NASA’s GOLD mission has discovered some cool new shapes in Earth’s upper atmosphere. These “C” and “X” shapes are helping scientists learn more about the ionosphere, a crucial part of our planet’s atmosphere. These shapes in the ionosphere could affect things like GPS and radio signals, making this discovery pretty important. What Exactly is the Ionosphere? Observations from NASA’s GOLD mission show charged particles in the ionosphere forming an X shape on Oct. 7, 2019. (The colors indicate the intensity of the ultraviolet light emitted, with yellow and white indicating the strongest emission or highest ionospheric density.) Source: F. Laskar…
Author: John Beale
The James Webb Space Telescope just did something awesome: it snapped a picture of a planet outside our solar system called Epsilon Indi A b. This planet is about 12 light-years away from Earth. This discovery is a big step in learning more about planets far away from us and how they compare to our own. What’s an Exoplanet Anyway? Map of Exoplanet Search Areas, Source: NASA/Ames/JPL-Caltech An exoplanet is simply a planet that orbits a star outside our solar system. Epsilon Indi A b orbits a star named Epsilon Indi A, which is quite similar to our Sun. Studying…
Scientists have discovered a galaxy that “woke up” after being inactive for 20 million years. Named NGC 1277, this galaxy surprised everyone by starting to form new stars again. This discovery challenges what we thought we knew about how galaxies change over time. What’s a Zombie Galaxy? Spiral galaxy known as Messier 81 ; Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ESA/Harvard-Smithsonian CfA A zombie galaxy is one that stopped making new stars but then started again. NGC 1277 was thought to be “dead” because it hadn’t made new stars for a long time. Now, it’s back in action, making scientists rethink how galaxies work. How…
In 2011, scientists in Alberta, Canada, found something amazing – a dinosaur mummy! This dinosaur, called Borealopelta Mark Mitchell, still has its skin and armor intact. It’s like finding a creature from 110 million years ago perfectly preserved! The fossil was discovered in an oil sands mine. Experts think it was washed into the sea by a flood and quickly buried, keeping it safe from decay. Perfect Preservation Source: Illustration by Mariana Ruiz / Wikimedia The nodosaur stayed so well-preserved because of mineralization. After it died, it probably floated out to sea, sank, and got covered by sediments. Over millions…
Scientists believe moon caves, like lava tubes, could be perfect shelters for astronauts. These natural formations can protect from extreme temperatures and harmful radiation. These caves, formed by ancient volcanic activity, are strong and stable, making them ideal for future moon bases. Discovering Lava Tubes Images from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter showing pits on the lunar surface. Source: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University Lava tubes on the moon were discovered through satellite images and lunar missions. These tunnels, made by flowing lava billions of years ago, are long and wide. They provide ample space for building habitats and remain intact after billions…
A 1,800-year-old ring with an engraving of Minerva, the Roman goddess of war, was found by a teenager in Mount Carmel, Israel. This amazing find gives us a peek into the rich history of the area and the Roman influence back then. The bronze ring, discovered during a hike, has a detailed engraving of Minerva, showing off the incredible craftsmanship and cultural importance of the time. IAA inspector Nir Distelfeld said “On this beautiful ring, preserved in its entirety, is the image of a helmeted naked figure. In one hand she holds a shield, and a spear in the other” Who…
Scientists have found something incredible about Mercury – it might have a 10-mile thick layer of diamonds under its surface! NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft, which has been checking out Mercury, made this discovery. These diamonds might have formed billions of years ago when asteroids crashed into Mercury. The intense pressure and heat from those impacts could have turned carbon into diamonds. How Did They Find Out? NASA MESSENGER spacecraft ; Source: NASA / JHU/APL / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft spent over four years orbiting Mercury, collecting data and taking detailed pictures. It used special tools to study…
Guess what? Space isn’t just quiet, it’s full of surprising musical rhythms! Scientists have discovered that planets and moons make their own “music” through vibrations. These cosmic tunes give us a peek into how celestial bodies work. These space rhythms help scientists figure out what’s happening inside planets and moons. So next time you think of space, imagine it as a giant cosmic concert! How Do Planets Play Music? Source: Saturn via National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Planets and moons can produce vibrations that turn into musical rhythms. These vibrations come from things like how a planet spins or…
Dark comets are almost invisible objects floating in space, and they might be a bigger threat to Earth than we thought. Unlike regular comets that have bright tails, dark comets are super hard to see. These sneaky space rocks could surprise us with a collision since we can’t spot them easily. Understanding them is crucial to keeping Earth safe. Comet Detours Source: NASA NEOWISE mission captured this series of pictures of comet C/2012 K1 Usually, comets have steady orbits around the sun. But sometimes, big planets like Jupiter can mess up their path and send them zooming toward the inner…
Archaeologists have unearthed a remarkable find in Italy’s Dossone della Melia forest. A stone wall was believed to be part of the battle in which Spartacus made his final stand against Rome. Spanning over 1.7 miles, this wall was part of a larger Roman defense that was used to shield against the legendary gladiator’s rebellion. Paolo Visonà from the University of Kentucky led the discovery, which offers new insights into one of history’s most famous slave revolts. The wall’s location and the artifacts found nearby, which include iron sword handles and javelin spear points, highlight the intense and violent nature…