Scientists may soon detect alien life. Astronomer David Kipping suggests initial signals will be loud and unusual. This is because the first detected civilizations might be in decline. Past astronomical discoveries show extreme examples are found first. This could mean humanity receives warnings about advanced societies facing problems. The search for alien life might reveal much about our own future.

President Trump has unveiled a new executive order prioritizing space exploration, aiming to return humans to the Moon by 2028 and establish a permanent lunar outpost by 2030. The directive also emphasizes Mars missions, orbital missile defense systems, and fostering a commercial space economy, underscoring a renewed focus on space as a key US strategy.

Tiny snapping shrimp, not whales, are the ocean's loudest animals, reaching up to 210 decibels with their claw snaps. This intense noise disrupts marine research globally, masking other animal sounds and interfering with acoustic mapping. Climate change is exacerbating the issue by increasing shrimp activity in warmer waters.

Mars' abundant ice offers a revolutionary solution for future human settlements. Scientists propose using this frozen water as a primary building material, providing crucial insulation against extreme temperatures and harmful radiation. This sustainable approach significantly reduces reliance on Earth-based supplies, making Mars colonization more practical and cost-effective, paving the way for a new era of space exploration.

The James Webb Telescope has discovered an exoplanet, PSR J2322-2650b, orbiting a pulsar 2,000 light-years away. This planet, shaped like a lemon due to extreme gravitational forces, boasts a unique atmosphere rich in carbon compounds and helium, unlike any previously observed. Its extreme heat and composition challenge current planetary formation theories.

Archaeologists in Mexico unearthed a unique cube-shaped skull. This discovery sheds light on ancient cranial deformation practices. The skull belonged to a man who lived over a thousand years ago. This ancient tradition involved reshaping a child's skull using boards and bandages. The findings suggest possible cultural links across ancient Mesoamerican regions. Read more about this here!

Indian-origin professors have pioneered America's first monolithic 3D AI chip, fabricated in a US foundry. This breakthrough, developed by a multi-institutional team, significantly boosts AI performance and energy efficiency by stacking memory and processing units vertically. The innovation tackles the 'memory wall' bottleneck, paving the way for faster, more powerful AI systems and strengthening domestic chip manufacturing.

Renowned space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock is 'absolutely convinced' life exists beyond Earth, predicting confirmation by 2075. She highlights the universe's vastness and recent technological advances, like the James Webb Telescope, enabling detailed planet atmosphere analysis. While microscopic life is the most likely discovery, the search itself fosters global cooperation and a broader perspective on humanity's place.

The South American lungfish genome, the largest animal genome sequenced at 91 billion base pairs, has been fully decoded. This breakthrough offers insights into evolutionary biology, revealing that genome size doesn't equate to organismal complexity. The lungfish's genetic makeup provides a glimpse into the transition of vertebrates from water to land.

Isro's LVM3-M6 mission will launch the BlueBird Block-2 satellite on December 24 for AST SpaceMobile, aiming to provide global high-speed mobile connectivity directly to smartphones. This next-generation satellite, the largest and heaviest commercial payload for LEO by Isro's LVM3, will enable 4G and 5G services worldwide, bridging connectivity gaps for billions.

Venus, often called Earth's twin, hides extreme conditions and secrets. It is the solar system's hottest planet due to a dense atmosphere. Its atmosphere rotates faster than the planet itself. Venus also rotates backwards and is covered in volcanoes. The atmospheric pressure is immense. It shows phases like the Moon and is the brightest planet in the night sky.

Two massive, unusual structures, dubbed low shear velocity provinces, have been discovered deep beneath Africa. Scientists believe these formations, hundreds of kilometers thick, are composed of ancient oceanic crust that subducted into the mantle millions of years ago. Their unique composition and density cause seismic waves to slow, influencing volcanic activity and heat flow on the surface.

Indian scientists have unearthed a surprising connection between Srinivasa Ramanujan's 1914 pi formulas and modern physics, particularly theories describing black holes and turbulent fluids. These extraordinary mathematical insights, previously unexplained, now appear to mirror the underlying mathematics of systems exhibiting scale invariance and extreme change, offering new avenues for scientific discovery.

Archaeologists unearthed the oldest known evidence of incest in Italy's Grotta della Monaca cave. Genetic analysis of a Bronze Age burial revealed a teenage boy born from a father-daughter union, a first-degree incestuous relationship. This exceptionally rare finding challenges our understanding of prehistoric social practices and family structures.

Get ready for two spectacular solar eclipses in 2026! An annular 'ring of fire' event on February 17 will grace parts of South America and Africa. Later, on August 12, a breathtaking total solar eclipse will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain, with partial views for much of Europe. Remember to use certified eye protection for safe viewing.

Comet 3I/ATLAS, a rare visitor from another star system, is passing through our solar system. Discovered in July 2025, this interstellar object is the third of its kind. Scientists are studying its speed, trajectory, and composition. The comet is not dangerous to Earth. Its brief visit provides a unique opportunity to learn about the universe beyond our Sun.