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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Image Credit: NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope



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Cat's Eye Nebula in the constellation Draco

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-stars-scientists-discover-a-new-type-of-star-powered-by-dark-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stars</a> like HD 101274 are important for astronomers because they help in studying the properties of stellar populations in clusters and the dynamics of stellar evolution in different environments. 



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Image Credit: ESA/Hubble &amp; NASA



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Luminous galaxy NGC 3783 and a blue giant star

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



This extreme environment affects both the physical characteristics of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alarming-study-most-of-the-worlds-largest-lakes-are-quickly-losing-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lakes</a> and the types of ecosystems they support. For example, due to lower atmospheric pressure, the boiling point of water is reduced, which can affect the type of life that can survive in these regions.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Pangong Lake on the Tibetan Plateau

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

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the aftermath of devastating floods in the Valencia region of Eastern Spain.&nbsp;



On October 29, 2024, torrential rainfall unleashed nearly a year’s worth of precipitation in just eight hours, leading to catastrophic flash floods that affected a vast area from Málaga to Valencia. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flash-floods-in-valencia">Flash floods in Valencia </h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flash-floods-are-set-to-become-much-more-common-in-the-u-s/">Floodwaters</a> submerged entire neighborhoods and agricultural lands. Many roads and infrastructure were overwhelmed almost instantly, stranding vehicles and prompting widespread evacuations. Water levels rose faster than emergency services could respond.



One resident of Paiporta, near Valencia, told the BBC that when the water started to rise it was "like a tsunami wave."



“In a matter of minutes, flash floods caused by heavy downpours in eastern Spain swept away everything in their path. With no time to react, people were trapped in vehicles, homes and businesses,” reported the Associated Press.



More than 200 people were killed and thousands of people were rescued. According to SOS Desaparecidos, as many as 1,300 people remained unaccounted for on Friday, three days after the floods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-magnitude-of-the-tragedy-nbsp">Magnitude of the tragedy&nbsp;</h2>



Ángel Víctor Torres, the Minister for Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, said: “The fact that we can’t give a number of the missing persons indicates the magnitude of the tragedy.”&nbsp;



Some areas, including the Spanish town of Alfafar, are completely cut off from communication.&nbsp;



Juan Ramón Adsuara, the mayor of Alfafar, said the aid isn't nearly enough for residents trapped in an "extreme situation."



"There are people living with corpses at home. It's very sad. We are organizing ourselves, but we are running out of everything," Adsuara told reporters. "We go with vans to Valencia, we buy and we come back, but here we are totally forgotten."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-government-warning-was-not-issued-in-time">Government warning was not issued in time</h2>



On Tuesday morning, Spain's meteorological agency Aemet warned that torrential rains were forecast for the region of Valencia, before issuing a&nbsp; "maximum red alert.”



Carlos Mazon, Valencia’s regional president, said the government sent out an SMS alert reserved for the “worst possible scenario.” But according to a report from CNN, that alert was sent hours too late.



“By 5 p.m., Valencia’s emergency services were swamped by hundreds of pleas for help throughout the region,” wrote Atika Shubert, a CNN Senior International Correspondent.



“It was at 8 p.m. that cell phones finally buzzed with the public alert telling residents to stay indoors. Much too little, much too late, even for those downstream of the raging water who might otherwise have had time to prepare.”



The BBC also noted that many people have questioned the timing of the government's warning, which arrived more than 12 hours after Aemet issued its first red alert.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-weather-in-a-warming-climate">Extreme weather in a warming climate</h2>



The deadly floods in Valencia were primarily caused by an extreme weather event that brought record-breaking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-rainfall-events-are-interconnected-around-the-globe/">rainfall</a>. The intense downpour was fueled by unusually warm Mediterranean Sea temperatures, which increased moisture in the atmosphere and intensified the rainfall.&nbsp;



Climate experts link this phenomenon to climate change, as warmer seas lead to more frequent, severe storms. The combination of heavy rain and the region's limited drainage capacity led to flash flooding, overwhelming local <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predicting-floods-its-not-just-about-rainfall/">infrastructure</a>.



Rising ocean temperatures are largely driven by increased greenhouse gases that trap more heat in the atmosphere. Oceans absorb about 90% of this excess heat, leading to warmer waters, especially near the surface.&nbsp;



This warming disrupts marine ecosystems, contributing to coral bleaching and altering habitats for species like fish and marine mammals.



With the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-outrun-the-flood-risks-of-climate-change/">climate crisis</a> intensifying, experts warn that warmer ocean temperatures will heighten the risk of rapid, destructive rainfall events.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-second-deadliest-flood-in-europe-this-century-nbsp">Second-deadliest flood in Europe this century&nbsp;</h2>



Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the disaster was the second-deadliest flood in Europe this century and that Spain was carrying out its largest deployment of army and security force personnel in peacetime. The country was sending 5,000 soldiers and 5,000 police officers to the eastern region of Valencia on Saturday.



Four days after the devastating floods, rescuers are still searching for bodies. Thousands of volunteers are helping to clean up the thick mud that covers streets, homes, and businesses in the hardest-hit towns.&nbsp;



Prime Minister Sanchez responded to people who expressed they feel abandoned with no help or communication in the days following the tragic flooding.



“I am aware the response is not enough, there are problems and severe shortages… towns buried by mud, desperate people searching for their relatives.”



"For those who at this moment are still looking for their loved ones, the whole of Spain weeps with you."



According to <a href="https://www.esa.int/">ESA</a>, the Copernicus Emergency Rapid Mapping Service has been activated to provide satellite imagery that can support rescue and recovery efforts.



Image Credit: USGS, processed by ESA&nbsp;



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Valencia floods: A tragedy fueled by extreme weather

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

As cities face rising temperatures amplified by urban structures like concrete and asphalt, initiatives to plant trees have gained momentum. Yet, while the benefits of city greening are well-recognized, many such efforts have been based on approximations. 



A recent study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2401210121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a> provides a refined tool to help urban planners set specific and scientifically sound city-wide greening targets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cooling-effects-of-city-greening">Cooling effects of city greening</h2>



Led by researchers Jia Wang, Weiqi Zhou, and Yuguo Qian from the <a href="https://english.cas.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese Academy of Sciences</a>, and co-authored by Steward Pickett, an urban ecologist at <a href="https://www.caryinstitute.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies</a>, the study examines the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cloud-engineering-can-temporarily-cool-our-planet/">cooling</a> effects of urban trees at different scales.



“Trees offer many benefits to cities, and cooling is one of them,” said Pickett. “Trees are good at cooling because they pump a lot of water from the ground into the air, and when that water evaporates at the leaf surface, it absorbs a vast amount of heat. That's just the physics of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-can-vaporize-water-cause-evaporation-without-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evaporation</a>. The shade provided by trees also helps with cooling.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-many-trees-are-needed">How many trees are needed?</h2>



Most research on the cooling effect of trees has historically focused on specific neighborhoods or streets. For instance, studies have shown that a 1% increase in tree canopy can lower nearby temperatures by 0.04 to 0.57 degrees Celsius.&nbsp;



“That’s valuable, but planners and decision makers are thinking about the whole city. They’re asking, ‘How much tree canopy do we need for the whole city? What happens when we scale it up?’ And that information hasn’t been available,” Pickett said.



The goal of the study was to assess if findings from smaller areas could be applied at a city-wide level.&nbsp;



The researchers analyzed satellite imagery and temperature data from four cities with varying climates: Beijing and Shenzhen in China, and Baltimore and Sacramento in the United States. These cities represented different climate zones: temperate, subtropical, and Mediterranean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-the-cooling-effects-of-urban-trees">Measuring the cooling effects of urban trees</h2>



The team divided each city into pixelated sections approximately the size of a city block. For each pixel, they assessed land surface temperatures and tree coverage.&nbsp;



The researchers then expanded their analysis to larger areas, such as neighborhoods and entire cities, to measure how the cooling efficiency - temperature reduction associated with a 1% increase in tree canopy - shifted with scale.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-city-greening-to-enhance-cooling">City greening to enhance cooling</h2>



The results revealed that the cooling effect of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-trees-surrounded-by-less-asphalt-grow-taller-and-stronger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urban trees</a> increased as the scale expanded, but the rate of increase was slower at larger scales. 



In Beijing, for instance, a 1% increase in tree canopy at the block level led to a temperature drop of 0.06 degrees.&nbsp;



However, at the city-wide level, the same increase resulted in a reduction of about 0.18 degrees. The added benefit at larger scales likely comes from larger groups of trees, which collectively enhance cooling.



“We found that cooling efficiency follows a power law across scales - from as small as 120 by 120 meters to as large as regions covering the entire city,” said co-author Weiqi Zhou.&nbsp;



“The relationship holds across all four of the studied cities, which are in very different climates. This suggests that it could be used to predict the amount of additional tree cover needed to achieve specific <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unbearable-heat-could-make-some-parts-of-the-world-uninhabitable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat</a> mitigation and climate adaptation goals in cities worldwide.”



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



The study’s findings offer urban planners a powerful tool to establish city-wide tree canopy targets aimed at combating extreme heat.&nbsp;



For instance, the researchers estimated that Baltimore could lower land surface temperatures by 0.23°C by increasing its tree canopy by 1%. To achieve a reduction of 1.5°C, the city would need to increase tree coverage by 6.39%.



While this information is invaluable for high-level decision-making, Pickett cautioned that it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.&nbsp;



“This paper doesn’t tell you where to put the trees,” he said. “That's another sort of analysis, which would have to involve a lot more social information and engagement with communities or with individual property owners.”&nbsp;



Ensuring equitable distribution of trees across cities and involving communities in planning are essential for maximizing the benefits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strategic-planning-for-city-greening-nbsp">Strategic planning for city greening&nbsp;</h2>



Pickett suggested expanding the research to include cities with different climate types to better understand the broader applicability of these findings.&nbsp;



Additionally, studying how effective <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-too-many-trees-could-spoil-the-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree planting</a> will be in future conditions as climate change drives higher temperatures and more frequent droughts is a crucial next step.



The study reinforces the idea that tree-planting, while an effective nature-based solution, requires strategic planning to yield the best results.&nbsp;



With these new insights, cities can move beyond trial and error to make more informed decisions that address the urban heat crisis.



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City greening: Predicting the cooling effects of trees

As cities face rising temperatures amplified by urban structures like...

An international team of scientists, from the eastern shores of United States to the southern tip of Italy, has stumbled upon an exciting discovery - a new strain of cyanobacteria called Chonkus that thrives on carbon dioxide (CO2) and effortlessly settles in water.



This unique alga, affectionately called Chonkus, has been discovered off the Sicilian island of Vulcano, where marine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-absorb-31-more-co2-than-previously-estimated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CO2</a> is plentiful thanks to shallow volcanic vents.



The team was intrigued by the idea of what happens when regular CO2 limitations are removed, an environment in which organisms might have the potential to amplify their growth. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-algae-thriving-in-carbon-rich-environments">Algae thriving in carbon-rich environments</h2>



Dr. Max Schubert was a staff scientist at the <a href="https://wyss.harvard.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wyss Institute at Harvard University</a> when the research was conducted and is now lead project scientist at Align to Innovate.



"Dissolved carbon is relatively dilute compared to all the other molecules in the ocean, and that limits the growth of photosynthetic organisms that live there," noted Dr. Schubert. 



"We decided to investigate what happens when you alleviate that limiting factor by going to a place with plenty of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-diverse-crops-traps-carbon-and-boosts-soil-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a>, where some organisms could have evolved the ability to use it to galvanize their growth." 



However, the team uncovered an organism that defied this limitation. Dr. Schubert believes that Chonkus has exciting features that could be beneficial to humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bringing-the-ocean-to-the-lab">Bringing the ocean to the lab</h2>



The story began nine years ago when Dr. Schubert and Dr. Braden Tierney shared a lab at Harvard Medical School (<a href="https://hms.harvard.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HMS</a>) under the guidance of Dr. George Church. 



Focused on creating tools for directed evolution of bacteria, Dr. Schubert expanded his research. In 2019, he won a proposal at the HMS Consortium for Space Genetics' Symposium on Climate Change, allowing him to explore cyanobacteria.



Meanwhile, Dr. Tierney had his sights set on exploring microbes living in shallow seeps. He partnered with scientists at the University of Palermo in Sicily and drew upon Dr. Schubert's expertise to understand the cyanobacteria.



What followed was an expedition that brought together a motley crew of scientists from institutions ranging from the Wyss Institute, HMS, and MIT to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado, along with multiple Italian establishments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-sea-of-possibilities">A sea of possibilities</h2>



Venturing into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/capturing-carbon-directly-from-the-air-is-now-much-more-efficient-thanks-to-new-material/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CO2</a>-rich waters off the coast of Vulcano, the team collected water samples that were then shipped to Boston. Here, Dr. Schubert and his team isolated and studied the microorganisms living within.



The journey started by recreating an environment that would allow cyanobacteria to flourish – plenty of light, warmth, and CO2. 



The outcome? Two strains of fast-growing cyanobacteria: UTEX 3221 and UTEX 3222. Chonkus, formally known as UTEX 3222, was selected due to its single-celled growth, making it easier to compare with existing strains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-algae-to-sequester-carbon">Using algae to sequester carbon </h2>



Chonkus possesses several interesting traits, including carbon-rich storage granules within its cells, large colonies, higher carbon content, and - most notably - a natural tendency to sink fast in water.



"Many of the traits that we observed in Chonkus aren't inherently useful in their natural environment, but are very useful to humans," said Dr. Tierney.



"Aquatic organisms naturally grow at very low density, but being able to grow to a high density at higher temperatures is very helpful in the industrial environments that we use to manufacture many goods and products, and can help sequester more carbon."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-beyond-carbon-sequestration">Potential beyond carbon sequestration </h2>



The team is excited about the potential applications of the algae beyond carbon sequestration. Due to its rapid and dense growth pattern, Chonkus could be used to more efficiently produce commodities like omega-3 fatty acids, the antioxidant astaxanthin, and spirulina.



By harnessing the ability of cyanobacteria to absorb <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/warming-soils-release-more-carbon-than-plants-can-replace/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a> from their surroundings, the processes of carbon sequestration and biomanufacturing could be seamlessly linked.



The research has led to the founding of a non-profit organization called The Two Frontiers Project, which aims to study how life thrives in extreme environments and to explore potential applications in carbon capture, CO2 upcycling for sustainable products, and coral ecosystem restoration.



Dr. Church commends the potential of such naturally evolved cyanobacteria strains and stresses the importance of maintaining control over these experiments.



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



Taking a cue from nature seems to be at the heart of remarkable innovation. Dr. Don Ingber, the founding director of the Wyss Institute, underlines this sentiment.



"I'm proud of this team for getting out of the lab and seeking nature's best ideas where they've already developed," said Dr. Ingber.



"This is a wonderful example of how our new Sustainable Futures Initiative is pursuing out-of-the-box approaches to confront climate change - the biggest challenge of our generation." 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/aem.00841-24" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Applied and Environmental Microbiology</a>.



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Can algae soak up loads of carbon to help save the planet?

An international team of scientists, from the eastern shores of...

Did you think only adults factor in possibilities and probabilities in their daily lives? Think again. According to recent findings, toddlers as young as two and three years old have an innate understanding of how possibilities work, enabling them to learn from surprising events.



Toddlers can distinguish between events that are impossible, those that are possible but not probable, and their excitement for the impossible is profound.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-toddlers-learning-possibilities">Toddlers learning possibilities</h2>



As adults, we consider possibilities and probabilities every single day. Ever thought about your chances of winning the lottery after buying a ticket? Or packed an umbrella because there might be a chance of rain? 



A recent study suggests that toddlers might also be part of the possibility gang, even before they have the language to describe these mental states. The findings are the first to demonstrate this phenomenon.



“Even young toddlers already think about the world in terms of possibilities,” said co-author&nbsp;<a href="https://pbs.jhu.edu/directory/lisa-feigenson/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lisa Feigenson</a>, co-director of the Johns Hopkins University <a href="https://labforchilddevelopment.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Laboratory for Child Development</a>. 



“Adults do this all the time and here we wanted to know whether even <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toddlers-get-half-their-calories-from-ultra-processed-foods/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">toddlers</a> think about possible states of the world before they’ve had years of experience and before they have the language to describe these mental states.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-the-unexpected-happens">When the unexpected happens</h2>



A group of two- and three-year-olds were shown a gumball-type machine filled with toys. Some kids saw a blend of pink and purple toys, while others saw that the machine was filled only with purple toys. Each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-under-two-should-not-be-exposed-to-tv-or-screen-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">child</a> then got a coin to drop into the machine to draw a toy.



Some children who saw the machine filled with only purple toys drew out a pink toy. This, of course, defies logic, because how could they possibly draw a pink toy from a machine offering solely purple ones?



Now, after they received their toys, all the kids were taught the name of the toy - a made-up word - and asked to recall the name later.



The results were astonishing. Kids who experienced this "impossible" scenario learned the name significantly better than the rest.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-toddler-learning-patterns">Toddler learning patterns</h2>



The researchers believe that encountering impossible events spurs toddlers to seek explanations, boosting their learning.



“One possibility was that they would learn well from the improbable events, but even better from the impossible events,” said <a href="https://hss.tcnj.edu/hss-faculty/aimee-stahl/">Aimee Stahl</a>, a former doctoral student in Feigenson’s lab who is now an associate professor of psychology at <a href="https://tcnj.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The College of New Jersey</a>.



“But what we found was that they actually don’t learn from the unlikely, improbable events. They only learn if they experienced the impossible event.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-approach-to-education">New approach to education</h2>



This discovery opens up incredible possibilities for educators and parents, enabling them to create learning strategies centered around these "heightened moments."



Feigenson suggests that parents and teachers should design opportunities for children to ponder over intriguing concepts, thereby creating powerful learning moments.



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



The implications of these findings on cognitive development are profound. They challenge the existing perception of early childhood learning, suggesting that even preverbal children are capable of engaging with complex <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toddler-screen-time-linked-to-atypical-sensory-behaviors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive processes</a>. 



The fact that toddlers can comprehend and respond to improbable events implies that their minds are ripe for a more advanced learning than previously appreciated. 



This challenges educators and developmental psychologists to reconsider the scope of educational materials suitable for young learners. 



By integrating scenarios that defy expectations, educational content can harness this innate curiosity, potentially accelerating cognitive growth during formative years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-developing-through-surprises">Developing through surprises</h2>



Going deeper into the science, this phenomenon can be tied to broader theories of cognitive development. The work of Jean Piaget, long regarded as foundational, suggested that children's mental models evolve through interaction with the world, constantly being tested against new experiences. 



The discovery by Feigenson and Stahl hints at a burgeoning field of study focusing on 'possibility thinking' - a concept where children learn by assessing the bounds of reality through trial and error.



This challenges scientists to further investigate how early exposure to "impossible" events might not just spur learning but may also shape the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that underpin inventive and adaptive intelligence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-in-a-toddler-s-world">Learning in a toddler's world</h2>



As surprising as it may seem, this study demonstrates that the world of toddlers is far from simplistic. Their minds are constantly dissecting possibilities and impossibilities, enabling them to better understand their surroundings. 



Can you imagine the impact on education if we could harness this natural curiosity? We must reconsider how we approach early education and create possibilities around the concept of the "impossible."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2411297121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Toddlers learn faster after witnessing 'impossible' events

Did you think only adults factor in possibilities and probabilities...

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A tiny satellite with a big purpose Today’s Video of the Day comes from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> and features a look at Dellingr, a satellite that is the size of a shoebox that will carry out never-before-tried studies of the Earth’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/magnetic-field-solar-radiation/">ionosphere</a>. 
Dellingr was named after the mythological Norse god of the dawn, a fitting name since it will be monitoring how the upper atmosphere engages with the Sun. 
The instrument launched in August 2017 onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket sent to the International Space Station before being deployed into orbit.
&#8212;
By <a href="mailto:rarnold@earth.com">Rory Arnold</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer
Video Credit: <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a>