Space Science
NASA's Juno spacecraft has revealed that lightning in Jupiter's storms is at least 100 times more powerful than on Earth, based on data from 2021 and 2022. The findings, published on March 20 in AGU Advances, come as the mission's future hangs in balance due to budget constraints. NASA officials are weighing whether to extend operations amid funding shortfalls.
Imeripotiwa na AI
Astronomers have discovered four exceptionally low-density planets orbiting a 20-million-year-old star named V1298 Tau, offering insights into the formation of common planetary systems. These worlds, with densities akin to polystyrene, are seen as precursors to super-Earths and sub-Neptunes. The findings, based on five years of observations, highlight a young version of systems prevalent across the galaxy.
Scientists propose that explosive volcanic eruptions billions of years ago transported water from Mars's interior to its equatorial regions, forming thick ice layers beneath the surface. This mechanism explains radar-detected ice in the planet's hottest area without relying on shifts in Mars's axial tilt. The discovery could aid future human missions by providing accessible water resources.
Imeripotiwa na AI
A new analysis indicates that the moon's South Pole-Aitken basin, its oldest and largest crater, likely formed from an asteroid impact originating from the north rather than the south. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the moon's early history. The discovery could enhance the value of NASA's upcoming Artemis III mission to the basin's rim.