Electrical Car Salesman and tech guy Elon Musk Find Dolphins on mars. Picture this—a tech genius and an electric car salesman, both on an interplanetary journey, stumble upon an unexpected visitor on Mars: a dolphin! As they stand there in disbelief, the dolphin, equipped with a high-tech water suit, starts communicating through holograms. Turns out, it's part of an interstellar research program from an advanced aquatic civilization.
More on this story at 10:00
April 8, 2024
Ancient Astronaut theorists claim staring at a Solar Eclipse like the one tomorrow will cause you turn into a reverse vampire or something. We don't know. But here is what the
internet has to say.
Frequency: There are about two to five solar eclipses each year. They’re like the celestial rock concerts of the sky—rare but memorable1.
Speed Demon: The Moon travels in front of the Sun at approximately 1,398 miles per hour (2,250 kilometers per hour). It’s like the Moon’s version of a cosmic racecar1.
Polar Exclusion: There is never a total solar eclipse at the north and south poles. Apparently, polar bears and penguins aren’t fans of cosmic shadow play1.
Duration: A typical total solar eclipse lasts about 7 minutes and 30 seconds. That’s your window to experience daytime darkness and cosmic awe1.
Alignment Dance: Solar eclipses occur when the Sun, the Moon, and Earth align (or get into syzygy, as astronomers say). The Moon casts its shadow on our planet, creating this celestial spectacle2.
New Moon Magic: Solar eclipses only happen during the New Moon phase. It’s like the Moon’s way of saying, "Hey, let’s throw some shade!"2.
Orbit Tilt: The Moon’s orbit is tilted about 5 degrees compared to Earth’s orbit around the Sun. These orbital intersections (called nodes) determine when eclipses occur. It’s like celestial choreography2.
Varying Totalities: The total phases of solar eclipses vary in time because Earth’s distance from the Sun and the Moon’s distance from Earth change. The Moon’s apparent diameter can range from 10 percent smaller to 7 percent larger than the Sun’s, leading to different eclipse durations2.
Magnitude and Obscuration: Astronomers categorize solar eclipses based on their magnitude (the percent of the Sun’s diameter covered by the Moon) and obscuration (the percent of the Sun’s total surface area covered). It’s like eclipse math, and it’s fascinating stuff
Remember to use proper eye protection when observing the eclipse, and enjoy this cosmic spectacle! 🌞🌚🔭
Picture this: You’re standing in your backyard, wearing your oversized eclipse glasses (because safety first, folks). The sun is playing peek-a-boo with the moon, and the sky darkens. It’s like the universe decided to throw a surprise party, and you’re the guest of honor. But little do you know, this eclipse isn’t your run-of-the-mill astronomical spectacle.
As the moon slides across the sun, something strange happens. Your skin tingles. Your hair stands on end. And suddenly, you feel an inexplicable urge to dance the cha-cha. Congratulations, my friend—you’re halfway to becoming a magnetic reverse vampire.
Magnetism: You’ll notice that metal objects cling to you like clingy exes. Car keys, paperclips, and that old spoon you’ve been meaning to throw out—they all stick to your skin. You’re like a walking refrigerator door.
Reverse Sunburn: Forget about regular sunburns. You’re now susceptible to reverse sunburns. Instead of turning red, your skin becomes translucent, revealing your inner glow. People mistake you for a jellyfish at the beach. It’s a real confidence booster.
Craving for Garlic-Flavored Magnets: Suddenly, garlic isn’t just for pasta. You dream of garlic-flavored magnets. You scour the internet for recipes: “Garlic-Infused Neodymium: A Sensational Snack!” Your friends stage an intervention.
Nocturnal Urges: You used to be a morning person. Now, you’re a creature of the night. You binge-watch infomercials and contemplate the mysteries of the universe. Your cat side-eyes you, wondering if you’ve lost it.
Embrace your newfound identity! Here’s how to thrive as a magnetic reverse vampire:
Fashion Choices: Ditch the cape; it’s so last century. Opt for metallic jumpsuits. You’re basically a disco ball with fangs.
Dating Scene: Update your Tinder profile: “Seeking fellow magnetic beings. Must love moonlit walks and spontaneous levitation.”
Dietary Preferences: Garlic, iron-rich foods, and the occasional refrigerator magnet. Skip the blood; it’s overrated.
Social Life: Attend eclipse parties. Swap magnetism tips with other reverse vampires. Avoid werewolves—they’re jealous of your superior lunar connection.
So there you have it, dear readers. The next time a solar eclipse graces our skies, remember this cautionary tale. Stare at your own risk. Become a magnetic reverse vampire at your own peril. And if you find yourself levitating during a lunar eclipse, just go with it. After all, life’s too short to be ordinary—especially when you can be extraordinarily weird.
Stay magnetic, my friends. And may your garlic-flavored magnets never lose their allure! 🌚🧛♂️🧲
In the unlikely event of a zombie apocalypse, where the world teeters on the brink of chaos, you find yourself armed with nothing but a humble spoon. Fear not! Here's a practical guide to surviving the undead onslaught using your trusty utensil:
Remember, survival isn't about fancy gadgets; it's about adaptability, creativity, and sheer determination. So wield that spoon with pride, fellow survivor! 🥄🧟♂️
Located in Los Alamos, New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory holds a significant place in history as the birthplace of the Manhattan Project during World War II. The lab played a pivotal role in the development of the first atomic bombs, which were used in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
In 1942, during the early stages of World War II, the U.S. government established the Manhattan Project, a top-secret research and development initiative aimed at building atomic weapons. Los Alamos was chosen as the primary site for this ambitious endeavor due to its remote location and suitable geography, making it an ideal place for conducting highly classified research and testing.
Under the leadership of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, a team of brilliant scientists and engineers worked tirelessly at Los Alamos to design and assemble the world's first nuclear weapons. The laboratory was cloaked in utmost secrecy, and its existence was kept hidden from the general public throughout the war.
On July 16, 1945, the first successful test of an atomic bomb, code-named "Trinity," took place at the Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery Range in New Mexico, not far from Los Alamos. The successful detonation of the plutonium implosion-type device confirmed the feasibility of the atomic bomb and paved the way for its eventual use in combat.
Following the successful Trinity test, the atomic bombs were deployed against Japan, leading to the bombings of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. These catastrophic events led to Japan's surrender and marked the end of World War II.
After the war, Los Alamos continued its role as a premier research institution for nuclear science, national security, and non-proliferation efforts. The laboratory's research expanded into various scientific disciplines, including nuclear physics, weapons design, space exploration, and computational science.
In modern times, Los Alamos National Laboratory remains one of the United States' key facilities for nuclear research and development, but its focus has diversified to include a wide range of scientific and national security endeavors. The lab's expertise extends beyond nuclear weapons, encompassing fields such as materials science, high-performance computing, cybersecurity, and renewable energy technologies.
While Los Alamos National Laboratory holds a significant historical legacy as the birthplace of the atomic bomb, it continues to be at the forefront of scientific innovation and research, making crucial contributions to national security and global scientific advancements.
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, might not appear synonymous with nuclear testing, yet its link to such endeavors stretches back to the early 1960s. The covert "Project Dribble" saw the dispersal of low-level radioactive particles over the city, intending to study atmospheric nuclear material dispersion. Over the years, concerns have arisen about potential health impacts from this experiment.
The lingering radiation in Hattiesburg has been a subject of speculation, with locals raising questions about its long-term effects on the population. Though authorities have conducted surveys to assess radiation levels, the clandestine nature of "Project Dribble" has shrouded the full extent of radiation exposure in mystery. As health concerns persist, there is a growing call for comprehensive monitoring and investigations to ensure public safety.
In the heart of Mississippi's dense forests, the Salmon Site in Baxterville stands as a lesser-known relic of the United States' nuclear testing era. Situated approximately 25 miles southwest of Hattiesburg, this remote area played a role in testing nuclear devices during the Cold War.
Thank you for providing more information about the Salmon Site in Baxterville, Mississippi. Based on the details you provided, here's a summary of the key points:
The Salmon Site was located in Baxterville, Mississippi, which is situated fewer than 100 miles northeast of New Orleans. It was selected by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission due to its geographical feature of sitting atop the Tatum Salt Dome, a large underground salt formation.
The site was used for nuclear testing, and two significant tests were conducted:
In 2010, the U.S. government transferred the land to the state of Mississippi. The state has since used the site as a state timber preserve. Today, the only standing evidence of the clandestine nuclear operation is a marker and plaque, serving as a reminder of the historical significance of the site.
On December 10, 1967, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), a predecessor agency of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), detonated a 29-kiloton-yield nuclear device in the emplacement well (GB-E) at a depth of 4,227 feet in an attempt to stimulate production of natural gas from the overlying gas-bearing Pictured Cliffs Formation. The detonation produced extremely high temperatures that vaporized a volume of rock, temporarily creating a cavity surrounded by a fractured area extending outward from the detonation point. Shortly after the detonation, the overlying fractured rock collapsed into the void space, creating a rubble-filled collapse chimney that extends above the detonation point. As the former cavity cooled, the melted and vaporized rock collected and solidified at the bottom of the former cavity (now the lower part of the collapse chimney). Most of the high-melting-point radionuclides were trapped in this solidified melt rock, which is often referred to as melt glass due to its (glassy) texture.
The purpose of the detonation was to stimulate the flow of natural gas through the fractures created by the blast and use the collapse chimney as a collection chamber. This was the first natural gas reservoir stimulation experiment in the Plowshare Program, which was designed to develop peaceful uses for nuclear energy. AEC, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the El Paso Natural Gas Company jointly sponsored Project Gasbuggy.
A reentry well (GB-ER) was drilled into the collapse chimney created by the detonation, and contaminated gas in the detonation zone (former cavity and collapse chimney) was produced and flared through a series of production tests. Production testing began in July 1968 and ended in October 1969 after producing 213 million cubic feet of natural gas during five tests. The test stimulated gas production in greater quantities than in nearby conventional gas wells, but the natural gas still had measurable amounts of radioactive constituents. Results of the natural gas production testing were evaluated, and it was determined that the gas had a significantly lower heat value and that fracturing into the gas-bearing formation outward from the chimney (above the cavity) did not penetrate as extensively as expected. In 1976, it was decided that no further testing would be conducted at the site.
AEC decommissioned and demobilized the site in 1978. Structures and equipment used for the test were decontaminated, if necessary, and removed. Liquid radioactive waste was injected into the former cavity, now the lower part of the collapse chimney. Solid radioactive waste was removed and transported to the Nevada National Security Site (formerly known as the Nevada Test Site), and test wells were decommissioned and plugged. Soil sampling was performed in 1978, 1986, 2000, and 2002. Cultural resources, endangered and sensitive species, and floodplain and wetland surveys were performed in 1993. Final surface remediation was completed in 2004.
The Marshall Islands Nuclear Tests refer to a series of nuclear tests conducted by the United States in the Marshall Islands, a group of islands located in the central Pacific Ocean. These tests were carried out as part of the United States' nuclear weapons testing program during the mid-20th century, primarily during the Cold War era.
The Marshall Islands, which were then administered by the United States as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, were chosen as a test site due to their strategic location and relatively low population. The testing took place at two primary atolls in the Marshall Islands: Bikini Atoll and Enewetak Atoll.
The nuclear tests conducted in the Marshall Islands had significant environmental and health consequences for the local populations and the surrounding ecosystems. The inhabitants of Bikini and Enewetak Atolls were relocated to other islands in the Marshall Islands due to the contamination caused by the tests. The legacy of the nuclear testing continues to impact the Marshall Islands, with ongoing efforts to address environmental remediation and compensate affected communities.
It's important to note that the Marshall Islands is an independent nation today, and it has advocated for nuclear disarmament and the recognition of the lasting effects of the nuclear tests conducted in its territory on the international stage.
On October 26, 1963, a 12-kiloton nuclear device was detonated here in granite some 1,211 feet below the ground surface. The Project Shoal site was located about 30 miles east of Fallon, Nevada. The goal was to test underground nuclear detonations, as atmospheric tests were forbidden by the Limited Test Ban Treaty during the Cold War. The site's granite bedrock made it a suitable location for this type of test.
Project Shoal was heavily monitored, particularly for tritium (hydrogen-3), a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. Tritium was of interest because it could contaminate water, which was crucial to monitor in the arid lands where the test was conducted. The site continues to be subject to ongoing surveillance and research due to potential environmental impacts.
If you want to visit the Project Shoal site, go about 31.9 miles east on US-50 from the intersection of US-50 and US-95 N in Fallon, Nevada, to the junction of Nevada SR 839 (the "Scheelite Mine Rd"). Proceed 5 miles south to GZ ("ground zero"; "G2" on some maps due to a cartographer's misreading) road and turn right. The road is graded and should be passable to ordinary passenger cars in dry weather. The stone monument is about 250 feet up the access road, and visitors can drive right up to it.
In the early 1960s, atmospheric nuclear tests were banned by the Limited Test Ban Treaty, leading the U.S. Government to shift focus to underground testing. Nevada became a key location for these underground tests.
Other significant nuclear test sites in Nevada include the Nevada Test Site (now known as the Nevada National Security Site), which hosted numerous underground and atmospheric tests. The Nevada Test Site was essential for nuclear weapons testing during the Cold War.
Additionally, there were various other remote test sites across Nevada, contributing to the understanding of nuclear explosives and their effects.
On September 23rd, 2022, NASA’s DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission made history by smashing into an asteroid in an attempt to change its path. The mission's primary goal is to test whether humanity could deflect a space rock if it were going to hit Earth.
The DART spacecraft was launched in November 2021, and it traveled over 10 months to reach its target, the moonlet Dimorphos, which orbits a larger asteroid called Didymos. The spacecraft reached the Didymos system on September 22nd and was scheduled to collide with Dimorphos the following day.
The impact was successful, with DART colliding with Dimorphos at a speed of about 6 kilometers per second, or over 21,000 kilometers per hour. The impact created a crater on the asteroid's surface, and the spacecraft's kinetic energy caused it to change its trajectory.
The DART mission's success marks a significant milestone in humanity's ability to defend against potentially hazardous asteroids. If a large asteroid were to be detected on a collision course with Earth, a similar mission could be launched to deflect it off its trajectory and avoid a catastrophic impact.
The DART mission is a joint effort between NASA and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, and it is part of NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office, which is responsible for identifying and tracking potentially hazardous asteroids and developing strategies for mitigating the threat.
The mission's success is a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of the scientists and engineers who worked on the project. It represents a significant step forward in our understanding of asteroid deflection techniques and our ability to protect earth in such an event.
Several asteroids are set to pass by Earth this week, with some coming uncomfortably close. Although none of them are expected to collide with our planet, the possibility of an impact raises concerns about our survival.
The largest asteroid to come near Earth this week is called 2023 AG15, which is estimated to be between 73 and 164 feet in diameter. It will pass within 1.8 million miles of Earth on March 26th. While this may seem like a large distance, in astronomical terms it's a relatively close call. However, scientists have confirmed that there is no risk of impact. Another asteroid, named 2023 AC12, will also make a close approach to Earth on March 25th, passing within 1.9 million miles. This asteroid is smaller, estimated to be between 30 and 68 feet in diameter, and poses no threat to Earth. Finally, a third asteroid called 2023 AE4 will pass by Earth on March 24th, but at a much safer distance of over 5 million miles away. Although the chances of any of these asteroids colliding with Earth are low, the possibility of an impact is always a concern. NASA and other space agencies are closely monitoring these asteroids and others that may pose a threat in the future. If an asteroid were to be on a collision course with Earth, scientists would work to deflect it using various methods, such as gravitational attraction or explosive force. Overall, while the passing of these asteroids may cause some unease, there is no immediate danger to our planet. However, it's important to continue monitoring and preparing for potential threats from space.
American nuclear physicist and father of the atom bomb J. Robert Oppenheimer is pictured in the 1940s.
The Biden administration is reversing a 1954 decision that revoked J. Robert Oppenheimer, known as the father of the atomic bomb, of his security clearance and ultimately ended his career as a physicist.
The famed physicist became one of the world's leading researchers in theoretical physics — and became an integral figure in the creation of the atomic bomb during World War II — but later arose suspicion due to his association with progressive causes and opposition to developing the hydrogen bomb.
During the height of anti-communist hysteria in the 1950s, the Atomic Energy Commission, which preceded the Department of Energy, launched an investigation that stripped Oppenheimer of his security clearance. The 1954 decision irreversibly damaged his career.
But now the Department of Energy is revoking its previous decision — calling the investigation a "flawed process that violated the Commission's own regulations," Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said in a press release on Friday.
"As time has passed, more evidence has come to light of the bias and unfairness of the process that Dr. Oppenheimer was subjected to while the evidence of his loyalty and love of country have only been further affirmed," Granholm said.
The decision comes after decades of lobbying from the scientific community to clear Oppenheimer's reputation.
"History matters and what was done to Oppenheimer in 1954 was a travesty, a black mark on the honor of the nation," Kai Bird, co-author of the Oppenheimer biography American Prometheus, told The New York Times. "Students of American history will now be able to read the last chapter and see that what was done to Oppenheimer in that kangaroo court proceeding was not the last word."
Granholm said the Department of Energy is also reversing the decision because of a "responsibility to correct the historical record and honor Dr. Oppenheimer's profound contributions to our national defense and the scientific enterprise at large."
Oppenheimer died in 1967. A new film about the famed physicist, titled Oppenheimer, is scheduled to hit screens in July.
