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

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

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

A dying star is forming rings around itself, confusing scientists

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

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

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

Astrophotographer takes photo of spacewalking astronauts, from Earth

Mars is a busy place these days. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Chinese space agency both have heavy scientific activity going on and around the red planet. Though both agencies are carrying out their scientific observations independently, both expeditions often 'cross paths', so to speak.

China's Tianwen-1 lander and Zhurong rover touched down on Mars on March 14 last year. While NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is revolving around Mars and is making scientific observations.&nbsp;

Last week, the MRO clicked pics of China's Zhurong rover. What's interesting about these pics is that it clearly shows Zhurong's 'footprints' on the red planet. The tracks made by Zhurong's wheels are clearly visible in these pics. What's more? These tracks can be traced back to the lander.

In other words, Zhurong's entire journey on Mars is visible in these pics. These photos have been taken by the MRO using the onboard HiRise camera. NASA has also tweeted these pics. In order to see the tracks, it is necessary to zoom in on them in the pictures.

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In case you missed the other parts of today’s HiPOD observation (linked in the text). <a href="https://t.co/ZhuZxxmBGM">pic.twitter.com/ZhuZxxmBGM</a>
— HiRISE: Beautiful Mars (NASA) (@HiRISE) <a href="https://twitter.com/HiRISE/status/1504913260755095553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2022</a></blockquote>
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MRO is orbiting about 316 kilometers above the surface of Mars. At this height, it is able to take pictures in which objects just a foot away can be observed distinctly. This ability makes the MRO capable of spotting rovers on the Martian surface.

The HiRise camera has already spotted NASA's Opportunity, Curiosity and Perseverance rovers.

Mars is a busy place these days. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Chinese space agency both have heavy scientific activity going on and around the red planet.

Mars is a busy place these days. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Chinese space agency both have heavy scientific activity going on and around the red planet. Though both agencies are carrying out their scientific observations independently, both expeditions often 'cross paths', so to speak. China's Tianwen-1 lander and Zhurong rover touched down on Mars on March 14 last year. While NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is revolving around Mars and is making scientific observations. Last week, the MRO clicked pics of China's Zhurong rover. What's interesting about these pics is that it clearly shows Zhurong's 'footprints' on the red planet. The tracks made by Zhurong's wheels are clearly visible in these pics. What's more? These tracks can be traced back to the lander. In other words, Zhurong's entire journey on Mars is visible in these pics. These photos have been taken by the MRO using the onboard HiRise camera. NASA has also tweeted these pics. In order to see the tracks, it is necessary to zoom in on them in the pictures. In case you missed the other parts of today’s HiPOD observation (linked in the text). pic.twitter.com/ZhuZxxmBGM — HiRISE: Beautiful Mars (NASA) (@HiRISE) March 18, 2022 × MRO is orbiting about 316 kilometers above the surface of Mars. At this height, it is able to take pictures in which objects just a foot away can be observed distinctly. This ability makes the MRO capable of spotting rovers on the Martian surface. The HiRise camera has already spotted NASA's Opportunity, Curiosity and Perseverance rovers.

NASA's Mars orbiter clicks photos of China's Zhurong rover

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

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

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

Comet Leonard disintegrates as it goes around the Sun

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The European Space Agency (ESA) has said that a joint Mars mission with Russia has been suspended over Ukraine war.

"We deeply deplore the human casualties and tragic consequences of the aggression towards Ukraine," the agency said as it confirmed the suspension of the ExoMars mission.

The decision to suspend cooperation with Roscosmos was taken by ESA's ruling council, at a meeting this week in Paris.

"We deeply deplore the human casualties and tragic consequences of the aggression towards Ukraine,? an ESA statement said.

"While recognising the impact on scientific exploration of space, ESA is fully aligned with the sanctions imposed on Russia by its member states."

Because of their respective orbits around the Sun, Mars is only readily reachable from Earth every two years. The next launch window would be 2024.

The rover's primary mission was to have been determining whether Mars ever hosted life.

The ExoMars mission has already been pushed back from 2020, because of the coronavirus pandemic and the need for more tests on the spacecraft.

The mission was to have blasted off on a Russian Proton-M rocket from the Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan in September, and had been scheduled to land on the red planet some nine months later.

Already on Mars are NASA's Perseverance rover, which landed in February 2021, and China's first Mars rover, Zhurong, named after the Chinese god of fire

(With inputs from agencies)

The European Space Agency (ESA) has said that a joint Mars mission with Russia has been suspended over Ukraine war. "We deeply deplore the human casualties and tragic consequences of the aggression towards Ukraine," the agency said as it confirmed the suspension of the ExoMars mission.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has said that a joint Mars mission with Russia has been suspended over Ukraine war. "We deeply deplore the human casualties and tragic consequences of the aggression towards Ukraine," the agency said as it confirmed the suspension of the ExoMars mission. The decision to suspend cooperation with Roscosmos was taken by ESA's ruling council, at a meeting this week in Paris. "We deeply deplore the human casualties and tragic consequences of the aggression towards Ukraine,? an ESA statement said. "While recognising the impact on scientific exploration of space, ESA is fully aligned with the sanctions imposed on Russia by its member states." Because of their respective orbits around the Sun, Mars is only readily reachable from Earth every two years. The next launch window would be 2024. The rover's primary mission was to have been determining whether Mars ever hosted life. The ExoMars mission has already been pushed back from 2020, because of the coronavirus pandemic and the need for more tests on the spacecraft. The mission was to have blasted off on a Russian Proton-M rocket from the Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan in September, and had been scheduled to land on the red planet some nine months later. Already on Mars are NASA's Perseverance rover, which landed in February 2021, and China's first Mars rover, Zhurong, named after the Chinese god of fire (With inputs from agencies)

Joint Euro-Russian Mars mission suspended because of Ukraine conflict: ESA

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

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

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

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

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope completed its mirror alignment perfectly and according to the space agency, it was able to take a test shot of the surroundings. The image, which was released by NASA, was taken with the help of the 21.3-foot-wide (6.5 meters) mirror composed of 18 hexagonal segments and the officials believed that the technology has&nbsp;worked "better than expected".<o:p></o:p>

The test shot, which was taken around 1.6 million kilometres away from earth, was proof that the mirrors on the telescope worked perfectly and over a month after taking its position at the second Lagrange Point (L2), this was the first time that it was able to take a test shot of star HD 84406.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;</o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-present-a-theory-on-how-otherworldly-materials-helped-in-earths-formation-462803">Scientists present a theory on how 'otherworldly materials' helped in Earth's formation</a><o:p></o:p>

The shape of the mirrors and filters made the star look red and spiky and the image also captured a number of galaxies around the star. &nbsp;“You can’t help but see those thousands of galaxies behind it, really gorgeous,” said Jane Rigby, Webb operations project scientist according to AFP.<o:p></o:p>

“Those galaxies are several billions of years old. Eventually, scientists hope Webb will see so far away and back in time that it will only be “a couple hundred million years after the Big Bang,” she added.<o:p></o:p>

The alignment of the mirrors was an important achievement for the James Webb Space Telescope and NASA confirmed that no critical issues were found when it comes to its optical path.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;</o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/strain-hasnt-yet-been-seen-in-world-israel-reports-confirmed-cases-of-combined-omicron-and-ba2-strain-462847">Israel reports new coronavirus variant</a>

“More than 20 years ago, the Webb team set out to build the most powerful telescope that anyone has ever put in space and came up with an audacious optical design to meet demanding science goals. Today we can say that design is going to deliver,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate according to AFP.

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“We have fully aligned and focused the telescope on a star, and the performance is beating specifications. We are excited about what this means for science,” said Ritva Keski-Kuha, deputy optical telescope element manager for Webb.

<o:p></o:p>

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope completed its mirror alignment perfectly and according to the space agency, it was able to take a test shot of the surroundings.

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope completed its mirror alignment perfectly and according to the space agency, it was able to take a test shot of the surroundings. The image, which was released by NASA, was taken with the help of the 21.3-foot-wide (6.5 meters) mirror composed of 18 hexagonal segments and the officials believed that the technology has worked "better than expected". The test shot, which was taken around 1.6 million kilometres away from earth, was proof that the mirrors on the telescope worked perfectly and over a month after taking its position at the second Lagrange Point (L2), this was the first time that it was able to take a test shot of star HD 84406. Also read | Scientists present a theory on how 'otherworldly materials' helped in Earth's formation The shape of the mirrors and filters made the star look red and spiky and the image also captured a number of galaxies around the star. “You can’t help but see those thousands of galaxies behind it, really gorgeous,” said Jane Rigby, Webb operations project scientist according to AFP. “Those galaxies are several billions of years old. Eventually, scientists hope Webb will see so far away and back in time that it will only be “a couple hundred million years after the Big Bang,” she added. The alignment of the mirrors was an important achievement for the James Webb Space Telescope and NASA confirmed that no critical issues were found when it comes to its optical path. Also read | Israel reports new coronavirus variant “More than 20 years ago, the Webb team set out to build the most powerful telescope that anyone has ever put in space and came up with an audacious optical design to meet demanding science goals. Today we can say that design is going to deliver,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate according to AFP. × “We have fully aligned and focused the telescope on a star, and the performance is beating specifications. We are excited about what this means for science,” said Ritva Keski-Kuha, deputy optical telescope element manager for Webb. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope captures test image of star and ancient galaxies

Canadian aerospace company MDA will be extending its assistance to Ukraine in fighting off the Russian invasion through radar satellites. This came after Justin Trudeau-led Canadian administration gave a green signal to the company.&nbsp;

MDA CEO Mike Greenley, in a statement, said, "Images captured by MDA's SAR technology, which is unique for its ability to see through all weather and cloud conditions, will be merged and analyzed with other sources of imagery from commercial Earth observation companies to develop comprehensive near-real-time intelligence reports for Ukrainian government officials."

"We're honored that we are able to use our radar satellite capabilities to contribute to these international efforts, and will continue doing everything in our power to help the government of Ukraine protect its citizens," he further added. 
MDA is an Ontario-based company known for its radar capabilities.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-russia-claims-to-have-besieged-two-big-cities-in-ukraine-455211">Also read |&nbsp;LIVE | Ukraine war: Biden announces US ban on Russian vodka, diamonds, seafood</a>

As the conflict in Ukraine intensifies, Russian forces have destroyed at least $100 billion worth of infrastructure, buildings and other assets in the conflict till now, said Ukraine's top government economic adviser Oleg Ustenko.&nbsp;

At an online event, which was hosted by the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Ustenko, chief economic adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said the invasion has caused 50 per cent of Ukrainian businesses to shut down completely. The rest are operating at below capacity.&nbsp;

The damage estimate is "very approximate" and just includes bridges, hospitals, roads, equipment and other assets, he said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Canadian aerospace company MDA will be extending its assistance to Ukraine in fighting off the Russian invasion through radar satellites. This came after Justin Trudeau-led Canadian administration gave a green signal to the company.

Canadian aerospace company MDA will be extending its assistance to Ukraine in fighting off the Russian invasion through radar satellites. This came after Justin Trudeau-led Canadian administration gave a green signal to the company. MDA CEO Mike Greenley, in a statement, said, "Images captured by MDA's SAR technology, which is unique for its ability to see through all weather and cloud conditions, will be merged and analyzed with other sources of imagery from commercial Earth observation companies to develop comprehensive near-real-time intelligence reports for Ukrainian government officials." "We're honored that we are able to use our radar satellite capabilities to contribute to these international efforts, and will continue doing everything in our power to help the government of Ukraine protect its citizens," he further added. MDA is an Ontario-based company known for its radar capabilities. Also read | LIVE | Ukraine war: Biden announces US ban on Russian vodka, diamonds, seafood As the conflict in Ukraine intensifies, Russian forces have destroyed at least $100 billion worth of infrastructure, buildings and other assets in the conflict till now, said Ukraine's top government economic adviser Oleg Ustenko. At an online event, which was hosted by the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Ustenko, chief economic adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said the invasion has caused 50 per cent of Ukrainian businesses to shut down completely. The rest are operating at below capacity. The damage estimate is "very approximate" and just includes bridges, hospitals, roads, equipment and other assets, he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Canadian space company to help Ukraine in battling Russian invasion by providing intelligence

Play of shadows in space causes a great many effects. The celestial bodies come between a star and another planet and cast their shadow on the latter. We are very well familiar with this play here on Earth as when Moon comes between the Sun and Earth, the shadow it casts causes a solar eclipse.

When it's time of Earth to come between Sun and Moon, we Earthlings get to witness a lunar eclipse.&nbsp;

With naked eyes, our ability is limited to watching only these two (but brilliantly beautiful) space events. Fortunately, we have enough telescopes and even spacecrafts looking at the void beyond the Earth's atmosphere to bring us brilliant pictures.

Take NASA's Juno spacecraft for example. The spacecraft is hovering around Jupiter for last five years. It has sent invaluable data and images our way and it continues to send more. These images have helped us to study the gas giant and its moons.

An interesting image taken by Juno spacecraft shows us the benefits of having eyes in the sky. The moment captured in this pic cannot possibly be witnessed from Earth

This image shows shadow of Jupiter's moon Ganymede falling on the gas giant. As per Space.com, this image was captured by Juno spacecraft during its 20th flyby.

Play of shadows in space causes a great many effects. The celestial bodies come between a star and another planet and cast their shadow on the latter. We are very well familiar with this play here on Earth as when Moon comes between the Sun and Earth, the shadow it casts causes a solar eclipse.

Play of shadows in space causes a great many effects. The celestial bodies come between a star and another planet and cast their shadow on the latter. We are very well familiar with this play here on Earth as when Moon comes between the Sun and Earth, the shadow it casts causes a solar eclipse. When it's time of Earth to come between Sun and Moon, we Earthlings get to witness a lunar eclipse. With naked eyes, our ability is limited to watching only these two (but brilliantly beautiful) space events. Fortunately, we have enough telescopes and even spacecrafts looking at the void beyond the Earth's atmosphere to bring us brilliant pictures. Take NASA's Juno spacecraft for example. The spacecraft is hovering around Jupiter for last five years. It has sent invaluable data and images our way and it continues to send more. These images have helped us to study the gas giant and its moons. An interesting image taken by Juno spacecraft shows us the benefits of having eyes in the sky. The moment captured in this pic cannot possibly be witnessed from Earth This image shows shadow of Jupiter's moon Ganymede falling on the gas giant. As per Space.com, this image was captured by Juno spacecraft during its 20th flyby.

NASA's Juno spacecraft clicks Jupiter's moon casting shadow on the gas giant

We all have days when we are so bored of life we find excuses to evade tasks that give us a (literal and metaphorical) headache. Our creativity is at its best to churn up reasons to dodge whatever it is that's coming our way. When we are young, these are called tantrums. When we are adults, its called 'Nope, bye'.

It appears stars throw 'tantrums' too. But unlike their mortal counterparts here on Earth, these tantrums cause something very spectacular in space.

So one such thing has been captured by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. This 'tantrum' is an energetic outburst from a star. Why is it being termed 'tantrum'? Well the star is very young. Just imagine an annoying, loudmouth of a kid in a movie hall and you'll get the drift. His outbursts are hard to ignore during your ruined movie date.

Talking about science again, the star in question is being formed in Orion Nebula. The outburst from this extremely young star consists of incandescent jet&nbsp;of gas travelling at supersonic speed through space. This jet collides with star-forming material like dust around the young star and makes it glow. This visual spectacle gives rise to what are called Herbig-Haro objects.

Herbig-Haro object formed by jets from this star has been termed HH34. It was studied by Hubble telescope extensively from 1994-2007 and the space telescope continues to make these observations.&nbsp;

We all have days when we are so bored of life we find excuses to evade tasks that give us a (literal and metaphorical) headache. Our creativity is at its best to churn up reasons to dodge whatever it is that's coming our way.

We all have days when we are so bored of life we find excuses to evade tasks that give us a (literal and metaphorical) headache. Our creativity is at its best to churn up reasons to dodge whatever it is that's coming our way. When we are young, these are called tantrums. When we are adults, its called 'Nope, bye'. It appears stars throw 'tantrums' too. But unlike their mortal counterparts here on Earth, these tantrums cause something very spectacular in space. So one such thing has been captured by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. This 'tantrum' is an energetic outburst from a star. Why is it being termed 'tantrum'? Well the star is very young. Just imagine an annoying, loudmouth of a kid in a movie hall and you'll get the drift. His outbursts are hard to ignore during your ruined movie date. Talking about science again, the star in question is being formed in Orion Nebula. The outburst from this extremely young star consists of incandescent jet of gas travelling at supersonic speed through space. This jet collides with star-forming material like dust around the young star and makes it glow. This visual spectacle gives rise to what are called Herbig-Haro objects. Herbig-Haro object formed by jets from this star has been termed HH34. It was studied by Hubble telescope extensively from 1994-2007 and the space telescope continues to make these observations.

This young star is throwing 'tantrums', here is what it means

NASA has said that its first crewed Artemis mission will not see a launch before 2026. This notice has come after NASA's notification of &nbsp;delays on Artemis-1 uncrewed flight around the Moon.&nbsp;

The agency indicated last week that it would launch no earlier than May, but even that timeline is in doubt, Space.com reported.

"Given the time needed to develop and test the human landing system and NASA`s next generation spacesuits, we estimate the date for a crewed lunar landing likely to slip to 2026 at the earliest," NASA Inspector General Paul Martin was quoted as saying during a House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee hearing on Tuesday.

He acknowledged that the 2025 deadline that NASA is aiming for doesn`t appear to be feasible.

Martin said there are challenges that need to be faced, "not the least of which would be getting the human landing system certified to operate spacesuits," along with changes in the agency`s acquisition strategy that is expected to take more time in procuring key technologies "that are not mature".

These factors, he said, "often point to taking longer and [requiring] development to get there. So 2025 is not impossible, but it seems improbable."

According to William Russell, the US Government Accountability Office director of contracting and national security acquisitions, the problem is that NASA is seeking to manage "multiple risks simultaneously" while achieving a tight deadline, the report said.

Russell pointed to factors such as the seven-month delay induced by the HLS disputes, a key change in spacesuit development to pivot the work to a contractor instead of in-house work, and cost growth for the Space Launch System rocket and other key infrastructure required to support a human landing.

NASA, for its part, pointed to unanticipated issues that contributed to cost growth and schedule delays, particularly involving the coronavirus pandemic, which has created supply chain hiccups and personnel challenges due to safety protocols.

"Every bit of work that I`ve mentioned is possible because of the people of NASA and our private sector partners," James Free, the agency`s associate administrator of the exploration systems development mission directorate, was quoted as saying.

 
&nbsp;

NASA has said that its first crewed Artemis mission will not see a launch before 2026. This notice has come after NASA's notification of delays on Artemis-1 uncrewed flight around the Moon.

NASA has said that its first crewed Artemis mission will not see a launch before 2026. This notice has come after NASA's notification of delays on Artemis-1 uncrewed flight around the Moon. The agency indicated last week that it would launch no earlier than May, but even that timeline is in doubt, Space.com reported. "Given the time needed to develop and test the human landing system and NASA`s next generation spacesuits, we estimate the date for a crewed lunar landing likely to slip to 2026 at the earliest," NASA Inspector General Paul Martin was quoted as saying during a House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee hearing on Tuesday. He acknowledged that the 2025 deadline that NASA is aiming for doesn`t appear to be feasible. Martin said there are challenges that need to be faced, "not the least of which would be getting the human landing system certified to operate spacesuits," along with changes in the agency`s acquisition strategy that is expected to take more time in procuring key technologies "that are not mature". These factors, he said, "often point to taking longer and [requiring] development to get there. So 2025 is not impossible, but it seems improbable." According to William Russell, the US Government Accountability Office director of contracting and national security acquisitions, the problem is that NASA is seeking to manage "multiple risks simultaneously" while achieving a tight deadline, the report said. Russell pointed to factors such as the seven-month delay induced by the HLS disputes, a key change in spacesuit development to pivot the work to a contractor instead of in-house work, and cost growth for the Space Launch System rocket and other key infrastructure required to support a human landing. NASA, for its part, pointed to unanticipated issues that contributed to cost growth and schedule delays, particularly involving the coronavirus pandemic, which has created supply chain hiccups and personnel challenges due to safety protocols. "Every bit of work that I`ve mentioned is possible because of the people of NASA and our private sector partners," James Free, the agency`s associate administrator of the exploration systems development mission directorate, was quoted as saying.

Artemis: NASA's crewed mission delayed till 2026

Galaxies are huge. Really huge. Our Milky Way galaxy is so huge that it would take light (at 300,000 kilometres per second) would take 100,000 years to travel from one end of the galaxy to the other.

If you thought that was huge, wait till you imagine galaxy clusters. These are groups of galaxies and they often collide with each other. The shockwaves such collisions would generate would be quite massive. But exactly how massive?

Sample this, a shockwave of such a collision that took place billions of years ago is measuring 6.5 million light-years across! This means that this shockwave is many many times larger than entire Milky Way Galaxy!

The shockwave is travelling through space at speed of 1,500 kilometers per second (930 miles per second). The particular galaxy cluster that caused the shockwave is called Abell 3667. At least 550 galaxies are associated with it.

This shockwave is visible in radio wavelength. It has been observed by a team of astronomers using MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa.

"These structures are full of surprises and much more complex than what we initially thought," says astronomer Francesco de Gasperin of the University of Hamburg. He was quoted by South African Radio Astronomy Observatory.

Galaxies are huge. Really huge. Our Milky Way galaxy is so huge that it would take light (at 300,000 kilometres per second) would take 100,000 years to travel from one end of the galaxy to the other.

Galaxies are huge. Really huge. Our Milky Way galaxy is so huge that it would take light (at 300,000 kilometres per second) would take 100,000 years to travel from one end of the galaxy to the other. If you thought that was huge, wait till you imagine galaxy clusters. These are groups of galaxies and they often collide with each other. The shockwaves such collisions would generate would be quite massive. But exactly how massive? Sample this, a shockwave of such a collision that took place billions of years ago is measuring 6.5 million light-years across! This means that this shockwave is many many times larger than entire Milky Way Galaxy! The shockwave is travelling through space at speed of 1,500 kilometers per second (930 miles per second). The particular galaxy cluster that caused the shockwave is called Abell 3667. At least 550 galaxies are associated with it. This shockwave is visible in radio wavelength. It has been observed by a team of astronomers using MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa. "These structures are full of surprises and much more complex than what we initially thought," says astronomer Francesco de Gasperin of the University of Hamburg. He was quoted by South African Radio Astronomy Observatory.

Superhuge shockwave bigger than Milky Way galaxy is travelling through space

The crowds that cheered the astronaut — about a quarter-million in Washington, four million in New York — adorned themselves in numerous ways. Some wore space helmets fashioned from cardboard and plastic. Others, less showily, wore buttons proclaiming John Glenn “the New Frontier man of the year,” a nod to John F. Kennedy’s famous phrase. Sixty years ago, Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth, opening up the frontier of human exploration in space — a frontier that stretched to the moon and beyond. The flight of Friendship 7 made it all seem possible.

Glenn’s feat marked the start of a spectacular decade: spacewalks, trips around the moon, six lunar landings. Then the frontier receded. Since 1972, no human being has ventured outside Earth’s orbit. A generation has reached middle age without any memory of Americans on the moon.

That could change soon. If NASA’s plan holds, its Artemis program will land the first woman and the first person of color on the moon in 2025. And this, NASA says, is just the beginning. The agency envisions at least 10 lunar landings. Its administrator, Bill Nelson, is waging a campaign to beat other nations in placing “boots on the moon” — not just boots but also, in time, a base. And “the sooner we get to the moon,” NASA has said, “the sooner we get American astronauts to Mars.”

But why bother? There is certainly much of interest on Mars — NASA’s newest rover, Perseverance, and its companion, the tiny helicopter Ingenuity, have made that clearer than ever. What is less evident is the role, the value, of human explorers. To most Americans, machines seem sufficient to the task. A Morning Consult poll last year showed a general interest in space exploration but not in having humans do the exploring.

In 1961, when Kennedy proposed to send Americans to the moon, a senator warned that the administration had “a lot of missionary work” to do. That is surely the case today. Mr. Nelson has been making a persistent pitch for funding, but Congress appears unpersuaded. President Biden, for his part, has signaled support for Artemis but is more focused on the nation’s commercial and military capabilities in space, as well as the vantage point that space provides to observe climate change. Vice President Kamala Harris, the chair of the National Space Council, rarely mentions human spaceflight, stressing instead “the responsibility to look to our home planet.”

And reasonably so. Our planet has plenty to worry about, not least the damage we do to its atmosphere. But there is an argument to be made for the human exploration of space — a better argument, at least, than the White House and NASA have put forward. If the administration fails to sharpen and press its case, if it shies from insisting that humans, not just our inventions, should roam the heavens, the United States will likely cede the moon — and a good deal more than that — to more determined competitors.

Chief among them is China. Its goal is plain: to become a “great space power,” as President Xi Jinping has said. China’s Mars rover, arriving on the heels of our own, has been an impressive success; China also has a probe on the far side of the moon — a first for any nation. Its space station is nearly complete, while the International Space Station, after more than two decades orbiting Earth, approaches obsolescence and NASA turns to private companies to build and run its successors. Like the United States, China hopes to build a research station on the lunar surface. Unlike the United States, China gives no reason to doubt its resolve. It will also have a partner: Russia. The two countries have already begun to align their efforts.

Mr. Nelson cites an “aggressive” China as a reason for Americans to “get off our duff,” but a few national security questions require a fuller airing. What if, for example, China stakes out strategic positions on the moon? What if it asserts control over the resources it and other nations are searching for there: silicon, titanium and, not least, the water that is needed to sustain a human settlement? As Namrata Goswami, an expert on China’s space policy, has argued, “An advantage in accessing the vast wealth of the inner solar system could have an effect on the balance of power” on Earth.

If anyone is as bullish on the new frontier as China, it is the billionaires. Their ambitions, too, should spur NASA to stay in the game. Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk might or might not be visionaries, but they are easily the most powerful people on this planet to speak with a straight face about colonizing other ones. Mr. Musk warns of an “extinction event” that will require us to leave Earth behind. There is a certain egalitarianism in the idea of an escape hatch for humanity, though it is the egalitarianism of rats leaving a sinking (or overheating) ship. It would have to get pretty bad down here before ordinary people follow the billionaires into the black void of space rather than bid them adieu. Mr. Musk’s product placement of a Tesla in orbit and Mr. Bezos’ postflight performance in his cowboy hat leave one wary of their motives and nostalgic for the military bearing of Glenn. If space travel lost its novelty in the early 1970s, it might now be in the process of losing its dignity.

Of course, this takes nothing away from the achievements of Mr. Musk’s aerospace company, SpaceX. Rarely in any industry has such boldness of imagination been matched by such brilliance in execution. The company is an indispensable partner to NASA; a SpaceX landing system will carry astronauts to and from the moon’s surface.

But there is an essential difference between exploration and colonization, and both are a far cry from commercialization. Left to the billionaires, space is less likely to become a haven for humanity than a playground for its wealthiest members. In that event, there will be no more John Glenns — no more astronauts to look up to and emulate, astronauts whose humility and awe in the vastness of space define them as much as their bravery does.

“The exploration of space will go ahead, whether we join in it or not,” Kennedy said in 1962 at Rice University, warning that “no nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in this race for space.” Perhaps this logic has lost its power; perhaps Americans don’t care if the billionaires and China have the moon to themselves. The idea of space as a new frontier, too, might be tired, overworked. (During the Super Bowl, a Salesforce ad dismissed it with an “Eh.”) But the thrilling discoveries by Perseverance — the evidence of ancient Martian river deltas and lava flows — give eloquent testimony to the mysteries that await on the frontier. Robots like these are stunningly capable. Still, they cannot invent or imagine; they cannot drive the process of discovery in space any more than they do here on Earth. Only humans can lead, and to lead, humans must go.

Science “is simply the exploration of the unknown,” James Head, a planetary geologist at Brown who helped train the Apollo astronauts, told me, adding that “the moon is unknown. Mars is unknown.” Perhaps this is what NASA should say, and without apology: We don’t know what we’ll find. We don’t know what the moon and Mars can tell us about the origins of the universe and life on Earth and possibly beyond it. And that, above all, is the reason for going. Six days after his return to Earth, Glenn addressed a joint meeting of Congress. “What benefits are we gaining from the money spent?” he asked, acknowledging that it was too early to say. “But exploration and the pursuit of knowledge,” he said, “have always paid dividends in the long run — usually far greater than anything expected at the outset.” Why bother? This is why.

The crowds that cheered the astronaut — about a quarter-million in Washington, four million in New York — adorned themselves in numerous ways. Some wore space helmets fashioned from cardboard and plastic.

The crowds that cheered the astronaut — about a quarter-million in Washington, four million in New York — adorned themselves in numerous ways. Some wore space helmets fashioned from cardboard and plastic. Others, less showily, wore buttons proclaiming John Glenn “the New Frontier man of the year,” a nod to John F. Kennedy’s famous phrase. Sixty years ago, Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth, opening up the frontier of human exploration in space — a frontier that stretched to the moon and beyond. The flight of Friendship 7 made it all seem possible. Glenn’s feat marked the start of a spectacular decade: spacewalks, trips around the moon, six lunar landings. Then the frontier receded. Since 1972, no human being has ventured outside Earth’s orbit. A generation has reached middle age without any memory of Americans on the moon. That could change soon. If NASA’s plan holds, its Artemis program will land the first woman and the first person of color on the moon in 2025. And this, NASA says, is just the beginning. The agency envisions at least 10 lunar landings. Its administrator, Bill Nelson, is waging a campaign to beat other nations in placing “boots on the moon” — not just boots but also, in time, a base. And “the sooner we get to the moon,” NASA has said, “the sooner we get American astronauts to Mars.” But why bother? There is certainly much of interest on Mars — NASA’s newest rover, Perseverance, and its companion, the tiny helicopter Ingenuity, have made that clearer than ever. What is less evident is the role, the value, of human explorers. To most Americans, machines seem sufficient to the task. A Morning Consult poll last year showed a general interest in space exploration but not in having humans do the exploring. In 1961, when Kennedy proposed to send Americans to the moon, a senator warned that the administration had “a lot of missionary work” to do. That is surely the case today. Mr. Nelson has been making a persistent pitch for funding, but Congress appears unpersuaded. President Biden, for his part, has signaled support for Artemis but is more focused on the nation’s commercial and military capabilities in space, as well as the vantage point that space provides to observe climate change. Vice President Kamala Harris, the chair of the National Space Council, rarely mentions human spaceflight, stressing instead “the responsibility to look to our home planet.” And reasonably so. Our planet has plenty to worry about, not least the damage we do to its atmosphere. But there is an argument to be made for the human exploration of space — a better argument, at least, than the White House and NASA have put forward. If the administration fails to sharpen and press its case, if it shies from insisting that humans, not just our inventions, should roam the heavens, the United States will likely cede the moon — and a good deal more than that — to more determined competitors. Chief among them is China. Its goal is plain: to become a “great space power,” as President Xi Jinping has said. China’s Mars rover, arriving on the heels of our own, has been an impressive success; China also has a probe on the far side of the moon — a first for any nation. Its space station is nearly complete, while the International Space Station, after more than two decades orbiting Earth, approaches obsolescence and NASA turns to private companies to build and run its successors. Like the United States, China hopes to build a research station on the lunar surface. Unlike the United States, China gives no reason to doubt its resolve. It will also have a partner: Russia. The two countries have already begun to align their efforts. Mr. Nelson cites an “aggressive” China as a reason for Americans to “get off our duff,” but a few national security questions require a fuller airing. What if, for example, China stakes out strategic positions on the moon? What if it asserts control over the resources it and other nations are searching for there: silicon, titanium and, not least, the water that is needed to sustain a human settlement? As Namrata Goswami, an expert on China’s space policy, has argued, “An advantage in accessing the vast wealth of the inner solar system could have an effect on the balance of power” on Earth. If anyone is as bullish on the new frontier as China, it is the billionaires. Their ambitions, too, should spur NASA to stay in the game. Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk might or might not be visionaries, but they are easily the most powerful people on this planet to speak with a straight face about colonizing other ones. Mr. Musk warns of an “extinction event” that will require us to leave Earth behind. There is a certain egalitarianism in the idea of an escape hatch for humanity, though it is the egalitarianism of rats leaving a sinking (or overheating) ship. It would have to get pretty bad down here before ordinary people follow the billionaires into the black void of space rather than bid them adieu. Mr. Musk’s product placement of a Tesla in orbit and Mr. Bezos’ postflight performance in his cowboy hat leave one wary of their motives and nostalgic for the military bearing of Glenn. If space travel lost its novelty in the early 1970s, it might now be in the process of losing its dignity. Of course, this takes nothing away from the achievements of Mr. Musk’s aerospace company, SpaceX. Rarely in any industry has such boldness of imagination been matched by such brilliance in execution. The company is an indispensable partner to NASA; a SpaceX landing system will carry astronauts to and from the moon’s surface. But there is an essential difference between exploration and colonization, and both are a far cry from commercialization. Left to the billionaires, space is less likely to become a haven for humanity than a playground for its wealthiest members. In that event, there will be no more John Glenns — no more astronauts to look up to and emulate, astronauts whose humility and awe in the vastness of space define them as much as their bravery does. “The exploration of space will go ahead, whether we join in it or not,” Kennedy said in 1962 at Rice University, warning that “no nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in this race for space.” Perhaps this logic has lost its power; perhaps Americans don’t care if the billionaires and China have the moon to themselves. The idea of space as a new frontier, too, might be tired, overworked. (During the Super Bowl, a Salesforce ad dismissed it with an “Eh.”) But the thrilling discoveries by Perseverance — the evidence of ancient Martian river deltas and lava flows — give eloquent testimony to the mysteries that await on the frontier. Robots like these are stunningly capable. Still, they cannot invent or imagine; they cannot drive the process of discovery in space any more than they do here on Earth. Only humans can lead, and to lead, humans must go. Science “is simply the exploration of the unknown,” James Head, a planetary geologist at Brown who helped train the Apollo astronauts, told me, adding that “the moon is unknown. Mars is unknown.” Perhaps this is what NASA should say, and without apology: We don’t know what we’ll find. We don’t know what the moon and Mars can tell us about the origins of the universe and life on Earth and possibly beyond it. And that, above all, is the reason for going. Six days after his return to Earth, Glenn addressed a joint meeting of Congress. “What benefits are we gaining from the money spent?” he asked, acknowledging that it was too early to say. “But exploration and the pursuit of knowledge,” he said, “have always paid dividends in the long run — usually far greater than anything expected at the outset.” Why bother? This is why.

Don’t cede the Space Race to China and the billionaires

We are generally comfortable with the idea of planets revolving around stars or satellites of individual planets. But many of us are yet to wrap our heads around an asteroid having its own moons.

But one of the millions of asteroids in our solar system has now got the recognition of being an asteroid with three very own satellites. The asteroid is named 130 Elektra or just Elektra.

"Elektra is the first quadruple system ever detected," wrote a team of astronomers led by Anthony Berdeu of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand in their paper.

"This new detection … shows that dedicated data reduction and processing algorithms modeling the physics of the instruments can push their contrast limits further."

Asteroid Elektra is 260 kilometers (160 miles) across. It was first discovered in 1873. However, its first moon named S/2003 (130) 1 was discovered 130 years later. Its second moon S/2014 (130) 1 was discovered in 2014. Discovery of the third moon has made this an interesting system.

Discovering asteroids is a tough task to start with. Asteroids are much much smaller than planets and are dimly illuminated by sunlight. Satellites of asteroids (if any) are harder to detect still as they may appear very tiny specks of light, often outshone by their parent asteroid.

We are generally comfortable with the idea of planets revolving around stars or satellites of individual planets. But many of us are yet to wrap our heads around an asteroid having its own moons.

We are generally comfortable with the idea of planets revolving around stars or satellites of individual planets. But many of us are yet to wrap our heads around an asteroid having its own moons. But one of the millions of asteroids in our solar system has now got the recognition of being an asteroid with three very own satellites. The asteroid is named 130 Elektra or just Elektra. "Elektra is the first quadruple system ever detected," wrote a team of astronomers led by Anthony Berdeu of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand in their paper. "This new detection … shows that dedicated data reduction and processing algorithms modeling the physics of the instruments can push their contrast limits further." Asteroid Elektra is 260 kilometers (160 miles) across. It was first discovered in 1873. However, its first moon named S/2003 (130) 1 was discovered 130 years later. Its second moon S/2014 (130) 1 was discovered in 2014. Discovery of the third moon has made this an interesting system. Discovering asteroids is a tough task to start with. Asteroids are much much smaller than planets and are dimly illuminated by sunlight. Satellites of asteroids (if any) are harder to detect still as they may appear very tiny specks of light, often outshone by their parent asteroid.

Asteroid with three moons of its own found for the first time

It is perhaps a scary thought for humankind to consider itself the only intelligent life sitting on this blue planet hurtling in space. Perhaps search for intelligent alien life has been a major preoccupation of scientific communities and even governments for decades. Projects after projects have not yielded any sign of aliens but relying on the statistical probability of there being intelligent life on at least one of billions of planets in space, we've pressed on with our search.

But a comprehensive sky scan has again met with disappointment as intelligent alien life was not found.

Detection of radio waves is one of the ways to search for alien life. By our scientific logic, a civilization achieves radio transmission early in its technological development.

The sky scan was carried out using Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) in Australia. The sensors to receive any radio signals were pointed at our galactic centre as it is the place within our galaxy with maximum concentration of stars and planets. So the probability of detecting intelligent alien life is higher.&nbsp;

Radio waves are also produced naturally by celestial bodies. So the sky scan looked for technosignatures. These are effects generated by use of technology by the alien civilization.

The scan was aimed at 144 exoplanetary systems but it also completed a blind scan of 3 million stars near the galactic centre. The researchers involved in the serach mentioned in their paper that no technosignature was detected.&nbsp;

But does this conclusively prove that there no alien life at all? No.

Non-detection of technosignatures in this particular sky scan does not mean that there are no more technosignatures to be detected. If not advanced, life may even exist on alien planets in the form of microbes. We are just yet to stumble upon a conclusive proof.

It is perhaps a scary thought for humankind to consider itself the only intelligent life sitting on this blue planet hurtling in space. Perhaps search for intelligent alien life has been a major preoccupation of scientific communities and even governments for decades.

It is perhaps a scary thought for humankind to consider itself the only intelligent life sitting on this blue planet hurtling in space. Perhaps search for intelligent alien life has been a major preoccupation of scientific communities and even governments for decades. Projects after projects have not yielded any sign of aliens but relying on the statistical probability of there being intelligent life on at least one of billions of planets in space, we've pressed on with our search. But a comprehensive sky scan has again met with disappointment as intelligent alien life was not found. Detection of radio waves is one of the ways to search for alien life. By our scientific logic, a civilization achieves radio transmission early in its technological development. The sky scan was carried out using Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) in Australia. The sensors to receive any radio signals were pointed at our galactic centre as it is the place within our galaxy with maximum concentration of stars and planets. So the probability of detecting intelligent alien life is higher. Radio waves are also produced naturally by celestial bodies. So the sky scan looked for technosignatures. These are effects generated by use of technology by the alien civilization. The scan was aimed at 144 exoplanetary systems but it also completed a blind scan of 3 million stars near the galactic centre. The researchers involved in the serach mentioned in their paper that no technosignature was detected. But does this conclusively prove that there no alien life at all? No. Non-detection of technosignatures in this particular sky scan does not mean that there are no more technosignatures to be detected. If not advanced, life may even exist on alien planets in the form of microbes. We are just yet to stumble upon a conclusive proof.

Scan of millions of stars finds no signs of intelligent alien life

We have all the scientific gizmos at hand that let us peer into the deepest corners of space. The powerful telescopes we've built means we can literally go back in time and even look at celestial bodies that were formed in earlier universe. But sometimes, our observations from Earth are not able to capture space objects in a particular way just because we are on Earth.

Take planet Jupiter for example. The gas giant is farther from Sun than Earth is. As Jupiter's orbit lies beyond Earth's orbit, we can only see face of Jupiter that is illuminated due to sunlight. A crescent of Jupiter can never be seen from Earth.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pepperoni-storms-topping-jupiter-nasas-latest-video-goes-viral-watch-here-452734">'Pepperoni' storms topping Jupiter? NASA's latest video goes viral, watch here</a>

But now, NASA's Juno spacecraft has offered glimpse into how a crescent of Jupiter. Juno spacecraft reached Jupiter in 2016 after a journey of 5 years through space. The spacecraft is hovering around the gas giant and its moon.

Juno's mission team published an image of crescent of Jupiter on February 14.&nbsp;

"If you could ride along with NASA’s Juno spacecraft as it approaches Jupiter during one of its regular close passes by the giant planet, you would be treated to a striking vista similar to this one", the blog said

The planet can be seen partially illuminated due to sunlight. The photo was clicked using JunoCam. The camera took seven images during Juno’s 39th close pass by Jupiter on January 12.

We have all the scientific gizmos at hand that let us peer into the deepest corners of space. The powerful telescopes we've built means we can literally go back in time and even look at celestial bodies that were formed in earlier universe.

We have all the scientific gizmos at hand that let us peer into the deepest corners of space. The powerful telescopes we've built means we can literally go back in time and even look at celestial bodies that were formed in earlier universe. But sometimes, our observations from Earth are not able to capture space objects in a particular way just because we are on Earth. Take planet Jupiter for example. The gas giant is farther from Sun than Earth is. As Jupiter's orbit lies beyond Earth's orbit, we can only see face of Jupiter that is illuminated due to sunlight. A crescent of Jupiter can never be seen from Earth. Also Read | 'Pepperoni' storms topping Jupiter? NASA's latest video goes viral, watch here But now, NASA's Juno spacecraft has offered glimpse into how a crescent of Jupiter. Juno spacecraft reached Jupiter in 2016 after a journey of 5 years through space. The spacecraft is hovering around the gas giant and its moon. Juno's mission team published an image of crescent of Jupiter on February 14. "If you could ride along with NASA’s Juno spacecraft as it approaches Jupiter during one of its regular close passes by the giant planet, you would be treated to a striking vista similar to this one", the blog said The planet can be seen partially illuminated due to sunlight. The photo was clicked using JunoCam. The camera took seven images during Juno’s 39th close pass by Jupiter on January 12.

NASA's Juno spacecraft depicts Jupiter as we can never see from Earth

As we launch more and more satellites, the issue of space debris is becoming graver. Defunct, even disintegrating satellites still revolving in orbits around Earth can cause grat damage to the ones that are functioning. This space debris, travelling at very high speeds can also be dangerous for astronauts aboard International Space Station (ISS). With thousands of planned satellite launches, space debris is going to be a major issue creating potential impediments in humankind's spacefaring aspirations.

In what can be called a unique approach to manage the problem of space debris, the European Space Agency (ESA) has set up a laser station in Spain. The Izana-1 laser ranging station set up in Tenerife, Spain will make use of the laser to move space debris away.

The station will be part of European Optical Nucleus Network, which will be the first optical communications network. Lasers from this network will not just shine light on the space debris but will be able to gently nudge them in a different orbit around the Earth. They may come in handy to avoid collision between piece of space junk and a multimillion dollar satellite.

The staion, its lasers and telescopes have undergone months of testing till now. The station will be upgraded in next two years, making it perform the functions that are expected of it.

The ESA is planning to set up several of such stations across the continent.

As we launch more and more satellites, the issue of space debris is becoming graver. Defunct, even disintegrating satellites still revolving in orbits around Earth can cause grat damage to the ones that are functioning.

As we launch more and more satellites, the issue of space debris is becoming graver. Defunct, even disintegrating satellites still revolving in orbits around Earth can cause grat damage to the ones that are functioning. This space debris, travelling at very high speeds can also be dangerous for astronauts aboard International Space Station (ISS). With thousands of planned satellite launches, space debris is going to be a major issue creating potential impediments in humankind's spacefaring aspirations. In what can be called a unique approach to manage the problem of space debris, the European Space Agency (ESA) has set up a laser station in Spain. The Izana-1 laser ranging station set up in Tenerife, Spain will make use of the laser to move space debris away. The station will be part of European Optical Nucleus Network, which will be the first optical communications network. Lasers from this network will not just shine light on the space debris but will be able to gently nudge them in a different orbit around the Earth. They may come in handy to avoid collision between piece of space junk and a multimillion dollar satellite. The staion, its lasers and telescopes have undergone months of testing till now. The station will be upgraded in next two years, making it perform the functions that are expected of it. The ESA is planning to set up several of such stations across the continent.

Soon, a laser fired from Earth may move space debris away

Valentines Day is over and most of us have got a reason to continue to adore (or sadly not, depending on the response) our much loved and cherished person. But memories of Valentine's Day this year perhaps wouldn't be complete with a picture of this 'space rose'.

Giving rose to our Valentine has perhaps come to be a horrible cliche (or not if it is from the right person). But this 'space rose' is unique.

It is made up of 'interacting galaxies' as NASA puts it. So in other words, Hubble has captured image of two galaxies coming together on Valentine's Day. Talk about timing to tweet this image!&nbsp;

This 'space rose' is 350 lightyears away from us in Andromeda constellation. This galactic combine is called Arp 273. The physical contortions in the spiral galaxies have been formed due to mutual effects of gravity of these galaxies.

"Be our cosmic Valentine? The “space rose” in this Hubble image is made up of interacting galaxies, named Arp 273. This celestial flower blooms about 350 million light-years away in the constellation Andromeda," tweeted NASA's Hubble telescope handle.

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Be our cosmic Valentine? 🌹✨ 
 
The “space rose” in this Hubble image is made up of interacting galaxies, named Arp 273. This celestial flower blooms about 350 million light-years away in the constellation Andromeda. 
 
Find out more: <a href="https://t.co/FAldFLOZED">https://t.co/FAldFLOZED</a> <a href="https://t.co/Otzh2D1q2m">pic.twitter.com/Otzh2D1q2m</a>
— Hubble (@NASAHubble) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAHubble/status/1493276354535735297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Netizens have liked the image. The tweet has been liked by nearly 10 thousand Twitter users. The post has been retweeted by more than a thousand users.

Valentines Day is over and most of us have got a reason to continue to adore (or sadly not, depending on the response) our much loved and cherished person. But memories of Valentine's Day this year perhaps wouldn't be complete with a picture of this 'space rose'.

Valentines Day is over and most of us have got a reason to continue to adore (or sadly not, depending on the response) our much loved and cherished person. But memories of Valentine's Day this year perhaps wouldn't be complete with a picture of this 'space rose'. Giving rose to our Valentine has perhaps come to be a horrible cliche (or not if it is from the right person). But this 'space rose' is unique. It is made up of 'interacting galaxies' as NASA puts it. So in other words, Hubble has captured image of two galaxies coming together on Valentine's Day. Talk about timing to tweet this image! This 'space rose' is 350 lightyears away from us in Andromeda constellation. This galactic combine is called Arp 273. The physical contortions in the spiral galaxies have been formed due to mutual effects of gravity of these galaxies. "Be our cosmic Valentine? The “space rose” in this Hubble image is made up of interacting galaxies, named Arp 273. This celestial flower blooms about 350 million light-years away in the constellation Andromeda," tweeted NASA's Hubble telescope handle. Be our cosmic Valentine? 🌹✨ The “space rose” in this Hubble image is made up of interacting galaxies, named Arp 273. This celestial flower blooms about 350 million light-years away in the constellation Andromeda. Find out more: https://t.co/FAldFLOZED pic.twitter.com/Otzh2D1q2m — Hubble (@NASAHubble) February 14, 2022 × Netizens have liked the image. The tweet has been liked by nearly 10 thousand Twitter users. The post has been retweeted by more than a thousand users.

NASA's Hubble telescope clicks 'space rose' on Valentine's Day

If researchers are to be believed, there may be a planet that could sustain life, close to a dying sun. The planet may be orbiting a dying sun 117 light-years away from Earth, the researchers claim.&nbsp;

Once the news is confirmed, this will be the first time that a life-supporting planet has been discovered orbiting a "white dwarf."

White dwarfs are dead stars that have been burnt&nbsp;through hydrogen fuel.&nbsp;

Published in the monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, it states that the planet was detected after researchers spotted a ring of debris along with moon-sized structures, located close to the dying star. It was detected in a 'habitable zone.'

This zone is where water can exist and it is neither too cold nor too hot.

The planet is thought to be 60 times closer to the star than Earth is to the sun.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/did-the-dinosaurs-suffer-from-respiratory-issues-researchers-make-breathtaking-discovery-452405">Also read |&nbsp;Did the dinosaurs suffer from respiratory issues? Researchers make breathtaking discovery&nbsp;</a>

Prof Jay Farihi of University College London led the study. He claimed that the discovery was completely new to astronomers. While speaking to BBC, he said, "This is the first time that anything has been seen in the habitable zone of a white dwarf. And thus there is a possibility of life on another world orbiting it."

As of now, the researchers do not have concrete evidence of the planet's existence.&nbsp;

They claim that the movements of 65 Moon-sized structures orbiting the white dwarf's habitable zone hint towards its existence.&nbsp;

Prof Farihi said, "It was a shock to the team. The motion was so eerily precise you couldn't make this stuff up."

(With inputs from agencies)

If researchers are to be believed, there may be a planet that could sustain life, close to a dying sun. The planet may be orbiting a dying sun 117 light-years away from Earth, the researchers claim.

If researchers are to be believed, there may be a planet that could sustain life, close to a dying sun. The planet may be orbiting a dying sun 117 light-years away from Earth, the researchers claim. Once the news is confirmed, this will be the first time that a life-supporting planet has been discovered orbiting a "white dwarf." White dwarfs are dead stars that have been burnt through hydrogen fuel. Published in the monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, it states that the planet was detected after researchers spotted a ring of debris along with moon-sized structures, located close to the dying star. It was detected in a 'habitable zone.' This zone is where water can exist and it is neither too cold nor too hot. The planet is thought to be 60 times closer to the star than Earth is to the sun. Also read | Did the dinosaurs suffer from respiratory issues? Researchers make breathtaking discovery Prof Jay Farihi of University College London led the study. He claimed that the discovery was completely new to astronomers. While speaking to BBC, he said, "This is the first time that anything has been seen in the habitable zone of a white dwarf. And thus there is a possibility of life on another world orbiting it." As of now, the researchers do not have concrete evidence of the planet's existence. They claim that the movements of 65 Moon-sized structures orbiting the white dwarf's habitable zone hint towards its existence. Prof Farihi said, "It was a shock to the team. The motion was so eerily precise you couldn't make this stuff up." (With inputs from agencies)

There might be chances of life on a planet orbiting 'white dwarf' star, says study

There may be a new planet in our planet's neighbourhood just four lightyears away. A third planet has been detected orbiting Proxima Centauri, our sun's nearest star neighbour, at a distance of 25 trillion miles (40.2 trillion kilometres).

The red dwarf is just one eighth the mass of the sun and has already been confirmed to have an Earth-sized planet. A second, faraway planet is also possible.

Proxima d, the latest planet to be found, completes one orbit around the star every five Earth days.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-we-the-modern-humans-kill-off-neanderthals-a-new-finding-may-have-answers-452031" hreflang="en">Did we, the modern humans, kill off Neanderthals? A new finding may have answers</a>

It is one of the lightest exoplanets ever discovered, with a mass of about a quarter of the Earth's. The discovery was described in a study published in <a href="https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2022/02/aa42337-21/aa42337-21.html">Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics</a>.

This planet is only 2.5 million miles (4 million kilometres) from the star, which is less than one-tenth as far as Mercury is from the sun in our solar system. The closest planet to the sun, Mercury orbits it every 88 days.

Proxima b, the first planet discovered in the system, was confirmed in 2020. It orbits the star every 11 days and is about the size of Earth. It is located within the habitable zone, or the distance from a star at which liquid water, the key ingredient for life, can exist on the planet's surface.

Another planet Proxima c is too far from the star to be in a habitable zone, and the newly discovered Proxima d is too nearby to be in the habitable zone.

João Faria, a researcher at Portugal's Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences and the lead study author, says the finding indicates that our nearest stellar neighbour contains a wide variety of interesting new worlds that could be explored in the future.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-releases-pictures-of-venuss-surface-taken-by-parker-solar-probe-in-new-light-452308" hreflang="en">NASA releases pictures of Venus’s surface taken by Parker Solar Probe in new light</a>

Proxima d was discovered using the Very Large Telescope (VLT) of the European Southern Observatory in Chile. Astronomers used the observatory's telescopes and instruments to find and confirm past discoveries of planets in the Proxima Centauri system.

Scientists recently observed a weak signal from a fast orbiting object close to the star during follow-up observations.

ESPRESSO, or the highly sensitive Echelle Spectrograph for Rocky Exoplanets and Stable Spectroscopic Observations instrument on the VLT, was used to conduct more observations.

The data suggested there was a planet present, and that its gravitational pull was tugging on the star.

Watch |&nbsp;What is Geomagnetic storm, which destroyed 40 SpaceX satellites?

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According to Faria, after obtaining new observations, they were able to confirm the signal as a new planet candidate. Detecting a signal so small was an exciting challenge for him, and discovering an exoplanet so close to Earth made it even more exciting.

Proxima d's future observations could confirm that it is in fact the third planet seen orbiting this star. Researchers believe that future observations may reveal even more details about the system, or even additional planets.

There may be a new planet in our planet's neighbourhood just four lightyears away. A third planet has been detected orbiting Proxima Centauri, our sun's nearest star neighbour, at a distance of 25 trillion miles (40.

There may be a new planet in our planet's neighbourhood just four lightyears away. A third planet has been detected orbiting Proxima Centauri, our sun's nearest star neighbour, at a distance of 25 trillion miles (40.2 trillion kilometres). The red dwarf is just one eighth the mass of the sun and has already been confirmed to have an Earth-sized planet. A second, faraway planet is also possible. Proxima d, the latest planet to be found, completes one orbit around the star every five Earth days. Also read | Did we, the modern humans, kill off Neanderthals? A new finding may have answers It is one of the lightest exoplanets ever discovered, with a mass of about a quarter of the Earth's. The discovery was described in a study published in Astronomy & Astrophysics. This planet is only 2.5 million miles (4 million kilometres) from the star, which is less than one-tenth as far as Mercury is from the sun in our solar system. The closest planet to the sun, Mercury orbits it every 88 days. Proxima b, the first planet discovered in the system, was confirmed in 2020. It orbits the star every 11 days and is about the size of Earth. It is located within the habitable zone, or the distance from a star at which liquid water, the key ingredient for life, can exist on the planet's surface. Another planet Proxima c is too far from the star to be in a habitable zone, and the newly discovered Proxima d is too nearby to be in the habitable zone. João Faria, a researcher at Portugal's Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences and the lead study author, says the finding indicates that our nearest stellar neighbour contains a wide variety of interesting new worlds that could be explored in the future. Also read | NASA releases pictures of Venus’s surface taken by Parker Solar Probe in new light Proxima d was discovered using the Very Large Telescope (VLT) of the European Southern Observatory in Chile. Astronomers used the observatory's telescopes and instruments to find and confirm past discoveries of planets in the Proxima Centauri system. Scientists recently observed a weak signal from a fast orbiting object close to the star during follow-up observations. ESPRESSO, or the highly sensitive Echelle Spectrograph for Rocky Exoplanets and Stable Spectroscopic Observations instrument on the VLT, was used to conduct more observations. The data suggested there was a planet present, and that its gravitational pull was tugging on the star. Watch | What is Geomagnetic storm, which destroyed 40 SpaceX satellites? According to Faria, after obtaining new observations, they were able to confirm the signal as a new planet candidate. Detecting a signal so small was an exciting challenge for him, and discovering an exoplanet so close to Earth made it even more exciting. Proxima d's future observations could confirm that it is in fact the third planet seen orbiting this star. Researchers believe that future observations may reveal even more details about the system, or even additional planets.

We have a new neighbour! Scientists discover a new planet near our solar system

Reports say&nbsp;that part of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket broke down and fell towards Earth over Mexico as it burnt through the atmosphere. The rocket had sent a satellite to space in the year 2017. The spacecraft had helped in the launch of Echostar 23 mission that aimed to provide internet, broadband and other connectivity solutions to Brazil.

A Twitter handle @FronteraSpacial posted a video on February 6. The handle says that the video shows visuals of Falcon 9 rocket burning up through Earth's atmosphere.

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🔥 FALCON 9 DE SPACEX CAE SOBRE MÉXICO 🇲🇽 
 
Esta noche se ha visto un "<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Meteorito?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Meteorito</a>" cayendo sobre el norte de México. 
 
🚀 En realidad era la segunda etapa de un Falcon 9 de SpaceX lanzado en marzo del 2017 con la misión EchoStar23. 
 
Se ha desintegrado en la atmósfera completamente. <a href="https://t.co/5ERaFTMBJ2">pic.twitter.com/5ERaFTMBJ2</a>
— Frontera Espacial (@FronteraSpacial) <a href="https://twitter.com/FronteraSpacial/status/1490334993494781952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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It was initially thought that this was a meteoroid. But FronteraSpacial says that this visual represents part of Falcon 9 rocket falling towards Earth.

"SPACEX FALCON 9 FALLS OVER MEXICO. Tonight a "#Meteorite" has been seen falling over northern Mexico. It was actually the second stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 launched in March 2017 with the EchoStar23 mission. It has completely disintegrated in the atmosphere," says the handle (translated).

When a satellites falls towards Earth (re-entry), it is rarely a dangerous situation for citizens as friction with atmosphere breaks up the parts and subsequently burns it. There are, however, several examples of sizeable portion of a re-entering satellite having been found on the surface of Earth.

Elon Musk or SpaceX haven't commented on second stage Falcon-9 rocket falling, as it is fairly common for second state rocket component to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere and getting destroyed.&nbsp;

Reports say that part of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket broke down and fell towards Earth over Mexico as it burnt through the atmosphere. The rocket had sent a satellite to space in the year 2017.

Reports say that part of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket broke down and fell towards Earth over Mexico as it burnt through the atmosphere. The rocket had sent a satellite to space in the year 2017. The spacecraft had helped in the launch of Echostar 23 mission that aimed to provide internet, broadband and other connectivity solutions to Brazil. A Twitter handle @FronteraSpacial posted a video on February 6. The handle says that the video shows visuals of Falcon 9 rocket burning up through Earth's atmosphere. 🔥 FALCON 9 DE SPACEX CAE SOBRE MÉXICO 🇲🇽 Esta noche se ha visto un "#Meteorito" cayendo sobre el norte de México. 🚀 En realidad era la segunda etapa de un Falcon 9 de SpaceX lanzado en marzo del 2017 con la misión EchoStar23. Se ha desintegrado en la atmósfera completamente. pic.twitter.com/5ERaFTMBJ2 — Frontera Espacial (@FronteraSpacial) February 6, 2022 × It was initially thought that this was a meteoroid. But FronteraSpacial says that this visual represents part of Falcon 9 rocket falling towards Earth. "SPACEX FALCON 9 FALLS OVER MEXICO. Tonight a "#Meteorite" has been seen falling over northern Mexico. It was actually the second stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 launched in March 2017 with the EchoStar23 mission. It has completely disintegrated in the atmosphere," says the handle (translated). When a satellites falls towards Earth (re-entry), it is rarely a dangerous situation for citizens as friction with atmosphere breaks up the parts and subsequently burns it. There are, however, several examples of sizeable portion of a re-entering satellite having been found on the surface of Earth. Elon Musk or SpaceX haven't commented on second stage Falcon-9 rocket falling, as it is fairly common for second state rocket component to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere and getting destroyed.

SpaceX Falcon 9 second-stage rocket component disintegrates, falls to Earth: Report

Human eyes (and lenses) are almost always pointed at the sky. Along with wonders of the universe, they are also on the look-out for threats that may be hurtling towards Earth at speeds of thousands of miles an hour.

Asteroids pose great threat to Earth and humanity. A direct hit can singlehandedly wipe-out humanity's existence from the planet. This has happened before. A direct hit from an asteroid ended reign of dinosaurs millions of years ago. The species that was dominating nearly every food chain on the planet was eliminated in one stroke.

It is therefore wise to keep looking at the skies for any such threat.

Gianluca Masi, An astronomer at Virtual Telescope Project in Italy has clicked image of a potentially hazardous asteroid that is hurtling towards the Earth at the speed of 26,800 miles per hour.

<img alt="Asteroid" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9b009d28-cc91-4e5c-8dd2-01bb2f22e8f9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/asteroid.JPG" />

(The actual asteroid has been indicated by an arrow in the image above)

The asteroid is soon going to have a close encounter with Earth. It is slated to take place on March 4 at 1:30 pm IST.

As per a report in Newsweek, the asteroid completes an orbit of the Sun in 384 days. The asteroid has indeed been classified 'potentially hazardous', but we need not worry about it being responsible for the end of humanity.

Classification as 'potentially hazardous' does not mean that the asteroid is going to hit us. It only means that it will pass closely by the Earth.

Human eyes (and lenses) are almost always pointed at the sky. Along with wonders of the universe, they are also on the look-out for threats that may be hurtling towards Earth at speeds of thousands of miles an hour.

Human eyes (and lenses) are almost always pointed at the sky. Along with wonders of the universe, they are also on the look-out for threats that may be hurtling towards Earth at speeds of thousands of miles an hour. Asteroids pose great threat to Earth and humanity. A direct hit can singlehandedly wipe-out humanity's existence from the planet. This has happened before. A direct hit from an asteroid ended reign of dinosaurs millions of years ago. The species that was dominating nearly every food chain on the planet was eliminated in one stroke. It is therefore wise to keep looking at the skies for any such threat. Gianluca Masi, An astronomer at Virtual Telescope Project in Italy has clicked image of a potentially hazardous asteroid that is hurtling towards the Earth at the speed of 26,800 miles per hour. (The actual asteroid has been indicated by an arrow in the image above) The asteroid is soon going to have a close encounter with Earth. It is slated to take place on March 4 at 1:30 pm IST. As per a report in Newsweek, the asteroid completes an orbit of the Sun in 384 days. The asteroid has indeed been classified 'potentially hazardous', but we need not worry about it being responsible for the end of humanity. Classification as 'potentially hazardous' does not mean that the asteroid is going to hit us. It only means that it will pass closely by the Earth.

Astronomer clicks photo of potentially hazardous asteroid coming towards Earth

It's been more than fifty years since man set foot on the Moon. Since then, we have made progress in space science by leaps and bounds. But humankind is focussing its gaze on the Moon again. NASA's Artemis mission is aiming to bring a human on the lunar surface again.

There are talks in the scientific world of making use of the Moon as a launching pad for future space missions. For this, we would have to have a much more comprehensive presence on and around the Moon than before.

What a space start-up is doing may come handy in such an endevour. This company, called Quantum Space is planning to create a robotic outpost near the Moon.

Quantum Space has been set-up by Steve Jurczyk. He is former associate administrator of NASA. The company was formed in 2021. As per a report in The Verge, the robotic outpost Quantum Space plans to set up near Moon will help in providing internet capabilities on the lunar surface. It will also refuel spacecrafts, collect data and help assemble structures in lunar space.

Jurczyk says that his company also intends to make vehicles that will aid NASA in lunar missions.

NASA is planning to create an internet-like system of communications infrastructure around the Moon called LunaNet. This would be less reliant on Earth technologies for navigation, communication, and data relays," he said as quoted by The Verge.

It's been more than fifty years since man set foot on the Moon. Since then, we have made progress in space science by leaps and bounds. But humankind is focussing its gaze on the Moon again.

It's been more than fifty years since man set foot on the Moon. Since then, we have made progress in space science by leaps and bounds. But humankind is focussing its gaze on the Moon again. NASA's Artemis mission is aiming to bring a human on the lunar surface again. There are talks in the scientific world of making use of the Moon as a launching pad for future space missions. For this, we would have to have a much more comprehensive presence on and around the Moon than before. What a space start-up is doing may come handy in such an endevour. This company, called Quantum Space is planning to create a robotic outpost near the Moon. Quantum Space has been set-up by Steve Jurczyk. He is former associate administrator of NASA. The company was formed in 2021. As per a report in The Verge, the robotic outpost Quantum Space plans to set up near Moon will help in providing internet capabilities on the lunar surface. It will also refuel spacecrafts, collect data and help assemble structures in lunar space. Jurczyk says that his company also intends to make vehicles that will aid NASA in lunar missions. NASA is planning to create an internet-like system of communications infrastructure around the Moon called LunaNet. This would be less reliant on Earth technologies for navigation, communication, and data relays," he said as quoted by The Verge.

Startup plans to create robotic outpost near the Moon

Moon is not just a pretty thing in the night. It influences tides and has effects that help the perpetuation of life on Earth. Because it's a junior member in its partnership with Earth, it's often easy to overlook our only natural satellite when we gaze into space.

But now, a study says that ability of a planet to form a moon may be associated with the habitability of the planet.

Moon had formed due to a cataclysmic collision between nascent Earth and a Mars-sized planet called Theia. The unimaginably catastrophic collision resulted in ejection of large amount of material in space around Earth. Some of this material was vapourised while remaining started revolving around the Earth in form of several moonlets. In time, these moonlets joined together to form the Moon as it is today.

Scientists from the University of Rochester say that whether a moon would form after collision&nbsp;between two planets depends on their size. If planets a certain times larger than Earth collide, then probability of Moon formation is very less. This is because a collision between these planets vapourises almost all of the material ejected as a result of the collision. The vapour, though ejected in space around the planet experiences a drag and moonlets formed due to such material fall&nbsp;on the planet. Thus a moon is not formed.

Earth's Moon has a great effect on things on our planet. It controls tides. Due to the large size of the Moon, it controls size of day on Earth. It stabilises Earth's axis of rotation. It also stabilises Earth's mild climate.

Moon is not just a pretty thing in the night. It influences tides and has effects that help the perpetuation of life on Earth. Because it's a junior member in its partnership with Earth, it's often easy to overlook our only natural satellite when we gaze into space.

Moon is not just a pretty thing in the night. It influences tides and has effects that help the perpetuation of life on Earth. Because it's a junior member in its partnership with Earth, it's often easy to overlook our only natural satellite when we gaze into space. But now, a study says that ability of a planet to form a moon may be associated with the habitability of the planet. Moon had formed due to a cataclysmic collision between nascent Earth and a Mars-sized planet called Theia. The unimaginably catastrophic collision resulted in ejection of large amount of material in space around Earth. Some of this material was vapourised while remaining started revolving around the Earth in form of several moonlets. In time, these moonlets joined together to form the Moon as it is today. Scientists from the University of Rochester say that whether a moon would form after collision between two planets depends on their size. If planets a certain times larger than Earth collide, then probability of Moon formation is very less. This is because a collision between these planets vapourises almost all of the material ejected as a result of the collision. The vapour, though ejected in space around the planet experiences a drag and moonlets formed due to such material fall on the planet. Thus a moon is not formed. Earth's Moon has a great effect on things on our planet. It controls tides. Due to the large size of the Moon, it controls size of day on Earth. It stabilises Earth's axis of rotation. It also stabilises Earth's mild climate.

Ability of planet to form moon affects its habitability: Study

If the researchers are to be believed, alien life is highly likely to be found on smaller planets. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Scientists claim that the larger planets may not be unable to form moons like Earth, which is crucial for sustaining life. &nbsp;

The moon is highly essential for the functioning of Earth as it controls the length of the day and ocean tides, which affect life cycles on the planet. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/omicron-variant-originated-from-mice-say-chinese-scientists-is-the-narrative-changing-continuously-450343" hreflang="en">Omicron variant originated from mice, say Chinese scientists. Is the narrative changing continuously? &nbsp;</a>

The moon also makes the Earth's climate more stable by stabilising its spin axis, which provides an ideal environment in which life can develop. &nbsp;&nbsp;

According to a recent study, the moon could also be an advantageous feature in harbouring life on other planets. The journal 'Nature Communications' published the study on Tuesday. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/in-evolution-humans-noses-have-become-less-sensitive-finds-study-450319" hreflang="en">In evolution, humans’ noses have become less sensitive, finds study</a>

The team of researchers has been led by Miki Nakajima, an assistant professor of earth and environmental sciences at the University of Rochester. It has suggested that the size and make-up of the planet is the key to understanding the formation of moons. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In a press release, Nakajima said, “By understanding moon formations, we have a better constraint on what to look for when searching for Earth-like planets.” &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

If the researchers are to be believed, alien life is highly likely to be found on smaller planets. Scientists claim that the larger planets may not be unable to form moons like Earth, which is crucial for sustaining life.

If the researchers are to be believed, alien life is highly likely to be found on smaller planets. Scientists claim that the larger planets may not be unable to form moons like Earth, which is crucial for sustaining life. The moon is highly essential for the functioning of Earth as it controls the length of the day and ocean tides, which affect life cycles on the planet. Also Read: Omicron variant originated from mice, say Chinese scientists. Is the narrative changing continuously? The moon also makes the Earth's climate more stable by stabilising its spin axis, which provides an ideal environment in which life can develop. According to a recent study, the moon could also be an advantageous feature in harbouring life on other planets. The journal 'Nature Communications' published the study on Tuesday. Also Read: In evolution, humans’ noses have become less sensitive, finds study The team of researchers has been led by Miki Nakajima, an assistant professor of earth and environmental sciences at the University of Rochester. It has suggested that the size and make-up of the planet is the key to understanding the formation of moons. In a press release, Nakajima said, “By understanding moon formations, we have a better constraint on what to look for when searching for Earth-like planets.” (With inputs from agencies)

Where can we expect the existence of alien life? Study makes the revelation

The first mission in NASA's program to take humans back to the Moon has been delayed until spring at the earliest, the US space agency said Wednesday, saying it needed more time to complete safety checks.

The Artemis I launch, initially scheduled for late 2021 and then postponed twice more, will now happen no earlier than April.

"Teams are taking operations a step at a time to ensure the integrated system is ready to safely launch the Artemis I mission. NASA is reviewing launch opportunities in April and May," NASA said in a statement.

Artemis I will be an uncrewed flight test, but will signal the real start of the program, which could eventually see the first woman and the first person of color to step foot on the Moon.

Artemis I also will be the first flight of the massive Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which will carry the Orion capsule to the Moon, where it will be put into orbit before returning to Earth.

The testing of the SLS system, which had been set for this month, is now expected to take place at Kennedy Space Center in Florida in March, NASA said.&nbsp;

For that test, the rocket will be moved to the launch pad, fueled up and the launch sequence initiated -- except for the actual take-off.

This test will then help the US space agency set an actual launch date.

There is no "specific" issue that sparked the additional delays, Tom Whitmeyer, the deputy associate administrator for exploration systems development at NASA Headquarters in Washington, told reporters.

"It could be something as simple as a scratch that needs to be polished out or some paint that needs to be fixed. There's just a lot of that -- it's a really big vehicle," he said.

A few months ago, a government audit indicated that Artemis I would likely take place "in the summer of 2022." 
&nbsp;

The first mission in NASA's program to take humans back to the Moon has been delayed until spring at the earliest, the US space agency said Wednesday, saying it needed more time to complete safety checks.

The first mission in NASA's program to take humans back to the Moon has been delayed until spring at the earliest, the US space agency said Wednesday, saying it needed more time to complete safety checks. The Artemis I launch, initially scheduled for late 2021 and then postponed twice more, will now happen no earlier than April. "Teams are taking operations a step at a time to ensure the integrated system is ready to safely launch the Artemis I mission. NASA is reviewing launch opportunities in April and May," NASA said in a statement. Artemis I will be an uncrewed flight test, but will signal the real start of the program, which could eventually see the first woman and the first person of color to step foot on the Moon. Artemis I also will be the first flight of the massive Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which will carry the Orion capsule to the Moon, where it will be put into orbit before returning to Earth. The testing of the SLS system, which had been set for this month, is now expected to take place at Kennedy Space Center in Florida in March, NASA said. For that test, the rocket will be moved to the launch pad, fueled up and the launch sequence initiated -- except for the actual take-off. This test will then help the US space agency set an actual launch date. There is no "specific" issue that sparked the additional delays, Tom Whitmeyer, the deputy associate administrator for exploration systems development at NASA Headquarters in Washington, told reporters. "It could be something as simple as a scratch that needs to be polished out or some paint that needs to be fixed. There's just a lot of that -- it's a really big vehicle," he said. A few months ago, a government audit indicated that Artemis I would likely take place "in the summer of 2022."

Uncrewed Artemis I mission to Moon pushed back

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up to launch its third Lunar exploration mission Chandrayaan-3. In a written reply, India's Minister of State for Science and Technology informed the parliament about the mission's timeline.

India reveals timeline for its third Lunar mission 'Chandrayaan-3'

We all know that a direct impact from an asteroid brought about end of dinosaurs who ruled the planet millions of years ago. Humanity, fortunately, has not suffered such a globe-spanning fate but if researchers are to be believed, we have already got a taste of what such an event can bring about.

This celestial event took place about 1500 years ago. It was not an asteroid but a comet that is being thought to have brought an end to a local culture in the eastern USA. The near-Earth comet literally sent debris towards Earth which caused widespread fires in area spanning 9200 square miles.

Researchers are studying reasons behind decline of Hopewell Cuture in eastern USA. Though war and climate factors have been considered as reasons, they think that blast from the near-Earth comet may have played a huge role.

Researchers found unusual amounts of Iridium and Platinum at 11 Hopewell archaeological sites. These elements are tell-tale signs of meteorite fragments. A charcoal layer in sediments of the ground indicates a period of intense heat.&nbsp;

The team of researchers comprising those from University of Cincinnati hypothesizes that the near-Earth comet may have sent the debris and may have caused a massive airburst that had profound effect on the existence of these tribes.

The hypothesis of a near-Earth comet is given strength by folk tales from that period that have been passed down orally to present day.

Tales in some tribes talk of a giant serpent slithering across the sky. A comet with a distinct tail may well have appeared as a serpent to members of the tribe who did not have a word for comet. Tales in few other tribes talk of a 'sky panther' having the power to tear down forests, probably a reference to widespread fires caused by the air blast.

Researchers maintain that more study was required to come to a definite conclusion but cultural and archaeological indications surely point towards a fascinating episode when humanity 'interacted' with the sky.

We all know that a direct impact from an asteroid brought about end of dinosaurs who ruled the planet millions of years ago. Humanity, fortunately, has not suffered such a globe-spanning fate but if researchers are to be believed, we have already got a taste of what such an event can bring about.

We all know that a direct impact from an asteroid brought about end of dinosaurs who ruled the planet millions of years ago. Humanity, fortunately, has not suffered such a globe-spanning fate but if researchers are to be believed, we have already got a taste of what such an event can bring about. This celestial event took place about 1500 years ago. It was not an asteroid but a comet that is being thought to have brought an end to a local culture in the eastern USA. The near-Earth comet literally sent debris towards Earth which caused widespread fires in area spanning 9200 square miles. Researchers are studying reasons behind decline of Hopewell Cuture in eastern USA. Though war and climate factors have been considered as reasons, they think that blast from the near-Earth comet may have played a huge role. Researchers found unusual amounts of Iridium and Platinum at 11 Hopewell archaeological sites. These elements are tell-tale signs of meteorite fragments. A charcoal layer in sediments of the ground indicates a period of intense heat. The team of researchers comprising those from University of Cincinnati hypothesizes that the near-Earth comet may have sent the debris and may have caused a massive airburst that had profound effect on the existence of these tribes. The hypothesis of a near-Earth comet is given strength by folk tales from that period that have been passed down orally to present day. Tales in some tribes talk of a giant serpent slithering across the sky. A comet with a distinct tail may well have appeared as a serpent to members of the tribe who did not have a word for comet. Tales in few other tribes talk of a 'sky panther' having the power to tear down forests, probably a reference to widespread fires caused by the air blast. Researchers maintain that more study was required to come to a definite conclusion but cultural and archaeological indications surely point towards a fascinating episode when humanity 'interacted' with the sky.

Blast from a near-Earth comet may literally have destroyed this culture

International Space Station: Humanity's enduring presence in space

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