TYB
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day
Jan 3, 2023
A SAR Arc from New Zealand
What is that unusual red halo surrounding this aurora? It is a Stable Auroral Red (SAR) arc. SAR arcs are rare and have only been acknowledged and studied since 1954. The featured wide-angle photograph, capturing nearly an entire SAR arc surrounding more common green and red aurora, was taken earlier this month from Poolburn, New Zealand, during an especially energetic geomagnetic storm. Why SAR arcs form remains a topic of research, but is likely related to Earth's protective magnetic field, a field created by molten iron flowing deep inside the Earth. This magnetic field usually redirects incoming charged particles from the Sun's wind toward the Earth's poles. However, it also traps a ring of ions closer to the equator, where they can gain energy from the magnetosphere during high solar activity. The energetic electrons in this ion ring can collide with and excite oxygen higher in Earth's ionosphere than typical auroras, causing the oxygen to glow red. Ongoing research has uncovered evidence that a red SAR arc can even transform into a purple and green STEVE.
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html?
Scoop: House members to receive classified UFO briefing
Jan 2, 2023
Members of the House Oversight Committee will receive a classified briefing on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), better known as UFOs, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Congressional interest in the issue has grown in recent years, with a small but vocal group of lawmakers in both parties pushing for greater transparency from the government on the issue.
Driving the news: The members-only briefing will be held in the Office of House Security, according to a notice obtained by Axios.
The briefing is being provided by the Office of Inspector General of the Intelligence Community, the notice said.
The backdrop: A bipartisan group of Oversight Committee members led by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) sent a letter to intel community inspector general Thomas Monheim in August requesting more details about UFOs, including any programs to reverse engineer them or retrieve crashed UFOs.
The letter was in response to testimony the previous month from former intelligence official David Grusch, who claimed the government was in possession of "nonhuman biologics" from a recovered UFO.
The lawmakers also formed a Congressional UAP Caucus, consisting of Burchett and Reps. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) and Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.).
https://www.axios.com/2024/01/02/ufo-briefing-classified-house-members
Man Makes Contact With The International Space Station Using Homemade Antenna
Jan 3, 2023
An amateur ham radio enthusiast has made one of the coolest contacts possible, talking with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) using a homemade antenna.
The ham radio operator, Doug, made contact with the ISS as it passed overhead in July 2023.
"I've made numerous voice and APRS [Automatic Packet Reporting System] contacts over the FM satellites and the ISS repeater," Doug wrote on his YouTube page. "But I've always wanted to talk to an astronaut. Over the Memorial Day weekend I finally made that contact. I made contact with the ISS and talked to Woody Hoburg. What a thrill."
Though they of course have other duties on board the space station, many astronauts have ham radio licenses and are happy to talk to operators back here on Earth.
NASA, ESA, CSA, and Roscosmos all take part in the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, which encourages school children to contact the space station, with the goal of expanding their interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The ISS runs several sessions talking to schoolchildren throughout the year via radio, but also makes occasional contact with amateur enthusiasts using their own equipment.
“It's pretty rare to speak to an astronaut outside of a scheduled educational contact. There are several factors that need to align for it to happen,” one ham radio operator explained to IFLScience after he and his daughter Isabella made contact with astronaut Kjell Lindgren in August 2022.
“The ISS must be passing within LOS [Line Of Sight]… at a time that coincides with an astronauts ‘down time,’ as in they must not be working doing an official scheduled task. There must be an astronaut who is actively using the Amateur Radio equipment to make unscheduled contacts."
Hearing the ISS is much easier, requiring only a simple setup, while watching a live view from the ISS is as straightforward as going onto YouTube.
https://www.iflscience.com/man-makes-contact-with-the-international-space-station-using-homemade-antenna-72271
Quantum Computing and Its Promise for the Future of Space
Jan 03, 2024 at 10:01 AM EST
Space exploration has always embodied the pursuit of the extraordinary and unknown. From the launch of the first satellite to the exploration of distant planets, humanity's venture into space has consistently pushed the boundaries of technology, and now, one of the most revolutionary technological frontiers on the horizon is quantum computing. This vital field can reshape the landscape of space exploration, potentially unlocking new realms of possibility in space-related research and technology.
Quantum Computing: A Quick Overview
Quantum computing, stemming from the principles of quantum mechanics, has the ability to revolutionize computational power. Unlike classical computers that operate on bits, quantum computers use qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously due to quantum superposition and entanglement.
This property enables quantum computers to perform complex calculations at previously inconceivable speeds, making them well-suited for solving problems that are beyond the scope of classical computers. The implications of quantum computing for the future of space exploration are profound and multifaceted.
Quantum-Related Implications For Space
One of the key areas where quantum computing's potential is evident is the optimization of spacecraft trajectories. This process involves complex calculations that consider gravitational forces, propulsion constraints, and various celestial bodies' gravitational influences. Quantum computers can analyze these variables with exceptional speed and precision, enabling more efficient route planning for space missions. As a result, we can expect reduced travel times and fuel consumption, allowing us to explore distant corners of the universe with greater agility.
Moreover, quantum computing may enhance our understanding of fundamental physics. Simulating quantum systems, such as those encountered in black holes or quantum field theory, is a daunting task for classical computers. However, quantum computers excel in simulating quantum systems, offering researchers unprecedented insights into the behavior of matter and energy in extreme conditions; this could lead to breakthroughs in our understanding of the cosmos and create new avenues of research — such as probing the nature of dark matter and dark energy.
In cryptography, quantum computing could usher in a new era of secure communications for space missions. Quantum key distribution — or the use of quantum mechanics principles to generate advanced encryption keys — could prevent eavesdropping and secure communication over vast interstellar distances. As we explore deeper into space, safe and secure communication becomes paramount, and quantum cryptography could become a consistent asset on this front.
Fine-tuning For the Future
However, as with any emerging technology, space-related quantum computing also presents its share of challenges — namely, the ongoing need for environmental stability. Quantum computers are incredibly sensitive to their surroundings, and even the slightest interference from temperature fluctuations or electromagnetic radiation can disrupt fragile qubits. In space, where conditions can be harsh and unpredictable, maintaining the necessary stability for quantum computers is a formidable task.
To address this matter, researchers are exploring the possibility of developing quantum computers specifically designed to operate in space. These devices would be shielded from external influences, allowing for more reliable and accurate calculations. Additionally, advancements in error correction techniques may mitigate the effects of quantum decoherence, which is the loss of quantum information due to environmental interactions.
Another challenge lies in developing software and algorithms tailored to the unique capabilities of quantum computers. Traditional programming languages and algorithms are not always suitable for quantum systems. Researchers and programmers must work together to devise new approaches that harness the power of quantum computing effectively. As the field matures, we can anticipate a new generation of quantum programmers who will bridge the gap between theoretical quantum mechanics and practical applications in space exploration.
The marriage of quantum computing and space exploration holds immense promise for the future of humanity's cosmic endeavors. Fusing these two cutting-edge fields has the potential to reshape our understanding of the universe, redefining the limits of what we can achieve beyond Earth.
https://www.newsweek.com/quantum-computing-its-promise-future-space-1855557
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Fire rips through popular restaurant district in Japan's Kitakyushu
3 Jan 2024 6:48 pm
A fire broke out on Wednesday in one of the oldest shopping districts in Fukuoka prefecture in Japan, with intense flames ravaging some historic buildings. It remained unclear whether anyone was injured.
The fire occurred around 3.10 pm at Kitakyushu's Uomachi Gintengai, the 400-meter-long shopping street established in 1951.
More than 20 fire engines were being deployed, NHK reported.
Uomachi Gintengai is the first arcade shopping district in Japan and features yaki-udon restaurants and bakeries that attract long lines of customers daily.
https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/6/212038/Fire-rips-through-old-Kitakyushu-shopping-arcade