skywritg.com – Today’s Pulse & News Briefings

LIGO-India: Poised to Detect Gravitational Waves, Revolutionizing Space-Time Research

Science News: Out on a remote tract of land in Hingoli district of Maharashtra, well away from busy towns and cities, work is on to set up one of the most sensitive.

Stephen Hawking’s black hole prediction finally comes true – why it’s a breakthrough for science

In 1971, Stephen Hawking theorized that a black hole's event horizon can never shrink. Recently, LIGO confirmed this by observing two black holes merging on January 14, 2025. The resulting black hole's surface area was larger than the sum of the original two, validating Hawking's theory.

Partial Solar Eclipse 2025: Southern Hemisphere Gears Up for Celestial Show – Viewing Guide & Safety Tips

The solar eclipse on September 21, 2025, a partial eclipse, will be visible in the Southern Hemisphere, including Australia, New Zealand, and Antarctica. India will miss direct visibility, but can view it via live streams. At its peak, nearly 85% of the Sun will be covered, offering a dramatic view for those within the path of visibility.

NASA's Artemis II: Send Your Name to the Moon on Historic Lunar Mission – Registration Open!

NASA's Artemis II mission offers a unique opportunity for global participation by sending names on its first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years. Scheduled for launch no later than April 2026, the mission will carry four astronauts and a memory card containing millions of submitted names.

Who is John Burford: Ex-NASA scientist jailed for investment fraud worth around $1.2 million

John Burford, an 85-year-old former NASA scientist, has been imprisoned for two years for defrauding over 100 investors of $1.2 million. He misused his credibility to attract investors to his unregulated scheme, Financial Trading Strategies. Burford diverted funds for personal use, including purchasing a house, leading to his conviction for fraud and Financial Services and Markets Act offences.

The Telescopefish: This binocular-eyed deep-sea hunter looks straight out of a supervillain movie

Telescopefish, residing in tropical and subtropical waters at depths of 500 to 2,000 metres, possess remarkable adaptations for survival. Their tubular eyes act like binoculars, aiding in spotting prey, while expandable jaws enable them to consume fish larger than themselves. A cast-iron stomach conceals glowing prey, showcasing their unique predatory strategies in the deep sea.

Elon Musk announces Starlink breakthrough: Phones to connect directly to satellites in 2 years

SpaceX and Starlink are developing technology to enable mobile phones to connect directly to Starlink satellites within two years, potentially revolutionizing global telecommunications. This innovation aims to provide high-bandwidth connectivity worldwide, bypassing traditional carriers. The move involves updating phone chipsets and leverages SpaceX's $17 billion spectrum acquisition to enhance direct-to-cell capabilities, disrupting regional telecom providers.

Scientists detect ‘geological heartbeat’ that could split Africa and create a new ocean

Beneath eastern Africa, scientists have discovered a dramatic geological process driven by rhythmic pulses of molten rock rising from the Earth's mantle. This "geological heartbeat" weakens the crust, causing earthquakes and volcanic activity. Over millions of years, this process is expected to split Africa into two parts, creating a new ocean basin and reshaping the continent.

NASA's Perseverance Rover Unearths Compelling Evidence of Ancient Martian Life in Crater Rock

NASA's Perseverance rover has potentially discovered the strongest evidence yet of ancient life on Mars. The Cheyava Falls rock sample, collected from Jezero Crater, exhibits unusual leopard spot markings and contains organic compounds. Scientists believe these features could represent biosignatures resulting from microbial activity billions of years ago, though further research is needed to confirm this groundbreaking possibility.

Solar Eclipse 2025: When and how to watch the last Surya Grahan of the year in India and other countries

A partial solar eclipse will occur on September 21, 2025. It will be visible in the Southern Hemisphere. Key locations include New Zealand and eastern Australia. The Moon will partially block the Sun. Observers in India cannot view this eclipse. Safe viewing practices are essential. The event offers scientific study opportunities. It highlights orbital mechanics and shadow geometry.

Perseverance Rover Spots Turtle-Shaped Rock on Mars, Revealing Red Planet's Sculpted Terrain

NASA's Perseverance rover has captured an image of a turtle-shaped rock formation in Mars' Jezero Crater, sparking fascination and scientific inquiry. The unique formation, likely sculpted by erosion and mineral deposition, highlights Mars' dynamic geological history. Perseverance's ongoing exploration continues to reveal quirky, Earth-resembling features, deepening our understanding of the Red Planet's past and potential habitability.

Deep under the Indian Ocean lies a gravity mystery unlike anywhere else on Earth

The Indian Ocean Geoid Low (IOGL), a significant gravitational anomaly, has puzzled scientists for decades. Research suggests it formed due to interactions between tectonic plates and mantle plumes over millions of years. This depression in Earth's geoid provides insights into the planet's interior dynamics, mass distribution, and geological history, influencing sea levels and satellite trajectories.

Space Travel Speeds Up Aging Process, NASA Study Reveals

A NASA-funded study reveals that space travel may accelerate aging by impacting blood-forming stem cells. Analysis of stem cells from International Space Station missions showed reduced regenerative capacity, DNA damage, and accelerated aging. These findings highlight potential risks to astronauts' long-term health, including compromised immunity and tissue repair, emphasizing the need for protective strategies.

Sunita Williams’ childhood dream was far from rockets and spacewalks; here’s what she dreamed of becoming and why

Sunita Williams, globally recognized for her space missions, initially aspired to be a veterinarian. Inspired by her brother's Naval Academy experience and the movie 'Top Gun,' she joined the US Navy and became a helicopter pilot. Later, NASA selected her as an astronaut.

NASA to Unveil Potential Evidence of Past Life on Mars from Groundbreaking Rover Findings

NASA will reveal new findings from the Perseverance rover on September 10, 2025. The focus is on the 'Sapphire Canyon' rock sample from Jezero Crater. Scientists are intrigued by chemical patterns and organic molecules. These could indicate ancient biological processes. The discovery strengthens the case for past microbial life on Mars.

James Webb Telescope Simulates Earth Observation to Sharpen Hunt for Habitable Exoplanets

The James Webb Space Telescope cannot observe Earth directly. It is too bright and could damage the telescope. However, studying Earth's potential appearance to Webb helps scientists. It refines methods for analyzing exoplanets. Earth's atmospheric fingerprint serves as a benchmark. Scientists compare it to other worlds. This identifies planets with habitable conditions.

NASA chief Sean Duffy draws unexpected parallels: ‘Space economy is like the iPhone’ — Here’s why

NASA's acting administrator, Sean Duffy, likened the burgeoning space economy to the early days of the iPhone, suggesting its transformative potential is still unfolding. Speaking on NASA's podcast, Duffy highlighted that investments in lunar missions and private space ventures could reshape society unpredictably.

Earth's Ecosystems in Crisis: 60% of Land Now Exceeds Safe Ecological Limits, Study Warns

A recent study reveals that human activities have pushed 60% of Earth's land outside the safe operating zone, threatening ecosystems. Deforestation, agriculture, and industrial expansion have disrupted carbon, water, and nitrogen cycles, particularly in Europe, Asia, and North America. Scientists urge immediate global action to protect natural systems and prevent irreversible damage to food security, water supplies, and the climate.

Scientists discover how Earth’s interior took shape in its first 100 million years

A new study reveals Earth's essential features formed within its first 100 million years, challenging long-held theories. Using geochemistry and computer simulations, researchers discovered the planet's molten interior cooled and solidified into distinct layers much earlier than previously thought. These findings offer insights into the evolution of rocky planets and the potential for life beyond Earth.

Unbelievable discovery: Queen ants produce offspring of two different species, say scientists

Iberian harvester ant queens exhibit xenoparous reproduction, a unique phenomenon where they produce hybrid worker ants by utilizing sperm from another species, Messor structor. This allows the queens to essentially clone another species, ensuring colony survival even in areas where M. structor is absent. The discovery challenges existing understanding of reproduction and evolution within social insects.