Three decades after Cornell astronomer Carl Sagan suggested that Voyager 1 snap Earth’s picture from billions of miles away—resulting in the iconic Pale Blue Dot photograph—two astronomers now offer another unique cosmic perspective: Source: https://phys.org/news/2020-10-exoplanets.html…
Tag: photograph
Astronomers capture 1st direct image of young giant exoplanet
For the first time, astronomers have obtained an image of the very young gas giant exoplanet Beta Pictoris c, 63 light-years away. Its sibling, Beta Pictoris b, was discovered and photographed in 2008. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/direct-imaging-of-exoplanet-beta-pictoris-c…
Singapore Becomes First Country To Use Facial Verification For a National ID Service
“Singapore will be the first country in the world to use facial verification in its national identity scheme,” reports the BBC: The biometric check will give Singaporeans secure access to both private and government services. The government’s technology agency says it will be “fundamental” to the country’s digital economy. It has been trialled with a bank and is now being rolled…
The detection of phosphine in Venus’ clouds is a big deal
Here’s how we can find out if it’s a sign of life. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/detection-phosphine-venus-clouds-sign-of-life…
The Fairphone 3+ Is a Repairable Dream That Takes Beautiful Photos
The Fairphone 3+ is a $550 phone with modular parts that can easily be swapped out by users themselves. “In many ways, a Fairphone is the antithesis of the iPhone,” writes Catie Keck via Gizmodo. “It doesn’t benefit most retailers to allow you to easily repair your own stuff, meaning that a lot of gizmos these days — particularly higher-end electronics…
What’s the youngest moon you can see with your eye alone?
It has long been a sport for skywatchers to spot the youngest possible crescent moon after sunset, with the eye alone. What does it take to see a very young moon? Details here. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/what-is-the-youngest-moon-you-can-see-with-your-eye-alone…
This 3.2 gigapixel cauliflower is the largest photograph ever taken
To test the sensors in the largest digital camera ever built, scientists at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory focused in on a Romanesco cauliflower, producing one of the biggest digital photographs ever taken Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2253897-this-3-2-gigapixel-cauliflower-is-the-largest-photograph-ever-taken/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…
Amazing photos in Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter celebration
NASA has posted a sampling of some of the most awe-inspiring photos of Mars, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the launch of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. They are proof that Mars is a very photogenic world. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/mars-photos-mars-reconnaissance-orbiter-15th-anniversary…
What are lightning sprites?
Lightning sprites – aka red sprites – are electrical discharges taking place high in Earth’s atmosphere, above thunderstorms. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/definition-what-are-lightning-sprites…
Russell Kirsch, Inventor of the Pixel, Passed Away This Week
Computer scientist Russell A. Kirsch, the inventor of the pixel and an undisputed pioneer of digital imaging, passed away on Tuesday in his Portland home from complications arising from a form of Alzheimer’s disease. He was 91 years old. From a report: Russell Kirsch may not be a name that you immediately recognize, but his contributions to computer science made digital…