In 2015, paleontologists unearthed a new mosasaur species, Jormungander walhallaensi, in North Dakota. This 24-foot-long "sea dragon" lived 80 million years ago and bridges the evolutionary gap between smaller and giant mosasaurs. The nearly complete fossil, including skull, jaws, and spine, provides crucial insights into Late Cretaceous marine life and predator evolution, enhancing our understanding of prehistoric oceans.
Astronomers are actively investigating unexplained cosmic signals, including the famous 'WOW' signal from 1977, which still lacks a definitive natural explanation. The recent detection of ASKAP J1832–0911, emitting coordinated radio waves and X-rays, presents another cosmic puzzle. Furthermore, the exoplanet K2–18b shows promising signs of life with the detection of DMS and DMDS in its atmosphere.
NASA scientists found old collision pieces on Mars. These pieces are deep inside Mars. They show big crashes from long ago. Mars is like a time capsule. It keeps secrets from when planets were forming. The InSight mission helped find these pieces. Studying them helps us learn about Earth and other planets. This gives clues about the early Solar System.
In 1973, scientists aboard the Concorde 001 achieved a groundbreaking feat by observing a 74-minute total solar eclipse. By flying at supersonic speeds and synchronizing with the Moon's shadow, they extended totality far beyond ground-based limits. This mission provided unprecedented insights into the solar corona and revolutionized eclipse research, paving the way for future airborne and space-based observations.
Deep in the Pacific, researchers aboard the E/V Nautilus discovered a peculiar, yellow brick road-like structure at nearly 3,000 meters. Initially sparking Atlantis comparisons, the formation is actually a hyaloclastite, shaped by ancient volcanic activity. This finding highlights the vast unknown of the deep sea and offers insights into the Pacific Ocean floor's volcanic history and Earth's crust evolution.
NASA research reveals that the heliosphere, our solar system's protective bubble, may resemble a deflated croissant rather than a comet. This new model, based on the behavior of solar wind particles, has significant implications. It impacts understanding cosmic radiation shielding, space travel safety, and the potential for life on exoplanets by influencing astrosphere effectiveness.
On September 7-8, 2025, a total lunar eclipse will transform the Moon into a Blood Moon, lasting for 82 minutes. Visible across Asia, Australia, Europe, and Africa, including India, this celestial event offers a spectacular display. The eclipse begins at 8:58 PM IST on September 7, reaching totality at 11:00 PM, providing a prime opportunity for observation and photography.
Elon Musk envisions a future where SpaceX's Starship rockets launch over 24 times in a single day within seven years. This follows a recent achievement of three Starship launches in just 51 hours. A successful tenth test flight demonstrated payload deployment and a soft splashdown, signaling a potential revolution in space travel.
Scientists solve the mystery of the Justinian Plague. They identify Yersinia pestis as the cause. The plague devastated the Byzantine Empire. DNA from a mass grave in Jerash, Jordan confirms this. Jerash was a key trade hub. The study shows how pandemics reshape societies. Plague is a recurring threat. Understanding past outbreaks helps prepare for future ones. Vigilance is crucial.
A Costa Rican fisherman, Garvin Watson, caught an extraordinary nurse shark with glowing orange skin and white eyes in Tortuguero National Park. This unique coloration is due to xanthism, a rare genetic condition. Scientists have confirmed this as the first recorded instance of an orange nurse shark, highlighting the ocean's hidden diversity and the need for further exploration.
SpaceX's Starship S37 successfully completed a suborbital test flight, culminating in a controlled ocean landing. This tenth test flight validated critical upgrades like reinforced heat shields and a satellite deployment system. The mission demonstrated the feasibility of reusable rocket technology, marking a significant step towards reducing space travel costs and enabling future lunar and Martian missions.
Research from the University of Gottingen reveals that trace amounts of precious metals, including gold and ruthenium, are transported from Earth's core to the surface through volcanic activity. By analyzing lava from Hawaiian volcanoes, scientists detected chemical signatures indicating core material in eruptions. These findings suggest the Earth's core isn't fully isolated, offering insights into the planet's composition and evolution.
Get ready for a celestial treat. A total lunar eclipse will occur on September 7, 2025. The Moon will turn a stunning red. This Blood Moon will be visible across India. The peak viewing time is between 11:00 PM and 12:22 AM. No special equipment is needed. Find a dark spot and enjoy the show.
Elon Musk has proposed a revolutionary concept for ultra-fast global travel using SpaceX's Starship, potentially shrinking intercontinental journeys to mere minutes. This vision promises travel at 25 times the speed of sound, bypassing limitations of current air travel. While the idea has sparked excitement, concerns about cost, safety, and accessibility have been raised by netizens.
A 2024 study reveals that living organisms emit an ultraweak light, disappearing upon death. This faint glow, linked to cellular processes and stress, is detectable in mice and plants. The discovery offers potential applications in medical diagnostics, agricultural monitoring, and quantum biology research, unveiling a subtle light signature of life.
SpaceX's Starship achieved a significant milestone by successfully deploying mock Starlink satellites using its innovative "Pez" dispenser system. This tenth test flight demonstrated the potential for mass satellite deployment, crucial for expanding the Starlink constellation. The mission also validated new heat shield tiles, bringing Starship closer to operational readiness and its future role in both satellite internet and lunar missions.
Asteroid 2025 PM2, about 190 feet in diameter, will pass Earth at a distance of 2.31 million miles on August 27, 2025. While not a threat, this close encounter allows scientists to study near-Earth objects and refine planetary defense strategies. Continuous monitoring is crucial for understanding orbital dynamics and potential hazards, as highlighted by ISRO's plans to study larger asteroids.
NASA is preparing to launch three sounding rockets from Wallops Island, Virginia, on August 26, 2025, as part of the TOMEX+ mission. Residents across the mid-Atlantic may witness colourful vapour trails. The mission will study the mesopause, a critical atmospheric layer influencing weather and satellite operations.
The US Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed the first travel-associated human case of New World screwworm. The patient had returned from El Salvador and has since recovered. While the risk to the public remains low, the parasite poses a significant threat to livestock, prompting increased prevention efforts and concerns among cattle ranchers, especially in Texas.
Indian researchers have engineered a novel filter using industrial waste to combat water pollution. The biochar-infused membrane, crafted from spice residue and tannery sludge, effectively removes dyes and antibiotics from wastewater. Developed by Shiv Nadar University, this cost-effective solution offers up to 83% pollutant removal and can be reused multiple times.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has potentially identified 300 ancient objects, possibly early galaxies formed shortly after the Big Bang. These unusually bright and developed structures challenge existing models of galaxy formation, suggesting a faster development timeline in the early universe. Confirmation through further spectroscopic analysis is crucial to solidify this groundbreaking discovery.
Elon Musk's Neuralink has successfully implanted a wireless brain chip in a paralyzed patient, Noland Arbaugh, enabling him to control digital devices with his thoughts. Arbaugh, paralyzed since 2016, can now play video games and manage daily tasks, regaining independence. While this breakthrough offers potential benefits like restoring autonomy and enhancing cognitive functions, it also raises ethical and safety concerns.
SpaceX's tenth Starship test flight faced an abrupt halt in Texas minutes before launch, intensifying suspense among space enthusiasts. This setback, following earlier failures this year, underscores the challenges in developing the massive rocket crucial for both NASA's lunar ambitions and Elon Musk's Mars vision. The flight aimed to test booster landings, heat shield durability, and satellite deployment.
SpaceX postponed Sunday's Starship test flight due to a ground systems issue, marking another setback for the giant rocket. The uncrewed test aimed to push the upper stage through trials, but past flights have faced explosions. Despite reliability concerns and pressure from analysts, SpaceX maintains its rapid testing approach, with Musk still aiming for Mars missions next year.
The rare seasonal Black Moon peaked on August 23, 2025, creating exceptionally dark skies ideal for stargazing. This third new moon of the summer season, though invisible, allowed for enhanced viewing of celestial objects like the Milky Way. While scientifically insignificant, the Black Moon holds cultural symbolism and attracts attention due to its infrequent occurrence.
Elon Musk reflects on SpaceX's improbable journey, recalling initial skepticism and a friend's reminder of potential failures. Despite facing daunting odds and a low survival chance, Musk's persistence fueled the company's relentless innovation. From early setbacks to groundbreaking achievements like reusable rockets, SpaceX now spearheads global space ambitions, aiming to land humans on Mars within five years.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla highlighted India's thriving space exploration phase during National Space Day celebrations, emphasizing the excitement surrounding upcoming missions like Gaganyaan and lunar landings. He noted international interest from agencies in Japan and Europe eager to collaborate.
India's space program reached a new milestone with the unveiling of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) model. ISRO plans to launch the first module by 2028, joining an elite group with orbital labs. The BAS-01, weighing 10 tonnes, will orbit 450 km above Earth.
Hurricane Erin is a Category 2 storm in the Atlantic. It churns away from the US East Coast. The storm generates rip currents and coastal flooding. Astronauts on the International Space Station captured the storm. Warnings are issued from North Carolina to New York. The storm will bring rain and winds to Canada.
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla shared a stunning timelapse video of India from the ISS, showcasing thunderstorms, the Himalayas, and a sunrise. He emphasized the mission's significance for India, expressing gratitude to all involved. ISRO highlighted the mission as a milestone, reflecting India's rapid advancements and global collaboration in space technology.
Kairan Quazi, a 16-year-old prodigy, left SpaceX for Citadel Securities. Elon Musk claimed ignorance of Quazi's work at SpaceX. Quazi, formerly Starlink's youngest employee, enhanced satellite accuracy. He joined Citadel Securities as a global trading infrastructure engineer. Quazi sought faster feedback than aerospace offered. His career includes internships at Intel and AI research.
SpaceX achieved a significant milestone in 2025, launching its 100th Falcon 9 mission, deploying 24 Starlink satellites and expanding its constellation to over 8,100 active units. Booster 1088 completed its ninth successful flight, landing on the drone ship, marking SpaceX's 489th Falcon 9 landing. This feat underscores SpaceX's reusability advancements and its impact on global internet coverage.
Kairan Quazi, the 16-year-old prodigy, is transitioning from SpaceX's Starlink project to Citadel Securities as a quant developer. After graduating from Santa Clara University at 14, he defied age barriers at SpaceX. Now, he's set to apply his unique engineering and problem-solving skills to quantitative finance, overcoming challenges related to age-based biases in the professional world.
Recent research indicates Mercury, the solar system's smallest planet, is shrinking due to its cooling interior. As Mercury's core loses heat, the crust adjusts, forming thrust faults and scarps. New measurements reveal a radius decrease of 2.7 to 5.6 kilometers, offering insights into Mercury's tectonic activity and geological evolution, enhancing our understanding of small rocky planets.
A large asteroid, 1997 QK1, will safely pass Earth on August 20, 2025. NASA and ISRO will monitor this event. The asteroid is large, but poses no threat. Such flybys help scientists refine orbital models. They also help in planetary defense strategies. ISRO plans future missions to study near-Earth asteroids. International collaboration is key for planetary defense.
In a groundbreaking experiment, NASA's CHAPEA mission simulated Martian life for over a year, confining four volunteers to a habitat. Beyond survival and adaptation, the crew discovered an unexpected benefit in PS4 gaming. Video games helped maintain cognitive sharpness, reduce stress, and improve problem-solving skills.
Jef Bezos's Blue Origin is preparing for a Mars mission. The New Glenn rocket will launch NASA's ESCAPADE probes in September 2025. This marks Blue Origin's first interplanetary flight. The mission will study Mars' magnetosphere and atmosphere. It will provide data on solar wind interaction. The launch highlights commercial space exploration.
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla received a grand welcome in Delhi after his historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission. He was greeted by ministers, ISRO chairman, and space enthusiasts. Shukla is scheduled to meet PM Modi and participate in National Space Day celebrations, with Parliament set to discuss his mission and India's space program.
NASA and ISRO have successfully deployed the world's largest radar antenna, a 33-foot structure, as part of the NISAR mission. Orbiting 460 miles above Earth, it will capture high-resolution radar images, penetrating clouds and darkness. This breakthrough will provide critical data on climate change, natural hazards, and agricultural trends, offering global benefits through open data access.
A 26-million-year-old whale skull, belonging to the newly identified Janjucetus dullardi, has been unearthed at Jan Juc Beach in Australia. This Oligocene-era predator, unlike modern baleen whales, possessed sharp teeth and large eyes, indicating an active hunting lifestyle. The remarkably preserved fossil offers crucial insights into whale evolution, particularly the transition from toothed predators to filter feeders.
Scientists have achieved a significant breakthrough in decoding inner speech, offering hope for individuals with speech impairments. Researchers successfully translated imagined words into text using brain implants and AI. The study, part of the BrainGate2 trial, demonstrated that brain signals for imagined speech are similar to those for attempted speech.
A groundbreaking study by ETH Zurich reveals that solid rock in Earth's D" layer, located deep within the mantle, can move like a fluid while remaining solid. Researchers used diamond anvil cells and X-ray diffraction to observe mineral behavior under extreme conditions, explaining seismic wave anomalies and linking deep mantle processes to plate tectonics, volcanism, and Earth's magnetic field.
In May 2016, NASA satellites detected ten unusual dark voids within cloud cover above Heard Island, a remote volcanic landmass. These formations, linked to von Kármán vortices, exhibited an atypical darkness, tight spiral structure, and a sharp directional change. This rare event provides scientists with a unique opportunity to study small-island wind effects and their impact on atmospheric patterns.
India has achieved a significant milestone with its aquanauts successfully reaching depths exceeding 5,000 metres in the North Atlantic, marking progress in the Deep Ocean Mission. This follows closely after an Indian astronaut's visit to the International Space Station.
In 2002, Thad Roberts, a NASA intern, stole moon rocks from Johnson Space Center. He was aided by Tiffany Fowler and Shae Saur. The stolen rocks were valued at $21 million. Roberts claimed it was for love, but the FBI found he planned to sell them. Roberts and his accomplices were arrested. The heist damaged scientific research.
The Bermuda Triangle's infamous reputation for unexplained disappearances is largely unfounded, according to scientist Karl Kruszelnicki and supported by NOAA and Lloyd's of London. The region's high traffic volume, combined with challenging environmental conditions like the Gulf Stream and frequent storms, accounts for the incidents. Human error and equipment failure also play significant roles, debunking myths of supernatural forces.
Scientists discovered the oldest water on Earth, dating back billions of years, in a Canadian mine. This ancient water, isolated for millennia, provides unprecedented insights into Earth's early conditions and potential for life in extreme environments. Professor Barbara Sherwood Lollar's team's findings challenge existing assumptions and open new avenues for astrobiological research.