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Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The meteor shower trio continues in our night skies
What's better than one meteor shower? Three of them sending streaks of light across the night sky at the same time! Each year, during the month of July, our planet Earth plunges into three separate streams of comet debris, each composed of ice and dust that orbits around the Sun. As we fly through these streams, the atmosphere sweeps up the tiny meteoroids directly in our path, which flash by overhead, producing a spectacular trio of overlapping meteor showers. The first of these, the alpha Capricornids, originates from a comet known as 169P/NEAT. Although the meteor shower has been observed for a very long time, its parent body was not discovered until 2005. Originally thought to be an asteroid, further observations revealed weak comet activity when it neared the Sun. We begin to see meteors from the alpha Capricornids in early July each year, radiating out from the constellation Capricornus, in the southern sky. This shower often goes unmentioned and unnoticed, though, as it produces just a handful of meteors each night from early July through mid-August. The radiant of the alpha Capricornids, on the night of the meteor shower's peak, on July 31-August 1. The First Quarter Moon will be in the western sky, setting around midnight. (Scott Sutherland/Stellarium/NASA's Goddard Scientific Visualization Studio) However, despite their rarity, alpha Capricornids tend to be fairly bright, and can even include a few fireballs — exceptionally bright meteors that are easily visible for hundreds of kilometres around on clear nights, even for observers trapped under heavily light-polluted skies. The Perseids are the second of this trio to start. Originating from a comet called 109P/Swift–Tuttle, due to the angle of the meteoroids as they enter the atmosphere, the meteors appear from the direction of the constellation Perseus, in the northern sky. The radiant of the Perseids (the point in the sky the shower appears to originate from) is located in the northeastern sky each night from mid-July through late August. The view in this simulation depicts the night of the peak, on August 12-13, 2025. The phase of the Moon (Waning Gibbous) is shown in the top right corner. (Simulation courtesy Stellarium. Moon phase from NASA's Goddard Scientific Visualization Studio) The third is the Southern delta Aquariids. Although we don't know for sure, this shower appears to come from an oddball comet called 96P/Machholz. The odd thing about this object is that it's apparently unlike any other comet in our solar system, with a unique orbit and chemical composition. It's even possible that it's an alien comet that was long ago captured by our Sun's gravity as it wandered through interstellar space. The meteors from Comet Machholz's debris stream can be traced back to the constellation Aquarius, in the southern sky. Also, due to the specific angle of the comet's path through the solar system, it produces a slightly better show in the southern hemisphere than the north. However, here in Canada, we can still see a decent number of meteors from it, if we know when to look. The radiant of the delta Aquariids is located in the southern sky each night from mid-July through early August. The view in this simulation depicts the night of the peak, on July 30, 2025, although the delta Aquariids peak between the 29th and 31st. The July 30 phase of the Moon (Waxing Crescent) is shown in the top right corner. (Simulation courtesy Stellarium. Moon phase from NASA's Goddard Scientific Visualization Studio) READ MORE: All three of these meteors showers began slowly, producing just a few meteors at their start — the alpha Capricornids in early July, and the Perseids and delta Aquariids around the middle of the month. The end of July was the best time to view the trio. Based on their typical behaviour, by the last few nights of the month, around 20 Perseid meteors per hour would have been streaking out of the northeast, crisscrossing with about 20 delta Aquariids per hour from the southeast. On the night of the 31st, the alpha Capricornids would have added up to 5 more per hour to the overlapping display. With the timing of the Moon's phases, the nights of the 29th, 30th, and 31st were the best time to go out and spot these meteors. This is because the Moon was off in the west throughout the evening and set by midnight. That left the rest of the night with a dark sky for picking out those brief flashes of light overhead. This wider simulation of the eastern sky, on the night of July 31-August 1, 2025, shows the radiants of the Perseid, delta Aquariid, and alpha Capricornid meteor showers in their respective spots. The First Quarter Moon is setting on the western horizon at this time, out of view of the observer. (Scott Sutherland/Stellarium) DON'T MISS: August Update Now that we're into August, the number of Perseid meteors will continue to rise up until the night of the 12th. At the same time, the number of delta Aquariids and alpha Capricornids will ramp down significantly. Thus, total meteor numbers will remain fairly constant over the next week or so, but will more heavily favour the Perseids out of the northeast. There's one caveat to this, though. During the first two weeks of August, the Moon will be casting off quite a bit of light as it passes through its brightest phases — Waxing Gibbous from the 2nd to the 7th, the Full Sturgeon Moon on the 8th-9th, and Waning Gibbous from the 9th to the 14th. The phases of the Moon from July 27 through August 16 reveal why sky conditions may be best for this meteor shower trio at the end of July. (Scott Sutherland/NASA's Goddard Scientific Visualization Studio) Having a dark sky is important for meteor watching, for two reasons: our eyes need to fully adapt to the dark to become sensitive enough to pick up the faintest flashes of light, and the contrast of the mostly-black background of space helps us in spotting the brief meteor streaks. Bright moonlight acts in exactly the same way as urban light pollution, especially on humid summer nights, when the added water vapour in the air easily refracts that moonlight into our eyes. The sky becomes 'washed out', with only the brighest stars remaining visible, and similarly only the brighest meteors tend to be able to pierce that 'veil' of light. Normally, as the Perseids reach their peak on the night of the 12th, observers under clear dark skies have a chance to spot up to 75-100 meteors every hour. This year, we will likely see closer to 40-50 per hour. Weather conditions could reduce that even further. Fortunately, the Perseids are well-known for producing the greatest number of fireballs! Watch below: Perseid fireball captured by NASA all-sky camera Click here to view the video After the peak of the Perseids, we can still spot meteors from the shower as it ramps down, right up until August 24. So, watch for clear skies in your forecast and keep an eye out for meteors and fireballs flashing through the night. (Editor's note: This article has gone through a significant update to include additional information regarding the alpha Capricornids meteor shower and how it will add to the show produced by the Perseids and delta Aquariids.) Thumbnail image produced using the open-source planetarium software, Stellarium. Watch below: What do we know about Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS? Click here to view the video Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
A consistent sleep schedule could reduce your risk of mortality by up to 48% — plus 4 more sleep tips to live longer
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Living a long, healthy life is a goal for most of us, but it might not be our primary focus every single day. Longevity experts, however, devote a significant portion of their time to just that. Dr. Gary Small, Chair of Psychiatry at Hackensack University Medical Centerand author of numerous books on 'aging successfully,' including The Longevity Bible, describes a longevity expert as "a professional who specializes in fostering healthy aging." "As a geriatric psychiatrist, my research and clinical efforts have focused on helping people keep their brains young and cognitive abilities strong, while delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia," he says. I asked Dr. Small exactly how sleep contributes to a long life, the sleep habits he recommends for living longer and why sleep deprivation is the enemy in efforts to age healthily and extend our lives. How can sleep help you live longer? Obviously we can't survive for long without sleep, but there is also evidence that the quality of our sleep can directly impact our lifespan. Recent research found that those who slept well (which was measured by five factors: sleeping for 7–8 hours a night, having difficulty falling asleep less than twice a week, having trouble staying asleep less than twice a week; waking feeling rested 5 or more days a week, and not using sleep medication) had a greater life expectancy than those who didn't. In the case of men, it was 4.7 years higher, and in women it was 2.4 years higher. During sleep our brains are also washing out toxins Sleep also has a significant impact on our brains and bodies. Deep sleep, for example, is considered the most restorative stage of sleep, and contributes to cell regeneration, strengthening of the immune system, growth and repair of tissues and bones, energy restoration and learning and memory storage. "Many of us assume that sleep is only a passive, resting state, but during sleep our brains are also washing out toxins," says Dr. Small. He notes that sleep has also been found to influence the build-up of brain amyloid, which is an abnormal protein deposit present in Alzheimer's disease. "Lack of sleep or more fragmented sleep may increase the accumulation of amyloid plaques," says Dr. Small. He notes a study in which scientists at Johns Hopkins University analyzed Baltimore Longitudinal Study data from 70 older adults without dementia and found that, "subjects who reported less sleep or poorer sleep had higher amyloid levels on their brain scans." "Other research points to the possibility that these scans also measure levels of brain inflammation, which is known to contribute to cognitive decline associated with aging," Dr. Small adds. "A good night's sleep has been shown to reduce brain inflammation." Research also shows that poor sleep is associated with poor mental health, which can negatively impact our lifespan. "The Epidemiologic Catchment Area study showed that 40 percent of people with insomnia have a psychiatric disorder such as depression or anxiety, compared with only 16 percent of people with normal sleep patterns," says Dr. Small. Poor mental health can impact longevity as "untreated or inadequately treated depression shortens life expectancy from suicide and medical illnesses." The doctor explains that sleep improves mood and benefits mental performance, and points to research that shows good sleep appears to be linked to better well-being. "A study from investigators at Pennsylvania State University surveyed more than 4,000 college students and found that restful sleep was associated with the absence of depressive symptoms." Sleep habits to help you live longer If you want to increase your likelihood of living longer, you don't have to completely overhaul your life in the style of Bryan Johnson. I asked Dr. Small for sleep habits he recommends to help us live longer, and most of them can be adopted tonight. "It is possible to sleep well at night without sleep medications by adopting good sleep habits and changing certain behaviors. The following are some strategies that can promote restful sleep," he says. 1. Keep a consistent sleep schedule and only use your bed for sleep "Control stimuli and restrict sleep. Set a consistent bedtime and time to wake up [and] avoid naps," says Dr. Small. Maintaining consistent sleep and wake times helps to regulate your circadian rhythm, which means producing hormones needed for sleep (like melatonin) and waking up (cortisol) are released when they should be. But this simple habit is also associated with living longer. Sticking to a sleep schedule could reduce your risk of death by up to around 50% Among the findings of researchers who, in 2014, looked at "the sleep patterns and biochemical profile of oldest old individuals" was that these older people stuck to strict sleep and wake schedules, indicating a relationship between longevity and a consistent sleep schedule. A more recent 2024 study found that higher sleep regularity (which they defined as day-to-day consistency of sleep–wake timing) was "associated with a 20%-48% lower risk of all-cause mortality." Effectively, sticking to a sleep schedule could reduce your risk of death by up to around 50%. Dr. Small also advises that alongside a consistent sleep schedule, it's important to "use the bed only for sleep." And, if you're struggling to drop off, you need to be disciplined with this rule. "Many insomniacs develop the bad habit of lying in bed while awake, which promotes insomnia symptoms," he explains. "Instead, get up and leave the bedroom if you are unable to fall asleep within 20 minutes, and only return to bed when you feel sleepy again." 2. Stay passively awake if you're struggling to sleep One tool for getting better sleep seems counterintuitive at first, but Dr. Small explains that if you struggle to get to sleep or experience insomnia, not trying so hard to drop off might actually help you sleep better. "Many people with insomnia become anxious about their inability to fall asleep and stay asleep, which serves to keep them awake even longer," he says. Instead, he had advises "staying passively awake." This involves "a paradoxical intention wherein the insomniac avoids any effort to fall asleep," Dr. Small explains. The outcome of this is that, "letting go of worries about falling asleep promotes relaxation and makes it easier to sleep." 3. Improve your sleep environment "Adjust the details of your immediate sleep environment to make it more comfortable. Keep your bedroom quiet, dark and cool, and make your bedding as cozy and relaxing as possible," says Dr. Small. If you're wondering how cool you need your sleep space to be, research has shown that the optimum temperature for sleep is between 65 to 70 F (18 to 21 °C). When it comes to the rest of Dr. Small's advice, our top 8 sleep products for 2025, includes ear plugs and eye masks designed to limit noise and light in the bedroom, and our guide to the best bedding sales will help if you want to upgrade your sleep setup without breaking the bank. But what you don't do can be just as important for creating a healthy sleep environment, as Dr. Small advises restricting the activities you carry out in that space. "Avoid watching television, playing videogames, or using smartphones excessively in the bedroom," he says. 4. Learn to relax This tip is likely to benefit you whether you experience a sleep issue like insomnia or nighttime anxiety, or just want to be able to wind down better before bed. Dr. Small suggests learning to relax before sleep, offering several easy methods to try. "Mindful meditation, guided imagery, systematic muscle relaxation and other methods can help people to fall asleep," he says. "I often recommend that my patients with insomnia download a guided meditation app on their smartphones or tablets and use it to induce relaxation at night so they can readily drift off to sleep," Dr. Small adds. If you're curious about sleep meditation, take a look at our in-depth guide, which includes everything from breathing techniques, to visualisation, guided meditation and body scanning. 5. Alter other lifestyle habits Dr. Small's final tip focuses more on what we can do outside our bedrooms to influence our sleep. "Get enough exercise during the day, avoid excessive smoking or drinking of caffeinated beverages late in the afternoon, and limit alcohol consumption," he advises. Our guide on how to exercise for better sleep has tips on when and where to do your workouts, as well as details on the importance of a cool down. Plus, we compiled some of the best bedtime drinks to try if you're looking to avoid caffeine and alcohol at night. Meanwhile, Dr. Small also suggests integrating certain relaxing activities into your nighttime routine. "Find ways to wind down before bedtime (e.g., listen to soothing music, read a relaxing book)," he says, adding that "a warm shower or bath just prior to bedtime can be relaxing and make it easier to fall asleep." Does sleep deprivation impact health and longevity? I asked Dr. Small for more insight into the effect of sleep deprivation on our health and longevity. "While we sleep, our immune system produces cytokines, which are protective, infection-fighting substances that combat bacteria and viruses," he says. "Sleep deprivation reduces cytokine production, thus weakening the body's ability to fend off infections and to recover from them," says Dr. Small. "Chronic insomnia increases a person's risk for diabetes and heart disease," he adds. He notes that sleep deprivation increases the risk of people becoming overweight or obese, and explains that this occurs because of the impact on certain hormones. Chronic insomnia increases a person's risk for diabetes and heart disease "Sleep modulates levels of two hormones that control feelings of hunger and fullness (leptin and ghrelin). Leptin sends signals to your brain that you have eaten enough, while ghrelin is an appetite stimulant." "Inadequate sleep alters the levels of these hormones, which often leads to unnecessary snacking and overeating later in the night," he continues, adding that being too tired to exercise from lack of sleep can also contribute to weight gain. Additionally, not getting enough sleep as a result of insomnia "raises levels of insulin after meals," says Dr. Small. He explains that, "insulin is needed to control blood sugar levels, and higher insulin levels increase fat storage and a person's risk for type 2 diabetes." A lack of sleep can also cause a raft of other health issues, Dr. Small says, including problems with blood pressure control, raising inflammation levels in the body, and increasing one's risk for heart disease and strokes. He adds that "people with chronic insomnia are 2.5 to 4.5 times more likely to have an accident (e.g., falls, fender benders) than those with normal sleep patterns," and notes that "chronic insomnia impairs cognitive abilities." Ultimately, if you find that an issue with your sleep is impacting you, it's important to get medical advice. "Anyone suffering from sleep problems that affect their ability to function or quality of life should consider seeing their doctor to search for an underlying cause, which can be mental or physical," Dr. Small advises.
WebMD
an hour ago
- WebMD
Fans Can Help in High Heat — but Only If You Use Them Right
Aug. 1, 2025 – In extreme heat, a fan can be your friend — or not. New research finds that electric fans might help cool you down even at higher temperatures than previously thought, if you use them the right way. The finding is the latest in a long quest to pinpoint exactly when it's too hot to use an electric fan. Since the 1990s, the CDC has cautioned against fan use above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The new study, published this week in JAMA Network Open, suggests that in certain conditions – particularly when fans are combined with skin wetting – they may help reduce heat strain and improve comfort, even in 100-degree heat. (The World Health Organization caps the threshold at 104 degrees, and other recent research is also in line with the higher limit.) 'When the air temperature becomes greater than our skin temperature, then we actually gain heat from the environment,' said Daniel Gagnon, PhD, an expert in thermal physiology and co-author of the new study. That's why fans can sometimes increase your body temperature, despite feeling cool. With climate change fueling longer, more dangerous heat waves, especially in urban areas, figuring out safe and effective ways to cool down is crucial, particularly for older adults and people with heart conditions, who are more susceptible to heat-related illness. Here's what the new research found. 1. There is a tipping point when it comes to using fans to stay cool. Why it matters: In the study, when people used fans for cooling in conditions of 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 60% humidity, the fans 'reduced the amount of work that the heart was doing and reduced internal body temperature a little bit,' said Gagnon, an associate professor of kinesiology at Université de Montréal in Canada. 'People felt better, and they had better sensations of comfort.' The study included people ages 65 and older — including some with heart disease — but its results can apply to people of all ages, Gagnon said. The takeaway: When people used fans in 104 degrees, the researchers saw signs that their bodies were heating up, putting them at risk for heat-related illnesses. If you're concerned, use air-conditioning or seek out air-conditioned public spaces. Dialing 211 can help you find one. 2. Fan use only works if you stay hydrated. Why it matters: Sweat cools the body by letting internal heat escape through evaporation. A fan speeds that process by boosting convective heat transfer — the same way a convection oven moves heat to a food's surface, helping it cook faster. But it only works if you're sweating enough to keep the cycle going. That's why you need to drink plenty of water. The takeaway: Aim for about 8 ounces of water per hour — that's how much people in the study drank. Don't wait until you're thirsty; carry water with you and sip constantly. 3. Skin wetting can help a fan cool you more effectively. Why it matters: Using multiple cooling techniques is a great approach to hot days, Gagnon said. If you have air conditioning and want to save energy, use it to cool the room slightly. Then turn on a fan and mist your skin. And when temperatures do rise to extremes, combining the fan with skin wetting may still help keep you cool. During experiments in 104-degree rooms, 'it reduced the amount of work that the heart does, it reduced sweating, and people felt a little bit better,' Gagnon said. The takeaway: For this strategy to work, you need to keep your skin constantly wet. In the experiments, people used a spray bottle, but it's OK to use other options like wet cloths. Make sure you're paying attention to the temperature of where you are — indoor air temperatures can be hotter than outdoors, especially in spaces with poor ventilation or no air conditioning. If you notice signs of heat exhaustion — like dizziness, nausea, headache, or blurred vision — get out of the heat right away, rest, and drink plenty of fluids. Someone with heat exhaustion should seek medical care if symptoms don't improve within an hour or immediately if they become confused or distressed, pass out, or can't keep fluids down.
