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Category: space

Optically dark gamma-ray burst reveals an unusually wide jet

Using various telescopes, an international team of astronomers has performed multi-wavelength observations of a recently identified gamma-ray burst source designated GRB 250416C. Results of the observational campaign, published April 23 on the v pre-print server, could help us better understand the nature of GRB 250416C and gamma-ray bursts in general.

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most powerful electromagnetic explosions in the universe, usually caused by the destruction of massive stars. In general, they are observed as bursts of highly energetic gamma rays lasting from less than a second to several minutes.

Synchrotron X-rays uncover hidden protein binding sites, enabling two new functions

Using bright X-rays from the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), researchers pioneered an innovative approach to designing proteins with targeted functions. Their method generated new insights that allowed the team to turn a single designed protein into two new proteins with completely different functions—one of which is the most active designed enzyme to date.

In the study, published in Nature Chemistry, the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), team for the first time combined X-ray studies of how small molecule fragments bind to designed proteins, known as crystallographic fragment screening, with a method used to design proteins, called directed evolution. This breakthrough approach could lead to simpler ways to improve enzymes and medications, among other uses.

“Our novel protein design strategy simultaneously explores the landscapes of chemical space and sequence space, which helps design functional proteins rapidly,” said Sagar Bhattacharya, postdoctoral researcher at UCSF and an author on the paper. “Instead of the typical 5–10 rounds or more of directed evolution, we achieved the 10-fold higher enzyme activity with just two rounds of directed evolution.”

Mathematical framework solves asteroid route planning exactly for first time

A new publication from Bielefeld University sets a benchmark in optimization research. Together with an international team, Professor Michael Römer from the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics has developed a mathematical framework that solves a complex problem from space logistics exactly for the first time: the optimal planning of a route to visit several asteroids under conditions that are as close to reality as possible. The study is published in the INFORMS Journal on Computing.

At the center of the research is the so-called Asteroid Routing Problem. It addresses the question: In what order should a spacecraft visit multiple asteroids if both travel time and fuel consumption are to be minimized? The challenge is that, unlike in classical routing problems, the travel time between destinations is constantly changing because all celestial bodies are in continuous motion.

The idea for the study originated in Bielefeld, sparked by a success in a competition organized by the European Space Agency (ESA). During a research stay in Bielefeld, lead author Isaac Rudich revisited the topic and, together with the team, developed a new solution approach.

A tiny world beyond Neptune has an atmosphere that shouldn’t exist

A team of professional and amateur Japanese astronomers have found evidence for a thin atmosphere around a small body in the outer solar system. The object is so small that it should not have a sustainable atmosphere, raising questions about when and how the atmosphere formed. Future observations to better characterize the atmosphere will help solve these mysteries.

Webb Telescope Reveals Dark Surface of Exoplanet LHS 3844b

Sebastian Zieba: “Since LHS 3,844 b lacks such a silicate crust, one may conclude that Earth-like plate tectonics does not apply to this planet, or it is ineffective. This planet likely only contains little water.”

What do the surfaces of rocky exoplanets look like? This is what a recent study published in Nature Astronomy hopes to address as a team of scientists investigated how heat measurements could be used to ascertain the potential physical and chemical properties of a rocky nearby rocky exoplanet. This study has the potential to help scientists use new methods for studying rocky exoplanets, as they are still too far away to be directly observed.

For the study, the researchers used NASA’s powerful James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to observe the rocky exoplanet LHS 3,844 b, which is located approximately 49 light-years from Earth and whose mass and radius is estimated to be almost 2.5 and 1.3 times of Earth, respectively. LHS 3,844 b orbits inside the interior edge of its star’s habitable zone, making it analog to Mercury. To accomplish this, the researchers used JWST to obtain heat measurements of LHS 3,844 b to ascertain the exoplanet’s potential physical, geological, and chemical properties.

In the end, the researchers found that LHS 3,844 b is likely comprised of a dark, volcanic surface that’s been weathered by space radiation. The team notes that LHS 3,384 b either has a fresh surface or mimics the Moon or Mercury, the latter of which ceased volcanic activity billions of years ago. The team was also able to potentially rule out a distinct geological characteristic that Earth possesses.

Oldest Moon Craters Are Best Targets for Water Ice

“We found that the earlier a region became shadowed, the larger the area that was able to accumulate ice,” said Dr. Oded Aharonson. [ https://www.labroots.com/trending/space/30512/moon-craters-targets-water-ice-2](https://www.labroots.com/trending/space/30512/moon-craters-targets-water-ice-2)

What are the best places on the Moon to find water ice that can be used for future crewed missions to the Moon’s surface? This is what a recent study published in Nature Astronomy hopes to address as a team of scientists investigated potential regions of the Moon where future astronauts could have the highest chance of finding water ice. This study has the potential to help scientists, engineers, mission planners, and future astronauts narrow the scope for finding the best locations of water ice on the Moon to aid in future crewed missions, thus negating the need for water supplies from Earth.

For the study, the researchers analyze data obtained from the Lyman-Alpha Mapping Project (LAMP), which is an instrument on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter designed to map the entire surface of the Moon in far ultraviolet light. They combined these findings with computer models designed to simulate how and when water was delivered to the Moon millions to billions of years ago.

In the end, the researchers found that Shackleton Crater, a portion of which is located directly at the lunar south pole, is not the most ideal location for water ice, which has long been thought. In contrast, the researchers propose that Haworth Crater is the ideal location for finding water ice. Additionally, the researchers found that some of these regions have been building water ice for as long as 1.5 billion years.

Astronomers explore the surface composition of a nearby super-Earth

Using MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) on board the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a team of researchers led by former MPIA (Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg, Germany) Ph.D. student Sebastian Zieba (Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, Cambridge, U.S.) and Laura Kreidberg, MPIA Director and study PI (principal investigator), analyzed the surface composition of the rocky exoplanet LHS 3844 b.

A bright moon may dim the Eta Aquarid meteor shower made up of Halley’s comet debris

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower soon will light the sky with debris from Halley’s comet. But a bright moon will spoil the fun this year, making the display harder to glimpse.

The shower will peak Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Viewers from the Southern Hemisphere typically see 50 meteors per hour during the peak, but the interfering moon could cut that number by half. In the north, skywatchers will likely see fewer than 10 per hour.

“For us in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s not going to be as impressive,” said Teri Gee, manager of the Barlow Planetarium in Wisconsin. “The farther south you are, the better you’ll see it.”

Star Trek vs Star Wars: The Truth About Who Would REALLY Win

What happens when two of the greatest sci-fi universes collide? ⚔️
In this deep-dive, we break down the ultimate showdown: Star Trek vs Star Wars — and uncover the TRUTH about who would actually win.

This isn’t just fan debate. We’re analyzing technology, weapons, strategy, and realism to answer the question once and for all. From the advanced warp-driven fleets of the United Federation of Planets to the Force-wielding dominance of the Galactic Empire, every advantage and weakness is put under the microscope.

Could a Star Destroyer overpower the USS Enterprise?
Is the Force the ultimate trump card?
Or does superior engineering give Star Trek the edge?

This video dives into:

Starship combat and firepower ⚡
Shields vs deflectors 🛡️
Warp speed vs hyperspace 🚀
AI, tactics, and battle strategy 🧠
The real science behind both universes.

By the end, you’ll see which universe holds the TRUE advantage—and why the answer might surprise you.

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