Feast your eyes on the shortlisted pics for the 2025 ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year Awards (photos)

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla delivered a heartfelt patriotic message from the International Space Station (ISS), echoing the famous words of Rakesh Sharma: "Saare Jahan Se Accha..." (Better than the entire world…). His speech came during a farewell event for the Axiom-4 crew, who wrapped up a 17-day mission packed with over 60 experiments—including materials research for ISRO. The crew also shared dishes from their home countries, adding a cultural touch to their scientific mission. Shukla’s role could extend further, as he may advise India’s upcoming Gaganyaan program.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another space mission update—it’s a moment of pride for India and a reminder of how space exploration bridges science and culture. Shukla’s nod to Sharma’s iconic phrase ties past achievements to present ambitions, while his potential involvement in Gaganyaan hints at India’s growing footprint in space. Plus, the mix of hard science (60 experiments!) and personal touches (like sharing food) makes space feel a little more human.

Your phone's eSIM—the digital version of a SIM card—is generally safer than old-school physical chips, but it's not bulletproof. This piece breaks down practical steps to keep your eSIM secure, like enabling PIN locks and avoiding sketchy QR codes, because even cutting-edge tech has vulnerabilities.

Editor’s Note: As more phones ditch physical SIMs for eSIMs, users assume they're inherently safe—but hackers adapt fast. This isn’t fearmongering; it’s a heads-up to tweak a few settings so your digital lifeline doesn’t get hijacked. (Because nobody wants to explain to their boss why their number suddenly started sending phishing texts.)

Scientists are buzzing about Mars' thick clay deposits—turns out, these mineral-packed layers might be hiding clues about ancient life. A new study argues that these clay-rich areas could have provided stable, habitable environments for long periods in Mars' distant past. Basically, if life ever existed there, this is where we should probably start digging (metaphorically, for now).

Editor’s Note: Mars isn't just a rusty desert; it's a time capsule. If clays preserved conditions friendly to life billions of years ago, they might also preserve traces of that life—or at least teach us how life could emerge in harsh environments. For space nerds and hopeful alien hunters, this is another reason to keep obsessing over the Red Planet.

The Beaker Street Science Photography Prize is showcasing some stunning finalists for 2025, including a never-before-seen image of a wild eastern quoll glowing under UV light. The exhibition will run at Hobart’s Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery in August, blending science and art in a visually striking way.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another photo contest—it’s a celebration of the weird, wonderful, and often unseen beauty of science. That glowing quoll? It’s a reminder of how much we still have to discover, and how art can make science feel magical. Plus, it’s a great excuse to visit Hobart in August.

The Perseid meteor shower is about to light up the sky with up to 100 shooting stars per hour—but there's a catch. This year, a bright moon will outshine some of the spectacle during its peak on August 12–13. The article spills the beans on how to dodge the lunar glare and catch the best views, whether that means staying up late, waking up early, or finding a dark spot away from city lights.

Editor’s Note: Meteor showers are one of nature’s most dazzling free shows, and the Perseids are a fan favorite. But timing and conditions matter—this piece helps skywatchers game-plan so they don’t miss out. It’s a nudge to look up and savor a fleeting cosmic moment, even if the moon’s playing spoiler.