Astronomers have detected a young, massive planet, WISPIT 2b, within a multi-ringed protoplanetary disk, offering an unprecedented view into planet formation. This gas giant, five times bigger than Jupiter, orbits a young star 430 light-years away. The discovery provides valuable insights into how planets shape their surroundings and how our own solar system may have evolved billions of years ago.
A powerful solar storm, triggered by a rare cannibal CME on August 30, 2025, struck Earth, impacting power grids and satellites. The event, exceeding initial forecasts, caused geomagnetic disturbances and stunning auroras visible at unusually low latitudes. As Solar Cycle 25 peaks, experts warn of increased space weather events, posing risks to technology and daily life.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla shared a video of his NASA training. He used the Multi-Axis Trainer. This machine simulates spacecraft tumbling. It helps astronauts stay calm. Astronauts learn to manage stress. They also learn decision-making skills. This training prepares them for space missions. The trainer was first used in the Mercury program. It helped during the Gemini 8 mission too.
The Milky Way, our warped spiral galaxy, spans 120,000 light-years and hosts over 200 billion stars, including our Sun. It's embedded in a dark matter halo and constantly merges with smaller galaxies. This ancient galaxy, almost as old as the universe, is part of the Virgo Supercluster and moves through space at 600 km/s, showcasing its dynamic nature.
Rose Ferreira overcame extreme poverty, homelessness, and health challenges to achieve her dream of working at NASA. Despite facing gender expectations in the Dominican Republic and later setbacks, including termination amid shifting priorities, she earned an astronomy degree and contributed to space science. Now, she advocates for diversity in STEM, mentoring underrepresented students and driving policy changes to promote inclusivity.
Artificial intelligence is changing how we study dinosaurs. Scientists use AI to rebuild fossils and create realistic images. AI helps in understanding dinosaur genetics. Virtual reality brings dinosaurs to life. Machine learning speeds up fossil discovery. Cloning dinosaurs is still not possible. Future research will focus on digital dinosaurs and immersive experiences. Genetic engineering may create dinosaur-like species.
NASA astronaut Megan McArthur retires after two decades of remarkable contributions, including piloting the SpaceX Dragon and crucial work on the Hubble Space Telescope. McArthur's career highlights her technical expertise and leadership, notably as the final astronaut to operate Hubble with the space shuttle's robotic arm.
Canada has proudly introduced its first lunar rover, a collaborative project between the Canadian Space Agency and local tech firms, marking a significant advancement in its space exploration efforts. Scheduled for launch later this decade, the rover will explore the Moon's surface, conduct vital scientific experiments, and test technologies crucial for future lunar missions.
In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have found evidence suggesting that a hidden supermassive black hole influenced the merger of two black holes in the event GW190814. Researchers at the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory detected signs of a third compact object shaping the merger, challenging existing models of binary black hole formation.