Space

China’s latest test mission of a reusable, robotic spacecraft has once again captured the attention of skywatchers around the world. The experimental orbital plane, named Shenlong, meaning “divine dragon” in Chinese, was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on December 14. Similar to previous test missions in September 2020 and August 2022, Shenlong fell

While popular culture often portrays Mars as a cold and lifeless planet, recent findings challenge this perception. A comprehensive survey conducted using satellite imagery and ground penetrating radar has uncovered evidence of volcanic activity on Mars that is much more recent than previously understood. These revelations suggest that beneath Mars’ barren surface, there may be

The Cronian moon Enceladus may seem unremarkable at first glance, overshadowed by Saturn’s magnificent rings and giant hexagon. However, looks can be deceiving, and recent analysis reveals that Enceladus is harboring far more organic molecules than previously believed. The Saturn Cassini probe’s data indicates that this icy moon releases substances like methanol, ethane, and molecular

In recent months, we have been captivated by the stunning displays of aurora lights on our own planet. These mesmerizing lights are caused by charged particles from the Sun interacting with our atmosphere. However, scientists now speculate that even exoplanets around pulsars, the remnants of massive stars, may also exhibit aurora phenomena. The intriguing possibility

The search for habitable planets has always revolved around the presence of water, warmth, and food. However, recent research conducted by Luigi Petraccone, a chemistry researcher at the University of Naples, introduces a new factor to consider – entropy. In his paper on planetary entropy production (PEP), Petraccone suggests that the complexity of life on

Our understanding of star formation is being challenged by the recent discovery of a record-breaking object – a lone brown dwarf – that is defying traditional explanations. This brown dwarf, with a mass just 3 to 4 times that of Jupiter, stands out for being the lowest-mass object of its kind ever discovered. The perplexing

In a truly remarkable event, the atmosphere of Mars experienced a significant expansion as a result of a powerful gust of solar wind. On December 26, 2022, the MAVEN spacecraft, stationed in orbit around Mars, observed an abrupt decrease in solar particles when the wind passed by. Interestingly, this occurrence was accompanied by a stunning

When the Sun gets rowdy, Earth’s sky lights up with beautiful dancing lights. Around the poles, colorful auroral streams dance and flicker across the sky. Auroras are, truly, one of the most beautiful sights Earth has to offer. They occur when particles from the Sun, such as those gusted out in a powerful solar wind

Every December, stargazers and meteor enthusiasts eagerly await the arrival of the Geminid meteor shower. Known as the best natural fireworks display of the year, this mesmerizing celestial event attracts people from all over the world. And this year, the Geminids promise to be even more special as they coincide with the new Moon, creating

Since the release of the Pentagon’s 2021 report, the interest in unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) has surged. NASA and the Pentagon have taken concrete steps in investigating these phenomena, sparking intrigue and raising questions about the potential existence of extraterrestrial life. But what if the UFO sightings are not mere

The mystery surrounding the creation of heavy elements in the universe has long intrigued scientists. Recently, a team of astronomers led by Ian Roederer of the University of Michigan embarked on a groundbreaking study to shed light on this enigma. Their research focused on 42 stars within the Milky Way, and the findings have presented

For centuries, the Moon has captivated our imagination as a pristine celestial body, untouched by human influence. However, the reality is drastically different. Over the past 60 years, humans have been busy leaving their mark on Earth’s satellite. In a new paper, researchers argue that we have entered a new epoch on the Moon –