James Webb Space Telescope helps solve the mystery of the universe’s expansion by measuring galaxy speeds more precisely. New results bring scientists closer to agreeing on the Hubble constant, improving our understanding of the universe age, size, and future.

James Webb Space Telescope helps solve the mystery of the universe’s expansion by measuring galaxy speeds more precisely. New results bring scientists closer to agreeing on the Hubble constant, improving our understanding of the universe’s age, size, and future.

How James Webb Space Telescope is solving the Hubble mystery and confirming the universe’s age

This object named Teleios emits only radio signals and was discovered using Australia’s ASKAP (Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder) telescope during an all-sky survey.

This object named Teleios emits only radio signals and was discovered using Australia’s ASKAP (Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder) telescope during an all-sky survey.

What is Teleios? 5 facts about the mysterious sphere found floating in the Milky way galaxy

ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will study how seeds grow in space during the Ax 4 mission. This research in microgravity helps scientists prepare for growing food on long space trips and inspires students through live updates from the ISS.

ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will study how seeds grow in space during the Ax-4 mission. This research in microgravity helps scientists prepare for growing food on long space trips and inspires students through live updates from the ISS.

ISRO’s Shubhanshu Shukla: How he will study seed sprouting in microgravity in space

The Axiom-4 mission has a confirmed launch date, and when the Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 10, 2025, it will carry four astronauts, scientific equipment, and a small plush swan named ‘Joy’. The soft toy is set to travel aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon, marking a very unique and symbolic part of the mission.&nbsp;‘Joy’ will act as the mission’s zero-gravity indicator, which is a longstanding custom in crewed spaceflight. Often, astronauts carry a small object that begins to float once the spacecraft reaches orbit visibly signalling the onset of microgravity. This practice began in 1961 with Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who carried a doll during his Vostok flight. Ever since, soft toys have accompanied astronauts in both Russian and American missions, including recent SpaceX flights.

'Joy' the swan

<h2>A collective choice&nbsp;</h2>This time, the Ax-4 crew collectively selected a swan as the object of choice. During the pre-flight media briefing, the four-member international crew shared the meaning behind their decision. For Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force, who will serve as pilot, the swan has cultural and philosophical importance.&nbsp;Shukla said the swan represents the ability to separate milk from water, a metaphor for discernment. He added that carrying ‘Joy’ will keep him grounded in his cultural values and prepared for the mission ahead.&nbsp;

<h2>Cultural Symbolism and Crew Unity</h2>Commander Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and the leader of the Axiom-4 mission, explained that ‘Joy’, the swan also serves as a shared cultural emblem. While the swan represents wisdom in India, it represents resilience in Poland and grace in Hungary. She said the toy reflects unity among all the four participating nations. Once in orbit, ‘Joy’ will float inside the capsule, captured on camera for mission observers.&nbsp;With the Axiom 4 mission, Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the second Indian to fly in space, after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 Soviet mission. He is also the first Indian to join an international commercial human spaceflight. The Ax-4 crew includes astronauts from the US, Poland, and Hungary, each making history for their nations.&nbsp;Originally scheduled for May 29, the mission was delayed to 10 June due to weather and readiness factors. The team will spend two weeks or 14 days in space, aboard the International Space Station, conducting about 60 experiments and outreach activities.

The soft toy is set to travel aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon, marking a very unique and symbolic part of the mission.

The Axiom-4 mission has a confirmed launch date, and when the Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 10, 2025, it will carry four astronauts, scientific equipment, and a small plush swan named ‘Joy’. The soft toy is set to travel aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon, marking a very unique and symbolic part of the mission. ‘Joy’ will act as the mission’s zero-gravity indicator, which is a longstanding custom in crewed spaceflight. Often, astronauts carry a small object that begins to float once the spacecraft reaches orbit visibly signalling the onset of microgravity. This practice began in 1961 with Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who carried a doll during his Vostok flight. Ever since, soft toys have accompanied astronauts in both Russian and American missions, including recent SpaceX flights.

The soft toy is set to travel aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon, marking a very unique and symbolic part of the mission.

ISRO’s Shubhanshu Shukla to take ‘Joy’ to space: Swan toy to join Axiom crew aboard ISS

This travel to the International Space Station will make Shukla the first Indian to participate in an international commercial spaceflight to the ISS.

Shukla's travel to the International Space Station will make him the first Indian to participate in an international commercial spaceflight to the ISS.

ISRO’s Shubhanshu Shukla: NASA reveals when Indian astronaut will dock SpaceX Dragon with ISS

The big bang theory is the widely accepted explanation for the origin and evolution of the universe. However, a new study which was published in Physical Review D challenges this conventional view. The researchers propose an alternative model in which our universe emerged from a gravitational collapse followed by a bounce, all occurring within a black hole in a larger 'parent' universe.&nbsp;According to the standard cosmological model, the universe is believed to have begun approximately 13.8 billion years ago with a singularity, which is a point of infinite density, and has been expanding and cooling ever since. However, this model relies on several unobserved phenomena such as inflation fields and dark energy. Additionally, it does not explain the origin of the singularity.&nbsp;The research was published by Enrique Gaztanaga, a professor at the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation at the University of Portsmouth and his colleagues. The new model avoids the issue by combining two things, general relativity with quantum mechanics. Particularly, it invokes the quantum exclusion principle, which prevents identical particles or fermions from occupying the same quantum state. This principle stops the collapse before a singularity forms, hence resulting the matter to rebound outward. The result of this model is a universe expanding from a high-density state which almost identical to our Earth.<h2>From collapse to creation</h2>&nbsp;This process occurs inside a black hole that is formed by a collapsing mass of matter. Instead of ending in a singularity, the collapse results to a bounce this leads to the formation of a new and expanding universe. This 'black hole bounce' model completely relies on established physical laws and does not depend on hypothetical fields or extra dimensions.&nbsp;One of the important predictions of the model is that the space has a slight positive curvature, this differs from the current standard cosmological model which accepts a flat universe. The accuracy of this model could be verified when the upcoming missions like the European Space Agency’s Euclid telescope test this curvature.&nbsp;The model also accounts for the two known phases of accelerated expansion, which are the early inflation period and the present-day expansion attributed to dark energy, without introducing any new or speculative physics. Additionally, it could also provide insights to clarify the origins of supermassive black holes and the distribution of galaxies.<h2>Testing the theory</h2>&nbsp;Future missions such as Arrakihs, which will observe faint galactic structures, may further shed light on this theory by studying potential relics from the collapsing phase to verify the model. This new framework proposes that our universe might be part of a larger cosmic cycle, hence reshaping our knowledge and understanding of the universe’s true origin.&nbsp;

The researchers propose an alternative model in which our universe emerged from a gravitational collapse followed by a bounce, all occurring within a black hole in a larger parent universe.

The big bang theory is the widely accepted explanation for the origin and evolution of the universe. However, a new study which was published in Physical Review D challenges this conventional view. The researchers propose an alternative model in which our universe emerged from a gravitational collapse followed by a bounce, all occurring within a black hole in a larger 'parent' universe. According to the standard cosmological model, the universe is believed to have begun approximately 13.8 billion years ago with a singularity, which is a point of infinite density, and has been expanding and cooling ever since. However, this model relies on several unobserved phenomena such as inflation fields and dark energy. Additionally, it does not explain the origin of the singularity. The research was published by Enrique Gaztanaga, a professor at the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation at the University of Portsmouth and his colleagues. The new model avoids the issue by combining two things, general relativity with quantum mechanics. Particularly, it invokes the quantum exclusion principle, which prevents identical particles or fermions from occupying the same quantum state. This principle stops the collapse before a singularity forms, hence resulting the matter to rebound outward. The result of this model is a universe expanding from a high-density state which almost identical to our Earth. From collapse to creation This process occurs inside a black hole that is formed by a collapsing mass of matter. Instead of ending in a singularity, the collapse results to a bounce this leads to the formation of a new and expanding universe. This 'black hole bounce' model completely relies on established physical laws and does not depend on hypothetical fields or extra dimensions. One of the important predictions of the model is that the space has a slight positive curvature, this differs from the current standard cosmological model which accepts a flat universe. The accuracy of this model could be verified when the upcoming missions like the European Space Agency’s Euclid telescope test this curvature. The model also accounts for the two known phases of accelerated expansion, which are the early inflation period and the present-day expansion attributed to dark energy, without introducing any new or speculative physics. Additionally, it could also provide insights to clarify the origins of supermassive black holes and the distribution of galaxies. Testing the theory Future missions such as Arrakihs, which will observe faint galactic structures, may further shed light on this theory by studying potential relics from the collapsing phase to verify the model. This new framework proposes that our universe might be part of a larger cosmic cycle, hence reshaping our knowledge and understanding of the universe’s true origin.

The researchers propose an alternative model in which our universe emerged from a gravitational collapse followed by a bounce, all occurring within a black hole in a larger 'parent' universe.

How did the universe begin? New study says the Big Bang was actually a bounce inside a black hole

Chinese astronomers saw a strange object shining brightly in the sky in October 1408. This was during the Ming Dynasty, when a stationary yellow object remained visible for over ten days. It was an oddity, as no one had ever seen something like it. Officials were so intrigued by it that they made a record of it.&nbsp;It has been known as the “guest star”, a mysterious cosmic object. Scientists have been peering over historical astronomical records for years to understand more about the object. Now they have finally confirmed what it was, thanks to a recently unearthed report by a court official.&nbsp;The details have been posted to the preprint server arXiv by researchers led by Boshun Yang, an astronomer at the University of Science and Technology of China.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/milky-way-andromeda-galaxy-collision-large-magellanic-cloud-1748934379239">Not Andromeda, but the Milky Way will smash into a dwarf galaxy in 2 billion years</a>&nbsp;<h2>Guest star, “as large as a cup”, “yellow and smooth”</h2>&nbsp;He cites a report by Hu Guang, a court official in the Ming Dynasty, who wrote about the guest star only weeks after it was seen. His details have helped cover a large gap in information, since earlier records lacked crucial details.&nbsp;According to the study, Hu wrote a memorial that was in possession of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. The text describes the object "as large as a cup, with pure yellow colour, smooth and bright". It remained "stationary and calm over ten days of measurement and observation" in the southern region of Niandao.&nbsp;<h2>New record proves the 1408 object was real</h2>&nbsp;The discovery of this record by Hu proves that the star did appear in the sky and was not a misinterpretation caused by translation. Second, it shows how court officials, while reporting to the king, were expected to use positive words instead of stark warnings that might be perceived as negative. Words like "smooth and bright" were used instead of "spikes" or "rays."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/how-will-earth-die-solar-system-sun-mercury-venus-rogue-star-1748688088180">One planet will trigger the death of everyone in the solar system. A star will aid and abet</a>&nbsp;<h2>Not a comet, not a meteor, but a nova</h2>&nbsp;Researchers deduced that since the object remained in one place for 10 days, it was not a comet or meteor, but a star, more precisely, a nova. That meant a star had undergone a violent death and flared up, becoming visible to humans on Earth. It had a stable light curve, which suggests that it was a specific type of nova with "plateau" characteristics, which meant the light stayed stable for a long time.&nbsp;The nova was extremely bright, as proven by the use of the term "Zhou Bo star," which was only used to refer to extraordinarily bright phenomena. Besides, it had to be something so important that it warranted documentation by Chinese court astronomers. All these observations led Yang and his team to believe that it was a major nova. &nbsp;

A bright yellow object appeared in the sky in 1408. Its appearance was different from everything else, leading ancient Chinese astronomers to make a record about it.    

Chinese astronomers saw a strange object shining brightly in the sky in October 1408. This was during the Ming Dynasty, when a stationary yellow object remained visible for over ten days. It was an oddity, as no one had ever seen something like it. Officials were so intrigued by it that they made a record of it. It has been known as the “guest star”, a mysterious cosmic object. Scientists have been peering over historical astronomical records for years to understand more about the object. Now they have finally confirmed what it was, thanks to a recently unearthed report by a court official. The details have been posted to the preprint server arXiv by researchers led by Boshun Yang, an astronomer at the University of Science and Technology of China. Also Read: Not Andromeda, but the Milky Way will smash into a dwarf galaxy in 2 billion years Guest star, “as large as a cup”, “yellow and smooth” He cites a report by Hu Guang, a court official in the Ming Dynasty, who wrote about the guest star only weeks after it was seen. His details have helped cover a large gap in information, since earlier records lacked crucial details. According to the study, Hu wrote a memorial that was in possession of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. The text describes the object "as large as a cup, with pure yellow colour, smooth and bright". It remained "stationary and calm over ten days of measurement and observation" in the southern region of Niandao. New record proves the 1408 object was real The discovery of this record by Hu proves that the star did appear in the sky and was not a misinterpretation caused by translation. Second, it shows how court officials, while reporting to the king, were expected to use positive words instead of stark warnings that might be perceived as negative. Words like "smooth and bright" were used instead of "spikes" or "rays." Also Read: One planet will trigger the death of everyone in the solar system. A star will aid and abet Not a comet, not a meteor, but a nova Researchers deduced that since the object remained in one place for 10 days, it was not a comet or meteor, but a star, more precisely, a nova. That meant a star had undergone a violent death and flared up, becoming visible to humans on Earth. It had a stable light curve, which suggests that it was a specific type of nova with "plateau" characteristics, which meant the light stayed stable for a long time. The nova was extremely bright, as proven by the use of the term "Zhou Bo star," which was only used to refer to extraordinarily bright phenomena. Besides, it had to be something so important that it warranted documentation by Chinese court astronomers. All these observations led Yang and his team to believe that it was a major nova.

A bright yellow object appeared in the sky in 1408. Its appearance was different from everything else, leading ancient Chinese astronomers to make a record about it. &nbsp; &nbsp;

1408 celestial mystery solved: Scientists reveal identity of 'Zhou Bo star' that disappeared after 10 days

The universe is humongous, and there is so much that we still do not know about it. Here are some cool facts about the universe we bet you probably did not know. 

The universe is humongous, and there is so much that we still don't know about it. Here are some cool facts about the universe we bet you probably did not know.&nbsp;

Smell, colour and more: 5 facts about the universe we bet you did not know

NASA confirms asteroid 2025 KX8, about 120 feet wide, will pass near Earth on June 4. Though there is no danger, scientists are tracking it closely due to its orbit. ISRO and global space agencies are preparing for future asteroid threats through joint monitoring.

NASA confirms asteroid 2025 KX8, about 120 feet wide, will pass near Earth on June 4. Although there's no danger, scientists are tracking it closely due to its orbit. ISRO and global space agencies are preparing for future asteroid threats through joint monitoring.

How NASA and ISRO are working together to monitor asteroid threats?

Space environments pose unique challenges to food safety. On Earth, food is stored, cooked, and consumed in stable conditions. In microgravity, however, microbes can float freely and spread through the cabin air.

Space environments pose unique challenges to food safety. On Earth, food is stored, cooked, and consumed in stable conditions. In microgravity, however, microbes can float freely and spread through the cabin air.

Why does NASA say no? From bread to fruit: 10 common foods banned from space travel

Space missions, while they may sound fascinating are arguably among the most demanding and high-risk endeavours ever undertaken by humans.

Space missions, while they may sound fascinating are arguably among the most demanding and high-risk endeavours ever undertaken by humans.

Radiation, isolation, microgravity and more: NASA's top 5 hazards for human spaceflight

Space is a dynamic, ever-evolving frontier filled with powerful and mysterious phenomena, from plasma and fusion to magnetic reconnection, shocks, and massive cosmic structures help in shape our understanding of the universe.

Space is a dynamic, ever-evolving frontier filled with powerful and mysterious phenomena, from plasma and fusion to magnetic reconnection, shocks, and massive cosmic structures help in shape our understanding of the universe.

Superclusters, plasma, cosmic explosions and more:  NASA reveals 6 surprising space facts

Dreamy auroras! Northern lights dazzle the U.S and global space amid ongoing solar storm - In pics

As a severe G4 geomagnetic storm hits the Earth, Northern lights, aka aurora, lit up the skies across US states such as California, Wyoming and others.&nbsp;Scroll to check the dazzling pictures.&nbsp; &nbsp;

While our tools and theories have evolved, some fundamental questions continue to defy explanation. From the nature of dark matter to the pulsars breaking their own rules, here are some of the biggest cosmic puzzles that continues to amaze space enthusiasts.

While our tools and theories have evolved, some fundamental questions continue to defy explanation. From the nature of dark matter to the pulsars breaking their own rules so here are some of the biggest cosmic puzzles that continues to amaze space enthusiasts.

Black holes, dark matter, pulsars and more: 6 space mysteries that defy explanation

Astronomers have recently discovered an enormous jet powered by a black hole, which stretches 200,000 light-years, twice the length of our galaxy.

Astronomers have recently discovered an enormous jet powered by a black hole, which stretches 200,000 light-years, twice the length of our galaxy.

'Twice the Length of Our Galaxy’: Astronomers discover the oldest and largest black hole jet ever found

It was the first confirmed interstellar object observed passing through our solar system. The Hawaiian name, ‘Oumuamua, means 'a messenger from afar arriving first.'

It was the first confirmed interstellar object observed passing through our solar system. The Hawaiian name, ‘Oumuamua, means 'a messenger from afar arriving first.'

What is Oumuamua? 6 facts about the first mysterious visitor to enter our solar system

According to ISRO’s latest Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR), a record 261 launch attempts were made globally in 2024, out of which 254 were successful. These launches placed at least 2,578 active satellites and 2,963 total objects into our orbit.

According to ISRO’s latest Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR), a record 261 launch attempts were made globally in 2024, out of which 254 were successful. These launches placed at least 2,578 active satellites and 2,963 total objects into our orbit.

Over 3,600 pieces of space junk entered Earth’s orbit in 2024: ISRO

This object, temporarily named 2017 OF201 was discovered from the archival data from the Blanco telescope in Chile and the Canada-France-Hawaii telescope. 

This object, temporarily named 2017 OF201 was discovered from the archival data from the Blanco telescope in Chile and the Canada-France-Hawaii telescope.&nbsp;

Newly discovered dwarf planet takes 25,000 years to complete one orbit around the Sun

This point lies in the South Pacific Ocean, which is approximately 2,700 kilometres from the nearest land. 

This point lies in the South Pacific Ocean, which is approximately 2,700 kilometres from the nearest land.&nbsp;

What is Point Nemo? Earth's most isolated place where ISS will be crashed

Shubhanshu Shukla begins his space journey at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. As one of India’s first astronauts to train there, he marks a proud milestone in India’s global space ambitions. His mission reflects Indo-US cooperation and a bold future in space.

Shubhanshu Shukla begins his space journey at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. As one of India’s first astronauts to train there, he marks a proud milestone in India’s global space ambitions. His mission reflects Indo-US cooperation and a bold future in space.

ISRO's Shubhanshu Shukla: All about NASA’s Kennedy Space Center from where SpaceX' Falcon 9 rocket will launched

The gravity of these holes is so strong that not even light can escape once it crosses the boundary known as the event horizon. 

The gravity of these holes is so strong that not even light can escape once it crosses the boundary known as the event horizon.

What is a Black Hole? An introduction to one of the most mysterious object in the universe

Space missions mirror more than just scientific curiosity, they symbolise global cooperation, decades of research and financial commitment.

Space missions mirror more than just scientific curiosity, they symbolise global cooperation, decades of research and financial commitment.

'ISS, Apollo and more': 6 most expensive mega-projects that redefined space exploration

NASA’s Perseverance rover recently marked 1,500 sols or the Martian days, since landing on Mars in February 2021. This time period is equivalent to 1,541 Earth days.

NASA’s Perseverance rover recently marked 1,500 sols or the Martian days, since landing on Mars in February 2021. This time period is equivalent to 1,541 Earth days.

'1,500 days on Mars': What is NASA's Perseverance rover and what has it been exploring on the Red Planet?

While Earth remains the only known host of life as of now, researchers are studying planets that lie in the 'habitable zone' of their stars, where temperatures could allow liquid water to exist.


While Earth remains the only known host of life as of now, researchers are studying planets that lie in the 'habitable zone' of their stars, where temperatures could allow liquid water to exist. &nbsp;

'Habitable zone': 6 exoplanets that could possibly support life

The mission that is jointly coordinated by Axiom Space, NASA and ISRO, represents far more than a symbolic milestone.

The mission that is jointly coordinated by Axiom Space, NASA and ISRO, represents far more than a symbolic milestone.

ISRO's Shubhanshu Shukla: 7 reasons why India is investing on Indian astronaut for Axiom-4 mission

Shubhanshu Shukla has tested the same pressure suit worn by NASA astronauts aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft — a suit often referred to as the 'Starman suit'. Shukla will wear the same suit for the Axiom-4 mission. Here are some facts about the 'Starman Suit'.


Shubhanshu Shukla has tested the same pressure suit worn by NASA astronauts aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft — a suit often referred to as the 'Starman suit'. Shukla will wear the same suit for the Axiom-4 mission. Here are some facts about the 'Starman Suit'.

ISRO's Shubhanshu Shukla: What is the Starman suit that the Indian astronaut will wear in space?

This safety assessment confirms the crew, which includes ISRO's Shubhanshu Shukla, is one step closer to launch. 

The International Space Station (ISS) is not owned by a single nation. Instead, it is the result of collaboration between 15 countries, which includes the United States, Japan, Russia, Canada, and members of the European Space Agency.&nbsp;

ISRO's Shubhanshu Shukla: 7 unknown facts about the International Space Station

According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the satellite data provided a precise trajectory tracking to enable targeted defence responses.

Operation Sindoor: How ISRO satellites aided the Indian Army against Pakistan?

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is preparing to head to space as part of the Ax-4 mission. His recent training involved simulating space like low pressure conditions to prepare for emergencies in orbit.

ISRO's Shubhanshu Shukla goes through toughest space training for Ax-4 mission! Know all about it

Shubhanshu Shukla is a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force and one of the four astronauts selected for India’s historic Gaganyaan Mission. Born on October 10, 1985.

Who is Shubhanshu Shukla? Things to know about Indian astronaut going to space this month

A Soviet spacecraft launched more than five decades ago is set for an uncontrolled re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere and the scariest part is that might fall anywhere on earth. 

Don't look up! This Soviet-era spacecraft can crash anywhere on Earth this month

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