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Asteroid 2024 YR4 Has a Small but Notable Chance of Earth Impact in 2032
NASA scientists are closely monitoring asteroid 2024 YR4, a newly discovered 55-metre-wide object with a 1.2% chance of impacting Earth on December 22, 2032. If it collides, it could release energy equivalent to eight megatons of TNT, enough to cause serious regional damage. Currently ranked as a Level 3 threat on the Torino Scale, its classificati...
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Chorus Waves Found Far From Earth Raise Concerns for Space Exploration
Chorus waves, energetic electromagnetic bursts resembling bird chirps, have been detected 100,000 miles from Earth, far beyond their usual range. NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale satellites observed these waves in a flatter region of Earth's magnetosphere, contradicting prior assumptions about their formation near strong magnetic gradients. The wav...
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2024 Marks Earth's Hottest Year Ever, Surpassing Critical 1.5 degree Celsius Warming Limit
In 2024, Earth recorded its hottest year ever, surpassing the critical 1.5 degree Celsius warming threshold for the first time in history. This significant temperature increase has been linked to intensified weather events, rising sea levels, and widespread environmental damage. The year saw an alarming rise in climate-related disasters, with the U...
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Solar Cycle 25: How the Sun’s Peak Activity Will Impact Earth in 2025
Solar Cycle 25 continues with high activity levels in 2025. Increased solar flares and geomagnetic storms are anticipated, with risks to satellite systems and power grids. Widespread auroras could also light up low-latitude skies. Partial solar eclipses are scheduled for March and September in select regions. Observations indicate strong solar phen...
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Space Junk Crisis: Experts Call for Immediate Action to Avoid Orbital Disaster
Rising space debris in low Earth orbit is raising concerns among scientists, who warn of potential catastrophic collisions. Experts at the AGU meeting highlighted that unregulated satellite launches and growing orbital debris are depleting shared space resources. Urgent global efforts are needed to prevent the Kessler syndrome, which could make Ear...
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One-Third of Earth's Species Could Face Extinction by 2100 Due to Climate Change
A new study has warned that up to a third of Earth's species could face extinction by 2100 due to rising global temperatures. The research, published in Science, highlights how climate change is accelerating extinction risks, especially for amphibians and species in isolated ecosystems. With emissions continuing at current rates, the risk of extinc...
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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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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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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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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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Apophis Asteroid Flyby in 2029: Earth's Gravitational May Impact Asteroid's Surface
Asteroid 99942 Apophis, named after the ancient Egyptian god of darkness, is set to pass incredibly close to Earth in 2029, at just 32,000 km. While there is no risk of a collision, scientists are keen to study the asteroid’s interaction with Earth's gravity. Research led by planetary scientist Ronald Ballouz suggests that this flyby may cause si...
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Meteoroid Trails Could Help Detect Potentially Hazardous Comets Years in Advance
Meteoroid trails from long-period comets could provide early warnings of potentially dangerous comets near Earth, giving planetary scientists time to prepare. By studying these trails, scientists can track the paths of rarely visible comets that could pose a risk of impact, helping prevent catastrophic events. With the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observ...
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Study Warns Melting Arctic Ice Could Disrupt Ocean Currents in Europe
Scientists from UiT The Arctic University of Norway have issued a stark warning regarding the impact of melting Arctic sea ice on global ocean circulation patterns. Their recent study highlights that significant inflows of freshwater from melting sea ice into the Nordic Seas have historically led to dramatic cooling in northern Europe. By analysing...
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Research Reveals Three Young Asteroid Families as Main Sources of Earth’s Meteorites
A recent study reveals that three asteroid families—the Karin, Koronis, and Massalia—are responsible for around 70% of the meteorites that land on Earth. These families, formed from past collisions in the main asteroid belt, have a higher number of fragments due to their relatively young age. The findings shed light on the origins of meteorites...
-
Asteroid 2024 YR4 Has a Small but Notable Chance of Earth Impact in 2032
NASA scientists are closely monitoring asteroid 2024 YR4, a newly discovered 55-metre-wide object with a 1.2% chance of impacting Earth on December 22, 2032. If it collides, it could release energy equivalent to eight megatons of TNT, enough to cause serious regional damage. Currently ranked as a Level 3 threat on the Torino Scale, its classificati...
-
Chorus Waves Found Far From Earth Raise Concerns for Space Exploration
Chorus waves, energetic electromagnetic bursts resembling bird chirps, have been detected 100,000 miles from Earth, far beyond their usual range. NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale satellites observed these waves in a flatter region of Earth's magnetosphere, contradicting prior assumptions about their formation near strong magnetic gradients. The wav...
-
2024 Marks Earth's Hottest Year Ever, Surpassing Critical 1.5 degree Celsius Warming Limit
In 2024, Earth recorded its hottest year ever, surpassing the critical 1.5 degree Celsius warming threshold for the first time in history. This significant temperature increase has been linked to intensified weather events, rising sea levels, and widespread environmental damage. The year saw an alarming rise in climate-related disasters, with the U...
-
Solar Cycle 25: How the Sun’s Peak Activity Will Impact Earth in 2025
Solar Cycle 25 continues with high activity levels in 2025. Increased solar flares and geomagnetic storms are anticipated, with risks to satellite systems and power grids. Widespread auroras could also light up low-latitude skies. Partial solar eclipses are scheduled for March and September in select regions. Observations indicate strong solar phen...
-
Space Junk Crisis: Experts Call for Immediate Action to Avoid Orbital Disaster
Rising space debris in low Earth orbit is raising concerns among scientists, who warn of potential catastrophic collisions. Experts at the AGU meeting highlighted that unregulated satellite launches and growing orbital debris are depleting shared space resources. Urgent global efforts are needed to prevent the Kessler syndrome, which could make Ear...
-
One-Third of Earth's Species Could Face Extinction by 2100 Due to Climate Change
A new study has warned that up to a third of Earth's species could face extinction by 2100 due to rising global temperatures. The research, published in Science, highlights how climate change is accelerating extinction risks, especially for amphibians and species in isolated ecosystems. With emissions continuing at current rates, the risk of extinc...
-
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...
-
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 ...
-
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...
-
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.
-
Apophis Asteroid Flyby in 2029: Earth's Gravitational May Impact Asteroid's Surface
Asteroid 99942 Apophis, named after the ancient Egyptian god of darkness, is set to pass incredibly close to Earth in 2029, at just 32,000 km. While there is no risk of a collision, scientists are keen to study the asteroid’s interaction with Earth's gravity. Research led by planetary scientist Ronald Ballouz suggests that this flyby may cause si...
-
Meteoroid Trails Could Help Detect Potentially Hazardous Comets Years in Advance
Meteoroid trails from long-period comets could provide early warnings of potentially dangerous comets near Earth, giving planetary scientists time to prepare. By studying these trails, scientists can track the paths of rarely visible comets that could pose a risk of impact, helping prevent catastrophic events. With the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observ...
-
Study Warns Melting Arctic Ice Could Disrupt Ocean Currents in Europe
Scientists from UiT The Arctic University of Norway have issued a stark warning regarding the impact of melting Arctic sea ice on global ocean circulation patterns. Their recent study highlights that significant inflows of freshwater from melting sea ice into the Nordic Seas have historically led to dramatic cooling in northern Europe. By analysing...
-
Research Reveals Three Young Asteroid Families as Main Sources of Earth’s Meteorites
A recent study reveals that three asteroid families—the Karin, Koronis, and Massalia—are responsible for around 70% of the meteorites that land on Earth. These families, formed from past collisions in the main asteroid belt, have a higher number of fragments due to their relatively young age. The findings shed light on the origins of meteorites...
