Hello and welcome to The Edge, the newsletter that brings you groundbreaking stories from the frontiers of technology and science.
We’ve got some great stories for you today including America’s return to the Paris Climate Agreement, farming & bitcoin mining and incredible ESA footage of lightning from space. As always, we’ve added extra stories under each article should you find yourself in a curious state of mind.
Today in history
What happened on January 23rd in the past?
January 23rd, 1960 - The USS Trieste, an American bathyscaphe, descends to 10,911 metres in the Pacific Ocean, setting a new record.
January 23rd, 1998 - Netscape announces Mozilla.
January 23rd, 2003 - The last signal from Pioneer 10 is picked up after which it was never heard from again.
Space views
Lightning like you’ve never seen before
Quite the show. Image credit: ESA
Observation of the onset of a blue jet into the stratosphere
Thanks to sensitive storm-chasing gear on the ISS, we can catch a glimpse of something extraordinary - a lightning storm from above.
Captured by the ESA’s Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM), the recordings show us how lightning is formed and how storms can distribute greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. However, it’s also simply impossible to deny the awe-inspiring beauty of this display of nature.
The video shows a rare phenomenon known as blue jets. Blue jets are blue-coloured lightning bolts that shoot up from the storm clouds into the stratosphere. Following the blue jets, we see what’s known as “elves” which are rings of electrical activity which shoot outward from a storm straight into the ionosphere.
Studying blue jets and elves is incredibly difficult. Thanks to the ASIM recordings however that all changes, with scientists now able to understand the phenomena in a lot more detail.
European Space Agency Physical Sciences Coordinator Astrid Orr said in the press release that “This paper is an impressive highlight of the many new phenomena ASIM is observing above thunderstorms and shows that we still have so much to discover and learn about our Universe.”
How is lightning made?
Quick science
Other incredible stories from the world of science and technology.
SpaceX taking recycling to the next level.
The bacteria turning sea stars to goo.
Could this be the end of LG phones?
Climate
Biden and the Paris Agreement
America rejoins the fight for the climate. Image credit: Gage Skidmore/Victor Tangermann
Biden set to rejoin Paris climate accord, impose curbs on U.S. oil industry
America’s new president Joe Biden isn’t wasting any time with regards to America’s contributions to the climate. Hours after being sworn in, Biden signed an executive order bringing the U.S right back into the Paris Climate Agreement. The move is a stark contrast to America’s environmental policy over the last four years.
By making this decision, Biden is committing to a promise he made to reverse ex-president Trump’s 2017 decision to pull America out of the agreement. The Paris Agreement puts upon participating countries an obligation to take incremental steps toward fighting climate change. The overall goal of the agreement is to prevent global warming that exceeds two degrees Celsius.
Former United Nations climate chief Christiana Figueres said that “The United States continues to be the one and only country that has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, making it, frankly, the pariah of this multilateral agreement.” We’re huge supporters of Biden’s decision to rejoin the agreement and we’re excited to see how the fight against climate change looks with America’s mettle thrown into the mix.
What you need to know about the Paris Climate Agreement.
Video of the week
“How Computer Memory Works - Kanawat Senanan”
Most of us use computers and understand, quite well, how to use them. Many of you might even have a good idea of how computers work, with a decent understanding of terms like RAM, cache, gigabyte or C++. But how many of us can truly say we understand how computer memory works? In this great TED-Ed video we learn exactly this, which has left everyone at The Edge feeling quite tech-savvy.
Making apps with V.One
Coding isn’t everyone’s strong suit - building apps much less so. If you’re like us, you have an idea for an app or two but don’t know the first thing about developing it. No-code app V.One can make app coders out of everyone
Image credit: V.One
V.One is an app designed for anyone. According to the owners, if you can use Canva, you can use V.One. V.One is a great entry into the world of app development and development in general so if you’re itching to get your fingers dirty, give it a whirl!
Bitcoin
The altruism of Bitcoin miners
Two industries in one. Image credit: Pixabay/Victor Tangermann
Chilly This Winter? Cozy Up to the Computer That’s Mining Bitcoin
The computers used to mine cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are power-hungry, heat-producing beasts. Some of these monster machines produce so much heat that some owners are using them to keep their homes warm while they mine.
Some miners have taken this a step further by using their rigs to warm chicken coops in the winter or keeping small greenhouses warm.
Miners have flocked to the idea, likening the mining rigs to the heaters you might find on a restaurant patio. Even KFC have jumped on the trend, partnering with Coolermaster to design a computer colloquially known as the KFConsole. The round desktop PC is designed with a special compartment that can use the heat produced by the computer to keep fried chicken warm. Everything is truly a business opportunity.
How does Bitcoin work?
What we’ve been reading
A small selection of the articles we read this week.
Reverse Engineering the Source Code of the BioNTech/Pfizer SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine.
New Horizons Spacecraft Answers Question: How Dark Is Space?
‘We All Got Played’: QAnon Followers Implode After Big Moment Never Comes.
Worried About Your Firm’s AI Ethics? These Startups are Here to Help.
Google Touches Record Highs as FANG Stocks Stage Broad Rally.
Thanks for reading!
We hope you enjoyed this edition of The Edge.
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