SpaceX made history when it conducted its first commercial spacewalk on September 12. The Polaris Dawn mission team, including astronauts Isaacman and Scott Poteet and engineers Sara Gillis and Ana Menon, successfully completed a one-hour, 46-minute spacewalk.
They tested SpaceX’s new EVA suits, which are lightweight and flexible, designed for future deep space missions. The mission also tested a laser communications system linked to Starlink satellites, opening up new possibilities for space communication. In addition, the team conducted 36 scientific experiments to collect physiological data and study the effects of microgravity on eye health.
These studies are important to better understand the effects of space on the human body and to advance future exploration missions. In another development, the H5N1 avian influenza virus has been detected in Antarctica, a region previously thought to be safe from the virus. Scientists have detected the virus in birds and mammals, raising concerns about the survival of iconic species such as albatros and pingüinos.
The first signs of the virus appeared in September 2023, when researchers discovered sick birds on Georgia Island in the South. The spread of the virus has killed many species and threatened the ecosystem, which is already struggling to maintain biodiversity.
Meanwhile, a new study has shown that parrots in the Amazon are adapting their voices to their surroundings. These parrots have developed local dialects, making different sounds depending on their geographic location. However, between 2005 and 2016, regional sounds began to spread beyond their home regions, suggesting a mix of dialects. Surprisingly, some parrots are able to produce both local and regional accents, allowing them to communicate better with a wider range of groups and take advantage of a wider range of resources.
In addition, scientists have developed a new light technology called vortex chiral that promises to revolutionize the pharmaceutical and medical diagnostic industries. The vortex chiral is capable of measuring the chirality of molecules with high precision, which is important in medical research, as differences between left and right molecules can be a marker for a variety of diseases, such as cancer and kidney disorders.
The technology works by interacting with chiral molecules, producing light that scientists can analyze to measure the presence of left or right molecules.
NASA has finally shed light on the origin of the strange shapes on the surface of Mars, called arenium formes. These shapes are actually complex systems of dark channels, formed from frozen carbon dioxide in the harsh conditions of Mars.
The study found that when spring comes, CO2 is released from the surface, creating pressure and leading to small explosions, leaving spiderweb-like marks on the surface. This study not only confirms a model proposed in 2006, but also opens new doors for understanding the geology of Mars.
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