Meteorite that struck New Jersey home reveals ancient asteroid brine
- A roughly 2-pound meteorite that crashed through a home in Hillsborough, New Jersey, in 2024 has been identified as a rare CM1/2 carbonaceous chondrite.
- Researchers publishing in Science Advances noted the sample is exceptionally pristine because the homeowner immediately preserved the fragments in glass jars using gloves and foil.
- This discovery is scientifically significant as it is only the second confirmed fall of this specific primitive material, providing a rare glimpse into ancient asteroid brine.
- The high quality of the recovered specimen allows an international team of scientists to conduct detailed studies on the early solar system's composition.
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Scientists discover planet with Earth-like atmosphere
• Astronomers have discovered a rocky exoplanet located 18,000 light-years away that may possess an Earth-like atmosphere capable of regulating climate. • Published in the journal Science, the study marks a significant breakthrough as researchers have previously only observed airless worlds or faint atmospheric remnants.
Read original · mashable.com
MashableEarth-like exoplanet found to have an atmosphere | Space
• Scientists have discovered the first confirmed atmosphere surrounding a rocky exoplanet located within its star's habitable zone. • This discovery marks the first time researchers have directly identified a specific atmospheric species on any rocky planet outside our solar system.
Read original · theguardian.comThe war on ‘woke science’ comes for space research
• The Planetary Society has warned that a new Trump administration proposal to place political appointees in charge of grant funding could cause "concrete harm" to space science. • The move is part of a broader effort to combat "woke science," potentially shifting the criteria for how research funding is allocated and awarded.
Read original · theverge.com
The VergeAstronomers Find an Atmosphere on a Nearby Earthlike Planet - The New York Times
• Astronomers have discovered an atmosphere on a nearby Earthlike planet, marking the first time a potentially habitable world has been found to possess one. • An atmosphere is critical for life as it regulates climate, protects the surface from space radiation, and allows a planet to retain liquid water.
Read original · nytimes.comMirrors in Space? The FCC Just Approved a Sun-Reflecting Satellite, and Astronomers Are Worried - CNET
• The FCC has approved a test demonstration for Reflect Orbital, a company developing satellites designed to reflect sunlight to Earth after sunset. • The project aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels during peak electricity demand spikes that typically occur around sundown.
Read original · cnet.com
CNETRocky Planet 48 Light-Years Away May Be First in a Habitable Zone With a Confirmed Atmosphere
• Astronomers have confirmed the presence of an atmosphere on LHS 1140 b, a rocky exoplanet located 48 light-years from Earth. • The planet is situated within its star's habitable zone, making it a primary candidate for studying the potential for liquid water and life.
Read original · discovermagazine.comNational Academies Report Backs Climate Change Attribution Science - The New York Times
• A report from the National Academies confirms the rapid advancement of climate change attribution science, which identifies the specific role of global warming in severe weather events. • Experts like Davide Faranda of France’s National Center for Scientific Research emphasize that evaluating "loss and damage" is now the primary objective for the field.
Read original · nytimes.comSweet! Scientists find raspberry sugar in interstellar space for the first time – and it could tell us how life arose on Earth
• Scientists have detected sugar in interstellar space for the first time, marking a significant breakthrough in astronomical chemistry. • The discovery was made using broadband spectroscopic surveys from the 40-meter Yebes radio telescope and the 30-meter IRAM telescope.
Read original · skyatnightmagazine.comHoneycomb structures spotted on Mars
• NASA's Curiosity rover has discovered an unusual honeycomb-like texture on the Martian surface. • The findings include these strange geometric patterns alongside various dark rocks scattered across the area.
Read original · space.com
Space.comRaspberry sugar spotted in interstellar space, a sweet discovery that could reveal clues about life's origins
• Astronomers have detected glycolaldehyde, a type of sugar commonly found in raspberries, within interstellar space. • The discovery proves that complex organic molecules, such as sugars, can form naturally in the harsh environment of space without the need for a planetary surface.
Read original · space.com
Space.comTechnology News -- ScienceDaily
• Physicists have developed a new quantum theory that resolves a decades-old conflict between two rival models regarding how impurities behave within many-particle systems. • In a separate breakthrough, researchers at Stanford University are utilizing "twisted light" to enable quantum computing operations without the need for extreme cooling.
Read original · sciencedaily.com

