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In a recent observation, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has documented a close interaction between the Milky Way and one of its nearest galactic neighbours, the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). This recent analysis of the LMC, led by Andrew Fox of the European Space Agency’s Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, reveals the effects of its near-collision with the Milky Way’s massive halo, including a significant reduction of the LMC’s own halo of gas.

The LMC’s Halo: A Surprising Measurement

For the first time, Hubble data allowed researchers to measure the extent of the LMC’s halo, which is now estimated at 50,000 light-years across, considerably smaller than other galaxies of similar mass. This contraction of the halo, explained Fox, points to the effects of the LMC’s encounter with the Milky Way, which stripped away a considerable portion of its outer gas layer. Despite these losses, the LMC still contains sufficient gas to form new stars, adding resilience to the otherwise diminished dwarf galaxy.

Ram-Pressure Stripping: The Force at Play

A process known as ram-pressure stripping is responsible for much of the LMC’s halo loss. As the LMC approached the Milky Way, the larger galaxy’s gravitational influence exerted a “wind” effect, pushing back the LMC’s gas into a tail-like stream that now trails the galaxy. Sapna Mishra, lead author on the research paper, likened this force to a powerful “hairdryer,” stripping away the LMC’s gas. This gas, however, is not expected to be completely lost, as the galaxy begins to move away from the Milky Way after its closest pass.

Future Research and Cosmic Implications

As the team moves forward, plans are in place to study the leading edge of the LMC’s halo, which remains largely unexplored. Scott Lucchini of the Centre for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian remarked that this research will focus on the collision points between the two halos, providing insight into the nature of galactic interactions in the universe’s early days.

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COP29 Drafts New New Climate Finance Goal: Here’s What You Need to Know

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November 16, 2024

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COP29 Drafts New New Climate Finance Goal: Here's What You Need to Know

A preliminary draft text for the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance was published at COP29 by the NCQG contact group co-chairs, marking an important step in advancing the COP29 Presidency’s primary negotiating goal. The draft is intended to serve as a “workable basis for discussion” to refine climate finance commitments. Mukhtar Babayev, the COP29 President, encouraged all parties to share their perspectives, noting the urgency of reaching consensus within the conference’s remaining ten days.

Support for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, addressing delegates at the Leaders’ Summit of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), emphasised Azerbaijan’s commitment to advocating for the interests of these vulnerable nations. Hosted in collaboration with the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), the Caribbean Community, and the Pacific Islands Forum, the summit spotlighted the challenges faced by SIDS, including the need for enhanced climate finance and resilience strategies.

President Aliyev stressed that the unique circumstances of SIDS make immediate support essential, with Azerbaijan championing this cause at COP29. In line with this commitment, Azerbaijan has financially assisted the attendance of key SIDS representatives, along with additional support from the UNFCCC Trust Fund for Participation.

COP Presidencies Troika Deliberates Climate Goals

Azerbaijan (COP29), the United Arab Emirates (COP28), and Brazil (COP30) convened as part of the COP Presidencies Troika to review progress on the “Roadmap to Mission 1.5” and evaluate the implementation of climate policies in line with the Global Stocktake outcome. These discussions reinforced a collective vision, setting priorities for COP29 and COP30 to drive climate action through enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Health and Climate Crisis

Health remained a major topic, with representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), Spain’s Secretary of State for Health Javier Padilla Bernáldez, and past and future COP presidencies discussing the integration of health within the climate framework. In a related development, WHO and the Islamic Development Bank have recently launched the Health Impact Investment Platform to support health-focused climate initiatives.

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Did Earth Once Freeze Completely? New Evidence Found in Colorado Rocks

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November 15, 2024

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Did Earth Once Freeze Completely? New Evidence Found in Colorado Rocks

New research on unique sandstone formations in the Colorado Rocky Mountains may confirm that Earth experienced a massive, planet-wide freeze known as “Snowball Earth.” About 700 million years ago, Earth’s surface was encased in ice, creating an extreme climate where early life not only survived but later evolved into complex multicellular organisms.

For decades, the Snowball Earth hypothesis was supported primarily by coastal sedimentary rocks and climate models. However, solid evidence of ice sheets reaching the planet’s equatorial interior has remained elusive—until now. The recent study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, identifies unusual sandstone deposits called Tava, found within the granite formations of Colorado’s Pikes Peak. These sandstones likely formed under the pressure of ice sheets, supporting the Snowball Earth theory with new geological evidence.

Tava sandstone formation linked to ancient ice pressures

Pikes Peak, a sacred site known to the Ute people as Tavá Kaa-vi, is the source of these Tava sandstone formations. Researchers discovered that the sandstones formed when sandy, water-saturated sediment was forced into weakened rock by the immense weight of ice sheets. The study’s lead authors, Christine Siddoway and Rebecca Flowers, used advanced radiometric dating to determine that Tava sandstones developed around 690 to 660 million years ago, aligning with the Cryogenian Period.

Using iron minerals found with the sandstone, Siddoway’s team employed uranium-lead dating to confirm the Tava sandstone’s origins within the Snowball Earth timeframe. The team suggests that the ice sheets covering the equatorial Laurentia landmass, now part of North America, created the pressures necessary to form these sandstone injectites.

Implications for understanding Earth’s climatic past

This discovery strengthens the Snowball Earth hypothesis while also shedding light on other geological phenomena, including “unconformities” where erosion has removed large portions of Earth’s rock record. The findings at Pikes Peak indicate that similar unconformities may predate Snowball Earth, suggesting complex erosion processes over millions of years. Scientists hope these insights will lead to a deeper understanding of Earth’s climate history and the processes that shaped our habitable planet.

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Blue Origin Assembles New Glenn Rocket for Upcoming Maiden Flight in November

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Blue Origin Assembles New Glenn Rocket for Upcoming Maiden Flight

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November 15, 2024

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Blue Origin Assembles New Glenn Rocket for Upcoming Maiden Flight

Blue Origin’s much-anticipated New Glenn rocket took a significant step toward its inaugural flight with the assembly of its first and second stages. The rocket, designed for heavy-lift missions, was recently stacked in Blue Origin’s facility near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Named “GS-1” and “GS-2,” the stages were joined for the first time, marking a milestone as the company readies the rocket for a maiden launch, possibly in November 2024, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Advanced Design for Heavy-Lift Capabilities

The company revealed the news on its official X handle. Standing at 270 feet in its two-stage form, New Glenn is a major addition to the current heavy-lift rocket lineup. Unlike traditional expendable rockets, its first-stage booster is fully reusable, promising to lower launch costs and increase launch frequency. The three-stage configuration, if used, will bring the rocket’s height to 313 feet. For context, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 varies between 209 and 230 feet tall, depending on configuration.

Blue Ring Spacecraft and National Security Mission

The upcoming mission, known as DarkSky-1, will carry Blue Origin’s Blue Ring spacecraft platform. The flight is part of a certification test under the National Security Space Launch programme, sponsored by the Defence Innovation Unit. The Blue Ring platform, designed to serve as a flexible service module for satellites, can be deployed into orbit or remain attached for extended missions. The company has promoted Blue Ring’s advanced capabilities in manoeuvring across various orbits, appealing to both commercial and government clients.

Next Steps and Test Firing

As Blue Origin progresses with New Glenn’s development, a static fire test of the rocket’s BE-4 engines will be conducted, igniting the first stage’s seven engines for a preliminary test. Originally scheduled for October, the launch was delayed after NASA decided to stand down to avoid possible cost overruns, with plans to launch the twin ESCAPADE Mars probes now postponed to 2025.

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