New research suggests that dark comets, which make up up to 60% of near-Earth objects, may originate in the asteroid belt and may carry subsurface ice that may have contributed to Earth’s water. Credit: SciTechDaily.com Research from the University of Michigan shows that as many as 60% of objects near Earth are dark comets. These … Read more
A NASA astronaut has captured photographs from a window aboard the International Space Station (ISS) of eerie, glowing red lights hanging in Earth’s atmosphere. The stunning image, taken on June 3 by NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission commander Matthew Dominick, captured the quick flash of a weather phenomenon known as “red sprite” lightning. Red sprites are … Read more
This article was originally published on The conversation. The publication contributed the article to Space.com Expert Voices: Opinion Pieces and Insights. Alan Cooper is a professor at Charles Sturt University Pavle Arsenovic is a senior scientist at the University of Natural Resources and Life Science (BOKU). The remarkable aurora borealis in early May this year … Read more
The Omega Centauri star cluster contains millions of stars. The motion of some of the stars suggests that there is a medium-sized black hole at its center. NASA/ESA/STScI/AURA hide caption switch caption NASA/ESA/STScI/AURA Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have found evidence for the existence of an elusive type of black hole, about 8,000 times … Read more
A star that appeared in the sky 840 years ago and then disappeared has recently shown new activity, giving astronomers valuable insights into stellar phenomena. Mentioned in historical documents from Japan and other parts of Asia in 1181, this “guest star” was rediscovered in 2021. New research is now revealing the star’s unique features and … Read more
High on the Tibetan Plateau, in the Baishiya Karst Cave, a fascinating ancient story of human survival unfolds. A recent study reveals that the Denisovans, an extinct species of humans, called this place home for thousands of years. Apart from their significant genetic contribution to modern humans, very little is known about the Denisovans. Somehow, … Read more
The Antikythera Mechanism, an ingenious calculating machine created 2,200 years ago, has inspired awe and enchantment since it was discovered in 1901 in a shipwreck off a Greek island. For generations, researchers have unraveled many mysteries surrounding the device, often described as the world’s first analog computer, but much remains unknown. A study published this … Read more
The woolly mammoths on Wrangel Island, from a tiny original population, persisted for 6,000 years despite genetic obstacles. Their sudden extinction remains a mystery, offering lessons for modern conservation efforts. Credit: Beth Zaiken Genetic analysis of the last woolly mammoths on Wrangel Island has revealed a population that managed to survive for 6,000 years despite … Read more
Unlike “black holes,” which pull in and swallow surrounding cosmic matter, a “gravity hole” pushes surrounding material away due to the lack of gravity. When formed in an ocean, a gravity hole pushes water away and creates air pockets where water should have been, causing sea levels to drop. Take the example of the world’s … Read more
Blue-spotted ribbontail ray. Credit: Morgan Bennet Smith Researchers have discovered the unique nanostructures responsible for the electric blue spots of the blue-spotted ribbontail ray (Taeniura lymma), with potential applications for developing chemical-free coloration. The team also has ongoing research into the equally enigmatic blue coloration of the blue shark (Prionace glauca). This research, titled “Ribbontail … Read more