Latest news with #star
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Seven flowers that are so easy to grow they can be planted in any conditions
If you're new to gardening or simply want to take a break from high-maintenance plants, the following seven flowers are basically fool-proof and will thrive virtually anywhere Summer is upon us, and it's the perfect time to plant some f l owers to spruce up your garden. But remember, it's not just about what looks most appealing - budding gardeners need to consider the specific needs of their plants, ensuring they are placed in an environment that encourages growth. For example, hostas will burn under the midday sun, so it would be inappropriate to use a full-sun garden bed, while hydrangeas don't like rain gardens. But don't worry, as there are at least seven flowers that will thrive if you plant them pretty much anywhere, whether in clay soil or beneath a tree, they will all but grow all by themselves. 1. Zinnia A robust annual, zinnias (Zinnia) are versatile bloomers that can flourish in a variety of soils and conditions, though they do prefer basking in full sun and may not fare as well in shaded spots. Expect a riot of daisy-like, multicoloured blooms in every shade under the sun, from vivid yellows to pinks. They can tower anywhere between six to 48 inches and spread 12 to 18 inches wide, with a preference for well-drained soils. 2. Purple coneflower The hardy purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is another trooper, able to withstand drought, clay soil, heat, humidity, and even a smattering of shade, making it a top pick for pollinators like bees, butterflies and other insects. It's a perennial plant. According to birds will happily peck at the seed heads during winter. The only conditions this purple beauty can't handle are deep shade and waterlogged soil. They can stretch 24 to 36 inches tall and spread 18 to 24 inches wide, thriving in anything from full sun to partial shade and most well-drained soils, as per the Express. 3. Whorled tickseed Don't be fooled by the dainty, smaller blooms of the whorled tickseed (Coreopsis verticillate) – it's a tough cookie. Its clusters of daisy-shaped flowers radiate gold and yellow, and it can endure heat and poor soils, and a touch of light shade. However, steer clear of deep shade and waterlogged soils, as it can lead to root rot. It will grow 12 to 18 inches tall and 12 inches wide and thrives in full sun and average, dry soils. 4. French marigolds French marigolds (Tagetes patula) are another adaptable flower that can thrive in various soil conditions and either full sun or partial shade. They can be planted just about anywhere. They're wind and drought-resistant and pair well with vegetable patches as they keep certain pests, like nematodes, at bay. They'll sprout to a height of six to 12 inches and spread six to 10 inches wide. This perennial doesn't require deadheading and features striking purple blooms and upright leafy stems. 5. Blazing star The Blazing star (Liatris spicata) is hardy enough to withstand poor soil conditions, heat, and humidity, and is low-maintenance. It's not prone to serious disease or pest issues. This perennial never needs deadheading and boasts spiking purple flowers and upright leafy stalks. It'll reach a height of two to four feet and a width of one to two feet. 6. Blanket flower Sporting daisy-like blossoms, the native blanket flower (Gaillardia aristata) will add a splash of red and yellow to your garden. It's a long-blooming perennial that thrives in heat and drought, and can cope with poor soils, such as sandy soils. However, it's best to steer clear of humid areas and wet clay. It grows eight to 12 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide, flourishing in full sun and average soil conditions. 7. Cosmos The saucer-shaped disk flower cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) is characterised by its delightful, saucer-shaped disk flowers that thrive in a range of conditions, favouring average soil. They're rarely affected by diseases or insects. It can grow from one to four feet tall and two to three feet wide, and does well in full sun to partial shade.
Gizmodo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
The First ‘Red Sonja' Trailer Feels Like an Early Aughts Throwback
'Revenge' star Matilda Lutz dons chain-mail-clad armor and kicks a lot of ass on a quest to prevent tyrants from bleeding the Earth.
Fox News
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
The Quiz #428 - The Heart Of It All
What is the name of the star at the center of Earth's solar system? Play. Share. Listen with Fox Business Network Host Gerri Willis.
Forbes
28-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
44-Minute Pulse From Mystery Star Baffles Scientists — What To Know
Scientists have discovered a star behaving like no other seen before, giving new clues about the ... More origin of a class of mysterious objects. This object, known as ASKAP J1832, shows regular changes in both radio wave and X-ray intensity every 44 minutes, the first time such variations have been seen for a class of objects discovered only three years ago. Scientists have discovered a unique star 15,000 light-years from the solar system that appears to pulse every 44.2 minutes. Separate data from NASA's orbital Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Square Kilometer Array radio telescope in Western Australia found the star — named ASKAP J1832 — in 2024, according to the paper published today in Nature. The star is what astronomers call a long-period radio transient, which they have detected since 2022. However, this is the first time such an object has also been observed to emit X-rays. X-ray emission is high-energy electromagnetic radiation, which Earth's atmosphere blocks. Both the radio and X-ray pulses are tightly aligned in phase, so they must be coming from the same object. 'Astronomers have looked at countless stars with all kinds of telescopes, and we've never seen one that acts this way,' said Dr Ziteng Wang, first author of the paper, from the Curtin University node at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research in Australia. 'It's thrilling to see a new type of behavior for stars.' Scientists have discovered a star behaving like no other seen before, giving new clues about the ... More origin of a class of mysterious objects. This object, known as ASKAP J1832, shows regular changes in both radio wave and X-ray intensity every 44 minutes, the first time such variations have been seen for a class of objects discovered only three years ago. Long-period radio transients vary in the intensity of their radio waves in a regular way over tens of minutes, but this is by far the longest ever found. The discovery suggests that these strange objects can be significantly more energetic than previously believed. First observed in February 2024, ASKAP J1832 dropped in intensity in both radio waves and X-rays over the following six months, becoming 1,000 times fainter by August 2024. What exactly ASKAP J1832 is remains a mystery. The transient likely harbors a compact object, possibly an ultra-magnetized white dwarf (the dense core left by a star that has exhausted its fuel) or an old magnetar (the extremely dense remnant of a star that has exploded as a supernova). However, scientists cannot fully explain either origin. 'We looked at several different possibilities involving neutron stars and white dwarfs, either in isolation or with companion stars,' said co-author Dr Nanda Rea of the Institute of Space Sciences in Barcelona, Spain. 'So far, nothing exactly matches up, but some ideas work better than others.' Scientists have discovered a star behaving like no other seen before, giving new clues about the ... More origin of a class of mysterious objects. This object, known as ASKAP J1832, shows regular changes in both radio wave and X-ray intensity every 44 minutes, the first time such variations have been seen for a class of objects discovered only three years ago. ASKAP J1832 appears to be within a supernova remnant, but the researchers think that's a coincidence, so it may not be a magnetar. It may be a white dwarf star with a companion star, but only if it had the strongest magnetic field ever known for a white dwarf. 'We will continue to hunt for clues about what is happening with this object, and we'll look for similar objects,' said co-author Dr Tong Bao of the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics – Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera in Italy. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners urged to plant 5 flowers that stop weeds from taking over
These are five gorgeous flowers that do well in British gardens and which will prevent unwanted weed growth - even better they will grow back year after year so you only have to plant them once There are few things more infuriating than dealing with an infestation of weeds in your garden. Fortunately, experts recommend planting these flowers to put them off your lawn. With summer around the corner, you're probably noticing all sorts of unsightly growth cropping up on your lawn. Warmer weather and sunlight means that invasive plants are able to reproduce like wildfire. Common UK weeds include dandelion, chickweed and the dreaded prickly milk thistle. The worst part is that they can be incredibly hard to get rid of. More than just ruin the look of your lawn, weeds are known to cause huge damage to surrounding plants. This is because they leech nutrients from the soil, leaving little for the plants growing in your garden. They can also harbour problem insects, like aphids, caterpillars and mealybugs. But before you turn to a weed killer, Homes and Gardens recommend turning to these plants instead. Not only do they look gorgeous, these perennial plants blossom year and after year, saving you the hard work. Black-eyed Susans These bright yellow flowers have jet black stigmas that automatically draw the eye – hence the name. These unusual flowers will not only add intrigue to your garden, but also help stave off weeds. This is because they tend to grow in thick patches, which leaves little room for unwanted plants to worm their way in. They're best planted in spring as they require at least six hours of sunlight a day. Coneflowers These dusky pink delights are native to North America and are incredibly hardy. This means they're well suited to survive Britain's unpredictable weather. They prefer full or partial sun and need to be water twice a week. Katie Sunderlage, operations manager at the Holland Group, told Home and Gardens: 'Once settled into your yard, you will find coneflowers remarkably low-maintenance.' Verbenas These tall plants will produce purple flowers all summer long. Even better, they provide a high amount of ground cover, preventing weeds from taking hold. They should be planted in full or partial sun and in well-draining soil. It's also drought tolerant, which means you don't have to worry about it surviving a heat wave. Blazing star With their electric purple petals, these flowers look just like their name. They typically bloom in late summer and are great weed blockers as they tend to grow in clusters. Even better, they're relatively easy to grow – all they need is direct sunlight. Blue grama Native to the American Midwest, this grass is brilliant at preventing weeds. Of course, since it prefers warmer temperatures, it's a better option for those living in the south or coastal areas of the UK. Once planted, it needs very little watering.
