Science

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has announced the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2024, recognising the significant contributions of three remarkable scientists. David Baker from the University of Washington and Howard Hughes Medical Institute has been awarded one half of the prize for his pioneering work in computational protein design. The other half is

New research has uncovered how the brain organises daily experiences into meaningful segments, much like scenes in a film. While we perceive life as a continuous flow, our brains automatically break memories into distinct moments. Scientists have long debated whether these boundaries are set by environmental changes or if they are determined by personal interpretation.

A powerful solar storm is predicted to reach Earth on Thursday, 10th October, according to forecasters from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The storm could generate stunning auroras and affect radio communications, power grids, and satellites. NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Centre (SWPC) has issued a G4-class geomagnetic storm warning, the second-highest level

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and New Horizons spacecraft have joined forces to observe Uranus, a planet known for its mysterious atmosphere. Hubble, from its position in low-Earth orbit, captured detailed images of Uranus‘ atmosphere, including clouds and storms, while New Horizons, located 6.5 billion miles away, observed the planet as a small dot. These combined

NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick recently shared a breathtaking timelapse video featuring vivid red and green auroras from space. The mesmerising footage was captured aboard the Dragon Endeavor spacecraft on 8 October, as it orbited the Earth. These natural light displays, known as auroras, occur due to solar activity interacting with Earth’s atmosphere, creating stunning visuals

Hurricane Milton, which intensified from a tropical storm on Sunday to a Category 5 hurricane by Monday, is a prime example of how quickly hurricanes can escalate. With sustained winds reaching 180 mph (298 km/h), Milton weakened slightly before potentially making landfall on the Florida coast around 9th or 10th October 2024. This leads to

On 7th October 2024, an active sunspot, AR 3842, fired an X2.1-class solar flare, causing temporary radio blackouts across parts of North and South America and over the Pacific Ocean. This event followed another powerful flare from the same sunspot just days earlier. On 3rd October, AR 3842 unleashed the strongest solar flare of Solar

A recent discussion among experts highlights a critical gap in the United States’ capacity for in-space rescues. As human spaceflight missions become more common, the absence of a dedicated “space rescue service” raises concerns about the safety of astronauts in distress. The historical lessons from missions like Apollo and the space shuttle seem to have

In the next few weeks, NASA will embark on a significant mission to Europa, the fourth-largest moon of Jupiter. Named Europa Clipper, this spacecraft is designed to search for potential signs of life. While Mars is often the focal point in the quest for life beyond Earth, Europa presents a promising alternative due to its

An unexpected discovery concerning gene regulation has earned Victor Ambros from the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School and Gary Ruvkun from Harvard Medical School the 2024 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. The duo’s research identified small RNA segments, known as microRNAs, which play a significant role in regulating protein production in the body.

The Draconid Meteor Shower, known for its connection to the constellation Draco, is set to peak on October 8th and 9th this year. This annual meteor shower provides a rare opportunity for skywatchers to witness meteors during the evening hours. The constellation Draco lies in the northern sky, making the shower visible throughout the night.

NASA has chosen two mission proposals to further investigate X-ray and far-infrared wavelengths, marking the start of a new class of astrophysics missions. These missions fall within NASA’s Explorers Programme and have been allocated $5 million each for a 12-month concept study. A final decision will be made in 2026, with the selected mission launching

A recent study by astrophysicists suggests that advanced alien civilisations might only have a thousand years before their planets become uninhabitable due to climate change. This alarming finding stems from simulations exploring the trajectory of technological growth and energy consumption of these hypothetical societies. Even those relying on renewable energy could face dire consequences, as

NASA has shut off one of Voyager 2’s scientific instruments to preserve its remaining power as it journeys through interstellar space. The spacecraft, launched on 20 August 1977, is currently positioned 12.8 billion miles from Earth and is exploring beyond the solar system. Since leaving the heliosphere on 5 November 2018, Voyager 2 has been

October offers a fascinating opportunity for skywatchers with a new comet making its appearance and several planets visible throughout the month. A particularly intriguing comet, known as C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), will grace the evening skies after October 14. It remains to be seen whether it will be the brightest comet of the year, as it

A fascinating study suggests that Mount Everest, standing at 29,031.69 feet (8,848.86 m), may be taller than expected due to an ancient river “capture” event. This geological phenomenon occurred approximately 89,000 years ago and involved a river located around 46 miles (75 kilometres) from the mountain. Researchers propose that the erosion resulting from this event

On 29th September, Earth captured a temporary new companion, an asteroid named 2024 PT5. This near-Earth object, roughly the size of a bus at 33 feet wide, has entered Earth’s orbit for 57 days before it’s expected to resume its path around the sun. While the term “minimoon” sounds exciting, 2024 PT5 is far too

Indian scientists recently made a fascinating discovery: the global COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020 affected not only Earth but also the Moon’s temperature. A study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters found that lunar nighttime temperatures dropped by 8-10 Kelvin during the strict lockdown period between April and May 2020. Led

The annular solar eclipse on October 2, 2024, will be a remarkable celestial event. When the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, it will create a ring of fire visible from parts of the Southern Hemisphere. But how fast will this event unfold across the planet? Why the Eclipse Speed Varies The speed

October 2024 brings an exciting celestial opportunity for Bengaluru residents as a rare comet, known as Comet C/2023 A3, makes its appearance in the city’s skies. This spectacular object was first spotted in 2023 and has now returned, offering early morning views in the initial days of the month. Spotting the Comet in Early October