Tag: Gadget News

Scientists are developing an alternative navigation system that utilises mobile signals to assist pilots if GPS fails, according to a study conducted by Sandia National Laboratories and Ohio State University. The system relies on signals from cell towers and communication satellites, offering a safety net for airborne navigation systems. The initiative aims to mitigate risks associated with GPS failures, which can occur due to technical malfunctions, malicious interference, or in areas of conflict.

Testing and Early Results

The global positioning system, consisting of 31 satellites, is certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to provide precise navigation data. However, it remains vulnerable to jamming and hacking, raising concerns about its reliability in critical situations.

The research team, led by Jennifer Sanderson, an electrical engineer at Sandia National Laboratories, said in a statement that to counter these challenges through a technology that employs “signals of opportunity”—unintentional signals like those from mobile networks and satellites.

As reported by Sandia National Laboratories, experimental trials have utilised weather balloons to carry antenna payloads into the stratosphere, achieving altitudes up to 82,000 feet (25,000 metres). These payloads capture signals from communication satellites and cell towers, potentially providing pilots with navigational data during GPS disruptions.

Initial findings suggest that cell tower signal beacons can be detected at such altitudes, though the process currently requires manual analysis to identify individual signals. Researchers plan to enhance the system using algorithms capable of real-time signal identification and positional calculations.

Challenges and Future Developments

While the system shows promise, obstacles remain. Communication satellites focus their signals towards Earth’s surface, making it challenging to detect them effectively at high altitudes. The researchers are working on improving detection capabilities and reducing errors to ensure the technology’s practicality for aviation.

If successfully implemented, this navigation system could significantly bolster aviation safety by providing a reliable backup for GPS, reducing risks associated with its failure during flights.

One of the most intense cosmic shockwaves has been observed in Stephan’s Quintet, a group of galaxies located approximately 290 million light-years from Earth. The event was triggered by the galaxy NGC 7318b colliding with four neighbouring galaxies at an estimated velocity of two million mph (3.2 million kmph). The collision produced a shock front likened by researchers to the sonic boom of a jet fighter. These findings, which could illuminate the complex processes shaping galaxies, have been published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Stephan’s Quintet and the Collision’s Impact

Stephan’s Quintet, named after 19th-century French astronomer Édouard Stephan, consists of five galaxies engaged in a series of gravitational interactions. The latest collision involved NGC 7318b slamming into the system, creating a turbulent debris field, as per a Science Live report.

Dr Marina Arnaudova, an astrophysicist at the University of Hertfordshire, told the publication that the aftermath as “a massive intergalactic field of plasma and gas debris re-energised by the collision.” According to her, this activity has illuminated the plasma at radio frequencies and may have initiated star formation in the region.

Observations and Research Techniques

The event marked the first use of the WEAVE spectrograph, mounted on the William Herschel Telescope in La Palma, Spain. By analysing light from the system, researchers tracked debris patterns, ionised gas trails, and nascent stars stirred by the shockwave. These findings are anticipated to provide insights into the role of collisions in the formation and evolution of galaxies.

Implications for Understanding Galactic Evolution

The violent encounter within Stephan’s Quintet offers a rare opportunity to observe galaxy collisions in real-time. Researchers have indicated that such interactions, which were frequent during the universe’s early history, significantly shaped the galaxies observed today. While the ultimate outcome of this particular collision may not occur for billions of years, the data gathered is expected to enhance understanding of processes linked to the formation and merging of galaxies.

This research highlights the dynamic and often chaotic nature of the universe, providing astronomers with vital information on the interconnected evolution of stars, galaxies, and cosmic phenomena.

Emily Calandrelli, an advocate for STEM education and an aerospace engineer, made history on November 22, 2024, as the 100th woman to travel to space. The flight, conducted by Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, took off and landed at the company’s West Texas facility. This suborbital journey carried six civilian passengers and reached a peak altitude of 106 kilometres, surpassing the Kármán line, which is considered the boundary of space.

Significance of Calandrelli’s Flight

The ten-minute mission aboard Blue Origin’s NS-28, included approximately four minutes of weightlessness. It marked Blue Origin’s ninth human spaceflight, with Calandrelli accompanied by Marc and Sharon Hagle, a couple on their second Blue Origin mission; Austin Litteral, whose participation was sponsored by Whatnot, a livestream shopping platform; J.D. Russell, a former game warden and entrepreneur; and Hank Wolfond, a Canadian investment firm CEO.

Emily Calandrelli, known as “The Space Gal” online, expressed her lifelong ambition to inspire young women in STEM fields. Her journey, she stated, was a culmination of years of study in aerospace engineering and her mission to bring representation to girls in science and technology. Among her personal items was a photo montage of the 99 women who flew before her, acknowledging their contributions to paving the way.

Reflecting on the experience, Calandrelli described the view from space as profoundly moving, likening the emotional intensity to the birth of her children. The mission’s logo incorporated a figure in pink overalls to symbolise her achievement, further emphasising her role as a STEM advocate.

Notable Aspects of the Flight

Blue Origin’s reusable “RSS First Step” spacecraft carried the crew safely back to Earth after the booster’s engine-assisted vertical landing. The flight builds on Blue Origin’s efforts to expand civilian access to space. Calandrelli’s achievement also places her among 714 individuals who have reached space, as recorded by the Association of Space Explorers.

The cost of Calandrelli’s seat was funded through multiple sponsors, enabling her participation while providing opportunities to promote STEM education. This historic flight marks a significant step in representation for women in space exploration.

Archaeologists from Johns Hopkins University have unearthed what is believed to be the earliest example of alphabetic writing during an excavation in Syria. The inscriptions were found on small, clay cylinders within a tomb at Tell Umm-el Marra, an ancient urban centre in western Syria. The writing has been dated to approximately 2400 BCE, pushing back the origins of alphabetic systems by 500 years. This discovery raises new questions about the evolution of written communication and its impact on early societies.

Discovery Details and Artefacts

The clay cylinders, found in a tomb alongside pottery, jewellery, and weapons, are thought to have served as labels or identifiers. Dr Glenn Schwartz, a professor of archaeology at Johns Hopkins University, who led the 16-year excavation, noted that the perforated cylinders might have been attached to objects or vessels to convey information. Without the means to decipher the symbols, the exact purpose remains speculative.

The discovery was made in one of the best-preserved tombs at the site, which also contained six skeletons and an array of Early Bronze Age artefacts. Carbon-14 dating techniques confirmed the age of the tomb and its contents.

Impact on Understanding of Alphabet Origins

Previously, it was widely believed that the alphabet was first developed around 1900 BCE in Egypt. However, these new findings suggest that alphabetic systems may have originated earlier and in a different region. According to Dr Schwartz, this evidence challenges long-held assumptions about how and where alphabets emerged, indicating that societies in Syria were experimenting with innovative communication technologies earlier than previously understood.

Details of the findings will be presented by Dr Schwartz at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Overseas Research, offering further insights into the role of alphabetic writing in the development of early urban civilisations.