Tag Archives: today

Mars Once boasted a Thicker Atmosphere Than Earth’s Today

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Modern Mars has a minimal atmosphere

NASA/JPL/USGS

Mars’ atmosphere may have once been far thicker, providing a protective layer against the frequent asteroid impacts that destroyed other celestial bodies.

Our solar system began forming around 4 billion years ago, and by that time, Mars was nearly fully developed. The planet existed within a vast reservoir of hot gas and dust swirling around a youthful sun, known as the solar nebula, which some planets absorbed into their atmosphere. However, it was believed that as the solar nebula dissipated, Mars would lose this gas, resulting in a thinner atmosphere.

Recently, Sarah Jollett from Paris’ Collège de France and her team propose that Mars retained this gas for a longer period, forming a primordial atmosphere akin to a sustained soup.

Shortly after the nebula receded, it was believed that the orbits of significant planets like Jupiter and Saturn influenced each other, subsequently disturbing the paths of comets and asteroids that headed towards the inner solar system, impacting rocky planets. While chemical signatures of these impacts can be found on Earth, evidence on Mars remains limited.

“All terrestrial planets faced bombardments from comets during this time, and Mars was no exception, so we should observe remnants of this cometary assault on Mars,” Jollett stated at the Europlanet Science Congress held on September 11th in Helsinki, Finland.

Jollett and her colleagues suggest that the dense, hydrogen-rich atmosphere during this era may have diluted comet material that was available for absorption by Mars. By running simulations of the early solar system, they estimated the potential amount of material impacting Mars and compared it to the detectable quantity. They deduced that the original Martian atmosphere had a mass equivalent to 2.9 bars, around three times the atmospheric pressure we experience on the surface today.

However, this atmosphere dissipated relatively swiftly over about a million years, according to Raymond Pierre Hambart from Oxford University, who was not involved in the study. This loss primarily occurred before liquid water could come to the surface of Mars. The necessary clear atmospheric conditions, rich in carbon dioxide, were likely not present in that thick primordial atmosphere.

World Capital of Astronomy: Chile

Discover the astronomical wonders of Chile. Explore some of the world’s most advanced observatories and enjoy the mesmerizing skies over one of Earth’s clearest atmospheres.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Children Born from Donor Mitochondria Are Thriving Today

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Mitochondria supply energy to cells, yet mutations can lead to defects

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Eight young children are believed to be shielded from severe genetic disorders after being born through a procedure that replaces the mother’s faulty mitochondria with those from female donors.

Approximately 1 in 5,000 individuals inherit defective mitochondria, which are responsible for energy production in cells and passed down solely from mothers. Such defects can stem from genetic mutations leading to serious health issues like blindness, seizures, and even death. “Families face immense challenges with these conditions, as they are devastating,” said Bobby McFarland of Newcastle University in the UK.

In 2015, the UK became the first nation to sanction a technique known as pronuclear transfer for women at high risk of transmitting mitochondrial diseases who may not benefit from genetic testing prior to the transplant.

This technique involves utilizing eggs from both the mothers and donors, then fertilizing them with sperm from the father via IVF. After approximately 10 hours, the nuclei from both eggs are removed. This separates the crucial genetic material from the mitochondrial DNA.

The nucleus from the mother is subsequently inserted into the donor’s egg, resulting in an embryo that retains most of the genetic information from its biological parent while gaining mitochondria from the donor. It’s important to note that some maternal mitochondrial DNA could still be passed on unintentionally, as mentioned by Burt Smeet of Maastricht University in the Netherlands.

McFarland, who pioneered this approach with colleagues, has since employed the technique on 19 women possessing harmful mutations in over 80% of their mitochondria, typically the threshold for complications.

Following the transfer of the last embryo, seven women achieved pregnancies, resulting in the birth of eight healthy babies, including one set of twins.

Blood samples taken from the newborns were analyzed, revealing no harmful mitochondrial DNA mutations in five of them, while the other three showed only minimal levels. “The results have met our expectations,” noted Mike Murphy at Cambridge University.

Months or even years after undergoing nuclear transfer, some of the children have encountered challenges in reaching developmental milestones. Some have faced complications, potentially related to the transfer process. For instance, one child experienced elevated blood lipid levels and an irregular heartbeat, both of which were treated successfully, while another developed epilepsy at seven months, which resolved itself over time.

The research team intends to monitor the children to assess the long-term effects of this procedure.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Scientists Perplexed as Earth Spins Faster Than Normal Today

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Today’s rotation is inexplicably accelerating, making it one of the shortest days of the year.

While summer days are certainly longer, July 9th, 2025, will be 1.3 ms shorter than the average.

This speed fluctuates slightly, but it generally takes 24 hours, or 86,400 seconds, for one complete rotation around the axis. To monitor these variations, International Earth Rotation and Reference System Services (IER) continuously tracks the length of the day with remarkable precision.

In 2020, the IER noted that our planet has been spinning faster and has continued this trend since then.

Their data suggests that the shortest days of the year will occur on July 9th, July 22nd, and August 5th, when the moon is at its farthest from the equator.

The moon subtly influences Earth’s rotation through tidal braking, where its gravitational pull slightly distorts our planet.

This phenomenon not only creates tides but also gradually siphons off angular momentum from Earth’s rotation, slowing it down by about 2 ms each century.

This means that during the Triassic period, around 200 million years ago, a day was just under 23 hours long. After another 200 million years, we can expect days to extend to 25 hours.

Days were shorter for Brachiosaurus

IERS may implement a second leap second to ensure that high-precision clocks remain accurate. The most recent leap second was added on December 31, 2016.

During times when the moon is far from the equator, the impact on Earth’s rotation is less pronounced, causing these days to be slightly longer. However, the duration seen in recent years is about half of what it was before 2020.

Several events can alter Earth’s rotation, such as the 2011 9.0 magnitude Japan earthquake, which shortened the day by 1.8 microseconds, but the cause of the current accelerating trend remains unknown.

A gradual slowdown is unlikely to have any catastrophic consequences for our planet. The time difference is too minimal for most to notice—you may need to consider skipping a leap second in 2025, with one potentially added again in 2029.

Regardless of the cause, this phenomenon is unlikely to be permanent, and our planet will eventually revert to its long-term rotation pattern.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

How Your Overlooked Memories Shape Your Decisions Today

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When recalling memories, neural activity is sparked in different brain regions

Nopparit/Getty Images

Even forgotten memories appear to influence our behavior.

“People often perceive memories as something to reflect on or contemplate,” says Nick Turk Brown from Yale University, who was not involved in this research. “However, we don’t spend our days lost in past memories. We work, parent, and have fun. Our memories continuously shape our actions; I believe 95% of our cognitive processes operate in this unseen manner.”

Memory can be described in various ways. One perspective focuses on self-reported recollections, like what someone had for dinner yesterday or details about their seventh birthday. Another way to conceptualize memory involves the persistent networks of brain cells known as engrams, which create the biological representation of experiences we have memorized.

Many researchers have long believed that forgetting a memory implies the disappearance of its related engrams. However, studies on mice suggest that forgotten memories endure even when they cannot be consciously retrieved.

In a study led by Tom Willems from the University of Bern, Switzerland, 40 participants briefly viewed 96 pairs of images, including human faces and objects like guitars and staplers.

The researchers then monitored the participants’ brain activity while testing their memory of whether two images had been paired 24 hours prior, using high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging. Participants were also asked if they remembered seeing the images together, if they were uncertain, or if they were just guessing.

When they confidently recalled the images, participants correctly chose the paired images 87% of the time in both tests. Conversely, those who could not recall what they had seen managed to achieve about a 50% accuracy rate.

Participants uncertain of their memory estimated correctly 57% of the time after both 30 minutes and 24 hours, suggesting that this group may still retain some memory of the associations.

Interestingly, when guessers made the right choice, their brain activity patterns mirrored those of participants who confidently remembered, particularly in the relevant hippocampal regions.

During a follow-up test after 24 hours, individuals who believed they had forgotten remained active in the hippocampus, while those who recognized the images exhibited activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus of the neocortex.

As Amy Milton from Cambridge University states, “I suggest that the shift of memory activity to the neocortex is associated with recall, but it remains unclear whether this change is a cause or a result of what is remembered.”

Nevertheless, the findings align with a predominant theory of memory function, known as Standard Integration Theory, as explained by Turk Brown. This theory proposes that memories are initially formed in the hippocampus and later consolidated in the neocortex during sleep for long-term storage.

This research highlights a potential separation between the memories we consciously access and the associated engrams in the brain, according to Turk-Browne. “This offers a fascinating illustration of the subtle, automatic, and pervasive influence of hippocampal memories on behavior.”

“Essentially, what they propose is that some memories don’t have to be consciously searched for in order to influence behavior later,” Milton explains.

She expresses no surprise that strong memory traces can shape our actions without our conscious awareness, referencing the phenomenon of priming. Seeing or hearing something can subtly prompt specific responses without us discerning the reasons.

However, priming occurs in various brain regions, such as the prefrontal cortex, and as Turk-Browne notes, it typically produces only transient effects lasting seconds or minutes.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Nintendo Switch 2 Launches Today: Everything You Need to Know | Games

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sITS
January announcement
Nintendo Switch 2 predictions are intensifying. This follows the incredible success of the
150m Nintendo Switch. Major console launches are now infrequent, marking the first since
2020 when Sony’s PlayStation 5 was released. Whether you’re contemplating a purchase or curious about the excitement, here’s everything you need to know.

Basics

Today, June 5th, the Switch 2 has been released, accompanied by the flagship game Mario Kart World for £395.99 ($449.99/€469.99) or £429.99 ($499.99/€509.99). True to its predecessor, it’s a portable gaming console with a built-in screen. You can play it as a handheld mini-console while on the go or dock it to connect to your TV using an HDMI cable for a larger screen experience. Unlike the previous 6.2-inch display, it now comes with upgraded Joy-Con controllers that are larger and more robust, featuring a bright 7.9-inch LCD touchscreen. These controllers attach magnetically to the sides of the screen and eliminate the troublesome sliding system that many users disliked. Additional large L and R buttons have been incorporated at the top—a small detail that’s crucial for anyone aiming to master a Mario Kart power slide.

Specification




Advancements in technology… Nintendo Switch 2. Photo: Nintendo

The Switch 2 is equipped with cutting-edge technology, featuring custom NVIDIA processors and a screen capable of 4K resolution (when linked to a compatible TV), or 1920×1080 resolution in portable mode. It also supports 5.1 surround sound and high dynamic range (HDR) graphical effects at frame rates of up to 120Hz. This places the Switch 2 in a competitive position against other modern consoles. Experts suggest its technical specifications fall between the PS4 and PS5, or the Xbox One and Xbox Series X.

In the Box

The Nintendo Switch 2 package includes the console itself, two Joy-Con controllers, a power adapter and USB-C charging cable, a dock, a Joy-Con grip (which allows you to combine two Joy-Cons to form a traditional game controller), and two wrist straps to prevent accidental drops.

Out of the Box

Nintendo has significantly enhanced the social features of the console. The Game Share feature allows you to enjoy games with others who don’t own a copy. You need only your Switch or Switch 2 to play together, either in person or online. This is particularly useful for families sharing a single copy of a game. GameChat functions similarly to Zoom, but for gaming: you can invite multiple friends into group video chat sessions to converse while playing the same game, different games, or just hanging out. If you purchase a Nintendo Switch 2 camera, you can even see each other’s video feeds on the screen. Please note, GameChat requires a subscription to Nintendo’s online gaming service.

Games




Exciting News… Mario Kart World Game. Photo: Nintendo

The console will launch with approximately 25 games, many of which are enhanced versions of existing Switch titles. Notably, the big arrival is Mario Kart World, an open-world iteration of the classic kart racing franchise. Other introductory games include Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, Cooperative Survival Challenge Survival Kids, and anti-gravity racers High Speed Fusion. Popular titles such as Fortnite, Cyberpunk 2077, and The Legend of Zelda: The Kingdom’s Tears/Tears of Tears will also be present. Most games are priced between £45 and £70, and are available for online download or as physical copies. Additionally, you can enjoy nearly any older Switch game on the new console, along with an extensive collection of 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s retro classics from NES, Nintendo 64, SNES, and GameCube.

Accessories




Add-ons: Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller and camera. Photo: Nintendo

There are three accessories you’ll want to consider: the
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller,
a conventional joystick designed for serious gamers, and the
Nintendo Switch 2 Camera
that pairs with GameChat services and games using camera functionality. You can also expand your game’s storage with a MicroSD Express card.

Where Can I Buy One?

If you missed the pre-orders, patience is key while you shop. Larger retailers like Amazon, Argos, Currys, and John Lewis might have stock today, so consider checking
Nintendo’s online store. Exercise caution when purchasing from private sellers on eBay or similar platforms, as many scams are prevalent. Remember the incidents where people discovered that PlayStation 5 deliveries were filled with rice bags instead?

Source: www.theguardian.com

Today, an asteroid will spectacularly burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.

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Map showing where asteroid fireballs can be seen in Siberia

ESA

A dramatic but harmless spectacle will take place over Siberia today as an asteroid about 70 centimeters in diameter burns up in the atmosphere.

The space rock will illuminate the sky over northern Siberia at around 11:15 pm local time (4:15 pm Japan time). Warning from the European Space Agency (ESA).

Alan Fitzsimmons Britain's Queen's University Belfast says objects of this size pose no danger to people on the ground, but early warnings are a positive sign that our ability to detect these objects before they hit Earth is increasing. It is said that this is a sign.

“It's small, but it's still going to be pretty spectacular,” Fitzsimmons said. “The sky above the impact site will darken and a very impressive, very bright fireball will spread across the sky for hundreds of kilometers around it.”

Several objects of this size collide with Earth every year, and we are getting better at detecting them early. The first discovery was in 2008. The next discovery was made six years later, but the pace of observations has picked up. Today's asteroid, named C0WEPC5, is the fourth predicted to hit Earth this year.

Early warning of small asteroids gives astronomers the opportunity to observe them, collect data, and even try to collect any small pieces that survive. Fitzsimmons said the first such predicted impact in 2008 led to the recovery of a small piece of rock and generated important science. “What was beautiful was that the meteorite's reflectivity matched exactly what was measured by telescopes before the impact, and it was a perfect match between what we saw in space and what we later found on Earth. “It shows a very nice direct connection,” he says.

Detecting larger, more dangerous objects heading toward Earth could provide an opportunity to deflect them or at least evacuate the dangerous area.

NASA and ESA currently have dedicated programs for asteroid discovery and tracking. This involves a large network of dedicated observatories and amateur astronomers who read the positions of known objects so that their orbits can be better understood and predicted.

This latest asteroid was discovered by NASA's Asteroid Earth Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS). ATLAS operates four telescopes around the world and is designed to provide up to a week of collision warning.

“This is a victory for science, [for] “If you happen to be in Siberia this evening, there will definitely be something to take your mind off the very cold temperatures,” says Fitzsimmons.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Today is the summer solstice in 2024 – what causes the longest day of the year and when does it occur?

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Summer is here, officially starting today with the Northern Hemisphere experiencing more daylight than anywhere else. This marks the 2024 summer solstice, a significant day that has been celebrated for thousands of years. Whether for religious ceremonies or casual barbecues, the longest day of the year is a cause for celebration.

If you’re unsure about the summer solstice and its importance, especially at places like Stonehenge, we’re here to provide some clarity.

When is the Summer Solstice in 2024?

The summer solstice in 2024 falls on Thursday, June 20th at 9:51 pm BST (4:50 pm EDT New York time, 1:50 pm PDT Los Angeles time). Keep in mind that the summer solstice occurs at a specific moment, signifying the start of astronomical summer when the Northern Hemisphere faces the Sun directly.

It’s the longest day of the year, providing the most hours of sunshine in 2024. Expect at least 16 hours of sunlight in the UK and US. This is one of the two solstices each year, with the second occurring in December. The summer solstice always falls between June 20 and 22, coming a day earlier this year compared to 2023.

When are Sunrise and Sunset on the Summer Solstice?

On Thursday, June 20th, the sunrise in London, England is at 4:43 am BST, and the sunset is at 9:21 pm BST. Sunrise and sunset times may vary slightly depending on your location in the UK or US.

  • Summer solstice sunrise in New York City: 5:25 a.m. EDT.
  • Summer solstice sunset in New York City: 8:31 pm EDT.
  • Summer solstice sunrise in Austin, Texas: 6:30 am CDT.
  • Summer solstice sunset in Austin, Texas: 8:36 pm CDT.
  • Summer solstice sunrise in Los Angeles: 5:42 am PDT.
  • Summer solstice sunset in Los Angeles: 8:08 pm PDT.

While today is the longest day of the year, it doesn’t necessarily have the earliest sunrise or the latest sunset. The exact dates for these phenomena vary based on your latitude. In areas around the 40th parallel north, the earliest sunrise of the year occurred around June 14th, with the latest sunset around June 27th.

“This slight difference occurs because the Earth orbits the Sun in a slight ellipse, not a circle.” Dr. Darren Baskill“It’s a very exciting time for us,” says astrophotographer and astronomy lecturer at the University of Sussex. BBC Science Focus.

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What is the Summer Solstice?

The summer solstice occurs when the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky, directly hitting the Northern Hemisphere. This axis tilt of about 24 degrees causes opposite seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, with the summer solstice marking the longest day of the year. As the Earth orbits the Sun in an ellipse, the perihelion (closest point to the Sun) occurs in January, while the aphelion (farthest point) occurs in July.

Due to the Earth’s tilt, sunlight falls directly on the Northern Hemisphere during the summer solstice. In the Southern Hemisphere, this marks the shortest day of the year, or winter solstice. – Image credit: Getty

Although the summer solstice is the longest day of the year, peak temperatures usually occur in July or August as the Earth continues to release absorbed heat. The tilt of the Earth’s axis, not its distance from the Sun, causes the change in seasons.

Why is the Earth Tilted?

The Earth’s tilt resulted from significant impacts during the solar system’s formation 4.5 billion years ago. The current tilt allows for regions where the sun never sets during the summer solstice, like in the Arctic. This tilt contributes to the variety of seasons experienced on Earth.

How is the Summer Solstice Celebrated Around the World?

Celebrations of the summer solstice take place worldwide, from the Swedish midsummer festivities to Stonehenge in England. Stonehenge, built thousands of years ago, aligns with the rising sun on the summer solstice, attracting hundreds to witness the event every year.

Starting in the late Middle Ages, Swedes began the tradition of erecting a Midsummer pole and dancing around it. The custom of decorating the pole with flowers and greenery was called a “maja”, which also came to be called a Maypole. – Image credit: Getty

What is the Difference Between the Equinox and the Summer Solstice?

Equinoxes mark the change of seasons with equal day and night lengths, occurring in spring and autumn. Solstices, on the other hand, focus on sunlight, with the summer solstice being the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Do Other Planets Have Solstices?

Every planet in the solar system has solstices due to axial tilts. Earth’s tilt is pronounced compared to other planets like Venus or Jupiter. Mars, similar to Earth, experiences seasons but with longer durations due to its elliptical orbit.

Upcoming Summer Solstice Dates and Times, BST

  • 2025: June 21, 3:42 AM
  • 2026: June 21, 9:24 AM
  • 2027: June 21, 3:10 p.m.
  • 2028: June 20, 9:01 p.m.
  • 2029: June 21, 2:48 AM
  • 2030: June 21, 8:31 AM

About Our Experts

Darren Baskill is an Outreach Officer and Lecturer in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Sussex. They have a background in astronomy and have contributed to various projects in the field.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Heat waves today are lasting significantly longer than in the 1980s

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People cooling off in Amsterdam’s heat wave

Cohen van Weel/AFP via Getty Images

An analysis of all heatwaves around the world between 1979 and 2020 found that they now last an average of 12 days, compared to eight days at the start of the study.

As the Earth continues to heat, they will last even longer, says Zhang Wei at Utah State University. “Based on trends, by around 2060 it could double to 16 days,” he says.

Zhang’s team found that heat waves not only last much longer, but also become more frequent and progress more slowly. This means that certain locations have to endure heat wave conditions more frequently and for longer.

Although heat waves are typically thought of as phenomena that affect one region, the areas affected by heat waves change over time as the weather systems responsible for the hot conditions move.

According to the research team, the speed of heat waves has slowed from around 340 kilometers per day in the 1980s to around 280 kilometers per day today. Moreover, the rate of deceleration is accelerating.

Because heat waves last longer, they reach farther, albeit at lower average speeds, increasing the total distance from about 2,500 kilometers to about 3,000 kilometers. This means that a wider area is affected.

The study did not consider the causes of this trend. However, with global warming, heat waves will become more frequent, slower moving, and last longer, meaning they will be more devastating to society and nature than ever before, unless action is taken to prevent further warming. The research team warns that this could have a negative impact.

Most previous studies on heat waves focused on specific locations or regions. Zhang’s team is one of the few that can observe how heat waves move over time.

To do this, the team divided the world into grids. A heat wave is defined as one or more grid rectangles that significantly exceed the average temperature from 1981 to 2010, specifically, temperatures exceeding 95 percent of the temperatures for that period for three or more days. it was done.

The research team found that heat waves tend to move in certain directions depending on prevailing conditions. For example, heat waves in Australia tend to move more south-east, while in Africa they tend to move west.

“I think it’s really interesting to be able to see all the properties of heat waves that you can’t capture if you consider them statically,” he says. andrea beenish He was involved in one of the few other studies at the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, Germany. Seeing heat waves as moving systems.

But when thinking about what we need to do to adapt to a hotter world, regional assessments can be more helpful than global ones, Beinisch says.

She also points out that, for example, heatwave persistence numbers depend largely on how the team defines a heatwave. Even with different definitions, the overall trend remains the same, but the numbers can change significantly. “This needs to be taken into account when looking at the exact numbers,” she says.

Other studies also show that hurricanes move more slowly, he says. david keelings at the University of Florida.

“In short, this means that these incredibly dangerous events last longer in one place and the impact is felt more strongly. In general, the longer a population is exposed to heatwave conditions, the more likely they are to be hospitalized. higher rates and higher mortality rates,” he says.

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  • climate change/
  • Abnormal weather

Source: www.newscientist.com

Today marks the start of the criminal fraud trial of British technology mogul Mike Lynch | Autonomy

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The criminal fraud trial of the British technology mogul once referred to as “Britain’s Bill Gates” is set to commence today in San Francisco.

Mike Lynch, the co-founder of British software company Autonomy, stands accused of artificially boosting the software company’s sales, deceiving auditors, analysts, and regulators. In 2011, before Hewlett-Packard’s significant takeover of the company, he even threatened those who raised concerns.


He has consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintains his innocence. If found guilty, he could face up to 25 years in prison.

HP purchased Autonomy in an $11.1bn (£8.72bn) deal to enhance its software business. However, just a year later, they reduced the purchase price by $8.8 billion, citing accounting irregularities and misstatements in the business.

In 2019, Lynch was indicted by a federal grand jury on 17 charges, including wire fraud, securities fraud, and conspiracy.

Despite past accolades, including an OBE in 2006 for his contributions to enterprise and an appointment to Prime Minister David Cameron’s Science and Technology Council in 2011, Lynch’s current situation is dire. He has spent the past year under house arrest preparing for trial.

Lynch was extradited from Britain to the US last May. After posting $100 million bail, he was required to wear a GPS ankle tag and be under constant surveillance by armed guards.

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In a first-time allowance back in November, he could leave the luxurious San Francisco compound where he is based daily between 9 am and 9 pm, albeit with strict conditions.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Spaceship Launch 3: When is SpaceX launching their flight today?

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SpaceX's Starship is preparing for flight

space x

After two failed missions, SpaceX will launch its third large-scale Starship rocket on March 14th. Here's everything you need to know about it.

What is a starship?

starship It is the most powerful rocket ever made. Measuring 121 meters long, the reusable booster can lift the second stage to an altitude of more than 70 kilometers before safely landing. This second stage is also reusable and is intended to make Starship an affordable, reliable vehicle that can quickly turn around and start again. The ultimate goal of this project is to land humans on the moon and later on Mars.

What time does Starship take off?

SpaceX announced live stream video The launch will begin at 8:25 a.m. local time in Texas (13:25 GMT). The actual launch will take place approximately 30 minutes after the livestream begins.

Where will the starship go?

As you can imagine, this launch is our most ambitious yet. What SpaceX is aiming for Successfully launch the first and second stages, transporting the starship into space, opening and closing the payload door as a test, and finally refueling from one starship to another as a first step. Shuffle from one tank to another. This is essential for long-range missions and reignites the engines for controlled re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

The launch will follow a new trajectory that will see the second stage splash down in the Indian Ocean. Although designed as a reusable aircraft, the mission is to make slow, controlled landings at sea rather than on land or ships. This is easier and safer at this stage of development.

What happened the last time a starship was launched?

There have been two Starship launches, both of which ended in failure, which is part of SpaceX's “fail fast, learn fast” strategy.

During the first launch on April 20 last year, three of the 33 engines in the first stage failed to ignite. Several more planes subsequently failed in flight. The rocket then went out of control and activated its self-destruct device, leading to what SpaceX sarcastically calls a “rapid unscheduled disassembly (RUD).” The entire flight lasted about three minutes and reached a maximum altitude of 39 kilometers.

Starship's second launch took place on November 18th. This time, all 33 engines fired and the rocket flew far enough for the first and second stages to separate. However, as the first stage decelerated and rotated to begin the landing procedure, it exploded. The second stage continued to fly smoothly until it reached an altitude of about 149 kilometers (149 kilometers), passing the Kármán Line, which marks the beginning of the universe, but it stopped transmitting data before completing its orbit, causing the safety device to fail. I did. Return to Earth.

What if this launch fails?

It probably won't work in some ways. It is highly unlikely that a starship will complete its mission perfectly. However, any failure will provide data and experience that can be used to improve the design and process for the fourth launch. SpaceX has shown in the past that it can iterate quickly and make significant progress with each launch.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The US moon probe landing today carries five incredibly unusual objects

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Intuitive Machines is preparing to create history as the first private company to land on the moon following last week’s launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The Nova-C lander named Odysseus (affectionately nicknamed “Odie”) is scheduled to touch down at 5:30pm ET (10:30pm GMT) and everything is proceeding as planned. This will be the first instance of an American-led mission reaching the moon since the end of the Apollo program over 50 years ago.

The mission is part of NASA’s Artemis Commercial Lunar Payload Service (CLPS) initiative, aiming to return humans to the moon by the end of this decade, led by a private company.

Since NASA’s Apollo 11 landed in 1969, several countries including the former Soviet Union, China, India, and Japan have successfully placed equipment on the moon.

Today’s “space race” is different not only because more countries are involved but also due to the private sector having a central role on the forefront. It is now possible for an individual or company with sufficient funds to place something on the moon.

The mission includes all of NASA’s key experiments, with a total of six experiments collecting data critical to NASA’s crewed Artemis missions later this decade. This leaves room for additional unique additions.

1. Puffer jacket

Columbia Sportswear has developed a lining for the Omni-Heat Infinity Jacket, designed to keep explorers warm in harsh environments, to be used on the Odie during the mission to protect the lander’s equipment from extreme temperatures.

Image credit: Intuitive Machines

2. Photos for the gram

Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus challenged students back in 2019 to capture photos of the landing from a third-person perspective, leading to the creation of the EagleCam which is poised to capture snapshots of the lunar landing.

The EagleCam is the first third-person photo camera for a landing and also serves as the first moon landing project built by a college student, it also uses WiFi on the moon.

3. Miniature satellite

Renowned American artist Jeff Koons has created 125 stainless steel sculptures depicting the moon as seen from Earth, along with an array of scientific equipment to be placed on the moon.

4. (Almost) All Human Knowledge

The Arch Mission Foundation is sending a permanent archive of human information along with the lander, ensuring that human knowledge is safely stored for posterity.

According to Intuitive Machines, the repository includes archives like the Rosetta Project, Long Now Foundation content, Project Gutenberg content, and other cultural archive datasets, and an English version of Wikipedia.

5. A very stylish file cabinet

Lone Star Data Holdings has secured a location for the Independence data center within the IM-1 mission, allowing the safe storage and transmission of documents on the moon.

When can we see the moon landing?

Coverage of the Intuitive Machine’s moon landing can be followed live through NASA’s web services from 4pm ET (9pm GMT). Live videos and comments can be accessed through NASA TV, NASA+ streaming service, or the NASA app.

About our experts

Science writer and journalist Joel Renstrom and computer scientist and author Peter Bentley provided insights for this story.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Five asteroids narrowly miss Earth today, including one with the potential to cause widespread destruction

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Today, not one, but five asteroids are hurtling past Earth, all at their closest approach.

The largest one was discovered just a few weeks ago. Potentially Dangerous 2024 BR4. Measuring between 140 and 300 meters in length, it is a sizable chunk of space rock. At its highest estimate, it would be about the size of an oil tanker, six Olympic-sized swimming pools, or as tall as New York City's Chrysler Building.

And just like the box of chocolates you might stuff your cheeks with, we have a few more surprises in store for you on the day. Dr. Darren Baskillan astronomer at the University of Sussex, said:

“On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, a total of five asteroids will pass Earth, all within 5 million kilometers.”

It may seem like a long way, but from an astronomical perspective, it's just a stone's throw away.

“The closest of these five is asteroid 2024 CU1, which is scheduled to pass about 52 percent further away than the Moon and is about 20 meters in diameter.”

In 2024, CU1 will be closest at 1:31 PM GMT (+/- 1 minute). However, it is only 20 meters in diameter, much smaller than the much talked about “city killer” called 2024 BR4.

How close will asteroid 2024 BR4 get?

Asteroid 2024 BR4, one of a group of asteroids that will fly past Earth today, will make its closest approach at a distance of 4.6 million km (2.86 million miles). In terms of AU, this is approximately 0.03 AU, well within the criteria for designation as a potentially hazardous object (see Meaning of a “Potentially Hazardous” Asteroid below).

(To convert kilometers per mile to AU, divide the distance in kilometers per mile by the distance in 1 AU of the same unit.)

Closest approach is expected to occur at 11:03 GMT today (±1 minute).

Will asteroid 2024 BR4 collide with Earth?

The Valentine's Day asteroid is hurtling through space at about 44,880 kilometers per hour (27,887 miles per hour), only slightly faster than the average speed recorded by Galileo during his six-year mission to Jupiter, but we… No need to worry. About influencing our heavenly oasis.

It passes us safely and poses no immediate threat to Earth.

“Asteroid 2024 BR4 will pass close to Earth 12 times further away than the Moon,” Baskill explains.

What do we know about Asteroid 2024 BR4?

Unfortunately, there are very few. In general, the larger the object, the brighter it is (the brighter the object, the lower the magnitude). NASA assigned asteroid 2024 BR4 a magnitude of 21.457.. It's not very bright.

However, we also need to know the object's albedo (surface reflectance), which is currently unknown. Current best estimates place the asteroid's size between 140 and 300 meters in diameter. But we know its trajectory with relative certainty. And today's visit will bring us the closest in 120 years to realizing BR4 in 2024.

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