Astronomy Archives - Page 8 of 40 - Scitke

Sunken Continents Could Unbalance Earth’s Magnetic Field

Astronomy, Astrophysics, Planetary Science / Ngoma Manuel

Structures the size of continents, protruding from the lower mantle towards Earth’s outer core, may be contributing to an instability in our planet’s magnetic field. Initial Assumptions About Similarity These two formations, one beneath the Pacific and the other under Africa, have similar characteristics in terms of seismic waves, leading scientists to initially believe they […]

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Ancient Martian Beaches Reveal Evidence of Oceans on the Red Planet

Astronomy, Planetary Science / Valeriano Ndeyi

Mars, often depicted as a dry, dusty, and barren desert, was once abundant in water, even containing oceans, according to a recent study. Ground-Penetrating Radar Reveals Evidence of Martian Beaches Using ground-penetrating radar, researchers have discovered underground features that resemble beaches, indicating that Mars hosted a northern sea 4 billion years ago. This is some

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U.S. Space Force’s X-37B Space Plane Takes a Selfie with Earth

Astronomy, Planetary Science / Ngoma Manuel

Last week, the U.S. Space Force shared an image from the uncrewed X-37B space plane’s seventh mission, capturing the orbital test vehicle soaring above Earth in High Earth Orbit—a selfie worth showcasing. The 29-foot (8.8-meter) Boeing-built autonomous spacecraft reportedly used its onboard camera to take the photo while performing an aerobraking maneuver. This technique involves

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SpaceX Says Starship Self-Destructed Due to Propellant Leaks, Fires, and a Comms Blackout

Astronomy, Planetary Science / Marcílio Santos

SpaceX revealed Monday that last month’s Starship explosion resulted from a chain reaction triggered by propellant leaks—a problem the company claims to have resolved ahead of a potential eighth test flight as early as Friday. The company is still awaiting FAA approval, either through the official closure of the “mishap investigation” or special authorization to

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Rare 7-Planet Alignment Lights Up the Sky This Week

Astronomy, Planetary Science / Ana Manuel

A Rare Alignment of 7 Planets Will Light Up the Night Sky This Week A rare astronomical event is about to occur, offering a spectacular view in Earth’s night sky. On February 28, 2025, all seven planets in our Solar System—Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars—will align in a perfect row, creating a

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Rare Ice That Could Form on Alien Worlds Observed

Astrophysics / Samilton Santos

For the first time, scientists have observed plastic Ice VII, a form of water previously predicted by theoretical models. While it might sound like the title of a B-movie, this is actually an exotic phase of water that experts believe could form in the oceans of alien planets. The Unique Structure of Plastic Ice VII

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Fragments of Rock Uncover the Moment the Moon Became Solid

Astronomy, Planetary Science / Marcílio Santos

The early history of the Moon remains a topic of scientific investigation. Despite extensive knowledge about Earth’s natural satellite, some pieces of its history are still being unraveled. Recent studies of rock samples collected during the Apollo missions have provided new insights, revealing that the Moon solidified approximately 4.43 billion years ago—around the same time

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Risk of 2032 Asteroid Impact Reduced: Key Details You Should Know

Astronomy, Astrophysics, Planetary Science / Marcílio Santos

Asteroid 2024 YR4 recently made headlines after NASA estimated a 1-in-32 chance of impact in 2032—the highest probability ever recorded for a hazardous-sized asteroid. Fortunately, new observations have since cut that risk in half. Discovered in late December, the asteroid passed Earth at roughly twice the Moon’s distance. Based on observations, its size is estimated

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Asteroid 2024 YR4 May Hit Earth in 7 Years: What’s Being Done

Astronomy, Planetary Science / Leandro Conceição

The recently discovered asteroid 2024 YR4 has an average 2% chance of colliding with Earth in 2032. While the odds of an impact are slim, astronomers are closely monitoring the asteroid to gather more information — a process that could soon involve the most powerful observatory ever launched into space. Size Estimate and Comparison with

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Mars Experiences Massive Quakes, and Not All of Them Come From Below

Astronomy, Planetary Science / Marcílio Santos

Incredibly strong marsquakes that violently shake the red planet don’t always originate from beneath the surface, new research reveals. New Insights on Mars’ Interior and Core A study using AI to analyze seismic data reveals how intensely the quakes shake the Martian interior.This discovery has important implications for understanding Mars’ core and the processes that

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