At the heart of a celestial explosion lies one of the most studied astronomical objects: the Crab Pulsar. Located approximately 6,200 light-years away from Earth, this pulsar is a remnant of a supernova that captivated the skies in 1054 CE. What sets the Crab Pulsar apart from its cosmic counterparts is not merely its age
Space
Mars and Earth share the unique distinction of being the only two rocky planets in the Solar System with natural satellites. While the origins of Earth’s Moon, formed through a colossal impact with a Mars-sized body known as Theia, are relatively well understood, the genesis of Mars’ two moons, Deimos and Phobos, remains a subject
Cosmic rays, high-energy particles originating from beyond our atmosphere, continuously bombard Earth. These enigmatic particles predominantly consist of protons, atomic nuclei, and a smaller fraction of electrons and positrons. While most cosmic ray particles are relatively low-energy, recent findings from the H.E.S.S. Observatory in Namibia have revealed an exciting subgroup known as cosmic-ray electrons (CRe),
Asteroids hold a fascinating place within our understanding of the solar system. Among them, 99942 Apophis, named after the ancient Egyptian god of chaos, caught the attention of scientists and space enthusiasts alike due to its close approach to Earth in 2029. Although this asteroid doesn’t present a direct threat to our planet, recent studies
Uranus, the third-largest planet in our Solar System, is often regarded as the oddball among its planetary siblings. While most planets rotate with their axes standing upright relative to their orbital paths, Uranus exhibits a staggering tilt of nearly 98 degrees, essentially lying on its side. This peculiar inclination is believed to be the consequence
In a remarkable turn of events last month, NASA experienced a temporal setback with Voyager 1, the most distant human-made object in existence, tucked away in the vastness of interstellar space. This incident underscored the challenges faced by scientists as they monitor a spacecraft that has been operational for nearly five decades and is currently
The Red Planet has long captivated scientists and the public alike with its storied past and ongoing mysteries. Once believed to be a vibrant world characterized by lakes and perhaps even oceans, Mars is now more commonly imagined as a dry and unwelcoming landscape. Recent findings, however, indicate that the planet may have retained traces
In a remarkable serendipitous event, NASA’s Curiosity rover uncovered a striking discovery on the Martian landscape—pure elemental sulfur. The rover, which weighs approximately 899 kilograms (1,982 pounds), rolled over an inconspicuous rock in the Gediz Vallis Channel in May, inadvertently cracking it open to reveal vibrant yellow crystals of sulfur. This discovery marks the first
The long-standing fascination with our celestial neighbor has taken a significant leap forward with recent findings regarding the Moon’s internal structure. An investigation released in May 2023 has definitively revealed that the Moon possesses a solid inner core, contradicting the age-old myth that it could be made of green cheese—a playful yet misguided notion in
The quest to understand our solar neighbor, the Sun, has driven scientists to undertake ambitious missions that peel back its layers of complexities. Among these efforts, the ESA/NASA Solar Orbiter stands out, a marvel of modern engineering and discovery. Launched in February 2020, this spacecraft has journeyed some 74 million kilometers from the Sun, capturing
A monumental achievement has recently come to light in the realm of astrophysics: the first close-up portrait of a star situated over 160,000 light-years away from Earth. This star, known as WOH G64, resides in the Large Magellanic Cloud—a dwarf galaxy in orbit around our Milky Way. For years, WOH G64 has been dubbed “The
In the quest to unravel the mysteries of the universe, astrophysicists are increasingly focused on the metallic composition of stars, with recent advancements leading to groundbreaking insights. Historically, it was assumed that stars born from the same giant molecular cloud would exhibit similar metal content due to the homogeneity of their birth environment. However, emerging
The mathematical framework established by Albert Einstein in the early 20th century continues to profoundly influence our understanding of the Universe. General relativity, as it is known, has emerged as a robust model for describing gravitational phenomena in both local and cosmic settings. Recent contributions from a vast array of astronomers have further solidified this
Recent astronomical findings have unveiled a puzzling phenomenon in the early Universe: what are being referred to as ‘red monsters.’ These massive galaxies, remarkable for their size, rival the Milky Way despite having formed shortly after the Big Bang. This discovery has sent ripples through the scientific community, challenging long-held beliefs about galaxy formation. Traditionally,
Experiencing a total solar eclipse is one of the most breathtaking phenomena one can witness. As the Moon obscures the Sun, observers are treated to the brilliant halo of the solar corona, a sight that leaves an indelible mark on the memory. This ethereal glow represents the Sun’s outer atmosphere, comprised of gases heated to