science fact

WTF Fun Fact 13615 – Mars’ Green Glow

Scientists at the University of Liège have captured the first sight of Mars’ green glow.

Did you know Mars emits a glow in the visible range during the night? It was a phenomenon never before seen until now. The discovery by the University of Liège’s scientists offers new insights into the dynamics of the Red Planet’s upper atmosphere and its seasonal variations.

Mars’ Green Glow

The Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) satellite, a part of the European Space Agency’s Mars program, played a pivotal role in this discovery. Equipped with the UVIS-NOMAD instrument, the TGO was initially purposed for ultraviolet observations. However, scientists, including Jean-Claude Gérard from the University of Liège, redirected the instrument to capture images of Mars’ limb, leading to this unprecedented discovery.

During night observations, the researchers detected emissions between 40 and 70 km in altitude. These emissions result from oxygen atoms, created in the Martian summer atmosphere and carried to winter latitudes by winds. “As these atoms recombine with CO2, they emit a visible glow,” explains Lauriane Soret, an LPAP researcher. This glow is primarily concentrated in the Martian poles, where the convergence of oxygen atoms occurs most significantly.

The study, encompassing three years of Martian atmospheric data, has revealed that this visible glow fluctuates with the Martian seasons. With each half of the Martian year, lasting 687 Earth days, the glow switches from one hemisphere to the other. This rhythmic change offers scientists a new way to track atmospheric changes on Mars.

A Bright Future for Martian Research

The implications of this research extend far beyond the academic realm. “The intensity of this night glow could guide future astronauts from orbit or on the Martian ground,” says Gérard. The potential for simple instruments to monitor atmospheric flows could significantly enhance future Martian missions and research.

The observations made by the TGO satellite provide a unique opportunity to delve into the dynamics of the Martian upper atmosphere. By analyzing these glows, scientists like Benoit Hubert from LPAP suggest that remote sensing of these emissions can serve as an excellent tool for probing the composition and movements within Mars’ elusive atmospheric layer.

In summary, this first-time observation of Mars’ night glow in the visible spectrum opens up a new frontier in Martian exploration. It not only helps us understand the intricate atmospheric dynamics of our neighboring planet but also holds promise for supporting future explorations and potentially aiding human presence on Mars.

The Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) satellite, a part of the European Space Agency’s Mars program, played a pivotal role in this discovery. Equipped with the UVIS-NOMAD instrument, the TGO was initially purposed for ultraviolet observations. However, scientists, including Jean-Claude Gérard from the University of Liège, redirected the instrument to capture images of Mars’ limb, leading to this unprecedented discovery.

The Glow of Martian Nights

During night observations, the researchers detected emissions between 40 and 70 km in altitude. These emissions result from oxygen atoms, created in the Martian summer atmosphere and carried to winter latitudes by winds. “As these atoms recombine with CO2, they emit a visible glow,” explains Lauriane Soret, an LPAP researcher. This glow is primarily concentrated in the Martian poles, where the convergence of oxygen atoms occurs most significantly.

The study, encompassing three years of Martian atmospheric data, has revealed that this visible glow fluctuates with the Martian seasons. With each half of the Martian year, lasting 687 Earth days, the glow switches from one hemisphere to the other. This rhythmic change offers scientists a new way to track atmospheric changes on Mars.

The implications of this research extend far beyond the academic realm. “The intensity of this night glow could guide future astronauts from orbit or on the Martian ground,” says Gérard. The potential for simple instruments to monitor atmospheric flows could significantly enhance future Martian missions and research.

Understanding Mars’ Green Glow and Atmosphere Dynamics

The observations made by the TGO satellite provide a unique opportunity to delve into the dynamics of the Martian upper atmosphere. By analyzing these glows, scientists like Benoit Hubert from LPAP suggest that remote sensing of these emissions can serve as an excellent tool for probing the composition and movements within Mars’ elusive atmospheric layer.

In summary, this first-time observation of Mars’ night glow in the visible spectrum opens up a new frontier in Martian exploration. It not only helps us understand the intricate atmospheric dynamics of our neighboring planet but also holds promise for supporting future explorations and potentially aiding human presence on Mars.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Glow in the visible range detected for the first time in the Martian night” — ScienceaDaily

WTF Fun Fact 13495 – Haunted House Carbon Monoxide Theory

The haunted house carbon monoxide theory takes a little bit of the ghoulishness out of Halloween. But it its place is something much scarier. Those ghosts might be a sign that you’re being poisoned!

Now, we’re not talking about the haunted houses that you go to for Halloween fun. We’re talking about people who actually feel and hear and see ghosts that they think are coming from beyond the grave.

What’s the Haunted House Carbon Monoxide Theory?

There’s a saying: “When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.” Yet, when it comes to stories of haunted houses, the supernatural often takes precedence over the logical.

Such tales have captivated our imagination for centuries, with eerie apparitions, whispered voices, and otherworldly sensations. But could there be a more down-to-earth explanation for these ghostly experiences?

Enter carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause a wide range of health problems and even death when inhaled in large amounts. It affects the body by preventing oxygen from entering cells and tissues, leading to a condition called hypoxia.

The Unusual Cases of “Hauntings”

There’s been a growing awareness of how carbon monoxide poisoning can cause symptoms eerily similar to those described in paranormal encounters.

Take the example from an American Journal of Ophthalmology report from 1921. A family started seeing apparitions and experiencing a constant sensation of being watched. The children lost interest in play, became ill, and the father even witnessed a mysterious woman in black. The mother, too, had her own harrowing encounters. (This example is cited in IFL Science, cited below).

It wasn’t until the father’s brother suggested a more rational cause that the mystery was solved: carbon monoxide poisoning, originating from a broken furnace.

Writer Carrie Poppy described an unnerving presence in her house, complete with auditory hallucinations and a peculiar pressure on her chest to to NPR (via IFL Science). She felt watched and perceived an ominous “whoosh” sound. To her, this was no mere haunting; she believed a demon occupied her home.

The distress became so overwhelming that she found herself in tears nightly. However, a group of skeptical ghost hunters steered her towards a more plausible explanation: carbon monoxide. And sure enough, a gas leak was identified as the root cause.

Haunted Houses and Carbon Monoxide: A Tale Of Ghosts and Gas Lamps?

There’s an intriguing theory that the Victorian era, known for its plethora of ghost stories and an intense fascination with the supernatural, might have had a carbon monoxide connection.

Toxicologist Albert Donnay suggests that carbon monoxide and other toxins could be responsible for a large number of these hauntings.

The Victorians, with their gas lamps and toxic wallpaper, could have inadvertently been subjecting themselves to low doses of poison, leading to hallucinations and the perception of hauntings.

A Logical Explanation in a Paranormal World

While it’s true that not every ghostly encounter can be chalked up to carbon monoxide — some might be hoaxes, products of sleep paralysis, or even crafty hotel managers attempting to boost business — it’s essential to consider the possibility. Often, the answers we seek lie not in the realm of the otherworldly, but in the tangible world around us.

In essence, if you believe you’ve encountered a spectral presence or feel like something’s not quite right in your home, it might not be a ghostly visitor. Instead, it could be a silent and deadly gas.

So, before calling in the paranormal investigators, IFL Science writer Andrew Felton suggests you ring up a technician to inspect your home’s heating system. Your “haunting” might just be a malfunctioning boiler or furnace.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “An Awful Lot Of Hauntings Can Be Attributed To Carbon Monoxide Poisoning” — IFL Science

WTF Fun Fact 13485 – People Who Read Live Longer

In 2016, Yale researcher first published a study that found a connection between longevity and reading – in other words, people who read live longer. It’s a correlation, but there’s no clear causation (that is, there’s no proof that reading is precisely what adds years to your life). Still, it felt validating for those of us who love the written word. And even better, it’s a free activity (if you have access to a library) that’s available to lots of people!

So, Do People Who Read Live Longer?

In an increasingly digitized world, it might be easy to dismiss reading as a leisurely pastime of bygone eras. Yet, plenty of people still do it. So, researchers from Yale University’s School of Public Health decided to expore the benefits of reading to try and understand whether engaging in this mental exercise could have real, tangible effects on longevity.

The study analyzed data from 3,635 individuals aged 50 and above. It divided them into three groups.
1) those who didn’t read books
2) those who read for up to three and a half hours a week,
3) and those who read more than that.

The results? Book readers, regardless of gender, wealth, education, or health, had a 20% reduction in risk of mortality over a 12-year period compared to non-book readers!

Even reading less than 3.5 hours per week benefitted. Reading came with a significant survival advantage over those who didn’t read at all.

Why Does Reading Enhance Longevity?

The exact mechanisms that would explain why people who read live longer are still being explored. But the hypothesis is as fascinating as the result itself.

Reading books, particularly those with complex narratives, demands cognitive engagement and promotes empathetic understanding and emotional intelligence. This intellectual stimulation boosts brain power, much like how physical exercise strengthens the body.

Reading can also provide a healthy form of escapism, reducing stress, and promoting better mental health. This “workout” for the mind might increase resilience against age-related cognitive decline and diseases, leading to an overall longer lifespan.

Not All Reading Is Equal

While all reading is beneficial, the study found that reading books, as opposed to magazines or newspapers, provided a larger survival advantage. This could be because books involve more immersive and cognitive processes, like the use of imagination and critical thinking. They also encourage the reader to make connections between different plot elements spread out over hundreds of pages, creating a greater neural stimulus.

We know what you’re wondering. We’re wondering about it too. What about reading online or on an e-reader? And researchers aren’t sure. But older research found that people who read physical books were more engaged and remembered more plot points. However, we need more research – and those results wouldn’t apply to everyone anyway.

Further research is needed to solidify the connection and understand the exact mechanisms behind why people who read live longer. For instance, how different genres might impact longevity is still an open question. Does a suspense thriller provide the same benefit as a heartfelt romance?

And, of course, as digital reading becomes more popular, future research will need to explore whether reading eBooks – or even listening to audiobooks – provides the same benefits as “traditional reading.”

— WTF fun facts

Source: “People who read live longer than those who don’t, Yale researchers say” — Big Think

WTF Fun Fact 13257 – Snoring and Relationships

Snoring is bad for relationships. The damage is hard to quantify since there are many reasons for poor sleep, and a lack of sleep can lead to everything from health issues to resentment. But it seems clear that if one person snores and keeps the other awake, it frequently leads to trouble. Snoring and relationships are a terrible combination.

Why snoring is bad for relationships

There are many incorrect statistics out there (like snoring is the third leading cause of divorce – it’s not) due to people misreading scientific research. But plenty of work has been done on the damage one partner’s snoring can do to the other and the relationship overall.

For example, the Sleep Disorders Center at Rush University Medical Center conducted a study on couples in which the husband had sleep apnea that affected the wife’s ability to sleep due to snoring. They found cases in which the wife’s sleep efficiency scores decreased significantly because they were woken up by snoring up to 8 times per hour!

Rosalind Cartwright, Ph.D., founder of the Sleep Disorders Center at Rush, noted:

“Couples who struggle with sleep apnea have a high divorce rate. Our early results are showing that the wife’s sleep is indeed deprived due to the husband’s noisy nights. This is not a mild problem. The lack of sleep for both partners puts a strain on the marriage and creates a hostile and tense situation.”

The good news is that when the sleep apnea was treated, and the snoring ceased to disturb the wife’s sleep, her quality of life went up, her sleepiness went down, and the marital satisfaction score improved.

It’s important to note that while studies suggest a link between snoring and marital conflict, they do not necessarily imply causation. Snoring may be a symptom of an underlying health condition (such as sleep apnea). It’s possible that these factors, rather than the snoring itself, may be contributing to conflict. And, of course, studies may not apply to all couples.

More research is needed to fully understand the relationship between snoring and marital conflict.

The “sleep divorce”

A sleep divorce is a term that refers to the practice of couples sleeping separately to get a better night’s sleep. It can mean sleeping in different beds or different rooms.

This practice is becoming increasingly popular among couples. Some find that snoring, tossing and turning, or different sleep schedules destroy a partner’s sleep. This can lead to a variety of health problems.

There are many reasons why couples may choose to sleep separately. Snoring is among the most common since it can happen frequently and lead to daytime fatigue and irritability.

While the idea of sleeping separately may seem unromantic to some, it can actually have several benefits. Sleeping separately can lead to better sleep quality, improving mood, productivity, and overall health. It can also reduce arguments and conflicts that may arise from sleep disturbances. This can improve the overall quality of the relationship.

Of course, for some, sharing a bed may be an important part of the intimacy and connection in their relationship. Additionally, it’s important for couples to communicate openly about their sleeping arrangements and work together to find a solution that works for both partners.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Can Snoring Ruin A Marriage?” — ScienceDaily