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6 articles from Guardian Unlimited Science

Image of star cluster more than 10bn years ago sheds light on early stages of universe

James Webb space telescope brings insight into birth of stars at ‘cosmic noon’ with image of NGC 346 clusterScientists have been given an unprecedented glimpse into the birth of stars and the early stages of the universe, after a new image showing a cluster more than 10bn years ago was released by the James Webb space telescope.The image shows a young cluster of stars, known as NGC 346, which...

When our memories become meaningful | Brief letters

The 70s for over-60s | Essential services | ‘Working’ royals | Wordsearch | Coming outProf Rob Ford seems to have a very dim view of the ability of individuals to remember anything before they were adult if he really thinks that you need to be aged over 60 to have any “meaningful memory” of 1978 (Carrots, sticks and Thatcher replays: what is Sunak’s strikes strategy?, 6 January). I am...

Ukraine war pushes civilian casualties from explosive weapons to four-year high

Reported casualties in Ukraine were eight times more than Afghanistan – and real figure likely to be much higherRussia-Ukraine war – latest news updatesCivilian casualties from the use of explosive weapons soared by 83% last year because of the war in Ukraine, according to a monitoring organisation that counts the number of deaths caused by conflict and war.Action on Armed Violence (AOVA) said...

Russia to launch mission to rescue stranded ISS crew after meteoroid strike

Space agency mounts rescue mission to bring home two cosmonauts and US astronaut marooned on ISSMoscow will launch a rescue vessel to the International Space Station next month to bring home three crew members who are in effect stuck in orbit after their original capsule was hit by a meteoroid.The docked Soyuz MS-22 sprang a major leak last month, spraying radiator coolant into space and prompting...

UK space launch: does failure spell end of Britain’s ambitions?

Five key questions answered after first Cornish space mission ended in failureThis piece is extracted from our First Edition newsletter. To sign up, click hereAfter a Virgin Orbit Boeing 747 took off from Cornwall at 10pm, carrying what would have been the first satellites to get into space from anywhere in western Europe, spectators at the launch site outside Newquay did a conga.The rocket...

Wednesday briefing: Does failure to launch spell the end of the UK’s space ambitions?

In today’s newsletter: The first rocket mission from the UK didn’t reach orbit, but industry leaders explain why the burgeoning field is ready for liftoff – and what comes nextSign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning. There were two awkward misfires arising from the UK’s pioneering space launch on Monday, and this newsletter isn’t about Grant Shapps’s dodgy...