Evidence of Liquid Water Found Deep Beneath Mars’ Surface, Advancing Search for Life A recent study using data from NASA’s Mars InSight lander has provided compelling evidence of liquid water far below the surface of Mars. This discovery marks a significant step forward in the ongoing search for life on the Red Planet. It also offers clues about what may have happened to Mars’ ancient oceans. Insights from Mars InSight Lander The Mars InSight lander, which has been stationed on the planet since 2018, has played a crucial role in this discovery. Over four years, the lander collected seismic data,…
Author: Aditya Lenka
Chinese Envoy Calls U.S. AI Investment Curbs Harmful The U.S. targeting of investments in artificial intelligence (AI) in China is unhelpful for the “healthy development” of AI technology and divisive for global governance, said China’s U.N. envoy on Monday, July 1. U.S. Draft Rules on AI Investments Last month, the United States issued draft rules aimed at banning or requiring notification of certain investments in AI and other technology sectors in China. The goal is to prevent threats to U.S. national security. China’s Response to U.S. Sanctions “We are firmly opposed to these sanctions,” stated China’s U.N. Ambassador Fu Cong.…
Meta and Apple Discuss Integrating AI Models Facebook’s parent company, Meta Platforms (META.O), is in discussions to integrate its generative AI model into Apple’s (AAPL.O) newly announced AI system for iPhones, according to the Wall Street Journal. This move aligns with Apple’s strategy to incorporate technology from various AI companies into its devices. Notably, Apple has been considering a potential partnership with Alphabet’s (GOOGL.O) Google, its long-time search partner. Broader AI Integration Plans Apple is reportedly seeking partnerships with AI firms globally, including in regions like China, where Microsoft-backed (MSFT.O) OpenAI’s ChatGPT is banned. Discussions are underway with AI startup…
Newly Identified Dinosaur Lokiceratops Rangiformis Found in Montana About 78 million years ago, in what is now the badlands of northern Montana, a unique dinosaur lived in a subtropical coastal plain. This newly identified dinosaur, named Lokiceratops rangiformis, resembled a rhinoceros but sported an elaborate set of horns on its head. Discovery and Characteristics Lokiceratops measured about 22 feet (6.7 meters) long and weighed around 5-1/2 tons. It used a powerful beak to browse on low-growing vegetation, such as ferns and flowering plants. The dinosaur had two curving horns over 16 inches (40 cm) long above its eyes, small horns…
Joro Spiders Spreading Across the U.S. Eastern Seaboard Joro spiders, known for their size comparable to a human hand, are spreading across the U.S. Eastern Seaboard and heading north. Origins and Appearance The East Asian species is named after the mythical Japanese creature Jorogumo, which can transform into a beautiful woman and trap men with silk. Joro spiders have blue-black and yellow stripes, long legs, and sometimes a splash of red. Although they look terrifying, they are quite shy. “They’re not dangerous. They’re not aggressive. Even if you go after the spider and harass it to such an extent that…
China’s Chang’e-6 to Bring Back Key Lunar Samples from Far Side https://youtu.be/gZKITO2vLlU China’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe is poised to make its historic return journey from the moon’s far side, carrying samples that scientists hope will shed light on the early evolution of the solar system. Launched on May 3 from Hainan province, Chang’e-6 is named after the mythical Chinese moon goddess. The fully robotic probe landed in the South-Pole Aitken Basin, a gigantic impact crater on the moon’s far side, which permanently faces away from Earth. This region has never been explored before. In December 2020, China’s Chang’e-5 mission collected…
A collaborative European-Japanese climate research satellite, EarthCARE, was successfully launched into orbit from California on Tuesday. This satellite aims to study Earth’s temperature balance. https://youtu.be/19RHUNNOwt8 Successful Launch The EarthCARE satellite, short for Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer, lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 3:20 p.m. atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The satellite was deployed approximately 10 minutes after launch, according to SpaceX’s webcast. EarthCARE Mission Objectives EarthCARE is equipped with four advanced instruments designed to study the interactions between clouds, aerosols, and radiation. These instruments will help scientists understand how clouds and aerosols reflect solar radiation…
Impact on Emissions and Supply Chains A recent surge in attacks on ships travelling through the Red Sea is causing significant disruptions for shipping companies. This situation forces many vessels to take longer alternative routes, significantly increasing carbon dioxide emissions. Companies already grappling with reducing their climate-warming emissions now face additional challenges due to these detours. The necessity to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, instead of passing through the Suez Canal, adds considerable distance to each journey. This increase in distance directly leads to higher emissions. For example, a container ship travelling from Shanghai to Hamburg now…
North Korea’s recent satellite launch exploded shortly after lift-off, crashing into the Yellow Sea. Despite the failure, analysts believe it demonstrates significant progress in the country’s space ambitions. Details of the Launch Failure The satellite launch failed during the rocket’s first stage, which used a new “liquid oxygen and petroleum engine.” State media KCNA reported an initial analysis suggested the new liquid-fuel rocket motor might have caused the failure, though other possibilities are under investigation. Analysts speculate the rocket used for this launch was different from the Chollima-1 rocket, which had several explosive test failures before its successful launch in…
Bright Comet Fragment Illuminates Skies Over Spain and Portugal A bright fragment of a comet lit up the skies over parts of Spain and Portugal late on Saturday, according to the European Space Agency (ESA). The dazzling display captivated many, with one Lisbon resident describing the experience as “feeling like a movie”. Spectacular Display Captured On Sunday morning, the ESA shared a video on X (formerly Twitter), captured by its “fireball camera”, showing a “stunning meteor” over the western Spanish city of Caceres, near the Portuguese border. However, the ESA later clarified that the object was likely a “small piece…