In a static image, Erasmus appears indistinguishable from any typical comet. However, as time progressed, its tail revealed a lively wag, reminiscent of an animated and spirited puppy. Credit: NASA.Renowned astronomer David H. Levy once likened comets to cats, asserting, "They both have tails and do precisely what they want." With his extensive experience...
NASA has been the primary force in Martian research, utilizing instruments such as Hubble to capture images. However, the emergence of a formidable competitor has the potential to alter the landscape. Credit: NASA.A year ago, the Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA) quietly unveiled plans for a significant space exploration initiative, Tianwen-3, to bring back...
NASA's asteroid-probing spacecraft, Lucy, has conducted its initial close-up observations, revealing an entirely unexpected find. The asteroid Dinkinesh not only possesses a small orbiting moon but, remarkably, this moon is composed of two objects fused together.Launched in 2021, Lucy is on track to explore more asteroids than any other spacecraft in history. Its primary...
Planet Venus. Credit: Unsplash.For the first time, oxygen atoms have been identified in the dayside atmosphere of Venus, free from being part of larger molecules. This revelation not only marks a significant advancement in our understanding of Venus but also paves the way for future missions to the enigmatic planet.Revised TextFor the first time...
Seven Sweltering Worlds - A Glimpse of the Kepler-385 System. Credit: NASA/Daniel RutterNASA's Kepler missions have concluded, but astronomers persist in refining their data, leading to remarkable discoveries in exoplanets. Among these findings is identifying the hottest seven-planet system, facilitated by meticulous data analysis.A Fiery Star at the Center: Kepler-385At the heart of this...
Credit: PixaobayTwo groups of economists have conducted economic evaluations of asteroid mining. One of these groups comprises individuals from the University of Tor Rome Vergata, the University of Maryland, and Middlebury College. They have considered asteroid mining as a natural progression in the financialization of space exploration.The second team, consisting of three members from...
A sizable gray celestial body featuring prominent craters on its exterior and areas of brown material. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU)Psyche asteroid's staggering worth. The asteroid's extraordinary "value" might indicate potential contributions to the emerging space mining sector.You've likely heard about the estimated value of the asteroid 16 Psyche, the focus of NASA's upcoming Psyche...
A striking view of Asteroid Itokawa, as captured by the Hayabusa spacecraft. This S-type asteroid, known for its distinctive peanut shape, boasts a diameter of roughly 1,100 feet and completes a full rotation every 12 hours. Credit: JAXA.A recent breakthrough in asteroid research by the Japanese Hayabusa spacecraft has profound implications for our understanding...
The case for life on Jupiter's moon Europa just got stronger, thanks to the detection of carbon dioxide on its surfaceNASAThe prime locations within our solar system for seeking extraterrestrial life aren't planets such as Mars; rather, they are icy moons like Europa. The evidence supporting the existence of life on this watery celestial...
Credit: Phys.A research team led by Assistant Professor Wu Chengyuan from Yunnan Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has delved into the evolution of post-merger remnants resulting from the coalescence of double oxygen-neon white dwarfs. Their findings shed light on how specific factors influence the final fate of such remnants.Impacts of Convective Boundary...
