The splashdown of the SpaceX capsule with astronauts Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Aleksandr Gorbunov off the Florida coast on Tuesday marked a significant event. Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter to stay informed about the latest discoveries and scientific advancements in the universe.
NASA’s Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore returned from the International Space Station after spending 286 days in orbit, much longer than their initial eight-day mission. The journey was not without challenges, as the Boeing Starliner they piloted faced multiple issues, leading to delays and troubleshooting. Despite claims of abandonment by President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, the astronauts themselves denied such accusations.
During their extended stay, Williams and Wilmore conducted spacewalks, carried out extensive research, and prepared for the technical aspects of their mission. The mission was not record-breaking, with NASA’s Frank Rubio holding the record for a 371-day stay in space.
In a separate achievement, the Blue Ghost robotic lunar lander successfully completed its mission near the moon’s south pole, collecting valuable data for future human missions. The lander marked a milestone in commercial moon landings, paving the way for future exploration.
As humanity continues its journey to the stars, scientific studies about exoplanets orbiting distant stars and other celestial bodies are providing new insights and raising new questions about the vast universe. Stay informed with the latest updates on scientific discoveries and space exploration by subscribing to our newsletter.
A study by researchers reveals that planets are tightly orbiting Barnard’s Star, one of our nearby cosmic neighbors. These exoplanets are likely too hot and lack atmospheres, water, and life, according to Edward Guinan, a professor at Villanova University. The findings provide valuable insights into worlds beyond our solar system, although they may not be habitable.
New research utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope and ALMA telescope in Chile has shown that oxygen and heavy metals could be present in the most distant confirmed galaxy ever observed, challenging existing scientific beliefs. This discovery suggests that galaxies in the early universe may have developed faster than previously thought, forming more and larger stars. The brightness of a galaxy can be influenced by intense star formation.
Additionally, recent calculations propose that supernova explosions may have contributed to two major mass extinction events on Earth in the past 500 million years. These stellar eruptions might have affected life evolution by potentially damaging the ozone layer. While the theory lacks definitive proof, researchers are exploring ancient rocks for evidence of past celestial events.
Other intriguing scientific stories include the migration of ancient iguanas to Fiji on vegetation rafts, the discovery of Early Jurassic dinosaur fossils in an Australian school, and the transformation of the blobfish from “world’s ugliest animal” to a celebrated “fish of the year.”
