Israel intensifies strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen under Operation Black Flag
Israel’s Minister of Defense announced the launch of Operation Black Flag, with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) carrying out strikes on multiple mi...
NASA has launched two missions to explore the universe’s origins and the Sun’s outer atmosphere. The SPHEREx observatory and PUNCH satellite constellation will map the cosmos and study solar wind, helping scientists understand cosmic evolution and improve space weather forecasts.
NASA has initiated two groundbreaking missions to investigate the universe’s origins and the Sun’s outer atmosphere, the agency announced Tuesday.
Aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the SPHEREx observatory and the PUNCH satellite constellation launched from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base after multiple delays due to technical reviews and weather conditions.
Over the next two years, SPHEREx will conduct a full-sky survey four times, analyzing the light from hundreds of millions of galaxies to create a 3D map of the cosmos. This data may provide new insights into how the universe evolved after the Big Bang nearly 14 billion years ago.
NASA scientists believe the mission will help uncover the large-scale distribution of galaxies, shedding light on cosmic inflation—a rapid expansion phase in the early universe. Additionally, SPHEREx will search for water ice and other life-essential molecules within the Milky Way.
“Humanity has long wondered, ‘How did we get here?’ and ‘Are we alone?’” said James Fanson, SPHEREx project manager. “With these tools, we’re closer than ever to finding answers.”
Meanwhile, PUNCH is set to study how the Sun’s corona extends into the solar wind—a continuous stream of charged particles that impacts space weather. By tracking these interactions, researchers aim to enhance forecasts of solar storms that can disrupt satellites and power grids on Earth.
“The space between planets isn’t empty—it’s shaped by turbulent solar wind,” explained Craig DeForest, PUNCH’s principal investigator. “This mission will help us understand how these winds form and influence space weather on Earth.”
Both missions will operate in low Earth orbit, with SPHEREx managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and PUNCH led by the Southwest Research Institute.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck off Japan’s Tokara Islands on Wednesday, with no tsunami warning issued but residents advised to remain vigilant.
The United States has rescinded licensing restrictions on ethane exports to China, allowing shipments to resume after a temporary halt and signalling progress in efforts to ease recent trade tensions.
Italy plans to grant approximately 500,000 work visas to non-EU nationals between 2026 and 2028, as announced in a cabinet statement. The initiative aims to address labor shortages by expanding legal immigration pathways
Following a deadly glacier collapse in Blatten, near the Swiss Alpine village of Kandersteg, the town is on high alert as melting permafrost and shifting rock threaten another potential disaster after it was buried a month ago.
China’s northern and western provinces are on high alert for flash floods and landslides as intense monsoon rains continue to overwhelm defences, killing at least seven and displacing communities across the country.
The European Commission has dismissed industry calls to delay the rollout of its landmark AI Act, confirming that the law will proceed according to its legally established timeline.
The European Commission has proposed a strategy to position Europe as a global leader in quantum technology by 2030. The initiative aims to advance the quantum sector while preserving Europe’s scientific edge.
Boeing said on Thursday it had secured a $2.8 billion U.S. contract to develop and produce two satellites with options for two more.
Scientists have captured the first clear image of a rare double-detonation supernova, where a white dwarf star is destroyed by two rapid explosions, producing key elements such as calcium and iron.
The UK Space Agency has launched a new process to tackle the growing threat of space debris, initiating a £75.6 million tender for the country’s first mission to actively remove defunct satellites from orbit.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment