Universal Gatherings

A rare visitor from beyond our Solar System—designated 3I/ATLAS —is slicing through our neighbourhood, presenting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study material from another star system. Discovered on 1 July 2025 by the Asteroid Terrestrial‑impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Chile, this object is the third confirmed interstellar visitor after 1I/ʻOumuamua and 2I/Borisov and will reach its closest point to the Sun (perihelion) around 30 October 2025 at about 1.4 astronomical units (AU). The good news: it poses no threat to Earth, with its closest approach remaining at roughly 1.8 AU. Key Numbers Discovery date: 1 July 2025. Speed: ~130,000 mph (≈210,000 km/h) relative to the Sun. Perihelion: ~30 October 2025 at ~1.4 AU from the Sun. Closest Earth distance: ~1.8 AU (~270 million km). Objects before it: 1I/ʻOumuamua (2017) & 2I/Borisov (2019). Quick Facts & Timeline When was 3I/ATLAS discovered? It was officially reported on 1...

Sunita Williams, the renowned NASA astronaut, has left her mark with history-making space missions that have inspired millions around the world. Although her career has been well documented, one person has remained her steadfast support—her husband, Michael J. Williams. Sunita Williams: NASA Astronaut, Space Pioneer & Record-Breaking Spacewalker Who is Sunita Williams? Sunita Lyn “Suni” Williams / p æ n d j ə / (néePandya; born September 19, 1965) is an American astronaut and a United States Navy officer, who has held the rank of Captain. During her years for NASA, she has become one of the agency’s most seasoned space explorers, setting records for spacewalks and commanding important missions on the International Space Station, or ISS. Williams has participated in several space missions, including: An Expedition 14 crew member Expedition 15 and 32 flight engineer The men and women of Expedition 33 And in 2024 as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew progr...

Sunita Williams is a prominent NASA astronaut best known for her contributions to space missions. Born in Euclid, Ohio, on September 19, 1965, she has had a successful career. Williams is also the woman with the longest single-duration spaceflight record, having logged 195 days on board the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Expeditions 14 and 15. She is also an expert in extravehicular activities, as demonstrated by her seven spacewalks (50 hours, 40 minutes total). She has become a leading voice in space exploration, and her accomplishments and commitment are the reasons why. Early Life and Education: Born on September 19, 1965, in Euclid, Ohio, Sunita Williams was the youngest of three children in a mixed Indian and Slovenian family that grew up in Needham, Massachusetts. Her father, Dr. Deepak Pandya is an Indian-American neuroanatomist from Gujarat, India and her mother, Bonnie Pandya is of Slovene descent. Such exposure to different cultures has given Sunita a ...

Picture an organism able to survive under the most extreme circumstances one could think of – even in the vacuum of space! Say hello to the tardigrade, a tiny, well-nigh-indestructible creature known colloquially as a "water bear" or a "moss piglet." These minuscule invertebrates, ranging in size from about 0.5 millimeters, have intrigued scientists and nature lovers alike because of how easily they survive extreme conditions. Tardigrades live in diverse habitats, from the depths of the oceans to mountain peaks, in freshwater or marine environments. Their strength and resilience are so impressive they have the ability to survive extreme conditions including high temperatures, intense radiation, and a lack of water for months. Their adaptability has made them a popular topic of research since knowing how these creatures can survive in almost any condition may help in areas like space exploration and biotechnology. Everything You Need to Know About Tardigrade...