Space

For the first time in International Space Station history, all eight docking ports aboard the orbital outpost are occupied

A NASA fleet has spotted the first magnetic switchback near Earth, a zigzag in the magnetic field at the edge of our planet’s shield. The result shows that twists once seen near the Sun also appear in our space neighborhood.

The work was led by E. O. McDougall, a physicist, at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). McDougall’s research focuses on magnetic switchbacks and reconnection in space plasmas.

About 4.5 billion years ago, the most momentous event in the history of Earth occurred: a huge celestial body called Theia collided with the young Earth. How the collision unfolded and what exactly happened afterward has not been conclusively clarified. What is certain, however, is that the size, composition, and orbit of Earth changed as a result—and that the impact marked the birth of our constant companion in space, the moon.

What kind of body was it that so dramatically altered the course of our planet's development? How big was Theia? What was it made of? And from which part of the solar system did it hurtle toward Earth?

High-energy cosmic radiation damages cells and DNA, causing cancer, and secondary neutrons—generated especially from the planetary surfaces—can be up to 20 times more harmful than other radiations. Aluminum, the most widely used shielding material, has the drawback of generating additional secondary neutrons when below a certain thickness.

Consequently, boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), which are lightweight, strong, and possess excellent neutron shielding capabilities, are emerging as a promising alternative

Moss spores have survived a prolonged trip to space, scientists reveal. The spores spent nine months on the outside of the International Space Station (ISS) before returning to our planet, and over 80% of the spores were still able to reproduce when they arrived back on Earth.

The discovery improves our understanding of how plant species survive in extreme conditions, the researchers wrote in their findings, published Thursday (Nov. 20) in the journal iScience.

It's a thought that may have crossed your mind at some point: what would be the practicalities of firing your enemies into the Sun?...