NASA’s silent supersonic plane is preparing for flight and more The main scientific news of the week

Next week we’ll see NASA’s supersonic plane without a sonic boom

NASA’s supersonic experimental aircraft: the agency’s project axis mission mission— is set to leave its warehouse in the California desert next week. We’re preparing for a big moment: The X-59 has been in development for six years and, if successful, will demonstrate supersonic flight without sonic booms. – Isaac Schultz Read more

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South Korea’s artificial sun heats plasma to 100 million degrees

The Korea Institute of Fusion Energy installed a new diverter on the KSTAR tokamak, allowing the artificial sun to maintain high ion temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius longer. -Isaac Schultz Read more

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Good luck with your urine, because scientists have figured out why urine is yellow.

Scientists say they’ve finally answered an age-old question: Why is our urine yellow? In a new study, the team discovered an enzyme produced by gut bacteria that plays an important role in softening our urine. Curiosity aside, this discovery could help scientists better understand the gut microbiome and how it may contribute to certain diseases, such as jaundice in newborns. -Ed Kara Read more

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Quadrantids: How to see hundreds of shooting stars tonight

Meteor lovers, rejoice. The first big rain of the year is upon us. Here’s everything you need to know if you want to catch a glimpse of these fireballs.

Located between the constellations Bootes and Draco (next to Ursa Major), the Quadrantids are called Quadrans Muralis, a constellation now extinct. It’s an annual shower that peaks in early January, and as a meteor lover, it’s a great way to start each new year. -Isaac Schultz Read more

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ULA’s Vulcan Centaur rocket will launch on Monday, presenting a challenge for SpaceX

On Monday, January 8, United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur was finally able to make its maiden flight. ULA has been a rock in the spaceflight industry since its founding in 2006, and in anticipation of this launch, the company is ready to take its next bold step into space. Here’s what you need to know about America’s newest rocket booster and how it could disrupt the sector and challenge the ever-dominant SpaceX. -George Dworsky Read more

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See new close-up images of Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io

The disfigured surface of Jupiter’s moon Io was revealed in great detail by the Juno spacecraft, which has been exploring the Jupiter system since 2016 and recently made its closest flyby of the volcanic world. – Passant Rabi Read more

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SpaceX’s latest launch will bring Starlink to T-Mobile phones

SpaceX is preparing to test the ability of its Starlink satellites to connect directly to cellphones in the United States, launching the first six satellites under a temporary license in hopes of expanding their communications reach beyond cellular signals. Read more

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NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX flies past the Sun on its way to a new asteroid target

New mission, who is it? The spacecraft formerly known as OSIRIS-REx unexpectedly collided with the Sun while following a complex new route to a second asteroid using one of its solar panels as a shadow. – Passant Rabi Read more

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Fossils dating back 1.75 billion years are the oldest evidence of oxygenic photosynthesis.

The story of life on Earth cannot be told without photosynthesis, the process by which plants (and some other life forms) convert sunlight. in chemical energy. Now a team of researchers has announced the discovery of fossilized photosynthetic structures, the oldest known to date, dating back to a staggering 1.75 billion years ago. -Isaac Schultz Read more

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Scientists have lightly attacked people’s brains and made them easier to hypnotize

Researchers at Stanford University say they have made a discovery that you would expect to see in science fiction. A randomized controlled trial published this week found evidence that people can become more receptive to hypnosis after just two short sessions of non-invasive brain stimulation. The results suggest that brain stimulation may make hypnosis a more effective treatment for various conditions such as pain, although more extensive research will be needed to know for sure. – Ed Kara Read more