
Mysterious yellow glass found in Libyan desert 'caused by meteorite', say scientists
A meteorite which smashed into earth 29m years ago may be behind a strange yellow glass found in a certain part of the desert in southeast Libya and southwestern Egypt, according to researchers. The Great Sand Sea Desert stretches over about 72,000 square kilometres across the two countries, and is the only place where the mysterious yellow material is found on Earth. Researchers first described it in a 1933 scientific paper, calling it Libyan desert glass. Mineral collectors have long valued it for its beauty and mysterious qualities – and it was even found in a pendant in Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb. The origin of the glass has been a mystery for centuries, but researchers writing in the journal De Gruyter used new advanced microscopy technology to get answers. Elizaveta Kovaleva, a lecturer at the University of the Western Cape, wrote that the glass was caused by “the impact of a meteorite on the Earth's surface”. Writing in The Conversation, she said: “Space collisions are a primary process in the solar system, as planets and their natural satellites accreted via the asteroids and planet embryos (also called planetesimals) colliding with each other. These impacts helped our planet to assemble, too.” She said: “We studied the samples with a state-of-the-art transmission electron microscopy technique, which allows us to see tiny particles of material – 20,000 times smaller than the thickness of a paper sheet. “Using this super-high magnification technique, we found small minerals in this glass: different types of zirconium oxide (ZrO₂).” One of the types of this mineral found in the glass can only form at temperatures between 2,250 celsius and 2,700 celsius. Toasty. Kovaleva said: “Such conditions can only be obtained in the Earth's crust by a meteorite impact or the explosion of an atomic bomb.” However, she wrote, there are just as many questions as there are answers. The nearest known meteorite craters are too far away and too small to be the cause of that much glass all concentrated in one part of the world. “So, while we've solved part of the mystery, more questions remain. Where is the parental crater? How big is it – and where is it? Could it have been eroded, deformed or covered by sand?” Safe to say, the scientists will keep on looking until they have the answers. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter 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

GM sees EV cost cuts as it looks to profit from green vehicles -CFO
By David Shepardson WASHINGTON General Motors said on Thursday it expects significant reductions in electric vehicle production costs
1970-01-01 08:00

GraniteShares plans to boost leverage levels on US single-stock ETFs
By Suzanne McGee GraniteShares plans to increase the amount of leverage on most of its single-stock exchange-traded funds
1970-01-01 08:00

Oil prices fall amid skepticism on OPEC+ supply cuts
By Laura Sanicola (Reuters) -Oil prices fell on Thursday after rising by more than 1% earlier in the session after
1970-01-01 08:00

Artist on TikTok receives backlash for 'slavery themed bathroom'
An artist on TikTok has faced strong backlash over a “slavery-themed bathroom” seen in a tour of her home. In a since-deleted post, artist and TikToker Hannah Polskin shared a video of her bathroom, showing various pieces of decoration that appeared to be influenced by African culture. Some of the wall decor included a picture of the African-American boxer Muhammad Ali, traditional African masks and a toilet roll holder made out of chains, raising many eyebrows due to its connotations with enslaved Africans and the Atlantic slave trade. Before it was deleted, the original video was shared by TikToker @jpgeez, who raised questions and concerns about the decor. He said: “So, I have questions. Is this your bathroom? Did someone ask you to style the bathroom like this? “I think the thing that I’m wondering about, and what I would imagine most people are wondering about, would be the toilet paper holder with the choice of the rest of the decor, you know.” @jpgeez #greenscreen #greenscreenvideo @Hannah Polskin just curious ? The TikToker reasoned that on their own, the pieces of art would be fine. But, when the chains are placed amongst African pieces, the connotations of slavery are hard to ignore. Responding to his video, one person wrote: “What in the Get Out bathroom.” Another wrote: “Living for the British Museum aesthetic.” Commenting on one of Polskin’s existing videos, someone asked the artist: “Btw what did you mean when you added the chain?” Another person said: “Are we gonna discuss the bathroom theme???” “The bathroom is actually diabolical,” one person commented. indy100 has contacted Hannah Polskin for comment. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter 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

2023 NFL Redraft: Panthers pass on Bryce Young for more
A revised look at the 2023 NFL Draft's top 10 picks — how rookie performances are reshaping initial impressions and draft choices.
1970-01-01 08:00

Alvin Ailey troupe – and a soulful Cynthia Erivo – join to celebrate dance legend Judith Jamison
Actor-singer Cynthia Erivo lent searing and soulful vocals to an evening marking Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 65th anniversary, and celebrating the talents of dance legend Judith Jamison its former star dancer and longtime company leader
1970-01-01 08:00

NYC Realtors Are Grappling Over Who Will Pay Commissions
Agents hustling to strike deals for homes in a tough Manhattan market are confronting another major hurdle as
1970-01-01 08:00

Jack Antonoff post may give new insight into Taylor Swift's break up with Joe Alwyn
Fans are going crazy for Taylor Swift's co-collaborator and producer, Jack Antonoff's Instagram story, which many are saying gives new insight into Swift's relationship with ex Joe Alwyn. After Spotify made the announcement that Taylor Swift was the platform's most streamed artist of the year, Swift released her song "You're Losing Me" onto the platform, which was previously only available on a limited edition CD of her album Midnights. The song's original release on May 2023 made many already speculate it was about Swift's ex, Joe Alwyn, as their breakup had been publicly announced the month beforehand. As Midnights was only released at the end of 2022, fans speculated "You're Losing Me" was written in 2022. However, Antonoff's story suggests differently. At the announcement of the song going onto streaming services, Antonoff shared a photo of Swift eating raisins before recording the song. In the text accompanying the photo Antonoff wrote: "you're losing me is out today. a very special track from the midnights sessions that's finally streaming! written and recorded at home on 12/5/21 right after Taylor ate these raisins." The date mentioned threw fans into a frenzy, and on social media many are suggesting that Swift and Alwyn's relationship was on the rocks since December 2021. Take a look at some fan's reactions and theories: Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter 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. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel
1970-01-01 08:00

3 players on Cardinals holiday wish list ahead of MLB Winter Meetings
The St. Louis Cardinals have filled their starting rotation. However, they are far from done, and these three players could help them out in 2024.
1970-01-01 08:00

Dallas police say Bills LB Von Miller facing arrest for assaulting a pregnant person
Police in Dallas have issued an arrest warrant for Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller on charges stemming from a “major disturbance” at a home there
1970-01-01 08:00

Is Chris Paul playing tonight? Latest injury update for Clippers vs. Warriors
During Tuesday's game, Chris Paul went to the locker room and never returned for the Warriors. Check out CP3's status for tonight's game against the Clippers.
1970-01-01 08:00