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Moon dust to protect Earth from climate change
Moon dust to protect Earth from climate change
Plus: Astronomers discovered a breakthrough ring system in our Solar System.
Feb 09, 2023
Climate change is one of the greatest threats humans are facing today. While some believe it's too late to prevent it now, others are still in search of ways to tackle the possible devastating impacts of climate change.
A new study led by scientists from the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and the University of Utah explores the potential of moon dust in protecting the Earth from climate change.
But how? By placing lunar dust in orbit to shield Earth from sunlight, explains the press release. Sounds wild, doesn't it?
Before digging deeper into this new study, let's have a look at our video of the day and see how a bike with airless tires works. Would you ride it?
Good morning. I’m Mert, an Editor at IE.
This is The Blueprint. Let’s get started.
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VIDEO OF THE DAY
The DIY project is cheap and simple.
MUST READ
Scientists believe moon dust could be used to protect the Earth from climate change. The new strategy, a form of solar geoengineering from space, would block a fraction of sunlight before it reaches our planet.
The new study describes the different properties of dust they analyzed, the quantities required, and the orbital altitudes that would be suitable for their method.
The team found that the most effective method would involve launching dust from Earth to the stable orbital “Lagrange Point” between the Earth and the Sun. However, they also suggested a less costly method involving launching lunar dust directly from the Moon.
READ MORE
SCIENCE
Astronomers from the University of Sheffield discovered a new ring system around a dwarf planet on the edge of the Solar System. It is located around a dwarf planet named Quaoar, which is approximately half the size of Pluto and orbits the Sun beyond Neptune.
The astronomers spotted the ring system by using HiPERCAM — an extremely sensitive high-speed camera developed by scientists at the University of Sheffield, which is mounted on the world's largest optical telescope, the 10.4-meter diameter Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) on La Palma.
The discovery calls into question current theories about how ring systems are formed since the ring system orbits much further out than is typical for other ring systems.
READ MORE
CULTURE
Hittites were one of the most prominent civilizations in central Anatolia around the 1300s BC. A recent study published today has shown that a devastating drought in 1198–1196 contributed to the end of the Hittite empire.
The research team worked on whether a similar climate change event could bring the end of the Hittites, as it did for other Bronze Age civilizations.
As per the study, thinner tree rings indicate drier years since less water typically results in slower tree growth. Secondly, using a technique called carbon-13 stable-isotope analysis on tree samples, it is possible to pinpoint drier periods by looking for higher-than-average levels of 13C, which is a gauge of the relative abundance of 13C to 12C isotopes in the samples.
READ MORE
HEALTH
A team of biologists at the San Diego-based Salk Institute claims in their recent study that as humans get older, the protective end caps of their chromosomes, called telomeres, start interacting with mitochondria. This interaction further triggers inflammatory responses that promote the killing of cancer cells in the human body.
Cancer is one of the biggest enemies of humanity, killing about ten million people every year across the globe. The new research from Salk sheds light on a new kind of anti-cancer action in the human body, and therefore it has the potential to give rise to novel strategies for treating and preventing the disease.
READ MORE
MAIL & MUSINGS
Scientists believe moon dust could be used to protect the Earth from climate change.
Do you think lunar dust can protect us from climate change?
YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
Yesterday we asked what you think is the main challenge that will stop us all wandering around in the metaverse in a few years’ time. 32 percent said the cost, while 28 percent said its complexity.
32%
The cost of scaling the tech
28%
The complexity of the metaverse
22%
Something else entirely
17%
Safety concerns
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Space isn't remote at all. It's only an hour's drive away if your car could go straight upwards.”
Fred Hoyle, English astrophysicist.
THINGS WE LOVE
AND ANOTHER THING
A new bill proposes prisoners trade their organs for shorter sentences.
Mysterious eruption detected on star could help explain fast radio bursts. (ScienceAlert)
AI revolution meets marketing returns: Aiko, Aiden world's first AI interns.
Musically active people have a slightly higher genetic risk for certain mental illnesses, study finds. (MedicalXpress)
LIFTbuild: New game-changing construction system in skyscraper industry.
Detailed new map of all matter in the universe hints at something missing. (New Atlas)
Launched by a diamond? Unveiling Davemaoite's deep Earth mysteries.
Prepared by Mert Erdemir
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