Dramatic, unexpected events unfolding in Southern Ocean due to climate change
The research, led by the University of Southampton and published June 30 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that saltier surface water allows deep ocean heat to rise more easily, melting sea ice from below.
There is a sudden rise in surface salinity south of 50 latitude. (Photo: Nasa)
'It's a dangerous feedback loop: less ice leads to more heat, which leads to even less ice,' explained Dr. Alessandro Silvano, the study's lead author.This cycle has been further highlighted by the return of the Maud Rise polynya—a massive hole in the sea ice nearly four times the size of Wales — which had not appeared since the 1970s.advertisementThe loss of Antarctic sea ice has immediate global consequences. Sea ice reflects sunlight, helping to regulate the planet's temperature. Its decline means more heat is absorbed by the ocean, intensifying storms, accelerating global warming, and shrinking habitats for penguins and other Antarctic wildlife.The rapid changes are also reshaping ocean currents and weather systems far beyond the polar regions.Scientists are now urging for continuous satellite and in-situ monitoring to better understand these changes, as current climate models did not predict such a rapid shift.'If this salty, low-ice state continues, it could permanently reshape the Southern Ocean—and with it, the planet,' warned Dr. Silvano.The research points to the urgency of revising scientific models and maintaining robust observation networks to track the evolving climate crisis.- EndsMust Watch
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India Today
43 minutes ago
- India Today
Shubhanshu Shukla breaks mentor Rakesh Sharma's 41-year-old space record
Rakesh Sharma is India's first astronaut to go to space. (Photo: India Today) Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian to go to space Shubhanshu Shukla calls Rakesh Sharma his mentor Shukla has been conducting critical muscle health research Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has made history by becoming the longest-staying Indian astronaut in space, surpassing the 41-year-old record set by Rakesh Sharma. As of July 3, 2025, Shukla has spent over 7 days, 21 hours, and 40 seconds in orbit, overtaking Sharma's milestone from his 1984 mission aboard the Soviet Salyut 7 space station. Shukla, 39, is currently serving as the mission pilot for the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS), a landmark collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO. Rakesh Sharma is India's first astronaut to go to space. (Photo: AFP) Launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on June 25, 2025, Shukla's journey marks India's return to human spaceflight after more than four decades. He is the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS and only the second Indian to travel to orbit, following Sharma's pioneering flight. The Ax-4 crew, led by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, includes Shukla as pilot and mission specialists Sawosz Uznaski-Winiewski and Tibor Kapu. Their mission involves conducting around 60 scientific experiments, with Shukla leading seven of them, focusing on microgravity research and international collaboration. The mission also shows India's growing role in global space exploration and the evolution of ISRO into a world-class space agency. Shuykla recently partnered with astronaut Sawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski in the Space Station's Columbus laboratory module to analyse near-infrared technology to record brain activity. Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla enters Space Station. (Photo: Nasa) He has been working on seven Indian studies in space that will bolster India's human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan Mission. Shukla has been conducting critical muscle health research inside the Kibo laboratory's Life Sciences Glovebox aboard the ISS. His work focuses on muscle stem cell cultures to understand how microgravity causes muscle degradation and how this loss might be prevented or mitigated. Shux, who considers Rakesh Sharma as his idol, had said befoe leaving for space that he is carrying something special for his mentor and will give it to him when he returns. "I owe much of my inspiration and guidance to India's first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma. He has been a mentor in every sense, supporting me from the early stages of selection to the Ax-4 mission preparation. As a fellow IAF test pilot, he understands the physical and mental readiness this journey demands. Although he won't be traveling to US due to certain constraints, he has been with me every step of the way," Shukla had said before launch. As Shux continues his two-week stay aboard the ISS, his record-breaking mission not only honours India's space heritage but also inspires a new generation of Indian scientists and explorers, reaffirming the nation's commitment to advancing human spaceflight. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has made history by becoming the longest-staying Indian astronaut in space, surpassing the 41-year-old record set by Rakesh Sharma. As of July 3, 2025, Shukla has spent over 7 days, 21 hours, and 40 seconds in orbit, overtaking Sharma's milestone from his 1984 mission aboard the Soviet Salyut 7 space station. Shukla, 39, is currently serving as the mission pilot for the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS), a landmark collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO. Rakesh Sharma is India's first astronaut to go to space. (Photo: AFP) Launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on June 25, 2025, Shukla's journey marks India's return to human spaceflight after more than four decades. He is the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS and only the second Indian to travel to orbit, following Sharma's pioneering flight. The Ax-4 crew, led by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, includes Shukla as pilot and mission specialists Sawosz Uznaski-Winiewski and Tibor Kapu. Their mission involves conducting around 60 scientific experiments, with Shukla leading seven of them, focusing on microgravity research and international collaboration. The mission also shows India's growing role in global space exploration and the evolution of ISRO into a world-class space agency. Shuykla recently partnered with astronaut Sawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski in the Space Station's Columbus laboratory module to analyse near-infrared technology to record brain activity. Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla enters Space Station. (Photo: Nasa) He has been working on seven Indian studies in space that will bolster India's human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan Mission. Shukla has been conducting critical muscle health research inside the Kibo laboratory's Life Sciences Glovebox aboard the ISS. His work focuses on muscle stem cell cultures to understand how microgravity causes muscle degradation and how this loss might be prevented or mitigated. Shux, who considers Rakesh Sharma as his idol, had said befoe leaving for space that he is carrying something special for his mentor and will give it to him when he returns. "I owe much of my inspiration and guidance to India's first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma. He has been a mentor in every sense, supporting me from the early stages of selection to the Ax-4 mission preparation. As a fellow IAF test pilot, he understands the physical and mental readiness this journey demands. Although he won't be traveling to US due to certain constraints, he has been with me every step of the way," Shukla had said before launch. As Shux continues his two-week stay aboard the ISS, his record-breaking mission not only honours India's space heritage but also inspires a new generation of Indian scientists and explorers, reaffirming the nation's commitment to advancing human spaceflight. Join our WhatsApp Channel
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First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
An outsider found in our solar system: Nasa spots interstellar comet, tracks its path
Nasa officials have stated that the comet poses no threat to Earth. It is projected to remain at least 1.6 astronomical units away, or roughly 150 million miles, equivalent to 240 million kilometres read more Nasa is tracking the comet that has come from outside of the solar system. Image courtesy: Nasa A comet originating from outside our solar system has been spotted by a NASA-funded telescope in Chile, scientists confirmed this week, marking only the third known interstellar object to pass through our cosmic neighbourhood. The object, now officially designated 3I/ATLAS, was first observed on July 1 by the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey telescope located in Rio Hurtado. It arrived from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius and is currently about 420 million miles, or 670 million kilometres, from Earth. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Following the initial discovery, astronomers reviewed archived data and found earlier detections dating back to June 14. These 'pre-discovery' observations were collected from three other ATLAS telescopes positioned across the globe and from the Zwicky Transient Facility at the Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California. Numerous telescopes have since confirmed sightings of the comet. Nasa officials have stated that the comet poses no threat to Earth. It is projected to remain at least 1.6 astronomical units away, or roughly 150 million miles, equivalent to 240 million kilometres. The comet is currently around 4.5 astronomical units from the Sun, which is about 416 million miles or 670 million kilometres. 3I/ATLAS is expected to make its closest approach to the Sun around 30 October, reaching a distance of approximately 1.4 astronomical units, or 130 million miles, which is about 210 million kilometres. That will place it just inside the orbit of Mars. Astronomers around the world are actively studying the comet's size and composition. It is expected to remain visible to ground-based telescopes until September. After that, it will pass too close to the Sun to observe safely. Scientists expect it to reappear on the far side of the Sun by early December, offering another opportunity to study the rare interstellar visitor. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The discovery marks a significant milestone in space observation, following the earlier detections of 1I/'Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019, both of which also originated from beyond our solar system.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
A comet from another star system? Watch interstellar 3I/ATLAS live tonight
Astronomers have spotted a small comet entering our solar system and racing towards the Sun. The fun part is you may have the chance to watch its journey live and for free. The tiny comet was first observed by the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope, located in Rio Hurtado, Chile, on July 1. Initially called C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) or A11pl3Z, the comet has since been renamed 3I/ATLAS by the Minor Planet Center (MPC). The '3I' is a marker indicating this comet as the third known interstellar object, after 'Oumuamua in 2017, and the comet 2I/Borisov in 2019. As per the MPC report, the comet has a marginal coma and a short three-inch tail, making it more difficult to observe. You have a chance to view this one, though, thanks to The Virtual Telescope Project . The platform is using its technology allowing all to view the 3I/ATLAS live as it travels toward the Sun. This is accessible on The Virtual Telescope Project's WebTV, YouTube channel. The livestream will begin at 3:30 am IST on July 4. It will show footage from telescopes in Mancino, Italy. On July 2, using one of its robotic telescopes to track its motion, the Virtual Telescope Project was able to capture a photo of the comet. Due to the telescope's movement, stars show movement trails as the comet looks like a stationary light. As per NASA, 3I/ATLAS is 4.5 astronomical units (converting to 670 million kilometres) away from the Sun, with a magnitude of 18.8. However, the comet is expected to get slightly brighter by around October 30, as it reaches perihelion, or its closest point to the Sun. This will be around 1.4 astronomical units (or 210 million kilometres) away from the Sun. At the moment, the comet is currently moving at a speed of 68 kilometers per second relative to the Sun. While the 3I/ATLAS will temporarily disappear from view by mid-November as it travels behind the Sun, it is expected to reappear in view by early-December. (This article has been curated by Purv Ashar, who is an intern with The Indian Express)
