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Recent analysis of Iron Age artifacts from Poland has revealed the presence of meteoric iron in several ornaments, according to reports. The discovery was made at two archaeological sites, Częstochowa-Raków and Częstochowa-Mirów, both linked to the Lusatian Culture and dated between 750 and 600 BCE. A total of 26 iron artefacts, including bracelets, ankle rings, knives, spearheads, and necklaces, were examined, with four of them confirmed to contain meteoric iron.

Findings from the Study

According to the study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, multiple analytical techniques were used to examine the artifacts, including portable X-ray fluorescence (p-XRF), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray microtomography. These methods helped in determining the elemental composition and internal structure of the iron objects.

Dr. Albert Jambon, the lead researcher, told Phys.org that the aim of the study was to trace the origins of iron smelting. The presence of meteoric iron in the analyzed objects suggests that the material was sourced locally rather than imported from distant regions such as the Alps or the Balkans. The study further indicates that the artifacts were crafted from an ataxite meteorite, a rare iron meteorite with high nickel content.

Possible Meteorite Source and Cultural Context

Reports suggest that the meteoric iron used in these artifacts was likely obtained from a witnessed meteorite fall rather than an incidental discovery. Large iron meteorites are difficult to process without advanced tools, making smaller fragments more practical for use. Dr. Jambon explained to Phys.org that historical records from 19th-century France highlight similar challenges in working with large meteorite pieces.

Despite its extraterrestrial origin, meteoric iron does not appear to have been regarded as a prestigious material during the Iron Age. The artifacts were found in graves of men, women, and children, without any apparent social or economic distinction. None of the burial sites contained luxury items such as gold, silver, or imported goods, reinforcing the notion that iron was relatively common at the time.

Oldest Known Patterned Iron?

Further analysis revealed that the meteoric iron had been mixed with terrestrial slag iron, producing a distinctive banding pattern on the metal. Due to the high nickel content, meteoric iron would appear white when smelted, contrasting with the black hue of terrestrial iron. This suggests that the intentional mixing of different iron sources may have been an early attempt to create decorative or patterned metalwork. If confirmed, this would make the artifacts among the earliest known examples of patterned iron, predating the development of Damascus steel by centuries.

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Europa Clipper Captures Stunning Infrared Image of Mars

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May 17, 2025

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Europa Clipper Captures Stunning Infrared Image of Mars

NASA’s Europa Clipper Spacecraft took a haunting infrared portrait of Mars flyby during its journey to Jupiter’s icy moon Europa on March 1, 2025. The spacecraft used the planet’s gravity to change the speed and orbit for the next phase of its long interplanetary journey, reaching 550 miles above the Martian surface. This encounter allowed the team to test E-THEMIS, an instrument known as a thermal imager which is designed to study the surface of Europa fr potential life signs.

Mars Flyby Serves as Key Instrument Calibration

According to report by NASA , Mars flyby has been used as a critical instrument calibration moment for Europa Clipper. E-THEMIS, at its 18-minute duration, took 1000 greyscale snapshots of infrared, started reaching Earth on May 5. On comparison of this recent dataset with thermal maps from the Mars Odyssey Orbiter for verifying the accuracy of the imager. Since Odessey was observing Mars from 2012, it provided a rich thermal standard to compare.

Infrared Imaging to Detect Geologic Activity on Europa

Phil Christensen investigated the data and made sure the images taken by E-THEMIS match with the Thermal data of Mars mapped twenty years ago. E-THEMIS detects infrared light and enables scientists to map the variation of the temperature across the planetary surface.
When Clipper reaches Europa, the instrument uses this potential to locate the hotspots, connected to the recent geologic activity under the icy crust of Jupiter’s moon. This signals the search for extraterrestrial life.

Tracing Europa’s Subsurface Ocean with Heat Signatures

E-THEMIS imaging is helpful to find the hidden ocean of Europa, which is situated closest to the surface. The ridges and fractures of the icy moon are the result of the oceanic forces. The warm temperature in such areas could signal previous eruptions. Further, it can also lead to areas where the middle surface ocean moves upward.

Future Flyby Mission Plans

For the first time in space, this Mars flyby tested the radar instrument, too. The test went smoothly as per the data, however, scientists are still analysing the results. Another Clipper will do an Earth flyby in 2026, before landing at Jupiter in April 2030 to explore the habitat potential.

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SpaceX Fires Up Starship Upper Stage for Ninth Test Flight in Static Fire Trial

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May 15, 2025

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SpaceX Fires Up Starship Upper Stage for Ninth Test Flight in Static Fire Trial

SpaceX’s next-generation Starship spacecraft has fired up in another test as the company prepares for its ninth flight. Starship conducted a full-duration static fire of its upper stage at the Starbase facility in South Texas on May 12th. The 171-foot-tall (52-metre) vehicle fired all six of its mighty Raptor engines for the full-duration burn, which took about 60 seconds. This marked the third such static fire for this specific ship, which is now undergoing final checks. SpaceX shared video and images of the trial in a post on X the following day.

Starship Nears Ninth Launch as SpaceX Advances Toward Mars-Ready Reusability

As per a Space.com report, the static fire is one of the last key milestones before the vehicle’s upcoming launch, though no date has yet been announced. The booster assigned to Flight 9 has already conducted a static fire test, sparking talk it may only be weeks from flight. Fully stacked, Starship stands 403.5 feet, making it the most powerful rocket system ever assembled. Its super-heavy booster and ship upper stage are intended for full reuse, a requirement for voyages to the moon, Mars, and beyond.

Starship has completed eight test flights to date, two of them in 2025. Though the missions themselves blasted off without a hitch, the ship’s upper stage flubbed both times shortly after arriving in space. During those flights, Super Heavy managed to fly back to Starbase and land with the aid of its giant launch tower’s “chopstick” arms in a dramatic manoeuvre that was one of a kind for SpaceX’s rocket-catching system. But both times the ship exploded less than 10 minutes after launch, a failure that has raised concerns about the stability of that upper stage.

SpaceX Starship, the Mars colonisation spacecraft, has now completed more than one full static fire test run, and it is expected to be a fully reusable spacecraft after the next test flight. Until then, space watchers will have to keep waiting for progress at Starbase. The ninth launch of this giant vehicle is probably not too far off if SpaceX continues to evolve and test at the pace they are going.

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Hikers Stumble Upon 600 Gold Coins in Czech Forest Near Polish Border

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May 15, 2025

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Hikers Stumble Upon 600 Gold Coins in Czech Forest Near Polish Border

Two hikers accidentally discovered a treasure trove in Czech Republic . While taking a stroll in the forests surrounding Zvičina Hill in the Krkonoše Mountains near Poland’s border, they spotted an aluminium can and an iron box protruding slightly above the surface in a stone mound. The containers contained about 600 gold coins and a stunning assortment of gold artifacts. Discovery of this treasure worth more than $340,000 has drawn attention of researchers, arising questions about both the origin of the coins and how did they end up in such a remote location.

Tracing the origin of coins

According to the report by Vojtěch Brádle, a numismatist from the Museum of Eastern Bohemia, the majority of the coins were minted between 1808 and 1915. They originate from the Austria-Hungarian Empire, particularly under the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I. Some of the coins feature countermarks minted in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenians after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The 598 coins cover a broad historical period, containing currency from France, Belgium, the Ottoman Empire, and Russia too. The range of provenances makes it difficult to track how the coins got to where they were, or just why they were stashed away at all. “It is hard to say whether it was Czech, German, or Jewish gold,” said Petr Grulich, director of the Museum of Eastern Bohemia, according to Dailymail.

Theories about the hiding place

There are several theories and speculation about how these coins and artifacts were hidden in such a remote location. One theory suggests that the items were concealed during Nazi Germany’s occupation of Czechoslovakia.

Following the Munich Agreement of 1938, large numbers of Jews and Czechs fled their homes in the annexed Sudetenland to escape persecution. Some historians believe that the treasure was buried during this time in an effort to protect it from the invading Nazi forces.

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