One of the most profound questions in planetary science is how Venus, a planet believed to have once resembled Earth, evolved into the inhospitable world it is today. The key to unraveling this mystery lies in understanding the significant difference in water content between Venus and Earth. New research has shed light on this puzzle,
Space
The much-awaited launch day has finally arrived for Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which is set to blast off on a critical mission to the International Space Station. With SpaceX already having achieved this milestone several years ago, Boeing is under immense pressure to ensure the success of this mission. The reputation of the US aerospace giant
The prospect of humans spending extended periods on the lunar surface in the near future raises concerns about the impact of low gravity on their health. Studies have shown that microgravity and low gravity environments can lead to various issues such as muscle atrophy, bone demineralization, cardiovascular conditioning problems, and issues with neural control of
The Sun, a celestial body we are all familiar with, appears quite different when viewed through the lens of ESA’s Solar Orbiter mission. In a single frame from a video captured by this mission, the Sun looks incredibly fluffy. Feathery, hair-like structures made of plasma can be seen following magnetic field lines in the Sun’s
The rocks studied by the Curiosity rover in an ancient, long-dried lakebed on Mars have provided valuable insights into the conditions that may have been conducive to life billions of years ago. Among the surprising discoveries in the Gale Crater are significant amounts of manganese oxide. This mineral is commonly found in Earth’s lakes due
Meteor showers, often referred to as shooting stars, are a common occurrence that can be observed throughout the year. These meteor showers are the result of Earth passing through streams of dust and debris left behind by comets and asteroids as it orbits the Sun. One such debris stream that Earth currently encounters is from
The recent mid- and near-infrared observations from the James Webb Space Telescope have provided a fresh perspective on one of the most iconic structures in Earth’s sky – the Horsehead Nebula. By utilizing 23 filters, a team of astronomers has captured never-before-seen features in this dense cloud located approximately 1,300 light-years away from our planet.
The ongoing hunt for the mysterious Planet Nine has taken an exciting turn, with new research presenting the “strongest statistical evidence yet” of its existence. The research, conducted by renowned astronomer Konstantin Bogytin from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), sheds light on the potential presence of a ninth planet lurking in the outer reaches
In the vast expanse of space, solar sails have emerged as a promising technology for propelling spacecraft. Drawing inspiration from the sail ships of the past, solar sails utilize the power of sunlight to navigate through the cosmos. The concept of solar sailing dates back centuries, with Johannes Kepler proposing the idea of using sunlight
The Hubble Space Telescope, a space observatory that has been in operation for over three decades, continues to provide groundbreaking discoveries in the field of astronomy. Recently, an international team of citizen scientists, in collaboration with astronomers from the European Space Agency (ESA) and utilizing machine learning algorithms, identified a new sample of over one
The Lyrid meteor shower is currently dazzling spectators with its annual celestial show. From April 15 to April 29, the sky is lit up with dozens of shooting stars as part of this beautiful phenomenon. The peak of the meteor shower was on Sunday night to Monday morning, but its display will continue for the
Recently, NASA announced that its Voyager 1 probe, the most distant man-made object in the Universe, had stopped transmitting usable data back to Earth in November 2023. However, after months of spouting gibberish, the spacecraft is now once again returning valuable information to ground control. This breakthrough was made possible after a team at NASA’s
Recent research conducted by a team led by astronomer Arthur Briaud of the French National Centre for Scientific Research has brought forth interesting revelations about the Moon’s inner core composition. Contrary to the age-old belief that the Moon is made of green cheese, the study found that the inner core of the Moon is actually
Jupiter’s moon Io is a world unlike any other in our Solar System. With an incredible amount of volcanic activity, it boasts more volcanoes than any other celestial body of its size. This unique moon, just slightly larger than our own Moon, is a testament to the wild and untamed landscapes that exist beyond Earth.
In the pursuit of discovering extraterrestrial life forms, scientists acknowledge the probability of encountering worlds vastly different from Earth’s lush, plant-centric ecosystem. While the specifics remain uncertain, our own planet harbors organisms capable of thriving in extreme environments, offering valuable insights for exploring alternative forms of life. Considerations for an alien equivalent of plant life