Planet Science Archives - Page 10 of 29

California’s Salton Sea Is Drying Up — and Locals Are Struggling to Breathe

November 11, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Wind-blown dust from the sinking Salton Sea is laden with pesticides and metals — and scientists say it’s damaging the lungs of children and families nearby.

Researchers at University of California, Irvine and University of California, Riverside report that the rapidly shrinking Salton Sea in Southern California is more than an ecological concern — it’s a public‐health crisis. As the lakebed becomes exposed, wind-blown dust contaminated with arsenic, pesticides and bacteria is linked to measurable lung-function decline in children and changes in the lung microbiome in animal tests. The effects hit hardest in nearby low-income communities, underscoring the urgency of targeted air-quality and dust-mitigation action.

The Vanishing Star That Stunned Astronomers Around the World

November 11, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

When a massive star suddenly disappeared, scientists thought their telescopes were broken — until they weren’t.

In 2019, astronomers studying a distant galaxy made an extraordinary discovery — or rather, a disappearance. A massive star, 2.5 million times brighter than the Sun, had simply vanished. No supernova explosion. No fading embers. Just gone. Using data from the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile, scientists confirmed the star had been there for decades — and then it wasn’t. Some believe it may have collapsed directly into a black hole, an event rarely observed in real time. If true, it could rewrite what we know about how the universe ends its brightest lives.

Why Universities Are Turning Climate Change Into a Graduation Requirement

November 10, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Colleges are rewriting majors so every student — from business to art — learns about the climate crisis.

At campuses across the country, climate literacy is no longer optional — it’s becoming part of every college degree. From economics to architecture and even philosophy, universities are redesigning their courses to weave environmental themes into nearly every subject. The movement reflects a growing belief that understanding climate change isn’t just for scientists — it’s a basic skill for living and working in the 21st century. Professors call it “the new liberal arts,” an educational shift meant to prepare graduates not just for jobs, but for a world already shaped by climate disruption.

10 Breathtaking U.S. Spots Where You Can Actually See the Milky Way

November 7, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

From Utah’s red canyons to Hawaii’s volcanic peaks, these dark-sky havens offer unforgettable views above.

Open grassy field, single silhouette pointing upward, wide nightscape composition, Milky Way clear, editorial travel photo, one person. — ©Image license via Canva

If you’ve never seen the Milky Way stretch across the night sky, you’re missing one of nature’s most breathtaking shows. Far from city lights, the U.S. is home to pristine “dark-sky” destinations where the stars shine with stunning clarity. From desert plateaus and remote mountain ranges to volcanic summits and quiet national parks, these spots reveal the universe in all its brilliance. Pack a blanket, a telescope, and a sense of wonder—these are America’s best places to stargaze.

Rivers That Rise in Hours: The Deadly Flood Setup Most People Overlook

November 7, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Scientists say a perfect storm of heat, terrain, and timing is making flash floods far more dangerous.

They strike with little warning — rivers that surge from calm streams to roaring torrents in just a few hours. Across the world, flash floods are becoming more frequent and more violent, fueled by extreme rainfall and warming temperatures. But scientists warn there’s more to the story than heavy rain. Subtle factors like soil saturation, steep terrain, and even wildfire scars can set the stage for sudden disaster. When those forces align, water races downhill with explosive power, overwhelming communities before they can react. Understanding this hidden setup may be the key to saving lives.

Could the Next Hurricane Be So Powerful It Needs a Whole New Category?

November 7, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

As monster storms grow stronger, scientists say the hurricane scale may no longer capture their true danger.

For decades, the Saffir–Simpson scale has defined hurricane strength, with Category 5 representing the most extreme storms on Earth. But researchers now say that may no longer be enough. With ocean temperatures rising and storms like Hurricane Melissa reaching record-shattering wind speeds, experts are debating whether it’s time to add a Category 6. Such a move would acknowledge a sobering reality: today’s strongest hurricanes are surpassing the limits of what the current scale was designed to measure. The question isn’t just scientific — it’s about how we prepare for a future of ever-more powerful storms.

10 Myths the Fossil Fuel Industry Still Pushes to Slow Us Down

November 4, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Despite decades of evidence, the fossil fuel industry continues to spread misleading claims about climate and energy.

For more than half a century, fossil fuel companies have shaped public opinion through carefully crafted myths about energy, economics, and the environment. Even as the science of climate change grows undeniable, many of these falsehoods still circulate in ads, lobbying, and political talking points. Experts say these narratives are designed to delay clean-energy progress and protect profits. Here are ten of the most persistent fossil fuel myths—and the scientific truths that expose them.

Hidden Evidence or Misunderstood Science? The Facts Behind Alien Spacecraft Claims

November 3, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

An examination of what we do know about alleged alien spacecraft—and where the mysteries remain.

Allegations that alien spacecraft have been discovered and hidden by governments continue to generate headlines, but verified evidence remains elusive. Analysts note that while several incidents—such as declassified U.S. Department of Defense reports on unidentified aerial phenomena—have sparked interest, none have confirmed the recovery of extraterrestrial vehicles. Most claims lack verifiable data or peer-reviewed publication. Nonetheless, a handful of images, radar logs and whistle-blower testimonies are keeping the debate alive, urging scientists and officials to scrutinize fact from fiction.

Mysterious Radio Signals Detected From Comet—Scientists Are Scratching Their Heads

November 3, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Astronomers detected strange radio signals from a distant comet—and they’re not sure what’s causing them.

Astronomers studying a recently observed comet have detected unexpected radio emissions that don’t match typical cosmic patterns. The signals, recorded using specialized radio telescopes, appear to pulse in ways scientists can’t yet explain. Early data suggest the comet’s icy surface or magnetic interactions with solar radiation may be responsible, but researchers say more study is needed. The discovery has sparked excitement across the astronomy community, offering a rare glimpse into the hidden physics of comet activity.

Scientists Found Fragments of the Planet That Became Earth

October 31, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Researchers say remnants of an ancient planet that collided with early Earth may still exist deep underground.

A new study led by researchers from the California Institute of Technology and Arizona State University suggests that fragments of a long-lost planet called Theia may still be buried deep inside Earth. Theia is believed to have collided with the early Earth about 4.5 billion years ago, forming the Moon in the process. Using seismic and geochemical data, scientists now think dense rock layers beneath Africa and the Pacific could be remnants of that cataclysmic impact.