Science

In a bold announcement, President Donald Trump has set an ambitious goal for humanity: landing astronauts on Mars by the end of his presidential term in 2029. While this vision sparks excitement, experts in the field of space exploration are raising significant questions about its feasibility. Despite the recent advancements in space technology, particularly with SpaceX’s development of the Starship rocket, the challenges that lie ahead for a crewed mission to Mars are daunting.

For over six decades, scientists have been captivated by the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), seeking signs of technological activity beyond our planet. While the quest has typically focused on detecting radio signals from distant stars, researchers are now expanding their horizons to explore a range of potential “technosignatures.” These include various forms of communication—such as directed energy and gravitational waves—as well as the search for massive structures, notably Dyson spheres.

Imagine taking a leisurely stroll along a picturesque coastline, only to stumble upon remnants of a prehistoric meal from 66 million years ago. This extraordinary event occurred recently on the Stevns Klint Coastal Cliffs in Denmark, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its rich fossil record.

Peter Bennicke, an amateur fossil enthusiast, was out for a casual walk when he noticed unusual fragments embedded in the chalky cliffs. Upon closer examination, these fragments turned out to be pieces of sea lily, a type of marine invertebrate. Intrigued by his find, Bennicke took the fragments to the Museum of East Zealand for further investigation, leading to a remarkable revelation.

In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have identified a fascinating super-Earth exoplanet, HD 20794d, located just 19.7 light-years away from our solar system. This intriguing planet orbits its star in a highly eccentric path, dipping in and out of the habitable zone—a region where conditions may allow for liquid water to exist.

HD 20794d’s orbit is particularly remarkable, as it varies significantly in distance from its star, ranging from as far out as Mars is from the Sun to as close as Venus. This means that during its journey, the planet experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, starting in a frigid zone where liquid water cannot exist, before passing through the habitable zone where conditions may briefly support life.