Asteroid to hit Earth in August 2046 - Emergency IPCC UN panel formed

Scientists have today revealed that thanks to new radar imaging system, a 20 km-wide asteroid is on a probable collision course with earth and they calculate it has an 85% probability of striking the planet between 23-25 August, 2046. Observers from centers in Chile to Finland have confirmed the observations and are urging governments worldwide to begin efforts to avoid a global catastrophe. The plan is to mobilize industry and research together into an effort to deflect the asteroid before a collision. Briefed earlier in special meetings, the UN has formed an Intergovernmental Panel on Cosmic Catastrophe (IPCC), to consider options and advise governments. The asteroid is of a similar size to that associated with the dinosaur extinction.

Cranky uncles

Cartoon by John Cook, https://crankyuncles.com/

The plan however has immediately run into opposition from of dozens of retired scientists and bloggers.

“This is just alarmist talk based in computer models. So far there is no solution to the 3-body problem in gravity and this is clearly a much more complicated N-body problem. The system is chaotic and tiny errors in measurement will blow the computer models away” said Prof Al Kaos. He dismissed the accuracy with which solar orbits are determined and navigation of planetary rockets. “The dirty secret is that they are making course corrections all the time. Tell me how Hyperion will look next year before telling me where an asteroid will be in 2046”. Scientists acknowledged some uncertainty but have stuck to their probability estimate.

Uncertainty is always our friend

“There is just so much uncertainty” said Emeritus Prof J Spicey. “Orbital measurements are complex. Telescopes need constant correction and disputes about celestial codes are famous. The critical inclination problem is still not solved and if the public were aware of the controversies concerning analytical and numerical approaches they would be far less likely to spend money on these alarmist proposals.” Blogger, A Wotts, cried FRAUD! "The scientists would make you believe that they have directly observed the asteroid and have simply applied newtonian physics. In fact, the observations have been ‘corrected’ for atmospheric refraction, telescope optics and more recently the expected track was "adjusted" for the influence of Jupiter and Saturn. Just look at the raw data - the asteroid misses by thousands of miles! They are just fiddling the data to push a global liberal agenda."

“All this alarmism depends on gravity” said Dr Richer Limpian “Fundamental to this, is the value of the gravitational constant and there is no resolution to determining its value yet” he said citing https://physicsworld.com/a/gravitational-constant-mystery-deepens-with-new-precision-measurements/ “I don’t think we should be wasting money on these hair-brained schemes until at least this has been sorted out.

Meanwhile the Flat earth society has vigorously campaigned for the disbandment of the IPCC. “All this poppy-cock is based on a fundamentally flawed cosmic model. Once you realize that all those telescopes are mounted on a flat earth, their calculated impact disappears” claimed their spokeswoman. She also expressed her frustration at getting Flat Earth papers published in regular journals. “It’s pal-review and they just throw out anything that would interrupt their nice gravy train”.

It's not bad

Other interests have claimed that a 20 km asteroid wasn’t that bad. “Sure it would be tough on those where it landed, but you know, the earth is mostly ocean and so it will likely just cause a big splash somewhere.  Only 0.00001% of earth's area will be directly hit. The suggested IPCC approach and its expense is out of all proportion to the danger. Asteroid impacts are a natural process. Without them we would still be fighting for space with dinosaurs.” Similar sentiments were echoed by Emeritus Prof Hopper who expressed dismay at what he terms "a smear on innocuous orbital bodies akin to attacks on the poor Jews by Hitler." Elaborating, Hopper asserted that "Earth is made of the same materials and without these we could not survive. This asteroid will only add a tiny fraction of additional life-sustaining mass to our home planet and should be welcomed, not feared."

It's too hard

The projected cost of solutions has sparked outrage among some business leaders. “Who is going to pay for all this? Taxpayers that’s who, and businesses who have enough problems without worrying about events in 2046. When we have a strong economy again, then we would support some extra money going into trying to refine the probability of impact but now isn’t the time”. When it was pointed out that time was short, the spokeperson angrily decried the proposals saying it was just government support for select industry sectors like rocketry at the expense of traditional industry. “Besides, there is no real consensus. In an open democracy, more weight should be given to contrarian views like the flat earth people. While I have always thought the earth was round, they do have some good points to make”.

Meanwhile, several prominent scientists including a nobel laureate biologist have noted that no technology was yet available to deflect the asteroid and “since when has spending time and money trying to solve problems ever achieved anything. We would be better off digging some deep caves”.

The usual suspects

President Trump tweeted that the "idea" of an asteroid "was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive." Speaking to reporters from a putting green at Mar-a-Lago, he said “I think we can be pretty sure it won't hit America, you know, it'll probably be someplace we're better off without—the moon? Kenya? I don't know, I'm not a scientist, but if I were, I wouldn't be saying these crazy things.” Meanwhile, a GOP spokeperson questioned whether it was appropriate for the U.S. government to contribute heavily to a rocket programme when scientists still couldn’t say whether the asteroid would hit the United States. "They can't even be sure it will hit Earth at all."

Dr. Sherfire Idiom, retired, pointed to a new scientific paper suggesting that a large asteroid by itself may have been insufficient to kill the dinosaurs. "Life is resilient, it finds a way. The evidence now shows that a giant asteroid is not an extinction-level event unless there's a combination of factors, such as major climate change, happening at the same time." There was no cause for alarm, he added, "because climate change is a hoax too."

School children went on strike today in support of the IPCC noting that their generation would be the ones dealing with a strike larger than one that possibly ended the dinosaurs.



from Skeptical Science https://ift.tt/2TM0TMr

Scientists have today revealed that thanks to new radar imaging system, a 20 km-wide asteroid is on a probable collision course with earth and they calculate it has an 85% probability of striking the planet between 23-25 August, 2046. Observers from centers in Chile to Finland have confirmed the observations and are urging governments worldwide to begin efforts to avoid a global catastrophe. The plan is to mobilize industry and research together into an effort to deflect the asteroid before a collision. Briefed earlier in special meetings, the UN has formed an Intergovernmental Panel on Cosmic Catastrophe (IPCC), to consider options and advise governments. The asteroid is of a similar size to that associated with the dinosaur extinction.

Cranky uncles

Cartoon by John Cook, https://crankyuncles.com/

The plan however has immediately run into opposition from of dozens of retired scientists and bloggers.

“This is just alarmist talk based in computer models. So far there is no solution to the 3-body problem in gravity and this is clearly a much more complicated N-body problem. The system is chaotic and tiny errors in measurement will blow the computer models away” said Prof Al Kaos. He dismissed the accuracy with which solar orbits are determined and navigation of planetary rockets. “The dirty secret is that they are making course corrections all the time. Tell me how Hyperion will look next year before telling me where an asteroid will be in 2046”. Scientists acknowledged some uncertainty but have stuck to their probability estimate.

Uncertainty is always our friend

“There is just so much uncertainty” said Emeritus Prof J Spicey. “Orbital measurements are complex. Telescopes need constant correction and disputes about celestial codes are famous. The critical inclination problem is still not solved and if the public were aware of the controversies concerning analytical and numerical approaches they would be far less likely to spend money on these alarmist proposals.” Blogger, A Wotts, cried FRAUD! "The scientists would make you believe that they have directly observed the asteroid and have simply applied newtonian physics. In fact, the observations have been ‘corrected’ for atmospheric refraction, telescope optics and more recently the expected track was "adjusted" for the influence of Jupiter and Saturn. Just look at the raw data - the asteroid misses by thousands of miles! They are just fiddling the data to push a global liberal agenda."

“All this alarmism depends on gravity” said Dr Richer Limpian “Fundamental to this, is the value of the gravitational constant and there is no resolution to determining its value yet” he said citing https://physicsworld.com/a/gravitational-constant-mystery-deepens-with-new-precision-measurements/ “I don’t think we should be wasting money on these hair-brained schemes until at least this has been sorted out.

Meanwhile the Flat earth society has vigorously campaigned for the disbandment of the IPCC. “All this poppy-cock is based on a fundamentally flawed cosmic model. Once you realize that all those telescopes are mounted on a flat earth, their calculated impact disappears” claimed their spokeswoman. She also expressed her frustration at getting Flat Earth papers published in regular journals. “It’s pal-review and they just throw out anything that would interrupt their nice gravy train”.

It's not bad

Other interests have claimed that a 20 km asteroid wasn’t that bad. “Sure it would be tough on those where it landed, but you know, the earth is mostly ocean and so it will likely just cause a big splash somewhere.  Only 0.00001% of earth's area will be directly hit. The suggested IPCC approach and its expense is out of all proportion to the danger. Asteroid impacts are a natural process. Without them we would still be fighting for space with dinosaurs.” Similar sentiments were echoed by Emeritus Prof Hopper who expressed dismay at what he terms "a smear on innocuous orbital bodies akin to attacks on the poor Jews by Hitler." Elaborating, Hopper asserted that "Earth is made of the same materials and without these we could not survive. This asteroid will only add a tiny fraction of additional life-sustaining mass to our home planet and should be welcomed, not feared."

It's too hard

The projected cost of solutions has sparked outrage among some business leaders. “Who is going to pay for all this? Taxpayers that’s who, and businesses who have enough problems without worrying about events in 2046. When we have a strong economy again, then we would support some extra money going into trying to refine the probability of impact but now isn’t the time”. When it was pointed out that time was short, the spokeperson angrily decried the proposals saying it was just government support for select industry sectors like rocketry at the expense of traditional industry. “Besides, there is no real consensus. In an open democracy, more weight should be given to contrarian views like the flat earth people. While I have always thought the earth was round, they do have some good points to make”.

Meanwhile, several prominent scientists including a nobel laureate biologist have noted that no technology was yet available to deflect the asteroid and “since when has spending time and money trying to solve problems ever achieved anything. We would be better off digging some deep caves”.

The usual suspects

President Trump tweeted that the "idea" of an asteroid "was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive." Speaking to reporters from a putting green at Mar-a-Lago, he said “I think we can be pretty sure it won't hit America, you know, it'll probably be someplace we're better off without—the moon? Kenya? I don't know, I'm not a scientist, but if I were, I wouldn't be saying these crazy things.” Meanwhile, a GOP spokeperson questioned whether it was appropriate for the U.S. government to contribute heavily to a rocket programme when scientists still couldn’t say whether the asteroid would hit the United States. "They can't even be sure it will hit Earth at all."

Dr. Sherfire Idiom, retired, pointed to a new scientific paper suggesting that a large asteroid by itself may have been insufficient to kill the dinosaurs. "Life is resilient, it finds a way. The evidence now shows that a giant asteroid is not an extinction-level event unless there's a combination of factors, such as major climate change, happening at the same time." There was no cause for alarm, he added, "because climate change is a hoax too."

School children went on strike today in support of the IPCC noting that their generation would be the ones dealing with a strike larger than one that possibly ended the dinosaurs.



from Skeptical Science https://ift.tt/2TM0TMr

April guide to the bright planets

Click the name of a planet to learn more about its visibility in April 2019: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and Mercury

Sky chart of the waning crescent moon and Venus

In late March and early April 2019, look for the waning crescent moon in the vicinity of Venus, the 3rd-brightest celestial body, after the sun and moon. Read more.

Sky chart of the moon, Venus and Mercury

On April 2, 2019 – especially at northerly latitudes – spotting the very thin crescent moon near Mercury will be difficult. From the Southern Hemisphere, it’ll be easier. Read more.

Mars is the only bright planet to appear in the April evening sky all month long. “Bright” might be an overstatement, as Mars fades from 1st-magnitude to 2nd-magnitude this month. In other words, before the end of this month, Mars will cease being as bright as the sky’s brightest stars. Still, Mars stays out until after nightfall. You should be able to spot this world in your western sky at nightfall and early evening.

Click here for recommended sky almanacs providing you with the setting times for Mars for your location.

The good news is that Mars is near the noticeable, dipper-shaped Pleiades star cluster and the bright red star Aldebaran for the first half of April 2019, as shown on the sky chart below.

Watch for the young crescent moon to shine in the vicinity of Mars on the evenings of April 8 and 9. The moon’s proximity might offer your best opportunity to catch Mars in the evening sky. Day by day, this planet is slowly but surely fading, and sinking closer to the afterglow of sunset.

Moon swing s by Mars and the Pleiades cluster

The young moon swings to the south of Mars on April 8 and 9, 2019. Read more.

Jupiter is the second-brightest planet after Venus, and this planet is now rising earlier in our sky, coming into view at late night. Click here for a recommended sky almanac telling you when Jupiter rises into your sky.

If you’re up during the predawn hours, you might notice a bright ruddy star in the vicinity of Jupiter on the sky’s dome. That’s Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion. Although Jupiter shines in the vicinity of Antares all year long, Jupiter can be seen to wander relative to this “fixed” star of the zodiac. Jupiter travels eastward, away from Antares, until April 10, 2019. Then, for a period of four months (April 10 to August 11, 2019), Jupiter actually moves in retrograde (or westward), closing the gap between itself and the star Antares. Midway through this retrograde, Jupiter will reach opposition on June 10, 2019, to shine at its brilliant best for the year.

From mid-northern latitudes, Jupiter rises around midnight (midway between sunset and sunrise) at the beginning of the month. By the month’s end, Jupiter rises a couple hours before the midnight hour.

From temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, Jupiter comes up around two hours before midnight at the beginning of the month. By the month’s end, Jupiter rises around 2 1/2 hours after sunset.

By early morning, the king planet reigns at the top of a morning lineup of three bright planets. Jupiter sits at top, Saturn in between, and Venus at the bottom. This procession of morning planets finds Jupiter rising first, at late night, followed by Saturn the the wee hours after midnight, and then by Venus near daybreak.

Watch for the waning crescent moon to swing by Jupiter on April 22 and 23, during the peak nights of the Lyrid meteor shower.

Sky chart of moon and planets

A bright waning gibbous moon will be swinging by Jupiter on April 22 and 23, the peak nights of the Lyrid meteor shower. Read more.

Saturn comes up up a few hours after Jupiter. Throughout the month, you can view Saturn in between the king planet Jupiter and the queen planet Venus as the morning darkness ebbs toward dawn.

Day by day throughout April, Saturn and Jupiter climb upward, away from the sunrise (unlike Venus, which is slowly sinking into the dawn). Saturn, although as bright as a 1st-magnitude star, pales in contrast to Venus and Jupiter.

From mid-northern latitudes, Saturn rises about two hours after midnight (midway between sunset and sunrise) in early April. By the month’s end, Saturn comes up around the midnight hour (1 a.m. daylight saving time).

From temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, Saturn rises around midnight in early April, and by the month’s end, comes up around two hours before the midnight hour. As a reminder, midnight in our usage means midway between sunset and sunrise.

Watch for the waning moon to be in the neighborhood of Saturn for a few days, centered on or near April 25, as shown on the sky chart below.

Sky chart of moon and morning planets

Are you an early riser? Then look for the moon in the vicinity of the planet Saturn for a few days, centered on on near April 25. Read more.

Venus is the brightest planet, beaming in the east before sunrise all month long. Watch for the waning crescent moon to join up with Venus in the morning sky for a few days, centered on or near April 1 – and then again on May 1.

Venus reached a milestone in the morning sky on January 6, 2019, as this blazing world showcased its greatest elongation from the sun. In other words, on that date, Venus was a maximum angular distance of 46 degrees west from the sun on our sky’s dome. Ever since, Venus has been slowly but surely sinking sunward.

Venus starts out the month at an elongation of 35 degrees west of the sun. It ends the month at 28 degrees west. Despite Venus being the same angular distance from the sun worldwide, Venus spends more time in the morning sky at more southerly latitudes.

In April, at mid-northern latitudes, Venus rises after the beginning of astronomical twilight (dawn’s first light); at temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, Venus comes up before the advent of astronomical twilight throughout April and May 2019.

Click here to find out when astronomical twilight comes to your sky, remembering to check the astronomical twilight box.

At mid-northern latitudes, Venus rises about 1 1/2 hours before sunrise in early April. By the month’s end, that’ll taper to about an hour.

At temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, Venus rises about 2 1/2 hours before sunup in early April. By the month’s end that’ll decrease to about 2 hours.

At the month’s end and early May, let the waning crescent moon serve as your guide to the planet Venus. See the sky chart for the morning spectacular below.

Sky chart of the moon and Venus

In late April and early May, seek for the waning crescent moon and the planet Venus at morning dawn. Read more..

Mercury, the innermost planet of the solar system, is in the morning sky all through April 2019. For the Southern Hemisphere, the month of April presents the best morning apparition of Mercury for the year. At northerly latitudes, this is the poorest morning appearance of Mercury for the year. From around the world, Venus shines somewhat close to Mercury on the sky’s dome, so you might be able to use Venus and binoculars to spot Mercury at dawn from northerly latitudes.

From the Southern Hemisphere, and the northern tropics, Mercury should be fairly easy to see with the unaided eye. Even from southerly latitudes, it works to your advantage to find an unobstructed horizon in the direction of sunrise for your Mercury quest.

At mid-northern latitudes, Mercury struggles to rise as much as one hour before the sun. In contrast, at temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, Mercury comes up before dawn’s first light (astronomical twilight) all through April 2019. The chart below is for the Southern Hemisphere, where Venus and Mercury are more easily seen in the morning sky.

The moon passes close to Mercury on or near April 2, and then again in early May.

MSky chart of the moon and morning planets in the Southern Hemisphere

The Southern Hemisphere has the great big advantage for catching the moon, Venus and Mercury in the morning sky. Read more.

What do we mean by bright planet? By bright planet, we mean any solar system planet that is easily visible without an optical aid and that has been watched by our ancestors since time immemorial. In their outward order from the sun, the five bright planets are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. These planets actually do appear bright in our sky. They are typically as bright as – or brighter than – the brightest stars. Plus, these relatively nearby worlds tend to shine with a steadier light than the distant, twinkling stars. You can spot them, and come to know them as faithful friends, if you try.

silhouette of man against the sunset sky with bright planet and crescent moon

Skywatcher, by Predrag Agatonovic.

Bottom line: In March, Mars shines in the evening sky all month long, whereas Venus, Jupiter and Saturn adorn the morning sky. Mercury appears in the evening sky in early March and then the morning sky in late March. Click here for recommended almanacs; they can help you know when the planets rise and set in your sky.

Don’t miss anything. Subscribe to EarthSky News by email

Visit EarthSky’s Best Places to Stargaze, and recommend a place we can all enjoy. Zoom out for worldwide map.

Help EarthSky keep going! Donate now.

Post your planet photos at EarthSky Community Photos



from EarthSky https://ift.tt/1YD00CF

Click the name of a planet to learn more about its visibility in April 2019: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and Mercury

Sky chart of the waning crescent moon and Venus

In late March and early April 2019, look for the waning crescent moon in the vicinity of Venus, the 3rd-brightest celestial body, after the sun and moon. Read more.

Sky chart of the moon, Venus and Mercury

On April 2, 2019 – especially at northerly latitudes – spotting the very thin crescent moon near Mercury will be difficult. From the Southern Hemisphere, it’ll be easier. Read more.

Mars is the only bright planet to appear in the April evening sky all month long. “Bright” might be an overstatement, as Mars fades from 1st-magnitude to 2nd-magnitude this month. In other words, before the end of this month, Mars will cease being as bright as the sky’s brightest stars. Still, Mars stays out until after nightfall. You should be able to spot this world in your western sky at nightfall and early evening.

Click here for recommended sky almanacs providing you with the setting times for Mars for your location.

The good news is that Mars is near the noticeable, dipper-shaped Pleiades star cluster and the bright red star Aldebaran for the first half of April 2019, as shown on the sky chart below.

Watch for the young crescent moon to shine in the vicinity of Mars on the evenings of April 8 and 9. The moon’s proximity might offer your best opportunity to catch Mars in the evening sky. Day by day, this planet is slowly but surely fading, and sinking closer to the afterglow of sunset.

Moon swing s by Mars and the Pleiades cluster

The young moon swings to the south of Mars on April 8 and 9, 2019. Read more.

Jupiter is the second-brightest planet after Venus, and this planet is now rising earlier in our sky, coming into view at late night. Click here for a recommended sky almanac telling you when Jupiter rises into your sky.

If you’re up during the predawn hours, you might notice a bright ruddy star in the vicinity of Jupiter on the sky’s dome. That’s Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion. Although Jupiter shines in the vicinity of Antares all year long, Jupiter can be seen to wander relative to this “fixed” star of the zodiac. Jupiter travels eastward, away from Antares, until April 10, 2019. Then, for a period of four months (April 10 to August 11, 2019), Jupiter actually moves in retrograde (or westward), closing the gap between itself and the star Antares. Midway through this retrograde, Jupiter will reach opposition on June 10, 2019, to shine at its brilliant best for the year.

From mid-northern latitudes, Jupiter rises around midnight (midway between sunset and sunrise) at the beginning of the month. By the month’s end, Jupiter rises a couple hours before the midnight hour.

From temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, Jupiter comes up around two hours before midnight at the beginning of the month. By the month’s end, Jupiter rises around 2 1/2 hours after sunset.

By early morning, the king planet reigns at the top of a morning lineup of three bright planets. Jupiter sits at top, Saturn in between, and Venus at the bottom. This procession of morning planets finds Jupiter rising first, at late night, followed by Saturn the the wee hours after midnight, and then by Venus near daybreak.

Watch for the waning crescent moon to swing by Jupiter on April 22 and 23, during the peak nights of the Lyrid meteor shower.

Sky chart of moon and planets

A bright waning gibbous moon will be swinging by Jupiter on April 22 and 23, the peak nights of the Lyrid meteor shower. Read more.

Saturn comes up up a few hours after Jupiter. Throughout the month, you can view Saturn in between the king planet Jupiter and the queen planet Venus as the morning darkness ebbs toward dawn.

Day by day throughout April, Saturn and Jupiter climb upward, away from the sunrise (unlike Venus, which is slowly sinking into the dawn). Saturn, although as bright as a 1st-magnitude star, pales in contrast to Venus and Jupiter.

From mid-northern latitudes, Saturn rises about two hours after midnight (midway between sunset and sunrise) in early April. By the month’s end, Saturn comes up around the midnight hour (1 a.m. daylight saving time).

From temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, Saturn rises around midnight in early April, and by the month’s end, comes up around two hours before the midnight hour. As a reminder, midnight in our usage means midway between sunset and sunrise.

Watch for the waning moon to be in the neighborhood of Saturn for a few days, centered on or near April 25, as shown on the sky chart below.

Sky chart of moon and morning planets

Are you an early riser? Then look for the moon in the vicinity of the planet Saturn for a few days, centered on on near April 25. Read more.

Venus is the brightest planet, beaming in the east before sunrise all month long. Watch for the waning crescent moon to join up with Venus in the morning sky for a few days, centered on or near April 1 – and then again on May 1.

Venus reached a milestone in the morning sky on January 6, 2019, as this blazing world showcased its greatest elongation from the sun. In other words, on that date, Venus was a maximum angular distance of 46 degrees west from the sun on our sky’s dome. Ever since, Venus has been slowly but surely sinking sunward.

Venus starts out the month at an elongation of 35 degrees west of the sun. It ends the month at 28 degrees west. Despite Venus being the same angular distance from the sun worldwide, Venus spends more time in the morning sky at more southerly latitudes.

In April, at mid-northern latitudes, Venus rises after the beginning of astronomical twilight (dawn’s first light); at temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, Venus comes up before the advent of astronomical twilight throughout April and May 2019.

Click here to find out when astronomical twilight comes to your sky, remembering to check the astronomical twilight box.

At mid-northern latitudes, Venus rises about 1 1/2 hours before sunrise in early April. By the month’s end, that’ll taper to about an hour.

At temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, Venus rises about 2 1/2 hours before sunup in early April. By the month’s end that’ll decrease to about 2 hours.

At the month’s end and early May, let the waning crescent moon serve as your guide to the planet Venus. See the sky chart for the morning spectacular below.

Sky chart of the moon and Venus

In late April and early May, seek for the waning crescent moon and the planet Venus at morning dawn. Read more..

Mercury, the innermost planet of the solar system, is in the morning sky all through April 2019. For the Southern Hemisphere, the month of April presents the best morning apparition of Mercury for the year. At northerly latitudes, this is the poorest morning appearance of Mercury for the year. From around the world, Venus shines somewhat close to Mercury on the sky’s dome, so you might be able to use Venus and binoculars to spot Mercury at dawn from northerly latitudes.

From the Southern Hemisphere, and the northern tropics, Mercury should be fairly easy to see with the unaided eye. Even from southerly latitudes, it works to your advantage to find an unobstructed horizon in the direction of sunrise for your Mercury quest.

At mid-northern latitudes, Mercury struggles to rise as much as one hour before the sun. In contrast, at temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, Mercury comes up before dawn’s first light (astronomical twilight) all through April 2019. The chart below is for the Southern Hemisphere, where Venus and Mercury are more easily seen in the morning sky.

The moon passes close to Mercury on or near April 2, and then again in early May.

MSky chart of the moon and morning planets in the Southern Hemisphere

The Southern Hemisphere has the great big advantage for catching the moon, Venus and Mercury in the morning sky. Read more.

What do we mean by bright planet? By bright planet, we mean any solar system planet that is easily visible without an optical aid and that has been watched by our ancestors since time immemorial. In their outward order from the sun, the five bright planets are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. These planets actually do appear bright in our sky. They are typically as bright as – or brighter than – the brightest stars. Plus, these relatively nearby worlds tend to shine with a steadier light than the distant, twinkling stars. You can spot them, and come to know them as faithful friends, if you try.

silhouette of man against the sunset sky with bright planet and crescent moon

Skywatcher, by Predrag Agatonovic.

Bottom line: In March, Mars shines in the evening sky all month long, whereas Venus, Jupiter and Saturn adorn the morning sky. Mercury appears in the evening sky in early March and then the morning sky in late March. Click here for recommended almanacs; they can help you know when the planets rise and set in your sky.

Don’t miss anything. Subscribe to EarthSky News by email

Visit EarthSky’s Best Places to Stargaze, and recommend a place we can all enjoy. Zoom out for worldwide map.

Help EarthSky keep going! Donate now.

Post your planet photos at EarthSky Community Photos



from EarthSky https://ift.tt/1YD00CF

NASA and Google partner on Mars exploration

A barren, red-walled canyon with water - perhaps an inlet from the surrounding sea - at its base.

Here’s one of the Mars-like wonders of Devon Island in the High Arctic, featured in Google’s new documentary short on the NASA Haughton-Mars Project. This earthly canyon – called Astronaut Canyon by scientists – was carved by glaciers and resembles some of the tributary canyons to Ius Chasma on Mars. Image via HMP/Pascal Lee/SETI Institute.

A crewed mission to Mars might be a long way off, but researchers are busy preparing, nonetheless. One of the best ways to prepare is by training scientists and testing new technologies in some of the most Mars-like locations on Earth, simulating the experience as much as possible.

On March 25, 2019, the Mars Institute and the SETI Institute jointly announced a new partnership between Google and NASA’s Haughton-Mars Project (HMP) to further the goal of human Mars exploration and the public’s understanding of it. Their focus is Devon Island in Nunavut, Canada, in the Arctic. Devon Island is one of the most Mars-like places that can be found on Earth and the single largest continuous area of barren rocky polar desert on Earth. The announcement was accompanied by the release of new public outreach products including Street View imagery; a Google Earth guided tour highlighting the Mars-like geology of Devon Island (Chrome browser needed); and a documentary short captured at NASA’s Haughton-Mars Project on the Google Pixel 3. Want an example? Highlights from Google Street View include:

Astronaut Canyon
Haughton Crater at View Hill
Haughton-Mars Project Base Camp
Von Braun Planitia: An Ancient Lake Bed
Haughton Crater at Breccia Cliffs

The new Google Earth guided tour of Devon Island and NASA’s facilities there is called Mars on Earth. It illustrates – via factual narrative – how Devon Island is similar to the “magnificent desolation” of Mars. Please note that Google Earth is optimized for Google’s Chrome browser and might not work with other browsers.

According to Pascal Lee, director of NASA HMP at Ames Research Center:

We are excited about this new partnership with Google on the Haughton-Mars Project and about the data products being released. They allow us to share with the world some of the Mars-like wonders of the site and the fieldwork that we do.

Map showing uppermost U.S., Canada and the location of Devon Island in the Canadian Arctic.

Devon Island (Inuit: Tatlurutit) is an island in Canada and the largest uninhabited island on Earth. It is located in Baffin Bay, Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut, Canada. Map and caption via Wikipedia.

Elongated buildings looking tiny against wide brown landscape.

Aerial view of the Haughton-Mars Project Research Station and surrounding desolate terrain on Devon Island. Image via Mars Institute.

Haughton-Mars Project Research Station, longish buildings radiating from larger center building.

Closer aerial view and map of Haughton-Mars Project Research Station. Image via Mars Institute.

Google captured its images in August 2018, when it took part in HMP’s 2018 summer field campaign as a new Education and Public Outreach partner.

The team also produced a 10-minute documentary called “Mars On Earth: A Visit to Devon Island,” filmed in HD using the Google Pixel 3 smartphone. The film provides an overview of the activities at Haughton-Mars Project Research Station (HMPRS) over a 10-day period. Also included in the documentary are flight tests and science application studies of NASA’s Mars Electric Reusable Flyer (MERF), an experimental aircraft for Mars exploration being developed at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. As Katja Minitsenka, leader of the Google team, noted:

We were very humbled by the opportunity to get a glimpse into the work planetary scientists are doing on Devon Island. Now we are thrilled to share the results of our time on the world’s largest uninhabited island with Google users.

Watch the film here:

According to Bill Diamond, President and CEO of the SETI Institute:

This new partnership between Google and the NASA Haughton-Mars Project, one of many groundbreaking research projects at the SETI Institute, is a beautiful example of how private industry and non-profits can come together to advance science, exploration, education and public outreach. Stay tuned for more in the near future.

The Haughton-Mars Project, by the way, is based at Devon Island’s Haughton Crater – a 12-mile-wide (20-km-wide) meteorite impact crater – and surrounding terrain. A leading international Mars analog field research project, HMP has conducted numerous field studies during its 22-year history.

Locations like Devon Island, or the Atacama Desert in Chile, are about the closest one can get to Mars-like extremely dry conditions on Earth, with little to no vegetation, rainfall or other moisture. As such, they are ideal places to conduct experiments and prepare for future human missions.

Brown Devon Island and Haughton Crater with circles indicating 100 and 200 kilometers from base.

Map of Devon Island with location of Haughton Crater. Image via NASA/HMP/Pascal Lee.

Four-wheeled rover with equipment sticking out of the top.

A K10 Black rover doing a site survey in Haughton Crater. Image via Matt Deans/NASA.

Large 4-wheel vehicles, one with jointed arm, other with two standing space suits.

Testing of analog pressurized rovers at Haughton-Mars Project Research Station on Devon Island. Left: field test with robotic arm. Right: test of rover equipped with two EVA suit ports for astronauts. Image via Mars Institute.

Aerial view of almost identical canyons on Devon Island and Mars.

Comparison of similar canyons on Devon Island and Mars. Left: Astronaut Canyon on Devon Island. Right: Ius Chasma on Mars. Image via Mars Institute.

Bottom line: The partnership between NASA and Google provides new and innovative ways to not only advance testing for human exploration of Mars, but also to share that adventure with the public at large.

Via SETI Institute



from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2Usv8N7
A barren, red-walled canyon with water - perhaps an inlet from the surrounding sea - at its base.

Here’s one of the Mars-like wonders of Devon Island in the High Arctic, featured in Google’s new documentary short on the NASA Haughton-Mars Project. This earthly canyon – called Astronaut Canyon by scientists – was carved by glaciers and resembles some of the tributary canyons to Ius Chasma on Mars. Image via HMP/Pascal Lee/SETI Institute.

A crewed mission to Mars might be a long way off, but researchers are busy preparing, nonetheless. One of the best ways to prepare is by training scientists and testing new technologies in some of the most Mars-like locations on Earth, simulating the experience as much as possible.

On March 25, 2019, the Mars Institute and the SETI Institute jointly announced a new partnership between Google and NASA’s Haughton-Mars Project (HMP) to further the goal of human Mars exploration and the public’s understanding of it. Their focus is Devon Island in Nunavut, Canada, in the Arctic. Devon Island is one of the most Mars-like places that can be found on Earth and the single largest continuous area of barren rocky polar desert on Earth. The announcement was accompanied by the release of new public outreach products including Street View imagery; a Google Earth guided tour highlighting the Mars-like geology of Devon Island (Chrome browser needed); and a documentary short captured at NASA’s Haughton-Mars Project on the Google Pixel 3. Want an example? Highlights from Google Street View include:

Astronaut Canyon
Haughton Crater at View Hill
Haughton-Mars Project Base Camp
Von Braun Planitia: An Ancient Lake Bed
Haughton Crater at Breccia Cliffs

The new Google Earth guided tour of Devon Island and NASA’s facilities there is called Mars on Earth. It illustrates – via factual narrative – how Devon Island is similar to the “magnificent desolation” of Mars. Please note that Google Earth is optimized for Google’s Chrome browser and might not work with other browsers.

According to Pascal Lee, director of NASA HMP at Ames Research Center:

We are excited about this new partnership with Google on the Haughton-Mars Project and about the data products being released. They allow us to share with the world some of the Mars-like wonders of the site and the fieldwork that we do.

Map showing uppermost U.S., Canada and the location of Devon Island in the Canadian Arctic.

Devon Island (Inuit: Tatlurutit) is an island in Canada and the largest uninhabited island on Earth. It is located in Baffin Bay, Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut, Canada. Map and caption via Wikipedia.

Elongated buildings looking tiny against wide brown landscape.

Aerial view of the Haughton-Mars Project Research Station and surrounding desolate terrain on Devon Island. Image via Mars Institute.

Haughton-Mars Project Research Station, longish buildings radiating from larger center building.

Closer aerial view and map of Haughton-Mars Project Research Station. Image via Mars Institute.

Google captured its images in August 2018, when it took part in HMP’s 2018 summer field campaign as a new Education and Public Outreach partner.

The team also produced a 10-minute documentary called “Mars On Earth: A Visit to Devon Island,” filmed in HD using the Google Pixel 3 smartphone. The film provides an overview of the activities at Haughton-Mars Project Research Station (HMPRS) over a 10-day period. Also included in the documentary are flight tests and science application studies of NASA’s Mars Electric Reusable Flyer (MERF), an experimental aircraft for Mars exploration being developed at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. As Katja Minitsenka, leader of the Google team, noted:

We were very humbled by the opportunity to get a glimpse into the work planetary scientists are doing on Devon Island. Now we are thrilled to share the results of our time on the world’s largest uninhabited island with Google users.

Watch the film here:

According to Bill Diamond, President and CEO of the SETI Institute:

This new partnership between Google and the NASA Haughton-Mars Project, one of many groundbreaking research projects at the SETI Institute, is a beautiful example of how private industry and non-profits can come together to advance science, exploration, education and public outreach. Stay tuned for more in the near future.

The Haughton-Mars Project, by the way, is based at Devon Island’s Haughton Crater – a 12-mile-wide (20-km-wide) meteorite impact crater – and surrounding terrain. A leading international Mars analog field research project, HMP has conducted numerous field studies during its 22-year history.

Locations like Devon Island, or the Atacama Desert in Chile, are about the closest one can get to Mars-like extremely dry conditions on Earth, with little to no vegetation, rainfall or other moisture. As such, they are ideal places to conduct experiments and prepare for future human missions.

Brown Devon Island and Haughton Crater with circles indicating 100 and 200 kilometers from base.

Map of Devon Island with location of Haughton Crater. Image via NASA/HMP/Pascal Lee.

Four-wheeled rover with equipment sticking out of the top.

A K10 Black rover doing a site survey in Haughton Crater. Image via Matt Deans/NASA.

Large 4-wheel vehicles, one with jointed arm, other with two standing space suits.

Testing of analog pressurized rovers at Haughton-Mars Project Research Station on Devon Island. Left: field test with robotic arm. Right: test of rover equipped with two EVA suit ports for astronauts. Image via Mars Institute.

Aerial view of almost identical canyons on Devon Island and Mars.

Comparison of similar canyons on Devon Island and Mars. Left: Astronaut Canyon on Devon Island. Right: Ius Chasma on Mars. Image via Mars Institute.

Bottom line: The partnership between NASA and Google provides new and innovative ways to not only advance testing for human exploration of Mars, but also to share that adventure with the public at large.

Via SETI Institute



from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2Usv8N7

Grab a bit of asteroid Bennu? Turns out, it’s tougher than expected

Animated image via GIPHY.

The first close-up observations by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft of its target, asteroid Bennu, reveal new details that pose a bigger challenge than scientists expected to the mission’s objective of collecting a sample of the asteroid.

The OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer) spacecraft reached Bennu on December 3, 2018 after traveling 1.4 million miles (2.2 million km). For the past three months, OSIRIS-REx has been investigating Bennu at close range, beginning to search for an ideal site to collect a sample, and getting to know the asteroid in much greater detail.

While the spacecraft’s observations have confirmed many of the measurements obtained by ground-based observations, recent findings have revealed that Bennu is a more challenging target than what the mission was originally designed for.

Here are some key findings from mission team members, presented at the Lunar and Planetary Sciences Conference in Houston on March 19, 2019.

Surface densely covered with sharp-looking rocks.

Bennu’s surface is rockier than expected, creating challenges for the team whose mission is to scoop up a sample of pristine material and return it to Earth in 2023. Image via NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona.

Big boulders on Bennu’s surface

The OSIRIS-REx team developed its sampling strategy around what they knew about Bennu when they designed the mission. They anticipated plentiful patches of relatively smooth surface with gravel and pebbles less than 1 inch in size that expand over at least 55 yards (50 meters). Instead, the spacecraft observed only a small number of regions, each between 5.4 and 22 yards (5 and 20 m), that are devoid of large boulders that pose a hazard to the spacecraft when it touches down to collect its sample.

3 images of gray, gravelly, ground.

This trio of images was taken by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft on February 25, 2019, in orbit around Bennu, about 1.1 miles (1.8 km) from the asteroid’s surface. The images show a wide shot and 2 close-ups of a region in Bennu’s northern hemisphere. Image via NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona.

… make for a terrible airfield

Instead of having the equivalent of half a football field to navigate in, the spacecraft will have to operate within the confines of sampling sites that are half the size of a basketball court or smaller.

High-resolution images made with the OSIRIS-REx cameras, reveal a surface packed with more than 200 boulders larger than 33 feet (10 m) in diameter and many more that are 3 feet (1 m) or larger. The largest boulder measures 63 yards (58 m) across.

Bennu is very dark

OSIRIS-REx measurements also confirm that Bennu is one of the darkest objects in the solar system, reflecting only 4 percent of sunlight. One of the surprises turned out to be a larger-than-expected variability in surface albedo, the proportion of light reflected by a surface. In other words, Bennu’s surface features vary greatly from one another with respect to their brightness. The high variability in albedo presents a challenge for the laser of the spacecraft’s lidar system, designed to guide the sample acquisition approach.

These findings were published in the journal Nature on March 19, 2019.

Crescent asteroid with array of tiny bright dots on one side.

This view of asteroid Bennu ejecting particles from its surface on January 19, 2019, was created by combining 2 images taken on board the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. Image via NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona/Lockheed Martin.

Another surprise … particle plumes!

In another strange discovery, OSIRIS-REx observes plumes of particles being energetically ejected from the surface of Bennu. It’s the first-ever close-up observations of particle plumes erupting from an asteroid’s surface.

The OSIRIS-REx team first spotted the particle plumes in images while the spacecraft was orbiting Bennu at a distance of about one mile (1.61 km). The mission team did a safety assessment and concluded the particles did not pose a risk to the spacecraft. The team continues to analyze the particle plumes and their possible causes. Read more about the discovery from NASA

Dante Lauretta is OSIRIS-REx principal investigator at the University of Arizona. Lauretta said in a statement:

The discovery of plumes is one of the biggest surprises of my scientific career. And the rugged terrain went against all of our predictions. Bennu is already surprising us, and our exciting journey there is just getting started.

Large asteroid bigger than two tall buildings side by side.

The size of asteroid Bennu, which is 1,614 feet (492 meters) wide, compared with the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower in this NASA image.

Sort of diamond-shaped asteroid with rocky surface.

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft was only 15 miles (24 km) from asteroid Bennu – on December 2, 2018 – when it captured the 12 high-resolution images that make up this mosaic. The mosaic shows features as small as 20 feet (6 meters). Image via NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona.

Bottom line: New findings about asteroid Bennu from the OSIRIS-REx mission.

Via NASA



from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2JSkYB9

Animated image via GIPHY.

The first close-up observations by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft of its target, asteroid Bennu, reveal new details that pose a bigger challenge than scientists expected to the mission’s objective of collecting a sample of the asteroid.

The OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer) spacecraft reached Bennu on December 3, 2018 after traveling 1.4 million miles (2.2 million km). For the past three months, OSIRIS-REx has been investigating Bennu at close range, beginning to search for an ideal site to collect a sample, and getting to know the asteroid in much greater detail.

While the spacecraft’s observations have confirmed many of the measurements obtained by ground-based observations, recent findings have revealed that Bennu is a more challenging target than what the mission was originally designed for.

Here are some key findings from mission team members, presented at the Lunar and Planetary Sciences Conference in Houston on March 19, 2019.

Surface densely covered with sharp-looking rocks.

Bennu’s surface is rockier than expected, creating challenges for the team whose mission is to scoop up a sample of pristine material and return it to Earth in 2023. Image via NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona.

Big boulders on Bennu’s surface

The OSIRIS-REx team developed its sampling strategy around what they knew about Bennu when they designed the mission. They anticipated plentiful patches of relatively smooth surface with gravel and pebbles less than 1 inch in size that expand over at least 55 yards (50 meters). Instead, the spacecraft observed only a small number of regions, each between 5.4 and 22 yards (5 and 20 m), that are devoid of large boulders that pose a hazard to the spacecraft when it touches down to collect its sample.

3 images of gray, gravelly, ground.

This trio of images was taken by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft on February 25, 2019, in orbit around Bennu, about 1.1 miles (1.8 km) from the asteroid’s surface. The images show a wide shot and 2 close-ups of a region in Bennu’s northern hemisphere. Image via NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona.

… make for a terrible airfield

Instead of having the equivalent of half a football field to navigate in, the spacecraft will have to operate within the confines of sampling sites that are half the size of a basketball court or smaller.

High-resolution images made with the OSIRIS-REx cameras, reveal a surface packed with more than 200 boulders larger than 33 feet (10 m) in diameter and many more that are 3 feet (1 m) or larger. The largest boulder measures 63 yards (58 m) across.

Bennu is very dark

OSIRIS-REx measurements also confirm that Bennu is one of the darkest objects in the solar system, reflecting only 4 percent of sunlight. One of the surprises turned out to be a larger-than-expected variability in surface albedo, the proportion of light reflected by a surface. In other words, Bennu’s surface features vary greatly from one another with respect to their brightness. The high variability in albedo presents a challenge for the laser of the spacecraft’s lidar system, designed to guide the sample acquisition approach.

These findings were published in the journal Nature on March 19, 2019.

Crescent asteroid with array of tiny bright dots on one side.

This view of asteroid Bennu ejecting particles from its surface on January 19, 2019, was created by combining 2 images taken on board the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. Image via NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona/Lockheed Martin.

Another surprise … particle plumes!

In another strange discovery, OSIRIS-REx observes plumes of particles being energetically ejected from the surface of Bennu. It’s the first-ever close-up observations of particle plumes erupting from an asteroid’s surface.

The OSIRIS-REx team first spotted the particle plumes in images while the spacecraft was orbiting Bennu at a distance of about one mile (1.61 km). The mission team did a safety assessment and concluded the particles did not pose a risk to the spacecraft. The team continues to analyze the particle plumes and their possible causes. Read more about the discovery from NASA

Dante Lauretta is OSIRIS-REx principal investigator at the University of Arizona. Lauretta said in a statement:

The discovery of plumes is one of the biggest surprises of my scientific career. And the rugged terrain went against all of our predictions. Bennu is already surprising us, and our exciting journey there is just getting started.

Large asteroid bigger than two tall buildings side by side.

The size of asteroid Bennu, which is 1,614 feet (492 meters) wide, compared with the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower in this NASA image.

Sort of diamond-shaped asteroid with rocky surface.

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft was only 15 miles (24 km) from asteroid Bennu – on December 2, 2018 – when it captured the 12 high-resolution images that make up this mosaic. The mosaic shows features as small as 20 feet (6 meters). Image via NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona.

Bottom line: New findings about asteroid Bennu from the OSIRIS-REx mission.

Via NASA



from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2JSkYB9

Moon and Saturn Friday morning

A telescopic view of the moon and Saturn, with Saturn right next to the moon.

View larger – camera details – at EarthSky Community Photos. | Grant Petersen in Johannesburg, South Africa caught the occultation of the planet Saturn by the moon on the morning of March, 29, 2019. Thank you, Grant!



from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2FLuUYW
A telescopic view of the moon and Saturn, with Saturn right next to the moon.

View larger – camera details – at EarthSky Community Photos. | Grant Petersen in Johannesburg, South Africa caught the occultation of the planet Saturn by the moon on the morning of March, 29, 2019. Thank you, Grant!



from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2FLuUYW

2019 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #12

A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week, i.e., Sun, Mar 24 through Sat, Mar 30, 2019

Editor's Pick

Earth Hour 2019: switch off your lights, and become an innovator

Earth Hour 
On March 30, millions of people switch off their lights for Earth Hour 

Let’s take 30 seconds to think about innovators. What do they look like? Where do they work? What do they do? You might imagine labs, research centres, NASA, spacesuits and white coats.

Some years ago, I would probably have agreed with you. Then - ironically enough, in a moment of “lights out” - I saw the light. The truth is each of us is an innovator. It has nothing to do with what you wear or where you work. Technology isn't innovation - the ability to transform lives is.

On March 30, the world will witness 24 of the most inspiring hours for the environment, as people around the world come together for WWF’s Earth Hour. From Singapore to Santiago and Nairobi to New York, millions will unite, switch off their lights and speak up on why nature matters. For me, each of them is an innovator.

Not because switching off a light takes much innovation, but because they share the vision that together, we can show the world we care about climate change and nature loss. These two threats are our planet’s biggest environmental challenge yet. It is easy to put your hands up and say the stakes are stacked against us, or they are too high to try. But each of the individuals who participate in Earth Hour has decided their ambition is higher, and I believe this changes the game entirely. Together, they are participating in creating a new future that will change the world we live in, not just for our generation but for our children, their children and so on. 

Earth Hour 2019: switch off your lights, and become an innovator by Sid Das, Agenda, World Economic Forum (WEF), Mar 29, 2019


Links posted on Facebook

Sun Mar 24, 2019

Mon Mar 25, 2019

Tue Mar 26, 2019

Wed Mar 27, 2019

Thu Mar 28, 2019

Fri Mar 29, 2019

Sat Mar 30, 2019



from Skeptical Science https://ift.tt/2TLrqtt
A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week, i.e., Sun, Mar 24 through Sat, Mar 30, 2019

Editor's Pick

Earth Hour 2019: switch off your lights, and become an innovator

Earth Hour 
On March 30, millions of people switch off their lights for Earth Hour 

Let’s take 30 seconds to think about innovators. What do they look like? Where do they work? What do they do? You might imagine labs, research centres, NASA, spacesuits and white coats.

Some years ago, I would probably have agreed with you. Then - ironically enough, in a moment of “lights out” - I saw the light. The truth is each of us is an innovator. It has nothing to do with what you wear or where you work. Technology isn't innovation - the ability to transform lives is.

On March 30, the world will witness 24 of the most inspiring hours for the environment, as people around the world come together for WWF’s Earth Hour. From Singapore to Santiago and Nairobi to New York, millions will unite, switch off their lights and speak up on why nature matters. For me, each of them is an innovator.

Not because switching off a light takes much innovation, but because they share the vision that together, we can show the world we care about climate change and nature loss. These two threats are our planet’s biggest environmental challenge yet. It is easy to put your hands up and say the stakes are stacked against us, or they are too high to try. But each of the individuals who participate in Earth Hour has decided their ambition is higher, and I believe this changes the game entirely. Together, they are participating in creating a new future that will change the world we live in, not just for our generation but for our children, their children and so on. 

Earth Hour 2019: switch off your lights, and become an innovator by Sid Das, Agenda, World Economic Forum (WEF), Mar 29, 2019


Links posted on Facebook

Sun Mar 24, 2019

Mon Mar 25, 2019

Tue Mar 26, 2019

Wed Mar 27, 2019

Thu Mar 28, 2019

Fri Mar 29, 2019

Sat Mar 30, 2019



from Skeptical Science https://ift.tt/2TLrqtt

Hubble captures a rare active asteroid

A starry point - the asteroid - with 2 tails of debris extending from it.

A Hubble Space Telescope view of asteroid 6478 Gault, showing 2 narrow, comet-like tails of debris. The bright streaks surrounding the asteroid are background stars. Image via NASA, ESA, K. Meech and J. Kleyna (University of Hawaii), O. Hainaut (European Southern Observatory)/ SpaceTelescope.org.

Asteroids are typically solid rocky or metallic bodies; comets are fragile, icy bodies that sometimes sprout tails when they come near the sun. But some asteroids have been found to appear comet-like, in that they also have tails. Scientists said on March 28, 2019 that they used the Hubble Space Telescope to observe such an asteroid, called 6478 Gault. Clear images from the telescope have provided researchers with new insight into this asteroid’s unusual past, they said. They now believe that Gault is self-destructing, slowly, which is the reason for its two narrow, comet-like tails of debris. Each tail is evidence of an active event that released material into space. Why is it self-destructing? The reason is thought to be its unusually fast spin on its axis.

The team’s results have been accepted for publication in the peer-reviewed Astrophysical Journal Letters (preprint here).

Astronomers have known about asteroid Gault for some time. It was discovered in 1988. The object is 2.5 to 5.5 miles (4 to 9 km) wide, and it’s located in the main asteroid belt, between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Astronomers said in a statement:

… the recent observation of two debris tails is the first indication of the asteroid’s instability. This asteroid one of only a handful to be caught disintegrating by a process known as a YORP torque. When sunlight heats an asteroid, the infrared radiation that escapes from its warmed surface carries off both heat and momentum. This creates a small force that can cause the asteroid to spin faster.

If this centrifugal force eventually overcomes gravity, the asteroid becomes unstable. Landslides on the object can release rubble and dust into space, leaving behind a tail of debris, as seen here with asteroid Gault.

Astronomers estimate that among the 800,000 known asteroids that occupy the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, YORP disruptions occur roughly once per year. From the Hubble observations, researchers inferred that the release of material from the asteroid took place in short episodes lasting from a few hours to a couple of days. They commented:

The direct observation of this activity by the Hubble Space Telescope has provided [us] with a special opportunity to study the composition of asteroids. By researching the material that this unstable asteroid releases into space, [we] can get a glimpse into the history of planet formation in the early ages of the solar system.

Follow-up observations have been made by various ground-based telescopes, and, these astronomers said:

These data were used to deduce a two-hour rotation period for Gault, which is very close to the critical speed at which material will begin to tumble and slide across the asteroid’s surface before drifting off into space.

Astronomer Jan Kleyna of the University of Hawai’i – lead author of the new paper – commented:

Gault is the best ‘smoking-gun’ example of a fast rotator right at the two-hour limit. It could have been on the brink of instability for 10 million years. Even a tiny disturbance, like a small impact from a pebble, might have triggered the recent outbursts.

Astronomer Olivier Hainaut of the European Southern Observatory in Germany explained:

This self-destruction event is rare. Active and unstable asteroids such as Gault are only now being detected by means of new survey telescopes that scan the entire sky, which means asteroids such as Gault that are misbehaving cannot escape detection any more.

Read more about asteroid Gault via SpaceTelescope.org

Bottom line: The Hubble Space Telescope sharp imaging has provided valuable detail on activity from active asteroid Gault, which is now known to be spinning on its axis so fast – about every two hours – that material on its surface at times flies off into space.

Source: The Sporadic Activity of (6478) Gault: A YORP-driven event?



from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2I2oZ3d
A starry point - the asteroid - with 2 tails of debris extending from it.

A Hubble Space Telescope view of asteroid 6478 Gault, showing 2 narrow, comet-like tails of debris. The bright streaks surrounding the asteroid are background stars. Image via NASA, ESA, K. Meech and J. Kleyna (University of Hawaii), O. Hainaut (European Southern Observatory)/ SpaceTelescope.org.

Asteroids are typically solid rocky or metallic bodies; comets are fragile, icy bodies that sometimes sprout tails when they come near the sun. But some asteroids have been found to appear comet-like, in that they also have tails. Scientists said on March 28, 2019 that they used the Hubble Space Telescope to observe such an asteroid, called 6478 Gault. Clear images from the telescope have provided researchers with new insight into this asteroid’s unusual past, they said. They now believe that Gault is self-destructing, slowly, which is the reason for its two narrow, comet-like tails of debris. Each tail is evidence of an active event that released material into space. Why is it self-destructing? The reason is thought to be its unusually fast spin on its axis.

The team’s results have been accepted for publication in the peer-reviewed Astrophysical Journal Letters (preprint here).

Astronomers have known about asteroid Gault for some time. It was discovered in 1988. The object is 2.5 to 5.5 miles (4 to 9 km) wide, and it’s located in the main asteroid belt, between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Astronomers said in a statement:

… the recent observation of two debris tails is the first indication of the asteroid’s instability. This asteroid one of only a handful to be caught disintegrating by a process known as a YORP torque. When sunlight heats an asteroid, the infrared radiation that escapes from its warmed surface carries off both heat and momentum. This creates a small force that can cause the asteroid to spin faster.

If this centrifugal force eventually overcomes gravity, the asteroid becomes unstable. Landslides on the object can release rubble and dust into space, leaving behind a tail of debris, as seen here with asteroid Gault.

Astronomers estimate that among the 800,000 known asteroids that occupy the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, YORP disruptions occur roughly once per year. From the Hubble observations, researchers inferred that the release of material from the asteroid took place in short episodes lasting from a few hours to a couple of days. They commented:

The direct observation of this activity by the Hubble Space Telescope has provided [us] with a special opportunity to study the composition of asteroids. By researching the material that this unstable asteroid releases into space, [we] can get a glimpse into the history of planet formation in the early ages of the solar system.

Follow-up observations have been made by various ground-based telescopes, and, these astronomers said:

These data were used to deduce a two-hour rotation period for Gault, which is very close to the critical speed at which material will begin to tumble and slide across the asteroid’s surface before drifting off into space.

Astronomer Jan Kleyna of the University of Hawai’i – lead author of the new paper – commented:

Gault is the best ‘smoking-gun’ example of a fast rotator right at the two-hour limit. It could have been on the brink of instability for 10 million years. Even a tiny disturbance, like a small impact from a pebble, might have triggered the recent outbursts.

Astronomer Olivier Hainaut of the European Southern Observatory in Germany explained:

This self-destruction event is rare. Active and unstable asteroids such as Gault are only now being detected by means of new survey telescopes that scan the entire sky, which means asteroids such as Gault that are misbehaving cannot escape detection any more.

Read more about asteroid Gault via SpaceTelescope.org

Bottom line: The Hubble Space Telescope sharp imaging has provided valuable detail on activity from active asteroid Gault, which is now known to be spinning on its axis so fast – about every two hours – that material on its surface at times flies off into space.

Source: The Sporadic Activity of (6478) Gault: A YORP-driven event?



from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2I2oZ3d

Jupiter and 3 moons

Image via Conrado Serodio

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos

Before sunrise on March 25, 2019, Conrad Serodio in Sao Paulo, Brazil captured this image of planet Jupiter and three of its moons: Ganymede, Europa and Io.

Thank you Conrad!



from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2YBoxyX

Image via Conrado Serodio

View larger at EarthSky Community Photos

Before sunrise on March 25, 2019, Conrad Serodio in Sao Paulo, Brazil captured this image of planet Jupiter and three of its moons: Ganymede, Europa and Io.

Thank you Conrad!



from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2YBoxyX

News digest – discount junk food deals, lung cancer immunotherapy, cigarettes and wine

White blood cell

Shopping for special offers may increase likelihood of obesity

Shoppers who fill their supermarket trolleys with food and drink offered on special promotions have more than a 50% increased chance of being obese, says the Independent. Our research also found that almost half of all chocolate and savoury snacks were bought on promotion. Read our press release for more.

Impact of drinking alcohol on cancer risk estimated in terms of cigarettes smoked

The BBC asks, ‘how many cigarettes are in a bottle of wine?’ after new research aimed to estimate this, to help people consider the effects of moderate drinking on cancer risk. We blogged about whether it’s helpful to communicate cancer risk in terms of cigarettes smoked.

Lung cancer immunotherapy approved for NHS patients in England

An immunotherapy drug will be made available on the NHS in England for certain people with lung cancer, reports the Mail Online. NICE approved the new treatment after doctors and patients said new options were needed. We also covered this latest decision.

Adding nitrites to meat questioned

The Guardian covers a leaked report for the British meat industry examining the growth of the toxin Clostridium botulinum that causes botulism. It is understood from the leaked report that nitrites, which are often added to meat and are one of the chemicals linked to increased cancer risk, do not affect the levels of dangerous bacteria in food. This means they may not be necessary to preserve its shelf life.

More breast cancer patients could be spared chemo thanks to genetic tests

The Telegraph reports that offering more women with breast cancer a genetic test could spare them chemotherapy. Currently the NHS offers the test, called Oncotype DX, to certain patients whose disease has not spread to the lymph nodes, but new research suggests this could be extended those whose disease is more advanced.

Child cancer survival worse in developed nations

The chance of a child surviving their cancer for five years depends on the wealth of the country they live in, according to the Guardian. More than 80 of out 100 of children diagnosed with cancer in rich states will live for more than five years, compared to fewer than 30 out of 100 of young people living in developing nations.

Should the legal age to buy cigarette be increased?

The Mail Online reports the suggestion of a British doctor to increase the legal age that you can buy cigarettes from 18 to 21. He says it could protect younger school children from exposure to older pupils who smoke.

And finally

The Sun reports on a research which suggests eating vegetables like onions and garlic could reduce the risk of bowel cancer. But the study asked people taking part to recall what they ate and fill in a questionnaire. This type of research isn’t always very accurate as it’s hard for people to remember exactly what they’ve consumed. The study also took place in China, so it’s unclear how the findings might apply to people in the UK, where eating and cooking habits can be very different. When it comes to diet and cancer, it’s unlikely that one specific type of food on its own could have a big impact on cancer risk, it’s best to stick to an overall healthy, varied diet.

Gabi



from Cancer Research UK – Science blog https://ift.tt/2FG5T04
White blood cell

Shopping for special offers may increase likelihood of obesity

Shoppers who fill their supermarket trolleys with food and drink offered on special promotions have more than a 50% increased chance of being obese, says the Independent. Our research also found that almost half of all chocolate and savoury snacks were bought on promotion. Read our press release for more.

Impact of drinking alcohol on cancer risk estimated in terms of cigarettes smoked

The BBC asks, ‘how many cigarettes are in a bottle of wine?’ after new research aimed to estimate this, to help people consider the effects of moderate drinking on cancer risk. We blogged about whether it’s helpful to communicate cancer risk in terms of cigarettes smoked.

Lung cancer immunotherapy approved for NHS patients in England

An immunotherapy drug will be made available on the NHS in England for certain people with lung cancer, reports the Mail Online. NICE approved the new treatment after doctors and patients said new options were needed. We also covered this latest decision.

Adding nitrites to meat questioned

The Guardian covers a leaked report for the British meat industry examining the growth of the toxin Clostridium botulinum that causes botulism. It is understood from the leaked report that nitrites, which are often added to meat and are one of the chemicals linked to increased cancer risk, do not affect the levels of dangerous bacteria in food. This means they may not be necessary to preserve its shelf life.

More breast cancer patients could be spared chemo thanks to genetic tests

The Telegraph reports that offering more women with breast cancer a genetic test could spare them chemotherapy. Currently the NHS offers the test, called Oncotype DX, to certain patients whose disease has not spread to the lymph nodes, but new research suggests this could be extended those whose disease is more advanced.

Child cancer survival worse in developed nations

The chance of a child surviving their cancer for five years depends on the wealth of the country they live in, according to the Guardian. More than 80 of out 100 of children diagnosed with cancer in rich states will live for more than five years, compared to fewer than 30 out of 100 of young people living in developing nations.

Should the legal age to buy cigarette be increased?

The Mail Online reports the suggestion of a British doctor to increase the legal age that you can buy cigarettes from 18 to 21. He says it could protect younger school children from exposure to older pupils who smoke.

And finally

The Sun reports on a research which suggests eating vegetables like onions and garlic could reduce the risk of bowel cancer. But the study asked people taking part to recall what they ate and fill in a questionnaire. This type of research isn’t always very accurate as it’s hard for people to remember exactly what they’ve consumed. The study also took place in China, so it’s unclear how the findings might apply to people in the UK, where eating and cooking habits can be very different. When it comes to diet and cancer, it’s unlikely that one specific type of food on its own could have a big impact on cancer risk, it’s best to stick to an overall healthy, varied diet.

Gabi



from Cancer Research UK – Science blog https://ift.tt/2FG5T04

Watch for Venus at dawn, Mars at nightfall

In late March and early April 2019, the waning crescent moon will be sweeping past the brightest planet, Venus. From mid-northern latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, the pair will be gracing your eastern sky an hour or so before sunrise. From the Southern Hemisphere, the view is much better, with Venus rising a few hours before the sun.

Even after all the stars have disappeared in the glow of twilight, the moon and Venus will remain visible, because these two worlds rank as the second-brightest and third-brightest celestial luminaries, respectively, after the sun. From far northerly latitudes – like Alaska – you may miss the moon and Venus altogether, as these two worlds rise close to the time of sunrise at northerly climes.

Day by day, as March wanes and April arrives, the moon will sink a little closer to Venus. Want to know when Venus rises into your sky? Click here for recommended sky almanacs, and remember that the rising/setting times presume a level horizon.

Not an early riser? Then look for the red planet Mars and the famous Pleiades cluster – also called the Seven Sisters – in your western sky at nightfall, as shown on the chart below. If you see the tiny dipper-shaped Pleiades, you’ll know that’s Mars near it.

Sky chart of Mars, the Pleiades star cluster, and the red star Aldebaran.

In late March and early April 2019, you’ll find the red planet Mars near the Pleiades star cluster and the red giant star Aldebaran in your western sky after sunset. Notice that the Pleiades looks like a tiny dipper.

All in all, at present, you can catch four of the five bright planets.

Mars is the lone evening planet, but Venus isn’t the only morning planet. The king planet Jupiter – the fourth-brightest celestial body, after the sun, moon and Venus – shines mightily at dawn, as well. From the Northern Hemisphere, Jupiter at morning dawn shines in the southern sky, at about the same spot as the noonday winter sun. At dawn from the Southern Hemisphere, Jupiter shines way up high, like the noonday summer sun.

Saturn is up before the sun also, but it’s much fainter than either Jupiter or Venus. From either hemisphere, you’ll want to catch Saturn before the dawn light becomes too overpowering. At northerly latitudes, because Venus rises relatively late, ringed Saturn might or might not be visible by the time Venus climbs above your horizon.

The chart below – which covers more sky than our usual charts – shows the morning planets:

Star chart showing Jupiter, Saturn and Venus, as well as the stars Antares and Spica, close to horizon.

This chart – which is oriented toward the Northern Hemisphere view – stretches from southeast to southwest, circling one-quarter of the way around the horizon. Southern Hemisphere? Look high in the north to see the planets, along the path of the summer sun.

In their order outward from the sun, the five bright planets are Mercury, Venus, (Earth), Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. All of these planets can be seen without an optical aid and have been observed by our ancestors since time immemorial.

Of the five bright planets, only Mercury can’t be seen – or at least not easily, and likely not from the Northern Hemisphere – in late March and early April. From the Northern Hemisphere, Mercury sits very close to the glare of sunrise in early April 2019. From the Southern Hemisphere, your view of Mercury is better.

If you want to see Mercury from either hemisphere, keep your eye on Venus. This brilliant beauty of a planet will help guide your eye to Mercury, the innermost planet, when the two come within four degrees of one another (the width of two fingers at arm’s length) in mid-April 2019.

Mercury, Venus, crescent moon near horizon.

Here’s the exceedingly thin waning moon on April 2, 2019. As you can see, Mercury is nearby. This will be a very tough (perhaps impossible) observation from the Northern Hemisphere, but Southern Hemisphere observers – for whom the moon and planets appear higher above the sunrise – might have a shot at them.

Bottom line: In late March and early April, the moon will sweep past Venus before sunup. The red planet Mars is near the Pleiades star cluster at nightfall.



from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2FDiYaE

In late March and early April 2019, the waning crescent moon will be sweeping past the brightest planet, Venus. From mid-northern latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, the pair will be gracing your eastern sky an hour or so before sunrise. From the Southern Hemisphere, the view is much better, with Venus rising a few hours before the sun.

Even after all the stars have disappeared in the glow of twilight, the moon and Venus will remain visible, because these two worlds rank as the second-brightest and third-brightest celestial luminaries, respectively, after the sun. From far northerly latitudes – like Alaska – you may miss the moon and Venus altogether, as these two worlds rise close to the time of sunrise at northerly climes.

Day by day, as March wanes and April arrives, the moon will sink a little closer to Venus. Want to know when Venus rises into your sky? Click here for recommended sky almanacs, and remember that the rising/setting times presume a level horizon.

Not an early riser? Then look for the red planet Mars and the famous Pleiades cluster – also called the Seven Sisters – in your western sky at nightfall, as shown on the chart below. If you see the tiny dipper-shaped Pleiades, you’ll know that’s Mars near it.

Sky chart of Mars, the Pleiades star cluster, and the red star Aldebaran.

In late March and early April 2019, you’ll find the red planet Mars near the Pleiades star cluster and the red giant star Aldebaran in your western sky after sunset. Notice that the Pleiades looks like a tiny dipper.

All in all, at present, you can catch four of the five bright planets.

Mars is the lone evening planet, but Venus isn’t the only morning planet. The king planet Jupiter – the fourth-brightest celestial body, after the sun, moon and Venus – shines mightily at dawn, as well. From the Northern Hemisphere, Jupiter at morning dawn shines in the southern sky, at about the same spot as the noonday winter sun. At dawn from the Southern Hemisphere, Jupiter shines way up high, like the noonday summer sun.

Saturn is up before the sun also, but it’s much fainter than either Jupiter or Venus. From either hemisphere, you’ll want to catch Saturn before the dawn light becomes too overpowering. At northerly latitudes, because Venus rises relatively late, ringed Saturn might or might not be visible by the time Venus climbs above your horizon.

The chart below – which covers more sky than our usual charts – shows the morning planets:

Star chart showing Jupiter, Saturn and Venus, as well as the stars Antares and Spica, close to horizon.

This chart – which is oriented toward the Northern Hemisphere view – stretches from southeast to southwest, circling one-quarter of the way around the horizon. Southern Hemisphere? Look high in the north to see the planets, along the path of the summer sun.

In their order outward from the sun, the five bright planets are Mercury, Venus, (Earth), Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. All of these planets can be seen without an optical aid and have been observed by our ancestors since time immemorial.

Of the five bright planets, only Mercury can’t be seen – or at least not easily, and likely not from the Northern Hemisphere – in late March and early April. From the Northern Hemisphere, Mercury sits very close to the glare of sunrise in early April 2019. From the Southern Hemisphere, your view of Mercury is better.

If you want to see Mercury from either hemisphere, keep your eye on Venus. This brilliant beauty of a planet will help guide your eye to Mercury, the innermost planet, when the two come within four degrees of one another (the width of two fingers at arm’s length) in mid-April 2019.

Mercury, Venus, crescent moon near horizon.

Here’s the exceedingly thin waning moon on April 2, 2019. As you can see, Mercury is nearby. This will be a very tough (perhaps impossible) observation from the Northern Hemisphere, but Southern Hemisphere observers – for whom the moon and planets appear higher above the sunrise – might have a shot at them.

Bottom line: In late March and early April, the moon will sweep past Venus before sunup. The red planet Mars is near the Pleiades star cluster at nightfall.



from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2FDiYaE

Fossil barnacles help track ancient whale migrations

Whale tail emerging from water.

Whale barnacles line the edges of the flukes of a humpback whale. Image via Blue Ocean Whale Watch.

New research used barnacles that hitch rides on the backs of humpback and gray whales to help scientists reconstruct the migrations of whale populations millions of years ago.

The barnacles not only record details about the whales’ yearly travels, they also retain this information after they become fossilized, which enabled the researchers to reconstruct the migration routes of whales from millions of years in the past.

What happens is that oxygen isotope ratios in barnacle shells change with ocean conditions, allowing scientists to chart the migration of the host whale – for example to warmer breeding grounds or colder feeding grounds. In the new study, marine paleobiologists have discovered that barnacles retain this information even after they fall off the whale, sink to the ocean bottom, and become fossils.

As a result, the travels of fossilized barnacles can serve as a proxy for the journeys of whales in the distant past. University of California Berkeley doctoral student Larry Taylor is lead author of the study, published March 25, 2019, in the peer-reviewed journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Taylor said in a statement:

One of the more exciting things about the paper, in my mind, is that we find evidence for migration in all of these ancient populations, from three different sites and time periods, but also from both humpback and gray whale lineages, indicating that these animals, which lived hundreds of thousands of years ago, were all undertaking migrations similar in extent to those of modern-day whales.

For example, one surprise finding of the study is that the coast of Panama has been a meeting ground for different subpopulations of humpback whales for at least 270,000 years and still is today. Whales visit Panama from as far away as Antarctica and the Gulf of Alaska.

Closeup of oval rocky looking fossil next to a small shell.

This fossilized whale barnacle was unearthed in Panama at an ancient meeting place for whale subpopulations from around the Pacific Ocean. Image via Larry Taylor.

Barnacles are crustaceans, like crabs, lobsters and shrimp, that remain stuck in one place their whole lives, encased in a protective hard shell and sticking out their legs to snatch passing food. Most glue themselves to rocks, boats or pilings, but whale barnacles attach to a whale’s skin by boring down into it. Some whales have been estimated to carry up to 1,000 pounds of barnacles, which are visible when they breach. Clusters of barnacles are used to identify individual whales. Study co-author Aaron O’Dea, of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, said:

This gives the barnacle several advantages: a safe surface to live on, a free ride to some of the richest waters in the world and a chance to meet up with other (barnacles) when the whales get together to mate.

Whale tail covered in barnacles emerging from ocean.

Patterns left by whale barnacles are so distinctive they can be used to identify individual whales. Image via Blue Ocean Whale Watch.

Here’s more from the scientists about the technique they used in the research:

The technique is based on measuring the oxygen isotopes in the calcium carbonate, or calcite, shell of the barnacle. The ratio of oxygen-18 to oxygen-16 goes up as the temperature drops. Since barnacles lengthen their shells by a few millimeters a month as they try to stay attached to whales in the face of the mammals’ shedding skin, the composition of the new shell reflects the ocean temperature and general isotopic composition where it formed.

The technique works because different species of whale barnacle hitch rides on different species of whale, so paleontologists can know, when they find a fossilized barnacle, which species it rode with. Normally, the barnacles stay with a whale between one and three years, until they fall or are brushed off, often at whale breeding grounds. At least 24 fossil assemblages of whale barnacles have been found around the world, Taylor said.

This information about ancient migration will help scientists understand how migration patterns may have affected the evolution of whales over the past three to five million years, how these patterns changed with changing climate and help predict how today’s whales will adapt to the rapid climate change happening today.

Front end of whale high above water with waving fins.

A breaching humpback whale in the waters of Gabon. Image via Tim Collins/WCS

Bottom line: For a new study, scientists used barnacles that hitch rides on the backs of whales to help scientists reconstruct the migrations of whale populations millions of years ago.

Source: Isotopes from fossil coronulid barnacle shells record evidence of migration in multiple Pleistocene whale populations

Via University of California Berkeley



from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2HN04BM
Whale tail emerging from water.

Whale barnacles line the edges of the flukes of a humpback whale. Image via Blue Ocean Whale Watch.

New research used barnacles that hitch rides on the backs of humpback and gray whales to help scientists reconstruct the migrations of whale populations millions of years ago.

The barnacles not only record details about the whales’ yearly travels, they also retain this information after they become fossilized, which enabled the researchers to reconstruct the migration routes of whales from millions of years in the past.

What happens is that oxygen isotope ratios in barnacle shells change with ocean conditions, allowing scientists to chart the migration of the host whale – for example to warmer breeding grounds or colder feeding grounds. In the new study, marine paleobiologists have discovered that barnacles retain this information even after they fall off the whale, sink to the ocean bottom, and become fossils.

As a result, the travels of fossilized barnacles can serve as a proxy for the journeys of whales in the distant past. University of California Berkeley doctoral student Larry Taylor is lead author of the study, published March 25, 2019, in the peer-reviewed journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Taylor said in a statement:

One of the more exciting things about the paper, in my mind, is that we find evidence for migration in all of these ancient populations, from three different sites and time periods, but also from both humpback and gray whale lineages, indicating that these animals, which lived hundreds of thousands of years ago, were all undertaking migrations similar in extent to those of modern-day whales.

For example, one surprise finding of the study is that the coast of Panama has been a meeting ground for different subpopulations of humpback whales for at least 270,000 years and still is today. Whales visit Panama from as far away as Antarctica and the Gulf of Alaska.

Closeup of oval rocky looking fossil next to a small shell.

This fossilized whale barnacle was unearthed in Panama at an ancient meeting place for whale subpopulations from around the Pacific Ocean. Image via Larry Taylor.

Barnacles are crustaceans, like crabs, lobsters and shrimp, that remain stuck in one place their whole lives, encased in a protective hard shell and sticking out their legs to snatch passing food. Most glue themselves to rocks, boats or pilings, but whale barnacles attach to a whale’s skin by boring down into it. Some whales have been estimated to carry up to 1,000 pounds of barnacles, which are visible when they breach. Clusters of barnacles are used to identify individual whales. Study co-author Aaron O’Dea, of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, said:

This gives the barnacle several advantages: a safe surface to live on, a free ride to some of the richest waters in the world and a chance to meet up with other (barnacles) when the whales get together to mate.

Whale tail covered in barnacles emerging from ocean.

Patterns left by whale barnacles are so distinctive they can be used to identify individual whales. Image via Blue Ocean Whale Watch.

Here’s more from the scientists about the technique they used in the research:

The technique is based on measuring the oxygen isotopes in the calcium carbonate, or calcite, shell of the barnacle. The ratio of oxygen-18 to oxygen-16 goes up as the temperature drops. Since barnacles lengthen their shells by a few millimeters a month as they try to stay attached to whales in the face of the mammals’ shedding skin, the composition of the new shell reflects the ocean temperature and general isotopic composition where it formed.

The technique works because different species of whale barnacle hitch rides on different species of whale, so paleontologists can know, when they find a fossilized barnacle, which species it rode with. Normally, the barnacles stay with a whale between one and three years, until they fall or are brushed off, often at whale breeding grounds. At least 24 fossil assemblages of whale barnacles have been found around the world, Taylor said.

This information about ancient migration will help scientists understand how migration patterns may have affected the evolution of whales over the past three to five million years, how these patterns changed with changing climate and help predict how today’s whales will adapt to the rapid climate change happening today.

Front end of whale high above water with waving fins.

A breaching humpback whale in the waters of Gabon. Image via Tim Collins/WCS

Bottom line: For a new study, scientists used barnacles that hitch rides on the backs of whales to help scientists reconstruct the migrations of whale populations millions of years ago.

Source: Isotopes from fossil coronulid barnacle shells record evidence of migration in multiple Pleistocene whale populations

Via University of California Berkeley



from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2HN04BM