Category: 7. Science

SpaceX has successfully delivered a new team of astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) in a short 15-hour trip.

The four US, Russian and Japanese astronauts pulled up in their SpaceX capsule after launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre. Their arrival brought the current number of people at the station to 11.

While a 15-hour trip is considered speedy by US standards, the Russians hold the record for the fastest trip to the space station – a lightning-fast three hours.

The four astronauts to join the team on the ISS are NASA’s Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japan’s Kimiya Yui and Russia’s Oleg Platonov – each of whom had been originally assigned to other missions.

“Hello, space station,” Mr Fincke radioed as soon as the capsule belonging to billionaire Elon Musk’s space company docked high above the South Pacific.

Ms Cardman and another astronaut were pulled from a SpaceX flight last year to make room for NASA’s two stuck astronauts, Boeing Starliner test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who ended up stranded on the ISS for nine months.

Mr Fincke and Mr Yui had been training for the next Starliner mission but switched to SpaceX as Starliner is grounded by thruster and other problems until 2026.

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Mr Platonov was bumped from the Soyuz launch line-up a couple of years ago because of an undisclosed illness.

The crew will spend at least six months at the orbital lab, swapping places with four colleagues who have been on the ISS since March.

It’s expected SpaceX will bring the previous four back to Earth as early as Wednesday.

TOKYO – Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui arrived at the International Space Station on Saturday aboard a SpaceX spacecraft with three other astronauts, marking his second space mission.

The Crew-11 team, which also includes two Americans and one Russian, flew for nearly 15 hours after lifting off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday local time. They are on a six-month mission to conduct experiments aimed at supporting future lunar exploration and advancing the development of new drugs and materials.

“My fellow Japanese out there, I have come back to space for the first time in 10 years,” Yui, a mission specialist, said in Japanese from inside the Crew Dragon capsule after it separated from the booster rocket.

“I’m resolved to perform my duties well, shine like a star of the first magnitude and let people all over the world know great things about Japan,” he said.

Japan’s Takuya Onishi, who has been staying at the ISS since March and serving as its commander since April, is scheduled to return to Earth after a handover period of several days. The 49-year-old former airline pilot is the third Japanese astronaut to serve as ISS commander.

Yui, a 55-year-old Nagano Prefecture native and former Air Self-Defense Force pilot, previously stayed at the ISS between July and December 2015, and was responsible for the docking of an unmanned supply craft developed by Japan.

Among other duties, he will take part in testing carbon dioxide removal technology essential to the U.S.-led Artemis lunar exploration program.

Yui may also engage in capturing HTV-X, the new unmanned spacecraft developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, by manipulating a robotic arm when the transfer vehicle approaches the ISS.

Besides JAXA’s Yui, the Crew-11 mission includes Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke of NASA, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov.

Political debates on social media are often seen as toxic and unproductive. But a new study from Denmark suggests that targeted tweaks can make these conversations significantly more constructive.

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen set out to systematically test which factors actually drive quality discussions online. Between July and August 2023, the team ran an experiment with 3,303 participants from the US and UK using the Prolific platform. They used GPT-4 to generate arguments.

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Rather than relying on canned responses or generic topics, the researchers had GPT-4 create counterarguments tailored to each participant’s political beliefs. This approach helped them overcome a common challenge in political science experiments, where studies often depend on unrealistic scenarios or lack experimental control.

GPT-4 as a tailored debate partner

To test different effects, GPT-4 was instructed to vary its responses across four dimensions: evidence-based vs. emotional arguments, respectful vs. sarcastic tone, willingness to compromise vs. intransigence, and party-affiliated vs. neutral identity.

Three human coders reviewed the participant responses using a standard rubric. The team also ran additional checks to ensure the AI-generated arguments matched the assigned instructions and that there was no content overlap between test groups. Their results build on earlier research showing that GPT-4’s arguments can be just as convincing and original as human ones, as long as quality controls are in place.

When the LLM used a respectful tone, participants were 9 percentage points more likely to give high-quality responses. Evidence-based arguments boosted quality by 6 points, and signaling a willingness to compromise added another 5 points.

Surprisingly, party identity had little influence. People did not respond much differently to arguments from political opponents compared to those from their own side. In fact, arguments without any party affiliation worked best.

Combining all the positive factors more than doubled the chance of a constructive reply, raising it from 24% to 47%. The elements also interacted: for example, evidence-based arguments made disrespect less likely, and openness to compromise encouraged the other side to offer better justifications.

The experiment revealed subtle dynamics. Evidence-based arguments improved justification quality and reduced disrespectful replies. Willingness to compromise made participants on the other side more likely to engage constructively, even when the original argument’s quality wasn’t varied.

The findings suggest that in polarized environments, the style and substance of arguments matter more than party identity. Destructive debates may have less to do with political divides than with the tone and approach of the conversation itself.

Improving debates doesn’t change minds

While the interventions led to better discourse, they didn’t shift people’s core political views. Higher-quality discussion improved the overall tone but rarely led to changes in opinion.

Still, participants did become more open to alternative perspectives. However, polarization only dropped slightly when arguments came from someone sharing the participant’s party affiliation.

The researchers argue that learning better ways to argue is key to healthier democratic debate online. AI could help social platforms steer users toward more productive conversations if they choose to use these tools.

A metallic ring weighing over 1,100 pounds crash-landed in Kenya just before New Year’s Eve, sending shockwaves—literal and figurative—through the small community of Mukuku, about 115 kilometers southeast of Nairobi. Experts from the Kenya Space Agency (KSA) later confirmed the object was a separation ring from a space launch vehicle, raising urgent questions about the growing problem of space debris orbiting Earth.

A Terrifying Crash and a Community on Edge

According to eyewitness accounts gathered by the BBC’s Waihiga Mwaura, residents first heard “a loud whizzing sound followed by a boom,” described by 75-year-old farmer Stephen Mangoka as “like a bomb going off.” The object, about 8 feet (2.44 meters) in diameter, landed on farmland near a dry riverbed and was red-hot for nearly two hours before villagers could approach.

Crowds gathered quickly, drawn by curiosity and fear, taking photos and speculating whether it was part of a rocket, a satellite, or something more sinister. Fearing scrap metal thieves might target the ring, villagers took turns guarding it overnight with local officials. By the next day, KSA teams had secured the object and transported it for testing.

Is Space Debris Becoming More Dangerous?

The Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority confirmed the ring carried slightly elevated radiation levels, though “not at a level harmful to humans.” Still, the incident rattled locals, some of whom reported cracks in their homes and worried about future health risks. Others demanded compensation, pointing to the Outer Space Treaty, which makes the launching state legally liable for damage caused by its space objects.

Pinpointing responsibility, however, is tricky. KSA director general Brigadier Hillary Kipkosgey noted the ring was a “common item in many rockets” and said investigations were ongoing. The UK Space Agency suggested it may belong to an Ariane rocket launched in 2008. If so, the ring could have been silently orbiting Earth for more than 16 years before its fiery descent.

A Global Challenge Growing Harder to Ignore

This isn’t an isolated event. NASA estimates over 6,000 tons of space debris currently orbit our planet, with more than 27,000 pieces large enough to be tracked. Most of this material burns up on re-entry, but larger fragments can survive—and as the number of satellites and rockets in use climbs, so do the odds of impact.

Similar incidents have already been recorded across Africa. In 2023, suspected space debris was found scattered across villages in western Uganda. Just days after the Mukuku crash, residents of northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia reported seeing bright objects streaking through the night sky. Each event underscores the growing unpredictability of orbital junk.

Why the World Needs to Act—Now

Experts agree on one thing: the planet can’t afford to treat space as a dumping ground. Proposed solutions range from satellites capable of capturing debris to passive systems that de-orbit old spacecraft safely. But as the KSA warns, these fixes are technically complex and costly, and international cooperation remains limited.

For Mukuku’s residents, the danger feels personal. “We need assurances from the government that it won’t happen again,” said local resident Benson Mutuku. Their fears echo a larger reality: without robust global rules and technology to manage space waste, more communities could find themselves at risk.

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The universe continues to surprise us with revelations that challenge our understanding of cosmic principles. A recent study using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has proposed an intriguing hypothesis: our universe might be trapped inside a massive black hole. This groundbreaking idea, stemming from the analysis of ancient galaxies’ rotations, could revolutionize how we perceive the cosmos and its governing laws. As researchers delve into these findings, questions about the universe’s structure and origins emerge, driving further exploration and debate in the scientific community.

Galactic Rotations: Unlocking Cosmic Mysteries

Researchers at Kansas State University have uncovered a remarkable pattern in the rotations of galaxies, utilizing data from the James Webb Space Telescope. They analyzed 263 ancient galaxies, some dating back to 300 million years after the Big Bang, and found that approximately 60% of these galaxies rotate clockwise. This discovery contradicts the long-held belief that galactic rotations were random across the universe.

The implications are significant. If many galaxies share this rotational alignment, it suggests a previously unrecognized cosmic order, hinting at a more structured universe than previously thought. This finding pushes scientists to consider new theories about the universe’s formation and evolution. It raises the possibility of a shared origin or influence on these galactic rotations, potentially redefining our understanding of cosmic dynamics and the forces at play in the universe.

The James Webb Space Telescope’s findings offer a glimpse into the potential structure of the cosmos, challenging established notions of randomness in galactic behavior.

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The Black Hole Hypothesis: A New Cosmic Perspective

One bold theory emerging from this study is the hypothesis that the universe might reside within a black hole. If this hypothesis holds, the observed rotational direction of galaxies could be influenced by the universe’s position within the gravitational pull of a massive black hole. This concept challenges existing cosmological models and suggests that the universe might be governed by the unique laws of a black hole’s environment.

This realization would require a radical reevaluation of how we perceive the universe’s boundaries and the nature of space-time. It implies that fundamental cosmic principles, such as matter distribution and time flow, might operate differently within this structure. While this hypothesis needs further investigation, it opens new avenues for understanding the universe’s true nature and its ultimate fate.

The notion of a universe within a black hole challenges the very essence of cosmic laws, inviting us to question the limits of our understanding.

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Alternative Explanations: The Role of Observational Bias

While the black hole hypothesis is enticing, alternative explanations exist for the observed galactic rotations. One such explanation involves observational bias, particularly the Doppler effect, which can alter the perceived motion of galaxies. This effect might lead to an incorrect interpretation of galactic rotations, indicating a need for recalibration of the JWST to account for such biases.

If observational bias is confirmed as the cause, the perceived rotational alignment might not reflect any inherent cosmic order. Instead, it highlights the complexities and challenges of making precise astronomical observations. Addressing these biases is essential to ensure the accuracy of future studies and validate the groundbreaking claims of current research.

Understanding the influence of observational bias is crucial for maintaining the precision and reliability of astronomical discoveries.

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Implications for Cosmology: The Future of Cosmic Exploration

The possibility that our universe might be trapped within a black hole presents profound implications for cosmology. It challenges existing theories about the universe’s origins, structure, and ultimate fate. If proven true, it would necessitate a reevaluation of fundamental cosmic principles and the development of new models to describe the universe’s behavior in this unique context.

This discovery underscores the importance of continued exploration and observation of the cosmos. As we refine our tools and techniques, such as enhancing the JWST’s capabilities, we stand on the brink of potentially revolutionary insights into the universe’s mysteries. The pursuit of understanding the universe’s true nature drives the scientific community to push the boundaries of knowledge and question the very fabric of reality.

The findings from the James Webb Space Telescope open up a realm of possibilities, challenging us to rethink our place in the cosmos. As we continue to explore these cosmic mysteries, one must wonder: What other secrets does the universe hold, waiting for us to uncover?

This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies.

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This new collection of images from NASA’s Chandra space telescope — which launched in 1999 — shows what different objects in space look like with an added layer of X-ray vision.

While the Hubble Space Telescope images the cosmos in mostly visible light and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) relies on infrared light that’s beyond the limits of human vision, Chandra focuses only on high-energy X-ray light.

After 12 millennia of relative inactivity, a geologic fault that stretches across the territory of Yukon, Canada, and Alaska now appears capable of producing a major earthquake, according to a new study. The findings point to an underrecognized source of seismic hazard in northwestern Canada.

Scientists previously believed that the Tintina fault, which extends roughly 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) from northeast British Columbia through the Yukon and Alaska, remained quiet for the last 40 million years. These new findings, published July 15 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, challenge that theory. Using high-resolution topographic data, a team of researchers identified an 81-mile-long (130-kilometer-long) segment of the Tintina that produced multiple large earthquakes far more recently. The last one occurred about 12,000 years ago, and stress has been building on the fault ever since. When it ultimately ruptures, the quake could be powerful—potentially exceeding magnitude 7.5.

Such a quake would threaten small Yukon communities situated near the Tintina, particularly Dawson City, home to over 1,500 people. Severe shaking could trigger landslides and damage near highways and mining infrastructure. Over the last 20 years, there have been a few small earthquakes of magnitude 3 to 4 along the Tintina, but no large ruptures, according to Finley. He and his colleagues set out to determine whether this fault is capable of producing larger quakes.

“In the last couple of years, there’s been a much more widespread availability of high-resolution topographic data,” Finley told Gizmodo. His team used data collected from satellites, airplanes, and drones to scan the area near the Tintina for fault scarps. These features form when earthquakes rupture Earth’s surface, serving as evidence of past quakes.

The researchers found an 81-mile-long (130-kilometer-long) series of fault scarps passing within 12 miles (20 kilometers) of Dawson City. To determine the timing of the earthquakes that created them, they observed landforms left by glacial incursions that occurred 12,000, 132,000, and 2.6 million years ago. This revealed that the fault has produced multiple large earthquakes over the last 2.6 million years, likely slipping several meters each time.

However, the 12,000-year-old landforms were not offset by the fault, indicating that there hasn’t been a major rupture since then. Over these millennia, the Tintina has been accumulating strain at a rate of about 0.2 to 0.8 millimeters per year, according to the study. Based on this, Finley and his colleagues estimate that roughly 20 feet (6 meters) of total slip deficit have built up.

Eventually, the building strain will cause the fault to rupture and potentially produce a major earthquake, Finley said. However, that does not mean this region is in immediate danger. “Although large earthquakes can occur on this fault, they likely occur with many thousands of years between them,” Finley said. “It’s impossible to say, from our current understanding, whether one is imminent or thousands of years away.”

Still, the possibility of a major Tintina quake warrants some reconsideration of the seismic hazard in Northwestern Canada. The nation’s National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM)—which informs seismic building codes and other engineering safety standards—does not currently recognize the Tintina as a discrete seismogenic fault source, according to a UVic release. Finley’s findings will eventually be integrated into the NSHM and shared with local governments and emergency managers to improve earthquake preparedness. “What our information does is refine the location of where some of the largest hazards would be in this seismic hazard model,” he said.

Skygazers rejoice, the summer isn’t finished with delivering meteor showers to feast your eyes on. Last week saw dueling meteor showers taking over the sky, but the most popular meteor shower of the year won’t hit its peak until next week. The Perseids meteor shower is about to give you a real light show, provided you’re far enough away from light pollution to see it. 

Perseids are known for their bright fireballs and plentiful meteors. The show started on July 17, and will run through Aug. 23. 

The reason the Perseids meteor shower is so popular is twofold. First, it takes place in the summer, so going outside and watching it is less uncomfortable than other large meteor showers like Quadrantids, which takes place in wintery January. 

The other reason is that it’s one of the most active meteor showers of the year. During its peak, the meteor shower is known to rain down as many as 100 meteors per hour, according to the American Meteor Society. These not only include your typical shooting stars, but also a higher chance for fireballs, which are meteors that explode as they enter orbit. Per NASA, fireballs tend to last longer than standard shooting stars and can come in a variety of different colors. 

Perseids come to Earth courtesy of the 109P/Swift-Tuttle comet. Earth’s orbit around the sun brings it through Swift-Tuttle’s tail every year. The comet itself takes 133 years to orbit the sun. Its last perihelion — the point at which it’s the closest to the sun — was in 1992. It won’t be back until the year 2125. Until then, it leaves behind an excellent tail of dust and debris to feed us yearly meteor showers. 

How to catch the Perseids meteor shower

The best time to view the Perseids is during its peak, which occurs on the evenings of Aug. 12 and 13. During this time, the shower will produce anywhere from 25 to 100 meteors per hour on average. However, since the shower officially lasts for over a month, you have a chance to see a shooting star on any given evening, provided that you’re far enough away from light pollution.

Thus, if you’re planning on watching this year’s Perseids during their peak, you’ll want to get out of the city and suburbs as far as possible. According to Bill Cooke, lead of NASA’s Meteoroid Environments Office, folks in the city might see one or two meteors from the meteor shower per hour, which is pocket change compared to what those outside city limits might see. 

Regardless, once you’ve arrived at wherever you want to watch the meteors, you’ll want to direct your attention to the radiant, or the point at which the meteors will appear to originate. Like all meteors, Perseids are named after the constellation from which they appear. In this case, it’s Perseus.

Per Stellarium’s free sky map, Perseus will rise from the northeastern horizon across the continental US on the evenings of Aug. 12 and 13. It’ll then rise into the eastern sky, where it’ll remain until after sunrise. So, in short, point yourself due east and you should be OK. Binoculars may help, but we recommend against telescopes since they’ll restrict your view of the sky to a very small portion, which may hinder your meteor-sighting efforts. 

The American Meteor Society also notes that the moon may give viewers some difficulty. Perseids’ peak occurs just three days after August’s full moon, so the moon will still be mostly full. Thus, it is highly probable that light pollution from the moon may reduce the number of visible meteors by a hefty margin, depending on how things go.