Science News

Shankar, Delhi Zoo’s only African elephant, dies after years of isolation, sparking renewed concerns over elephant welfare in India.

Prehistoric megaraptor species unearthed holding its final meal before death 68 million years ago

Palaeontologists in Argentina have identified a new species of megaraptor dinosaur named Joaquinraptor casali. This predator roamed the region around 68 million years ago.

Where has the dinosaur-era purple frog been hiding? Scientists explain

Scientists discover ancient Purple Frog in India’s Western Ghats, revealing unique underground lifestyle, evolutionary history and conservation significance.

Mushrooms make Psilocybin independently twice, highlighting nature’s surprising evolutionary strategy

Scientists discover mushrooms independently evolved psilocybin twice, revealing convergent evolution and new insights into fungal chemistry and psychedelic compounds.

Annular Solar Eclipse 2026: Don’t miss elusive ‘ring of fire’ visible from the edge of the World

Only a handful of people on Earth will see the ‘ring of fire’ eclipse, as the Moon aligns with the Sun above one of the planet’s most isolated regions.

Where did the dinosaur-killing asteroid go? Scientists reveal clues

Around 66 million years ago, a 12-kilometre-wide asteroid travelling at 43,000 km/h crashed into Earth, triggering one of the most dramatic extinction events in history.

Blue-and-green hybrid jay discovered in Texas after 7 million years apart

Blue jays, native to much of the eastern United States, and green jays, traditionally found in Mexico and Central America, were once separated by distance.

Scientists consider nuclear option to stop asteroid 2024 YR4 before it hits the Moon

Asteroid 2024 YR4 poses a small risk to Earth but higher chance of striking the Moon, prompting nuclear defence discussions.

NASA shares image of rotating black holes collide during GW250114 event

Earlier this year, detectors in Washington and Louisiana picked up GW250114. The signal revealed two black holes, each 33 times heavier than the Sun, merging into one.

Double comet sighting and meteor shower to brighten October skies

A long-tailed comet named C/2025 R2 (SWAN) was first spotted near the sun on 12 September. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory detected the object with its SWAN instrument.

Gaia Telescope unveils 3D map of 44 million stars and stellar nurseries in Milky Way galaxy

The image reveals reddish nebulas and clusters of stars in star-forming regions once hidden from view. These vibrant nurseries sit within 4,000 light-years of the Sun.

Meet the Picasso bug of Africa that looks like a living art

A tiny African creature dazzles with vivid patterns, resembling brushstrokes on a canvas. Its colourful shell is both a survival tool and nature’s own masterpiece.

Ichikolowa: The World’s largest edible mushroom that can grow bigger than you imagine

A giant delicacy thrives in the African woodlands, captivating locals and scientists alike. Known for its sheer size and flavour, this rare mushroom is unlike anything you’d expect.

Meet NASA’s 10 newly selected all-American 2025 astronaut candidates for Moon and Mars missions

NASA has announced its 2025 astronaut candidate class, marking a new era for Moon and Mars missions. Ten individuals begin rigorous training for future space exploration.

Haemoglobin found trapped in 66-million-year-old dinosaur bones, scientists confirm

Scientists mapped how haemoglobin molecules break down over time using spectral analysis. Early degradation occurs soon after death but stabilises under certain conditions.

NASA's Webb reveals cathedral of massive stars in Pismis 24 Cluster, brightest not alone

The cluster’s brightest object sits near its central cavity. Webb’s infrared images show its light comes from at least three stars. Each star remains nearly 100 times the Sun’s mass.

Moonquake-induced landslides shaking Moon could threaten lunar bases, Chinese scientists warn

Moonquakes differ greatly from earthquakes. While quakes on Earth last seconds or minutes, moonquakes can shake the lunar surface for hours.

Delhi to New York in 61 seconds: NASA's Parker Solar Probe sails through 25th Sun flyby at record speed

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe made its 25th close approach to the Sun on 15 September, equalling its record distance of 3.8 million miles (6.2 million kilometres) from the surface.

A massive 420-foot asteroid to zoom past Earth today at high speed, NASA confirms

NASA has confirmed asteroid 2018 QT1 is travelling fast. The rock is about 420 feet wide and moves at 28,302 miles per hour.

Traces of the milky way’s spiral arms found in Earth’s Zircon crystals-Here is what study says

New research shows ancient zircon crystals preserve chemical clues, linking Earth’s geological changes to galactic spiral crossings.

Researchers decode molecular fossils in faeces, exposing prehistoric diets and environments

New research shows iron carbonate preserved biomolecules in 300-million-year-old faeces, offering rare insights into prehistoric diets and ecosystems.

World's Deadliest Lions: Story of the most feared and infamous Mapogo coalition lions of Sabi Sands

They were six, yet moved as one. In the heart of Africa’s savanna, their reign sparked fear, respect and whispers of legend. Who were the Mapogo lions?

Rings, spokes and a dusty core: NASA’s James Webb reveals story of Cartwheel Galaxy’s violent past

The Cartwheel lies about 500 million light-years away in Sculptor. Its wagon-wheel shape formed after a violent collision with a smaller galaxy.

NASA’s Webb telescope reveals unprecedented Dark Beads and star-shaped patterns on Saturn

James Webb Space Telescope discovers drifting dark beads and star-shaped stratosphere structures on Saturn, challenging atmospheric models and revealing unseen dynamics.

Hayabusa2 faces challenge as asteroid 1998 KY26 spins faster than expected

Hayabusa2 visited the 900-metre asteroid Ryugu in 2018, returning samples to Earth in 2020. The spacecraft is now on an extended mission until 2031.

India’s Earth Observation satellite ambition hinges on private sector push

India’s ambitious plan to launch 119 Earth Observation satellites by 2040 requires major private sector involvement, strategic policy support, and clear execution to scale effectively and compete in the global EO market 

Chimpanzees may drink two alcoholic drinks daily, study finds

At Ngogo, chimps climb trees to pluck figs, the most popular fruit. At Taï, chimps eat mainly fallen fruit from the forest floor.

Cambridge study reveals ChatGPT-4 struggles with ancient Greek mathematical puzzle

Cambridge researchers test ChatGPT-4 on an ancient Greek maths puzzle, revealing strengths, weaknesses and the importance of guided AI reasoning.

Why are cosmic winds from neutron stars so different? XRISM reveals the mystery

XRISM’s Resolve instrument studied GX13+1, a neutron star left behind after a larger star died.

NASA shares Saturn’s rings shifting as equinox marks seasonal change

Saturn’s rings orbit along the planet’s equator. Their appearance depends on the tilt of Saturn’s spin axis toward the Sun.

Solar Eclipse September 2025: Will India witness the year’s last Surya Grahan today?

September brings the year’s final solar eclipse, but will India see it? Skywatchers worldwide await the celestial display, while the nation must wait until 2027.

Solar Eclipse September 2025: How to watch year’s last eclipse live online today

September’s partial solar eclipse will unfold today. Viewers can watch live online as the skies deliver the final celestial show of the year

Solar Eclipse September 2025: Timings and list of cities that will witness the year's last eclipse today

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves between Earth and the Sun. Tonight, skywatchers await a celestial display as the year’s final eclipse approaches.

International Red Panda Day 2025: Date, history and significance

Red pandas are threatened by dwindling forests, poaching and the illegal pet trade. Their population declined significantly, with less than 10,000 still in the wild.

NASA’s Chandra spots fastest-growing black hole in early universe

The black hole, named RACS J0320-35, is about a billion times heavier than the Sun. It lies 12.8 billion light years from Earth, meaning we see it as it was just 920 million years after the universe began.

One nebula, two perspectives: NASA’s Webb telescope captures it in striking colours

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope reveals NGC 6072 in two striking views. Using infrared instruments, it shows the nebula’s colours and structure, offering fresh cosmic insights.

Experts claim 90% probability of witnessing black hole blast in 10 years

Stellar black holes form when massive stars collapse after death. They usually weigh between three and fifty times the Sun.

NASA astronauts capture Cygnus XL cargo craft with robotic arm

The capture follows the launch of NASA’s Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Services 23 mission. It lifted off on 14 September at 6:11 p.m.

Astronomers discover White Dwarf Star consuming frozen planetesimal – Here is what research reveals

Astronomers spot a white dwarf consuming a Pluto-like icy world, uncovering volatile elements that reshape our understanding of planetary survival.

NASA shares a colourful skyscape: Beautiful nebula shines around NGC 6914 in Cygnus

NGC 6914 lies nearly 6,000 light years from Earth. It sits along the Milky Way’s crowded plane where gas, stars and dust collide.

New study confirms many sub-Neptune exoplanets are unlikely to be water worlds-Here is what study says

Astronomers have discovered that many sub-Neptune exoplanets, once thought to host vast oceans, are far less watery than previously imagined. Here is what study says.

Is dodo coming back from extinction? Scientists claim major step in quest to resurrect the species

Dodo once roamed freely through Mauritius, where it faced no natural predators. Its decline began with hunting and was accelerated by European expansion.

World's oldest dome-headed dinosaur unearthed in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert

The fossil belongs to a juvenile of a new species, Zavacephale rinpoche, which lived about 108 million years ago.

NASA and IAU named featured asteroid Donald Johanson after India's Narmada Valley

NASA and IAU have named a feature on asteroid Donald Johanson after India’s Narmada Valley, honouring its fossil heritage. Know more what connecting Earth’s evolutionary history with the solar system’s origins.

A massive 70-foot asteroid to make its close approach with Earth today, NASA confirms

NASA has confirmed asteroid 2025 RL2 is approaching. The space rock measures about 70 feet wide and is racing through space at 21,613 miles per hour.

Venus versus Earth: Why one World boils and one blooms

Venus and Earth formed at the same time and share similar size and composition. Yet Venus is cloaked in carbon dioxide, with temperatures hot enough to melt lead.

From ice to lightning: new study shows how flexoelectricity powers storms

Scientists have discovered the phenomenon of Flexoelectricity which means bending ice generates electricity, offering fresh insight into how thunderstorms create lightning.

New Emulator technology can map universe faster than ever-Here is what study says

Scientists map the Universe’s large-scale structure quickly with Effort.jl emulator which offers accurate results faster than traditional cosmological models.

Kangaroo Island Koalas face hidden genetic threats despite abundance

Researchers compared Kangaroo Island koalas with those in Victoria and Queensland using whole-genome sequencing. They found much more inbreeding, which could make these animals less able to cope with future threats.

'The Sun is waking up, its quiet days may be over': NASA warns of decades of space weather risks

The present sunspot cycle began in 2019, and experts initially forecast a mild peak in 2025. But solar maximum arrived earlier than expected and is proving far more intense.