Mosses have long been recognized as essential components of Earth’s ecosystem, playing a crucial role in transforming barren landscapes into fertile soils. These non-vascular plants have a remarkable ability to thrive in harsh environments and create conditions suitable for supporting other forms of life. Now, a group of scientists is considering the possibility of harnessing
Space
In a surprising turn of events, NASA’s Curiosity rover on Mars stumbled upon a yellow treasure hidden inside a seemingly ordinary rock. After inadvertently breaking open the rock, the rover exposed yellow crystals of elemental sulfur, a rare find on the red planet. While sulfates have been detected on Mars before, this marks the first
The International Space Station (ISS) has served as a home for astronauts for over two decades, but its days are now numbered. NASA recently announced a partnership with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, where SpaceX will receive up to $843 million to assist in the decommissioning of the ISS. The plan involves utilizing a superpowered, extra-large Dragon
Every few decades, a unique event takes place in the night sky – the appearance of a “new star” or nova. This phenomenon provides stargazers with a special opportunity to witness something extraordinary that is typically difficult to predict in advance. One such event on the horizon is the eruption of T Coronae Borealis (T
Neutron stars are undeniably some of the most extraordinary objects in the cosmos. Born from the remnants of massive stars that have undergone a violent collapse, these celestial bodies possess a staggering mass that surpasses that of our own Sun. Despite their immense weight, neutron stars are incredibly compact, with their matter compressed into a
In a groundbreaking move, NASA has allocated $725,000 towards the development of a Pulsed Plasma Rocket (PPR) system that has the potential to address a critical challenge in sending humans to Mars – travel time. The current technology requires almost two years for a round-trip to the red planet, exposing astronauts to significant health risks
NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore embarked on a space mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spaceship that quickly spiraled into an unexpected turn of events. Initially planned to spend only eight days on the International Space Station, their voyage was extended indefinitely due to technical issues with the spacecraft. Wilmore described the launch as “truly
In a fascinating revelation, scientists have found the distinctive smell of hydrogen sulfide, the same gas responsible for the odor of rotten eggs, on an extreme exoplanet called HD-189733b. This Jupiter-sized world, situated in the Milky Way, showcases the presence of hydrogen sulfide in its atmosphere, providing valuable insights into the role of sulfur on
The concept of time dilation between Earth and the Moon is a fascinating subject that has piqued the curiosity of scientists and researchers for decades. The recent study conducted by NASA scientists sheds light on the intricate relationship between gravity, time, and celestial bodies. While the findings are intriguing, it is essential to critically analyze
LHS-1140b, an exoplanet discovered in 2017, has captured the attention of scientists due to its potential for harboring life outside of our Solar System. Recent findings suggest that this alien world may actually resemble an ‘eyeball’ planet, with a massive global ocean covered in ice and a single, iris-like region fixed on its host star.
The discovery of the origins of light in the early Universe has shed new light on the evolution of our cosmos. According to recent research utilizing data from the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes, it has been revealed that small dwarf galaxies played a crucial role in transforming the dark and formless void into
Martin Vargic, a space enthusiast, author, and graphic artist from Slovakia, has created two extraordinary infographic posters showcasing almost 1600 exoplanets of various types and sizes. His passion for astronomy and space began at a young age, when he used his family’s telescope to observe celestial wonders despite the challenges of light pollution in his
A little over ten years ago, a breakthrough discovery was made by a robotic rover on Mars. It was revealed that the red planet contains organic material buried within the sediment of its ancient lakebeds. This finding sparked a continued search for organic molecules on Mars, indicating that carbon chemistry is prevalent on our neighboring
Recently, Earth had the unique opportunity to witness not one, but two large asteroids passing by at a safe distance. Named 2024 MK and 2011 UL21, these asteroids provided NASA with the chance to capture radar images and gain valuable insights into the properties of near-Earth rocks. While the vast expanse of space around Earth
The Moon has always been a subject of fascination for astronomers and scientists alike. While its grey, pockmarked face is well-known, there are other intriguing features that adorn its surface. One such mystery is the presence of bright patches, known as lunar swirls. These peculiar formations have puzzled scientists for centuries, with the origins of