results. He added that the satellite had served its mission life of five years, with all five on-board equipment in ‘very fine’ condition and that it would continue to serve for years to come. Also read: Chandrayaan-2 mapping lunar surface as per mission plan: ISRO Referring to AstroSat as a multi-agency mission, Dr.Sivan elaborated that academia and R&D institutions had worked in the engineering and testing phase of this project. Speaking of ISRO’s ‘big future plans’ in space exploration and science, he said, that Exposat and Aditya L-1 were upcoming missions which would open exciting possibilities. While Exposat was meant to study X-ray polarisation from cosmic sources, it would also be the first polarimetric mission after half a century, Sivan added. Aditya L-1 is a mission that was slated for launch by mid-2020, the scientific objective of the mission was to study the Sun. “There are exciting possibilities - missions to detect Eletromagnetic counterparts of gravitational events, to study atmospheric composition of rocky planets and discovery of all life forms outside our solar system” he said. He urged the scientific community to use the scientific data and research to the maximum extent and also indicate the importance of generating future Human Resources by involving school students. Thus far, in 2020 ISRO has not had any launches owing to the pandemic-induced lockdowns and logistical challenges etc. ISRO officials have said that 4 satellites are ready for launch, namely - GISAT-1, Microsat 2-A, GSAT-12R and RISAT-2BR2.

ISRO marks 5 years of Space Observatory - AstroSat; More science missions in anvil

India's first multi-wavelength satellite,&nbsp;AstroSat,&nbsp;has detected an extreme ultraviolet (UV) light from a galaxy which is 9.3 billion light-years away from Earth, the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) said on Monday.

A release from the Pune-based Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics said a global team led by IUCAA scientists have achieved the major breakthrough.

The discovery was made by an international team of astronomers led by Dr Kanak Saha, associate professor of astronomy at the IUCAA, and published on August 24 by 'Nature Astronomy', the release said. This team comprised scientists from India, France, Switzerland, the USA, Japan and the Netherlands.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-heading-towards-earth-a-day-before-us-elections-nasa-322513" hreflang="en">Asteroid heading towards Earth a day before US elections: NASA</a>

Saha and his team observed the galaxy, which is located in the Hubble Extreme Deep field, through AstroSat. These observations lasted for more than 28 hours in October 2016, the release stated.

But it took nearly two years since then to carefully analyse the data to ascertain that the emission is indeed from the galaxy. Since UV radiation is absorbed by Earths atmosphere, it has to be observed from space, it said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/growing-dent-on-earths-magnetic-field-can-damage-satellites-and-navigation-321602">Growing dent on Earth’s magnetic field can damage satellites and navigation</a>

Earlier, NASAs Hubble Space Telescope (HST), a significantly larger than UVIT (UV imaging telescope), did not detect any UV emission (with energygreater than 13.6 eV) from this galaxy because it is too faint, it said.

AstroSat/UVIT was able to achieve this unique feat because the background noise in the UVITdetector is much less than the ones on HST," said the release quoting Saha.

Saha said they knew it would be an uphill task to convince the international community that UVIT has recorded extreme-UV emission from this galaxy when more powerful HST has not.

Dr Somak Raychaudhury, Director of IUCAA, said, "This is a very important clue to how the dark ages of the universe ended and there was light in the universe.

"We need to know when this started, but it has been very hard to find the earliest sources of light. I am very proud that my colleagues have made such an important discovery."

India's first multi-wavelength satellite, AstroSat, has detected an extreme ultraviolet (UV) light from a galaxy which is 9.3 billion light-years away from Earth, the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) said on Monday.

India's first multi-wavelength satellite, AstroSat, has detected an extreme ultraviolet (UV) light from a galaxy which is 9.3 billion light-years away from Earth, the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) said on Monday. A release from the Pune-based Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics said a global team led by IUCAA scientists have achieved the major breakthrough. The discovery was made by an international team of astronomers led by Dr Kanak Saha, associate professor of astronomy at the IUCAA, and published on August 24 by 'Nature Astronomy', the release said. This team comprised scientists from India, France, Switzerland, the USA, Japan and the Netherlands. Also read: Asteroid heading towards Earth a day before US elections: NASA Saha and his team observed the galaxy, which is located in the Hubble Extreme Deep field, through AstroSat. These observations lasted for more than 28 hours in October 2016, the release stated. But it took nearly two years since then to carefully analyse the data to ascertain that the emission is indeed from the galaxy. Since UV radiation is absorbed by Earths atmosphere, it has to be observed from space, it said. Also read: Growing dent on Earth’s magnetic field can damage satellites and navigation Earlier, NASAs Hubble Space Telescope (HST), a significantly larger than UVIT (UV imaging telescope), did not detect any UV emission (with energygreater than 13.6 eV) from this galaxy because it is too faint, it said. AstroSat/UVIT was able to achieve this unique feat because the background noise in the UVITdetector is much less than the ones on HST," said the release quoting Saha. Saha said they knew it would be an uphill task to convince the international community that UVIT has recorded extreme-UV emission from this galaxy when more powerful HST has not. Dr Somak Raychaudhury, Director of IUCAA, said, "This is a very important clue to how the dark ages of the universe ended and there was light in the universe. "We need to know when this started, but it has been very hard to find the earliest sources of light. I am very proud that my colleagues have made such an important discovery."

Indian satellite AstroSat detects UV light from galaxy 9.3 billion light-years away from Earth

What if the universe’s secrets were hiding in the innards of a black hole? Scientists seem to think so.

For long, black holes existed in Hollywood films and science fiction books. But when the first-ever image of one was released last year, the interest in black holes and their anatomy has increased.

Pōwehi

One of such black holes - Pōwehi is allegedly a repository of all of universe’s history. According to a report in New Scientist, the rings of light trapped in the hole’s orbit may be a historical record of its kind.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/dinosaur-era-microbes-lying-dormant-in-ocean-resuscitated-by-scientists-316620" hreflang="en">Dinosaur-era microbes lying dormant in ocean resuscitated by scientists</a>

Comparing the rings of light or photons to a tree, or frames that constitute a film, scientists believe it’s where the history of all universe is stored. In essence, this would make black holes a constituent yet small piece of the puzzle we call the universe, and know very little about.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-capture-space-butterfly-from-thousands-of-light-years-away-317627" hreflang="en">Astronomers capture 'space butterfly' from thousands of light years away</a>

Most knowledge about black holes is extrapolatory, based on juxtapositions and far-off observations, and perhaps we will never know what lies inside one of the holes, as&nbsp;the gravitational pull in the holes is strong enough to swallow everything that crosses its path! What scientists do know is that black holes are created in the aftermath of a star’s death, or a supernova.

Photon rings are important

The series of photon rings in the black hole can help scientists study its properties, much like studying branches of a tree to understand its structure.

“Together, the set of subrings are akin to the frames of a movie, capturing the history of the visible universe as seen from the black hole,” the paper asserted.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-dead-star-in-our-galaxy-is-emitting-radiation-never-witnessed-before-316671" hreflang="en">A dead star in our galaxy is emitting radiation never witnessed before!</a>

However, black holes are complex entities. Even if we were to somehow access photon rings, we would need to do it on time.

New rings are formed every six days, and they last no longer than this time period, after which the hole swallows them.

So, we may not be able to peek into the past, or perhaps the future, just yet!

What if the universe’s secrets were hiding in the innards of a black hole? Scientists seem to think so. For long, black holes existed in Hollywood films and science fiction books.

What if the universe’s secrets were hiding in the innards of a black hole? Scientists seem to think so. For long, black holes existed in Hollywood films and science fiction books. But when the first-ever image of one was released last year, the interest in black holes and their anatomy has increased. Pōwehi One of such black holes - Pōwehi is allegedly a repository of all of universe’s history. According to a report in New Scientist, the rings of light trapped in the hole’s orbit may be a historical record of its kind. Also read: Dinosaur-era microbes lying dormant in ocean resuscitated by scientists Comparing the rings of light or photons to a tree, or frames that constitute a film, scientists believe it’s where the history of all universe is stored. In essence, this would make black holes a constituent yet small piece of the puzzle we call the universe, and know very little about. Also read: Astronomers capture 'space butterfly' from thousands of light years away Most knowledge about black holes is extrapolatory, based on juxtapositions and far-off observations, and perhaps we will never know what lies inside one of the holes, as the gravitational pull in the holes is strong enough to swallow everything that crosses its path! What scientists do know is that black holes are created in the aftermath of a star’s death, or a supernova. Photon rings are important The series of photon rings in the black hole can help scientists study its properties, much like studying branches of a tree to understand its structure. “Together, the set of subrings are akin to the frames of a movie, capturing the history of the visible universe as seen from the black hole,” the paper asserted. Also read: A dead star in our galaxy is emitting radiation never witnessed before! However, black holes are complex entities. Even if we were to somehow access photon rings, we would need to do it on time. New rings are formed every six days, and they last no longer than this time period, after which the hole swallows them. So, we may not be able to peek into the past, or perhaps the future, just yet!

Black holes may be repositories of all of universe's history!

Spaceflight for the common man is still a long time away. But, Virgin Galactic has given a sneak peek into how the trip to earth's orbit could feel like. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Inside Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo

NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover lifted off successfully on July 30 aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The rover will take about seven months to travel to Mars and will search for signs of life, explore the planet's geology, and much more.

WION Dispatch: NASA's Helicopter to fly to Mars, NASA Mars Rover 2020

NASA sends a helicopter along with the rover to Mars

China has launched the Tianwen-1 mission to planet Mars. This is China's first interplanetary spacecraft. With its ambitious Tianwen 1 mission, China will attempt to orbit and land on Mars on its first attempt, subsequently deploying a rover.

China's mission to Mars: A mission to collect data from Mars Tianwen-1

WION Fineprint: Beijing's attempt to join the elite global space club | China MARS Mission

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

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