Astronomers have achieved a breakthrough with the James Webb Space Telescope, crafting the most precise cosmic map of dark matter, a mysterious substance making up the majority of the universe. Although invisible to telescopes and the human eye, dark matter outlines the gravitational framework of the cosmos, juxtaposing ordinary matter, which comprises only a small fraction of space’s contents.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has moved its symbolic ‘Doomsday Clock’ to 85 seconds before midnight, the closest it has ever been. This change reflects escalating nuclear threats from global powers like Russia, China, and the United States, alongside ongoing geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as concerns about artificial intelligence.
Since its inception in 1947, the Doomsday Clock has been a stark reminder of humanity’s proximity to potential self-destruction, originally set in the context of Cold War anxieties. Today, it continues to underscore the urgency for global cooperation to mitigate existential risks, especially in an era of growing technological advancements.
(With inputs from agencies.)