SPACERIUM

  Once hailed as the ninth planet in our solar system, Pluto's status took a dramatic turn in 2006 when it was reclassified as a dwarf planet . This distant and enigmatic celestial body continues to fascinate scientists and space enthusiasts alike. Why Pluto Lost its Planetary Status The demotion of Pluto was a direct result of the discovery of numerous other icy bodies in the Kuiper Belt , a region beyond Neptune. These objects, including Eris which is even larger than Pluto, challenged the traditional definition of a planet. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) established three criteria for a celestial body to be considered a planet: Orbits the Sun: Pluto meets this criterion. Has sufficient mass to assume a nearly round shape: Pluto meets this criterion. Has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit: This is where Pluto falls short. It shares its orbital space with other objects in the Kuiper Belt. Pluto's failure to meet the third criterion led to its reclassific...

  The vast canvas of the cosmos isn’t silent to the demise of stars. Stellar death can be a dazzling supernova explosion or a more gradual process, but it’s always a powerful finale, a crescendo in the grand symphony of the universe. This celestial drama unfolds in a stunning variety of ways, with each star meeting its fate in a unique and awe-inspiring manner. The Dance of Planetary Nebulae When a medium-sized star, similar in mass to our Sun, nears the end of its life, it sheds its outer layers. This expanding shell of gas and dust, called a planetary nebula, can reach several light-years in diameter. These breathtaking celestial structures come in diverse shapes, from delicate bipolars to intricate rings, as captured by powerful telescopes like Hubble. Planetary nebulae, despite their name, have nothing to do with planets; they are the final breaths of a dying star, a testament to the delicate balance of life and death in the cosmos. The Cosmic Drama of the Crab Nebula A particu...

Journey threw the Threat: Apophis Asteroid and the DART Mission In the vast expanse of our solar system, celestial bodies hurtle through space, occasionally crossing paths with Earth, and posing potential threats to life as we know it. Among these cosmic wanderers, one of the most intriguing yet concerning is the Apophis asteroid. Named after the Egyptian god of chaos and darkness, Apophis has captured the attention of scientists and astronomers worldwide due to its close encounters with our planet and its significant size. However, recent advancements in space technology offer a glimmer of hope in our efforts to understand and mitigate the potential risks posed by this celestial visitor. Enter the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission – a groundbreaking endeavor poised to revolutionize our approach to planetary defense. Apophis: A Cosmic Intruder First discovered in 2004, Apophis immediately grabbed headlines due to early calculations suggesting a non-negligible chance of im...