New York to Los Angeles in just 3 hours? Supersonic travel may be back sooner than you think, as early as 2027
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
How Webb Achieves the Impossible
Why This Discovery Matters
What Comes Next?
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
FAQs:
The James Webb Space Telescope JWST ) has once again amazed scientists by capturing an image of a galaxy so distant that its light has traveled over 13 billion years to reach Earth. The newly identified galaxy is thought to date back to just a few hundred million years just after the Big Bang a period when the initial stars and galaxies were starting to take shape.For astronomers, this is more than a stunning picture; it's a rare opportunity to witness the early stages of the universe.These snapshots in time help to explain how cosmic structures evolved from simple clouds of gas into the rich, star filled systems we see today.Unlike the Hubble Space Telescope, Webb made use of advanced infrared technology , which enabled it to see through clouds of space dust and detect even extremely faint light from the distant past. This technology is significant for spotting out galaxies at extreme distances, where light has been stretched or 'redshifted' by the expansion of the universe. By combining long observation times with precision optics, Webb can find out the details that are invisible to any other telescope in operation.Studying such old galaxies helps scientists to get to know how rapidly stars were formed, what elements were present, and how massive black holes grew up so fast in the early universe. Every new observation adds to the information of cosmic history and enables them to refine scientific models. NASA and its international partners' plans to use Future Webb missions that will target even fainter and older galaxies, pushing the boundaries of what's observable. Scientists also look forward to studying the atmospheres of exoplanets, map distant galaxy clusters, investigate the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy as well.In just over a year, the James Webb Space Telescope has already transformed our knowledge of the cosmos. This recent find is proof that we now have the technology to go back to the universe's earliest moments and perhaps reveal secrets that have been hidden for over 13 billion years.A1. The James Webb Space Telescope is a powerful infrared observatory made to study the universe's earliest moments and distant celestial objects.A2. It was launched on December 25, 2021, as a collaboration between NASA, ESA, and CSA.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
15 minutes ago
- Indian Express
James Webb Space Telescope rules out Earth-like atmosphere on rocky planet
The James Webb Space Telescope has found no signs of an Earth-like atmosphere on planet TRAPPIST-1 d, according to a study published Tuesday in The Astrophysical Journal. Using Webb's Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec), researchers did not detect common terrestrial gases such as water vapor, methane or carbon dioxide, NASA said. 'At this point we can rule out TRAPPIST-1 d from a list of potential Earth twins or cousins,' lead author Caroline Piaulet-Ghorayeb said. TRAPPIST-1 d is a rocky planet in a seven-world system 40 light-years away. Orbiting a cool red dwarf at just 2 per cent of Earth's distance from the Sun, it sits at the inner edge of the star's temperate, or 'Goldilocks,' zone and completes an orbit every four Earth days, NASA noted. NIRSpec observations showed no spectral fingerprints of key atmospheric molecules. Piaulet-Ghorayeb outlined scenarios that remain possible: an extremely thin atmosphere like Mars; a cloud-shrouded world akin to Venus that hides gases from detection; or a bare, airless rock. 'There are a few potential reasons why we don't detect an atmosphere around TRAPPIST-1 d,' she said. Frequent high-energy flares from the system's red dwarf star can strip atmospheres from close-in planets, making retention particularly difficult. Even so, scientists continue to probe the TRAPPIST-1 worlds because red dwarfs are the most common stars in the Milky Way, NASA said. 'We're really just getting started… and to define the line between planets that can hold onto an atmosphere, and those that cannot,' added co-author Björn Benneke. Webb observations of planets e, f, g and h are underway. Their greater distance from the star could improve the odds of intact atmospheres, though colder conditions make detections tougher, according to NASA. 'All hope is not lost for atmospheres around the TRAPPIST-1 planets,' Piaulet-Ghorayeb said. 'As NASA leads the way in searching for life outside our solar system, one of the most important avenues we can pursue is understanding which planets retain their atmospheres, and why,' said Shawn Domagal-Goldman, acting director of NASA's Astrophysics Division. Results from Webb lay groundwork for future missions like the Habitable Worlds Observatory. (With inputs from NASA's official website)
NDTV
44 minutes ago
- NDTV
NASA's Perseverance Rover Captures Mysterious Rock On Mars That Looks Like "Helmet"
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover captured an image of a volcano-shaped rock resembling a weathered battle helmet on August 5, 2025. The rover is currently looking for ancient life on Mars, and also collecting samples of rock for possible Earth return. During the process, the rover often stumbles upon curious rocks. According to a report by the helmet-like rock would help scientists to understand the environmental history of Mars. NASA said that the rover acquired this image using its Left Mastcam-Z camera, which is a pair of cameras located high on the rover's mast. Scientists believe the rock's unique shape and texture could be the result of chemical weathering, mineral precipitation, or volcanic processes. The rock is composed of spherules, which are tiny, perfectly shaped spheres that have sparked debate among scientists about their origin. "This hat-shaped rock is composed of spherules. This rock's target name is Horneflya and it's distinctive less because of its hat shape (which looks to me to be generally consistent with the pyramid shape we often see in of wind-eroded float blocks on the surface of Mars) and more because it's made almost entirely of spherules," David Agle, a spokesperson for the Perseverance team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, told the media outlet. The spherules could have formed through minerals deposited by groundwater in sediment spaces, or molten rock droplets cooling rapidly after volcanic eruptions. Violent collisions vaporising rock, which then condenses into tiny droplets, can also form such spherules.
NDTV
3 hours ago
- NDTV
Freedom From Gravity: How Private Companies Are Reshaping Access To Space
New Delhi: Freedom from gravity is the new fashion. Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who flew on an 18-day mission to the International Space Station, was on a commercial space mission where India paid close to $70 million for his unique flight. Now, there are many commercial opportunities for humans to go to space. Many are going merely as tourists to enjoy the beauty of the blackness of space and to have a unique perspective of Earth, experience micro-gravity and flaunt their unique boarding cards of having travelled to space. The age of human spaceflight is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Once the exclusive domain of national space agencies, it is now being reshaped by commercial enterprises and private citizens. As India prepares for its first independent human space mission under the Gaganyaan program, the global landscape is witnessing a renaissance in space travel. NDTV spoke with George Weinmann, an aerospace engineer based in the United States, to explore the expanding universe of commercial human spaceflight and its implications for global cooperation and peace. The journey of private spaceflight began in the 1990s with Space Adventures, a company that brokered seats on Russia's Soyuz rockets. The first private astronaut, Dennis Tito, flew to the Mir space station, marking a historic moment. "Back then, it was one person a year," said George Weinmann. "Now, thanks to SpaceX's Crew Dragon, we're seeing eight or more people flying into orbit each year, with numbers expected to rise." Crew Dragon, developed by SpaceX, offers both NASA-certified missions to the International Space Station and independent orbital flights. These missions travel at 28,000 kilometers per hour and orbit Earth at an altitude of roughly 400 kilometers. But orbital flight is just one part of the story. Suborbital flights - where spacecraft cross the Karman line (100 kilometers above Earth) and return without orbiting - have also gained popularity. Two companies dominate this space: Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin. Virgin Galactic, founded by Richard Branson, evolved from Burt Rutan's XPRIZE-winning vehicle and offers a few minutes of microgravity in each flight. Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket, known for its large windows and vertical launch-return profile, has flown a diverse group of passengers, including the oldest and youngest astronauts, couples, and individuals from countries like Egypt and Mexico. "They've even flown singers and journalists," noted George Weinmann, highlighting the democratisation of space travel. Weinmann prefers the term "space traveller" over "space tourist." "Travel is part of culture, and culture leads to understanding and peace," he said. Many of these travellers contribute to science by wearing experimental sensors and conducting research during their flights. "They're building the cathedral," he added, referencing the idea that today's space travellers are laying the foundation for future generations. Europe is also entering the fray with The Exploration Company, which is developing a cargo vehicle that will eventually evolve into a crewed spacecraft. This initiative is privately funded but increasingly supported by European governments. "It's a serious endeavour," said Weinmann, noting that Europe's entry into commercial human spaceflight is a sign of growing global interest. India's Gaganyaan mission, led by ISRO, is a state-sponsored effort to launch Indian astronauts into space. Weinmann emphasised that while Gaganyaan is a prototype, it lays the foundation for future, more capable vehicles. He expressed optimism about India's role in the global space renaissance, citing its engineering talent and growing innovation ecosystem. China, often overlooked in commercial discussions, has maintained a robust human spaceflight program since 2003. It operates the Tiangong space station, which hosts two to three astronauts at any given time. Remarkably, China is considering allowing private astronauts and other nations to participate in missions to its station. Additionally, several Chinese private companies are developing reusable rockets and crewed vehicles. "We're entering a much more diverse and vigorous environment," said Weinmann. "The world is getting wealthier, and hopefully more peaceful. Space travel allows us to build people-to-people connections and global wealth through exchange." Can space be a unifier? "Every astronaut I've spoken to says you don't see borders from space," said Weinmann, adding that spaceflight fosters a broader understanding of humanity's shared destiny. "We're all flying on one spaceship called Earth," he said. "As we become an orbital civilisation, our perspective shifts from national to planetary." This shift, he believes, will lead to greater peace and cooperation. "Space travel is not just about exploration, it's about building cathedrals of understanding and unity for future generations." As India prepares to join this global movement, the message is clear: the future of space is inclusive, commercial, and deeply human. The playground is no longer limited to astronauts trained by governments. It now welcomes scientists, artists, engineers, and everyday citizens-each contributing to a new era of space exploration.
