astronomy

The Green Bank Telescope recently captured a groundbreaking image of NASA's Artemis 2 spacecraft orbiting the Moon, marking a significant advancement in deep-space human exploration. This achievement demonstrates the power of radio astronomy to precisely track spacecraft, providing crucial situational awareness for future lunar missions and highlighting a new era of cosmic transparency.

A Cambridge postgraduate student, Jocelyn Bell Burnell, stumbled upon a groundbreaking discovery while sifting through radio telescope data. She identified a faint, repeating signal, initially dismissed as interference, which turned out to be the first pulsar. This unexpected find provided the first concrete evidence for neutron stars, revolutionizing astrophysics and opening new avenues for cosmic exploration.

This weekend features a rare celestial event: the smallest full moon of the year, a "micromoon," coinciding with a "blue moon" – the second full moon in a single month. This unique occurrence will be visible alongside Antares, a brilliant red star in the Scorpion constellation, offering a striking visual contrast.

A 15-year-old student on work experience at Keele University, Tom Wagg, discovered WASP-142b by noticing a subtle drop in starlight. This tiny signal, initially overlooked in routine data, led to a two-year confirmation process, ultimately identifying a gas giant exoplanet. Wagg's meticulous observation highlights the crucial role of human analysis in modern astronomy.

A powerful radio signal, FRB 20240304B, originating over 10 billion years ago has reached Earth, offering a glimpse into the universe's youth. Detected by the MeerKAT telescope and confirmed by JWST, this distant fast radio burst provides crucial insights into cosmic evolution and the distribution of matter. Its unusual polarization hints at complex magnetic fields.

Escape city lights and discover the cosmos. The United States boasts special dark sky parks, preserving natural darkness for incredible stargazing. These locations offer clear views of constellations, satellites, and meteor showers. From Texas's Big Bend to Arizona's Grand Canyon, explore these natural wonders. Experience the universe like never before in these pristine, protected environments.

In a spirited appeal, JD(U) representative Sanjay Kumar Jha called on Union Minister G S Shekhawat to integrate the Mithila Research Institute into the Gyan Bharatam Mission, aimed at safeguarding and digitizing invaluable manuscripts. Furthermore, he championed extensive archaeological efforts at Balirajgarh for the next ten years, underlining the significance of Mithila's vast historical and cultural tapestry.

Vaikasi Visakam, a significant birth celebration for Lord Murugan, is observed with deep devotion in Tamil homes, often overlooked in North India. This festival, rooted in ancient Puranic tales, highlights Murugan's role as a god of courage, wisdom, and victory, fostering a personal connection for devotees.

A young scientist discovered a strange signal in 1967. This signal came from a rapidly rotating stellar corpse, a pulsar. Pulsars are collapsed stars that emit powerful energy rays. Their discovery confirmed theories about neutron stars. These cosmic clocks help scientists test physics and study space-time. The discovery changed our understanding of the universe.