A team of astronomers used the Hubble Space Telescope to study the exoplanet HD 189733b, and noticed curious changes in the planet’s upper atmosphere after it was bombarded with intense X-ray radiation from a flare unleashed by its host star. From observations made in 2011, the researchers saw signs that the planet’s atmosphere was evaporating, releasing strong bursts of gas at a staggering rate of at least 984 tons per second, the researchers said. The study’s findings offered an intriguing view of changing climates and space weather on an alien planet.
(Source: MSNBC)
Experts who have studied the Northwestern moose — Alces alces andersoni — believe they are witnessing one of the most precipitous nonhunting declines of a major species in the modern era, yet few outside Minnesota fully appreciate the loss.
(Source: scientificamerican.com)
The world’s biodiversity is down 30 percent since the 1970s, according to a new report, with tropical species taking the biggest hit. And if humanity continues as it has been, the picture could get bleaker.
(Source: news.discovery.com)
The woman tried to stop, drop and roll but was unsuccessful in getting the flames out, Stone said. Her husband also tried to help and got second-degree burns when he tried to pull the shorts off, Stone said. The rocks, described as small, the size of a hamburger patty, smooth and orange and green in color, fell from the shorts onto the floor and continued to burn the wood floor and fill the house with smoke.
(Source: ocregister.com)
NASA says that roughly 4,700 asteroids orbit close enough to Earth for us to be concerned for our safety — at least a little. Just when we thought we had escaped Armageddon, this: NASA announced late Wednesday that approximately 4,700 potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs) are currently buzzing around “near” Earth. The estimate — which could be off by as many as 1,500 PHAs — is based on analysis of new information gathered by NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) telescope.
(Space.com) Skywatchers in East Asia and the western United States should circle Sunday (May 20) on their calendars. That’s when a solar eclipse will block out most of the sun, leaving a spectacular “ring of fire” shining in the sky for observers located along the eclipse’s path.
(Source: cbsnews.com)
