Here are today’s most important updates from the realm of Science and Space.
Small but Mighty: India Builds Mini-Computer to Catch Universe’s Oldest Signals
PRATUSH mission is designed to detect faint radio signals from hydrogen atoms,
unlocking secrets from this early era. PRATUSH is a space payload concept that envisions orbiting the Moon’s far side, the quietest radio environment in the inner Solar System, free from Earth’s radio noise and ionospheric distortions. The radiometer onboard can detect the elusive 21-cm radio signal emitted by hydrogen atoms, effectively ‘hearing’ whispers from the Cosmic Dawn that are otherwise drowned by powerful terrestrial interference. At the heart of this system is a compact SBC, based on Raspberry Pi technology, serving as the master controller for the radiometer’s antenna, analog receiver, and data-processing FPGA chip. This tiny computer manages high-speed cosmic data acquisition, coordinates components, performs essential calibrations, and ensures seamless operation—all within stringent size, weight, and power limits crucial for space missions.
Bigger Than Our Solar System: Webb Reveals Stunning Cosmic Butterfly
The James Webb Space Telescope has unveiled a stunning new image of a cosmic butterfly from deep space. The world's most powerful telescope zoomed in at IRAS 04302+2247, a distant planet-forming disc nestled about 525 light-years away in the Taurus star-forming region. The breathtaking image, produced by combining Webb's infrared data with optical observations from Hubble, presents IRAS 04302 in such detail that astronomers have affectionately named it the "Butterfly Star," owing to its symmetrical, wing-like nebulae flanking a dark, dusty disc at the center. Stellar nurseries like Taurus are dense clouds where new stars are born, surrounded by cold gas and dust. As these young stars, or protostars, accumulate mass, the surrounding material flattens into thin, dusty discs, ideal environments for planet formation.
From Salon to Smog: How Hairstyles Add to Air Pollution
A new study revealed that using common hair care products combined with heated styling tools can produce nanoparticle air pollution comparable to standing next to a busy road. The research shows that particles up to 500 nanometres, about 200 times smaller than a human hair, are released during hairstyling. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, raising health concerns. The findings suggest that everyday hair care habits may unknowingly expose people to significant levels of harmful airborne nanoparticles. This raises important questions about indoor air quality and health risks linked to personal grooming practices.
Every Year, Asia’s Glaciers Lose Ice Equal to 10,000 Trucks in Weight
The impact of global warming on glaciers is unprecedented. A new study reveals that glaciers across Asia are losing more than 22 million kilograms of ice every year. The research provides evidence that glacier melt is being accelerated by seasonal shifts in rainfall and snowfall patterns across South Asia. Known as the “Third Pole,” Asia’s high mountain region supplies freshwater to more than 1.4 billion people across South and Central Asia. If the timing and intensity of the monsoon continues to change, it could accelerate ice loss and threaten water availability for millions downstream. Melting glaciers alter the course of rivers and directly impact communities living in these regions.
