A fresh analysis of radar images obtained more than three decades ago has provided new evidence indicating that Venus, Earth’s planetary neighbor, is currently volcanically active. Image for representation. | Photo credit: Reuters
This week has been filled with the most exciting finds. From finding evidence of active volcanoes on Venus to heat waves worse at the bottom of the ocean, here are the latest discoveries and findings in science.
Indian astrophysicists are developing low-cost star sensors
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have developed a low-cost star sensor for astronomy and small CubeSat satellite missions. The star sensor named Starberry-Sense can help small CubeSat satellite missions find their orientation in space. Based on commercial/off-the-shelf components, this star sensor costs less than 10% of those available on the market. The brain of the instrument is a single-board Linux computer called the Raspberry Pi, which is widely used among electronics hobbyists
Are there active volcanoes on Venus?
A fresh analysis of radar images obtained more than three decades ago has provided new evidence indicating that Venus, Earth’s planetary neighbor, is currently volcanically active – a dynamic world with eruptions and lava flows. Scientists said radar images taken by NASA’s Magellan spacecraft showed that a volcanic vent about a mile wide on the Venusian surface expanded and changed shape over an eight-month span in 1991. The vent is located on Maat Mons, which is about 9 km high. the planet’s highest volcano and second highest mountain.
NASA unveils new spacesuit specially tailored for lunar use
NASA on Wednesday unveiled the first prototype for a newly designed next-generation spacesuit, specially tailored and adapted for the first astronauts expected to venture back to the lunar surface in the next few years. The outfits worn by the Artemis astronauts to the moon will look very different from the large spacesuits of the past. The new suits are more streamlined and flexible than the old Apollo get-ups, with greater range of motion and variety in size and fit. They are designed to fit a wide range of potential wearers and accommodate at least 90% of the US male and female population, NASA said.
Brazilian researchers find ‘plastic’ rocks on remote island
The discovery of rocks made of plastic waste on the island of Trindade, which is a remote turtle refuge, is raising alarm. Melted plastic has become entwined with rocks on the island, located 1,140 km (708 miles) from the southeastern state of Espirito Santo, which scientists say is evidence of the growing influence of humans on the Earth’s geological cycle. Scientists ran chemical tests to find out what kind of plastic is in the rocks called “plastiglomerates” because they are made of a mixture of sedimentary granules and other debris held together by plastic.
Smoke particles from wildfires destroy the ozone layer
Smoke from recent wildfires threatens to slow and even reverse the recovery of Earth’s ozone layer, according to a study. The ozone layer is the protective cover that protects the Earth from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Scientists noted that a wildfire can pump smoke up into the stratosphere, where the particles drift for over a year. While suspended there, these particles can trigger chemical reactions that erode the ozone layer.
Marine heat waves sweep the ocean floor around North America
Heat waves that play out on the ocean floor can be more intense and last longer than those on the surface, new research suggests, but such extremes in the deep ocean are often overlooked. Scientists found that these bottom heat waves ranged from 0.5 degrees Celsius to 3C warmer than normal temperatures and could last more than six months – much longer than heat waves at the surface.
Scientists create mice with cells from 2 males for the first time
For the first time, researchers have created baby mice from two males. This raises the remote possibility of using the same technique for humans — although experts caution that very few mouse embryos developed into live mouse pups, and no one knows if it would work for humans. First, they took skin cells from the tails of male mice and transformed them into “induced pluripotent stem cells,” which can develop into many different types of cells or tissues. Then, through a process that involved growing them and treating them with a drug, they turned the male mouse stem cells into female cells and produced functional egg cells. Finally, they fertilized these eggs and implanted the embryos into female mice. About 1% of the embryos – 7 out of 630 – grew into live baby mice.