A super-Earth has been confirmed in the habitable zone of a nearby star, raising possibilities for future studies on potentially life-supporting planets. The discovery follows over two decades of observations and has been credited to a team of international researchers. Initially detected two years ago, the planet, named HD 20794 d, is situated 20 light
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Efforts to develop nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) for future space missions have taken a significant step forward. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS), in collaboration with NASA, has conducted tests on nuclear reactor fuel designed for space travel. The trials, held at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, assessed the fuel’s ability to withstand extreme
A key milestone in India’s space technology development has been reached with the successful vacuum ignition test of the CE20 cryogenic engine. Conducted on February 7 at the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, the test simulated real space conditions for engine restart. The CE20 engine, designed for the upper
A striking image of a young star surrounded by a dense disk of dust and gas has been captured by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The image showcases Herbig Haro 30 (HH 30), a celestial formation located in the Taurus constellation. Bright jets of material are seen extending from the disk as light interacts
A fossilised jawbone discovered in South Africa has been classified as belonging to a previously unidentified human relative. The specimen, estimated to be 1.4 million years old, has been attributed to the genus Paranthropus, known for its distinctive dental structure. Unlike its robust counterparts, the newly identified species exhibits a smaller jaw and teeth, suggesting
A dramatic rise in temperature was recorded at the North Pole, with levels surpassing the freezing point due to an extreme winter warming event. Reports indicate that temperatures climbed 20 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average, raising concerns among climate scientists about its impact on Arctic ice loss and long-term warming trends. The event, which
A significant number of astronauts spending extended time aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have reported changes to their vision, raising concerns for future deep-space missions. Reports indicate that 70 percent of astronauts who have spent between six to twelve months in microgravity have experienced noticeable shifts in eyesight. Symptoms linked to spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome
A cargo-return technology developed by Germany-based Atmos Space Cargo is set to undergo its first in-space test with an upcoming SpaceX mission. The company’s Phoenix capsule will be launched aboard the Bandwagon 3 rideshare mission, scheduled for no earlier than April. The capsule has been designed to facilitate the safe return of high-value materials from
Greek authorities have responded to an intensifying earthquake swarm near Santorini by closing schools and deploying emergency teams. The tremors, which began last week, have been growing in frequency and magnitude, raising concerns over potential stronger quakes in the region. While experts have ruled out immediate volcanic activity, the situation remains unpredictable due to the
A significant milestone in suborbital spaceflight was achieved by Blue Origin with the launch of its uncrewed NS-29 mission. The New Shepard rocket lifted off from the company’s West Texas facility on February 4 at 11 a.m. EST, following a week-long delay caused by adverse weather conditions and a technical issue in the rocket’s avionics
Uncontrolled space debris entering the Earth’s atmosphere has become a rising concern, with potential risks to aircraft. The probability of an impact remains low, but the consequences could be severe. Recent incidents have highlighted the issue, prompting authorities to take precautionary measures. During a recent spaceflight, debris from SpaceX’s Starship 7 fell into the Atlantic
A striking geological structure in Canyonlands National Park, Utah, has remained the subject of scientific debate for decades. Upheaval Dome, a rock formation with jagged ridges forming concentric circles, spans approximately 5 kilometres across and rises 300 metres. The site has drawn attention due to conflicting theories regarding its origin. While many researchers believe it
A 7,000-year-old femur bone belonging to an antelope, discovered in a South African cave, has revealed the earliest confirmed use of a multi-component arrow poison. Three modified bone arrowheads were found embedded within the marrow cavity, and a recent scientific analysis has identified a mixture of plant-based toxins. This discovery provides new insight into the
A compact neutrino detector has successfully identified antineutrinos at a nuclear power plant, marking a significant advancement in particle physics. Unlike conventional detectors that require massive infrastructure, this device weighs less than three kilograms. Despite its size, it effectively detected antineutrinos emitted from a nuclear reactor in Leibstadt, Switzerland. The experiment, which lasted 119 days,
Baboons in their natural habitat have been observed looking at their reflections in mirrors but failing to recognise themselves. Despite reacting to a visible dot on their arms or legs, the primates showed little to no response when a laser dot was projected onto their faces while they were in front of a mirror. The
The presence of organic molecules on the dwarf planet Ceres has been reassessed using AI analysis of data gathered by NASA’s Dawn spacecraft. Scientists have mapped regions rich in these compounds to determine whether they originated within Ceres or were delivered from external sources. Previously, it was believed that cryovolcanic activity on Ceres transported these
NASA and its international collaborators have finalised the crew for Axiom Space’s fourth private astronaut mission, set to launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft no earlier than spring 2025. The mission, departing from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, will see four astronauts spending up to 14 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The
Ripples in spacetime, known as gravitational waves, are being used to determine the ancestry of black holes. These waves, first theorised by Albert Einstein, are offering insights into how black holes form and evolve. Scientists have uncovered that the spin of a black hole can indicate whether it originated from repeated mergers in densely packed
The pace of ocean warming has intensified significantly over the past four decades, with recent data highlighting a quadrupling of heat absorption rates. This shift points to an acceleration in climate change, as oceans act as the planet’s primary heat sink. Researchers warn that if fossil fuel dependency continues, warming is expected to increase at
A near-Earth object recently classified as an asteroid has been identified as Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster, which was launched into space in 2018 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. The object was mistakenly listed as a new near-Earth asteroid by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center (MPC) on January 2, before the classification was
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