Discovery
Small ‘dead zone’ :
This year’s Gulf of Mexico “dead zone” is surprisingly small, but the oxygen-depleted water rose higher toward the surface than usual, scientists said Tuesday.
Dead zones are areas in which water at and above the sea floor holds too little oxygen to support marine life. This dead zone is the fourth-smallest ever measured in Louisiana, and is only about 40 percent the average size predicted earlier this year based on nitrogen and other nutrients flowing down the Mississippi river.
“Although the area is small this year, we should not think that the low-oxygen problem in the Gulf of Mexico is solved. We are not close to the goal size for this hypoxic area,” said lead scientist Nancy Rabalais of Louisiana State University and the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium. (AP)
Mars closest to Earth:
Earth’s neighboring planet, Mars, is closer than it has been in the past 15 years, offering unusually bright views of the Red Planet’s auburn hues.
“The Red Planet and Earth haven’t been this close since 2003, and won’t be again until 2035,” NASA said.
Astronomers around the world trained their telescopes on the sky on July 31, when the Red Planet was 35.8 million miles (57.6 million kilometers) away.
One popular public viewing spot was the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, where Mars was visible with the naked eye as a bright orange spot in the sky, according to a live broadcast held to mark the celestial event.
“Mars is invading us tonight,” said observatory director Ed Krupp.
The nearest point to Earth in Mars’ elliptical orbit came at around 1100 GMT on Tuesday, NASA said.
Astronomers are interested in Mars’ travel path because it helps decide the best times for spacecraft to launch.
When the Sun, Eart and Mars are lined up, with Earth sitting in between, a phenomenon called “opposition” is in effect, giving the brightest view of Mars. (AFP)
Over 100 wildlife rangers died:
More than 100 wildlife rangers died on the job in Asia and central Africa over the last year, nearly half killed by poachers, the WWF reported Tuesday.
Illegal hunters are decimating endangered wildlife to gather rhino horns and big cat body parts to sell in East Asia, as well as bush meat — including gorillas, monkeys, lions and pangolins — to eat.
“Rangers are the frontline of protecting much of this iconic wildlife,” said Rohit
Singh, WWF’s Zero Poaching Lead, and president of the Ranger Federation of Asia.
“What is shocking is that — despite their willingness to bear these grave risks to save shared wildlife — few are receiving fair pay, insurance and adequate training.”