deep

After reaching deep space haven, Webb telescope begins 5 months of fine-tuning | Science

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NASA’s flagship James Webb Space Telescope has arrived at its destination. After unfolding the carefully packed observatory during its monthlong journey, controllers today briefly fired Webb’s thrusters to put it into a “halo orbit” around L2, a gravitational balance point 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. Far from the heat and hubbub of low-Earth orbit, L2 … Read more

Coral reefs: Pristine community discovered in deep water off the coast of Tahiti

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A spectacular coral reef has been found between 35 and 70 metres below sea level near Tahiti, and it seems to be in good health despite the global biodiversity crisis Environment 20 January 2022 By Chen Ly The pristine coral reef, newly discovered in deep water near Tahiti @alexis.rosenfeld This spectacular rose-shaped coral has been … Read more

Here’s how the James Webb Space Telescope is aligning its mirrors in deep space

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The James Webb Space Telescope continues to fine-tune its mirrors to ultimately peer into the deep and distant universe. The telescope launched Dec. 25 with the 18 hexagonal segments of its primary mirror and its secondary mirror folded up and stowed so that the components would survive the rigors of liftoff. Now, the telescope is … Read more

Mysterious Anomalies Deep Within Our Planet May Have Lingered Since Earth’s Creation

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Chemical leftovers from the very earliest days of our planet could still be present near Earth’s core, according to new research, and the discovery could improve our understanding of plate tectonics phenomena happening today.   The team behind the study compares these leftovers to clumps of flour at the bottom of a bowl of batter … Read more

Trees Drill into Deep Bedrock for Water Surprisingly Often

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Naturalists have long noted isolated examples of tree roots boring far down through loose soil and into the unforgiving bedrock below—rare incursions that were deemed a mere curiosity. But in 2013 hydrologist Daniella Rempe probed deep into a northern California hillside and found tree roots extracting substantial amounts of moisture from pores and crannies in … Read more

Cells Deep in Your Brain Place Time Stamps on Memories

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How does our brain know that “this” follows “that”? Two people meet, fall in love and live happily ever after—or sometimes not. The sequencing of events that takes place in our head—with one thing coming after another—may have something to do with so-called time cells recently discovered in the human hippocampus. The research provides evidence … Read more

Deep Conversations With Strangers Can Have Surprising Results, Study Shows

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When we want to really connect with others, we usually limit ourselves to family and close friends. Opening up to a stranger would likely seem a daunting prospect to most of us – but it looks like our expectations may not always match reality.   New research suggests that people’s expectations about their interactions with strangers … Read more

First-Ever ‘True’ Millipede With 1,306 Legs Discovered Deep Underground in Australia

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Although the name millipede comes from Latin for “thousand feet”, before now no species has been found with more than 750 legs. After the discovery of a new millipede with 1,306 legs however, this arthropod is finally living up to its name.   The new species is Eumillipes persephone – emillipes translating as “true-thousand-foot”, with … Read more

Risso’s dolphins: Spin-dive innovation lets them reach deep water for hunting

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A species of dolphin that hunts prey living 600 metres below the surface spins its body as it dives so it can drill down through the water rapidly Life 1 December 2021 By Christa Lesté-Lasserre Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) near the Azores Islands in the Atlantic Ocean Judith Scott / Alamy Risso’s dolphins dive rapidly … Read more