Here are today’s most important updates from the realm of Science and Space.
NASA scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery with the identification of seven new "dark comets". These are celestial objects resembling asteroids but exhibit comet-like behavior. The concept of dark comets emerged from observations of asteroid 2003 RM in 2016, which displayed unexpected orbital deviations that could not be explained by typical asteroid dynamics. Dark comets are believed to originate from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Their unique behaviour raises intriguing questions about their composition and potential role in delivering water and organic materials to Earth. Scientists are eager to explore their origins further and investigate whether they could harbor ice or other essential compounds.
Elon Musk-owned SpaceX has achieved a remarkable milestone, launching a total of 128 missions to space, surpassing the combined launch totals of all other space-faring countries. This shows SpaceX's global dominance in the aerospace industry, particularly as it continues to expand its operations and capabilities. In 2023, SpaceX launched 98 rockets and this year, the company is aiming for 148 launches before the year ends. With Elon Musk now holding a commanding position in the President election Donald Trump's inner circle, SpaceX is on its way to grow leaps and bound and further strengthen its position in the global launch market.
**Planetary Inclinations in the Solar System**
— Black Hole (@konstructivizm) November 28, 2024
This refers to the tilt of each planet's orbital plane relative to the plane of Earth's orbit, known as the ecliptic. These inclinations vary, shaping the unique dynamics of our Solar System. pic.twitter.com/5OgC0Eeu4m
(Credit - X/@konstructivizm)
The planets in the solar system do not possess circular orbit around the Sun, including Earth which follows an elliptical orbit. A new research revealed the reason behind this change in the orbital path of planets. The research suggests that the moderate tilts and slightly elongated paths of these planets could be the result of a one-time cosmic flyby. The massive object, estimated to be between 2 and 50 times the mass of Jupiter, could have passed through the solar system during its early formation stages. This object, traveling at a speed of less than 6 kilometers per second and coming within 20 times the Earth-Sun distance (20 AU), would have disrupted the orbits of the giant planets, giving them their current eccentricities and inclinations, revealed by the study.
(Credit - NASA)
Astrophysicists from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have made a groundbreaking discovery regarding the exoplanet WASP-69 b, revealing that it possesses a comet-like tail of gas extending approximately 5,63,000 kilometers. WASP-69 b is classified as a hot Jupiter, characterised by its massive size and close orbit around its star, completing a revolution in just 3.9 days. The planet is experiencing significant atmospheric losses about 2,00,000 tons per seconds primarily composed of light gases such as hydrogen and helium, a process known as photoevaporation. The observed tail is at least seven times longer than the planet itself, providing a unique opportunity for scientists to study how stellar activity affects planetary atmospheres.
