Scientists discover gigantic 'structure' under the surface of the Moon
The Moon has been a subject of awe and fascination for millennia, with its shape-shifting powers and enigmatic dark side. And though it’s the one celestial body on which man has taken (small) steps, we still have big leaps to go in understanding its potential and uncovering its secrets. However, one hidden feature of the Moon has been unearthed by scientists and it’s very, very big, and very, very heavy. Buried beneath its South Pole-Aitken basin – one of the largest preserved craters in the Solar System – is a structure which weighs at least 2.18 billion kilogrammes and measures more than 300km (186 miles) in depth and 2,000km (1,243 miles) in length. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter The researchers who made the discovery, all based in the US, posited that the “anomaly” could be made out of metal from the core of an asteroid or oxides from the crystallisation of a magma ocean. "One of the explanations of this extra mass is that the metal from the asteroid that formed this crater is still embedded in the Moon's mantle,” lead author Peter B. James, from Houston’s Baylor University, said in a statement shared with IFLScience. Illustrating just how gigantic this thing is, he went on: "Imagine taking a pile of metal five times larger than the Big Island of Hawaii and burying it underground. That's roughly how much unexpected mass we detected.” The groundbreaking finding was made thanks to NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission, which measures changes in the Moon’s gravitational field. Data collected by GRAIL can then be used to study the internal composition of our cratered companion. The South Pole-Aitken Basin has been at the centre of numerous investigations because of just how unique it is. The region offers clues both on the interior composition of our closest satellite and its history, and who knows what other mysteries it holds... Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00
Crispin Odey’s £561 Million Fortune Mostly Trapped Out of Reach
Crispin Odey, on paper, is a multi millionaire — commanding a vast wealth built over decades that’s unlikely
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Amazon Is About to Face Its Biggest Challenge Yet From the FTC
Lina Khan’s Federal Trade Commission has already filed three cases against Amazon.com Inc. Now she’s gearing up for
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Apple Defies EU Over Antitrust Charges in Spotify Probe
Apple Inc. is set for a showdown with European Union antitrust regulators, insisting it doesn’t need to make
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UK Presses Investment Platforms Over Odey Fund Retail Access
The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority is quizzing investment platforms, including Hargreaves Lansdown Plc, over their decision to allow
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Hotel in Italy Named Best in World in New Global List
The 94-room Belmond Hotel Cipriani has a storied history. It was opened in the 1950s by the inventor
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Sega COO Quashes Talk of Microsoft Deal in Favor of Independence
Sega Corp. dismissed speculation it may be the target of acquirers including Microsoft Corp., as the studio behind
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With Plenty of Clean Energy, Brazil Aims for Green Hydrogen Export Market
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1970-01-01 08:00
The family of Irvo Otieno is requesting a federal investigation into his death at a Virginia mental health facility
The family of Irvo Otieno -- who died in March while being admitted to a Virginia mental health facility -- is asking the Department of Justice for a federal investigation into his death, their attorneys announced Wednesday.
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Dealmakers Adrift as $1 Trillion Vanishes in First-Half
The world’s dealmakers are roughly $1 trillion down in one of the worst years for takeovers and stock
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WWE fan sparks debate after asking John Cena to yell catchphrase in a restaurant
WWE star John Cena has caused a debate on TikTok after refusing to say his famous catchphrase for a fan. In the viral footage posted to the platform, the star was captured sitting in a restaurant while catching up with a friend. The TikToker interrupts the pair by asking him to say something for the camera. "Say again?" Cena asked the fan, to which he responded: "Can you [say], 'You can’t see me?'" The WWE legend replied: "How about I enjoy some time with my friends?" His response led the fan to apologise and end the video. The TikTok clip has since racked up almost half a million views and hundreds more polarised comments. "All dude had to say was 'Hi John Cena, I'm a big fan, can I take a picture with you?' from a distance – Cena would have probably said yes," one person wrote. Another added: "People mad at him for having boundaries, but dude didn't do anything either, just saying what's up." Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter @alex99rocks my friend met john cena and decided to be a cornball? @Arya A third also suggested a better approach, commenting: "He’s rich and all but I would rather be like 'hey I’m a huge fan, can I buy you guys another round of drinks?' and hope something good happens after." Meanwhile, others joked that the fan should have toyed with his famed catchphrase 'You can't see me'. "Just go up to his friends and say I’m sorry that you're sitting alone," one TikToker commented, while another humoured: "He said you CAN'T see me." Since his 2002 debut, Cena has not only made an impression in the ring but also for his work for the Make-A-Wish foundation, where he's broken records for the amount of wishes granted. Last year, the Guinness Book of World Records recognised his efforts after making 650 wishes come true. He has also made huge strides as an actor appearing in The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker, Trainwrecked and Fast 9. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00
Scientists design new shapeshifting 'morphobot' and it's like a real-life Transformer
Scientists have designed a new robot that people are dubbing a 'transformer' thanks to its ability to roll, fly, crawl, crouch, balance, and tumble its way through any terrain. Its adaptability is similar to that of a number of animals, including seals, meerkats, and chukar birds. The morphobot was created by the Northeastern University in the US, and will impact the future designs of response and rescue robots, as well as space exploration vehicles. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter
1970-01-01 08:00
