livescience--2020-10-14--Save 33% on Celestron's NexStar 130SLT telescope for Prime Day

Celestron , maker of high-quality telescopes and other skywatching gear , has some great deals for Amazon Prime Day this year , including its telescope , which is on sale for 33 % off .
The NexStar 130SLT Newtonian reflector telescope is available for $ 333.16 , down from its usual $ 499.95 .
The last time we 've seen a price cut this deep was in 2018 , and the telescope has typically been over $ 340 ever since .
• The best deals on Celestron telescopes and binoculars While this configuration of the Celestron NexStar 130SLT does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 114EQ but it more than makes up for it with a wider aperture and larger mirror that allows more light in .
It also has a GoTo mount for easily finding celestial objects in the night sky and is more robust thanks to its steel tripod .
It offers more upgrade options in the future so if you think you 're going to get serious about astronomy then this is a great telescope to start your journey with.View Deal The comes with both a computerized GoTo mount and SkyAlign technology that allows you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find and track celestial objects .
In fact , if you 'd like , the telescope will find celestial objects like the moon , Jupiter , or Saturn for you — it has a database of more than 40,000 celestial objects .
This telescope is the largest in Celestron 's SLT family and the 130 millimeter aperture gathers enough light to show you Saturn 's rings or Jupiter 's cloud bands .
With your purchase , you 'll get a bonus free download of the popular Starry Night software , which takes you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system .
The NexStar 130SLT is also great for stargazers on the go , as it 's compact and portable .
Take it on weekend camping trips or set it up in the yard on particularly dark nights .
There are plenty of other great Celestron deals this Prime Day , you can find them all here .

Stargazing has gone supernova as a hobby in recent times. Who wouldn’t want to bring the wonder of celestial bodies, or even just the Moon, that bit closer.
Not all of us have the space for a telescope via which to embark on our amateur astronomy however. In which case a high-powered binocular could prove a better fit for our requirements. So, with that in mind, which are current the best binoculars for stargazing?
What should you be looking for in a pair of stargazing binoculars? Well you'll need a generous magnification to let you see distant objects, since stars are quite far away, but you also need a large objective lens for maximum light gathering in dark conditions. There are also comfort and durability concerns to consider, like water them feel like a natural extension of your own vision.
Predictably, binocular brands that we consider among the best binoculars for general observation also make a good showing when it comes to best binoculars for astronomy and stargazing too.
If you’re seeking the ability to capture photos and videos of the night sky with it, then also check out our recommendations of the best cameras for astrophotography. For those who want to get a little more serious with a higher powered viewing device, do also have a look at our best telescopes for stargazing guide too – many of these also allow for camera attachment in order to enjoy the art of digiscoping.
Meanwhile, with a look through the below hopefully we’ll find a pair of binoculars for stargazing we’re over the moon about.
Premium models ($200+)
(Image credit: Jason Parnell-Brookes)
If you are looking for made-for-astronomy gazing binoculars, then the Celestron 20x 80 Pro High Powered Binoculars (Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80) have you covered. Featuring fully waterproof housing, interchangeable eyecups, superior wide angle viewing, and fogproof features they come in at the top of the stargazing bucket list.
They have a built in standard tripod mount which may be of use for long term stargazing to accommodate for their heavier weight and size. With 20x magnification and a housing filled with dry nitrogen gas, they do not fog up in even the chilliest of foggy nights, damp conditions, or moving between different temperature conditions — even if that is just your backpack to your favorite hilltop stargazing spot! They also have the ability to attach a red dot finder to bring objects into view more quickly.
Read our full Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80 review.
(Image credit: Canon)
2. Canon 12x36 IS III High quality image stability so you can skip carrying the tripod. Specifications Magnification: 12x Objective lens diameter: 26 mm Angular field of view: 5.0° Eye relief: 14.5 mm Waterproof: Not specified Dimensions: 1.1 x 6.9 x 2.8 inches Weight: 1.46 lbs Today's Best Deals View at Newegg View at Amazon View at BHPhoto Reasons to buy + Achieves the stabilization power of what top-level Canon cameras can do + Offers up to 12x magnification ability for crystal clear image capacity Reasons to avoid - Expensive to buy and equally costly to repair - Image stabilization only works with button being held down continuously
Featuring environmentally-friendly materials such as lead-free glass, the Canon 12x36 Image Stabilization III Binoculars (Canon 12x36 IS III) are high in price but also notably high in quality. They will offer the stars crystal clear in viewing at 12x magnification and an image stabilization feature that can help prevent shaky images.
You can skip bringing your tripod on your favorite mountain hike with this one. In addition, with a battery usage of up to 12 hours, they can last the length of your hike and back (power source is 2 x AA batteries). Due to their bulk and high price point, these binoculars may not be best suited for suitcase travel. They also require a continuous pressing of the anti-shake button which may be of note for those with arthritis or finger joint pain.
(Image credit: Celestron )
3. Celestron TrailSeeker 8 x 42 Binoculars From birding to stargazing, the Trailseekers offer exceptional value for money. Specifications Magnification: 8x Objective lens diameter: 42 mm Angular field of view: 8.1° Eye relief: 17 mm Waterproof: Yes Dimensions: 5 x 1.8 x 4.9 inches Weight: 1.45 lbs Today's Best Deals View at Newegg View at Amazon View at BHPhoto Reasons to buy + Lower in price point while still maintaining many Celestron valuable features + Comes with multiple accessories and is less heavy to carry Reasons to avoid - Better suited for close up field viewing, i.e. birdwatching - Lower magnification power than other Celestron binocular models
Featuring a narrower objective lens diameter than their high powered astronomy cousin (Celestron 20x80 Pro High Power Astronomy Binoculars), the Celestron TrailSeeker model includes a wider eye relief, higher angle of view, and lower price point. They feature fully broadband multi-coated lenses, a twist up eyecup, and the same exceptional waterproof and fogproof housing unit found in many Celestron models. For the specs you get, the Trailseekers are very reasonably priced too.
These lightweight binoculars could accompany you on any hike, whether you want to spend a day birdwatching or an evening of night-time star viewing. They are also adaptable to accommodate a tripod and come with multiple accessories including a carrying case, lens cloth, lens cap, neck strap, harness strap, instruction manual, and eyepiece rainguard.
(Image credit: Nikon)
4. Nikon Monarch 5 20x56 A hefty but powerful set of stargazing binoculars Our expert review: Average Amazon review: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Specifications Magnification: 20x Objective lens diameter: 56 mm Angular field of view: 3.3° Eye relief: 16.4 mm Waterproof: Yes Dimensions: 3.9 x 5.7 x 2.6 inches Weight: 2.7 lbs. Today's Best Deals View at Amazon View at BHPhoto View at Adorama US Reasons to buy + High magnification + Large objective lens for low-light conditions + Waterproof Reasons to avoid - Quite heavy
Nikon is no stranger to high quality optics and this roof prism type binocular weds a powerful 20x magnification to a relatively gargantuan 56mm objective lens to let in plenty of available light. This makes it another key contender for amateur astronomers as long as budget will stretch.
Featuring ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass in its construction to improve contrast and reduce chromatic aberration and multi-coated lenses with it, the result is eye-popping image clarity, particularly when examining closer celestial objects such as the Moon.
Long eye relief offers a degree of comfort when viewing for prolonged periods, while a sturdy, rubber-armored body and non-slip grip helps make for a steadier hold. Judder free viewing is further aided via a provided strap and the option to tripod mount this binocular if desired, making celestial viewing even more of a breeze. Inclement weather isn’t a problem either, as the 20x56 is waterproofed and nitrogen purged to prevent fogging.
Mid-range models ($75 - $200)
(Image credit: Vortex)
5. Vortex 10x50 Crossfire HD Binoculars A good compromise of lightweight, moderately powerful magnification, and affordability. Specifications Magnification: 10x Objective lens diameter: 50 mm Angular field of view: 6.1° Eye relief: 17 mm Waterproof: Yes Dimensions: 6.7 x 5.3 inches Weight: 1.9 lbs Today's Best Deals View at Amazon View at Target View at BHPhoto Reasons to buy + Large objective lenses at affordable price + Durable casing and compact in size Reasons to avoid - Fine focus takes time to work to fullest capacity - Longer length does not fit well into its carrying case
Offering a generous magnification and objective lens size for a reasonable price, the Vortex 10x50 Crossfire HD Binoculars are a great option. It has a non-slip grip with rubber casing and O-ring seals to prevent water and fog in the optics. The twist up eyecups give it a more compact look and they are noticeably lightweight at just under 2 pounds.
Users indicate that they perform well in low light conditions and are a great performance product for the price. Coming with a chest harness that can be strapped to them, they also can double as great birding binoculars on daytime hikes or be packed for impromptu night-time stargazing.
(Image credit: Celestron)
6. Celestron SkyMaster 20x80 Binoculars Perfect mid-range model still offering Celestron quality. Specifications Magnification: 20x Objective lens diameter: 80 mm Angular field of view: 3.7° Eye relief: 18 mm Waterproof: Exterior is water resistant Dimensions: 9 x 4.7 x 12.8 inches Weight: 4.7 lbs Today's Best Deals View at Amazon View at Newegg View at BHPhoto Reasons to buy + Includes easy tripod adapter feature + Generous objective lens view Reasons to avoid - May not offer fogproof features like other higher priced models - Some users indicated collimation (duplicate vision) could be a problem
Even though this model was first released way back in 2005, it still contends nicely with its modern Celestron cousins. Coming in at a price point lower than both the Pro version of this same model and the Celestron TrailSeeker version, it offers a happy medium for affordability and astronomy focused quality.
Key features include the BAK-4 prisms which allow for bright and crisp image quality even in poor, low light conditions. They come with an integrated tripod attachment for ease of use on long nights of stargazing, a case, lens caps, cleaning cloth, and protective lens covering. Celestron designed this one with more structural reinforcement to the body of the binoculars and the exterior casing is water resistant. Note that some of the fogproof precision found in other higher priced models may be lost here.
(Image credit: Nikon)
7. Nikon Prostaff 3S 10x42 Binoculars Lightweight Nikon binoculars model with ample objective lens. Specifications Magnification: 10x Objective lens diameter: 42 mm Angular field of view: 7.2° Eye relief: 15.7 mm Waterproof: Yes Dimensions: 5.9 x 5.1 x 2 inches Weight: 1.3 lbs Today's Best Deals View at Amazon View at Newegg View at Adorama US Reasons to buy + Advocated by the Audubon Society for its lightweight and compact nature + Good balance of image clarity with reasonable cost Reasons to avoid - Eyecups have been reported to slide down/not stay in place easily - Users report fogproof and waterproof durability is poor
Released somewhat recently in 2018, these mid-range Nikon binoculars feature lower magnification capabilities but have a generous objective lens diameter and roomier eye relief than other models. It's also noticeably more lightweight and compact than other models which makes it perfect for squeezing into one’s hiking pack or including as part of your camping essentials.
Nikon touts that lead- and arsenic-free glass is used in all the lenses/prisms in the making of the unit, and the body is made from fiberglass and polycarbonate resin. It comes as part of a bundle with a carrying case, lens cap set, carrying strap, lens pen, and keychain light. Other noticeable features include its rubber eyecups which have multi-click adjustments and a turn and slide feature.
(Image credit: Celestron)
8. Celestron Outland X 8x42 Binoculars Affordable, durable starter binoculars with Celestron quality. Average Amazon review: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Specifications Magnification: 8x Objective lens diameter: 42 mm Angular field of view: 6.8° Eye relief: 18 mm Waterproof: Yes Dimensions: 7 x 3 x 8 inches Weight: 1.8 lbs Today's Best Deals View at Newegg View at Amazon View at BHPhoto Reasons to buy + Affordable, compact, and easy to use + Great starter binoculars or for use with kids Reasons to avoid - May lack updated styling or perks - Lower magnification may compromise quality of long range viewing
Featuring waterproof rubber casing and the nitrogen gas filled defogging technique that Celestron does so well, the Celestron Outland 8x42 is one of their less shiny offerings compared to their SkyMaster. However, it still boasts reliability and comes in as a more affordable option. It has twist up eyecups for fast adjustment, ample eye relief room, and objective lens diameter and a more moderate magnification of 8x.
It also includes a tripod adapter for long term viewing sessions. Perks of this model include its affordability and ease of use; it may be a great starter binocular that still boasts some of the better quality features.
(Image credit: Jason Parnell-Brookes)
9. Celestron SkyMaster 12x60 Binoculars An older model that still gives value and offers good viewing range. Our expert review: Average Amazon review: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Specifications Magnification: 12x Objective lens diameter: 60 mm Angular field of view: 5.3° Eye relief: 17 mm Waterproof: Moderately/Water resistant Dimensions: 2.8 x 8.1 x 8.3 inches Weight: 2.5 lbs Today's Best Deals View at Amazon View at Newegg Reasons to buy + Generous magnification and objective lens diameter for the price + Great starter pair of binoculars Reasons to avoid - Smaller angular field of view at 5.3° - One of the oldest Celestron models
Coming in as one of the oldest released models (2005), this version offers affordability and a rugged look. It does have a very generous magnification and objective lens diameter for the price (+10 - 20mm in objective lens diameter, more than others in this list). Angular field of view is lessened and some compromises are made with look, styling, and waterproof/fogproof capabilities.
Users share it can still serve as a great pair of binoculars despite its age, but the lack of some of the updated extras and newer fogproof capabilities may prove frustrating. Consider buying this one or its counterpart, the Celestron Outland, if you are seeking an affordable yet early features model to use as a starter pair or a first pair for a young adult.
Read our full Celestron SkyMaster 12x60 binoculars review.
Budget models (Below $50)
(Image credit: SkyGenius)
10. SkyGenius 10x50 Binoculars Kid-friendly low price binoculars with carrying case. Specifications Magnification: 10x Objective lens diameter: 50 mm Angular field of view: 7° Eye relief: 18 mm Waterproof: No Dimensions: 7.1 x 2 x 5.1 inches Weight: 1.8 lbs Today's Best Deals View at Amazon View at Newegg Reasons to buy + Child-friendly, affordable, easy-to-use model + Comes with padded carrying case Reasons to avoid - Can be used at night but not in complete darkness (poor light vision) - Not waterproof - Other quality features compromised by low price
Featuring a rubber casing that helps with wear and tear, these binoculars come in at the lower end of the pricing model scale. Because of this, they are not waterproof and sacrifice a lot of the dim light conditions features you will find in pricier, astronomy focused models.
Despite that, these binoculars could serve as a great starter pair for a kid or young adult as they come with a padded carrying case and offer ample magnification at 10x and objective lens diameter at 50 mm. Eyecups are adjustable and twist up or down. Users report some eye relief adjustments weren’t as easy and some quality control issues may not be noticed due to the lower price point.


livescience--2020-10-14--Celestron's Skymaster 25x100 binoculars are just $219 this Prime Day

Celestron 's are great for skygazers and sea-watchers alike , and this powerful pair of binoculars is 47 % off for .
With a price tag of just $ 219 ( down from $ 419 ) , the SkyMaster 25x100 binoculars are nearly half off .
They have ultra sharp focus thanks to their 25 times magnification and massive 100 millimeter objective lenses , the largest aperture Celestron has available in a binocular .
• The best deals on Celestron telescopes and binoculars These binoculars include a tripod adapter for those who want to mount their binoculars to a tripod @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sky .
They ’ re also durable and water-resistant because of a protective and rugged body that allows for amazing grip .
And if you live in a dim environment , never fear : The are perfect for those who are stargazing in dim light near dusk or down .
The high-quality BaK-4 prisms give excellent light transmission , which makes even images in the dim sky sharp and bright .
In fact , Celestron ’ s SkyMaster 25x100 binoculars made Space.com ’ s list of the .
There are plenty of other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can find them all here .

Stargazing has gone supernova as a hobby in recent times. Who wouldn’t want to bring the wonder of celestial bodies, or even just the Moon, that bit closer.
Not all of us have the space for a telescope via which to embark on our amateur astronomy however. In which case a high-powered binocular could prove a better fit for our requirements. So, with that in mind, which are current the best binoculars for stargazing?
What should you be looking for in a pair of stargazing binoculars? Well you'll need a generous magnification to let you see distant objects, since stars are quite far away, but you also need a large objective lens for maximum light gathering in dark conditions. There are also comfort and durability concerns to consider, like water them feel like a natural extension of your own vision.
Predictably, binocular brands that we consider among the best binoculars for general observation also make a good showing when it comes to best binoculars for astronomy and stargazing too.
If you’re seeking the ability to capture photos and videos of the night sky with it, then also check out our recommendations of the best cameras for astrophotography. For those who want to get a little more serious with a higher powered viewing device, do also have a look at our best telescopes for stargazing guide too – many of these also allow for camera attachment in order to enjoy the art of digiscoping.
Meanwhile, with a look through the below hopefully we’ll find a pair of binoculars for stargazing we’re over the moon about.
Premium models ($200+)
(Image credit: Jason Parnell-Brookes)
If you are looking for made-for-astronomy gazing binoculars, then the Celestron 20x 80 Pro High Powered Binoculars (Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80) have you covered. Featuring fully waterproof housing, interchangeable eyecups, superior wide angle viewing, and fogproof features they come in at the top of the stargazing bucket list.
They have a built in standard tripod mount which may be of use for long term stargazing to accommodate for their heavier weight and size. With 20x magnification and a housing filled with dry nitrogen gas, they do not fog up in even the chilliest of foggy nights, damp conditions, or moving between different temperature conditions — even if that is just your backpack to your favorite hilltop stargazing spot! They also have the ability to attach a red dot finder to bring objects into view more quickly.
Read our full Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80 review.
(Image credit: Canon)
2. Canon 12x36 IS III High quality image stability so you can skip carrying the tripod. Specifications Magnification: 12x Objective lens diameter: 26 mm Angular field of view: 5.0° Eye relief: 14.5 mm Waterproof: Not specified Dimensions: 1.1 x 6.9 x 2.8 inches Weight: 1.46 lbs Today's Best Deals View at Amazon View at Newegg View at BHPhoto Reasons to buy + Achieves the stabilization power of what top-level Canon cameras can do + Offers up to 12x magnification ability for crystal clear image capacity Reasons to avoid - Expensive to buy and equally costly to repair - Image stabilization only works with button being held down continuously
Featuring environmentally-friendly materials such as lead-free glass, the Canon 12x36 Image Stabilization III Binoculars (Canon 12x36 IS III) are high in price but also notably high in quality. They will offer the stars crystal clear in viewing at 12x magnification and an image stabilization feature that can help prevent shaky images.
You can skip bringing your tripod on your favorite mountain hike with this one. In addition, with a battery usage of up to 12 hours, they can last the length of your hike and back (power source is 2 x AA batteries). Due to their bulk and high price point, these binoculars may not be best suited for suitcase travel. They also require a continuous pressing of the anti-shake button which may be of note for those with arthritis or finger joint pain.
(Image credit: Celestron )
3. Celestron TrailSeeker 8 x 42 Binoculars From birding to stargazing, the Trailseekers offer exceptional value for money. Specifications Magnification: 8x Objective lens diameter: 42 mm Angular field of view: 8.1° Eye relief: 17 mm Waterproof: Yes Dimensions: 5 x 1.8 x 4.9 inches Weight: 1.45 lbs Today's Best Deals View at Newegg View at Amazon View at BHPhoto Reasons to buy + Lower in price point while still maintaining many Celestron valuable features + Comes with multiple accessories and is less heavy to carry Reasons to avoid - Better suited for close up field viewing, i.e. birdwatching - Lower magnification power than other Celestron binocular models
Featuring a narrower objective lens diameter than their high powered astronomy cousin (Celestron 20x80 Pro High Power Astronomy Binoculars), the Celestron TrailSeeker model includes a wider eye relief, higher angle of view, and lower price point. They feature fully broadband multi-coated lenses, a twist up eyecup, and the same exceptional waterproof and fogproof housing unit found in many Celestron models. For the specs you get, the Trailseekers are very reasonably priced too.
These lightweight binoculars could accompany you on any hike, whether you want to spend a day birdwatching or an evening of night-time star viewing. They are also adaptable to accommodate a tripod and come with multiple accessories including a carrying case, lens cloth, lens cap, neck strap, harness strap, instruction manual, and eyepiece rainguard.
(Image credit: Nikon)
4. Nikon Monarch 5 20x56 A hefty but powerful set of stargazing binoculars Our expert review: Average Amazon review: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Specifications Magnification: 20x Objective lens diameter: 56 mm Angular field of view: 3.3° Eye relief: 16.4 mm Waterproof: Yes Dimensions: 3.9 x 5.7 x 2.6 inches Weight: 2.7 lbs. Today's Best Deals View at Amazon View at BHPhoto View at Adorama US Reasons to buy + High magnification + Large objective lens for low-light conditions + Waterproof Reasons to avoid - Quite heavy
Nikon is no stranger to high quality optics and this roof prism type binocular weds a powerful 20x magnification to a relatively gargantuan 56mm objective lens to let in plenty of available light. This makes it another key contender for amateur astronomers as long as budget will stretch.
Featuring ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass in its construction to improve contrast and reduce chromatic aberration and multi-coated lenses with it, the result is eye-popping image clarity, particularly when examining closer celestial objects such as the Moon.
Long eye relief offers a degree of comfort when viewing for prolonged periods, while a sturdy, rubber-armored body and non-slip grip helps make for a steadier hold. Judder free viewing is further aided via a provided strap and the option to tripod mount this binocular if desired, making celestial viewing even more of a breeze. Inclement weather isn’t a problem either, as the 20x56 is waterproofed and nitrogen purged to prevent fogging.
Mid-range models ($75 - $200)
(Image credit: Vortex)
5. Vortex 10x50 Crossfire HD Binoculars A good compromise of lightweight, moderately powerful magnification, and affordability. Specifications Magnification: 10x Objective lens diameter: 50 mm Angular field of view: 6.1° Eye relief: 17 mm Waterproof: Yes Dimensions: 6.7 x 5.3 inches Weight: 1.9 lbs Today's Best Deals View at Amazon View at Target View at BHPhoto Reasons to buy + Large objective lenses at affordable price + Durable casing and compact in size Reasons to avoid - Fine focus takes time to work to fullest capacity - Longer length does not fit well into its carrying case
Offering a generous magnification and objective lens size for a reasonable price, the Vortex 10x50 Crossfire HD Binoculars are a great option. It has a non-slip grip with rubber casing and O-ring seals to prevent water and fog in the optics. The twist up eyecups give it a more compact look and they are noticeably lightweight at just under 2 pounds.
Users indicate that they perform well in low light conditions and are a great performance product for the price. Coming with a chest harness that can be strapped to them, they also can double as great birding binoculars on daytime hikes or be packed for impromptu night-time stargazing.
(Image credit: Celestron)
6. Celestron SkyMaster 20x80 Binoculars Perfect mid-range model still offering Celestron quality. Specifications Magnification: 20x Objective lens diameter: 80 mm Angular field of view: 3.7° Eye relief: 18 mm Waterproof: Exterior is water resistant Dimensions: 9 x 4.7 x 12.8 inches Weight: 4.7 lbs Today's Best Deals View at Amazon View at Newegg View at BHPhoto Reasons to buy + Includes easy tripod adapter feature + Generous objective lens view Reasons to avoid - May not offer fogproof features like other higher priced models - Some users indicated collimation (duplicate vision) could be a problem
Even though this model was first released way back in 2005, it still contends nicely with its modern Celestron cousins. Coming in at a price point lower than both the Pro version of this same model and the Celestron TrailSeeker version, it offers a happy medium for affordability and astronomy focused quality.
Key features include the BAK-4 prisms which allow for bright and crisp image quality even in poor, low light conditions. They come with an integrated tripod attachment for ease of use on long nights of stargazing, a case, lens caps, cleaning cloth, and protective lens covering. Celestron designed this one with more structural reinforcement to the body of the binoculars and the exterior casing is water resistant. Note that some of the fogproof precision found in other higher priced models may be lost here.
(Image credit: Nikon)
7. Nikon Prostaff 3S 10x42 Binoculars Lightweight Nikon binoculars model with ample objective lens. Specifications Magnification: 10x Objective lens diameter: 42 mm Angular field of view: 7.2° Eye relief: 15.7 mm Waterproof: Yes Dimensions: 5.9 x 5.1 x 2 inches Weight: 1.3 lbs Today's Best Deals View at Amazon View at Newegg View at Adorama US Reasons to buy + Advocated by the Audubon Society for its lightweight and compact nature + Good balance of image clarity with reasonable cost Reasons to avoid - Eyecups have been reported to slide down/not stay in place easily - Users report fogproof and waterproof durability is poor
Released somewhat recently in 2018, these mid-range Nikon binoculars feature lower magnification capabilities but have a generous objective lens diameter and roomier eye relief than other models. It's also noticeably more lightweight and compact than other models which makes it perfect for squeezing into one’s hiking pack or including as part of your camping essentials.
Nikon touts that lead- and arsenic-free glass is used in all the lenses/prisms in the making of the unit, and the body is made from fiberglass and polycarbonate resin. It comes as part of a bundle with a carrying case, lens cap set, carrying strap, lens pen, and keychain light. Other noticeable features include its rubber eyecups which have multi-click adjustments and a turn and slide feature.
(Image credit: Celestron)
8. Celestron Outland X 8x42 Binoculars Affordable, durable starter binoculars with Celestron quality. Average Amazon review: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Specifications Magnification: 8x Objective lens diameter: 42 mm Angular field of view: 6.8° Eye relief: 18 mm Waterproof: Yes Dimensions: 7 x 3 x 8 inches Weight: 1.8 lbs Today's Best Deals View at Newegg View at Amazon View at BHPhoto Reasons to buy + Affordable, compact, and easy to use + Great starter binoculars or for use with kids Reasons to avoid - May lack updated styling or perks - Lower magnification may compromise quality of long range viewing
Featuring waterproof rubber casing and the nitrogen gas filled defogging technique that Celestron does so well, the Celestron Outland 8x42 is one of their less shiny offerings compared to their SkyMaster. However, it still boasts reliability and comes in as a more affordable option. It has twist up eyecups for fast adjustment, ample eye relief room, and objective lens diameter and a more moderate magnification of 8x.
It also includes a tripod adapter for long term viewing sessions. Perks of this model include its affordability and ease of use; it may be a great starter binocular that still boasts some of the better quality features.
(Image credit: Jason Parnell-Brookes)
9. Celestron SkyMaster 12x60 Binoculars An older model that still gives value and offers good viewing range. Our expert review: Average Amazon review: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Specifications Magnification: 12x Objective lens diameter: 60 mm Angular field of view: 5.3° Eye relief: 17 mm Waterproof: Moderately/Water resistant Dimensions: 2.8 x 8.1 x 8.3 inches Weight: 2.5 lbs Today's Best Deals View at Amazon View at Newegg Reasons to buy + Generous magnification and objective lens diameter for the price + Great starter pair of binoculars Reasons to avoid - Smaller angular field of view at 5.3° - One of the oldest Celestron models
Coming in as one of the oldest released models (2005), this version offers affordability and a rugged look. It does have a very generous magnification and objective lens diameter for the price (+10 - 20mm in objective lens diameter, more than others in this list). Angular field of view is lessened and some compromises are made with look, styling, and waterproof/fogproof capabilities.
Users share it can still serve as a great pair of binoculars despite its age, but the lack of some of the updated extras and newer fogproof capabilities may prove frustrating. Consider buying this one or its counterpart, the Celestron Outland, if you are seeking an affordable yet early features model to use as a starter pair or a first pair for a young adult.
Read our full Celestron SkyMaster 12x60 binoculars review.
Budget models (Below $50)
(Image credit: SkyGenius)
10. SkyGenius 10x50 Binoculars Kid-friendly low price binoculars with carrying case. Specifications Magnification: 10x Objective lens diameter: 50 mm Angular field of view: 7° Eye relief: 18 mm Waterproof: No Dimensions: 7.1 x 2 x 5.1 inches Weight: 1.8 lbs Today's Best Deals View at Amazon View at Newegg Reasons to buy + Child-friendly, affordable, easy-to-use model + Comes with padded carrying case Reasons to avoid - Can be used at night but not in complete darkness (poor light vision) - Not waterproof - Other quality features compromised by low price
Featuring a rubber casing that helps with wear and tear, these binoculars come in at the lower end of the pricing model scale. Because of this, they are not waterproof and sacrifice a lot of the dim light conditions features you will find in pricier, astronomy focused models.
Despite that, these binoculars could serve as a great starter pair for a kid or young adult as they come with a padded carrying case and offer ample magnification at 10x and objective lens diameter at 50 mm. Eyecups are adjustable and twist up or down. Users report some eye relief adjustments weren’t as easy and some quality control issues may not be noticed due to the lower price point.


livescience--2020-10-14--Earth's space junk problem is getting worse. And there's an explosive component.

Before humans first started sending objects into Earth orbit , the pocket of space around our planet was clear and clean .
But the launch of Sputnik 1 in October of 1957 changed everything .
Since then , the space debris has been accumulating , with the amount of useless , defunct satellites vastly outnumbering the operational objects in our orbit .
A new annual report from the European Space Agency ( ESA ) has found that while we have become aware of the problem and taken steps in recent years to mitigate it , those steps are currently not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space junk .
All spacefaring nations have contributed to the problem , which is significant : as more and more defunct objects populate near-Earth space , the risk of collision rises - which , as objects crash and shatter , produces even more space debris .
The hazards have been prominent in the last year .
We have not only watched as two large dead satellites very nearly collided , but the International Space Station has had to undertake emergency manoeuvres three times to avoid colliding with space debris .
But collisions are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem , according to the ESA 's report .
In the last 10 years , collisions were responsible for just 0.83 percent of all fragmentation events .
`` The biggest contributor to the current space debris problem is explosions in orbit , caused by left-over energy - fuel and batteries - onboard spacecraft and rockets , '' said Holger Krag , head of the ESA 's Space Safety Programme .
`` Despite measures being in place for years to prevent this , we see no decline in the number of such events .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but at a slow pace . ''
The space junk problem was first raised in the 1960s , but it took a long time for mitigation measures to be identified and implemented .
Now , spacefaring nations are much better at planning for what happens to satellites and rockets at the end of their missions .
Reusable rockets are a big one , although the technology is still in its infancy .
For decades , rocket boosters were just left to drift away once they 'd delivered their payloads into low-Earth orbit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out there for decades .
Other mitigation measures include designing and building spacecraft that can better withstand the harsh environment of space without disintegrating ; releasing stored energy and fuel to make defunct spacecraft less likely to explode ; and , once a spacecraft 's mission is over , moving it to a safer orbit .
This would mean either a `` graveyard orbit '' high above the low-Earth space used for operational spacecraft , or bringing it down into Earth 's atmosphere to burn up on reentry as a neat disposal system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place , 12 fragmentation events have taken place every year for the past two decades .
That number is rising , with each fragmentation event potentially introducing thousands of pieces of small debris in Earth orbit .
At orbital velocities , even the tiniest pieces of debris can disable an operational satellite .
According to the ESA 's statistical model , there are over 130 million pieces of anthropogenic space debris smaller than a millimetre .
The only way we can hope to do anything about the problem is by working together .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past decade , there has been an increase in the number of spacefaring nations complying with international guidelines .
Those that do n't comply with orbit guidelines are growing increasingly likely to comply with space debris mitigation measures .
But how we use space is changing .
Satellite swarms , smallsats and `` constellations '' are becoming more common .
SpaceX 's StarLink alone has put hundreds of satellites in low-Earth orbit .
So , the ESA says , it 's more important than ever that everyone cooperates to keep our little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can .
`` The accelerating increase of satellites launched into low-Earth orbit is starkly visible in our latest report , '' said Tim Florer , Head of the ESA 's Space Debris Office .
`` To continue benefiting from the science , technology and data that operating in space brings , it is vital that we achieve better compliance with existing space debris mitigation guidelines in spacecraft design and operations .
It can not be stressed enough - this is essential for the sustainable use of space . ''
The ESA is actively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a project to attempt to collect space debris , with the proof-of-concept planned to launch in 2025 .
They 're also trying to develop technology to automate collision avoidance manoeuvres , so that human controllers do n't need to track and control every piece of equipment or decommissioned satellite in low-Earth space .
And measures such as a Space Sustainability Rating can help nations developing space technologies by providing a baseline by which to adhere .
`` Space debris poses a problem for the near Earth environment on a global scale , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for which only a globally supported solution can be the answer , '' the ESA wrote in its report .
You can read the full report here .
This article was originally published by ScienceAlert .
Read the original article here .

Before humans first started sending objects into Earth orbit, the pocket of space around our planet was clear and clean. But the launch of Sputnik 1 in October of 1957 changed everything. Since then, the space debris has been accumulating, with the amount of useless, defunct satellites vastly outnumbering the operational objects in our orbit.
A new annual report from the European Space Agency (ESA) has found that while we have become aware of the problem and taken steps in recent years to mitigate it, those steps are currently not keeping up with the sheer scale of space junk.
All spacefaring nations have contributed to the problem, which is significant: as more and more defunct objects populate near-Earth space, the risk of collision rises - which, as objects crash and shatter, produces even more space debris.
The hazards have been prominent in the last year. We have not only watched as two large dead satellites very nearly collided, but the International Space Station has had to undertake emergency manoeuvres three times to avoid colliding with space debris.
But collisions are not even close to being the biggest problem, according to the ESA's report. In the last 10 years, collisions were responsible for just 0.83 percent of all fragmentation events.
"The biggest contributor to the current space debris problem is explosions in orbit, caused by left-over energy - fuel and batteries - onboard spacecraft and rockets," said Holger Krag, head of the ESA's Space Safety Programme.
"Despite measures being in place for years to prevent this, we see no decline in the number of such events. Trends towards end-of-mission disposal are improving, but at a slow pace."
The causes of fragmentation events over the past decade. (Image credit: ESA)
The space junk problem was first raised in the 1960s, but it took a long time for mitigation measures to be identified and implemented. Now, spacefaring nations are much better at planning for what happens to satellites and rockets at the end of their missions.
Reusable rockets are a big one, although the technology is still in its infancy. For decades, rocket boosters were just left to drift away once they'd delivered their payloads into low-Earth orbit. Some of those discarded boosters have been out there for decades.
Other mitigation measures include designing and building spacecraft that can better withstand the harsh environment of space without disintegrating; releasing stored energy and fuel to make defunct spacecraft less likely to explode; and, once a spacecraft's mission is over, moving it to a safer orbit.
This would mean either a "graveyard orbit" high above the low-Earth space used for operational spacecraft, or bringing it down into Earth's atmosphere to burn up on reentry as a neat disposal system.
But even with these measures in place, 12 fragmentation events have taken place every year for the past two decades. That number is rising, with each fragmentation event potentially introducing thousands of pieces of small debris in Earth orbit. At orbital velocities, even the tiniest pieces of debris can disable an operational satellite.
According to the ESA's statistical model, there are over 130 million pieces of anthropogenic space debris smaller than a millimetre. The only way we can hope to do anything about the problem is by working together.
The good news is that, in the past decade, there has been an increase in the number of spacefaring nations complying with international guidelines. Those that don't comply with orbit guidelines are growing increasingly likely to comply with space debris mitigation measures.
But how we use space is changing. Satellite swarms, smallsats and "constellations" are becoming more common. SpaceX's StarLink alone has put hundreds of satellites in low-Earth orbit. So, the ESA says, it's more important than ever that everyone cooperates to keep our little corner of space as clean as we can.
"The accelerating increase of satellites launched into low-Earth orbit is starkly visible in our latest report," said Tim Florer, Head of the ESA's Space Debris Office.
"To continue benefiting from the science, technology and data that operating in space brings, it is vital that we achieve better compliance with existing space debris mitigation guidelines in spacecraft design and operations. It cannot be stressed enough - this is essential for the sustainable use of space."
The ESA is actively working towards solutions. It has commissioned a project to attempt to collect space debris, with the proof-of-concept planned to launch in 2025. They're also trying to develop technology to automate collision avoidance manoeuvres, so that human controllers don't need to track and control every piece of equipment or decommissioned satellite in low-Earth space.
And measures such as a Space Sustainability Rating can help nations developing space technologies by providing a baseline by which to adhere.
"Space debris poses a problem for the near Earth environment on a global scale, to which all spacefaring nations have contributed and for which only a globally supported solution can be the answer," the ESA wrote in its report.
You can read the full report here.
This article was originally published by ScienceAlert. Read the original article here.


livescience--2020-10-14--Experts: Herd immunity is 'dangerous' and 'flawed' approach

The idea of using to manage the COVID-19 pandemic — by allowing low-risk people to acquire the infection naturally as they resume their normal lives — is a `` dangerous '' and `` flawed '' approach , according to a new letter signed by 80 international researchers .
The letter , published Wednesday ( Oct. 14 ) in the journal , appears to be a response to the , a proposal published earlier this month by three researchers that calls for an end to COVID-19 restrictions in favor of a herd-immunity strategy .
Such a strategy , the declaration says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to return to their normal lives and build up immunity to the virus , while protecting vulnerable populations .
The Great Barrington declaration has allegedly been signed by tens of thousands of experts and medical practitioners , as well as members of the general public ; however , the document garnered more controversy last week when many signatures were found to be fake , according to .
The new letter , called the , after the pioneer epidemiologist John Snow who first tied a London cholera outbreak to a contaminated water pump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous fallacy unsupported by scientific evidence . ''
Evidence shows it is not possible to restrict uncontrolled outbreaks of COVID-19 to particular sectors of society , according to the authors , who include experts in public health , epidemiology , virology , infectious diseases and other scientific fields .
`` Uncontrolled transmission in younger people risks significant morbidity and mortality across the whole population , '' they wrote .
What 's more , understanding who is vulnerable to COVID-19 is complex , and even young and seemingly healthy people have developed long-lasting symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` , '' the authors said .
Additionally , there 's no solid evidence that people develop lasting .
So allowing more people to catch the disease `` would not end the COVID-19 pandemic but result in recurrent epidemics '' and `` place an unacceptable burden on the economy and health care workers . ''
As the United States and Europe face a second wave of COVID-19 cases , it `` is critical to act decisively and urgently , '' the memorandum argues .
In the short term , restrictions will likely be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to fix `` ineffective pandemic response systems '' to prevent future lockdowns , according to the letter .
`` The purpose of these restrictions is to effectively suppress SARS-CoV-2 [ the virus that causes COVID-19 ] infections to low levels that allow rapid detection of localized outbreaks and [ a ] rapid response … so life can return to near-normal without the need for generalized restrictions . ''
The authors noted that countries such as Japan , Vietnam and New Zealand have shown that it is possible to control COVID-19 transmission with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those countries , life has returned to near-normal .
`` The evidence is very clear : Controlling community spread of COVID-19 is the best way to protect our societies and economies until safe and effective and therapeutics arrive within the coming months , '' the authors concluded .
The memorandum has been , with 80 signatures at the time of publication .
Other experts in appropriate fields are invited to sign the document .
And signatures will be checked before being added to the memorandum , according to the website .

The idea of using herd immunity to manage the COVID-19 pandemic — by allowing low-risk people to acquire the infection naturally as they resume their normal lives — is a "dangerous" and "flawed" approach, according to a new letter signed by 80 international researchers.
The letter, published Wednesday (Oct. 14) in the journal The Lancet , appears to be a response to the Great Barrington declaration , a proposal published earlier this month by three researchers that calls for an end to COVID-19 restrictions in favor of a herd-immunity strategy. Such a strategy, the declaration says, would involve allowing young and healthy people to return to their normal lives and build up immunity to the virus, while protecting vulnerable populations.
The Great Barrington declaration has allegedly been signed by tens of thousands of experts and medical practitioners, as well as members of the general public; however, the document garnered more controversy last week when many signatures were found to be fake, according to The Guardian .
The new letter, called the John Snow Memorandum , after the pioneer epidemiologist John Snow who first tied a London cholera outbreak to a contaminated water pump, calls this herd-immunity concept "a dangerous fallacy unsupported by scientific evidence." Evidence shows it is not possible to restrict uncontrolled outbreaks of COVID-19 to particular sectors of society, according to the authors, who include experts in public health, epidemiology, virology, infectious diseases and other scientific fields. "Uncontrolled transmission in younger people risks significant morbidity and mortality across the whole population," they wrote.
Related: 14 coronavirus myths busted by science
What's more, understanding who is vulnerable to COVID-19 is complex, and even young and seemingly healthy people have developed long-lasting symptoms after infection with COVID-19, known as " long COVID ," the authors said.
Additionally, there's no solid evidence that people develop lasting immunity after natural infection with COVID-19 . So allowing more people to catch the disease "would not end the COVID-19 pandemic but result in recurrent epidemics" and "place an unacceptable burden on the economy and health care workers."
As the United States and Europe face a second wave of COVID-19 cases, it "is critical to act decisively and urgently," the memorandum argues.
In the short term, restrictions will likely be needed to reduce transmission and give countries time to fix "ineffective pandemic response systems" to prevent future lockdowns, according to the letter.
"The purpose of these restrictions is to effectively suppress SARS-CoV-2 [the virus that causes COVID-19] infections to low levels that allow rapid detection of localized outbreaks and [a] rapid response … so life can return to near-normal without the need for generalized restrictions."
The authors noted that countries such as Japan, Vietnam and New Zealand have shown that it is possible to control COVID-19 transmission with the right public health tactics. In those countries, life has returned to near-normal.
"The evidence is very clear: Controlling community spread of COVID-19 is the best way to protect our societies and economies until safe and effective vaccines and therapeutics arrive within the coming months," the authors concluded.
The memorandum has been posted online , with 80 signatures at the time of publication. Other experts in appropriate fields are invited to sign the document. And signatures will be checked before being added to the memorandum, according to the website.
Originally published on Live Science.


livescience--2020-10-14--Adorable ancient sea cows once swam through now-bone dry Egyptian desert

About 40 million years ago , a gentle marine giant glided through the water in what is now a bone-dry desert in Egypt , according to new research .
The study suggests that during the late , about 40 million to 35 million years ago , Egypt 's Eastern Desert was home to the ancient relatives of ( also endearingly called sea cows ) and dugongs .
This is n't the first of an ancient Sirenia — the order that includes manatees , dugongs and their extinct relatives , like the — discovered in Egypt , but it is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rock units dating back to the Eocene , known as the Beni Suef Formation .
The research , which has yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal , was presented online yesterday ( Oct. 13 ) at the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology 's annual conference , which is virtual this year due to the COVID-19 .
Scientists found the Sirenia fossils , including some of the creature 's vertebrae , ribs and limb bones , in 2019 .
`` It is almost a grown individual , '' said Mohamed Korany Ismail Abdel-Gawad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supervisor of the Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory at Cairo University .
As with whales , the mammal ancestors of the Sirenia order used to live on land before they moved into the sea .
The earliest known Sirenia , a species known as Pezosiren portelli , dates to the middle Eocene of Jamaica , about 50 million years ago .
This animal was semiaquatic , and it still had front and hind limbs , like a land creature , according to published by the University of Michigan , detailing ancient Sirenia found in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this order of herbivorous marine mammals became completely aquatic .
By the late Eocene , when this newfound Sirenia lived , all known Sirenia species had flippers for front limbs and had lost their hind limbs , according to the 2012 publication .
Today 's sea cows eat seagrasses , which grow in relatively clear , shallow waters where the plants can harvest food from light using .
`` This was seemingly true for most sirenians throughout their evolutionary history , and Sirenians are thus important paleoenvironmental indicators , '' according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fossils support other evidence suggesting that the Eastern Desert was a shallow marine environment at that time .
`` As they are herbivorous mammals , they are inhabiting the coastal marine waters and marine wetlands , '' Abdel-Gawad told Live Science .
Sirenia fossils dating to the Eocene ( 56 million to 34 million years ago ) and Oligocene ( 34 million to 23 million years ago ) epochs are well known in Egypt , especially in the Fayum area , in the Western Desert , southwest of Cairo , he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the same time as specimens from the Dugongidae family found in Fayum , Abdel-Gawad said .
The newly discovered Sirenia is also from the Dugongidae family ( which includes dugongs but not manatees ) , he said .
Sirenia fossils dating to the Eocene are also found in other regions of Africa that are now dry land , including Libya , Somalia , Togo and Madagascar , Abdel-Gawad and his colleagues wrote in their abstract .
Sirenia exists in Egypt today ; there is a small population of Red Sea dugong , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biological Aspects of the Red Sea `` ( Springer Oceanography , 2018 ) .

A modern dugong (top right) shown over the Eastern Desert of Egypt, which was home to ancient Sirenia about 40 million years ago.
About 40 million years ago, a gentle marine giant glided through the water in what is now a bone-dry desert in Egypt, according to new research.
The study suggests that during the late Eocene , about 40 million to 35 million years ago, Egypt's Eastern Desert was home to the ancient relatives of manatees (also endearingly called sea cows) and dugongs.
This isn't the first fossil of an ancient Sirenia — the order that includes manatees, dugongs and their extinct relatives, like the Steller's sea cow — discovered in Egypt, but it is the only known fossil Sirenia in these particular rock units dating back to the Eocene, known as the Beni Suef Formation.
Related: Sirenian gallery: Photos of cute sea cows
The research, which has yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, was presented online yesterday (Oct. 13) at the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology's annual conference, which is virtual this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Scientists found the Sirenia fossils, including some of the creature's vertebrae, ribs and limb bones, in 2019. "It is almost a grown individual," said Mohamed Korany Ismail Abdel-Gawad, a lecturer of vertebrate paleontology and supervisor of the Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory at Cairo University.
Image 1 of 5 A fossilized vertebra fragment belonging to the ancient Sirenia. (Image credit: Mohamed Korany Ismail Abdel-Gawad) Another vertebra fragment from the late Eocene Sirenia. (Image credit: Mohamed Korany Ismail Abdel-Gawad) A fragment of the Sirenia's limb bone found in the Eastern Desert. (Image credit: Mohamed Korany Ismail Abdel-Gawad) A fragment of the ancient Sirenia's rib. (Image credit: Mohamed Korany Ismail Abdel-Gawad) Another fragment of the Sirenia's rib bone. (Image credit: Mohamed Korany Ismail Abdel-Gawad)
As with whales, the mammal ancestors of the Sirenia order used to live on land before they moved into the sea. The earliest known Sirenia, a species known as Pezosiren portelli, dates to the middle Eocene of Jamaica, about 50 million years ago. This animal was semiaquatic, and it still had front and hind limbs, like a land creature, according to a 2012 publication on Sirenia published by the University of Michigan, detailing ancient Sirenia found in the Western Desert of Egypt.
Over time, this order of herbivorous marine mammals became completely aquatic. By the late Eocene, when this newfound Sirenia lived, all known Sirenia species had flippers for front limbs and had lost their hind limbs, according to the 2012 publication.
Today's sea cows eat seagrasses, which grow in relatively clear, shallow waters where the plants can harvest food from light using photosynthesis . "This was seemingly true for most sirenians throughout their evolutionary history, and Sirenians are thus important paleoenvironmental indicators," according to the 2012 publication.
This map shows the approximate location of the newfound Sirenia fossil discovery in Egypt. (Image credit: Imagery copyright 2020 TerraMetrics, Map data copyright 2020 Mapa GISrael; Google Maps)
The newfound Sirenia fossils support other evidence suggesting that the Eastern Desert was a shallow marine environment at that time. "As they are herbivorous mammals, they are inhabiting the coastal marine waters and marine wetlands," Abdel-Gawad told Live Science.
Sirenia fossils dating to the Eocene (56 million to 34 million years ago) and Oligocene (34 million to 23 million years ago) epochs are well known in Egypt, especially in the Fayum area, in the Western Desert, southwest of Cairo, he added. In fact, the newfound specimen is from the same time as specimens from the Dugongidae family found in Fayum, Abdel-Gawad said.
The newly discovered Sirenia is also from the Dugongidae family (which includes dugongs but not manatees), he said.
Sirenia fossils dating to the Eocene are also found in other regions of Africa that are now dry land, including Libya, Somalia, Togo and Madagascar, Abdel-Gawad and his colleagues wrote in their abstract. Sirenia exists in Egypt today; there is a small population of Red Sea dugong, according to the book " Oceanographic and Biological Aspects of the Red Sea " (Springer Oceanography, 2018).
Originally published on Live Science.


livescience--2020-10-14--Rare magnetism found in the world's strongest material

Graphene , one of the world 's strongest materials , is n't normally magnetic .
But when stacked and twisted , graphene develops a rare form of , new research finds .
The magnetic field is n't created by the usual spin of electrons within the individual graphene layers , but instead arises from the collective swirling of electrons in all of the three-layers of the stacked graphene structure , researchers reported Oct. 12 in the journal .
Graphene is a material made of a single layer ( or monolayer ) of arranged in a honeycomb pattern .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is vulnerable to cracking ) .
It also conducts electricity , making it exciting for use in electronics and sensors .
`` We wondered what would happen if we combined graphene monolayers and bilayers into a twisted three-layer system , '' Cory Dean , a physicist at Columbia University in New York and one of the senior authors on the new paper , .
`` We found that varying the number of graphene layers endows these composite materials with some exciting new properties that had not been seen before . ''
Dean and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then added a single layer on top , rotating the stack by 1 degree .
They then studied this graphene sandwich in a variety of circumstances , including temperatures just above absolute zero ( the point at which all molecular motion stops ) .
At these low temperatures , they found that the graphene stopped conducting electricity and became an insulator instead .
They also found that they could control the properties of the twisty stack of graphene by applying an .
When the electric field was oriented in one direction , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ layer of graphene .
When they reversed the field , the stack took on the properties of a twisted four-layer graphene structure .
Perhaps strangest of all was the rare magnetism that appeared in the three-layer structure .
A study published by another group in the journal found that graphene bonded with nitride can give rise to a strange magnetic field ; that field arose from the molecular bonds of the carbon in graphene and the boron in boron nitride .
The new research reveals that this same type of magnetism can occur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of interactions between carbon molecules .
`` Pure carbon is not magnetic , '' study co-author Matthew Yankowitz , a physicist at the University of Washington in Seattle , said in the statement .
`` Remarkably , we can engineer this property by arranging our three graphene sheets at just the right twist angles . ''
The structure also contains regions where the properties are undisturbed by the twisting of the layer .
These unique areas in the material could be exploited for data storage or quantum computing applications , study co-author Xiaodong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington , said in the statement .
The researchers are now planning to delve deeper into the fundamental properties of the graphene structure .
`` This is really just the beginning , '' Yankowitz said .

A stacked and twisted set of graphene sheets leads to a rare form of magnetism, in which electrons across the stacks swirl in unison.
Graphene, one of the world's strongest materials, isn't normally magnetic. But when stacked and twisted, graphene develops a rare form of magnetism , new research finds.
The magnetic field isn't created by the usual spin of electrons within the individual graphene layers, but instead arises from the collective swirling of electrons in all of the three-layers of the stacked graphene structure, researchers reported Oct. 12 in the journal Nature Physics .
Graphene is a material made of a single layer (or monolayer) of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb pattern. It's incredibly light and strong (though it is vulnerable to cracking). It also conducts electricity, making it exciting for use in electronics and sensors.
Related: Elementary, my dear: 8 little-known elements
"We wondered what would happen if we combined graphene monolayers and bilayers into a twisted three-layer system," Cory Dean, a physicist at Columbia University in New York and one of the senior authors on the new paper, said in a statement . "We found that varying the number of graphene layers endows these composite materials with some exciting new properties that had not been seen before."
Dean and his colleagues stacked two layers of graphene and then added a single layer on top, rotating the stack by 1 degree. They then studied this graphene sandwich in a variety of circumstances, including temperatures just above absolute zero (the point at which all molecular motion stops). At these low temperatures, they found that the graphene stopped conducting electricity and became an insulator instead.
They also found that they could control the properties of the twisty stack of graphene by applying an electric field . When the electric field was oriented in one direction, the system acted like a twisted double layer of graphene. When they reversed the field, the stack took on the properties of a twisted four-layer graphene structure.
Perhaps strangest of all was the rare magnetism that appeared in the three-layer structure. A study published by another group in the journal Advanced Materials found that graphene bonded with boron nitride can give rise to a strange magnetic field; that field arose from the molecular bonds of the carbon in graphene and the boron in boron nitride. The new research reveals that this same type of magnetism can occur in pure graphene alone, simply because of interactions between carbon molecules.
"Pure carbon is not magnetic," study co-author Matthew Yankowitz, a physicist at the University of Washington in Seattle, said in the statement. "Remarkably, we can engineer this property by arranging our three graphene sheets at just the right twist angles."
The structure also contains regions where the properties are undisturbed by the twisting of the layer. These unique areas in the material could be exploited for data storage or quantum computing applications, study co-author Xiaodong Xu, also at the University of Washington, said in the statement.
The researchers are now planning to delve deeper into the fundamental properties of the graphene structure. "This is really just the beginning," Yankowitz said.
Originally published on Live Science.


livescience--2020-10-14--Nazi wreck may hold looted treasures from Russian palace's 'Amber Room'

The wreck of a German steamship sunk at the end of World War II has been found by divers , -- and the crates on board the submerged vessel could hold a prize treasure : the precious furnishings of the lost 18th century Amber Room , which German soldiers looted from a Russian royal palace .
The shipwreck was found north of the Polish seaside town of Ustka , at a depth of 290 feet ( 88 meters ) , after more than a year of searching for it on the floor of the Baltic Sea , said Tomasz Stachura @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one of the founders of the Baltictech dive team .
By a curious coincidence , the wrecked ship has the same name — Karlsruhe— as a last month , which was sunk in 1940 .
Both ships were named after a city in Germany .
Related : In photos : WWII ship discovered 77 years after it sank The 196-foot-long ( 60 m ) steamer SS Karlsruhe took part in the massive German evacuation of East Prussia in April 1945 , dubbed Operation Hannibal by the Nazi leadership , which took place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On April 12 , the Karlsruhe became the last German ship to leave Königsberg — now Kaliningrad in Russia ; other parts of East Prussia became parts of Lithuania and Poland after the war .
The steamer headed west , but it was sunk by Soviet warplanes the next day .
Some historians have long-suspected that the many crates loaded onto the ship held what 's left of the famous Amber Room , an ornately decorated chamber of a Russian palace looted by the Germans and then lost during WWII , Stachura @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The truth is that if the Germans were to take something valuable from Königsberg , it was the Karlsruhe that was their last option , '' he said .
The Amber Room was , as its name suggests , filled with hand-crafted amber .
Its construction began in 1701 , when a German baroque sculptor and Danish amber craftsman designed it for Charlottenburg Palace , the home of Friedrich I , the first King of Prussia , according to .
The room had many admirers , including Russia 's Peter the Great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1716 , and when Prussia 's king Frederick William gave Peter the panels as a gift , the Russians added enough amber , gold leaf , gemstones and mirrors to furnish an entire room — a task that took more than 10 years to complete .
When it was finished and installed in Catherine Palace at Tsarskoe Selo ( `` Czar 's Village '' ) on the outskirts of St. Petersburg , the chamber contained more than 6 tons ( 5.4 metric tons ) of amber , as well as artworks and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be worth up to $ 500 million today , .
But the Amber Room was captured as spoils of war in 1941 by invading German soldiers .
Although the Soviets tried to hide the amber panels by covering them with wallpaper , the Germans discovered , dismantled and transported it in pieces to Königsberg , where it was reassembled for display in the town 's castle .
After the German evacuation of Königsberg in 1945 , however , the treasures of the Amber Room were never seen again -– and some suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , possibly on the steamer Karlsruhe .
Some investigators , however , allege that the Amber Room was packed into crates that were destroyed when Soviet soldiers burned down part of the castle — an embarrassing calamity later covered up by Soviet authorities .
To investigate the matter further , the team of Polish divers searched for the wreck of the Karlsruhe steamer by cross-referencing underwater sites reported by fishermen who had snagged their nets with the locations of attacks by Soviet warplanes described in military records , Stachura said .
The team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matched the dimensions of the ship , and dove to those spots .
On Sept. 24 of this year , they identified the Karlsruhe from its distinctive bow on their third drive to that wreck , he said .
The ship had left Königsberg on the evening April 12 with more than 1,000 refugees and 360 tons ( 326 metric tons ) of cargo on board ; but it was hit by a Soviet warplane 's torpedo dropped on the morning of April 13 , and only 113 people survived .
Stachura said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they 've seen military vehicles and several crates on board ; but the divers ca n't tell whether any of the crates hold the looted remains of the lost Amber Room .
`` Diving at a depth of 88 m [ 290 feet ] is very difficult , '' he said .
`` We have focused only on the inventory , video shooting and photographic documentation . ''
And he ca n't say yet just when its mysterious cargo could be recovered : `` The possible examination of the load will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Gdynia , Poland , and they will make the final decision , '' he said .

Crates on board the shipwreck may hold the lost furnishings of the Amber Room, which was looted from a Russian palace by invading German soldiers in 1941.
The wreck of a German steamship sunk at the end of World War II has been found by divers, -- and the crates on board the submerged vessel could hold a prize treasure: the precious furnishings of the lost 18th century Amber Room, which German soldiers looted from a Russian royal palace.
The shipwreck was found north of the Polish seaside town of Ustka, at a depth of 290 feet (88 meters), after more than a year of searching for it on the floor of the Baltic Sea, said Tomasz Stachura, who led the discovery. Stachura is one of the founders of the Baltictech dive team. By a curious coincidence, the wrecked ship has the same name — Karlsruhe— as a WWII German warship found off Norway last month, which was sunk in 1940. Both ships were named after a city in Germany.
Related: In photos: WWII ship discovered 77 years after it sank
The 196-foot-long (60 m) steamer SS Karlsruhe took part in the massive German evacuation of East Prussia in April 1945, dubbed Operation Hannibal by the Nazi leadership, which took place as the Soviet Red Army advanced westward.
On April 12, the Karlsruhe became the last German ship to leave Königsberg — now Kaliningrad in Russia; other parts of East Prussia became parts of Lithuania and Poland after the war. The steamer headed west, but it was sunk by Soviet warplanes the next day.
Some historians have long-suspected that the many crates loaded onto the ship held what's left of the famous Amber Room, an ornately decorated chamber of a Russian palace looted by the Germans and then lost during WWII, Stachura told Live Science in an email.
"The truth is that if the Germans were to take something valuable from Königsberg, it was the Karlsruhe that was their last option," he said.
Image 1 of 6 The steamer was the last ship to leave Königsberg in April 1945, when Germany evacuated East Prussia as Soviet forces advanced westwards. (Image credit: Baltictech/Tomasz Stachura)
The ship had more than 1000 people on board – most of them refugees – and more than 300 tons of cargo when it was sunk by Soviet warplanes after departing Königsberg. (Image credit: Baltictech/Tomasz Stachura)
Divers from the Baltictech group discovered the wreck in September, on the seafloor north of the Polish seaside town of Ustka, after a year of searching likely sites. (Image credit: Baltictech/Tomasz Stachura)
The shipwreck is in very deep water for divers and no decision has been made about recovering the crates on board to see if they hold the remains of the Amber Room. (Image credit: Baltictech/Tomasz Stachura)
The steamer Karlsruhe had the same name as a German warship sunk in 1940 and found last month off Norway; both ships were named after a city in Germany. (Image credit: Baltictech/Tomasz Stachura)
A hand-colored photograph from 1917 of the Amber Room in Russia's Catherine Palace. The ornate furnishings and artworks are estimated to be worth up to $500 million today. (Image credit: Branson DeCou/Public domain)
Amber Room
The Amber Room was, as its name suggests, filled with hand-crafted amber. Its construction began in 1701, when a German baroque sculptor and Danish amber craftsman designed it for Charlottenburg Palace, the home of Friedrich I, the first King of Prussia, according to Smithsonian Magazine .
The room had many admirers, including Russia's Peter the Great. During a visit to Berlin in 1716, and when Prussia's king Frederick William gave Peter the panels as a gift, the Russians added enough amber, gold leaf, gemstones and mirrors to furnish an entire room — a task that took more than 10 years to complete.
When it was finished and installed in Catherine Palace at Tsarskoe Selo ("Czar's Village") on the outskirts of St. Petersburg, the chamber contained more than 6 tons (5.4 metric tons) of amber, as well as artworks and other precious objects. These treasures are estimated to be worth up to $500 million today, United Press International (UPI) reported .
But the Amber Room was captured as spoils of war in 1941 by invading German soldiers. Although the Soviets tried to hide the amber panels by covering them with wallpaper, the Germans discovered, dismantled and transported it in pieces to Königsberg, where it was reassembled for display in the town's castle.
After the German evacuation of Königsberg in 1945, however, the treasures of the Amber Room were never seen again -– and some suspect they were secretly transported further into Germany, possibly on the steamer Karlsruhe.
Some investigators, however, allege that the Amber Room was packed into crates that were destroyed when Soviet soldiers burned down part of the castle — an embarrassing calamity later covered up by Soviet authorities.
Related: Photos: German WWII base discovered on Arctic island
Mystery shipwreck
To investigate the matter further, the team of Polish divers searched for the wreck of the Karlsruhe steamer by cross-referencing underwater sites reported by fishermen who had snagged their nets with the locations of attacks by Soviet warplanes described in military records, Stachura said.
The team used sonar to locate 22 wrecks that matched the dimensions of the ship, and dove to those spots. On Sept. 24 of this year, they identified the Karlsruhe from its distinctive bow on their third drive to that wreck, he said.
The ship had left Königsberg on the evening April 12 with more than 1,000 refugees and 360 tons (326 metric tons) of cargo on board; but it was hit by a Soviet warplane's torpedo dropped on the morning of April 13, and only 113 people survived.
Stachura said the wreck is relatively intact, and that they've seen military vehicles and several crates on board; but the divers can't tell whether any of the crates hold the looted remains of the lost Amber Room.
"Diving at a depth of 88 m [290 feet] is very difficult," he said. "We have focused only on the inventory, video shooting and photographic documentation."
And he can't say yet just when its mysterious cargo could be recovered: "The possible examination of the load will have to be discussed with the Maritime Office in Gdynia, Poland, and they will make the final decision," he said.
Originally published on Live Science.


livescience--2020-10-14--COVID-19 linked to sudden hearing loss

COVID-19 linked to sudden hearing loss

A man in the U.K. developed sudden and permanent in one ear after battling a , according to a new report .
His doctors are now warning others to be on the lookout for this rare but serious complication , which has been reported in a handful of COVID-19 patients around the world .
Early identification of sudden hearing loss is important because the condition can potentially be reversed with prompt treatment using steroids , the authors said .
However , for the U.K. patient , treatment only partially improved his hearing , the report said .
Sudden hearing loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is rapid and unexplained hearing loss that happens instantly or over the course of a few days , and typically affects only one ear , according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders .
The condition is not uncommon ; there are as many as 160 cases per 100,000 in a population each year , the authors said .
In most cases , doctors are n't able to identify a cause of sudden hearing loss , but the condition has been linked with viral infections , including infections with , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report , published Tuesday ( Oct. 13 ) in the journal , the authors describe the case of a 45-year-old man with asthma who developed sudden hearing loss while being treated for COVID-19 .
The man had been admitted to the hospital 's intensive care unit ( ICU ) after experiencing difficulty breathing .
He was placed on a ventilator for 30 days and received treatment with the antiviral drug remdesivir .
Eventually , the man began to improve , and he left the ICU .
But a week later , he noticed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left ear , followed by sudden hearing loss in that ear , the report said .
The man had not experienced hearing problems before , and he was healthy prior to his diagnosis .
After undergoing a physical exam and MRI , doctors could n't find a cause of his hearing loss , such as a blockage or inflammation .
He also tested negative for other potential causes of hearing loss , including rheumatoid arthritis , flu and HIV , leading his doctors to hypothesize that the patient 's hearing loss was related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with steroids , the standard treatment for sudden hearing loss , which partially improved his hearing , but did not restore it to normal .
The patient noted that it was difficult for him to recognize his hearing loss in the busy ICU , and so his hearing loss may have developed earlier than he realized .
His doctors reviewed the medical literature and found five other reports of cases of COVID-19 tied to sudden hearing loss , including reports in Egypt , Turkey and Germany .
The new case is the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The authors found only an association and can ’ t prove that SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes COVID-19 , directly causes hearing loss .
But they note that cells lining the middle ear have been found to have ACE-2 receptors , which SARS-CoV-2 uses to get inside cells .
In addition , the infection can increase levels of inflammatory chemicals in the body that have been linked with hearing loss , they said .
The authors call for further investigation into the link between COVID-19 and sudden hearing loss , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus in the population and the significant morbidity of hearing loss . ''
They recommend asking COVID-19 patients in the ICU about hearing loss , and urgently referring any patients with these symptoms to an ear , nose and throat doctor .

A man in the U.K. developed sudden and permanent hearing loss in one ear after battling a severe case of COVID-19 , according to a new report. His doctors are now warning others to be on the lookout for this rare but serious complication, which has been reported in a handful of COVID-19 patients around the world.
Early identification of sudden hearing loss is important because the condition can potentially be reversed with prompt treatment using steroids, the authors said. However, for the U.K. patient, treatment only partially improved his hearing, the report said.
Sudden hearing loss, also known as sudden deafness, is rapid and unexplained hearing loss that happens instantly or over the course of a few days, and typically affects only one ear, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders . The condition is not uncommon; there are as many as 160 cases per 100,000 in a population each year, the authors said. In most cases, doctors aren't able to identify a cause of sudden hearing loss, but the condition has been linked with viral infections, including infections with the flu , herpes and cytomegalovirus.
Related: 28 devastating infectious diseases
In the new report, published Tuesday (Oct. 13) in the journal BMJ Case Reports , the authors describe the case of a 45-year-old man with asthma who developed sudden hearing loss while being treated for COVID-19.
The man had been admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) after experiencing difficulty breathing. He was placed on a ventilator for 30 days and received treatment with the antiviral drug remdesivir. Eventually, the man began to improve, and he left the ICU. But a week later, he noticed tinnitus, or ringing, in his left ear, followed by sudden hearing loss in that ear, the report said.
The man had not experienced hearing problems before, and he was healthy prior to his diagnosis. After undergoing a physical exam and MRI, doctors couldn't find a cause of his hearing loss, such as a blockage or inflammation. He also tested negative for other potential causes of hearing loss, including rheumatoid arthritis, flu and HIV, leading his doctors to hypothesize that the patient's hearing loss was related to COVID-19.
The man was treated with steroids, the standard treatment for sudden hearing loss, which partially improved his hearing, but did not restore it to normal. The patient noted that it was difficult for him to recognize his hearing loss in the busy ICU, and so his hearing loss may have developed earlier than he realized.
His doctors reviewed the medical literature and found five other reports of cases of COVID-19 tied to sudden hearing loss, including reports in Egypt, Turkey and Germany. The new case is the first reported in the U.K., the authors said.
The authors found only an association and can’t prove that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, directly causes hearing loss. But they note that cells lining the middle ear have been found to have ACE-2 receptors, which SARS-CoV-2 uses to get inside cells. In addition, the infection can increase levels of inflammatory chemicals in the body that have been linked with hearing loss, they said.
The authors call for further investigation into the link between COVID-19 and sudden hearing loss, "given the widespread presence of the virus in the population and the significant morbidity of hearing loss." They recommend asking COVID-19 patients in the ICU about hearing loss, and urgently referring any patients with these symptoms to an ear, nose and throat doctor.
Originally published on Live Science.


livescience--2020-10-15--Bill Nye to flat Earthers and science deniers: 'It affects all of us'

has had it with flat-Earthers and other science deniers .
While humanity is landing robots on Mars and breaking open the mysteries of the universe , there continues a social trend of `` . ''
From opposition to handwashing in the 1800s to modern climate deniers , anti-maskers and `` , '' or people who believe that planet Earth is actually flat ( it is not ) , `` anti-science '' movements are n't new , but they are a problem facing us all today , according to Nye.. '' The flat-Earthers , the anti-vaxxers , the anti-maskers are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And the thing is , it affects all of us , '' Nye told Space.com .
`` When you deny the body of knowledge that 's been discovered through the process of science , you 're holding all of us back , and this is why it 's such an important time . ''
He added to this reporter : `` Chelsea , are you gon na vote ?
Please vote .
My goodness . ''
( Reader — and Bill Nye — fear not , I am voting . )
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States , or in the world , on the electric internet , thinking out loud ... that the Earth might be flat , '' Nye told Space.com .
`` What ?
!
It 's the 21st century … just that anybody would even joke about it is weird .
And so this anti-science movement that we have in the United States , well , in the Western world right now , is bad for everybody . ''
`` That 's why I did , or we did , the show the Science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern for the future of the United States especially , '' Nye said .
Nye referenced the importance of a number of science advances including relativity .
`` Your mobile phone depends on Einstein 's theories of both special and to get the right answer , to get it to work .
And so we take all that for granted , '' he said .
He added that we all also depend on the science behind genetically modified food , which stems back thousands of years and is as advanced as ever today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everybody ... farming is not natural .
If you stop farming , it goes back , the land goes back to something else … so this is all science . ''
Nye added that `` it 's the exploration of space that led to these profound , profound improvements for quality of life for so many of us . ''
`` I 'm excited about the future .
I mean , when the young people are running the show ... things are gon na improve or change for the better very rapidly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's , you know , as we always say , it 's going to be a close call ... if we go get the climate so far out of control . ''
You can see Bill Nye discuss science and more online at tin a replay of this year 's virtual New York Comic-Con .
Nye talked about his book `` , '' with coauthor and science journalist Gregory Mone .
Email Chelsea Gohd at cgohd @ space.com or follow her on Twitter @ chelsea_gohd .
Follow us on Twitter @ Spacedotcom and @ @ @

Bill Nye has had it with flat-earthers and other science deniers.
While humanity is landing robots on Mars and breaking open the mysteries of the universe, there continues a social trend of " science denialism ." From opposition to handwashing in the 1800s to modern climate deniers, anti-maskers and "flat-Earthers," or people who believe that planet Earth is actually flat ( it is not), "anti-science" movements aren't new, but they are a problem facing us all today, according to Nye..
"The flat-Earthers, the anti-vaxxers, the anti-maskers are not on board with the progress of science. And the thing is, it affects all of us," Nye told Space.com. "When you deny the body of knowledge that's been discovered through the process of science, you're holding all of us back, and this is why it's such an important time."
He added to this reporter: "Chelsea, are you gonna vote? Please vote. My goodness." (Reader — and Bill Nye — fear not, I am voting.)
Related: Bill Nye Tackles Time Travel (and Pot) in 2nd Netflix Season
"There are people running around in the United States, or in the world, on the electric internet, thinking out loud ... that the Earth might be flat," Nye told Space.com. "What?! It's the 21st century … just that anybody would even joke about it is weird. And so this anti-science movement that we have in the United States, well, in the Western world right now, is bad for everybody."
"That's why I did, or we did, the show the Science Guy show years ago was out of concern for the future of the United States especially," Nye said.
Nye referenced the importance of a number of science advances including relativity. "Your mobile phone depends on Einstein's theories of both special and general relativity to get the right answer, to get it to work. And so we take all that for granted," he said.
He added that we all also depend on the science behind genetically modified food, which stems back thousands of years and is as advanced as ever today. "I just like to remind everybody ... farming is not natural. If you stop farming, it goes back, the land goes back to something else … so this is all science."
Nye added that "it's the exploration of space that led to these profound, profound improvements for quality of life for so many of us."
"I'm excited about the future. I mean, when the young people are running the show ... things are gonna improve or change for the better very rapidly," Nye added. "But it's, you know, as we always say, it's going to be a close call ... if we go get the climate so far out of control."
You can see Bill Nye discuss science and more online at tin a replay of this year's virtual New York Comic-Con . Nye talked about his book " Bill Nye's Great Big World of Science ," with coauthor and science journalist Gregory Mone.
Email Chelsea Gohd at cgohd@space.com or follow her on Twitter @chelsea_gohd. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.


livescience--2020-10-15--800 years ago, Old Faithful went quiet. Soon, it might happen again.

Old Faithful , the famed geyser in Yellowstone National Park , erupts with such captivating regularity , they named the whole gushing spring after it .
Phenomenal bursts of hot water and steam – fed by the geothermal activity of the Yellowstone supervolcano underneath – spurt up with such punctuality they can even be predicted , giving the geyser the nickname of Eternity 's Timepiece .
But Old Faithful was n't always so faithful , and in times long ago , Eternity 's Timepiece stopped ticking entirely .
In the last several decades , scientists have observed that Old Faithful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has changed considerably , stretching from about 60–65 minutes in the 1950s to about 90–94 minutes since 2001 .
To investigate why – and probe the links between Old Faithful 's IBE variations and long-term drought variability in the region – in a new study , researchers from the US Geological Survey ( USGS ) collected several remnants of mineralized wood found around the mound upon which Old Faithful sits .
Today , the mound is barren and empty of trees - they do not grow on active geyser mounds , as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , alkaline-rich discharge would be incompatible with germination and seedling growth .
Nonetheless , a pioneering study decades ago did analyze an ancient wood sample recovered from Old Faithful , suggesting that , once upon a time at least , the geyser 's eruptions did relent for a while and trees grew in its location .
Inspired to learn more , the USGS team analyzed 13 mineralized wood samples they recovered from Old Faithful 's mound , with radiocarbon dating suggesting these trees grew in Yellowstone several centuries ago , around 1233 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the samples for radiocarbon dating I did n't know whether they would be hundreds or thousands of years old , '' first author and USGS geologist Shaul Hurwitz told Science .
`` It was an 'aha ! '
moment when they all clustered within a hundred-year period in the 13th and 14th centuries . ''
To figure out why and how these trees were all able to live in this relatively brief , decades-long time window during which Old Faithful seemingly stopped erupting , the researchers looked for historical data that could explain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduced precipitation and lower groundwater supply would turn off the taps for the iconic geyser .
They did n't have to look far , with previous local tree ring data indicating pronounced megadroughts across the region and in other parts of the world too , resulting from severe conditions during an episode known as the Medieval Climate Anomaly ( aka Medieval Warm Period ) .
`` It 's the time when we have things like grapes growing in Northern England and a loss of sea ice that allowed people to discover Greenland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University , who was n't involved in the study , explained to Inside Science .
`` We know in Yellowstone it was both warmer and drier .
The upper tree line was higher up the slopes and there is evidence of more fires during that period . ''
The links the team found do n't just fill in the gaps on Old Faithful 's historical time-keeping .
They may also point to geyser eruption variations in the future , as the world gets increasingly hotter and drier in the face of climate change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decade ago , and even though Eternity 's Timepiece has shown it can be a bit unreliable sometimes , the real clock never stops .
`` Climate models project increasingly severe droughts and large fires by mid-century leading to a major transformation of Yellowstone 's ecosystems , '' the team writes .
`` Periods of decreased precipitation have been shown in modern observational records to result in less frequent eruptions of Old Faithful Geyser , while the new 14C dates of mineralized wood suggest that severe , long-duration drought events can lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The findings are reported in Geophysical Research Letters .
This article was originally published by ScienceAlert .
Read the original article here .

Old Faithful, the famed geyser in Yellowstone National Park, erupts with such captivating regularity, they named the whole gushing spring after it.
Phenomenal bursts of hot water and steam – fed by the geothermal activity of the Yellowstone supervolcano underneath – spurt up with such punctuality they can even be predicted, giving the geyser the nickname of Eternity's Timepiece. But Old Faithful wasn't always so faithful, and in times long ago, Eternity's Timepiece stopped ticking entirely.
In the last several decades, scientists have observed that Old Faithful's interval between eruptions (IBEs) has changed considerably, stretching from about 60–65 minutes in the 1950s to about 90–94 minutes since 2001.
To investigate why – and probe the links between Old Faithful's IBE variations and long-term drought variability in the region – in a new study, researchers from the US Geological Survey (USGS) collected several remnants of mineralized wood found around the mound upon which Old Faithful sits.
Today, the mound is barren and empty of trees - they do not grow on active geyser mounds, as the constant deluge and splatter of the scalding, alkaline-rich discharge would be incompatible with germination and seedling growth.
Nonetheless, a pioneering study decades ago did analyze an ancient wood sample recovered from Old Faithful, suggesting that, once upon a time at least, the geyser's eruptions did relent for a while and trees grew in its location.
Inspired to learn more, the USGS team analyzed 13 mineralized wood samples they recovered from Old Faithful's mound, with radiocarbon dating suggesting these trees grew in Yellowstone several centuries ago, around 1233 to 1362 CE.
"When I submitted the samples for radiocarbon dating I didn't know whether they would be hundreds or thousands of years old," first author and USGS geologist Shaul Hurwitz told Science.
"It was an 'aha!' moment when they all clustered within a hundred-year period in the 13th and 14th centuries."
To figure out why and how these trees were all able to live in this relatively brief, decades-long time window during which Old Faithful seemingly stopped erupting, the researchers looked for historical data that could explain drought conditions at the time, where reduced precipitation and lower groundwater supply would turn off the taps for the iconic geyser.
They didn't have to look far, with previous local tree ring data indicating pronounced megadroughts across the region and in other parts of the world too, resulting from severe conditions during an episode known as the Medieval Climate Anomaly (aka Medieval Warm Period).
"It's the time when we have things like grapes growing in Northern England and a loss of sea ice that allowed people to discover Greenland," palaeoclimatologist Cathy Whitlock from Montana State University, who wasn't involved in the study, explained to Inside Science.
"We know in Yellowstone it was both warmer and drier. The upper tree line was higher up the slopes and there is evidence of more fires during that period."
The links the team found don't just fill in the gaps on Old Faithful's historical time-keeping. They may also point to geyser eruption variations in the future, as the world gets increasingly hotter and drier in the face of climate change.
That's something Hurwitz foreshadowed over a decade ago, and even though Eternity's Timepiece has shown it can be a bit unreliable sometimes, the real clock never stops.
"Climate models project increasingly severe droughts and large fires by mid-century leading to a major transformation of Yellowstone's ecosystems," the team writes.
"Periods of decreased precipitation have been shown in modern observational records to result in less frequent eruptions of Old Faithful Geyser, while the new 14C dates of mineralized wood suggest that severe, long-duration drought events can lead to Old Faithful Geyser eruption cessation."
The findings are reported in Geophysical Research Letters.
This article was originally published by ScienceAlert. Read the original article here.