Here are today’s most important updates from the realm of Science and Space.
Astronomers Crack the Case of a Seven-Hour Cosmic Explosion
Astronomers last year detected a strong signal, a blast or a burst, from space
lasting seven hours. They were stunned by the extraordinary duration, but recently, a scientist, among the first ones to detect it, provided possible explanations. The signal, known as GRB 250702B, was a gamma-ray burst (GRB), which are intense source of high-energy radiation that can be detected on Earth in the form of gamma rays. According to a report by BBC Sky at Night Magazine, Eliza Neights, a researcher at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, shared details about the signal detected by NASA's Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope. The report mentioned that the signal could be because of a helium merger, as a black hole orbiting a helium star could have caused the prolonged gamma-ray burst. As the black hole consumes the star, it releases massive energy, producing a long-lasting jet.
Moon Mystery Solved: Its Two Faces Tell One Geological Tale
For many years, scientists have tried to understand how old different parts of the moon are and how its surface changed over time. Now, for the first time, researchers have confirmed that the number of impact craters on the near and far sides of the moon is almost the same, according to reports. This important finding helps scientists build a single, reliable timeline for the moon's history. According to a report in Science and Technology Daily, this new discovery lays a strong foundation for developing a uniform lunar chronology for the entire Moon. The research shows that impacts occurred at approximately the same rate on both sides of the Moon.
Yo-Yo Meets Zero-G: Astronaut’s Space Trick Breaks the Internet
An astronaut has shared a fun video from space in which he can be seen playing with a yo-yo. The short clip shows him moving the yo-yo around in front of the camera while floating in space. Sharing the video, the astronaut wrote that he's not the best yo-yo player on Earth, but he's unmatched in space. The post quickly became a topic of discussion, as it showed him having fun with a simple toy in a completely different and special place. The video clearly shows the astronaut playing with a yo-yo, and by playing it in space, he's made a common game special. He shared the post with text, "I am not the best "Yo-Yoer" on Earth. But in space, I have no competition!”
From a Black Hole to Earth: Study Explains the 2023 Neutrino Mystery
Scientists may have found a new explanation for a powerful space particle that hit Earth in 2023. Researchers now say that the explosion of a special kind of black hole could be the source of this mysterious signal and could also help explain more about dark matter, according to reports. In 2023, a neutrino struck Earth with extremely high energy. A neutrino is a subatomic particle with almost no mass and traveling at nearly the speed of light. This neutrino's energy was nearly a million times greater than the most energetic particle ever created at the Large Hadron Collider, the world's most powerful particle accelerator.
