{ https://scientias.nl/ }

05-05-2024 om 00:21 geschreven door peter  

Wanneer vindt de volgende massa-extinctie plaats? De wetenschap weet het

Slechts een klein deel van de aarde zal bewoonbaar blijven tijdens wat volgens wetenschappers de grootste massa-extinctie sinds de ondergang van de dinosauriërs kan worden.

DOOR NANNA VIUM

Extreme temperaturen, intense straling en een totale instorting van de voedselvoorziening.

Dat klinkt niet bijster aantrekkelijk, maar het kan de harde werkelijkheid worden wanneer in de verre toekomst de landmassa’s van de aarde fuseren om het volgende supercontinent te vormen.

Dit is een deel van de conclusie van een onderzoek van de Universiteit van Bristol, waarin wetenschappers computersimulaties maakten van de invloed van het samenkomen van de landmassa’s op landzoogdieren.

En volgens hun resultaten ziet het er op zijn zachtst gezegd niet best uit.

Het toekomstige supercontinent zal naar verwachting over 250 miljoen jaar rond de evenaar ontstaan en wordt Pangea Ultima genoemd: een verwijzing naar het supercontinent Pangea, dat bestond in het tijdperk van de dinosauriërs.

De afgelopen 2 miljard jaar zijn de continenten verschillende keren verenigd, met zo’n 600 miljoen jaar ertussen. Geologen spreken van de supercontinentcyclus.

Supercomputer voorspelt de toekomst

De oorzaak van de herschikking van het landoppervlak is te vinden in het middelste deel van de aardmantel, waar een hete oceaan van magma de buitenste, vaste platen tegen elkaar duwt.

Enorme botsing creëerde Pangea

Door botsingen tussen de continentale platen waarop de landmassa’s van de aarde rusten, ontstond zo’n 325 miljoen jaar geleden het supercontinent Pangea.

© Claus Lunau

325 miljoen jaar geleden: Continenten botsen

Bijna al het land op aarde is gegroepeerd in twee continenten, Euramerika en Gondwana. De continentale platen waarop de twee landmassa’s rusten, botsen op elkaar, waardoor de Paleo-Tethysoceaan zich sluit.

© Claus Lunau

235 miljoen jaar geleden: Al het land komt samen in Pangea

Alle landmassa’s zijn nu verzameld in Pangea – naar de twee Griekse woorden voor alles (pan) en land/aarde (gaia), terwijl de rest van de aarde wordt bedekt door de oceaan Panthalassa. Thalassa betekent zee.

© Claus Lunau

140 miljoen jaar geleden: Werelddelen ontstaan

De continentale platen bewegen uit elkaar, en Pangea verbrokkelt. De Noord-Atlantische Oceaan is een smalle zeestraat, terwijl Afrika en Zuid-Amerika zich nog aan elkaar vastklampen.

{ https://wibnet.nl/heelal }

04-05-2024 om 23:57 geschreven door peter  

No lettering or numbers appear on any of the Roman dodecahedrons that have currently been discovered, although similar objects that include 20-sided icosahedrons of comparable design have also been found. Like many curiosities of the ancient past, their distinctive appearance is strongly suggestive that they were created as devices designed with a specific purpose. Why else would one go to all the trouble of crafting them otherwise?

Although there is still no explanation that researchers agree on in terms of what the objects may have been intended for, several theories have propelled the debate now for decades, and archaeologists may be closing in on discoveries that could provide much-needed context for answering the remaining questions about these ancient Gallo-Roman curiosities.

HISTORY

The earliest known discovery of a Roman dodecahedron is believed to have occurred in 1739 near Aston, Hertfordshire, England. According to an 1849 catalog entry in the miscellaneous collections of the Society of Antiquaries of London, a bronze Roman dodecahedron “found with copper coins at Aston, in Hertfordshire, in a field called Hagdale, was exhibited to the Society by Mr. North [on] June 28, 1739.”

The 1849 entry also discusses the discovery of a similar dodecahedral object nearly three decades later, unearthed from a depth of close to 8 feet on the grounds of St. Peter’s Church at Carmarthen that occurred in May 1768. Described as a “singular object of bronze, in form of a hollow dodecahedron,” the artifact featured “a ball attached to each angle” and a circular opening on “each of its pentagonal sides … the diameters of these perforations increasing gradually from six-tenths to about 1 ½ inch. Each side measures, in diameter, 2 1/5 inches.”

“Several pieces of copper, curiously laid in flag-bricks, were found at the same time, but they crumbled to dust,” the entry states, although it is unclear whether these bricks had any specific relationship to the dodecahedron. Finally, the 1849 catalog entry mentions the discovery of a third dodecahedron “but of smaller size and without balls at the angles, found near Fishguard,” which was delivered to the Society of Antiquaries by the Rev. Edward Harries of Llandysilio, Pembrokeshire, on March 12, 1846.

Over the ensuing centuries, dozens more of the objects have been found in England, France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, the Netherlands, and surrounding countries. Curiously, the objects have remained absent amidst archaeological discoveries made in Italy, where one might otherwise presume a concentration of objects of Roman provenance would be located, further adding to the mystery of their purpose.

THEORIES

Given that there is virtually nothing to provide historical context for what these objects may have been designed and used for, a range of theories have emerged over the years that could offer potential solutions to the mystery of the dodecahedrons.

One of the earliest proposed theories among scholars in the 19th century had been that the objects may have been implements of warfare, perhaps serving as a mace head, a component of a net or bolas-type throwing weapon, or even a projectile. However, the hollow design of the dodecahedrons would seem to impose obvious limitations on their effectiveness if used for such purposes.

More recent theories about the Roman dodecahedra involve their possible use as measurement gauges or as a surveying instrument, while other theories hold that they may have had an artistic or decorative purpose. Other theories put forward over the decades have argued that the dodecahedrons may have served as everything from candlestick holders to gaming implements, devices used for determining sowing dates, calibration tools for water pipes, or possibly army standard bases used by Roman soldiers.

According to Amelia Carolina Sparavigna, a researcher with the Department of Applied Science and Technology at the Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy, one novel possibility is that the Roman dodecahedrons served as dioptrons (i.e., rangefinders). ​Drawing from sources based entirely online, Sparavigna concluded in a 2o12 paper that features common among all the known Roman dodecahedrons point to their use as optical instruments for the measurement of angles and estimating distances.

{ https://thedebrief.org/category/science/ }

04-05-2024 om 22:34 geschreven door peter  

Peering down into these giant holes in the Earth, one is greeted not with a desolate rocky cave, but a hidden lush green forest.

“The scene down there was stunning: an underground pristine forest with no trace of human activities, with 40 meter-high ancient trees and a group of endangered wild plants from the times of dinosaurs,” explained Tang Jianmin, an associate Researcher at Guangxi Institute of Botany, in an article.

The process begins when water acidified by carbon dioxide seeps into the soil, slowly dissolving the underlying limestone. Over time, this leads to the creation of underground voids that eventually collapse, forming tiankengs, which is Mandarin for “heavenly pits.”

With 300 known tiankengs in the world, 200 of which are in China, scientists have been studying the various plants and animals that reside there. 

This most recent study conducted by a team of researchers, including Tang Jianmin, from the Guangxi Institute of Botany, utilized advanced Hyper-seq gene sequencing technology to analyze the genetic diversity of Manglietia aromatica, a rare tree species. Sheltered for milenia, this tree thrives in these deep sinkholes, and has avoided the near extinct fate of its surface living brethren. 

According to the study, the genetic diversity within the tiankeng populations of Manglietia aromatica is significantly higher than those found outside these sinkholes. Specifically, the genetic diversity index (π) was 0.2044 for populations within the tiankengs, compared to 0.1671 for those outside. The Chinese scientists suggest that tiankengs may act as natural conservatories, preserving a rich genetic pool that enhances species resilience and adaptability.

Moreover, the study revealed moderate genetic differentiation between populations inside and outside the tiankengs. This moderate differentiation underscores the partial genetic isolation provided by tiankengs, which likely contributes to the unique genetic traits observed within these populations. In really simple terms, life inside these underground forests evolved differently, and if this is the case for Maglietia aromatica, what does this say for all the other species of plants and animals that live there?

Cave explorers came across the sinkhole in Leye County. It is 306 metres in length, 150 metres wide and 192 metres deep. 

Photograph: Courtesy of Guangxi speleology research team 702

The unique microclimates and isolated environments within tiankengs foster the development of diverse ecosystems relatively untouched by human activity. The forests within tiankengs are more than just collections of trees; they are dynamic environments that support complex food webs and ecological interactions. The genetic diversity found in these forests contributes to the overall health and stability of the ecosystem, enabling plants and animals to adapt to changes and resist diseases. Furthermore, these forests play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, helping to mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The discovery and subsequent studies of China’s karst tiankengs have opened a new chapter in our understanding of conservation biology and the importance of natural refuges in preserving genetic diversity. This most recent study proves that these giant underground forests not only house some of the last remaining members of certain plant and animal species but also genetic variations that have ceased to exist on the surface. 

“You don’t know what you’re going to find in each corner, and sometimes we are surprised and occasionally something breaks through our own expectations,” Veni stated back in 2022. “It’s interesting that we’ve gone from living in caves to now studying and exploring them.”

• MJ Banias covers space, security, and technology with The Debrief. You can email him at mj@thedebrief.org or follow him on Twitter @mjbanias.

{  https://thedebrief.org/category/science/ }

04-05-2024 om 21:25 geschreven door peter  

Ex-CIA Pilot Said US Buried Huge UFO That Was Too Big To Move, Corroborating Coulthart Claim

On July 8, 2023, one of the greatest UFO stories was told by Ross Coulthart to Project Unity host Jay Anderson. The investigative journalist claimed that there is a huge UFO in the possession of the United States that could not be moved, and he knows the location of the craft. Coulthart clarified that the immovable craft is not in the US.

In the interview, Coulthart discussed the potential implications of the new US Senate intelligence bill. He referenced Douglas Dean Johnson’s writings about the bill, which purportedly mandate holders of non-earth origin or exotic UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) material to make it accessible to the All Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) within six months.

Anderson raised concerns that this six-month window might offer enough time for those holding such materials to hide or conceal them. Coulthart acknowledged the possibility but suggested that certain UAP materials could be so large that relocating them is not feasible. He mentioned the existence of a building constructed over such a massive object in a foreign country, which might sound implausible to some.

This revelation left the UFO community curious about the place where the craft might be situated. Interestingly, the late former CIA pilot John Lear previously mentioned the existence of buried crafts too massive to move. In 2018, Lear posted on Facebook, recounting the enigmatic tale of a massive buried UFO near Garrison, Utah. This peculiar incident became a topic of discussion at a UFO conference in Las Vegas, piquing Lear’s curiosity.

The incident dates back to 1953 when a large UFO, measuring between 150 to 200 feet in diameter, crashed near Garrison, Utah. Lear explained that the UFO was so large that even the United States Air Force Security Forces’ “Blue Berets” could not relocate it. Consequently, a decision was made to bury the UFO on the spot. Lear wrote that a team of hundreds of soldiers dug the ground and managed to bury the craft 50 feet below ground level. (Earthfile source)

“While all of the digging to bury the saucer was going on, they also dug a tunnel from the saucer several hundred feet to the south, where they built 2 or 3 houses. The houses were constructed to appear about 75 years old, using old, weathered wood, nails, window frames, and roofing. The only hint that these houses might not be so old were the brand-new padlocks on the doors.

I don’t recall the exact description of the interior, except for a door leading to a stairwell that connected to the tunnel leading to the craft. Everything I’m telling you is from my recollection of the report, likely written by the person who accessed the buildings. My memory isn’t perfect. One of the houses contained a logbook in which visitors from various organizations like Air Force, Navy, Army, and others would inscribe their names.”

Lear and his associates intended to visit Garrison to witness this buried craft. They planned to use a helicopter, a fuel truck, and specialized equipment to explore underground. However, the trip never materialized for reasons unknown. Lear maintained his belief that the craft remains in place. He even shared Google Earth images indicating the potential location. He marked the houses on the images, but they no longer appear on Google Earth.

Read also:

• This Footage of Airplane Teleporting With UFOs Appeared After Malaysia Airlines MH370 Disappeared
• US Congresswoman Claims She Saw Photo Evidence Of UFO Technolgy Not Made By Humans
• U.S. Congressman Says UFOs May Be Machines of a Hidden ‘Ancient Earth Civilization’
• Avi Loeb Soon to Prove Whether Aliens Exist: He & Garry Nolan Saw UFO That Poses Huge Implications for Humanity

“About 300 yards east from this claim, there was an alleged Spanish treasure location. This treasure spot had been discovered by an individual from the Phoenix area with access to Spanish treasure maps, and this location was marked on one of the maps.

In a pile of rocks, there was a precisely square cutout approximately 10 inches wide and 16 inches deep. The bottom seemed like concrete. I had the underground radar team scan the area and found only a few potential returns. The area is now in an ACEC (Area of Critical Environmental Concern). Nevertheless, we were all set to convene for the Garrison expedition in 2 weeks, but somehow it never took off.”

Lear even provided the coordinates of the location: Latitude 38 degrees 37 minutes 40 seconds North, Longitude 113 degrees 40 minutes 40 seconds West. This further deepens the mystery, leaving people intrigued about the truth surrounding the buried UFO near Garrison, Utah.

Moreover, there is alleged John Lear’s statement on the alien presence, posted to Paranet on December 29, 1987. Here are the paragraphs published by UFOmind.com discussing the buried craft: [this page was first archived on January 31, 1997]

“Moore is also in possession of more Aquarius documents a few pages of which leaked out several years ago and detailed the supersecret NSA project which had been denied by them until just recently. In a letter to Senator John Glenn NSA’s Director of Policy Julia B. Wetzel wrote, “Apparently there is or was an Air Force project by that name Aquarius) which dealt with UFO’s. Coincidentally, there is also an NSA project by that name.”

NSA’s project Aquarius deals specifically with the ‘communications with aliens’ (the EBE’s). Within the Aquarius program was project ‘Snowbird’ a project to test fly A recovered alien aircraft at Groom Lake, Nevada. This project continues today at that location. In the words of an individual who works at Groom Lake ‘our people are much better at taking things apart than they are at putting them back together’. Another saw a saucer being trucked into the Nevada Test Site in March of 1988. Still another informant witnessed a saucer being buried at that location (for God knows whatever reason) during the second week of August 1988.”

There is another version of this statement: (Source)

“Germany may have recovered a flying saucer as early as 1939. General James H. Doolittle went to Sweden in 1946 to inspect a flying saucer that had crashed there in Spitzbergen…

In July of 1952, a panicked government watched helplessly as squadron of “flying saucers” flew over Washington, D.C., and buzzed the White House, the Capitol Building, and the Pentagon. It took all the imagination and intimidation the government could muster to force that incident out of the memory of the public.

One saucer was so enormous and the logistic problems in transportation so enormous that it was buried at the crash sight and remains there today. The stories are legendary on transporting crashed saucers over long distances, moving only at night, purchasing complete farms, slashing through forests, blocking major highways, sometimes driving 2 and 3 lo-boys in tandem with an extraterrestrial load a hundred feet in diameter.”

{ https://www.howandwhys.com/ }

04-05-2024 om 20:51 geschreven door peter  

EXCLUSIVE: UFO expert Lee boldly claimed the idea of the government and extraterrestrial life working together wasn't the craziest of ideas and went further to admit he thought it was a real possibility

By Abigail Hunt - Assistant News Editor

The US Government signed a secret treaty with aliens to "mutually benefit each other", according to a UFO expert and filmmaker.

Researcher Mark Christopher Lee spoke exclusively to the Daily Star about the supposed treaty that some claim was signed by the US military under President Dwight Eisenhower and hidden within the infamous Majestic 12 UFO files.

Lee boldly claimed the idea of the government and extraterrestrial life working together wasn't the craziest of ideas and went further to admit he thought it was a real possibility – giving insight into unidentified submerged (underwater) objects as well as the better known UFO.

READ MORE: Wild Bigfoot sighting theories from 'evolved ancient ape' to 'aliens bonking humans'

"In a mutually beneficial way the aliens need something that we've got, hence abductions and also cattle mutilations, and in return the military gets to back engineer their technology," he told us.

"There are rumours and legends regarding the lost continent of Atlantis now being and underwater alien USO base which leads me onto the recent sightings of USOs off the coast of Malibu, California, and the alleged location of an underground USO base as identified by Google Earth."

A YouTube conspirator claimed in 2017 this picture showed Atlantis' sunken "perimeter wall" and that perimeter walls were a fairly common way of protecting cities in the past, including the Italian capital Rome in 275AD.

The "city" found on Google Earth is almost a mile long and half a mile wide, but expert Lee said Google has now blurred out the images. "If it is an alien base does that mean that the aliens are in cahoots with Google? Or is it more likely that it is some secret US naval base they want to keep secret?," he questioned.

Researcher Mark Christopher Lee spoke exclusively to the Daily Star about the supposed treaty 

(Image: Youtube/Nub TV)

"Maybe they have developed some USO technology. I suspect there is a base there as there have been hundreds of USO sightings further up the coast at Catalina island in California, and I also suspect the US Government and the aliens are operating this jointly."

Lee added communication between humans and aliens would most likely happen using the mind, or telepathy. "Considering that we as humans only use a small part of the brain I guess this where we will end up evolving to," he said. "Which is why some believe the grey aliens that people have reported seeing are actually us in the future."

{ https://www.dailystar.co.uk }

04-05-2024 om 20:05 geschreven door peter  

China wil de donkere kant van de maan veroveren: de missie vindt dit jaar al plaats

 Door Janine

De donkere kant van de maan fascineert de mens al heel lang: we zien immers maar één vlak van onze satelliet. De mens heeft echter al enkele jaren grote vooruitgang geboekt bij het verkennen van de verborgen kant van de maan. In het bijzonder zou de Chinese Chang'e 6-ruimtemissie eindelijk monsters naar de aarde kunnen brengen van de kant die we nooit zien. Zo zullen ze dit gaan doen.

Wat bevindt zich aan de donkere kant van de maan?

NASA

Ten eerste moet duidelijk worden gemaakt dat het technisch onjuist is om van een donkere kant van de Maan te spreken. Zoals bij alle hemellichamen die rond de zon draaien, zijn er niet per se donkere kanten: we zien de andere kant van onze satelliet gewoon nooit. Daarom is het beter om te spreken van de verborgen kant van de Maan of de verre kant van de Maan. Verborgen en ver van ons op Aarde, uiteraard.

Al bij de eerste waarnemingen door astronauten in een baan om de Maan was te zien dat dit verborgen gebied heel anders is dan wij kennen. Er zijn minder maanzeeën en meer kraters, wat duidt op een dikkere korst, evenals meer radioactieve elementen zoals thorium. Afgezien van wetenschappelijke analyses kunnen aardsondes de verborgen kant van de maan al tientallen jaren van veraf bekijken, maar dat betekent niet dat ze niet al hebben geprobeerd om er dichtbij te komen.

Aan de andere kant van de maan landen

China News Service/Wikimedia Commons 

CC BY 3.0 LEGAL CODE / NASA

Wat betreft het verkennen van de verborgen kant van de Maan heeft China andere ruimtevaartorganisaties ingehaald. In slechts een paar decennia is het Aziatische land een van de belangrijkste landen geworden die proberen op de maan te landen. Met name de twee missies van de Chinese ruimtevaartorganisatie Chang'e 3 en Chang'e 4 waren gericht op de verborgen kant van onze satelliet. De eerste, in 2013, maakte een eerste zachte landing niet ver van het doel. De tweede, gelanceerd in 2018, is in plaats daarvan de sonde die verantwoordelijk is voor de eerste landing op de verre kant van de maan, meer bepaald in de Von Kármán-krater in het Zuidpool-Aitken-bekken.

Chang'e 4 werd gevolgd door Chang'e 5, gelanceerd in 2020 en werd de eerste ruimtemissie die maanmonsters terug naar de aarde bracht sinds de Luna 24-missie van de Sovjet-Unie. Hoewel Chang'e 5 niet op de verborgen kant van de maan landde, is China van plan om daar terug te keren met de Chang'e 6-missie, die in mei 2024 vertrekt.

Er wordt begonnen met verkenning van de andere kant van de maan

CSNA/Siyu Zhang/Kevin M. Gill/Wikimedia Commons

CC BY 2.0 DEED

Hoewel er al een eerste landing op de verborgen kant van de maan heeft plaatsgevonden, is de Chang'e 6-missie anders. In zekere zin wil deze missie de resultaten van de twee missies die eraan voorafgingen combineren: landen aan de andere kant van onze satelliet en, na het verzamelen van monsters van de maanbodem, deze terugbrengen naar de aarde voor verder onderzoek. De missie bestaat uit een orbiter, een lander, een opstijgmodule en een terugkeermodule: de verkenning zelf zal slechts 53 dagen duren, maar zelfs een paar uur zal gegevens opleveren die nog nooit eerder zijn verzameld.

Concluderend kunnen we zeggen dat er niet langer een donkere kant van de Maan is: die was er nooit vanuit fysiek oogpunt en zal er ook niet meer zijn vanuit metaforisch oogpunt. Aan de andere kant is de Chinese missie Chang'e 6 slechts de eerste die ons de komende jaren meer over onze satelliet zal leren. Misschien met de bedoeling er ooit te leven, hetzij aan de bekende kant, hetzij aan de andere kant, de verborgen kant.

{ https://www.curioctopus.nl/ }

04-05-2024 om 18:34 geschreven door peter  

Dromen controleren en communiceren met de werkelijkheid terwijl je slaapt: een slaaplaboratorium legt uit hoe het werkt

 Door Janine

Zou je graag de controle willen hebben over je dromen en ze willen sturen? In Nederland is er een slaaplaboratorium waar dit mogelijk wordt. Laten we er meer over te weten komen.

Lucide dromen zijn heel zeldzaam

Freepik

In het Sleep and Memory Lab van Martin Dresler aan het Donders Instituut in Nijmegen kun je leren hoe je kunt ervaren wat we “lucide dromen” noemen. Het betekent dat je in feite de regisseur wordt van je eigen droomervaring, je realiseert dat je droomt en de “film” regisseert zoals jij dat wilt. Of je nu wilt vliegen, een andere planeet wilt bezoeken of een persoon wilt ontmoeten, je hoeft het alleen maar te willen en voilà: de droom komt uit, althans in onze geest.

Met andere woorden, het is een kwestie van je dromen “hacken” door er controle over te nemen. Bewuste dromen zijn geen gewone ervaring: het is niet gemakkelijk om te beseffen dat je droomt en gebeurtenissen te sturen en in feite gebeurt het maar zelden. Er zijn echter bedrijven die juist in dit fenomeen geïnteresseerd zijn en hun inspanningen richten op de ontwikkeling van apparatuur en hulpmiddelen om lucide dromen te vergemakkelijken.

Lucide dromen, een anomalie van normaal dromen

Martin Dresler en zijn team richten hun onderzoek naar lucide dromen op het monitoren van hersenactiviteit terwijl ze plaatsvinden. "We vermoeden nu welke hersengebieden erbij betrokken zijn, waaronder de prefrontale cortex, maar we weten nog steeds niet precies welke structuren gestimuleerd moeten worden om lucide dromen op te wekken”, legde hij uit.

Voor zijn onderzoek induceert Dr. Dresler lucide dromen bij vrijwillige proefpersonen. Door in wakkere toestand hun zintuigen te stimuleren met behulp van lichten, geluiden en trillingen, nodigt hij hen uit om zich te concentreren op deze prikkels en hun gemoedstoestand op dat moment. Vervolgens zendt hij dezelfde signalen uit wanneer de proefpersonen zich in de REM-fase van de slaap bevinden. Op deze manier kunnen de deelnemers de stimuli herkennen terwijl ze dromen en zich realiseren dat ze zich in een droom bevinden.

Deze techniek is effectief in ongeveer 50 procent van de gevallen, hoewel het droombewustzijn vaak van korte duur is en zelden langer duurt dan 60 seconden.

Volgens Dresler lijken onze hersenen lucide dromen niet te waarderen, dat “nogal onstabiel is. Het lijkt erop dat de hersenen het niet prettig vinden om in deze staat te zijn. Het keert snel terug naar normaal dromen of wakker zijn. In zekere zin zou lucide dromen gezien kunnen worden als iets dat misgaat tijdens een normale droom."

Tijdens een lucide droom kun je communiceren

Een afwijking die dus snel hersteld wordt. Lucide dromen zijn echter een belangrijk hulpmiddel om te ontdekken wat er in onze hersenen gebeurt terwijl we slapen en hoe slaap de consolidatie van herinneringen beïnvloedt.

De vooruitgang van Dresler heeft tot nu toe aangetoond dat het mogelijk is om te communiceren tijdens het lucide dromen: hij vroeg zijn vrijwilligers om ja en nee te antwoorden op bepaalde vragen en om eenvoudige wiskundige bewerkingen op te lossen. Veertig procent van de proefpersonen die de lucide droom beleefden, gaven een correct antwoord met behulp van eerder vastgestelde oogbewegingen.

"We hebben aangetoond dat communicatie met slapende vrijwilligers mogelijk is in beide richtingen, van de onderzoeker naar de slaper en weer terug."

“Normale” dromen zijn belangrijk voor het organiseren van informatie en het verwerken van ervaringen, en laten ruimte voor het onbewuste. Deze functie kan ontbreken in lucide dromen, die echter slechts een klein percentage van de REM-fase vertegenwoordigen, mocht deze zich voordoen, en daarom niet schadelijk zijn.

Tot slot kan het volgens Dresler ook een nuttig hulpmiddel zijn bij nachtmerries: "Met lucide droomtherapie kunnen patiënten zich tijdens een nachtmerrie realiseren dat wat er gebeurt niet echt is en ze kunnen zelfs actieve controle over de droom krijgen, of besluiten om wakker te worden."

{  https://www.curioctopus.nl/ }

04-05-2024 om 18:17 geschreven door peter  

On 2024-04-27 the Chemcam onboard NASA's Mars rover Curiosity captured an intriguing image depicting a mysterious mask adorning a sizable rock on the Martian surface. 

The mask appears to defy natural origins, bearing the hallmark of artificial craftsmanship and deliberate placement upon the rock. 

Is the mask part of an ancient statue, or does it stand alone? What significance might its placement hold, could it represent a sacred relic from an ancient civilization that once inhabited the planet or might the mask serve as a homage to an ancient deity? 

Yet, who created this mask?

Links: 

• SOL 4168: https://mars.nasa.gov/raw_images/1326548/ 
• SOL 4168: https://mars.nasa.gov/raw_images/1326546/ 
• Gigapan Neville Thompson: http://www.gigapan.com/gigapans/234659

{ https://ufosightingshotspot.blogspot.com/ }

04-05-2024 om 18:06 geschreven door peter  

Vreemde witte stenen gevonden op Mars: Perseverance heeft er duizenden gevonden

 Door Janine

Vreemde stenen op het oppervlak van Mars: Perseverance heeft ze geïdentificeerd

NASA/JPL

We weten allemaal dat Mars de rode planeet is, dankzij de ijzeroxiden die hem zijn karakteristieke kleur geven. Toch bevinden zich op het oppervlak duizenden lichtgekleurde stenen, verspreid over de krater Jezero, het gebied dat door Perseverance is bestudeerd. De kleur neigt bijna naar wit en de stenen lijken bijna op kiezelstenen, willekeurig verspreid over het oppervlak. Maar wat zijn ze precies?

Op dit moment is er niet veel bekend over de vreemde witte stenen op Mars, en er zijn verschillende wetenschappers die ze graag zouden willen analyseren om te begrijpen waar het om gaat. Vanuit dit oogpunt kan zelfs een beetje informatie helpen enkele geheimen van de rode planeet te onthullen. Op dit moment is uit de eerste analyses van Perseverance gebleken dat de stenen geen water of andere mineralen zoals ijzer, magnesium, calcium en natrium bevatten. Dit is een indicatie die ons al in staat stelt te veronderstellen dat deze stenen werden verwarmd door lavastromen of werden aangetast door de inslag van asteroïden. Maar voor een vollediger antwoord moeten we misschien wachten.

De missie van Perseverance naar de rode planeet

NASA/JPL-Caltech

Zoals we al zeiden, was het mogelijk om veel gegevens te verzamelen, vooral dankzij de inspanningen van de Perseverance rover en de Ingenuity quadcopter. Nu is de missie Ingenuity helaas beëindigd vanwege een probleem met de vleugels van de quadcopter, na meer dan 70 vluchten. Perseverance heeft daarentegen ruim 20 kilometer afgelegd sinds zijn aankomst op Mars en heeft al meer dan de helft van de beschikbare buisjes voltooid om gesteentemonsters van Mars te verzamelen. Bovendien is de rover onlangs begonnen zich te verplaatsen naar de rand van de Jezero-krater, waar hij tot nu toe zijn verkenningen heeft uitgevoerd, waarbij hij daar ook de lichtgekleurde stenen heeft gevonden die van groot belang zijn voor astronomen.

Eenmaal vrijgegeven zal Perseverance oudere gesteenten kunnen bestuderen dan die aanwezig in de Jezero-krater, die ook biosignaturen kunnen bevatten, oftewel sporen van complexe moleculen of ingrediënten voor leven. Als het echter nodig is om enige tijd te wachten om deze informatie te verkrijgen, zal het onderzoek van de witte stenen op korte termijn niet mogelijk zijn. Alleen op aarde zullen wetenschappers de door Perseverance verzamelde monsters kunnen bestuderen en misschien een antwoord kunnen vinden.

De toekomst van de verkenning van Mars, beginnend bij de terugkeer naar de aarde

NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS

Bij de terugkeer naar de aarde via het programma Mars Sample Return van NASA, zal Perseverance de verzamelde monsters terug naar onze planeet brengen. Als naar Mars gaan helemaal niet gemakkelijk is, is terugkeren naar de blauwe planeet zelfs nog moeilijker. Tot op heden, en ondanks de begrotingsproblemen waar NASA helaas altijd last van heeft gehad, bevindt de MSR zich nog in de voorbereidingsfase, maar zou binnenkort klaar kunnen zijn.

Als alles volgens plan verloopt, zal dit niet alleen de eerste “terugreis” zijn van de rode planeet naar de aarde. We zullen voor het eerst in de geschiedenis ook monsters van Mars-gesteente kunnen aanraken. En misschien begrijpen wat die witte stenen zijn, waarom ze op Mars waren en wat ze ons kunnen vertellen over een planeet die veel op de onze lijkt, maar ook heel verschillend.

 { https://www.curioctopus.nl/ }

04-05-2024 om 00:13 geschreven door peter  

Wetenschappers hebben plastic uitgevonden dat zichzelf op kan lossen. Ze hebben dit bereikt door het materiaal – letterlijk – nieuw leven in te blazen.

Het klinkt enigszins bizar, maar niks is minder waar: wetenschappers hebben ‘levend plastic’ uitgevonden. Uit het onderzoek blijkt ook al meteen dat het hier om een wondermiddel gaat: het nieuwe materiaal is sterker én flexibeler dan voorheen mogelijk was. Niet alleen dat; de grootste troefkaart van het levende plastic is nog wel het feit dat het zichzelf op kan lossen – zonder hulp van buitenaf. Wetenschapper Jon Pokorski is dan ook enthousiast. Hij legt uit: “Dit materiaal kan zichzelf afbreken zonder de aanwezigheid van andere microben. Het is goed mogelijk dat, in de toekomst, veel van dit soort plastic zal eindigen buiten een compostfabriek (waar het verwerkt kan worden, red.). Het vermogen om zichzelf af te breken maakt deze technologie dan ook een stuk veelzijdiger.” Het onderzoek is gepubliceerd in het blad Nature Communications.

Evolutie
Het directe productieproces van het nieuwe materiaal blijkt verrassend simpel te zijn. Zo hebben de wetenschappers gebruik gemaakt van thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU); een zachte plasticsoort die veelvuldig gebruikt wordt voor, onder andere, memory foam. Vervolgens hebben ze gebruik gemaakt van de bacteriesoort Bacillus subtilis, een soort die bekend staat om het vermogen om plastic af te breken. Pokorski voegt toe: “Dit is een inherente eigenschap van deze bacteriën. We kozen uit een aantal bacteriemonsters en onderzochten welke het beste gebruik kon maken van TPU. Naderhand kozen we het exemplaar dat het beste kon groeien.”

Voor de laatste stap van het productieproces werden de ‘ingrediënten’ opgewarmd tot een temperatuur van 135 graden Celsius, waarna deze werden gemixt in een machine die plastic kan produceren. Er was hierbij echter sprake van een probleem: de bacteriesoort was, van origine, niet ingericht om deze temperatuur ook te overleven. Er was dus meer onderzoek nodig om ervoor te zorgen dat het productieproces goed verliep. Mede-onderzoeker Adam Feist heeft meegewerkt aan het onderzoek. Hij licht toe: “In het lab hebben we continu cellen laten evolueren om de hogere temperaturen aan te kunnen die nodig zijn voor de productie van TPU.” Dit proces bestond hoofdzakelijk uit het – heel praktisch – opwarmen van bacteriën naar steeds hogere temperaturen, om naderhand de overlevende exemplaren verder te kweken en de testen te herhalen. Feist laat weten: “Uiteindelijk kwamen we uit bij een exemplaar dat de intense hitte aankon. Het was opmerkelijk hoe goed dit proces van bacteriële evolutie en selectie uiteindelijk bleek te werken.”

Verbeteringen
Het nieuwe materiaal is interessant, omdat het zichzelf voor 90% op kan lossen in slechts vijf maanden tijd. Daarnaast lijken de bacteriën het plastic ook te versterken en te versoepelen. Pokorski vult aan; “Beide eigenschappen werden sterk verbeterd na de komst van de bacteriën. Dit is fantastisch, omdat de toevoeging van de bacteriesoort dus de mechanische eigenschappen van het materiaal ver voorbij de huidige grenzen kon duwen. Eerder bestond er altijd een balans tussen stevigheid en flexibiliteit.”

De wetenschappers hebben echter nog wel een hoop vervolgonderzoek te doen. Zo is vooralsnog onbekend wat er uiteindelijk overblijft van het plastic – nadat het zichzelf heeft afgebroken. De wetenschappers speculeren dat het restant niet schadelijk zou moeten zijn, omdat B. subtilis doorgaans goed voor de gezondheid is van mensen, dieren en planten. De wetenschappers laten weten dat ze, in de toekomst, het onderzoek willen herhalen met meer soorten plastic. Feist sluit af: “Er bestaan veel verschillende soorten commercieel plastic, TPU is er hier slechts één van. Voor ons vervolgplan willen we meer afbreekbare materialen maken die leunen op deze technologie.”

{ https://scientias.nl/ }

03-05-2024 om 23:49 geschreven door peter  

The Pascagoula Encounter: A Milestone in UFO Sightings History

Fifty years ago, the quiet waters of the Pascagoula River in Mississippi became the epicenter of one of the most compelling UFO sightings and alien abduction stories in history. On October 11, 1973, Calvin Parker and Charles Hickson experienced an event so extraordinary, it would etch their names permanently into the annals of UFOlogy. As the 50th anniversary of the Pascagoula UFO mystery approached, new evidence emerged, bringing fresh attention to this landmark case.

The Encounter

On an unassuming evening, Parker and Hickson, co-workers and fishermen, were enjoying an after-work fishing trip when their tranquility was shattered by bizarre sounds and flashing blue lights. Initially mistaking the spectacle for police activity, they were astounded as an oval-shaped craft hovered into view. From this craft, they reported, emerged three creatures with robotic slit-mouths who took them aboard for physical examinations.

The Aftermath and Skepticism

Escaping with their lives and bearing only pinprick injuries, the two men’s story would become a pivotal case in UFO sightings research. Despite their compelling testimony, skepticism abounded, with claims that the entire ordeal was a figment of their imagination. However, the recent public release of photographs showcasing their injuries presents tangible evidence that challenges the skeptics’ dismissal.

Unprecedented Physical Proof

The photographs, detailed examination notes, and testimonies compiled by UFO researcher Philip Mantle offer what many consider to be unprecedented evidence of an extraterrestrial encounter. Documented puncture marks on Hickson’s arm and Parker’s foot are highlighted as physical corroborations of their harrowing experience. Dr. James Harder’s analyses further substantiate the physical manifestations of their claims.

Impact on UFO Research

The Pascagoula incident stands as a cornerstone of UFO sightings research. It demonstrates a tangible intersection between human experience and the unknown, marking a significant moment in the broader discussion of extraterrestrial phenomena. This case, particularly with its new evidence, reinvigorates the conversation around UFO sightings, encouraging a blend of skepticism and open-minded examination.

As we reflect on the 50th anniversary of the Pascagoula UFO mystery, the newly unveiled evidence offers a compelling argument for the reality of Parker and Hickson’s experience. This incident serves not only as a crucial case study for UFO enthusiasts but also as a reminder of the enduring human fascination with the unknown. The Pascagoula story, enriched by the passage of time and the emergence of new evidence, remains a testament to the complex, often contentious dialogue between belief and skepticism in the realm of UFO sightings.

The enduring mystery of the Pascagoula incident, coupled with the recent revelations, underscores the significance of this case in the ongoing exploration of UFO sightings and alien encounters. As we navigate the vast expanse of the unknown, stories like Parker and Hickson’s serve as beacons, guiding the curious and the skeptical alike through the murky waters of mystery and towards the shores of understanding.

LINK VIDEOS

• https://youtu.be/WZoVhx9CYsE

• https://youtu.be/HmXgF-Sh22U

{ https://www.latest-ufo-sightings.net/ }

03-05-2024 om 20:51 geschreven door peter  

• The hole formed in Antarctica's sea ice was from wind, water currents and salt 
• Scientists discovered the first hole in 1975 and the second in 2016 and 2017
• READ MORE:  Massive hole opened up in the sea ice around Antarctica

Scientists have solved the mystery of how a gaping hole nearly twice the size of New Jersey that formed in Antarctica's sea ice eight years ago.

The rare opening of ice free water, called a polynya, was first discovered in 1974 and remained for the following two years until the void eventually closed.

Scientists were again baffled in 2016 and 2017 when the polynya reappeared because of its vast size and distance from the coast - setting them on a hunt to uncover what was forming the hole.

Researchers at the University of Southampton have found that the cause was actually a combination of the ocean's water currents, wind and increasing levels of salt in the water that melted the sea ice.

The Maud Rise polynya appeared in the winters of 2016 and 2017 that was nearly twice the size of New Jersey. Pictured: A satellite image of the polynya in 2017

© Provided by Daily Mail

Scientists unravel why a giant hole formed in Antarctica's sea ice

© Provided by Daily Mail

The polynya was caused by a combination of the ocean's water currents, wind and increasing levels of salt in the water that melted the sea ice.

© Provided by Daily Mail

WEDDELL POLYNYA

The Weddell Polynya was first spotted in satellite observations during the mid-1970s.

After closing back up, and remaining that way for roughly 40 years, it has re-opened.

Athe Antarctic Peninsula.

At its  ‘polynya’ is a large ice-free area that develops in an otherwise frozen sea, and this particular formation is situated in the Weddell Sea, east of peak, the Weddell Polynya measured a staggering 80,000 square kilometers (roughly 31,000 square miles).

Related video: 

• Scientists Finally Know Why This Hole the Size of New Zealand Periodically Appears in Antarctic Ice (Dailymotion)

Scientists named the opening the Maud Rise polynya in the 1970s after the underwater mountain located beneath it in the Weddell Sea. 

Polynyas typically occur in sea ice located in the coastal areas of Antarctica every year, but it is unusual for them to form hundreds of miles away in the open ocean where the sea is thousands of feet deep.

'The Maud Rise polynya was discovered in the 1970s when remote sensing satellites that can see sea ice over the Southern Ocean were first launched,' said Aditya Narayanan, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Southampton and the study's lead author. 

'It persisted through consecutive winters from 1974 to 1976 and oceanographers back then assumed it would be an annual occurrence. But since the 1970s, it has occurred only sporadically and for brief intervals,' Narayanan continued.

'2017 was the first time that we've had such a large and long-lived polynya in the Weddell Sea since the 1970s.'

The researchers set out to uncover how the polynya formed so far from the coast using remotely sensed sea ice maps, data from tagged marine animals and a computer-generated model of the ocean.

Results showed the current moving around the underwater Maud Rise Mountain in the Weddell Sea created turbulent eddies - a reverse current - that moved the salt to the sea's surface.

Experts said that 2017 (pictured) was the first time that we've had such a large and long-lived polynya in the Weddell Sea since the 1970s

© Provided by Daily Mail

The appearance of a polynya hundreds of miles off the coast of Antarctica is an unusual occurrence and researchers found it is caused by a combination of water currents, wind and salt. Pictured: The Maud Rise polynya in 2017 Pictured, sea ice in the water off Cuverville Island in the Antarctic

© Provided by Daily Mail

Scientists unravel why a giant hole formed in Antarctica's sea ice

© Provided by Daily Mail

READ MORE: 

• Antarctica's sea ice drops to an 'alarming low' for the third year in a row 

Sea ice plays an important role maintaining the Earth's energy balance while helping keep polar regions cool due to its ability to reflect more sunlight back to space. 

Once the salt reached the surface, a process called Ekman transport occurred which moved the water at a 90-degree angle in the direction of the wind, making it easier for the salt to mix with heat at the surface and melt the ice.

'Ekman transport was the essential missing ingredient that was necessary to increase the balance of salt and sustain the mixing of salt and heat towards the surface water,' said Alberto Naveira Garabato, the study's co-author and professor from the University of Southampton. 

The researchers speculated that polar cyclones passing through the region could have caused the Ekman transport to be stronger, bringing an excess of salt to the surface, but clarified their research could not verify the theory. 

Researchers are now warning that the polynyas can have an adverse effect on oceans and contribute to the rising sea levels which rose by .3 inches from 2022 to 2023.

'The imprint of polyny as can remain in the water for multiple years after they've formed,' said study team member Sarah Gille, the study's co-author and professor at the University of California, San Diego.

'They can change how water moves around and how currents carry heat towards the continent. The dense waters that form here can spread across the global ocean.'

{https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ }

02-05-2024 om 23:08 geschreven door peter  

New Starfield Update Will Finally Add These Widely Requested Features

Getting lost in Neon will be a thing of the past.

BY TRONE DOWD

 

Bethesda Game Studios

Bethesda will also give players more control over how they want to experience Starfield. New difficulty modes and setting sliders will let them adjust everything from combat encounters, how XP is distributed, carrying capacity, and the damage players dole out and receive. More customization options are being added for players who opt into the game’s interesting twist on new game plus, allowing them a chance to roll a character with different traits and new appearance.

For the sickos who spent hours in New Atlantis’ ship ports getting their rigs just right, the developer is adding not just new ship pieces, but an entirely new element to the creation suite: customizable interiors. They’ll now be able to furnish their ships with chairs, carpets, posters, and visual decor to make space travel a little cozier.

Lastly, Starfield is getting a handful of presentation and performance options. Console players will now have a 60 frames per second mode for smoother, more responsive action. Conversations with NPCs can now be had without Bethesda’s signature zoom-in thanks to a toggle for the dialogue camera.

Bethesda also teased what additions are on the game’s event horizon: new quests, and the oft-request land vehicles. The latter in particular is something players have wanted since launch, as the on-foot-only approach to planet exploration slowed a crucial, frequent pillar of the game’s loop to a crawl.

Wednesday’s announcement was a welcome surprise for Starfield players. It was proof that the Maryland-based developer is listening to the community, and is working hard to improve their first original game in more than 30 years.

But as exciting as these additions are, one can’t help but wonder why the features weren’t added to the game closer to launch. Starfield received a mixed reception when it finally hit digital storefronts last September, and much of that was because of many missing quality-of-life features. The aforementioned absence of land vehicles, clunky UI and inventory system, and a lack of performance options all held back an otherwise wonderfully ambitious role-playing game.

It goes without saying that a substantial amount of work obviously went into Starfield’s promising new update. But when Bethesda releases a patch for an older game (one that did more harm than good on certain platforms) after promising big changes and fixes every six weeks for their newest one, you can’t help but wonder why Starfield wasn’t more of a priority these last seven months.

Thankfully players won’t have to wait much longer for these long-overdue additions. Bethesda says Update 4 will drop on May 15. Other features, like the planetary land vehicles, and the game’s first expansion, Shattered Space, are expected later this year.

{ https://www.inverse.com/ }

02-05-2024 om 22:24 geschreven door peter  

This New Telescope Could Create the Greatest Space Movie of All Time

The world’s largest digital camera is epic, from its size to its ambitious movie.

BY DORIS ELÍN URRUTIA

 

Jacqueline Ramseyer Orrell/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

The camera, the team behind it purports, will take the greatest movie of all time. Observations will begin around January 2025.

Trilogy enthusiasts be warned: to watch all the video clips back to back, each packed with a decade’s worth of observations of just one slice of the southern sky, would take a year. That’s without sleeping, too, Rubin Observatory construction director ´eljko Ivezić tells Inverse.

The camera will record our celestial family. That includes close cousin asteroids, infrequent visitors like comets, the Sun’s community of stars whizzing around the center of the Milky Way and outside the galaxy, to the far reaches of our celestial family tree. Ivezić is optimistic the LSST Camera will discover five million asteroids, and see about 20 billion stars in our galaxy, plus about 20 billion galaxies.

Imaging the cosmos and how it changes at varying distances will help reveal many dynamics at play. The camera’s work will complement other missions surveying the night sky such as Gaia and Euclid. The science produced can help answer questions about whether or not Albert Einstein had it entirely right with his theory of general relativity, reveal new transient phenomena like supernovas and variable stars, and quintuple the number of known asteroids zipping through the Solar System.

The idea of a massive digital camera isn’t revolutionary. But the technology is. The University of Arizona produced the camera’s most critical component, the three mirrors, for the low price of $30 million. Ivezić says before modern advancements in manufacturing, the mirrors would have cost hundreds of millions of dollars. The camera’s field of view required computers to be capable of storing 3,200 megapixels and processing them. This wasn’t possible until recently.

LSST Camera will hone in on a section of the southern night sky, about 45 times larger than the size of the Full Moon, for 30 seconds. It rapidly repoints to the next 9.6 square degrees slice of space, and repeats. This way, the camera shoots the entire night sky in three nights. To observe the southern sky in its totality in all six color filters of its carousel takes about three weeks. When the round is complete, the camera starts all over again. This will go on and on for ten years.

The repetition increases the exposure time of each segment. This makes the images more sensitive to dimmer objects. The numerous exposures reveal an average appearance. That’s how the team hopes to discover interlopers, like asteroids and comets.

Over more repetitions, the subtle motions of stars relative to the Sun will also become apparent. Star motions are much gnarlier than they seem. “Those motions are actually faster than the motion of Earth around the Sun,” Ivezić says. “The relative speed is actually higher between the stars, but when you look at images, it’s much smaller because they are thousands of times farther away.”

Astronomers will use the LSST Camera to measure galaxy traits. Their colors reveal their distances. Distortion to their shapes would hint at gravitational lensing, as extraordinarily massive structures bend light. Their placements would fine-tune ideas about how galaxies distribute over time. The expansion of the universe may also get less mysterious.

The SUV-sized camera will soon begin a daunting journey. The Boeing 747 that will fly it across the Americas can land in La Serena, Chile. But it cannot take off from this small airport. So the big plane will have to land farther from the observatory site, in Santiago. A truck carrying the camera will sojourn out of the capital into the Andean highlands. Once it reaches the road that leads up to the 8,900-foot-high summit of Cerro Pachón, it won’t go more than a few miles an hour.

To say the cargo is precious is putting it mildly. It’s covered by insurance, but the team never wants to have to cash in. “They would get money back, but there is no place to go to buy a new camera,” Ivezić says.

{ https://www.inverse.com/ }

02-05-2024 om 22:14 geschreven door peter  

Boeing Starliner Is Just Days Away From Its First Human Test Flight

All eyes are on Starliner.

BY DORIS ELÍN URRUTIA

 

Anadolu/Anadolu/Getty Images

The Boeing Starliner is less than a week away from its critical Crew Flight Test.

NASA astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore will be the first humans to fly aboard the low-Earth orbit spacecraft. Their flight will take off as early as Monday, May 6 at 10:34 p.m. Eastern from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. NASA will be streaming the event live, which you can watch here.

Williams and Wilmore will run tests onboard the spacecraft. Starliner will then dock with the International Space Station (ISS). After a week inside the orbiting laboratory, they’ll reboard Starliner. The reusable spacecraft will land back to Earth in the southwestern United States.

WHY IS THIS LAUNCH SO IMPORTANT?

Starliner flew crewless in late 2019 for Orbital Flight Test 1. But it failed to dock with the ISS. This important maneuver finally happened on the following test, Orbital Flight Test 2, in mid-2022. On Friday, NASA announced Williams and Wilmore had completed a start-to-finish mission dress rehearsal for the upcoming launch.

If Starliner aces Crew Flight Test, NASA will have a second company to take its astronauts into Earth’s atmosphere. NASA has already ordered six Starliner crew rotation missions to the space station. It can carry up to four astronauts, or a mix of passengers and cargo.

A MUCH NEEDED BACK UP PLAN

Currently only one spacecraft, the SpaceX Crew Dragon, launches astronauts from the United States. After the Space Shuttle Program ended in July 2011, spacefarers could only launch from Russia or China.

NASA awarded contracts to SpaceX and Boeing to develop spacecraft that could carry astronauts into low-Earth orbit as part of its Commercial Crew Program. SpaceX debuted Crew Dragon on May 30, 2020. Monday will be Boeing’s first crewed flight.

Boeing would provide a backup plan. The ISS must be continuously occupied and if something unexpected happens in orbit, station maintenance and upkeep must continue.

If a spacecraft cannot continue its work, having two low-Earth orbit providers rather than one would provide greater flexibility. In a press conference on March 22, Dana Weigel, deputy manager of the ISS Program at NASA, cited a recent example. A micrometeoroid strike in December 2022 left a Russian Soyuz capsule defunct in space. But since Crew Dragon was in operation, other crews could fly up and back. NASA also had to depend on another country to return NASA astronaut Frank Rubio to Earth. Stranded until a rescue Russian Soyuz replaced it, Rubio wound up breaking the record for longest single spaceflight in U.S. history, at 371 days.

It’s a situation NASA hopes never to repeat. Starliner may soon be ready to answer the call.

{ https://www.inverse.com/ }

02-05-2024 om 22:04 geschreven door peter  

The researchers behind the novel accomplishment believe their work may open up several practical applications, ranging from sensing and on-chip routing to lasing and quantum light-matter interfaces.

“This principle offers a new approach to slow down light fields and thereby enhance their strength,” explained AMOLF group leader Ewold Verhagen. “Realizing this on a chip is particularly important for many applications.”

EXPLORING TWISTRONICS AND MAGIC ANGLES TO STOP LIGHT IN ITS TRACKS

In their research, published in the journal Nature Photonics, the AMOLF team explains how the unique properties of two-dimensional materials allowed them such precise control over light waves. Sometimes referred to as “Twistronics,” researchers have found that simply deforming or “twisting” two-dimensional materials can create a number of unexpected and sometimes useful consequences.

For example, researchers have been able to induce certain types of superconductivity by twisting a two-layered stack of graphene, which consists of two sheets of individual carbon atoms, to exactly 1.08 degrees. This so-called “magic angle” has offered hope that these types of materials may one day lead to functional, room-temperature superconductors.

Of course, manipulating electrons, which have a charge, is completely different from manipulating individual light waves since they are essentially massless and do not possess an electromagnetic charge. As the researchers explain, “In electronic crystals, magnetic fields can be used to induce a multitude of unique phenomena; [however] the uncharged nature of photons necessitates alternative approaches to bring about similar control over photons at the nanoscale.”

PHOTONIC CRYSTALS AND LANDAU LINES

To successfully stop light in its tracks, the team tapped into a type of two-dimensional material known as a photonic crystal. Like graphene, this material is made up of individual atoms attached at their sides to create a two-dimensional sheet. However, the carbon used to make graphene is replaced with silicon, and the resulting two-dimensional sheet also contains a regular pattern of holes.

“A photonic crystal normally consists of a regular—two–dimensional—pattern of holes in a silicon layer,” explained first author René Barczyk, who successfully defended his PhD thesis on this topic last year. Barczyk also noted that light can move freely in this material, “just like electrons in graphene.”

“In general, graphene is a good electronic conductor, but this changes when the crystal array is deformed, for instance, by stretching it like elastics,” Verhagen explained. “Such mechanical deformation stops conduction; the material turns into an insulator, and consequently, the electrons are bound to Landau levels.”

In effect, stretching the graphene had the same effect as applying a magnetic field, only without a magnet. Verhagen says that given how this artificial creation of these “Landau levels” controls the motion of electrons, his team wondered “if a similar approach would also work for photons.”

Sure enough, after multiple experiments, the team found success. The twisting and stretching of the photonic crystals created the desired Landau levels, offering the ability to manipulate the flow of light through the material.

“By playing with the deformation pattern, we even managed to establish various types of effective magnetic fields in one material,” Verhagen explained. “As a result, photons can move through certain parts of the material but not in others. Hence, these insights also provide new ways to steer light on a chip.”

Perhaps more significantly, the process allowed the researchers to stop light in its tracks, offering a unique level of control over individual photons.

02-05-2024 om 21:53 geschreven door peter  

Jacques Vallee On Footage Of UFO Landing At Holloman AFB: Occupant Carried Vertical Staff With Spiral Antenna

Holloman Air Force Base is infamous for the most debated UFO landing footage that was in the possession of the United States Air Force as claimed by Robert Emmenegger and Allan Sandler. The director of “Moment of Contact” James Fox has recently discussed the Holloman AFB UFO/alien controversy on a podcast, adding valuable information to the legendary case.

Interestingly, there are other credible people in the UFO community who have given credence to the authenticity of this case. There is more to the Holloman AFB UFO story. Joe Murgia, an avid UFO researcher revealed that Dr. Eric Davis (a former Pentagon physicist) met with George Bush Sr. to talk about Holloman AFB Incident.

The UFO phenomenon has long been a subject of fascination and controversy, with countless reports of sightings and encounters over the years. However, the truth behind these mysterious incidents has remained elusive, with government agencies often accused of covering up information and discrediting witnesses.

According to Murgia, on March 26, 2004, he met Hal Putoff (an American physicist who has co-authored several books on gravitational and paranormal research) at the Fiesta Rancho Casino Hotel, Las Vegas after taking an early flight to the airport. Upon meeting, Hal wasted no time and shared with him the story of Dr. Eric Davis. It turns out that Dr. Davis was the one who conducted the interview with Wilson at the EG&G parking lot. Dr. Davis had reached out to the admiral about his project to revive a local chapter of AFIO (Association of Former Intelligence Officers) in Las Vegas, but the conversation eventually shifted to the topic of ufology.(Source)

Murgia stated that Former President George Bush Sr. had taken an interest in Dr. Davis’ discussion and spoke to him twice on the phone, expressing his belief that the German secrets had been filed away and not used as a cover for anything else. However, he did show interest in pursuing the topic and requested Dr. Davis’ recent physics papers.

During the second phone call, Bush revealed that he was aware of the Holloman film, which Hal, Dr. Davis, and Murgia were fixated on. “The former President was aware of it. Was it a training film, a special ops exercise? No, he replied, ‘it was “the real thing.”’ There was a secret project, and the security was obscene,” writes Joe Murgia.

Moreover, the Holloman AFB UFO landing incident was also discussed by Dr. Jacques Vallée in his book “Forbidden Science – Volume II.” He writes:

Kit [Green] just left, along with Hal, Russell and two of his kids. We had a long discussion after a demo of my landing catalogue. Kit has dropped out of Sams’ covert “Group of Twelve.”

Emenegger tells me that Colonel Bill Coleman, who represented the Air Force in the film, had been retired for three weeks when he got the job. For nine years he’d served as the Air Force’s spokesman and had been intimately linked to the UFO question. More games: One of his men, a Captain Horner, confiscated the Holloman movie just before Sandler could get his hands on it.

The Holloman sequence is based on a bluff by Emenegger. He couldn’t find anyone on the Base who recalled such an event. There was only a rumor that in 1971 a helicopter had filmed three objects, one of which landed.

 Three occupants had supposedly come out. They had Assyrian noses, a rope twisted on their head for a hat, bluegreen skin, eyes like ping-pong balls with a hole in the middle. One of them had a wire in one ear and carried a vertical staff with a spiral antenna. The Aliens were taken to Building 830, then to building 930 on Mars Avenue. They remained there two or three years, allegedly “helping the United States decode space messages from another Alien civilization.”

A biologist named Alfred Lorenzo is supposed to have worked with them. None of this makes any sense. When Allan was here I asked him if he still had his clearance. He said yes, theoretically he did, but he didn’t think it was active, yet Kit has found Allan’s clearances active. “Do you know there are 800 reports of foreign UFOs in the CIRCOL files?” he asked. “Why didn’t Hynek ever look into that?”

He warned me that a new experimental device was being tested. It is known lovingly as a “flying bathtub.” It is a flying triangle with a rounded front, but it could look strikingly like a saucer when seen from the side, and will surely be mistaken for one.

On Julian Dorey Podcast, Mr. Fox recounted a phone call from Allan Sandler, who claimed to have seen three unidentified flying objects (UFOs) escorted by a military jet. Sandler said that two of the UFOs peeled away while one wobbled to the ground, and he witnessed the beings with unique features emerge from the grounded UFO before the footage abruptly cut off.

Read also:

• Man Who Ran Area 51 Claimed They Had Alien Crafts & Non-Human Beings: So Bob Lazar Is telling Truth
• Footage Of UFO Landing At Holloman AFB With Aliens Walking Out Exists, Producer Told James Fox
• James Fox On Brazil 1996 UFO Crash: Creature Contacted Telepathically & Left Message
• Ex-Apollo Astronaut Claimed Humans Are Ancient Aliens, Visited Earth From Space

Paul Shartle, an official at Norton Air Force Base, allegedly confirmed that the object was not of Earth origin. Mr. Fox did not make any claims about the veracity of the story, only reporting what he had been told.

During a recent Reddit AMA, journalist Christopher Sharp expressed interest in finding more information about the number of alien species visiting Earth. He mentioned that he had heard from multiple sources that the visitation at Holloman Air Force Base was real, but was unsure if the beings were extraterrestrial, interdimensional, or ultra-terrestrial. Sharp shared a link to the interview with Grant Cameron for further information.

In 1974, Robert Emenegger released his documentary “UFOs: Past, Present, and Future,” which was nominated for a Golden Globe. While he had originally been granted permission to use real footage, the Department of Defense later withdrew that permission.

• https://youtu.be/Sx4EgbK7OPw

• https://youtu.be/WD6xyE4aAuI

Emenegger was forced to add animated footage of the alleged Holloman UFO landing. He claimed that some frames from the original footage were used in the reconstruction during editing, which was authorized by the USAF. Viewers spotted a genuine bright disc coming down slowly in the distance against the backdrop of Holloman’s surrounding landscape.

The documentary was re-released in 1979, with additional footage and narration by Dr. Vallée, who discussed ancient astronaut theory.

{ https://www.howandwhys.com/ }

02-05-2024 om 21:38 geschreven door peter  

Chilling moment four UFOs are captured on high speed camera as scientists investigate possible portal on Utah's Skinwalker

• Four unidentified flying objects (UAP), were caught on a high-speed camera 
• A team of scientists observed what appeared to be a possible portal on the ranch
• 'The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch' investigates the infamous paranormal property

By NOA HALFF FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

A high-speed camera has captured the chilling moment four UFOs were spotted above the 'cursed' Skinwalker Ranch in northeastern Utah.

Never-before-seen footage has exposed a possible 'portal' on the haunted ranch, where the team has witnessed a mutilated cow who died under mysterious circumstances.

The video, released by The History Channel in a new episode of 'The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch,' features a team of scientists investigating the 512-acre ranch, long known for its paranormal and UFO-related activities. 

Among the eerie sightings, the team observed what appeared to be a possible portal on the ranch.  

During the investigation, Erik and Travis, two scientists on the team, were amazed as they observed four UFO's on the high-speed camera. 

'Now, one of the things that stands out - Look, there's something,' Erik, a scientist on the team said. 'It looks like there's something under it. Moving with it.' 

A high-speed camera has captured the chilling moment four UFOs are spotted above the 'cursed' 'Skinwalker Ranch' in northeastern Utah 

The team observed four unidentified flying object - and what appeared to be a possible portal on the ranch

Travis, another scientist, chimed in: 'And then what's this thing at the bottom coming up?' 

'You see what's happening here? Yeah, you got three things on the camera ... Four things! There's one over here,' Erik added. 

The four unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), were described as rectangular with dark tops and light bottoms, moving swiftly and independently of each other - defying typical aircraft movements.

'There's something here. And as you let it move forward, you can see they're moving. And they're not necessarily moving together,' Travis said. 

'Right - but they're moving at about., said Erik. 'So we've got four things. It never changes its appearance. It always seems to be this rectangular, dark-on-top, light-on-bottom.' 

'I don't see anything like wings flapping around at all. And it's not moving like an aircraft but something but much faster.' 

Travis noted the sudden appearance of one UFO directly above a triangular airspace, coinciding with previous observations of strange circular patterns detected by advanced technology on the ranch. 

'It's speeding way up,' Erik added. 'And it seems to be diving. But that's not all it's gonna do.' 

'That thing is basically in the triangle airspace.'

Never-before-seen footage exposes a possible portal on the haunted ranch, where the team has witnessed a mutilated cow who died under mysterious circumstance

The four unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), were described as rectangular with dark tops and light bottoms, moving swiftly and independently of each other - defying typical aircraft movements

The history of Skinwalker Ranch is steeped in mystery. It's been called a supernatural place - others say it's 'cursed'

Travis noted the sudden appearance of one UFO directly above a triangular airspace, coinciding with previous observations of strange circular patterns detected by advanced technology on the ranch

'So it came from, you know, the middle of nowhere,' Travis said. 'swoops in, and then turns back.'  

'Below cloud level and apparently down. Like it's turning to make a final approach here, like it's coming in for a landing or something.' 

'Seeing this UAP suddenly appear and then maneuver directly above the triangle was incredible,' Travis said. 

'...that's right where Jim Royston's lidar drone detected a perfectly circular ring with a black void in the center that we've speculated could be related to a wormhole or portal.' 

'Could this UAP appearing at that location be evidence that just might confirm our suspicions and maybe validate all the legends we've heard about portals on Skinwalker Ranch?'

This discovery adds to the mystique surrounding Skinwalker Ranch, where past events have included encounters with mutilated cattle and other unexplained phenomena. 

This discovery adds to the mystique surrounding Skinwalker Ranch, where past events have included encounters with mutilated cattle and other unexplained phenomena

Rancher Terry Sherman, who bought the property in the 90's became so spooked that he sold the property and moved his family of four away. Sherman found several heads of his cattle mutilated after purchasing the land in 1996

The history of Skinwalker Ranch is steeped in mystery. It's been called a supernatural place - others say it's 'cursed.'

Rancher Terry Sherman, who bought the property in the 90's became so spooked that he sold the property and moved his family of four away. 

Sherman found several heads of his cattle mutilated after purchasing the land in 1996.

Additionally, Sherman witnessed unexplainable encounters, one in which Sherman saw a wolf-like creature three times the size of a normal wolf. 

Another researcher saw an bizarre creature with piercing yellow eyes surveilling him from a tree, among other mysterious instances. 

The ranch later became the focus of Pentagon investigations into UFOs through programs like the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP). 

In 2020, a bombshell report in Popular Mechanics describes the Pentagon's UFO program on 'Skinwalker Ranch.' 

Using black-budget money under the auspices of the Defense Intelligence Agency, in 2008 AATIP contracted private space technology company Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) to provide the government with technical reports and research into UFOs, according to the magazine.

The ranch later became the focus of Pentagon investigations into UFOs through programs like the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP)

BAASS controlled 'Skinwalker Ranch' in Utah - which the company proposed as a 'possible laboratory for studying other intelligences and possible interdimensional phenomena.'

Two previously unreleased technical reports submitted through the contract were published in full or in part by Popular Mechanics, revealing research into the medical effects of contact with anomalous flying objects and the frequency of unexplained phenomenon near nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile silos. 

In 2008, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) awarded a $10 million contract to BAASS under a contracting program known as the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP).

A lifelong enthusiast of space travel and the paranormal, Bigelow purchases the Skinwalker Ranch, after various strange and paranormal events were reported there.

Bigelow proposed to use the ranch to study paranormal phenomenon, and a visit to the ranch by a DIA scientist in 2007 may have inspired the creation of the AATIP, according to Popular Mechanics.

Former AAWSAP contractor and astrophysicist Eric Davis shared what colleagues had told him of the DIA scientist's experience in an interview with researcher Joe Murgia.

A lifelong enthusiast of space travel and the paranormal, Bigelow (pictured left next to NASA astronaut Mike Gernhardt) purchased the Skinwalker Ranch, after various strange and paranormal events were reported there

Bigelow proposed to use the ranch to study paranormal phenomenon, and a visit to the ranch by a DIA scientist in 2007 may have inspired the creation of the AATIP

'In the living room of the former NIDS double wide observation trailer/staff quarters. A 3D object appeared in mid-air in front of him and changed shape like a changing topological figure. It went from pretzel-shaped to Möbius strip shaped. It was 3D and multi-colored. Then it disappeared,' he said.

According to former Senator Harry Reid, whatever happened at Skinwalker was enough to convince the DIA to seriously investigate paranormal and UFO phenomena.

'Something should be done about this. Somebody should study it.' I was convinced he was right,' Reid told New York Magazine.

A 2009 BAASS report commissioned by the Pentagon mentions Skinwalker Ranch in Utah as a 'possible laboratory for studying other intelligences and possible interdimensional phenomena.'

In 2016, Bigelow sold Skinwalker Ranch for $4.5 million to 'Adamantium Holdings', a shell corporation whose true owners have never been traced.

After this sale, all roads leading to the ranch were blocked, the perimeter was secured with cameras and barbed wire, and signs went up warning strangers not to approach.

Anyone who  approached the ranch after reported being immediately confronted by guards and ordered to leave.

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ }

02-05-2024 om 21:10 geschreven door peter  

Nieuw wezen ontdekt op een van de oudste plekken op aarde

 Door Janine

Nog onbekende soorten verbergen zich op de meest uiteenlopende plekken op onze planeet, maar onderzoekers hebben een nieuw wezen ontdekt dat er nogal verontrustend uitziet. Hier gaat het om.

Nieuwe soort ontdekt in West-Australië

Ondanks voortdurend onderzoek kennen we nog steeds niet alle wezens die zich op onze planeet verbergen. Sommige hiervan hebben een schattig en grappig uiterlijk, andere kunnen min of meer eng zijn. Denk bijvoorbeeld aan degenen die in de Marianentrog leven, de diepste plek op het aardoppervlak. Er is nu een nieuwe, nog nooit eerder waargenomen soort ontdekt op een van de oudste plekken op onze planeet, dat zich in West-Australië bevindt.

Onderzoekers Mark KL Wong en Jane M. McRae van UWA, University of Western Australia, bevonden zich in het rotsachtige gebied Pilbara, een Australisch woestijnoppervlak, toen ze een gat in de grond maakten van ongeveer 24 meter lang. Hier, ondergronds in het dorre landschap in het land van de kangoeroes, ontdekten ze het kleine wezentje. Hier kunnen de oppervlaktetemperaturen tijdens het hete seizoen overdag 38° Celsius bereiken en overschrijden, terwijl het ondergrondse leven wemelt van leven. Zo verstopt het kleine, sinister uitziende wezen zich in de donkere ondergrond op zoek naar voedsel.

Leptanilla voldemort, de bleke ondergrondse mier

ZooKeys

De nieuwe soort in kwestie heet Leptanilla voldemort en is een ondergrondse mier met een bleke kleur, “slanke bouw, spits toelopende poten en lange, scherpe onderkaken”. Het is de tweede soort van dit geslacht die tot nu toe in Australië is ontdekt, aldus de onderzoekers in hun studie.

De kleine mier is slechts twee millimeter groot, ongeveer net zo groot als een zandkorrel. Na het boren van het gat in de grond kwamen twee exemplaren van Leptanilla voldemort in het net terecht. Toen ze eenmaal boven water waren, zagen de onderzoekers hun lange, gladde en opvallend gekleurde lichamen. "De bijnaam van de soort is een eerbetoon aan de antagonist uit de boekenreeks van Harry Potter, Lord Voldemort, een angstaanjagende tovenaar die, net als de nieuwe mier, slank en bleek is en gedijt in de duisternis”, aldus de auteurs. Het belangrijkste kenmerk van deze soort zijn de bijzonder langgerekte onderkaken en antennes in vergelijking met die van andere Leptanilla-soorten, die voor het eerst werden ontdekt in 1931.

De nieuwe mierensoort leeft en jaagt in het donker

ZooKeys

Volgens de onderzoekers “is het vrijwel zeker een angstaanjagende jager in het donker. Dit wordt ondersteund door wat we weten uit de weinige waarnemingen van jachtgedrag bij andere Leptanilla-soorten, waar de kleine werkers hun scherpe kaken en krachtige angels gebruiken om de duizendpoten die in de grond leven, veel groter dan zij, te immobiliseren." Deze mier heeft in feite geen gezichtsvermogen, maar gebruikt zijn krachtige kaken om in het donker te jagen en zich te voeden. In tegenstelling tot veel andere mieren leeft de Leptanilla in kolonies bestaande uit ongeveer honderd werkers en een koningin. Ze leven ondergronds, hebben geen pigmentatie en door hun zeer kleine formaat kunnen ze zich met extreme behendigheid ondergronds verplaatsen.

Alleen al het feit dat ze klein zijn en in duisternis leven, maakt hun biologie buitengewoon mysterieus. In Pilbara, dat 3,6 miljard jaar oud is, leven veel ongewervelde dieren onder de grond. Nu voegt de kleine Voldemort biodiversiteit toe aan deze oude plek op aarde: "De ontdekking van de raadselachtige mier is een bewijs van de magie van de natuur en de mysteries van het leven in de diepten van de duisternis."

{ https://www.curioctopus.nl/ }

02-05-2024 om 18:47 geschreven door peter