Category: Science

Chinese scientists turned the world’s most sensitive radio telescope, FAST, toward the TRAPPIST-1 system, a promising site for alien life with seven rocky planets. Although no signals were detected, the study set new limits on possible extraterrestrial transmissions and highlighted advanced techniques driving today’s search for intelligent life beyond our solar sy…

A new island has appeared in Alaska’s Alsek Lake, revealed by NASA’s Landsat satellites. Decades of glacier retreat separated the landmass from the mainland, showcasing how fast-moving climate change is reshaping landscapes.

SpaceX has launched Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus NG-23 resupply mission to the International Space Station, debuting the upgraded Cygnus XL spacecraft. Carrying 11,000 pounds of vital supplies and experiments, this mission highlights progress in space cargo delivery and ongoing international efforts to support astronauts and scientific research in orbit.

In February 2023, asteroid 2023 CX1 exploded suddenly over France, stunning scientists. Tracked only hours before impact, the tiny rock disintegrated in a powerful airburst, scattering meteorites across Normandy. The rare event provides crucial insights into asteroid behavior and raises new considerations for future planetary defense strategies.

A rare partial solar eclipse will bring a crescent sunrise on Sept. 21–22, coinciding with the equinox. Skywatchers in New Zealand, Antarctica, and the South Pacific will witness up to 86% of the sun obscured at dawn, creating one of the most striking celestial spectacles short of a total eclipse.

A new NASA study shows the Sun’s activity has been rising since 2008, reversing decades of decline. The unexpected trend suggests greater risks from solar storms, flares, and plasma ejections. Scientists stress improved forecasting is essential, with upcoming missions like IMAP and SWFO-L1 set to expand space weather monitoring and protection efforts.

NASA will stream the Sept. 23 launch of IMAP with two rideshare satellites from Kennedy Space Centre. IMAP will study the heliosphere, Carruthers will image Earth’s exosphere, and NOAA’s SWFO-L1 will provide early solar storm warnings. Together, the missions advance space weather science while protecting satellites, communications, and power systems on Earth.

NASA’s Artemis programme goes beyond Apollo by planning longer lunar missions to test spacecraft, life-support, and logistics for Mars. With Gateway, lunar ice harvesting, and global partnerships, Artemis aims to simulate deep-space challenges. These lessons will directly guide future crewed journeys to the Red Planet and beyond.

Astronomers using JWST have discovered LAP2, a tiny star-forming complex magnified by Abell 2744. With extremely low metallicity and a size under 33 light years, it provides rare insight into conditions resembling the early universe, offering clues about how the first stars formed and enriched galaxies with heavier elements

In 2024, NASA’s Perseverance rover captured the first green aurora on Mars. Now scientists can forecast these rare events by tracking powerful solar storms. Beyond their glow, auroras signal radiation that could endanger astronauts. This breakthrough forecasting method is crucial for protecting future human explorers on the Red Planet.

In mid-September 2025, a “secret” magnetic island inside a solar coronal hole triggered a powerful G3 storm. The surprise event sent dazzling auroras across North America, seen as far south as Illinois. Researchers say the rare polarity patch intensified solar winds, making aurora season’s start spectacular.

ISRO chief Dr. V. Narayanan inaugurated OrbitAID’s new Bengaluru lab, India’s largest commercial test site for on-orbit refueling and docking. The 6,500-sq-ft facility features advanced cleanrooms and RPOD testbeds. OrbitAID’s technology aims to extend satellite lifespans, reduce space debris, and create a circular, sustainable space economy.

A Southwest Research Institute study reveals that chasing interstellar comets like 3I/ATLAS is achievable with current rockets and instruments. Such missions could collect data on comet nuclei and comae, providing clues to the formation of other star systems. International collaborations make these rare, high-value missions increasingly realistic.

Sixty million years ago, Iceland’s deep plume fueled massive eruptions across the North Atlantic. Cambridge scientists discovered hidden weak zones in Earth’s crust that funneled the plume’s heat, explaining volcanic fields like the Giant’s Causeway. These ancient scars still shape today’s earthquakes and geothermal energy across Britain and Ireland.

Astronomers have discovered a rogue intermediate-mass black hole speeding through a dwarf galaxy 230 million light-years away. Unlike typical galactic centres, this displaced object is accreting material and blasting out jets, suggesting black holes can grow “offsite”. The finding offers rare evidence of elusive intermediate black holes and may help explain how su…

Astronomers have identified asteroid 2025 PN7 as a possible quasi-moon of Earth, trailing our planet for nearly 70 years. At just 62 feet wide, it is the smallest and least stable quasi-satellite detected so far. Researchers believe advanced observatories like the Vera Rubin Observatory could uncover more hidden companions in Earth-like orbits

A giant butterfly-shaped coronal hole on the Sun is blasting solar wind toward Earth, expected to trigger geomagnetic storm conditions on Sept. 13–14. Forecasts suggest possible G1 to G2 levels, raising chances for auroras across mid- and high-latitudes. Scientists note the equinox effect could intensify activity, offering a prime opportunity for skywatchers to witn…

Roscosmos Progress 93 and Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL are set for back-to-back ISS deliveries. Progress 93 brings food, fuel, and supplies, while Cygnus XL carries its heaviest load of science gear. Expedition 73 astronauts will manage both arrivals as they continue health, radiation, and plasma experiments, showcasing vital international collaboration in space exp…

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic jet is nearing its first flight, equipped with advanced safety systems, redundant backups, and pilot protections

Astronomers now predict a 90% chance of detecting an exploding primordial black hole within a decade. Such an event would confirm Stephen Hawking’s theory that black holes evaporate, releasing a flash of radiation and exotic particles. Detecting one would revolutionize physics and rewrite our understanding of the universe.

Researchers in China have developed a DNA “cassette tape” that stores data at densities far beyond current drives. By encoding digital files into DNA strands embedded on tape, the system allows compact, sustainable archival storage. A 100-meter DNA tape could hold 36 petabytes, reshaping the future of data centers.

Researchers have engineered a cobalt-nickel-vanadium alloy that stays tough even at –186°C, resisting the brittleness that plagues most metals in extreme cold. Using atomic-scale design, the team created dual structural patterns inside the alloy that block cracks and preserve ductility. In lab tests, the metal absorbed far more strain than conventional steels.

Researchers reconstructed lifelike faces from 2,500-year-old skulls found at Kondagai, Tamil Nadu. Linked to Keeladi’s Iron Age city, the portraits highlight advanced water systems, early Tamil script, and brick houses. The reconstructions provide a rare human link to South India’s sophisticated ancient urban culture.

Astronomers have, for the first time, measured the recoil speed and direction of a newborn black hole using gravitational waves. Data from the 2019 event GW190412 revealed the remnant shot away at 50 km/s. This breakthrough shows gravitational waves can reconstruct full 3D motion, offering new ways to connect black hole mergers with light signals.

NASA’s Artemis II mission will send astronauts beyond low Earth orbit as both scientists and volunteer test subjects. The crew will conduct health, radiation, and lunar studies, providing vital data to protect future explorers. Results will guide safety protocols for lunar and Mars missions, advancing human readiness for long-duration deep space exploration.

Qubic Technologies has developed a cryogenic amplifier that slashes heat emissions in quantum computers by 10,000 times. Expected to launch in 2026, the breakthrough could shrink cooling demands, reduce costs, and boost system efficiency. Experts suggest it may help overcome barriers to scalability, pushing quantum machines closer to commercial deployment.

NASA has successfully reconnected with the TRACERS spacecraft after a period of silence. The team is assessing onboard systems and working on recovery to resume science operations. While progress is being made, full restoration will take time, with updates to follow via NASA’s TRACERS blog.

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has captured a rare protostar about ten times the Sun’s mass blasting twin jets nearly eight light-years long. The beams carve through the glowing Sharpless 2-284 nebula, offering astronomers a vivid glimpse into how massive stars form and shape their galactic environment.

A groundbreaking study shows ions in solar flares can reach 108 million°F, about six times hotter than earlier estimates. The research explains decades-old mysteries in flare spectra and urges new “multi-temperature” models to better forecast space weather, protecting satellites, astronauts, and communications from hazardous solar storms.

On Sept. 10, 2025, SpaceX launched 21 satellites from Vandenberg, beginning the SDA’s first Transport Layer constellation for secure U.S. military communications. Built by York Space Systems, the satellites mark the first operational step toward a 126-satellite network linking American forces worldwide with encrypted, laser-based connections.