Science News from WN Network

NASA Deploys New Solar Sail Technology As 80-Square-Meter Sail Unfurls In Space 2024-04-26
IFL Science

Propulsion is always a big deal when it comes to space missions. Every gram counts when going up into space, so the more energy-dense your fuel is the better. You also usually can’t refuel once you are out there. An alternative solution, which doesn’t have this problem, is using a solar sail. By...

photo: NASA

If You Use Your Web Browser's Incognito Mode We've Got Bad News 2024-04-26
IFL Science

We’ve got bad news for all those who use their web browser’s private browsing mode – such as Chrome’s Incognito Mode – in order to covertly Google their poop-related medical questions, search for other jobs while at work, or, as is most likely the case – look at porn. Firstly, none of the private...

photo: Creative Commons

Sols 4166-4167: A Garden Full of Rocks 2024-04-25
NASA

Earth planning date: Wednesday April 24, 2024 Here on Earth (in Toronto, specifically), it’s a very typical April which can’t quite make up its mind about whether or not it wants to be spring. On Mars (in Gale Crater), we’re well into spring, and Curiosity is enjoying the (relatively) warmer...

photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech

CloudSat satellite completes 17-year weather research mission 2024-04-24
SpaceDaily

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 24, 2024 The CloudSat satellite, developed...

photo: NASA/JPL

Hubble celebrates 34th anniversary with a look at the little dumbbell nebula 2024-04-23
Phys Dot Org

In celebration of the 34th anniversary of the launch of NASA's legendary Hubble Space Telescope on April 24, astronomers took a snapshot of the Little Dumbbell Nebula (also known as Messier 76, M76, or NGC 650/651) located 3,400 light-years away in the northern circumpolar constellation Perseus. The...

photo: NASA, ESA, STScI

Bacteria On The ISS Have Mutated Into Something Not Seen On Earth Before 2024-04-23
IFL Science

Movies and TV shows give the impression of space stations as aseptic and squeaky-clean environments. But wherever there are humans, there are all the bacteria that we bring with us. Bacteria have found niches in the International Space Station (ISS) and since they can evolve pretty quickly, a...

photo: NASA

Forget Little Green Men – Alien Life Is Probably Mostly Purple 2024-04-23
IFL Science

The best chance to find life on another planet is not to seek out a pale blue dot, nor worlds of forest green, a new paper argues. Instead, we need to be looking out for purple planets, the argument goes, because that is the shade life is likely to show for the longest time. If asked to think of a...

photo: Creative Commons

Nasa to overhaul mission returning samples from Mars – here’s why it must and will ... 2024-04-23
Hindustan Times

Leicester HT Image Leicester, Nasa recently announced that it is seeking new ways to complete the return to Earth of rock cores drilled by the Perseverance Rover in the Jezero Crater on Mars. HT launches Crick-it, a one stop destination to catch Cricket, anytime, anywhere. Explore now! This has led...

photo: NASA / Alexander Pavlov

This Is What "Proves" The Earth Is Flat, According To Conspiracy Theorists 2024-04-23
IFL Science

The flat-Earthers often clog my notification feed on Twitter, occasionally endorsed by a minor celebrity hoping for some headlines and accusing us of not taking their evidence that the Earth is flat seriously enough. After all, how could you doubt someone that thinks they can check the...

photo: NASA

Nasa to overhaul mission returning samples from Mars – here’s why it must and will go ahead 2024-04-22
The Conversation

Perseverance rover taking a selfie on Mars. Nasa Nasa recently announced that it is seeking new ways to complete the return to Earth of rock cores drilled by the Perseverance Rover in the Jezero Crater on Mars. This has led to some anxiety among space scientists, who view the Mars Sample Return...

photo: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center