January 2026 Skywatching: NASA’s guide to Jupiter, Saturn and stellar wonders
January 2026 brings Jupiter at its brightest, a Moon–Saturn encounter, and the Beehive Cluster, as NASA highlights easy-to-see celestial events lighting up winter night skies.
Was "Jurassic Park" right? Mosquitoes can carry entire libraries of animal DNA
Mosquitoes carry DNA from dozens of animals, creating tiny “libraries” of wildlife. Researchers show these insects could revolutionise biodiversity monitoring and conservation, capturing secrets of ecosystems everywhere they bite.
Hidden for 15 years, this tiny reed snake is finally discovered in Mizoram
A tiny reed snake, Calamaria mizoramensis, has been discovered in Mizoram, India. Hidden for years, this nocturnal species reveals the forest’s secret biodiversity and the power of DNA research.
India launches "Samudra Pratap", the first indigenous vessel to fight marine pollution
India’s Coast Guard commissioned Samudra Pratap, the first indigenous Pollution Control Vessel, equipped to fight oil spills, chemical leaks and environmental threats while strengthening maritime security along the coastline.
This 400-million-year-old plant holds clues about Earth’s climate history
Ancient horsetail plants produce water with unusual oxygen isotopes, offering scientists a new tool to reconstruct Earth’s climate history and understand humidity patterns from millions of years ago.
Nature’s cleanest oddities: 5 animals that survive without ever pooping
From frogs and sponges to jellyfish and tardigrades, scientists reveal how some animals digest food without defecating, showing evolution shaped surprising waste strategies beyond what biology textbooks suggest today worldwide.
What if the universe is 'lopsided"? This new study changes everything we know
New research suggests the universe may be lopsided. Cosmic microwave background and galaxy data hint at directional differences, challenging cosmology’s assumption of uniformity and standard Lambda‑CDM models.
A planet without a Sun: Astronomers detect rare free-floating World 10,000 light-years away
Astronomers have spotted an Earth-sized planet drifting alone through the Milky Way, detected briefly by bent starlight, raising fresh questions about how many hidden, starless worlds roam our galaxy.
First steps in human history: 7-million-year-old Sahelanthropus fossils suggest early upright walking
Scientists uncover fossils suggesting Sahelanthropus tchadensis, a 7-million-year-old ancestor, could walk upright. Could this tiny bipedal ape-like hominin rewrite what we know about the earliest steps in human evolution?
Cloud‑9: NASA find first starless “failed galaxy” hiding in deep space
NASA’s Hubble finds Cloud‑9, a starless gas cloud dominated by dark matter. The first confirmed “failed galaxy” reveals hidden cosmic structures and new insights into galaxy formation.
Savannah’s legendary super-tusked elephant dies, leaving a towering conservation legacy
Craig, one of Africa’s last super tuskers, has died peacefully in Amboseli, leaving behind towering tusks, decades of research, and an enduring symbol of hope for elephant conservation.
ISRO detects tiny interplanetary particles with ground-breaking DEX experiment
ISRO’s Cosmic Dust Experiment detects interplanetary particles in orbit, revealing hidden cosmic traffic, advancing India’s space science and providing global insights into space hazards and satellite safety.
ESA shares fresh images showing Mars’s relatively recent ice age
Strange grooves, swirling valleys, and hidden ice far from Mars’s poles reveal a surprisingly recent ice age, as new ESA images expose how the Red Planet’s climate once dramatically shifted.
Aditya-L1 Mission: ISRO invites scientists to submit first "AO Cycle" proposals
ISRO has opened the first Announcement of Opportunity for Aditya-L1, inviting scientists to propose studies using solar observations, advancing India’s role in understanding the Sun and space weather.
A billion-year-old asteroid offers new clues to how life may have begun on Earth
New experiments suggest RNA, life’s essential molecule, could have formed naturally on early Earth and even arrived from space, raising intriguing questions about how easily life might begin elsewhere.
NASA moves closer to finding alien life with 7 new tech partners
NASA has selected advanced technologies to power a future space telescope designed to image Earth-like planets and search their atmospheres for potential signs of life beyond our solar system.
Scientists track Sun’s most active region for record 94 days
Scientists observed a single solar active region continuously for 94 days, revealing how magnetic fields grow and trigger massive flares. This unprecedented study could improve space weather forecasting and protect Earth’s technology.
2026 Lunar Rush: These private spacecrafts are set to make Moon Landings this year
In 2026, private companies like Blue Origin, Firefly Aerospace and Astrobotic plan lunar landings. These missions will advance science, test technology and provide NASA with critical data for future Moon exploration and Artemis program planning.
Chennai’s Marina beach records first set of "Olive Ridley eggs" in 2026
Chennai’s Marina Beach welcomes Olive Ridley turtle eggs, revealing baby turtles' incredible navigation skills and highlighting the urgent need for conservation to protect these vulnerable sea travellers.
Scientists use underwater sounds to track ocean’s most elusive whales
Scientists are using underwater microphones to study beaked whales, the ocean’s most elusive mammals. Echolocation clicks reveal species, behaviour and habitats, offering vital insights for conservation and uncovering previously unknown deep-sea secrets.
Could the Moon be hiding billions of years of Earth’s air? Here is what study says
New research reveals the Moon may have been silently collecting Earth’s atmosphere for billions of years. Scientists now believe lunar soil holds secrets of our planet’s ancient air and climate history.
National Bird Day 2026: History, Significance and How to Celebrate
National Bird Day 2026 in India is celebrated every year on 5th January. India highlights the beauty of peacocks and native birds. Explore their cultural importance and actions to preserve bird populations.
3I/ATLAS may be 14 billion years old, it could be universe's oldest visitor-Here is what we know
3I/ATLAS, a rare interstellar comet, may predate the Sun. Scientists study its ancient material, offering unprecedented insight into the universe’s earliest moments and cosmic evolution.
Gold grows on trees? Scientists reveal a surprising microbial trick
Scientists discovered microscopic gold forming inside tree needles. Hidden microbes convert dissolved soil ions into solid metal, offering a greener, innovative approach to exploring underground mineral deposits.
A Galaxy in Trouble: NASA's Hubble reveals gas escaping into the cosmos
Hubble has captured a galaxy losing vital gas as it races through a crowded cluster, revealing how harsh cosmic environments can slowly shut down star formation.
