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If we one day want to explore the galaxy (let alone the rest of the universe) we have a speed issue. In late 2023, NASA's Parker Solar Probe achieved the highest speed ever achieved by a human-made object, clocking in at 635,266 kilometers (394,736 miles) per hour.While impressive, that's only 0.059 percent of the speed of light. Visiting our closest neighbor Proxima Centauri, 4.2 light-years away, at these speeds would take around 7,700 years, making generational ships (or robotic probes) necessary to explore it or any other interesting star further away.To achieve these speeds, and in other missions to visit objects in the furthest reaches of the Solar System, NASA has regularly employed "gravity assists". As spacecraft approach a large body (planets or a star), momentum is transferred from the planet to the craft, slowing the orbit of the object a tiny amount in exchange for a significant increase in velocity. In essence, you steal a bit of kinetic energy from the planet or star. "Several robotic spacecraft have used the 'gravity assist' technique to achieve their targets 'high up' in the Sun's gravity well. Voyager 2 launched in August 1977 and flew by Jupiter for reconnaissance, and for a trajectory boost to Saturn," NASA explains. "Voyager 1 launched the following month and did the same (reaching Jupiter before Voyager 2 did). Voyager 2 then obtained an assist from Saturn and another one later from Uranus, climbing all the way to Neptune and beyond. Galileo took one kick from Venus and two from Earth, while orbiting the Sun en route to its destination, Jupiter. Cassini took two boosts from Venus, one from Earth, and another from Jupiter to gain enough momentum to reach Saturn."        It has been proposed that we could send ships to relativistic speeds by using a gravity assist around a neutron star in a compact binary system. Such a mission would be pretty dangerous, however, and in 2019 David Kipping, assistant professor of astronomy at Columbia University, suggested another way we could use this neat trick safely by instead firing protons around a black hole.Black holes are a source of a lot of gravity for an assist, forming from massive stars (or possibly through direct collapse) that have collapsed under their enormous mass, not even allowing light to escape. But trying to fly a spacecraft around one is the behavior of someone who wants to become spaghetti. But as light passes through gravitational wells we know that it too gains energy. As light is traveling at the speed limit of the universe – the speed at which all particles without mass must travel – it cannot gain or lose speed from falling into or out of a gravity well. Instead, as light falls into a gravity well its frequency becomes higher and is blue-shifted, while light coming out of a gravity well becomes red-shifted. It is this that is exploited by the "Halo Drive". The basic idea is that you send a beam of light around a pair of black holes spinning around each other prior to a merger, or a single black hole spinning quickly, and use the higher-energy blue-shifted light to accelerate your spacecraft."Using a moving black hole as a gravitational mirror, kinetic energy from the black hole is transferred to the beam of light as a blueshift and upon return the recycled photons not only accelerate, but also add energy to, the spacecraft," Kipping writes in the paper. "It is shown here that this gained energy can be later expended to reach a terminal velocity of approximately 133% the velocity of the black hole."         As the light goes around the black hole it would form a halo, giving the drive its name."The proposed system is that a spacecraft emits a collimated beam of energy towards at a black hole at a carefully selected angle, such that the beam returns to the spacecraft – a so-called boomerang geodesic," Kipping continued. "If the black hole is moving towards the spacecraft, as could be easily accomplished by exploiting a compact binary, this halo of particles will return with a higher energy (and momentum). This energy is then transferred to the spacecraft allowing for acceleration. Overall then, the halo drive transfers kinetic energy from the moving black hole to the spacecraft by way of a gravitational assist."Using the drive, an interstellar civilization could hop between black hole binaries for no fuel, using them to decelerate as they approach. According to the paper, the mass of the spacecraft is fairly unimportant as long as it is much lower than that of the black hole system, meaning that it could propel ships the size of Jupiter up to relativistic speeds.Using a halo drive would only have minimal detectable effects on binary black holes, as using them to decelerate would effectively undo the effect of using them to accelerate (thank you, Newton's third law)."However, finite time differences between the departure and arrival would cause the binary to spend time at a tighter semi-major axis than it would naturally, during which time it would experience more rapid gravitational radiation in-spiral," Kipping added. "Accordingly, a possible technosignature of the halo drive would be an enhanced rate of black hole binary in-spiral, versus say their neutron star counterparts."The study is published by the British Interplanetary Society and is available on arXiv.

In 2019-20, at the height of Australia’s most devastating bushfires, a claim that wombats were herding other animals to safety in their burrows went viral on social media. Sadly, it was too good to be true. Nevertheless, evidence quickly emerged that while wombats were not displaying the altruism of the post, their burrows were used by other species to avoid the heat of the fires. Moreover, when thirsty wombats dug for groundwater, other animals sometimes gained access as well.New research reveals wombat burrows play an important role even after the emergency has passed. In 2021 zoologists placed 56 cameras in Australian forests to observe activity around burrows of the common wombat (Vombatus ursinus) and at similar, but burrowless, sites both in areas that were burned and in those that were not.The researchers report that many small species are drawn to the burrows. This included birds like the Painted Button-quail, reptiles like the Lace Monitor, and mammals like the famously horny Agile Antechinus. Even echidnas, remarkable burrowers themselves, were spotted checking out burrows, perhaps for some architectural tips. However, not everyone loves the burrows; some species were found to avoid them.The researchers concluded the burrows were favored by small creatures that are under threat from predators, even though one might think concentrating at such a location might draw the attention of those they fear. In contrast, the animals that stayed away from the burrows were mostly larger ones with diets similar to wombats, like wallabies and feral pigs – apparently, it’s hard to compete with all that charisma and those mighty butts. Overall, however, areas around burrows are richer in native mammal species, revealing wombats’ importance to the ecosystem.Moreover, the researchers confirmed what they had suspected: in areas that had burned during the 2019-20 bushfires, some, but not all, species became more associated with wombat burrows. The most extreme example was the Agile Antechinus, which appeared to depend heavily on the burrows in burned areas. If you want a world that includes a mammal that literally shags itself to the point where males are extinct each winter, protecting wombat burrows may prove necessary.A sample of animals using wombat burrows (A) a Lace Monitor; (B) a Short-beaked Echidna; (C) a Swamp Wallaby drinking from a burrow full of water; (D) a Red-necked Wallaby; (E) a Grey Shrike-thrush foraging; and (F) a Pied Currawong drinking from a partially filled burrow.Image Credit: Linley et al/ Journal of MammalogyEcosystem engineers increase the richness of life around the world, as can be seen from the multiple benefits of restoring beaver populations. Beaver dam-building is unique, while wombats are not Australia’s only burrowing animals, so their importance might seem less. However, Australia is a very old continent, where most nutrients have been washed to the sea without being restored through recent volcanic activity. That makes life harder and increases the importance of those who overturn the soil, known as bioturbators, of which wombats are Australia’s largest.Burrow diggers have been found to attract many smaller species to their homes on other continents, so the researchers were not surprised at how popular the wombat burrows were.Wombats also enrich the nitrogen content of the area around their burrows through their (cubic) droppings. Burrows also sometimes trapped water after heavy rains, and stored it longer than many surface ponds, attracting even quite large animals such as the Eastern Grey Kangaroo.The authors of the study note that “Given that the frequency of large, severe wildfires is predicted to increase as a result of climatic change, fire refuges created by ecosystem engineers could play a particularly critical role in the future.” Unfortunately, climate change is expected to shrink the range over which the common wombat can comfortably live.Africa may have its waterholes where the animals of the savannah congregate, but in a flammable future, Australia will depend on wombat burrows for species to meet.The study is open access in the Journal of Mammalogy.

It's been a pretty good decade so far for witnessing cosmic events. As well as the total solar eclipse and the Sun approaching its peak in activity, creating stunning auroras on Earth, we will soon see an event first recorded in a medieval manuscript, when T Coronae Borealis goes nova.The decade has a few more treats in stall for us beyond that, including a visit from asteroid 99942 Apophis. When Apophis was first discovered in 2004, observations placed it at level 2 on the Torino impact hazard scale, with a score of 0 meaning the likelihood of impact is zero or thereabouts, and 10 meaning "a collision is certain, capable of causing global climatic catastrophe that may threaten the future of civilization as we know it, whether impacting land or ocean."Level 2, while low, is for objects "making a somewhat close but not highly unusual pass near the Earth" and meriting further attention from astronomers. However, further observations in December of that year placed it up to level 4 due to a 1.6 percent chance that the asteroid would hit us in 2029."A close encounter, meriting attention by astronomers," NASA explains of level 4. "Current calculations give a 1 percent or greater chance of collision capable of regional devastation. Most likely, new telescopic observations will lead to re-assignment to Level 0. Attention by public and by public officials is merited if the encounter is less than a decade away."Over the years of searching for and monitoring near-earth objects (NEOs), no object has gone above level 4, and due to its potential threat to Earth the object was named Apophis after the Ancient Egyptian god of darkness and destruction. Further observations ruled out a collision in 2029, as well as in 2036 and 2068, though they will still be close encounters. “A 2068 impact is not in the realm of possibility anymore," Davide Farnocchia of NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies said of the asteroid, "and our calculations don’t show any impact risk for at least the next 100 years."2029's visit will be particularly close, with the asteroid coming within 32,000 kilometers (20,000 miles) of the Earth's surface, closer to the Earth than some of our satellites. The asteroid should be visible from the Eastern Hemisphere without the aid of a telescope or binoculars, with the European Space Agency dubbing its flyby "one of the rarest space events of our lives".                IFLScience is not responsible for content shared from external sites.The event is so rare because of its large size – 375 meters (1230 feet) average diameter – as well as its proximity to the Earth."The 2029 flyby is an incredibly rare event," ESA explained in an X post. "By comparing impact craters across the Solar System with the sizes and orbits of all known asteroids, scientists believe that an asteroid as large as Apophis only comes this close to Earth once every 5,000 to 10,000 years.During the approach, NASA has plans to visit the asteroid, with its OSIRIS APEX mission, which repurposed the asteroid sampler formerly known as OSIRIS-REx, sending it to greet the asteroid shortly after its flyby."Our planet’s gravitational pull is expected to alter the asteroid’s orbit, change how and how fast it spins on its axis, and possibly cause quakes or landslides that will alter its surface," NASA explains of their planned mission. "OSIRIS-APEX will allow scientists on Earth to observe these changes. Additionally, the OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft will dip toward the surface of Apophis ­– a 'stony' asteroid made of silicate (or rocky) material and a mixture of metallic nickel and iron ­ – and fire its engines to kick up loose rocks and dust. This maneuver will give scientists a peek at the composition of material just below the asteroid’s surface."ESA is hoping to visit the asteroid too, as a flyby will help us learn more about planetary defense from such objects."Earth’s gravity will 'stretch' and ‘squeeze’ Apophis, triggering landslides and revealing lots about the asteroid’s material, structure, density and cohesion," ESA explained. "This knowledge will help us protect Earth in future."ESA reiterated that the asteroid does not pose a threat in 2029, just a spectacular sight, and an opportunity to do some awesome science in space.

The post 30+ Cats Who Absolutely Fell for the Most Cunning Traps appeared first on Animal Channel.

In a recent discussion on Bill Maher’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” one guest, Joel Stein, made an interesting observation regarding recent pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses. “They know what they’re doing, and they know what they’re saying, and we think it's cute because they don’t look threatening,” Stein said, adding, “but they have way more power than the people in Charlottesville.” “That’s because it’s coming from the left. Everything is team sports now,” Bill Maher replied. “The people in Charlottesville who were chanting ‘Jews will not replace us,’ I mean that’s bad. It’s not as bad as death. That’s not deplorable?” “It’s absolutely deplorable,” Ana Navarro shot back defensively. “If I was a Holocaust survivor, and I guess there’s not many of those left, but if I was, I would choose ‘Jews will not replace us’ over ‘death to Zionists,’” Maher continued. Navarro then went on to claim that no one is saying that slogans the college protesters are regurgitating regarding Jews is okay. “Who’s excusing them?” she asked. “The left,” Stein said definitively. “There’s no condemnation like there was after Charlottesville,” Maher added. As a Jew himself, Dave Rubin of “The Rubin Report” grew up around many Holocaust survivors — and he, of course, agrees with Stein and Maher. “I think they would choose ‘Jews will not replace us’ over ‘Death to all Zionists,’” Rubin says. Want more from Dave Rubin?To enjoy more honest conversations, free speech, and big ideas with Dave Rubin, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

A Colorado man told police an intruder broke into his Commerce City residence after midnight Sunday and severely beat him — so the victim grabbed a gun and shot the intruder dead, KDVR-TV reported. Commerce City is about 20 minutes northeast of Denver.The incident took place around 2:45 a.m. in the 5300 block of East 64th Avenue, the station said. Police noted in a previous KDVR story that the resident said he was “attacked by an unknown intruder."'If it's an open-and-shut case of an armed homeowner shooting an intruder, they're probably not going to file charges against the homeowner, and you know, beware to all burglars.'Detective Sgt. Derek Aragon told the station the resident initially said he was pistol whipped. Indeed, KDVR reported that the resident was seriously injured and had to be hospitalized.“He was pretty beaten up — face, whole body. ... He had obvious injuries,” Aragon told the station, adding that the resident ran down the street to get help after the shooting.Police said arriving officers discovered the body of the suspected intruder, an adult male, inside the residence, KCNC-TV reported. Officers found the home in a state of disarray, KDVR added.Officials are investigating whether or not the shooting was justified under Colorado’s “Make My Day” law, which allows the use of deadly force against intruders in certain situations, KDVR reported.“As of right now, in the early stages, it's looking that way, but we're still trying to piece that together,” Aragon told KDVR.Legal analyst for KDVR, Christopher Decker, told the station that under the Make My Day law, citizens have the right to use deadly force against those who unlawfully enter their homes and pose physical dangers to them.“If it's an open-and-shut case of an armed homeowner shooting an intruder, they're probably not going to file charges against the homeowner, and you know, beware to all burglars,” Decker added to KDVR.The Adams County Coroner has not yet identified the fatally shot male, KDVR said, adding that police are asking for witnesses to come forward with information by calling the Commerce City Police Department tip line at 303-289-3626. How are observers reacting?Commenters underneath the police department's Facebook post about the fatal shooting seem squarely in the resident's corner:"This is why it is so important to be armed and ready to protect yourselves and your families," one commenter wrote."Heck yeah!! For every action there is a reaction!! Gotta do what ya gotta do to protect [ourselves] and our home[s]!!" another said."Good!" another commenter concluded. "Now he won’t re-offend.""Make My Day law in full effect! FAFO," another commenter declared.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The Catholic archbishop overseeing the Archdiocese of Washington suggested in late March that despite claiming to be a devout Catholic, President Joe Biden had effectively subordinated his faith to leftist politics. The term Cardinal Wilton Gregory used to describe Biden and others with the tendency to pick and choose which nonnegotiable moral teachings to follow was "cafeteria Catholic." In his recent speech at a Napa Institute event in Washington, D.C., Cardinal Robert Sarah — one of the most senior and recognizable leaders in the church — similarly slammed Biden, reusing Gregory's descriptor. Cardinal Sarah, the former head of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments and president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum under Pope Benedict XVI, noted at the outset of his remarks that the "West, while not the birthplace of Christianity, is home [to] much of what was once called 'Christendom' and much of what has become modern society, the roots of which are firmly European." Sarah, a socially conservative West African, bemoaned the loss of distinction between the former and the latter, indicating that Catholics in the West have assimilated some of the same beliefs as "the general population." The Catholic leader singled out Biden, now unpopular with the vast majority of American Catholics, as a poster boy for this kind of syncretism and willfully diluted faith. "You have a self-identified Catholic president who is an example of what Cardinal Gregory recently described as a 'cafeteria Catholic,'" said the archbishop. Blaze News previously reported that while Biden was celebrating the so-called "Transgender Day of Visibility" on Easter Sunday, Cardinal Gregory said that "like a number of Catholics, [Biden] picks and chooses dimensions of the faith to highlight while ignoring or even contradicting other parts." 'Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense.' "There is a phrase that we have used in the past, a 'cafeteria Catholic.' You choose that which is attractive and dismiss that which is challenging," continued Gregory. Cardinal Gregory further suggested that "there are things, especially in terms of life issues, there are things that [Biden] chooses to ignore, or he uses the current situation as a political pawn rather than saying, 'Look, my church believes this, I'm a good Catholic, I would like to believe this.' Rather than to twist and turn some dimensions of the faith as a political advantage." While Biden's position on gender ideology and homosexual unions certainly put him at odds with Catholic teaching and the church, his radical stance on abortion stands in direct opposition with millennia-old church teaching. "Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable," says the Catechism. "Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life." Cardinal Raymond Burke, a canon lawyer and former prefect of the church's highest court, said in 2020 that on account of his antagonistic posturing against the church's moral teaching on abortion, Biden "is not a Catholic in good standing and he should not approach to receive Holy Communion." Cardinal Sarah noted that it's not only Biden who is a "cafeteria Catholic." "Many of you Catholic public officials are in the same category. Many of your Catholic hospitals and universities are Catholic in name only," said Sarah. 'The latter is a dangerous disease even if its first symptoms seem mild.' The religious leader noted further that the "important witness to the fullness of our Catholic faith" in America "has been traded for cultural assimilation" and that the "uniqueness of the Catholic community" in America has been lost at the macro level. However, Cardinal Sarah said that whereas the faith in Europe is "dying and in some places is dead," in part because some prelates are fearful of "opposing the world," the same is not true of the majority of church leaders in the United States. "[The European prelates] dream of being loved by the world. They have lost the concern of being a sign of contradiction. Perhaps too much material wealth leads to compromise with the world affairs," said Sarah. "I believe that the church of our time is experiencing the temptation of atheism. Not intellectual atheism, but this subtle and dangerous state of mind: fluid and practical atheism. The latter is a dangerous disease even if its first symptoms seem mild." Cardinal Sarah clarified that by "practical atheism," he meant a loss of the sense of the gospel and the transformation of Scripture into a tool for secular purposes. This practical atheism is growing increasingly popular among Catholics in other regions of the West, with the ostensible exception of the United States, said Sarah. Cardinal Sarah added, "Too many do not take the faith seriously." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!