Science – Alert Chronicle

Anticipated Super Blue Moon Promises Visual Delight for Stargazers in Northern Ireland

29Aug

By Bryan ScottNo Comments

Science

Anticipated Super Blue Moon Promises Visual Delight for Stargazers in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is in for a celestial treat as a remarkable lunar event, known as the Super Blue Moon, is set to peak on Wednesday night, with similar appearances expected on Tuesday and Thursday nights. The term "super blue moon" signifies the convergence of two lunar occurrences: the supermoon and the blue moon. A supermoon arises when the moon's orbit brings it closest to Earth, resulting in a larger and more radiant appearance in the nighttime sky. Conversely, a blue moon denotes the second full moon occurring within a single calendar month. The fusion of these two events creates a mesmerizing visual spectacle that enchants sky enthusiasts. Astronomy Ireland reports that the last instance of a super blue moon was in 2009, and the next occurrence is anticipated in 2037. According...

Unusual Encounter: Manatee Spotted in Chesapeake Bay Waters

29Aug

By Diana JacksonNo Comments

Science

Unusual Encounter: Manatee Spotted in Chesapeake Bay Waters

An unexpected sighting of a manatee basking in the warm waters of the Chesapeake Bay has caught the attention of environmental officials. The Potomac Riverkeeper Network recently confirmed this remarkable encounter, which took place near the convergence of the St. Mary’s River, where the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay meet. Dean Naujoks, the Lower Potomac Riverkeeper, noted that this year's higher salinity levels in the river have attracted various marine species, including dolphins, bullsharks, skate, and crabs. However, even Naujoks was taken by surprise, as he momentarily forgot that manatees are known to traverse these waters as well. Describing the area as a thriving part of the Chesapeake Bay, Naujoks emphasized the rich diversity of wildlife that frequents these waters for feeding...

Exploring the Enigma of a Rare Octopus Garden: Researchers Utilize Underwater Technology in the Bay Area

29Aug

By Diana JacksonNo Comments

Science

Exploring the Enigma of a Rare Octopus Garden: Researchers Utilize Underwater Technology in the Bay Area

Thousands of octopus mothers are safeguarding their recently laid eggs on the ocean floor within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The utilization of underwater photography is aiding in unraveling the enigma of this exceptional octopus garden, one of the few documented nesting sites of its kind globally. Spearheaded by a research collective that encompasses San Jose State University/Moss Landing Marine Laboratory and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), this endeavor sheds light on a fascinating realm beneath the waves. MBARI senior scientist, Dr. Jim Barry, remarked, "It's as if we've opened a door and stepped into their living space. They're right there." He showcased the submersible vehicles employed to monitor the site since its discovery in 2018, situated...

26Aug

By Diana JacksonNo Comments

Science

Enigmatic Dark Mark Spotted on Neptune

Astronomers have made a groundbreaking observation of a sizable and enigmatic dark spot within Neptune's atmosphere, accompanied by an unexpectedly luminous counterpart. This revelation was facilitated by the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile, marking the first time an Earth-based telescope has detected such a phenomenon on Neptune. While space-based observatories like the Hubble Space Telescope had previously captured vortex-like storms, akin to dark spots, swirling in the blue planet's atmosphere, this new revelation provides crucial insights. The research, recently published in the journal Nature Astronomy, is shedding light on these elusive features. Lead study author Patrick Irwin, a professor of planetary physics at the University of Oxford, expresse...

Scientists Suggest Orcas Accused of Boat Attacks Might Be Embracing a Trend

26Aug

By Jacob MillerNo Comments

Science

Scientists Suggest Orcas Accused of Boat Attacks Might Be Embracing a Trend

Orcas Accused of Ramming Boats Likely Engaging in Playful Behavior, Scientists Say Experts caution against the mischaracterization of orcas that have been observed colliding with boats, asserting that the animals are not intentionally "attacking" vessels but are likely engaging in playful activities. The prevalence of this misleading narrative poses a threat of retaliation from humans against these creatures. The incidents involving Iberian orcas initiating collisions with boats along the Spanish and Portuguese coast since July 2020 have prompted concerns. Approximately 11 juveniles and four adult females are believed to be involved in these interactions. Some boats display tooth marks, while others bear evidence of being struck by the head or body of a whale multiple times, leading ...

Initial Glimpse from NASA’s Fresh Air Pollution Satellite

25Aug

By Diana JacksonNo Comments

Science

Initial Glimpse from NASA’s Fresh Air Pollution Satellite

Scientists activated a new satellite instrument this summer, offering a glimpse of what will soon become the nation's inaugural continuous air pollution record. Positioned above North America, the satellite is set to provide scientists with hourly updates on nationwide air pollution during daylight hours. Initial images released by researchers reveal shifts in nitrogen dioxide pollution across the United States within a day. "It's truly thrilling to witness the instrument performing as anticipated," said Xiong Liu, the deputy mission director at the Center for Astrophysics managed by Harvard University and the Smithsonian Institution. Named TEMPO, the satellite instrument is designed to measure several other pollutants as well. These images coincide with a summer marked by notably po...

The approaching Full Moon is not only a Supermoon but also qualifies as a Blue Moon

25Aug

By Bryan ScottNo Comments

Science

The approaching Full Moon is not only a Supermoon but also qualifies as a Blue Moon

The upcoming full Moon is scheduled for Wednesday night, August 30, 2023, and will be visible opposite the Sun in Earth-based longitude at 9:36 PM EDT. During this time, the planet Saturn, just days away from its peak brightness for the year, will be situated near the Moon. As evening twilight fades at 8:42 PM, Saturn will be positioned 5 degrees to the upper right of the Moon. Over the course of the evening, Saturn will appear to move in a clockwise direction around the Moon. The full Moon phase will extend for approximately three days around its peak, from Tuesday night to Friday morning. This specific full Moon in August will be classified as a supermoon. Although different criteria are used to determine "supermoons," it is unanimously agreed upon that both full Moons in August of 20...

Astronaut Launch Delayed by SpaceX and NASA for ‘Further Analysis’

25Aug

By Diana JacksonNo Comments

Science

Astronaut Launch Delayed by SpaceX and NASA for ‘Further Analysis’

SpaceX and NASA jointly postponed a highly anticipated mission that aimed to launch four astronauts, each representing a different nation and space agency, to the International Space Station. The sudden delay was announced late on Thursday evening, leaving the specific cause unclear. The crew's SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft was originally scheduled to lift off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 3:50 a.m. ET on Friday. In a statement shared on social media, SpaceX explained that the liftoff had been rescheduled for Saturday, August 26, at 3:27 a.m. The decision was made to allow the teams extra time for analysis and discussions, ensuring thorough preparations. SpaceX affirmed that both the spacecraft and the crew were in optimal condition for t...

The successful moon landing by India highlights Russia’s unsettling shortcomings

24Aug

By Diana JacksonNo Comments

Science

The successful moon landing by India highlights Russia’s unsettling shortcomings

Leroy Chiao, PhD, serves as a consultant and holds the role of CEO and co-founder at One Orbit LLC, a company focused on motivational training, education, and talent management. He brings extensive experience, having served as a NASA astronaut from 1990 to 2005. Chiao participated in four space missions on three Space Shuttles and acted as the copilot of a Russian Soyuz spacecraft, commanding Expedition 10 at the International Space Station. The opinions expressed in this commentary are exclusively his own. Civil space programs are established and maintained by nations for various reasons. Some aim to advance their scientific and technological endeavors, while others seek to expand their technical workforce or inspire the upcoming generation of professionals. Nonetheless, the overarc...

SpaceX Crew-7 Astronauts Set to Conduct Over 200 Science Experiments on the ISS

24Aug

By Jacob MillerNo Comments

Science

SpaceX Crew-7 Astronauts Set to Conduct Over 200 Science Experiments on the ISS

SpaceX Readies Crew-7 Mission for ISS with Over 200 Science Experiments Scheduled for launch on August 25 at 3:49 a.m. EDT (0749 GMT), SpaceX is gearing up for its Crew-7 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission will transport four crew members on the Crew Dragon Endurance spacecraft, propelled by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This diverse crew includes representatives from various space agencies: NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Russian cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov. Their stay will coincide with SpaceX's Crew-6 mission for about a week before taking over Expedition 69, which will transition to Expedition 70 in September. Crew-7's primar...