17-04-2025 om 14:14 geschreven door peter  

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

16-04-2025 om 14:42 geschreven door peter  

Strange Mounds on Kuiper Belt Object Arrokoth Could Be Traces of Where It Came From

By Michelle Starr

Arrokoth. 

(NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute/Roman Tkachenko)

The most distant object ever explored up close might just have revealed one of the earliest stages of planet formation.

This is Arrokoth, which resides in our solar system’s Kuiper Belt, a region of objects beyond Neptune. On January 1, 2019, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft found some unusual mounds on Arrokoth, which scientists say are some of the original building blocks of our solar system, from billions of years ago.

Image via NASA/ Johns Hopkins/ Southwest Research Institute/ Roman Tkachenkou.

Arrokoth, the Kuiper belt object known for its reddish hue and bi-lobed snowman shape, has bumpy mounds all over its larger lobe, and these may be the remnants of boulders that once smooshed together to create the whole object.

Using data from the New Horizons spacecraft, which flew past Arrokoth around 44.6 astronomical units from the Sun in 2019, a team led by planetary scientist Alan Stern of the Southwest Research Institute made a close study of the lobe, known as Wenu.

They discovered 12 bumps that have more or less the same size, shape, color, and reflectivity, suggesting that these are the units from which Wenu was assembled.

"It's amazing to see this object so well preserved that its shape directly reveals these details of its assembly from a set of building blocks all very similar to one another," says astronomer Will Grundy of Lowell Observatory. "Arrokoth almost looks like a raspberry, made of little sub-units."

Arrokoth, hanging out far from the Sun, past Pluto, in the Kuiper Belt of icy rocks, is thought to be a seed of a planet that never made it to full growth. Moreover, because of its location, its alteration by solar radiation is thought to be minimal; it is the most primitive and pristine object we've ever observed.

Previous studies have shown that Arrokoth was once two smaller objects in a binary orbit that gradually came together and fused, but there's a lot more to its formation history. A 2020 paper showed that it was actually a whole bunch of objects in a complex orbital dance that gently came together under gravity at low speeds to form a larger rock.

This supports the notion that planet growth starts with a bunch of smaller objects from the same part of the cloud of debris that surrounds a newborn star. And the new discovery further supports this scenario.

Arrokoth measures about 35 kilometers (22 miles) in length, by 20 kilometers (12 miles) in width, and 10 kilometers (6 miles) in thickness. And Wenu, New Horizons observations revealed, wasn't smooth, but was covered in a series of interlocking mounds, or bumps, that incited curiosity about how it formed.

Using two close-up images from the New Horizons flyby, Stern and his colleagues conducted an in-depth analysis of the mounds of Wenu. They counted, in total, 12 mounds, generally about 5 kilometers across, and with similar length-to-width ratios, in addition to other similarities.

To figure out how Wenu got that way, the researchers conducted simulations, focusing on two formation scenarios: smaller objects, about 3 kilometers across, slamming together at high speed; or larger objects, about 5 kilometers across, gently glomming together at low speed.

The first scenario, the high-speed one, is unlikely to be how Wenu formed. The resulting object was too smooth, since the rocks shattered and smushed on impact. The slow formation scenario, however, produced a lumpy blob that looked a heck of a lot like Wenu.

This fits previous findings about the slow and gentle formation of Arrokoth, but it raises another question: why are the rocks all more or less the same size? That's a question we might need more modeling – and more observations of other planetesimals – to answer.

"Similarities including in sizes and other properties of Arrokoth's mound structures suggest new insights into its formation," Stern says. "If the mounds are indeed representative of the building blocks of ancient planetesimals like Arrokoth, then planetesimal formation models will need to explain the preferred size for these building blocks."

As for the smaller of the two lobes, Weeyo, at first glance, it doesn't look a lot like Wenu, with its large crater. However, the team was able to tentatively identify three mound-like structures. So it's not impossible that Weeyo formed the same way.

A NASA mission, Lucy, is currently underway to explore the populations of asteroids that share the orbit of Jupiter. Looking for signs of mounds among these objects will help scientists understand exactly how common this formation process might be.

• The research has been published in The Planetary Science Journal.

{ https://www.sciencealert.com/ }

15-04-2025 om 23:24 geschreven door peter  

Blue Origin All Female Crew, Including Katy Perry Scream All The Way Back To Earth!, UFO UAP Sighting News.

Date of landing: April 14, 2025

So an all woman crew...every guy has thought about such sci-fi epic stories...and yet Earth had just such a historical moment today...as they landed in the desert in a space capsule. You might by chance notice a little screaming every now and then. The screams are as if they saw an alien for the first time, but it's not, it's just the sudden G force change as they drop, the parachute opens and they hit the ground. I sure hope Katy Perry can sing again after all that screaming but hey, if not, there is an opening on the space station she might take.

Scott C. Waring - Earth

{ https://www.ufosightingsdaily.com/ }

15-04-2025 om 20:14 geschreven door peter  

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

15-04-2025 om 15:31 geschreven door peter  

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

15-04-2025 om 15:22 geschreven door peter  

Alien Dyson spheres could really exist — but only in this 1 type of star system, new study hints

Hunting for stable Dyson spheres

McInnes started by searching for any points within a binary star system that could host a stable Dyson sphere arrangement, where the sphere could stay in place and the gravitational forces exerted on it would be uniform. He found one arrangement, where the sphere surrounds both stars. But that situation was only mildly stable and likely to suffer the same problem as the single-star case.

Another stable point arises when the sphere orbits independently, surrounding neither star. While this might be useful for space station outposts, it doesn't provide the energy-capturing benefits of englobing a star.

Related:

•  'Perhaps it's only a matter of time': Intelligent life may be much more likely than first thought, new model suggests

But McInnes did find one stable — and useful — configuration. This only happens in binary systems in which one star is much smaller than the other. In that specific case, the Dyson sphere can enclose the smaller of the two stars. The motion of that smaller star acts like a gravitational anchor, keeping the Dyson sphere in motion with the same orbit around the larger star, preventing a catastrophic collision.

There are several caveats to this. The smaller star has to be no bigger than around one tenth the mass of the larger companion, otherwise the gravitational stable point disappears. And the sphere has to be extremely light and thin compared with the two stars, otherwise its own gravitational influence mixes into the dynamics of the system and destroys the stability.

And, of course, this analysis ignores any practical engineering considerations, like the stresses and tensions the sphere might experience, or how to build the thing in the first place.

While it's unlikely humans will build a Dyson sphere in the distant future — if ever — this research does help inform searches for extraterrestrial civilizations. Presumably, a sufficiently advanced civilization would have made the same realization before building its own Dyson sphere, and so we shouldn't look for them around solitary stars.

Instead, scientists could look for large, bright stars with a diffuse, infrared companion — the telltale sign of the heat leaking out of a Dyson sphere enclosing the smaller star of a larger companion.

RELATED VIDEOS

{ https://www.livescience.com/space }

14-04-2025 om 20:40 geschreven door peter  

Scientists Propose Looking for Life in Galaxy’s ‘Computational Zones’

By Becky Ferreira

The research proposes looking for extraterrestrial life in so-called “computational zones” that could encompass a much wider range of habitats than traditional “habitable zones,” which are areas where liquid water might exist on a planetary surface in similar conditions to those found on Earth when the earliest forms of life emerged. 

Computational zones, in contrast, are areas in which information can be processed, and could include any environment with three principal characteristics—capacity, energy, and instantiation (or substrate)—which could include overlooked substellar objects, such as brown dwarfs, the subsurface oceans of ice moons like Europa, or massive artificial structures, such as Dyson spheres.

Earth is the only world we know of that hosts life, leaving us with a rather limited sample to work with on the important question of whether we are alone in the universe. For this reason, it makes sense for scientists searching for life to focus their efforts on worlds that are similar to our own, and to especially prioritize the presence of surface liquid water, given how important this key ingredient has been to life on Earth. 

That said, life may arise in many unexpected places that could be well beyond the limits of our imaginations. This problem inspired Caleb Scharf, a senior scientist for astrobiology at NASA’s Ames Research Center, and Olaf Witkowski, an expert on artificial intelligence (AI) and director of Cross Labs in Tokyo, Japan, to think of new ways to expand the scope of our search for aliens. 

Now, the pair have unveiled a strategy to look for life that is built on the idea of computation, which the researchers define as “a set of physical processes that act on information represented by states of matter” and that “encompasses biological systems, digital systems, and other constructs,” according to a study recently published on the preprint server arxiv.

“One key piece of the computational zone idea is that it’s this very natural way to merge all the factors we look for in searching for life into one neat package—if you look for where computation can happen you naturally look at environmental conditions, energy, and what things are built out of,” Scharf said in an email. “It’s very agnostic though” in that “it doesn’t presume much about what life will be like except it must process information.”

“For example, this makes the interiors of icy moons like Europa or Enceladus just as important as the surface of a rocky planet, and puts these places on much more equal footing,” he continued. “Computational zones also give a new way to think about the outward signatures of life—if information processing is the core feature, what might that do to the world around it? And that creates a very natural bridge to questions of technology (or what we call technology) or how life might expand and ‘outsource’ its needs.”

The idea of computational zones emerged over the course of years as Scharf and Witkowski collaborated with each other on projects, while also delving into their own unique fields of astrobiology and AI research. Like many researchers who work in these fields, Scharf and Witkowski hoped to both develop a more unbiased method of evaluating the cosmos for the presence of life that didn’t depend so much on parameters linked to Earth. 

“We may be introducing a lot of Earth biases when trying to project our knowledge onto other systems distant from Earth,” Witkowski told Motherboard in an email. “We essentially make a lot of assumptions about the nature of life, its necessary ingredients, and its characteristic signatures that may be detected when we point our equipment in its general direction.”

“One way to escape this limitation is to consider universal characteristics of life: what are possible or likely invariants of living systems which evolve anywhere in our universe?” he continued. “When one looks at life through the lens of information, one may see patterns and properties that are present regardless of the environment or substrate in which the living systems evolve. They all perform a certain type of computation, which we want to ultimately be able to detect. This may cast a larger and more adequate net over the systems which may contain life.”

“In this sense computational zones offer a less-contentious way to think more out of the box without going full ‘Borg’ in our hypothetical extrapolations!” he noted.

The new study, which has been submitted for publication in The Astrobiology Journal, runs with this idea by outlining the three major components of computation in the context of a search for life. Capacity describes the number of available states for carrying information, which includes factors such as the chemical ingredients available for computation. Energy refers to power sources that can support computation, such as sunlight or hydrothermal vents. Last, instantiation refers to the platform or substrate upon which the computation takes place.

{ https://www.vice.com/en/article/}

14-04-2025 om 17:50 geschreven door peter  

Wilkes Land crater: The giant hole in East Antarctica's gravitational field likely caused by a meteorite

If the Wilkes Land crater is an impact crater, then it "would be the greatest impact crater known" on Earth in terms of its size, the authors wrote.

In the 2015 study, researchers found that the crater's diameter matches the speed and size of space rocks that regularly crashed into Earth during its early history between 4.1 billion and 3.8 billion years ago. "The WLA [Wilkes Land Anomaly] could have been created by such bolides," they wrote in the study.

"Nonetheless, because of the constraints imposed by the overlying continental ice sheet, [...], we believe that the other explanations for the subglacial structure remain viable," they added.

• Discover more incredible places, where we highlight the fantastic history and science behind some of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth.

RELATED VIDEOS

{ https://www.livescience.com/space }

12-04-2025 om 23:49 geschreven door peter  

Geophysicists announced this week that they have successfully collected key samples from the site of the asteroid strike that likely wiped out the dinosaurs. 

(Joe Tucciarone/Science Source)

Scientists have had a literal breakthrough off the coast of Mexico.

After weeks of drilling from an offshore platform in the Gulf of Mexico, they have reached rocks left over from the day the Earth was hit by a killer asteroid.

The cataclysm is believed to have wiped out the dinosaurs. “This was probably the most important event in the last 100 million years,” says Joanna Morgan, a geophysicist at Imperial College in London and a leader of the expedition.

Since the 1980s, researchers have known about the impact site, located near the present-day Yucatan Peninsula. Known as Chicxulub, the crater is approximately 125 miles across. It was created when an asteroid the size of Staten Island, N.Y., struck Earth around 66 million years ago. The initial explosion from the impact would have made a nuclear bomb look like a firecracker. The searing heat started wildfires many hundreds of miles away.

After that, came an unscheduled winter. Sulfur, ash and debris clouded the sky. Darkness fell and, for a while, Earth was not itself.

“I think it was a bad few months, really,” Morgan says.

That’s an understatement: Scientists believe 75 percent of life went extinct during this dark chapter in Earth’s history, including the dinosaurs.

Researchers have sampled Chicxulub before, but this expedition by the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling precisely targets a key part of the crater yet to be studied: a ring of mountains left by the asteroid. This “peak ring” is a fundamental feature of the strike and should tell researchers much more about it, says Sean Gulick, a geophysicist at the University of Texas at Austin, who co-leads the team with Morgan.

For weeks, they’ve been drilling — and going back in time. Each layer of rock they pass through is connected to a part of Earth’s history.

“We went through a remarkable amount of the post-impact world. All the way into the Eocene times — so between 50 and 55 million years ago,” Gulick says.

The rocks they’ve pulled out show how life began to recover after the cataclysm, Gulick says. “We’ve got all these limestones and rocks that contain the fossils from the world after the impact, all the things that evolved from the few organisms that survived.”

The research team finally reached the top of the peak ring this week. It appears to be a thick layer of broken, melted rock just beneath a layer of sandstone that may be the leavings of a huge tsunami that was triggered when the asteroid struck.

Gulick thinks the rocks hold clues. For example, if any microscopic organisms survived near the site of the strike, their fossils might be in these samples. In June, the rock cores will be sent back to a lab in Germany for further study.

The asteroid strike marked the end of an era. But the creatures that made it through that catastrophe went on to shape the world again, says Morgan.

“The mammals survived,” she says. “And that led on to our own evolution.”

At the site of the dinosaur-killing crater, scientists find a surprise

When colossal asteroids rock Earth, it's not all doom and gloom.

The menacing asteroid that wiped out non-avian dinosaurs left a colossal marine crater in what's now the Yucatan Peninsula. But after analyzing deeply drilled rock core from the impact site created by the six-mile-wide asteroid, geologists have found compelling evidence that life soon thrived in the basin following the seismic episode.

The asteroid's impact stoked nutrients and chemicals to be released from beneath the seafloor, a process called hydrothermal activity. Similar activity naturally occurs today in the deep sea, where hydrothermal vents emit superheated chemical-rich fluid into the water, feeding unique colonies of life, including huge tubeworms, crabs, fish, microorganisms, and beyond.

"This study reveals that impact cratering events, while primarily destructive, can in some cases also lead to significant hydrothermal activity,” Steven Goderis, a researcher at Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium who co-authored the study, said in a statement. “In the case of Chicxulub, this process played a vital role in the rapid recovery of marine ecosystems.”

The research was published this week in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications.

The colossal impact event, which triggered a mass extinction event over much of Earth's land and ocean environments, also filled the present-day Gulf of Mexico with nutrients for at least 700,000 years, the researchers concluded.

In the core drilled from the impact site, called "Chicxulub crater" (which you should Google for a novel Google-created search result), researchers found a ratio of the metallic element osmium that is associated with asteroid remnants. When the asteroid struck this region, its pulverized particles — which contained osmium — mixed beneath the seafloor and were emitted into the water, before eventually settling back down on the seafloor. When scientists drilled into the ocean bottom, they brought up this ancient seafloor, revealing that hydrothermal fluid containing asteroid remnants flowed into the gulf for hundreds of thousands of years.

The impact, which precipitated widespread hydrothermal activity, ultimately created a nutrient-rich oceanic bath, the researchers say.

"After the asteroid impact, the Gulf of Mexico records an ecological recovery process that is quite different from that of the global ocean, as continuous hydrothermal activity has created a unique marine environment," Honami Sato, an earth scientist at Japan's Kyushu University who led the research, explained.

If such a cataclysmic event could create extremely habitable conditions on a region of Earth, the same might happen on other worlds, too. It could happen on ocean moons, or in a related way, perhaps even on desert worlds. Mars, for example, is a planet bombarded with meteor strikes. Such impacts could melt the plentiful water ice in parts of Mars' subsurface, creating an inviting environment for microbes to thrive.

The risks of an asteroid impact

Fortunately for us earthling land-dwellers, the odds of a cataclysmic space rock impact are exceedingly small. Here are today's general risks from asteroids or comets both tiny and very large. Importantly, even relatively small rocks can still be threatening, as the surprise 56-foot (17-meter) rock that exploded over Russia and blew out people's windows in 2013 proved.

• Every single day about 100 tons of dust and sand-sized particles fall through Earth's atmosphere and promptly burn up.
• Every year, on average, an "automobile-sized asteroid" plummets through our sky and explodes, according to NASA.
• Impacts by objects around 460 feet (140 meters wide) in diameter occur every 10,000 to 20,000 years.
• A "dinosaur-killing" impact from a rock perhaps a half-mile across or larger happens on 100-million-year timescales.

{ https://www.kqed.org/ }

11-04-2025 om 23:47 geschreven door peter  

Scientific Report on Communication Signals from Extraterrestrial Civilizations

Abstract

The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) has long fascinated scientists. This report explores various potential communication methods that extraterrestrial civilizations might employ, including neutrino signals, laser communications, gravitational waves, radio waves, and quantum codes. Each method's descriptions, advantages, disadvantages, and future perspectives are discussed to evaluate their feasibility as means of contact with intelligent life beyond Earth.

1. Neutrino Signals: A Potential Medium for Cosmic Communication

Introduction

Neutrinos are among the most fascinating subatomic particles known to science. Produced during nuclear reactions, such as those occurring in stars, they are incredibly weakly interacting, allowing them to traverse vast distances without being absorbed or deflected by matter. This unique property of neutrinos has sparked interest in their potential use as a medium for communication across astronomical distances. In this essay, we will explore the nature of neutrinos, their capabilities as a communication medium, the advantages and disadvantages of using them for communication, and the future perspectives for neutrino communication technology.

Nature of Neutrinos

Neutrinos are fundamental particles that belong to the lepton family, which also includes electrons and their heavier counterparts, muons and taus. They come in three types, or "flavors": electron neutrinos, muon neutrinos, and tau neutrinos. Neutrinos are produced in a variety of processes, including nuclear fusion in stars, radioactive decay, and cosmic events like supernovae. Despite their abundance—trillions of them pass through our bodies every second—neutrinos are notoriously difficult to detect because they interact with matter only through the weak nuclear force. This weak interaction means that neutrinos can travel through light-years of material without being significantly affected, making them an intriguing candidate for communication over astronomical distances.

Communication Medium

The concept of using neutrinos for communication is rooted in their unique properties. Unlike electromagnetic signals, which can be absorbed or scattered by interstellar dust, gas, and cosmic radiation, neutrinos can pass through celestial bodies, including planets and stars. This characteristic makes them particularly appealing for sending messages across vast expanses of space, where traditional communication methods may falter. In theory, a civilization could send neutrino signals that are undetectable by conventional means, effectively hiding their communication from the noise of electromagnetic radiation that fills the universe.

Neutrinos could carry information regarding the sender's location, intentions, or even complex data encoded in specific patterns of neutrino emissions. This encoding is essential for any communication system, as it allows the recipient to interpret the information being sent. While the concept remains largely theoretical at this stage, it opens up exciting possibilities for interstellar communication.

Advantages of Neutrino Communication

1. Penetrative Ability: One of the most significant advantages of neutrinos is their ability to penetrate dense materials. Unlike photons, which can be absorbed or scattered by matter, neutrinos can travel through celestial bodies with ease. This means that a signal could potentially be sent from one star system to another, passing through intervening matter without loss of clarity.

2. Low Noise: Neutrinos interact so weakly with matter that background noise from other cosmic phenomena is minimized. This low noise environment can enhance the clarity of the signals, making it easier for recipients to distinguish between meaningful information and random fluctuations.

3. Universality: Since neutrinos are produced in a variety of astrophysical processes, they can be generated by numerous sources, including stars, supernovae, and artificial means. This universality allows for a wide range of potential communication scenarios, from natural signals emitted by stars to intentional messages sent by advanced civilizations.

Disadvantages of Neutrino Communication

Despite the advantages, there are considerable challenges associated with neutrino communication.

1. Detection Difficulty: Detecting neutrinos is a significant hurdle. Specialized detectors, such as large underground or underwater observatories, are necessary to capture and interpret neutrino signals. These detectors often require sophisticated technology and substantial resources, making it difficult to establish a reliable communication system.

2. Energy Requirements: Generating a sufficient flux of neutrinos for communication purposes requires immense energy. The energy needed to produce neutrinos on the scale required for interstellar communication may be beyond the capabilities of many civilizations. This limitation raises questions about the practicality of neutrino communication as a viable means of contact.

3. Signal Decay and Noise: While neutrinos are less susceptible to interference than electromagnetic signals, they are still subject to potential decay or scattering over long distances. Ensuring that signals remain intact and distinguishable over vast distances remains an unresolved challenge.

Future Perspectives

Research into neutrino communication is still in its infancy, but advancements in particle physics and detector technology could pave the way for practical applications in the future. As our understanding of neutrinos deepens, we may develop new methods for generating and detecting these elusive particles more efficiently. This progress could enhance our ability to use neutrinos for communication, potentially enabling contact with other civilizations or enhancing our understanding of the cosmos.

Moreover, interdisciplinary collaboration between physicists, engineers, and communication experts will be crucial in overcoming the existing challenges. By addressing the technical hurdles associated with neutrino generation and detection, we may unlock the potential for a new frontier in cosmic communication.

Conclusion

Neutrinos present a unique and compelling opportunity for communication across astronomical distances. Their weakly interacting nature allows them to traverse vast expanses of space, potentially enabling civilizations to send messages that remain undetectable by conventional means. While there are considerable challenges to overcome, including detection difficulties and energy requirements, the exploration of neutrino communication is a promising avenue for future research. As technology advances, the dream of communicating across the cosmos using neutrinos may one day become a reality, opening new doors to our understanding of the universe and our place within it.

Artist’s impression of a Dyson Sphere, a proposed alien megastructure that is the target of SETI surveys. Finding one of these qualifies in a “first contact” scenario.

Credit: Breakthrough Listen / Danielle Futselaar

2. Laser Communications: A Comprehensive Analysis

Description
Lasers are remarkable devices capable of producing highly focused beams of light, which can efficiently carry information over extensive distances with minimal attenuation. This technology has revolutionized the way we communicate, akin to the ease and immediacy of texting in our contemporary world. The potential applications of lasers extend beyond terrestrial communication, as researchers and scientists have actively explored their utility for interstellar messaging. The ability to modulate laser beams enables the encoding of messages, transforming simple light into sophisticated communication channels that could one day bridge the vast expanses of space.

Communication Medium
The essence of laser communication lies in the transmission of encoded light signals through the vacuum of space. These signals can be meticulously received by advanced optical telescopes or specialized detectors, either stationed on Earth or positioned on other celestial bodies. This method of communication harnesses the speed of light, facilitating the rapid transfer of information across astronomical distances. By using lasers, scientists aim to establish a communication framework that could potentially reach distant star systems, allowing for the exchange of messages with hypothetical extraterrestrial civilizations.

Advantages
Laser communication presents several significant advantages that enhance its appeal as a medium for information transmission:

1. High Data Rate: One of the most compelling benefits of laser communication is its capability to transmit vast amounts of data at remarkable speeds. This high data rate makes it particularly suitable for conveying complex messages, which can be crucial in scenarios where detailed information is essential, such as scientific data or urgent communications.

2. Directional Beam: The inherently focused nature of laser beams enables targeted communication. This precision significantly reduces the likelihood of signal interference, especially from cosmic background noise. The ability to direct beams toward specific points in space enhances the clarity and integrity of the transmitted information, making laser communication a reliable option for long-distance transmissions.

Disadvantages
Despite its many advantages, laser communication is not without its challenges:

1. Line of Sight: A critical limitation of laser signals is their dependence on a clear line of sight. The effectiveness of laser communication diminishes if there are obstacles obstructing the path between the transmitter and receiver. This requirement can complicate communication efforts, particularly in environments where physical barriers are prevalent.

2. Atmospheric Interference: When communicating from Earth, laser signals must traverse the atmosphere, which can introduce various forms of distortion or absorption. Atmospheric conditions, such as clouds, fog, or even pollution, can significantly complicate the efforts to maintain a stable communication link. This interference poses challenges for planetary communication, as it can distort the signals and hinder the clarity of the transmitted information.

Future Perspectives
Looking ahead, the future of laser communication appears promising, especially with the continuous advancements in laser technologies and optical systems. As researchers refine these technologies, laser communication has the potential to evolve into a primary method for interstellar messaging. Future missions could leverage sophisticated laser systems to send out signals aimed at reaching potential extraterrestrial civilizations. The prospect of establishing communication with intelligent life beyond Earth is an exciting endeavor that could redefine our understanding of the universe.

In addition to interstellar applications, the advancements in laser communication could also enhance terrestrial communication systems. The integration of laser technology into existing networks could lead to faster and more efficient data transmission, benefiting various sectors, including telecommunications, space exploration, and scientific research. As the demand for high-speed data transfer continues to grow, laser communication stands poised to play a pivotal role in meeting these needs.

In conclusion, laser communication represents a groundbreaking advancement in the field of information transmission. Its ability to deliver high data rates through focused beams of light offers a unique solution for both terrestrial and potential interstellar messaging. While challenges such as line of sight and atmospheric interference remain, ongoing research and technological innovations hold the promise of overcoming these obstacles. As we continue to explore the possibilities of laser communication, we may one day be able to send and receive messages across the cosmos, enriching our understanding of the universe and our place within it.

3. Gravitational Waves

Description

Gravitational waves are perturbations in the fabric of spacetime, generated by the acceleration of massive celestial bodies. These phenomena are often produced during cataclysmic events such as the merging of black holes or neutron stars. When such massive objects collide, they create ripples that propagate outward at the speed of light. The study of gravitational waves has opened new avenues in astrophysics, allowing scientists to observe and understand events that are otherwise invisible to traditional telescopes. As research progresses, there is a growing interest in the potential of gravitational waves to serve as a medium for communication, suggesting a fascinating intersection between astrophysics and information technology.

Communication Medium

Gravitational waves have the unique ability to carry detailed information about their origins. Each wave contains a signature that reflects the dynamics of the astronomical event that created it. This characteristic raises the possibility of manipulating gravitational waves to encode messages. By varying the waveforms or frequencies of the waves, one could theoretically transmit information across vast distances. This concept aligns with the fundamental principles of wave mechanics, where information can be encoded in various parameters of a wave, such as its amplitude, frequency, or phase.

Advantages

1. Universality: One of the most significant advantages of using gravitational waves as a communication medium is their ability to traverse any medium without attenuation. Unlike electromagnetic waves, which can be absorbed or scattered by matter, gravitational waves are fundamentally different in that they interact very weakly with the material universe. This means that they can propagate through the cosmos unimpeded, allowing for potential communication across immense distances, even between galaxies.

2. Low Background Noise: The detection of gravitational waves is less susceptible to interference from electromagnetic noise, which can often obscure signals in traditional communication methods. For example, radio waves can be drowned out by background radiation from various sources, including cosmic rays and man-made signals. Gravitational waves, however, are less affected by these disturbances, making them a clearer medium for communication in certain contexts. This characteristic could provide a more reliable means of transmitting information, especially in environments with high electromagnetic interference.

Disadvantages

1. Detection Challenges: Despite the intriguing potential of gravitational waves for communication, the technology required to detect these waves is currently highly specialized and complex. Instruments like the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and Virgo are designed to measure the minuscule distortions in spacetime caused by passing gravitational waves. These facilities rely on advanced technology, including extremely precise lasers and vacuum systems, which limits their accessibility and practicality for widespread application. As a result, the ability to detect and utilize gravitational waves for communication remains a significant challenge.

2. Energy Requirements: Another substantial barrier to the practical use of gravitational waves for communication is the immense energy required to generate detectable signals. The events that produce significant gravitational waves, such as the merger of black holes, involve massive amounts of energy, far beyond what can be harnessed by most civilizations. This limitation raises questions about the feasibility of creating artificial gravitational waves for communication, as only highly advanced technological societies might possess the capability to generate such energy levels.

Future Perspectives

Looking ahead, the field of gravitational wave astronomy is poised for significant advancements. As technology continues to evolve, researchers are actively exploring innovative methods to utilize gravitational waves for communication. The development of more sensitive detectors is a key area of focus. Future instruments may enhance our ability to detect weaker gravitational waves, opening up new possibilities for their application beyond traditional astrophysics.

Furthermore, interdisciplinary collaboration between physicists, engineers, and communication specialists could lead to novel approaches for encoding and transmitting information through gravitational waves. As our understanding of these phenomena deepens, the potential to harness gravitational waves as a communication medium may become more feasible.

In conclusion, while gravitational waves present both compelling advantages and formidable challenges as a medium for communication, ongoing research and technological advancements may one day unlock their potential. As we continue to explore the universe and the fundamental laws governing it, the idea of communicating through gravitational waves remains an exciting and thought-provoking possibility that could reshape our understanding of information transmission across the cosmos.

4. Radio Waves

Description

Radio waves are an established medium for communication, extensively utilized across the globe for various forms of broadcasting. Their unique properties make them an essential component of modern communication technologies. Notably, radio waves have been harnessed in the quest for extraterrestrial signals, exemplified by initiatives such as the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). This ongoing exploration underscores the importance of radio waves not only in terrestrial applications but also in the broader context of interstellar communication.

Communication Medium

One of the most significant characteristics of radio waves is their ability to be transmitted over long distances. This capability allows for the transmission of information encoded within their frequencies and amplitudes. The modulation of these properties enables radio waves to carry complex data, making them versatile for various communication needs. For instance, in terrestrial applications, radio waves are used for broadcasting television, radio shows, and even for wireless internet signals. In the context of space exploration, they serve as a vital link for communicating with spacecraft and satellites, enabling data exchange and command transmission over vast distances.

Advantages

The advantages of using radio waves as a communication medium are numerous.

• Established Technology: Radio communication is a well-understood and mature technology with a long history of successful implementation. From its inception in the late 19th century to its current applications, radio communication has proven its reliability and effectiveness in both terrestrial and extraterrestrial contexts.

• Wide Range: Another significant advantage is the ability of radio signals to travel vast distances. They can penetrate various cosmic materials, such as dust and gas in space, making them an ideal choice for interstellar communication. This characteristic is particularly valuable when attempting to communicate across the immense distances that separate celestial bodies.

Disadvantages

Despite the advantages, there are notable disadvantages associated with the use of radio waves for communication.

• Signal Degradation: One of the primary challenges is signal degradation. Over long distances, radio signals can weaken significantly. Various cosmic phenomena, such as solar flares or cosmic background radiation, can introduce interference that degrades the integrity of messages being transmitted. This degradation poses challenges for maintaining clear communication.

• Signal Detection: Another critical disadvantage is the difficulty in signal detection. The vastness of space means that distinguishing genuine signals from background noise can be a formidable task. This challenge is especially pronounced in the search for extraterrestrial signals, where the faintness of potential signals can be easily lost amidst the cosmic cacophony of noise.

Future Perspectives

Looking ahead, the future of radio wave technology holds promising developments that could enhance our ability to detect and utilize extraterrestrial radio signals. Continuous advancements in radio technology and techniques are being pursued, including the development of phased array systems and sophisticated algorithms for signal processing.

Phased array systems, for instance, allow for the rapid scanning of the sky without the need to physically move antennas. This technology could significantly improve the efficiency of searches for extraterrestrial signals by enabling the simultaneous monitoring of multiple frequencies and areas of the sky. Additionally, advanced signal processing algorithms can help filter out background noise and enhance the detection of faint signals, improving the likelihood of discovering meaningful communications from other civilizations.

Moreover, future missions may leverage radio waves for targeted communication efforts. As our understanding of the cosmos deepens, missions could be designed to send intentional signals to specific star systems that are deemed most likely to harbor intelligent life. This proactive approach, combined with enhanced detection capabilities, could usher in a new era of interstellar communication.

In summary, radio waves remain a cornerstone of communication, with well-established applications on Earth and promising potential in the search for extraterrestrial life. While challenges such as signal degradation and detection difficulties exist, ongoing advancements in technology and methodologies are paving the way for improved communication capabilities. As we continue to explore the cosmos, radio waves will undoubtedly play a crucial role in our quest to connect with potential extraterrestrial civilizations. The future holds exciting possibilities as we strive to unlock the mysteries of the universe, utilizing radio waves as a bridge to the stars.

5. Quantum Codes

Description

Quantum communication is a cutting-edge method that utilizes the principles of quantum mechanics, specifically quantum entanglement, to enable the secure and instantaneous transmission of information over considerable distances. This innovative approach is regarded as the most advanced form of communication available today. The unique characteristics of quantum mechanics, such as the peculiar behavior of particles at the quantum level, allow for a level of security and speed in information exchange that classical communication methods cannot achieve.

Communication Medium

Quantum codes serve as the backbone for creating secure communication channels. These channels leverage quantum properties to ensure that any attempt by eavesdroppers to intercept messages is detected. Essentially, the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics guarantee that any observation or interaction with the quantum state of the system will alter the information being transmitted. Consequently, this makes it theoretically impossible for unauthorized parties to access the transmitted data without leaving a trace. This level of security is a significant advancement over classical encryption methods, which can be vulnerable to sophisticated hacking techniques.

Advantages

1. Security: One of the most compelling advantages of quantum communication is its inherent security. Due to the nature of quantum states, any attempt to observe or interfere with the transmission alters the state itself, thereby alerting the communicating parties to potential eavesdropping. This provides a robust defense against unauthorized access and ensures the confidentiality of the information being exchanged.

2. Speed: Quantum entanglement presents a fascinating opportunity for instantaneous communication across vast distances. This phenomenon challenges traditional notions of information transfer limits, suggesting that it may be possible to convey information almost instantaneously, regardless of the distance separating the sender and receiver. Such a breakthrough could revolutionize not only communication technology but also various fields reliant on rapid data transfer.

Disadvantages

1. Technological Limitations: Despite its potential, quantum communication faces significant technological hurdles. The current methods for generating and maintaining entangled states are still in their infancy and often require complex setups that are difficult to implement on a large scale. As a result, practical applications of quantum communication remain limited at this stage, hindering its widespread adoption.

2. Scalability: Another key challenge is the scalability of quantum communication networks. The fragility of quantum states makes it difficult to establish robust networks that can operate efficiently across extensive geographic areas. Developing infrastructure that can consistently maintain entangled states over long distances is a substantial challenge that researchers and engineers must overcome to realize the full potential of quantum communication.

Future Perspectives

Looking ahead, as advancements in quantum technology continue to progress, the potential for quantum communication to facilitate contact with extraterrestrial civilizations becomes increasingly tantalizing. The unique properties of quantum communication may enable the transmission of messages across interstellar distances, providing a new avenue for exploring the cosmos and potentially establishing communication with intelligent life beyond our planet. Research in this field could lead to groundbreaking discoveries and innovations that make quantum communication not only feasible but also practical for interstellar messaging.

In addition to interstellar communication, the future development of quantum networks may lead to significant benefits for various sectors, including secure data transmission for financial institutions, enhanced cybersecurity measures, and improved communication systems for governmental and military applications. As the technology matures and becomes more accessible, we can anticipate a paradigm shift in how information is transmitted globally, transcending the limitations imposed by classical communication methods.

Moreover, with ongoing research and investment in quantum technologies, there is the potential for collaborative efforts between nations and private enterprises to create a standardized framework for quantum communication. This could foster an international quantum communication infrastructure that enhances global connectivity and security.

In conclusion, quantum codes represent a revolutionary approach to communication that harnesses the principles of quantum mechanics to provide unparalleled security and speed. While challenges remain in terms of technology and scalability, the future of quantum communication holds immense promise. As the field evolves, it could not only transform our understanding of communication but also open new frontiers in our quest for knowledge and interaction with the universe beyond our own. The ongoing exploration of quantum communication may well lead to unforeseen applications and opportunities that could reshape the fabric of human interaction in the years to come.

Conclusion

The exploration of potential communication methods from extraterrestrial civilizations reveals a diverse array of possibilities, each with its unique advantages and challenges. As technology continues to evolve, the feasibility of these communication mediums will be tested in our ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Future advancements in detection, transmission, and signal processing will be crucial in enhancing our capabilities to communicate with civilizations beyond our planet.

In addition to radio waves and light signals, other forms of communication may exist that transcend our current understanding. For instance, some researchers speculate on the potential of using gravitational waves as a means of communication. Gravitational waves, ripples in spacetime caused by massive celestial events like merging black holes, could theoretically carry information across vast distances. While this concept is still largely theoretical, it highlights the diversity of potential communication forms that could exist in the universe.

Another intriguing possibility is the use of quantum communication. Quantum entanglement allows particles to be interconnected in such a way that the state of one can instantaneously influence the state of another, regardless of distance. If extraterrestrial civilizations have mastered quantum communication, they could send messages that are impervious to interception or eavesdropping, vastly improving the security of their communications. However, such methods would require a deep understanding of quantum mechanics and advanced technology, which may or may not align with the capabilities of other civilizations.

Moreover, visual communication methods, such as lasers or even complex patterns of light modulation, can also be considered. The use of lasers has been proposed as a means of signaling across interstellar distances. This method could involve sending modulated pulses of light that convey information, similar to how we use fiber optics on Earth. The challenge with such methods lies in accurately targeting distant stars and the need for powerful enough lasers to ensure the message reaches its destination without significant loss of intensity.

When discussing the question of whether aliens have tried to contact us, it is essential to consider the vastness of the universe and the time scales involved. The Fermi Paradox raises the question of why, given the high probability of life elsewhere in the universe, we have yet to encounter any definitive evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence. Some theorists argue that advanced civilizations may adopt a policy of non-interference, choosing not to communicate with less developed species, akin to the Prime Directive in science fiction narratives. This perspective suggests that any attempts at communication may go unnoticed or misinterpreted by humanity.

On the other hand, several scientific initiatives have been established to actively search for extraterrestrial signals. Projects like the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) use radio telescopes to scan the cosmos for signs of intelligent life. So far, while many signals have been detected, none have been conclusively identified as artificial or originating from extraterrestrial sources. This ongoing search emphasizes both the optimism and the challenges we face in our quest for contact.

Additionally, the discovery of exoplanets in the habitable zone of their stars has expanded our understanding of where life might exist. Future missions to these planets could provide invaluable insights into their atmospheres and potential signals, further enhancing our chances of making contact. The recent advancements in astrobiology, combined with technological innovations in communication and detection, increase the likelihood that we may one day receive a message from beyond our world.

In conclusion, the quest for communication with extraterrestrial civilizations encompasses a wide range of methods, each with its own set of challenges and potential. The evolution of our technology and understanding of physics may eventually allow us to bridge the vast distances between stars and engage in meaningful dialogue with other intelligent beings. While the question of whether aliens have already attempted to contact us remains unanswered, the ongoing search fuels our curiosity and drives scientific inquiry, reminding us of our place in the cosmos and the possibility of connection beyond our own world. As we continue to explore and innovate, the dream of interstellar communication may one day become a reality, opening new avenues of understanding and collaboration across the universe.

{ PETER2011 }

11-04-2025 om 22:08 geschreven door peter  

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

11-04-2025 om 20:44 geschreven door peter  

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

11-04-2025 om 20:30 geschreven door peter  

EXCLUSIVE - Mysterious Mars structures discovered by NASA 'prove there was life on the Red Planet'

• READ MORE:  Former CIA agent claims to have evidence that Martians were real

By ELLYN LAPOINTE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

The surface of Mars looks like an empty red wasteland. But if you look a bit closer, the remnants of an ancient alien civilization begin to take shape.

At least, that's the conclusion of George J. Haas, the founder and premier investigator of the Mars research group known as The Cydonia Institute.

In his new book, 'The Great Architects of Mars,' Haas analyzed dozens of photos of structures on the Martian surface that he is sure are man-made.

Those include pyramids, a keyhole-shaped formation and even one that looks like a parrot. 

According to the author, these formations may be the remnants of once-magnificent cities, towering pyramids, gigantic geoglyphs and more. 

Geometry, Haas said, is the marker of civilization. He has spent more than 30 years meticulously studying NASA images of the Martian surface to look for geometric features and patterns that can't be explained by nature alone. 

As a formally trained artist, Haas has an eye for deciphering the subtle differences between a natural formation and an object that was intentionally crafted.

'You don't have to be a geologist to know the difference between a rock and a sculpture — something that's geometric,' he told DailyMail.com. 

The 'keyhole' structure on the surface of Mars consists of two main parts: a wedge-shaped formation and an attached circular dome

However, scientists have said Haas' claims are a result of 'pareidolia,' a common brain phenomenon in which a person sees faces in random images or patterns.

'Sometimes we see faces that aren't really there,' explained Robin Kramer, Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology, at University of Lincoln, in an article for The Conversation.

'You may be looking at the front of a car or a burnt piece of toast when you notice a face-like pattern.

'This is called face pareidolia and is a mistake made by the brain's face detection system.'

Even so, Haas is sure that the structures in the images prove there is life on Mars. 

1. The keyhole 

In 2011, NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) spacecraft snapped a photo of a bizarre formation on the surface of Libya Montes, an area of high-elevation on Mars.

The raised structure consists of two main parts: a wedge-shaped formation and an attached circular dome. Together, they resemble an enormous exclamation mark. 

The Mars keyhole structure bears resemblance to the Kofun Tomb in Japan (pictured)

'Traditionally, the basic shape of a conjoined wedge and dome formation are commonly referred to as a keyhole,' Haas wrote.

In 2013, the 'exquisite' geometry of this strange landform captured his attention. 

Three years later, Haas and several colleagues published a formal analysis of the keyhole in the Journal of Space Exploration, concluding that its geometry and symmetry suggest it could have been intelligently built. 

Without considering that possibility, 'there's no way you can explain that keyhole formation,' Haas said.

'While there are known geological mechanisms that are capable of creating and destroying the individual angles and planes presented in this formation, the natural creation of two opposing geometrically designed formations seems to go well beyond the probability of chance,' the author explained.

Haas also pointed out the keyhole's similarity to monuments constructed by New World, Middle Eastern, and Japanese cultures, such as the Kofun Tomb in Japan. 

2. Parrot geoglyph 

The parrot geoglyph has 22 points of anatomical correctness, according to Haas

A sketch of the parrot geoglyphs' shape 

In 2002, independent researcher Wilmer Faust noticed an odd shape captured in a Mars Global Surveyor image of the large-impact crater known as Argyre Basin. 

He showed the image to Haas and his colleagues at The Cydonia Institute, highlighting features throughout the area's topography that looked like a head with an eye and beak, a mound-shaped body, a leg and foot, and an extended wing with feathers.

In his new book, 'The Great Architects of Mars,' George J. Haas analyzed dozens of photos of structures on the Martian surface that appear to be man-made

'After seeing the image, I immediately saw the parrot formation,' Haas noted. 

This bizarre structure has since become known as the 'parrot geoglyph,' or 'Parrotopia.' 

A geoglyph is a large design or image made on the ground using stones, gravel, mounds of earth or other natural objects.  

The human brain tends to look for familiar patterns in abstract shapes, like when you see a face in the clouds. But the parrot geoglyph is different.

'[Cloud shapes] are usually just silhouettes,' Haas explained. 'They don't have a lot of secondary or tertiary detail. There's no eyes, there's no irises, there's no eyelids, there's no eyebrows... That's what we have with the parrot.'

'It's got 22 points of anatomical correctness... It's a sculpture, it's a work of art,' Haas contended. Five different veterinarians, including an avian specialist, confirmed the lifelike anatomy of this Martian structure, the author added.

Geoglyphs can be found in many different locations on Earth, such as Peru, Israel, England, Australia, and even in the US.

However, Haas wrote that there are no geoglyphs anywhere on Earth which match the fine detail of the parrot on Mars.

3. The Sagan pyramids

The Sagan pyramids are three-sided pyramids located on Mars that caught the attention of famed astronomer Carl Sagan in the 1970s 

While gathering information about Mars' atmosphere and mapping the planet's surface in 1972, NASA's Mariner 9 spacecraft captured an image of anomalous formations in the Elysium area — the second largest volcanic region on the planet. 

These triangular, three-sided pyramids stood out amid steep-sided volcanic cones and impact craters. At an average height of more than 3,200 feet and a width of nearly 10,000 feet, they would dwarf even the largest pyramids on Earth.

George J. Haas is the founder and premier investigator of the Mars research group known as The Cydonia Institute, and the author of 'The Great Architects of Mars'

The pyramids caught the attention of renowned astronomer Carl Sagan, who speculated that they might have been made by high winds and harsh sand blasting large mounds of rock and dirt into pyramid shapes. 

But even the late astronomer acknowledged that scientists would need to observe these formations up close to actually determine what they are and how they were made.

While Haas does not rule out Sagan's explanation, he thinks it's possible that these pyramids were built by intelligent beings, and notes that there is some evidence to suggest this region of Mars could have supported ancient life.

'Recent data suggests that volcanic activity may have occurred as recently as 53,000 years ago, creating an environment that was suitable for supporting life,' Haas said. 'Water had also left its mark on the region in the form of riverbeds and canyons.'

What's more, Haas argued that natural pyramid formations tend to be cone-shaped and lack similarly-sized faces. 

And while three-sided pyramids are very rare on Earth, they do exist. One of them lies just 65 miles north of Las Vegas, Nevada in the top secret military base known as Area 51. This pyramid is part of the Big Explosives Experimental Facility at the Nevada National Security Site.

'I believe it is fair to say that this triangular formation looks a lot like the three-sided pyramid that Sagan saw in the original Mariner 9 images,' Haas noted.

4. The Martian Atlantis Complex

A detailed view of the Martian Atlantis Complex

The Martian Atlantis Complex resembles the city of Al-Ula in Saudi Arabia (pictured)

The Atlantis Chaos region of Mars, located in the planet's southern hemisphere, is characterized by areas of blocky, steep-sided mesas interspersed with deep valleys.

Scientists generally believe this terrain resulted from the slow erosion of a once-continuous solid plateau, according to the European Space Agency (ESA). 

But in 2019, Greg Orme of the Society for Planetary SETI Research pointed out that part of the Atlantis Chaos region captured in a NASA image contained the remains of a 'tightly-knit grid of cellular formations.'

Then, independent researcher Javed Raza took a closer look at the image and began highlighting linear formations that appeared to be part of a 'massive city-like complex.'

'Raza suggested that the arrangements of these evenly spaced foundations with broken walls and towers are typical of the kind of remains one would see in built-up areas on Earth,' Haas wrote.

Further analysis revealed that the entire 'city complex' can be divided into two distinct 'twin' cities, one Eastern and the other Western. 

The cubic grid design of the Eastern City resembles the remains of mudbrick and stone adobe houses built throughout the midwestern US and at Al-Ula in Saudi Arabia — a once-bustling city that became largely unoccupied in the 1980s. 

The Western City also shares similarities with another terrestrial metropolis: Berlin. Specifically, a small section of this Martian terrain resembles a bombed-out area of the German city during World War II.

5. The starburst structure 

The starburst structure on the surface of Mars

The starburst structure is roughly the same shape as Fort Henry in Tennessee (pictured)

While studying ESA images of the Nepenthes Mensae region of Mars, a rugged, flat-topped plateau in the planet's eastern hemisphere, an odd-shaped formation caught Haas' eye. 

The raised patch of land resembled an irregular star shape 'with five radiating arms that stretch out like a giant starfish.'

'There is a large mound positioned at its northernmost point and three smaller mounds of various sizes located at its center. The formation projects so much energy in its shape and design that I have titled it Starburst,' Haas said.

The author believes the Starburst bears strong resemblance to a star fort with triangular bastions at each corner, which were commonly found in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, and in America during colonization and the Civil War period. 

'Many of these star-shaped fortifications included interior buildings and had raised platforms within their main structure allowing military fire over the main ramparts,' he explained.

The Starburst looks especially similar to Fort Henry, which was built on the eastern bank of the Tennessee River in 1861 to defend the river and the critical railroad route between Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Memphis, Tennessee.

'When Fort Henry is compared to the Starburst structure found on Mars their common polygonal star design is remarkably similar,' Haas continued.

'Notice the various sizes and shapes of the extending bastions of Fort Henry and its truncated star point at the tip. It is this truncated section of Fort Henry that looks very similar to the blunted star point observed on the Starburst structure on Mars.'

Uncovering a lost alien civilization

Haas' work raises intriguing questions about how certain structures on the Martian surface came to be.

But in order to confirm his theory that these formations are the remnants of an ancient alien civilization, scientists would need to take a much closer look. 

Although humans have never stepped foot on the Red Planet before, that could become a reality within the next decade. 

'Elon [Musk] wants to go there next year,' Haas said. Indeed, the SpaceX Chief Executive has set an ambitious goal of launching the first uncrewed Starship mission to Mars in 2026, and hopes to send astronauts there by 2029.

Haas hopes that once humanity establishes a presence on the Red Planet, scientists can actually begin investigating some of these unusual structures to learn how they formed — or were built. 

'Mars is just going to be a treasure trove of technology and all kinds of information,' he told DailyMail.com.

RELATED VIDEOS

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ }

09-04-2025 om 23:03 geschreven door peter  

The North Pole could MOVE by nearly 90 feet by 2100 - causing havoc for satellite navigation, scientists warn

• READ MORE: The real reason why the North Pole is moving towards Russia

By WILIAM HUNTER

It is the reference point for all the world's navigation systems and one of the most famous locations on Earth.

But scientists say that the geographical North Pole is on the move and could shift nearly 90 feet (27 metres) by 2100.

As the polar ice sheets melt faster in the warming climate, Earth's mass is redistributed, slightly shifting our planet's axis of rotation.

Although these changes might be small on the planetary scale, scientists warn they could cause havoc for satellite navigation.

As the Earth turns on its axis, changes in the oceans, atmosphere, and deep within the molten mantle cause the planet to wobble like a spinning top.

While most of the planet's wobbles are regular and predictable, scientists from ETH Zurich have found that human-caused changes will soon outweigh the natural shifts.

Since satellites and deep space telescopes work out their position by referring to the Earth's axis of rotation, any change in the North Pole could cause serious issues.

Lead author Dr Mostafa Kiani Shahvandi, now at the University of Vienna, told MailOnline this could cause inaccuracies 'from a few metres to hundreds of metres'.

Earth's North Pole is on the move and could shift by as much as 90 feet (27 metres) by 2100, according to scientists 

Like anything spinning on its axis, big changes in the Earth's distribution of mass cause it to shift on its axis.

Most of the time this is a normal and predictable process caused by factors such as regular cycles of ocean currents.

However, as the planet's ice sheets and glaciers melt, this is causing a more rapid redistribution of weight than scientists have observed in the past, which is causing the pole to shift.

Dr Shahvandi and his co-author measured the movement of the poles between 1908 and 2000 and compared this with projections of ice melt to see how far they might move in the future.

In the worst-case scenario, in which greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced, the dramatic melting of the ice sheets will have moved the poles 89 feet between 1900 and 2100.

In a more optimistic scenario in which greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, the North Pole will still move as much as 39 feet (12 metres).

For now, human-caused effects aren't moving the poles as much as natural causes.

The biggest source of polar shift currently comes from the Earth rebounding from the last ice age.

As the ice caps melt in the warming climate, Earth's weight is redistributed around the planet. Like a spinning top, this shift alters the axis about which the Earth spins and moves the geographical North Pole 

In the worst-case scenario (red) climate change could trigger the pole to move 89 feet between 1900 and 2100. In a more optimistic scenario (green) in which greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, the North Pole will still move as much as 39 feet (12 metres)

During the ice age, the Earth's crust sunk down under the weight of glaciers and has risen up since they melted, redistributing the planet’s weight.

Even though the last ice age ended over 10,000 years ago, the rebound effects can still be seen in the natural shift of the North Pole.

However, in the near future the scientists say that human-caused climate change will overtake the ice age rebound as the biggest contributor.

Dr Shahvandi says: 'Currently, the natural processes dominate polar motion, but if climate change continues and ice sheets melt more and more, then in the last decades of the 21st century the human-induced climate change will certainly dominate.'

Recently, scientists have warned that the world's sea ice – the frozen ocean water at the North and South Poles – has plunged to a record low.

Last month, Arctic sea ice reached its lowest monthly extent for March in the 47-year satellite record.

Arctic sea ice covered an area six per cent smaller than average, marking the fourth month in a row when sea ice extents have seen record-breaking lows.

Likewise, Antarctic sea ice hit its fourth lowest monthly extent for March, standing 24 per cent lower than average.

The biggest contributors to the shift were the Antarctic ice sheet and the Greenland Ice Sheet (pictured) which is melting at an accelerating rate 

This graph shows how much the melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet could shift the pole on the X (top) and Y (bottom) axes by 2100. The red line shows the worst-case scenario in which emissions do not reduce and the blue line shows the more optimistic scenario

This could cause serious problems for satellite navigation and for space-based telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope (pictured) which use the Earth's axis as a reference point for navigation. This could cause errors on the scale of kilometres 

The researchers discovered that the biggest sources of polar shift are the melting of the Greenland Ice sheet and the Antarctic Ice sheet.

If this change continues, it is likely to cause issues for the sensitive navigation systems of satellites and space telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope.

In their paper, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, the researchers write: 'Since prediction of polar motion is crucial for applications such as spacecraft navigation and orientation of deep-space telescopes, the reduced predictability of polar motion under climate change might impact the operational accuracy of such applications.'

That would be bad for navigation systems here on Earth but even more perilous for spacecraft since it will become harder to work out their exact location.

Dr Shahvandi says this could create errors of 'kilometres' for spacecraft probing distant planets.

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ }

09-04-2025 om 21:12 geschreven door peter  

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

09-04-2025 om 15:40 geschreven door peter  

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

09-04-2025 om 15:35 geschreven door peter  

Titan as seen by James Webb.

Image Credit: SCIENCE: NASA, ESA, CSA, Webb Titan GTO Team IMAGE PROCESSING: Alyssa Pagan (STScI).

Europa

Europa’s smooth, icy surface is crisscrossed with brownish lines — likely fractures in its outer shell. Below that ice lies a global ocean that may contain twice as much water as Earth. Scientists believe the ocean is kept warm by tidal forces created by Jupiter’s gravity, which flex the moon’s interior and generate heat.

What makes Europa so fascinating?

• Evidence of a subsurface saltwater ocean

• Active geological resurfacing, possibly from erupting water

• Oxygen and other materials on the surface that may mix with the ocean below

NASA’s Europa Clipper mission will fly by the moon dozens of times to investigate whether it could support life.

Enceladus

Enceladus is smaller than Europa but just as mysterious. In 2005, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft captured stunning images of plumes of water vapor erupting from its south pole — shooting ice particles and organic molecules into space.

Key discoveries:

• Cryovolcanic geysers that erupt through surface cracks

• Organic compounds, silica particles, and salt — all signs of an underground ocean

• Detection of phosphates, essential for life as we know it

The presence of heat, water, and organic material make Enceladus one of the most exciting candidates for extraterrestrial life in the solar system.

Phobos and Deimos: Mars’s Mysterious Moons

Talking about mysterious moons, Mars has two tiny ones, Phobos and Deimos, and both present puzzles that still don’t have clear answers.

Phobos, the larger of the two, is slowly spiraling toward Mars and may eventually crash into the planet or break apart and form a ring. It’s oddly shaped, heavily cratered, and appears to be made of carbon-rich rock, not unlike certain asteroids.

Theories about its origin include:

• A captured asteroid from the outer solar system

• A re-accreted fragment from a massive impact on Mars

Deimos is even smaller and more distant, with a smoother appearance. Both moons challenge traditional models of how natural satellites form, and Japan’s upcoming Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission hopes to return samples from Phobos to help solve the mystery.

Triton and Titan: Outliers with Odd Behavior

Two other moons, mysterious moons — Triton (Neptune’s largest moon) and Titan (Saturn’s largest) — are full of strange surprises.

Triton

Triton is the only large moon in the solar system that orbits in the opposite direction of its planet’s rotation. This retrograde motion suggests it was once a captured object, possibly a dwarf planet from the Kuiper Belt.

It’s geologically active, with ice volcanoes, nitrogen geysers, and a frozen crust. Triton may also harbor a subsurface ocean.

NASA is currently studying potential flyby missions to Triton under its Trident concept, which would aim to investigate its active surface and interior.

Titan

Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, is the only moon with a dense atmosphere and features rivers, lakes, and seas — of liquid methane and ethane.

Despite the frigid temperatures, Titan’s chemistry is considered a potential analog for early Earth. NASA’s upcoming Dragonfly mission will send a rotorcraft to fly across Titan’s surface and explore its complex organic chemistry in the 2030s.

These moons aren’t just rocks in orbit — they are worlds in their own right, with active geology, unique atmospheres, and potential habitats for life. What makes them mysterious moons isn’t just their strange behaviors, but how little we still know about them.

In the coming decades, space agencies will focus on missions to these moons to answer questions that could reshape our understanding of planetary formation — and perhaps even the origin of life.

Each of these mysterious moons represents a new frontier in the search for answers about the solar system’s past — and our place in it.

RELATED VIDEOS

{ https://curiosmos.com/ }

08-04-2025 om 23:29 geschreven door peter  

RELATED VIDEOS

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

08-04-2025 om 18:40 geschreven door peter  

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

08-04-2025 om 18:26 geschreven door peter