Kathmandu: NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, alongside their fellow crew members, have safely returned to Earth after a nine-month mission in space. Their journey back concluded with a dramatic re-entry through Earth's atmosphere in a SpaceX capsule, followed by a gentle splashdown off the coast of Florida.



The astronauts’ capsule was greeted by a pod of dolphins, and after being lifted from the water, they were greeted with cheers and smiles. At a press conference following their return, NASA's Commercial Crew Program Manager Steve Stich shared, "The crew’s doing great," adding that their safe return marked the end of a mission initially planned for just eight days.



The mission, which began in June 2024, faced unexpected delays. Wilmore and Williams were originally aboard the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which encountered technical issues during its journey to the International Space Station (ISS). Due to these problems, NASA opted to extend the astronauts' stay, providing them with a SpaceX capsule for their eventual return. The astronauts' planned six-month mission was extended to nine months, with the duo carrying out experiments and spacewalks during their extended stay.



"Its awesome to have Crew 9 home, just a beautiful landing," said Joel Montalbano, NASA’s deputy associate administrator for Space Operations. The astronauts' long tenure in space led to some challenges, including the toll long-duration missions take on the body. Upon landing, they were assisted onto stretchers—a standard practice for astronauts who have spent extended periods in zero gravity.



As they reunite with their families, the astronauts will undergo medical evaluations and follow an exercise regimen to help them readjust to gravity. Their return was met with a sense of relief and joy, with astronaut Helen Sharman remarking on the emotional reunion awaiting them.



Despite their unplanned extension in space, Wilmore and Williams remained in high spirits. Williams had even looked forward to her return to Earth, telling CBS she was excited to "see my family, my dogs, and jump in the ocean."



The astronauts’ return marks the successful conclusion of a mission that highlighted the resilience of the crew and the ongoing collaboration between NASA and SpaceX.



Source: BBC

NASA astronauts return to earth after extended mission in Space

Kathmandu: Kathmandu’s air quality has worsened significantly, ranking it as the fifth most polluted city in the world with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 180, according to the latest data.



Beijing, Kampala, Delhi, and Kuwait occupy the top four spots, with AQI levels ranging from 184 to 240. The deteriorating air quality in Kathmandu is attributed to local wind patterns and a western low-pressure system, which has prevented rainfall. The valley's skies remain cloudy, further exacerbating pollution levels.



According to the Department of Environment, an AQI of 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is moderate, and 101-150 is unhealthy for sensitive groups. When the index reaches 151-200, it is unhealthy, 201-300 is very unhealthy, and anything above 301 is categorized as hazardous.



The AQI measures the concentration of invisible pollutants, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides. Particles smaller than 2.5 microns pose severe health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions.



With no immediate rainfall expected, authorities have urged residents to take precautionary measures, such as wearing masks and limiting outdoor activities, to minimize exposure to the harmful air.

Kathmandu ranks 5th most polluted city in the World

Kathmandu: President Ramchandra Paudel has emphasized the need for climate justice for countries like Nepal, which have minimal contributions to climate change but face its severe consequences.



Speaking at the inauguration of the 11th Nepal Geological Congress organized by the Nepal Geological Society on Monday, Paudel stressed that Nepal must raise the issue of climate justice in every international forum. He pointed out that developing and least developed nations, despite not contributing to global carbon emissions, suffer from the industrialization and fossil fuel consumption of developed countries.



Highlighting Nepal’s vulnerability to climate change, the President expressed concern over the increasing frequency of natural disasters, including excessive rainfall, landslides, and soil erosion, which have caused significant loss of life and property over the past three decades. He also noted the rapid melting of snow caps, leaving many mountains bare.



Paudel acknowledged the challenge of earthquake prediction, stating that while some natural disasters can be forecasted, Nepal still lacks a reliable mechanism to predict earthquakes. He called for greater cooperation and collaboration to address climate change and disaster risks, which directly impact people's lives.



The President also underscored the importance of Nepal’s natural resources, stating that discussions at the Congress on mineral exploration, climate change impacts, and geology’s role in infrastructure development could help attract investors.



Marking nearly a decade since the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, Paudel emphasized the Congress’s significance in promoting scientific dialogue on Nepal’s geological challenges. He extended his best wishes for the success of the event.

President Paudel calls for climate justice at Nepal Geological Congress

Kathmandu: Preparations for the Sagarmatha Sambaad, a global dialogue on climate change, are in full swing ahead of its scheduled dates from May 16-18 in Kathmandu. The event, themed “Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Human Life,” aims to bring global attention to the challenges faced by mountainous and coastal nations due to climate change.



The management committee’s first meeting has decided to invite heads of state and government from affected regions, climate researchers, representatives from the private sector, and influential figures to participate in the discussions.



Coordinated by Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, the committee has finalized infrastructure arrangements and the event program, according to Maheshwor Dhakal, the contact person for the dialogue. A 16-member expert group has been formed, along with a publicity and coordination committee led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Joint Secretary.



The event will also showcase best practices in mitigating climate change effects.



In addition to the main event in Kathmandu, provincial-level discussions and preparatory dialogues focusing on children and youth will be held. Staff from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Forests, as well as the Office of the Council of Ministers, will be deployed to support the event.



The committee is co-coordinated by Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri and includes key officials from the Office of the Prime Minister, National Planning Commission, and various ministries related to foreign affairs, finance, home affairs, tourism, energy, and environmental conservation.



A preparatory meeting chaired by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on February 9 discussed inviting leaders from neighboring countries, including India and China, as special guests. PM Oli had earlier announced the dialogue as part of the International Year of the Glaciers 2025.



The Sagarmatha Sambaad was initially planned in 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This edition marks its long-awaited revival, bringing crucial climate discussions back to the forefront.

Preparations underway for ‘Sagarmatha Sambaad’ on climate change

Kathmandu: Telescopes worldwide have detected a massive radio jet from a quasar that dates back to the first 1 billion years of the universe, making it the largest of its kind ever observed from this early cosmic era, according to a study published in Astrophysical Journal Letters.



At more than 200,000 light-years across—twice the width of the Milky Way—this radio jet is an exceptionally rare find. Scientists note that while such jets are common in the nearby universe, they have remained elusive in the distant past due to interference from the cosmic microwave background.



“It’s only because this object is so extreme that we can observe it from Earth, even though it’s really far away,” said lead author Anniek Gloudemans of the National Science Foundation’s NoirLab.



The quasar behind this jet was discovered only a few years ago and formed within the first 1.2 billion years of the universe’s existence. Quasars are among the brightest cosmic objects, powered by gas and dust spiraling into supermassive black holes. This particular quasar has a mass 450 million times that of the sun, though its black hole is not considered particularly massive.



Observatories across Europe, Hawaii, and Texas contributed to the discovery.



Source: AP

Astronomers detect enormous radio jet from early universe Quasar

Kathmandu: Kathmandu Valley and various regions across Nepal are experiencing cloudy weather today. Rain and snowfall have already started in some areas of the Sudurpaschim Province since early morning.



Meteorologist Sanjiv Adhikari has indicated the likelihood of rainfall in areas west of the Gandaki Province and snowfall across all Himalayan regions. According to him, the Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces will experience the most significant impact of rain and snowfall. While light snowfall is possible in a few places in the central and eastern regions, there is no forecast for rainfall in these areas.



The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology predicts light to moderate rain in some areas of Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces until tonight. Additionally, isolated light rain is expected in parts of Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces. Cloudy conditions are likely to persist throughout the day, with improvements in weather anticipated from tonight.

Weather Update: rain and snowfall across Nepal

Kathmandu: Two lunar landers built by private companies in the US and Japan have left Earth aboard a SpaceX rocket as part of a rideshare to the Moon.



The Falcon 9 took off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 01:09 local time (06:09 GMT) on Wednesday, carrying landers belonging to America's Firefly Aerospace and Japan's ispace.



The landers will eventually separate once they reach the Moon's orbit and conduct independent explorations.



They are the latest in a growing number of commercial missions to the Moon.



Firefly's rover, Blue Space, is expected to take about 45 days to reach the Moon, once it has separated from the SpaceX rocket.



It will then drill, collect samples and also take X-ray images of the Earth's magnetic field to "advance research for future human missions on the Moon and provide insights into how space weather impacts the planet", according to SpaceX.



Meanwhile, ispace's Resilence lander will take up to five months to reach the Moon's surface, where it will deploy a rover for exploration and attempt to scoop up loose surface material known as regolith.



Nasa is backing the endeavour, which, if successful, will be its biggest commercial delivery to the Moon so far.



Intuitive Machines last year became the first commercial outfit to put a lander on the Moon, a feat only previously accomplished by the US, the Soviet Union, China, India and Japan.



Separately, SpaceX is also conducting its seventh orbital flight test of its Starship rocket, which is due to take off from Texas at 16:00 local time (22:00 GMT).



Source: BBC

SpaceX rocket launches private missions to Moon

Kathmandu: NASA is revising its ambitious plan to return rocks and soil from Mars after its original proposal ballooned to an estimated $11 billion. Bill Nelson, NASA's Administrator, presented a new, more cost-effective approach on Tuesday, just weeks before his tenure ends. The updated plan aims to ensure the timely return of samples collected by NASA’s Perseverance rover, which has been gathering Martian soil in titanium tubes since 2021.



Nelson stated that the original plan, with costs rising and no return expected before 2040, was no longer viable, prompting the agency to "pull the plug." Instead, NASA is considering two alternative strategies, both projected to cost between $6 billion and $7 billion. These options include innovative designs from commercial partners and streamlined operations to cut costs while maintaining the number of spacecraft and launches required.



The updated mission could rely on either a traditional landing system, using the same sky crane method that delivered Perseverance and Curiosity rovers to Mars, or a new approach developed by private companies, though details on the latter remain sparse. A final decision is expected next year, following in-depth engineering studies.



One of the key changes in the revised plan is the decision to clean the sample tubes on Mars before they are sent back to Earth. This eliminates the need for cleaning in the returning spacecraft and reduces complexity. Additionally, the mission would switch from solar to nuclear power to ensure operations can continue during Martian dust storms, a known challenge.



Nelson emphasized that the incoming administration would have the final say on which option to pursue and urged for immediate funding to be allocated to ensure the mission's success. Trump’s nominee for NASA Administrator, tech billionaire Jared Isaacman, will be tasked with overseeing the continuation of this critical mission. Nelson expressed confidence that the new options would provide a solid foundation for the next steps in the Mars exploration program.



Source: AP

NASA proposes cheaper, faster plan for Mars sample return mission

Kathmandu: Dense fog and cold weather conditions have severely disrupted daily life across the Terai region. In Mahottari, local governments have announced the closure of schools due to the intense cold. The Butwal-Narayanghat section of the East-West Highway, which was closed since morning due to poor visibility, has reopened partially in the afternoon, but police warn that road travel remains hazardous.



Residents in the Terai-Madhesh region are struggling to step outside as the thick fog and chilling weather persist. According to Govinda Jha, a meteorologist from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the fog has intensified over the past two days, with heavy fog blanketing the central and western Terai throughout the day. While the eastern Terai may experience some relief during the day, the fog is expected to return at night and persist tomorrow.



In the central and western Terai, locals report a misty cold wave that dampens clothing when venturing outdoors. Despite the severe conditions, the government has yet to officially declare a cold wave. Jha stated that authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will declare a cold wave if the necessary criteria are met.



According to Jha, a cold wave is declared when the maximum and minimum temperatures differ by less than five degrees Celsius, visibility drops below one kilometer, and persistent moisture causes water droplets to form continuously for three days. The current conditions are nearing the threshold, and a decision is expected by this evening based on the latest data.



Source: Rashtriya Samachar Samiti

Dense fog and cold wave disrupt life in Terai region

Kathmandu: Most parts of the country are set to experience cloudy weather today due to the partial influence of western low-pressure systems, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. The division has forecast partly to generally cloudy conditions this afternoon, with light rain anticipated in the hilly areas and snowfall expected in the mountainous regions on Monday.



Meteorologist Binu Maharjan shared that the eastern region, as well as the provinces of Karnali, Lumbini, Gandaki, Bagmati, and Madhes, will experience generally cloudy skies. In contrast, the provinces of Koshi and Sudurpaschim will have partly cloudy conditions.



This afternoon, the hilly and mountainous regions are expected to remain partly to generally cloudy, with light snowfall likely in some high-altitude areas of Koshi and Gandaki provinces during the evening. Maharjan noted that Monday will bring denser cloud cover than today, with a possibility of light rainfall in the hilly regions of Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces.



In terms of temperature, the minimum temperature in Kathmandu has slightly risen compared to Saturday. The Meteorological Division recorded a minimum temperature of 7.2°C this morning, up from 5.9°C the previous day. Maharjan explained that this slight increase in temperature is due to the cloudy skies overnight, which have helped trap warmth in the capital.



Source: Rashtriya Samachar Samiti

Cloudy weather forecasted in Nepal with light rain and snowfall expected

Kathmandu: Stargazers worldwide were treated to a breathtaking celestial display on Friday, as Venus shone brightly above a crescent Moon, visible to the naked eye from the UK to the US, Turkey, and China. The stunning conjunction of the two cosmic bodies drew attention from observers across the globe, with many capturing the moment in iconic locations.



Venus, often referred to as the "Evening Star" or "Morning Star," is one of the brightest objects in the night sky when it is prominently visible. Its recent appearance alongside the crescent Moon was a spectacular sight for amateur and professional astronomers alike.



More astronomical events are on the horizon for January 2025, with Venus and Saturn expected to put on another show. On January 18, the two planets will appear just 2.2° apart in the sky, offering a remarkable opportunity for stargazers to catch a glimpse of this celestial duo.



Photographers and skywatchers shared stunning images of the event, including a picture of Venus and the crescent Moon aligned above the Quebec Baptist Church in Ellaville, Georgia, and another of the moon and planet seen together against the backdrop of the Kocatepe Mosque in Ankara, Turkey. In Edinburgh, the waxing Moon and Venus illuminated the skies above the historic Edinburgh Castle, casting a red glow on the iconic landmark.



In addition to Venus and the Moon, stargazers may also have the chance to witness shooting stars, as the Quadrantid meteor shower continues to captivate audiences. The meteor shower, which has been visible since December 26, will peak on January 6 and remain visible until January 12.



Dr. Robert Massey, deputy director of the Royal Astronomical Society in the UK, urged observers to get away from light pollution for the best viewing experience. "If you have the time to look out and the weather is good, then do take a look because it's a perfect new year treat," he said.



With more celestial wonders ahead, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for skywatchers around the world.



Source: BBC

Venus and crescent Moon stun stargazers

Kathmandu: NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has made history by surviving the closest-ever fly-by of the Sun, enduring extreme conditions to send a successful signal back to Earth. The spacecraft passed just 3.8 million miles (6.1 million kilometers) from the solar surface on Christmas Eve, marking a groundbreaking milestone in solar exploration.



After several days of being out of communication during the high-risk fly-by, scientists at NASA received a signal from the probe just before midnight EST on Thursday (05:00 GMT on Friday). The agency confirmed that the Parker Solar Probe was "safe" and operating normally despite having passed through the Sun's searing outer atmosphere.



NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, which launched in 2018, is on a mission to unlock the mysteries of the Sun, including how material in the Sun’s atmosphere is heated to millions of degrees, the origin of the solar wind, and how energetic particles are accelerated to nearly the speed of light.



Moving at a record-breaking 430,000 mph (692,000 kph), the probe endured temperatures up to 1,800°F (980°C), facing extreme radiation that could have damaged its electronics. The spacecraft is shielded by an 11.5 cm (4.5 in) thick carbon-composite heat shield, allowing it to endure the Sun’s intense heat for brief periods during its fly-by.



The December 24th approach, the 22nd of its kind, was the closest the spacecraft has ever come to the Sun. For comparison, Earth is about 93 million miles from the Sun, meaning that if the Sun and Earth were placed one meter apart, Parker Solar Probe would be just 4 cm from the Sun, illustrating the spacecraft’s incredible proximity.



This unprecedented mission is providing NASA with invaluable data to improve understanding of our Sun’s behavior, including the solar wind—a continuous flow of charged particles from the Sun—and how they affect space weather and Earth’s magnetic field.



Dr. Nicola Fox, NASA’s head of science, emphasized the importance of this mission: “For centuries, people have studied the Sun, but you don't experience the atmosphere of a place until you actually go [and] visit it. We can't really understand the atmosphere of our star unless we fly through it,” she told BBC News.



The Parker Solar Probe continues to make history with each of its fly-bys, and scientists are eager to analyze the data it provides in their ongoing quest to better understand the forces at work on our star.



Source: BBC

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