Tag Archives: camera

First Image from the World’s Largest Digital Camera Unveils Galaxy Collisions and Cosmic Wonders

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Images and videos from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory showcase over 10 hours of test observations before being revealed. The event was live streamed on Monday from Washington, DC.

Keith Bector, an associate professor from the University of Wisconsin-Madison physics department, has contributed to the Rubin Observatory for nearly a decade as a system verification scientist, ensuring that all components of the observation deck function properly.

He mentioned that the team was present as images streamed in real-time from the camera.

“In the control room, there was a moment when all engineers and scientists gazed at these images. We were able to observe more details about stars and galaxies,” Vector explained to NBC News. “Understanding this on an intellectual level is one thing, but on an emotional level, I realized I was part of something truly extraordinary, all happening in real-time.”

One of the newly released images enabled the Rubin Observatory to identify galaxies billions of light-years away, alongside asteroids in the solar system and stars in the Milky Way.

“In fact, most of the objects captured in these images exhibit light that was emitted before our solar system was formed,” highlighted Bechtol. “We are witnessing light that reflects billions of years of the universe’s history, and many of these galaxies have never before been observed.”

Astronomers are eagerly awaiting the first images from the new observatory, affirming that experts will aid in unraveling some of the universe’s greatest mysteries and revolutionizing our understanding.

“We are entering the golden age of American science,” stated Harriet Kang, acting director of the Energy Department of Science. She elaborated in a statement.

“We anticipate that the observation deck will provide profound insights into our past, future, and potentially the fate of the universe,” Kang remarked during a Monday event.

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is collaboratively managed by the Energy Agency and the National Science Foundation.

Named after an American astronomer renowned for uncovering evidence of dark matter in space, the observatory is situated atop Cerro Pachon, a mountain in central Chile. It is designed to capture around 1,000 images of the southern hemisphere sky each night, covering the entire visible southern sky every three to four nights.

These early images stem from a series of test observations and mark the commencement of a bold decade-long mission to scan the sky continuously, capturing all visible details and changes.

“The entire observatory design is centered on this capability, enabling you to point, shoot, and repeat,” Bechtol noted. “Every 40 seconds, the view shifts to a new part of the sky. Imagine bringing the night sky back to life in a way we’ve never experienced before.”

By repeating this process nightly over the next decade, scientists aim to create extensive images of the visible southern sky, tracking bright stars, moving asteroids in the solar system, measuring supernova explosions, and observing other cosmic phenomena.

“Utilizing this groundbreaking scientific facility, we will delve into many mysteries of the universe, including the dark matter and dark energy that fills our cosmos,” stated Brian Stone, Chief of Staff of the National Science Foundation, in a statement.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Capuchin Monkey Captured on Camera with a Baby Howler Monkey

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A baby Howler Monkey clings to the back of an older male monkey, whose small fingers grip the fur. However, they are not related and belong to different species.

Researchers have uncovered unexpected evidence of what they refer to as a monkey temptation while analyzing video recordings from a small island in Panama. Between 2022 and 2023, at least 11 baby Howler Monkeys were observed being carried by Capuchin Monkeys.

“This discovery was quite shocking,” remarked Zoe Goldsborough, a behavioral ecologist at the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior in Germany. “Nothing like this has been documented in the animal kingdom.”

The motivation behind the monkeys’ actions is currently being studied. Capuchins are cat-sized monkeys indigenous to South and Central America. They are intelligent, long-lived, and observed to learn new behaviors from one another. One group in Panama has even learned to use stones as tools to crack nuts and open seafood.

Goldsborough and her colleagues from both the Max Planck Institute and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have set up over 80 cameras to investigate Capuchin tool usage, yet were surprised to witness the first baby Howler appearing in early 2022.

The footage revealed Capuchin Monkeys walking while using a stone tool, with a Howler baby secured on the back of one. However, the cameras failed to capture the abduction event. Scientists believe it likely occurred in the trees, where Howlers typically reside.

A baby Howler monkey clings to a young adult male Capuchin monkey on Zikaron Island, Panama in February 2023.
Brendan Barrett/Max Planck Animal Behavior Research Institute via AP

“Our perspective on this story is limited,” stated Margaret Crofoot, co-author from Max Planck and Smithsonian. The findings were published in the journal Current Biology on Monday. In most instances, including all recorded cases, the baby Howler Monkey did not survive, researchers said. Infant Howler monkeys are typically carried by their mothers while nursing, and all the babies featured in the videos were mere weeks to months old—far too young to be weaned.

“I hope that perhaps some have escaped and returned to their mothers, but we truly do not know,” Crofoot added.

The footage documented numerous occasions of young male Capuchins carrying a baby Howler, which likely succumbed to starvation. Many species, including gorillas and Orcas, have also been observed carrying their deceased offspring, but the reasons remain unclear to scientists.

What prompted the Capuchin to do this? There were no indications of an intentional attack on the baby, nor were there signs of predation.

“We spent countless hours trying to understand the motivation behind this behavior,” Goldsborough explained.

The first Capuchin to carry the baby may have acted out of confused “compassionate motivation” or parental instinct, showing gentleness towards the infant. Other males then replicated this behavior.

Researchers believe that the Capuchins did not purposefully harm the baby. So far, only a single group of Capuchins is known to exhibit this behavior.

This study highlights “significant behavioral variations among social groups of the same species.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

New Camera Trap Survey Shows Predominance of Indian Snow Leopards

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The successful conservation of certain endangered species relies on a precise scientific evaluation of their presence and population dynamics. This data can often be volatile or lacking in scientific credibility, particularly for low-density carnivorous species like the snow leopard (Panthera uncia), which inhabit remote and challenging environments. In a recent study, a team of scientists from India’s Ladakh and Wildlife Institute employed a double sampling strategy to evaluate the population and distribution of snow leopards and their prey across the Trans-Himalaya region of Ladakh.

Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia). Image credit: Union Territories, Wildlife Conservation Agency, Ladakh.

“Large carnivorous animals are among the most emblematic species, symbolizing robust ecosystems and conservation hope,” remarked Ladakh researcher Pankaj Reina alongside her colleagues from the Union Territory.

“Their position as apex predators plays a crucial role in regulating nutrition, nutrient cycling, and disease control.”

“Nevertheless, large carnivorous species face widespread extinction, significantly affecting the functionality of contemporary ecosystems.”

“Within the realm of elusive large carnivores, the snow leopard is the flagship species of the mountainous regions spanning 12 countries in South and Central Asia.”

“Snow leopards are renowned for their elusive, wide-ranging behaviors, necessitating a landscape-level approach for effective population monitoring and conservation.”

In their study, the authors investigated the population and distribution of snow leopards across a vast 59,000 km2 area of Ladakh.

Initially, they conducted a thorough survey to gather evidence of snow leopards, including tracks, droppings, and scratch marks.

They also assessed the presence of other large carnivores such as brown bears and lynx, as well as wild herbivores and livestock.

Subsequently, they deployed 956 camera traps covering over 8,500 km2 of snow leopard habitat, facilitating accurate population estimates across the region.

Using artificial intelligence, they analyzed images to identify individual snow leopards based on their unique forehead patterns.

The team estimated that Ladakh hosts approximately 477 snow leopards, representing 68% of India’s total population.

Snow leopard density was observed to vary between 1-3 individuals per 100 km2, with Hemis National Park noted for having the highest recorded density globally.

Remarkably, up to 61% of snow leopards in Ladakh coexist with human populations.

Resource-rich grasslands, characterized by moderate climates and complex terrains, tend to be prime habitats for snow leopards.

“A profound respect for wildlife among the communities in Ladakh, coupled with the economic benefits from snow leopard tourism and effective conflict management strategies, supports some of the highest snow leopard densities globally.

“To capture images of the snow leopard’s forehead, I positioned myself strategically in front of the camera.”

“This involved applying a small amount of perfume near the camera placed by a favored scented rock atop a high ridge.”

“Out of curiosity, the snow leopard lowers its head to investigate the scent, allowing us to capture invaluable photographs.”

“The fingerprinting of snow leopards employs specialized pattern recognition software that models the 3D features of the snow leopard’s forehead, extracting and cataloging spot patterns for comparison with other photographs, ensuring accurate matches.”

“This approach has significantly enhanced our work, improving the accuracy of individual identification—critical for population estimates using statistical models.”

The team’s research paper was published online in the journal PLOS ONE.

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P. Reina et al. 2025. A comprehensive assessment of snow leopard distribution and population in Ladakh, India’s Trans Himalayas: Standardisation Methods for Evidence-Based Conservation. PLOS ONE 20(5): E0322136; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0322136

Source: www.sci.news

Review: Nothing Phone 3A Pro – A Stylish Midrange Smartphone with Impressive Zoom Camera

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Nothing, based in London, has introduced a top-tier phone that stands out from cheaper mid-range models with its more affordable price and high-quality camera zoom.

The battle for mobile phone cameras has always been competitive, with each brand striving for better quality, longer reach, and multiple lenses. While many advancements have trickled down to cheaper models, optical zoom cameras have remained above the £600 mark.

Priced at £449 (459 Euro/$459/$849), Nothing’s offering is quite compelling.

The phone is based on the excellent 2A model, featuring striking “Glyph” LED strips that light up in intricate patterns for various notifications and functions.

The three “Glyph” light strips around the camera bumps are a visually appealing feature, especially when the phone is face-down. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The design of the phone is accentuated by the large camera cluster at the back, which protrudes significantly. The 3A Pro boasts glass on the front and back, with high-quality plastic sides.

Featuring a large and vibrant OLED screen, the phone also includes a fast optical fingerprint scanner located at the bottom of the screen.

specification

  • screen: 6.77in 120Hz FHD+ OLED (387PPI)

  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7S Gen 3

  • Ram: 12GB

  • Storage: 256GB

  • operating system: Nothing OS3.1 (Android 15)

  • camera: 50MP Main, 50MP 3X Tele, 8MP Ultra Addie, 50MP Selfie

  • Connectivity: 5G, ESIM, WiFi 6, NFC, Bluetooth 5.4, and GNSS

  • water resistance: IP64 (spray resistant)

  • size: 163.5 x 77.5 x 8.4mm

  • Weight: 211g

The battery can fully charge in 80 minutes and reach 50% in 25 minutes using a 50W USB-C power adapter (sold separately). Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The 3A Pro is powered by Qualcomm’s mid-range Snapdragon 7S Gen 3 chip, offering a balance of performance without feeling sluggish. The battery life is impressive, lasting around 3 days with general use.

Running on Nothing OS version 3.1, the 3A Pro provides a unique user experience with customization options and AI tools like Gemini. The AI-powered screen capture and note-taking features show promise but may need further refinement.

The 3A Pro’s camera setup includes a 50MP main camera, 50MP 3X telephoto lens, and an 8MP ultrawide lens, delivering solid performance and real optical zoom capabilities.

Sustainability

The dedicated button on the side of the phone provides quick access to screen capture and note-taking features. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Nothing promises the 3A Pro’s battery will maintain at least 90% capacity after 1,200 full charge cycles, showcasing its sustainability focus. The materials used in the phone’s construction include recycled aluminum, copper, plastic, steel, tin, and other elements.

price

The Nothing Phone 3a Pro is priced at £449 (459 Euro/$459/$849).

Compared to competitors like the Google Pixel 8A and Samsung Galaxy A56, Nothing’s offering stands out with its unique design, camera capabilities, and long-term software support.

verdict

The Nothing Phone 3A Pro is a solid contender in the mid-range smartphone market, offering a combination of impressive features, sleek design, and long-term support.

Strong Points: A great camera with 3x optical zoom, interesting design, 6 years of support, excellent screen, solid performance, long battery life, excellent fingerprint scanner, and excellent software with splash resistance.

Cons: AI requires work and cannot customize additional buttons. Only three years of Android version updates have a huge camera cluster protruding from the back.

Source: www.theguardian.com

New images of Messier 83 captured by the Dark Energy Camera reveal unexpected discoveries

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The spiral arm of Messier 83, one of the most prominent spiral galaxies in the night sky, exhibits a high rate of star formation, with six supernovae observed, according to astronomers at NSF’s NOIRLab.

This DECam image shows the spiral galaxy Messier 83. Image credits: CTIO / NOIRLab / DOE / NSF / AURA / TA Chancellor, University of Alaska Anchorage & NSF NOIRLab / D. de Martin, NSF NOIRLab / M. Zamani, NSF NOIRLab.

Messier 83 is located approximately 15 million light-years away in the southern constellation Hydra.

The galaxy, also known as the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy, M83, NGC 5236, LEDA 48082, and UGCA 366, has a diameter of about 50,000 light-years, making it about twice smaller than the Milky Way.

With an apparent magnitude of 7.5, it is one of the brightest spiral galaxies in the night sky. May is the best month to observe with binoculars.

Messier 83 is oriented almost completely face-on from Earth, meaning astronomers can observe its spiral structure in great detail.

This galaxy is a prominent member of a group of galaxies known as the Centaurus A/M83 group, which also counts dusty NGC 5128 and irregular galaxy NGC 5253 as members.

It was discovered on February 23, 1752 by French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille.

“Between 1750 and 1754, the French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille studied the night sky with the purpose of determining distances to planets,” NOIRLab astronomers said.

“During this period, he observed and cataloged 10,000 stars and identified 42 nebular objects, including Messier 83, which he discovered during an expedition to the Cape of Good Hope in 1752.”

“In 1781, Charles Messier added it to his famous catalog and described it as a ‘starless nebula’, reflecting the limited knowledge of galaxies at the time.”

“It wasn’t until the 20th century, thanks to the work of Edwin Hubble, that astronomers realized that objects like Messier 83 were actually in another galaxy far outside the Milky Way.”

New images of Messier 83 dark energy camera (DECam), mounted on NSF’s Victor M. Blanco 4-meter telescope at the Cerro Tororo Inter-American Observatory, a program of the NSF NOIRLab.

“This image shows Messier 83’s distinct spiral arms filled with clouds of pink hydrogen gas where new stars are forming,” the astronomers said.

“Interspersed between these pink regions are bright blue clusters of hot young stars whose ultraviolet radiation has blown away the surrounding gas.”

“At the center of the galaxy, a yellow central bulge is made up of old stars, and weak bars connect spiral arms through the center, funneling gas from the outer regions toward the center.”

“DECam’s high sensitivity captures Messier 83’s extended halo and the countless more distant galaxies in the background.”

“Just as Messier 83 is filled with millions of newly formed stars, this galaxy is also home to many dying stars,” they added.

“Over the past century, astronomers have witnessed a total of six stellar explosions called supernovae in Messier 83. Only two other galaxies can match this number.”

In 2006, astronomers discovered a mysterious feature at the center of Messier 83.

“At the center of this galaxy, we discovered a never-before-seen concentration of mass similar to a secondary nucleus, likely the remains of another galaxy being consumed by Messier 83 in an ongoing collision. , likely the same collision that caused the starburst activity,’ the researchers said.

“The two nuclei, which likely contain the black hole, are expected to coalesce into a single nucleus in another 60 million years.”

Source: www.sci.news

Camera captures rare meeting between endangered wombat and echidna

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A rare and lively encounter between a young wombat and an echidna has been caught on camera, delighting conservationists in Australia.

This active behaviour, captured on camera traps, is the work of the endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat (Laciorhinus kleftii) is proving successful.

At their lowest point in the late 1990s, with just 35 remaining in a small reserve in central Queensland, wombats were one of the rarest large mammals on the planet. Today, thanks to hard work, wombats' numbers have grown to around 400. In 2009, relocations began to the fenced Richard Underwood Sanctuary in southern Queensland, where around 15 wombats now live.

Andy Howe Howe of the Australian Wildlife Conservation Society in Newcastle, Australia, was sorting through 100 hours of footage recorded at the sanctuary when two clips caught his eye. The first, from early June, shows a northern hairy-nosed wombat baby, proving that the sanctuary's population has successfully raised young and that the pups are now foraging on their own. The wombats are well-groomed and at a healthy weight, Howe says.

Then, in footage taken a month later, he was seen with a young wombat and a short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatusThe echidna waddles around the frame, seemingly unfazed, while the wombat becomes increasingly agitated and throws himself into the dirt.

Tim Flannery A researcher at the Australian Museum in Sydney says he has never seen an interaction like this in his decades of experience studying mammals: “This is a nervous wombat and a happy echidna,” he says.

Northern hairy-nosed wombat, Richard Underwood Nature Reserve, Queensland, Australia

Brad Ruhe/Australian Wildlife Conservation Council

He says this is typical echidna behaviour, and that the animal's spine makes it difficult and dangerous to attack. For much of the video, the wombat points its tail at the echidna, a defensive posture in the tunnel where it presses the intruder against the roof of its burrow.

Flannery says it's “amazing” to see such natural, wild behaviour from a species so close to extinction. “It's very encouraging to see wombats thriving,” he says. Now that the transplant has proven successful, he suggests new populations be established elsewhere as soon as possible.

Before Europeans arrived, the species was found from northern Victoria through arid New South Wales and into central Queensland, and reestablishment of the species throughout its range would have major environmental benefits, Dr Flannery said.

“They're ecosystem engineers because they dig and burrow into the soil,” he says, “and their burrows provide shelter for other creatures during heat waves, droughts and fires.”

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Persecuted Venezuelan Journalists Embrace AI as Camera Alternative

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Colombian Nobel laureate Gabriel Garcia Márquez, who spent some of his happiest years documenting life in Caracas, once declared journalism “the best job in the world.”

But that’s not the case when it comes to covering Venezuela today, where journalists are feeling the pressure as the South American country slides toward full-on dictatorship under President Nicolas Maduro.

Four weeks into Venezuela’s disputed elections, local journalists have developed a uniquely 21st century tactic to avoid arrest for covering the election. Socialism in the 21st Century: Using artificial intelligence avatars to report all news that the Maduro regime deems unsuitable for print.

In their daily broadcasts, the AI-created news anchors have updated the world on the president’s post-election crackdown on opponents, activists and the media, without putting reporters at risk.

Directed by Carlos Eduardo Huertas ConnectorsThe Colombia-based Journalism Platform, which is coordinating the effort, said the use of AI is not just a gimmick but a response to “the increasing persecution and repression suffered by our colleagues in Venezuela, where uncertainty grows by the hour regarding the safety of carrying out their work.”




Opposition politicians Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia ride in a truck during mass protests against the Maduro government in Caracas. Photo: Matthias Delacroix/AP

Huertas said that with the increasingly authoritarian atmosphere under Maduro’s government, “it’s no longer wise to be in front of the camera.”The solution was to create virtual journalists to hide the identities of the real reporters reporting the news.

The initiative involves around 20 Venezuelan news and fact-checking media outlets and around 100 journalists who will share content and present it as a daily news show presented by avatars called La Chama and El Pana (roughly translating as “best friend” and “partner”).

in First broadcast This month, Besti, a female presenter, explained that she wants to spread awareness of “what is really going on in Venezuela.”

“But before we go any further, if you haven’t noticed, we’re not real,” the avatar added, before releasing the latest, all-too-real statistics on Maduro’s campaign to eliminate opposition: “In less than two weeks, more than 1,000 people have been detained during protests and at least 23 killed,” Besti said. The number of people detained now stands at more than 1,400.

The name of the AI ​​journalism project, “Operación Retuit” (Operation Retweet), is in part a satirical reference to the name given by the Maduro regime to its harsh crackdown on dissent, “Operation Tun Tun” (Operation Knock Knock).

The prisoners include at least nine journalists, according to Venezuela’s journalists union, SNTP. One of them, 26-year-old sports reporter and photographer Paul Leon, was picked up by police while photographing a peaceful protest and later charged with terrorism offences that carry up to 30 years in prison.

On Sunday, Carmela Longo, a prominent entertainment journalist, was taken by police from her home in Caracas after being fired by the pro-government newspaper Altimas Noticias.




Caracas police detained journalist Carmela Longo after searching her home. Photo: Jesus Medina Ezzane/Reuters

The need for virtual reality news anchors is easy to understand, given the political chill that has prevailed in Venezuela since Maduro was first elected president in 2013 and has only worsened in recent days.

“Sources won’t talk. Journalists are forced to work anonymously, sometimes going into hiding and hiding their identities for fear of government retaliation. Social media accounts are silent… Essential parts of the news ecosystem like X Blocked“The Venezuela-focused website Caracas Chronicles reported last week.”

This month, Vladimir Villegas, former president of state broadcaster VTV, Claimed Around 100 employees of the company were fired after messages deemed hostile to the government were found in WhatsApp chats.

of Episode 2 The retweet campaign tackled an especially dangerous topic given the government’s stringent crackdown: It questioned the government’s attempts to blame many of the post-election deaths on the opposition, which Maduro has accused of plotting a fascist coup.

Contrary to government claims, a collective investigation of Operation Retweet suggested that state security forces were primarily responsible for the increased death toll.




Relatives of people detained during anti-government protests wait outside Tocuito prison for news of their loved ones. Photo: Juan Carlos Hernandez/Reuters

“All of the victims were killed by gunfire and witnesses said the suspects were police officers, soldiers or groups known in Venezuela as paramilitary groups. Colectivos” Buddy, the male avatar, told viewers.

The female presenter said most of the victims were under 30, with some as young as 15 killed. “They came from working-class backgrounds and had normal jobs – barbers, caregivers, students, construction workers, hawkers, motorbike taxi drivers and sports coaches,” the avatar added. “At least 15 children were left orphaned in just a few days.”

Colombian journalist Huertas likened his Venezuelan colleagues to firefighters risking their lives for democracy.

“If there’s a fire, you want to see firefighters on the scene. Well, there’s a fire right now. [in Venezuela] “Many firefighters are also present,” he said, praising Venezuela’s capable and dedicated press corps.

Despite the danger,[they] They are on the front lines doing work that society needs,” Huertas said.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Falling in love with failure: Gen Z embraces the compact camera comeback in photography

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This week, New Google smartphone series Cameras with AI image generation capabilities are now available, but for an increasing number of people, the allure of a less cutting-edge gadget: a compact camera.

US soccer player Megan Rapinoe was spotted taking a photo from the stands at the Paris Olympics, with model Alexa Chung captioning the photo: A recent Instagram photo of her with her camera“I’m part of the photo-dependent millennial generation, and I’m fighting the digital threat with analog mode.” Recent Glimpse Photos of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s home life show disposable cameras placed amongst clutter, while Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift have both been photographed holding compact cameras.

While there’s still a mix of digital and film cameras from the early 2000s, the new generation is also embracing the older technology. On Instagram this week, Mihara, star of Industry, which just wrapped its third season, posted a selfie with a compact camera. Ayo Edebiri took her own camera to the Emmy Awards Both are 28. Model Bella Hadid, 27, is a fan. Online, Gen Z content creators are giving the camera a TikTok-esque treatment, stealing public clout from the latest It products and offering up expensive model dummies.

According to a Cognitive Market Research survey conducted earlier this year: The global film camera market is expected to reach £303 million by 2030, up from £223.2 million in 2023. Kodak has seen demand for film nearly double in recent years, and in July Harman, the UK’s only 35mm film maker, announced that Multi-million pound investment in new facilities announced Spurred by rising demand: Tesco, which still has more than 480 photo-printing locations, has seen demand for its film-developing services rise, with take-up up by nearly 10% this year.

The Pentax 17, released earlier this summer, was “the first film camera produced by a global camera brand in 21 years,” according to Paul McKay, co-founder of Analog Wonderland, a company that sells film products while seeking to support the growing analog film photography community. Pentax “has had to bring back retired engineers to mentor younger engineers because they believe this market is “growing and not going to go away.”

Stores targeting young people, such as Urban Outfitters, sell Hello Kitty-themed disposable cameras, lilac and matcha green Fujifilm Instax Minis and Lomography cameras.

But many younger people are looking for second-hand cameras, with searches on second-hand goods website Depop up by 51% since the start of the year. Sarah Kidwai, 25, captioned a TikTok video in which she tries to stop viewers from buying the Canon G7 X digital camera. “You don’t have to spend $700 on a camera, you can buy one on eBay and get a great camera.”

Part of the appeal of film cameras compared to digital cameras is the way the photos look. Dazed magazine’s art and photography editor Emily Dinsdale described the aesthetic as romantic: “Even the mistakes are romantic: the light leaks, the red-eye, the grain in the first few frames of a new roll of film.” In a feed full of glossy photos, analog commands attention.

Images taken with real film cameras often have a “nostalgic, grainy, film-like texture” and are full of charm and imperfections, says Eliza Williams, editor of Creative Review magazine.

For some older users, it’s nostalgia, but for younger people in particular, “part of what draws us to the camera is this idea of it as an object — it’s a beautiful thing to hold in your hand, and it looks really cool compared to other people holding their phones,” Williams says.

The camera is tapping into Gen Z’s resurgence in all things Y2K, from low-rise jeans to velour. “There’s a well-known resurgence of the ‘indie sleaze’ era of the mid-to-late 2000s,” says Louise Iames, strategy director at Digital Fairy, a creative agency that specializes in internet and youth culture. “Digital cameras have been pretty much ever-present during this period.”

She noted the re-emergence of nostalgic technologies across internet culture, This video From Super 8 photos of 80s parties to early internet design codes like Frutiger Aero, [that] is once again attracting attention.

The coolness of cameras is in play even when the technology isn’t being used: In the new season of “Emily in Paris,” which premiered this week to a furor of derision and delight, the protagonist’s phone case mimics the look of a point-and-shoot camera, cloaking her always-on smartphone with more analog flourishes.

According to Yems, “On a deeper level, Gen Z is the first generation that has the ability to document their lives in a completely seamless way. They never have to fill up their memory cards, and they don’t have to spend hours transferring videos and photos between devices and to Myspace and Facebook,” so, she said, “the process of using a point-and-shoot camera gives the output meaning, intention and tactility.”

In a survey McKay conducted this week, the most common reason cited for shooting with film was that it allowed them to slow down (66%). “There’s a mindfulness element to it,” McKay said. “When this generation talks about film photography, they talk a lot about mental health.” Those who choose to develop their own photos, rather than relying on snapshots, may be even slower.

Dinsdale believes the increased use of analog cameras indicates a desire for authenticity in an age when deepfakes mean a distrust of visual imagery. “People trust photos taken with a film camera more than digital photos,” he said, adding, “As AI-generated imagery becomes more prevalent, this sentiment will only increase.”

She continues, “Given how digital photography and smartphones have really changed the value of images, it comes back to the idea that photos taken on a phone are not as special as photos taken on film.”

For Williams, “at a time when all of us, especially Gen Z, are looking for relief from the pressures of daily life and the addictive nature of screens, cameras and taking photos bring nostalgic joy, give us a sense of wholesomeness and artistry, and make us look cool all at the same time.”


Source: www.theguardian.com

Rare Amazonian Weasel Spotted on Camera in Bolivia

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Bolivian coffee growers Amazon Weasel (Neogare Africana) Surveys were conducted near shade-grown plots as part of a citizen science monitoring program.

Amazon Weasel (Neogare Africana): They have a distinctive, sharp, dark brown stripe running down the midline from their throat to their belly. Image credit: Bernal-Hoverud others., doi:10.15560/20.3.828.

The Amazonian weasel, also known as the tropical weasel, is a lesser known species of weasel native to South America.

It was first identified as a museum specimen that was mistakenly described as native to Africa, hence the specific name africana.

This species inhabits the tropical environment of the Amazon, where temperatures and rainfall are high throughout the year.

It is found in the Amazon River basin from north-central Brazil through Ecuador, south-central Peru and central Brazil, although its full range is unknown.

“I didn't know what it was, but I knew it was a rare animal,” said coffee grower Einar Quispe, who photographed the weasel near a natural spring on his farm.

“Biodiversity is an important part of our coffee history, so I did everything I could to film it. It's a wonderful surprise to see how important this observation is for Bolivia.”

The new observation in Bolivia represents the southernmost and highest elevation (1,400 metres above sea level) location of this species on record, and the 24th time the species has been recorded anywhere.

This video footage also marks the first time an Amazon weasel has been photographed.

Capturing this weasel for the first time is significant because it provides scientists and the public with their first live footage of this poorly understood carnivore.

“This is an invaluable audiovisual record of a virtually mythical carnivore that lives in the Amazon basin and a fantastic example of the value of citizen science,” said Dr Nuria Bernal, researcher at Texas Tech University.

“As more and more people use their smartphones and cameras to record their observations, we are sure that this is not the only noteworthy scientific contribution by Bolivian citizen scientists.”

“As soon as I saw the video I knew this was a creature we could only dream of observing,” Robert Wallace said. Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

“WCS celebrates the importance of citizen science to our knowledge of biodiversity – Bolivia is now recognized as a global leader in the field – and we applaud the continued conservation work and innovation of APCERL's local partners.”

“Eco de las Aves from Bolivia has been our favorite coffee for a while now. How wonderful to know that as a consumer we are contributing to the preservation of Amazon forests and biodiversity while enjoying our morning cup of coffee.”

This observation: paper In the journal Checklist.

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N. Bernal Hoveld others2024. First Record Neogare Africana (Desmarest, 1818), Amazonian weasel (Carnivora, Mustelidae), Bolivia. Checklist 20 (3): 828-832; doi: 10.15560/20.3.828

This article is based on a press release provided by the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Source: www.sci.news

Drone camera captures Lion’s historic swim across Channel

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Brothers Jacob and Tiv in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Alex Blaczkowski

A pair of lion brothers have completed the longest recorded swim of their kind, crossing waters infested with hippos and crocodiles for around 1.5km.

The swim, the equivalent of an Olympic triathlon, was the duo’s fourth attempt to cross the Kazinga Channel in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park and was recorded at night with a thermal camera mounted on a drone.

The lions had to abandon an earlier attempt after encountering a larger animal, possibly a hippopotamus or Nile crocodile, which was also seen on footage.

What makes the effort even more amazing is that one of the lions, named Jacob, only has three legs.

Jacob says he’s had a very difficult life. Alexander Bratskovsky While at Griffith University in Australia, he was gored by a buffalo, his family was poisoned to sell lion parts, he was caught in a poacher’s trap and eventually lost his leg to a poacher’s iron trap.

Catching the swimming scene on film was unexpected, as Braczkowski and his colleagues were actually keeping an eye on the two lions to determine whether Tibu, Jacob’s brother, was feeding and supporting his sibling.

“The brotherhood of lions goes far beyond the limitations of an injury like losing a leg,” Blaczkowski said.

The researchers believe the brothers probably crossed the strait to reach a lioness whose roaring they had heard two kilometers away. They say the crossing was a straight line of 1.1 kilometers, but taking into account maneuvers, they estimate the lions swam closer to 1.5 kilometers.

“It’s amazing to see the individual capabilities and courage of different species in passing on their genes,” Blaczkowski said. “A human being can’t swim across that channel in the middle of the night, but a lion, even a three-legged lion who has had almost everything taken from him, will jump in.”

Braczkowski said the lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park were under huge pressure from as many as 60,000 people living within its boundaries, as well as cattle farming, wildlife poaching and the occasional agricultural crop cultivation.

“The lion population in the park has almost halved from 72 to 39 in the past five years, so male lions are spending a lot of their time searching for new females,” he said.

Females are more vulnerable because they tend to congregate in larger groups, and leaving the poisoned carcasses increases the risk of multiple deaths, he added.

“The ratio in the park is currently one female to two males, but in a healthy population it should be one male to two females.”

Team Members Duane Biggs Researchers from Northern Arizona University say long-term solutions need to be found to protect both people and lions in the park.

“The three-legged lion swimming through crocodile-infested waters in search of a mate and caught in a poacher’s trap is a symbol of a protected area in distress,” he said.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Completion of the world’s most powerful camera

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SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory scientists and engineers have completed work on the most powerful camera ever created.

The Legacy Survey of Space and Time camera (LSST) boasts an impressive 3,200-megapixel capacity and is approximately the size of a small car, weighing around 3,000 kg. The installation of these cameras in the newly constructed Vera C. Rubin Observatory building will allow scientists to capture incredibly detailed images of the Southern Hemisphere’s skies over the next decade.

Multiple organizations were involved in the production of the camera. Brookhaven National Laboratory contributed a digital sensor array, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory designed and built the lenses, and the Institute of Particle and Nuclear Research at the National Center for Scientific Research in France played a role as well.

With the completion of SLAC’s LSST camera and its integration with Rubin Observatory systems in Chile, the project is on track to produce comprehensive night sky maps. University of Washington professor Željko Ivezic, the Rubin Observatory construction director, emphasized the significance of this achievement.

The LSST camera team successfully attached the cryostat to the camera body on April 8, 2022 – Image courtesy of Travis Lange/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

The new camera’s capabilities are immense, including photographing the entire visible sky every few nights, potentially discovering billions of stars and galaxies over the next decade. It would require hundreds of ultra-high-definition TV screens to display a single image at full resolution.

The LSST camera is being installed facing the ground towards completion.Roughly the size of a small car and weighing 3 tons, the camera has a 5-foot-wide front lens, a 3,200-megapixel sensor, and is cooled to -100°C to reduce noise – Image credit : Jacqueline Ramseyer Orrell/ SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

The camera’s detailed images of the Southern Hemisphere sky aim to fill gaps in previous space observations and provide insights into galaxy distribution, dark energy, dark matter, and other astronomical mysteries. By detecting weak gravitational lensing and studying the evolution of the universe, astronomers hope to gain valuable insights from this data.

Travis Lange, LSST camera deputy project manager, shines a flashlight on the completed LSST camera – Image credit: Jacqueline Ramseyer Orrell/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

Researchers believe the LSST camera could aid in the creation of more detailed maps of solar system objects and help identify near-Earth object threats. The installation of the camera at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile is expected to be completed soon.

A look inside the completed LSST camera – Image credit: Jacqueline Ramseyer Orrell/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Most of the LSST camera team in a clean room with completed cameras, taken in January 2024 – Image credit: Jacqueline Ramseyer Orrell/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (Jacqueline Ramseyer Orrell/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)

Vera C. Rubin Observatory – the new home for cameras

The nearly completed Vera C Rubin Observatory is visible at sunset in January 2022 – Image credit: Vera C Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/AURA/NSF/J Fuentes

Following the completion of the LSST camera, preparations are underway to transport it to the Vera C. Rubin Observatory atop a rugged Andean mountain pass. Its initial imaging is expected in early 2025, allowing the public to witness its capabilities by 2027.

The camera will be installed atop the Simoni Survey Telescope at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory high in the Chilean Andes – Image courtesy of Rubin Observatory/NSF/AURA

About our experts:

Željko Ivezic: With a PhD in physics from the University of Kentucky, Željko Ivezic’s expertise lies in electromagnetic radiation analysis and celestial body observation. He spearheads the Rubin Observatory/LSST project as the construction project director, bringing a wealth of experience in scientific research.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Gigapixel Images of Bella Supernova Remnant Captured by Dark Energy Camera

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Astronomers harness powerful energy dark energy camera The Victor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope (DECam) at Cerro Tororo Inter-American Observatory, a program of NSF's NOIRLab, Huge 1.3 gigapixel image The Vela supernova remnant is the remains of a giant star that exploded in the constellation Vela about 11,000 years ago.

This DECam image shows the Vela supernova remnant, the remnant of a supernova explosion 800 light-years away in the southern constellation of Vela. Image credits: CTIO / NOIRLab / DOE / NSF / AURA / TA University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor and NSF's NOIRLab / M. Zamani and D. de Martin, NSF's NOIRLab.

of Bella supernova remnantVela SNR for short, is one of the most well-studied supernova remnants in the sky and one of the closest supernova remnants to Earth.

Its progenitor star exploded 11,000 to 12,300 years ago south of the constellation Vore.

The association of this supernova remnant with the bella pulsar, made by Australian astronomers in 1968, provided direct observational evidence that supernovae form neutron stars.

“When this star exploded 11,000 years ago, its outer layer was violently stripped away and splattered around, creating a shock wave that can still be seen today,” the astronomers said in a statement.

“As the shock wave spreads into the surrounding region, hot, energetic gas flies away from the point of explosion, becomes compressed and interacts with the interstellar medium, producing the blue and yellow thread-like filaments seen in the image. .”

“Vela SNR is a gigantic structure, almost 100 light-years long and 20 times the diameter of a full moon in the night sky.”

“Although the star's final moments were dramatic, he did not completely disappear.”

“After the outer layers were shed, the star's core collapsed into a neutron star, an ultra-dense ball of protons and electrons that collided with each other to form neutrons.”

“The neutron star, named Bela pulsar, is now a supercondensed object containing the mass of a Sun-like star in a sphere just a few kilometers in diameter.”

“The Bela pulsar, located in the lower left region of this image, is a relatively faint star and indistinguishable from the thousands of objects next to it.”

Vela SNR's new image is the largest DECam image ever published, containing an astonishing 1.3 gigapixels.

“The striking reds, yellows, and blues in this image were achieved by using three DECam filters, each collecting a specific color of light,” the researchers said.

“Separate images were taken with each filter and stacked on top of each other to produce this high-resolution color image showing the intricate web-like filaments snaking throughout the expanding gas cloud.”

Source: www.sci.news