Science News Roundup: North Korea's space launch program and long-range missile projects; Webb space telescope spies precocious 'teenage' galaxies

Astronomers call these the galactic "teenagers." And, as new research shows, they resemble human teenagers in certain respects, including by displaying growth spurts along with a bit of immaturity.

Following is a summary of current science news briefs.

North Korea's space launch program and long-range missile projects

North Korea launched a rocket late on Tuesday carrying what it called a reconnaissance satellite, prompting South Korea to suspend a key part of a military pact it had signed in 2018 with Pyongyang to de-escalate tensions on the Korean peninsula. North Korea's launch, its third attempt after two failures this year, came two months after its leader, Kim Jong Un, met Russian President Vladimir Putin, who offered to help Pyongyang build a satellite.

Webb space telescope spies precocious 'teenage' galaxies

Since becoming operational last year, the James Webb Space Telescope has made groundbreaking observations involving some of the universe's earliest galaxies. One might call them galactic infants. But Webb has obtained even better data on galaxies a bit further along in development. Astronomers call these the galactic "teenagers." And, as new research shows, they resemble human teenagers in certain respects, including by displaying growth spurts along with a bit of immaturity.