Space

As Earth dances through the cosmos, it appears that we are set to welcome a new celestial companion—a miniature asteroid, officially designated as 2024 PT5. This remarkable mini-moon is expected to be our guest for a relatively short period: an estimated 56.6 days, marking its orbit and journey around our planet. Discovered only recently, on

For far too long, discussions about Earth’s history have centered on its fundamental geological transformations and the evolution of life itself. One particularly intriguing aspect often overlooked is the possibility that Earth may have once possessed a spectacular feature – a planetary ring. This would have dramatically altered not only the view from the surface

The recent Polaris Dawn mission spearheaded by SpaceX has ushered in a groundbreaking chapter for commercial space exploration. It achieved a notable milestone as the mission’s crew became the first non-government astronauts to conduct an extravehicular activity (EVA) or spacewalk. Completing this mission with a successful splashdown off the coast of Florida early Sunday was

Mars, the enigmatic fourth planet from the Sun, continues to captivate scientists and enthusiasts alike with its peculiar geological features. Among the most intriguing phenomena detected on its surface are the so-called “spiders,” captivating patterns that resemble arachnids, scuttling across the planet’s dusty terrains. But these spiders are not living organisms—they are natural formations, termed

Sarah Gillis, a 30-year-old SpaceX engineer, is about to embark on a history-making spacewalk with pilot and “daredevil billionaire” Jared Isaacman. This event will mark the first time civilians will float through the emptiness of space protected by experimental new space suits. Joined by fellow crew members Scott Poteet and Anna Menon, this groundbreaking spacewalk

Embarking on an unprecedented journey into the vastness of space, a team of non-professional astronauts launched into orbit on Tuesday. Led by Jared Isaacman, CEO of Shift4 Payments, the SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission marked a significant milestone as they venture deeper into the cosmos than any human has in the past fifty years. Setting off

Exoplanets have been the subject of fascination and discovery in recent years, with a wide range of environmental conditions being uncovered. One of the most extreme exoplanets discovered is WASP-76b, a planet with a dayside temperature exceeding 2,000 degrees. What makes WASP-76b even more peculiar is the fact that it is tidally locked to its

Boeing’s crew transport space capsule, the Starliner, recently made its way back to Earth without its two-person crew due to thruster failures. This incident resulted in astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams being stranded on the International Space Station for longer than intended, awaiting a return on a SpaceX Dragon capsule in February 2025.

The Advanced Composite Solar Sail System represents a groundbreaking advancement in propulsion technology. By utilizing pressure from sunlight to generate thrust, this innovative system allows spacecraft to be propelled efficiently through the Solar System. Unlike traditional propulsion methods, which rely on chemical reactions or mechanical systems, solar sails harness the momentum of photons of light

This morning, an asteroid named 2024 RW1 took the world by surprise as it burned up in a bright flash above the Philippines. The small asteroid, measuring only about one meter in diameter, was detected by NASA’s Catalina Sky Survey only hours before it reached Earth’s atmosphere. Despite reports saying it “struck the Earth,” the

The month of September brings with it a plethora of exciting lunar occultation events that are set to take place across various parts of the globe. These events are a result of the Moon’s passage as it covers up (occults) multiple celestial objects, such as stars, planets, and star clusters. Observing a lunar occultation can

China’s Tianwen-1 mission marks a significant milestone in the exploration of Mars. With its six robotic elements, including an orbiter, a lander, deployable cameras, a remote camera, and the Zhurong rover, the mission is set to delve into the geological and internal structure of Mars. The primary objective is to characterize the Martian atmosphere, search

As we gaze at the vast expanse of the Milky Way, it is easy to get lost in its mesmerizing beauty. However, if we look closely, we can find clues to the tumultuous past of our galaxy. Researchers have long been intrigued by the intricate patterns and movements within the Milky Way, trying to decipher

Located just outside the Milky Way Galaxy, approximately 210,000 light-years away from Earth, is the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). This dwarf galaxy, measuring around 18,900 light-years in diameter and housing approximately 3 billion stars, orbits the Milky Way alongside its counterpart, the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Scientists find the SMC to be particularly intriguing due

The Solar System is home to a variety of moons with unique characteristics. Some are hot, some are cold, some have liquid, and some are dusty. However, despite the diversity of moons in our cosmic neighborhood, there is one glaring absence – ringed moons. While half of the planets in the Solar System boast rings

Astronomy enthusiasts have long been fascinated by Betelgeuse, also known as Beetle-juice. Situated prominently in the constellation of Orion, this red supergiant star has captured the attention of stargazers around the world. With a radius approximately 1,000 times that of the Sun, Betelgeuse shines brightly in the night sky, emitting about 100,000 times more light