Science in telegram

A Celebration 2,500 Light-Years from Earth

NASA has unveiled a stunning new image of the “Christmas Tree Cluster,” a group of young stars captured using data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory and an astrophotographer based in Arizona.

The cluster earned its festive name due to its appearance: cone-shaped clouds resemble the branches of an evergreen tree, while the stars—over a thousand times younger than our Sun—shine like holiday ornaments.

#science #stars

In the Verkhoyansk district of northern Yakutia, Russia, the remains of a baby mammoth have been unearthed with a preservation quality rarely seen. Estimated to be around 50,000 years old, this discovery marks only the seventh instance of such well-preserved mammoth remains in the world.

The female mammoth, nicknamed “Yana” after the nearby Yana River, was found in June this year near the Batagayka area. While her exact age at the time of death remains uncertain, researchers estimate she was about a year old or slightly older. Measuring 120 cm at the shoulder and less than 2 meters in length, Yana provides a fascinating glimpse into the Ice Age ecosystem.

Did you know that at temperatures below –40°C, snowflakes form as hexagonal columns?

Alexander Leshchenok, “The Inverted World”. This photograph was taken in the Ergaki Park, located in the southern part of the Krasnoyarsk Krai, in the Western Sayan Mountains, Russia

New Findings from Io: The Mystery of Jupiter’s Volcanic Moon

Recent data from NASA’s Juno mission reveal that Io, Jupiter’s volcanic moon, does not have a shallow global magma ocean as previously speculated. This discovery reignites debates about the source of the intense volcanic activity on the most geologically active body in the Solar System, home to hundreds of erupting volcanoes.

For years, scientists hypothesized that Io’s volcanism was driven by a partially molten interior, possibly featuring a shallow magma ocean within 50 kilometers of the surface. However, Juno’s findings suggest otherwise. While the possibility of a deep magma ocean cannot be ruled out, its existence raises new questions: how could such a feature persist over geological timescales and sustain the observed eruptions?

If Io does harbor a deep magma ocean, it might resemble Earth’s or Mars’ basal magma oceans. However, Io’s unique geophysical conditions complicate this analogy. A deep mantle melt on Io would likely be less dense than the surrounding mantle and naturally rise. Conversely, if the melt is denser due to high iron content, it is unclear how it could reach the surface to fuel eruptions.

One emerging theory is that Io’s mantle is heterogeneous, containing both deep magma reservoirs and lighter, buoyant melts capable of rising to the surface. This dynamic interplay between deep and shallow processes could explain the moon’s dramatic and persistent volcanic activity.

The mystery of Io’s volcanic energy continues to challenge our understanding of planetary geology, offering a fascinating glimpse into the extreme conditions of the outer Solar System.

Perseverance Reaches the Rim of Jezero Crater

NASA’s Perseverance rover has successfully reached the summit of the Jezero Crater rim. The first photo captures the breathtaking view from the top, while the other two images showcase the rover’s challenging ascent to this milestone.

#science #space

The Pazyryk Carpet: The Oldest Known Pile Carpet

The Pazyryk Carpet is the world’s oldest surviving pile carpet. It was discovered in 1949 during the excavation of the Fifth Pazyryk Burial Mound in the Altai Mountains by an expedition from the Institute of Archaeology of the USSR Academy of Sciences.

The dating of the carpet remains debated, with estimates ranging widely from the late 6th to the 2nd century BCE.

Its origins are equally uncertain. Scholars propose various possibilities, suggesting it may have been woven by Persians, Parthians, Medes, Urartians, early Armenians, or even Scythians.

#science #history

Earth’s Hidden Treasure: 26 Times More Hydrogen than Oil Beneath the Surface

A groundbreaking new study suggests that Earth’s subsurface contains vast reserves of hydrogen—formed through natural geological processes—amounting to at least 5.6 trillion tons. These reserves, estimated to be 26 times larger than known oil deposits, have so far been discovered in only a few regions, such as Albania and Mali.

If even a small percentage of this hydrogen can be extracted, it could provide humanity with thousands of years of environmentally friendly energy, revolutionizing the way we think about sustainable power sources.

Think tattoos always boost attractiveness? A new German study from Helmut Schmidt University suggests otherwise. After showing 487 adults the same faces—clean, lightly inked, heavily tattooed, and even facially tattooed—participants consistently rated the non-tattooed versions as more appealing. Surprisingly, even professional tattoo artists agreed.

It’s a fresh reminder that our perception of beauty is more complicated than we think. Share this post if it changed the way you see body art!

#science #tattoo