A.13 Accelerating Earth Solutions Corrections and Clarifications - NASA Science

• The White House has released a new strategic vision for science, while the Department of Energy announced an expansion of the Genesis Mission. • President Trump has targeted the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) following the release of an updated report on climate attribution science.

• Researchers have developed the smallest "quantum lighthouse" ever built, utilizing quantum optics to manipulate light at an infinitesimal scale. • The device leverages quantum mechanics to create a highly precise light source, pushing the boundaries of nanotechnology and photonics.

• The FCC possesses the authority to approve massive satellite constellations that could permanently alter the visibility of the night sky globally. • Current international space laws lack the necessary tools and enforcement mechanisms to prevent American companies from deploying these projects.

• NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory detected a "wandering" or "orphan" mega black hole as it shredded and consumed a star on the outskirts of a distant galaxy. • This rare event, known as a tidal disruption event, occurred when the black hole's gravity tore the star apart, creating a massive flare of light.

• A proposed White House rule under the "America First" administration seeks to grant political appointees unprecedented control over the distribution of scientific funding. • This shift would replace the current merit-based peer-review system, where subject-matter experts—such as physicists and oncologists—vet proposals to ensure scientific rigor.

• NASA's Viking landers were launched on an audacious mission to search for signs of past or present life in Martian soil. • While most experts agree the twin spacecraft failed to find definitive evidence of organisms, some scientists argue the results were misinterpreted.

• NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has documented significant wear and tear on its wheels after nearly 14 years of operation on the Red Planet. • New images reveal cracks and structural damage resulting from the rover's extensive mileage across the harsh Martian terrain.

• NASA has joined the Genesis Mission, a national initiative designed to accelerate scientific and engineering breakthroughs through the integration of artificial intelligence. • The agency will contribute its extensive mission data and technical expertise to help develop powerful AI tools capable of solving complex global challenges.

• NASA astronaut Chris Williams and his crewmates returned to Earth on Sunday after completing an eight-month science mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). • The crew participated in a long-duration expedition focused on conducting research and scientific breakthroughs that are impossible to achieve in Earth's gravity.

• Science adviser Michael Kratsios has proposed a major overhaul of federal research funding under President Trump, shifting priorities toward White House-selected fields like chemistry, biological, and physical sciences. • The plan aims to increase investment in artificial intelligence while reducing funding for universities, citing a slowdown in biomedical breakthroughs and flatlining drug approvals despite funding increases since the 1990s.

• The National Academy of Sciences released a report detailing the evolution of attribution science, which links specific extreme weather events to human-induced climate change. • The report emphasizes that the field has matured significantly over the last decade, providing stronger scientific evidence to counter political climate denialism.