Good Morning! 🌞 

Did you know that Venus rotates opposite to most planets?

Venus has a very unusual rotation. It spins on its axis in the opposite direction to most planets in the solar system, including Earth. This means that on Venus, the sun rises in the west and sets in the east. Furthermore, Venus rotates so slowly that its day (243 Earth days) is longer than its year (225 Earth days)!

Science

Artemis II: Preparing for a Historic Manned Mission (Part 2 of 5)

Artemis II Overview

Artemis II stands as the program's first crewed mission, an endeavor that promises to take astronauts on a voyage around the Moon, further than any human has traveled before. The objective on this mission is not to land any astronauts on the moon. Instead it is to gather data, test equipment and voyage beyond the furthest manned voyage.

Scheduled tentatively for late 2025, this mission represents a pivotal moment in space exploration, setting the stage for the next giant leaps on the lunar surface and beyond.

The Power of the Space Launch System (SLS)

At the heart of Artemis II is the Space Launch System (SLS), a marvel of engineering and the most powerful rocket ever designed. Towering taller than the Statue of Liberty and boasting a thrust capable of outmatching the legendary Saturn V, the SLS is the backbone of NASA's deep space exploration efforts. Its design and capabilities are crucial for carrying the Orion spacecraft and its crew beyond Earth's orbit, further into space then ever.

Meet the Artemis II Crew

• Christina Koch: Mission Specialist, known for her record-breaking stay aboard the International Space Station.

• Jeremy Hansen: Mission Specialist, bringing a wealth of experience from the Canadian Space Agency.

• Reid Wiseman: Commander, a seasoned astronaut with prior ISS experience.

• Victor Glover: Pilot, who has spent time aboard the ISS and brings a fresh perspective to lunar exploration.

This team is set to embark on a mission that will lay the groundwork for future lunar landings and eventually, human exploration of Mars.

In the next part of our series, we'll explore Artemis III, the mission poised to return humans to the lunar surface and introduce the innovative Human Landing System (HLS) that will make it possible.

Innovation

Tomato Juice and its Anti-Microbial Properties

Scientists from Cornell University, New York, have revealed that tomato juice can effectively combat Salmonella Typhi, the bacterium responsible for Typhoid fever, along with other bacteria affecting digestive and urinary tract health.

Salmonella Typhi poses a significant global health threat, causing symptoms of food poisoning and potentially fatal Typhoid fever. The research identified two antimicrobial peptides in tomato juice that disrupt the bacterial membrane, eliminating Salmonella Typhi and its hypervirulent variants.

Notably, there have been no FDA-registered recalls or advisories related to Salmonella contamination in tomatoes or tomato juice since February 2018. The findings suggest a potential public health benefit in increased consumption of tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables.

World News

Super Bowl 2024 Tops 1969 Moon Landing in US TV Ratings

In a dazzling spectacle at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Super Bowl LVIII saw the Kansas City Chiefs emerge victorious over the San Francisco 49ers with a tight score of 25-22. According to CBS, the initial Nielsen Fast National data and Adobe Analytics revealed an impressive average viewership of 123.4 million, making it a historic moment in television.

CBS Sports secured its place in the record books with a staggering 112 million viewers tuning in to witness the Chiefs' monumental win, setting a new standard for the largest audience ever for a single network, as proudly announced in a CBS release. Moreover, Super Bowl LVIII etched its name in history as the most-streamed Super Bowl to date.

The star-studded affair also attracted A-listers, with the likes of the Kardashian-Jenners, the Biebers, and Lady Gaga gracing the event. Taylor Swift, amidst her Eras Tour commitments in Tokyo, jetted to Sin City to cheer on her beau Travis Kelce, joining forces with celebrity comrades such as Blake Lively and Ice Spice. The electrifying Halftime Show, featuring Usher, Alicia Keys, and H.E.R., added another layer of entertainment as they belted out chart-topping hits, including "Caught Up," "Love in this Club," and "Yeah!"

Environment

Child Naturalist Names Giant New Insect

14-year-old Davis Marthin Damaledo embarked on a journey with his father, Dantje, to explore the natural wonders around their home in eastern Indonesia.

Their exploration led to a groundbreaking discovery – a new stick insect species named Nesiophasma sobesonbaii. This find not only marked the first record of the genus Nesiophasma on Timor but also became the second known species of Phasmatodea on the island.

Anticipated to inhabit the entire island of Timor, politically divided between Indonesia and Timor-Leste, this unique discovery has stirred excitement among researchers. They believe that further exploration, including detailed investigations into the island's vegetation and various ecozones, may reveal more undiscovered species.

Davis's discovery holds significant implications for understanding the biological richness of the region. Garda, founder of the Indonesian Mantis and Phasmid Forum (IMPF), wants to increase public awareness of the unique flora and fauna present in East Nusa Tenggara province, encompassing Indonesian Timor.

With approximately 1.6 million identified species of animals and plants to date, and an estimated 80% of Earth's species still unidentified, Davis's passion for insects has proven to be a valuable contribution to science. “I am proud that my hobby is useful for science,” Davis stated, underscoring the often underestimated role of insects in our ecological understanding.

Davis was apparently bullied for his insect fascination. I doubt his bullies ever expected he would help discover and name a whole new insect species!

Mind Stretchers

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Is it legal for a man to marry his widow's sister?

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:
Looks like this one tricked some people. As many of you all pointed out, a cubes has only six sides!!! 🤣 Assuming it is actually a cube, the answer would be 24 in². Either the number or just pointing out a cube has only 6 sides was sufficient to get the answer correct.

The shout-out goes to Martin Walter, who got his answer of 24 in² in first!

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected] or reply to email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.