livescience--2020-11-24--Americans celebrated Thanksgiving during a pandemic before. Here's what happened.

For the second time in a little over a century , the world is about to face the winter holidays amidst a raging .
This year , as new cases soar to record high numbers in the U.S. , bedrock holiday traditions like interstate travel and indoor family gatherings have been called into question .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) not to dine with anyone outside their households this Thanksgiving , while some cities are following Europe 's lead in imposing new lockdown restrictions .
But in late November 1918 -– after a strain of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans in just a few months –- the holiday outlook was very different .
New cases were plummeting .
World War I was over .
Troops were returning to their families –- and Americans were ready to party .
`` There was definitely a mixed message after [ Nov. 11 , 1918 ] , '' Nancy Tomes , a history professor who studies public health at Stony Brook University in New York , told Live Science .
`` There was a leftover concern about big public gatherings , and some cities issued stern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was also this tremendous conflation of gratitude that the war was finally over .
The dominant tone to the public was : Be grateful , celebrate that we 've come through this national emergency , go to church , say your prayers . ''
Related : 20 of the worst epidemics and pandemics in history But even as Americans celebrated and took care of one another 's physical and psychological needs , a new wave of infections was lurking just around the corner .
For some communities , it would prove devastating .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the deadliest the world had ever seen , ultimately infecting roughly one-third of the global population , and killing more than 50 million people .
Unlike the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic , the Spanish flu hit America in four discrete spikes , with new infections dropping significantly between them .
The first wave hit in March 1918 and was relatively mild ; that the U.S. reported roughly 75,000 flu-related deaths in the first six months of 1918 , compared with 63,000 during the same period in 1915 .
( Modern medicine has helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flu season , 34,000 flu-related deaths ) .
The second wave , which began in September , proved far deadlier .
`` The 'great tears through the U.S. beginning in late September , and by mid-November it 's done in most of the United States , '' Tomes said .
`` It moves fast , and it burns out . ''
Between September and December 1918 , more than 290,000 Americans died of flu-related illness , compared with just 26,000 during the same period in 1915 , the CDC reported .
Fatalities peaked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans killed in that month alone .
( In Canada , which traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving in October , the holiday was until December . )
The entire U.S. was already rationing food and restricting spending to help the war effort , but many cities met the virus with further restrictions that would seem familiar today — such as lockdowns , mask mandates and social-distancing requirements — and a few that would n't seem so familiar , like New York City 's at the time .
Cities with lax restrictions were hit hardest ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promote war bonds in Philadelphia became a super-spreader event that resulted in more than 12,000 flu deaths within a month , according to the University of Pennsylvania .
As cases plummeted in early November , the nation 's attention turned to victory , Tomes said .
, papers like The Seattle Times wrongly declared victory over influenza and victory in Europe simultaneously , as city officials promptly ended lockdowns and social-distancing restrictions .
Charity organizations hosted dinners for separated from their families , and citizens around the country gathered for `` `` and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's end .
In his official in mid-November , President Woodrow Wilson urged Americans to `` be grateful and rejoice '' at home and in houses of worship .
`` Everybody is out celebrating during this great patriotic burst , and you do n't see public health officials saying 'stay home , ' '' Tomes said .
`` Psychologically , people believed the pandemic was done .
I think you see a lot of people going through that now . ''
In hindsight , it seems obvious that the third wave of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of intimate gatherings and public celebration .
Tens of thousands of new cases were reported between December 1918 and April 1919 , many of which arose in metropolitan hotspots .
In the first five days of January 2019 , San Francisco reported 1,800 flu cases and more than 100 deaths , according to the CDC , and other big cities like New York , Minneapolis and Seattle were similarly hard-hit .
Overall , however , the spike that followed the 1918 winter holidays was not nearly as deadly as the autumn spike that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which began in winter 1919 , similarly saw widespread infections around the U.S. , though not nearly as many as autumn 1918 did .
It 's hard to draw specific parallels from that pandemic to COVID-19 , Tomes said , because everything about it — from the nature of the virus itself , to the world war that facilitated its spread — was totally different than today .
Even the culture of the time , which was beset constantly by the threat of deadly diseases like and scarlet fever , may have made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ microbes were powerful agents of nature , '' Tomes said .
This daily risk may have made Americans more psychologically prepared for the death toll of a pandemic 100 years ago than we are today , she added .
One thing that is clear , though , is that influenza cases surged after the holiday seasons of 1918 and 1919 , just as coronavirus infections are again in late 2020 and early 2021 .
Despite the overwhelming air of celebration after the war , some cities did ultimately cancel their Thanksgiving plans as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gatherings were banned in Richmond , Indiana , shortly before Thanksgiving 1918 , a reporter at characterized the imminent holiday as `` a pleasant Thanksgiving with nothing to do . ''
Hopefully , that 's the worst that can be said about Thanksgiving 2020 , as well .

For the second time in a little over a century, the world is about to face the winter holidays amidst a raging pandemic .
This year, as new COVID-19 cases soar to record high numbers in the U.S., bedrock holiday traditions like interstate travel and indoor family gatherings have been called into question. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised American families not to dine with anyone outside their households this Thanksgiving, while some cities are following Europe's lead in imposing new lockdown restrictions.
But in late November 1918 -– after a strain of influenza called the Spanish flu had killed nearly 300,000 Americans in just a few months –- the holiday outlook was very different. New cases were plummeting. World War I was over. Troops were returning to their families –- and Americans were ready to party.
"There was definitely a mixed message after Armistice Day [Nov. 11, 1918]," Nancy Tomes, a history professor who studies public health at Stony Brook University in New York, told Live Science. "There was a leftover concern about big public gatherings, and some cities issued stern warnings before the holidays. But there was also this tremendous conflation of gratitude that the war was finally over. The dominant tone to the public was: Be grateful, celebrate that we've come through this national emergency, go to church, say your prayers."
Related: 20 of the worst epidemics and pandemics in history
But even as Americans celebrated and took care of one another's physical and psychological needs, a new wave of infections was lurking just around the corner. For some communities, it would prove devastating.
Burning like wildfire
The influenza pandemic of 1918 was one of the deadliest the world had ever seen, ultimately infecting roughly one-third of the global population, and killing more than 50 million people.
Unlike the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Spanish flu hit America in four discrete spikes, with new infections dropping significantly between them. The first wave hit in March 1918 and was relatively mild; CDC records show that the U.S. reported roughly 75,000 flu-related deaths in the first six months of 1918, compared with 63,000 during the same period in 1915. (Modern medicine has helped halve those numbers; in the 2018-2019 flu season, America reported 34,000 flu-related deaths).
The second wave, which began in September, proved far deadlier.
"The 'great influenza' tears through the U.S. beginning in late September, and by mid-November it's done in most of the United States," Tomes said. "It moves fast, and it burns out."
This epidemic curve shows the first three spikes of the 1918 influenza pandemic. The second wave, which hit in September and October 1918, resulted in more than 200,000 deaths. A smaller third wave followed the winter holidays in early 1919. (Image credit: CDC.gov)
Related: 28 devastating infectious diseases
Between September and December 1918, more than 290,000 Americans died of flu-related illness, compared with just 26,000 during the same period in 1915, the CDC reported. Fatalities peaked in October, with an estimated 195,000 Americans killed in that month alone. (In Canada, which traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving in October, the holiday was officially postponed until December.)
The entire U.S. was already rationing food and restricting spending to help the war effort, but many cities met the virus with further restrictions that would seem familiar today — such as lockdowns, mask mandates and social-distancing requirements — and a few that wouldn't seem so familiar, like New York City's crackdown on public spitting at the time. Cities with lax restrictions were hit hardest; infamously, a Sept. 28 parade to promote war bonds in Philadelphia became a super-spreader event that resulted in more than 12,000 flu deaths within a month, according to the University of Pennsylvania .
As cases plummeted in early November, the nation's attention turned to victory, Tomes said. As Crosscut reported , papers like The Seattle Times wrongly declared victory over influenza and victory in Europe simultaneously, as city officials promptly ended lockdowns and social-distancing restrictions. Charity organizations hosted dinners for thousands of troops separated from their families, and citizens around the country gathered for " victory sings " and other spontaneous parties to celebrate the war's end. In his official Thanksgiving proclamation in mid-November, President Woodrow Wilson urged Americans to "be grateful and rejoice" at home and in houses of worship.
"Everybody is out celebrating during this great patriotic burst, and you don't see public health officials saying 'stay home,'" Tomes said. "Psychologically, people believed the pandemic was done. I think you see a lot of people going through that now."
The third wave
Red Cross volunteers assemble gauze masks in Boston, MA. Many cities imposed mask mandates at the height of the 1918 pandemic. (Image credit: CDC.gov)
In hindsight, it seems obvious that the third wave of the Spanish flu pandemic would follow a season of intimate gatherings and public celebration. Tens of thousands of new cases were reported between December 1918 and April 1919, many of which arose in metropolitan hotspots.
In the first five days of January 2019, San Francisco reported 1,800 flu cases and more than 100 deaths, according to the CDC , and other big cities like New York, Minneapolis and Seattle were similarly hard-hit. Overall, however, the spike that followed the 1918 winter holidays was not nearly as deadly as the autumn spike that preceded them. The fourth wave, which began in winter 1919, similarly saw widespread infections around the U.S., though not nearly as many as autumn 1918 did.
It's hard to draw specific parallels from that pandemic to COVID-19, Tomes said, because everything about it — from the nature of the virus itself, to the world war that facilitated its spread — was totally different than today. Even the culture of the time, which was beset constantly by the threat of deadly diseases like tuberculosis and scarlet fever, may have made Americans more willing to "accept that microbes were powerful agents of nature," Tomes said. This daily risk may have made Americans more psychologically prepared for the death toll of a pandemic 100 years ago than we are today, she added.
One thing that is clear, though, is that influenza cases surged after the holiday seasons of 1918 and 1919, just as coronavirus infections are predicted to surge again in late 2020 and early 2021. Despite the overwhelming air of celebration after the war, some cities did ultimately cancel their Thanksgiving plans as small outbreaks popped up. When public gatherings were banned in Richmond, Indiana, shortly before Thanksgiving 1918, a reporter at the local newspaper characterized the imminent holiday as "a pleasant Thanksgiving with nothing to do." Hopefully, that's the worst that can be said about Thanksgiving 2020, as well.
Originally published on Live Science.


livescience--2020-11-26--A Thanksgiving sun treat: Big sunspot rotates into view

A group of sunspots has emerged on the Earth-facing side of , just in time for Thanksgiving .
Researchers identified the sunspots before they were even visible from Earth , via a technique called , which uses acoustic waves beneath the sun 's surface to probe for the features .
`` We measured a change in acoustic signals on the far side of the sun , '' Alexei Pevtsov , associate director for the National Solar Observatory ( NSO ) program that generates solar predictions , .
`` We can use this technique to identify what is happening on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Earth , days before we can catch a glimpse from here . ''
The scientists predicted that the sunspots , the largest of which appears to be several times bigger than Earth , would rotate into view by Thanksgiving , which falls this year on Nov. 26 .
And this has indeed come to pass .
You may be able to see the sunspots with proper filters on binoculars or a small telescope , but be careful : You must have ISO-certified filters on the equipment at all times to observe the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sun directly without such protective gear , especially when using astronomy equipment ; doing so can cause permanent eye damage , including blindness .
Researchers use sunspots to make predictions about , the activity the sun generates in the vicinity of Earth .
can disrupt satellite communications and power lines , making it essential to know when sunspots — hubs of magnetic activity that serve as launch pads for such outbursts — will be coming around the bend and facing our planet .
`` Having up to five days ' lead time on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ valuable to our technology-heavy society , '' Pevtsov added .
The sun is in the and in a relatively quiet period .
The sunspot group produced the strongest signal yet observed in this cycle , added Kiran Jain , the scientist who is leading the far-side prediction at NSO , in the same statement .
NSO has six monitoring stations worldwide that monitor the sun through the Global Oscillation Network Group ( GONG ) , which is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration .
NSO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to upgrade GONG in the coming years , as the network is almost three decades old and requires more modern instrumentation .
Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @ howellspace .
Follow us on Twitter @ Spacedotcom and on Facebook .

A group of sunspots has emerged on the Earth-facing side of the sun , just in time for Thanksgiving.
Researchers identified the sunspots before they were even visible from Earth, via a technique called helioseismology , which uses acoustic waves beneath the sun's surface to probe for the features.
"We measured a change in acoustic signals on the far side of the sun," Alexei Pevtsov, associate director for the National Solar Observatory (NSO) program that generates solar predictions, said in a statement . "We can use this technique to identify what is happening on the side of the sun that faces away from Earth, days before we can catch a glimpse from here."
Photos: Sunspots on Earth's closest star
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory spacecraft captured this view of several large sunspots in November 2020. (Image credit: NASA/SDO/AIA/EVE/HMI)
The scientists predicted that the sunspots, the largest of which appears to be several times bigger than Earth, would rotate into view by Thanksgiving, which falls this year on Nov. 26. And this has indeed come to pass.
You may be able to see the sunspots with proper filters on binoculars or a small telescope, but be careful: You must have ISO-certified filters on the equipment at all times to observe the sun safely. Never look at the sun directly without such protective gear, especially when using astronomy equipment; doing so can cause permanent eye damage, including blindness.
Researchers use sunspots to make predictions about space weather , the activity the sun generates in the vicinity of Earth. Eruptions of charged particles can disrupt satellite communications and power lines, making it essential to know when sunspots — hubs of magnetic activity that serve as launch pads for such outbursts — will be coming around the bend and facing our planet.
"Having up to five days' lead time on the presence of active sunspots is extremely valuable to our technology-heavy society," Pevtsov added.
The sun is in the early months of its 11-year sunspot cycle and in a relatively quiet period. The sunspot group produced the strongest signal yet observed in this cycle, added Kiran Jain, the scientist who is leading the far-side prediction at NSO, in the same statement.
NSO has six monitoring stations worldwide that monitor the sun through the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG), which is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
NSO officials added that the group anticipates needing to upgrade GONG in the coming years, as the network is almost three decades old and requires more modern instrumentation.
Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.


livescience--2020-11-26--Is China winning the new space race?

Is China winning the new space race?

China has been the only country to land on the Moon for over 40 years – since the Soviet Luna program .
Its recent Chang ’ e missions ( 1-4 ) demonstrated that China could not only orbit and land on the Moon , but also successfully operate a rover .
On November 24 , the Chinese National Space Administration launched Chang ’ e 5 – the latest in the series .
This mission to collect and return samples is impressive .
Recent failed landings on the Moon by an Israeli privately funded mission and the Indian Vikram lander show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Read more : To the moon and beyond 3 : The new space race and what winning it looks like So is this solely a case of China using space exploration to show the world that its new scientific and technological capabilities rival those in the west ?
And if so , what are the consequences ?
Chang ’ e 5 ( named after the Chinese goddess of the Moon ) is intended to collect samples from Mons Rümker , a 70km-wide , 500 metre- high dome made of basalt in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s nearside .
The plan is to then bring back 2kg of drilled and scooped samples to Earth .
If the mission succeeds , planetary scientists will be able to test some key theories about the origin of the Moon and the inner Solar System ’ s rocky planets , which date back to the Apollo era The age of a rocky body can be estimated based on its density of craters .
The longer a body has existed , the more debris will have bombarded its surface .
But it isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Estimates of the age of Mons Rümker and its surrounding area , derived from the number of impact craters on it , have ranged from over 3 billion to 1 billion years .
The absolute age of returned samples will be determined with radiometric dating .
This is a method of dating geological specimens by working out the relative proportions of particular radioactive isotopes ( elements with more or fewer particles in the atomic nucleus than the standard substance ) that they contain .
This will help us better understand how crater density @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then be used to improve crater-density age models of surfaces on the Moon and Mars , Mercury and Venus .
Few would argue with the fact that the rise of China ’ s space program – which involves satellites , human missions and a space station planned for 2022 – has been rapid and successful .
But it has competition .
The US-led Artemis Program has set an aim to return humans to the Moon by 2024 , which would notably be before any Chinese taikonaut landing .
The European Space Agency also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the European Large Logistics Lander EL3 , which aims to deliver a 1.3-tonne lander with new scientific experiments in the late 2020s .
However , China ’ s plans for the Moon are becoming more ambitious than Europe ’ s .
A new cohort of 18 Chinese trainee taikonauts has recently started their training with long-term aims of crewing their new space station , walking on the Moon and ultimately reaching Mars .
The rocket fuel for this rapid growth is research spending in China .
The country is close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its growing GDP on research and development .
This is closing the gap on the United States , which spent 2.8 % of GDP in 2018 .
The UK currently spends about 1.7 % of its GDP on research and development .
China ’ s capabilities will no doubt continue to grow .
As a scientist in the west , I wonder how this will shape research in future generations .
Will Chinese universities start to lead space research and influence rankings that are currently dominated by western universities ?
Is this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Chinese state is not democratic ?
There are reasons for optimism , such as potential collaboration – at least between Europe and China .
The fact that many geochemical models of lunar and planetary formation have their roots in the 380 kg of samples brought back by the Apollo missions means that there is worldwide excitement among scientists about sampling a new area of the Moon .
Planetary scientists in the west are in fact taking a keen interest in Chang ’ e 5 and the Chinese lunar program .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was seeing the successful US-Soviet Skylab space station link up in 1973-74 .
That was a counter balance to the cold war era politics of the time , and it happened despite the absence of democracy in the Soviet Union .
As a university scientist , I believe that the presence of many Chinese students on our campuses over the last decade could help promote future collaboration and changes .
COVID-19 is hindering that now , so I will be hoping that Chang ’ e 5 is successful and becomes a route to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .
Follow all of the Expert Voices issues and debates — and become part of the discussion — on Facebook and Twitter .
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher .

China's Yutu 2 rover, as seen by the Chang'e 4 lander on the far side of the moon.
China has been the only country to land on the Moon for over 40 years – since the Soviet Luna program. Its recent Chang’e missions (1-4) demonstrated that China could not only orbit and land on the Moon, but also successfully operate a rover. On November 24, the Chinese National Space Administration launched Chang’e 5 – the latest in the series.
This mission to collect and return samples is impressive. Recent failed landings on the Moon by an Israeli privately funded mission and the Indian Vikram lander show just how challenging such missions still are.
Read more: To the moon and beyond 3: The new space race and what winning it looks like
So is this solely a case of China using space exploration to show the world that its new scientific and technological capabilities rival those in the west? And if so, what are the consequences?
The mission
Chang’e 5 (named after the Chinese goddess of the Moon) is intended to collect samples from Mons Rümker, a 70km-wide, 500 metre- high dome made of basalt in the Oceanus Procellarum Mare region of the Moon’s nearside.
The plan is to then bring back 2kg of drilled and scooped samples to Earth. If the mission succeeds, planetary scientists will be able to test some key theories about the origin of the Moon and the inner Solar System’s rocky planets, which date back to the Apollo era
The age of a rocky body can be estimated based on its density of craters. The longer a body has existed, the more debris will have bombarded its surface. But it isn’t a very precise measurement. Estimates of the age of Mons Rümker and its surrounding area, derived from the number of impact craters on it, have ranged from over 3 billion to 1 billion years.
The absolute age of returned samples will be determined with radiometric dating. This is a method of dating geological specimens by working out the relative proportions of particular radioactive isotopes (elements with more or fewer particles in the atomic nucleus than the standard substance) that they contain. This will help us better understand how crater density corresponds to age. And that can then be used to improve crater-density age models of surfaces on the Moon and Mars, Mercury and Venus.
The new space race
Few would argue with the fact that the rise of China’s space program – which involves satellites, human missions and a space station planned for 2022 – has been rapid and successful. But it has competition. The US-led Artemis Program has set an aim to return humans to the Moon by 2024, which would notably be before any Chinese taikonaut landing.
The European Space Agency also has its own plans for the Moon, including the European Large Logistics Lander EL3, which aims to deliver a 1.3-tonne lander with new scientific experiments in the late 2020s. However, China’s plans for the Moon are becoming more ambitious than Europe’s. A new cohort of 18 Chinese trainee taikonauts has recently started their training with long-term aims of crewing their new space station, walking on the Moon and ultimately reaching Mars.
The rocket fuel for this rapid growth is research spending in China. The country is close to reaching its aim of spending 2.5% of its growing GDP on research and development. This is closing the gap on the United States, which spent 2.8% of GDP in 2018. The UK currently spends about 1.7% of its GDP on research and development.
China’s capabilities will no doubt continue to grow. As a scientist in the west, I wonder how this will shape research in future generations. Will Chinese universities start to lead space research and influence rankings that are currently dominated by western universities? Is this rapid development a good thing, given that the Chinese state is not democratic?
There are reasons for optimism, such as potential collaboration – at least between Europe and China. The fact that many geochemical models of lunar and planetary formation have their roots in the 380 kg of samples brought back by the Apollo missions means that there is worldwide excitement among scientists about sampling a new area of the Moon. Planetary scientists in the west are in fact taking a keen interest in Chang’e 5 and the Chinese lunar program.
One of my earliest memories of space science was seeing the successful US-Soviet Skylab space station link up in 1973-74. That was a counter balance to the cold war era politics of the time, and it happened despite the absence of democracy in the Soviet Union.
As a university scientist, I believe that the presence of many Chinese students on our campuses over the last decade could help promote future collaboration and changes. COVID-19 is hindering that now, so I will be hoping that Chang’e 5 is successful and becomes a route to future collaboration which might help defuse tension.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Follow all of the Expert Voices issues and debates — and become part of the discussion — on Facebook and Twitter. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.


livescience--2020-11-26--Swarm of eels breaks record for most fish ever spotted at one time in abyssal ocean

Before we start mining for precious metals in the darkness of the deep sea , we might try switching on the light first and observing our surroundings .
In this seemingly isolated abyss , at deeper than 3,000 meters ( 9,800 ft ) below sea level , scientists were able to coax a massive swarm of 115 cutthroat eels ( Ilyophis arx ) out of the shadows and into the light , and with only a relatively small package of bait .
The footage represents the greatest number of deep sea fish ever recorded at one time in the abyssal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near an international mining hotspot .
`` Our observations truly surprised us , '' says biological oceanographer Astrid Leitner , who worked on the research at the University of Hawai ' i at Mānoa .
`` We had never seen reports of such high numbers of fishes in the sparsely-populated , food-limited deep-sea . ''
The Clarion-Clipperton Zone ( CCZ ) is a massive expanse of seafloor that runs from Hawaii nearly to Mexico , and it contains some of the rarest and most highly demanded metals and elements on our planet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasing interest from the mining industry , which sees this new region as a way to cut down on human labour and the destruction of precious land .
Sixteen contracts have already been issued for deep sea mining in more than 1 million square kilometers of this zone , and yet only a tiny portion of deep abyssal habitats have been sampled , explored , or even mapped by scientists .
It 's decisions like this that have some scientists and environmentalists warning of a deep sea `` gold rush '' that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very little about .
The abyssal plains that blanket the bottom of our oceans represent 70 percent of our planet 's seafloor and are considered the largest ecosystem on Earth .
But while these depths are generally thought to contain sparse life , with particularly few fish , that generalization might not apply to all the underwater mountain ranges – called seamounts – that border these valleys , emerging from the surrounding abyssal plain .
Recent expeditions among submerged seamounts in the Galapagos and off the coast of Tasmania have revealed an unexpected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which we 've never seen before , and some dwell on these submerged summits that are still deep enough to be considered 'abyssal ' .
To figure out what 's down there before we start unearthing sediment and spreading plumes of material kilometers away , an expedition of ocean scientists set out for three underwater seamounts in the CCZ and their surrounding plains .
All three of the summits analyzed are in locations currently protected from mining activities , but they were chosen because they resemble nearby areas where industry operations are getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a remotely operated vehicle to each of these mountains , researchers dropped a kilo of mackerel ( around 2 lbs ) in front of a camera , filming two minutes on , eight minutes off , to give the fish a break from the light .
The bait itself was supposed to mimic a natural food fall , in which a whale or shark carcass drifts to the seafloor and brings together life at the bottom .
On all three summits , scientists recorded large swarms of eels coming to feed , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which sat roughly a thousand meters deeper .
Catching some of the animals in traps , the team confirmed these were scavenging cutthroat eels , a little-known species with fewer than 10 specimens in captivity worldwide .
Combing through the current literature , the authors could not find any other study below 1,000 meters that turned up that number of fish per kilo of bait .
Even larger food falls drew a smaller crowd .
Prior to this discovery , for instance , a 29-kilogram shark carcass at a depth of 4,400 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 68 deep sea zoarcid fish .
It 's hard to extrapolate from these brief encounters , but if the sheer number of eels observed in this study says anything about local abundance , then the density of life at these depths could be an order of magnitude higher than even our highest predictions thus far .
The problem is , fish at these depths are incredibly sensitive to the presence of ROVs , not just because of their light and noise , but also because of the changes in pressure and electricity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water .
The current study tries to limit those influences by turning off the camera and light on occasion , but at the same time , this also means researchers probably undercounted how many fish actually came to feed .
`` Thus , '' the authors write , `` the number of eels observed in this study at abyssal depths is truly unprecedented for both abyssal and bathyal depths . ''
Whether these eels are just visiting the underwater summit or are permanent residents is still unclear , but this type of eel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underwater ridges , suggesting they might be seamount feeding specialists .
It 's doubtful that all abyssal seamounts will host similarly large populations of fish .
Even in the current study , the northernmost summit had fewer feeders .
But if there are other summits out there with equally abundant forms of life , scientists are worried what will happen to them in the future if suddenly their homes are swarmed with loud vehicles and the water becomes thick with sediment .
`` If this phenomenon is not just isolated to these two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on deep sea ecology could be widespread , '' says Leitner , who now works at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute .
`` Our findings highlight how much there is still left to discover in the deep sea , and how much we all might lose if we do not manage mining appropriately . ''
The study was published in Deep-Sea Research .
This article was originally published by ScienceAlert .
Read the original article here .

This single frame shows the highest number of individuals of a single taxon, in this case a group of cutthroat eels (Ilyophis arx).
Before we start mining for precious metals in the darkness of the deep sea, we might try switching on the light first and observing our surroundings.
In this seemingly isolated abyss, at deeper than 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) below sea level, scientists were able to coax a massive swarm of 115 cutthroat eels (Ilyophis arx) out of the shadows and into the light, and with only a relatively small package of bait.
The footage represents the greatest number of deep sea fish ever recorded at one time in the abyssal ocean, and it was shot right near an international mining hotspot.
"Our observations truly surprised us," says biological oceanographer Astrid Leitner, who worked on the research at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa.
"We had never seen reports of such high numbers of fishes in the sparsely-populated, food-limited deep-sea."
The Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) is a massive expanse of seafloor that runs from Hawaii nearly to Mexico, and it contains some of the rarest and most highly demanded metals and elements on our planet.
Over the years, it's drawn increasing interest from the mining industry, which sees this new region as a way to cut down on human labour and the destruction of precious land.
Sixteen contracts have already been issued for deep sea mining in more than 1 million square kilometers of this zone, and yet only a tiny portion of deep abyssal habitats have been sampled, explored, or even mapped by scientists.
It's decisions like this that have some scientists and environmentalists warning of a deep sea "gold rush" that could cause unforeseen damage to ecosystems we know very little about.
The abyssal plains that blanket the bottom of our oceans represent 70 percent of our planet's seafloor and are considered the largest ecosystem on Earth.
But while these depths are generally thought to contain sparse life, with particularly few fish, that generalization might not apply to all the underwater mountain ranges – called seamounts – that border these valleys, emerging from the surrounding abyssal plain.
Recent expeditions among submerged seamounts in the Galapagos and off the coast of Tasmania have revealed an unexpected abundance of life forms, many of which we've never seen before, and some dwell on these submerged summits that are still deep enough to be considered 'abyssal'.
To figure out what's down there before we start unearthing sediment and spreading plumes of material kilometers away, an expedition of ocean scientists set out for three underwater seamounts in the CCZ and their surrounding plains.
All three of the summits analyzed are in locations currently protected from mining activities, but they were chosen because they resemble nearby areas where industry operations are getting ready to tether their vehicles.
Deploying a remotely operated vehicle to each of these mountains, researchers dropped a kilo of mackerel (around 2 lbs) in front of a camera, filming two minutes on, eight minutes off, to give the fish a break from the light.
The bait itself was supposed to mimic a natural food fall, in which a whale or shark carcass drifts to the seafloor and brings together life at the bottom.
On all three summits, scientists recorded large swarms of eels coming to feed, although none appeared on the deeper plains below, which sat roughly a thousand meters deeper.
Catching some of the animals in traps, the team confirmed these were scavenging cutthroat eels, a little-known species with fewer than 10 specimens in captivity worldwide.
Combing through the current literature, the authors could not find any other study below 1,000 meters that turned up that number of fish per kilo of bait. Even larger food falls drew a smaller crowd.
Prior to this discovery, for instance, a 29-kilogram shark carcass at a depth of 4,400 meters (14,435 ft) only drew in 68 deep sea zoarcid fish.
It's hard to extrapolate from these brief encounters, but if the sheer number of eels observed in this study says anything about local abundance, then the density of life at these depths could be an order of magnitude higher than even our highest predictions thus far.
The problem is, fish at these depths are incredibly sensitive to the presence of ROVs, not just because of their light and noise, but also because of the changes in pressure and electricity that ripple out from them in the water.
The current study tries to limit those influences by turning off the camera and light on occasion, but at the same time, this also means researchers probably undercounted how many fish actually came to feed.
"Thus," the authors write, "the number of eels observed in this study at abyssal depths is truly unprecedented for both abyssal and bathyal depths."
Whether these eels are just visiting the underwater summit or are permanent residents is still unclear, but this type of eel has only ever been sampled on similar underwater ridges, suggesting they might be seamount feeding specialists.
It's doubtful that all abyssal seamounts will host similarly large populations of fish. Even in the current study, the northernmost summit had fewer feeders.
But if there are other summits out there with equally abundant forms of life, scientists are worried what will happen to them in the future if suddenly their homes are swarmed with loud vehicles and the water becomes thick with sediment.
"If this phenomenon is not just isolated to these two seamounts in the CCZ, the implications on deep sea ecology could be widespread," says Leitner, who now works at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.
"Our findings highlight how much there is still left to discover in the deep sea, and how much we all might lose if we do not manage mining appropriately."
The study was published in Deep-Sea Research.
This article was originally published by ScienceAlert. Read the original article here.


livescience--2020-11-26--Swarms of 'primordial' black holes might fill our universe

The universe might be full of tiny , ancient black holes .
And researchers might be able to prove it .
These mini black holes from the beginning of time , or primordial black holes ( PBHs ) , were first dreamed up decades ago .
Researchers proposed them as an explanation for , an unseen substance that exerts a gravitational pull throughout space .
Most explanations for dark matter involve hypothetical particles with special properties that help them evade detection .
But some researchers think swarms of little black holes moving like clouds through space offer a cleaner explanation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where these PBHs might have come from , and how astronomers could detect the aftershocks of their birth .
Where did the little black holes come from ?
A black hole is a singularity , an infinitely dense point in space packed with matter .
It forms when that matter gets so tightly packed that the force of overwhelms everything else , and the matter collapses .
It warps and surrounds itself with an `` event horizon , '' a spherical boundary region beyond which no light can escape .
The laws of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any scale ; crush an ant hard enough and it will collapse into a black hole just like a star ; it 'll just be incredibly tiny .
Most PBH theories assume these objects have masses like small planets , with event horizons as small as grapefruits .
It 's an outlandish idea , still on the fringe of black hole and dark matter physics , said Joey Neilsen , a physicist at Villanova University who was not involved in the new study .
But recently , as other dark matter theories have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given the PBH notion a second look .
If PBHs are out there though , they have to be very old .
In the modern universe , there are only two known methods for creating new black holes from normal matter : stars much heavier than the sun colliding or exploding .
So every known black hole weighs more than the entire ( sometimes much more ) .
Related : Is our solar system 's mysterious 'Planet 9 ' really a grapefruit-size black hole ?
Making small black holes requires a whole other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ingredients would be `` the stuff of the Big Bang , the same stuff that makes the stars and galaxies , '' Neilsen told Live Science .
Right after the , the newly expanding universe was full of hot , dense largely-undifferentiated matter expanding in all directions .
There were small pockets of turbulence in this morass — still visible as fluctuations in the Cosmic Microwave Background ( CMB ) , the afterglow of the Big Bang — and those fluctuations gave the universe structure .
`` If it 's a little more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is gravitationally attracted to point A , '' Neilsen said .
`` And over the history of the universe , that attraction causes gas and dust to fall inwards , coalesce , collapse and form stars , galaxies , and all the structures in the universe that we know of . ''
Most PBH theories involve very intense fluctuations in the early universe , stronger than the ones that formed galaxies .
In this new paper , the researchers place those intense fluctuations during a period known as `` inflation . ''
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second after the Big Bang , the universe expanded exponentially fast .
That rapid early expansion gave space-time its current `` flat '' shape , researchers believe , and it likely prevented space from ending up curved , as .
In a new paper published Nov. 20 to the database , researchers propose that during inflation , there might have been moments where all of space-time was intensely curved , before eventually flattening out .
Those brief curvatures , however , would have produced fluctuations in the expanding universe intense enough to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black holes .
How to find the tiny black holes The easiest way to prove this theory correct is to look for `` secondary gravitational waves '' ( SGWs ) echoing around the universe , the researchers wrote .
These waves , much weaker than gravitational waves produced by colliding black holes , would ring out from the same perturbations that formed the PBHs .
They 'd be subtle vibrations in the universe , inaudible to current detectors .
But two future methods might be able to find them .
One approach : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of whirling neutron stars known as pulsars that send flashes of energy toward Earth as they spin .
Pulsars are like precise , predictable ticking clocks in the sky , but their signals can get distorted by gravitational waves .
A secondary gravitational wave passing between Earth and a pulsar would warp space-time , causing the pulsar 's tick to arrive a bit early or late in ways a pulsar timing array could detect .
There 's a problem with this plan though : Pulsar timing arrays would rely on precisely detecting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the world 's most important radio detectors , the giant Arecibo Telescope in Puerto Rico , has essentially been destroyed , .
But even if a high-quality pulsar timing experiment does n't work out in the next 15 years , the next generation of gravitational wave detectors should be sensitive enough to pick up these secondary gravitational waves , the authors wrote .
Right now , gravitational wave detectors are buried underground , looking for fluctuations in space-time by measuring changes in the travel time of light across long distances .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ waves pounding against distant shores and even rabbits hopping around overhead — can muddy the signal .
In 2034 , the European Space Agency plans to launch the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna ( LISA ) , a far more sensitive space-based gravitational wave detector that avoids those pitfalls .
And LISA , the authors wrote , should be able to pick up secondary gravitational waves .
Such a detection , they wrote , would prove that PBHs account for most ( if not all ) of the dark matter in the universe .

The universe might be full of tiny, ancient black holes. And researchers might be able to prove it.
These mini black holes from the beginning of time, or primordial black holes (PBHs), were first dreamed up decades ago. Researchers proposed them as an explanation for dark matter , an unseen substance that exerts a gravitational pull throughout space. Most explanations for dark matter involve hypothetical particles with special properties that help them evade detection. But some researchers think swarms of little black holes moving like clouds through space offer a cleaner explanation. Now, a new study explains where these PBHs might have come from, and how astronomers could detect the aftershocks of their birth.
Where did the little black holes come from?
A black hole is a singularity, an infinitely dense point in space packed with matter. It forms when that matter gets so tightly packed that the force of gravity overwhelms everything else, and the matter collapses. It warps space-time and surrounds itself with an "event horizon," a spherical boundary region beyond which no light can escape.
The laws of general relativity allow black holes to exist at any scale; crush an ant hard enough and it will collapse into a black hole just like a star; it'll just be incredibly tiny.
Most PBH theories assume these objects have masses like small planets, with event horizons as small as grapefruits. It's an outlandish idea, still on the fringe of black hole and dark matter physics, said Joey Neilsen, a physicist at Villanova University who was not involved in the new study. But recently, as other dark matter theories have turned up empty, some researchers have given the PBH notion a second look.
If PBHs are out there though, they have to be very old. In the modern universe, there are only two known methods for creating new black holes from normal matter: stars much heavier than the sun colliding or exploding. So every known black hole weighs more than the entire solar system (sometimes much more).
Related: Is our solar system's mysterious 'Planet 9' really a grapefruit-size black hole?
Making small black holes requires a whole other set of mechanisms and ingredients.
Those ingredients would be "the stuff of the Big Bang, the same stuff that makes the stars and galaxies," Neilsen told Live Science.
Right after the Big Bang , the newly expanding universe was full of hot, dense largely-undifferentiated matter expanding in all directions. There were small pockets of turbulence in this morass — still visible as fluctuations in the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), the afterglow of the Big Bang — and those fluctuations gave the universe structure.
"If it's a little more dense at point A, then stuff is gravitationally attracted to point A," Neilsen said. "And over the history of the universe, that attraction causes gas and dust to fall inwards, coalesce, collapse and form stars, galaxies, and all the structures in the universe that we know of."
Most PBH theories involve very intense fluctuations in the early universe, stronger than the ones that formed galaxies.
In this new paper, the researchers place those intense fluctuations during a period known as "inflation." In the first thousand billion billion billionths of a second after the Big Bang, the universe expanded exponentially fast. That rapid early expansion gave space-time its current "flat" shape, researchers believe, and it likely prevented space from ending up curved, as Live Science has previously reported .
In a new paper published Nov. 20 to the arXiv database, researchers propose that during inflation, there might have been moments where all of space-time was intensely curved, before eventually flattening out. Those brief curvatures, however, would have produced fluctuations in the expanding universe intense enough to eventually form a large population of Earth-mass black holes.
How to find the tiny black holes
The easiest way to prove this theory correct is to look for "secondary gravitational waves" (SGWs) echoing around the universe, the researchers wrote.
These waves, much weaker than gravitational waves produced by colliding black holes, would ring out from the same perturbations that formed the PBHs. They'd be subtle vibrations in the universe, inaudible to current detectors. But two future methods might be able to find them.
One approach: pulsar timing arrays. Space is full of whirling neutron stars known as pulsars that send flashes of energy toward Earth as they spin. Pulsars are like precise, predictable ticking clocks in the sky, but their signals can get distorted by gravitational waves. A secondary gravitational wave passing between Earth and a pulsar would warp space-time, causing the pulsar's tick to arrive a bit early or late in ways a pulsar timing array could detect.
There's a problem with this plan though: Pulsar timing arrays would rely on precisely detecting the ticks of pulsars that emit radio waves . And one of the world's most important radio detectors, the giant Arecibo Telescope in Puerto Rico, has essentially been destroyed, as Live Science sister site Space.com reported .
But even if a high-quality pulsar timing experiment doesn't work out in the next 15 years, the next generation of gravitational wave detectors should be sensitive enough to pick up these secondary gravitational waves, the authors wrote.
Right now, gravitational wave detectors are buried underground, looking for fluctuations in space-time by measuring changes in the travel time of light across long distances. But other effects — minor earthquakes, waves pounding against distant shores and even rabbits hopping around overhead — can muddy the signal. In 2034, the European Space Agency plans to launch the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), a far more sensitive space-based gravitational wave detector that avoids those pitfalls. And LISA, the authors wrote, should be able to pick up secondary gravitational waves.
Such a detection, they wrote, would prove that PBHs account for most (if not all) of the dark matter in the universe.
Originally published on Live Science.


livescience--2020-11-26--Megalodon nurseries reveal world’s largest shark had a soft side

The enormous , extinct shark probably does n't make you think of parenting and playdates .
But a growing body of evidence suggests that these massive marine predators nurtured their babies by raising them in nurseries , and scientists just added five potential Megalodon nurseries to the list .
These baby-shark grounds are showing up all over .
Scientists reported in 2010 that they had identified in Panama .
Recently , another team of researchers described a new Megalodon nursery site in northeastern Spain ; fossils of fully grown sharks and youngsters were found together , with most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those same scientists also analyzed data from eight other sites — from 16 million to 3 million years ago — where Otodus megalodon fossils were plentiful .
They evaluated the body sizes of individual sharks to determine the ratio of juveniles to adults , and named four additional nursery sites .
The results suggest that Megalodon adults commonly raised their young in nursery areas , where the wee shark babies would be protected until they were able to fend for themselves against other ocean predators .
It also raises the possibility that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to the giant shark 's extinction , according to a new study .
Related : Photos : These animals used to be giants O. megalodon is estimated to have measured up to 50 feet ( 15 meters ) in length , making it the biggest predatory shark that ever lived .
Most Megalodon fossils date to about 15 million years ago , and the giant fish vanished from the fossil record about 2.6 million years ago .
Today , many modern sharks raise their young in nurseries .
Waters near northern Patagonia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ( Carcharias taurus ) in Long Island 's Great South Bay hosts juvenile sharks that live there until they are 4 or 5 years old .
And the oldest known shark nursery is more than 200 million years old , according to fossilized egg cases found alongside shark `` baby teeth '' that are just 0.04 inches ( 1 millimeter ) long , Live Science .
For the new study , the researchers investigated 25 teeth belonging to O. megalodon from the Reverté and Vidal quarries in Spain 's Tarragona province .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ body size and to identify which of the sharks were babies ; very young sharks — likely about one month old — that measured about 13 feet ( 4 m ) long , and older juveniles measured up to 36 feet ( 11 m ) in length .
The scientists then used algorithms to model and compare the ratio of O. megalodon juveniles to adults at eight other sites across `` a wide geographical area '' that included the Atlantic , Caribbean and Pacific basins .
They determined five potential nurseries `` with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lengths within the typical range of neonates and young juveniles , '' including the site in Panama that had been described in 2010 , the scientists wrote in the study .
`` Our results reveal , for the first time , that nursery areas were commonly used by O. megalodon over large temporal and spatial scales , '' the study authors said .
Prior analysis of growth rings in O. megalodon vertebrae showed that the sharks reached adult size after about 25 years , suggesting that they were late bloomers when it came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems plausible that the use of nursery areas could have been essential for O. megalodon , '' ensuring the species ' survival by reducing mortality in young sharks and helping to maintain viable adult populations , according to the study .
Though researchers ca n't say for sure what caused Megalodon 's extinction , a changing climate that slowly eradicated important nursery sites could have played a part in the mighty Megalodon 's eventual decline , especially as Megalodon faced growing competition from another up-and-coming predator : ( Carcharodon carcharias ) , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online Nov. 25 in the journal .

Megalodon, the biggest predatory shark of all time, watched over its young as many modern sharks do — by raising them in defined geographic areas known as nurseries.
The enormous, extinct shark Megalodon probably doesn't make you think of parenting and playdates. But a growing body of evidence suggests that these massive marine predators nurtured their babies by raising them in nurseries, and scientists just added five potential Megalodon nurseries to the list.
These baby-shark grounds are showing up all over. Scientists reported in 2010 that they had identified a Megalodon nursery in Panama. Recently, another team of researchers described a new Megalodon nursery site in northeastern Spain; fossils of fully grown sharks and youngsters were found together, with most of the fossils belonging to juveniles and newborns.
Those same scientists also analyzed data from eight other sites — from 16 million to 3 million years ago — where Otodus megalodon fossils were plentiful. They evaluated the body sizes of individual sharks to determine the ratio of juveniles to adults, and named four additional nursery sites.
The results suggest that Megalodon adults commonly raised their young in nursery areas, where the wee shark babies would be protected until they were able to fend for themselves against other ocean predators. It also raises the possibility that the decline of available nursery sites may have contributed to the giant shark's extinction, according to a new study.
Related: Photos: These animals used to be giants
O. megalodon is estimated to have measured up to 50 feet (15 meters) in length, making it the biggest predatory shark that ever lived. Most Megalodon fossils date to about 15 million years ago, and the giant fish vanished from the fossil record about 2.6 million years ago.
Today, many modern sharks raise their young in nurseries. Waters near northern Patagonia's Buenos Aires province hold a nursery for several shark species , and a nursery of sand tiger sharks (Carcharias taurus) in Long Island's Great South Bay hosts juvenile sharks that live there until they are 4 or 5 years old. And the oldest known shark nursery is more than 200 million years old, according to fossilized egg cases found alongside shark "baby teeth" that are just 0.04 inches (1 millimeter) long, Live Science previously reported .
For the new study, the researchers investigated 25 teeth belonging to O. megalodon from the Reverté and Vidal quarries in Spain's Tarragona province. They used tooth crown height to estimate body size and to identify which of the sharks were babies; very young sharks — likely about one month old — that measured about 13 feet (4 m) long, and older juveniles measured up to 36 feet (11 m) in length.
The scientists then used algorithms to model and compare the ratio of O. megalodon juveniles to adults at eight other sites across "a wide geographical area" that included the Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific basins. They determined five potential nurseries "with higher densities of individuals with estimated body lengths within the typical range of neonates and young juveniles," including the site in Panama that had been described in 2010, the scientists wrote in the study.
"Our results reveal, for the first time, that nursery areas were commonly used by O. megalodon over large temporal and spatial scales," the study authors said.
Prior analysis of growth rings in O. megalodon vertebrae showed that the sharks reached adult size after about 25 years, suggesting that they were late bloomers when it came to sexual maturity. "It therefore seems plausible that the use of nursery areas could have been essential for O. megalodon," ensuring the species' survival by reducing mortality in young sharks and helping to maintain viable adult populations, according to the study.
Though researchers can't say for sure what caused Megalodon's extinction, a changing climate that slowly eradicated important nursery sites could have played a part in the mighty Megalodon's eventual decline, especially as Megalodon faced growing competition from another up-and-coming predator: great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias), the scientists reported.
The findings were published online Nov. 25 in the journal Biology Letters .
Originally published on Live Science.


livescience--2020-11-26--Why do cats meow?

Why do cats meow?

Every day your cat walks into your office , looks at you indignantly and utters a despondent `` meooow . ''
You may not speak cat , but her meaning is clear : `` You have n't fed me yet , you monster ! ''
House cats are unique in the way they use their voices to communicate with their human companions — they rarely meow at one another .
So what makes our feline friends so chatty with us ?
The answer has to do with domestication , experts told Live Science .
Related : Why dog breeds look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before cats took up residence with humans , they were loners , wrote John Bradshaw and Charlotte Cameron-Beaumont in the book `` The Domestic Cat : The Biology of Its Behaviour '' ( Cambridge University Press 2000 ) .
Because these ancestral cats rarely encountered other members of their own species , they didn ’ t need to use their voices to communicate .
Instead , these wild cats communicated through their sense of smell , or by rubbing against or urinating on objects like trees .
That way , cats did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felines in order to send a message .
That 's still largely the way cats communicate with one another , said John Wright , a psychologist studying animal behavior at Mercer University in Georgia .
`` Why use vocalization when it 's so efficient to use the other senses ? ''
Wright told Live Science .
But humans do n't have nearly as fine-turned a sense of smell as felines .
( And we 're unlikely to appreciate a cat spraying urine all over a new sofa . )
So , cats communicate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is most likely to get them what they want : by meowing .
`` They 're manipulative , '' Wright said .
`` Vocal communication becomes a tool . ''
Many cats even develop a repertoire of meows to express different needs and feelings or elicit different responses .
For example , your cat might trill at you in greeting , squeak a friendly request to go outside or demand food with a loud meow .
Meowing at humans is partially a learned behavior .
All cats meow as kittens to get their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cold or when she accidentally sits on them .
While house cats carry this behavior into adulthood , feral cats ( domesticated cats without owners that live outdoors ) mostly outgrow it .
One study , published in the journal , found that feral cats were much more likely to growl or hiss than domesticated cats who had owners .
When feral cats did meow , it was indiscriminate — at humans , dolls and dogs alike .
House cats meowed much more often , and only at humans , suggesting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their owners .
In other words , your cat meows at you because early on , she learned that doing so got your attention .
If you 're curious what your cat has to say , it 's possible to encourage communication , Wright said .
If humans respond with words and attention to their cats ' chirps and meows , they can create a back-and-forth — almost like a conversation .
`` If you make your responses positive enough and predictive enough that she can listen to your vocalization , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and communicate with you , '' Wright said .

Every day your cat walks into your office, looks at you indignantly and utters a despondent "meooow." You may not speak cat, but her meaning is clear: "You haven't fed me yet, you monster!"
House cats are unique in the way they use their voices to communicate with their human companions — they rarely meow at one another. So what makes our feline friends so chatty with us?
The answer has to do with domestication, experts told Live Science.
Related: Why dog breeds look so very different, but cats don't
Before cats took up residence with humans almost 10,000 years ago , they were loners, wrote John Bradshaw and Charlotte Cameron-Beaumont in the book "The Domestic Cat: The Biology of Its Behaviour" (Cambridge University Press 2000). Because these ancestral cats rarely encountered other members of their own species, they didn’t need to use their voices to communicate. Instead, these wild cats communicated through their sense of smell, or by rubbing against or urinating on objects like trees. That way, cats didn't have to come face-to-face with other feisty felines in order to send a message. That's still largely the way cats communicate with one another, said John Wright, a psychologist studying animal behavior at Mercer University in Georgia.
"Why use vocalization when it's so efficient to use the other senses?" Wright told Live Science.
But humans don't have nearly as fine-turned a sense of smell as felines. (And we're unlikely to appreciate a cat spraying urine all over a new sofa.) So, cats communicate with their humans in the way that is most likely to get them what they want: by meowing. "They're manipulative," Wright said. "Vocal communication becomes a tool."
Many cats even develop a repertoire of meows to express different needs and feelings or elicit different responses. For example, your cat might trill at you in greeting, squeak a friendly request to go outside or demand food with a loud meow.
Meowing at humans is partially a learned behavior. All cats meow as kittens to get their mom's attention when they're hurt, cold or when she accidentally sits on them. While house cats carry this behavior into adulthood, feral cats (domesticated cats without owners that live outdoors) mostly outgrow it. One study, published in the journal Behavioral Processes , found that feral cats were much more likely to growl or hiss than domesticated cats who had owners. When feral cats did meow, it was indiscriminate — at humans, dolls and dogs alike. House cats meowed much more often, and only at humans, suggesting that they develop meowing as a language specifically for their owners. In other words, your cat meows at you because early on, she learned that doing so got your attention.
If you're curious what your cat has to say, it's possible to encourage communication, Wright said. If humans respond with words and attention to their cats' chirps and meows, they can create a back-and-forth — almost like a conversation. "If you make your responses positive enough and predictive enough that she can listen to your vocalization, then she [the cat] can try and communicate with you," Wright said.
Originally published on Live Science.


livescience--2020-11-26--Black Friday Osmo deals

Black Friday Osmo deals

Osmo kits are electronic STEM toys that work with iPads or Amazon Fire tablets to turn screen time into tactile time and they 're on sale right now .
These kits use manipulables — numbers , shapes , coding instruction squares — that let kids translate something they 're doing in the physical world to action on a screen , and back again .
To get started , you 'll need an Osmo base and a compatible tablet .
Then you can choose from a number of kits designed to teach different concepts .
The more kits you have , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn .
For Black Friday , Osmo is running a series of deals on these kits , available on Amazon : Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad : $ 55.99 at Amazon Like the Genius starter kit , but for preschoolers , this set comes with an Osmo base and reflector for iPad ( iOS9 or later ) , 19 cardboard pretend play costume pieces , 38 silicone sticks and rings , a silicone game play mat , stackable storage for game pieces and four game apps : ABCs , Costume Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 % off the list price , this starter kit is selling for one of its lowest prices .
View Deal Osmo Coding Starter Kit for Fire Tablet : $ 69.99 at Amazon ( Also for iPad : $ 78.99 at Amazon ) This kit contains everything you need to get your 5- to 10-year-old started on coding .
Compatible with the 7th Generation Fire 7 , HD 8 , HD 10 , 8th Generation Fire HD 8 , 9th Generation HD 7 and HD 10 .
You get an Osmo base & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coding blocks and storage , along with three game apps : Coding Awbie , Coding Jam and Coding Duo.View Deal Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad + Early Math Explorer : $ 80.99 at Amazon ( Also for Fire Tablet : $ 83.99 at Amazon ) This kit comes with an Osmo base and reflector , 19 costume pieces , 38 silicone sticks and rings , a silicone play mat , storage for game pieces and 6 game apps : Shape Builder , Counting Town , ABCs , Costume Party , Stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selling both the iPad and Fire versions for 30 % off .
View Deal Osmo Creative Starter Kit for iPad : $ 52.49 at Amazon ( Also for Fire Tablet : $ 48.99 at Amazon ) Designed for kids 5- to 10-years-old , this kit comes with an Osmo base and reflector , a creative board , four dry erase markers , microfiber eraser pouch , stackable storage for each game & three game apps : Monster , Newton and Masterpiece .
Right now , Amazon is selling the iPad version for 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 30 % off the retail price.View Deal Five to 12-year-olds can make pizzas and practice counting change with this pizza-parlor game .
This kit comes with a pizza and tray , toppings , money tiles , stackable storage for game pieces and one game app : Pizza Co. Amazon is selling the add-on for 20 % off .
( Though its lowest offer on Pizza Co. was last February when Amazon sold it for $ 23.99 . )
View Deal For 5- to 11-year-olds , this learn-to-draw pack includes a Super Studio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markers , a Super Sweeper eraser and the game app Super Studio Frozen 2 .
Kids will get step-by-step instructions on how to draw the scenes from `` Frozen 2 , '' and then watch the story come to life in their first animation .
Amazon is selling the the super studio kit for 25 % off .
View Deal

These Osmo deals are a great way to engage your kids in fun activities that boost their brainpower as well. Time in front of a screen for kids doesn’t need to be a passive experience, as Osmo kits are ideal for wannabe coders, keen learners and kids who love to read. These Osmo kit deals offer educational games that are fun and engaging.
Osmo is an electronic STEM toy that’s compatible with both iPads and Amazon Fire tablets, making it very accessible. They offer a tactile experience using manipulables — numbers, shapes, coding instruction squares — that takes what you’re doing in the real world and translates that to activity on the screen and then back again.
The Osmo base and a compatible tablet are all you need to get started and there’s a wide array of kits to pick from, letting you find the experience that’s best for you. Of course, the more kits you pick up the wider the array of different things your child can learn and with these Osmo deals, you might be able to afford more than one. Osmo's Super Studio is 30% off at Amazon is ideal for fans of Disney.
Don’t miss Live Science's list of the best coding toys for even more recommendations.
Today's best Osmo deals
Osmo Genius Starter Kit for iPad: $99.99 $69.99 at Amazon
This starter kit will work with all iPads running iOS 10 or later, except Generation 1-4, 9 & Mini 6. Designed for 6- to 10-year-olds, it comes with an Osmo base and reflector for iPad, tangram pieces, number tiles, word tiles, storage for each game and five games: Numbers, Tangram, Words, Newton and Masterpiece. At 30% off, you're getting a great deal.
Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad: $79.99 $59.99 at Target
Like the Genius starter kit, but for preschoolers, this set comes with an Osmo base and reflector for iPad (iOS 10 or later), 19 cardboard pretend play costume pieces, 38 silicone sticks and rings, a silicone game play mat, stackable storage for game pieces and four game apps: ABCs, Costume Party, Stories and Squiggle Magic. And right now, Target is selling the kit for 38% off the list price.
Osmo Creative Starter Kit for iPad: $69.99 $48.99 at Amazon
Designed for 5- to 10-years-old kids, this kit comes with an Osmo base and reflector, a creative board, four dry erase markers, microfiber eraser pouch, stackable storage for each game & three game apps: Monster, Newton and Masterpiece. Right now, Amazon is selling the iPad version for 30% off the retail price.
Osmo Coding Starter Kit for iPad: $99.99 $69.99 at Amazon
Designed for ages 5 to 10, this game bundle includes 31 tangible coding blocks, including Walk, Jump, Hand, Magic, Rest, Quantifiers (Numbers), Repeat, Subroutines, as well as Stackable storage for game pieces and three game apps: Coding Awbie, Coding Jam and Coding Duo. Right now, Amazon is selling the bundle for 30% off.
Osmo - Creative Starter Kit for iPad + Detective Agency: $119.98 $83.98 at Amazon
Get 30% off this starter kit, which comes with: Osmo Base for iPad, new Creative Board, 4 dry-erase markers, microfiber eraser pouch, Stackable storage for each game and 3 Game Apps: Monster, Newton and Masterpiece. Plus, kids can solve mysteries with the Detective Agency add-on, which contains four double-sided maps, a map holder, magnifying glass and one game app: Detective Agency. Designed for ages 5 to 12.
Osmo - Math Wizard and the Secrets of the Dragons for iPad & Fire Tablet: $59.99 $44.99 at Amazon
There be dragons with this Osmo kit deal for the Fire Tablet and for iPad. Kids in 1st and 2nd grade can learn about measurements and estimation in a world filled with dragons. Kids can also explore the Dragon Reserve to complete your Dragon Guidebook. Along the way, they will measure and care for their dragons, earn their trust and watch them grow. They won't even know they are becoming little mathematicians. For Cyber Monday, you can snag this kit for 25% off. NOTE: The Osmo Base is not included. You can get that on Amazon as well.
Osmo - Math Wizard and the Magical Workshop for iPad & Fire Tablet: $59.99 $41.99 at Amazon
Kids ages 6 to 8 can explore the village of Wyverndell with the wizard cat Mumbles. They will learn adding and subtracting, place value and more as they brew dragons' claw potions and magic sparkles, and help dragons fly up and down using balloons. Adults can adjust the game difficulty. Requires an Osmo base for iPad or a Fire tablet. Right now, this magical math game is 30% off at Amazon.
Osmo - Monster Starter Kit for iPad: $49.99 $38.59 at Walmart
What kid doesn't want to play with monsters? These are the cute kind of monsters, of course. With this kit, kids ages 5 to 10 can create their own monster drawings (dubbed "Mo") and bring it to life on the tablet, where kids can interact in one of Mo's amazing rooms. The kit comes with a drawing board, erasable marker, microfiber cleaning cloth and the Osmo Base for iPad. (It is also available in English and Spanish.)
Osmo Pizza Co: $49.99 $34.99 at Amazon
Five to 12-year-olds can make pizzas and practice counting change with this pizza-parlor game. This kit comes with a pizza and tray, toppings, money tiles, stackable storage for game pieces and one game app: Pizza Co.
Osmo - Super Studio Disney Frozen 2 Game: $29.99 $15.89 at Amazon
For 5- to 11-year-olds, this learn-to-draw pack includes a Super Studio Frozen 2 Sketchpad, 2 Super Studio markers, a Super Sweeper eraser and the game app Super Studio Frozen 2. Kids will get step-by-step instructions on how to draw the scenes from "Frozen 2," and then watch the story come to life in their first animation. The Osmo Base is NOT included.
Osmo - Detective Agency: $49.99 $43.99 at Amazon
Kids can become their own version of a Sherlock Holmes with this Osmo add-on for the Fire tablet and iPad. Using a game piece magnifying glass, your little P.I. can search for landmarks around the world while also learning trivia facts about geography, culture and history (Detective Agency). Along the way, there are plenty of mysteries to solve. The add-on comes with 4 double-sided maps, a map holder, a magnifying glass & 1 Game App: Detective Agency.
How do kids learn with Osmo?
The Osmo device works through what the company calls "augmented reality," in which a reflector mirror is attached to an iPad or Fire tablet that sits in the Osmo base. That reflector captures images from the table below and feeds them to the tablet's camera. With the Osmo app, those physical objects — such as Osmo's letter or number tiles — become part of the digital world, where your child can interact in a hands-on setting.
With that basic premise, Osmo has created a slew of add-ons, and that's where the learning truly begins. For these learning games, you can choose between different age groups: 3-5, 6-9 and 10+. Also, parents can adjust the skill level for these add-ons to fit their child's needs.
Math: If you have a child who needs help in math, or perhaps they need a number challenge, you can choose from several math add-ons depending on level and type of activity. For instance, for 6- to 8-year-olds, the Math Wizards Bundle comes with four games that teach geometry (with fun food puzzles), the foundations of multiplication (with all-star sports teams), measurement (with dragons!) and addition/subtraction by brewing silly potions in a magical workshop journey.
Literacy: To help your kids learn or just improve their reading skills, you can check out the "literacy" sets. For instance, the Early Literacy bundle can help kids with a range of skills, from letter recognition, vocabulary familiarity, sentence construction and even phonics with ABCs. The 38 silicon sticks and rings that come with the set can be used for creating letters that come alive on your tablet for gameplay and other fun learning activities. The bundle is rated for ages 3 to 12 because all of the "equipment" is flexible in terms of the games/apps it can be used with.
Science: Yes, Osmo dives into some science areas! With Osmo Newton , kids can either draw an object or find something lying around their room. Then, they use this imaginary cup, some new invention they hand-draw or real-life objects such as mom's keys to guide falling balls on the screen into targeted spots. And there are 60 levels.
Other skills targeted with Osmo add-ons and related apps include: coding, critical thinking, drawing, geography, imaginative play and puzzles.


livescience--2020-11-27--The best Black Friday deals on binoculars for travel, skywatching and nature

There 's nothing quite like getting up close to Earth 's incredible wildlife and this Black Friday we 've scanned retailers to help you find the very best deal on your next binocular — whether you 're wanting to observe birds up close , scour the surface of the moon ( or a bit of both ! )
, you can get a great discount today .
With unbeatable offers on Celestron 's Outland X 10x50 and Celestron 's range of SkyMaster Binocular — both of which offer a mix of stunning terrestrial views — we 've rounded up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performance and high quality .
And for a fraction of the cost .
Some binoculars in our Black Friday deals come with accessories , including lens caps and a handy carry case to ensure that the optics are always protected during tours of land and sky .
What 's more , all binoculars are robust and can withstand bumps and knocks , making them the perfect choice for young observers and the most adventurous members of the family .
The all-arounder Celestron Nature DX 8x42 binocular is our editor 's choice and comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazon .
With their lightweight design , you can switch from observing the local wildlife to the surface of the moon within moments : thanks to a combination of coated lenses , BaK-4 prisms and nitrogen purging , views are spectacularly clear for unbelievable observations .
More great Black Friday deals on binoculars from top brand Celestron Be sure to check out Live Science 's best binoculars for kids 2020 as well as Space.com 's best binoculars 2020 .

These Black Friday binoculars deals are a fantastic way to observe nature up close without disturbing the peace. With these amazing binoculars deals, you can get the right pair of binoculars for much less, whether you're looking for birds, whales, planets, or stars.
At a casual glance, binoculars look all the same and in essence do the same thing. But every pair is unique, with particular features that suit them to one type of sightseeing.
Some models, such as Nikon's 10x42 ProStaff 3S or ACULON A211 8x42 , have wide fields of view, making them ideal for sightseeing trips in nature. Bushnell's Powerview 20x50 model has larger lenses that can achieve much higher magnifications; this makes them perfect for astronomy. Sometimes you might want less magnification too, such as those on the Celestron 8x42 Outland X , which are perfect for viewing wildlife from afar or on bumpy boat rides.
Even the best of us can feel a little confused with all of the technical details involved in describing binocular lenses. To help you find the ideal pair at the best price, Live Science has compiled the top binoculars bargains.
If you want to nature-watch with your kids, then check out our list of the best binoculars for kids as well. Or, you can alternatively keep them entertained with these deals on educational science kits for kids .
Best binoculars deals
Hexeum Night Vision Binoculars: was $298 now $139.98 at Amazon These night vision binoculars from Hexeum are now a whopping 53% off at Amazon. These would be perfect outdoor activities, night hunting, patrol detection, security and surveilla, search & rescue, camping, watching wildlife and scenery.
Celestron - SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars: was $99.99 now $68.00 at Amazon These skywatching binoculars made by the trusted Celestron brand are now $31.99 off at Amazon. They boast a large aperture (70 mm), which make them perfect for low light-conditions and stargazing. You can also use them for terrestrial use, particularly over long distances. The BaK-4 prisms and multi-coated optics should deliver high-contrast, brilliantly colored views. Binoculars are water-resistant, have foldable eyecups and have a tripod adaptor.
Celestron 20x80 SkyMaster Pro: was $414.95 now $244.95 at Adorama If you’re serious about skywatching and in need of a set of binoculars, this could be the perfect deal. This set of Skymaster pros has all the bells and whistles: The large 80 mm objective lenses make for excellent stargazing at night, while the detachable RSR rail means you can add a red dot finderscope. Also, the nitrogen-purging mechanism prevents any fogging. And the “pro" label indicates all lenses are multi-coated with what Celestron calls its "proprietary XLT coating technology.” Those coatings and the BaK-4 prisms increase light transmission to deliver super-clear, high-contrast views.
Celestron SkyMaster 18-40x80 Zoom Binocular: was $258.95 , now $174.95 at B&H Photo
These incredible Celestron binoculars provide 8x magnification with 40 mm diameter lenses; the large objective diameter means you get a comfortable viewing aperture even at higher magnification levels. A Tripod adaptor is included and long eye relief makes viewing more comfortable for glasses-wearers.
Celestron Outland X 8x42 Binocular: was $99.95 , now $62.94 at Amazon
You can now get over $30 off the Outland X 8x42 Binoculars at Amazon. Multi-coated optics deliver high-contrast views and BaK-4 glass will enhance the color of your view. Waterproof and fog proof, with protective rubber covering.
Celestron Outland X 10x42 Binocular: was $104.95 , now $69.42 at Amazon
You can now get $35 off the Outland X 10x42 Binoculars at Amazon. Twist-up eyecups allow for quick eye relief adjustment for a comfortable observing experience, while multicoated optics offer excellent contrast and clarity.
Nikon 10x42 ProStaff 3S Binoculars: $129.95 now $99.99 at Amazon
Snag this high-powered set of binoculars for $30 off. The binoculars boast silver-alloy-coated roof prisms (those internal prisms that magnify and transmit light) and anti-reflection multicoated optics for clear, high-contrast and brightly colored views. Compared with the 7S series, this 3S Prostaff series has a wider field of view, meaning you can more easily watch moving objects like birds or anything else you're interested in.
SkyGenius 10 x 50 Binoculars: was $58.99 , now $39.99 at Amazon
The SkyGenius binoculars are great for both entry-level skywatching and nature exploration. The rubber armor means the binoculars are shock-resistant; and the twistable eyepieces can be adjusted for a perfect fit. Right now, the binoculars are 32% off at Amazon.
Note: Marked as inactive as not included in Black Friday deals anywhere
Nikon - ACULON A211 8x42 Binoculars: was $89.99 , now $69.99 at Best Buy
A great buy for an outdoor enthusiast who is interested in both getting a little closer to nature and perhaps spying some craters on the moon. With a 420-foot field of view, you can view wide vistas. And the company boasts the lenses are arsenic- and lead-free. Plus, the rubber armor means they can get jostled without breaking.
Celestron TrailSeeker 8x32 Binocular: was $279.95 , now $159 at Amazon
The Celestron TrailSeeker 8x32 binocular has a huge 43% discount on Amazon for Black Friday. The binoculars are weatherproof if you get caught in the rain and are good for close and mid-range observations.
Celestron TrailSeeker ED 8x42 Binoculars: was $379.95 now $325.13 at Amazon Amazon have already knocked over $50 off the Celestron TrailSeeker ED 8x42 binoculars, but they are also offering a further $30 discount when you apply a coupon. These binoculars feature premium ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) objective lenses, virtually eliminating chromatic aberration or color fringing.
Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 Binoculars: was $299.95 now $274.95 on Amazon The Celestron TrailSeeker binocular features 8x magnification and a wide field, and with a sturdy magnesium alloy frame that is lightweight and completely waterproof, it can be used in any weather.
Celestron SkyMaster 25x100 Binocular: was $499.95 , now $400.52 at Amazon
Now 20% off, the SkyMaster 25x100 Binocular offers superb views of the night sky. Offering maximum brightness even in low-light conditions and at a long range, this binocular is great for terrestrial and astronomical sights. Comes with a carrying case.
Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Binoculars - was $259.99 , now $209.99 at Adorama
Save $50 off these Vortex HD binoculars with 8x magnification and 32mm objective lenses. They're optimized with select glass elements to deliver exceptional resolution, and are waterproof and fog proof.
Bushnell Powerview 20x50 Binoculars - was $94.99 , now $64.06 at Amazon Amazon offers great optics for a competitive price and the Powerview 20x50 is no exception. Now at an even more competitive price with a further $10 off, the InstaFocus system inside the binocular's body offers a great view when locking onto wildlife subjects.
Celestron 18-40x80 SkyMaster Zoom Binoculars: $174.95 at B&H Photo Currently the lowest price we've seen, the Celestron 18-40x80 SkyMaster Zoom Binoculars are a great choice for long-duration astronomical or long-distance terrestrial land use with its oversized aperture and powerful zoom range.
Celestron Outland X 10x50 Binocular: was $149.95 now £113 at Amazon Save 25% on these waterproof and fog proof Celestron binoculars with 10x magnification, designed to meet the needs of every outdoor enthusiast. Amazon are also offering a further $15 off with a coupon, but no word on how long this will last.
Celestron Nature DX 8x42 Binoculars: was $169.95 now $112.28 at Amazon Save 34% on these Celestron Nature DX 8x42 binoculars with 8x magnification and 42mm objective lenses. They feature a rubber-armored, polycarbonate housing and are waterproof and fog proof.
Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42 Binoculars: was $209.95 now $141.08 at Amazon For just $20 more than the regular Celestron Nature DX binoculars, these include extra-low dispersion (ED) objective lenses providing high resolution, High contrast images that are virtually free of optical defects like chromatic aberration and color fringing.
Canon 10x32 IS Image Stabilized Binoculars: was $1099 now $899 at B&H Photo While they may seem pricey, Canon have adapted the IS system from their line of EF lenses that detect and counter the appearance of hand-shake, so if excellent, steady image quality is what you're looking for, you can't go wrong here.
Encalife Extra Low Dispersion Binoculars: was $329.97 now $289.97 at Encalife These durable binoculars from Encalife are now $40 off, featuring extra-low dispersion glass which prevents color fringing while providing high-resolution, high contrast images. These binoculars are a great choice for concerts, birdwatching and outdoor activities.
How to choose your binoculars
Haven’t decided which pair of binoculars is right for you? Here are some things to consider: How do you plan to use the binoculars: bird and nature watching, or skywatching? Some binoculars are made for being out in nature when the sun is bright, for instance, or perhaps a rugged, shock-resistant coating is in order for a heavy-duty adventure. After you have that figured out, as well as your budget, here’s what to look for when scanning the stores for the best binoculars deals:
Magnification and lens size: The two numbers that describe binoculars refer to the magnification (first number) and lens diameter. For instance, a set of 10 x 52 binoculars are equipped with 10x magnification and 52 millimeter lenses. Both 8x and 10x magnification are considered optimal to prevent shaking and show a stable image nearby and far away. Lens size determines the amount of light let in. In low-light settings, you might want binoculars with lenses that are larger than 42 mm.
Field of view: The FOV indicates how wide an image can be seen through a binoculars' lenses. The wider the FOV, the easier it will be to find what you’re looking for. However, there are trade-offs. The higher the magnification, the lower the FOV. According to Bushnell, companies measure FOV in feet at 1,000 yards, or the field of view you’d have if you were to measure it from 1,000 yards away.
Size/shape: Depending on where you plan to lug your binoculars, the physical size and weight can matter. Big and bulky might be fine for one adventurer, while another is interested in pocket-friendly binoculars that still feature powerful optics.
If you're ready for an outdoor adventure, keep checking back for more deals on binoculars for 2021.


livescience--2020-11-27--Catch the full moon (and a penumbral eclipse) on Monday

Skywatchers admiring November 's full moon will also get to see another treat : a penumbral eclipse , when the moon passes through Earth 's outer shadow , on Monday , Nov. 30 , according to NASA .
The moon will be at its fullest for only a moment — on Monday , that happens at 4:30 a.m. EST ( 9:30 UTC ) — but the moon will appear full for three days : from Saturday night through Tuesday morning ( Nov. 28 to Dec. 1 ) .
Meanwhile , sky gazers need to remember three times to catch the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full moon at 2:32 a.m. EST ( 7:32 UTC ) ; reaches its maximum at 4:42 a.m. EST ( 9:42 UTC ) , when 83 % of the moon will be covered with Earth 's faint shadow ; and ends at 6:53 a.m. EST ( 11:53 UTC ) Monday morning , .
Penumbral eclipses are different from total or partial eclipses .
During a total lunar eclipse , Earth passes directly between the sun and moon , blocking the sun 's light from reaching our natural satellite .
In contrast , during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of Earth 's inner dark shadow , known as the umbra .
Finally , in a penumbral eclipse , the moon passes through part of Earth 's outer , fainter penumbral shadow , , a Live Science sister site .
Unless you 're a seasoned skywatcher , it may be challenging to see November 's penumbral eclipse , which will be visible in North America ( as long as there are n't cloudy skies ) , because the penumbral shadow will appear as a dim veil .
`` The dimming of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be noticeable without instrumentation , but for spacecraft at the moon such as the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter ( LRO ) , the reduction in solar power will be noticeable , '' .
November 's full moon , known to many as the beaver moon , comes late in the month this year because October had two full moons ; the second moon , a , was the first time in 76 years that a full moon was visible across the U.S. on Halloween .
Other names for November 's full moon include the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moon , oak moon , moon before Yule and child moon .
The full moon will also be celebrated during Kartik Purnima ( a Hindu , Sikh and Jain cultural festival , celebrated differently by each culture ) , Karthika Deepam ( a festival of lights observed by some Hindus ) , Tazaungdaing Festival Moon ( observed by Bhudists in Myanmar , formerly Burma ) , and Ill Poya ( celebrated in Sri Lanka ) , NASA reported .
The beaver moon is the last full moon before the winter solstice , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hemisphere , which falls on Dec. 21 this year .
Other celestial sightings to look for in late November and early December include `` Jupiter and Saturn , [ which ] will appear to gradually shift closer to each other , appearing nearer than the apparent diameter of the Moon from Dec. 17 to 25 , '' NASA reported .
`` They will appear at their closest , about one-fifth the diameter of the Moon , on Dec. 21 , 2020 . ''
People with backyard telescopes should be able to see Jupiter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Callisto , Europa , and Io , and even Saturn 's brightly illuminated rings and Titan , its largest moon .
`` Seeing Jupiter and Saturn so near each other should appear spectacular by telescope and with the naked eye , '' NASA said .
To those who miss November 's moon , they can always plan to see the last full moon of 2020 , which will light up the night sky at 10:28 p.m. EST on Dec. 29 ( 3:28 UTC on Dec. 30 ) .

Skywatchers admiring November's full moon will also get to see another treat: a penumbral eclipse, when the moon passes through Earth's outer shadow, on Monday, Nov. 30, according to NASA.
The moon will be at its fullest for only a moment — on Monday, that happens at 4:30 a.m. EST (9:30 UTC) — but the moon will appear full for three days: from Saturday night through Tuesday morning (Nov. 28 to Dec. 1).
Meanwhile, sky gazers need to remember three times to catch the penumbral eclipse: It starts before the full moon at 2:32 a.m. EST (7:32 UTC); reaches its maximum at 4:42 a.m. EST (9:42 UTC), when 83% of the moon will be covered with Earth's faint shadow; and ends at 6:53 a.m. EST (11:53 UTC) Monday morning, according to timeanddate.com .
Related: In photos: Glitzy images of a supermoon
Today's top deal Celestron Nature DX 8x42 Binocular: $146.95 $79.00 at Amazon Get an impressive 46% off the Celestron Nature DX 8x42 Binocular at Amazon. These binoculars are great for terrestrial views but are also excellent for scanning craters of the moon and catching the International Space Station.
Penumbral eclipses are different from total or partial eclipses. During a total lunar eclipse, Earth passes directly between the sun and moon, blocking the sun's light from reaching our natural satellite. In contrast, during a partial eclipse, the moon passes through part of Earth's inner dark shadow, known as the umbra. Finally, in a penumbral eclipse, the moon passes through part of Earth's outer, fainter penumbral shadow, according to Space.com , a Live Science sister site.
Unless you're a seasoned skywatcher, it may be challenging to see November's penumbral eclipse, which will be visible in North America (as long as there aren't cloudy skies), because the penumbral shadow will appear as a dim veil. "The dimming of the moon during this eclipse will probably not be noticeable without instrumentation, but for spacecraft at the moon such as the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), the reduction in solar power will be noticeable," NASA wrote in a statement .
November's full moon, known to many as the beaver moon, comes late in the month this year because October had two full moons; the second moon, a blue moon , was the first time in 76 years that a full moon was visible across the U.S. on Halloween. Other names for November's full moon include the cold moon, frost moon, winter moon, oak moon, moon before Yule and child moon. The full moon will also be celebrated during Kartik Purnima (a Hindu, Sikh and Jain cultural festival, celebrated differently by each culture), Karthika Deepam (a festival of lights observed by some Hindus), Tazaungdaing Festival Moon (observed by Bhudists in Myanmar, formerly Burma), and Ill Poya (celebrated in Sri Lanka), NASA reported.
A nearly-full moon rises over the Wasatch Mountains near Salt Lake City on April 17, 2019. (Image credit: Bill Dunford/NASA)
The beaver moon is the last full moon before the winter solstice, the shortest day of sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere, which falls on Dec. 21 this year. Other celestial sightings to look for in late November and early December include "Jupiter and Saturn, [which] will appear to gradually shift closer to each other, appearing nearer than the apparent diameter of the Moon from Dec. 17 to 25," NASA reported. "They will appear at their closest, about one-fifth the diameter of the Moon, on Dec. 21, 2020."
People with backyard telescopes should be able to see Jupiter's four bright moons: Ganymede, Callisto, Europa, and Io, and even Saturn's brightly illuminated rings and Titan, its largest moon. "Seeing Jupiter and Saturn so near each other should appear spectacular by telescope and with the naked eye," NASA said.
To those who miss November's moon, they can always plan to see the last full moon of 2020, which will light up the night sky at 10:28 p.m. EST on Dec. 29 (3:28 UTC on Dec. 30).
Originally published on Live Science.