All posts tagged: colder

3I/ATLAS had a far colder birthplace than our Solar System

3I/ATLAS had a far colder birthplace than our Solar System

Published by Jenni Sidey

Long before 3I/ATLAS slipped through the inner solar system, its water had already recorded the kind of place it came from. That record now looks extreme. Astronomers studying the interstellar comet say its water contains an unusually heavy form of hydrogen called deuterium at levels far beyond anything measured in comets closer to home. The signal is so strong that it points to a birthplace far colder than the environment that formed Earth, the planets, and the icy bodies that still orbit the Sun. The result offers one of the sharpest chemical glimpses yet into how different other planetary systems may be from our own. “Our new observations show that the conditions that led to the formation of our solar system are much different from how planetary systems evolved in different parts of our galaxy,” said Luis Salazar Manzano, lead author of the research and a doctoral student in the University of Michigan’s Department of Astronomy. Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS carries deuterium-rich water, pointing to a far colder birthplace than our solar system. (CREDIT: Wikimedia / …

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS points to a far colder planetary birthplace

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS points to a far colder planetary birthplace

Published by Jenni Sidey

The water coming off comet 3I/ATLAS is not just unusual. It is extreme. Astronomers studying the interstellar comet found that its water is packed with an unusually heavy form of hydrogen called deuterium. The levels are far beyond anything measured in comets from our own solar system. That chemical fingerprint points to a birthplace much colder than the one that produced Earth. It is also colder than the places that formed the planets and the icy bodies that still circle the Sun. The result gives researchers one of their clearest looks yet at how different other planetary systems can be. “Our new observations show that the conditions that led to the formation of our solar system are much different from how planetary systems evolved in different parts of our galaxy,” said Luis Salazar Manzano, lead author of the study and a doctoral student in the University of Michigan’s Department of Astronomy. Astronomers studying the interstellar comet found that its water is packed with an unusually heavy form of hydrogen called deuterium. (CREDIT: Hans Anderson, Michigan …

Why Most Quantum Computers Need to Be Colder Than Space

Why Most Quantum Computers Need to Be Colder Than Space

Published by skeptic

The large gold chandelier-like structure that has come to represent quantum computers in popular culture is actually just a refrigerator. The quantum computer part sits at the bottom, where temperatures are colder than the Boomerang Nebula, the coldest natural place in the known universe. Most quantum computers need to be kept at temperatures less than 1 degree above absolute zero. That’s because the qubits these computers use for their computations, whether they’re physical atoms or engineered quantum circuits, are extremely sensitive to outside forces, including heat. I spoke with a representative from Bluefors, a company dedicated to making the large dilution refrigerators designed to remove heat from quantum systems. I wanted to understand how they work and why this technology is needed to help deliver on the promise of quantum computing. Check out my video, embedded in this article. Source link

The best gardening gloves including thermal styles for colder months, tried and tested

The best gardening gloves including thermal styles for colder months, tried and tested

Published by Sam Flores

There’s nothing better than getting your hands in the soil. It contains a bacterium (mycobacterium vaccae) which can stimulate the production of serotonin, a ‘natural antidepressant’ that improves mood. But gardening can put our hands at risk, so it’s important to find the best gardening gloves to protect them. “There are so many good reasons to wear gardening gloves,” says Alan Down, lifelong avid gardener and nurseryman with more than 35 years of retailing experience. “A good pair of thorn-proof gloves protect your hands from soil borne diseases, cuts and abrasions, and even from damp, cold, nettles and thorns,” he says. Over the years, gardening gloves have become much more sophisticated, available in a range of materials, styles and sizes, with some offering specialised features. I’ve tested 16 gloves from the most trusted brands below, as well as answered some frequently asked questions. But if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at my top five: The best gardening gloves: At a glance JUMP TO REVIEWS How to choose the best gardening gloves “It’s …