Author: M. Özgür Nevres

I am a software developer and a science enthusiast. I was graduated from the Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Computer Engineering. In the past, I worked at the Istanbul Technical University Science Center as a science instructor. I write about the planet Earth and science on this website, ourplnt.com. I am also an animal lover! I take care of stray cats & dogs. This website's all income goes directly to our furry friends. Please consider supporting me on Patreon, so I can help more animals!

Oceans

Rogue Waves: Oceans’ Terrific Giants

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date January 16, 2024
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Rogue waves, reported by the sailors at least since the 19th century, long dismissed as nautical folklore, have emerged as a serious oceanic phenomenon. These towering, unpredictable waves have captivated sailors’ tales and puzzled scientists for centuries. Once considered mere myths, recent evidence has revealed their real and formidable presence, challenging our understanding of ocean dynamics and highlighting the unpredictable power of the sea.

NASA and Lockheed Martin unveil X-59: The Dawn of Supersonic Flight without Sonic Boom

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date January 14, 2024
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Lockheed Martin X-59 Quesst — At dawn in Palmdale, California, the X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft, a key element of NASA's Quesst mission, stands poised at Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works. This mission is pivotal in redefining supersonic flight over land by significantly reducing the impact of sonic booms. Image source: NASA

NASA, in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, has officially introduced the X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft, a groundbreaking venture poised to redefine air travel. As the centerpiece of NASA’s Quesst mission [see notes 1], the X-59 is designed to address one of the primary challenges to supersonic flight over land – making sonic booms quieter. This unique experimental airplane aims to gather crucial data that could lead to a new era of faster-than-sound commercial flights. This concept has intrigued and challenged aviation experts for decades.

Life on Earth Evolution

10 Bizarre Places Where Life Thrives on Earth

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date January 13, 2024
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Most extreme places life can be found on Earth: the world-famous Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park — The world-famous Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park: A vibrant display of nature's palette. This largest hot spring in the United States captivates with its vivid colors, created by thermophilic bacteria thriving in its scalding waters, a spectacular example of life flourishing in extreme volcanic conditions. Image source: Deposit Photos

The Earth is the only planet we know of that can support life in the cold, vast space. It seems we’re extremely lucky because our planet has a lot of unique characteristics that make life possible on it. But, interestingly, it also seems “where life can evolve, it will”. From the scorching heat of volcanic springs to the intense pressure of ocean depths, life adapts and thrives in settings once deemed uninhabitable. Explore the ten most extreme environments where nature defies limits, revealing the adaptability and tenacity of life in our planet’s harshest conditions. This journey unveils the incredible extremophiles, organisms that redefine our understanding of survival and resilience in Earth’s most challenging locales.

Solar System Astronomy

Solar System’s Planets from the Moon’s Distance

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date January 12, 2024
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Planets from the Moon distance: Saturn — Saturn from the Moon's Distance

Picture this: observing the solar system’s planets from a vantage point 384,400 kilometers (238,855 miles) away – the same distance that separates the Earth and the Moon. At this unique distance, the planets transform into a fascinating celestial display. Jupiter’s grandeur is more pronounced, its bands and moons visibly distinct. Saturn’s majestic rings, while subtler, still catch the eye with their delicate glow. This perspective not only alters their appearance but also enhances our appreciation for the vast scale and beauty of our solar system.

Life on Earth Astrobiology Astronomy Evolution Planet Earth Solar System

What Makes Life on Earth Possible? [10 Crucial Factors]

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date January 12, 2024
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Growing sprout, beginning of a new life. Source: Deposit Photos

Amidst the vast, frigid expanse of space, Earth shines as a unique cradle of life. This blue gem has harbored life for over 3.5 billion years and, barring unforeseen catastrophes, promises to continue for billions more. But, what makes life on earth possible? Explore the 10 key elements that make our planet a haven for life.

Solar System Astronomy Planet Earth

What causes the moon’s phases? [Explained]

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date January 4, 2024
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Moon phases: half moon — The moon is only half-lit by the Sun at any time. We see it from different angles at different times, that's how moon phases occur.

The phases of the Moon are determined by the changing angles of the Sun, Moon, and Earth, not by the Earth’s shadow, which only causes lunar eclipses. Like the Earth, the moon is only half-lit by the Sun at any time. We see it from different angles at different times, that’s how moon phases occur.

Space Exploration

Axiom Station’s First Module, HAB1 is Scheduled to Launch in 2026

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date January 3, 2024
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Axiom Station will be the world's first commercial space station.

Former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson announced that the first module of the Axiom Station, HAB1, is currently scheduled to launch in 2026. Axiom Station will be the world’s first commercial space station.

Space Exploration

China’s Tiangong Space Station vs the ISS interiors [Side-by-Side Comparison]

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date January 2, 2024
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Tiangong vs ISS — The interiors of China's Tiangong space station vs the International Space Station (ISS)

Here’s an interesting side-by-side comparison of the interiors of China’s Tiangong space station vs the International Space Station (ISS). Tiangong looks way futuristic, that’s what actually future space stations look like in science-fiction movies. The good, old ISS clearly shows its age.

Space Exploration

Voyager 1 is in serious trouble and sending indecipherable data

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date December 14, 2023
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Voyager 1 in deep space — NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft, shown in this illustration, has been exploring our solar system since 1977, along with its twin, Voyager 2. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

NASA’s Voyager 1 probe, a pivotal instrument in studying the outer Solar System, is currently facing communication difficulties. Launched in 1977, its main purpose has been to gather and send back information about the transition zone between the heliosphere (the Sun’s protective bubble, encompassing the Solar System, shielding it from interstellar radiation and cosmic rays) and the interstellar medium. This mission has been crucial in enhancing our understanding of the Solar System’s edge and its interaction with the vast interstellar space.

Moon Landing Space Exploration This Day in Science, Technology, Astronomy, and Space Exploration History

Lunar Rover Vehicle Speed Record was Broken on December 13, 1972

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date December 13, 2023
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Lunar Rover Vehicle speed record: John Young — Apollo 16 Astronaut John Young kicks up a trail of lunar dust while off-roading, momentarily lifting off the surface, just before hitting the record-breaking lunar speed of approximately 16.9 kilometers per hour (10.5 miles per hour) during their final EVA on April 23, 1972.

The Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), an engineering feat designed for lunar exploration, played a crucial role in the later Apollo missions. Given its delicate structure and the unique challenges of the Moon’s surface, astronauts were instructed to handle the LRV with utmost caution. The vehicle, powered by a modest 1 horsepower, initially had a speed limit of 8 mph (12.87 km/h) to ensure safety during lunar excursions, recognizing that mechanical or medical help was a quarter of a million miles away on Earth.