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China Makes History Again: Chang'e-6 Returns with Groundbreaking Moon Samples

In a remarkable achievement, China has successfully collected samples from the far side of the moon, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. The Chang'e-6 mission, launched on May 3, touched down in the Apollo crater within the vast South Pole-Aitken basin on June 1. During its brief but productive stay, the spacecraft gathered approximately 2 kilograms of lunar material using a scoop and drill. The samples, now stored in an ascent vehicle, are expected to return to Earth on June 25, landing in Inner Mongolia. This historic achievement not only demonstrates China's space program prowess but also provides scientists with a unique opportunity to unravel the mysteries of the moon's formation and evolution.   Achievements: - *First-ever samples from the far side*: Chang'e-6 successfully collects lunar material from the moon's less-explored hemisphere. - *Second successful farside landing*: China builds on its 2019 achievement with...
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Water on mars: frosty discovery on volcanoes signals major breakthrough

Planetary researchers announced a major discovery from the solar system's Red Planet on Monday – patches of water frost equating to "60 Olympic-size swimming pools" have been detected on Mars. The thin yet widespread layers of water frost were discovered atop three of Mars' Tharsis volcanoes, located on a plateau at the planet's equator, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Geoscience. The Tharsis volcanoes, a string of 12 large peaks, are the tallest volcanoes in our solar system, according to the study, which notes that the water frost was discovered on the volcanoes Olympus, Arsia Ascraeus Mons, and Ceraunius Tholus. The researchers calculate the frost constitutes at least 150,000 tons of water that swaps between the surface and atmosphere each day during the cold seasons," researchers from Brown University reported in a press release Monday, adding, "That's the equivalent of roughly 60 Olympic-size swimming pools." ...

A detail look at Gliese 12b: A new earth like planet

Gliese 12 b represents one of the best targets to study whether Earth-size planets orbiting cool stars can retain their atmospheres, a crucial step to advance our understanding of habitability on planets across our galaxy," said Shishir Dholakia, who is a doctoral student at the Centre for Astrophysics at the University of Southern Queensland and lead author of the study. For the discovery, Gliese 12 b was first identified by NASA’s TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) with follow-up observations performed by a combination of space- and ground-based observatories, including CHEOPS (CHaracterising ExOPlanets Satellite), MINERVA-Australis, SPECULOOS (Search for habitable Planets EClipsing ULtra-cOOl Stars), and Purple Mountain Observatory, and additional TESS observations. In the end, the researchers found Gliese 12 b had an orbital period of approximately 12.7 days, a radius almost exactly that of Earth, and a potential surface temperature of approximately 107°F (42°C)....

Facts about WASP-193B b: A cotton candy like exoplanet

WASP-193 b has a density of approximately 0.059 grams per centimeter cubed (g/cm3), which is comparable to cotton candy. For context, Jupiter has a density of 1.33 g/cm3, Saturn has a density of 0.69 g/cm3, Uranus has a density of 1.27 g/cm3, and Neptune has a density of 1.64 g/cm3. Therefore, despite being larger than Jupiter, WASP-193b’s density is far less than the largest gas giant in our solar system. Using the transit method, astronomers detected WASP-193 b using the Wide Angle Search for Planets (WASP) project as they gathered data between 2006 and 2008 and once again between 2011 and 2012. Through this, the astronomers were able to ascertain WASP-193 b’s planetary characteristics, specifically its orbital period, size, and density, as the exoplanet passed in front of its parent star. WASP-193 b is the second least dense planet discovered to date, after Kepler-51 d, which is much smaller," said Dr. Khalid Barkaoui, who is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of ...

All you need to know about the UFO Galaxy: NGC 2683 in Lynx

This spiral galaxy is viewed nearly edge-on from our perspective, giving it the shape of a classic science fiction spaceship. This is why the astronomers at the Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory gave it this attention-grabbing nickname. The reddened light from the center of the galaxy appears yellowish due to thousands of light years of intervening gas and dust in the outer arms of this galaxy. The core can be glimpsed at through the last wall of dust in the center. NGC 2683 is a nearby galaxy. This image was taken as part of Advanced Observing Program (AOP) program at Kitt Peak Visitor Center during 2014.

Tracking the International Space Station: A Guide to Spotting the Orbiting Wonder

The International Space Station (ISS) is a magnificent engineering marvel orbiting our planet, serving as a hub for scientific research and international cooperation. Many enthusiasts and stargazers enjoy observing the ISS as it passes overhead, creating a mesmerizing spectacle in the night sky. Tracking the ISS is an exciting and rewarding endeavor, and this article will guide you on how to do it effectively. 1. Know the Basics: Before you begin tracking the ISS, it's important to understand a few key details. The ISS orbits the Earth at an altitude of approximately 408 kilometers (253 miles) and travels at a speed of about 28,000 kilometers per hour (17,500 miles per hour). It completes an orbit around the Earth in roughly 90 minutes. 2. Find the Right Time: To increase your chances of spotting the ISS, you need to know when it will be visible from your location. Numerous websites and smartphone applications provide real-time tracking information tailored to your specific l...

Debunking the Flat Earth Theory: Why the Notion of a Flat Earth is a Hoax

In an age of scientific advancements and readily available information, it may seem perplexing that some individuals still believe in the concept of a flat Earth. However, the flat Earth theory is a hoax that lacks any substantial scientific evidence. In this article, we will delve into the reasons why the flat Earth theory is nothing more than a fallacy, debunking its claims and highlighting scientific evidence that supports the round Earth model. 1. Historical and Scientific Consensus For centuries, the overwhelming scientific consensus has supported the notion that the Earth is a spherical object. Ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks, Egyptians, and Chinese, recognized the Earth's round shape through observations of celestial bodies, ship disappearances over the horizon, and the circular shadow cast on the Moon during lunar eclipses. Moreover, modern scientific advancements have provided substantial evidence for a spherical Earth. Satellite imagery, space exploration...

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Webb successfully deployed it's secondary mirror.

Today, Webb teams successfully deployed the observatory’s secondary mirror support structure. When light from the distant universe hits Webb’s iconic 18 gold primary mirrors, it will reflect off and hit the smaller, 2.4-foot (.74-meter) secondary mirror, which will direct the light into its instruments. The secondary mirror is supported by three lightweight deployable struts that are each almost 25 feet long and are designed to withstand the space environment. Specialized heating systems were used to warm up the joints and motors needed for seamless operation. “Another banner day for JWST,” said Bill Ochs, Webb project manager at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, as he congratulated the secondary mirror deployment team at the Mission Operations Center in Baltimore. “This is unbelievable…We’re about 600,000 miles from Earth, and we actually have a telescope.” The deployment process began at approximately 9:52 a.m. EST, and the secondary mirror finished moving into its extended positio...

Structure of the Universe

The structure of the universe is a complex and fascinating topic that has intrigued scientists and laypeople alike for centuries.  It is a vast expanse of space that contains everything that we know of, from stars and planets to galaxies and superclusters. Understanding the structure of the universe is essential to understanding our place in it and the fundamental laws of nature that govern it. At the largest scale, the universe appears to be homogeneous and isotropic, meaning that it appears the same in all directions and at all points in space. This is known as the cosmological principle. However, at smaller scales, the structure of the universe is highly varied and complex. The basic building blocks of the universe are subatomic particles, such as protons, neutrons, and electrons. These particles combine to form atoms, which in turn combine to form molecules, and so on. At larger scales, these molecules combine to form stars, planets, and other celestial bodies. The universe is...

Who is James Webb NASA?

James Webb, in full James Edwin Webb, (born October 7, 1906, Tally Ho, North Carolina, U.S.—died March 27, 1992, Washington, D.C.), American public servant and administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) during the Apollo program (1961–68). After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1928, Webb became a marine pilot. He began his government career in 1932 as a congressional aide in Washington, D.C., and from 1934 to 1936 he studied law at George Washington University. He worked for Sperry Gyroscope from 1936 to 1944, when he reentered the Marine Corps for the remainder of World War II. During the administration of Pres. Harry Truman (1945–53), Webb was director of the Bureau of the Budget and undersecretary of state. When Truman left office, he went to work for the Kerr-McGee Oil Company in Oklahoma. Webb became the administrator of NASA in 1961, just months before Pres. John F. Kennedy announced the U.S. commi...