Infrared ‘aurora’ like northern lights spotted on Uranus could help find alien life, scientists say
Scientists have spotted an infrared aurora on Uranus that could help us find alien life. On Earth, aurorae are best known in the form of the northern lights, when bright light streaks across the sky. Uranus also has its own aurora – though it is not visible in the same way, because of the different atmosphere on that planet. Researchers have known about ultraviolet aurorae on Uranus since 1986. But now scientists have confirmed there are infrared aurorae on the distant planet, too. Scientists hope that the findings could help explain the magnetic fields of other planets in our solar system. And it could help us find out whether distant planets support alien life. Aurorae happen when charged particles arrive at a planet and hit its atmosphere, brought down through its magnetic field lines. To better understand those on Uranus, researchers analysed the light from the planet and watched for a specific charged particle that changes brightness depending on how how it is and how dense the atmosphere is, so that it can be used as a thermometer. The researchers found that the density of that particle significantly increased, which suggests they are being ionised by an infrared aurorae, they say. Scientists hope that will inform our understanding of other, similar planets, as well as which worlds might be suitable for alien life. “The temperature of all the gas giant planets, including Uranus, are hundreds of degrees Kelvin/Celsius above what models predict if only warmed by the sun, leaving us with the big question of how these planets are so much hotter than expected? One theory suggests the energetic aurora is the cause of this, which generates and pushes heat from the aurora down towards the magnetic equator,” said Emma Thomas from the University of Leicester, who was lead author on the new study. “A majority of exoplanets discovered so far fall in the sub-Neptune category, and hence are physically similar to Neptune and Uranus in size. This may also mean similar magnetic and atmospheric characteristics too. By analysing Uranus’s aurora which directly connects to both the planet’s magnetic field and atmosphere, we can make predictions about the atmospheres and magnetic fields of these worlds and hence their suitability for life. “This paper is the culmination of 30 years of auroral study at Uranus, which has finally revealed the infrared aurora and begun a new age of aurora investigations at the planet. Our results will go on to broaden our knowledge of ice giant auroras and strengthen our understanding of planetary magnetic fields in our solar system, at exoplanets and even our own planet.” The findings might also help explain a mysterious phenomenon on Earth known as geomagnetic reversal, where the north and south pole switch around. Scientists still know very little about that rare phenomenon, and how it might affect things such as satellites and communications. That process happens every day on Uranus, however. Researchers hope they can use its aurorae to get better data on the nature of that reversal – and what might happen if Earth has one, too. The findings are described in a new paper, ‘Detection of the infrared aurora at Uranus with Keck-NIRSPEC’, published in Nature Astronomy. Read More People don’t know their Uranus from Eridanus when it comes to astronomy Scientists find surprise ‘layer’ underneath surface of Mars Scientists see huge explosion in space – and it could explain life
2023-10-28 00:46
Palau country profile
Provides an overview of Palau, including key dates and facts about this Pacific island nation.
2023-10-28 00:30
15 Great Family-Friendly Halloween Movies to Watch This Year
The best Halloween movies for kids are ones that also don't bore the adults.
2023-10-28 00:28
Exclusive-Telecom Italia's grid sale faces challenger plan
By Elvira Pollina MILAN (Reuters) -A London-based investment firm representing Telecom Italia (TIM) shareholders owning under 3% of the group
2023-10-28 00:26
EU's von der Leyen to attend Britain's AI summit
By Martin Coulter LONDON Two of the European Union's most senior officials plan to attend Britain's artificial intelligence
2023-10-28 00:26
Ivanka Trump must testify in fraud case, judge rules
She will have to testify in a $250m business fraud case against her father and brothers, a New York judge rules.
2023-10-28 00:25
ChatGPT creators OpenAI form ‘Preparedness’ group to get ready for ‘catastrophe’
OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, have formed a new group to prepare for the “catastrophic risks” of artificial intelligence. The “Preparedness” team will aim to “track, evaluate, forecast and protect against catastrophic risks”, the company said. Those risks include artificial intelligence being used to craft powerful persuasive messages, to endanger cybersecurity and to be used in nuclear and other kinds of weapons. The team will also work against “autonomous replication and adaptation”, or ARA – the danger that an AI would gain the power to be able to copy and change itself. “We believe that frontier AI models, which will exceed the capabilities currently present in the most advanced existing models, have the potential to benefit all of humanity,” OpenAI said. “But they also pose increasingly severe risks.” Avoiding those dangerous situations will mean building frameworks to predict and then protect people against the dangerous capabilities of new artificial intelligence systems, OpenAI said. That will be one of the tasks of the new team. At the same time, OpenAI launched a new “Preparedness Challenge”. That encourages people to think about “the most unique, while still being probable, potentially catastrophic misuse of the model” such as using it to shut down power grids, for instance. Particularly good submissions of ideas for the malicious uses of artificial intelligence will win credits to use on OpenAI’s tools, and the company suggested that some of those people could be hired to the team. It will be led by Aleksander Madry, an AI expert from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, OpenAI said. OpenAI revealed the new team as part of its contribution to the UK’s AI Safety Summit, which will happen next week. OpenAI was one of a range of companies that have made commitments on how it will ensure the safe use of artificial intelligence. Read More WhatsApp update will change how you log in forever ChatGPT creator quietly changes core values from ‘thoughtful’ to ‘scrappy’
2023-10-28 00:22
New Caledonia profile
Provides an overview of New Caledonia including key facts about this French Pacific Ocean territory.
2023-10-28 00:20
Column: From Senators II to Rangers, this franchise is long overdue for a championship
They are The Franchise Formerly Known as the Second Version of the Washington Senators
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Paris Hilton reveals she had 45 dresses prepped for her wedding but only wore six
Paris Hilton was overly prepared just in case something were to happen to her wedding dress on her big day. In an interview with British Vogue published on Thursday 26 October, the heiress said she was sent a total of 45 wedding dresses as options for her to wear during her wedding to Carter Reum in November 2021. However, 39 of them ended up going unworn. “I actually wore six dresses when I did my wedding. It was because I had literally had 45 of them," Hilton told the outlet. “My stylist was getting calls from designers all around the world. Everyone was so excited to be a part of this wedding, that they all made these incredible custom dresses.” Hilton said “I do” to her husband on 11 November 2021. For the occasion, the heiress and TV star wore a white lace gown by Oscar de la Renta. But throughout the three-day wedding party, Hilton also wore another Oscar de la Renta dress in addition to a Galia Lahav gown and a Pamella Roland design. Hilton’s other two dresses were not worn until the second and third days of the wedding celebrations. Despite her wide array of dresses to choose from, Paris explained that she knew exactly which designer she wanted to walk down the aisle in. “I knew right away that I wanted to walk down the aisle in Oscar [de la Renta],” she told British Vogue. Hilton was inspired by 1930s actress Grace Kelly’s fashion sense, saying, “I wanted something that was really princess that had like 3-D flowers on it.” And that is exactly what she wore. The dress featured a high neckline with long sleeves that were covered in flowers. Hilton completed her look with a netted veil and diamond earrings. After the nuptials, she changed into gown number two by Galia Lahav, which was an off-the-shoulder tulle dress with a corset. Her third dress was the second Oscar de la Renta dress with a ruched top and more fit for partying on the dance floor as it had a mini skirt. Dress number four was made by Pamella Roland and covered in both sequins and pearls with a deep neck-line. The final two dresses were a Marchesa gown and another Oscar de la Renta dress. Hilton wore these dresses on day two of her wedding party, which was filled with family and friends. Now, the couple is only two weeks away from celebrating their two-year anniversary. Just last month, the reality TV star and socialite shared a series of throwback photos of the couple with her 24.5 million Instagram followers for their 45-month anniversary. The two had originally met when they were in their twenties but they did not become romantically involved until late 2019 when Reum’s sister, Halle Hammond, invited them both over for Thanksgiving that year. When they reconnected, Hilton told People they had “this incredible chemistry” and had their first date soon after. Reum and Hilton made their first public appearance as a couple at the 2020 Golden Globes afterparty. Reum proposed in February 2021 while the pair were on a private island for Hilton’s 40th birthday. They were married in a lavish Los Angeles wedding ceremony on 11 November of that same year and celebrated with a neon carnival-themed afterparty. Read More Paris Hilton hits out after fans criticise her baby’s appearance Paris Hilton breaks silence on Britney Spears’ new memoir ‘Ozempic is exposing holes in the body positivity movement’ ‘Ozempic is exposing holes in the body positivity movement’ ‘A healthier addiction than drugs’: How Elton John got hooked on photography Is scalp exfoliation the key to healthier hair?
2023-10-28 00:19
FanDuel NBA League Pass Promo: Win 3 Months + $150 Bonus With $5 Bet!
FanDuel is giving new users who bet $5 or more on any team's moneyline three free months of NBA League Pass! You'll also get a $150 bonus if your team wins. See how to claim this promo here!
2023-10-28 00:18
Tyson Fury's pre-fight diet ahead of Ngannou clash sounds like a dream
Tyson Fury has shared his rather unconventional diet as he gears up for his fight against Francis Ngannou this weekend in Saudi Arabia. Appearing on GMB this morning (27 October), the 'Gypsy King' joked that despite needing to be physically fit, he doesn't go anywhere near salads. "I always eat McDonald's, marshmallows, beef burgers, KitKats", he joked. "How do you think I maintain this body shape? You don't think I eat salads and vegetables do you?" Click here to sign up for our newsletters.
2023-10-28 00:17
