Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features the Fedchenko Glacier in the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan. It is one of the world's longest glaciers outside of the polar regions.&nbsp;



“An astronaut aboard the International Space Station took this photo of glaciers in the high-elevation valleys of the Pamir Mountains of Central Asia. The upper portion of Fedchenko Glacier crosses the center of the scene.”



NASA noted that most of the larger glaciers in the image show a prominent pattern of light- and dark-brown parallel lines.&nbsp;



“The darker ‘streamlines,’ known as medial moraines, give a sense of the direction of flow of the ice down the valleys. These are concentrations of debris that has been eroded by the glacier from the adjacent mountainsides or a rocky outcrop,” said NASA.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fedchenko-a-high-altitude-glacier">Fedchenko: A high-altitude glacier</h2>



Fedchenko Glacier stretches for approximately 48 miles and covers an area of around 270 square miles. This massive glacier is a critical source of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellites-reveal-a-sudden-drop-in-global-freshwater-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">freshwater</a>, feeding several rivers and influencing the region's hydrology.



Fedchenko Glacier lies at high altitudes, with its origins in the high peaks of the Pamirs, where snow accumulates heavily. Despite being situated in a relatively arid region, the glacier's significant size and volume are maintained by substantial snowfall.&nbsp;



Named after Alexei Pavlovich Fedchenko, a Russian explorer and naturalist, the glacier was first surveyed in 1928 during Soviet-era expeditions. It plays a crucial role in climate studies, as changes in its length and mass provide insights into the effects of global warming in Central Asia.&nbsp;



The glacier is also part of a spectacular and remote landscape, surrounded by towering <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-preferred-the-mountains-and-it-changed-our-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mountains</a> and rugged terrain, making it a key feature of the Pamirs' natural beauty.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threats-to-glaciers-worldwide">Threats to glaciers worldwide</h2>



Like many glaciers worldwide, Fedchenko faces the threat of retreat due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/peru-has-lost-over-half-of-its-glaciers-in-six-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global warming</a>, raising concerns about water availability and ecosystem changes in the region.



Rising global temperatures caused by greenhouse gas emissions are the primary driver of glacier melting. Warmer temperatures not only melt glacier surfaces but also increase the flow of meltwater beneath them, accelerating their disintegration.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-activities-and-pollution-nbsp">Human activities and pollution&nbsp;</h3>



Deforestation and urbanization exacerbate these effects by reducing reflective snow cover and increasing heat absorption in nearby areas.&nbsp;



Airborne pollutants like soot and black carbon darken glacier surfaces, reducing their ability to reflect sunlight and speeding up the rate of melting. 



Industrial activities and tourism in glacier regions add physical stress and pollution, further degrading these fragile ecosystems.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-supplies">Water supplies</h3>



The loss of glaciers has far-reaching consequences. It disrupts freshwater supplies for millions of people who depend on glacial runoff for drinking water, agriculture, and hydropower.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-sea-levels">Rising sea levels</h3>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-glaciers-unleash-invasive-species-into-unexpected-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Melting glaciers</a> contribute to rising sea levels, threatening coastal communities and ecosystems worldwide. Additionally, the loss of glaciers impacts biodiversity, as many species rely on cold, glacial habitats for survival.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-glaciers">Protecting glaciers</h3>



Efforts to mitigate these threats focus on reducing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-glaciers-are-hidden-sources-of-greenhouse-gases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gas</a> emissions, protecting glacier regions from industrial exploitation, and promoting sustainable tourism practices.&nbsp;



However, without urgent action, the continued decline of glaciers will have profound implications for the planet's climate, water systems, and ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-pamir-mountains-nbsp">The Pamir Mountains&nbsp;</h2>



The Pamir Mountains, often called the "Roof of the World," are a vast and rugged mountain range located in Central Asia.&nbsp;



They span across Tajikistan, Afghanistan, China, and Kyrgyzstan, forming a vital part of the junction where the Himalayas, the Tian Shan, the Karakoram, the Kunlun, and the Hindu Kush converge.&nbsp;



With peaks soaring over 7,000 meters, including Ismoil Somoni Peak, the range is home to some of the highest altitudes on Earth.



The Pamir Mountains have been central to trade and cultural exchange for centuries, serving as a critical segment of the ancient Silk Road.&nbsp;



Today, the mountains are a popular destination for trekkers and explorers drawn by their breathtaking beauty and challenging terrain.



The Pamirs are not only a natural wonder but also a biological treasure trove, supporting unique wildlife that is adapted to extreme altitudes.&nbsp;



Culturally, the mountains are home to diverse communities, each with its unique traditions and ways of life, shaped by the harsh but majestic environment.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory



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Fedchenko Glacier in the Pamir Mountains

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

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the spiral galaxy NGC 5643, which is located roughly 40 million light-years away in the constellation Lupus.&nbsp;



NGC 5643 belongs to the Hubble classification SBc, indicating that it is a barred spiral galaxy with loosely wound arms.&nbsp;



Its orientation, nearly face-on to Earth, provides astronomers with an exceptional view of its detailed spiral structure and central bar.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ngc-5643-a-grand-design-spiral-nbsp">NGC 5643: A grand design spiral&nbsp;</h2>



“NGC 5643 is what’s known as a grand design spiral, referring to how the galaxy’s two large, winding spiral arms are clear to see,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images">ESA</a>. “The spiral arms are defined by bright blue stars, lacy reddish-brown dust clouds and pink star-forming regions.”



“As fascinating as the galaxy appears at visible wavelengths, some of NGC 5643’s most interesting features are invisible to the human eye.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intense-activity-in-ngc-5643">Intense activity in NGC 5643</h2>



This galaxy is notable for its Seyfert 2 nucleus, a type of active galactic nucleus (AGN). The intense activity in its core is powered by a supermassive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/awakening-of-a-black-hole-witnessed-for-the-first-time/">black hole</a> that accretes surrounding material, emitting energy across a wide range of wavelengths.&nbsp;



“When a supermassive black hole ensnares gas from its surroundings, the gas collects in a disc that heats up to hundreds of thousands of degrees. The superheated gas shines brightly across the electromagnetic spectrum, but especially at X-ray wavelengths,” said ESA.



Observations have revealed jets and outflows of material emanating from the nucleus, likely driven by the black hole’s activity.&nbsp;



NGC 5643’s AGN has been studied extensively for its role in galactic evolution, particularly in how its energetic processes interact with the galaxy’s interstellar medium.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-mystery-of-ngc-5643-x-1">The mystery of NGC 5643 X-1</h2>



However, ESA pointed out that NGC 5643’s active galactic nucleus isn’t the brightest source of X-rays in the galaxy.&nbsp;



“Researchers using ESA’s XMM-Newton discovered an even brighter X-ray-emitting object, called NGC 5643 X-1, on the galaxy’s outskirts. What could be a more powerful source of X-rays than a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-black-holes-become-supermassive/">supermassive black hole</a>?”&nbsp;



“Surprisingly, the answer appears to be a much smaller black hole! While the exact identity of NGC 5643 X-1 is not yet known, evidence points to a black hole that is about 30 times more massive than the Sun.”&nbsp;



“Locked in an orbital dance with a companion star, the black hole ensnares gas from its stellar companion, creating a superheated disc that outshines the galactic center,” said ESA.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-ngc-5643">Star formation in NGC 5643</h2>



NGC 5643 also exhibits prominent regions of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-rogue-worlds-discovered-inside-a-young-star-forming-nebula/">star formation</a> within its spiral arms. These areas are rich in gas and dust - the raw materials for birthing new stars - and glow brightly in ultraviolet and infrared light.&nbsp;



Observations from the Hubble Space Telescope and the Very Large Telescope (VLT) have helped uncover the complex interplay between star formation and the galaxy's central activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extended-ionized-gas-regions-nbsp">Extended ionized gas regions&nbsp;</h2>



A defining feature of NGC 5643 is the presence of its extended ionized gas regions, which are shaped by the galaxy's AGN activity and star-forming regions.&nbsp;



These structures have been mapped through optical spectroscopy, revealing intricate patterns that help astronomers understand the physical conditions of the gas, such as density, temperature, and composition.



The galaxy also has a dust lane that crosses its nucleus, partially obscuring direct observations of the central region in visible light.&nbsp;



Overall, NGC 5643 offers a fascinating glimpse into the dynamics of barred <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-mesmerizing-beauty-of-spiral-galaxies/">spiral galaxies</a> with active nuclei, serving as a valuable resource for studying the interactions between supermassive black holes, star formation, and galactic evolution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-constellation-lupus">The constellation Lupus</h2>



Lupus is a constellation located in the southern sky, its name meaning "wolf" in Latin. It has been known since antiquity and was cataloged by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy.&nbsp;



Once part of the larger constellation Centaurus, Lupus was later recognized as a distinct constellation. It is relatively faint but holds historical significance in mythology, often associated with a sacrificial wolf in ancient stories.



Lupus is bordered by other constellations like Scorpius, Centaurus, and Libra. Its stars do not form a particularly striking pattern, but it contains a variety of interesting astronomical features. Among them are numerous double stars, globular clusters, and other deep-sky objects, visible through telescopes.&nbsp;



For observers in the Southern Hemisphere, Lupus is best seen in the winter and spring months, while it appears closer to the horizon for those in northern latitudes.



This constellation also lies along the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stars-at-the-edge-of-our-milky-way-galaxy-travel-more-slowly/">Milky Way</a>, offering a rich field of stars and nebulae for stargazers. Despite its modest brightness, Lupus holds a special place in the science of astronomy.



Image Credit: NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope



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NGC 5643: Secrets of a spiraling galactic powerhouse

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

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features an astronaut view of Mount Nemrut, a volcano located in eastern Turkey near Lake Van.



Mount Nemrut is notable for its immense caldera, which was formed through a series of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/volcanic-eruptions-play-an-overlooked-role-in-earths-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eruptions</a>. The caldera, one of the largest in the world, now contains several lakes such as Lake Nemrut.&nbsp;



"The eastern half of the caldera is partially filled by solidified lava flows from past eruptions. Snow cover present at the time of this photo accentuates pressure ridges that formed as the lava was flowing and cooling," noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



"These pressure ridges vary in size, thickness, and orientation due to the varying viscosity and flow direction of the lavas during eruptions."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-formation-of-lake-nemrut">Formation of Lake Nemrut</h2>



"Lake Nemrut (Nemrut Gölü) occupies the western half of the caldera, creating a rough crescent shape that partially submerges the old lava flows," said NASA.



"This freshwater lake, reaching up to 176 meters deep, is accompanied by a smaller lake at the upper-center of the caldera."



The lake was formed after the collapse of the Nemrut volcano's summit. This collapse created a massive crater, which gradually filled with water over time, forming the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alarming-study-most-of-the-worlds-largest-lakes-are-quickly-losing-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lake</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unesco-world-heritage-site">UNESCO World Heritage Site </h2>



Mount Nemrut and its surroundings are part of a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their ecological and geological significance.



The site is home to diverse wildlife, including various bird species that use the lake as a stopover during migration. The caldera also contains smaller lakes and wetlands, adding to the area's biodiversity.



Lake Nemrut is a popular destination for tourists, hikers, and nature enthusiasts, offering stunning views of the volcanic landscape.



Despite its popularity, the lake remains relatively remote and unspoiled, contributing to its appeal as a natural wonder.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mount-nemrut-has-shaped-the-landscape">Mount Nemrut has shaped the landscape</h2>



Geologically, Mount Nemrut is interesting because its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-research-enhances-predictions-on-volcanic-eruptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eruptions</a> have played a key role in shaping the local landscape. 



Its last major eruption occurred around 1441 AD, which indicates that it's not currently active but is considered dormant.



The area around Nemrut is known for its geothermal activity, including hot springs and fumaroles, suggesting that there is still significant heat beneath the surface.



Over thousands of years, various civilizations have inhabited the region around Nemrut, leaving behind a wealth of archaeological sites.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tribute-to-a-king">Tribute to a king</h2>



The summit of Mount Nemrut is dominated by a vast funerary mound constructed by King Antiochus I Theos, who ruled the Kingdom of Commagene in the 1st century BCE. 



The site was intended to serve as his tomb sanctuary and a place to commemorate the king's vision of divine kingship and unity between Eastern and Western cultures.



The mound, made of loose crushed stones, measures about 50 meters (164 feet) in height and spans a diameter of 150 meters (492 feet), creating an imposing feature visible from afar.



Surrounding the mound are terraces on the eastern, western, and northern sides, each adorned with colossal statues and reliefs. The statues, ranging in height from 8 to 10 meters (26 to 33 feet), represent various deities, including Zeus, Apollo, Hercules, and the goddess Tyche, alongside King Antiochus himself. 



The heads of the statues, many of which have toppled over due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-map-shows-75-percent-of-the-u-s-at-risk-of-damaging-earthquakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">earthquakes</a> and erosion, lie scattered around the site, creating an iconic and enigmatic scene.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spiritual-and-religious-practices">Spiritual and religious practices</h2>



In addition to the statues, inscriptions at Mount Nemrut provide valuable historical information about the kingdom, the king's lineage, and the religious practices of the time.



The site is not only a marvel of ancient engineering but also a spiritual and astronomical center. Scholars believe the terraces were aligned with celestial events, serving as an observatory for solstices and equinoxes.



In addition to its natural and historical significance, the Nemrut volcano has been the subject of scientific study, as researchers aim to understand more about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/volcanic-eruptions-play-an-overlooked-role-in-earths-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volcanic activity</a> in the region, the history of its eruptions, and the potential risks it may pose in the future.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory



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Mount Nemrut: Ancient mysteries and natural marvels 

Today's Image of the Day from the European Southern Observatory (ESO) features the Dark Wolf Nebula, located around 5,300 light-years from Earth in the constellation Scorpius.



According to ESO, this image of the dark <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-reveal-the-ring-nebula-as-it-has-never-been-seen-before/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nebula</a> creates the illusion of a wolf-like silhouette against a colorful cosmic backdrop.&nbsp;



“This image takes up an area in the sky equivalent to four full Moons, but is actually part of an even larger nebula called Gum 55. If you look closely, the wolf could even be a werewolf, its hands ready to grab unsuspecting bystanders,” noted <a href="https://www.eso.org/public/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESO</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observing-dark-nebulae">Observing dark nebulae </h2>



Dark nebulae are dense regions in space filled with gas and dust that absorb visible light, making them appear as dark patches against brighter backgrounds.&nbsp;



Unlike emission or reflection nebulae, dark nebulae do not glow on their own. Instead, they obstruct and obscure the light from stars and other objects lying behind them.&nbsp;



This characteristic makes them challenging to observe using visible-light telescopes, as they absorb and scatter light rather than reflecting or emitting it.&nbsp;



However, when viewed in infrared, where their obscuring effect is reduced, dark nebulae reveal intricate details about the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/building-blocks-of-life-found-in-the-perseus-cloud/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">molecular clouds</a> they contain.



According to ESO, astronomers study these clouds of frozen dust because they often contain new stars in the making.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-wolf-nebula-nbsp">Dark Wolf Nebula&nbsp;</h2>



The Dark Wolf Nebula is part of a larger complex known as the Lupus Molecular Cloud, one of several significant star-forming regions close to Earth.&nbsp;



Inside of dark nebulae, the conditions are prime for star formation. The dense gas and dust clump together under gravitational forces. As these clouds contract, they heat up, eventually igniting nuclear fusion and forming <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-molecule-detected-in-space-where-stars-are-born/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new stars</a>.



The Dark Wolf Nebula is known for revealing young, low-mass stars - or T Tauri stars - which are in the early stages of their evolution. These stars are still surrounded by disks of material that may eventually form new planets.



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



Scorpius is one of the most recognizable constellations in the sky. It resembles a scorpion with a long, curved tail and stinger.&nbsp;



Located in the southern sky, Scorpius is especially visible during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere and during the winter months in the Southern Hemisphere. 



The constellation is often associated with the story of Orion in Greek mythology. According to legend, the scorpion was sent by the goddess Artemis to kill Orion, the great hunter, either as punishment for his arrogance or to protect her animals, depending on the version of the tale.&nbsp;



The gods later placed both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orion-nebula-destroys-an-oceans-worth-of-water-every-month/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orion</a> and Scorpius in the sky, but in opposite parts of the heavens so they would never be seen together - as Scorpius rises in the east and Orion sets in the west.



Scorpius contains several notable stars and deep-sky objects. Its brightest star, Antares, is a red supergiant often referred to as the "heart of the scorpion" due to its reddish hue and central position. 



Antares is one of the largest visible stars in the sky and has a luminosity that is tens of thousands of times greater than that of our Sun. 



Scorpius is located close to the core of the Milky Way, making it a rich region for star clusters and nebulae. Among these are the Butterfly Cluster and the Ptolemy Cluster - both of which are visible to the naked eye under dark skies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-image-of-the-dark-wolf-nebula">Image of the Dark Wolf Nebula </h2>



“This image shows in spectacular detail how the dark wolf stands out against the glowing star-forming clouds behind it,” noted ESO.



“The colorful clouds are built up mostly of hydrogen gas and glow in reddish tones excited by the intense UV radiation from the newborn stars within them.”



The picture was created from images taken at different times. Each of the images has a filter that makes a different color of light visible.&nbsp;



Observations of the Dark Wolf Nebula provide astronomers with valuable information about the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-star-redefines-our-understanding-of-stellar-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution of stars</a> and the environments in which they form.



The image was captured by the VLT Survey Telescope (VST) at ESO’s Paranal Observatory in Chile.



Image Credit: ESO/VPHAS+ team



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Dark Wolf Nebula in the constellation Scorpius

Today's Image of the Day from the European Southern Observatory...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Image Credit: ESA Space Agency&nbsp;



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Secrets of the Little Dumbbell Nebula  

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features Westerlund 1 - a young star cluster located in the Milky Way galaxy.&nbsp;



Discovered by Swedish astronomer Bengt Westerlund in 1961, the cluster is composed of thousands of stars - many of which are supergiants - and contains some of the most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-stars-shape-planetary-systems-like-ours-with-ultraviolet-radiation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">massive stars</a> ever observed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-image-of-westerlund-1">Webb image of Westerlund 1</h2>



“The open cluster Westerlund 1, showcased in this new Webb Picture of the Month, is located roughly 12,000 light-years away in the southern constellation Ara (the Altar) where it resides behind a huge interstellar cloud of gas and dust,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



“Westerlund 1 is an incomparable natural laboratory for the study of extreme stellar physics, helping astronomers to find out how the most massive stars in our galaxy live and die.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-special-about-westerlund-1">What is special about Westerlund 1?</h2>



According to ESA, the unique draw of Westerlund 1 is its large, dense, and diverse population of massive stars. The star cluster is unparalleled in the known <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-way-galaxy-is-surrounded-by-massive-magnetic-fields/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a> galaxy in terms of the number of stars and the richness of spectral types and evolutionary phases.&nbsp;



“All stars identified in this cluster are evolved and very massive, spanning the full range of stellar classifications including Wolf-Rayet stars, OB supergiants, yellow hypergiants (nearly as bright as a million Suns) and luminous blue variables. Because such stars have a rather short life, Westerlund 1 is very young, astronomically speaking,” said ESA.



“Astronomers estimate the cluster’s age to be somewhere between 3.5 and 5 million years (its exact age is still a matter of debate), making it a newborn cluster in our galaxy.”



Westerlund 1 is expected to gradually evolve from an open cluster to a globular cluster - a spherical collection of stars that are tightly bound together by gravity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-the-milky-way-galaxy-nbsp">Star formation in the Milky Way galaxy&nbsp;</h2>



The Milky Way <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stars-at-the-edge-of-our-milky-way-galaxy-travel-more-slowly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxy</a> forms roughly 1 to 2 stars per year on average. This star formation rate is relatively moderate compared to more active galaxies, which can produce dozens or even hundreds of stars annually.



The Milky Way galaxy used to produce many more stars, likely hitting its peak about 10 billion years ago. At that time, dozens (or possibly even hundreds) of stars were created in the Milky Way each year.&nbsp;



“Astronomers think that most of this star formation took place in massive clusters of stars, known as ‘super star clusters.’ These are young clusters of stars that contain more than 10,000 times the mass of the Sun, packed into an unbelievably small volume. They represent the most extreme environments in which stars and planets can form,” said ESA.&nbsp;



“Only a few super star clusters still exist in our galaxy - of which Westerlund 1 is one - but they offer important clues about this earlier era when most of our galaxy’s stars formed.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impressive-example-of-a-star-cluster-nbsp">Impressive example of a star cluster&nbsp;</h2>



ESA noted that Westerlund 1 is an impressive example of a super star cluster because it contains hundreds of very massive stars. Some of these stars shine with the brilliance of almost a million suns, while others are two thousand times larger than the sun. 



“Indeed, if the Solar System was located at the heart of this remarkable cluster, our sky would be full of hundreds of stars as bright as the full Moon."



The large population of massive stars in Westerlund 1 indicates that it will greatly influence its surroundings, noted ESA. With such a high concentration of these stars, the cluster is expected to host over 1,500 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-explosions-could-damage-distant-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernovae</a> within the next 40 million years. 



This "super" star cluster offers astronomers a rare glimpse into one of the most extreme environments in the Universe. 



Westerlund 1 is set to play a key role in advancing our understanding of how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newly-discovered-stars-milky-way-are-old-as-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stars</a>, particularly massive ones, are formed.



The image was captured as part of The Extended Westerlund 1 and 2 Open Clusters Survey (EWOCS) with Webb’s Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam). 



Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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Westerlund 1: Stars with the brilliance of a million suns

This amazing photo captures the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park.

One of just a few supervolcanoes in the world, Yellowstone National Park has erupted just a few times in the Earth’s entire history. The park has many geysers such as this one which vent the perpetually-building, below-ground pressure.

Therefore the park is an American national park located mostly in Wyoming, with small sections in Montana and <a href="http://www.earth.com/image/priest-river-northern-idaho/">Idaho</a>. It was established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872.

Yellowstone was the first national park in the U.S. and is also widely held to be the first national park in the world. The park is known for its wildlife and its many geothermal features, especially Old Faithful geyser, one of its most popular features. It has many types of ecosystem, but the subalpine forest is the most abundant. It is part of the South Central Rockies forests ecoregion. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA">NASA's</a> view.

Native Americans have lived in the Yellowstone region for at least 11,000 years.Aside from visits by mountain men during the early-to-mid-19th century, organized exploration did not begin until the late 1860s. Management and control of the park originally fell under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior, the first being Columbus Delano. However, the U.S. Army was subsequently commissioned to oversee management of Yellowstone for a 30-year period between 1886 and 1916. In 1917, administration of the park was transferred to the National Park Service, which had been created the previous year. Hundreds of structures have been built and are protected for their architectural and historical significance, and researchers have examined more than a thousand archaeological sites. Therefore the park has many beautiful things to offer and show. The animals and the terrain go a long way and have one of the largest parks for them.

Credit: <a href="http://www.ibcworldnews.com/gallery/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/10-Most-Beautiful-Places-In-The-World-That-Actually-Exist-3.png">ibcworldnews.com</a>

Yellowstone National Park

A recent discovery has drawn attention to a deposit containing about 1,000 metric tons (1,100 US tons) of high-quality gold ore. If ultimately proven true, this massive find would make it the largest gold deposit on Earth.



The news has turned heads around the world, considering that such a find could influence global markets, local economies, and long-term mining strategies.



The deposit sits in a region known for mineral wealth but has now proven to be far richer than anyone had previously guessed. 



In early examinations, it appears to meet the criteria of what experts call a "supergiant" deposit, a term used when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-secret-role-of-seawater-in-gold-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gold resources</a> measure up not in millions, but potentially billions of ounces, surpassing even well-known reserves around the world. 



Bureau prospector Chen Rulin at the <a href="http://www.enghunan.gov.cn/hneng/Government/ASocialO/GovernmentDepartments/201308/t20130805_1801515.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geological Bureau of Hunan Province</a> has been closely involved in examining the site.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-makes-a-gold-deposit-supergiant">What makes a gold deposit "supergiant"</h2>



Not all gold deposits earn the title supergiant. Deposits of that magnitude represent natural collections of gold that formed under <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fools-gold-may-be-a-valuable-source-of-lithium/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">special conditions</a>. 



Such conditions can lead to concentrations exceeding those in typical mines, which usually hold far fewer ounces.



China’s newly identified reservoir is valued at up to approximately 600 billion yuan, or US$83 billion. 



Comparisons are already being drawn to other well-known sites, surpassing even the 900 metric tons believed to lie within <a href="https://www.goldfields-southdeep.co.za/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">South Africa’s South Deep mine</a>, a deposit long celebrated for its riches.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-network-of-hidden-veins">Network of hidden veins</h2>



The Geological Bureau of Hunan Province has confirmed the detection of 40 gold veins stretched within a depth of about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) below the surface. 



Each of these veins is like a thin <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/golds-glow-luminescence-caused-quantum-realm-effects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thread of treasure</a> winding through layers of ancient rock. These 40 gold veins at the Wangu gold field were previously thought to contain around 300 metric tons of gold. 



Three-dimensional modeling suggests there may be even more hidden further below, at a depth of about 3 kilometers, hinting at a possibility that the newfound riches extend beyond initial surveys. 



Many drilled rock cores showed visible gold, says bureau prospector Chen Rulin.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quality-and-richness-of-the-ore">Quality and richness of the ore</h2>



Every metric ton of ore dug up from this area might contain as much as 138 grams (nearly 5 ounces) of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healing-chronic-wounds-with-gold-and-red-wine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gold</a>. 



Experts consider ore from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/illegal-gold-mining-dumps-mercury-in-the-peruvian-rainforest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">underground mines</a> high grade if it contains more than 8 grams, so this is a serious cut above the usual finds.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/supergiant-gold-deposit_drilled-rock-samples_Wangu-gold-field_Pingjiang-County_Xinhua_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/supergiant-gold-deposit_drilled-rock-samples_Wangu-gold-field_Pingjiang-County_Xinhua_1s.webp" alt="This photo taken in November 2024 shows drilled rock samples from the Wangu gold field in Pingjiang County, central China's Hunan Province. Credit: (Xinhua/Su Xiaozhou)" class="wp-image-1953686"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This photo taken in November 2024 shows drilled rock samples from the Wangu gold field in Pingjiang County, central China's Hunan Province. Credit: (Xinhua/Su Xiaozhou)</figcaption></figure>



China has already claimed a major place in the gold market, maintaining reserves exceeding 2,000 tons earlier in 2024. 



Its miners are no strangers to success, contributing about 10 percent of global output. News of this discovery has further driven an uptick in gold prices, adding to rising demand worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gold-deposits-are-harder-to-find">Gold deposits are harder to find</h2>



Gold is a finite resource, meaning there’s only a certain amount of it on Earth.



So far, humans have mined about 53,000 metric tons of gold throughout history, and experts believe there could be another 50,000 metric tons hidden underground waiting to be found. 



However, these new deposits are often harder to reach and more expensive to extract compared to older, more accessible mines. 



Plus, environmental regulations and the push for more sustainable practices make <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/could-investing-in-asteroid-mining-make-you-a-billionaire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mining new gold</a> more challenging. 



As a result, the future of gold mining not only depends on discovering new sources but also on improving mining technology and increasing recycling efforts to keep up with demand.



Some researchers think humanity might be nearing the point where there are fewer big finds to make, while others remain unconvinced that the end is in sight. 



No one is certain how many more major discoveries like this are waiting beneath Earth’s crust. Peak gold is a matter of debate, and this new discovery will likely fuel that conversation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-does-gold-come-from">Where does gold come from?</h2>



Buried seams of crystallized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-diamond-dust-reverse-global-warming-and-cool-the-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">silicon dioxide</a>, better known as quartz, seem to encourage this precious metal to precipitate out and settle. 



While this theory is widely accepted, it doesn't fully explain the formation of large gold nuggets, especially considering that the concentration of gold in these fluids is extremely low, says Chris Voisey, a geologist at <a href="https://www.monash.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monash University</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/supergiant-gold-deposit_technicians-examine_Wangu-gold-field_Pingjiang-County_Xinhua_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/supergiant-gold-deposit_technicians-examine_Wangu-gold-field_Pingjiang-County_Xinhua_1s.webp" alt="Technicians of Hunan Province Geological Disaster Survey and Monitoring Institute check rock samples at the Wangu gold field in Pingjiang County, central China's Hunan Province. (Xinhua/Su Xiaozhou)" class="wp-image-1953688"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Technicians of Hunan Province Geological Disaster Survey and Monitoring Institute check rock samples at the Wangu gold field in Pingjiang County, central China's Hunan Province. (Xinhua/Su Xiaozhou)</figcaption></figure>



These Australian scientists offered a new perspective on gold formation. They reported that seismic activity linked to earthquakes may help gather gold into concentrated areas. 



Though the fundamentals of how gold appears in the Earth’s crust have long been taught in textbooks, ongoing work by groups like Australia's Monash University, the <a href="https://www.csiro.au/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CSIRO</a>, and the <a href="https://www.ansto.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation</a> has questioned traditional assumptions. 



By peering closer at how gold settles into veins, these researchers challenge old beliefs and encourage fresh lines of inquiry into the link between gold and earthquakes in their study published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01514-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fresh-angles-on-gold-deposit-formation">Fresh angles on gold deposit formation</h2>



Mining involves more than simply unearthing what nature buried millions of years ago. <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44160-024-00518-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A study published in April 2024</a> described the creation of a two-dimensional gold form called goldene, a layer just one atom thick. 



This unique material behaves differently from the regular three-dimensional variety and may hint at unconventional applications for gold in the future.



"If you make a material extremely thin, something extraordinary happens – as with&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphene">graphene</a>,"&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041079">explains materials scientist Shun Kashiwaya</a>&nbsp;of Linköping University in Sweden.



"The same thing happens with gold. As you know, gold is usually a metal, but if single-atom-layer thick, the gold can become a semiconductor instead."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beginning-of-the-end-of-the-gold-rush">Beginning of the end of the gold rush</h2>



Earth’s supply of gold has never been endless. It takes immense spans of time for these deposits to arise from geological events that remain only partly understood. 



Yet the signs at the Hunan site indicate that what looks like a limit might be more flexible than once assumed. 



Core samples taken around the periphery of the discovery hint that the reservoir stretches even further than initial predictions, which would mean they are sitting on top of the biggest gold deposit ever found on Earth. Stay tuned...only time will tell.



The initial report was published by the <a href="https://english.news.cn/20241121/cc54468169bb4c8c9db21c08885dc2a5/c.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese State Media</a>.



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'Supergiant' gold deposit find claims to be the world’s largest discovery ever

A recent discovery has drawn attention to a deposit containing...

Astronomers have utilized NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to delve deeper than ever into the enigmatic surroundings of quasar 3C 273.&nbsp;The study has uncovered new features that bring the experts closer to understanding the processes powering these celestial beacons.&nbsp;



Quasars, short for "quasi-stellar objects," are some of the most luminous and energetic phenomena in the universe. 



They are powered by supermassive black holes at the centers of distant galaxies, where matter spirals inward, forming an accretion disk that releases immense amounts of energy as it heats up.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weird-things-in-the-quasar-s-environment">Weird things in the quasar’s environment </h2>



The latest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hubble-spots-a-mysterious-explosion-lfbot-in-a-place-it-should-not-have-happened/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble</a> observations provide unprecedented detail about the quasar’s environment, including what researcher Bin Ren from the Côte d'Azur Observatory describes as “weird things.”&nbsp;



The team observed various peculiar structures within 16,000 light-years of the central black hole, including blobs of differing sizes and a mysterious L-shaped filament.&nbsp;



These features may include satellite galaxies that could feed material into the black hole, further fueling the quasar’s immense energy output.



“Thanks to Hubble's observing power, we're opening a new gateway into understanding quasars,” Ren said. “My colleagues are excited because they've never seen this much detail before.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quasar-3c-273-a-celestial-powerhouse">Quasar 3C 273: A celestial powerhouse</h2>



Quasar 3C 273 is not only one of the closest quasars to Earth but also the first to be identified. It was discovered in 1963 by astronomer Maarten Schmidt.&nbsp;



Located 2.5 billion light-years away, quasar 3C 273 emits energy exceeding that of the brightest elliptical galaxies by a factor of ten. If it were much closer to Earth - within a few tens of light-years - it would shine as brightly as the Sun.



The term quasi-stellar object reflects the quasar’s starlike appearance in the night sky. However, as Schmidt noted, its extreme luminosity could only be explained by the accretion of material onto a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-map-of-supermassive-black-holes-unveiled/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supermassive black hole</a>, marking the discovery of a new class of cosmic phenomena.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-from-hubble-s-advanced-instruments">Insights from Hubble’s advanced instruments</h2>



In 1994, Hubble's sharp imaging revealed that quasars’ host environments are far more complex than initially assumed. Earlier observations hinted at <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxy-collision-2-million-mph-stephans-quintet-captured-unprecedented-detail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galactic collisions</a> and mergers funneling debris toward supermassive black holes, effectively reigniting quasars.



Now, with its Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS), Hubble has pushed these insights further by employing a coronagraph, which blocks the intense light from the quasar’s core.&nbsp;



This approach allowed researchers to focus on fine details of the quasar’s host galaxy, unveiling dusty disks and intricate galactic interactions.



The coronagraph enabled astronomers to examine regions eight times closer to the black hole than ever before. For context, observing the quasar's core is likened to trying to spot an ant on a car's headlight while staring directly into the glare.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-quasar-host-morphology">Understanding quasar host morphology</h2>



The STIS instrument also provided remarkable observations of the quasar’s 300,000-light-year-long extragalactic jet. This enormous stream of material is traveling at nearly the speed of light.&nbsp;



By comparing new data with archival images from 22 years ago, the researchers discovered that the jet accelerates as it moves farther from the black hole.



“With the fine spatial structures and jet motion, Hubble bridged a gap between the small-scale radio interferometry and large-scale optical imaging observations, and thus we can take an observational step towards a more complete understanding of quasar host morphology,” Ren explained.&nbsp;



“In the future, looking further at 3C 273 in infrared light with the James Webb Space Telescope might give us more clues.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tools-for-astronomical-research">Tools for astronomical research </h2>



Quasar 3C 273 is just one of over one million quasars that are distributed throughout the vast expanse of the universe. These remarkable objects serve as invaluable tools for astronomical research.



Quasars peaked in abundance roughly three billion years after the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/origins-of-matter-discovered-by-recreating-the-big-bang/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Big Bang</a>, during a time when galactic collisions were far more frequent. These collisions provided the necessary conditions for their formation.



Hubble's cutting-edge observations of 3C 273 not only deepen our understanding of quasars but also set the stage for future studies. 



As researchers continue to unlock the secrets of these cosmic lighthouses, they shed light on the intricate processes driving the evolution of galaxies across the cosmos.



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, Bin Ren (Université Côte d’Azur/CNRS)



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Hubble took the closest-ever image of a quasar, and captured some 'weird things'

Astronomers have utilized NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to delve deeper...

Close,Up,Of,Colorful,Atomic,Particle,Background,Science,3d,Illustration

For the first time, researchers have observed a type of quasiparticle that behaves in an unusual way. In one direction, it acts like it has no mass, zipping around as if it were made of pure energy. 



But turning another way, it carries mass, slowing down and resisting motion. 



This mysterious entity, called a semi-Dirac fermion, had appeared in theory about 16 years ago but had never been seen inside a real material.



After careful experiments, a team made up of scientists from <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State</a> and <a href="https://www.columbia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Columbia University</a> recently announced its discovery in the journal Physical Review X.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-outcomes-in-a-crystal">Unexpected outcomes in a crystal</h2>



The strange quasiparticle was spotted within a crystal known as ZrSiS, which is a type of semi-metal. The team had not set out searching for semi-Dirac <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/super-photons-fascinating-behavior-in-quantum-realm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fermions</a> but instead stumbled upon them. 



“This was totally unexpected,” exclaimed lead author on the paper is Yinming Shao, assistant professor at Penn State University. 



“We weren’t even looking for a semi-Dirac fermion when we started working with this material, but we were seeing signatures we didn’t understand -- and it turns out we had made the first observation of these wild quasiparticles that sometimes move like they have mass and sometimes move like they have none," Shao explained.



These findings highlight how some materials harbor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/like-charged-particles-attract-each-other-defying-coulombs-laws-of-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unusual particle behavior</a> that does not match everyday expectations. 



Inside solid substances, many particles can clump together to form emergent behavior. It was within these interactions that the researchers identified the odd switch between massless and massive motion. 



The discovery follows predictions made in 2008 and 2009, when theoretical physicists outlined the possibility of particles that behave differently depending on their direction of travel.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quasiparticles-from-theory-to-reality">Quasiparticles: From theory to reality</h2>



Sixteen years after those predictions, the team caught the semi-Dirac fermion through magneto-optical spectroscopy. 



They shone infrared light on the crystal while applying a powerful magnetic field and then examined the reflected light to uncover the quasiparticle’s properties. 



“We were studying optical response, how electrons inside this material <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/watching-electrons-move-1-quintillionth-of-second-attoseconds-attomicroscopy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">respond to light</a>, and then we studied the signals from the light to see if there is anything interesting about the material itself, about its underlying physics,” Shao noted. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/quasiparticle_semi-Dirac-fermion_mass-one-direction_credit_PSU_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/quasiparticle_semi-Dirac-fermion_mass-one-direction_credit_PSU_1s.webp" alt="The quasiparticle, called a semi-Dirac fermion, was first theorized 16 years ago, but was only recently spotted inside a crystal of semi-metal material called ZrSiS. The observation of the quasiparticle opens the door to future advances in a range of emerging technologies from batteries to sensors, according to researchers who made the discovery. Credit: Yinming Shao/Penn State" class="wp-image-1953113"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The quasiparticle, called a semi-Dirac fermion, was first theorized 16 years ago, but was only recently spotted inside a crystal of semi-metal material called ZrSiS. The observation of the quasiparticle opens the door to future advances in a range of emerging technologies from batteries to sensors, according to researchers who made the discovery. Credit: Yinming Shao/Penn State</figcaption></figure>



“In this case, we saw many features we’d expect in a semi-metal crystal and then all of these other things happening that were absolutely puzzling.”



Running the experiment in the <a href="https://nationalmaglab.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National High Magnetic Field Laboratory</a> in Florida made it possible to tap into one of the strongest sustained magnetic fields on Earth. 



The team exposed their sample of ZrSiS to a field around 900,000 times stronger than the Earth’s own. 



They also chilled the material down to around -452 degrees Fahrenheit, which helped reduce unwanted motion of particles and revealed the subtle patterns of energy levels inside the crystal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-massless-along-just-one-path">Massless along just one path</h2>



Quasiparticles that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massless-dirac-electrons-seen-moving-in-four-dimensions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">have no mass</a> move at the speed of light. A photon, for instance, is massless and sprints along at light speed. 



Under certain conditions, a particle’s behavior can shift, so its effective mass emerges only along certain directions within the structure of a crystal. 



Inside ZrSiS, these shifting conditions became clear through direct observation of energy levels known as Landau levels. 



The researchers found that instead of following the standard pattern expected from massive particles, these levels showed a relationship known as the B^(2/3) power law, considered a signature of semi-Dirac fermions.



Electrons trapped in the crystal’s structure move along certain pathways. When the magnetic field forces their energy states into Landau levels, the spacing between these steps would normally depend on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/edge-state-atoms-how-electrons-find-their-groove-in-frictionless-flow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electron mass</a>. 



Instead, something entirely different took place. The observed shifts matched the earlier theoretical predictions for semi-Dirac fermions rather than the standard pattern seen in conventional materials.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quasiparticles-changing-directions-and-identity">Quasiparticles changing directions and identity</h2>



It is as if these tiny entities shed their mass when moving in one direction, only to pick it up again when forced along another route. That directional change disrupts the normal flow of energy and produces distinctive signals. 



“Imagine the particle is a tiny train confined to a network of tracks, which are the material’s underlying electronic structure," Shao implored.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/quasiparticle_semi-Dirac-fermion_mass-one-direction_summary-figure_credit_PSU_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/quasiparticle_semi-Dirac-fermion_mass-one-direction_summary-figure_credit_PSU_1s.webp" alt="An illustration of the calculated structure of ZrSiS near the crossing points of its structure, showing a semi-Dirac point as a black sphere on the left. Data points as purple dots support the existence of semi-Dirac fermions in ZrSiS material with the characteristic B2/3 power-law behavior on the right. Credit: Yinming Shao/Penn State" class="wp-image-1953116"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An illustration of the calculated structure of ZrSiS near the crossing points of its structure, showing a semi-Dirac point as a black sphere on the left. Data points as purple dots support the existence of semi-Dirac fermions in ZrSiS material with the characteristic B2/3 power-law behavior on the right. Credit: Yinming Shao/Penn State</figcaption></figure>



"Now, at certain points the tracks intersect, so our particle train is moving along its fast track, at light speed, but then it hits an intersection and needs to switch to a perpendicular track. Suddenly, it experiences resistance, it has mass. The particles are either all energy or have mass depending on the direction of their movement along the material’s ‘tracks.’”



The structure of ZrSiS creates these intersections. Instead of particles freely moving in all directions, they are guided by the arrangement of atoms. At certain crossing points, the character of the quasiparticle changes.



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



ZrSiS is made up of layers that resemble other well-known materials such as graphite. Researchers can isolate very thin sheets that show off <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-tunneling-allow-particles-break-light-speed-barrier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unusual properties</a>. 



“It is a layered material, which means once we can figure out how to have a single layer cut of this compound, we can harness the power of semi-Dirac fermions, control its properties with the same precision as graphene,” Shao said. 



“But the most thrilling part of this experiment is that the data cannot be fully explained yet. There are many unsolved mysteries in what we observed, so that is what we are working to understand.”



Such layered materials have drawn interest for a broad range of uses. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nanotech-material-graphene-passes-human-safety-tests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Graphene</a> has been studied for cutting-edge energy storage, advanced electronics, and sensitive detectors. 



ZrSiS, now known to host semi-Dirac fermions, could follow a similar path toward future devices. 



With careful efforts, it might become a valuable piece of future sensors, energy devices, or other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-quantum-revolution-will-impact-all-aspects-of-society/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emerging technologies</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-direction-for-quantum-research">New direction for quantum research</h2>



The existence of these quasiparticles sparks new questions. The semi-Dirac fermion represents a new twist on what seemed like established physics. 



While the basic idea of mass and massless particles is well-understood, this finding adds a fresh layer of complexity that challenges standard thinking. 



Although researchers made an important observation, they acknowledge that there are still puzzles that must be addressed. New theoretical models might help pin down exactly why these quasiparticles behave as they do.



With these experimental results now on record, Shao and his collaborators are eager to learn more. Each piece of data adds to the understanding of how electrons interact, how they pick up or lose mass, and what this means for future materials research. 



The first direct observation of semi-Dirac fermions marks an intriguing moment. There may be more oddities yet to find, and those answers will require further studies, but the door is now open.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prx/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevX.14.041057" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physical Review X</a>.



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"Quasiparticle" that only has mass moving in one direction is seen for the first time

For the first time, researchers have observed a type of...

For the first time, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has unveiled and measured a galaxy from the early universe -- one with a mass akin to what the Milky Way might have had during its formative years.



Nicknamed the Firefly Sparkle, this galaxy existed just 600 million years after the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-big-bang-theory-attempts-to-explain-origin-of-dark-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Big Bang</a> and gleams with 10 distinct star clusters, providing an unprecedented glimpse into galactic assembly.&nbsp;



Unlike other galaxies from this epoch, which are typically much larger, Firefly Sparkle is a relatively lightweight galaxy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-firefly-sparkle-a-galaxy-like-no-other">Firefly Sparkle: A galaxy like no other</h2>



“I didn’t think it would be possible to resolve a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxies-are-much-bigger-than-we-originally-believed-gas-clouds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxy</a> that existed so early in the Universe into so many distinct components, let alone find that its mass is similar to that of our own galaxy when it was in the process of forming,” said Lamiya Mowla, co-lead author and assistant professor at <a href="https://www.wellesley.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wellesley College.</a> 



"There is so much going on inside this tiny galaxy, including so many different phases of star formation.”



This extraordinary discovery was made possible by the combined effects of nature and technology. 



A massive foreground galaxy cluster amplified the distant galaxy’s appearance through gravitational lensing, and the James Webb Space Telescope’s (JWST) state-of-the-art infrared imaging delivered unparalleled clarity.



“Without the benefit of this gravitational lens, we would not be able to see this galaxy in such detail,” explained Kartheik Iyer, co-lead author and NASA Hubble Fellow at <a href="https://www.columbia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Columbia University</a>. “We knew to expect it based on current physics, but it’s surprising that we actually saw it.”



The galaxy, named for its sparkling clusters reminiscent of fireflies on a summer night, immediately captivated Mowla due to its unique characteristics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reconstructing-the-shape-of-firefly-sparkle-nbsp">Reconstructing the shape of Firefly Sparkle&nbsp;</h2>



To understand the true structure of the Firefly Sparkle galaxy, the research team reconstructed its shape, removing the distortions caused by gravitational lensing. 



They discovered it resembles an elongated raindrop containing clusters of stars at various stages of development.



“Our reconstruction shows that clumps of actively forming stars are surrounded by diffuse light from other unresolved stars,” Iyer said. “This galaxy is literally in the process of assembling.”



Despite its small size, Firefly Sparkle falls into the category of low-mass galaxies. It will take billions of years for it to evolve into a larger, more distinct form.&nbsp;



“Most of the other galaxies Webb has shown us aren’t magnified or stretched, and we are not able to see their 'building blocks' separately. With Firefly Sparkle, we are witnessing a galaxy being assembled brick by brick,” Mowla added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-building-blocks-of-a-galaxy">The building blocks of a galaxy</h2>



Thanks to the gravitational lensing effect, the galaxy appears as a stretched arc, allowing researchers to identify 10 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secret-origins-of-young-star-clusters-traced-to-three-families/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star clusters</a> contributing most of its light.&nbsp;



These clusters, glowing in shades of pink, purple, and blue, provide critical evidence that star formation in Firefly Sparkle occurred in staggered phases rather than all at once.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Firefly-Sparkle-Galaxy_Webb-telescope_NIRCam_inset-image_NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Firefly-Sparkle-Galaxy_Webb-telescope_NIRCam_inset-image_NASA_1s.webp" alt="Horizontal split down the middle. At left, thousands of overlapping objects at various distances are spread across this galaxy cluster. A box at bottom right is enlarged on the right half. A central oval identifies the Firefly Sparkle galaxy, a line with 10 dots in various colors. Credit: NASA" class="wp-image-1953341"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Horizontal split down the middle. At left, thousands of overlapping objects at various distances are spread across this galaxy cluster. A box at bottom right is enlarged on the right half. A central oval identifies the Firefly Sparkle galaxy, a line with 10 dots in various colors. Credit: NASA</figcaption></figure>



“This galaxy has a diverse collection of star clusters, and it is remarkable that we can see them separately at such an early age of the Universe,” said co-author Chris Willott, a scientist at the <a href="https://nrc.canada.ca/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Research Council Canada</a>. “Each clump of stars is at a different stage of formation or evolution.”



The galaxy’s elongated and disorganized shape further suggests its stars have not yet coalesced into a central bulge or thin disc, suggesting that Firefly Sparkle is still in its formative phase.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neighboring-galaxies-and-future-growth">Neighboring galaxies and future growth</h2>



Firefly Sparkle is not alone. Two companion galaxies orbit nearby and are likely to influence its growth and shape over billions of years.&nbsp;



The nearest companion lies just 6,500 light-years away, while the second is separated by 42,000 light-years - both distances relatively small compared to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxies-like-our-own-milky-way-are-not-unique/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>’s 100,000-light-year diameter.&nbsp;



Researchers believe these companions are close enough to interact gravitationally, driving gas condensation and new star formation during each orbital pass.



“It has long been predicted that galaxies in the early Universe form through successive interactions and mergers with other tinier galaxies,” said study co-author Yoshihisa Asada, a doctoral student at Kyoto University. “We might be witnessing this process in action.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-horizons-in-galactic-discovery">New horizons in galactic discovery</h2>



Firefly Sparkle is just one of many galaxies that will be uncovered by the Webb telescope, marking the dawn of a new era in understanding early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-galaxy-formation-occurred-much-faster-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxy formation</a>.&nbsp;



“This is just the first of many such galaxies JWST will discover, as we are only starting to use these cosmic microscopes,” noted Maruša Bradač from the <a href="https://www.uni-lj.si/en/university" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Ljubljana</a>.&nbsp;



“Just like microscopes let us see pollen grains from plants, the incredible resolution of Webb and the magnifying power of gravitational lensing let us see the small pieces inside galaxies.”



The team’s findings were made possible through the Webb’s Canadian NIRISS Unbiased Cluster Survey (CANUCS), which includes near-infrared imaging from the NIRCam and spectral data from the NIRSpec microshutter array.&nbsp;



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



Published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08293-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>, this research is a critical step toward unraveling the mysteries of galactic evolution.&nbsp;



By examining the Firefly Sparkle galaxy, scientists are piecing together how small, disorganized galaxies gradually coalesce into the grand structures we see today, like the Milky Way.&nbsp;



With JWST continuing its mission, many more galaxies like Firefly Sparkle await discovery, promising to deepen our understanding of the early universe.



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI



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Webb telescope "weighs" a galaxy for the first time

For the first time, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)...

Scientists at Scripps Research have recently devised MovieNet, a transformative artificial intelligence (AI) model capable of understanding moving images with the subtlety of the human brain.&nbsp;



Unlike traditional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gencast-new-ai-model-is-redefining-weather-forecasting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI models</a> that excel at analyzing static images, MovieNet is designed to recognize and interpret complex, changing scenes over time.&nbsp;



The innovation, detailed in a study published in <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2412260121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>, holds significant promise for applications ranging from medical diagnostics to autonomous vehicles.



“The brain doesn’t just see still frames; it creates an ongoing visual narrative,” said senior author Hollis Cline, the director of the Dorris Neuroscience Center at <a href="https://www.scripps.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scripps Research</a>.&nbsp;



“Static image recognition has come a long way, but the brain’s capacity to process flowing scenes - like watching a movie - requires a much more sophisticated form of pattern recognition. By studying how neurons capture these sequences, we’ve been able to apply similar principles to AI.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drawing-inspiration-from-the-brain">Drawing inspiration from the brain</h2>



Cline and first author Masaki Hiramoto, a staff scientist at Scripps Research, based their work on how the brain processes real-world visual sequences. The research focused on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-tadpole-fossil-reveals-secrets-of-ancient-amphibians/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tadpoles</a>, whose optic tectum - the brain’s visual processing region - efficiently detects and responds to moving stimuli.&nbsp;



These neurons assemble fragments of visual information into coherent sequences, mimicking how humans perceive flowing scenes in real life.



“Tadpoles have a very good visual system, plus we know that they can detect and respond to moving stimuli efficiently,” Hiramoto explained.



The researchers identified neurons in tadpoles’ brains that detect features such as shifts in brightness and changes in object rotation. These neurons process visual data in 100 to 600-millisecond clips, combining light and shadow patterns to create a continuous narrative.&nbsp;



Cline and Hiramoto trained MovieNet to emulate this neurological process, encoding dynamic video clips as a series of recognizable cues.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-watching-video-clips">AI watching video clips</h2>



To evaluate MovieNet, the researchers presented the model with video clips of tadpoles swimming in various conditions. 



The model achieved an accuracy of 82.3% in distinguishing normal swimming behaviors from abnormal ones - outperforming human observers by 18% and surpassing the performance of leading AI models like Google’s GoogLeNet, which managed only 72% accuracy.



“This is where we saw real potential,” Cline noted, emphasizing the significance of MovieNet’s ability to handle dynamic data. 



Unlike conventional AI models, MovieNet efficiently processes and compresses information, enabling it to deliver high accuracy with reduced data and computational demands.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-greener-approach-to-ai">A greener approach to AI</h2>



One of MovieNet’s standout features is its energy efficiency. Conventional AI models require immense computational resources, contributing to a significant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/using-ai-writing-illustration-drastically-reduces-carbon-footprint/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental footprint</a>. MovieNet, by contrast, reduces energy demands by simplifying data into essential sequences without sacrificing performance.



“By mimicking the brain, we’ve managed to make our AI far less demanding, paving the way for models that aren’t just powerful but sustainable,” Cline said.&nbsp;



This efficiency positions MovieNet as an eco-friendly alternative, paving the way for scaling AI in industries where high costs have been a barrier.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transformative-potential-in-medicine">Transformative potential in medicine</h2>



MovieNet’s ability to interpret subtle changes over time has profound implications for medicine. The model could assist in early detection of health conditions like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coffee-grounds-could-help-prevent-neurodegenerative-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurodegenerative diseases</a> and irregular heart rhythms.&nbsp;



For example, small motor changes associated with Parkinson’s disease - often imperceptible to the human eye - could be flagged by the AI, allowing clinicians to intervene earlier.



In drug discovery, MovieNet’s dynamic analysis could lead to more precise screening techniques. Traditional methods rely on static snapshots, which can miss critical changes over time.&nbsp;



By tracking cellular responses to chemical exposure, MovieNet can provide deeper insights into how drugs interact with biological systems.



“Current methods miss critical changes because they can only analyze images captured at intervals,” Hiramoto remarked. “Observing cells over time means that MovieNet can track the subtlest changes during drug testing.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-technological-leap-for-ai">A technological leap for AI</h2>



MovieNet’s innovation goes beyond accuracy; it bridges gaps in existing AI technology by enabling nuanced analysis of dynamic scenes.&nbsp;



Its ability to identify and interpret real-time changes in visual data sets a new standard for AI, making it a vital tool for applications requiring continuous monitoring and precise recognition.



For example, in autonomous vehicles, the AI could enhance safety by detecting and responding to changes in road conditions or pedestrian behavior. Similarly, in medical imaging, it could improve the detection of subtle anomalies that might signal early disease stages.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-models-that-think-like-living-brains">AI models that think like living brains</h2>



Cline and Hiramoto plan to enhance MovieNet’s adaptability, expanding its capabilities across various environments and applications.&nbsp;



This includes refining the model to handle more complex scenarios and exploring its use in other fields, such as environmental monitoring and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-wildlife-threats-can-be-identified-using-ai-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a> observation.



“Taking inspiration from biology will continue to be a fertile area for advancing AI,” Cline said. “By designing models that think like living organisms, we can achieve levels of efficiency that simply aren’t possible with conventional approaches.”



The research team envisions a future where biologically inspired AI like MovieNet revolutionizes technology across sectors.&nbsp;



By replicating the brain’s sophisticated processing abilities, MovieNet not only advances our understanding of AI but also opens doors to innovations that could redefine industries and improve lives.



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AI can watch videos by mimicking a living brain

Scientists at Scripps Research have recently devised MovieNet, a transformative...

Over the past few decades, a strange sight has caught the attention of anyone watching orcas move through Pacific Northwest waters. Some of these giant marine predators seem to have taken an interest in carrying dead salmon atop their heads.



In the late 1980s, several killer whales were seen displaying this puzzling behavior for weeks. Now, a recent photograph suggests it may have resurfaced, leading many to wonder if it has any significance beyond being a quirky phase.



There was a recent event in Washington’s Puget Sound. An adult male <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flexible-diets-are-key-to-killer-whale-survival/">killer whale</a>, known to researchers as J27 or Blackberry, was spotted with a lifeless salmon perched squarely on his head. 



The image spread quickly among wildlife enthusiasts and sparked talk that the past trend might be returning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-curious-absence-of-new-images">A curious absence of new images</h2>



The possibility that these whales are getting back into their fish-balancing routine is intriguing. When looking for confirmation, some tried to track new reports or see if more whales had done the same thing.



Observers have kept close tabs, but fresh proof remains elusive. “There have not been any more recent images of these orcas wearing salmon hats,” said Stephanie Raymond, program director for the <a href="https://www.orcanetwork.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orca Network</a> (Raymond, n.d.).



Every year, these whales return to Puget Sound, and when they do, people are ready. Boaters, photographers, and professional researchers follow their movements with keen interest. Some study their diet, others track their social bonds, and many capture their every move with high-resolution cameras. 



“ . . . There is no shortage of eyes on the water and cameras capturing their visit, in addition to permitted research vessels carefully observing them,” Raymond told CNN in an email. She confirmed that, if the fashion trend of wearing salmon hats was making a comeback among these orcas, “there would be ample documentation of that.”



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



On October 25, a photographer positioned at the tip of a peninsula in the area managed to capture something unforgettable. J27 was at the surface with a salmon resting on his head, as if perched there by design.



This single snapshot lit up inboxes and social media feeds after it appeared in a popular whale sighting newsletter. “It was a standout photograph, a lucky shot,” said <a href="https://readthedirt.org/author/orca-network" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Howard Garrett,</a> a former orca researcher and co-founder of Orca Network (Garrett, n.d.).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glancing-back-for-a-surprise">Glancing back for a surprise</h2>



In a similar event, some researchers were working to understand orca behavior using unconventional methods. “We used a scent-detecting dog at the front of the boat to help us sniff out floating orca poop,” said Dr. Deborah Giles, director of science and research for the conservation group Wild Orca (Giles, n.d.). This approach allows scientists to learn more about what these whales eat and how their health and environment might be changing over time.



While the scientists focused on their equipment and research dog, one individual happened to glance behind and noticed an orca head bobbing at the surface with a fish resting on it.



The orca slipped away almost immediately, making it tough to confirm who it was. “I had enough time to shout to the front of the boat and say ‘hey, there’s a fish on the head behind me!’” said Dr. Giles (Giles, n.d.). The moment passed quickly, and the whale, along with its odd accessory, vanished into the water below.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-possible-reasons-for-fish-hats-on-killer-whales">Possible reasons for fish hats on killer whales</h2>



This behavior does not come with an instruction manual. In the past, whales in a particular group displayed it for a limited time before stopping.



One idea is that such actions might occur when these predators have easy access to their preferred prey. When <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-salmon-can-help-lower-your-cholesterol/">salmon are plentiful</a>, they might feel comfortable doing odd things with their meal.



Some researchers have noted that when certain types of food become abundant, these whales show surprising actions that have little to do with feeding efficiency and more to do with enjoying an unusual moment.



Killer whales depend on cooperation. They often live in family groups that persist throughout their lives. Southern Resident killer whales, a small population that includes J27, prefer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/killer-whales-threatened-by-lack-of-high-quality-food/">chinook salmon</a> and are known for strong bonds between individuals.



They also share their catch with one another. Some orcas will split their meals and distribute portions. Such habits help maintain connections. 



When carrying dead fish on their heads, they may be adding a fresh twist to these social gestures, blending feeding and interaction in ways that still puzzle observers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-back-to-understand-tomorrow">Looking back to understand tomorrow</h2>



The initial salmon hat sightings recorded in 1987 involved different family groups known as pods. At that time, it went on for several weeks, then subsided. 



Later, it barely reoccurred, making it a rare, short-lived practice. Historical notes indicate it was observed more frequently back then, at least for that brief period.



Today, only a handful of sightings have trickled in. Scientists who remember the old days keep one eye on the present, hoping to catch a repeat occurrence if it ever shows up consistently. For now, it remains a scattered set of sightings without a solid pattern.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-life-of-killer-whales-in-changing-conditions">The life of killer whales in changing conditions</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-are-killer-whales-struggling-to-survive-in-the-pacific/">Southern Resident killer whales</a> face many pressures, including limited prey and increasing environmental disturbances. They are listed as endangered, and each year is a test of their resilience (<a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/killer-whale#overview" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA Fisheries</a>, 2023). 



Studying odd behaviors, even if they come and go, might give clues about their health or their mindset in changing conditions.



Some speculate that these unusual actions happen more readily when whales feel less stressed. Others suggest it might be nothing more than a passing fancy, easily forgotten once circumstances shift.



With so few confirmed sightings and no repeated patterns, there are more questions than answers. 



Without additional documentation, it is hard to know if balancing a fish atop one’s head carries deeper meaning or is just a surprising whim.



For now, the best anyone can do is keep watching, keep listening, and keep learning from what these whales share, intentionally or not, as they navigate their watery world.



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Photographer captures killer whales wearing fish hats

Over the past few decades, a strange sight has caught...

In 2019, the first-ever image of a black hole captured global attention. This impressive achievement by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) unveiled the supermassive black hole at the heart of galaxy M87, also known as Virgo A or NGC 4486. 



Located in the Virgo constellation, the black hole in M87 is again surprising scientists - this time with a gamma-ray flare that emitted photons billions of times more energetic than those of visible light.



Such intense flares, unseen for over a decade, offer invaluable clues about the mechanisms of particle acceleration near black holes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-jet-of-staggering-proportions">A jet of staggering proportions</h2>



M87’s relativistic jet - an outflow of particles propelled at almost the speed of light - is a defining feature of this galaxy.



This jet is an astonishing seven orders of magnitude larger than the event horizon of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hess-observatory-detects-highest-energy-cosmic-rays-ever-observed-origin-unknown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black hole</a> itself, a size difference that is comparable to that between a bacterium and a blue whale.



During the recent gamma-ray flare, which lasted about three days, the emission region was estimated to be less than three light-days across, which is equivalent to approximately 15 billion miles.



This intense burst was far brighter than the usual emissions detected by radio telescopes, emphasizing the significance of the event.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gamma-ray-flares-and-extreme-environments">Gamma-ray flares and extreme environments</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brightest-gamma-ray-burst-ever-recorded-had-a-rare-energy-peak/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gamma rays</a> are the most energetic form of electromagnetic radiation. They originate from the universe’s hottest and most extreme environments, including regions around black holes. 



The photons in M87’s flare exhibited energy levels reaching several teraelectronvolts (TeV). To put this into perspective, a single TeV photon is energetically comparable to a mosquito in motion, which is astounding for a single photon that is trillions of times smaller.



As matter spirals toward the black hole, it forms an accretion disk where particles are accelerated by the loss of gravitational potential energy. Magnetic fields redirect some of these particles into powerful jets that emanate from the black hole’s poles.



This dynamic and irregular process can result in sudden energy outbursts, like the observed gamma-ray flare. However, gamma rays cannot penetrate Earth’s atmosphere.



Ground-based observatories detect these rays by observing the secondary radiation produced when gamma rays collide with atmospheric particles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-from-an-unprecedented-campaign">Insights from an unprecedented campaign</h2>



The flare’s discovery was part of the <a href="https://eventhorizontelescope.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EHT</a>’s second multi-wavelength observational campaign, conducted in April 2018.



This international effort involved over 25 terrestrial and orbital telescopes, including NASA’s <a href="https://fermi.gsfc.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fermi-LAT</a>, <a href="https://hubblesite.org/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble Space Telescope</a>, <a href="https://www.nustar.caltech.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NuSTAR</a>, <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/chandra-x-ray-observatory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chandra</a>, and <a href="https://swift.gsfc.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swift</a>, as well as ground-based arrays like <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/veritas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VERITAS</a>, <a href="https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/magic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MAGIC</a>, and <a href="https://www.mpi-hd.mpg.de/HESS/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">H.E.S.S.</a> 



Together, these facilities collected the most comprehensive spectral data ever for M87, spanning wavelengths from radio to gamma rays.



“We were lucky to detect a gamma-ray flare from M87 during this Event Horizon Telescope’s multi-wavelength campaign. This marks the first gamma-ray flaring event observed in this source in over a decade, allowing us to precisely constrain the size of the region responsible for the observed gamma-ray emission,” said Giacomo Principe, a researcher at the <a href="https://portale.units.it/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Trieste</a>.



“Observations - both recent ones with a more sensitive EHT array and those planned for the coming years - will provide invaluable insights and an extraordinary opportunity to study the physics surrounding M87’s supermassive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/highest-resolution-eht-black-hole-images-ever-taken-usher-in-new-era/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black hole</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-origins-of-the-gamma-ray-flare">Origins of the gamma-ray flare</h2>



The variability observed during the flare provides vital clues about the flare’s origin. The rapid changes in gamma-ray intensity indicate that the emission region is incredibly small - about ten times the size of the black hole itself.



Interestingly, this sharp variability was not detected in other wavelengths, suggesting a complex and multi-layered structure within the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/powerful-magnetic-fields-may-be-key-features-of-black-holes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flare</a> region.



“The activity of this supermassive black hole is highly unpredictable - it is hard to forecast when a flare will occur,” said Kazuhiro Hada from <a href="https://www.nagoya-cu.ac.jp/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nagoya City University</a>.



“The contrasting data obtained in 2017 and 2018, representing its quiescent and active phases respectively, provide crucial insights into unraveling the activity cycle of this enigmatic black hole.”



Analyzing the flare also revealed variations in the position angle of the black hole’s ring - its event horizon - and the jet’s position. These changes suggest a physical link between the particles at different scales.



“By combining the information about the change in the jet direction, the brightness distribution of the ring observed by the EHT, and the gamma-ray activity, we can better understand the mechanisms behind the production of the very-high-energy radiation,” noted Motoki Kino of <a href="https://www.kogakuin.ac.jp/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kogakuin University</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-mysteries-of-particle-acceleration">The mysteries of particle acceleration</h2>



Theories about particle acceleration in black hole jets have long intrigued scientists. The flare in 2018 provided a unique opportunity to test these theories. 



Simulations conducted using a supercomputer at Japan’s National Astronomical Observatory suggested that ultra-high-energy particles either underwent additional acceleration within the same region observed in quiet states, or experienced new acceleration in a different region.



“How and where particles are accelerated in supermassive black hole jets is a longstanding mystery. For the first time, we can combine direct imaging of the near event horizon regions during gamma-ray flares from particle acceleration events and test theories about the flare origins,” said Sera Markoff, a professor at the <a href="https://www.uva.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Amsterdam</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-processes-that-shape-the-universe">Extreme processes that shape the universe </h2>



This remarkable discovery emphasizes the importance of collaborative, multi-wavelength observational campaigns in unraveling the universe’s most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-hole-jets-m87-cause-stars-to-erupt-as-they-pass-through-galaxies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enigmatic phenomena</a>. 



The findings offer fresh insights into the disk-jet connection and the processes driving high-energy gamma-ray emission. 



Future observations with an enhanced EHT array and other advanced instruments promise to deepen our understanding of particle acceleration and the mysterious forces surrounding supermassive black holes.



As the brightest object in the Virgo cluster, M87 continues to illuminate the frontiers of astrophysical research, offering glimpses into the extreme and energetic processes that shape the universe.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2024/12/aa50497-24/aa50497-24.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Astronomy and Astrophysics</a>.



Image Credit: NASA



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Rare gamma-ray flare unleashed from a supermassive black hole

In 2019, the first-ever image of a black hole captured...

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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



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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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" 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 Kainji Lake, a reservoir on the Niger River.



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

[sendtonews key="iuA5mpp3jv-1641775-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...

Tatra Mountains of Southern Poland. The Tatra Mountains in the Carpathian mountain range of southern Poland are home to the hard-working <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/k2-first-ski-descent/">Polish</a> highlanders and unparalleled natural beauty, especially in winter. The remote topography has saved this wonderful area from over-development.
The Tatra Mountains, Tatras, or Tatra (Tatry either in Slovak (pronounced [ˈtatri]) or in Polish (pronounced [ˈtatrɨ]) &#8211; plurale tantum), is a mountain range that forms a natural border between Slovakia and Poland. They are the highest mountain range in the Carpathian Mountains. The Tatras should not be confused with the Low Tatras (Slovak: Nízke Tatry), which are located south of the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA">NASA&#8217;S</a> view. 
The Tatra Mountains occupy an area of 785 square kilometres (303 sq mi), of which about 610 square kilometres (236 sq mi) (77.7%) lie within Slovakia and about 175 square kilometres (68 sq mi) (22.3%) within Poland. The highest peak, called Gerlach, at 2,655 m (8710 ft), is located north of Poprad, entirely in Slovakia. The highest point in Poland, Rysy, at 2,499 m (8200 ft), is located south of Zakopane, on the border with Slovakia. Tatra Mountains of Southern Poland 
The Tatras&#8217; length, measured from the eastern foothills of the Kobylí vrch (1109 m) to the southwestern foot of Ostrý vrch (1128 m), in a straight line, is 57 km (35 mi) (or 53 km (33 mi) according to some),and strictly along the main ridge, 80 km (50 mi). The range is only 19 km (12 mi) wide.The main ridge of the Tatras runs from the village of Huty at the western end to the village of Ždiar at the eastern end.
Credit: Shutterstock

Tatra Mountains of Southern Poland

The tallest and strongest grass in the world is bamboo (yes, it’s NOT a tree). Japan is home to many bamboo forests, some of which look like this! Simply amazing!

Bamboo Forest, or Arashiyama Bamboo Grove or Sagano Bamboo Forest, is a natural forest of bamboo in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan. The forest consists of several pathways for tourists and visitors. The Ministry of the Environment considers it a part of the soundscape of Japan.
Prior to 2015 there was a charge to access the area.
The forest is not far from Tenryū-ji Temple, which is the location of Rinzai School, and the Nonomiya Shrine.

Japan (Japanese: (listen)) is an island country located in East Asia. It is bordered by the Sea of Japan to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east, and spans more than 3,000 kilometers (1,900 mi) along the coast of the continent from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East<a href="http://www.earth.com/news/tropical-storm-aere-drifting-in-the-south-china-sea/"> China</a> Sea and Philippine Sea in the south. Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan encompasses a stratovolcanic archipelago of about 6,852 islands, with five main islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku, and Okinawa) comprising 97% of the country's total area of 377,975 square kilometers (145,937 sq mi).
Japan is officially divided into 47 prefectures and traditionally into eight regions. Approximately two-thirds of the country's terrain is mountainous and heavily forested, and less than one-eighth of land is suitable for agriculture. Consequently, Japan is among the most densely populated and urbanized countries in the world, with over 90% of its population living in urban areas. The largest of these is the metropolitan area centered on the capital city of Tokyo, which is the most populous in the world and home to more than 38 million people. Japan itself is the world's eleventh most populous country with a population of 126.2 million, of which 97.8% are ethnically Japanese.

Credit: <a href="http://funnyphoto.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/10-of-the-most-beautiful-places-on-earth-16.jpg">funnyphoto.eu</a>