Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have captured new images of the nearly face-on spiral galaxy NGC 3370.
This Hubble image illustrates spiral galaxy NGC 3370, located approximately 90 million light-years away in the constellation Leo. Image credits: NASA / ESA / Hubble / A. Riess / K. Noll.
NGC 3370 is situated in the constellation Leo, roughly 90 million light-years from Earth.
This galaxy, also known as the Silverado Galaxy, IRAS 10444+1732, LEDA 32207, and UGC 5887, is nearly comparable to our Milky Way in both diameter and mass.
Discovered on March 21, 1784, by German-British astronomer William Herschel, NGC 3370 was the first of its kind to be identified.
Together with NGC 3447 and NGC 3455, it forms part of the NGC 3370 galaxy group.
NGC 3370 contains two types of celestial objects that astronomers find valuable for measuring distances to far-off galaxies: Cepheid variable stars and Type Ia supernovae.
“Cepheid variable stars undergo changes in both size and temperature during their pulsations,” Hubble astronomers explained in a statement.
“Consequently, the brightness of these stars fluctuates over timescales of days to months.”
“This variation reveals a key relationship: the brighter a Cepheid variable star, the slower its pulsation.”
“By timing the pulsation cycle of a Cepheid variable star, we can ascertain its true brightness.”
“When combined with observations of its apparent brightness from Earth, this data enables us to calculate the distance to the star and its galaxy.”
“Type Ia supernovae allow for distance measurements through a single explosive event, as opposed to periodic brightness changes.”
“These explosions occur when a star’s dead core reignites due to a sudden surge of nuclear fusion.”
“They reach similar peak brightness levels, akin to those of Cepheid variable stars, and knowing the intrinsic brightness of a supernova allows us to determine its distance.”
“The observation of both Cepheid variable stars and Type Ia supernovae is crucial for accurately gauging how quickly our universe is expanding.”
A significant piece of what seems to be space debris has been found in a secluded area of the Australian desert, as confirmed by the nation’s space agency on Monday.
The burnt, smoldering object was located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, according to the Australian Space Agency. While its exact nature and origin remain unclear, officials suspect it is likely a decommissioned rocket component.
The Australian Space Agency stated, “The debris is probably a propellant tank or pressure vessel from a launch vehicle.” This was mentioned in a post on X.
Details regarding the size or weight of the object were not disclosed, but the agency is collaborating with local authorities and other space organizations to investigate and ascertain “the precise nature of the debris and its origin.”
NBC News reached out for additional information, but the agency did not respond immediately.
Workers from a nearby mine stumbled upon the object on Saturday along a remote access road. As reported by Sky News, local officials do not believe the debris poses any risk to public safety. NBC News has yet to verify these details independently. (Sky News is a division of Comcast, the parent organization of NBC News.)
Various government space agencies and private companies frequently incinerate malfunctioning rocket parts or satellites in the atmosphere as a method of disposal. However, some debris can withstand the intense conditions of reentry. Despite this, it’s relatively uncommon for space debris to land on land, and even rarer for it to fall in populated regions, given that much of Earth is ocean.
Recently, however, experts have voiced concerns regarding the escalating issue of space debris, particularly with the increase in orbital launches.
Last summer, a 90-pound piece of space debris was found on a hiking trail in North Carolina and was later identified as part of the service module of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, which returned four astronauts to Earth from the International Space Station earlier that year.
In March 2024, a 1.6-pound metal fragment crashed through a home in Naples, Florida. Follow-up investigations determined that the debris originated from a cargo pallet that was released from the International Space Station to burn up in the atmosphere.
There are tens of thousands of pieces of space junk, along with millions of smaller fragments, cluttering Earth’s low orbit, the critical area where many telecommunications and GPS satellites operate. These objects can travel at speeds of up to 18,000 miles per hour, jeopardizing spacecraft functionality and endangering astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
Due to these concerns, experts have long cautioned against the overcrowding of space. NASA and other space agencies are investing in research and technology demonstrations aimed at cleaning up substantial amounts of debris in orbit.
The Australian Space Agency reiterated its commitment in a statement to the long-term sustainability of space activities, which includes debris mitigation, and continues to advocate for this issue on the international stage.
I acknowledge that there are already countless shows available at this stage. Every channel and streaming service is brimming with content that craves your attention, leaving us with limited hours to watch. However, I would like to suggest a new program called Space Live, which currently features just one episode. The only drawback is that the episodes seem to last indefinitely.
In truth, it’s not a program at all but rather a channel. The footage debuted on Wednesday morning and is available on ITVX, solely comprising live visuals of Earth transmitted from the International Space Station. This presentation is captivating, particularly for those unaware that one can feel both awe and boredom simultaneously.
It is claimed to be the world’s first. ITV has collaborated with the British space media firm Sen to utilize live 4K footage from their distinctive SpaceTV-1 video camera system on the International Space Station, providing three camera angles: one focused on the docking ports, a horizon view revealing sunrises and storms, and a downward camera as the ISS traverses over Earth. A tracker on the screen indicates the ISS’s real-time position, accompanied by an AI-driven information feed offering insights about geography and weather.
The Space Live footage is significantly enhanced compared to NASA footage. Photo: ITV
To be exact, one could argue that it’s not groundbreaking at all. NASA’s YouTube channel has been streaming footage from the ISS for years, attracting thousands of viewers consistently. Nevertheless, Space Live is a bit more sophisticated. The visuals are undoubtedly superior. For instance, at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Space Live presented stunning images of sunlight reflecting off the waters surrounding the Bay of Biscay, while NASA could only offer a piece of cloth inscribed with the word “Flap.” There’s even a relaxing soundtrack that loops repeatedly but doesn’t become overly irritating. In essence, it’s an upgrade.
And it’s truly captivating, at least during the first orbit. While we can’t wholly demonstrate the phenomenon known as the “overview effect,” which suggests that viewing Earth from space grants a fresh perspective on humanity, it is undeniably humbling to realize our planet’s smallness. The duration of the ISS’s journey from southeastern England (where I’m located) to conflict-ridden Ukraine is measured in mere seconds. Next, it would traverse across Asia to Australia. There’s hardly anything that separates us.
Inevitably, as the station glides around the Earth, eternally caught between sunrise and sunset, your thoughts drift to the people you know in various places. There’s a comforting quality to that.
However, one cannot remain in awe forever. The same goes for Space Live. Eventually, the enchantment of technology, perspective, and Earth’s beauty begins to fade, turning the experience akin to staring at a map on a plane when you’ve exhausted your movie options. Your focus starts to wander, and you realize that there are other live channels available on ITVX. One features Love Island, while others simply showcase Christmas movies. Then, with a sigh, you come to terms with the fact that the wonder of our only home, quietly revolving in the cosmos, has become just another content option—regardless of what ITV channel broadcasts American Ninja Warrior Jr.
The visuals are both breathtaking and reassuring. Photo: ITV
Nonetheless, it’s comforting to know that Space Live exists, even if it might not always capture your attention. It may not be something you’d typically expect to see on a large screen in a pub, unless a lively crowd gets excited about glimpsing the Ural River. As a background watch, though, it’s undeniably soothing. I suspect that for the select few, this channel will serve as a quiet companion as they navigate their daily routines.
And while that may not have been humanity’s initial motivation for achieving the incredible feat of breaking free from Earth’s constraints—let’s not forget that Neil Armstrong didn’t formally declare, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for the screensaver industry”—the concept of Space Live is still delightful. I may not tune in all the time, but it will undoubtedly be my go-to source whenever I’m looking to reconnect with our essence and acknowledge how minimal the barriers are that divide us.
DDuring my family’s vacations in the 1980s, primarily spent at classic British seaside resorts, I devoted all my time and pocket money exploring arcades. From Shanklin to Blackpool, I dabbled in them all, drawn in by their vibrant bulb-lit facades and enticing names (Fantasy Land! Treasure Island!), alongside the alluring sound of beeping video machines within. Although I spent countless hours on well-known classics like Pac-Man, Galaxian, and Kung Fu Master, there’s one particular game that has always captivated me. It features a distinctive design that is both quirky and exhilarating. It offers a complete experience that feels like a blend of a traditional arcade game, a flight simulator, and a roller coaster. At the time, it appeared remarkably futuristic. Now, I find myself at the age of 40.
Launched by Sega in 1985, Space Harrier is a 3D space shooter where players control a jetpack superhero named Harrier. Harrier emerges on the screen and shoots down surreal alien foes amidst a psychedelic landscape. Initially envisioned by designer Yutaka Suzuki as a detailed military flight shooter, the graphic constraints of that era rendered this impossible. The animations were too complex. Thus, drawing inspiration from the flying scenes in the fantasy film The Neverending Story, he conceived something surreal and different, replacing fighter planes with flying characters and creating alien adversaries reminiscent of stone giants and dragons. It was vividly colorful and wild, akin to a Roger Dean artwork animated by the Memphis Group.
However, what truly captivated players was the game’s motion cabinet. Sitting in a cockpit-style seat connected to two motors that provided rocking motion in eight directions, as Harrier leaped, so did you; as he tilted from side to side, you mirrored his movements. Enemies constantly approached from various angles, switching direction and altitude, keeping you swooping down, rising up, and spinning your body into action. Throughout, a synth-pop score by Hiroshi Kawaguchi, known for his work on Suzuki’s “Afterburner” and “Outrun,” resonated through the headrest speakers. Advanced speech synthesis enhanced the experience, allowing machines to shout encouragement and instructions: “Welcome to the Fantasy Zone, get ready!”
Space Harrier was a truly immersive experience and exemplified Suzuki’s talent for crafting engaging gameplay. It was just one of the many projects he was proud of at the time. Notably, Taikan offered a physical sensory experience. Games like “Outrun,” “Space Harrier,” “After Burner,” and “Power Drift” emerged in arcades featuring large motorized or hydraulically driven cabinets designed to enhance realism. Suzuki and his team also created an animation technology termed Super Scaler, which allowed manipulation of thousands of 2D animation frames to simulate a 3D environment. What I cherished most about Space Harrier was the way this motion intertwined within its fantastical realms of checkered planets and surreal aliens. It felt akin to participating in a vibrant 1980s interactive pop video. Like Pac-Man or Tetris, its timelessness lies in its unique abstract world.
Why does Space Harrier celebrate its 40th anniversary? This arcade cabinet could still entice players anywhere in the world (if one can still locate it), but sadly, such opportunities are diminishing. The machinery is aging, and the expertise to repair and maintain it is fading. Aside from a few adaptations for home computers and consoles (with the PC Engine and 32X versions being the most notable), I haven’t engaged with the game in years. Now, as I settle into that familiar seat, insert two 10p coins into the slot, and grasp the joystick in anticipation, I wonder: Will I ever rediscover that immersive gaming experience? Will I ever see my 13-year-old self exploring an arcade in northern England again? Regardless, Space Harrier remains fulfilling for whatever purpose.
Nasa has unveiled a stunning close-up image of NGC 6951, the Barred Spiral Galaxy, taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.
This Hubble image portrays NGC 6951, a barred spiral galaxy situated around 70 million light years away in the constellation of Cepheus. The color images were derived from separate exposures in the visible and near-infrared spectrum using Hubble’s Advanced Camera (ACS). Two different filters were utilized to capture various wavelengths. Colors were assigned by applying distinct hues to each monochromatic image linked to an individual filter. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/LC HO/G. Brammer/A. Filippenko/C. Kilpatrick.
NGC 6951 is located approximately 70 million light years from Earth in the constellation of Cepheus.
Also cataloged as NGC 6952, LEDA 65086, IRAS 20366+6555, and UGC 11604, the galaxy spans about 75,000 light years.
This remarkable galaxy was first discovered independently in 1877 by French astronomer Jerome Kogier and later in 1878 by American astronomer Louis Swift.
Astronomers categorize it as a barred spiral galaxy, classified as a type II Seyfert galaxy and a low ionization nuclear emission line region (LINER) galaxy.
“As this Hubble image reveals, NGC 6951 is a spiral galaxy filled with fascinating structures,” noted a Hubble astronomer.
“The most striking features are the spiral arms adorned with shimmering red nebulae, bright blue stars, and wispy dust clouds.”
“The spiral arm encircling the center of the galaxy emits a golden glow, a hallmark of the older star population.”
“The central region of the galaxy appears extended, indicating the presence of a slowly rotating bar of stars.”
At the core of NGC 6951 lies an ultra-massive black hole surrounded by what is termed an annular nuclear ring.
“The bar structure in NGC 6951 may be responsible for another notable characteristic: a blue-white ring encircling the center of the galaxy,” the astronomer stated.
“This is known as the nuclear starburst ring, which acts as a strengthened circle for star formation around the galaxy’s nucleus.”
“The bars funnel gas toward the center, gathering into a ring that spans about 3,800 light years.”
“Two dark dust trails parallel to the bar signify the entry points where gas from the bar transitions into the ring.”
“The dense gas within the nuclear starburst ring creates an ideal environment for initiating a substantial number of stars.”
Utilizing Hubble data, astronomers have identified over 80 potential star clusters within the NGC 6951 ring.
“Many of these stars formed within the last 100 million years, yet the ring itself has an extended lifespan, potentially persisting for 1 to 1.5 billion years,” the researchers elaborated.
Astronomers utilizing CSIRO’s Murchison Wide Field Array (MWA) telescope are on the quest to uncover the elusive period of reionization. This early stage in the universe’s history has been theorized but remains undetected by radio telescopes. This period marks the end of the universe’s dark ages, occurring approximately a billion years post-Big Bang, during which intergalactic gases transform from opaque to transparent, enabling light from the first stars and galaxies to permeate the cosmos.
A glimpse of the sky observed in radio waves by the Murchison Wide Field Array. Image credit: Nunhokee et al. / ICRAR / Curtin University.
“Our research was conducted in two phases,” stated Dr. Riddhima Nunhokey, an astronomer at Curtin University Node of the International Center for Radio Astronomical Research for All Sky Astrophysics (ICRAR).
“In the initial phase, we discovered the first signs of heating in the intergalactic gas—the intergalactic medium—around 800 million years after the Big Bang.”
“To examine this primordial phase of the universe, we must isolate faint signals from this epoch while eliminating all other sources of cosmic radio emissions.”
“These sources include emissions from nearby celestial bodies, interference from Earth’s atmosphere, and even noise generated by the telescope itself.”
“Only after meticulously subtracting these ‘foreground signals’ can we discern the signals from the era of reionization.”
“From this study, we have developed methods to manage foreground contamination and remove unwanted signals, thus enhancing our understanding of telescopes and improving the clarity of detected signals.”
“We are also able to integrate nearly a decade’s worth of MWA data, allowing us to make observations over a longer timeframe than before.”
“This is another reason we are closer than ever to detecting the signals.”
The team asserts that the enhanced quality and quantity of this new dataset made this discovery feasible.
The cold universe is producing signals that resemble these new data.
This absence of signals indicates that reionization must have commenced from a “cold start,” implying that the universe was “preheated” prior to the reionization phase.
“As the universe expands, intergalactic gases cool down, and thus we expect them to become extremely cold,” explained Professor Cathryn Trott, an astronomer at ICRAR’s Curtin University Node, associated with Astro 3D and the Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy.
“Our measurements suggest that there is a certain level of heating present. While it may not be substantial, it does indicate that extremely cold reionization is unlikely, and that’s quite intriguing.”
“This study implies that this heating is probably influenced by energy from early black holes and primordial X-ray sources resulting from stellar remnants spread across the universe.”
CD Nunhokee et al. 2025. The 21 cm power spectrum limit of z = 6.5–7.0 based on Murchison wide field array observations. APJ 989, 57; doi:10.3847/1538-4357/adda45
Cathryn M. Trott et al. 2025. Utilizing Gaussian information to enhance the limit of the 21 cm signal at z = 6.5–7.0 using Murchison wide field array data. APJ 991, 211; doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/adff80
The Hubble team has unveiled stunning images captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, showcasing half of the Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 6000.
This Hubble image reveals NGC 6000, a barred spiral galaxy located around 102 million light years away in the constellation Scorpius. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/A. Filippenko/MHözsaraç.
NGC 6000 is approximately 102 million light years distant from the constellation Scorpio.
Also known as ESO 450-20, IRAS 15467-2914, or LEDA 56145, this spiral galaxy spans nearly 67,000 light years.
It was first observed by British astronomer John Herschel on May 8, 1834.
Classified as a Seyfert II Galaxy, NGC 6000 is the brightest galaxy in the constellation of Scorpio.
“The NGC 6000 showcases a luminous yellow center surrounded by a sparkling blue region,” stated Hubble astronomers.
“These colors signify variations in the average age, mass, and temperature of the stars within the galaxy.”
“In the galaxy’s core, the stars tend to be older and smaller.”
“Interestingly, fewer giant stars are cooler compared to their larger counterparts; cooler stars appear red, while hotter stars take on a blue hue.”
“Along the spiral arm of NGC 6000, the Brilliant Star cluster is home to a young, massive star that distinctly looks blue.”
Hubble’s instruments gathered data from new images of NGC 6000 while investigating the site of a recent supernova explosion in a nearby galaxy.
“NGC 6000 has witnessed two supernovas: SN 2007CH in 2007 and SN 2010 in 2010,” noted the astronomer.
“We were able to detect the faint glow of the supernova several years post the initial explosion.”
“These observations assist in determining the star mass of supernova progenitor cells and whether they possess stellar companions.”
“If you zoom in on the right side of the galaxy disc in this image, you may notice other yellow and blue formations, which are four thin lines.”
“These represent asteroids from our solar system transit across Hubble’s field of vision while observing NGC 6000.”
“The four streaks arise from varying exposures captured sequentially with brief pauses in between, which we merged to create this final image.”
“The colors appear in this manner: each exposure captures specific red and blue wavelengths, as we used filters to isolate light at very particular wavelengths.”
“Collecting these individual exposures is vital for studying and comparing star colors, though it makes inter-agency intrusions quite apparent.”
The prominent, yellowish bulge at the core of NGC 2775 is populated with older stars, encircled by tightly wound spiral arms adorned with areas of dark dust and young blue stars.
This Hubble image captures NGC 2775, a galaxy located approximately 67 million light years away in the Cancer constellation. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/F. Belfiore/J. Lee/Phangs-HST team.
NGC 2775 is situated about 67 million light years from the northern constellation of Cancer.
This galaxy was discovered on December 19, 1783, by British astronomer William Herschel, who was originally from Germany.
NGC 2775 is a principal member of the Galaxy’s Anti-Rahydra Cloud and part of a small group of galaxies known as the NGC 2775 group.
Also referred to as Caldwell 48, Leda 25861, or UGC 4820, NGC 2775 has a diameter of approximately 80,000 light years.
“NGC 2775 has an unusually smooth center that is devoid of gases, resembling an elliptical galaxy,” noted Hubble astronomers in a statement.
“It contains dusty rings with clusters of patchy stars, similar to spiral galaxies.
“Observing NGC 2775 from a single perspective makes it challenging to ascertain its true nature.”
“While some researchers classify NGC 2775 as a spiral galaxy due to its star and dust patterns resembling feathered rings, others categorize it as a lenticular galaxy.”
“Lenticular galaxies exhibit characteristics of both spiral and elliptical types.”
“The exact appearance of a lenticular galaxy remains uncertain, as they can form in various ways.”
“Some lenticular galaxies may have originated as spiral galaxies that fused with one another or may have lost their star-forming gas and prominent spiral arms.”
“They might also have accumulated gas in their surrounding discs, leading them to appear more oval-shaped.”
Astronomers suggest that NGC 2775 may have merged with other galaxies in the past.
“In the Hubble image, NGC 2775 features a hydrogen gas tail extending nearly 100,000 light years around the galaxy,” the researchers indicated.
“This faint tail could represent the remnants of one or more galaxies that ventured too close to NGC 2775 before being absorbed.”
“If NGC 2775 has indeed merged with other galaxies previously, it could help to explain the unusual appearance of the galaxy as we observe it today.”
“Hubble’s images of NGC 2775 were released earlier in 2020,” they added.
“The updated version includes observations of specific wavelengths of red light emitted by hydrogen gas clouds surrounding the young giant star.”
Since January 2025, when Donald Trump returned to the White House, his administration has enacted severe funding cuts across various federal agencies, including NASA. The proposed 2026 Budget plans to decrease NASA’s institutional funding by as much as 24.3%.
This translates to a financial drop from $24.8 billion (£18.4 billion) allocated by Congress in 2025, to $18.8 billion (£13.9 billion) in 2026.
The president’s proposals are not law until they pass through Congress, where they will be scrutinized, debated, and revised in the coming months.
Nonetheless, this situation focuses attention on some key priorities Trump has outlined during his two terms in office.
Focus on Human Spaceflight
During Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021, NASA’s budget increased from $19.5 billion (£15.5 billion) to $23.3 billion (£18.5 billion), which constitutes about 0.48% of federal spending.
Trump has reinstated the National Space Council, shaping US space policies with the US Space Force consolidating national security assets in the latest military setup.
His administration emphasizes human spaceflight, launching NASA’s Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the moon by 2024.
Although this timeline appears overly ambitious, Artemis II is still scheduled for a crewed mission around the moon in 2026. If all goes well, Artemis III may land on the lunar surface a few years later.
Near the close of his first term, Trump formalized the National Space Policy, committing to lunar exploration and future missions to Mars. This policy streamlined regulatory frameworks, increasing accessibility for the private sector.
Support for human spaceflight and exploration carried on into his second term.
In April, when announcing the NASA Budget, the White House asserted its intention to return American astronauts to the moon “before China,” which has ambitious plans for a lunar base by the 2030s.
“The proposal includes investments to pursue lunar and Mars exploration simultaneously but prioritizes vital science and technology research,” stated NASA Administrator Janet Petro, reinforcing that the agency would “continue to progress towards achieving the impossible.”
read more:
Risk Projects Due to Budget Cuts
However, the budget cuts may hinder NASA’s ability to meet its goals, as it calls for “rationalizing the institutional workforce” while cutting many support services, including IT and maintenance.
The budget suggests cancelling the costly and delayed Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion Crew Capsule, both essential for long-range space missions like Artemis.
Instead, it proposes replacing them with “a more cost-effective commercial system” to facilitate subsequent missions.
According to the White House, SLS is operating at 140% over budget, costing $4 billion (£3.2 billion) per launch.
The SLS rocket completed an unmanned Artemis I mission in 2022, but as Trump’s budget advances, Artemis II will send astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen around the moon in 2026, with plans for lunar landings to follow.
Eliminating SLS and Orion, referred to as the “Legacy Human Exploration System” in Trump’s budget, could save $879 million (£698.5 million).
Artemis I’s Space Launch System Rocket Launch – Photo Credit: NASA
However, US lawmakers have expressed concerns about terminating the program, despite its notable expenses, as it has taken a decade to prepare for the flight, and cancellation could grant China a competitive advantage.
This sentiment was echoed by Texas Senator Ted Cruz: “It’s hard to think of more devastating mistakes,” he remarked during an April Senate hearing.
Another project earmarked for termination is the Lunar Gateway, a new space station intended to orbit the moon. Key hardware for this initiative has already been constructed in the US, Europe, Canada, and Japan.
While some missions might be salvaged, these cancellations risk alienating international partners that NASA has built relations with over decades.
Is There No More NASA Science?
The budget also threatens significant cuts to NASA’s Earth and Space Science Programs, with funding for the former at £1.16 billion (£921.7 million) and the latter at £2.655 billion (£2.1 billion).
“Are Mars and Venus habitable? How many Earth-like planets exist? We’re opting not to find out; such questions will remain unanswered,” the critique suggests.
The budget aims to terminate “multiple, affordable missions,” including long-term endeavors like the Mars Sample Return (MSR), which was deemed unsustainable.
This mission aims to uncover significant information about Mars’ past by analyzing rock and soil samples already collected by rovers currently exploring the planet.
Nonetheless, NASA acknowledged last year that the estimated cost of the MSR mission ballooned from $7 billion (£5.6 billion) to $11 billion (£8.7 billion), with its timeline pushed back from 2033 to 2040.
The proposed budget suggests that MSR goals may be achieved through crewed missions to Mars, aligning with Trump’s promise to “send American astronauts to plant the stars and stripes on Mars.”
However, China’s plans for a Mars sample return mission remain robust, with aspirations for execution in 2028, potentially prompting Congressional pushback against the MSR budget cancellation.
In Earth Sciences, the budget proposes cuts to various Earth monitoring satellites, many vital for tracking climate change.
Ground crews assist 19 astronauts as they return to Earth in April after a successful six-month mission aboard China’s Tiango Space Station – Photo Credit: Getty Images
The future of NASA’s Landsat Next is in question, which includes a trio of satellites set to launch in 2031 for monitoring Earth’s dynamic landscapes.
Meanwhile, several climate satellites and instruments currently operational, such as orbital carbon observatories and deep-sea climate stations, face closures even though they remain fully functional.
Another mission facing uncertainty is the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, scheduled for launch between 2026 and 2027, aimed at planetary exploration and investigating cosmic evolution.
This initiative is expected to be pivotal in understanding dark matter, dark energy, and answering fundamental questions about the universe.
Though Roman’s costs have escalated from an initial $2 billion (£1.6 billion) to over $3.2 billion (£2.5 billion), with 90% of the projected expenditure already incurred, the budget proposes reducing its development funding by $244 million (£133.9 million).
Ultimately, it remains unclear how the budget will be finalized as it awaits Congressional approval. Will these cuts devastate scientific progress, or usher in a new era of human exploration?
Feedback is New Scientist Popular Sideways monitors the latest in science and technology news. You can contact Feedback@newscientist.com to share items you think might intrigue our readers.
In the Name of Science…
One of the highest honors in science is to have an object named in your memory. An example is geographer Alexander von Humboldt, remembered by various geographic landmarks including Humboldt Penguins and Humboldt Mountains.
Congratulations to Harvard astronomer Abraham “Avi” Loeb. A regular contributor to New Scientist over the past decade, Loeb has focused on the nature of interstellar objects traversing our solar system, starting with “Oumuamua” in 2017 and continuing with Comet 3i/Atlas this year.
Loeb has garnered significant attention by suggesting that these objects might be artificial in origin, a claim that has stirred skepticism among many peers. This skepticism intensified in 2023 when he allegedly identified fragments of interstellar meteors on the ocean floor. It turns out the signal he referenced was likely generated by “vehicles moving across the road beside the seismometer.”
Nevertheless, there are now efforts to classify interstellar objects, as detailed in a preprint. The classification will assess such objects based on their potential artificiality and whether they might impact Earth, ranging from 0 (consistent with known natural phenomena) to 10 (confirmed extraterrestrial artificial origin poses global threats).
Feedback is somewhat muddled as the scale seems to evaluate two variables simultaneously. Ignoring the most alarming cases, a rating of 8 or higher indicates definite extraterrestrial origins. The intriguing scores lie between 2 and 7, indicating varying degrees of potential artificial origins, from “non-gravitational acceleration” and “unusual shapes” to “operational signs” and “responsive behaviors.”
Feedback isn’t just about how you gauge some of these. Consider the odd structure of a space object, such as Mimas, Saturn’s moon, which resembles the Star Wars Death Star, though it is not a space station. There have also been numerous alerts regarding possible alien radio signals, as distinguishing artificial electromagnetic waves from natural ones proves challenging.
Everything seems a bit vague, so I decided to delve into the creators of the Loeb scale. Two are sports psychologists from Reichmann University in Israel, clearly at odds. The third one is Loeb himself.
Utility Vehicle for Dogs
Feedback frequently considers units of measurement, such as whether data transfer velocity can be assessed using a DVD-equipped snail.
Reader William Dockendorf introduces something entirely new. There’s a new vehicle in the U.S. called the Slate, described as a “two-door electric pickup truck” that can be customized endlessly, even as an SUV. Dockendorf humorously notes that “probably no one will buy it.”
The company website, slate.auto, features an extensive FAQ section, addressing questions like “How much junk can you fit in the bed?” Interestingly, “Frunk” is not a typo, as many electric vehicles have a front storage compartment often referred to as a “front trunk.”
In any case, measurements are provided in feet and cubic feet, detailing what William terms “fairly typical” items, like how a “55-inch flat screen TV (in a box)” fits in the cargo area. However, he also whimsically mentioned that “about 30 dachshunds” would also fit there.
William feels that it’s essential to “measure everything by an approximate count of dachshunds.” Feedback wonders if these are living dachshunds, or if they are non-living—possibly deceased and preserved like sardines.
The Latest Fart
After discovering Flavor Analysis and Recognition Transformers (FART), I sought more examples of clever acronyms, or at least some that are hopelessly entertaining. Below are your options from the Email Flood. This is destined to be a repeated topic, at least until morale picks up.
Firstly, Thomas Cleger writes about a regional bus and railway company in Ticino, the only Swiss canton where Italian is the sole official language. Its name in Italian is Ferovie Autoline Regional Ticinensis. Feedback confirms its authenticity, and its official website is entertaining: fartiamo.ch.
A few years back, physicist Paul Davis mentioned attending the launch of the “Australian and Japanese Space Ray Experimental Setup” near Uomera, Australia. This collaborative project also known as CANGAROO is an Outback gamma-ray observatory. “The perfect blend of creativity,” Davis remarked.
However, the final word should go to paleontologist John Hawks, who wrote about a paper he found in the American Journal of Human Genetics. The study discusses “How to estimate mutation rates and recent demographic histories from exceptionally large samples.” “Very large” refers to a dataset of 1 million genomes. Naturally, they deployed their resources to Diffusion of Rare Elements but ended up calling it “Dr. Evil.”
“I had quite a lot of fun,” Hawks noted. To which Feedback can only add: “Yeah, baby!”
Have you had a feedback moment?
You can submit stories to feedback via email at feedback@newscientist.com. Don’t forget to include your home address. This week’s and previous feedback can be found on our website.
When venturing beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, spacesuits become crucial. These human-sized miniature spacecraft are designed to shield astronauts from harmful solar radiation, extreme temperatures, low atmospheric pressure, and the impacts of micrometeorites.
The moon presents additional challenges, such as sharply defined lunar dust that can damage the suit’s joints and disrupt its materials.
It’s essential for spacesuits to provide remarkable freedom of movement, as astronauts frequently exit their spacecraft to conduct intricate repairs on equipment.
In emergencies, swift donning of the suit is beneficial. Furthermore, a full life support system should be integrated to regulate air supply and temperature.
Since astronauts may need to wear their suits for extended periods, considerations for food, hydration, and other bodily functions are vital.
Over the years, there have been Various designs, although not all have met these necessary standards accurately.
In 1962, the peculiar hard-shell suit known as the Grumman underwent brief testing. It resembled a fusion of a dustbin and a blender, but its limited mobility was a significant drawback.
Another design, the Hardshell “ax” suit, was also tested, primarily constructed from aluminum with rotary joints akin to futuristic armor, but it never made it to any missions.
Most functional spacesuits have been crafted from flexible multi-layer composite fabrics, with rigid shells reserved for specific areas like the helmet and upper torso.
Future suits may be even more advanced.
Biosuit proposed by Professor Dava Newman at MIT – Image credit: Dava Newman/Professor MIT/Guillermo Trotti/Douglas Sonders Photography
Researchers are currently focused on creating self-healing materials, ensuring that issues arising from extended missions to Mars are mitigated. One of the most innovative concepts is the Bio Suit, proposed by Professor Dava Newman at MIT.
Astronauts would wear suits made from flexible fabric that, when activated, reduces the embedded shape memory alloy coil, allowing the suit to conform perfectly to the skin, offering exceptional mobility and style.
Alternatively, the most intriguing designs feature proposed FO-RO (forward and reverse osmosis) systems.
Similar to a still suit from Sand Dunes, this suit can recycle astronaut urine into drinking water.
This article answers a question from Erica Morris via email: “What will the future spaceship look like?”
Feel free to email us your questionsat Question @sciencefocus.com or messageFacebook,Twitter, or InstagramPage (please include your name and location).
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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.
Groundbreaking research by NASA’s twin astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly monitored aging indicators in both siblings, with Mark remaining on Earth while Scott spent 340 days in space.
Six months later, several changes in Scott persisted, including DNA damage, cognitive decline, and telomere shortening that affects chromosome protection. This was highlighted in the Journal Science.
Recent research published in Cell Stem Cell reveals that stem cells also show signs of aging due to stress from space flight.
According to Dr. Catriona Jamieson, director of the Sanford Stem Cell Institute at UC San Diego, these cells are “aging ten times faster in space than on Earth.”
Stem cells are unique cells capable of differentiating into various tissue types. Their accelerated aging poses a concern as it diminishes the body’s natural ability to repair tissues and organs.
This new research comes at a time of increasing interest in space exploration, with government plans for long-term lunar missions and private companies sending consumers and celebrities into space. Understanding these health risks is crucial for safer space travel. Additionally, studying the acceleration of intracellular aging aids researchers in comprehending biological processes at a slower pace.
Astronauts and twin brothers Scott and Mark Kelly at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in 2016. Houston Chronicle /Hurst Newspaper /Houston Chronicle by Getty Image
Researchers utilized bone marrow stem cells sourced from individuals who underwent hip replacement procedures. These cells were cultivated in “nanobioreactors,” essentially small, clear blood bags no larger than an iPhone that facilitate biological processes. The nanobioreactor was housed in a monitored environment known as cubelabs.
Samples from each patient were divided into two cubelabs; one was sent to space, while the other remained on Earth.
The samples intended for space travelled aboard the International Space Station across four commercial resupply missions conducted by SpaceX. Overall, the samples experienced microgravity for 32-45 days, the weightlessness found in orbit. For comparison, the Earth-bound cells were maintained in a cube lab setup.
Cubelabs monitored cell conditions throughout the journey and terrestrial duration, capturing daily images using a microscope. Upon the return of the space-stressed stem cells to Earth, researchers conducted comparisons against ground controls, sequenced the genome, and performed additional analyses.
“Even trying to explain ‘space’ feels challenging…”
ShutterStock/FastMotion
One of the most challenging aspects of writing a book is the need for authors to seek out blurbs. These endorsements, prominently featured on book covers, can entice readers to make a purchase. Right now, I’m at this stage with The Edge of Spacetime, reaching out for letters of recommendation, asking people to read my work and share positive thoughts in return for something more than just my good intentions.
It’s a bit nerve-wracking, yet it can also be fascinating. Those whose endorsements get published were asked in a specific format—what prompted you to use “space-time” with a hyphen rather than “spacetime”?
This seems like a question of simple grammar, but there’s a deeper issue at play. When discussing space or time individually, we have an intuitive grasp of what we mean. The term “space-time” is somewhat newer to scientific discourse. Historically, many cultures have embraced a unified concept that doesn’t differentiate between space and time as distinct entities.
For me, as a science communicator, explaining this concept is quite challenging. Even articulating “space” is complex. I might say space is where movement occurs, but movement also happens within time. I could define space as the realm where things exist, but a similar statement can be made for time. We even pondered describing space as a geographical location, yet that sounds overly academic and abstract. Essentially, we are referring to a site of spatial dimensions.
To elucidate, there are three dimensions of space and one dimension of time, but time only flows in one direction.
However, as Albert Einstein famously asserted, these aren’t separate phenomena. Observers moving at varying speeds, especially as they approach the speed of light, may disagree on when certain events transpire. They may also hold differing views on the size of objects. To truly understand everything, we must quantify space-time rather than merely space or time. This perspective might not feel intuitive, but it is the most effective way to comprehend the mechanics of the universe.
In this regard, it’s worth considering whether space-time represents a confluence of two familiar phenomena or signifies the emergence of something entirely new. This is where the nuances of grammar reflect our scientific understanding, at least from my viewpoint.
“
It’s worth considering whether space-time is a merger of two familiar phenomena or something new. “
My last name includes the very first hyphen I encountered. My parents chose to keep both surnames, so to me, Prescod Weinstein signifies both identities.
The hyphenated version of space-time can be interpreted as indicating that what we discuss encompasses both space and time. Conversely, removing the hyphen to form “spacetime” may suggest we are addressing an entirely distinct entity. It embodies attributes of both space and time while existing as a separate third entity.
Are we contemplating something that is both space and time (space-time), or are space and time merely approximations of a fundamentally different conception of space-time? I find myself somewhat ambivalent. In my earlier book, The Blurbriter, I noted this distinction without employing hyphens, thus raising the question of why I chose to make a switch this time around.
The straightforward answer is that the title of the new book appears in the introductory sections of classic cosmology texts. Large-Scale Structure of Space-Time by Stephen Hawking and Father George Ellis states in the very first chapter that solving the equations that describe the universe “in a sense, involves contemplating the edges of space-time.” Just two pages later, they posit that locations where equations deconstruct (like at the heart of a black hole) can be viewed as “representing part of the edge of space-time.”
My book includes chapters that elucidate the types of equations they reference and the role of boundaries and edges in physics. Since I was about to borrow this phrase for my book’s title, I felt compelled to adhere to their terminology.
This is a surface-level explanation. However, at a deeper level, I am unsure where I stand. Like my request for endorsements, I feel inclined to prefer “spacetime” without a hyphen. Yet, I’m also aware of how habitual language can be, given my repeated use of hyphens in the subtitles of my previous work. Scientifically, I lean toward the notion that “space-time” encompasses both space and time, asserting that it is an entirely different fourth dimension: space-time. This may seem like a complex perspective, but I desire to embrace both aspects simultaneously!
Chanda’s Week
What I’m reading
I’m quite excited about the new Charlie Jane Anders novel Lessons from Magic and Disaster.
What I’m seeing
I’ve just caught up with the sci-fi series Invasion, and it’s truly captivating.
What I’m working on
I have a new postdoctoral researcher joining my group.
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein is an associate professor of physics and astronomy at the University of New Hampshire. She is the author of Cosmos with Disabilities and her forthcoming book, Edges of Space-Time: Particles, Poetry, and the Dreams of the Universe.
Unexpectedly bright aurora illuminated the British skies in 2024
John Hayward/SWNS
If you have an interest in the Aurora Borealis, you’re in for a treat. Last year was a spectacular one, as auroras dazzled observers worldwide, even being visible far south with remarkable brightness. With a peak in solar activity, more stunning displays are anticipated, potentially leading to extreme geomagnetic storms. To grasp the phenomena behind these celestial light shows, one must look to the fiery depths of the sun.
Comprehending the sun’s workings is crucial to explaining various phenomena occurring in the Earth’s atmosphere and the solar system, not limited to auroras. Space Weather Physicist Tamitha Skov has been instrumental in enhancing our understanding of the sun’s mysterious operations through auroras and space weather forecasts on television and social media.
Skov discussed with New Scientist the reasons for the extreme auroras we’re witnessing and the increased frequency of space weather events. She noted that high-energy particles emitted by the sun present real risks to astronauts and spacecraft venturing beyond the protections of Earth’s magnetosphere. Scientists are continually searching for better prediction methods for these potential hazards. “Good sailors know to heed the weather; the same applies to space,” she remarked.
Alex Wilkins: What inspired you to study the sun and space weather?
Tamitha Skov: The sun is an incredibly captivating entity, maintaining its integrity for billions of years. However, my primary fascination comes from our connection to our planet. As a longtime admirer of Carl Sagan, I recall his words: “We are all made of star stuff,” which frames my curiosity about our origins and the elements that compose us.
Initially, I rekindled my interest in solar phenomena from a physical perspective, which shifted my focus to space weather. At that time, we were only beginning to understand that solar activity impacts Earth, making this area of research incredibly engaging. I’ve become absorbed in exploring the unseen electric and magnetic fields that influence the dynamics of the sun and the universe.
Recently, we’ve observed a rise in auroras, largely due to heightened solar activity. What’s happening with the sun?
We are experiencing a solar cycle. The sun goes through several cycles, with the dominant one being the Schwabe cycle, which lasts about eleven years. During the low phase, the sun is relatively quiet, resembling a hibernating bear before awakening to produce an array of solar activity.
This phenomenon is characterized by the sun’s magnetic field reversing. Imagine a lava lamp—when it’s off, the liquid remains still, showcasing a calm and orderly state. However, once activated, bubbles rise, creating a chaotic fusion of materials. This defines our sun’s state during its peak activity, when magnetic fields become disconnected, resulting in massive energy releases. Such instability breeds numerous solar eruptions as the sun reorganizes its magnetic field.
Tamitha Skov notes the recent surge in solar activity marks a return to normalcy
ng images/aramie
Are we witnessing a different phenomenon compared to prior solar cycles, given the auroras are now appearing much farther south?
To a degree, yes. It seems like various factors have come together to create an intriguing moment in time. After two solar cycles characterized by quiet activity and advancements in technology since the 1990s, we now have social media to share auroral experiences globally. Previously, during significant storms, there were no sensitive cameras available to capture these events.
In the current solar cycle, we are hitting G4 and G5 levels of storms—among the most extreme—and the availability of modern cameras enhances our ability to witness auroras, even from less vibrant displays. This may create an illusion that auroras have never appeared in the past, but science tells us they have been frequent, just not documented.
Furthermore, the Earth’s magnetic field is changing, altering the position of the auroras as particles penetrate deeper due to its weakening, which naturally slows the stirring in the Earth’s core.
Does the increased auroral activity indicate the sun is at its peak in this solar cycle?
As we reach the climax of this solar cycle, the observations lead many to believe the sun is behaving unusually. However, this notion simplifies what we’ve come to know; the previous cycles (24 and 23) were indeed the anomalies. Currently, our sun is displaying a behavior consistent with its historical patterns.
We’re now experiencing what constitutes an average cycle, not particularly intense. Previous cycles have exhibited even more activity than this one, making the notion of a prolonged inactive phase the true anomaly.
How concerned should we be about solar eruptions surpassing the intensity of the Carrington event of 1859, which resulted in widespread disruptions?
We’ve enhanced our knowledge about these events and their impacts on our infrastructure, accompanied by improved warning systems. The power grid remains a significant concern. During such storms, the Earth’s magnetic field generates strong fluctuations, creating currents similar to traffic jams in highways. When these currents encounter grounded power lines, it can overload systems that were not designed for such energy spikes.
To mitigate risks during storms, we can temporarily disconnect transformers from the ground. While this tactic carries potential dangers, it can be safer than leaving the grid fully connected. Some of these methods were validated during a G5 storm in May 2024, yielding promising results despite minor issues.
Our attention is also shifting towards GPS and navigation systems, particularly after storms during planting season last October created headaches for precision agriculture, notably impacting peanut farmers reliant on accurate geographical data. Rapidly deploying new technologies becomes crucial to address impending challenges.
Solar activity at its peak leads to the release of charged particles
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/SDO
These challenges apply to Earth, but how do they differ for spacecraft and astronauts bound for the moon or Mars?
Our atmosphere provides crucial protection that is absent on other celestial bodies. When viewing photos of the sun from the ground, one sees merely a bright orb because our atmosphere absorbs harmful radiant energy. This energy can cause radiation sickness if it reaches the surface. However, on a lunar body devoid of atmosphere, astronauts must shield themselves from radiation storms—high-energy particles unleashed from the sun. Researchers are exploring protective measures, such as constructing deep lunar bases and creating artificial magnetic fields.
Astronauts are already exposed to radiation during low Earth orbit missions, but exposure increases significantly on the moon.
Space weather has been remarkably fortunate historically. During the Apollo era in 1972, there was a severe particle radiation storm that could have been fatal for astronauts on the moon. Prolonged exposure to such radiation might have been lethal while confined in spacesuits. If that incident had unfolded differently, it would have dramatically altered the course of space exploration. Even today, these threats often go unnoticed.
While Mars possesses a weak atmosphere, radiation storms can still reach its surface. Thus, astronauts can’t just hide behind surface features; instead, they must live underground, introducing various complications to missions.
Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have captured stunningly detailed images of the asymmetrical Spiral Galaxy Messier 96.
This Hubble image illustrates Messier 96, a spiral galaxy situated approximately 34 million light years away in the constellation Leo. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/F. Belfiore/D. Calzetti.
Messier 96, or NGC 3368, is a spiral galaxy found in the constellation Leo, roughly 34 million light years from Earth.
It was first identified by French astronomer Pierre Messier on March 20, 1781, and was included in Charles Messier’s catalog of astronomical objects just four days later.
This galaxy, also referred to as Leda 32192 or M96, extends approximately 100,000 light years in diameter—similar to the size of the Milky Way—and boasts an estimated mass of 80 billion solar masses.
Messier 96 is a prominent member of the Leo I Galaxy Group, commonly known as the M96 group.
This group includes Messier 95, Messier 105, and a variety of other galaxies, representing the nearest collection that encompasses both bright helical and bright elliptical galaxies.
Messier 96 appears as a massive vortex of shimmering gas, with dark dust swirling within, flowing toward its nucleus.
The galaxy exhibits significant asymmetry, with its dust and gas distributed unevenly across its weak spiral arms, and its nucleus is not precisely at the galactic center.
Additionally, its arms are asymmetrical and are believed to have been shaped by gravitational influences from neighboring galaxies within the Leo I group.
“The gravitational forces exerted by neighboring galaxies could be responsible for the unequal distribution of gas and dust in Messier 96, as well as the asymmetrical spiral arms and the positioning of its core outside the center,” stated Hubble astronomers in a press release.
“The recently released Hubble images clearly showcase this asymmetrical structure, enhanced by observations in ultraviolet and optical light.”
“Previous images of Messier 96 were released in 2015 and 2018,” they noted.
“Each new image contributes additional data and reveals a stunning, scientifically informative view of the galaxy.”
“This latest version provides a fresh perspective on star formation in Messier 96.”
“The pink gas bubbles depicted in this image highlight the star-forming rings at the galaxy’s edges, enveloping a hot, young, massive star.”
“These new stars remain encased in the gas clouds from which they originated.”
“The fresh data incorporated for the first time in this image will aid in researching how stars are born within vast dusty gas clouds, how dust influences starlight, and the effects of stellar activity on their environment.”
NASA has unveiled a stunning new image captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, showcasing the nearby Spiral Galaxy NGC 2835.
This Hubble image depicts NGC 2835, a spiral galaxy approximately 35 million light years away in the Hydra constellation. Image credit: NASA/ESA/Hubble/R. Chandar/J. Lee/Phangs-HST team.
NGC 2835 is a mid-spiral galaxy located about 35 million light years from Earth, situated in the southern Hydra constellation.
Commonly referred to as ESO 564-35, Leda 26259, and UGCA 157, this galaxy spans roughly 65,000 light years, which is just over half the size of our Milky Way.
Wilhelm Tempel, a German astronomer, discovered NGC 2835 on April 13, 1884.
This galaxy holds significance as the most prominent member of the NGC 2835 group, a small cluster that includes ESO 497-035 and ESO 565-001.
Notably, NGC 2835 harbors a supermassive black hole, estimated to have a mass between 3 to 10 million solar masses.
“The last Hubble image of this galaxy was published in 2020,” remarked Hubble astronomers in a statement.
“Is there any difference between today’s image of NGC 2835 and the earlier version?”
“Overall, NGC 2835 appears quite similar in both images, with the spiral arm showcasing young blue stars surrounding the oval core populated by older stars.”
“The new image stands out because it incorporates fresh data from Hubble, capturing red light at a specific wavelength known as H-Alpha.”
“The bright regions highlighted by H-alpha are visible along the spiral arm of NGC 2835, where a vibrant pink nebula gives an impression of blooming flowers.”
“H-Alpha light indicates the presence of various types of nebulae, each occurring at different phases of stellar evolution.”
“While massive, young stars create nebulae known as H II regions, a significant source of H-alpha light, dying stars can leave behind supernova remnants or planetary nebulae that can also be identified by H-alpha emissions.”
“Our goal is to identify over 50,000 nebulae using Hubble’s advanced equipment to explore 19 nearby galaxies.”
“These observations aid in understanding how stars influence their birth environments through intense starlight and stellar winds.”
Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have captured breathtaking new images of sections of the spiral galaxy known as NGC 45.
This Hubble image depicts the outer arm of the NGC 45, a spiral galaxy approximately 22 million light-years distant in the Cetus constellation. This color image was generated from individual exposures taken in both visible and near-infrared light using Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3). The colors have been produced by assigning different hues to each monochromatic image captured through various filters. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/D. Calzetti/R. Chandar/Mhözsaraç.
NGC 45 is located about 22 million light-years away within the constellation of Cetus.
Also referred to as DDO 223, ESO 473-1, or Leda 930, this galaxy spans roughly 81,000 light-years in diameter.
The discovery of NGC 45 dates back to November 11, 1835, by British astronomer John Herschel.
“The data from Hubble utilized to create this portrait of NGC 45 was obtained from two complementary observational programs,” stated Hubble astronomers.
“Initially, we leveraged Hubble’s capability to capture light from ultraviolet to near-infrared ranges to broadly observe galaxies and examine star formation within them.”
“In the second program, we focused on many of the same nearby galaxies as the first, narrowing down to a specific wavelength of red light known as H-alpha.”
“Star-forming nebulae emit strong H-alpha light, and several of these areas can be identified by their bright pink red color throughout NGC 45.”
“These observational programs aim to investigate star formation across galaxies of varying sizes, structures, and separations, making NGC 45 a particularly compelling target.”
Though it may appear to be an ordinary spiral galaxy, NGC 45 is actually a remarkable low surface brightness galaxy.
“Low surface brightness galaxies are more intriguing than the evening sky and are incredibly challenging to detect,” articulated the researchers.
“They possess relatively fewer stars in relation to the amount of gas and dark matter they contain, making them appear unexpectedly faint.”
“Since the accidental discovery of the first low-surface brightness galaxies in 1986, scientists have learned that 30-60% of all galaxies may fall within this category.”
“Investigating these elusive galaxies is crucial for understanding the formation and evolution of galaxies, and Hubble’s sensitive instruments are well-suited for this task.”
WThe hat sets the tone for the game “Aphelion” by Don’t Nod, the French studio recognized for its engaging narrative-driven experiences. Dmitri Weideli, the executive producer, takes a moment to respond to the pivotal question and ultimately provides a rather expansive perspective. “We aim to craft a game that holds significance, offering players a rich storyline that allows them to experience a wide range of emotions,” he explains. “We strive to diversify our game types while still preserving our core essence.”
The concept of diversification certainly stands out. Since its inception in 2008, Don’t Nod has developed action-adventure games exploring memories, narrative-driven tales featuring magical students, and RPGs set in Georgia with vampires. Recently, the studio launched “Juzant,” an ecological sci-fi fable, which provides a refreshing and realistic approach to rock climbing.
Their latest project, “Aphelion,” shares at least some thematic similarities with “Juzant.” This new science fiction title portrays a journey to the fringe of the solar system, where an icy planet named Persephone is uncovered. Inevitably, the crew crash-lands, leading to a quest for exploration, survival, and stealth in this unforgiving environment.
A long journey from Juzant… Aphelion. Photo: Don’t Nod
The trailer showcases grappling hooks and climbable ice formations, which Weideli confirms are integral to the gameplay. The team involved in this project transitioned directly from another episodic supernatural game.
The focus of “Aphelion” differs from “Juzant,” with climbing being more straightforward. While it can still be quite technical, this time, it isn’t the primary focus. Several developers from the “Juzant” team have recently joined the “Aphelion” crew, bringing their expertise in rope physics and vertical level design along.
Cinematic influences for “Aphelion” predominantly stem from films like “Interstellar,” “The Martian,” “Ad Astra,” and “Arrival.” “We sought to create a compelling, story-driven game,” Weideli notes. “Yet we wanted to explore a different genre, guiding us towards a more action-adventure format.”
Vertical level… Aphelion. Photo: Don’t Nod
Notably, the scientific aspect is deeply woven into “Aphelion.” The planet Persephone draws inspiration from the hypothetical Planet Nine, a large celestial body theorized to exist far beyond Neptune.
However, Planet Nine serves merely as a springboard for the narrative. “It was a critical source of inspiration,” Weideli adds, “but we infused our own lore, creativity, and most importantly, human drama.”
“Aphelion” is in collaboration with the European Space Agency. “The ESA team provided access to space experts and scientists who contributed ideas and challenged our narrative concepts,” Weideli explains. “Our story team collaborates on scientific elements related to space and extraterrestrial missions, discussing terminology used by astronauts during operations.”
Nonetheless, the design team doesn’t adhere strictly to convention. In addition to exploration and survival, the game incorporates a vital stealth element. Weideli remains tight-lipped on specifics, but hints at a lurking presence within the ice of Persephone that is not entirely friendly.
Regardless of the threats it may unveil, it’s refreshing to see a commitment to crafting intricate, genre-blending video games amidst the chaos of recent industry setbacks. While many shift towards survival-focused narratives, it’s exhilarating to witness the team aspiring to reach for the stars.
The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has captured a stunning image of the Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 3285b.
This Hubble image reveals NGC 3285B, a spiral galaxy approximately 137 million light years away in the Hydra constellation. The color images were generated from separate exposures in the ultraviolet and infrared regions using Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), based on data collected through seven filters. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/RJ Foley, UC Santa Cruz.
NGC 3285b is situated around 137 million light years from the Hydra constellation.
It is also referred to as Leda 31293, ESO 501-18, or IRAS 10322-2723, with a diameter of 100,000 light years.
NGC 3285B boasts a disc and multiple swirling arms, characterized by a large, bright, golden nucleus, while its spiral arms exhibit a light, faint reddish hue.
It is part of the NGC 3312 Galaxy Group (LGG 210) and is a member of the Hydra I Galaxy Cluster.
“NGC 3285B is a component of the Hydra I Cluster, one of the largest galactic clusters in the nearby universe,” stated Hubble astronomers.
“Galactic clusters consist of hundreds to thousands of galaxies held together by gravity.”
“The Hydra I cluster is centered around two massive elliptical galaxies.”
“Each of these galaxies spans about 150,000 light years, roughly 50% larger than our Milky Way.”
NGC 3285B lies on the outskirts of the Hydra I cluster, distanced from the colossal central galaxy.
“This galaxy captured Hubble’s interest as it hosted a Type Ia supernova in 2023,” the astronomer noted.
“Type Ia supernovae produce a condensed star core known as white dwarf explosives, igniting a sudden fusion burst approximately five billion times brighter than the sun.”
The supernova, labeled SN 2023XQM, appears as a blue dot on the far left side of the galaxy’s disc.
“Hubble observed NGC 3285B as part of a campaign focused on Type Ia supernovae.”
“We aim to address the effects of distance and dust by examining each of these supernovae in ultraviolet, optical, and near-infrared light.”
“This initiative will enhance cosmic distance measurements that depend on observations of Type Ia supernovae.”
The International Space Station (ISS) glides across the sun, with spectacular close-ups of comets and exotic trees amidst rotating stars all selected as contenders for this year’s ZWO Astronomical Photographer of the Year Contest.
The image above is from Zhang Yanguang titled Meet Within 1 Second: It features a series of silhouetted shots of the ISS as it passes directly between Earth and the Sun. The expansive solar panels on the spacecraft, collecting energy from the very same star, are vividly visible. The photographer utilized dual optical filters to isolate specific wavelengths, showcasing the sharp details of the sun’s surface.
The image above showcases a close-up of comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-atlas) captured by Gerald Leman and Michael Jäger in Namibia. The comet displays two distinct tails of dust and gas, which appear to be nearly overlapping due to solar wind effects.
The last image presented is titled Dragon Tree Trail, taken by Benjamin Barakat in the Famihin forest on Socotra Island, Yemen. The iconic Dragon’s Blood Tree (Dracaena Cinnabari) stands prominently, framed by a stellar background crafted from 300 individual exposures.
This year’s competition saw more than 5,500 submissions from 69 nations. The top entries in nine categories, alongside two special awards and the overall victor, will be revealed on September 11th and displayed in an exhibition at London’s National Maritime Museum starting September 12th.
Cape Canaveral, Florida – a Private Space Flight from Poland and Hungary, featuring India’s first astronaut in over 40 years, concluded on Tuesday with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
The SpaceX capsules detached from the International Space Station on Monday and parachuted into waters off Southern California less than 24 hours later.
Hungarian Tibor Kapu emerged from SpaceX capsules in Southern California on Tuesday. SpaceX via AP
The four-member crew launched nearly three weeks ago on a mission arranged by Axiom Space from Houston.
Axiom’s Peggy Whitson, the most seasoned U.S. astronaut, served as commander. She was joined by Shuvansch Shukla from India, Slouz Uznansky Wysniewsky from Poland, and Tibor Kap from Hungary, with the countries collectively investing over $65 million in the mission.
SpaceX capsules carrying four astronauts parachute into the Pacific Ocean off Southern California on Tuesday. SpaceX via AP
“Thank you for the wonderful ride and safe journey,” Whitson remarked post-splashdown. Her record now surpasses that of other American astronauts and women, encompassing a total of 695 days in space across five missions.
The visiting astronauts executed numerous experiments in orbit, celebrating their heritage. The last instance of India, Poland, and Hungary sending individuals into space was in collaboration with the Soviet Union during the late 1970s and 1980s. They waved and smiled as they exited the capsule one by one into the dim early morning.
Poland’s Slouz Uznanski Wysniewski made landfall in Southern California on Tuesday. SpaceX via AP
This marked Axiom’s fourth mission for the orbital forward base since 2022 and is part of NASA’s ongoing efforts to expand access to space for more businesses and individuals. The company is among those developing their own space stations to succeed the current one. NASA plans to retire its space station by 2030 after over 30 years of service.
Recent images from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope highlight NGC 1786, a spherical cluster located in the constellation of Dorado.
This Hubble image depicts NGC 1786, a spherical cluster approximately 163,000 light-years away in the Dorado constellation. The color images were created from various exposures captured in visible and near-infrared regions of the spectrum using Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3). Three filters sampled different wavelengths. Colors were assigned by applying distinct hues to each monochromatic image related to individual filters. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/M. Monelli/M Hözsaraç.
Spherical clusters are ancient star systems, bound together by gravity, typically spanning around 100-200 light-years.
These clusters host hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of stars. The significant masses at the cluster’s core attract stars inward, forming a spherical configuration.
Considered among the universe’s oldest known objects, spherical clusters are remnants from the early Galactic era. It’s believed that all galaxies harbor a population of these structures.
The Large Magellanic Cloud, a neighboring dwarf galaxy located about 163,000 light-years away, possesses roughly 60 spherical clusters, including NGC 1786.
This spherical cluster, also referred to as ESO 56-39, was discovered on December 20, 1835, by the British astronomer John Herschel.
“Data from the new image is derived from spherical clusters within Milky Way galaxies, including the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, as well as Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxies,” stated Hubble astronomers.
“Our galaxy contains over 150 of these extensively studied ancient spherical formations.
“Due to its stability and longevity, it acts as a galactic time capsule, preserving stars from the galaxy’s formative stages.”
“While it was once believed that all stars in spherical clusters formed nearly simultaneously, our research on ancient clusters within our galaxy has revealed multiple populations of stars of varying ages,” they further explained.
“To utilize spherical clusters as historical markers, it’s essential to comprehend their formation and the origins of stars from different ages.”
“This observational program analyzed older spherical clusters like NGC 1786 in external galaxies to determine whether they contained multiple star populations.”
“Such studies can provide insights into the original formation mechanisms of the Large Magellanic Cloud as well as the Milky Way galaxy.”
[The world underwent a profound transformation when project scientists in Manhattan detonated the first atomic bomb on July 16, 1945.
The Trinity test created a radioactive legacy, much like the numerous ground nuclear tests that followed (with a total of 528 explosions), which introduced radioactive particles into the atmosphere.
As a result, the air we breathe now carries a slight level of radioactivity. This has led to unforeseen effects on various materials we produce.
For instance, steel is manufactured by pushing refined oxygen through molten iron ore. Given the radioactivity present in today’s air, the steel produced is subtly radioactive as well.
The fallout from nuclear tests reached its peak in 1963, with levels subsequently dropping over 95% as the radioactive particles in the atmosphere decreased. This decline occurred gradually.
While the steel produced today poses no health risks, its slight radioactivity can interfere with sensitive scientific instruments, particularly those designed for detecting dark matter.
Hence, scientists are on the lookout for materials with minimal radiation contamination. Steel made before the first nuclear explosion in 1945 is particularly valuable for particle physics research because it contains significantly fewer radioactive particles.
Much of this “low-radiation steel” has been salvaged from shipwrecks, including a fleet of 52 German battleships that sank in the shallow waters of Orkney, Scotland.
Even slight radioactivity can disrupt sensitive scientific instruments, like those made to detect dark matter. – Image credits: Science Photo Library
However, the rising demand for low-radiation steel has sparked controversy. In 2017, it was revealed that salvage divers had illegally looted up to 40 World War II warships near Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
This discovery triggered protests from veterans and historians, who regard these wrecks as sacred sites of underwater warfare.
Ancient Roman lead is also prized among physicists for its ability to shield ultra-sensitive experiments from background radiation. Naturally radioactive, lead ore can contain trace amounts of isotope lead 210, which has a half-life of 22 years.
While fresh lead suitable for particle physics takes centuries to produce, Roman-sourced lead had enough time to lose its radiation.
In 2010, Italy’s National Archaeological Museum celebrated a historic agreement to donate 120 lead ingots, recovered from a Roman ship that sank around 80-50 BC, to the Nuclear Physics Institute for use in future experiments.
This article answers the question posed by Henry Becker from Durham: “How does background radiation affect particle detectors?”
For inquiries, please email us atQuestion @sciencefocus.com or message us onFacebook,Twitter, orInstagram(don’t forget to include your name and location).
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In 2026, a group of astronauts is floating inside a gleaming white cylinder, positioned hundreds of kilometers above the Earth.
They gaze down at our planet through a 1.1-meter dome window and rest in an inflatable bed engineered for zero gravity, while conducting experiments focusing on human physiology, plant development, and protein crystallization.
Yet, this isn’t the International Space Station (ISS). It’s not managed by NASA, Roscosmos, or the China National Space Administration. This is Haven-1, the world’s inaugural commercial space station constructed by a private company named Vast.
Set to launch in May 2026 aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9, Haven-1 signifies transformative shifts in how we live and work in space.
“If you can achieve this prior to securing a NASA contract [to replace the ISS], using our funds, we have numerous CEOs,” says Max Haot to BBC Science Focus. “We will not only be the first commercial space station but also the sole predicted bidders to accomplish this.”
Minimum viable space station
Vast’s strategy is quick, concentrated, straightforward, and practical. Rather than constructing an extensive orbital laboratory, they designed a carefully constrained system that prioritizes safety and quality.
With a volume of 45m3 (1,590 feet)3, Haven-1 provides roughly the interior space of a small tour bus. Its life support system operates on a simpler “open loop” model, adapted from previous NASA technology and utilized during the space shuttle era.
The crew will stay for shorter durations compared to the ISS. Instead, four astronauts will visit for approximately 10 days, arriving aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Over Haven-1’s projected three-year orbital lifespan, only four such missions are planned.
“As a demonstration of a minimally viable product space station, safety is our top priority,” Haot states. “The second priority is achieving this within an unprecedented timeline. A swift timeline leads to reduced costs.”
Simplifying processes enables Vast to accelerate progress. The main structure is already assembled and will undergo testing this summer after completion in July. By early next year, the entire system should be integrated, and final tests will commence.
Haven-1 hosts four crew members at a time on a 10-day mission. – Extensive
Stations that look like the future
Aesthetically, Haven-1 is a remarkable departure from its predecessor. While the ISS is an engineering marvel, it often resembles a floating plumbing workshop. Haven-1 is designed with a science fiction aesthetic. Its interior is clean, functional, and sleek for space habitats.
This aesthetic reimagining is not solely for show. It’s about functionality. “We go to space to work,” Haot explains. “It’s straightforward to understand that better rest, well-being, and communication lead to increased productivity.”
Here, Vast’s Human Factors team plays a crucial role, led by veteran NASA astronaut Drew Feestel.
For instance, sleep is facilitated using an inflatable bed that applies gentle pressure, mimicking the physical sensations astronauts crave in microgravity.
“Astronauts have various preferences for sleeping on the ISS,” says Haot. “Many opt for pressure against their bodies while they sleep.”
read more:
What occurs aboard the ship?
Each mission to Haven-1 will be shorter yet packed with activities. Scientists can engage approximately 40 crew members throughout the station’s lifespan, given the limited opportunities for human time in orbit.
“Humanity has limited time to learn about space habitation and test technology,” notes Haot. “We believe that you can be incredibly productive within that time.”
Already lined up are research projects addressing human biology, drug screening, plant development, and protein crystal formation. Vast has established partnerships with Redwire Space (USA), Yuri (Germany), and Exobios Fair (Luxembourg).
A French company, Interstellar Lab, is investigating plant growth in microgravity.
Between missions, the station will be utilized to experiment with artificial gravity systems. This is an early step toward enhancing safety and feasibility for long-duration space travel.
Haven-1 is more than just a research platform; it’s a strategic maneuver in a much broader competition.
NASA intends to retire the ISS around 2030 and is currently reviewing bids for the next-generation orbital platform. Haot aims to secure that contract, and launching Haven-1 early with private funding is a bold way to leap ahead of competitors.
“Our goal is to present the most compelling strategy among all contenders,” Haot explains. “We’ve already achieved this by being ahead in technology development, teams, facilities, and certification processes.”
However, winning the race is not guaranteed. A competing spaceflight company, Axiom Space, has already secured a $140 million contract from NASA to connect at least one module to the ISS. Work is ongoing at Axiom, with the inaugural launch slated for late 2026.
Other companies, including Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, and Starlab, are also in the running.
If successful, the Vast team will be well-positioned when NASA makes its decisions in 2026. If NASA’s objectives do not come to fruition, they may explore opportunities with foreign governments and private entities interested in utilizing the station.
“We remain optimistic about the future of Vast, but our primary focus is internally,” affirms Haot. “Winning this opportunity is of pivotal significance—it’s the largest market opportunity currently in the space station sector.”
Despite shorter time frames, astronauts onboard will conduct hundreds of experiments. – Extensive
From Haven-1 to a comprehensive orbital hub
Haven-1 is just the beginning. Vast’s subsequent venture is Haven-2, a more advanced module adhering to the same philosophy. Starting in 2028, the company plans to launch new modules every six months, ultimately assembling a complete commercial station by 2032.
This modular future facilitates more frequent crew missions, civil research programs, and, ultimately, a broader orbital economy.
Thanks to a partnership with SpaceX, Haven-1 will also become the first space station connected to Starlink, providing ORBIT Gigabit Speed Internet.
“If you want to operate Haven-1 and communicate continuously, you can,” Haot asserts. “This will significantly change how the public and crew interact.”
Redefining space
Haven-1 may not be the largest or the most sophisticated station in orbit, but it will be the first entirely constructed, funded, and operated by private enterprises. That’s the crux of its significance.
Vast aims to reshape the landscape of low Earth orbit, illustrating that space infrastructure can be efficient, elegant, and commercially viable. Whether in science, exploration, or industry, HAOT believes the future of space belongs not to nations, but to those who reach the stars first.
“The goal isn’t to erect luxury hotels in space to attract tourists,” emphasizes Haot. “The aim is to create a robust environment that supports exploration.”
“It’s not without risks. We need to observe what transpires in reality.”
read more:
About our experts
Max Hat is an entrepreneur with a background in aerospace, appliances, and the internet. He currently serves as the CEO of Vast.
wGlacier researcher John Moore began exploring the Arctic Circle in the 1980s. The continuous warming of this area has led to the disappearance of many glaciers, as noted in The Arctic heats 4 times faster. They have simply melted away, outpacing global averages.
Four decades later, Moore’s research network identified an Arctic university. 61 Potential Interventions aim to slow, halt, and reverse the impacts of regional climate change. These concepts are regularly updated. Some will be discussed at a meeting in Cambridge this week, where scientists and engineers will explore whether radical technical solutions can buy time and mitigate the loss of polar ice caps.
Dr. Sean Fitzgerald excavates the ice. Photo: Real Ice/Cambridge University
“We aim to distill them down to about 10 concrete ideas,” Moore asserts, although he hasn’t yet shared specific developments. He emphasizes that the study should exclude “non-starters and hopeless ideas.” If no action is taken over the next 30 years, it may indeed be too late.
The focus should be on rationally valuing these interventions; otherwise, they are merely speculation.
“None of these ideas will solve every issue,” Moore states, emphasizing the need to weigh potential costs against perceived benefits.
Dr. Sean Fitzgerald, director of the Climate Restoration Center at Cambridge University, which is hosting the conference, reflects on a 30-year journey of “unpaid progress” that has slowed the climate crisis, shifting focus towards preserving the Arctic.
“I felt obligated to expand knowledge into broader fields,” he notes. Among the more unusual ideas discussed is the concept of a 10km sunshade suspended between airships the size of Zeppelins and creating corridors for fixed rafts to assist Arctic wildlife reliant on ice. Other measures, such as the initiative by British startup Real Ice and a Dutch company, are underway, which involve pumping water onto ice to refreeze it.
Critics voice concerns about the ethical and legal implications of many proposed interventions, making geoengineering a contentious topic. For instance, in 2021, the Sami Council, representing the Saami people in Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Russia, voiced opposition against Harvard-led pilot projects that aimed to test stratospheric aerosol injection (Science), which simulates volcanic eruptions by dispersing aerosols in the stratosphere to reflect sunlight. The Sami Council branded the plan as a “real moral hazard.”
Inuit hunters navigate through meltwater in West Greenland. Photo: Lawrence Hislop/Alendal
The interventions have undergone extensive study, including those identified by Moore for mitigating the Arctic climate emergency. However, many proposals are unlikely to go beyond theoretical stages and require substantial funding or large-scale implementation.
Thus far, ocean-based concepts present additional uncertainties, limitations, and risks, and the study has deemed them “unsuitable for further consideration,” scoring very low against most evaluation criteria.
One such idea, modifying ocean currents, was first proposed during the Cold War, when suggestions were made to block the Bering Strait to enhance Arctic livability. Years later, climate activist Rolf Schttenhelm proposed a similar initiative aimed at increasing Arctic sea ice.
One small-scale solution currently being implemented involves pumping water onto ice to refreeze it. Photo: Real Ice/Cambridge University
“It’s very easy to make mistakes, and no one knows the definitive answer,” Moore reflects. “Local benefits must be balanced with the hope for global gains.”
Fitzgerald remains cautious about any solutions he considers to be frontrunners, underscoring the importance of keeping an open mind and exploring a variety of approaches.
Meanwhile, SAI and Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB) are drawing significant interest. Professor Peter Wadham, leader of the Polar Ocean Physics Group at Cambridge University, describes MCB as a “very powerful” option. “It’s advantageous because it can be implemented on a small scale, allowing for cessation of activities if negative impacts arise,” he asserts.
Wadham is less enthusiastic about SAI, labeling it a risky long-term strategy compared to MCB. Additionally, he finds the proposal to thicken sea ice unrealistic due to the sheer energy required. “It could work in limited scenarios,” he notes, “but not at an impactful scale. Marine Cloud Brightening stands out as the best and most thoughtfully designed approach.”
Hunters return to Kullorsuaq, the Inuit village in Greenland, nearby Melville Bay. Photo: Reda/Universal Images/Getty
Earlier this year, UK scientists announced plans for outdoor geoengineering trials, including Marine Cloud Brightening, funded by a £50 million government initiative. However, opposition has emerged from various sectors; a discussion was held in the UK Parliament this week, and the state of Tennessee has passed legislation banning geoengineering in the US.
wHeather Jane Johnson heard that Jeff Bezos got married in Venice this June, but she felt worse than ever. Twenty-five years ago, she closed her bookstore in Boston, Massachusetts. “I lost a lot because of Bezos and the American accomplices behind Amazon’s rise,” states the 53-year-old. “The primary reason I moved to Italy was my sense of betrayal by my homeland.”
When a public meeting was announced in the city, she immediately attended. Since then, she has participated in every gathering of anti-Bezos activists, including the one right before last week’s wedding. “These young people have truly restored my faith in humanity,” Johnson remarks.
Many activists part of the “Bezos No Spaces” movement are based at Laboratorio Accupatato Morion, which identifies as “an anti-fascist, anti-capitalist, anti-racist, and transfeminist political space.” Federica Toninero, 33, describes it as “the home of many struggles.” The venue boasts the same vaulted ceilings and grandeur as others nearby, but is adorned with banners and placards ready to transform Venice in anticipation of Bezos’ wedding festivities, starting Thursday. (During my visit on Sunday, I didn’t spot any billionaires; their inclination for invisibility is strong.) It is all visually stunning, reminiscent of one of Venice’s countercultural spaces, filled with striking graphics from past campaigns against big ships, cruises, and tourists. A grassroots movement emerges here, advocating for refugees, with feminist unions popping up to address issues such as climate crises and urban poverty.
“I don’t think he’s welcome”… his fiancées, Lauren Sanchez and Bezos. Photo: Bruce Glikas/Wireimage
Noemi Donà, a 19-year-old activist from USG (a slowly growing union of young leftists), mentions Oliver, 43, who works as a receptionist in a historic Venetian hotel, not one of the hyper-luxury ones, but rather a “small 14th-century palace.” “Bezos can pay and stay here,” he says, “but thousands of Italian shops have closed due to Amazon’s rise. There are universities aligning with us, many of which occupied campuses last year to protest against the Israeli bombings of Gaza.”
The atmosphere is charged with the scent of aerosols and felt-tip pens. Some banners proclaim “Free Palestine,” while others demand the cessation of bombings in Iran. The Palestinian Libre organization actively condemns the U.S. attack on Iran, which feels particularly shocking just under 24 hours since it occurred. Yet, in opposition to Bezos, Marta Sottoliva, a 34-year-old middle school teacher, asserts, “This isn’t just a group; it’s a platform.”
“If Bezos had announced his wedding here without our movement, the media’s narrative would have centered on a luxurious hotel, VIPs, and gossip,” Sottliva reflects. “We aimed to highlight the obscene wealth that enables men like him to monopolize a city.”
On June 12th, the activists unfurled a massive 8-meter banner featuring Bezos’ name encircled in red. Tonyelo jokes about their lively banter on social media, saying, “You must be embarrassed!” A similar banner was displayed on the Rialto Bridge shortly after.
Protest at San Giorgio Maggiore. Photo: Marta Sottoriva
The activists have shifted their focus from merely questioning, “How much money does he have?” to “What conversation will arise from Bezos’ presence? What numbers will they draw?” As Elon Musk captures the public’s attention, there’s a growing discontent regarding the high purchasing power of elites in the face of societal upheavals. One aspect Bezos cannot buy is public goodwill—nor respect for his fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, nor for the 200 guests he plans to invite. That, indeed, is significant.
Not all demonstrations will be publicized, but one detail is clear: a protest will block access to the Scola Grande della Misericordia this Saturday, where Bezos is set to host the celebration.
On a Sunday evening stroll around the venue, I analyzed the logistics for a protest designed to obstruct any chance of the Kardashian presence. A three-meter-wide strip runs along the canal, with a steep drop, creating a narrow bridge that unexpectedly terminates at metal gates in Venice. On the west side, a pavement parallels the canal, leading to a small bridge that could facilitate both police and protesters, but only permits slow movements. With so many stunning bridges dotting Venice, this is the most beautiful, though not conducive to fast access. A square lies at one end and a canal at the other. If 200 protesters show up, they could indeed create significant disruption.
Rumor has it that Bezos isn’t relying solely on police protection but is also engaging former Marlins, hoping to bolster his public image. “How can I get someone away from the water without causing harm?” Toninero muses, her tone playful rather than anxious. “We use our bodies to convey, ‘Stop it, we don’t want this.’”
According to reports Monday, Bezos has been compelled to relocate the party to a different venue.
Rialto Bridge banner. Photo: Manuel Silvestri/Reuters
Even as the city showcases its exquisite eccentricities, it’s difficult to imagine hosting a lavish party in such a locale with a dead-end bridge resembling a 14th-century lagoon. If you spread the word to just 15 people that you’re not welcome, you realize how inherently impossible it is to execute a glamorous, star-studded event here. Perhaps Venice is a mere facade, and the real celebration is set for Maui.
The activist assembly aired their views amidst all this. Critics argue Bezos and Sanchez may not be ideal foes for the anti-tourism sentiment. Yet, many Venetians recognize a common disregard from local authorities. In their quest to appease billionaires, the city effectively shuts down its center. They exert significant influence over short-term rentals yet refuse to take action. Last year’s initiative, taxing tourists €5 a day, was believed to address the situation, but as Sottoliva points out, locals feel they “are like animals in a zoo or cartoon characters from Disneyland.”
Sofia, 26, originally from Barcelona, has engaged in numerous discussions regarding overtourism, but she sees a uniquely vibrant community within Venice, supporting one another beyond mere intellectual endeavors.
Venice’s politically radical lens, influenced largely by its tourism, contrasts sharply with Bezos’ wedding deal, revealing inconsistencies in his values. His conduct as an employer and his apparent disregard for corporate tax responsibilities reflect a divide that becomes glaringly visible in such discussions.
Michael Jordan’s yacht docked in Venice ahead of Bezos’ wedding. Photo: Yara Nardi/Reuters
Climate change activists have also voiced concerns about promoting a culture of extreme consumption, as noted by Stella Faye, a 27-year-old university researcher.
Politically, Bezos’ transition from a perceived mild Democratic supporter to an active Trump advocate has not gone unnoticed. “We are witnessing a disturbing fusion between the private interests of digital capitalism and fascism,” argues Sottoliva. “This is not just confined to Venice.”
Perhaps most troubling for Bezos is the emerging critique of billionaires not just as individuals, but as systemic forces. “There’s a rise in anti-wealth movements,” states Robin Piazzo, a political scientist at the University of Turin. Traditionally, Marxist discourse focused less on billionaires as individuals, instead analyzing capitalism as a collective system. The grassroots movements increasingly question the narratives around the affluent, especially as they light on the influence of wealth over politics and media.
Yet, within grassroots movements, a consistent anti-Western critique is evident, bridging both religious and political sentiments. Piazzo, who also serves on the city council for the Democratic Party, recounts a 90-year-old woman approaching him post-meeting, saying, “You must act against the rich; I detest them.” She aligned herself with the sentiments expressed by Pope Francis. “This is a critical juncture for ultra-high-net-worth individuals,” he warns, as wealth’s perception shifts to a self-serving entity, starkly contrasted with the struggles faced by the less fortunate.
Wealth is showing its sharper edge once again. In 2001, during the G8 summit in Genoa, police responses were harsh and swift after a protester named Carlo Giuliani was killed by Carabinieri. During that tumultuous time, a leftist in England warned that if pushed, resisting police involved serious risks. The memories of such violence linger deeply.
After Giuliani’s death, a specialized police unit was deployed, known for its distinctive blue uniforms and aggressive tactics. Most surreal was the heavy steel fence constructed to shield leaders at the G8. However, despite the barriers, a single protester managed to break through and was quickly arrested. The show of force reflected a stark division between state officials and protesters—clearly demonstrating that their interests were at odds.
Twenty-four years later, Bezos’ wedding symbolizes everything he represents—wage reduction, rampant consumerism, environmental degradation, and wealth supremacy—casting a shadow over a city struggling to maintain its identity. “Honestly, it terrifies me,” states Noemi Donà. “But I’m here.”
The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope captured this image of UGC 11397, the Barred Spiral Galaxy, which houses a rapidly growing, supermassive black hole.
The Hubble image depicts UGC 11397, a barred spiral galaxy, located about 250 million light years away in the constellation Lyra. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/MJ Koss/AJ Barth.
Also referred to as IRAS 19019+3346, Leda 62725, or TC 872, UGC 11397 is situated in the constellation Lyra and is approximately 250 million light years distant.
The first documented mention of this spiral galaxy appeared in a galaxy catalogue compiled by Swiss astronomer Fritz Zwicky in 1966.
“At first glance, UGC 11397 seems like a typical spiral galaxy,” stated Hubble astronomers.
“It showcases two graceful spiral arms illuminated by stars, framed by dark, dense dust clouds.”
“What sets UGC 11397 apart from a standard spiral is the ultra-massive black hole at its core, which has a mass 174 million times that of the sun,” they noted.
“As the black hole ejects gas, dust, and even entire stars from its vicinity, this material heats up, creating a spectacular cosmic display.”
“Materials engulfed by black holes emit radiation ranging from gamma rays to radio waves, leading them to brighten and dim unexpectedly.”
“Nonetheless, in some galaxies like UGC 11397, thin dust clouds obscure much of this energetic activity from optical light observation.”
“Still, the rapidly growing black hole in UGC 11397 has been identified through its intense X-ray emissions.”
This discovery led astronomers to categorize it as a Type 2 Seyfert Galaxy, a classification for active galaxies whose central cores are obscured by dust and gas formations.
“Utilizing Hubble, we will examine hundreds of galaxies that host ultra-massive black holes similar to UGC 11397,” the researchers stated.
“Hubble’s observations aid us in measuring nearby supermassive black holes, understand their growth early in the universe’s history, and explore star formation in extreme conditions at the galaxy’s center.”
Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have captured remarkable new images of the Dwarf Starburst Galaxy NGC 4449.
This Hubble image illustrates NGC 4449, a galaxy of dwarf stars located roughly 12.5 million light years away within the Canes constellation. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/E. Sabbi/D. Calzetti/A. Aloisi.
NGC 4449 is situated about 12.5 million light years away in the constellation of Canes.
Also known as Caldwell 21, Leda 40973, or UGC 7592, this galaxy is approximately 20,000 light-years in age.
NGC 4449 was first identified by German-born British astronomer William Herschel on April 27, 1788.
This galaxy is part of the M94 Galaxy group and is in close proximity to the local group that contains our Milky Way.
“NGC 4449 is a dwarf galaxy, meaning it is significantly smaller than our Milky Way and contains fewer stars,” a Hubble astronomer remarked.
“However, its small size is deceptive; NGC 4449 is prolific in star formation.”
“This galaxy is referred to as a Starburst galaxy because it produces new stars at a rate much higher than would be expected for its size.”
“While most Starburst Galaxies primarily produce stars in their centers, NGC 4449 is scattered with bright young stars throughout its structure.”
Astronomers believe this global surge in star formation has resulted from interactions between NGC 4449 and its neighboring galaxies.
“Due to its proximity, NGC 4449 offers a valuable opportunity for Hubble to investigate how intergalactic interactions influence new star formation,” they noted.
The new color image of NGC 4449 is derived from Hubble observations utilizing the Advanced Cameras for Surveys (ACS) and the Widefield Camera 3 (WFC3) across the UV, near-infrared, and optical segments of the spectrum.
Seven filters were employed to capture various wavelengths, assigning different hues to each monochrome image linked to the specific filters.
“The Hubble images of NGC 4449 were previously released in 2007,” the researchers stated.
“This updated version includes several additional wavelengths of light gathered by Hubble through multiple observational programs.”
“These programs encompass groundbreaking science, ranging from exploring the history of star formation in NGC 4449 to mapping galaxies with the brightest, hottest, and most extensive stellar structures.”
Though it might not be as well-known as the Hubble Space Telescope or the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA’s Landsat 7 has significantly enhanced our understanding of our planet. For over 25 years, it has been capturing the stunning landscapes of Earth from space, documenting remarkable details of the planet’s ever-changing environment.
Launched in 1999 with an expected mission duration of only five years, Landsat 7 has instead emerged as one of the longest-running Earth observation missions in history. While it doesn’t gaze into distant galaxies, its instruments are focused on the vibrant, living surfaces of Earth instead.
From an altitude of 700 km (about 435 miles), it has produced vital data for scientific research and conservation, showcasing stunning images of dynamic deserts, glaciers, forests, and coastlines.
“[Landsat 7 has] been essential in tracking environmental changes such as natural disasters, deforestation, and urban expansion,” said David Applegate, former director of the US Geological Survey.
“It documented significant events such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Haiti earthquake in 2010, the Australian wildfires from 2019 to 2020, and rapid urban growth across the globe.”
The Landsat 7’s primary sensor, the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), captured in the clean room at Lockheed Martin Space Systems. Photo Credit: NASA/Raytheon
Landsat 7 is scheduled to retire this month after covering 6.1 billion km (3.8 billion miles) in space and capturing over 3 million images. A carefully planned shutdown will involve depleting its batteries, turning off the fuel line heater, and rendering the communications system silent permanently. For another 55 years, the satellite will drift silently above Earth before eventually re-entering the atmosphere and burning up.
As we bid farewell, we reflect on its lens and celebrate the beauty and complexity of our planet, revealing both the impacts of deforestation and the intricate patterns of continents.
Coral Reef Conservation
In the first year of the Landsat 7 mission, detailed images of coral reefs were gathered from around 900 locations worldwide. These vibrantly colored swirls depict atolls, enclosed coral reefs that typically surround a lagoon, often formed from eroded volcanic islands. Photo Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Science Visualization Studio
Guinea-Bissau, West Africa
Guinea-Bissau, a small country in West Africa, showcases intricate patterns evident in the shallow waters along its coast, where silt from the Geba and other rivers is carried away by the Atlantic Ocean. Photo Credit: NASA/USGS
Siberia, Dragon Lake
Dragon Lake, formed by the Bratsk Reservoir along the Angara River in southern Siberia, Russia, is shown here frozen in winter. Photo Credit: NASA/USGS
Lena Delta, Siberia
The Lena River, approximately 4,500 km long, is among the largest rivers globally. The Lena Delta Reserve is the most extensive protected wilderness area in Russia, serving as a sanctuary and breeding ground for many Siberian wildlife species. Photo Credit: NASA/USGS
9/11, New York
This true-color image was captured on September 12, 2001, by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) sensor on the Landsat 7 satellite shortly after the Twin Towers fell. Photo Credit: USGS/EROS
Comprehensive Continental Mosaic of Antarctica
A complete continental mosaic of Antarctica was constructed using images from Landsat 7. Photo Credit: NASA/USGS
Bolivian Deforestation
Once a vast expanse of lush vegetation, the Amazon rainforest is rapidly changing. This image demonstrates the significant deforestation occurring in Bolivia’s portion of the Amazon Basin, where loggers have carved extensive paths while ranchers have cleared areas for grazing. The bright red areas indicate healthy vegetation. Photo Credit: NASA/USGS
Icefall, Lambert Glacier, Antarctica
Lambert Glacier, the largest glacier in the world, features an ice waterfall that nourishes the glacier from the expansive ice sheets covering the plateau. The ice flows slowly, resembling water, descending about 1,300 feet (400 meters) to the underlying glacier. Photo Credit: NASA/USGS
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
On April 20, 2010, a catastrophic oil spill followed an explosion at an oil well in the Gulf of Mexico. Efforts to contain the expanding oil slick began immediately. Landsat imagery provided by the US Geological Survey reveals the extent of the spill, with Landsat data being vital for monitoring its range and movement. Photo Credit: NASA/USGS
Westfjords, Iceland
The Westfjords are a series of peninsulas located in northwestern Iceland. Though they comprise less than one-eighth of the country’s land area, their rugged coastlines account for over half of Iceland’s total coastline. Photo Credit: NASA/USGS
“Spilled Paint”: Iran’s Dasht-e Kavir
Resembling spilled paint, this image showcases a vibrant tapestry of landscapes in Iran’s largest desert, Dasht-e Kavir, or Great Salt Desert. It spans approximately 77,000 square kilometers (29,730 square miles) and consists of dry stream beds, desert plateaus, and salt marshes. Extreme temperatures and dramatic daily fluctuations, alongside severe storms, are characteristic of this harsh environment. Photo Credit: NASA/USGS
Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans
Following Hurricane Katrina, which led to severe flooding of up to 80% of New Orleans, Landsat 7 captured this image on September 15, 2005. Two and a half weeks post-hurricane, efforts were ongoing to siphon water back into Pontchartrain Lake, with pumps extracting approximately 380 cubic meters of water every second. Photo Credit: USGS/CEROS
Namib Naukluft National Park, Namibia
Namib Naukluft National Park is an ecological reserve in the Namib Desert, where coastal winds give rise to the world’s tallest dunes, which can reach 980 feet (300 meters). Photo Credit: NASA/USGS
Vatnajökull Glacier Ice Cap, Iceland
This image features blue ice fingers breaking away from the Vatnajökull glacier in Iceland’s Skaftafell National Park, situated at the southern extremity of Europe’s largest ice cap. Photo Credit: NASA/USGS
Uppsala Glacier Retreat in Argentina
Landsat images captured in 1986, 2001, and 2014 illustrate the retreat of the Uppsala Glacier. Photo credit: NASA
Sally Ride during NASA’s seventh space shuttle mission, STS-7 in 1983
NASA
Sally Christina Costantini Disney+ (Available from June 17th)
In 1983, Sally Ride made history as the first American woman in space, becoming the third woman overall to achieve this milestone, following Valentina Tereshkova and Svetlana Savitskaya. The new documentary, Sally, directed by Cristina Costantini, delves into her remarkable journey. It captures not just the media attention but also her personal complexities, including a 27-year partnership with science writer Tam O’Shaughnessy.
The film, debuting at the Sundance Film Festival in January, commences with an extensive montage of archival footage, featuring Ride’s television appearances, which serve as an introduction to her role as a beacon of empowerment.
You can sense the determination that fueled her journey. “It’s crucial to not do anything foolish,” she reflects during a segment, encapsulating her pursuit of excellence and the weight of expectations she faced in a male-dominated field.
Ride grew up in the thriving era of the US Space Program. NASA’s 1976 initiative to diversify its astronaut selection process paved the way for women and ethnic minorities. Out of 8,000 applicants for astronaut training, 1,500 were women, leading NASA to employ 40 aspiring astronauts.
The documentary employs a clever blend of interviews and meticulously crafted sequences that smoothly integrate with the archival material. Fellow astronauts like Kathy Sullivan, Judith Lesnick, and Anna Fisher, along with journalist Lynn Sherr and Ride’s ex-husband Steve Hawley, provide valuable insights into her character, enhanced by some archival bits.
For example, Fisher reflects on the pressures faced by female astronauts to downplay their femininity, particularly regarding attire and makeup. The film also portrays Mike Mullane, who initially appeared as a staunch sexist but later acknowledges his past mistakes in a heartfelt letter to Ride—highlighting the professional hurdles she navigated throughout her career.
In 1976, NASA’s decision to diversify its class opened the door for women and ethnic minority groups.
Costantini also tenderly explores Ride’s lifelong bond with O’Shaughnessy, who met Ride on a sunlit tennis court during their teenage years. Their private relationship, upheld for decades, reflects Ride’s reserved nature and the societal attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community at that time.
The soundtrack features notable tracks such as Lazy Calm by Cocteau Twins, Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra, and Neil Young’s Harvest Moon, adding emotional resonance to Ride and O’Shaughnessy’s narrative.
The narrative takes a poignant turn with Ride’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2011, recounting her personal battle. After giving a speech at a conference in California, she felt a sense of unease, prompting her to seek medical advice the following day. An ultrasound revealed a tumor of golf ball size in her abdomen.
O’Shaughnessy’s testimony vividly illustrates how quickly their lives transformed. Nonetheless, they cherished their time together until Ride’s last moments. Her legacy extends beyond scientific achievements, encompassing the impact of Sally Ride Science’s nonprofit organization.
In summary, Sally presents a heartwarming and insightful tribute to a woman who defied conventions in both her career and personal life. Costantini captures not just Ride’s triumphs but also the sacrifices intrinsic to her groundbreaking journey, ensuring her story resonates with future generations.
The NGC 685 is abundant in star-forming nebulae and appears as a dazzling pink cloud in recent images captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.
This Hubble image illustrates the Spiral Galaxy NGC 685 on the bar. The color images were created from individual exposures captured in ultraviolet light using Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) and derived from visible and near-infrared sections of the spectrum. Built upon data gathered through six filters, different hues are assigned to each monochromatic image related to a specific filter. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/J. Lee/F. Belfiore.
NGC 685 is situated approximately 64 million light-years away in the southern constellation of Eridanus.
Previously known as ESO 152-24, IRAS 01458-5300, or LEDA 6581, the galaxy was discovered by British astronomer John Herschel on October 3, 1834.
Spanning around 74,000 light-years, the galaxy features a luminous central bar and a distinctively curved arm.
“NGC 685 is classified as a barred spiral galaxy, with its delicate spiral arms emerging from the edge of a stellar bar at the heart of the galaxy,” Hubble astronomers stated.
“The Milky Way, while not a perfect spiral, is nearly twice the size of NGC 685.”
Astronomers utilized Hubble for two observational programs focused on star formation in NGC 685.
“It’s no surprise that NGC 685 was selected for these studies. The galaxy’s spiral arms are marked by numerous patches of young blue stars,” they noted.
“Many of these star clusters are enveloped by a vibrant pink gas cloud known as the H II region.”
“The H II region is a gas cloud that gleams momentarily, especially during the birth of a massive, hot star.”
“The particularly striking H II region can be seen near the lower edge of the image.”
“Despite the visible star-forming regions, NGC 685 converts gas into stars each year at a rate of less than half the mass of the sun.”
“The data collected by Hubble across two observational programs enables us to catalog 50,000 H II regions and 100,000 star clusters in nearby galaxies.”
“By merging Hubble’s sensitive visibility and ultraviolet observations with data from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope and wireless data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, we explore the depths of dusty star nurseries and illuminate the stars within.”
Timeless compositions will shine across the cosmos through a performance by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. The celestial event, titled Heavenly Saying, is set for May 31 and will be broadcasted via free public screenings in Vienna, Madrid, and New York, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the European Space Agency.
ESA staff have noted that music can be transmitted as radio signals in real-time; however, to circumvent potential technical difficulties, a pre-recorded version from the orchestra’s rehearsal will be aired the day before, with the live performance accompanying it.
Radio signals travel at the speed of light, approximately 670 million miles per hour (over 1 billion kilometers per hour).
As a result, the music would reach the Moon in just an hour and a half, Mars in 4.5 minutes, Jupiter in 37 minutes, and Neptune in 4 hours. Within a day, the signal would be over 15 billion miles (24 billion kilometers) away, as far as NASA’s Voyager 1, the most distant human-made object in interstellar space.
In 2008, NASA also commemorated 50 years by sending The Beatles’ “Across the Universe” into Deep Space. Furthermore, last year, they transmitted Missy Elliott’s “The Rain (Supa dupa Fly)” to Venus.
Music is not only traveling through space; NASA’s Mars Rover has made waves back to Earth. In 2012, flight controllers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California sent a recording of Will.i.am’s “Reach for the Stars,” which was then broadcasted by the Rover.
This interstellar transmission adds to a legacy of melodies shared between NASA mission control and astronauts since the mid-1960s.
Now it is Strauss’ turn, following its earlier inclusion in the Voyager Golden Records almost fifty years ago.
Released in 1977, NASA’s twin Voyager spacecraft each carry gold-plated copper gramophone records, equipped with styluses and instructions for playback.
These records feature earthly sounds and images alongside 90 minutes of music, curated by the late astronomer Carl Sagan and his committee, which included works by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and Stravinsky, among contemporary and indigenous artists.
Notably omitted was Johann Strauss II, whose “Blue Danube” famously accompanied Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 sci-fi film “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
The Vienna Tourism Board, located where Strauss was born on October 25, 1825, aims to rectify this “cosmic oversight” by sending the world’s most renowned waltz into the stars.
ESA’s large radio antenna in Spain, part of the agency’s deep space network, honors this initiative. The dish is directed toward Voyager 1, allowing “Blue Danube” to resonate through the cosmos.
“Music connects us across time and space in a unique way,” stated ESA Director Joseph Ashbacher. “The European Space Agency is sharing the spotlight with Johann Strauss II and inspiring future space scientists and explorers who will one day journey to the anthem of the universe.”
US President Donald Trump (left) announces the Golden Dome Missile Defense Shield, joined by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (right).
Chris Kleponis/Pool/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
US President Donald Trump has introduced the Golden Dome defense initiative, designed to intercept threats like polar sounds, ballistic missiles, and advanced cruise missiles.
“Once fully operational, the Golden Dome is engineered to intercept missiles launched from around the globe or even from outer space,” Trump stated during a White House announcement on May 20th. Watch here.
However, many experts express skepticism regarding the feasibility of such a comprehensive interception system. Concerns have been raised that, even if successful, the Golden Dome could require over a decade to implement and exceed $50 trillion in costs, potentially exacerbating global nuclear arms races and space militarization.
What is the Golden Dome?
The project is inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome system, which utilizes ground-based missiles to intercept incoming artillery and rockets launched from shorter ranges. In contrast, the Golden Dome aims to safeguard a significantly larger area, with the landmass of the contiguous US being over 350 times that of Israel.
According to Trump and his team, the system should be capable of targeting ballistic missiles fired from distant locations, advanced cruise missiles operating at lower altitudes, and hypersonic missiles traveling at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound. These could possess nuclear or conventional warheads.
To detect and neutralize threats, the Golden Dome is expected to employ a mix of “space-based sensors alongside air and missile defenses,” as noted by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in a statement. Essentially, the Golden Dome would represent an umbrella system integrating multiple technologies to combat various threats, as explained by David Berbach in an article with New Scientist.
Nevertheless, many of these defense capabilities are still in development or do not currently exist. For instance, the proposal mentions space-based interceptors in low Earth orbit, which remains a technological hurdle yet to be overcome. Thomas Gonzalez Roberts from Georgia Tech pointed this out.
A similar concept known as Star Wars was initially suggested by President Ronald Reagan as part of his strategic defense initiatives during the Cold War. Trump characterized the Golden Dome as an endeavor to complete “the mission President Reagan initiated 40 years ago.”
How does the Golden Dome function?
Experts in missile defense have likened the challenge of intercepting long-range nuclear missiles to “shooting bullets at bullets,” given that “the targets are minuscule, emit minimal signals, and move rapidly.” Even the most optimistic technical specialists acknowledge that achieving a 100% interception rate is unlikely.
The U.S. already possesses an array of ground-based interceptor missiles located predominantly in Alaska, capable of countering “dozens of oncoming warheads at best,” according to Burbach. He also highlighted that both Russia and China are working on countermeasures to complicate missile detection and interception.
“Interception of subsonic cruise or short-range ballistic missiles launched from just outside the U.S. borders employs established technology, yet effectively implementing those defenses across the nation can be cost-prohibitive,” said Burbach. He further emphasized the difficulty of the Golden Dome’s goal to thwart a significant volume of intercontinental missiles, particularly from China and Russia.
Trump’s vow to shield the Golden Dome against missile strikes from distant points, even from space, “requires a densely packed constellation of space-based missile interceptors in low-Earth orbit that could engage missiles within moments of their launch,” indicated Roberts.
“The number of satellites necessary far exceeds the current constellations launched,” he noted. Presently, the largest constellations consist of about 7,000 Starlink satellites managed by SpaceX.
What is the estimated cost of the Golden Dome?
Trump has suggested a budget of $175 billion for the Golden Dome, though this funding remains unapproved by Congress. The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan agency, has estimated that space-based interceptor systems akin to the Golden Dome may cost upwards of $542 billion.
“It’s uncertain what expenses are incorporated in the $175 billion figure,” noted Patrycja Bazylczyk of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC.
Trump also asserted that the Golden Dome would be “fully operational” by the conclusion of his second term, a claim that experts find dubious. “The three-year timetable is overly ambitious. Realistically, this initiative will take at least a decade or more,” Bazylczyk added.
The timelines could significantly depend on existing military system capabilities. “Notable advancements could arise in the short term, including the deployment of new interceptors, radar systems, space-based sensors, and technology demonstrations,” Bazylczyk mentioned.
Ultimately, considerable challenges exist regarding the rapid deployment of thousands of satellites required for the Golden Dome. Additionally, developing the necessary space-based interceptor technology remains a daunting task.
“Finding a launch schedule capable of supporting a massive satellite constellation emerging in just three years is extremely challenging,” Roberts pointed out. “SpaceX has launched more than any other entity in the history of space operations, raising the question of how to surpass that threshold even more.”
Burbach added, “It seems unlikely that the system will achieve a complete defense against missile attacks. We might attain some limited operational capabilities, but accomplishing this quickly is fraught with difficulties.”
Will the Golden Dome enhance U.S. security?
Currently, an arms race is underway among the U.S., China, and Russia, with each nation enhancing its space-based capabilities to modernize and grow their nuclear arsenals and military strength.
Should the Golden Dome effectively bolster U.S. air and missile defenses, it might lessen adversaries’ confidence in their missile capabilities, possibly altering strategic calculations and discouraging them from launching attacks, according to Bazylczyk.
In contrast, the Golden Dome could potentially “contribute to instability” by signaling distrust towards nuclear adversaries, indicated Roberts. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to Trump’s announcement, arguing that the Golden Dome carries a “strongly offensive implication” and could spur an arms race in space. Likewise, a Kremlin spokesperson suggested that the Golden Dome might restart discussions on nuclear arms control between Russia and the U.S.
In response to the system, both China and Russia “may attempt to destroy or disrupt U.S. satellites,” posited Burbach. Both nations have already developed missiles capable of targeting satellites, and they have demonstrated the capacity to jam or hack into satellite systems. In February 2024, U.S. intelligence agencies alerted that they intended to develop space weapons capable of using nuclear detonations to incapacitate or obliterate satellites.
Moreover, these countries could increase their missile arsenals and create more versatile weapons equipped with decoys, Burbach noted. He pointed out that Russia is already advancing technologies like underwater intercontinental nuclear torpedoes designed to evade space-based interception.
The Hubble Team has unveiled a stunning new image of the intermediate Spiral Galaxy NGC 3511.
This Hubble image depicts NGC 3511, a mid-spiral galaxy located about 43 million light years away in the crater constellations. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/D. Thilker.
NGC 3511 is situated approximately 43 million light years away from Earth, in the crater’s constellation.
Also referred to as ESO 502-13, Leda 33385, IRAS 11009-2248, or UGCA 223, this spiral galaxy spans a diameter of 107,000 light years.
NGC 3511 was discovered by the German and British astronomer William Herschel on December 21, 1786.
This galaxy is part of the NGC 3511 group, a small collection of galaxies that includes NGC 3513 and ESO 502-024.
“From Hubble’s perspective in orbit around Earth, NGC 3511 is tilted about 70 degrees, sitting in between galaxies that display edge-on features and those that exhibit dense flat discs, ideal for visualization,” Hubble astronomers stated.
Color images of NGC 3511 were created from individual exposures using UV light with the Hubble Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3).
Six filters were employed to capture different wavelengths. Colors are assigned by applying distinct hues to each monochromatic image tied to a specific filter.
“We are examining NGC 3511 as part of our research into the star formation cycle in nearby galaxies,” stated the astronomers.
“This observational program involves Hubble recording the properties of 55 local galaxies using five filters that permit light of varying wavelengths or colors.”
“One of these filters specifically transmits red light at a particular wavelength.”
“This vast cloud of hydrogen gas glows red when stimulated by the ultraviolet rays of a hot young star.”
“As illustrated in this image, NGC 3511 is filled with numerous bright red gas clouds, some of which encircle clusters of vibrant blue stars.”
“Hubble plays a crucial role in cataloging and determining the ages of these stars, which are generally a few million years old and several times larger than the Sun.”
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I’ve been tidying up my attic for the past few weeks, primarily to ensure its contents don’t collapse the ceiling. However, I have a side quest. My most treasured possession at age 12 was the Casio GD-8 car race watch. This digital timepiece featured built-in racing games on a small monochrome LCD screen. The two large buttons on the front allowed players to maneuver left and right to dodge oncoming vehicles, keeping the game alive for as long as possible. I lost count of how many times it was confiscated by teachers, as I often lent it to the toughest boy in class for protection against bullies. As a socially awkward nerd, this watch was crucial for my survival. I’m quite sure I still have it somewhere, and my resolve to find it has been strengthened by recent discoveries about its value.
Casio began producing digital watches in the mid-1970s, striving to compete on price with technology borrowed from the computer industry. As the decade drew to a close, however, the market became saturated, prompting the company to explore new methods to entice buyers. According to Polygon in 2015, “Casio returned to its original philosophy upon entering the watch market.” Yuichi Masuda, senior executive managing officer and Casio Board member, elaborated: “Watches are not merely timekeeping devices.” He noted a shift toward multifunctionality, incorporating features like phone number memory and music alarms alongside time display.
Takeoff… In 1980, kids play Space Invaders.
Photo: Eugene Adebari/Rex/Shutterstock
At that time, Taito’s Space Invaders was a sensation in Japan. Consequently, in 1981, Casio launched the CA-90/CA-901—a thick calculator watch featuring a space-themed shoot-’em-up, where players shot numbers instead of aliens. “Our aim was to create a lifestyle where games could be enjoyed anytime and anywhere,” Masuda explained.
Was Casio inspired by Nintendo’s Game & Watch series? The iconic handheld games debuted in 1980 with titles like Juggler and Ball, paving the way for classics like Donkey Kong, which later influenced the Nintendo DS. However, Shinji Saito, general manager and chief producer for Casio’s Watch Business Unit, disagrees: “In 1980, when Casio launched the CA-90, we also released the MG-880, a gaming calculator allowing users to enjoy digital invaders. While Nintendo’s Game & Watch also launched that year, the CA-90’s concept stemmed from our own development philosophy prioritizing lightness, thinness, shortness, and low power consumption; we were not inspired by Nintendo.”
In fact, during this period, Casio was innovating with features like data banks, thermometers, and pulse checkers. “The entire range of ’80s watches was vast,” watch enthusiast Andy Bagley notes. “I’ve been collecting for years and still discover models I’ve never encountered before. There were hundreds, including touchscreen watches from the ’80s.”
Past Time… Casio Gaming Watch Page from Vintage Casio Catalog
Photo: Casio
Regardless, the CA-90 became so successful that it spurred a golden age of creativity in Casio’s R&D. Between 1980 and 1985, dozens of game watches were produced—an impressive feat given the limitations of LCD technology at the time, which could display only preset shapes and lacked computer graphics or real animations. Various racing games, shooters like Helifizer and Zoom Zap, and rudimentary platformers like Jungle Star and Hungry Mouse were among them.
Some entries were more eccentric, like Aero Batics, a stunt flying game, and Hustle Monira, which involved catching dinosaurs (as opposed to just dodging falling eggs). There were also basic football and golf simulations. Similar to Nintendo’s Game & Watch titles, these watches showcased visually simplistic game designs that felt like science fiction at the time.
Notably, it wasn’t just tech giants creating game watches in the ’80s. The U.S. company Nelsnick obtained a license from Nintendo to make watches featuring games based on Zelda, Super Mario Bros., and Donkey Kong. Additionally, Seiko had its own ALBA game watches throughout that decade. The most aesthetically outrageous models came from veteran toy company Tiger, which produced bulky LCD game watches in the early ’90s based on movie licenses and arcade hits like Double Dragon and Altered Beast. However, as technology advanced and preferences shifted, the portable gaming market exploded with the arrival of the Game Boy in 1989, effectively ending the Game Watch era.
Today, a thriving collector’s scene exists. “These watches are incredibly sought after and can demand high prices,” Bagley shares. “The downside is that they weren’t very durable compared to all-stainless steel models like the Marlin, so few have survived. In pristine condition, rare and collectible game watches can fetch hundreds to over a thousand pounds.” For collectors like Bagley, these timepieces serve as nostalgic treasures, evoking memories of a time when students were distracted by digital watch beeps rather than social media alerts. “This served as my personal reference guide for the latest models. I eagerly checked the clock section whenever a new catalog arrived to scout for innovations.”
The watch industry continues to take a keen interest in classic video game themes. In 2022, Timex released a limited edition Space Invaders Watch featuring the game’s iconic sounds, and earlier this year, Casio unveiled a collection of beautifully crafted Pac-Man watches, sending fans like me racing to their website’s booking section. For those of us who were nerdy kids in the ’80s, these timepieces felt like the predecessors to smartphones and Apple Watches. Thus, my quest to find my car racing watch is not about its monetary value. It represents a connection to my 12-year-old self, a shared nostalgia for everything lost along the way.
NASA’s Anne McClain ventured out from the International Space Station alongside Nichole Ayers. Both are military officers and pilots who returned instead of going to the Orbit Lab in March with two other astronauts. Now, I’m back home.
Just before floating out, McClain spotted a loose string on the index finger of her right glove. Mission Control briefly postponed the launch to ensure her glove was secure.
During the mission, the duo prepared the space station for a new solar panel and adjusted the antenna at the 260-mile-high complex.
On Wednesday evening, the space station needed to be elevated slightly to avoid debris: remnants of a 20-year-old Chinese rocket.
McClain, an army colonel and helicopter pilot, was originally set to participate in the first all-female spacewalk in 2019, but the medium-sized suit was insufficient. The historic mission was accomplished by Christina Koch and Jessica Meir. This latest outing marks the fifth time a woman has gone outside the spacecraft in a 60-year history.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers prepare for launch at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 14. Craig Bailey / USA Today Network
Koch is set to become the first woman to fly to the moon. Along with three male astronauts, she will orbit the moon without landing next year as part of NASA’s Artemis program, the successor to Apollo.
Currently, men continue to outnumber women in NASA’s astronaut corps.
Out of NASA’s 47 active astronauts, 20 are women. Among the seven astronauts now aboard the space station, McClain and Ayers are the only females. This marks Ayers’ first mission, while McClain is on her third.
The Hubble team has unveiled a breathtaking new series of images showcasing the majestic Spiral Galaxy NGC 1961, featuring NASA/ESA Hubble’s cosmic insights.
This Hubble image depicts the Spiral Galaxy NGC 1961. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/J. Dalcanton/RJ Foley, UC Santa Cruz/C. Kilpatrick.
NGC 1961 is located about 190 million light-years away in the constellation Camelopardalis.
This spiral galaxy spans 240,000 light-years, making it the largest member of a small group of ten galaxies.
NGC 1961 was first discovered by German and British astronomer William Herschel on December 3, 1788.
French astronomer Guillaume Bigon observed the galaxy on December 22, 1891, and it was cataloged as IC 2133.
NGC 1961 displays a distinctive perturbation that led to its classification as ARP 184.
“The designation ARP 184 is derived from Halton Arp’s 1966 Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies,” the Hubble astronomers noted.
“The 338 galaxies listed in the Atlas often exhibit unusual shapes, lacking perfect oval or spiral forms.”
“Many of these galaxies are in interaction with others, while some show characteristics of duster galaxies without well-defined structures.”
“ARP 184 earned its spot in the catalog due to its prominent, elongated spiral arm extending towards us,” they elaborated.
“The galaxy’s far side shows clusters of gas and stars but lacks a similarly impressive spiral arm.”
“This Hubble image merges data from three short observation programs that fit into time gaps between other proposals,” the astronomer explained.
“One of these programs focuses on ARP 184 due to its unique structure.”
“It reviewed galaxies in the Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies, compiled by Halton Arp and Barry Madore, among others, along with catalogues of singular galaxies in the southern hemisphere.”
The remaining two programs aimed to study transient astronomical events, including supernovae and tidal disruption phenomena.
“Given that ARP 184 has hosted four known supernovae in the past 30 years, it has become a prime target for supernova research.”
dOnaldo Trump’s re-entry into the White House has triggered a swift increase in defense spending as European leaders distance themselves from the US, marking a “turning point” in continental security. The new push for European independence could resonate further across the globe.
The aspiration for greater autonomy in Europe also translates into a greater demand for advancements in space technology, states Josef Aschbacher, director of the European Space Agency (ESA), which oversees space exploration initiatives among European nations, including those in the EU and much of the UK.
“There are numerous areas in space where Europe seeks to enhance its autonomy, particularly in an increasingly unstable geopolitical climate,” Aschbacher mentioned in an interview with the Guardian in London. “The landscape has shifted dramatically.”
Human interest in space is at an all-time high. We are currently witnessing a Second Space Race, with governments and private entities leveraging significant advancements in satellites, sensors, and, crucially, rockets. Analysts predict a growth trajectory for the industry to reach $100 million, akin to today’s airline industry, with expected surges in global observation, communication, and potentially space tourism. Increased military expenditure under Trump may further accelerate the push for advanced surveillance technologies.
However, Aschbacher emphasizes the importance of continued investment in scientific endeavors that forward humanity’s interests, which include projects like laser-based wind speed measurements, climate monitoring satellites, and the Euclidean telescope aimed at unraveling the enigma of dark matter.
For decades, collaboration with the US has been pivotal for European space science. ESA partners with American agencies, contributing to everything from astronaut missions on the International Space Station to the James Webb Telescope exploring the universe’s early radiation, as well as the Artemis program, which aims to revisit the Moon. Aschbacher oversees a budget of €7.7 billion (£6.4 billion) this year but is dwarfed by NASA’s budget of $25.4 billion (£19.6 billion).
Trump’s return raises uncertainties around the continuity of this cooperation, particularly if the US implements abrupt funding cuts to NASA.
Elon Musk adds further complexity. His SpaceX could become the primary driver in significantly reducing launch costs, thanks to its reusable Falcon 9 rocket. However, Musk’s controversial approach under Trump raises concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest as a primary NASA contractor. Trump’s decision to forgo billionaire Jared Isaacman, who was a fully paid SpaceX-supported NASA leader, has led Musk to criticize Artemis in favor of his vision to send humans to Mars.
European nations are also striving to reduce their reliance on SpaceX’s Starlink, a network of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Starlink has established a massive LEO constellation, providing reliable internet in remote regions and has become crucial for military communications in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX will launch Bandwagon-3 in April. Photo: Joe Marino/Upi/Rex/Shutterstock
When questioned about Musk’s influence, Aschbacher refrained from discussing “the internal politics of the United States and how these decisions might be affected.”
ESA is committed to its planned projects, including the construction of Orion capsules for astronaut transport, asserting, “We are optimistic that the collaboration with the US on the Artemis program will continue.”
“If changes occur, and if a US partner alters its plans, of course, we have a Plan B ready,” Aschbacher stated. “We are certainly enhancing our autonomy and capabilities. However, now is not the moment to discuss Plan B, as Plan A remains active.”
Nevertheless, ESA is also exploring partnerships with other nations that could support “Plan B.” Aschbacher pointed to Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and India as potential collaborators.
SpaceX asserted its dominance last month when the Dragon Capsule safely returned four individuals. Two had been stranded at the International Space Station due to technical problems with Boeing’s Starliner craft.
Europe has depended on SpaceX to launch segments of its Galileo satellite navigation system following the retirement of the Ariane 5 rocket. Both systems are operated by Arianespace, and the Vega C grounding is co-owned by Airbus and Safran. This led to a “crisis launch,” which was finally resolved with the inaugural flight of the Ariane 6 rocket last year.
ESA is now focused on encouraging more launch competitors for the upcoming generation, emphasizing reusable rockets to replicate SpaceX’s cost-effectiveness. According to Aschbacher, one ESA-led initiative, the Prometheus Engine, is projected to launch in “a handful” of years. Other European private firms are also entering the race, including Augsburg, a German startup rocket manufacturer.
Once everything is on track, launches could also take place from the UK, reducing ESA’s dependence on space facilities in French Guiana, South America. Aschbacher mentioned that developing British spacecraft, especially in Shetland, is another positive development. The ESA, funded by 23 member states but not affiliated with the EU, shows that Brexit has not hindered the UK’s commitment, although the Copernicus Climate Satellite program has faced disruptions.
While ESA’s primary mission is to peacefully explore space, its potential military applications may facilitate increased funding from member states in November to cover gaps left by the US.
Nevertheless, Aschbacher is a scientist at heart. He studied natural sciences at Innsbruck University and joined ESA in 1990, eventually leading the Earth Observation Department. He acknowledged that space technology is integral to enabling numerous security needs for European countries but emphasized the importance of ongoing investment in science.
The astronauts inaugurated a new Luna facility at the European Astronaut Center in Cologne, Germany, founded by Thomas Pesquet of France and Matthias Maurer of Germany. Photo: Martin Meissner/AP
He likened investment in space to fundamental research that enabled scientists to develop COVID vaccines at remarkable speed during the pandemic.
“European investments in space must rise to ensure that the quality of life and living standards for Europeans are sustained,” he remarked. “Science is Europe’s strength. This is why economic progress and development can indeed accelerate.”
China has successfully launched three astronauts into space as part of the crew replacement mission for China’s Tiangong space station, marking another milestone in the country’s aspirations for manned missions to the moon and Mars.
The Shenzhou 20 spacecraft lifted off as scheduled at 5:17pm (0917 GMT) atop China’s Long March 2F rocket, set to arrive at Tiangong after approximately 6.5 hours.
The rocket launched from a facility near the Gobi Desert in northwestern China, and the spacecraft will remain in space until it returns the current crew back to Earth.
Tiangong, also known as the “Celestial Palace” space station, is a Chinese-built station that positions China as a significant player in space exploration after being excluded from the International Space Station due to US national security concerns. China’s space program is overseen by the People’s Liberation Army, a military branch of the ruling Communist Party.
There are concerns about China’s potential use of technology onboard the space station to interfere with satellites and other spacecraft in times of crisis.
Astronauts Chen Zonglui, Chen Dong and Wang Jie embarked on the delayed space mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Thursday. Andy Wong / AP
Since sending its first astronauts into space in 2003, China has made significant strides in its space program, becoming the third country to do so. It has also landed explorers on Mars and the far side of the moon, with plans to land humans on the moon by 2030.
The Shenzhou 20 mission is led by astronaut Chen Dong, on his third spaceflight, accompanied by fighter pilot Chen Zonglui and engineer Wang Ji. Unlike previous crews, the Shenzhou 20 mission consists entirely of male astronauts.
The incoming crew will replace the current astronauts on board the Chinese space station, staying onboard for approximately six months, like their predecessors.
Scheduled to reach Tianong after 6.5 hours, the spacecraft was launched into space atop the Chinese Long March 2 rocket at 5:17pm on March 2.
The current crew was sent last October and spent 175 days in space. They are set to return on April 29, following a brief overlap with the incoming crew. Tianong, completed in October 2022, has a capacity of up to six people.
During their mission, the astronauts will conduct medical and technological experiments, perform spacewalks for maintenance tasks, and install new equipment, as announced by the Manned Space Agency.
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