Space

In the vast expanse of the universe, few celestial phenomena are as captivating as globular clusters — dense collections of ancient stars that resemble cosmic relics from the universe’s early epochs. Among these, Palomar 5 stands out as an intriguing subject of study due to its extensive tidal stream and the potential presence of stellar-mass

As the dawn of a new era in satellite technology unfolds, Earth’s orbit has transformed into a bustling arena filled with thousands of satellites. The rapid expansion of satellite constellations, particularly those spearheaded by companies like SpaceX, OneWeb, and Amazon, presents a dual-edged sword: enhancing global communication while posing significant risks to essential scientific disciplines,

Recent astronomical breakthroughs have led to the identification of Porphyrion, the largest galactic structure detected to date, linked to the activity of a supermassive black hole. This remarkable entity spans 7 megaparsecs, equivalent to an impressive 23 million light-years. Named after Porphyrion, a formidable figure in Greek mythology, this colossal structure serves as a bridge

The quest to understand the unique characteristics of Mars has long fascinated astronomers and planetary scientists alike. The possibility of a long-lost moon, proposed by astronomer Michael Efroimsky from the US Naval Observatory, adds an exciting twist to our understanding of the Red Planet. His hypothesis presents the idea that a now-vanished satellite, dubbed “Nerio,”

In an exciting development for astronomers and space enthusiasts alike, Earth is set to gain a new, albeit temporary, natural satellite. This visitor, affectionately dubbed a “mini-moon,” is not merely a figment of our astronomical imagination but a small asteroid identified as 2024 PT5. With a diameter of approximately 10 meters (33 feet), this celestial

In the annals of Earth’s history, scientific curiosity leads us to consider the unconventional. One particularly fascinating hypothesis explores the possibility that our planet once had its own ring, similar to those of its gaseous neighbors like Saturn. This notion, while astonishing, is supported by evidence from the geological record, especially the significant rise in

The recent SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission stands as a milestone in human space exploration, marking an unprecedented moment when a cadre of non-government astronauts embarked on a spacewalk. This endeavor culminated early Sunday with the successful splashdown of the Dragon spacecraft off the bustling coast of Florida. A venture not only laden with technological marvels

Mars, often referred to as the Red Planet, holds many secrets beneath its ochre-colored surface. Among the most intriguing spectacles are formations reminiscent of spiders, which grace satellite imagery of the Martian landscape. Dubbed “araneiforms,” these dark, tendrilled structures are not biological organisms but rather fascinating geologic features shaped by unique climatic conditions. They manifest

Sarah Gillis, a 30-year-old SpaceX engineer, is set to make history by embarking on a spacewalk alongside pilot and “daredevil billionaire” Jared Isaacman. The duo will be the first civilians to venture into space donning experimental new space suits, while their crew members Scott Poteet and Anna Menon remain in the capsule, protected by similar

Embarking on a groundbreaking orbital journey, a private crew launched into space on Tuesday for an audacious expedition that will take them deeper into the cosmos than any humans have ventured in the past 50 years. Led by Shift4 Payments CEO Jared Isaacman, the SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission marks a significant milestone as they prepare

Exoplanets have fascinated scientists and astronomers for decades. With the discovery of over 5,200 exoplanets since the 1990s, our understanding of these alien worlds has grown exponentially. These planets, which exist outside of our Solar System, come in a variety of sizes and compositions, from gas giants like Jupiter to rocky Earth-like planets. The search

Boeing’s Starliner space capsule recently made headlines for returning to Earth without its two-person crew on board, marking the conclusion of a troubled test flight to the International Space Station. The mission faced thruster failures that led NASA to deem the capsule unsafe for crewed piloting back to Earth, leaving astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita

Solar sails are a revolutionary propulsion technique that utilizes sunlight to generate thrust for spacecraft. By harnessing the momentum from photons of light hitting the sail’s surface, the spacecraft can be propelled efficiently through space. Though the thrust generated may be small, when applied consistently over time, it can provide an effective means of propelling

In a surprising turn of events, an asteroid was detected just hours before it made its way into Earth’s atmosphere over the Philippines. The small asteroid, named 2024 RW1, was only about one meter in diameter and was swiftly detected by NASA’s Catalina Sky Survey. Despite reports of it “striking the Earth,” it actually burned

September is an exciting month for astronomy enthusiasts as it offers a plethora of fascinating lunar occultation events happening worldwide. This celestial phenomenon occurs when the Moon passes in front of and blocks out various celestial objects such as stars, planets, and star clusters. The Moon’s journey across the night sky presents unique opportunities to