NASA has unveiled the clearest images of Mars captured by the Perseverance rover, revealing dark blue, jagged volcanic basalt rocks on an ancient lakebed within Jezero Crater. This area, named “Mount Washburn” after a mountain in Yellowstone National Park, also features a unique light-toned boulder nicknamed “Atoko Point,” identified as anorthosite—a silica-rich volcanic rock previously theorized but never documented on Mars. The Perseverance team is … Continue reading NASA releases clearest view of Mars, blue rocks seen on landscape

A rare bright comet, Tsuchinshan-Atlas, is approaching Earth and will make its closest pass on Saturday. It is expected to be visible with the naked eye through the end of October, though binoculars or telescopes will enhance the view. Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas, also designated C/2023 A3, was discovered last year and originated from the Oort Cloud, beyond Pluto. After passing within 44 million miles (71 million … Continue reading A rare comet brightens the night skies in October

The sunspot AR 3842 remains active as it exits the sun’s western limb, having unleashed an X2.1 solar flare on October 7 at 3:13 p.m. EDT. This follows a historic X9.05 solar flare on October 3, the strongest in seven years. The X2.1 flare generated significant ultraviolet radiation, causing shortwave radio blackouts across North and South America and the Pacific. The U.S. National Oceanic and … Continue reading The sun fires off another powerful X flare, triggering radio blackouts across the Americas

Astronomers have discovered REBELS-25, the most distant galaxy resembling the Milky Way, dating back to just 700 million years after the Big Bang. This disc galaxy possesses an unexpectedly orderly structure, contrasting with traditional theories that suggest early galaxies should be chaotic and less organized. The findings, made using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), challenge existing models of galaxy formation, which assume that smoothing … Continue reading Astronomers Baffled by Ancient Galaxy That Mirrors Modern Milky Way

Recent research by NASA and the University of Arizona has revealed that a low-viscosity layer of goo exists between the Moon’s mantle and core, which moves in a manner similar to ocean tides due to the gravitational influence of the Earth and Sun. The study, published in AGU Advances, marks the first measurement of the Moon’s gravitational changes caused by these tidal forces, supporting long-held … Continue reading SOMETHING MASSIVE IS SHIFTING DEEP INSIDE THE MOON

The Draconid meteor shower is set to peak from Monday evening to early Tuesday, offering a unique viewing opportunity as it is best seen shortly after nightfall rather than in the early morning. With the moon only 27% illuminated, conditions are favorable for spotting the faint meteors, which may appear at a rate of up to 10 per hour. The meteors emanate from the constellation … Continue reading Dark skies will help the Draconid meteor shower shine

NASA is exploring the potential of using mushrooms to build habitable structures for future lunar and Martian colonies. The agency awarded a $2 million contract to a research group at NASA’s Ames Research Center to develop “mycotecture,” which involves growing building materials from fungi. This approach is cost-effective compared to launching traditional construction materials into space, as it allows for the mixing of fungal spores … Continue reading NASA Wants To Grow Trippy Houses Made Out Of Mushrooms On The Moon

A recent study highlights that China’s Qianfan satellites, part of a planned broadband constellation with over 14,000 satellites, are significantly brighter than Western systems, posing challenges for astronomers. The 18 satellites launched in August have a brightness ranging from magnitude 8 when low in the sky to magnitude 4 overhead, exceeding the visibility threshold for both professional and amateur observations. The researchers, affiliated with the … Continue reading Brightness of first Chinese broadband constellation satellites alarms astronomers

The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the Pentagon are advancing their collaboration to utilize surveillance satellites for battlefield tracking, with NRO Director Christopher Scolese announcing plans for around 100 satellites in orbit by December. This initiative marks a transition from traditional intelligence gathering to real-time “battlespace awareness.” Challenges remain in data integration and coordination between intelligence and defense agencies, but Scolese is optimistic about resolving … Continue reading NRO expanding satellite network designed to support military operations

SpaceX has paused Falcon 9 launches as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigates an anomaly during the Crew-9 mission, which successfully launched Crew Dragon to the International Space Station in late September. Although the liftoff was successful, the Falcon 9 upper stage experienced an “off-nominal deorbit burn,” causing it to land outside the designated disposal area in the ocean. SpaceX confirmed the issue and stated … Continue reading SpaceX pauses Falcon 9 launches for internal and FAA investigations

NASA has powered down the Plasma Science (PLS) instrument on the Voyager 2 spacecraft to conserve energy as it travels approximately 13 billion miles from Earth. The command to deactivate the PLS, which observed solar winds, was sent on September 26, and it took 19 hours for the message to reach the spacecraft. Despite its diminishing power supply, NASA anticipates Voyager 2 will continue operating … Continue reading Voyager 2 shuts down science experiment as power stores dwindle

The sun has produced a powerful X-class solar flare, registering a magnitude of X7.1, which triggered a temporary radio blackout over parts of the U.S. and released a significant coronal mass ejection (CME). The flare, originating from sunspot AR3842, occurred on October 1 and is the second strongest of Solar Cycle 25, which began in 2019. The CME is expected to reach Earth on October … Continue reading Monster X-class flare launches massive solar storm towards Earth

After an extended stay on the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are set to return home via SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule. The capsule, part of the Crew-9 mission, docked at the ISS on Sunday with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov on board. Williams and Wilmore were initially part of a Boeing Starliner mission, but issues with … Continue reading Crew-9 astronauts arrive at space station after SpaceX reports rocket anomaly

The European Space Agency (ESA) plans to launch the Destructive Reentry Assessment Container Object (DRACO) satellite in 2027 to study how satellites break apart during reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. ESA has contracted Deimos to develop DRACO, which will collect data on the disintegration process and its environmental impact, including interactions with the upper atmosphere. The 440-pound spacecraft will feature a capsule designed to withstand reentry … Continue reading Europe will launch a satellite in 2027 just to watch it burn

SpaceX is preparing to launch two crew members to the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday, weather permitting. The Crew Dragon capsule will carry NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, with liftoff scheduled for 1:17 p.m. ET from Florida’s Cape Canaveral. They will join five others onboard the ISS, rounding out the Expedition 72 team, and are set to stay until February, … Continue reading SpaceX to launch capsule that will bring two stranded astronauts back from space station

Austrian astrophotographer Felix Schöfbänker captured images of a top-secret Pentagon spacecraft, USA 290, using a 14-inch Dobsonian telescope. Unlike typical spy satellites, USA 290 has a distinct design and follows an unusual orbit. Launched in 2019 aboard a Delta IV rocket, it is described as a surveillance payload owned by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Schöfbänker noted its large, approximately 16-foot-long rectangular panel, which could … Continue reading Amateur Astronomer Catches Fleeting Glimpse of Secret Spy Satellite

On October 2, an annular solar eclipse will be visible over parts of the Pacific Ocean, southern Chile, and southern Argentina. The path of annularity, where the moon will cover about 93% of the sun, is relatively narrow, spanning 165 to 206 miles (265 to 331 kilometers). For those unable to view it in person, Space.com will provide live coverage and livestreams, with details released … Continue reading Annular solar eclipse turns the sun into a dramatic ‘ring of fire’

Researchers propose using X-ray bursts generated by a nuclear explosion as a potential method for deflecting asteroids on a collision course with Earth. According to a study published in Nature Physics, this technique involves vaporizing the asteroid’s surface, altering its trajectory enough to avoid impact. Following NASA’s DART mission, which successfully redirected an asteroid through kinetic impact, this X-ray method could enhance planetary defense strategies. Laboratory … Continue reading Asteroids Could Be Deflected Using X-rays From Nuclear Weapons

NASA has launched a Space Sustainability Division to consolidate its efforts on orbital debris and related issues. Announced by Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy at the AMOS Conference, the division aims to integrate operational, research, and policy functions that were previously spread across various offices. While not all organizations will be merged, the division will streamline those that can be, enhancing coordination and accountability. Led by … Continue reading NASA creates space sustainability division to consolidate orbital debris activities