Category: Science

In a study in The Astrophysical Journal, it has been proposed that fast radio bursts (FRBs), enigmatic blasts of radio waves detected from deep space, could originate from the collision of asteroids with neutron stars. According to reports, these collisions release immense energy—sufficient to power humanity for 100 million years. The findings align with observations […]

A static-fire test of the Super Heavy booster for SpaceX’s seventh Starship launch was successfully conducted on December 9 at the company’s Starbase facility in South Texas. The event involved the ignition of 33 Raptor engines attached to the first-stage booster, marking a significant milestone in preparations for the upcoming mission. Reports indicate that the […]

Google on Monday said that it has overcome a key challenge in quantum computing with a new generation of chip, solving a computing problem in five minutes that would take a classical computer more time than the history of the universe. Like other tech giants such as Microsoft and International Business Machines, Alphabet’s Google is […]

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida has revealed plans for a revamped attraction called The Gantry at LC-39, set to open in early 2025, as per reports. The reimagined observation tower, which was previously used for launch viewing, will now offer an interactive experience, including a simulated rocket engine test. Visitors will have […]

The origins of the universe’s largest galaxies, long a mystery to astronomers, may have been revealed by a new study published in Nature on December 4. Researchers have suggested that cosmic collisions between galaxies billions of years ago could have created the most massive star systems. These galaxies, unlike the Milky Way’s flat spiral shape, […]

Ultramassive black holes, defined as cosmic entities surpassing 10 billion solar masses, may have an upper limit, according to a study led by Dr Priyamvada Natarajan from Yale University’s Department of Astronomy. Published findings indicate that black holes like Phoenix A, with an estimated mass of 100 billion suns, could represent the maximum size achievable […]

In a study published in Nature Astronomy, researchers from the University of Cambridge have cast doubt on the possibility that Venus ever harboured oceans or supported life. The findings, derived from an analysis of Venus’s atmospheric chemistry, suggest that the planet may have been devoid of liquid water throughout its history. Despite its similarities to […]

A team of researchers from the University of California, San Diego, has unveiled a framework aimed at advancing the real-world capabilities of quadruped robots equipped with manipulators. As outlined in their study, published on the arXiv preprint server, the framework, named WildLMa, seeks to improve robots’ ability to perform loco-manipulation tasks in dynamic and unstructured […]

A new method for producing hydrogen fuel using water and sunlight has been developed by researchers in Japan, according to reports. The innovation involves a reactor equipped with photocatalytic sheets capable of splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.The study highlights the potential for renewable hydrogen fuel production without generating greenhouse gases. Despite its promise, […]

A fossil-rich site in Cromhall Quarry, South Gloucestershire, has led to the identification of a new Triassic reptile species, Threordatoth chasmatosThis discovery adds to the extensive catalogue of prehistoric life unearthed at the location, known for its remnants of ancient reptiles and early lizards. The species belonged to the procolophonids, a group of lizard-like creatures […]

Astronomers have detected an astrosphere around a star resembling the Sun, marking a significant milestone in understanding stellar evolution. This finding, shared during the 25 Years of Science with Chandra symposium on December 3, 2024, provides a rare view into the early conditions of stars like the Sun. An astrosphere, described as a bubble of […]

A massive female great white shark measuring 18.4 feet (5.6 meters) in length was found dead on a drumline deployed off Tannum Sands, Queensland, Australia, in August. According to the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, this marks the largest white shark caught since the state’s Shark Control Program began in 1962. The shark, which […]

The highly anticipated Geminid meteor shower is set to reach its peak on the night of December 13 into the early hours of December 14, offering sky watchers an opportunity to witness one of the most significant celestial events of the year. However, as per reports, the viewing experience this year will be significantly impacted […]

A new celestial navigation system developed by scientists at the University of South Australia (UniSA) is expected to enhance drone operations by enabling uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) to navigate using stars. This innovative method, designed to eliminate reliance on GPS signals, could make drones harder to detect and immune to jamming attacks, according to reports. […]

A unique glimpse into Earth’s ancient past is offered by the Fossil Forest in Dorset, England, where tree remains from the late Jurassic period have been fossilised through microbial activity. Situated along the Jurassic Coast—a 95-mile UNESCO World Heritage Site—the forest features fossilised cypress tree stumps encrusted with limestone, dating back 145 million years. The […]

The timeline for NASA’s Artemis programme has been revised, delaying key missions to allow additional time for technical adjustments. Artemis 2, which aims to send four astronauts around the Moon, has been postponed from September 2025 to April 2026, according to recent NASA’s announcement. Similarly, Artemis 3, which involves a crewed lunar landing, has been […]

A significant portion of Earth’s biodiversity faces extinction by the end of the century if current greenhouse gas emissions continue unchecked, according to findings published in Science on December 5. The study, which reviewed over 450 research papers spanning 30 years, highlights the escalating threat climate change poses to global species, particularly amphibians and those […]

Europe’s Vega-C rocket has resumed operations, achieving a successful launch on December 5, 2024, after a two-year suspension due to a failure during its previous mission. The rocket, operated by French aerospace company Arianespace, carried the Copernicus Sentinel-1C Earth-observation satellite into orbit. The launch took place at 4:20 p.m. EST from the Guiana Space Centre […]

SpaceX has announced the successful completion of its first Starlink satellite constellation designed to provide direct internet connectivity to standard mobile phones. According to reports, the achievement was marked by the launch of 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 equipped with direct-to-cell capabilities. The launch occurred on December 4, 2024, at 10:05 PM EST from Vandenberg […]

China has reportedly launched its latest Long March-12 rocket from the newly established Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site, marking a significant milestone in its commercial space ambitions. The launch occurred on November 30, 2024, propelling two experimental satellites into orbit. The 62.6-metre rocket is designed to support a growing surge in commercial satellite deployments, as […]

The sun’s activity, currently at its peak during solar maximum, may not wane as expected. Experts warn that the next phase, termed the “battle zone,” could intensify space weather, posing risks to satellites and technology on Earth. This new phase, projected to begin as solar maximum ends, has raised concerns due to heightened geomagnetic activity. […]

A cache of at least 15 human skulls dating back to the Neolithic period has been unearthed at Masseria Candelaro, a prehistoric site in the Puglia region of Italy. The discovery, reported in the European Journal of Archaeology, has raised questions about ancient burial practices and rituals. Radiocarbon dating suggests the skulls belonged to individuals […]

Researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) have highlighted a significant decline in the Earth’s planetary albedo as a possible cause of the sharp rise in global temperatures in 2023. This decline, tied to a reduction in low-altitude clouds, has been identified as a key factor contributing to the global mean temperature increase of nearly […]

Researchers from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), in collaboration with a University of California scientist, has unveiled a bird-inspired robot capable of launching itself into flight using spring-loaded legs. Known as RAVEN (Robotic Avian-inspired Vehicle for multiple Environments), the robot mimics certain bird behaviours to combine ground mobility with aerial capability. Aimy Wissa, an […]

Astronomers have obtained the closest look yet at a quasar, using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope to study the enigmatic 3C 273, located 2.5 billion light-years away. This quasar, known as the first ever identified in 1963 by astronomer Maarten Schmidt, continues to intrigue scientists with its immense energy output, surpassing that of the brightest galaxies. […]

A recent study published in Nature Astronomy has concluded that Venus likely never had oceans or conditions conducive to life. The research, led by Tereza Constantinou, a doctoral researcher at the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy, analysed the planet’s atmospheric composition to infer its interior water content. The findings suggest that Venus’s interior is […]

The Arctic Ocean may experience its first ice-free day as early as 2027, according to a study published in Nature Communications. Researchers have stated that this significant environmental milestone is inevitable within the next 20 years unless drastic action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The study, conducted by climatologists, has utilised advanced simulations […]

According to a study published in Royal Society Open Science on November 6, changes in ocean density significantly influence the ability of marine plankton to incorporate carbon into their shells. The findings, led by Dr Stergios Zarkogiannis from the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Oxford, highlight the physical properties of the ocean, […]

The scheduled deorbit of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2031 has raised questions regarding potential environmental impacts. The 450-tonne orbital outpost, which has experienced issues such as coolant leaks and structural cracks, is expected to be retired in a controlled re-entry over the South Pacific Oceanic Uninhabited Area, also known as Point Nemo, as […]

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams is conducting an agricultural experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS) aimed at advancing space farming techniques and addressing Earth’s agricultural challenges, as per reports. The experiment, part of NASA’s Plant Habitat-07 study, involves cultivating “Outredgeous” romaine lettuce in microgravity conditions. According to reports, the study examines how water availability impacts […]