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Mount Erebus, the southernmost active volcano located in Antarctica, has captured headlines for its extraordinary phenomenon of emitting gold dust worth $6000 each day. This remarkable event sees approximately 80 grams of gold dust expelled from the volcano daily, as reported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Earth Observatory. As the world's sole erupting phonolite volcano, Mount Erebus has garnered attention for its unique spectacle of "raining" gold onto Earth's surface. According to IFL Science, the gold dust ejected by the volcano is crystallized within pockets of gas, dispersing as far as 621 miles from its source. Standing at 12,448 feet, Mount Erebus is not only the tallest active volcano in Antarctica but also among the most volatile. Its daily contribution of gold dust has sparked curiosity among many regarding the possibility of acquiring this precious metal. However, accessing the volcano's remote location renders such aspirat...

A recent expedition by NASA's Juno spacecraft has uncovered intriguing secrets hidden beneath the surface of Jupiter's moon, Io. Flying within approximately 1,500 kilometers of the moon's northern latitudes, Juno captured the first-ever close-up images, revealing two remarkable features: a towering mountain and a serene lake of cooling lava. Led by principal investigator Scott Bolton, scientists transformed data collected during flybys in December 2023 and February 2024 into captivating animations, showcasing Io's dramatic landscape. Bolton expressed excitement over the discoveries, noting Io's abundance of volcanoes and the opportunity to observe some in action. Particularly noteworthy was the observation of a 200-kilometer-long lava lake named Loki Patera, where intricate details revealed islands amidst the potential magma lake, surrounded by hot lava. The smooth surface of the lake, resembling glass, intrigued researchers and drew parallels to volcanic obsidian g...

Geography: Fourth largest continent, bordered by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Home to the Andes Mountains and the Amazon Rainforest. Culture: Diverse mix of indigenous, European, African, and immigrant influences. Spanish and Portuguese are dominant languages. Economy: Rich in natural resources like coffee, soybeans, and minerals. Economic disparities exist among countries. Tourism: Draws visitors with natural wonders like Iguazu Falls and cultural attractions like Machu Picchu. Popular for adventure tourism. Countries : Twelve countries. The brief details of all countries are given below. Argentina Capital: Buenos Aires Currency: Argentine Peso Official language: Spanish Government: Republic, Representative democracy, Presidential system, Federal republic, Constitutional republic Population: 4.62 crores (2022) World Bank Dialing code: +54   Bolivia Capital: Sucre Currency: Bolivian boliviano Official languages: Spanish, Paraguayan Guaraní, Mòoré, Aymara Government...

Trojan War (c. 1194–1184 BCE ) -  A legendary conflict between the city of Troy and the Greeks, as recounted in Homer's epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey.The Trojan War, as depicted in Greek mythology and the epic poems of Homer, involved the city of Troy and the Greeks. The war was sparked by the abduction of Helen, wife of Menelaus, by Paris of Troy. It ended with the Greeks using the Trojan Horse to infiltrate Troy and achieve victory, although the historical accuracy of these events is debated. Peloponnesian War (431–404 BCE) -   Fought between the city-states of Athens and Sparta and their respective allies in ancient Greece.Fought between the city-states of Athens and Sparta and their respective allies in ancient Greece. The war was a result of long-standing tensions between the two powerful city-states and their differing political systems. It ended with the defeat of Athens, leading to the decline of Athenian power and the eventual dominance of Sparta in the region...

Simon Stiell, the UN climate chief, delivered a poignant address titled "Two Years to Save the World," warning that humanity has only a two-year window to prevent a climate catastrophe. Stiell urged nations to urgently enhance their climate plans, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), as outlined in the Paris Agreement. Despite the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) call for global greenhouse gas emissions to peak before 2025 and decrease by 43% by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5°C, current NDCs are insufficient in achieving this goal. Speaking at Chatham House in London, Stiell stressed the imperative for stronger climate plans, emphasizing that existing NDCs will barely make a dent in emissions reduction by 2030. He emphasized the significance of a new generation of national climate plans to curb greenhouse gas emissions effectively. Stiell highlighted the crucial role of a new climate finance agreement at the upcoming UN Climate Conference (...

The White House has issued a directive for NASA to formulate a new time zone for the moon by the conclusion of 2026. This initiative is part of the United States' broader objective to establish standardized practices in space, coinciding with the escalating global interest in establishing a sustained human presence on the lunar surface, a primary focus of NASA's Artemis program. The proposed lunar time standard, termed "Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC)," is a significant step towards establishing consistent timekeeping norms beyond Earth's boundaries, as outlined in an April 2 memorandum by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). The memo did not clarify whether multiple time zones, akin to those on Earth, would be implemented on the moon. It emphasized the importance of U.S. leadership in formulating a suitable standard capable of meeting the precision and durability demands of operating within the lunar environment, benefitting all nations in...

Solar Eclipse captured by Elon Musk's STARLINK Solar Eclipse captured by International Space Station

 Scientists from Arizona State University (ASU) have made a significant discovery in a remote region of Antarctica, identifying 13 new viruses, two of which could potentially impact humans. The research, conducted over two years in the McMurdo Sound area, focused on Weddell seals and uncovered viruses belonging to the papillomavirus family. These microscopic organisms have the ability to infect various species, including humans, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The viruses were detected in 109 nasal and vaginal swabs collected by the experts between 2015 and 2017. The findings detailing this discovery have been published in the journal Virology. The research team emphasizes that this discovery will contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of papillomaviruses. Melanie Regney, a second-year PhD student and lead author of the study, expressed excitement about uncovering viruses in creatures previously overlooked by researchers. She emphasized the ubiquitous nature of viruses...

 On April 8, the world will experience its first solar eclipse of the year, marking a significant astronomical event. This eclipse holds particular significance as it is the first total solar eclipse since December 4, 2021, adding to its uniqueness. Scientists are eagerly anticipating this event as it provides a rare opportunity to observe the Sun from both space and Earth, offering valuable insights for comprehensive analysis. While astronomers encourage participation in witnessing this rare celestial event, caution is advised. Ordinary sunglasses are insufficient protection against the Sun's powerful rays during an eclipse, as direct observation can lead to severe consequences such as blindness or vision impairment. Additionally, NASA has cautioned against using smartphone cameras to capture images of the Sun during the eclipse. Solar eclipses occur when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth. In Hindu mythology, solar eclipses hold special significance, often associated w...

Total Solar Eclipse: The total solar eclipse scheduled on April 8, 2024, is an astronomical event that will sadly remain a far-off sight for fans in India. Nevertheless, it is a spectacle that will thrill observers throughout North America. The full moon phase, during which the sun is totally obscured by the moon and casts a shadow on Earth, will pass across Mexico, the US, and Canada, but it won't be visible from the Indian subcontinent. WHEN INDIA SHOULD WATCH IT The eclipse is scheduled to begin over the South Pacific Ocean, with Mexico's Pacific coast serving as the first point of contact on continental North America at around 11:07 a.m. PDT (11:37 p.m. IST). From then, the shadow will pass through a number of US states, with a little amount of visibility remaining in Tennessee and Michigan, as well as Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. At approximately 5:16 p.m. NDT (1:16 a.m. ...

Following the close passage of two 100-foot asteroids near Earth yesterday, another asteroid is poised to approach our planet today, with NASA closely monitoring its trajectory. Asteroids, remnants from the early formation of the solar system, vary in size and are predominantly found in the asteroid belt. However, factors like gravitational interactions with nearby planets can dislodge some asteroids from this belt. Due to the potential for significant destruction, space agencies worldwide, including NASA, continuously track these celestial objects. NASA employs a network of space- and Earth-based telescopes and satellites to monitor asteroids around the clock, sharing their findings regularly. Each day sees several asteroid flybys, some of which come remarkably close to Earth. Currently under scrutiny is Asteroid 2024 FL3, measuring 100 feet in diameter, with NASA providing details on its proximity to our planet. According to NASA's data, Asteroid FL3 will approach within approxim...

A recent study suggests that NASA's asteroid-deflection mission, DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test), may have inadvertently launched numerous boulders on a potential collision course with Mars. In 2022, NASA conducted the DART mission, intentionally crashing a spacecraft into an asteroid named Dimorphos to alter its orbit, along with the trajectory of its larger counterpart, Didymos. The objective was to test methods for diverting potentially hazardous near-Earth asteroids, akin to those responsible for the extinction of nonavian dinosaurs. Initial assessments deemed DART a remarkable success; it successfully shifted Dimorphos' orbit by 32 minutes and altered its shape significantly. However, an unforeseen outcome emerged: the collision propelled a swarm of 37 boulders, some measuring up to 22 feet (6.7 meters), into space. Andy Rivkin, an astronomer at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and a member of the DART team, expressed surprise at the quantity and size o...

1. Plan Ahead: Determine if you can access a location where the eclipse will be visible. Use resources like NASA's map to identify suitable viewing spots. Arrange travel and accommodation accordingly. Ensure your smartphone has a good telephoto lens and sensor, or bring along a friend with a suitable device. Remember to clean your smartphone's lens before shooting. 2. Protect Your Eyes and Smartphone: Never look directly at the eclipse without proper eye protection, such as solar viewing or eclipse glasses. Consider using a solar imaging filter on your smartphone's camera to protect its sensor and enhance image quality. Remove the filter during totality to capture the Sun's corona. 3. Practice: Familiarize yourself with your smartphone's camera settings, especially if it has a "Pro" mode for manual adjustments. Practice taking photos of the Moon and the setting Sun to understand your device's capabilities better. 4. Experiment with Different Approaches...

Researchers at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois have made a groundbreaking discovery: a vast reservoir of water lying deep beneath the Earth's surface, approximately 700 kilometers below us. This hidden underground water source was uncovered during investigations into the origins of Earth's water. The findings were published in a 2014 study titled "Dehydration melting at the top of the lower mantle," where scientists detailed the identification of this colossal oceanic body hidden within the Earth's mantle. The oceanic reservoir is encased within a type of blue rock called ringwoodite, located deep within the mantle, which is the layer of hot rock between the Earth's surface and its core. The sheer size of this reservoir has led to speculation that Earth's oceans might have gradually seeped out from the planet's interior. Remarkably, this subterranean water body is estimated to be three times the volume of all the oceans on the Earth's...

Taiwan's highest tower is equipped with an innovative system that protects it from powerful winds and earthquakes. The "tuned mass damper" has a 40% reduction in the building's movement. Taipei 101, Taiwan's tallest tower, escaped with only minor damage from a recent 7.4-magnitude earthquake. CNN claims that its creative design, which incorporates a massive pendulum, is partially responsible for this. The building's central giant yellow pendulum served as a shock absorber. Called "Damper Baby," the pendulum is a tuned mass damper situated at the center of the structure, a 660-metric-ton steel sphere suspended over 1,000 feet above the ground. According to the news outlet, the sphere sways in response to the movement of the building during an earthquake or severe winds, lessening its sway by as much as 40%. The 41 steel layers that make up the pendulum are suspended between the 87th and 92nd levels. It swings within a restriction of 59 inches to preve...