Explore the Most Exciting Tech Innovations: Hackaday Links – July 20, 2025!

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is making waves in the world of astronomy. Recently, it achieved an exciting milestone: the first direct imaging of a planet outside our solar system. This planet, called TWA 7b, is about 111 light-years away in the constellation Antlia. It orbits a young star, just 6.4 million years old, and is surrounded by a disk of debris. Using its advanced coronagraph, JWST was able to block out the star’s brightness and spot TWA 7b amidst the dust.

TWA 7b is similar in size to Saturn but has only a third of its mass. It orbits about 50 times further from its star than Earth does from the Sun. This unusual distance might offer us valuable insights into how planets form. Since this star system is tilted in a way that prevents typical detection methods from working, Webb’s new findings could pave the way for discovering more exoplanets than ever before.

In another distinct but exciting venture, NASA’s DART mission is working on planetary defense. Back in 2022, DART crashed into an asteroid named Dimorphos. This collision wasn’t just a spectacle; it successfully broke Dimorphos into over 100 smaller pieces. An attached satellite called LICIAcube captured images of these fragments, revealing that they clustered in groups rather than dispersing randomly. This means planetary defense is more complex than just smashing an asteroid and hoping for the best. It’s a reminder that science is always filled with surprises.

On a different note, if you’re hoping to learn coding in a fun way, check out an online game called Micro Adventure. It guides players through a text-based RPG where coding skills are essential to progress. This approach helps beginners grasp programming concepts through interactive gameplay. With plans for more levels, it promises an engaging way to dive into various coding languages.

Gamification is becoming a trend in education, as seen in the Morse Code Defender app. This Android game introduces Morse code through a nostalgic missile defense theme, where players must input the correct Morse code to stop incoming attacks. It’s a playful way to learn Morse code, offering an exciting alternative to scrolling through social media.

As technology and exploration continue to evolve, these endeavors highlight the creativity behind learning and the excitement of discovery. Each day brings new insights, making it a thrilling time for science enthusiasts and learners alike.

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