A blue aurora over Japan in May 2024. (Mitsuhiro Ozaki)Picture an aurora, and you likely imagine green swirls dancing across a frozen sky. While green is common, auroras can display a variety of colors depending on altitude, location, and the atmospheric gases involved.During a powerful geomagnetic storm in May 2024, an unusual blue aurora appeared...
Starlink's first orbital shell of direct-to-cell satellites will enable texting in 2024, and voice and data next yearSpaceXSpaceX has successfully launched 20 Starlink satellites into orbit, completing the first phase of its direct-to-cellphone connectivity constellation.The satellites, deployed via a Falcon 9 rocket from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base on December 5, aim to...
The compact Ox electric truck has been designed for tackling challenging terrain quietly and cleanlyOx DeliversA UK-based company is working to make transportation of goods more efficient and eco-friendly for producers in developing countries. Following a multi-million-dollar agreement, its electric truck-as-a-service model is set to expand in Rwanda and surrounding areas.The Ox truck first...
The Aeke (rhymes with "bike") K1 system is presently on KickstarterAekeFor many, daily workouts guided by a personal trainer are an unaffordable luxury. However, the Aeke K1 system offers an AI-coach-assisted workout experience for a one-time cost of just under $2,000.Now featured on Kickstarter, the K1 boasts a 43-inch vertical 4K touchscreen with built-in...
The world's only known specimen of kyawthuite. (Kampf et al., Mineral. Mag., 2017)A mineral so rare that only one specimen has ever been found in the world exists: kyawthuite (cha-too-ite). This tiny, tawny-hued grain weighs just a third of a gram (1.61 carats), and at first glance, it might resemble amber or topaz. However, its...
(bodnarchuk/Getty Images)Scientists have discovered a high-quality gold deposit in central China containing approximately 1,000 metric tons (1,100 US tons) of the precious metal, according to Chinese state media.Valued at around 600 billion yuan (US$83 billion), this find could be the largest and most lucrative gold reservoir ever uncovered, surpassing the 900 metric tons estimated...
Panasonic says that its new series of short-throw projectors "increases installation flexibility and delivers bright, sharp visuals for corporate and immersive museum environments"PanasonicIn its newest series of short-throw projectors, Panasonic has boosted the brightness. One model offers 7,000 lumens, while the other provides 6,200 lumens, making them the company's most powerful fixed, short-throw LCD...
This little gadget gives you instant, inexpensive access to the microscopic world KickstarterSix years after introducing the first iMicro smartphone microscope, the team has launched its newest innovation: the iMicro Q3p. This compact, fingertip-sized device is lightweight and brings affordable, portable microscopy to anyone with a phone camera. The latest model also includes polarization capabilities,...
eVTOL aircraft, such as the Supernal S-A2 shown here, will benefit greatly from breakthroughs in battery concepts that reduce weight and increase energy density Hyundai Motor GroupResearchers at Monash University in Australia are nearing a breakthrough in addressing one of the major challenges faced by eVTOL aircraft. Their new lithium-sulfur battery technology aims to provide about twice...
Vow's Forged Gras can be served in a number of ways - but you can only taste it at select restaurantsVowAustralian company Vow is reinventing foie gras with a cruelty-free, lab-grown version that also aims to enhance its flavor.Foie Gras ReimaginedTraditionally a French delicacy with roots in ancient Egypt, foie gras is made from...
