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Showing posts from February, 2025

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US government report finds no evidence UFOs were alien – but doesn’t rule it out

  A long-awaited report from the US government has concluded that while there is no direct evidence to suggest unidentified flying objects (UFOs) are of extraterrestrial origin, it also cannot rule out the possibility. The findings, released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), follow years of speculation, sightings, and classified military encounters with unexplained aerial phenomena (UAP). No Proof, No Denial The report, which analyzed hundreds of UAP incidents, emphasized that most sightings could likely be attributed to natural or human-made causes, such as weather phenomena, drones, or foreign surveillance technology. However, a small percentage of cases remain unexplained. While officials did not find conclusive proof that these objects originate from intelligent extraterrestrial beings, they acknowledged that their nature and origin remain uncertain. Pentagon spokespersons have reiterated that national security is their primary concern. Some UFO sig...

Jupiter’s moon Europa may have water where life could exist, say scientists

  Scientists have long speculated that Jupiter’s moon Europa may harbor conditions suitable for life. Recent research has further strengthened this belief, suggesting that beneath its icy crust lies a vast ocean of liquid water, making it one of the most promising places in our solar system to search for extraterrestrial life. Europa, one of Jupiter’s largest moons, has fascinated astronomers since its discovery by Galileo Galilei in 1610. Unlike Earth’s barren Moon, Europa has a smooth, bright surface, indicating geological activity. Scientists believe that beneath this icy shell, which is estimated to be 10 to 15 miles thick, lies a subsurface ocean that could be over 60 miles deep—containing more than twice the amount of water found on Earth. The presence of liquid water is one of the essential requirements for life as we know it. While Europa’s surface temperature averages a frigid -260°F (-160°C), the gravitational forces exerted by Jupiter create tidal flexing, which generate...

Astronomers discover mysterious pulsing object that may be new class of star

  Astronomers have recently uncovered a highly unusual celestial object that emits powerful pulses of energy at regular intervals, leaving scientists puzzled about its nature. The discovery, which challenges conventional understanding of stellar objects, could represent a completely new class of star, shedding fresh light on the complexities of the universe. A Startling Discovery The enigmatic object was first detected by a team of astronomers using a powerful radio telescope. It exhibits a pulsating pattern, emitting bursts of energy approximately every 20 minutes. This behavior is unprecedented, as known pulsars and magnetars—two types of highly magnetized neutron stars—typically pulse at intervals ranging from milliseconds to a few seconds. The object, temporarily named GPM J1839−10, was initially discovered in 2021, but subsequent studies revealed that it had been emitting periodic signals since at least 1988. This longevity is another aspect that sets it apart from other known...

Exotic green comet not seen since stone age returns to skies above Earth

  A rare and dazzling celestial visitor is making its way through Earth’s night sky for the first time in roughly 50,000 years. The exotic green comet, officially known as C/2022 E3 (ZTF) , was last seen during the Stone Age when early humans and Neanderthals roamed the planet. Now, in a once-in-a-lifetime event, skywatchers will have the opportunity to witness this ancient traveler as it makes its closest approach to Earth. A Rare Visitor from the Outer Solar System C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was first discovered in March 2022 by astronomers at the Zwicky Transient Facility in California. Initially appearing as a faint speck, it gradually brightened as it moved inward from the distant Oort Cloud, a vast region of icy bodies at the edge of the solar system. The comet’s stunning green hue is caused by diatomic carbon (C₂) in its coma, which emits a bright green glow when exposed to solar radiation. Unlike regular meteors or asteroids, which remain within the inner solar system, this comet foll...

‘Less clumpy’ universe may suggest existence of mysterious forces

  Scientists studying the structure of the universe have found that it is “less clumpy” than expected, which could point to the influence of unknown forces or new physics beyond our current understanding. This discrepancy, observed in large-scale cosmic structures, has puzzled researchers and may indicate that our standard model of cosmology is incomplete. The universe’s structure results from the interplay between dark matter, dark energy, and normal matter over billions of years. According to the widely accepted Lambda Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) model, gravity pulls matter together to form cosmic structures such as galaxies and clusters, while dark energy drives the accelerated expansion of the universe. The balance between these forces determines how “clumpy” the universe should be. However, recent high-precision measurements suggest that matter is distributed more smoothly than the model predicts. Observing the Cosmic Web Astronomers analyze the large-scale structure of the univer...

Controversial new theory of gravity rules out need for dark matter

For decades, the existence of dark matter has been one of the greatest mysteries in physics. While scientists have never directly detected it, the concept of dark matter was introduced to explain certain gravitational effects observed in galaxies and galaxy clusters. However, a controversial new theory of gravity suggests that dark matter may not exist at all, challenging the standard model of cosmology. The Dark Matter Problem Dark matter was first proposed in the 1930s by astronomer Fritz Zwicky, who noticed that galaxies in the Coma Cluster were moving much faster than expected based on the visible matter alone. Later, in the 1970s, Vera Rubin and Kent Ford confirmed that stars in the outer regions of galaxies were orbiting at unexpectedly high speeds. These observations suggested that an invisible mass—dubbed dark matter—was exerting gravitational influence. Despite extensive searches, dark matter has never been directly detected. Scientists infer its presence only through gravitat...

Astronomers detect ‘waterworld with a boiling ocean’ in deep space

  Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery of an exoplanet that appears to be a "water world" with a vast global ocean, possibly boiling due to extreme conditions. This distant planet, located hundreds of light-years away, has intrigued scientists with its unique characteristics and potential for furthering our understanding of planetary formation, atmospheric composition, and habitability beyond our solar system. Discovery and Identification The exoplanet, designated TOI-733b, was identified using NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). This planet orbits a star located in the constellation of Hydra, approximately 245 light-years from Earth. TOI-733b is slightly smaller than Neptune but larger than Earth, placing it in a category of planets often referred to as "sub-Neptunes." Scientists believe that this class of planets could offer insights into the composition and evolution of planetary atmospheres. One of the most striking aspects of TOI-73...

Six planets to appear in alignment next week in rare celestial parade

In a rare celestial event, six planets—Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—are set to align in the night sky from January 21 to 31, 2025. This phenomenon, often referred to as a "planetary parade," offers a unique opportunity for both amateur and professional astronomers to observe multiple planets simultaneously. Understanding the Planetary Parade A planetary parade occurs when several planets appear to line up in the sky from Earth's perspective. While the planets are not physically aligned in space, their positions along the ecliptic plane—the Sun's apparent path across the sky—make them appear grouped together. Such alignments are relatively rare, especially when involving six planets. The last notable alignment of this magnitude occurred in 2005, making the 2025 event a significant occasion for skywatchers.  archyde.com When and Where to Observe The alignment will be visible from January 21 to 31, 2025, with optimal viewing times occurring shortly a...

Astronomers observe time dilation in early universe

  Astronomers have long theorized that the fabric of spacetime behaves differently at cosmological distances due to the effects of general relativity and the universe’s expansion. One of the most compelling predictions of Einstein’s theory is time dilation, the phenomenon where time appears to pass more slowly for objects moving at high velocities or situated in strong gravitational fields. Recently, astronomers have successfully observed this effect in the early universe by analyzing the light from distant quasars, providing direct evidence that time flowed differently billions of years ago. Understanding Time Dilation Time dilation is a consequence of both special and general relativity. In the special theory of relativity, time slows down for objects moving close to the speed of light. In general relativity, time is also affected by gravity—clocks in stronger gravitational fields tick more slowly than those in weaker fields. However, cosmological time dilation arises due to the ...

Signs of two gases in clouds of Venus could indicate life, scientists say

  Scientists have long speculated about the possibility of extraterrestrial life in our solar system, often focusing on planets and moons with liquid water. However, recent discoveries suggest that Venus, Earth's so-called "evil twin," could also be a candidate for hosting life—at least in its upper atmosphere. Researchers have detected signs of two gases, ammonia and phosphine, in Venus' clouds, which may indicate the presence of microbial life. The Discovery of Phosphine and Ammonia The first breakthrough came in 2020 when astronomers announced the detection of phosphine (PH₃) in Venus' cloud layers. On Earth, phosphine is primarily produced by biological processes, such as the activity of certain microbes in oxygen-free environments. Its presence in Venus' atmosphere was surprising because phosphine is not easily produced by known abiotic (non-living) chemical processes under the planet’s extreme conditions. More recently, scientists have also identified tr...

Scientists Identify 29 Planets Where Aliens Could Observe Earth

Astronomers have long searched for extraterrestrial life, scanning the skies for signs of intelligent civilizations beyond our solar system. However, a recent study takes an intriguing reverse perspective: if aliens exist, could they be watching us? Scientists have identified 29 exoplanets where hypothetical extraterrestrial observers would have the perfect vantage point to detect Earth using techniques similar to those employed by human astronomers. How Could Aliens Detect Earth? When scientists search for exoplanets, they often use the transit method, which involves detecting the slight dimming of a star’s light when a planet passes in front of it. This technique has helped identify thousands of exoplanets orbiting distant stars. If alien astronomers were using the same method, they would need to be positioned in a specific line of sight where Earth crosses in front of the Sun from their perspective. A study published in  Nature  by astronomer Lisa Kaltenegger of Cornell Uni...

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