Jupiter’s moon Io has long been hailed as the most volcanically active world in our Solar System. With approximately 150 of its 400 active volcanoes erupting at any given time, Io is a true spectacle of constant lava and gas emissions. Thanks to the Juno probe’s Jovian Infrared Auroral Mapper (JIRAM), scientists have gained valuable
Space
The Milky Way, our home galaxy, is surrounded by a mysterious population of tiny dwarf galaxies that have captured the attention of astronomers. Recent discoveries of two new dwarf galaxies, Virgo III and Sextans II, have raised questions about the existing models of dark matter and the expected number of satellite galaxies orbiting the Milky
In a shocking turn of events, a Chinese space firm, Tianbing Aerospace Technology, revealed that its Tianlong-3 rocket was accidentally launched during a test, resulting in the vehicle lifting off and crashing into a nearby mountainside. The firm explained that the incident occurred during a first-stage test of the rocket’s power system, with a “structural
NASA scientists have recently made a fascinating discovery in Earth’s ionosphere, shedding light on the complex dynamics of this atmospheric layer. The Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) imaging instrument has captured images of peculiar X and C shapes in the ionosphere, revealing unexpected formations and behaviors. These shapes, formed by plasma bands
The recent discovery of a massive black hole in the Cosmic Dawn has left astronomers puzzled. This black hole, located at the center of the galaxy J1120+0641, weighs in at more than a billion times the mass of our Sun. While larger black holes exist in the present universe, the real mystery lies in the
The formation of a planetary system around a star begins in a molecular cloud of gas and dust drifting through space. When a portion of this cloud becomes dense enough, it collapses under its own gravity, spinning as it does so, giving rise to the inception of a young star. The spinning material in the
Jupiter, often known for its turbulent atmosphere and the iconic Great Red Spot, has recently surprised astronomers with new discoveries in its ionosphere. Contrary to previous assumptions, this region above the Great Red Spot has been found to exhibit strange glowing features that have sparked curiosity among scientists. Henrik Melin, a planetary scientist at the
In April 1995, a breathtaking image known as the ‘Pillars of Creation’ captured the attention of the world. This iconic image, taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, showcased the beauty of the Eagle Nebula. Fast forward to today, and the James Webb Telescope is taking center stage by providing new insights into this cosmic wonder.
Mars, often referred to as the Red Planet, is facing a constant barrage of meteorite impacts, according to new analysis. The data collected by a seismometer on Mars has unveiled that Mars experiences a much higher rate of space rocks hitting its surface than previously believed. In fact, the planet seems to be under tremendous
Two rare asteroids are set to zoom past Earth within just 42 hours of each other this week. Despite their size and trajectory, both of these space rocks are classified as “potentially hazardous.” However, there is no immediate threat to Earth as both asteroids will safely fly by at thousands of miles per hour. The
China’s Chang’e-6 spacecraft has successfully completed its mission to bring back lunar samples from the far side of the Moon. This groundbreaking mission marks the first time that a spacecraft has landed and taken off again from the Moon’s far side, which always faces away from Earth. The gumdrop-shaped sample return capsule containing the lunar
Boeing’s Starliner capsule, a key part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, has faced setbacks during its recent operation to the International Space Station. Due to helium leaks and thruster problems, NASA has decided to delay the return of two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, indefinitely. The agency announced on Friday that they no longer