Berlin, Germany (SPX) Feb 20, 2025
An international team of astronomers has conducted an unprecedentedly precise observation of the exoplanet WASP-121b by utilizing the combined power of the four telescopes in the Very Large Telescope (VLT) array. Their findings reveal one of the most extreme planetary climates ever recorded, challenging current atmospheric models. WASP-121b, a well-studied ultra-hot Jupiter, is known for i

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 20, 2025
With the return of darker skies following a period of bright full moon conditions, astronomers have resumed tracking asteroid 2024 YR4. Ground-based telescopes rely on dark skies to detect asteroids, which can appear extremely faint. During a full moon, the brightness of the night sky makes it difficult to observe these small celestial objects. NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (

Paris (AFP) Feb 20, 2025
The chance that an asteroid capable of wiping out a city will hit Earth in eight years has been cut in half to around 1.5 percent, according to new calculations from NASA. The drop in odds had been widely anticipated by the global astronomical community, which now broadly expects the probability the asteroid will hit Earth on December 22, 2032 to fall down to zero. For more than 24 hours

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 20, 2025
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is moving full steam ahead with its aggressive cost-cutting measures, drawing sharp criticism from the scientific and medical communities. With sweeping layoffs and the dismantling of major research institutions, DOGE has slashed funding for programs deemed "inefficient"-including key health and science initiatives. The National Instit

The European Space Agency (ESA) and AAC Clyde Space, a New Space company specialising in small satellite technologies, have jointly signed a contract for the first phase of satellite constellation project INFLECION. The initiative will transform Maritime Domain Awareness – the understanding of activities at sea – by enhancing safety, efficiency, compliance, and environmental sustainability in maritime operations.

Ice melting from glaciers around the world is depleting regional freshwater resources and driving global sea levels to rise at ever-faster rates.

According to new findings, through an international effort involving 35 research teams, glaciers have been losing an average of 273 billion tonnes of ice per year since the year 2000 – but hidden within this average there has been an alarming increase over the last 10 years.

Paris, France (SPX) Feb 18, 2025
Just two months after its launch, the Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite is already showcasing its ability to map Earth's surface with remarkable accuracy. Despite still undergoing commissioning, its radar data is proving effective in monitoring land deformation, including subsidence, uplift, glacier movement, and natural disasters such as earthquakes and landslides. Equipped with a C-band S

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Feb 18, 2025
Human activities and environmental shifts since the Holocene epoch have profoundly impacted lake ecosystems, particularly in China, where algal blooms have become increasingly frequent. A breakthrough in remote sensing technology is now poised to revolutionize how scientists monitor and manage lake health. A newly developed algorithm significantly improves the accuracy of algal biomass monitorin

Moffett Field CA (SPX) Feb 16, 2025
In Aug. 2024, a team of NASA researchers and partners gathered in Missoula, Montana to test new drone-based technology for localized forecasting, or micrometeorology. Researchers attached wind sensors to a drone, NASA's Alta X quadcopter, aiming to provide precise and sustainable meteorological data to help predict fire behavior. Wildfires are increasing in number and severity around the w

Washington (AFP) Feb 18, 2025
An asteroid that could level a city now has a 3.1-percent chance of striking Earth in 2032, according to NASA data released Tuesday - making it the most threatening space rock ever recorded by modern forecasting. Despite the rising odds, experts say there is no need for alarm. The global astronomical community is closely monitoring the situation and the James Webb Space Telescope is set to