JWST Could Detect Signs of Life on Earth-like Exoplanets
A new study shows that if Earth were an exoplanet, the James Webb Space Telescope could identify signatures of life like oxygen, methane, and industrial chemicals in its atmosphere. This demonstrates JWST's ability to detect biosignatures and technosignatures on distant exoplanets.
Key Facts & Points
- JWST could identify oxygen, methane, CFCs, and other molecules in Earth's atmosphere from up to 50 light-years away.
- Even with noisy, low-resolution data, JWST could detect these atmospheric biosignatures.
- Modeling shows JWST could also identify biological and technological signatures in the atmospheres of Trappist-1 exoplanets.
- Detecting oxygen, organic molecules, and industrial chemicals like CFCs would strongly suggest an intelligent civilization.
World Just Had Hottest Summer on Record, Spurring Calls for Urgent Climate Action
According to the UN, this past June-August was the hottest summer on record globally since 1940. August 2023 was the hottest August ever recorded. The extreme heat is linked to climate change and comes before the full effects of El Niño. UN Secretary-General called for urgent climate action to avoid the worst impacts.
Key Facts & Points
- June-August 2023 was the hottest summer on record, at 0.66°C above average.
- August 2023 was the hottest August on record, at 0.31°C hotter than the previous record in 2016.
- This extreme heat comes before the peak effects of El Niño, expected in 2024.
- UN Secretary-General said this shows climate change underway and called for urgent action to curb fossil fuel use.
Clubhouse Shifts Focus to Voice Messaging
In an effort to stay relevant, Clubhouse has reinvented itself as more of a voice messaging app, with new audio-only group chats called "chats."
Key Facts & Points
- Clubhouse has introduced "chats," which are voice-only group messages users can send to friends.
- Users start a chat by recording a voice message, then friends can reply with their own voice recordings.
- The app has been redesigned around these chats, now showing them prominently in the home tab.
- Live audio rooms are still available but are less prominently featured now.
- Clubhouse's popularity has declined since the pandemic peak and rise of competitors like Twitter Spaces.
NASA's DART Mission Achieves Unexpected Results on Asteroid's Orbit
NASA's DART spacecraft succeeded in slowing asteroid Dimorphos' orbit around Didymos last year, but new observations show the orbit has continued slowing more than expected, puzzling astronomers.
Key Facts & Points
- NASA's DART spacecraft collided with asteroid Dimorphos in September 2022, slowing its orbit as intended.
- Observations by astronomers months later found Dimorphos' orbit slowed further, by 34 minutes instead of the expected few minutes.
- Theories for the continued slowing include the impact "tumbling" Dimorphos or unlocking it from Didymos' gravity.
- NASA will release its own report on the latest DART findings soon.
iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max Become First Smartphones with Thread Connectivity
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are the first smartphones with built-in support for Thread, a smart home connectivity protocol that is a key part of Matter. This enables new integrations with Apple's Home app.
Key Facts & Points
- Thread is a mesh networking protocol designed for low-powered, low-bandwidth smart home devices to reduce latency and prolong battery life.
- Thread is one of the main protocols used by Matter, the new universal smart home standard developed by Apple, Amazon, Google and others.
- The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have Thread radios built-in, allowing them to potentially act as Thread border routers.
- Border routers connect Thread devices to the internet and other IP networks.
