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Curiosity Rover Finds Evidence of Liquid Water on Mars, Expanding Habitability Timeline
Reports from NASA’s Curiosity rover reveal evidence of ancient liquid water on Mars, challenging previous models. Images from Gale Crater show wave-like ripples, similar to Earth’s lakebeds. Scientists suggest the findings indicate Mars once had a denser atmosphere, which allowed liquid water to exist longer than previously believed. This disco...
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'MACE' Observatory Detects 'Blast From The Past' Way Before Earth Was Born
Scientists from the Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Mumbai part of the Department of Atomic Energy, have detected a distant explosion from a galaxy, of what is also called a Gamma Ray flare.
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Newly Confirmed Super-Earth HD 20794 d May Support Life in Habitable Zone
A super-Earth, HD 20794 d, has been confirmed within a habitable zone 20 light years from Earth. The planet, first detected in 2022, has a mass six times that of Earth and orbits a sun-like star. Although its elliptical orbit affects temperature stability, its potential to sustain liquid water makes it a key target for upcoming space missions. Scie...
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Increasing Space Debris Risks Aircraft Collisions, Experts Warn
Uncontrolled space debris entering Earth's atmosphere is becoming a growing concern, with rising risks to aircraft safety. A study from the University of British Columbia reveals a 26% chance of debris collisions in high-traffic regions like the Northeastern US and Northern Europe. Recent incidents, such as falling debris from SpaceX’s Starship 7...
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SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Explosion Raises Concerns Over Air Pollution
The explosion of SpaceX’s Starship Flight 7 in mid-January has raised concerns among scientists about atmospheric pollution. The upper stage, weighing 85 tons without fuel, detonated at 90 miles (146 km) above Earth, potentially releasing 45.5 metric tons of metal oxides and 40 metric tons of nitrogen oxides. Experts warn these pollutants could i...
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Earth's Hidden 'Ignorosphere' Could Provide Insights into Auroras
A new dataset developed by Japanese researchers from the University of Tokyo provides valuable insights into Earth's upper atmosphere, specifically the mesosphere. Spanning 19 years, the data sheds light on phenomena like auroras, gravity waves, and their connection to space weather. The study, published in Progress in Earth and Planetary Science, ...
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Astronauts on ISS Share Christmas Cheer with Floating Candy Canes and Festivities
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) celebrated Christmas in a unique way, creating a festive atmosphere with floating candy canes and a snowman made from storage bags. The multinational crew, including astronauts from NASA and Russian cosmonauts, shared heartfelt messages, reflecting on their unity as a team and the collaborativ...
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NASA’s 2024 Solar Eclipse Studies Offer Key Insights on Sun-Earth Interactions
NASA’s April 8, 2024, solar eclipse studies highlight the Sun's effects on Earth’s atmosphere, including corona changes, ionospheric impacts, and atmospheric gravity waves. Data from citizen scientists and research teams deepened the understanding of these interactions, as presented during the American Geophysical Union's annual meeting. Key fi...
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X-Class Solar Flare From Sunspot 3912 Causes Radio Blackouts in Southern Africa
A powerful X-class solar flare erupted from sunspot region 3912 on December 8, disrupting high-frequency radio communications in southern Africa. The flare, accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME), ionised Earth’s upper atmosphere, absorbing radio signals and causing blackouts in areas exposed to peak solar activity. Experts predict the CME ...
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Solar 'Battle Zone' Could be Even Worse Than Solar Maximum, Experts Warn
Experts warn that the sun's next phase, the "battle zone," could result in increased geomagnetic activity, lasting until 2028. This period could bring heightened solar flares and coronal holes, which may cause disruptions to satellites in low-Earth orbit. Space weather experts, including Scott McIntosh from Lynker Space, have noted that this phase ...
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Study Finds Venus Likely Never Had Oceans, Challenging Past Theories
Recent research published in Nature Astronomy challenges past ideas about Venus, suggesting it never had oceans or conditions for life. Analysis of the planet's volcanic gases and atmospheric composition revealed that Venus’s interior is dry, ruling out the presence of liquid water. This conclusion highlights the stark contrast between Venus and ...
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Environmental Impact of ISS Deorbit in 2031 Raises Concerns on Oceans and Atmosphere
The International Space Station (ISS) is set for a controlled deorbit in 2031, with plans to disintegrate over the South Pacific's remote Point Nemo. While NASA’s approach aims to reduce risks, concerns have been raised about the environmental impacts. Researchers highlight potential effects on Earth’s upper atmosphere, which remain poorly unde...
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Video: Asteroid Burns Like "Fireball" After Entering Atmosphere Above Russia
A speedy descent of a small asteroid lit up the sky in Russia's remote far eastern region of Yakutia early on Wednesday, as it burned out after entering the Earth's atmosphere.
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Watch: Asteroid On 'Collision Course' With Earth Explodes Above Russia
ESA in a post on X confirmed that Asteroid COWEPC5 entered Earth's atmosphere creating a fireball over the Yakutia region.
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Earth Microbes Discovered in Asteroid Ryugu Sample, Raises Contamination Concerns
A study has confirmed that terrestrial microbes colonised a Ryugu asteroid sample after its return to Earth in 2020. The micro-organisms were found to proliferate upon exposure to Earth's atmosphere, raising concerns over contamination risks in planetary exploration. Published in Meteoritics & Planetary Science, the findings underline the need for ...
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Curiosity Rover Finds Evidence of Liquid Water on Mars, Expanding Habitability Timeline
Reports from NASA’s Curiosity rover reveal evidence of ancient liquid water on Mars, challenging previous models. Images from Gale Crater show wave-like ripples, similar to Earth’s lakebeds. Scientists suggest the findings indicate Mars once had a denser atmosphere, which allowed liquid water to exist longer than previously believed. This disco...
-
'MACE' Observatory Detects 'Blast From The Past' Way Before Earth Was Born
Scientists from the Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Mumbai part of the Department of Atomic Energy, have detected a distant explosion from a galaxy, of what is also called a Gamma Ray flare.
-
Newly Confirmed Super-Earth HD 20794 d May Support Life in Habitable Zone
A super-Earth, HD 20794 d, has been confirmed within a habitable zone 20 light years from Earth. The planet, first detected in 2022, has a mass six times that of Earth and orbits a sun-like star. Although its elliptical orbit affects temperature stability, its potential to sustain liquid water makes it a key target for upcoming space missions. Scie...
-
Increasing Space Debris Risks Aircraft Collisions, Experts Warn
Uncontrolled space debris entering Earth's atmosphere is becoming a growing concern, with rising risks to aircraft safety. A study from the University of British Columbia reveals a 26% chance of debris collisions in high-traffic regions like the Northeastern US and Northern Europe. Recent incidents, such as falling debris from SpaceX’s Starship 7...
-
SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Explosion Raises Concerns Over Air Pollution
The explosion of SpaceX’s Starship Flight 7 in mid-January has raised concerns among scientists about atmospheric pollution. The upper stage, weighing 85 tons without fuel, detonated at 90 miles (146 km) above Earth, potentially releasing 45.5 metric tons of metal oxides and 40 metric tons of nitrogen oxides. Experts warn these pollutants could i...
-
Earth's Hidden 'Ignorosphere' Could Provide Insights into Auroras
A new dataset developed by Japanese researchers from the University of Tokyo provides valuable insights into Earth's upper atmosphere, specifically the mesosphere. Spanning 19 years, the data sheds light on phenomena like auroras, gravity waves, and their connection to space weather. The study, published in Progress in Earth and Planetary Science, ...
-
Astronauts on ISS Share Christmas Cheer with Floating Candy Canes and Festivities
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) celebrated Christmas in a unique way, creating a festive atmosphere with floating candy canes and a snowman made from storage bags. The multinational crew, including astronauts from NASA and Russian cosmonauts, shared heartfelt messages, reflecting on their unity as a team and the collaborativ...
-
NASA’s 2024 Solar Eclipse Studies Offer Key Insights on Sun-Earth Interactions
NASA’s April 8, 2024, solar eclipse studies highlight the Sun's effects on Earth’s atmosphere, including corona changes, ionospheric impacts, and atmospheric gravity waves. Data from citizen scientists and research teams deepened the understanding of these interactions, as presented during the American Geophysical Union's annual meeting. Key fi...
-
X-Class Solar Flare From Sunspot 3912 Causes Radio Blackouts in Southern Africa
A powerful X-class solar flare erupted from sunspot region 3912 on December 8, disrupting high-frequency radio communications in southern Africa. The flare, accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME), ionised Earth’s upper atmosphere, absorbing radio signals and causing blackouts in areas exposed to peak solar activity. Experts predict the CME ...
-
Solar 'Battle Zone' Could be Even Worse Than Solar Maximum, Experts Warn
Experts warn that the sun's next phase, the "battle zone," could result in increased geomagnetic activity, lasting until 2028. This period could bring heightened solar flares and coronal holes, which may cause disruptions to satellites in low-Earth orbit. Space weather experts, including Scott McIntosh from Lynker Space, have noted that this phase ...
-
Study Finds Venus Likely Never Had Oceans, Challenging Past Theories
Recent research published in Nature Astronomy challenges past ideas about Venus, suggesting it never had oceans or conditions for life. Analysis of the planet's volcanic gases and atmospheric composition revealed that Venus’s interior is dry, ruling out the presence of liquid water. This conclusion highlights the stark contrast between Venus and ...
-
Environmental Impact of ISS Deorbit in 2031 Raises Concerns on Oceans and Atmosphere
The International Space Station (ISS) is set for a controlled deorbit in 2031, with plans to disintegrate over the South Pacific's remote Point Nemo. While NASA’s approach aims to reduce risks, concerns have been raised about the environmental impacts. Researchers highlight potential effects on Earth’s upper atmosphere, which remain poorly unde...
-
Video: Asteroid Burns Like "Fireball" After Entering Atmosphere Above Russia
A speedy descent of a small asteroid lit up the sky in Russia's remote far eastern region of Yakutia early on Wednesday, as it burned out after entering the Earth's atmosphere.
-
Watch: Asteroid On 'Collision Course' With Earth Explodes Above Russia
ESA in a post on X confirmed that Asteroid COWEPC5 entered Earth's atmosphere creating a fireball over the Yakutia region.
-
Earth Microbes Discovered in Asteroid Ryugu Sample, Raises Contamination Concerns
A study has confirmed that terrestrial microbes colonised a Ryugu asteroid sample after its return to Earth in 2020. The micro-organisms were found to proliferate upon exposure to Earth's atmosphere, raising concerns over contamination risks in planetary exploration. Published in Meteoritics & Planetary Science, the findings underline the need for ...
