Connect with us

Published

7 hours ago

on

Two newly discovered Neolithic stone circles have reportedly been identified in Dartmoor, England, possibly forming part of a 5-mile-long “sacred arc” of ancient monuments. Independent archaeologist Alan Endacott, who made the discovery, told a publication that these stone structures reflect the cultural significance of the uplands during the New Stone Age. The finds, dated to roughly 5,000 years ago, are thought to be contemporary with Stonehenge and indicate extensive construction activity in the region during that period.

The ‘Irishman’s Wall’ Site

Endacott, pursuing a doctorate in archaeology at the University of Exeter, has been surveying Dartmoor’s moorland for decades, as per a Live Science report. Using magnetic gradiometry and resistivity tools, he reportedly confirmed the locations earlier this year. Excavations took place between September and October, revealing key details about the circles’ construction.

One of the sites, named “Metheral,” comprises about 20 stones, many of which are now overgrown or toppled. This circle is estimated to measure 40 metres by 33 metres and mirrors the dimensions and design elements seen at Stonehenge.

Approximately one mile from Metheral lies the second circle, dubbed “Irishman’s Wall.” This site is reportedly less intact, with only six visible stones. Subsurface analysis helped identify the structure’s outline. Endacott told the publication that this circle may have marked an entrance to what prehistoric people regarded as a sacred area.

A Larger Archaeological Landscape

The Metheral circle is positioned at the northernmost point of a crescent of eight known stone circles, which stretch southward over five miles. Endacott’s earlier discoveries, such as the Sittaford Tor circle, support the hypothesis that this arc was part of a larger ceremonial complex. Independent archaeologist Tom Greeves described the findings as significant, noting the evidence of Neolithic activity on Dartmoor, in an interview with Live Science. Susan Greaney from the University of Exeter reportedly added that these discoveries underscore the area’s importance in prehistoric culture and point to the possibility of further findings.

Dartmoor remains an area rich in Neolithic heritage, with its open uplands and extensive archaeological sites continuing to reveal insights into ancient practices.

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.


NASA Supercomputers Help Unravel Complex Movements of the Sun’s Inner Layers



Samsung Ordered to Pay $118 Million for Infringing Netlist Patents

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Science

Blue Origin’s NS-28 Carries the 100th Woman in Space, Makes Safe Landing

Published

2 hours ago

on

November 25, 2024

By

Blue Origin’s NS-28 Carries the 100th Woman in Space, Makes Safe Landing

Emily Calandrelli, an advocate for STEM education and an aerospace engineer, made history on November 22, 2024, as the 100th woman to travel to space. The flight, conducted by Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, took off and landed at the company’s West Texas facility. This suborbital journey carried six civilian passengers and reached a peak altitude of 106 kilometres, surpassing the Kármán line, which is considered the boundary of space.

Significance of Calandrelli’s Flight

The ten-minute mission aboard Blue Origin’s NS-28, included approximately four minutes of weightlessness. It marked Blue Origin’s ninth human spaceflight, with Calandrelli accompanied by Marc and Sharon Hagle, a couple on their second Blue Origin mission; Austin Litteral, whose participation was sponsored by Whatnot, a livestream shopping platform; J.D. Russell, a former game warden and entrepreneur; and Hank Wolfond, a Canadian investment firm CEO.

Emily Calandrelli, known as “The Space Gal” online, expressed her lifelong ambition to inspire young women in STEM fields. Her journey, she stated, was a culmination of years of study in aerospace engineering and her mission to bring representation to girls in science and technology. Among her personal items was a photo montage of the 99 women who flew before her, acknowledging their contributions to paving the way.

Reflecting on the experience, Calandrelli described the view from space as profoundly moving, likening the emotional intensity to the birth of her children. The mission’s logo incorporated a figure in pink overalls to symbolise her achievement, further emphasising her role as a STEM advocate.

Notable Aspects of the Flight

Blue Origin’s reusable “RSS First Step” spacecraft carried the crew safely back to Earth after the booster’s engine-assisted vertical landing. The flight builds on Blue Origin’s efforts to expand civilian access to space. Calandrelli’s achievement also places her among 714 individuals who have reached space, as recorded by the Association of Space Explorers.

The cost of Calandrelli’s seat was funded through multiple sponsors, enabling her participation while providing opportunities to promote STEM education. This historic flight marks a significant step in representation for women in space exploration.

Continue Reading

Science

First-Ever Zoomed-in Image of a Dying Star Beyond Our Galaxy Captured

Published

5 hours ago

on

November 25, 2024

By

First-Ever Zoomed-in Image of a Dying Star Beyond Our Galaxy Captured

For the first time, astronomers have captured a detailed image of a star beyond the Milky Way, revealing surprising features. The star, WOH G64, lies around 160,000 light-years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy orbiting the Milky Way. The image, obtained using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI), offers insights into the final stages of the star’s life. Keiichi Ohnaka, an astronomer at Universidad Andrés Bello in Santiago, Chile, led the research, published on 21 November in Astronomy & Astrophysics.

Details of WOH G64 and Its Surroundings

WOH G64 is an enormous star, approximately 1,500 times larger than the Sun. It appears surrounded by a hazy, yellow, egg-shaped cocoon, believed to consist of gas and dust emitted by the star, as per the study. The VLTI combined data from four telescopes to create the detailed image, overcoming the limitations of individual instruments. This marks a significant achievement, as such observations would typically require a telescope over 100 metres wide.

The cocoon around the star is thought to form as material is expelled during the final stages of stellar evolution. This stage offers valuable insights into how massive stars behave before potentially exploding into supernovae.

Hints of Impending Demise

A notable observation is the star’s dimming, with recent images showing it fainter than previous records. This suggests an increase in material ejected by the star, a potential precursor to its death. “We’re seeing changes that could indicate the star’s transition towards a supernova,” Ohnaka told Science News. However, this transformation is not imminent and could take 10,000 to 100,000 years.

Attempts to obtain a second close-up image failed due to the star’s fading brightness. While some stars recover after such dimming phases, WOH G64 may continue to weaken, providing researchers with rare clues about stellar evolution in other galaxies.

Continue Reading

Science

IISc’s Pravriddhi Accelerator Programme for Innovative Solutions Launched

Published

5 hours ago

on

November 25, 2024

By

IISc’s Pravriddhi Accelerator Programme for Innovative Solutions Launched

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), through its Foundation for Science, Innovation, and Development (FSID), has launched a new initiative called Pravriddhi. Announced last week, this programme aims to bridge the gap between academia, industries, and research institutions across India to foster innovation in manufacturing. Pravriddhi is designed to advance India’s self-reliance in manufacturing by promoting collaborative research and development (R&D) and enhancing global competitiveness.

Collaborative Platform for Innovation

Pravriddhi provides a collaborative platform that encourages enterprises, academic institutions, and research labs to work together on innovative solutions, as per a PTI report. The programme focuses on developing design-led, market-driven manufacturing strategies. By leveraging these partnerships, it seeks to position India as a global leader in innovation.

Professor Govindan Rangarajan, Director of IISc, told the publication that this initiative aligns with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, which targets India’s GDP to reach $30 trillion by 2047. Of this, 25 percent is expected to stem from manufacturing. He highlighted that challenges such as reliance on imports, global competition, and a lack of skilled professionals are significant barriers to the manufacturing sector’s growth.

Hubs of Excellence Across India

A key aspect of Pravriddhi is the establishment of specialised hubs across the country. These hubs will focus on technological advancements and facilitate R&D collaborations in diverse domains. Professor Rangarajan noted that these centres will act as drivers of progress, combining expertise from leading institutions and industries.

Through Pravriddhi, industries will gain access to IISc’s advanced facilities and resources, including cutting-edge research and a robust network of partners. The programme aims to address systemic issues in manufacturing and pave the way for sustainable growth in the sector. This initiative marks a significant step towards India’s ambition to strengthen its manufacturing capabilities and achieve a globally competitive economy.

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.


Neolithic Stone Circles Discovered in England Could Solve the Stonehenge Mystery: Report



Samsung Ordered to Pay $118 Million for Infringing Netlist Patents

Continue Reading

Trending