Astronomers utilizing ESA’s XMM-Newton Observatory have captured X-ray images of 3I/ATLAS, the third confirmed interstellar object to traverse our solar system, following 1I/Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov.
This XMM-Newton image displays an X-ray visualization of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. The center features a bright red dot against a dark backdrop, resembling a burning lighthouse. Surrounding this core is a soft gradient of purple and blue, forming a slightly rotated rectangular frame divided by a thin horizontal line, indicating the detector gap. Red represents low-energy X-rays, while blue signifies regions with minimal X-rays. Image credit: ESA / XMM-Newton / C. Lisse / S. Cabot / XMM ISO Team.
On December 3, 2025, XMM-Newton tracked the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS for approximately 20 hours.
During this observation, the interstellar object was about 282-285 million kilometers away from the spacecraft.
XMM-Newton utilized the European Photon Imaging Camera (EPIC)-PN, its most sensitive X-ray camera, to observe the comet.
“This XMM-Newton image highlights the comet radiating in low-energy X-rays. The blue regions indicate voids with nearly no X-rays, while the red areas showcase the comet’s X-ray emissions,” stated members of the XMM-Newton team.
Astronomers anticipated this glow, as gas molecules emitted from comets generate X-rays upon colliding with the solar wind.
“These X-rays can originate from the interaction of the solar wind with gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide, and have previously been detected by telescopes like NASA/ESA/CSA’s James Webb Space Telescope and NASA’s SPHEREx,” added the researchers.
“However, these telescopes possess distinct sensitivities to gases like hydrogen and nitrogen.”
“They are almost undetectable by optical and ultraviolet instruments, such as the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and ESA’s JUICE camera.”
“This makes X-ray observation an exceptional resource,” they emphasized.
“Researchers will be able to identify and examine gases that are difficult to detect with alternative instruments.”
“Multiple scientific groups suggest that the first observed interstellar object, 1I/’Oumuamua, may have been composed of unusual ices like nitrogen and hydrogen.”
“Although 1I/Oumuamua is currently too distant to study, 3I/ATLAS provides fresh opportunities to investigate interstellar bodies. X-ray observations will supplement other data and assist scientists in understanding the composition of these objects.”
Recent ultraviolet (UV) images from the imaging ultraviolet spectrometer (IUVS) on NASA’s MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) orbiter have provided unique insights into the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, offering details about its chemical composition and the amount of water vapor released as it warms under the Sun. These findings will aid scientists in understanding the past, present, and future of 3I/ATLAS.
This ultraviolet image displays the coma of 3I/ATLAS as observed on October 9, 2025, by NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft utilizing its IUVS camera. The brightest pixel in the center marks the comet’s location, while the surrounding bright pixels show the presence of hydrogen atoms emanating from the comet. Image credit: NASA/Goddard/LASP/CU Boulder.
MAVEN captured images of 3I/ATLAS over a span of 10 days starting September 27, 2025, using IUVS cameras in two distinctive methods.
Initially, IUVS generated multiple images of the comet across several wavelengths, akin to using various filters on a single camera.
Subsequently, high-resolution UV images were obtained to identify the hydrogen emitted by 3I/ATLAS.
Analyzing these images together allows researchers to pinpoint various molecules and gain a deeper understanding of the comet’s makeup.
“The images gathered by MAVEN are truly astounding,” remarked Dr. Shannon Currie, MAVEN’s principal investigator.
“The detections we observe are significant, and we have merely begun our analysis journey.”
This annotated composite image highlights hydrogen atoms from three origins, including 3I/ATLAS (left), captured by NASA’s MAVEN orbiter on September 28, 2025, using an IUVS camera. The bright stripe on the right corresponds to hydrogen released from Mars, while the dark stripe in the center represents interplanetary hydrogen present in the solar system. Image credit: NASA/Goddard/LASP/CU Boulder.
The IUVS data also provides an estimated upper limit on the ratio of deuterium to normal hydrogen in comets, which is crucial for tracking their origin and evolution.
During the comet’s closest approach to Mars, Curry and his team utilized IUVS’s more sensitive channel to map various atoms and molecules, such as hydrogen and hydroxyls, within the comet’s coma.
Further examination of the comet’s chemical makeup could shed light on its origins and evolutionary journey.
“I experienced a rush of adrenaline when I saw what we had documented,” stated Dr. Justin Dahan, co-principal investigator of MAVEN and a member of the Atmospheric and Space Physics Laboratory at the University of Colorado Boulder.
“Every observation we make about this comet will enhance our understanding of interstellar objects.”
LTonight’s Dispatch was called “Will AI take my job?” The presence of a question mark usually suggests a negative answer, but this time it feels different. The lurking threat of AI taking over our roles is sobering to ponder.
The film claims that 8 million jobs in the UK are potentially at risk due to AI outsourcing. Occupations including call center agents, translators, and graphic designers—essentially everyone except for masseuses and scaffolders—may soon face redundancy from rapidly advancing technology, despite its dire environmental consequences. My lifespan may be limited, and it’s clear I’ll likely be replaced by a prompt from ChatGPT instructing, “Be histrionic and outraged about what’s on TV.” Grok can even generate a signature image of a comically smug egg to accompany it. Nobody surpasses this level of intelligence.
But why would anyone tune in to Dispatches knowing that AI could render us all obsolete? There wasn’t much to be enthusiastic about unless they were disturbingly motivated to bolster their darkest fears about humanity’s future. However, the film anticipated this sentiment and provided its own clever twist. The segment was introduced by a journalist named Aisha Gavan, who, shockingly, was AI-generated from the start.
Indeed, Channel 4 has fully embraced Tilly Norwood. Gavan was devoid of humanity; she was entirely a computer-generated entity. Yet, despite being mere pixels and code, her hosting was surprisingly convincing. Sure, she had an unfeeling gaze and struggled to articulate sibilant sounds correctly, but she appeared largely human and maintained the stilted pacing typical of TV documentaries. Quite the amusing situation! Who did you consider an authority? Not even a real person! Just kidding, flesh vessel.
The episode itself was fairly well-crafted, featuring four experts—a doctor, a lawyer, a musician, and a photographer—pitted against the capabilities of AI. The overall conclusion seemed to imply that while humans might be superior, AI excels in speed and cost-efficiency. Since greed drives every industry, we’re all in deep trouble.
Some of the technology discussed made sense, like a diagnostic tool capable of assessing a patient in half the time of a typical GP. This could potentially aid healthcare professionals already overloaded by systemic failures. But who really needs an AI photographer? The mission of AI is not to automate creativity but rather to alleviate mundane tasks in our lives. The emergence of AI photographers hints at a daunting future where we could be consigned to producing low-quality art endlessly spewed out by machines.
Ultimately, the spotlight was on Aisha Gavan, touted as Britain’s first AI TV presenter. Honestly, it felt like Channel 4 was trying to have both benefits and fun at once. Not only did they showcase their shiny new toy, but they also managed to lampoon the very technology that generated her. What a clever stunt!
It’s tough to view the film as anything but a stern warning for Channel 4’s other presenters. Hey Krishnan Guru Murthy, you’d better stop grumbling about office snacks or face replacement by an animated mannequin programmed to deliver scripts! Kevin MacLeod, no contract disputes, as a virtual avatar can perform your role without ever needing a break.
And let’s not forget the environmental implications involved. It would have been refreshing if Dispatch wrapped up with Gavan detailing the water consumption required to operate the data center that produced her, especially given Channel 4’s long-standing pledge to reach net zero.
In summary, it was a profoundly challenging watch on various levels. The situation will likely worsen as AI technology continues to advance at a staggering pace. Three years from now, while you’re foraging for bugs to nourish your family, you could have a ChatGPT providing you precise, bullet-point critiques of shows presented by AI-generated hosts. Yet, it was enjoyable while it lasted, wasn’t it?
The sun is shining brighter through solar energy. According to Ember, a think tank on energy, solar energy has been the fastest-growing power source globally for the past two decades.
In 2022, solar power generation capacity surpassed 1 terawatt for the first time, and just two years later, it doubled, contributing 7% to the world’s electricity supply. When including wind turbines, which harness solar energy through different methods, solar accounted for 15% of global electricity last year.
This surge in solar energy is not simply due to an increased commitment to climate goals. Indeed, as noted in another Ember Report, many renewable energy targets have barely made progress towards achieving net-zero emissions over the past decade.
The true driver behind the rise of solar is its position as the most cost-effective method of electricity generation almost everywhere.
In his book Here Comes the Sun: The Last Chance for Climate and a New Chance for Civilization, long-time climate advocate Bill McKibben asserts that we are on the brink of a critical historical transition—from reliance on fossil fuels to embracing solar energy. “We are looking to the heavens for energy instead of to hell,” McKibben writes.
Below, he provides a thoughtful exploration of how solar energy not only addresses climate issues in time but also transforms the interaction between the economy and the natural world.
This is not the first call to action for a swift transition to renewable sources. However, it offers a visionary glimpse of what a solar-powered society could look like, going beyond just technological and economic considerations during the energy shift.
Solar-led energy transitions may be inevitable, but they may not happen quickly enough.
“This critical transformation is now presented as the most significant bargain ever, yet it remains cloaked in mysteries we have yet to fully unravel,” he notes.
This optimism is presented by McKibben, a renowned voice in environmentalism since his first book, The End of Nature, where he first alerted the world to the climate crisis.
Rather than detailing the ongoing damage from climate change, he emphasizes the numerous advantages of increased solar power, including more stable energy prices and reduced reliance on fossil fuel-rich states.
On a spiritual note, he suggests that this shift may rekindle our deep respect for the sun and its immense power.
McKibben also engages with skeptics of renewable energy, providing a balanced perspective on the trade-offs in the energy transition, such as the rising demand for minerals, land use, and potential job losses in fossil fuel industries. His argument is reinforced by an array of global anecdotes from different energy transitions, including a positive mention of the Kentucky Coal Mines Museum’s transition to solar energy to cut costs.
Nevertheless, doubts linger about the feasibility of McKibben’s optimistic outlook. A significant portion of the rapid growth in solar energy is currently occurring in China, which has unique advantages such as central planning and a distinct political structure that may not be replicable elsewhere. This rapid pace may not even be sustainable in China itself.
In the U.S., despite remarkable growth in solar energy in recent years, the industry now contends with challenges posed by the previous administration’s discontent towards renewable resources. Loss of tax credits that once leveled the playing field with subsidized fossil fuels and local opposition to solar projects also complicate future growth.
As McKibben acknowledges, both can be true: solar-driven energy transitions may be on the horizon, but reductions in emissions might not happen swiftly enough to avert further drastic impacts of global warming. “It won’t be easy, but it’s necessary,” he asserts. “We must cease burning, or we will face dire consequences.”
Personally, I resonate with this perspective—I’d much prefer to bask in the sunlight.
Orcas have been observed seemingly presenting deceased prey to humans.
Marine research organization Bay Cetology, led by Jared Tower, was documenting orca pods (Orcinus orca) as they dined on seabirds in Alert Bay, Canada, when a remarkable discovery occurred. Two whales, named Akela and Quiver, approached a tower while clutching birds. The younger orca, Akela, dropped a dead bird in front of the tower and lingered, seemingly watching for a reaction. Following suit, her brother Quiver also dropped a bird and waited.
In a surprising turn, both whales retrieved their prey once more and swam closer to the tower. “I remember thinking, did that really just happen?” Tower recalls. This occurrence aligns with similar ones documented in 2015 and 2018, where a young female orca presented a researcher with a harbor seal pup, prompting further observations of this intriguing behavior.
Further interviews revealed an additional 32 instances between 2004 and 2024 where orcas exhibited similar behaviors. This includes a young male orca from New Zealand, nicknamed Funky Monkey, who repeatedly approached researchers with a long-tailed stingray. Altogether, 18 different prey species have been offered, ranging from gray whales and seals to jellyfish and turtles.
Such behaviors have been regularly observed within the orca pod. “They exist in a highly intricate social structure and share food throughout their lives,” Tower notes.
Yet, the behaviors extend beyond mere interactions. “They engage in actions that reflect goodwill towards another species,” states Lori Marino from New York University, who was not involved in the study.
Tower indicates that this behavior suggests killer whales may possess a capacity for generalized altruism or kindness. Additionally, orcas demonstrate curiosity and boldness, understanding other beings’ perceptions, and actively experimenting with them, he explains.
This form of generalized altruism is beneficial in a social community where collective cooperation brings rewards. Killer whales are also among the few marine predators that sometimes find themselves with surplus prey. “They may leave it uneaten, play with it, or utilize it to explore their surroundings,” notes Tower.
For many killer whales, their generalist predation is characterized by curiosity and exploratory behavior. “Curiosity is a key factor in reducing uncertainty,” Tower adds. “They are actively learning about us by testing the waters.”
Moreover, this behavior might indicate that orcas have a theory of mind, a capability previously recognized in certain birds, primates, and marine mammals such as dolphins.
A A standalone spinoff from FromSoftware’s immensely popular single-player dark-fantasy game Eldenling, the multiplayer-focused Eldenling Night League is an intriguing mix that often feels like a blend of various gaming experiences.
Each session, whether solo or in a team of three, begins as players enter a compact, dense world, striving to gain strength as the rapidly closing ring constricts around them. Instead of facing other players, you will combat various monsters and explore locations directly drawn from Eldenling’s universe. After every match, players obtain upgrade materials to enhance future runs and advance the game’s narrative alongside rogue elements. This complexity can be quite overwhelming.
Race against the clock… Eldenling Night League. Photo: Bandai Namco
Each session presents a frantic race against time to develop an in-flight strategy that takes you across the map. The match unfolds over three days. In the first two days, you can quickly become a local boss, acquire minor buffs with powerful passive abilities, gain weapons with impactful skills, or evade the encroaching rings to ensure successful runs. Each night culminates in a more formidable battle than ever faced, heightening the stakes.
It’s a thrilling yet intense experience as you gear up for the final day. As dawn breaks, you find yourself ready to enter the desolate arena and confront one of several challenging mega bosses designed for group play.
Nightreign is predominantly tailored for a trio of players. You can venture solo, but this poses a significant risk. If you inadvertently fall victim to a boss attack and perish, there’s no one to revive you. Furthermore, many enemies intended for teamwork can easily overwhelm an individual player.
Going solo is not advisable… Eldenling Night League. Photo: Bandai Namco
Ultimately, this game emphasizes momentum. The urgency you feel while navigating the world is palpable. Every moment prompts the question: Am I wasting time exploring this corner? Can I defeat this boss quickly enough to secure a reward? It’s an exhilarating experience as you rush to assess equipment and make build decisions on the fly, yet it strays from the traditional FromSoftware formula, as many elements have been adapted for speed.
For instance, there’s no stats option for leveling up. Leveling has been simplified to button mashing at rest areas. While the world is filled with numerous minor enemies, defeating a couple in quick succession will only help you reach level 2; engaging with them feels minimal since tackling bosses is the key to gaining strength.
This momentum gives Nightreign a “one more run” allure, but the fast pace diminishes much of the world to mere distractions that squander your time. The glitches we’ve encountered in the review versions contribute to this irritation. Spending five minutes on a dragon only to glitch through the wall feels particularly frustrating.
One of the most criticized mechanics in the Dark Souls series was the necessity to return to the boss arena upon death. Fans were relieved when Eldenling allowed respawning just outside the arena. However, Nightreign’s experience feels like a cumbersome regression, almost Sisyphean. Each run demands approximately 35 minutes to reach the final boss, yet these bosses often have unique mechanics capable of obliterating unsuspecting teams with just a few hits. You find yourself rolling that boulder up the hill repeatedly, which feels awfully punishing.
Given Elden Ring’s triumph in adapting FromSoftware’s intricate design philosophy into an open world, it’s disappointing that the developers seem to have missed the mark with Nightreign. The repetitive nature of the game and its reliance on content borrowed from Eldenling—often haphazardly arranged—leaves the world feeling more like a fan-made mod than a unique title.
The efforts to preserve established gameplay mechanics are commendable, and defeating massive enemies alongside friends adds to the gratification of overcoming what initially felt like an insurmountable challenge. Nonetheless, the game’s pacing issues and dependence on Eldenling’s assets detract from the overall experience.
something exciting is coming to Grand Theft Auto Universe next year. This isn’t just about stunning graphics or uncharted territories in Rockstar’s version of the US; it goes much deeper. If you caught the recently released second trailer for GTA6, it was unveiled mercilessly just days after the announcement that the game won’t be available until May next year. What’s new is romance.
The main characters in this latest gangster saga are Lucia Caminos and Jason Duval, two young lovers from rough backgrounds. He’s a former attire turned drug runner, while she’s just out of prison and determined to create a better life for herself and her beloved mother. Their paths cross as they devise plans to escape their gritty surroundings. However, when a seemingly straightforward robbery takes a dangerous turn, they find themselves entangled in a sprawling criminal conspiracy. If Rockstar is telling a love story, you can bet it includes an Underworld Kingpin, gang members, conspiracy theorists, and a horrifying array of corrupt politicians.
Slazy Rider…Grand Theft Auto 6. Illustration: Rockstar Game
But how do writers create a couple that resonates with the series’ tone and lore? Traditionally, it has focused on deeply flawed, solitary characters like the PTSD-afflicted veteran Nico Bellic and the volatile Trevor Phillips. There was a brief romantic subplot in previous games—Mercedes Cortes, CJ’s short affair, the entanglements of Catalina in San Andreas, and the flirtations woven throughout Tommy Vercetti’s escapades. Even Trevor’s odd interactions with Patrice in GTA5 featured sparse love stories filled with Stockholm syndrome. Yet, in these narratives, emotional dynamics often took a backseat to violent heists and adrenaline-fueled car chases. The GTA universe has been largely nihilistic, emphasizing individualism often accompanied by a façade of camaraderie before brutal betrayal. However, the new GTA trailer hints at a fresh integrity. “Rather than superficial fantasies, Lucia is prepared to seize control. A life with Jason could lead her to new horizons.”
Writers still look to cinema for inspiration. With its themes of violence and luxury cars under the sun, Vice City drew from Scarface and Miami Vice. GTA: San Andreas channeled the cinematic essence of early ’90s South Central LA through films by John Singleton and the Hughes brothers. GTA 4 took cues from French crime dramas and Russian gangster films. Already, GTA6 is drawing comparisons to Bonnie and Clyde, another tale of troubled lovers willing to risk everything for love. Yet, Rockstar seems to have delved deeper, studying the true romance depicted in Sam Peckinpah’s classics and Terrence Malick’s Badlands—a story of a thrilling but ultimately discontent couple. Even Natural Born Killers may provide surreal inspiration for this new arc.
Regardless, this is timely. With all its satire and moral ambiguity, GTA titles have often lacked subtlety. Relationship dynamics have traditionally been tied to the honor code of dysfunctional families and the hypermasculine gangland ethos. This series has never featured a female lead protagonist until now. We’re witnessing the emergence of new dynamics.
Perhaps GTA will approach romance similarly to how it has explored friendship in the past. Take Roman and Nico in GTA 4, who embody contrasts of darkness and violence alongside meaningful risks. Expect minimal player influence in the relationship’s development since GTA isn’t a strict role-playing adventure. Story progression hinges more on actions rather than dialogue. However, I’m curious about what the writers have observed about human behavior from the increasingly popular multiplayer spinoff, GTA Online, where dedicated role-playing servers have fostered virtual relationships.
In any case, I’m rooting for Lucia and Jason. They represent some of the most intriguing characters we’ve seen in the series—already generating buzz online as fans have shipped them. While Rockstar’s art team typically depicts characters as reflections of internal decay, these two are undeniably attractive and share a strong chemistry. Perhaps Rockstar recognizes that the current state of the world—and perhaps our desires—yearns for genuine romantic connection. Next May, expect both love and bullets to fly.
IIn the early 00’s, off-beat sports games were king. From the slam dunking shenanigans on NBA Street to the absurdity that stops the Mario Striker show, once serious competition has been rethought as a surprising, stupid grim match. But with the arrival of the era of live services, Sports Sims was not about playing pulse pumps, but about collecting more and more expensive virtual trading cards.
Please enter a rematch. This is a refreshing action-packed rethink of a beautiful game. Channel the crude thrills of five sides of the Power League and rematch tactics focused on FIFA teams and put you in a single player studded boot. With third-person action game-like controls, developer Sloclap has guided the channel to create heavy, skill-driven soccer, with martial arts-heavy experiences in previous titles SIFU and Absolver. It’s wonderfully agile, fast, and ferocious. The pass is delivered manually, the shot is curled in the heat of the moment, and the goalkeeper sprints down the half-hearted line, as Oliver Kahn owns. Free slide tackles and bike kicks are the order of the day, and I can’t stop grinning as I win my teammates and each half-line screamer.
“FIFA is a football simulation, and the rematch is a football player simulation,” says Pierre Tarno’s creative director. “In the game, there is no more kick action to pass to this type of pass, so “Let’s make it happen!”
Reflex test… a rematch. Photo: Sloclap
Sifu has also recursively tested the gameplay of the recursive test to kickabout, where you knocked out 7 shades from many martial arts masters. Thanks to high levels of player control, the match is surprisingly quick. Without the other 10 controllable players, the rematch is a game of constant movement. Sprints take valuable stamina and keeping the “Do” button at all times is always a quick way to FIFA. Thankfully there is a hidden trick underneath the knee pads. The tap on the bumper allows for a sudden, fast-speed explosion. Tied to another meter, this emergency boost is perfect for chasing a striker in a box or for throwing away a defender snapping on his heel. Immediately, I balance my midfield and defensive play and charge my goalmouse scramble in a true, crude way.
Sport the art style, a Breath of the Wild, some French Impressionism, and animated speed lines, and sprint through each rendered pitch. Scoring the goal will distort the virtual environment around you, change the Smash Bros style that has changed the background of the stage, and align the main team’s home stadium as the ball hits the back of the net with an explosion of color.
According to Tarno, Rematch’s visuals were an attempt to recreate the soft, dreamy look of paintings inside an immersive 3D stadium. But despite its charming cartoonish look, there is a welcome lack of feats against the super’s movements and gravity that fills the screen. “We once built up running the wall into the game,” he says.
A game of constant movement… a rematch. Photo: Sloclap
This is a world with a bright aesthetic and outlook. Instead of taking place within the normal Grimm Dark Dystopia of video games set in 2065, Sloclap offers a refreshing optimistic view of the future. The environment focuses on renewable energy and natural landscapes. One stadium is wrapped in a dam that generates hydraulic power, while another sees a match unfolding under the hillside with rotating wind turbines.
“We wanted to dream of a world where humanity made the right choice. It’s worth sharing cooperation and resilience on and off the pitch,” Tarno says. “It’s really about the joy of playing with friends.”
When the control finally clicks, you’ll be fully invested in the Ramshackle team. Just like Sloclap’s previous output, the rematch is about mastery. This is a game where the avatar begins with high power. In the world of Rematch, offsides, fouls, and merciless, Var is a thing of the past, and futuristic footies can’t slow the action. “I think players who are not soccer fans will be surprised that they can still enjoy football games because it’s so intense and dynamic,” Tarno says.
Since rematches are only online, the ball call system allows players to raise their hands as they scream and ask for the ball. Rematch’s futuristic footy has more to do than the touch of an Overwatch. I find the squad-driven approach and accurate manual aim as satisfying as setting goals as it scores. The rematch also shares the sense of Rocket League and Arcade relatives, but the rematch delivers a more reasonable approximation of the game, as Psyonix’s unstoppable hit watch players launch Hot Wheels-like vehicles into comical, big football.
The rematch is full of fun player customizations and you can design everything from choosing avatar earrings from your home or away kit. There are even vitiligo selectors and options for customizable prostheses for players to match a more comprehensive vision of the future. The rematch is a paid release, with additional items being sold in in-game currency, which is said to result in roughly half of the cosmetic items being unlocked through play.
Regardless of price range, Tarno is keenly aware that only one is really important. “There is no secret formula in game development,” he says. “The only way to achieve commercial success is to make a very good game. It’s more true about gaming than any other entertainment industry… Gamers are very discerning viewers. They are often very analytical, and the mechanisms and what works and what doesn’t work… If the game isn’t good enough, it simply doesn’t succeed.”
This month’s open beta is essential for a tweak rematch. That was promising in the first half, at least so far. I went into the demo, hoping for disposable fun like a Mario striker, leaving me with sweaty hands. Sloclap’s mission is to bring the pleasant sensation back to virtual football, and based on what he’s banded about this colorful pitch so far, the rematch has the depth to reach the big leagues.
The orca who captured hearts worldwide in 2018 by refusing to let go of her deceased calf has now welcomed her second baby in the last four years.
The Whale Research Center has confirmed that their team has started monitoring the new baby girl on Monday, giving her the alphanumeric name “J61.” They are closely monitoring and observing the calf’s well-being.
The mother, known as Tahlequah with the designation number J35, is an experienced mother. The center is concerned about the health of both J61 and her mother during this critical period.
The early years are especially risky for newborn calves, with high mortality rates in the first year. The Center for Whale Research expressed their hope that J35 will be able to keep J61 safe through this challenging time.
Tahlequah made headlines globally in 2018 when she carried her deceased calf for 17 days, moving people around the world with her display of grief. Her actions prompted Washington State Governor Jay Inslee to establish the Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force for conservation efforts.
J61 is Tahlequah’s third surviving calf, following J47 or “Notch” born in 2010 and J57 or “Phoenix” born in 2020. They belong to the J pod of killer whales, residing in the coastal waters between Washington state and Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
The J-Pod is one of three pods of Southern Resident killer whales, totaling about 73 orcas across the pods. Conservation groups are working to protect and restore the declining population of these majestic creatures.
Threats to killer whales include entanglement in fishing nets, food scarcity, human interference, and environmental pollution. The declining population highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these endangered animals.
Contaminants in the water pose a significant threat to orcas, with industrial chemicals accumulating in the food chain and affecting the health of the whales. Female southern whales and their offspring are particularly vulnerable to these pollutants.
NOAA’s 2022 pod health assessment raises concerns about the impact of contaminants on the Southern Resident killer whale population, emphasizing the need for immediate action to protect these magnificent creatures.
Ronaldo, a six-foot-long Brazilian rainbow boa constrictor kept at a British school, was thought to be male until he gave birth to 14 babies last month.
The boa hadn’t been in contact with other snakes for nearly a decade and appears to have undergone a natural process of asexual reproduction called parthenogenesis, which comes from the Greek word for “virgin birth.”
According to the school, this is the third confirmed case of such a birth among captive Brazilian rainbow boas that they know of.
Ronaldo lives at Portsmouth City University. The snakes are being used at an academic and vocational school in the south of England for 16-18 year olds to teach students how to care for animals.
“A colleague called me and asked why we had released a small snake with Ronaldo,” said Pete Quinlan, an animal technician at the university who has cared for the snakes for the past nine years.
Quinlan said his first thought on June 21st was that there must have been a mistake. Although it was his day off, he went to the scene and quickly realised the snake with Ronaldo was a baby rainbow boa constrictor.
“I was totally baffled by it,” he said, noting that he has been studying reptiles for more than 50 years.
Ronaldo’s baby boa constrictor. Portsmouth City University
“I’ve kept literally thousands of snakes in that time and bred a lot of snakes,” Quinlan added. “I’d never heard of this before.”
In a news release, the university described the event as “A Miracle Birth. However, some snakes and other animals, including crocodiles and honeybees, are known to produce offspring asexually.
Parthenogenesis is the development of an embryo without fertilization. This process is particularly Unusual among vertebrates including snakes.
While sexual reproduction requires a sperm to fertilize an egg, parthenogenesis produces polar bodies as a by-product of the egg-making process, which are then used to fill in the gap. These cells then recombine with the egg, giving the embryo two similar (but not identical) sets of DNA.
Parthenogenesis also occurs when reproductive cells replicate and recombine, a process that creates a clone of the mother, but it occurs primarily in plants and not animals.
Researchers are still investigating why parthenogenesis occurs in animals and how often it occurs.
A baby rainbow boa constrictor born through parthenogenesis by Ronaldo. Portsmouth City University
Quinlan said some researchers believe snakes practice parthenogenesis, in which females spend most of their lives without mating.
In recent years, there have been several reports of animals reproducing asexually in captivity. Sharks at Brookfield Zoo gave birth to a baby shark through parthenogenesis after not having contact with a male shark for at least four years. 2021 Survey found California condors, a critically endangered bird, reproducing asexually in captivity despite having mates.
A stingray named Charlotte became pregnant parthenogenetically at an aquarium in North Carolina. He died on Sunday. The aquarium said last month that the ray (whose story was the subject of a “Saturday Night Live” sketch) is not pregnant. Diagnosed with a rare disease.
Quinlan said he initially adopted Ronald from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, an animal welfare charity. A vet told him Ronald was male, and Quinlan never questioned it. Once a snake becomes an adult, it’s harder to determine its sex than when it’s a baby, he said.
Ronaldo is a “very popular snake” at the school, Ms Quinlan said, adding that this should be a “really good experience” for the pupils as they had never looked after a newborn snake before.
Evie Allen, a student at the university who works with Ronaldo said he was “shocked” and “perplexed” when he heard from a friend that the snake had given birth to a baby.
Portsmouth City College learning assistants Evie Allen and Ashley Nicol hold a baby snake and snake skin. Portsmouth City University
“I honestly thought he was joking,” she said.
The university plans to keep one or two of the baby snakes and care for the rest until they have been fed a few times and are healthy enough to go to their new homes.
Ronaldo’s story has attracted attention around the world.
“We never expected it to take off as badly as it did,” said Paula Hetherington, the university’s director of marketing and communications.
“If you Google Ronaldo the snake right now, he seems to be more popular than Ronaldo the footballer,” Quinlan said.
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