Science News Roundup: Scientists investigate thousands of dead Antarctic penguins for bird flu; White House directs NASA to create time standard for the moon and more

That's what researchers are seeking to find out after a scientific expedition last month found at least 532 dead Adelie penguins, with thousands more thought to have died, according to a statement from Federation University Australia. Explainer-Total solar eclipse 2024: When is it and what to expect? The moon will blot out the sun for millions of people in North America along a path crossing from Mexico into the United States and then Canada in a total solar eclipse occurring on Monday April 8.

Following is a summary of current science news briefs.

Exclusive-Japan space startup Astroscale aims for June listing, sources say

Space junk removal startup Astroscale is targeting a Tokyo listing as early as June, sources said, taking the high-profile venture public in a sector with out-of-this-world prospects and down-to-Earth risk. The 11-year-old Japanese company spoke to overseas institutional investors in March to gather feedback before making a decision on a listing, said two people familiar with the matter, declining to be identified as the information is not public.

Scientists investigate thousands of dead Antarctic penguins for bird flu

Has bird flu already killed hundreds, if not thousands of penguins in Antarctica? That's what researchers are seeking to find out after a scientific expedition last month found at least 532 dead Adelie penguins, with thousands more thought to have died, according to a statement from Federation University Australia.

Explainer-Total solar eclipse 2024: When is it and what to expect?

The moon will blot out the sun for millions of people in North America along a path crossing from Mexico into the United States and then Canada in a total solar eclipse occurring on Monday April 8. Here is an explanation of the solar eclipse, where it will be visible and what to expect.

White House directs NASA to create time standard for the moon

The White House on Tuesday directed NASA to establish a unified standard of time for the moon and other celestial bodies, as the United States aims to set international norms in space amid a growing lunar race among nations and private companies. The head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), according to a memo seen by Reuters, instructed the space agency to work with other parts of the U.S. government to devise a plan by the end of 2026 for setting what it called a Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC).

China, Thailand sign pacts on outer space, lunar outposts

China and Thailand signed initial pacts on Friday to co-operate on peaceful use of outer space and international lunar research stations, the Chinese space agency said. The countries aim to form a joint working group on space exploration and applications, encompassing data exchanges and personnel training, according to the memorandums of understanding.

Explainer-How Monday's total solar eclipse affects U.S. grid operators

Electric grids across the U.S. are anticipating a rapid decline in solar generation during Monday's total solar eclipse, which will span multiple states. NASA estimates the path of totality - when the sun is fully blocked by the moon - will last from 1:30 pm CDT (1830 GMT) to 2:35 pm CDT in the U.S.

Texas woman who measures her life in eclipses about to see her 21st

Leticia Ferrer is an "umbraphile" - literally, a shadow lover - but what it really means is that she is a chaser of eclipses. The 63-year-old Texas woman says she has traveled to all seven continents and even the oceans between them in pursuit of solar eclipses, seeing every one since 1998.

(With inputs from agencies.)