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Time of India
11-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Closest- ever glimpse of the Sun: Nasa probe captures rare solar fury— watch
Closest- ever glimpse of the sun (Image: Youtube/ NASAGoddard) Nasa in a landmark development for space science has released never-seen-before close-range footage of the Sun's violent activity, recorded by its Parker Solar Probe . The images offer a rare, real-time look into one of the most powerful coronal mass ejections (CMEs) ever captured. Launched in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe was designed to study the Sun's outer atmosphere — the corona. On December 24, 2024, it made its closest-ever approach, flying just 3.8 million miles from the Sun's surface, and captured highly detailed images of a CME using its onboard camera system, WISPR (wide-field imager for parker solar probe). The Closest Images Ever Taken of the Sun's Atmosphere The visuals revealed turbulent flows and swirling eddies inside the CME — the first direct visual proof of Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities, a fluid dynamic effect long suspected but never observed this close to the Sun. Since its launch, the Parker Probe has consistently broken its own records for closest distance to the Sun. The visuals mark the first time scientists have directly observed such detailed solar plasma behaviour from within the CME itself. 'We're watching CMEs pile up on each other,' said Angelos Vourlidas, scientist at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, which built and operates the probe. 'This helps us learn how they merge and how that affects space weather.' Despite flying through intense heat and radiation, Nasa has confirmed that all systems of Parker Probe remained fully operational, showcasing the engineering marvel behind the mission. What Parker Probe revealed so far Experts believe the data could vastly enhance predictions for space weather, which affect not just satellites but also astronaut safety in space and global communication systems. "We are witnessing where space weather threats to Earth begin, with our eyes, not just with models," said Nicky Fox, associate administrator at Nasa. "This new data will also help us improve our technology for the safety of astronauts and our technology, both in space and on Earth." Its next flyby is scheduled for September 15, 2025, with scientists hoping to unlock further secrets about how solar outflows originate and evolve.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
10 Indian-origin people who have been part of NASA and its programmes
Image credit: X As India's space program grows stronger with ISRO 's steady achievements, Indians and people of Indian-origin are also making their mark at NASA . From flying missions to leading important research in orbit and on Earth, they have played key roles in many of NASA's major projects. Here's a look at 10 Indian and Indian-origin professionals who have helped shape NASA's success. Kalpana Chawla Kalpana Chawla, an astronaut at NASA, made history in 1997 as the first woman of Indian origin to travel to space. She flew on the Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-87) and again on its final mission (STS-107) in 2003, when the shuttle tragically broke apart during re-entry. Even after her heartbreaking loss, Chawla's legacy continues to inspire students across India and around the world. Sunita Williams Sunita (Suni) L. Williams is a NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy officer of Indian-Slovenian origin who has had a remarkable career in space. Picked by NASA in 1998, she has flown on three missions– Expeditions 14/15, 32/33, and 71/72– and spent 608 days in space. She also holds the record for most spacewalk time by a female astronaut at 62 hours and 6 minutes. In June 2024, she led Boeing's Starliner crewed test flight and, after some technical issues, stayed on the International Space Station before returning home on SpaceX's Crew-9 Dragon in March 2025. Dr. Sharmila Bhattacharya Dr. Bhattacharya, a senior researcher at NASA's Ames Research Centre, is a leading scientist who heads the Space Biosciences division. Her work explores how spaceflight impacts biological systems, particularly immune responses and the effects of radiation, providing critical insights for long-duration human missions. Manisha Ganeshan Dr. Ganeshan studies the planetary boundary layer (PBL) in polar regions using satellite and on-site data. With 10 years of experience using GNSS RO satellites, she provides important data that NASA relies on. Named a Fellow of the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) in 2017, she also works with NASA Goddard's Global Modeling and Data Assimilation office to improve GEOS models and help predict Polar Lows and tropical cyclones. Swarupa Nune With a background in visual storytelling, Swarupa Nune is a video producer at NASA Goddard who brings climate science and space exploration to life. She has created multimedia features and unique projects, including orchestral collaborations that pair NASA satellite imagery with classical music, helping audiences connect with complex science in creative, engaging ways. Mamta Patel Nagaraja Mamta's career at NASA bridges technical expertise and public outreach. Now serving as Associate Chief Scientist for Exploration and Applied Research at NASA Headquarters, she began her career as an engineer, supporting lunar and planetary missions before moving into leadership and communication roles that help connect NASA's work with a wider audience. Narayanan Ramachandran Ramachandran, a seasoned aerospace engineer at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Centre, supports Jacobs Technology and plays a key role in the Space Launch System (SLS), with a particular focus on diffuser velocity testing for engine systems. Raja Chari Born to an Indian father and raised in Iowa, Raja Chari is an astronaut at NASA who was selected in 2017. In 2021–22, he commanded SpaceX Crew-3 and spent over 170 days aboard the ISS, and he's also part of NASA's Artemis Team, training for future Moon missions. Dr. Kamlesh Lulla Dr. Lulla is a veteran Earth scientist at NASA Johnson Space Centre who has built a long career as Chief Scientist for Earth Observations. Known for his expertise in remote sensing, he has advanced space-based land-use research and helped shape tools for disaster management and environmental monitoring. Dr. Ashwin Vasavada Dr. Vasavada is a planetary scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Project Scientist for the Curiosity Mars Rover. He has led key operations studying Mars' climate and geology, helping scientists better understand the planet's history and its potential to have supported life in the past.
India Today
12-05-2025
- Science
- India Today
Flower Moon 2025: How and when to see May's full moon
It's selenophile day. May's full moon, also commonly referred to as Flower Moon, will be seen in the sky on Sunday and Monday Flower Moon this year will be at the farthest point from Earth. Therefore, it will look approximately 14 per cent smaller and 30 per cent fainter compared to an average full per NASA, the moon will be approximately 4 lakh km away from Earth as opposed to its average distance of about 2.4 lakh showers bring May Flower(Moon)s!The next full moon occurs Mon. May 12 at 12:56 p.m. EST, but it will look full the night before and more May skywatching: NASA Goddard (@NASAGoddard) May 9, 2025advertisement WHEN WILL FLOWER MOON HAPPEN?The Flower Moon will be visible at its fullest on May 12 at 12:56 pm ET. IST says it will be at its maximum at 10:26 pm, says Earthsky. If the peak time passes you by, you can still view the full moon from Sunday night to Tuesday Monday, the moon will appear low in the southeast at sunset and at its zenith in the sky after midnight. When the Moon crosses above the horizon, it will also seem a bit orange or golden because of the atmospheric TO WATCH FLOWER MOON?To observe the Full Moon, gaze towards the east. Binoculars or a telescope are not needed; the Flower Moon will be clearly visible with the naked ELSE CAN YOU OBSERVE DURING THE FLOWER MOON?advertisementMars and Jupiter, besides the Flower Moon, are visible soon after sunset in the west. The two stars, Arcturus and Spica, will also appear brighter in the vicinity of the May 13, also rising early will be able to witness the moon setting close to the southern horizon while the planetary trio of Saturn, Venus, and Neptune rise on the eastern MOON TRADITIONThe full moon is derived from Native American cultures, which are named after flowers that bloom during May. This represents the coming of Watch
NDTV
12-05-2025
- Science
- NDTV
'Flower Moon' 2025: When And Where To Watch May's Full Moon
It is a day for selenophiles. May's full moon, popularly known as Flower Moon, will be visible in the sky on Sunday and Monday evening. This year, the Flower Moon will be at its farthest point from Earth. Hence, it will appear around 14 per cent smaller and 30 per cent dimmer than a typical full moon. According to NASA, the moon will be around 4 lakh km away from Earth as against its average distance of around 2.4 lakh km. April showers bring May Flower(Moon)s! 🌼 The next full moon occurs Mon. May 12 at 12:56 p.m. EST, but it will look full the night before and after. For more May skywatching: — NASA Goddard (@NASAGoddard) May 9, 2025 When Will Flower Moon Occur? The Flower Moon will be at its brightest on May 12 at 12:56 pm ET. According to IST, it will reach its peak at 10:26 pm, according to Earthsky. If you miss the peak timing, you can still see the full moon from Sunday evening to early Tuesday. On Monday, the moon will rise low in the southeast after sunset and reach its zenith in the sky after midnight. As the Moon rises above the horizon, it may also appear slightly orange or golden due to the atmospheric scattering. How To Watch Flower Moon? To watch the Full Moon, look in the east. There is no need for binoculars or a telescope; the Flower Moon will be visible to the naked eye. What Else Can You Witness During The Flower Moon? Soon after sunset, you can also see Mars and Jupiter in the western sky. Arcturus and Spica, the two stars, will also shine brighter near the moon. On May 13, early risers will also have the opportunity to see the moon descending near the southern horizon as the planetary trio of Saturn, Venus, and Neptune rises in the eastern sky. May Flower Moon Tradition The term full moon comes from Native American traditions, named after blooming flowers that typically bloom during May. This symbolises the arrival of spring.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
The sun might be spitting out particles that create water on the moon
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Future moon astronauts may find water more accessible than previously thought, according to a new experiment that suggests the sun is replenishing the sought-after resource on the lunar surface. Because the moon lacks a magnetic field like Earth's, the barren lunar surface is constantly bombarded by energetic particles from the sun; these particles make up the solar wind. Scientists have long suspected, based on computer simulations, that the solar wind helps make the ingredients of water on the lunar surface. The high-speed particles, primarily composed of positively charged hydrogen ions, capture lunar electrons to become hydrogen atoms. The newly-formed hydrogen atoms then migrate through the dusty and rocky regolith to bond with oxygen, forming hydroxyl and water molecules across the surface, often concentrating in permanently shadowed polar regions. However, the natural cycle and renewability of these ingredients remained unclear. So, to shed light on this process, Li Hsia Yeo, a planetary scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, led a lab experiment observing the effects of simulated solar wind on two samples of loose regolith brought to Earth by the Apollo 17 mission. One of the samples was dug from a scar-like trench called Wessex Cleft and the other from the bottom of a young crater rim in South Massif. To remove any terrestrial water the 50-year-old samples would have absorbed since their return to Earth, Yeo and her team baked the samples overnight in a vacuum furnace. To mimic conditions on the moon, the researchers built a custom apparatus that included a vacuum chamber, where the samples were placed, and a tiny particle accelerator, which the scientists used to bombard the samples with hydrogen ions for several days. "It took a long time and many iterations to design the apparatus components and get them all to fit inside," Jason McLain, a research scientist at NASA Goddard who co-led the experiment with Yeo, said in a statement, "but it was worth it, because once we eliminated all possible sources of contamination, we learned that this decades-old idea about the solar wind turns out to be true." An analysis of how the samples' chemical makeup changed over time showed a drop in the light signal at the same spot in the infrared region — near three microns — where water absorbs energy. This indicates the formation of hydroxyl and water molecules due to the mock solar wind, confirming the long-held theory, the study reports. The team also found that heating the samples to typical lunar dayside temperatures of about 260 degrees Fahrenheit (126 degrees Celsius) for 24 hours led to a decrease in these water-related molecules. But when the samples were cooled for another 24 hours and blasted with mock solar wind again, the water-related signatures reappeared. This cycle suggests the solar wind continuously replenishes small amounts of water on the moon's surface, according to the new study. "The exciting thing here is that with only lunar soil and a basic ingredient from the sun — which is always spitting out hydrogen — there's a possibility of creating water," Yeo said in a statement. "That's incredible to think about." Related Stories: — NASA's sun-studying PUNCH mission captures its 1st-light images. Everything looks great so far — A hidden solar cycle is awakening, but more extreme space weather over the next 50 years may not be a bad thing — Blue Skies Space to build satellite fleet around the moon to map the ancient universe Supporting this idea, observations from previous moon missions have revealed an abundance of hydrogen gas in the moon's tenuous atmosphere. Scientists suspect that solar-wind-driven heating facilitates the combination of hydrogen atoms on the surface into hydrogen gas, which then escapes into space. This process also has a surprising upside, the new study suggests. Leftover oxygen atoms are free to bond with new hydrogen atoms formed by repeated bombardment of the solar wind, prepping the moon for more water formation on a renewable basis. The findings could help assess how sustainable water on the moon is, as the sought-after resource is crucial for both life support and as propellant for rockets. The team's study was published in March in the journal JGR Planets.
