As the holiday season approaches, many find comfort in the warm glow of a traditional fireplace. However, a new trend is emerging, led by none other than NASA, which offers a spectacular alternative to the classic crackling logs of yesteryear. Enter the Space Launch System (SLS) holiday video, where the fiery majesty of rocket engines
Space
Asteroid mining has captured the imaginations of scientists, entrepreneurs, and the general public alike. Media coverage often sensationalizes the potential worth of celestial bodies, suggesting that missions to asteroids like Psyche—believed to be rich in metals—could unlock a treasure trove worth an astonishing $10 quintillion. But how realistic are these claims, and what concrete value
In the vast expanses of the Maryborough Regional Park, located near the vibrant city of Melbourne, Australia, an unexpected event took place in 2015. David Hole, equipped with nothing more than a metal detector and an adventurous spirit, ventured into this historical area that once flourished during the 19th-century gold rush. Normally, treasures found in
The recent arrival of a cargo spacecraft at the International Space Station (ISS) was expected to bolster the station’s supplies. However, the uncrewed Russian vessel, Progress 90, brought with it an unanticipated element—an unusual and unpleasant odor that caught astronauts off-guard. As they opened the hatch to receive food, water, hygiene products, and scientific materials,
The Milky Way has long been regarded as a vital reference point for the study of galactic formation and evolution. Nested within this galaxy, astronomers utilize state-of-the-art telescopes to delve into its intricacies, leveraging an array of wavelengths to discern its stellar composition, gas dynamics, and various other factors. This in-depth scrutiny, while enlightening, offers
In an unprecedented achievement, physicists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have harnessed the power of the Frontier supercomputer to execute the largest astrophysical simulation in history. Completed in November 2024, this simulation—named ExaSky—utilized a staggering 9,000 computing nodes to analyze a volume of the expanding Universe greater than 31 billion cubic megaparsecs. This milestone is
NGC 4594 has piqued the interest of astronomers since its discovery by Pierre Méchain in 1781. This galaxy, colloquially known as the Sombrero Galaxy due to its distinctive dust ring resembling the brim of a hat, holds a prominent place in the pantheon of celestial objects. Its symmetrical structure and striking appearance rendered it a
The tantalizing evidence of ancient water on Mars suggests a dynamic early environment that bears parallels to our own planet. Recent discoveries reveal that water existed on Mars as early as 4.45 billion years ago, shortly after the planet formed. Understanding this finding not only expands our knowledge of Mars itself but also prompts intriguing
The unique geological landscape of our Solar System reveals fascinating truths about the celestial bodies within it. Among these, Earth and Mars stand out as the only two rocky planets boasting moons. While Earth’s Moon is widely believed to have formed from a colossal impact with a protoplanet named Theia, the origins of Mars’ two
Nestled in the heart of the vibrant remnant of a supernova, the Crab Pulsar stands as one of the most intriguing celestial phenomena known to humanity. Situated approximately 6,200 light-years from Earth, this neutron star emits a peculiar radio signal that has fascinated astronomers since its discovery in the 1960s. Among its most profound mysteries
Each day, Earth is showered with cosmic rays—high-energy particles from outer space that span a vast range of energy levels. While much remains uncertain about their origins, recent breakthroughs in observational astrophysics are helping scientists shed light on these elusive entities. In a significant stride forward, researchers at the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) Observatory
Uranus, the seventh planet from the Sun, presents an intriguing anomaly within our Solar System. Unlike Earth and its neighbors, which adhere to a relatively standard orientation of axial tilt, Uranus’ axis stands nearly parallel to its orbital plane, tilted at a startling 98 degrees. This extreme inclination suggests that an ancient cataclysmic event may