Space exploration

Russia’s Soyuz 2.1a carrier rocket has successfully lifted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, delivering life-supporting cargo for the International Space Stations (ISS) crew.

Meteorites may not sound appetizing, but for one strange microbe they’re breakfast, lunch and dinner. The creature’s bizarre eating habits could help unlock mysteries about how early life forms endured harsh conditions on Earth.

Iran says it will “resolutely continue” its ballistic missile program. Tehran claims the program does not violate the deal it signed with Western powers in 2015, and accuses the West of selectively interpreting a UN resolution.

All good things must come to an end and our Sun, which sustains all life on Earth, is no exception. To illustrate this point, the ESO has shared a horrifying visualization showing what will happen when our star dies. Lovely.

The Geminids meteor shower takes place every year as the Earth passes through the debris field of ‘extinct comet’ 3200 Phaethon and is often the highlight of every stargazer’s year, thanks to its bright, multi-colored fireballs.

An asteroid roughly as big as the Egyptian pyramids is headed our way and will make a “close approach” to the Earth on Friday evening, having only been spotted late last week.