Tag Archives: view

Europa Clipper Presents a Distinct View of 3I/ATLAS

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Utilizing the Ultraviolet Spectroscopy (UVS) instrument onboard NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft, scientists have made significant observations of 3I/ATLAS. This interstellar object is the third and only confirmed of its kind to have been detected entering our solar system from beyond it. While many telescopes on Earth and Mars struggled to track such interstellar visitors due to their proximity to the Sun, Europa Clipper was able to gather data from a distinct position as it advanced towards Jupiter.

This composite image of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS was captured on November 6, 2025, by the UVS instrument aboard NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft from a distance of around 164 million kilometers (103 million miles). Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI.

Scheduled to launch in 2024 and reach the Jupiter system by 2030, Europa Clipper will orbit Jupiter and conduct 49 flybys of its icy moon, Europa.

The UVS instrument specializes in collecting ultraviolet light to analyze the composition of Europa’s atmospheric gases and the materials on its icy surface.

Dr. Curt Retherford, principal investigator for Europa-UVS and a research scientist at the Southwest Research Institute, remarked, “This unexpected opportunity to observe another target on its journey to Jupiter has us very excited.”

“Our observations offer a distinctive and detailed view of the comet.”

Discovered on July 1, 2025, by the NASA-funded ATLAS survey telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile, 3I/ATLAS was traveling at a heliocentric distance of 4.51 astronomical units (AU) with an eccentricity of 6.13 at that time.

Within a week of its discovery, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s analysts had determined its trajectory through the solar system.

The Europa Clipper team quickly identified that their spacecraft could view 3I/ATLAS in November 2025, especially after Earth-based observations were largely obstructed by the Sun’s position and Mars observations became optimal.

During this period, the spacecraft provided crucial data between the Mars observations in September and upcoming Earth-based exams.

With the comet’s trajectory aligning between Europa Clipper and the Sun, the UVS team was able to observe it from a distinctive angle.

Comets feature a dust tail that trails behind and a plasma tail that extends away from the Sun.

The Europa-UVS’s unique sunward perspective enabled a rare downstream view of the comet’s two tails, primarily observing from behind the tail and toward the comet’s core and coma.

“We anticipate that this new perspective, together with data from Earth-based assets and other spacecraft, will enhance our understanding of the tail’s shape,” stated Dr. Thomas Greathouse, co-principal investigator for the Europa-UVS study.

The UVS instrument identified signatures associated with oxygen, hydrogen, and dust, reinforcing evidence of significant outgassing activity from 3I/ATLAS shortly after its closest approach to the Sun.

“Europa-UVS excels at measuring fundamental transitions of atoms and molecules,” remarked Dr. Retherford.

“We can observe gas being expelled from the comet, along with water molecules splitting into hydrogen and oxygen atoms.”

This capability allows Europa Clipper to closely analyze and measure these atomic species, offering deeper insights into the comet’s processes and composition.

“By understanding the chemical makeup of comets and how readily these gases are ejected, we can better comprehend their origins and evolution as they traverse from distant parts of the galaxy to our solar system,” explained Dr. Tracy Becker, co-principal investigator for Europa and UVS, also at the Southwest Research Institute.

“What chemical processes occur? How can we grasp the origins of comets within our solar system?”

“Are these processes akin to our theories about the formation of the solar system? That’s a key question.”

Source: www.sci.news

More Britons View AI as an Economic Threat Instead of an Opportunity, Tony Blair’s Think Tank Finds

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A think tank associated with Tony Blair suggests that the public perceives artificial intelligence more as an economic threat rather than a benefit.

The Tony Blair Institute cautioned that these poll findings could jeopardize Keir Starmer’s vision for the UK to become an AI “superpower,” urging the government to persuade the populace about the positive impacts of this technology.

According to a survey conducted by TBI, 38% of Britons see AI as a potential economic risk, while only 20% regard it as an opportunity. The survey, which included over 3,700 adults, also revealed that a lack of trust is the primary barrier to AI adoption.

Jakob Mökander, the director of science and technology policy at TBI, stated that the UK’s primary path to becoming an AI superpower lies in adopting cutting-edge technology. He expressed concerns that the current poll results jeopardize this aspiration.

Mökander noted, “A nation can achieve AI superpower status either by leading in development or by being a frontrunner in adoption.” He acknowledged that while the UK will not lead in development—domains dominated by the US and China—it can excel in adoption. However, he emphasized that without fostering public trust in technology, this goal is unattainable.

The UK government has identified AI as a cornerstone of its economic growth strategy, aiming for the country to become “one of the great AI superpowers” in the near future.

Nonetheless, there is considerable voter concern regarding the economic ramifications and job implications associated with AI. Entities such as TBI, the International Monetary Fund, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development predict that AI—defined as systems that can undertake tasks typically requiring human intelligence—will profoundly affect the labor market. TBI estimates that AI may lead to a shift of between 1 million and 3 million private sector jobs in the UK, although they anticipate that the total job loss will be mitigated as technology creates new positions.

Meanwhile, recruitment agencies have indicated that sectors expected to be influenced by AI, like graduate recruitment, have not yet experienced significant changes attributable to AI.

Furthermore, TBI’s polling indicates a divide between AI users and non-users, revealing that more than half of those unacquainted with the technology perceive it as a risk. In contrast, only a quarter of those who regularly use AI regard it as a threat.

Mökander stated that there is a pressing need to articulate potential benefits, like establishing AI reliability through regulations, shortening NHS wait times, and allowing individuals more family time.

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Regarding the need for regulations akin to those for vaccines, Mökander emphasized educating the public and promoting positive campaigns to cultivate healthy perceptions.

The TBI has garnered significant funding from tech magnate Larry Ellison and released findings indicating the advantageous applications of AI. The report suggests measuring AI’s beneficial impact accurately and promoting responsible regulations to foster AI skill development.

A spokesperson for the UK government stated that public trust is vital for effective AI utilization and highlighted initiatives aimed at enhancing AI skills and recruitment.

“With approximately 10 million workers projected to use AI in their daily roles by 2035, it is crucial that the workforce is equipped with both the skills and confidence to engage with this technology,” the spokesperson remarked.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Hubble Captures Direct View of Intermediate Spiral Galaxy

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A stunning new image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope captures the beauty of the Spiral Galaxy NGC 3596.

This Hubble image showcases NGC 3596, a mid-spiral galaxy roughly 90 million light years from Earth in the constellation Leo. The color image features observations from Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), taken in the ultraviolet, near-infrared, and optical spectra. The colors result from assigning varying hues to each monochromatic image linked with individual filters. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/D. Thilker.

NGC 3596 is situated approximately 90 million light years away in the constellation Leo.

This galaxy was first discovered by German and British astronomer William Herschel on April 8, 1784.

Also recognized as Leda 34298, UGC 6277, or Hipass J1115+14, NGC 3596 belongs to the Leo II Group, a collection of galaxies within the Virgo supercluster.

“NGC 3596 is nearly perfectly oriented face-on relative to Earth, revealing the galaxy’s beautifully wound spiral arms,” stated the Hubble astronomer.

“The bright arms are densely packed with stars, gas, and dust.”

“Star formation is particularly vigorous in the spiral arms, as indicated by the vibrant pink regions of star formation and the young blue stars tracing the arms of NGC 3596 in this image.”

“What triggers the formation of these spiral arms? Given the vast variety of spiral galaxies, it’s a complex question,” they noted.

“Some galaxies exhibit clear spiral arms, while others have more erratic feathered arms.”

“Some display prominent bars at their centers, whereas others have compact circular cores.”

“Some galaxies are surrounded by neighbors, while others stand alone.”

“Early theories about the formation of spiral arms were complicated by what they termed a convoluted problem,” the researchers explained.

“If the spiral arms are a coherent feature, they would be tightly wrapped as the galaxy rotates, eventually rendering them invisible.”

Currently, researchers think that spiral arms represent patterns of varying density rather than fixed structures.

“Material such as stars, gas, and dust flows in and out of the spiral arms as they orbit within the galaxy’s disc,” they added.

“Much like vehicles encountering traffic jams, these materials decelerate as they enter the spiral arms, become gravitationally bound, and continue their journey through the galaxy.”

Source: www.sci.news

Where and How to View the Partial Solar Eclipse in March 2025

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There is currently another solar eclipse happening.

On Saturday, the moon will cast a shadow on the earth’s surface, creating a partial solar eclipse visible to some in the US, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Russia, and Africa. While not as spectacular as last year’s total solar eclipse in the US, it still offers a chance to pause from daily concerns and observe our position in the solar system.

During a solar eclipse, the moon appears to take a bite out of the sun, but the amount of coverage varies depending on the location. It’s important to note that cloud cover can obstruct visibility.

It’s never safe to view a partial solar eclipse without proper eye protection, as the sun’s surface will still be visible during the event.

The experience of a partial solar eclipse can differ based on location, with the extent of sun coverage and overall visibility varying. It’s also advisable to check local weather conditions for clear viewing.

NASA has released a schedule of solar eclipse times in various major cities here.

In North America, the eclipse begins early in the morning, with the sun mostly partially covered when it rises.

The upcoming solar eclipse will be visible in the northern hemisphere, spanning both sides of the Atlantic. Unlike a total solar eclipse, it covers a larger area of the sun with fewer defined paths.

Viewers along the northeast coast of the US will witness the most significant coverage of the sun during the eclipse. For instance, individuals in Boston may see 43% of the sun covered at 6:38am, while New York City will experience a 22% coverage. Further south, in Washington, D.C., there will be a minimal 1% coverage at 6:59am.

The most substantial sun coverage will occur further north, with areas like northern Quebec, Nunavut, and parts of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada seeing over 90% of the sun covered by the moon.

Across the Atlantic, residents of Northern and Western Europe, as well as the northwest coast of Africa, will experience the solar eclipse in the late night or early afternoon. In northern Russia, the eclipse will occur in the late afternoon and in some locations close to sunset.

Eclipse duration can vary, with places like Halifax, Nova Scotia experiencing an eclipse lasting over an hour while Buffalo, with just a 2% coverage, will have a shorter duration of seven minutes.

A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, partially obscuring the sun from view.

Unlike a total solar eclipse where the sun is entirely covered, during a partial eclipse, only a portion of the sun is obscured. This occurs when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are not perfectly aligned. As a result, the sky does not darken enough during a partial eclipse to reveal stars and planets, and animals are unlikely to exhibit strong reactions.

A solar eclipse typically happens in pairs, two weeks apart, representing the time it takes for the moon to travel to the other side of the globe. Recently, stargazers witnessed a red moon during a full lunar eclipse earlier this month.

Staring at the sun, even for a few seconds, can lead to permanent eye damage as the retina lacks pain receptors. The same risk applies during partial solar eclipses. However, there are ways to protect your eyes while observing the event, such as using proper eye protection like eclipse glasses.

Be cautious of counterfeit solar eclipse glasses and viewers. To ensure safety, refer to a list of trusted suppliers compiled by the American Astronomical Association here.

If you’re unable to find eclipse glasses in time, there are alternative safe viewing methods, such as projecting the eclipse onto the ground using household items like cardboard or a kitchen strainer. The next partial solar eclipse is set to occur on September 21st, primarily visible in Australia, while a total solar eclipse is expected in the summer of 2026.

In addition to future solar eclipses, there are upcoming total lunar eclipses scheduled for September and March of next year, offering different celestial viewing experiences.

Source: www.nytimes.com

How to View the Alignment of Every Planet in the Solar System This Week

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Artists’ impressions of the solar system

Shutterstock/Vadim Sadovski

All of our solar system planets line up in the night sky once this week. This extraordinary celestial event will see the sky scattered with seven visible planets in what is called a great planet alignment, or what is called a “planet parade.”

The eight planets in our solar system first formed from the same disc of debris around the sun, thus bringing the sun into orbit on roughly the same plane. The lines that line this plane appear along the zodiac when the sun crosses the daytime sky, as the sun crosses the daytime sky, appear all along the zodiac when the planets appear in the sky. The orbit is slightly tilted, so it’s not the perfect line of the planet, but it’s pretty close.

This is less obvious than during planetary alignment. Normally, only a few planets share the night sky, but the unusual alignment of all seven planets will be visible around a few nights, around February 28, depending on your location.

The best time to see is right after sunset, and you will have the opportunity to see all the planets arching in the sky, but all of them are near the horizon except Mars, Jupiter and Uranus. These three will continue to stroll all night, but by the time the sky is completely dark, Mercury and Saturn will sink below the horizon, and Neptune and Venus will soon follow.

The main thing that prevents such alignments from being invisible all the time is the difference in orbital periods between planets, except for the weather. Mercury closest to the Sun takes about 88 Earth days to complete its orbit, but Neptune, most of the distant planets, takes nearly 165 Earth years.

It is only possible to have a large alignment if the planets are all relatively far from the Sun, so they can be seen at night, so they are all in roughly the same half of the sky, so they can be seen at the same time. It’s a coincidence of an astonishing trajectory. Sometimes there are multiple large alignments per year, sometimes even if there are no more than one year, it can pass. A similar event is not scheduled to occur until 2040.

“It’s great to see the interest that Planet Parade is creating.” David Armstrong At the University of Warwick, UK. “It’s all great to be involved in astronomy, look up at the sky and evaluate the wonders of our solar system. I encourage anyone interested in going out and looking at the planets with their own eyes if they get the chance in the next few days.”

Additional Reports by Alex Wilkins

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Hubble captures UGC 5460: A dazzling view of a face-on spiral galaxy

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Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have produced an excellent image of the Spiral Galaxy UGC 5460.

This Hubble image shows the UGC 5460, a spiral galaxy about 60 million light years away in the URSA major constellations. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/W. Jacobson-Galán/A. Filippenko/J. Mauerhan.

UGC 5460 is It was located His major in Ursa is about 60 million light years.

Otherwise known as IRAS F10048+5205, Leda 29469, or TC 132, the galaxy is seen to be very close to face.

Two supernova explosions, named in 2011 and 2015 SN 2011ht and SN 2015ASwere observed with UGC 5460, respectively.

“Hubble targeted this galaxy because of the explosion of these two stars, collecting data from three observational programs aimed at studying different types of supernova,” says Hubble astronomers. said in a statement.

“SN 2015as was what is known as the Core Collapse Supernova. The intense events occur when the solar nucleus collapses under its own gravity, and begins to rebound material outside the core. It's an explosion.”

“The Hubble observations in SN 2015A help researchers understand what happens when the supernova's expanding shock wave collides with the gas surrounding the exploded star.”

“SN 2011HT may have been a Core Collapse Supernova, but it could also be a con man called the Luminous Blue variable.”

“The bright blue variable is a rare star that experiences eruptions so large that it can mimic a supernova.”

“Crucially, while these eruptions are intact, bright blue variables appear, but stars going to supernovae are not.”

“Hubble searches for stellar survivors at the location of SN 2011HT and it is possible that the explosion's identity will finally be revealed.”

The color image of the UGC 5460 is Hubble Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) UV, near-infrared, and optical parts of the spectrum.

“The image combines light of four different wavelengths to reveal the central bar of the star, a winding spiral arm, and a bright blue star cluster on the UGC 5460,” the astronomer said.

“In the upper left corner of this image there is an object much closer to it. It's a star just 577 light years away in our own galaxy.”

Source: www.sci.news

Our view of artificial intelligence reflects our opinions on human intelligence

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TThe notion that highly intelligent robots are extraterrestrial intruders “coming to steal our jobs” reveals significant flaws in our understanding of work, value, and intelligence itself. Work is not about competition and robots are not separate entities competing against us. Just like any other technology, robots are an extension of humanity, emerging from our society much like hair and nails grow from living organisms. Robots are an integral part of our species, blurring the lines between man and machine.

When we treat fruit-picking robots as the “other,” viewing them as adversaries in a zero-sum game, we overlook the real issue at hand: the dehumanization of workers who previously harvested fruit. These individuals were deemed dispensable by farm owners and society when they were deemed unfit for their jobs. This indicates that these human workers were already being treated as non-human entities, akin to machines. With the existing disconnect between individuals, seeing machines as alien entities only exacerbates the problem.

Many concerns regarding artificial intelligence stem from outdated traditions that highlight dominance and hierarchy. However, the narrative of evolution emphasizes cooperation, enabling simpler organisms to come together and create more complex and enduring structures. This collaborative approach has driven the development of eukaryotic cells, multicellular organisms, and human societies. Mutualism has been crucial in enabling progress and scalability.

As an AI researcher, my focus lies not on the “artificial” aspect of AI – computers – but on intelligence itself. Regardless of its form, intelligence thrives on scale. A significant milestone in 2021 was the development of the “Language Model for Dialogic Applications” or “LaMDA,” demonstrating the importance of scale in intelligence. State-of-the-art AI models have since grown exponentially in complexity and efficacy. This trend towards larger models mirrors the evolutionary growth in human brain size and social cooperation.

Human intelligence is a collective endeavor, drawing upon the collaboration of individuals, plants, animals, microbes, and technologies. Ignoring the contributions of these diverse entities and technologies reduces us to mere brains devoid of physicality. Our intellect continues to evolve and expand, becoming increasingly distributed and interconnected. Embracing this broader definition of “human” can aid us in navigating global challenges and fostering collective intelligence.

The concerns surrounding AI dominance are rooted in historical narratives of hierarchy and control. AI models exhibit intelligence comparable to human brains without the need for status-driven competition. These models rely on a symbiotic relationship with humans and the broader ecosystem, signaling a shift towards collaborative intelligence rather than hierarchical dominance.

The narrative surrounding robots as potential threats reflects deep-seated fears of domination and competition. However, the true threat to societal order stems from human inequality rather than robotic interference. Recognizing our interdependence with all beings – humans, animals, plants, and machines – can pave the way for a more harmonious and cooperative future.

Source: www.theguardian.com

EU threat causes TikTok to halt view reward system | Ticktock

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TikTok’s service, offering perks like gift certificates for video watching, was ceased by the company after the European Union threatened to block it due to concerns of child addiction.

Digital Commissioner Thierry Breton stated that TikTok Lite’s features in France and Spain comply with obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA). “I couldn’t prove it, he said under the law,” he mentioned.

The EU believes the service could be as addictive as cigarettes and has given TikTok 48 hours to respond with new defenses.

As a precautionary measure, TikTok sent a letter to Breton informing the suspension of its services.

Breton emphasized, “Our children are not social media guinea pigs. The DSA ensures safety in the EU’s online spaces.”

This is the first instance of the EU taking legal action since the DSA came into effect in August last year.

Following the US Senate’s legislation, TikTok faces further challenges either in banning it or compelling the sale of its US operations.

Breton expressed disappointment in the company’s decision to proceed with the service despite prior concerns raised by the European Commission regarding child protection issues linked to TikTok.

“We welcome TikTok’s move to suspend the ‘rewards program’ in TikTok Lite on April 22nd, taking into account the ongoing case and willingness to implement interim measures,” he remarked.

The litigation against TikTok concerning addictive risks continues, including an assessment of the compliance of TikTok Lite launch with the DSA.

Effective Wednesday, TikTok, owned by ByteDance, will suspend its Tasks & Rewards program in France and Spain for new users for 60 days.

It will also cease services for existing subscribers by May 1 at the latest, and halt the rollout in other EU nations.

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This suspension marks the first time the EU has exercised its authority under the DSA to enforce compliance with EU laws on social media companies, including X and Facebook, risking global ban or up to 6% sanctions income.

A European Commission spokesperson confirmed two ongoing formal proceedings against TikTok, including this case concerning TikTok Lite.

The initial lawsuit filed in February addressed child protection on TikTok, covering age verification, advertising transparency, and addressing addictive designs and harmful content risks.

A TikTok spokesperson mentioned, “TikTok always strives to engage constructively with the EU Commission and regulatory authorities.

“Hence, we are voluntarily suspending the rewards feature on TikTok Lite and addressing the raised concerns.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

EU considers banning TikTok Lite due to view reward feature

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The EU has determined that TikTok’s new service in Europe could potentially be as addictive as cigarettes unless the company provides compelling evidence of protecting children. They believed a ban may be necessary.

If the ban is enforced, it would be the first time the EU utilizes its new powers to impose sanctions on social media companies since the inception of the Digital Services Act (DSA) last August.

TikTok has until Wednesday to present arguments for the commission to evaluate before reaching a final decision on enforcement actions.

Digital Commissioner Thierry Breton stated that TikTok Lite has failed to demonstrate compliance with legal obligations to reward users for watching videos, deeming the service harmful.

The commission warned that benefits could be suspended if TikTok does not address regulators’ concerns about the impact on users’ mental health.

Despite ongoing investigations into child protection concerns, TikTok launched the app in France and Spain, where millions of European children use the platform, prompting the commission to prioritize their protection efforts.

The new watch-and-earn app allows users to earn rewards such as Amazon coupons or PayPal credits by completing tasks like watching videos, liking content, following creators, and inviting friends.

Brereton compared TikTok Lite to cigarettes, stating that while the main app provides fun and connection, it also poses significant risks to children’s mental health.

TikTok had a deadline to provide a risk assessment for its Lite service over concerns of video addiction in children.

Following insufficient responses from TikTok regarding addiction safeguards, the commission expressed readiness to invoke DSA interim measures, potentially suspending TikTok Lite’s rewards program.

TikTok responded, expressing disappointment with the decision and highlighting restrictions on the Lite Rewards Hub for users under 18.

With U.S. lawmakers passing a bill that could lead to a TikTok ban unless its Chinese owner sells a stake in its U.S. operations, the app’s future in the U.S. is uncertain.

The ongoing DSA investigation into TikTok covers child protection issues like age verification, transparent advertising, and the management of addictive design and harmful content.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Close-Up View of Io’s Unique Features Captured by NASA’s Juno Mission

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In December 2023 and February 2024, NASA’s Juno spacecraft will fly extremely close to Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io, coming within about 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) of the surface and obtaining the first close-up images of the moon’s northern latitudes. Planetary scientists have now turned images collected during the flight into animations that show two of Io’s most dramatic features: its mountains and a nearly glassy rock formed by cooling lava called Loki Patera. It emphasized the smooth lake.

The JunoCam instrument aboard NASA’s Juno spacecraft imaged Io, the most geologically active object in the solar system, on February 3, 2024, from a distance of approximately 7,904 km (4,911 miles) . Image credit: NASA/SwRI/MSSS.

“There are only a few scattered volcanoes on the island of Io, and we captured some of them active,” said Juno principal investigator and Southwest Research Institute cosmologist. said Scott Bolton, director of science and engineering.

“We also obtained great close-ups and other data about a 200 km (127 mile) long lava lake called Loki Patera.”

“It shows in amazing detail how these crazy islands are embedded in the middle of a potential magma lake fringed with hot lava.”

“The specular reflections that our instruments record about the lake suggest that parts of Io’s surface are glass-smooth, reminiscent of the obsidian glass produced in volcanoes on Earth. “

Map generated using data collected by Juno microwave radiometer (MWR)’s instruments revealed that Io not only has a relatively smooth surface compared to Jupiter’s other Galilean moons, but also has poles that are colder than the mid-latitudes.

During Juno’s long-term mission, the spacecraft will fly closer to Jupiter’s north pole with each pass.

This change in direction allows the MWR instrument to improve the resolution of Jupiter’s polar cyclones.

This data allows us to compare multiple wavelengths at the poles and reveals that not all polar cyclones are created equal.

“Perhaps the most striking example of this difference is seen in the central cyclone at Jupiter’s north pole,” said Dr. Steve Levin, Juno project scientist and researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. states.

“Although clearly visible in both infrared and visible light images, the microwave signature is not as strong as other nearby storms.”

“This indicates that its subsurface structure must be very different from other cyclones.”

“As the MWR team continues to collect more and better microwave data in every orbit, we expect to develop more detailed 3D maps of these interesting polar storms.”

Source: www.sci.news

Where and When Can You View a Total Solar Eclipse?

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One of the most eagerly anticipated sky-watching events in recent years is set to take place on Monday, with a total solar eclipse gracing North American skies.

Weather permitting, millions of people in Mexico, 15 U.S. states, and eastern Canada will have the opportunity to witness the moon passing between Earth and the sun, momentarily blocking the sun’s light.

The total solar eclipse will be visible along a “total path” that spans more than 100 miles wide and extends across the continent, with the moon completely obstructing the sun, casting darkness over the afternoon sky for a few minutes.

The rest of the continental United States will experience a partial solar eclipse, where the moon will appear to take a bite out of the sun, with the size of the “bite” varying by location.

The first total eclipse event in North America on Monday will occur on the Pacific coast of Mexico at around 11:07 a.m. Pacific time, as per NASA.

Moving northeast through Mexico, the eclipse’s path will cross through states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and beyond, leading into parts of Canada including southern Ontario and Quebec.

The duration and timing of the total solar eclipse will vary depending on location, with most areas experiencing about two minutes of darkness, with the longest period usually occurring at the center of the eclipse’s path.

This year, the longest totality period will last 4 minutes and 28 seconds in the northwest region of Torreon, Mexico.

The moon covers the sun during a total solar eclipse in Cerulean, Kentucky, August 21, 2017.
Timothy D. Easley / AP File

Below is a list of times for some US cities along the path of totality. According to NASA.

  • Dallas: A partial solar eclipse will start at 12:23 p.m. CT, with a total eclipse commencing at 1:40 p.m. CT.
  • Idabel, Oklahoma: A partial solar eclipse begins at 12:28 p.m. CT, and a total eclipse starts at 1:45 p.m. CT.
  • Little Rock, AR: A partial solar eclipse will begin at 12:33 p.m. CT, and a total solar eclipse is scheduled for 1:51 p.m. CT.
  • Poplar Bluff, Missouri: The partial solar eclipse begins at 12:39 p.m. CT, with totality kicking off at 1:56 p.m. CT.
  • Paducah, Kentucky: A partial solar eclipse will commence at 12:42 p.m. CT, followed by a total solar eclipse at 2 p.m. CT.
  • Carbondale, IL: The partial solar eclipse will start at 12:42 p.m. CT, with the total solar eclipse beginning at 1:59 p.m. CT.
  • Evansville, Indiana: A partial solar eclipse will begin at 12:45 p.m. CT, and a total eclipse will begin at 2:02 p.m. CT.
  • CLEVELAND: A partial solar eclipse will begin at 1:59 p.m. ET, followed by a total eclipse starting at 3:13 p.m.
  • Erie, Pennsylvania: A partial solar eclipse will begin at 2:02 p.m. ET, and a total solar eclipse will start at 3:16 p.m. ET.
  • Buffalo, NY: A partial solar eclipse will start at 2:04 p.m. ET, with a total solar eclipse beginning at 3:18 p.m.
  • Burlington, Vermont: A partial solar eclipse will begin at 2:14 p.m. ET, and a total solar eclipse is set to start at 3:26 p.m. ET.
  • Lancaster, New Hampshire: The partial solar eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET, followed by a total solar eclipse starting at 3:27 p.m.
  • Caribou, Maine: A partial solar eclipse begins at 2:22 p.m. ET, with a total solar eclipse starting at 3:32 p.m. ET.

Additional resources to determine the visibility of the eclipse phases in your area include: NationalEclipse.com and timeanddate.com.

Remember, when observing celestial events, never look directly at the Sun through binoculars, telescopes, or camera lenses. Special solar eclipse glasses are necessary to view the eclipse safely and avoid permanent eye damage.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Rare stargazing event allows naked-eye view of Nova explosion

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An uncommon cosmic eruption is set to happen in the Milky Way galaxy soon, resembling the appearance of a “new” star in the night sky for a brief period.

Referred to as Nova, this event presents a unique sky-watching opportunity for individuals in the northern hemisphere. NASA states that such explosions occur infrequently in our galaxy.

This stellar eruption will take place in the T Coronae Borealis star system, situated 3,000 light-years away from Earth. This system consists of two stars, one being a deceased star, or “white dwarf,” orbiting near a red giant star that is nearing the end of its life cycle. According to NASA, our solar system’s sun will face a similar fate.

In systems like T Coronae Borealis, the proximity between the two stars causes material from the red giant to overflow onto the white dwarf’s surface over time. This leads to a buildup of pressure and heat, culminating in an eruption.

“The buildup of material on the white dwarf’s surface results in increased temperature and pressure until it eventually explodes. It’s a runaway reaction,” explained Bradley Schaefer, a retired physics and astronomy professor from Louisiana State University.

Schaefer likened a nova explosion to a hydrogen bomb detonating in space, creating a visible fireball from Earth’s perspective. (Not to be confused with a supernova, which occurs when a massive star collapses and dies.)

At the peak of the eruption, it should be visible to the naked eye, making it easy to observe from your backyard, Schaefer stated.

Astronomers anticipate the nova explosion happening between now and September. The last eruption from this system occurred in 1946, with the next expected eruption in about 80 years.

Astronomers worldwide are monitoring the North Star system for activity. If an eruption is detected, it could quickly reach a brightness similar to Polaris in less than 24 hours, offering a spectacular view. The explosion might remain visible to the naked eye for several days before fading.

According to NASA, skywatchers could potentially spot the eruption for around a week after dark using binoculars.

NASA

Typically too faint to be seen with the naked eye, T-corona systems can be identified by looking for the constellation or northern cap. This constellation forms a small semicircular arc between Hercules and Boes.

Schaefer, who extensively researched the T Coronae system, encourages catching a glimpse of this incredible phenomenon.

“This system has a recurrence time scale of less than 100 years, with most cycles lasting around 1,000 years,” he stated.

In a recent publication by the Astronomical History Journal, Schaefer unveiled two previous “long-lost” Ti Coronae Borealis eruptions from historical records, observed in 1217 by a German monk and in 1787 by English astronomer Francis Wollaston.

Schaefer shared a historical anecdote, recalling the monks near Augsburg, Germany, describing such an eruption as a significant yearly event, even naming it “signum mirabile,” which translates to ‘great omen’ in Latin. It was considered a favorable omen.

Yet, predicting the exact viewing period for this “wonderful omen” presents a challenge.

“This event could happen tonight,” Schaefer stated. “Most likely in the next few months, possibly by the end of summer.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Where and when can you view the solar eclipse of 2024?

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In a total solar eclipse, the moon blocks the sun’s light.

Scott Sadie/tahoelight.com/Alamy

A total solar eclipse is coming to North America. On April 8, the moon will pass between the Earth and the sun, perfectly aligned to block the entire disk of the sun in a phenomenon called totality. It will be visible from a strip of land that stretches from Mexico across the United States into Canada.

The eclipse will begin in the Pacific Ocean, about halfway between North America and New Zealand, and will begin to be visible off the west coast of Mexico at 8:42 a.m. local time. It begins as a partial solar eclipse, with the moon slowly moving to cover more and more of the sun. The totality event was first observed in Mexico at 9:38 a.m. local time.

As the sun and moon move across the sky, the eclipse will be visible over a 185-kilometre-wide area of land known in the United States as totality. It will pass through 13 states, from Texas to Maine, and enter southern Ontario, Canada. The last place to see the eclipse on land will be Newfoundland, where the sun’s visibility will return to normal at 5:16 p.m. local time.

The duration of totality varies by location, from less than 2 minutes to nearly 4.5 minutes. This is because the moon’s orbit around the Earth is not a perfect circle, and neither is the Earth’s orbit around the sun, so the distances between the three bodies change throughout the day.

Solar eclipse in 2024

On April 8th, a total solar eclipse will pass over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Our special series covers everything you need to know, from how and when to see a solar eclipse to the strangest solar eclipse experience of all time.

During a total solar eclipse, the moon’s shadow moves across the ground at speeds of over 2400 kilometers per hour, forming a dark patch that darts along the ground. In this shadow, the temperature drops rapidly and the sky becomes strangely dark, making planets and stars visible even during the day. Total solar eclipses are important to scientists because they provide a rare opportunity to measure the outermost layer of the sun, called the corona. This tenuous layer is much fainter than the Sun’s disk, making it difficult to observe normally.

Viewers in areas just outside the total path will also be able to see the eclipse, but it will only be partial, with the moon covering a smaller portion of the sun. A partial solar eclipse will last about 3 hours. Partial solar eclipses, which include the period just before and after a total solar eclipse, must be viewed through a special solar filter. Such filters are available in the form of eclipse glasses. However, regular sunglasses do not provide sufficient protection for the viewer’s eyes. Do not look directly at the sun without a solar filter, even during a partial solar eclipse.

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, don’t despair. A partial solar eclipse can still be seen, just not directly. You can use any object with holes, such as a colander or paper with pinholes, to project an image in the shape of an eclipse onto a screen or onto the ground. Even between the leaves of the trees the ground is speckled with strange sunlight that changes like a crescent moon.

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  • solar eclipse 2024

Source: www.newscientist.com

2024 Meteor Shower Schedule: Best Times to View Shooting Stars

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Meteor Showers in 2024

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a casual observer, a good meteor shower is always fun to watch

These occur at the same time every year, but you don’t need expensive equipment to get the most out of them. In fact, you’re better without a telescope. By using just your eyes, you can take in a wider field of view and see more meteors.

Why do meteor showers occur on specific days?

As the Earth orbits the Sun, each year we pass through the same stream of debris left behind by comets and sometimes asteroids. In the case of periodic comets such as the large comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which is the parent object of the summer Perseid meteor shower, the stream is replenished each time it passes.

Summarized meteor showers in 2024

In this article, we have summarized all the meteor showers in 2024, their maximum period, and the number of meteors that can be observed.

Learn about constellations

While you wait for that all-important peak night, why not brush up on your constellations with our handy astronomer’s guide for beginners? Having a broad understanding of constellations will help you identify and observe the radiance of each meteor shower. It will help you get the most out of your experience.

Full moon calendar

If you prefer the moon, check out our full moon calendar. All dates, names, and times are compiled into one comprehensive list. It also includes some trivia about the moon.

What is a meteor shower?

A meteor shower is a cascade of meteors, also called shooting stars, that flash across the sky and leave a trail of light in their wake. They occur on certain days every year and can be a spectacular sight if conditions are right.

When is the next meteor shower?

After the quadrant meteor shower in January, Britain’s next major meteor shower will be the Lyrids, followed quickly by Eta Aquarius in April. The peaks of these showers are expected on April 22-23 and May 6, respectively, so mark your calendars.

Meteor Showers in 2024

See below the dates of all 2024 meteor showers, along with peak times and number of meteors seen per hour.

  • quadrant meteor shower

    Active: December 28, 2023 – January 12, 2024
    peak: January 3-4, 2024
    Price/hour: 110
    radiation: Boes
    Parent body: Probably 2003 EH1, but not confirmed yet
    Peak moon illumination: 59-49%

  • Urinidae

    Active: December 17th to 26th
    peak: December 22nd-23rd
    Price/hour: Ten
    radiation: Ursa Minor
    Parent body: Comet 8P/Tuttle
    Peak moon illumination: 61-51%

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Fermi’s Time-Lapse Tour: A One-of-a-Kind View of the Gamma-Ray Sky

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new movies from NASA's Fermi mission shows the intensity of gamma rays, the highest energy form of light, with energies of over 200 million electron volts (MeV), detected by Fermi's Large Area Telescope between August 2008 and August 2022 . For comparison, visible light has an energy of 2 to 3 electrons. bolt. Lighter colors indicate the location of more intense gamma ray sources.

“The Milky Way's bright, steady gamma-ray glow is punctuated by intense flares of near-light-speed jets that last for days, powered by the supermassive black hole at the center of the distant galaxy.” Dr. Digel said. Staff Scientist at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.

“These dramatic eruptions can appear anywhere in the sky, occurred millions to billions of years ago, and their light is just reaching Fermi as we see it. ”

“The first thing you see in a movie is a steady arc of light across the screen,” said Dr. Judy Racusin, a research scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

“It's our sun, and its apparent motion reflects the Earth's annual orbital motion.”

Most of the time, Fermi's Large Area Telescope (LAT) picks up faint glimpses of the Sun due to the influence of accelerated particles called cosmic rays. When they come into contact with the sun's gases or the light it emits, gamma rays are produced.

But sometimes, the sun suddenly brightens up in a powerful eruption called a solar flare, temporarily making our star one of the brightest sources of gamma rays in the sky.

The Fermi team created an all-sky time-lapse movie using 14 years of data acquired by Fermi's large-area telescope. Image credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/DOE/LAT Collaboration.

“The new film depicts the sky from two different perspectives,” the astronomers said.

“The rectangular view shows the entire sky with the galaxy's center in the middle.”

“This highlights the central plane of the Milky Way, which glows with gamma rays produced from cosmic rays striking interstellar gas and starlight.”

“Many other sources are also scattered, such as neutron stars and supernova remnants.”

“Above and beyond this central band, we look out beyond our galaxy and into a wider universe studded with bright, rapidly changing light sources.”

“Most of these are actually distant galaxies that are better seen from a different perspective, centered around our galaxy's north and south poles.”

“Each of these galaxies, called blazars, has a central black hole with the mass of more than a million suns.”

“Somehow, black holes produce jets of matter that move at very high speeds. Using a blazar, we can see one of these jets almost directly below us, enhancing their brightness and variability. Masu.”

“This fluctuation indicates that something has changed in these jets,” Dr. Raksin said.

“We monitor these sources regularly and alert other telescopes, both in space and on the ground, when something interesting is happening.”

“We need to catch these flares quickly before they disappear, and the more observations we can collect, the better we can understand these events.”

Fermi plays a key role in a growing network of missions working together to capture these changes as they unfold in space.

“Many of these galaxies are very distant,” the researchers said.

“For example, the light from the blazar known as 4C +21.35 has been traveling for 4.6 billion years. This means that the flare-ups we see today actually happened when the sun and solar system began to form. means.”

“Other bright blazars are more than twice as far away, providing an impressive snapshot of black hole activity across cosmic time.”

“Many short-lived events that Fermi studies, such as gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful cosmic explosions, cannot be seen in time-lapse.”

“This is the result of processing data over several days to sharpen the image.”

Source: www.sci.news

Bluesky now allows users to view posts without logging in

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Decentralized social networks and Twitter rivals blue sky finally allows users to view posts on the platform without logging in. You still need an invitation to create an account and start posting, but you can read posts through a link.

The move will allow publishers to link to Bluesky’s posts and embed them in their blogs. Additionally, users can share them individually or in group chats.

Bluesky users can toggle their settings in the following ways: [設定]>[モデレーション]>[ログアウト時の公開設定] Prevent social networks from displaying posts to users who are logged out. However, this restriction only applies to his Bluesky’s website and its own app. The company said other third-party clients may not honor this switch and not display your posts. Therefore, if you don’t want to share your posts with more users, you should make your profile private.

Bluesky's logout display settings apply to its own apps and websites

Bluesky’s logout visibility settings apply to its own apps and websites Image credits: blue sky

In a blog post, the company’s CEO Jay Graeber also announced a new butterfly emoji logo, replacing the more common “clouds and blue sky” logo.

“We noticed early on that people were naturally using the butterfly emoji 🦋 to indicate their Bluesky handle,” Graber said. “We liked it and adopted it as it spread. This butterfly speaks to our mission to reinvent social media.”

This year, Bluesky released iOS and Android apps and reached 2 million users. The social network also rolled out various moderation tools after facing criticism over the type of content allowed on its platform. Bluesky is currently the only instance of the AT protocol, but aims to enable federation “early next year.” This means that there may be more servers and instances compatible with his Bluesky with their own rules.

Bluesky’s announcement comes at a time when Meta’s Threads has begun experimenting with ActivityPub integration. Following Meta’s announcement earlier this month, Instagram head Adam Mosseri and other everyone from thread team has started making your accounts and posts visible in Mastodon and other compatible apps.

Source: techcrunch.com

View of Earth from a 6,000 km orbit through a 2 mm lens

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Credit: University of Maribor

Equipped with a miniature camera, the TRISAT-R CubeSat captured unique images of the Earth from 6,000 km, contributing to ESA’s research on medium-Earth orbit and digital imaging effects.

Partially shadowed Earth in the distance as seen from orbit at an altitude of 6,000 km (3,700 miles). This unusual image was obtained using a very small camera. It measures just 2 mm (0.08 inches), about the size of the end of a 20 euro cent (or US nickel). This is part of a small-scale technology experiment carried out on his shoebox-sized TRISAT-R CubeSat at ESA.

Iztok Kramberger, TRISAT-R project manager at the University of Maribor, explains: “This tiny camera, less than 2 cubic millimeters in size, captured images of an object of about 1 trillion cubic kilometers – our beautiful Earth – from thousands of kilometers away.”

A CubeSat made from three standardized 10 cm (4 inch) boxes, Trisat R This is Slovenia’s second space mission, with Europe’s first Vega-C launch last year reaching the relatively harsh environment of medium-Earth orbit at an altitude of 6,000 km (3,700 miles). The mission’s orbit passes through the core of the ionosphere (the electrically active layer of Earth’s atmosphere) and the inner Van Allen radiation belt.

The side cover size of TRISAT-R CubeSat is 10×10 cm. In the center you can see the photodiode (the white part in the middle) and the camera (the small black dot next to the diode and directly above the image). In the center of the camera, you can see a 2 x 2 mm camera lens with a 120 degree field of view. The lens is made from clear, radiation-resistant borosilicate glass and is attached directly to the image sensor below, providing 320 x 320 pixels.Credit: University of Maribor

This will enable TRISAT-R to test a range of radiation detection payloads. In addition, the TRISAT-R team mounted his two miniature cameras with lenses made of clear borosilicate glass directly onto a 320×320 pixel image sensor to provide limited radiation resistance. Ta.

Dr. Cranberger added: “These highly miniaturized cameras are not intended to perform ground imagery, so the resulting images of the Earth are very low resolution. Also, the TRISAT-R satellite uses magnetorque for attitude control. accurate pointing is difficult to achieve.

“Our main interest was in capturing an example of the ‘black sun effect’, which is common in terrestrial digital image processing, where pixel oversaturation can cause very bright areas to appear dark. We were successful in these investigations and were fortunate to be able to obtain images like this one. ”

ESA supported the manufacturing, assembly and testing of TRISAT-R through the ‘Fly’ element of the Integrated Support Technology Program, opening up on-orbit demonstration opportunities for European companies.

Located in a unique and challenging orbit, TRISAT-R’s commissioning phase is scheduled to conclude later this month, including 16 months of successful on-orbit operations.

Source: scitechdaily.com