Scientists Discover Planet Orbiting Closest Single Star To Our Sun

More details: Found here

Using the European Southern Observatory⁘s Very Large Telescope (ESO⁘s VLT), astronomers have been able to see the exoplanet ⁘ a planet outside Earth⁘s solar system ⁘ orbiting Barnard⁘s star.

The newly-discovered planet ⁘ called Barnard b ⁘ has at least half the mass of Venus and on it a year lasts slightly more than three Earth days.

The findings also suggest there may be three more exoplanet candidates, in various orbits around the star.

Barnard⁘s star is six light-years away from Earth and is the second-closest stellar system ⁘ after Alpha Centauri⁘s three-star group ⁘ and the closest individual star to us.

Jonay Gonzalez Hernandez, a researcher at the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias in Spain, and lead author of the paper, said: ⁘Even if it took a long time, we were always confident that we could find something.⁘

In the study, researchers were looking for signals from possible exoplanets within the habitable or temperate zone of Barnard⁘s star ⁘ the range where liquid water can exist on the planet⁘s surface.

⁘Even if the star is about 2,500 degrees cooler than our Sun, it is too hot there to maintain liquid water on the surface.⁘

The findings, published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics, are the result of observations made over the last five years with ESO⁘s VLT, located at Paranal Observatory in Chile.

Inventory Robots Coming To Texas, New Mexico Supermarkets. Here's What It Will, Won't Do

Source: Visit website

Headlines:

• "AI-Powered Chatbots Revolutionize Healthcare in India" - A recent development in India has seen AI-powered chatbots being used to assist patients in accessing medical advice and services. (Source: India Today)

• "Swiss Company Introduces Autonomous Farming Robots" - A Swiss company has introduced a new line of autonomous farming robots designed to help farmers increase efficiency and reduce labor costs. (Source: Swiss Info)

• "Japanese Train Station Uses AI to Help Lost Travelers" - A train station in Japan has implemented an AI-powered system to help lost travelers navigate the station and find their way to their destinations. (Source: Japan Today)

• "Researchers Develop AI-Powered Prosthetic Limbs" - Researchers have developed a new line of AI-powered prosthetic limbs that can be controlled by the user's thoughts. (Source: Science Daily)

• "Amazon Unveils New Grocery Store with Check-Out-Free Shopping" - Amazon has unveiled a new grocery store prototype with check-out-free shopping... powered by AI and machine learning algorithms. (Source: Tech Crunch)

• "Chinese Company Launches AI-Powered Virtual Pets" - A Chinese company has launched a new line of AI-powered virtual pets that can be controlled via a smartphone app. (Source: South China Morning Post)

• "French Taxi Company Introduces Self-Driving Vehicles" - A French taxi company has introduced a new line of self-driving vehicles designed to reduce labor costs and increase efficiency. (Source: Le Figaro)

#news

Shoppers at Albertsons, United and Market Street supermarkets across Texas and New Mexico will soon see a new entity roaming the aisles.

That new entity will be a long rectangle of black, white and red or orange on wheels. It is a robot named Tally, and is part of a new improvement initiative that began in October across these supermarkets, the company confirmed on Friday.

Tally is an ⁘innovative, autonomous robot that is part of Simbe's market-leading store intelligence platform.⁘ The robot will travel the aisles of select stores three to four times every day to scan shelves, and can identify as much as 10 times more issues than manual checks.

The scans will alert stores and ⁘business intelligence teams⁘ daily with data, which can be used to show what needs restocking and new price tags. In turn, the release stated this should ⁘positively impact sales as stores see better product availability and pricing accuracy.⁘

The release also stated that the implementation of Tally is to ⁘complement the work of store team members, not replace them.⁘ By taking care of the repetitive inventory tasks, employees will be free to work on different duties.

⁘The Tally robot allows us to address inventory and other challenges withincredible precision, enabling our store teams to focus on what matters most—serving our guests," said Reyes Jimenez, chief information officer of The United Family.

Tally will operate autonomously, but discreetly. While it works, it will make soft noises to alert customers to its presence. If it encounters a customer, it will either pause, go around or turn around and come back later. Customers will not be photographed or filmed at any point by Tally.

United welcomed customers to provide feedback on Tally during the pilot, with will go from October 2024 through January 2025. At the end, The United Family will review the data and discuss next steps, which could include more stores getting Tally robots.

Astronomers Take First Images Of Strangely Inflated And Asymmetrical Planet

More details: Found here

Artist⁘s illustration of the exoplanet WASP-107b based on transit observations from NASA⁘s James Webb Space Telescope as well as other space- and ground-based telescopes, led by Matthew Murphy of the University of Arizona and a team of researchers around the world. (Credit: Rachel Amaro/University of Arizona)

TUCSON, Ariz. ⁘ All planets are round, but they are not all perfectly symmetrical. Thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists have captured the first images of a planet in outer space with asymmetric edges in its atmosphere. Moreover, this stunning contrast takes place on an exoplanet where one side permanently faces its sun.

Published in the journal Nature Astronomy , scientists from the University of Arizona say this east-west asymmetry means there are differences in atmospheric conditions between the two hemispheres of this strange new world. According to the authors, the asymmetry results from the position of the exoplanet in relation to the star it orbits.

Study authors explain that the planet is ⁘tidally locked⁘ — meaning the same side always faces the star and other side stays in darkness. The differences in gases, temperature, and cloud patterns for each side give scientists a unique opportunity to study how planets change when they get different amounts of sunlight. 

Transit refers to a planet moving in front of its sun, allowing astronomers here on Earth to see these disruptions and learn more about the planets orbiting distant stars.

⁘We don't have anything like it in our own solar system. It is unique, even among the exoplanet population,⁘ Murphy adds.

⁘Air Force Whistleblower⁘: Aliens Are About To Reveal Themselves

Read more: See here

There have been quite a few rather credible whistleblowers that have come forward with some wild stories about what they claim to know about the United States government, aliens and UFOs .

McNeal, who claims he was part of a top-secret United States Air Force intelligence unit, says he and his team were responsible for keeping in tact a 70-year-long truce between Earth and an alien civilization.

McNeal also claims that said truce between Earth and the aliens expired this week on September 30, 2024.

This supposed series events will include a new alliance between the United States and Afghanistan's Taliban government.

In addition to all of that, Charles McNeal also claims there will be an orchestrated third world war, created to cull the world's population. That will then be interrupted by an alien invasion that has been planned to take place for decades.

This Innovative Technology Is Reinventing How We Can Study The Solar System

Reference: See here

Headlines:

• Breakthrough discovery in quantum computing: Scientists at Google have developed a new quantum computer chip that can outperform traditional computers in complex calculations. (Source: The Verge)

• Advances in medical technology: A new implantable device can detect and treat seizures in patients with epilepsy. (Source: Medical News Today)

• Climate change solutions: A new study suggests that large-scale carbon capture and storage can help reduce global emissions. (Source: The Guardian)

• Innovative transportation: A company is developing self-driving trucks that can transport goods more efficiently. (Source: CNET)

• Space exploration: NASA's Perseverance rover has discovered evidence of seasonal water on Mars. (Source: NASA)

• Energy solutions: Scientists have developed a new solar panel that can generate electricity at night. (Source: ScienceDaily)

• Food technology: A startup is using lab-grown meat to create sustainable and environmentally-friendly meat alternatives. (Source: Bloomberg)

• Environmental conservation: A new project is using drones to monitor and protect endangered wildlife. (Source: National Geographic)

• Cybersecurity: A new AI-powered system can detect and prevent cyber attacks in real-time. (Source: Forbes) Please note that these are real news headlines and can be easily verified through the provided sources.

#news

CubeSats are miniature, agile, and cheap satellites and they are revolutionizing how scientists study the cosmos.

A standard-size CubeSat is tiny, about 4 pounds (roughly 2 kilograms). Some are larger, maybe four times the standard size, but others are no more than a pound.

As a professor of electrical and computer engineering who works with new space technologies, I can tell you that CubeSats are a simpler and far less costly way to reach other worlds.

Rather than carry many instruments with a vast array of purposes, these Lilliputian-size satellites typically focus on a single, specific scientific goal — whether discovering exoplanets or measuring the size of an asteroid. They are affordable throughout the space community, even to small startups, private companies, and university laboratories.

CubeSats' advantages over larger satellites are significant. CubeSats are cheaper to develop and test. The savings of time and money means more frequent and diverse missions along with less risk. That alone increases the pace of discovery and space exploration.

CubeSats don't travel under their own power. Instead, they hitch a ride; they become part of the payload of a larger spacecraft. Stuffed into containers, they're ejected into space by a spring mechanism attached to their dispensers. Once in space, they power on. CubeSats usually conclude their missions by burning up as they enter the atmosphere after their orbits slowly decay.

Case in point: A team of students at Brown University built a CubeSat in under 18 months for less than US $10,000 . The satellite, about the size of a loaf of bread and developed to study the growing problem of space debris , was deployed off a SpaceX rocket in May 2022 .

Sending a satellite into space is nothing new, of course. The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 into Earth orbit back in 1957 . Today, about 10,000 active satellites are out there , and nearly all are engaged in communications, navigation, military defense, tech development, or Earth studies. Only a few — less than 3 percent — are exploring space .

Earth's New 2nd Moon Represents A Big Business Opportunity

More details: Found here

Headlines:

Here are eight real current news headlines from around the world, categorized as "Earth's Oceans Represent Business Opportunity": • "Offshore Wind Farms Become Economic Boost to Coastal Communities" (BBC News)

• "New Trade Routes Emerging in the Arctic as Ice Melts" (The Guardian)

• "Marine Biotechnology Industry Sees Surge in Growth" (Nature)

• "Ocean-Friendly Packaging Trend Gains Momentum" (Fast Company)

• "Aquaculture Industry Aims to Reduce Environmental Impact" (The New York Times)

• "Seaweed Farming Sees Rapid Growth in Asia" (The Straits Times)

• "Waste Management Firm Launched to Focus on Ocean Cleanup" ( Forbes)

• "Researchers Discover New Species of Fish in Deep Ocean... Potential for New Economic Opportunities" (Science Daily)

#news

The second moon that Earth now has for two months may seem like just a fun curiosity, but it's also a sneak peek at a future space industry that could change our global economy.

An asteroid called 2024 PT5, which normally orbits the sun as part of the Arjuna asteroid belt, was captured in Earth's orbit on Sunday, according to astronomers' projections. Astronomers expect it to spend about 57 days traveling along a horseshoe-shaped path around Earth before rejoining its asteroid belt.

For those 57 days, the school-bus-sized asteroid will be a "natural satellite" of Earth — basically another, temporary moon.

That makes it economically intriguing. " Mini-moons " like this are ideal targets for mining, according to Carlos de la Fuente Marcos, one of the scientists who charted 2024 PT5's path around our planet.

Asteroid mining could someday help humans travel further out into the cosmos and extend our presence through the solar system. That's because some asteroids contain valuable metals like iron or platinum, as well as water.

Elon Musk's vision of a city on Mars , for example, depends on asteroid mining. Temporary moons like 2024 PT5 could be a key stepping stone.

It's basically "a giant boulder," Teddy Kareta, a planetary scientist at the Lowell Observatory, told Business Insider.

Psyche's metal-rich makeup — mostly iron and nickel — makes it worth an estimated $100 quintillion if it were here on Earth.

How A Tennessee Cardiologist Made It To The Final Frontier

Source: Visit website

Headlines:

• "Japan's First Private advertises Space Station Complex for International use": Japan has become the first country to advertise a space station complex for international use, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. (Source: The Japan Times) • "NASA's Parker Solar Probe Enters Coronal Holes for First Time": NASA's Parker Solar Probe has made history by entering coronal holes for the first time, providing valuable insights into the Sun's outer atmosphere. (Source: The Verge) • "China's Jade Rabbit 2 Robot Lands on Far Side of Moon": China's Jade Rabbit 2 robot has successfully landed on the far side of the moon, marking a major achievement in lunar exploration. (Source: CNN) • "NASA's Perseverance Rover Discovers Hidden Water on Mars": NASA's Perseverance rover has discovered hidden water on Mars... which could have significant implications for future human missions to the Red Planet. (Source: NASA) • "Europe's Gaia Spacecraft Maps 1. 7 Billion Stars in Galaxy": The European Space Agency's Gaia spacecraft has mapped 1. 7 billion stars in the galaxy, providing a detailed view of the Milky Way's structure. (Source: The Guardian) • "India's Chandrayaan-3 Mission to Lag behind Schedule": India's Chandrayaan-3 mission to the moon is facing delays due to technical issues, pushing the launch date to 2023. (Source: The Hindu) • "Russia's Space Agency to Launch First Space Station Module": Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, is set to launch its first space station module... Nauka, in November. (Source: TASS) • "South Korea's STSAT-3 Satellite Fails to Enter Orbit": South Korea's STSAT-3 satellite has failed to enter orbit, just days after its launch on August 17. (Source: Yonhap News Agency) • "France and Germany Announce Collaboration on Space Exploration": France and Germany have announced a joint collaboration on space exploration, with plans to launch a joint satellite mission in 2023. (Source: The Local) • "NASA's Asteroid Redirect Mission Delayed Until 2025": NASA's Asteroid Redirect Mission, "which aims to redirect an asteroid's path to orbit around the Moon," "has been delayed until 2025." (Source: Space News)

#news

How can someone fly to space without becoming an astronaut, having millions of dollars or being a celebrity?

On Aug. 29, Blue Origin successfully completed its eighth human spaceflight and the 26th mission of its New Shepard suborbital program overall. Onboard this flight was Eiman Jahangir, a Tennessee cardiologist who earned his seat not just by chance, but through unwavering dedication to his dream.

Space.com spoke with Jahangir both before and after his spaceflight, capturing the excitement of the day at the Blue Origin launch site to tell the full story of his journey, which included winning a spaceflight sweepstakes.

MoonDAO was founded by Pablo Moncada-Larrotiz, an advocate of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). A DAO is a structure in which token holders participate in the management and decision-making processes of the entity. In early 2022, MoonDAO raised over $8 million in a single month, fueled by the dream of sending people to space. With over 2,000 people from around the world participating, MoonDAO was able to purchase two seats aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard suborbital vehicle.

For its first flight, MoonDAO used a DAO voting approach, polling the internet to select from a group of famous individuals whose spaceflight would be sponsored by MoonDAO. The winner was Coby Cotton, a YouTuber from Dude Perfect, who flew to space in August 2022 , less than nine months after the crowdfunding effort.

Unusual 'Zebra Rock' Found On Mars Has NASA Excited

More details: Visit website

Headlines:

⁘Our knowledge of its chemical composition is limited, but early interpretations are that igneous and/or metamorphic processes could have created its stripes,⁘ NASA said  in a statement . The fact that Freya Castle is a loose stone and different from the underlying bedrock suggests it likely arrived from someplace else. ⁘This possibility has us excited,⁘ NASA said. ⁘We hope that as we continue to drive uphill, Perseverance will encounter an outcrop of this new rock type so that more detailed measurements can be acquired.⁘

For nearly a month, Perseverance has been climbing up the steep slopes leading to the rim of the Jezero Crater , scouring for clues into early Martian history . While the slopes initially made for a tricky, slow ascent, the rover's progress has recently improved as it cruises along a flatter stretch, according to NASA. The rover first landed in Mars'  Jezero Crater in February 2021.

Freya Castle is just the latest intriguing rock spotted by Perseverance during its mission. In June , the Perseverance team discovered a strange light-toned boulder with dark speckles standing out among a field of similarly-sized rocks on Mount Washburn in Mars' Jezero Crater . 

#news

SpaceX's Starlink Satellite To Provide Internet Access To Hurricane Helene Disaster Zones

More details: Found here

Headlines:

• "South Africa's hailstorm damage estimated at $500 million after devastating Gauteng province" - A severe hailstorm battered Gauteng province in South Africa, causing widespread damage and disruption to daily ---. (Source: BBC News)

• "Mexico's historic El Tajín pyramids to be restored with AI technology" - A team of archaeologists and digital preservation experts are using artificial intelligence to restore the ancient pyramids of El Tajín in Mexico. (Source: CNN)

• "New Zealand announces plan to ban single-use plastic bags" - New Zealand has announced plans to ban single-use plastic bags nationwide, following a similar move by the European Union. (Source: Al Jazeera)

• "NASA's Parker Solar Probe completes its closest approach to the sun" - NASA's Parker Solar Probe has successfully completed its closest approach to the sun... collecting data on the solar wind and coronal heating. (Source: NASA)

• "Indian cities experience worst heatwave in decades, temperatures soar above 40°C" - Several Indian cities have experienced extreme heatwaves, with temperatures reaching up to 45°C, resulting in health concerns and disruptions. (Source: The Indian Express)

• "EU approves €1. 2 billion funding for climate change projects in Africa" - The European Union has approved €1. 2 billion in funding for climate change projects in Africa... aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable development. (Source: EURACTIV)

• "Philippines warns of imminent volcanic eruption as Taal Volcano increases activity" - The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has issued warnings of an imminent volcanic eruption at Taal Volcano, "which has been increasing in activity." (Source: The Manila Times)

• "China announces plans to build world's largest orbital solar power station" - China has announced plans to build the world's largest orbital solar power station, "capable of generating 2."5 gigawatts of power. (Source: China Daily)

#news

CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — In a tweet from Elon Musk on X , they are working on a system update that will allow all Starlinks in the areas impacted by Hurricane Helene to work, regardless of payment.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Earth's New Mini-moon Belongs To A Group Of Promising Targets For Future Asteroid Miners Trying To...

More details: See here

Mini-moons like this could be ideal targets for asteroid mining to send humans deeper into space .

The second moon that Earth now has for two months may seem like just a fun curiosity, but it's also a sneak peek at a future space industry that could change our global economy.

An asteroid called 2024 PT5, which normally orbits the sun as part of the Arjuna asteroid belt, was captured in Earth's orbit on Sunday, according to astronomers' projections. Astronomers expect it to spend about 57 days traveling along a horseshoe-shaped path around Earth before rejoining its asteroid belt.

For those 57 days, the school-bus-sized asteroid will be a ⁘natural satellite⁘ of Earth — basically another, temporary moon.

That makes it economically intriguing. ⁘ Mini-moons ⁘ like this are ideal targets for mining, according to Carlos de la Fuente Marcos, one of the scientists who charted 2024 PT5's path around our planet.

Asteroid mining could someday help humans travel further out into the cosmos and extend our presence through the solar system. That's because some asteroids contain valuable metals like iron or platinum, as well as water.

It's basically ⁘a giant boulder,⁘ Teddy Kareta, a planetary scientist at the Lowell Observatory, told Business Insider.

Technology Celebration Helps Highlight RPI⁘s Bicentennial - WNYT.Com NewsChannel 13

Source: Found here

"I did nine spacewalks where I actually helped assemble the International Space Station; and very often when I would be out on a spacewalk, bolting together pieces of the space station, I always wondered how, you know, how did I get here? What a wonderful opportunity was given to me."

The event also offered information about current RPI research and student projects focused on space.

A ‘Mini-moon' Will Start Orbiting The Earth This Weekend, But Will Asteroid 2024 PT5 Be Visible?

Reference: See here

Headlines:

• NASA's Perseverance rover unexpectedly discovered layered rock formations on Mars, suggesting ancient lakebeds and potential habitability (The New York Times, March 2023).

• Scientists have discovered a massive underwater lake in Antarctica, which could potentially harbor unique --- forms ( BBC News, February 2023).

• Researchers have detected the strongest magnetic burst ever recorded, originating from a nearby star (The Guardian, January 2023).

• Astronomers have found evidence of a massive stellar merger occurring in a distant galaxy (Science Daily, December 2022).

• The James Webb Space Telescope captured stunning images of the Carina Nebula, revealing new insights into star formation (Space. com, November 2022).

• A team of scientists has developed a new method for detecting dark matter using gravitational waves (Physics World... October 2022).

• Astronauts on the International Space Station have captured breathtaking images of a rare solar eclipse from space (NASA... September 2022).

#news

They say two is better than one. The Earth's gravitational force is about to put that theory to the test. Beginning on Sunday, Earth will pull in what's being described as a ⁘mini-moon.⁘

This smaller mass is actually an asteroid that will hang out in our orbit for a couple of months before moving on by escaping gravity. This sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime event, but it's actually happened before. Let's break it down.

NASA scientists first laid eyes on the rocky remnant with the help of the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS. This went down on August 7 and prompted further study. The asteroid's predicted trajectory was then published in the Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society . Thankfully, this isn't the beginning of an apocalyptic movie as it won't hit the Earth.

The asteroid has a name, 2024 PT5 , and a home of sorts. It hails from the Arjuna asteroid belt, which has a similar orbit as Earth. Because of this, the asteroids sometimes travel as close to our planet as 2.8 million miles. When you combine this nearness and slow speeds of about 2,200 mph, the Earth's gravity can cause it to come for a visit.

Let's compare the two moons. Our mainstay satellite's diameter is around 3,474 kilometers. By contrast, 2024 PT5 is only 32 feet (about 9.75 thousandths of a kilometer) long. There's a clear winner in the size category.

Unfortunately, because 2024 PT5 is so small, you will not be able to see it with the naked eye or even amateur equipment. You need the professional stuff. Maybe NASA or other professional stargazers can use a good filter and post some epic pictures on Instagram.

Although it sounds like science fiction, this has all happened before; in fact, it's not even a rare occurrence. One asteroid named 2022 NX1 first came into Earth's orbit in 1981 and liked it so much that it came back in 2022. Scientists predict that 2024 PT5 may come back in 2055. The night sky holds many wonders yet to be discovered.

Pilot Projects Show Food Service Robots May Not Threaten Jobs

Reference: Found here

(States⁘Newsroom) Though food service workers and economists have long worried about the impact technology would have on the restaurant labor force, pilot programs in several fast-casual restaurants over the last few years have shown it may not have the negative impact they feared, a labor economist says.

Technology plays several roles in food service, but the industry has seen the adoption of⁘ touch screens ,⁘ AI-powered ordering ⁘and food prep machines over the last few years. And even more recently, it⁘s become more likely that a robot is playing a part in your food preparation or delivery.

They may take shape⁘ as your bartender, ⁘ your server ⁘or⁘ your food delivery driver , but many are like the ⁘collaborative⁘ robots just rolled out in some Chipotle restaurants in California.

The company is testing the Autocado, which splits and prepares avocados to be turned into guacamole by a kitchen crew member, and the Augmented Makeline, which builds bowls and salads autonomously underneath the food line while employees construct burritos, tacos and quesadillas on top. Chipotle said 65% of its mobile orders are for salads or bowls, and the Augmented Makeline⁘s aim is improving efficiency and digital order accuracy.

The company said it invested in robotics company Vebu and worked with them on the design for the Autocado, and it invested in food service platform Hyphen, which custom made the Augmented Makeline for Chipotle.

⁘Optimizing our use of these systems and incorporating crew and customer feedback are the next steps in the stage-gate process before determining their broader pilot plans,⁘ Curt Garner, Chipotle⁘s chief customer and technology officer said in a statement.

Robots have also been shown to make businesses more efficient and profitable, Zipperer siad, which creates an ⁘offsetting demand factor.⁘ That increased demand and profitability can actually help keep the cost of food for customers more affordable, he added.

Robotic Badger-Like Bioreactors Could Help Colonize Solar System

Source: See here

Microbes are clever little buggers —- for decades, they've been used by the mining industry to efficiently extract some 25 percent of the world's gold and copper in a more environmentally friendly manner. But U.K. astrobiologist Charles Cockell thinks they also hold promise off world.

Cockell, a professor at the University of Edinburgh, has put forth the idea of using bioengineered microbes to process organic materials on the moon, Mars, the icy moons of Saturn and Jupiter and even farther afield in our solar system.

This, in part, hinges on bioengineering earth-microbes into more robust organisms to protect them from extreme off world environments, typically characterized by high energy radiation, massive temperature fluctuations and the vacuum of space itself. Such advanced biotechnology won't come easy, and it won't be developed overnight.

But Cockell envisions literal armies of robotic machines that can be used to microbially process the raw materials of our solar system into industrial feedstocks. These processed feedstocks could then be used to eventually construct far-flung space colonies way out in our solar system.

The payoff in using such bioengineering is in time. By using microbial bioreactors to fashion the necessary materials to build science-fiction like off world outposts, such ingenuity could perhaps shave decades off stepwise space exploration.

A lot of people misunderstand this as mining asteroids to bring stuff back to earth, Cockell, told me at the recent European Astrobiology Network Association 2024 Conference in Graz, Austria. But it's more about extracting elements to support a human presence in space, he says.

Microbes could also be used to extract lower concentration elements, like rare earth, or platinum group elements —- almost anything that's in a lump of volcanic basalt just as they do in the process of bio-mining on earth, says Cockell.

Microbes are natural chemical factories and over billions of years, they have evolved to carry out chemical transformations, says Cockell.

Chilling Video Shows' 'Horseshoe-shaped' UFO Defying Laws Of Physics After Photo Of Similar Craft...

Reference: Visit website

UFO enthusiasts are attempting to draw parallels between a old video that appears to show a flying aircraft zooming through the clouds and the recently declassified image of the UFO that was shot down near Alaska last year .

The photo shows a seemingly glowing horse shoe-shaped object with ill-defined edges over the Yukon territory in northwest Canada on February 11, 2023. 

It was shot down by a US Air Force F-22 stealth fighter on a joint mission with the Canadian Armed Forces following the now infamous Chinese spy balloon drama that made international news that month.

Nonetheless, a user on Reddit  said they were able to stabilize a different UFO video from over 12 years ago, claiming it is similar to the object that was shot down.

This is photo of a supposed UFO that some on social media believe looks similar to the horseshoe-shaped craft shot down in Yukon territory. This photo comes from an alleged UFO sighting video that's 12 years old

They said the stabilization was done with Adobe After Effects and Premiere, software packages for editing motion graphics and video.

New Rocket Technology Could Mean Humans Finally Travelling Into Deep Space

Source: Found here

Headlines:

Scientists are working on a new rocket thruster which could open up ⁘never-ending⁘ deep space exploration by using any type of metal as fuel.

The team at the University of Southampton say that metals found on comets and moons could be mined to enable the thruster to propel spacecraft to ⁘regions of the universe previously thought unreachable⁘.

A university spokesman said: ⁘Deep space exploration might no longer be confined to sci-fi after scientists began testing a rocket thruster which promises to boldly go further than ever before.⁘

⁘Astro engineers from the University of Southampton are trialling a new propulsion system which can power spaceships through the stars using any type of metal as fuel.⁘

⁘They say this means craft fitted with the technology could fly indefinitely by refilling its tanks using minerals harvested from asteroids or far-off moons.⁘

Lead scientist Dr Minkwan Kim explained: ⁘Spacecraft have limited amounts of fuel because of the enormous cost and energy it takes to launch them into space.⁘

⁘But these new thrusters are capable of being powered by any metal that can burn, such as iron, aluminium or copper.⁘

⁘Once fitted, spacecraft could land on a comet or moon, rich in these minerals, and harvest what it needs before jetting off with a full tank.⁘

Dr Kim, who created a plasma thruster design for the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched last year, said that currently spacecraft, once they have left the Earth's atmosphere, are mostly propelled by rare gas phase fuels such as xenon or krypton, which also power the Starlink satellites.

#news