Human World | EarthSky

Pesticides and industrial pollutants found in snow atop Arctic glaciers

Posted by EarthSky Voices in Earth | Human World | 1 month ago

The long journey of these compounds – likely originating in the U.S. and Eurasia – shows the far-reaching impacts of industrial pollution.

The curve of Earth in space, against a dark background, with the Hayabusa2 spacecraft above it and a purple streak headed to Earth's surface.

Hayabusa2 re-entry capsule approved to land in Australia

Posted by Deborah Byrd in Human World | Space | 1 month ago

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said this week that it has now been officially informed that its Hayabusa2 space capsule – carrying precious dust captured from the surface of near-Earth asteroid Ryugu – is approved for landing in Australia.

2019 State of the Climate Report: Peak greenhouse gases and record heat

Posted by EarthSky in Earth | Human World | 1 month ago

2019 ranks among the 3 warmest years in records dating to the mid-1800s. In 2019, greenhouse gases reached their highest levels on record. Both facts are from the 30th annual State of the Climate report, a review of world climate based on contributions from more than 520 scientists in over 60 countries.

Picture of damage to Arecibo Telescope in August, 2020.

Arecibo Observatory damaged by broken lashing cable

Posted by Eddie Irizarry in Human World | Space | 2 months ago

The new damage to Arecibo, caused by the heavy cable, happened while repairs from 2017’s Hurricane Maria were still ongoing.

These dogs are trained to sniff out the coronavirus

Posted by EarthSky Voices in Human World | 2 months ago

Scientists have been working with professional trainers in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales to train dogs to sniff out Covid-19. Most of the dogs have a 100% success rate.

Mars big as the moon on August 27?

Posted by Deborah Byrd in Astronomy Essentials | Human World | Space | 2 months ago

We can’t believe it. One of the most popular articles at EarthSky this week is the one asking, will Mars be as big as the moon on August 27? Short answer … no. This hoax has been circulating since 2003.

Perseverance rover parachute test, seen from below.

Mars landings: ‘7 minutes of terror’

Posted by Deborah Byrd in Human World | Space | 2 months ago

To celebrate the 8-year anniversary of Curiosity rover’s arrival on Mars, here’s a video on the final 7 minutes of its chilling descent on August 5-6, 2012.