WhyCosmo

 In a groundbreaking revelation, recent research has unveiled a remarkable characteristic of newborn gas planets —they're unexpectedly flat! Imagine a world where gas giants resemble flattened Smarties or M&M s rather than the spherical behemoths we often envision. Through meticulous computer simulations, a team of scientists delved into the enigmatic realm of protostellar disks—the cosmic cradles where planets take their formative steps. Their findings, published in Astronomy and Astrophysics Letters, shed light on the elusive nature of planetary formation. Observing these fledgling planets within their protostellar disks is akin to finding a needle in a cosmic haystack. Only a handful have been spotted thus far, underscoring the rarity and complexity of the process. The research unearthed fascinating insights powered by cutting-edge simulations run on DiRAC, the UK's astrophysics supercomputing facility. Protoplanets prefer a pancake-like profile, with gas streaming predo...

Behold the breathtaking beauty of the cosmos! The latest picture from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope unveils a mesmerizing scene of a massive star born within the heart of the Milky Way galaxy . Located approximately 5,900 light-years in the constellation Scorpius , this star-forming region known as IRAS 16562-3959 is a vibrant canvas of color and cosmic activity. 🔭 The observations captured by Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 reveal intricate details and vivid hues thanks to using four specialized filters. These filters allow scientists to delve into the region's composition, temperature, and density, providing invaluable insights into the process of stellar birth. 🌌 At the focal point of the image lies a colossal star, boasting a mass approximately 30 times that of our Sun, still in the throes of formation. Surrounding it are dark, shadowy clouds veiled by light-obscuring dust, giving rise to a celestial masterpiece. However, amidst the obscurity, beams of near-infrared...

Today marks a significant milestone in India's space endeavors as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) gears up to launch its GSLV F14/INSAT-3DS mission from the Sriharikota launch site. This mission aims to revolutionize weather forecasting and disaster management by deploying the INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite. Why the "Naughty Boy" Moniker?:   Amidst the excitement surrounding the INSAT-3DS launch, the spotlight inevitably falls on the carrier rocket, GSLV F14, affectionately dubbed the "naughty boy" of ISRO. But why such a playful nickname? The answer lies in its turbulent history marked by technical glitches and challenges. The Significance of INSAT-3DS:   While the GSLV F14 has had its share of ups and downs, the INSAT-3DS mission holds immense importance for India's weather forecasting agencies. Equipped with advanced capabilities, this satellite promises to deliver unparalleled accuracy in weather predictions and disaster warnings...

A groundbreaking analysis of the James Webb Space Telescope data has turned our understanding of the cosmos upside down. Contrary to previous beliefs, black holes may have not only existed at dawn but also played a crucial role in forming galaxies . Lead author Joseph Silk, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, explains, "They boosted everything, like gigantic amplifiers of star formation, which is a whole turnaround of what we thought possible before—so much so that this could completely shake up our understanding of how galaxies form." The findings challenge conventional wisdom, suggesting that black holes and galaxies coexisted and influenced each other's fate during the first 100 million years of the universe. This revelation opens up a new chapter in our understanding of cosmic evolution. Silk's team predicts that future observations with the Webb telescope will further confirm their calculations, offering more clues about the origins and evolution of the u...

  In a groundbreaking move, Indian space startup Astroborne Aerospace is all set to redefine space tourism with its upcoming private astronaut training facility in Navi Mumbai . This facility, expected to commence operations in 2026 , could mark Asia's first private astronaut training center . India's Private Astronaut Training Facility: Spanning a 4-acre plot in Navi Mumbai, the facility will dedicate 1.5 acres to a cutting-edge training center. It aims to offer specialized training, including hypoxia chambers, space suit acclimatization, G-Force exposure, and spacecraft ingress/egress simulations. Moreover, an onsite analog habitat will facilitate extended and hyper-realistic mission simulations, fostering advancements in aerospace education. About Astroborne Aerospace: Astroborne Aerospace, headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, was established in 2022. Specializing in aerospace, defense, commercial spaceflight, astronaut training, space crew modules, spacesuits, and space ...

 In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have unveiled the fiery past of our neighboring planet, Mars . Recent findings based on data from satellites orbiting the Red Planet have revealed a stunning revelation: Ancient Mars was once a hotbed of volcanic activity and crustal recycling . The study, published in Nature Astronomy, utilized remote sensing techniques to identify 63 sites displaying evidence of ancient volcanic eruptions dating back a staggering 3.5 to 4 billion years. These volcanic features include various types, such as volcanic domes, stratovolcanoes, pyroclastic shields, and caldera complexes. Unlike the geologically inactive Mars we see today, these findings glimpse when the Red Planet was alive with volcanic activity, shaping its surface and environment. This ancient surface, preserved for billions of years, offers scientists a unique window into planetary evolution, a perspective not easily accessible on Earth due to continuous tectonic recycling and erosion....

A pioneering voyage beckons in the vast expanse of the cosmos, where dreams intertwine with ambition. The Polaris Dawn mission , a beacon of innovation in space exploration, is poised to redefine history with a groundbreaking commercial spacewalk . As the world looks skyward, the narrative of human endeavor transcends borders, driven by the relentless pursuit of the stars. Unveiling the Vision: The Polaris Dawn mission epitomizes the daring essence of exploration. Under the leadership of visionary commander Jared Isaacman, whose sphere of inspiration transcends conventional bounds, and with pilot Scott "Kidd" Poteet, the mission is a testament to human ingenuity and enterprise. A Crew Forged in Trust: Bound by the cosmic threads of camaraderie, the Polaris Dawn crew is a testament to collaboration. With Mission Specialists Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, their journey traces back to the trails blazed by the Inspiration4 mission. From lead astronaut trainers to mission directors,...

On January 21st, 2024 , the skies over Berlin lit up with a spectacular display as a meter-sized asteroid , later identified as 2024 BX1 , exploded into fragments. This extraordinary event has since sparked a flurry of excitement and scientific investigation, with researchers uncovering something special amidst the debris. The Discovery: A team of scientists from esteemed institutions, including the Freie Universität Berlin, the Museum für Naturkunde, and the SETI Institute, embarked on a mission to locate and analyze the fragments. Led by meteor astronomer Dr. Peter Jenniskens and researcher Dr. Lutz Hecht, this collaborative effort led to the discovery of meteorite fragments in the fields just south of Ribbeck village, 50 km west of Berlin. The Mystery Unveiled: Identifying these fragments proved to be a challenge due to their unique characteristics. Unlike typical meteorites, the aubrites amidst the wreckage exhibit a distinct appearance, resembling gray granite with a translucent ...

Prepare for an out-of-this-world Valentine's Day treat as the United States gears up for its next lunar adventure! Just weeks after a setback, NASA is back in action, ready to launch another mission to the moon on February 14th . This time, the stakes are high, and the excitement is palpable as US companies take the lead in space exploration . Less than a month since the disappointment of a failed mission, NASA is bouncing back with a new endeavor. Scheduled for lift-off from Kennedy Space Center of Florida at 12:57 am (0557 GMT), SpaceX will carry the dreams and hopes of a nation on its rocket, with Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander poised for a historic touchdown on February 22nd. This mission is poised to achieve a notable milestone in space exploration, as it aims to reach America's first soft landing on the lunar surface in over fifty years. Even more groundbreaking is that this will be the first-ever lunar landing facilitated entirely by the private sector. With I...

NASA 's latest discovery has set the astronomical community abuzz! A newly found " super-Earth ," TOI-715 b , positioned just 137 light-years away, has ignited hopes of finding extraterrestrial life. Let's delve into the captivating details of this groundbreaking revelation! 🌍  Discovery of a Super-Earth:  Scientists have pinpointed a remarkable exoplanet, TOI-715 b, orbiting a nearby red dwarf star. This celestial body, about 1.5 times the size of Earth, resides snugly within the habitable zone of its parent star. 🔍  Key Facts About the Planetary System:  TOI-715 b's location within the habitable zone raises intriguing possibilities for sustaining liquid water, a crucial ingredient for life as we know it. Moreover, a potential second Earth-sized planet in the system amplifies excitement for further investigation. 🔭  Advances in Exoplanet Research:  Recent technological advancements, including NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, offer unprecedented oppor...

In a groundbreaking collaboration, NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are teaming up to launch the world's first space-based observatory designed to detect gravitational waves . The mission, dubbed LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) , has recently cleared a significant milestone and is now set to enter the construction phase for flight hardware. With an expected launch in the mid-2030s, this project marks a pivotal moment in humanity's quest to unravel the mysteries of the universe. The concept of gravitational waves, predicted by Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity, has captivated scientists ever since. These waves, produced by accelerating masses such as orbiting black holes, carry invaluable information about the fabric of spacetime itself. However, detecting these elusive ripples remained a formidable challenge until 2015, when the ground-based LIGO observatory made history by capturing the first direct evidence of gravitational waves. Buildin...

 In a groundbreaking revelation, the Webb Telescope has uncovered a stunning sight in the depths of space: planets orbiting white dwarfs! Imagine the scene billions of years from now when our Sun transforms into a white dwarf. What fate awaits our neighboring giants, Jupiter and Saturn, as the solar system evolves? Unlike massive stars that end in explosive supernovae, our Sun will undergo a different fate, transitioning into a red giant before settling as a white dwarf. This transition process sheds light on the fascinating journey of stars, marked by the formation of planetary nebulae and the emergence of dense white dwarfs. Recent research led by Susan Mullally and her team at (STSI)the Space Telescope Science Institute and Goddard Space Flight Center has illuminated the possibility of giant planets surviving around white dwarfs. These discoveries challenge previous notions and provide critical insights into stellar evolution. Detecting two potential giant planets orbiting whi...

In a groundbreaking revelation, samples from asteroid Ryugu , collected by Japan's Hayabusa2 mission , suggest a potential link between ancient comets and the origins of life on Earth. The discovery of organic matter in these space rocks has ignited a cosmic quest to unveil the secrets of our planet's beginnings. Unveiling the 'Seeds of Life': 🚀 The Hayabusa2 mission, a pioneer in space exploration, spent 18 months studying Ryugu, a 2850-foot-wide near-Earth asteroid devoid of a protective atmosphere. The exposed surface proved to be a canvas painted by interplanetary dust, offering vital insights into the mysteries of our solar system. 🌠 The scientists delving into Ryugu's samples uncovered microscopic "melt splashes" created when ancient cometary dust bombarded the asteroid's surface. Within these splashes, they discovered carbonaceous materials resembling primitive organic matter - potential 'seeds of life' from space to Earth. 🌌 Comets,...