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NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope discovered an Earth-like planet
NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope, astronomers have discovered the first Earth-size planet orbiting a star in the “habitable zone” — the range of distance from a star where liquid water might pool on the surface of an orbiting planet. The discovery of Kepler-186f confirms that planets the size of Earth exist in the habitable zone of stars other than our sun.
NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope, astronomers have discovered the first Earth-size planet orbiting a star in the “habitable zone” — the range of distance from a star where liquid water might pool on the surface of an orbiting planet. The discovery of Kepler-186f confirms that planets the size of Earth exist in the habitable zone of stars other than our sun.
NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope discovered an Earth-like planet circling a nearby star within the Goldilocks zone of our galaxy. Kepler-186f is around 500 light-years from Earth in the Cygnus constellation. The habitable zone, also identified as the Goldilocks zone, is the area around a star within which planetary-mass objects with enough atmospheric pressure can sustain liquid water at their surfaces.
Although the size of Kepler-186f is known, its mass and composition are not. Previous research, however, suggests that a planet the size of Kepler-186f is likely to be rocky.
“We know of just one planet where life exists — Earth. When we search for life outside our solar system we focus on finding planets with characteristics that mimic that of Earth,” said Elisa Quintana, research scientist at the SETI Institute at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., and lead author of the paper published today in the journal Science. “Finding a habitable zone planet comparable to Earth in size is a major step forward.”
Scientists recently added a whopping 301 newly validated exoplanets to the total exoplanet tally. The throng of planets is the latest to join the 4,569 already validated planets orbiting a multitude of distant stars. How did scientists discover such a huge number of planets, seemingly all at once? The answer lies with a new deep neural network called ExoMiner.
Deep neural networks are machine learning methods that automatically learn a task when provided with enough data. ExoMiner is a new deep neural network that leverages NASA’s Pleiades supercomputer, and can distinguish real exoplanets from different types of imposters, or “false positives.” Its design is inspired by various tests and properties human experts use to confirm new exoplanets. And it learns by using past confirmed exoplanets and false positive cases.
ExoMiner supplements people who are pros at combing through data and deciphering what is and isn’t a planet. Specifically, data gathered by NASA’s Kepler spacecraft and K2, its follow-on mission. For missions like Kepler, with thousands of stars in its field of view, each holding the possibility to host multiple potential exoplanets, it’s a hugely time-consuming task to pore over massive datasets. ExoMiner solves this dilemma.
As the search for more exoplanets continues – with missions using transit photometry such as NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or TESS, and the European Space Agency’s upcoming PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars, or PLATO, mission – ExoMiner will have more opportunities to prove it’s up to the task.
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Flock Camera System Put Back Up, Despite Camden County Ban
In a twist to the story, as of 1:09 PM on January 16, 2024, a truck was spotted on the scene reinstalling another camera to the same pole from which Commisoner Skelton is alleged to have removed the previous one, indicating a quick response by either the state department or possibly Flock Group to reinstate their surveillance equipment.,
– Camden County Presiding Commissioner Ike Skelton finds himself at the center of a legal storm after reportedly taking down a license plate reader (LPR) system installed by Flock Group, Inc., on Highway 54 near D-Road. The incident, which has sparked a debate over privacy versus public safety, occurred just days ago, leading to an ongoing investigation by local authorities.
According to reports, Skelton was observed by a Missouri Highway Patrol trooper in the act of removing the surveillance equipment from its pole. The trooper immediately notified both the Camden County Sheriff’s Office and the Highway Patrol, prompting the latter to take charge of the investigation. This action follows a contentious ordinance passed by the Camden County Commission in January 2024, which banned all automated license plate readers within the unincorporated areas of the county, citing concerns over privacy and potential violations of constitutional rights.
Skelton, an advocate for limited government and individual liberty, has been vocal about his opposition to such surveillance technologies. His stance has previously led to public disputes, including a notable disagreement with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives over firearm permit information sharing. The recent incident with the LPR system is seen by some as an extension of his commitment to protecting residents’ privacy rights, while others view it as an overstep of authority.
The Flock camera in question was part of a study agreement with the Missouri Department of Public Safety, aimed at assessing the effectiveness of license plate reader technology in criminal investigations. Critics argue that these cameras are essential tools for law enforcement, enabling quick identification of stolen vehicles or vehicles associated with criminal activity. However, supporters of Skelton’s actions highlight the potential for misuse of such extensive surveillance capabilities, questioning the balance between security and personal freedoms.
The investigation continues without clear indications of whether charges will be filed. The legal implications could set a precedent for how local governments interact with state or private surveillance initiatives, especially in areas where local ordinances conflict with broader public safety efforts.
The Camden County Sheriff’s Office, alongside the Missouri Department of Public Safety, is expected to release more details as the investigation progresses. Meanwhile, the community remains divided, with debates on social media and local forums reflecting the broader national conversation about surveillance, privacy, and law enforcement’s role in modern society.
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Iowa vs. Missouri: Music City Bowl 2024
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The stage is set for a classic Big Ten versus SEC showdown as the Iowa Hawkeyes prepare to take on the Missouri Tigers in the 2024 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. With kickoff scheduled for 1:30 PM CT on Monday, December 30, the betting community has its eyes glued to the latest odds and predictions.
Missouri steps onto the field as the slight favorite, with the spread sitting at -2.5 points, according to recent updates. The game’s over/under is set at a conservative 40.5 points, hinting at a potential defensive battle. This matchup pits two teams with contrasting end-of-season narratives; Missouri aims for a second straight 10-win season, while Iowa looks to close out the year on a positive note despite dealing with key player opt-outs for the NFL Draft and the transfer portal.
Predictions are leaning towards Missouri covering the spread, with analysts citing the Tigers’ offensive firepower, even without star receiver Luther Burden III, who has opted out to prepare for the draft. Missouri’s quarterback, Brady Cook, is expected to lead the charge, showcasing his resilience after returning from a mid-season injury.
On the other side, Iowa faces challenges with the absence of their star running back, Kaleb Johnson, who has also opted out. However, fans and bettors are reminded of Iowa’s defensive tradition, which could keep them in the game despite offensive shortcomings.
The betting line has seen some movement, with sharps reportedly favoring Iowa at +3.5 points, suggesting confidence in the Hawkeyes’ ability to keep it close or potentially upset the Tigers.
As the clock ticks down to game day, both teams are expected to bring their A-game in what is anticipated to be a low-scoring, hard-fought battle in Nashville. Fans and bettors alike will be watching closely to see if Missouri can leverage their slight favorite status or if Iowa can defy the odds with their defense-first strategy.
For those looking to place a wager or simply follow the action, this Music City Bowl promises to be a testament to the strategic depth and competitive spirit of college football.
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Threat received at School of the Osage Middle School
Osage Beach, MO – On 12/19/2024, at approximately 3:12 p.m. the Osage Beach Police Department received a call from School of the Osage Officials regarding a threat received by staff at the Middle School. Our School Resource Officer along with additional Osage Beach Officers, Detectives and Officers from the Miller County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri
Highway Patrol responded to the Middle School Campus to assist.
The decision was made to delay dismissal until sufficient manpower was on scene to ensure the students and staff’s safety.
The initial investigation revealed that there was no active threat to school, however there is an active investigation being conducted by the Osage Beach Police Department. If the individual(s) responsible for this act are identified, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
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