Space.com
• Robert Lea
Studies using James Webb Space Telescope observations offer two possible clues to how black holes became massive in the early universe. Five ancient star clusters could have formed black holes up to 2,700 times the Sun’s mass, while another proposal suggests mysterious Little Red Dots may host primordial black holes dating to the Big Bang.
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Caltech’s ASTRA robot has assembled a truss section in orbit without human assistance, advancing work on building large space structures robotically. Separately, mechanical engineering assistant professor Erik Komendera developed a vibration- and AI-based method for estimating how deeply rocks are buried, potentially helping future robotic missions clear terrain autonomously.
Researchers say hydrogen chloride detected near Alba Mons by the Trace Gas Orbiter may be linked to magma beneath the surface. The study also identifies newly recognized fissures that could be a source of the gas, adding evidence that some Martian volcanic systems may remain active or persist underground.
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Studies using James Webb Space Telescope observations offer two possible clues to how black holes became massive in the early universe. Five ancient star clusters could have formed black holes up to 2,700 times the Sun’s mass, while another proposal suggests mysterious Little Red Dots may host primordial black holes dating to the Big Bang.
Researchers at Washington University studied how Martian dust interacts with spacesuit-material swatches carried by NASA’s Perseverance rover. The work highlights a planning challenge for future crewed missions: accounting for dust exposure and its effects on both astronauts and the materials they rely on.
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NASA is seeking student proposals for a long-term lunar living and work facility while advancing infrastructure plans that include the PROMISE nuclear-powered rover, targeted for 2028. The agency also outlined a $10 billion pool for CLPS 2 landers and $1.3 billion in launch task orders.
The European mission launched on Nov. 8, 2005, marking Europe’s first mission to Venus. A retrospective revisits why Venus Express mattered, placing the spacecraft’s significance in the context of Europe’s exploration of the planet.
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An opinion article by Mark R. examines how China intends to beat NASA back to the moon. The available article information does not specify the strategy’s elements, schedule or how it compares with NASA’s plans.
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