How does our Milky Way appear? You might be surprised to learn that, for the most part, we don't truly know for sure. But a recent finding could finally make the form of the galaxy our home known. This astounding discovery, which was reported in the journal Science, is that researchers have for the first time calculated the distance to a collection of stars on the other side … [Read more...] about For The First Time, The Far Side of Our Galaxy Has Been “Seen”
A Man Turned off a Helicopter’s Engine in Midflight to Make a Point
You could believe (or prefer to believe) that if an airplane's engine fails, its aerodynamic features could let you descend to safety. On the other side, helicopters have a really bulky appearance. So, if the engine were shut off in the middle of flight, you might definitely anticipate some ugly outcomes. Last year, Neil deGrasse Tyson tweeted something to the effect of, … [Read more...] about A Man Turned off a Helicopter’s Engine in Midflight to Make a Point
The Lava From This Volcano Is So Cold That You Can Fall In And Survive
There is no contest: Tanzania has the strangest volcano on the planet. Ol Doinyo Lengai, which means "Mountain of God" in Maasai, erupts lava so cold that someone once fell into it and lived. Its lava erupts at temperatures that never surpass 510°C (950°F), which is far lower than the minimum for basalt (1,000°C/1,832°F), one of the most prevalent lava types on the world. … [Read more...] about The Lava From This Volcano Is So Cold That You Can Fall In And Survive
What Scientists Discovered When They Opened A Cave That Had Been Isolated For Over Five Million Years
The people that live in the Movile Cave are unlike everyone else. This Romanian cave, located just a few kilometers west of the Black Sea, has been shut for around 5.5 million years. Despite the fact that the air is toxic and terribly humid, this confluence of elements has resulted in a jackpot for scientists. According to BBC Earth, less than 100 individuals have ever … [Read more...] about What Scientists Discovered When They Opened A Cave That Had Been Isolated For Over Five Million Years
Neanderthals Became Extinct 40,000 Years Ago, Yet Their DNA Keeps Them Alive
There has never been more of their DNA on Earth. Since their discovery in 1856, Neanderthals have acted as a mirror of our own humanity. What we believe we know about them has been fashioned and molded to conform to cultural trends, societal conventions, and scientific standards. From ill specimens to primordial sub-human lumbering relatives to sophisticated humans, they … [Read more...] about Neanderthals Became Extinct 40,000 Years Ago, Yet Their DNA Keeps Them Alive