The Times of India News

Winter Solstice 2025 arrives on December 21st, marking the Northern Hemisphere's shortest day and longest night. This ancient event, when Earth's tilt causes the sun to appear stationary, signifies a turning point. Historically a symbol of hope and renewal, it reminds us that light will gradually return, heralding the end of winter's grip.

Scientists have discovered an unusually thick rock layer, approximately 20 kilometers deep, beneath the Bermuda Triangle. This geological feature, unlike any previously documented, may explain the region's elevated seafloor despite a lack of recent volcanic activity. The discovery challenges existing models of oceanic crust formation and evolution.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is set to launch 27 Amazon Leo satellites from Cape Canaveral on December 16, 2025. This mission is a significant step for Amazon's ambitious Project Kuiper, aiming to establish a global satellite internet network. The launch brings Amazon closer to competing with SpaceX's Starlink by expanding its constellation for remote internet access.

Astronomers are uncovering distant worlds beyond our solar system using ingenious indirect methods like observing stellar wobbles and dips in starlight. Advanced space telescopes are now pushing the boundaries, enabling direct detection and the study of exoplanet atmospheres, bringing us closer to finding potentially habitable Earth-like planets and understanding life's cosmic origins.

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is now emitting a distinct green glow as it nears Earth, a transformation attributed to the vaporization of ice and dust after its close solar approach. This color change, caused by diatomic carbon molecules, offers a rare glimpse into the composition and behavior of objects from beyond our solar system.

Three Mile Island, site of a past nuclear accident, is set to power the AI boom. A long-shuttered reactor is being rebuilt to provide reliable, round-the-clock electricity for surging AI data center demands. Microsoft has signed a power purchase agreement, securing carbon-free energy. This revival signals a broader shift towards nuclear power to fuel technological advancements.

ISRO's ambitious BlueBird-6 satellite launch, a significant Indo-US collaboration, is now set for December 21, 2025, after a slight reschedule. This massive satellite, featuring a large phased array antenna, promises direct-to-device broadband for underserved global regions, marking a leap in communication technology and showcasing India's prowess in complex space projects.

A groundbreaking AI model, GenCast, is revolutionizing weather forecasting by generating rapid, probabilistic global predictions for up to 15 days. Unlike traditional methods, it captures uncertainty and offers multiple plausible weather scenarios, outperforming current leading systems. This advancement promises more accurate, timely, and valuable insights for critical decisions in energy, disaster management, and finance worldwide.