Latest news with #Earth-bound
Time of India
5 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Can Colombia's UFO sphere also turn out to be a hoax after Peru's ‘alien mummies' turned out to be dolls made from bones?
Strange sphere in Colombia rekindles UFO curiosity, but is it real? When a metallic sphere crashed near Buga, Colombia, earlier in March, 2025, it didn't just land in the dirt, it landed in the middle of a global debate. With mysterious carvings, no visible welds, and nine internal 'microspheres' revealed by X-ray scans, the object has captured the attention of UFO researchers and believers alike. Jose Luis Velazquez , one of the Colombian scientists studying the sphere, seemed genuinely astonished. He described it as having 'no welds or joints,' typically a clear marker of human construction. Even more intriguing, Velazquez said the sphere's interior consists of three metal layers and nine embedded microspheres, features unlike anything he had encountered before. 'It is a very rare piece … I've never seen a piece like this,' he remarked. Also read: A mysterious metallic sphere, without joints and ancient scripts, found in Colombia. Here's all we know about it by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Transform Your Child's Confidence with Our Public Speaking Program Planet Spark Book Now Undo The unusual find has drawn eerie comparisons to another so-called alien discovery, one that recently unraveled into something far more Earth-bound. Peru's alien mummies were really handmade dolls More than a year ago, international headlines were buzzing about a pair of 'alien mummies' discovered in Peru. The small humanoid figures were showcased at a congressional hearing in Mexico and claimed to be around 1,000 years old. But hopes of extraterrestrial contact quickly crumbled. Live Events In a press conference held by Peru's culture ministry, experts revealed that the dolls were made using animal bones and modern synthetic glue. 'They're not extraterrestrials. They're dolls made from animal bones from this planet joined together with modern synthetic glue,' said Flavio Estrada, an archaeologist with Peru's Institute for Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences. The bizarre figures had arrived mysteriously in a cardboard box at a DHL airport office in Lima, dressed in traditional Andean attire. Estrada dismissed the story as a complete fabrication. 'It's totally a made-up story,' he said. While some speculated the dolls were linked to those displayed in Mexico, experts firmly denied any extraterrestrial connection. Also read: 23 Soviet troops turned to stone by aliens? CIA memo unearths Cold War mystery The Peru hoax now casts a long shadow over similar discoveries, including Colombia's sphere. Experts urge scientific rigor over speculation Julia Mossbridge , a physicist from the University of San Diego and founder of The Institute for Love and Time, is urging restraint before anyone labels the Colombian artifact as alien. 'It looks to me like a really cool art project,' she told Fox News. Mossbridge emphasized the importance of involving credible scientific organizations like the Galileo Project , an international initiative led by Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, which investigates potential alien artifacts through rigorous research. 'Before you decide something's anomalous or a UFO, bring the object to a group like the Galileo Project,' she advised. Beyond the object itself, Mossbridge believes the fascination with UFO artifacts says more about us than the skies above. 'We are entering a time when we don't have the control that we thought we had,' she said, suggesting that artistic hoaxes might be reflecting deeper social uncertainty. 'Frankly, we've been looking at UAPs for decades, and the federal government has admitted that there are things that we don't understand,' she added. Mossbridge supports independent, non-governmental research efforts like the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies to help the public better understand what is happening 'in our skies' and 'in our waters.' Also read: Aliens: Little green men or big government secrets? Exploring UFO mysteries In a statement to PEOPLE, Mossbridge reflected on the psychological response to such events. 'The natural human response to the unknown is fear,' she said. 'But we need to start noticing that fear doesn't actually keep us safe. What keeps us safe is the willingness to understand and explore.'
Express Tribune
23-05-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
Is the new bacteria aboard China's Tiangong space station a future threat?
Scientists have identified a new strain of bacteria, Niallia tiangongensis, aboard China's Tiangong space station, which is showing signs of evolution in space. This bacteria was collected during the Shenzhou 15 crewed mission in 2023, and researchers were quick to note its unique ability to adapt to the harsh conditions of space. Unlike typical Earth-bound microbes, Niallia tiangongensis thrives in the extreme environment of low Earth orbit. Its resistance to radiation is far beyond that of most terrestrial bacteria, and its ability to form biofilms a protective layer helps it survive not just in space's vacuum, but against harmful UV radiation. This biofilm-forming characteristic may also protect it from being eradicated by disinfectants or cleaning methods, making it an even more formidable presence aboard spacecraft. While Niallia tiangongensis has not shown any immediate harmful effects on astronauts, scientists fear the bacteria could evolve in unpredictable ways. With space missions pushing further into deep space, the long-term effects of such microbes could pose grave risks. Over time, this bacteria could adapt further, potentially mutating into a more aggressive form, one capable of infecting astronauts or damaging vital spacecraft materials. The possibility that this bacteria might evolve into a spaceborne pathogen is not far-fetched. The long-term isolation of space, combined with radiation, zero-gravity, and other extreme factors, could create the perfect conditions for bacterial mutations. The resilience shown by Niallia tiangongensis raises concerns that other microbes aboard space stations may be evolving in similar ways, unknowingly preparing to wreak havoc on human health or technology in future missions. 'What we are seeing is the bacteria's ability to thrive in an environment completely alien to life on Earth,' said Dr. Chen Liyu, a microbiologist at the China National Space Administration (CNSA). Researchers are working on sequencing the bacteria's genome to understand its evolution better, but there's a looming question: Could this new strain be the tip of the iceberg? As we prepare for missions to the Moon and Mars, the survival of microorganisms like Niallia tiangongensis could have serious implications. If these microbes are capable of adapting in ways we can't yet predict, humanity might be facing a microbial threat that could evolve alongside us, far beyond our current understanding. This discovery underscores the need for tighter microbial monitoring and prevention protocols as we venture deeper into space. As Niallia tiangongensis continues to evolve, it may not just be the health of astronauts at risk—but the future of human space exploration itself.
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Sun Wakes Up: Aurora Alert After Biggest Solar Flare Of 2025
After a period of quiet on the surface of the sun, everything changed this week with the strongest solar flare of 2025 and coronal mass ejections that could spark Northern Lights in the coming nights. On May 13 and May 14, NASA spotted X1.2 and X2.7 solar flares, the strongest since March 28 and 2025 so far. Solar flares are unpredictable and intense bursts of energy and electromagnetic radiation from the sun's surface. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength, according to NASA. There were also two slightly weaker M-class solar flares, rated M5.3 and M4.7, on May 14. Most of the activity is coming from a new sunspot called 4087, which has appeared on the left-hand side of the sun as we see it, according to Solar flares don't cause auroras but shortwave radio blackouts. Traveling at light speed, radiation from a solar flare takes minutes to reach Earth. In the wake of the X-class solar flares, brief blackouts were reported across the world. It's what can follow in the wake of a solar flare that aurora-hunters are interested in. Solar flares often spark what solar physicists call a coronal mass ejection, during which a cloud of super-charged particles leaves the solar surface and travels across the solar system, though at a much slower speed than the radiation from a solar flare. In the wake of May 14's solar flare, a CME was spotted, but it's traveling towards Mars, not Earth. The aurora borealis is notoriously difficult to predict. That's because it's very difficult to know whether a CME is Earth-bound and, if it is, exactly when it will arrive. After all, there are no satellites close to the sun to detect the speed of a CME. That data can only be collected when the CME's effect on the solar wind — the stream of charged particles released from the sun that travels in all directions in the solar system — is measured by NOAA's DSCOVR satellite, which orbits Earth. DSCOVR measures the solar wind's speed and magnetic intensity, which is critical in calculating how it is about to change. Only then can an aurora display be accurately forecast by NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, but there's not much warning — just 30 minutes. The Northern Lights are a result of the solar wind interacting with Earth's magnetic field. The sun has a roughly 11-year cycle during which its magnetic activity crests and subsides. How active it is is measured by counting sunspots on its surface, dark patches that indicate complexity — and often produce solar flares and CMEs. NASA and NOAA's Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel announced the arrival of solar maximum in October 2024, though the exact date won't be obvious for a few years. Some solar maximum periods have a double peak, which we could now be approaching. Even when the number of sunspots begins to decrease, big displays of aurora are possible. 'This period of solar decline is marked by a decreasing number of sunspots, but not necessarily by fewer impacts, even after the solar maximum,' said Lisa Upton, co-chair of NASA and NOAA's Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel. In fact, the declining phase of solar maximum can see extreme solar events. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists Are Trying to Grow Mushrooms in Space — Here's Why That Matters
Key points Scientists are testing whether oyster mushrooms can grow and fruit in space as part of Mission MushVroom. Mushrooms offer key advantages for space food, including compact growth and high nutrition. Unlike many Earth-bound crops, mushrooms require little space, minimal water, and no sunlight to grow. They are fully edible, rich in nutrients like B vitamins, selenium, and copper. If mushrooms can thrive in confined, resource-limited space environments, the technology and insights could be applied to urban farming on Earth. Most of us struggle to keep a basil plant alive — but scientists are now trying to grow mushrooms in space. A new experiment, Mission MushVroom, is testing whether oyster mushrooms can fruit in microgravity. If it works, it could change what astronauts eat — and how we grow food on Earth. Led by space nutritionist and FOODiQ Global CEO Dr. Flávia Fayet-Moore, Mission MushVroom is part of SpaceX's Fram2 mission and aims to explore mushrooms as a viable space crop. The team prepared colonized substrate blocks and mycelium tubes to observe how oyster mushrooms colonize and potentially fruit in space. "Edible mushrooms like oyster offer unique agricultural applications and nutritional benefits—making them the perfect space crop," said Fayet-Moore. "They grow rapidly in small spaces, need minimal resources like water, and don't require sunlight to grow. Plus, they're fully edible and help close the loop in plant agriculture." Related: How to Wash Mushrooms, According to a Farmer Unlike many Earth-bound crops, mushrooms fit the "grow, pick, and eat." model—ideal for space missions without cooking facilities. They're also a nutritional powerhouse, providing B vitamins, selenium, copper, and even an umami flavor that holds up well in space. Remarkably, mushrooms are the only non-animal food that can produce vitamin D—making them especially valuable for astronauts. "What's exciting about mushrooms is that they can produce 100% of an astronaut's daily vitamin D requirement in just about 100 grams," Fayet-Moore explained. "That's significant in space, where vitamin D is the only supplement currently given to astronauts in low Earth orbit." The team is not only observing whether mushrooms can fruit in space but also investigating potential physical, biochemical, or genetic differences compared to Earth-grown fungi. Beyond this specific mission, the implications are far-reaching." If we can grow mushrooms and other crops in these confined, controlled environments, it could help advance urban agriculture here on Earth," Fayet-Moore said. "As we face the challenge of feeding 10 billion people by 2050, this kind of research could be game-changing." From freeze-drying to food safety protocols, the space sector has long influenced how we eat. Mushrooms may just be the next frontier—bridging planetary exploration with planetary survival. Read the original article on Food & Wine
Business Wire
25-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Booz Allen and Meta Successfully Demonstrate AI Vision Language Model for Space
MCLEAN, Va. & MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH) and Meta today announced the development and successful demonstration of a novel AI-powered tech stack, accelerated by NVIDIA CUDA GPUs, to support critical work on the International Space Station (ISS) National Lab. This effort is believed to be the first of its kind, setting the stage for space exploration and operations across a variety of disconnected environments. The goal in building the tech stack – dubbed 'Space Llama' – is to not only replace paper documents onboard the ISS National Lab, but also decrease reliance on instructions received from the ground while deployed at the edge. The result will be lower costs, less computing power required, and faster outcomes when responding to onboard anomalies or maintenance issues, without depending on Earth-bound internet. Space Llama evolves and builds upon successful efforts by Booz Allen to deploy and operate the first known large language model (LLM) in space. This moment sees the new addition of a fine-tuned version of Meta's Llama vision AI capabilities (recently made available to US government agencies and private sector partners) to help process and interpret images and text at the farthest reaches of space. This allows users to quickly and reliably access essential technical references, manuals, and instructions leveraging the power of generative and vision AI to address on-board issues at speed. 'In the power and communications constrained environment of space, the ability to quickly assess, research and solve on-board issues is paramount,' said Bill Vass, chief technology officer at Booz Allen 'This proof of concept overcomes the historical limitations of low-power, low-capability space-based computing by enabling simple, power-efficient AI use in space without relying on Earth network connectivity. We're thrilled and honored to steward with Meta this space-based multi-modal vision language model to achieve critical mission success and redefine how we work in space and at the deepest mission edges.' The Space Llama tech stack, undertaken as internal research and development, is comprised of Booz Allen's modular open architecture platform A2E2™ (AI for Edge Environments) and a fine-tuned version of Meta's Llama 3.2, using Hewlett Packard Enterprise's (HPE) Spaceborne Computer-2 and NVIDIA CUDA software. The result: a compact, energy-efficient system similar to those used in satellites that can be deployed locally on the ISS National Lab without requiring power, communication or computation from Earth. This design – open architecture to ensure flexibility in our solution design, now and in the future – results in lower costs and strong technical performance, in addition to enabling predictive maintenance and faster repairs, freeing up users to do mission critical work. 'This is just the beginning. We see a future where open source AI models like Llama will play a vital role in fueling space exploration and research – enabling astronauts to undertake the next level of experimentation to solve complex scientific problems and drive innovation in entirely new ways," said Ahmad Al-Dahle, Meta VP and Head of GenAI. Space Llama demonstrates the art of the possible in terms of AI's impact at the deepest edge of space, in addition to the versatility of LLM-based technology across a variety of environments with denied, disrupted, intermittent, and limited bandwidth. In addition to fostering greater scientific research and discovery in space, this innovation could also result in positive outcomes for industries including oil and gas, autonomy, government, energy, and the re-use of legacy technology through edge software modifications. 'This is a critical step for lunar and Mars exploration and enables modern satellite and drone capabilities as the U.S. proliferates space and air with autonomous systems,' said Michael Johnston, senior vice president of space programs at Booz Allen. 'Building this tech stack with Meta, supported by NVIDIA, furthers each of our advanced technology goals, and more importantly, sets the stage for what is possible at the edge.' Booz Allen has served for more than 60 years as a space program partner for defense, intelligence, and civil agencies across the federal government. As an advanced technology company and as the leading provider of AI and cybersecurity to the federal government, Booz Allen is uniquely positioned to field emerging capabilities to support the broader national security ecosystem. Booz Allen is committed to advancing the future of space technology by bridging the gap between commercial innovation and government missions. Read more about Booz Allen's space capabilities and impact. About Booz Allen Hamilton Booz Allen is the advanced technology company delivering outcomes with speed for America's most critical defense, civil, and national security priorities. We build technology solutions using AI, cyber, and other cutting- edge technologies to advance and protect the nation and its citizens. By focusing on outcomes, we enable our people, clients, and their missions to succeed—accelerating the nation to realize our purpose: Empower People to Change the World®. With global headquarters in McLean, Virginia, our firm employs approximately 35,900 people globally as of December 31, 2024, and had revenue of $10.7 billion for the 12 months ended March 31, 2024. To learn more, visit (NYSE: BAH) Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this release include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements that do not directly relate to any historical or current fact. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as 'may,' 'will,' 'could,' 'should,' 'forecasts,' 'expects,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'anticipates,' 'projects,' 'outlook,' 'believes,' 'estimates,' 'predicts,' 'potential,' 'continue,' 'preliminary,' or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give you no assurance these expectations will prove to have been correct. These forward-looking statements relate to future events or future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in or implied by these forward-looking statements, including those factors discussed in Booz Allen's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including Booz Allen's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 and other filings and reports that may be filed from time to time with the SEC, which can be found at the SEC's website at All forward-looking statements attributable to Booz Allen or persons acting on Booz Allen's behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. All such statements speak only as of the date made and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. BAHPR-CO
