Science

A colossal iceberg has detached from the Antarctic coastline, exposing an enormous and unexpected natural formation beneath its frozen base — a sprawling mega-nest believed to have been constructed by an immense colony of fish. The iceberg’s separation, while part of a recurring natural cycle, has drawn global attention for the remarkable ecological discovery that followed. Scientists studying satellite imagery and on-site data have described the find as one of the largest known breeding grounds beneath the Southern Ocean’s ice shelves.

In a groundbreaking paleontological discovery, scientists have uncovered a 110-million-year-old dinosaur fossil so well-preserved that even its stomach contents remain intact. The specimen, belonging to a nodosaur species, offers an unprecedented glimpse into prehistoric life and diet. Unlike typical fossils that reveal only skeletal remains, this extraordinary find preserves skin impressions, armor plating, and digestive matter — a phenomenon rarely encountered in dinosaur research.

Astronomers have identified a new celestial companion to Earth: asteroid 2025 PN7, a quasi-moon that has been co-orbiting with our planet for approximately 60 years. Discovered in August 2025 by the Pan-STARRS 1 telescope in Hawaii, this small Apollo-type asteroid is classified as a quasi-satellite due to its unique orbital resonance with Earth. Unlike true moons, quasi-moons are not gravitationally bound to their parent planet but share a similar orbit around the Sun. 2025 PN7's stable orbit provides a valuable opportunity for scientists to study near-Earth objects and their dynamics.

Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) has emerged as one of the most captivating astronomical events of 2025, offering skywatchers a rare opportunity to witness a bright green comet with a striking tail. Discovered in January 2025 by the Mount Lemmon Survey in Arizona, this comet has brightened significantly, reaching a visual magnitude of approximately 4.93, making it visible to the naked eye under dark skies. Its closest approach to Earth occurred on October 21, 2025, at a distance of about 89 million kilometers.

A groundbreaking study has provided new insights into the long-standing mystery of why the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, reaches temperatures exceeding one million degrees Celsius, while its surface remains around 5,500°C. Researchers have observed small-scale, twisting magnetic waves known as torsional Alfvén waves within the corona. These waves, first predicted in the 1940s, appear to transport energy from the Sun's interior to its outer layers, potentially explaining the intense heating of the corona.

Far from the blinding city lights and urban noise, the Kutch region in Gujarat has emerged as one of India’s most remarkable destinations for stargazing. With its vast salt desert, clear night skies, and minimal light pollution, the area offers an unparalleled celestial experience for astronomy lovers and travelers seeking tranquility. From the ethereal glow of the Milky Way to meteor showers painting the night, Kutch has become a magnet for astrophotographers and sky-watchers.

A recent astrophysical study has shed light on a remarkable cosmic paradox: the very black holes that anchor galaxies may also be responsible for halting the birth of new stars around them. The findings indicate that massive black holes, through their immense energy emissions, suppress the formation of stars in their surrounding regions by heating and expelling vital gases. This discovery challenges long-held theories about galactic evolution, revealing a complex relationship between black holes and the life cycles of stars in the universe.

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A mysterious comet originating from beyond our solar system has reignited scientific curiosity at Harvard and across the global astronomy community. The object, traveling at an extraordinary velocity and exhibiting an unusual trajectory, challenges long-held assumptions about the formation of comets and the structure of interstellar space. Researchers at Harvard’s astrophysics department are leading efforts to decode its composition, behavior, and possible origin — raising profound questions about what lies beyond the boundaries of our known cosmic neighborhood.

NASA's Cassini mission has unveiled compelling evidence of complex organic molecules in the plumes of Saturn's moon Enceladus, suggesting that this icy moon harbors the essential ingredients for life. These findings, derived from data collected between 2005 and 2015, indicate that Enceladus' subsurface ocean contains a rich array of organic compounds, including those fundamental to amino acid formation. This discovery positions Enceladus as a prime candidate in the search for extraterrestrial life within our solar system.

On October 18, 2025, the 4-metre Multi-Object Spectroscopic Telescope (4MOST) achieved its first light at the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) Paranal Observatory in Chile. This milestone marks the commencement of its scientific operations, enabling astronomers to conduct extensive surveys of the southern sky. Equipped with 2,400 optical fibres, 4MOST can simultaneously capture the spectra of thousands of celestial objects, providing unprecedented insights into the formation and evolution of stars, galaxies, and the universe itself.

Introduction