Violent supernovae triggered at least two Earth extinctions
(phys.org)
At least two mass extinction events in Earth's history were likely caused by the "devastating" effects of nearby supernova explosions, a new study suggests.
At least two mass extinction events in Earth's history were likely caused by the "devastating" effects of nearby supernova explosions, a new study suggests.
'Microlightning' in water droplets may have sparked life on Earth
(phys.org)
Life may not have begun with a dramatic lightning strike into the ocean but from many smaller "microlightning" exchanges among water droplets from crashing waterfalls or breaking waves.
Life may not have begun with a dramatic lightning strike into the ocean but from many smaller "microlightning" exchanges among water droplets from crashing waterfalls or breaking waves.
The odds of a city-killer asteroid impact in 2032 keep rising
(arstechnica.com)
An asteroid discovered late last year is continuing to stir public interest as its odds of striking planet Earth less than eight years from now continue to increase.
An asteroid discovered late last year is continuing to stir public interest as its odds of striking planet Earth less than eight years from now continue to increase.
NASA says 'City killer' asteroid now has 3.1% chance of hitting Earth
(france24.com)
An asteroid that could level a city now has a 3.1-percent chance of striking Earth in 2032, according to NASA data released on Tuesday, making it the most threatening space rock ever recorded by modern forecasting.
An asteroid that could level a city now has a 3.1-percent chance of striking Earth in 2032, according to NASA data released on Tuesday, making it the most threatening space rock ever recorded by modern forecasting.
Odds of asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting Earth in 2032 have reached new high
(newscientist.com)
NASA has upgraded the risk of asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting Earth in 2032 to 3.1 per cent, or about a 1-in-32 chance, the highest odds yet of collision.
NASA has upgraded the risk of asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting Earth in 2032 to 3.1 per cent, or about a 1-in-32 chance, the highest odds yet of collision.
Asteroid's chances of hitting Earth in 2032 just got higher
(theguardian.com)
It might not be the world-ending apocalypse foretold in the Netflix drama Don’t Look Up, but astronomers have significantly upped the odds of a direct hit from a giant asteroid currently hurtling towards Earth.
It might not be the world-ending apocalypse foretold in the Netflix drama Don’t Look Up, but astronomers have significantly upped the odds of a direct hit from a giant asteroid currently hurtling towards Earth.
Earth Detecting Earth
(seti.org)
February 3, 2025, Mountain View, CA – A research team led by Dr. Sofia Sheikh of the SETI Institute, in collaboration with the Characterizing Atmospheric Technosignatures project and the Penn State Extraterrestrial Intelligence Center, set out to answer a simple question: If an extraterrestrial civilization existed with technology similar to ours, would they be able to detect Earth and evidence of humanity? If so, what signals would they detect, and from how far away?
February 3, 2025, Mountain View, CA – A research team led by Dr. Sofia Sheikh of the SETI Institute, in collaboration with the Characterizing Atmospheric Technosignatures project and the Penn State Extraterrestrial Intelligence Center, set out to answer a simple question: If an extraterrestrial civilization existed with technology similar to ours, would they be able to detect Earth and evidence of humanity? If so, what signals would they detect, and from how far away?
2024 YR4 and other dangerous asteroids
(starwalk.space)
Every now and then, the media produces dozens of scary headlines about rocks from space headed toward our planet. But is there really a big chance that an asteroid could hit Earth in the near future? For now, people are discussing the newly discovered asteroid 2024 YR, which has a 1/88 chance to hit Earth in 2032. In this article, you’ll find answers to the most burning questions about this and other potentially hazardous asteroids.
Every now and then, the media produces dozens of scary headlines about rocks from space headed toward our planet. But is there really a big chance that an asteroid could hit Earth in the near future? For now, people are discussing the newly discovered asteroid 2024 YR, which has a 1/88 chance to hit Earth in 2032. In this article, you’ll find answers to the most burning questions about this and other potentially hazardous asteroids.
Are there more trees on Earth than stars in the Milky Way? (2016)
(snopes.com)
Although both figures are rough, a recent estimate for the number of trees on Earth exceeds the highest estimates for the number of stars in the Milky Way.
Although both figures are rough, a recent estimate for the number of trees on Earth exceeds the highest estimates for the number of stars in the Milky Way.
The longest sightline on Earth (2020)
(calgaryvisioncentre.com)
Three of the longest sightlines on earth: Mt. Dankova, Krygystan to Hindu Tagh, China 538km (green), Pic de Finestrelles, Spain to Pic Gaspard, France 443km (red), and Mt. Sanford, USA to Denali, USA 318km (pink).
Three of the longest sightlines on earth: Mt. Dankova, Krygystan to Hindu Tagh, China 538km (green), Pic de Finestrelles, Spain to Pic Gaspard, France 443km (red), and Mt. Sanford, USA to Denali, USA 318km (pink).
Moon
(ciechanow.ski)
In the vastness of empty space surrounding Earth, the Moon is our closest celestial neighbor.
In the vastness of empty space surrounding Earth, the Moon is our closest celestial neighbor.
Earth Could Be Alien to Humans by 2500 (2021)
(scientificamerican.com)
Unless greenhouse gas emissions drop significantly, warming by 2500 will make the Amazon barren, Iowa tropical and India too hot to live in
Unless greenhouse gas emissions drop significantly, warming by 2500 will make the Amazon barren, Iowa tropical and India too hot to live in
The 2024 state of the climate report: Perilous times on planet Earth
(academic.oup.com)
We are on the brink of an irreversible climate disaster. This is a global emergency beyond any doubt. Much of the very fabric of life on Earth is imperiled. We are stepping into a critical and unpredictable new phase of the climate crisis.
We are on the brink of an irreversible climate disaster. This is a global emergency beyond any doubt. Much of the very fabric of life on Earth is imperiled. We are stepping into a critical and unpredictable new phase of the climate crisis.
Gamma radiation is produced in large tropical thunderstorms
(phys.org)
In the 1990s, NASA satellites built to spot high-energy particles coming from supernovas and other celestial-sized objects discovered a surprise—high energy gamma radiation bursts coming from right here on Earth.
In the 1990s, NASA satellites built to spot high-energy particles coming from supernovas and other celestial-sized objects discovered a surprise—high energy gamma radiation bursts coming from right here on Earth.
Earth will get a second "mini-moon" for 2 months this year
(cbsnews.com)
Earth will get a second moon for about two months this year when a small asteroid begins to orbit our planet.
Earth will get a second moon for about two months this year when a small asteroid begins to orbit our planet.
A picture of Earth through time
(google)
Today, we're making it possible for you to go back in time and get a stunning historical perspective on the changes to the Earth’s surface over time.
Today, we're making it possible for you to go back in time and get a stunning historical perspective on the changes to the Earth’s surface over time.
Earth to have new mini-moon for two months
(phys.org)
A pair of asteroid dynamics researchers from Universidad Complutense de Madrid Ciudad Universitaria have found that a small asteroid will make one orbit around the Earth starting this month before departing back into other parts of the solar system.
A pair of asteroid dynamics researchers from Universidad Complutense de Madrid Ciudad Universitaria have found that a small asteroid will make one orbit around the Earth starting this month before departing back into other parts of the solar system.