Week-Long Exploration Of Sharks, From Their Forecasting Capabilities To Their Public Perception
We're celebrating sharks with a week of discovery and exploration into the ocean's most feared predators, and maybe we'll be able to convince you not to be so afraid of them along the way.
Here's what you can expect this week:
A New Aquatic Competitor Enters The 'Best Forecast' Ring
Sharks … as meteorologists? Say it isn't so! Sharks can in fact do a rudimentary form of forecasting, using a biological system that allows them to sense changes in pressure that often come before significant weather events like hurricanes. A Georgia Aquarium aquarist explains how this is possible.
How To Keep 6.3 Million Gallons Of Water Shark-Safe
UNLOCKS MONDAY, JULY 21
Fin Fact: 4 Things Shark Specialists Wish You Knew
UNLOCKS TUESDAY, JULY 22
Climate Change: Warming Oceans And Warning Signs For Sharks
UNLOCKS WEDNESDAY, JULY 23
Join Us On A Journey From Fear To Fascination
UNLOCKS THURSDAY, JULY 24
Sara Tonks is a content meteorologist with weather.com and has a bachelor's and a master's degree from Georgia Tech in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences along with a master's degree from Unity Environmental University in Marine Science.
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FX is going all-in with its upcoming series Alien: Earth , the first Alien project to bring those nightmare-fueled Xenomorphs to planet Earth. The ambitious new show isn't just another genre experiment as FX and showrunner Noah Hawley are reportedly positioning it as the next prestige-level hit on the scale of Game of Thrones or The Last of Us . According to Variety, FX wants Alien: Earth to be a sweeping, character-driven drama that expands the beloved franchise into new storytelling territory. And they're paying big for it. The series is rumored to have a budget that could exceed Shōgun , FX's recent historical epic that cost around $250 million. That makes Alien: Earth one of the most expensive shows ever produced for the network. This massive investment makes sense considering what the show promises. Not only is this the first time the franchise takes place on Earth, but the series introduces bold new ideas while honoring classic Alien themes. At the center of the story is Sydney Chandler as Wendy, a human child whose consciousness is transferred into a synthetic body. And yes, the Xenomorph threat is coming to Earth — along with some new, terrifying creatures. The earthbound setting also lets the show dive deep into a theme that has always been at the heart of Alien : corporate greed. As Hawley puts it, the series explores what the planet actually looks like in this future. "All I tried to do is think one or two steps ahead. Is it realistic to think that billionaires are going to be trillionaires? The planet is heating up, and the seas are going to rise - it's going to be a hot, wet planet that we live on." Hawley also acknowledges the freedom that comes with building something new instead of being weighed down by decades of rigid lore: "There's surprisingly little mythology across seven movies," he explains. "It was great to not have to jerry-rig a mythology into what's existing, but to just start again." That flexibility is key for Hawley and FX. Gina Balian, FX Entertainment president, added: "Everything doesn't have to fit together the way you expect from Marvel. Fans don't expect that in this universe. It doesn't have the same pressure." This means Alien: Earth isn't trying to create a Marvel-style shared universe, something Hawley has been clear about from the start. Alien has always thrived as an anthology-like series, with each film offering a unique tone and setting. Personally, I'm thrilled that the series seems to be sidestepping some of the lore from Prometheus and Alien: Covenant . Those films redefined the Xenomorph as a product of engineered design rather than an unknowable terror, and that never sat right with a lot of us. A clean slate opens the door for the mystery and dread that made Alien iconic. Alien: Earth is set to premiere on August 12, and if Hawley delivers what he's promising, we might be looking at the next big genre-defining series.
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As you make your rocket viewing plans, though, an important disclaimer to keep in mind is this: Launches can be – and often are – scrubbed or delayed due to any number of factors, including poor weather conditions or unexpected issues with spacecraft. Check back with for any updates on the rocket launch. In the meantime, here's what to know about the launch from Southern California, as well as when and where to potentially spot the rocket in neighboring Arizona: California rocket launches: SpaceX rocket launches have increased in California, and not all residents are happy What time is the SpaceX rocket launch from California? A Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisory indicates the launch is being targeted for Sunday, July 27, with backup opportunities available the following day, if needed. However, multiple websites dedicated to tracking rocket launches instead suggest the launch window could open as early as 8:55 p.m. PT Saturday, July 26. Neither the Vandenberg Space Force Base, nor SpaceX, have yet officially confirmed the launch. Where is the next rocket launch from California? The launch will take place from Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. Most launches from Vandenberg fly at a south or southeast trajectory. What is the next mission launching from Vandenberg? The spaceflight will make use of the company's famous two-stage 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket, one of the world's most active, to deliver Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. The altitude is low enough to allow for things like satellites to circle Earth fairly quickly. How to watch SpaceX Starlink launch livestream SpaceX will provide a webcast of the Starlink launch on its website beginning about five minutes before liftoff, along with updates on social media site X. 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Jaw-Dropping Video Shows NASA's Plan to Deliver a Helicopter Swarm to Mars Without Landing
It's been more than a year since the Ingenuity helicopter broke one of its blades, ending its experimental stint on Mars. On the heels of this wildly successful NASA mission, a defense contractor has introduced a new design concept to succeed the iconic Mars chopper—one that would release multiple vehicles to spread across the Martian landscape at the same time, like a coordinated swim team diving into the water. Virginia-based AeroVironment (AV), in partnership with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), recently revealed its Skyfall mission concept, a next-generation Mars helicopter designed to pave the way for a future human landing on the neighboring world. Skyfall would deploy six small choppers, similar to NASA's Ingenuity, to the Red Planet using a single entry capsule, with each helicopter landing independently on the Martian surface. The mission is aiming for a launch date in 2028, according to AV. The landing carrier would drop the six helicopters midway through its descent through the planet's atmosphere, eliminating the need for a landing platform. Following their release from the carrier, each helicopter would land on the Martian surface under its own power. Each helicopter would quickly get to work, exploring different parts of the planet and investigating potential landing sites for a future human mission. Operating independently, each chopper will collect high-resolution images of the surface and radar data from beneath the surface to search for potential resources on Mars. 'With six helicopters, Skyfall offers a low-cost solution that multiplies the range we would cover, the data we would collect, and the scientific research we would conduct–making humanity's first footprints on Mars meaningfully closer,' William Pomerantz, head of Space Ventures at AV, said in a statement. Ingenuity was the first helicopter to fly on another planet, paving the way for a fleet of successors that can explore the Martian surface from above. The o.g. Mars helicopter arrived on the planet in February 2021, tucked inside the belly of NASA's Perseverance rover. Shortly afterwards, the 19-inch-tall (48-centimeter), 4-pound (1.8-kilogram) helicopter became the first powered aircraft to lift off from the surface of another planet. Although it was originally intended to perform just five test flights, Ingenuity kept on going, performing 72 flights and flying 14 times farther than planned for a total flight time of two hours. Things came crashing down for Ingenuity last year after the helicopter broke its blades while landing for the 72nd time, officially ending its mission in January 2024. Its mission more than exceeded expectations, delivering precious data on a new method of exploring the surface of another planet and opening up a new gateway for missions to Mars and elsewhere. Whatever chopper comes next will have some pretty big shoes to fill, so maybe sending six helicopters to Mars is the appropriate follow-up.
