Nasa has confirmed that there are over 5,000 exoplanets beyond our solar system.
The exoplanet census surpassed this milestone with a new batch of 65 confirmed exoplanets, triggering excitement across the globe.
“It’s not just a number,” Exoplanet Archive science lead Jessie Christiansen said in a statement as reported by CNET.
“Each one of them is a new world, a brand new planet. I get excited about every one because we don’t know anything about them.”
It’s been 30 years since scientists discovered the first planets orbiting another star. Today, exoplanets are so common that astronomers expect most stars host at least one, astronomer Aurora Kesseli of Caltech was quoted as saying by Science News.
“One of the most exciting things that I think has happened in the last 30 years is that we’ve really started to be able to fill out the diversity of exoplanets,” Kesseli added.
Some exoplanets look like Jupiter or Earth. The 5,005 confirmed exoplanets include nearly 1,500 giant gassy planets, roughly 200 that are small and rocky and almost 1,600 “super-Earths,” which are larger than our solar system’s rocky planets and smaller than Neptune, according to Science News.
While discovering these exoplanets, scientists try to find out if they are habitable or not. James Webb Space Telescope is working to go beyond the diameters, masses and densities of these planets. It will gather information about their atmospheres.
NASA’s newest exoplanet hunter, the TESS mission, has confirmed more than 200 planets, with thousands more yet to verify, Kesseli pointed out. “There’s tons of exoplanets out there,” Kesseli said, “and even more waiting to be discovered”.
As temperatures continue to soar across the UAE, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a citywide campaign to ensure Dubai’s air-conditioned bus shelters are fully prepared for the peak summer months, when extreme heat combined with humidity can make outdoor conditions especially uncomfortable for commuters.
The inspection drive covers 895 bus shelters across 621 locations throughout Dubai, focusing on cooling systems, maintenance and overall passenger comfort.
Summer readiness checks underway
According to the RTA, the campaign includes:
Field inspections
Preventive maintenance
Technical system checks
Immediate repairs where needed
Officials said the goal is to maintain reliable and comfortable public transport facilities during the peak summer months. The authority is committed to ensuring all public transport facilities remain fully operational and accessible for commuters.
Focus on passenger comfort
The shelters are designed to withstand Dubai’s climate, featuring:
Air-conditioning systems
Heat- and wind-resistant structures
Seating and waiting areas
Digital bus information screens
They also include accessibility features aligned with Dubai’s Universal Design Code, including dedicated spaces for People of Determination.
Public awareness campaign launched
Alongside the inspections, the RTA has also launched awareness campaigns encouraging residents to help maintain the shelters and keep facilities clean.
Passengers can report maintenance issues or suggestions via the RTA app’s Madinati service, with specialised teams assigned to address complaints and technical observations.
Officials said the shelters are designed with sustainability in mind and continue to play an important role in improving public transport infrastructure and commuter experience across the city.
Sharjah Police has launched a new awareness campaign aimed at reducing home burglaries and vehicle theft across the emirate.
The initiative, titled Your Belongings Are Your Responsibility, is being carried out in partnership with Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority as part of broader efforts to strengthen public safety and encourage community vigilance.
Focus on prevention and awareness
Authorities say the campaign is designed to remind residents that simple precautionary measures can significantly reduce theft risks.
The awareness drive encourages people to:
Properly secure homes and doors
Lock vehicles at all times
Avoid leaving valuables visible inside cars
Stay alert and report suspicious activity
Multilingual awareness messages
As part of the rollout, safety messages will be shared through multiple communication channels to ensure they reach a wide audience across Sharjah.
The campaign will also include:
Multilingual awareness brochures
Outreach targeting workers’ accommodations
Digital safety content across social media platforms
Sharjah Police stressed that public cooperation remains essential in preventing crime and protecting communities.
Authorities added that vigilance, awareness and responsible behaviour all play a key role in reducing theft incidents and improving overall security across the emirate.
The National Centre of Meteorology has forecast generally fair weather across the UAE, with temperatures set to rise gradually before dusty and windy conditions develop towards the weekend.
General outlook
Conditions today are expected to remain mostly clear, with some cloud formation over eastern areas in the afternoon.
Temperatures will climb to:
40°C to 45°C inland
Up to 39°C in coastal areas
Humidity could reach 85% along the coast, particularly during the night and early morning.
Winds will be light to moderate, occasionally fresh, with speeds reaching up to 35 km/h.
What to expect in the coming days
Similar weather patterns are expected to continue, with fair to partly cloudy skies across the country.
Winds will gradually shift direction, from north-westerly to south-easterly, and may strengthen at times, especially over the sea.
Weekend changes ahead
By Friday, temperatures are expected to dip slightly, but wind speeds could increase to around 40 km/h, making sea conditions rougher in the Arabian Gulf.
Heading into the weekend, dusty conditions and blowing sand are likely, particularly in exposed areas, as winds pick up further on Saturday and Sunday.
Sea conditions are forecast to be:
Moderate to rough in the Arabian Gulf
Slight to moderate in the Oman Sea
According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), the conditions are linked to weak surface pressure systems combined with an upper-air high-pressure extension, contributing to rising temperatures and shifting wind patterns.
