Daily Archives: November 28, 2021

Finding a gift that will excite the faces of young children this holiday season is a wonderful feeling, and its all the better when its a gift they can learn from while playing. This Cyber Monday augmented reality deal is a great example of that, and you can find PlayShifius Orboot Earth on sale for only $38.19 at Amazon right now.

This augmented reality globe offers a classic Earth exploring toy, but with new interactive functions through a smartphone that turns a simple globe into a magical new interactive experience. Whats more, PlayShifu offers a Mars edition of this exciting augmented reality toy so you can learn as much about the Red Planet as you can about our home. If you're a Prime member you can save $11 at Amazon.

Dont miss out on even more fun and educational science toy deals in our Cyber Monday National Geographic science kit deals.

The PlayShifu Orboot Earth augmented reality globe is an exciting learning toy for kids ages 4 to 10. By scanning the globe with the companion app on a smartphone or tablet, you can unlock a fascinating array of features that teach you about this amazing planet of ours. The app will show you animal facts with fun illustrations, play music, tell stories and offer up some fun quizzes as well.

There are over 400 highlights and more than 1,000 world facts across categories that include animals, monuments and cuisines of the world. Kids can learn about the food chain, some of the Wonders of the World and go on global scavenger hunts for hidden treasures.

The Mars edition of PlayShifus globes offers a similar range of functionality, but with more of a space exploration spin. Find the locations of famous Mars landing missions, the spacecraft used to get there and what discoveries they found. This globe is aimed at kids ages 6 to 12, so a little more advanced than the Earth version.

The apps for these globes are available on a wide range of smart devices and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Googles Play Store.

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Cyber Monday augmented reality globe deals: Kids can explore Mars and Earth - Livescience.com

About 60 years ago, humans acquired the technological ability to travel to space. By now, science fiction franchises like Star Trek inspired entrepreneurs such as Jeff BezosJeffrey (Jeff) Preston BezosHealth risks of space tourism: Is it responsible to send humans to Mars? Michael Strahan headed for space aboard next Blue Origin flight Why science and religion come together when discussing extraterrestrial life MORE to translate their wealth into enterprises of space tourism. Bezos recently expressed the desire to send 1 trillion humans into space in the distant future, because Earth will not be able to accommodate all of them. Unfortunately, humans were not selected by Darwinian evolution to survive for long periods of time in space.

The hazards from energetic particles have been known since the early days of space exploration. On Earth, humans are protected from these charged particles, which originate from the Sun and our Milky Way galaxy. Earth is shielded by its magnetic field and atmosphere. Mars has no magnetic field or atmosphere to shield humans from the damage caused by cosmic radiation.

Human astronauts outside the Earths magnetic womb get zapped by solar energetic particles, mostly during sporadic solar flares that last from minutes to hours. Such flares are prominent when the sun is active, namely during solar maxima in its 11-year cycle of surface activity. The most energetic solar particles can be deadly. Humans have a better chance of survival on Mars when the Sun is least active, namely during solar minima.

But even if humans avoid the radiation from the Sun, there is an additional risk from Galactic cosmic rays. During a space journey that lasts more than three years, these Galactic particles would be life-threatening as well. The potential cumulative effects from space radiation must be studied thoroughly before sending humans for missions that last more than a few years. Protection could potentially be offered in deep caves under the Lunar or Martian surface.

Our solar system receives only a fraction of the Galactic cosmic rays, thanks to magnetic shielding by the so-called heliosphere, located at a hundred times the Earth-Sun separation, where the Solar wind meets the interstellar medium. The heliosphere was traversed by NASAs Voyager 1 space craft in 2012 and by Voyager 2 in 2018. The instruments onboard these missions revealed that the heliosphere blocks about three-fourths of the galactic cosmic rays.

As of now, scientists are unable to forecast reliably the levels of Galactic cosmic radiation throughout the solar system. The very region that shields the galactic radiation is the one that is least understood.

Space missions, such as Voyager, New Horizons, Interstellar Boundary Explorer and Cassini-Huygens, revealed the frontal extent of the heliosphere and the incoming stream of hydrogen atoms from the galaxy, but the fundamental features of the heliosphere remain unknown. In particular, the global shape and distribution of cosmic radiation are uncertain.

Before sending humans to long space journeys, more resources should be allocated to studying the radiation filtered by the heliosphere. Better understanding of our own environment will also help us forecast whether life exists on Earth-like planets around other stars.

Some habitable planets are protected from energetic particles by their atmosphere and magnetic field, as well as by the analog of our heliosphere, labeled astrosphere for other stars. We currently know very little about astrospheres in general. Studies of the heliosphere would help us understand the critical mechanisms that controls the properties and shielding of energetic particles that pose a threat to extraterrestrial life.

The human body is fragile. Humans cannot safely venture to long journeys beyond our immediate vicinity near Earth. Before sending human-astronauts to long expeditions we must ensure that we are not sending them to their death. Ahead of dreaming about a large human population on Mars, as advocated by Elon Musk, we must understand the radiation environment throughout the solar system.

A safe bet, for the time being, is to send our technological kids, in the form of robots like the Perseverance rover or futuristic AI-astronauts. Artificially-made hardware is manufactured to be far more resilient to damage by energetic particles than the human body. And we should be proud of launching our technological products to space as we are of sending our biological kids to explore the world.

Merav Opher is a professor in the Astronomy Department at Boston University. She is currently the William Bentinck-Smith fellowat the Harvard Radcliffe Institute. She is the leading SHIELD, a NASA DRIVE Science as principal investigator. SHIELD is a multi-institutional effort with more than 45 leading scientists across a dozen institutions. She was the chair-elect of the APS Topical Group in Plasma Astrophysics; member of the Decadal Survey in Space Physics of Solar and Heliospheric Panel and the last three NASA Heliophysics Mission Senior Review Panels.

Avi Loeb is a professor of science at Harvard University, head of the Galileo Project, founding director of Harvard University's - Black Hole Initiative, director of the Institute for Theory and Computation at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and the former chair of the astronomy department at Harvard University from 2011-2020. He chairs the advisory board for the Breakthrough Starshot project and is a former member of the Presidents Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and a former chair of the Board on Physics and Astronomy of the National Academies. He is the bestselling author of Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth and a co-author of the textbook Life in the Cosmos.

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Health risks of space tourism: Is it responsible to send humans to Mars? | TheHill - The Hill

SPACEX is building a spacecraft that billionaire CEO Elon Musk says will one day take people to the Moon and Mars.

It's called Starship, and the California rocket firm's latest prototype, SN20, is due for launch soon as part of the craft's first orbital test flight.

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SpaceX has said that SN20 will be its first Starship prototype to reach space. Previous versions have performed short "hops" of up to 10 km (6 miles).

Lifting off atop SpaceX's huge deep-space rocket booster, Super Heavy, the 165-foot-tall (50 meters) spacecraft is expected to fly in early 2022.

The precise timing of the liftoff is unclear, as SpaceX still isn't cleared to fly the craft from its Starbase launch site in south Texas.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is still conducting an environmental assessment of Starbase.

A draft assessment has been filed and the FAA has collected public comments on the document, but the final report has not yet been released.

In the meantime, SpaceX is conducting tests of SN20 on the ground to ensure it's ready for liftoff.

On November 12, the vehicle engaged in a static test a brief firing up of its six Raptor engines while the vehicle remained stationary on the ground.

"Good static fire with all six engines!" Musk tweetedshortly after the test.

So far, SpaceX has named its Starship prototypes in numerical order. The SN stands for Starship serial Number.

SN8, for instance, was the eighth prototype, while SN9 was the ninth and so on.

However, the company apparently broke with this trend for the naming of SN20. The last spacecraft was dubbed SN15, meaning numbers 16 to 19 were skipped.

The jump is because SN20 is what Musk calls Starship's "next major technology revolution".

Unlike previous prototypes, it's capable of orbital flight and is loaded with six raptor engines, instead of three.

The upgrade required a reset of the naming to scheme to differentiate this line of Starships from the last.

Expect the next big advancement to start with SN30, and the one after that to begin at SN40, and so on.

The spacecraft hasn't even reached orbit yet, meaning its first flight to the Moon or Mars if it ever gets there is a long way off.

Starship will play a key role in Nasa's Artemis programme, which aims to establish a long-term presence on the Moon.

In April 2021, the space agency awarded Nasa a $2.9billion contract to develop Starship into a lander capable of touching down on the lunar surface.

Nasa aims to land astronauts on the Moon later this decade.

SpaceX has also announced plans to fly the vehicle around the Moon in 2023 on a flight boarded by the Japanese online retail billionaire Yusaku Maezawa.

Plans for the spacecraft's first trip to Mars will depend on the success of these flights. Musk has said he can get Starship to the red planet in the 2030s.

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In other news, Apple has announced that it will let customersfix their own iPhonesfor the first time starting next year.

The UK is fighting anepidemic of hack attackstargeting consumers and businesses, according to officials.

NASA hasslammed Russiaafter a missile it fired into one of its own satellites forced the space station to perform an emergency swerve.

And, a 75-year-old Brithas toldof his anger after scammers on WhatsApp fooled him into sending them hundreds of pounds.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at tech@the-sun.co.uk

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When will SpaceX Starship SN20 launch and go to the Moon, Mars?... - The Sun

On Nov. 12, multiple Grammy Award winners Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak combined their talents as Silk Sonic for the nine-track album An Evening With Silk Sonic, a work with a nostalgic 1970s feel full of harmonies, strong vocals and diverse, incredibly smart production that constantly captivates.

The collaboration produced the first music Mars has released since 2019 while .Paak has been rising in the industry, including a Best Melodic Rap Performance Grammy win for his 2020 song Lockdown.

The return of Mars fully includes the charming, extravagant role he usually plays, in particular the Las Vegas theme that his album 24K Magic embodies and here in 777. But the return also brings back the more somber singer the world was introduced to during the early 2010s, especially in the soulful track Put on a Smile.

.Paaks specialties have continued, perfectly fitting the album with a voice that embodies the sound of R&B. Among the lyrics are the consistent themes of classic Hollywood luxury and glamour, with mentions of Rolexes, mansions and Bentleys, mixing with the soul and funk of the times.

But at its core, the album mostly tackles love, lust and failed romances on both sides of the spectrum: heartbreak and exasperation. When not along those lines, the lyrics are about the image Mars and .Paak portray with every Silk Sonic appearance: the top button undone suits, sunglasses, cash-filled and smooth player personality that can come across as cocky.

But the music is here to bring emotions and moods of all kinds, including confidence. Overall, this isnt an album to look into too deeply, and this isnt the place to find hidden meanings and analogies, but its not trying to be that.

An Evening With Silk Sonic knows what it is, a fun, repeatable, easy on the ears collection of soul and R&B songs that fit modern-day radio beautifully. The album wouldnt have three of the hottest singles of the year Leave the Door Open, Skate and Smokin Out the Window if it didnt.

The orchestra brilliantly uses tremolos and long bows that usually introduce and end songs as well as carry the harmonies along while the toe-tapping percussion and horns drive the pieces forward. The bass shines frequently with funk and grooviness, while the guitar kind of gets put to the backburner until strong, enthralling riffs in Blast Off and After Last Night.

Vocally, Mars and .Paak are equally factored into the album, leaving two unique vocals that makes sure the listener doesnt get tired of either of their strong suits. Its difficult to beat Mars in any vocal competition, and he starts right where he left off. His talent gets to shine with high notes, runs, falsettos and the powerful chest voice that never cease to amaze.

But .Paak isnt left in the dust. His voice brings the funk of the 1970s to life, and the slight rasp is to die for. A different kind of vocal is brought by funk legend Bootsy Collins, who has a perfect narration that transports the listener to the nostalgia of the album. But the addicting harmonies are the touch that I absolutely cant get out of my head.

Theres rarely a single vocal for very long in the best way possible with the lead vocals weaving around the harmonies of every song. They flow with the tracks and bring a smoothness to the album that keeps the listener hooked, whether with a laid-back feel or adding to the energy, especially in Smokin Out the Window.

Back in March when Leave the Door Open and a Grammy performance (that I prefer over the official track) perfectly introduced the world to Silk Sonic by encapsulating the soulful R&B sound filled with harmonies and smooth verses, I was not at all prepared for what was to come.

The next single, the ever so groovy Skate, brought the summer feel, and the most recent single, Smokin Out the Window, brings the energy, pizzazz and catchiness that have made it my favorite track. Two other album highlights include 777 and Put on a Smile, both solid contenders for a single.

An Evening With Silk Sonic doesnt have many negatives besides the fact that its too short; in fact, its a very strong contender for album of the year. But an album nod wasnt in the cards Tuesday; the duo earned four Grammy nominations for record of the year, song of the year, best R&B song and best R&B performance.

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Review: Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paaks Evening With Silk Sonic should be an album of the year contender - The Spokesman-Review

MARS HILL - Though Mars Hill University's football coach Tim Clifton has been coaching for 29 years, he doesn't remember a more celebrated hometown player than tight end Ty Snelson.

Snelson, a 2018 Madison High graduate who was awarded first-team all-conference honorsin November, is a senior in the classroom and a junior on the football field.

The tight end led the Southern Atlantic Conference in touchdown receptions with nine and was ninth in the conference in yards per game with 49.5.

For all his success though, his coach said his character is just as special as what he does on the field.

"He is a great character kid," Clifton said. "Not only is he a good player, not only is he a good student, but he is a great character. That's the kind of guy you want to be successful."

At 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, Snelson is a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses, as his size and speed makes him extremely versatile. NFL teams are taking notice of his talents, too.

He was interviewed by NFL Draft Diamonds and said a number of pro teams have contacted him about potentially working out for them.

"When you start playing when you're 4 or 5 years old, I think (making the NFL is) everybody's goal," he said. "It's definitely something that anybody dreams of. I'm just trying to take it week by week and keep working, and we'll see what happens. It's definitely a surreal feeling. If I get an opportunity, I think that would be a great thing. But I'm also going through nursing school, and exploring opportunities that way too."

With one year of eligibility remaining, Snelson is focused on returning in 2022-23 after his team lost its last game Nov. 13 and was eliminated from playoff contention.

More: Mars Hill coach Tim Clifton reflects on team's 8-3 season: 'We had a really good year'

"We pretty much accomplished everything we wanted to, except for that last game," he said. "It was definitely a heartbreak. It really took a toll on everybody. Ithink everybody is taking it as a slap in the face. We do have a lot of people returning. (In the 2019-20 season) we had the mentality of we really loved being around each other and trusted each other, and that was a really big thing.

"The mentality going into next year is we just have to work harder than we did last year. We've got to get everybody going. We've got to get some young guys up and going. It's going to be a grind, but we're going to have to love it."

Snelson, a nursing major, said he stays busy working as a CNA at Elderberry Health Care, a transitional rehabilitation, skilled nursing and assisted living care facility in Marshall. As if that wasn't time-consuming enough, Snelson said he also operates a landscaping business.

"In the summer I normally get up around 6 (a.m.)," he said. "I would lift and condition for 2-2.5 hours, and work on some ball skills, just depending on what the day entailed. Then, I'd go to work around 9 a.m. and work till 4 p.m."

When he's not grinding in the weight room, at work or school or honing his craft as a pass catcher, Snelson said he likes spending time outdoors.

"With what little free time I get, I definitely like to go home and see my family," he said. "I'm an avid outdoorsman. I like to hunt. I like to fish. Anything outdoors I like to do - hike, go home and see my family, and get in the woods. That's what I love to do."

The SAC's 2021-22 leader in touchdown receptions said he's already established goals for next season, both for himself - on and off the field - and the team.

"I would say a goal would be to make all-conference," he said. "But the biggest goal, especially for me and probably for the team, is to win the conference. If it's possibleand I have a good year, I'd like to be an All-American. That's a very big goal. But shoot for the stars, and if you come up short, you're up there at least."

Snelson, whose fastest 40-yard-dash is 4.59 seconds, inherited his athletic genes from his parents - Lisa Gahagan, the school system's assistant superintendent, and Mark Snelson, the county commissioners' board chair.

Snelson said Gahagan and his aunt, Gahagan's sister, played basketball together at MHU, while Mark Snelson was a standout baseball player.

Snelson said like his mother, his first love was basketball, too.

"I think when I was maybe 3, or whenever I started walking, I started dribbling a basketball," he said. "That was my first true love. And then I started playing football when I was 5 or 6. That's kind of when it all shifted."

The 2018 Madison High grad played football, basketball, track and field and one year of baseball while in high school. He credited his parents and his grandparents for their near-perfect attendance records at his countless sporting events, dating to his childhood.

"My mom and dad have always been super supportive of me in my career," he said. "My grandparents - they haven't missed a game. Ever. Football, basketball or baseball. Neither have my parents. They never missed a meet or a game, anything."

Snelson said he wished to recognize his community for their never-ending love, too.

"They've supported me all the way up from youth league up until now. So, I want to thank them for the support, and thank my family for the support, for sure. Lastly, I want to thank all my coaches and my teachers growing up. I owe them a big, big 'thank you' for their support."

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2018 Madison High graduate Ty Snelson focused on here and now amid potential NFL buzz - Asheville Citizen-Times