Science

New research suggests that Earth’s inner core may not be as solid as previously believed. Scientists studying seismic waveforms have discovered structural changes in the core, which challenge long-held assumptions about its composition. This discovery emerged while researchers were examining the inner core’s slowing rotation. The seismic data, gathered from multiple earthquakes over three decades,

Satellites equipped with solar sails may soon improve early warnings for space weather events that could disrupt technological infrastructure on Earth. These sails, which harness light from the sun for propulsion, are being explored as a cost-effective alternative to traditional propulsion systems. Scientists believe this advancement could enhance monitoring of solar activity and provide earlier

The emission properties of three long-period pulsars have been observed through the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). Detailed findings of the study highlight various pulsar emission behaviours, including null phases, asymmetric emissions, and microstructure pulses. The research, conducted as part of the Commensal Radio Astronomy FAST Survey (CRAFTS), aimed to deepen the understanding of

NASA’s Artemis campaign aims to propel astronauts, scientific experiments, and essential payloads into deep space, utilising the Space Launch System (SLS). The upcoming Artemis IV mission will introduce the Block 1B variant of the SLS, equipped with an upgraded Exploration Upper Stage (EUS). The enhanced system will enable the transportation of larger payloads, including the

China has officially announced the names for its next-generation lunar spacesuit and crewed moon rover, both essential for its planned human moon landing before 2030. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) revealed that the spacesuit will be called “Wangyu,” meaning “gazing into the cosmos,” while the rover has been named “Tansuo,” which translates to “explore.”

The second launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is being targeted for late spring, as efforts are being made to enhance its landing capabilities. The 320-foot-tall rocket was first launched on January 16, 2025, from Florida’s Space Coast, successfully deploying a test version of the Blue Ring spacecraft into orbit. However, the booster stage

Images captured by NASA’s Curiosity rover have shown rare iridescent clouds drifting across the Martian sky. These formations, observed in the planet’s twilight, were seen at high altitudes where sunlight still reaches them despite nightfall on the surface. The images were taken on January 17, using one of the rover’s onboard cameras, with individual frames

Scientists have identified a potential link between genetic mutations and epigenetic clocks, shedding new light on the mechanisms behind biological aging. This discovery could reshape how aging is understood and measured. The study explores how DNA mutations accumulating over time may directly influence epigenetic changes, which are often used to estimate biological age. Researchers have

A celestial object, possibly a small star with a massive exoplanet, has been observed moving through the Milky Way at an extraordinary speed of over 1.2 million mph. The discovery has led researchers to believe that this could be the fastest planetary system ever detected. The object was first identified in 2011 through microlensing, a

NASA’s Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1 (PRIME-1) is being prepared to analyse the Moon’s subsurface for resource extraction, with its technology expected to aid future Artemis missions. The experiment, which will assess lunar soil and identify potential resources, has been developed to support sustained human exploration. The instruments onboard will work together to drill, collect,

Unprecedented climate challenges faced by people in 16th century Transylvania have been revealed through historical records detailing extreme weather conditions, famine, and devastation. Diaries, chronicles, and handwritten accounts from the period provide insights into how societies endured fluctuating temperatures during a climatic event known as the Little Ice Age. Descriptions of severe droughts, torrential rains,

A new robotic system capable of planetary exploration through tethered jumping has been developed by researchers at the Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory (RoMeLa) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The robot, named SPLITTER (Space and Planetary Limbed Intelligent Tether Technology Exploration Robot), has been designed as a modular, multi-robot system composed of two

A significant solar storm that occurred in May 2024 led to the formation of two temporary radiation belts around Earth, as confirmed by satellite data. The discovery was made when a dormant satellite resumed operations after months of inactivity. The storm, which was among the most intense geomagnetic disturbances since 1989, resulted in widespread auroral

A significant increase in global rocket launches was observed in 2024, with 259 recorded liftoffs. This marked the fourth consecutive year of growth in spaceflight activity, with launch attempts occurring approximately every 34 hours. Multiple factors contributed to this rise, including increased commercial satellite deployments, national security initiatives, and a growing emphasis on independent launch

A rare Einstein ring has been detected by the Euclid space telescope, offering valuable insights into dark matter distribution. The phenomenon, created by the gravitational lensing effect of a galaxy located nearly 600 million light-years away, has provided researchers with a means to analyse the mass and composition of the lensing galaxy. The discovery occurred

A super-Earth has been confirmed in the habitable zone of a nearby star, raising possibilities for future studies on potentially life-supporting planets. The discovery follows over two decades of observations and has been credited to a team of international researchers. Initially detected two years ago, the planet, named HD 20794 d, is situated 20 light

Efforts to develop nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) for future space missions have taken a significant step forward. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS), in collaboration with NASA, has conducted tests on nuclear reactor fuel designed for space travel. The trials, held at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, assessed the fuel’s ability to withstand extreme

A key milestone in India’s space technology development has been reached with the successful vacuum ignition test of the CE20 cryogenic engine. Conducted on February 7 at the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, the test simulated real space conditions for engine restart. The CE20 engine, designed for the upper

Roman-era inscriptions and a coin have been discovered by archaeologists inside a partially flooded cave in Spain. The findings, estimated to be nearly 1,900 years old, suggest the site was used for ritual purposes. Researchers exploring the Cova de les Dones, located in eastern Spain, found a corroded Roman coin embedded in a fissure between

A fossilised jawbone discovered in South Africa has been classified as belonging to a previously unidentified human relative. The specimen, estimated to be 1.4 million years old, has been attributed to the genus Paranthropus, known for its distinctive dental structure. Unlike its robust counterparts, the newly identified species exhibits a smaller jaw and teeth, suggesting