Paris, France (SPX) Jul 16, 2024
Researchers using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have confirmed atmospheric differences between the perpetual morning and evening sides of the exoplanet WASP-39 b. This gas giant, with a diameter 1.3 times that of Jupiter but a mass similar to Saturn, orbits a star 700 light-years away and is tidally locked, meaning it has a permanent dayside and nightside. Using Webb's Near-Infrared Sp

Berlin, Germany (SPX) Jul 16, 2024
The universe, at 13.8 billion years old, has evolved from tiny initial asymmetries into vast structures visible through telescopes: galaxies, galaxy clusters, and larger formations. This evolution is influenced by a cosmic struggle between dark matter, which holds matter together through gravity, and dark energy, which pushes the universe apart. "If we can precisely measure the structures

Washington DC (UPI) Jul 15, 2024
New findings published Monday suggest a recently discovered cave on the moon could be a good place for future explorers to find shelter from outside elements in a possible base location, according to Italian researchers. "These caves have been theorized for over 50 years, but it is the first time ever that we have demonstrated their existence," Lorenzo Bruzzone, professor at the Univers

Washington DC (UPI) Jul 15, 2024
NASA is recognizing the 55th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing this month with a variety of events and engagements that started on Monday. Apollo 11 landed on the moon on July 20, 1969, and its celebration will highlight NASA's current effort to return to the moon for long-term exploration with the Artemis mission. The Artemis mission is expected to land the first woman and first p

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jul 16, 2024
Juice is set to achieve a remarkable milestone with its unprecedented lunar-Earth flyby, the first of its kind. This double gravity assist maneuver is critical for adjusting the spacecraft's trajectory, but it is a complex and high-risk operation. Since Juice's launch in April 2023, this flyby marks the beginning of its intricate journey towards Jupiter. Earth's gravity will redirect Juice

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jul 16, 2024
The Beijing Institute of Technology has unveiled a groundbreaking study that seeks to reshape how we plan and manage supply chains between Earth and Mars. Using a Multi-Stage Stochastic Programming (MSP) model, the researchers have addressed the complex uncertainties inherent in interplanetary logistics, providing fresh insights into the infrastructure and operational requirements for supporting

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jul 16, 2024
China's first fully electric communication satellite, APSTAR 6E, officially commenced operation on Monday, announced China Great Wall Industry, the project's contractor. Launched by a Long March 2C rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province in January 2023, APSTAR 6E took 514 days to transition from a low-Earth orbit, where it was deployed, to its designated geosyn

Paris, France (SPX) Jul 16, 2024
As climate change drives more frequent and severe weather events, the importance of precise and timely forecasting has grown immensely. The upcoming Meteosat Third Generation weather satellite has successfully completed its environmental testing, marking a significant milestone on its path to launch. This new series of satellites aims to revolutionize weather forecasting, particularly acro

Paris, France (SPX) Jul 16, 2024
A team of international scientists, led by the University of Trento, Italy, has made a major discovery about the Moon. For the first time, they have confirmed the existence of a tunnel in the lunar subsurface, likely an empty lava tube. This significant research, published in Nature Astronomy, is the result of an international collaboration. "These caves have been theorized for over 50 yea

Image: XMM-Newton and Euclid image of galaxy cluster Abell 2390