Tag Archives: night

Two Greenish Comets Illuminate the Night Sky This Month.

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This autumn, two greenish comets are traversing the inner solar system, presenting a unique opportunity to view them in the coming weeks.

The comets, designated C/2025 A6 (Lemon) and C/2025 R2 (SWAN), are currently observable from the Northern Hemisphere as they journey through our cosmic vicinity.

It is quite uncommon for a comet to be visible twice within the same month.

Both comets can be observed with binoculars or small telescopes until the end of October. Comet Lemon may become visible to the naked eye around its closest approach to Earth and peak brightness on or about October 21st.

Several astronomy enthusiasts have already spotted this icy traveler.

Astrophotographer Julian de Winter, a junior lecturer at the University of Mons in Belgium, captured Comet Lemon’s striking emerald glow and elongated tail from Texas in late September.

The faint green hue arises from carbon in the gas cloud enveloping the comet’s nucleus.

In the Northern Hemisphere, Comet Lemon will appear near the Big Dipper before dawn from now until mid-month. According to EarthSky, a site focused on astronomy and skywatching, the best viewing time is in the northeast sky, just beneath the distinctive bowl and handle of the Big Dipper.

In about a week, the comet will rise in the western sky and can be seen in the evening sky. From then until the month’s end, visibility of these celestial objects may be challenging, although they might be seen with the naked eye.

Comet Swan is visible in the evening sky until the end of the month. The prime time to locate it is about 90 minutes post-sunset, directed towards the southwest. This comet may not be bright enough for naked-eye observation, so binoculars or a small telescope will be necessary.

In the coming days, Comet Swan will ascend higher in the horizon post-sunset and could brighten as it nears its closest approach to Earth around October 20th.

Under optimal conditions of clear, dark skies with minimal light pollution, it may even be possible to see both comets on the same night towards the month’s end.

Discovered in January by the Lemmon Mission, Comet Lemmon tracks near-Earth objects using telescopes located in Arizona’s Santa Catalina Mountains.

Comet SWAN was identified more recently by amateur astronomers in early September while examining images from NASA’s Solar and Heliospheric Observatory’s SWAN instrument, which has been studying the Sun since its launch in 1995.

Additionally, this month, another type of comet—one originating from outside our solar system—is passing through. Comet 3I/ATLAS, the third identified interstellar visitor, was recently photographed by a spacecraft orbiting Mars and is set to make its closest approach to the Sun around October 30th.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

While ChatGPT Has Its Benefits, Here’s Why I Still Dislike It | Imogen West Night

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IT is a popular topic of discussion over drinks and dinner. The debate centers on whether AI will take away jobs. So far, AI hasn’t had a fair shot at writing newspaper opinion columns, but I’m convinced there are aspects of my role that AI simply can’t replicate.

Except for now, it seems AI is making claims that it can. Recently, it was revealed that at least six respected publications had to retract articles they published, as they turned out to be fragments of fiction generated by AI and later submitted by someone under the name Margaux Blanchard. One such piece was a Wired article titled “Love in Love in Love Fold,” which humorously featured Minecraft as a wedding venue. This piece quoted a so-called “digital celebrity,” Jessica Foo, who appears to exist only in name. Another publication called Dispatch received a pitch from “Blanchard” about an imaginary neighbor’s town called Gravemont, which also does not exist.

In social conversations about topics like ChatGPT, I struggle against an overwhelming sense of frustration. I dislike ChatGPT deeply. This feeling qualifies as hatred for me, because it provokes a visceral response that’s just shy of real anger. I don’t find it just annoying or confusing—I genuinely despise it.

Thus, I’ve been digging into the reasons behind my aversion. There are valid points in favor of the AI era. For instance, a friend in the scientific field explained how AI accelerates the process of developing and testing hypotheses. Routine tasks become less time-consuming with AI’s assistance.

Nonetheless, there are numerous factors causing my trepidation. The environmental impact of using ChatGPT is well-documented, but for me, it’s not the most pressing concern. It troubles me that people are actively choosing technologies that threaten to make much of their work obsolete. For example, AI can distill complex information through Google searches, which is often too straightforward. Moreover, those leading the AI revolution often evoke the worst stereotypes of the typical tech bro.

This reactionary mindset is what I find particularly tragic. Trusting ChatGPT could weaken people’s mental capabilities. I firmly believe that creative imagination is like a muscle; it thrives on exercise. Recently, I assisted a 7-year-old with her creative writing assignment. When she needed to describe the forest, I asked her to imagine it and share what she saw. “We don’t need to do that,” she replied. “You can ask AI to do it.”

She indirectly suggested that we let ChatGPT help rewrite the article. Call me a Luddite if you must, but my reaction was one of dismay! Some challenges should be embraced! It’s beneficial for your brain to tackle them! I’ve read about people using ChatGPT for selecting dishes from a restaurant menu. Choosing what to eat is one of life’s small pleasures—why outsource that to a machine?

However, what troubles me most isn’t that. The gravest issue is how ChatGPT infiltrates people’s personal lives. There’s a barrage of suggestions on using it for workout plans, coding solutions, and document summarization. That’s fine, but hearing about its use for writing birthday cards, best man speeches, or farewell texts makes a part of my soul wither. As someone who writes for a living, I can’t accept this. These moments of expression need to be heartfelt and authentic, not perfectly crafted by algorithms.

My deep-seated dislike for ChatGPT stems from how willingly people transform meaningful interactions into mere transactions. For instance, whether it’s an email or a post, much of the value in receiving a message lies in knowing someone invested their time and thought into crafting it.

I fully recognize that 15 years down the line, I might look back on this article with amusement, adapting to AI-optimized workdays and AI-assisted tasks. I may find I was naive to worry at all! “I love you” could be easily programmed to mimic genuine affection! I also understand that my aversion to ChatGPT might render me less employable in the future, as I might lack the skills to harness AI effectively. That’s okay; I can retreat to the woods and live a less-than-ideal life. Yet, I will be unhappy in a tangible way, clinging to the ability to think independently.

Source: www.theguardian.com

This Summer, the Night Sky Dazzles with Shooting Stars: Essential Tips for Enjoying the Meteor Shower.

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With three meteor showers occurring simultaneously this month, skywatchers have ample opportunities to spend their summer nights searching for shooting stars.

The annual Alpha Capriconids, South Delta Aquarids, and Perseid Meteor Showers are currently in action, each expected to last until mid-August.

Here’s what you need to know about these meteor showers and tips for spotting shooting stars.

Alpha Capriconid

The Alpha Capriconids and South Delta Aquarids will be visible overnight from July 29th to 30th, while the Perseids, often regarded as the most consistent shooting star display, will peak next month.

Skywatchers can expect favorable conditions for observing meteor showers this July, as noted by the American Meteor Society.

Typically, the Alpha Capricornids Meteor Shower doesn’t deliver a powerful show but can yield several bright fireballs while active, generating approximately 5 shooting stars per hour. Observations under dark skies enhance the experience, according to the American Meteor Society.

This shower derives its name from the constellation Capricornus, from which the meteors appear to radiate. This year’s peak features a moon phase of only 27%, giving both hemispheres an opportunity to observe the display.

The Alpha Capriconid meteor shower occurs when Earth traverses dust and debris from the comet 169p/Neat, which orbits the Sun approximately every 4.2 years. Fragments entering the atmosphere create bright streaks of light as they vaporize.

South Delta Aquarid

The Southern Delta Aquarids, as suggested by its name, is most clearly observed from the Southern Hemisphere. Under ideal conditions, this meteor shower can produce about 25 meteors per hour, though many tend to be faint.

According to NASA, the South Delta Aquarid shower is challenging to spot, but early morning hours provide the best chance for viewing.

This meteor shower is linked to Comet 96p/Machorz, which completes an orbit around the Sun approximately every two years.

Perseid

Lastly, the Perseid meteor shower is currently active and expected to peak overnight from August 12th to 13th. This event is highly anticipated as Perseids typically occur during the warm summer months in the Northern Hemisphere, often generating a high rate of shooting stars. Under optimal conditions, this shower can yield up to 100 meteors per hour.

However, this year, the moon will be approximately 84% illuminated, which may diminish visibility for meteors. “This will significantly impact the shower’s activity during its peak,” states the American Meteor Society.

“These conditions could reduce visible activity by at least 75%, leaving only the brighter meteors visible,” the society mentioned in its forecast.

The Perseid shower occurs as Earth passes through debris and dust left by the comet 109p/Swift-Tuttle.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Why You Don’t Need to Stress About Napping: It Won’t Keep Your Child Up at Night

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Naps are regarded as significant for early brain development

Quintanilla/Shutterstock

Daytime short naps appear to enhance the overall sleep duration of young children rather than pose a significant risk to their nighttime rest.

Typically, babies and young kids nap during the day, which is linked to the formation of early memories. This habit generally ceases between the ages of 3 and 5, but timing can differ, leaving many parents uncertain about their children’s daytime sleep needs.

In France, where kindergarten begins at age 3, there is a debate on whether staff should allow children to nap. “Although naps are widely acknowledged to positively impact cognitive development, some parents and educators worry that daytime resting might disrupt nighttime sleep or diminish essential learning opportunities,” notes Stephanie Mazza from the University of Lyon, France.

Mazza and her team researched whether naps interfere with nighttime rest by observing 85 children aged 2-5 years across six French kindergartens using wrist sleep trackers for about 7.8 days.

The findings, combined with sleep diaries maintained by parents, showed that an hour increase in napping was linked to a reduction of roughly 13.6 minutes in nighttime sleep, delaying bedtime by about 6.4 minutes. However, children who napped gained an overall 45 minutes of additional sleep.

“Naps have led to a notable rise in total daily sleep, helping children meet the globally recommended sleep duration,” states Mazza. The World Health Organization advises that children in this age group should sleep between 10-13 hours daily.

“Parents need not worry if their child still requires a nap before turning six,” asserts Mazza. “Our results imply that naps can boost total sleep, even if they slightly delay bedtime. Instead of viewing naps as detrimental, they should be seen as a valuable source of rest, particularly in stimulating environments.”

“I believe this indicates—if they can nap, let them nap,” says Rebecca Spencer from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She emphasizes, considering that sleep duration during early childhood varies globally, further research is necessary to assess the broader applicability of these findings.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Scientists Reveal How Bogon Moths Navigate Using the Starry Night Sky as a Compass

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Every spring, billions of Bogong moths (Agrotis infusa) migrate from their breeding grounds in southeastern Australia, covering distances of up to 1,000 km to reach previously unvisited locations.

The Bogong Moth utilizes stellar cues and Earth’s magnetic fields to develop a precise navigation system for long-distance night travel. Image credits: Lucinda Gibson & Ken Walker, Museum Victoria / CC by 3.0.

“While we already knew that certain birds and humans can navigate by stars, this is the first evidence showing that insects can do the same,” noted Professor Eric Warrant from the Australian National University and the University of South Australia.

“Bogong moths are remarkably precise navigators. They use stellar patterns as compasses, adjusting their course according to seasonal changes and the time of night.”

“Each spring, billions of Bogong moths emerge from their breeding sites in southeastern Australia, traveling up to 1,000 km to specific caves and rocky outcrops in the Australian Alps.”

“The moths remain dormant in cool, dark shelters throughout the summer and then return in autumn to breed and die.”

Researchers utilized advanced flight simulators and recorded brain activity in a controlled, magnetically neutral environment to study the moths’ navigation under various conditions.

Even without the natural starry sky or magnetic fields, the moths consistently flew in the correct seasonal direction.

They reversed their flight path when the night sky was rotated by 180 degrees, but became disoriented when the stars were jumbled.

“This demonstrates they aren’t merely flying toward the brightest light or relying on simple visual indicators,” Professor Warrant remarked.

“They interpret specific patterns in the night sky to establish their geographical bearings, similar to migratory birds.”

Remarkably, when the stars were obscured by clouds, the moths relied solely on Earth’s magnetic field for navigation.

This dual navigational system guarantees reliable orientation in diverse conditions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqig_xbufe0

Professor Warrant and his team explored the neurological basis of this behavior and discovered specialized neurons in the moths’ brains that respond to star patterns.

These neurons, located in regions responsible for navigation and steering, are most active when the moth faces south.

“This directional tuning indicates that the Bogong moth’s brain encodes celestial information in an exceptionally sophisticated manner,” added Professor Warrant.

“This discovery exemplifies the complex navigational capabilities inherent in the brains of small insects.”

The findings could have implications for robotics, drone navigation, and conservation strategies for species threatened by habitat destruction or climate change.

Bogong moth populations have dramatically declined in recent years, prompting their listing as vulnerable.

This research underscores the necessity of protecting their migratory paths and the dark skies they depend on.

“This insight isn’t merely academic; it illustrates how animals perceive their surroundings,” Professor Warrant stated.

“The night sky has guided human explorers for millennia, and now we understand it also guides moths.”

This study was published this week in the journal Nature.

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D. Drayer et al. Bogong Moths utilize a star compass for long-distance navigation at night. Nature Published online on June 18th, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09135-3

Source: www.sci.news

Infrared Contact Lenses Enable Night Vision or Eyelid Closure

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Researchers have created prototype infrared contact lenses that enable users to see in the dark or even with their eyes closed.

The innovative prototype, developed by the University of Science and Technology in China, incorporates nanoparticles that transform infrared light into visible light.

Contact lenses infused with nanoparticles were provided to volunteers as part of the study recently published in the journal Cell. Participants successfully detected a flashing signal from infrared rays, which are normally invisible to the naked eye.

The transparent lenses permitted participants to perceive both visible and infrared light simultaneously.

“We discovered that when subjects close their eyes, near-infrared light penetrates the eyelids more efficiently than visible light, allowing us to capture this flickering information more effectively,” stated Tian Xue, the lead researcher from the University of Science and Technology in China.

These nanoparticles absorb near-infrared (NIR) light with wavelengths ranging from 800 to 1600 nanometers, which is beyond human visual perception. They then re-emit this light within the visible range of 400 to 700 nanometers.

Currently, near-infrared light is utilized in active night vision goggles, which illuminate the environment with infrared rays and convert that light into a visible format for users.

Active Night Vision Goggles illuminate the landscape with infrared rays and convert this into visible wavelengths – Credit: Getty Images/StockByte

However, if you’re hoping to see the world as “faithfully” portrayed in Predators, you may be disappointed—longer wavelengths are required for that effect.

At present, the contact lenses are sensitive enough to detect light emitted from infrared LEDs.

While the lenses initially struggled to capture fine details, the research team was able to enhance this capability by using an additional set of glasses.

Nanoparticles can be modified to emit light in various colors, improving the clarity and interpretation of infrared images. There may even be potential to alter visible light performance.

“By converting red visible light to green visible light, this technology could become invisible to those who are colorblind,” explains Xue.

Read more

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Monday Night will be the Peak of the Annual Lyrid Meteor Shower

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The Spring Skywatch is in top condition. The annual Lilid Meteor Shower is back, offering people in the Northern Hemisphere the chance to catch shooting stars in the night sky.

The Meteor Shower began on April 16th, but peaks on Monday nights and early Tuesday mornings. When the weather allowed, the Skywatcher could see up to 15 shooting stars per hour during that period, as long as they were in dark places.

Lilid is usually one of the most reliable meteor showers of the year, and its timing coincides with milder spring temperatures throughout the Northern Hemisphere, making it a popular celestial show.

This year’s peak occurs in a declining crescent moon that will satisfy approximately 27% of the time. According to NASA which means that the shooting star is unlikely to be washed away by the bright moonlight.

To enjoy the peak to the best, NASA recommends watching outside from Monday nights from 10pm in the area until the next morning dawn. However, whenever it is late on a Monday evening, and before the moon rises around 3:30am, local time you will have the chance to see meteors scattered across the night sky.

Lilids are usually the most clearly observed from the Northern Hemisphere, but according to NASA, Eagle Eyed Skywatchers in the Southern Hemisphere may be able to find some shooting stars.

If conditions are clear, it is best to choose an unobstructed viewing location under the darkest sky possible, away from city lights and other forms of light pollution.

Skywatchers must face roughly eastward and look straight ahead. Meteors are striped from every point, and it is known that Lilids sometimes leave bright trails when dancing across the night sky.

Meteor showers can be enjoyed without special equipment, but experts suggest giving your eyes time to adjust to the darkness, so that you can spend about 45 minutes without seeing a mobile phone or bright light.

Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through remaining debris from comets and asteroids. As our planet orbits the Sun and shakes these rocks and dust clouds, the fragments evaporate into the atmosphere, appearing like stripes of light in the sky.

Lilid is C/1861 G1, or Comet Thatcher. It was named after Alfred E. Thatcher, an amateur astronomer who first observed a comet in 1861.

After the peak, the Lyrid meteor shower will continue to be on display until April 29th.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Night Owls Beware: Increased Risk of Depression Identified

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Early risers catch worms, but night owls are more susceptible to depression. A recent study suggests that individuals who prefer staying up late are more likely to experience depressive symptoms.

Research conducted by the University of Surrey reveals that this could be due to the fact that night owls often struggle with poor sleep, exhibit lower levels of mindfulness, and tend to consume more alcohol compared to early birds.

“Late chronotype, also known as ‘eveningness’ or ‘night owl,’ refers to a biological inclination to be active in the evenings and have a later sleep-wake pattern,” explained Cognitive Neuroscience Lecturer Dr. Simon Evans, who led the study, as reported by BBC Science Focus. “Since chronotypes have a genetic basis, being a night owl is a natural biological predisposition.”

Evans and his team surveyed 564 university students on their sleep habits, mindfulness levels, alcohol consumption, as well as their levels of depression and anxiety, which reflect tendencies towards negative thinking about situations and events.

“Late chronotypes are particularly prevalent among young adults, with up to 50% of young adults falling into this category,” noted Evans. “This is concerning as delayed chronotypes are associated with a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and substance use.”

The study confirmed that night owls were significantly more prone to developing depression than early birds and reported higher levels of anxiety.

Students with later chronotypes reported poorer sleep quality compared to early risers, which researchers attributed to “social jet lag.”

“Being a night owl is common among young adults,” said Evans. “Given the importance of mental health in youth, work and educational schedules should accommodate night owls for improved sleep.”

Our preference for morning or evening routines is largely influenced by genetics, with younger adults more likely to prefer later schedules, while older adults tend to be early risers. – Credit: rawpixel via Getty

Furthermore, individuals with a delayed chronotype tended to consume more alcohol, a known risk factor for depression. However, the study did not find a direct association between alcohol consumption and depression among the students involved.

In fact, night owls who consumed alcohol were less likely to experience depression than non-drinkers, although most students consumed alcohol in moderation. Researchers suggest that the social connections formed during drinking may offset the negative effects.

Evans also recommended strategies for night owls to protect themselves from depression, including promoting mindfulness through practices like guided meditation, focusing on improving sleep quality, and reducing alcohol consumption.

This study was recently published in the scientific journal PLOS 1.

Read more:

About our experts:

Dr. Simon Evans is a senior lecturer in cognitive neuroscience at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Surrey. He obtained his PhD from the Institute of Neurology, University College London in 2011 and conducted postdoctoral training at the University of Sussex, where he used MRI techniques to study how genetic factors impact brain activity patterns and cognitive performance. Evans’ primary research interest lies in utilizing brain imaging techniques to explore cognitive changes across the lifespan.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Why Your Brain Keeps Chattering at Night (and How to Quiet it Down)

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The human brain is like an electrified sphere, considered the most complex object in the universe. Sometimes, don’t you wish it would just quiet down, especially at night?

One common symptom of insomnia is a racing mind when trying to sleep. Our brains bounce thoughts around like a pinball machine due to caffeine, anxiety, or stress.

This mental perturbation includes repetitive negative thoughts that we may not even be aware of, focusing on mistakes and worrying about the future.

While this is challenging for those with mental health conditions, it affects everyone when overwhelmed with tasks or life challenges.

Insomnia affects about 1 in 3 people – Photo Credit: Getty

Psychologist Dr. Luc Beaudoin believes that cognitive shuffle, a technique that mimics the brain’s natural processes during sleep onset, can help control runaway thoughts while trying to sleep.

The cognitive shuffle involves imagining unrelated images, like a photo show, to bring light structure to racing thoughts. By focusing on connecting images related to a chosen word, it aims to quiet the mind before falling asleep.

Counting sheep may not be as effective as cognitive shuffle – Photo credit: Getty

Cognitive shuffling strikes a balance between conscious and unconscious thoughts, keeping unwanted thoughts at bay without overwhelming executive functioning.

Dr. Beaudoin’s broader sleep initiation theory, Somnolent Information Processing, explores factors that help or hinder the process, with spiritual perturbation as a common hindrance.

Cognitive shuffling is still under research, but promising results suggest it can aid sleep initiation along with other scientifically proven techniques.

About our experts

Dr. Luc Beaudoin is an adjunct professor at Simon Fraser University and founder of Cogsest. He has published books on cognitive productivity and is recognized in various academic journals.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

NOIRLab unveils detailed images of 88 constellations and expansive night sky photo

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NSF’s NOIRLab, in collaboration with ESA/Hubble, released A collection of free high-resolution images of all 88 zodiac signs. The largest open source and free available all-sky photography night sky.

This all-sky photo of the night sky was compiled by astrophotographer Eckhart Slavik using images taken from the best and darkest locations around the world. Image credit: NOIRLab / NSF / AURA / E. Slawik / M. Zamani.

“This complete collection of free, high-resolution, downloadable images of all 88 Western IAU-recognized constellations serves as an educational archive for personal and academic use,” NOIRLab astronomers said in a statement.

“This project also includes the release of the largest open-source and freely available all-sky photography of the night sky.”

The photographer behind these amazing high-quality images is German astrophotographer Eckhard Slavik.

“The images were taken on film and each panel consists of two separate exposures, one with a diffuser filter and one without, allowing the colors of the stars to shine through. visible,” the astronomers said.

“All products include a comprehensive description of the constellation and its historical origins, as well as corresponding standardized stick figures, outline drawings, finder charts, and descriptions of the constellation's most prominent deep-sky objects. Included.

“Existing astronomical images of these deep-sky objects taken with various NSF NOIRLab telescopes are also included.”

“Downloadable flashcards and other audio-visual aids and materials make it easy to bring constellations into the classroom.”

NOIRLab astronomers have also released the largest open-source, freely available all-sky photo of the night sky.

“With 40,000 pixels, this is probably one of the best images of its kind ever made,” they wrote.

“This giant skyscape was compiled using images taken by Slavik from the highest and darkest places around the world: Tenerife, La Palma, Spain; Namibia; and Chile.”

“The 88 constellation images can be viewed by all ages and are particularly suitable for use in planetariums and museums.”

“Please visit” Project webpage Learn about all 88 constellations and see how many you can spot in the night sky. ”

Source: www.sci.news

Peak of Geminid Meteor Shower and Shooting Stars Set for Friday night to Saturday

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overview

  • The annual Geminid meteor shower is scheduled to peak Friday night and early Saturday.
  • It is usually one of the best and most reliable meteor showers of the year.
  • Stargazers can also look for Jupiter and three bright star formations known as the Winter Triangle.

Stargazers may have something to look forward to this weekend, as the annual Geminid meteor shower peaks Friday night into early Saturday morning.

The meteor shower has been going on all month, but the number of shooting stars is expected to increase into the weekend, especially after midnight Friday and in the pre-dawn darkness. According to NASA.

The Geminid meteor shower can be seen in the northern and southern hemispheres, but a nearly full moon could wash out some faint shooting stars in this year’s show.

Still, the Geminid meteor shower is typically one of the best and most reliable meteor showers of the year, so when conditions are clear, skywatchers can spot bright meteors streaking the night sky. You can do that.

Under ideal sky viewing conditions, with no bright moonlight and little interfering light pollution, you can see as many as 120 Geminid meteor showers per hour.

The Geminid meteor shower was observed in Mumbai, India on December 14, 2017.
Pratik Chorge / Hindustan Times / Getty Images File

As their name suggests, Geminid meteors appear to stream from the constellation Gemini, but skywatchers should be able to see the shooting stars without looking directly into the constellation.

NASA experts suggest lying on your back with your feet facing south to enjoy the Geminid meteor shower. It is best to choose a dark viewing location, away from city lights and other light pollution.

Unlike most other meteor showers, which are caused by comet debris that has burned up in Earth’s atmosphere, the Geminid meteor shower is the remains of an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon.

If you’re planning on checking out the meteor shower this weekend, be sure to also look for Jupiter in the night sky. The planet lies between the nearly full moon and the brightest reddish-orange star in the constellation Taurus, called Aldebaran, and is visible to the naked eye.

Meanwhile, all winter long, skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere also have the chance to spot the Winter Triangle, a three-bright star formation. This celestial triangle, consisting of Sirius in the constellation Canis Major, Procyon in the constellation Canis Minor, and Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion, stands out in the winter sky.

To see the Winter Triangle, first look for the three stars that make up Orion’s distinctive band. A little below and to the left of the belt is Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. From there Procyon is a little higher and to the left. Betelgeuse can be seen by looking back toward the constellation Orion, and the shoulder of the constellation appears red.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Haunted Prison Horror: The Night We Played Games and the Ghost Meter Failed Us

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SHepton Mallet Prison in Somerset is the world’s oldest correctional facility. It is also reportedly one of the most haunted places. From its opening in 1625 until its closure in 2013, it housed hundreds of inmates, ranging from Victorian street urchins to wayward American GIs to the Clay twins. Although it is now a tourist attraction, it is sometimes opened for a fee to guests who wish to spend the night behind the bar. Some are paranormal investigators, some are intrepid travelers, and some are video game journalists with a stupid idea. “How scary would it be to be locked in a haunted prison and play the latest five horror games all night?”

Armed with just a flashlight, an electromagnetic field (EMF) detector, and a laptop, we roamed the prison looking for chilling locations to play these immersive paranormal masterpieces. What happened here…

Exit 8




I feel unbelievably anxious…Exit 8. Photo: Kotake Create

position. B wing level 3. The largest of Victoria’s prison wings at Shepton, it was designed to hold 94 prisoners in small cells that did not have toilets until 1998. Cell 30 is said to be infested with an inmate known for tapping inattentive guests on the shoulder.
game: A cult psychological thriller from indie developer Kotake Create. Wander through the seemingly endless tunnels of a Japanese subway station, spotting anomalies around you and trying to find your way out. The visual realism is incredibly unsettling, especially when the lights flicker and other lost passengers begin to pass by silently.
Fear factor: Although more disturbing than frightening, playing in a prison wing with an equally desolate, soulless, and rural feel definitely increased the sense of marginal anxiety.

In My Head




A terrifying adventure…in your head. Photo: JustTomcuk

The place is an execution hut. This was where death row inmates would spend their final days before heading to the noose, if they were lucky, under the supervision of renowned hangman Albert Pierrepoint.
game: Designed like an old VHS horror movie, this frightening adventure requires you to explore a dark, dingy building in the woods where ancient artifacts are said to be waiting to be discovered. The dilapidated Gothic interiors, constant radio static and crying children are familiar horrors, but the game evokes an incredible atmosphere thanks to detailed locations and soundscapes. Not for the picky eater.
Fear factor: In My Head would have been scary enough at home, but this place had a heavy, doomed atmosphere that honestly only lasted a few minutes. Just before fleeing, I met DS Hampshire Horns ghost hunters Darren and Jay. They told us that on his last visit, Darren saw two disembodied legs passing by. We made our excuses and left.

Panicore




The Blair Witch Project meets Alien Isolation…Panicore meets. Photo: ZTEK Studio

position: playground. Built over a mass grave pit, it is reportedly haunted by the ghost of Captain Philip William Lyall, who was imprisoned at Shepton during the First World War. He threw himself off a roof overlooking the garden, and people said they saw a ghostly figure lurking there.
game: As a paranormal investigator, you explore a series of abandoned buildings and solve puzzles while being chased by AI-enabled monsters that react to every sound. Yes, it's a combination of The Blair Witch Project and Alien Isolation, and it's as terrifying as it sounds. We played solo, but you can also choose to play co-op like Phasmophobia. That would be preferable under the circumstances.
Fear factor: The fact that the buildings in the game's abandoned facility look exactly like Shepton Mallet Prison, with peeling paint on the walls, rubble everywhere, and doorways leading into complete darkness, make this a truly frightening experience. I did.




“Did you feel that?'' Keith and Rich play the Panicore in the exercise range at Shepton Mallet Prison. Photo: João Diniz Sánchez/The Guardian

Complex: Expedition




Strangely reassuring… Complex: Expedition. Photo: pgWave

position: of Gatehouse. Built in the 17th century, this building is one of the oldest parts of the prison in existence, and you can sneak into two of its original cells nearby. Unsurprisingly, this is a hotbed of paranormal activity. There is a ghost named Bob, the gatekeeper, who appears to run his fingers through the hair of female visitors. No, Bob.
game: The Complex is another of the current indie trending horror games set in “back rooms” such as endless tunnels and passageways. You are part of a research team sent to the titular facility to investigate strange occurrences. Most of the time, players wander through a vast maze of empty rooms and hallways, viewing through the lens of a VHS video camera. This gives the game a kind of hyper-realism that is strange and unsettling.
Fear factor: The stark modern architectural setting made the game feel oddly safe while playing in a haunted 17th century dungeon. we didn’t want to leave.

Chuksi




Jump scare machine…Chuxie. Photo: LCGaming

position: C Wings. The women’s wing of the prison is famous for one particular person. A white woman was convicted of murdering her fiancé and was asked to wear a wedding dress the night before her execution. She has been seen on the wing staircase, and visitors have even smelled her perfume wafting through the air.
game: A huge hit on TikTok and Twitch, Chuxie is practically a J-horror jump-scare machine. You are a paranormal investigator exploring an abandoned hospital filled with ghosts, including a terrifying woman in a white dress – Mr. Ring, anyone? It may appear for seconds. The visuals are highly detailed, making the terrifying environments feel very realistic.
Fear factor: Frankly, it’s off scale. This wing is in almost total darkness, not least because of the fact that a white female mannequin hangs above the ground floor. When I passed one particular cell, the EMF reader went crazy and recorded maximum readings for several seconds. We couldn’t wait to get out of there.




Extraordinarily scary…white woman at Shepton Mallet Prison. Photo: Keith Stewart/The Guardian

Conclusion: Walking around a quiet Victorian wing at 3am was the closest thing to actually being in a survival horror game. Did we see ghosts during the night behind bars? No. Could we have played a horror game in the dark cells and echoing hallways and totally freaked out? Exactly is. Furthermore, after returning home, I measured the maximum value of the EMF meter again. I waved it at my phone, held it next to the microwave and turned it on full blast…without even getting close.

Thanks to you shepton mallet prison. The evening bar experience costs £70 per person, including a guided tour. It runs several times a year.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Northeast Experienced Two Rare Once-in-1,000-Year Rainfall Events in a Single Night.

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Over the weekend, a storm hit the Northeast, causing an extraordinary amount of rainfall in two locations on the same night, a rare occurrence that is expected once in a thousand years. The storm resulted in at least three fatalities and widespread flooding. In areas like Oxford and Southbury, Connecticut, 10 inches of rain fell in a span of 12 hours on Sunday. Similarly, Stony Brook, New York, received about 6.7 inches of rain in just three hours Sunday night. The likelihood of both events taking place in any given year is approximately 0.1%. According to federal rainfall probability data, these incidents are significant and not a common occurrence.

Nick Basile, the director of the State Weather Risk Communication Center at the University at Albany in New York, mentioned that experiencing extreme rainfall levels in two different areas in such close succession is noteworthy. While it is challenging to determine the direct impact of climate change on specific events, experts suggest that the combination of extreme rainfall events supports a broader trend in the Northeast, where intense storms are becoming more frequent.

Mark Wysocki, a retired New York state meteorologist, explained that thunderstorms are now producing heavier amounts of rainfall compared to the past. The Northeast has witnessed a considerable rise in extreme precipitation, with the 2023 National Climate Assessment reporting a steep increase in the number of events with significant rainfall.

Members of the Beacon Horse Company rescued people from the Brookside Inn in Oxford, Connecticut on Sunday.Beacon Hose Co. via The Associated Press

The impact of climate change on the behavior of the jet stream may be contributing to the prolonged presence of storms in certain areas, bringing in more moisture and causing heavier rainfall. However, researchers are still in the early stages of studying this phenomenon, making it challenging to draw definitive conclusions.

With infrastructure not designed to handle such intense rainfall, cities in the Northeast face significant challenges during severe weather events. Flash flooding becomes a major concern, prompting calls for better urban planning and infrastructure upgrades.

In Connecticut, tragic deaths occurred as a result of the storm, with two individuals swept away by floodwaters and another person killed by a fallen tree. The storm led to evacuations, water rescues, and disruptions in transportation. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced the prolonged closure of more than a dozen roads in the aftermath of the storm.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

A rare “nova explosion” may illuminate the night sky in an unforgettable event

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Skywatchers around the world should gear up for an incredible celestial event, as the binary star system T Corona (T CrB) is expected to experience a magnificent nova explosion sometime between now and September. This explosion could occur at any moment.

This remarkable outburst will change T CrB from an unseen star to one as bright as Polaris.

Novae like the one predicted for T CrB happen in binary star systems where a white dwarf orbits closely with a companion star.

“A nova is a binary system in which two stars orbit close to each other.”Dr. Darren Baskill, an Astronomy lecturer at the University of Sussex, tells BBC Science Focus, “About half of the stars in the night sky are double star systems.”

These should not be confused with supernovae, the dramatic explosions that occur when a massive star dies and can illuminate an entire galaxy momentarily.

White dwarfs accumulate material from their companion stars through a process called accretion. When this material reaches a critical temperature, it triggers powerful hydrogen fusion reactions.

The outcome? A nuclear explosion that ejects gas from the white dwarf, significantly increasing the system’s brightness.

“This sudden onset of nuclear fusion causes the surface gas layer to become even hotter, triggering more nuclear reactions and leading to a brightening of the star – a nova explosion,” Baskill explained.

This is a “fireworks nova,” captured by NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory in 2015. Like T CrB, it caused a stir in the astronomy community when it suddenly appeared as one of the brightest stars in the sky for a few days in 1901. – Image credit: NASA

While most novae are unpredictable and observed only once, T CrB is a recurrent nova that erupts roughly every 80 years. If you miss it this time, you’ll have to wait until around the year 2100!

T CrB is the closest star system to Earth, about 3,000 light years away, and is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye even in areas with moderate light pollution.

The nova explosion of T CrB is so distant from Earth that it has just reached us. Since then, there have been over 35-40 similar explosions, and the light signals from each one are yet to reach us.

Previous eruptions of T CrB were recorded in 1866 and 1946, with a noticeable brightness decrease before the latter eruption. A similar decline was noted earlier this year, hinting at a potential new explosion.

“Amateur astronomers around the world have observed slight brightness changes in this star every three to four months,” Baskill noted. “In 1945, when this happened, the gas on the white dwarf’s surface exploded dramatically within a year, causing a nova. Is it possible that the same scenario could repeat soon?”

How to witness a nova explosion

Although T CrB is currently too dim to be seen without help, a nova eruption would be visible without any special equipment. Amateur telescopes can observe T CrB before the eruption.

To prepare, stargazers should study Corona Borealis using a star chart or a smartphone app.

This preparation will enhance the spectacle when a nova suddenly emerges and brightens a familiar constellation.

Dr. Mark HollandsResearchers from the University of Warwick advise: “The nova will be visible to the naked eye for a few nights, reaching a brightness similar to other stars in Corona Borealis. If you miss that window, it should be visible for several weeks with binoculars.”

Though our Sun will become a white dwarf in billions of years, it will not undergo a nova explosion due to the lack of a companion star.

Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event and seize the rare chance to witness a nova explosion bright enough to see without a telescope.

About the experts

Darren Baskill is an Outreach Officer and Lecturer at the University of Sussex. She previously taught at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, where she founded the observatory’s annual ‘Astronomy Photographer of the Year’ competition.

Mark Hollands is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Warwick, focusing on white dwarfs. His work appears in journals like Natural Astronomy, Monthly Bulletin of the Royal Astronomical Society, and he has spoken at conferences worldwide.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

SLIM, Japan’s Lunar Lander, Astonishingly Survives Second Night on the Moon

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View of the lunar surface taken from the tilted position of the SLIM lander

JAXA

Most landers we send to the Moon will operate for one lunar day, or about two weeks on Earth, until they die from the extreme cold of the lunar night. But Japan’s Smart Lunar Lander (SLIM) has now survived two nights on the moon and continues to send images back to Earth, an amazing feat.

SLIM is Japan’s first lunar lander and becomes the fifth country to land a spacecraft on the lunar surface. When the plane landed on January 19, it was tilted and the solar panels could not provide enough power to continue operating for more than a few hours. After nine days, the sun began to move again, moving across the sky.

But just three Earth days later, the lunar night began. Nighttime temperatures on the moon can drop as low as -133°C (-208°F), potentially damaging the spacecraft’s batteries and electronics. Normally, the lunar lander shuts down on a lunar night and never wakes up again, but it started up again on February 25 as the sun rose above Slim.

This in itself was a surprise. The lander was not specifically designed to withstand lunar nights, and its original mission was scheduled to end at night. So, as night approached again, this seemed to be the end of SLIM.

However, on March 27th, the SLIM official account I posted an image above X has the following caption: “Last night, we received a response from SLIM confirming that SLIM achieved its second success during the night. Last night, the sun was still high and the equipment was hot, so I quickly turned on my navigation camera. It looks like the lander will be able to resume analyzing its surroundings within the next few days.

Its survival is especially surprising because while some spacecraft use radioactive elements to stay warm, SLIM does not. “This is a significant achievement considering we are not using radioisotope heaters,” he says. Haim Benaroya at Rutgers University in New Jersey. “This result is important and impressive, given that this is a major design consideration for electronics (and people) to survive moonlit nights.” SLIM has failed while many other spacecraft have failed. Analyzing how they survived may help us understand how they stay warm on the moon.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Wildfires are increasingly occurring at night, posing a major challenge

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Recent research suggests that wildfires are no longer subsiding overnight, with their dynamics fueling some of the most extreme and damaging fires.

A study published in the scientific journal Nature indicates that drought is the primary factor causing wildfires to burn during the night. Scientists have observed an increase in the frequency and intensity of overnight fires, a trend they expect to worsen as global temperatures rise due to climate change.

Mike Flanigan, the study author and a professor of wildland fire at Thompson Rivers University in the UK, noted that historically, firefighters used to find relief at night knowing fires typically calmed down. However, this is no longer the case. Fires are now burning hot and intense enough to persist through the night, making firefighting operations riskier and evacuations more complex. Understanding the conditions that lead to nighttime fires can help emergency managers make better decisions in addressing these hazards.

According to Jennifer Balch, an associate professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, the study highlights how climate change is contributing to the increase in wildfires and extreme fire behavior. Researchers have used satellite imagery data to examine over 23,500 fires from 2017 to 2020, identifying a trend where fires can last through the night, particularly in the early stages of large fires. Such fires pose significant risks, especially when they occur at night when people are less prepared.

Balch emphasized that recent wildfires have demonstrated the dangers of nighttime fires, such as the Tubbs Fire in California in 2017 and the McDougal Creek Fire in British Columbia in the Kelowna area. The study also underscores the importance of monitoring drought conditions in predicting overnight fire behavior and assisting emergency responders in proactive decision-making.

The study further emphasizes that human-induced global warming, coupled with expanding communities in fire-prone areas, is putting a strain on firefighting resources and increasing the complexity of managing wildfires. Balch’s research highlights the need to shift towards building fire resilience and acknowledging the challenges faced by firefighters who are continuously battling the escalating threat of wildfires.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Researchers successfully decode the genome of the elusive night parrot

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CSIRO researchers first genome of night parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis)one of the rarest and most elusive birds in the world.

night parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis). Image credit: Arianna Urso / Western Australian Museum.

The night parrot is a relatively small, short-tailed parrot species endemic to Australia.

This species is also known as the porcupine parrot, nocturnal ground parakeet, midnight parrot, solitaire, spinifex parrot, and nocturnal parakeet. first explained It was published in 1861 by British ornithologist John Gould.

The night parrot is one of the most elusive and mysterious birds in the world, with no confirmed sightings from 1912 to 1979.

They were once widespread in the arid regions of Australia, but their numbers have declined due to environmental changes such as predation by cats and foxes.

It is now known only from localized areas in south-west Queensland and Western Australia.

“Dozens of scientific specimens were collected in the 19th century, with one specimen collected in 1912. A specimen was then discovered in south-west Queensland in 1990,” says the CSIRO Australian National Wildlife Collection. said Dr. Leo Joseph, Director.

“A live bird was reported from the same area in 2013, and a live parrot was finally captured and tagged in 2015.”

“This genome will allow us to explore the genetic basis of why parrots are nocturnal, a trait that is very rare in parrots,” he added.

“We investigate functions such as navigation, sense of smell, beak shape, and suboptimal night vision.”

“Researchers will also be able to perform statistical analysis of this individual's genome to estimate the historical population size of Australia's night parrot.”

“We can now compare this annotated genome with other closely related parrot species, revealing the reasons behind its rarity and limited distribution compared to many closely related species. You can.”

Dr Joseph and his colleagues sequenced the armyworm genome using tissue obtained from specimens found in the Pilbara region.

“Access to high-throughput sequencing technology through CSIRO's Applied Genomics Initiative is accelerating genomics research in Australia,” said Dr Gunjun Pandey, CSIRO Environment Directorate Night Parrot Genomics Project Leader.

“We can now generate very high-quality genomes from very small tissue samples, as small as an ant's head or a single mosquito.”

“This level of quality and detail was not possible even five years ago.”

“Genetic data can be used to maximize diversity in conservation programs, so species are resilient and have the best chance of long-term survival.”

The night parrot genome is an exciting scientific resource for understanding more about this bird, but protecting this species from cats, foxes, fire, and habitat loss is also important for its conservation.

“The night parrot genome will open up many opportunities for further research that will help protect this species,” Dr. Pandey said.

“This will allow scientists to develop a plan to save the night parrot, with the ultimate goal of sequencing and publishing the genome.”

Source: www.sci.news

Spotting the Two Legendary Dog Stars in the January Night Sky: A Guide

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Many dogs have been seen in the night sky, but the most famous is Canis Major, also known as the Great Dog. To locate it, start by finding its master, the constellation Orion, specifically the three bands of stars at the center of that constellation. Extend the line downward and to the left (southeast) to reach the alpha star Sirius in the constellation Canis Major.

Sirius, also referred to as the Dog Star, is relatively close to the sun, 8.6 light years away (a light year is the distance light travels in a year, approximately 10 trillion kilometers).

It is the brightest star in the night sky due to its close proximity to Earth. Its light is affected by atmospheric turbulence, causing flickering and variations in color.

Canis Major represents the dog, with a lively animal imagined as running towards Orion. Sirius appears as a pointed head at the top left (northeast), a distorted rectangular body slanted to the bottom left, and even a small tail, but its appendages and hind legs are very low in the sky when viewed from England. Using binoculars, look below (to the south) of Sirius just below the field of view to find the beautiful open star cluster Messier 41 (M41) inside the dog’s body, if the sky is clear and dark.

How to identify the stars of the Big Dog (Canis Major) and the Little Dog (Canis Minor). – Source: Pete Lawrence

To find Canis Minor, also known as the little dog and relative of Canis Major, look upward (north) from Sirius and to the left (east) to a relatively sparsely populated area of the sky with only one bright star, Procyon. This constellation is not often identified as a dog and is basically formed by only two stars, Procyon and Gomeisa.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Unveiling the Reality of Sleep Disorders: When a Night Shift Becomes a Nightmare

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A new study investigated the relationship between shift work patterns, sociodemographic factors, and sleep disorders. They found that shift work, especially night shifts, significantly disrupted sleep, with about a third of all participants reporting at least one sleep disorder. The study also found that demographic factors such as gender, age, and education level influence sleep health.

A new study shows that working night shifts increases the incidence of sleep disorders, especially in young people with low levels of education.

Sleep is important not only for physical and mental health, but also for daytime and neurocognitive function. When people work in shifts (21% of workers in the European Union worked shifts in 2015), their circadian sleep-wake rhythms are often disrupted. Now, Dutch researchers have investigated the relationship between different shift work patterns, sociodemographic factors, and sleep disorders.

“Compared to working regular shifts during the day, working other shift types has been shown to have a higher incidence of sleep disturbances, especially those working rotational or regular night shifts,” GGZ Drenthe said Dr. Marike Lancel, a state mental health researcher.Institute and lead author of the study published in frontiers of psychiatry. “Notably, 51% of those working night shifts tested positive for at least one sleep disorder.”

ask about sleep

“There is a lot of evidence that shift work reduces sleep quality. However, there is little evidence of the impact that different types of shifts have on the prevalence of different sleep disorders and how this varies depending on demographic characteristics. “We know very little about whether they will,” Lancel continued.

To fill these gaps, researchers recruited more than 37,000 participants and provided demographic information indicating their shift work patterns (regular morning, evening, night, or switching between shifts).

They also completed a questionnaire screening on six common sleep disorder categories: insomnia, hypersomnia, parasomnias, sleep-related breathing disorders, sleep-related movement disorders, and circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders.

Responses suggested that regular night shifts are the most debilitating condition when it comes to sleep. Half of night shift workers reported sleeping less than 6 hours in a 24-hour period, 51% reported one sleep disorder, and 26% reported two or more sleep disorders.

In the overall study population, approximately one-third tested positive for at least one sleep disorder and 12.6% tested positive for two or more sleep disorders.

Demographic factors and sleep health

Researchers also investigated whether demographic factors such as gender, age, and highest level of education influenced sleep health. We also considered whether participants lived alone, with a partner or children, or with others, such as friends or parents.

The results showed that although men slept less than women, sleep problems were more common in women. Age also affected sleep health. Although older participants tended to sleep less, most sleep disorders and their comorbidities were found to be more prevalent in the youngest participant group, those under 30 years of age.

Researchers found a correlation between education level and the likelihood of having disrupted sleep. “The effects of shift work on sleep are most pronounced among young people with low levels of education,” Lancel said. This group had shorter sleep duration and significantly higher prevalence of sleep disorders and their comorbidities.

Night shifts and sleep challenges

Researchers found that some people who work night shifts may have fewer sleep-related problems than others, but for the average night shift worker, this irregular work pattern can lead to less regular sleep-related problems. They said they would be more likely to struggle with healthy sleep. sleep. “People who work night shifts are unlikely to be completely immune to all the negative effects of night shifts, as they remain focused on their day jobs and out of sync with the environment in which they live,” Lancell said. explained.

The researchers also noted that their study had certain limitations. For example, people with sleep disorders may be more likely to participate in studies focused on sleep than people who sleep well. Nevertheless, the authors said their findings may provide important information for employers in occupations where shift work is common. It may also be used to educate strategies on how to best address and reduce the effects of night work and sleep days.

References: “Shift work is associated with widespread sleep disturbances, especially when working at night,” GJ Boersma, T. Mijnster, P. Vantyghem, GA Kerkhof, Marike Lancel, October 17, 2023. frontiers of psychiatry.
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1233640

Source: scitechdaily.com