India's ambitious Gaganyaan mission, aiming to send humans into space, is now slated for the first quarter of 2027, announced Union Minister Jitendra Singh. Key test missions, including TV-D1 and TVAM, have paved the way, with TV-D2 planned for 2025. The mission emphasizes crew safety, orbital competence, and involves rigorous astronaut training.
A new NASA and Toho University study, utilizing supercomputers, projects Earth's habitability timeline, revealing the eventual demise of life due to the Sun's increasing heat. This gradual process, unfolding over billions of years, will drastically alter the atmosphere and ecosystems. While distant, the research emphasizes the need for preparation through technological solutions and space colonization to ensure humanity's survival.
Asteroid 2025 HY2, an Apollo-class asteroid, will pass Earth on May 7, 2025, at a speed of 48,904 km/h. Though passing at a distance of 6.8 million kilometres, it's a close call in cosmic terms. While not a direct threat, its size, similar to a Boeing 737, highlights the potential devastation of undiscovered asteroids.
Scientists at Southampton University have made a significant advancement. They have successfully simulated the 'Black Hole Bomb' theory in a lab. This theory, proposed in the 1970s, explores tapping into a black hole's rotational energy. The experiment involved a rotating cylinder and magnetic fields. The results showed energy changes based on relative rotation speeds.
SpaceX is set to launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying Starlink satellites from Florida's Space Coast on May 6, 2025. The launch window opens at 8:22 p.m. EDT, offering a spectacular nighttime display visible from Jacksonville Beach to West Palm Beach. This mission aims to expand SpaceX's Starlink broadband constellation, providing global high-speed internet access.
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD buried Pompeii and Herculaneum, preserving Roman life in ash. Recent discoveries, including exotic animal bones, vitrified brains, erotic art, and children's graffiti, offer insights into Roman cuisine, trade, medicine, and culture. Ongoing excavations continue to reveal tragic stories and expand our understanding of this ancient civilization.
Recent discoveries have challenged previous assumptions about the space near Earth, revealing a potential population of undiscovered "minimoons," some of which may be lunar debris. The identification of 2024 PT5, an asteroid-like object with lunar characteristics, supports this theory. These minimoons offer a unique opportunity to study the Moon's impact history and could serve as targets for future space missions.
Indian researchers from Shiv Nadar University have developed a bioinspired aluminium surface that repels water, resists corrosion and bacteria, and self-cleans using minimal water. Mimicking lotus leaves and insect wings, the eco-friendly process creates superhydrophobic and antibacterial surfaces ideal for marine, healthcare, and packaging industries. The innovation promises scalable, low-cost applications with support from CSIR.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh urged Indian researchers abroad to return, highlighting India's advancements in science and research. He emphasized a shift in national mindset and the need for industry-determined research with equitable financial commitments. India's global scientific presence is growing, reflected in its improved rankings in innovation, patent filings, and startup ecosystem, signaling a golden period for science.
Kosmos 482, a Soviet-era probe, is reentering Earth this month. Launched in 1972 for a Venus mission, it failed to escape Earth's gravity. Satellite trackers are monitoring its descent. Experts predict reentry around May 10. The lander module may survive reentry. Risk to humans is minimal, similar to a meteorite strike.
India's DRDO achieved a milestone with the successful maiden flight of its Stratospheric Airship Platform in Madhya Pradesh. The high-altitude airship, developed by ADRDE, ascended to 17 kilometers, transmitting sensor data for future improvements. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the achievement, emphasising its potential to enhance India's earth observation, intelligence, and surveillance capabilities.
A half-ton Soviet spacecraft, Kosmos 482, launched in 1972 for Venus, is predicted to make an uncontrolled reentry around May 10. Due to a rocket malfunction, it remained in Earth orbit. Experts are monitoring its descent, anticipating impact between 52 degrees north and south latitude, with the possibility of some components surviving reentry.
India's Chandrayaan-3 and China's Chang'e-6 missions have independently discovered primitive lunar mantle materials near the Moon's South Pole-Aitken basin. The Indian study, through in-situ analysis, detected unique soil composition, while the Chinese mission returned samples containing rare olivine grains. These findings provide crucial insights into the Moon's early formation and evolution, highlighting the South Pole region's significance.
The last time these thrumming, red-eyed bugs burrowed out of the ground across America's suburbs and woodlands was the early summer of 2008. Cicadas belong to the insect order Hemiptera, which includes stink bugs, bed bugs, and aphids.
Earth's forests, vital for climate regulation, face threats from deforestation and degradation. To address this, ESA launched the Biomass satellite on April 29, 2025, equipped with P-band radar to penetrate forest canopies. Over 5.5 years, Biomass will generate 3D maps of forest biomass and carbon distribution, providing crucial data for understanding the carbon cycle and informing conservation efforts.
Scientists propose that magnetars, highly magnetic neutron stars, could be the source of early heavy elements like gold. Analyzing old space data, researchers found gamma-ray signals from magnetar flares, suggesting these flares created and dispersed heavy elements early in the universe. This theory offers a new perspective on the origin of elements essential to modern technology.
A viral debate on whether 100 unarmed humans could defeat a silverback gorilla has drawn commentary from experts. Primatologists suggest that while a gorilla's strength is formidable, humans could win through numbers and strategy, though with significant casualties. Experts highlight the importance of gorilla conservation over hypothetical combat scenarios, emphasizing their gentle nature and the real threat of extinction.
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured a rare partial solar eclipse in April, unobservable from Earth, where the moon obscured 23% of the sun. The SDO, launched in 2010, provides high-definition views of solar activity, aiding researchers in understanding solar interactions. NASA anticipates more eclipses, including events in May and July, furthering our knowledge of the sun-moon relationship.
At 70, Don Pettit defied age by completing a seven-month mission on the ISS, finding weightlessness rejuvenated him. Despite a rough return, his experience challenges age limits in space, highlighting potential benefits for aging research. Pettit's success redefines astronaut capabilities, inspiring future space missions and broader access to space travel.
NASA's images reveal Earth's deteriorating condition due to human actions, highlighting melting ice, deforestation, and pollution. Environmental warnings since the 1970s went largely unheeded, leading to ocean acidification, Amazon rainforest destruction, and rising global temperatures. While renewable energy and international agreements offer hope, urgent action is needed to address climate change's intensifying effects and protect the planet.
What if your consciousness could actually shape reality? Scientists are diving into theories that suggest our awareness might be more than just brain chemistry, it could be altering the world around us. From quantum mechanics to psychedelics, groundbreaking research is uncovering mind-bending possibilities. The question is: could everything we know about reality be wrong?
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured a stunning image of the Curiosity rover in motion, revealing its winding trail across the Martian surface. The rover, heading towards a region with potential signs of ancient groundwater activity, left tracks spanning over 1,050 feet. This marks the first mid-drive photo of Curiosity, showcasing its ongoing exploration and impact on the Red Planet.
A dangerous trend is emerging in oceans as tourists and influencers seek close-up shark selfies, leading to increased defensive shark bites. A recent study reveals that many incidents are triggered by humans poking or grabbing sharks. Experts warn against treating sharks without caution, as viral social media content encourages risky behavior.
Researchers have made a significant discovery by inserting a human-specific gene, NOVA1, into mice, leading to notable changes in their vocal communication. The modified mice produced higher-pitched sounds and a diverse range of vocal patterns. This suggests that subtle genetic variations, like the one in NOVA1, could have significantly influenced the development of human language and communication abilities during evolution.
The UK government is investing £50 million in a geoengineering project to explore solar radiation management, aiming to reflect sunlight back into space. This controversial initiative seeks to temporarily cool the planet while addressing the root causes of climate change. Critics raise concerns about potential risks and the need for international surveillance, emphasising the importance of real-world data gathering.
Scientists in Brazil found a very old ant fossil. This fossil is 113 million years old. It is of a 'hell ant,' a type of predator. The discovery changes what we know about ant history. Ants were around when dinosaurs lived. The fossil shows ants were complex even long ago. This find is important for understanding ant evolution.
Astronomers have spotted a zombie star, SGR 0501+4516, speeding through the Milky Way. This magnetar has an incredibly strong magnetic field. Its origin is a mystery, challenging existing theories. Scientists suggest it might have formed from a white dwarf collapse, without a supernova. This discovery could help explain fast radio bursts.
The Hubble Space Telescope marks its 35th anniversary with a stunning new image of the Sombrero Galaxy. This detailed view reveals the galaxy's structure, including its bright bulge and dusty disc. Located 30 million light-years away, the Sombrero Galaxy has a supermassive black hole. The James Webb Space Telescope also studies the galaxy, providing infrared observations.
Astronaut Don Pettit will host a live conference on April 28 to discuss his 220-day mission on the International Space Station (ISS), where he conducted vital research, including 3D printing in space and water sanitization. NASA invites the public to participate through social media using #AskNASA and will host an Instagram Q&A.
Geologists have made a groundbreaking discovery: the Indian Plate is splitting, with a portion peeling away and sinking into the Earth's mantle. This delamination process, previously undetected, could significantly impact earthquake patterns and reshape landscapes. Experts are calling for further research to understand the implications of this shift on Earth's dynamics and seismic activity.
Indian and French scientists collaborated on microgravity experiments during the 68th CNES parabolic flight campaign, potentially revolutionizing material fabrication in space. IISc Professors Saptarshi Basu and Aloke Kumar, along with French counterparts, studied droplet behavior to advance bio-printing, electronics, and other applications in extraterrestrial environments.
Using the MeerKAT radio telescope, scientists have detected numerous plasma structures near a twinkling pulsar, J0437-4715, revealing new insights into our cosmic neighborhood. The study unveils 25 scintillation arcs, indicating a surprising abundance of plasma within the Local Bubble, challenging previous assumptions of its emptiness.
Nasa's Lucy spacecraft successfully completed a flyby of asteroid Donaldjohanson, revealing its unexpectedly large and irregular bowling pin shape, measuring approximately 5 miles long. The mission, a rehearsal for future Trojan asteroid encounters near Jupiter, saw Lucy pass within 600 miles of the space rock. Further data analysis will refine understanding of the asteroid's dimensions.
Comet SWAN, a newly discovered green comet from the Oort Cloud, has likely disintegrated after its recent solar passage, diminishing hopes for naked-eye visibility. Discovered by amateur astronomers, this icy relic from the early solar system may not survive its first trip past the sun.
After 220 days in orbit, NASA astronaut Don Pettit returned to Earth, celebrating his 70th birthday in style, floating among the stars. From preflight training in Kazakhstan to unforgettable moments aboard the ISS, including his zero-gravity birthday bash, Pettit’s Expedition 72 journey was filled with discovery, laughter, and a few out-of-this-world memories. His emotional return to Earth marked the end of an extraordinary mission, captured in this photo story from lift-off to homecoming.
Get ready for the Lyrid meteor shower. This celestial event will peak on April 21-22, 2025. Sky gazers can expect to see up to 18 meteors per hour. Occasional fireballs may also appear. The best viewing time is in the early morning hours. Find a dark location away from city lights for an optimal experience.
ISRO has achieved a second successful docking of its SpaDeX satellites, marking a significant advancement in space technology. Chairman V Narayanan hailed the operation as smooth, emphasizing its importance for future missions. Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced the docking, following the initial docking on January 16 and subsequent undocking on March 13.
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) proposes developing 'angstrom-scale' chips using 2D materials like graphene, potentially surpassing current 3-nanometer silicon chips. Submitted to the government, the Rs 500 crore project aims to establish India as a semiconductor leader.
India's space program is gaining momentum with astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's upcoming trip to the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 mission, marking the second Indian in space. Following this, the joint Indo-US NISAR satellite, a significant Earth observation project, is scheduled for launch in June. These missions highlight India's growing capabilities and international collaborations in space exploration.
In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have detected potential biosignatures, dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and/or dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18b using the James Webb Space Telescope. These molecules, typically produced by life on Earth, offer the strongest evidence yet of possible life beyond our solar system.
The discovery of dimethyl sulfide on K2-18b, a planet 120 light-years away, has ignited hopes for extraterrestrial life due to its potential for liquid water. While scientists are excited about the possibility of microbial life, some experts caution against making contact. They warn that such interactions could pose risks to humanity, emphasizing the need for further research and careful consideration.
India's space program is set for significant milestones with the confirmed launch of the NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite in June 2025, designed to monitor Earth's surface changes. Furthermore, Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will journey to the International Space Station as part of Axiom Mission 4, conducting crucial research in microgravity and marking a new era for Indian astronauts.