China launches first module of new space station

(BBC): China has launched a key module of a new permanent space station, the latest in Beijing’s increasingly ambitious space programme. The Tianhe module – which contains living quarters for crew members – was launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre on a Long March-5B rocket. China hopes to have the new station operational by… Continue reading China launches first module of new space station

SpaceX launches 3rd crew with recycled rocket and capsule

A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off in this time exposure from Launch Complex 39A Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Photo Courtesy: AP

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP): SpaceX launched four astronauts into orbit Friday using a recycled rocket and capsule, the third crew flight in less than a year for Elon Musk’s rapidly expanding company. The astronauts from the U.S., Japan and France should reach the International Space Station early Saturday morning, following a 23-hour ride in the… Continue reading SpaceX launches 3rd crew with recycled rocket and capsule

Mars didn’t lose all of its water at once, based on Curiosity rover find

This composite image looking toward the higher regions of Mount Sharp was taken on September 9, 2015, by NASA's Curiosity rover. Photo Courtesy: NASA via CNN

(CNN): Mars was a warm, wet planet that was likely capable of supporting life billions of years ago. Something caused the planet to lose its atmosphere and turn into the harsh, frozen desert it is today. The Curiosity rover, which landed on Mars in 2012, has been exploring different aspects of Gale Crater on Mars… Continue reading Mars didn’t lose all of its water at once, based on Curiosity rover find

NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter survives first freezing night on Mars

The Ingenuity helicopter can be seen on Mars as viewed by the Perseverance rover on April 4. Photo Courtesy: CNN

(CNN): The Ingenuity helicopter survived its first night on the freezing-cold surface of Mars, a major milestone in the rotorcraft’s journey ahead of its historic first flight. Jezero Crater, an ancient lake bed on Mars and the current site of the Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter, can drop to temperatures of minus 130 degrees Fahrenheit.… Continue reading NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter survives first freezing night on Mars

Hikers scramble as new fissure opens up at Icelandic volcano

The Lava flows from an eruption of a volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Iceland's latest volcano eruption is still attracting crowds of people hoping to get close to the gentle lava flows. Photo Courtesy: AP

REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP): Steam and lava spurted Monday from a new fissure at an Icelandic volcano that began erupting last month, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of hikers who had come to see the spectacle. The new fissure, first spotted by a sightseeing helicopter, was about 500 meters (550 yards) long and about a kilometer… Continue reading Hikers scramble as new fissure opens up at Icelandic volcano

Births among endangered right whales highest since 2015

This Jan. 19, 2021 photo provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources shows a North Atlantic right whale mother and calf in waters near Wassaw Island, Ga. Scientists recorded 17 newborn right whale calves during the critically endangered species' winter calving season off the Atlantic coast of the southeastern U.S. Photo Courtesy: AP

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP): North Atlantic right whales gave birth over the winter in greater numbers than scientists have seen since 2015, an encouraging sign for researchers who became alarmed three years ago when the critically endangered species produced no known offspring at all. Survey teams spotted 17 newborn right whale calves swimming with their mothers… Continue reading Births among endangered right whales highest since 2015

Mars rover sends back grinding, squealing sounds of driving

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP): NASA’s newest Mars rover has sent back the first-ever sounds of driving on the red planet — a grinding, clanking, banging affair that by Earth standards would be pretty worrisome. The noises made by Perseverance’s six metal wheels and suspension on the first test drive two weeks ago are part of… Continue reading Mars rover sends back grinding, squealing sounds of driving

Arab spacecraft enters orbit around Mars in historic flight

Emiratis celebrate after the Hope Probe enters Mars orbit as a part of Emirates Mars mission, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. The spacecraft from the United Arab Emirates swung into orbit around Mars in a triumph for the Arab world’s first interplanetary mission. It is the first of three robotic explorers arriving at the red planet over the next week and a half. Photo Courtesy: AP

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP): A spacecraft from the United Arab Emirates swung into orbit around Mars on Tuesday in a triumph for the Arab world’s first interplanetary mission. Ground controllers at the UAE’s space center in Dubai rose to their feet and broke into applause when word came that the craft, called Amal, Arabic… Continue reading Arab spacecraft enters orbit around Mars in historic flight

‘Smallest reptile on earth’ discovered in Madagascar

Photo Courtesy: BBC

(BBC): Scientists believe they may have discovered the smallest reptile on earth – a chameleon subspecies that is the size of a seed. Two of the tiny lizards were discovered by a German-Madagascan expedition team in Madagascar. The male Brookesia nana, or nano-chameleon, has a body of just 13.5mm. This makes it the smallest of… Continue reading ‘Smallest reptile on earth’ discovered in Madagascar

Experts suggest timely conservation measures to save Waterfowl

Kathmandu (Rastriya Samachar Samiti): The number of waterfowl in Nepal is declining. According to the preliminary data of the waterfowl census, the number of waterfowl has decreased this year. The number of water birds has decreased in Koshi river, Jagdishpur Ramsar area, Chitwan, Karnali river and Badaiya lake area. Conservationists say declining wetland areas, increasing… Continue reading Experts suggest timely conservation measures to save Waterfowl