The Cortege

Clouds play a crucial role in the Earth's weather and climate system, impacting everything from precipitation to temperature.  Image source : AI generated  They are visible accumulations of minute water droplets, ice crystals, or a mixture of both, suspended in the atmosphere. Clouds form when air becomes saturated with water vapor, which condenses onto microscopic particles in the atmosphere. This report provides a detailed exploration of the formation, classification, types, and significance of clouds in weather forecasting and the environment. Formation of Clouds Cloud formation begins when water evaporates from the Earth's surface and rises due to convection or other mechanisms. As air rises, it cools, and the water vapor condenses around small particles like dust, salt, or smoke known as condensation nuclei. These water droplets, or sometimes ice crystals if the air is cold enough, group together to form clouds. Cloud formation is dependent on several factors, including a...

The University of Belgrade's Institute for Multidisciplinary Research has developed an urban photo-bioreactor called Liquid 3, which serves as a bench and cleans the air in Belgrade city centre. Serbia has one of the highest air pollution death rates in Europe, and Liquid 3 was created in response to an appeal from the Development Program of the United Nations to tackle air pollution.  Image source: liquid3 The device uses microalgae to bind carbon dioxide while also serving as an urban design feature. It was installed in September 2021 in front of the Municipality of Stari Grad in Belgrade.  Air pollution is a major problem in Serbia, with at least 75% of Serbian citizens breathing air polluted by particular airborne matter (PM) throughout the year.  Belgrade was ranked as the world's fifth most polluted major city by Swiss air quality database IQ Air in early November 2021, and thousands of people protested against the massive air pollution in the city two weeks later. ...

In the vast expanse of space, the moon has always held a mystical allure for humanity. India, a burgeoning space power, has been making significant strides in lunar exploration, with the upcoming Chandrayaan-3 mission poised to mark another remarkable chapter in the country's space journey. Let's delve into the details of this ambitious mission and its potential implications. Image source : Al Jazeera Chandrayaan-3: A Brief Overview The Chandrayaan-3 mission is the third installment in India's Chandrayaan series, which translates to "Mooncraft" in Sanskrit. This series of lunar missions is spearheaded by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), renowned for its cost-effective yet technologically advanced space endeavors. The primary objective of Chandrayaan-3 is to further our understanding of the moon's surface and composition, building upon the insights gained from its predecessors, Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2. Chandrayaan-3 carries a suite of soph...

In a world grappling with the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions, nuclear power has emerged as a contentious topic. While its potential to provide clean energy is undeniable, concerns about safety and long-term consequences have often overshadowed its benefits. In a recent article by New Scientist titled "How Oppenheimer Addresses the Paranoia Around Nuclear Power," a fresh perspective on this matter is presented. Let's delve into the insights shared by Oppenheimer and how they offer a more nuanced view of nuclear power. Link to the article: How Oppenheimer Addresses the Paranoia Around Nuclear Power The article begins by acknowledging the historical context in which nuclear power emerged. Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, a prominent physicist known for his role in the Manhattan Project, has witnessed the dual nature of nuclear science firsthand. As the architect of the atomic bomb, Oppenheimer is uniquely positioned to offer insights into both the potential benefits ...

Climate change has been a topic of concern for years, with rising greenhouse gas emissions leading to warmer ocean waters. However, an intriguing phenomenon is occurring in the Pacific Ocean that defies these predictions.  A stretch of water extending west from Ecuador has been cooling for the past three decades, creating what scientists refer to as the "cold tongue." This unexpected cooling has become a pressing mystery in climate science, as its implications could have global consequences. In this article, we delve into the enigma of the cold tongue and explore its potential impact on various regions and climate change as a whole. Image source: National Geographic The cold tongue in the Pacific Ocean holds significant importance due to its potential influence on various climatic events and phenomena worldwide. Scientists believe that unraveling the mystery behind this cooling trend is crucial for predicting future climate patterns accurately.  The implications of the cold t...

In a groundbreaking study published in the New Scientist, researchers have discovered a fascinating new way to reconstruct a three-dimensional model of what a person is looking at, simply by analyzing the reflections in their eyeballs. This innovative technique has the potential to revolutionize fields such as virtual reality, eye-tracking technology, and even forensic investigations. Let's delve into the details of this remarkable breakthrough. Image source : Lifehacker The human eye is a complex organ that not only allows us to see the world around us but also holds valuable information about our visual perception. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have harnessed this potential by developing a method to reconstruct a three-dimensional model of a scene based solely on the reflections in a person's eyes. Using a combination of machine learning algorithms and computer vision techniques, the researchers were able to analyze the unique patterns of light reflec...

Have you heard about the recent news that a fake alien message was sent to Earth? According to a recent article from New Scientist, a group of researchers from the University of Oxford's Future of Humanity Institute sent a message to a nearby star system, with the intention of preparing humanity for potential first contact with extraterrestrial life. New Scientist The message, which was sent to the star system of GJ 273, contained a series of images and sounds that were designed to convey basic information about humanity and our planet. The researchers behind the project hope that this message will serve as a "hello" to any potential alien civilizations that may exist in the universe. But why send a fake message? The researchers argue that it's important for humanity to be prepared for the possibility of first contact and that sending a message like this can help us to think more deeply about our place in the universe. By imagining what we might say to an alien civili...

In a recent discovery, Saturn has taken the lead as the planet with the most known moons in our solar system. With over 100 moons now identified, this gas giant has surpassed Jupiter, which was previously known to have the highest number of moons. This fascinating finding has sparked new interest in the study of Saturn and its numerous satellites. Image source : The Nine Planets New Moons Discovered: According to an article published by New Scientist on May 11, 2023, astronomers have identified several new moons orbiting Saturn, bringing the total count to over 100 (New Scientist, 2023). This discovery was made possible through the use of advanced telescopes and imaging technology, which allowed researchers to detect these previously unseen celestial bodies. Implications for Planetary Science: The discovery of these new moons has significant implications for our understanding of Saturn and its formation. By studying the composition, orbits, and interactions of these moons, scientis...

Werner Karl Heisenberg (1901-1976) was a German theoretical physicist who made significant contributions to the field of quantum mechanics. He is best known for his uncertainty principle, which states that it is impossible to simultaneously determine the exact position and momentum of a particle. This principle has had a profound impact on our understanding of the subatomic world and the nature of reality itself.  Werner Karl Heisenberg mage source : Wikipedia Early Life and Education Heisenberg was born on December 5, 1901, in Würzburg, Germany. He showed an early aptitude for mathematics and physics, and by the age of 17, he had already published his first scientific paper (1). He studied physics at the University of Munich under Arnold Sommerfeld, one of the leading theoretical physicists of the time. Heisenberg received his doctorate in 1923 for his work on the anomalous Zeeman effect, a phenomenon in which spectral lines of atoms split under the influence of a magnetic field...

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy, which is then used to fuel their growth and metabolism. Despite being one of the most fundamental and important biological processes on Earth, there are still many mysteries surrounding photosynthesis that scientists have been trying to unravel for decades. However, a recent breakthrough may have finally solved one of the most puzzling questions about photosynthesis. A fibre-like cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae Shutterstock / Ekky Ilham From New Scientist According to a new study published in the journal Nature, researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have discovered the mechanism by which plants protect themselves from damage caused by too much sunlight during photosynthesis. This mechanism involves a protein called PsbS, which acts as a sensor that detects excess light and triggers a protective response. The researchers used a com...

Earthquakes have long been a source of fear and fascination for humanity. Despite advances in technology and our understanding of the Earth's geology, predicting earthquakes remains a challenge. However, a recent study published in New Scientist suggests that bizarre lights in the sky may hold the key to predicting these natural disasters. In this article, we will explore the phenomenon of earthquake lights, the scientific theories behind them, and their potential for earthquake prediction. Image source : New Scientist Earthquake Lights: A Mysterious Phenomenon For centuries, people have reported seeing strange lights in the sky before, during, or after earthquakes. These lights, known as earthquake lights (EQLs), can take various forms, such as glowing orbs, flickering flames, or even colorful auroras. While these sightings were often dismissed as folklore or hallucinations, recent research has provided evidence that EQLs are a real and scientifically explainable phenomenon (New S...

কখনও কি খেয়াল করে দেখেছেন যে,ঘূর্ণিঝড়ের সময় জাহাজকে তীরে না এসে সমুদ্রে থাকতে বলা হয় কেন? বড় রকমের প্রাকৃতিক দূর্যোগের মধ্যে ঘূর্ণিঝড় অন্যতম। ঘূর্ণিঝড় মানেই ভয়ানক বিপদ। এসময় সমুদ্রে থাকা সব জেলে ও জাহাজকে তীরে নিরাপদ স্থানে ফিরে আসতে বলা হয়। তবে জানলে অবাক হবেন যে, ঘূর্ণিঝড়ে মালবাহী জাহাজকে তীরে না এসে সমুদ্রে থাকতে বলা হয়। এর পেছনেও রয়েছে একটি রহস্য। দেরি না করে চলুন তবে জেনে নেয়া যাক মালবাহী জাহাজকে তীরে না এসে সমুদ্রে থাকতে বলার কারণ- ১. জাহাজ বিশেষ ধরনের দড়ি দিয়ে বাধা থাকে বন্দরে, ঝড়ের সময় এই দড়িগুলো সহজেই ছিড়ে যায় ফলে পাশাপাশি থাকা জাহাজগুলোর মধ্যে সংঘর্ষ হতে পারে। যা শুধু জাহাজের মানুষের জীবনই বিপন্ন করবে না, সঙ্গে সঙ্গে পরিবেশের বিপর্যয়ও ঘটাতে পারে। যদি তাদের তেলের ট্যাংক ছিদ্র হয়ে যায়। তবে বাড়বে আরো বিপদ। ২. প্রত্যেকটা পোর্টের জাহাজ চলাচলের জন্য একটা চ্যানেল থাকে। এই কারণে ঝড়ের সময় দড়ি ছিড়ে যদি জাহাজ নিয়ন্ত্রণ হারিয়ে চ্যানেলে আড়াআড়ি ভাবে আটকে যায়, তাহলে ঝড়ের পর জাহাজটি না সরানো পর্যন্ত ওই বন্দর আর ব্যবহার করা যাবে না। যা খুব সময় এবং ব্যয় সাপেক্ষ। ২০১৭ সালের ৩০ মে বঙ্গোপসাগরের ব...

গ্রিন ফ্ল্যাশ হচ্ছে এমন একটি ঘটনা যার ফলে সূর্যের কিছু অংশ হঠাৎ করে  প্রায় ১ বা ২ সেকেন্ডের জন্য রঙ পরিবর্তন করে। এই সবুজ আলোর সংক্ষিপ্ত ফ্ল্যাশটি সূর্যোদয়ের চেয়ে সূর্যাস্তের সময়ে বেশি দেখা যায়। সবুজ ঝলক দেখা দেওয়ার কারণ হচ্ছে, পৃথিবীর বায়ুমণ্ডল সূর্যের আলোকে বিভিন্ন রঙে আলাদা করতে পারে।বিভিন্ন রং তাদের তরঙ্গদৈর্ঘ্যের উপর ভিত্তি করে বিভিন্ন পরিমাণে বাঁকে; সংক্ষিপ্ত তরঙ্গদৈর্ঘ্য (নীল, বেগুনি এবং সবুজ) দীর্ঘ তরঙ্গদৈর্ঘ্যের (হলুদ, কমলা এবং লাল) এর চেয়ে বেশি ভালোভাবে প্রতিবিম্বিত করে।  যেমন, নীল এবং বেগুনি আলো বায়ুমণ্ডলে ছড়িয়ে ছিটিয়ে থাকে যখন লাল, কমলা এবং হলুদ শোষিত হয়। সূর্যটি নীচে বা দিগন্তের উপরে উঠে যায়  তখন ফলস্বরূপ কয়েক সেকেন্ডের মধ্যে সবুজ আলোকে সবচেয়ে বেশি দেখা যায়।  তবে সান দিয়েগো স্টেট বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের অ্যান্ড্রু টি ইয়ংয়ের মতে সবুজ ঝলক সবসময় সবুজ নয়। আমেরিকান অ্যাসোসিয়েশন ফর অ্যাডভান্সমেন্ট অফ সায়েন্সের (এএএএস) প্রকাশিত একটি নিবন্ধ অনুযায়ী, চার ধরণের সবুজ ঝলক: নিম্নমানের মরীচিকা, মক মরীচিকা, সাবডাক্ট ফ্ল্যাশ এবং সবুজ রশ্মি।  প্রায়...

আমরা সকলেই রেইনবো শব্দটির সঙ্গে পরিচিত।যা সূর্যের প্রত্যক্ষ আলোর মাধ্যমে তৈরি হয়।তবে আরও এক প্রকার হচ্ছে মুনবো যা চাঁদের আলো তথা সূর্যের  পরোক্ষ আলোয় তৈরি। মুনবো(Moonbow) একটি বিরল প্রাকৃতিক বায়ুমণ্ডলীয় ঘটনা যা চাঁদের আলো বাতাসে বিদ্যমান জলীয়বাষ্পের ফোঁটাগুলিতে প্রতিফলনের মাধ্যমে সৃষ্টি হয়। এটি লুনার রেইনবো বা হোয়াইট রেইনবো হিসাবেও পরিচিত। এটি সরাসরি সূর্যের আলোর পরিবর্তে চাঁদের দ্বারা উৎপাদিত একটি রংধনু। যদিও আলোর উৎসের পার্থক্য ব্যতীত, এর গঠনটি সৌর রংধনু হিসাবে একই। চাঁদের পৃষ্ঠ থেকে হালকা পরিমাণে আলো প্রতিফলিত হওয়ার কারণে এই মুনবো, রেইনবোর তুলনায় অনেক বেশি ম্লান হয়। যাইহোক, একটি মুনবো এর রঙগুলি দীর্ঘ এক্সপোজারযুক্ত ফটোগ্রাফগুলিতে পাওয়া যায়।মেঘমুক্ত অন্ধকার আকাশেই শুধু এগুলো উপলব্ধি করা যায়। যেহেতু উদীয়মান বা পূর্ণ চাঁদে আকাশ পুরোপুরি অন্ধকার থাকে না ফলে এটি সূর্যদয়ের আগে বা সূর্যাস্তের দুই থেকে তিন ঘন্টা পরে এটি উৎপন্ন হওয়া সম্ভব। আলো যদি প্রতিবিম্বিত হয়ে যথেষ্ট উজ্জ্বল হয় এবং আমাদের বায়ুমণ্ডলে সঠিক জায়গায় পর্যাপ্ত পরিমাণে আর্দ্রতা থাকে তবে চাঁদ এই ডাবল রংধনু তৈরি করত...