SpaceX's Starship prototype faced another setback. A static fire test resulted in an explosion. The incident raises concerns about the rocket's reliability. This test follows previous failures, including a destroyed Super Heavy booster. Starship is crucial for missions to the Moon and Mars. SpaceX insists that these tests provide valuable data. The company aims to reduce space travel costs.
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NASA is embarking on the Sporadic-E ElectroDynamics (SEED) mission, launching rockets from Kwajalein Atoll to investigate unpredictable Sporadic-E layers in the ionosphere. These layers disrupt radio signals, impacting communication and navigation systems. The mission aims to understand their formation and behavior near the magnetic equator, enhancing prediction models to mitigate signal interruptions.
Scientists have achieved a groundbreaking feat by detecting a 13-billion-year-old microwave signal from the Cosmic Dawn using Earth-based telescopes in Chile. This discovery, made by the CLASS project, provides unprecedented insights into the early universe and the formation of the first stars and galaxies.
A recent study of 514-million-year-old archaeocyathid reefs in Nevada reveals that early reefs didn't consistently boost biodiversity like modern coral reefs. Researchers found inconsistent patterns of marine life around these ancient reefs, largely dependent on localized conditions. This discovery challenges assumptions about reef ecosystems and offers insights into the evolution of marine systems.
A 60-meter asteroid, 2024 YR4, has a 4.3% chance of hitting the Moon on December 22, 2032. NASA warns the impact could eject lunar debris towards Earth, endangering satellites and future lunar missions. Scientists estimate a significant portion of this debris could damage or disable satellites, potentially causing widespread communication and GPS failures.
Researchers in Japan have developed a novel plastic that dissolves in seawater within hours, potentially mitigating microplastic pollution. Created from sodium hexametaphosphate and guanidinium ions, this durable, non-flammable plastic can be customized for various applications. Its rapid disintegration in saltwater and the recyclability of its components offer a promising solution to the global plastic crisis.
International Space Station astronauts celebrated with 'space sushi'. Jonny Kim shared the crew's creative meal on social media. They used rice, spam, fish, gochujang, and wasabi. Limited supplies didn't stop them. Astronauts taped surfaces to keep food from floating. The meal boosted morale and fostered connection. Social media users admired their resourcefulness and ingenuity.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has captured an awe-inspiring image showcasing thousands of galaxies, forming part of the COSMOS-Webb survey. This profound window into the universe reveals star systems both near and far, including galaxies from the early universe. Webb's infrared capabilities enable scientists to study galaxy evolution and interactions across cosmic history, uncovering previously unseen structures.
Astronomers have observed thick, mineral-rich clouds, potentially containing iron, enveloping the young exoplanet YSES-1b, leading to the possibility of iron rain. The YSES-1 system, only a million years old, features two gas giants, offering a unique opportunity to study planet formation. Researchers are intrigued by the persistent dust disk around YSES-1b, challenging existing planet formation theories.
A new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1 or "Nimbus," is spreading globally, causing painful sore throats, dubbed "razor blade throat." Primarily affecting the eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and western Pacific regions, it's been detected in the US. While some Western Pacific countries report increased cases and hospitalizations, current vaccines remain effective, and the WHO considers the public health risk low.
SpaceX's Starship prototype faced another setback. A static fire test resulted in an explosion. The incident raises concerns about the rocket's reliability. This test follows previous failures, including a destroyed Super Heavy booster. Starship is crucial for missions to the Moon and Mars. SpaceX insists that these tests provide valuable data. The company aims to reduce space travel costs.