technical updates

Researchers have uncovered dozens of long-misidentified coelacanth fossils in British museums, some overlooked for more than a century. The study reveals that these ancient “living fossils” thrived in tropical seas during the Triassic Period, around 200 million years ago. By re-examining mislabeled bones and using X-ray scans, scientists discovered a once-flourishing community of coelacanths that hunted smaller marine reptiles. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/AMOaClb

"The reason for 3I’s rapid brightening, which far exceeds the brightening rate of most Oort cloud comets at similar distances, remains unclear." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/hkO4w9n

Footage from a NOAA satellite taken Oct. 28 shows Melissa’s deadly spin as it moves across the Caribbean. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/uC3Hxbc

The European Southern Observatory captured a nebula bat during a survey of the Milky Way's galactic plane. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/GsXw2kc

Scientists have developed a laser-based ice drill concept that could enable deeper, low-power exploration of ice on moons and planets in our solar system. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/ia6n8ce

"Our scenario describes all the evolutionary phases of the supernova with great precision." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/dVtNiz4

On Oct. 30, SpaceX posted an update about its Starship moon-landing plans, which includes a reference to a possible "simplified mission architecture and concept of operations" for NASA's Artemis 3. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/UqPHpO6

The Celestron SkyMaster binoculars are our best binoculars for magnification, with a massive discount of over $156, now is the time to enjoy the wonders of the night sky at a bargain price. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/7POXsYr

Japan declared its Akatsuki spacecraft dead on Tuesday (Oct. 28), more than a year after the Venus climate probe failed to respond to calls from mission control. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/h58g2oz

Researchers claim flashes of light seen in sky surveys could have been UFOs drawn to Earth by nuclear tests, but more mundane explanations should be explored first. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/3Dgn5ZA

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists mapped the ultra-hot Jupiter WASP-18b in three dimensions, uncovering a blistering hotspot where water molecules are torn apart. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/IAYwJig

The award-winning anthology of animated Star Wars shorts is back with a third batch crafted by Japanese studios. Here's our take on all of them. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/xoc3kAw

The mission had previously targeted a launch at the end of 2025. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/HTRcGXn

NASA's X-59 "quiet" supersonic jet took off on its first-ever flight on Oct. 28, flying from Palmdale, California to its new home at Edwards Air Force Base. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/pbP9K60

Siddharth Patel has been watching the sky since the age of five. Fresh off two possible asteroid discoveries, he's taking a big step toward his astronaut dream. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/eyYx7f0

SpaceX launched yet another batch of its Starlink satellites today (Oct. 27), sending 28 of them up from California's central coast. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/cYs3OIy

Using NASA's TESS exoplanet hunter, astronomers have discovered a strange arrangement of exoplanets around tight binary stars that shouldn't be. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/4Y0grkX

Follow the space program since the moon landing in the four-part documentary "Once Upon a Time in Space". Here’s how to watch it anywhere on the planet. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/PdEqlVQ

Auroras may be visible from Alaska to New York as geomagnetic storm conditions are predicted for tonight. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Bv1okxP

A team of researchers has developed a floral-scented fungus that tricks mosquitoes into approaching and dying. The fungus emits longifolene, a natural scent that irresistibly draws them in. It’s harmless to humans, inexpensive to produce, and remains potent for months. This innovative biological control could be crucial as mosquitoes spread with climate change. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/7PAg51x

The amount of bandwidth provided by SpaceX's Starlink satellites is limiting Ukraine's ability to operate ground robots on the frontline of the nation's war against Russia. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/RyaSlXN

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists at Trinity College Dublin have identified a "universal thermal performance curve" that governs how all living organisms respond to temperature. This finding reveals that evolution has been unable to escape a single, unifying rule linking performance and heat across every branch of life—from bacteria and plants to reptiles and fish. The curve shows that while organisms perform better as temperatures rise, performance rapidly collapses beyond an optimal point, posing grave risks in a warming world. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/eJ7XHRl

Researchers found that neurons can use fat, not just sugar, to power the brain. When a protein called DDHD2 fails, this process breaks down and leads to serious brain problems. Scientists were able to restore damaged cells by feeding them fatty acids, reviving their energy in just 48 hours. The discovery could help pave the way for new brain treatments. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/R4ZWvF3

New research shows how Jupiter carved out rings and gaps that changed how and when planets and meteorites formed. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/FbHS4iz

Things seem to be escalating quickly… from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Vrc2iOf

The destroyed planet has spewed material onto the white dwarf's surface, with astronomers detecting 13 different elements originating from the rocky body. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/HhmgDC7

The Orionid meteor shower hit its peak during the dark nights surrounding October's new moon phase. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/GRdjYc6

Astronomers have unveiled a new catalog of massive galaxy clusters, revealing new insight on the evolution of the universe. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/08Ndhjl

Footage appearing to show a number of "double fireball" events may have been caused by a simple quirk of equipment. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/h6yzGti

The waxing moon will appear alongside Mars and Mercury as the sun sets on Oct. 23 from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/71qpG2x

Elon Musk has hammered acting NASA chief Sean Duffy repeatedly on social media over the past few days, calling him "Sean Dummy" and claiming he's "trying to kill NASA." Here's what may be going on. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/ACLuTDV

Scattering microscopic particles of sulfur in the atmosphere might slow down climate change. It might also change weather patterns. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Q61gCuw

LandSpace conducted a static-fire test with its Zhuque-3 rocket recently, an important step in the prep work ahead of the partially reusable rocket's debut launch. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/i6WrQHD

At the end of October Europa Clipper will fly in line with 3I/ATLAS’ ion tail — but will any of the charged particles reach the spacecraft, and will the spacecraft be ready to receive them? from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/pUX2JPN

We spoke with Neil deGrasse Tyson about his new Q&A book "Just Visiting This Planet: Further Scientific Adventures of Merlin From Omniscia" arriving on Oct. 21, 2025. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/fs6XOkS

Titan's chemical inventory is believed to bear some resemblance to the prebiotic soup on the early Earth. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/I7dXaNK

A massive brain imaging study of nearly 30,000 people has uncovered striking connections between eating ultra-processed foods and measurable changes in brain structure. These changes may be tied to overeating and addictive eating patterns, though scientists caution that more research is needed to confirm cause and effect. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/49m5B8J

A piece of smoldering wreckage found in Western Australia is likely part of a Chinese rocket that crashed to Earth on Saturday (Oct. 18), experts say. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/H8D35Tx

SpaceX has long held the contract to land NASA's Artemis 3 astronauts on the moon a few years from now. But the agency plans to reopen the bidding, according to acting NASA chief Sean Duffy. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/uaL0rzp

A physicist explains the idea of virtual particles and why they are important to study. from Latest from Space.com https://www.space.com/science/particle-physics/virtual-particles-how-physicists-clever-bookkeeping-trick-could-underlie-reality

Researchers have developed a light-emitting sugar probe that exposes how marine microbes break down complex carbohydrates. The innovative fluorescent tool allows scientists to visualize when and where sugars are degraded in the ocean. This breakthrough helps map microbial activity and carbon cycling, providing new clues about how the ocean stores and releases carbon. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/JVTS14a

Both regular and “diet” soft drinks may be far worse for liver health than believed. A massive study of over 120,000 participants found that consuming more than one can a day of either sugar-sweetened or low/no-sugar beverages sharply increased the risk of metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and even liver-related deaths. Surprisingly, “diet” drinks carried similar or higher risks, potentially through changes in gut bacteria and appetite regulation. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/lEgovj6

Scientists at Johns Hopkins may be closing in on dark matter’s elusive trail, uncovering a mysterious gamma ray glow at the heart of our galaxy that could signal unseen matter colliding — or perhaps the frantic spin of dying stars. Using advanced simulations that account for the Milky Way’s ancient formation, researchers found a near-perfect match between theoretical and observed gamma ray maps, tightening the link between dark matter and this puzzling energy. Yet the mystery remains: could these signals come from millisecond pulsars instead? from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/kL4RJs9

SpaceX will launch its 10,000th Starlink satellite today (Oct. 19) on the record-breaking 31st flight of a Falcon 9 rocket, and you can watch the action live. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Ecy8PZw

Researchers have unveiled a new model for the universe’s birth that replaces cosmic inflation with gravitational waves as the driving force behind creation. Their simulations show that gravity and quantum mechanics may alone explain the structure of the cosmos. This elegant approach challenges traditional Big Bang interpretations and revives a century-old idea rooted in Einstein’s work. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/Vgci68y

'Building that was a very careful and sensitive process because I had to imagine everything' from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/FPsKHJA

Two academics look at the stakes involved with air and water pollution if the EPA's budget is cut. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/RVKf0NW

V883 Orionis is a young star that formed in the Orion Nebula half a million years ago. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/pM8aj2k

Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky worked outside the International Space Station on Tuesday (Oct. 16), conducting a spacewalk to install, retrieve and jettison equipment. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/j5UTaYP

Photographer Josh Dury has captured a gorgeous view of Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) brightening the skies above the UK as it nears planet Earth. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/iuChYn3

SpaceX video from Starship's Oct. 13 launch shows the rocket's Super Heavy booster hovering over the gulf before its dive into the deep. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/C2ujeoM

Blocks of carbon dioxide ice appear to carve mysterious gullies on Mars as they melt down dune slopes and blast away sand. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Gc6EUJ9

A new study suggests dark matter could subtly tint or polarize light, leaving faint color clues that next-generation telescopes might detect. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/1Z4z3dv

New SpaceX footage from Starship Flight 11 shows the final moments of Oct. 13 mission, which ended with a picture-perfect splashdown in the Indian Ocean. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/3HrLlM6

October is an excellent time to observe the Andromeda spiral galaxy as it passes high overhead in the Autumn night sky. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/KGXUgkq

Identifying the gravitational waves from black holes binaries could also make it clearer to detect primordial gravitational waves that date back to inflation at the moment of the Big Bang. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/XR8Adwn

Endurance exercise may train the immune system as much as the muscles. Older adults with decades of running or cycling had immune cells that functioned better and aged more slowly. Their inflammation levels were lower and their cells resisted fatigue even under stress. The findings point to a direct link between lifelong fitness and healthier immune regulation. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/6PHu3W4

See how the solar wind shredded Comet Lemmon's tail in an extraordinary view from Earth from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/ZHbkiml

SpaceX launched its Starship megarocket for the 11th time on Monday (Oct. 13), on a successful test flight that marked the end of the road for "Version 2" of the vehicle. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/ZyCjI5q

Conquer the cosmos and lead ships, fleets, and even entire civilizations to victory in the best space strategy games. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/PhFajQX

The Taurid meteor streams have a reputation for generating impressive fireball meteors. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/nGOuBMI

From how space rocks wobble to where to hit them, scientists are learning the fine art of asteroid deflection — and it could one day save Earth. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/qh3VbXa

The Vezda might be vanquished, but there are more cosmic threats for Captain Pike and the Enterprise crew to confront in 2026. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/8Cv1u0G

New research suggests that this mystery platinum signature underneath the Greenland ice sheet may have originated from a volcanic fissure eruption in Iceland, not space. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Hoya5Ij

Researchers in Italy discovered 400,000-year-old evidence that ancient humans butchered elephants for food and tools. At the Casal Lumbroso site near Rome, they found hundreds of bones and stone implements, many showing impact marks from butchery. The findings reveal a consistent prehistoric strategy for resource use during warmer Middle Pleistocene periods. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/4nxaF5Q

Different types of depression affect the body in different ways. Atypical, energy-related depression raises the risk of diabetes, while melancholic depression increases the likelihood of heart disease. Scientists say these differences reflect distinct biological pathways and highlight the need for personalized mental and physical health care. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/it5ZUVk

Researchers have identified two compounds, K102 and K110, that could repair the nerve damage from multiple sclerosis. These drugs help regenerate the protective myelin sheath and balance immune responses. Licensed by Cadenza Bio, the discovery represents a leap from lab research to potential clinical therapy. If successful, it could transform how neurodegenerative diseases are treated. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/EPW06tK

USC engineers have developed an optical system that routes light autonomously using thermodynamic principles. Rather than relying on switches, light organizes itself much like particles in a gas reaching equilibrium. The discovery could simplify and speed up optical communications and computing. It reimagines chaotic optical behavior as a tool for design rather than a limitation. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/v2GhQki

Science and maintenance work continue on the International Space Station, but updates have been all but halted by the U.S. government shutdown. A JAXA astronaut's social media posts are the exception. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/dlyP67m

Four proposed sun-gazing spacecraft, working together, could help speed up space weather warnings by 40%, a new study suggests. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/ziHdRKI

Here's how to find Comet Lemmon in October's night sky. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/lz3kMfg

Researchers discovered that stevioside, a compound from the Stevia plant, enhances the skin absorption of minoxidil, the main treatment for pattern baldness. In mice, a stevioside-infused patch boosted hair follicle activity and new hair growth. The approach could pave the way for more natural, effective hair loss therapies. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/hgFwOGf

We're not the only ones who see a baboon in this nebula photo, right? from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/lrbRj4S

SpaceX moved its Super Heavy booster to the pad recently to gear up for Flight 11 of its Starship megarocket, which is scheduled for Oct. 13. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/J7GA5TS

Just four minutes of darkness was enough to confuse dozens of species of birds. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/u4Kid1g

A new study indicates that crews with a wider range of personalities perform better under pressure, possibly informing how NASA selects and trains its astronauts for future missions to Mars. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/3PQM1oV

Australia's SpIRIT nanosatellite has snapped its first "selfie" from space, marking a successful start to its mission. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/wGHYdvL

The crew on the Chinese Tiangong space station enjoyed tasty treats for mid-Autumn festival while spending time looking at the Earth below them. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/hTZEDKI

Two decades of spacecraft images reveal more than 1,000 dust devils whipping across Mars at unexpected speeds, offering fresh insight into how wind and dust shape the Red Planet. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/tT2FNEw

Hubble captured a breathtaking view of NGC 6000, a spiral galaxy where blue newborn stars shine beside golden, aging ones. The image also reveals traces of ancient supernovae still glowing faintly among the stars. As a bonus, an asteroid crossed Hubble’s field of view, leaving bright streaks that photobombed the shot. The result is a vivid snapshot of cosmic beauty and chance. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/Ru0T1go

A European Mars probe witnessed the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS' Red Planet flyby on Oct. 3, snapping imagery of the interloper from just 19 million miles (30 million kilometers) away. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/QT8AP6s

JWST's detection of phosphine on a brown dwarf, also known as a "failed star," could have repercussions for the claimed detection of the molecule on Venus. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/HiCxFuv

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin plans to launch its 15th space tourism mission on Wednesday morning (Oct. 8), and you can watch it live. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/WB1nKOa

You've explored outer space and battled aliens alone, but now it's time to buddy up with the best co-op space games to play with friends. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Sb64Zfj

As we bring more human consciousness to space, we'll bring with it our human religions while finding new names for new types of spiritual experiences unique to space. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/cVmYHWC

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover may have captured an image of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS streaking across the sky above the Red Planet. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/XejbyhH

Stanford scientists found that aging disrupts the brain’s internal navigation system in mice, mirroring spatial memory decline in humans. Older mice struggled to recall familiar locations, while a few “super-agers” retained youthful brain patterns. Genetic clues suggest some animals, and people, may be naturally resistant to cognitive aging. The discovery could pave the way for preventing memory loss in old age. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/nAb42O0

Researchers uncovered a key cellular regulator, PP2A-B55alpha, that controls both the cleanup of damaged mitochondria and the creation of new ones. In Parkinson’s disease models, reducing this regulator improved symptoms and mitochondrial health. The findings could inspire new drugs for Parkinson’s, mitochondrial disorders, and even cancer. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/65RJ7r9

The Expedition 73 crew continued their science research and maintenance work aboard the International Space Station this week, despite the start of a U.S. government shutdown back on Earth. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/3FidGtu

See stunning photos of Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) as it brightens ahead of a possible naked eye appearance in mid-October. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/QCi6W3P

Alien: Earth suggests a future where consciousness isn't confined to the body you're born in, but is this a realistic possibility, or merely science fiction? We spoke to experts to find out. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/VtdUzDZ

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin just announced the passenger list for NS-36, the company's 15th space tourism launch. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/X6Ll8wu

In 2020, California’s Creek Fire became so intense that it generated its own thunderstorm, a phenomenon called a pyrocumulonimbus cloud. For years, scientists struggled to replicate these explosive fire-born storms in climate models, leaving major gaps in understanding their global effects. Now, a new study has finally simulated them successfully, reproducing the Creek Fire’s storm and others like it. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/XDRO8Yd

Astronomers using JWST have captured the sharpest infrared view yet of the supermassive black hole jet in M87, offering new insights into its structure and physics. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/irZJ6P0

China's Tianwen 2 spacecraft took a picture of itself, as well as the Earth, while en route to a mysterious asteroid that may tell us more about the moon's history. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/XorTQ0t

ESA is making use of spacecraft originally dedicated to its Mars and Jupiter missions to track comet 3I/ATLAS as it continues its journey through our solar system from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/EkKt1Re

Zeaxanthin, best known for eye health, has been found to boost the tumor-killing power of T cells. Researchers showed it strengthens T-cell receptors, enhances immune signaling, and improves the effects of immunotherapy. Found naturally in foods like spinach and peppers, it’s safe, accessible, and now a promising candidate for cancer treatment trials. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/kXGr3pM

An unstable group of asteroids orbiting near Venus could threaten Earth — but not for a few thousand years from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/1C8rLAh

This spinoff of Disney+'s 'The Mandalorian' TV series debuts in theaters on May 22, 2026. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/QWf8ObB

Perseverance rover data shows Jezero Crater once held a calm lake, leaving behind mudstones rich in organic-linked minerals. The presence of iron-phosphate and iron-sulfide nodules suggests processes resembling microbial activity on Earth. Scientists caution that only Earth-based labs can confirm their true origin, but the samples collected may hold the strongest evidence yet of ancient Martian life. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/HT57YEo