Astronomy

Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre, now on view at London’s Natural History Museum, showcases the extraordinary qualities of Earth’s “ultimate survivors”

Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre, now on view at London’s Natural History Museum, showcases the extraordinary qualities of Earth’s “ultimate survivors”

Exposing the antiscience playbook reveals the antiregulatory motives of its deep-pocketed bankrollers

A supernova showering Earth with radioactive debris is a surprisingly common cosmic occurrence

The author of All Systems Red, the latest pick for the New Scientist Book Club, on why her novella takes on the thorny topic of what a machine intelligence might do, if it could make its own choices

The author of All Systems Red, the latest pick for the New Scientist Book Club, on why her novella takes on the thorny topic of what a machine intelligence might do, if it could make its own choices

As newer homes are built or older homes are renovated, empty attic spaces are disappearing – this eliminates a vital refuge for birds and bats during a biodiversity crisis

As newer homes are built or older homes are renovated, empty attic spaces are disappearing – this eliminates a vital refuge for birds and bats during a biodiversity crisis

In this dramatic opening to Martha Wells' All Systems Red, the latest pick for the New Scientist Book Club, we are introduced to her character Murderbot, a sentient machine intelligence

In this dramatic opening to Martha Wells' All Systems Red, the latest pick for the New Scientist Book Club, we are introduced to her character Murderbot, a sentient machine intelligence

An interview with Jennifer Lopez and Sterling K. Brown, two of the stars of "Atlas," Netflix's new sci-fi thriller.

Toxic algal blooms are forcing Cape Cod communities to consider expensive sewer and septic system projects.

Video: 00:04:07

Clouds are one of the biggest mysteries in the climate system. They play a key role in the regulating the temperature of our atmosphere. But we don’t know how their behaviour will change over time as Earth’s atmosphere gets warmer. This is where EarthCARE comes in.

Launching on 28 May 2024, ESA’s Earth Cloud, Aerosol and Radiation Explorer will help quantify the role that clouds and aerosols play in heating and cooling Earth’s atmosphere. With its suite of four cutting-edge instruments, EarthCARE is a groundbreaking advancement in satellite technology.

It promises to deliver unprecedented data – unravelling the complexities of both clouds and aerosols. With this, we can refine our atmospheric models and climate forecasts, giving us the tools to tackle the challenges of a changing climate with greater accuracy and precision.

Watch EarthCARE launch live on ESA WebTV or ESA YouTube. For more information on how to stream the launch, click here.

Spacemanic, a Slovak and Czech startup company, won this year’s Prix Bulles Cardin award of €20 000 on 17 May for its ocean WaterCube.

This device, which is based on space hardware, has sensors which measure pollution levels in sea water allowing the identification of pollution hotspots. With this data, action can be taken to safeguard habitats and species critical for the long-term sustainability of marine ecosystems and fisheries.

The Big Dipper twists around fast near the zenith, Arcturus almost claims the zenith, the Coma Star Cluster not far away can't quite hide, and T Cor Bor simmers ominously dim.

The post This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 24 – June 2 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

The aim to limit global warming to 1.5°C is based on long-term average temperatures, but analysis shows that if three years cross the threshold, it is almost certain that the target has been missed

The aim to limit global warming to 1.5°C is based on long-term average temperatures, but analysis shows that if three years cross the threshold, it is almost certain that the target has been missed

Image: Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula is featured in this colourful radar image captured by Copernicus Sentinel-1.

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NASA's Psyche mission to a metallic asteroid is now under the power of solar-electric propulsion.