The current exoplanet census contains 5,832 confirmed candidates, with more than 7,500 still awaiting confirmation. Of those that have been confirmed, most have been gas giants ranging from Neptune-like bodies (1992) to those similar to or many times the size and mass of Jupiter and Saturn (1883). Like the gas giants of the Solar System, astronomers generally theorized that these types of planets form in the outer reaches of their star system, where conditions are cold enough for gases like hydrogen and helium and volatile compounds (water, ammonia, methane, etc.) will condense or freeze solid. However, astronomers have noted that many of the gas giants they’ve observed orbited close to their stars, known as “Hot Jupiters.” This has raised questions about whether or not gas giants and other planets migrate after formation until they find their long-term, stable orbits. In a new study, a team from Arizona State University’s School Of Earth and Space Exploration (ASU-SESE) examined the atmospheric chemistry of several Hot and Ultra-Hot Jupiters. After examining WASP-121b, the team came to the unexpected conclusion that it likely formed close to its star. The research was conducted by Graduate Associate Peter C. B. Smith and other members of the ASU-SESE. They were joined by exoplanet researchers from the Steward Observatory, the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (iREX), the Centre for Exoplanets and Habitability (CEH), and multiple universities. Collectively, they are part of the Roasting Marshmallows Program, and their latest research was presented in a paper appearing in The Astronomical Journal. Members of this program are dedicated to studying the atmospheres of hot and ultra-hot Jupiters using the Immersion GRating INfrared Spectrograph (IGRINS), built by the University of Texas and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI). The instrument is part of the Gemini South telescope in Chile, one of two telescopes that make up the International Gemini Observatory, funded in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and operated by the National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab). This program aims to learn more about the protoplanetary disks from which hot gas giants formed. In the past, scientists assumed that these disks – leftover rocky and icy material from the nebulae that give birth to stars – settle into gradients around their suns that allow certain types of planets to form around them. According to this theory, material closer to the star would consist largely of rocky material since volatiles would turn to vapor, while material farther from the star would consist of icy material since temperatures would be low enough for it to solidify. Since the material in these disks varies based on the distance from their parent stars, astronomers can measure the abundance of these materials in planetary atmospheres based on their spectral signatures. As a result, they can determine how far from a parent star its planets may have formed. Ordinarily, measuring this ratio requires multiple observations in both visible and infrared light (for rocky and gaseous elements, respectively). However, the team obtained measurements WASP-121b to determine the radio of rocky and gaseous elements thanks to it being an ultra-hot Jupiter. As a result, the planet’s atmosphere contains vaporized rock and gaseous materials that were detectable using the IGRINS instrument alone and with a single observation! This instrument allowed the team to obtain high-resolution spectral data from WASP-121b as it made a transit in front of its star. Said Smith: “Ground-based data from Gemini South using IGRINS actually made more precise measurements of the individual chemical abundances than even space-based telescopes could have achieved. Our measurement means that perhaps this typical view needs to be reconsidered and our planet formation models revisited. The planet’s dayside is so hot that elements typically thought of as ‘metal’ are vaporized into the atmosphere, making them detectable via spectroscopy.” This artist’s impression shows an ultra-hot exoplanet as it is about to transit in front of its host star. Credit: ESO The spectra showed that WASP-121b has a high rock-to-ice ratio, indicating that it accreted an excess of rocky material while forming. This suggests the planet formed closer to its star, which was quite a surprise since traditional models suggest that gas giants need much colder temperatures to form. The reason for this became obvious once Smith and his team learned several things about WASP-121b’s atmosphere. On the dayside, temperatures are so hot that rocky material and metals are vaporized into the atmosphere, while powerful winds blow these to the night side, where they condense. This leads to WASP-121b experiencing many types of “metal rain” on its night side, a phenomenon that astronomers had previously observed. “The climate of this planet is extreme and nothing like that of Earth,” said Smith, adding that IGRINS was a major factor in his team’s detailed measurements. “Our instrument sensitivity is advancing to the point where we can use these elements to probe different regions, altitudes, and longitudes to see subtleties like wind speeds, revealing just how dynamic this planet is.” These results may resolve the mystery of Hot Jupiters by demonstrating that gas giants need not be composed predominantly of gaseous volatile elements, but heavier elements that are heated to the point that they become vapor. These findings support previous observations of gas giants that experience metal precipitation, such as WASP-76, Kepler-7b, KELT-9b. The team hopes that future surveys using IGRINS successor instrument – IGRINS-2 – which was commissioned for the Gemini North telescope in Hawai‘i and is currently being calibrated for science operations. Further Reading: NOIRLab, The Astronomical Journal The post This Hot Jupiter Probably Formed Close to Its Star appeared first on Universe Today.

Man, I hate when I try to make a joke but it comes out as an absolute banger... I've been following the odd story of Mitchell Ferguson and his ironic song "Drink A Beer" since this video happened to pop up on my feed. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDGPdJKPT2t/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== First of all, a round of applause is due to you, Mr. Ferguson, because that's pretty much how it is... so many writer rooms don't even use guitars, just some random sample loop running on repeat while a handful of fully grown adults try to find new ways to rhyme "girl" with "world" and mention Daisy Dukes on a tailgate. Sure, not everyone does it like that and there's still a lot of talent in Music City, but come on guys, Dylan Scott keeps racking up huge singles that sound straight out of 2013... Don't just take it from me though, this post was liked by John Moreland, Billy Strings, and Flatland Cavalry, and some other artists commented their approval of the sentiment: [Randy Houser] - Spot on [James Otto] - Too real. [Zach Russell] - lol But... there were a lot of other people in the comments saying something to the extent of "Hold up a second, you've got something here..." so Mitchell decided to give the people what they wanted and finished the first verse and chorus. Most of the time when there's a viral video sweeping across the internet and the person decides to actually try to finish it, the song loses its luster quite a bit but the exact opposite happened here. Somehow, despite it clearly still being a parody of Nashville radio hits, the song just worked and the raw video of the first verse and chorus absolutely exploded online. Give it a listen and you'll see for yourself why that is... https://www.instagram.com/p/DDI4dveowjj/ Yeah I'll say it... That SLAPS. If Morgan Wallen recorded it, it would be a #1 single. No doubt. "So I drink a BEER" is so unbelievably catchy that my wife and I have actually been shouting it out while walking around the house and somehow it never gets old. No, it's not a perspective altering song or one of the best written pieces of art ever created (though the "should've got a blessing from her old man" is a killer line) but it was supposed to be a joke and instead it turned into the best of the thing being made fun of. Admit it, that's pretty dang impressive. All credit to Mitchell Ferguson, he struck while the iron was hot and released a studio version of "Drink A Beer" two weeks ago and it's been part of my rotation ever since, especially when I need to up the energy in the room. He took it one step further and made a whole dang music video (well a visualizer at least), which quite honestly has me itching for a cold one (I got conned into doing Dry January and then got the flu right as February started so it's been awhile since your boy's popped a top). Funny enough, the guy doesn't even drink! He got sober a few years back and can be seen with N/A beers in all of the videos, which just adds another layer of intrigue to this whole situation. Admittedly, I didn't know anything about this guy before the whole "Drink A Beer" phenomena but I'll be following his career pretty intently from here on out. The guy's got some serious pipes and a unique style showcased on his 2023 album WHOLE LOTTA SAUCE, and more recently on his Y'all Take Requests? (Live Vol. 1) cover project. Do I think he's a bit annoyed that it took a joke to get his name out to the masses? Yeah, I can see that being a bit of a bummer, but hey, you'd rather get your career kickstarted this way then never have it get traction, right? Shoutout Mitchell Ferguson for leaning in and making the most of this viral moment. Can't wait to hear what you've got in store for us next. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ipSh1fiCMY His cover of MGMT's "Electric Feel" is fire too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq1e1yf1nXc&pp=ygURbWl0Y2hlbGwgZmVyZ3Vlc24%3D And just for fun... this Oliver Anthony spoof cracked me up. I mean, I was HOWLING. https://www.instagram.com/p/DDX_WqFyATr/

Copy and paste. There is something about little kids impersonating big country stars that will always tug at my heartstrings. It shows that music truly has no bounds and can connect with people of all ages, even when that age is too young to truly understand what the artist is singing. It also shows that some kids come out knowing what they want to do. Many famous artists today have shared memories of impersonating greats like George Strait or Alan Jackson or attending music lessons to learn to play one specific country song. For example, Zach Top recalls showing up to one of his first guitar lessons and telling his instructor he wanted to learn to play "Amarillo By Morning." Now, kids look up to and impersonate artists like Zach Top, Lainey Wilson, and Morgan Wallen. Over the years, many kids have gone viral on TikTok and Instagram for impersonating famous artists. One viral family dresses its kids up to lip-sync various artists, including Koe Wetzel, HARDY, Post Malone, and more. In turn, these kids have met more famous people in their few years on this earth than most people ever dream of. @rachalfam All the autographs we got in 2024 #rachalfam #countertopconcertkids #autographedguitar #memories ♬ Peekaboo x Paper Planes by Altégo - ALTÉGO While it's cool to see artists show love to viral kids like this, there is a new kid on the block who is singing the words of an artist he admires: Morgan Wallen. Meet Braylen, a six-year-old from Corpus Christi, Texas, who is going viral for his impersonation of Morgan Wallen. The kid not only looks similar to Morgan Wallen with his long mullet, but he also carries the same twang as the Tennessee native. Braylen, or Big Boy Bray as he goes by on social media, has posted numerous videos of him lip-syncing to Morgan Wallen's songs. However, he recently shared a video of him singing "Smile" that has gained viral attention on Instagram and TikTok. The video is shot like a music video, with Braylen walking up to a swinging microphone in his best country concert attire, sporting a pearl snap, jeans, boots, and a ball cap. As he delivers the lyrics, he has such conviction you would have just thought he just had his heart broken. His father, who runs his account, said that he feels this is just the beginning for his son and that he has big things coming his way. "Sometimes all it takes is you standing behind your kids all the way & giving them that push they need to conquer anything they want. They just need to feel that love & to know you'll always be their backbone. This is just the beginning... thank you to all of you who support this 6-year-old kid out of Corpus Christi, TX & to those who just watch." The kid definitely has the swagger to be a country star, and at 6 years old, he knows how to sell the feeling behind a song. Check it out. https://www.instagram.com/p/DFlnmBSyKN3/ The TikTok of the same video clip received many comments, so check out a few while you're here. "Who hurt this child’s heart? He nailed it!" "Morgan, is that you?! This is adorable." "Protect this boy's heart." "He's got a new fan!" "Saving for the day, he becomes famous, so I can say we have been here since day one! Good job little one." "Close enough, go on tour." "Omg, stop, this is so cute." "Watching this gave me the chills, he’s going places!!" "That baby is going somewhere in life." "What a talented sweet boy!!!" "He SANG it." "He’s so talented." "Sing it little man!"

Gives you chills. It's been a year since we lost the patriot and country music legend Toby Keith. On February 6th, 2024, the Keith family shared with social media that on the previous day, Keith had lost his battle with stomach cancer at the age of 62. “Toby Keith passed away peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time." https://twitter.com/tobykeith/status/1754782225671876829?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1754782225671876829%7Ctwgr%5E870e0745ff4dc3149ba1b37cdc82bcf87e04d4d8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whiskeyriff.com%2F2024%2F02%2F06%2Fpeople-without-faith-dont-have-that-in-his-final-interview-toby-keith-said-he-was-comfortable-with-whatever-happened%2F In the hours and days following the announcement of his passing, social media was flooded with memories of Keith and kind words shared by friends, family, and fans. Toby Keith was truly so loved by the country music community and beyond, and it's hard to believe that he's been gone for a year. As we look back on some of Keith's incredible accomplishments over his outstanding career, one interview still gives me chills when I listen. Toby Keith truly gave it all until the end, triumphantly returning to the stage in Las Vegas for a three-night residency, which would ultimately become his final shows. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3AksidgH3j/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIQd-9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVJMPz3PklvUHqisCUuBOvjnO0kbsy2Y8nWsVSoXEUrntWzZ5yVfwLjfJA_aem_70VG_HusrXdD65wmYWDLBw Looking back on it, many fans wonder if Keith knew that these would be his final moments in the spotlight as he delivered stellar shows, but as you can see from the videos of the show, you can tell that cancer and chemo were taking a toll on his body. When looking back on interviews before his final shows, Keith opened up during his final interview, saying that he was at peace with everything. Toby sat down with News on 6 in his home state of Oklahoma to discuss his battle with cancer and how his faith has helped him through the tough days. “Cancer’s a rollercoaster. You just sit here and wait on it to go away. It may not ever go away. And if it goes into remission it’s still going to be in the back of your mind. You’re still going to have to do scans and stuff.” When asked how he was making it through the fight, Toby had a simple answer: “Faith. You have to have your faith. Thank God that I got it too. You take it for granted on days that things are good and you lean on it when days are bad. It’s taught me to lean on it a little more every day.” Toby Keith then said that whatever road lay ahead for him, he was at peace with that path. “I finally got to a point in the spring – I was diagnosed in October of ’21 and I was going through all the chemo, the first time I’d been through chemo and radiation and surgery – and I just got to the point where I was comfortable with whatever happened. I had my brain wrapped around it and I was in a good spot either way. People without faith don’t have that.” Rewatching those words gives you chills because it feels like Keith knew that his battle with cancer was coming to an end. And boy, did he put up one hell of a fight. Toby Keith was one of America's biggest patriots, a man who cared about his community, and a creator of stellar country music. Toby Keith's legacy lives on through his musical catalog, the work that continues to be done at his OK Kids Korral, and more. Rest easy, Big Dog Daddy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXQpNsM89y0 While you're here, fire up the emotional song "Don't Let The Old Man In." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc5AWImplfE

President Donald Trump on Tuesday reimposed a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran. The move brings back the tough-on-Tehran policy that Trump enacted in his first term. As Trump signed the presidential memorandum that restores the policy, he told reporters that he was torn on whether to issue it. “We don’t want to be tough on Iran, we don’t want to be tough on anybody, but they just can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. In a Truth Social post on Wednesday, Trump said reports that the United States plans, with Israel, to “blow Iran into smithereens” were “greatly exaggerated.” Trump continued: “I would much prefer a Verified Nuclear Peace Agreement, which will let Iran peacefully grow and prosper.” The Tuesday memo directs the State Department to ramp up sanctions on Iran and to work with the Treasury Department to “drive Iran’s export of oil to zero.” Trump signed the memo ahead of his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  The post Trump Restores “Maximum Pressure” on Iran appeared first on The American Conservative.

Pam Bondi was sworn in as U.S. attorney general Wednesday in the Oval Office.  Bondi was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday in a 54-46 vote, with Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania joining Republicans in support. She is the third woman to hold the position. “I will make you proud and I will make this country proud,” she told Trump during the ceremony. “I will restore integrity to the Justice Department and I will fight violent crime throughout this country and throughout this world, and make America safe again.”  Bondi previously served as the attorney general of Florida, where she targeted human trafficking and the opioid crisis. She said in her confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee in January that she would prosecute criminals involved with “gangs, drugs, terrorists, cartels, our border, and our foreign adversaries” and restore Americans’ confidence in the Department of Justice.  Bondi is set to review criminal and civil cases brought against Trump and start a “Weaponization Working Group” to look into the Biden administration’s alleged politicization of the justice process. The post Pam Bondi Sworn in as Attorney General appeared first on The American Conservative.

The Scottish government won’t be rounding up people’s pets any time soon.

Health Ranger Select All Purpose Non-Toxic Cleaner Concentrate Soap is a game-changer for households seeking a safer, eco-friendly alternative. This innovative cleaning solution is formulated with wholesome, lab-verified ingredients, including organic coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil and a blend of powerful essential oils. Shop at https://bit.ly/4cTuLzo Health Ranger Store videos would not be possible without you, as always we remain passionately dedicated to our mission of educating people all over the world on the subject of natural healing remedies and personal liberty (food freedom, medical freedom, the freedom of speech, etc.). Together, we’re helping create a better world, with more honest food labeling, reduced chemical contamination, the avoidance of toxic heavy metals and vastly increased scientific transparency. ▶️ Every dollar you spend at the Health Ranger Store goes toward helping us achieve important science and content goals for humanity: https://bit.ly/3rP5CzN ▶️ Sign Up For Our Newsletter: https://www.naturalnews.com/Readerregistration.html ▶️ Download our app: https://www.naturalnews.com/App ▶️ Join Our Social Network: https://brighteon.social/@HealthRanger ? Brighteon: https://www.brighteon.com/channels/healthrangerstore ? Brighteon.Social: https://brighteon.social/@HealthRangerStore ? Bitchute: https://www.bitchute.com/channel/naturalnews ? Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/HealthRangerReport ? Gab: https://gab.ai/NaturalNews ? Gettr: https://gettr.com/user/naturalnews ? Mewe: https://mewe.com/p/naturalnews ? Spreely: https://social.spreely.com/NaturalNews ? Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/realhealthrangerstore/ ? Steemit: https://steemit.com/@healthranger ? Telegram: https://t.me/naturalnewsofficial