Science Alert
Catch up on the latest science news, from space and technology to life and environmental research- all the discoveries shaping our world today.
Updated: 1 hour 50 min ago
New findings about Jupiter’s moon is raising new doubts about life in space
New research indicates Europa's ocean might be less active than previously thought. Scientists studied Europa's interior and found its seafloor may be still. This suggests less energy for life to start and persist. Future missions like Europa Clipper will gather more data. These missions aim to understand the moon better, even if they do not find life.
Elon Musk says “I’d post it on X” if he found aliens and shares what thousands of SpaceX satellites reveal about UFOs
Elon Musk, through his work with SpaceX, stated that if any credible evidence of alien life were found, it would be immediately publicized. He believes governments would have an incentive to reveal, not hide, alien encounters, citing the lack of any detected alien spacecraft by SpaceX's 9,000 satellites as evidence of their absence.
Neil deGrasse Tyson explains why falling into a black hole would be his preferred way to die
Neil deGrasse Tyson provocatively argues that falling into a black hole would be the most extraordinary way to die, not for comfort, but for insight. As tidal forces tear the body apart in “spaghettification,” extreme time dilation could allow the falling observer to witness the universe’s distant future unfold, making death a brutal yet uniquely cosmic experiment.
Scientist found a Saturn-sized planet drifting alone through the galaxy
Scientists have weighed a rogue planet, the size of Saturn, floating alone in space. This planet has no sun and no orbit. Its gravity bent starlight as it passed a distant star. Telescopes on Earth and the Gaia spacecraft observed this rare event. This finding helps understand how planets form and become isolated.
NASA is sending humans around the Moon again after 50 years and here’s why it matters
NASA's Artemis 2 mission, launching in early 2026, marks a deliberate return to lunar space, focusing on testing systems and astronaut safety for future deep space endeavors. Unlike Apollo's rapid pace, this mission emphasizes careful observation and practice, proving humans can live and work safely beyond Earth's orbit, a crucial step for Mars exploration.
Annual solar eclipse 2026: What February’s ‘ring of fire’ eclipse is, when it happens, where it can be seen, and India's visibility
An annular solar eclipse, a "ring of fire," is set for February 2026. This spectacular event will be visible in the Southern Hemisphere, with Antarctica at its center. Unfortunately, India will not witness this celestial display. The eclipse will occur below the horizon for Indian observers. Those in India can follow the event through live broadcasts and international coverage.
400-million-year-old plant reveals meteorite-like water patterns, unlocking secrets of Earth’s prehistoric climate
Ancient horsetail plants, surviving for 400 million years, are revealing Earth's climate history. Their unique water filtration process creates unusual oxygen isotope signatures, once mistaken for extraterrestrial. Scientists are now using these plants and their fossilized silica structures, called phytoliths, as natural humidity recorders to understand past atmospheric moisture levels, even from the age of dinosaurs.
The world will fall into darkness for 6 minutes during the 2027 solar eclipse
A rare total solar eclipse, dubbed the 'Eclipse of the Decade,' will grace the skies on August 2, 2027. This celestial event, lasting over six minutes near Luxor, Egypt, will offer an extended period of twilight and reveal the Sun's corona. The path of totality stretches across parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, promising an unforgettable spectacle.
ISRO to launch PSLV-C62 mission on January 12, 2026 strengthening India’s space surveillance and global partnerships
India's space agency ISRO is set to launch PSLV-C62 on January 12, deploying DRDO's advanced surveillance satellite EOS-N1. This mission also carries a Spanish mini-satellite and 17 international and domestic commercial payloads, showcasing India's growing prowess in satellite launches and global space commercialization. The launch from Sriharikota marks a significant start to 2026.
NASA’s January 2026 skywatching guide highlights a rare bright moment for Jupiter
Look up this January 2026 for celestial wonders. Jupiter will shine brighter than ever on January 10. Later, the Moon and Saturn will appear close together on January 23. The Beehive Cluster also remains visible. These events require no special equipment, just a clear sky and a few minutes of your time. NASA guides skygazers to these quiet moments.
NASA detected a tsunami using signals in the atmosphere, not ocean sensors
A powerful earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula provided a real-world test for NASA's new GUARDIAN system. This experimental technology detected subtle atmospheric pressure waves caused by the resulting tsunami, sending alerts to researchers within minutes. This space-based monitoring offers a crucial early warning, potentially adding valuable time for coastal communities facing threats.
NASA just saw inside a white dwarf system for the first time, and the view surprised scientists
NASA's IXPE telescope has revealed new details about the white dwarf star EX Hydrae, observing it not just as a point of light but as a structured system. For the first time, scientists measured the height of hot gas above the star, offering a deeper understanding of these extreme cosmic environments and paving the way for new astronomical observations.
Bad memories could be rewritten while you sleep, not erased; study finds
A recent study reveals that positive memories, especially during sleep, can weaken the impact of negative ones. Researchers found that by re-associating neutral cues with pleasant images, participants later recalled negative associations less vividly. This gentle crowding out, particularly during sleep's memory processing phase, offers a promising, non-invasive avenue for managing distressing recollections.
Scientists say a space explosion 13,000 years ago may have changed life on Earth
A new study suggests a comet exploded in the sky 13,000 years ago. This event caused Earth's sudden cooling, known as the Younger Dryas. Large animals like mammoths vanished. The Clovis people disappeared. Evidence includes melted glass and shocked quartz found in ancient soil. This theory explains the abrupt changes without a ground impact crater.
Black holes are twisting the universe: New discovery shows Einstein was right
Astronomers have observed a distant star being torn apart by a supermassive black hole, revealing a surprising wobble in the resulting disc and jets. This phenomenon, matching Einstein's century-old prediction of 'frame dragging,' provides compelling evidence that spinning black holes twist spacetime itself, influencing cosmic events and refining our understanding of galactic evolution.
What lies beneath Yellowstone in Wyoming is far more complex than a supervolcano
Yellowstone's volcanic past reveals a dynamic system of repeated caldera-forming eruptions and smaller lava flows, with magma reservoirs assembling and erupting on geologically brief timescales. Beneath the surface, a crystal-rich mush stores melt, capable of rapid renewal. This ancient activity also records Earth's magnetic history, offering crucial global chronological data.
Is interstellar object 3I/ATLAS older than our Sun? Here’s what it might reveal about the origins and observations
Astronomers have discovered 3I/ATLAS, a fast-moving interstellar object detected in mid-2025. Researchers believe this ancient comet, potentially 8-14 billion years old, originated from the Milky Way's earliest era, predating our Sun. Its unique chemical composition, including iron and nickel, further supports its alien origins, offering a rare glimpse into material forged around ancient stars.
What really happens when astronauts cry in space
In space, tears don't fall due to the absence of gravity. Instead, surface tension causes them to cling to the eye, creating a physical sensation and potential vision blur. Astronauts manage these tears with absorbent cloths, a process vital for understanding human physiology in microgravity and for future long-duration missions.
How oysters turn a tiny irritant into a pearl: What really goes on inside the shell
Pearls begin as irritants within oysters, which respond by slowly covering the foreign object with layers of nacre. This controlled biological process, influenced by environmental factors and diet, transforms discomfort into a stable, beautiful structure. Cultured pearls follow the same natural oyster response, with quality determined by nacre thickness and lustre, not just size.
Einstein was fascinated by this math problem because it had no solution
Albert Einstein encountered a curious math puzzle involving an old car on a hill. The problem, seemingly simple, highlighted how intuition can be misleading. It demonstrated that faster speeds do not always compensate for slower ones and that averages can obscure critical limitations. This thought experiment, shared through correspondence, underscored the importance of careful examination even of basic questions.
