Latest news with #JennJordan
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
June 6-12, 2025 Sky Watch: Strawberry Moon, Planetary Conjunctions And The Milky Way On Display
As summer evenings stretch longer and the air hums with warmth, the night sky prepares a dazzling display for those who know to look up. This week, the cosmos invites us into its theater of wonder, where planets cross paths, the Moon beckons with its glow, and our galaxy itself is on grand display. Whether you're a seasoned stargazer or simply in need of a little magic, these celestial events promise awe, beauty, and a deeper connection to the universe above. Here's what to look forward to: On June 6, the Moon reaches its waxing gibbous phase, providing an excellent opportunity to observe lunar craters and mountains as sunlight casts shadows across its surface. Additionally, Mercury transitions into the astrological sign of Gemini, marking a shift in planetary energies. On June 8, look west after sunset to witness a close approach between Jupiter and Mercury. The two planets will appear less than 2 degrees apart in the sky, making for a striking visual pairing. This conjunction is often seen as bringing good luck. It's best observed with the naked eye or through binoculars in the constellation Taurus. The Full Strawberry Moon occurs on the evening of June 10, peaking just before 4:00 a.m. on June 11. Named by indigenous tribes to mark the perfect ripening of the season's strawberries, this full moon will appear large and low on the horizon, casting a warm, sometimes rosy, glow over the landscape. During June, the Milky Way becomes especially visible in the summer sky. Its galactic core—the brightest, most photogenic region—rises just after sunset and remains visible all night, reaching its highest point around midnight. This period marks the beginning of the prime Milky Way viewing season, which continues through August. Pick a night with minimal moonlight interference for ideal conditions to marvel at our galaxy stretching overhead. This week, the universe will write a story across the darkness, but you don't need to be an expert to read it. Just check the weather for clear skies, step outside and look up. lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities. MORE ON Gorgeous View Of Northern Lights Over Pennsylvania Astronaut Marvels At Lightning From Space Are The Moon And Earth Drifting Apart?
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Kick Off The First Day Of Summer With A Tomato Sandwich
There are a few infallible ways to kick off the first day of summer. You can jump in a swimming pool. You can drive to the beach. You go for a sunset hike. As for me? I'm standing over my kitchen sink eating a tomato sandwich. The kitchen sink is an important part of the recipe. Let me explain. There is nothing from the garden that says summer to me more than the tomato. It is sweet, tender, and, just like summer, painfully fleeting. I leave tomatoes on my kitchen windowsill, patiently waiting for them to hit peak ripeness. From the moment they do, the clock is ticking. Before long, they'll start to turn too soft, mealy and moldy. But in that brief glorious window of ripeness, just like the brief glorious window of summer, there is no better way to honor the summer tomato than the tomato sandwich. This may be the only sandwich recipe where cheap white bread produces the best results. The crust and texture of fancy sourdough loaf or the chewiness of a baguette are simply an unwelcome distraction from the main event of the tomato. Soft, fluffy bland white bread is the right vehicle to focus your attention on the tomato. (MORE: On The French Riviera, Gazpacho Tastes Like Summer) The only potential problem caused by cheap white bread is that, if let to sit for too long, it will get soggy and begin to disintegrate. Which is where the kitchen sink comes in. This is a sandwich made to eat immediately. As soon as you put that top slice of bread on it, stand over the kitchen sink and start eating. The sink will catch the juicy mess that drips down. There's no better way to spend the first day of summer. Here's a hint: If your tomatoes aren't perfectly ripe, slice them, sprinkle a little salt, and let them rest for ten minutes or so. That will draw out a little moisture and soften the texture, which makes for a much better bite. Ingredients 1 medium to large ripe tomato 2 slices white bread, cheap and soft 2 tablespoons Duke's mayonnaise Salt and pepper to taste Instructions Slice tomato in ¼ slices and salt and pepper to taste. Spread a generous amount of mayonnaise on the bread, covering edge to edge. Stack tomato slices in an even layer on bread and eat immediately over the sink. lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities. MORE ON Make Mint Juleps With This Simple Syrup Feeling Spicy? Make This Thai Chili Oil Make This Etouffee With Leftover Boiled Crawfish
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Understanding Your Skin's Best Friend, The UV Index: What It Means And Why It Matters
When you check the weather, you might see something called the UV Index listed alongside the temperature and forecast. But what exactly is it, and why should you pay attention to it? Let's break it down in a simple way. The UV Index (UVI) is a number that tells you how strong the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays are on a given day. These rays are invisible, but they can damage your skin and eyes. The UV Index was first introduced in the early 1990s by Environment Canada (essentially the equivalent of the United States' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) but it's now used worldwide, thanks to a version developed by the World Health Organization and the World Meteorological Organization. Their goal? To help people protect themselves from too much sun exposure, which can lead to sunburns, skin aging, eye damage, and even skin cancer. (MORE: Are You Making A Sunscreen Mistake?) Several things come into play when calculating the UV Index, including: Time of day: UV rays are strongest when the sun is highest—usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Time of year: UV levels are higher in spring and summer. Latitude: Places closer to the equator usually get stronger UV rays. Altitude: Higher elevations get more UV exposure. Ozone levels: The ozone layer helps block UV rays, so thin ozone means higher UV. Cloud cover: Some clouds can block UV rays, but thin or scattered clouds don't do much. Meteorological agencies like the National Weather Service in the U.S. (or other national weather services around the world) use a standardized set of formulas to calculate and release the UV Index each day. (MORE: Do You Need Sunscreen Indoors?) The UV Index is a scale from 1 to 11+, and the higher the number, the greater the risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Here's a quick guide: 0-2 (Low): Safe to be outside. Minimal sun protection needed. 3-5 (Moderate): Some risk. Shade, sunscreen, and sunglasses are smart. 6-7 (High): Higher risk. Stay in the shade during midday, wear SPF 30+. 8-10 (Very High): Take extra precautions. Cover up, reapply sunscreen often. 11+ (Extreme): Max protection needed. Unprotected skin can burn in minutes. The scale goes to 11+ to show that UV levels can sometimes go beyond what was once considered the maximum. Think of 11+ as the red zone—super intense sun that requires serious protection. It's especially common in tropical regions or at high altitudes, but it can happen anywhere under the right conditions. The UV Index is like a daily sun-safety alert. It helps you know when it's time to put on sunscreen, wear a hat, or take a break in the shade. So next time you check the weather, don't skip the UV number, it's your skin's best friend. lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities. MORE ON Can Sunscreen Make You Sweat More? You're Probably Forgetting Sun Protection In These Five Spots How To Identify And Prevent Sun Damage
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Stone Age SPF: How An Ancient Mineral May Have Helped Humans Survive The Sun
Long before beach bags and bottles of SPF, early humans may have reached for something far more basic to protect themselves from the sun: dirt. That's according to experts who have a new theory about how our ancestors may have survived a serious spike in ultraviolet radiation thousands of years before sunblock (as we know it today) was invented. Let's rewind the tape to about 41,000 years ago when Earth's magnetic field had a bit of a crisis. Scientists at the University of Michigan, in a new study published in Science Advances, reconstructed what happened during the infamous Laschamps geomagnetic excursion, a two-millennia-long episode where Earth's magnetic field plummeted to just 10% of its usual strength and the poles began to, for lack of a better word, wander. (MORE: Were Earth's First Oceans Green?) During the Laschamps, Earth's magnetic field, which shields us from solar radiation, became multipolar, with zones popping up unpredictably. Auroras were no longer Arctic exclusives; they moved into much lower latitudes. The weakened magnetic field meant more ultraviolet radiation was leaking through the atmosphere, and some of our ancestors quickly adapted. Both Neanderthals and anatomically modern humans were living across Europe when this chaos kicked off. Evidence suggests both groups had richly pigmented skin, hair, and eyes—but it turns out, even that wasn't enough. Groups of anatomically modern humans started using ochre, a yellow mineral loaded with iron oxide, in greater quantities, possibly as a prehistoric sunscreen. They also began crafting tailored clothing that may have acted as additional protection. These weren't just random upgrades, they were survival tools in their new radiation-filled environment. (MORE: New Telescope Captures Blasts From The Sun) Neanderthals, by contrast, mostly stuck to draped cloaks and simpler tech, with no evidence that they used anything for sun protection. While their extinction was likely due to a blend of factors, it's possible this played a part. You could say pants and sunscreen might've saved humanity. Now, here's the kicker: Earth's magnetic field has been weakening again. Not to Laschamps levels, but it's declined by about 1% every 20 years for the last 180 years. And the poles? They're not sitting still either. (MORE: Scientists Link Centuries-Old Mystery To Weather Patterns) If a modern-day Laschamps like event occurred, it wouldn't just fry your skin—it would wreak havoc on satellites, communication networks, GPS, and international flights. So, next time you're gazing up at the aurora or slathering on sunscreen, just remember: we've been here before. Only this time, our survival might depend less on ochre. lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA Needs Help Solving One Of Space's Grossest Problems: Poop
Space travel isn't all stars and science. There's also poop—lots of it. Now, NASA is asking for help turning human waste, including astronaut feces, into something useful, so future crews won't add to the dozens of bags of waste already sitting on the lunar surface, left behind by previous Moon missions. The LunaRecycle Challenge, a $3 million, two-track, two-phase competition, is NASA's latest push to make space exploration more eco-friendly. As the agency plans for longer-term lunar missions, they're facing a very down-to-Earth problem: how to recycle solid waste, from wrappers to bodily matter, in a way that supports life on the Moon without sending trash back to Earth. It's true, there are currently bags of human waste, including poop, on the Moon. Specifically, the Apollo missions left behind 96 bags of waste to lighten the spacecraft for returning to Earth. 'NASA is committed to sustainable space exploration,' the agency said in a release, and that looks like figuring out how to minimize, process, and reuse all kinds of waste—including the gross stuff. The challenge asks teams to submit designs that convert trash into something useful, like building materials or science tools, while using as little electricity, water, and space as possible. The LunaRecycle Challenge is split into two tracks. The Prototype Build track focuses on hardware designs for actual lunar recycling systems, while the Digital Twin track seeks high-tech, virtual models of recycling solutions. Both tracks aim to turn solid waste into feedstock for new materials that astronauts can use for science, repairs, or even living quarters. While this challenge is aimed at solving a very specific lunar problem, NASA says the solutions could ripple back down to Earth. From cleaner recycling technologies to small-scale systems for remote communities, the agency hopes the project will inspire new approaches to trash management on our planet too. Phase 1 is already underway, and although Phase 2's timeline hasn't yet been announced, it will involve successful submissions being judged by a panel of experts from government, industry, and academia. Participants won't get funding upfront—but if their ideas work, the prize purse is significant. lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities. MORE ON Signs Of Life On Another Planet? Katy Perry, Gayle King Launch On Blue Origin Rocket Astronaut Shares Aurora Footage From Space
