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Earth’s Oxygen Explains Mysterious Rust Formation on the Moon
Despite lacking air and water, the Moon hosts hematite—an oxidized iron mineral. Scientists discovered Earth’s escaping oxygen drives this rusting process during the Moon’s passage through the magnetotail. Observations from Chandrayaan-1 and NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter confirm hematite patches where Earth wind suppresses hydrogen an...
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Not Like Venus Or Mars, Distant Exoplanet May Have Atmosphere Like Earth's
A distant exoplanet might have an atmosphere similar to Earth's, early observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) suggest. It is part of a group of planets orbiting a star called TRAPPIST-1, about 40 light-years away from Earth.
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Exoplanets Explained: How Astronomers Find Worlds Orbiting Stars Beyond the Sun
Exoplanets are planets orbiting stars outside our solar system, hidden by stellar glare and detected indirectly. Astronomers identify them by tracking star wobbles or dips in brightness during planetary transits. NASA’s Kepler mission revealed thousands, with TESS now expanding the search. These discoveries confirm that planetary systems are abun...
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NASA's Hubble Captures Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Ahead of Close Mars Flyby
On October 3, 2025, interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS will pass just 30 million km from Mars — nine times closer than from Earth. ESA’s Mars Express and TGO, along with NASA and China’s orbiters, will attempt to image its coma, analyze gases, and study this rare visitor from beyond the solar system.
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NASA’s PUNCH Mission Completes Final Orbit Manoeuvres, Opens Early Sun Data to the Public
NASA’s PUNCH mission has reached full operational status, enabling continuous monitoring of the Sun and solar wind from multiple vantage points around Earth. This collaborative effort complements other major solar missions and promises valuable insights into the Sun–Earth connection. Early public release of PUNCH’s science data marks an excit...
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NASA Missions Uncover a Diverse Galaxy of Super-Earths, Raising New Questions About Planetary Evolution
Super-Earths are among the most common planets in the galaxy, yet none exist in our solar system. Larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune, they range from ocean-covered worlds to scorched, atmosphere-less rocks. Some orbit within habitable zones, making them prime candidates for life. NASA’s Kepler and TESS missions, along with upcoming telesc...
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James Webb Telescope Detects Potential Gas Giant Exoplanet Just 4 Light-Years Away
Astronomers using JWST have spotted a possible gas giant orbiting Alpha Centauri A, only 4 light-years away. If confirmed, it would be the closest exoplanet to a Sun-like star ever imaged. The discovery could challenge current models of planetary formation in binary systems and open new opportunities for studying nearby worlds.
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Solar Sail Spacecraft Could Boost Space Weather Warnings by Nearly 60 Minutes
A solar sail spacecraft could extend space weather warnings from 40 to 60 minutes, offering vital lead time before solar storms strike. Part of the SWIFT mission, this satellite will orbit farther than any current monitor, using sunlight for propulsion. The system aims to better protect satellites, astronauts, and power grids from geomagnetic disru...
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Mysterious Planet Nine May Still Lurk in the Outer Solar System
Astronomers have long speculated about a hidden planet—Planet Nine—lurking beyond Neptune. First proposed in 2016, the theory explains the strange orbits of distant Kuiper Belt objects through the gravitational pull of a massive, unseen world. Caltech researchers remain confident, while others suggest alternatives like debris rings or even a bl...
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Earth May Have At Least Six "Minimoons" At Any Given Time: Study
Studying minimoons can provide insights into the Moon's history and crater formation process.
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ESO Captures Clear Images of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Using VLT
The European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope has captured the clearest images so far of comet 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar visitor first spotted on July 1, 2025. Identified by its hyperbolic orbit, the comet is only the third interstellar object recorded passing through our solar system. The VLT’s deep image and timelapse confirm it is...
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New Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS Could Reveal Secrets of Distant Worlds
Astronomers have confirmed the arrival of 3I/ATLAS, only the third interstellar object ever spotted in our solar system. First seen on July 1, 2025, by the ATLAS survey team in Chile, it was quickly identified by its unusual hyperbolic orbit and comet-like tail. Larger and brighter than either 1I/ʻOumuamua or 2I/Borisov, 3I/ATLAS is estimated to b...
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A Planet with a Death Wish: How HIP 67522 b Is Forcing Its Star to Explode
NASA-backed astronomers have identified HIP 67522 b, a Jupiter-sized planet orbiting extremely close to its star, causing massive magnetic explosions. For the first time, a planet has been shown to trigger solar flares on its host star, highlighting a new era in exoplanet and stellar magnetic research.
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Earth Could Be Ejected Out Of The Solar System, Study Warns
Passing stars could trigger instability across the solar system, resulting in Earth being hauled out of its orbit.
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Solar Orbiter Captures First-Ever Close-Up of Sun’s South Pole, Revealing Magnetic Field Chaos
In a historic first, ESA’s Solar Orbiter has imaged the Sun’s elusive south pole, exposing a tangle of magnetic fields and solar winds. The mission marks a major leap in understanding space weather and the 11-year solar cycle that influences Earth’s environment.
-
Earth’s Oxygen Explains Mysterious Rust Formation on the Moon
Despite lacking air and water, the Moon hosts hematite—an oxidized iron mineral. Scientists discovered Earth’s escaping oxygen drives this rusting process during the Moon’s passage through the magnetotail. Observations from Chandrayaan-1 and NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter confirm hematite patches where Earth wind suppresses hydrogen an...
-
Not Like Venus Or Mars, Distant Exoplanet May Have Atmosphere Like Earth's
A distant exoplanet might have an atmosphere similar to Earth's, early observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) suggest. It is part of a group of planets orbiting a star called TRAPPIST-1, about 40 light-years away from Earth.
-
Exoplanets Explained: How Astronomers Find Worlds Orbiting Stars Beyond the Sun
Exoplanets are planets orbiting stars outside our solar system, hidden by stellar glare and detected indirectly. Astronomers identify them by tracking star wobbles or dips in brightness during planetary transits. NASA’s Kepler mission revealed thousands, with TESS now expanding the search. These discoveries confirm that planetary systems are abun...
-
NASA's Hubble Captures Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Ahead of Close Mars Flyby
On October 3, 2025, interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS will pass just 30 million km from Mars — nine times closer than from Earth. ESA’s Mars Express and TGO, along with NASA and China’s orbiters, will attempt to image its coma, analyze gases, and study this rare visitor from beyond the solar system.
-
NASA’s PUNCH Mission Completes Final Orbit Manoeuvres, Opens Early Sun Data to the Public
NASA’s PUNCH mission has reached full operational status, enabling continuous monitoring of the Sun and solar wind from multiple vantage points around Earth. This collaborative effort complements other major solar missions and promises valuable insights into the Sun–Earth connection. Early public release of PUNCH’s science data marks an excit...
-
NASA Missions Uncover a Diverse Galaxy of Super-Earths, Raising New Questions About Planetary Evolution
Super-Earths are among the most common planets in the galaxy, yet none exist in our solar system. Larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune, they range from ocean-covered worlds to scorched, atmosphere-less rocks. Some orbit within habitable zones, making them prime candidates for life. NASA’s Kepler and TESS missions, along with upcoming telesc...
-
James Webb Telescope Detects Potential Gas Giant Exoplanet Just 4 Light-Years Away
Astronomers using JWST have spotted a possible gas giant orbiting Alpha Centauri A, only 4 light-years away. If confirmed, it would be the closest exoplanet to a Sun-like star ever imaged. The discovery could challenge current models of planetary formation in binary systems and open new opportunities for studying nearby worlds.
-
Solar Sail Spacecraft Could Boost Space Weather Warnings by Nearly 60 Minutes
A solar sail spacecraft could extend space weather warnings from 40 to 60 minutes, offering vital lead time before solar storms strike. Part of the SWIFT mission, this satellite will orbit farther than any current monitor, using sunlight for propulsion. The system aims to better protect satellites, astronauts, and power grids from geomagnetic disru...
-
Mysterious Planet Nine May Still Lurk in the Outer Solar System
Astronomers have long speculated about a hidden planet—Planet Nine—lurking beyond Neptune. First proposed in 2016, the theory explains the strange orbits of distant Kuiper Belt objects through the gravitational pull of a massive, unseen world. Caltech researchers remain confident, while others suggest alternatives like debris rings or even a bl...
-
Earth May Have At Least Six "Minimoons" At Any Given Time: Study
Studying minimoons can provide insights into the Moon's history and crater formation process.
-
ESO Captures Clear Images of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Using VLT
The European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope has captured the clearest images so far of comet 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar visitor first spotted on July 1, 2025. Identified by its hyperbolic orbit, the comet is only the third interstellar object recorded passing through our solar system. The VLT’s deep image and timelapse confirm it is...
-
New Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS Could Reveal Secrets of Distant Worlds
Astronomers have confirmed the arrival of 3I/ATLAS, only the third interstellar object ever spotted in our solar system. First seen on July 1, 2025, by the ATLAS survey team in Chile, it was quickly identified by its unusual hyperbolic orbit and comet-like tail. Larger and brighter than either 1I/ʻOumuamua or 2I/Borisov, 3I/ATLAS is estimated to b...
-
A Planet with a Death Wish: How HIP 67522 b Is Forcing Its Star to Explode
NASA-backed astronomers have identified HIP 67522 b, a Jupiter-sized planet orbiting extremely close to its star, causing massive magnetic explosions. For the first time, a planet has been shown to trigger solar flares on its host star, highlighting a new era in exoplanet and stellar magnetic research.
-
Earth Could Be Ejected Out Of The Solar System, Study Warns
Passing stars could trigger instability across the solar system, resulting in Earth being hauled out of its orbit.
-
Solar Orbiter Captures First-Ever Close-Up of Sun’s South Pole, Revealing Magnetic Field Chaos
In a historic first, ESA’s Solar Orbiter has imaged the Sun’s elusive south pole, exposing a tangle of magnetic fields and solar winds. The mission marks a major leap in understanding space weather and the 11-year solar cycle that influences Earth’s environment.
