Latest news with #GaryBernstein
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists Say They May Have Spotted a Huge Hidden Planet Deep in Our Solar System
For over a century, astronomers have wondered if there's an extra planet in our Solar System that we haven't been able to detect yet. It seems like we get another "Planet Nine" candidate — formerly known as Planet X, before Pluto was demoted — every few years, and none have been confirmed. But the possibility has never quite been put to bed, either. Now, an international team of researchers have made a new detection that they say could be a sign of a hidden world — by, poetically, unearthing what went overlooked in very old data. Their findings, reported in a study accepted for publication in the Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia, suggest that the elusive planet could be up to five to ten times the mass of Earth, and is so far out in the Solar System that it takes 10,000 years to orbit the Sun. "It is pretty amazing to think that something as big as Neptune could be sitting out there and no one would have ever noticed it," Gary Bernstein, an astronomer at the University of Pennsylvania who was not involved in the study, told Science. "But if you put it far enough away, it gets fainter and fainter very fast." One of the strongest hints of an undiscovered planet lies in the Kuiper Belt, a disc of icy objects beyond the orbit of Neptune that's home to comets and dwarf planets like Pluto. According to Planet Nine truthers, the unusually clustered orbits of some of the objects there, including the dwarf planet Sedna, can be conveniently explained by the existence of a stealthy world pulling their gravitational strings. If there is a planet lurking out there, it should reflect some sunlight that we could detect. For their study, the researchers focused on invisible light, using two infrared surveys of the night sky that were conducted 23 years apart. That extreme time gap, Science notes, would allow them to see a distant, slow-moving object like what Planet Nine is thought to be, represented as a pair of dots — one of its position before, one after. From there, the team identified thirteen candidate dot pairs which showed positioning consistent with a moving planet. One of the pairs had the same color and brightness, suggesting that both of the dots were from the same object. This, the researchers argue, could be our mysterious undiscovered world. "I felt very excited," lead author Terry Long Phan, an astronomer at National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan, told Science. "It's motivated us a lot." But others in the field are skeptical. The detected signals are extremely faint and could be random noise or another object. And we could be jumping the gun on those suspicious Kuiper Belt orbits, because we have limited observations of the objects that reside there. "It would be really cool if there was some kind of pattern there," Samantha Lawler, an astronomer at the University of Regina, told Science. "But I am not convinced, with current data, that you can't just go with the simplest explanation." Planet Nine or no Planet Nine, we'll soon have a chance to get a closer look than ever with the launch of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile this year, which astronomers anticipate will reveal tens of thousands of objects in the Kuiper Belt. More on space: Scientists Intrigued by Glowing Cloud Near Our Solar System
Zawya
15-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
New initiative aims to enhance travel for neurodivergent travellers
A new initiative to create standardised questionnaires for neurodivergent travellers aims to improve the travel sector's service for this underserved market. As announced at WTM Africa 2025, the partnership between Tourism that Cares and Autism SA will provide guidelines to help hospitality providers better accommodate neurodivergent guests. "We're on an intentional journey to create a standardisation of best practice in the industry so that every lodge has the same questionnaire. Every tour operator has the same questionnaire," explained Lange, who has personal experience with neurodivergent family members. The new resource is in its infancy but would represent a significant step forward for inclusive tourism in Africa. Neurodiversity encompasses a range of neurological differences, including autism, ADHD, and other conditions that affect how people experience the world. The panellists emphasised that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, as each neurodivergent individual has a unique sensory profile. "Most people are either up or low on the various senses. I'm pretty much oversensitive across the board,' explained aircraft engineer Gary Bernstein, who identifies as autistic, highlighting how environments like noisy airports or cramped aircraft can be particularly challenging. For neurodivergent travellers, the unpredictable nature of travel can be overwhelming. "Airports present particular challenges with their noise, crowds, and complex navigation requirements. African destinations add another layer of complexity, but the panellists stressed that with proper preparation and support, these hurdles can be overcome." Lange emphasised the importance of predictability. Practical solutions for travel providers Pre-arrival communication The panel highlighted several practical steps travel businesses can implement immediately: 1. Comprehensive walk-through videos: 'A walk-through from the lobby to your room to public areas is essential,' Lange explained. Unlike marketing videos with music and quick cuts, these should be informative and thorough. 2. Personalised welcome videos: A 30-second video call from a staff member who will welcome the guest can create familiarity and reduce anxiety. 3. Detailed visual information: Maps, layouts, and visual guides help neurodivergent travellers plan and prepare for their experience. Airport and transfer considerations Fast-tracking services were identified as essential for navigating stressful airport environments. Lange described how his company uses private fast-tracking services to help clients move smoothly through airports, with all paperwork prepared in advance. Bernstein added practical advice for air travel: 'The further forward you are [on an aircraft], the quieter it is. But also, the further away from the wing, the more unstable it is. So it depends whether you are more sensitive to motion-based disturbance or noise-based disturbance.' Accommodation adaptations Simple accommodations in hotels and lodges can make a significant difference: 1. Adjustable lighting: It's important that travellers can dim the lights in the room. 2. Hyper-personalisation: Allow travellers to personalise their room with things like family photos and familiar home objects in the room, as this will make the space feel more comfortable. 3. Room location: Placing neurodivergent guests in quieter wings of hotels or resorts when available. 4. Sensory considerations: Being mindful of bed linens, sounds, and other sensory elements that might affect comfort. Itinerary design for neurodivergent travellers The panellists advised against the typical packed itineraries with multiple stops and connections. Instead, they recommended: 1. Minimising transitions and connection points 2. Building in decompression time after travel segments 3. Focusing on the peaceful, natural environments that Africa offers in abundance 4. Providing consistent support throughout the journey 'Don't transition like the typical itinerary for a client who wants to check boxes,' Lange advised, noting that what Africa offers can be particularly beneficial for neurodivergent travellers once they've moved past the stressful travel components. Industry initiatives on the horizon The website is also being developed as a resource for both travellers and industry professionals. "We want to be the benchmark for that," Lange explained, emphasising that while catering for neurodiverse travellers might not be immediately profitable for the tourism industry, it represents an important commitment to inclusion. Perhaps the most valuable takeaway from the discussion was Bernstein's advice on the single most important question travel providers should ask: 'How can we support you?' 'The biggest thing any business can do is ask the question, how can we support you? How can we accommodate you?' Bernstein emphasised. 'For the most part, those accommodations don't cost them money. It's a gesture. We accept you. We see you.' By implementing the practical solutions discussed by the panellists and approaching neurodivergent travellers with empathy and openness, African travel businesses can lead the way in creating truly inclusive experiences. By taking these first steps toward neurodivergent inclusion, the travel trade can open its doors to a wider audience while creating more comfortable environments that benefit all travellers. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
