Scientists have devised a novel method to detect and map spots on distant stars, leveraging observations from NASA missions of orbiting planets. This breakthrough, according to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, enables researchers to gain insight into the characteristics of stars beyond our solar system. The technique utilizes the transit of exoplanets, or planets outside […]

First seen in ScienceDaily: Astronomers have unveiled a breathtaking collection of images captured by the SPHERE instrument on ESO’s Very Large Telescope, showcasing debris disks in a diverse range of exoplanetary systems. These dusty structures offer a rare glimpse into the early stages of planetary development, revealing where small bodies orbit their stars. The images, […]

error code: 500 ← → Thoughts: The United States’ Lunar Fission Surface Power Project aims to deploy a small nuclear reactor on the moon by the early 2030s, marking a significant step towards establishing a permanent nuclear power source beyond Earth’s orbit. This development is crucial for sustaining human presence on the moon and Mars, […]

Author comments from Scientific American: In 1965, statistician Irving John Good introduced the concept of an “ultraintelligent machine,” which posits that a sufficiently sophisticated computer would rapidly improve itself, triggering an “intelligence explosion.” This idea was revisited recently with the development of AI systems like AlphaGo Zero, which, using no human game data, played itself […]

Autolane, a Palo Alto-based startup, is pioneering a novel approach to facilitate the integration of autonomous vehicles into daily —. By developing an “air traffic control” system for self-driving cars, the company aims to streamline the handoff moments that are crucial to the success of robotaxi deployments. This innovative infrastructure layer will enable the coordination […]

Author comments from heise online: The High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart (HLRS) is set to upgrade its supercomputing capabilities with the introduction of Herder, a new system that will feature a combination of CPUs and GPUs from AMD. Specifically, Herder will comprise 1488 Instinct MI430X accelerators and 372 Epyc processors of the upcoming Venice type, which […]

Published by Gizmodo: The allure of cloud gaming has grown more enticing, albeit for distressing reasons. As the cost of PC components continues to soar, gamers are being forced to reevaluate their options. The stark reality is that streaming services, although convenient, cannot replicate the visual quality of games rendered on-device. Even with lightning-fast internet […]

The drone landscape has just been altered with the introduction of the Antigravity A1, a novel device from Insta360’s new sub-brand. This 249g drone, hovering just under the 250g threshold that often necessitates registration, promises to revolutionize aerial documentation. Its creators have successfully sidestepped regulatory hurdles, allowing the A1 to be flown in various countries […]

Background Document: Understanding the Warning Issued by Outgoing Spy Chief Andrew Shearer** Andrew Shearer, the outgoing Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), has issued a final warning regarding the escalating tensions in the Pacific region. In a recent interview with the Australian Financial Review, Shearer cautioned that the region risks being plunged into […]