What’s new in the cosmos?
\nScientists and engineers worldwide are pushing the boundaries of our knowledge about the universe. The portal devoted to space research offers a physics‑centric perspective, covering everything from raw telescope data and sophisticated models to ambitious missions and cutting‑edge instruments.
\nMartian hurdles and clever solutions
\nNASA is tackling three stubborn problems on the Red Planet. Engineers have devised a method to dislodge a lodged rock that threatens rover mobility, devised a filtration system to render briny water safe for future crews, and are testing new algorithms to navigate the planet’s treacherous terrain more efficiently.
\nWebb telescope paints a different picture
\nThe James Webb Space Telescope has revealed that the so‑called “Octopus Galaxy” (M77) bears little resemblance to its mythic namesake. Instead of swirling tentacles, Webb’s infrared eyes expose a complex web of star‑forming regions and dust lanes that reshape our understanding of galactic evolution.
\nA tiny world with an unexpected atmosphere
\nAt the far edge of the solar system, astronomers have detected an ultra‑small celestial body possessing a thin gaseous envelope—an observation that challenges current theories about atmospheric retention on diminutive objects.
\nExtremely Large Telescope set to rewrite astronomy
\nWhile Webb continues to dazzle, the European Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) is under rapid construction. Its 39‑meter mirror will collect unprecedented amounts of light, enabling direct imaging of exoplanet surfaces and probing the earliest galaxies formed after the Big Bang.
\nNew “Tatooine”‑type planets discovered
\nA recent survey has identified 27 candidate worlds that orbit two suns, reminiscent of the fictional planet Tatooine. Although none have been directly imaged, statistical analysis of transit data suggests these binary‑star systems are more common than previously thought.
\nHubble’s timeless portraits
\nCelebrating 36 years in orbit, Hubble has delivered a spectacular view of the ever‑changing Trifid Nebula and captured an intimate portrait of galaxy NGC 7331, reminding us of the observatory’s enduring scientific legacy.
\nBehind the scenes of human spaceflight
\nA recent podcast episode highlighted the pivotal women who built the computers powering Apollo, Artemis and modern spacecraft, while another feature explored why astronauts must relearn how to grip objects in microgravity.
\nAsteroid as a shortcut to Mars
\nResearchers propose using a near‑Earth asteroid as a stepping‑stone, potentially slashing travel time to the Red Planet and opening new logistical pathways for crewed exploration.
\nChina’s accelerating space ambitions
\nChina is rapidly expanding its extraterrestrial presence, unveiling plans for a lunar base, a new modular space station, and a suite of commercial launch vehicles, signaling a fast‑paced race in the new space age.
\nOrganic molecules on Mars
\nThe latest findings from the Perseverance rover show a diverse mix of organic compounds, hinting at the building blocks that could have fostered life on early Mars.
\nArtemis II crater mystery
\nClose‑up analysis of Artemis II imagery has uncovered perfectly round craters on the lunar surface, puzzling scientists who are revisiting impact dynamics to explain the uniformity.
\nSource: https://scientias.nl/nieuws/astronomie-ruimtevaart/
