Science in telegram

2023-10-23 16:28:30 This beautifully preserved Viking ship was discovered in a large burial mound at Oseberg Farm in Norway, dating back to the early 9th century.

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2023-10-15 20:12:49 A Cosmic Marvel: Charon Up Close!

This breathtaking image showcases Charon, the largest of Pluto’s five moons. Observed by NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft during its historic flyby in 2015, Charon’s rugged terrain, deep canyons, and varied surface colors reveal a complex geological history.

Notable Features:

• Canyons: Some of Charon’s canyons are deeper than the Grand Canyon on Earth!
• Varied Terrain: The northern hemisphere, known as Mordor Macula, is darker than the southern part, suggesting differences in the moon’s crust and materials.
• Impact Craters: These are a testament to the many space objects that have collided with Charon over billions of years.

Charon orbits Pluto at a distance so close that they are often considered a binary system. Their mutual gravitational pull ensures that they always face each other with the same side.

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2023-10-09 05:15:41 The Fungal Tornado: Unveiling the Story Behind a Photograph

In the recent annual Big Picture Photography Contest, a captivating image titled “The Fungal Tornado” made its way to the finals, although it didn’t clinch the winning spot. However, its unique allure captured our attention, and here’s why.

The photo was crafted by biologist Lu Yang amidst the majestic mountains of Westland National Park, located on New Zealand’s South Island. It was described by a jury member as a “mesmerizing and mortally terrifying frame”. The image encapsulates the fleeting moment of spore dispersion by the fungus Armillaria novae-zelandiae, a distant relative of the mushrooms known as honey fungus found in other parts of the world.

This endemic species to New Zealand has, over recent decades, found its way to other continents where it morphed into a menacing invasion. It wreaks havoc on local vegetation by rotting their roots, usually leading to a fatal end for the affected flora. Through this photograph, Lu Yang not only captured a beautiful yet ephemeral natural phenomenon but also spotlighted an ecological challenge that extends beyond the borders of New Zealand.

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2023-10-01 13:54:32 The Mysterious Sound of the Aztec Death Whistle

Did you know about the haunting sound of the Aztec death whistle? This unique instrument was exclusively used by the Mexica and was first discovered during the excavation of a temple in Mexico City in the 1990s. Contrary to popular belief, the original whistle does not produce a sharp shriek-like sound. Instead, music archeologist Arnd Adje Both tested the original excavated whistles and described the sound as similar to "atmospheric noise generated by the wind."

While some believe that hundreds of warriors would use these whistles simultaneously in battles, there's limited evidence to support this claim. The actual purpose of the whistle, based on its discovery location and imagery related to death, is more likely to be ceremonial or religious rather than for warfare.

So, if you've heard a terrifying version of this whistle, it's probably a much larger reproduction! And if that sound made you uncomfortable, have you ever wondered if you might have misophonia?

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2023-09-28 06:49:19 Uranium Radiation in Wilson's Cloud Chamber

The cloud chamber, a pivotal device in particle physics, was invented in 1912 by the Scottish physicist Charles Wilson. For his groundbreaking invention, Wilson was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1927.

For many years, the cloud chamber stood as the sole effective method for directly visualizing the paths of elementary particles. This instrument played a crucial role in the discovery of the positron and muon. Additionally, it was instrumental in studying the interactions between alpha particles and nitrogen atoms at the nuclear level.

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2023-09-25 17:12:30 A tardigrade walks among algae.

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2023-09-25 11:13:13 Tesla robot, new features and updates
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2023-09-23 09:14:47 The Rhind Mathematical Papyrus (circa 1550 BC) is among the oldest manuscripts containing algebraic and arithmetic problems. It's penned in hieratic script.
The ancient Egyptians were adept at using first-order equations and had knowledge of quadratic equations, numerical, and geometric sequences.

This expertise predates the birth of notable figures like Pythagoras and al-Khwarizmi by millennia!

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2023-09-17 12:17:41 Crown shyness is a phenomenon where the crowns of trees don't touch each other, resulting in a forest canopy with distinct gaps.

The exact reason for this occurrence is not fully understood by scientists.
- One theory suggests that tall, slender trees exhibit this behavior to prevent damage during strong winds.
- Another theory posits that it helps in preventing the spread of certain insects known as insect miners.

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2023-09-17 12:01:05 Video of the Day:
Starlink deploys another satellite into orbit.

The satellite features dielectric mirrors on its surface. Its color is designed to be as black as possible to track and redirect light. Starlink aims to minimize the brightness of its satellites to avoid disrupting observations of the night sky.

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