Space

The Sun has been throwing some major temper tantrums lately, its active sunspot AR13664 directing multiple intense X-class flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) towards our planet since the beginning of May. A recent geomagnetic storm, deemed to be the strongest since 2003, struck Earth earlier this month, causing disruptions to communication and GPS systems.

In the vast expanse of the cosmos, countless elements and compounds converge in cosmic clouds, offering the basic building blocks needed for the formation of planets. Now, astronomers have stumbled upon what they assert is the biggest known reservoir of planet-forming ingredients identified to date, swirling around a young star.

Researchers have discovered a new "fiery, glowing red" exoplanet displaying intense volcanic activity similar to Jupiter's m...

Have you ever wondered what happens if you were to fall into a black hole? Thanks to cutting-edge visualisations produced on a NASA supercomputer, this mind-bending experience is now within reach. These simulations offer multiple perspectives, from what would happen if we fell into the black hole itself, to the view of an observer narrowly missing the gravity giant.

The Sun has spewed out six X-class flares in the past week, the last three whoppers clocking in at X1.3, X1.2, and X4.5. And this intense solar activity, including powerful flares and CMEs, poses risks to Earth's technology during the approaching solar maximum period. Monitoring space weather and staying informed are crucial for mitigating potential disruptions.

NASA has set its sights on six mind-blowing tech concepts that seem ripped straight from science fiction. These visionary ideas, chosen for further development by the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts program, could revolutionise space exploration as we know it.

NASA announced on social media platform X that the problem was identified with an oxygen valve on part of ULA's Atlas 5 rocket and that the space agency, Boeing and ULA have "scrubbed the launch opportunity on May 6 for the agency's Boeing Crew Flight Test to the International Space Station due to a faulty oxygen relief valve observation on the Atlas V rocket Centaur second stage. The crew and rocket remain safe and more information will be forthcoming."

Previously, Indian satellite players — an industry still very much in its nascent stage — were constrained by reliance solely on domestic orbital resources, which often proved to be limited and costly. However, with the new IN-SPACe guidelines, Indian entities can now leverage surplus international satellite capacities to deliver satcom services at competitive rates, promising better services and affordability for end-consumers.

Wiliams will be tasked with conducting a series of tests to ensure the Starliner meets NASA's stringent safety standards for future regular missions. After docking, the astronauts will spend a productive eight days living and working on the ISS before returning to Earth on May 15. Unlike traditional US capsules that splashdown in the ocean, the Starliner will make a novel land-based touchdown in the western US.

Maj. Gen. Greg Gagnon, deputy chief of space operations for intelligence, said China had developed a sophisticated military satellite program.

There is a very real risk, according to experts, that the US could soon lose its status as the world's dominant space power.

Voyager 1 mysteriously stopped sending decipherable science and engineering data back to Earth on November 14. Fortunately, a myriad of independent controllers onboard were able to show that the spacecraft was still able to receive commands and was working normally, meaning the problem was localised. More importantly, it seemed fixable.

Russia and China are working on things that could be used to disable US satellites, raising alarms for defense analysts.

Mercury, the smallest and closest planet to the Sun, has long captivated scientists with its extreme conditions and mysterious features. With temperatures swinging from scorching heat to freezing cold and a surface scarred by craters, understanding Mercury's composition and formation has proved challenging.

Embarking on a celestial gardening expedition of sorts, NASA has set its sights on an ambitious project: growing plants on the Moon for the very first time! This initiative will be a part of the 2026 Artemis III mission, which will see the US space agency send humans back to the lunar surface.

Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), Josef Aschbacher, has heaped praise on the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for its recent successful launches and said that India's accomplishments in space and especially in lunar exploration is 'astonishing'. Aschbacher posted an appreciation post on X, after ESA hosted its 323rd Council meeting in Paris which was attended by the ISRO Chairman, S Somanath.

The colossal black hole named Sagittarius A* resides at the heart of the Milky Way, approximately 27,000 light-years away from our planet. For the first time now, Sgr A* has been observed in polarised light, offering a fresh glimpse into its magnetic environment. The latest portrayal showcases a strong, twisted and systematically organised magnetic field enveloping the black hole.

Dubbed the ‘49ers’ in homage to the California gold rush miners of 1849, these newfound galaxies have been likened to precious nuggets scattered across our night sky. Many of them have clustered together to form galaxy groups, with some intricately interconnected by their gas content. Among these galaxies, three even stand out for their intriguing dynamics.

INSAT-3DS, the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) meteorological satellite pivotal for weather forecasting, climate monitoring and understanding atmospheric processes, has unveiled the first batch of images captured by its meteorological Imager and Sounder payloads. These images are from the first imaging session for the Meteorological Payload IOT, which took place on March 7, 2024.

The government on Wednesday eased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) norms in the space sector by allowing 100 per cent overseas investment in making components for satellites, as part of efforts to attract overseas players and private companies into the segment. The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh)India on Monday ushered in the New Year in a grand manner by orbiting its X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat). At about 9.10 a.m. on the first day of the calendar year 2024, India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C58 (PSLV-C58) standing 44.4-metre tall, with a lift off mass of 260 ton blasted off from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, here.

In 2024, four eclipses in total will occur – two solar and two lunar eclipses. The first one of the year will happen on 25 March 2024 and it will be a penumbral lunar eclipse. The second one will be a total solar eclipse, which will occur on 8 April 2024. The third eclipse of the year described as a partial lunar eclipse will happen on 18 September 2024.