Astronomers have confirmed that ASASSN-24fw dimmed by an extraordinary 97% over a period of more than nine months, starting in late 2024 making it one of the longest and deepest stellar eclipses ever recorded. The star, located in the Monoceros constellation, was monitored through sky surveys that track brightness changes in stars over time. The data clearly shows a prolonged and structured drop in light, far beyond what a normal planet could cause. Scientists say the most likely explanation is a massive ringed object passing in front of the star either a brown dwarf or a super Jupiter–type planet. Unlike typical transits that last hours or days, this event stretched across months, pointing to something enormous in size. The ring system itself is estimated to span about 16 million miles (25 million km), making it one of the largest ever inferred. As different parts of the rings moved across the star, they created layered dimming patterns, which allowed astronomers to study the...
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that American military operations against Iran will continue “until all of our objectives are achieved,” even as the conflict expands across the Middle East and the first U.S. casualties have been confirmed. In a video address posted to his social media platform, Trump confirmed that three U.S. service members were killed in recent operations and said there would “likely be more” casualties before the campaign ends. He added that the United States would avenge the deaths of the fallen troops as part of its ongoing military campaign. Combat operations continue at this time in full force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved,” Trump said, stressing that U.S. forces remain fully engaged and committed to what he described as “very strong objectives.” According to Trump’s address: • U.S. forces have struck hundreds of targets inside Iran, including missile and naval infrastructure, security facilities, and Revolutionary Guard installations. . He vowed the deaths of American troops would be avenged and labeled the campaign part of a broader effort to counter terror and protect U.S. interests. . Trump said more casualties were “likely” before the conflict concludes, calling on adversaries to surrender or face continued military pressure. • He described the ongoing offensive as part of Operation Epic Fury — a major joint U.S.–Israeli military campaign. This announcement comes amid one of the most significant escalations between the United States and Iran in decades, triggered by coordinated attacks that reportedly killed top Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint U.S.–Israeli strike. In response to the strikes, Iran and Iran-aligned groups have launched missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases and allied targets throughout the region. The conflict has spread beyond Iran’s borders, with Israel striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and rocket attacks continuing to shake northern Israel. U.S. Central Command confirmed three American service members were killed and five more seriously wounded in the ongoing military operations. The identities of the fallen have not been released pending family notification.  Iranian forces and allied militias have also been blamed for dozens of deaths and widespread destruction in recent days, with retaliatory strikes targeting Gulf states, Iraq, and other regional hotspots as tensions widen.

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