In March 2021, the astronomical community was stirred by the discovery of an unusual high-energy burst of light emanating from a far-off galaxy. Initially categorized as a supernova, the event, named AT 2021hdr, soon revealed characteristics that hinted at something far more complex. The Automatic Learning for the Rapid Classification of Events (ALeRCE) system, designed
Space
New Zealand is a filmmaker’s dream come true, with its breathtaking landscapes that seem ripped from the pages of a fantasy novel. This uniquely diverse country graciously offers everything from lush sub-tropical beaches to fierce volcanoes. The allure of New Zealand is not just in its scenery; it also lies in its atmosphere, home to
From time immemorial, humanity has revered the Sun, perceiving it as the sustainer of life — the radiant orb that nurtures the growth of plants and marks the passage of seasons. Ancient civilizations crafted myths and traditions around the Sun’s cyclical movements, connecting its light and warmth to agricultural cycles and spiritual beliefs. The early
In recent months, the dynamics of space exploration have faced a striking challenge. The Binar Space Program, part of Curtin University, launched three miniature satellites, nicknamed Binar-2, Binar-3, and Binar-4, into low Earth orbit. Unfortunately, these CubeSats met an early fate as they succumbed to the intense solar activity that has characterized recent months. While
In recent years, the pursuit of understanding Mars’s history has garnered exceptional attention, especially concerning the theory that it may have once hosted large bodies of water. A pivotal development came from China’s Zhurong rover, which landed in the northern hemisphere’s Utopia region. New findings suggest the presence of features that lend credence to the
The exploration of our Solar System has often been characterized by the multitude of discoveries that challenge our understanding of planetary bodies. Among these celestial wonders, Uranus stands out, exhibiting a variety of unusual features that have puzzled scientists for decades. Traditionally, observations from the Voyager 2 probe—launched by NASA and flyby the ice giant
In the grand tapestry of the universe, the life and death of stars paint a vivid picture of cosmic evolution. Massive stars, typically over eight times the mass of our Sun, are destined for dramatic fates, ending their lifecycles with explosive supernovae. These cataclysmic events release an extraordinary amount of energy, often illuminating the entire
Nestled within the expansive Milky Way galaxy, our Solar System finds itself in a peculiar region known as the Local Hot Bubble (LHB). This area stands out for its high temperatures and low star density, captivating astronomers and sparking curiosity about its origins and implications. The LHB stretches approximately 1,000 light-years across and boasts an
The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) has become a focal point of intrigue and speculation since its inaugural flight in 2011. Developed by Boeing and now operated under the stewardship of the United States Space Force (USSF), this advanced spaceplane is engineered for missions in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), ranging from 240 to 800 kilometers above
The early Universe, right after the Big Bang, presented an enigmatic scene—a vast expanse of darkness cloaked in a dense fog of ionized plasma. For hundreds of thousands of years, light struggled to penetrate this murky veil, rendering the cosmos virtually unobservable. It wasn’t until the advent of powerful telescopes such as the Hubble and
In August 2017, the astronomical landscape changed when two neutron stars engaged in a cosmic dance culminating in their dramatic collision. This unprecedented event, classified as a kilonova and designated AT2017gfo, lit up telescopes worldwide as it released a tremendous amount of energy in the form of gravitational waves and electromagnetic signals. This occurrence not
Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, stands as a testament to the complexity and diversity of planetary bodies. Unlike the terrestrial planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars—Jupiter is a gas giant without a solid surface, prompting myriad questions regarding its structure and the nature of its existence. This article delves into the distinctive characteristics
On a remarkable day for both scientific innovation and environmental sustainability, the pioneering wooden satellite, LignoSat, ascended into orbit aboard a SpaceX rocket. Developed by researchers at Kyoto University, this unprecedented mission signifies a bold step towards rethinking satellite design and its impact on Earth’s atmosphere. Scheduled as part of a resupply mission to the
The formation of our Solar System was marked by chaos and violence in its early stages. As planets began to coalesce from the primordial debris, they were bombarded by numerous asteroids and comets, leading to a landscape dotted with craters and basins. Notoriously, Mercury, Mars, and Earth’s Moon display scars of these ancient collisions. Earth,
The early years of SpaceX are often described as a thrilling chapter in the narrative of space exploration, laden with audacity, ambition, and unparalleled challenges. Author Eric Berger, renowned for his insights into space technology, brings this gripping saga to life in his latest work, “Reentry: SpaceX, Elon Musk, and the Reusable Rockets that Launched