Science TheFOXposts.com

Water molecules have been detected on the surface of an asteroid for the first time, revealing new clues about the distribution of water in our solar system. Scientists studied four silicate-rich asteroids using data gathered by the now-retired Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a telescope-outfitted plane operated by NASA and the German Aerospace Center. Observations by SOFIA's Faint Object InfraRed Camera (FORCAST) instrument showed that two of the asteroids — named Iris and Massalia — exhibit a specific wavelength of light that indicated the presence of water molecules at their surface, a new study reports. "Asteroids are leftovers from the planetary formation process, so their compositions vary depending on where they formed in the solar nebula," study lead author Anicia Arredondo, of the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, said in a statement. "Of particular interest is the distribution of water on asteroids, because ...

Breaking news: A lunar lander has recently detected seismic activity on the Moon. In a groundbreaking advancement, India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission has successfully recorded seismic data on the Moon, marking the first such activity since the 1970s. The Vikram lander’s Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) captured these pivotal readings. Unveiling Seismic Activities: A Leap in Lunar Exploration Since the 1970s, the scientific community has been awaiting fresh seismic data from the Moon. The Chandrayaan-3 mission’s Vikram lander has finally filled this gap. With its Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA), the lander captured vibrations likely caused by natural events—possibly a quake or an impact—as well as those emanating from the Pragyan rover’s movements on the lunar surface. Delving into Data: August 25 and 26, 2023 The seismic data captured on August 25 and 26, 2023, is under meticulous scrutiny. This data will not only exp...