Here are today’s most important updates from the realm of Science and Space.
A new scientific study explores the potentially lethal effects of tiny primordial black holes passing through the human body. Primordial black holes, theorised to have formed in the early universe, are much smaller than stellar black holes and range in mass from that of an atom to several times the mass of Earth. A path through the head is more dangerous than a small black hole going through a limb, which could result in limited harm similar to a needle prick. Particularly with larger primordial black holes, tidal forces-the differential in gravitational pull across an object-have the potential to damage brain cells. However, shockwaves generated by the black hole entering the body present a more significant danger. These waves can damage cells and impart harmful heat energy. A small black hole could create a shockwave equivalent in energy to a .22-calibre bullet, proving potentially lethal.
The so-called planetary parade which started last month is heading towards its grand finale. For a brief moment on February 28, all planets in our solar system will appear in the night sky - a celestial phenomenon that scientists have described as rare. After Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune aligned in the night sky between January 21 and 29, it will be the last time until 2040 that all seven planets, including Mercury, will align to create a spectacular night sky. Unlike diagrams and illustrations, the planets will not be visible in a queue. To witness the parade of planets, get far away from city lights to an open area or hill. If the weather is clear, you will be able to see most planets to the naked eye, bar Neptune and Uranus. A telescope might help you witness these two planets.
Over 10 lakh interstellar objects the size of the Statue of Liberty are drifting unseen in the fringes of our solar system, a new yet-to-be peer-reviewed study has stated. Though unlikely to come in close contact with Earth, these cosmic nomads have travelled from our nearest stellar neighbours and may have been captured from other star systems through gravitational interactions. The new study depicted how much interstellar material was ejected our way from Alpha Centauri, our closest stellar star system. The simulations showed that over 10 lakh macroscopic objects, each wider than 100 metres were moving surreptitiously outside our cosmic backyard. Notably, the entire Alpha Centauri star system is moving towards us at a rapid pace and will reach the closest point to the Sun in approximately 28,000 years.
NASA data released Tuesday said there is now a 3.1 percent chance a "city-destroying" asteroid could smash into Earth in 2032. The asteroid named 2024 YR4 is being carefully monitored by the international astronomical community. But, despite the rising odds, experts say there is no need for alarm. The global astronomical community is closely monitoring the situation. The last time an asteroid of greater than 30 metres in size posed such a significant risk was Apophis in 2004, when it briefly had a 2.7 percent chance of striking Earth in 2029 -- a possibility later ruled out by additional observations.
