The CubeCat-4, a new nanosatellite, is already orbiting the Earth
The CubeCat-4 nanosatellite, developed by the UPC's NanoSat Lab, is one of seven payloads that have traveled on the Ariane 6 maiden flight, which took off on the night of 9 to 10 July from French Guiana......»»
Resolving biology"s dark matter: DNA barcoding reveals hidden insect diversity
There are millions of species on Earth that we still know nothing about. Researchers call these species "biological dark matter," but new methods can provide us with a better overview more quickly......»»
MAX phases boost electrocatalytic biomass upgrading
Biomass is among the most abundant renewable resources on Earth. Through catalytic conversion, biomass can upgrade into a series of fuels and chemicals which can substitute traditional fossil resources, thus playing a crucial role in achieving the "c.....»»
A near-Earth microquasar emerges as a source of powerful radiation
Modern astronomy has clung to the belief that the relativistic outflows or jets, responsible for the existence of electromagnetic radiation of particularly high energies, are located in the nuclei of active galaxies distant from Earth. However, a dif.....»»
Old data yield new secrets as NASA"s DAVINCI preps for Venus trip
Due to launch in the early 2030s, NASA's DAVINCI mission will investigate whether Venus—a sweltering world wrapped in an atmosphere of noxious gases—once had oceans and continents like Earth......»»
A new generation of telescopes will probe the "unknown unknowns" that could transform our knowledge of the universe
In recent decades, we've learned huge amounts about the universe and its history. The rapidly developing technology of telescopes—both on Earth and in space—has been a key part of this process, and those that are due to start operating over the n.....»»
Ancient ‘Age of Dinosaurs’ Seafloor Found beneath Pacific Ocean
A vast, ancient slab of seafloor plunged beneath the Pacific Ocean and has hovered in Earth’s mantle for more than 120 million years, a new study suggests.....»»
Six new Copernicus missions to provide detailed environmental data
The Copernicus Sentinel Expansion Missions are a major leap forward in Europe's Earth observation capabilities. With the United Kingdom's re-entry to the EU's Copernicus program, funding has been confirmed to complete the development of all six Coper.....»»
Second exoplanet detected orbiting an early G-type star
Astronomers report the detection of a second exoplanet orbiting a G-type star known as TIC 393818343, located some 300 light years away. The newfound alien world is about three times less massive than Jupiter. The finding was detailed in a research p.....»»
Plate tectonics drive compositional evolution of the upper mantle, study finds
On present-day Earth, plate subduction continuously modifies the chemical composition of the convecting mantle, and various mantle sources linked to these processes have been widely studied. However, when did global chemical heterogeneity of the conv.....»»
Hubble captures intricacies of R Aquarii, a symbiotic binary star roughly 700 light-years from Earth
The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has provided a dramatic and colorful close-up look at one of the most rambunctious stars in our galaxy, weaving a huge spiral pattern among the stars. Hubble's images capture its details and its evolution is featur.....»»
Space Force"s X-37B will perform "never before-seen maneuvers" in orbit
The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) has been shrouded in mystery since its maiden flight in 2011. Designed by Boeing and operated by the U.S. Space Force (USSF), this remotely operated, reusable space plane is designed to operate in Low-Earth Orbit.....»»
Dutch students warn space mission of noisy white dwarfs
The background noise of gravitational waves from orbiting white dwarf stars will be stronger than the noise from binary black holes. This is what two Dutch master's students and their supervisor predict in two papers in anticipation of the LISA space.....»»
El Niño Southern Oscillation caused spike in 2023 temperatures, study finds
A study by scientists at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science identified El Niño–Southern Oscillation as the primary cause of the spike in global surface temperature in 2023, not human-induced climate.....»»
Modern mass extinction in an Ecuadorean cloud forest found to be a mirage
One of the most notorious mass extinction events in modern times occurred on a hilltop in coastal Ecuador in the 1980s. Ninety species of plants known from nowhere else on Earth—many of them new to science and not yet given a name—went extinct wh.....»»
Penetrating the ice sheet of an ocean moon: Four questions about the Clipper Mission to Europa
On Oct. 14 NASA's Europa Clipper Mission launched. It is the first detailed investigation of Jupiter's moon Europa—which is believed to harbor an ocean so vast that it contains more water than anywhere else in the known universe (even Earth). While.....»»
Comet last seen in the Stone Age makes appearance over Earth
A comet that passes by Earth just once every 80,000 years has been spotted in the skies, but it may not survive for much longer......»»
Scientists discover one of the Earth"s earliest animals in Australian outback
In the shadow of South Australia's largest mountain range beneath the outback soil lies a fossil record that reveals a rich history of life on Earth. Fossils found at Nilpena Ediacara National Park preserve a pivotal moment in the history of evolutio.....»»
Atmospheric oxidation and the creation of modern Mars
Like Earth, Mars was formed about 4.5 billion years ago, but its early surface was very different than today's. Mars' surface then had high rates of meteorite and asteroid impacts from the period known as the Late Heavy Bombardment. But whereas today.....»»
Hubble captures spiral galaxy NGC 5248
The sparkling scene depicted in this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image is of the spiral galaxy NGC 5248, located 42 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Boötes. It is also known as Caldwell 45. The Caldwell catalog holds visually.....»»
Compound drought–heat wave events under-recognized in global soils, finds study
Soil is essential for life and plays a crucial role in the Earth's ecosystem, providing support for plant roots and hosting countless microorganisms. In a warming world, it is important to understand how soil hydrothermal conditions, particularly the.....»»