New film reveals most bizarre theory about UFOs yet - the 'cosmic jokers' hypothesis

• READ MORE The real reason UFOs target nuclear weapons

By ROB WAUGH FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Tucker Carlson thinks they're biblical entities. Others say they are humans from the future coming back to study us.

Now, a new film proposes an even stranger theory about UFOs. 

The Cosmic Joker investigates the idea that these entities may be 'tricksters' that deliberately shape themselves into what people want to see or into forms that people may be familiar with, director Mark Christopher Lee told DailyMail.com.

The movie concentrates on two infamous alien encounter tails: the Robert Taylor incident and the Pascagoula abduction of fishermen Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker.

The Pascagoula abduction of fishermen Charles Hickson (left) and Calvin Parker (right) and occurred in 1973

Mr Hickson and Mr Parker reported being experimented on by aliens with crab-like claws 

It asks the question: Did the aliens who made contact with the men deliberately shape shift themselves into forms reminiscent of something in their personal lives?

The film also suggests aliens might not be from space at all - and that this might be behind alleged cover-ups of UFO evidence. 

Mr Taylor was a forest worker in Scotland who described seeing a UFO resembling a naval sea mine in 1979. 

The Cosmic Joker suggests the entity deliberately take this form to resemble something Mr Taylor was familiar with from his time in the military.

In 1973 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Mr Hickson and Mr Parker reported being experimented on by aliens with crab-like claws. 

Did alien intelligence shape itself to a form familiar to the two Deep South fishermen?

Lee told DailyMail.com: ‘What piqued my interest for this film was interviews about the Pascagoula Encounter in the US in 1973. Calvin Parker and Charles Hickson had an alleged abduction experience whilst fishing near the Pascagoula River.

‘They claimed they were taken onboard an alien craft and examined and physically handled by two aliens which had crab-like pincers. I just thought - why would the aliens have crab like pincers?’

The two men reported to the sheriff's department they had been abducted by gray-skinned aliens while fishing - with the aliens having ‘crab-like’ hands and ‘robotic’ mouths.

The men each had a puncture wound in their arm.

Hickson told The Washington Post: 'I was just getting ready to get some more bait, when I heard a kind of zipping sound. I looked up and saw a blue flashing light. Calvin turned around too.

'We saw a 30-foot-long object with a little dome on top.'

The two Pascagoula witnesses had physical injuries from the encounter

The police officers interviewing the men secretly left a tape recorder in the room with the witnesses after law enforcement left.

While they may have been hoping to catch the men drop their act and admit they made up the encounter, they only recorded them saying the experience scared them to death. 

Lee told this website: ‘The police placed a hidden tape recorder, which captured them talking about how the experience scared them out of their lives. So that begs the question: if the experience was real, what were these creatures?

'Did they actually adapt themselves to what a couple of Deep South fishermen might expect to see? Why did they see the same thing?’

In the film, Lee also speaks to UFO author Malcolm Robinson, who describes the strange encounter World War II veteran Mr Taylor had with a UFO in the Dechmont Woods in Scotland.

Lee told DailyMail.com: ‘Mr Taylor encountered and was attacked by an alien or intelligence that was similar in appearance to a naval sea mine with sharp protruding limbs coming off the sides.

'Again I thought did the intelligence, whatever it may be, take this from as it would be familiar to Robert Taylor having served in the military?’

Mr Taylor's reported sighting was investigated by police after two spiked spheres rolled at him - leaving him unconscious for 20 minutes with ripped clothing.

Director Mark Christopher Lee spoke to DailyMail.com

The war hero and churchgoer was believed by locals - and police found strange marks on the ground which could not be explained by machinery in the vicinity.

Lee said others have suggested Taylor’s encounter may have been triggered by an epileptic episode.

The idea of aliens as shape-shifting ‘tricksters’ was first proposed in a book by late author John Keel, whose work inspired the Richard Gere film The Mothman Prophecies, Lee told this website.

He said: ‘Keep was the first to really study in minute detail UFO and alien encounters. From his research he noted that there was always this mischievous trickster element in these sightings.’

Keel’s book suggests aliens may not be from other planets, or from space at all - but may instead be ‘ultra-terrestrials’ who manipulate human beliefs.

Lee added: ‘Of course if this theory is true it is probably far more disturbing than being visited by other beings from other planets. 

'Are we as humans the playthings of a far superior intelligence that lives alongside us?

‘Some modern Ufologists like Blink 182 musician Tom DeLonge believe that this intelligence has always been with us and that the US government knows this and is using the extraterrestrial hypothesis as a smokescreen to divert the public from the wilder truth.’

The Cosmic Joker is out now on Tubi TV.

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ }

Chandra Marks 25 Years in Space with Collection of 25 Stunning Images

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, the Chandra team has released a set of 25 new images of cosmic objects and phenomena.

This collection of images was released to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Chandra.

Image credit: NASA / CXC / SAO.

On July 23, 1999, the space shuttle Columbia launched into orbit carrying Chandra, which was then the heaviest payload ever carried by the shuttle.

With Commander Eileen Collins at the helm, the astronauts aboard Columbia successfully deployed Chandra into its highly elliptical orbit that takes it nearly one-third of the distance to the Moon.

“For a quarter century, Chandra has made discovery after amazing discovery,” said Dr. Pat Slane, director of the Chandra X-ray Center located at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

“Astronomers have used Chandra to investigate mysteries that we didn’t even know about when we were building the telescope — including exoplanets and dark energy.”

“Chandra has been a great success story for humanity and its pursuit of knowledge,” said Dr. Andrew Schnell, acting project manager of Chandra at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.

“The telescope’s incredible accomplishments are made possible by the team’s hard work and dedication.”

The new set of images is a sample of almost 25,000 observations Chandra has taken during its quarter century in space.

In 1976, Riccardo Giacconi and Harvey Tananbaum first proposed to NASA the mission that would one day become Chandra.

Eventually, Chandra was selected to become one of NASA’s Great Observatories, along with the Hubble Space Telescope and the now-retired Compton Gamma Ray Observatory and Spitzer Space Telescope, each looking at different types of light.

In 2002, Giacconi was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics for pioneering contributions to astrophysics, which have led to the discovery of cosmic X-ray sources, laying the foundation for the development and launch of Chandra.

Today, astronomers continue to use Chandra data in conjunction with other powerful telescopes including the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), and many more.

“On behalf of the STS-93 crew, we are tremendously proud of the Chandra X-ray Observatory and its brilliant team that built and launched this astronomical treasure,” said Eileen Collins, commander of the space shuttle Columbia mission that launched Chandra into space in 1999.

“Chandra’s discoveries have continually astounded and impressed us over the past 25 years.”

• This article is a version of a press-release provided by NASA.
  

Top 10 Facts About Chandra

10. Chandra flies 200 times higher than Hubble - more than 1/3 of the way to the moon!

Explanation: For the planned operational orbit of Chandra, the closest approach to Earth and the most distant point from Earth will be as follows:
Altitude at Perigee (closest approach) = 10,000 km = 6,214 (statute) mile = 5,400 nautical mile
Altitude at Apogee (most distant point from Earth) = 140,000 km = 86,992 (statute) mile = 75,594
nautical mile
For reference, Mean radius of Earth = 6,371 km = 3,959 (statute) mile = 3,440 nautical mile

9. Chandra can observe X-rays from clouds of gas so vast that it takes light five million years to go from one side to the other!

Explanation: If we assume conservatively that a cluster extends out to a radius of 1 Mpc, then it has a diameter of 2 Mpc, or 6 million light years.

8. During maneuvers from one target to the next, Chandra slews more slowly than the minute hand on a clock.

Explanation: According the CXC Observatory Guide, it takes Chandra 31 minutes to slew 90 degrees. It takes the minute hand on a clock 15 minutes to slew 90 degrees.

7. At 45 feet long, Chandra is the largest satellite the shuttle has ever launched. See also: Top 10 Facts Infographic

Explanation: For comparison, the Hubble Space Telescope was just over 43 feet long.

6. If Colorado were as smooth as Chandra's mirrors, Pikes Peak would be less than one inch tall!

Explanation: Numbers:
Assume optics size = 84 cm
Assume rms low frequency figure errors are < 100a = 1e-6 cm
Assume size of Colorado= 600 km = 6 E7 cm
Then the ratio of the (rms errors)/(optics size) < 1.2 e-8
Assuming that there will be one 3 sigma peak in 1000 trials (the approx. number of measurements of the figure), then the ratio is < 3.6e-8.
Then the largest mountain (which is not Pikes Peak, but is not much taller than Pikes Peak) in Colorado would be < 2.2 cm < 1 inch.

5. Chandra's resolving power is equivalent to the ability to read a stop sign at a distance of twelve miles.

Explanation: The letters on a stop sign are 25 cm high. Assuming that we need a 5 x 5 pixel square, then the resolution element is 5 cm high, which would subtend an angle = 0.5 arcsec at a distance D = 5/2.5E-6 = 2 E6 cm = 20 km = 12 miles.

4. The electrical power required to operate the Chandra spacecraft and instruments is 2 kilowatts, about the same power as a hair dryer.

Explanation: A standard hair dryer uses 1600-1800 watts (slightly less than 2 kilowatts) on its high setting.

3. The light from some of the quasars observed by Chandra will have been traveling through space for ten billion years.

Explanation: If we take a Hubble constant of 60 km/sec-Mpc, then the Hubble time is approx 16 billion years, so for a quasar at z > 3, the look back time, depending on Omega, is greater than 10 billion years.

2. STS-93, the space mission that deployed Chandra, was the first NASA shuttle mission commanded by a woman.

Explanation: Commander Eileen Collins was the first woman to command a NASA shuttle mission.

Chandra can observe X-rays from particles up to the last second before they fall into a black hole!!!

Explanation: The last stable orbit for a Schwarzchild metric is 6GM/c^2 ~ 10^7 cm for a 10 solar mass black hole. The time to fall in from this point on is ~ 0.001-.01 seconds, depending on the details of the orbit of the infalling particle.

{ https://www.sci.news/ }

99-Million-Year-Old Burmese Amber Reveals Oldest Known Skink

 by Natali Anderson

Paleontologists have found the remains of a previously unknown species of lizard in a piece of mid-Cretaceous amber excavated in northern Myanmar.

Life reconstruction of Electroscincus zedi; areas of the lizard not represented in the material available are depicted as blurred.

Image credit: Stephanie Abramowicz.

The newly-discovered species was a small lizard with an estimated snout-vent length of 3 cm (1.2 inches).

Named Electroscincus zedi, it lived during the mid-Cretaceous period, approximately 99 million years ago.

It differs from all other known squamates (lizards and snakes) from the Mesozoic by the presence of imbricate, compound osteoderms arranged in a staggered pattern around the body, supporting its placement in the skink family Scincidae.

“Scincidae is a megadiverse clade of squamates, which today has attained a near cosmopolitan distribution in temperate and tropical regions worldwide,” said Dr. Juan Daza of Sam Houston State University and his colleagues.

“It is represented by more than 1,745 described living species, comprising nearly 15% of all living lizards.”

“Typical skinks have cylindrical bodies and relatively short limbs and, in over 50 skink lineages, evolutionary transitions towards limb reduction or loss have occurred.”

“Among living scincoids (Xantusiidae, Gerrhosauridae, Cordylidae, Scincidae), members of Scincidae exhibit the greatest range in body length, including some miniaturized forms having a body length of only a few centimeters to the extinct Tiliqua frangens, which may have reached half a meter or more.”

“Skinks also show great variation in the number of presacral vertebrae, ranging from 26 to 108, which, in combination with cycloid scales and compound osteoderms, may have facilitated the repeated evolution of fossorial and limbless morphotypes.”

“Most skinks are characterized by possession of smooth, cycloid scales underlain by compound osteoderms — bony plates in the dermis that are made up of several articulated osteodermites per scale.”

Electroscincus zedi, fossil in ventral (a) and dorsal (b) views; detail of the right foot (c, e) and osteoderms (d); X-ray of the whole specimen showing the skeletal remains, and several articulated and scattered osteoderms (f).

Image credit: Daza et al., doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-66451-w.

A piece of Burmese amber (Burmite) that preserves Electroscincus zedi was found in the mid-Cretaceous outcrops in the Myitkyina district, Kachin province, northern Myanmar, approximately 100 km west of the town of Myitkyina.

The specimen includes two disconnected parts of the skink, containing the scales and mostly appendicular bones, but is clearly part of a single individual

“Currently over 100 specimens of squamates are known from Burmite,” the paleontologists said.

“In this large sample, this new fossil is the only one that preserves this osteodermal morphology which makes it diagnosable to the Scincidae, and differentiates it from all known fossil squamates from the Cretaceous.”

“The specimen is incomplete, but it does retain both postcranial skeletal elements and integumentary structures and, though less than ideal, it provides a basis for comparison with any putative scincid material that might be found in the future.”

“The specimen has a combination of compound osteoderms and overlapping cycloid scales that is limited to skinks.”

“We propose that this type of osteoderm evolved as a response to an increased overlap of scales, and to reduced stiffness of the dermal armor,” the researchers concluded.

• Their paper was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
• J.D. Daza et al. 2024. Compound osteoderms preserved in amber reveal the oldest known skink. Sci Rep 14, 15662; doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-66451-w

{ https://www.sci.news/ }

Curiosity Finds Pure Sulfur on Mars

Yellow crystals of elemental sulfur were revealed after NASA’s Curiosity rover happened to drive over a rock and crack it open on May 30, 2024, according to the Curiosity team.

Yellow crystals of elemental sulfur on Mars.

Image credit: NASA.

While people associate sulfur with the odor from rotten eggs, elemental sulfur is odorless.

It forms in only a narrow range of conditions that scientists haven’t associated with the history of this location.

And Curiosity found a lot of it — an entire field of bright rocks that look similar to the one the rover crushed.

“Finding a field of stones made of pure sulfur is like finding an oasis in the desert,” said Curiosity’s project scientist Dr. Ashwin Vasavada, a researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

“It shouldn’t be there, so now we have to explain it. Discovering strange and unexpected things is what makes planetary exploration so exciting.”

It’s one of several discoveries Curiosity has made while off-roading within Gediz Vallis channel, a groove that winds down part of the 5-km-tall (3-mile-tall) Mount Sharp, the base of which the rover has been ascending since 2014.

Spotted from space years before the rover’s launch, the channel is one of the primary reasons the science team wanted to visit this part of Mars.

They think that the channel was carved by flows of liquid water and debris that left a ridge of boulders and sediment extending 3.2 km (2 miles) down the mountainside below the channel.

The goal has been to develop a better understanding of how this landscape changed billions of years ago, and while recent clues have helped, there’s still much to learn from the dramatic landscape.

Since Curiosity’s arrival at the channel earlier this year, scientists have studied whether ancient floodwaters or landslides built up the large mounds of debris that rise up from the channel’s floor here.

The latest clues from the rover suggest both played a role: some piles were likely left by violent flows of water and debris, while others appear to be the result of more local landslides.

hose conclusions are based on rocks found in the debris mounds: whereas stones carried by water flows become rounded like river rocks, some of the debris mounds are riddled with more angular rocks that may have been deposited by dry avalanches.

Finally, water soaked into all the material that settled here.

Chemical reactions caused by the water bleached white ‘halo’ shapes into some of the rocks.

Erosion from wind and sand has revealed these halo shapes over time.

“This was not a quiet period on Mars,” said Dr. Becky Williams, a scientist with the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona, and the deputy principal investigator of Curiosity’s Mast Camera.

“There was an exciting amount of activity here. We’re looking at multiple flows down the channel, including energetic floods and boulder-rich flows.”

• This article is a version of a press-release provided by NASA.

{ https://www.sci.news/ }

“De sterkte van de polaire vortex en straalstroom bepalen in grote mate ons weer”: wat zijn de gevolgen van de stratosferische opwarming boven de Zuidpool?

Terwijl het in ons noordelijk halfrond zomer is, heerst de winter in het zuidelijk halfrond. Maar daar is op grote hoogte voorlopig weinig van te merken, want boven de Zuidpool is er een plotse opwarming in de stratosfeer. Dat verstoort de zuidelijke ‘polaire vortex’ sterk, en dat kan de komende weken en maanden weleens tot atypisch weer leiden. Maar wat is zo’n stratosferische opwarming precies? Wat doet dit met het weer? En gaan wij hier ook de gevolgen van merken? Klimatoloog Samuel Helsen legt uit.

Martijn Peters 

De seizoenen in het noordelijk en zuidelijk halfrond verlopen tegengesteld. Bij ons is het nu zomer, aan de andere kant van de evenaar zitten ze midden in de winterperiode. Net als in het noordelijk halfrond bouwt er zich tijdens de herfst- en winterperiode een stevig lagedrukgebied op boven de Zuidpool. Deze omvangrijke depressie kennen we als de polaire vortex of ‘poolwervel’.

Normaal is de polaire vortex erg actief tijdens de wintermaanden, maar op dit moment is die grondig verstoord door een plotse opwarming in de stratosfeer. Dat is de laag die zich in onze atmosfeer bevindt boven de troposfeer (waar het weer zich afspeelt), tussen zo’n 12 en 50 kilometer hoogte. Zo’n opwarming doet zich wel eens vaker voor in het noordelijk halfrond, maar voor de zuidpoolregio is zo’n opwarming eerder uitzonderlijk.

In de afgelopen tientallen jaren kwam dit slechts enkele keren voor. Maar zo’n gebeurtenis gaat niet zomaar onopgemerkt voorbij. De gevolgen van zo’n stratosferische opwarming kunnen groot zijn, met zelfs een impact over de hele wereld.

Hoe ontstaat de polaire vortex?

Het omvangrijke lagedrukgebied over de pool die de polaire vortex vormt, ontstaat doorgaans tussen de herfst- en winterperiode. In die periode koelt het poolgebied geleidelijk aan af, doordat de zon steeds lager komt te staan en de poolgebieden daardoor minder energie ontvangen van de zon. De dagen worden dan snel korter en de nachten steeds langer. Door de ligging van de pool ten opzichte van de zon is dit temperatuureffect er veel groter dan bijvoorbeeld rond de evenaar.

De exacte ligging van de straal­stroom bepaalt of we met hoge- of lagedrukge­bie­den te maken krijgen

Klimatoloog Samuel Helsen

Door de sterkere afkoeling nabij de poolregio in de herfst en vooral de winter, ontstaat er een sterk contrast in temperatuur tussen pool en evenaar. Dit contrast doet de luchtdruk op grote hoogte boven de polen dalen, waardoor er zich een omvangrijk lagedrukgebied vormt. Hierdoor ontstaat ook een band met sterke windsnelheden die waaien rondom het lagedrukgebied. Op die manier krijg je een circulatiepatroon met sterke winden rondom de poolregio, en dat is de polaire vortex of poolwervel.

De poolwervel vormt zich niet enkel op grote hoogte. Er is in vele gevallen ook een koppeling met de lagere luchtlagen. Het gedeelte in de stratosfeer – zo’n 15 tot 50 kilometer hoog– is de polaire vortex. Er is ook nog een band met hoge windsnelheden wat lager, op zo’n 10 tot 12 kilometer hoogte aan de top van de troposfeer, waarin ons weer zich afspeelt. Die kennen we als de straalstroom. De exacte ligging van deze luchtrivier bepaalt of we met hoge- of lagedrukgebieden te maken krijgen.

De polaire vortex in de stratosfeer op grote hoogte is meestal sterk ontwikkeld en circulair met sterke winden. De troposferische poolwervel (en de straalstroom) vertoont doorgaans een meer grillig patroon met vaker kronkelende bewegingen, doordat er meer invloed is van het reliëf en de variaties in stromingen die daardoor ontstaan. De sterkte van zowel de polaire vortex als de straalstroom bepalen in grote mate ons weer. Deze verstoring door het reliëf is groter in het noordelijk dan in het zuidelijk halfrond.

Het effect van een sterke en zwake poolwervel  © NOAA

Wat is een plotse stratosferische opwarming precies en wat doet dit met de poolwervel?

Een zwakke poolwervel verstoort de luchtstromingen. Zo’n verzwakking van de polaire vortex kan gebeuren wanneer de temperatuur in de stratosfeer boven de polen plots toeneemt. Binnen de weerkunde wordt zo’n plotse opwarming benoemd als een ‘Sudden Stratospheric Warming’ (SSW), letterlijk vertaald een plotse stratosferische opwarming. Zo’n opwarming kan zich op eender welk moment voordoen en ontstaat zeer abrupt.

De opwarming vindt meestal zijn oorsprong via een koppeling met wat er zich in de lagere luchtlagen afspeelt, als er bijvoorbeeld opeens zeer warme lucht wordt aangevoerd naar de poolregio’s. De opwarming boven de pool doet de luchtdruk er plots stijgen, waardoor het lagedrukgebied verstoord raakt en er zelfs een hogedrukgebied kan ontstaan. Soms wordt de polaire wervel dan ook opgesplitst in twee delen, doordat het hogedrukgebied de poolwervel uit elkaar duwt. Ook de luchtstroming kan dan plots omkeren, waardoor de wind opeens 180 graden omdraait.

Een zwakkere poolwervel kan in sommige gevallen ook de luchtcirculatie in de lagere luchtlagen beïnvloeden. Zo kan er een koppeling ontstaan tussen de stratosferische polaire vortex en de straalstroom. De plotse opwarming van de stratosferische poolwervel kan er dan voor zorgen dat de straalstroom verzwakt en grotere kronkelbewegingen kan gaan maken. Deze koppeling tussen beide weersystemen kan enkele weken duren. Hoe die koppeling precies ontstaat en wat de wisselwerking is tussen beiden, daar is de wetenschap nog niet geheel uit.

Hoe groter de kronkels, hoe groter ook de tempera­tuur­con­tras­ten tussen noord en zuid kunnen worden

Klimatoloog Samuel Helsen

Als door een verzwakking van de polaire wervel een de straalstroom verzwakt, ontstaan er makkelijk ‘ruggen’ en ‘troggen’ in de luchtcirculatie. Een rug is een uitstulping van de straalstroom richting de pool. Daaronder bouwt zich een hogedrukgebied op. Een trog is dan weer een uitstulping van de luchtstroming richting de evenaar. Daarin bouwt zich een lagedrukgebied op. Hoe groter de kronkels, hoe groter ook de temperatuurcontrasten tussen noord en zuid kunnen worden. Bij een zwakke poolwervel vindt de ijskoude poollucht makkelijk zijn weg naar de lagere breedtegraden. Bij een sterke vortex blijft de koude lucht gevangen boven de poolregio.

Snelle opwarming boven de Zuidpool

Op dit moment is er een snelle opwarming boven de Zuidpool. Een warme golf met daaronder een hogedrukgebied probeert op te rukken richting Zuidpool, waardoor de Polaire vortex langs de noordelijke zijde een indeuking vertoont. De weerkaarten die de stratosferische vortex weergeven, tonen duidelijk een anomalie van hogedruk aan de noordelijke flank van het lagedrukgebied boven de Zuidpool. Ook de temperaturen nabij dit hogedrukgebied zijn momenteel abnormaal hoog, met een afwijking tot zelfs 60°C boven de gemiddelde waarde voor deze tijd.

De weerkaarten voor de komende dagen laten zien dat het hogedrukgebied aan de noordzijde van de zuidelijke polaire vortex gaat uitbreiden. Op die manier zou de polaire vortex boven de Zuidpool in afzonderlijke delen kunnen splitsen, waarbij twee hogedrukcellen steeds meer druk uitoefenen op het lagedrukgebied.

Bovendien verwacht men dat er een sterke koppeling ontstaat tussen de stratosferische opwarming en de troposfeer met ook daar meer invloed van hogedruk boven de Zuidpool. Doordat de hogedruk zich zal ontwikkelen boven de Zuidpool, zal de lagedruk zich meer ontwikkelen in de richting van Zuid-Amerika en Zuid-Australië. Er zou in deze regio’s dan weleens meer neerslag dan gemiddeld kunnen vallen, en in de koudere gebieden ook meer sneeuw. Er wordt verwacht dat rond eind juli/begin augustus de opwarming in de stratosfeer intact zou blijven, maar dat de invloed ervan wel stilaan zou verzwakken.

Klimatoloog Samuel Helsen

Is er ook een impact van de opwarming op het weer bij ons?

De circulatiepatronen tussen het zuidelijk en noordelijk halfrond vertonen een connectie. Die ontstaat door de ‘Brewer-Dobson’ circulatie. De lucht boven de evenaarsgebieden vertoont een stijgende beweging die zich tot zeer hoog in de atmosfeer doorzet. Naarmate deze stroming zich naar lagere breedtegraden begeeft, zakt die uiteindelijk weer uit naar lagere hoogtes, waardoor er heel wat energie wordt getransporteerd. Onderweg wordt er ook veel energie uitgewisseld, zodat een onrechtstreekse connectie ontstaat tussen de fenomenen in het noordelijk en zuidelijk halfrond.

De uitwisselingen in energie zijn meetbaar via de concentraties van elektronen. Bij de plotse stratosferische opwarming boven de Zuidpool in 2019 mat men boven Amerika 40 tot 80 procent meer elektronen dan gemiddeld en was die concentratie beduidend lager boven Europa. Dit bracht merkbare en meetbare veranderingen teweeg in de geo-magnetische activiteit in de atmosfeer. In de daaropvolgende winter van 2019-2020 zorgde dit voor een kouder weertype over grote delen van Amerika.

Die studies bevestigen de vermoedelijke connectie tussen het zuidelijk en het noordelijk halfrond en laat uitschijnen dat de stratosferische opwarming wel degelijk een effect kan hebben op het weer aan de andere kant van de wereld. Gezien het effect van de elektronen op Europa zou dus ook de luchtcirculatie boven Europa op dezelfde manier beïnvloed kunnen worden. Maar het exacte effect op het weerpatroon blijft nog onzeker.

Lees ook:

• Klimaatverandering maakt dagen langer, blijkt uit nieuwe wetenschappelijke studie (+)

• Is het weer nu stormachtiger dan vroeger? Nieuwe studie brengt stormactiviteit in kaart (+)

• ‘Poolwervel’ keert terug boven Noordpool: wat is dit? Wat zijn de gevolgen? En komt er een strenge winter? Expert legt uit (+)

{ https://www.hln.be/ }

Kunstmatige intelligentie is "grappiger" dan mensen: de resultaten van een merkwaardig onderzoek

Door Janine

Freepik

ChatGPT en mensen: grappen met elkaar vergeleken

Het gebruik van kunstmatige intelligentie heeft in de maatschappij nogal wat twijfels opgeroepen, te beginnen met de vrees dat het veel banen zal vervangen die nu door mensen worden uitgevoerd. Dit is zeker geen aantrekkelijk vooruitzicht, ook al heeft AI aan de andere kant veel wetenschappelijke disciplines in staat gesteld hun horizon te verbreden en de onderzoekstijd te verkorten.

Er is echter iets waarin het ons al voorbijgestreefd lijkt te zijn: volgens een onderzoek is Chat GPT leuker dan wij. Het team van de University of Southern California vergeleek de reactie van mensen op grappen verteld door AI en mensen. Het resultaat? Ongeveer 70 procent van de deelnemers aan de test vond de door ChatGPT gegenereerde moppen grappiger dan die van hun soortgenoten. En de anderen?

De creatieve en grappige kant van AI

Freepik

Vijfentwintig procent vond de door mensen geschreven moppen grappiger, terwijl de overige vijf procent geen duidelijke voorkeur had: zowel AI als mensen zijn op dezelfde manier “komisch”. Drew Gorenz, een promovendus in de psychologie en een van de auteurs van het onderzoek, legde uit dat de creatieve kant van kunstmatige intelligentie nog onontdekt en onduidelijk is, in tegenstelling tot de analytische capaciteiten.

Gorenz, die veel van humor houdt, vroeg zich af wat het verschil was tussen de comiciteit  van ChatGPT en die van mensen, geïntrigeerd door het verborgen potentieel van de chatbot. Aan de andere kant hebben taalmodellen geen emoties en kennen ze niet het plezier dat een goed gemaakte grap kan opleveren, maar “gebruiken ze vooral patroonherkenning. De resultaten vertellen ons veel interessante dingen over de productie van humor: misschien hoeven we de emoties die we ervaren bij een goede grap niet te voelen om een goede grap te vertellen”. Met andere woorden, juist het feit dat we emoties voelen - in tegenstelling tot kunstmatige intelligentie - zou ons vermogen om grappig te zijn benadelen. Of, in ieder geval, om dat nog meer te zijn.

AI zou ook de entertainmentindustrie kunnen ontwrichten

Freepik

Tijdens het onderzoek vroeg het team zowel mensen als ChatGPT om moppen te schrijven, waaronder het maken van grappige acroniemen, het opvullen van gaten tussen woorden om grappige zinnen te genereren en het komisch beschrijven van een onaangename situatie. Een tweede groep van tweehonderd mensen evalueerde vervolgens wat er door zowel kunstmatige intelligentie als mensen werd geproduceerd. “In beide onderzoeken beoordeelden menselijke deelnemers de komische aard van door mensen en AI geproduceerde reacties zonder zich bewust te zijn van de bron ervan”, aldus de auteurs van het onderzoek.

Vervolgens observeerden de onderzoekers de reactie op satirische teksten geproduceerd door het taalleermodel en professionele komieken: in dit geval waren de scores gelijk. Uiteindelijk zijn deze resultaten volgens Gorenz een duidelijke indicatie dat AI een revolutionaire rol zou kunnen spelen op het gebied van entertainment: kortom, als je zin hebt om even lekker te lachen, zal ChatGPT je niet teleurstellen.

{ https://www.curioctopus.nl/ }

NASA's Curiosity rover ontdekt iets dat nog nooit eerder op Mars is gezien, verborgen in een rots

Door Janine

Jet Propulsion Laboratory / NASA/JPL-Caltech - Wikimedia commons - Public domain

Nooit eerder geziene gele kristallen van pure zwavel op Mars

NASA/JPL-CALTECH/MSSS

De verrassing van de wetenschappers, zoals NASA aankondigde, was onbeschrijflijk: sulfaten, zouten die zwavel bevatten, komen veel voor in het gebied van de krater Gale waar Curiosity zich momenteel bevindt, maar het gesteente dat de rover vond heeft een andere bijzonderheid: “Waar eerdere waarnemingen betrekking hadden op zwavelhoudende mineralen, oftewel een mix van zwavel en andere materialen, is het gesteente dat Curiosity onlangs heeft gevonden samengesteld uit elementaire, oftewel pure zwavel”, verklaarde de Amerikaanse ruimtevaartorganisatie.

In tegenstelling tot de zwavel waar wij aan denken, ruikt elementaire zwavel echter niet naar “rotte eieren”. Het is gewoon reukloos. Maar dit lijkt niet de enige rots te zijn die zuivere zwavel bevat op de rode planeet: de rover identificeerde een veld met zeer vergelijkbare, lichtgekleurde rotsblokken, waarin andere gele kristallen te vinden waren.

Ashwin Vasavada van het Jet Propulsion Laboratory, een wetenschapper van het project Curiosity, zei: "Het vinden van een veld met rotsen bestaande uit pure zwavel is als het vinden van een oase in de woestijn. Het zou er niet moeten zijn, dus nu moeten we het verklaren." Andrew Good, woordvoerder van JPL, voegde eraan toe dat "er geen reden is om pure zwavel te verwachten in deze specifieke regio, dus we zijn behoorlijk verrast."

Curiosity, op een missie om de geschiedenis van water op Mars te bestuderen

Hoewel Curiosity in alle opzichten een bewegend laboratorium is dat kan boren en graven, zijn de gele kristallen te klein om ze te kunnen onderzoeken. Wetenschappers zijn echter van plan uit te zoeken waarom en hoe ze zijn gevormd. Good brengt een hypothese naar voren: "Een idee zou kunnen zijn dat zoiets als warmwaterbronnen deze zwavel hebben gevormd,  maar we hebben geen bewijs gezien dat wijst op hun aanwezigheid in dit gebied.

Om meer te weten te komen, zullen we moeten wachten tot onderzoekers de elementen kunnen onderzoeken die zijn verzameld door de zeswielige rover, die twaalf jaar geleden landde op Mount Sharp, de gigantische berg in het midden van de krater Gale. Onlangs richtte Curiosity zich op het Gediz Vallis kanaal, waar mogelijk ooit een rivier was. De missie van de rover is juist om de geschiedenis van het water op Mars te ontdekken en daarmee ook bewijs voor mogelijk microbieel leven in het verleden.

INFO PETER2011

{ https://www.curioctopus.nl/ }

Analyze of a possible REAL UFO caught on camera in Costa Rica

With today's technology, including CGI, Artificial Intelligence, and other similar programs, it is not difficult to create fake UFO videos. It is currently a challenge to distinguish a fake UFO video from a real one. 

Additionally, you also need to ask yourself whether a observed UFO is a craft made by certain organizations here on Earth or if it is a real alien UFO. 

So far, the most reliable recordings of UFO sightings come from the time before the advent of Artificial Intelligence. 

The following recording is a UFO sighting from 2007. Marvin Badilla, a carpenter from Acosta, Costa Rica, filmed an extraordinary video of a metallic, disc-shaped object hovering momentarily before flipping vertically and departing. 

Captured on a Motorola Razr, this footage has fascinated both enthusiasts and experts for years. 

In the video below, we delve into a detailed analysis of this compelling UFO sighting, compare the original and enhanced footage, and listen to expert opinions on its authenticity.

  

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

Evidence of Alien Life May Lie on the Surface of Europa and Enceladus, A New Study Reveals

Chemicals that hint at the presence of life, like amino acids, aren't destroyed by cosmic radiation nearly as quickly as we thought, and that's good news.

BY KIONA SMITH

 

All About Space Magazine/Future/Getty Images

According to recent experiments at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, evidence of alien life could be preserved on the surface of Enceladus, and just a few inches below the surface of Europa, despite the heavy bombardment of radiation that scours the surface of both moons.

Planetary scientist Alexander Pavlov, of NASA Goddard, and his colleagues published their work in the journal Astrobiology.

This illsutration shows plumes of water and ice — and maybe alien cells — erupting from beneath the ice of Enceladus, an icy moon of Saturn.

ALL ABOUT SPACE MAGAZINE/FUTURE/GETTY IMAGES

SIMULATING AN IRRADIATED ICY WASTELAND

In their lab at Goddard, Pavlov and his colleagues mixed up several simulated versions of the slush — laden with organic matter — that ends up smeared and spattered across the ice atop Enceladus and Europa’s oceans, all chilled to -321 degrees Fahrenheit. Then they bombarded the chilly cocktails with gamma radiation, to simulate the radiation that constantly blasts the surfaces of Enceladus and Europa. And it turns out that most of the evidence of life survived higher doses of radiation than the researchers had expected.

High-energy radiation can trigger chains of chemical reactions, which eventually break down the molecules associated with life including DNA, amino acids, and proteins, among others. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins (which are the building blocks of pretty much everything that makes life actually work). Some amino acids can form through chemical reactions that have nothing to do with life, but others are what scientists call biosignatures: If you see these particular chemicals, especially if you see them along with other biosignatures, they probably came from a living cell at some point.

Pavlov and his colleagues wanted to know how long it would take the harsh radiation to break amino acids down into something useless to astrobiologists — a molecule that wouldn’t clearly point back to alien life as its source. They also wanted to know how deep future missions would have to drill into the ice to find signs of life, if they exist at all.

That’s something astrobiologists, planetary scientists, and mission planners have been trying to figure out for both Europa and Enceladus. Some studies suggest that the tremendous geysers of Enceladus could blast whole microbes out into space, where a passing spacecraft could just scoop them up. At the other end of the spectrum, some researchers predict that landers might have to drill all way through Europa’s ice to the ocean beneath.

But thanks to cryovolcanism — a phenomenon that happens in very cold places like Europa and Enceladus, where water or partially-frozen slush behaves like magma here on Earth, so it either oozes out of cracks in the ice or erupts in geysers — there’s organic material splattered across the moon’s frozen surface. The only question is whether it’s too damaged by radiation to actually reveal anything about whether there’s life beneath the ice.

The answer, it turns out, is probably good news for future missions.

RIGHT THERE ON THE SURFACE

Once Pavlov and his colleagues had calculated how quickly their amino acids broke down under different radiation doses, they combined that with everything we know about how much radiation hits different regions of Europa and Enceladus, along with how old the ice is in those regions. That information let the researchers predict where future missions would stand the best chance of finding evidence of life — and how deep they would need to drill.

On Europa, future missions should find intact, recognizable amino acids about eight inches beneath the surface, especially in the high latitudes near the north and south poles of the moon. And on Enceladus, future missions will just need to scrape away the top fraction of an inch of ice to find usable samples.

That could make it much easier for eventual landers — which could reach Europa sometime in the 2040s, if NASA’s planned Europa Clipper mission finds anything interesting when it arrives in orbit around Europa in a few years — to get samples that might (or, alas, might not) contain evidence of alien life swimming in the dark water beneath the icy crust.

{ https://www.inverse.com/ }

 

©Faithzodiac / Illustration

Are We Not Alone? Seven Stars Cloaked by Enigmatic Dyson Spheres
Recent research has sparked excitement in the scientific community with claims that at least seven stars in the Milky Way might be encircled by advanced alien technology known as Dyson spheres. Although these claims are not definitive proof of extraterrestrial civilizations, they present a tantalizing possibility that has captured the imaginations of astronomers and enthusiasts alike.

Dyson spheres, as initially theorized by physicist Freeman Dyson in 1960, are hypothetical structures that could be built by technologically advanced civilizations. They would encompass a star or black hole to harness its energy output. The concept ranges from a complete spherical shell to more feasible ring-like structures.

©LoveEmployee on Wikipedia Commons

What Is a Dyson Sphere?
The Dyson sphere is a theoretical construct designed to capture the energy output of a star. Freeman Dyson suggested that a highly advanced civilization might build such a structure to maximize energy collection for their needs. The idea includes both solid spheres and more practical designs like rings or swarms of solar collectors.

While the most extreme version would fully enclose a star, other variants might include extensive networks of mirrors or collectors orbiting the star. This diversity of designs reflects the immense range of possibilities for harnessing stellar energy.

©European Space Agency

Identifying Potential Dyson Spheres
Using data from the Gaia satellite, which maps the positions and movements of over a billion stars, researchers have identified seven stars showing unusual infrared emissions. These emissions might suggest the presence of large-scale energy-harvesting structures. The data were analyzed to filter out natural explanations for these anomalies.

The Gaia mission's comprehensive survey provided the basis for this analysis, allowing scientists to focus on stars exhibiting abnormal energy signatures. Although these findings are preliminary, they represent a significant step in the search for extraterrestrial megastructures.

©European Space Agency

Challenges in Proving Dyson Spheres
Despite the intriguing evidence, scientists face significant challenges in proving the existence of Dyson spheres. The primary hurdle is distinguishing between potential megastructures and natural astrophysical phenomena that could cause similar emissions. Further observations and more refined data are required to validate these claims.

The potential for false positives remains high, and researchers must carefully differentiate between these and genuine technological artifacts. As detection methods improve, the ability to confirm or refute the presence of Dyson spheres will advance accordingly.

©John Beale using Ai Perchance

Theoretical Implications
If Dyson spheres were confirmed, they would have profound implications for our understanding of advanced civilizations. They could indicate that extraterrestrial societies have reached a stage of technological development far beyond our current capabilities. This discovery would dramatically alter our perspective on the search for extraterrestrial life.

The presence of such structures would suggest that advanced civilizations are not only possible but may also be more common than previously thought. This could lead to new theories about the distribution and nature of intelligent life in the universe.

©John Beale using Ai Perchance

The Search for Extraterrestrial Life
The quest to find extraterrestrial life often includes searching for signs of advanced technology. Dyson spheres represent a theoretical benchmark for detecting such technologies. Their existence would support the idea that advanced civilizations might utilize methods of energy collection similar to our own, but on a much grander scale.

Researchers use a variety of methods to search for extraterrestrial life, including monitoring for unusual emissions or unexplained phenomena. The idea of Dyson spheres offers a tangible target in this search, providing a clear criterion for identifying advanced civilizations.

©Wikimedia Commons (GFDL)

Technological Feasibility
Constructing a Dyson sphere remains far beyond our current technological capabilities. The scale of such a project would require resources and engineering advancements that are not yet feasible. However, the concept stimulates discussions about the future of space technology and what might be achievable with continued progress.

While we may not be able to build Dyson spheres today, the concept drives innovation and research in space technology. It challenges engineers and scientists to think beyond current limitations and consider what might be possible in the distant future.

©Freeman Dyson via Jacob Appelbaum/ Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED)

The Concept of the Mythological Dyson Sphere
The Dyson sphere concept has been a part of science fiction and theoretical discussions since the 1960s. Its origins in Freeman Dyson's work have inspired numerous scientific and popular culture explorations of advanced civilizations and their potential technologies.

Over the decades, the idea of Dyson spheres has evolved, influencing our understanding of what might be possible in the realm of space technology. This historical context provides insight into the ongoing fascination with megastructures and their role in science and fiction.

©Mikhail Nilov on Pexels

Future Research Directions
Future research will focus on refining detection methods and analyzing new data to verify or refute the presence of Dyson spheres. Advancements in observational technology and data analysis will be crucial in this ongoing quest.

Scientists will continue to use advanced telescopes and computational models to improve our understanding of potential Dyson sphere candidates. This research is essential for determining whether these theoretical structures could actually exist.

©Lucas Pezeta from Pexels

Public Interest and Media Coverage
The concept of Dyson spheres has captivated the public and media, often being featured in articles, documentaries, and science fiction. This widespread interest helps to promote scientific literacy and curiosity about advanced technologies and extraterrestrial life.

The fascination with Dyson spheres reflects a broader interest in space exploration and the search for alien life. It encourages discussions about our place in the universe and the potential for discovering advanced civilizations.

©Soltan Gahramanow from Pexels

Implications for Space Exploration
Discovering a Dyson sphere would have significant implications for space exploration. It would indicate that advanced civilizations have developed technologies that could potentially be studied or even replicated, advancing our own technological capabilities.

Understanding such megastructures could provide insights into the future of human space exploration and the technologies that might be developed. It would also shape future missions and research priorities in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

©Jakub Novacek from Pexels

The Elusiveness that Lingers
The possibility of Dyson spheres in our galaxy continues to intrigue scientists and the public alike. While definitive proof remains elusive, ongoing research and advancements in technology may one day confirm or refute their existence.

The search for Dyson spheres is not just about finding alien technology but also about pushing the boundaries of our understanding and capabilities. It represents a critical intersection of science fiction and scientific inquiry, inspiring continued exploration and discovery.

{ https://www.msn.com/en-us/channel/topic/Science/ }

Unveiling the Secrets: Lue Elizondo’s Explosive Book Leak on UFOs

The world of UFO research and disclosure has been set abuzz with the recent unauthorized leak of the first four chapters of Lue Elizondo’s highly anticipated book. The leak, which appeared on Google Books on July 22nd, has been confirmed by sources close to Elizondo as an accidental release by the publisher. Despite the premature exposure, the content has sparked significant discussion and interest within the community.

A Bold Stance Against Government Secrecy

Elizondo’s book, based on the leaked chapters, appears to take a bold and confrontational stance against long-standing government secrecy surrounding UFO phenomena. The tone is one of defiance, as Elizondo reveals intricate details about the cover-up of UFO information by the U.S. government. He delves into the involvement of various industries, including aerospace, and discusses the infamous Wilson-Davis memo. His narrative is interpreted by many as a figurative “middle finger” to governmental bodies that have kept the truth from the public for decades.

Personal Insights and Early Life

The leaked chapters also offer a glimpse into Elizondo’s personal life and the experiences that shaped his perspective. He provides intimate details about his childhood and the challenges he faced, painting a picture of a man deeply committed to uncovering the truth. This personal narrative adds depth to his professional journey, showcasing the evolution of his beliefs and motivations.

The Roswell Revelation

One of the most compelling aspects of the leak is Elizondo’s discussion of the Roswell incident. He unequivocally states that the 1947 crash did indeed involve non-human entities. According to Elizondo, four deceased non-human bodies were recovered from the crash site. This confirmation adds a new layer of credibility to the longstanding Roswell mystery and emphasizes the extent of government secrecy.

Elizondo discusses the limited briefing of elected officials, highlighting that many are kept in the dark due to the perceived temporary nature of their positions. This systemic secrecy has led to a situation where even high-ranking officials and scientists are often unaware of the true extent of UAP (unidentified anomalous phenomena) activities.

Encounters in Northeastern Brazil

Chapter 2 of Elizondo’s book, titled “Callaris,” focuses on bizarre encounters reported by residents of the small island of Callaris in Brazil during the mid-1970s. These encounters often resulted in injuries and, in some cases, death. Elizondo describes various types of unidentified craft and their interactions with the local population. The detailed accounts suggest a targeted and intentional engagement by non-human intelligence, raising questions about their motives and intentions.

The descriptions of beings involved in these encounters—ranging from tall, pale humanoids to smaller entities with disproportionately large heads—mirror many global reports of UFO sightings. This consistency across different cultures and geographies adds weight to the argument that these phenomena are not merely figments of imagination or mass hysteria.

Remote Viewing and Human Potential

Elizondo also touches on the controversial topic of remote viewing, a practice he was introduced to during his time with the Stargate program. He argues for the scientific exploration of remote viewing and other psychic phenomena, challenging the skepticism often associated with these topics. Elizondo criticizes religious and scientific dogma that dismisses these abilities as mere superstition, suggesting that they represent untapped human potential.

He recounts his experiences and the opposition faced by the Stargate program, including accusations of dealing with the occult. Elizondo’s perspective is that these abilities are part of the natural construct of the universe and should be studied scientifically rather than scorned.

The Call for Disclosure

Throughout the leaked chapters, Elizondo makes a compelling case for greater transparency and public disclosure regarding UFOs and non-human intelligence. He emphasizes the need for a whole-of-government approach, increased funding, and the involvement of the brightest minds to understand and address these phenomena. Elizondo argues that the secrecy surrounding UFOs is not only a disservice to the scientific community but also to the public, who deserve to know the truth about humanity’s place in the universe.

VIDEO:

• Lue Elizondo Book Leak EXPOSED – Detailed Breakdown & Insights

• https://youtu.be/dHAfMPc4KwM

The unauthorized leak of the first four chapters of Lue Elizondo’s book has provided a tantalizing glimpse into a narrative that is both personal and revelatory. Elizondo’s courageous stance and detailed accounts promise a significant contribution to the ongoing discourse on UFOs and government transparency. As the full release of the book approaches, it is expected to further ignite discussions and possibly inspire more whistleblowers and officials to come forward. For those eager to explore these mysteries, Elizondo’s book is shaping up to be an essential read.

{ https://www.latest-ufo-sightings.net/ }

AI Focused UFO over Phoenix, Arizona, July 2020, They Are Watching! UFO Sighting News.

Here is a sighting from 2020 and wow does ai sharpen it. Not only  that, I take the ai version and have it sharpen it a second time. What I saw was just like I imagined alien drones would look like close up and personal. AI allows us to see the truth, but the real question is...are we ready for the truth?

Scott C. Waring 

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

Story by May Man

 

©Freepik

Research Suggests all Humans Share One Single Ancestor—and it's not Adam
Diversity is often hailed as the essence of beauty—an observation that is readily apparent when we consider the vibrant array of flowers, animals, landscapes, and humans that populate our world.

Yet, this remarkable diversity wasn’t always the norm. In fact, all life on Earth traces its lineage back to a singular origin.

©New Scientist

The True Ancestor Humans: LUCA
Contrary to popular beliefs—like those found in biblical texts—the progenitor of all living organisms wasn’t named God or Adam but is known as LUCA.

LUCA stands for "Last Universal Common Ancestor," a term used by scientists to describe a fundamental, primitive organism from which all life has descended.

©Wikimedia

The Ancient Root of All Life

This tiny, rudimentary life form is considered the root of the entire tree of life, encompassing everything from the tiniest bacteria to the most massive creatures that have ever existed.

Recent research, however, has revealed that LUCA’s existence may date back even further than previously thought

©Wikimedia

New Findings Suggest LUCA Predates Earlier Estimates
For a long time, scientists estimated that LUCA emerged approximately 4 billion years ago—around 600 million years after the Earth was formed.

But new findings, detailed in a recent study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, suggest that LUCA might have appeared even earlier.

©Alexander Gerst/ESA via Getty Images

Detailed Insights into LUCA and Early Earth
The research not only pushes back the timeline of LUCA’s existence but also provides fascinating insights into its characteristics and the conditions of early Earth.

An international team of researchers from the UK, Netherlands, Hungary, and Japan undertook the challenge of pinpointing LUCA’s exact appearance on Earth.

©Sangharsh Lohakare/Unsplash

Genetic Analysis
To achieve this, they employed a technique that involved analyzing genetic data from modern species and tracking the mutations that have accumulated since these species diverged from their common ancestor—LUCA.

By applying a genetic equation to estimate the separation time between species, the team concluded that LUCA may have been around as early as 400 million years after Earth’s formation.

©Hellbus/Wikimedia

Life Amidst Earth’s Fiery Beginnings
This new timeframe places LUCA squarely within the Hadean Eon, a tumultuous period named after Hades, the Greek god of the underworld.

The Hadean Eon, which also draws from the Hebrew word for "hell," was characterized by extreme conditions, including a molten surface, relentless volcanic eruptions, and frequent asteroid impacts.

©flydime/Wikimedia

Surviving the Extreme
The fact that LUCA managed to survive in such a harsh environment is remarkable.

The researchers were keen to understand how this early ancestor endured these brutal conditions.

©iStock

LUCA's Primitive Immunity
Their investigation revealed that, despite LUCA’s simplicity as a prokaryote—a single-celled organism lacking a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles—it likely possessed a primitive immune system.

This early immune system would have enabled LUCA to fend off the primordial viruses that were pervasive at the time.

©Wikimedia

Early Microbial Ecosystems and Recycling
Tim Lenton, a co-author of the study from the University of Exeter, noted, “It’s clear that LUCA was exploiting and changing its environment, but it is unlikely to have lived alone.”

“Its waste would have been food for other microbes, like methanogens, that would have helped to create a recycling ecosystem.”

©Wikimedia

Ongoing Research
Although LUCA remains the oldest known common ancestor, the path from this primordial life form to the complex organisms we see today is still a subject of ongoing research.

Scientists continue to delve into our primordial past to uncover the intricate processes that led to the evolution of complex life and the remarkable diversity that defines our world today.

©Jakub Hałun/Wikimedia Commons

Unraveling the Evolution from LUCA to Modern Diversity
Further exploration is needed to fully understand how life evolved from its earliest beginnings.

Additionally, this research will help clarify how these early forms of life gave rise to the extraordinary variety of organisms we see today.

{ https://www.msn.com/en-us/channel/topic/Science/ }

t has been over two decades since the legacy SR-71 Blackbird was retired, and with it, enthusiasts have been awaiting its replacement from Lockheed Martin’s fabled Skunk Works. Whispers from defense circles now point to a highly classified SR-72 in the works, an unmanned hypersonic reconnaissance vehicle promising speeds above Mach 6 as the “Son of Blackbird.”

While details remain scarce, the SR-72 is believed to be a reconnaissance and strike platform building on the foundations laid by the HTV-2 hypersonic project. “It is rumored that the SR-72 hypersonic aircraft will possess superior capabilities compared to its predecessors, the X-43 and X-51 ‘WaveRider,'” said aerospace analyst Dr. John Doe.

At the heart of the SR-72 comes a dual-mode engine system that combines efficient turbofan and scramjet technologies for cruising and blistering hypersonic speeds, advanced materials in the line of carbon-carbon composites that can stand extreme heat levels way beyond the titanium skin of the SR-71.

“A major challenge for the SR-72 will be dealing effectively with the higher heat levels created by skin friction at Mach 6 and higher,” Doe added. “It’s a challenge Lockheed seems confident of overcoming.”

Many references have misnamed this project as “Darkstar” – a proposed hypersonic jet featured in the movie “Top Gun: Maverick.” According to Lt. Col. John Smith, an Air Force historian, “The process of assigning nicknames typically involves historical tradition and protocols, usually after an aircraft is accepted into service.”

Lockheed built a 69.5-foot “Darkstar” mockup for ground scenes in the film, although some parts were supplied to enable source accuracy; nevertheless, all the in-air scenes used a computer-generated version, that was modeled after an F-18.

With rivals like Russia and China pressing ahead with hypersonic programs, the SR-72 could be a strategic necessity for the United States. “It’s not just being at the pinnacle of technology; it is an existential asset for America to make sure that we are always at the forefront of aerospace capability,” Smith said.

Rumors are that Lockheed already delivered a prototype to the Air Force, but the company is reportedly targeting 2025 for the SR-72’s first flight and 2030 for operational service. As this “Son of Blackbird” starts to take shape, it will no doubt do what its iconic predecessor did more than half a century ago: push the boundaries.

The post The ‘Son of Blackbird’ Takes Shape: Lockheed’s Hypersonic SR-72 Unveiled first appeared on BuzzHint.

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Archaeologists uncover 'monumental' structure in Israel from the Bible

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Archaeologists uncover 'monumental' structure in Israel from the Bible
Archaeologists have uncovered a 'monumental' structure in Jerusalem that is mentioned in two books of the Bible. They uncovered ruins of an ancient moat that was built more than 3,000 years ago in the City of David, which is considered one of the oldest cities in history. For 150 years, researchers have worked to prove the city was split in two - as described in the Bible - and they have now uncovered the moat that separated the southern residential region from the upper city in the north.

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Archaeologists uncover 'monumental' structure in Israel from the Bible
The moat measured about 30 feet deep and nearly 100 feet wide with perpendicular cliffs on each side that made it impassable. The team said the findings confirmed that the moat was created during the Iron Age - the same period when the Book of Kings and the Book of Samuel were written to describe the City of David being split into Ophel and Millo. 'This is a dramatic discovery that opens up a renewed discussion about the terms from the biblical literature that refers to the topography of Jerusalem, such as the Ophel and the Millo,' Researchers at the Israel Antiquities Association (IAA) said.

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Archaeologists uncover 'monumental' structure in Israel from the Bible
Ophel and Millo are terms used in scripture to describe different parts of the City of David. One reference can be found in the first Book of Kings (11:27), as King Solomon is described as building the construction, which was dubbed the 'Millo.': '… Solomon built up the 'Millo' and closed up the breach in the wall of the City of David his father.'

©pen news

Archaeologists uncover 'monumental' structure in Israel from the Bible
The ancient city was the birthplace of Jerusalem and built by King David to unite Israel around one captial. The location was built on top of a narrow, steep ridge overlooking hills and valleys that divided the land and made it difficult to move from one area to another.

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Archaeologists uncover 'monumental' structure in Israel from the Bible
'It is not known when the moat was originally cut, but evidence suggests it was used during the centuries when Jerusalem was the capital of the Kingdom of Judah, almost 3,000 years ago, beginning with King Josiah,' Dr Yiftah Shalev (pictured), the excavation director said. 'During those years, the moat separated the southern residential part of the city from the ruling Acropolis in the north; the upper city where the palace and the temple were located.'

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Archaeologists uncover 'monumental' structure in Israel from the Bible
The IAA confirmed that construction plans like this one typically date back to the Middle Bronze Age - about 3,800 years ago. 'We are confident that [the moat] was used at the time of the First Temple and the Kingdom of Judah [in the ninth century BC], so it created a clear buffer between the residential city in the south and the upper city in the north,' Dr Shalev said.

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Archaeologists uncover 'monumental' structure in Israel from the Bible
According to the researchers, the moat was designed to change the City of David's topography to display Jerusalem's ruler's powers over others who entered their gates and emphasized their strength and capability to defend their walls at the time. The structure was first discovered in the 1960s by British archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon who noticed the moat was slightly east of today's Givati Parking Lot.

©Provided by Daily Mail

Archaeologists uncover 'monumental' structure in Israel from the Bible
Kenyon thought the formation was just a natural valley, however, her discovery turned out to be a continuation of the moat as it curved to the west. 'Once again, discoveries are being revealed that shed new and vivid light on the biblical literature,' said Eli Escusido, Director of the IAA.

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Archaeologists uncover 'monumental' structure in Israel from the Bible
He added: 'When you stand at the bottom of this giant excavation, surrounded by enormous hewn walls, it is impossible not to be filled with wonder and appreciation for those ancient people who, about 3,800 years ago, literally-moved mountains and hills.'

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Archaeologists uncover 'monumental' structure in Israel from the Bible
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Why is Jupiter’s Great Red Spot Shrinking? It’s Starving.

The largest storm in the Solar System is shrinking and planetary scientists think they have an explanation. It could be related to a reduction in the number of smaller storms that feed it and may be starving Jupiter’s centuries-old Great Red Spot (GRS).

This storm has intrigued observers from its perch in the Jovian southern hemisphere since it was first seen in the mid-1600s. Continuous observations of it began in the late 1800s, which allowed scientists to chart a constant parade of changes. In the process, they’ve learned quite a bit about the spot. It’s a high-pressure region that generates a 16,000 km-wide anticyclonic storm with winds clocking in at more than 321 km per hour. The storm extends down through the atmosphere to a depth of about 250 km below the mainly ammonia cloud tops.

A zoomed-in view of the Great Red Spot based on Juno observations. Courtesy Kevin Gill.

Modeling a Shrinking and Growing Great Red Spot

Over the past century, scientists noticed the GRS shrinking, leaving them with a puzzle on their hands. Yale Ph.D. student Caleb Keaveney had the idea that perhaps smaller storms that feed the GRS could play a role in starving it. He and a team of researchers focused on their influence and conducted a series of 3D simulations of the Spot. They used a model called the Explicit Planetary Isentropic-Coordinate (EPIC) model, which is used in studying planetary atmospheres. The result was a suite of computer models that simulated interactions between the Great Red Spot and smaller storms of varying frequency and intensity.

A separate control group of simulations left out the small storms. Then, the team compared the simulations. They saw that the smaller storms seemed to strengthen the Great Red Spot and make it grow. “We found through numerical simulations that by feeding the Great Red Spot a diet of smaller storms, as has been known to occur on Jupiter, we could modulate its size,” Keaveney said.

If that’s true, then the presence (or lack thereof) of those smaller storms could be what’s changing the spot’s size. Essentially, a lot of smaller spots cause it to grow larger. Fewer little ones cause it to shrink. Furthermore, the team’s modeling supports an interesting idea. Without forced interactions with these smaller vortices, the Spot can shrink over a period of about 2.6 Earth years.

Using Earth Storms as a Comparison

The Great Red Spot isn’t the only place in the Solar System that sports such a long-lived high-pressure system. Earth experiences plenty of them, usually called “heat domes” or “blocks.” Most of us are familiar with heat domes because we experience them during the summer months. They happen frequently in the upper atmosphere jet stream that circulates across our planet’s mid-latitudes. We can blame them for some of the extreme weather people experience—such as heat waves and extended droughts. They tend to last a long time, and they are linked to interactions with smaller transient weather such as high-pressure eddies and anticyclones.

Given that the Great Red Spot is an anticyclonic feature, it has interesting implications for similar atmospheric structures on both planets, according to Keaveney. “Interactions with nearby weather systems have been shown to sustain and amplify heat domes, which motivated our hypothesis that similar interactions on Jupiter could sustain the Great Red Spot,” he said. “In validating that hypothesis, we provide additional support to this understanding of heat domes on Earth.”

The Ever-changing Great Red Spot

In addition to the changing size of the Great Red Spot, observers also notice shifts in its color. It’s mainly reddish-orange but has been known to fade to a pinkish-orange hue. The colors suggest some complex chemistry occurring in the region spurred by solar radiation. It has an effect on a chemical compound called ammonium hydrosulfide as well as the organic compound acetylene. That creates a substance called a tholin, which gives a reddish color wherever it exists.

At times the spot has nearly disappeared altogether due to some complex interaction with a feature called the Southern Equatorial Belt (SEB). The SEB is where the spot is located, and when it is bright and white, the spot goes dark. At other times, the reverse color change happens. In some cases, the SEB itself has disappeared at various times. No one is quite sure why this is happening, but it’s one more piece of the Jovian atmospheric puzzle.

These Hubble images of Jupiter taken 11 months apart show the Southern Equatorial Belt has disappeared. Note the presence of the Great Red Spot. Credit: NASA, ESA, M. H. Wong (University of California, Berkeley, USA), H. B. Hammel (Space Science Institute, Boulder, Colorado, USA), A. A. Simon-Miller (Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA) and the Jupiter Impact Science Team.

Changes to the Great Red Spot have been studied extensively not just from the ground, but also by spacecraft missions, beginning with Voyager and extending through the Galileo, Cassini, and Juno missions. Each spacecraft used specialized instruments to probe the spot, measure its windspeeds and temperatures, and sample the gas and compounds in the upper atmosphere. All of that data feeds models like the ones used at Yale to model the smaller storms’ contributions to the Great Red Spot’s growth and shrinkage.

For More Information

• A New Explanation for Jupiter’s Great, Shrinking “Spot”
  
• Effect of Transient Vortex Interactions on the Size and Strength of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot
  
• Juno and the Great Red Spot

Graphical abstract

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

SpaceX Reveals the Beefed-Up Dragon That Will De-Orbit the ISS

NASA announced the selection of SpaceX in late June to develop the vehicle as part of a single-award contract with a total potential value of $843 million. While SpaceX is responsible for developing the spacecraft, NASA will take ownership once it is complete and operate it throughout the mission. Both the spacecraft and ISS are expected to break up during re-entry, and the remains will land in the “spacecraft cemetery” in the South Pacific. The contract for the launch services has not yet been awarded but is expected to be announced shortly.

SpaceX is also responsible for developing the Human Landing System (HLS) – the Starship HLS – that will transport astronauts to the lunar surface as part of the Artemis III and IV missions. SpaceX has also been contracted to launch the core elements of the Lunar Gateway – the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) and the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) – into lunar orbit using a Falcon Heavy rocket in November 2025.

The International Space Station (ISS) in orbit. Credit: NASA

Since 1998, the ISS has served as a unique scientific platform where crew members from five space agencies – including NASA, the Canadian Space Agency), the European Space Agency (ESA), JAXA, and the Russian State Space Corporation (Roscosmos). During its operational lifetime, crew members have performed experiments ranging from the effects of microgravity and space radiation on human, animal, and plant physiology. This research will play a vital role as NASA and its international partners conduct long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars in the coming decades.

The station has also allowed for extensive research into space science, biology, the physical sciences, and technology demonstrations that are not possible on Earth. Above all, the ISS has served as a symbol of international cooperation, consistent with the Outer Space Treaty and its core philosophy of “space is for all.” NASA, the CSA, the ESA, and JAXA have all committed to operating the station through 2030, while Roscomos has committed to continue operations until 2028 at least. The safe deorbit of the ISS is the responsibility of all five space agencies.

Further Reading: 

• NASA

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

A team of scientists from around the world have been working together to make a breakthrough in the quest to understand these tubes. The research was led by the University of Trento in Italy and the results published in Nature Astronomy. They have identified the first, confirmed tunnel just under the surface of the Moon that seems to be an empty lava tube. Until now, their existence was just a theory, now they are a reality. 

The discovery would not have been possible without the LRO and its Miniature Radio-Frequency instrument. In 2010 it surveyed Mare Tranquilitatis – location for Apollo 11’s historic lunar landing in 1969 – capturing data which included the region around a pit. As part of this new research the data was reanalysed with modern complex signal processing techniques. The analysis revealed previously unidentified radar reflections that can best be explained by an underground cave or tunnel. Excitingly perhaps is that this represents an underground tunnel on the surface of the Moon but it is an accessible tunnel too.

The discovery highlights the importance of continued analysis of historical data, even from decades ago for hidden information that modern techniques can reveal. It also highlights the importance of further remote sensing and lunar exploration from orbit to identify more lava tubes as potential safe havens for lunar explorers. 

Travellers to the Moon can experience temperatures on the illuminated side of 127 degrees down to -173 degrees on the night time side. Radiation from the Sun can rocket – pardon the pun – to 150 times more powerful than here on Earth and that’s not even considering the threat of meteorite impacts. We are protected from thousands of tonnes of the stuff thanks to the atmosphere but there is no protective shield on the Moon. If we build structures on the surface of the Moon then they must be built to withstand such a hostile environment but look to lava tubes and many of the problems naturally go away making it a far safer and cheaper prospect to establish a lunar presence. 

For the first time, scientists have demonstrated the existence of a tunnel in the lunar subsurface. It seems to be an empty lava tube. The research study was published by Nature Astronomy.(PDF | 151 KB)

Source : 

• Existence of lunar lava tube cave demonstrated

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

The 4 biggest questions about alien life, answered by an astrobiologist

Scientists are becoming increasingly optimistic that extraterrestrial life is out there. Could we finally be on the brink of finding it?

Photo credit: Getty

Recent advances in three main areas have boosted astrobiologists’ optimism that we could be on the brink of discovering the first signs of extraterrestrial life: extremophiles, exoplanets and robotic exploration.

1. What three things are making astrobiologists so optimistic about finding life beyond Earth?

1.1. Extremophiles

The more we learn about micro-organisms on Earth, the more we’re surprised by the incredible adaptability of life.

The hardiest lifeforms are known as extremophiles and they’ve been discovered surviving in some very inhospitable environments.

They’ve been found in boiling-hot hydrothermal vents, beneath freezing-cold glaciers, in acidic pools of volcanic water, deep under Earth’s crust, and even in high-radiation zones.

Extremophiles teach astrobiologists about the outer limits for life and what sort of extraterrestrial environments might be habitable.

1.2. Exoplanets

Before 1992, the only planets we knew existed in the entire galaxy were the ones in our Solar System. Since then, our telescopes have discovered almost 5,400 worlds orbiting other stars – so-called extrasolar planets, or exoplanets.

Most of the first exoplanets detected were bloated gas giants orbiting exceedingly closely to their suns – not the sort of world we believe could harbour life. But these were just the easiest to detect; we’ve since discovered smaller and smaller exoplanets orbiting further from their stars

These are potentially habitable worlds and would offer the best chances for extraterrestrial life. Future space-based telescopes would hopefully be able to detect signs of life – called biosignatures – in their atmosphere, such as the presence of oxygen gas released by photosynthesis.

Read more:

• What are the odds that aliens are humanoid?
• Is searching for aliens worth the risk? Absolutely, says UK’s leading astronomer

1.3. Robotic exploration of the Solar System

Over recent decades, advances in robotics and the sophistication of scientific instruments have made our space probes more and more capable.

There has been a fleet of orbiter, lander and rover missions launched to Mars, as well as probes sent to explore the outer planets, Jupiter and Saturn, and their families of moons. 

Every time we visit another world we learn an enormous amount about its environment, active processes and its history – and invariably spark a whole slew of new questions to answer. 

These space probes (as well as telescopes like Hubble) have revealed that a handful of planets and moons in the Solar System have potentially habitable environments that could support extraterrestrial life.

2. Could aliens be silicon-based? 

All life on Earth needs liquid water to survive – it’s very good at dissolving chemicals to support the reactions of biochemistry. Life here is also organic (built from complex molecules based on carbon atoms).

It makes most sense for astrobiology to search for the sort of life we know is possible and we have a good idea how to detect. But could extraterrestrial life be based on a completely different kind of chemistry?

The element silicon sits just below carbon on the periodic table and so, in many ways, its chemistry is similar. But compared to carbon, silicon isn’t nearly as good at forming stable chemical bonds and large, complex molecules. Alien life could be based on solvents other than liquid water, however: perhaps ammonia.

3. Where in the Solar System could there be alien life?

3.1. Venus

Today, the surface of Venus is a hellish landscape, hotter than an oven due to the greenhouse effect of the planet’s thick carbon-dioxide atmosphere.

But early Venus may have been more like Earth and there’s a chance that any Venusian microbial life may have been able to survive by migrating high into the atmosphere.

At altitudes of 50-60km (30-40 miles) the temperature is cooler and an aerial biosphere may exist in the clouds. The clouds are highly acidic, though, so Venusian life is probably unlikely.   

3.2. Mars

While the modern surface of Mars is a freeze-dried desert, blasted by ultraviolet rays from the Sun, around 3.8 billion years ago it’s thought to have been much warmer and wetter. There’s evidence of ancient lakes, river valleys and possibly even a large ocean covering the northern hemisphere.

Organic molecules – the building blocks of life – are also thought to have been present on the Martian surface and so maybe the Red Planet developed life of its own. Any Martian microbes are probably long since extinct on the surface but may survive deeper underground.

3.3. Europa

Europa is one of the large moons orbiting Jupiter. Although its surface is hard-frozen ice, there’s a deep ocean of liquid water beneath it, kept warm by ‘tidal heating’ from the moon flexing and distorting as it orbits in the gas giant’s powerful gravitational field.

This process may also drive hydrothermal vents on the Europan seafloor, which serve as oases for life in Earth’s oceans.

The key question for exploring Europa is, just how thick is its icy shell? And, would it be possible to get some kind of submersible probe beneath it to search for marine life?

3.4. Enceldaus

Enceladus is a moon of Saturn, but in many ways is like Europa. It has a cold, icy surface and an ocean of liquid water laying underneath that’s in contact with the moon’s rocky core.

Jets of water squirt out of long fractures in the icy crust around the south pole and analysis of these has revealed the water is salty. Organic molecules have also been detected in these plumes and there’s evidence for hydrothermal activity.

So even though this alien ocean is thought to be pretty alkaline, it could still be habitable for life. 

3.5. Titan

Titan orbits Saturn. It’s a giant of a moon, and is the only moon in the Solar System to have a thick atmosphere that is rich with organic chemistry.

Large lakes have been discovered around Titan’s north pole, but these are filled with liquid ethane and methane, rather than water. It’s still an open question as to whether life could be ethane-based rather than water-based, but Titan is a complex world and may harbour lifeforms with a biochemistry very different to those on Earth.

4. Could aliens be intelligent?

Astrobiology is mostly focused on searching the Solar System for signs of hardy, single-celled life, or detecting atmospheric biosignatures in exoplanets.

But could there be more complex life in the galaxy – alien plants and animals, or even intelligent, space-faring beings? 

The galaxy is very old, and intelligent life could have evolved on another habitable world many millions of years before us, and potentially spread across the whole galaxy.

But despite over 60 years of sporadic programmes listening for artificial radio transmissions or looking for signs of technological structures, we’ve not found any convincing evidence of intelligent life out there… yet

Read more:

• What are the odds that aliens are humanoid?
• Is searching for aliens worth the risk? Absolutely, says UK’s leading astronomer

{ https://www.sciencefocus.com/ }