The Daily Science Drip — Rubin Finds Dwarf Planet, Wiseman Joins JPL — Thu, Oct 29, 2026

Astronomers Spot a Potential New Pluto-like Dwarf Planet in Our Solar System

https://dripcast.ai/story/304624-astronomers-spot-a-potential-new-pluto-like-dwarf-planet-in-our-solar-system

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has discovered 2026 ED138 beyond Pluto, a possible new dwarf planet that could be as large as 1,500 kilometers across. Astronomers are now working to confirm whether it meets the criteria for a dwarf planet, like Pluto. Scientists are also explaining how the object remained hidden from them.

Artemis II Commander Wiseman to Become JPL Deputy Director

https://dripcast.ai/story/305093-artemis-ii-commander-wiseman-to-become-jpl-deputy-director

Reid Wiseman, commander of NASA’s Artemis II mission around the moon, has been named deputy director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. Caltech, which manages JPL for NASA, also named the retired astronaut and former U.S. Navy captain an associate vice president. The move follows Wiseman’s retirement from active astronaut duty, and he is now an emeritus astronaut.

Hubble and Webb Can See the Eerie Cat’s Head Nebula

https://dripcast.ai/story/305054-hubble-and-webb-can-see-the-eerie-cats-head-nebula

NASA’s Hubble and James Webb space telescopes captured a hauntingly dynamic star-forming scene in a small area of the Carina Nebula. Nicknamed the Cat’s Head Nebula, the region resembles a cat sitting with its back to the viewer, its head turned right to reveal a glowing eye. The Carina Nebula is a diffuse star-forming region about 7,500 light-years from Earth.

ISS Crew Marks 100Th U.S. Spacewalk With Solar Array Upgrade

https://dripcast.ai/story/305051-iss-crew-marks-100th-us-spacewalk-with-solar-array-upgrade

NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Joshua Kutryk deployed a new solar array during the 100th U.S. spacewalk by International Space Station crew members, beginning installation of the final pair of arrays in an upgrade to the station’s power system. The eight roll-out arrays are expected to raise generating capacity from about 152 kilowatts to about 215 kilowatts, helping support the station’s life-support systems, research, and visiting spacecraft as its original power system ages. Menon and Kutryk will head back out on Thursday, November 5, for the final installation.

Rare Barreleye Fish Captured in Stunning 4K Detail

https://dripcast.ai/story/304750-rare-barreleye-fish-captured-in-stunning-4k-detail

MBARI scientists filmed a rarely seen barreleye fish, identified as *Macropinna microstoma*, in 4K during an expedition aboard the research vessel *David Packard*. The six-inch fish lives about 2,000 to 2,600 feet below the surface, in the ocean’s twilight and midnight zones, and this was MBARI’s 11th observation of the species. Its translucent, submersible-like head gives the deep-sea fish its striking appearance.

Cyclone Arnab Hits India, Spotlighting Extreme Weather Toll

https://dripcast.ai/story/304546-cyclone-arnab-hits-india-spotlighting-extreme-weather-toll

Cyclone Arnab, the first named storm of the North Indian Ocean season, came ashore along India’s Andhra Pradesh coast with powerful winds and heavy rain, killing three people and flooding about 200,000 acres of cropland. Unusually warm Bay of Bengal waters and a moisture-rich atmosphere helped the storm intensify and raised the risk of heavy rainfall, while weakening winds shifted the main threat inland; roads were blocked and electricity poles uprooted. The disaster highlights India’s exposure to extreme weather, with experts calling for climate-resilient infrastructure such as stronger power grids, flood-proof roads and better crop insurance.