20 Most Important Space Discoveries of 2024

In 2024, humanity unlocked cosmic secrets as groundbreaking discoveries revealed distant exoplanets with potential for life, mysterious signals from the depths of space, and cutting-edge insights into the universe's origins, sparking wonder and excitement for what lies beyond.

  • Alyana Aguja
  • 5 min read
20 Most Important Space Discoveries of 2024
NASA from Unsplash

In 2024, astronomers reported observing the very first neutron star merger ever in visible light, a cosmically rare event seen to date only by gravitational waves. This discovery marked the first time humans could observe such a rare cosmic occurrence, not just gaining insight into extreme forces at work in the universe but also observing how heavy elements such as gold and platinum form during these colossal collisions. This discovery opens a new epoch in astrophysics, and scientists can study these violent phenomena through both gravitational waves and visible light, unlocking new mysteries of the universe.

1. Deepest Image from James Webb Space Telescope

Chris Gunn from Wikimedia Commons Chris Gunn from Wikimedia Commons

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) captured the universe’s sharpest image, showing galaxies that formed only a few hundred million years after the Big Bang. This is the first-ever view of the universe at this stage of cosmic evolution.

NASA from Wikimedia Commons NASA from Wikimedia Commons

JWST detected a galaxy, GS-NDG-9422, that could be the “missing link” to understanding the early universe and the formation of the first stars. This discovery provides information about the universe’s origins.

3. 3D Mapping of the Universe by DESI

Image from Smithsonian Magazine Image from Smithsonian Magazine

In this context, the Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) delivered the most detailed 3D map of the universe so far, cataloging nearly 6 million galaxies and quasars. This feat advances our understanding of cosmic expansion and the role of dark energy.

4. First Commercial Spacewalk for SpaceX

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SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission performed the first commercial spacewalk, with crew members Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon performing extravehicular activities. This milestone shows that private spaceflight capabilities are on an upward trend.

5. China’s Chang’e 6 Mission Returns Lunar Samples

Gregory H. Revera from Wikimedia Commons Gregory H. Revera from Wikimedia Commons

China’s Chang’e 6 mission returned samples from the far side of the Moon, providing insights into lunar geology and history. This is a significant breakthrough in lunar exploration.

6. Water Vapor Found on Exoplanet GJ 1132b

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Water vapor was found in the atmosphere of exoplanet GJ 1132b by JWST. It implies active geological processes. It will be able to explain habitability.

7. NASA Launches Europa Clipper Mission

Vargklo from Wikimedia Commons Vargklo from Wikimedia Commons

NASA launched its Europa Clipper spacecraft to explore Jupiter’s moon Europa and determine whether it might harbor life. This is the most important mission to date: to explore the icy moons of our solar system.

8. Massive Black Hole in Distant Galaxy Discovered

Event Horizon Telescope from Wikimedia Commons Event Horizon Telescope from Wikimedia Commons

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope detected a supermassive black hole in a far-off galaxy. This discovery adds to the knowledge about black hole formation and evolution.

9. Mars Sample Return Mission Launched

ESA & MPS for OSIRIS Team from Wikimedia Commons ESA & MPS for OSIRIS Team from Wikimedia Commons

NASA launched the Mars Sample Return mission, which was designed to collect samples from Mars and bring them to Earth for more detailed analysis. The mission will give unprecedented insight into the Martian environment.

10. Discovery of ‘Zebra Rock’ on Mars

Perseverance rover from Wikimedia Commons Perseverance rover from Wikimedia Commons

NASA’s Perseverance Rover discovered an unusual black-and-white striped rock, Freya Castle, in Jezero Crater. This discovery indicates that Mars had a volcanically active past.

11. Detection of Gravitational Waves from Distant Galaxy

NASA/ESA and The Hubble Heritage Team from Wikimedia Commons NASA/ESA and The Hubble Heritage Team from Wikimedia Commons

Astronomers detected gravitational waves from a distant galaxy, which gave new insights into cosmic events and the nature of spacetime. This discovery opens new avenues for astrophysical research.

12. First Image of a Black Hole’s Magnetic Field

852278-MCS from Wikimedia Commons 852278-MCS from Wikimedia Commons

The Event Horizon Telescope team has captured the first-ever image of the magnetic field around a black hole. This breakthrough advances our understanding of how matter and energy behave in extreme gravitational environments.  

13. Discovery of a New Type of Asteroid in the Kuiper Belt

Image from Wikimedia Commons Image from Wikimedia Commons

Astronomers discovered a new, previously unknown type of asteroid in the Kuiper Belt, thus reshaping theories about the formation of the region. This discovery gives new clues about the early solar system’s evolution.

14. Seasonal Changes on an Exoplanet Observed by JWST

NASA Exoplanet Archive from Wikimedia Commons NASA Exoplanet Archive from Wikimedia Commons

JWST observed seasonal changes on an exoplanet, giving scientists unprecedented insights into atmospheric dynamics beyond our solar system. This discovery could inform the search for habitable planets in other star systems.

15. First Comprehensive Map of Venus’ Surface Chemistry

NASA/JPL from Wikimedia Commons NASA/JPL from Wikimedia Commons

NASA’s VERITAS mission has mapped Venusian surface chemistry, which might uncover signs of its past geological activity. Such findings would indicate Venus’ potential for previous habitability and help reveal Its possible history.

16. Identification of ‘Oxygenated’ Atmosphere around an Exoplanet

NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted from Wikimedia Commons NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted from Wikimedia Commons

Scientists detected some molecular oxygen in an exoplanet’s atmosphere. This indicates the probability of biological life as it happens naturally in earthly bodies, and it will inform future research regarding a planet that supports living organisms.

17. Mapping of the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation

NASA from Wikimedia Commons NASA from Wikimedia Commons

The European Space Agency’s Planck mission has released an updated Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) map, which is crucial for understanding the early universe. The data from the CMB help refine our models of the Big Bang and the cosmos’ formation.

18. Discovery of a Potentially Habitable Moon Around Exoplanet Kepler-1708b

SevenSpheres from Wikimedia Commons SevenSpheres from Wikimedia Commons

Scientists discovered a moon around the exoplanet Kepler-1708b that could have conditions suitable for life. The moon is similar in size to Earth’s moon and might have a subsurface ocean beneath its icy crust, making it a prime candidate in the search for extraterrestrial life.

19. NASA’s Artemis I Mission Successful in Testing Orion Spacecraft

Joel Kowsky from Wikimedia Commons Joel Kowsky from Wikimedia Commons

NASA’s Artemis I mission successfully tested the Orion spacecraft and its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, paving the way for future manned missions to the Moon. Though uncrewed, this mission marked a critical step in humanity’s return to lunar exploration, eventually sending astronauts to Mars.

20. Unprecedented Observation of Supernova Explosion

NASA/ESA/JHU/R.Sankrit & W.Blair from Wikimedia Commons NASA/ESA/JHU/R.Sankrit & W.Blair from Wikimedia Commons

The James Webb Space Telescope observed a supernova explosion in a distant galaxy, providing scientists with new data about how these stellar deaths unfold. By capturing the early stages of the explosion, JWST’s observation allowed astronomers to understand better the violent processes that create elements like iron and nickel, which are essential for life on Earth.

Written by: Alyana Aguja

Alyana is a Creative Writing graduate with a lifelong passion for storytelling, sparked by her father’s love of books. She’s been writing seriously for five years, fueled by encouragement from teachers and peers. Alyana finds inspiration in all forms of art, from films by directors like Yorgos Lanthimos and Quentin Tarantino to her favorite TV shows like Mad Men and Modern Family. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her immersed in books, music, or painting, always chasing her next creative spark.

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