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Supernovae Impacted Life on Earth 3 Million and 7 Million Years Ago
A new study published in the journal Nature Astronomy has found that two supernovae explosions occurred close enough to Earth to have a significant impact on life on the planet, approximately 3 million and 7 million years ago. Supernovae are the cataclysmic explosions that mark the end of the life cycle of massive stars. They… Read more
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NASA’s Psyche Mission to Explore a Metal World
NASA is scheduled to launch a spacecraft on a journey to a unique metal-rich asteroid named Psyche this month. The Psyche mission is the first of its kind, and it has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of how planets form. The Rocky Mountain Dispatch has reported on the Psyche mission before, and now it… Read more
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Yellow Jackets: A Vital Part of the Rocky Mountain Ecosystem
On a recent trip to our local park, my children and I encountered a Yellow Jacket lapping up leftover ice cream. Willow (the five year old) was shocked that a Yellow Jacket would be enjoying the melted treat that she had just thrown in the trash. What then is a yellow jacket? Yellow jackets are… Read more
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NASA’s Curiosity Rover Reaches Martian Ridge That Holds Clues to Planet’s Watery Past
After three failed attempts, NASA’s Curiosity rover has finally reached Gediz Vallis Ridge, a Martian formation that holds clues to the planet’s watery past. The ridge is believed to be a remnant of powerful ancient debris flows, which carried mud and boulders down the side of a hulking mountain some 3 billion years ago. The… Read more
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Fall Foliage: A Stunning Natural Display with a Scientific Explanation
Every autumn, the leaves of deciduous trees transform into a dazzling array of colors, from fiery reds and oranges to golden yellows and vibrant purples. This stunning natural display is a favorite among nature lovers and photographers alike, but what causes it? (This article was based on a request by my 12 year old daughter… Read more
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Pluto: the Planetary Body and the Political Agenda
Pluto was once considered the ninth planet in our solar system, but in 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) reclassified it as a dwarf planet. This decision was controversial at the time, but it has since come to be accepted by most scientists, yet not by my 9 year old son. In fact it is… Read more