Is there life on a Jupiter moon?

The Clipper interplanetary probe, unveiled by NASA on Thursday, must take off to find out.

His departure is scheduled for October and his journey is expected to last several years.

Could there be signs of life under the surface of an icy Jupiter moon? An intriguing question. To try to find out, NASA unveiled, Thursday April 11, an interplanetary probe intended to find out what it is. Named Clipper and worth five billion dollars, it is due to leave in October aboard a Space X Falcon Heavy rocket, bound for Europa, one of dozens of moons of Jupiter, the largest planet. of the solar system. The journey of this device is planned to last a little over 5 years. It will pass by Mars, before entering orbit around Jupiter and then Europa in 2031.

“One of the fundamental questions that NASA wants to understand is, are we alone in the cosmos?”, Bob Pappalardo, mission scientist, explained to AFP. If proof of life was discovered, “This would be a huge step forward in understanding how widespread life is in the universe”he added.

Currently, the device is kept in a sterile room at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. It is only accessible to staff covered from head to toe. All precautions are taken so that the probe does not bring any Earth microbes to Europa. Once its mission begins, Clipper will begin a detailed inspection of this satellite of Jupiter, of a size comparable to the Moon, which scientists believe is covered in frozen water.

The goal of the mission? Find out if the conditions would be favorable for living there

To best achieve this mission, everything has been thought out down to the smallest detail: “We have instruments like cameras, spectrometers, a magnetometer and radar that can … penetrate the ice, bounce off the liquid water and come back to the surface to tell us how thick the ice is and where the liquid water is located”, continues Bob Pappalardo. Mission leaders aren’t hoping to find little green men splashing around. They are looking for signs of life, but especially if there are favorable conditions for it in Europe.

“If the moons around the planets far from the stars could support life, then the number of possibilities in the solar system, in the universe, for life to be present, increases drastically, I think.”estimated Jordan Evans, project manager for the Europa Clipper mission.

Possible risks of damage for Clipper

Clipper’s mission will not be easy, however. Due to a powerful radiation field that encompasses Jupiter’s natural satellite, it could damage the instruments of the probe which will receive the equivalent of 100,000 chest x-rays at each loop around its objective. Due to the distance, its data will take about 45 minutes to arrive at the control station and despite its enormous solar panels which will deploy once in space, it will be difficult to keep Clipper in service, according to Jordan Evans.

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  On its way to Jupiter and its icy moons, the Juice probe (already) has a problem

“Near the earth, they could power 20 houses continuously. And near Jupiter, just a few light bulbs and small appliances”. A problem which is linked to the distance of the planet from the Sun, explains the project manager for the Europa Clipper mission.

Planning for this mission began in the late 1990s and should end around 2034, more than 40 years later. This will occur when Clipper has reached the end of its useful life. The probe’s final step will be to crash into a moon of Jupiter, said Tim Larson, deputy project leader. “When we’re done with the science mission, the way to end it is to crash into one of the other (celestial) bodies in the Jovian system available to the device.”, he concluded. For the moment, NASA plans to rush the probe against Ganymede, the largest natural satellite of Jupiter, said the deputy head of the project.

In our perpetual quest for fulfillment and happiness, it is sometimes necessary to take a step back and analyze the obstacles that hinder our progress.

Very often, these obstacles are the fruits of our attachments, whether material, emotional or relational.

By learning to let go of these attachments, we can finally progress and move forward peacefully in life.

This article presents 8 attachments to leave behind to allow you to fully realize yourself and lead a lighter and more fulfilling existence.

1. Attachment to material goods

First obstacle to our development:

Today’s society constantly pushes us towards consumption, encouraging us to believe that having more and more objects is the key to happiness. However, this frantic race for material goods can be alienating and prevent us from appreciating the simple things in life.

• Develop a minimalist attitude: By learning to be satisfied with the essentials and to get rid of the superfluous, we gain freedom and lightness. Minimalism allows us to focus on what really matters and fully savor every moment.
• Practice gratitude: Expressing gratitude for what we already have, even the simplest things, allows us to become aware of the richness of our existence and our environment.
• Break away from materialism: By adopting a more spiritual and philosophical view of life, we learn to place less importance on material possessions, preferring to cultivate our inner wealth.

2. Attachment to the past

Second obstacle on our path:

We all tend to dwell on the past, whether it’s our mistakes, our regrets or the happy times we experienced. While remembering good memories can be enjoyable, dwelling on the negative aspects of the past can prevent us from moving forward and fully enjoying the present.

1. Accepting the past: The past is an integral part of our history and our personality. It is important to accept it as it is, without trying to modify it or escape it.
2. Learning from our experiences: Every experience, whether positive or negative, is a source of learning. By learning from our past mistakes and successes, we can grow and enrich ourselves.
3. Live the present moment fully: The present is the only moment over which we have real influence. By focusing on the here and now, we can appreciate each moment and build our future with complete peace of mind.

3. Attachment to the opinions of others

Third obstacle to our progress:

It is natural to seek approval and acceptance from those around us, but this attachment to the opinions of others can lead us to adopt behaviors and attitudes that do not suit us. By freeing ourselves from this dependence, we can be ourselves and flourish freely.

• Develop self-esteem: By learning to love and respect ourselves, we become less vulnerable to the judgments of others, and we are able to make decisions in accordance with our values ​​and aspirations.
• Become aware of our own value: We are all unique and valuable, and it is important to recognize that. By feeling confident in our worth and potential, we are less likely to worry about the opinions of others.
• Accepting our differences: Every person is different, and that is what makes our world so rich. By accepting our differences, we gain open-mindedness and tolerance, and we learn to live in harmony with others.

4. Attachment to fears and worries

Fourth obstacle to our development:

Fears and worries are part of our human nature, but when they take over, they can paralyze us and prevent us from taking action. To move forward in life, it is essential to understand and overcome our fears.

1. Identify our fears: The first step is to become aware of our fears and name them. By identifying them, we can better understand and understand them.
2. Facing our fears: As we face our fears, we discover that most of them are unfounded or exaggerated. By daring to step out of our comfort zone, we gain courage and self-confidence.
3. Adopt a positive attitude: By replacing our negative thoughts and worries with positive and constructive thoughts, we create an environment conducive to our growth and well-being.

5. Attachment to control

Fifth barrier to our progress:

In an uncertain and sometimes chaotic world, we often seek to control everything to reassure and protect ourselves. However, this quest for mastery can be exhausting and prevent us from enjoying life to the fullest. Learning to let go and accept the unexpected is essential to moving forward peacefully.

• Recognize our limits: It is important to realize that we cannot control everything, and that some things are beyond our control. Accepting our limits allows us to adapt more easily to unforeseen situations and to face challenges with more serenity.
• Trust each other : By developing our confidence in ourselves and our abilities, we are able to manage unforeseen events and find appropriate solutions to the problems that present themselves to us.
• Accept uncertainty: Uncertainty is an integral part of life, and accepting it is essential to moving forward. By adopting an open and flexible attitude, we are better equipped to deal with surprises and changes.

6. Attachment to toxic relationships

Sixth obstacle to our development:

We all have people around us who drag us down, who hurt us or who prevent us from flourishing. It is sometimes difficult to become aware of these toxic relationships, and even more difficult to break away from them. However, it is essential to do so to preserve our mental health and well-being.

1. Identify toxic relationships: Take the time to analyze your relationships and identify those that bring you support, joy and energy, and those that drain and harm you.
2. Setting limits: Learn to say no and set boundaries to protect your personal space, needs and values. Don’t let others encroach on your life and dictate your choices.
3. Free yourself from toxic relationships: Once you have identified the relationships that are harming you, take the necessary steps to move away and detach yourself from them. It is important to prioritize your well-being and surround yourself with people who support and encourage you.

7. Attachment to expectations

Seventh obstacle to our progress:

The expectations we have of ourselves, others and life in general can cause stress and disappointment. Often, these expectations are unrealistic and do not take into account the reality and constraints of everyday life. Learning to let go of our expectations is essential to live more peacefully and enjoy the surprises that life has in store for us.

• Review our expectations: Take the time to think about your expectations and adjust them based on reality and your real needs. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself and accept that sometimes it is necessary to lower your ambitions.
• Accept imperfection: No one is perfect, and it’s important to accept that. Learn to love yourself with your flaws and forgive yourself for your mistakes, and extend this kindness to others.
• Focus on the process: Instead of focusing on results and goals, enjoy the process and the effort you put in to progress. The journey is often more important than the destination.

8. Attachment to self-image

Eighth and final obstacle:

Our self-image can sometimes be a source of suffering, especially when we try to fit an unrealistic ideal or please everyone. Learning to accept and love our true selves is crucial to our growth and well-being.

1. Become aware of our self-image: Think about your self-image and how it affects your life. Identify the aspects of this image that bring you well-being and those that harm you.
2. Develop self-love: Learn to love yourself as you are, with your qualities and your faults, without trying to correspond to an unattainable ideal. This self-love will allow you to flourish and accept yourself fully.
3. Create a positive self-image: Replace negative thoughts and limiting beliefs with positive, constructive affirmations. Cultivate an image of yourself that brings you confidence, serenity and joy.

Letting go of these 8 attachments may seem difficult, but it is essential work to move forward in life and achieve your full potential. By taking the time to think about these obstacles and implementing strategies to overcome them, you will gain lightness, serenity and fulfillment. Remember that you are the main architect of your happiness and that you have within you all the necessary resources to progress and rise.

A new study by scientists at the Planetary Science Institute (PSI) has revealed a secret: stars passing near the solar system not only decorate the night sky, but also have the power to alter Earth’s orbital fate and, consequently, to shape its climate over the millennia. .

Stars impact our orbit

As we all already know, Earth’s orbit around the Sun is dynamic and subject to variationmainly attributed to the gravitational influence exerted by the gas giants of our solar system, such as Jupiter and Saturn.

However, a new study reveals an additional factor: As the Sun and other stars orbit the center of the Milky Way, stellar encounters occur and cause alterations in planetary orbits.

Stellar Cartography: Passing Stars Altered Orbital Changes For Earth And Other Planets

Illustration of the uncertainty of Earths orbit 56 million years ago due to a potential past passage of the Sun-like star HD7977 2.8 million years ago. Each points distance from the center pic.twitter.com/zjiR4qvhuw

— David Ullrich (@DavidUllrich202) March 26, 2024

These events, although rare on a cosmic level, have a considerable impact on the orbital evolution of the Earthand therefore influence our climate over millions of years.

How can these distant stars influence our climate?

The Planetary Science Institute used advanced simulations to reconstruct Earth’s orbital past. What is the result ?

Each stellar encounter leaves a mark on Earth’s orbit, changing its eccentricity and, therefore, its climate for millions of years.

Remember that the eccentricity of the Earth’s orbit is a crucial factor which determines the shape of the trajectory that the Earth follows around the Sun. This parameter significantly influences the amount of solar radiation our planet receives, as well as the intensity of solar radiation, seasons and long-term climate cycles.

How far from Earth should the star approach?

Although a star’s gravitational influence on Earth and its orbital eccentricity depend on several key factors, such as stellar mass, approach distance, speed and orientation of Earth, generally speaking , it is estimated that a star would have to pass less than 1 light year or 63,241 astronomical units (AU) to have a noticeable effect.

However, even a star passing at a greater distance could have a significant influence if its mass is large enough.

Two events that changed the Earth’s climate

A striking example of this phenomenon is the approach of the star HD 7977 to about 2.8 light years from the Sun, about 2.8 million years ago. This event triggered an abrupt warming, known as the Pliocene thermal maximum, that has confounded scientists for decades.

Thanks to this study, we can now give a clearer explanation: nearby stars have left their mark on the Earth’s orbit, increasing its eccentricity and causing a temperature increase of between 5 and 8ºC.

This beauty is an illustration of Scholz’s star! Nearly 70,000 years ago, it zoomed past the outer edge of our solar system carrying its companion, a likely brown dwarf, along for the ride. Here’s what we know: https://t.co/842PQdV0Gx pic.twitter.com/Fj7wXbFlm9

— NASA (@NASA) February 26, 2019

Another illustrative case is the encounter with Scholz’s star, which is estimated to have passed just 0.8 light years from the Sun around 70,000 years ago. This proximity could have triggered an ice age on Earth, further highlighting the impact that the passage of stars can have on our planet.

News reference:

Kaib, Nathan and Raymond, Sean. (2024). The passage of stars as an important factor in the paleoclimate and orbital evolution of the solar system. Letters from the astrophysical journal. 962. L28. 10.3847/2041-8213/ad24fb.

The European Space Agency (ESA), Thales Alenia Space and NASA have finally succeeded in giving a second life for the ExoMars mission, the progress of which was threatened by Russia’s withdrawal from the project. A new contract finally relaunches this mission whose main objective is to find traces of ancient (or current) life on the red planet.

ExoMars finally relaunched after Russia’s withdrawal

THE withdrawal from Russia following its military engagement in Ukraine in February 2022 had significant consequences on the mission preparation schedule but also on the technical and scientific aspects of the project.

The Russian instruments on board the Roslind Franklin rover had to be removed of it, just like the Kazachok landing platform, equipped with 13 scientific instruments and intended to land the rover on Mars. For this reason, the ESA found itself forced to completely review the mission, even considering its abandonment.

However, a new contract of 522 million euros was concluded with Thales Alenia Spacea company based in Cannes, to revitalize the development of the rover in question with in particular the creation of a re-entry, descent and landing module for it but also the modification and maintenance of existing equipment during the termination of the project in 2022.

#Exomas is relaunched! The European mission @esa towards #March restarts with the support of @ASI_spazio And @spacegovuk and with @NASA as a partner. @Thales_Alenia_S will notably develop the EDLM re-entry, descent and landing module.
Takeoff in 2028 pic.twitter.com/nOpWMGZVVB

— Rêves d’Espace (@RevesdEspace) April 10, 2024

NASA also made its contribution. Initially planned to be responsible only for the provision of the Organic Molecule Analyzer – Mass Spectrometer (Moma-MS), the US Space Agency will also take charge launch, landing module engines, heating unitse and will bring strong support for systems engineering in order to guarantee the success of the ExoMars mission.

Thus, this international collaboration project which began in the early 2000s will finally see the light of day after having been almost abandoned two years agoa real relief for scientists.

In search of life on Mars!

Many scientists have been searching for a long time now for an answer to the question of life on Mars, whether past or present. It is with the aim of finally find a definitive answer to this question that the ExoMars project was set up in the early 2000s.

Its launch, initially planned for September 2022, should now take place between October and December 2028 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The arrival on Mars should therefore take place in 2030either on the Oxia Planum plain or near it in Mawrth Vallis, a large flow channel with thick layers of sediment on the surrounding plateaus, may harbor traces of ancient life.

In order to maximize the chances of unearthing traces of Martian life, the mission rover will be equipped with a drilling machine to carry out core drilling up to two meters deep. The chemical, physical and biological properties of the collected samples will then be analyzed directly on site by the mini-laboratory on board the rover, the Analytical Laboratory Drawer developed by the company Thalès.

Episode 1 Scouting the Red Planet.

Follow the adventures of the #RosalindFranklin rover as it begins its mission on Mars in 2030. Its wheels are made for walking, and its eyes for science.

Watch the first chapter of Europes ambitious exploration journey to search for pic.twitter.com/hbubWgFuFA

— ESA_ExoMars (@ESA_ExoMars) April 4, 2024

This could make it possible, according to the scientists in charge of the mission, to detect the presence of possible underground bacteria, whether still alive or fossilizedpotential proof that the red planet has harbored life in its history or perhaps even still shelters it today.

ANIMALS – Zombies, sex and pee. These are the key words that describe the invasion of cicadas that the Americans will observe. In the northwestern part of the United States, thousands of billions of cicadas of several different species will emerge from the ground in unison, after having waited more than ten years under the feet of the Americans.

Unfortunately, some of these animals will not be in great shape. Indeed, a sexually transmitted disease affects these animals. More precisely, it is a mushroom, Massospora cicadina. The latter settles in place of their abdomen, a white and chalky plug bursts, causing their genitals to fall out.

As if that wasn’t enough, the cicadas still seem to be alive, like zombies. They eat and fly like their healthy counterparts. One thing sets them apart though, their thirst for sex. To propagate, the fungus commands the cicada to mate. It can be a male, a female, it doesn’t matter, the goal is to contaminate as many cicadas as possible.

A historic event

This cicada invasion is known to scientists because it happens periodically. Every 13 or 17 years, a brood of these insects emerges from the ground after waiting as nymphs. But this year is exceptional because two broods of cicadas will emerge: brood XIX, which emerges every 13 years, will emerge in Georgia and the southeast of the country, and brood XIII, which emerges every 17 years, will appear in the ‘Illinois.

A convergence which will multiply the number of these insects. It will then be possible to observe a phenomenon as disgusting as it is intriguing: weeping trees. In fact, a transparent liquid will fall from the trees where the cicadas shelter. This is their “pee”. The reason is simple: cicadas feed on xylem, a tissue that transports water and nutrients from roots to leaves. As they continually consume it, they also pee regularly.

If this particular shower isn’t enough, cicadas have another strange asset in their wings. Or rather in their abdomen. Two cymbals inside it click up to 900 times per minute, under the effect of a muscle, which produces this characteristic song. But some of the species that will invade the United States have a much less pleasant song as you can hear in our video at the top of the article.

A hypersexual mushroom

Because billions of these insects will land in the forests, parks and gardens of Americans, some have the good idea… to taste them. But researchers advise against eating a cicada, because of the Massospora cicadin. This mushroom is not yet very well known to scientists, particularly due to the very specific life cycle of cicadas.

This fungus produces spores on cicadas and it is suspected that when the cicadas die, the spores enter the soil and infect other cicadas underground. Then, during the period when the insects stay underground, there probably isn’t much happening. The fungus just works behind the scenes to become the master in charge, and direct the infected cicada as it sees fit. But does it stop at cicadas?

“We know that many animals gobble up these cicadas as they appear: snakes and birds,” explains for CBS News Matthew Kasson, professor of mycology at West Virginia University. However, researchers currently have no evidence showing that this fungus could attack other species, including humans. The Last of Usit seems that it will not be right away.

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Franco-Canadian scientist Michel Sadelain was awarded an “Oscar for Science” on Saturday, April 13, in Los Angeles, for his research which made it possible to program cells of the immune system to fight cancer.

This genetic engineer was awarded the Breakthrough Prize, during a ceremony bringing together big names in tech, such as Elon Musk and Bill Gates, and an avalanche of celebrities, including Jessica Chastain, Robert Downey Jr and Bradley Cooper. His work has made it possible to develop a new form of therapy, called CAR-T, which is very effective against certain blood cancers.

“This award is an extraordinary recognitionconfided Mr. Sadelain to Agence France-Presse, on the red carpet of the Oscars Museum. It is all the more an honor that (…) my scientific colleagues told me for a long time that it would never work. » The Breakthrough Prize was launched by Silicon Valley entrepreneurs in the early 2010s to reward breakthroughs in basic research. It claims to be a sort of “Oscars of science” and is today better endowed than the Nobel Prize.

Mr. Sadelain will thus share 3 million dollars with the American Carl June, an immunologist who also worked on the subject. “The greatest pleasure, however, is seeing patients (…) who no longer had any chance and who thank us, who are alive today thanks to CAR-T cells”explained the scientist, who first studied in France and Canada before settling at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

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“Living Medicines”

Concretely, Mr. Sadelain’s research made it possible to genetically reprogram T lymphocytes, which are the little soldiers of the immune system. The latter then acquire receptors capable of recognizing and fighting cancer cells, which the body normally allows to proliferate because it is not aware of their harmfulness.

These chimeric antigen receptors (chimeric antigen receptor, CAR, in English) also order T cells to multiply to have more fighters against the disease. This way of treating cancer was initially “science fiction”, smiles Mr. Sadelain. Today, the researcher is delighted to see that an entire industry has developed to produce these “living medicines”.

Thanks to his work and that of Carl June, half a dozen therapies using this method have been approved in the United States, and hundreds of other clinical trials are underway. The patient’s T cells are first collected, modified outside the body, and then reinjected into the bloodstream. The treatment has proven effective against lymphomas, certain leukemias, and even against myeloma, a serious and complex blood cancer.

But Mr. Sadelain hopes that the research will be able to“apply this treatment to other cancers”. “CAR-T cells could perhaps work against autoimmune diseases, diseases like lupus, and perhaps one day diseases like diabetes and multiple sclerosis”, he explains. One of the main challenges also remains reducing the costs of treatment, currently estimated at more than $500,000 – an amount generally covered by insurance.

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Around twenty other scientists were rewarded during the Breakthrough Prize, in several categories. Distinguished research included effective medications to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis, a fatal lung disease, and the discovery of the most common genetic causes of Parkinson’s disease.

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The World with AFP

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