In a historic first, a juvenile colossal squid was filmed alive in its natural habitat near the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. Captured at a depth of 600 meters by a remote-controlled vehicle aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Falkor (too), the sighting marks a century since the species was first identified. The squid, estimated at 30cm long, could grow to 7m and 500kg as an adult. The expedition, led by University of Essex scientist Dr. Michelle Taylor, also documented a glacial glass squid. The discovery highlights how little is still known about deep-sea marine life. (PC: Schmidt Ocean Institute)

In a major breakthrough, Cambridge University scientists have detected potential signs of life on the distant exoplanet K2-18b. Using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, the team identified molecules like dimethyl sulphide (DMS) in the planet’s atmosphere — gases on Earth typically produced by microorganisms. Though the findings are not yet conclusive, they mark the strongest evidence so far of extraterrestrial life. Lead researcher Prof Nikku Madhusudhan believes confirmation could arrive within two years. The discovery, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, could bring humanity closer to answering one of science’s biggest questions: Are we alone in the universe? (PC: Cambridge University)

In a historic first, a juvenile colossal squid was filmed alive in its natural habitat near the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. Captured at a depth of 600 meters by a remote-controlled vehicle aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Falkor (too), the sighting marks a century since the species was first identified. The squid, estimated at 30cm long, could grow to 7m and 500kg as an adult. The expedition, led by University of Essex scientist Dr. Michelle Taylor, also documented a glacial glass squid. The discovery highlights how little is still known about deep-sea marine life. (PC: Schmidt Ocean Institute)

Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission launched its first all-female crew into space on April 14, including pop star Katy Perry, who experienced weightlessness for the first time. The 11-minute suborbital flight crossed the Kármán line, traveling over 60 miles above Earth. The crew—Lauren Sanchez, Gayle King, Amanda Nguyen, Aisha Bowe, and Kerianne Flynn—joined Perry in floating freely in zero gravity aboard the New Shepard capsule. After touchdown, Perry kissed the ground and dedicated a daisy to her daughter. The crew described the journey as “profound,” marking a milestone for women in space and inspiring future generations.

On April 14, 2025, Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket launched an all-female crew into space, marking a historic milestone. The 11-minute suborbital flight from West Texas reached over 60 miles above Earth, crossing the Kármán line. The crew included singer Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, Jeff Bezos' fiancée Lauren Sanchez, former NASA scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. Perry brought a daisy to honor her daughter and sang "What a Wonderful World" during the flight. Upon landing, she expressed feeling "super-connected to love." King, overcoming her fear of flying, described the experience as stepping out of her comfort zone. Sanchez called the trip "profound," highlighting the view of Earth as a "jewel" against the darkness of space. The mission was attended by notable figures, including Oprah Winfrey, who was visibly emotional. This event signifies a significant step in promoting inclusivity and inspiring future generations in space exploration. 

Pop icon Katy Perry and five accomplished women safely returned to Earth after a historic Blue Origin mission — the first all-female spaceflight in over 60 years. Perry made history as the first artist to sing in space, performing What a Wonderful World while weightless. "It’s about this wonderful world we see out there and appreciating it," she said. The crew included Lauren Sánchez, Gayle King, Amanda Nguyen, Aisha Bowe, and Kerianne Flynn. “I can’t put it into words,” Sánchez said tearfully. King added, “Just to be alive, and be a part of this… is life-changing.” 

In a historic all-women spaceflight, pop star Katy Perry delivered a touching rendition of "What a Wonderful World" after glimpsing Earth from orbit. Fellow astronaut Gayle King described the spontaneous performance as a highlight of the mission, which emphasized beauty, peace, and reflection. The crew, including Lauren Sanchez, Amanda Nguyen, and Kerianne Flynn, shared emotional insights on the transformative journey. Perry brought a daisy as a symbol of resilience, underscoring her deep connection to Earth. This groundbreaking flight, launched by Blue Origin, was more than a milestone in space exploration—it was a reminder of unity, love, and the power of dreams. (PC: Blue origin)

After touching down from her historic Blue Origin spaceflight, Katy Perry kissed the ground and called the experience “second only to being a mother.” Holding a daisy for her daughter, Daisy, she said, “Daisies grow through anything—they're resilient.” Perry reflected on the emotional journey, saying she felt “super connected to love” and emphasized, “You don’t know how loved you are until the day you launch.” Singing What a Wonderful World during descent, she dedicated the moment “for the benefit of Earth.” Calling flowers “God’s smile,” Perry reminded the world of the beauty and resilience of Earth—and mothers.

“The highest high. It is a surrender to the unknown,” said Katy Perry after returning from space with Blue Origin’s first all-female crew since 1963. The 11-minute flight aboard New Shepard included Perry, Lauren Sánchez, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, Gayle King, and Kerianne Flynn. “I couldn't recommend this experience more,” Perry added, hinting at a song inspired by her journey. “This mum went to space,” Flynn declared proudly. Sánchez described Earth as “so quiet,” while King said she just wanted to “appreciate the ground.” Blue Origin CEO called it a “great flight” with “an amazing crew” that left “not a dry eye” in Texas. (PC: Blue Origin)

The International Space Station (ISS) recently shared a mesmerizing high-exposure photograph capturing Earth's atmospheric glow beneath a star-studded sky, taken from 258 miles above the Pacific Ocean near Papua New Guinea. The image features the Nauka science module and Prichal docking module from Roscosmos. Posted on the ISS's official Instagram account, the photo quickly went viral, amassing over 35,000 likes. Social media users expressed awe, with comments highlighting its beauty and technical prowess. One user noted, "This is actually the most beautiful photo that I have ever seen," while another remarked on the vastness of space. The ISS continues to captivate audiences with such breathtaking views of our planet. (PC: Down to Earth & NDTV)