Here are today’s most important updates from the realm of Science and Space.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch the European Space Agency's (ESA) Proba-3 mission from Sriharikota, India, on December 4, 2024, at 4:08 PM IST. The ambitious two spacecraft mission using Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL (PSLV-XL) will conduct formation flying in space and study the Sun. These satellites will be separated by approximately 150 meters in a highly elliptical orbit, allowing them to block sunlight and observe the corona in unprecedented detail. The European team has successfully encapsulated the spacecraft in the payload fairing to complete the integration of the PSLV and the first glimpses are shared by ISRO.
(Credit - X/@SpaceSplits)
NASA researchers have discovered an exoplanet named TOI-3261 b, where a year lasts for only 21 Earth hours. This ultra-hot planet has almost the same size of Neptune, but orbits around its star at a very close distance, which results into extremely short year. The discovery was made using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), with follow-up observations from ground-based telescopes in Australia, Chile, and South Africa. The measurements further revealed that this specific exoplanet belongs to a rare category of "hot Neptunes," characterized by small size, proximity to star, as well as extremely short orbital periods. “Only the fourth object of its kind ever found, the planet could reveal clues as to how planets such as these form,” NASA said.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has selected billionaire Elon Musk-owned SpaceX company to provide launch services for the ambitious “Dragonfly mission”. This will be a one-off rotorcraft lander mission under the New Frontiers Program, aimed at exploring Saturn's moon Titan. Dragonfly will be the first NASA mission to fly a vehicle for scientific purposes on another planetary body. The mission will analyse surface materials and composition across various geological sites, furthering the search for the fundamental elements of life. Titan is believed to have hosted carbon-rich material and liquid water for extended periods. Dragonfly's launch window is set between July 5 and July 25, 2028, using a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
Did you know? Our fat cells retain a 'memory' of obesity even after weight loss! This new study uncovers the biological challenges we face in maintaining weight. #Health #WeightLoss #ScienceFacts 🧬🍏 pic.twitter.com/j2CedRTBkx
— Paul Davidson, PhD (@PaulDavidsonPhD) November 25, 2024
(Credit - X/@PaulDavidsonPhD)
The hectic effort of losing weight becomes more frustrating when gradually the weight creeps back. Well, you are not the only person suffering from the same. According to a new study, the fat cells retain the memory or past obesity, which may signal the cells to grow when exposed to high-fat foods. Genetics, environment and health history combinedly play the key role behind this. "The fat cells remember the overweight state and can return to this state more easily," study leader Ferdinand von Meyenn at ETH Zurich explained. "That means we’ve found a molecular basis for the yo-yo effect,” he added.
