Boom Supersonic's XB-1 prototype jet successfully broke the sound barrier during a test flight above the Mojave Desert, marking a significant step towards reviving supersonic passenger travel with the planned Overture jet.
A rare celestial event featuring the alignment of six planets in our solar system will be visible in the night sky throughout January and February 2025, offering a spectacular view for stargazers.
A rare six-planet alignment, visible from the UK and beyond, offers a stunning celestial display in January and February, with the best views just after sunset. This event, not to be repeated until 2040, includes Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune, with Mercury joining later for a brief seven-planet lineup.
On the night of 20 November 2024, a new volcanic eruption occurred on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, marking the seventh such event in the region within a year. This new activity, initiated by a 3 kilometre fissure, led to immediate evacuations at the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa and nearby residential areas, due to risks from lava flows and volcanic gases. Despite the eruption's smaller scale compared to past events, it necessitated a state of emergency declaration by Icelandic authorities as they continue to monitor the geological and infrastructural impact in this seismically active region.
Residents of Sydney are being urged to assist in capturing funnel-web spiders during their mating season to maintain the supply of venom needed for antivenom production. The Australian Reptile Park highlights the significance of this initiative in ensuring public safety and conserving the local ecosystem.
The recent SpaceX test flight of the Starship rocket in Brownsville, Texas, marked both technological advancements and challenges for the aerospace company, watched by Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The mission is pivotal in SpaceX's contribution to NASA’s Artemis programme, striving for a Moon landing by 2026. Despite the setback with the booster recovery, the successful suborbital flight and engine ignition in space are significant milestones. The test underscores SpaceX’s strategy to enhance rocket reusability and reduce costs, with strong support from the administration pointing to promising future collaborations in space exploration.
This article discusses the newly premiered prequel series Dune: Prophecy on HBO. Set 10,000 years before the Dune films, the series delves into the origins of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood and features complex power dynamics within the Imperium. It critiques the series' ambitious lore and notable performances, but highlights struggles with pacing and complexity, offering mixed reviews from critics.
Gmail is set to introduce a new feature called 'Shielded Email' to enhance users' privacy and security, addressing rising concerns over phishing and spam, especially with the holiday season approaching. The feature enables users to create unique, random email addresses forwarding to their primary accounts, akin to Apple's 'Hide My Email.' This initiative aims to protect primary email addresses from malicious contacts and spam. Additionally, users have been alerted to a new phishing threat, with hackers utilizing sophisticated AI-driven tactics and fake Gmail accounts to trick users. While Google enhances email security, users are reminded to manage storage and remain cautious against suspicious emails.
Dr Kathryn Yusoff, a geography professor at Queen Mary University of London, has sparked controversy by arguing that geology is linked to systemic racism. In her book *Geologic Life*, she critiques traditional geological practices as rooted in colonialism, coining the term 'geotrauma' to describe their ongoing impact. Her views have divided academic opinion, fuelling a wider debate on decolonising the curriculum. Amid this, Yusoff is set to represent the UK at the 2025 International Architecture Exhibition, exploring themes of colonialism and environmental degradation.