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Many of us who enjoy nature, wildlife or just being outdoors have one thing in common – we all love the sensorial experiences that the outdoors provides. Like the sight of the flowing river, the touch of cool breeze in the mountains, the smell of the forest, calls/ songs of the birds to name a few. These are seldom experienced in the confines of our homes, especially for the urban dweller, who is mostly locked away from nature while being hooked to the laptop, mobile and the headphones.

People have taken to various activities to experience the joy of being outdoors – hiking or trekking, bird watching, wildlife safari, etc. One would wonder, can we experience this buffet of sensory inputs even at night, when most of the world is sleeping? A simple answer to this question is, yes.

There are innumerable creatures that are active at night and are seldom seen during the daytime. For those living in cities, one would notice the occasional break in the silence of the night by screeches of Barn Owl, Moths fluttering around the bulbs, Bats flying around Singapore Cherry trees or the sparkle of the glow worm.

For the more adventurous and nature loving amongst us, venturing out in the dark in search of the nocturnal denizens of our planet (mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, frogs to name a few) is almost like awakening our sixth sense. There is always a degree of surprise, a hint of uncertainty of what the reward of being out would be at night.

To make the experience of exploring nature at night more productive, one needs to be equipped well.

Personally, I venture out at night looking for reptiles, insects etc. To enable one to see in the dark, having a good flashlight is a must. Flashlights with more than 1000 lumens should provide sufficient range and brightness for viewing at night. Other aspects that need to be taken care of are – size, battery life and type of battery. A small and handy flashlight provides comfort for long usage and having sufficient battery life is critical as one would typically be outdoors with no place to charge. Fenix and Nitecore are the best-selling brands in the market, both offering multiple models each varying to a certain degree in the above-mentioned features. The following models offer a good mix of these features: Nitecore (MH12V2, MH25GT, MH25S, MH12S) and Fenix (UC35V2).

Some of these flashlights also come with UV light feature, which is very helpful if one is interested to see Scorpions at night – as they glow under UV light (as shown above).

koral viper krishna murthy viper

A Bamboo Pit Viper clicked at Kolar
Photo Credit: Krishna Murthy

For those interested in keeping the hands free during the walk, Nitecore offers some of the best head torch models like HC60 and HC65, which you can buy online too.

For those interested in observing mammals at night, a pair of binoculars (with objective >40, which decides the amount of light the binoculars gather) along with a flashlight having a good range will be helpful. Personally, I use Carl Zeiss Terra 10×42, which is sleek and lightweight to carry around with the harness that comes along with it. One must also choose binocs that are water-resistant or waterproof, so that they can be carried even during rains. Other models in the same budget range include Nikon Monarch 7 (8×42).

Wait no more, prepare yourself to be surprised by what the darkness has to offer.


I am an engineer by profession and work for a semiconductor chip designing company. Outside of work, I try to find time to observe the natural history around us. With the advent of online platforms like eBird and iNaturalist, which are citizen science projects, I document my observations by uploading the sightings to these websites. I also try to encourage others to do so.

I would like to thank Shankar for providing suggestions on various tools for nocturnal observations.


This series is an initiative by the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), under their programme ‘Nature Communications’ to encourage nature content in all Indian languages. To know more about birds and nature, join The Flock.


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NASA Data Empowers Global Response to Rising Sea Levels

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NASA Data Empowers Global Response to Rising Sea Levels

Coastal communities around the world are confronting the realities of rising sea levels, which threaten both daily life and essential infrastructure. In response, NASA has collaborated with agencies such as the US Department of Defense, the World Bank, and the United Nations to deliver detailed data on global sea level rise. This information, accessible through NASA’s Earth Information Center, is intended to aid in the preparation and planning for coastal impacts expected through the year 2150.

As per a report by NASA, the centre offers projections of future sea levels and potential regional flooding over the next 30 years. The report highlights that this resource combines data from NASA’s ongoing satellite monitoring with computer modelling of ice sheet dynamics and ocean behaviour, alongside assessments from global authorities like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. These tools are designed to equip communities with accurate data on which they can base crucial coastal infrastructure and climate resilience plans.

Global Applications of NASA’s Data

Global institutions are using NASA’s sea level data to shape policies and implement adaptive strategies in vulnerable regions, the report mentioned. The World Bank, for example, integrates this information into Climate Risk Profiles for countries most susceptible to rising sea levels. Similarly, the U.S. Department of Defense leverages the data to foresee and mitigate the impacts on its coastal facilities, while the U.S. Department of State uses the information in disaster preparedness and adaptation planning for its international allies, the report further adds.

Selwin Hart, Assistant Secretary-General and special adviser to the United Nations on climate action, described the data as “a critical resource for protecting lives and livelihoods,” emphasising the disparity in impacts between a global warming limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius and current policy projections. This data, he noted, underscores the urgent need for action in vulnerable coastal areas.

Accelerating Rise of Global Sea Levels

The current rate of sea level rise has been shown to increase significantly, with nearly all coastal countries observing heightened sea levels from 1970 to 2023. According to Ben Hamlington, head of NASA’s sea level change team, the rise in sea levels is occurring at an accelerated pace, with average increases nearly doubling over the past three decades. Notably, NASA’s projections indicate that Pacific Island nations will see at least a 15-centimetre rise by 2050, accompanied by a marked increase in high-tide flooding.

The new data platform, as explained by Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, director of NASA’s ocean physics programme, allows communities worldwide to anticipate future flooding scenarios.

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Ancient pebbles in Israel hint at the earliest form of wheel technology

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Ancient pebbles in Israel hint at the earliest form of wheel technology

Archaeologists in Israel have uncovered doughnut-shaped pebbles that may be among the earliest forms of wheel-like technology. Found at the Nahal Ein Gev II site in northern Israel, these 12,000-year-old limestone pebbles feature central holes and are thought to have been used as spindle whorls—a tool for spinning fibres like flax and wool.

Talia Yashuv, a graduate student and co-author of the study at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Institute of Archaeology, told LiveScience that these ancient artefacts suggest early experimentation with rotational tools that could have laid the foundation for later advancements like the potter’s wheel and the cart wheel. This discovery was published in PLOS One on November 13, offering a glimpse into pre-agricultural technology in the region.

The roughly 100 perforated pebbles were analysed by Yashuv and Leore Grosman, a professor of prehistoric archaeology at the same institute. After scanning each pebble in 3D, the team produced detailed models to assess their potential uses. Most of the pebbles were thought unlikely to serve as fishing weights or beads due to their size and shape, which diverge from artefacts used in similar periods. Instead, the team recreated spindle whorls from the scanned models, which traditional craft expert Yonit Crystal used to spin flax and wool. While the flax was easier to handle, the replicas demonstrated that the pebbles were likely effective as spindle whorls, supporting early textile production, the study noted.

Implications of the Findings

The findings indicate that these spindle whorls could mark a key point in technological evolution, potentially linked to new methods of storage and survival. Alex Joffe, a director at the Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa and experienced archaeologist, told LiveScience that the possibility that these artefacts could have enabled innovations like bags or fishing lines. Yorke Rowan, an archaeology professor at the University of Chicago, echoed this view, noting that the analysis represents a “critical turning point” in early technology.

A Continuing Debate

While these pebbles may represent one of the earliest uses of wheel-like forms, Carole Cheval, an expert in prehistoric textiles at CEPAM in France, told that the publication that she observed that similar objects have been found in other regions, possibly from earlier periods. This adds another layer to understanding the origins of rotational technology, highlighting the ongoing exploration of ancient human innovation.

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Binar satellites re-enter early due to high solar activity

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Binar satellites re-enter early due to high solar activity

An increase in solar activity has resulted in the early re-entry of three CubeSats from Curtin University’s Binar Space Program. These small satellites, which operated at low Earth orbit, were designed to last for at least six months. However, due to intensified solar conditions, they were destroyed within two months, significantly shortening their scientific mission.

CubeSats like Binar-2, 3 and 4 are particularly vulnerable to space weather impacts because they lack propulsion systems that could counteract the heightened atmospheric drag caused by solar activity. The satellite programme had launched Binar-1 in 2021 during relatively low solar activity, which allowed it to complete a full year in orbit.

The Science Behind Solar Activity

As per a report by The Conversation, solar activity, which includes phenomena such as solar flares, sunspots and solar wind, follows an 11-year cycle driven by the Sun’s magnetic field. Known as “solar cycle 25,” this phase has shown unexpected activity levels, currently over 1.5 times higher than projected. This has impacted not only the Binar satellites but also large-scale operations like the Starlink constellation and the International Space Station, both of which require continuous adjustments to counter increased drag.

Impact of Space Weather on Satellites and Earth

Increased solar activity generates higher levels of ionising radiation and charged particles. This can damage sensitive satellite electronics, disrupt radio communications and increase radiation exposure for astronauts. The intensified solar conditions have also expanded the Earth’s atmosphere outward, leading to increased drag for satellites in low Earth orbit. This affects many smaller satellites, which lack the capability to adjust their altitude.

The recent solar activity has also created more visible auroras, with these atmospheric light displays appearing closer to the equator than seen in decades.

Future Considerations for Space Missions

Despite current challenges, solar activity is expected to decline gradually, reaching a minimum by 2030. This pause may offer more favourable conditions for future missions. In response to current conditions, work has commenced on future Binar missions, which may benefit from a more predictable space weather environment.

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