Observers in parts of Spain and Iceland will have an opportunity to see the Sun completely obscured by the Moon. Across much of Europe, the eclipse will remain partial but will cover a large portion of the Sun.

In the United Kingdom, the path of totality will remain offshore southwest of the country. Much of the UK is expected to see around 90% of the Sun covered, with the highest coverage in western areas.

The eclipse will also provide scientists and observers with a brief opportunity to view features of the Sun that are normally hidden by its bright visible surface.

Totality follows a narrow path

The path of totality will begin near the northern tip of Siberia before extending across areas between Iceland and Greenland.

Much of the route will pass over sparsely populated parts of the Arctic and the North Atlantic Ocean. The Moon’s shadow will then reach Spain, where totality will be visible from locations including Bilbao, Valencia and Palma on Mallorca.

The path will eventually cross Mallorca and Menorca before moving over the Mediterranean as the Sun sets.

For observers inside the central path, totality will be brief. In most locations, the period when the Moon completely covers the Sun will last less than two minutes.

Outside the path, the eclipse will remain partial. The supplied material gives estimated maximum coverage of about 94% in Dublin, 92% in Paris, 90% in London and 85% in Berlin.

Even a deep partial eclipse differs significantly from totality. A small remaining portion of the Sun can continue to overwhelm the much fainter solar corona and prevent the sky from reaching the darkness associated with a total eclipse.

UK will see a deep partial eclipse

The entire United Kingdom will fall within the Moon’s partial shadow.

However, the path of totality will remain offshore. Western areas are expected to receive the greatest coverage, with Cornwall and Pembrokeshire potentially seeing about 95% of the Sun obscured.

Much of the rest of the UK will experience around 90% coverage.

The eclipse is expected to reach its peak between 19:02 and 19:16 BST, depending on the observer’s location. Because the event will occur late in the day, the Sun will sit relatively low in the western sky.

That makes an unobstructed view toward the horizon particularly important. Cloud, buildings and local terrain could also affect visibility.

Spain offers the clearest European view of totality

Spain will provide some of the most accessible locations in Europe for viewing totality.

The path will include cities and areas around Bilbao, Valencia and Palma. Totality is expected to peak between 20:26 and 20:33 local time, depending on location.

Madrid and Barcelona will experience more than 99% coverage but will remain outside the path of totality.

That small difference matters. Even a tiny visible section of the Sun can continue to produce enough light to prevent the distinctive darkness and visibility of the corona associated with totality.

Totality reveals the Sun’s outer atmosphere

During a total solar eclipse, the Moon blocks the Sun’s bright visible surface. This allows the much fainter outer atmosphere, known as the corona, to become visible.

Observers may also see prominences, structures made of hot plasma that extend from the Sun and are shaped by its magnetic fields.

Some prominences can be associated with coronal mass ejections, in which solar material is released into space.

The brief alignment therefore creates unusual observing conditions. Features normally overwhelmed by sunlight become visible for a short period while the Moon completely covers the solar disk.

Why the eclipse occurs

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun and blocks some or all of the sunlight reaching a portion of Earth’s surface.

The Moon’s umbra is the darkest part of its shadow. It creates the narrow area where totality can be seen.

The surrounding penumbra produces a partial eclipse. The farther an observer is from the centre of the Moon’s shadow, the smaller the portion of the Sun that will be covered.

Solar eclipses do not occur every month because the Moon’s orbit is tilted relative to Earth’s orbit around the Sun. The necessary alignment therefore occurs only at particular points in the lunar orbit.

The apparent similarity in size between the Sun and Moon as seen from Earth also plays a role. The Sun is vastly larger than the Moon but is much farther away, allowing the two bodies to appear roughly similar in size from Earth’s surface.

The Moon is gradually moving farther from Earth. Over very long periods, that will change the geometry that currently allows total solar eclipses to occur.

Eye protection remains essential

People watching the eclipse should use purpose-made solar or eclipse glasses when viewing the Sun directly.

Ordinary sunglasses do not provide sufficient protection.

Viewers should also never look directly at the Sun through binoculars or telescopes while wearing standard eclipse glasses. Magnification can concentrate sunlight and cause serious eye injury.

The same caution applies to camera viewfinders that are not designed for safe solar observation.

For observers in the UK and other areas outside the path of totality, the Sun will remain partially visible throughout the event. Appropriate eye protection should therefore remain in place during direct viewing.

Indirect methods, including a pinhole projector, provide another way to observe the changing shape of the Sun without looking directly at it.

The eclipse will produce different experiences across Europe depending on location. Most of the continent will see a deep partial eclipse, while observers along a narrow path will briefly experience totality as the Moon, Sun and Earth align.

Reporting credit: BBC News.

The post Europe Set for Major Solar Eclipse as Totality Crosses Spain and North Atlantic appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

The mission did not attempt a landing or lunar orbit insertion, but it successfully tested the integrated performance of NASA’s Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft during a full crewed cislunar profile. Engineers will now use the reentry, communications blackout, and heat-shield performance data to refine spacecraft models ahead of the next phases of the Artemis program, which target docking rehearsals and eventual south polar surface operations.

Aboard the Orion capsule were NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, whose mission also marked several historic firsts in crew diversity for lunar exploration. Beyond symbolism, the mission provided NASA with operational human-factors data on long-duration crew systems, consumables, and habitat performance in deep space.

Study Design and Mission Systems Validation

From a research and engineering perspective, Artemis II functioned as a full-scale experimental flight of NASA’s lunar transportation stack. The spacecraft traveled roughly 694,000 miles on a free-return trajectory that pushed the crew to a record 252,756 miles from Earth, surpassing Apollo 13’s human-distance benchmark.

The most consequential systems test came during atmospheric reentry, when Orion struck Earth’s upper atmosphere at roughly Mach 33. During this phase, the capsule encountered extreme plasma heating, causing a planned communications blackout that served as a real-world validation point for thermal simulations and reentry guidance models.

NASA and recovery teams are expected to conduct post-flight inspections of the ablative heat shield, parachute deployment sequence, and capsule structural integrity. These analyses are essential because lunar-return velocities impose substantially higher thermal and mechanical stress than low-Earth orbit missions.

Key Scientific and Operational Findings

The mission produced significant observational value despite its engineering-first design. Crew members documented unprecedented human-view imagery of the lunar far side and captured a total solar eclipse during the flyby, offering visual and positional datasets that may assist future mission planning and public science outreach.

Operationally, the flight also surfaced several manageable system anomalies, including valve-related issues affecting drinking water and propellant subsystems, as well as sanitation malfunctions. These are not minor footnotes in aerospace research reporting; such anomalies provide crucial failure-mode data that informs redundancy design and life-support upgrades for later Artemis missions.

One major insight from this phase is that the spacecraft maintained full mission success despite subsystem inconveniences, suggesting robust fault tolerance in Orion’s architecture.

Limitations and Uncertainty

While the splashdown represents a major milestone in space systems research, the mission remains a test flight rather than proof of readiness for sustained lunar surface operations. A flyby profile does not replicate the complexity of orbital rendezvous, lunar descent, surface habitat deployment, or extended polar mission logistics.

The spacecraft also returned with a limited sample size of one crewed reentry under lunar conditions. Aerospace engineers will need additional repeated mission data before confirming long-term reliability trends, especially for heat-shield wear, avionics resilience, and human-system performance.

Further uncertainty remains around budgetary, scheduling, and hardware readiness factors that could affect downstream Artemis timelines.

Broader Scientific Context

Artemis II’s strongest contribution to research lies in reducing uncertainty for future human lunar science campaigns. By demonstrating safe crew transport beyond Earth orbit and back, NASA has materially advanced the evidence base required for more complex exploration objectives, including south polar geology missions and eventual lunar infrastructure development.

The data from this mission is likely to shape not only Artemis III and IV flight rules, but also long-term systems engineering for Mars transit vehicles, where reentry protection, crew autonomy, and life-support resilience become even more critical.

Rather than a symbolic return to Apollo-era achievements, Artemis II represents a modern experimental platform for validating the technologies needed for sustained human research beyond Earth.

The post Artemis II Splashdown Validates NASA’s Deep-Space Systems for Future Lunar Research appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Launching aboard NASA’s Space Launch System from Kennedy Space Center, Artemis II will carry astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen on a free-return trajectory around the Moon. NASA describes the mission as the first crewed Artemis flight and a critical validation step after the uncrewed Artemis I test in 2022, with particular emphasis on human factors and spacecraft resilience.

Study Design and Mission Methodology

The mission architecture functions as an operational systems experiment in deep space. During the first day, Orion will remain in a high Earth orbit while the crew performs proximity operations using the discarded upper stage as a visual docking target. This phase is intended to test crew procedures and manual navigation techniques that future lunar missions may require.

After orbital checks, Orion’s main propulsion system will send the crew toward the Moon on a gravity-assisted free-return path, minimizing fuel use while allowing mission controllers to assess trajectory performance, communications stability, and spacecraft autonomy over extended distances. NASA says the spacecraft will travel roughly 5,000 miles beyond the lunar far side, farther than any humans have traveled before.

Key Findings Expected From the Mission

From a scientific and engineering standpoint, Artemis II is less about lunar observation and more about operational data collection. The mission will generate performance datasets on life-support endurance, radiation exposure, onboard human workflows, propulsion reliability, and thermal shielding during high-speed return.

One of the most closely watched systems is Orion’s heat shield. During Artemis I, post-flight analysis revealed unexpected erosion patterns after atmospheric reentry. Artemis II will provide the first crewed validation of revised descent parameters designed to reduce thermal stress while preserving splashdown safety margins.

The lunar far-side flyby may also offer additional observational value. While not a dedicated science mission, high-resolution crew photography and direct human visual assessments could support future landing site analysis and terrain familiarization for later Artemis surface operations.

Limitations and Uncertainty

As a test flight, Artemis II is inherently limited in scientific scope compared with a landing or orbital survey mission. It will not deploy instruments, enter lunar orbit, or conduct surface experiments. Its primary evidence value lies in engineering verification and crewed operational performance.

Uncertainty also remains around long-term hardware durability. NASA has previously faced hydrogen leak concerns in Space Launch System fueling systems, and while the agency says launch readiness reviews cleared major issues, Artemis II’s real-world flight data will provide the most meaningful assessment of integrated system reliability.

Broader Scientific Context

The broader research significance of Artemis II lies in its role as a systems-validation bridge between prototype testing and sustained lunar operations. Space agencies increasingly frame deep-space missions as iterative engineering research, where each mission produces evidence for subsequent design changes rather than serving as a standalone milestone.

For NASA, Artemis II’s operational data will directly inform Artemis III and later missions targeting the Moon’s south polar region, where future long-duration research stations may support geology, resource extraction, and life-support experiments relevant to Mars exploration.

The post Artemis II Lunar Flyby Will Test Deep-Space Systems Ahead of Future Moon Landings appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

The photograph, taken last month by the Gemini South telescope in northern Chile, showcases the nebula’s glowing, wing-like lobes of gas. The object sits roughly 2,500 to 3,800 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius. Its vast, symmetrical form is the result of a star shedding its outer layers—an event that generates some of the most visually striking sights in astronomy.

A vibrant cosmic scene shaped by a dying star

The Chile telescope discovery provides a detailed look at a classic bipolar nebula, a category defined by lobes of gas extending in opposite directions from a central star. At the heart of this structure lies a compact white dwarf, once a Sun-like star that reached the end of its life cycle.

After exhausting its nuclear fuel, the star expelled large portions of its outer atmosphere into space. These gases now form the luminous “wings” that give the Butterfly Nebula its name. Gas clouds glow when heated by strong ultraviolet radiation from the central stellar core, creating a layered, colorful pattern visible in the new image.

Planetary nebulae like this one represent a fleeting phase in a star’s evolution, lasting only a few tens of thousands of years—brief moments on cosmic timescales. Stargazers and astronomers value these objects for their ability to reveal how stars disperse heavy elements that eventually seed new generations of stars and planets.

Gemini South marks 25 years of shared sky-watching

The image was taken as part of a special initiative celebrating 25 years of the International Gemini Observatory, which operates twin telescopes in Hawaii and Chile. Schoolchildren in Chile were invited to help select the observation target, choosing the Butterfly Nebula from a range of astronomical candidates.

Researchers at NSF’s NoirLab said the project was designed not only to showcase the observatory’s capabilities but also to highlight how science education programs can connect communities with discoveries taking place just beyond the visible night sky.

Gemini South, located on Cerro Pachón in the Andes, benefits from exceptionally clear atmospheric conditions and advanced adaptive optics. The instrument is part of a global network of ground-based telescopes supporting research across stellar evolution, exoplanet discovery, galaxy formation, and transient cosmic events.

A growing collection of nebular portraits

The Butterfly Nebula, officially designated NGC 6302, is known for its dramatic structure and extreme temperatures. Earlier studies suggest that the central white dwarf may exceed 200,000 degrees Celsius, making it one of the hottest stars known. Though invisible in the latest wide-field image, its influence shapes the nebula’s intricate arcs and filaments.

This new portrait adds to a growing gallery of detailed nebular images produced by observatories around the world. Similar efforts include the European Southern Observatory’s views of the Ant Nebula and NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope observations of the Cat’s Eye Nebula. Each reveals different stages and structures that arise when aging stars eject their outer layers.

Astronomers study these objects to understand how stellar winds interact with previously expelled shells of gas, forming patterns that vary from hourglass shapes to ring-like halos and complex knots. The Butterfly Nebula is considered one of the most symmetrical examples, making it a frequent target for both professional research and public outreach.

Why these discoveries matter

Beyond their visual appeal, nebula observations help researchers refine models of star formation and chemical enrichment across the galaxy. Gas expelled in the final stages of a star’s life contains elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen—building blocks for planets, atmospheres, and organic chemistry.

Detailed imaging also allows scientists to examine the speed and direction of nebular expansion. In some cases, planetary nebulae reveal evidence of binary star interactions, stellar outbursts, or asymmetrical winds that shape the surrounding material.

Though this latest image does not alter existing scientific theories, it demonstrates how modern optical facilities continue to enhance the clarity, color range, and precision of deep-sky photography. Observatories in Chile, including Gemini South and the forthcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory, are expected to play an increasingly central role due to ideal conditions in the Atacama and Andean regions.

A public moment for a scientific milestone

For many astronomers, the picture represents a bridge between the observatory’s 25-year legacy and the next generation of scientific exploration. For the Chilean students who helped select the target, it transformed a distant astrophysical concept into something real and vividly bright.

The release offers a reminder of how human curiosity often intersects with advanced instruments to reveal the hidden structures of the cosmos. Even familiar objects such as the Butterfly Nebula can appear renewed when viewed through improved lenses and fresh eyes—proving that the night sky still holds surprises, even in well-charted constellations.

As Gemini South continues its observations, researchers say they expect more opportunities to combine scientific discovery with educational outreach, ensuring that public engagement remains an integral part of modern astronomy.

Source: AP News – Telescope in Chile captures stunning new picture of a cosmic butterfly

The post Chile Telescope Discovery Reveals Striking New Image of Cosmic ‘Butterfly’ appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

China’s space agency says three astronauts who remained aboard the Tiangong station after a debris strike damaged their original spacecraft will return to Earth on Friday using the Shenzhou-21 vehicle. The crew, who launched in April for a six-month mission, remained in orbit for nearly two additional weeks while engineers assessed their return options. Authorities say the astronauts are healthy and the station remains fully operational.

Background on the Mission

The three astronauts — Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie — have been living aboard the Tiangong space station since April as part of China’s long-duration Shenzhou program. Their mission, designed for routine scientific research and station maintenance, followed the established six-month rotation model used during previous Shenzhou flights.

China has pursued a steady human-spaceflight schedule since launching its first astronauts in 2003. The Tiangong station, completed in 2022, is the centerpiece of these efforts and allows China to operate continuous crewed missions similar to the International Space Station model. According to China’s Manned Space Engineering Office, each rotation supports biological, medical, materials, and technology experiments that contribute to China’s long-term exploration plans, including a human lunar landing target set for 2030.

Space Debris Incident Disrupts Planned Return

Initial Return Plan Interrupted

The astronauts were slated to return to Earth four days after the arrival of their replacement crew on 1 November. Such handovers help maintain uninterrupted operations aboard Tiangong, ensuring that experiments, maintenance, and station monitoring continue without gaps.

However, shortly before the crew’s planned departure, mission controllers observed irregularities in the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft. According to state media reports citing Chinese space officials, engineers believe the vessel was struck by a small piece of orbiting debris, a growing concern for all spacefaring nations as Earth’s orbit becomes increasingly congested with defunct satellites, rocket fragments, and micrometeoroids.

Space Debris: A Rising Global Risk

Space debris is one of the most persistent hazards for crewed missions, with agencies including NASA, ESA, and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs warning of rising collision risks in low-Earth orbit. Even millimeter-sized fragments can compromise spacecraft integrity due to their extreme velocities, often exceeding 25,000 kilometers per hour.

While China has not released detailed technical assessments of the Shenzhou-20 impact, the decision to abort the spacecraft’s return indicates concerns about capsule safety. The incident underscores broader discussions among space agencies about the need for enhanced debris-tracking systems and internationally coordinated cleanup efforts.

Shenzhou-21 Spacecraft to Bring Crew Home

Backup Vehicle Already Docked at Tiangong

The solution came from the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft, which brought the new crew to the station on 1 November. The vessel remains docked at Tiangong as part of standard mission design, providing a safe and fully operational return vehicle.

State media reports that Shenzhou-21 has already been inspected and confirmed ready to support the journey back to Earth. The astronauts are scheduled to depart on Friday, marking the end of an extended mission that lasted beyond the typical rotation period.

Crew Condition Rated “Good”

In a statement released Tuesday, the China Manned Space Engineering Office said the astronauts remained “in good condition, working and living normally” throughout the unexpected extension. Mission procedures prioritize regular health checks, exercise routines, and psychological support, ensuring that astronauts maintain physical fitness during prolonged stays in microgravity.

Their ability to continue research activities despite the return delay reflects the stability of Tiangong’s onboard systems and the maturity of China’s human-spaceflight operations.

Scientific Research Continues Aboard Tiangong

Biological Experiments Mark New Milestone

The Shenzhou-21 mission also carried several research payloads, including laboratory mice, marking the first time China has brought live mammals beyond Earth for extended biological experiments. Similar studies conducted on the ISS by NASA and ESA help scientists understand how microgravity affects organs, muscles, reproduction, and aging.

These experiments are part of China’s broader ambitions to expand its scientific portfolio in space, particularly as it prepares for more complex missions to the moon and eventually Mars. Long-term biological research is considered essential for developing life-support systems and understanding the physiological challenges of deep-space travel.

China’s Growing Role in Global Space Activity

Over the past two decades, China has invested heavily in its space program, developing the Long March rocket series, establishing lunar exploration missions, and landing the first rover on the far side of the moon in 2019. Tiangong’s continuous operation places China among the few nations capable of long-duration crewed missions, alongside the United States and Russia.

While China is not a partner in the International Space Station due to restrictions imposed by the U.S. Congress, it has sought international collaboration on scientific experiments and may open Tiangong to foreign astronauts in the future.

Next Steps and Broader Implications

The astronauts’ return aboard Shenzhou-21 will likely follow the standard descent profile, involving onboard thruster adjustments, atmospheric reentry, and touchdown in China’s Inner Mongolia region, the typical landing site for Shenzhou capsules. Medical teams and recovery crews will be deployed to assist the astronauts immediately upon landing.

The debris strike incident may prompt additional analysis and monitoring procedures for future missions. Global experts, including the European Space Agency’s Space Debris Office, have repeatedly called for improved mapping, collision avoidance systems, and international policies to mitigate orbital hazards.

As space activity accelerates — with new constellations, private sector launches, and national exploration programs — protecting astronauts and spacecraft from debris will remain a shared challenge. China’s rapid response and logistics in this incident illustrate its evolving capacity to manage complex in-orbit contingencies while keeping long-term scientific and exploration goals on track.

Source: AP News – China’s stranded astronauts to return from space station on spacecraft that brought new crew

The post China’s Stranded Astronauts Set to Return Aboard Replacement Spacecraft appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Published: September 23, 2025, 14:00 EDT

NASA has announced its newest group of astronauts, selecting 10 scientists, engineers, and pilots from a pool of more than 8,000 applicants. This elite team, the 24th class since the original Mercury Seven in 1959, represents a historic milestone with more women than men for the first time. These astronauts will support upcoming missions to the Moon under the Artemis program and potentially to Mars in the future.

A Historic Astronaut Selection

The newly chosen class includes six women and four men, reflecting growing gender diversity in the U.S. astronaut corps. Among them are a geologist with experience on NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover and an engineer who previously flew aboard a SpaceX mission, which included the world’s first private spacewalk last year.

NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy highlighted the significance of this selection during a Monday ceremony at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. “You are America’s best and brightest, and we’re going to need America’s best and brightest because we have a bold exploration plan for the future,” Duffy said. He emphasized that the United States aims to lead the second lunar race and eventually land astronauts on Mars.

Training and Preparation

The new astronauts will undergo two years of rigorous training before becoming eligible for spaceflight. This preparation includes technical simulations, spacewalk practice, robotics operation, and survival training.

Norm Knight, NASA’s flight operations director, described the competition as “stiff” and praised the class for its outstanding qualifications. “These astronauts are distinguished and exceptional,” Knight said, noting the group’s diverse expertise, which includes military pilots, engineers, and a medical doctor.

Personal Stories of Selection

Several members of the class shared their reactions to the life-changing news. Air Force Maj. Adam Fuhrmann received his acceptance call during rush hour traffic and immediately pulled over to ensure he heard correctly. Another Air Force pilot, Maj. Cameron Jones, learned of his selection just after moving across the country.

Navy Lt. Cmdr. Erin Overcash was at home when she received her call. “No way. I mean, I mean, yes, of course. But like no way,” she said. She noted that her experience living on a ship with thousands of crew members will help her adapt to the challenges of spaceflight.

Experienced Astronauts Among the New Class

Anna Menon, who flew with billionaire Jared Isaacman on a SpaceX mission last September, becomes the first NASA astronaut candidate in history to have already reached orbit. Her husband, a former SpaceX flight surgeon, was also selected in NASA’s previous class.

Lauren Edgar, a geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, contributed to the Curiosity rover mission on Mars and has joined the Artemis program’s lunar science team. “I am so excited to be officially part of the NASA family,” Edgar said, highlighting the team’s enthusiasm for future exploration.

NASA’s Ongoing Mission and Future Goals

NASA has selected only 370 individuals as astronauts over more than six decades, making the corps a highly exclusive group. The new additions will join 41 active U.S. astronauts currently serving.

The class comes at a pivotal moment for the U.S. space program, as NASA prepares for Artemis missions aimed at returning humans to the Moon by 2027 at the earliest. These astronauts will play key roles in testing new technologies, conducting scientific experiments, and preparing for eventual human missions to Mars.

Promoting Diversity and Expertise

The selection of more women than men for the first time underscores NASA’s efforts to foster diversity in its astronaut program. With backgrounds ranging from spaceflight engineering to geoscience and military aviation, the new class embodies a wide array of skills necessary for long-duration missions in deep space.

This historic astronaut class represents both the culmination of years of rigorous selection and the promise of America’s next generation of space explorers.

Source: AP News – NASA introduces its newest astronauts: 10 chosen from more than 8,000 applicants

The post NASA Welcomes New Astronaut Class for Moon and Mars Missions appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Imagine being able to summon a total solar eclipse on demand—not for a few fleeting minutes, but for hours at a time. Thanks to a pair of high-tech European satellites, that’s now a reality.

In a first-of-its-kind feat, the European Space Agency (ESA) has created artificial solar eclipses in space, giving scientists unprecedented access to the sun’s mysterious outer atmosphere—its corona. The breakthrough, made possible by two tiny cube-shaped satellites flying in perfect harmony, was revealed this week at the Paris Air Show.

How They Did It: Precision in Orbit

The mission, dubbed Proba-3, involves two satellites launched late last year. Since March, they’ve been flying in a carefully choreographed formation about tens of thousands of miles above Earth, maintaining just 492 feet (150 meters) of separation.

Here’s the magic:

• One satellite acts like the moon, blocking the sun with a specially designed disk.
• The other trails behind, aiming its telescope directly at the corona, the sun’s outer glow visible only during an eclipse.

The trick is doing this with millimeter-level accuracy—about the width of a fingernail. It’s an autonomous ballet, guided by GPS, star trackers, lasers, and radio links.

Why It Matters: Eclipses On-Demand, Data in Overdrive

Unlike natural solar eclipses, which only offer a few minutes of totality and happen roughly once every 18 months, Proba-3 can simulate them as often as twice a week. Over its two-year mission, it’s expected to produce nearly 200 artificial eclipses, totaling over 1,000 hours of observation time.

Scientists are already thrilled. During the mission’s test phase, Proba-3 successfully created 10 eclipses, including one lasting an incredible five hours. And that’s just the warm-up—researchers are aiming for six-hour eclipses when full scientific observations begin in July.

“We almost couldn’t believe our eyes,” said Dr. Andrei Zhukov of the Royal Observatory of Belgium. “This was the first try, and it worked. It was so incredible.”

What’s even more exciting? Early images of the corona are so crisp they didn’t even require special post-processing.

Unlocking the Sun’s Greatest Mysteries

The sun’s corona continues to puzzle scientists, especially because it’s hotter than the sun’s surface—a longstanding solar mystery. It’s also where coronal mass ejections erupt, hurling massive amounts of charged particles into space and triggering geomagnetic storms that can disrupt power grids and light up skies with unexpected auroras.

Previous missions like ESA/NASA’s Solar Orbiter and SOHO also studied the sun using artificial eclipses—but with one key difference: those missions placed both the sun-blocking disk and the telescope on the same spacecraft.

With Proba-3, the disk and the telescope are on separate satellites, giving researchers a much clearer and more detailed view of the corona—especially near the sun’s edge.

“We are extremely satisfied by the quality of these images,” said ESA mission manager Damien Galano. “And that’s really thanks to formation flying with unprecedented accuracy.”

In short:

We’re no longer at the mercy of the moon to study solar eclipses. With Proba-3, scientists now have a powerful tool to uncover the sun’s secrets—any time they want.

Source: AP News – A look at the first artificial solar eclipses created by two European satellites

The post Europe Creates First Artificial Solar Eclipses Using Dual Satellites appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Jayant Narlikar, one of India’s most celebrated astrophysicists, passed away recently at the age of 86. A visionary thinker and dedicated educator, Narlikar’s legacy stretches far beyond his scientific research — he challenged established ideas, inspired generations, and helped shape India’s space science landscape.

A Glimpse Into the Future and a Bold Scientific Challenge

Back in 1983, Narlikar’s imagination extended into the future with a science fiction story where aliens attended online classes in 2050. While aliens are yet to appear, the reality of online education became a global norm in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic — a striking prediction of how technology would transform learning.

But perhaps more famously, Narlikar was known for questioning the Big Bang theory, the widely accepted explanation that the universe began from a single explosive moment nearly 13.8 billion years ago.

Instead, Narlikar proposed an alternative: the universe has always existed and expands endlessly in what’s called the quasi-steady state theory. This bold idea suggested that new matter is continuously created, allowing the universe to maintain a steady appearance over time.

Early Life and Groundbreaking Work

Born on July 19, 1938, in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Narlikar grew up in a family deeply rooted in academics. His father was a mathematician and his mother a Sanskrit scholar, setting the stage for a lifetime devoted to knowledge.

He pursued higher studies at Cambridge University, where he not only excelled in mathematics but also delved into astrophysics and cosmology. His most significant partnership was with renowned physicist Sir Fred Hoyle. Together, they developed their alternative theory to the Big Bang, challenging the status quo with innovative ideas still studied today.

Narlikar explained their theory with a simple analogy: imagine money growing in a bank account through compound interest — the capital expands continuously, much like the universe.

Impact on Science and India’s Research Landscape

Though the Big Bang remains the dominant theory, astronomers like Somak Raychaudhury recognize Narlikar’s contributions: “He advanced ideas on how matter could be created and destroyed continuously, and many tools from his steady-state model are still useful.”

After years in the UK as a fellow at King’s College, Narlikar returned to India in 1972, taking the helm of the Theoretical Astrophysics Group at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

In 1988, fulfilling a dream of making science accessible, he co-founded the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune. Starting in a small room, IUCAA has grown into a world-class research institute, actively engaging schoolchildren and the public through lectures, camps, and workshops.

Science educator Arvind Gupta fondly recalls Narlikar’s mentorship: “He said PhD scholars don’t fall from the sky; you must catch them young. He gave me a chance and wings to fly.”

Beyond Science: Storyteller and Rationalist

Narlikar was also a prolific author, writing over 300 research papers and several science fiction books translated into many languages. His stories, grounded in scientific principles, tackled topics ahead of their time — like his 2015 story Virus, which eerily imagined a global pandemic, and his 1986 work on the ethics of artificial intelligence.

He inspired many scientists, including Sanjeev Dhurandhar, part of India’s team detecting gravitational waves. Dhurandhar remembers Narlikar’s guidance and encouragement to push scientific boundaries.

A committed rationalist, Narlikar also challenged pseudoscience. In 2008, he co-authored a study debunking astrology using statistical methods — reflecting his belief in questioning everything without scientific proof.

A Lasting Legacy

Even in his final days, Narlikar remained active — responding to letters from children and writing insightful blog posts about science. His passion for discovery and education never waned.

At his funeral, hundreds gathered — from young students to renowned scientists and his own housekeeping staff — a testament to the profound impact he had across society.

Jayant Narlikar’s life reminds us that science is not just about answers, but the courage to ask new questions and challenge old ideas. His legacy will continue to inspire curious minds for generations to come.

Source: BBC – Remembering the Indian scientist who challenged the Big Bang theory

The post Remembering Jayant Narlikar: India’s Legendary Astrophysicist appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

After spending seven awe-inspiring months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), veteran NASA astronaut Don Pettit is back on Earth — and he’s brought with him some of the most breathtaking views of our planet and the cosmos.

Pettit, who turned 70 just a day after his return, touched down safely on Saturday night at 9:20 p.m. ET in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft alongside Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner. The crew landed near Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, marking the end of a long but remarkable mission in low Earth orbit.

With four spaceflights under his belt, Don Pettit isn’t just known for his time in orbit — he’s also made history. During his time on the ISS, Pettit invented the first object ever patented in space: the Capillary Beverage — also known as the Zero-G cup or Space Cup — a specially designed container that makes it easier to drink liquids in microgravity.

But Pettit’s creativity doesn’t stop at engineering. He’s also become widely recognized as a passionate astrophotographer, capturing extraordinary images that offer a rare glimpse of space through a truly unique lens.

Speaking from the ISS in an interview with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson earlier this month, Pettit explained what makes his photography so distinct.

“One of the things I like to do is show a perspective that isn’t Earth-centric,” Pettit said. “I love including the Earth’s horizon — that glowing curve with the atmosphere on edge — and framing it with celestial elements.”

From the cupola — the ISS’s iconic observation dome with seven panoramic windows — Pettit has snapped mesmerizing shots of Earth’s shimmering atmosphere, star-streaked skies, and the eerie beauty of space.

Pettit reflected deeply on the perspective shift that space brings.

“Earth is stunning when you’re standing on it,” he said. “But it’s also unbelievably beautiful from above. It’s hard to say which is more breathtaking. Space gives you the chance to appreciate the planet in ways you just can’t from the surface.”

He believes that if humans ever live their whole lives in space, they might find returning to Earth just as astonishing — a completely new and emotional viewpoint.

During his most recent mission, Pettit continued to document life in orbit through his lens — offering a personal, almost poetic look at the experience of floating hundreds of miles above Earth.

From swirling auroras to sunrises over the curve of the planet, Pettit’s photos serve as a reminder of both the wonder of exploration and the fragility of our world.

A living legend at 70, Don Pettit continues to inspire with his unique blend of science, curiosity, and artistic vision — bringing space a little closer to home for all of us down here on Earth.

Source: CNN – An astronaut’s awe-inspiring views from life in space

The post NASA Astronaut Don Pettit Returns to Earth with Stunning Space Photos appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery that could completely change how we think about dark energy, the mysterious force responsible for accelerating the expansion of the universe. In a new set of findings from one of the most ambitious cosmic surveys ever conducted, dark energy appears to be evolving in ways previously unimagined.

Dark energy, which makes up about 70% of the universe’s total energy, remains one of the biggest enigmas in astrophysics. Despite its immense influence on the cosmos, scientists still don’t fully understand what it is or how it works. According to Mustapha Ishak-Boushaki, a professor of physics and astrophysics at the University of Texas at Dallas, “We have no idea exactly what dark energy is.”

Ishak-Boushaki is part of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) collaboration, a project designed to observe and analyze the universe on a massive scale. DESI, now in its fourth year, has been mapping galaxies and gathering data to help unlock the secrets of dark energy.

DESI is revolutionizing our understanding of the universe. Using the National Science Foundation’s 4-meter telescope in Arizona, the instrument observes light from up to 5,000 galaxies at once. By the time the survey concludes next year, it will have mapped light from around 50 million galaxies—providing an unparalleled view of the universe over the last 11 billion years.

The latest release from DESI, shared on March 19, offers a treasure trove of data, including measurements from nearly 15 million galaxies and quasars. These new findings suggest that dark energy may not be the constant force astronomers once believed it to be. Instead, it appears to be changing—perhaps even weakening over time.

The concept of dark energy was first introduced nearly 30 years ago, and its discovery has since been one of the most shocking revelations in astrophysics. Now, new evidence is pointing toward the idea that dark energy evolves, potentially reshaping our understanding of how the universe works. As David Weinberg, an astronomer at The Ohio State University, puts it, “These new measurements offer the strongest evidence so far that dark energy evolves, which would be another mind-blowing change to our understanding of the universe.”

DESI’s incredible capabilities allow it to build one of the largest 3D maps of the universe. By measuring light from celestial objects at different points in time, DESI is revealing how dark energy has influenced the cosmos throughout history. It uses what’s called the baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) scale—a standard ruler to measure distances in the universe—to track how the universe has expanded over billions of years.

John Moustakas, a professor at Siena College and co-lead of DESI’s data release, explains, “DESI is unlike any other machine in terms of its ability to observe independent objects simultaneously.”

The findings suggest that dark energy’s effect on the universe may not be as constant as scientists once thought. In fact, when combined with other measurements—from supernova explosions to the cosmic microwave background—DESI data shows that dark energy’s influence could be weakening over time.

If this trend continues, it could mean that dark energy will no longer be the dominant force driving the universe’s expansion. Instead, the expansion could slow down or even reverse. While this is a far-off possibility, taking billions of years, Ishak-Boushaki notes, “If the evidence continues to grow, and it is likely to, this will be huge for cosmology and all of physics.”

While it’s too early to definitively conclude that dark energy is evolving, the data is compelling. Ishak-Boushaki and his colleagues are excited to see how future measurements may help confirm or challenge these findings. Paul Martini, a coordinator of the analysis, adds, “If the evidence becomes overwhelming, our next questions will be: How does dark energy evolve? And what are the physical explanations for it?”

The collaboration is already preparing for the next phase of research, with new experiments like Spec-S5, which will study over 10 times as many galaxies as DESI. These projects, along with upcoming missions like the Euclid and Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescopes, promise to give scientists even more tools to explore dark energy and the universe’s expansion.

What does all this mean for our understanding of the universe? If dark energy is indeed evolving, it could upend current models of cosmology. Jason Rhodes, a cosmologist at NASA, suggests that this could indicate a need for a more complex model of dark energy—one that accounts for its changing nature over time.

As scientists continue to push the boundaries of our knowledge, Ishak-Boushaki reflects on the significance of the work: “Whatever the nature of dark energy is, it will shape the future of our universe.” The answers may still be out of reach, but the quest to understand dark energy is leading us closer to answering some of the biggest questions humanity has ever asked.

Source: CNN – ‘Another mind-blowing change’: New data suggests mysterious dark energy is evolving

The post Is Dark Energy Evolving? New Findings Could Rewrite Cosmic Theory appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.