“The details of this culture and all traces of its language are lost,” Professor Cox continued. So anybody who’d been trying to research Chankillo had nothing but the buildings and structures themselves to interpret. There was simply no way of telling who’d built them. Luckily, though, the buildings did offer some clues. Photo Credit: IDARQ/UNESCO

No trace

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the Little Dumbbell Nebula, also known as Messier 76, located in the constellation Perseus 3,400 light-years away from Earth.



Astronomers captured this image of the Little Dumbbell Nebula to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope, a joint venture between NASA and the European Space Agency (<a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>).



The snapshot provides not only a breathtaking view, but also deep insights into the life cycle of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-stars-scientists-discover-a-new-type-of-star-powered-by-dark-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stars</a> and the dynamic processes within nebulae.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-messier-76">Understanding Messier 76</h2>



Messier 76 is categorized as a planetary nebula - a term which refers to its round, planet-like appearance when viewed through early, low-power telescopes. 



However, the term is somewhat misleading as planetary nebulae have no connection to actual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-finds-17-exoplanets-that-have-oceans-and-possibly-alien-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planets</a>.&nbsp;



Instead, they represent an expansive shell of luminous gases expelled by a dying red giant star, which subsequently collapses into a dense, hot white dwarf. 



This transformation marks the late stages of stellar evolution for medium to low-mass stars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-structure-of-messier-76">Structure of Messier 76</h2>



The structure of Messier 76 is particularly notable. It includes a central ring, giving the appearance of a bar-like feature, with two distinct lobes emanating from either side. 



This formation is believed to be the result of materials ejected by the star during its red giant phase, possibly sculpted by interactions with a companion star.&nbsp;



Although this binary companion is not visible in current Hubble images, its presence is inferred from the thick disk of dust and gas aligned with its orbital plane. 



The phenomenon of the companion star potentially being absorbed by the primary star, a process akin to stellar cannibalism, is a captivating aspect of the nebula's history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-dynamic-environment-of-the-nebula">The dynamic environment of the nebula</h2>



At the core of the nebula, the primary star, now collapsing into a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/white-dwarf-stars-may-be-billions-of-years-older-than-estimated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">white dwarf</a>, reaches extreme temperatures. This heat is estimated to be 120,000 degrees Celsius - about 24 times hotter than the surface of our Sun.&nbsp;



This intensely hot remnant is visible as a small, bright point at the center of the nebula. Directly below this, another star can be seen; however, it is merely aligned with the nebula by chance and is not a part of it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-powerful-glow-of-messier-76">Powerful glow of Messier 76</h2>



The dynamics within Messier 76 are driven by powerful forces. The central disk seems to constrict the material, creating two lobes of gas escaping along the rotational axis of the star, perpendicular to the disk.&nbsp;



The lobes are propelled outward by a potent stellar wind, moving at a staggering two million miles per hour. This rapid movement is sufficient to travel the distance from Earth to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/timeless-mystery-solved-scientists-uncover-what-is-inside-the-moons-core/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moon</a> in just over seven minutes.&nbsp;



The collision of the fast-moving gas with older, slower-moving material ejected during the star’s red giant phase results in the stunning glowing effect seen in the nebula. 



The glow, ignited by the ultraviolet radiation from the white dwarf, is a spectacle of colors with red emanating from nitrogen and blue from oxygen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-cosmic-moment-in-time">A cosmic moment in time</h2>



Despite its current brilliance, the existence of the Little Dumbbell Nebula is fleeting on a cosmological scale. It is expected to last only about 15,000 years - a mere moment in the lifespan of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-energy-is-ripping-the-universe-apart-but-we-arent-sure-how/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universe</a>.&nbsp;



This brief period highlights the transient nature of such cosmic phenomena, which, while short-lived, provide crucial insights into the mechanics of stellar evolution and the complex interactions within these celestial sculptures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-messier-76">More about Messier 76</h2>



Messier 76 was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780. It was later cataloged by Charles Messier, who included it in his famous list of nebulous objects.



The nebula's faintness and small size require a good telescope to be observed effectively, with larger telescopes able to reveal more of its fine details and structure.



Studying Messier 76 helps astronomers understand the life cycle of stars and the processes that occur during the late stages of stellar evolution. 



The materials expelled by planetary nebulae like Messier 76 eventually contribute to the interstellar medium, from which new stars and planetary systems may form.



Image Credit: ESA Space Agency&nbsp;



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Secrets of the Little Dumbbell Nebula  

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency...

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features the remnants of Lake Razzaza, an artificial lake situated a few miles west of Karbala, Iraq.



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alarming-study-most-of-the-worlds-largest-lakes-are-quickly-losing-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lake</a> was created in the late 1970s as a control measure to regulate the floodwaters of the Euphrates River.&nbsp;



Razzaza covers an area of approximately 1,562 square kilometers and is located in a depression where excess water from Lake Habbaniyah is diverted through a controlled escape channel or canal.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-colors-of-lake-razzaza">The colors of Lake Razzaza</h2>



“The lake, also known as Baḩr al-Milḩ (‘Sea of Salt’ in Arabic), is fed by overflow from Habbaniyah Lake, which lies just outside the top left corner of the image,” noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/153756/iraqs-sea-of-salt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



“The difference in water color results from the various communities of algae that thrive in the lake depending on the water temperature and salinity.”



“Green areas contain lower salt concentrations than red areas. At times when the lake receives no overflow from Habbaniyah Lake, as shown in this image, most of the lakebed is exposed.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salinity-of-lake-razzaza">Salinity of Lake Razzaza</h2>



Over the years, the salinity of Lake Razzaza has been increasing due to inadequate water supply from the linked canal and high evaporation rates during Iraq's hot summers.&nbsp;



This rise in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/salt-pollution-threatens-freshwater-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salinity</a> has led to a decline in fish populations, adversely affecting local fishermen who once relied on the lake for their livelihoods.&nbsp;



By 2008, only the fish species locally known as "al-Shanik" (Acanthopagrus arabicus), of marine origin and stocked by the government, was reported to survive in the lake.&nbsp;



The lake's fluctuating water levels and increasing salinity have also impacted its recreational appeal, with few recreational areas existing around the lake.&nbsp;



Additionally, the surrounding desert landscape and low cliff shores contribute to its limited accessibility for leisure activities.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-of-lake-razzaza">Wildlife of Lake Razzaza</h2>



Despite these challenges, Lake Razzaza remains an important habitat for various bird species. It has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International, supporting significant numbers of wintering waterfowl and serving as a breeding ground for species such as the marbled duck.&nbsp;



The lake's mudflats attract large numbers of waders and shorebirds during migration periods.&nbsp;



The surrounding area features vegetation such as Phragmites australis, Juncus acutus, Aeluropus lagopoides, Salicornia herbacea, and Schoenoplectus litoralis, along with desert shrublands including Tamarix aucherana, Prosopis farcta, and Haloxylon salicornicum.&nbsp;



Mammals reported in this region include the Rüppell's fox, golden jackal, Indian grey mongoose, jungle cat, and the wildcat. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-euphrates-river-nbsp">The Euphrates River&nbsp;</h2>



The Euphrates River is one of the most significant rivers in the Middle East and holds immense historical, cultural, and ecological importance.&nbsp;



Stretching approximately 2,800 kilometers (1,740 miles), it originates in the mountains of eastern Turkey and flows through Syria and Iraq before merging with the Tigris River to form the Shatt al-Arab, which empties into the Persian Gulf.&nbsp;



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/major-plastic-pollution-lurks-beneath-the-surface-of-rivers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">river</a> has been a cradle of civilization for thousands of years, supporting ancient Mesopotamian societies, including Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria.



The Euphrates has provided water for irrigation, enabling the development of agriculture in an otherwise arid region. Its floodplains have been vital for sustaining life and fostering the growth of cities along its course.&nbsp;



However, the river also plays a key geopolitical role, as disputes over water usage and dam construction among Turkey, Syria, and Iraq have emerged over the years, impacting water availability downstream.



Ecologically, the Euphrates supports a range of habitats, from wetlands to desert ecosystems, making it home to diverse wildlife. 



Modern challenges such as damming, pollution, and climate change threaten its flow and ecological balance. Despite these challenges, the Euphrates remains a symbol of life and resilience in the heart of the Middle East.



The image was captured by an astronaut on the International Space Station (ISS) on September 23, 2024.



Image Credit: NASA



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Lake Razzaza: A shrinking oasis shaped by salinity

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features...

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features NGC 1792, a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Columba about 43 million light-years away from Earth. 



This galaxy, discovered by British astronomer James Dunlop in 1826, is part of the larger NGC 1808 group of galaxies.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intimate-view-of-ngc-1792">Intimate view of NGC 1792</h2>



“An orange glow radiates from the center of NGC 1792, the heart of this stellar forge. Captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, this intimate view of NGC 1792 gives us some insight into this galactic powerhouse,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



“The vast swathes of tell-tale blue seen throughout the galaxy indicate areas that are full of young, hot stars, and it is in the shades of orange, seen nearer the center, that the older, cooler stars reside.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vigorous-star-formation-nbsp">Vigorous star formation&nbsp;</h2>



NGC 1792 is notable for its vigorous star formation, classifying it as a starburst galaxy. This high rate of star formation is thought to be triggered by gravitational interactions with neighboring galaxies, though the exact cause is still under study.



“Nestled in the constellation of Columba (The Dove), NGC 1792 is both a spiral galaxy, and a starburst galaxy,” said ESA. “Within starburst galaxies, stars are forming at comparatively exorbitant rates. The rate of star formation can be more than 10 times faster in a starburst galaxy than in the Milky Way.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fierce-bursts-of-star-formation">Fierce bursts of star formation</h2>



ESA noted that when galaxies have a large reservoir of gas, like NGC 1792, these short-lived starburst phases can be sparked by galactic events such as mergers and tidal interactions.&nbsp;



“One might think that these starburst galaxies would easily consume all of their gas in a large forming event. However, supernova explosions and intense stellar winds produced in these powerful starbursts can inject energy into the gas and disperse it.”&nbsp;



“This halts the star formation before it can completely deplete the galaxy of all its fuel. Scientists are actively working to understand this complex interplay between the dynamics that drive and quench these fierce bursts of star formation.”



Due to its distance and brightness, NGC 1792 can be observed with medium-sized telescopes under favorable conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-galaxy-evolution">Galaxy evolution</h2>



Galaxy evolution refers to the process by which galaxies form and change over time. It begins in the early universe, shortly after the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-observations-disprove-big-bang-theory-universe-began-tired-light-theory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Big Bang</a>, when small density fluctuations in the primordial gas led to the collapse of matter into the first galaxies.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-galaxy-mergers">Galaxy mergers</h3>



These early galaxies were small and irregular, composed mostly of gas and dark matter. Over billions of years, galaxies grew larger by merging with one another and by accreting gas from the surrounding space.&nbsp;



These interactions often triggered bursts of star formation, and collisions between galaxies sometimes led to the creation of new, more massive galaxies.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-structural-changes">Structural changes</h3>



As galaxies evolve, their morphology - their shape and structure - can change. Early galaxies were often irregular or disk-shaped, but over time, many galaxies formed into the elliptical or spiral shapes we see today.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation">Star formation</h3>



Star formation is a key driver of galaxy evolution, but it gradually slows down as galaxies age. 



The gas that fuels <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-hole-is-starving-its-host-galaxy-of-star-forming-fuel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a> can be used up, or it can be heated and pushed out of galaxies by supernovae or black holes, reducing the galaxy's ability to form new stars.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-galaxy-environment-nbsp">Galaxy environment&nbsp;</h3>



The environment in which a galaxy resides also plays a role in its evolution. Galaxies in dense clusters are more likely to interact with their neighbors, which can alter their shape or trigger bursts of star formation.&nbsp;



In contrast, galaxies in more isolated regions of space evolve more slowly and without as many dramatic interactions.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-matter">Dark matter</h3>



Dark matter also plays a crucial role in galaxy evolution. It provides the gravitational framework that holds galaxies together and influences their interactions with one another.&nbsp;



Supermassive <a href="https://www.earth.com/search-results/?search=Galaxies%20merge&amp;start=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black holes</a>, found at the centers of most large galaxies, can also affect their evolution by releasing energy that impacts star formation and the movement of gas within the galaxy.



Overall, galaxy evolution is a complex and ongoing process driven by interactions between stars, gas, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-dark-matter-does-not-exist-and-the-universe-is-27-billion-years-old/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dark matter</a>, and black holes, and shaped by both internal processes and external influences.



Image Credit: ESA/Hubble &amp; NASA, J. Lee



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Starburst galaxy in the constellation Columba

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the galaxy ESO 300-16, which is located 28.7 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Eridanus. 



The galaxy is part of the ESO (European Southern Observatory) catalog, which includes a vast collection of galaxies observed in the southern hemisphere.



ESO 300-16 is notable for its chaotic structure, lacking the well-defined <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/hubble-captures-a-collection-of-spiral-galaxies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spiral arms</a> or elliptical shape seen in many other galaxies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ghostly-assemblage-of-stars">Ghostly assemblage of stars</h2>



According to <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>, ESO 300-16 is a ghostly assemblage of stars which resembles a sparkling cloud.&nbsp;



"A rogue’s gallery of distant galaxies and foreground stars complete this astronomical portrait, which was captured by the Advanced Camera for Surveys," said ESA.



"This observation is one of a series which aims to get to know our galactic neighbors; around three quarters of the known galaxies suspected to lie within 10 megaparsecs of Earth have been observed by Hubble in enough detail to resolve their brightest stars and establish the distances to these galaxies."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-irregular-galaxy-structure">Irregular galaxy structure </h2>



ESO 300-16 lies at a relatively close distance to Earth compared to many other extragalactic objects, making it an interesting target for studies on galaxy formation and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-galactic-explosion-provides-clues-about-galaxy-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution</a>. 



The galaxy's irregular structure suggests that it may have undergone past interactions with other galaxies or is in a stage of dynamic evolution.



One of the most striking features of ESO 300-16 is its wispy, diffuse appearance, with scattered patches of bright star-forming regions embedded within a fainter background. This indicates ongoing star formation, which is a common characteristic of irregular galaxies. 



Unlike large <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-mesmerizing-beauty-of-spiral-galaxies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spiral galaxies</a>, where star formation is often concentrated in well-organized arms, ESO 300-16's active regions are more randomly distributed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-raw-material-for-star-formation">Raw material for star formation</h2>



Due to its irregular nature, the galaxy does not have a well-defined nucleus. Instead, it appears as a loose collection of stars, gas, and dust, which astronomers can study to understand the processes shaping such galaxies. 



Irregular galaxies like ESO 300-16 are often rich in gas and dust, providing the raw material for new stars to form. 



Observations in different wavelengths, such as infrared and ultraviolet, can help reveal the presence of young, hot stars and cooler dust clouds that might be sites of future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/star-formation-reignited-in-the-galaxy-leo-p-after-billions-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-the-evolution-of-galaxies">Studying the evolution of galaxies </h2>



Hubble observations of ESO 300-16 provide insight into the structure and stellar populations of the galaxy, helping astronomers piece together its history and evolutionary path. 



The study of galaxies like ESO 300-16 contributes to our broader understanding of how galaxies form and evolve, especially those that do not fit into the traditional classifications of spirals and ellipticals.



Because irregular galaxies are often shaped by gravitational interactions or past mergers, ESO 300-16 may have had a turbulent past. 



It could have once been part of a larger system before being disrupted, or it might have formed in an environment where gravitational influences from nearby galaxies prevented it from developing a more regular shape. 



Studying its motion and the distribution of its stars can provide clues about any past interactions it may have experienced.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-glimpse-into-the-early-universe">A glimpse into the early universe </h2>



ESO 300-16 also provides a glimpse into what some galaxies in the early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/universe-is-expanding-faster-than-science-can-explain-hubble-tension-physics-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universe</a> might have looked like. 



Many early galaxies were irregular in shape before evolving into more structured forms over time. As a result, studying nearby irregular galaxies like ESO 300-16 can offer valuable analogs for understanding galaxy formation in the distant past.



Although ESO 300-16 is not one of the most famous galaxies, it remains an important object for astronomers studying irregular galaxies, star formation, and the role of interactions in shaping galactic structures. 



Image Credit: ESA



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Ghostly galaxy in the constellation Eridanus

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features dust plumes streaming over West Texas, after a storm system developed in the Central Plains of the United States. 



The low-pressure storm system produced a destructive series of severe weather events across the country.



“A powerful mid-latitude cyclone delivered a potpourri of weather hazards as it worked its way across the United States in March 2025,” said NASA.



“Beginning on March 3, the low-pressure system fanned wildfires and blinding dust storms in the Southwest, spawned severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in the Southeast, fueled blizzards in the Great Plains and Midwest, and dropped heavy rain in the Northeast.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-massive-dust-storms">Massive dust storms</h2>



In New Mexico and Texas, the storm generated massive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sand-and-dust-storms-have-become-unpredictable-and-dangerous/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dust storms</a>, known as "haboobs," characterized by walls of dust stretching miles wide and thousands of feet high. These dust storms led to near-zero visibility, causing hazardous driving conditions and road closures.&nbsp;



The National Weather Service issued dust storm warnings, advising residents to stay indoors and drivers to pull over safely until conditions improved



NASA elaborated on the details captured in the image. “Clouds of dust appear to originate from arid landscapes in northern Mexico and West Texas, a region that spans the Chihuahuan Desert, cattle ranches and cotton farms, and gas and oil fields.”



“Exceptional drought has gripped West Texas for the past several months, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The lack of rain has parched vegetation and dried the land surface, making the region particularly susceptible to erosion and dust storms.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dust-storms-are-intensifying-in-the-u-s">Dust storms are intensifying in the U.S.</h2>



Santiago Gassó, an atmospheric scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, noted that dust storms are typical in this region at this time of year. “Unfortunately, we’re seeing longer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-extreme-weather-events-are-escalating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">droughts</a> in the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico, so we can expect more of this type of (larger) event.”



NASA noted that fierce winds and thick plumes of blowing dust led to traffic accidents, flight disruptions, school closures, power outages, and red and orange skies throughout the state and region.&nbsp;



“One particularly severe dust storm on March 3 sharply reduced visibility and contributed to a 21-car accident near Roswell, New Mexico.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blizzards-tornadoes-and-fire-weather">Blizzards, tornadoes, and fire weather</h2>



The storm also produced blizzard conditions in parts of the Rockies and the Plains, with heavy snowfall and strong winds making travel difficult and increasing the risk of power outages.&nbsp;



Major cities like Chicago and Milwaukee were expected to experience record low-pressure readings due to the storm's intensity.



In addition to dust storms and blizzards, the system brought severe weather to the Southern United States, including threats of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/u-s-tornado-outbreak-100-storms-touched-down-in-a-week/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tornadoes</a>, large hail, and strong winds.&nbsp;



North Texas, particularly the Dallas-Fort Worth area, faced significant impacts, with over 400,000 people experiencing power outages. An EF1 tornado struck Irving, Texas, leading to evacuations from damaged apartment complexes.



The storm's strong winds and low humidity levels also heightened fire risks in regions like Central Texas and Alabama. Red Flag Warnings were issued due to the increased potential for rapid and intense wildfires.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-panhandle-hook-storms-in-the-u-s">Panhandle hook storms in the U.S.</h2>



A panhandle hook is a type of low-pressure storm system that originates in the Texas and Oklahoma panhandle regions and then moves northeast across the central United States.&nbsp;



These systems are named for their characteristic "hook-shaped" track, as they often travel from the southern Plains into the Midwest and Great Lakes region.



The storms typically begin as low-pressure systems in the semi-arid regions of Texas, Oklahoma, and eastern New Mexico, where warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico meets cold, dry air from the Rockies and the northern Plains.



As the system strengthens, it moves northeastward, often following a curved path that resembles a "hook" when mapped. This movement is influenced by the jet stream, which steers the storm across the central U.S.



Panhandle hook <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-heat-fueled-unexpected-and-deadly-storms-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storms</a> are particularly dangerous because they develop quickly and can intensify rapidly. They often occur in late winter and early spring, when temperature contrasts are strongest.



The image was captured on March 4, 2025 by the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) on NASA’s Terra satellite.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Monster storm spawns severe weather across the U.S. 

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency (ESA) features the distant galaxy LEDA 22057, which is located about 650 million light-years away in the constellation Gemini. 



Within the galaxy lies a pale blue dot - SN 2024PI, a supernova explosion that was discovered by an automated survey in January 2024.



“The survey covers the entire northern half of the night sky every two days and has cataloged more than 10,000 supernovae,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2025/01/Pale_blue_supernova_dot" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



“The supernova is visible in this image: located just down and to the right of the galactic nucleus, the pale blue dot of SN 2024PI stands out against the galaxy’s ghostly spiral arms.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-remnants-of-a-supernova-nbsp">The remnants of a supernova&nbsp;</h2>



ESA noted that the image was taken about a month and a half after the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shockingly-bright-carbon-monoxide-detected-in-supernova-remnant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova</a> was discovered, so it appears many times fainter than its maximum brilliance.



“SN 2024PI is classified as a Type Ia supernova. This type of supernova requires a remarkable object called a white dwarf, the crystallized core of a star with a mass less than about eight times the mass of the Sun,” explained ESA.



“When a star of this size uses up the supply of hydrogen in its core, it balloons into a red giant, becoming cool, puffy and luminous. Over time, pulsations and stellar winds cause the star to shed its outer layers, leaving behind a white dwarf and a colorful planetary nebula.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-fate-of-white-dwarfs">The fate of white dwarfs</h2>



Most stars in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stars-at-the-edge-of-our-milky-way-galaxy-travel-more-slowly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a> will eventually transition to white dwarfs after their death. Whether or not a star becomes a white dwarf depends on its mass. 



Stars that are significantly more massive will end their lives differently. Stars that exceed the critical mass threshold of eight times the Sun undergo more violent deaths. 



After exhausting their nuclear fuel, they collapse under their immense gravity and trigger a supernova explosion. Depending on the remaining core mass, they may leave behind either a neutron star or a black hole, rather than a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hungry-white-dwarf-stars-eat-heavy-metals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">white dwarf</a>. 



These remnants represent extreme outcomes of stellar evolution and are fundamentally different from white dwarfs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-constellation-gemini-nbsp">The constellation Gemini&nbsp;</h2>



Gemini is one of the twelve zodiac constellations located in the northern celestial hemisphere.&nbsp;



Its name means "twins" in Latin, reflecting its representation of the mythological twins Castor and Pollux from Greek and Roman mythology.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stars-of-gemini">Stars of Gemini</h3>



The stars Castor and Pollux, which form the heads of the twins, are the brightest stars in Gemini and are key to its identification.&nbsp;



Pollux is a bright orange giant star, while Castor is a multiple <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exoplanet-found-in-the-habitable-zone-of-a-binary-star-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star system</a> made up of six stars.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neighboring-constellations">Neighboring constellations</h3>



Gemini lies between Taurus to the west and Cancer to the east, and it is bordered by several other constellations, including Orion to the south.



It is most visible in the night sky during the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in January and February.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-gemini">Significance of Gemini</h3>



The constellation is part of the ecliptic, the path that the Sun appears to take through the sky, making it significant in both astronomy and astrology.



Astronomically, Gemini is home to several interesting deep-sky objects, including the open star cluster M35, which is easily visible with binoculars or a small telescope.&nbsp;



The constellation also contains several stars and stellar systems of interest, such as variable stars and binary systems.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greek-mythology-nbsp">Greek mythology&nbsp;</h3>



In Greek mythology, Castor and Pollux were the sons of Leda, but they had different fathers - Castor was mortal, while Pollux was divine, being the son of Zeus.&nbsp;



Their story is one of loyalty and brotherhood, as Pollux begged Zeus to share his immortality with Castor after his brother's death. As a result, Zeus placed them in the sky as the constellation Gemini, symbolizing their eternal bond.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-culture">Modern culture</h3>



In modern culture, Gemini continues to be associated with duality, adaptability, and communication in astrology.&nbsp;



The constellation also holds significance in space science, lending its name to NASA's Gemini program in the 1960s. This program conducted critical missions that paved the way for the Apollo moon landings.



Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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Supernova explosion captured in the constellation Gemini 

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features a stunningly beautiful photo of the Hainan Strait. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite as it orbited over southern China.



“The Hainan Strait, or Qiongzhou Strait, separates Guangdong's Leizhou Peninsula on China’s mainland to the north and the island province of Hainan to the south. It also connects the Gulf of Tonkin on the west to the South China Sea on the east,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hainan-strait-nbsp">Hainan Strait&nbsp;</h2>



The Hainan Strait is narrow and shallow. At its narrowest point, the strait is about 19 miles wide. Despite this, the Hainan Strait is a busy route for shipping and transportation. It's also vital to local <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-fleets-hidden-industrial-fishing-activity-exposed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fishing</a> industries.



ESA pointed out that in the image, the water along the coasts is light brown due to sediment runoff. 



“The curved Leizhou Peninsula juts southward into the South China Sea. The largest island on the east coast, Donghai, forms two bays: Leizhou Bay to its south and Zhanjiang Bay to its north," noted ESA.



“Facing both bays are cities with the same names: Zhanjiang, the largest city on the peninsula, and Leizhou, which gave the peninsula its name." 



"Hainan Island dominates the bottom part of the image. The name Hainan means ‘south of the sea,’ reflecting the island's position south of the strait.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-history-of-hainan-island">History of Hainan Island </h2>



During the Mesozoic Era about 100 million years ago, Hainan Island was actually part of a larger landmass connected to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/denisovan-tooth-suggests-southeast-asia-was-a-human-diversity-hotspot/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southeast Asia</a>. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geological-features">Geological features</h3>



Over time, the movements of Earth's plates caused this landmass to break apart and drift. Hainan separated from the continental shelf near Vietnam and moved to its current position.



This tectonic activity not only shaped the island's current location but also influenced its geological features. Hainan's landscape is characterized by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-and-why-do-mountains-form-new-theories-for-an-age-old-mystery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mountains</a>, volcanic formations, and rich mineral deposits, which are direct results of these ancient geological processes.



Understanding this geological history helps explain why Hainan Island has such unique and diverse natural features compared to the mainland of China and nearby regions. The island's distinct wildlife and terrain make it a fascinating subject for geologists and natural historians alike.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-diversity-nbsp">Cultural diversity&nbsp;</h3>



Hainan was once a remote and undeveloped part of China. It was used as a place of exile for disgraced officials during imperial times. 



However, it was also a place where diverse <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-are-not-the-only-animals-that-create-their-own-culture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cultures</a> met, as evidenced by the many ethnic groups that live there, including the Li people, who are indigenous to the island.



The island really started to change in the 20th century. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Hainan was occupied by Japanese forces, which had a significant impact on its development. After the war, it became a part of the People’s Republic of China in 1950.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-development-nbsp">Rapid development&nbsp;</h3>



In the 1980s, Hainan was designated a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which marked the beginning of its transformation into a major economic and tourist hub. 



The SEZ status attracted significant investment and spurred rapid development, particularly in the capital city of Haikou and the resort city of Sanya.



Today, Hainan is known for its lush landscapes, tropical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caribbean-salt-affects-global-climate-study-reveals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a>, and booming tourism industry. It's also becoming a key player in China's efforts to develop its free trade zones, aiming to become a major center for trade and commerce in the region.



Image Credit: ESA/ Copernicus Sentinel-2&nbsp;



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Hainan Strait in southern China

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features a brilliant stellar nursery located about 163,000 light-years away.



According to ESA, the image is one of the most photogenic examples of the many stellar nurseries observed by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope during its 30-year lifetime. 



“The portrait features the giant nebula NGC 2014 and its neighbor NGC 2020 which together form part of a vast star-forming region in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-a-stellar-nursery">What is a stellar nursery?</h2>



Stellar nurseries are regions in space where new stars are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-stars-release-sneezes-of-gas-and-dust-as-they-develop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">born</a> - often within vast clouds of gas and dust called molecular clouds.&nbsp;



These areas are fascinating because they are cradles of stellar evolution, where gravity causes clumps of gas to collapse, eventually forming protostars.&nbsp;



Over time, the protostars will heat up and start the nuclear fusion process that powers a star.



One of the most well-known stellar nurseries is the Orion Nebula, which is visible to the naked eye and located about 1,350 light-years from Earth.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dynamic-nature-of-a-stellar-nursery-nbsp">Dynamic nature of a stellar nursery&nbsp;</h2>



Within these nurseries, the balance between gravity and pressure determines the types of stars that form, from massive, luminous stars to smaller, cooler ones like our Sun.&nbsp;



The environment is incredibly dynamic, with powerful winds from young stars shaping the clouds and triggering the birth of even more stars.



These regions are often illuminated by the light from massive newborn stars - creating stunning, colorful displays. The light reveals the intricate structure of the dust and gas, sculpted by the energy of young stars.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-stellar-nurseries-nbsp">Significance of stellar nurseries&nbsp;</h2>



Stellar nurseries are essential for understanding the early stages of planetary formation, as protoplanetary disks (the material from which <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-formation-new-insights-mechanics-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planets form</a>) are often found around young stars in these regions.



Stellar nurseries play a crucial role in the ongoing evolution of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-hole-is-starving-its-host-galaxy-of-star-forming-fuel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a>. They are responsible for the continuous birth of new stars that enrich the interstellar medium with heavier elements. This constant recycling of material is key to the development of future generations of stars and planets.&nbsp;



Furthermore, the study of these regions helps astronomers understand the fundamental processes that govern the life cycles of stars and the overall dynamics of the universe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-local-group">The Local Group</h2>



The Local Group is a collection of over 80 galaxies that includes the Milky Way, the Andromeda Galaxy, and the Triangulum Galaxy, along with numerous smaller dwarf galaxies. These galaxies are bound together by gravity and span a region roughly 10 million light-years across.&nbsp;



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-ways-thin-disk-is-billions-of-years-older-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a> and Andromeda are the dominant members, with their respective satellite galaxies orbiting them.&nbsp;



The Local Group is part of a larger structure known as the Virgo Supercluster, and its galaxies are moving toward the gravitational center of the Local Group, contributing to its dynamic nature.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-large-magellanic-cloud">Large Magellanic Cloud</h2>



The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is the fourth largest galaxy in the Local Group and can be seen with the naked eye from the Southern Hemisphere.&nbsp;



This irregular dwarf galaxy is home to the Tarantula Nebula, one of the most active star-forming regions in our cosmic neighborhood.&nbsp;



The Large Magellanic Cloud played a key role in astronomical history, particularly when the supernova SN 1987A was observed, providing valuable insights into stellar evolution.&nbsp;



The LMC's interaction with the Milky Way, along with its own companion, the Small Magellanic Cloud, is believed to influence its shape and star formation activity. Its proximity and unique properties make it a crucial object of study for understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-galactic-explosion-provides-clues-about-galaxy-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxy evolution</a>, star formation, and the dynamics of interacting galaxies.



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and STScI



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Hubble captures a stunning stellar nursery

The MODIS instrument, short for Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, is a key instrument aboard the Terra and Aqua satellites. MODIS is playing a vital role in the development of Earth ecosystem models, able to predict global changes, which then assist policy makers in making informed decisions about the protection of the global environment.

Heavy snow and cloud cover in the Alps are seen in this Image of the day&nbsp;from the <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> and features a look at heavy snow and low clouds in the Alps. Wildlife such as ibex live in the higher peaks to elevations of 3,400 m (11,155 ft), and plants such as Edelweiss grow in rocky areas in lower elevations as well as in higher elevations.

Heavy snow and cloud cover in the Alps

Monitoring Earth Changes with MODIS

Aqua is a NASA scientific research satellite that studies precipitation, evaporation, and water cycles. Terra and Aura make up the Earth Observing System. It's the second component of the system.

A frozen Lake Erie in February Today’s Image of the Day comes from the <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> and features a look at a frozen <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/icy-lake-erie/">Lake Erie</a>, which is currently 93.3 percent iced over. A frozen Lake Erie in February
This false-color image was created using data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board the Aqua satellite to differentiate between snow, ice, and clouds.
Lake Erie /ˈɪəri/ (French: Lac Érié) is the fourth-largest lake (by surface area) of the five Great Lakes in North America, and the eleventh-largest globally if measured in terms of surface area.It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and therefore also has the shortest average water residence time. At its deepest point Lake Erie is 210 feet (64 metres) deep. 
Situated on the International Boundary between Canada and the United States, Lake Erie&#8217;s northern shore is the Canadian province of Ontario, specifically the Ontario Peninsula, with the U.S. states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York on its western, southern, and eastern shores. These jurisdictions divide the surface area of the lake with water boundaries. 
The lake was named by the Erie people, a Native American people who lived along its southern shore. The tribal name &#8220;erie&#8221; is a shortened form of the Iroquoian word erielhonan, meaning long tail
&#8212;
By <a href="mailto:rarnold@earth.com">Rory Arnold</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer
Image Credit: <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a>

A frozen Lake Erie in February

Aqua Earth Observing Satellite

This beautiful photo gallery contains 50 incredible images of Earth from Space. These images were taken by astronauts onboard the International Space Station, as well as by a multitude of NASA satellites orbiting the earth.

Today’s Image of the Day comes thanks to the <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=90654&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_readmore">NASA Earth Observatory</a> and features a look at Super Typhoon Noru in the Pacific Ocean just south of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/first-blue-chrysanthemums-created/">Japan</a>.
This image was captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite on July 31, 2017. 
At the time the photo was taken, Typhoon Noru was located just 250 kilometers south of Iwo Jima. Maximum sustained winds hit 150 miles per hour.
The storm briefly became a category 5 on July 30, before being downgraded to a category 4 one day later.
&#8211;
By <a href="mailto:rarnold@earth.com">Rory Arnold</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer
Source: <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=90654&amp;eocn=home&amp;eoci=iotd_readmore">NASA Earth Observatory</a>

Super Typhoon Noru in the Pacific Ocean

Incredible Images of Earth from Space

Photos from the International Space Station are found in this awesome Earth.com image gallery. Flat-earthers won't agree, but these incredible photos of the Earth were taken by astronauts onboard the International Space Station. The International Space Station is a modular space station in low Earth orbit.

Northern Italy from the space station is seen here in this Image of the Day from the <a href="http://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> (ESA). The view includes the top half of the Italian Peninsula, along with <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/wildfires-burn-northern-corsica/">Corsica</a> and Sardinia off the coast. This image was captured by ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli on his third and final mission to the Space Station.

Northern Italy from the Space Station

Photos from the International Space Station

Autumn,Blooming,Purple,Chrysanthemum,Flowers,Covered,With,Snow.,Frozen,Flowers

The world is changing, and so is the climate. Sudden temperature drops, unexpected frosts, and shifting weather patterns challenge ecosystems in many ways. 



For plants, these changes are especially harsh. Unlike animals, they cannot migrate, seek shelter, or generate body heat in cold weather. Instead, they rely on internal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-warming-alters-plant-germination-and-disrupts-ecosystem-balance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adaptations to survive</a>.



Varvara Dikaya at <a href="https://www.umu.se/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Umeå University</a> explored this challenge in her doctoral research. She studied a protein which plays a key role in plant adaptation to low temperatures.



The findings reveal that this protein participates in multiple signaling pathways, enabling plants to survive harsh conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cold-response-strategies-of-plants">Cold response strategies of plants </h2>



Unlike animals, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shaded-plants-capture-light-beyond-the-visible-spectrum/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> cannot seek warmth or migrate. Their survival depends on internal mechanisms that adjust to temperature shifts. 



Past research focused on molecules like amino acids and sugars, which help prevent freezing. Scientists also studied core temperature-response mechanisms, but many crucial components remained unknown.



Dikaya’s <a href="http://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1933796" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> uncovers a missing piece of this puzzle - RNA splicing. This process determines which proteins are produced in plant cells, directly impacting cold response strategies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-rna-splicing-the-basics">Understanding RNA splicing - the basics</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-cells-communicate-with-each-other-through-rna/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RNA</a> splicing is like an editing process for your genes, making sure your cells get the right instructions to build proteins. 



When a gene gets copied into RNA, it includes extra sections called introns that don’t actually code for anything useful. 



Before the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rna-world-unraveling-mysteries-life-origin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RNA can do its job</a>, the cell cuts out these introns and stitches together the remaining pieces, called exons. 



This process turns a raw RNA transcript into a polished, ready-to-go messenger RNA (mRNA) that cells can use to make proteins.



Sometimes, cells splice RNA in different ways, mixing and matching exons to produce multiple proteins from the same gene. 



This alternative splicing is why our relatively small number of genes can make such a huge range of proteins. When splicing goes wrong, though, it can lead to diseases like cancer and genetic disorders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-splicing">The role of splicing </h2>



"Splicing acts as a central hub controlling the information flow from DNA to RNA, defining which proteins are synthesized from a certain gene," explained Dikaya, who is a doctoral student in the Department of Plant Physiology at Umeå University and <a href="https://www.upsc.se" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Umeå Plant Science Center</a>.



Her research focused on PORCUPINE, a protein discovered when scientists observed that plants with a mutation in this gene became unusually cold-sensitive. The mutation's spiky shoot tips inspired the name.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-temperature-drops">Impact of temperature drops</h2>



"The PORCUPINE mutant appears normal under ambient temperature conditions but cannot develop properly in the case of even a mild temperature drop," the team noted.



"Already at 16 degrees, the mutant grows shorter roots with increased root hair density and much smaller rosettes than normal. This is very special,."



Dikaya’s work reveals that cold temperatures trigger an increase in PORCUPINE RNA in cells. This suggests that the plant produces more of this protein to cope with the stress. 



However, PORCUPINE is not just a passive responder. It actively participates in the spliceosome, a complex that processes RNA before it transforms into proteins.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-player-in-rna-processing">Key player in RNA processing</h2>



PORCUPINE is not just a responder to cold; it is an active participant in RNA processing. 



This protein is part of the spliceosome, a complex molecular machine that modifies RNA before it is translated into proteins. Without proper RNA splicing, plants cannot produce the proteins they need to survive.



By studying PORCUPINE’s role in the spliceosome, Dikaya and her team discovered that it influences multiple genetic pathways. 



Some of these pathways control how plants sense and react to cold temperature shifts. Others regulate growth patterns that determine whether a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predicting-how-climate-change-will-alter-plant-growth-cycles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a> can withstand stress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-network-of-cold-responses">A network of cold responses</h2>



Dikaya and her colleagues identified several genes controlled by PORCUPINE, all of which influence how plants respond to temperature changes. Her research highlights how intricate these responses are, involving multiple overlapping pathways.



"Our findings show the complexity of the cold response in plants. It is important to understand all aspects and identify fundamental mechanisms that could be applied later on in a practical manner," Dikaya noted.



"Such knowledge will be essential to create more resilient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bioelectric-future-harnessing-the-natural-energy-of-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> capable of withstanding environmental challenges in the future, even though it is still a long way to go."



Her work provides a deeper understanding of how plants adjust to fluctuating temperatures. This knowledge could pave the way for crops that can better withstand future climate uncertainties.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-cold-resistant-plants">Future of cold-resistant plants</h2>



The challenges of climate change are not going away, and neither is the need for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/phantom-nutrient-the-secret-force-that-fuels-plant-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resilient crops</a>. 



If researchers can harness the knowledge gained from studies like Dikaya’s, they may be able to develop plant varieties that thrive despite temperature fluctuations.



Although there is still much to learn, this research brings us one step closer to understanding the intricate mechanisms that allow plants to survive. In the years ahead, discoveries like this could reshape agriculture and help ensure food security in a changing world.



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Plants have an amazing ability to 'rewire' themselves to survive winter

The world is changing, and so is the climate. Sudden...

The,Oort,Cloud,Is,A,Theoretical,Cloud,Of,Predominantly,Icy

It is easy to think of our solar neighborhood as a tight little cluster of planets, but the reality is far more expansive. Beyond Neptune, a crowd of frozen bits and pieces lingers in the Kuiper Belt, yet that is only the start of our Sun’s extended family. 



Farther out - about 9.3 trillion miles away - sits the Oort Cloud, which some refer to as the outermost boundary of the Solar System. 



This region is believed to hold <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eris-and-makemake-icy-dwarf-planets-in-our-own-solar-system-may-support-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">countless icy objects</a> that still feel the Sun’s pull, no matter how faint. Many have viewed this area as a scattered collection, with most of its bodies quietly resting in near isolation. 



However, according to a recent study, there is a surprising spiral pattern in the inner Oort Cloud that runs much deeper than a random sprinkling of frozen debris.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-oort-cloud-the-basics">Understanding the Oort Cloud - the basics</h2>



The Oort Cloud is usually divided into two zones. The outer part stretches in a spherical shell and starts at around 10,000 astronomical units from the Sun.



The inner Oort Cloud begins closer in - roughly 1,000 astronomical units out - and forms what was once considered a disc-shaped region.



Scientists have long believed that the outer shell experiences more disruptions from passing stars, while the inner zone is held together by the Sun’s gravity. 



Some of the comets that swing through the inner <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-solar-systems-journey-through-the-milky-way-may-have-altered-earths-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Solar System</a>, including long-period comets, can be traced to these distant reaches.



Its outer boundary marks a sort of transition point where the Sun’s Hill sphere merges with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/two-enormous-fermi-bubbles-discovered-towering-above-and-below-our-milky-way-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Milky Way</a>’s gravitational influence. Astronomical models show that the outer Oort Cloud is only loosely connected to the Sun. 



Meanwhile, this weaker binding is precisely why small tugs from passing stars, and even the galactic tide, can change the direction of these icy residents. Some comets then slip free, heading inward to light up our skies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-the-heliosphere">Looking beyond the heliosphere</h2>



Efforts to see deep into this region face an obvious hurdle: these objects are far, faint, and spread across enormous distances. 



No spacecraft to date has gone anywhere near the middle of this domain, though a few probes have passed into interstellar space. 



Despite the limited observations, researchers note that the outer Oort Cloud may supply short-period comets, while the inner region tends to stay stable because it is less exposed to disturbance from wandering stars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spiral-pattern-in-the-oort-cloud">Spiral pattern in the Oort Cloud</h2>



A fresh round of modeling from a team of astronomers, led by <a href="https://www.boulder.swri.edu/~davidn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David Nesvorný</a> of the Southwest Research Institute (<a href="https://www.swri.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SWRI</a>) in the US., sheds new light on this hidden zone.



The work included simulations spanning 4.6 billion years, starting from the Solar System’s formative days. 



These tests factored in the Sun’s gravitational pull, influences from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-solar-systems-journey-through-the-milky-way-may-have-altered-earths-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Milky Way</a>, and the complex dance of the comets themselves.



“As the galactic tide acts to decouple bodies from the scattered disk it creates a spiral structure in physical space that is roughly 15,000 astronomical units in length,” writes Nesvorný. “The spiral is long-lived and persists in the inner Oort Cloud to the present time.”



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/oort-cloud_solar-system_diagram_NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/oort-cloud_solar-system_diagram_NASA_1s.webp" alt="Scientists think the Oort Cloud is a giant spherical shell surrounding the Sun, planets and Kuiper Belt Objects. It's like a big, thick bubble around our solar system, made of icy, comet-like objects. Credit: NASA" class="wp-image-1961969"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Scientists think the Oort Cloud is a giant spherical shell surrounding the Sun, planets and Kuiper Belt Objects. It's like a big, thick bubble around our solar system, made of icy, comet-like objects. Credit: NASA</figcaption></figure>



The spiral pattern is about 15,000 astronomical units wide, or around 1.4 trillion miles from one end to the other. It also appears to have a tilt of roughly 30 degrees relative to the usual plane of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/interstellar-tunnel-found-that-connects-our-solar-system-to-other-stars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our Solar System</a>. 



That tilt and the elongated swirl may trace back to the galaxy’s own gravitational pulling, which could have twisted and shaped the inner Oort Cloud soon after the Solar System’s birth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-spiral-formation">Surprising spiral formation</h2>



The simulations suggest that, early in the Solar System’s history, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/streaming-instability-hypothesis-altjira-system-kuiper-belt-hubble-three-body-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bits of icy debris</a> were scattered and then gradually coaxed into a spiral alignment in the Oort Cloud by galactic forces. 



Although random passes by neighboring stars can yank certain comets out of their orbits, the main spiral appears to endure. 



This means that a hidden pattern might be circling at the far edge of our Sun’s direct domain.



Researchers revisited earlier simulations to see if they had missed hints of this structure. They found that the same spiral formation popped up even when they ran tests under slightly different assumptions. 



This recurring clue led them to propose a lasting swirl in the inner Oort Cloud that does not break down easily.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



The idea of a giant spiral twisting beyond the planetary region may spark questions about direct observations. The models suggest that seeing it in action, as a whole, is nearly impossible with current technology. 



The objects out there reflect too little light, and their motions unfold over such a long timeframe that it is not practical to watch them shift. 



Still, the pattern aligns with what has been learned about the faint comets that occasionally travel inward.



There is a sense that these findings might offer a peek into how the Sun’s outer family has evolved since the very beginning. 



A stable spiral implies that the interplay between our star and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-ways-black-hole-unleashes-mysterious-flares/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a> is more delicate than once assumed. 



Some comets will always break away from that remote territory, but enough remain to preserve this structure for eons to come.



The full study was published on the preprint server <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.11252" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arXiv</a>.



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Unknown spiral structure discovered at the edge of our solar system

It is easy to think of our solar neighborhood as...

Galaxies don't float around at random. They line up along strands of cosmic filaments, sometimes stretching millions of light-years, that shape how stars and other structures form across the universe. 



These strands link galaxies in a pattern that astronomers call the cosmic web. By observing this vast network, researchers learn how galactic neighborhoods emerge, grow, and fuel new stars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cosmic-filament-connections">Cosmic filament connections</h2>



Astronomers have long suspected that this web exists because nearly 85% of all matter in the universe appears to be <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-matter-if-it-exists-has-a-strictly-limited-lifetime-new-study-says/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dark matter</a>, a form of matter that does not interact with light in a direct way. 



Computer simulations suggest that this invisible substance gathers into filaments under the pull of gravity. 



Gas follows these filaments, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-holes-seen-creating-their-own-food-gases-x-rays-fascinating-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feeding galaxies</a> nestled where strands intersect. Until recently, only hints of that gas emerged through absorption signatures. 



Detecting the faint glow of the most abundant element, hydrogen, remained a challenge.



This fascinating research was led by Davide Tornotti, Ph.D. student at the <a href="https://en.unimib.it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Milano-Bicocca</a>, in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (<a href="https://www.mpa-garching.mpg.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MPA</a>).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-definition-detailed-images">High-definition detailed images</h2>



A new investigation offered a closer look at a filament linking two galaxies that existed when the universe was about 2 billion years old. 



Each galaxy hosts an active supermassive black hole. The team targeted these objects with an instrument named <a href="https://www.eso.org/sci/facilities/develop/instruments/muse.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MUSE</a> (Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer) on the Very Large Telescope (<a href="https://www.eso.org/public/teles-instr/paranal-observatory/vlt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VLT</a>) in Chile. 



They devoted hundreds of hours to gather data from a single region of the sky. This ambitious effort allowed them to capture a detailed picture of a cosmic filament spanning roughly 3 million light-years.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cosmic-web-filaments_3-million-light-years_universe_credit-Mailand-Bicocca_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cosmic-web-filaments_3-million-light-years_universe_credit-Mailand-Bicocca_1s.webp" alt="The image shows the diffuse gas (yellow to purple) contained within the cosmic filament connecting two galaxies (yellow stars), extending across a vast distance of 3 million light-years. Credit: Davide Tornotti/University of Milano-Bicocca" class="wp-image-1961951"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The image shows the diffuse gas (yellow to purple) contained within the cosmic filament connecting two galaxies (yellow stars), extending across a vast distance of 3 million light-years. Credit: Davide Tornotti/University of Milano-Bicocca</figcaption></figure>



That high-definition image, reported in Nature Astronomy, indicates that the gas forming this strand supplies vital ingredients for star formation. 



For the first time, researchers traced its boundary with precise detail. 



They confirmed that the gas inside the filament appears to be connected directly to the gas within the host galaxies, illuminating how these immense structures contribute to the evolution of galaxies across cosmic time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pinpointing-faint-light">Pinpointing faint light</h2>



"By capturing the faint light emitted by this filament, which traveled for just under 12 billion years to reach Earth, we were able to precisely characterize its shape," explains Tornotti. 



"For the first time, we could trace the boundary between the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/colliding-galaxy-clusters-stir-up-hot-sloshing-gas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gas residing in galaxies</a> and the material contained within the cosmic web through direct measurements."



Such clarity reflects the cutting-edge design of MUSE. Its ability to split incoming light into many wavelength channels helps astronomers detect emissions usually lost in the glare of brighter sources. 



The study team matched their observations against supercomputer simulations from MPA. 



"When compared to the novel high-definition image of the cosmic web, we find substantial agreement between current theory and observations," Tornotti adds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-cosmic-filaments-matter">Why cosmic filaments matter</h2>



These results support the notion that galaxies rely on these filaments for fresh <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxies-are-much-bigger-than-we-originally-believed-gas-clouds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supplies of gas</a>. 



The strands appear to be a backbone for how structure arises, guiding both dark matter and regular matter into clusters of stars. 



Such conclusions also highlight the synergy between observational campaigns and theoretical models.



The data show that, at least in this case, the shape and density of the gas nearly match what cosmologists predict. 



By confirming this match, scientists gain new confidence in their models of how dark matter shapes galaxies. 



It also suggests that more discoveries like this one may be around the corner as advanced telescopes refine their methods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next?</h2>



"We are thrilled by this direct, high-definition observation of a cosmic filament. But as people say in Bavaria: 'Eine ist keine' - one doesn't count," MPA staff scientist Fabrizio Arrigoni Battaia exclaimed.



"So we are gathering further data to uncover more such structures, with the ultimate goal of having a comprehensive vision of how gas is distributed and flows in the cosmic web." 



These words from Battaia highlight the continuing effort to capture the faint glow of additional strands, offering a path to understand how galaxies replenish their star-making material.



Refining this view of large-scale gas networks could reshape our picture of cosmic activity. 



By tracing these filaments in different parts of the sky, researchers can confirm whether galaxy formation truly follows the same pattern everywhere. 



Each new finding builds on the last, revealing how galaxies maintain and renew themselves. Observers see a chance for deeper insights into the elusive connections that govern the biggest structures known.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cosmic-filaments-and-future-exploration">Cosmic filaments and future exploration</h2>



To sum it all up, high-resolution views of the cosmic web might once have seemed like a distant vision. They are now moving into focus, showing how gas behaves across millions of light-years. 



This single observation campaign has sharpened humanity’s understanding of the engine that drives galaxy growth. 



It underscores how dedicated, patient efforts can shed light on some of the faintest signals in the cosmos, giving a glimpse into the hidden architecture that shapes everything we see in the night sky.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2406.17035">Nature Astronomy</a>.



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First high-def image of the 'cosmic web' shows hidden universal highways

Galaxies don't float around at random. They line up along...

When it comes to blending into their surroundings, nature has produced many masters of disguise. From the chameleon’s shifting hues to the arctic hare’s seasonal coat change, camouflage is an essential survival tool in the wild. But one of the most remarkable camouflage experts might not be the first to come to mind - the squid.



Along with their cephalopod relatives like octopuses and cuttlefish, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/octopus-and-squid-senses-linked-to-human-brain-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">squid</a> have an extraordinary ability to alter their skin color almost instantly. This unique trait has helped them evade predators and hunt effectively for millions of years, dating back to the age of the dinosaurs.&nbsp;



However, despite their long evolutionary history, much about the mechanisms behind this ability remains a mystery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-details-about-squid-camouflage-nbsp">New details about squid camouflage&nbsp;</h2>



Leila Deravi, an associate professor of chemistry and chemical biology at <a href="https://www.northeastern.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northeastern University</a>, is working to change that. Her recently published study reveals new insights into how squid camouflage operates.&nbsp;



The research demonstrates that squid possess specialized organs that function similarly to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-recycle-solar-cells-sustainably-with-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar cells</a>, generating energy that powers their remarkable skin transformations.&nbsp;



The findings not only advance the understanding of these fascinating creatures but could also influence the development of new materials and technology for human use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science-of-squid-camouflage">The science of squid camouflage</h2>



Deravi has spent years studying cephalopods, captivated by their unique biological abilities. Her Biomaterials Design Group at Northeastern focuses on uncovering the mechanics of squid camouflage, with the goal of applying these natural processes to innovative materials.



More recently, her team has concentrated on chromatophores, the specialized pigmented structures responsible for a squid’s ability to change <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-got-their-colors-150-million-years-before-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">color</a>. This focus led to a groundbreaking discovery.



Chromatophores are tiny, pigmented organs embedded in the squid’s skin. These structures are surrounded by muscle fibers controlled by neurons, allowing the animal to open and close pigment sacs in response to its environment.



Working alongside another type of skin cell, called iridophores, chromatophores produce a broad range of colors. While chromatophores contain red, yellow, and brown pigments, iridophores reflect greens and blues, giving squid the ability to create a full spectrum of colors in a fraction of a second.



“To have something sense the colors around it and distribute [them] within hundreds of milliseconds is really insane,” Deravi said. “It’s not something that’s easy to do, especially in a living system that’s under water.”



Scientists have long believed that chromatophores function much like pixels on a digital display, simply reflecting colors as needed. But Deravi’s latest research shows that these structures do much more than act as mere colorants - they actually sense and generate energy from light.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-squid-s-organic-solar-cells">Squid’s organic solar cells</h2>



Her study reveals that chromatophores operate as light-sensitive energy converters, much like solar cells. This capability allows squid to harness external <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bioluminescence-emerged-in-animals-540-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">light</a> and transform it into energy that assists in their camouflage process.



“It can see whatever light is on the outside and convert that light into energy and then harvest that energy to help distribute camouflage,” Deravi explained.



To test this theory, her research team constructed a squid-powered solar cell. Using conductive glass, semiconductors, electrolytes, and pigmented nanoparticles extracted from squid chromatophores, they created a circuit capable of responding to light.&nbsp;



By exposing the circuit to simulated sunlight, they measured the energy output to determine whether the chromatophores could genuinely generate electrical current.



“We found that the more granules you put into there, the higher the photocurrent response is,” Deravi said.&nbsp;



“It’s a direct indication that the pieces of the chromatophore are actually converting the light from the sun’s simulated light to the voltage, which can complete the circuit and then be harvested, potentially, for a power supply in the animal.”



This marks the first time that scientists have directly linked the chromatophores of a cephalopod to an energy-generating function.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-secrets-of-squid-camouflage-nbsp">Secrets of squid camouflage&nbsp;</h2>



Understanding how cephalopods achieve their dynamic camouflage could have broad applications beyond marine biology.&nbsp;



Deravi’s lab has already translated their discoveries into practical uses, such as developing wearable UV sensors to help prevent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melanoma-has-been-replaced-as-the-deadliest-form-of-skin-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">skin cancer</a>. Her startup, Seaspire, is also exploring how these findings could lead to more environmentally friendly and effective sunscreens.



Squid’s ability to distribute color efficiently with minimal energy consumption could also inspire advancements in wearable technology.&nbsp;



Today’s wearable electronics must balance size, weight, and power usage. Studying how squid utilize their natural solar cells might provide clues for designing more energy-efficient, interactive materials.



“The squid might be the key to developing a truly ‘living digital skin,’” Deravi suggested.



She envisions a future where wearable technology mimics the adaptability of squid skin, seamlessly responding to environmental changes without relying on bulky batteries or complicated circuitry.



“If you think about fully wearable stuff, you just have to think about how to make it the most energetically favorable in order to be fully interactive with the surroundings,” Deravi said. “We’re trying to tap into what the blueprint is that the animal uses to do this and how that correlates to adapting to the environment as well.”



As scientists continue to unlock the secrets of squid camouflage, their discoveries may lead to transformative new technologies - taking inspiration from nature’s own evolutionary genius.



The study is published in the <a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/tc/d4tc04333b" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Materials Chemistry C</a>.



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How squid power their amazing camouflage abilities

When it comes to blending into their surroundings, nature has...

A recent study confirmed that the Antarctic ozone layer is currently healing, as a result of global efforts to reduce ozone-depleting substances.&nbsp;



The study demonstrates that joint international measures - in particular, the phase-out of chemicals that damage the ozone layer - have led to a meaningful restoration of this critical atmospheric shield.



Scientists, including the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIT</a> team that led the current study, have previously detected indications of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/burning-up-of-satellites-severely-harms-ozone-recovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ozone recovery</a>.



However, this new study is the first to provide strong statistical evidence that the improvement is primarily driven by the reduction of ozone-depleting substances, rather than factors like natural weather fluctuations or rising greenhouse gas levels in the stratosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recovery-of-the-ozone-hole">Recovery of the ozone hole</h2>



“There’s been a lot of qualitative evidence showing that the Antarctic ozone hole is getting better. This is really the first study that has quantified confidence in the recovery of the ozone hole,” said study co-author Susan Solomon, a professor of environmental studies and chemistry at MIT.&nbsp;



“The conclusion is, with 95 percent confidence, it is recovering. Which is awesome. And it shows we can actually solve environmental problems.”



Solomon worked on this project with lead author and graduate student Peidong Wang and contributors from multiple other research institutions.&nbsp;



The team’s findings offer strong support for the success of international policy interventions - specifically the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/1987-ozone-treaty-had-an-unexpected-benefit-for-the-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Montreal Protocol</a>, which curbed the production of ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seasonal-ozone-hole-over-antarctica-nbsp">Seasonal ozone hole over Antarctica&nbsp;</h2>



Within the Earth’s stratosphere, ozone is a naturally occurring gas that acts as a sort of sunscreen, protecting the planet from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.&nbsp;



However, in 1985, scientists discovered that a seasonal “hole” in the ozone layer developed over Antarctica each austral spring - letting in greater quantities of dangerous UV rays.&nbsp;



By 1986, Solomon, then a scientist at the <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA), led expeditions that identified CFCs as the chief culprit in stratospheric ozone loss. The Montreal Protocol, enacted in 1987, aimed to gradually eliminate these chemicals worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-natural-and-human-caused-changes-nbsp">Natural and human-caused changes&nbsp;</h2>



“While detecting a statistically significant increase in ozone is relatively straightforward, attributing these changes to specific forcings is more challenging,” Wang said.&nbsp;



In past studies, although ozone levels in the Antarctic region seemed to be improving, scientists struggled to confirm just how much of that recovery was driven by reductions in CFCs as opposed to natural weather variability - such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/el-nino-climate-shifts-date-back-250-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">El Niño</a>, La Niña, or the polar vortex - or the effects of rising greenhouse gases.



To tackle these uncertainties, the researchers adopted a “fingerprinting” method, originally developed by Nobel Prize-winning scientist Klaus Hasselmann for distinguishing the impacts of human-caused climate change from natural fluctuations in the climate system.&nbsp;



The MIT-led team adapted this fingerprinting to separate human-driven ozone gains from other atmospheric noise.



They began by running climate simulations for various scenarios: a hypothetical world where greenhouse gases did not rise, a world where ozone-depleting substances were not phased out, and other alternative pathways.&nbsp;



In these virtual settings, they examined how ozone levels would shift, both over time and with seasonal changes. By comparing these model outcomes, the scientists identified a characteristic signal of ozone healing - an unmistakable pattern that occurred only when CFCs were curbed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-fingerprint-in-the-data">Distinct “fingerprint” in the data</h2>



The researchers then combed through 15 years’ worth of satellite observations of the Antarctic ozone hole. 



Step by step, they tested whether the actual data exhibited the predicted pattern of recovery - a fingerprint tied specifically to the global phase-out of CFCs. The match was impressively strong.



“After 15 years of observational records, we see this signal to noise with 95 percent confidence, suggesting there’s only a very small chance that the observed pattern similarity can be explained by variability noise,” Wang said.&nbsp;



“This gives us confidence in the fingerprint. It also gives us confidence that we can solve environmental problems. What we can learn from ozone studies is how different countries can swiftly follow these treaties to decrease emissions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-from-the-healing-ozone-hole">Lessons from the healing ozone hole</h2>



The study’s findings imply that if these trends persist, the Antarctic ozone hole could eventually close for good.&nbsp;



“By something like 2035, we might see a year when there’s no ozone hole depletion at all in the Antarctic. And that will be very exciting for me,” Wang said. “And some of you will see the ozone hole go away completely in your lifetimes. And people did that.”



From a broader perspective, the ozone hole’s gradual healing stands as a success story for international cooperation on an environmental crisis.&nbsp;



At the height of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/use-of-banned-ozone-depleting-chemicals-is-increasing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFC use</a>, aerosol propellants, refrigerants, and other industrial processes threatened to erode Earth’s UV shield to dangerous levels. Rapid science-based policymaking in the form of the Montreal Protocol turned the tide, demonstrating that even large-scale environmental challenges can be confronted.



The researchers consider this a timely lesson for today’s leaders, as the world grapples with complex ecological problems, including climate change.&nbsp;



By illustrating how robust, evidence-based treaties can drive positive, global-scale outcomes, the current work highlights both the vulnerability of Earth’s atmosphere and the power of coordinated human action.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08640-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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The ozone layer is healing - will the hole disappear for good?

A recent study confirmed that the Antarctic ozone layer is...

A team of engineers has recently created a breakthrough prosthetic hand that can deftly handle everyday objects, from plush toys to water bottles, adjusting its grip to avoid damaging them.&nbsp;



In doing so, the experts have introduced a novel hybrid approach to robotic hands, merging rigid and soft elements in a way that mimics the human hand’s unique design.



The innovative research was conducted in the Neuroengineering and Biomedical Instrumentations Lab at <a href="https://neuroengineering.bme.jhu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins University</a>. The team previously developed an electronic “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-tech-will-track-emotions-through-changes-in-our-skin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">skin</a>” with a humanlike sense of pain in 2018. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prosthetic-hand-with-sensing-capabilities-nbsp">Prosthetic hand with sensing capabilities&nbsp;</h2>



The new hand features a multi-finger setup made of rubberlike polymers over a rigid, 3D-printed skeleton. 



Its three layers of tactile sensors, modeled after the layers of human skin, go beyond simple contact detection to identify textures, shapes, and the precise force needed to pick up various items.



“The goal from the beginning has been to create a prosthetic hand that we model based on the human hand’s physical and sensing capabilities - a more natural prosthetic that functions and feels like a lost limb,” said Sriramana Sankar, a Johns Hopkins biomedical engineer who led the work.&nbsp;



“We want to give people with upper-limb loss the ability to safely and freely interact with their environment, to feel and hold their loved ones without concern of hurting them.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bridging-soft-and-rigid-elements">Bridging soft and rigid elements</h2>



In prosthetic technology, robotic hands have often been either too stiff to safely handle fragile objects or too soft to manage heavier ones. This new device tackles that issue by combining a pliable exterior with an internal frame.&nbsp;



The soft, air-filled finger joints can accommodate delicate items without crushing them, while the solid core provides the stability needed to lift or grip sturdier materials.



“We’re combining the strengths of both rigid and soft <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robots-with-space-to-think-will-become-more-useful/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robotics</a> to mimic the human hand,” Sankar explained.&nbsp;"The human hand isn’t completely rigid or purely soft - it’s a hybrid system, with bones, soft joints, and tissue working together. That’s what we want our prosthetic hand to achieve.”&nbsp;



Sankar noted that this is new territory for robotics and prosthetics, which haven’t fully embraced this hybrid technology before. “It’s being able to give a firm handshake or pick up a soft object without fear of crushing it.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-restoring-the-sensation-of-touch-nbsp">Restoring the sensation of touch&nbsp;</h2>



Another central focus is restoring a sensation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-a-hidden-way-that-humans-feel-and-sense-touch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">touch</a> to individuals with upper-limb loss. The device employs machine learning algorithms to process signals from the artificial receptors embedded in its fingertips.&nbsp;



These signals merge with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-fuels-neuron-growth-through-muscle-signals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">muscle</a> activity from the forearm to guide grip strength, finger positioning, and overall dexterity.



“The sensory information from its fingers is translated into the language of nerves to provide naturalistic sensory feedback through electrical nerve stimulation,” Sankar said. “Each of its soft air-filled finger joints can be controlled with the forearm’s muscles.”



For many prosthesis users, regaining the ability to “feel” objects is equally as important as being able to hold them.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lifelike-prosthetic-hands-nbsp">Lifelike prosthetic hands&nbsp;</h2>



According to Nitish Thakor, a Johns Hopkins biomedical engineering professor who directed the work, any <a href="https://youtu.be/dnPrY7xA08c" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lifelike prosthetic hand</a> must incorporate three major components. 



First, sensors need to detect what the hand is touching; second, the system must convert that data into nerve-like signals; and third, the user’s nerves have to receive those signals as if they come from a natural limb.



“If you’re holding a cup of coffee, how do you know you’re about to drop it? Your palm and fingertips send signals to your brain that the cup is slipping,” Thakor said.&nbsp;



“Our system is neurally inspired - it models the hand’s touch receptors to produce nervelike messages so the prosthetics’ ‘brain,’ or its computer, understands if something is hot or cold, soft or hard, or slipping from the grip.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-successful-tests-on-everyday-objects">Successful tests on everyday objects</h2>



In controlled lab experiments, the researchers tested the new hand’s performance on 15 ordinary items, ranging from stuffed animals and dish sponges to pineapples and sturdy cardboard boxes. 



These trials showed the hand deftly recognized each object’s characteristics and adjusted its grip accordingly.



The team reported a success rate of 99.69% in handling these items without error, a marked improvement over existing prosthetic hands.&nbsp;



One notable demonstration involved the hand lifting a fragile plastic cup filled with water using only three fingers - without denting the cup or spilling the liquid.



Although the prototype represents a major step toward prostheses that blend humanlike sensitivity and adaptability, the researchers emphasize that the system is still in early development.&nbsp;



Stronger grip forces, additional sensors, and more durable materials are among the enhancements they envision.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-prosthetics">What's next for prosthetics?</h2>



Thakor also sees this hybrid approach to dexterity benefiting not just amputees but the broader robotics field. 



Robots that can handle delicate objects, such as glassware or soft materials, while still possessing the strength for more demanding tasks will be vital in settings ranging from warehouses to healthcare facilities.



“This hybrid dexterity isn’t just essential for next-generation prostheses,” Thakor said. “It’s what the robotic hands of the future need because they won’t just be handling large, heavy objects. They’ll need to work with delicate materials such as glass, fabric, or soft toys.”&nbsp;



“That’s why a hybrid robot, designed like the human hand, is so valuable - it combines soft and rigid structures, just like our skin, tissue, and bones.”



As this technology matures, it could lead to more natural prosthetics that let users regain a full range of motion and sensation.&nbsp;



The engineers hope that the progress made here will spur further refinements, ultimately resulting in prosthetic hands that can handle everything from a gentle handshake to a firm grasp of heavier objects - all while preserving a truly humanlike sense of touch.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adr9300" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.&nbsp;



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Future of prosthetics: Bionic hand 'knows' what it’s touching

A team of engineers has recently created a breakthrough prosthetic...

The universe is in a constant state of motion, shaped by gravity, collisions, and the unseen force of dark matter. Galaxy clusters - the largest gravitationally bound structures in the cosmos - contain vast amounts of hot gas, providing an ideal laboratory to study these interactions.



Scientists have long theorized that cluster mergers drive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/80-million-pixels-reveal-the-brilliance-of-a-star-cluster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmic evolution</a>, but finding direct evidence has remained a challenge.



A recent breakthrough by the <a href="https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/xrism/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">XRISM</a> collaboration has changed this. By examining X-ray data from the XRISM satellite, astronomers have uncovered large-scale flows of hot gas in the core of the Centaurus Cluster. 



The findings confirm that galaxy cluster collisions trigger a process known as “sloshing,” where hot gas moves in vast waves within the cluster.



This not only explains how clusters evolve but also provides a long-sought answer to a puzzling question - why does the gas in these clusters remain hot when it should have cooled long ago?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-immense-gravitational-forces">Immense gravitational forces </h2>



Galaxy clusters are massive cosmic structures held together by dark matter. 



Astronomers have theorized that the immense gravitational forces between galaxies and galaxy clusters drive their growth through mergers and collisions. However, direct evidence for this has been lacking.



The discovery of sloshing gas in the Centaurus Cluster provides the strongest confirmation yet of these dynamic interactions.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-structure-in-universe-is-1-4-billion-light-years-long-quipu-superstructure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clusters</a> do not exist in isolation. They move, collide, and merge over billions of years, shaping the structure of the universe. 



When two clusters interact, their hot gas - known as the intracluster medium (ICM) - does not remain static. Instead, it is disturbed by these colossal encounters, triggering massive flows that propagate throughout the cluster.



This movement plays a crucial role in maintaining the high temperatures observed in these systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-gas-movement-in-a-galaxy-cluster">Hot gas movement in a galaxy cluster</h2>



The international XRISM (X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission) collaboration has observed the Centaurus galaxy cluster with the XRISM satellite, launched in 2023 by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (<a href="https://global.jaxa.jp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAXA</a>). 



The onboard spectrometer, called Resolve, features advanced precision spectroscopy, allowing for the accurate identification of gas velocities.



Looking at the core of the Centaurus Cluster, including the central galaxy NGC 4696, the experts discovered for the first time a bulk flow of hot gas traveling around 130 to 310 kilometers per second in the line-of-sight from Earth.



They were also able to create a map of how the velocity varies at locations away from the center. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-direct-evidence-of-sloshing-gas">First direct evidence of sloshing gas </h2>



A task team led by Professor Yutaka Fujita from <a href="https://www.tmu.ac.jp/english/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tokyo Metropolitan University</a> and Professor Kosuke Sato from the <a href="https://www.kek.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">High Energy Accelerator Research Organization</a> analyzed the data. 



The team compared their findings with simulations and found that the observed gas movement matched a process known as “sloshing.”



This phenomenon occurs when hot gas, also called the intracluster medium (ICM), moves due to collisions with other galactic clusters. Their research provides the first direct evidence of this kind of “sloshing.” 



It confirms a long-standing hypothesis about how galaxy clusters evolve over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sloshing-gas-keeps-clusters-hot">Sloshing gas keeps clusters hot</h2>



This breakthrough does not just confirm a theoretical concept. It also provides a missing piece in understanding how galaxy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secret-origins-of-young-star-clusters-traced-to-three-families/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clusters</a> maintain their extreme temperatures. 



The discovery that gas flows inside clusters act as a natural heat transport mechanism solves a major astrophysical mystery.



The study also solves a long-standing unsolved mystery for astronomers of how such bright X-ray emitting gas stays hot. 



Theoretically, such intense radiation should entail a loss of energy, leading to cooling of the gas; this is known as radiative cooling. The time scale over which this cooling should occur is shorter than the age of the cluster, but observations so far suggest that, somehow, the gas manages to stay hot. 



These new findings present an elegant solution to this problem. If the gas in the cluster core can “slosh,” involving vast bulk flows of gas to-and-fro around the center, energy can be transported to the core through a mixing process, keeping the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hundreds-of-glittering-galaxies-captured-in-the-antlia-cluster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gas</a> hot and the emissions bright. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-astrophysics">The future of astrophysics</h2>



These remarkably precise measurements are a significant leap forward in our understanding of the formation and evolution of galactic clusters.



With years still left in the XRISM mission, the world of astrophysics eagerly awaits more insights into the changing nature of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-holes-seen-creating-their-own-food-gases-x-rays-fascinating-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universe</a>.



The ability to measure gas velocities with such high precision opens new doors for studying not just galaxy clusters but also other cosmic phenomena. Understanding how energy moves through space and how massive structures interact over time can help refine models of the universe’s evolution.



Future missions may build upon XRISM’s discoveries, using even more advanced technology to observe larger and more distant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-galaxies-found-in-the-depths-of-the-spiderweb-protocluster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clusters</a>. 



By continuing to study the motion of hot gas, astronomers hope to deepen their understanding of how the universe’s largest structures are shaped by time, gravity, and unseen forces.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08561-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



Image Credit: JAXA



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Colliding galaxy clusters stir up hot, 'sloshing' gas

The universe is in a constant state of motion, shaped...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Nushagak Bay, a large estuary in southwest Alaska. Nushagak runs mainly north to south and exits in Bristol Bay, a large body of water in the Bering Sea.



"The bay is primarily fed by the Nushagak River, which begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest approximately 450 km. The bay is also fed by several additional rivers including the Wood, Igushik, Snake and Weary rivers," says ESA.



"The dark colors of the Nushagak River are most likely due to tannins or lignins (chemical substances found in plants). Tannins and lignins from roots, leaves, seeds, bark and soil can leach into the water and give it a brown or even black colour. The sediments then flow southwards where it is mixed with the bluer waters of the bay."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.



"The main antigenic targets of influenza virus are two surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Whereas the structural and dynamical properties of both glycoproteins have been studied previously, the understanding of their plasticity in the whole-virion context is fragmented," wrote the researchers.



To investigate, the team conducted detailed simulations of the influenza A H1N1 virion, or the swine flu. The experts concluded that the visualizations show many new vulnerable states of flu viruses, which could improve future vaccines and antiviral drugs.



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Lake Trasimeno, which is located west of Perugia in central Italy. It is the fourth largest lake in the country. While Trasimeno’s water level varies, it has a maximum depth of approximately six meters.&nbsp;



"In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, captured on 6 August 2022, the lake’s emerald green colour is likely due to the presence of phytoplankton. Streaks in the water, particularly visible in the west, indicate the presence of soil and sediments which have been stirred up by winds. Dark colored waters in the southern part of the lake indicate a presence of submerged and floating macrophytes (aquatic plants) as well as algae," says ESA.



"Surrounded by hills on three sides, Trasimeno is subject to heavy storms created by winds, especially from the north and west. There are three islets in the lake: Maggiore, Minore and Polvese (the largest). The lake’s shores are sparsely inhabited with only two popular villages: Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno."



"Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years which has affected drinking water supplies, hydroelectric power and agricultural production. High temperatures, hot winds and lack of rainfall are the main causes of drought in the Umbrian region which saw Lake Trasimeno’s drop 1.3 m, reaching the limit of the hydrometric zero in July 2022."



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;



The oxidized form of mercury can be harmful when it is ingested through contaminated water or food. This makes it necessary for experts to develop sensors that can quickly and accurately detect the presence of mercury.&nbsp;



Zong-Hong Lin and colleagues have now created a triboelectric nanosensor (TENS) that can detect mercury by simply by touching a sample. According to the researchers, their TENS could serve as the basis for similar devices to safely and remotely monitor other pollutants.



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Kainji Lake, a reservoir on the Niger River.



In 1968, Kainji Lake was created by the construction of the Kainji Dam. The Niger River, the third longest in Africa, enters the lake in the north.&nbsp;



According to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rivers-in-the-american-west-are-a-lifesaving-resource-for-birds/">ESA</a>, the creation of the lake submerged Foge Island and the town of Bussa and permanently flooded other riverine settlements, leaving around 50,000 people displaced.&nbsp;



Large parts of Foge Island are temporarily exposed during low water tides, and the land is often used by migrating fishermen. Kainji Dam is a dam across the Niger River in Niger State of Central Nigeria. 



Wild mammals occur at relatively low densities due to illegal hunting. Lake Kainji has suffered a dramatic decline as a fishery due to the high numbers of artisanal and subsistence fisherfolk using the lake. It has been suggested that a period of closure, together with controlled fishing rights may help improve fish stocks.



Kainji Lake National Park is the oldest of its kind in Nigeria. The park contains three distinct areas: a part of the Kainji Lake, the Borgu Game Reserve to the west of the lake, and the Zugurma Game Reserve to the southeast. The park is home to around 65 mammal species, 350 bird species, and 30 species of reptiles and amphibians. 



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a> reveals how scientists can modify common crops like soybean, rice, and wheat to protect them from heat stress.



“We need to double crop production by 2050 to feed a growing global population, and not only are we not on track to do that, but climate change is further complicating things,” said Amanda Cavanagh, a lecturer at the University of Essex. 



The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.



“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;



“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”



The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;



The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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