Tag Archives: sighting

The Giant Squid: A Remarkable First Sighting

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In March, Kat Bolstad returned from an Antarctic expedition, which used a new camera system specifically built to search for elusive giant squid.

No one had filmed footage of one of these animals swimming in the deep sea. She also found none of this voyage.

But the day she left the ship, Dr. Bolstad, a deep-sea cephalopod biologist, learned about a recent video taken from the South Sandwich Islands on March 9th. A team searching for new marine life and using Schmidt Ocean Institute’s submarines remotely was happening to young cephalopods.

The boy was about 30 centimeters (less than a foot) and had a clear body, delicate arms and brown spots. It was a huge squid.

“I knew as soon as I saw the footage there was a good opportunity,” said Dr. Bolstad, a cephalopod biologist at Auckland Institute of Technology in New Zealand. She discusses Schmidt’s Antarctica work remotely.

It has been 100 years since the giant squid was officially described in a scientific paper. In its adult form, the animal can grow to a massive squid or other invertebrates on Earth, growing to 6 or 7 meters long or up to 23 feet.

The first common sight of the species scientist in 1925 was incomplete. It’s just a fragment of the arm from the two squid on the belly of a sperm whale. It is believed that adults spend most of their time in the deep sea.

Dr. Bolstad said that huge, fully grown squids sometimes appear at sea level and are pulled up to the fishing boat while they are being pulled up. Young specimens appear in the trawl net.

However, up until now, humans had not witnessed any giant squid in their homes, swimming in the deep Antarctic ocean.

One of the reasons they are so elusive is the size of the house. Furthermore, squid is probably eschewing us, Dr. Bolstad said. “They know their surroundings very well, because the obstacles to the surrounding water column might mean predators.”

The sperm whales, the main squid predator, can dive up to 2 kilometers (1.25 miles). Perhaps to help them avoid whales, the giant squid has evolved its biggest eye in the world, much more than basketball.

They also have a unique combination of suckers and hooks in their arms and tentacles,” Dr. Bolstad said.

The footage was filmed by a remotely operated submarine called Subastein, which the Schmidt Ocean Institute uses to explore the deep seas. This particular dive was a partnership with the Nippon Foundation-Nekton Oceansus, an initiative to discover unknown species. The submarine stopped for several minutes during the descent, photographing small, transparent cephalopods.

“I think it’s very exciting,” said Christine Haffard, a biologist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Institute in California, who is not involved in the expedition.

Dr. Hafard uses other remotely operated submerges in her research. She said these exploratory missions have “incredible value.” For example, her observation of an octopus Walking two sides At the seabed, you can walk two arms and use the other six to camouflage yourself as a mass of algae or coconut. The findings are useful for soft robotics researchers, she said.

Capturing footage of rarely seen marine animals, such as giant squid, can also communicate decisions about human activities, such as deep sea mining, according to Dr. Huffard.

She said it will help you know where these animals spend their time, where they are, where they mate and spawn, and how long they have lived.

The young giant squid in the video was swimming about 600 metres below, Dr. Bolstad said it was not a deep water body that adults are likely to live in. Other deep-sea squids spend their early life in shallow waters, she said. Having a transparent body may help predators swim the baby before the baby descends from the dark ocean as an opaque, reddish adult.

Submersible’s camera detects squid and can instantly send images. Unlike scientists a century ago, they had to dig into a massacre partially digested in whale belly, so everyone was part of the moment when Schmidt saw a “dive stream” from their home and found a giant squid, Dr. Bolstad said. “It’s incredibly amazing that humans can do, in real-time, from anywhere on Earth, to help them participate in these explorations and discoveries.”

She continues to search for grown animals. “I can’t wait to see what a giant living adult squid looks like, in the deep sea house it belongs to,” she said.

However, she also said she was pleased that the first sightings of the wild species were not an adult version. Rather than a leviathan swinging a giant hook, it’s “this beautiful early life stage that looks like a small glass sculpture.”

“In fact, I love seeing the first glimpse of what this will become a true giant,” Dr. Bolstad said.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Sighting of a patient

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The Martian Dust Devil can be seen consuming smaller things in a series of images taken by navigation cameras on NASA’s patient rover.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhkizgkpzm4

Dust devils are formed by rising warm air and rotating columns.

Air near the planet’s surface is heated by contact with warm ground and rises through the dense, cold air above.

It starts to spin as other air moves along the surface and replaces the warmer air rise.

As the incoming air rises to the pillar, the rotating ice skater speeds up so that it brings its arms closer to his body.

The air that charges also picks up dust, creating a dusty demon.

“The Dust Devils play an important role in Mars weather patterns,” said Dr. Katie Stack Morgan, a researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

“These phenomena indicate atmospheric conditions such as wind direction and velocity, and are responsible for about half of the dust in the atmosphere of Mars, so the dust devil is important.”

NASA’s Viking Orbiter in the 1970s was the first spacecraft to photograph the Dust Devils on Mars.

Twenty years later, the agency’s Pathfinder mission first took images from the surface, detecting the dust demon passing by the Lander.

The spirit and opportunity of the Twin Rovers was able to capture a significant share of the dusty whirlwind.

Curiosity is patience exploring a place called Mount Sharp in Gale Crater, opposite Mars.

Since landing in 2021, perseverance has whirlwind many occasions, including one on September 27, 2021. There, a group of Dust Devils danced across the Jeza Crater floor, and the rover used a super-cam microphone to record the first sounds of the Dust Devils on Mars.

Three dust devils can be seen in this image, taken on the rims of Jezero Crater by NASA’s Patience Mars Rover on January 25th, 2025. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI.

When I snapped a new image with patience about 1 km (0.6 miles), the large dust devil was about 65 m (210 feet) wide, but the smaller, and the driving dust demon was about 5 m (16 feet) wide.

Two other dust devils can also be seen in the background on the left and center.

Patience documented the scene as he explored the western edge of Mars’ Jezero Crater on January 25th, 2025.

“The patience scientist of the Institute of Space Sciences” said: “The patience scientist of the Institute of Space Sciences.”

“These mini-twisters wander the surface of Mars, pick up dust and lower the view of nearby areas.”

“If two dust devils arise from each other, they can either wipe them out or the stronger one can consume the weaker one and merge them.”

Source: www.sci.news

Likely Just a Plane: Drone Expert Recommends Calm Approach Following New Jersey Sighting

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aFirst, mysterious lights were spotted flashing across the New Jersey night sky in mid-November. These sightings then extended to New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and even as far as Louisiana, Florida, and Arizona. Eye witnesses in Virginia Beach reported seeing flying objects unlike anything they had seen before, prompting speculation and concern.

The origin and control of these flying objects remain a mystery, with many pointing towards the possibility of drones. Lawmakers like Rep. Pat Ryan and Representative Chris Smith have expressed worry about the national security implications and the sophistication of these drones.

Don’t panic, experts say

Experts in drone technology and national security are advising calmness amidst the rising concerns. They explain that the situation in New Jersey may be a result of misunderstandings, lack of concrete information, and confusion about identifying drones in the night sky.

November 2024: Drones spotted flying over Bernardsville, New Jersey

A joint statement from federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, FAA, and Department of Defense, clarified that the reported sightings were a mix of legal drones, planes, helicopters, and misidentified “fake drones.”

While the flurry of drone sightings has caused some alarm, officials emphasized that there is no immediate threat to national security or public safety. They continue to investigate the matter.

Drone Panic transforms an ordinary plane into a drone

Just before Thanksgiving, reports emerged of drones hovering over northern New Jersey, creating a sense of unease in the community. This led to an increase in people observing the night sky, resulting in more drone sightings in the Northeast.

The surge in drone reports coincides with air traffic delays at nearby airports, potentially exacerbating the situation. Experts highlight the need for accurate identification of drones to prevent unnecessary panic.

December 5, 2024: Evening sky and unidentified lights near Lebanon Township, New Jersey

Loss of vision at night makes the problem worse

Poor visibility at night can lead to optical illusions in the sky, making it challenging to distinguish between drones and other aircraft. Experts caution against jumping to conclusions and urge the use of technology to verify drone sightings.

Federal agencies have deployed radar systems to detect drones, aiming to provide clarity and reassurance to the public. They emphasize that the majority of drones in the airspace are recreational or hobbyist, with only a small fraction posing potential threats.

Alleviating fear of drones

Efforts to address the drone concerns have been made by temporarily suspending drone flights in New Jersey and providing informational resources. Federal agencies are actively tracking drones and ensuring airspace safety.

Experts classify drone threats into categories of ignorance, carelessness, and criminal intent. They emphasize the importance of accurate identification and caution against overreacting to drone sightings.

How to actually spot a drone

Distinguishing between drones and planes based on their flight patterns is crucial, as drones exhibit agile movements not seen in traditional aircraft. Utilizing technology like drone scanners can aid in identifying drones accurately.

Experts recommend verifying drone sightings before reporting them to authorities, as misidentifications can lead to unnecessary panic. Understanding the characteristics and behaviors of drones is essential in mitigating public concerns.

Don’t shoot the drone

Calls to shoot down drones from public officials raise concerns about safety and legality. Experts caution against such actions, as they can pose risks to bystanders and create further complications.

The closure of airspace due to drone sightings indicates a proactive response from authorities to potential threats. Experts emphasize the need for accurate reporting and response protocols to address drone-related incidents effectively.

Source: www.theguardian.com

First-ever European sighting of the infamous ‘murder hornet’ alien species

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overview

  • The southern giant hornet, also known as the “murder hornet”, has been discovered for the first time in Europe.
  • A study last month confirmed that two pairs of hornets have been found in northern Spain since 2022.
  • Scientists are looking for wasp nests.

Researchers in Spain are busy discovering the first southern giant hornet nest ever discovered in Europe.

Also known as the “murder hornet” because it is known to kill beehives, this insect grows to an average length of 2 inches. They are native to parts of Asia. India, China, Thailand, Vietnam.

in research published last month Five Spanish scientists described two separate sightings in the journal Ecology and Evolution. The scientific name of the southern giant hornet is Vespa soror. Both were in Cielo, a city in northern Asturias. A pair was discovered in March 2022, and another two in October 2023.

Researchers believe the hornet's nest dates back at least a year.

Asian giant hornet — A closely related species that originates from other parts of Asia, it was first discovered in the US state of Washington in late 2019. The northern hornet and the southern hornet have similar behavior and appearance, but the former ShiChange the nesting period They then build small colonies or nests.

The first northern giant hornet nest discovered in the United States was promptly destroyed in October 2020, but live hornets were discovered in Washington the following year.

Southern giant hornets are known to send out scout teams to find colonies of prey, and the scouts rub their bodies against the hive or nearby plants to signal other hornets to join them. According to Research published in 2021. It then enters the “slaughter stage” where the entire hive can be destroyed within a few hours.

Asian giant hornets have not been found in Europe, neither in the north nor in the south. That's more than the four recorded in Spain. Scientists behind the recent study believe the hornets likely first arrived on a cargo ship.

Omar Sánchez, lead author of the study and zoologist A professor at the University of Oviedo in Spain said he expected the hornets to affect the balance of local ecosystems, as they actively prey on native hornets, bees, butterflies, moths and flies. A long-term decline in bee populations could impact honey availability and disrupt the pollination process that many plants and crops depend on.

“Here in northern Spain, we have another type of Asian hornet called Vespa verntina, which is causing serious damage to the beekeeping industry, so the presence of another hornet could potentially amplify the negative impact. Yes,” he said.

Sánchez added that the researchers: They are trying to find the nest in order to destroy it.

“This species nests more than 30 meters underground, so it's not easy to find, so you have to be a little bit careful,” he says. “We are trying.”

Sánchez said researchers are looking for more hornet sightings.

Sanchez and his study co-authors discovered and captured four of the hornets after hearing from beekeepers in the area that they had seen the unusual-looking hornets. After capturing the wasps, scientists extracted DNA samples and conducted genetic testing and analysis to confirm the species.

Molly Keck, an entomologist at Texas A&M University, said the genetic research that identified this species will “help educate the public and beekeepers and educate local governments so that management planning, education, mapping and distribution can be done.” “This is the first step towards mitigation efforts such as issuing warnings.” . ”

“Most of these invasive species will come in through some port city, so no matter what quarantine or checking measures are in place, there's always a way to find them.” she added.

Keck said countries may need to tighten such processes around the world as a precaution if they want to ensure their cargo is bug-free.

Sanchez said the detection of the southern giant hornet in Spain shows that more hornets are likely to emerge.

“Perhaps in the near future this species will be detected again in other parts of Spain, and perhaps also in Europe,” he says.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

First sighting of Asian elephant burying carcass captured

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Elephant pulling a dead calf in a tea plantation in northern Bengal, India

Parveen Kaswan and Akashdeep Roy

Asian elephants intentionally burying the bodies of their calves has been documented in the first scientific report of such behavior in this species.

Five calves were found buried in a drainage ditch on a tea plantation in the northern state of Bengal, India, with their feet and legs sticking out of the ground.

Footprints and scat of various sizes indicate that members of the herd of all ages contributed to each burial. A night watchman at the complex reported hearing loud elephant cries, sometimes lasting 30 to 40 minutes, before the herd left the area.

Akashdeep Roy Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Pune and Parveen Kaswan from the Indian Forest Service suggest that the sound of these bugles may represent mourning, and that during burials the herds are “helping and caring”. It suggests that the person exhibited a certain behavior.

“The burial of a calf is an extremely rare event in nature,” says Roy.

They were surprised to find the calf buried foot-deep, but if the herd had buried each calf together, this would be the most accessible position to place the carcass in the drain. , says Roy. For elephants, who are social animals, burying their calves' heads may be the most important thing they do, he says.

A baby elephant buried in a tea garden with its feet sticking out of the ground

Parveen Kaswan and Akashdeep Roy

The calf's body was later exhumed and examined. Their ages ranged from three months to one year old, and many were malnourished and suffering from infections. Bruises along each calf's back suggest that they were dragged or carried long distances to the burial site.

African bush elephant (african loxodonta) have been observed covering carcasses with plants and returning to the location later. However, the Asian elephant (maximum elephas) In this study, we typically avoided returning to the burial site and used an alternative route instead.

“These observations provide impressive evidence of the social complexity of elephants,” he says. Chase LaDue At the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden. “Some people have suggested that elephants seem to behave in a unique way towards their deceased relatives. [but] This paper is the first to describe what appears to be a methodical and planned burial of an elephant calf after it was taken to a burial site. ”

Still, Professor Radu said: “We must be careful how we interpret these results, especially since the mental and emotional lives of elephants remain largely a mystery to us.” There is.

He is not convinced that the position of the calf was intentional. “I could imagine an elephant pushing a dead calf into a narrow ditch, and given its awkward shape and weight distribution, the calf would land on its back with its legs in the air,” he says. “And because the depth of the trench is shallow, the feet are not buried, but this is not due to intentional burying of the head, but due to the unique topography of the burial site.”

The land where elephants once roamed freely is shrinking as humans expand, especially in India, the world's most populous country. Only about 22 percent of the land used by elephants is within protected areas.

“Understanding how elephants behave and respond to rapid changes in human-dominated landscapes may help develop conservation strategies that promote human-elephant coexistence.” Mr. Radu says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com