Science

The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing to launch a unique satellite in 2027, designed specifically to study how satellites break apart upon reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. This mission, named DRACO (Destructive Reentry Assessment Container Object), will be an important step in ESA’s effort to develop technology that limits the creation of space debris. ESA

A recent study sheds light on why both humans and monkeys may struggle to perform under pressure when high rewards are at stake. Researchers found that stress impacts brain signals essential for executing movements, leading to subpar performance. The study involved three monkeys completing tasks to earn water as a reward. When the reward was

Chandrayaan-3, the successful lunar mission launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), continues to contribute to lunar exploration. A recent analysis of data transmitted by the Pragyan rover has led to the identification of a 160 km wide ancient crater. This crater is believed to have been formed before the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin,

On September 17, 2024, a fascinating asteroid named 2024 ON zipped past Earth, offering scientists a rare view of a snowman-shaped space rock. While the object was classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid due to its proximity to our planet, it posed no immediate threat and passed safely at a distance of 620,000 miles. Radar

Woolly mammoths have long been thought to have disappeared due to a combination of factors, such as climate change and human activity. However, a recent study proposes an unexpected hypothesis: pollen allergies may have played a role in their extinction. The study suggests that at the end of the last Ice Age, a surge in

New research is shedding light on the brain‘s role in depression, particularly through the discovery of an enlarged salience network in people suffering from the condition. This brain network, located primarily in the frontal cortex and striatum, is responsible for processing rewards and focusing attention on significant stimuli. The findings open promising avenues for early

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, the much-anticipated rival to SpaceX‘s Falcon Heavy, has taken a major step forward with a successful second-stage hot-fire test. This crucial test was conducted to validate key interactions between the rocket’s subsystems, its two BE-3U engines, and the ground control systems. The test, which lasted 15 seconds, represents a major

NASA‘s Perseverance rover has discovered an unusual black-and-white striped rock on Mars in Jezero crater. This rock, named “Freya Castle” by scientists, has a distinctive texture and appearance that has not been observed before on the Red Planet. The discovery was made in September, using the camera mounted on the rover’s mast. Despite already leaving

SpaceX‘s upcoming Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) has been postponed because of the arrival of Tropical Storm Helene. Originally set to launch on September 26th from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the launch is now delayed by at least two days. The tropical storm is expected to escalate into a Category 3

In 1859, when Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, the Earth experienced one of the most powerful solar storms in recorded history. Telegraph systems across Europe and North America malfunctioned, sparking fires in some places. This event, later known as the Carrington event, was preceded by the first confirmed observation of a solar

Semi-aquatic lizards, such as the water anole (Anolis aquaticus), have a unique ability to stay submerged for extended periods by creating an air bubble around their snout. This behaviour, first observed in 2018, has now been confirmed in 18 other anole species. The air bubble helps the lizards breathe while underwater, enabling them to remain

After a remarkable journey, two Russian cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut have safely returned to Earth following an extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Soyuz MS-25 landed in Kazakhstan, concluding a historic mission for cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub, as well as NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson. Kononenko Surpasses Spaceflight Milestone Oleg

An asteroid, about the size of a city bus, will soon become a “mini-moon” as it will get caught in Earth’s gravitational pull. Named 2024 PT5, this asteroid is expected to enter Earth’s orbit on September 29, 2024, and will stay until November 25. While the term “mini-moon” may sound peculiar, it is used by

NASA is preparing for a critical mission this week as it launches the SpaceX Crew-9 flight to the International Space Station (ISS) on September 26. This mission will see NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov from Roscosmos travel to the ISS. However, the mission has taken an unexpected turn, transforming into a

The traditional view of black holes, as proposed by Karl Schwarzschild in 1916, suggests they consist of two main features: a singularity and an event horizon. This model faces challenges when combined with quantum mechanics, especially following Stephen Hawking’s discovery of Hawking radiation in the 1970s. According to this theory, black holes emit radiation due

The life of a Roman gladiator was filled with violence and danger, but the notion that these fighters always battled to the death is somewhat exaggerated. Historical evidence shows that while fatalities did occur, they were not as commonplace as popular media suggests. Researcher Alfonso Manas from the University of California, Berkeley, told LiveScience that

Recent mathematical research has unveiled a fascinating new class of shapes known as “soft cells.” These shapes, characterised by their rounded corners and pointed tips, have been identified as prevalent throughout nature, from the intricate chambers of nautilus shells to the way seeds arrange themselves within plants. This groundbreaking work delves into the principles of

Chinese scientists have made a major breakthrough in lunar exploration by analysing samples from the far side of the Moon, collected during the Chang’e-6 mission. The study, conducted by the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other leading institutions, has revealed significant differences in the composition of this unexplored region, marking

Strange underwater noises, known as “biotwang” sounds, have puzzled scientists since they were first heard near the Mariana Trench in 2014. These odd noises, described as a combination of low grumbling and high-pitched metallic ringing, are reminiscent of eerie sounds from sci-fi movies. For years, the source of these noises was unknown, though they were

NASA‘s Europa Clipper mission is on track for its scheduled October 10 launch, aiming to explore Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa. Scientists believe Europa could be one of the most promising places to find the conditions for life beyond Earth. The spacecraft will travel 1.8 billion miles (2.9 billion kilometres) to study whether the moon’s icy

An international team of researchers, led by scientists from Stockholm University’s Department of Astronomy, has discovered a higher number of black holes in the early universe than was previously recorded. Using the NASA Hubble Space Telescope, this team found black holes among faint galaxies formed shortly after the Big Bang event. These findings may help