Bright Comet Fragment Illuminates Skies Over Spain and Portugal A bright fragment of a comet lit up the skies over parts of Spain and Portugal late on Saturday, according to the European Space Agency (ESA). The dazzling display captivated many, with one Lisbon resident describing the experience as “feeling like a movie”. Spectacular Display Captured On Sunday morning, the ESA shared a video on X (formerly Twitter), captured by its “fireball camera”, showing a “stunning meteor” over the western Spanish city of Caceres, near the Portuguese border. However, the ESA later clarified that the object was likely a “small piece…
Author: Aditya Lenka
Aditya Lenka
A multi-faceted professional with a diverse range of skills and experiences. He currently works as a Producer, Digital Marketer, and Journalist for several well-known media outlets, namely StratNewsGlobal, BharatShakti, and Interstellar. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Aditya has covered a wide range of topics and events across India, bringing a unique perspective to his work. When he's not busy producing content, Aditya enjoys exploring new places and cuisines, having traveled extensively throughout India. He's also an avid writer and poet, often penning his thoughts and musings in his free time. And when he wants to unwind and relax, Aditya spends time with his two loyal companions, Zorro and Pablo, his beloved dogs. Aditya's dynamic personality and varied interests make him a unique individual, always eager to learn and experience new things.
World Astronomy Day invites space enthusiasts and the public to explore the cosmos. Celebrated twice a year during the first quarter moon, this event is ideal for celestial observations. Local astronomy clubs, planetariums, and educational institutions orchestrate engaging activities for novices and experts alike. Origins of World Astronomy Day Doug Berger, the former president of the Astronomical Association of Northern California, initiated this event in 1973. His goal was simple: to ignite public interest in astronomy by setting up telescopes in urban centers, allowing spontaneous celestial viewing. A Spectrum of Astronomical Activities World Astronomy Day features a wide range of…
Chinese commercial space company CAS Space has announced plans to launch its “space tourism vehicle” in 2027. According to state media reports on Friday, journeys to the edge of space will begin in 2028. CAS Space’s Ambitious Plans This announcement follows Jeff Bezos-backed Blue Origin’s statement about resuming flights of its New Shepard Rocket. Blue Origin’s rocket carries cargo and humans on short trips to the edge of space. They will restart these flights on Sunday after nearly two years of halted crewed operations. CAS Space’s vehicle is designed with a tourist cabin featuring four panoramic windows. The cabin can…
Boeing has announced a further delay to its first Starliner mission, which was set to transport astronauts to space, now rescheduled for no earlier than May 21 due to a propulsion system issue. Initially slated for last week, this mission was postponed to May 17 because of a technical hiccup with its Atlas 5 rocket. This latest delay marks another setback for a project that is already years behind its planned timeline and over $1.5 billion over budget. The new issue involves a small helium leak in the spacecraft’s service module, specifically in a component of one of the 28…
Paul Stamets: Leading the Frontier of Astromycology The field of mycology, studying fungi, recognizes few names beyond its confines. Paul Stamets is one of those names. As a renowned scholar from the verdant Pacific Northwest, Stamets has made significant strides in mycology. His key works appear in his 2005 book, Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World. Now, he is looking to the stars, exploring how fungi might aid space exploration. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paul Stamets (@paulstamets) NASA Collaboration and Fungi’s Potential in Space Stamets and his team are pioneering…
The Field Museum in Chicago recently acquired a well-preserved fossil of Archaeopteryx, the earliest-known bird. This pigeon-sized fossil provides valuable insights into a species that supported Charles Darwin’s theories on evolution after its 19th-century discovery. The fossil will be publicly displayed at the museum. Previously owned by private collectors, the fossil was discovered in southern Germany before 1990. It is described as having the most intact skull, vertebral column, and soft tissues among the 13 known Archaeopteryx specimens. According to Field Museum paleontologist Jingmai O’Connor, “No single specimen tells us the whole story of this animal. Most previous specimens are…
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk discussed the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) at the 27th annual Milken Institute Global Conference on Monday, 6 May. He emphasised the significant role AI could play in advancing human civilisation, while also noting its current limitations in the field of space travel. Musk pointed out that space exploration currently uses very little AI, citing SpaceX and Starlink as examples. “Oddly enough, one of the areas where there’s almost no AI used is space exploration,” he stated. He explained that although he’s not opposed to using AI in space travel, existing AI has not been particularly…
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft has now been rescheduled for Friday after a technical issue with the Atlas V rocket. The launch was meant to mark a significant step forward for Boeing as it competes with Elon Musk’s SpaceX for NASA contracts. With just under two hours remaining in the countdown, the mission was called off due to a valve issue in the rocket’s second stage, which would propel the Starliner capsule into orbit. The Atlas V rocket is provided by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture. The glitch was announced…
Boeing Co’s BA.N Starliner astronaut capsule is set for its inaugural crewed test flight to the International Space Station on Monday night. This marks a significant step for Boeing, two years after the capsule’s first unmanned test flight to the orbital laboratory. Scheduled for liftoff at 10:34 p.m. (0234 GMT on Tuesday) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the gumdrop-shaped CST-100 Starliner will be launched atop an Atlas V rocket provided by the United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin LMT.N. The Starliner, which can carry up to seven crew members, will have two…
The Perseid meteor shower is an eagerly awaited annual event for stargazers, running from July 17 to August 24. Known for its high frequency of bright meteors, the Perseid shower is a highlight in the astronomical calendar. In 2024, this shower promises a stunning display, particularly around its peak from August 12-13. Understanding the Perseid Meteor Shower The Perseids originate from debris shed by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. As this debris collides with Earth’s atmosphere, it burns up at speeds ranging from 7 to 45 miles per second, creating dazzling light streaks in the sky. These meteors typically travel at an average…
