The scientists, in their latest discovery, found that when there is a collision between pieces of space debris, electric signals are released by them which help&nbsp;in tracking small debris that is littering the orbit of our planet and can prove beneficial in saving both spacecraft and satellites. 
 
The researchers at the University of Michigan have now proposed a new approach which can help spacecraft operators and satellites detect small pieces of debris which are orbiting Earth. 
 
“Right now, we detect space debris by looking for objects that reflect light or radar signals. The smaller the objects get, the harder it becomes to get sunlight or radar signals strong enough to detect them from the ground,” explained Nilton Renno, who is professor of climate and space sciences and engineering and aerospace engineering and the university team's principal investigator.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/iss-discovers-tomato-which-remained-lost-in-space-for-eight-months-667098">A tomato lost for 8 months on space station has finally been found, and it is a big deal</a>

Till now, they have been able to track objects which are much larger than a cricket ball and this applies to less than one per cent of the nearly 170 million pieces of trash leftover from old satellites, spacewalk and rocket launches. 
 
The researchers said that the new method can be used for detecting debris which is smaller than one millimetre in diameter.

<h2>How dangerous is trash in space?</h2>

The trash in space is dangerous in many ways. A piece of space debris, which is the size of a plum, will have a speed of around 35,000 kilometres per hour at typical orbit and hence, its momentum will be equal to a highway car crash. 
 
In such scenarios, a small piece of debris will carry the capacity to destroy satellites. Even very small and fine pieces can cause damage to the spacecraft. 
 
Generally, pieces of debris in space collide with each other which also becomes an issue because after collision they fragment into smaller and smaller pieces.

Watch:&nbsp;Gaganyaan: India's first mission to send astronauts to space

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Such collisions can turn disastrous and they can also give the scientists an opportunity to track space junk. When the collision of debris takes place and it gets fragmented&nbsp;into smaller pieces, some of it gets vapourised into a charged gas due to the heat from the impact. 
 
The collision creates bursts of lightning-like energy. As per the most recent simulations by the team, when the collision of two pieces of aluminium takes place at typical orbital speeds, they release an electrical burst, which is detected on Earth using a high-quality radio receiver. 
 
This eventually helps the scientists track the space junk and send alerts to keep the spacecraft in space safe and undamaged.

(With inputs from agencies)

The scientists, in their latest discovery, found that when there is a collision between pieces of space debris, electric signals are released by them which help in tracking small debris that is littering the orbit of our planet and can prove beneficial in saving both spacecraft and satellites.

The scientists, in their latest discovery, found that when there is a collision between pieces of space debris, electric signals are released by them which help in tracking small debris that is littering the orbit of our planet and can prove beneficial in saving both spacecraft and satellites. The researchers at the University of Michigan have now proposed a new approach which can help spacecraft operators and satellites detect small pieces of debris which are orbiting Earth. “Right now, we detect space debris by looking for objects that reflect light or radar signals. The smaller the objects get, the harder it becomes to get sunlight or radar signals strong enough to detect them from the ground,” explained Nilton Renno, who is professor of climate and space sciences and engineering and aerospace engineering and the university team's principal investigator. Also read: A tomato lost for 8 months on space station has finally been found, and it is a big deal Till now, they have been able to track objects which are much larger than a cricket ball and this applies to less than one per cent of the nearly 170 million pieces of trash leftover from old satellites, spacewalk and rocket launches. The researchers said that the new method can be used for detecting debris which is smaller than one millimetre in diameter. How dangerous is trash in space? The trash in space is dangerous in many ways. A piece of space debris, which is the size of a plum, will have a speed of around 35,000 kilometres per hour at typical orbit and hence, its momentum will be equal to a highway car crash. In such scenarios, a small piece of debris will carry the capacity to destroy satellites. Even very small and fine pieces can cause damage to the spacecraft. Generally, pieces of debris in space collide with each other which also becomes an issue because after collision they fragment into smaller and smaller pieces. Watch: Gaganyaan: India's first mission to send astronauts to space Such collisions can turn disastrous and they can also give the scientists an opportunity to track space junk. When the collision of debris takes place and it gets fragmented into smaller pieces, some of it gets vapourised into a charged gas due to the heat from the impact. The collision creates bursts of lightning-like energy. As per the most recent simulations by the team, when the collision of two pieces of aluminium takes place at typical orbital speeds, they release an electrical burst, which is detected on Earth using a high-quality radio receiver. This eventually helps the scientists track the space junk and send alerts to keep the spacecraft in space safe and undamaged. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists find a 'unique' way to keep spacecraft safer than they ever were

A NASA experiment called Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) has marked a key milestone in achieving "first light," successfully transmitting and receiving data&nbsp;to and from far beyond the Moon using a near-infrared laser.

The experiment, which is seeking to revolutionise spacecraft communication, is part of the recently launched Psyche spacecraft.

A near-infrared laser encoded with test data was sent from a distance of nearly 10 million miles&nbsp;to the Hale Telescope at Caltech’s Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California.

The distance even surpassed the Moon-Earth distance by about 40 times. This marked&nbsp;the farthest-ever demonstration of optical communications.

The experiment utilised a cutting-edge laser transceiver aboard the Psyche spacecraft to send and receive signals. This groundbreaking achievement signified a leap forward in high-bandwidth data transmission, crucial for future space missions.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/at-global-average-temperature-of-2-degrees-earth-likely-to-see-disastrous-40-feet-of-sea-level-rise-659748">At global average temperature of 2 degrees, Earth likely to see disastrous 40 feet of sea level rise</a>

The successful "first light" moment occurred on November&nbsp;14, as the laser transceiver locked onto a powerful uplink laser beacon transmitted from the Optical Communications Telescope Laboratory at JPL’s Table Mountain Facility.

The collaborative effort between the transceiver and ground stations, along with automated systems, fine-tuned the laser's pointing back to Palomar.

<h2>Future missions</h2>

Trudy Kortes, director of Technology Demonstrations at NASA Headquarters, highlighted the importance of achieving "first light" as a critical milestone.&nbsp;

“Achieving first light is one of many critical DSOC milestones in the coming months, paving the way toward higher-data-rate communications capable of sending scientific information, high-definition imagery, and streaming video in support of humanity’s next giant leap: sending humans to Mars,” said Kortes said.&nbsp;

The experiment is not transmitting Psyche mission data and DSOC&nbsp;operations do not intervene with the data of the spacecraft.

<h5>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-joe-biden-says-stable-china-ties-will-benefit-the-world-659699">US President Joe Biden says, 'stable China ties will benefit the world'</a></h5>

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The Psyche spacecraft is undergoing checkouts, testing propulsion systems, and instruments for studying the asteroid Psyche upon its arrival in 2028.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A NASA experiment called Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) has marked a key milestone in achieving "first light," successfully transmitting and receiving data to and from far beyond the Moon using a near-infrared laser.

A NASA experiment called Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) has marked a key milestone in achieving "first light," successfully transmitting and receiving data to and from far beyond the Moon using a near-infrared laser. The experiment, which is seeking to revolutionise spacecraft communication, is part of the recently launched Psyche spacecraft. A near-infrared laser encoded with test data was sent from a distance of nearly 10 million miles to the Hale Telescope at Caltech’s Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California. The distance even surpassed the Moon-Earth distance by about 40 times. This marked the farthest-ever demonstration of optical communications. The experiment utilised a cutting-edge laser transceiver aboard the Psyche spacecraft to send and receive signals. This groundbreaking achievement signified a leap forward in high-bandwidth data transmission, crucial for future space missions. Also Read | At global average temperature of 2 degrees, Earth likely to see disastrous 40 feet of sea level rise The successful "first light" moment occurred on November 14, as the laser transceiver locked onto a powerful uplink laser beacon transmitted from the Optical Communications Telescope Laboratory at JPL’s Table Mountain Facility. The collaborative effort between the transceiver and ground stations, along with automated systems, fine-tuned the laser's pointing back to Palomar. Future missions Trudy Kortes, director of Technology Demonstrations at NASA Headquarters, highlighted the importance of achieving "first light" as a critical milestone. “Achieving first light is one of many critical DSOC milestones in the coming months, paving the way toward higher-data-rate communications capable of sending scientific information, high-definition imagery, and streaming video in support of humanity’s next giant leap: sending humans to Mars,” said Kortes said. The experiment is not transmitting Psyche mission data and DSOC operations do not intervene with the data of the spacecraft. Watch | US President Joe Biden says, 'stable China ties will benefit the world' × The Psyche spacecraft is undergoing checkouts, testing propulsion systems, and instruments for studying the asteroid Psyche upon its arrival in 2028. (With inputs from agencies)

In a first, NASA experiment transmits data via laser to and from far beyond Moon

India's solar mission spacecraft, Aditya-L1 on Tuesday (Nov 7) captured the first high-energy X-ray glimpse of solar flares.

ISRO, while sharing an update on the recent development, noted that during its first observation period from Oct 29, the High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS) on board Aditya-L1 spacecraft has recorded the impulsive phase of solar flares.

“Commissioned on October 27, 2023, HEL1OS is currently undergoing fine-tuning of thresholds and calibration operations. The instrument is set to monitor the Sun's high-energy X-ray activity with fast timing and high-resolution spectra,” ISRO said in a statement.

<h2>What is a solar flare?</h2>

A solar flare is a sudden brightening of the solar atmosphere. Flares produce enhanced emission in all wavelengths across the electromagnetic spectrum – radio, optical, UV, soft X-rays, hard X-rays and gamma-rays.&nbsp;

HEL1OS data enables researchers to study explosive energy release and electron acceleration during impulsive phases of solar flares.&nbsp;

"The instrument is set to monitor the sun's high-energy X-ray activity with fast timing and high-resolution&nbsp;spectra," ISRO wrote on its X timeline.

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Aditya-L1 Mission: 
HEL1OS captures first High-Energy X-ray glimpse of Solar Flares 
 
🔸During its first observation period from approximately 12:00 to 22:00 UT on October 29, 2023, the High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS) on board Aditya-L1 has recorded the… <a href="https://t.co/X6R9zhdwM5">pic.twitter.com/X6R9zhdwM5</a>
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&nbsp;

It was developed by the Space Astronomy Group of the U. R. Rao Satellite Centre, ISRO, Bengaluru.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-india-passengers-to-undergo-additional-checks-at-delhi-airport-till-nov-30-656157">Air India passengers to undergo additional checks at Delhi airport after Pannun threatens to blow up flight</a>

Earlier in Oct, Aditya-L1 escaped the sphere of Earth's influence.

"This is the second time in succession that ISRO could send a spacecraft outside the sphere of influence of the Earth, the first time being the Mars Orbiter Mission," ISRO had said in a statement.

<h2>Aditya-L1 mission</h2>

India’s maiden sun mission was launched on September 2 from the Second Launch Pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota.&nbsp;

It is equipped with seven scientific payloads developed indigenously by the ISRO and various national research laboratories, including the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) and the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), in the Indian cities of Bengaluru and Pune, respectively.

These payloads are designed to study the photosphere, chromosphere, and the outermost layers of the Sun, known as the corona, using electromagnetic, particle, and magnetic field detectors.

Positioned at the advantageous L1 point, four of these payloads will directly observe the Sun, while the remaining three will conduct in-situ studies of particles and fields at Lagrange point L1.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

India's solar mission spacecraft, Aditya-L1 on Tuesday (Nov 7) captured the first high-energy X-ray glimpse of solar flares. ISRO, while sharing an update on the recent development, noted that during its first observation period from Oct 29, the High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS) on board Aditya-L1 spacecraft has recorded the impulsive phase of solar flares.

India's solar mission spacecraft, Aditya-L1 on Tuesday (Nov 7) captured the first high-energy X-ray glimpse of solar flares. ISRO, while sharing an update on the recent development, noted that during its first observation period from Oct 29, the High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS) on board Aditya-L1 spacecraft has recorded the impulsive phase of solar flares. “Commissioned on October 27, 2023, HEL1OS is currently undergoing fine-tuning of thresholds and calibration operations. The instrument is set to monitor the Sun's high-energy X-ray activity with fast timing and high-resolution spectra,” ISRO said in a statement. What is a solar flare? A solar flare is a sudden brightening of the solar atmosphere. Flares produce enhanced emission in all wavelengths across the electromagnetic spectrum – radio, optical, UV, soft X-rays, hard X-rays and gamma-rays. HEL1OS data enables researchers to study explosive energy release and electron acceleration during impulsive phases of solar flares. "The instrument is set to monitor the sun's high-energy X-ray activity with fast timing and high-resolution spectra," ISRO wrote on its X timeline. Aditya-L1 Mission: HEL1OS captures first High-Energy X-ray glimpse of Solar Flares 🔸During its first observation period from approximately 12:00 to 22:00 UT on October 29, 2023, the High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS) on board Aditya-L1 has recorded the… pic.twitter.com/X6R9zhdwM5 — ISRO (@isro) November 7, 2023 × It was developed by the Space Astronomy Group of the U. R. Rao Satellite Centre, ISRO, Bengaluru. Also read: Air India passengers to undergo additional checks at Delhi airport after Pannun threatens to blow up flight Earlier in Oct, Aditya-L1 escaped the sphere of Earth's influence. "This is the second time in succession that ISRO could send a spacecraft outside the sphere of influence of the Earth, the first time being the Mars Orbiter Mission," ISRO had said in a statement. Aditya-L1 mission India’s maiden sun mission was launched on September 2 from the Second Launch Pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota. It is equipped with seven scientific payloads developed indigenously by the ISRO and various national research laboratories, including the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) and the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), in the Indian cities of Bengaluru and Pune, respectively. These payloads are designed to study the photosphere, chromosphere, and the outermost layers of the Sun, known as the corona, using electromagnetic, particle, and magnetic field detectors. Positioned at the advantageous L1 point, four of these payloads will directly observe the Sun, while the remaining three will conduct in-situ studies of particles and fields at Lagrange point L1. (With inputs from agencies)

ISRO's Aditya-L1 spacecraft captures first high-energy X-ray glimpse of solar flares

NASA recently unveiled a sample scooped from the 4.5 billion-year-old asteroid Bennu saying it contains abundant water and carbon.

NASA unveils sample from asteroid Bennu, says it contains ample water & carbon

NASA revealed on Wednesday (Oct 11) that a sample collected from asteroid Bennu contains abundant water and carbon. Both of these are vital materials involved in the formation of Earth. This finding lends more weight to the hypothesis that foundational blocks for life on Earth was seeded from outer space.

The sample scooped&nbsp;from the 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid&nbsp;is the largest soil sample ever to be taken from the surface of an asteroid.

<h2>The big unveiling</h2>

Asteroid sample collected by the OSRIS-REx spacecraft three years ago was unveiled at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

This comes just a little more than two weeks after the&nbsp;sample made it to Earth. It parachuted down in the Utah desert.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/explained-nasa-fetches-celestial-cargo-to-earth-heres-why-bennu-asteroid-samples-matter-639472">Explained | NASA sends Bennu asteroid samples to Earth. Here's why the celestial cargo matters</a>

"The first analysis shows samples that contain abundant water in the form of hydrated clay minerals," NASA chief Bill Nelson said in a press event.&nbsp;

"This is the biggest carbon rich asteroid sample ever returned to Earth," he said, with the carbon contained in the form of both minerals and organic molecules.

<h3>Why is this asteroid sample significant?</h3>

This is only the third Asteroid sample, and by far the biggest, to return to Earth for analysis. Earlier, Japan, via its two similar missions, had retrieved the much smaller asteroid samples.

At the time of its landing, the Bennu sample, as per estimates, weighed about 100 to 250 grams (3.5 to 8.8 ounces).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/us-federal-aviation-administration-proposes-revolutionary-way-to-limit-human-litter-in-earths-orbit-638666">US Federal Aviation Administration proposes revolutionary way to limit human litter in Earth's orbit</a>

Before this, both the capsule and its contents were under examination in a "clean room" at the Utah Test and Training range near the landing site.&nbsp;

Following that, the capsule was transported to the Johnson centre, where its inner canister was opened. This was done so that samples could be parcelled into smaller specimens. These specimens will go to some 200 scientists in 60 laboratories around the world, reports Reuters.

<h2>The Asteroid behind it all</h2>

The celestial samples were collected a year ago from Bennu, a small, carbon-rich asteroid that was discovered in 1999.

Classified as a "near-Earth object", Bennu passes relatively close to the Earth every six years.

The asteroid is made up of a loose collection of rocks and is rich in carbon, which is the building block of life on Earth.

Bennu measures just 500 metres or 1,640 feet in diameter, which means it is tiny compared to the Chicxulub asteroid that some 66 million years ago struck Earth and wiped out the dinosaurs.&nbsp;

Even though Bennu passes by Earth every few years, the odds of an impact are considered remote, but not zero.

Scientists estimate that the asteroid could catastrophically collide with Earth. They estimate that the catastrophe which has a one in 2,700 chance of happening will not take place till the year 2182. This is another reason why understanding Bennu's composition can come in handy.

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA revealed on Wednesday (Oct 11) that a sample collected from asteroid Bennu contains abundant water and carbon. Both of these are vital materials involved in the formation of Earth.

NASA revealed on Wednesday (Oct 11) that a sample collected from asteroid Bennu contains abundant water and carbon. Both of these are vital materials involved in the formation of Earth. This finding lends more weight to the hypothesis that foundational blocks for life on Earth was seeded from outer space. The sample scooped from the 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid is the largest soil sample ever to be taken from the surface of an asteroid. The big unveiling Asteroid sample collected by the OSRIS-REx spacecraft three years ago was unveiled at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. This comes just a little more than two weeks after the sample made it to Earth. It parachuted down in the Utah desert. Also read | Explained | NASA sends Bennu asteroid samples to Earth. Here's why the celestial cargo matters "The first analysis shows samples that contain abundant water in the form of hydrated clay minerals," NASA chief Bill Nelson said in a press event. "This is the biggest carbon rich asteroid sample ever returned to Earth," he said, with the carbon contained in the form of both minerals and organic molecules. Why is this asteroid sample significant? This is only the third Asteroid sample, and by far the biggest, to return to Earth for analysis. Earlier, Japan, via its two similar missions, had retrieved the much smaller asteroid samples. At the time of its landing, the Bennu sample, as per estimates, weighed about 100 to 250 grams (3.5 to 8.8 ounces). Also read | US Federal Aviation Administration proposes revolutionary way to limit human litter in Earth's orbit Before this, both the capsule and its contents were under examination in a "clean room" at the Utah Test and Training range near the landing site. Following that, the capsule was transported to the Johnson centre, where its inner canister was opened. This was done so that samples could be parcelled into smaller specimens. These specimens will go to some 200 scientists in 60 laboratories around the world, reports Reuters. The Asteroid behind it all The celestial samples were collected a year ago from Bennu, a small, carbon-rich asteroid that was discovered in 1999. Classified as a "near-Earth object", Bennu passes relatively close to the Earth every six years. The asteroid is made up of a loose collection of rocks and is rich in carbon, which is the building block of life on Earth. Bennu measures just 500 metres or 1,640 feet in diameter, which means it is tiny compared to the Chicxulub asteroid that some 66 million years ago struck Earth and wiped out the dinosaurs. Even though Bennu passes by Earth every few years, the odds of an impact are considered remote, but not zero. Scientists estimate that the asteroid could catastrophically collide with Earth. They estimate that the catastrophe which has a one in 2,700 chance of happening will not take place till the year 2182. This is another reason why understanding Bennu's composition can come in handy. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA unveils sample from asteroid Bennu, says it contains abundant water and carbon

NASA on Sunday successfully brought to the Earth the largest soil sample scooped from the surface of the asteroid, Bennu.&nbsp;

The asteroid sample streaked through our planet's surface and parachuted into the Utah desert, delivering precious cargo — a celestial specimen that can potentially hold answers to questions like how Earth became habitable and much more.

<h2>Origin story</h2>

Asteroid samples, as per an AFP report, are composed of the 'original materials of the solar system' and are considered relics of the early solar system.&nbsp;

These materials date back around 4.5 billion years, have remained relatively intact and, as per Osiris-Rex program executive Melissa Morris, "can give us clues about how the solar system formed and evolved."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-nasa-spacecraft-lands-successfully-with-largest-sample-collected-from-asteroid-639236">Watch | NASA spacecraft lands successfully in Utah with largest sample collected from asteroid Bennu</a>

"It's our own origin story," she said, as quoted by AFP.

NASA scientist Amy Simon told AFP that it is hypothesised that by striking Earth's surface, "we do believe asteroids and comets delivered organic material, potentially water, that helped life flourish here on Earth."

<h2>The Asteroid behind it all</h2>

The celestial samples were collected three year ago from Bennu, a small, carbon-rich asteroid that was discovered in 1999.

Classified as a "near-Earth object", Bennu passes relatively close to the Earth every six years.

The asteroid is made up of a loose collection of rocks and is rich in carbon, which is the building block of life on Earth. Scientists believe that it might contain water molecules locked in minerals.

Bennu measures just 500 metres or 1,640 feet in diameter, which means it is tiny compared to the Chicxulub asteroid that some 66 million years ago struck Earth and wiped out the dinosaurs.&nbsp;

Even though Bennu passes by Earth every few years, the odds of an impact are considered remote, but not zero.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/us-federal-aviation-administration-proposes-revolutionary-way-to-limit-human-litter-in-earths-orbit-638666">US Federal Aviation Administration proposes revolutionary way to limit human litter in Earth's orbit</a>

Scientists estimate that the asteroid could catastrophically collide with Earth. They estimate that the catastrophe which has a one in 2,700 chance of happening will not happen till the year 2182. This is another reason why understanding Bennu's composition can come in handy.

Three years back, in 2020, NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe collected samples from Bennu. The probe had landed on Bennu in 2020, four years after it was launched in 2016.&nbsp;

At the time Bennu had surprised scientists. Upon its brief contact with the asteroid, the OSIRIS-REx probe sank into Bennu's surface. This revealed to scientists that much like a children's pool filled with plastic balls, the asteroid had an unexpectedly low density.

<h2>Perilous journey</h2>

The precious samples travelled some 67,000 miles (107,826 kilometres) to touch down on Earth. Osiris-Rex released its gumdrop-shaped capsule as the mother-ship passed our planet.

As per AFP, the final 13 minutes of the descent were a fiery passage, where the capsule hurled at a speed of more than 27,000 miles an hour. During the descent, the temperatures reached up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius).

Osiris-Rex meanwhile, as per NASA, has moved on and is "on its way" for a date with another asteroid.

<h2>Tears, hope and billions of miles</h2>

Speaking at a press conference, the Osiris-Rex mission's principal investigator Dante Lauretta said they had high hopes from the sample.

She recalled how emotional the moment the capsule deployed was.&nbsp;

"We heard 'main chute detected," she said, adding, "I literally broke into tears."

"That was the moment I knew we made it home... For me, the real science is just beginning."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/an-asteroid-will-make-a-close-encounter-with-earth-on-september-21-nasa-predicts-638611">Asteroid to make its first-ever close approach to Earth! NASA predicts</a>

NASA has managed to collect roughly nine ounces (250 grams) of dust samples from Bennu's surface. This is by far the largest asteroid sample collected.&nbsp;

Previously, in 2020, Japan's Hayabusa-2 mission collected a five-gram specimen from an asteroid called Ryugu. Ten years before that, in 2010, Japan had brought back a tiny sample from asteroid Itokawa.

Japan had shared a few grains from Ryugu with NASA. The samples, as per Reuters, were found to contain two organic compounds, supporting the hypothesis that celestial objects such as comets, asteroids and meteorites that bombarded early Earth seeded the young planet with the primordial ingredients for life.

<h2>How will the sample be used?</h2>

As per AFP, the sample will travel to Johnson Space Center in Houston for additional study.&nbsp;NASA is expected to release initial results at a news conference on October 11.

The space agency will use roughly one-fourth of the asteroid sample immediately to conduct experiments. It will also share small amounts of the asteroid dust with mission partners Japan and Canada.

However, NASA will save most of it for future generations. It will be, as Lori Glaze, director of NASA's Planetary Sciences division, puts it, a "treasure for scientific analysis for years and years and years to come, to our kids and grandkids and people that haven't even been born yet."

(With inputs from agencies)

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NASA on Sunday successfully brought to the Earth the largest soil sample scooped from the surface of the asteroid, Bennu. The asteroid sample streaked through our planet's surface and parachuted into the Utah desert, delivering precious cargo — a celestial specimen that can potentially hold answers to questions like how Earth became habitable and much more.

NASA on Sunday successfully brought to the Earth the largest soil sample scooped from the surface of the asteroid, Bennu. The asteroid sample streaked through our planet's surface and parachuted into the Utah desert, delivering precious cargo — a celestial specimen that can potentially hold answers to questions like how Earth became habitable and much more. Origin story Asteroid samples, as per an AFP report, are composed of the 'original materials of the solar system' and are considered relics of the early solar system. These materials date back around 4.5 billion years, have remained relatively intact and, as per Osiris-Rex program executive Melissa Morris, "can give us clues about how the solar system formed and evolved." Also read | Watch | NASA spacecraft lands successfully in Utah with largest sample collected from asteroid Bennu "It's our own origin story," she said, as quoted by AFP. NASA scientist Amy Simon told AFP that it is hypothesised that by striking Earth's surface, "we do believe asteroids and comets delivered organic material, potentially water, that helped life flourish here on Earth." The Asteroid behind it all The celestial samples were collected three year ago from Bennu, a small, carbon-rich asteroid that was discovered in 1999. Classified as a "near-Earth object", Bennu passes relatively close to the Earth every six years. The asteroid is made up of a loose collection of rocks and is rich in carbon, which is the building block of life on Earth. Scientists believe that it might contain water molecules locked in minerals. Bennu measures just 500 metres or 1,640 feet in diameter, which means it is tiny compared to the Chicxulub asteroid that some 66 million years ago struck Earth and wiped out the dinosaurs. Even though Bennu passes by Earth every few years, the odds of an impact are considered remote, but not zero. Also read | US Federal Aviation Administration proposes revolutionary way to limit human litter in Earth's orbit Scientists estimate that the asteroid could catastrophically collide with Earth. They estimate that the catastrophe which has a one in 2,700 chance of happening will not happen till the year 2182. This is another reason why understanding Bennu's composition can come in handy. Three years back, in 2020, NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe collected samples from Bennu. The probe had landed on Bennu in 2020, four years after it was launched in 2016. At the time Bennu had surprised scientists. Upon its brief contact with the asteroid, the OSIRIS-REx probe sank into Bennu's surface. This revealed to scientists that much like a children's pool filled with plastic balls, the asteroid had an unexpectedly low density. Perilous journey The precious samples travelled some 67,000 miles (107,826 kilometres) to touch down on Earth. Osiris-Rex released its gumdrop-shaped capsule as the mother-ship passed our planet. As per AFP, the final 13 minutes of the descent were a fiery passage, where the capsule hurled at a speed of more than 27,000 miles an hour. During the descent, the temperatures reached up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius). Osiris-Rex meanwhile, as per NASA, has moved on and is "on its way" for a date with another asteroid. Tears, hope and billions of miles Speaking at a press conference, the Osiris-Rex mission's principal investigator Dante Lauretta said they had high hopes from the sample. She recalled how emotional the moment the capsule deployed was. "We heard 'main chute detected," she said, adding, "I literally broke into tears." "That was the moment I knew we made it home... For me, the real science is just beginning." Also read | Asteroid to make its first-ever close approach to Earth! NASA predicts NASA has managed to collect roughly nine ounces (250 grams) of dust samples from Bennu's surface. This is by far the largest asteroid sample collected. Previously, in 2020, Japan's Hayabusa-2 mission collected a five-gram specimen from an asteroid called Ryugu. Ten years before that, in 2010, Japan had brought back a tiny sample from asteroid Itokawa. Japan had shared a few grains from Ryugu with NASA. The samples, as per Reuters, were found to contain two organic compounds, supporting the hypothesis that celestial objects such as comets, asteroids and meteorites that bombarded early Earth seeded the young planet with the primordial ingredients for life. How will the sample be used? As per AFP, the sample will travel to Johnson Space Center in Houston for additional study. NASA is expected to release initial results at a news conference on October 11. The space agency will use roughly one-fourth of the asteroid sample immediately to conduct experiments. It will also share small amounts of the asteroid dust with mission partners Japan and Canada. However, NASA will save most of it for future generations. It will be, as Lori Glaze, director of NASA's Planetary Sciences division, puts it, a "treasure for scientific analysis for years and years and years to come, to our kids and grandkids and people that haven't even been born yet." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained | NASA sends Bennu asteroid samples to Earth. Here's why the celestial cargo matters

It has been 7 years since NASA launched its mission to collect samples from asteroids. The long wait for NASA capsule carrying the largest soil sample from an asteroid.

NASA spacecraft carrying asteroid sample touches down in Utah

After seven years, a space voyage came to its climactic end on Sunday (September 24) as a NASA capsule made a safe landing in the Utah desert of the United States, carrying the largest sample ever collected from an asteroid in space. 
 
The capsule made a fiery final descent through the atmosphere of the Earth as expected with the samples collected from asteroid Bennu and parachuted into the&nbsp;Utah desert of the United States. 
 
"Touchdown of the Osiris-Rex sample return capsule. A journey of a billion miles to asteroid Bennu and back has come to an end," said a commentator on NASA's live video webcast of the landing.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/an-asteroid-will-make-a-close-encounter-with-earth-on-september-21-nasa-predicts-638611">Asteroid to make its first-ever close approach to Earth! NASA predicts</a>

The sample, which was collected from asteroid Bennu in 2020, is estimated to contain some 250 grams (nine ounces) of material by the US space agency, which is more than two previous asteroid specimens which were brought back to the Earth by Japanese missions. 
 
Sharing the video of the landing, NASA wrote on X, “TOUCHDOWN! The #OSIRISREx sample capsule landed at the Utah Test and Training Range at 10:52am ET (1452 UTC) after a 3.86-billion mile journey. This marks the US's first sample return mission of its kind and will open a time capsule to the beginnings of our solar system.”

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TOUCHDOWN! The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OSIRISREx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OSIRISREx</a> sample capsule landed at the Utah Test and Training Range at 10:52am ET (1452 UTC) after a 3.86-billion mile journey. This marks the US's first sample return mission of its kind and will open a time capsule to the beginnings of our solar system. <a href="https://t.co/N8fun14Plt">pic.twitter.com/N8fun14Plt</a>
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Scientists have been hopeful about the sample and have said that it is likely to provide them with more information about the solar system and how Earth turned into a habitable place. 
 
The probe, which was launched in 2016, landed on the asteroid Bennu after four years and was able to collect around nine ounces (250 grams) of dust from the asteroid's rocky surface. 
 
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said that even the small amount of sample should "help us better understand the types of asteroids that could threaten Earth" and cast light "on the earliest history of our solar system.” 
 
"This sample return is really historic. This is going to be the biggest sample we've brought back since the Apollo moon rocks were returned to Earth,” said NASA scientist Amy Simon, while speaking to AFP.

<h2>NASA to announce results of the test on October 11</h2>

The capsule was released by Osiris-Rex early on Sunday, from an altitude of more than 67,000 miles (108,000 kilometres), around four hours before its landing.

WATCH |&nbsp;Asteroid dust on its way to Utah

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After the tire-sized capsule touched down in Utah, it was placed in a net by a team in protective masks and gloves from where it was airlifted by helicopter to a temporary "clean room" nearby.

The sample will be sent to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston on Monday. The box will be opened by the specialists in another "clean room."

The first results of the sample testing will be announced by NASA in a news conference on October 11.

(With inputs from agencies)

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After seven years, a space voyage came to its climactic end on Sunday (September 24) as a NASA capsule made a safe landing in the Utah desert of the United States, carrying the largest sample ever collected from an asteroid in space.

After seven years, a space voyage came to its climactic end on Sunday (September 24) as a NASA capsule made a safe landing in the Utah desert of the United States, carrying the largest sample ever collected from an asteroid in space. The capsule made a fiery final descent through the atmosphere of the Earth as expected with the samples collected from asteroid Bennu and parachuted into the Utah desert of the United States. "Touchdown of the Osiris-Rex sample return capsule. A journey of a billion miles to asteroid Bennu and back has come to an end," said a commentator on NASA's live video webcast of the landing. ALSO READ | Asteroid to make its first-ever close approach to Earth! NASA predicts The sample, which was collected from asteroid Bennu in 2020, is estimated to contain some 250 grams (nine ounces) of material by the US space agency, which is more than two previous asteroid specimens which were brought back to the Earth by Japanese missions. Sharing the video of the landing, NASA wrote on X, “TOUCHDOWN! The #OSIRISREx sample capsule landed at the Utah Test and Training Range at 10:52am ET (1452 UTC) after a 3.86-billion mile journey. This marks the US's first sample return mission of its kind and will open a time capsule to the beginnings of our solar system.” TOUCHDOWN! The #OSIRISREx sample capsule landed at the Utah Test and Training Range at 10:52am ET (1452 UTC) after a 3.86-billion mile journey. This marks the US's first sample return mission of its kind and will open a time capsule to the beginnings of our solar system. pic.twitter.com/N8fun14Plt — NASA (@NASA) September 24, 2023 × Scientists have been hopeful about the sample and have said that it is likely to provide them with more information about the solar system and how Earth turned into a habitable place. The probe, which was launched in 2016, landed on the asteroid Bennu after four years and was able to collect around nine ounces (250 grams) of dust from the asteroid's rocky surface. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said that even the small amount of sample should "help us better understand the types of asteroids that could threaten Earth" and cast light "on the earliest history of our solar system.” "This sample return is really historic. This is going to be the biggest sample we've brought back since the Apollo moon rocks were returned to Earth,” said NASA scientist Amy Simon, while speaking to AFP. NASA to announce results of the test on October 11 The capsule was released by Osiris-Rex early on Sunday, from an altitude of more than 67,000 miles (108,000 kilometres), around four hours before its landing. WATCH | Asteroid dust on its way to Utah After the tire-sized capsule touched down in Utah, it was placed in a net by a team in protective masks and gloves from where it was airlifted by helicopter to a temporary "clean room" nearby. The sample will be sent to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston on Monday. The box will be opened by the specialists in another "clean room." The first results of the sample testing will be announced by NASA in a news conference on October 11. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Watch | NASA spacecraft lands successfully in Utah with largest sample collected from asteroid Bennu

Almost a year has passed since NASA intentionally crashed a $300 million spacecraft into an asteroid. However, now, the asteroid is behaving unexpectedly. NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) was a one-of-a-kind stunt.

Almost a year has passed since NASA intentionally crashed a $300 million spacecraft into an asteroid. However, now, the asteroid is behaving unexpectedly. NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) was a one-of-a-kind stunt. They slammed a spacecraft into the space rock Dimporphos at 14,000 miles per hour on September 26, 2022. Dimorphos orbits another asteroid called Didymos. While neither object threatened Earth, the DART demonstrated that NASA could nudge an asteroid and alter its trajectory. The action might come in handy if a planetary defence scenario ever materialises. The tiny but mighty DART craft shortened Dimorphos' orbital period by about 33 minutes. However, according to a new research, Dimorphos' orbiting time has decreased by another full minute compared to NASA's numbers, New Scientist reported. A high school teacher and his students conducted the research from September to November 2022. The study said the asteroid's orbital period, initially 11 hours 55 minutes, has decreased by 34 minutes. ALSO READ | Swiss researchers engineer bacteria to generate electricity using wastewater Jonathan Swift, a math and science teacher at the Thacher School who participated in the research, said, "That was inconsistent at an uncomfortable level." He said, "We tried our best to find the crack in what we had done, but we couldn't find anything." His team presented their findings at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society in New Mexico in June, receiving positive responses. However, Dimorphos' unexpected behaviour is not a cause for alarm, as the asteroid still poses no threat to Earth. But it could teach scientists more about asteroid deflection. No other mission before DART had ever conducted a planetary defence test. Thus, Dimorphos is the only real-world example to learn from. Scientists do not have the accurate reason behind Dimorphos' unexpected behaviour. But there are some theories. One theory suggests that Dimorphos was once tidally locked to Didymos, meaning, like Earth's moon, the same side of the satellite always faced its host. However, the DART mission might have changed its alignment, causing Dimorphos to tumble around as the system's tidal forces changed its orbit. If this theory is true, Dimorphos will likely settle back into a tidally locked state over time, a DART team member said. If the new study is accurate, it won't be the first unintended consequence of NASA's DART mission. Researchers have been learning more about the effects of the spacecraft's crash at Dimorphos over the past year. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

NASA hit this asteroid months back and now something weird is happening

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is working on its final preparations for the landing on Earth of a precious asteroid sample next month. NASA teams with the OSIRIS-REx mission completed a vital test on Wednesday (August 30) by collecting a mock capsule that had fallen to Earth in the desert west of Salt Lake City at the Utah Test and Training Range of the US Department of Defence.&nbsp;

The process was part of the mission's final major test prior to the arrival of the actual capsule on September 24. The final preparations were a significant test before the actual capsule with its sample of the asteroid Bennu, acquired in space over three years ago.&nbsp;

Nicola Fox, who is the associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington, said: "We are now mere weeks away from receiving a piece of solar system history on Earth, and this successful drop test ensures we're ready."&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-believe-an-earth-like-planet-might-hiding-in-our-solar-system-631433">Scientists believe an Earth-like planet might hiding in our solar system</a>&nbsp;

Fox said, "Pristine material from asteroid Bennu will help shed light on the formation of our solar system 4.5 billion years ago, and perhaps even on how life on Earth began."&nbsp;

This drop test comes after a number of practice runs earlier this spring and summer, including capsule retrieval, spacecraft engineering operations and sample preservation processes.&nbsp;

The OSIRIS-REx crew is now getting ready for the actual delivery with less than four weeks till the spacecraft's arrival.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/global-heating-worsening-the-dangers-of-high-altitude-mountaineering-warn-experts-631416">Global heating worsening the dangers of high-altitude mountaineering, warn experts</a>

Dante Lauretta, the principal investigator for OSIRIS-REx at the University of Arizona, Tucson, said: "I am immensely proud of the efforts our team has poured into this endeavor. Just as our meticulous planning and rehearsal prepared us to collect a sample from Bennu, we have honed our skills for sample recovery."&nbsp;

NASA said that an estimated 8.8 ounces of rocky material were taken on board the capsule in 2020 from the surface of the asteroid Bennu.&nbsp;

In the coming years, the sample will be examined by researchers to learn more about the formation of our solar system, our planet, and the genesis of the organic materials that may have given rise to life on Earth. &nbsp;

Rich Burns, the project manager for OSIRIS-REx at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, said: "We are now in the final leg of this seven-year journey, and it feels very much like the last few miles of a marathon, with a confluence of emotions like pride and joy coexisting with a determined focus to complete the race well."&nbsp;

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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is working on its final preparations for the landing on Earth of a precious asteroid sample next month. NASA teams with the OSIRIS-REx mission completed a vital test on Wednesday (August 30) by collecting a mock capsule that had fallen to Earth in the desert west of Salt Lake City at the Utah Test and Training Range of the US Department of Defence.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is working on its final preparations for the landing on Earth of a precious asteroid sample next month. NASA teams with the OSIRIS-REx mission completed a vital test on Wednesday (August 30) by collecting a mock capsule that had fallen to Earth in the desert west of Salt Lake City at the Utah Test and Training Range of the US Department of Defence. The process was part of the mission's final major test prior to the arrival of the actual capsule on September 24. The final preparations were a significant test before the actual capsule with its sample of the asteroid Bennu, acquired in space over three years ago. Nicola Fox, who is the associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington, said: "We are now mere weeks away from receiving a piece of solar system history on Earth, and this successful drop test ensures we're ready." Also read: Scientists believe an Earth-like planet might hiding in our solar system Fox said, "Pristine material from asteroid Bennu will help shed light on the formation of our solar system 4.5 billion years ago, and perhaps even on how life on Earth began." This drop test comes after a number of practice runs earlier this spring and summer, including capsule retrieval, spacecraft engineering operations and sample preservation processes. The OSIRIS-REx crew is now getting ready for the actual delivery with less than four weeks till the spacecraft's arrival. Also read: Global heating worsening the dangers of high-altitude mountaineering, warn experts Dante Lauretta, the principal investigator for OSIRIS-REx at the University of Arizona, Tucson, said: "I am immensely proud of the efforts our team has poured into this endeavor. Just as our meticulous planning and rehearsal prepared us to collect a sample from Bennu, we have honed our skills for sample recovery." NASA said that an estimated 8.8 ounces of rocky material were taken on board the capsule in 2020 from the surface of the asteroid Bennu. In the coming years, the sample will be examined by researchers to learn more about the formation of our solar system, our planet, and the genesis of the organic materials that may have given rise to life on Earth. Rich Burns, the project manager for OSIRIS-REx at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, said: "We are now in the final leg of this seven-year journey, and it feels very much like the last few miles of a marathon, with a confluence of emotions like pride and joy coexisting with a determined focus to complete the race well." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

NASA making final preparations for asteroid sample delivery by spacecraft this month

Chandrayaan-3 is on its final voyage. Vikram Lander successfully separated from the spacecraft. The lander is now on its solo journey to the Moon.

Chandrayaan-3: Challenges ahead of Vikram lander's solo journey to the Moon

Innovation in space is reaching new heights. There is an alternative to traditional Chemical Propulsion rockets. 'SOLAR SAIL' can help explore the vast reaches of space.

What is solar sail? How can it revolutionise space travel?

Engineers sent a wrong signal to Voyager 2 and now the space probe is on its own at a distance of 20 billion kilometers at a speed of 56 000 kilometers per hour take a look at our next report as it explains the enduring Legacy of Voyager missions which surpass all records surpassing any other space mission in history in fact.

NASA loses contact with Voyager-2, spacecraft is travelling in interstellar space | WION

The Indian space agency Israel is not the only one tracking and interacting with the Chandrayaan 3 spacecraft; several other international space agencies are also doing the same as the ship is travelling at high speeds around the Earth on its 40-day journey to the Moon.

Space agencies of US, Europe and Australia track ISRO's spacecraft

The Indian Space Agency is currently taking frequent efforts to direct the ship farther away from the earth and towards the moon while India's third lunar spacecraft, Chandrayaan 3, is on its journey to the moon. The spacecraft is healthy and functioning flawlessly.

Explained: Why does Chandrayaan-3 need 40-days to get to the moon?

India's Lunar Spacecraft Chandrayaan-3 which commenced its journey at 2:35pm on 14th July 2023, is expected to cover the 3,84,000kms earth-moon distance in about 40days and make a Lunar soft-landing at 17:47hrs or 5:47pm Indian time on August 23rd. In his post-launch media interaction, ISRO Chairman, Dr. S.Somanath revealed this date and time, referring to it as the targeted landing time, if all went well. With a mission life of one Lunar day(14 earth days), Chandrayaan-3 is meant to land near the Lunar south pole(approximately at 80degrees latitude).

Chandrayaan-3 launch: ISRO to explore dark side of moon

As India launches Chandrayaan-3, there has been an extreme flood alert in the national capital Delhi. Last night, the river Yamuna reached an all-time high of 208.6 metres. Water has now started to recede, but several key areas of Delhi remain flooded. Why is this happening? Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: As India aims for the moon, what's happening in Delhi?

India's Chandrayaan-3 is on its way to the moon, 4 years after Chandrayaan-2 lost contact minutes before landing. With the latest lunar mission, India could become the fourth country to soft land on the moon, also the first to land on the moon's south pole.

Gravitas: Chandrayaan-3: The story of India's journey to the moon

India's mission to moon takes off, Chandrayaan-3 successfully launched

It is one of India's most ambitious space missions the race to land on the moon on Friday and India made history by joining the elite space Club of Nations to land on the lunar surface.

Chandrayaan 3 Launch: Spacecraft will attempt Lunar soft landing on August 23  | ISRO

A solar mission, which has been flying closer to the sun to uncover its secrets, went extremely near to the star's surface to make an important discovery. 
 
The data collected by Parker Solar Probe has discovered the source of the solar wind, which is a stream of particles carrying energy that emerges from the corona, or the hot outer atmosphere of the sun, towards the Earth. 
 
"It’s like seeing jets of water emanating from a showerhead through the blast of water hitting you in the face," said the researchers at the University of California-Berkley, in a release.

<h2>Solar wind originates from particular regions: study</h2>

In the latest study, which was published in the journal Nature, the team has explained the streams of high-energy particles in detail that appear similar to the supergranulation flows within coronal holes and hint at these being the specific regions where the “fast” solar wind originates.

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When you get so close to the Sun, you learn a thing or two! 😉 
 
Sampling the solar wind close to the Sun, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has found hints that point to the origins of the fast streams we detect near Earth. ☀️ 💨 🌎 
 
More: <a href="https://t.co/PGM4Al3OWr">https://t.co/PGM4Al3OWr</a> <a href="https://t.co/UWWT5OCvd1">pic.twitter.com/UWWT5OCvd1</a>
— NASA Sun &amp; Space (@NASASun) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASASun/status/1666495778162896897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Discovering the solar wind's source can help scientists make more improved predictions about space weather and solar storms which can affect Earth. 
 
“Winds carry lots of information from the sun to Earth, so understanding the mechanism behind the sun’s wind is important for practical reasons on Earth,” stated study co-author James Drake.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-black-hole-shooting-x-ray-jet-60000-hotter-than-sun-598519">Scientists discover black hole shooting X-ray jet 60,000 times hotter than sun</a>

“That’s going to affect our ability to understand how the sun releases energy and drives geomagnetic storms, which are a threat to our communication networks,” he added.

<h2>Coronal holes work like showerheads, reveal data</h2>

The data collected by the spacecraft revealed that the coronal holes work like showerheads, where jets appear on the surface of the sun in the form of bright spots, marking the points where the magnetic field passes in and out of the photosphere. 
 
“The photosphere is covered by convection cells, like in a boiling pot of water, and the larger scale convection flow is called supergranulation,” stated lead study author Stuart D Bale, in a statement. 
 
“Where these supergranulation cells meet and go downward, they drag the magnetic field in their path into this downward kind of funnel. The magnetic field becomes very intensified there because it’s just jammed. It’s kind of a scoop of the magnetic field going down into a drain. And the spatial separation of those little drains, those funnels, is what we’re seeing now with solar probe data,” he added.

WATCH |&nbsp;China is making a 'mini sun' as global fusion race heats up | World News | WION

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“The big conclusion is that it’s magnetic reconnection within these funnel structures that’s providing the energy source of the fast solar wind,” Bale said. 
 
“It doesn’t just come from everywhere in a coronal hole, it’s substructured within coronal holes to these supergranulation cells. It comes from these little bundles of magnetic energy that are associated with convection flows. Our results, we think, are strong evidence that it’s reconnection that’s doing that,” the researcher further stated.

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A solar mission, which has been flying closer to the sun to uncover its secrets, went extremely near to the star's surface to make an important discovery. The data collected by Parker Solar Probe has discovered the source of the solar wind, which is a stream of particles carrying energy that emerges from the corona, or the hot outer atmosphere of the sun, towards the Earth.

A solar mission, which has been flying closer to the sun to uncover its secrets, went extremely near to the star's surface to make an important discovery. The data collected by Parker Solar Probe has discovered the source of the solar wind, which is a stream of particles carrying energy that emerges from the corona, or the hot outer atmosphere of the sun, towards the Earth. "It’s like seeing jets of water emanating from a showerhead through the blast of water hitting you in the face," said the researchers at the University of California-Berkley, in a release. Solar wind originates from particular regions: study In the latest study, which was published in the journal Nature, the team has explained the streams of high-energy particles in detail that appear similar to the supergranulation flows within coronal holes and hint at these being the specific regions where the “fast” solar wind originates. When you get so close to the Sun, you learn a thing or two! 😉 Sampling the solar wind close to the Sun, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has found hints that point to the origins of the fast streams we detect near Earth. ☀️ 💨 🌎 More: https://t.co/PGM4Al3OWr pic.twitter.com/UWWT5OCvd1 — NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) June 7, 2023 × Discovering the solar wind's source can help scientists make more improved predictions about space weather and solar storms which can affect Earth. “Winds carry lots of information from the sun to Earth, so understanding the mechanism behind the sun’s wind is important for practical reasons on Earth,” stated study co-author James Drake. ALSO READ | Scientists discover black hole shooting X-ray jet 60,000 times hotter than sun “That’s going to affect our ability to understand how the sun releases energy and drives geomagnetic storms, which are a threat to our communication networks,” he added. Coronal holes work like showerheads, reveal data The data collected by the spacecraft revealed that the coronal holes work like showerheads, where jets appear on the surface of the sun in the form of bright spots, marking the points where the magnetic field passes in and out of the photosphere. “The photosphere is covered by convection cells, like in a boiling pot of water, and the larger scale convection flow is called supergranulation,” stated lead study author Stuart D Bale, in a statement. “Where these supergranulation cells meet and go downward, they drag the magnetic field in their path into this downward kind of funnel. The magnetic field becomes very intensified there because it’s just jammed. It’s kind of a scoop of the magnetic field going down into a drain. And the spatial separation of those little drains, those funnels, is what we’re seeing now with solar probe data,” he added. WATCH | China is making a 'mini sun' as global fusion race heats up | World News | WION “The big conclusion is that it’s magnetic reconnection within these funnel structures that’s providing the energy source of the fast solar wind,” Bale said. “It doesn’t just come from everywhere in a coronal hole, it’s substructured within coronal holes to these supergranulation cells. It comes from these little bundles of magnetic energy that are associated with convection flows. Our results, we think, are strong evidence that it’s reconnection that’s doing that,” the researcher further stated. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

In a first, spacecraft 'touches' the sun to discover source of solar wind

Boeing, the aerospace giant, has encountered another setback in its efforts to launch the first crewed mission of its Starliner spacecraft.&nbsp;

The highly anticipated launch, initially planned for July 21, has been indefinitely postponed as the company addresses concerns regarding the reliability of Starliner's parachute system, according to Reuters.

The delay is primarily linked to concerns surrounding the parachute system, which is designed to ensure the safe return of the Starliner capsule to earth. According to news reports, Boeing found issues with the spacecraft's parachute lines during engineering reviews last week.

This recent delay marks yet another chapter in a series of setbacks that have plagued Boeing's space program. Originally scheduled for a crewed mission in 2019, the Starliner project has faced numerous hurdles and technical challenges over the past few years.

The indefinite delay will undoubtedly impact the timeline of Boeing's space program and its ability to compete in the growing commercial space industry.&nbsp; According to regulatory filings, Boeing has recently disclosed a total loss of $883 million in its Starliner program.&nbsp;

Following the retirement of the space shuttle in 2011, Nasa sought a reliable means to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station.&nbsp;

In 2014, as part of its commercial crew program, Nasa awarded Boeing a contract worth over $4 billion to construct a capsule. Concurrently, Nasa also chose SpaceX to develop a competing system, which has successfully launched humans into space on ten occasions, including seven missions in collaboration with Nasa.

However, multiple delays have significantly impacted Boeing's ability to fulfill its contractual obligations with Nasa and hindered its competition with its commercial rival SpaceX.&nbsp;

Boeing, the aerospace giant, has encountered another setback in its efforts to launch the first crewed mission of its Starliner spacecraft. The highly anticipated launch, initially planned for July 21, has been indefinitely postponed as the company addresses concerns regarding the reliability of Starliner's parachute system, according to Reuters.

Boeing, the aerospace giant, has encountered another setback in its efforts to launch the first crewed mission of its Starliner spacecraft. The highly anticipated launch, initially planned for July 21, has been indefinitely postponed as the company addresses concerns regarding the reliability of Starliner's parachute system, according to Reuters. The delay is primarily linked to concerns surrounding the parachute system, which is designed to ensure the safe return of the Starliner capsule to earth. According to news reports, Boeing found issues with the spacecraft's parachute lines during engineering reviews last week. This recent delay marks yet another chapter in a series of setbacks that have plagued Boeing's space program. Originally scheduled for a crewed mission in 2019, the Starliner project has faced numerous hurdles and technical challenges over the past few years. The indefinite delay will undoubtedly impact the timeline of Boeing's space program and its ability to compete in the growing commercial space industry. According to regulatory filings, Boeing has recently disclosed a total loss of $883 million in its Starliner program. Following the retirement of the space shuttle in 2011, Nasa sought a reliable means to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station. In 2014, as part of its commercial crew program, Nasa awarded Boeing a contract worth over $4 billion to construct a capsule. Concurrently, Nasa also chose SpaceX to develop a competing system, which has successfully launched humans into space on ten occasions, including seven missions in collaboration with Nasa. However, multiple delays have significantly impacted Boeing's ability to fulfill its contractual obligations with Nasa and hindered its competition with its commercial rival SpaceX.

Boeing's first crewed space launch faces another delay due to safety issues

NASA's spacecraft Juno has found in its recent probe that the lightning in Jupiter is very similar to that of Earth. The brownish ammonia clouds that cover Jupitar are similar to the clouds that blanket Earth in their composition. Both are made of water.&nbsp;

And the way lightning is generally within clouds on Earth, &nbsp;a similar eerie sight was spotted by multiple spacecraft which visited the largest planet of the solar system, including Juno.&nbsp;

The data collected by Juno is giving fresh information on the similar processes through which lightning occurs on Jupiter and Earth, even though the two planets have dramatic differences between the two planets, as per scientists.

"Lightning is an electric discharge which is initiated inside thunderclouds. The ice and water particles inside the cloud get charged by collisions and form layers of particles with the charge of the same polarity," stated planetary scientist Ivana Kolmasova of the Czech Academy of Sciences' Institute of Atmospheric Physics in Prague, who is also the lead author of the study which was published in the journal Nature Communications this week.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-spot-jupiters-12-new-moons-in-latest-discovery-making-it-the-planet-with-highest-number-of-moons-558779">Astronomers spot 12 new moons of Jupiter, taking total to 92, surpassing Saturn in lunar tally</a>

"By this process, a huge electric field is established and the discharge can be initiated. This explanation is somewhat simplified because scientists are still not completely sure what is exactly happening inside thunderclouds," Kolmasova further explained.

The occurrence of lightning on Jupiter was confirmed after telltale radio emissions at audible frequencies were recorded by NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft in 1979 after it ventured through the solar system.

<h2>Lightning in planets of solar system</h2>

Lightning has been observed on other gas planets of the solar system - Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Scientists have some evidence of lightning in the clouds of the planet Venus, however, it is still an issue of debate.&nbsp;

Various studies have detailed similarities in the lightning processes on Earth and Jupiter. For instance, &nbsp;lightning rates on both planets are similar although the distribution of lightning on the giant planet differs from that of Earth.

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: "Juice" mission to study Jupiter's icy moons

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"On Earth, the tropical regions are the most active ones. The majority of Jovian lightning occurs in mid-latitudes and also in polar regions. We have nearly no lightning activity close to the poles on the Earth. It means that conditions for the formation of Jovian and terrestrial thunderclouds are probably very different," stated Kolmasova.

"There were some attempts to compare the power of lightning based on optical measurements and it was concluded that lightning on Jupiter might be comparable with the strongest terrestrial lightning," he added while emphasising that more analysis is planned.

Jupiter is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium along with traces of other gases. &nbsp;

You can&nbsp;now write for&nbsp;wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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NASA's spacecraft Juno has found in its recent probe that the lightning in Jupiter is very similar to that of Earth. The brownish ammonia clouds that cover Jupitar are similar to the clouds that blanket Earth in their composition.

NASA's spacecraft Juno has found in its recent probe that the lightning in Jupiter is very similar to that of Earth. The brownish ammonia clouds that cover Jupitar are similar to the clouds that blanket Earth in their composition. Both are made of water. And the way lightning is generally within clouds on Earth, a similar eerie sight was spotted by multiple spacecraft which visited the largest planet of the solar system, including Juno. The data collected by Juno is giving fresh information on the similar processes through which lightning occurs on Jupiter and Earth, even though the two planets have dramatic differences between the two planets, as per scientists. "Lightning is an electric discharge which is initiated inside thunderclouds. The ice and water particles inside the cloud get charged by collisions and form layers of particles with the charge of the same polarity," stated planetary scientist Ivana Kolmasova of the Czech Academy of Sciences' Institute of Atmospheric Physics in Prague, who is also the lead author of the study which was published in the journal Nature Communications this week. ALSO READ | Astronomers spot 12 new moons of Jupiter, taking total to 92, surpassing Saturn in lunar tally "By this process, a huge electric field is established and the discharge can be initiated. This explanation is somewhat simplified because scientists are still not completely sure what is exactly happening inside thunderclouds," Kolmasova further explained. The occurrence of lightning on Jupiter was confirmed after telltale radio emissions at audible frequencies were recorded by NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft in 1979 after it ventured through the solar system. Lightning in planets of solar system Lightning has been observed on other gas planets of the solar system - Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Scientists have some evidence of lightning in the clouds of the planet Venus, however, it is still an issue of debate. Various studies have detailed similarities in the lightning processes on Earth and Jupiter. For instance, lightning rates on both planets are similar although the distribution of lightning on the giant planet differs from that of Earth. WATCH | Gravitas: "Juice" mission to study Jupiter's icy moons "On Earth, the tropical regions are the most active ones. The majority of Jovian lightning occurs in mid-latitudes and also in polar regions. We have nearly no lightning activity close to the poles on the Earth. It means that conditions for the formation of Jovian and terrestrial thunderclouds are probably very different," stated Kolmasova. "There were some attempts to compare the power of lightning based on optical measurements and it was concluded that lightning on Jupiter might be comparable with the strongest terrestrial lightning," he added while emphasising that more analysis is planned. Jupiter is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium along with traces of other gases. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

NASA spacecraft discovers how Jupiter's lightning shares similarity with Earth's

Tianzhou-6 cargo spacecraft reached the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site. It is expected to deliver supplies to the Tiangong space station in orbit.

Tianzhou-6 cargo spacecraft reaches launch site

ISRO's second mission in 2023 has taken off successfully. The largest indigenous rocket LMV3 along with 36 satellites is now on route, space. This is the second commercial mission performed by LMV3.

India's LMV3 to carry a payload of 36 satellites

NASA launched an uncrewed Roscosmos Soyuz spacecraft to the ISS. The spacecraft was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Feb 24.

NASA launches uncrewed Roscosmos Soyuz spacecraft

An unexplained pressure was reported on Saturday in a Russian spacecraft, docked with the International Space Station (ISS). On Telegram, Russian space agency Roscosmos revealed that a Progress cargo ship had lost cabin pressure. It was docked with the ISS and is due to undock from the ISS on February 18.&nbsp;

The Roscosmos stated that a depressurisation in the cooling system of the Progress MS-21 cargo ship was detected by the mission control specialists.&nbsp;

According to the Russian space agency, the exact reason behind the incident was being investigated and the vessel was sealed off from the rest of the station.&nbsp;

Roscosmos said: "The temperature regime and pressure on board the ISS are normal, nothing threatens the life and health of the crew and they feel fine."&nbsp;

NASA later said the depressurisation was due to a coolant leak. NASA said, "The reason for the loss of coolant in the Progress 82 spacecraft is being investigated."&nbsp;

It added, "The hatches between Progress 82 and the station are open, and temperatures and pressures aboard the station are all normal. The crew, which was informed of the cooling loop leak, is in no danger and continuing with normal space station operations."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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An unexplained pressure was reported on Saturday in a Russian spacecraft, docked with the International Space Station (ISS). On Telegram, Russian space agency Roscosmos revealed that a Progress cargo ship had lost cabin pressure.

An unexplained pressure was reported on Saturday in a Russian spacecraft, docked with the International Space Station (ISS). On Telegram, Russian space agency Roscosmos revealed that a Progress cargo ship had lost cabin pressure. It was docked with the ISS and is due to undock from the ISS on February 18. The Roscosmos stated that a depressurisation in the cooling system of the Progress MS-21 cargo ship was detected by the mission control specialists. According to the Russian space agency, the exact reason behind the incident was being investigated and the vessel was sealed off from the rest of the station. Roscosmos said: "The temperature regime and pressure on board the ISS are normal, nothing threatens the life and health of the crew and they feel fine." NASA later said the depressurisation was due to a coolant leak. NASA said, "The reason for the loss of coolant in the Progress 82 spacecraft is being investigated." It added, "The hatches between Progress 82 and the station are open, and temperatures and pressures aboard the station are all normal. The crew, which was informed of the cooling loop leak, is in no danger and continuing with normal space station operations." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russian agency reports pressure glitch on spacecraft docked to ISS, says crew safe

Nasa's spacecraft is set to make its very first close encounter with the most volcanic place in the solar system. The Juno spacecraft has been orbiting Jupiter since 2016, but it is the first time it will fly by its moon "IO" at such a close distance. Priyanka Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: NASA spacecraft to visit most volcanic world in solar system

In a few hours from now, a sci-fi movie will come to life with NASA's DART spacecraft crashing into a football-field-sized asteroid to veer it off-course. The mission is aimed at testing NASA capability to defend the Earth against deadly asteroids. Molly Gambhir brings you a report.

Gravitas: NASA's DART spacecraft set to crash into an asteroid

A 170-metre (560 feet) wide&nbsp;asteroid named Dimorphos is about to hit the Earth on September 26 at 23.14 GMT (7.14 pm. EDT), NASA scientists have warned.

But, no worries, as the US space agency is planning to alter its course away from the Earth with its $330 million Dart robot spacecraft.

The spacecraft, which weighs around half-tonne, will be travelling at more than four miles (6.4 km) per second to collide with Dimorphos, which will be about 6.8 million miles (10.9 million km) from Earth at the time of impact.

DART, which has been designed to operate fully autonomously, will be unmanned for the mission.

Though the scientists have deemed the asteroid to be of “no threat”, the main aim of launching this mission is to demonstrate its capability in preventing any potential asteroid Armageddon.

They say that observations of the Dart spacecraft’s impact on Dimorphos’s orbit will provide crucial data about how well spacecraft can protect Earth from asteroid attack.

Lindley Johnson, the director of NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office, said the DART mission does not reflect a change in the policy of the space agency’s thinking about hazardous objects, rather a continuation of the work done so far.

"Our charter from the beginning has been not only to find asteroids, but to work on the technology and techniques that can be used to deflect an asteroid from an impact trajectory, should we ever find one," he told Space.com.

"DART is just a first test in what we see as an ongoing programme.”

The Italian Space Agency satellite called the Light Italian CubeSat for Imaging of Asteroids will record the first full-scale demonstration of asteroid deflection technology.

Following this,&nbsp;the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2024 will send its Hera spacecraft on a two-year journey to examine the aftermath of the collision.

"By the time Hera reaches Didymos, in 2026, Dimorphos will have achieved historic significance: the first object in the Solar System to have its orbit shifted by human effort in a measurable way,” the ESA said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A 170-metre (560 feet) wide asteroid named Dimorphos is about to hit the Earth on September 26 at 23.14 GMT (7.14 pm. EDT), NASA scientists have warned. But, no worries, as the US space agency is planning to alter its course away from the Earth with its $330 million Dart robot spacecraft.

A 170-metre (560 feet) wide asteroid named Dimorphos is about to hit the Earth on September 26 at 23.14 GMT (7.14 pm. EDT), NASA scientists have warned. But, no worries, as the US space agency is planning to alter its course away from the Earth with its $330 million Dart robot spacecraft. The spacecraft, which weighs around half-tonne, will be travelling at more than four miles (6.4 km) per second to collide with Dimorphos, which will be about 6.8 million miles (10.9 million km) from Earth at the time of impact. DART, which has been designed to operate fully autonomously, will be unmanned for the mission. Though the scientists have deemed the asteroid to be of “no threat”, the main aim of launching this mission is to demonstrate its capability in preventing any potential asteroid Armageddon. They say that observations of the Dart spacecraft’s impact on Dimorphos’s orbit will provide crucial data about how well spacecraft can protect Earth from asteroid attack. Lindley Johnson, the director of NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office, said the DART mission does not reflect a change in the policy of the space agency’s thinking about hazardous objects, rather a continuation of the work done so far. "Our charter from the beginning has been not only to find asteroids, but to work on the technology and techniques that can be used to deflect an asteroid from an impact trajectory, should we ever find one," he told Space.com. "DART is just a first test in what we see as an ongoing programme.” The Italian Space Agency satellite called the Light Italian CubeSat for Imaging of Asteroids will record the first full-scale demonstration of asteroid deflection technology. Following this, the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2024 will send its Hera spacecraft on a two-year journey to examine the aftermath of the collision. "By the time Hera reaches Didymos, in 2026, Dimorphos will have achieved historic significance: the first object in the Solar System to have its orbit shifted by human effort in a measurable way,” the ESA said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

NASA prepares for DART mission launch as asteroid approaches Earth. Here's all you need to know

The US space agency NASA may be able to avert doomsday. The agency will be deliberately making a spacecraft collide with an asteroid to try and change the asteroid's trajectory, if successful the mission would make deviating killer asteroids away from earth possible.

September 26: NASA is all set to clobber an asteroid with spacecraft dart

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