Currently, Earth is undergoing one of its three most active meteor showers. The Eta Aquariids, remnants of Halley’s comet, are observed during the month of May. During this period, Earth approaches the comet’s orbit at a distance of approximately 9.7 million kilometers (6 million miles), which is close enough to collect residual dust particles.

The Eta Aquariids exhibit a frequency of up to one meteor per minute, although this level of activity is limited to individuals residing near the equator and in the southern tropics. For the rest of the population on Earth, it is anticipated that there will be a more moderate but still highly respectable rate of 10 to 30 meteors per hour. The optimal time in the Northern Hemisphere is during the pre-dawn period when the sky is at its maximum darkness, particularly in areas located away from urban centers. The midnight hours are also favorable in the Southern Hemisphere.

Allow approximately 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt; thus, it is important to take this into account. The duration of the meteor shower spans from April 19 to May 28 annually. The zenith of meteor activity is anticipated to occur during the nights of May 5th and 6th; however, there is a high probability of observing numerous meteors throughout the entire week.

Our orbit intersects with the orbit of Halley’s comet twice annually. In May, this event results in the occurrence of a meteor shower. In October, the remnants form the Orionid meteor shower. The Eta Aquariids derive their name from their origin at the star Eta Aquarii.

Halley’s comet exhibits significant luminosity and possesses a comparatively brief orbital period, completing one revolution around the sun every 76 years. For a period of more than 2,250 years, humans have been engaged in the act of observing it. The earliest documented sighting of this phenomenon occurred in 240 BCE and was recorded in the Book of Han by Chinese astronomers in 12 BCE. The year 1066 witnessed the depiction of this event in two significant historical records: the Bayeux Tapestry, which documented the Norman Conquest of England, and the petroglyphs created by the Chaco, indigenous Americans in present-day New Mexico.

The appearance of a comet in 1301 inspired Giotto di Bondone to depict the Star of Bethlehem as a comet, which had a lasting influence on its portrayal for the next seven centuries. Although observations had been made for thousands of years, it was not until 1705 that Edmond Halley discovered the periodicity of them.

The most recent observation of the object from Earth occurred in 1986, and it is expected to return to the inner solar system in 2061. Currently, it is returning to its original position after reaching its maximum distance from the sun in December.

A novel mRNA vaccine candidate for highly malignant brain cancer has exhibited encouraging results in a limited-scale clinical trial, albeit with a unique approach. In addition to conducting vaccine trials on a small number of human cancer patients, the researchers are also utilizing data from 10 pet dogs.

It is customary for drugs and treatments intended for human use to undergo animal trials initially. Frequently, this phase of the process occurs subsequent to laboratory experiments conducted on cells but prior to any involvement of human volunteers in the administration of the drug. Despite ongoing endeavors to diminish animal testing and substitute it with alternative methods, it remains a fundamental component of pharmaceutical research.

Typically, however, our intention is not to medically treat animals for a disease they acquired in a natural manner. Scientists create models in species with organ systems that closely resemble those of humans, utilizing drugs, surgery, or genetic modification to imitate human diseases.

In the context of this mRNA vaccine, that stage was accomplished in mice. However, there was an additional, atypical measure. Dogs are the exclusive nonhuman species that are susceptible to the occurrence of spontaneous brain tumors. This makes them a valuable resource for testing treatments in a more authentic environment.

Ten pet dog owners granted consent for their canines to participate. Glioma, a type of cancer, is universally lethal, making this trial their sole available treatment option. In contrast to the typical average survival time of 30–60 days following a diagnosis, the dogs experienced a median survival of 139 days after receiving the vaccine, allowing for a significant increase in opportunities for treats and belly rubs.

Following successful outcomes in both the mice and the dogs, the researchers proceeded to administer the vaccine to four human patients diagnosed with glioblastoma. This is the most malignant type of brain cancer, characterized by a low rate of survival.

At present, it is premature to have a comprehensive understanding of the clinical impacts of the vaccine. However, it is established that all patients experienced either a prolonged period without illness or a longer-than-anticipated survival rate. The results are so encouraging that a larger Phase I trial is now scheduled to encompass both pediatric and adult populations.

What is the mechanism of action of the vaccine?

As observed in previous advancements in this field, one significant benefit of mRNA-based vaccines for cancer is their ability to be customized for individual patients. The glioblastoma vaccine incorporates this feature alongside a pioneering delivery system.

“Rather than injecting individual particles, we are injecting clusters of particles that are coiling around each other, similar to onions in a bag,” explained Dr. Elias Sayour, senior author from the University of Florida, in a statement. “The rationale behind this approach in the context of cancer is that these clusters stimulate the immune system to a greater extent than individual particles.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have gained a greater understanding of mRNA vaccines; however, the mechanisms behind their functioning differ slightly. The RNA is obtained from the tumor cells of each patient and then enclosed in a lipid nanoparticle “costume.”. Upon reintroduction into the bloodstream, the immune system perceives this substance as a virus, thereby preparing itself to react to any remaining cancerous cells.

The process of personalization customizes the vaccine to suit the individual patient, thereby optimizing its effectiveness. Additionally, the delivery system enhances the immune system’s ability to respond quickly.

“Within a span of less than 48 hours, we may witness a transformation of these tumors from an ‘immune cold’ state, characterized by a scarcity of immune cells and a suppressed immune response, to an ‘immune hot’ state, marked by a highly active immune response,” Sayour noted.

“The study’s discovery that producing an mRNA cancer vaccine in this manner elicits comparable and robust reactions in mice, pet dogs with naturally occurring cancer, and human patients with brain cancer is a highly significant finding. This is because it is often uncertain how well the results of preclinical studies in animals will translate into similar responses in patients,” stated Dr. Duane Mitchell, a co-author of the study.

Sayour stated that the vaccine has the potential to be integrated with other immunotherapies as part of a combined treatment. “I am optimistic that this could represent a novel paradigm for patient treatment, a cutting-edge platform technology for modulating the immune system,” he stated.

The research findings have been published in the scientific journal Cell.

NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are making preparations for the imminent approach of asteroid 99942 Apophis, a near-Earth object.

Apophis, an asteroid considered highly dangerous to Earth, will approach within 32,000 kilometers (20,000 miles) of the Earth’s surface in 2029. This close encounter will allow scientists to closely examine the object. The asteroid will be visible from the Eastern Hemisphere without the need for a telescope or binoculars, and it will be closer than some of our man-made satellites.

At the ESA-organized workshop Apophis T-5 Years: Knowledge Opportunity for the Science of Planetary Defense, scientists have been proposing potential missions to investigate the asteroid prior to the close approach.

NASA has already scheduled a visit to the asteroid, which is known as OSIRIS APEX. The objective is to reutilize the asteroid sampler previously referred to as OSIRIS-REx, deploying it to rendezvous with the asteroid soon after its close passage.

“According to NASA, the planned mission is expected to result in the alteration of the asteroid’s orbit, changes in its rotational speed and axis, and the potential occurrence of quakes or landslides that will modify its surface due to the gravitational pull of our planet,” NASA explains. The OSIRIS-APEX mission will enable terrestrial scientists to observe these alterations. In addition, the OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft will descend towards the surface of Apophis, an asteroid composed of silicate material (also known as rocky material) and a combination of metallic nickel and iron. It will then activate its engines to dislodge loose rocks and dust. This maneuver will provide scientists with a glimpse into the composition of the material located directly beneath the surface of the asteroid.

According to Space News, private companies presented alternative missions for the asteroid at the ESA meeting.

Blue Origin plans to utilize its Blue Ring spacecraft to transport a maximum of 13 payloads, weighing a combined total of 2 metric tons, to the asteroid. The launch is scheduled for 2027, with the spacecraft reaching the asteroid just before it comes closest to Earth. Meanwhile, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory presented the details of its DROID mission, which focuses on distributed radar observations of interior distributions.

JPL explains in a proposal that the architecture of DROID requires a specific launch of three spacecraft: a Mothership of ESPA Grande-class and two CubeSats. The Mothership transports the CubeSats to Apophis, follows a planned trajectory to meet up with them, captures detailed images using a specialized camera, and serves as a communication hub for the constellation by directly relaying data to Earth. After thoroughly characterizing Apophis’s physical attributes, such as its shape, spin, and gravity field, the Mothership releases two CubeSats. Each CubeSat is equipped with a wide-angle camera and low-frequency radar (operating at 60 MHz, using JuRa technology). These CubeSats then position themselves in synchronized low orbits to conduct radar observations using both monostatic and bistatic techniques.

Although the flyby of Apophis is expected to provide valuable insights into planetary defense against similar objects, there is no reason to be alarmed by its presence.

In 2021, Apophis conducted a close approach to Earth, during which astronomers conducted high-resolution radar observations to more accurately determine its orbital path. Prior to that, NASA held the belief that there was a possibility of a collision occurring later in the century. However, the observations conducted have definitively disproven this hypothesis.

“The possibility of a 2068 impact is no longer feasible,” stated Davide Farnocchia, an expert from NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies. “Our calculations indicate that there is no risk of impact for at least the next 100 years.”