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 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.  Galaxy groups “Like galaxy clusters, galaxy groups are aggregates of gravitationally bound galaxies. Galaxy groups, however, are less massive and contain fewer members than galaxy clusters do: where galaxy clusters can contain hundreds or even...

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features a 9.5-mile section of Pangong Lake on the western end of the Tibetan Plateau. The image was captured on by a crew member onboard the International Space Station.&nbsp;



“In this winter scene, a sheet of cracked ice tops part of the lake,” noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>. “On the left side, open water appears blue. Shallow water offshore of a delta, formed by a small, winding river, appears green."



"Parallel lines along the coastlines of bays are visible in the high-resolution version of this image. These lines indicate raised beaches, which formed in the past when lake levels were higher.”



NASA pointed out that several roads cut across the landscape, including one with switchbacks that ascends a steep slope. "These roads facilitate tourist travel from both India and China.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-migratory-birds-at-pangong-lake-nbsp">Migratory birds at Pangong Lake&nbsp;</h2>



Pangong Lake and its surroundings are home to numerous bird species, particularly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/migratory-birds-burn-unexpected-amounts-of-protein/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migratory birds</a>. Visitors can spot various waterfowl and waders that are rarely seen elsewhere.



“During the summer, species such as bar-headed geese and Brahminy ducks attract bird watchers to the lake, which is a major breeding ground for migrating birds,” said NASA.



Pangong Lake is one of the few places in India where the endangered black-necked crane is found during its breeding season. 



Ruddy shelduck and brown-headed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gulls-are-shifting-their-habitats-to-urban-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gulls</a> are also frequently spotted around the lake. The ruddy shelduck is known for its striking orange-brown body and creamy white head, while the brown-headed gulls are often seen flying or swimming in the lake.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pangong-lake-nbsp">Pangong Lake&nbsp;</h2>



Pangong Lake is a stunning high-altitude lake situated in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/temperatures-are-rising-unexpectedly-fast-on-the-tibetan-plateau/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Himalayas</a>, extending from India to the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China. It is renowned for its mesmerizing beauty and dramatic setting, with the lake lying at an elevation of about 4,350 meters.



One of the most distinctive features of Pangong Lake is its changing colors, ranging from shades of blue to green and even red, influenced by the sky's reflection and the lake's mineral content.



This saline water lake is approximately 134 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide at its broadest point. Despite its considerable size, Pangong Lake is relatively shallow. 



The lake gained additional popularity after being featured in several Indian films - most notably the Bollywood hit "3 Idiots." Its remote location requires a permit for visitors, especially due to its proximity to the Line of Actual Control between India and China.



Despite the geopolitical sensitivities surrounding its location, Pangong Lake remains a favorite among tourists for its unparalleled natural beauty and serene environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-altitude-lakes">High-altitude lakes</h2>



High-altitude lakes are unique bodies of water found at elevations typically above 3,000 meters (about 10,000 feet) in mountain ranges like the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/himalayan-glaciers-retreating-threat-is-much-worse-than-previously-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Himalayas</a>, Andes, and Rockies. 



These lakes are formed either by glacial activity, where glaciers erode the earth to create depressions that fill with melted snow and rainwater, or when natural dams created by landslides or moraines trap water in valleys.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-environments">Extreme environments</h3>



The conditions at high altitudes make these lakes distinct in several ways. The climate is typically colder and harsher, with significant temperature variations between day and night. 



This extreme environment affects both the physical characteristics of 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">lakes</a> and the types of ecosystems they support. For example, due to lower atmospheric pressure, the boiling point of water is reduced, which can affect the type of life that can survive in these regions.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-habitats">Critical habitats</h3>



Biologically, high-altitude lakes often have limited biodiversity because only certain types of plants and animals can tolerate the cold temperatures and lower oxygen levels in the water. 



Despite this, these lakes are crucial habitats for some unique species of fish, birds, and other wildlife. They also serve as important indicators of climate change, as variations in their water levels and temperatures can reflect environmental shifts.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-high-altitude-lakes">Significance of high-altitude lakes </h3>



Lakes at high altitudes are often clear and pristine, due to the low density of human populations in these areas and minimal industrial activity, making them significant for ecological studies and attractive for tourism. 



However, they are sensitive ecosystems, and increased tourist activity brings challenges like pollution and habitat disruption.



High-altitude lakes are not only beautiful and scientifically significant but also hold cultural importance for local communities, often considered sacred and associated with historical and spiritual significance.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Pangong Lake on the Tibetan Plateau

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

Fall colors appear around Lake Superior. Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features some of the earliest fall colors emerging in forests across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

After a period of cooler weather, fall foliage began to appear throughout these regions in late September.

The photograph captures the area surrounding Lake Superior, including aspen, birch, maple, and basswood trees.

Deciduous trees begin to change colors in the fall as they lose chlorophyll, the molecule that plants use to synthesize food. When green chlorophyll fades, carotenoids and other leaf pigments can start to shine through.

The U.S. Forest Service explains that certain species of trees produce specific fall colors. For example, oak trees usually turn red or brown, while aspen trees turn golden yellow.

The image was obtained on September 22, 2020 by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on NOAA-20. Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes of North America, the world's largest freshwater lake by surface area, and the third-largest freshwater lake by volume. It is shared by Ontario to the north, Minnesota to the west, and Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to the south. Superior is the farthest north and west of the Great Lakes chain, and the highest in elevation, draining through the St. Mary's River into Lake Huron.

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

Fall colors appear around Lake Superior

Fall colors appear around Lake Superior. Today's Image of the...

Hurricane Teddy approaches Nova Scotia. Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> shows Hurricane Teddy off the eastern coast of Canada on September 22, 2020.

The enormous storm was 1,000 miles wide before it weakened and made landfall in Nova Scotia.

The post-tropical storm brought huge waves and strong winds to the Canadian coast and knocked out power across Nova Scotia, but caused little damage otherwise.T he land that comprises what is now Nova Scotia has been inhabited by the indigenous <a title="Miꞌkmaq" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mi%EA%9E%8Ckmaq">Miꞌkmaq</a> people for thousands of years. <a title="France" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France">France</a>'s first settlement in North America, <a title="Port-Royal National Historic Site" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port-Royal_National_Historic_Site">Port-Royal</a>, was established in 1605 and intermittently served in various locations as the capital of the French colony of <a title="Acadia" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acadia">Acadia</a> for over a hundred years. The <a title="Fortress of Louisbourg" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortress_of_Louisbourg">Fortress of Louisbourg</a> was a key focus point in the struggle between the <a title="British Empire" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire">British</a> and <a title="France" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France">French</a> for control of the area, changing hands numerous times until France relinquished its claims with the <a title="Treaty of Paris (1763)" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Paris_(1763)">Treaty of Paris</a> in 1763. Hurricane Teddy approaches Nova Scotia.

The <a title="Fortress of Louisbourg" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortress_of_Louisbourg">Fortress of Louisbourg</a> was a key focus point in the struggle between the <a title="British Empire" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire">British</a> and <a title="France" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France">French</a> for control of the area, changing hands numerous times until France relinquished its claims with the <a title="Treaty of Paris (1763)" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Paris_(1763)">Treaty of Paris</a> in 1763. During the <a title="American Revolutionary War" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolutionary_War">American Revolutionary War</a>, thousands of <a title="Loyalist (American Revolution)" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loyalist_(American_Revolution)">Loyalists</a> settled in Nova Scotia.

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

Hurricane Teddy approaches Nova Scotia

Hurricane Teddy approaches Nova Scotia. Today's Image of the Day...

Glacier Bay in southeast Alaska. Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features Glacier Bay in southeast Alaska.

The false-color photograph makes it easier to distinguish between areas of ice, rock, and vegetation.

The ice in Glacier Bay has retreated by about 60 miles since the last time it reached its maximum extent in 1750.

“Recent retreat has been influenced by rapidly warming air and water temperatures,” said Andrew Bliss, a glaciologist with the National Park Service. 

“In the East Arm, all of the glaciers are retreating; in the West Arm, a few glaciers are stable or advancing slightly.” Alaska is by far the <a title="List of U.S. states and territories by area" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_area">largest U.S. state</a> by area, comprising more total area than the next three largest states <a title="Texas" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas">Texas</a>, <a title="California" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California">California</a>, and <a title="Montana" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montana">Montana</a> combined, and the <a class="mw-redirect" title="List of country subdivisions by area" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_country_subdivisions_by_area">seventh-largest subnational division in the world</a>. It is the <a class="mw-redirect" title="List of U.S. states and territories by population" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_population">third-least populous</a> and the <a class="mw-redirect" title="List of U.S. states and territories by population density" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_population_density">most sparsely populated</a> state, but by far the continent's most populous territory located mostly north of the <a title="60th parallel north" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/60th_parallel_north">60th parallel</a>, with an estimated population of 738,432 as of 2015—more than quadruple the combined populations of Northern Canada and <a title="Greenland" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenland">Greenland</a>.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska#cite_note-PopEstUS-3">[3]</a> Approximately half of Alaska's residents live within the <a title="Anchorage metropolitan area" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchorage_metropolitan_area">Anchorage metropolitan area</a>. The state capital of <a title="Juneau, Alaska" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juneau,_Alaska">Juneau</a> is the second-<a title="List of United States cities by area" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_area">largest city in the United States by area</a>, comprising more territory than the states of <a title="Rhode Island" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhode_Island">Rhode Island</a> and <a title="Delaware" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delaware">Delaware</a>.

The photo was captured on September 17, 2019 by 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

&nbsp;

Glacier Bay in southeast Alaska

Glacier Bay in southeast Alaska. Today's Image of the Day...

Lake Milh in central Iraq. Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features one of Iraq’s largest lakes, Lake Milh, which has been fluctuating in recent decades as a result of dam management and droughts.

The photograph shows that Lake Milh - also known as Lake Razzaza - is finally starting to fill up again.

In the 1980s, Lake Milh was a popular recreational area, as well as an important breeding ground for many birds such as flamingos. In the following years, however, water levels began to disappear along with tourism and several fish species. Lake Milh in central Iraq

The image was captured on August 21, 2020 by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8.Iraq has a coastline measuring 58 km (36 miles) on the northern <a title="Persian Gulf" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_Gulf">Persian Gulf</a> and encompasses the Mesopotamian Alluvial Plain, the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range and the eastern part of the <a title="Syrian Desert" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Desert">Syrian Desert</a>. Two major rivers, the <a title="Tigris" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigris">Tigris</a> and <a title="Euphrates" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphrates">Euphrates</a>, run south through Iraq and into the <a title="Shatt al-Arab" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shatt_al-Arab">Shatt al-Arab</a> near the <a title="Persian Gulf" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_Gulf">Persian Gulf</a>. These rivers provide Iraq with significant amounts of fertile land. The region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, historically known as Mesopotamia, is often referred to as the cradle of civilisation. It was here that mankind first began to read, write, create laws and live in cities under an organised government—notably <a title="Uruk" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uruk">Uruk</a>, from which "Iraq" is derived. The area has been home to successive civilisations since the 6th millennium BC. Iraq was the centre of the <a title="Akkadian Empire" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akkadian_Empire">Akkadian</a>, <a title="Third Dynasty of Ur" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Dynasty_of_Ur">Sumerian</a>, <a title="Neo-Assyrian Empire" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-Assyrian_Empire">Assyrian</a> and <a title="Neo-Babylonian Empire" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-Babylonian_Empire">Babylonian</a> empires

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

Lake Milh in central Iraq

Lake Milh in central Iraq. Today's Image of the Day...

Historic rainfall in Pakistan has caused deadly flooding. Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> shows devastating flooding across the Sindh province in southeastern Pakistan, where historic amounts of rain has fallen in recent weeks. 

The record-breaking monsoon season has claimed hundreds of lives and destroyed more than 200,000 homes since June.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department also reported that nearly one million acres of crops have been destroyed by the flooding, including cotton, vegetables, onions, tomatoes, and sugarcane. Historic rainfall in Pakistan has caused deadly flooding

The image was captured on September 21, 2020 by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on<a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=nasa&amp;cvid=c29840309817465c914d6f0f53e79d71&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS"> NASA’s</a> Terra satellite. Historic rainfall in Pakistan has caused deadly flooding. Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,  is a country in <a title="South Asia" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Asia">South Asia</a>. It is the world's fifth-most populous country with a population exceeding 212.2 million. It has the world's second-largest Muslim population. It is the 33rd-largest country by area, spanning 881,913 square kilometres (340,509 square miles). Pakistan has a 1,046-kilometre (650-mile) <a class="mw-redirect" title="Coastline" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coastline">coastline</a> along the Arabian Sea and <a title="Gulf of Oman" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Oman">Gulf of Oman</a> in the south and is bordered by <a title="India" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India">India</a> to the east, Afghanistan to the west, <a title="Iran" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran">Iran</a> to the southwest, and <a title="China" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China">China</a> to the northeast. It is separated narrowly from <a title="Tajikistan" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tajikistan">Tajikistan</a> by Afghanistan's <a title="Wakhan Corridor" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakhan_Corridor">Wakhan Corridor</a> in the northwest, and also shares a maritime border with Oman.

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

Historic rainfall in Pakistan has caused deadly flooding

Historic rainfall in Pakistan has caused deadly flooding. Today's Image...

The Bobcat fire rages on in southern California. Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> captures the impact of the Bobcat fire across the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California. 

The dark red portion of this false-color photo represents burn scars, while the brighter red areas signify active fires. The Bobcat fire rages on in southern California

By September 23, the <a href="http://www.earth.com/image/the-bobcat-fire-rages-on-in-southern-california/">Bobcat f</a>ire had burned for 18 days, consumed over 113,000 acres, and more than 1,500 firefighters had managed to reach 38 percent containment.

Some media reports suggest that it could take weeks to fully contain the Bobcat fire. Meanwhile, dozens of other devastating wildfires are still raging in the western United States and hundreds of thousands of people are displaced.

The image was captured on September 21, 2020 by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on the Landsat 8 satellite. California is a state in the <a class="mw-redirect" title="Pacific states" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_states">Pacific Region</a> of the <a class="mw-redirect" title="United States of America" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_of_America">United States of Ame</a>r<a class="mw-redirect" title="United States of America" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_of_America">ica</a>. With over 39.3 million residents across a total area of about 163,696 square miles (423,970 km2), California is the most populous U.S. state and the <a title="List of U.S. states and territories by area" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_area">third-largest</a> by area, and is also the world's thirty-fourth most populous subnational entity. California is also the most populated subnational entity in North America, and has its state capital in Sacramento. The Greater Los Angeles area and the <a title="San Francisco Bay Area" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Bay_Area">San Francisco Bay Area</a> are the nation's second- and fifth-most populous <a title="Statistical area (United States)" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statistical_area_(United_States)">urban regions</a>, with 18.7 million and 9.7 million residents respectively.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California#cite_note-13">[13]</a> <a title="Los Angeles" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles">Los Angeles</a> is California's <a title="List of largest California cities by population" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_California_cities_by_population">most populous city</a>, and the country's <a title="List of United States cities by population" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_population">second-most populous</a>, after <a title="New York City" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City">New York City</a>. California also has the nation's <a title="List of the most populous counties in the United States" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_most_populous_counties_in_the_United_States">most populous county</a>, <a title="Los Angeles County, California" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_County,_California">Los Angeles County</a>, and its <a title="List of the largest counties in the United States by area" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_largest_counties_in_the_United_States_by_area">largest county</a> by area, <a title="San Bernardino County, California" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Bernardino_County,_California">San Bernardino County</a>. 

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 Bobcat fire rages on in southern California

The Bobcat fire rages on in southern California. Today's Image...

Arctic sea ice minimum is the second lowest on record. Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> shows the 2020 Arctic sea ice minimum, which is the second lowest on record. 

The minimum sea ice extent, which was reached around September 15, measured 1.44 million square miles. The only other time that Arctic sea ice has fallen below 1.5 million square miles in the time of modern record keeping was in 2012.

According to measurements by NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) at the University of Colorado Boulder, the 2020 sea ice minimum is nearly a million square miles lower than the average between 1981 and 2000.

"As the sea ice cover extent declines, what we're seeing is we're continuing to lose that multiyear ice," said NSIDC director Mark Serreze. "The ice is shrinking in the summer, but it's also getting thinner. You're losing extent, and you're losing the thick ice as well. It's a double whammy."

The Arctic (<a title="Help:IPA/English" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English">/ˈɑːrktɪk/</a> or <a title="Help:IPA/English" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English">/ˈɑːrtɪk/</a>)<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic#cite_note-ahd-1">[1]</a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic#cite_note-3">[Note 1]</a> is a <a title="Polar regions of Earth" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_regions_of_Earth">polar region</a> located at the northernmost part of <a title="Earth" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth">Earth</a>. The Arctic consists of the <a title="Arctic Ocean" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_Ocean">Arctic Ocean</a>, adjacent seas, and parts of <a title="Alaska" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska">Alaska</a> (<a title="United States" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States">United States</a>), <a title="Canada" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada">Canada</a>, <a title="Finland" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finland">Finland</a>, <a title="Greenland" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenland">Greenland</a> (<a title="Danish Realm" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_Realm">Denmark</a>), <a title="Iceland" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iceland">Iceland</a>, <a title="Norway" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norway">Norway</a>, <a title="Russia" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia">Russia</a>, and <a title="Sweden" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweden">Sweden</a>. Land within the Arctic region has seasonally varying snow and <a title="Sea ice" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_ice">ice cover</a>, with predominantly treeless <a title="Permafrost" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permafrost">permafrost</a> (permanently frozen underground ice) containing <a title="Tundra" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tundra">tundra</a>. Arctic seas contain seasonal <a title="Sea ice" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_ice">sea ice</a> in many places.

The Arctic region is a unique area among Earth's ecosystems. The cultures in the region and the Arctic <a title="Indigenous peoples" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples">indigenous peoples</a> have adapted to its cold and extreme conditions. Life in the Arctic includes <a title="Zooplankton" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zooplankton">zooplankton</a> and <a title="Phytoplankton" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytoplankton">phytoplankton</a>, fish and <a title="Marine mammal" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_mammal">marine mammals</a>, birds, land animals, plants and human societies.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic#cite_note-4">[3]</a> Arctic land is bordered by the <a title="Subarctic" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subarctic">subarctic</a>.

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Arctic sea ice minimum is the second lowest on record

Arctic sea ice minimum is the second lowest on record....

New database will help scientists monitor water quality. New database will help scientists monitor water quality. Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://www.yorku.ca/">York University</a> features Boundary Lake in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario">Ontario's</a> Killarney Provincial Park.

Researchers at York University recently developed a water quality database for nearly 12,000 freshwater lakes worldwide, representing almost half of the world's freshwater supply. The publicly available database will help scientists monitor and manage the health of these lakes.

"The database can be used by scientists to answer questions about what lakes or regions may be faring worse than others, how water quality has changed over the years and which environmental stressors are most important in driving changes in water quality," said study co-lead author Alessandro Filazzola. 

The Arctic is characterized by cold winters and cool summers. Its precipitation mostly comes in the form of snow and is low, with most of the area receiving less than 50 cm (20 in). High winds often stir up snow, creating the illusion of continuous snowfall. Average winter temperatures can go as low. <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=ontario&amp;cvid=4a9b650530424720825e5b0c5c157260&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">Ontario</a> is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. Located in Central Canada, it is Canada's most populous province, with 38.3 percent of the country's population, and is the second-largest province by total area (after Quebec).

Image Credit:  Amanda Liczner/ York University 

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

New database will help scientists monitor water quality

New database will help scientists monitor water quality. New database...

Not long ago, the common belief was that only a subset of media consumers - often less educated and highly biased - would let their political allegiance override the truth. They would believe the news that favors their political inclinations, even if it wasn't authentic.



Then some intriguing studies emerged which indicated quite the opposite. The research suggested that media consumers across the spectrum value truth over partisanship.



The studies proclaimed that the authenticity of news was more influential than its alignment with a consumer's political views by more than four times.



However, as we stand on the brink of a national election fraught with misinformation, a fresh study shakes this understanding to its core.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-news-and-political-views">News and political views</h2>



The research, led by top psychology scholars at Stanford University, suggests that the masses tend to prioritize partisanship over truth when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/political-views-change-our-perception-of-the-past-and-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consuming news</a>.



Quite unexpectedly, this behavioral pattern spans across all political orientations, educational backgrounds, and reasoning capabilities.



Study lead author Michael Schwalbe is a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Psychology at the School of Humanities and Sciences at <a href="http://www.stanford.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford University</a>.



"We saw an effect of people being more influenced by political alignment than truth," said Schwalbe. 



"We saw it on both political sides and even among people who scored well on a reasoning test. We were a bit surprised to see how widespread this tendency was. People were engaging in a lot of resistance to inconvenient truths."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pervasive-problem-across-political-parties">Pervasive problem across political parties</h2>



The researchers unearthed intriguing ways in which political views and partisanship can impact the analysis of news. 



In one measure of bias, people's beliefs about the impartiality of their political side compared to their rivals were assessed. Ironically, those who were most confident in their side's neutrality were the most biased.



Furthermore, partisanship seemed to have a more robust effect on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-opinions-swing-voting-and-elections-in-the-u-s/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">processing real news</a> than fake news. People demonstrated a higher propensity to reject true information that challenged their political views and accept false information that supported their ideological stances.



"Everyone thinks it's the other person who is the problem," said Geoffrey L. Cohen, the James G. March Professor of Organizational Studies in Education and Business, professor of psychology in H&amp;S, and senior author of the study. 



"People say, 'Not me!' But it turns out, like with a lot of social psychological research, it's actually a pretty pervasive problem across political parties and up and down the educational ladder. The problem isn't just misinformation but the filters of our own mind - perhaps more so."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-news-sources-and-political-beliefs">News sources and political beliefs</h2>



The study is based on research conducted on a sample of the voting-age U.S. population, matched to the demographics of the census. This group included supporters and opponents of former President Donald Trump.



A distinctive aspect of this research is its deviation in methodology from previous studies. According to Cohen, this could be why the findings contradict them. While the other studies used existing news headlines, this research involved fabricated ones.



Also, in prior investigations, subjects could see the news sources, which may have influenced their acceptance or rejection of the information, whereas this study focused on the headlines alone.



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



The research team conjured fake headlines like "Trump Beats Grandmaster Chess Champion" and "Trump Attended Private Halloween Gala with Sex Orgies Dressed as the Pope." 



Surprisingly, the experts discovered that Trump's supporters and opponents were more likely to believe headlines that aligned with their views than to accept <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cities-are-largely-unprepared-for-the-effects-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">true headlines</a> that opposed their beliefs.



The researchers suggest that one contributing factor for this situation is the increased consumption of partisan media. 



"We found that the strongest predictors of bias include extreme views of Trump, a one-sided media diet, and belief in the objectivity and lack of bias of a person's own political side relative to the other side," Schwalbe said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growing-concern-about-news-consumption">Growing concern about news consumption </h2>



The findings of this study underscore concerns about news consumption in the 21st century, especially with the advent of social media and the constant availability of political news. 



Gaining access to one-sided information has become easier, which can reinforce beliefs in personal objectivity and lead to deepened polarization over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-possible-paths-to-improvement">Possible paths to improvement</h2>



Having identified the problem, the next logical step is to propose interventions. A measure suggested by Cohen, known as "pre-bunking," involves proactive fact-checking where media sources warn of potential misinformation, or people independently learn to recognize manipulation tactics.



However, Cohen and Schwalbe emphasized that the solution doesn't solely lie in policy changes focused on fake news; people are also biased in their disbelief of true news.



Accordingly, they highlight the significance of promoting intellectual humility, wherein media consumers acknowledge the fallibility of their minds and learn to question their perceptions.



"There's still much more to do to understand the problem," said Schwalbe. So, while this study forms a solid foundation for further exploration, there's no denying that we're only at the beginning of this investigative journey.



The study is published in the <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2025-33892-004.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Experimental Psychology: General</a>. 



-----



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People trust news that matches their political views, even when it's fake

Not long ago, the common belief was that only a...

The cooperative behavior of bees, resembling a singular "superorganism," is something uniquely remarkable in the world of nature.



It is not uncommon for thousands of worker bees to function collectively to protect the colony, feed it, and look after the offspring. This intricate social conduct unifies their individual actions into a concerted effort.



But how is this complex behavior encoded and inherited among generations of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bees-spread-viruses-to-bumblebees-in-the-spring/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">honey bees</a>? The answer lies in a special gene, as unveiled by a team of scientists.



The research was led by experts at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (<a href="https://www.hhu.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HHU</a>), along with colleagues from Frankfurt/Main, Oxford, and Würzburg. The study has uncovered the genetic underpinnings of honey bee cooperation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genes-behind-cooperative-bee-behavior">Genes behind cooperative bee behavior</h2>



The principal investigator and the head of the Institute of Evolutionary Genetics at Heinrich-Heine University, Dr. Martin Beye, and his team have made this breakthrough discovery. The research was focused on a gene called "doublesex" or "dsx."



"The behavioral repertoire of the individual bees and their function in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bee-colonies-are-collapsing-as-climate-change-progresses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">colony</a> are not learned, but rather inherited. Until now, it was not known how such complex behaviors were genetically encoded," said Dr. Beye.



The key discovery is that the dsx gene influences worker bee-specific behavior, noted study first author Dr. Vivien Sommer.



"The gene programs whether a worker bee takes up a task in the colony and for how long. This includes collective tasks such as caring for the larvae or foraging for food and social exchanges on food sources, for example," said Dr. Sommer. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gene-editing-in-bees">Gene editing in bees</h2>



The team used the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technique to modify the dsx gene in select bees, attaching a QR code to the manipulated bees.



Cameras inside the hive monitored the bees' behavior, and with the assistance of artificial intelligence, video sequences were analyzed to determine individual behavioral patterns.



"Our central question was whether and how the inherited behavioral patterns changed as a result of the gene modification. Such changes must be reflected in the nervous system of the worker bees where the specific behaviour is controlled," said Dr. Sommer.



Adding a twist, the researchers introduced a green fluorescent protein (GFP) into the dsx sequence to visualize the neuronal circuits. 



They found that the dsx gene plays a crucial role in creating specific neural pathways in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-explores-the-basis-of-social-behavior-in-the-insect-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bee’s brain</a>, according to doctoral researcher Jana Seiler, who is also a co-author of the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-chapter-in-bee-behavior">New chapter in bee behavior </h2>



"Our findings indicate a fundamental genetic program that determines the neuronal circuitry and behavior of worker bees," said Dr. Wolfgang Rössler, an expert in the Department of Behavioural Physiology and Sociobiology at the University of Würzburg.



The next challenge is to move from the individual honeybee to the whole bee colony and understand how the gene influences the “superorganism.” 



"We hope to find the link between individual programming and the coordinated behaviour of many individuals," said Alina Sturm, a doctoral researcher at HHU.



Revealing the genetic secret behind the collective behavior of honey bees is more than just a scientific breakthrough. It’s a tribute to the remarkable complexity of nature and its infinite capacity for surprise. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-bee-behavior">Broader implications of bee behavior</h2>



The discovery of a gene that influences honey bee behavior has implications beyond the study of bees.



Understanding how a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-single-gene-allows-cape-honey-bees-to-reproduce-asexually/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">single gene</a> can shape complex social dynamics could inspire innovations in fields such as robotics and artificial intelligence.



For example, roboticists often look to nature for insights into building more efficient, cooperative systems. The hive’s "superorganism" structure could serve as a model for developing autonomous swarm robots designed to work together toward a shared goal.



Additionally, the study of bee cooperation offers valuable insights for ecology and conservation. 



Honey bees play a critical role in pollination. Identifying the genetic foundations of their social behavior could lead to better strategies for supporting bee populations amid environmental threats.



By shedding light on the inner workings of the hive, this research adds a new dimension to preserving biodiversity and maintaining the stability of ecosystems that rely heavily on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-honey-bee-day-protecting-our-vital-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinators</a>.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adp3953?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D91765132952246405812279585398434020131%7CMCORGID%3D242B6472541199F70A4C98A6%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1730680771" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Bees do not learn to be cooperative - it is in their genes

The cooperative behavior of bees, resembling a singular "superorganism," is...

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...

Ever wondered about the fish you see leaping across rivers with a furious determination? These diligent creatures, including salmon and similar species, have one thing in common. They all face a significant life decision early on - whether to stay in the river or migrate to the sea and then return to procreate.



This choice is about survival and it's a tough one, as both paths come with their unique set of challenges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salmon-migrating-to-the-open-sea">Salmon migrating to the open sea</h2>



Salmon-like fish, known as salmonids, often choose to either stick around in their birthplace or adapt to the seawater of the open sea, returning to the river to lay their eggs later. 



This branching of strategies impacts how these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-fish-swarms-attract-predators-making-them-an-easy-target/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish communities</a> evolve over time, especially when we factor in their interplay with environmental conditions. 



This complex interaction could potentially shape individual traits, leading to a shift in the proportion of fish adopting the different pathways.



Such strategic divergences are not exceptional in the animal kingdom. However, how this sort of divergence affects population evolution is not entirely understood. So, researchers are diving into this topic to unravel the mysteries beneath these aquatic decisions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-residents-or-migrants">Residents or migrants?</h2>



To investigate, a team of researchers led by Jun-nosuke Horita from the Japan Weather Association, and Yuuya Tachiki, an assistant professor at <a href="https://www.tmu.ac.jp/english/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tokyo Metropolitan University</a>, developed a mathematical model.



The model incorporates known traits of a specific salmonid, the female masu salmon, and explores how populations evolve over time given the availability of alternative strategies.



Female masu salmon have three strategies to choose from. They can remain in the river where they were born (residents), migrate to the sea after a year (early migrants), or venture out into the sea at a later stage of their lives (late migrants). 



For simplicity, the research team modeled the salmon to be either resident or early migrants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salmon-size-in-open-sea">Salmon size in open sea</h2>



An intriguing aspect of the model was the inclusion of size distributions. Young salmon that are smaller are more prone to choose migrating over staying put. 



This study built upon known features of salmon demographics, including the number of eggs per individual and their survival rate. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-the-migratory-paths">Predicting the migratory paths</h2>



The results of the study were significant. The research team observed that under a broad range of parameters, a stable population was maintained. 



Interestingly, they also identified set conditions under which alternative strategies could be triggered. It was found that a river environment unfavorable for survival, coupled with a fertile sea environment, increased the likelihood of salmon migrating. 



When the survival rate of the arduous migration process plunges below a certain threshold, there is a sudden switch which leads to entire <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-find-new-ways-to-reproduce-in-response-to-predators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">populations</a> opting to stay home and become residents.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-survival-evolution-and-environmental-changes">Survival, evolution, and environmental changes </h2>



The ability to predict how populations choose different migratory strategies is crucial for understanding eco-evolution.



This knowledge can help us comprehend how changes in our environment can impact the survival of these organisms. The team is hopeful that their work could be applied to assess and forecast how human-induced changes can affect animal populations.



So, the next time you spot a salmon leaping across the river, remember, it's not just a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-illuminates-fish-interactions-in-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a> going against the flow; it's an individual caught in the intricate web of survival, evolution, and environmental changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salmon-evolving-in-seas">Salmon evolving in seas</h2>



The research has provided some valuable insights into the world of salmonids and their struggle between migrating and staying put. But it also raises questions about the impact of environmental changes on these aquatic beings.



"This model provides several insights into the eco-evolutionary response of the population to environmental change. For example, the increase in survivorship during migration increased the population size and the fraction of migrants as an ecological and evolutionary response, respectively," noted the researchers.



As we continue our journey of exploration and understanding, let's remember that the decisions we make and the actions we take today have a ripple effect on these fragile ecosystems. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://esj-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/1438-390X.12196" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Population Ecology</a>.



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How do salmon decide whether to venture out to sea?

Ever wondered about the fish you see leaping across rivers...

A growing body of research suggests that, like humans, animals also adjust their social behaviors as they age.&nbsp;



A special issue of <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/toc/rstb/2024/379/1916" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B</a> recently published 16 studies exploring this topic, with six led by the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Leeds</a>. 



The studies reveal how social patterns shift as animals grow older, providing insights into the potential biological and social benefits of these changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-less-social-engagement-in-aging-red-deer">Less social engagement in aging red deer</h2>



One of the studies focused on red deer on Scotland’s Isle of Rum, particularly on the behavior of older female <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deer-migration-is-driven-by-springtime-vegetation-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deer</a>, or does. As the deer age, they interact less with their peers. This reduction in socialization may help them avoid competition and reduce their risk of parasite infection. 



Josh Firth from the University of Leeds, one of the editors of this special issue, highlighted that such behavior may be widespread across species, as it allows individuals to avoid health risks associated with social interactions.&nbsp;



“These kinds of effects might be expected across societies, where individuals might avoid social interactions as they become more vulnerable to the costs of infection,” Firth explained.



The shift in behavior among aging deer has parallels in human behavior, especially seen during the COVID-19 pandemic when many older adults limited their social activities to avoid exposure to illness.&nbsp;



“Wild animals provide a good model system for considering the costs and benefits of changing social behavior with age,” Firth added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-house-sparrows-lose-social-connections-over-time">House sparrows lose social connections over time</h2>



Another notable study investigated how aging impacts social behavior in house <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sparrows-have-fewer-friends-as-they-age-just-like-most-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sparrows</a>. Research led by Julia Schroeder at <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imperial College London</a>, with additional input from Jamie Dunning, found that older sparrows tend to shrink their social circles. 



“Our study is one of the first to suggest that birds, like mammals, also reduce the size of their social network as they age,” Dunning said. This decline could be influenced by the deaths of peers and the challenges older birds face in forming new bonds.



The research on Lundy Island offered a unique setting, as the isolated population of sparrows has no birds entering or leaving, allowing scientists to monitor each bird’s social connections throughout its life.&nbsp;



According to Schroeder, understanding the dynamics of these aging friendships may shed light on how social patterns evolve among birds and even offer insights into similar behaviors in other species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broad-applications-across-species">Broad applications across species</h2>



These studies go beyond mammals and birds, extending to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-insect-decline-what-are-the-causes-and-consequences/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insects</a>, which may not immediately come to mind when considering social dynamics. Professor Amanda Bretman’s work with Drosophila fruit flies showed that social environments impact aging even in simpler animals. 



“In humans, a poor social environment can have the same level of impact as smoking or obesity on healthy aging,” Bretman noted. Her team’s research found that social interactions can significantly affect lifespan and aging, even in insects.



Studying the impact of social behavior in fruit flies offers a controlled environment where researchers can observe the mechanics of social aging.&nbsp;



These insights could potentially apply to broader research on aging in humans, helping scientists better understand the underlying processes that link social behaviors and health outcomes across different life stages.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-mechanisms-of-social-aging">Understanding the mechanisms of social aging</h2>



In their studies of fruit flies, Bretman’s team could precisely manipulate the flies’ social surroundings, gaining a deeper look into why animals, and perhaps humans, might adjust social behaviors with age.&nbsp;



The research underscores that the social environment can vary by gender, timing, and social structure. By looking at how even insects adapt their behavior based on social context, scientists hope to reveal fundamental patterns that apply across species, possibly suggesting strategies for promoting healthy social <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/assamese-macaques-show-how-aging-affects-our-social-networks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-social-aging-in-humans">Implications for social aging in humans</h2>



These findings offer potential insights for human social dynamics as well. Firth noted that animal models are valuable for understanding the roots of social aging in human societies, where shifts in social habits can affect physical and mental health outcomes.&nbsp;



“Animal systems are now widely considered as well placed for developing our fundamental understanding of aging societies,” he explained. Observing animal behavior may provide clues on supporting social connections and minimizing isolation in human populations as they age.



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



Looking forward, researchers intend to explore the intricacies of social aging further. Schroeder’s team plans to continue studying the life-long social patterns of house sparrows, examining how friendships form and evolve.&nbsp;



The researchers believe that such detailed studies could illuminate the complexity of aging not only in animals but also offer parallels to human aging, as people similarly adapt their social interactions to match their life stage and health needs.



In addition, Bretman’s team is keen to examine how social environments impact health across different life stages in simpler animals. Since insects are easier to study in controlled environments, they can serve as useful models to understand the biological mechanisms that drive social aging, possibly uncovering processes that can apply to more complex animals, including humans.



The breadth of these studies highlights that changing social behaviors with age is a general phenomenon across species. From deer reducing their social interactions to avoid health risks to sparrows experiencing a natural decline in friendships as peers pass on, the social effects of aging are universal.&nbsp;



The insights provided by this special issue reveal that the social consequences of aging are not unique to humans. Instead, they reflect a broader biological principle that has significant implications for understanding both animal and human health across the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lifespan-is-influenced-more-by-lifestyle-than-genetics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lifespan</a>.



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Social aging: What animals can teach us about getting older

A growing body of research suggests that, like humans, animals...

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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



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...