Latest news with #moon
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- Science
- The Guardian
‘It's something that happens': are we doing enough to save Earth from a devastating asteroid strike?
It is a scenario beloved of Hollywood: a huge asteroid, several miles wide, is on a collision course with Earth. Scientists check and recheck their calculations but there is no mistake – civilisation is facing a cataclysmic end unless the space rock can be deflected. It may sound like science fiction, but it is a threat that is being taken seriously by scientists. Earlier this year, researchers estimated that asteroid YR4 2024 had a 3.1% chance of hitting Earth in 2032, before revising that likelihood down to 0.0017%. This week, new data suggested it was more likely to hit the moon, with a probability of 4.3%. If that happens, the 53- to 67-metre (174ft-220ft) asteroid previously called a 'city killer' will launch hundreds of tonnes of debris towards our planet, posing a risk to satellites, spacecraft and astronauts. Before that, in April 2029, 99942 Apophis – an asteroid larger than the Eiffel Tower – will be visible to the naked eye when it passes within 32,000km of Earth. This attention-grabbing close encounter has prompted the UN to designate 2029 as the international year of planetary defence. When it comes to apocalyptic asteroid strikes, there is precedent, of course. Most scientists believe such an event hastened the demise of non-avian dinosaurs 66m years ago. 'This is something that happens,' said Colin Snodgrass, a professor of planetary astronomy at the University of Edinburgh. 'Not very often, but it is something that happens. And it's something that we could potentially do something about.' As Chris Lintott, a professor of astrophysics at the University of Oxford, told the UK parliament's science, innovation and technology committee this week, the risk posed by an asteroid originating beyond our solar system is minimal. Instead, he said, the greater threat comes from those in our cosmic back yard. 'Most asteroids in the solar system exist in the asteroid belt, which is between Mars and Jupiter, but they become disrupted, usually by encounters with either of those planets, and they can move into orbits that cross the Earth,' said Lintott, who presents the long-running BBC astronomy series The Sky at Night. 'Then it's just a case of whether we're in the wrong place at the wrong time.' The chances of an enormous asteroid – the type that did for the dinosaurs – hitting Earth is admittedly low. 'We think there's one of these every 10m to 100m years, probably,' Lintott told the Guardian. 'So I think you'd be right to ignore that when you decide whether to get up on a Thursday morning or not.' Snodgrass said there were 'precisely four' asteroids big enough and close enough to Earth to be considered 'dino-killers', and added: 'We know where they are, and they're not coming anywhere near us.' But damage can also be done by smaller asteroids. According to Nasa, space rocks measuring about one to 20 metres across collided with Earth's atmosphere resulting in fireballs 556 times over 20 years. Many collisions have occurred over the oceans, but not all. 'Chelyabinsk is the best example,' Lintott said. In 2013, a house-sized space rock – thought to have been about 20 metres across – exploded in the air above the Russian city with a force of nearly 30 Hiroshima bombs, producing an airburst that caused significant damage and hundreds of injuries, mostly from broken glass. Less dramatically, in February 2021 a space rock thought to have been just tens of centimetres across broke up in Earth's atmosphere, with fragments landing in the Cotswold town of Winchcombe in the UK. Thankfully, the damage was confined to a splat mark on a driveway. The types of asteroids we should perhaps be most concerned about are those about 140 metres across. According to Nasa, asteroids around that size are thought to hit Earth about once every 20,000 years and have the potential to cause huge destruction and mass casualties. The space agency has a congressional mandate to detect and track near-Earth objects of this size and larger, and a suite of new technological advances are helping them do just that. On Monday, the first images from the Vera C Rubin observatory in Chile were released to the public. This telescope is expected to more than triple the number of known near-earth objects, from about 37,000 to 127,000, over a 10-year period. In just 10 hours of observations, it found seven previously unspotted asteroids that will pass close to the Earth – though none are expected to hit. Also in the offing, though not planned for launch before 2027, is Nasa's near-Earth object (Neo) surveyor. Armed with an array of infrared detectors, this is 'the first space telescope specifically designed to detect asteroids and comets that may be potential hazards to Earth', the agency says. Lintott said: 'Between those two, we should find everything down to about 140 metres.' He said such observations should give scientists up to 10 years' warning of a potential collision. The European Space Agency (Esa) is planning a near-Earth object mission in the infrared (Neomir) satellite. Slated for launch in the early 2030s, this will help detect asteroids heading towards Earth that are at least 20 metres in diameter and obscured by the sun. Assessing the emerging capabilities, Edward Baker, the planetary defence lead at the UK's National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC) at RAF High Wycombe, said: 'I think we're in a good place. I can't see a situation like [the film] Don't Look Up materialising at all – though I wouldn't mind being portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio.' As our ability to spot near-Earth asteroids increases, Lintott said, we should get used to hearing about asteroids like YR4 2024, which initially seem more likely to hit Earth before the risk rapidly falls towards zero. He described the shifting probabilities as similar to when a footballer takes a free kick. 'The moment they kick it, [it looks like] it could go anywhere,' he said. 'And then as it moves, you get more information. So you're like: 'Oh, it might go in the goal,' and then it inevitably becomes really clear that it's going to miss.' Of course, scientists aren't just monitoring the risks to Earth. They are also making plans to protect it. In 2022, Nasa crashed a spacecraft into a small, harmless asteroid called Dimorphos that orbits a larger rock called Didymos to test whether it would be possible to shift its path. The Dart mission was a success, reducing Dimorphos's 12-hour orbit around Didymos by 32 minutes. In 2024, Esa launched a follow-up to Nasa's Dart mission, called Hera. This will reach Dimorphos in 2026 and carry out a close-up 'crash site investigation'. It will survey the Dart impact crater, probe how effectively momentum was transferred in the collision and record a host of other measurements. Esa hopes this will provide crucial insights that can be used to make deliberate Dart-style impacts a reliable technique for safeguarding Earth. 'Dart was much more effective than anyone expected it to be,' Lintott said. 'And presumably that's something to do with the structure of the asteroid. I think we need to know whether Dart just got lucky with its target, or whether all near-Earth asteroids are like this.' For the most part, scientists say the threat of an asteroid strike does not keep them up at night. 'We're safer than we've ever been and we're about to get a lot safer, because the more of these things we find, the more we can spot them on the way in,' Lintott said. As Esa has quipped on its merchandise: 'Dinosaurs didn't have a space agency.'
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
June 27-July 3, 2025 Sky Watch: Track the Moon's Disappearance and Dramatic Return With Earthshine Display
There's something deliciously dramatic about the moon's monthly disappearing act. One moment it's dominating our night sky, and the next — poof! — it's gone, only to make a grand re-entrance days later as a delicate sliver of light. Consider this your guided tour through the celestial drama unfolding above, with special attention to the lunar phases we'll witness in real time. Friday and Saturday bring us the new moon, astronomy's most delightful contradiction — we celebrate what we literally cannot see. The moon tucks itself precisely between Earth and the sun, showing us its unilluminated side. It's cosmic stealth mode. But here's where the magic happens for serious stargazers: with no moonlight washing out the sky, these two nights offer premium conditions for deep-sky object hunting. Think of it as nature turning down the lights so you can better see the subtle details. Point your telescope toward the Hercules Cluster (M13) sitting high overhead — a magnificent ball of approximately 300,000 stars that's traveled around the galaxy dozens of times since its formation. (Makes your morning commute seem rather quaint, doesn't it?) The Ring Nebula (M57) in Lyra also puts on a spectacular show — the cosmic equivalent of watching a star's elegant farewell tour, as it sheds its outer layers in a perfect smoke ring of glowing gas. Starting Sunday evening, our lunar friend begins its coy return as a waxing crescent. Look west after sunset for what ancient cultures often called "the young moon" — a slender illuminated curve hugging the horizon. Each evening, this arc grows slightly larger as the moon moves farther from its alignment with the sun, revealing more of its sun-kissed face to Earth. It's nature's version of dramatic lighting unfolding in slow motion. Earthshine Wonder: Here's where it gets interesting (and where I get unreasonably excited): while admiring that crisp crescent edge, look at the darkened portion of the moon. Notice that ghostly glow illuminating the entire lunar disk? That's earthshine — sunlight that bounces off Earth, hits the moon's dark side, and reflects back to our eyes. Think about that journey: light traveling 93 million miles from the sun, bouncing off our oceans and clouds, traveling another 238,000 miles to the moon, then returning the same distance to your retina. That's roughly 186 million miles of cosmic pinball just so you can see that subtle glow. Worth stepping outside for, wouldn't you say? This week isn't just about our moon's game of hide-and-seek. Several planets join the celestial party: For the truly dedicated, Mercury makes a challenging appearance very low on the eastern horizon just before sunrise. Spotting this innermost planet requires clear skies, an unobstructed eastern view, and possibly the determination of someone hunting for the last parking spot at a Black Friday sale. When to Watch: Time: About 30 minutes before sunrise Direction: Very low on the eastern horizon Challenge Level: High — binoculars might help (but never point them at the rising sun!) Our waxing crescent moon doesn't return to the sky alone — it brings a rusty companion. Watch as the young moon sidles up to Mars in the constellation Leo, creating what astronomers call a conjunction. It's essentially cosmic neighbors appearing to hang out together, despite being millions of miles apart — the celestial equivalent of those forced-perspective tourist photos where someone pretends to hold up the Leaning Tower of Pisa. When to Watch: Time: Early evening, just after sunset Direction: Western sky Photography Tip: This pairing creates a stunning composition with the earthshine-illuminated crescent next to the reddish planet Saturn flaunts its bling for night owls this week. Those rings — tilted just so — are like the universe's answer to "tell me you're a gorgeous gas giant without telling me you're a gorgeous gas giant." The planet's position in Aquarius means it rises later than its planetary siblings, requiring either a late bedtime or an early alarm. When to Watch: Time: After midnight until dawn Direction: Southern sky (within Aquarius) Gear Recommendation: Even a small telescope will reveal those iconic rings Venus dominates the pre-dawn sky with the subtlety of a disco ball in a library. Outshining everything but the sun and moon, it's basically the celestial equivalent of that friend who always has to be the brightest person in the room (and somehow we still love them for it). When to Watch: Time: 1-2 hours before sunrise Direction: Eastern horizon Can't Miss Factor: The brightest point of light in the pre-dawn sky There's something profoundly connecting about watching the moon's phases. This predictable cycle has guided human calendars, agriculture, and rituals for thousands of years. When you step outside to watch the crescent moon emerge this week ahead, you're participating in perhaps humanity's oldest continuous observation. The dance between light and shadow we witness — from the invisible new moon to the delicate interplay of direct sunlight and earthshine on the crescent — reminds us that even in our hyper-technological world, the fundamental rhythms of our solar system continue their ancient patterns. Whether you're armed with sophisticated equipment or simply your naked eyes and a sense of wonder, this week offers a perfect opportunity to reconnect with the sky. After all, in a world of endless digital notifications, there's something refreshingly analog about looking up and watching the actual, physical universe unfold above us. Clear skies, fellow skywatchers. The show is about to begin. Where Cosmic Birthdays Meet Ancient Stones Space Stunner: 1st Images From World's Largest Digital Camera The Summer Solstice Seen From Space
Indian Express
a day ago
- Science
- Indian Express
Top 5 costliest space missions launched from across the world
From the early moon landings of the 20th century to today's orbiting laboratories and interplanetary probes, each mission has pushed the boundaries along with the budgets. Often, these ambitious space missions carry staggering price tags, reflecting the complexity, scale, and pioneering nature of these ventures. Here are the five most expensive space missions ever launched: 1. International Space Station (ISS) — $150 billion The International Space Station is a multinational space station collaboration between the USA, Russia, Japan, Europe and Canada. This figure includes the contributions of various space agencies from around the world, including NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, and CSA. The construction phase took over a decade, beginning in 1998 and concluding in 2011. The space station orbits roughly 250 miles above the Earth's surface and has been continuously inhabited since 2000. According to NASA reports, it was built at $150 billion and cost $3 billion a year — roughly a third of NASA's annual human space flight budget. The space station serves as a hub for scientific research. Orbiting Earth every 90 minutes, the ISS is also a critical testbed for long-duration spaceflight, shaping our understanding of how the human body adapts to space. 2. Space Shuttle Program — $113 billion NASA's Space Shuttle program was the United States' fourth human spaceflight initiative. It relied on reusable spacecraft to carry astronauts and cargo to and from Earth orbit. Over its 30-year run, the program completed 135 missions—beginning with its first launch on April 12, 1981, and concluding with its final landing on July 21, 2011. The five space shuttle fleet—Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour — launched satellites, were instrumental in various missions including the Hubble Space Telescope, and played a central role in building the ISS. According to NASA's website, the life of the shuttle program cost $113.7 billion. 3. The Apollo Program — $25 billion The Apollo Program was born out of the Cold War and US President John F Kennedy's promise to land a man on the Moon — becoming one of the most ambitious missions in human history. As per BBC reports, the total estimated cost of the Apollo programme came to around $25.8 billion. Apollo was a three-part spacecraft — the command module (CM), service module (SM) and the lunar module (LM), according to NASA's website. From 1961 to 1972, NASA developed the Saturn V rocket and a suite of spacecraft that successfully carried astronauts to the lunar surface six times. The most iconic moment came in 1969, when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took humanity's first steps on the moon. 4. Hubble Space Telescope — $16 billion The Hubble Space Telescope orbits just above Earth's atmosphere at an altitude of approximately 515 km. Hubble orbits at a speed of 27,000 kph and completes one orbit approximately every 95 minutes. Hubble gets clear images because it's above Earth's atmosphere, not because it travels or flies closer to cosmic objects. It continues to operate alongside its successor, the James Webb telescope. Hubble was launched in 1990 at an estimated cost of 16 billion (adjusted for inflation to 2021 dollars). 5. James Webb Space Telescope — $10 billion Built at a cost of $10 billion, the James Webb Space Telescope is said to be the most powerful space observatory. The telescope was on Christmas Day in 2021. The Webb does not orbit around the Earth; however, it orbits the Sun 1.5 million kilometres (1 million miles) away from the Earth at what is called the second Lagrange point or L2.
Forbes
a day ago
- Science
- Forbes
Don't Miss This Weekend's Sky Show As The Moon And Mars Shine Together
In an alignment of celestial bodies, Mars was captured here rising out of a lunar occultation on 13 ... More January 2025 using the new Visitor Center 0.6-meter Shreve Telescope at the U.S. National Science Foundation Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), a Program of NSF NOIRLab, near Tucson, Arizona. Skywatchers will have two opportunities this weekend to see the moon form striking alignments in the post-sunset sky. On Saturday, June 28, a trio featuring the moon, Mars and the bright star Regulus will appear in a neat arc. Then, on Sunday, June 29, the moon and Mars will be in a very close conjunction — and in some parts of the world, Mars will be briefly occulted by the moon. Here's everything you need to know about what to see in the night sky this weekend. Where And When to Look Be outside looking to the western horizon about 45 minutes after sunset. You'll need a clear, unobstructed view since the moon and its companions will be low in the sky. The display will be short-lived, disappearing from view within about 45 minutes as twilight deepens — so good timing is imperative. Mars will appear dimmer than the moon, but it will be easy to find. Saturday, June 28: Moon, Regulus And Mars What You'll See On Saturday, June 28, a 16%-lit crescent moon will be a spectacular sight. Slightly above and left of the moon will be Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo, and farther away, the reddish dot of the planet Mars. The three objects will be spaced nearly evenly, forming a clear visual arc. That arc will crumble after sunset on Sunday, June 29, when the now 24%-lit crescent moon will appear in conjunction with Mars — just 0.2 degrees apart as seen from North America. That's less than an outstretched little finger held against the night sky. From parts of the Pacific and northern South America, the moon will occult Mars for about an hour, according to Sunday, June 29: Moon And Mars In Conjunction Observing Tips You just need naked eyes for this sky event, though a pair of binoculars will enhance the view, especially on Sunday, when the moon and Mars will be close enough to fit within the same field. However, a close-up of the moon on either night will reveal something beautiful on its night side — Earthshine, sunlight reflected from Earth's clouds, oceans and ice caps onto the lunar surface. An open view to the west is essential both nights, especially during the first hour after sunset, when the celestial trio is visible. Monday, June 30: Moon, Mars And Regulus What's Next In The Night Sky Although the arc of bright objects will be much looser, look west after sunset on Monday, June 30, and you'll see a 33%-lit crescent moon, this time on the other side of Mars and Regulus. For exact timings, use a sunrise and sunset calculator for where you are, Stellarium Web for a sky chart and Night Sky Tonight: Visible Planets at Your Location for positions and rise/set times for planets. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Dunkin' Teams Up With Sabrina Carpenter For New Drink
Looks like our pop queen, Sabrina Carpenter, and Dunkin' have dreamed up yet another collab for the summer. Fans will probably remember the two teamed up last year to cook up Sabrina's Brown Sugar Shakin' Espresso, a nod to her 2024 hit "Espresso." This summer, they have their sights set on something a little more refreshing: Sabrina's Strawberry Daydream Refresher. The drink features a strawberry oatmilk blend topped with cold foam meant to emulate those nostalgic strawberries and cream vibes, and fans speculate that it's a reference to Sabrina's unreleased song "strawberry moon" from her fifth studio album "emails i can't send." Others suspect this is a teaser for her upcoming album, "Man's Best Friend," which releases on August 29. Only time will tell, I suppose. Because Dunkin' doesn't shy away from steamy marketing (I'll never forget you, Spidey D), their latest ad for the drink features Sabrina answering phones at the "Dunkin' Daydream Hotline" as a "Daydream Matchmaker" in a retro-style call center. Sabrina is seen answering a muffled caller's *ahem* request and prescribes her signature Dunkin' drink. The unidentified caller continues speaking, to which Sabrina answers, "I'm sorry, did you —" right as a voiceover cuts in with "Creamy cold foam and strawberry bliss." We see what you did there, Dunkin'. It definitely caught the eye of Dunkin' die-hards, who are stoked for a new Sab drink. But that's not all! Dunkin's summer menu also features a new line-up of "ice cream-inspired" Frozen Coffees in three flavors: Cookie Dough, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Butter Pecan. As well as, drum roll please, a Munchkin Bucket. Yes, a literal bucket of 50 Munchkins for you to snack on by the pool, at the beach, or on your couch directly in front of the AC — the possibilities are endless. Will you be grabbing Sabrina's Strawberry Daydream Refresher or any of Dunkin's summer menu items? If you do, please let us know your thoughts in the comments! For more summer-y drinks, download the free Tasty app to browse and save thousands of recipes — no subscription required.
