Science Magazine - Page 312 of 4024

Columbia University Takes a Stand Against Political Agenda in Astronomy Class

30 January 2025

Columbia University condemned a teaching assistant’s inclusion of political activism in an astronomy course. The student introduced a section titled “Astronomy in Palestine,” prompting concerns about educational integrity. University officials stated this action breached university policy and committed to improving review processes.

News·Telescopes

Chasing Comets: Spot It from Your Backyard Tonight

30 January 2025

Modern apps and satellite systems provide real-time data, transforming smartphones into portable planetariums for comet tracking. Apps like SkySafari and Star Walk 2 offer visibility alerts with augmented reality features, overlaying celestial maps onto your sky view. Collaborations between NASA and private

News·Space Tourism·Stars

NASA and SpaceX Race to Bring Astronauts Home After Extended ISS Stay

30 January 2025

NASA is working with SpaceX to return astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore safely from the ISS. Williams and Wilmore have been in orbit since June 2024 and are eager to return home after an extended stay. There is a sense of

Astrobiology·News·Planetary Science·Planets

Uncovering the Cosmic Secrets: How Asteroid Bennu Holds Clues to Life’s Origins

30 January 2025

NASA’s mission to asteroid Bennu returned samples that could unveil secrets about life’s origins on Earth. The samples, weighing only 120 grams, contain ancient remnants of water, salts, and minerals. Analysis reveals potential conditions for life in the “briny broth” of Bennu’s

Exoplanets·News·Planetary Science·Planets

Unraveling the Mysteries of GJ 1214 b: The Super-Venus Frontier

30 January 2025

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has redefined GJ 1214 b, a planet 48 light-years away, as a “super-Venus.” The planet features a thick atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide, challenging previous “water world” classifications. Transmission spectroscopy was key to uncovering the complex

NASA Missions·News·Stranded Astronauts

Trump Calls on Musk: Can SpaceX Save Abandoned Astronauts in Space?

30 January 2025

Former President Trump urges Elon Musk to rescue NASA astronauts stranded in orbit. Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been awaiting rescue since June 2024. Trump criticizes the Biden Administration for not addressing the situation sooner. Musk promptly reassures support for

News·Stars·Telescopes

Ninth Grader Discovers Asteroid 2023 OG40—A Cosmic Marvel That Could Bear His Name

30 January 2025

Ninth grader Daksh Malik from Shiv Nadar School discovered a new asteroid named 2023 OG40. His journey spanned 18 months through the International Asteroid Discovery Project, culminating in the identification of six asteroids. The discovery was facilitated by the cutting-edge Pan-STARRS telescope

Interplanetary Missions·News·Planets

Mars: Gateway to Interplanetary Wi-Fi? Discover the Next Big Leap

30 January 2025

Mars is being reimagined as a node in an interplanetary communication network using emerging technologies. Laser-based communications are poised to overcome the limitations of traditional radio wave communication by offering high-speed data transfer with reduced latency. Real-time data exchange could revolutionize scientific

Astrobiology·News·Planets·Stars

Asteroid Goldmine: NASA Strikes Life’s Essentials on Bennu

30 January 2025

Nasa’s samples from asteroid Bennu contain vital organic molecules essential for life. This discovery could reshape our understanding of how life might originate in the universe. There is potential for these building blocks of life to be more widespread than previously thought.