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Before New Horizons completed its trip to Pluto, space geeks around the world were just as fascinated with another one of our solar system’s icy orbs: Ceres. Now that New Horizons is well on its way to the outer edges of the Solar System — and we’re stuck waiting to see the images it took — some of the spotlight is back on Ceres. And while much has already been learned about this other dwarf planet, one question still remains — what the hell are those bright spots?
This new image taken by the Dawn spacecraft doesn’t answer that outright, but it does give us the most detailed look at the spots yet, which are located in what NASA scientists have named the Occator crater. What we do know is that they are undoubtably and remarkably bright. The difference in brightness between the spots and the rest of Ceres is so great that this new glimpse of Ceres is actually made from two images: one specifically exposed capture the detail you see in the bright spots, and one exposed for the surface detail of the crater around those spots.
Sep 9, 2015
Scientists built the most powerful physics machine on earth to study the fate of our universe, and it may break the laws of physics
Posted by Sean Brazell in categories: energy, particle physics
Right now, the most powerful physics machine ever constructed by man is running at maximum power after a major upgrade that took two years to complete.
And recently, two different experiments reported that they may have discovered a particle that behaves in ways that cannot be explained with any existing physical laws, as Scientific American reports.
Shown below is one of four major detectors that are crucial to the machine’s purpose:
Sep 9, 2015
NASA probe sees Ceres’ bright patches up close, but scientists are still stumped
Posted by Sean Brazell in category: space
NASA’s Dawn spacecraft has spotted the bright, reflective patches in a crater on Ceres from a closer orbit.
Sep 9, 2015
The Largest Air Purifier Ever Built Sucks Up Smog And Turns It Into Gem Stones
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in category: environmental
What’s 23 feet tall, eats smog, and makes jewelry for fun?
In Rotterdam this week, the designer Daan Roosegaarde is showing off the result of three years of research and development: The largest air purifier ever built. It’s a tower that scrubs the pollution from more than 30,000 cubic meters of air per hour—and then condenses those fine particles of smog into tiny “gem stones” that can be embedded in rings, cufflinks, and more.
Sep 9, 2015
Verizon to start 5G wireless testing ahead of schedule
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in categories: innovation, transportation
US telecom giant Verizon announced Tuesday it would start field testing of the superfast fifth generation of wireless technology or 5G, in 2016.
The announcement aims to accelerate the deployment of the new wireless system that could unleash innovation and new services such as driverless cars and remote surgery.
Sep 9, 2015
A stem cell adventure
Posted by Roy in categories: biotech/medical, education, entertainment
A comic book about stem cells, covering basic concepts related to stem cells, their properties and possible uses. TEXT: João Ramalho-Santos; ART: André Caetano.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOgGhAO_GZI
Parallels 2015
A mysterious building is the gateway to infinite parallel Earths.
Director: Christopher Leone.
Writers: Laura Harkcom (story), Christopher Leone (story), 1 more credit »
Sep 9, 2015
Frankenvirus emerges from Siberia’s frozen wasteland
Posted by Bryan Gatton in category: sustainability
Let sleeping dogs lie.
Scientists will reanimate a 30,000-year-old giant virus, warned more microscopic pathogens may awaken due to climate change.
Sep 8, 2015
What gives Bitcoin Value?
Posted by Philip Raymond in categories: bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, economics, Elon Musk, finance
For most of us, figuring out the value of something that we want, comes from research. If you want a new set of wine glasses, you check the price online. Perhaps you consult a catalog. If the set of 8 stemware goblets that you like are a current model from a major company, there are probably many places to buy them. If there are multiple Ebay sellers and many recently completed sales, then you can establish the value with precision.
I’ve written a lot of Bitcoin articles on this Lifeboat Blog and elsewhere, so, let’s dig a bit deeper this time. Let’s talk about from where value really comes.
Supply and Demand
In the end, an item’s value is a direct result of supply and demand. It’s no different with a currency. And let’s be clear: Despite a raging debate, Bitcoin is a currency and not just a payment instrument. How can I be certain? Try this mental exercise—