Tag Archives: origin

Event Horizon Telescope Discovers Potential Origin of Messier 87 Black Hole’s Jet

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Astronomers utilizing the groundbreaking Event Horizon Telescope—a global network of eight advanced radio telescopes—have pinpointed the likely origin of a massive space jet emanating from the core of Messier 87.

This Webb/NIRCam image showcases the extraordinary space jet of Messier 87. Image credits: Jan Röder, Maciek Wielgus, Joseph B. Jensen, Gagandeep S. Anand, R. Brent Tully.

Messier 87, a colossal elliptical galaxy situated approximately 53 million light-years away in the Virgo constellation, is of great scientific interest.

Also known as M87, Virgo A, and NGC 4486, this galaxy hosts a supermassive black hole, approximately 6 billion times the mass of our Sun.

This supermassive black hole generates a striking, narrow jet of particles that extends roughly 3,000 light-years into the cosmos.

To investigate such distant regions, astronomers are combining radio telescopes from around the world to create a virtual Earth-sized observatory known as the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT).

Using EHT observations of M87 conducted in 2021, researchers assessed the brightness of radio emissions at various spatial scales.

They discovered that the luminous ring surrounding the black hole does not account for all radio emissions, identifying an additional compact source approximately 0.09 light-years from the black hole that aligns with the predicted location of the jet’s base.

“By pinpointing where the jet originates and how it connects to the black hole’s shadow, we are adding significant insights into this cosmic puzzle,” stated Saurabh, a student at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy and a member of the EHT Collaboration.

“The newly collected data is currently undergoing analysis with contributions from international partners and will soon incorporate additional telescopes, improving our understanding of this area,” remarked Dr. Sebastiano von Fehrenberg, an astronomer at the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics.

“This will provide us with a much clearer view of the jet’s launch region.”

“We’re transitioning from merely calculating the positions of these structures to aiming for direct imaging,” he added.

“The jet is postulated to be launched using the rotational energy of the black hole through electromagnetic processes, presenting a unique laboratory where general relativity and quantum electrodynamics intersect,” explained Professor Bert Lipperda, also from the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics.

“Studying how jets are launched in proximity to a black hole’s event horizon is a crucial advancement in our comprehension of these cosmic titans.”

“The observational data will empower scientists to test theories regarding the interplay between gravity and magnetism in the universe’s most extreme environments, bringing us closer to understanding the ‘engines’ that shape entire galaxies.”

Find more details in the result published in the Journal on January 28, 2026, in Astronomy and Astrophysics.

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Saurabh et al. 2026. Investigation of the jet-based ejection from M87* with 2021 Event Horizon Telescope observations. A&A 706, A27; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202557022

Source: www.sci.news

Blue Origin Launches Rocket to Transport NASA’s Twin Spacecraft to Mars

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Blue Origin achieved a successful launch of its impressive New Glenn rocket on Thursday, transporting two NASA spacecraft en route to Mars. This marks just the rocket’s second flight, as both Blue Origin and NASA anticipate it will eventually carry personnel and supplies to the moon.

Soaring to a height of 321 feet (98 meters), the New Glenn rocket burst into the afternoon sky from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, initiating a lengthy journey for NASA’s twin Mars rovers to the Red Planet. The launch was delayed by four days due to inclement weather and a solar storm, which created auroras visible as far south as Florida.

In a significant achievement for the emerging company, Blue Origin successfully retrieved the booster after its separation from the upper stage and the Mars rover. This step is vital for cost reduction and reusability, mirroring SpaceX’s operational model. Company employees erupted in cheers as the booster landed upright on a barge 375 miles (600 kilometers) offshore, with an elated Bezos observing from launch control.


“Next time it’s the moon!” the employees chanted excitedly after the centerpiece of the booster landed. Twenty minutes later, the upper stage of the rocket deployed the two Mars rovers into space, fulfilling the primary goal of the mission.

The New Glenn conducted its inaugural test flight in January, successfully placing a prototype satellite into orbit, though it did not manage to land its booster on a floating platform in the Atlantic Ocean.

The twin Mars rover, named Escapade, will remain near Earth for a year at a distance of 1 mile (1.5 kilometers). Once Earth and Mars are ideally aligned next fall, they will utilize gravity assist from Earth to travel to the Red Planet, with an expected arrival in 2027.

During its orbit around Mars, the spacecraft will map the planet’s upper atmosphere and diffuse magnetic field, studying their interactions with solar wind. The data collected will enhance understanding of the processes driving the loss of Mars’ atmosphere and provide insights into how the planet transitioned from a wet and warm environment to its current dry and dusty state. Researchers will also investigate ways to protect astronauts from the intense radiation present on Mars.

“We are eager to gain a deeper understanding of how the solar wind interacts with Mars,” stated Escapade’s lead scientist Rob Lillis from the University of California, Berkeley, ahead of the launch. “Escapade offers a unique opportunity with two spacecraft operating simultaneously, granting us an unprecedented stereo perspective.”

This relatively cost-effective mission is budgeted at less than $80 million and is managed by the University of California, Berkeley. Initially slated for last fall, the launch of the Mars rover was postponed due to issues related to Blue Origin’s new rocket.

The New Glenn rocket, named in honor of John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, is significantly larger than Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, which caters to affluent passengers traveling to the edge of space from West Texas. Blue Origin is also set to launch a demonstration mission for its prototype lunar lander, Blue Moon, aboard New Glenn in the upcoming months.

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Founded in 2000 by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin holds a contract with NASA for the third astronaut lunar landing under the Artemis program. In contrast, SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, utilized its Starship rocket—approximately 100 feet (30 meters) taller than New Glenn—to successfully complete the first two crewed lunar landings.

However, last month, NASA’s acting administrator Sean Duffy reinstated the contract for the initial manned moon landing, expressing concerns regarding the pace of progress on Starship’s testing from Texas. Both Blue Origin and SpaceX have put forth preliminary plans for landing.

Plans are underway for NASA to send astronauts around the moon early next year using its own Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, followed by the Artemis crew’s attempt to land. The space agency aims to surpass China’s mission and return astronauts to the moon within the next decade.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Origin of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Remains a Mystery.

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This striking image of 3I/ATLAS was taken by the International Gemini Observatory in Chile, revealing the comet’s coma formed of gas and dust.

Image Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/Shadow the Scientist

3I/ATLAS, an interstellar comet traversing our solar system, presents a challenge in determining its origin due to potential alterations from cosmic rays over billions of years that could have completely transformed its characteristics.

Initially detected in July, astronomers have begun to analyze its intriguing traits, including its coma, which features carbon dioxide levels at least 16 times greater than standard comets in our solar system, marking it as one of the most CO2-rich comets ever seen.

While some researchers theorized that this might indicate an unusual star system as the comet’s birthplace (or, less plausibly, a link to extraterrestrial life), a more straightforward explanation has emerged.

Roman Maggiolo and colleagues from the Belgian Royal Institute for Astronautics and Aeronautics assert that the elevated CO2 concentrations are likely a result of significant alterations to the outer layers of 3I/ATLAS over billions of years due to cosmic rays.

“This slow process has often been neglected or underestimated, yet it profoundly impacts objects like comets and interstellar bodies,” Maggiolo states.

The team compared their findings from 3I/ATLAS to lab experiments that simulate cosmic ray bombardment of ice composed of water and carbon monoxide, akin to that found on comets. These experiments revealed that this process generates substantial CO2 and leaves behind a carbon-rich residue that aligns with observations from the comet.

“Gradually, cosmic rays create reactive radicals—molecular fragments that break down and reform, thereby altering the ice’s chemical makeup,” Maggiolo explains.

This revelation poses a setback for comprehending the origins of comets, as cosmic rays can obliterate critical evidence. Previously, astronomers thought interstellar comets like 3I/ATLAS were remarkably preserved, acting as cold fossils with vital data about other star systems; however, a more cautious approach may now be necessary concerning the insights they can provide.

Although its swift passage through the solar system limits the chances for satellites to explore and directly sample these comets, there remains a sliver of hope for clarifying the true nature of 3I/ATLAS.

Currently, the comet is nearing the Sun and isn’t visible from Earth but is anticipated to resurface in December. This close encounter might result in sufficient melting of the outer ice layer to unveil materials shielded from cosmic rays, as noted by Maggiolo. However, this is contingent upon how much ice has already vanished since its entry into the solar system and the thickness of the icy crust, details that are still unclear.

Cyriel Opitum, a professor at the University of Edinburgh in the UK, emphasizes that forthcoming observations utilizing both the James Webb Space Telescope and ground-based telescopes will be essential in uncovering primitive material beneath the comet’s surface. “We are looking forward to an exciting few months ahead,” she states.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Planetary Scientists Challenge Marine Origin of Organic Molecules in Enceladus’ Plumes

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The magnetosphere of Saturn is filled with trapped plasma and energy-charged particles that consistently bombard the surface of Enceladus. This plasma mainly consists of charged particles, including water group ions created from high-energy electrons interacting with materials from the plumes. Instruments on NASA’s Cassini spacecraft reveal that on Saturn’s inner icy moons, such as Mimas and Tethys, cold plasma irradiation results in darker reflection spectra and produces blue-tinted features on their surfaces. In contrast, the consequences of plasma bombardment on Enceladus remain largely unexplored and challenging to assess.

Saturn’s Moon Enceladus and Plume. Image credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/Kevin M. Gill.

“The discovery of complex organic molecules in Enceladus’s environment is crucial for evaluating lunar habitability, indicating that radiation-driven chemistry on the surface and within plumes can yield these molecules.”

The Enceladus plume was first identified in 2005 by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft.

These plumes emerge from a long fracture known as the “Tiger Stripes” located in Enceladus’s Antarctic region.

Originating from a subsurface ocean, the water’s energy to create plumes and heat the ocean arises from gravitational tidal forces exerted by the massive Saturn, which deforms Enceladus’s interior.

Cassini flew through the plume, “sampling” the molecules present, which were found to be rich in salts and a variety of organic compounds.

These findings have captivated astrobiologists since organic compounds found dissolved in underground oceans could lead to prebiotic molecules, the building blocks of life.

However, new insights suggest that radiation from Saturn’s powerful magnetosphere could also contribute to the formation of these organic compounds on Enceladus’s icy surface, prompting questions about their astrobiological significance.

In their research, Dr. Richards and colleagues replicated the ice composition on the surface and along the striped walls of Enceladus’s tiger.

This ice comprises water, carbon dioxide, methane, and ammonia, which were cooled to -200 degrees Celsius.

The researchers then bombarded the ice with ions to mimic the radiation environment surrounding Enceladus.

The interaction of ions with ice components generated various molecular species, including carbon monoxide, cyanate, and ammonium.

It also produced precursor molecules for amino acids, which could support metabolic reactions, aid in cell repair, and facilitate the formation of proteins that transport nutrients in living organisms.

Some of these compounds have been previously identified on Enceladus’s surface, while others were detected in feathers.

“Molecules deemed prebiotic do not necessarily originate from subterranean oceans but can instead form in situ via radiation exposure,” noted Dr. Richards.

“This does not dismiss the potential for the Enceladus seas to be habitable, but it emphasizes the need for caution when interpreting the plume’s composition.”

“Distinguishing between ocean-derived organic matter and molecules formed through radiation interactions with the surface and tiger stripes is extremely complex.”

“Additional data from future missions will be essential, including proposals for the Enceladus mission currently under review as part of the ESA’s Navigation 2050 recommendations for the science program.”

The team’s survey results were announced earlier this month during the EPSC-DPS2025 Joint Meeting in Helsinki, Finland.

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Grace Richards et al. 2025. Water group ion irradiation studies of Enceladus surface analogues. EPSC Abstract 18:EPSC-DPS2025-264; doi:10.5194/epsc-dps2025-264

Source: www.sci.news

What Is the Origin of Deep Space Gamma Rays?

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Long before astronomers proposed the Big Bang theory, they understood that the universe is infinite, remains constant over time, and that there are no dark patches in the night sky if it is indeed filled with stars. If stars populate space uniformly, then starlight would illuminate every point in the sky. Consequently, if this light persisted over time, it would illuminate Earth equally, making the sky uniformly bright.

This insight is known as Olbers’ Paradox, which suggests that the universe is neither infinite nor static, as it contains gaps of darkness between stars. Instead, astronomers agree that the universe has evolved over time, originating from the Big Bang. These transformations prevent the sky from being completely filled with starlight because, even if the universe were infinite and abundant with stars, only some would have had enough time to reach Earth.

The sky is not merely filled with starlight; it is awash with various light types. The most prominent is the long-wavelength radiation remaining from the Big Bang, known as the Cosmic Microwave Background, or CMB. Additionally, short-wavelength radiation emanates from beyond our galaxy, termed the Extragalactic Gamma-Ray Background, or EGB. The origins of EGB are more elusive compared to CMB, with possible sources ranging from black holes in distant galaxies to reactions of subatomic particles and even dark matter.

Since the discovery of EGB in the 1970s, scientists have pinpointed specific large, high-energy objects such as active galactic nuclei, which comprise nearly half of the EGB. These entities produce bright spots of resolved EGB that are observable from Earth.

This accounts for only part of the EGB, leaving the other half unresolved. The unresolved EGB is distributed across the sky, with sources too distant to be identified by telescopes. To investigate unresolved EGB sources, a scientific team explored the hypothesis that galaxies are significant, if not the primary, contributors. They deduced that nearby galaxies may account for resolved EGBs, implying that distant galaxies could be sources of the diffuse, unresolved EGBs.

It is believed that galaxies generate gamma rays through a series of events; firstly, a star is formed, which may either explode or undergo a supernova event. Supernovae accelerate particles, such as protons and electrons, to high velocities, creating cosmic rays. These cosmic rays then collide, releasing energy and initiating a chain reaction that leads to the formation of high-energy gamma rays, existing within a specific energy range of approximately 0.01–1,000 Giga-electronvolts (GEVs).

Researchers have developed a model to estimate the gamma radiation that galaxies are capable of producing and the energy levels of that radiation. This model derives two equations to calculate how frequently a galaxy generates cosmic rays based on its star production rate. Physical attributes of the galaxy, including mass, radius, and star formation rate, were necessary to finalize the model.

Data was collected from 22,087 galaxies in the Goods-S Catalog using the Hubble Space Telescope. They utilized the model to estimate the gamma radiation contributions these galaxies could provide to small regions of the sky, comparing the model’s estimates with actual gamma radiation observations from each galaxy obtained through the Fermi Gamma-Ray Telescope.

The results indicated that within the 1-10 GEV energy range of gamma radiation, these galaxies might account for 50-60% of the unresolved EGB across all observed areas. Furthermore, the contribution from galaxies diminishes sharply below 1 GEV and above 10 GEV. Their findings suggest that earlier research into the star-forming galaxy hypothesis may have underestimated their contributions to the unresolved EGB.

The team concluded that beyond star-forming galaxies, other sources must account for the unresolved EGB found in deep space. They propose that future research focus on active galactic nuclei and millisecond pulsars as potentially fruitful candidates. This observation indicates the possibility of other unexplored phenomena, suggesting that galaxies may not be the primary sources of unresolved EGBs. The disappearance of dark matter could be a piece of this cosmic puzzle.

Where does Deep Space Gamma Ray come from? It first appeared in Sciworthy.

Source: sciworthy.com

What Is the Origin of Time?

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The universe follows the arrows of time

Wavebreakmedia Ltd DW1802_1 / Alamy

Where does time truly originate? This is a common inquiry I encounter when people discover my background as a physicist. While there isn’t a concise answer, exploring the arrows of time can shed light on the topic.

This concept, emerging in the 1920s, is grounded in the principles of physics governing energy, heat, and entropy. Entropy tends to increase over time, signifying a shift from a low entropy state to a high entropy state—this represents the direction of the “arrow of time.” Often misunderstood as merely obstacles, entropy is better understood as the count of larger configurations, or macrostates, that can arise from smaller ones, known as microstates.

For example, a macrostate with mixed cutlery signifies higher entropy than one where forks are on one side and spoons on the other. Opening a drawer only to find mixed cutlery implies the arrow of time has transitioned from the past to the future.

Yet, a significant issue arises when applying cutlery analogies to the universe. Why did a pristine, low-entropy state ever exist?

This is referred to as the “past hypothesis,” and physicists are generally skeptical of it. When theorizing backward through time, they envision a universe in a state of very low entropy. Given the rarity of such conditions, the existence of such a state raises questions. Moreover, it prompts speculation on whether this state aligns with the Big Bang, the universe’s genesis.

Compounding the mystery is the fact that the laws of physics at scales far smaller than the entire universe—like subatomic particles—are entirely reversible. As Pablo Arrighi from Paris Clair University puts it, this presents a major paradox within physics.

“The laws of physics are reversible, yet our daily experiences contradict this,” he notes. Arrighi and his team set out to create a simplified “toy universe” to better understand this phenomenon.

They discovered that the arrow of time is an inevitability if this toy universe mirrors our own and exhibits constant expansion. In this model, they also discard the need for past hypotheses. The Big Bang can occur without special conditions, while the arrow of time consistently moves forward.

Interestingly, Arrighi highlights that his findings challenge previous notions, such as the potential “big crunch,” where the universe might cease expansion and collapse into a singular point.

Surprisingly, in this constructed universe bound by reversible laws, the Big Bang need not represent a singularity; rather, it opens the door to entropy-driven extensions—conceptually, an alternate universe. “Our existence stems from their emergence. Our challenges are tied to their past,” Arrighi explains regarding the imagined universe beyond the Big Bang.

Though radical, the idea of two universes expanding in opposite directions, each with its own time flow, has fascinated scientists. For instance, in 2014, independent physicist Julian Barbour and his colleagues supported this theory, using gravity studies as a foundation. Unlike Arrighi’s approach, which easily lends itself to simulation, Barbour’s model focuses more on computational arguments. Others, like Sean Carroll from Johns Hopkins University, have previously proposed moving beyond past hypotheses.

Returning to our initial question, can the answer emerge from anywhere, or perhaps from a non-specific place? Philosopher David Albert from Columbia University emphasizes careful consideration of the term “special.” He casts doubt on the assumption that the low-entropic state of the past is inherently special.

“Many believe all physical states should be equally probable. However, when viewed this way, low-entropy states appear quite improbable,” he argues. “My stance is that it’s unreasonable to determine odds a priori.” He advocates for deriving probabilities through observation instead.

Albert favors omitting past hypotheses from fundamental physics concepts, believing that adhering to superior laws is essential. However, he stresses that these insights should rest on observational evidence. The gap between systems studied meticulously, such as gas particles within boxes, and the entire universe is vast. He cautions scientists to be vigilant about the assumptions made when extrapolating from small-scale observations to universal principles.

“Nonetheless, I find it intriguing to explore whether we can derive outcomes without relying on past hypotheses. If that’s feasible, it would be a remarkable discovery,” remarks Albert.

After concluding my conversation with Albert, I plan to reconnect in a year to assess how our understanding of time evolves. Even if I can’t precisely articulate the origins of time, the arrow undoubtedly propels me towards a future rich with exploration and dialogue.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Micrometric Protocells and Self-Organization: Insights into the Origin of Life

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Protocells are membrane-bound spheres formed from fatty molecules, thought to be similar to early living cell precursors.

Henning Dalhof/Science Photography Library

Structures similar to those enveloping living cells have demonstrated the ability to self-assemble in micrometeorites, hinting that dust across planets might contribute to life’s origins.

“If we can establish that protocells arise from micrometeorites here on Earth, it’s evident this could occur on other habitable planets,” states Irepgözen from Gomod, a Swedish research and education organization. “This brings me immense excitement.”

Various lipid molecules can spontaneously create membrane-bound spheres, referred to as protocells, as they resemble potential precursors to living cells. While this process can happen in solutions, Gözen is investigating methods to facilitate protocell formation on surfaces that typically do not foster such reactions.

Surfaces possess intrinsic energy, with exposed atoms lacking complete bonds, making them suitable for this transformation. “Creating a surface generates excess energy that seeks to be released,” she observes.

After recently analyzing Martian metstones, Gözen noted that their rough, grainy textures may enhance protocell formation. Consequently, she and her team introduced three types of micrometeorites into lipid suspensions. Post an overnight incubation, microscopic examination revealed the formation of protocells, especially in samples with lipids similar to those found in Archaea membranes.

Hundreds of micrometeorites exist, according to Gözen, and this study serves as an initial proof of concept. While the findings do not confirm the origin of the first living cells, Gözen finds the results intriguing, considering that simple organic compounds frequently appear in meteorites, and micrometeorites are probably widespread on planetary surfaces. “There’s a tiny nuclear reactor carrying intriguing prebiotic organic matter,” she remarks. “They’re falling on nearly every planet, all contained within one particle.”

“I find it exhilarating that micrometeorites possess sufficient surface energy to facilitate their [protocell] formation,” says Anna Wang from the University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. “I wasn’t trained in physics.”

Gözen emphasizes that protocells formed on surfaces exhibit remarkable characteristics. “There’s a significant difference between reactions occurring on surfaces and in solutions,” she explains. “They establish a network of intriguing protocells interconnected by minute nanotubes, enabling content transfer. This allows for a very basic form of signaling.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

A Runaway Magnetar Travels Across the Milky Way, Origin Point Unknown, According to Astronomers

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SGR 0501+4516 is the most likely candidate for Magnetaru’s Milky Way galaxy, which was not born from the supernova explosion, as originally predicted. The object may be very strange and may provide clues to the mechanism behind the fast radio bursts.

Impressions of Magneter artists. Image credit: ESA.

“A magnetor is a neutron star made up entirely of neutrons. What makes Magnetar unique is the extreme magnetic fields,” says Dr. Ashley Chris, an astronomer at the European Center for Space Research and Technology.

The strangeness of SGR 0501+4516 was identified with the help of ESA’s Gaia spacecraft with the help of a sensitive instrument mounted on the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.

Initially, Magnetar was discovered in 2008 when NASA’s Swift Observatory discovered a fierce flash of gamma rays from the outskirts of the Milky Way.

As magnetors are neutron stars, the natural explanation for their formation is that they are born in Supernova, where stars can explode and even collapse into ultra-density neutron stars.

This looked like the case of SGR 0501+4516, located near the supernova remnants called HB9.

The separation between the sky magnetor and the center of the supernova remnants is only 80 arcs, or slightly wider than the pinky finger, when seen at the edge of the extended arm.

However, a decade of research with Hubble questions Magnetall’s birthplace.

After the initial observation using ground-based telescopic tunables shortly after the discovery of SGR 0501+4516, astronomers used Hubble’s exquisite sensitivity and stable points to find the faint infrared glow of Magnetaral in 2010, 2012, and 2020.

Each of these images was arranged in a reference frame defined by observations from Gaia Spacecraft. GaiaSpacecraft has created a highly accurate 3D map of almost 2 billion stars in the Milky Way.

This method revealed subtle movements of magnets as they crossed the sky.

“All of this movement we measure is smaller than a pixel in a Hubble image,” said Dr. Joe Lyman, an astronomer at Warwick University.

“The ability to perform such measurements robustly is truly a testament to Hubble’s long-term stability.”

By tracking the magnetor’s location, astronomers were able to measure the apparent movement of the object across the sky.

Both the velocity and direction of movement of SGR 0501+4516 indicated that the magnetor was not associated with the remains of nearby supernova.

Tracking the magnetor’s trajectory thousands of years in the past showed that there were no other supernova remnants or large star clusters that it could be associated with.

If SGR 0501+4516 was not born on a supernova, the magnetors must be older than the estimated age of 20,000, or they may have been formed in a different way.

Magnetors can also be formed through a process called amalgamation or accretion-induced decay of two low-mass neutron stars.

Acceleration-induced decay requires a binary star system containing white dwarves.

When a white dwarf pulls gas from its companions, it grows too large to support itself, leading to an explosion, or perhaps a magnet.

“This scenario usually leads to a nuclear reaction ignition and a white d star explosion, leaving nothing behind,” said Dr Andrew Levan, an astronomer at Ladboo University and Warwick University.

“However, it is theorized that under certain conditions, white dwarfs may instead collapse into neutron stars. I think this is how SGR 0501+4516 was born.”

SGR 0501+4516 is currently the best candidate for galaxy magnetarals and may have been formed by a merger or an adductive decay.

The magnets formed through accretion-induced decays can provide some explanation for the mystical fast radio bursts, which are short but powerful flashes of radio waves.

In particular, this scenario may explain the origins of fast radio bursts that emerge from a group of stars that are too old to recently create a huge star to explode as a supernove.

“The magnetor’s fertility and formation scenarios are one of the most pressing issues of high-energy astrophysics, affecting many of the most powerful temporary events in the universe, including gamma-ray bursts, superilluminating supernovas and fast radio bursts.”

Survey results It will be displayed in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.

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aa chrime et al. 2025. Magnetor SGR 0501+4516 infrared support and proper movement. A&A 696, A127; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202453479

Source: www.sci.news

First all-female spaceflight milestone accomplished by Blue Origin

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Women are often underestimated in the aerospace industry globally, despite their frequent journeys beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Since Sally Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983, over 100 individuals have ventured into space. The concept of an all-female spaceflight organized by NASA could symbolize the culmination of years of investment in female astronauts, showcasing their capabilities and achievements. (In 2019, NASA faced criticism for lacking enough suits to accommodate all women astronauts during a planned mission.) Blue Origin’s all-women spaceflight has provided several women with the opportunity to build social capital and connect with individuals like Lauren Sanchez.

Blue Origin, among other private space flight companies like Virgin Galactic, Space Adventures, and SpaceX, introduced the New Shepard Rocket with a crew of six women, none of whom had technical roles on the flight. While two participants had previous aerospace experience, Sanchez curated the crew based on their storytelling abilities to share their experiences through various media platforms like journalism, film, and music. Value in this mission lies in embracing amateurism, offering a fresh perspective compared to the traditional image of astronauts as white male military test pilots. This shift in astronaut representation signifies progress towards a more inclusive and diverse space exploration community.

Sanchez’s initiative to collaborate with fashion designers for the crew’s mission suits served as a branding opportunity, further enhancing their public image. Flight souvenirs available on Blue Origin’s website featured a unique Yassified Shuttle Patch Design, incorporating personalized elements for each crew member. Each woman had the chance to utilize the 4 minutes of weightlessness during the flight for individual activities tailored to their interests, demonstrating a blend of personal passions and scientific curiosity. The mission aimed to inspire young girls by showing that they can pursue their dreams, whether it be in rocket science, entertainment, journalism, or beyond, while also highlighting the importance of family and support networks back on Earth.

The mission’s narrative resonates with the message of empowerment and ambition, emphasizing that individuals, especially women, can aspire to varied career paths and accomplishments. The story echoes the advice from Cheryl Sandberg’s book “Lean In,” encouraging women to seize opportunities and pursue their goals without hesitation. The analogy of a rocket ship seat reflects the idea of embracing challenges and taking risks to gain proximity to power and success, ultimately symbolizing the limitless potential of individuals to achieve their aspirations.

Source: www.nytimes.com

New research suggests large lakes played crucial role in origin of life

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The origin of life on Earth required the supply of phosphorus for the synthesis of universal biomolecules. The closed lake may have accumulated high concentrations of this element on the early Earth. However, it is not clear whether prebiotic sink in such settings was sustainable. New research by scientists from Eth Zurich, Cambridge University and the University of Science and Technology in China shows that high concentrations of phosphorus can be combined in steady states in large closed basin lakes.

Aerial view of Lake Mono. Image credit: Dick Lyon / CC by 4.0.

Phosphorus is an important component of all known forms of biochemistry and plays an important role in such polymers that encode metabolism, cell structure, and information.

However, the environmental conditions that provided sufficient phosphorus available in aqueous solutions to promote the chemical origin of life are uncertain.

“Large soda lakes with no natural runoff can maintain phosphorus concentrations for a long enough long, even if life begins to exist at some point, and could continually consume phosphorus.”

“Such lakes lose water only by evaporation. This means that phosphorus is left in the water, not washed away through rivers or streams.”

“As a result, very high concentrations of phosphorus can accumulate in these soda lakes.”

Not all soda lakes are suitable. Researchers rule out small ones.

“As soon as life develops within them, the supply of phosphorus will deplete faster than it is replenished. This will snag both chemical reactions and developing life,” Dr. Walton said.

“On the other hand, in large soda lakes, phosphorus concentrations are high enough to maintain both basic chemical reactions and life over the long term.”

“These high concentrations are achieved by the large amounts of influential river water, including phosphorus, but the water only leaves the lake by evaporation.”

“Phosphorus doesn’t evaporate easily, so it accumulates in the lake and accumulates.”

In their study, Dr. Walton and colleagues focus on Lake Mono in California, with high phosphorus concentrations at steady state despite extremely high biological productivity.

“This is important because in small lakes, phosphorus is exhausted before new quantities form,” they said.

They consider the large soda lake, which had a constant high phosphorus supply in the early history of the Earth, to be an ideal environment for the origin of life.

They assume that life is more likely to have been born in such a larger body of water than in a small pool, as Charles Darwin suspected.

Therefore, the origin of life may be closely related to the special environment of large soda lakes, which provide ideal conditions for prebiotic chemistry due to the balance of geological environment and phosphorus.

“This new theory will help us solve another part of the puzzle of the origins of life on Earth,” Dr. Walton said.

a paper A description of the findings was published in the journal Advances in science.

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Craig R. Walton et al. 2025. Large, closed basin lakes provided sustained phosphates during the origin of life. Advances in science 11(8); doi:10.1126/sciadv.adq0027

Source: www.sci.news

Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin Rocket Launches to Compete with SpaceX, led by Elon Musk

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Blue Origin’s massive New Glenn rocket successfully launches from Florida on its inaugural space mission. This marks a significant milestone for Jeff Bezos’ space company as it ventures into Earth orbit to compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX in the satellite-launching industry.

The 30-story New Glenn features a reusable first stage powered by liquid oxygen and methane. Despite cloudy skies, the rocket lifted off for the second time this week at around 2 a.m. ET (7 a.m. GMT) from the Blue Origin launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The first launch attempt was postponed on Monday due to ice accumulation on the propellant lines. However, on Thursday, the company confirmed a smooth launch without any issues.

The company’s live stream captured the enthusiasm of hundreds of employees gathered at Blue Origin’s headquarters in Kent, Washington, and the Cape Canaveral rocket factory in Florida for the momentous launch.

Spectators on Florida’s East Coast cheered and witnessed the launch from parks and campgrounds located miles away from the launch pad.

This mission represents a culmination of a decade-long, multibillion-dollar development effort. It included a successful landing of New Glenn’s first stage booster on a fairing barge in the Atlantic Ocean just 10 minutes after liftoff, along with efforts to propel the second stage towards orbit.

Safety secured within New Glenn’s payload bay is the first prototype of Blue Origin’s Blue Ring spacecraft—a maneuverable spacecraft designed for the Department of Defense and commercial use, set to be sold to a customer.

Achieving the deployment of a spacecraft into its intended orbit on the initial rocket launch is a rare accomplishment in the space industry.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The origin of humor in great apes: teasing each other.

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Chimpanzees enjoy teasing each other

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Bonobos, orangutans, gorillas, and chimpanzees all poke, tickle, and even steal from their companions as a form of teasing. Understanding the mischievous behavior of these apes could help biologists uncover the origins of the human sense of humor.

Previous research They found that chimpanzees can use painful teasing, or harassment, to reinforce their hierarchical position. But he says teasing can also be a form of play and fun when the right balance of fun and aggression is struck. Isabel Romer at the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior in Germany.

“So far, the playful nature of teasing has not been systematically studied,” she says. “Therefore, our goal was to identify and create standards for play that teases great apes.”

To do so, Romer and her colleagues studied five species of great apes, bonobos (Pampan Niscus), Sumatran orangutan (pongo abeli), Western Gorilla and Eastern Gorilla (gorilla gorilla and gorilla beringay) and chimpanzees (pan-troglodytes). There were a total of 34 great apes, all housed in the zoo.

The researchers recorded 504 social interactions between individuals from 75 hours of video footage. Of these, 142 were classified as playful teasing, and included 18 acts such as pecking, hitting, hair pulling, impeding movement, and stealing.

“Teasing is characterized by an element of provocation,” Romer says. “It usually starts with a teaser, is often one-sided, and repeats itself over and over again.”

Researchers found that teasers tended to stare at the target's face immediately after the action. This suggests that the teaser was anticipating the reaction. If there is no response from the target, the teaser will usually escalate the teasing by poking the target further.

One of the most important signs that the teasing is playful rather than hostile is that it usually takes place in a calm and comfortable environment. “During the interaction, participants tended to relax,” Romer says.

Cases of theft were considered to be play if the item provided no obvious benefit to the teaser or if the teaser lost interest in the item shortly after pinching it.

“We found that playful teasing is present in all four species of great apes,” Romer said. Like play in general, this behavior can also help build relationships between groupmates and test social boundaries, she says.

Romer added that the last common ancestor between humans and other great apes likely also playfully teased, which may have been a precursor to our love of jokes. Ta.

“Studying great apes is important for understanding which cognitive and behavioral traits humans share and likely evolved in a common ancestor millions of years ago.” says the doctor. Christopher Krupenier at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. “This study provides exciting evidence that all great apes appear to engage in playful teasing behavior, and also points the way for future research in other species.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Possible Origin of Multiple Sclerosis Gene: Protection Against Infection in Animals

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Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system starts attacking the nerves.

Katerina Conn/Science Photo Library

The largest genetic database of ancient humans to date is shedding new light on why people vary in modern conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and other genetic traits such as height.

One of the findings is that the genes behind MS may have become more common because they helped people resist infections transmitted from animals.

Other findings include why Alzheimer’s disease is more common in some groups than others and why people in northern Europe tend to be taller than people in the southern part of the continent. Includes description.

“What happened thousands of years ago can have a very serious impact on the health and longevity of people living today,” he says. Evan Irving Pease at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

The genes of people of European and Western Asian ancestry have been shaped by three major waves of migration. Modern hunter-gatherer humans first arrived in these areas about 45,000 years ago. Then, about 11,000 years ago, a wave of farmers arrived from the Middle East, followed by a further influx of pastoralists, now called the Yamnaya, from the Eurasian steppe.

To understand how these popular movements shaped the modern medical landscape, Irving Pease's team collected bone and tooth samples from approximately 5,000 ancient sites found in museum collections across Europe and Western Asia. The oldest one is 34,000 years old.

The latest study reports on the first batch of samples analyzed based on approximately 1600 individuals. The researchers compared these people to the genetic data of 410,000 people in a huge medical dataset called the UK Biobank, and analyzed only white participants to select participants with European ancestry. did.

The research team started by focusing on MS, an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system begins to attack nerves, often leading to progressive disability.What previous research has found 233 genetic variants associated with increased risk of MS.

Among modern people in the UK, those at high genetic risk of multiple sclerosis are more likely to have Yamnaya ancestry, a study has shown. The research team also found that some of these MS-predisposing genetic mutations first arose in the Yamnaya tribe and became more frequent among their descendants as they spread westward through Europe.

Given that some of the 233 variants associated with MS also affect the immune system, and that the Yamnaya people have lived among animals, researchers believe that the genes behind MS are probably The researchers concluded that the species may help protect against bacteria and viruses that can be transmitted to humans. animal.The team has previously shown that Some MS risk variants are associated with partial resistance to tuberculosis.

In another paper, researchers have revealed how our ancestry influences our genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease. Modern humans are more likely to have a gene called . Apo E4If you have more ancestors from Europe's first hunter-gatherers, you have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Another variant of this gene is Apo E2The result is a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease, which likely occurred in the incoming Yamnaya people because it provided protection against malaria and unknown viral infections, the researchers wrote in their paper.

Variants that protect against Alzheimer's disease do not confer a reproductive advantage, so they may not have been selected by evolution to have an effect on dementia, given that dementia typically develops long after people have had children. Yes, researchers say. benjamin trumbull from Arizona State University and was not involved in any research.

“The great thing about this paper is that they go further back in time and say what was advantageous or disadvantageous at that time,” Trumbull said. “Too often we look at our modern environment and say: [a certain gene] Purely harmful. We have to consider what the selection pressures were at different points in time. ”

A further finding from the analysis is that among people living in Europe, those with more Yamnaya ancestry tend to be taller, which explains why Northern Europeans are, on average, taller than Southern Europeans. This may explain why it is so expensive.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Blue Origin, founded by Bezos, plans to finally return with a long-awaited launch next week

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blue origin aims to finally end the more than 15-month grounding of its New Shepard suborbital rocket, with the company today announcing it will fly unmanned missions as early as Dec. 18.

The company confirmed its release social media accounts Followed by Bloomberg reporting Content of internal email for new target date. The mission, called NS-24, will carry 33 scientific research payloads and other cargo.

The new Shepard has been grounded since September 2022, when an engine nozzle problem triggered an automatic shutdown and released the unmanned capsule from its booster. The capsule landed safely. The booster was destroyed upon crashing to Earth. (This mission was also unmanned.)

The Federal Aviation Administration formally closed its investigation into the crash in September and directed Blue Origin to take 21 corrective actions, including redesigning engine and nozzle components and “organizational changes.”

This new launch date means Blue Origin has implemented all measures and received a revised launch license from the FAA. The amended license expires in August 2025 and is limited to launches only from Blue Origin’s West Texas facility, according to the regulator’s website.

Blue Origin has ambitious projects in development, including a heavy-lift rocket called New Glenn, which aims to take flight late next year, and a lunar lander called Blue Moon, for which it is seeking a $3.4 billion contract from NASA. The Shepard Flight Program is the only one currently in operation. To date, the vehicle has flown over his 22 flights, taking 31 people (including CEO Jeff Bezos himself) to the edge of space and back.

Source: techcrunch.com

Fired Blue Origin Rocket Engine Manager Alleges Unjust Termination After Blowing the Whistle on Safety Concerns

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A former program manager for Blue Origin’s BE-4 rocket engine has filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging whistleblowing retaliation after speaking out about safety issues.

The complaint was filed Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court. It includes a detailed story about program manager Craig Stoker’s seven-month effort to raise concerns about Blue Origin’s safety and harsh working conditions.

Stoker reportedly told two vice presidents in May 2022 that then-CEO Bob Smith’s actions caused employees to “understand safety procedures to meet unreasonable deadlines.” “Frequently violates procedures and processes,” he said. The suit says Smith “exploded” when problems arose, creating a hostile work environment. Mr. Stoker sent a follow-up email containing a formal complaint against Mr. Smith to two vice presidents: Linda Koba, vice president of engine operations, and Mary Plunkett, senior vice president of human resources.

“Myself, my management team, and others within the company do not need to constantly apologize or make excuses to ourselves or our team for the CEO’s bad behavior,” the email said. There is. “We spend a significant amount of time trying to keep things running smoothly, boosting morale, repairing damage, and stopping people from overreacting. . . . Hostile work environment. . . . Our employees , creating a safety and quality risk to our products and customers.”

TechCrunch has reached out to Blue Origin for comment and will update this article if we hear back.

When Mr Stoker asked about a separate investigation into Mr Smith’s actions, Mr Plunkett said the investigation had concluded and Mr Smith was being “coached”.

Just months after filing a formal complaint, Stoker learned that a fellow employee had nearly suffocated while working under an engine nozzle. He expressed his concerns to Michael Stevens, vice president of safety and mission assurance. The complaint says Stoker was “ignored.” In August, Stoker sent another email to executives saying nine people on the engine team were working “over 24-hour” shifts to deliver engines on time to customer United Launch Alliance. expressed concern.

There is no doubt that the company was under pressure to deliver. Blue Origin’s BE-4 will power United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket, which is expected to make its much-delayed debut around Christmas. According to the complaint, Blue Origin’s contract with ULA requires the company to provide one year’s notice of any issues that could affect the delivery of its rocket engines. Stoker wanted to tell ULA that the engine might be delayed.

However, Smith allegedly instructed Stoker not to share these production or delivery issues with ULA.

Ultimately, after an internal investigation, Blue Origin HR concluded that Mr. Smith did not create a hostile work environment or violate company policy. Stoker disagreed with this conclusion. Stoker later learned that officials from the engine program had not been interviewed as part of the investigation, according to the complaint.

The complaint alleges that the human resources department was reluctant to conduct an investigation because the accuser, Mr. Stalker, was a man. “Being a man, Human Resources expected him to deal with problems on his own and not do too much ‘whining,’ and Mr. Stoker was given no means or resources.” He expressed his concerns to the company’s most powerful executive. ”

Stoker was fired on October 7, seven months after he first raised safety concerns. The complaint makes clear who was behind this decision. “Smith spearheaded this termination due to complaints against Mr. Stoker, raising safety/ethics/legal issues, and the fact that many of these reports were intended to disrupt his production/delivery schedule. Ta. “

Blue Origin has announced that Bob Smith will step down as CEO in September after nearly six years. His tenure was a successful one, growing the team from less than 1,000 people to more than 12,000 people and signing numerous high-profile and high-paying contracts with NASA. But it has not been without serious controversy, including allegations of a culture of sexism among senior executives.

Read the full complaint here.

Source: techcrunch.com