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Imaging data from Japan’s Himawari-8 and -9 meteorological satellites have been successfully used to monitor temporal changes in Venus’ cloud-top temperature, revealing unseen patterns in the temperature structure of various waves. A team led by the University of Tokyo collated infrared images from 2015–25 to estimate brightness temperatures on day to year scales. The results demonstrate that meteorological satellites can serve as additional eyes to access the Venusian atmosphere from space and complement future observations from planetary missions and ground-based telescopes.
The Himawari-8 and -9 satellites, launched in 2014 and 2016, respectively, were developed to monitor global atmospheric phenomena through use of their multispectral Advanced Himawari Imagers (AHIs). The University of Tokyo team led by visiting researcher Gaku Nishiyama saw the opportunity to use the cutting-edge sensor data for spaceborne observations of Venus, which is coincidentally captured by the AHIs near the Earth’s rim.
Observing temporal temperature variations in the cloud tops of Venus is essential to understand its atmospheric dynamics and related phenomena, such as thermal tides and planetary-scale waves. Obtaining data for these phenomena presents multiple challenges, as Nishiyama explained. “The atmosphere of Venus has been known to exhibit year-scale variations in reflectance and wind speed; however, no planetary mission has succeeded in continuous observation for longer than 10 years due to their mission lifetimes,” he said. “Ground-based observations can also contribute to long-term monitoring, but their observations generally have limitations due to the Earth’s atmosphere and sunlight during the daytime.”
Meteorological satellites on the other hand appear suited to fill this gap with their longer mission lifetimes (the Himawari-8 and -9 satellites are scheduled for operation until 2029). The AHIs allow multiband infrared coverage, which has been limited in planetary missions to date, essential for retrieving temperature information from different altitudes, along with low-noise and frequent observation. Aiming to demonstrate this potential to contribute to Venus science, the team investigated the observed temporal dynamics of the Venusian atmosphere and provided a comparative analysis with previous datasets. “We believe this method will provide precious data for Venus science because there might not be any other spacecraft orbiting around Venus until the next planetary missions around 2030,” said Nishiyama.
The team first established a data archive by extracting all Venus images from the collected AHI datasets, identifying 437 occurrences in total. Taking into account background noise and apparent size of Venus in the captured images, they were able to track the temporal variation in cloud-top temperature during the periods where the geostationary satellite, Venus and the Earth lined up in a row.
The retrieved temporal variations in brightness temperatures were then analyzed on both year and day scales and compared for all infrared bands to investigate variability of thermal tides and planetary-scale waves. Variation in thermal tide amplitude was confirmed from the obtained dataset. The results also confirmed change in amplitude of planetary waves in the atmosphere with time, appearing to decrease with altitude. While definitive conclusions on the physics behind the detected variations were challenging due to the limited temporal resolution of the AHI data, variations in the thermal tide amplitude appeared possibly linked to decadal variation in the Venus atmosphere structure.
In addition to successfully applying the Himawari data to planetary observations, the team was further able to use the data to identify calibration discrepancies in data from previous planetary missions.
Nishiyama is already looking at implications of the study beyond Venus’ horizon. “I think that our novel approach in this study successfully opened a new avenue for long-term and multiband monitoring of solar system bodies. This includes the moon and Mercury, which I also study at present. Their infrared spectra contain various information on physical and compositional properties of their surface, which are hints at how these rocky bodies have evolved until the present.” The prospect of accessing a range of geometric conditions untethered from the limitations of ground-based observations is clearly an exciting one. “We hope this study will enable us to assess physical and compositional properties, as well as atmospheric dynamics, and contribute to our further understanding of planetary evolution in general.”
###
Journal article: Gaku Nishiyama, Yudai Suzuki, Shinsuke Uno, Shohei Aoki, Tatsuro Iwanaka, Takeshi Imamura, Yuka Fujii, Thomas G. Müller, Makoto Taguchi, Toru Kouyama, Océane Barraud, Mario D’Amore, Jörn Helbert, Solmaz Adeli, Harald Hiesinger, “Temporal variation in the cloud-top temperature of Venus revealed by meteorological satellites”, Earth, Planets and Space, DOI: 10.1186/s40623-025-02223-8
Funding: This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP22K21344, 23H00150, and 23H01249, and JSPS Overseas Research Fellowship.
Useful links:
Department of Earth and Planetary Science – https://www.eps.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/ Graduate School of Science – https://www.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/index.html
Research contact: Dr. Gaku Nishiyama Department of Earth and Planetary Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan gaku.nishiyama@dlr.de
Press contact: Mr. Rohan Mehra Public Relations Group, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan press-releases.adm@gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp
About The University of Tokyo:
The University of Tokyo is Japan’s leading university and one of the world’s top research universities. The vast research output of some 6,000 researchers is published in the world’s top journals across the arts and sciences. Our vibrant student body of around 15,000 undergraduate and 15,000 graduate students includes over 5,000 international students. Find out more at www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/ or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @UTokyo_News_en.
Journal
Earth Planets and Space
Method of Research
Observational study
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
Temporal variation in the cloud-top temperature of Venus revealed by meteorological satellites
Article Publication Date
30-Jun-2025
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.
The Boeing 747 continues to be recognized as one of the most iconic commercial jets of all time. Originally introduced in the 1960s, the game-changing aircraft brought unprecedented capacity, range, and comfort to the commercial aviation industry. After its launch, airlines across the world flocked to the type, with some even continuing to operate it today. The 747 and most of its variants are undoubtedly a major success.
Launch Customer(s)
Pan American World Airways
First Delivery
January 22, 1970
Last Delivery
January 31, 2023
Number Delivered
1,573
While the 747 was a commercial success, it has served important roles in aviation beyond passenger operations. The aircraft was famously operated by the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), where two modified 747 variants carried the Space Shuttle, the aircraft used for recurring space travel. NASA’s impressive feat of using the jet comes with several interesting facts and a colorful history, further solidifying that the Boeing 747 was the true Queen of the Skies.
The Shuttle Carrier Brought The Space Shuttle Back To Florida
Photo: Carla Thomas NASA | Wikimedia Commons
The Boeing 747s used to carry NASA’s Space Shuttle were known as “Shuttle Carrier” aircraft. The aircraft were used between 1977 and 2012, according to the National Air and Space Museum. The aircraft’s primary purpose was to transport the Space Shuttle from its landing location back to the Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida. This purpose made the Shuttle Carrier a critical link in NASA’s space flight ambitions.
Both aircraft involved in the program were modified Boeing 747 jets. The aircraft had to undergo several changes to safely transport such a massive piece of equipment, but still, the jets hold significant resemblance to the base model of the Boeing 747. Both aircraft were Boeing 747-100 variants, according to NASA. The first aircraft in the program was acquired from American Airlines in the mid-1970s, not long after the first Boeing 747 entered commercial service.
Since the program’s launch, the Shuttle Carrier has become an iconic symbol of the United States’ space exploration aspirations. Though the Space Shuttle, and thus its carriers, are no longer in service, many remember the striking and rather unusual appearance of a 747 lifting off with another aircraft attached to the top of its fuselage. But for that to be possible, the aircraft underwent some major enhancements and modifications to be capable of transporting the Space Shuttle.
Major Modifications Were Made To The Shuttle Carriers
Photo: Udo Haafke | Wikimedia Commons
Because they were carrying such a large aircraft on top of their fuselages, both Shuttle Carrier jets were given some major enhancements. Three struts and their respective structural strengthening in the aircraft’s interior were placed on top of the Shuttle Carriers. In addition to improving the strength of the fuselage, it provided a place for the orbiter to be attached to the aircraft.
The engineers also added enhanced horizontal stabilizers for improved directional stability. These were attached to the aircraft’s existing horizontal stabilizers, giving a unique and recognizable look to the aircraft’s tail section. Less visible to the public was the removal of the aircraft’s entire interior and cabin, which was necessary given that the aircraft was coming from a commercial airline.
More advanced instruments to be used by flight crews were also installed. The primary purpose of these added systems were to monitor electrical loads of the orbiter during ferry flights. All of these changes, while certainly costly, made the 747 capable of carrying the Space Shuttle. Beyond these modifications, the aircraft’s appearance remained remarkably close to a standard Boeing 747.
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The First Shuttle Carrier Did More Than Ferry Aircraft
Photo: NASA | Wikimedia
While the Shuttle Carrier was immortalized for its role in US space exploration, before it was converted into a ferry aircraft, the first jet in the program was actually used for a different purpose upon its arrival at NASA. According to NASA, the government agency used it to perform a series of flight tests at the Armstrong Research Center in Edweards, California. These tests shaped Federal Aviation Administration regulations that were designed to ensure safety for aircraft operating in wake turbulence.
The tests focused on the phenomenon of wake turbulence, which is often found in the path of large aircraft. Though typically causing minor bumps, in the right conditions, it could pose a threat to the safety of flights that are following larger aircraft. These tests provided the foundation for new flight procedures for arriving and departing commercial aircraft. While used for NASA, it seems the Shuttle Carrier has also contributed to ensuring daily commercial aircraft operations remain safe.
Following the aircraft’s time with flight tests focused on wake turbulence, it was sent to Boeing to be modified to carry the Space Shuttle. Though the aircraft had important contributions to the world of aviation, its most popular role would not start until changes were made by its manufacturer. The first Shuttle Carrier was utilized until November 1990, before its replacement aircraft was deployed.
NASA’s Second Shuttle Carrier Also Logged An Impressive History
Photo: NASA
The second Boeing 747-100 to enter the Shuttle Carrier program was first built in 1973. The jet initially entered service with Japan Airlines, but was ultimately obtained by NASA in 1989. Like with the original 747 Shuttle Carrier, the second aircraft was modified by Boeing. Upon the completion of the necessary modifications, the aircraft was delivered to NASA on November 20, 1990. It would remain with the agency for over two decades.
The aircraft was officially retired in February 2012, marking the end of an iconic and impressive chapter for NASA and the United States’ space exploration efforts. By the time the aircraft was removed from service, it had completed an impressive amount of work for NASA. Among its achievements were:
Flight Hours
33,004
Flights With Shuttle
66
The Shuttle Carrier program proved to be a successful one for NASA, and has demonstrated the impressive capabilities of the Boeing 747 and other modern, commercial jets. Despite the Boeing 747’s success, the aircraft is becoming an increasingly rare sight in the skies across the world. It won’t be much longer before airlines follow NASA’s move and retire the aircraft type entirely.
Related
Which Boeing 747 Variant Was Used As The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft?
Both aircraft were ex-commercial passenger jets.
The 747 Is An Increasingly Rare Jet
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Unfortunately for 747 fans, the aircraft is reaching the end of its service life. Though it might take longer for freighter airlines (which have embraced the jet) to completely retire the 747, in the commercial segment of the aviation industry, the aircraft has quickly lost favor. The 747’s four engines make it far less efficient than modern twin-engine jets, leading airlines to retire their fleets of the Queen of the Skies in favor of smaller, more cost-efficient aircraft.
Though the 747’s reign is coming to an end, it boasts a long and successful career in connecting the world. Some of the 747’s largest passenger operators over its lifespan include Japan Airlines, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines. Additionally, major cargo carriers like Atlas Air and Kalitta Air invested heavily in the type.
The 747 has become an iconic aircraft that revolutionized flying. Though it may soon disappear from the skies, it will likely be remembered for years to come. Countless 747s are displayed in museums across the world, keeping the memory of the famous jet alive. Additionally, for fans of the 747, Lego recently released a new set featuring the 747’s role as a Shuttle Carrier.
747 Fans Can Now Purchase A Lego Shuttle Carrier Model
Photo: Lego
Fans of NASA, Lego, or the 747 might enjoy one of Lego’s newest products: a replica of the Shuttle Carrier. The set comes with the pieces to assemble both the 747-100 and Space Shuttle, unlocking a new way to preserve and appreciate the aircraft’s legacy. This set costs about $230 and comes with a whopping 2,417 pieces.
This isn’t the first tribute to modern aviation Lego has made. The company already sells a Concorde model, immortalizing the only supersonic passenger jet. Lego fans have embraced the kit, potentially paving the way for more aviation-themed Lego sets. The price of the Shuttle Carrier set also indicates Lego’s confidence in demand and excitement for the product.
This Lego set, among countless other memorials to the Shuttle Carrier and the Boeing 747, demonstrates the widebody aircraft’s role in shaping modern travel and even space exploration. As the jet continues to be retired by commercial carriers, many are still celebrating the aircraft’s contributions to modern travel. Whether it’s displays in museums, Lego kits, or other experiences, the legacy of the Boeing 747 and the Shuttle Carrier is being kept alive by fans and stakeholders across the world.
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope recently zeroed in on the Bullet Cluster — delivering highly detailed images that show a greater abundance of extremely faint and distant galaxies than ever before. Using Webb’s crisp near-infrared observations of this region, researchers have more completely mapped the colliding galaxy clusters’ contents.
“With Webb’s observations, we carefully measured the mass of the Bullet Cluster with the largest lensing dataset to date, from the galaxy clusters’ cores all the way out to their outskirts,” said Sangjun Cha, the lead author of the paper published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters and a PhD student at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. (Previous studies of the Bullet Cluster with other telescopes relied on significantly less lensing data, which netted out with less precise estimates of the system’s mass.)
“Webb’s images dramatically improve what we can measure in this scene — including pinpointing the position of invisible particles known as dark matter,” said Kyle Finner, a co-author and an assistant scientist at IPAC at Caltech in Pasadena, California.
Mapping the Dark Matter
All galaxies are made up of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter, which are bound together by gravity. The Bullet Cluster is made up of two very massive collections of galaxies, known as galaxy clusters, that are themselves bound by gravity.
These galaxy clusters act as gravitational lenses, magnifying the light of background galaxies. “Gravitational lensing allows us to infer the distribution of dark matter,” said James Jee, a co-author, professor at Yonsei University, and research associate at UC Davis in California.
To visualize gravitational lensing and dark matter, think of a pond filled with clear water and pebbles. “You cannot see the water unless there is wind, which causes ripples,” Jee explained. “Those ripples distort the shapes of the pebbles below, causing the water to act like a lens.” The same thing happens in space, but the water is dark matter and the pebbles are background galaxies.
In all, the team measured thousands of galaxies in Webb’s images to accurately “weigh” both the visible and invisible mass in these galaxy clusters. They also carefully mapped and measured the collective light emitted by stars that are no longer bound to individual galaxies — known as intracluster stars.
The revised map of the Bullet Cluster is shown in a new image: Layered on top of an image from Webb’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) is data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory that shows hot gas in pink, including the bullet shape at right. Refined measurements of the dark matter, calculated by the team using Webb’s observations, are represented in blue. (See the defined galaxy clusters within the dashed circles.)
Their findings are persuasive: “We confirmed that the intracluster light can be a reliable tracer of dark matter, even in a highly dynamic environment like the Bullet Cluster,” Cha said. If these stars are not bound to galaxies, but to the cluster’s dark matter, it might become easier to pin down more specifics about the invisible matter.
Viewed as a whole, the researchers’ new measurements significantly refine what we know about how mass is spread throughout the Bullet Cluster. The galaxy cluster on the left has an asymmetric, elongated area of mass along the left edge of the blue region, which is a clue pointing to previous mergers in that cluster.
Dark matter does not emit, reflect, or absorb light, and the team’s findings indicate that dark matter shows no signs of significant self-interaction. If dark matter did self-interact in Webb’s observations, the team would see an offset between the galaxies and their respective dark matter.
“As the galaxy clusters collided, their gas was dragged out and left behind, which the X-rays confirm,” Finner said. Webb’s observations show that dark matter still lines up with the galaxies — and was not dragged away.
Although earlier measurements with other telescopes also identified invisible mass in addition to the mass in the galaxies, it was still possible that the dark matter could interact with itself to some degree. These new observations place stronger limits on the behavior of dark matter particles.
‘Replaying’ the Collision
The strange new clumps and elongated line of mass the team identified may mean that the Bullet Cluster was produced by more than one collision of galaxy clusters billions of years ago.
The larger cluster, which now sits on the left, might have suffered a minor collision before it rammed through the galaxy cluster now at right. The same larger cluster may also have experienced a violent interaction afterward, causing an additional shake up of its contents. “A more complicated scenario would lead to a huge asymmetric elongation like we see on the left,” Jee said.
The Head of a ‘Giant’
The Bullet Cluster is huge, even in the vast expanse of space. Webb’s NIRCam covered a significant portion of the hulking debris with its images, but not all of it. “It’s like looking at the head of a giant,” said Jee. “Webb’s initial images allow us to extrapolate how heavy the whole ‘giant’ is, but we’ll need future observations of the giant’s whole ‘body’ for precise measurements.”
In the near future, researchers will also have expansive near-infrared images from NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which is set to launch by May 2027. “With Roman, we will have complete mass estimates of the entire Bullet Cluster, which would allow us to recreate the actual collision on computers,” Finner said.
The Bullet Cluster is found in the Carina constellation 3.8 billion light-years from Earth.
The James Webb Space Telescope is the world’s premier space science observatory. Webb is solving mysteries in our solar system, looking beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probing the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international program led by NASA with its partners, ESA (European Space Agency) and CSA (Canadian Space Agency).
Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have produced an outstanding image of the reflection nebula GN 04.32.8.
This Hubble image shows GN 04.32.8, a reflection nebula some 480 light-years away in the constellation of Taurus. The color composite was assembled from images taken in visible and near-infrared light. It is based on data obtained through two filters. The color results from assigning different hues to each monochromatic image associated with an individual filter. Image credit: NASA / ESA / Hubble / G. Duchêne.
GN 04.32.8 is located approximately 480 light-years away in the constellation of Taurus.
Also known as DG 41, it is a small part of the stellar nursery known as the Taurus Molecular Cloud.
“Reflection nebulae are clouds of dust in space that don’t emit their own light, as other nebulae do,” the Hubble astronomers said in a statement.
“Instead, the light from nearby stars hits and scatters off their dust, lighting them up.”
“Because of the way the light scatters, many reflection nebulae tend to appear blue, GN 04.32.8 included.”
GN 04.32.8 is illuminated by a system of three bright stars in the center of the Hubble image, mainly the variable star V1025 Tauri in the very center.
“One of those stars overlaps with part of the nebula: this is another variable star that is named HP Tauri, but is classified as a T Tauri star, for its similarity to yet another variable star elsewhere in the Taurus Molecular Complex,” the astronomers said.
“T Tauri stars are very active, chaotic stars at an early stage of their evolution, so it’s no surprise that they appear in a prolific stellar nursery like this one.”
“The three stars are also named HP Tau, HP Tau G2 and HP Tau G3; they’re believed to be gravitationally bound to each other, forming a triple system.”
“Eagle-eyed viewers might notice the small, squashed, orange spot, just left of center below the clouds of the nebula, that’s crossed by a dark line,” the researchers said.
“This is a newly-formed protostar, hidden in a protoplanetary disk that obstructs some of its light.”
“Because the disk is edge-on to us, it’s an ideal candidate for study.”
“We are using Hubble here to examine it closely, seeking to learn about the kinds of exoplanets that might be formed in disks like it.”
World Asteroid Day 2025 is upon us! Here’s how you can celebrate the event by livestreaming real-time views of near-Earth asteroids from the comfort of your home.
June 30 is the 10th anniversary of World Asteroid Day, an annual United Nations-backed event wherein partners raise awareness of asteroids, their scientific value and how humanity is working to mitigate the risks posed by these wandering solar system bodies. The date coincides with the anniversary of the 1908 Tunguska event, which saw a large meteor detonate over Siberia, flattening millions of trees and triggering widespread forest fires.
The Virtual Telescope Program has announced a livestream to mark World Asteroid Day on June 30, which will feature real-time views of near-Earth asteroids while discussing the characteristics and impact risks posed by the enigmatic chunks of ancient debris. The stream will be hosted on the Virtual Telescope Project’s YouTube channel starting at 5 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT) on June 30 and will be free to watch.
Our planet bears the scars of countless ancient asteroid strikes, the largest of which — such as the Chicxulub impactor — triggered the extinction of countless species, irrevocably altering the evolutionary trajectory of life on Earth.
Thankfully, such events are exceedingly rare. Of the well over 30,000 near-Earth objects that have been discovered and tracked to date, no large asteroid capable of causing wide-spread destruction is expected to strike our planet in the next 100 years, according to NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies.
How NASA and its partners are tackling the asteroid menace
Protecting the planet from an impending asteroid strike may once once have been the stuff of Hollywood sci-fi movies, but recent decades have seen the international community take tangible steps towards preparing for a potential asteroid collision.
A Planetary Defense Conference is held each year in which NASA, ESA and its partners work to prevent and react to a hypothetical asteroid impact. Each successive exercise has highlighted fresh challenges surrounding response strategies, ranging from the speed at which missions could be designed and launched to how to best gather intelligence and communicate with the general public.
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!
Of course preparations have also extended far beyond tabletop simulations. September 2022 saw NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART)made history when it slammed into the surface of the 160-meter-wide (252 feet) moonlet Dimorphos, which forms a binary pair with the larger asteroid Didymos. The mission proved that a kinetic impact could significantly deflect the trajectory of a small solar system body and so may be a viable strategy for defending Earth. The Didymos system is set to be visited by the European Space Agency’s Hera mission in December 2026, which will observe the aftermath of the impact.
A new asteroid hunter enters the fray
On top of that, telescopic eyes are constantly scanning the night sky for evidence of potentially hazardous near Earth objects moving against the starfield beyond. The coming years will see these efforts significantly bolstered by the powerful telescopic eye of the Vera Rubin observatory.
The Rubin Observatory’s primary mission is to scan the entirety of the southern hemisphere night sky from its vantage point atop mount Cerro Pachon in Chile in a bid to shed light on the mysterious force known as ‘dark energy’ and an invisible component of the universe called ‘dark matter’. However, its initial observations have also highlighted its credentials as an asteroid hunter.
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(Image credit: Amazon)
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Over the course of just a few nights, astronomers were able to identify 2,104 new near-Earth objects as they passed over the Rubin observatory’s field of view, with some astronomers estimating that the observatory could find up to five million more over the coming years.
“This is five times more than all the astronomers in the world discovered during the last 200 years since the discovery of the first asteroid,” Željko Ivezić, Deputy Director of Rubin’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time, said during a press conference unveiling the observatory’s first images on June 23. “We can outdo two centuries of effort in just a couple of years.”
When you’ve spent 6 months orbiting Earth in the International Space Station, your perspective on the planet and its problems is likely to change forever. Few people understand this more intimately than Tim Peake, the British astronaut, test pilot, and ambassador for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, who joined me for a fascinating conversation about space, AI, and the future of life on Earth.
What struck me most in our conversation was how clearly Tim connects the dots between space exploration and the challenges we face on Earth, drawing on his remarkable experience and expertise. Whether it’s the climate crisis, the energy transition, or the role of AI in decision-making, space is not some distant frontier. It is deeply entangled with our present and our future.
Looking Down On Earth From Orbit
Peake vividly describes the emotional and intellectual impact of seeing our planet from above.
“It gives you a fresh appreciation of how isolated and remote the planet is,” he told me. “A lot of people say fragile. I caution against using that word because I think the Earth’s pretty robust. But in terms of being remote and isolated, it makes you realize that this small rock is perfectly designed to support the life that has evolved on it.”
And while the view from orbit can feel peaceful and serene, it’s also a powerful reminder of just how interconnected and dynamic our ecosystems really are. From wildfires in one region to dust storms in another, the visible signs of global interdependence are unmistakable from space.
Peake explained, “You see wildfires and the smoke spreading across continents. You see sandstorms in the Sahara drifting across Northern Europe. That’s because the atmosphere is so thin, so tiny, and you see that very clearly from space.”
The Promise Of Space-Based Technology
Beyond the view, Peake is just as excited about what space can do for us back on Earth. Advances in manufacturing, communications, and energy are all being accelerated by what’s happening in orbit.
One of the most compelling developments he pointed to is space-based manufacturing. In the absence of gravity, new kinds of structures can be created with unprecedented purity and precision.
“For example, we can grow very large protein crystals in space that you can’t grow on Earth,” he said. “That can help pharmaceutical companies create better drugs with fewer side effects and lower dosages. Or if you’re trying to print out a human heart, doing that on Earth needs some sort of scaffolding. In space, gravity is not distorting the cellular structure.”
He also believes that space-based solar power is not just science fiction. It could soon become a meaningful contributor to our global energy mix.
“If we can make two-kilometer square solar arrays that beam energy back to Earth using microwaves, we can reduce the pressure on our grid and use space to help solve the energy crisis,” Peake explained.
The falling cost of getting into orbit is a key enabler. As heavy-lift launch costs continue to drop, opportunities that once sounded fantastical, like factories in space or orbital data centers, suddenly look commercially viable.
AI, Space Missions, And Human Judgment
Naturally, we also discussed artificial intelligence. Peake believes that AI has a crucial role to play in helping humanity manage the deluge of data coming from satellites, sensors, and scientific instruments.
“AI can analyze vast amounts of data and make good assumptions from it,” he said. “If a government is introducing a carbon emission policy in a city, AI can help measure the impact, evaluate the policy, and improve it based on outcomes.”
But Peake also emphasized the continued need for human oversight. When it comes to critical decisions, especially in high-stakes environments like space missions or healthcare, humans must remain in the loop.
“If you’re screening for breast cancer, for example, AI can assist doctors. But you still want the diagnosis coming from a person,” he said. “As humans, we like that reassurance. We want someone to put their intelligence on top of the AI’s assessment.”
In other words, AI is not a replacement for human decision-making but a powerful augmentor, especially in environments where timely action matters.
Why The Future Needs STEM… And STEAM
Throughout our conversation, one theme kept coming up: the importance of inspiring the next generation, especially around STEM. For Peake, this is not a side mission; it’s central to why he does what he does.
“I try to encourage kids to get involved in STEM, even if they don’t see themselves taking it to higher education,” he said. “The more you know about science and tech today, the more doors it opens for your future.” One initiative doing an outstanding job of sparking that curiosity is the Future Lab at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where Peake serves as an ambassador. Curated by Lucy Johnston, the Future Lab showcases cutting-edge innovations from across the globe, from robotic rescue dogs and deep-sea exploration tools to mind-blowing space tech like the James Webb Space Telescope. “It’s hands-on, inspiring, and brilliantly curated,” Peake said. “You see people of all ages walking around in awe, and that’s exactly the kind of experience that can ignite a lifelong passion for science and technology.”
Having taken my own son to Future Lab, I can say with certainty that it works. There’s something magical about seeing kids light up as they touch, feel, and interact with the technology that’s shaping tomorrow.
The Space Economy Is Already Here
Another eye-opener in our chat was just how much space already affects daily life. “On average, everyone touches about 42 satellites a day,” Peake said. Whether it’s making an online purchase, using navigation, or checking the weather, you’re using space infrastructure.
And that footprint is only growing. Companies are already working on putting data centers in orbit to reduce energy consumption and cooling requirements on Earth. Communications, navigation, Earth observation, and climate monitoring are all becoming more dependent on space-based assets.
But with growth comes risk. Peake is also an ambassador for The Astra Carta, an initiative supported by King Charles aimed at ensuring space is used sustainably. Space debris, orbital traffic, and light pollution are becoming serious issues.
“We need rules of the road for space,” he said. “If we want to keep using it safely, we need to manage how we operate up there.”
Reaching Beyond Earth And Into The Unknown
As we wrapped up our conversation, I asked Tim the big one: Does he believe there’s intelligent life out there?
“I absolutely do,” he said without hesitation. “Statistically, the odds are too strong. When you’re in space, and you see 200 billion stars in our galaxy alone, and then remember there are hundreds of billions of galaxies, it’s hard to believe we’re alone.”
He also believes that space exploration will help answer some of the biggest questions humanity has ever asked about life, existence, and our place in the universe. But even if we don’t find extraterrestrials any time soon, the journey itself has value.
Space inspires. It informs. And, increasingly, it enables.
That, I think, is what makes Peake’s perspective so valuable. He’s lived at the intersection of science, technology, and wonder. And he reminds us that the frontier of space is not just about what lies out there but about what it can help us achieve here on Earth.
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Canoe is paddled 140 miles (225km) across the open sea
The journey is from Taiwan to Japan’s Yonaguni Island
Research is reminiscent of famed 1947 Kon-Tiki expedition
TOKYO, June 30 — Our species arose in Africa roughly 300,000 years ago and later trekked worldwide, eventually reaching some of Earth’s most remote places. In doing so, our ancestors surmounted geographic barriers including treacherous ocean expanses. But how did they do that with only rudimentary technology available to them?
Scientists now have undertaken an experimental voyage across a stretch of the East China Sea, paddling from Ushibi in eastern Taiwan to Japan’s Yonaguni Island in a dugout canoe to demonstrate how such a trip may have been accomplished some 30,000 years ago as people spread to various Pacific Islands.
The researchers simulated methods Palaeolithic people would have used and employed replicas of tools from that prehistoric time period such as an axe and a cutting implement called an adze in fashioning the 25-foot-long (7.5-metre) canoe, named Sugime, from a Japanese cedar tree chopped down at Japan’s Noto Peninsula.
Researcher Kunihiro Amemiya uses a period-accurate axe to chop down a Japanese cedar tree in Noto Peninsula, Japan, to make a dugout canoe for a crossing across a region of the East China Sea from Taiwan to Yonaguni Island, in this handout image released on June 25, 2025. — Yousuke Kaifu handout pic via Reuters
A crew of four men and one woman paddled the canoe on a voyage lasting more than 45 hours, traveling roughly 140 miles (225km) across the open sea and battling one of the world’s strongest ocean currents, the Kuroshio. The crew endured extreme fatigue and took a break for several hours while the canoe drifted at sea, but managed to complete a safe crossing to Yonaguni.
Just as prehistoric people would have, the voyagers navigated by the sun and stars, as well as the direction of the ocean swells, though for safety’s sake they were accompanied by two escort craft. Yonaguni is part of the Ryukyu chain of islands stretching from Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands, down to Taiwan.
The researchers previously failed with attempted crossings using reed rafts and then bamboo rafts, finding that they were too slow, insufficiently durable and unable to overcome the strong ocean current.
A dugout canoe is pictured before departure on a crossing across a region of the East China Sea to Yonaguni Island, with leaf wave guards at the bow and stern, near Ushibi, Taiwan, in this handout image released on June 25, 2025. — Yousuke Kaifu handout pic via Reuters
“Through the project with many failures, we have learned the difficulties of crossing the ocean, and this experience gave us a deep respect for our Palaeolithic ancestors,” said University of Tokyo anthropologist Yousuke Kaifu, lead author of the study published on Wednesday in the journal Science Advances.
“We found that the Palaeolithic people could cross the sea with the strong ocean current if they had dugout canoes and were skilful, experienced paddlers and navigators. They had to face the risk of being drifted by the strong ocean current and the possibility that they would never be able to come back to their homeland,” added Kaifu, who was aboard one of the escort boats.
Archaeological evidence indicates that people approximately 30,000 years ago first crossed from Taiwan to some of the Ryukyu islands, which include Okinawa. But scientists had puzzled over how they could do this with the rudimentary technology of the time — no maps, no metal tools and only primitive vessels. And the Kuroshio current, comparable in strength to the Gulf Stream off Mexico, presented a particular challenge.
The research was in the vein of the famous 1947 Kon-Tiki expedition in which Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl carried out a much longer journey by raft from South America across the Pacific to the Polynesian islands. Heyerdahl aimed to show how prehistoric people from the Americas could have colonised Polynesia.
An axe accurate to a period of 30,000 years ago, that scientists used to make a dugout canoe for a crossing across a region of the East China Sea from Taiwan near Ushibi to Yonaguni Island, traversing the Kuroshio current, is seen at Noto Peninsula, Japan, in this handout image released on June 25, 2025. — Yousuke Kaifu handout pic via Reuters
“His theory is now countered by a series of pieces of evidence, but it was a great trial at the time. Compared to the time of the Kon-Tiki, we have more archaeological and other evidence to build realistic models” of prehistoric voyages, Kaifu said.
The researchers in a companion study published in the same journal used simulations of sea conditions between Taiwan and Yonaguni 30,000 years ago to examine whether such a crossing was attainable at a time when the Kuroshio was even more powerful than today.
“As our paleo-ocean model simulation showed, crossing the Kuroshio was possible in ancient times, so I believe they achieved it,” said physical oceanographer and study lead author Yu-Lin Chang of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology.
“However, ocean conditions were highly variable. Thus, ancient people may have encountered unpredictable weather conditions during their journey, which could have led to failure,” Chang added. — Reuters
A new gas giant world discovered by citizen scientists using data from NASA’s exoplanet-hunting spacecraft TESS is cool, literally and figuratively.
The extrasolar planet, or “exoplanet,” designated TOI-4465 b is located around 400 light-years from Earth. It has a mass of around six times that of Jupiter, and it’s around 1.25 times as wide as the solar system’s largest planet. What is really exciting about TOI-4465 b, however, is the fact that it circles its star at a distance of around 0.4 times the distance between Earth and the sun in a flattened or “elliptical” orbit. One year for this planet takes around 102 Earth days to complete. Its distance from its star gives it an estimated temperature of between 200 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit (93 to 204 degrees Celsius).
This makes TOI-4465 b a rare case of a giant planet that is large, massive, dense, and relatively cool, existing in an underexplored region around its star in terms of what we know about planet size and mass.
Planets like TOI-4465 b are cool prospects for exoplanet scientists to study because they bridge the gap between “hot Jupiters,” scorching planets that orbit so close to their stars that their years last a matter of hours, and frigid ice giant worlds like the solar system’s own Neptune and Uranus.
Unfortunately, we don’t know of many such worlds because they are difficult to detect.
“This discovery is important because long-period exoplanets, defined as having orbital periods longer than 100 days, are difficult to detect and confirm due to limited observational opportunities and resources,” team leader and University of Mexico researcher Zahra Essack said in a statement. “As a result, they are underrepresented in our current catalog of exoplanets.
“Studying these long-period planets gives us insights into how planetary systems form and evolve under more moderate conditions.”
The rarity of such exoplanets makes TOI-4465 b a prime target for future investigation with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). But just how did the JWST’s sibling, NASA spacecraft, TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite), detect such an elusive planet to begin with?
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TESS detects planets when they “transit” the face of their parent star, meaning they cross between their star and Earth. This causes a tiny dip in the light received from that star.
TOI-4465 b was spotted by TESS during a single fleeting transit event. That meant, in order to confirm this planet, the team needed to observe at least one more transit event. Something easier said than done due to some frustrating complications.
“The observational windows are extremely limited,” Essack explained. “Each transit lasts about 12 hours, but it is incredibly rare to get 12 full hours of dark, clear skies in one location. The difficulty of observing the transit is compounded by weather, telescope availability, and the need for continuous coverage.”
TOI-4465 b makes a transit of its parent star, with a corresponding dip in its light output in a fantastic animation by Unistellar member John Pickering. (Image credit: John Pickering)
To combat these issues, the team turned to the Unistellar Citizen Science Network, calling upon 24 of its citizen scientists across 10 countries. These amateur astronomers used their personal telescopes to observe TOI-4465 b’s host star.
Combining this data with observations from several professional observatories resulted in the discovery of that elusive second transit, thus confirming TOI-4465 b.
“The discovery and confirmation of TOI-4465 b not only expands our knowledge of planets in the far reaches of other star systems but also shows how passionate astronomy enthusiasts can play a direct role in frontier scientific research,” Essack said.
The discovery of this planet wouldn’t have been possible without international collaborations and several initiatives, including the TESS Follow-up Observing Program Sub Group 1 (TFOP SG1), the Unistellar Citizen Science Network, and the TESS Single Transit Planet Candidate (TSTPC) Working Group.
“What makes this collaboration effective is the infrastructure behind it,” Essack added. “It is a great example of the power of citizen science, teamwork, and the importance of global collaboration in astronomy.”
The team’s research was published on Wednesday (June 25) in The Astrophysical Journal.