On Monday, a mysterious object crashed through the roof of a ranch-style home in Hopewell, New Jersey. After investigation, experts from The College of New Jersey confirmed it was a rare 4.56 billion year old stony chondrite meteorite weighing 2.2 pounds and 6 inches by 4 inches in size. Nate Magee, a physics professor, said it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study a meteorite that has made landfall in a home.
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A clinical trial has found that a wearable patch may help prevent severe allergic reactions in toddlers with peanut allergies. The patch, named Viaskin, works by exposing the body to small doses of peanut protein over time, allowing the body to build up a tolerance. If successful, it could provide a much-needed solution for parents of children with peanut allergies and potentially be available in the near future.
The United Kingdom has seen the birth of its first babies created using an experimental technique known as mitochondrial donation, which combines DNA from three people to prevent the children from inheriting rare genetic diseases. The Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has confirmed that fewer than five babies have been born this way and that the technique has been rigorously tested and regulated to ensure its safety and effectiveness. The technique is only used in cases where the mother is at risk of passing on serious genetic diseases to her children and is not used to create designer babies or to alter the characteristics of the baby.
Five environmental and cultural heritage groups have filed a lawsuit against the FAA for allowing the launch of SpaceX's Starship Super Heavy rocket from its Boca Chica, Texas facility without a comprehensive environmental review. The launch resulted in destruction of the launch pad, spread of particulate matter, and a 3.5-acre fire on state park lands. The lawsuit is being brought by The Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Wild Whoopers, Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, and the National Audubon Society. The FAA has yet to comment on the lawsuit.
On April 20th, 2023, SpaceX conducted a test flight of its next-generation rocket, the Starship, in Boca Chica, Texas. The rocket lifted off and flew for four minutes, but the separation of the booster from the spacecraft failed, causing the rocket to tumble and explode. Despite the explosion, SpaceX considered the test flight a success and is now looking ahead to the next test flight, confident that the Starship will eventually reach its intended destinations.
On Thursday, 20,000 eclipse chasers gathered in the remote tourist town of Exmouth, Australia to witness a rare solar eclipse. Under a cloudless sky, temperatures dropped and the sky darkened for two minutes, before returning to its normal brightness. The event was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many of the eclipse chasers, who had traveled from all over the world to witness the phenomenon.
Connecticut divers have discovered the wreckage of the 92-foot-long Defender, an experimental submarine built in 1907 by Simon Lake, the grandson of one of the founders of Atlantic City. After months of research and exploration, Richard Simon, a commercial diver from Coventry, Connecticut, identified the vessel and acknowledged its role as a step in the evolution of American submarines. The discovery of the Defender is an exciting moment for the submarine community, highlighting the ingenuity and innovation of early submarine designers.
Experts believe the spiral was caused by a rocket launch, and photographer Christopher Hayden was able to capture the moment on camera. The sight was a "once in a lifetime experience" for Hayden, and the photo has since gone viral, with many people marveling at the beauty of the phenomenon.