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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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Chinese Tianzhou 7 Cargo Spacecraft Successfully Completes Reentry After Delivery Supplies to Astronauts
China’s Tianzhou 7 spacecraft, launched in January 2024, concluded its mission with a controlled reentry on 17 November. After delivering supplies and materials to the Tiangong space station and being loaded with waste, the cargo spacecraft was deorbited over the South Pacific Ocean. The mission also included the release of the Bayi-08 cubesat, d...
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ISRO Gets Government Nod for Shukrayaan Venus Orbiter Mission and Chandrayaan-4
India’s Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) and Chandrayaan-4 mission, approved by the government in September 2024, mark historic steps toward India's space vision for 2047. VOM will study Venus's surface, atmosphere, and solar interaction, while Chandrayaan-4 will return lunar samples from the South Pole. These missions are set to advance technology an...
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Solar Activity Increase Results in Shortens Lifespan of Binar CubeSats
Curtin University’s Binar CubeSats, launched with a six-month mission lifespan, re-entered Earth's atmosphere after only two months due to unexpectedly high solar activity. This surge in solar phenomena has increased atmospheric drag, impacting the stability of satellites in low Earth orbit. As solar forecasting remains limited, smaller satellite...
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Space Debris Accumulation in the Stratosphere Threatens Major Environmental Risks
The growing presence of satellite space junk, as more satellites enter Earth's orbit, has raised concerns about environmental impacts. Pollution from burnt-up satellites contributes to changes in atmospheric chemistry, with metals like aluminium potentially harming the ozone layer. Scientists warn that satellite re-entries are contributing to a ris...
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Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors: What Makes Each Celestial Object Unique
NASA planetary scientists explain that asteroids, comets, and meteors all orbit the Sun but differ greatly in their composition, appearance, and behaviour. These objects play unique roles in understanding the solar system’s formation and evolution.
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NASA Rockets Create Artificial Clouds Under Northern Lights in Norway
On November 10, 2024, NASA conducted a rocket launch in Norway that resulted in swirling artificial clouds beneath the aurora borealis. The experiment aimed to study energy flow through Earth’s atmosphere and observe how gravity waves behave. The launch occurred from Andøya Space Center, located in the Arctic Circle, offering ideal conditions fo...
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Could a Supernova Threaten Earth’s Survival? Here's What You Need to Know
Supernova explosions have the potential to harm Earth’s atmosphere, particularly the ozone layer. However, no stars close enough to cause damage are currently identified. The risks are low, but gamma-ray bursts, caused by neutron star mergers, may pose an even greater threat in the future.
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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...
-
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 ...
-
Chinese Tianzhou 7 Cargo Spacecraft Successfully Completes Reentry After Delivery Supplies to Astronauts
China’s Tianzhou 7 spacecraft, launched in January 2024, concluded its mission with a controlled reentry on 17 November. After delivering supplies and materials to the Tiangong space station and being loaded with waste, the cargo spacecraft was deorbited over the South Pacific Ocean. The mission also included the release of the Bayi-08 cubesat, d...
-
ISRO Gets Government Nod for Shukrayaan Venus Orbiter Mission and Chandrayaan-4
India’s Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) and Chandrayaan-4 mission, approved by the government in September 2024, mark historic steps toward India's space vision for 2047. VOM will study Venus's surface, atmosphere, and solar interaction, while Chandrayaan-4 will return lunar samples from the South Pole. These missions are set to advance technology an...
-
Solar Activity Increase Results in Shortens Lifespan of Binar CubeSats
Curtin University’s Binar CubeSats, launched with a six-month mission lifespan, re-entered Earth's atmosphere after only two months due to unexpectedly high solar activity. This surge in solar phenomena has increased atmospheric drag, impacting the stability of satellites in low Earth orbit. As solar forecasting remains limited, smaller satellite...
-
Space Debris Accumulation in the Stratosphere Threatens Major Environmental Risks
The growing presence of satellite space junk, as more satellites enter Earth's orbit, has raised concerns about environmental impacts. Pollution from burnt-up satellites contributes to changes in atmospheric chemistry, with metals like aluminium potentially harming the ozone layer. Scientists warn that satellite re-entries are contributing to a ris...
-
Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors: What Makes Each Celestial Object Unique
NASA planetary scientists explain that asteroids, comets, and meteors all orbit the Sun but differ greatly in their composition, appearance, and behaviour. These objects play unique roles in understanding the solar system’s formation and evolution.
-
NASA Rockets Create Artificial Clouds Under Northern Lights in Norway
On November 10, 2024, NASA conducted a rocket launch in Norway that resulted in swirling artificial clouds beneath the aurora borealis. The experiment aimed to study energy flow through Earth’s atmosphere and observe how gravity waves behave. The launch occurred from Andøya Space Center, located in the Arctic Circle, offering ideal conditions fo...
-
Could a Supernova Threaten Earth’s Survival? Here's What You Need to Know
Supernova explosions have the potential to harm Earth’s atmosphere, particularly the ozone layer. However, no stars close enough to cause damage are currently identified. The risks are low, but gamma-ray bursts, caused by neutron star mergers, may pose an even greater threat in the future.
