Ever wondered about the science behind the seasoning of cast-iron pans and how it makes them non-stick? The latest edition of Periodic Graphics in C&EN takes a look: https://cen.acs.org/food/food-science/Periodic-Graphics-chemistry-cast-iron/102/i9
Astronomers used the Event Horizon Telescope to capture the first polarized light image of the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A
This breakthrough suggests that all black holes may possess strong magnetic fields, challenging previous understanding.
The image also hints at the presence of a hidden jet emanating from the Milky Way’s black hole. Wow!
https://earthsky.org/space/milky-ways-black-hole-new-image-eht-polarized/
IMPORTANT NON-STRESSFUL LEGISLATIVE NEWS
A bill has been introduced to declare the banana slug the official state slug of CA. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB1850
Flaco的尸检结果出来了。报告显示它体内检测出了大量鼠药(多达四种)和鸽疱疹病毒,导致了严重的软组织受损和多个器官的炎症,因此,即便它没有因鸟撞而死,最终也会死于对老鼠和野鸽的长期捕食。在它体内甚至还有微量DDE,虽说DDT已于1970s被禁。
而这就是众多城市猛禽面临的共同处境……
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/25/nyregion/flaco-owl-central-park-zoo-death-cause.html
Comet Pons-Brooks' Ion Tail
Image Credit & License: James Peirce
As any houseplant owner knows, so much of a plant's success comes down to how the roots are doing. In botany, researchers are increasingly looking to the oft-overlooked roots to answer questions about plant evolution and physiology, in a discipline semi-jokingly called "shovelomics".
翻这本书,有几个想法:
1. 原来Apollo 10的crew最倒霉,他们做了所有Apollo 11要做的tasks,除了登陆。但没有人记得他们的名字。apollo8虽然也去绕了月亮,但因为是人类第一次,也算是第一。10就没有
2. Apollo8的Jim Lovell,就是史上唯一一个绕过两次月亮,但都没能落地的那个,是11的backup crew。也就是说,如果Armstrong临时食物中毒了不能飞,他就是one giant leap的那个。
3. 而且原来prelaunch check是backup crew做的。
4. 书的前言说得非常好,说:Apollo 11 was the result of an unprecedented symbiosis of political will and technological capability. 说有人质疑去月球意义何在,他的答复是:登月带来了infrastructure and technology, 带来了knowledge and experience。这个确实如此,登月带来的技术革新渗入到我们现代生活的方方面面。
A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP