Today's Image of the Day from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope features the most detailed view to date of the planetary nebula NGC 1514.



The nebula sits about 1,500 light-years away in the Taurus constellation. Webb’s latest <a href="https://webbtelescope.org/contents/news-releases/2025/news-2025-118#section-id-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">observation</a> reveals two dusty rings wrapped around a fading star system, surrounded by orange arcs and glowing gas. 



This scene isn’t new - it’s been evolving for at least 4,000 years. Until now, much of its structure remained hidden. Thanks to Webb’s powerful mid-infrared camera, scientists can finally see the full extent of the nebula’s complexity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dust-rings-and-broken-shells">Dust rings and broken shells</h2>



At the center of NGC 1514, two stars locked in a tight nine-year orbit are driving this dramatic display. One of them - formerly several times the mass of our Sun - has shed its outer layers as it reached the end of its life.&nbsp;



What’s left is a hot, compact white dwarf star blasting out faster, weaker winds that may have swept earlier material into thin, fragile shells.



What Webb has <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-telescope-may-have-just-found-its-first-planet/">uncovered</a> is a tangled mess of dust, much of which was invisible to previous telescopes. The rings now appear fuzzy and uneven, like clumps floating through space.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-material-ejected-from-a-dying-star">Material ejected from a dying star</h2>



Some areas show distinct holes near the center, marking where faster material appears to have punched through the older gas. The telescope also picked up signs of oxygen in the nebula’s pink core, especially around the edges of the holes.



“Before Webb, we weren’t able to detect most of this material, let alone observe it so clearly,” said Mike Ressler, a project scientist for Webb’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.&nbsp;



Ressler first spotted the rings in 2010 using an earlier infrared mission, but they were faint and hard to analyze. “With MIRI’s data, we can now comprehensively examine the turbulent nature of this nebula,” he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-nebula-s-unusual-shape">The nebula’s unusual shape</h2>



Unlike the perfectly round shapes many might expect, NGC 1514 isn’t a sphere. Webb’s observations show that the whole formation is tilted at about 60 degrees - like a can being tipped over - but its true shape is more like an hourglass with the ends sliced off.&nbsp;



Subtle pinches of dust in shallow V-shapes give clues to this structure, particularly near the top left and bottom right of the image.



The bizarre shape may be due to the interaction between the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-map-twin-stars-to-discover-hidden-planets-with-unprecedented-accuracy/">two stars</a>. During the period when the larger star was losing its outer layers, its companion may have drifted extremely close.&nbsp;



“That interaction can lead to shapes that you wouldn’t expect,” said David Jones, a senior scientist who confirmed the central binary system in 2017. “Instead of producing a sphere, this interaction might have formed these rings.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-patchy-rings-with-a-fuzzy-appearance-nbsp">Patchy rings with a fuzzy appearance&nbsp;</h2>



Between the rings, dim and semi-transparent clouds stretch through the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-rogue-worlds-discovered-inside-a-young-star-forming-nebula/">nebula</a>, adding body and giving hints at the object’s full three-dimensional shape.&nbsp;



The rings themselves aren’t evenly lit - they fade out toward the top right and bottom left. This patchiness, along with their fuzzy appearance, points to their makeup: very small dust grains.



“We think the rings are primarily made up of very small dust grains,” Ressler explained. “When those grains are hit by ultraviolet light from the white dwarf star, they heat up ever so slightly, which we think makes them just warm enough to be detected by Webb in mid-infrared light.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-simple-mix-of-ingredients">A simple mix of ingredients</h2>



Notably, the nebula lacks something usually seen in similar objects: carbon and its more complex molecules.&nbsp;



Most planetary nebulae contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - carbon-rich compounds that resemble soot. But <a href="https://webbtelescope.org/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Webb</a> didn’t find any trace of them in NGC 1514.



The absence of the molecules could be due to the swirling motion of the two central stars, which may have prevented more complex molecules from forming. This also allows more light from the stars to escape, helping to illuminate the faint, outer rings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glowing-shells-of-dying-stars">Glowing shells of dying stars</h2>



Astronomers have been studying NGC 1514 for centuries. Back in 1790, William Herschel described it as the first deep-sky object he saw that looked truly cloudy - not just a collection of stars. He couldn’t resolve it into individual points of light the way he could with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trio-of-star-clusters-may-be-the-same-system-at-different-ages/">star clusters</a>. 



That cloudy impression was one of the earliest clues pointing toward the existence of planetary nebulae - the glowing shells of gas that dying stars leave behind.



Now, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-telescope-uncovers-secrets-of-dark-matter-in-cosmic-collision-zone/">Webb</a> has revealed the full extent of the cloud Herschel saw. NGC 1514 has turned out to be a complex, dynamic structure still shifting over time.



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Michael Ressler (NASA-JPL), Dave Jones (IAC)



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Webb captures the fading legacy of a dying star

Today's Image of the Day from NASA’s James Webb Space...

Today’s Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features IRAS 04302, a young star wrapped in a massive planet-forming disc about 525 light-years away in the Taurus star-forming region.&nbsp;



The young star sits deep in a dark cloud, hidden behind a veil of dusty gas. The material around it is raw fuel for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-formation-new-insights-mechanics-physics/">planet formation</a>.&nbsp;



The birth of planets is not something we can watch unfold in real time. It takes millions of years for the ingredients of a solar system to come together.&nbsp;



Still, astronomers can get snapshots of these processes by turning powerful telescopes toward stellar nurseries. This <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images">image</a> from the James Webb Space Telescope offers an intimate look at one of the most striking planet-forming discs ever seen.



What Webb shows us is not only beautiful, but also a clue to how our own Solar System may have looked some 4.5 billion years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-protostar-wrapped-in-dust">A protostar wrapped in dust</h2>



At the heart of the IRAS 04302 system lies a protostar - a star still in the process of gathering mass. Around it is a giant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-forming-disks-surrounding-stars-often-last-much-longer-than-expected/">protoplanetary disc</a> that Webb has measured at about 65 billion miles across, several times wider than the Solar System we know.&nbsp;



This is the environment where planets might be taking shape, as dust grains collide, stick together, and gradually grow into larger bodies.



From Webb’s vantage point, the disc is tilted edge-on. That angle creates a dark band across the image, blocking light from the star itself.&nbsp;



The shadow is not empty space. It is packed with dust and gas, the very material that could eventually give rise to planets. Scientists can use this perspective to study the vertical structure of the disc, including how efficiently dust settles toward its midplane - a process essential for building worlds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-butterfly-star">The Butterfly Star</h2>



The striking appearance of IRAS 04302 has earned it a nickname: the Butterfly Star. The dense streak of dust bisects the view, while two glowing wings stretch above and below.&nbsp;



These wings are reflection <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-rogue-worlds-discovered-inside-a-young-star-forming-nebula/">nebulas</a>, lit up by starlight bouncing off surrounding clouds. They provide a softer glow that contrasts with the sharp dark lane running through the middle.



Seen from a different angle, protoplanetary discs often reveal features such as rings, gaps, or spirals. These patterns may point to baby planets carving out paths, or to other processes like gravitational instabilities.&nbsp;



The edge-on view here does not highlight those structures, but instead gives a rare look at the thickness of the disc itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stellar-system-in-transition-nbsp">Stellar system in transition&nbsp;</h2>



To capture this image, astronomers combined data from Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera and Mid-Infrared Instrument with optical observations from the Hubble Space Telescope. Each tool adds its own piece of the puzzle.&nbsp;



<a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/">Webb</a> is especially sensitive to the distribution of fine dust grains and the scattering of infrared light over great distances. Hubble, meanwhile, picks out sharp details in the dust lane and reveals clumps and streaks that hint at jets and outflows still erupting from the star.



Together, these telescopes show a stellar system in transition. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gas-streamers-may-help-high-mass-stars-grow-despite-strong-radiation/">protostar</a> is still feeding on its surroundings, but it is also shaping them with energy and motion. That push and pull is part of how young stars mature and carve out the conditions for planets to emerge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-first-steps-of-planet-formation">The first steps of planet formation</h2>



IRAS 04302 is one of four discs studied as part of Webb’s General Observer program #2562. The program focuses on discs oriented edge-on, since those views allow scientists to measure how dust grains evolve over time.&nbsp;



Dust growth is believed to be a crucial early step toward making planets. By watching how particles settle into dense midplanes, researchers can begin to reconstruct the timeline of planetary birth.



The Taurus region is a well-known nursery where dozens of young stars are found. Observing IRAS 04302 in such detail adds to our understanding of how stars and planets are connected.&nbsp;



Every glimpse like this one helps astronomers piece together the story of how ordinary gas and dust can turn into complex systems of worlds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-back-to-our-own-beginnings">Looking back to our own beginnings</h2>



Although IRAS 04302 is hundreds of light-years away, it offers a mirror to our past. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-our-sun-is-unusually-calm-and-what-that-means-for-earth/">Sun</a> once sat inside its own cloud of dust, pulling in material while planets assembled around it.&nbsp;



Seeing another star at a similar stage helps remind us that solar systems are not accidents. They are natural outcomes of star formation, happening again and again across the galaxy.



The Butterfly Star is still in its infancy, and any planets taking shape there are far from complete. Yet in its shadowed disc and glowing wings, we catch a glimpse of the processes that once shaped Earth.&nbsp;



Image Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA &amp; CSA, M. Villenave et al.



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Butterfly Star shows off its planet-forming disc

Today’s Image of the Day from the European Space Agency...

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the Butterfly Nebula, located about 3,400 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius.&nbsp;



It’s what astronomers call a planetary nebula - the brief phase when a dying star sheds its outer layers into space.



Despite the name, planetary nebulae have nothing to do with planets. Early astronomers thought these glowing shells looked round, like distant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-rogue-worlds-discovered-inside-a-young-star-forming-nebula/">worlds</a> seen through primitive telescopes.&nbsp;



The name stuck, even though many nebulae are anything but round. The Butterfly Nebula, with its outstretched “wings” of gas and dust, is a perfect example.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-butterfly-with-a-hidden-heart">Butterfly with a hidden heart</h2>



At the center of this spectacular cloud lies the remnant of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sun-like-stars-release-massive-superflares-every-100-years/">Sun-like star</a>. It has burned through its fuel and shed most of its mass, leaving behind a blazing hot core.&nbsp;



The star energizes the nebula, making it glow across the spectrum. Yet until recently, the star itself remained hidden.



A dark band of dust and gas cuts through the nebula like the “body” of the butterfly. This band is actually a torus, a doughnut-shaped structure that blocks visible light.&nbsp;



The torus shapes the nebula by forcing gas outward in two opposite directions, creating the iconic bipolar wings. It also conceals the central star from optical view.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-telescope-brings-clarity">Webb telescope brings clarity</h2>



The <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Webb Space Telescope</a> has now pierced the dust with its Mid-Infrared Instrument, offering the sharpest view yet of the nebula’s core. 



By working in “integral field unit mode,” Webb captured <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Webb/Webb_investigates_complex_heart_of_a_cosmic_butterfly" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">images</a> and spectra at multiple wavelengths simultaneously. The result is a detailed portrait of how the nebula looks in different slices of light.



The team also added data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array in Chile, which revealed colder gas and dust.&nbsp;



Together, these instruments exposed a structure of extraordinary complexity, with nearly 200 spectral lines tracing atoms and molecules woven into layered shells.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-central-star-revealed">The central star revealed</h2>



The Webb observations finally pinned down the location of the nebula’s hidden <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-stars-shape-planetary-systems-like-ours-with-ultraviolet-radiation/">star</a>. Its surrounding dust cloud glows brightly in mid-infrared light, betraying its position for the first time.&nbsp;



With a scorching temperature of 220,000 Kelvin - around 400,000 degrees Fahrenheit - this is one of the hottest known central stars in a planetary nebula.



That heat drives the nebula’s glow, but its power doesn’t escape evenly. The dense torus channels the outflow, creating the striking wings that stretch across space.&nbsp;



Webb data show that the torus contains crystalline silicates such as quartz, along with irregular grains about a millionth of a meter across. For cosmic dust, that’s relatively large, suggesting the particles have been accumulating for a long time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jets-layers-and-chemical-signatures">Jets, layers, and chemical signatures</h2>



Outside the torus, the nebula displays a multilayered design. Atoms that need the most energy to ionize cluster near the center. Those requiring less energy appear farther out.&nbsp;



Among the highlights are iron and nickel, which mark out two jets blasting away from the star in opposite directions. These fast-moving streams help sculpt the overall shape of the nebula.



The team also found evidence of carbon-based molecules known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs.&nbsp;



On Earth, PAHs are common in soot from fires, exhaust fumes, and even burnt toast. In the Butterfly Nebula, they appear to form when bursts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tracing-solar-wind-directly-to-its-source-for-the-first-time/">stellar wind</a> collide with the surrounding gas.&nbsp;



This could be the first time PAHs have been spotted forming in an oxygen-rich planetary nebula, offering a rare window into the chemistry of dying stars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fleeting-beauty-of-the-butterfly-nebula">Fleeting beauty of the Butterfly Nebula</h2>



The entire spectacle will not last long by cosmic standards. The planetary nebula stage endures only about 20,000 years - a brief flicker compared to a star’s lifetime of billions of years.&nbsp;



The Butterfly Nebula is a reminder of how short-lived and yet astonishingly beautiful the final chapters of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-star-redefines-our-understanding-of-stellar-evolution/">stellar evolution</a> can be.



The results of this study are <a href="https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/542/2/1287/8241385" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">published</a> in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 



The research shows that even well-studied objects like the Butterfly Nebula can surprise us when viewed with fresh eyes.&nbsp;



Webb’s infrared vision has revealed not only the hidden star at the heart of the butterfly, but also the intricate chemistry that surrounds it - from crystalline dust to unexpected organic molecules.



Image Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA &amp; CSA, J. Kastner, M. Zamani (ESA/Webb)



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Secrets of the Butterfly Nebula uncovered by Webb

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency...

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the Cat's Paw Nebula - a massive, active star-forming region in the constellation Scorpius. Also known as NGC 6334, the nebula is located about 4,000 light-years away from Earth.



The nebula’s name comes from its appearance. When viewed in visible or infrared light, it resembles a cat’s paw with bright lobes that look like giant toe beans.



“To celebrate the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope’s third year of highly productive science, astronomers used the telescope to scratch beyond the surface of the Cat’s Paw Nebula (NGC 6334), a massive, local star-forming region,” said <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



“This area is of great interest to scientists, having been subject to previous study by NASA/ESA’s Hubble and retired NASA Spitzer Space telescopes, as they seek to understand the multiple steps required for a turbulent molecular cloud to transition to stars.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-activity-in-the-cat-s-paw-nebula-nbsp">Activity in the Cat’s Paw Nebula&nbsp;</h2>



The Cat’s Paw Nebula is a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/80-million-pixels-reveal-the-brilliance-of-a-star-cluster/">stellar nursery</a>, teeming with young, hot stars that are still forming from clouds of gas and dust. It spans roughly 50 light-years across and glows red, primarily due to the presence of ionized hydrogen gas illuminated by ultraviolet radiation from the newborn stars.&nbsp;



Much of the star formation remains hidden in visible light because of dense dust clouds, but observations in infrared and radio wavelengths have revealed an incredible amount of ongoing activity beneath the surface.



NGC 6334 is particularly rich in massive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-forming-disks-surrounding-stars-often-last-much-longer-than-expected/">stars</a>, including some that are over ten times the mass of the Sun.&nbsp;



Because of this, it's often used by astronomers to study the early stages of high-mass star formation, which are less understood than the processes that form lower-mass stars.&nbsp;



The region is also home to a number of protostars and clusters still wrapped in dusty cocoons, making it a dynamic and evolving part of our galaxy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-details-in-the-cat-s-paw-nebula-nbsp">New details in the Cat’s Paw Nebula&nbsp;</h2>



“With its near-infrared capabilities and sharp resolution, the telescope 'clawed' back a portion of a singular 'toe bean,' revealing a subset of mini toe bean-reminiscent structures composed of gas, dust, and young stars,” noted ESA.



“Webb’s view reveals a chaotic scene still in development: massive young stars are carving away at nearby gas and dust, while their bright starlight is producing a bright nebulous glow represented in blue.”&nbsp;



Although only recently recognized in modern astronomy, the Cat’s Paw Nebula has become iconic - not just for its curious shape, but also for the insight it offers into how massive stars form in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-ways-thin-disk-is-billions-of-years-older-than-we-thought/">Milky Way</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-constellation-scorpius-nbsp">The constellation Scorpius&nbsp;</h2>



Scorpius is one of the most striking constellations in the night sky, especially visible during the summer months in the Southern Hemisphere and lower latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.&nbsp;



Its shape is unusually recognizable, forming a long, curving line that resembles a scorpion with a curled tail and extended claws.&nbsp;



In mythology, Scorpius is often associated with the story of Orion, the great hunter. According to one version of the myth, Orion boasted that he could kill all the animals on Earth, which angered the goddess Artemis. To punish him, she sent a giant scorpion to defeat him.&nbsp;



After a fierce battle, both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-solar-system-once-drifted-through-orions-star-forming-region/">Orion</a> and the scorpion were placed among the stars on opposite sides of the sky. To this day, Orion sets as Scorpius rises, as if the hunter is still fleeing from the celestial scorpion.



Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius, is a red supergiant whose name means "rival of Mars" due to its reddish hue and brightness. Antares serves as the scorpion's heart and is one of the most prominent stars in the night sky.&nbsp;



Because Scorpius lies along the plane of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cosmic-map-reveals-that-the-milky-ways-dust-has-very-unusual-properties/">Milky Way</a>, it is filled with dense star fields and deep-sky objects. This part of the sky is exceptionally rich in detail, offering a glimpse into the crowded heart of our galaxy.



Image Credit: ESA



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Webb reveals the Cat's Paw Nebula in stunning detail

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features the massive iceberg A-23A and its offspring near South Georgia, a remote island in the South Atlantic Ocean.&nbsp;



The natural-color <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154625/antarctic-iceberg-downsizes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">image</a> was captured by NASA’s Aqua satellite on July 22, 2025, as sunlight returned to Antarctica after months of polar night.



By this time, the main <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-largest-iceberg-a23a-undergoing-major-erosion/">iceberg</a> still covered an impressive 969 square miles, while the smaller iceberg fragments measured 62 and 28 square miles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-journey-of-iceberg-a-23a-nbsp">The journey of iceberg A-23A&nbsp;</h2>



A-23A has been on a long journey since breaking away from Antarctica’s Filchner Ice Shelf nearly four decades ago. Now drifting about 1,500 miles north of where it started, the iceberg is showing its age.&nbsp;



Once a giant of the southern ocean, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-largest-iceberg-a23a-breaks-free-from-ocean-cyclone/">A-23A</a> is steadily losing large chunks of ice as it moves through the warmer waters near South Georgia.



Icebergs born in the frigid waters around Antarctica usually spend years drifting on the cold currents. But once they move north toward warmer seas, they face a tough fight against melting caused by higher temperatures, rough waves, and seasonal weather changes.&nbsp;



These natural forces slowly chip away at the ice, shrinking these floating giants over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-iceberg-s-slow-breakup">The iceberg’s slow breakup</h2>



Around March 1, 2025, A-23A became lodged on the shallow continental shelf near <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-largest-iceberg-may-crash-into-a-wildlife-sanctuary/">South Georgia</a>.



This stopover wasn’t permanent. By late May, the iceberg had broken free from the shelf, continuing its drift eastward along currents that also carried the famous A-68A iceberg in 2020.



The winter months in the southern hemisphere brought harsher conditions. The iceberg endured rough seas and freezing air, causing more ice to break off its edges.&nbsp;



Two of these newly formed icebergs were large enough to earn their own names and tracking status: A-23D and A-23E.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-radar-technology-nbsp">The role of radar technology&nbsp;</h2>



Radar technology played a key role in spotting and tracking these pieces. Jan Lieser from Australia’s <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bureau of Meteorology</a> first spotted the new icebergs using radar data from NovaSAR-1. 



These observations were later confirmed by the U.S. National Ice Center with radar images from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1 satellite.



“Radar satellites can take images of the Earth at polar night and through all weather conditions, including heavy clouds and even smoke,” noted Lieser.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-cycle-and-climate-impact">Life cycle and climate impact</h2>



Even after losing significant ice, A-23A remains the largest free-floating iceberg in the world’s oceans. Another iceberg, D-15A, is larger but grounded off East Antarctica’s Amery Sea.&nbsp;



As longer daylight hours brighten the South Atlantic, scientists expect A-23A to lose even more ice while it travels farther north.



Icebergs like A-23A serve as floating records of Antarctica’s changing climate. Their journeys help scientists learn how ocean currents and temperatures influence iceberg lifespans.&nbsp;



When <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/measuring-marine-environment-near-melting-mega-iceberg-a-68a-for-first-time/">icebergs</a> drift into warmer waters, melting accelerates, contributing freshwater to the ocean. This influx can affect local marine ecosystems and even influence global ocean circulation patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cascading-effects-of-icebergs">Cascading effects of icebergs</h2>



The breakup of large icebergs also releases nutrients trapped in the ice, feeding marine life and sometimes causing bursts of plankton growth.&nbsp;



These blooms can have cascading effects through the food chain, supporting fish and other wildlife around remote islands like South Georgia.



Tracking icebergs has become more precise thanks to advancements in satellite technology. Radar satellites provide consistent monitoring, unaffected by darkness or bad weather.&nbsp;



Visible light sensors complement these efforts during clear conditions. Together, they give scientists a clearer picture of iceberg movements and breakups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-iceberg-tracking-in-a-changing-world">Iceberg tracking in a changing world</h2>



The story of A-23A is more than just the tale of a drifting iceberg. It reflects broader changes happening in polar regions due to climate shifts.&nbsp;



Ice shelves in Antarctica are breaking off more frequently, and giant icebergs are becoming common visitors to subantarctic waters.



Monitoring these icebergs helps researchers understand how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-icebergs-are-not-the-main-threat-to-antarcticas-stability/">warming oceans</a> affect ice melt and the resulting impacts on sea levels and ecosystems. This knowledge is vital for predicting future changes and preparing for their consequences.



In the end, A-23A is a powerful reminder of nature’s slow but relentless changes. From its breakaway in Antarctica to its current fate in the South Atlantic, this iceberg’s path tells a story about time, climate, and the forces shaping our planet.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Decades adrift: The slow decay of iceberg A-23a

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features...

Acne is annoying. It shows up suddenly, sometimes right before an important event, and refuses to go away quickly. People have tried creams, pills, face washes, and countless home remedies. Some work, some don’t, and many take weeks.



That’s why pimple patches became so popular. You peel one off, stick it on the zit, and hope for the best. But researchers have now created a version that does much more than hide the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/teen-skin-bacteria-could-hold-the-secret-to-acne-prevention/">problem</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regular-pimple-patches-fall-short">Regular pimple patches fall short</h2>



Regular pimple patches soak up oil and moisture. Some release anti-inflammatory or antibacterial medicine. Others use microarrays - rows of tiny spikes - to push ingredients under the skin. They work, but there’s a catch. 



These spikes often shift during use, making the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/summer-skin-care-dermatologists-reveal-the-ingredients-they-trust/">patch</a> less effective and sometimes irritating. Shayan Fakhraei Lahiji, Yong-Hee Kim, and their colleagues thought they could fix this problem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-pimple-patch-that-locks-into-skin">A pimple patch that locks into skin</h2>



The team used a 3D printer to make arrowhead-shaped spikes instead of straight ones. These new shapes grip the skin and stay in place. The base of the patch is made of hyaluronic acid, a common skincare ingredient that also hydrates. 



Into that base, the researchers added either antibacterial agents like salicylic acid and cannabis sativa extract or anti-inflammatory agents such as niacinamide and chamomile extract. This design allowed them to treat acne in two stages - kill bacteria first, then calm the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indoor-comfort-depends-more-on-your-skin-than-the-air-temperature/">skin</a>.



The patch breaks treatment into steps, similar to how dermatologists manage acne. However, the patch delivers treatment more quickly, precisely, and directly to the affected area without any extra effort.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skin-solutions-for-everyday-people">Skin solutions for everyday people</h2>



To test the system, 20 people with acne tried the patches. On day one, they applied the antibacterial version. For the next six days, they used the anti-inflammatory version. The spikes dissolved in the skin within 30 to 90 minutes without pain or irritation.



Unlike creams or tablets, the patch delivered the medicine right where it was needed. Participants also appreciated the convenience, since the treatment blended easily into daily routines without drawing attention. 



This made the patch not only <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-skins-bacteria-could-be-a-natural-sunscreen/">effective</a> but also practical for real-world use, a critical factor when developing skincare solutions meant for everyday people rather than just controlled lab settings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-acne-reduced-by-81-percent">Acne reduced by 81 percent</h2>



The numbers were impressive. After three days, acne lesions dropped by 81 percent compared to untreated pimples. 



After seven days, the pimples disappeared completely. Sebum levels, the oily substance linked to acne, also went down.



Satisfaction was high - 95 percent of participants said they were happy with the treatment. For people who struggle with breakouts, these results are difficult to ignore.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-access-to-the-pimple-patch">Public access to the pimple patch</h2>



The team doesn’t plan to keep this as a lab experiment. The patches are expected to hit the market in fall 2025 in South Korea and the United States. 



Unlike trendy skincare products that vanish after a year, this one is backed by data. It is simple to use and clinically tested, making it stand out in a crowded industry.



The story doesn’t stop with pimples. Changing the ingredients could turn this small patch into a tool for tackling bigger medical problems.



“Our work highlights the potential of microarray patches as a platform for applications beyond acne treatment, ranging from skin disorders to obesity therapies and vaccine delivery,” explained Yong-Hee Kim.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-patch-big-future">Small patch, big future</h2>



A simple sticker for acne may not sound groundbreaking. Yet this study shows how science can turn a daily nuisance into an entry point for new medical technology. 



Today, it’s about clearer skin. Tomorrow, the same patch design might deliver vaccines or treat chronic diseases. That’s the kind of leap that starts small but matters everywhere.



And while acne may be the starting point, the broader lesson is clear: innovation often grows from solving everyday frustrations. What begins as a fix for a pimple could evolve into a platform that shapes future healthcare, proving that even the smallest inventions can spark big change.



The researchers are part of <a href="https://www.cursusbio.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cursus Bio Inc.</a>, a company that works on microarray technologies. Their efforts show how government support and private companies can push new treatments closer to real-world use.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsami.5c07718" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Applied Materials &amp; Interfaces</a>.



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Pimples may soon be a thing of the past with new medical patch

Acne is annoying. It shows up suddenly, sometimes right before...

When we walk across farmland, we see only the parts of plants above ground. Below the surface, roots provide stability, take up water and nutrients, and store carbon in the soil. Yet despite their importance, researchers have had no precise way to measure roots.



“We have always known that roots are important, but we have lacked a precise tool to measure them. It’s a bit like studying marine ecosystems without ever being able to dive beneath the surface of the water,” noted Henrik Brinch-Pedersen from <a href="https://international.au.dk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aarhus University</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-old-ways-failed-to-measure-roots">Old ways failed to measure roots</h2>



The usual way meant digging up soil, rinsing roots, drying them, and weighing them. It took hours and destroyed many of the fine roots that matter most. 



Scientists also tried methods like rhizotrons or tracer studies. These helped but often underestimated root <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-roots-rewire-themselves-to-fight-drought/">biomass</a>.



Fine roots - the ones that take up nutrients and release carbon - were especially easy to lose. Without them, much of the underground story stayed invisible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-reveals-hidden-root-systems">DNA reveals hidden root systems</h2>



Now comes droplet digital PCR, or ddPCR. Instead of tearing apart the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-roots-defy-gravity-when-water-is-scarce/">soil</a>, scientists divide a tiny sample into thousands of droplets and test each for DNA. They use a genetic marker called ITS2, which acts like a barcode. 



This doesn’t just show that roots exist in the soil. It shows which species they belong to and how much they contribute.



“It’s a bit like giving the soil a DNA test. We can suddenly see the hidden distribution of species and biomass without digging up the whole field,” said Brinch-Pedersen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reliable-root-measurements">Reliable root measurements</h2>



Earlier approaches like qPCR struggled with soil contaminants and inconsistent reactions. The ddPCR method avoids these problems by turning each droplet into a tiny reaction chamber. 



The technology counts DNA molecules directly, using statistics to link those counts to root biomass. The result is a reliable measurement, even in complex soils with multiple plant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-change-their-roots-to-survive-harsh-conditions/">species</a>.



The method also works across a wide range of concentrations. Whether the sample contains lots of roots or very few, ddPCR maintains accuracy. That flexibility makes it suitable for both small experimental plots and large, diverse fields.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-method-works-in-mixed-roots">DNA method works in mixed roots</h2>



To test it, researchers mixed soils containing ryegrass, white clover, and yarrow. They found that ddPCR identified each plant and measured its share of the underground biomass.



Hybrids like ryegrass crosses sometimes confused the system, but overall, the accuracy remained high.



Even when species grew together, the method could still tease apart their contributions. That is something old root washing methods could never do with confidence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-it-matters">Why it matters</h2>



The new digital DNA method has the potential to transform how we study crops. Climate researchers can now calculate how much carbon plants actually store underground.



Breeders can choose crop varieties that send more growth into roots without hurting yields. Ecologists can finally see how plants compete or cooperate beneath the surface.



“We see great potential in using this method to develop varieties that store more carbon in the soil. It could become an important tool in future agriculture,” noted Brinch-Pedersen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-roots-play-a-role-in-storing-carbon">Roots play a role in storing carbon</h2>



Roots are more than anchors. They could be powerful allies in slowing climate change. Plants pull in carbon dioxide and send some of it underground, where it can stay locked away for decades. But without precise tools, proving this has been difficult. The ddPCR technology gives scientists that missing tool.



Imagine grasslands where certain species funnel extra carbon into deep roots. Or croplands where breeders select varieties with stronger underground storage potential. With the right choices, agriculture could shift from being a major emitter to a carbon sink.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-still-remain">Challenges still remain</h2>



The method isn’t perfect. Hybrids remain tricky, since their DNA overlaps with parent species. Each plant type needs its own probe, which takes effort to design and test. 



Probe development requires careful validation, because even small genetic changes can throw results off. Still, once a probe library expands, the technology becomes faster and easier to apply.



“For us, the most important thing is that we have shown it can be done. That is the foundation we can build upon. Our vision is to expand the DNA library so that in the future we can measure many more species directly in soil samples,” noted Brinch-Pedersen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-roots-with-dna-tools">Studying roots with DNA tools</h2>



Droplet digital PCR already works in medicine for spotting rare mutations and pathogens. Applying it to roots is a natural next step. 



Once established, the method is simple, scalable, and powerful. It could help create crops that store more carbon belowground while keeping food production steady.



Beyond crops, the technology could also reshape how we manage ecosystems. Grasslands, forests, and mixed farmlands all depend on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-roots-use-a-chemical-code-to-fight-stress-and-share-resources/">root systems</a> we rarely measure well. Now, we finally have a way to look underground without tearing everything apart.



For the first time, researchers can explore the hidden world beneath our feet - and measure it with confidence.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/plphys/article/198/3/kiaf276/8173641" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plant Physiology</a>.



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Unlocking the hidden half of plants with DNA

When we walk across farmland, we see only the parts...

Commercial beekeepers entered 2025 with hives that should have been ready for almonds. Yet, many watched their colonies dwindle week after week. 



Reports from across the United States pointed to deep bee losses and a puzzle that demanded answers fast.



In late winter, federal teams pulled samples and tallied the damage. 



A USDA press account put the average losses above 60 percent since the prior summer, about 1.7 million colonies, with an estimated cost of $600 million.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bee-colonies-collapse-under-parasite">Bee colonies collapse under parasite</h2>



A <a href="https://www.usda.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USDA</a> preprint traced the crash to a sharp rise in viruses in <a href="https://honeybeenet.gsfc.nasa.gov/Honeybees/Basics.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">honey bees</a>, coupled with widespread resistance in the parasitic mite that spreads them. 



The team screened pooled samples from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/science-is-giving-beekeepers-a-better-way-to-fight-colony-collapse/">living colonies</a> and individual sick bees, then checked the mites for resistance markers.



The culprit was Varroa destructor, an external <a href="https://www.ars.usda.gov/pacific-west-area/tucson-az/carl-hayden-bee-research-center/research/varroa/varroa-overview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parasitic mite</a> that feeds on bees and spreads viruses among them. When mite levels surge, virus transmission accelerates inside a colony, and the workforce ages out faster than it can be replaced.



In the lab, inocula taken from dying bees killed healthy bees even at extreme dilutions, aligning with field observations of rapid collapse.



The authors concluded that viruses were a likely end stage in the failure sequence. Other pressures probably primed colonies to collapse.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viruses-pushing-hives-over-the-edge">Viruses pushing hives over the edge</h2>



Two <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-it-possible-to-smell-pathogens-and-fight-them-before-an-infection/">pathogens</a> stood out: deformed wing virus and acute bee paralysis virus. Both are <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25675979/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">single-stranded RNA viruses</a>, and both can shorten adult lifespans and cripple brood production when they run unchecked.



Lead researcher Zachary S. Lamas is with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bee Research Laboratory (ARS).



"Miticide resistance was found in all collected Varroa, underscoring the urgent need for new control strategies for this parasite," he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-treatments-stop-working">When treatments stop working</h2>



For years, many operations leaned on amitraz, a synthetic acaricide used to knock back mites. A miticide is a pesticide formulated to kill mites, and rotating products is one way to slow the development of resistance in the target pest.



An outside study linked a mutation in Varroa mites to their growing ability to survive amitraz treatments in the United States. 



That mutation turns up when selection pressure favors mites that can survive a treatment, which leaves beekeepers with fewer reliable tools.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bee-parasites-spread-viral-threats">Bee parasites spread viral threats</h2>



Honey bees are a managed pollinator, and their viruses do not always stay in one place. There is evidence that <a href="https://txbeeinspection.tamu.edu/deformed-wing-virus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deformed wing virus (DWV)</a> can replicate in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-honey-bee-day-2025-why-pollinators-matter/">bumble bees</a> under certain conditions, even though natural transmission routes can be limited.



Spillover risk rises around dense apiaries where mites and viruses are abundant - an issue that matters because wild pollinators add resilience to landscapes that rely on many different insects to carry pollen.



That risk is especially relevant in large-scale pollination events. California’s almond bloom is the biggest managed pollination effort in the world. 



Each year, about 2.4 million hives are required, with more than 1.5 million trucked in from across the country.



“Our nation’s food supply thrives and is sustained, by the work of our pollinators,” said Acting ARS Administrator Joon Park. And food production leans on bees for far more than just nuts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-mite-behind-the-spiral">The mite behind the spiral</h2>



Varroa mites move quickly among adult workers and feed on developing brood. Even low numbers of this bee parasite can seed a virus outbreak that escalates as colonies ramp up.



Unchecked mite growth can push a colony past a tipping point, where older workers die faster than new workers emerge. At that stage, the population curve bends downward and the colony falters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pressure-from-many-directions">Pressure from many directions</h2>



Pesticide exposure, poor forage, heat, and transport stress can all weaken a colony’s ability to handle infection. 



Those stressors do not act alone, and their combined effects show up in shorter lifespans and poorer brood patterns.



"While viruses are a likely end-stage cause of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parasitic-crickets-hide-in-ant-colonies-without-being-caught/">colony death</a>, these results do not rule out the importance of other long-known challenges to honey bees," said ARS Research Leader Dr. Judy Chen. She emphasized that viruses likely act as the last step in a chain of problems.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-action-on-bee-parasites-saves-colonies">Early action on bee parasites saves colonies</h2>



Operations benefit from measuring mite loads on a schedule and treating before thresholds are crossed. Rotating active ingredients and incorporating non chemical tools like brood breaks can slow resistance and reduce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bees-spread-viruses-to-bumblebees-in-the-spring/">virus</a> pressure.



Nutrition still matters. Access to diverse pollen can support immune function in workers and help colonies recover from routine stress.



Researchers are screening bees and mites from new loss events to monitor resistance and viral combinations. The search is also on for new chemistries and non chemical strategies that can slot into real world workflows.



Better early warning would help. If beekeepers can catch mite numbers before winter, they can prevent the late season spiral that takes colonies down when they are least able to rebuild.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.05.28.656706v1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bioRxiv</a>.



Image: Varroa destructor recto verso, by Gilles San Martin, via <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Varroa_recto_verso_vertical.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wikimedia Commons</a>, CC BY-SA 3.0 license.



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Scientists identify the parasite that's driving bees 'into a death spiral'

Commercial beekeepers entered 2025 with hives that should have been...

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