NASA’s satellite images have captured the ongoing volcanic eruption near Iceland's Blue Lagoon. The eruption, which started on 20 November, caused lava to flow from a fissure, with the nearby Blue Lagoon spa and Grindavík being evacuated. The infrared visuals reveal lava glowing brighter than Reykjavík. While the eruption is ongoing, lava flow has slowed since the initial event.

Gemini North has imaged 3I/ATLAS, the third interstellar object to enter our solar system. Larger than its predecessors and possibly older than our solar system, the comet will pass closest to the Sun on Oct. 30 before returning to deep space. Scientists worldwide are racing to gather data during its brief visit.

NASA has grounded Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner until at least 2026 following critical malfunctions during its June 2024 crewed test flight. The mission was cut short due to multiple thruster failures and helium pressurization leaks. NASA decided to bring Starliner back to Earth empty, leaving the astronauts on the ISS for safety. Engineers traced the issues to thermal damage in thruster housings and are now testing fixes, including added insulation. Starliner may require another uncrewed test before resuming crewed flights. Meanwhile, the program has gone billions over budget. Despite setbacks, NASA continues to support Starliner as a needed backup to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon for ISS rotations.

A landmark experiment has shown magic state distillation using logical qubits, solving a 20-year challenge in quantum computing. This finding from QuEra, published in Nature, strengthens the foundation for error-corrected, scalable quantum machines.

NASA and India’s ISRO are set to launch NISAR, a first-of-its-kind Earth-observing satellite equipped with advanced dual-band radar. Scheduled to lift off no earlier than late July 2025 from Sriharikota, India, NISAR will map nearly all of Earth’s land and ice every 12 days, capturing surface changes with centimeter-level precision. Its L-band and S-band radar systems can penetrate clouds, vegetation, and even soil, making it ideal for monitoring natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and landslides. NISAR will deliver critical data for climate studies, disaster response, and land-use planning—marking a major step in global Earth science collaboration.

China’s Tianwen 2 spacecraft, now millions of kilometers from Earth, captured distant images of Earth and the moon as it journeys to asteroid Kamo'oalewa. Set to collect samples by 2026 and return them in 2027, the mission could reveal insights into the solar system’s formation—before continuing on to a second deep-space target, comet 311P/PANSTARRS.

A massive July 15 filament eruption from the sun’s limb carved a 250,000‑mile‑long plasma canyon captured by NASA’s SDO. The spectacular rift, formed as magnetic fields realigned, featured 12,400‑mile‑high plasma walls. Although the eruption launched a coronal mass ejection into space, SOHO and GOES‑19 imagery confirm it’s heading away from Earth, posing no geomagnetic threat.

NASA’s Crew-11 astronauts have entered the final stage before launch: a two-week quarantine designed to prevent illness before their mission to the ISS. Led by commander Zena Cardman, the four-person team also includes Nick Hague, Thomas Pesquet (ESA), and Alexander Grebenkin (Roscosmos). The team will launch no earlier than July 31 from Kennedy Space Center aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon. Once aboard the ISS, Crew-11 will carry out six months of science research, including biotech, algae cell division, bacteriophage therapy, and stem cell experiments—all aimed at improving health in space and on Earth.

NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and Hubble Space Telescope have captured a dramatic cosmic event: a baby exoplanet, TOI 1227 b, is being stripped of its atmosphere by powerful X-rays from its host star. Only 8 million years old and orbiting a red dwarf, this Jupiter-sized planet is losing gas at a rate equal to Earth’s entire atmosphere every 200 years. Astronomers believe the planet may eventually shrink into a barren rocky core. The discovery offers a rare, real-time glimpse into atmospheric erosion and shows how intense radiation from young stars plays a key role in shaping the long-term fate of planetary systems.

The transverse Thomson effect, a thermoelectric phenomenon theorised nearly 100 years ago, has been observed experimentally for the first time. Scientists demonstrated its unique ability to switch between heating and cooling, opening new possibilities for advanced thermal management systems.

China has launched the Tianzhou 9 cargo spacecraft carrying 7.2 tons of supplies, including upgraded spacesuits and scientific equipment, to support the Shenzhou 20 crew aboard the Tiangong space station. The mission marks China’s ninth cargo flight and highlights its ongoing investment in maintaining a long-term human presence and scientific research capability in low Earth orbit.

The GW231123 event marks the most massive black hole merger ever detected through gravitational waves, involving black holes of 100 and 140 solar masses. Observed by the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA network, it challenges current black hole formation models with extreme mass and spin, suggesting a complex origin. Scientists believe its full implications may take years to decode.

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has achieved a solar milestone by capturing the closest-ever images of the Sun, taken just 3.8 million miles from its surface in December 2024. These WISPR images reveal unprecedented details of the corona, solar wind, and CME collisions. Scientists say this breakthrough will improve our ability to forecast space weather and understand the Sun’s magnetic structure. The probe’s findings confirm theories about slow solar wind origins and the dynamics of solar eruptions—critical knowledge for protecting satellites, astronauts, and power grids from solar storms.

Astronomers have discovered that Uranus emits 12% more heat than it receives from sunlight, contradicting past data from Voyager 2. The internal warmth likely comes from leftover energy in the planet’s core, offering clues to its tilt and interior structure. This unexpected heat has intensified calls for a flagship NASA mission to Uranus. Scientists say such a mission could launch an atmospheric probe and orbit the planet for years, studying its composition, rings, and many moons. As ice giants are common in exoplanetary systems, Uranus may hold secrets to planetary formation.

Using JWST, astronomers discovered a black hole between two galaxy cores in the Infinity Galaxy—possibly the first direct evidence of a black hole formed by gas collapse, not stellar death. This rare “heavy seed” black hole challenges standard models and could help explain how supermassive black holes appeared so soon after the Big Bang.

The European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope has captured the clearest images so far of comet 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar visitor first spotted on July 1, 2025. Identified by its hyperbolic orbit, the comet is only the third interstellar object recorded passing through our solar system. The VLT’s deep image and timelapse confirm it is active, with a visible coma. Astronomers will lose sight of it during its October approach, but plan to resume observations in December. Researchers hope to unlock clues about its origin and how it compares to previous interstellar comets.

The Axiom Space Ax-4 mission concluded as SpaceX’s Dragon capsule Grace brought four astronauts back to Earth after more than 2.5 weeks on the ISS. Commanded by Peggy Whitson, the crew conducted 60 experiments. The capsule safely splashes down in the Pacific Ocean, marking SpaceX’s second West Coast crew recovery.

A groundbreaking study from University College London and the University of Cambridge reveals that water ice in space, long believed to be completely amorphous due to extreme cold, may actually contain up to 25% crystalline structure. Simulations and X-ray diffraction experiments confirm the presence of nanocrystals in so-called low-density amorphous ice. This surprising finding has significant implications for our understanding of planetary formation, galactic evolution, and how life’s essential ingredients may have traveled to Earth on interstellar ice grains.

In response to severe flooding near Kerrville, Texas, NASA deployed two aircraft equipped with DyNAMITE and UAVSAR sensors. These tools deliver real-time, high-resolution imagery and radar data to aid FEMA and local authorities in search, rescue, and recovery operations.

NASA’s DART mission successfully deflected an asteroid but also unleashed high-velocity boulders with unexpected momentum. These chaotic ejecta may alter asteroid spin and orbit, complicating future deflection strategies. A new study highlights the importance of accounting for such forces in planetary defence. ESA’s Hera mission will further investigate the aftermath when it reaches Dimorphos in 2026.

Scientists report that Earth will briefly spin faster on July 9, 22, and August 5, shortening those summer days by 1.3 to 1.5 milliseconds. Though undetectable in daily life, this shift offers clues to how lunar gravity and seasonal changes affect planetary dynamics. Experts note that while timekeeping systems like GPS are unaffected, this rare speed-up may one day prompt a “negative leap second” to sync atomic clocks. It’s a subtle, fascinating reminder of how our planet’s rhythm change over time.

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has unveiled the “Cosmic Owl,” a jaw-dropping image of two colliding ring galaxies forming a structure that resembles an owl’s face. This double-ring formation is extraordinarily rare, and the event is shedding light on galaxy evolution, black hole dynamics, and rapid star formation. Led by Ph.D. student Mingyu Li of Tsinghua University, researchers say this discovery serves as a powerful lab for studying how galaxies interact and grow. The “Cosmic Owl” may also help scientists understand how young galaxies amassed stars at astonishing speeds.

MIT’s new AI lets soft robots move precisely from just one image input—cutting cost, complexity, and reliance on rigid hardware.

NASA’s Ax-4 mission is set to return to Earth on July 14 after two and a half weeks aboard the International Space Station. The four-member crew, led by Peggy Whitson, includes the first astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary. They completed over 60 science experiments ranging from algae-based life support to wearable nanomaterials. Expedition 73 astronauts helped prep Dragon for departure, including securing blood and saliva samples. Dragon will carry 580 pounds of science cargo and splash down off the California coast, concluding this groundbreaking international research mission.

NASA’s Mars Sample Return Mission is at risk due to skyrocketing costs, but a new cost-efficient proposal from Lockheed Martin could save the mission. By reusing technology from the InSight lander, the plan promises to bring back Mars samples at a fraction of the expected $11 billion.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s farewell message from the ISS during the Axiom-4 mission was a stirring tribute to India’s space journey. Echoing Rakesh Sharma’s iconic 1984 phrase, Shukla said that from orbit, India appears “full of ambition, fearless, confident and full of pride.” His 18-day stay aboard the ISS included over 60 experiments, with seven led by Indian scientists on topics such as muscle loss and plant biology.

A meteorite from the outer solar system may upend long-held beliefs about planetary formation. New research shows rocky planets like Earth may have formed at the same time as those beyond Jupiter. The findings challenge previous models and suggest a more synchronised origin for rocky worlds across the solar system, with major implications for planetary science.

NASA’s Hubble and Webb telescopes have captured spectacular images of NGC 460 and NGC 456, two star clusters in the Small Magellanic Cloud. These young, open clusters are filled with massive, hot stars that trigger new star formation by carving nebulae. The findings provide insights into early universe conditions and interstellar medium behaviour.

Astronomers have confirmed the arrival of 3I/ATLAS, only the third interstellar object ever spotted in our solar system. First seen on July 1, 2025, by the ATLAS survey team in Chile, it was quickly identified by its unusual hyperbolic orbit and comet-like tail. Larger and brighter than either 1I/ʻOumuamua or 2I/Borisov, 3I/ATLAS is estimated to be about 15 kilometers in diameter. Scientists plan to analyze its light for chemical clues to its star system of origin. Unlike its predecessors, 3I/ATLAS will be easier to observe, giving astronomers a rare chance to directly study material from another part of the galaxy. It poses no threat to Earth but holds tremendous scientific value.

Scientists have successfully recreated Fermi acceleration in a lab using ultracold atoms and movable optical barriers, simulating how cosmic rays gain energy in space. Developed by teams from Birmingham and Chicago, the mini Fermi accelerator marks a major advance in particle physics, opening doors to high-energy astrophysics studies and innovations in quantum technology and atomtronics.

Astronomers suggest that brown dwarfs—dim, failed stars—could transform into “dark dwarfs” by capturing dark matter in their cores. When dark matter particles annihilate, they release heat, potentially lighting up these stars. Physicist Jeremy Sakstein and researchers like Jillian Paulin and Rebecca Leane support this idea, which could help identify dark matter as heavy, self-annihilating particles. These objects may retain lithium-7, unlike typical brown dwarfs. Telescopes like NASA’s James Webb may already be capable of spotting such bodies near the Milky Way’s center, offering vital clues about the nature of dark matter.

Scientists have created a groundbreaking gelatin-based robotic skin capable of sensing touch, heat, and physical damage like cuts or burns. Developed by a team including Dr. Thomas George Thuruthel from University College London, the skin uses a single conductive layer embedded with electrodes to detect and classify stimuli. It was tested through pokes, burns, and slices, generating over a million data points processed by a machine-learning model. This low-cost, stretchable material simplifies traditional multi-sensor designs, offering a practical solution for enhancing prosthetic limbs and humanoid robots with lifelike sensitivity and responsiveness in real-world environments.

Scientists have proposed a new class of stellar objects called “dark dwarfs,” sub-stellar bodies that may glow faintly from the energy released by annihilating dark matter particles. Found near the galaxy’s core, these objects could hold crucial clues about the elusive nature of dark matter. Powered not by fusion but by WIMP-like particles, dark dwarfs would retain lithium-7 in their atmospheres—providing a unique observational marker. Researchers believe telescopes like JWST may soon detect them, offering new evidence in the decades-long hunt for dark matter’s true identity.

In a rare celestial event, NASA astronaut Nichole “Vapor” Ayers captured a vivid red sprite lightning phenomenon from the International Space Station as it flared above a thunderstorm across Mexico and the southern U.S. The image highlights the importance of orbital observation and NASA's citizen-science initiative, Spritacular, which collects public photos of Transient Luminous Events (TLEs). With only milliseconds to appear, these upper-atmosphere flashes remain one of Earth’s most mysterious natural occurrences, offering a glimpse into powerful storm dynamics and possible links to lightning on other planets.

The Progress 92 spacecraft, launched by Roscosmos on July 4, 2025, has successfully docked with the International Space Station. The uncrewed cargo vehicle brought tons of food, fuel, equipment, and research materials to support the Expedition 73 crew.

New astronomical breakthroughs have identified where the universe’s “missing” ordinary matter resides. Using 70 FRBs, including one from 9 billion light-years away, scientists discovered that 76% of ordinary matter exists between galaxies. A separate X-ray study observed an enormous hot gas filament connecting galaxy clusters.

Crews aboard the ISS carried out crucial biomedical research focused on immunity and muscle function in space. JAXA’s Takuya Onishi and the Ax-4 astronauts contributed to ongoing health studies, while engineers completed maintenance tasks and offloaded cargo from Progress 92. These activities mark another step forward in preparing humans for long-term space travel.

Astronomers have discovered 3I/ATLAS, the third known interstellar comet to pass through our solar system. Detected by the ATLAS telescope in Chile, it’s racing inward at 150,000 mph and will swing closest to the Sun in October. Estimated to be 10–20 kilometers across, it is likely the largest interstellar object observed so far. Signs of cometary activity suggest it’s an icy relic from another star system. Early detection has given astronomers time to study its composition before it’s altered by solar heating—offering rare insight into planet formation beyond our own system.

NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft accomplished a world-first by performing a deep-space stellar navigation test using stellar parallax. On April 23, 2020, while 438 million miles from Earth, it imaged nearby stars Proxima Centauri and Wolf 359. From the spacecraft’s distant viewpoint, the stars appeared slightly shifted compared to Earth-based observations, showcasing a clear demonstration of stellar parallax. By comparing these images with Earth data and a 3D star chart, scientists accurately determined New Horizons’ position within 4.1 million miles. This groundbreaking achievement proves that a spacecraft can navigate autonomously by observing stars using onboard cameras. The technique reduces reliance on Earth-based tracking systems and offers a viable navigation method for future missions to the outer solar system and beyond. NASA sees this as a vital step toward interstellar travel and self-guided deep-space exploration.

Researchers at MIT and the University of Wisconsin have developed AI-designed underwater gliders inspired by marine animals. The new shapes, generated using machine learning, move more efficiently underwater than traditional torpedo designs. This innovation could greatly improve climate and ocean monitoring by enabling better performance, energy savings, and adaptive navigation in underwater environments.

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled ESO 591-12, a long-overlooked globular cluster glittering with multicolored stars. Captured during a survey of missing clusters, this image provides new insight into stellar evolution and the early Milky Way. It marks a vital step in resolving the structure and origin of ancient star systems hidden within our galaxy.

Massive stars may lose much more mass than expected before collapsing into black holes. A new study reveals that their powerful stellar winds strip outer layers early, reshaping theories of star evolution, black hole formation, and gravitational wave events. This research challenges previous models and helps explain observed features of stars like R136a1 in the Tarantula Nebula.

Astronomers have captured the first-ever image of a white dwarf star undergoing a rare double-detonation supernova. Using the Very Large Telescope, the team revealed that such explosions can occur without a star reaching the Chandrasekhar limit. The findings, published in Nature Astronomy, could reshape existing theories about stellar death and improve our understanding of cosmic distance measurement.

MethaneSAT, a climate-monitoring satellite backed by Google and the Bezos Earth Fund, has failed after just one year in orbit. Launched in March 2024 to track methane leaks, the $88 million satellite lost power in June 2025. Though unrecoverable, mission operators will continue analyzing the collected data to support climate action and emission transparency efforts.

Astronomers have identified 3I/ATLAS as the third confirmed interstellar comet, racing through the solar system at 68 km/s. Discovered on July 1, it will pass near the sun in October. Skywatchers can view this rare object live online tonight, thanks to a live stream by the Virtual Telescope Project using observatories in Italy.

In a global first, researchers at Australia’s CSIRO used quantum machine learning to enhance semiconductor design, outperforming classical AI models. By modeling Ohmic resistance in GaN transistors, the team built a hybrid quantum–classical model using just 5 qubits. This Quantum Kernel-Aligned Regressor revealed subtle fabrication patterns that classical methods missed. Their model guided new device fabrication, resulting in higher-performing chips. This success proves quantum-enhanced design can generalize to real-world production, marking a major leap toward practical quantum advantage in materials science and electronics manufacturing.

Scientists have created a groundbreaking metamaterial that breaks Kirchhoff’s law by emitting 43% more mid-infrared radiation in one direction than it absorbs. Built from layered InGaAs and tested at 512°F with a 5T magnetic field, the structure exhibits record thermal nonreciprocity. This breakthrough enables controlled one-way heat flow, a step toward thermal diodes and transistors. Unlike previous weak and narrowband effects, this design works across multiple angles and wavelengths. The discovery has major implications for heat management, solar thermophotovoltaics, and energy harvesting technologies.

TEMPO, a collaborative space mission by NASA, NOAA, and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, is transforming air quality tracking across North America. Since 2023, it has delivered hourly, high-resolution pollution data from space, aiding researchers, health officials, and the public.

Russia’s Progress 92 cargo ship launched on July 3 atop a Soyuz rocket from Baikonur, carrying nearly 3 tons of supplies to the International Space Station. The uncrewed freighter is set to dock on July 5, replacing Progress 90. NASA will livestream the event, as Progress 92 continues supporting ISS operations alongside Cygnus and SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.

NASA-backed astronomers have identified HIP 67522 b, a Jupiter-sized planet orbiting extremely close to its star, causing massive magnetic explosions. For the first time, a planet has been shown to trigger solar flares on its host star, highlighting a new era in exoplanet and stellar magnetic research.

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have identified a possible jellyfish galaxy about 12 billion light-years away. Named COSMOS2020-635829, it shows tentacle-like streams of gas and stars trailing off one side—likely formed through ram pressure stripping in a dense cluster. If confirmed, it would be the most distant jellyfish galaxy ever found, offering rare clues into galaxy evolution during the universe’s peak star-forming era. Though more data is needed to confirm its classification, this discovery highlights how cluster environments shaped galaxies even in the early cosmos.