The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, made a stunning and rare appearance across the UK, captivating sky watchers nationwide. Following one of the strongest geomagnetic storms in years, excited onlookers shared mesmerizing pictures of the lights visible from various regions, including the south coast of England. Clear skies facilitated sightings, with enthusiasts describing the experience as "truly spectacular" and a "dream come true." Despite concerns of potential infrastructure impact, including satellite disruptions and power grid issues, there have been no reported disruptions. Further aurora activity is anticipated, providing another chance for enthusiasts to witness this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon.

In Ladakh's remote region of Hanle, a breathtaking display of the aurora borealis enchanted spectators as an intense solar storm hit Earth. Vibrant colors painted the night sky as auroras illuminated various parts of the globe, including Russia, Australia, and Germany. These rare atmospheric phenomena, caused by disturbances in the magnetosphere triggered by the solar wind, captivated onlookers with their shimmering curtains and static auroral arcs. The solar storm, fueled by coronal mass ejections from the sun, unleashed charged particles that interacted with the Earth's magnetic field, producing spectacular light displays visible across continents.          

Nasa is planning to develop a revolutionary railway system on the Moon, dubbed Flexible Levitation on a Track (FLOAT). The system uses magnetic levitation and unpowered robots to transport payloads across the lunar surface, minimizing dust abrasion. The tracks can be easily unrolled and reconfigured to match evolving mission requirements. FLOAT robots will be able to transport payloads of various shapes at 0.5 meters per second, with the potential to move up to 100,000 kg of regolith per day. The system will operate autonomously in the harsh lunar environment, with phase 2 of development including prototype testing and environmental impact assessment.

Scientists have discovered a thick atmosphere around 55 Cancri e, a rocky "super Earth" planet twice the size of our own. The atmosphere, composed of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, was detected using the Webb Space Telescope. This finding provides strong evidence for the existence of an atmosphere on this exoplanet, which orbits its star at extremely close proximity, resulting in boiling temperatures and permanent day and night sides. While unlikely to host life, this discovery suggests that other rocky planets with thick atmospheres could exist, potentially harboring life. The study offers insights into the evolution of Earth and Mars, making 55 Cancri e a valuable target for further research.

Data from Chandrayaan-2's polarimetric radar indicates a significant discovery of water ice in lunar polar craters. The study, conducted by ISRO in collaboration with various institutions, suggests subsurface ice is 5 to 8 times larger than surface ice. The research attributes water distribution to Mare volcanism and crater impacts. This finding supports ISRO's future lunar exploration plans. Concurrently, China launches a lunar probe mission to collect samples from the moon's far side, marking a historic milestone in lunar exploration.            

Sunita Williams, poised for her third space journey aboard the Boeing Starliner, faced a sudden halt as NASA called off the launch due to a technical glitch. Williams, along with astronaut Butch Wilmore, was strapped into their seats when the decision was made for safety reasons. The launch from Kennedy Space Center was halted 90 minutes before liftoff, leaving the astronauts and spectators on edge. No new launch date has been set, prolonging the anticipation for Williams' next venture into space.

Indian origin astronaut, Captain Sunita Williams, alongside veteran NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore, is gearing up for a historic journey to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. Scheduled for launch at 10:34 p.m. EDT on May 6, this marks the inaugural crewed test flight of the Starliner. If successful, it solidifies Boeing as the second private company capable of ferrying astronauts to and from the ISS. Williams, renowned for her spacewalk feats, brings her expertise to this mission, promising advancements in space exploration. The endeavor underscores the growing role of private entities in shaping the future of space travel.            

ISRO's annual report reveals a surge in space objects in 2023, necessitating a record 23 collision avoidance manoeuvres for Indian satellites. With 3,143 new objects and over 130,000 close approach alerts, space navigation grows increasingly challenging. The report underscores the need for responsible space behavior and international collaboration to manage space debris. ISRO advocates for a universal framework for space traffic management to ensure safety and sustainability. Active in global discussions, ISRO chairs the UN working group on long-term space sustainability, highlighting its commitment to space safety and security.

NASA's Psyche spacecraft has received a mysterious signal from deep space, originating 140 million miles away. Launched in October 2023, Psyche is on a mission to explore the metal-rich asteroid 'Psyche 16' in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Equipped with the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) system, Psyche successfully transmitted engineering data via laser communication, a first at such a vast distance. This breakthrough technology promises faster connections than current methods, paving the way for future space exploration. The signal's origin remains unknown, sparking curiosity and excitement among scientists.

Scientists discovered that the asteroid 2024 BX1, rotating at a record-breaking rate of once every 2.6 seconds, collided with Earth's atmosphere, breaking apart over Berlin, Germany. This rare event allowed tracking and observation before impact, a first for such occurrences. Maxime Devogele and colleagues captured images from the European Space Agency's Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre, revealing the asteroid's rapid rotation. Smaller asteroids like 2024 BX1 can endure faster spins due to their compact nature, aiding planetary defense research. Understanding spin dynamics informs predictions on how asteroids behave upon atmospheric entry.