New ‘Super-Earth’ just 18 light-years away sparks hope for life beyond our solar system Imagine looking up at the night sky and knowing that somewhere among those distant pinpoints of light, another world might hold the conditions for life. Astronomers have long searched for planets like ours, and now, a new discovery brings that dream…
A newly identified asteroid, 2025 SC79, is drawing global attention from astronomers due to its unusual orbit and size. Roughly 700 metres across, this fast-moving space rock completes a full circuit around the Sun in just 128 days, ranking it as the second-fastest known asteroid in the Solar System. Uniquely, it travels inside Venus’s orbit,…
@vantortech on X (formerly Twitter) A recent post on X by VantorTech has captured global attention after revealing an incredibly detailed image of the NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite. The post, shared on October 16, 2025, featured the satellite’s massive radar antenna deployed in space, accompanied by a caption that described it as “the most powerful radar…
In 2025, astronomers confirmed that the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS is approaching Earth, sparking significant interest from both the scientific community and the public. Its unusual trajectory, unique features, and precise timing have prompted speculation about possible connections to the centuries-old prophecies of Nostradamus. While scientists stress that 3I/ATLAS poses no threat to our planet, the…
Riya Dhage (first author) and Purusharth I Rajyaguru (corresponding author) (Photo: IISc) BENGALURU: The baker’s yeast that helps make bread and beer may also hold secrets to life beyond Earth. A new study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Isro’s Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) suggests that the humble yeast can endure…
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is making remarkable progress on its human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan. Chairman V Narayanan recently revealed that approximately 90 per cent of the mission’s development work has been completed, signalling a major milestone for India’s ambitions in space exploration as reported by Indian Defence News. The Gaganyaan mission aims to…
Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, is preparing for a significant expansion into India. The company plans to establish nine gateway earth stations across major Indian cities, including Mumbai, Noida, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Lucknow. These stations are crucial infrastructure for Starlink’s satellite communication (satcom) services and will enable the comninpany to test and demonstrate…
Environmental scientist Dr Ashokkumar Veeramuthu from Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district has once again brought pride to India, earning a place in the World’s Top Scientists list compiled by Stanford University and Elsevier Publishers. This marks his third consecutive appearance — in 2023, 2024, and 2025 — an honour achieved by only a handful of Indian…
Elon Musk has made headlines again, this time sharply criticising NASA’s leadership as the competition to return to the Moon intensifies. The SpaceX CEO publicly questioned NASA administrator Sean Duffy’s competence, suggesting he lacks the intelligence to effectively lead one of the world’s most influential space agencies. Musk’s comments come in the wake of NASA’s…
A fascinating new species of ichthyosaur, Xiphodracon goldencapensis, has recently been described in a study published in Papers in Palaeontology. The nearly complete fossil, officially known as specimen ROM VP52596, was discovered along the scenic Jurassic Coast of Dorset, England—specifically near Golden Cap between Charmouth and Seatown. Dating back to the Early Jurassic period, this…
Astronomers have confirmed that Earth has a new temporary mini-moon, a small asteroid designated 2025 PN7, which has recently joined our planet’s orbit. Measuring roughly 62 feet in diameter, this quasi-moon is not permanently bound like the Moon but instead follows a looping trajectory that keeps it near Earth for decades. Its discovery offers scientists…
Astronomers have found that Earth has acquired a new cosmic partner, a tiny asteroid named 2025 PN7, which will orbit with our planet for approximately 50 years. Though described by some as a “mini-moon,” scientists clarify that it is not actually a satellite like our Moon. Rather, it’s a quasi-moon, an uncommon variety of asteroid…
A Harvard astrophysicist has sparked widespread curiosity online by warning people to “take vacations before October 29,” suggesting that NASA may be withholding critical information about a mysterious interstellar object passing through our solar system. Designated 3I/ATLAS, this visitor has captured global scientific attention due to its unusual size, estimated at roughly 5.6 kilometres across,…
In a new discovery outlined in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, astronomers have identified a mysterious celestial body known as Companion Candidate 1 (CC1), orbiting within the young WISPIT 2 system. Initially observed during a study focused on the protoplanet WISPIT 2b, this intriguing object may represent either a dense dust clump reflecting long-wavelength light or…
Krill, the small, shrimp-like creatures drifting through the oceans might appear insignificant, but they are central to the balance of marine life. Recent findings have uncovered fascinating details about how these tiny crustaceans feed, revealing an impressive adaptability in the face of environmental changes. The research, published in Biology Letters by The Royal Society, sheds…
Representative image (ANI) Artificial intelligence (AI) is the new currency of global power, and China is amassing it at scale.In 2017, China declared its ambition to become the world’s leading AI power by 2030 and has pumped in billions, spurring domestic innovation. Between the state and the private sector, the country is projected to spend…
Snake milking is frequently misunderstood, often perceived as a dangerous or cruel activity. In reality, it is a highly precise and carefully controlled scientific procedure. Trained herpetologists extract venom from snakes under strict safety protocols, ensuring both human and animal welfare. This venom is vital for producing antivenoms, which save thousands of lives each year,…
NASA has signalled a significant change in its lunar exploration plans by opening the prestigious US moon landing contract to additional bidders. The decision comes amid growing delays with SpaceX’s Starship lunar lander, which was originally selected in 2021 to carry astronauts back to the Moon under the Artemis 3 mission. Acting NASA administrator Sean…
Representative image (Picture credit: AP) NEW YORK: Two bright green comets are streaming through the skies and are visible to skygazers in the Northern Hemisphere. Both hail from the outer edges of our solar system – possibly what’s known as the Oort Cloud, well beyond Pluto. Comet Lemmon will have its closest brush with Earth…
Astronomers have observed odd and strange lights on the Moon, or Transient Lunar Phenomena (TLPs), for centuries. These TLPs vary from bright, short flashes to weak glows and transitory colour changes, drawing the interest of observers across the globe. More than 3,000 TLPs have been sighted so far, but their precise causes are unknown. Scientists…
