Solar wind electrons smash water molecules to make the comet’s version of the northern lights Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko has its own version of the northern lights. Observations taken by the Rosetta spacecraft reveal the comet’s aurora, which — unlike Earth’s eye-catching light shows — shimmers in invisible ultraviolet light, researchers reportContinue Reading
This young boy died at the turn of the first millennium. Just after the turn of the first millennium A.D., a young child living in Egypt contracted a deadly illness — most likely pneumonia — and died. His tiny body was prepared for mummification and burial; some of his organsContinue Reading
A new approach to space housekeeping sends charged dust particles flying The NASA Artemis missions aim to send astronauts to the moon by 2024. But to succeed, they’ll need to solve big problems caused by some tiny particles: dust. Impacts on the moon’s surface have crushed lunar rock into dustContinue Reading
An international team of astronomers today announced the discovery of a rare molecule — phosphine — in the clouds of Venus. On Earth, this gas is only made industrially or by microbes that thrive in oxygen-free environments. Astronomers have speculated for decades that high clouds on Venus could offer aContinue Reading
Astronomers detected signs of a smelly, toxic gas that microbes can make in the planet’s clouds Venus’ clouds appear to contain a smelly, toxic gas that could be produced by bacteria, a new study suggests. Chemical signs of the gas phosphine have been spotted in observations of the Venusian atmosphere,Continue Reading
The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards finalists have been announced The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards finalists have been announced Feast your eyes on some of the most amusing animal photos ever, as the finalists are unveiled for the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2020. The competition is designed to raise awareness ofContinue Reading
Only adult cave bear bones have been found until now. Reindeer hunters in Siberia have unearthed the remains of an extinct ice age beast: a mummified cave bear — the only adult of its species ever discovered that still has intact soft tissues, including its fur and even its blackContinue Reading
One of Germany’s most famous ancient artifacts may not be what it seems, if a new study is to be believed. Fierce debate over the Nebra Sky Disk has been reignited by a new study that suggests it is at least 1,000 years younger than previously thought, and probably doesn’tContinue Reading
Divers from Finland have made an unexpected discovery while exploring the depths of the Baltic Sea, finding an incredibly well-preserved shipwreck dating back almost 400 years. Volunteer divers from the nonprofit Badewanne team more often come across wrecked 20th-century relics sunk during the sea battles of World War I andContinue Reading
Why do dogs’ noses usually feel cold and wet? After an especially good belly rub, a dog might bump its nose into its human as a way of saying thanks. Often, this snoot boop feels cold and wet. The owner might wonder: Is it normal for a dog’s nose toContinue Reading