Early airport body scanners were far more revealing than most travellers realised. In the early 2010s, Rapiscan X-ray machines produced highly detailed, near-nude images that sparked outrage and were ultimately removed over privacy concerns. Experts tell Reader’s Digest that today’s millimetre-wave scanners work very differently, generating only a generic avatar and flagging possible threats without exposing anyone’s actual body.

Approaching a black hole unleashes extreme tidal forces, stretching and tearing apart matter, including planets like Earth, a phenomenon known as spaghettification. Time also slows dramatically due to gravitational time dilation. While a supermassive black hole might offer a slightly less violent initial encounter, survival remains improbable due to radiation and instability.

The discovery made by Chandrayaan-3's lander has revealed a vibrant plasma environment in the Moon's southern polar areas. Recent measurements indicate an unexpected surge in electron densities and energetic particles, surpassing earlier predictions. This dynamic, electrically charged layer is greatly influenced by solar wind and Earth’s magnetic forces, providing vital knowledge that could shape upcoming lunar explorations.

In an exciting revelation, Indian scientists have teamed up with data from Aditya-L1 and US spacecraft to decode the mysteries surrounding Gannon's storm, the formidable solar storm of May 2024. Their research unveiled the dramatic interplay of two colliding coronal mass ejections that engaged in a significant magnetic reconnection, resulting in intensified solar activity directed at Earth.

Space agencies are now focusing on menstrual care for astronauts. Longer missions to the Moon and Mars require sustainable and waste-efficient solutions. Research is exploring options like menstrual cups to provide astronauts with more autonomy and dignity. This shift ensures all crew members can work effectively and safely in space.

A powerful solar storm is set to bring the Northern Lights to lower latitudes on December 9th. Skywatchers across many US states could witness vibrant auroral displays, extending far beyond their usual northern zones. Experts advise seeking dark, clear skies for the best chance to see this rare celestial event.

Mysterious red lights falling from space, initially thought to be alien signals, have been identified by scientists as red sprites. These rare upper-atmosphere lightning phenomena occur high above thunderstorms, appearing as upward-traveling pillars or jellyfish-shaped glows. Captured by citizen scientists and astronauts, these striking electrical events are triggered by powerful ground lightning strikes.

Ancient Mars once teemed with flowing rivers, forming vast drainage systems. A new study has mapped these large basins, revealing they concentrated nutrients and sediments, making them prime locations for potential past life. These findings are crucial for guiding future missions in the search for evidence of ancient Martian habitability.

Comet 3I/ATLAS has already puzzled astronomers with its odd trajectory, twin tails and sudden bursts of activity. Now a rhythmic 16.16-hour “heartbeat” has become the latest mystery. Most researchers see a rotating, venting comet. Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb argues the pulse points instead to jets driving the brightness “like a bloodstream”, keeping open, cautiously, the possibility of something more engineered.

India's coastal communities stand to benefit from Sentinel-6B, a new satellite launched to monitor sea levels. This vital data aids in storm forecasting, infrastructure protection, and planning for vulnerable areas. A collaboration between NASA and international partners, the mission provides crucial insights into ocean changes, enhancing public safety and national security.

The astronaut also gave a straightforward reponse to the viral question circulating on social media on whether or not "can people have sex in space?" "I don't see why not," he said with a smile.

A mysterious underwater noise recorded in 1997, the “Bloop,” fuelled years of speculation about megalodon and other undiscovered giants. But NOAA’s long-running investigation eventually traced the sound to Antarctic icequakes, not a living creature. The finding reveals less about ancient sharks and more about a warming planet, whose shifting ice now produces noises once mistaken for monsters.