Mystery of the dark markings on Mars could finally be solved
Researchers used a machine learning algorithm to analyze 500,000 streaks from over 86,000 NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter images, creating a global Martian map.
The study found that recurring slope lineae (RSLs) are not associated with factors suggesting liquid or frost, but rather with above-average wind speed and dust deposition.
Older slope streaks likely form when dust slides off slopes due to seismic activity, winds, or meteoroid impacts, appearing near recent impact craters.
The findings cast doubt on the interpretation of slope streaks and RSLs as habitable environments, suggesting a dry origin of formation.
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The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
NASA identifies newly discovered object as an interstellar comet that will keep a safe distance
NASA has discovered an interstellar comet that's wandered into our backyard. The space agency spotted the quick-moving object with the sky-surveying Atlas telescope in Chile earlier this week, and confirmed it was a comet from another star system. It's officially the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system and poses no threat to Earth. The newest visitor is 416 million miles (670 million kilometers) from the sun, out near Jupiter. NASA said the comet will make its closest approach to the sun in October, scooting between the orbits of Mars and Earth — but closer to the red planet than us at a safe 150 million miles (240 million kilometers) away. Astronomers around the world are monitoring the comet — an icy snowball officially designated 3I/Atlas — to determine its size and shape. It should be visible by telescopes through September, before it gets too close to the sun, and reappear in December on the other side of the sun. The first interstellar visitor observed from Earth was Oumuamua, Hawaiian for scout, in honor of the observatory in Hawaii that discovered it in 2017. Classified at first as an asteroid, the elongated Oumuamua has since showed signs of being a comet. The second object confirmed to have strayed from another star system into our own —— 21/Borisov — was discovered in 2019 by a Crimean amateur astronomer with that name. It, too, is believed to be a comet. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
Mystery alien object spotted passing through Solar System
A mystery alien object that has come from interstellar space has been spotted travelling through the Solar System. The object, thought to be about 12 miles in diameter, is likely to be a comet or asteroid and is heading towards the Sun. It is only the third time that an interstellar object has been seen inside the Solar System and experts are hoping it might give clues about alien star systems. The object, originally called A11pl3Z and now known as 3I/Atlas, will make its closest approach to the Sun about Oct 30 but amateur astronomers on Earth should be able to pick it up from August. The object was discovered by amateur astronomers at the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (Atlas) – a network of four telescopes in Hawaii, Chile and South Africa – which was set up to give an early warning of dangerous asteroids. Nasa confirmed the object poses no threat to Earth and will remain at a distance of about 150 million miles. Current estimates show that it will get about 40 per cent further from the Sun than the Earth is, before heading back out into the galaxy. Dr Mark Norris, a senior lecturer in Astronomy at the University of Central Lancashire, said: 'If confirmed, it will be the third known interstellar object from outside our Solar System that we have discovered, providing more evidence that such interstellar wanderers are relatively common in our galaxy. 'As it gets closer, it's expected to brighten, especially if it turns out to be a comet rather than an asteroid. By the time it makes its closest approach, it will be a relatively easy target for amateur astronomers to observe. 'Even with our fastest rockets, it would take tens of thousands of years for us to reach nearby stars. Thanks to these visitors from outside our solar system, we may not have to travel that far to sample star systems beyond our own. 'They might hold vital information about the building blocks of planets, or even life elsewhere in the universe. But to unlock those secrets, we'll need the technology to catch up and reach them before they pass through our Solar System.' The object is arriving from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, and is currently located about 420 million miles from Earth. Astronomers realised that the object was unusual because of its strange hyperbolic trajectory through the Solar System. The curve of its orbit is so flat and far away from being a circle that it must have come from interstellar space. Only two other interstellar objects have been spotted in our solar system previously. The first, called Oumuamua (pronounced oh MOO-uh MOO-uh) was a bizarre cigar-shape rock, which passed through the Solar System in 2017 and appeared to be accelerating away from the Sun, suggesting it had an internal power source. Some speculated it might be an alien spacecraft, but scientists later found its course was being altered by the tiny push created as hydrogen gas spurted out of its icy surface, acting like a thruster. The second was 2I/Borisov, a comet which was spotted in 2019 and thought to have originated near to a red dwarf star. The new space rock is currently very dim but amateur astronomers with sensitive equipment may still be able to capture it using a long exposure. Next month the new comet should become brighter allowing more astrophotographers to capture on camera the rare visitor. Experts say it should remain visible to ground-based telescopes through September, after which it will pass too close to the Sun to observe, but will reappear in early December. The European Space Agency said its Planetary Defence team were continuing to observe the object.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Alarming new map shows deadly arsenic levels in drinking water across the U.S.
A new map has revealed a disturbing truth about drinking water in the U.S. Scientists found millions of Americans may be regularly exposed to dangerous levels of arsenic, which is a naturally occurring element in soil and rock that seeps into groundwater over time. Using data collected between 2017 and 2019, researchers mapped population-weighted arsenic levels in community water systems. Alarming hotspots were found in parts of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington, where levels exceed 5 micrograms per liter (µg/L), a point considered hazardous to human health. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a maximum arsenic level of 10 µg/L, or 10 parts per billion, in in drinking water. But research has shown that even lower levels can increase the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and developmental issues. Moderate-to-high levels (between 1μg/L and 5 µg/L) were found in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas and Idaho. While some states have low overall arsenic exposure, the map shows pockets of chronic contamination that disproportionately affect rural and low-income populations, many of whom may be unaware of the risks. Some studies suggest that more than two million Americans may be exposed to arsenic in their water supply, though not all at levels above the EPA's 10 μg/L limit. The map was created by scientists at Columbia University who utilized records from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess arsenic levels across specific regions. The team collected data to determine arsenic levels in each Zip Code Tabulation Area, geographic zones defined by zip codes, based on 13,998 participants across 35 sites from 2005 to 2020. The map reveals the highest arsenic concentrations, exceeding 5 μg/L, in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, where industrial and agricultural activity may contribute. Sheridan Haack, a research hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, previously said that several counties in Michigan have elevated levels of arsenic. Counties in the Thumb had the highest levels in the state, along with Oakland, Washtenaw, and Ingham counties. New York's southern tier, particularly around Binghamton, features bedrock and soils that may contain arsenic-bearing minerals that release the element into groundwater under certain conditions. This is a common phenomenon in parts of the Northeast, where glacial deposits and sedimentary rock layers can concentrate arsenic. California's Central Valley, known for intensive farming, also emerged as a hotspot. Other critical areas included Pennsylvania's western counties near Pittsburgh, Tennessee's eastern Appalachian areas, Utah's northern Cache and Weber counties, Arizona's southwest near Yuma, and Oregon's Willamette Valley. Concerned citizens can use at-home filters to reduce their arsenic risk, but popular brands like Brita likely aren't effective at getting rid of arsenic Instead, people can look for reverse osmosis systems, activated alumina filters or anion exchange resins, according to EcoWater Systems. A 2023 study by a separate team from Columbia found that arsenic in drinking water was linked to an increased risk for heart disease. They examined the health records of 100,000 Californians over 23 years and compared the data to their estimated exposure to arsenic in drinking water. They found that people exposed to high levels of the toxic metal for a decade or more were 42 percent more likely to develop heart disease. The study author, Dr Tiffany Sanchez, an environmental and molecular epidemiologist, suggested that current policy on the amount of arsenic allowed into drinking water may need to be re-examined. 'Our results are novel and encourage a renewed discussion of current policy and regulatory standards,' she said.
