Science / 20

Our galaxy's supermassive black hole is acting weirder than normal

August 13, 2019

This is the brightest state the black hole was ever seen in, taking even astronomers by surprise. A burst of radiation has captured the attention of astronomers observing a supper massive black hole at the center of our galaxy. The other possibility according to Tuan Do, is the star S0-2, which had passed close to the black Hole previous year, it may have changed the way gas flows into the Back Hole, so more gas is falling on it, leading it to become more variable, as per the report.

Asteroid whizzing by Earth this weekend won't come close to impact

August 12, 2019

According to Sitthiporn, NASA always monitors asteroids that fly near our planet, not because they might pose a threat to us, but because scientists consider this a good chance to study these objects. "This is a rock that's the size of a skyscraper". However, Sitthiporn Duantakhu, an official of the NARIT (National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand), announced that, even though authorities are watching the evolution of the QQ23 asteroid's trajectory, there is no need to panic.

Perseid Meteor Shower peaks Monday night in Waterloo region

August 12, 2019

Those in the Northern Hemisphere will be treated to the best views, provided they can escape the light pollution from towns and cities. Tonight (between August 12-13) will be the best time to see it this year. In previous years, where the moonlight was not prevalent, one could catch over 150 meteors per hour during their peaks but because of the bright moonlight this year we could expect to see around 20 meteors an hour.

EU's Juncker tells Britain: no-deal Brexit will hurt you the most

August 12, 2019

Mr Lister also said that compensation would be considered "on a case-by-case basis" for those who had already booked leave. There are some news wires going around the block with reports in the Times and Telegraph addressing the concerns of a hard Brexit and Boris Johnson's fragile setting as the new PM.

Change land use to avoid a hungry future

August 12, 2019

In a report on land use released Thursday, the panel said that in certain regions, climate change will force farmers to change from what they're now growing due to factors such as increased heat, flooding, snow and moisture in the air, CNN reported .

Perseid Meteor Shower 2019: How to see it in MI this weekend

August 11, 2019

Every year, the Earth passes through this debris field, producing shooting stars as numerous as 20 per hour moving up to 25 miles per second at the shower's peak. "Jupiter will be the brightest thing in the eastern sky", says Reynolds. In all of my years of watching the Perseids, two especially bright showers still stand out: one in 1969 and another in 1974, both of which attained a head-turning magnitude of at least minus 10.

Researchers discover fossil of 'largest parrot ever' in New Zealand

August 10, 2019

Artistic illustration of the giant parrot with a New Zealand wren for comparison. He said the parrot's weight meant there was a possibility it was flightless. This handout picture released on August 7, 2019, by the Flinders University shows the drawing by Dr. Brian Choo featuring a giant-sized parrot that stood more than half the height of an average human and roamed the earth 19 million years ago.

Marine heatwaves a bigger threat to coral reefs than previously thought

August 10, 2019

The study revealed that corals became up to 15% weaker after an extreme heat event, causing some fragments to actually break off from the reef. As per new research carried on by the University of New South Wales (UNSW), the University of Technology Sydney , the University of Newcastle, the US NOAA, and James Cook University, ocean heatwaves due to global warming affect coral reefs worldwide more than scientists expected.

Hubble Showcases New Portrait of Jupiter

August 09, 2019

The Great Red Spot , which is shaped like a wedding cake, has an upper haze layer that reaches more than three miles higher than clouds in other areas. The bands in the clouds of Jupiter are created by air flowing in opposite directions at various latitudes. "Researchers have observed cyclones with a wide variety of different appearances across the planet".

Atlantic Hurricane Season Peak Could be Worse Than Predicted

August 09, 2019

The 2019 hurricane season lasts through November 30th. "Armed with our next-generation satellites, sophisticated weather models, hurricane hunter aircraft, and the expertise of our forecasters , we are prepared to keep communities informed to help save lives and livelihoods".

Best times to watch the 2019 Perseid meteor shower

August 09, 2019

Count for yourself at the main parking lot at Wildwood State Park . A almost full moon during this year's annual Perseids could drown some of the meteors from view though there will be less viewing time without the bright moon late Monday into Tuesday, says EarthSky.org.

Israel's Amos-17 satellite enroute to target orbit after SpaceX launch

August 09, 2019

It will provide broadband over Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, with the goal of increasing internet access for Africa in particular. The Falcon 9 booster supporting the mission previously flew in support of the Telstar 19 VANTAGE in July 2018 and Es'hail-2 launch in November 2018.

ULA Atlas V Lofts USAF Protected Comm Sat

August 09, 2019

Two issues with the rocket were investigated in the minutes before launch, pushing back the initial liftoff time by almost half an hour. (Reuters) - United Launch Alliance , a joint venture between Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp, blasted off into space on Thursday morning, one of the final satellites for the U.S.

SpaceX will now offer rocket ride-shares tailored exclusively to small satellites

August 07, 2019

China's Beijing Xinwei Group scrapped plans for its $285 million acquisition of Spacecom, and the company lost its service agreements with Facebook Inc. SpaceX is expanding its launch offerings with a new, more affordable and consistent option for small satellite operators looking to put lighter payloads into orbit.

Perseid meteor shower peaks next week

August 06, 2019

The height of the Perseid meteor showers is predicted between August 12 and August 13. But it's not all bad news. "But the Perseids are rich in bright meteors and fireballs, so it will still be worth going out in the early morning to catch some of nature's fireworks".

100 percent of Google's products will 'include' recycled materials by 2022

August 06, 2019

Exactly how Google plans on achieving that goal is now unclear, and in part, would depend on environmental commitments being made by the shipping companies the tech giant works with to move its products around the world. Devices can not clear the second checkpoint in the company's design process unless they show that sustainable packaging and materials and ease of fix have been considered.

Amazon heats up renewable energy efforts

August 04, 2019

Amazon's newest renewable energy project in the European Union will be located in Cork, Ireland, and will be the second Amazon Wind Farm in the Republic of Ireland . "I applaud Amazon for their continued investment in clean and renewable energy projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia", noted Mark R. Warner, Virginia Senator.

Space agency spots closest ’habitable’ Earth-like planet yet — NASA exoplanet discovery

August 03, 2019

The researchers don't know if the super-Earth is rocky like our own planet, but it orbits the star every 55.7 days and has a temperature of negative 64 degrees Fahrenheit. "The minimum thing we had to achieve for the mission in order to satisfy the fundamental scientific requirements that we were selected by NASA to fulfill was primarily based on making 2-minute cadences [observation intervals] of preselected stars", Ricker told Space.com.

3D model of our Milky Way galaxy mapped like never before

August 02, 2019

And that map shows that the edges of the Milky Way bend slightly , giving it a warped S shape. With the help of cosmic light fire Polish researchers have mapped the milky way very accurately. To create the 3D map, Skowron and her colleagues charted the location of Cepheid variable stars. The brightness of the Cepheids changes in a very regular pattern, with a well-defined period, that can range from several hours to several dozen days.

Hubble uncovers football-shaped 'heavy metal' exoplanet

August 02, 2019

The Planet due to its mass and temperature to the class of Hot Jupiter . Making the planet even less hospitable is the fact that the planet is so close to the host star it's on the cusp of being torn apart. "It's a very efficient mechanism for mass loss". When planets form, they gather an atmosphere made of gas from the disk that gave rise to both the planet and its host star.

Mission ‘LightSail 2’ declared a success

August 02, 2019

Now, the Planetary Society has released thumbnails showing the whole process. "This idea that you could fly spacecraft - that you could get propulsion in space - on nothing but photons is really surprising", Bill Nye, CEO of the Planetary Society, said during a press conference.

NASA discovers 3 new planets; 1 potentially habitable ‘super Earth’

August 02, 2019

The researchers don't know if the super-Earth is rocky like our own planet, but it orbits the star every 55.7 days and has a temperature of negative 64 degrees Fahrenheit. A dense atmosphere with the right composition could trap some warmth and allow water to remain liquid on the planet's surface. By studying objects much brighter than the Kepler targets, it's hoped TESS could uncover new clues on the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe.

Universal Studios Florida announces Epic Universe, appears to include Super Nintendo Land

August 01, 2019

Guests will reportedly be able to travel "beyond their wildest imagination" and into "beloved stories and through vibrant lands on adventures where the journey is as astounding as the destination". "It reflects the tremendous excitement we have for the future of our theme park business and for our entire company's future in Florida". An opening time frame was not announced today .

NASA discovers ‘super-Earth’ which could be ripe for human colonization

August 01, 2019

TOI 270 is described as a "faint, cool star" that is estimated to be about 40 percent smaller than our sun in both size and mass. The astronomical body, twice Earth's size, was mapped in the outer edge of its host star's so-called "habitable zone", which led scientists to believe this super-exoplanet could harbour water on its surface - a key life-sustaining factor.

NASA finds three alien planets, including the 'missing link'

August 01, 2019

If a planet with three suns isn't your thing, what about a sun with three planets ? On Monday, four days after announcing the completion of TESS' first year of survey, NASA revealed the telescope had produced a "hat trick" of sorts and detected three exoplanets that the administration says will be "among the most curious targets for future studies".

NASA's planet hunting satellite discovers 'missing' planets

August 01, 2019

NASA's planet-probing satellite, Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), has had a very fruitful first year overseas. The star, called TOI 270, is surrounded by a trio of planets , including one rocky world and a pair of "sub-Neptune" worlds that scientists are eager to learn more about.

Armenia's Byurakan observatory offers chance to view mind-blowing massive Perseids meteor shower

August 01, 2019

The Perseid Meteor Shower produces more fireballs than any other meteor shower. The next full moon will be on 15 August, and just after that follows the Perseids meteor shower . The meteors themselves are traveling at 132,000 miles per hour, which creates their vivid streaks of light. Though the comet will not come by again until 2126, it has left behind plenty of fragments from its last visit in 1992.

Paleontologists find giant dinosaur bone in southwestern France

July 31, 2019

The expert team's awesome French specimen was particularly well-preserved for a fossil of its size and long ago helped support the 50-60 ton weight of this gentle giant. Alongside the thigh bone, volunteers with the National Museum of Natural History in Paris also uncovered a giant pelvis bone from the same layer of clay.

Chandrayaan 2: Third-orbit raising manoeuvre completed, all parameters normal

July 31, 2019

The agency has planned a total of 15 orbit raising manoeuvres before the 3,850 kilogrammes (kg) three-module Chandrayaan-2 comprising an orbiter, lander and rover are brought around the Moon, which is at a distance of almost four lakh km from the Earth.

IHG to phase out mini plastic toiletries in all hotels

July 31, 2019

The announcement has come from the chain's parent company, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, which is making the move across all 843,000 guest rooms in its global hotel estate. Total plastic straw bans have also been criticised by some people with disabilities. IHG said a year ago that its hotels would no longer use them by the end of 2019, and its competitor Marriott International made a similar announcement.

Tropical Storm Erick Upgraded To Hurricane, Tropical Storm Flossie Not Far Behind

July 31, 2019

As per officials, the maximum sustained winds stood at 130 mph while Hurricane Erick could make sea waters rise between seven to 16 feet by tomorrow night. Its winds extend outward up to 30 miles (45 kilometers) to the northeast of the center, with its minimum central pressure now at 990mb, almost 30inHg.

Black Moon is coming tomorrow: What that means

July 31, 2019

A rare black moon will make an appearance on either July 31 or August 1, depending on your global location. A perigree full moon, or supermoon , is seen Sunday, August 10, 2014, in Washington. However, there are actually two types, a super full moon , the name given to a full moon at its nearest point to Earth, and a super new moon, the term used to describe a new moon at its closest approach to Earth.

Tesla cars to stream TV for drivers when stationary

July 31, 2019

It will soon be possible to catch up on your favourite Netflix shows and check out YouTube videos live-streamed on the in-car screen of your Tesla. So far, there is no timeline provided as to when this feature will become available. You'll only be able to watch while parked. During the E3 event , Elon Musk shared that the ability to view YouTube videos will soon arrive on Tesla cars.

Earth Just Got Saved From An Asteroid

July 30, 2019

The rock, named Asteroid 2019 OK , flew just 45,000 miles (73,000 kilometers) from Earth, which is less than 20% of the distance between Earth and the moon, the Business Insider reported . However, a couple of days earlier to that, it was a thousand times fainter & was more hard to spot. Its relatively small size, unusual orbit, and fast speed all conspired to make it tough to spot, researchers told the Washington Post .

"Unlike Any Planet in Our Solar System" -New TESS Discovery

July 30, 2019

Researchers have discovered a planet approximately 45 million years old, orbiting one of its brightest young stars. The calm nature of the star, along with its high luminosity thanks to its relative proximity relative to Earth, makes TOI 270 an excellent prospect for exoplanet scientists.

Tropical wave in Caribbean could become storm with Florida in its path

July 30, 2019

Some models are moving the cluster of storms more west, others more north. A tropical disturbance that has formed in the Caribbean could become a tropical storm as it moves closer to the Florida coast. Forecasters say some development of the system is possible through Friday. Another strong tropical wave is coming off Africa. The European model is more aggressive with development (the American model-not so much) and suggests development into a tropical cyclone-similarly, the EPS has ...

SpaceX will take a Japanese billionaire on a trip around the Moon

July 29, 2019

Maezawa, the founder of Japan's largest online fashion retailer ( Zozotown ), announced that he has purchased the entire SpaceX BFR (Big F***ing Rocket) flight and that he's turning it into a project called #dearMoon . A 90-minute flight costs $250,000. The trip was organized by the Virginia-based company Space Adventures, which has since sent several more paying customers on spaceflights.

Look up: Dueling meteor showers to light up sky Monday night

July 29, 2019

On this night, the moon will be 6% full. This means relatively dark skies that will provide favorable viewing conditions-local weather permitting. In particular, you'll want to find a spot with a clear sight of the southern horizon because this is where the meteors will appear to be originating-or radiating-from, Thrillist reported.

Two meteor showers to peak overnight Monday: American Meteor Society

July 29, 2019

Here's everything you need to know to catch the spectacular celestial show. The forecast calls for partly cloudy skies in north and Central Jersey during the overnight with mainly clear conditions expected in South Jersey, according to the National Weather Service.

French Scientists Uncover Bone of Largest Dinosaur Ever

July 29, 2019

This femur is two metres long, bigger than the average human male! Allain said they were especially amazed by the state of preservation of the femur. The dinosaurs would have weighed 40 to 50 tons, Allain told Reuters. Scientists at the site near the city of Cognac have found more than 7,500 fossils of more than 40 different species since 2010, according to Allain, making it one of the largest such finds in Europe.

Star orbiting massive black hole lends support to Einstein's theory

July 29, 2019

After 24 years of observations that measured the star's precise positions and the wavelengths of its light, astronomers have shown Einstein's predictions, once again, hold up . It's the culmination of more than two decades of work in the area. The National Science Foundation has funded Ghez's research for the last 25 years.

Calif. skirts Trump, signs mileage deal with 4 automakers

July 27, 2019

The greenhouse gas deal, which affects new vehicle sales through 2026, is being viewed as a rebuke of the Trump administration's planned emissions and fuel economy rollbacks for the auto industry. But the other 49 states can choose to adopt California's stricter standards instead of the federal guideline, and at least 16 states have said they will back California's emissions standard rather than support the federal rollback.

The Greatly Awaited Orion Crew Capsule of NASA is Ready for Testing

July 27, 2019

On Saturday, the space agency and Vice President Mike Pence announced the completion of the Orion crew capsule for the Artemis program. Later in the week, a live two-hour NASA Television special - "NASA's Giant Leaps: Past and Future" - recognized the heroes of Apollo and highlighted our next giant leaps off the planet - to the Moon and eventually to Mars - with Administrator Bridenstine revealing the logo for the Artemis Program.

India’s Second Moon Mission Ascends Higher After Second Orbit Raising Task - ISRO

July 27, 2019

Prasad. Isro chairman K. Sivan has described the 15-minute final landing manoeuvre as the most complex mission ever undertaken by the agency. The mission aims to achieve India's first surface landing on moon's south pole region, where it will collect crucial information about the moon's composition and regarding the presence of water and other minerals on the lunar surface.

Astronomers: Undetected 'City-Killer' Asteroid Barely Missed Earth

July 27, 2019

Nasa's planetary defense officer, Lindley Johnson, says scientists have found 95 percent of all near-Earth objects measuring one kilometer (two-thirds of a mile) or bigger. While the probability of an asteroid impact may be low, the effects could be cataclysmic. Almost 90 percent of the larger asteroids have been identified.

SpaceX CRS-18 mission launches to ISS

July 27, 2019

With the successful launch of CRS-18, SpaceX is very near the completion of its first contract with NASA that was for up to 20 missions. The Elon Musk-led company's Falcon 9 rocket carried aloft cargo including a 3D biological printer and Nickelodeon's iconic slime from NASA's Kennedy Space Center shortly after 6 p.m.

Weather postpones SpaceX launch of supplies to space station

July 26, 2019

SpaceX successfully launched its eighteenth Commercial Resupply Services mission (CRS-18) from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) on Thursday at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station , Florida. People can watch the launch live starting about 15 minutes before liftoff. The cargo mission is stuffed full of gear, supplies and experiments.

US Student Discovers 65 Million-Year-Old Triceratops Skull in North Dakota

July 26, 2019

Fossils date to the late Cretaceous period, 65 million to 70 million years ago, and were discovered in 1902 by paleontologist Barnum Brown. Get the full story in the video above. It took about a week to fully excavate the skull, which was then coated in foil and plaster, wedged onto a makeshift box and lifted onto a truck with the help of a local cattle rancher and his family, according UC Merced.

Europe braces for another record-breaking heat wave

July 24, 2019

Quite a bit of France has been issued with an orange alarm - the second largest amount of caution. Meteo France said Paris temperatures may hit new highs on Thursday. Ice foot baths and extra water facets are being made accessible to cyclists competing within the Tour de France - which is entering its final week - to steer clear of dehydration.

The Small Wings Was Spread In Space By Bill Nye's Solar Sail

July 24, 2019

Deployment commands were sent to the Planetary Society's LightSail 2 from mission control at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. LightSail 2 features eight 4.2v batteries and can be monitored by anyone in real-time via the newly released 'mission dashboard ' website. The solar-sail concept goes back nearly a century, according to JAXA's website, and solar sailing has been a passion of The Planetary Society founders going back several decades.

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