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An Arizona beta user of Starlink internet service from SpaceX, a company headed by Elon Musk, was recently forced to resort to an unconventional method to get back online after his satellite dish overheated and went into a thermal shutdown. Following the service disruption, the Starlink app displayed an error message, that read, “Offline: Thermal shutdown. Overheated. Starlink will reconnect after cooling down”. “This could be a problem. Only noon in AZ,” he posted on Reddit. The user, who goes by the account name SocietyTomorrow on the platform, wrote that the temperature in the state was 112 degrees Fahrenheit and that he was knocked off the Internet for 7 hours due to the shutdown.

When the user reached out to Starlink’s customer support service, they said: “Dishy will go into thermal shutdown at 122F and will restart when it reaches 104F.” The users said if what the customer support service said was true, then he will “have to switch away” — highlighting a critical drawback of the satellite internet from SpaceX.

But the solution he employed to get back online is what kept the discussion going. Here’s what seems to have worked for him:  “Well, this is about the dumbest thing that actually worked. I pointed a spike down sprinkler at Dishy. Once it turned on I immediately heard YouTube resume playback.”

“Water cooled internet, nice,” was among the many reactions the workaround got.

Answering user queries on Reddit, the Starlink beta user said that the weather wasn’t as bad just yet and that by July it would be 125 degrees Fahrenheit to 131 degrees Fahrenheit on most days in the state. This means that the ‘thermal shutdown’ could be a serious problem for a lot of users who are hoping to get on to the satellite internet service.

“If it helps, I did submit a ticket and they only said it will shut down at 122. Sadly, tomorrow will be 122, and Wednesday will be 123. Dishy is already out at 112,” he added.

Deeper into the conversation, another user (w7rh) said that Society Tomorrow wasn’t the only one facing the Starlink shut down due to the weather. “My Starlink is located 50 miles south of Grand Canyon in remote area. It’s been off and on also,” the user wrote.

While SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet connection continues to battle the heat, looks like the company will need to come up with a long-term solution to ensure that the connection isn’t disrupted in extreme weather. If not, as one user suggested, “a small contained fountain, with dishy gettin a nice little drizzle all day” is what others might have to resort to. 


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Is Earth’s New Minimoon 2024 Visible to Naked Eye?

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Is Earth’s New Minimoon 2024 Visible to Naked Eye?

On 29th September, Earth captured a temporary new companion, an asteroid named 2024 PT5. This near-Earth object, roughly the size of a bus at 33 feet wide, has entered Earth’s orbit for 57 days before it’s expected to resume its path around the sun. While the term “minimoon” sounds exciting, 2024 PT5 is far too small to be seen with the naked eye. Even backyard telescopes won’t help as it is 300,000 times smaller than Earth’s primary moon.

According to Professor Carlos de la Fuente Marcos of Universidad Complutense de Madrid, the object remains beyond the reach of typical amateur telescopes. However, professional astronomers, with more advanced equipment, will be able to study the minimoon and may release images of it during its short stay.

Origin and Future of the Minimoon

Astronomers suggest that 2024 PT5 originated from the Arjuna asteroid belt, a region of space known for asteroids that closely follow Earth’s orbit around the sun. The asteroid is expected to make another close approach to Earth in January 2025, with a subsequent flyby in 2055.

Not Earth’s First Temporary Moon

2024 PT5 is not the first minimoon captured by Earth. Previous temporary moons include 2006 RH120, which orbited Earth for 18 months between 2006 and 2007, and 2020 CD3, which lingered for three years before drifting away in 2020. Some scientists have even proposed that these transient moons could serve as potential “stepping stones” for future space missions, offering opportunities to explore asteroids or delve deeper into the solar system.

In conclusion, while Earth’s latest minimoon is a fascinating phenomenon, it remains hidden from ordinary viewers, visible only through the lenses of professional observatories.

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Study Reveals COVID-19 Lockdown Affected Lunar Temperatures

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Study Reveals COVID-19 Lockdown Affected Lunar Temperatures

Indian scientists recently made a fascinating discovery: the global COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020 affected not only Earth but also the Moon’s temperature. A study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters found that lunar nighttime temperatures dropped by 8-10 Kelvin during the strict lockdown period between April and May 2020.

Led by Dr. K. Durga Prasad and Dr. G. Ambily from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), the research team used data collected by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The team analysed six sites on the Moon’s nearside between 2017 and 2023, comparing the temperature records from various years. They observed a clear decrease in temperature during the height of global lockdowns, compared to other years in the study. The reduction in Earth’s outgoing radiation during this time, linked to decreased human activity and fewer greenhouse gas emissions, is believed to have caused the unusual cooling on the lunar surface.

Temperature Analysis and Future Implications

According to the research, the lowest lunar temperature recorded in 2020 was 96.2 K at one of the sites, whereas the highest of the lowest temperatures was 143.8 K in 2022. The temperature variations across years suggest that the Moon’s thermal environment is sensitive to changes on Earth.

The scientists suggest that this unique period of global inactivity has provided insight into the relationship between Earth’s atmosphere and the Moon. Though more data is needed to fully understand this correlation, the study opens up new possibilities for observing Earth’s climate from the Moon. Future lunar-based observatories may play a significant role in monitoring the Earth’s environment and improving our understanding of planetary interactions.

This discovery highlights how events on Earth can influence celestial bodies in ways we are only beginning to comprehend.

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China Introduces Advanced Spacesuit for 2030 Moon Landing Mission

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China Unveils Its Moon-Landing Spacesuit for 2030

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China Unveils Its Moon-Landing Spacesuit for 2030

China is making remarkable progress in its goal to send astronauts to the moon by 2030. Recently, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) unveiled a new spacesuit designed specifically for this historic mission. This announcement highlights China’s commitment to enhancing its space capabilities and achieving significant milestones in lunar exploration.

Innovative Spacesuit Design

The newly revealed spacesuit features a striking red-and-white design, showcasing advanced technology tailored for lunar conditions. It is engineered to endure the extreme temperatures, radiation, and dust found on the moon. Key features include integrated cameras, an operations console, and a glare-resistant visor, all of which will aid astronauts during their extravehicular activities.

China’s Strategic Position in Space Exploration

China’s efforts to establish itself as a leader in space exploration have garnered international attention. With a series of successful robotic missions, including the recent retrieval of lunar samples, the nation is well on its way to making its first crewed moon landing. This mission aims not only to showcase technological prowess but also to reinforce China’s position in the global space race.

The spacesuit is part of a broader strategy that includes plans for a crewed spacecraft named “Mengzhou” (Dream Vessel) and a lander called “Lanyue” (Embracing the Moon). Beyond the 2030 mission, China aims to create an international lunar research station at the moon’s south pole by 2040, further solidifying its long-term ambitions in space.

Conclusion: A New Era of Lunar Exploration

As China prepares for its moon mission, the unveiling of this advanced spacesuit signifies not only a technological leap but also a renewed determination to explore the final frontier. With its sights set firmly on the moon, China is poised to make a lasting impact on the future of space exploration.

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.


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Square Enix Wants to Release Final Fantasy 16 on Xbox After PC Port

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