October 2024 - Page 4 of 4

Oct22024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Final Solar Eclipse of 2024: A Rare Annular Eclipse on October 2nd

The last solar eclipse of 2024 is almost here, offering skywatchers and eclipse chasers a final opportunity to witness the Moon passing in front of the Sun. This annular solar eclipse, often called a "ring of fire" eclipse, will take place on Wednesday, October 2nd. Unlike the April 8th total solar eclipse, which was visible to millions across North America, this event is more elusive, with its path crossing the South Pacific and only making landfall in a few remote regions. What is an Annular Solar Eclipse? An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon, due to its elliptical orbit, appears smaller than the Sun in the sky and fails to cover it entirely. This leaves a bright ring of sunlight around the Moon, creating the stunning "ring of fire" effect. The eclipse occurs when the shad...

Oct12024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Explained: What Is the Deadly Marburg Virus That Originates From Bats?

Breaking News, Disasters

Rwanda is grappling with its first-ever outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus, which has claimed at least six lives, including healthcare workers in Kigali. Since Friday, 26 cases have been confirmed, and authorities are tracking around 300 people who may have been exposed. To prevent further spread, the government has implemented contact tracing, quarantines, and public health campaigns. What Is the Marburg Virus? The Marburg virus is a highly infectious and deadly disease, closely related to Ebola. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), fatality rates can range from 24% to 88%, depending on the outbreak and available healthcare. The virus was first identified in 1967 during simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany, and Belgrade, Serbia, which resulted in 3...

Oct12024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Reveals COVID-19 Lockdown Led to Drop in Lunar Temperatures

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

A new study by Indian researchers has discovered a surprising effect of the global COVID-19 lockdown: a noticeable decrease in lunar surface temperatures. The study, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters, shows that the Moon's nighttime temperatures dropped by 8-10 Kelvin during the peak lockdown in 2020. The research, led by K Durga Prasad and G Ambily from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in India, analyzed data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, which revealed that the decrease in lunar temperatures coincided with a sharp reduction in human activity on Earth. The lockdown led to a significant drop in greenhouse gas emissions and aerosols, which altered Earth's atmospheric radiation and may have triggered this cooling effect on the Mo...

Oct12024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Virtual Training for Firefighters: iFire System Revolutionizes Preparedness for Extreme Wildfires

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

As summer draws near, the growing threat of bushfires in regions like Australia and the U.S. has intensified, with climate change making these fires larger, hotter, and faster than ever before. Notable events like Australia's 2019/2020 "Black Summer" megafires and the recent August 2023 Maui wildfires highlight the increasing frequency of these devastating disasters. Despite the crucial role firefighters play in battling these blazes, many are not fully prepared for the unpredictable and extreme nature of modern wildfires, putting their safety and decision-making at risk. In response to this, the University of New South Wales' (UNSW) iCinema Research Centre has developed a groundbreaking solution: iFire, an immersive virtual training system designed to prepare emergency responders for r...