Science

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

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

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

Chandrayaan-4 mission has received approval from the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday. This marks another significant milestone in India’s lunar exploration efforts. Unlike previous missions, Chandrayaan-4 will not only aim for a successful landing on the Moon but will also focus on returning to Earth. This mission will demonstrate critical

A recent excavation in Egypt has uncovered a 3,200-year-old military barracks containing a treasure trove of ancient artefacts, including a sword inscribed with the name of Pharaoh Ramesses II. This discovery sheds light on Egypt’s military operations during Ramesses II’s reign, a time when threats from the Libyans were growing. The barracks also contained storerooms

MIT physicists have put forward a theory that the wobble in Mars’ orbit could be caused by primordial black holes, which may constitute dark matter. According to the research, these tiny black holes formed after the Big Bang and could be passing through our solar system, affecting the orbit of planets like Mars. David Kaiser,

Earth will have a close encounter with the asteroid Apophis, also known as the “God of Destruction” on Friday, April 13, 2029. Named after the Egyptian deity of chaos, this massive asteroid will come within 19,000 miles (30,600 kilometres) of our planet, close enough to be visible to the naked eye. However, recent research suggests that

Astronomers have reportedly detected an extraordinary event – a deep space radio signal that took 8 billion years to reach Earth. The radio burst, named FRB 20220610A, is one of the most powerful and distant signals ever captured. Fast radio bursts (FRBs) like this are brief but incredibly strong, leaving scientists questioning their origins. The burst

Primordial black holes, formed shortly after the Big Bang, may pass through our solar system every decade, according to recent research. These black holes, much smaller and lighter than typical ones, could cause minor gravitational disruptions that scientists could detect. Researchers suggest that tracking these disruptions may help understand dark matter, an elusive substance believed

Cosmology stands at a potential turning point, with the NASA James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) poised to address longstanding issues in the field. For years, the standard cosmological model has been the gold standard, explaining the universe’s composition as 68 percent dark energy, 27 percent dark matter, and 5 percent ordinary matter. This model has

A unique gravity map of Mars has been unveiled by scientists at the Europlanet Science Congress 2024. This map reveals the presence of significant structures beneath Mars’ ancient ocean and highlights how mantle processes are influencing Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the Solar System. The study draws on data from NASA’s InSIGHT (Interior Exploration

New research from the Hubble Space Telescope and NASA‘s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission reveals that Mars sheds water more quickly when it is closest to the Sun. These seasonal changes are tied to the planet’s orbit, where the increased solar heating during perihelion accelerates the escape of hydrogen atoms from Mars’ atmosphere.

The rise of conspiracy theories on the internet has become a major concern, with some theories leading to significant harm and misinformation. A recent study from MIT Sloan School of Management and Cornell University suggests that AI chatbots could be a powerful tool in combating these false beliefs. The study, published in Science, shows that

Recent research highlights a troubling rise in atmospheric methane, a greenhouse gas 80 times more effective than carbon dioxide (CO2) at trapping heat in the short term. Despite the 2021 Global Methane Pledge, which aims to reduce methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030, current levels are increasing faster than at any time in the

In September 2023, scientists monitoring seismic activities worldwide detected an unusual signal. This signal, distinct from the typical earthquake rumble, resonated as a continuous hum, maintaining a singular frequency. For nine consecutive days, this hum echoed across the globe, spanning from the Arctic to Antarctica, leaving researchers baffled. Initially classified as a “USO” — an

Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur, and Sarah Gillis, a SpaceX engineer, have achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first non-professional astronauts to perform a spacewalk. On September 12, 2024, Isaacman and Gillis emerged from the SpaceX Dragon capsule, floating 435 miles above Earth. This commercial mission, funded by Isaacman, marks a historic first since

A novel approach to improving the performance of MOF-based supercapacitors has been developed by researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali. This laser-based technique allows for the controlled introduction of defects in the material, boosting energy storage capabilities. The method could offer a significant improvement over traditional methods used for defect

NASA has once again captivated the internet by releasing stunning photos of the Red Spider Nebula, a remarkable celestial object located 3,000 light-years away in the constellation of Sagittarius. The fiery red nebula has captured the imagination of space enthusiasts and social media users alike with its vivid colours and distinctive spider-like shape. A Closer

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have identified a previously unknown Neanderthal lineage based on DNA from a fossil found in the Grotte Mandrin rock shelter in France. This lineage, belonging to an individual referred to as “Thorin,” reportedly evolved in isolation from other Neanderthal populations for nearly 50,000 years. The finding has offered a fresh

Voyager 1, the farthest human-made object from Earth, has recently undergone a critical adjustment to its thruster system as it navigates the vast expanse of interstellar space. Despite being operational for 47 years, the spacecraft required a clever fix to maintain its alignment and continue sending valuable data back to Earth. Voyager 1’s Thruster Issue