Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the Cat's Eye Nebula (NGC 6543), located about 3,300 light-years from Earth in the constellation Draco.&nbsp;



The nebula's name comes from its eye-like appearance when viewed through a telescope. This particular image, which reveals the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/horsehead-nebula-webb-telescope-captured-unprecedented-detail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nebula</a> in stunning detail, was captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planetary-nebulae-nbsp">Planetary nebulae&nbsp;</h2>



According to ESA, the Cat's Eye Nebula is one of the most complex planetary nebulae that has ever been discovered.



“A planetary nebula forms when Sun-like stars gently eject their outer gaseous layers to form bright nebulae with amazing twisted shapes," explained <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



"Until recently, it was thought that shells around planetary nebulae were a rare phenomenon. However, astronomers have instead shown that these rings are likely to be the rule rather than the exception."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-appearance-of-the-cat-s-eye-nebula-nbsp">Appearance of the Cat's Eye Nebula&nbsp;</h2>



The central focus of the Cat's Eye is a hot, dying star that has shed its outer layers to form the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dragons-egg-nebula-is-a-truly-stunning-sight-to-behold/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nebula</a>. It is surrounded by concentric gas shells, jets of high-speed gas, and unusual shock-induced knots of gas.



“Although the rings may be the key to explaining the final ‘gasp’ of the dying central star, the mystery behind the Cat’s Eye Nebula’s nested ‘Russian doll’ structure remains largely unsolved,” noted ESA.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rings-around-the-cat-s-eye">Rings around the Cat’s Eye</h2>



“This image, taken with Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), reveals the full pattern of eleven or more concentric rings, or shells, around the Cat’s Eye. Each ‘ring’ is actually the edge of a spherical bubble seen projected onto the sky - which is why it appears bright along its outer edge.”



According to ESA, observations suggest that the star ejected its mass in a series of pulses at 1,500-year intervals. “These convulsions created dust shells that each contains as much mass as all of the planets in our solar system combined.”



Several explanations have been proposed for this phenomenon, including cycles of magnetic activity similar to our Sun's sunspot cycle, the influence of companion stars orbiting the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dying-stars-may-be-a-source-of-gravitational-waves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dying star</a>, or stellar pulsations.&nbsp;



Another theory suggests that the material is ejected smoothly from the star, with the rings forming later due to the creation of waves in the outflowing material.



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



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extrasolar-ocean-planet-discovered-in-the-draco-constellation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Draco</a> is a constellation in the northern sky that represents a dragon. It's one of the largest constellations, winding between the Big and Little Dippers.&nbsp;



In Greek mythology, Draco is often identified as the dragon Ladon, who guarded the golden apples in the garden of the Hesperides.



Draco is a circumpolar constellation for most northern hemisphere observers, meaning it never sets below the horizon and can be seen all year round.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-famous-planetary-nebulae">Famous planetary nebulae </h2>



Planetary nebulae are some of the most beautiful and intriguing objects in the universe.&nbsp;



One of the most famous is the Ring Nebula, or M57, located in the constellation Lyra. This nebula is renowned for its nearly perfect ring shape, which is the result of a dying star shedding its outer layers.&nbsp;



Another well-known planetary nebula is the Helix Nebula, or NGC 7293, often referred to as the "Eye of God" due to its eye-like appearance. The Helix Nebula is one of the closest planetary nebulae to Earth, making it a popular target for amateur astronomers.&nbsp;



The Dumbbell Nebula, or M27, in the constellation Vulpecula, is another striking example. It is named for its resemblance to a dumbbell and is notable for being the first planetary nebula ever discovered, by Charles Messier in 1764.&nbsp;



The Butterfly Nebula, or NGC 6302, is located in the constellation Scorpius. Its name comes from its distinctive bipolar structure, resembling the wings of a butterfly. The nebula's central star is one of the hottest known, with a surface temperature of around 250,000 degrees Celsius.&nbsp;



The Eskimo Nebula, or NGC 2392, in the constellation Gemini, is known for its resemblance to a face surrounded by a fur parka, which gives it its name. Its intricate structure, including filaments and bubble-like shapes, makes it a fascinating object of study. 



These nebulae not only captivate us with their beauty but also provide valuable insights into the life cycles of stars and the processes that shape our galaxy.



Image Credit: NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope



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Cat's Eye Nebula in the constellation Draco

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the Cat's Eye Nebula (NGC 6543), located about 3,300 light-years from Earth in the constellation Draco.&nbsp; The nebula's name comes from its eye-like appearance when viewed through a telescope. This particular image, which reveals the nebula in stunning detail, was captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. Planetary nebulae&nbsp; According to ESA, the Cat's Eye Nebula is one of the most complex planetary nebulae that has ever been discovered. “A planetary nebula...

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the barred spiral galaxy NGC 3783, which is located about 130 million light-years away in the constellation Centaurus. NGC 3783 is also the most prominent of a galaxy group (by the same name) that contains 47 galaxies. 



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



“Like galaxy clusters, galaxy groups are aggregates of gravitationally bound galaxies. Galaxy groups, however, are less massive and contain fewer members than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/titanic-galaxy-cluster-collision-defies-all-current-understanding-of-the-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxy clusters</a> do: where galaxy clusters can contain hundreds or even thousands of constituent galaxies, galaxy groups do not typically include more than 50,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



“The Milky Way is actually part of a galaxy group, known as the Local Group, which contains two other large galaxies (Andromeda and the Triangulum galaxy), as well as several dozen satellite and dwarf galaxies.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hd-101274-a-blue-giant-star">HD 101274: A blue giant star</h2>



The bright object that appears to the right of the galaxy is the star HD 101274. “The perspective in this image makes the star and the galaxy look like close companions, but this is an illusion. HD 101274 lies only about 1,530 light-years from Earth, meaning it is about 85 thousand times closer than NGC 3783,” explained ESA.&nbsp;



The star is part of the NGC 3766 cluster, which is sometimes referred to as the Pearl Cluster, an open cluster known for its richness in bright stars and its relatively young age.



HD 101274 is categorized as a blue giant star, characterized by its high temperature and luminosity. 



Blue giants are massive stars that have left the main sequence phase of stellar evolution and are burning helium or heavier elements in their cores. These stars are known for their short lifespans relative to smaller stars due to their rapid consumption of nuclear fuel.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-blue-giants">Significance of blue giants</h2>



<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> like HD 101274 are important for astronomers because they help in studying the properties of stellar populations in clusters and the dynamics of stellar evolution in different environments. 



The spectral and photometric observations of such stars can provide valuable insights into the characteristics of their atmospheres, internal structures, and the processes occurring within and around them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bright-central-region-of-ngc-3783">Bright central region of NGC 3783</h2>



One of the most interesting aspects of NGC 3783 is that it harbors an active galactic nucleus, meaning its central region is exceptionally luminous, likely due to the presence of a supermassive black hole. This black hole is actively accreting material, which emits a substantial amount of radiation as it spirals inward and heats up.



The galaxy is particularly known for its bright central region and has been studied extensively in the ultraviolet and X-ray light spectra to understand better the properties of the accretion disk around the black hole and the complex dynamics of the material surrounding it. These studies are crucial for understanding the physics of active galactic nuclei and the role they play in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxies-like-our-own-milky-way-are-not-unique/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxy evolution</a>.



According to ESA, NGC 3783 is a&nbsp;Type I Seyfert galaxy. “In this image it is recorded by Hubble in incredible detail, from its glowing central bar to its narrow, winding arms and the dust threaded through them, thanks to five separate images taken in different wavelengths of light," noted ESA.



“In fact, the galactic center is bright enough to Hubble that it exhibits diffraction spikes, normally only seen on stars such as HD 101274.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-the-ngc-3783-galaxy-group">More about the NGC 3783 galaxy group</h2>



The NGC 3783 group is part of the larger Hydra-Centaurus Supercluster, which itself is a massive collection of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shapes-of-one-million-galaxies-hint-at-the-universes-origins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a> and galaxy clusters located primarily in the constellations of Hydra and Centaurus.



The NGC 3783 group consists of several galaxies that are gravitationally bound and interact with each other. These interactions can influence the galaxies' evolution through mechanisms like tidal forces and merger events, which can trigger star formation, fuel central black holes, and reshape the galaxies' structures.



Studying groups like the NGC 3783 group helps astronomers understand how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ceers-2112-ancient-galaxy-looks-strikingly-similar-to-ours/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a> evolve together in a common gravitational environment, offering insights into the dynamics and evolution of structures on cosmic scales. 



Image Credit: ESA/Hubble &amp; NASA



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Luminous galaxy NGC 3783 and a blue giant star

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

In the Sky with Diamonds

The Necklace Nebula in the constellation Sagitta Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="http://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Necklace Nebula, which is located about 15,000 light-years away in the northern constellation Sagitta.

The nebula was produced by a pair stars about 10,000 years ago, when one star expanded and engulfed the other. As the small star continued to orbit within the bigger star, the giant star exploded, ejecting a ring of debris that forms the Necklace Nebula.

According to ESA, sespite their close encounter, the stars are still furiously whirling around each other, completing an orbit in just over a day.  The Necklace Nebula is a 19-trillion-kilometre-wide planetary nebula located about 15,000 light-years away in the northern constellation Sagitta. It was discovered in 2005 from the Isaac Newton Telescope Photometric H-alpha Survey, a ground-based H-alpha planetary nebula study of the North Galactic Plane. Sagitta contains three formally named stars. The star names approved by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) are Sham, Uruk, and Sansuna. Sagitta does not have any stars brighter than magnitude 3.00 and contains only one star located within 10 parsecs (32.6 light years) of Earth. Sagitta constellation is usually associated with the arrow that Heracles used to kill the eagle that Zeus sent to gnaw Prometheus’ liver. In mythology, Prometheus moulded men and women out of clay in gods’ likeness, and gave them fire that he had stolen from the gods.

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

The Necklace Nebula in the constellation Sagitta

The Necklace Nebula in the constellation Sagitta Today's Image of...

La Soufriére covers Saint Vincent in ash Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> shows the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent before and after two weeks of powerful eruptions by the La Soufriére volcano.

According to <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-will-soon-observe-thousands-of-exploding-stars/">NASA</a>, ash is roughly ten times denser than snow, and can accumulate into heavy layers that can smother crops, collapse roofs, and impact water supplies. 

The volcano has been experiencing sporadic, explosive eruptions since April 9, 2021. Plumes of ash and gas  have been ejected high into the air over Saint Vincent.  North America is a continent entirely within the Northern Hemisphere and almost all within the Western Hemisphere. It can also be described as the northern subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Caribbean Sea, and to the west and south by the Pacific Ocean. Because it is on the North American Tectonic Plate, Greenland is included as part of North America geographically. North America covers an area of about 24,709,000 square kilometers (9,540,000 square miles), about 16.5% of the Earth's land area and about 4.8% of its total surface. North America is a continent entirely within the Northern Hemisphere and almost all within the Western Hemisphere. It can also be described as the northern subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Caribbean Sea, and to the west and south by the Pacific Ocean. Because it is on the North American Tectonic Plate, Greenland is included as part of North America geographically. North America covers an area of about 24,709,000 square kilometers (9,540,000 square miles), about 16.5% of the Earth's land area and about 4.8% of its total surface.

Much of the ash has been swept away by wind over large distances. Tiny shards of rock and glass have rained down onto the island and the surrounding water. 

The images were captured by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8.

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 

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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

La Soufriére covers Saint Vincent in ash

La Soufriére covers Saint Vincent in ash Today's Image of...

Colorful ancient rock layers in Gansu Province Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features Gansu province in northwestern China. Located at the northernmost extent of the Tibetan Plateau, the mountainous landscape of Gansu includes layers of colorful rocks. 

The geological history of the rock formations goes back millions of years and involves a continental collision more than 2,000 kilometers away.

The photograph shows the brightly colored landscape that surrounds the Qilian Mountains, with red and brown rocks visible in the northern foothills of the mountain range. 

According to NASA, it is a geologic marvel that the park’s colorful layers, which were deposited tens of millions of years ago during the Cretaceous Period, are visible at all. They have been exposed by folding and faulting processes that lifted and deformed the rocks. 

Much of this transformative activity has been attributed to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates about 50 million years ago. However, recent studies suggest that the deformation is even older.

“The implications are that there was somewhat rugged, pre-existing topography prior to the India-Asia collision,” said Andrew Zuza, a scientist at the University of Nevada. 

“The Qinghai-Gansu province areas of the northern Tibetan Plateau may have already had some topography before development of the Tibetan Plateau.”

The image was captured on September 17, 2020 by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8.

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 

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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

Colorful ancient rock layers in Gansu Province

Colorful ancient rock layers in Gansu Province Today's Image of...

Seaweed farms in South Korea Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features Wando County, South Korea, where up to 1.7 million tons of seaweed are produced each year. South Korea is the world’s top exporter of Pyropia, red seaweed that is often used to make sushi.

The colors of small islands have been enhanced in the photograph. Certain shades and tones in the data have been separated and filtered to make water features more visible, with the darker colors representing deeper water.

The warm, shallow waters provide an ideal environment for raising kelp, laver, and sea mustard. About 90 percent of the seaweed consumed by people is farmed. South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, and sharing a land border with North Korea. 25 million people, around half of the country's population of 51 million, live in the Seoul Capital Area, the fifth-largest metropolitan area in the world. The Korean Peninsula was inhabited as early as the Lower Paleolithic period. Its first kingdom was noted in Chinese records in the early 7th century BCE. Following the unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea into Silla and Balhae in the late 7th century, Korea was ruled by the Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) and the Joseon dynasty (1392–1897). The succeeding Korean Empire was annexed into the Empire of Japan in 1910

Seaweed is often grown on ropes that float near the surface with buoys. According to NASA, this technique ensures that the seaweed stays close enough to the surface to get enough light during high tide but does not scrape against the bottom during low tide.

The image was captured on February 21, 2021 by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8.

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 

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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

Seaweed farms in South Korea

Seaweed farms in South Korea Today's Image of the Day...

The Siberian city of Omsk emerges from winter Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features one of the coldest regions in Russia thawing out in the spring. The photograph shows the Siberian city of Omsk, located on the border of Kazakhstan. 

Another image captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=nasa&amp;cvid=5eb2e09b3e6e487d9764b90a9572684b&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59j0l6.513j0j9&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">NASA’s</a> Terra satellite on April 1, 2021 shows Omsk covered in snow. But in this image, captured 12 days later, much of the snow cover has melted to reveal features of the city and nearby farms. 

With a population of more than one million people, Omsk is one of the ten largest cities in<a href="https://www.earth.com/image/saint-petersburg-in-northwestern-russia/"> Russia</a>. It is also one of the coldest cities, averaging around -4 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. Omsk is a city and the administrative center of Omsk Oblast, Russia, located in southwestern Siberia 2,236 kilometers from Moscow.

According to NASA, the region is mostly a flat plain, which helps the snowpack spread evenly across the surface. Farmland dominates the land surrounding the city, producing mainly wheat, mustard, sunflower, and flax.

In 2020, a spring heat wave caused record-breaking warm temperatures in Omsk. Trees bloomed and river ice broke up weeks earlier than usual. 

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 

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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

The Siberian city of Omsk emerges from winter

The Siberian city of Omsk emerges from winter Today's Image...

A clear day in San Fran Bay Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features a clear December day across San Francisco Bay. In the summertime, the region is typically covered by a layer of low clouds. 

The photograph, A clear day in San Fran which was taken by an astronaut onboard the International Space Station, captures a mix of urban and natural areas. North America is a continent entirely within the Northern Hemisphere and almost all within the Western Hemisphere. It can also be described as the <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=north%20america&amp;qs=n&amp;form=QBRE&amp;sp=-1&amp;pq=&amp;sc=0-0&amp;sk=&amp;cvid=2A486C7EEB7F4DC9A48B1971A274D39A">northern</a> subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Caribbean Sea, and to the west and south by the Pacific Ocean. Because it is on the North American Tectonic Plate, Greenland is included as part of North America geographically. North America covers an area of about 24,709,000 square kilometers (9,540,000 square miles), about 16.5% of the Earth's land area and about 4.8% of its total surface. North America is the third-largest continent by area, following Asia and Africa, and the fourth by population after Asia, Africa, and Europe. 

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the famous landmarks of the San Francisco Bay that stand out to astronauts. The bridge is part of Route 101, the longest highway in California. <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=north%20america&amp;qs=n&amp;form=QBRE&amp;sp=-1&amp;pq=&amp;sc=0-0&amp;sk=&amp;cvid=2A486C7EEB7F4DC9A48B1971A274D39A">North America</a> is a continent entirely within the Northern Hemisphere and almost all within the Western Hemisphere. It can also be described as the northern subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Caribbean Sea, and to the west and south by the Pacific Ocean. Because it is on the North American Tectonic Plate, Greenland is included as part of North America geographically. North America covers an area of about 24,709,000 square kilometers (9,540,000 square miles), about 16.5% of the Earth's land area and about 4.8% of its total surface. North America is the third-largest continent by area, following Asia and Africa, and the fourth by population after Asia, Africa, and Europe

Alcatraz, home to the well-known prison, is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreational Area. 

Only one fatal shark attack has ever been documented within San Francisco Bay, yet a common myth is that Alcatraz is surrounded by man-eating sharks.

According to NASA, the Golden Gate Park acts as an “urban oasis” amidst the dense, well-organized, square city blocks.

Spanning more than 1,000 acres, the park is home to the San Francisco Botanical Garden. 

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 

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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

A clear day in San Fran

A clear day in San Fran Bay Today's Image of...

Burning crop fields in Heilongjiang province Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> shows red and orange hotspots that represent fires across Heilongjiang province in northeastern China.

The fires are lit by farmers to remove debris from the crop fields and get them ready for planting season in May.

Burning crop fields in Heilongjiang province Heilongjiang is one of the country’s most important food-producing areas, with millions of hectares of corn, rice, and beans. <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=north%20america&amp;qs=n&amp;form=QBRE&amp;sp=-1&amp;pq=&amp;sc=0-0&amp;sk=&amp;cvid=2A486C7EEB7F4DC9A48B1971A274D39A">North America</a> is a continent entirely within the Northern Hemisphere and almost all within the Western Hemisphere. It can also be described as the northern subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Caribbean Sea, and to the west and south by the Pacific Ocean. Because it is on the North American Tectonic Plate, Greenland is included as part of North America geographically. North America covers an area of about 24,709,000 square kilometers (9,540,000 square miles), about 16.5% of the Earth's land area and about 4.8% of its total surface. North America is the third-largest continent by area, following Asia and Africa, and the fourth by population after Asia, Africa, and Europe

The image was captured by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the NOAA-NASA Suomi NPP satellite. 

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 

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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

Burning crop fields in Heilongjiang province

Burning crop fields in Heilongjiang province Today's Image of the...

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features farms in South Asia - where satellite data is helping farmers avoid excessive irrigation. The technology allows farmers to maximize their yield while conserving water.

Unsustainable water usage, including excessive irrigation, is a critical problem in South Asia due to water scarcity. Faisal Hossain is an environmental engineer at the University of Washington. His team has come up with a solution to end overwatering with the help of free satellite data. 

Last month, the researchers published a study which demonstrated that a staggering amount of groundwater could be saved using a satellite-based irrigation advisory system to alert farmers who are overwatering crops. The experts determined that text message advisories had the potential to save as much as 80 million cubic meters of water in India and 150 million in Pakistan.

“Water scarcity is a big issue in South Asia and in most places around the world,” said Hossain. “If you look at data, the 800-pound gorilla of water use is the food sector.” 

The satellite data is used to estimate the amount of evapotranspiration, the movement of moisture and heat from crops to the air. Based on the evapotranspiration level, it is possible to derive the amount of water being spread by farmers on their fields. When the amount of water used for irrigation is 20 percent higher than what is needed, the farmers receive text alerts. 

“I think this is a human rights issue for farmers to have free access to science-based best practices,” said Hossain. “If we want to talk about water sustainability, we have to make agricultural water use as efficient as possible by growing more with less water. Even if we can improve by just 1 percent, it translates to huge savings in water, more than what entire nations consume for domestic needs.”

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 

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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

Satellite data helps prevent excessive irrigation

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

Do you think you know your own body well? As it turns out, we might not know ourselves as intimately as we may think. Humans consistently underestimate how far many of our body parts can bend.



Yes, our brains don't seem to accurately gauge our body's movement limits. The mind-boggling details of this study are brought to you by Dr. Artur Pilacinski, a neuroscientist at Ruhr University Bochum.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mind-blowing-body-bending">Mind-blowing body bending</h2>



Now, let's delve into the heart of the matter. The fundamental concept at play here is the 'body schema' - our brain's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-perception-we-see-the-world-based-on-what-we-expect-to-see/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental representation</a> of our bodily self. 



“Previous studies by other groups have already shown that people have a distorted body schema,” explains Pilacinski. 



“For example, they systematically underestimate the weight or size of their hands. We were interested in whether there is a similar bias for body movements.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wrist-movements">Wrist movements</h2>



Dr. Pilacinski, along with Antoine Vandenberghe, Gabriella Andrietta, and Professor Gilles Vannuscorps, conducted an intriguing experiment. The team asked 84 participants to anticipate how far they could move their hand in various directions. 



This estimation involved wrist movements in four different ways: inwards and outwards towards the forearm and tilting the wrist towards the thumb or the pinkie.



The participants were divided into two groups. Some were asked to mentally visualize the hand movements and then indicate on an angular ruler the extent they thought they could move their hand. 



The others were shown various positions on the same ruler and had to decide if they could reach those positions by bending their wrists. The actual wrist mobility of all participants was then measured.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-underestimated-reality-of-body-bending">Underestimated reality of body bending</h2>



After crunching the numbers, the researchers found something truly eye-opening. 



For three out of the four movements, there was a significant disparity between the assumed and actual mobility. On average, participants underguessed their movement scope by at least ten degrees. 



The only exception? The movement towards the thumb, whose difference between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-we-recognize-wisdom-in-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">presumption</a> and reality was too slight to be measured using their methodology.



Now, what could the reasons behind this discrepancy be? 



Dr. Pilacinski and his team suggest that this bias might serve as a protective mechanism - keeping us from overstretching and potentially harming our muscles, tendons, and ligaments. 



You have to appreciate the irony of this situation: our underestimate of body flexibility actually serves to keep us flexibly operational!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neuroscience-and-physical-therapy">Neuroscience and physical therapy</h2>



The findings from <a href="http://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ruhr University</a> and the <a href="https://uclouvain.be/en/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Université catholique de Louvain</a>, Belgium, offer profound implications for both neuroscience and the field of physical therapy.



Understanding the limitations of the body schema can contribute to enhancing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-in-a-pill-is-now-closer-to-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">therapeutic</a> practices aimed at improving body awareness and motor function. 



This body-underestimation bias indicates that individuals might benefit from exercises explicitly designed to recalibrate their body schema, potentially leading to improved mobility and injury prevention. 



Additionally, this research on bending of wrists could inform the development of better prosthetic devices and rehabilitation programs by accommodating for the innate bias in body perception. 



Such advancements could transform approaches to neurorehabilitation, aiding patients who have suffered strokes or other mobility-limiting conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-directions">Future directions</h2>



Dr. Pilacinski and his colleagues have opened new avenues for further exploration. 



Future research could examine whether this perceptual bias extends to other parts of the body or if it varies across different populations, such as athletes compared to non-athletes.



Also, exploring how neurological conditions might exacerbate or differ in these biases could yield valuable insights into their effects on movement and perception. 



Another intriguing direction would involve investigating the role of virtual and augmented reality in recalibrating body schema, providing innovative therapeutic techniques to correct underestimated perceptions. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-real-world-implications">Real-world implications</h2>



In sum, this new insight carries immense potential in realms like sports and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sitting-too-much-can-cause-premature-aging-even-if-you-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rehabilitation</a>. As it turns out, our perceived limit is not our actual limit. 



Acknowledging this could drastically reshape how we envision our movement constraints and could eventually lead to improved mobility.



So the next time you extend your hand for a handshake or grab a cup of coffee, remember - you've got more flexibility than you think! 



Let's welcome this newfound fondness for our bodies and the subtle ways they work to safeguard us. Isn't it fascinating how we continue to learn more about ourselves, even from our bending wrists?



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44271-024-00153-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Psychology.</a>



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Human bodies can bend way more than your brain let's you believe

Do you think you know your own body well? As...

There's no denying that a balanced diet is your ticket to a healthy lifestyle. But what if stuffing your plate with certain nutrients, Omega like fatty acids, could do a lot more -- like potentially reducing your cancer risk?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-omega-fatty-acids">What are Omega fatty acids?</h2>



These powerhouse nutrients are essential fats that our bodies need but can't produce on their own. 



You've probably heard of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids -- they're crucial for brain function, cell growth, and reducing inflammation. 



Since we can't make them ourselves, we have to get them through our diet.



You can find Omega-3s in foods like fatty fish (think salmon and mackerel), flaxseeds, and walnuts. Omega-6s are common in vegetable oils like soybean, corn, and sunflower oils. 



It's all about balance: too much Omega-6 compared to Omega-3 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insects-provide-essential-fatty-acids-to-other-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">can tip the scales</a> toward inflammation, so it's important to include plenty of Omega-3-rich foods in your meals.



Adding these essential fats to your diet can offer a bunch of health benefits. They may help reduce the risk of heart disease, support mental health, and even give your skin a healthy glow.



And now, recent research from the <a href="https://www.uga.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Georgia</a> has discovered an interesting relationship between these superheroes of nutrition and a reduced risk of cancer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-omega-fatty-acids-lower-cancer-risk">Omega fatty acids lower cancer risk</h2>



In this riveting investigation, data from a whopping 250,000 individuals underwent scrutiny. The outcome? 



There was a noticeable association between higher levels of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/omega-3-oil-may-help-protect-pollinators-from-pesticides/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Omega-3</a> and Omega-6 fatty acids and a lessened probability of cancer development. 



“Higher omega-3 and omega-6 levels were associated with lower rates of cancer,” said <a href="https://publichealth.uga.edu/student/yuchen-zhang/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yuchen Zhang</a>, lead author of the study and a doctoral student in UGA’s <a href="https://publichealth.uga.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">College of Public Health</a>. 



“These findings suggest that the average person should focus on getting more of these fatty acids in their diets.”



Now, isn't it time we gave these fatty acids the recognition they deserve and incorporated them more consciously into our diets?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-multispectral-effect">Multispectral effect</h2>



The study didn't merely sketch a broad connection; it hinted at a protective influence of fatty acids across diverse cancer types. 



Individuals boasting elevated levels of Omega-3 were seen to have fewer occurrences of colon, stomach, lung, and sundry other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/western-diet-identified-as-major-cause-of-colon-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digestive tract cancers</a>.



Omega-6, too, showed its mettle by being linked with diminished rates of a staggering 14 distinct kinds of cancer, a spectrum that includes everything from brain cancer to bladder cancer, and even malignant melanoma.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adding-healthy-fats-to-our-diet">Adding healthy fats to our diet</h2>



Often crowned as "healthy fats," Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are integral to our diets. Their natural habitat includes fatty <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-power-of-fish-oil-in-combating-high-cholesterol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a>, nuts, and certain plant oils like canola oil. 



Yet, they might not be frequent guests on the American dinner table, leading many people to seek their benefits via <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-oil-lowers-alzheimers-risk-in-people-who-are-most-susceptible/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish oil supplements</a>.



Fish oil supplements have captured the limelight over the years due to their spectrum of health benefits. Apart from their potential in battling cancer, they're documented to slash the risk of high cholesterol and heart disease.



Although supplements can be beneficial, nutritionists emphasize the importance of obtaining these essential fatty acids through a varied diet rich in natural sources. 



Eating fatty fish like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-salmon-decide-whether-to-venture-out-to-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salmon</a>, mackerel, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/japanese-sardines-may-be-signaling-major-shifts-in-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sardines</a>, alongside incorporating walnuts and flaxseeds, offers a delectable way to introduce these fatty acids into your meals.



So, why not start experimenting with new recipes and savor the profound health benefits these ingredients offer?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-omega-fatty-acids-also-trigger-cancer">Can Omega fatty acids also trigger cancer?</h2>



While the benefits are hard to deny, it's paramount to know that health doesn't come in a one-size-fits-all package. 



The study also pointed out that high levels of omega-3 might be tied to a somewhat elevated risk of prostate cancer.



“For women, it’s an easy decision: Eat more omega-3,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.genetics.uga.edu/directory/people/kaixiong-calvin-ye" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaixiong Ye</a>, corresponding author of the study and an associate professor in UGA’s&nbsp;<a href="https://franklin.uga.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Franklin College of Arts and Sciences</a>.



The study also hinted that omega-6 had a more pronounced beneficial impact on younger participants, particularly women.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fatty-acids-and-cancer">Fatty acids and cancer</h2>



Research shows that improving health can benefit from Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. 



However, it's important to remember that no single food can fight diseases alone. The best approach is a balanced diet along with an active lifestyle.



The next time you're wandering the grocery store aisles, why not add some fatty fish or a bag of walnuts to your cart? Your body might just give you a nod of gratitude in the long haul.



Research like this gives us even more reasons to be fascinated by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-oil-lowers-alzheimers-risk-in-people-who-are-most-susceptible/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">field of nutritional science</a>. It demonstrates the incredible ways our food choices can shape our health outcomes. Now, that's something to ponder over.



The study is published in the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ijc.35226" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Journal of Cancer</a>. 



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Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids may reduce cancer risk

There's no denying that a balanced diet is your ticket...

The Big Bang theory describes a mind-blowing event that took place around 14 billion years ago. The observable universe expanded from the size of a minuscule bacterium to the mammoth dimensions of the Milky Way, all within a fraction of a second. 



According to currently accepted theory, this early universe was a hot, dense environment. So, how do we know this massive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-observations-disprove-big-bang-theory-universe-began-tired-light-theory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmic event</a> actually happened?



Much of what we know comes from evidence collected in the last century. In the late 1920s, American astronomer Edwin Hubble found that galaxies are moving away from each other, leading to the idea that our universe is always expanding. 



If we <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">trace this expansion back</a>, we discover a universe that is as old as the oldest astronomical objects we see.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-believers-and-skeptics-of-big-bang-theory">Believers and skeptics of Big Bang theory</h2>



Initially, this radical idea was met with skepticism. Interestingly, it was a skeptic, an Englishman named Fred Hoyle, who facetiously dubbed this hypothesis as the "Big Bang" during a <a href="https://www.bbc.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BBC</a> radio interview in 1949.



The tune of skepticism began to change when, in 1964, Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson detected cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation -- an afterglow of the Big Bang that filled all space.



This discovery, which earned them the 1978 Nobel Prize in Physics, opened a window into the hot, dense <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gravitational-waves-dark-matter-big-bang-breakthrough/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beginning of our universe</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-moments-after-the-big-bang">First moments after the Big Bang</h2>



Over the years, experiments at particle accelerators like the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/higgs-boson-god-particle-still-remains-quantum-mystery-after-12-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Large Hadron Collider</a> have shed light on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/origins-of-matter-discovered-by-recreating-the-big-bang/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conditions that existed</a> closer to the time of the Big Bang.



Our understanding of physics at these high energies suggests that the four fundamental forces of physics we recognize now were initially unified as a single force.



What are these four forces? We know them as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/theory-gravity-exists-without-mass-so-dark-matter-does-not-exist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gravity</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lightning-sparks-the-discovery-of-a-new-electromagnetic-wave/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electromagnetism</a>, and the strong and weak nuclear forces. 



As our universe expanded and cooled down, it underwent dramatic changes, known as phase transitions, splitting these forces.



Experiments suggest that a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microscopic-primordial-black-holes-may-explain-all-dark-matter-in-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">few billionths of a second</a> after the Big Bang, the breakdown of electroweak unification took place. 



This was when electromagnetism and the weak nuclear force separated, leading to all matter in the universe acquiring its mass.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-universe-s-primordial-soup">Universe’s primordial soup</h2>



Our walk through the early universe reveals a world filled with a peculiar substance called quark-gluon plasma. 



As its name suggests, this 'primordial soup' consisted of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gluons-quarks-and-mystery-what-makes-proton-spin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quarks and gluons</a>, sub-atomic particles responsible for the strong nuclear force. This plasma didn't last long, though.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/big-bang-theory_graphic-illustration_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/big-bang-theory_graphic-illustration_1s.jpg" alt="Infographic explaining the Big Bang theory and how it resulted in the universe that we see today." class="wp-image-1949475"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Infographic explaining the Big Bang theory and how it resulted in the universe that we see today.</figcaption></figure>



A few millionths of a second post-Big Bang, as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/origins-of-matter-discovered-by-recreating-the-big-bang/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universe</a> expanded and cooled, quarks and gluons clumped together to form protons and neutrons, the building blocks of atoms. This event is referred to as quark confinement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-bang-nucleosynthesis">Big Bang nucleosynthesis</h2>



With fewer high energy photons in the universe, the process called <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-study-claims-our-universe-is-27-billion-years-old-double-the-current-age-estimate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Big Bang nucleosynthesis</a> (BBN) kicked in. This was when the first atomic nuclei -- dense lumps of matter made from protons and neutrons -- formed.



Once, the higher amount of high energy photons would have quickly destroyed any <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atomic-nucleus-made-of-quarks-and-gluons-reproduced-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atomic nuclei</a>, but with fewer of them around, BBN could take place. 



The fusion reactions stopped just a few minutes after the Big Bang, but their effects are observable to this day.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-bang-theory-and-the-singularity">Big Bang theory and the singularity</h2>



Penetrating further into our cosmic past, we reach an intriguing period where there's no evidence for what existed before the breakdown of electroweak unification. 



The energy density at this point was so high that our mathematical equations fumble and become nonsensical. This period is known as a singularity.



In the 1960s, two British theoretical physicists, Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose, presented a series of mathematical theorems suggesting that the universe's spacetime must end at a singularity in the past -- the Big Bang singularity.



While Penrose received the Nobel Prize in 2020, Hawking, who passed away in 2018, was not eligible for this posthumous honor.



According to these theories, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/matter-spacetime-gravitational-waves-fabric-of-the-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space and time</a> appear at the Big Bang singularity, suggesting there is no 'before' the Big Bang. So, in scientific terms, the Big Bang is the dawn of time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantum-quandary-of-big-bang-theory">Quantum quandary of Big Bang theory</h2>



Despite its accuracy in a vast majority of cases, the theory of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/radical-new-theory-finally-unites-gravity-spacetime-and-the-quantum-realm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">general relativity</a> fails to describe <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/impossible-quantum-effects-observed-atoms-positioned-closely-together/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atoms</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/t-coronae-borealis-nova-explosion-nearby-star-light-up-earths-skies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nuclear fusion</a>, or radioactivity. These phenomena are instead explained by quantum theory.



Quantum theory differs from its classical counterparts, such as relativity, by being probabilistic. While classical theories are deterministic and predict a definite outcome from certain initial conditions, quantum theory assigns a probability to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-a-simple-way-to-grasp-this-impossible-concept-carl-kocher/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">multiple possible outcomes</a>.



Gravity is one such area where the classical description falls short, especially when spacetime curvature is extreme, near a singularity. 



During these extreme conditions, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/central-theory-of-quantum-gravity-is-modeled-in-the-laboratory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum nature of gravity</a> surfaces, making spacetime more like the fibers and threads of a carpet seen up close -- gnarly, not smooth.



Close to the Big Bang singularity, the structure of spacetime ceases to be smooth. Mathematical theorems suggest that spacetime is overwhelmed by gnarly features, or spacetime foam. 



In spacetime foam, causality does not apply, making the question "why did the Big Bang occur?" meaningless. Events do not need a cause to occur.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-universe-born-out-of-chaos">Universe born out of chaos</h2>



To understand the physics at a singularity like the Big Bang, we need a theory explaining the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-particles-solution-gravitational-wave-mystery-bose-einstein-condensate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum behavior of gravity</a>. 



But efforts to formulate one, such as loop quantum gravity and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/consciousness-may-stem-from-unseen-dimensions-beyond-our-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">string theory</a>, are still in their infancy, rendering spacetime foam an enigma.



However, the theory of cosmic inflation, introduced by Alexei Starobinsky and Alan Guth, might provide some answers. 



Inflation is a period of accelerated expansion in the early universe. As difficult as it may be to comprehend, it explains why our universe is large, uniform, and spatially flat.



"I usually describe inflation as a theory of the 'bang' of the Big Bang: It describes the propulsion mechanism that we call the Big Bang," explained Alan Guth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-all-of-this-mean">What does all of this mean?</h2>



To sum it all up, according to a well-accepted theory called the Big Bang, the story of our universe begins with a cataclysmic explosion roughly 14 billion years ago. 



This explosion kickstarted a period of explosive expansion, called <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-telescope-will-reveal-the-universe-in-more-than-100-colors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmic inflation</a>. The events before inflation remain a mystery. Is it a spacetime singularity, or is it spacetime foam? The answer is still largely unknown.



We know, or at least what we think we know, is that our universe was born from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/visible-matter-dark-matter-evolved-together-big-bang/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chaos</a> and has evolved over billions of years into the organized cosmos we see today. 



We still have a lot to learn, but we've come a very long way in a relatively short period of time. 



Rather than beat ourselves up that we still don't know the "why" part of the question, let's just enjoy the ride and never stop seeking the answer to the ultimate question: How did it all begin?



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If the Big Bang theory is correct, what exactly happened?

The Big Bang theory describes a mind-blowing event that took...

Recent research led by the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa challenges the commonly held belief that coral reefs face inevitable decline.&nbsp;



Led by the Toonen-Bowen “ToBo” Lab at <a href="https://www.himb.hawaii.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HIMB</a> with collaboration from the <a href="https://www.osu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ohio State University</a>, the study shows that coral reefs have the potential to adapt and survive in changing climates if carbon emissions are reduced and local stressors are managed effectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-innovative-experimental-design">Innovative experimental design</h2>



Researchers constructed 40 experimental “mesocosms” in a laboratory near the coral reefs, replicating the conditions and biodiversity found in nature. 



The mesocosms included eight common Hawaiian coral species along with reef sand, rubble, and various organisms that create a mini-ecosystem reflective of wild reefs.&nbsp;



For two years, these mesocosms were subjected to controlled levels of higher temperatures, increased acidity, or a combination of both to simulate potential future climate conditions.



“We included the eight most common coral species in Hawai‘i, which constitute about 95% of the coral cover on Hawaiian reefs,” explained lead author Christopher Jury, a postdoctoral fellow at HIMB.&nbsp;



“By understanding how these species respond to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-study-provides-answers-to-how-coral-reefs-can-survive-climate-change/">climate change</a>, we should have a better understanding of how Hawaiian reefs and other Indo-Pacific reefs will change over time, and how to better allocate resources as well as plan for the future.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-process-of-coral-calcification">The process of coral calcification</h2>



Coral reefs form over time through calcification, where individual coral polyps secrete calcium carbonate to create limestone structures.&nbsp;



However, various organisms naturally erode these reefs. If reef erosion surpasses calcification, coral structures and the vast array of species that depend on them may vanish.&nbsp;



The ToBo Lab closely monitored how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reefs-could-vanish-if-temperatures-continue-to-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperature</a> and acidity affected calcification and reef health in the mesocosms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-results-challenge-projections">Surprising results challenge projections</h2>



Contrary to widespread projections, the experimental reef communities did not <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-save-coral-reefs-with-selective-breeding/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">collapse</a> but persisted and adapted. 



“These experimental reef communities persisted as new reef communities rather than collapsing,” Jury said.&nbsp;



“This was a very surprising result, since almost all projections of reef futures suggest that the corals should have almost entirely died, the reef communities should have experienced net carbonate dissolution, and reef biodiversity should have collapsed.”



This result suggests that under controlled, realistic conditions that account for diverse reef organisms - including microbes, algae, invertebrates, and fish - reefs demonstrate resilience.&nbsp;



“Rather than focusing on just one or two species in isolation, we included the entire complement of reef species from microbes, to algae, invertebrates, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-coral-reef-fish-survive-in-the-worlds-warmest-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a>, under realistic conditions they would experience in nature,” noted co-senior author Rob Toonen, the co-director of the UH Marine Biology Graduate Program. 



This comprehensive approach is a key differentiator that sets the ToBo Lab’s study apart from traditional, more limited research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-coral-conservation">Implications for coral conservation</h2>



The findings offer a renewed sense of hope for coral conservation strategies. Coral reefs, known for their rich biodiversity, support millions of people globally, providing resources and livelihoods. However, they are vulnerable to the impacts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-corals-can-survive-high-ocean-heat-which-could-save-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean warming</a> and acidification due to climate change. 



“Reefs are not inevitably doomed. The recognition that coral reefs are not doomed if we take appropriate action on climate change and local stressors reinforces the need to accomplish these goals,” Jury said.



The study highlights that, while reefs will undergo significant changes under future ocean conditions, a total collapse can be avoided if global warming is kept within the Paris Climate Agreement targets and local environmental pressures are managed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-coral-reef-research-nbsp">Future of coral reef research&nbsp;</h2>



Rob Toonen and his colleagues are optimistic about the future of coral reef research and conservation, advocating for proactive and science-based measures.&nbsp;



“These more realistic mesocosm experiments help us to understand how coral reefs will change over time,” Toonen said.&nbsp;



The study also sets a precedent for future research aimed at developing effective strategies to preserve coral reef ecosystems amidst a changing climate.



This breakthrough suggests that with urgent climate action and localized efforts, coral reefs can remain resilient.&nbsp;



The research underscores the critical importance of climate change mitigation and localized protective measures, showcasing that nature's resilience can be leveraged if humanity rises to the challenge.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2407112121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>. 



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Coral reefs may be more resilient than we thought

Recent research led by the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology...

A new study suggests that extreme temperatures could lead to a mass extinction event -- the first since the dinosaurs died out -- that would ultimately end the reign of humans and mammals on Earth.



Dr. Alexander Farnsworth, a Senior Research Associate at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>, led the research that paints a grim picture of our planet's distant future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pangea-ultima-future-supercontinent">Pangea Ultima -- future supercontinent</h2>



Scientists believe that Earth's continents are slowly drifting and will eventually come together to form a single massive landmass, called Pangea Ultima. 



This supercontinent would drastically change the planet's climate. 



The study, published in Nature Geoscience, uses supercomputer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-models-underestimate-sea-ice-melt-and-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate models</a> to show how this new configuration could create an environment that's too hot and dry for most life forms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-triple-threat-to-life-on-earth">Triple threat to life on Earth</h2>



So, what's causing this extreme heat that results in the extinction of humans? 



"The newly-emerged <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/supercontinents-101-pannotia-gondwana-and-pangea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supercontinent</a> would effectively create a triple whammy, comprising the continentality effect, hotter sun and more CO₂ in the atmosphere, of increasing heat for much of the planet," Dr. Farnsworth explained.



First, the formation of the supercontinent would mean more land area far from the cooling effects of the ocean -- a phenomenon known as the continentality effect. 



Second, over millions of years, the sun will become brighter, emitting more energy and warming the Earth. 



Third, increased <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/volcanic-eruptions-play-an-overlooked-role-in-earths-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volcanic activity</a> due to tectonic movements would release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, trapping more heat.



"Widespread temperatures of between 40 to 50° Celsius (104 to 122° Fahrenheit), and even greater daily extremes, compounded by high levels of humidity would ultimately seal our fate," Dr. Farnsworth added.



"Humans -- along with many other species -- would expire due to their inability to shed this heat through sweat, cooling their bodies."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mammals-heat-limitations">Mammals' heat limitations</h2>



Mammals have always been adaptable, surviving various <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate extremes</a> throughout history. We've evolved features like fur to keep warm and the ability to hibernate during cold spells. 



However, our upper temperature tolerance hasn't changed much. Prolonged exposure to excessive heat is much harder for mammals to handle.



The study suggests that only about 8% to 16% of the land on the new supercontinent would be habitable for mammals. 



With most of the planet facing extreme heat and dryness, finding food and water would become nearly impossible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-current-climate-action-and-extinction-of-humans">Current climate action and extinction of humans</h2>



While this scenario is millions of years away, the researchers stress that we shouldn't lose sight of the current climate crisis. 



"It is vitally important not to lose sight of our current <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-crisis-global-supply-chains-face-25-trillion-in-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Climate Crisis</a>, which is a result of human emissions of greenhouse gases," urged Co-author Dr. Eunice Lo, Research Fellow in Climate Change and Health at the University of Bristol. 



"While we are predicting an uninhabitable planet in 250 million years, today we are already experiencing extreme heat that is detrimental to human health. This is why it is crucial to reach net-zero emissions as soon as possible."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-co₂-levels-and-tectonic-shifts">CO₂ levels and tectonic shifts</h2>



To estimate future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/met-office-2024-co2-levels-will-surpass-the-point-of-no-return/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide levels</a>, the team used models of tectonic plate movement and ocean chemistry. 



They predict that CO₂ levels could rise from around 400 parts per million today to more than 600 ppm in the future. 



"We think CO₂ could rise from around 400 parts per million (ppm) today to more than 600 ppm many millions of years in the future," noted Professor Benjamin Mills at the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Leeds</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Pangea-Ultima_supercontinent_humans-mammals-extinct_illustration_UBristol_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Pangea-Ultima_supercontinent_humans-mammals-extinct_illustration_UBristol_1s.webp" alt="The image shows the geography of today’s Earth and the projected geography of Earth in 250 million years, when all the continents converge into one supercontinent (Pangea Ultima). Credit: University of Bristol" class="wp-image-1949412"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The image shows the geography of today’s Earth and the projected geography of Earth in 250 million years, when all the continents converge into one supercontinent (Pangea Ultima). Credit: University of Bristol</figcaption></figure>



Of course, this assumes that humans will stop burning fossil fuels, otherwise we will see those numbers much, much sooner."



"The outlook in the distant future appears very bleak. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/virus-lifespan-and-transmission-boosted-by-high-co2-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carbon dioxide levels</a> could be double current levels," Dr. Farnsworth added.



"With the sun also anticipated to emit about 2.5% more radiation and the supercontinent being located primarily in the hot, humid tropics, much of the planet could be facing temperatures of between 40 to 70°C (104 to 158°F)."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-beyond-earth">Implications beyond Earth</h2>



This research doesn't just tell us about Earth's future; it also has implications for the search for life on other planets. 



"This work also highlights that a world within the so-called '<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-finds-17-exoplanets-that-have-oceans-and-possibly-alien-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitable zone</a>' of a solar system may not be the most hospitable for humans depending on whether the continents are dispersed, as we have today, or in one large supercontinent," Dr. Farnsworth concluded.



Understanding how continental layouts affect climate can help scientists assess the habitability of exoplanets -- planets outside our solar system. Could other worlds be facing similar challenges?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-past-mass-extinctions">Past mass extinctions</h2>



The Earth’s geological and climatic history is punctuated by several mass extinction events, moments in time when the planet experienced abrupt shifts, leading to the substantial loss of its biodiversity.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ordovician-silurian-extinction-around-443-million-years-ago">Ordovician-Silurian Extinction (Around 443 million years ago)</h3>



In this first notable mass extinction, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/disastrous-climate-changes-of-the-last-ice-age-could-happen-again/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice ages</a> predominated and caused substantial marine life loss, wiping out nearly 85% of sea life. 



Changing sea levels and temperatures reduced habitat range and induced environmental stress, directly affecting marine biodiversity. 



This extinction primarily decimated marine species, since life on land was scarce during this period.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-late-devonian-extinction-around-360-million-years-ago">Late Devonian Extinction (Around 360 million years ago)</h3>



The Late Devonian extinction left a significant impact, with a 75% <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sounding-the-alarm-half-of-earths-species-are-experiencing-rapid-population-decline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reduction in species</a>. This extinction event extensively affected marine life, particularly reef-building organisms and fish. 



Volcanic activity and asteroid impacts are considered primary culprits, disrupting ecosystems and altering atmospheric conditions, leading to extensive marine anoxia.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-permian-triassic-extinction-around-252-million-years-ago">Permian-Triassic Extinction (Around 252 million years ago)</h3>



Often referred to as “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saber-toothed-predator-was-king-prior-to-the-great-dying/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Great Dying</a>,” this cataclysm annihilated around 96% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial species. 



Massive volcanic eruptions in what is now Siberia released colossal amounts of lava, triggering severe climate change, acid rain, and ocean acidification. 



These environmental alterations devastated global ecosystems, transforming life on Earth.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-triassic-jurassic-extinction-around-200-million-years-ago">Triassic-Jurassic Extinction (Around 200 million years ago)</h3>



This event marked the end of the Triassic and the rise of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jurassic-extinction-may-hold-clues-about-our-oceans-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jurassic period</a>, with around 50% of species perishing. 



Large-scale volcanic activities and resultant climate changes are believed to be the driving forces, facilitating the dominance of dinosaurs by clearing ecological niches and allowing for adaptive radiations of various species.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cretaceous-paleogene-extinction-around-66-million-years-ago">Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction (Around 66 million years ago)</h3>



This well-known mass extinction event resulted from a colossal asteroid impact, creating the <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/the-chicxulub-disaster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chicxulub crater</a> in present-day Mexico and obliterating approximately 75% of all species, including the non-avian dinosaurs. 



The impact caused wildfires, tsunamis, and released substantial quantities of sulphur, leading to a “nuclear winter” effect, causing extreme and sudden climate shifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-humans-climate-supercontinents-and-extinction">Humans, climate, supercontinents, and extinction</h2>



Wrapping it all up, this study from the University of Bristol shows that Earth's future could get so hot that most mammals, including humans, won't be able to avoid extinction. 



The formation of a new supercontinent called Pangea Ultima, a brighter sun, and higher CO₂ levels could crank up the heat to unbearable levels. 



It's a wild thought, but it reminds us that our planet is always changing, and not always in ways that suit us.



When we look back at the mass extinction events throughout Earth's history, we keep seeing the same story play out. 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Something big happens -- like a huge volcano erupts or an asteroid smacks into Earth -- and suddenly everything changes, wiping out huge numbers of species. </li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The environment shifts so dramatically and quickly that most life just can't keep up.</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>These ancient mass extinctions teach us a pretty sobering lesson about life on Earth: it's way more fragile than we might think. </li>
</ul>



As we face our own environmental crisis today, these past events remind us to take better care of our environment and the planet's biodiversity. 



Mother Earth has a wild and predictable history of shaking things up, and we humans -- just like all the creatures before us -- are really just temporary residents on this ever-changing planet.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-023-01259-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>.



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Scientists predict how and when humans and mammals will face extinction

A new study suggests that extreme temperatures could lead to...

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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

[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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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



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.

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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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

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...