All posts tagged: Planets

Space Research Reveals How Icy Comets and Asteroids Could Reshape Earth-Like Planets

Space Research Reveals How Icy Comets and Asteroids Could Reshape Earth-Like Planets

Published by Webster

Recent studies revealed that the collision of comets may lead to an impact that can affect the atmosphere of the Earth like planets, especially the ones that orbit M-dwarf stars. These findings have not just widened the understanding of planetary evolution and also gives hopes in identifying the far habitable world. There are chances that even the small icy comets could fetch water and oxygen to other exoplanets. ​The research started in September 2024, by a team led by Dr. Felix Sainsbury Martinez, studied the effects of icy comet impacts on the terrestrial planets that are tidally locked. Comet Impacts on Tidally Locked Exoplanets The researchers simulated a 2.5 km ice comet that impacts the Earth in a kind of atmosphere simulation. In findings, they exposed that such kinds of impact could even change the chemistry of atmosphere, and increase the water vapour together with hydrogen or oxygen-rich molecules, but decrease the ozone level by almost 10%. Such changes can be observed through current space-based telescopes, published in the Astrophysical Journal. Asteroid Impacts and Earth’s …

All 7 planets align in a rare sighting, sky gazers capture celestial event: Next one in 2040 | World News

All 7 planets align in a rare sighting, sky gazers capture celestial event: Next one in 2040 | World News

Published by Parlour News

A rare celestial event was captured from some parts of the world on Friday evening when all seven planets in our solar system were visible in a line to form what many call a “planetary parade” — a stunning sighting that one would not catch again before 2040. This planetary parade or alignment would not occur again before 2040.(X (@weathergraphy)) Usually, all eight planets in our solar system orbit the Sun on roughly the same plane, but at different speeds. The alignment that occurred today happens when the planets appear on the same side of Earth, making them visible in the night sky at once. When this happens, it gives an illusion that the planets aren’t forming a line, which provides a stunning sight for stargazers and astronomers. “Every so often, when everything works out right, they all appear on the same side” of Earth, which makes them all visible in the sky at once, David Armstrong, an exoplanet researcher at the University of Warwick in the UK, told AFP. How to watch the future …

February 2025 Planet Parade: How to See Five Planets Align in the Sky

February 2025 Planet Parade: How to See Five Planets Align in the Sky

Published by Webster

A spectacular celestial event is set to unfold in February 2025, as five of the brightest planets—Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury and Saturn—become visible together in the evening sky. The alignment will peak on February 24, when Mercury and Saturn will appear closest to each other, creating a striking visual near the horizon. Skywatchers with a clear view of the western sky at dusk will have the opportunity to witness this planetary display, with Uranus and Neptune also observable through telescopes or binoculars. Similar alignments have been recorded in the past, but this particular configuration offers an accessible viewing window for astronomy enthusiasts and casual observers alike. The next comparable event will not occur until October 2028, making this a rare chance to observe multiple planets in a single glance. Venus and Saturn: A Contrasting Pair According to reports, Venus will dominate the evening sky as the brightest of the five planets, shining prominently in the west-southwest. Despite its intense luminosity, Saturn, appearing below Venus, will be significantly dimmer due to its current ring orientation, which …

Mysterious Interstellar Object Might Have Shifted Four Planets’ Paths, Study Finds

Mysterious Interstellar Object Might Have Shifted Four Planets’ Paths, Study Finds

Published by Webster

An unidentified celestial object, estimated to be eight times the mass of Jupiter, may have significantly altered the orbits of four outer planets in the solar system. Reports suggest that this planetary-sized body entered the solar system billions of years ago, passing remarkably close to the Sun—near what is now Mars’ orbit. The event is believed to have modified the trajectories of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, contributing to their current orbital patterns. Scientists have long debated the irregularities in the paths of these planets, and this theory presents a potential explanation. Study Simulates Interstellar Flyby According to the study published in the arXiv preprint database, a research team led by planetary scientist Renu Malhotra from the University of Arizona used computer simulations to investigate the possibility of a close flyby. A total of 50,000 simulations were conducted to analyse how an interstellar object’s passage could have affected planetary orbits over millions of years. The study focused on objects smaller than stars but larger than Jupiter, including brown dwarfs and planetary-mass bodies. The findings suggest …

Hubble Telescope Documents 10 Years of Dramatic Changes on Outer Planets

Hubble Telescope Documents 10 Years of Dramatic Changes on Outer Planets

Published by Webster

A decade of observations from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled significant changes in the atmospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, as per reports. These findings, gathered as part of NASA’s Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy (OPAL) programme, were presented at the American Geophysical Union’s December meeting in Washington, D.C. The OPAL initiative has tracked weather patterns and atmospheric transformations, offering valuable insights into these gas giants’ dynamic systems. Jupiter’s Great Red Spot and Atmospheric Bands The solar system’s largest planet, Jupiter, has revealed shifting features through the OPAL program. Reports indicate changes in the size and structure of the Great Red Spot, a colossal storm three times the size of Earth, and atmospheric phenomena within its equatorial bands. According to NASA data, the planet’s minimal axial tilt of three degrees results in limited seasonal variability, contrasting with Earth’s more pronounced seasonal changes caused by a 23.5-degree tilt. Saturn’s Seasonal Phenomena and Ring Activity Reportedly, Saturn’s atmospheric conditions, influenced by its 26.7-degree tilt, have been documented across its 29-year orbit. OPAL findings include colour variations …

November Night Sky 2024: Check Out the Brightest Planets and How to Watch Them?

November Night Sky 2024: Check Out the Brightest Planets and How to Watch Them?

Published by Webster

The night sky in November will offer some striking sights, with multiple planets visible throughout the month. Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn will make prominent appearances with each offering unique characteristics and timing for those looking to observe them. Here’s what to look out for and when, as these celestial bodies bring their unique glow to the evening sky. Venus: Bright Beacon in the Western Sky Venus is the standout in the western sky this month, becoming more visible each evening. By late November, this planet shines for nearly three hours after sunset, making it hard to miss as one of the brightest points in the sky. Venus’s position shifts eastward, passing near the Teapot constellation in Sagittarius on November 16. If you’re out on November 4, watch for a thin crescent moon just below Venus shortly after sunset—an impressive pairing for the casual stargazer. Mars: Fiery Presence Growing Brighter Mars appears in the eastern sky during late evening hours, its orange-red glow becoming increasingly prominent as Earth moves closer to it. By mid-November, Mars …

Amitabh Bachchan Witnesses The ‘Beautiful Sight’ Of 5 Planets Aligned Together

Published by Webster

Amitabh Bachchan Shares Video Of 5 Planets Aligned In Straight Line(Photo Credit –Instagram) Veteran Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, who is known for his engaging social media posts, recently shared a video of five planets aligned in a straight line. Taking to his Instagram, the ‘Don’ star shared the video which shows Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus making a trail. He wrote in the caption, “What A Beautiful Sight…! 5 Planets Aligned Together Today… Beautiful And Rare… Hope You Witnessed It too”. Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty commented, “Wow”. “Amazing this was so so beautiful , captured this by Stellarium this amazing App. I posted this too sometime back (sic),” wrote ‘Haseena Parkar’ actor Siddhanth Kapoor. Since being posted, Amitabh Bachchan’s Instagram video accumulated more than 2.2 million views, one lakh likes, and numerous reactions in the comment section. Earlier in March, Big B suffered an injury during the shoot of ‘Project K’, in Hyderabad. The 80-year-old suffered a muscle tear in his right rib cage during an action sequence of the film. He wrote that …

If You Missed Seeing 5 Planets Aligned Last Night, Amitabh Bachchan Is Here To Help

Published by Webster

Amitabh Bachchan shared this image. (courtesy: amitabhbachchan) Superstar Amitabh Bachchan always manages to keep his fans entertained with his social media posts. The actor often shares professional and personal updates on social media in addition to some priceless throwback images. However, on Tuesday, the actor took a detour from his usual posts and uploaded a beautiful video of the night sky, zooming into certain celestial bodies aligned together. Sharing the video, Big B – as he is known among fans – said, “What a beautiful sight! 5 planets aligned together today. Beautiful and rare. Hope you witnessed it too.” The actor is referring to the rare astronomical event of planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus aligned along with the moon after sunset on Tuesday (March 28). Replying to the post, actress Shilpa Shetty said, “Wow,” with a bunch of heart emojis. Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh replied with heart-eye emojis. Ronit Bose said, “Amazing,” with heart emojis. Actor Sanjay Dutt’s wife Maanayata Dutt too said, “Amazing!” Hrithik Roshan’s mother Pinkie Roshan said, “What a sight! Thank you …

What Does Mars Sound Like? Rover Microphone Has Recorded the Red Planet’s Dust Devils

Published by Webster

A dust devil looks a bit like a tornado, but is weaker and rarely lasts more than about a minute. It is a twisting column of warmed air scooting across sun-heated ground, made visible by the dust that it lofts upwards. Although usually benign, occasionally dust devils can kill. Dust devils have been known to appear on Mars since the 1970s. They have been observed both from the ground and from orbit. The more dust in the Martian atmosphere, the warmer and more agitated it becomes, and this can escalate into a global dust storm. When the dust settles, it can coat and disable the solar panels that are essential for many of the instruments we’ve landed on the planet. There’s a lot we don’t know about how these devils function. But new research, published this week in Nature Communications, has recorded what dust devils sound like – giving fresh insights into how they operate. But it also raises questions about how future astronauts would detect and interpret sounds on the red planet. There has …