Planetary Science

A recent study by astrophysicists suggests that technologically advanced alien civilizations could self-destruct through climate change within just 1,000 years. The researchers, inspired by human energy use patterns, found that even renewable energy sources contribute to planetary overheating due to inevitable heat loss. The second law of thermodyn...

October 2024 offers fantastic skywatching opportunities, including Comet C/2023 A3 visible from October 14-24, paired with beautiful planetary views of Venus, Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter. The full moon, Europa’s visibility, and other celestial events make this month perfect for sky enthusiasts. Grab your binoculars for an unforgettable experience!

Researchers have uncovered a remarkable geological phenomenon beneath Türkiye’s Central Anatolian Plateau, where dense materials from Earth’s crust are detaching and sinking into the mantle below. This process, known as multi-stage lithospheric dripping, has been shaping the Konya Basin’s surface and provides crucial insights into Earth’s ...

A planetary system anchored by a white dwarf star, located approximately 4,000 light-years away, provides astronomers with insights into what could happen to our Sun and Earth in about 8 billion years. This scenario unfolds if the Earth survives the Sun's transformation into a red giant, expected to occur in 5 to 6 billion years.

Researchers from Sandia National Laboratories have discovered that exploding a nuclear bomb near an asteroid may produce X-rays powerful enough to push it off course. Instead of blowing the asteroid apart, the method involves vaporising its surface to alter its trajectory. Using the Z Machine, the world’s most powerful X-ray source, they successf...

Astronomers have discovered 11 objects beyond the Kuiper Belt, suggesting the existence of a second belt, dubbed "Kuiper Belt 2." Located between 70 and 90 AU from the sun, this new region could redefine our understanding of the solar system's size and structure. The discovery was made using the Subaru telescope in collaboration with NASA’s New H...

Located approximately 3,000 light-years away in the constellation Sagittarius, this planetary nebula is home to one of the most scorching stars in the universe.

China is preparing to launch its Tianwen-3 mission around 2028, aiming to return samples from Mars. Liu Jizhong, Chief Designer, shared details at the Tiandu Forum in Huangshan City, Anhui Province. The mission will involve collecting samples from the Martian surface, returning them to Earth through a docking process in Mars’ orbit. Liu also high...

A small asteroid, 2024 RW1, burned up in Earth's atmosphere over Luzon Island, Philippines, after being discovered just hours earlier by astronomers in Arizona.

Asteroid 2024 RW1 disintegrated over Luzon Island, Philippines, on 4th September. Detected by NASA’s Catalina Sky Survey just hours before impact, the asteroid posed no risk as it burned up in Earth's atmosphere at a speed of 17.6 km per second. Despite the cloud cover caused by Typhoon Yahi, videos of the event were shared online. NASA, along wi...

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by detecting and measuring the ambipolar electric field around Earth for the first time. This field, hypothesised over 60 years ago, was observed during the Endurance rocket mission launched by NASA in May 2022. The ambipolar field, located in the ionosphere at around 250 kilometres above Earth's surf...

This electric field drives the polar wind, propelling charged particles into space at supersonic speeds and shaping Earth's atmosphere, particularly over the poles.

On August 24, skywatchers will be treated to an impressive planetary parade featuring six planets: Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, Jupiter, Mars, and Mercury. This alignment, occurring in the early morning hours, will provide a unique viewing opportunity. In the US, the best time to catch the spectacle is between 5:45 a.m. ET and sunrise at 6:15 a.m. ET. ...

The James Webb Space Telescope has uncovered intriguing evidence suggesting that Ariel, one of Uranus’s moons, may harbour an underground liquid ocean. This discovery, part of the "Moons of Uranus" project, involved 21 hours of observations focused on detecting water, ammonia, organic molecules, and carbon dioxide ice.

Recent findings from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have introduced new uncertainties about asteroid 16 Psyche. Known for its high iron content, Psyche was previously considered a potential remnant of a protoplanet, providing a valuable opportunity to study the early solar system. However, JWST has detected hydrated minerals on its surface, ...

A recent study by astrophysicists suggests that technologically advanced alien civilizations could self-destruct through climate change within just 1,000 years. The researchers, inspired by human energy use patterns, found that even renewable energy sources contribute to planetary overheating due to inevitable heat loss. The second law of thermodyn...

October 2024 offers fantastic skywatching opportunities, including Comet C/2023 A3 visible from October 14-24, paired with beautiful planetary views of Venus, Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter. The full moon, Europa’s visibility, and other celestial events make this month perfect for sky enthusiasts. Grab your binoculars for an unforgettable experience!

Researchers have uncovered a remarkable geological phenomenon beneath Türkiye’s Central Anatolian Plateau, where dense materials from Earth’s crust are detaching and sinking into the mantle below. This process, known as multi-stage lithospheric dripping, has been shaping the Konya Basin’s surface and provides crucial insights into Earth’s ...

A planetary system anchored by a white dwarf star, located approximately 4,000 light-years away, provides astronomers with insights into what could happen to our Sun and Earth in about 8 billion years. This scenario unfolds if the Earth survives the Sun's transformation into a red giant, expected to occur in 5 to 6 billion years.

Researchers from Sandia National Laboratories have discovered that exploding a nuclear bomb near an asteroid may produce X-rays powerful enough to push it off course. Instead of blowing the asteroid apart, the method involves vaporising its surface to alter its trajectory. Using the Z Machine, the world’s most powerful X-ray source, they successf...

Astronomers have discovered 11 objects beyond the Kuiper Belt, suggesting the existence of a second belt, dubbed "Kuiper Belt 2." Located between 70 and 90 AU from the sun, this new region could redefine our understanding of the solar system's size and structure. The discovery was made using the Subaru telescope in collaboration with NASA’s New H...

Located approximately 3,000 light-years away in the constellation Sagittarius, this planetary nebula is home to one of the most scorching stars in the universe.

China is preparing to launch its Tianwen-3 mission around 2028, aiming to return samples from Mars. Liu Jizhong, Chief Designer, shared details at the Tiandu Forum in Huangshan City, Anhui Province. The mission will involve collecting samples from the Martian surface, returning them to Earth through a docking process in Mars’ orbit. Liu also high...

A small asteroid, 2024 RW1, burned up in Earth's atmosphere over Luzon Island, Philippines, after being discovered just hours earlier by astronomers in Arizona.

Asteroid 2024 RW1 disintegrated over Luzon Island, Philippines, on 4th September. Detected by NASA’s Catalina Sky Survey just hours before impact, the asteroid posed no risk as it burned up in Earth's atmosphere at a speed of 17.6 km per second. Despite the cloud cover caused by Typhoon Yahi, videos of the event were shared online. NASA, along wi...

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by detecting and measuring the ambipolar electric field around Earth for the first time. This field, hypothesised over 60 years ago, was observed during the Endurance rocket mission launched by NASA in May 2022. The ambipolar field, located in the ionosphere at around 250 kilometres above Earth's surf...

This electric field drives the polar wind, propelling charged particles into space at supersonic speeds and shaping Earth's atmosphere, particularly over the poles.

On August 24, skywatchers will be treated to an impressive planetary parade featuring six planets: Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, Jupiter, Mars, and Mercury. This alignment, occurring in the early morning hours, will provide a unique viewing opportunity. In the US, the best time to catch the spectacle is between 5:45 a.m. ET and sunrise at 6:15 a.m. ET. ...

The James Webb Space Telescope has uncovered intriguing evidence suggesting that Ariel, one of Uranus’s moons, may harbour an underground liquid ocean. This discovery, part of the "Moons of Uranus" project, involved 21 hours of observations focused on detecting water, ammonia, organic molecules, and carbon dioxide ice.

Recent findings from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have introduced new uncertainties about asteroid 16 Psyche. Known for its high iron content, Psyche was previously considered a potential remnant of a protoplanet, providing a valuable opportunity to study the early solar system. However, JWST has detected hydrated minerals on its surface, ...