In a study published in the Science journal, researchers successfully tested the hearing of baleen whales for the first time. The controversial research, conducted in 2023, involved capturing two juvenile minke whales off the Norwegian coast. The whales, each measuring around 12 feet and weighing approximately one ton, were fitted with gold-plated electrodes on their skin to monitor brain responses to various sound frequencies. The findings suggest that baleen whales can hear ultrasonic frequencies far higher than previously assumed, a capability believed to aid in predator evasion, particularly from killer whales.

The project, referred to as the Minke Whale Hearing Project, has faced criticism from conservation groups and scientists. Concerns were raised regarding the stress and potential harm caused to the whales during their temporary captivity. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation sent open letter to the Norwegian government in 2021 urging the project’s cancellation, as per an NBC News report. Critics argued that alternative, non-invasive methods could yield similar findings without risking the welfare of the animals.

Despite opposition, the research was executed under stringent protocols, according to Brandon Southall, a marine acoustic consultant said to NBC News. He noted that the project adhered to best practices and contributed valuable insights into ocean noise management policies under regulations like the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Methodology and Challenges in Whale Capture and Testing

To facilitate testing, a complex trapping system was established along the minke whales’ migration route near Norway’s Lofoten Islands, as per the study. The team utilised over a mile of nets to guide the whales into a channel, where they were briefly held in a fish farm enclosure. Monitoring was conducted by a team of 12–15 personnel, including veterinarians. Blood samples, satellite tags, and neurological data were collected during sessions lasting 30 to 90 minutes before the animals were released.

Lead researcher Dr Dorian Houser, National Marine Mammal Foundation, emphasised the welfare measures in place during the interview with NBC News. He reported that the tagged whales resumed normal behaviours post-release, but one whale not tested died after becoming entangled in a net during a storm.

The study’s outcomes may influence future policies addressing underwater noise pollution. However, as noted by Susan Parks, professor of biology at Syracuse University to NBC News, the limited sample size and scope highlight the need for further research to understand the hearing capabilities of baleen whales across species and age groups.

The Union Cabinet of India approved two significant space missions: the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) and Chandrayaan-4, Nilesh Desai, Director of ISRO, revealed during a recent media interaction. These projects aim to expand India’s capabilities in planetary exploration and lunar science, aligning with the nation’s Space Vision 2047, which aspires to position India among the leading global space powers. According to reports, the missions will enable advancements in technology and science, with a focus on heavy-lift launch vehicles, human-rated systems, and re-entry technology.

Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM)

According to a Business Standard report, the VOM mission, planned for a March 2028 launch, will focus on studying Venus’s atmosphere, surface and interaction with solar activity. Scientists have emphasised its potential to address gaps in global Venusian data, such as surface topography, atmospheric dynamics, and sub-surface characteristics.

It has been reported that 16 payloads from Indian teams, as well as collaborative payloads involving international partners, have been selected to contribute to the mission.

The mission, estimated at Rs. 1,236 crore, will involve advanced techniques like aerobraking to position the spacecraft in a 200 x 600 km orbit around Venus. The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Deep Space Network will play a pivotal role in receiving and disseminating mission data.

Chandrayaan-4 Mission

Building on the success of previous lunar missions, Chandrayaan-4 is scheduled to return lunar samples from the Moon’s south pole. Reports suggest that the mission will demonstrate new technologies, including robotic sampling and docking procedures. The mission will involve five spacecraft modules launched via two LVM-3 rockets, with subsequent docking in Earth orbit.

The Rs. 2,104.06 crore mission has been designed to ensure the pristine condition of collected samples, facilitating detailed analysis on Earth. The advancements are expected to pave the way for future lunar exploration and human spaceflight.

Both missions highlight India’s focus on skill development, scientific collaboration, and self-reliance in space technology, according to sources.

The moons of Mars, Phobos and Deimos, could have formed from the remnants of an asteroid that was destroyed by the planet’s gravitational forces. Researchers from NASA and Durham University utilised advanced computer simulations to explore how such an event might have unfolded. These findings present a compelling new explanation for the origin of Mars’ two small moons, which have long puzzled scientists.

A New Model for Moon Formation

According to a study published in the Icarus Journal on November 20, a large asteroid, upon straying too close to Mars, crossed the planet’s Roche limit—a critical distance where tidal forces exceed an object’s structural integrity—leading to its disintegration. The resulting debris, according to simulations, would have gradually coalesced into Phobos and Deimos. Dr Jacob Kegerreis, a scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center, stated in a statement that this new model offers an “exciting” alternative to previously considered theories about the moons’ formation.

Phobos and Deimos are unusual among the solar system’s moons. While their irregular shapes and small sizes resemble asteroids, their circular orbits, aligned with Mars’ equatorial plane, suggest they formed in orbit around the planet. Previous theories, such as their origin from impact ejecta or capture of asteroids, have struggled to fully explain their characteristics.

Simulations Provide Answers

Using Durham University’s supercomputers, researchers conducted hundreds of simulations, adjusting variables like the asteroid’s size, speed, and proximity to Mars. The results indicated that enough fragments could have survived to create a debris disk around the planet, eventually forming the two moons. Dr Jack Lissauer of NASA Ames explained in a press release that this model allows for efficient distribution of moon-building material, even from a relatively small parent asteroid.

Future Tests with MMX Mission

The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, launching in 2026, is expected to provide further insights. The mission will return samples from Phobos, which will be analysed for their composition. If similarities to Martian material are found, it may support the impact hypothesis, while asteroid-like material could validate this new model.

This research could also enhance understanding of planetary interactions with smaller celestial bodies across the solar system, opening doors to further exploration of moon and ring formation.