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Artificial intelligence (AI) is making waves beyond the realm of digital assistants and deepfake technology. Astronomers are now harnessing AI to achieve unprecedented precision in understanding the universe’s fundamental parameters. Researchers at the Flatiron Institute’s Center for Computational Astrophysics (CCA) in New York City have leveraged AI to calculate the five cosmological parameters that characterise the universe, enhancing our knowledge of its structure and evolution.

Unveiling the Universe’s Settings

The five cosmological parameters in question are crucial as they essentially define the ‘settings’ of the universe, dictating how it operates on the largest scales. Liam Parker, an astronomer at CCA and a co-author of the study, explained that these parameters are like the universe’s operating instructions. To determine these parameters with exceptional accuracy, the research team employed AI to analyse data from over 100,000 galaxies, which were observed as part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). This survey is instrumental in cosmology as it helps map out the universe by examining how galaxies are distributed across space.

Maximising Data Efficiency

The use of AI allowed the team to extract detailed insights from the SDSS data, a task previously hampered by the sheer volume of information and the limitations of traditional analysis methods. Co-author Shirley Ho, another astronomer at CCA, highlighted the enormous costs associated with such surveys, which can run into billions of dollars. With AI, the team has been able to push the boundaries of what these surveys can reveal, providing a more cost-effective means of extracting valuable knowledge from complex data.

Training AI for Precision

The process involved training the AI model on 2,000 simulated universes, each with different cosmological settings. This training set included real-world challenges such as atmospheric distortion and imperfect telescope imaging to ensure the AI’s accuracy. Once trained, the AI was applied to actual data from the SDSS Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey. The results were impressive: the AI reduced the uncertainty in measuring the universe’s ‘clumpiness’ by more than half compared to traditional methods. This achievement is akin to conducting traditional analyses with four times more data, significantly enhancing data efficiency.

Impact on Cosmic Mysteries

The advancement of AI in cosmology is not just about refining existing methods but also about addressing major cosmic questions. One such mystery is the Hubble tension, which refers to discrepancies between different estimates of the Hubble constant, a measure of the universe’s expansion rate. The improved precision provided by AI could be crucial in resolving this tension and advancing our understanding of the universe.

As new surveys like the European Euclid survey come online, the AI-powered techniques developed by the CCA team will be instrumental in extracting maximum value from these new datasets. The ability to analyse and interpret vast amounts of cosmic data efficiently represents a significant leap forward in our quest to comprehend the universe’s fundamental parameters.

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Drone mapping reveals ancient settlement in the Caucasus Mountains

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5 hours ago

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January 9, 2025

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Drone mapping reveals ancient settlement in the Caucasus Mountains

A groundbreaking discovery has been made in the Caucasus Mountains where an ancient Bronze Age settlement, Dmanisis Gora, has been mapped using drone technology. This site, believed to be over 3,000 years old, reveals new insights into the evolution of large-scale settlements during the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. Spanning an area far larger than initially expected, the research offers a fresh perspective on ancient urbanism and interactions between sedentary and mobile communities.

Drone Mapping Reveals Extensive Settlement

As reported by Science Daily, the project led by Dr. Nathaniel Erb-Satullo, Senior Lecturer in Architectural Science at Cranfield Forensic Institute and Dimitri Jachvliani, co-director at the Georgian National Museum, employed drone technology to create high-resolution models of the site. The drone, equipped with advanced imaging tools, captured nearly 11,000 photographs, which were later used to generate detailed maps of the settlement. This method allowed the identification of fortification walls, graves and other structural remnants spread across a vast area.

The site, originally thought to be much smaller, was found to include a 1-kilometre-long defensive wall protecting an outer settlement. This finding significantly alters the understanding of the region’s settlement patterns, which were influenced by interactions with pastoral communities and seasonal population dynamics.

Integrating Modern and Historical Data

To further analyse the settlement, drone-generated images were compared with declassified satellite imagery from the Cold War era. This comparison highlighted changes in the landscape over decades, distinguishing ancient features from those impacted by modern agricultural activities. Geographic Information System (GIS) software was employed to integrate and analyse the diverse datasets, revealing patterns in the site’s expansion and usage over time.

Dr. Erb-Satullo noted to Science Daily, that these findings offer invaluable data on population density, agricultural practices and the broader socio-economic landscape of ancient societies. Continued excavations have uncovered artefacts such as pottery shards and animal remains, shedding more light on the lives of the people who inhabited Dmanisis Gora. This research underscores the potential of drone technology in unearthing and documenting historical sites on an unprecedented scale

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Ancient Geological Hotspot Linked to Great Lakes’ Depth and Formation

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January 9, 2025

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Ancient Geological Hotspot Linked to Great Lakes' Depth and Formation

Evidence has emerged pointing to a significant role played by an ancient geographic hotspot in shaping the Great Lakes. Researchers have linked the formation of these massive water bodies to a hotspot that interacted with the Earth’s lithosphere millions of years ago. While the lakes are commonly attributed to glacial activity during the Ice Age, recent findings suggest that deeper geological processes may have contributed to their formation, providing insight into their extraordinary depth and size.

Study Highlights Geological Interactions

According to research published in Geophysical Research Letters, a team of scientists from the University of Houston and the University of Arizona investigated the Cape Verde hotspot’s historical activity. Hotspots, known for generating heat and material flow from the Earth’s mantle, are believed to have influenced the Great Lakes region approximately 225 to 300 million years ago. As Pangea, the ancient supercontinent, moved over this hotspot, thinning of the lithosphere occurred, making the ground beneath more susceptible to external forces.

Seismic Clues Support Hotspot Theory

As reported by phys.org, data from seismic wave analyses supported these claims. Unusual horizontal wave movement beneath the lakes indicated lithospheric deformation. This anomaly aligned with the passage of North America over the hotspot during its drift over geological time. These conditions, as reported, would have created a weakened crust, later amplified by glacial activity during the Ice Age.

Hotspot’s Legacy in the Great Lakes Formation

The research outlines how the Cape Verde hotspot likely underlay Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie at different points in history, contributing to the geological features that enabled the Great Lakes to form. The fragile crust allowed ice to carve deeper and larger depressions than would have been possible otherwise, creating the unique landscape seen today.

These findings reshape understanding of the Great Lakes’ origins, suggesting that both deep-Earth processes and surface phenomena played critical roles in their formation.

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LA wildfires rage as Santa Ana winds spread flames across 13,000 acres

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5 hours ago

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January 9, 2025

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LA wildfires rage as Santa Ana winds spread flames across 13,000 acres

Raging wildfires in Los Angeles County have scorched over 13,000 acres, forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate as powerful Santa Ana winds continue to fuel the blazes. Four fires—the Eaton Fire in Pasadena, the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, a blaze in Sylmar and another in the Sepulveda Basin—have collectively caused widespread destruction. Over 1,000 structures have been damaged and two fatalities have been confirmed as firefighting efforts are challenged by dry weather and hurricane-force winds reaching speeds of 99 mph.

Santa Ana Winds Amplifying Fire Threats

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the wildfires have been intensified by the Santa Ana winds, which are characterised by dry and warm air moving from the Great Basin towards the California coast. These winds descend over mountain ranges, increasing in speed and losing moisture, creating conditions that rapidly spread flames. Reports indicate that some areas have recorded wind speeds of up to 100 mph in mountain passes, complicating containment efforts and grounding firefighting aircraft overnight.

Hydrant Issues and Evacuations Reported

The Los Angeles Times has reported water supply problems, with several fire hydrants in Pacific Palisades running dry. This issue has further hindered firefighting operations as crews battle to control the Eaton Fire, which has consumed 10,600 acres near Altadena and Pasadena. Meanwhile, the Palisades Fire has burned through 2,900 acres. Evacuations remain in place as residents are warned to avoid affected areas.

Winds Expected to Subside

Forecasts from the NWS predict a decrease in wind activity by Wednesday afternoon as an ocean breeze is expected to bring relief. Efforts to contain the flames are anticipated to accelerate once conditions improve. Officials continue to monitor additional fires, including one in Riverside that has been partially contained and another reported in Ventura.

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