Space News: Astronomers spot white dwarf star creating a colorful shockwave

 Astronomers spot white dwarf star creating a colorful shockwave

In the shockwave, a red hue represented hydrogen, green represented nitrogen, and blue represented oxygen residing in interstellar space.

By Reuters, January 13, 2026

https://www.jpost.com/science/article-883170

The central square image, taken with the MUSE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope, shows shock waves around the dead

 star RXJ0528+2838.(photo credit: European Southern Observatory (ESO)/K. Ilkiewicz and S. Scaringi et al./Handout via REUTERS)

Astronomers have observed a white dwarf - a highly compact Earth-sized stellar ember - that is creating a colorful shockwave as it moves through space, leaving them searching for an explanation.

The highly magnetized white dwarf is gravitationally bound to another star in what is called a binary system. The white dwarf is siphoning gas from its companion as the two orbit close to each other. The system is located in the Milky Way about 730 light-years from Earth - relatively nearby in cosmic terms - in the constellation Auriga.

A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion km).

The shockwave - more specifically a bow shock - caused by the white dwarf was observed using the European Southern Observatory's Chile-based Very Large Telescope. The shockwave was seen in an image released by the scientists glowing in various colors produced when material flowing outward from the white dwarf collided with interstellar gas.

"A shockwave is created when fast-moving material plows into surrounding gas, suddenly compressing and heating it. A bow shock is the curved shock front that forms when an object moves rapidly through space, similar to the wave in front of a boat moving through water," said astrophysicist Simone Scaringi of Durham University in England, co-lead author of the study published on Monday in the journal Nature Astronomy.

This illustration shows a stage in the predicted merger between our Milky Way galaxy and the neighboring Andromeda galaxy, as it will unfold over the next several billion years. In this image, representing Earth's night sky in 3.75 billion years, Andromeda (left) fills the field of view (credit: NASA; ESA; Z. Levay and R. van der Marel, STScI; T. Hallas; and A. Mellinger)

"The colors come from interstellar gas that is being heated and excited by the shock. Different chemical elements glow at specific colors when this happens," Scaringi added.

In this shockwave, a red hue represented hydrogen, green represented nitrogen, and blue represented oxygen residing in interstellar space.

A handful of other white dwarfs have been observed creating shockwaves. But all of those were surrounded by disks of gas siphoned from a binary partner. Although this white dwarf is siphoning gas from its companion, it lacks any such disk and is releasing gas into space for unknown reasons.

The universe's most compact objects

White dwarfs are among the universe's most compact objects, though not as dense as black holes.

Stars with up to eight times the mass of the sun appear destined to end up as a white dwarf. They eventually burn up all the hydrogen they use as fuel. Gravity then causes them to collapse and blow off their outer layers in a "red giant" stage, eventually leaving behind a compact core - the white dwarf.

"There are plenty of white dwarfs out there, as these are the most common endpoints of stellar evolution," Scaringi said.

The sun appears fated to end its existence as a white dwarf, billions of years from now.

This white dwarf has a mass comparable to the sun contained in a body slightly larger than Earth. Its binary companion is a type of low-mass star called a red dwarf that is about a tenth the mass of the sun and thousands of times less luminous. It orbits the white dwarf every 80 minutes, with the two extremely close to each other - approximately the distance between the moon and Earth.

The gravitational strength of the white dwarf is pulling gas off the red dwarf. This siphoned material is being pulled into the white dwarf along its strong magnetic field, eventually landing at its magnetic poles. While this process releases energy and radiation, it cannot account for the outflow of material needed to produce the observed shockwave, Scaringi said.

"Every mechanism with outflowing gas we have considered does not explain our observation, and we still remain puzzled by this system, which is why this result is so interesting and exciting," Scaringi said.

"The shape and length of the (shockwave) structure show that this process has been ongoing for at least about 1,000 years, making it long-lived rather than a one-off event," Scaringi added.

The researchers took note of the aesthetics of the colorful shockwave.

"Beyond the science, it's a striking reminder that space is not empty or static as we may naively imagine it: it's dynamic and sculpted by motion and energy," Scaringi said.

An unexpected shock wave

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Space News: NASA returns ISS crew early for first time in history, due to 'serious medical condition'

NASA returns ISS crew early for first time in history, due to 'serious medical condition'

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman told reporters that the decision was made to return the astronaut because the capability to diagnose and treat them properly is not available on the ISS.

By Reuters, January 9, 2026

https://www.jpost.com/science/space/article-882839

ROSCOSMOS COSMONAUT Alexey Zubritskiy conducts a spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS), October 16, 2025.

(photo credit: Oleg Platonov/Roscosmos/Handout via REUTERS)

A "serious medical condition" with a crew member aboard the International Space Station has led NASA to bring the astronaut and three crewmates back to Earth months earlier than planned, the first such emergency return in the orbiting laboratory's 25-year history, senior space agency officials said Friday.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman in a short-notice press conference in Washington told reporters that he and medical officials made the decision to return the astronaut, whom he did not identify, because "the capability to diagnose and treat this properly does not live on the International Space Station."

The NASA officials did not identify which of the Crew-11 mission's four astronauts is experiencing the medical issue or describe its nature, citing the crew member's privacy. NASA Chief Health and Medical Officer James Polk said "this was not an injury that occurred in the pursuit of operations," meaning it did not happen while the astronaut was working.

NASA on Wednesday afternoon called off a planned spacewalk with two US astronauts that had been scheduled for Thursday over what it described as a "medical concern" with an astronaut, later saying in a midnight statement that it was considering ending the astronaut's rotation mission early.

The crew includes US astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. They have been on the space station since launching from Florida in August and were scheduled to return around May this year.

MISSION SPECIALIST Oleg Platonov of Roscosmos, Pilot Mike Fincke of the US, Commander Zena Cardman of the US, and Mission Specialist Kimiya Yui of Japan's JAXA, react as they stand outside the Operations & Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space Center, August 1, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Steve Nesius TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Fincke, the station's designated commander, and Cardman, assigned as flight engineer, were scheduled to conduct a 6.5-hour spacewalk on Thursday to install hardware outside the station.

NASA keeps ISS medical situations secret

NASA's astronaut corps regards medical situations on the ISS as closely held secrets, and astronauts rarely acknowledge or describe publicly their medical conditions.

Spacewalks are arduous and risky missions that require months of training, involving bulky spacesuits and carefully coordinated instructions while tethered to the ISS.

NASA in 2024 called off a planned spacewalk last-minute because an astronaut experienced "spacesuit discomfort." US astronaut Mark Vande Hei in 2021 called off his spacewalk over a pinched nerve.

First-ever medical evacuation from International Space Station

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Defense News: Israel’s Ministry of Defense Pivots to Autonomous Drone Swarms for Border Security

 

Israel’s Ministry of Defense Pivots to Autonomous Drone Swarms for Border Security

From “drone hives” to AI-driven swarms, Israel accelerates a shift toward persistent autonomous border defense while opening the door for agile domestic innovators to reshape the future battlefield

By Ami Rojkes Dombe, Israeldefense,co.il, 08/01/2026

https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/67414

                                          Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

The Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) is spearheading a strategic shift in border security, leaning heavily into autonomous technologies while implementing a new policy designed to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the defense sector. This shift is already yielding results, as seen in recent high-profile contract awards.

The Rise of the "Drone Hive"

A cornerstone of this new strategy is the development and deployment of "Drone Hives"—autonomous UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) arrays—along Israel’s borders. Airobotics, a subsidiary of Ondas Holdings (NASDAQ: ONDS), has been selected as the prime contractor for this pivotal project.

The selection of Airobotics underscores a global defense trend: the transition toward persistent, unmanned systems for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR), and tactical response. Ondas Holdings has strategically positioned itself in this space by acquiring prominent Israeli tech firms, including Airobotics, Iron Drone, and Roboteam, creating an integrated ecosystem of aerial drones and ground robotics.

 Strategic Partnerships and Global Provenance

Airobotics’ solution arrives with a proven track record, having already deployed similar "drone-in-a-box" systems in the Gulf States. To execute this mission, SPEAR (part of the UVision group) will serve as a subcontractor, ensuring a synergy of top-tier technological expertise.

This contract follows a previous award to XTEND, which is tasked with supplying thousands of tactical kinetic drones. While those units utilize certain off-the-shelf hardware components, they are integrated and "combat-readied" within Israel to meet strict operational requirements.

The Next Frontier: AI-Powered Attrition

The IMOD's roadmap extends well into the future of autonomous warfare. A forthcoming tender is expected to focus on the next generation of attack drones, specifically those integrating advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI).

To prepare for this procurement, the Ministry is planning a concentrated "Field Evaluation Day" in the coming months, inviting companies specializing in AI-driven defense solutions to demonstrate their capabilities in real-world scenarios.

The Bottom Line: Israel is doubling down on its position as a global leader in defense technology. By integrating AI, autonomous swarms, and a diverse industrial base, the IMOD is building a multi-layered, unmanned "digital wall" to secure its borders.

How Israel’s Drone Swarms Are Redefining Modern Combat

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Defense News: Elbit Systems Secures $150M Iron Fist APS Contracts for Europe’s CV90 Fleet

Elbit Systems Secures $150M Iron Fist APS Contracts for Europe’s CV90 Fleet

BAE Systems Hägglunds to integrate the active protection system on NATO-operated infantry fighting vehicles following successful live-fire trials

By Eyal Boguslavsky, Israeldefense.co.il  07/01/2026

https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/67398

            A CV90 fitted with the Iron Fist system for firing trials in 2024 (photo Elbit Systems)

Israeli defense company Elbit Systems announced that it has been awarded new contracts totaling $150 million for its Iron Fist Active Protection System (APS) by BAE Systems Hägglunds, for integration into CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) operated by European NATO member states. The company did not disclose the names of the countries involved.

According to Elbit, these new awards follow a major milestone achieved in September 2025, when the company conducted a live-fire demonstration in Europe showcasing Iron Fist’s ability to defeat advanced kinetic energy (KE) threats. During the trials, the system successfully intercepted more than a dozen 120mm KE APFSDS tank rounds—a rare achievement in the active protection systems domain. The demonstration validated Iron Fist’s effectiveness against some of the most challenging anti-armor threats encountered on modern battlefields.

                 An artist's rendering of the Iron Fist system on a CV90. (Elbit Systems)

More than a year earlier, in August 2024, IsraelDefense reported that Elbit Systems had been awarded a contract worth approximately $130 million to supply Iron Fist systems to BAE Systems Hägglunds, for installation on the CV90 IFV fleet of a European country.

At the same time, it was reported that Denmark had finalized a procurement deal with BAE Systems for 115 CV9035 MKIIIC IFVs, valued at approximately $1.5 billion. These vehicles are expected to be equipped with Iron Fist systems.

Commenting on the announcement, Yehuda (Udi) Vered, General Manager of Elbit Systems Land, emphasized that Iron Fist continues to strengthen its presence among Western armies, reflecting growing confidence in the system’s capabilities across Europe and beyond. He added: “The results of our recent live-fire trials only reinforce this trust. We value the strong partnership we have developed with BAE Systems Hägglunds, which plays a key role in expanding our footprint across Europe, and we are proud that our innovative, highly advanced solution will enhance the protection of forces around the world.”

Elbit supplies Iron Fist APS for European CV90 fighting vehicles

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Health & Wellness News: Dr. Maya Rosman: These are the best carbohydrates for health

 

Dr. Maya Rosman: These are the best carbohydrates for health

Winter is here, and we all want more comforting and filling food – and what’s better than carbohydrates. Here are some of the best ones you can eat without guilt.

By Dr. Maya Rosman, Jerusalem Post, January 4, 2026

https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/nutrition/article-882221

Quinoa stew  (photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)

In winter it almost happens by itself: The days are shorter, it’s colder, the body looks for warmth and comfort – and the craving for carbohydrates increases. Suddenly pasta, rice, ptitim or baked goods feel much more inviting than a cold salad.

This is no coincidence: Carbohydrates temporarily raise serotonin levels in the brain, contribute to a feeling of satiety and calm, and give a sense of “comfort food.” But that doesn’t mean you have to choose white, processed carbohydrates.

If you’re already craving them, you can choose carbohydrates that also provide nutritional value, fiber, vitamins, and better satiety – not just empty calories. Instead of white rice, regular pasta or ptitim, there are quite a few preferable options – ones that are digested more slowly, have less impact on blood sugar levels, and fit better into a balanced diet even during the winter season. The right choice can make a big difference in feelings of fullness, energy throughout the day, and even weight control.

So I prepared a list of the 5 most recommended as a healthy side dish to our main hot meal – here they are:

Quinoa

Yes, quinoa is a carbohydrate, even if it is sometimes customary to classify it as protein – and it is better to relate to it that way. It does indeed contain high-quality and relatively complete protein by plant standards, but its main contribution to the diet is as a filling and high-quality carbohydrate. Beyond that, quinoa provides important minerals such as magnesium and iron, B vitamins, and dietary fiber that contribute to satiety and regulation of blood sugar levels. This combination makes it a better choice than most white grains, especially for those looking for a carbohydrate that does not cause a sharp increase in hunger shortly after the meal.

Sweet potato

Sweet potato is considered a more “body-friendly” carbohydrate compared to many other sources. It is digested more slowly, has a relatively low glycemic index (certainly compared to fried potatoes or baked goods), and is rich in beta-carotene – a substance the body converts into vitamin A, which is important for skin health, vision, and the immune system. In addition, sweet potato provides potassium and dietary fiber, and therefore is filling and contributes to better appetite balance throughout the day.

Sweet Potatoes 

Oats

Oats are nutritionally superior to regular wheat, and it’s no coincidence that they appear in many nutritional recommendations. They are rich in minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and iron, contain B vitamins, and provide unique fibers of the beta-glucan type, which have been found to help lower cholesterol levels and balance blood sugar levels. Beyond that, oats create a longer-lasting feeling of fullness compared to baked goods or breakfast cereals made from processed wheat, and therefore are a carbohydrate that is also suitable for those trying to control weight or avoid frequent snacking.

Oats
 

Buckwheat

Despite the misleading name, buckwheat is not wheat and does not contain gluten. It is a natural carbohydrate with a relatively impressive nutritional profile: It is rich in magnesium, zinc, and antioxidants, and contributes to a more moderate rise in blood sugar levels compared to processed grains. Buckwheat is considered a filling carbohydrate, with a positive effect on feelings of satiety and energy stability, and therefore is a good choice for those looking to diversify carbohydrate sources without loading the body with readily available, fast sugar.

Buckwheat 

Buckwheat salad (credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)

Legumes – and also pasta made from legumes

Legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, and beans are sometimes perceived as plant-based protein – and rightly so – but in practice they are also an excellent source of high-quality carbohydrates. They are very rich in dietary fiber, provide important minerals such as iron and magnesium, and combine plant protein with a slowly digested carbohydrate. This combination makes them especially filling and helps balance blood sugar levels over time.

In this context, pasta made from legumes – such as pasta from orange lentils, yellow lentils, or peas – is also an excellent solution for those who want pasta, but with higher nutritional value. They contain more protein and fiber compared to wheat pasta, and cause less of a “spike” in hunger and blood sugar, which makes them a far preferable choice in most diets.

Lentils 

Chickpeas 

Beans 

Is it really necessary to eat carbohydrates?

And the truth is that it’s important to say honestly: No, it is not mandatory to eat carbohydrates.

Unlike protein, which contains essential amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own, and unlike fat, which provides essential fatty acids – there is no such thing as an “essential carbohydrate.”

The body knows how to produce glucose on its own from proteins and other sources, and therefore a diet can be completely healthy even if it contains very few carbohydrates. Still, we shouldn’t forget… for many people, carbohydrates in the right amount and type make the diet more convenient, more filling, and easier to stick to – and that is no less important a consideration.

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Defense News: India to procure 1,000 SPICE air-to-surface missiles from Israel's Rafael as part of arms package

 India to procure 1,000 SPICE air-to-surface missiles from Israel's Rafael as part of arms package

India is the biggest customer of Israeli defense industries, accounting for about 34% of all exports between 2020 and 2024.

By DEAN SHMUEL ELMAS/GLOBES/TNS, DECEMBER 31, 2025 

https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-881868

Rafael's SPICE missile  (photo credit: RAFAEL ADVANCED DEFENSE SYSTEMS)

India's Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, yesterday approved extensive procurement for an overall $8.7 billion.

Among the many arms included in the deal are SPICE 1000 guidance kits (SPICE 1000/Light Hail) manufactured by Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, according to reports in the Indian media.

SPICE is a family of precise and autonomous air-to-ground weapon systems, with a range of up to 100 kilometers, with three types of bombs of different weights. SPICE 1000 weighs about 500 kilograms, and the entire system, developed by Rafael, has won the Israel Defense Prize.

The uniqueness of the SPICE family is the ability to navigate and home in on the target autonomously, independently of GPS, using an electro-optical homing head that incorporates an innovative mathematical algorithm, which compares the target image to what it sees in real time and thus achieves extremely high hit accuracy of less than three meters.

India's fighting with Pakistan in May highlighted the country's need for arms in diverse systems in general and from Israel in particular. This was clearly reflected in early November when the Director General of the Defense Ministry, Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen security cooperation with his Indian counterpart, Rajesh Kumar Singh.

Rampage missile fired from a fighter jet (credit: IAI)

Israel defense industries biggest customer

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India is the biggest customer of Israeli defense industries, accounting for about 34% of all exports between 2020 and 2024.

Last month, the IDRW website reported that a delegation from the Indian Defense Ministry had secretly arrived in Israel, to reach agreements that would lead to India procuring Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Air LORA ballistic missiles and Rafael's Ice Breaker cruise missiles, but would also manufacture them itself.

Previous reports in India have already indicated that India wants Air LORA missiles following the great success of the Rampage missiles in the recent fighting with Pakistan.

Rampage has a range of about 250 kilometers, and the Indian Air Force uses it on Sukhoi 30 and MiG 29 aircraft. Rampage is very accurate, but its range is about 150-250 kilometers, which puts Indian fighter jets at risk against Pakistani defense systems made in China. In contrast, Air LORA has a range of about 400 kilometers, and with it fighter jets can hit targets, without endangering themselves from advanced air defense systems.

Air LORA, developed at IAI's MLM plant, is designed to hit missile sites, military bases and air defense systems. The missile weighs about 1,600 kilograms, flies at supersonic speed, and uses satellite navigation that is protected from jamming. One of its most notable advantages is the "launch and forget" method, meaning it is launched to the target and does not need to be guided along the way. Its warheads are diverse and can be designed to hit soft targets or bunkers. With a range of about 400 kilometers and a strike radius of only about ten meters, it is expected to allow India to hit any Pakistani base. 

India is also interested in the Rafael's Ice Breaker cruise missile, which is designed for attacks at ranges of about 300 kilometers against land and sea targets. The missile is effective in all weather conditions, can function well in environments saturated with electronic warfare, and has infrared (IIR)-based navigation and missile guidance capabilities, which, through AI, can acquire and identify targets.

SPICE 250, SPICE 1000 & SPICE 2000 Air-to-Surface Missiles

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