cosmic history

Scientists have discovered that Earth is travelling through the remnants of an ancient supernova. Analysis of Antarctic ice samples revealed traces of iron-60, a radioactive element not found on Earth. This dust settled over thousands of years. Our solar system is currently in a cosmic cloud, collecting this ancient stardust.

Two Bell Labs astronomers, Penzias and Wilson, investigated a persistent background noise in their radio telescope. Initially believing it to be interference, their meticulous debugging efforts, including removing pigeon droppings, failed to silence the hum. This persistent signal, however, turned out to be the cosmic microwave background radiation, providing crucial evidence for the Big Bang theory.

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.

In 1932, Carl Anderson's cloud chamber photos revealed a particle behaving like an electron but with a positive charge, proving the positron. This discovery validated Paul Dirac's theory and marked the first antiparticle, demonstrating a hidden symmetry in the universe. The seemingly minor observation revolutionized physics and led to applications like PET scans.

Ancient Egyptians ingeniously utilized a forgotten, high-volume Nile branch, the Khufu Branch, to transport massive pyramid stones. Scientific evidence reveals this 'water highway' flowed directly to Giza, proving they worked smarter, not harder. This natural waterway, sustained by a wetter climate, facilitated efficient logistics, solving the mystery of pyramid construction.

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 team of scientists has made an astounding discovery in the icy depths of Antarctica, uncovering a significant drop in iron-60 stardust that occurred 40,000 to 80,000 years ago. This intriguing shift correlates with the Solar System's traversal of the Local Interstellar Cloud, signalling a change in the accumulation of celestial materials.

Originally a spiritual Indian game called Moksha Patam, Snakes and Ladders taught morality, karma, and liberation. Ladders represented virtues, while snakes symbolized vices, with the ultimate goal of reaching Moksha. British colonialists later adapted it, removing spiritual elements and balancing snakes and ladders.

A colossal cosmic ray, dubbed Amaterasu, struck Earth in 2021, baffling scientists with its immense power and unknown origin. Detected by Utah's Telescope Array, this particle's journey through space was obscured by magnetic fields. While a blazar is now a potential source, the mystery highlights the ongoing quest to understand these powerful cosmic visitors.

An engineer's quest to fix radio interference in 1933 unexpectedly led to a monumental discovery. Karl Jansky's rotating antenna detected a mysterious, periodic hiss, not from Earth or the Sun, but from the Milky Way's center. This groundbreaking finding, revealing the galaxy emits radio waves, birthed radio astronomy and revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos.

The Apollo 11 spacesuits, crucial for astronaut survival, were meticulously hand-stitched by seamstresses from a company known for women's undergarments. Their intuitive understanding of fabric and human anatomy proved vital, overcoming the limitations of traditional engineering.

A rare long-period comet, C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS), is currently visible in southern skies for a limited time. Originating from the Oort Cloud, this ancient remnant is now moving away from the Sun, causing its brightness to decline. Observers in New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa have a brief window to view its blue-green glow with binoculars or telescopes.

A rock found by musician David Hole in Maryborough, Victoria, was mistaken for gold. After 17 years, his sudden curiosity, alongside proper research by the experts identified it as a 4-billion-year-old meteorite. This rare find provides valuable information about the solar system's formation. The discovery highlights how important scientific analysis can reveal hidden treasures.