Lifeboat Foundation

Another missing piece has just been added to our knowledge of cosmic phenomena. The LIGO, Virgo and KAGRA collaborations have announced the first detection of gravitational waves^[1] resulting from the ‘mixed’ merger between a black hole and a neutron star.^[2] The discovery, published on June 29, 2021 in Astrophysical Journal Letters, involves CNRS researchers working within the Virgo scientific collaboration.

Although it has only been only a few years since the very first observation of gravitational waves, the technique has yielded an extensive repertoire of phenomena involving massive cosmic objects. The LIGO and Virgo detectors have already observed mergers of pairs (or binaries) of black holes and, less frequently, of neutron stars. However, gravitational waves detected in January 2020 provide evidence of the existence of a new type of system. The signals, named GW200105 and GW200115 from their dates of detection, were produced by a process that had been predicted but never observed until now: the coalescence of ‘mixed pairs’ called NSBH pairs, each made up of a neutron star and a black hole.^[3]

Gravitational waves contain valuable information about their source, such as the mass of the components making up the binary. Analysis of the signals revealed that GW200105 resulted from the merger, some 900 million years ago, of a black hole and a neutron star, respectively 8.9 times and 1.9 times more massive than the Sun, while GW200115 originated from an NSBH pair which coalesced around 1 billion years ago, with masses 5.7 and 1.5 times greater than the Sun. The difference in mass between the components of the system indicates that they are indeed mixed binaries: the mass of the heavier object corresponds to that of a black hole while the mass of the lighter object is consistent with that of a neutron star. The difference between the two masses could also explain why no light signals were detected by telescopes. When a neutron star approaches a black hole it can theoretically be torn apart by tidal forces, causing flares of electromagnetic radiation. However, in the two cases observed, the black hole, being much more massive, could have gobbled up the neutron star in a single mouthful, leaving no trace.

Planetary scientists estimate that each year, about 500 meteorites survive the fiery trip through Earth’s atmosphere and fall to our planet’s surface. Most are quite small, and less than 2% of them are ever recovered. While the majority of rocks from space may not be recoverable due to ending up in oceans or remote, inaccessible areas, other meteorite falls are just not witnessed or known about.

But new technology has upped the number known falls in recent years. Doppler radar has detected meteorite falls, as well as all-sky camera networks specifically on the lookout for meteors. Additionally, increased use of dashcams and security cameras have allowed for more serendipitous sightings and data on fireballs and potential meteorite falls.

Continue reading “Researchers have taught a drone to recognize and hunt down meteorites autonomously” »

The United states army are planning to test NAD+ dietary supplementation experiments next year in hopes of producing a viable method of increasing the viable length of a soldier’s active service.

The most mysterious objects in space are slowly coming into view.

As we learn more about black holes, we’re able to prove, disprove, or revise old theories. Some big ones, like the information paradox, are coming into view.

What if humans could exploit quantum mechanics to sense and measure the Earth’s magnetic field in real-time? If birds can do it, so can we. property= description.

An ultra-high-speed shipping port logistics system has been presented that’s reported capable of shifting up to 2800 containers a day, covering hundreds of kilometers in minutes.

Hyperloop Transport Technologies has presented an ultra-high-speed shipping port logistics system it says can shift up to 2800 containers a day, covering hundreds of kilometers in minutes – while decreasing emissions wherever it’s rolled out.

Continue reading “HyperPort would fire shipping containers around at transonic speeds” »

Black holes seem like the perfect spot for harvesting energy.

Researchers create a device to test a 50-year-old physics theory from the famed Roger Penrose.

Continue reading “Experiment proves old theory of how aliens might use black holes for energy” »

The 2021 Space Renaissance Congress Acta is now online, and the voting session for the new President and Board of Directors is now open.

Dear SRI friends and supporters.

Continue reading “Vote for the President and Board of Directors Space Renaissance” »

Circa 1960 o,.o!!!

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