Science

The Draconid Meteor Shower, known for its connection to the constellation Draco, is set to peak on October 8th and 9th this year. This annual meteor shower provides a rare opportunity for skywatchers to witness meteors during the evening hours. The constellation Draco lies in the northern sky, making the shower visible throughout the night.

Recent research has provided a deeper understanding of the mysterious craters appearing in Siberia. These craters, some as deep as 160 feet (50 meters) and wide as 230 feet (70 meters), form when thawing permafrost triggers sudden methane gas explosions. The permafrost thaw causes cracks, releasing methane gas stored deep underground, leading to these dramatic

NASA has chosen two mission proposals to further investigate X-ray and far-infrared wavelengths, marking the start of a new class of astrophysics missions. These missions fall within NASA’s Explorers Programme and have been allocated $5 million each for a 12-month concept study. A final decision will be made in 2026, with the selected mission launching

NASA has shut off one of Voyager 2’s scientific instruments to preserve its remaining power as it journeys through interstellar space. The spacecraft, launched on 20 August 1977, is currently positioned 12.8 billion miles from Earth and is exploring beyond the solar system. Since leaving the heliosphere on 5 November 2018, Voyager 2 has been

October offers a fascinating opportunity for skywatchers with a new comet making its appearance and several planets visible throughout the month. A particularly intriguing comet, known as C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), will grace the evening skies after October 14. It remains to be seen whether it will be the brightest comet of the year, as it

A fascinating study suggests that Mount Everest, standing at 29,031.69 feet (8,848.86 m), may be taller than expected due to an ancient river “capture” event. This geological phenomenon occurred approximately 89,000 years ago and involved a river located around 46 miles (75 kilometres) from the mountain. Researchers propose that the erosion resulting from this event

A recent study by astrophysicists suggests that advanced alien civilisations might only have a thousand years before their planets become uninhabitable due to climate change. This alarming finding stems from simulations exploring the trajectory of technological growth and energy consumption of these hypothetical societies. Even those relying on renewable energy could face dire consequences, as

The annular solar eclipse on October 2, 2024, will be a remarkable celestial event. When the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, it will create a ring of fire visible from parts of the Southern Hemisphere. But how fast will this event unfold across the planet? Why the Eclipse Speed Varies The speed

SpaceX‘s Crew-9 mission successfully reached the International Space Station (ISS) on September 29, 2024. The NASA astronaut Colonel Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov boarded the Crew Dragon capsule, named Freedom. After launching from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on September 28th, the crew completed a one-day orbital journey before docking at 5:30

NASA scientists have determined that Earth will capture a second moon on Sunday, 29th September 2024. This small asteroid, named 2024 PT5, typically orbits the sun as part of the Arjuna asteroid belt. Unlike our long-term lunar companion, which has orbited Earth for over 4 billion years, this temporary second moon will only stay with

The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing to launch a unique satellite in 2027, designed specifically to study how satellites break apart upon reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. This mission, named DRACO (Destructive Reentry Assessment Container Object), will be an important step in ESA’s effort to develop technology that limits the creation of space debris. ESA

In May 2024, a remarkable geomagnetic storm, also known as solar storm, impacted Earth, resulting in vibrant auroras that captivated observers worldwide. These stunning natural displays occur when eruptions of solar plasma, known as coronal mass ejections, collide with Earth’s magnetic field. While these events are a visual delight, they also raise significant questions about

New research is shedding light on the brain‘s role in depression, particularly through the discovery of an enlarged salience network in people suffering from the condition. This brain network, located primarily in the frontal cortex and striatum, is responsible for processing rewards and focusing attention on significant stimuli. The findings open promising avenues for early

Woolly mammoths have long been thought to have disappeared due to a combination of factors, such as climate change and human activity. However, a recent study proposes an unexpected hypothesis: pollen allergies may have played a role in their extinction. The study suggests that at the end of the last Ice Age, a surge in

On September 17, 2024, a fascinating asteroid named 2024 ON zipped past Earth, offering scientists a rare view of a snowman-shaped space rock. While the object was classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid due to its proximity to our planet, it posed no immediate threat and passed safely at a distance of 620,000 miles. Radar

Semi-aquatic lizards, such as the water anole (Anolis aquaticus), have a unique ability to stay submerged for extended periods by creating an air bubble around their snout. This behaviour, first observed in 2018, has now been confirmed in 18 other anole species. The air bubble helps the lizards breathe while underwater, enabling them to remain

In 1859, when Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, the Earth experienced one of the most powerful solar storms in recorded history. Telegraph systems across Europe and North America malfunctioned, sparking fires in some places. This event, later known as the Carrington event, was preceded by the first confirmed observation of a solar

SpaceX‘s upcoming Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) has been postponed because of the arrival of Tropical Storm Helene. Originally set to launch on September 26th from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the launch is now delayed by at least two days. The tropical storm is expected to escalate into a Category 3

An asteroid, about the size of a city bus, will soon become a “mini-moon” as it will get caught in Earth’s gravitational pull. Named 2024 PT5, this asteroid is expected to enter Earth’s orbit on September 29, 2024, and will stay until November 25. While the term “mini-moon” may sound peculiar, it is used by

The traditional view of black holes, as proposed by Karl Schwarzschild in 1916, suggests they consist of two main features: a singularity and an event horizon. This model faces challenges when combined with quantum mechanics, especially following Stephen Hawking’s discovery of Hawking radiation in the 1970s. According to this theory, black holes emit radiation due