Recent discoveries in the field of astronomy have shed light on the existence of intermediate mass black holes, particularly one located near the center of our galaxy. This finding has opened up new avenues for understanding the growth and evolution of black holes, bridging the gap between stellar-range masses and supermassive monsters. A cluster of
Space
When we look out into the vast space surrounding our planet, we encounter a multitude of rocks, including asteroids and comets, collectively known as near-Earth objects. Among these celestial bodies, a new study suggests that up to 60 percent of these objects could be dark comets – enigmatic rocky bodies that once contained or still
Mosses have long been known as resilient organisms with the ability to thrive in inhospitable environments. In a recent study conducted by Xiaoshuang Li and colleagues at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the researchers propose that mosses, specifically Syntrichia caninervis, could potentially be used to terraform Mars. This non-vascular plant has displayed an impressive ability
A rock on Mars has just spilled a surprising yellow treasure after Curiosity accidentally cracked through its unremarkable exterior. When the rover rolled its 899-kilogram (1,982-pound) body over the rock, the rock broke open, revealing yellow crystals of elemental sulfur: brimstone. Although sulfates are fairly common on Mars, this is the first time sulfur has
The International Space Station has been orbiting Earth for the past 23 years, serving as a research facility and home for astronauts from around the world. However, its days are now numbered, as NASA has announced plans to decommission the ISS by 2031. In June, NASA revealed that it would be collaborating with Elon Musk’s
In the vast expanse of the night sky, a captivating event is poised to unfold – the eruption of a “new star” or nova. Among the myriad celestial bodies that grace the heavens, T Coronae Borealis (T CrB) stands as a unique and enigmatic entity. Nestled in the constellation of the northern crown, T CrB
Neutron stars, one of the most extreme celestial objects in the universe, are formed from the remnants of supergiant stars that have collapsed in on themselves. These incredibly dense stars pack more mass than our Sun into a sphere the size of a city. The inner core of a neutron star holds matter in states
NASA has recently allocated $725,000 toward the development of a new rocket system known as the Pulsed Plasma Rocket (PPR). This significant investment is aimed at addressing one of the most critical challenges hindering human space exploration – travel time. The current technology used for missions to Mars would take almost two years for a
NASA astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, found themselves in an unexpected situation when their planned eight-day mission on the International Space Station extended due to glitches on Boeing’s Starliner spaceship. Their journey began on June 5 when they flew into space, and they were meant to return home after a brief stay for NASA
The recent discovery of hydrogen sulfide on exoplanet HD-189733b has shed light on the presence of this smelly gas outside of our Solar System. Known for its characteristic rotten egg smell, hydrogen sulfide is a major molecule that has now been detected in the atmosphere of this scorching Jupiter-sized world. This discovery marks a significant
Exoplanet LHS-1140b, discovered in 2017, has recently caught the attention of scientists due to its unique characteristics. It is believed to be an ‘eyeball’ planet, with a global ocean covered in ice, featuring a single, iris-like region of approximately 4,000 kilometers across, constantly staring at its host star. This bizarre description adds to the mystery
Ever since astronauts left the lunar surface, the moon has been longing for their return. 52 years later, it appears that the moon has gotten ahead of us Earthlings by 1.1 seconds. Additionally, the moon’s time stretches ahead of Earth’s by 57 millionths of a second every day. While this may seem insignificant, it has
The recent discovery of the crucial role played by small dwarf galaxies in the evolution of the early Universe has shed new light on the cosmic dawn. Research conducted using data from the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes has revealed that these ultra-faint galaxies were responsible for producing the ionizing photons that transformed neutral
Martin Vargic, a talented space enthusiast, author, and graphic artist hailing from Slovakia, has recently unveiled two breathtaking infographic posters that showcase a collection of nearly 1600 exoplanets in all their diversity. His passion for astronomy and the mysteries of space has been a driving force since his early childhood, where he spent countless hours
In the past decade, significant findings regarding the presence of organic material on Mars have sparked interest in the scientific community. While these discoveries do not conclusively point to the existence of alien life, they shed light on the possibility of carbon chemistry being prevalent on the red planet. A recent study led by planetary