ASTRO SPACE NEWS

A DIVISION OF MID NORTH COAST ASTRONOMY (NSW)

(ASTRO) DAVE RENEKE

SPACE WRITER - MEDIA PERSONALITY - SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT ABC/COMMERCIAL RADIO - LECTURER - ASTRONOMY OUTREACH PROGRAMS - ASTRONOMY TOUR GUIDE - TELESCOPE SALES/SERVICE/LESSONS - MID NORTH COAST ASTRONOMY GROUP (Est. 2002)   Enquiries: (02) 6585 2260       Mobile: 0400 636 363        Email: davereneke@gmail.com

Presented by renowned astronomer and media personality, Dave Reneke, the evening will start with a breathtaking Secrets of the Universe slideshow, where Dave will take you on an unforgettable journey through the night sky. After the presentation, take a break and head to the top deck for an interactive laser-guided sky tour. Dave will use a high-powered laser to highlight the major stars, constellations, and planets visible that night, offering insights you won't find in any ordinary stargazing session. Plus, binoculars will be provided, so you can get a closer look at the wonders above. As you cruise, be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins, adding to the magic of the experience. With limited spots available, we encourage you to book early. These unique cruises will run monthly, weather permitting, from Port Macquarie, offering a truly one-of-a-kind experience for all. The vessel is licensed. Book for May/June /July https://www.portadventurecruises.com.au/book-cruise-by-date  ENQUIRIES/Bookings ELSA 0434 393 199 

* Special Offer - Next Booking gets a 10% Discount on the Overall Tour!

Email: .norfolkislandstargazing@gmail.com Or call 0402 335 005

'Stunning' New Columbian UFO Footage Captures Sphere-Shaped Object Over City Weeks After Dublin Sightings

 A suspected UFO has been seen soaring above a city in Colombia before darting back and forth in a zig-zag motion, startling at least one witness who managed to capture images of the mysterious object.

UFO Filmed Over Columbia By Airline Pilot Deemed Genuine !

A pilot flying an Airbus A320 on a routine flight over Medellin, Colombia looked out the cockpit window and among the clouds, Aspotted something he had never before seen - a UFO. He quickly grabbed his phone and filmed what he was witnessing, first pointing the camera at his altimeter, which shows he was flying at about 30,000 feet, then aiming it out the window towards the clouds. He zooms in and a strange, geometric-shaped, metallic object flies in a straight line in the opposite direction.

The History Channel's The Proof Is Out There further examined the footage, zooming in further to show the craft looks like a cube. They then interviewed a variety of experts about the video. One scientist suggested it is ten to 15 feet in diameter, but its structure is unlike any earthly flying object. 

A forensic video analyst feels that the movement in the video looks authentic, but questions how the pilot knew to zoom in on the object. An aviation expert thinks the object is too slow to be a plane or missile, and stated it doesn't look anything like a drone. He suggested it could be a solar balloon, but that is highly unlikely since they don't really survive at such a high altitude. He admits, "I don't have a good explanation." The show then classifies the video as one of a "genuine UFO."

New Claim of 'Alien' Life Leaves the Space World in a Bind

The scientific world is once again on high alert – or at least cautiously optimistic – as a new claim of possible alien life sweeps across headlines and social media alike. At the heart of the buzz is a signal, a whiff of something tantalisingly biological in nature, rising from the atmospheric stew of a distant exoplanet called K2-18b. The Cambridge University press release that broke the story was predictably understated: "Astronomers have detected the most promising signs yet of a possible biosignature outside the solar system, although they remain cautious." That, in science-speak, is the equivalent of shouting from the rooftops – only with a telescope in hand and a heavy layer of caveats. Still, it's enough to set imaginations ablaze. Have we finally found alien life? Not exactly. But maybe. And that's what makes this story so fascinating, and so fraught.

K2-18b isn't your average ball of rock or gas. Roughly 120 light-years from Earth in the constellation Leo, this exoplanet is classified as a "Hycean" world – a relatively new category referring to planets that may be covered in vast oceans beneath a thick hydrogen-rich atmosphere. It's about 2.6 times the size of Earth, and eight times as massive. For years now, it has intrigued astronomers due to its location in the habitable zone of its parent star – the not-too-hot, not-too-cold region where liquid water, and thus life as we know it, could exist. Now, a team of researchers using data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) believes they have spotted a molecule in that planet's atmosphere that, on Earth, is almost exclusively produced by life: dimethyl sulfide (DMS).

This is not a UFO sighting or grainy footage of a flying saucer. This is chemistry. Hard, data-driven chemistry, from one of the most sophisticated scientific instruments humanity has ever built. DMS is an organosulfur compound produced in Earth's oceans primarily by plankton. It plays a key role in cloud formation and climate regulation. The detection of DMS – or even the suggestion of its presence – on another planet is a potential game-changer. If confirmed, it could indicate microbial life churning away in the deep oceans of K2-18b. But here's the rub: while DMS on Earth comes from life, that doesn't mean it must come from life elsewhere. Unfamiliar planets may have unfamiliar geochemical processes. That's why the scientific community is hedging their bets. The Cambridge team and NASA both stress that this isn't proof of alien life – just a strong reason to look harder.

Here's where things get complicated. The scientific process is slow and methodical. Claims must be tested, models refined, data reanalysed. It could take years to confirm whether DMS is really there and if it's biologically produced. Meanwhile, media headlines are already screaming: "We've found aliens!" This puts scientists in an awkward position. On the one hand, they want to share these extraordinary findings. On the other, they fear the backlash if the signal turns out to be a false positive, a fluke of data processing, or worse – misunderstood altogether. The bind, then, is real. Do you risk overhyping something that might not pan out? Or underplay a moment that could shift humanity's understanding of its place in the cosmos?

Adding an odd twist to the narrative is the sudden resurfacing of a declassified CIA document from the Cold War era. The report, which has gone viral online, claims Soviet soldiers encountered a UFO – and were allegedly turned to stone by a mysterious weapon. The story is bizarre, uncorroborated, and reads like science fiction. But in the court of public opinion, it's being lumped in with the K2-18b discovery. This is a problem for serious science. Conflating a potentially revolutionary spectral analysis from JWST with a decades-old anecdote buried in Cold War paranoia serves only to blur the line between rigorous research and tabloid speculation. Still, it speaks to our collective hunger for contact – any contact – with something beyond ourselves.

Even if DMS is present on K2-18b, confirming its biological origin will be tough. The JWST can only infer chemical compositions based on how light from the planet's host star filters through its atmosphere. It's a bit like trying to figure out what's in someone's soup by sniffing it from across a restaurant. Further observations and corroboration from other instruments will be essential. And of course, the gold standard of confirmation – direct detection – is not possible with current technology. K2-18b is, after all, 120 light-years away.

Whether or not this particular signal pans out, the implications are profound. It shows that the search for life is no longer confined to hopeful speculation or blurry telescope images. We are now capable of scanning the skies for the subtle fingerprints of biology on distant worlds. The real breakthrough here isn't just a possible biosignature. It's the methodology. JWST has shown that we can realistically identify complex molecules on exoplanets – and that opens a door that can't be closed. Even a false positive here is valuable. It refines our models, improves our instruments, and brings us closer to answering one of the biggest questions ever asked: Are we alone?

The universe hasn't handed us definitive proof of alien life – not yet. But it's sent us a whisper. A strange molecule in a strange atmosphere, hundreds of trillions of kilometres away, may be hinting at something familiar. Not a spaceship. Not a civilisation. Just life. Microscopic, silent, but profoundly significant. And perhaps that's the real story here: not that we've found aliens, but that we're finally reaching the level of science where, if they're out there, we might actually stand a chance of finding them. So, for now, keep your feet on the ground, but your eyes – and spectrometers – on the stars.

NASA's Roman Space Telescope Faces Cancellation — And With It, a Generation of Discoveries

NASA's upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, set to launch in just two years, is now under threat due to proposed budget cuts from the U.S. president. If Roman is cancelled, we won't just lose a telescope — we'll lose an entire era of discovery that could transform our understanding of the universe.

Like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), Roman can observe in both visible and infrared light — wavelengths beyond human vision. But Roman offers something JWST can't: a vast field of view. While JWST zooms in to focus on tiny patches of sky, Roman can scan enormous areas in a single shot, making it ideal for large-scale surveys. This gives it a powerful edge for mapping the structure of the universe and uncovering rare celestial events.

History proves how transformative telescopes like this can be. Hubble, launched in 1990, was built before exoplanets (planets beyond our solar system) had even been discovered. And yet, it became essential in studying them. JWST is already rewriting what we know about distant planets, galaxies, and the early universe. Roman promises to take us even further — not just following in their footsteps, but carving its own new path.

One of Roman's key missions is to use gravitational microlensing to discover about 2,500 new exoplanets, including rocky Earth-like worlds and distant gas giants. This method allows it to spot planets in regions far from their stars — zones our current tools can barely reach. These outer regions are critical to understanding how planetary systems are structured.

Even better, the same surveys will likely uncover thousands more planets using the transit method, where planets are spotted as they pass in front of their host stars, dimming the light slightly. This will give us the most complete picture yet of how planets are distributed throughout the Milky Way.

But perhaps the most exciting potential lies in Roman's ability to finally detect exomoons — moons orbiting planets in other solar systems. Right now, not a single exomoon has been confirmed. Roman could detect them around free-floating planets — lonely worlds that have been flung out of their home systems — and even identify Earth-Moon analogs, giving us clues about how common life-supporting environments might be.

Roman may also spot Saturn-like rings circling alien worlds, thanks to its cutting-edge Coronagraphic Instrument (CGI). This device blocks the overwhelming light of a star, revealing the faint glow of orbiting planets and any rings or moons around them. For the first time, we may directly observe planetary systems like our own, complete with rings and potentially habitable moons.

All of this potential science — from exoplanets to exomoons, cosmic rings, and dark energy — comes from just two instruments aboard the telescope. Roman is also designed to support a General Investigator program, allowing scientists to propose entirely new research missions, just like Hubble and JWST did.

After more than a decade of design, engineering, and planning, Roman is nearly ready. It's been a massive investment — financially and scientifically. Scrapping it now would not only waste billions already spent but deny an entire generation of astronomers the opportunity to explore the universe in ways never before possible. 

This isn't just about telescopes — it's about imagination, potential, and our continued journey to understand the cosmos. Roman isn't simply a project. It's a bridge to discoveries we haven't even thought to ask about yet.

China and Russia Plan Power Plant on the Moon — Is the U.S. Being Left Behind?

In a move that sounds like something from a sci-fi movie, China and Russia have just signed a deal to build a nuclear-powered station on the Moon. Yes, a real one. Not in 100 years, but possibly by 2035.

The plan is bold. The two countries say they want to create a reliable power source to support future lunar missions, research stations, and possibly even Moon bases. And the power plant of choice? Nuclear. It's not surprising — solar panels only work when the Sun's shining, and on the Moon, nights last 14 Earth days. That's a long time to be left in the dark. A small nuclear reactor could keep things running 24/7.

While the exact details haven't been shared, Russia's space agency Roscosmos says the goal is to deliver the equipment by 2033, with the actual power station operational by 2035. China's been tight-lipped but supportive — and they're already testing robotic technologies to build this system without needing astronauts on the ground.

This could be a game-changer in the new space race. Unlike the Cold War-era sprint to plant a flag and go home, this race is about staying. Long-term bases on the Moon are seen as stepping stones to Mars and beyond. But to stay, you need power — and China and Russia just made their move.

The United States? Well, NASA is currently focused on its Artemis Program, aiming to land astronauts (including the first woman) on the Moon in the next few years. They've also talked about building lunar bases and using solar power, but no firm plans for a nuclear plant yet. They've discussed small modular reactors on the Moon, but China and Russia have now signed on the dotted line.

Nuclear power might raise eyebrows on Earth, but in space, it's considered clean, compact, and reliable. The Soviet Union actually sent small nuclear reactors into space in the 1970s and '80s. NASA has also used radioisotope generators for decades to power deep-space missions like the Voyagers and Mars rovers.

On the Moon, energy is everything. Power is needed to run life support systems, scientific equipment, communication gear, and possibly even mining machines to extract water and other resources from the lunar soil. A nuclear plant would give China and Russia a big head start.

This isn't just about energy. It's about influence, leadership, and presence in space. Whoever builds the first power station on the Moon sets the tone for who gets to stay, work, and possibly claim resources in the future. It's no longer just about "planting the flag" — it's about plugging into the future.

Will the U.S. respond with its own lunar reactor? Possibly. But with this new deal, China and Russia have made it clear: they're not waiting around.

The Moon, it seems, is no longer a dusty rock we visited once in 1969. It's fast becoming the next frontier for science, politics, and power — literally.

China's Plan - Launch a Giant Solar Power Plant Into Space!

China is aiming high—literally—with a bold and breathtaking plan to launch a giant solar power plant into space. Picture this: a massive station, roughly 1 kilometer wide, orbiting 36,000 kilometers above Earth, soaking up an endless bath of pure sunlight. This isn't science fiction—it's scheduled to become science fact.

Unlike the solar panels on your roof or scattered across deserts, this behemoth will never see nightfall, cloud cover, or bad weather. Thanks to its special position in a geosynchronous orbit, the station will hover in the same spot relative to Earth, always facing the sun, harvesting energy 24/7.

And the power? Mind-blowing. Experts say it could generate as much usable energy each year as all the remaining oil reserves buried under our feet. That's not just impressive—it's a total game-changer for the energy world. No digging. No burning. No pollution. Just pure, uninterrupted, space-brewed electricity.

Once collected, the energy will be beamed back to Earth using microwaves—similar to the technology that heats your leftovers, but on a cosmic scale. The receiving stations on Earth, equipped with huge antenna arrays, will catch this invisible beam and convert it into electricity for our homes, factories, and cities.

If that sounds like science fiction, you're not alone. The concept was first dreamed up by NASA in the 1970s, but only now—decades later—is a nation actually building it. China's military-run space program began serious research in 2019, launching prototypes and testing the microwave beam technology. They plan to use their mighty Long March-9 rocket, capable of lifting over 100 tons into orbit, to launch the components by the 2030s.

Leading the charge is aerospace guru Long Lehao, who says this project is as significant as the Three Gorges Dam—the world's largest hydropower project. That dam powers entire cities. This space station? It could power entire nations.

And here's the kicker: space-based solar panels can be up to ten times more efficient than their Earth-bound cousins. Why? They're exposed to constant, unfiltered sunlight. No atmosphere, no shadows, no downtime. That's the kind of energy boost our planet has been dreaming of.

But there's more to the story—mystery and geopolitical intrigue swirl around the project. Why is China pouring billions into a project with such otherworldly ambition? Some experts believe it's not just about clean energy. It's also about global leadership. Whoever controls the energy grid of the future could control everything from economies to diplomacy.

And then there's the sheer awe of it. Imagine: a glittering array of panels stretching across the stars, orbiting like a manmade sun, pulsing with power, lighting up Earth silently from the heavens. It's the kind of thing once only imagined in sci-fi films, now coming together in Chinese laboratories and launchpads.

There are hurdles, of course. Engineering a microwave beam that's safe and efficient is tricky. Keeping a structure that size stable in orbit? No small feat. But if China cracks it—and the early signs are promising—we could witness the dawn of a new space age where satellites do more than talk and spy. They power our world.

And the clock is ticking. The U.S., Europe, and Japan are watching closely, racing to catch up. The space above us may soon become the battleground for the clean energy revolution.

So next time you gaze up at the night sky, remember: the future might already be up there, quietly soaking in sunlight, waiting to beam down a better world. The space race is back. Only this time, it's not about flags or footprints—it's about power.

Record-breaking James Webb telescope image captures 1,678 galaxy groups at once

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have just pulled off a galactic headcount for the ages—capturing a single image that reveals 1,678 galaxy groups in one cosmic snapshot. That's not a typo. Nearly two thousand clumps of galaxies, each swirling with billions of stars, gas, and dust, have been spotted in one of the telescope's deepest and most ambitious views of the universe.

Autumn astronomy in Australia offers a bonus not many other countries enjoy– crisp clear skies! Our skies are sparkling now so why not get outside tonight with me under the stars from your own backyard. You won't be disappointed with so much on offer for October.

Remember, the starlight you see coming from all those constellations tonight left there hundreds, and in most cases thousands of years ago, and it's just arriving now! Remember, when you stargaze, you're looking back in time. Your telescope is your time machine, coupled with imagination it can take you anywhere!

If you're new to astronomy the hardest part is learning all those stars. Relax! It's a lot easier than you think, but you won't do it sitting inside at your keyboard and monitor. Some people say that we spend too much time indoors and not enough time observing the things around us, like the moon, stars and planets.

But what if your screen, in this case your Smartphone or tablet, can actually help you appreciate the skies more? Well they can and they're amazingly simple to use! Here's some of my favorite free apps. 'Sky View' will identify almost everything above your head at night and it's fantastic! Try 'The Moon' for your lunar viewing, then download an accurate new Aussie app 'ISS Flyover' to catch the space station passing over for a week ahead. It's a small charge but worth it.

This one is a knockout. On your tablet or laptop download an app called 'Star Chart.' It puts a virtual planetarium right in your pocket. It uses state of the art GPS technology that will show you the current location of every star and planet visible from Earth. Cool huh?

For even more realistic night sky experiences install 'Stellarium' on your laptop or iPad. I'm not going to spoil the surprise, just do it. It's free and has so much to offer you will be surprised. An alternative is the popular program 'Celestia.' A world of creative wonder awaits you.

Planets, stars, and star patterns have shaped our lives. Remember standing out in your backyard as a kid trying to count 'em all? I did. This fascination with the stars and the night sky extends to almost all indigenous cultures throughout the world. Hey, ever wondered if you can use your phone as an Astro-camera, well you can!

With most smartphones today you can photograph your night sky without needing a connected computer or much post-processing. Plus, the images you capture can be immediately shared with family and friends and posted on social media. For the best results, you should attach your phone to a camera tripod to hold it steady. Don't laugh, I've even taped mine or used Blu-Tac!

Smartphone astrophotography lets you easily record a snapshot of what you see through your telescope as well. To take any kind of image of the night sky means a long exposure, which means stability. If you're seriously keen, I recommend buying the Celestron NexYZ adapter. You can then easily start taking photos of lunar eclipses, lunar craters, planets, the phases of the Moon.

The app 'NightCap Camera' ranks highly on the list of the best night vision camera apps. With it, you can take amazing low light and night photos. All you need to do is just hold steady and tap the shutter. Simple huh!

Texas has a brand-new city, and its name is Starbase. 

A vote Saturday to decide whether to turn part of South Texas into a new city centered around Elon Musk's SpaceX delivered a victory to the tech billionaire and his rocket company. As expected, the measure passed with broad support, paving the way for a newly incorporated city made up almost exclusively of SpaceX employees and people connected to the company. The final vote tally Saturday night was 212 in favor of incorporation and six against; only 143 votes were needed for the measure to pass.

"It's officially statistically impossible for the measure to fail," Cameron County Elections Administrator Remi Garza said. "Cameron County is about to have a new city." Musk celebrated the vote in a post on X Saturday night. "Starbase, Texas is now a real city!" he wrote. Shortly after the vote, an X account for the new city was created. "Becoming a city will help us continue building the best community possible for the men and women building the future of humanity's place in space," the account wrote in its first post, which was reposted to SpaceX's official account.

Now that the vote has passed, commissioners in the county will canvass the results within two weeks, Garza said. A judge will then assign an order declaring the results of the election and the official incorporation of the new city. The new city of Starbase covers about 1½ square miles at the southern tip of Texas, a coastal spot nestled against the Mexico border. The area is home to SpaceX headquarters, and it's where the company builds its boosters and engines and launches its huge Starship rocket on test flights.

The ballot result was a much-needed win for Musk, who has faced widespread backlash over the past few months for his involvement with President Donald Trump's administration. Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and has overseen sweeping layoffs and cuts across federal agencies. In response, protests against Musk have erupted around the country and profits have plummeted at the billionaire's electric car company, Tesla.

Now, SpaceX will have the company town that Musk first publicly proposed in 2021. In addition to incorporating the new city, Saturday's election also selected Starbase's first mayor — Bobby Pedden — and two city commissioners — Jordan Buss and Jenna Petrzelka. The candidates for all three positions ran unopposed, and all three are employees of SpaceX. There were 283 people eligible to cast ballots in Saturday's Cameron County special election, according to county election records. Eligibility was determined based on whether a resident's home would fall within the boundaries of the proposed new city.

Neither SpaceX nor Musk has detailed the purpose of incorporating a city around the rocket company's operations. There has been speculation, however, that having greater municipal control of the area could ease some of the bureaucracy and restrictions around SpaceX's tests and rocket launches. At the moment, SpaceX must obtain permission from authorities in Cameron County to close a highway and shut down public access to Boca Chica Beach and Boca Chica State Park to keep people safe during rocket launches.

The frequent closures have contributed to legal complaints against SpaceX and drawn protests from local residents and activists, including the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, and Border Workers United, as reported by CNBC. Now that SpaceX operates within the newly incorporated city of Starbase, things may soon change — though perhaps not without resistance.

"Right now that authority lies solely within Cameron County and my office, and we think that we've proven to be good collaborators and partners with SpaceX in their operations and also in making sure and providing enough notice and public access to Boca Chica Beach," Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino told NBC News. Trevino said any changes to the established procedures would be unnecessary. "If it's not broken, it doesn't need to be fixed," he said.

A failed space probe from the former Soviet Union is expected to fall back to Earth soon

Kosmos 482, a Soviet Venus probe launched in 1972 as part of the Venera program, has been orbiting Earth for more than 50 years. Due to problems with its launch vehicle, the spacecraft never made it to Venus and was instead left in an elliptical Earth orbit. Over the decades, atmospheric drag has gradually lowered its altitude, and it is now expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere early on the morning of May 10.

This event follows other notable reentries observed recently. Fiery reentries of satellites and rocket stages have become increasingly visible, such as those from SpaceX's Starlink network. With over 7,000 Starlink satellites launched, some are now reaching the end of their operational lives and burning up in the atmosphere in controlled deorbit maneuvers.

These satellites are designed to disintegrate upon reentry. Similarly, most inactive satellites are tracked to ensure their return poses minimal risk. Despite best efforts, some fragments occasionally survive and fall to Earth.

In one example, a defunct Chinese satellite reentered the atmosphere in December 2024, breaking into fireballs that streaked across the night sky in the southern United States. These visual displays result from spacecraft fragments encountering intense frictional heating as they travel at high speeds through the upper atmosphere.

While most debris burns up, Earth's surface—70% of which is covered by oceans—absorbs the bulk of any surviving remnants, making landfall relatively rare. Nonetheless, there are exceptions. In February, a SpaceX rocket stage reentered over Europe, with some pieces reportedly reaching the ground in Poland.

As for Kosmos 482, the spacecraft's descent is being monitored closely. Its mass, orbital trajectory, and fragmentation behavior will determine whether any part of it reaches Earth's surface or burns up entirely in the atmosphere.

What's Inside A Black Hole And Can I Survive A Trip Inside

Let's cut to the chase: if you're planning a holiday into a black hole, pack light. Really light. Like, down to your atoms. Because once you cross that infamous "event horizon," you're not coming back with fridge magnets and blurry photos.

Black holes are the universe's version of "Do Not Enter" signs written in invisible ink and guarded by physics that even Einstein occasionally raised an eyebrow at. They're places where gravity throws all the rules out the window—and then eats the window.

So what is a black hole? Imagine compressing the mass of the Sun into something the size of a city. Then keep squeezing until you have a single point of infinite density. That's a black hole: a cosmic void so powerful that not even light can escape its clutches. No light, no info, no Facebook updates.

Now let's say, for the sake of science and possible TikTok fame, you strap yourself into a spaceship and fly toward one—say, Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way. It's about 4 million times the mass of the Sun and just a casual 26,000 light-years away. Pack snacks.

As you drift closer, something weird starts to happen: time slows down. Not for you—you feel normal. But for the outside world, your clock is dragging. If you could wave at people watching from Earth, they'd see you moving in slow motion. This is time dilation, a very real consequence of Einstein's theory of General Relativity. Gravity bends space—but it also bends time. The stronger the gravity, the slower time ticks. Near the event horizon of a black hole, time slows dramatically. 

In fact, if you orbited just outside a black hole for a while and somehow escaped, you might return to find hundreds, even thousands of years had passed on Earth. To you, maybe just a few days. Yes, black holes are nature's ultimate anti-aging cream. You won't wrinkle—but you will be very, very dead. Small trade-off.

And just past the event horizon? The point of no return. This is where spaghettification sets in—a very scientific way of saying you'll be stretched thinner than the plot of a soap opera. Your feet are pulled faster than your head, because gravity's strength changes drastically over your own body length. It's the universe's least relaxing stretch therapy.

Eventually, you reach the singularity—a one-point abyss of infinite density and zero volume. Here, time and space collapse into each other, like cosmic laundry being sucked into a drain. Scientists have no real idea what happens at this point. Some say it's the end of all things. Others? They think it might be a gateway.

Yes, speculation time. Some theories suggest black holes might connect to other parts of the universe. Or other universes entirely. Think wormholes, tunnels through spacetime, portals to the great unknown. Maybe falling into one could spit you out near another galaxy—or a completely different reality. One where Elvis is still touring and gravity is optional.

Of course, these are just ideas. Beautiful, wild, untestable ideas. But who's to say? The math hasn't ruled it out. Black holes might be less tomb and more tunnel. Less death trap and more cosmic doorbell—albeit one that breaks every bone in your body and turns you into theoretical soup.

So what's inside a black hole? Maybe everything. Maybe nothing. Maybe a door to the other side of the universe with a "Wet Paint" sign on it.

Can you survive the trip? Not physically. But your story might live on—encoded in gravity, remembered in equations, and retold by future civilizations who find your shoe orbiting a neutron star.

In the end, black holes are the universe's way of reminding us we don't know as much as we think. And that, somehow, is the most exciting part.

NASA budget proposal draws strong criticism

The White House's proposal to cut NASA's budget by nearly 25% and cancel several major programs has drawn criticism from industry and members of Congress, while raising concerns among international partners.

The top-level or "skinny" budget released by the White House's Office of Management and Budget May 2 proposed $18.8 billion for NASA in fiscal year 2026, a $6 billion cut from the $24.9 billion the agency received in 2025. The budget called for the cancellation of the lunar Gateway, ending the Space Launch System and Orion programs after Artemis 3 and termination of science missions like Mars Sample Return. It also proposed curtailing use of the International Space Station and sharp cuts in space technology funding.

The proposal met with a strong negative reaction both on Capitol Hill and among space industry organizations. "Massive cuts to NASA in the President's proposed budget are shocking – the largest in American history," stated Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee's commerce, justice and science (CJS) subcommittee, whose jurisdiction includes NASA.

"They will decimate NASA's research & education efforts and terminate funding for our nation's dedicated scientists. Rather than rooting out so-called 'government waste', this budget puts American leadership in science, technology, & innovation at risk," she said in a May 2 social media post.

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Her Senate counterpart, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee's CJS subcommittee, argued that the budget favored Elon Musk's SpaceX. "We would never have gotten to the moon or be talking about Mars without NASA's science mission — and should not let Trump/Musk jeopardize America's future leadership," he stated May 4.

Rep. George Whitesides (D-Calif.), vice ranking member of the House Science Committee, offered similar sentiments. "No spin will change the fact that this would end critical missions, dramatically scale back the workforce, and risk our scientific leadership around the globe," he said on social media May 2. "It is completely irresponsible, and I will fight it every way I can."

Industry groups representing both established and more entrepreneurial companies have criticized the budget proposal. The former is represented by the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration, whose members include Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, who have major contracts supporting SLS, Orion and Gateway that the budget proposal puts in jeopardy. The group also includes many smaller companies that are suppliers to those prime contractors.

In a May 2 statement, the group called the budget proposal "deeply concerning" to its members. "It threatens our scientific capabilities and jeopardizes a sustained human presence on the Moon, undermining U.S. leadership in space and making NASA's exploration goals nearly impossible."

"Diverting the attention, time, and resources away from existing capabilities opens the door to China, which is poised to take the lead on the lunar frontier with plans for crewed Moon landings by the end of the decade. It will endanger our current global leadership position in space," the organization added.

The Commercial Space Federation (CSF), whose members include SpaceX, took a more nuanced view of the budget. "A thoughtful transition to more competitive commercial partnerships, as proposed by the 'skinny budget', will allow the U.S. to conduct human exploration programs with fewer resources," it said in a May 5 statement.

However, the CSF criticized other elements of the budget proposal. "The proposed reductions to space and Earth science, space technology, and activity in low-Earth orbit and the ISS, impacting commercial utilization, will have significant negative consequences for the U.S. global posture and the commercial space economy," it stated.

Also joining the criticism was The Planetary Society, which earlier spoke out about proposed deep cuts in NASA science. "Slashing NASA's budget by this much, this quickly, without the input of a confirmed NASA Administrator or in response to a considered policy goal, won't make the agency more efficient — it will cause chaos, waste the taxpayers' investment, and undermine American leadership in space," it said in a May 2 release.

European and Canadian concerns

Concerns about the NASA budget proposal extend beyond the United States. The European Space Agency would be significantly affected if the proposed budget was enacted, given its cooperation with NASA on Mars Sample Return, development of modules for the lunar Gateway and supplying the service module for Orion, all programs that would be cancelled or truncated by the budget.

In a May 5 statement, ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher said NASA has briefed ESA about the budget proposal. "ESA remains open to cooperation with NASA on the programs earmarked for a reduction or termination but is nevertheless assessing the impact with our Member States in preparation for ESA's June Council," he said.

That June meeting of the ESA Council, he said, will include assessment of "potential actions and alternative scenarios for impacted ESA programs and related European industry." He did not elaborate on what actions and scenarios are under consideration.

While Aschbacher noted the long history of cooperation between ESA and NASA, he noted ESA works with other agencies as well. "ESA has strong partnerships with space agencies from around the globe and is committed to not only being a reliable partner, but a strong and desirable partner."

The Canadian Space Agency, which, like ESA, is an ISS partner and which is also developing a robotic arm for the Gateway, told SpaceNews it is reviewing the implications of the NASA budget proposal.

"We are currently reviewing and engaging with NASA and other international partners on potential implications of this proposal," an agency spokesperson told SpaceNews. "Our objective is to maintain forward momentum for Canada's space program."

The Billionaire Asteroid: How a Rusty Rock in Space Could Rewrite Earth's Economy 

Imagine an asteroid floating through space, quietly orbiting between Mars and Jupiter, holding enough precious metal to make everyone on Earth a billionaire. Yes—you, me, and even that bloke who still uses Internet Explorer.

China and Russia's 2028 Moon Reactor Plan Rocks Global Space Community

In a stunning development that's turning heads from NASA to the European Space Agency, China and Russia have announced a joint plan to deploy a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2028. The move, presented at a recent international aerospace conference, is being hailed by some as the most audacious space initiative since the original Moon landings—and a clear challenge to U.S. space dominance.

The proposed lunar nuclear power station is designed to supply continuous energy for future moonbases, scientific research, and long-term infrastructure—particularly vital during the Moon's frigid two-week-long nights, when solar power becomes impractical. A reactor would offer uninterrupted, high-output energy, making it the cornerstone for any permanent human presence on the lunar surface.

This effort is part of the larger International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a joint China-Russia program meant to rival NASA's Artemis initiative, which is backed by over two dozen nations including Australia, Canada, and several European countries. The ILRS is pitched not just as a scientific outpost, but as a symbol of multipolar influence in space—a new model of cooperation distinct from the Western-led coalition.

While NASA is also developing a fission surface power system, it's targeting a 2030+ deployment date. The prospect of China and Russia beating that timeline by at least two years is seen as both a technological and political statement—a signal that the balance of space power is shifting.

The announcement reportedly caught U.S. officials off-guard. Inside NASA and the Department of Energy, urgent discussions are underway to evaluate the implications. One official described the development as a "Sputnik 2.0 moment," recalling the shock of the 1957 Soviet satellite launch that spurred America's original space race.

Critics argue the U.S. has been too slow in updating its lunar strategy, hindered by bureaucratic delays and budget uncertainty. Meanwhile, China has quietly achieved milestones such as landing a rover on the far side of the Moon in 2019 and returning lunar samples in 2020. Russia, despite recent struggles, still brings vast experience in nuclear propulsion and robotics.

If realized, this would be the first nuclear power plant ever built off Earth—a game-changing achievement with implications not only for science, but for strategic positioning in the new space economy. With lunar resources, including rare Earth elements and water ice, becoming increasingly valuable, energy infrastructure will be key to unlocking and controlling them.

Whether the 2028 target is achievable remains to be seen, but the message is clear: the Moon is no longer just a scientific destination—it's a stage for global power projection. The race is back. The players are changing. And this time, it's nuclear.

Trump-Vance Administration Unveils FY2026 NASA Budget: Moon, Mars Take Priority

The Trump-Vance Administration released its Fiscal Year 2026 budget toplines on Friday, outlining a bold yet fiscally responsible plan to accelerate human exploration of the Moon and Mars.

Acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro praised the proposal, saying it "invests in lunar and Martian exploration while advancing vital science and technology research." She emphasized the President's continued support and NASA's commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

Key highlights include:

• Lunar and Mars Exploration: Over $7 billion is earmarked for Moon missions, alongside $1 billion in new funding for Mars-focused programs, ensuring U.S. leadership in deep space exploration.

• Streamlining Science and Technology: The budget redirects resources to high-priority research and ends unsustainable programs like Mars Sample Return. It prioritizes transformative space technologies and shifts some projects to private sector leadership.

• Reforming Artemis: After Artemis III, NASA will retire the costly SLS rocket and Orion capsule, transitioning to next-gen commercial systems for future lunar missions. The Gateway lunar station program will be canceled, with some hardware repurposed. International partners will be invited to join the new effort.

• ISS Transition: The International Space Station will begin winding down operations ahead of its planned 2030 decommissioning. Crew size and research will be reduced, preparing for a transition to private space stations and refocusing on Moon and Mars readiness.

• Budget Discipline: The plan aims to reduce duplication and ensure sustainable spending while maintaining NASA's ability to pursue ambitious goals.

• Core Mission Focus: Funding for climate-centric "green aviation" and DEIA programs will end. NASA will continue to develop technologies supporting air traffic and commercial use, redirecting savings toward its core space exploration mission.

NASA will work with partners to execute this streamlined strategy, which underscores the administration's focus on efficiency, innovation, and reaffirming American leadership in space.

Katy Perry Opens Up About Feeling 'Battered and Bruised' Amidst Backlash

Pop superstar Katy Perry has broken her silence following a wave of criticism that left her feeling "battered and bruised," offering a rare glimpse into the emotional impact of public backlash in the age of social media.

The controversy erupted after Perry's highly publicized participation in Blue Origin's all-female spaceflight on April 14, 2025. While the event was hailed as a landmark moment for women in space and science, it also sparked unexpected criticism. Perry's zero-gravity performance of What a Wonderful World and the on-board reveal of her new tour setlist drew sharp responses online, with some calling the spectacle tone-deaf and excessive.

This came on the heels of a mixed reception to her latest album, 143, released in late 2024. The record's lead single, Woman's World, was panned by some critics for its perceived lack of substance, and her choice to again collaborate with producer Dr. Luke—still entangled in legal battles with singer Kesha—only added fuel to the fire.

In a social media comment responding to a supportive Brazilian fan group, Perry admitted the backlash took a toll on her. She described feeling like "a human piñata," bruised by the volume of unsolicited criticism and the internet's "dumping ground" mentality. Still, she reassured fans that she was okay and continuing to "look to the light."

Despite the storm, Perry's resilience remains front and center. Her Lifetimes Tour, which launched on April 23, opened to enthusiastic crowds, with fans going as far as organizing a digital billboard in Times Square to show their support. Perry credited her followers for helping her stay grounded, noting that live shows and real-world fan connections offer her a sense of authenticity that the online world often lacks.

While public figures like Lily Allen later walked back some of their more cutting comments—acknowledging possible biases in how Perry was treated—the experience has served as a reminder of the cost of fame in an unforgiving digital culture. As Perry pushes forward, she remains focused on growth, connection, and artistry—weathering the backlash not as a victim, but as a veteran performer still evolving under the spotlight.

87 Satellites Sent to Space in 24 Hours – The Final Frontier Is Filling Up Fast

In an astonishing burst of orbital activity, 87 new satellites were launched into space in the past 24 hours, making headlines around the world and raising fresh questions about just how crowded Earth's orbit is becoming.

These tiny technological marvels – ranging from small CubeSats the size of a shoebox to larger communication platforms – were sent aloft by a combination of commercial rocket companies and government-backed missions. The launches came from multiple continents, including sites in the United States, China, India, and New Zealand. Space is no longer the exclusive playground of superpowers; it's now a busy, global arena with players from all corners of the planet.

A Sky Full of Satellites

Satellites are becoming as common in orbit as planes in our skies. They're used for everything from checking the weather and tracking wildfires to monitoring crops and providing internet in remote parts of the world. The convenience is undeniable — but there's a catch.

As of early 2025, there are over 9,000 active satellites orbiting the Earth, and that number is climbing rapidly. Add in the thousands of dead or decommissioned satellites and the estimated 130 million pieces of space debris the size of a millimetre or more, and you've got a traffic jam in low Earth orbit (LEO) that would make a peak-hour city commute look like a quiet Sunday drive.

Who's Launching All This?

SpaceX remains the dominant player in satellite launches, regularly sending up batches of its Starlink internet satellites in groups of 60 or more. But now, other companies — like OneWeb, Amazon's Project Kuiper, and China's GalaxySpace — are joining the broadband bonanza. Each one plans to launch thousands of satellites in the coming years.

Then there are the small satellite missions from universities, startups, and even high school projects. Add in weather satellites, Earth observation tools, military eyes-in-the-sky, and scientific instruments, and you've got a full-blown satellite surge.

The Good, the Bad, and the Orbitally Ugly

It's easy to focus on the benefits: better global internet, improved disaster response, more accurate GPS, and new commercial opportunities. But there's a downside. The more crowded orbit becomes, the higher the risk of collisions. Even tiny fragments of debris can slam into satellites at speeds of over 28,000 kilometres per hour, enough to cause serious damage — or destroy them outright.

And when satellites collide, they create even more debris in a vicious cycle known as the Kessler Syndrome — a nightmare scenario where the sheer volume of junk makes certain orbits unusable.

Astronomers have also voiced concerns about the increasing number of bright satellites affecting ground-based telescopes. As they streak across the night sky, they can photobomb observations and interfere with long-exposure images of distant galaxies or faint cosmic phenomena.

What's Being Done?

Space agencies and private companies are working on solutions. Satellites now often come with built-in deorbiting plans — using propulsion systems or drag sails to pull them back into Earth's atmosphere after their mission ends. International rules are also being developed to ensure that operators avoid leaving space junk behind.

There's even talk of space traffic control, an orbital version of air traffic control, to monitor and manage satellite movements. Concepts like space tugboats, lasers to nudge debris, and net-equipped cleaning satellites are under consideration — a sign of just how seriously the issue is being taken.

A Crowded Future

The 87 satellites launched in a single day are a stark reminder that the space age has shifted gears. What was once the domain of a few Cold War titans is now a booming, bustling ecosystem of competing interests, innovations, and ambitions.

As space becomes more accessible, it also becomes more congested. The challenge now is to ensure that this incredible growth doesn't lead to an orbital crisis. If we're not careful, the final frontier could become the final landfill — and that's a future no one wants to orbit around.

A Full Moon Shines on Mother's Day

This year, Mother's Day is going cosmic. As millions around the world scramble to remember if Mum prefers lilies or lavender, the universe is casually tossing in a nearly full Moon for extra flair. On Sunday, May 11, just after sunset, a Full Moon will rise and bathe Australia in its silvery glow. It's lunar luck and maternal magic rolled into one sparkly evening.

In fact, this year the Moon will be most full over quite a few countries but honestly, your average human eye can't tell the difference. To an astronomer, the precise instant is when the Moon lies opposite the Sun in our sky but to the rest of us, it's an all-night spectacle, perfect for awkward family selfies and spontaneous emotional revelations about childhood trauma.

And here's a delightful twist of cosmic trivia: in ancient Celtic and Old English traditions, the full Moon in May was called "Mother's Moon." Fitting, right? Today, we call it the Flower Moon—still appropriate, especially if you're awkwardly presenting Mum with supermarket roses while mumbling something about "being busy this week." A full Moon on Mother's Day doesn't happen every year because the lunar cycle is just shy of a calendar month. It's a gentle cosmic wink from the heavens that maybe, just maybe, the universe is on Mum's side after all.

The Moon has always been a bit of a mum figure itself. Across cultures, it's associated with fertility, nurturing, and mystery—essentially the same attributes that allow mothers to know you're lying about cleaning your room, even if you haven't spoken all week. The Romans had Luna, the Norse had Máni (weirdly, a man), and modern families have "Mum," a goddess in her own right who can survive off coffee and sheer determination.

The Moon has also inspired its fair share of superstition. Once believed to drive people mad—hence the word "lunatic"—the full Moon has been blamed for everything from insomnia to werewolves. So, if your Mother's Day barbecue descends into chaos, you can just blame it on lunar madness rather than Uncle Kev's third helping of punch.

Celebrations will vary, of course. In Puerto Rico, families gather with heartfelt meals, music, and sometimes moonlit dances. In Thailand, Mother's Day is celebrated in August to honour the Queen's birthday. Globally, Mother's Day is like that one aunt who shows up early or late but always brings cake—you're never quite sure when it's happening, but it's worth celebrating. Popular Mother's Day BBQ foods include grilled salmon, chicken skewers, veggie kebabs, and fresh salads. Drinks like rosé, sparkling wine, iced tea, and fruit punch add a festive touch.

Still, there's something poetic about this year's alignment. A day devoted to the women who raised us, watched over us, and somehow managed not to strangle us during our teenage years, now bathed in the calming light of the Moon—a celestial symbol of care, constancy, and quiet power. ​In 2025, popular Mother's Day gifts are expected to include personalized jewellery, luxury skincare, cozy loungewear, smart home gadgets, gourmet hampers, and tech accessories like AirPods and Kindle e-readers.

So, this Sunday, skip the supermarket, dodge the shopping malls, and take a walk with Mum under the glowing Flower Moon. Tell her you love her, even if you're still a little scared of her. Either way, it's going to be a Mother's Day to remember

What Inside a...

Imagine a cosmic monster, so dense that it devours even light itself. This isn't science fiction; it's the terrifying reality of a black hole. These titans of gravity are born from the most spectacular stellar funerals imaginable. When a massive star runs out of fuel, its core implodes in a violent collapse, cramming all its material into a single point of unimaginable density. This singularity, the heart of the black hole, exerts a pull so strong that not even the fastest thing in the universe, light, can escape its grasp!

The boundary of this no-escape zone is called the event horizon. Cross it, and you're forever trapped, doomed to be stretched and contorted by the black hole's immense gravity. Imagine being squeezed like toothpaste into a thimble – that's the fate awaiting anything that dares to venture past the event horizon.

Thankfully, for now at least, we're safe. There aren't any black holes close enough to Earth to pose an immediate threat. Our Milky Way galaxy likely harbors a supermassive black hole at its centre, but it resides millions of light-years away, content to gobble up dust and gas, keeping our cosmic neighbourhood clean. John Wheeler coined the term "black hole" in 1967, before that, Albert Einstein had talked about similar ideas, but Wheeler's term stuck and is now widely used to describe these crazy cosmic objects.

Hey, what if we stumbled upon a rogue black hole, a lone wanderer in the vast expanse of space? The consequences of falling into one are mind-boggling. According to Einstein's theory of relativity, time itself might slow down near a black hole's event horizon. Imagine a daring astronaut, oblivious to the danger, venturing too close.

From an observer's viewpoint on Earth, the astronaut would appear to freeze in time, their movements growing infinitesimally slower before they disappear forever behind the event horizon. What happens to the astronaut then? We can only speculate. Some theories suggest they'd be ripped apart by the tidal forces of the black hole's gravity, a horrific fate. Others propose a terrifying journey into a warped dimension, a one-way trip to a place beyond our comprehension.

Black holes aren't just cosmic vacuum cleaners, though. They might hold the key to some of the universe's greatest mysteries. Some physicists theorize about white holes, the hypothetical counterparts of black holes. Instead of sucking matter in, white holes spew it out, acting like celestial fountains. While their existence remains purely theoretical, the idea is nothing short of mind-bending. Could white holes be connected to blak holes in some way, forming cosmic wormholes that allow travel across vast distances, or even through time itself?

The largest black hole ever discovered is a testament to the universe's sheer scale. This behemoth, millions of times more massive than our Sun, resides far, far away. But its existence sparks the imagination. Could there be even bigger black holes out there, lurking in the darkness, their immense gravity shaping the cosmos in unseen ways?

Black holes are a testament to the power and mystery of the universe. They are a reminder that our understanding of the cosmos is still in its infancy. As we delve deeper into the secrets of black holes, we might unlock doors to a reality beyond our wildest dreams, a reality where time bends, space folds, and the very fabric of existence itself might be rewritten.

Remember, the starlight you see coming from all those constellations tonight left there hundreds, and in most cases thousands of years ago, and it's just arriving now! Remember, when you stargaze, you're looking back in time. Your telescope is your time machine, coupled with imagination it can take you anywhere!

If you're new to astronomy the hardest part is learning all those stars. Relax! It's a lot easier than you think, but you won't do it sitting inside at your keyboard and monitor. Some people say that we spend too much time indoors and not enough time observing the things around us, like the moon, stars and planets.

But what if your screen, in this case your Smartphone or tablet, can actually help you appreciate the skies more? Well they can and they're amazingly simple to use! Here's some of my favorite free apps. 'Sky View' will identify almost everything above your head at night and it's fantastic! Try 'The Moon' for your lunar viewing, then download an accurate new Aussie app 'ISS Flyover' to catch the space station passing over for a week ahead. It's a small charge but worth it.

This one is a knockout. On your tablet or laptop download an app called 'Star Chart.' It puts a virtual planetarium right in your pocket. It uses state of the art GPS technology that will show you the current location of every star and planet visible from Earth. Cool huh?

For even more realistic night sky experiences install 'Stellarium' on your laptop or iPad. I'm not going to spoil the surprise, just do it. It's free and has so much to offer you will be surprised. An alternative is the popular program 'Celestia.' A world of creative wonder awaits you.

Planets, stars, and star patterns have shaped our lives. Remember standing out in your backyard as a kid trying to count 'em all? I did. This fascination with the stars and the night sky extends to almost all indigenous cultures throughout the world. Hey, ever wondered if you can use your phone as an Astro-camera, well you can!

With most smartphones today you can photograph your night sky without needing a connected computer or much post-processing. Plus, the images you capture can be immediately shared with family and friends and posted on social media. For the best results, you should attach your phone to a camera tripod to hold it steady. Don't laugh, I've even taped mine or used Blu-Tac!

Smartphone astrophotography lets you easily record a snapshot of what you see through your telescope as well. To take any kind of image of the night sky means a long exposure, which means stability. If you're seriously keen, I recommend buying the Celestron NexYZ adapter. You can then easily start taking photos of lunar eclipses, lunar craters, planets, the phases of the Moon.

The app 'NightCap Camera' ranks highly on the list of the best night vision camera apps. With it, you can take amazing low light and night photos. All you need to do is just hold steady and tap the shutter. Simple huh!

Mercury's Dazzling Secret: A Hidden Ocean of Diamond Beneath the Surface? 

Mercury is the planet we tend to ignore. It's small, blisteringly hot, and swings so close to the Sun it often gets dismissed as little more than a burnt-out rock. But recent research suggests this scorched world might be hiding an astonishing secret: a vast, underground layer of diamond, perhaps 10 miles thick.

Yes—diamond. Not the glittering stuff set in rings, but something far more alien and grand. A hidden shell of crystal carbon forged deep within Mercury's violent, early history. It sounds like science fiction, but scientists are beginning to think it might be real.

The story starts with NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft, which spent four years orbiting and mapping Mercury. One of its discoveries was a smattering of graphite—carbon in its soft, flaky form—across the planet's surface. This was strange enough on its own, but it hinted at something deeper. Billions of years ago, Mercury may have been wrapped in a deep ocean of molten rock. As that ocean cooled, the lighter carbon floated upward, forming a crust of graphite, while heavier elements like metal sank inward. But what if some of that heavier carbon didn't just vanish?

Enter Dr. Yanhao Lin and his international research team. Using a high-pressure lab setup, they simulated Mercury's inner environment by squeezing rock to pressures seven times greater than those found at the bottom of Earth's deepest ocean and heating it to nearly 3,600°F. Under these wild conditions, carbon didn't remain graphite—it transformed. With the right mix of heat, pressure, and sulfur-rich chemistry, the soft carbon restructured into diamond.

According to their models, this transformation could have occurred right at the boundary where Mercury's rocky mantle meets its massive metallic core. There, diamonds might have formed and accumulated, slowly building up a glittering layer up to 11 miles thick. It's an idea that turns Mercury into a literal jewel of the solar system.

This diamond shell could help explain another mystery: Mercury's magnetic field. Despite being small and slowly rotating, Mercury has a surprisingly strong magnetosphere. That requires a hot, churning core—and diamond, being a superb conductor of heat, might help keep that inner dynamo alive by moving energy faster than the surrounding rock. In short, the diamonds may be powering the planet's magnetic heart.

For now, it's a theory rooted in lab experiments and clever science. No probe has cracked Mercury open to peek inside—yet. But that may change soon. A spacecraft called BepiColombo, built by Europe and Japan, is currently racing toward Mercury. When it arrives in 2030, it will hunt for signs of this mysterious inner layer by scanning the planet's gravity and magnetic field for subtle clues.

If the diamond shell is real, it could reshape how we understand planet formation—not just in our solar system, but everywhere. Earth, Mars, and Venus lost most of their carbon long ago. Mercury, by contrast, seems to have hoarded it, storing it first as surface graphite, then converting it into buried diamond.

And if a planet as modest as Mercury could pull off that transformation, it raises tantalizing questions: Could other rocky worlds—maybe even carbon-rich asteroids—hide similar treasures inside? Could they carry similar carbon signatures that reveal exotic geologic histories?

In the end, this isn't about glitter or gemstones. It's about carbon: how it moves, how it changes, and how it may shape everything from heat flow to magnetic fields to planetary survival. Mercury, long thought to be dead and dull, is turning out to be one of the most exotic bodies in the solar system. Not bad for a tiny planet we used to overlook. Maybe, just maybe, the smallest planet is hiding the biggest surprise of them all.

New Evidence Suggests Mars Could Have Supported Life

Mars may have once been more Earth-like than we ever imagined. A groundbreaking new study, led by University of Calgary scientist Ben Tutolo, has uncovered signs that the red planet once had a functioning carbon cycle—just like Earth. This discovery adds weight to the growing body of evidence suggesting that Mars may have had the right conditions to support life billions of years ago.

Using data from NASA's Curiosity rover, which has been exploring Mars since 2012, the team identified an iron carbonate mineral called siderite in Gale Crater. This mineral typically forms when water evaporates and deposits carbon in rock pores—a process that points to the presence of both liquid water and a thick atmosphere on ancient Mars.

And that changes everything. "This is carbon dioxide we've predicted should be there for decades," said Tutolo, the lead author of the study. "But it just hadn't shown up clearly—until now." The finding was especially surprising because previous satellite-based measurements hadn't detected siderite. Instead, those orbital surveys mostly found magnesium sulfates—commonly known as Epsom salts on Earth.

So what happened? It turns out the magnesium sulfate was masking the siderite deposits, making them invisible to orbiting instruments. But when Curiosity drilled into the Martian surface, it revealed the planet's hidden geologic history—one that includes more siderite than scientists have ever observed on Mars. "It's a surprise, right?" said Tutolo. "Then we have to go back and ask—did all those scientists miss something?" The answer, thankfully, was no. The rover just gave them a better look.

For planetary geologist Chris Herd of the University of Alberta, who wasn't involved in the study, the results highlight the immense value of the Curiosity mission. "The rover has been going for over 12 years and is still going strong," he said. "Not only are we still collecting great data, but we're interpreting it in ways that really deepen our understanding."

So… Was Mars Ever Really Habitable? Not continuously. The data suggests Mars went through cycles—times when conditions were warm and wet enough to support life, followed by periods that were dry and hostile. "Even though these sediments in Gale Crater are 3.5 billion years old, the planet is about 4.5 billion," explained Tutolo. "It wasn't always habitable."

Still, whenever water was present, it likely could have supported life. That raises an intriguing question: If life ever didbegin on Mars, what happened to it when conditions changed? 

Mars' Climate Story Could Help Earth's Future

The research also carries implications for climate science here on Earth. Mars once stored more carbon than it released—its carbon cycle became imbalanced, leaving vast stores of CO₂ locked underground. On Earth, plate tectonics help maintain a balance in our carbon cycle. But due to human activity and greenhouse gas emissions, we're now tipping that balance.

Tutolo, whose PhD focused on carbon dioxide sequestration as a climate solution, sees the connection clearly. "I worked on capturing CO₂ at power plants and injecting it deep underground," he said. "It's really fulfilling to apply that same knowledge to understanding Mars' climate history."

As we continue exploring Mars, scientists like Tutolo and Herd are hopeful about what comes next. Herd is now part of NASA's Perseverance rover team, working on plans to return samples from Mars to Earth. Though the mission is facing delays due to budget issues, he believes those samples could be the key to finally confirming whether Mars once hosted life.

"That's the next-level analysis," he said. "And it needs to be done in labs here on Earth." Back on this planet, Tutolo is content to juggle two worlds: developing climate solutions at home, and unlocking the secrets of Mars. "The nice thing about Mars," he said, "is that there are so many unanswered questions. It's hard to be bored."

Trump's NASA Budget Cuts Could Put Space Missions at Risk

The Trump administration wants to cut NASA's budget by a lot next year. This would mean cutting science research funding in half, which could stop the launch of a major space telescope and reduce other space exploration missions. These cuts might even lead to closing NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, a well-known research lab. Scientists and politicians are worried. One expert from the Planetary Society called the cuts "an extinction-level event" for NASA science.

Maryland lawmakers, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Reps. Steny Hoyer and Glenn Ivey, said Congress will likely reject the cuts. They warned that reducing U.S. space research could help China get ahead in space. The cuts are part of Trump's plan to reduce government spending. Right now, NASA's funding is only about 0.36% of the total national budget.

Former NASA chief Bill Nelson said these cuts could seriously damage the space agency. Elon Musk also called the plan "troubling." The budget proposal, called a "passback," is a draft for 2026. It hasn't been made public yet, but some details have been leaked. The Office of Management and Budget sent it to NASA on April 10.

Where the Cuts Would Hit

The plan would lower NASA's budget from $24.9 billion in 2024 to about $20 billion in 2026 — a 20% drop. Most of this would affect NASA's Science Mission Directorate, which runs space science projects. The cuts would impact four key areas:

• Planetary Science: Missions to explore planets and moons.

• Earth Science: Satellites that track Earth's climate, oceans, and land.

• Astrophysics: Space telescopes like Hubble and Webb would keep funding, but the new Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, planned for 2026, would be canceled.

• Heliophysics: Studies of the sun and how it affects Earth, like space weather.

NASA has already started responding. On March 10, it closed three offices and laid off 23 employees following Trump administration orders.

They Went to the Moon for Peanuts: The Surprisingly Low Pay of Apollo Astronauts

Reflecting back on the recent Katy Perry et al launch of six women and the huge monetary figures involved my mind went back in time to July 1969, the United States pulled off one of the most astonishing feats in human history on a comparative budget! Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins left Earth strapped to a glorified firework and hurtled through space to land on the Moon. They planted a flag, made a call to the president, and imprinted a footprint that would never be swept away.

The world watched. When Armstrong stepped onto the Moon in 1969, he made history—and earned about $8 a day! Neil earned a reasonable salary in 1969, but here's the kicker: for the eight days of the Apollo 11 mission, Armstrong's additional "travel allowance" came to just $17.64. That's about $2.20 a day.

To put that in perspective, they risked their lives, survived blast off, navigated the vacuum of space, landed a spacecraft manually with 30 seconds of fuel remaining, walked on the Moon, and then re-entered Earth's atmosphere—all for less than the price of a movie ticket today. One small step for man, one giant mound of red tape for mankind.

Buzz didn't fare much better, he earned just $33.31 for the entire mission, which also included travel days to and from Houston! So, if you divide it out, he made about two dollars a day—for a trip that involved 25 seconds of hanging off a ladder in space before stepping into eternity. They didn't even get frequent flyer miles.

No hazard pay. No appearance fees. No lunar bonus. Just the standard federal reimbursement for "temporary duty travel" and a pack of freeze-dried scrambled eggs. There were no signing bonuses, no endorsement deals and no chance of cashing in their moon boots for stock options.

Still, the astronauts bore it all with the same quiet resolve they showed in space. Aldrin later joked they should've brought back moon diamonds instead of dust. He wasn't wrong—moon rock fragments today are worth millions. Armstrong could've paid off NASA's entire budget if he'd just slipped a few more samples into his sock. Instead, he went back to teaching engineering.

And when the astronauts returned home? Like any returning traveller, they had to fill out a customs declaration form! Yes, really. Having just travelled a half a million miles round-trip to a lifeless rock in space, the three space farers were asked by U.S. Customs and Border Protection "anything to declare?" The form, which I have a first-generation copy of dated July 24, 1969, politely requests details of items brought back from their "departure point": they wrote "Moon rocks and Moon dust samples."

But the lunacy didn't end at the lunar luggage claim. NASA, understandably unsure if the Moon might be harbouring hostile microbes—or lunar werewolves, who knows—quarantined the crew for 21 days in a caravan.

To be fair, it was a very sophisticated caravan, officially known as the Mobile Quarantine Facility. But still: the first humans to walk on another world were locked in an Airstream like interstellar Tupperware. Because, hey, better safe than sorry when you're dealing with possible 'moon germs.'

In the end, that's what makes Apollo 11 so beautifully, bizarrely human. Not just the courage and the science, but the deeply bureaucratic banality wrapped around it. Because even if you've walked on the Moon, the government still expects you to submit your expense report. And don't forget to itemize your moon rocks!

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'ASTRO DAVE' RENEKE - A Personal Perspective

I've often been asked what I do, where I've been and what sort of activities I've engaged in throughout my 50 years involvement in astronomy and space. Here is an interview i did with Delving with Des Kennedy on Rhema 99.9 recently. 

David Reneke, a highly regarded Australian amateur astronomer and lecturer with over 50 years of experience, has established himself as a prominent figure in the field of astronomy. With affiliations to leading global astronomical institutions, 

David serves as the Editor for Australia's Astro-Space News Magazine and has previously held key editorial roles with Sky & Space Magazine and Australasian Science magazine. 

His extensive background includes teaching astronomy at the college level, being a featured speaker at astronomy conventions across Australia, and contributing as a science correspondent for both ABC and commercial radio stations. David's weekly radio interviews, reaching around 3 million listeners, cover the latest developments in astronomy and space exploration.

As a media personality, David's presence extends to regional, national, and international TV, with appearances on prominent platforms such as Good Morning America, American MSNBC news, the BBC, and Sky News in Australia. His own radio program has earned him major Australasian awards for outstanding service.

David is recognized for his engaging and unique style of presenting astronomy and space discovery, having entertained and educated large audiences throughout Australia. In addition to his presentations, he produces educational materials for beginners and runs a popular radio program in Hastings, NSW, with a substantial following and multiple awards for his radio presentations.

In 2004, David initiated the 'Astronomy Outreach' program, touring primary and secondary schools in NSW to provide an interactive astronomy and space education experience. Sponsored by Tasco Australia, Austar, and Discovery Science channel, the program donated telescopes and grants to schools during a special tour in 2009, contributing to the promotion of astronomy education in Australia. BELOW Is the recorded interview  

'Astro Dave' Is Radio-Active 

Heard On DOZENS Of Stations Weekly - CLICK for past interviews