Elon Musk reveals bold new timeline for humanitys first Mars colony
Elon Musk envisions a self-sustaining Mars settlement within 30 years, hinging on SpaceX's Starship and its heavy-lift capabilities. Success depends on increasing cargo tonnage per launch window, enabling settlers to establish independent infrastructure. Overcoming Starship's reusability challenges, particularly the heat shield, is crucial for cost-effective colonization and achieving planetary redundancy.
Insects are vanishing! Population drops by 72%, triggering biodiversity crisis
A recent study reveals a concerning decline in insect populations, even in remote, untouched ecosystems. Researchers observed a staggering 72% decrease in insect abundance in a Colorado subalpine meadow over two decades, linking it to rising summer temperatures. This alarming trend underscores the far-reaching impact of climate change on global biodiversity and ecosystem health, demanding urgent conservation action.
Scientists detect strange shifts in the Earths core using GRACE satellites
A recent study reveals dynamic transformations in Earth's lower mantle, impacting both earthquakes and the magnetic field. GRACE satellites detected a gravitational anomaly in 2007, linked to a mineral phase change that increased mantle density. This deformation of the core boundary coincided with unusual magnetic field disturbances, suggesting a connection between deep mantle activity and Earth's surface phenomena.
SpaceX, under Elon Musk's leadership, is developing a new watership named 'You'll Thank Me Later' to transport Starship rockets from Starbase, Texas, to Cape Canaveral, Florida. This vessel will support SpaceX's goal of 25 Starship launches per year from Florida, improving efficiency and reducing logistical challenges. The watership's name reflects SpaceX's tradition of science-fiction-inspired naming conventions.
A massive asteroid, 2025 FA22, will safely pass Earth on September 18, 2025, at a distance of 4.6 million miles. Initially considered potentially hazardous due to its size, it has since been removed from the risk list. This flyby offers a valuable opportunity for scientists to study a large near-Earth object and refine asteroid tracking models.
'Quasi-Moon': Earths new cosmic companion discovered by astronomers
Astronomers have identified a tiny quasi-moon, 2025 PN7, orbiting near Earth for about 60 years. This 62-foot-wide near-Earth asteroid follows a solar orbit synchronized with Earth. Discovered in 2025 by Pan-STARRS, its archival observations trace back to 2014. Its study provides insights into near-Earth objects, orbital dynamics, and potential space missions.
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, India's first on the ISS, experienced 'white nights' during the Axiom-4 mission, where the sun never fully set. This phenomenon, caused by the station's beta angle, challenged the crew's sense of time and routine. Besides the awe, persistent sunlight posed operational hurdles, affecting cooling and solar array stress.
Caught from space: NASA's Guardian system warned 30 minutes before the Pacific tsunami landfall
In July 2025, NASA's Guardian system detected a tsunami triggered by a massive earthquake near Kamchatka. Utilizing atmospheric disturbances and GNSS signals, Guardian issued alerts up to 30 minutes before landfall. This experimental technology enhances traditional warning systems, offering near-real-time, global monitoring and marking a significant advancement in disaster preparedness.
A US court supports Space Exploration Technologies Corp. plans. It dismisses a lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration approval. This allows Starship rocket operations to continue in South Texas. The court finds the FAA properly assessed environmental impacts. Conservation groups had concerns about wildlife. The ruling enables SpaceX to proceed with its space exploration goals.
Life on Mars: NASA rover discovers strongest sign of life on Mars to date; all you need to know
NASA's Perseverance rover has detected compelling evidence of potential past life on Mars within Jezero Crater. The rover's analysis of a mudstone core revealed minerals and textures indicative of microbial activity, including vivianite and greigite. While not definitive proof, these findings represent a significant step in the search for life beyond Earth, pending further analysis of returned samples.
Scientists identify a mystery colour in one of Jackson Pollock's paintings
Scientists have successfully identified the source of the vibrant blue color in Jackson Pollock's Number 1A, 1948 as manganese blue, a synthetic pigment. This confirmation, achieved through laser analysis of paint scrapings, marks the first documented use of this specific blue by Pollock. The findings offer insights into Pollock's techniques and contribute to art conservation efforts.
Asteroid 2025 FA22, significantly larger than Delhi's Qutub Minar, will make a close approach to Earth on September 18, 2025. While NASA confirms it poses no collision threat, its size and proximity offer a valuable opportunity for scientific study. Traveling at approximately 24,127 miles per hour, this flyby allows researchers to refine orbital models and improve planetary defense strategies.
Historys 10 longest lunar eclipses; heres the list
Lunar eclipses, transforming the Moon into a copper disc, have fascinated humanity for ages. Some eclipses offer brief glimpses, while others extend for over an hour, captivating observers with their beauty and rarity. NASA's records reveal the ten longest total lunar eclipses, connecting ancient civilizations to modern stargazers in awe of the cosmos' rhythms.
Eating water in space! Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla reveals bizarre microgravity food habits
India's first astronaut, Shubhanshu Shukla, shared insights on the challenges of eating and drinking in space, emphasizing the need for slow, deliberate movements due to microgravity. He highlighted the use of special packaging and techniques to manage food and liquids, while also clarifying that digestion functions normally in space through peristalsis.
SpaceX launched Northrop Grumman's upgraded Cygnus XL on a Falcon 9, delivering over 5 tons of supplies to the ISS, including spare parts, research material, and holiday treats. The lengthened Cygnus XL, designed for increased cargo capacity, is set to be captured by the station's robotic arm on Wednesday.
