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https://www.space.com/the-universe/climate-change/satellites-find-likely-cause-of-mysterious-african-elephant-deaths-in-2020
Satellites find likely cause of mysterious African elephant deaths in 2020
Dec 5, 2024
The staggering and unexplained deaths of over 300 African elephants in early 2020 — one of the largest mass mortality events of wild mammals in recent history — was most likely due to toxins in water that proliferated due to climate extremes, according to a fresh analysis of a decade's worth of satellite data.
The mass death, a "conservation disaster" that occurred over the course of three months in Botswana's Okavango Delta, saw some elephant carcasses clustered around waterholes and others collapsed face-first on the ground.
While the region is a known poaching hotspot, the tusks of the elephants were found intact, ruling out human interference and prompting scientists to look for other causes.
Yet, efforts to establish a definitive cause of the mass mortality event — which would have involved collecting water and tissue samples to directly test for the presence of cyanotoxins — were hindered by the remote location of the Okavango Delta and further complicated by logistical challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The tragedy occurred during the peak of the pandemic, which restricted movement and delayed critical fieldwork, preventing researchers from gathering direct evidence.
Now, however, a study combining satellite observations and aerial surveys of over 3,000 waterholes in the region found elevated algal levels near the deceased elephants, strengthening previous evidence that cyanobacterial neurotoxins — toxic compounds produced by microscopic blue-green algae called cyanobacteria — are the likely culprit behind the mass deaths.
"Algal blooms are routinely monitored by satellite, but this data isn't often used to investigate mass mortality events," study lead author Davide Lomeo of King's College London said in a statement.
"As the scale of elephant deaths from unknown causes was much higher than anything that's been seen before, it's important to use all sources of evidence to investigate what happened to these endangered animals."
Cyanotoxin concentrations in African inland water sources are often found to be thousands of times higher than World Health Organization guidelines regarding safe drinking water for animals and humans.
Still, satellite images of the Okavango Delta between 2015 and 2023 revealed cyanobacteria blooms had exploded to unprecedented levels during an unusually rainy season in early 2020, following the driest season in decades during the year prior.
This extreme shift from drought to intense rainfall delivered dramatic volumes of water to waterholes that were either completely dry or had very little water remaining after the 2019 drought, according to a new study published in the journal Science of The Total Environment.
This sudden influx of water caused the resuspension of high amounts of nutrients and sediments from at least 20 waterbeds of varying sizes, triggering frequent and severe growth of cyanobacteria known to thrive in nutrient-rich waters.
Satellite imagery also showed that the algae proliferated the most between March and May 2020, at the end of the rainy season.
As temperatures rose, the water became stagnant, further enhancing the conditions for the cyanobacteria to thrive and produce unprecedented levels of toxins.
When the elephants drank from these contaminated waterholes, they would have ingested lethal doses of cyanotoxins, which may have led to organ failure and ultimately caused their deaths.
The suffering animals likely traveled about 10.25 miles (16.5 kilometers) and died within 88 hours after being exposed to the toxins, the study found, which aligns with reported timelines of deaths associated with cyanobacterial poisoning in other large mammals.
Elephants may have also moved closer to water sources in their final days, potentially seeking hydration from increasingly toxic waterholes as they grew weaker.
The close proximity of the carcasses to these waterholes supports the hypothesis that the elephants' deaths were linked to the toxicity of the water, researchers say.
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"They have no choice but to drink from them," Lomeo told The Guardian.
"Botswana is home to a third of all African elephants, and this unprecedented die-off within their largest remaining population underlines the escalating concerns surrounding the impact of drought and climate change on the Okavango Delta, one of the most important ecosystems in the world," he added in a statement.
It is possible that elephants' drinking behavior made them particularly susceptible to intoxication.
Elephants can drink between 100 and 200 liters of water every day and likely drank from multiple waterholes before their deaths, the new study suggests.
Unlike other animals that drink from the side of waterholes, elephants also tend to wade to the middle and submerge their trunks, possibly exposing them to higher concentrations of cyanotoxins than other animals utilizing the same resource.
Still, smaller animals may have also succumbed after consuming the contaminated water, but it's likely that their carcasses were either scavenged by other animals or had already decomposed by the time of the aerial survey.
While toxin-producing strains of cyanobacteria have been observed on the African continent, the toxins themselves are not detectable from space, making it challenging to determine which waterholes were contaminated and for how long.
Niall McCann of the U.K.'s National Park Rescue, who was not associated with the new study, told The Guardian that these findings add "to the growing body of evidence that climate change can have a range of lethal effects on wildlife (as well as livestock and people), from radically changing water availability, to providing the conditions for harmful bacteria and algae to proliferate and overwhelm animal populations".
The findings raise broader concerns about the impact of climate change on Africa's wildlife, particularly as southern Africa is projected to become hotter and drier in the coming decades.
As temperatures rise and precipitation patterns shift unpredictably, these findings underscore the need for comprehensive water quality surveillance across all water sources, including the smallest ones, the researchers say.
Globally, the mass deaths underscore an alarming trend of rapid, climate-induced diseases, said Lomeo.
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Umbra Space secures extended contract with National Reconnaissance Office
December 4, 2024
Umbra Space secured a contract extension with the National Reconnaissance Office, the company announced Dec. 4.
The California-based startup, which specializes in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology, has been working with the agency since 2022 under the Strategic Commercial Enhancements initiative.
The extension offers the company continued opportunities to demonstrate its technology and refine its offerings to meet government needs, said Joe Morrison, Umbra’s vice president of remote sensing.
The financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Unlike traditional optical imaging satellites, SAR can penetrate clouds and capture high-resolution images in all weather conditions, day or night.
This makes the technology valuable for applications such as environmental monitoring, disaster response, maritime surveillance and intelligence gathering.
Interest in commercial SAR
Umbra currently operates five spacecraft, with more in production.
The company is positioning itself in the government and commercial markets, Morrison noted, developing satellites for its own constellation and for international government clients.
Umbra is one of several SAR imaging companies the NRO selected in 2022 for study contracts.
Companies’ performance under these cooperative agreements positions them to compete in an upcoming “Commercial Radar Layer” program, a multi-year initiative modeled after the agency’s Electro Optical Commercial Layer program, which awarded contracts to three firms in 2022.
The NRO, a U.S. intelligence agency responsible for designing, building and operating reconnaissance satellites, has a Commercial Systems Program Office that plays a pivotal role in integrating technology from private industry into national security operations.
“The beautiful thing about the NRO is that they’re incredibly meritocratic,” Morrison said. “They don’t reward bluster or marketing. They reward performance.”
Morrison credited the NRO’s expertise with helping commercial firms navigate the complex demands of government markets. “If you can go in humbly and ask, ‘What do you need?’ they will tell you exactly what they need to see.”
Under the NRO’s Strategic Commercial Enhancements initiative, Umbra is also working with the agency to provide radio frequency (RF) data collected by its SAR satellites that can be used to locate and track electronic emissions.
https://spacenews.com/umbra-space-secures-extended-contract-with-national-reconnaissance-office/
Muon Space climate-monitoring satellites eyed for military applications
December 5, 2024
Muon Space, a startup specializing in small satellites for Earth climate monitoring, has been awarded a $2.9 million contract by the U.S. Space Force to evaluate its satellite technology for military applications.
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 2 agreement, announced Dec. 5, aims to assess whether Muon’s instruments can provide high-resolution imagery of cloud cover and weather conditions critical for military and intelligence operations.
Based in Mountain View, California, Muon Space is working to advance dual-use technology through collaborations with defense and environmental stakeholders.
Its latest project, in partnership with the nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance, involves deploying a constellation of “FireSat” satellites in low Earth orbit to monitor wildfires and related environmental phenomena.
The Space Force contract will explore how these systems might also fulfill defense needs.
Cloud cover data
Accurate cloud cover imaging is vital for military operations, as precision-guided munitions, satellite imagery scheduling and reconnaissance planning rely on detailed weather data.
Historically, the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) has provided this capability, but the aging fleet is nearing the end of its operational life, prompting a search for other solutions.
Muon Space’s electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) instruments, designed for climate monitoring, have shown promise in addressing military requirements, CEO Jonny Dyer told SpaceNews.
Under an earlier contract with the U.S. Air Force, Muon has been studying its capabilities to capture cloud characterization data.
The new agreement broadens that scope, allowing the company to evaluate its sensors’ ability to deliver comprehensive weather imagery using its upcoming FireSat constellation.
Scheduled for launch in 2026, FireSats will carry instruments tailored for both wildfire detection and weather monitoring.
“It’s a dual-use technology that not only supports defense priorities but also the wildfire monitoring mission,” Dyer said.
He explained that the FireSat infrared instruments will include additional spectral bands to enhance their cloud cover imaging capabilities.
To better understand military requirements, the company has been working with the Air Force’s 557th Weather Wing, the military’s primary meteorological unit, which integrates weather inputs from various sources to generate operational models.
Muon Space is vertically integrated, meaning it designs and builds its satellites, handles launches, and delivers data directly to customers. To date, the company has launched two satellites.
The first, a demonstration mission, took place in June 2023, followed by a prototype weather satellite launched in March 2024 in partnership with the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center and the Defense Innovation Unit.
This prototype, however, does not provide the infrared data that would be required for theater weather imagery.
https://spacenews.com/muon-space-climate-monitoring-satellites-eyed-for-military-applications/
Space Force special duty assignment application window closes Jan. 7
Dec. 4, 2024
Special duty assignments offer Guardians a unique opportunity to step into prestigious roles instrumental to the service’s mission.
They also serve as a unique platform for professional growth, allowing Guardians to expand their skill sets and gain experiences that are invaluable to their careers and the mission of the Space Force.
With the application window for Space Force special duty assignments for calendar year 2025 now open, Guardians have the opportunity to expand the breadth and depth of their skills while gaining knowledge of another part of the Space Force enterprise outside their normal duties.
Guardians interested in Space Force Honor Guard, First Sergeant, Guardian Talent Scout (Recruiter) and Professional Military Education Instructor special duty assignments must submit their applications for one of these assignments before the application window closes on Jan. 7, 2025.
Chief Master Sgt. Abifarin Scott, Headquarters Space Force Chief Human Capital Officer senior enlisted advisor, shared his thoughts on why special duty assignments present unique opportunities to Guardians in support of Space Force’s mission.
"Enlisted special duty assignments are critical opportunities that provide the breadth of experience needed to build credible NCOs and SNCOs,” Scott said.
“These institutional requirements have been deemed imperative to the success of the service’s mission, as they allow Guardians to understand their roles in developing and training Guardians while reinforcing Space Force culture outside of the operational ecosystem.”
Honor Guard Special Duty Assignments
Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Massoth, Space Force Honor Guard senior enlisted leader, noted how the unit exemplifies the leadership and professionalism that special duty assignments cultivate.
"Across the Space Force, Guardians make the impossible a reality every single day; they are true warfighting professionals,” Massoth said.
“Our mission is to be the physical embodiment of these professionals. We inspire confidence in the American public, trust in our allies, and hesitation from our adversaries.”
Sgt Jordan Dunkerson, a Space Force Honor Guard member currently going through technical training, recommends Guardians consider applying to be an Honor Guard or other special duty assignments because they are pivotal in shaping the future of the force.
“You’re afforded a rare opportunity to represent the nation’s newest military branch in an area outside of your field of expertise, hone new skills, improve your leadership capabilities, and ultimately carry those experiences back into the operational side of the Space Force,” Dunkerson said.
First Sergeant Special Duty Assignments
Meanwhile, First Sergeant duties offer Guardians the opportunity to directly influence unit morale and readiness.
Acting as a direct link between enlisted personnel, officers and leadership, their influence ensures that the Space Force maintains a cohesive and high-performing workforce, ready to address the challenges of a contested and evolving space domain.
Talent Scout Special Duty Assignments
Similar to other services’ recruiters, Guardian Talent Scouts play a vital role in recruiting the next generation of Space Force professionals.
Also known as recruiters, they aid the Space Force by identifying high-quality candidates, facilitating the recruiting process and guiding the next generation of Guardians.
PME Instructor Special Duty Assignments
PME instructors are at the forefront of shaping the Space Force’s future leaders by delivering advanced training and education.
The Space Force’s mission to defend U.S. and allied interests in space depends on a well-educated and capable leadership cadre.
PME instructors contribute directly to this mission by preparing Guardians to tackle complex challenges and lead with confidence in a rapidly changing domain.
"The service has been extremely deliberate in assessing which special duty requirements we would allow Guardians to do given our size and focused scope of expertise,” Scott said.
“That list has grown slightly over the years as the service, on its path to discovery, has quickly recognized how important the role of having Guardians embedded throughout the service’s ecosystem truly is.”
Guardians interested in applying must submit their applications through their chain of command. The Special Duty Assignment Selection Board will convene from Jan. 20-24, 2025, to review submissions.
Selected candidates will be notified of their status by Feb. 7, 2025, via the leadership chain of command and MyFSS, the platform that the Space Force uses to consolidate human resources applications.
https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3984931/space-force-special-duty-assignment-application-window-closes-jan-7/
UFO drones in NJ block medical helicopter from landing
December 4, 2024
The recent drone sightings in the skies over New Jersey took a serious turn when a medical helicopter's landing had to be moved.
Fire officials in Branchburg canceled a landing at Raritan Valley Community College after a crash within the township on Nov. 26 because of the drones, Brian Serge, supervisor of security at the college, told NJ.com.
Serge said he did not get any additional information.
Branchburg Fire Official Joseph Olivio referred questions from New Jersey 101.5 to State Police who later confirmed the landing zone was moved to a different location due to the "due to the presence of unmanned aircraft in the immediate area."
The victim was then able to be airlifted to a hospital.
New Jersey 101.5 Traffic Reporter Bob Williams and his wife Kathleen got a text from their neighbor early Tuesday evening about drones in the sky over their Roxbury neighborhood.
"And so I ran outside and I could see them right away," Kathleen told New Jersey 101.5. "It looked to me like very strategically placed drones.
They were flying very low. It was very obvious that they were drones. I could see seven drones in one shot for sure."
'Very, very, very concerned'
Kathleen said she could hear a slight noise from the drones with red, white and blue lights. They stayed in the same area for about 15 minutes.
Bob called local police, who referred him to the FBI, which is investigating the sightings.
"I felt very, very, very concerned. I found it extremely unsettling, especially because just a few days ago they were down in Mendham-Chester area, which isn't far from here," Kathleen said.
The FBI's Newark office said they have had a "great" response to its request for video and information about the sightings but did not disclose a specific number.
Anyone with relevant information can call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit it online at tips.fbi.gov.
Warren County Acting Prosecutor Jessica Cardone released a statement Wednesday stating she is aware of the public's concerns but reiterated there is no danger to the general public.
Cardone said drone sightings can also be reported to the crime tips page on her agency's website.
Drone operators who conduct unsafe operations that endanger other aircraft or people on the ground could face fines of up to $75,000, according to the FAA.
The agency can suspend or revoke drone operators’ pilot certificates.
https://nj1015.com/risks-illegal-drone-operations/
https://twitter.com/bjondaademi/status/1864273519770538365
UFO sighting: Moment bright lights spotted over Texas as pilots spooked
UPDATED: 13:05 ET, Thu, Dec 5, 2024
Airplane pilots have been caught on tape sounding surprised after seeing UFOs above their planes in Texas.
Two American Airlines pilots spoke with air traffic control, saying they were flying into Dallas-Fort Worth airport.
UFO stands for any unidentified flying object, though many people speculate, including President Elect Donald Trump, these sighting may be evidence of aliens existing.
"We are following these two lights that are up above us that are kind of jogging back-and-forth, left and right, for the past, like, half hour," they told air traffic control.
A Spirt Airlines pilot was also heard saying something similar. The American flight crew reported seeing some odd lights.
"The lights were quite a bit above us on the horizon," the pilot said.
"My first thought was satellites, but they kept getting super bright and [going] away over and over."
After these strange reports, the Fort Worth air authorities asked the US Air Force about any potential drills or launches of military planes, but the Air Force reported none.
The spirit crew said that the UFOs were moving "real quick" and about "100 miles out in space," and noted that the two different lights were independent of each other.
The American pilot noted that the object came out of nowhere, and there were no hints on the radar.
"Nobody on the radar. It was super odd because they were high and fast and kept with us for a long time," the pilot said.
"They kept the same 1-2 o'clock position on us for about 250 miles. And would be moving in formation, sometimes really fast on the horizon," he added.
Apart from the two flight crews seeing the unidentified objects, a woman driving in Texas also recorded the sighting.
TikTok user Lauren Allison managed to capture some of the footage.
"I've lived here my entire life, and I have never seen anything like this. What is that?!" she said as she captured the footage.
https://www.the-express.com/news/us-news/156662/ufo-sighting-texas-video-dallas-forth-worth-airport
https://www.tiktok.com/@godandtruth777/video/7443606411042508063
https://www.tiktok.com/@justinadelgado1/video/7443627599529561386
AARO functioning at full operational capability as lawmakers prep for classified UAP briefing
December 5, 2024
Lawmakers are getting ready for closed-door discussions with the Pentagon's new AARO director on Dec. 6.
The Pentagon’s unexplainable phenomena-investigation hub — the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office — has officially reached full operational capability, DefenseScoop exclusively confirmed on Thursday.
This news comes as AARO’s new chief Jon Kosloski prepares to participate in a classified briefing with House Oversight and Accountability Committee members on Friday.
It also follows recent comments from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin noting his leadership team’s recognition of the Defense Department’s need to continue to more intentionally and strategically make sense of its steadily growing caseload of reports involving unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) that could threaten U.S. national security.
“There are things that happen, that have happened, and probably will continue to happen that are difficult to explain.
And so when we encounter things like that, we will go and investigate those things because — whether it’s some really unexplained phenomena or it’s just something that is explainable — we just have to get to the root cause,” Austin told DefenseScoop during a recent trip to Laos.
“We’ve organized our effort to ensure that we can methodically identify and assess these incidents. And I want to thank Congress for continuing to support us with the resources that we need to be effective,” he said.
Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks formally set up AARO in mid-2022. A little over a year after its launch, she mentioned that the office was moving swiftly to achieve the status of full operational capability in fiscal 2024.
Sept. 30 marked the last day on that fiscal calendar.
“AARO reached full operational capability as of Oct. 1, 2024. In practical terms, this means AARO now has the requisite personnel, expertise, facilities and tools to carry out its core mission,” DOD spokesperson Sue Gough told DefenseScoop on Thursday.
In prior decades, the Pentagon established more secretive versions of teams to concentrate on UAP, or what is now considered multi-domain, transmedium UFOs.
But with AARO’s creation — which came largely in response to mounting public and congressional calls for explanations and transparency about increasing reports from government and military personnel who believed they encountered UAP — the Pentagon is receiving more financial backing and scrutiny associated with its investigations than perhaps ever before.
On Nov. 19, Kosloski, who previously served as a longtime physics and engineering leader at the National Security Agency, testified for the first time on the Hill as AARO’s chief at a Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities hearing.
Shortly before that, on Nov. 13, Republicans on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee led a hearing in their chamber where former DOD officials spotlighted fresh concerns about military reports of UAP and what some view as still-ongoing transparency challenges.
A committee spokesperson told DefenseScoop in an email on Thursday that “there will be a bipartisan, classified briefing on Friday” with Kosloski.
“The briefing is open to all members of the Oversight Committee. [Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs Chairman Glenn Grothman, R-Wis.] requested the briefing.
This briefing will focus on AARO’s recent annual report, and provide members of the committee the opportunity to ask AARO follow up questions from last month’s UAP hearing,” the spokesperson said.
https://defensescoop.com/2024/12/05/aaro-full-operational-capability-lawmakers-prep-classified-uap-briefing/
Gov. Murphy finally speaks about UFO drones buzzing NJ
December 5, 2024
Gov. Phil Murphy reiterated that there is no threat to the public "at this time" from recent drone sightings over New Jersey.
Dozens of drones have been reported hovering over the state since before Thanksgiving mostly in northern areas about Route 78.
The Democrat said he held a briefing Wednesday with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, senior officials from federal and state homeland security and State Police.
"We are actively monitoring the situation and in close coordination with our federal and law enforcement partners on this matter," Murphy said Thursday in a statement on his X account.
Police chief: Drones appear to be 'nefarious in nature'
Florham Park Police Chief Joseph Orlando said that local law enforcement has been pushing its state partners for answers about the drones.
"While we currently have no evidence or information to indicate these drones pose an imminent threat at this time, their presence appears nefarious in nature," Orlando said in a written statement.
The municipality is relatively close to Morristown Municipal Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
The Hunterdon County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday confirmed three reported sightings near Round Valley Reservoir and the county 911 center.
FAA air space violation?
The drone sightings continued around New Jersey on Wednesday night with a listener in Bridgewater telling New Jersey 101.5 he spotted two in the restricted air space near Trump National Golf Club.
"It moved east over my house then turned north. I couldn't tell it's size but it was silent, I'm guessing it was about 200 feet," the listener wrote in the NJ 101.5 app chat.
The FAA on Thursday afternoon told New Jersey 101.5 it was checking on any violations of the drone ban.
The FBI said it had no additional updates on its investigation. It continued to encourage anyone who sees a drone to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit it online at tips.fbi.gov.
https://nj1015.com/governor-phil-murphy-drone-safety/
https://x.com/GovMurphy/status/1864717982275965389