🌞 Discovery of the Einstein Ring

Daily Upsider - Saturday, February 22nd, 2025

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Julia Mejia, Clemens Walter & James Linder
February 22, 2025

Saturday, February 22nd, 2025

Good Morning! 🌞 

A reminder that each Saturday is an opportunity to hit the pause button on life’s hustle and bustle, and to simply enjoy the present.

Today’s Upside

Earth Sciences

Discovery of the Einstein Ring

European Space Agency’s Euclid captures Einstein Ring – Credit: ESA

Scientists analyzing test images from the Euclid space telescope have uncovered a rare and striking cosmic phenomenon: an Einstein Ring. This perfect circle of light is formed by gravitational lensing, where the light from a distant galaxy bends around a closer, massive object. In this instance, the ring is created when light from a much older galaxy, located over 4 billion light-years away, bends around NGC 6505—a galaxy approximately 590 million light-years from Earth. This effect, first predicted by Einstein, acts like a cosmic magnifying glass, allowing astronomers to observe distant galaxies with enhanced clarity.

Launched by the European Space Agency in July 2023, Euclid began testing its cameras in September and initiated a comprehensive survey by February 2024. The mission is set to map over a third of the sky, capturing billions of galaxies up to 10 billion light-years away to create an intricate 3D map of the universe. The recent discovery of the Einstein Ring not only highlights Euclid’s technical prowess but also demonstrates the telescope's ability to capture and reveal subtle gravitational phenomena, underscoring its vital role in modern astrophysics.

Close up of the Einstein ring around galaxy NGC 6505 – credit: ESA, released

Looking ahead, NASA is preparing two complementary missions—SPHEREx and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope—to further our understanding of the cosmos. While SPHEREx will serve as a broad surveyor, the Roman Space Telescope is designed to bridge the capabilities of SPHEREx with those of observatories like Hubble and James Webb. Together, these missions aim to deepen our insights into dark matter and dark energy, the elusive forces that shape the structure and evolution of the universe. As Conor O’Riordan of the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics noted, “All strong lenses are special because they’re rare and scientifically valuable,” emphasizing that discoveries like this Einstein Ring offer crucial clues about the nature of our universe.

World News

Unlocking Fresh Water

Ruden AS workers in front of the Kimbiji aquifer site – credit Ruden AS

Oil exploration firms have long amassed extensive geological data, and now this wealth of information is being repurposed to combat water scarcity in Africa. With two-thirds of the continent facing limited water supplies and the high cost of traditional aquifer discovery methods, access to underground water resources has remained elusive for many governments and development agencies. Ruden AS is changing this narrative by leveraging decades-old seismic survey data from oil drilling operations to uncover hidden water reserves.

Founded in 2009 by Norwegian oil explorer Fritjov Ruden and his daughter Helene Ree, Ruden AS identified a unique opportunity in sites previously dismissed as "dry" by the petroleum industry. Through a three-year negotiation with Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the company secured access to national oil exploration data, ultimately leading to the discovery of a massive aquifer located 1,800 feet beneath Tanzania’s Kimbiji Ward.

Drilling in 2005 confirmed the presence of the Kimbiji aquifer, which is poised to supply clean water to two million Tanzanians for a century by yielding an initial 5,000 cubic meters with a sustainable recharge rate of 2,000 cubic meters per year. Building on this groundbreaking success, Ruden AS is now applying the same innovative approach in Somalia, analyzing decades of oil industry data to uncover potential water sources for millions more, and transforming abandoned “dry” sites into promising reservoirs for sustainable development.

Environment

Recyling: Behind the Scenes

Ever wondered what really happens after you toss that plastic bottle into the recycling bin? In this video, we’re taking you behind the scenes to see exactly how recycling is made—from waste to something new. You’ll get a close-up look at the process that turns everyday trash into reusable materials. Let’s break it down and see how small actions can lead to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

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Hobby Recommendation

Starting an art collection can feel overwhelming, regardless of your background. But it doesn’t have to be. With the right approach, building a collection can be both enjoyable and rewarding. Here are some practical steps to get you started.

  1. Buy What You Love Choose pieces that resonate with you. Your collection should enhance your space and reflect your personality. Not every artwork needs to be a profound masterpiece. Sometimes, a piece you find visually appealing will grow on you over time.

  2. Seek Expert Guidance Working with an art advisor is especially useful for new collectors. Advisors can help you identify quality pieces, avoid overpaying, and introduce you to artists and styles you may not be familiar with. Many galleries offer advisory services, which can be a reliable place to start.

  3. Trust Your Instincts Your collection is personal. It should reflect your taste and interests. Consider what kinds of art and decor you’ve previously been drawn to—this can guide your choices. The best collections often reveal something about the collector’s life and character.

  4. Think About Your Space Consider how the art will fit into your home. Art doesn’t need to match your furniture, but it should work within your environment. Also, think about preservation: avoid placing valuable pieces in direct sunlight or areas with high humidity.

  5. Understand Your Role Collectors play a critical role in supporting artists and shaping their careers. Emerging artists, in particular, rely on early buyers. While art can appreciate in value, view your purchases as investments in your home and your creative growth rather than purely financial assets.

  6. Plan and Budget Set a budget and research artists, galleries, and art fairs to get a sense of what’s available. Understanding your financial limits and the direction you want your collection to take will make the process more focused and enjoyable.

  7. Consider Affordable Options Great art isn’t always expensive. Emerging artists often offer reasonably priced work. Prints or small commissions can also be cost-effective ways to acquire original art.

  8. Frame When Needed Proper framing protects and enhances artwork. Choose frames that complement the piece without drawing attention away from it. When in doubt, opt for simplicity.

Building an art collection is as much about discovering your tastes as it is about acquiring works. Take your time, ask questions, and stay curious. The experience will not only shape your collection but also deepen your appreciation for art.

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

I have a tail but I'm not a mouse,
I guard a home, not a house.
Loyal and true, a friend to you,
Guess my name with just this clue.

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers

—pardON me, Glen P. Hetherington got this 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 the email.

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