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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Monster storm spawns severe weather across the U.S. 

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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Supernova explosion captured in the constellation Gemini 

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Hainan Strait in southern China

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and STScI



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Hubble captures a stunning stellar nursery

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features an active landslide zone that has been shifting for decades on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County.



This area, particularly in Portuguese Bend, experiences ongoing ground movement, with land sliding toward the ocean at varying rates of up to several feet per year. 



The instability is largely due to weak, water-saturated bedrock and the effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-seas-sinking-cities-land-subsidence-on-the-east-coast/">human activity</a>, including road construction and irrigation, which have exacerbated the natural movement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-analysis-of-the-landslide-zone">Analysis of the landslide zone</h2>



According to a recent report from NASA, the landslide zone on the Palos Verdes Peninsula has expanded.&nbsp;



“Researchers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California used data from an airborne radar to measure the movement of the slow-moving landslides on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County,” the <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/153893/los-angeles-area-landslide-expands">report</a> stated.



“The analysis determined that, during a four-week period in the fall of 2024, land in the residential area slid toward the ocean by as much as 4 inches (10 centimeters) per week."



“Portions of the peninsula, which juts into the Pacific Ocean just south of the city of Los Angeles, are part of an ancient complex of landslides that has been moving for at least the past six decades, affecting hundreds of buildings in local communities.”&nbsp;



NASA noted that the motion accelerated and the active area expanded following record-breaking rainfall in Southern California in 2023 and heavy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rainfall-is-increasingly-unpredictable-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">precipitation</a> in early 2024.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-visualization-of-the-landslide-zone">Visualization of the landslide zone</h2>



To create the image, the Advanced Rapid Imaging and Analysis (ARIA) team used data from four flights of NASA’s Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) collected between September 18 and October 17, 2024.&nbsp;



“The UAVSAR instrument was mounted to a Gulfstream III jet flown out of NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, and the four flights were planned to estimate the speed and direction of the landslides in three dimensions,” explained NASA.



“In the image above, colors indicate how fast parts of the landslide complex were moving in late September and October, with the darkest reds indicating the highest speeds." 



"The arrows represent the direction of horizontal motion. The white solid lines are the boundaries of the active landslide area as defined in 2007 by the California Geological Survey.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accelerating-land-movement-and-risks">Accelerating land movement and risks</h2>



Alexander Handwerger is a landslide scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory who performed the analysis. “In effect, we’re seeing that the footprint of land experiencing significant impacts has expanded, and the speed is more than enough to put human life and infrastructure at risk,” said Handwerger.&nbsp;



The landslide activity in this region dates back to the 1950s, when road construction projects disturbed the already <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/two-billion-people-are-threatened-by-land-subsidence/">unstable terrain</a>, accelerating movement.&nbsp;



Since then, shifting ground has led to significant damage to infrastructure, including cracked roads, broken utility lines, and distorted buildings. The instability has made it difficult for the city to maintain roads and essential services in the affected areas.



Despite efforts to slow the movement, including drainage improvements and engineering solutions, the land continues to shift. Homeowners and city officials have had to adapt, with some structures built to withstand slow movement, while others have been abandoned.&nbsp;



The situation remains a challenge, with scientists monitoring the landslide to better understand its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/landslide-predictions-could-become-94-percent-more-accurate/">behavior</a> and explore potential mitigation strategies.



Portuguese Bend is a well-known example of a continuously active landslide, highlighting the complex interaction between geology, human development, and environmental forces.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Landslide zone in Los Angeles County is expanding

Rainbow,Trout,Caught,And,Released,In,The,Boise,River,In

Farmed fish are often viewed with suspicion, while wild-caught varieties are more likely to be perceived as healthy and pure. Seafood shoppers everywhere debate the differences and weigh their options carefully.



A fresh scientific review points to an unexpected conclusion. Various pollutants can accumulate in fish, and wild-caught individuals appear to experience greater exposure to these. 



This perspective is shared by <a href="https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6007-8622" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Isabel  Casanova-Martínez</a>, a scientist who works under the auspices of several Spanish research institutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-heavy-metals">Understanding heavy metals</h2>



Many people recognize that <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/heavy-metal-blood-test/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heavy metals</a> pose a threat for food safety. 



These substances include elements like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/elevated-mercury-levels-discovered-in-dolphins/">mercury</a>, <a href="https://periodic-table.rsc.org/element/33/arsenic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arsenic</a>, lead and others that can build up in tissue (bioaccumulate) over time. Certain types can be risky to humans if present in large amounts.



Researchers found that wild-caught fish carried an average mercury concentration of 0.06 micrograms per gram, while farmed fish had about half that, at 0.038 micrograms per gram. 



They also found arsenic levels of 3.26 micrograms per gram in wild fish, compared with 1.23 micrograms per gram in farmed varieties.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ddt-and-other-pollutants">DDT and other pollutants</h2>



A lesser-known concern is <a href="https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/ddt-brief-history-and-status" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DDT</a>, which was once a widely used pesticide. Even though it was banned in many places years ago, traces can still linger. These residues can find their way into aquatic environments and accumulate in fish.



The review indicates around 196.48 nanograms per gram of DDT in wild-caught samples, whereas farmed fish had about 44.64 nanograms per gram. 



The findings suggest differences in how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-small-fish-whole-reduces-cancer-risk-in-women/">fish</a> come into contact with old pesticide deposits, possibly due to habitat or feeding patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-some-fish-fare-better">Why some fish fare better</h2>



Fish produced through aquaculture may face stricter oversight in terms of feed and water conditions. 



Organizations like the <a href="https://www.fao.org/publications/fao-flagship-publications/the-state-of-world-fisheries-and-aquaculture/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food and Agriculture Organization</a> note that this method continues to expand faster than other food sectors. Many producers track feeds and test water more regularly than ever.



Heavy metals can be introduced through industrial pollution, runoff, or other sources in natural waters. 



Filtered tanks or closely monitored pens could mean fewer contaminants find their way into farmed species, although no method removes the risks entirely.



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



The <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mercury-and-health" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Health Organization</a> has identified mercury as being among the top chemicals of concern for public health, especially for expectant mothers and small children. 



High concentrations have been <a href="https://www.epa.gov/mercury/health-effects-exposures-mercury">tied</a> to neurological issues and developmental problems in infants.



Safe daily or weekly seafood intake is still possible, but guidelines vary depending on a person’s overall health. 



Experts often urge pregnant women to be particularly careful about the consumption of large, predatory fish as they are known to harbor elevated mercury levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-nutrition-and-contaminants">Balancing nutrition and contaminants</h2>



Eating fish brings many benefits. It offers protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and important minerals. 



<a href="https://www.fishwatch.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA Fisheries</a> underscores that fish are a valuable food, but also acknowledges that consumers should stay informed about possible contaminants.



Some nutrients, like <a href="https://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/se.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">selenium</a> and <a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">zinc</a>, vary based on the fish’s environment and diet. 



Farmed diets often include formulated feeds that are designed to control final nutrient profiles. Wild species gain nutrients from ecosystems that are less predictable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leading-author-s-viewpoint">Leading author’s viewpoint</h2>



"Rather than pitting wild fishing against aquaculture, our review demonstrates that both sectors can coexist and help meet the world’s seafood needs safely," concluded Dr. Casanova-Martínez, lead author of the study.



"Still, ongoing research and improvements in feed and environmental monitoring are essential for safeguarding public health." 



These observations reflect the broader consensus that both systems are vital for feeding populations. Each approach has benefits and drawbacks that require further attention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-regulation-matters">Why regulation matters</h2>



Regulatory bodies set maximum allowed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nearly-100-million-americans-exposed-to-contaminated-drinking-water/">contaminant levels</a> to keep consumers safe. Many fish samples in both categories fall within established safety margins. 



Continuous oversight helps the public gain confidence in what ends up on their plates.



Authorities also caution special populations. Small children and pregnant individuals may need more careful advice about portion sizes, fish types, and heavy meal frequency. 



Public health agencies need to adjust recommendations when new evidence emerges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-consumers">What’s next for consumers</h2>



Aquaculture often employs best practices to reduce pollutants, yet wild-caught products remain popular for taste and tradition. 



People can choose a balanced approach, selecting a mix of fish sources and staying updated on guidelines for safer consumption.



Additional studies on feed technology and water filtration are ongoing. Research may reveal improved methods to cut contaminants and maintain fish quality in coming years.



Concerns about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heavy-metal-pollution-threatens-marine-life-and-human-health/">heavy metals</a> and legacy pesticides should not overshadow the nutritional value of fish. 



Instead, consumers should be making informed choices by identifying reputable suppliers and following health advisories to ensure they reduce the intake of unwanted substances.



Individuals looking for more detail can consult government websites or speak with healthcare providers for tailored advice. Monitoring official recommendations about fish intake can also safer meal planning.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956713525000891" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food Control</a>.



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Why eating farmed fish may be safer than eating fish caught in the wild

Farmed fish are often viewed with suspicion, while wild-caught varieties...

Colorful,Chrysanthemum,Flower,Macro,Shot.,Chrysanthemum,Rainbow,Flower,Background.

Fractals are curious designs that show up when patterns repeat themselves at different scales. They can be spotted in everyday settings such as ferns and snowflakes, yet they rarely appear in certain areas of physics. 



That rarity makes them a favorite topic for those who study unusual behavior in matter.



Scientists have theorized for decades that electrons in special environments might display such repeating structures. 



Reports hinted at possible sightings, but nobody had directly measured the electron energies in a real crystal to confirm this fractal. It looked like a problem best left to speculation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observing-a-decades-old-prediction">Observing a decades-old prediction</h2>



Now, however, a brand-new observation in quantum materials has left researchers excited. They have found an intricate energy pattern that matches a famous prediction from the 1970s.



<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/carbon-atom" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ali Yazdani</a>, James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor at <a href="https://www.princeton.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Princeton</a>, led the group that made this unexpected observation.



He and his colleagues captured direct evidence of the fractal pattern in a new type of material that was created by stacking and twisting sheets of carbon atoms, and which produced a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0097849300000431" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moiré design</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fractal-energy-pattern-in-quantum-material">Fractal energy pattern in quantum material</h2>



Scientists have long been fascinated by <a href="https://lab.semi.ac.cn/library/upload/files/2019/1/412557940.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fractals</a>, which are self-repeating patterns seen at many scales. 



The research team measured the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-atomic-collisions-unleash-unexpected-energy-bursts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">energies</a> of electrons in these twisted sheets and found a sequence that matched the pattern known as Hofstadter's butterfly.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hofstadters-butterfly_fractal-pattern_observed-lab_credit-Yazdani-group_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hofstadters-butterfly_fractal-pattern_observed-lab_credit-Yazdani-group_1s.webp" alt="A quantum version of a fractal pattern, known as &quot;Hofstadter's butterfly,&quot; which has long been predicted, but the new study marks the first time it has been directly observed experimentally in a real material. Credit: Yazdani group" class="wp-image-1961641"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A quantum version of a fractal pattern, known as "Hofstadter's butterfly," which has long been predicted, but the new study marks the first time it has been directly observed experimentally in a real material. Credit: Yazdani group</figcaption></figure>



Hofstadter first named this spectral pattern in his Ph.D. work in 1976, and it is one of the early examples of modern scientific data visualization.&nbsp;



“<a href="https://www.mathematik.com/Hofstadter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hofstadter's butterfly</a> is also a rare example of a problem that is solved exactly in quantum mechanics, without any approximations,” explained <a href="https://physics.mit.edu/research/pappalardo-fellowships-in-physics/kevin-nuckolls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Nuckolls</a>, the co-lead author of the paper. He explained that until now, no one had observed this energy pattern directly in a real <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/poorly-understood-force-helps-keep-atomic-nuclei-stable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">material</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accidental-clues">Accidental clues</h2>



“Our discovery was basically an accident,” commented Nuckolls. He revealed that they originally set out to examine superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene but ended up with a moiré arrangement that opened the door to the butterfly pattern.



A team at MIT had shown in 2018 that <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-41068-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moiré crystals</a> can become <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature26160" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">superconducting</a> under special conditions.



The samples did not meet the magic angle for superconductivity, but they produced a clear view of the fractal spectrum. That unexpected twist confirmed the calculations from decades ago in a direct and visual way.



“Sometimes nature is kind to you,” said Nuckolls. He mentioned that they nearly missed this hidden butterfly and only caught on after studying the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-atoms-in-your-body-took-a-400000-light-year-journey-through-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electron</a> energies in more detail.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detailed-electron-energy-patterns">Detailed electron energy patterns</h2>



The team applied a <a href="https://www.nanoscience.com/techniques/scanning-tunneling-microscopy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scanning tunneling microscope</a>, which probes surfaces at an atomic scale by allowing electrons to tunnel from a sharp tip. This method captured the energy structure in exquisite detail.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hofstadters-butterfly_fractal-pattern_lab-results_credit-Yazdani-group_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hofstadters-butterfly_fractal-pattern_lab-results_credit-Yazdani-group_1s.webp" alt="Finding Hofstadter's butterfly. Credit: Yazdani group" class="wp-image-1961639"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Finding Hofstadter's butterfly. Credit: Yazdani group</figcaption></figure>



“The STM is a direct energy probe,” said <a href="https://www.thegraphenecouncil.org/blogpost/1501180/Graphene-News-and-Updates?tag=Myungchul+Oh" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Myungchul Oh</a>, a postdoctoral research associate and co-lead author of the paper. He emphasized that this made it possible to verify the fractal pattern in ways that electrical resistance tests could not match.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-theories-on-quantum-fractals">Shifting theories on quantum fractals</h2>



The data suggests that <a href="https://lightcolourvision.org/dictionary/definition/electron-electron-interaction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electron-electron interactions</a> play a role in shaping the fractal arrangement. These interactions were not part of the original model that was proposed in the 1970s.



Theoretical efforts by <a href="https://phy.princeton.edu/people/biao-lian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Professor Biao Lian</a> and his students helped interpret these extra features. Their calculations matched the experimental findings, once they added the impact of strong correlations among <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seeking-the-origins-of-the-molecule-that-made-the-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electrons</a>.



“The Hofstadter regime is a rich and vibrant spectrum of topological states,” said <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Wf1aRMYAAAAJ&amp;hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michael Scheer</a>, a graduate student in physics at Princeton and one of the paper's co-lead authors. 



He believes these images could unlock new insights into some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nuclear-fission-what-exactly-happens-when-the-nucleus-of-an-atom-splits-in-two/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum</a> behaviors that remain poorly understood.



These findings hint at new possibilities for exploring unusual phases in two-dimensional materials. Researchers see this study as one step toward richer frameworks in quantum physics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-fractal-pattern-surprises">More fractal pattern surprises</h2>



Many experts wonder if other twisted structures might show similar surprises. Each new angle or stacking pattern can shift electrons into exotic behaviors.



Some might ask how such fractal features could connect to next-generation devices. While no immediate inventions are guaranteed, curiosity in this area is growing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bigger-story">The bigger story</h2>



Beyond the fractal butterfly, other puzzles lie in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nmat5012" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">topological states</a> and quantum conductivity. Physicists hope that sharper imaging techniques might map out more hidden patterns.



“These moiré crystals provided an ideal setting,” stressed Ali Yazdani. He said that the carefully arranged <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/carbon/articles/10.3389/frcrb.2023.1305515/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon lattices</a> allowed electrons to move in a periodic environment that revealed the structure that Hofstadter predicted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-studies-on-fractal-patterns">Future studies on fractal patterns</h2>



Investigators plan to measure how these fractals shift as conditions like temperature or magnetic field change. Each variation might introduce a new shape to the electronic spectrum.



There is also excitement about combining this fractal observation with further research on superconductivity. 



Small tweaks in the angle or doping level could reveal how electrons organize themselves in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41563-021-00923-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flat moiré bands</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-do-quantum-fractals-matter">Why do quantum fractals matter?</h2>



Understanding correlated states remains a priority for many labs. Some suspect that quantum fractals might show up in other materials with carefully designed patterns.



New theories will be tested against actual data, which was scarce until now. The hope is that each discovery will spark more questions about how electrons behave at tiny scales.



This long-sought fractal pattern emerged through patient work and a little bit of luck. Observers see it as a striking example of how surprising quantum materials can be when viewed up close.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08550-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Quantum fractal pattern predicted 50 years ago observed in the lab

Fractals are curious designs that show up when patterns repeat...

Birth,Of,A,Solar,Sytem,-,Protoplanetary,Disk

Long-standing investigations into the birth and formation of stars, planets, and galaxies have given rise to many exciting revelations. One such fascinating area of research is the study of planet-forming disks - the cosmic nurseries that assist in the generation of new planets.



Traditionally, researchers believed that these disks existed for only a brief period in a star’s life. Most estimates suggested that within 10 million years, they would dissipate, leaving behind either fully formed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-planets-form-its-much-more-complicated-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planets</a> or barren remnants. 



However, new research is challenging this assumption, and has revealed that some disks can last far longer under specific conditions. 



This unexpected discovery opens up fresh possibilities for understanding how planets form and whether long-lived disks might increase the chances that life exists beyond Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cosmic-discovery-defies-expectations">Cosmic discovery defies expectations</h2>



A team of researchers at the <a href="https://www.arizona.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Arizona</a> has discovered that planet-forming disks can persist for much longer than previously believed. Their study focused on stars with a mass of one-tenth of the sun or less. 



The findings suggest that under these conditions, disks can survive for as long as 30 million years - three times longer than earlier estimates.



This breakthrough was made possible by NASA’s <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Webb Space Telescope</a>, which allowed researchers to conduct a detailed chemical analysis of an unusually long-lived disk. 



Their study, published in Astrophysical Letters, sheds new light on the timeline of planet formation. The longer a disk survives, the more time it provides for planets to form, which could significantly impact the development of planetary systems.



"In a sense, protoplanetary disks provide us with baby pictures of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-finds-largest-amount-of-carbon-ever-seen-in-a-planet-forming-disk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planetary systems</a>, including a glimpse of what our solar system may have looked like in its infancy," explained Feng Long, the lead author of the study and a Sagan Fellow at the <a href="https://www.lpl.arizona.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lunar and Planetary Laboratory</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-star-that-changed-the-timeline">The star that changed the timeline</h2>



The research focused on a star designated WISE J044634.16–262756.1B, which is more conveniently known as J0446B. 



This star, located in the constellation Columba and about 267 light-years from Earth, has managed to hold onto its disk far longer than expected.



Most young stars lose their planet-forming disks within 10 to 20 million years. Yet, J0446B has retained its disk for about 30 million years, making it an anomaly in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-giant-planets-form/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planetary science</a>. 



The team’s analysis suggests that small stars like J0446B might be capable of maintaining their disks for extended periods, allowing planets more time to form and develop stable orbits.



"Because materials in the disk provide the raw materials for planets, the disk's lifespan determines how much time the system has to form planets," explained Long.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stable-environment-for-planet-formation">Stable environment for planet formation</h2>



A key finding of this study is that even though these disks last longer, their chemistry stays mostly the same.



The team observed that the gases and dust in the disk remain relatively stable, providing a consistent environment in which <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-formation-new-insights-mechanics-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planets</a> may form. 



This stability is crucial, as it ensures that planets forming around small stars have the necessary materials for an extended period.



By analyzing the gas content in J0446B’s disk, the researchers ruled out the possibility that it was a debris disk. 



Unlike protoplanetary disks, debris disks are made of second-generation material formed by asteroid collisions, and do not support the formation of new planets. The presence of primordial gas confirmed that J0446B’s disk was still in its original state.



"We detected gases like hydrogen and neon, which tells us that there is still primordial gas left in the disk around J0446B," said Chengyan Xie, a doctoral student at the <a href="https://www.lpl.arizona.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lunar and Planetary Laboratory</a>.



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



The discovery of long-lived planet-forming disks has profound implications for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-planets-formed-in-the-harsh-early-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planetary systems</a> outside our own. 



One of the most intriguing planetary systems for researchers is TRAPPIST-1, which lies 40 light-years from Earth. This system features a red dwarf star surrounded by seven planets similar in size to Earth. 



Three of these planets exist in the habitable zone, where conditions could allow for liquid water and, potentially, for life.



The star in the TRAPPIST-1 system is similar in size to J0446B. Scientists think long-lasting disks help shape planets around small stars. The extra gas in these disks might affect how planets move and settle into their orbits.



"To make the specific arrangement of orbits we see with TRAPPIST-1, planets need to migrate inside the disk, a process that requires the presence of gas," explained Ilaria Pascucci, a professor of planetary sciences at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.



"The long presence of gas we find in those disks might be the reason behind TRAPPIST-1's unique arrangement."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-our-solar-system-evolved-differently">Why our solar system evolved differently</h2>



The sun and bigger stars lose their disks faster. They change quickly, giving planets less time to form. This might be why our solar system looks different from ones around smaller stars.



Even though these stars are different, studying long-lasting disks helps us learn more about processes that take place in space. 



Small stars are much more common than larger stars like the sun, so they might help scientists discover how planets form and whether they can support life.



"Developing a better understanding of how low-mass star systems evolve and getting snapshots of long-lived disks might help pave the way to filling out the blanks in the photo album of the universe," Long said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-perspective-on-planet-formation">New perspective on planet formation</h2>



Since planets need time and the right conditions to in order to develop, the discovery that planet-forming discs may last longer raises new questions. 



If small stars hold onto their planet-forming materials for longer, they might have a better chance of creating planets where life could exist.



With powerful telescopes, scientists hope to learn even more about these long-lasting disks. This discovery could completely change how we understand the requirements for planets to form and survive.



Researchers will continue studying these cosmic nurseries to learn more about how planets form and whether any of them could be home to life beyond Earth.



The study is published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/ad99d2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal Letters</a>.



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Planet-forming disks surrounding stars often last much longer than expected

Long-standing investigations into the birth and formation of stars, planets,...

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‘Mr Copernicus’ provides an introduction to Europe’s Copernicus environment monitoring program. Join him for a brief history of the initiative and an overview of the Sentinel satellites.
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Europe’s Copernicus Environment Monitoring Program

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