What’s the coldest Earth has ever been?

Our planet’s history includes episodes of cold so extreme that glaciers reached sea level in equatorial regions. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/whats-coldest-earth-has-ever-been…

Astrophysicists design ‘radically different’ world map

You know the old problem of how to portray the round globe of Earth on a flat map? Now a trio of map experts has worked together to solve this problem. Their new map is 2-sided and round. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/astrophysicists-new-design-world-map…

Why Google’s Internet Balloon Project Loon Failed

Alphabet announced last month that it was winding down Loon, a nine-year-old project and a two-and-a-half-year-old spin off firm, after failing to find a sustainable business model and partners for one of its most prominent moonshot projects. Business Insider shares more details on why the project failed. From the report, which may be paywalled: CEO Alastair Wingarth told The New York…

Knifefish use electric fields to develop a complex social hierarchy

The brown ghost knifefish of South America can generate electric signals – and they seem to use them to develop and maintain a sophisticated social hierarchy Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2268008-knifefish-use-electric-fields-to-develop-a-complex-social-hierarchy/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

See the young moon on February 12, 13 and 14

Beginning on February 12, look west after sunset for the young moon – a thin lunar crescent – in the west shortly after sunset. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/young-moon-feb-12-13-14-2021…

Fossil Fuels Caused 8.7 Million Deaths Globally in 2018, Research Finds

Air pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil was responsible for 8.7 million deaths globally in 2018, a staggering one in five of all people who died that year, new research has found. From a report: Countries with the most prodigious consumption of fossil fuels to power factories, homes and vehicles are suffering the highest…

Covid-19 news: UK bans travel from South America over new virus strain

The latest coronavirus news updated every day including coronavirus cases, the latest news, features and interviews from New Scientist and essential information about the covid-19 pandemic Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2237475-covid-19-news-uk-bans-travel-from-south-america-over-new-virus-strain/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

See the moon’s shadow on Earth from the 2020 total solar eclipse in these stunning satellite views

Skywatchers in southern South America were treated to a total solar eclipse on Monday (Dec. 14), and a weather satellite captured stunning views of the event from space. Source: https://www.livescience.com/total-solar-eclipse-2020-moon-shadow-earth-satellite-video.html

The moon’s shadow on Earth yesterday

During a total solar eclipse, the moon’s shadow sweeps across Earth. Those in the shadow’s path see the total eclipse. Those outside the path of the shadow may see varying stages of a partial eclipse. Source: https://earthsky.org/todays-image/photo-moon-shadow-total-eclipse-dec14-2020-goes-east…

Spectacular! Moon and Venus before sunrise

Over these next few days – December 11, 12 and 13, 2090 – watch for the waning crescent moon to pass by the dazzling planet Venus. Source: https://earthsky.org/tonight/spectacular-moon-and-venus-before-sunrise…