Latest news with #SolarSystem
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Mysterious new world has just been discovered in our solar system
Astronomers have discovered a new world circling the outer edges of our solar system. Researchers using the Subaru Telescope, located in Hawaii, spotted a small, distant object called 2023 KQ14 far beyond Pluto. They've given it the nickname Ammonite. 2023 KQ14 is a rare type of object called a 'sednoid,' a small, icy body in the outer solar system, similar to the icy rocks floating in the Kuiper Belt or dwarf planets like Pluto. So far, there are only four known objects like it in our solar system. 2023 KQ14 is about 71 times farther from the sun than Earth is. This object follows a unique, stretched-out orbit that has stayed stable for about 4.5 billion years. Scientists found that 2023 KQ14's orbit was similar to the other sednoids in the solar system for billions of years, but that has mysteriously changed over time, suggesting the outer solar system is a more complex space than we thought. This discovery also makes the possible existence of 'Planet Nine' less likely, as 2023 KQ14's orbit doesn't quite fit with where scientists believe that world would be. Dr Yukun Huang from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan said: 'It is possible that a planet once existed in the solar system but was later ejected, causing the unusual orbits we see today.'
Gizmodo
an hour ago
- Science
- Gizmodo
Astronomers Discover Potential Dwarf Planet Lurking Way Beyond Pluto
Astronomers in Japan have spotted a distant object orbiting the Sun far beyond Neptune, pointing to an extraordinary event that took place during the earliest years of the solar system. Astronomers used the Subaru Telescope, perched atop a dormant volcano in Hawaii, to make the discovery. They observed a small object orbiting at a farthest distance of 252 AU from the Sun, in which one astronomical unit equals the average distance between the Sun and Earth. Scientists gave it the formal designation 2023 KQ14 and nicknamed it Ammonite, after an extinct group of marine animals—a nod to its status as an extreme relic of the early solar system. For reference, Pluto's average distance from the Sun is about 40 AU, so 2023 KQ14 is quite distant. At 23.4 billion miles (37.7 billion kilometers) away, light reflecting off Ammonite takes approximately 34 hours to reach Earth. The discovery, published in Nature Astronomy on Tuesday, marks the fourth detection of a 'Sednoid.' This group of distant, trans-Neptunian objects have extremely elongated orbits that stretch past the Kuiper Belt. Unlike other objects that orbit the Sun past Neptune, Sednoids are detached from the giant planet, meaning they are not influenced by its gravitational field. Astronomers discovered the first Sednoid, named Sedna, in 2003. Astronomers first discovered Ammonite in 2023 through Subaru's survey project, FOSSIL (Formation of the Outer Solar System: An Icy Legacy). Follow-up observations in July 2024 using the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope confirmed the discovery, revealing the object's orbit. It was also spotted in archive images taken in 2021 and 2014, allowing astronomers to simulate its orbit with greater accuracy. Using computer simulations, the researchers behind the discovery suggest that Ammonite has maintained a stable orbit for at least 4.5 billion years. At its closest approach to the Sun, it comes within 66 AUs from the star. Unlike its Sednoid counterparts, Ammonite currently follows a different orbit. The simulations, however, indicated that the orbits of all four known Sednoids were once very similar around 4.2 billion years ago. This puts into question the existence of the theorized Planet Nine. Sednoids are one of the key pieces of evidence behind the long-held theory that a massive ninth planet orbits the Sun beyond Neptune. The group of small objects follows an oddly aligned, elongated orbit that can't be explained based on the gravitational influence of the known planets of the solar system, suggesting that a ninth, undiscovered planet may be tugging at the Sednoids. 'The fact that Ammonite's current orbit does not align with those of the other three sednoids lowers the likelihood of the Planet Nine hypothesis,' Yukun Huang, a researcher at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan who carried out the simulations of Ammonite's orbit, said in a statement. 'It is possible that a planet once existed in the Solar System but was later ejected, causing the unusual orbits we see today.' Ammonite is estimated to be between 136 and 236 miles wide (220 and 380 kilometers). Although tiny, its presence is indicative of something much larger at play. 'Ammonite was found in a region far away where Neptune's gravity has little influence. The presence of objects with elongated orbits and large perihelion distances in this area implies that something extraordinary occurred during the ancient era when Ammonite formed,' Fumi Yoshida, a planetary scientist and co-author of the new study, said in a statement. 'Understanding the orbital evolution and physical properties of these unique, distant objects is crucial for comprehending the full history of the solar system.'
France 24
2 hours ago
- Science
- France 24
In cosmic first, scientists see planets take shape around a star to form solar system
Astronomers have discovered the earliest seeds of rocky planets forming in the gas around a baby sun-like star, providing a precious peek into the dawn of our own solar system. In a stunning picture taken by the Alma telescope network, the emerging planetary system resembles a lightning bug glowing against the black void. It's an unprecedented snapshot of 'time zero' when new worlds begin to gel, scientists reported Wednesday in the journal Nature. 'We've captured a direct glimpse of the hot region where rocky planets like Earth are born around young protostars," said Leiden Observatory's Melissa McClure from the Netherlands, who led the international research team. 'For the first time, we can conclusively say that the first steps of planet formation are happening right now.' The observations offer a unique glimpse into the inner workings of an emerging planetary system, said Fred Ciesla of the University of Chicago. 'This is one of the things we've been waiting for. Astronomers have been thinking about how planetary systems form for a long period of time," Ciesla said. 'There's a rich opportunity here.' NASA 's Webb Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory in Chile teamed up to unveil these early nuggets of planetary formation around the young star known as HOPS-315. It's a yellow dwarf in the making like the sun, yet much younger at 100,000 to 200,000 years old and some 1,370 light-years away. A single light-year is 6 trillion miles. In a cosmic first, McClure and her team stared deep into the gas disk around the baby star and detected solid specks condensing – signs of early planet formation. A gap in the outer part of the disk allowed them to gaze inside, thanks to the way the star tilts toward Earth. They detected silicon monoxide gas as well as crystalline silicate minerals, the ingredients for what is believed to be the first solid materials to form in our solar system more than 4.5 billion years ago. The action is unfolding in a location comparable to the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter containing the leftover building blocks of our solar system's planets. The condensing of hot minerals was never detected before around other young stars, 'so we didn't know if it was a universal feature of planet formation or a weird feature of our solar system', McClure said in an email to AP. 'Our study shows that it could be a common process during the earliest stage of planet formation.' While other research has looked at younger gas disks and, more commonly, mature disks with potential planet wannabes, there's been no specific evidence for the start of planet formation until now, McClure said. It's impossible to know how many planets might form around HOPS-315. With a gas disk as massive as the sun's might have been, it could also wind up with eight planets a million or more years from now, according to McClure. Purdue University's Merel van 't Hoff, a co-author, is eager to find more budding planetary systems. By casting a wider net, astronomers can look for similarities and determine which processes might be crucial to forming Earth-like worlds. 'Are there Earth-like planets out there or are we, like, so special that we might not expect it to occur very often?'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Mars Seen Up Close in Stunning World First 60 Years Ago Today
On 15 July 1965, NASA's Mariner 4 spacecraft made Solar System history. As it flew by Mars, the spacecraft's onboard camera snapped 22 pictures of the planet's surface, sending them back home to Earth – the first-ever close-up photos of Mars obtained by humans, and the very first photos of another planet obtained from a position in deep space. Those images, showing a vast, dry, heavily cratered desert, completely changed our understanding of Mars, and the possibility of life thereon – but also ushered in a bold new era of Solar System planetary science and exploration. Mariner 4 launched on 28 November 1964, and spent nearly eight months making the long, arduous journey to Mars – a spacecraft designed to make a careful study of the red planet, and transmit its observations back to Earth, across millions of miles of space. Related: By the time Mariner 4 made its encounter, Mars and Earth were separated by a distance of around 220 million kilometers (136 million miles), a distance that radio signals could traverse in 12 minutes. The operations team on Earth had to precisely time their commands to the spacecraft 12 minutes ahead of when they wanted it to perform a task, carefully waiting until Mariner 4's optimal position was 12 minutes away. Then, the humans at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Space Flight Operations Center had to wait until each picture had transmitted back across the gulf, a process that took four days. "Now came the moment of truth – had we really obtained pictures? After the six hour delay for the 40,000 pixels (picture elements) to be transmitted the first picture was displayed. But what was that just above the limb? A cloud? Impossible. Everyone knew there weren't clouds on Mars - it must be a crack in the camera lens. Oh, no, another instrument failure. Of course, as it later turned out there really are clouds on Mars," recalled the late Bill Momsen, Mariner 4 engineer, in 2002. "And then the real wonder came – picture after picture showing that the surface was dotted with craters! It appeared uncannily like that of our own Moon, deeply cratered, and unchanged over time. No water, no canals, no life … Although at first great elation gripped the crew at realizing we had really done it, that was tempered by what had been revealed." Those first 22 images covered just one percent of the Martian surface, and it just so happened to be an area that was particularly heavily cratered. As we know now, after decades of orbital observations, Mars has a diverse and fascinating landscape, from volcanic basalt plains to ancient river deltas. Even though we know a lot more now than we knew 60 years ago, we've still only barely scratched the surface of Mars. Little by little, though, its past is slowly coming to light. We know that water once flowed freely across its surface, that volcanism was once rampant and may rumble still deep inside its belly. We know that it has beautiful clouds, and wild storms, and blue sunsets, and dust devils that leave traceries of their paths across the dusty ground. One day, perhaps, we may even find that life was present on Mars after all. NASA Rover Breaks Record For Longest Road Trip on Another Planet NASA Reveals The Closest Images Ever Taken of The Sun Your Next Flight Might Signal Our Existence to Alien Civilizations
Sustainability Times
2 days ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Elon, Mars Is a Hellhole': Astrophysicist Slams Musk's Vision, Says Even Nuclear Apocalypse Makes Earth a Safer Bet
IN A NUTSHELL 🚀 Elon Musk's vision of Mars colonization faces criticism from astrophysicist Adam Becker, who deems it an unrealistic fantasy. of Mars colonization faces criticism from astrophysicist Adam Becker, who deems it an unrealistic fantasy. 🌍 Becker argues that even under apocalyptic scenarios , Earth would remain more hospitable than Mars due to its breathable atmosphere and protective magnetic field. , Earth would remain more hospitable than Mars due to its breathable atmosphere and protective magnetic field. ❄️ Mars presents significant challenges with its harsh environment , including thin CO₂ atmosphere, extreme cold, and toxic soil. , including thin CO₂ atmosphere, extreme cold, and toxic soil. 🔬 Efforts to terraform Mars are seen as impractical, with Becker advocating for prioritizing Earth's preservation instead. In a world where technology and innovation are rapidly advancing, discussions about the colonization of Mars have captured the public imagination. Spearheaded by influential figures like Elon Musk, these discussions often position Mars as a potential sanctuary for humanity in case of catastrophic events on Earth. However, astrophysicist Adam Becker challenges this popular narrative, arguing that such ideas are more fantasy than feasible strategy. In the face of Earth's potential apocalyptic scenarios, Becker believes that our planet, even if ravaged, would remain far more habitable than the cold, barren deserts of Mars. The Martian Dream: Elon Musk's Grand Vision Elon Musk, the visionary CEO of SpaceX, has not shied away from expressing his ambition to make humanity a multiplanetary species. Central to this vision is the colonization of Mars, which is often depicted as a lifeboat in the event of terrestrial cataclysms. However, Adam Becker, an esteemed astrophysicist and author, considers this idea to be a prime example of technological optimism that is disconnected from the physical realities of space colonization. In a candid interview with Rolling Stone, Becker did not mince words, calling the notion 'one of the most foolish things one could say.' Becker's critique is rooted in the sheer impracticality of establishing a sustainable human presence on Mars. The Martian environment poses insurmountable challenges that make it a far less viable option compared to a damaged Earth. While Musk's goals are laudable in their ambition, Becker argues that they overlook the inherent difficulties of adapting the human species to a world that is inherently hostile and unforgiving. 'Candle on the Moon Detected': This Underground Lab's Mind-Blowing Sensitivity Is Rewriting the Limits of Human Technology Surviving Earth's Catastrophes: A Comparative Analysis To support his argument, Adam Becker presents three extreme scenarios: an asteroid impact comparable to the one that wiped out the dinosaurs, a global nuclear war, and runaway climate change. In each of these dire circumstances, Becker asserts that Earth would still be more accommodating than Mars. This is because, despite significant devastation, Earth would retain essential elements such as a breathable atmosphere, suitable gravity, accessible water, and natural protection from harmful radiation. The table below highlights the stark differences between a post-cataclysmic Earth and present-day Mars: 'They Found the Missing Matter': Cosmic Radio Bursts Used to Map Long-Lost Atoms Hiding Across the Universe for Billions of Years Criterion Earth (Post-Cataclysm) Mars (Today) Atmosphere Rich in oxygen and nitrogen, dense 95% CO₂, pressure 0.088 psi, unbreathable Average Temperature Potentially reduced -81°F, extreme constantly Water Presence Oceans contaminated but present Deep ice, inaccessible Magnetic Field Present, protective Absent, direct cosmic radiation Soil Contains organic matter Toxic, rich in cancer-causing perchlorates On Mars, life would be confined to pressurized domes, and any failure in critical systems would lead to immediate disaster. Conversely, Earth, even after a planetary disaster, could still harbor pockets of life capable of recovery and regeneration. Terraforming Mars: Science or Science Fiction? Elon Musk envisions a Mars transformed by human ingenuity: detonating nuclear bombs at the poles, deploying giant mirrors in space, and constructing climate-controlled greenhouses. Yet, transforming Mars into Earth 2.0 is an immense challenge that includes: 'Elon Musk, You're Ignoring the Truth': Astrophysicist's Startling Claim—Earth Would Remain a Paradise Compared to Mars After Nuclear Apocalypse Releasing enough CO₂ to thicken the atmosphere. Creating a sustainable greenhouse effect to warm the planet. Building an artificial magnetic field for protection. Even if all CO₂ reserves were unleashed, the atmospheric pressure would reach only 7% of Earth's, inadequate for survival without pressurized suits. The colossal cost of transporting materials, food, water, and humans across 34 million miles makes the endeavor daunting. Becker concludes that investing in Mars for survival is akin to abandoning a ruined hospital to survive in a radioactive desert with no oxygen. 'Better to preserve our planet, even wounded, than to exile ourselves to a giant open-air pressure chamber,' he argues. Without a credible interplanetary Plan B, the focus must remain on safeguarding this blue jewel suspended in space, the only known sanctuary for life. In the end, the debate over Mars colonization raises profound questions about our priorities as a species. Should we direct our resources towards a distant, uncertain future on another planet, or should we invest in healing and protecting our own? As we stand on the precipice of space exploration, the choices we make today will shape the destiny of humanity. What path will we choose as we look to the stars? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (23)
