Mars was once wet, but now its surface is desiccated. Its meagre atmosphere contains only a tiny trace amount of water vapour. But new research says the planet contains ample liquid water. Unfortunately, it’s kilometres under the surface, well out of reach.

A 2018 photo of Mars during a dust storm, snapped by the Hubble Space Telescope. More than 3 billion years ago, the dusty red planet had oceans and rivers. That water disappeared, leaving only ice on the surface, most of it in the polar caps. A new analysis of Mars' interior suggests that much of the liquid water still exists in the pores of rocks 10-20 kilometers below the surface.

NASA, ESA, STScI

The question of what happened to Mars’ water is an enduring one. There’s ample evidence showing that water flowed across the planet’s surface, carving out river channels, creating sediment deltas, and filling lakes. It may even have had ocenas. The planet was likely warm and wet until around 3.8 billion years ago, during the transition from the Noachian Period to the Hesperian Period. Over time it lost both its thick atmosphere and its water.

The most widely accepted explanation for the water’s disappearance is that the planet’s magnetic shield weakened and that the solar wind blew most of the water away into space.

New research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) presents a new wrinkle in the Mars water mystery. Its title is “Liquid water in the Martian mid-crust,” and the first author is Vashan Wright, an assistant professor at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

“Understanding the Martian water cycle is critical for understanding the evolution of the climate, surface and interior,” Wright said in a press release. “A useful starting point is to identify where water is and how much is there.”

Wright and his colleagues worked with data from NASA’s InSight lander, which was sent to Mars to study the planet’s deep interior. InSight aimed to understand not only Mars but also the processes that shape all rocky planets. The mission ended in December 2022 when the lander became unresponsive, but scientists are still working with its data.

During its mission, InSight gathered seismic data with SEIS, the Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure. SEIS was sensitive to Marsquakes and meteorite impacts, and the seismic data is helping scientists understand Mars’ interior, including its core, mantle, and crust.

“Large volumes of liquid water transiently existed on the surface of Mars more than 3 billion years ago,” the authors write in their published research. “Much of this water is hypothesized to have been sequestered in the subsurface or lost to space.”

Seismic waves sensed by SEIS can help determine if some of Mars’ water is in the planet’s subsurface. When seismic waves travel through a planet, they reveal information about the inner structure and composition. There are different types of waves, and some can’t travel through liquids. That’s how scientists learned that Earth has a liquid core.

Wave velocities and directions also reveal a lot. Velocity and direction change when the waves reach boundaries like the one between a planet’s crust and its mantle. Waves also provide information about the density and elasticity of materials they pass through. Changes in wave speed also reveal information about temperature differences.

But conclusions don’t jump out of data and announce themselves. Researchers have to work their way through the data and try to interpret it. The Mars science community is doing just that, and this research is the latest part of the effort.

An artist’s concept of the InSight lander on Mars after the lander’s robotic arm deployed a seismometer (domed object to the left of the lander) and a heat probe directly onto the ground. The lander stopped recording data in 2022, but scientists are still mining the data for information about Mars’ interior.

NASA/JPL-Caltech

Previous researchers have tried to constrain the conditions under the InSight Lander in Elysium Planitia. Scientists use the term upper crust to describe the depth down to about 8km and the term lower crust to describe the depth between 8 km and about 20 km. Some research from orbiters showed that the upper crust is like a cryosphere that contains abundant frozen water. Orbital images of recent meteorite impacts appear to show exposed ice.

But this new research goes against that. The authors write that seismic waves “in the upper 8 km beneath InSight is lower than expected for an ice-saturated cryosphere.”

Previous research also showed that the lower crust contains either highly porous mafic rock or less porous felsic rock. However, it was difficult to determine how much water was contained in the pores.

That’s where this research comes in.

“We assess whether V_s, V_p, and bulk density ?_b data are consistent with liquid water-saturated pores in the mid-crust (11.5 ± 3.1 to 20 ± 5km) within 50 km of the InSight lander,” the authors write. V_s means the velocity of secondary seismic waves, V_p means the velocity of primary seismic waves, and p_b means bulk density. The bulk density means the mass of a volume unit of rock including any liquid trapped in its pores.

According to the authors, the mid-crust is one of our identifiable layers under the InSight lander. It may even be global, but there is not enough data to conclude that yet.

However, the researchers did reach another conclusion: “A mid-crust composed of igneous rock with thin fractures filled with liquid water can best explain the geophysical data.”

If the InSight Lander location is representative of the rest of Mars, the approximately 11.5 km to 20 km deep mid-crust could hold an enormous amount of water. There could be enough to cover the entire planet in a layer of water 1 to 2 km deep. Of course, this is just a thought exercise since Mars’ wouldn’t be able to hold onto the surface water.

If the planet does hold such a vast amount of water, it won’t be of much use to human visitors trying to establish a presence there. Even on Earth, drilling only 1 km into the surface is difficult. It’s challenging to conceive of a way to drill 11 km deep on Mars.

But where there’s water, there could be life.

“Establishing that there is a big reservoir of liquid water provides some window into what the climate was like or could be like,” said co-author Michael Manga, a UC Berkeley professor of earth and planetary science. “And water is necessary for life as we know it. I don’t see why [the underground reservoir] is not a habitable environment.”

It may very well be habitable, but that doesn’t mean it’s inhabited. It is at least a possibility, though.

We’ve found life at a depth of 5 km within Earth’s crust. Could the same thing be possible on Mars?

Just like the water, an answer to that question is well out of reach. For now.

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

14-08-2024 om 01:19 geschreven door peter  

Incredible moment two Boeing 747 pilots are intercepted by several UFOs on flight - which did not show up on radar

By Olivia Christie

This is the incredible moment two airline pilots spot several white 'UFO' orbs during a flight that did not show up on the radar.  

The video, which was posted on YouTube by Captain Ruud Van Pangemanan, shows two pilots flying a Boeing 747 from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria.

Suddenly, the pair spotted objects that they described as being 'extremely bright' and 'moving freely' in the sky. 

According to Captain Ruud, the supposed UFO orbs showed up around 30 minutes into the flight after a 'normal take off and cruising'.

The video, which is titled 'UFO Intercept Captain Ruud Flight with Boeing 747' ends with the pilot convinced he has seen a UFO. 

He says: 'This is my experience of seeing something strange or UFO.

This is the incredible moment two airline pilots spot several white UFO orbs on flight that did not show up on the radar

'What we see is still a mystery.

'Before that, we thought it was a light plane but it wasn't on our radar.

'We thought maybe it was a star but the stars didn't move.

Read More

• Interactive map reveals locations of UK's 900 UFO sightings in last two years - as ex-MoD alien hunter says ministers MUST take threat seriously 

'The UFO light shone for a long time and moved.'

The pilots can be heard in the clip discussing different theories as to what they saw in the sky. 

They said they initially thought they were 'aircraft' but these would show up on the radar. 

The pair then considered drones but dismissed this theory as well as drones need to use the radar and don't have such bright lights. 

Their final consideration was satellites but Captain Rudd was not convinced by this idea either due to the way they moved 'in various ways'. 

However social media users reacting to the video were more sceptical of what the pilots saw. 

One person posted in response to a version of the clip on Reddit: : 'As an airline pilot we see these lights just about every late night/early morning flight we do.' 

The pilots described the objects they saw as being 'extremely bright' and 'moving freely' in the sky

They added: 'They always appear over the same part of the sky depending on the time and direction we are flying.'

Captain Ruud has 32 years of flying experience according to his Instagram account that has more than 130,000 followers. 

He works for Max Air which is a Nigerian airline operating domestic and international flights. 

The sighting comes after a Pentagon chief admitted last year that UFOs have been spotted 'all over the world'. 

Physicist Dr Sean Kirkpatrick, director of the Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), said: 'We see these ['metallic orbs'] all over the world, and we see these making very interesting apparent maneuvers.'

Dr Kirkpatrick presented AARO's latest findings to NASA's independent team of scientists and other experts who have been tasked with studying the UFO phenomenon in May last year. 

She added that roughly two to five percent of around 800 cases their organisation constituted real and baffling anomalies.

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ }

13-08-2024 om 23:26 geschreven door peter  

Boeing 747 Pilots Claim They Were Intercepted By UFOs That Didn’t Show Up On Radar

Lummi/Aerial Sunset View from Airplan

Kay Smythe - News and Commentary Writer

A now-viral video shared by a Boeing 747 pilot flying from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria in early August allegedly showed three strange lights near the aircraft.

The footage was shared by Captain Ruud Van Pangemanan, who said the glowing orbs showed up around 30 minutes into his flight (the 20-minute mark in the video posted to YouTube). You can clearly see Pangemanan’s co-pilot, and he is transfixed on the aerial phenomenon, which looks sort of like a lighthouse beacon in the sky as it flashes in and out in the sky.

Whatever the objects are, Pangemanan said they didn’t show up on radar. Similarly, his team thought the lights might be drones, though these would also presumably show up on radar.

Pangemanan dismissed the idea that the lights were satellites or stars. But I feel like the latter may be close to the truth, as this is more like a spook light than a straight UFO. Unlike UFOs, spook lights are just giant balls of light that are said to hover off the ground. Science explains them as “ball lightning.” Do I think Pangemanan videoed ball lightning in the atmosphere? No. But I’m not sure he’s captured a UFO either. 

• (RELATED: Big Names Line Up For Super Secretive UFO Movie … But We Are Extremely Confused)

My gut feeling, unlike more recent UFO sightings, is that this particular video is probably of something related to the recent meteor showers. Yes, these lights are a bit weird in the way they behave. But they just look like large fragments of exploding rock in our atmosphere.

I may be wrong; perhaps this is some type of military aircraft or possibly some type of cosmic event. But I feel like this is probably not legitimate. At least, I hope it isn’t.

If we want to go full tin-foil-hat and believe these are UFOs following Pangemanan fly to Nigeria then their behavior is somewhat disconcerting. Unlike most UFOs, which whiz through the skies in all sorts of directions, these ones seemed to hover, moving gradually. Almost like they’re watching.

And I really don’t like the idea of an interplanetary alien species taking the time to watch us humans as we go about our normal lives. 

• (RELATED: Two Major UFO Mysteries May Have Been ‘Solved’ After Decades)

Thankfully, I think this is literally just a series of really big shooting stars.

{ https://dailycaller.com/ }

13-08-2024 om 23:15 geschreven door peter  

Pilots intercepted by mystery ‘UFOs’ that went under the radar during flight

The pilots were flying from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria when they uncovered the 'UFOs'

Callum Jones

However, this flight was far from ordinary as the two pilots spotted objects that were described as being 'extremely bright' and 'moving freely' in the night sky.

Captain Ruud explains in the video titled 'UFO Intercept Captain Ruud Flight with Boeing 747' that the supposed 'UFO orbs' appeared around 30 minutes into the flight.

There was nothing out of the ordinary going on before then, with Captain Rudd stating a 'normal take off and cruising' took place prior to the alleged sighting.

The video concludes with the pilot convinced he had seen a UFO.

"This is my experience of seeing something strange or UFO," he explained in the video.

The pilot continued: "What we see is still a mystery. Before that, we thought it was a light plane but it wasn't on our radar.

"We thought maybe it was a star but the stars didn't move. The UFO light shone for a long time and moved."

The initial assumption here is it's just another aircraft, though this would show up on the pilots' radar.

On this occasion, they say nothing was to be seen.

Drones was another idea floated by those in the aircraft, but this would show up on the radar as well.

While we may not know for sure what the flashing lights were, a Pentagon chief did admit last year UFOs have been spotted 'all over the world'.

Physicist Dr Sean Kirkpatrick, director of the Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, said: "We see these ['metallic orbs'] all over the world, and we see these making very interesting apparent manoeuvres."

The video has been viewed more than 100,000 times on YouTube, with many now believing in UFOs.

"My wife and I sit in our garden here in the uk. Every single night, if we have a clear sky, you will see lights travel across the sky that will suddenly grow bright, exactly what you see in this video. I am actually so happy that a pilot has confirmed what we see," one person commented.

While a second added: " These things are real, and reporting them may help to at least plot where they are most prevalent. This in turn alerts others to be cautious."

• Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Captain Ruud Van Pangemanan

{ https://www.unilad.com/ }

13-08-2024 om 23:03 geschreven door peter  

ESA’s Trace Gas Orbiter Spots Chloride-Bearing Deposits on Mars

Chloride deposits are markers for early Mars’ aqueous past, with important implications for the understanding of the Martian climate and habitability. Using high-resolution color-infrared images captured by the Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) onboard ESA’s Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), planetary researchers have performed a planet-wide search for chloride-bearing deposits in Terra Sirenum and other regions of Mars.

This CaSSIS/TGO image shows chloride-bearing deposits (purplish, scaley wave) in Terra Sirenum, Mars.

Image credit: ESA / TGO / CaSSIS.

“Mars is currently a desert world that used to be covered by rivers, lakes, and possibly oceans some 3.5 billion years ago,” said University of Bern researcher Valentin Bickel and his colleagues.

“A cold era began when Mars lost its magnetic field and could no longer hold its own atmosphere, leading to water evaporating, freezing, or becoming trapped within the surface.”

“As the water disappeared over time, it left mineral fingerprints on the surface.”

In the study, the researchers used a neural network to map potentially chloride-bearing deposits in CaSSIS images over a significant fraction of Mars.

They identified a total of 965 chloride deposit candidates with diameters ranging from 300 to 3,000 m.

“Most likely, those salt deposits formed from shallow ponds of water or brine that evaporated in the Sun,” the scientists said.

“People use a similar method to produce salt for human consumption in saltwater pools on Earth.”

“Very salty waters could have become a haven for life, a beacon for habitable places on Mars,” they added.

“High concentrations of salt allow water to remain liquid at temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius.”

“The chloride deposits in the picture above and its direct relation to liquid water make areas such as Terra Sirenum good targets for future robotic missions searching for signs of life.”

“Chloride-bearing terrain does not stand out in regular black-and-white images but shows up as a distinct purple hue in color-infrared images, making CaSSIS a unique tool to study the distribution of salts across Mars.”

“Our paper includes never-seen-before data that helps us better understand the distribution of water in Mars’ distant past,” they said.

“TGO continues to image Mars from orbit to understand its ancient past and potential habitability.”

“The spacecraft is not only returning spectacular images, but also providing the best inventory of atmospheric gases and mapping the planet’s surface for water-rich locations.”

“Understanding the history of water on Mars and whether it once allowed life to flourish is at the heart of ESA’s ExoMars missions.”

• The team’s paper was published this month in the journal Scientific Data.
• V.T. Bickel et al. 2024. A Global Dataset of Potential Chloride Deposits on Mars as Identified by TGO CaSSIS. Sci Data 11, 845; doi: 10.1038/s41597-024-03685-3

{ https://www.sci.news/ }

13-08-2024 om 22:51 geschreven door peter  

Large Language Models Pose No Existential Threat to Humanity, Scientists Say

ChatGPT and other large language models (LLMs), comprising billions of parameters and pre-trained on extensive web-scale corpora, have been claimed to acquire certain capabilities without having been specifically trained on them. These capabilities, referred to as emergent abilities, have been a driving force in discussions regarding the potentials and risks of language models. In their new paper, University of Bath researcher Harish Tayyar Madabushi and colleagues present a new theory that explains emergent abilities, taking into account their potential confounding factors, and rigorously substantiate this theory through over 1,000 experiments. Their findings suggest that purported emergent abilities are not truly emergent, but result from a combination of in-context learning, model memory, and linguistic knowledge.

Lu et al. suggest large language models like ChatGPT cannot learn independently or acquire new skills.

“The prevailing narrative that this type of AI is a threat to humanity prevents the widespread adoption and development of these technologies, and also diverts attention from the genuine issues that require our focus,” Dr. Tayyar Madabushi said.

Dr. Tayyar Madabushi and colleagues ran experiments to test the ability of LLMs to complete tasks that models have never come across before — the so-called emergent abilities.

As an illustration, LLMs can answer questions about social situations without ever having been explicitly trained or programmed to do so.

While previous research suggested this was a product of models ‘knowing’ about social situations, the researchers showed that it was in fact the result of models using a well-known ability of LLMs to complete tasks based on a few examples presented to them, known as ‘in-context learning’ (ICL).

Through thousands of experiments, the team demonstrated that a combination of LLMs ability to follow instructions, memory and linguistic proficiency can account for both the capabilities and limitations exhibited by LLMs.

“The fear has been that as models get bigger and bigger, they will be able to solve new problems that we cannot currently predict, which poses the threat that these larger models might acquire hazardous abilities including reasoning and planning,” Dr. Tayyar Madabushi said.

“This has triggered a lot of discussion — for instance, at the AI Safety Summit last year at Bletchley Park, for which we were asked for comment — but our study shows that the fear that a model will go away and do something completely unexpected, innovative and potentially dangerous is not valid.”

“Concerns over the existential threat posed by LLMs are not restricted to non-experts and have been expressed by some of the top AI researchers across the world.”

However, Dr. Tayyar Madabushi and co-authors maintain this fear is unfounded as their tests clearly demonstrated the absence of emergent complex reasoning abilities in LLMs.

“While it’s important to address the existing potential for the misuse of AI, such as the creation of fake news and the heightened risk of fraud, it would be premature to enact regulations based on perceived existential threats,” Dr. Tayyar Madabushi said.

“Importantly, what this means for end users is that relying on LLMs to interpret and perform complex tasks which require complex reasoning without explicit instruction is likely to be a mistake.”

“Instead, users are likely to benefit from explicitly specifying what they require models to do and providing examples where possible for all but the simplest of tasks.”

“Our results do not mean that AI is not a threat at all,” said Technical University of Darmstadt’s Professor Iryna Gurevych.

“Rather, we show that the purported emergence of complex thinking skills associated with specific threats is not supported by evidence and that we can control the learning process of LLMs very well after all.”

“Future research should therefore focus on other risks posed by the models, such as their potential to be used to generate fake news.”

• Sheng Lu et al. 2024. Are Emergent Abilities in Large Language Models just In-Context Learning? arXiv: 2309.01809

{ https://www.sci.news/ }

13-08-2024 om 22:34 geschreven door peter  

An artist’s concept of the InSight lander on Mars after the lander’s robotic arm deployed a seismometer (domed object to the left of the lander) and a heat probe directly onto the ground. The lander stopped recording data in 2022, but scientists are still mining the data for information about Mars’ interior. 

Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech

Mid-Crust of Mars May Contain ‘Oceans of Liquid Water’

New data about the Martian crust gathered by NASA’s InSight lander allowed geophysicists at the University of California San Diego and the University of California Berkeley to estimate that the amount of groundwater could cover the entire planet to a depth of between 1 and 2 km. It’s located in tiny cracks and pores in rock in the planet’s mid-crust, between 11.5 and 20 km below the surface.

A cutout of the Martian interior beneath NASA’s Insight lander. The top 5 kilometers of the crust appear to be dry, but a new study provides evidence for a zone of fractured rock 11.5-20 km below the surface that is full of liquid water — more than the volume proposed to have filled hypothesized ancient Martian oceans. 

Credit: James Tuttle Keane and Aaron Rodriquez / Scripps Institution of Oceanography

“Liquid water existed at least episodically on Mars in rivers, lakes, oceans, and aquifers during the Noachian and Hesperian, more than 3 billion years ago,” said Dr. Vashan Wright from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego and colleagues.

“Mars lost its ability to host persistent bodies of liquid water on its surface after the planet lost most of its atmosphere during this time period.”

“The ancient surface water may have been incorporated in minerals, buried as ice, sequestered as liquid in deep aquifers, or lost to space.”

For the study, Dr. Wright and his colleagues used data that InSight collected during a four-year mission ending in 2022.

The lander collected information from the ground directly beneath it on variables such as the speed of marsquake waves from which scientists can infer what substances reside beneath the surface.

NASA InSight's first full selfie on Mars. It displays the lander's solar panels and deck. On top of the deck are its science instruments, weather sensor booms and UHF antenna. The selfie was taken on Dec. 6, 2018 (sol 10). The selfie is made up of 11 images which were taken by its Instrument Deployment Camera, located on the elbow of its robotic arm. Those images are then stitched together into a mosaic.

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

The data were fed into a model informed by a mathematical theory of rock physics.

From it, the researchers determined that the presence of liquid water in the crust most plausibly explained the data.

“Establishing that there is a big reservoir of liquid water provides some window into what the climate was like or could be like,” said University of California Berkeley’s Professor Michael Manga.

“And water is necessary for life as we know it. I don’t see why the underground reservoir is not a habitable environment. It’s certainly true on Earth — deep, deep mines host life, the bottom of the ocean hosts life.”

“We haven’t found any evidence for life on Mars, but at least we have identified a place that should, in principle, be able to sustain life.”

{ https://www.sci.news/ }

13-08-2024 om 22:28 geschreven door peter  

AI Focused UFO Cloud Over Salt Lake, Utah Aug 9, 2024, UAP Sighting News.

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/1371992833259331/search/?q=saucer

{ https://www.ufosightingsdaily.com/ }

13-08-2024 om 21:17 geschreven door peter  

Glowing Disk Over Clouds In Taiwan, July 29, 2024, UFO UAP Sighting News.

 

Date of sighting: July 29, 2024
Location of sighting: Yilan, Taiwan

Facebook post: 

• https://www.facebook.com/reel/702006352080469

A Facebook friend sent this into me today. A glowing disk seen over dark clouds in Taiwan last week. This looks very much like a light ship...a ship that was created by transcended beings that are now pure energy. It's a rare sight and the aliens like to come as close as possible to see humans and the Earths surface with their own eyes. 

Scott C. Waring 

 

 

{ https://www.ufosightingsdaily.com/ }

13-08-2024 om 21:09 geschreven door peter  

Tientallen jaren een steen in een doos bewaard: het was een meteoriet die meer dan 50 jaar geleden viel

door Janine

Unsplash - Not the actual photo

Van de meteorieten die de aarde sinds haar ontstaan ​​hebben getroffen, slaagt een klein percentage erin het oppervlak van de planeet te bereiken, en wordt misschien zelfs door mensen gevonden. In de meeste gevallen beperkt het onderzoek zich echter tot de analyse van de compositie, en weinig anders. Het ontdekken van de exacte oorsprong van een meteoriet is niet eenvoudig, en daarom heeft een recent onderzoek liefhebbers en professionals verbaasd. Onderzoekers zijn erin geslaagd om een meteoriet te linken aan een gloed die zich voordeed in de atmosfeer... bijna 50 jaar geleden.

Op zoek naar de ruimtelijke oorsprong van de meteoriet

Gritsevich et al./Meteoritics & Planetary Science - 2024

Het onderzoek naar de meteoriet wordt uitgevoerd door een team van wetenschappers onder leiding van Maria Gritsevich van de Universiteit van Helsinki, die de resultaten publiceerde in het tijdschrift Meteoritics & Planetary Science. Gritsevich en haar collega's veronderstellen dat de meteoriet onlangs op aarde is gevallen, en dat er daarom ook videobewijs van de gebeurtenis zou kunnen zijn.

Om deze reden beginnen onderzoekers beelden te analyseren van 25 hemelobservatiecamera's in Zuid-Duitsland. Het lijkt een eenvoudige zoektocht, maar dat is slechts tot op zekere hoogte zo: in de afgelopen 50 jaar zijn er meer dan 2000 "vuurballen" waargenomen die meteorieten zouden kunnen zijn, maar welke trof Ischgl vóór 1976? Maria Gritsevich en haar team vinden bewijs van de inslag: een enorme flits die, laag aan de horizon, bij zonsopgang op 24 november 1970 de Oostenrijkse hemel verlicht. De meteoriet die Pfefferle vond is meer dan 50 jaar oud en heeft het grootste deel van zijn leven in een doos opgesloten gezeten.

De impact van de ontdekking op de studie van meteorieten

Als je het verhaal van de meteoriet van Ischgl leest, is het normaal om je af te vragen welk doel het dient om zijn ontdekking in verband te brengen met zijn oorsprong. Hoewel complex, is dit zeer belangrijk onderzoek, dat kan helpen cruciale informatie te begrijpen, zoals het gebied van het zonnestelsel waar het vandaan komt, zijn baan, zijn “verwantschap” met andere hemellichamen, enzovoort.

Toch is niet iedereen het erover eens dat de ontdekking van de meteoriet te wijten is aan de crash van 1970. Volgens andere wetenschappers had de door Pfefferle gevonden steen eeuwenlang op aarde kunnen wachten, goed beschermd door de gunstige omstandigheden in de Oostenrijkse Alpen. Wat de waarheid ook is, het is verbazingwekkend hoe je oude gegevens kunt raadplegen om antwoorden te vinden over gebeurtenissen die beginnen in het zonnestelsel en eindigen in een Oostenrijks bos, wachtend om gevonden te worden.

{ https://www.curioctopus.nl/ }

13-08-2024 om 18:33 geschreven door peter  

20 Untold Mysteries of Mount Kailash

Mysteries of Mount Kailash

Towering over the Tibetan plateau, Mount Kailash stands as a majestic pyramid of rock and ice. This sacred peak transcends geographical boundaries, holding immense significance for Hinduism, Buddhism, Bon, and Jainism. For centuries, pilgrims have undertaken arduous journeys to circumambulate its base, seeking spiritual fulfillment and a connection to the divine. Beyond its breathtaking beauty, Mount Kailash harbors a multitude of unsolved mysteries that continue to intrigue and mystify. Join us as we delve into 20 enigmas that shroud this sacred mountain, fueling our imagination and sparking a deeper exploration of its secrets.

1. The Unexplored Summit: A Peak Untouched: Mysteries of Mount Kailash

Unlike most Himalayan giants that have succumbed to the will of determined climbers, Mount Kailash remains unconquered. No expedition has ever successfully reached its summit. Religious reverence for the mountain plays a significant role in this. Hindus believe it to be the abode of Lord Shiva, the destroyer and regenerator, and consider climbing it disrespectful. Similarly, Buddhists revere it as the earthly manifestation of Mount Meru, the mythical axis mundi. The challenging terrain, characterized by extreme weather conditions, steep icy slopes, and unpredictable crevasses, further discourages attempts. However, some believe a more profound reason lies behind the mountain’s inviolability. Legends whisper of an unseen force that prevents human intrusion, protecting the sanctity of the peak.

2. Vanishing Acts: Where Do They Go?

The legend of disappearances on Mount Kailash adds another layer of mystery. Stories abound of pilgrims and adventurers venturing onto the circumambulation route, the Kora, and simply vanishing. Search efforts often yield no trace, leaving behind a chilling sense of the unknown. Are these disappearances due to the harsh environment and treacherous terrain? Do they fall victim to accidents or succumb to the unforgiving elements? Or could there be something more at play? Some believe the mountain itself has a role, perhaps transporting those deemed unworthy to another realm. The truth remains shrouded in the mists that cling to the mountain’s slopes.

3. Magnetic Anomalies: Compasses Gone Wild

Modern technology seems to malfunction in the shadow of Mount Kailash. Reports from pilgrims and trekkers detail compasses spinning wildly or pointing in erratic directions. While some attribute this to unusual mineral deposits in the surrounding rocks, others believe it’s a sign of a powerful energy vortex emanating from the mountain itself. This supposed energy vortex is said to have a profound effect on those who visit, influencing their thoughts, emotions, and even their physical well-being. Science may offer explanations based on magnetic field variations, but for many, the experience remains deeply mystical.

4. The Face of Shiva: A Divine Illusion or Geological Wonder?

Legends associated with Mount Kailash are deeply intertwined with its physical characteristics. One such legend claims that a natural formation on the south face of the mountain resembles the face of Lord Shiva. As pilgrims circumambulate the peak, the light and shadow play create a captivating image, seemingly confirming the legend. However, is this a divine message etched into the mountain’s surface or a trick of light and perspective? Geological explanations point to natural rock erosion patterns, but for the faithful, it remains a powerful symbol of the mountain’s connection to the Hindu deity.

5. The Unmelting Snow Cap: A Perpetual Crown of White

Despite its high altitude and harsh climate, the snow cap of Mount Kailash appears to defy nature. Even during warmer months, when surrounding peaks lose their white mantle, Kailash remains crowned with pristine snow. This has sparked various theories. Some believe unusual weather patterns create a microclimate around the mountain, preserving the snow. Others propose the existence of a self-regulating mechanism within the mountain itself, ensuring a perpetual icy cap. The scientific basis for this phenomenon remains elusive, adding to the mountain’s mystique.

6. The Perfect Pyramid: A Creation of Nature or Man?

Unlike other jagged, snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, Mount Kailash boasts an almost geometrically perfect pyramid shape. Its four near-equal sides and sharp ridges rise majestically towards the sky. This unique form has fueled speculation for centuries. Is it a marvel of nature, sculpted by millions of years of geological processes? Or could it be the work of an advanced civilization, a forgotten pyramid built for a purpose yet unknown? Theories abound, ranging from comparisons to the Egyptian pyramids to suggestions of extraterrestrial intervention.

7. The Mythical Mount Meru: Earthly Abode of the Divine

In Hinduism and Buddhism, Mount Kailash is considered the earthly manifestation of Mount Meru, the mythical axis mundi. This sacred mountain is believed to be the center of all physical and spiritual universes. It serves as a bridge between the earthly realm and the celestial heavens. Whether Mount Kailash is purely a symbolic representation of this cosmic axis or if it has a more literal connection to another dimension remains a mystery. For pilgrims, circumambulating the peak is akin to journeying around the entire cosmos, a powerful act of devotion and spiritual purification.

8. The Alignment with Mount Fuji: A Bridge Across Continents?

Some researchers have noted an intriguing alignment between Mount Kailash and Mount Fuji in Japan. These two sacred peaks, separated by thousands of kilometers, are said to be positioned on a ley line, a hypothetical line of energy that connects various geographical locations with spiritual significance. This alignment could be purely coincidental, a result of our planet’s spherical geometry. However, some believe it holds deeper meaning, suggesting a connection between seemingly disparate cultures and their reverence for mountains as sacred places. Could these peaks be anchors for a vast energy grid that encircles the Earth? The answer remains elusive, but the possibility sparks the imagination.

9. The Singing Sands: A Symphony of the Natural World?

The remote region around Mount Kailash is known for its vast sand dunes. Travelers report hearing strange sounds emanating from these dunes, often described as a low humming or a melodic chanting. Some attribute these sounds to the wind whistling through the sand grains, creating a natural resonance. Others believe the sand itself possesses mystical properties, causing it to “sing” under certain conditions. The true nature of these sounds remains a mystery, adding to the otherworldly aura surrounding Mount Kailash.

10. Celestial Connections: A Gateway to Other Realms?

Legends associated with Mount Kailash often weave a narrative of celestial connections and portals to other realms. The mountain is said to be a point of convergence for cosmic energies, where the veil between dimensions is thinnest. This belief has led some to speculate that the peak serves as a gateway to otherworldly abodes or higher planes of existence. While such ideas may seem fantastical, they highlight the deep human fascination with the unknown and the potential for sacred mountains to act as bridges between the physical and the spiritual.

11. The Footprint of Shiva: A Divine Mark on the Earth

A natural rock formation near Mount Kailash bears a remarkable resemblance to a giant footprint. For Hindus, this is a powerful symbol, believed to be the footprint of Lord Shiva himself. The presence of this formation reinforces the mountain’s association with the deity and serves as a constant reminder of his presence in the region. Whether this is a divinely placed mark or a product of natural processes is a matter of interpretation. For pilgrims, it’s a tangible connection to the divine, a sign that they walk in the footsteps of their god.

12. The Lakes of Yin and Yang: A Duality Reflected in Nature

Two sacred lakes lie nestled near Mount Kailash: Rakshas Tal (Lake of Demons) and Manasarovar (Mind Lake). These lakes are believed to represent Yin and Yang, the opposing and complementary forces that exist in the universe. Rakshas Tal, with its dark, brackish water, embodies the destructive and chaotic aspects of nature. Manasarovar, with its crystal-clear, turquoise water, represents purity, creation, and compassion. The proximity of these lakes and their contrasting qualities highlight the interconnectedness of all things and the balance that exists within the cosmos.

13. The Unexplored Caves: Secrets Waiting to be Unveiled?

Numerous caves dot the landscape surrounding Mount Kailash. These hidden chambers have remained largely unexplored, their depths shrouded in mystery. Legends abound about these caves, some believed to hold hidden treasures or be the dwelling place of mythical beings like yetis or kinnaras (celestial musicians). The harsh environment and the spiritual significance of the caves have deterred extensive exploration. However, the possibility of these caves holding secrets from the past or harboring unique ecosystems fuels the imagination and beckons future exploration.

14. The Language of the Stones: A Code Waiting to be Cracked?

Some researchers have proposed that the rock formations and natural patterns around Mount Kailash may hold a hidden language or set of symbols waiting to be deciphered. These patterns could be remnants of an ancient civilization or a form of communication left behind by a higher intelligence. Deciphering this “language” could unlock secrets about the mountain’s history, its purpose, or even the origins of humanity. While this theory remains highly speculative, it highlights the enduring human desire to find meaning in the natural world and to connect with the past through symbols and patterns.

15. The Energy Vortex: A Conduit for Spiritual Transformation

Mount Kailash is often described as a powerful energy vortex, a place where the earth’s energy field intensifies and interacts with the human body in profound ways. Pilgrims report experiencing heightened states of awareness, increased clarity of thought, and a deep sense of peace while circumambulating the mountain. Some believe this is due to the mountain itself acting as a conduit for spiritual energy, facilitating a connection to something greater than oneself. While the scientific basis for such claims remains elusive, the undeniable impact that Mount Kailash has on many visitors suggests a powerful force at play. Perhaps it’s a combination of the mountain’s majestic presence, the demanding physical journey, and the deep faith of the pilgrims that creates this transformative experience.

16. The Sacred Sounds: A Symphony of the Divine

Many pilgrims report hearing unusual sounds during their circumambulation of Mount Kailash. These sounds can range from ethereal chanting to melodious music, often described as beautiful and otherworldly. Some believe these sounds are a manifestation of the mountain’s energy, a way for it to communicate with those who are open to receiving its message. Others attribute them to the natural world, the wind whistling through the rocks or the calls of unseen birds. Regardless of the source, these sounds add to the mystical aura of Mount Kailash and contribute to the sense of awe and wonder experienced by pilgrims.

17. The Changing Colors: A Play of Light or an Illusion?

Some visitors to Mount Kailash report witnessing the mountain change colors throughout the day. The peak, typically a stark white or gray, is said to shift through hues of gold, pink, and even purple depending on the time of day and the angle of the sunlight. While this phenomenon could be attributed to the interplay of light and shadow on the snow and rock, some believe it’s a sign of the mountain’s inherent dynamism, a way for it to reveal its hidden beauty to those who are worthy. The ever-changing nature of Mount Kailash reflects the impermanence of all things and the constant flux of the universe.

18. The Legends of Shangri-La: A Paradise Lost or a Realm Unseen?

For centuries, the mythical paradise of Shangri-La has captivated imaginations. This hidden utopia, said to be a place of eternal youth and peace, has been variously located in the Himalayas. Some believe the region around Mount Kailash is the true home of Shangri-La, its entrance veiled by the mountain’s mystical energies. While the existence of such a physical paradise remains unproven, the legend speaks to humanity’s yearning for a perfect world and the potential for sacred mountains to serve as gateways to these idealized realms.

19. The Unexplained Lights: A Glimpse into the Unknown?

Reports of strange lights appearing in the night sky near Mount Kailash have fueled speculation about UFO activity or other unexplained phenomena. These lights, often described as orbs or streaks of colorful light, have been witnessed by pilgrims and trekkers alike. While some dismiss them as natural phenomena like meteors or ball lightning, others believe they are signs of intelligent extraterrestrial life or evidence of interdimensional travel. The unexplained nature of these lights adds to the mystery surrounding Mount Kailash and reinforces its reputation as a place where the veil between worlds might be thin.

20. The Personal Transformation: A Journey Within

Perhaps the greatest mystery of Mount Kailash is not something external or readily explained. It lies in the profound personal transformation experienced by many who undertake the pilgrimage. The arduous journey, the breathtaking scenery, and the deep spiritual significance of the location all contribute to a transformative experience. Pilgrims often report a renewed sense of purpose, a deeper connection to their faith, and a greater understanding of themselves. This internal transformation is the ultimate takeaway from a journey to Mount Kailash, a testament to the mountain’s power to influence not just the physical landscape, but also the human spirit.

A Beacon of Mystery and Wonder

Mount Kailash stands as a powerful symbol of the unknown, a place where the boundaries between the physical and the spiritual blur. The 20 mysteries we have explored are just a glimpse into the mountain’s enigmatic aura. Whether you approach it from a religious perspective, a scientific one, or simply as a place of breathtaking beauty, Mount Kailash has the power to inspire, challenge, and transform. The journey to unravel its secrets is an ongoing one, a testament to humanity’s enduring curiosity and our desire to connect with something greater than ourselves.

{ https://alpineluxurytreks.com/ }

13-08-2024 om 18:22 geschreven door peter  

13 Unsolved Mysteries of Mount Kailash That Blow Your Mind

By Pursottam

Mount Kailash – “Precious Jewel of the Eternal Show”.

Rising at an elevation of 6656 meters, Mount Kailash is the most mysterious and sacred mountain in the world. It is the highest peak of Kailash Range which spread in Tibet, Nepal and India. Also, it is a part of the Trans-Himalaya in the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China.

Due to the surroundings of mountains, it is like a majestic creation of nature. 

Mount Kailash lies around the origin of the four longest rivers of Asia the Indus River, Sutlej, Brahmaputra and Karnali River.

Strangely but its shape is like the pyramid of Egypt. Therefore, it is known as the “Biggest Man-made Pyramid”. It is rated as “Pillar of the World”. And like this, there are many interesting things about Mount Kailash that will surprise and force you to visit this mystic creation of nature. So grab a cup of tea and take a look at the 13 unsolved mysteries of Mount Kailash:

13 Unsolved Mysteries of Mount Kailash:

1: Who lives at Kailash?

The Hindus consider the Kailash Parvat is the abode of great Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati. While the Tibetan Buddhist believes that Kailash is the abode of the tantric meditational deity Demchog.

And Jains consider the Kailash as the site at which their first Tirthankar attained nirvana. But Bon believes it is a sacred mountain and center of the world and home of all gods.

All of them have a different perspective about who lives at Kailash and that makes it more mysterious and sacred. But hikers from the world goes over oh their for doing parikrama.
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2: Geographical location of Kailash Parvat

According to some strange disbelief, axis Mundi is the center of the earth and the connection between the physical world to the spiritual world.

3: Why No One Able to Climb at Mount Kailash?

Mount Kailash is a sacred mountain in all four religions and trekking at the top could hurt the religious sentiments of people. The fear of trespassing the sanctity of the mountain and disturbing the divine energizes residing there makes it unclimbable as according to Hindus Mount Kailash is the abode of Lord Shiva. 

Even though number of people tried to climb on Kailash Parvat but till now no one gets succeeds. According to a scientific hypothesis, the mountain keep changes its position for those who want to climb it. Afterward, many people’s journeys have failed to climb its peak.

Till the 21st century, no one reaches the peak of Mount Kailash. Keeps changing position make it more strange and scary.

4: The Mysterious shapes of Manasarovar and other lakes

The word Manasarovar comes from Sanskrit and a combination of two words Mans means mind and Sarovar means lake.

Mansarovar lake is famous for its amazing beauty and the color of the water that changes blue from around the shores to emerald green at the center.

Located southeast of Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar is rated as the adobe of Purity. According to legends before it creating on earth, its image was incepted in the mind of Bharma.

This lake is very sincere and calms irrespective of weather.

The Manasarovar lake is the highest freshwater lake in the world but strange as well because of its round shape and its twin named Rakshas Tal Lake which is located next to it.

Rakshas Tal is also known as the devil’s lake while Manasarovar lake is known as God Lake. Rakhast Tal lake is one of the biggest saltwater lakes in the world. And its shape like the moon.

The other two lakes represent solar and lunar forces, bad and good energy respectively.

5: Time Travel on Kailash Parvat

Many passengers reported that time travels quickly around the Kailash Parvat which is not witnessed anywhere in the world.

Many Hikers have reported that they feel like their nails and hairs are growing quickly within 12 hours. But in the normal environment, the same growth of hair and nails takes 2 around week time.

This is very strange, isn’t it?

6: Man-Made Pyramid

According to a Russian theory, “Mount Kailash could be the biggest ancient Man-Made pyramid, the center of an entire complex of the smaller pyramid (100 in total) and is linked with Pyramid of Giza and Teotihuacan.

Mount Kailash could be the center of the world that connecting other monuments or sites from where the paranormal activates have been observed.

7: Importance of Kailash Parikrama

Kailash Parvat is one of the most mysterious, religious and sacred mountains in the world. The one circumambulation (Parikarma) of Mount Kailash symbolizing the phases of life, death, refinement, and resurrection.

8: The magical Gauri Kund

Gauri Kund that is also known as Lake of Compassion, a water body that lies in transit while going on downwards from Dolma.

This lake is famous as Parvati Sarovar where goddess Parvati had procured her child Ganesha. 

According to Hindus Scripture, Goddess Parvati had framed her child Lord Ganesh from the cleanser foam of her body and breathed life into it.

9: A link between Earth to Heaven

According to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism Mount Kailash could be the gateway to heaven. And Vedas also describe the same that Mount Kailash is a link between earth to heaven. If we consider the story of Mahabharata then Pandavas along with Draupadi are believed to have achieved moksha.

10: Om Parvat

Om Parvat is another interesting mystery, as the snow falls on the peak and takes the shape of OM.

11: Formation of Swastika

During sunset, the mountain is said to cast a shadow, which has a striking likeness to the religious symbol of Swastika, which is rated as an auspicious sign by Hindus.

12. The Yam Dwar

Yam Dwar is one of the most prominent destinations in the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra which is situated in Tarboche 30 minutes drive from Darchen.

The meaning of Yam Dwar is “The Gateway of God of Death”. It is also known as Chorten Kang Ngyi which means two legged stupas in Tibet.

Yam Dwar is more associated with heaven and the soul.

13. No Mortals allowed to climb atop Mount Kailash

According to some ancient text, no one allowed to climb at the top of Mount Kailash. And who dare to climb to see the face of God will be put to death. And due to its religious significance, government don’t allow anyone to climb it.

1. The Russian Theory

The biggest mystery of mount Kailash is its Shape. According to Russian scientists, it’s not a mountain rather than it’s a Man-Made Pyramid.

2. Twin Lake

There are two lakes surrounding mount Kailash – The first one is Mansarovar or the God Lake and the second one is Rakshas Tal or the devil lake. Many ancient texts claim that Mount Kailash stands as the balance between the two and teach us that there isn’t any evil external to us; we are the evil.

3. Who Climb at Mount Kailash?

The interesting fact about Mount Kailash that it has never been climbed by anyone apart from a person named Milarepa. There are many stories claimed that mystic Tibetan seer and poet name Milarepa is the only person who successfully climbed atop of Mount Kailash.

4. Source of 4 Major River

The origin of the four most religious rivers of Asia lies around 50 KM radius of Mount Kailash and in four different directions:

• Through west flows the great Ganges.
• Through south flows the great Karnali.
• Through east flows Maa Brahmaputra.
• And through north flows river Indus.

5. Place of Ultimate Nirvana

Jain claims Mount Kailash as Mt. Asthapada and believe that their religious originator, Rishadev, achieved Nirvana – State of Happiness or Another form of Moksha.

6. Ancient Monasteries and Caves

As per the Buddhists and Hindus scriptures, around Mount Meru inside the existing caves and ancient monasteries the blessed sages live in their material and unpretentious bodies. Only few lucky ones can see them.

7. Kailash Parikarma

Every year, a number of pilgrims come Tibet for Pilgrimage to the sacred mount Kailash (Kailash Parikarma) but only some of them able to finish outflank the Mount Kailash.

8. Journey of Lifetime

Mount Kailash is one of the most sacred places in the world and known as the Navel of the Universe. Therefore, it attracts many scholars and researchers from all over the world. And Mount Kailash provides a spiritual, enriching, unique and truly rewarding journey of a lifetime.

9. Kang Rimpoche:

Buddhism religion has a special religious connection with Mount Kailash. For them, it is known as Kang Rimpoche or “Precious One of Glacial Snow”.

10. Four faces:

Mount Kailash has four different faces and each of them aligned with four directions. According to Puranas, it is a spiritual center of the earth and also says that each face is made of Gold, Ruby, Lapis Lazuli and Crystal.
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Here is the list of strange mysteries of mount Kailash: So come; visit the abode of the Gods (Lord Shiva and Parvati) and receive their blessings! And share it with your friend.

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Mount Kailash

Q1: Why no one has climbed mount Kailash?

It’s not that mountaineers from different part of the world have not tried to climb the mount Kailash but they couldn’t because according to some strange believes the mountain keeps changes its position for them who wants to climb it. Truly there is something which not be understandable for common men.

Q2: Is anyone climbed mount Kailash?

Yes, Buddhist monk, Milarepa is said to have climbed atop Mount Kailash.

Q3: What is inside Mount Kailash?

According to Hindus Mount Kailash is the adobe of Lord Shiva but Tibetan Buddhists believe that Kailash is the abode of the tantric meditational deity Demchog. Jains consider the Kailash as the site at which their first Tirthankar attained nirvana. But recently Russain put has an idea that Mount Kailash could be the biggest ancient man-made pyramid. 

Q4: Does Lord Shiva live in Mount Kailash

Yes, according to Hindus Kailash Parvat is the adobe of great Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati. And the death of Atheists and Adharmis proved that Mount Kailash is not a normal mountain that can be climbed. According to Russian Research, Mount Kailash is the center of the earth and could be the biggest man-made pyramid.

Q5: Can Plane fly over Mount Kailash?

No, no planes can fly over Mount Kailash. If you talk about scientific reason then the main reason is the elevation of the Himalayan Mount range which is around 30000 ft and the highest cruising altitude that is allowed to planes is around 25 to 35000 ft. And there could be another reason as well like supernatural theories, India-China relation and many more.

Q6: How old is Mount Kailash?

The Kailash range is around 30 million years old.

Q7: Is Mount Kailash a Pyramid?

Yes, according to the Russian report Mount Kailash could be the biggest Man-Made pyramid and the center of the earth.

Q8: Why is Mount Kailash sacred?

Mount Kailash is one the most sacred place in the world not for only one religion but for all 4 religions Hindu, Buddhists, Jain and Bon. Hindus considered this is the home of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati while Tibetan Buddhists believe that Kailash is the abode of the tantric meditational deity Demchog. Jains consider the Kailash as the site at which their first Tirthankar attained nirvana.

{ https://www.travelcharacter.com/ }

13-08-2024 om 18:00 geschreven door peter  

Mount Kailash is a mountain in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It lies in the Kailash Range of the Transhimalaya, in the western part of the Tibetan Plateau. The peak of Mount Kailash is located at an elevation of 6,638 m, near the trijunction between China, India and Nepal. 

In Tibetan Buddhism, Mount Kailash holds a special place as the Axis Mundi, or the center of the universe. Imagine it as the heart of everything, where heaven and earth meet. This sacred mountain isn't just a random peak; it's like the cosmic hub, connecting different realms together. 

In the year 1999, an expedition of Russian Scientists led by Dr Ernst Muldashev claimed that Mount Kailash is too perfectly shaped for a natural mountain. They have discovered that the top of Mt. Kailash is actually a man-made vacuum pyramid. It is surrounded by more than 100 other small pyramids. According to preliminary estimates, the direct height of the pyramid complex is between 100 and 1,800 meters, while the Egyptian pyramid is only 146 meters 

It is also believed to be the site of Lord Shiva, the god of destruction and rebirth as well as where the first human beings were created. 

According to the legend Shiva has left a giant footprint on the summit  of the mountain. Despite extensive searches, no concrete evidence of  this footprint has ever been found. 

While exploring Mount Kailash on Google Earth, I spotted a large, unusual anomaly near the summit. It resembles two hands, each with  four visible fingers, positioned opposite each other and seemingly carved into the rock. 

Could these huge hands be a kind of a 'footprint' of Shiva that people have been searching for? 

As for climbing up the summit, some daring mountaineers have attempted to do so, but with no luck. It also is said that who climb Mount Kailash age quickly. The time that human takes to age two weeks only take 12 hours in the mountain. Numerous hikers have detailed that they feel like their nails and hairs are developing rapidly within 12 hours. 

Trekking all the way up to the peak of Mount Kailash is held to be a forbidden act among Hindus for the fear of trespassing the sanctity of the mountain and disturbing the divine energies residing there. 

Even planes don't fly over Kailash as Mount Kailash is said to possess a mysterious magnetic anomaly that disrupts navigational instruments and disrupts compass readings. This phenomenon has puzzled scientists with no concrete explanation offered to date. 

Coordinates: 31° 4'4.83"N  81°18'24.47"E

Mount Kailash is still a mystery. The unconquered peak remains wrapped in myths, legends, and spiritual tales.

13 Unsolved Mysteries of Mount Kailash

{ https://ufosightingshotspot.blogspot.com/ }

13-08-2024 om 17:34 geschreven door peter  

But most of that weight wouldn’t be in the instrumentation—it would be in the Hopper’s unique propulsion system. The concept behind the propulsion system is simple enough: Get some propellant material into the spacecraft, then heat that material to a point where it is pressurized. Once enough pressure is built up, release it as a jet stream that would allow the 300 kg spacecraft to overcome the relatively weak gravity of Titan, which is only ½ the gravity of our own Moon.

The study focused on two main ways to get material into the Hopper – a shovel and a cryogenic pump. Each has its advantages, though the pump was more effective, at least in the theoretical simulations run as part of the Phase I project. The shovel suffered from potential contamination by other material being loaded into the propellant collection hopper and either blocking the nitrogen-rich ice and snow from entering it or itself being absorbed into the thermal chamber and sucking up some of the heat intended to melt the propellant.

On the other hand, a cryopump could use waste heat from the rover’s normal power-generating operations to directly melt the ice and snow the Hopper landed on and absorb that into a heating chamber, where it would be further heated before being used as a propellant. This methodology can be effective at gathering the best propellant options and providing an outlet for the lander’s waste heat that doesn’t just radiate into Triton’s thin atmosphere.

Once enough pressure is built up by heating the propellant, the Hopper can take off from the moon’s surface and “hop” a short distance using its six power and four steering thrusters. The authors estimate about 50 seconds of specific impulse once a month. While that might not seem like a lot, it would allow the Hopper to cover about 150 kilometers over the course of a two-year mission.

It could find plenty of interesting scientific spots in those two years. However, the mission, which is also competing for resources with plenty of other mission concepts for Triton landers, appears to be on hold. It hasn’t received a Phase II, and there haven’t been any development updates in the last few years. But given the general popularity of the hopper concept even on other worlds in our solar system and the desirability of Triton as an exploration destination, it seems likely that someday some form of this mission will soar above the ice surface of Neptune’s biggest moon. It might just be a while before it does.

Learn More:

• Oleson & Landis – Triton Hopper: Exploring Neptune’s Captured Kuiper Belt Object
• UT – NASA Wants to Send a Low-Cost Mission to Explore Neptune’s Moon Triton
• UT – Will Triton finally answer, ‘Are we alone?’
• UT – Want to Explore Neptune? Use Triton’s Atmosphere to Put on the Brakes

Lead Image:

• Artist’s conception of the Triton Hopper mission.
  Credit – S. Oleson

 { https://www.universetoday.com/ } 

13-08-2024 om 17:26 geschreven door peter  

13-08-2024 om 01:46 geschreven door peter  

Ex-CIA Pilot Said US Buried Huge UFO That Was Too Big To Move, Corroborating Coulthart Claim

Anderson raised concerns that this six-month window might offer enough time for those holding such materials to hide or conceal them. Coulthart acknowledged the possibility but suggested that certain UAP materials could be so large that relocating them is not feasible. He mentioned the existence of a building constructed over such a massive object in a foreign country, which might sound implausible to some.

This revelation left the UFO community curious about the place where the craft might be situated. Interestingly, the late former CIA pilot John Lear previously mentioned the existence of buried crafts too massive to move. In 2018, Lear posted on Facebook, recounting the enigmatic tale of a massive buried UFO near Garrison, Utah. This peculiar incident became a topic of discussion at a UFO conference in Las Vegas, piquing Lear’s curiosity.

The incident dates back to 1953 when a large UFO, measuring between 150 to 200 feet in diameter, crashed near Garrison, Utah. Lear explained that the UFO was so large that even the United States Air Force Security Forces’ “Blue Berets” could not relocate it. Consequently, a decision was made to bury the UFO on the spot. Lear wrote that a team of hundreds of soldiers dug the ground and managed to bury the craft 50 feet below ground level. (Earthfile source)

“While all of the digging to bury the saucer was going on, they also dug a tunnel from the saucer several hundred feet to the south, where they built 2 or 3 houses. The houses were constructed to appear about 75 years old, using old, weathered wood, nails, window frames, and roofing. The only hint that these houses might not be so old were the brand-new padlocks on the doors.

I don’t recall the exact description of the interior, except for a door leading to a stairwell that connected to the tunnel leading to the craft. Everything I’m telling you is from my recollection of the report, likely written by the person who accessed the buildings. My memory isn’t perfect. One of the houses contained a logbook in which visitors from various organizations like Air Force, Navy, Army, and others would inscribe their names.”

Lear and his associates intended to visit Garrison to witness this buried craft. They planned to use a helicopter, a fuel truck, and specialized equipment to explore underground. However, the trip never materialized for reasons unknown. Lear maintained his belief that the craft remains in place. He even shared Google Earth images indicating the potential location. He marked the houses on the images, but they no longer appear on Google Earth.

Read also:

• This Footage of Airplane Teleporting With UFOs Appeared After Malaysia Airlines MH370 Disappeared
• US Congresswoman Claims She Saw Photo Evidence Of UFO Technolgy Not Made By Humans
• U.S. Congressman Says UFOs May Be Machines of a Hidden ‘Ancient Earth Civilization’
• Avi Loeb Soon to Prove Whether Aliens Exist: He & Garry Nolan Saw UFO That Poses Huge Implications for Humanity

“About 300 yards east from this claim, there was an alleged Spanish treasure location. This treasure spot had been discovered by an individual from the Phoenix area with access to Spanish treasure maps, and this location was marked on one of the maps.

In a pile of rocks, there was a precisely square cutout approximately 10 inches wide and 16 inches deep. The bottom seemed like concrete. I had the underground radar team scan the area and found only a few potential returns. The area is now in an ACEC (Area of Critical Environmental Concern). Nevertheless, we were all set to convene for the Garrison expedition in 2 weeks, but somehow it never took off.”

Lear even provided the coordinates of the location: Latitude 38 degrees 37 minutes 40 seconds North, Longitude 113 degrees 40 minutes 40 seconds West. This further deepens the mystery, leaving people intrigued about the truth surrounding the buried UFO near Garrison, Utah.

Moreover, there is alleged John Lear’s statement on the alien presence, posted to Paranet on December 29, 1987. Here are the paragraphs published by UFOmind.com discussing the buried craft: [this page was first archived on January 31, 1997]

“Moore is also in possession of more Aquarius documents a few pages of which leaked out several years ago and detailed the supersecret NSA project which had been denied by them until just recently. In a letter to Senator John Glenn NSA’s Director of Policy Julia B. Wetzel wrote, “Apparently there is or was an Air Force project by that name Aquarius) which dealt with UFO’s. Coincidentally, there is also an NSA project by that name.”

NSA’s project Aquarius deals specifically with the ‘communications with aliens’ (the EBE’s). Within the Aquarius program was project ‘Snowbird’ a project to test fly A recovered alien aircraft at Groom Lake, Nevada. This project continues today at that location. In the words of an individual who works at Groom Lake ‘our people are much better at taking things apart than they are at putting them back together’. Another saw a saucer being trucked into the Nevada Test Site in March of 1988. Still another informant witnessed a saucer being buried at that location (for God knows whatever reason) during the second week of August 1988.”

There is another version of this statement: (Source)

“Germany may have recovered a flying saucer as early as 1939. General James H. Doolittle went to Sweden in 1946 to inspect a flying saucer that had crashed there in Spitzbergen…

In July of 1952, a panicked government watched helplessly as squadron of “flying saucers” flew over Washington, D.C., and buzzed the White House, the Capitol Building, and the Pentagon. It took all the imagination and intimidation the government could muster to force that incident out of the memory of the public.

Thousands of sightings occurred during the Korean war and several more saucers were retrieved by the Air Force. Some were stored at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, some were stored at Air Force bases near the location of the crash sight.

One saucer was so enormous and the logistic problems in transportation so enormous that it was buried at the crash sight and remains there today. The stories are legendary on transporting crashed saucers over long distances, moving only at night, purchasing complete farms, slashing through forests, blocking major highways, sometimes driving 2 and 3 lo-boys in tandem with an extraterrestrial load a hundred feet in diameter.”

{ https://www.howandwhys.com/ }

13-08-2024 om 01:26 geschreven door peter  

Getty Images

Japan Is the World’s No. 1 Hotspot for UFO Sightings. Officials Are Trying to Figure Out Why.

Japan is no stranger to reports of unidentified flying objects. Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the country’s most famous UFO sighting out of Kofu, the capital city of Yamanashi Prefecture, in which two boys claimed to have met a grounded alien following reports of flying saucers. A mini UFO that was supposedly captured in Kochi Prefecture in 1972 and multiple 1974 sightings in Hokkaido Prefecture round out what enthusiasts see as Japan’s classic “big three” incidents.

Throughout the 1970s, residents in and around the town of Iino, near Senganmori Mountain, began reporting frequent sightings that they credit to the region’s spiritual and magnetic forces. The town’s location in Fukushima Prefecture has continued to draw more UFO attention, especially over the last decade. In fact, a rash of recent UFO sightings in Japan have occurred around nuclear facilities. Online forums and YouTube accounts are stacked with descriptions and videos of moving lights and clustered Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (the modern-day term for a UFO) in the skies over Fukushima following the nuclear disaster there in 2011.

When strange UAP reports begin to pour in from a country’s nuclear or defense facilities, it seems governments start to take the threat more seriously.

Japanese officials met on May 28, 2024 to announce the formation of an 80-plus-member, bipartisan look into increased UAP sightings within the country, especially in the Fukushima region. The new investigative body comes on the heels of last year’s U.S. Navy disclosures—detailing pilots’ accounts of aircraft capable of impossible maneuvers—and Congressional investigations into those reports. As a result, the U.S. Department of Defense created the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) in July 2022 to trigger a more serious look into the threats UAPs may pose.

Similarly, Japan’s response to ongoing sightings in the Land of the Rising Sun demonstrate how those lights in the sky are now considered legitimate national security threats, worthy of official mainstream investigation. But that doesn’t mean it will be easy to uncover the truth.

Aliens, Drones, Birds, or Myths?

Avi Loeb, Ph.D., is a physicist and professor at Harvard University. In a landscape where people make up their minds about UAP incidents before a proper investigation, Loeb applauds the Japanese approach of looking at its sightings from a more serious perspective.

“In the UAP field, there are skeptics and there are believers,” Loeb says. “Unfortunately, none of them are doing the hard work. That’s why it’s important to see government efforts such as AARO and this body in Japan approach UAPs objectively. In both cases, they’re considering possible security threats, but they’re not trying to debunk them.”

Loeb understands that citizens reporting UAP sightings in Japan, the U.S., or elsewhere most likely want to believe that they’re spotting extraterrestrial spacecraft. However, official efforts emerging from Japan and the Department of Defense must consider every possible explanation.

“I lead the Galileo Project at Harvard [the systematic scientific search for evidence of extraterrestrial technological artifacts],” Loeb explains. “In our work, we must first consider if an object is naturally occurring like a meteor or a bird, or if it’s human-made like a drone or a balloon. I think that is the approach these government agencies must take.”

As for why Japan has become a recent hotbed for UAP activity, the human psychology of mass hysteria and confirmation bias could play a role.

Mick West is a science writer with the Center of Inquiry, an Amherst, New York-based organization that investigates pseudoscience. He took a look at the Japanese claims of UAPs around Fukushima and would credit the decade’s worth of reports to people watching the area and wanting to get in on the proverbial UFO flap.

“We see a lot of videos and reports coming out of Fukushima because it’s a world famous site of a nuclear plant disaster,” says West, who has analyzed hundreds of UAP sightings. “There are a lot of 24/7 webcams around the power station. It’s natural for there to be more eyes looking at the area, and it’s likely those webcams are occasionally going to capture something people can’t identify such as a bird or an airplane. Once the public reports any of those images or videos as a UFO, people start going back looking for more images and videos to report as UFOs.”

As for Japan’s ongoing status as a UAP hotbed, West credits the clustering of reports to the true believers wanting to participate in the action or translating local superstitions into alien legends.

“You also see a town like Kofu wanting to brand itself as the Japanese Roswell to boost tourism,” West adds, drawing a comparison to the small New Mexico town that built international fame out of media reports of a crashed flying saucer in 1947.

It does seem possible that Japan’s myths, legends, and rich narrative tradition could be driving the suggestion of UAP reports, according to Joshua Frydman, Ph.D., an associate professor of Japanese at the University of Oklahoma who also wrote The Japanese Myths: A Guide to Gods, Heroes and Spirits in 2022. He says the foundational tales of eras past can inspire everything from pop culture trends to new faiths to the latest craze—and UAPs can easily fall into any of those categories.

“Ancient mythology is not only deeply incorporated into popular culture, but actively known and discussed in popular books, including ones on ‘secrets’ of being Japanese,” Frydman explains. “It’s also the foundation of several ‘new religions’ or the Japanese idea of cults, like the one responsible for the sarin gas attacks by Aum Shinrikyo on the Tokyo subways in 1995.”

Frydman notes that the influence of centuries-old stories on Japanese culture is somewhat recent as he claims it was not known as widely before the 1890s. He paints a portrait of an ancient society struggling to incorporate a late-hour introduction of the past’s mythology—while driving much of the world’s 20th- and 21st-century technological evolution.

“The current widespread knowledge of the ancient myths is related to the pre-World War II government’s attempt to make Shinto into a modern national religion by teaching the myths as actual history in schools,” he adds.

A Matter of Science and National Security

Given that the Japanese Parliament’s early summer announcement of its new UAP probe followed right on the heels of America’s creation of AARO, it might seem that the U.S. applied a form of international peer pressure to make UAP investigations a global effort.

However, Loeb believes potential threats from nations like China and North Korea have actually forced Japan and the U.S. into this position.

“Obviously, confirming extraterrestrial intelligence would be massively important for science as it would prove that we’re not alone,” Loeb explains. “But, importantly for national security, it’s essential for officials to admit we need to know what these objects are. In the case of Japan, there are nearby countries who want to spy on that nation. That government needs to know if they’re spotting drones or other devices used for espionage.”

As UAP investigations become a matter of public record in the U.S., Japan, and elsewhere, the PBS series NOVA will dig into the international question of UAPs in the upcoming January 2025 program, “What Are UFOs?” Julia Cort and Chris Schmidt, co-executive producers on the project, agree that efforts around the world to study the nature of UAPs will help to move the field beyond folklore or hype—and perhaps truly make some discoveries.

“It’s not just a question of what’s happening in Japan or the U.S. with these new official investigations,” Cort says. “This is a topic so many people are curious about, and the time is right to tackle it because the tone of the examinations and discussions around it have changed. There’s different kinds of evidence now, and it’s being taken more seriously.”

Schmidt hopes that UAP policy developments don’t become the main focus of what’s really going on in our skies.

“It’s important to look at what science can tell us about what [UAPs] are, rather than watch what defense departments are doing about them,” Schmidt says. “If any of us anywhere in the world see something they can’t explain or read a report about a sighting, there are questions we can ask to wrap our heads around possible explanations.”

Back in Japan, as the new UAP investigative body ramps up, the current government’s opposition leader, Yoshiharu Asakawa, went on the record opposing any concept of serious study on the topic. Via interpreted reports, he called UAPs “an occult matter that has nothing to do with politics.”

However, investigation member and former defense minister Yasukazu Hamada echoed the thoughts of Loeb and other scientists, insisting both national security and scientific exploration make UAP studies essential.

“It is extremely irresponsible of us to be resigned to the fact that something is unknowable and to keep turning a blind eye to the unidentified,” Hamada said.

{ https://www.popularmechanics.com/ }

12-08-2024 om 23:31 geschreven door peter  

The following topographical map brings clarity.

The ancient lakebed consists of several basins surrounding and including the Caralis Chaos region. In the distant past, they were all joined into one big lake named Lake Eridania. It had a surface area of about 1.1 million square km. The largest non-ocean body of water on Earth is the Caspian Sea, with a surface area of 389,000 km.

Liquid water was likely abundant on early Mars between about 4.1 and 3 billion years ago during the Noachian and Hesperian Periods. Mars may have even hosted a massive ocean that covered about one-third of its surface. Eridania Lake was likely a single lake until the late Noachian when Mars gradually lost its water. During that period, the lake was fragmented into multiple smaller lakes.

The ancient lakebed is now punctuated with mounds. Scientists think Mars’ dusty winds initially formed the mounds. Later, they were covered by water, then the water disappeared, and they were exposed to the wind again.

The floors of all of the basins that comprised Eridania Lake are covered by light-toned materials containing Fe/Mg-phyllosilicates. The region also has chloride, indicating that a playa region once existed here as the water receded. Some of the geological evidence in the region suggests that some surface water may have survived until long after the Noachian.

There’s also evidence of volcanic activity. Two large faults called fossae run through the region. Collectively, they’re known as Sirenum Fossae.

The region between the two faults is called a graben, a depressed portion of the crust. Sirenum Fossae was formed as Mars’ Tharsis region, a vast volcanic plateau that’s home to Olympus Mons and Tharsis Montes, rose up and put enormous pressure on the crust.

These images all come from the ESA’s Mars Express Orbiter. It has been orbiting Mars since 2004, mapping its surface and minerals and studying the planet’s interior, subsurface, and atmosphere. It has been in orbit for more than 20 years. The ESA has extended its mission until at least the end of 2026 and has given it a provisional extension until 2028.

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ )

12-08-2024 om 23:19 geschreven door peter  

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ )

12-08-2024 om 23:06 geschreven door peter  

We may be already seeing the makings of next solar cycle, peeking out through the current one.

It’s been a wild ride. Thus far, Solar Cycle Number 25 has been one of the strongest cycles in recent memory, producing several massive sunspot groups. The current large region turned Earthward (Active Region 3780) is now easily visible with eclipse glasses… no magnification needed. Cycle 25 started back in 2019.

A Stormy Year

To be sure, the latest solar cycle will be one for the history books, as it heads towards an active maximum in 2025. But even though Cycle 25 will run out through the remainder of the current decade, there are already signs that Cycle 26 could be beginning, just under the roiling solar surface. A study out of the University of Birmingham recently presented at the Royal Astronomical Society’s National Astronomical Meeting in Hull (United Kingdom) shows that key indicators for the start of the next cycle may already be in place.

Numbering the solar cycle under current the convention goes all the way back to the start of Cycle 1 in 1755. The pattern for numbering cycles was started in 1852 by astronomer Rudolf Wolf.

We know that a new solar cycle has formally started when sunspots appear at higher solar latitudes. These also typically have a reversed polarity, versus the previous cycle. These then push down near the solar equator as the cycle progresses. Spot from two cycles can also mix as the transition gets underway.

Laying out spots from successive cycles versus latitude creates a butterfly diagram that demonstrates this effect, in what’s known as Spörer’s Law.

Peering Inside the Sun

But there’s more to the Sun than meets the eye. As a large ball of hydrogen and helium gas, the Sun does not rotate as a single solid mass. Instead, it rotates faster at the equator (25 days) versus near the poles (34 days). Scientists can probe the solar interior via a method known as solar helioseismology, which looks at waves crossing the solar photosphere in an effort to model the interior.

These internal sound waves form bands in a phenomenon known as solar torsional oscillation. Faster-rotation belts appear as a harbinger of the next cycle. These move along with visible sunspots towards the solar equator as the cycle progresses.

“The indication of Cycle 26 that we see is that the solar rotation has been speeding up at around 50 degrees latitude and now appears to be leveling off,” Rachel Howe (University of Birmingham) told Universe Today. “This forms part of a pattern called the torsional oscillation, where bands of slightly faster and slower rotation emerge at mid-latitudes before the cycle officially starts and move down to lower latitudes, alongside the sunspot activity, as the cycle develops. In earlier cycles we have seen that the faster-rotating band associated with the cycle can be traced back to around the maximum of the previous cycle, and we think we’re seeing the beginning of the pattern again. It will still be several years before we can expect to see sunspots belonging to the new cycle, though!”

Monitoring the Sun Around the Clock

The Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) makes the science of helioseismology possible. This is a worldwide network that monitors the Sun continuously. In space, the Helioseismic Magnetic Imager aboard the joint ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) compliments this effort. The Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) on NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) also plays a key role in this campaign. This effort goes back to 1995, spanning the last three solar cycles.

This gives researchers a look at the start of the last two solar cycles. It also hints at what might be in store for the start of Solar Cycle 26. “If we can understand how this flow pattern relates to the sunspot cycle, we may be able to do better at predicting how strong the next solar maximum will be and when it will occur,” says Howe.

Solar Cycle 25 has thus far been extremely active, far beyond expectations. This follows the historic lull that preceded it between Cycles 24 and 25. Observers saw few sunspots during this profound minimum. Still, this fell in line with many predictions made by astronomers who study the Sun, suggesting a stronger than usual cycle on rebound.

Looking Ahead to Cycle 26

“The Sun is always surprising,” says Howe. “Some of the most exciting discoveries recently have come from the spacecraft—Solar Orbiter and Parker Solar Probe—that are flying closer to the Sun than ever before, helping scientists to unravel the connections between what we see on the Sun’s surface and the ‘space weather’ events that affect us on Earth. We’re looking at the surface of the Sun in more detail than ever before, but there’s also a place for long-term studies (which this work is a part of) that follow the large-scale patterns inside the Sun over decades.”

The May 10^th solar storm was thus far the most impressive one of the cycle. This storm sent aurora to latitudes far south as Spain and Mexico, areas where aurorae are rarely seen. We were treated to a persistent red glow watching from central Germany, an unforgettable sight.

Solar Cycles and More

Historically, the Wolf Sunspot Number defines the level of solar activity. Astronomers refer to this as the Relative or Zürich Sunspot Number. One 2013 study suggested that the orientation and strength of the heliospheric current sheet is a better indicator of the health of the current solar cycle, rather than the sunspot number.

We usually say it’s an 11-year solar cycle from one minima/maxima to the next… but it’s actually double that length. The Sun’s magnetic field flips every 11-years, returning to the same relative orientation every 22 years.

We see ‘starspot cycles’ on other suns as well. It is also unclear why an 11-year cycle is ‘baked in’ to our Sun. We’re also unsure if this has always been the case throughout its 4.6-billion year life span.

This research provides a great model to test the next solar cycle, as we struggle to understand and live with our tempestuous star.

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ )

12-08-2024 om 22:57 geschreven door peter