Scientists suggest that a day on Earth might extend to 25 hours in the future due to the Moon’s gradual drift away from our planet.

Research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison indicates that the Moon is receding from Earth at a rate of approximately 3.8 centimeters per year. This phenomenon could result in Earth days lasting 25 hours in 200 million years. Historically, a day on Earth lasted just over 18 hours around 1.4 billion years ago.

Stephen Meyers, a professor in the geoscience department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, points to the gravitational interactions between Earth and the Moon as a primary cause. “As the Moon moves away, the Earth is like a spinning figure skater who slows down as they stretch their arms out,” explained Meyers.

Meyers and his team are using ‘astrochronology’ to study ancient geological processes. “We want to be able to study rocks that are billions of years old in a way that is comparable to how we study modern geologic processes,” he said.

The concept of the Moon’s recession is not new, but the Wisconsin research delves deeper into its historical and geological context. By examining ancient geological formations and sediment layers, researchers have tracked the Earth-Moon system over billions of years. They found that while the Moon’s current recession rate is relatively stable, it has fluctuated due to various factors such as Earth’s rotational speed and continental drift.

NASA, known for its groundbreaking discoveries, has once again astounded the world with its ability to observe plankton from space. The space agency’s latest endeavor, named PACE, or the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem satellite, was successfully launched today. This mission is designed to thoroughly investigate plankton and other microscopic elements, which are so minuscule that they remain invisible to the human eye, from hundreds of miles above Earth’s surface. The primary objective is to gain a deeper understanding of how these tiny components impact the entire planet.

In a statement released to the press, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed his excitement, stating that PACE will provide unparalleled insights into how particles in Earth’s atmosphere and oceans contribute to global warming. Phytoplankton, in particular, play a crucial role in the world’s oceans. They are microscopic plants that perform photosynthesis, absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. This ability to absorb carbon dioxide makes them invaluable allies in combating climate change.

Karen St. Germain, director of the earth science division at NASA Headquarters, emphasized the significance of PACE in advancing our understanding of the ocean’s role in the climate cycle. Moreover, plankton serve as the foundation of ocean food chains, making them vital for marine ecosystems and fisheries’ health. However, there are various species of phytoplankton, each with unique interactions with their environment, some of which can be harmful, such as toxic algal blooms known as red tides.

The PACE satellite is equipped with a hyperspectral ocean color instrument that will enable scientists to differentiate between phytoplankton species based on their unique colors, a capability never before achieved from space. This data will aid in identifying organisms and detecting changes in the sea that could impact ecosystems and coastal communities. Additionally, the spacecraft carries instruments to study atmospheric particles, specifically aerosols, which can influence air quality.

Meng Gao, PACE polarimetry data science and software lead, explained the importance of quantifying aerosols for human health. Furthermore, aerosol pollution cleanup efforts, while beneficial for air quality, may inadvertently accelerate global warming by reducing aerosol particles that reflect solar radiation back into space. PACE’s polarimeters will identify the types of aerosols present, aiding in climate model refinement.

Beyond its immediate scientific goals, PACE’s research may support innovative approaches, such as enhancing phytoplankton’s carbon dioxide absorption or exploring geoengineering solutions. However, these endeavors raise ethical and environmental concerns, as manipulating Earth’s atmosphere could have unforeseen consequences.

The PACE satellite, launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 1:33AM ET Thursday, marks a significant milestone in NASA’s quest to unravel the mysteries of Earth’s ecosystems and climate.

India has achieved a significant milestone in space exploration as its solar observation mission successfully entered the sun’s orbit following a four-month journey.

Launched in September, the Aditya-L1 mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is equipped with various instruments to measure and observe the sun’s outer layers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the accomplishment, stating it marks another landmark for India and acknowledges the relentless dedication of the nation’s scientists in undertaking complex space missions.

According to India’s science and technology minister, Jitendra Singh, the probe has reached its final orbit, where it aims to unravel the mysteries of the Sun-Earth connection. Positioned at Lagrange Point 1, the spacecraft will conduct an extensive study of the sun, with a specific focus on the solar corona and its impact on space weather.

Covering a distance of approximately 1.5 million kilometers over four months, the satellite’s journey is only a small fraction of the Earth-sun distance of 150 million kilometers.

Named after the Hindi word for the sun, this mission follows India’s previous success in landing on the moon’s south pole with the Chandrayaan-3 mission in August of last year.

Scientists involved in the Aditya-L1 project aim to gain insights into the effects of solar radiation on the increasing number of satellites in orbit, with a particular focus on phenomena affecting projects like Elon Musk’s Starlink communications network.

ISRO Chairman S Somanath expressed anticipation for scientific outcomes in the coming days, highlighting the importance of understanding the sun, which plays a crucial role in controlling space weather. The mission is expected to have a lifespan of at least five years, given the remaining fuel in the satellite.

ISRO has been actively sharing updates on the mission’s progress through posts on X.

While other countries, including the United States and the European Space Agency, have sent probes to explore the solar system’s center, India’s Aditya-L1 mission distinguishes itself as the first from any Asian nation to be placed in orbit around the sun.