Science

Scientists used to consider Mars a geologically dead planet. It's smaller than Earth and loses internal heat faster. In the past, there was a lot of activity in its depths, and there are many traces of huge volcano eruptions on its surface. The largest volcano in the Solar System, Olympus, can be seen from Earth even with an amateur telescope. But volcano eruptions on Mars stopped a long time ago. The planet's interior cooled and solidified, the internal cooling weakened its magnetic field, the solar wind blew away the atmosphere, and the remaining water froze. But recently, Mars has become more active. Everything changed when astronomers studied thousands of images of the Martian equatorial region. The images were taken between 2006 and 2020 by the NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The HiRISE camera took the images at an altitude of 300 kilometers above the Martian surface. The images allow us to distinguish individual objects with a size of up to 1 meter. The study revealed a large number of landslides and debris flows on the slopes of the Martian volcanoes. Scientists have discovered more than 4,500 traces of rocks that have left characteristic patterns in the shape of a Christmas tree, which usually happens after strong earthquakes. The longest trace is more than 2.4 kilometers [1.5 miles] long and in total, these traces are around 900 kilometers [560 miles] long. About a third of the traces weren’t present on images before 2006, indicating that they formed later. It’s clear that only very powerful underground tremors are capable of moving these huge boulders. However, until recently, such tremors weren’t found on Mars. What helped scientists find out that Mars woke up? How did the recent samples taken from one crater almost come to life? And why will one of the most harmful gasses on Earth be so crucial for Martian colonists?

To make the search for life beyond our planet more systematic and focused, scientists have developed a metric known as the Earth Similarity Index, which measures the similarity of a planet or moon to Earth based on various parameters such as temperature, atmospheric pressure, and habitability. It ranges from 0.0 to 1, with 0.8 and 1 indicating that a planet is similar to Earth in every aspect. In recent years, advances in technology allowed us to uncover a multitude of exoplanets and moons with striking similarities to Earth. One of them was found in 2019 and called Teegarden B. This is a super Earth [Mass: 1.05 Earths] orbiting an M-type star every 4.9 days at a distance of 0.0252 AU. The Teegarden’s Star is one of the closest stars to our solar system located about 12.4 light-years away from us. And although the red dwarf is 10 times less massive than our sun, and has a temperature of just about 2,700°C [5,000°F], it can still provide enough heat for its two planets [Teegarden b Teegarden c]. The two exoplanets are similar to the inner planets in our solar system and are only slightly more massive than Earth. Both of them are situated in the habitable zone where liquid water can exist, but Teegarden b seems much more promising, and here’s why.

Creatures You'll Be Happy That Are Extinct Almost everyone is afraid of creepy crawlies like spiders and millipedes. But although centipedes and millipedes give us the creeps, they are relatively harmless other than being scary to look at. The extinct giant 2.6 meter long Arthropleura millipede was probably a really scary sight. However, it was a vegetarian, was mostly blind, and probably would only bother you if you poked it with a stick. Or how about the eagle-sized dragonfly; the extinct Meganeura. It might be scary to some because of its huge size, but it would have been harmless…unless you were a prehistoric mosquito. But that doesn’t mean there weren't terrifying and dangerous creatures from Earth’s past, and some that we should be truly glad that are extinct.

What the Earth Looked Like After the Dinosaurs Disappeared 65 million years ago, the planet Earth was rocked by a catastrophic event; a giant asteroid impact that wiped out the non-avian dinosaurs and many other species. But from this devastation emerged a new world, one that would be shaped by the survivors of the apocalypse. In the aftermath of the extinction, mammals and other small creatures that had been lurking in the shadows of the dinosaurs began to thrive and diversify, eventually giving rise to the incredible range of life forms that we see on Earth today. This new world was filled with strange and wonderful creatures, from giant birds and carnivorous marsupials to saber-toothed cats and massive ground sloths. In the oceans, ancient reptiles like the ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs were replaced by new and formidable predators, such as the fearsome megalodon shark. The landscapes of the world were transformed as well, with vast grasslands and forests spreading across the continents and providing new habitats for a host of different species. Join us as we explore the Earth after the dinosaurs, a time of incredible change, innovation, and survival.

Largest Animals To Ever Exist On Earth. Size Comparison From the deep blue oceans to the lush forests, planet Earth has been home to some of the largest and most impressive creatures in the history of life. Some of these animals are so massive that it's hard to even imagine their size. From towering herbivores to fierce predators, these huge creatures have left an indelible mark on the planet. In this video, we'll take a look at some of the largest animals that ever lived on Earth, and what is the largest today. From the biggest sauropod dinosaur to gigantic creatures that prowled in the oceans, get ready to be amazed by the sheer size that these magnificent creatures possessed.

What If a Magnitude 15 Earthquake Happened? Nature is an awe-inspiring force, capable of devastating destruction. From powerful volcanoes spewing molten lava to massive tsunamis that swallow entire coastlines, the raw power of Mother Nature is something to behold. Even the most destructive storms, like hurricanes, can wreak havoc on everything in their path. But amidst all these incredible displays, there's one force that trumps them all: earthquakes. In just a matter of seconds, the ground beneath our feet can shake and sway with a ferocity that leaves even the mightiest disasters in the dust. So why were these Earthquakes so deadly, and are there more big earthquakes coming? Could the next big one hit where you live?

What James Webb Saw Near the Edge of the Universe It’s been almost a year since the James Webb Space Telescope sent back its first image after becoming fully operational on July 11, 2022. Since then it’s been sending back some stunning images such as this NIRCam image of the Carina Nebula which shows countless stars being formed which were previously invisible to other telescopes. And this image of the Pillars Of Creation taken by the James Webb Space Telescope’s Mid-Infrared Instrument is downright eerie looking. Aside from all the jaw-dropping images we are getting, the James Webb Space Telescope’s main objective is to help scientists find out more about the origin of the universe by looking at the first galaxies that formed in the early universe. What has the James Webb Space Telescope found recently with its powerful infrared gaze, and are we closer to understanding the Universe and our origins? Get ready to find out, and see the incredible images that it’s taken, including objects in our own solar system like you’ve never seen them before.

Is NASA Decoding An Alien Message? Imagine making a phone call to somebody located on another planet somewhere in the furthest reaches of the Milky Way Galaxy. Well, soon there just might be a way to do that. Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have proposed using the quantum properties of light to transmit messages through space, encoding binary code into the quantum state of photons rather than using traditional methods such as amplitude or frequency. While these messages would not be able to travel faster than the speed of light, the distance they can travel isn’t restricted by the fundamental laws of physics. However, the implementation of this technology is constrained by our current engineering and technological capabilities, and we’re not quite there yet. But In 2017, Chinese scientists made significant progress in quantum communication by successfully teleporting a photon from Earth to an orbiting satellite 500 kilometers away. Other scientists believe if there are other civilizations out there, it’s possible they are already using quantum communication, and other researchers believe there may be over 30 alien civilizations in the Milky Way actively communicating with each other. As we continue to search for intelligent life beyond our planet, many ask the question: will we be able to understand and communicate with extraterrestrial beings once we do find them? And in our pursuit of other-worldly contact, could we unwittingly unleash unforeseen consequences that could endanger all life on Earth?

This is Why Artemis May Be the Last Mission for NASA Astronauts Recently, a team of NASA astronauts underwent rigorous training to prepare for a momentous mission: walking on the surface of the Moon. But rather than traveling to space, they braved the harsh conditions of the Arizona desert that somewhat replicated the challenging terrain of the Moon's south pole. Covered in meteorite impact craters, and shrouded in darkness, the Moon's south pole is a hauntingly beautiful place. The astronauts' training was designed to test their skills and equipment under these extreme conditions, with the use of a massive lighting rig to simulate the Sun. The team also tested specialized equipment, including sealed rovers, which will allow for a wider range of exploration on the lunar surface. However, with only a select few of NASA's 42 astronauts participating on the Artemis mission, the future of human space exploration remains uncertain as the mission may be the space agency's last project to send humans to other celestial bodies. Will unforeseen obstacles prevent the mission's success, or will a thriving outpost eventually be established on the Moon? And what is this origami-inspired technology that NASA is developing for use in space?