Good Morning! 🌞

Did you know that Robert Frost and Diana Ross were both born on the 26th of March? They were born seventy years apart, 1874 and 1944 respectively.

Ludwig van Beethoven also died on March, 26th.

Innovation

Asteroid Mining Incoming

The concept of asteroid mining for critical minerals is transitioning from a theoretical idea to a practical venture, promising to revolutionize not only resource extraction but potentially offering a cleaner alternative to traditional Earth-based mining. The notion, circulating since the 1970s, has recently gained momentum. Companies such as AstroForge, Trans Astronautica Corporation, and Karman+ are preparing to deploy advanced technologies for space trials, setting the stage for asteroid mining operations.

Space missions from Japan and the U.S. have been initiated to survey asteroids and retrieve samples. Notably, NASA's Psyche mission, launched in October 2023, is en route to its namesake asteroid located between Mars and Jupiter, with exploration activities scheduled to commence in August 2029.

This burgeoning field has captured the attention of economists who are assessing its implications for the global economy. A significant study by Ian Lange of the Colorado School of Mines, published on October 16, investigates the economic landscape of asteroid mining. This research anticipates a substantial expansion of the industry in coming decades, spurred by escalating demand for metals essential for electronics, renewable energy technologies, and electric vehicles.

Lange's analysis highlights the rich deposits of vital metals such as nickel, cobalt, iron, and platinum in asteroids, potentially exceeding terrestrial reserves by over a thousand-fold. The advent of reusable rocket technology by entities like SpaceX and Rocket Lab has significantly reduced launch costs, rendering asteroid mining an economically feasible endeavor.

Personally, I am a big fan of sci-fi, so this whole endeavor sounds very cool to me.

Culture

Impossible Challenge?

What happens when you ask two southern European women to eschew their expressive hand gestures?

Quality entertainment, that's what.

World News

1,000 Year Old Viking Sword Discovered

A magnet fisherman scouring his local river endured hours of rain, pulling out mundane scaffolding components. Undeterred by the weather, he persisted until his magnet snagged something intriguing.

The discovery grew more thrilling with time. Recognizing its age and significance, Penny contacted the Oxfordshire County Council, who took custody of the relic for examination.

In a Facebook group for magnet fishermen, Penny shared his excitement: "Found my best item yet today! Possibly a medieval sword. Regardless of its era, it's definitely over 250 years old."

Magnet fishing, an aquatic counterpart to metal detecting, involves lowering a strong magnet attached to a rope into waterways to attract metallic objects. However, it's not without risks; incidents involving live grenades and unexploded ordnance have been reported.

When the Council informed Penny of their findings, he was undoubtedly astonished—the sword dated back to the 8th or 9th centuries, likely belonging to a Danish warrior from the Viking era.

During this time, Vikings played a significant role in English history, forming the Danelaw after invading and conquering various kingdoms. This influence persisted until the Norman conquest in 1066 CE. Penny recounted to the Oxford Mail, "It's the oldest discovery in this county through magnet fishing. The officer mentioned the rarity of finding intact swords and historically significant artifacts. It was a proud moment."

Despite disputes with landowners and river trusts prohibiting magnet fishing, Penny ensured the sword's transfer to a museum as requested.
While it's unclear whether experts labeled the sword as Viking specifically, or simply dated it to the Viking era, both Vikings and Anglo-Saxons esteemed their swords highly.

Swords from this era have very interesting histories. Viking swords are often thought to be inferior in quality due to higher slag content. With many historical accounts and sagas recount instances of swords breaking in battle. There were nonetheless very cherished possessions.

Sports

RipCurl Pro Bells Beach 2024

Today, surfers from across the globe converge on the stunning Australia’s Victoria coast for the iconic Rip Curl Pro tournament, the world's longest-running surfing competition. Every Easter, this renowned event draws enthusiasts to Bells Beach, where legends like Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning, and Mark Richards have claimed victory.

Nestled against a backdrop of rugged cliffs, Bells Beach boasts a reef-breakwater and towering waves, some reaching an impressive five meters in height. Spectators flock to the impressive rock carving tribunes to witness the exhilarating action unfold. Beyond the world-class surfing, attendees can also enjoy performances by Australia's top music artists, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of this Easter holiday extravaganza.

Tune in from wherever you are on their official website!

Mind Stretchers

❓️ 

What has fifteen diamonds but isn’t rich?

Answer to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:
Time

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]

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.