environment
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Something Unearthly Could Switch Train Signals From Red to Green
Some train track circuits are at the mercy of distant storms on the Sun’s surface, researchers found, which could cause train signals to jump from red to green and vice versa as a result of extreme space weather. The Sun is a dynamic star, with stormy outbursts that fling radiation millions of miles into the…
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Asteroid Mining Startup Runs Into Trouble in First Mission
Since launching its first test mission to vaporize bits of an asteroid in space, AstroForge has struggled to keep a hold of its spacecraft and is now at risk of losing the ability to send commands to the in-orbit demonstration. The California-based AstroForge has big plans: mining asteroids for platinum and processing the materials in…
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How to Easily Improve Your Espresso With a Spritz of Water and Volcanic Physics
Grinding coffee beans with a spritz of water can reduce static electricity, creating less mess and improving the taste of espresso, according to Oregon-based researchers who borrowed from the physics of volcanoes to design the experiment. The team of chemists and volcanologists found that the inside of a coffee grinder creates similar conditions to those inside…
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Amazon Teams Up With SpaceX in Unlikely Satellite Alliance
Amazon, known for its speedy delivery to your doorstep, has faced delays in deploying its internet satellites into orbit, prompting the Jeff Bezos-led company to form an unexpected partnership with its rival SpaceX. Well, we kinda saw this coming, but it’s now confirmed that Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk will be collaborating on a project.…