Here are today’s most important updates from the realm of Science and Space.
Not a Bang, But a Fade: Failed Supernova Exposes Black Hole Creation
Astronomers have watched a dying star fail to explode as a supernova, instead
collapsing into a black hole. The remarkable sighting is the most complete observational record ever made of a star's transformation into a black hole, allowing astronomers to construct a comprehensive physical picture of the process. Combining recent observations of the star with over a decade of archival data, the astronomers confirmed and refined theoretical models of how such massive stars turn into black holes. The team found that the star failed to explode as a supernova at the end of its life; instead, the star's core collapsed into a black hole, slowly expelling its turbulent outer layers in the process.
An ‘Inside-Out’ Solar System? Scientists Find Unusual Planetary Setup
In our solar system, the inner planets (Mercury to Mars) are rocky, and the outer planets (Jupiter to Neptune) are gaseous. This planetary pattern—rock then gas—is consistently observed across the Milky Way. That was, until an international team of scientists, led by Dr. Thomas Wilson from the University of Warwick, took a closer look at a star called LHS 1903. Their observations reveal a system of four planets that breaks this convention. The planets around LHS 1903 (a cool faint red dwarf star) begin with a rocky planet orbiting close by and then two gas worlds, the expected planetary pattern. However, using ESA's CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS), the astronomers saw a surprising fourth planet at the system's outer edge—and the outermost planet was rocky, not gaseous.
The Perfect Balance: Study Explains How Earth Became Life-Supporting
An incredibly "fortunate" cosmic accident is probably the reason behind life on Earth. According to a new study, when our planet was being formed, it achieved something that other plants usually miss. The "exception" allowed the planet to retain the essential elements like phosphorus and nitrogen, which are vital for DNA, cell membranes, and energy transfer. A team of scientists found that for habitability, there must be sufficient phosphorus and nitrogen present when the planet's core is formed. The young planets are often partially or fully molten before formation. When the process starts, metals go inward to form a core. Meanwhile, the lighter particles move to the surface.
Morning Hot Water Ritual: Can It Actually Help You Lose Weight?
Drinking hot (not boiling) water is generally safe, and many people say it makes them feel better. It's less clear why. Any benefits may come from simply drinking more water, following a regular health routine, or from the comfort and relaxation that warmth provides, rather than from the water being hot. In other words, it's likely the water itself, and the habit of doing something you believe is good for you, matter more than the temperature. While warmth can be soothing for some symptoms, current research does not show that hot water offers special health benefits beyond those of staying well hydrated.
