Earth's oceans would experience significantly smaller tides without the Moon. Marine life dependent on tidal motion would face drastic changes. Nocturnal predators and prey behavior would shift dramatically. Earth's axial tilt would become unstable, leading to extreme seasonal variations over long periods. Human activities, from coastal industries to agriculture, would be profoundly impacted.

Our Sun will not explode like other stars. Instead, it will slowly expand into a red giant, consuming inner planets. This process will take billions of years. After this phase, the Sun will shrink to a dense white dwarf. The solar system will become cold and dark. This future event is extremely far away, offering humanity ample time.

Many common beliefs about lightning are myths. These ideas often stem from simple observations and are passed down without question. Modern technology allows us to track lightning and compare it with these beliefs. Studies reveal significant differences between what people think and what actually happens. Understanding these facts can help people stay safer during storms.

Our reliance on lithium, powering everyday devices, faces a hidden fragility. Despite abundant reserves, access is concentrated, and recycling is minimal, leading to constant mining. While alternatives like sodium-ion batteries and solid-state technology are emerging, their widespread adoption is slow, suggesting a future of careful management and reduced lithium use per device rather than complete absence.

SpaceX plans to lower Starlink satellites to a safer orbit in 2026. This move aims to reduce collision risks and space debris. Satellites will burn up faster at the end of their life. This decision follows a recent satellite failure. SpaceX is the world's largest satellite operator. The change focuses on safety and sustainability in low Earth orbit.

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station experienced New Year 2026 sixteen times, witnessing the transition to a new year with each of their 90-minute orbits. This unique perspective highlights the vast differences in time perception between Earth and space, where daily cycles of daylight and darkness are compressed. Their adherence to Greenwich Mean Time structures life in orbit.

Plastic wrapping on cucumbers is not as bad as it seems. It helps keep cucumbers fresh during long journeys. This reduces food waste, which is a bigger environmental problem than the plastic itself. Growing food uses many resources. Wasting a cucumber wastes all those resources. Plastic wrap protects cucumbers from damage and decay.

Robots are paving the way for humans on the Moon and Mars. Missions are currently tracking radiation, mapping water, and studying dust. This vital data helps plan safe habitats and routines. Ingenuity-like drones may even find natural radiation shelters. These machines are working patiently, shaping the future of space exploration.

A German firm is turning cockroaches into spy tools and rescuers. These insects can navigate dangerous areas where machines and people cannot. Equipped with tiny cameras and microphones, they gather intelligence. The technology also holds promise for disaster response, locating survivors in collapsed buildings. This innovation is reshaping defense and surveillance capabilities.

China's Shenzhou-20 mission faced a critical delay when a small crack appeared in the return capsule's window. This damage, caused by fast-moving space debris, threatened the astronauts' safety. An emergency mission launched a replacement spacecraft, ensuring a safe return. The incident underscores the significant risks posed by even microscopic space junk and prompts a review of orbital safety measures.

Astronomers found a giant hourglass shape around a galaxy called ESO 130 G012. This structure is made of radio waves and stretches over 160,000 light-years. It extends far beyond the galaxy's visible stars. Scientists are studying how this enormous outflow formed. It may be from steady star formation or a past black hole event.

Prepare for a spectacular celestial event as the Wolf Supermoon illuminates the UK on January 3rd, 2026. This exceptionally bright and large full moon will be visible just after sunset, offering breathtaking views. 2026 is an unusual year with 13 full moons, including a blue moon in May, making this January's Wolf Moon a must-see.

Saudi Arabia is attempting one of the most ambitious environmental transformations ever undertaken in an arid country. Through the Saudi Green Initiative, the Kingdom is planting billions of trees, restoring degraded land, expanding protected areas and rebuilding water systems, grounding its climate goals in science, long-term planning and economic diversification as it prepares for a future beyond oil.

New discoveries on Mars reveal deep, round openings. These features are unlike known craters or volcanic pits. Scientists believe water may have shaped these cavities long ago. Such underground spaces could have protected ancient life from harsh surface conditions. These caves offer a new focus for future exploration and the search for signs of life on the Red Planet.

2026 promises a celestial spectacle with four eclipses, including a rare "ring of fire" and a total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe. This year marks the beginning of a busy period for skywatchers, with significant lunar and solar events clustering together. Planetary alignments also grace the night sky, offering repeated reasons to look up.

Scientists are exploring de-extinction for the moa, a giant flightless bird that vanished 600 years ago. Advanced genetic science aims to reconstruct its DNA and reintroduce similar birds, merging genome editing, ancient DNA research, and conservation biology. This endeavor faces significant scientific and cultural debates regarding feasibility and ecological impact.

A rare and deliberate exposure to black widow venom sent a 37-year-old woman to intensive care after she injected a ground-up spider into her bloodstream to get high. Doctors documented severe muscle pain, breathing distress and cardiovascular symptoms, likely intensified by an allergic reaction and an unusually high venom dose. The patient recovered after several days of supportive treatment.

Astronauts, including India's Shubhanshu Shukla, undergo wisdom teeth removal before space missions. This preventive measure addresses the unpredictable nature of these teeth, which can cause serious issues in orbit where medical care is limited. The decision prioritizes mission reliability over potential future discomfort, highlighting the meticulous health preparations for space travel.

2025 has been a landmark year for astronomy, revealing an interstellar comet, early supermassive black holes, and weakening dark energy. Compelling signs of past Martian life and potential biosignatures on exoplanets have emerged. New planets near Earth were found, and galactic collision predictions for the Milky Way and Andromeda were revised. The Vera C.