A recent study published in Nature Communications suggests that Mercury, the smallest planet in the solar system, has a thick diamond layer at its core-mantle boundary, up to 18 kilometers (11 miles) thick. This finding, from scientists in China and Belgium, challenges previous assumptions that graphite was the only stable form of carbon on Mercury. The diamond layer likely formed from the crystallization of Mercury’s carbon-rich magma … Continue reading Mercury has an 11-mile thick diamond layer between its core and mantle

NASA’s Juno spacecraft has provided new insights into volcanic activity on Jupiter’s moon Io using its JIRAM instrument. This high-resolution infrared imagery has revealed extensive lava lakes and dynamic volcanic processes, offering unprecedented detail about Io’s volcanic landscape. These findings, recently published in Communications Earth & Environment, enhance our understanding of Io as the most volcanically active body in the solar system. Io’s extreme volcanic activity … Continue reading NASA’s Juno Uncovers the Fire-Breathing Lakes of Jupiter’s Volcanic Moon Io

NASA has raised concerns about Asteroid 2011 MW1, a massive 380-foot object speeding towards Earth at nearly 29,000 km/h. Expected to make its closest approach on July 25, it will come within 2.4 million miles of Earth. Despite its size and proximity, NASA has assured that it poses no immediate threat, as the asteroid’s trajectory has been carefully monitored and it is not considered potentially … Continue reading NASA on alert as gigantic asteroid zooms too close to Earth, might turn catastrophic if moves from orbit

NASA announced Wednesday that it is canceling the Viper rover mission due to cost overruns and launch delays. Originally scheduled for late 2023, the mission faced setbacks from increased expenses and additional testing, impacting other projects. The rover was intended to explore the moon’s south pole, with about $450 million already invested. NASA will pursue lunar ice studies through other initiatives, the Associated Press has … Continue reading NASA cancels its moon rover mission, citing cost overruns and launch delays

NASA scientists have discovered pure sulfur on Mars for the first time, found by the Curiosity rover when it drove over a rock in the Gediz Vallis channel. This unexpected finding is notable because while sulfur-containing minerals have been observed on Mars, pure sulfur has not. The discovery, made on May 30, is significant because the conditions needed to form elemental sulfur are not known … Continue reading NASA’s Curiosity rover accidentally uncovered pure sulfur crystals on Mars

The sun is currently experiencing intense activity, firing off powerful solar flares. Sunspot AR3738, as it rotates out of view on the sun’s western limb, has emitted a strong X-class solar flare, the most powerful type. T his flare occurred on Tuesday morning (July 16) at 9:26 a.m. EDT (1326 GMT), causing a shortwave radio blackout primarily over the Atlantic Ocean and affecting much of … Continue reading Sun blasts out 2nd X-class flare this week, triggers more radio blackouts

In 2029, an asteroid larger than the Eiffel Tower, known as 99942 Apophis, will pass near Earth, an event that previously sparked fears of a potential catastrophic collision. Now, scientists aim to study Apophis closely during its approach to enhance our planetary defense systems. The European Space Agency (ESA) has funded the Rapid Apophis Mission for Security and Safety (RAMSES), which will deploy a spacecraft … Continue reading Scientists set sights on asteroid larger than Eiffel Tower as it skims past Earth

For the first time, scientists have discovered a cave on the Moon, which is at least 100 meters deep and could serve as an ideal location for a permanent human base. T his cave is part of an extensive network of potentially hundreds of hidden caves, according to researchers. As countries race to establish a permanent lunar presence, protecting astronauts from radiation, extreme temperatures, and … Continue reading Cave discovered on Moon could be home for humans

Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered the closest massive black hole to Earth, described as a “frozen in time” cosmic titan. This intermediate-mass black hole, with a mass of about 8,200 suns, may help bridge the gap between stellar-mass and supermassive black holes. It is significantly more massive than stellar-mass black holes (which range from 5 to 100 solar masses) but much less … Continue reading Hubble Space Telescope finds closest massive black hole to Earth

Recently identified flaws in electronic circuits on NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft could jeopardize the $5 billion mission to explore Jupiter’s icy moon and its subsurface ocean. As preparations continue for an October launch from Kennedy Space Center, a team of engineers is reviewing the issue, with a report expected later this month. The problem involves metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) that fail to meet the mission’s … Continue reading Vulnerable transistors threaten to upend Europa Clipper mission

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Thursday night, carrying 20 Starlink satellites. However, about an hour later, the rocket’s second stage failed to reignite, resulting in the satellites being deployed into a shallower orbit, where they are expected to soon reenter and burn up in the atmosphere. CEO Elon Musk reported on X that the failure led … Continue reading SpaceX rocket grounded after orbital failure

Scientists are investigating a massive, enigmatic scar on Mars whose origins remain a mystery. Dubbed Aganippe Fossa, this feature stretches approximately 600km (373 miles) across, longer than the Grand Canyon, and is located on the lower flank of Mars’ colossal volcano, Arsia Mons. Initially identified in 1930, the scar has now been observed up close for the first time by the ESA spacecraft Mars Express. … Continue reading Scientists investigate mysterious giant scar stretching across Mars

The exoplanet HD 189733b, similar in size to Jupiter, has fascinated astronomers with its extreme conditions—searing temperatures, intense winds, and sideways rain composed of glass. Recent data from the James Webb Space Telescope has unveiled another intriguing detail: the planet emits a scent reminiscent of rotten eggs. Researchers detected trace amounts of hydrogen sulfide in its atmosphere, a gas known for its pungent sulfuric odor … Continue reading Scientists find a molecule never before found outside our solar system on a planet with glass rain

The European Space Agency’s long-awaited Ariane 6 rocket launched successfully from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana, marking its maiden voyage after years of setbacks. The launch proceeded smoothly, achieving key milestones such as satellite deployment. However, approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes into the mission, an anomaly occurred during the rocket’s return phase, attributed to an engine reignition issue, CNN has reported. Despite … Continue reading Long-awaited European rocket experiences ‘anomaly’ before reentry to Earth

During its final close approach to Jupiter’s moon Io, NASA’s Juno orbiter captured unprecedented images of volcanic plumes erupting from the moon’s surface. Io, known as the most volcanically active world in our solar system, features numerous volcanoes spewing material miles high into space. Juno’s February flyby at a distance of 2,400 miles provided detailed snapshots of these eruptions, revealing new insights into Io’s volcanic … Continue reading NASA spacecraft catches volcano plumes blasting into space

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists have made new discoveries about Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, revealing a surprisingly active and intricate atmosphere above the storm. Previously thought to be unremarkable, this region now shows complex structures and activity, influenced by gravity waves. Webb’s NIRSpec observations have provided high-resolution details that could support future missions like the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice), enhancing our understanding … Continue reading Webb Uncovers Unexpected Phenomena Above Jupiter’s Great Red Spot

Four volunteers from NASA’s Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog project completed a yearlong simulation of a Mars mission at Johnson Space Center in Houston. Kelly Haston, Anca Selariu, Ross Brockwell, and Nathan Jones emerged from the 3D-printed habitat after 378 days of confinement on June 25, 2023. The mission aimed to simulate conditions for future Mars expeditions, involving tasks like simulated spacewalks, vegetable cultivation, … Continue reading Crew of NASA’s earthbound simulated Mars habitat emerge after a year

Last week, Earth witnessed a rare celestial event with the close passing of two sizable asteroids, named 2024 MK and 2011 UL21. Although neither posed a threat, both came close enough to be captured by radar imaging systems, providing NASA with valuable snapshots. These images serve more than just commemorative purposes—they offer scientists crucial insights into the composition and behavior of near-Earth asteroids. Understanding these … Continue reading NASA Reveals Images of Large Asteroids That Just Sailed Past Earth

Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket successfully launched early Thursday morning (July 4), marking its fifth mission. Named “Noise of Summer,” the launch occurred from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 12:04 a.m. EDT (0404 GMT; 9:04 p.m. local California time on July 3). Originally scheduled for two days earlier, the launch was delayed due to ground support equipment issues, prompting additional analysis before proceeding. The … Continue reading Firefly Aerospace launches 8 cubesats to orbit on 5th-ever launch

Deep within Earth lies a solid metal core that rotates independently of the planet’s outer layers, akin to a spinning top within a larger one, enveloped in mystery. Discovered in 1936 by Danish seismologist Inge Lehmann, this inner core’s movement—specifically its speed and direction—has intrigued scientists for decades. Studying seismic waves from large earthquakes has provided insights into its dynamics, revealing fluctuations in its rotation … Continue reading Earth’s core has slowed so much it’s moving backward, scientists confirm

Last Christmas Eve, a Falcon 9 rocket launched from California successfully deployed two spy satellites for Germany’s Bundeswehr into low-Earth orbit. Manufactured by OHB, the SARah satellites were intended to complete a next-generation reconnaissance constellation. Despite initial assurances of a successful deployment, the satellites have yet to become operational six months later due to issues with unfolding their antennas. Attempts to resolve the problem—including software … Continue reading Two of the German military’s new spy satellites appear to have failed in orbit

Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, under the leadership of Yuri Borisov, has approved a plan to develop a new space station, signaling a shift away from international cooperation in space efforts since 2022. This move reflects Russia’s increasing geopolitical isolation amidst heightened Western sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The announcement, posted on Telegram by RIA Novosti, outlined plans for the new Russian … Continue reading Russia’s New Space Station Gets Green Light

A Chinese private company’s space rocket crashed and exploded near a city after an accidental launch during a test. The Tianlong-3 rocket’s first stage departed from its launch pad due to a structural failure, according to Beijing Tianbing, also known as Space Pioneer. The incident occurred in Gongyi, central China, where the rocket landed in a hilly area. Video footage showed the rocket ascending vertically, … Continue reading Chinese space rocket crashes in flames after accidental launch

NASA has awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to develop a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, aimed at safely guiding the aging International Space Station (ISS) back through Earth’s atmosphere for a controlled reentry into the Pacific Ocean by 2030. The ISS, a symbol of international cooperation and a football field-sized flying laboratory, has been continuously occupied for over 23 years. Alongside China’s Tiangong Space Station, it … Continue reading NASA Contracts SpaceX to crash the International Space Station into the ocean

NASA has confirmed that a sizable piece of space debris discovered last month on a mountain trail in North Carolina originated from a SpaceX capsule that recently returned from the International Space Station. The roughly 3-foot debris chunk, found near Asheville by an employee of The Glamping Collective, belonged to the service module or “trunk” of a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. This trunk, which carries … Continue reading A chunk of space debris found in N.C. came from a SpaceX capsule, NASA says