Saturday, March 14, 2026

Astronomers have captured the first direct observation of a magnetar being born inside a superluminous supernova, confirming a theory proposed 16 years ago that these highly magnetized neutron stars power some of the brightest stellar explosions in the universe.^[1]

Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have successfully grown and harvested chickpeas in simulated lunar soil for the first time, using worm-produced compost and symbiotic fungi to transform the hostile material into a viable growing medium for future Moon missions.^[2]

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have discovered a universal thermal performance curve that governs how all living organisms respond to temperature changes, from microbes to reptiles, with performance rising gradually until an optimal point before dropping sharply.^[3]

NASA astronauts will conduct two spacewalks beginning March 18 outside the International Space Station to prepare for the installation of two roll-out solar arrays, continuing maintenance and upgrade work on the orbital laboratory.^[4]

The European Space Agency is analyzing a bright fireball that streaked across Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands on March 8, reportedly punching a football-sized hole in the roof of a German home.^[5]

The Israeli military said it had carried out around 7,600 strikes in Iran and 1,100 in Lebanon since launching its joint operation with the United States against Tehran two weeks ago, as the conflict enters its third week with oil prices climbing and regional infrastructure coming under attack.^[6]