Our Planet

Cassius, the largest crocodile in captivity turns 120

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date June 8, 2023
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Cassius, holding the impressive title of the world’s largest crocodile in captivity, has just marked a significant milestone – his 120th birthday. Although scientists are working with an estimated age, the sheer longevity of this formidable creature is nonetheless astounding. This occasion marks not only an individual triumph for Cassius but also shines a spotlight on the world of conservation and the intriguing life span of crocodiles. As we celebrate Cassius’s 120 years, we delve deeper into his captivating life journey and the broader implications of his remarkable age.

Solar System Astronomy

When the Earth is farthest and closest to the Sun? [Perihelion and Aphelion explained]

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date June 6, 2023
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Two key events, perihelion and aphelion, mark the closest and farthest points of Earth from the Sun. Photo: The Sun from the International Space Station — Have you ever wondered when the Earth is farthest and closest to the Sun? The Earth's journey around the Sun follows an elliptical orbit, leading to variations in its distance throughout the year. Two key events, perihelion and aphelion, mark the closest and farthest points of Earth from the Sun. Photo: Conceptual Image Lab, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Earth photo courtesy of NASA/ISS Expedition 13 crew. NASA website

The Earth’s journey around the Sun is not a perfectly circular orbit but rather an elliptical one. As a result, our planet experiences variations in its distance from the Sun throughout the year. Two significant events in the Earth’s orbit, known as perihelion and aphelion, mark its closest and farthest points from the Sun, respectively.

Energy Life on Earth

Oil does NOT come from Dinosaurs: The Great Oil Misconception

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date June 1, 2023
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Despite the common myth, crude oil (petroleum) does not come from dinosaurs. Image source: Deposit Photos

For generations, a popular myth has been fossilized in our collective consciousness: that oil, our critical energy resource, comes from dinosaurs. This age-old notion, often reinforced by popular culture, has turned out to be just that – a myth. As fascinating as the idea of fueling our cars with remnants of T-Rex or Triceratops may seem, the true origin story of oil is vastly different and goes back even further in Earth’s history. Let’s delve into this intriguing tale of geological transformation.

Solar System Astronomy

Saturn’s rings are no more than 400 million years old, study suggests

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date May 14, 2023
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Cassini image of Saturn and its rings [October 28, 2016] — With this view, Cassini captured one of its last looks at Saturn and its main rings from a distance, on October 28, 2016. The spacecraft deliberately plunged into Saturn's atmosphere and disintegrated On September 15, 2017. Image source: NASA

A new study led by physicist Sascha Kempf at the University of Colorado Boulder has upended our understanding of Saturn’s iconic rings, suggesting that they may be much younger than previously believed. According to recent research, the majestic rings encircling the gas giant could be no more than a mere 400 million years old. These findings, based on a comprehensive analysis of data from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, have ignited a scientific debate and raised intriguing questions about the origin and evolution of Saturn’s beautiful ring system.

Astronomy

Adler Planetarium, the first planetarium in the United States was opened on May 12, 1930

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date May 12, 2023
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The Adler Planetarium is a public museum and planetarium located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It was the first planetarium in the United States (and also in Western Hemisphere) and is one of the oldest in the world. It was founded in 1930 through a donation from Max Adler (1866-1952), a Chicago businessman and philanthropist who was interested in promoting science education and was opened to the public on May 12, 1930.

Mars Space Exploration

Breathtaking photo of Deimos and Mars captured by UAE’s Hope Probe

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date April 26, 2023
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Photo of Deimos and Mars from the United Arab Emirates Hope Probe — Photo of Deimos and Mars from the United Arab Emirates' Hope Probe

United Arab Emirates’ Hope Probe (Arabic: Misbar Al-Amal, al-amal means “hope” in English), which entered Mars’ orbit in February 2021, has captured a breathtaking photo of Mars and its tiny moon Deimos.

Earth from Space Space Exploration

Solar eclipse as seen from the Moon Orbit

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date April 22, 2023
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Japan’s ispace Hakuto-R Mission 1 lander captured this stunning photo in orbit around our Moon while a solar eclipse was occurring on Earth last week (September). You can see the Moon’s dark shadow passing above Australia as a dark smudge.

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

The first in-space satellite repair was performed on April 11, 1984

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date April 11, 2023
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The first in-space satellite repair: Solar Maximum Mission — In the aft end of the Challenger's cargo bay, during the STS-41C mission, mission specialists George D. Nelson and James D. van Hoften collaborated on repairing the captured Solar Maximum Mission Satellite (SMMS). They utilized the remote manipulator system (RMS) and a mobile foot restraint as a "cherry picker" device to move around. After completing the repairs, the RMS was employed to hoist the SMMS back into space.

The first orbiting satellite to be repaired in space was NASA’s Solar Maximum Mission, which launched on February 14, 1980, to observe solar flares. Just a few months later, in November 1980, one of the satellite’s altitude control fuses failed. It was put in standby mode, and it remained so until Space Shuttle Challenger [STS-41-C] eventually rendezvoused with it on April 11, 1984. The crew of the STS-41-C mission successfully performed the first in-space satellite repair.

Communication Technology

The first cell phone call was performed on April 3, 1973

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date April 3, 2023
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The first cell phone call was made by Martin Cooper in 1973 — The first cell phone call was made by Martin Cooper, a researcher at Motorola, on April 3, 1973. Cooper was working on developing the first handheld mobile phone, which he called the DynaTAC. The phone was large and bulky, weighing about 2.5 pounds, and it had a battery life of only about 20 minutes of talk time.

The first cell phone call was made by Martin Cooper (born December 26, 1928), a researcher at Motorola, on April 3, 1973. Cooper was working on developing the first handheld mobile phone, which he called the DynaTAC. The phone was large and bulky, weighing about 2.5 pounds, and it had a battery life of only about 20 minutes of talk time.

This Day in Science, Technology, Astronomy, and Space Exploration History Climate Earth from Space Space Exploration

The first weather observation satellite [TIROS-1] was launched on April 1, 1960

Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
Post date April 1, 2023
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Technicians working on the TIROS-1 satellite. Photo: NASA

On April 1, 1960, the world’s first weather observation satellite (TIROS-1) was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It became operational for 78 days, despite the mission duration being 90 days.