Latest news with #spaceResearch
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Earth's satellites at risk if asteroid smashes into Moon: study
If a huge asteroid smashes into the Moon in 2032, the gigantic explosion would send debris streaming towards Earth that would threaten satellites and create a spectacular meteor shower, according to researchers. Earlier this year there were briefly fears that the 60-metre-wide (200-foot-wide) asteroid called 2024 YR4, which is big enough to level a city, would strike Earth on December 22, 2032. It was given the highest chance -- 3.1 percent -- of hitting our home planet that scientists have ever measured for such a giant space rock. Subsequent observations from telescopes definitively ruled out a direct hit on Earth. However, the odds that it will crash into the Moon have risen to 4.3 percent, according to data from the James Webb space telescope in May. A new preprint study, which has not been peer-reviewed, is the first to estimate how such a collision could affect Earth. It would be the largest asteroid to hit the Moon in around 5,000 years, lead study author Paul Wiegert of Canada's University of Western Ontario told AFP. The impact would be "comparable to a large nuclear explosion in terms of the amount of energy released", he added. Up to 100 million kilograms (220 million pounds) of material would shoot out from the Moon's surface, according to a series of simulations run by the researchers. If the asteroid hit the side of the Moon facing Earth -- which is roughly a 50-percent chance -- up to 10 percent of this debris could be pulled in by Earth's gravity over the following days, they said. - 'Like a bullet' - Earth's atmosphere would protect the surface from the millimetre- to centimetre-sized lunar rocks, Weigert said. 0.04-2.54 But these meteors could be capable of destroying some satellites -- and there are expected to be a lot more of those orbiting the planet by 2032. "A centimetre-sized rock travelling at tens of thousands of metres per second is a lot like a bullet," Wiegert said. In the days after the impact, there could be more than 1,000 times the normal number of meteors threatening Earth's satellites, he added. Meanwhile, those of us on the ground would be treated to a "spectacular" meteor shower lighting up the night sky, the study said. But the current odds of a direct hit on the near side of the Moon remain at just two percent, Wiegert emphasised. The asteroid is not expected to be visible again until 2028, so the world will have to wait to find out more. If a direct hit is eventually found to be likely, humanity probably has enough time to plan a mission to spare the Moon. "I'm sure it will be considered," Wiegert said. The asteroid is half as wide and has 10 percent of the mass of Dimorphos, which NASA's DART mission smashed into in 2022, successfully changing its trajectory. If 2024 YR4 is on a collision course with the Moon, it would be "a good target" for another test of our planetary defences, Wiegert said. But if not, trying to deflect something zooming so close to Earth could be a little "dangerous", he added. The preprint study, which published on the arXiv database last week, has been submitted to the Astrophysical Journal Letters. dl/gil
CNN
06-05-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Changing federal work culture, energy program ending, self-landing airplanes: Catch up on the day's stories
👋 Welcome to 5 Things PM! The cosmic origins of heavy elements, like gold, have mystified scientists for decades. New research based on archival space mission data may have revealed a potential clue. Here's what else you might have missed during your busy day: 1️⃣ Coping with chaos: Because of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, tens of thousands of federal workers have been fired or quit, leaving those who are still employed to cope with a new culture at work. One said 'people are afraid to do things that were once routine.' 2️⃣ Ending Energy Star: Sources tell CNN that the Trump administration is preparing to eliminate Environmental Protection Agency divisions focused on climate change and energy efficiency. That could doom the Energy Star program, which certifies appliances to help consumers get tax credits and save money. 3️⃣ Toy tariffs: Mattel, the maker of Barbie, announced plans to raise prices on American toys because of tariffs. Nearly 80% of all toys sold in the US are manufactured in China, which was hit with 145% tariffs. 4️⃣ Future of flying? Aircraft manufacturer Cirrus is launching a new safety system in a single-engine piston airplane. The 'Safe Return' feature will automatically direct the plane to the closest available runway and land in an emergency if the pilot can't do so. 5️⃣ Relationship burnout: Find yourself resenting your partner? Too tired for date night or feeling uncertain about your future? A marriage and family therapist offers these tips for dealing with emotional exhaustion. GET '5 THINGS' IN YOUR INBOX CNN's 5 Things newsletter is your one-stop shop for the latest headlines and fascinating stories to start and end your busy day. Sign up here . 🧳 Passport for preschool: Michael and Dorothy Brockwell joined the growing number of 'digital nomads' who can relocate because of remote employment. The Australian couple moved to Japan with their 3-year-old daughter, Kinga, for a preschool exchange program. • India launches military operation against Pakistan in major escalation of tensions • Canada 'won't be for sale, ever,' Carney tells Trump as they meet at White House • Divided Supreme Court allows Trump administration to begin enforcing ban on transgender service members 🪖 That's how many soldiers the Army plans to feature in a potential military parade for President Donald Trump's birthday in June. ✝️ Name change: It's one of the first actions the new pope takes as head of the Roman Catholic Church. How did this precedent get set in the early Middle Ages — and what might the new pope's name be? If you want to know how we survived, yeah we blacked out. A millennial user's quip on TikTok 📉 Recession ready: Millennials, who lived through the Great Recession in the early 2000s, are taking to social media to give Generation Z financial advice. 🏀 Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell broke an NBA playoff record by scoring 30 points or more in his eighth straight series opener. Who held the previous record?A. Charles BarkleyB. Magic JohnsonC. Shaquille O'NealD. Michael Jordan ⬇️ Scroll down for the answer. 🎬 Hot to go … for the Oscar: Chappell Roan — the singer known for her campy fashion and hits like 'Good Luck, Babe' and 'HOT TO GO!' — said she may appear on the big screen after meeting a legendary filmmaker who told her, 'Every singer is an actress!' 👋 We'll see you tomorrow. 🧠 Quiz answer: D. Michael Jordan previously held the record, scoring at least 30 points in seven straight series openers. 📧 Check out all of CNN's newsletters. 5 Things PM is produced by CNN's Chris Good, Meghan Pryce, Kimberly Richardson and Daniel Wine.
CNN
06-05-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Changing federal work culture, energy program ending, self-landing airplanes: Catch up on the day's stories
👋 Welcome to 5 Things PM! The cosmic origins of heavy elements, like gold, have mystified scientists for decades. New research based on archival space mission data may have revealed a potential clue. Here's what else you might have missed during your busy day: 1️⃣ Coping with chaos: Because of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, tens of thousands of federal workers have been fired or quit, leaving those who are still employed to cope with a new culture at work. One said 'people are afraid to do things that were once routine.' 2️⃣ Ending Energy Star: Sources tell CNN that the Trump administration is preparing to eliminate Environmental Protection Agency divisions focused on climate change and energy efficiency. That could doom the Energy Star program, which certifies appliances to help consumers get tax credits and save money. 3️⃣ Toy tariffs: Mattel, the maker of Barbie, announced plans to raise prices on American toys because of tariffs. Nearly 80% of all toys sold in the US are manufactured in China, which was hit with 145% tariffs. 4️⃣ Future of flying? Aircraft manufacturer Cirrus is launching a new safety system in a single-engine piston airplane. The 'Safe Return' feature will automatically direct the plane to the closest available runway and land in an emergency if the pilot can't do so. 5️⃣ Relationship burnout: Find yourself resenting your partner? Too tired for date night or feeling uncertain about your future? A marriage and family therapist offers these tips for dealing with emotional exhaustion. GET '5 THINGS' IN YOUR INBOX CNN's 5 Things newsletter is your one-stop shop for the latest headlines and fascinating stories to start and end your busy day. Sign up here . 🧳 Passport for preschool: Michael and Dorothy Brockwell joined the growing number of 'digital nomads' who can relocate because of remote employment. The Australian couple moved to Japan with their 3-year-old daughter, Kinga, for a preschool exchange program. • India launches military operation against Pakistan in major escalation of tensions • Canada 'won't be for sale, ever,' Carney tells Trump as they meet at White House • Divided Supreme Court allows Trump administration to begin enforcing ban on transgender service members 🪖 That's how many soldiers the Army plans to feature in a potential military parade for President Donald Trump's birthday in June. ✝️ Name change: It's one of the first actions the new pope takes as head of the Roman Catholic Church. How did this precedent get set in the early Middle Ages — and what might the new pope's name be? If you want to know how we survived, yeah we blacked out. A millennial user's quip on TikTok 📉 Recession ready: Millennials, who lived through the Great Recession in the early 2000s, are taking to social media to give Generation Z financial advice. 🏀 Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell broke an NBA playoff record by scoring 30 points or more in his eighth straight series opener. Who held the previous record?A. Charles BarkleyB. Magic JohnsonC. Shaquille O'NealD. Michael Jordan ⬇️ Scroll down for the answer. 🎬 Hot to go … for the Oscar: Chappell Roan — the singer known for her campy fashion and hits like 'Good Luck, Babe' and 'HOT TO GO!' — said she may appear on the big screen after meeting a legendary filmmaker who told her, 'Every singer is an actress!' 👋 We'll see you tomorrow. 🧠 Quiz answer: D. Michael Jordan previously held the record, scoring at least 30 points in seven straight series openers. 📧 Check out all of CNN's newsletters. 5 Things PM is produced by CNN's Chris Good, Meghan Pryce, Kimberly Richardson and Daniel Wine.
