An artist's impression shows a generic asteroid. Detecting the threat of near-Earth objects such as asteroids that could cause harm to our planet is a primary focus of NASA and other space organizations. ESA/FILEThe recently discovered asteroid 2024 YR4 has an average 2% chance of colliding with Earth in 2032. While the odds of an...
Credit: PixabayIncredibly 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 CoreA 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...
Illustration of cosmic rays striking Earth's magnetic fieldESAHydrogel is commonly found in everyday items like contact lenses, burn dressings, and hair gel. In the future, it could also serve as a protective barrier against harmful cosmic radiation for astronauts on long-duration space missions.Radiation exposure is a significant risk in space travel. Beyond Earth's atmosphere,...
An artist's impression of the exoplanet Enaiposha and its star, Orkaria. (ESO/L. Calçada)An artist's impression of the exoplanet Enaiposha and its star, Orkaria. (ESO/L. Calçada)An object initially thought to be a typical planet found in our galaxy has turned out to be entirely unique.A Super-Venus ExoplanetEnaiposha, also known as GJ 1214 b, is an exoplanet with...
The new fuel could pave the way for future nuclear rocket enginesGeneral AtomicsGeneral Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has successfully tested nuclear fuel designed for future spacecraft propulsion and power. The tests confirm the fuel's ability to endure the extreme conditions of a nuclear rocket reactor.Until now, spacecraft have primarily relied on chemical rockets for...
Credit: PixabayMars hosts one of the Solar System's most intriguing enigmas: the Martian dichotomy. This stark contrast in the planet's terrain has puzzled researchers since it was first identified in the 1970s.The southern highlands, which span about two-thirds of Mars’ surface, stand 5 to 6 kilometers higher than the northern lowlands. This abrupt disparity...
Hubble reveals the vibrant star-forming complexities of the Large Magellanic Cloud’s Tarantula Nebula, a spectacular display of cosmic dust and colorful stellar phenomena. Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, C. MurrayDive into a celestial masterpiece with the Hubble Space Telescope’s latest snapshot of the Large Magellanic Cloud, showcasing the Tarantula Nebula’s vibrant star-forming regions.Amid serene blue gas...
Credit: PixabayFirst detected on August 7, 2024, by the University of Hawaiʻi’s ATLAS telescope in Sutherland, South Africa, asteroid 2024 PT5 has intrigued astronomers with its Earth-like orbit around the Sun. This small asteroid, approximately 33 feet (10 meters) in diameter, poses no threat to our planet.Orbiting the Sun in a path similar to...
Palomar 5, a seemingly calm star cluster, may hide a swarm of over 100 stellar-mass black holes. Spanning 30,000 light-years and located 80,000 light-years away, it provides clues about star cluster evolution and tidal stream formation. Unique in its loose structure and 20-degree tidal stream, Palomar 5 contrasts with typical dense globular clusters of...
An artist’s concept of the Pandora mission, seen here without the thermal blanketing that will protect the spacecraft, observing a star and its transiting exoplanet. Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Conceptual Image LabSet to launch later this year, NASA’s Pandora mission promises groundbreaking advancements in our understanding of exoplanet atmospheres. By focusing on at...
