NASA's Mars mission is just getting thrilling. NASA is seeking volunteers to participate in a one-year Mars surface simulation mission. It will help the space agency to develop plans for human exploration of the Red Planet.

NASA seeking volunteers to simulate a mission to Mars. Here's how to apply

<p>Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to send a rotocopter to Mars along with a lander, claimed several media reports. The ambitious mission will be executed as a follow-up to ISRO’s Mangalyaan Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) which reached its end of life in 2022.</p>

<p>According to ISRO’s plan, the project will see a lander touchdown on the red planet, which will deploy a rover as well as a drone, along the lines of the Ingenuity quadcopter of the American space agency NASA. The quadcopter recently completed its unprecedented three-year mission where it completed 72 flights.</p>

<p>It is believed that ISRO’s drone programme is still in the conceptual stage. The drone is expected to fly as high as 100 metres in thin Martian air.</p>

<p>The drone will carry out aerial exploration of the red planet, using its suitable payloads, sensors and equipment. It will carry the Martian Boundary Layer Explorer (Marble).</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller, says report</strong></p>

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<p>The Marble mission is expected to help scientists understand Martian weather patterns and climate history. The mission will also aid future exploration missions and predict future conditions.</p>

<p>The drone will conduct vertical profiling of atmospheric parameters and perform in-situ measurements in the near-surface boundary layers of Mars.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw1wjuG3I32PW8vI164jWm8Q" data-ved="2ahUKEwjstpC6hriEAxV8a_UHHUghCzAQxfQBKAB6BAgJEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/why-nasa-is-urging-people-to-listen-during-april-8s-solar-eclipse-and-report-back-690624" jsname="YKoRaf">Why is NASA urging people to listen during solar eclipse on April 8 and report back?</a></strong></p>

<p>The Mars Orbiter Mission's triumph and India's forthcoming Martian drone expedition demonstrate India's rising prowess in space exploration. ISRO has earned praise from global counterparts like NASA and its MAVEN team, showcasing the collaborative spirit driving humanity's quest to explore the cosmos. From lunar endeavours to Mars missions, India's commitment to advancing our understanding of space is evident.</p>

<p>In summary, ISRO's announcement of a Martian drone mission marks another significant stride in India's ambitious space exploration journey. Building upon the success of the Mars Orbiter Mission, this new endeavour aims to redefine boundaries and offer a glimpse into a bright future.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to send a rotocopter to Mars along with a lander, claimed several media reports. The ambitious mission will be executed as a follow-up to ISRO’s Mangalyaan Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) which reached its end of life in 2022.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to send a rotocopter to Mars along with a lander, claimed several media reports. The ambitious mission will be executed as a follow-up to ISRO’s Mangalyaan Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) which reached its end of life in 2022. According to ISRO’s plan, the project will see a lander touchdown on the red planet, which will deploy a rover as well as a drone, along the lines of the Ingenuity quadcopter of the American space agency NASA. The quadcopter recently completed its unprecedented three-year mission where it completed 72 flights. It is believed that ISRO’s drone programme is still in the conceptual stage. The drone is expected to fly as high as 100 metres in thin Martian air. The drone will carry out aerial exploration of the red planet, using its suitable payloads, sensors and equipment. It will carry the Martian Boundary Layer Explorer (Marble). Watch: New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller, says report × The Marble mission is expected to help scientists understand Martian weather patterns and climate history. The mission will also aid future exploration missions and predict future conditions. The drone will conduct vertical profiling of atmospheric parameters and perform in-situ measurements in the near-surface boundary layers of Mars. Also read: Why is NASA urging people to listen during solar eclipse on April 8 and report back? The Mars Orbiter Mission's triumph and India's forthcoming Martian drone expedition demonstrate India's rising prowess in space exploration. ISRO has earned praise from global counterparts like NASA and its MAVEN team, showcasing the collaborative spirit driving humanity's quest to explore the cosmos. From lunar endeavours to Mars missions, India's commitment to advancing our understanding of space is evident. In summary, ISRO's announcement of a Martian drone mission marks another significant stride in India's ambitious space exploration journey. Building upon the success of the Mars Orbiter Mission, this new endeavour aims to redefine boundaries and offer a glimpse into a bright future. (With inputs from agencies)

ISRO’s next Mars mission to deploy rover, drone on red planet: Report

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<p>Scientists have detected a debris cloud growing in a distant star system, suspected to be formed due to a collision between two exoplanets.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the paper published in&nbsp;<em>Nature</em>, the discovery of the growing debris cloud adds evidence to the theory that newly-formed planets in circumstellar discs can collide sometimes. The study also gives insights into the violent past of our own Solar System during its infant stage.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Astronomers studied a star system dubbed ASASSN-21qj, located 1,850 lightyears from Earth. A ground-based all-sky survey detected the star first in 2021.</p>

<p>The survey looked for celestial bodies that changed their luminosities. ASASSN-21qj brightened evidently over a short period, specifically in infrared frequencies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Clouds of gas and dust block most frequencies of light. However, they allow infrared light to pass through, suggesting a sudden rise in the dust and debris around the star.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/double-the-sample-double-the-fun-nasa-got-double-the-amount-of-asteroid-bennu-sample-it-hoped-for-691196">‘Double the sample, double the fun’: NASA got double the amount of asteroid Bennu sample</a></p>

<p>Astronomers believe a large-scale and violent impact might have occurred between two exoplanets in the far-away star system. Furthermore, they discovered a circumstellar disc around the star, where new planets form from the material left over after the formation of the star.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>About ASASSN-21qj</strong></h2>

<p>ASASSN-21qj&nbsp;is a young star similar to Earth's Sun, born less than 300 million years ago. The star demonstrated an excess of brightness for 1,000 days. However, after that, the light from the star drastically dropped. Then, there was an eclipse that lasted 500 days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Scientists speculate that this brightening and the eclipsing of the star was due to a giant dust cloud formed by a collision between two exoplanets. They believe that the debris cloud contains icy particles.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/secrets-of-earths-lost-past-hidden-in-ancient-volcanoes-on-mars-scientists-suggest-so-691197">Secrets of Earth’s lost past hidden in ancient volcanoes on Mars? Scientists suggest so...</a></p>

<p>As the cloud continues to revolve around the star, it might cause further eclipses.</p>

<p>The celestial bodies of our Solar System continue to bear evidence of its violent past even after 4.5 billion years ago. These evidences include Venus rotating opposite the other planets of the Solar System and Uranus having an unusual tint due to an ancient collision between two planets. Moreover, Earth's Moon is believed to have formed by an ancient planetesimal, an accretion of dust and ice particles in a rock-like formation, that struck Earth during the infant stages of our Solar System.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Scientists have detected a debris cloud growing in a distant star system, suspected to be formed due to a collision between two exoplanets. According to the paper published in Nature, the discovery of the growing debris cloud adds evidence to the theory that newly-formed planets in circumstellar discs can collide sometimes.

Scientists have detected a debris cloud growing in a distant star system, suspected to be formed due to a collision between two exoplanets. According to the paper published in Nature, the discovery of the growing debris cloud adds evidence to the theory that newly-formed planets in circumstellar discs can collide sometimes. The study also gives insights into the violent past of our own Solar System during its infant stage. Astronomers studied a star system dubbed ASASSN-21qj, located 1,850 lightyears from Earth. A ground-based all-sky survey detected the star first in 2021. The survey looked for celestial bodies that changed their luminosities. ASASSN-21qj brightened evidently over a short period, specifically in infrared frequencies. Clouds of gas and dust block most frequencies of light. However, they allow infrared light to pass through, suggesting a sudden rise in the dust and debris around the star. ALSO READ | ‘Double the sample, double the fun’: NASA got double the amount of asteroid Bennu sample Astronomers believe a large-scale and violent impact might have occurred between two exoplanets in the far-away star system. Furthermore, they discovered a circumstellar disc around the star, where new planets form from the material left over after the formation of the star. About ASASSN-21qj ASASSN-21qj is a young star similar to Earth's Sun, born less than 300 million years ago. The star demonstrated an excess of brightness for 1,000 days. However, after that, the light from the star drastically dropped. Then, there was an eclipse that lasted 500 days. Scientists speculate that this brightening and the eclipsing of the star was due to a giant dust cloud formed by a collision between two exoplanets. They believe that the debris cloud contains icy particles. ALSO READ | Secrets of Earth’s lost past hidden in ancient volcanoes on Mars? Scientists suggest so... As the cloud continues to revolve around the star, it might cause further eclipses. The celestial bodies of our Solar System continue to bear evidence of its violent past even after 4.5 billion years ago. These evidences include Venus rotating opposite the other planets of the Solar System and Uranus having an unusual tint due to an ancient collision between two planets. Moreover, Earth's Moon is believed to have formed by an ancient planetesimal, an accretion of dust and ice particles in a rock-like formation, that struck Earth during the infant stages of our Solar System. (With inputs from agencies)

Debris cloud growing in a distant star system after massive collision between two exoplanets

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<p>Scientists have found some unexpected activity in the icy objects of the outer belt surrounding our solar system.</p>

<p>Kuiper Belt is a remote, doughnut-shaped region encircling much of our solar system, inhabited by ice-clad worlds like Pluto (a dwarf planet). Scientists have yet to explore the little-known area. However, they believe that millions of "dead objects" orbit here.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Using the James Webb Space Telescope to view some of these icy objects, astronomers found evidence that they might not be so dead after all. They trained the powerful telescope, which orbits one million miles from Earth, on Eris and Makemake, the two largest-known objects of the Kuiper Belt. It has specialised cameras that can detect different elements or molecules in distant worlds.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the study published in the planetary science journal&nbsp;<em>Icarus</em>, the icy orbs and objects of the Kuiper Belt are preserved primordial relics of the early solar system. However, the frozen methane identified on the surfaces of Eris and Makamake shows that these molecules were recently "cooked up".</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-shallow-salty-lake-in-canada-may-have-an-explanation-for-the-origin-of-life-on-earth-691421">A shallow, salty lake in Canada may have an explanation for the origin of life on Earth</a></p>

<p>The study suggests hot interiors below the icy surface, capable of pushing liquid or gas onto the crust. The relatively recent methane deposits suggest&nbsp;that these icy worlds could harbour oceans, like Jupiter's icy moon Europa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We see some interesting signs of hot times in cool places," Christopher Glein, a scientist at the Southwest Research Institute, said in a statement.</p>

<p>Glein, who has&nbsp;previously researched Saturn's geyser-shooting moon, Enceladus&nbsp;led the investigation into the Kuiper Belt objects.</p>

<p>"Hot cores could also point to potential sources of liquid water beneath their icy surfaces," Glein explained.</p>

<p>Scientists speculate that some of these frozen worlds, billions of miles away, could harbour conditions suitable for life. However, there has been no evidence for it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There has been no attempt yet to reach these cosmic frontiers closely. But NASA's New Horizons mission to Pluto and beyond opened the researchers to a complex world of distinct topography, including glaciers and mountains made of water ice.</p>

<p>"After the New Horizons flyby of the Pluto system, and with this discovery, the Kuiper Belt is turning out to be much more alive in terms of hosting dynamic worlds than we would have imagined," said Glein.</p>

<p>"It's not too early to start thinking about sending a spacecraft to fly by another one of these bodies to place the JWST data into a geologic context. I believe that we will be stunned by the wonders that await!," he added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Scientists have found some unexpected activity in the icy objects of the outer belt surrounding our solar system. Kuiper Belt is a remote, doughnut-shaped region encircling much of our solar system, inhabited by ice-clad worlds like Pluto (a dwarf planet).

Scientists have found some unexpected activity in the icy objects of the outer belt surrounding our solar system. Kuiper Belt is a remote, doughnut-shaped region encircling much of our solar system, inhabited by ice-clad worlds like Pluto (a dwarf planet). Scientists have yet to explore the little-known area. However, they believe that millions of "dead objects" orbit here. Using the James Webb Space Telescope to view some of these icy objects, astronomers found evidence that they might not be so dead after all. They trained the powerful telescope, which orbits one million miles from Earth, on Eris and Makemake, the two largest-known objects of the Kuiper Belt. It has specialised cameras that can detect different elements or molecules in distant worlds. According to the study published in the planetary science journal Icarus, the icy orbs and objects of the Kuiper Belt are preserved primordial relics of the early solar system. However, the frozen methane identified on the surfaces of Eris and Makamake shows that these molecules were recently "cooked up". ALSO READ | A shallow, salty lake in Canada may have an explanation for the origin of life on Earth The study suggests hot interiors below the icy surface, capable of pushing liquid or gas onto the crust. The relatively recent methane deposits suggest that these icy worlds could harbour oceans, like Jupiter's icy moon Europa. "We see some interesting signs of hot times in cool places," Christopher Glein, a scientist at the Southwest Research Institute, said in a statement. Glein, who has previously researched Saturn's geyser-shooting moon, Enceladus led the investigation into the Kuiper Belt objects. "Hot cores could also point to potential sources of liquid water beneath their icy surfaces," Glein explained. Scientists speculate that some of these frozen worlds, billions of miles away, could harbour conditions suitable for life. However, there has been no evidence for it. There has been no attempt yet to reach these cosmic frontiers closely. But NASA's New Horizons mission to Pluto and beyond opened the researchers to a complex world of distinct topography, including glaciers and mountains made of water ice. "After the New Horizons flyby of the Pluto system, and with this discovery, the Kuiper Belt is turning out to be much more alive in terms of hosting dynamic worlds than we would have imagined," said Glein. "It's not too early to start thinking about sending a spacecraft to fly by another one of these bodies to place the JWST data into a geologic context. I believe that we will be stunned by the wonders that await!," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Frozen worlds in Kuiper Belt might be able to host life, new evidence suggests

An asteroid flew past earth closer than the distance to the moon. The asteroid was detected by scientists only last week. The asteroid potentially weighs 100s of tonnes. Scientists also made an interesting discovery. By decoding data from sofia infrared telescope researchers have confirmed the presence of water on two asteroids. Watch the story to find how the space is full of mysteries.

Gravitas: Asteroid flew past Earth in near miss

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<p>A secret moon might be the reason behind the mysterious rings around a space rock.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the research published in&nbsp;<em>The Planetary Science Journal</em>, scientists have found that a tiny, unseen moonlet might be shepherding a pair of gossamer rings around Chariklo, a minor planet orbiting the Sun in the space between Jupiter and Neptune.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chariklo is 250 kilometres (155 miles) in diameter and is the only known centaur with rings. It has not one, but two rings. However, researchers are still figuring out how asteroids maintain rings.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Scientists have found that moonlets might be the plausible explanation behind the rings. Amanda Sickafoose of the Planetary Science Institute told Science Alert, "Rings around minor planets have only been recently discovered, and only a small number of such systems are currently known."</p>

<p>She added, "There has been significant research into the dazzling rings around the giant planets; however, the mechanisms of ring formation and evolution around small objects are not well understood. We've shown that one of the possibilities for thin rings to exist around small bodies is that a small satellite is sculpting them."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-reveal-heat-can-behave-like-sound-in-superfluid-689191">Scientists reveal heat can behave like sound in superfluid</a></p>

<p>Sickafoose and her colleague, computer scientist Mark Lewis of Trinity University, found that a single tiny moon as small as one kilometre in diameter can maintain gossamer rings like Chariklo.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chariklo has two rings that are very close to a distance to it, known as the Roche limit. Another factor favouring the moonlet theory is that a small moon can keep the ring perturbed enough to stay.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Planetary rings will naturally spread or disperse over time. Chariklo exhibits two thin rings, a few kilometres in width. In order for the rings to stay this thin, there needs to be a mechanism to confine the material and prevent it from dispersing," Sickafoose said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Chariklo is tiny and far away. Thus, scientists cannot gather more information about Chariklo until and unless they send out a mission to get a bit closer. There might be some indirect way of figuring out whether or not there's a moonlet orbiting the asteroid-like chunk of rock and maintaining its rings.</p>

<p>"We show this in the paper by simulating a Chariklo-like ring system that does not have a satellite, and we find that the width of the rings increases linearly with time. It is unlike the situation when there is a satellite in resonance with the ring material, which acts to confine the rings into the kilometre-sized widths that are observed," Sickafoose mentioned.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The researchers are still finding the composition of these rings. There's a high probability that ice accounts for quite a substantial proportion. However, it's unclear how massive the particles are or how they interact.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A secret moon might be the reason behind the mysterious rings around a space rock. According to the research published in The Planetary Science Journal, scientists have found that a tiny, unseen moonlet might be shepherding a pair of gossamer rings around Chariklo, a minor planet orbiting the Sun in the space between Jupiter and Neptune.

A secret moon might be the reason behind the mysterious rings around a space rock. According to the research published in The Planetary Science Journal, scientists have found that a tiny, unseen moonlet might be shepherding a pair of gossamer rings around Chariklo, a minor planet orbiting the Sun in the space between Jupiter and Neptune. Chariklo is 250 kilometres (155 miles) in diameter and is the only known centaur with rings. It has not one, but two rings. However, researchers are still figuring out how asteroids maintain rings. Scientists have found that moonlets might be the plausible explanation behind the rings. Amanda Sickafoose of the Planetary Science Institute told Science Alert, "Rings around minor planets have only been recently discovered, and only a small number of such systems are currently known." She added, "There has been significant research into the dazzling rings around the giant planets; however, the mechanisms of ring formation and evolution around small objects are not well understood. We've shown that one of the possibilities for thin rings to exist around small bodies is that a small satellite is sculpting them." ALSO READ | Scientists reveal heat can behave like sound in superfluid Sickafoose and her colleague, computer scientist Mark Lewis of Trinity University, found that a single tiny moon as small as one kilometre in diameter can maintain gossamer rings like Chariklo. Chariklo has two rings that are very close to a distance to it, known as the Roche limit. Another factor favouring the moonlet theory is that a small moon can keep the ring perturbed enough to stay. "Planetary rings will naturally spread or disperse over time. Chariklo exhibits two thin rings, a few kilometres in width. In order for the rings to stay this thin, there needs to be a mechanism to confine the material and prevent it from dispersing," Sickafoose said. However, Chariklo is tiny and far away. Thus, scientists cannot gather more information about Chariklo until and unless they send out a mission to get a bit closer. There might be some indirect way of figuring out whether or not there's a moonlet orbiting the asteroid-like chunk of rock and maintaining its rings. "We show this in the paper by simulating a Chariklo-like ring system that does not have a satellite, and we find that the width of the rings increases linearly with time. It is unlike the situation when there is a satellite in resonance with the ring material, which acts to confine the rings into the kilometre-sized widths that are observed," Sickafoose mentioned. The researchers are still finding the composition of these rings. There's a high probability that ice accounts for quite a substantial proportion. However, it's unclear how massive the particles are or how they interact. (With inputs from agencies)

A secret moon may be responsible for mysterious rings surrounding a celestial rock

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<p>Newly forming exoplanets might be oblate instead of spherical, a new study suggests.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to a team of researchers from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), young planets turned out to be oblate spheroids, similar to Smarties which in the UK and Europe are oblate spheroid-shaped disks of chocolate covered with colourful hard candy shells. In India, there's a similar candy named "Gems."</p>

<p>The research team used computer simulations to model the shapes of planets in dense gas disks around young stars. They compared these models to observations and found that young planets took some unexpected shapes.</p>

<p>"We have been studying planet formation for a long time, but never before had we thought to check the shape of the planets as they form in the simulations. We had always assumed that they were spherical," said team member Dimitris Stamatellos, an astrophysicist at UCLan.</p>

<p>Astronomers have discovered over 5,000 exoplanets to date. However, they're still studying the sequence of events leading to their formation and early evolution.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="www.wionews.com/science/jellyfish-with-possibly-venomous-bright-red-cross-and-240-tentacles-found-near-remote-deep-sea-volcano-688201">Jellyfish with possibly venomous bright red cross and 240 tentacles found near remote deep-sea volcano</a></p>

<p>Initially, the UCLan team observed the gas giants and focused on the shapes of these planets. Some of these were more massive than our solar system.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the standard planet formation theory, the growth happens gradually as dust particles stick together to form progressively larger and larger objects over long periods. This favoured model of planet formation is called "core accretion."</p>

<p>However, planets can arise in shorter timescales when larger rotating protoplanetary disks around young stars split into pieces. This "disk instability" method appears to give more credibility to the less favoured theory.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This [disk instability] theory is appealing due to the fact that large planets can form very quickly at large distances from their host star, explaining some exoplanet observations," said UCLan's Adam Fenton.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Why Do Exoplanets Take The Shape Of Oblate Spheroids?</strong></h2>

<p>According to the team's model, newly forming planets are oblate spheroid-shaped because when any material falls onto them, it goes primarily to their poles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The research team concluded that the impression of young exoplanets from Earth might differ depending on how these planets are angled.&nbsp;</p>

<p>An exoplanet might appear spherical if Earth is directed "face on." However, when seen "on edge," a young exoplanet would appear oblate.</p>

<p>Observing young planets, usually surrounded by gas and dust clouds, has become feasible only recently&nbsp;due to advanced telescopes like the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) and the Very Large Telescope (VLT). These telescopes could provide evidence to support the Smarties theory.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Newly forming exoplanets might be oblate instead of spherical, a new study suggests. According to a team of researchers from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), young planets turned out to be oblate spheroids, similar to Smarties which in the UK and Europe are oblate spheroid-shaped disks of chocolate covered with colourful hard candy shells.

Newly forming exoplanets might be oblate instead of spherical, a new study suggests. According to a team of researchers from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), young planets turned out to be oblate spheroids, similar to Smarties which in the UK and Europe are oblate spheroid-shaped disks of chocolate covered with colourful hard candy shells. In India, there's a similar candy named "Gems." The research team used computer simulations to model the shapes of planets in dense gas disks around young stars. They compared these models to observations and found that young planets took some unexpected shapes. "We have been studying planet formation for a long time, but never before had we thought to check the shape of the planets as they form in the simulations. We had always assumed that they were spherical," said team member Dimitris Stamatellos, an astrophysicist at UCLan. Astronomers have discovered over 5,000 exoplanets to date. However, they're still studying the sequence of events leading to their formation and early evolution. ALSO READ | Jellyfish with possibly venomous bright red cross and 240 tentacles found near remote deep-sea volcano Initially, the UCLan team observed the gas giants and focused on the shapes of these planets. Some of these were more massive than our solar system. According to the standard planet formation theory, the growth happens gradually as dust particles stick together to form progressively larger and larger objects over long periods. This favoured model of planet formation is called "core accretion." However, planets can arise in shorter timescales when larger rotating protoplanetary disks around young stars split into pieces. This "disk instability" method appears to give more credibility to the less favoured theory. "This [disk instability] theory is appealing due to the fact that large planets can form very quickly at large distances from their host star, explaining some exoplanet observations," said UCLan's Adam Fenton. Why Do Exoplanets Take The Shape Of Oblate Spheroids? According to the team's model, newly forming planets are oblate spheroid-shaped because when any material falls onto them, it goes primarily to their poles. The research team concluded that the impression of young exoplanets from Earth might differ depending on how these planets are angled. An exoplanet might appear spherical if Earth is directed "face on." However, when seen "on edge," a young exoplanet would appear oblate. Observing young planets, usually surrounded by gas and dust clouds, has become feasible only recently due to advanced telescopes like the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) and the Very Large Telescope (VLT). These telescopes could provide evidence to support the Smarties theory. (With inputs from agencies)

Young exoplanets might be oblate in shape like 'Smarties' rather than spherical. Study shows why

<p>Scientists have confirmed that an asteroid that exploded over Germany on January 21 is a rare spacerock type that can help shed light on the origins of Earth. The fragments of the asteroid 2024 BX1 were discovered just five days later and were analysed by a group of scientists&nbsp;who concluded that it belongs to a rare group called aubrites.</p>

<p>Peter Jenniskens, who was part of the team that recovered the fragments, was quoted by Space.com as saying that there had been only 11 known examples of aubrite meteorite falling on Earth in the past. The rare family is believed to represent just 1 per cent of known meteorites.</p>

<h2><strong>What makes aubrite meteorites different?</strong></h2>

<p>The aubrite meteorites stand out due to their unique characteristics. Unlike typical meteorites, they possess a translucent glass crust instead of a thick black one, and they exhibit a grey granite-like appearance, initially causing difficulty in distinguishing them from ordinary Earth rocks.</p>

<p>"The interesting thing about this fall is, we have a very nice orbit of it, and so the shape of the orbit itself contains clues as to where the source region for these meteorites was," Jenniskens said.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Russian cosmonaut sets a new record for the most time in space</strong></p>

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<p>"They likely came from the inner side of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. That's a place where probably there is a lot of debris, a collision that created a lot of smaller pieces called an asteroid family," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>Why it is significant?</strong></h2>

<p>Jenniskens and colleagues from the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin conducted the first analysis of one of these meteorite fragments using an electron beam microprobe. Their findings revealed that these meteorites share the typical mineralogy and chemical composition of aubrite-type rocks.</p>

<p>Originating from main belt asteroids like 2024 BX1, these meteorites date back approximately 4.5 billion years, coinciding with the formation of the solar system planets. They formed from material surrounding the young sun that remained after the planet formation process.</p>

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<p>Due to their lack of alteration by geological processes, aubrite meteorites provide scientists with valuable insights into the primordial materials that shaped the inner rocky planets of the solar system, including Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Earth.</p>

<p>Jenniskens also noted that aubrites, like these meteorites, exhibit properties remarkably similar to those of Earth, such as water content and chemical ratios. This similarity offers researchers a unique opportunity to study the materials involved in the formation of our planet billions of years ago.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Scientists have confirmed that an asteroid that exploded over Germany on January 21 is a rare spacerock type that can help shed light on the origins of Earth. The fragments of the asteroid 2024 BX1 were discovered just five days later and were analysed by a group of scientists who concluded that it belongs to a rare group called aubrites.

Scientists have confirmed that an asteroid that exploded over Germany on January 21 is a rare spacerock type that can help shed light on the origins of Earth. The fragments of the asteroid 2024 BX1 were discovered just five days later and were analysed by a group of scientists who concluded that it belongs to a rare group called aubrites. Peter Jenniskens, who was part of the team that recovered the fragments, was quoted by Space.com as saying that there had been only 11 known examples of aubrite meteorite falling on Earth in the past. The rare family is believed to represent just 1 per cent of known meteorites. What makes aubrite meteorites different? The aubrite meteorites stand out due to their unique characteristics. Unlike typical meteorites, they possess a translucent glass crust instead of a thick black one, and they exhibit a grey granite-like appearance, initially causing difficulty in distinguishing them from ordinary Earth rocks. "The interesting thing about this fall is, we have a very nice orbit of it, and so the shape of the orbit itself contains clues as to where the source region for these meteorites was," Jenniskens said. Watch: Russian cosmonaut sets a new record for the most time in space × "They likely came from the inner side of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. That's a place where probably there is a lot of debris, a collision that created a lot of smaller pieces called an asteroid family," he added. Why it is significant? Jenniskens and colleagues from the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin conducted the first analysis of one of these meteorite fragments using an electron beam microprobe. Their findings revealed that these meteorites share the typical mineralogy and chemical composition of aubrite-type rocks. Originating from main belt asteroids like 2024 BX1, these meteorites date back approximately 4.5 billion years, coinciding with the formation of the solar system planets. They formed from material surrounding the young sun that remained after the planet formation process. Also read: Space marvel! NASA`s incredible shot of Moon, Earth in one frame leaves internet awestruck Due to their lack of alteration by geological processes, aubrite meteorites provide scientists with valuable insights into the primordial materials that shaped the inner rocky planets of the solar system, including Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Earth. Jenniskens also noted that aubrites, like these meteorites, exhibit properties remarkably similar to those of Earth, such as water content and chemical ratios. This similarity offers researchers a unique opportunity to study the materials involved in the formation of our planet billions of years ago. (With inputs from agencies)

Asteroid that fell in Germany ‘extremely rare’, as old as solar system: Scientists

<p>A potential ‘hazardous’ asteroid six times wider than the height of Delhi’s Qutub Minar, the tallest minaret in the world, is expected to pass our home planet on Friday (Feb 2). The asteroid, named 2008 OS7 is believed to be between 690 and 1,570 feet in width, and as wide as the Empire State building in New York.</p>

<p>The asteroid will pass Earth at a distance of around 1.77 million miles. To put things into perspective, our planetary neighbour Venus fares around 38 million miles away from Earth at the closest point. Also, the Moon revolves around 240,000 miles away from Earth.</p>

<p>While moving by the Earth, the asteroid will cruise at the speed of 18.2km per second and will make its closest flyby in the afternoon of February 2.</p>

<h2><strong>What are Near Earth Objects (NEO) and potentially hazardous asteroids (PHA)?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Asteroids, remnants of the solar system's formation, are majorly found in the Asteroid Belt situated between Mars and Jupiter. While many are small, some, like Ceres, boast significant size, stretching approximately 600 miles across. Periodically, either through Jupiter's gravitational pull or collisions, these celestial bodies stray into the inner solar system, hurtling past Earth.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Earth braces for a close encounter with five colossal asteroids this week</strong></p>

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<p>One such asteroid, 2008 OS7, falls under the classification of both a "Near Earth Object" (NEO) and a "potentially hazardous asteroid" (PHA) due to its size and proximity to Earth. NEOs are those within 30 million miles of Earth, encompassing around 31,000 objects within the solar system. PHAs, however, lie even closer, within 4.6 million miles, and exceed 460 feet in diameter. NASA currently monitors approximately 2,350 PHAs.</p>

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<p>"A potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) is one that has an orbit intersecting the Earth's orbit around the Sun by less than 0.05 astronomical units (1 AU is the distance to the Sun), that's just over 4.5 million miles. It also has to have an absolute brightness of 22.0 or less (lower values of the magnitude are brighter = larger objects), ie. an asteroid (or comet) that would cause significant regional damage if it hit the Earth," Martin Barstow, a professor of astrophysics and space science at the University of Leicester in the UK, was quoted as saying by Newsweek.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Not all NEOs are potentially hazardous, but all hazardous objects are NEOs," he added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A potential ‘hazardous’ asteroid six times wider than the height of Delhi’s Qutub Minar, the tallest minaret in the world, is expected to pass our home planet on Friday (Feb 2).

A potential ‘hazardous’ asteroid six times wider than the height of Delhi’s Qutub Minar, the tallest minaret in the world, is expected to pass our home planet on Friday (Feb 2). The asteroid, named 2008 OS7 is believed to be between 690 and 1,570 feet in width, and as wide as the Empire State building in New York. The asteroid will pass Earth at a distance of around 1.77 million miles. To put things into perspective, our planetary neighbour Venus fares around 38 million miles away from Earth at the closest point. Also, the Moon revolves around 240,000 miles away from Earth. While moving by the Earth, the asteroid will cruise at the speed of 18.2km per second and will make its closest flyby in the afternoon of February 2. What are Near Earth Objects (NEO) and potentially hazardous asteroids (PHA)? Asteroids, remnants of the solar system's formation, are majorly found in the Asteroid Belt situated between Mars and Jupiter. While many are small, some, like Ceres, boast significant size, stretching approximately 600 miles across. Periodically, either through Jupiter's gravitational pull or collisions, these celestial bodies stray into the inner solar system, hurtling past Earth. Watch: Earth braces for a close encounter with five colossal asteroids this week × One such asteroid, 2008 OS7, falls under the classification of both a "Near Earth Object" (NEO) and a "potentially hazardous asteroid" (PHA) due to its size and proximity to Earth. NEOs are those within 30 million miles of Earth, encompassing around 31,000 objects within the solar system. PHAs, however, lie even closer, within 4.6 million miles, and exceed 460 feet in diameter. NASA currently monitors approximately 2,350 PHAs. Also read: Scientists say `organic matter` in distant asteroid may be hiding `origins of life` "A potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) is one that has an orbit intersecting the Earth's orbit around the Sun by less than 0.05 astronomical units (1 AU is the distance to the Sun), that's just over 4.5 million miles. It also has to have an absolute brightness of 22.0 or less (lower values of the magnitude are brighter = larger objects), ie. an asteroid (or comet) that would cause significant regional damage if it hit the Earth," Martin Barstow, a professor of astrophysics and space science at the University of Leicester in the UK, was quoted as saying by Newsweek. "Not all NEOs are potentially hazardous, but all hazardous objects are NEOs," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Hazardous asteroid’ 6 times wider than Qutub Minar’s height to fly past Earth on Feb 2

<p>An analysis of data gained from NASA's rover Perseverance has reconfirmed a theory that scientists have been insisting on for years: Mars was once a warm, wet planet that may have housed microbial life. The data confirmed the existence of ancient lake sediments on Mars, which were created by a large water body on the planet. The large basin of water most likely existed in Jerezo Crater, according to the detailed study published Friday (Jan 26) in the journal Science Advances.</p>

<p>The research was led by teams from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Oslo.</p>

<h2><strong>What data was analysed?</strong></h2>

<p>The car-sized, six-wheeled rover trot down the Martian surface through several months of 2022 and conducted several subsurface scans on its way from the floor of the crater to an adjacent expanse of braided, sedimentary-like features resembling the river deltas found on Earth.</p>

<p>According to UCLA planetary scientist David Paige, the first author of the paper, soundings from the rover's RIMFAX radar instrument allowed scientists to peer underground to get a cross-sectional view of rock layers 65 feet (20 meters) deep, "almost like looking at a road cut."</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Scientists surprised by source of largest quake detected on Mars</strong></p>

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<p>The layers inside the surface hinted at irrefutable evidence of soil sediments being carried there by its delta from a river that once fed it billions of years ago. Scientists estimated the sediments could have been formed some 3 billion years ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But this is not the first time that data from the rover has been used to reach a similar conclusion.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Previous such derivations from rover data</strong></h2>

<p>Earlier in October 2023, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) had&nbsp;found more evidence that points towards the existence of life on Mars.&nbsp;A team of researchers examining data collected by NASA's curiosity had&nbsp;deduced that the planet in ancient times had a huge network of rivers flowing with life-giving water. They have published their findings&nbsp;in Geophysical Research Letters.</p>

<p>"We're finding evidence that Mars was likely a planet of rivers," said the research's lead author, Benjamin Cardenas, a geoscientist at Penn State University.</p>

<p>Cardenas and his team reached this conclusion after analysing a combination of images from the Curiosity rover, scans of sedimentary rock beneath the Gulf of Mexico on Earth and several computer simulations.</p>

<p>You can read the detailed report <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-curiosity-rover-finds-evidence-mars-was-once-a-planet-of-rivers-651444">here</a>.</p>

<h2><strong>Major success for Mars exploration mission</strong></h2>

<p>The study serves as a reassuring confirmation that scientists chose the optimal location for their Mars exploration mission. Analysis conducted remotely on early core samples, extracted by Perseverance from four sites near its landing site in February 2021, yielded unexpected results. Instead of sedimentary rock, researchers discovered volcanic rock, adding a new dimension to their understanding of the Martian terrain.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw1w5-62ikq0ROpSVVOAqAKN" data-ved="2ahUKEwjU9rrVu_2DAxU_SmwGHVC3B-kQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-historic-ingenuity-helicopter-mission-on-mars-ends-heres-what-happened-683753" jsname="YKoRaf">NASA's historic Ingenuity helicopter mission on Mars ends: Here's what happened</a></strong></p>

<p>The findings from the two studies complement each other rather than contradict. Even the volcanic rocks exhibited signs of alteration due to water exposure, leading scientists, who published their findings in August 2022, to speculate that sedimentary deposits may have eroded over time.</p>

<p>Moreover, recent radar readings from the RIMFAX instrument, reported on Friday, uncovered evidence of erosion both before and after the formation of sedimentary layers identified at the crater's western edge. According to Paige, these findings underscore the complex geological history of the area, shedding light on the dynamic processes shaping the Martian landscape.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


An analysis of data gained from NASA's rover Perseverance has reconfirmed a theory that scientists have been insisting on for years: Mars was once a warm, wet planet that may have housed microbial life.

An analysis of data gained from NASA's rover Perseverance has reconfirmed a theory that scientists have been insisting on for years: Mars was once a warm, wet planet that may have housed microbial life. The data confirmed the existence of ancient lake sediments on Mars, which were created by a large water body on the planet. The large basin of water most likely existed in Jerezo Crater, according to the detailed study published Friday (Jan 26) in the journal Science Advances. The research was led by teams from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Oslo. What data was analysed? The car-sized, six-wheeled rover trot down the Martian surface through several months of 2022 and conducted several subsurface scans on its way from the floor of the crater to an adjacent expanse of braided, sedimentary-like features resembling the river deltas found on Earth. According to UCLA planetary scientist David Paige, the first author of the paper, soundings from the rover's RIMFAX radar instrument allowed scientists to peer underground to get a cross-sectional view of rock layers 65 feet (20 meters) deep, "almost like looking at a road cut." Watch: Scientists surprised by source of largest quake detected on Mars × The layers inside the surface hinted at irrefutable evidence of soil sediments being carried there by its delta from a river that once fed it billions of years ago. Scientists estimated the sediments could have been formed some 3 billion years ago. But this is not the first time that data from the rover has been used to reach a similar conclusion. Previous such derivations from rover data Earlier in October 2023, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) had found more evidence that points towards the existence of life on Mars. A team of researchers examining data collected by NASA's curiosity had deduced that the planet in ancient times had a huge network of rivers flowing with life-giving water. They have published their findings in Geophysical Research Letters. "We're finding evidence that Mars was likely a planet of rivers," said the research's lead author, Benjamin Cardenas, a geoscientist at Penn State University. Cardenas and his team reached this conclusion after analysing a combination of images from the Curiosity rover, scans of sedimentary rock beneath the Gulf of Mexico on Earth and several computer simulations. You can read the detailed report here. Major success for Mars exploration mission The study serves as a reassuring confirmation that scientists chose the optimal location for their Mars exploration mission. Analysis conducted remotely on early core samples, extracted by Perseverance from four sites near its landing site in February 2021, yielded unexpected results. Instead of sedimentary rock, researchers discovered volcanic rock, adding a new dimension to their understanding of the Martian terrain. Also read: NASA's historic Ingenuity helicopter mission on Mars ends: Here's what happened The findings from the two studies complement each other rather than contradict. Even the volcanic rocks exhibited signs of alteration due to water exposure, leading scientists, who published their findings in August 2022, to speculate that sedimentary deposits may have eroded over time. Moreover, recent radar readings from the RIMFAX instrument, reported on Friday, uncovered evidence of erosion both before and after the formation of sedimentary layers identified at the crater's western edge. According to Paige, these findings underscore the complex geological history of the area, shedding light on the dynamic processes shaping the Martian landscape. (With inputs from agencies)

How NASA’s rover is helping scientists find the truth about existence of life on Mars

<p>Forget Hollywood movies, the US as of today is not able to defend itself should an alien invasion take place, according to a recent statement by the US Department of Defense (DoD). The statement was based on an analysis of the nation’s ability to respond to a threat posed by unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), formerly UFOs.</p>

<p>It must be noted that the Pentagon had formed the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) back in July 2022 to handle all UAP affairs. Now, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has expressed its doubts over the USA’s ability to fend off the threat of an alien invasion.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Bird flu detected in Antarctica | Scientists create 'identical twin' universe</strong></p>

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<p>The recent observation comes in a summary of the classified report, ‘Evaluation of the DoD’s Actions Regarding Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena’, first issued in August.</p>

<p>According to the statement by OIG, “DoD’s lack of a comprehensive, coordinated approach to address UAP may pose a threat to military forces and national security.”<br />
<br />
“The DoD OIG found that the DoD does not have a comprehensive, coordinated approach to address UAP,” it added.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw1VXFKuClqG7hxyw9UczlUX" data-ved="2ahUKEwjGluvGwP2DAxWqb2wGHR1_Dt8QxfQBKAB6BAgPEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/aliens-kidnapped-my-mom-woman-leaves-reddit-stunned-with-otherworldly-claim-682051" jsname="YKoRaf">'Aliens kidnapped my mom,' woman leaves Reddit stunned with otherworldly claim</a></strong></p>

<p>Inspector General Robert P Storch said he was making this summary public in order to bring some transparency to the subject, otherwise shrouded in mystery.</p>

<p>“We are releasing this unclassified summary to be as transparent as possible with the American people about our oversight work on this important issue,” he added.</p>

<p>The OIG further also makes 11 recommendations to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security for issuing a policy to “integrate roles, responsibilities, requirements, and coordination procedures regarding UAP into existing intelligence, counterintelligence, and force protection policies and procedures.”</p>

<p>The policy is required to be formed in coordination with the Director of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Forget Hollywood movies, the US as of today is not able to defend itself should an alien invasion take place, according to a recent statement by the US Department of Defense (DoD).

Forget Hollywood movies, the US as of today is not able to defend itself should an alien invasion take place, according to a recent statement by the US Department of Defense (DoD). The statement was based on an analysis of the nation’s ability to respond to a threat posed by unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), formerly UFOs. It must be noted that the Pentagon had formed the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) back in July 2022 to handle all UAP affairs. Now, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has expressed its doubts over the USA’s ability to fend off the threat of an alien invasion. Watch: Bird flu detected in Antarctica | Scientists create 'identical twin' universe × The recent observation comes in a summary of the classified report, ‘Evaluation of the DoD’s Actions Regarding Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena’, first issued in August. According to the statement by OIG, “DoD’s lack of a comprehensive, coordinated approach to address UAP may pose a threat to military forces and national security.” “The DoD OIG found that the DoD does not have a comprehensive, coordinated approach to address UAP,” it added. Also read: 'Aliens kidnapped my mom,' woman leaves Reddit stunned with otherworldly claim Inspector General Robert P Storch said he was making this summary public in order to bring some transparency to the subject, otherwise shrouded in mystery. “We are releasing this unclassified summary to be as transparent as possible with the American people about our oversight work on this important issue,” he added. The OIG further also makes 11 recommendations to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security for issuing a policy to “integrate roles, responsibilities, requirements, and coordination procedures regarding UAP into existing intelligence, counterintelligence, and force protection policies and procedures.” The policy is required to be formed in coordination with the Director of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (With inputs from agencies)

It’s official, US is not able to defend itself against an alien invasion: Report

<p>A small asteroid entered Earth’s atmosphere Sunday morning and lit up the sky over eastern Germany. Videos of the incident have gone viral on social media, depicting a glowing object descending over Europe. Experts later confirmed that the light came from a disintegrating meteorite.</p>

<p>According to astronomers and observers, the 2024 BX1 asteroid, which was temporarily designated as Sar2736, landed outside Berlin near Nennhausen at around 1:30 am local time. Hungarian astronomer Krisztián Sárneczky was the first one to discover the approaching asteroid several hours before its impact, according to The International Astronomical Union.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Prague's view of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sar2736?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sar2736</a>: a minor planet entering Earth's atmosphere on Jan 21, 2024, at 00:32 UT. <a href="https://t.co/KXDnBvzmGX">pic.twitter.com/KXDnBvzmGX</a></p>
— Hanjie Tan (@HonkitTan) <a href="https://twitter.com/HonkitTan/status/1748881538945531997?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Another *incredible* shot of the small asteroid burning up above Germany just moments ago—wow. <a href="https://t.co/OGl0GuWGe6">pic.twitter.com/OGl0GuWGe6</a></p>
— Dr Robin George Andrews 🌋☄️ (@SquigglyVolcano) <a href="https://twitter.com/SquigglyVolcano/status/1748874761722077214?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>NASA also confirmed the incident at least 20 minutes before its impact. “Heads Up: A tiny asteroid will disintegrate as a harmless fireball west of Berlin near Nennhausen shortly at 1:32am CET. Overseers will see it if it’s clear!,” the space agency wrote.</p>

<p>The incident marked the eighth time that an asteroid was discovered before hitting the Earth and the third time that Krisztián Sárneczky discovered it. Sárneczky is a well-known ‘asteroid hunter,’ having discovered minor planets and other space objects headed toward our planet, including two asteroids that respectively fell over France in 2023 and the Arctic Ocean in 2022.</p>

<h2><strong>How large was the asteroid?</strong></h2>

<p>The asteroid measured approximately 1 metre from end to end, according to Denis Vida, a PhD associate specialising in meteor physics at Western University in Canada. Vida is also the brain behind the Global Meteor Project, a mission to enhance meteor observation globally through a cooperative network of cameras directed towards space.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Here's the full video of the asteroid <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sar2736?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sar2736</a>, a ~1 m object that broke up some 50 m west of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Belin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Belin</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Germany?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Germany</a>, and probably dropped some meteorites on the ground. Video credit: <a href="https://t.co/72o6ZzPNz8">https://t.co/72o6ZzPNz8</a> <a href="https://t.co/PA73dkqid1">pic.twitter.com/PA73dkqid1</a></p>
— Denis Vida (@meteordoc) <a href="https://twitter.com/meteordoc/status/1748868373033746881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Denis Vida shared an impressive video clip of the descending asteroid, originally recorded by a livestream camera positioned in the German city of Leipzig. The footage was posted on X. In his accompanying remarks, Vida speculated that the asteroid might have released meteorites upon reaching the Earth's atmosphere and breaking apart. In further clarification provided to CBS News via email, Vida noted that the asteroid began to disintegrate at a location approximately 50 kilometres (about 30 miles) west of Berlin.</p>

<h2><strong>Asteroid named by minor planet centre</strong></h2>

<p>Initially dubbed Sar2736, the asteroid underwent an official naming process by the International Astronomical Union's minor planet centre.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw0Y8aq3pZ5LrvPfXZlwvO-f" data-ved="2ahUKEwimi4rw6PCDAxWl8DgGHaACD6sQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/elon-musks-starlink-nears-approval-for-space-broadband-services-in-india-682422" jsname="YKoRaf">Elon Musk`s Starlink nears approval for space broadband services in India</a></strong></p>

<p>The designation given to it became 2024 BX1, as reported by EarthSky. Notably, the minor planet centre, supported by a grant from NASA's near-earth object observation program, plays a crucial role in collecting comprehensive data on comets and the "outer irregular natural satellites of major planets."&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A small asteroid entered Earth’s atmosphere Sunday morning and lit up the sky over eastern Germany. Videos of the incident have gone viral on social media, depicting a glowing object descending over Europe.

A small asteroid entered Earth’s atmosphere Sunday morning and lit up the sky over eastern Germany. Videos of the incident have gone viral on social media, depicting a glowing object descending over Europe. Experts later confirmed that the light came from a disintegrating meteorite. According to astronomers and observers, the 2024 BX1 asteroid, which was temporarily designated as Sar2736, landed outside Berlin near Nennhausen at around 1:30 am local time. Hungarian astronomer Krisztián Sárneczky was the first one to discover the approaching asteroid several hours before its impact, according to The International Astronomical Union. Prague's view of #Sar2736: a minor planet entering Earth's atmosphere on Jan 21, 2024, at 00:32 UT. pic.twitter.com/KXDnBvzmGX — Hanjie Tan (@HonkitTan) January 21, 2024 × Another *incredible* shot of the small asteroid burning up above Germany just moments ago—wow. pic.twitter.com/OGl0GuWGe6 — Dr Robin George Andrews 🌋☄️ (@SquigglyVolcano) January 21, 2024 × NASA also confirmed the incident at least 20 minutes before its impact. “Heads Up: A tiny asteroid will disintegrate as a harmless fireball west of Berlin near Nennhausen shortly at 1:32am CET. Overseers will see it if it’s clear!,” the space agency wrote. The incident marked the eighth time that an asteroid was discovered before hitting the Earth and the third time that Krisztián Sárneczky discovered it. Sárneczky is a well-known ‘asteroid hunter,’ having discovered minor planets and other space objects headed toward our planet, including two asteroids that respectively fell over France in 2023 and the Arctic Ocean in 2022. How large was the asteroid? The asteroid measured approximately 1 metre from end to end, according to Denis Vida, a PhD associate specialising in meteor physics at Western University in Canada. Vida is also the brain behind the Global Meteor Project, a mission to enhance meteor observation globally through a cooperative network of cameras directed towards space. Here's the full video of the asteroid #Sar2736, a ~1 m object that broke up some 50 m west of #Belin, #Germany, and probably dropped some meteorites on the ground. Video credit: https://t.co/72o6ZzPNz8 pic.twitter.com/PA73dkqid1 — Denis Vida (@meteordoc) January 21, 2024 × Denis Vida shared an impressive video clip of the descending asteroid, originally recorded by a livestream camera positioned in the German city of Leipzig. The footage was posted on X. In his accompanying remarks, Vida speculated that the asteroid might have released meteorites upon reaching the Earth's atmosphere and breaking apart. In further clarification provided to CBS News via email, Vida noted that the asteroid began to disintegrate at a location approximately 50 kilometres (about 30 miles) west of Berlin. Asteroid named by minor planet centre Initially dubbed Sar2736, the asteroid underwent an official naming process by the International Astronomical Union's minor planet centre. Also read: Elon Musk`s Starlink nears approval for space broadband services in India The designation given to it became 2024 BX1, as reported by EarthSky. Notably, the minor planet centre, supported by a grant from NASA's near-earth object observation program, plays a crucial role in collecting comprehensive data on comets and the "outer irregular natural satellites of major planets." (With inputs from agencies)

Asteroid crashes into Earth over Germany just hours after being discovered

<p>The ill-fated Moon lander launched by a private US firm earlier this month will soon be entering Earth’s atmosphere, where it is expected to turn into ashes before reaching the ground, the parent company of the lander said Saturday (Jan 13).</p>

<p>Astrobotic in a post on social media shared its new assessment, dashing hopes of a hard landing on the Moon. "Our latest assessment now shows the spacecraft is on a path towards Earth, where it will likely burn up in the Earth's atmosphere," the Pittsburgh-based company posted on X. "The team is currently assessing options and we will update as soon as we are able," the post added.</p>

<p>The Peregrine lander was launched by Astrobotic on January 8 on a brand new Vulcan rocket built by United Launch Alliance. However, it wasn’t long before they realised a fuel leakage had jeopardised the planned soft landing on the Moon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The spacecraft is believed to have experienced an onboard explosion soon after getting separated from the rocket.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite these setbacks, some observers had hoped for a ‘hard landing’ on the Moon, just like other similar lunar missions sent by an Israeli nonprofit and a Japanese company.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-weibo-blocks-taiwan-election-hashtag-after-it-becomes-trending-679621"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;China’s Weibo blocks ‘Taiwan election’ hashtag after it starts trending with 163.2mn post views</strong></a></p>

<p>However, the new assessment shared by Astrobotic indicates that even the reduced target won’t be achieved.</p>

<p>The spaceship not only carries scientific equipment but also transports cargo for Astrobotic's private clients, including a sports drink can, a physical Bitcoin, as well as human and animal ashes and DNA.&nbsp;Notably, the box-shaped robot has now been faring in space for more than five days and is currently 242,000 miles (390,000 kilometres) from our planet, according to Astrobotic.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Trending on WION: Scientists welcome new antibiotic that kills drug-resistant bacteria CRAB</strong></p>

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<p>NASA invested over $100 million in this venture through the Commercial Lunar Payload Services programme, aiming to foster a commercial lunar economy and cut down its own expenses.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite setbacks, NASA's strategy of "more shots on goal" remains evident, with the upcoming launch by Intuitive Machines in February. Astrobotic will have another opportunity in November, sending NASA's VIPER rover with its Griffin lander to the lunar south pole.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The ill-fated Moon lander launched by a private US firm earlier this month will soon be entering Earth’s atmosphere, where it is expected to turn into ashes before reaching the ground, the parent company of the lander said Saturday (Jan 13).

The ill-fated Moon lander launched by a private US firm earlier this month will soon be entering Earth’s atmosphere, where it is expected to turn into ashes before reaching the ground, the parent company of the lander said Saturday (Jan 13). Astrobotic in a post on social media shared its new assessment, dashing hopes of a hard landing on the Moon. "Our latest assessment now shows the spacecraft is on a path towards Earth, where it will likely burn up in the Earth's atmosphere," the Pittsburgh-based company posted on X. "The team is currently assessing options and we will update as soon as we are able," the post added. The Peregrine lander was launched by Astrobotic on January 8 on a brand new Vulcan rocket built by United Launch Alliance. However, it wasn’t long before they realised a fuel leakage had jeopardised the planned soft landing on the Moon. The spacecraft is believed to have experienced an onboard explosion soon after getting separated from the rocket. Despite these setbacks, some observers had hoped for a ‘hard landing’ on the Moon, just like other similar lunar missions sent by an Israeli nonprofit and a Japanese company. Also read: China’s Weibo blocks ‘Taiwan election’ hashtag after it starts trending with 163.2mn post views However, the new assessment shared by Astrobotic indicates that even the reduced target won’t be achieved. The spaceship not only carries scientific equipment but also transports cargo for Astrobotic's private clients, including a sports drink can, a physical Bitcoin, as well as human and animal ashes and DNA. Notably, the box-shaped robot has now been faring in space for more than five days and is currently 242,000 miles (390,000 kilometres) from our planet, according to Astrobotic. Watch: Trending on WION: Scientists welcome new antibiotic that kills drug-resistant bacteria CRAB × NASA invested over $100 million in this venture through the Commercial Lunar Payload Services programme, aiming to foster a commercial lunar economy and cut down its own expenses. Despite setbacks, NASA's strategy of "more shots on goal" remains evident, with the upcoming launch by Intuitive Machines in February. Astrobotic will have another opportunity in November, sending NASA's VIPER rover with its Griffin lander to the lunar south pole. (With inputs from agencies)

Doomed private US Moon lander now destined for Earth, to ‘burn up’ in atmosphere

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<p>Astronauts say that they have smelled unusual scents in space. However, that's not surprising due to the difference between the chemistry of Earth and space.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Technically, one cannot smell anything in space as it is an airless vacuum. However, it's not entirely a vacuum, as it has all sorts of molecules, some of which have strong odours, according to Space.com.</p>

<h2><strong>Gunpowder, Ozone, Burnt Steak</strong></h2>

<p>Some of the most prominent odours that astronauts have reported smelling in space are gunpowder, ozone and burnt steak. According to scientists, there can be two reasons behind it. First, while an astronaut is on a spacewalk, single oxygen atoms can cling to their spacesuit and enter the airlock. It repressurises molecular oxygen, which floods into the airlock and reacts with the single atoms of oxygen to form ozone, explaining the sour, metallic smell.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Secondly, most interstellar carbon has PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) found in charred food like burned toast or barbecued meat. Astronauts could've picked these easily, as there are plenty in the solar system, and brought them inside the space station or the capsule.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Rotten eggs and urine</strong></h2>

<p>However, these are not the only strange odours reported in space. Europen Space Agency's Rosetta crossed comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014, detecting many different molecules in the comet's gaseous halo surrounding its nucleus. These molecules include hydrogen sulphide, which gives rotten eggs their unpleasant stink, and ammonia, whose smell reminds one of urine.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="www.wionews.com/science/source-of-mysterious-radio-signal-that-took-8-billion-years-to-reach-earth-revealed-678566">Radio signal that took 8 billion years to reach Earth came from seven interacting galaxies</a></p>

<p>Hydrogen cyanide, an almond-like smelling toxic molecule, sweet-smelling carbon disulphide and pickled aroma of formaldehyde were also present in the halo. Although one would shut their nostrils at this combination of smells, the odour of this comet was weak, as most of the comet's coma was water vapour and carbon dioxide.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Gasoline and booze</strong></h2>

<p>An astronaut can't smell Saturn's moon Titan, as it has no oxygen and a minus 176.6 degrees Celsius temperature. However, scientists have found that Titan reeks of gasoline.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA discovered that Titan's hazy atmosphere contains a chemical, identified by Cassini spacecraft, consisting of nitrogen, methane and benzene, hailing from a family of molecules called polycyclic aromatic nitrogen heterocycles (PANHs). Thus, the presence of benzene gives Titan its petroleum stench.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Furthermore, Sagittarius B2, a massive interstellar molecular cloud of star-forming gas and dust, located less than 400 light-years from the centre of the Milky Way, contains large amounts of alcohol, including vinyl alcohol, methanol, and ethanol, which is used to make beer.</p>

<p>Astronomers also discovered ethyl formate, a sweet-smelling chemical found in raspberries, in Sagittarius B2 in 2009.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Astronauts say that they have smelled unusual scents in space. However, that's not surprising due to the difference between the chemistry of Earth and space. Technically, one cannot smell anything in space as it is an airless vacuum.

Astronauts say that they have smelled unusual scents in space. However, that's not surprising due to the difference between the chemistry of Earth and space. Technically, one cannot smell anything in space as it is an airless vacuum. However, it's not entirely a vacuum, as it has all sorts of molecules, some of which have strong odours, according to Space.com. Gunpowder, Ozone, Burnt Steak Some of the most prominent odours that astronauts have reported smelling in space are gunpowder, ozone and burnt steak. According to scientists, there can be two reasons behind it. First, while an astronaut is on a spacewalk, single oxygen atoms can cling to their spacesuit and enter the airlock. It repressurises molecular oxygen, which floods into the airlock and reacts with the single atoms of oxygen to form ozone, explaining the sour, metallic smell. Secondly, most interstellar carbon has PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) found in charred food like burned toast or barbecued meat. Astronauts could've picked these easily, as there are plenty in the solar system, and brought them inside the space station or the capsule. Rotten eggs and urine However, these are not the only strange odours reported in space. Europen Space Agency's Rosetta crossed comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014, detecting many different molecules in the comet's gaseous halo surrounding its nucleus. These molecules include hydrogen sulphide, which gives rotten eggs their unpleasant stink, and ammonia, whose smell reminds one of urine. ALSO READ | Radio signal that took 8 billion years to reach Earth came from seven interacting galaxies Hydrogen cyanide, an almond-like smelling toxic molecule, sweet-smelling carbon disulphide and pickled aroma of formaldehyde were also present in the halo. Although one would shut their nostrils at this combination of smells, the odour of this comet was weak, as most of the comet's coma was water vapour and carbon dioxide. Gasoline and booze An astronaut can't smell Saturn's moon Titan, as it has no oxygen and a minus 176.6 degrees Celsius temperature. However, scientists have found that Titan reeks of gasoline. NASA discovered that Titan's hazy atmosphere contains a chemical, identified by Cassini spacecraft, consisting of nitrogen, methane and benzene, hailing from a family of molecules called polycyclic aromatic nitrogen heterocycles (PANHs). Thus, the presence of benzene gives Titan its petroleum stench. Furthermore, Sagittarius B2, a massive interstellar molecular cloud of star-forming gas and dust, located less than 400 light-years from the centre of the Milky Way, contains large amounts of alcohol, including vinyl alcohol, methanol, and ethanol, which is used to make beer. Astronomers also discovered ethyl formate, a sweet-smelling chemical found in raspberries, in Sagittarius B2 in 2009. (With inputs from agencies)

Astronauts reveal what space smells like, and it’s stinkier than you’d expect

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<p>Scientists have uncovered the source of the mysterious radio signal that took eight billion years to reach us.</p>

<p>A new research presented during the 243rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society in New Orleans, Louisiana, said the most distinct and ancient fast radio burst (FRB) came from a location that dates halfway back to the Big Bang.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Astronomers led by Northwestern University in the United States have found the origin of the most powerful FRB, detected in 2022.</p>

<p>The researchers traced the FRB, dubbed 20220610A, back to a group of at least seven galaxies using images captured by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Their findings suggest the galaxies appear to be interacting with each other and might be en route to a merger. Such rare interactions among galaxies lead to conditions that can trigger an FRB.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/this-planet-is-boiling-so-intensely-that-its-atmosphere-is-shredding-away-678467">This planet is boiling so intensely that its atmosphere is shredding away</a></p>

<p>According to experts, the new research raises questions about all the previous scientific models of FRBs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Lead researcher Alexa Gordon of Northwestern University said, "Without the Hubble's imaging, it would remain a mystery, whether this FRB originated from one monolithic galaxy or some interacting system. It's these types of environments - these weird ones - that drive us toward a better understanding of the mystery of FRBs."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-youngest-earth-sized-exoplanet-having-lava-hemisphere-679301">'Extra hot and young' Earth-sized exoplanet with a ‘lava hemisphere’ discovered</a></p>

<p>FRBs are short but strong radio bursts that flare up and disappear within milliseconds. They produce more energy in one quick burst than the Sun emits in one year. FRB 20220610A was the most distant fast radio burst recorded, four times more energetic than closer FRBs. Scientists have discovered up to 1,000 FRBs since first discovering them in 2007. However, the sources behind most of them remain unknown.</p>

<p>Earlier studies suggested that FRBs generated near an unidentifiable, formless blob consisting of a single, irregular galaxy or a group of three distant galaxies. However, in the case of FRB 20220610A, there might be at least seven galaxies in incredible proximity to one another.</p>

<p>They are so close that all could fit inside our Milky Way.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study's co-author, Wen-fai Fong, an associate professor of physics and astronomy, said: "There are some signs that the group members are interacting. In other words, they could be trading materials or possibly on a path to merging. These groups of galaxies (called compact groups) are incredibly rare environments in the universe and are the densest galaxy-scale structures we know of."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Scientists have uncovered the source of the mysterious radio signal that took eight billion years to reach us. A new research presented during the 243rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society in New Orleans, Louisiana, said the most distinct and ancient fast radio burst (FRB) came from a location that dates halfway back to the Big Bang.

Scientists have uncovered the source of the mysterious radio signal that took eight billion years to reach us. A new research presented during the 243rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society in New Orleans, Louisiana, said the most distinct and ancient fast radio burst (FRB) came from a location that dates halfway back to the Big Bang. Astronomers led by Northwestern University in the United States have found the origin of the most powerful FRB, detected in 2022. The researchers traced the FRB, dubbed 20220610A, back to a group of at least seven galaxies using images captured by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. Their findings suggest the galaxies appear to be interacting with each other and might be en route to a merger. Such rare interactions among galaxies lead to conditions that can trigger an FRB. ALSO READ | This planet is boiling so intensely that its atmosphere is shredding away According to experts, the new research raises questions about all the previous scientific models of FRBs. Lead researcher Alexa Gordon of Northwestern University said, "Without the Hubble's imaging, it would remain a mystery, whether this FRB originated from one monolithic galaxy or some interacting system. It's these types of environments - these weird ones - that drive us toward a better understanding of the mystery of FRBs." ALSO READ | 'Extra hot and young' Earth-sized exoplanet with a ‘lava hemisphere’ discovered FRBs are short but strong radio bursts that flare up and disappear within milliseconds. They produce more energy in one quick burst than the Sun emits in one year. FRB 20220610A was the most distant fast radio burst recorded, four times more energetic than closer FRBs. Scientists have discovered up to 1,000 FRBs since first discovering them in 2007. However, the sources behind most of them remain unknown. Earlier studies suggested that FRBs generated near an unidentifiable, formless blob consisting of a single, irregular galaxy or a group of three distant galaxies. However, in the case of FRB 20220610A, there might be at least seven galaxies in incredible proximity to one another. They are so close that all could fit inside our Milky Way. The study's co-author, Wen-fai Fong, an associate professor of physics and astronomy, said: "There are some signs that the group members are interacting. In other words, they could be trading materials or possibly on a path to merging. These groups of galaxies (called compact groups) are incredibly rare environments in the universe and are the densest galaxy-scale structures we know of." (With inputs from agencies)

Radio signal that took 8 billion years to reach Earth came from seven interacting galaxies

<p>A team of scientists has discovered a new Earth-sized exoplanet in a planetary system previously known for having just two planets. The newly-discovered planet is however extra hot and young. The object, called HD 63433 d, is also tidally locked on its axis, meaning that it has one side which constantly faces its Sun-sized star while the other side endures constant darkness.</p>

<p>The planetary system is believed to be 500 million years old and HD 63433 d exoplanet is known to be the youngest Earth-sized planet closest to the Earth, which is 400 million years old. The planetary system, called HD 63433, is about 10 times younger than our solar system.</p>

<h2><strong>Lava hemisphere</strong></h2>

<p>Since the exoplanet is tidally locked, experts believe the scorching temperatures on the dayside could be comparable to other lava worlds in the space. The team behind this discovery even thinks that the planet's dayside could be a "lava hemisphere."</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller</strong></p>

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<p>It must be noted that the star in the system is also a G-type star. Such a star has about 0.9 to 1.1 solar masses and an effective temperature between about 5,300 and 6,000 K. Our own star ‘Sun’ is also a G-type star.</p>

<h2><strong>How was the exoplanet discovered?</strong></h2>

<p>The team of scientists, led by Benjamin Capistrant and Melinda Soares-Furtado, used data from NASA's TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) to identify a third unknown object in the planetary system. Upon muting signals from the two known exoplanets, the scientists could detect the presence of a third planet during its ‘transit,’ a period when a planet crosses in front of its star, blocking a tiny piece of the starlight.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=newssearch&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjZ-teEuteDAxVwp1YBHafnBD8QxfQBKAB6BAgJEAE&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wionews.com%2Fscience%2Fsource-of-mysterious-radio-signal-that-took-8-billion-years-to-reach-earth-revealed-678566&amp;usg=AOvVaw2t3Ssobv9owRxBsCgNWga7&amp;opi=89978449"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Radio signal that took 8 billion years to reach Earth came from seven interacting galaxies</strong></a></p>

<p>This allowed them to see an additional signal - a small transit that would reappear every 4.2 days. Upon further investigation, they were able to validate that this was actually a third, smaller planet.</p>

<p>The planet is so close to its star that the temperature on its dayside surface can reach 1,257 Celsius. It is 8 times closer to its star than Mercury is to the Sun. Some scientists even believe the planet lacks a substantial atmosphere.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A team of scientists has discovered a new Earth-sized exoplanet in a planetary system previously known for having just two planets. The newly-discovered planet is however extra hot and young.

A team of scientists has discovered a new Earth-sized exoplanet in a planetary system previously known for having just two planets. The newly-discovered planet is however extra hot and young. The object, called HD 63433 d, is also tidally locked on its axis, meaning that it has one side which constantly faces its Sun-sized star while the other side endures constant darkness. The planetary system is believed to be 500 million years old and HD 63433 d exoplanet is known to be the youngest Earth-sized planet closest to the Earth, which is 400 million years old. The planetary system, called HD 63433, is about 10 times younger than our solar system. Lava hemisphere Since the exoplanet is tidally locked, experts believe the scorching temperatures on the dayside could be comparable to other lava worlds in the space. The team behind this discovery even thinks that the planet's dayside could be a "lava hemisphere." Watch: New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller × It must be noted that the star in the system is also a G-type star. Such a star has about 0.9 to 1.1 solar masses and an effective temperature between about 5,300 and 6,000 K. Our own star ‘Sun’ is also a G-type star. How was the exoplanet discovered? The team of scientists, led by Benjamin Capistrant and Melinda Soares-Furtado, used data from NASA's TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) to identify a third unknown object in the planetary system. Upon muting signals from the two known exoplanets, the scientists could detect the presence of a third planet during its ‘transit,’ a period when a planet crosses in front of its star, blocking a tiny piece of the starlight. Also read: Radio signal that took 8 billion years to reach Earth came from seven interacting galaxies This allowed them to see an additional signal - a small transit that would reappear every 4.2 days. Upon further investigation, they were able to validate that this was actually a third, smaller planet. The planet is so close to its star that the temperature on its dayside surface can reach 1,257 Celsius. It is 8 times closer to its star than Mercury is to the Sun. Some scientists even believe the planet lacks a substantial atmosphere. (With inputs from agencies)

'Extra hot and young' Earth-sized exoplanet with a ‘lava hemisphere’ discovered

<p>The doomed Peregrine Moon lander of USA’s Astrobotic company has sent back another in-space selfie to its home planet, this time with Earth ‘flashing smile’ in the background.</p>

<p>The ‘couple selfie’ in the space was taken on (Jan 9), which shows one of the lander’s legs as well as the Pocari capsule. The capsule contained “messages from children around the world” and was put on board by the Japanese company Astroscale.</p>

<p>But the photo had something else in the shot as well which captured the scientists’ attention. "Is that sliver in the upper right corner Earth, or a lens flare," asked Astrobotic in its post on X.</p>

<p><img alt="photo showing the silvery insulation of a spacecraft and the blackness of space in the background, with a possible sliver of earth in the upper right corner." src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/g8ryaWkwWHnAMzqSPsorYV-320-80.jpg" /></p>

<p>In an update posted Thursday (Jan 11), the company confirmed that “the curved sliver in the image is in fact Earth.” “This image from our spacecraft simulator shows the camera’s view of Earth at the time the photo was taken,” Astrobotic said in its post.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Update #11 for Peregrine Mission One: <a href="https://t.co/QZjqUW00BZ">pic.twitter.com/QZjqUW00BZ</a></p>
— Astrobotic (@astrobotic) <a href="https://twitter.com/astrobotic/status/1745227814452752446?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>The mission was earlier launched on Monday morning (Jan 8) but a fuel leak soon threw spanner in the works. Astrobotic thinks the leak may have been caused by a stuck valve, which led to a ruptured oxidizer tank.</p>

<p>The company later said the attempt to place Peregrine spacecraft on the Moon was being abandoned since the spacecraft suffered “critical” propellant loss.</p>

<p>Astrobotic, at one point, also shared the Peregrine lander's first image in space. In the photograph, the outer layers of insulation on the vehicle appeared crinkled.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Update #5 for Peregrine Mission One: <a href="https://t.co/94wy2J0GyA">pic.twitter.com/94wy2J0GyA</a></p>
— Astrobotic (@astrobotic) <a href="https://twitter.com/astrobotic/status/1744469638640005538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>The distorted material was “the first visual clue that aligns with our telemetry data pointing to a propulsion system anomaly,” said the company&nbsp;in a post shared on the social media platform X on Monday (Jan 8).</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/us-peregrine-lander-carrying-human-remains-to-moon-lost-in-space-due-to-fuel-leak-678165"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;US Peregrine mission with cremated human remains abandons Moon landing; first photo shows anomaly</strong></a></p>

<p>"The camera utilised is mounted atop a payload deck and shows Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) in the foreground," wrote Astrobotic, in the X post which featured the photo. "The disturbance of the MLI is the first visual clue that aligns with our telemetry data pointing to a propulsion system anomaly," it added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The doomed Peregrine Moon lander of USA’s Astrobotic company has sent back another in-space selfie to its home planet, this time with Earth ‘flashing smile’ in the background.

The doomed Peregrine Moon lander of USA’s Astrobotic company has sent back another in-space selfie to its home planet, this time with Earth ‘flashing smile’ in the background. The ‘couple selfie’ in the space was taken on (Jan 9), which shows one of the lander’s legs as well as the Pocari capsule. The capsule contained “messages from children around the world” and was put on board by the Japanese company Astroscale. But the photo had something else in the shot as well which captured the scientists’ attention. "Is that sliver in the upper right corner Earth, or a lens flare," asked Astrobotic in its post on X. In an update posted Thursday (Jan 11), the company confirmed that “the curved sliver in the image is in fact Earth.” “This image from our spacecraft simulator shows the camera’s view of Earth at the time the photo was taken,” Astrobotic said in its post. Update #11 for Peregrine Mission One: pic.twitter.com/QZjqUW00BZ — Astrobotic (@astrobotic) January 10, 2024 × The mission was earlier launched on Monday morning (Jan 8) but a fuel leak soon threw spanner in the works. Astrobotic thinks the leak may have been caused by a stuck valve, which led to a ruptured oxidizer tank. The company later said the attempt to place Peregrine spacecraft on the Moon was being abandoned since the spacecraft suffered “critical” propellant loss. Astrobotic, at one point, also shared the Peregrine lander's first image in space. In the photograph, the outer layers of insulation on the vehicle appeared crinkled. Update #5 for Peregrine Mission One: pic.twitter.com/94wy2J0GyA — Astrobotic (@astrobotic) January 8, 2024 × The distorted material was “the first visual clue that aligns with our telemetry data pointing to a propulsion system anomaly,” said the company in a post shared on the social media platform X on Monday (Jan 8). Also read: US Peregrine mission with cremated human remains abandons Moon landing; first photo shows anomaly "The camera utilised is mounted atop a payload deck and shows Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) in the foreground," wrote Astrobotic, in the X post which featured the photo. "The disturbance of the MLI is the first visual clue that aligns with our telemetry data pointing to a propulsion system anomaly," it added. (With inputs from agencies)

Another pale blue dot: Failed moon mission Peregrine clicks 'couple selfie' with Earth flashing a smile

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<p>The floating "magic islands" of Titan, Saturn's largest moon, have long intrigued scientists. But a new study now seems to clear the air over these islands and what constitutes them. Shaped like a honeycomb, and sometimes even resembling Swiss cheese, these islands on Titan are simply glacier-like snow clusters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The latest revelations about Saturn's moon Titan were made in a&nbsp;study published in&nbsp;<em>Geophysical Research Letters</em>&nbsp;journal.</p>

<p>The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft was the first to observe these&nbsp;so-called islands. The Saturnian moon is filled with liquid methane and ethane lakes and these islands&nbsp;looked like shiny, moving spots above these lakes. However, they weren't always visible and vanished from time to time.</p>

<p>Xinting Yu, an assistant professor at the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the Univerisity of Texas, led new research on Titan's magical islands, which suggests that they are "floating chunks of porous, frozen organic solids in shapes similar to honeycomb or Swiss cheese." They likely stash after it snows from the sky of Titan, a moon larger than Mercury.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mercury-venus-and-mars-to-meet-moon-on-january-9-morning-heres-how-to-watch-678063">Cosmic alignment: Mercury, Venus and Mars to meet Moon on January 9 morning</a></p>

<p>Titan's atmosphere, rich in methane and other organic molecules, is 50 per cent thicker than Earth's. The thick, upper atmosphere clumps together, freezes, and snows onto the surface and into the lakes of methane and ethane due to the presence of organic molecules.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As the liquid bodies on Titan's surface are already packed with organic molecules, the complex organic "snow" molecules do not dissolve as soon as they hit them. "For us to see the magic islands, they can't just float for a second and then sink. They have to float for some time, but not for forever, either," Yu said.</p>

<p>The hollow holes and tubes in the snow clumps would allow them to float if they were large enough or porous until methane or ethane oozed inside, causing them to sink after filling the voids.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, according to the model by Yu and her colleagues, the snow clumps would be too small to let this mechanism happen. But enough of this snow clustered on the lakeside shores, large pieces could break off and float on the lakes of methane and ethane, similar to how ice sheets break from glaciers and float on the surface of the seas on Earth. This mechanism is known as calving.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Yu and her team have also explained another enigma on Saturn's Titan about the peaceful liquid bodies with waves no bigger than a few millimetres. According to the study, a floating blanket of frozen solids covers the surface of liquid bodies on Titan, granting them smoothness.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The floating "magic islands" of Titan, Saturn's largest moon, have long intrigued scientists. But a new study now seems to clear the air over these islands and what constitutes them.

The floating "magic islands" of Titan, Saturn's largest moon, have long intrigued scientists. But a new study now seems to clear the air over these islands and what constitutes them. Shaped like a honeycomb, and sometimes even resembling Swiss cheese, these islands on Titan are simply glacier-like snow clusters. The latest revelations about Saturn's moon Titan were made in a study published in Geophysical Research Letters journal. The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft was the first to observe these so-called islands. The Saturnian moon is filled with liquid methane and ethane lakes and these islands looked like shiny, moving spots above these lakes. However, they weren't always visible and vanished from time to time. Xinting Yu, an assistant professor at the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the Univerisity of Texas, led new research on Titan's magical islands, which suggests that they are "floating chunks of porous, frozen organic solids in shapes similar to honeycomb or Swiss cheese." They likely stash after it snows from the sky of Titan, a moon larger than Mercury. ALSO READ | Cosmic alignment: Mercury, Venus and Mars to meet Moon on January 9 morning Titan's atmosphere, rich in methane and other organic molecules, is 50 per cent thicker than Earth's. The thick, upper atmosphere clumps together, freezes, and snows onto the surface and into the lakes of methane and ethane due to the presence of organic molecules. As the liquid bodies on Titan's surface are already packed with organic molecules, the complex organic "snow" molecules do not dissolve as soon as they hit them. "For us to see the magic islands, they can't just float for a second and then sink. They have to float for some time, but not for forever, either," Yu said. The hollow holes and tubes in the snow clumps would allow them to float if they were large enough or porous until methane or ethane oozed inside, causing them to sink after filling the voids. However, according to the model by Yu and her colleagues, the snow clumps would be too small to let this mechanism happen. But enough of this snow clustered on the lakeside shores, large pieces could break off and float on the lakes of methane and ethane, similar to how ice sheets break from glaciers and float on the surface of the seas on Earth. This mechanism is known as calving. Yu and her team have also explained another enigma on Saturn's Titan about the peaceful liquid bodies with waves no bigger than a few millimetres. According to the study, a floating blanket of frozen solids covers the surface of liquid bodies on Titan, granting them smoothness. (With inputs from agencies)

'Magic islands' on Titan look like Swiss cheese. They are simply snow clusters

<p>Venus spins differently than other planets, a phenomenon which has puzzled scientists for decades. They think an old moon with a backward orbit might be the reason. Valeri Makarov and Alexey Goldin, two US-based scientists, have now used computer simulations to further study the phenomenon, showing that this moon's gravity could make Venus rotate weirdly. Their study helps us understand the chaos of the early solar system.</p>

<h2><strong>Studying the history of Venus</strong></h2>

<p>Venus might be exhibiting some really brutal, inhospitable conditions with extreme temperatures and elevated atmospheric pressure today, but experts believe the planet could have been similar to Earth and Mars at some point in the past. Notably, Venus remains shrouded beneath clouds of mystery as there are limited data and exploration missions to help aid study efforts.</p>

<p>Contemporary scientists are now engaged in exploring climate models of Venus to unravel the factors contributing to its current inhospitable environment.</p>

<h2><strong>Previous theories about why Venus spins in opposite direction</strong></h2>

<p>In the crowded Solar System with fast objects like comets, there's a theory that something as big as Venus might have hit it, making it spin in the opposite direction. So, Venus's strange rotation might be from a cosmic collision during its early days.</p>

<h2><strong>Some shocking facts about Venus</strong></h2>

<p>Venus, the enigmatic neighbour in our solar system, holds several shocking secrets. With an incredibly slow rotation, taking 243 Earth days for one spin, it boasts a day longer than its year.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/from-habitable-to-hell-runaway-greenhouse-effect-simulation-shows-risk-to-earths-climate-671521"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;It will be `hell`: Earth might turn into Venus some day, greenhouse effect simulation shows</strong></a></p>

<p>This hot and hostile world reaches scorching temperatures of 465 degrees Celsius due to a runaway greenhouse effect caused by its thick carbon dioxide atmosphere. Venus's atmospheric pressure, a crushing 92 times that of Earth's, makes exploration challenging, with only a few spacecraft managing to land successfully.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;ISRO's Venus mission is unofficially known as 'Shukrayaan'</strong></p>

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<p>The planet's surface reveals mysterious features, from vast volcanic plains to towering mountains, and its atmosphere experiences super-rotation, with winds at the cloud tops reaching staggering speeds. Limited exploration and a complex geological landscape contribute to the ongoing intrigue surrounding Venus, making it one of the most astonishing and least understood planets in our celestial neighbourhood.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Venus spins differently than other planets, a phenomenon which has puzzled scientists for decades. They think an old moon with a backward orbit might be the reason.

Venus spins differently than other planets, a phenomenon which has puzzled scientists for decades. They think an old moon with a backward orbit might be the reason. Valeri Makarov and Alexey Goldin, two US-based scientists, have now used computer simulations to further study the phenomenon, showing that this moon's gravity could make Venus rotate weirdly. Their study helps us understand the chaos of the early solar system. Studying the history of Venus Venus might be exhibiting some really brutal, inhospitable conditions with extreme temperatures and elevated atmospheric pressure today, but experts believe the planet could have been similar to Earth and Mars at some point in the past. Notably, Venus remains shrouded beneath clouds of mystery as there are limited data and exploration missions to help aid study efforts. Contemporary scientists are now engaged in exploring climate models of Venus to unravel the factors contributing to its current inhospitable environment. Previous theories about why Venus spins in opposite direction In the crowded Solar System with fast objects like comets, there's a theory that something as big as Venus might have hit it, making it spin in the opposite direction. So, Venus's strange rotation might be from a cosmic collision during its early days. Some shocking facts about Venus Venus, the enigmatic neighbour in our solar system, holds several shocking secrets. With an incredibly slow rotation, taking 243 Earth days for one spin, it boasts a day longer than its year. Also read: It will be `hell`: Earth might turn into Venus some day, greenhouse effect simulation shows This hot and hostile world reaches scorching temperatures of 465 degrees Celsius due to a runaway greenhouse effect caused by its thick carbon dioxide atmosphere. Venus's atmospheric pressure, a crushing 92 times that of Earth's, makes exploration challenging, with only a few spacecraft managing to land successfully. Watch: ISRO's Venus mission is unofficially known as 'Shukrayaan' × The planet's surface reveals mysterious features, from vast volcanic plains to towering mountains, and its atmosphere experiences super-rotation, with winds at the cloud tops reaching staggering speeds. Limited exploration and a complex geological landscape contribute to the ongoing intrigue surrounding Venus, making it one of the most astonishing and least understood planets in our celestial neighbourhood. (With inputs from agencies)

Why does Venus spin in wrong direction? A cosmic collision with a moon might be to blame

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<p>Chinese scientists have found that Earth's inner core wobbles around its rotational axis every 8.5 years.</p>

<p>According to a study published in&nbsp;<em>Nature Communications&nbsp;</em>journal, a tiny misalignment between the inner core and the Earth's mantle, the layer below the crust, causes this movement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earth's core has two parts: a swirling liquid outer boundary and an almost solid inner layer. This region, starting 2,896 kilometres beneath the surface, is accountable for numerous geophysical dynamics of our planet, including the length of each day and Earth's magnetic field that protects humans from the Sun's harmful rays.</p>

<p>The study noted that this shift can eventually alter the motion or shape of the liquid core, causing a change in the Earth's magnetic field.</p>

<p>In 2019, Hao Ding of Wuhan University and his team of geophysical researchers examined the motion of Earth's rotational axis relative to its crust, also called polar rotation.</p>

<p>They noticed a subtle deviation in polar rotation, which occurs every 8.5 years, leading to the discovery of "inner core wobble." To simplify things, the researchers have described the shift in Earth's inner core as similar to the wobble of a spinning top.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/spectacular-japans-xrism-satellite-provides-first-glimpse-into-x-ray-cosmos-677404">Spectacular! Japan's XRISM satellite provides first glimpse into X-ray cosmos</a></p>

<p>Furthermore, Ding and his co-authors verified this cycle by measuring slight shifts in day length worldwide, controlled by the periodic movement of the Earth's rotational axis. They compared it to the deviations in polar motion.</p>

<p>The researchers concluded that a tilt of 0.17 degrees between Earth's inner core and mantle causes this wobble. It rules out the traditional Earth rotation theory that "assumes that the rotation axis of the Earth's inner core and the rotation axis of the mantle coincide," Ding told Live Science.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The research also suggests that the tilt implies that the inner core northern hemisphere might be a little denser than the rest of the layers, as there is a contrast between Earth's inner and outer core density.&nbsp;</p>

<p>John Vale, a professor of Earth Science at the University of Southern California, told Live Science, "The new study helps discern the difference in composition between the metal in the solid inner and liquid outer core as well as estimates direction and speed of the wobble of the inner core."</p>

<p>The research team did not consider atmospheric, oceanic, and hydrological influences that might have influenced the deviation in polar motion besides the inner core wobble. However, it's a crucial discovery as it could help researchers in the future comprehend the dynamics between Earth's inner core and natural events that impact humanity, like earthquakes.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Chinese scientists have found that Earth's inner core wobbles around its rotational axis every 8.5 years. According to a study published in Nature Communications journal, a tiny misalignment between the inner core and the Earth's mantle, the layer below the crust, causes this movement.

Chinese scientists have found that Earth's inner core wobbles around its rotational axis every 8.5 years. According to a study published in Nature Communications journal, a tiny misalignment between the inner core and the Earth's mantle, the layer below the crust, causes this movement. Earth's core has two parts: a swirling liquid outer boundary and an almost solid inner layer. This region, starting 2,896 kilometres beneath the surface, is accountable for numerous geophysical dynamics of our planet, including the length of each day and Earth's magnetic field that protects humans from the Sun's harmful rays. The study noted that this shift can eventually alter the motion or shape of the liquid core, causing a change in the Earth's magnetic field. In 2019, Hao Ding of Wuhan University and his team of geophysical researchers examined the motion of Earth's rotational axis relative to its crust, also called polar rotation. They noticed a subtle deviation in polar rotation, which occurs every 8.5 years, leading to the discovery of "inner core wobble." To simplify things, the researchers have described the shift in Earth's inner core as similar to the wobble of a spinning top. ALSO READ | Spectacular! Japan's XRISM satellite provides first glimpse into X-ray cosmos Furthermore, Ding and his co-authors verified this cycle by measuring slight shifts in day length worldwide, controlled by the periodic movement of the Earth's rotational axis. They compared it to the deviations in polar motion. The researchers concluded that a tilt of 0.17 degrees between Earth's inner core and mantle causes this wobble. It rules out the traditional Earth rotation theory that "assumes that the rotation axis of the Earth's inner core and the rotation axis of the mantle coincide," Ding told Live Science. The research also suggests that the tilt implies that the inner core northern hemisphere might be a little denser than the rest of the layers, as there is a contrast between Earth's inner and outer core density. John Vale, a professor of Earth Science at the University of Southern California, told Live Science, "The new study helps discern the difference in composition between the metal in the solid inner and liquid outer core as well as estimates direction and speed of the wobble of the inner core." The research team did not consider atmospheric, oceanic, and hydrological influences that might have influenced the deviation in polar motion besides the inner core wobble. However, it's a crucial discovery as it could help researchers in the future comprehend the dynamics between Earth's inner core and natural events that impact humanity, like earthquakes. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists might finally know why Earth's inner core wobbles every 8.5 years

<p>The US is all set to witness the launch of its first private mission to the Moon on Monday (Jan 8). Considered a major milestone for NASA’s plans to get humans back on the lunar surface in five decades, the Peregrine Mission One aims to carry cremated human remains to the Moon for a permanent burial there. Already marred with delays, the mission could now face further setbacks as the USA’s largest group of Natives and Indigenous communities register strong protests to the initiative.</p>

<h2><strong>Native Americans opposing the mission</strong></h2>

<p>Native group Navajo Nation has fiercely opposed the idea of carrying human remains to the Moon, with its President Buu Nygren saying that allowing the remains to touch down there would be an affront to many indigenous cultures, which revere the moon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The moon holds a sacred place in Navajo cosmology,” Nygren said Thursday (Jan 4). &nbsp;“The suggestion of transforming it into a resting place for human remains is deeply disturbing and unacceptable to our people and many other tribal nations,” he added.</p>

<h2><strong>The controversial idea</strong></h2>

<p>It is to be noted that there are two private companies that offer these lunar burial services—Celestis and Elysium Space.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;ISRO's first Sun mission Aditya-L1 to enter final orbit</strong></p>

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<p>According to Celestis’ website, “Celestis’ payload, called Tranquility Flight, includes 66 ‘memorial capsules’ containing ‘cremated remains and DNA,’ which will remain on the lunar surface ‘as a permanent tribute to the intrepid souls who never stopped reaching for the stars.’</p>

<h2><strong>Last-minute meeting at White House</strong></h2>

<p>To address the concerns of the Indigenous communities, the White House on Friday (Jan 5) held a last-minute meeting with Native leaders.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/want-to-fly-your-name-to-moon-heres-how-nasa-campaign-can-help-677100"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Want to fly your name to Moon? Here’s how NASA campaign can help</strong></a></p>

<p>However, in a statement to CNN, Celestis CEO Charles Chafer dismissed all claims and concerns raised by Nygren.</p>

<p>“We reject the assertion that our memorial spaceflight mission desecrates the moon,” Chafer said. “Just as permanent memorials for deceased are present all over planet Earth and not considered desecration, our memorial on the moon is handled with care and reverence, is a permanent monument that does not intentionally eject flight capsules on the moon. It is a touching and fitting celebration for our participants — the exact opposite of desecration, it is a celebration.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The US is all set to witness the launch of its first private mission to the Moon on Monday (Jan 8). Considered a major milestone for NASA’s plans to get humans back on the lunar surface in five decades, the Peregrine Mission One aims to carry cremated human remains to the Moon for a permanent burial there.

The US is all set to witness the launch of its first private mission to the Moon on Monday (Jan 8). Considered a major milestone for NASA’s plans to get humans back on the lunar surface in five decades, the Peregrine Mission One aims to carry cremated human remains to the Moon for a permanent burial there. Already marred with delays, the mission could now face further setbacks as the USA’s largest group of Natives and Indigenous communities register strong protests to the initiative. Native Americans opposing the mission Native group Navajo Nation has fiercely opposed the idea of carrying human remains to the Moon, with its President Buu Nygren saying that allowing the remains to touch down there would be an affront to many indigenous cultures, which revere the moon. “The moon holds a sacred place in Navajo cosmology,” Nygren said Thursday (Jan 4). “The suggestion of transforming it into a resting place for human remains is deeply disturbing and unacceptable to our people and many other tribal nations,” he added. The controversial idea It is to be noted that there are two private companies that offer these lunar burial services—Celestis and Elysium Space. Watch: ISRO's first Sun mission Aditya-L1 to enter final orbit × According to Celestis’ website, “Celestis’ payload, called Tranquility Flight, includes 66 ‘memorial capsules’ containing ‘cremated remains and DNA,’ which will remain on the lunar surface ‘as a permanent tribute to the intrepid souls who never stopped reaching for the stars.’ Last-minute meeting at White House To address the concerns of the Indigenous communities, the White House on Friday (Jan 5) held a last-minute meeting with Native leaders. Also read: Want to fly your name to Moon? Here’s how NASA campaign can help However, in a statement to CNN, Celestis CEO Charles Chafer dismissed all claims and concerns raised by Nygren. “We reject the assertion that our memorial spaceflight mission desecrates the moon,” Chafer said. “Just as permanent memorials for deceased are present all over planet Earth and not considered desecration, our memorial on the moon is handled with care and reverence, is a permanent monument that does not intentionally eject flight capsules on the moon. It is a touching and fitting celebration for our participants — the exact opposite of desecration, it is a celebration.” (With inputs from agencies)

Native Americans irked as US firm plans to carry cremated human remains to Moon

<p>A Japanese space startup has unveiled a rocket that uses liquid methane derived from cow dung.</p>

<p>This is for the first time that liquid biomethane (LBM) has been tested as a rocket fuel, which could pave the way for a green alternative.</p>

<p>Japanese startup, Interstellar Technologies, conducted a 10-second “static fire test” of its Cosmos engine for the ‘Zero rocket’ at the Hokkaido Spaceport.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It also released a video of the test, demonstrating the viability of the fuel, which is clean as well as readily available in abundance.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">／<br />
Breaking news from the test stand🔥<br />
＼<br />
Here's a short footage of IST's first static fire test using Liquid Biomethane🚀 <a href="https://t.co/695ld0kGmo">pic.twitter.com/695ld0kGmo</a></p>
— Interstellar Technologies (@istellartech_en) <a href="https://twitter.com/istellartech_en/status/1732896562148524415?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>In a statement released on December 7, the startup said that the rocket was developed through research and developmental efforts by people from Tokyo University and JAXA Space Innovation.</p>

<p>“The number of components has been reduced to one-tenth of conventional engines, fundamentally lowering the manufacturing costs of a rocket engine, estimated to constitute half of the overall expenses," Interstellar stated.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;China gets its forces space combat-ready</strong></p>

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<p>As per the company's release, the ongoing series of static fire tests is poised to enhance the progress in developing and manufacturing a 130kN-class operational model.</p>

<p>The Japanese startup has ambitious plans for the future, which aims to use this innovative rocket engine to launch satellites into low-Earth orbit.</p>

<p>Experts have long shed light on the environmental impact of rocket launches, especially those powered by oxygen and kerosene fuel.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/amateur-trackers-claim-china-has-deployed-6-mysterious-unidentified-objects-in-earth-orbit-671239"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Chinese space plane deployed 6 mysterious `wingmen` in Earth`s orbit: Reports</strong></a></p>

<p>These launches have been linked to the emission of black soot into the upper atmosphere, where the particles can linger for years.</p>

<p>This contributes to global warming big time, while also posing a threat to the fragile ozone layer.</p>

<p>It must be noted that the concept of harnessing methane derived from cow dung as a fuel source is not new but farmers around the world already use it to heat their homes.</p>

<p>However, it is for the first time that the fuel is being considered for powering a space rocket, showcasing the versatility of cow dung as a sustainable resource.</p>

<p>The successful test of the Zero rocket engine indeed heralds a new era in space exploration, which could even pave the way for economic space tourism in the future.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A Japanese space startup has unveiled a rocket that uses liquid methane derived from cow dung. This is for the first time that liquid biomethane (LBM) has been tested as a rocket fuel, which could pave the way for a green alternative.

A Japanese space startup has unveiled a rocket that uses liquid methane derived from cow dung. This is for the first time that liquid biomethane (LBM) has been tested as a rocket fuel, which could pave the way for a green alternative. Japanese startup, Interstellar Technologies, conducted a 10-second “static fire test” of its Cosmos engine for the ‘Zero rocket’ at the Hokkaido Spaceport. It also released a video of the test, demonstrating the viability of the fuel, which is clean as well as readily available in abundance. ／ Breaking news from the test stand🔥 ＼ Here's a short footage of IST's first static fire test using Liquid Biomethane🚀 pic.twitter.com/695ld0kGmo — Interstellar Technologies (@istellartech_en) December 7, 2023 × In a statement released on December 7, the startup said that the rocket was developed through research and developmental efforts by people from Tokyo University and JAXA Space Innovation. “The number of components has been reduced to one-tenth of conventional engines, fundamentally lowering the manufacturing costs of a rocket engine, estimated to constitute half of the overall expenses," Interstellar stated. Watch: China gets its forces space combat-ready × As per the company's release, the ongoing series of static fire tests is poised to enhance the progress in developing and manufacturing a 130kN-class operational model. The Japanese startup has ambitious plans for the future, which aims to use this innovative rocket engine to launch satellites into low-Earth orbit. Experts have long shed light on the environmental impact of rocket launches, especially those powered by oxygen and kerosene fuel. Also read: Chinese space plane deployed 6 mysterious `wingmen` in Earth`s orbit: Reports These launches have been linked to the emission of black soot into the upper atmosphere, where the particles can linger for years. This contributes to global warming big time, while also posing a threat to the fragile ozone layer. It must be noted that the concept of harnessing methane derived from cow dung as a fuel source is not new but farmers around the world already use it to heat their homes. However, it is for the first time that the fuel is being considered for powering a space rocket, showcasing the versatility of cow dung as a sustainable resource. The successful test of the Zero rocket engine indeed heralds a new era in space exploration, which could even pave the way for economic space tourism in the future. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Japanese space startup conducts groundbreaking test of cow dung-powered rocket

<p>In a recent study unveiled at the 2023 American Geophysical Union meeting, researchers studied and explored "hot Jupiters" through NASA's CubeSat mission, the Colorado Ultraviolet Transit Experiment (CUTE).&nbsp;</p>

<p>What sets CUTE apart is that this is really tiny in size, measuring merely 36 centimetres in length, akin to a cereal box, in contrast to the more sizable exoplanet-hunting telescopes which often look like small school buses.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Launched in September 2021, CUTE has directed its ultraviolet capabilities towards studying hot Jupiters in detail. Hot Jupiters are those planets which are in close proximity to their parent stars. The study focused on understanding atmospheric escape phenomena.</p>

<h2><strong>Previous analysis of WASP-189b</strong></h2>

<p>The team, comprising both undergraduate and graduate students, had previously published a comprehensive overview of CUTE in The Astronomical Journal in January 2023.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Subsequently, in August 2023, they reported specific results from CUTE's observations of WASP-189b, an extrasolar planet, in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>WASP-189b, with an orbital period of 2.7 days, exhibited a staggering atmospheric escape rate of 400 million kilograms per second due to its searing surface temperatures reaching approximately 8,315 degrees Celsius.</p>

<h2><strong>CUTE’s staggering capabilities</strong></h2>

<p>Despite its diminutive size, CUTE, orbiting at an altitude of 525 kilometres above the Earth's surface, showcased remarkable observational capabilities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The mission's reach extended beyond our solar system, as evidenced by its study of WASP-189b located approximately 325 light-years away.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This underscores CUTE's potential to gain profound insights into the formation and evolution of planets beyond our solar system.</p>

<h2><strong>Seven hot Jupiters identified as of now</strong></h2>

<p>While WASP-189b stands out as a prime example of CUTE's capabilities, the research team has extended its observations to a total of seven hot Jupiters.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;ISRO to take on multiple missions, ISRO to put a space station in orbit by 2028</strong></p>

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<p>Noteworthy among these are MASCARA-4b, located around 557 light-years from Earth, and KELT-9b, approximately 667 light-years away. The team's findings revealed varying degrees of atmospheric escape, from barely any gas escaping in the case of MASCARA-4b to a moderate level in KELT-9b.</p>

<p>“We want to understand how our solar system fits into the family of solar systems in the universe,” said Dr Kevin France, who is the CUTE Principal Investigator, an associate professor in the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences at CU Boulder, lead author of the overview paper, and co-author on the WASP-189b paper.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-nasa-releases-footage-of-tomatoes-lost-in-space-for-eight-months-670397"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Watch: NASA releases footage of tomatoes lost in space for eight months</strong></a></p>

<p>“That means understanding the big planets, the small planets, the ones that could have life and the ones that definitely don’t—and all of the important physical processes that are operating on these planets.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a recent study unveiled at the 2023 American Geophysical Union meeting, researchers studied and explored "hot Jupiters" through NASA's CubeSat mission, the Colorado Ultraviolet Transit Experiment (CUTE).

In a recent study unveiled at the 2023 American Geophysical Union meeting, researchers studied and explored "hot Jupiters" through NASA's CubeSat mission, the Colorado Ultraviolet Transit Experiment (CUTE). What sets CUTE apart is that this is really tiny in size, measuring merely 36 centimetres in length, akin to a cereal box, in contrast to the more sizable exoplanet-hunting telescopes which often look like small school buses. Launched in September 2021, CUTE has directed its ultraviolet capabilities towards studying hot Jupiters in detail. Hot Jupiters are those planets which are in close proximity to their parent stars. The study focused on understanding atmospheric escape phenomena. Previous analysis of WASP-189b The team, comprising both undergraduate and graduate students, had previously published a comprehensive overview of CUTE in The Astronomical Journal in January 2023. Subsequently, in August 2023, they reported specific results from CUTE's observations of WASP-189b, an extrasolar planet, in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. WASP-189b, with an orbital period of 2.7 days, exhibited a staggering atmospheric escape rate of 400 million kilograms per second due to its searing surface temperatures reaching approximately 8,315 degrees Celsius. CUTE’s staggering capabilities Despite its diminutive size, CUTE, orbiting at an altitude of 525 kilometres above the Earth's surface, showcased remarkable observational capabilities. The mission's reach extended beyond our solar system, as evidenced by its study of WASP-189b located approximately 325 light-years away. This underscores CUTE's potential to gain profound insights into the formation and evolution of planets beyond our solar system. Seven hot Jupiters identified as of now While WASP-189b stands out as a prime example of CUTE's capabilities, the research team has extended its observations to a total of seven hot Jupiters. Watch: ISRO to take on multiple missions, ISRO to put a space station in orbit by 2028 × Noteworthy among these are MASCARA-4b, located around 557 light-years from Earth, and KELT-9b, approximately 667 light-years away. The team's findings revealed varying degrees of atmospheric escape, from barely any gas escaping in the case of MASCARA-4b to a moderate level in KELT-9b. “We want to understand how our solar system fits into the family of solar systems in the universe,” said Dr Kevin France, who is the CUTE Principal Investigator, an associate professor in the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences at CU Boulder, lead author of the overview paper, and co-author on the WASP-189b paper. Also read: Watch: NASA releases footage of tomatoes lost in space for eight months “That means understanding the big planets, the small planets, the ones that could have life and the ones that definitely don’t—and all of the important physical processes that are operating on these planets.” (With inputs from agencies)

NASA’s tiny telescope discovers seven hot Jupiters millions of light-years away

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<p>Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and Blue Origin, hopes for a distant future when "a trillion" humans will colonise the solar system.</p>

<p>In the Lex Fridman podcast, published on Thursday, Bezos said that our solar system has enough resources to support a civilisation that large. But people won't be inhabiting other planets. Instead, they would be living in massive space stations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>By a trillion humans, Bezos meant that "a thousand Mozarts and a thousand Einsteins" could be up in space at any given point.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bezos envisioned space stations that resembled the cylindrical habitats proposed by the late physicist Gerard K. O'Neill. "They have a lot of advantages over planetary surfaces. You can spin them to get normal earth gravity. You can put them where you want them," he said of O'Neill-style colonies, adding that most people will want to live near Earth anyway.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="www.wionews.com/science/james-webb-spots-record-breaking-small-rare-kind-of-brown-failed-star-669808">James Webb spots record-breaking small, rare kind of brown 'failed' star</a></p>

<p>Bezos' space colony agenda differs from that of Elon Musk, his main competitor. The SpaceX founder, Musk,&nbsp;has been vocal about his ambition to colonise Mars by 2050. SpaceX also has plans to help NASA send humans to the moon, but its colonisation goals are more aligned towards Mars.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Bezos has set his eyes on the moon, revealing the giant Blue Moon lunar lander concept in 2019. He also spoke about an O'Neill-style shaped cylinder that can maintain a good climate throughout the year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"As a species, we've got to do this. We're going to crucify this planet sooner or later. So you might as well die going to Mars," Kevin Moffat, an associate professor at the University of Warwick who specialises in human physiology, told Business Insider.</p>

<p>Previously, experts have talked about the scientific and ethical dilemmas related to the glorious plans of space colonisation of both billionaires. They have warned about the problems related to gravity and space's human immune system. However, that does not mean that their efforts went in vain.</p>

<p>During the podcast, Bezos told Fridman that humans could choose to go back and forth between space stations and Earth in the distant future. According to Bezos, space colonisation ultimately means to preserve the planet. "We've sent robotic probes to all the planets," he said. "We know that this is the good one."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and Blue Origin, hopes for a distant future when "a trillion" humans will colonise the solar system. In the Lex Fridman podcast, published on Thursday, Bezos said that our solar system has enough resources to support a civilisation that large.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and Blue Origin, hopes for a distant future when "a trillion" humans will colonise the solar system. In the Lex Fridman podcast, published on Thursday, Bezos said that our solar system has enough resources to support a civilisation that large. But people won't be inhabiting other planets. Instead, they would be living in massive space stations. By a trillion humans, Bezos meant that "a thousand Mozarts and a thousand Einsteins" could be up in space at any given point. Bezos envisioned space stations that resembled the cylindrical habitats proposed by the late physicist Gerard K. O'Neill. "They have a lot of advantages over planetary surfaces. You can spin them to get normal earth gravity. You can put them where you want them," he said of O'Neill-style colonies, adding that most people will want to live near Earth anyway. ALSO READ | James Webb spots record-breaking small, rare kind of brown 'failed' star Bezos' space colony agenda differs from that of Elon Musk, his main competitor. The SpaceX founder, Musk, has been vocal about his ambition to colonise Mars by 2050. SpaceX also has plans to help NASA send humans to the moon, but its colonisation goals are more aligned towards Mars. Meanwhile, Bezos has set his eyes on the moon, revealing the giant Blue Moon lunar lander concept in 2019. He also spoke about an O'Neill-style shaped cylinder that can maintain a good climate throughout the year. "As a species, we've got to do this. We're going to crucify this planet sooner or later. So you might as well die going to Mars," Kevin Moffat, an associate professor at the University of Warwick who specialises in human physiology, told Business Insider. Previously, experts have talked about the scientific and ethical dilemmas related to the glorious plans of space colonisation of both billionaires. They have warned about the problems related to gravity and space's human immune system. However, that does not mean that their efforts went in vain. During the podcast, Bezos told Fridman that humans could choose to go back and forth between space stations and Earth in the distant future. According to Bezos, space colonisation ultimately means to preserve the planet. "We've sent robotic probes to all the planets," he said. "We know that this is the good one." (With inputs from agencies)

Bezos wants humans to colonise the solar system, while Musk has his sight set on Mars

<p>A "gas station in space" may soon become a reality. Orbit Fab, an American company, is developing a system for on-orbit refuelling that includes fuel ports, refuelling shuttles, and orbital gas stations (refuelling tankers).</p>

<p>However, the on-orbit refuelling won't come cheap, its cost will start from a whopping $20 million.</p>

<h2><strong>The company behind it</strong></h2>

<p>The company has conducted tests, launched a fuel depot demonstrator, and is planning its next launch in 2024 for a mission with the Air Force Research Lab.</p>

<p>"We are delivering fuel in geostationary orbit for a mission that is being undertaken by the Air Force Research Lab," said CEO Daniel Faber.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/playing-action-video-games-for-an-hour-significantly-boosts-alertness-study-668167">Playing action video games for an hour significantly boosts alertness: Study</a></strong></p>

<p>"At the moment, they're treating it as a demonstration, but it's getting a lot of interest from across the US government, from people that realise the value of refuelling," he added.</p>

<p>The company also has its first private customer lined up: Astroscale, a Japanese satellite servicing company, for its satellite designed for refuelling called LEXI. It is scheduled for launch in 2026.</p>

<h2><strong>Why does this matter?</strong></h2>

<p>Currently, the space is full of debris, a large part of which is made up of satellites, and space vehicles that have run out of fuel.</p>

<p>This initiative, as per CNN, comes as there is a growing interest in on-orbit servicing, which is seen as essential for a safe and sustainable development of space.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-detect-oldest-black-hole-ever-observed-its-a-million-times-the-mass-of-sun-report-668329">Astronomers detect oldest black hole ever observed. It's a million times the mass of Sun: Report</a></strong></p>

<p>Simone D’Amico, an associate professor of astronautics at Stanford University, noted that this is key to the safe and sustainable development of space.</p>

<p>"Could you imagine a ground mobility infrastructure, roads and cities, without gas stations and auto repair shops? Could you imagine single-use cars or aeroplanes?" he asked.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The development of space infrastructure and the proliferation of space assets is reaching a critical volume that is not sustainable any more without a change of paradigm."</p>

<p>"It's probably the only company in the world that has positioned itself to deploy 'gas stations' in orbit," said the Stanford University who has no affiliation with Orbit Fab.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I think Orbit Fab's approach is really visionary and can pay off in the mid to long term. However, it has high risk in the short term, since satellites have to be designed having reusability and refuelling in mind," he added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A "gas station in space" may soon become a reality. Orbit Fab, an American company, is developing a system for on-orbit refuelling that includes fuel ports, refuelling shuttles, and orbital gas stations (refuelling tankers).

A "gas station in space" may soon become a reality. Orbit Fab, an American company, is developing a system for on-orbit refuelling that includes fuel ports, refuelling shuttles, and orbital gas stations (refuelling tankers). However, the on-orbit refuelling won't come cheap, its cost will start from a whopping $20 million. The company behind it The company has conducted tests, launched a fuel depot demonstrator, and is planning its next launch in 2024 for a mission with the Air Force Research Lab. "We are delivering fuel in geostationary orbit for a mission that is being undertaken by the Air Force Research Lab," said CEO Daniel Faber. Also read | Playing action video games for an hour significantly boosts alertness: Study "At the moment, they're treating it as a demonstration, but it's getting a lot of interest from across the US government, from people that realise the value of refuelling," he added. The company also has its first private customer lined up: Astroscale, a Japanese satellite servicing company, for its satellite designed for refuelling called LEXI. It is scheduled for launch in 2026. Why does this matter? Currently, the space is full of debris, a large part of which is made up of satellites, and space vehicles that have run out of fuel. This initiative, as per CNN, comes as there is a growing interest in on-orbit servicing, which is seen as essential for a safe and sustainable development of space. Also read | Astronomers detect oldest black hole ever observed. It's a million times the mass of Sun: Report Simone D’Amico, an associate professor of astronautics at Stanford University, noted that this is key to the safe and sustainable development of space. "Could you imagine a ground mobility infrastructure, roads and cities, without gas stations and auto repair shops? Could you imagine single-use cars or aeroplanes?" he asked. "The development of space infrastructure and the proliferation of space assets is reaching a critical volume that is not sustainable any more without a change of paradigm." "It's probably the only company in the world that has positioned itself to deploy 'gas stations' in orbit," said the Stanford University who has no affiliation with Orbit Fab. "I think Orbit Fab's approach is really visionary and can pay off in the mid to long term. However, it has high risk in the short term, since satellites have to be designed having reusability and refuelling in mind," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Space gas stations: American startup aims to revolutionise space technology

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<p>Scientists have pinpointed the location of the place where an asteroid hit Earth approximately 750,000 years ago.</p>

<p>In a study published in<em>&nbsp;Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,&nbsp;</em>the planetary scientists released evidence showing that the location of impact crater they have been seeking for decades is on the Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Although the evidence for the asteroid's size and event's timing is far and wide, the discovery of the location has been a multi-year study.</p>

<p>Earlier studies say an asteroid hit the Earth's surface about 789,000 years ago, producing many rocks in southeast Asia and Australia. These black glassy rocks, called tektites, formed the most prominent debris spray from an extraterrestrial impact.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Although older and bigger collisions have produced larger sprays, geological processes have long buried the evidence. However, the tektites are recent enough to be visible in several places.&nbsp;</p>

<h4>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/archaeologists-discover-temple-related-to-hercules-alexander-the-great-in-iraq-667500">Twin temples linked to Hercules and Alexander the Great discovered on top of each other in Iraq</a></h4>

<p>The location remained hidden for a long time due to geological conditions and thick rainforests. It is also in the world's most politically isolated nations. The team led by Professor Kerry Sieh&nbsp;of the Nanyang Technological University mentioned in the study that&nbsp;"the unexpected ordnance hampered fieldwork for decades."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sieh's team used a layer of pebble and boulder-sized rocks called Bolaven diamicton to identify the impact site's location. According to the research team, the impact broke the ancient sandstone and basaltic lava to form the diamicton.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The research team also studied the conclusions of other studies on the impact crater, which convinced them it had not been found as it was filled with lava. From 2015 to 2023, they conducted field research, gathering and analysing tektites from the Bolaven impact and marking their locations on the map. They found small samples that would fit in hand and large deposits up to nine meters thick.</p>

<p>Later, the maps pointed to a radical pattern of thickening ejecta (material thrown out during volcanic explosion) linked around a single plateau. The team believed this indicated where the asteroid crashed into the Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When the team introduced the idea of the crater being beneath the Bolavean Volcanic Field, they did not have enough evidence to convince the geologists. However, they have five separate datasets that point towards the location.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Although the team needs to perform more research at or near the proposed impact site's vicinity, they are confident about the recent study, calling their results "all but definitive."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Scientists have pinpointed the location of the place where an asteroid hit Earth approximately 750,000 years ago. In a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the planetary scientists released evidence showing that the location of impact crater they have been seeking for decades is on the Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos.

Scientists have pinpointed the location of the place where an asteroid hit Earth approximately 750,000 years ago. In a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the planetary scientists released evidence showing that the location of impact crater they have been seeking for decades is on the Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos. Although the evidence for the asteroid's size and event's timing is far and wide, the discovery of the location has been a multi-year study. Earlier studies say an asteroid hit the Earth's surface about 789,000 years ago, producing many rocks in southeast Asia and Australia. These black glassy rocks, called tektites, formed the most prominent debris spray from an extraterrestrial impact. Although older and bigger collisions have produced larger sprays, geological processes have long buried the evidence. However, the tektites are recent enough to be visible in several places. Also Read | Twin temples linked to Hercules and Alexander the Great discovered on top of each other in Iraq The location remained hidden for a long time due to geological conditions and thick rainforests. It is also in the world's most politically isolated nations. The team led by Professor Kerry Sieh of the Nanyang Technological University mentioned in the study that "the unexpected ordnance hampered fieldwork for decades." Sieh's team used a layer of pebble and boulder-sized rocks called Bolaven diamicton to identify the impact site's location. According to the research team, the impact broke the ancient sandstone and basaltic lava to form the diamicton. The research team also studied the conclusions of other studies on the impact crater, which convinced them it had not been found as it was filled with lava. From 2015 to 2023, they conducted field research, gathering and analysing tektites from the Bolaven impact and marking their locations on the map. They found small samples that would fit in hand and large deposits up to nine meters thick. Later, the maps pointed to a radical pattern of thickening ejecta (material thrown out during volcanic explosion) linked around a single plateau. The team believed this indicated where the asteroid crashed into the Earth. When the team introduced the idea of the crater being beneath the Bolavean Volcanic Field, they did not have enough evidence to convince the geologists. However, they have five separate datasets that point towards the location. Although the team needs to perform more research at or near the proposed impact site's vicinity, they are confident about the recent study, calling their results "all but definitive." (With inputs from agencies)

This is the exact spot an asteroid made a crater 750,000 years ago

<p>What will happen to our solar system if it ever encounters a rogue star? Researchers, including lead author Sean N. Raymond and co-authors Nathan A. Kaib, Franck Selsis, and Herve Bouy, recently published a study on arxiv.org, concluding that a rouge star can irreparably disrupt our solar system, completely dislodging the Earth from its orbit.</p>

<h2><strong>What is a rogue star?</strong></h2>

<p>A star, which is no longer under the gravitational influence of its sun, can eject from its home galaxy and interact with neighbouring ones.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Such stars are called rogue elements, which can sometimes move in odd directions and interfere with the gravitational orbits of other stars.</p>

<p>Scientists used computer models to understand the impact of such a rogue star on our solar system if it ever pays a visit.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Results and predictions</strong></h2>

<p>The team relied on N-body simulations to help them determine “the possible evolutionary pathways of the planets under the perturbation from a close stellar passage,” which revealed a close to 92 per cent chance that the eight known planets in our solar system would remain in their current orbits or similar ones if a rogue star were to pass within 100 astronomical units (au) of the Sun.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Chandrayaan-3: What are ISRO's plans to bring Moon samples to Earth?</strong></p>

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<p>Of all, mercury is the most fragile planet in our solar system, the scientists said.</p>

<p>“Mercury is the most fragile, with a destruction rate (usually via collision with the Sun) higher than that of the four giant planets combined,” the authors write in their paper.</p>

<h2><strong>What will happen to our Earth?</strong></h2>

<p>Speaking of the Earth, our planet may most likely collide with the moon in such a situation, thus completely eliminating life here.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is also possible that our planet may get swayed by the gravitational pull of the rogue star, thus taking a radically different orbit altogether with the rogue star effectively acting as our new sun.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/europes-juice-probe-set-to-use-first-ever-double-gravity-assist-from-earth-and-moon-for-launch-to-jupiter-661150"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Europe’s JUICE probe set to use first-ever ‘double gravity assist’ from Earth and Moon for launch to Jupiter</strong></a></p>

<p>Moreover, the Earth could end up in a more distant orbit than its current one, which would result in conditions becoming far colder due to the planet’s further distance from the Sun.</p>

<p>However, researchers said the chances of a rogue star disrupting our solar system are fairly low.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


What will happen to our solar system if it ever encounters a rogue star? Researchers, including lead author Sean N. Raymond and co-authors Nathan A. Kaib, Franck Selsis, and Herve Bouy, recently published a study on arxiv.

What will happen to our solar system if it ever encounters a rogue star? Researchers, including lead author Sean N. Raymond and co-authors Nathan A. Kaib, Franck Selsis, and Herve Bouy, recently published a study on arxiv.org, concluding that a rouge star can irreparably disrupt our solar system, completely dislodging the Earth from its orbit. What is a rogue star? A star, which is no longer under the gravitational influence of its sun, can eject from its home galaxy and interact with neighbouring ones. Such stars are called rogue elements, which can sometimes move in odd directions and interfere with the gravitational orbits of other stars. Scientists used computer models to understand the impact of such a rogue star on our solar system if it ever pays a visit. Results and predictions The team relied on N-body simulations to help them determine “the possible evolutionary pathways of the planets under the perturbation from a close stellar passage,” which revealed a close to 92 per cent chance that the eight known planets in our solar system would remain in their current orbits or similar ones if a rogue star were to pass within 100 astronomical units (au) of the Sun. Watch: Chandrayaan-3: What are ISRO's plans to bring Moon samples to Earth? × Of all, mercury is the most fragile planet in our solar system, the scientists said. “Mercury is the most fragile, with a destruction rate (usually via collision with the Sun) higher than that of the four giant planets combined,” the authors write in their paper. What will happen to our Earth? Speaking of the Earth, our planet may most likely collide with the moon in such a situation, thus completely eliminating life here. It is also possible that our planet may get swayed by the gravitational pull of the rogue star, thus taking a radically different orbit altogether with the rogue star effectively acting as our new sun. Also read: Europe’s JUICE probe set to use first-ever ‘double gravity assist’ from Earth and Moon for launch to Jupiter Moreover, the Earth could end up in a more distant orbit than its current one, which would result in conditions becoming far colder due to the planet’s further distance from the Sun. However, researchers said the chances of a rogue star disrupting our solar system are fairly low. (With inputs from agencies)

A rogue star can send Earth smashing into Moon, wiping out all life, study finds

<p>The guidelines for naming a planet’s surface features are not gender inclusive and are biased in favour of men, a researcher at The Open University has alleged.</p>

<p>Annie Lennox’s allegations are backed by an analysis of the International Astronomical Union's (IAU) database, which reveals that only two per cent of the known Moon craters are named after women.</p>

<p>Planetary features generally include craters, mountains, valleys, canyons, oceans and volcanoes discovered on a planet or its satellite.</p>

<p>Lennox wrote an open letter to the IAU – an international association of professional astronomers – urging them to change the policies governing the naming of planetary features, which she claims are biased towards “cisgender (cis) white men.”</p>

<p>“Distant craters on the Moon, Mars and Mercury record a history much closer to home: celebrating the achievements of mankind, and to a much lesser extent womankind,” she wrote in her letter.</p>

<p>Italian astronomer Giovanni Battista Riccioli initiated the practice of naming lunar craters in 1635, adopting the titles of renowned scientists for his discoveries—an approach still followed by the IAU today.</p>

<p>Although the IAU doesn't directly assign names, it facilitates the formation of working groups or task forces to propose and approve names for specific features, often guided by historical figures, mythology, or cultural themes.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earth-without-oxygen-this-is-when-our-planet-will-lose-an-oxygen-rich-atmosphere-660107"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Earth without oxygen? This is when our planet will lose an oxygen-rich atmosphere</strong></a></p>

<p>Lennox highlighted the impact of IAU's guidelines on the diversity and inclusivity of scientific communities responsible for naming.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Surface features are named following conventions that are set and maintained by the IAU. Frustratingly, elements of the current conventions crystallise historic injustices and contribute to a lack of diversity within the nomenclature,” she writes.</p>

<p>Her research revealed that Mercury exhibits a slightly better representation of women, with 11.8 per cent of its 415 craters having female names.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: A supernova can tear apart a planet's atmosphere</strong></p>

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<p>On the other hand, planetary features on Mars show a significant gender disparity, with only 1.8 per cent of its 280 craters named after women. Venus, while having all craters named after females, sees a nuanced situation—only 38 per cent are attributed to actual women who made substantial contributions to society, as noted by Lennox.</p>

<p>“On the one planet intended to exclusively celebrate the contributions of women, more features have been given meaningless, arbitrary female first names or the names of mythological goddesses than those of real women,” she points out.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The guidelines for naming a planet’s surface features are not gender inclusive and are biased in favour of men, a researcher at The Open University has alleged. Annie Lennox’s allegations are backed by an analysis of the International Astronomical Union's (IAU) database, which reveals that only two per cent of the known Moon craters are named after women.

The guidelines for naming a planet’s surface features are not gender inclusive and are biased in favour of men, a researcher at The Open University has alleged. Annie Lennox’s allegations are backed by an analysis of the International Astronomical Union's (IAU) database, which reveals that only two per cent of the known Moon craters are named after women. Planetary features generally include craters, mountains, valleys, canyons, oceans and volcanoes discovered on a planet or its satellite. Lennox wrote an open letter to the IAU – an international association of professional astronomers – urging them to change the policies governing the naming of planetary features, which she claims are biased towards “cisgender (cis) white men.” “Distant craters on the Moon, Mars and Mercury record a history much closer to home: celebrating the achievements of mankind, and to a much lesser extent womankind,” she wrote in her letter. Italian astronomer Giovanni Battista Riccioli initiated the practice of naming lunar craters in 1635, adopting the titles of renowned scientists for his discoveries—an approach still followed by the IAU today. Although the IAU doesn't directly assign names, it facilitates the formation of working groups or task forces to propose and approve names for specific features, often guided by historical figures, mythology, or cultural themes. Also read: Earth without oxygen? This is when our planet will lose an oxygen-rich atmosphere Lennox highlighted the impact of IAU's guidelines on the diversity and inclusivity of scientific communities responsible for naming. “Surface features are named following conventions that are set and maintained by the IAU. Frustratingly, elements of the current conventions crystallise historic injustices and contribute to a lack of diversity within the nomenclature,” she writes. Her research revealed that Mercury exhibits a slightly better representation of women, with 11.8 per cent of its 415 craters having female names. Watch: Gravitas: A supernova can tear apart a planet's atmosphere × On the other hand, planetary features on Mars show a significant gender disparity, with only 1.8 per cent of its 280 craters named after women. Venus, while having all craters named after females, sees a nuanced situation—only 38 per cent are attributed to actual women who made substantial contributions to society, as noted by Lennox. “On the one planet intended to exclusively celebrate the contributions of women, more features have been given meaningless, arbitrary female first names or the names of mythological goddesses than those of real women,” she points out. (With inputs from agencies)

Most cosmic surfaces are named after men and one researcher is not happy with the bias

<p>NASA has recently shared a captivating image of the universe, offering an unprecedented level of detail. This image was created by combining data from two powerful space telescopes: the James Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope.</p>

<p>The featured image showcases a distant pair of colliding galaxy clusters. What makes this visualisation remarkable is that it combines infrared data from the James Webb Space Telescope with visible light observations collected by the Hubble Space Telescope. This combination spans a vast range of light wavelengths, resulting in a picture that seems to sparkle with colours.</p>

<p>These particular galaxy clusters, known by the technical designation MACS0416, are situated about 4.3 billion light years away from Earth. Scientists studying these clusters anticipate that they will eventually merge to form an even larger cluster.</p>

<p>Interestingly, the scientists involved in this extensive study have informally dubbed this bundle of celestial objects the "Christmas Tree Galaxy Cluster." This nickname is derived from the distinctive and polychromatic appearance of the clusters in the image.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-want-to-give-space-a-socially-conscious-makeover-push-for-renaming-magellan-galaxies-658473"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Astronomers want to give space a socially conscious makeover, push for renaming Magellan galaxies</strong></a></p>

<p>"We're calling MACS0416 the Christmas Tree Galaxy Cluster, both because it's so colourful and because of these flickering lights we find within it. We can see transients everywhere," Haojing Yan, an astronomer and professor at the University of Missouri, who was the lead author of one paper reviewing the results of the joint galactic study by Webb and Hubble, said in a statement.</p>

<p>The announcement from NASA includes several images of the Christmas Tree Galaxy Cluster. One of these images provides a magnified view of a background galaxy, featuring a star nicknamed "Mothra."</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Cosmic journey: Space balloons &amp; space station visit part of the tour</strong></p>

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<p>Scientists estimate that Mothra existed approximately 3 billion years after the big bang, roughly 11 billion years ago. To put this into perspective, our solar system's sun formed around 4.6 billion years ago, around the same time as Earth.</p>

<p>These galaxy clusters, captured in the new images, are part of a series of super-deep views of the universe initiated by NASA's Frontier Fields program, which began in 2014 with the Hubble Space Telescope.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA has recently shared a captivating image of the universe, offering an unprecedented level of detail. This image was created by combining data from two powerful space telescopes: the James Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope.

NASA has recently shared a captivating image of the universe, offering an unprecedented level of detail. This image was created by combining data from two powerful space telescopes: the James Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope. The featured image showcases a distant pair of colliding galaxy clusters. What makes this visualisation remarkable is that it combines infrared data from the James Webb Space Telescope with visible light observations collected by the Hubble Space Telescope. This combination spans a vast range of light wavelengths, resulting in a picture that seems to sparkle with colours. These particular galaxy clusters, known by the technical designation MACS0416, are situated about 4.3 billion light years away from Earth. Scientists studying these clusters anticipate that they will eventually merge to form an even larger cluster. Interestingly, the scientists involved in this extensive study have informally dubbed this bundle of celestial objects the "Christmas Tree Galaxy Cluster." This nickname is derived from the distinctive and polychromatic appearance of the clusters in the image. Also read: Astronomers want to give space a socially conscious makeover, push for renaming Magellan galaxies "We're calling MACS0416 the Christmas Tree Galaxy Cluster, both because it's so colourful and because of these flickering lights we find within it. We can see transients everywhere," Haojing Yan, an astronomer and professor at the University of Missouri, who was the lead author of one paper reviewing the results of the joint galactic study by Webb and Hubble, said in a statement. The announcement from NASA includes several images of the Christmas Tree Galaxy Cluster. One of these images provides a magnified view of a background galaxy, featuring a star nicknamed "Mothra." Watch: Cosmic journey: Space balloons & space station visit part of the tour × Scientists estimate that Mothra existed approximately 3 billion years after the big bang, roughly 11 billion years ago. To put this into perspective, our solar system's sun formed around 4.6 billion years ago, around the same time as Earth. These galaxy clusters, captured in the new images, are part of a series of super-deep views of the universe initiated by NASA's Frontier Fields program, which began in 2014 with the Hubble Space Telescope. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA combines data from two telescopes, releases stunning image of cosmic ‘Christmas Tree’

<p>To err is human, and astronauts are no different.</p>

<p>On November 2, when NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara were conducting repairs on the International Space Station’s (ISS) solar panels, they accidentally let&nbsp;a tool bag slip away.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Last seen by <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Satoshi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Astro_Satoshi</a> while floating over Mount Fuji 🗻 the 'Orbital Police' can confirm that the lost EVA gear is being tracked 🫡 <a href="https://t.co/wz4MITmAfM">https://t.co/wz4MITmAfM</a> <a href="https://t.co/eksfu9fPFw">pic.twitter.com/eksfu9fPFw</a></p>
— Dr Meganne Christian (@astro_meganne) <a href="https://twitter.com/astro_meganne/status/1721297966999236802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Now, it is orbiting Earth, and some sky observers might actually spot it using binoculars at around magnitude +6.</p>

<h2><strong>What happened?</strong></h2>

<p>While spacewalkers were conducting repairs on the solar panel unit, they inadvertently lost one tool bag. Later, the bag was spotted using external station cameras.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Fortunately, the tool bag was no longer required in the repair operation. Later, NASA scientists predicted the bag’s trajectory and concluded that it posed no risk to the ISS or the onboard crew.</p>

<h2><strong>What will happen to the tool bag?</strong></h2>

<p>The tool bag is expected to orbit around Earth for a few months, during which it will continue to descend until 70 miles or 113 kilometres.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Cosmic journey: Space balloons &amp; space station visit part of the tour</strong></p>

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<p>After reaching there, it will start to disintegrate in Earth’s atmosphere.</p>

<h2><strong>Can people on Earth see the tool bag?</strong></h2>

<p>Observers who can see the ISS can also spot the tool bag, extremely bright for its size, hovering near the space station.</p>

<p>They should scan the sky just ahead of the space station, using binoculars, for the next few weeks.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/beam-me-up-scotty-scientists-to-use-sci-fi-beam-to-get-rid-of-real-space-junk-655715"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;`Beam me up, Scotty`: Scientists to use sci-fi beam to get rid of real space junk</strong></a></p>

<p>As the small object gradually loses height, it should appear a few seconds ahead of the ISS.</p>

<h2><strong>Previous such instances</strong></h2>

<p>Interestingly, on November 18, 2008, astronauts lost a similar repair kit during an operation outside the ISS.</p>

<p>It was visible from Earth even months later, just ahead of the ISS. Astronauts have lost several such items previously as well which are now part of the junkyard in near-Earth orbit.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


To err is human, and astronauts are no different. On November 2, when NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara were conducting repairs on the International Space Station’s (ISS) solar panels, they accidentally let a tool bag slip away.

To err is human, and astronauts are no different. On November 2, when NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara were conducting repairs on the International Space Station’s (ISS) solar panels, they accidentally let a tool bag slip away. Last seen by @Astro_Satoshi while floating over Mount Fuji 🗻 the 'Orbital Police' can confirm that the lost EVA gear is being tracked 🫡 https://t.co/wz4MITmAfM pic.twitter.com/eksfu9fPFw — Dr Meganne Christian (@astro_meganne) November 5, 2023 × Now, it is orbiting Earth, and some sky observers might actually spot it using binoculars at around magnitude +6. What happened? While spacewalkers were conducting repairs on the solar panel unit, they inadvertently lost one tool bag. Later, the bag was spotted using external station cameras. Fortunately, the tool bag was no longer required in the repair operation. Later, NASA scientists predicted the bag’s trajectory and concluded that it posed no risk to the ISS or the onboard crew. What will happen to the tool bag? The tool bag is expected to orbit around Earth for a few months, during which it will continue to descend until 70 miles or 113 kilometres. Watch: Cosmic journey: Space balloons & space station visit part of the tour × After reaching there, it will start to disintegrate in Earth’s atmosphere. Can people on Earth see the tool bag? Observers who can see the ISS can also spot the tool bag, extremely bright for its size, hovering near the space station. They should scan the sky just ahead of the space station, using binoculars, for the next few weeks. Also read: `Beam me up, Scotty`: Scientists to use sci-fi beam to get rid of real space junk As the small object gradually loses height, it should appear a few seconds ahead of the ISS. Previous such instances Interestingly, on November 18, 2008, astronauts lost a similar repair kit during an operation outside the ISS. It was visible from Earth even months later, just ahead of the ISS. Astronauts have lost several such items previously as well which are now part of the junkyard in near-Earth orbit. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Astronauts accidentally let a tool bag slip away in space. Now it is orbiting Earth

<p>Have you ever wondered what the supermassive black holes feed on? It is generally thought that they gobble up everything whatever comes in their way. But now a team of Japanese scientists have concluded that the black holes might be much pickier and actually consume just 3 per of what is sucked into them.</p>

<p>The team reached the results using the ALMA radio telescope array in Chile's Atacama Desert. While conducting the experiment, the team focused on a relatively tiny sliver of the black hole at the centre of the Circinus galaxy, which lies some 13 million light-years from Earth.</p>

<h2><strong>What did the scientists observe?</strong></h2>

<p>The team noted that the gravitational pull of the black hole theorised gas and dust from space ionised it and sucked it into an inner accretion disk around it.</p>

<p>The scientists observed that even as the hole attracted a lot of gas, and clouds of dust around it, it ate just 3 per cent of the total elements pulled into it.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/yikes-black-holes-might-be-closer-to-earth-than-we-thought-635052"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Yikes! Black holes might be closer to Earth than we thought</strong></a></p>

<p>"The supply of material to the SMBH is known to trigger this feedback, although it has not been possible to quantitatively connect the gas supply to the subsequent feedback," the scientists write in the paper, but they also point out that more research will need to be done to validate the findings and build on their theory of how black holes' leftovers might feed new star formation.</p>

<h2><strong>About supermassive black holes</strong></h2>

<p>Supermassive black holes are believed to be situated at the heart of vast galaxies, including our own. Much like a spider in the centre of its web, these enigmatic entities expand by consuming interstellar gas and dust that venture too near.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Scientists reveal the sound of a super massive black hole</strong></p>

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<p>Yet, due to the extreme density and opacity of black holes, understanding their nature proves to be an immensely challenging task.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is to be noted that despite having garnered the special attention of scientists for decades, black holes still remain a topic of mystery among the scientific community. Experts possess limited knowledge regarding the fate of matter drawn close to black holes, except for the observation that once it enters.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Have you ever wondered what the supermassive black holes feed on? It is generally thought that they gobble up everything whatever comes in their way. But now a team of Japanese scientists have concluded that the black holes might be much pickier and actually consume just 3 per of what is sucked into them.

Have you ever wondered what the supermassive black holes feed on? It is generally thought that they gobble up everything whatever comes in their way. But now a team of Japanese scientists have concluded that the black holes might be much pickier and actually consume just 3 per of what is sucked into them. The team reached the results using the ALMA radio telescope array in Chile's Atacama Desert. While conducting the experiment, the team focused on a relatively tiny sliver of the black hole at the centre of the Circinus galaxy, which lies some 13 million light-years from Earth. What did the scientists observe? The team noted that the gravitational pull of the black hole theorised gas and dust from space ionised it and sucked it into an inner accretion disk around it. The scientists observed that even as the hole attracted a lot of gas, and clouds of dust around it, it ate just 3 per cent of the total elements pulled into it. Also read: Yikes! Black holes might be closer to Earth than we thought "The supply of material to the SMBH is known to trigger this feedback, although it has not been possible to quantitatively connect the gas supply to the subsequent feedback," the scientists write in the paper, but they also point out that more research will need to be done to validate the findings and build on their theory of how black holes' leftovers might feed new star formation. About supermassive black holes Supermassive black holes are believed to be situated at the heart of vast galaxies, including our own. Much like a spider in the centre of its web, these enigmatic entities expand by consuming interstellar gas and dust that venture too near. Watch: Gravitas: Scientists reveal the sound of a super massive black hole × Yet, due to the extreme density and opacity of black holes, understanding their nature proves to be an immensely challenging task. It is to be noted that despite having garnered the special attention of scientists for decades, black holes still remain a topic of mystery among the scientific community. Experts possess limited knowledge regarding the fate of matter drawn close to black holes, except for the observation that once it enters. (With inputs from agencies)

Black holes don’t gobble up everything, consume just 3% of what they suck: Study

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