# Earth
Astronaut Frank Rubio Back on Solid Ground After Orbiting Earth 5,963 times
In a historic moment for NASA, astronaut Frank Rubio's record-breaking 371-day mission in space has concluded. Rubio, who now holds the distinction of the longest continuous spaceflight by an American, prepared to bid farewell to the International Space Station (ISS) and return to Earth aboard the Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft. The final moments of his extraordinary stay at the ISS were captured on a NASA live feed.
Historic Asteroid Sample Touches Down in Utah
In an extraordinary feat of space exploration, a capsule containing precious bits of rock and dust, collected from the asteroid Bennu, touched down in the Utah desert. These asteroid samples, a first-of-its-kind arrival in the United States, can unlock the secrets of our solar system's formation and offer insights into the origin of organic molecules critical to life on Earth.
An Island the Size of Manhattan That Showed Up On Google Earth Was "Undiscovered" by Researchers
A mysterious island dubbed Sandy Island that appeared on maps of the area around northwest Caledonia was officially "undiscovered" by researchers. It even popped up on Google Earth leading researchers to search for it in 2012. However, they did not find any land mass at the given coordinates. Per reports, it just happened to be a nonexistent landmass that was accidentally included in maps: "In an obituary for the island published in April 2013, the researchers explained why the phantom landmass had been included on some maps for more than a century, pointing to some human errors and a possible pumice raft."
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The Incredible World of Bioluminescent Organisms
In the depths of the ocean, the heart of a dense forest, or even in your own backyard, there exists a natural phenomenon that seems straight out of science fiction—bioluminescence. This article delves into the world of bioluminescent organisms, where living creatures produce their own light, captivating scientists and nature enthusiasts alike with their awe-inspiring abilities.
Wildlife Wonders: Exploring Earth's Diverse Ecosystems
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Earth's ecosystems encompass a breathtaking array of habitats and species, each contributing to the delicate balance of life on our planet. Exploring these diverse ecosystems not only reveals the wonders of the natural world but also underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect them.
NASA's Space Mission to Bennu Will End In Utah Desert On Sept 24th
After many years of research, recent information has revealed there's only about a 1 in 2700 chance that the massive asteroid "Bennu" will collide with our planet on September 24th, 2182, according to new information from Earth.com.
Exploring the Connection through Earth Grounding Mats with Earth and Moon
Desc: In our fast-paced, modern lives, we often find ourselves disconnected from the natural world, leading to a host of health issues and emotional imbalances. However, a simple yet profound practice known as "earthing" or "grounding" has gained popularity in recent years for its potential to re-establish a connection between humans and the Earth. The concept of Earth Grounding Mat and their potential role in bridging the connection between us and not just the Earth but also the Moon.
Man Who Stepped Off the Edge of Space, Broke the Speed of Sound While Falling 24 Miles Back To Earth
Some part of this article was written with the assistance of an AI. This article Man Who Stepped Off the Edge of Space, Broke the Speed of Sound While Falling 24 Miles Back To Earth is about a regular guy who did something incredibly extraordinary.
Man Who Stepped Off the Edge of Space, Broke the Speed of Sound While Falling 24 Miles Back To Earth
Felix Baumgartner, an Austrian daredevil skydiver, and BASE jumper set a world record for being the first person to free-fall faster than the speed of sound during the highest manned balloon flight and the highest skydive in 2012. He made history by becoming the first human to break the speed of sound while free-falling back to Earth without the aid of an aircraft or other propulsion. He reached an altitude of 127,852 feet in a helium balloon before jumping out and free-falling for over 24 miles, during which he broke the sound barrier.
Earth's Shocking Secret: How Our Magnetotail Powers the Moon's Mysterious Water Formation
The recent revelation that Earth's magnetotail plays a crucial role in the formation of water on the Moon opens doors to exciting possibilities for scientific exploration, human colonization, and international cooperation.
Researchers discover a strange, ancient structure wrapped over Earth's core
A high-resolution geological map of Earth's Southern Hemisphere has uncovered an unexpected feature: an ancient ocean floor located around 1,800 miles (2,900 kilometres) beneath the surface, near the core-mantle boundary (CMB). This thin but dense layer was discovered using seismic data collected from earthquakes in the Southern Hemisphere and analysed by researchers from the University of Alabama and Arizona State University.
Ancient Ocean Wraps Core: Unexpected Discovery
A high-resolution map of Earth's Southern Hemisphere has unveiled an unexpected discovery: an ancient ocean floor located around 2,900 kilometres (1,800 miles) below the surface, potentially wrapping around the core. This discovery was made through seismic investigations conducted by geologists using 15 monitoring stations in Antarctica.
Saving Earth's Trees: We Forgot How Important They Are
A new report predicts a troubling way that Earth’s trees could start hurting us: ‘We forgot how important they are. They say, "Plant a tree, save the earth," but new data shows the opposite is also true. Forests work as "carbon sinks" that help reduce air pollution and cool our planet. However, a new report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture has predicted that our forests’ ability to absorb carbon will drop drastically after 2025 and that they could become a significant source of carbon emissions by 2070. What’s happening? Scientific American recently reported that our trees might start turning on us. Forests have long been climate heroes just by existing. As forests grow, the trees absorb carbon from the air and store it. By doing so, they slow the overheating of our planet by reducing the rate at which harmful carbon pollution accrues in the atmosphere. Our forests, however, are losing their ability to absorb carbon. Lynn Riley, a senior manager of climate science at the American Forest Foundation, explained that this is partially due to natural disasters like wildfires, hurricanes, and tornadoes, all of which destroy forests and have become more frequent and intense as Earth’s temperature increases. When forests’ ecosystems are disrupted, a tree’s ability to absorb carbon decreases. Development in forested areas has the same effect, and the report projects that this will continue to increase as people move into the wildland-urban interface. The USDA report says U.S. forests currently absorb 11% of our country’s harmful carbon pollution. "Ten percent of our domestic emissions That is a really significant portion," Riley said. "As we work to decarbonize, forests are one of the greatest tools at our disposal. If we were to lose that, it means the U.S. will contribute that much more" in emissions. Why should you care about trees? Not only are they losing their ability to store carbon, but as they die, forests start to release the carbon they’ve been storing back into the atmosphere. Climate Patrol reports that forests have removed an estimated 2 billion metric tons of harmful carbon pollution from the atmosphere every year for the past 20+ years. When forests are cut down or burned, the carbon stored is released into the atmosphere. The USDA report predicts that at the rate we’re going, forests could emit up to 100 million metric tons of carbon a year, contributing to the overheating of our planet rather than reducing it, as their emissions from dying trees exceed their carbon absorption. What can be done to save our forests? Aggressive forest management can help, and the USDA and the U.S. Forest Service are trying to use existing programs and policies to encourage forest health and better domestic carbon storage. As one Redditor said in a discussion of the Scientific American report, "We’re managing forests badly. We forgot how important they are.
Title: "Ocean World Discovered Near Earth: Exploring Exoplanets & Moons"
A new planet discovered has a massive ocean, and it's not too far from Earth. The scientific community has discovered a new planet. It is located 245 light-years away from Earth and has been named TOI-733b. Its size is slightly less than twice the radius of the Earth. It has a unique feature: its atmosphere. For now, experts have presented two possibilities. The first is that it may have lost its atmosphere layer. The second is that it could be a "highly irradiated oceanic world." This is stated in a study published by the specialized astronomy journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. In the study, it is detailed that this new planet has a density of 3.98 grams per cubic centimeter. To give you an idea, it is slightly lower than Earth’s density, which is 5.51 grams per cubic centimeter, but higher than that of our neighbor Mars. Another point mentioned in the Astronomy & Astrophysics article is that this planet orbits a star slightly smaller than the Sun and completes its orbit in a total of 4.9 days. It is this proximity to the star that serves as an explanation for the first of the two scenarios that scientists have proposed regarding its atmosphere. Currently, exoplanet TOI-733b is a dry rock devoid of a gaseous layer. One of the reasons scientists find to explain this situation is that, being a body very close to the sun, the atmosphere would eventually evaporate. But this is not the only hypothesis they consider. They also believe that something else could be happening: it could be an oceanic planet. TOI-733b is similar to a mini Neptune. Another significant discovery highlighted by the publication of this article is the similarity between this planet, as well as others with similar characteristics, and Neptune, although on a smaller scale. These types of bodies share a common trait, which is their shrinking process due to the loss of atmosphere. And while this latest discovery seems to support this theory, it is still unknown who or what is responsible for this phenomenon, whether it is the star to which these planets are closest or the heat they themselves emit. Other moons and new planets that may have oceans For centuries, the existence of extraterrestrial life has ignited our collective curiosity and drive for exploration. Today, we’re focusing that curiosity on a very specific type of celestial body: exoplanets and moons that might host oceans. Scientists believe that these water-bearing worlds could potentially harbor life, making them a focal point in our search for extraterrestrial organisms. Below is an overview of these intriguing celestial bodies and a discussion of the ongoing efforts to study and conserve them. Exoplanets with Potential Oceans The discovery of exoplanets—planets orbiting stars outside our solar system—has been a game-changer in our quest for alien life. A few of these new planets, thanks to their favorable conditions, show potential for hosting oceans. Proxima Centauri b The closest known exoplanet to our solar system, Proxima Centauri b, orbits in the habitable zone of its host star. The planet’s mass suggests a rocky composition, and the potential existence of liquid water on its surface remains a topic of scientific investigation. TRAPPIST-1 Planets The seven Earth-sized planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system, located about 40 light-years away, also spark interest. Three of these planets—Trapist-1e, f, and g—reside in the system’s habitable zone. Models suggest they could support liquid water under suitable atmospheric conditions. Kepler-22b As the first known exoplanet residing in the habitable zone of a sun-like star, Kepler-22b might hold liquid water. Scientists, however, still need to determine the composition of this super-Earth-sized planet. Moons with potential oceans In our own solar system, several moons show signs of harboring subsurface oceans, fueling the possibility of life. Europa This moon of Jupiter, warmed by the tidal effects of Jupiter’s gravity, likely contains a subsurface ocean twice the volume of all of Earth’s oceans combined. Its icy surface hints at the existence of this underlying saltwater ocean. Enceladus Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus hosts a subsurface ocean beneath its southern pole. Scientists believe the plumes of water vapor erupting from its surface are direct evidence of this hidden ocean. Titan Another of Saturn’s moons, Titan, stands as the only known moon with a substantial atmosphere. Radar and infrared observations indicate the presence of lakes filled with hydrocarbons—although not water, this still counts as a form of liquid surface reservoir. Exploration of Exoplanets and Moons While we still have much to learn about these distant worlds and new planets, it’s critical to adopt a forward-thinking perspective on their conservation. The introduction of Earth-originating microbes, intentional or not, could have severe implications for potential life forms and compromise scientific investigations. Efforts to prevent biological contamination, known as planetary protection, are at the forefront. NASA and other international space agencies adhere to the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which mandates avoiding harmful contamination of celestial bodies. The guidelines put forth by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) serve to enforce this treaty, demanding rigorous cleaning protocols for spacecraft. With current technology, detailed observation and research into these potential ocean worlds remain limited. The planned missions, like NASA’s Europa Clipper and the European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE), will offer more insights into these worlds and help refine our planetary protection measures. Conclusion The discovery of exoplanets and moons with potential oceans marks a significant stride in our quest for extraterrestrial life. While we continue to explore these fascinating worlds, we must also prioritize their conservation to preserve their integrity for future generations. The cosmic ocean awaits us, promising a treasure trove of discoveries and potential encounters with life forms beyond our wildest imaginings.
Bridging Science and Curiosity: Unveiling Earth's Marvels in Delaware
The Delaware Museum of Natural History, located in the center of Delaware, serves as a gateway to the breathtaking wonders of the natural world. This museum sparks interest and promotes a greater comprehension of the Earth's complex ecosystems with its varied exhibits, interactive displays, and dedication to teaching.
Earth's Mightiest Heroes Assemble to Uplift, Inspire, And Unite in Marvel's Voices: Avengers #1!
This December, Captain America, Iron Man, Photon, and Ghost Rider star in a brand-new edition of the acclaimed Marvel’s Voices series. New York, NY— September 7, 2023 — The Marvel Universe has always strived to reflect the “world outside your window” with diverse and inclusive storytelling. Throughout the year, the breadth of those stories are highlighted in a special way in a variety of Marvel’s Voices one-shots, and later this December, MARVEL’S VOICES: AVENGERS #1 will arrive for the first time!