New Hubble Space Telescope observations have upended decades of expectations about Uranus’ moons. Scientists once thought the planet’s magnetic field darkened their backsides with radiation, but the latest data shows Titania and Oberon are collecting space dust on their leading sides instead. This “cosmic bug splatter” effect suggests dust from Uranus’ outer moons is drifting inward, covering the moons like a slow space car wash. It’s a surprising discovery that sheds light on the strange and dusty dynamics of the Uranian system.
SpaceX launched 26 Starlink satellites on June 12 from California, expanding its broadband network beyond 7,600 active units. The mission marked the 72nd Falcon 9 launch of 2025, with 53 supporting Starlink. Booster B1081, reused for the 15th time, landed safely on a droneship, reinforcing SpaceX’s continued dominance in satellite deployment and rocket reusability.
A moderate G2 geomagnetic storm on June 14 could push auroras as far south as New York and Idaho, triggered by solar wind from a coronal hole. NOAA forecasts peak geomagnetic activity with a Kp index of 5.67. While increased daylight may limit visibility, skywatchers are advised to look out for northern lights during early morning hours.
Russian scientists have verified the existence of a new island in the northern Caspian Sea, first spotted via satellite in late 2024. Located 30 km from Maly Zhemchuzhny Island, the islet appeared as sea levels reached historic lows due to climate change and tectonic shifts. Although researchers couldn’t land due to shallow water, drone images confirmed the landform’s shape. This new feature may become a key site for ecological studies on how climate and geology reshape inland water bodies like the Caspian Sea.
A new black hole theory proposes a fix to the long-standing singularity paradox by modifying gravity equations. But scientists like Nikodem Poplawski argue that the model lacks observational support and rests on speculative assumptions. He suggests future data from gravitational waves or the cosmic microwave background may one day help us uncover the true nature of black holes.
In a historic first, ESA’s Solar Orbiter has imaged the Sun’s elusive south pole, exposing a tangle of magnetic fields and solar winds. The mission marks a major leap in understanding space weather and the 11-year solar cycle that influences Earth’s environment.
A liquid oxygen (LOx) leak detected in SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has led to the fourth delay of the Axiom-4 mission, which includes Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla. Identified during a static fire test, the leak has paused launch plans as engineers work on repairs and safety checks, with a new launch date yet to be confirmed.
In a landmark study, researchers from the University of Newcastle have identified over 4,300 koalas living in bushlands on Newcastle’s suburban fringe. Using thermal imaging and drone technology, the team mapped populations across 208 sites, including regions like Sugarloaf State Conservation Area, which had few previous records. The results show koalas are surviving in peri-urban landscapes, stressing the importance of preserving these environments. WWF-Australia praised the findings as vital for reaching its goal of doubling koala numbers by 2050 through accurate population monitoring.
NASA’s twin F-15 jets validated critical tools for the X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft, confirming precision systems like shock-sensing probes, schlieren imaging, and ALIGNS navigation during May flights over the Mojave Desert. The successful tests mark a key step in NASA’s Quesst mission, which aims to enable quieter, faster commercial air travel over land by replacing sonic booms with soft “thumps.”
NASA’s Chandra telescope has spotted two powerful black hole jets from over 11.6 billion light-years away. Detected during the universe’s cosmic noon, these jets reveal rare high-speed behaviour boosted by Big Bang remnants. The findings, which factor in relativistic effects, shed new light on early black hole growth and will be published in The Astrophysical Journal.
India’s Axiom-4 space mission to the ISS has been delayed due to a liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon 9 booster. ISRO and SpaceX confirmed the postponement as engineers work to resolve the issue. The mission, featuring India’s first spacecraft pilot, Shubhanshu Shukla, includes global collaborators and over 60 scientific experiments.
NASA has revised the 2032 impact odds of asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting the Moon to 4.3%, up from 3.8%, based on new data from the James Webb Space Telescope. Though once feared for its high Earth impact risk, scientists now say it poses no threat and offers critical insights for future planetary defense strategies.
NASA has unveiled a spectacular near-infrared image of the Sombrero Galaxy taken by the James Webb Space Telescope. This fresh perspective showcases the glowing stellar bulge and dust distribution, deepening our understanding of how galaxies evolve over time.
NASA's Perseverance rover reached new ground on June 7, 2025, exploring ancient Martian terrain at Fallbreen and moving into the Forlandet quadrangle near Jezero Crater. This region may contain Mars' oldest rocks, offering key insights into the planet’s early geology. The mission also honors Earth's own exploration history by naming Martian sites after Arctic landmarks.
NASA's Parker Solar Probe has made a groundbreaking discovery, observing an unprecedented plasma explosion in the Sun's corona. This rare event produced a sunward jet of particles, with protons accelerated to nearly 1,000 times the expected energy. Scientists traced this phenomenon back to a magnetic reconnection site, where twisted solar magnetic field lines explosively realign.
A recent study, backed by NASA, reveals that solar storms are causing Starlink satellites to reenter Earth's atmosphere much faster than anticipated. Analysing data from hundreds of Starlink deorbit events between 2020 and 2024, researchers found that heightened geomagnetic activity drastically increases atmospheric drag, leading to quicker orbital decay.
Gold coins from Colombia’s San José shipwreck show castles, lions, and unique crosses tied to the Lima mint in 1707. The find confirms the ship’s identity and offers rare insight into Spanish colonial wealth. Amid ownership disputes with Spain, Colombia hopes to preserve artifacts in a national museum showcasing the world’s most valuable shipwreck discovery.
Astronomers using the ASKAP telescope have discovered 15 Giant Radio Galaxies, including one stretching 12.4 million light-years. These vast structures offer new clues about black hole life cycles and jet activity. The unprecedented detail of ASKAP’s deep-sky imaging reveals both ancient and recent radio lobes, opening a new chapter in understanding galactic evolution and cosmic-scale phenomena.
Indian Air Force pilot Shubhanshu Shukla will become the first Indian astronaut to reach the ISS via a private mission when Axiom-4 launches on June 10. With 15 years of flying experience, Shukla has earned admiration from international crewmates for his skill and insight, hoping his journey inspires India’s next generation of space explorers.
SpaceX launched SiriusXM's SXM-10 satellite early Saturday, June 7, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral. The mission marked the eighth flight for the reused first-stage booster, which landed on the drone ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas.” SXM-10, a 6,400-kg satellite built by Maxar, will enter geostationary orbit to enhance SiriusXM’s broadcasting services across North America.
While conducting microgravity experiments and preparing for the Ax-4 crew, ISS astronauts documented massive wildfire smoke clouds drifting over Canada and the U.S., highlighting the station’s role in monitoring Earth-based environmental events from orbit. The smoke, seen from space, resulted from wildfires that triggered evacuations and impacted air quality across several North American regions
An AI-based study has found that Mars’s mysterious dark slope streaks are likely formed by dust and wind, not flowing water as long believed. Based on an analysis of over 86,000 satellite images, the findings challenge past theories and may help scientists focus future Mars missions on more promising areas in the search for ancient life.
Archaeologists from Slovakia and Guatemala have unearthed three previously unknown Maya cities in Guatemala’s Petén jungle. The sites—Los Abuelos, Petnal, and Cambrayal—feature ceremonial statues, pyramids, astronomical alignments, and advanced water engineering. Highlights include ancestral altars, a 108-foot pyramid, and a palace with a rooftop cistern. These discoveries illuminate the early evolution of Maya civilization, linking past looted artifacts to their origins and showcasing their engineering genius. The finds span nearly 1,300 years of Maya history and offer a fresh look into their complex society, rituals, and architecture.
NASA and ISRO are launching a series of innovative biological and technological experiments aboard Axiom Mission 4, targeting a June 10 liftoff. Investigations will explore muscle cell health, seed germination, algae growth, and the survival of tardigrades in space. They will also study astronaut interactions with electronic displays. These microgravity experiments could help enhance astronaut health, enable fresh food production in orbit, and inform better touchscreen tech. The research supports future long-duration space travel and may even offer insights for improving muscle and nutrition treatments on Earth.
Sharks were long thought to be silent, but a surprising new study reveals that rig sharks can make clicking sounds when handled. Evolutionary biologist Carolin Nieder first discovered the clicks by accident during lab tests. These sounds—likely produced by snapping their flat teeth—occurred most often during initial handling, suggesting a stress or defense response. If confirmed in the wild, this could change how scientists understand shark communication. The study opens new questions about the acoustic capabilities and behavioral complexity of these ancient marine predators.
Researchers at Finland’s University of Jyväskylä have identified astatine-188, the heaviest atomic nucleus yet known to undergo proton emission. This rare radioactive decay challenges established nuclear models and offers new insight into the structure and stability of exotic isotopes. The breakthrough, published in Nature Communications, marks a major step forward in understanding the limits of atomic matter.
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has captured a breathtaking image of glowing gas and dust in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy orbiting the Milky Way. The colorful filaments—nicknamed “galactic cotton candy”—highlight active star-forming regions. Taken with five filters across ultraviolet to infrared wavelengths, the image reveals how massive stars influence their environment. By mapping hydrogen-rich clouds and hidden newborn stars, this composite portrait offers both scientific insight and visual wonder, providing clues to how galaxies evolve while sharing an awe-inspiring view with the public.
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has unveiled the turbulent history of WASP-121b, a scorching exoplanet distorted by its star’s gravity. New atmospheric data reveals unusual molecules like silicon monoxide and methane, shedding light on the planet’s violent migration and extreme climate. These findings challenge current models and enhance understanding of exoplanet evolution.
SpaceX launched 27 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit on June 4 using a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The mission marked booster B1063’s 26th successful flight and a key milestone in SpaceX’s reusability efforts. The satellites will soon join the Starlink constellation, which comprises over 7,600 active internet-beaming units.
Astronomers have discovered extreme nuclear transients — rare and powerful explosions caused by stars being torn apart by supermassive black holes. These events, brighter and longer-lasting than supernovae, were observed using data from Gaia and ZTF. As the most energetic cosmic outbursts since the Big Bang, they offer valuable insights into black hole growth and galactic activity in the early universe.
NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) has begun final preparations at Kennedy Space Center for a launch no earlier than September 2025. The mission will position IMAP at Lagrange Point 1, a million miles from Earth, to study the solar wind and the edge of the heliosphere. The spacecraft, built by Johns Hopkins APL, will fly alongside two other satellites on a SpaceX Falcon 9. IMAP is part of NASA’s Solar Terrestrial Probes program and is led by Princeton University with contributions from 25 international partners.
Rocket Lab launched BlackSky’s Gen-3 satellite to a 470-km orbit aboard its Electron rocket on June 2. The mission, part of a four-launch series, marked Electron’s 65th flight and reinforced its role in commercial space. The Gen-3 satellite will enhance Earth's imaging with AI-powered analytics for defence, commercial, and humanitarian applications.
NASA’s RASSOR robot recently underwent testing at Kennedy Space Center, successfully excavating simulated lunar soil with its unique counterrotating drums. This trial validates RASSOR’s traction and digging capabilities, paving the way for IPEx—the next-gen, autonomous excavator designed to harvest Moon resources like oxygen and water. The test marks a major step in developing in-situ resource utilization technologies critical for long-term lunar exploration and future Mars missions. Engineers say RASSOR's performance directly influences IPEx’s design, aimed at supporting NASA’s Artemis program and sustainable off-Earth living.
Scientists at Cornell’s Carl Sagan Institute propose that Jupiter’s moon Europa could host life for up to 200 million years during the sun’s red giant phase. While Earth would be incinerated, Europa’s subsurface oceans might temporarily support microbial life, offering a final refuge in the solar system and expanding the search for biosignatures beyond traditional planetary zones.
In September 2023, a global seismic mystery puzzled scientists for nine days. New research now confirms it was caused by two mega-tsunamis triggered by landslides in East Greenland. The waves became trapped in a fjord, forming seiches that shook the Earth. Using cutting-edge data from NASA’s SWOT satellite, scientists detected these hidden waves for the first time, solving the mystery and highlighting climate-driven extremes. The study also showcases how advanced satellite technology can uncover remote phenomena invisible to traditional methods, reshaping our ability to monitor Earth’s changing climate and seismic activity.
NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft has provided the first direct evidence of "sputtering"—a powerful atmospheric escape process where solar wind particles blast atoms off Mars. The newly published study confirms that this process played a major role in the Red Planet’s transformation from a once-wet, habitable world to its current barren state. Argon gas measurements and long-term data reveal that sputtering happens at a rate four times higher than once thought and was especially intense billions of years ago, accelerating the loss of atmosphere and surface water.
Japan’s private moonshot ended in disappointment as ispace’s Resilience lander crashed during final descent. A delay in rangefinder data prevented timely deceleration, causing a hard landing on the lunar surface. This marks the company’s second failure. Despite the setback, ispace plans future missions in 2027 with the upgraded Apex 1.0 lander to continue Japan’s lunar exploration efforts.
ISRO conducted a successful third hot test of its SE2000 semi-cryogenic engine on May 28, 2025, at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri. This final test in a three-phase series validated the start-up sequence of the engine, which uses liquid oxygen and kerosene in a staged combustion cycle. The SE2000 will power the upcoming SC120 stage of the LVM3, enhancing its payload capacity significantly. With subsystem validations complete, ISRO now moves toward full engine integration, aiming for a 2027 launch and expanding India's capabilities in space exploration and global launch services.
ispace's Resilience lander is on the brink of touching down on the Moon’s Mare Frigoris region. If successful, this June 5 landing will mark a major milestone for Japan’s private space sector and the SMBC x HAKUTO-R Mission 2. The mission could mark a significant achievement for private space exploration in Japan.
A blue-eyed Bavarian toddler buried 1,350 years ago was found with silk robes, a sword, silver ornaments, and a piglet. Dubbed the “Ice Prince”, the child was interred in a Roman-era villa. The wealth of grave goods and preservation of the tomb reveal rare insights into aristocratic life and early Christian burial rites in early medieval Bavaria.
The discovery of a potential dwarf planet, 2017 OF201, in the farthest reaches of the solar system is reshaping our understanding of space. With a highly elongated orbit and large size, it contradicts the Planet Nine hypothesis, which predicted orbital clustering among distant objects. This finding not only questions the existence of a ninth planet but also suggests many more icy bodies may lie hidden in the Scattered Disk and beyond. Detected through archival data, 2017 OF201 adds a critical piece to the puzzle of our solar system’s unexplored frontier.
Is Venus still geologically alive? New findings using NASA's Magellan data reveal that the planet's surface may be actively reshaped by subsurface plumes, supporting modern tectonic activity. Using NASA’s Magellan data and computer simulations, the study offers compelling evidence that Venus is not geologically dead, with implications for future planetary exploration.
A groundbreaking genetic study published in Current Biology reveals that the Maya civilization didn’t mysteriously vanish around 1,200 years ago, as once thought. By analyzing ancient genomes from Copán in western Honduras, researchers discovered strong genetic continuity from the Late Archaic era to modern Maya groups. This evidence challenges the idea of collapse and instead points to a large-scale social reorganization. The Maya people adapted to environmental and political upheaval, preserving their identity and culture through centuries of transformation and migration.
Skywatchers can spot Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Saturn in prime June skies during dusk and dawn hours. With Mercury at its best visibility, Mars pairing with Regulus, and Venus and Saturn rising before sunrise, celestial highlights abound. A crescent moon joins Mars on June 29, making this month ideal for skywatching and astrophotography.
Hubble’s latest view features NGC 3507, a barred spiral galaxy in Leo, secretly traveling with its companion NGC 3501. Though only one is captured in the frame, both are spiral galaxies seen from different angles, offering a dual cosmic perspective. The image also reveals nearby stars and faint, distant galaxies across the backdrop of deep space.
The cosmic mystery of how quasars and Little Red Dots relate may soon be solved, thanks to new research using the James Webb Space Telescope. A study published on May 7, 2025, in arXiv reveals a population of dust-obscured supermassive black holes in the early universe.
SpaceX launched its ninth Starship test flight on May 27, showcasing bold advancements including the first reuse of a Super Heavy booster. Although both rocket stages were lost before completing all mission goals, the test delivered valuable data on reusability, aerodynamic control, and thermal protection. The upper stage reached space and attempted satellite deployment, but suffered from a fuel tank leak and failed to complete its return. Flight 9 reinforces SpaceX’s iterative approach as the company aims to develop a fully reusable rocket system for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
A groundbreaking study of a 7,100-year-old skeleton found in Yunnan, China, has revealed a "ghost" human lineage previously known only through genetic inference. The woman, named Xingyi_EN, belonged to a deeply divergent group called the Basal Asian Xingyi lineage, which may have contributed to modern Tibetan ancestry. This discovery, along with evidence of a distinct Central Yunnan ancestry, highlights the region's role as a vital crossroads of ancient human migration. The findings, published in Science, emphasize Yunnan's importance in understanding East and Southeast Asia’s complex population history.
SpaceX plans to launch 170 orbital missions in 2025, a new record that underscores the firm’s operational dominance. Anne Mason confirmed the ambitious target, citing reusable rockets and a growing Starlink network. The company must increase its daily rate slightly to meet the goal, excluding suborbital Starship tests aimed at Mars readiness.
For the first time, scientists have captured ultra-detailed footage of the sun’s outer atmosphere, showing coronal rain and a never-before-seen plasma stream. These new images were made possible by adaptive optics that cut through Earth’s atmospheric interference, revealing structures never observed before. The findings could unlock solar mysteries and enhance space weather prediction capabilities.