Connect with us

Published

2 days ago

on

Significant advancements in space exploration were made throughout 2024, with missions targeting the moon, Mars, Mercury, and beyond. Government agencies, private companies, and scientists achieved remarkable milestones, pushing the boundaries of discovery in our solar system.

New Missions to the Moon

Multiple lunar missions added to humanity’s knowledge of Earth’s natural satellite. According to reports, Japan’s SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon) landed on a lunar crater’s rim in January. Initially expected to operate for just two weeks, it exceeded expectations by transmitting data for three months. In February, the Houston-based Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus spacecraft completed a six-day mission near the lunar south pole despite landing off-balance.

China’s Chang’e 6 mission, launched by the China National Space Administration (CNSA), brought back soil samples from the moon’s far side in June, marking the first collection of its kind. Early analyses suggested the region was volcanically active approximately 2.8 billion years ago.

Discoveries on Mars

NASA’s Perseverance rover uncovered evidence of possible ancient microbial life in July, finding a rock with intriguing chemical signatures. The discovery added to the significance of Mars Sample Return, a NASA project facing budgetary uncertainties. Meanwhile, the Ingenuity helicopter, which had operated on Mars since 2021, retired in January after completing 72 flights.

Private Spaceflight Milestones

Commercial space ventures saw highs and lows. SpaceX conducted its Polaris Dawn mission in September, including the first civilian spacewalk. Astronaut Sarah Gillis played the violin aboard the spacecraft, a unique first. Conversely, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft faced technical issues that delayed the return of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore.

Exploring Mercury and Europa

BepiColombo, a joint mission by the European Space Agency and JAXA, captured unprecedented images of Mercury’s south pole during a flyby in September. Meanwhile, NASA’s Europa Clipper launched in October to investigate Jupiter’s moon Europa, known for its subsurface ocean. The spacecraft will arrive in 2030 and conduct nearly 50 flybys to determine the moon’s potential to support life.

As these missions demonstrate, 2024 marked a pivotal year in exploring the solar system, expanding understanding through persistent innovation and collaboration.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Science

Aditya-L1 Reveals How Solar Plasma Behaves During Coronal Mass Ejections

Published

2 hours ago

on

December 12, 2024

By

Aditya-L1 Reveals How Solar Plasma Behaves During Coronal Mass Ejections

Indian researchers have analysed a significant solar event using data from the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) onboard the Aditya-L1 mission, as per reports. As India’s first solar observation mission, Aditya-L1 observed a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) on July 16, 2024, providing valuable insights into the Sun’s dynamic outer atmosphere. This event, characterised by a massive ejection of solar plasma and magnetic fields, was studied in detail using emission at a specific wavelength of 5303 Å, known for its green hue caused by superheated iron atoms.

Launched on September 2, 2023 and successfully placed in a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point L1 in January 2024, Aditya-L1 is positioned 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. According to reports, the mission aims to monitor solar activity and its impact on space weather. The findings related to the CME were published in The Astrophysical Journal Letter by researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics.

Observations of Coronal Mass Ejection

Reportedly, the researchers identified a phenomenon known as coronal dimming, where the brightness of the Sun’s corona decreased by nearly 50 percent in the affected region due to the ejection of solar material. This dimming persisted for approximately six hours. The study also recorded a 30% increase in temperature and heightened turbulence in the region, marked by non-thermal plasma motion at a speed of 24.87 km/s.

Plasma Movement and Magnetic Influence

Doppler velocity measurements indicated that the plasma was redshifted, moving away from the observer at a speed of about 10 km/s, as per sources. The CME’s trajectory was influenced by the Sun’s magnetic field, which caused a deflection in the movement of the ejected material. This discovery underscores the importance of understanding magnetic forces in predicting the behavior of CMEs as they traverse interplanetary space.

These findings highlight the critical role of Aditya-L1 in unraveling the complexities of solar phenomena, paving the way for improved space weather predictions and advancing solar science.

Continue Reading

Science

Dogs Demonstrate Intentional Communication Using Soundboards, Study Finds

Published

4 hours ago

on

December 12, 2024

By

Dogs Demonstrate Intentional Communication Using Soundboards, Study Finds

A study conducted by the Comparative Cognition Lab at the University of California, San Diego, has shed light on dogs’ potential to communicate through soundboards. The research, published in Scientific Reports, evaluated data from 152 dogs over a span of 21 months. It found that dogs, trained to use these devices, were capable of forming purposeful two-word combinations, going beyond random behaviour or simple mimicry of human actions. Over 260,000 button presses were recorded during the study, with 195,000 attributed to the dogs themselves.

Intentional Button Use Observed

As reported, the study indicated that the most frequently used buttons were those associated with basic needs. Words such as “outside,” “treat,” “play,” and “potty” were prominent, with combinations like “outside” + “potty” being used in meaningful contexts. According to a statement by, Dr Federico Rossano, Associate Professor of Cognitive Science at UC San Diego, who led the research, dogs appeared to use these sequences to make specific requests, underscoring deliberate rather than random behaviour.

Enhanced Human-Canine Communication

The findings suggest that soundboards could provide pet owners with a clearer understanding of their dogs’ desires. Speaking to sources, Dr Rossano explained that this technology might offer dogs the means to communicate their needs more accurately. Instead of traditional cues like barking, dogs could combine buttons to convey concepts such as “outside” and “park.” This development, it was noted, has the potential to strengthen relationships between dogs and their owners.

Data Analysis and Future Research

Reportedly, data for the study was collected using the FluentPet mobile app, which allowed real-time logging of button presses. To determine whether the combinations were intentional, advanced statistical methods were employed. The patterns of multi-button presses were found to differ significantly from random chance. The study also highlighted that dogs pressed buttons like “I love you” far less often than their owners, reinforcing the claim that dogs were not simply imitating human behaviour.

Further research is planned to examine whether dogs can utilise soundboards to express complex ideas, including references to past or future events, as per reports. This could redefine perspectives on animal intelligence and communication.

Continue Reading

Science

Cold Moon of 2024 Rises in Taurus, Accompanied by Jupiter and Bright Stars

Published

4 hours ago

on

December 12, 2024

By

Cold Moon of 2024 Rises in Taurus, Accompanied by Jupiter and Bright Stars

The last full moon of the year, referred to as the Cold Moon, will illuminate the night sky on Sunday, December 15, 2024. According to reports, it will reach its peak at 4:01 a.m. EST and can be observed during its ascent later that evening. Positioned in the Taurus constellation, it will be accompanied by some of the brightest stars, alongside Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system. The phenomenon will mark the conclusion of both the astronomical fall and the lunar cycle for the year.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The Cold Moon, derived from the Mohawk culture, is named for its appearance just a week before the December solstice, the longest night in the Northern Hemisphere. Other names, including the Long Nights Moon and the Moon Before Yule, highlight its association with ancient seasonal festivals. In Celtic traditions, it has been referred to as the Oak Moon. Sources indicate that the naming conventions reflect the lunar calendar’s ties to winter rituals and agricultural cycles.

Celestial Highlights for Observers

The moon will appear at its highest point in the sky during this event, opposite the sun’s lowest position in the daytime sky. Skywatchers are encouraged to use binoculars or telescopes to observe the lunar surface as it rises above the horizon. Reports suggest that the alignment will coincide with the Geminid meteor shower, though the moon’s brightness may limit visibility of meteors.

Upcoming Lunar Events

The Cold Moon will be followed by the Wolf Moon on January 13, 2025. Astronomers have highlighted Jupiter’s prominence throughout December, making it an excellent target for stargazers. According to NASA, Saturn will also remain visible, albeit with its rings gradually appearing edge-on as they approach their 2025 alignment.

Observers are advised to dress warmly for this cold-weather celestial display and take advantage of early nightfall to appreciate the winter sky.

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.


Google Willow: All You Need to Know About the Quantum Processor That Outperforms World’s Best Supercomputer



LG’s ‘Xboom by Will.i.am’ to Be Unveiled at CES 2025; Xboom Buds Expected

Continue Reading

Trending