News
‘Ring Of Fire’ Eclipse Brings Cheers And Shouts Of Joy As It Moves Across The Americas
CANCUN, MéXICO — A Solar Eclipse! After crescent-shaped shadows formed on the ground and darkening skies, spectators congregated along the narrow path of a rare “ring of fire” solar eclipse on Saturday erupted in applause.
The spectacle captivated millions of individuals throughout the Americas as the moon entered its designated position and obscured the sun’s outermost region, leaving only a dazzling circle visible.
To observe the eclipse, hundreds of individuals flocked to the planetarium in the Caribbean resort city of Cancún. While some individuals utilized box projectors, others employed telescopes and specialized spectacles to observe.
Children who were filled with anticipation whistled, while some adults extended their arms in an apparent salutation towards the sky in anticipation of the eclipse.
Outside plant vendors witnessed the lunar-sun cycle more organically, aided by trees through which the varying sunlight penetrated, thereby generating distinctive silhouettes on the pathway.
“There was silence and a misty appearance, as if it were dusk, but the birds resumed singing within minutes,” one of the vendors, Carmen Jardines, 56, remarked.
Artemia Carreto was relating her recollections of her childhood in southern Mexico to onlookers when they were directed their attention to the river, which was exquisitely reflected in the dunes beneath.
Although Carreto was not near a river then, she reported being captivated by the sensations brought about by temperature fluctuations and a weighty sensation she attributed to the Earth’s rotation.
Pilar Cáceres perceived an aura of vitality.
‘Ring Of Fire’ Eclipse Brings Cheers And Shouts Of Joy As It Moves Across The Americas.
“It is something that nature brings us and we must observe it,” said the retired elementary school teacher, age 77, who followed the eclipse’s shadow with a piece of cardboard.
Proficient ancient Maya astronomers, who meticulously monitored the celestial and lunar movements, denoted eclipses as “broken sun.” According to archaeologist Arturo Montero of Tepeyac University in Mexico City, the dark volcanic glass might have been used to protect the eyes.
In contrast to a total solar eclipse, a ring of fire eclipse does not witness the complete obscuration of the sun by the moon. A brilliant, fiery border is produced when the moon aligns between the Earth and the sun.
From the instant the moon begins to obscure the sun until it returns to its normal position, the eclipse lasts between two and a half hours at any given location. Three to five minutes comprised the ring of fire segment, which varied by location.
The U.S. itinerary for Saturday includes New Mexico, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, and Texas, with a narrow glimpse of California, Arizona, and Colorado. Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil followed. The majority of the Western Hemisphere experienced a partial eclipse.
Other organizations, including NASA, live-streamed the event.
Some eclipse watchers in the United States ventured to remote regions in an attempt to obtain the best possible view, whereas those in Albuquerque were treated to a double treat: the eclipse occurred during an international balloon fiesta, which annually attracts hundreds of hot air balloon pilots and tens of thousands of spectators.
‘Ring Of Fire’ Eclipse Brings Cheers And Shouts Of Joy As It Moves Across The Americas.
The balloon launch field emanated hoots, hollers and yelps as the moon approached its oblique position over the sun. As the spectacle unfurled, some pilots utilized their propane burners to send flames upward in unison.
Aurora, Colorado-based balloon pilot Allan Hahn remarked, “It’s very exciting to be here and experience the convergence of our passions for aviation and something so natural as an eclipse.”
Before dawn, ardent individuals descend upon the footpaths of Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, staking out their preferred locations amidst the red rock hoodoos.
As the ring of fire peaked, applause reverberated throughout the park’s canyons.
“I just think it’s one of those things that unites us all,” said John Edwards, a cancer drug developer who viewed the eclipse from Bryce Canyon after traveling alone across the country.
When Kirby James and Caroline McGuire, both from Toronto, planned their excursion to southern Utah, they were oblivious that they would be in an ideal location.
“Nothing you could read could prepare you for how it feels,” said co-founder of a software company, Kirby James, 63. “That precise instant, particularly when the ring of fire illuminated, you realized you were witnessing an experience once in a lifetime.”
‘Ring Of Fire’ Eclipse Brings Cheers And Shouts Of Joy As It Moves Across The Americas.
Along the path, small villages and cities experienced a mixture of anticipation and apprehension regarding the weather and the potential overabundance of visitors seeking to observe the annular solar eclipse.
As the eclipse was only intermittently visible in Eugene, Oregon, murmurs of disillusionment accompanied oohs and ahs; the sun’s light peered through the cloud cover only occasionally.
The Tatacoa desert in southern Colombia served as the location where astronomers assisted a group of visually impaired individuals in perceiving the moon and sun’s ideal golden ring by utilizing elevated maps and temperature fluctuations.
Minister of Science of Colombia Yesenia Olaya stated that such occasions ought to motivate individuals to foster an interest in science among children to the extent that they consider it “a life project.”
Juan Pablo Esguerra, age 13, eagerly anticipated accompanying his father on the lunar eclipse trek to the desert for several months.
‘Ring Of Fire’ Eclipse Brings Cheers And Shouts Of Joy As It Moves Across The Americas.
He stated, “I enjoy astronomy because it is a spectacular experience.” “This is the pinnacle of what I have ever witnessed.”
Amidst the assembly of thousands of individuals on the main esplanade of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the principal public institution of the nation, some children arrived in Mexico City adorned as astronauts. As individuals contributed specialized eyewear, the university assembled telescopes.
The eclipse on Saturday was the first to occur in Brazil since 1994. Although the event was relayed online by the nation’s national observatory, thousands flocked to parks and beaches in the north and northeast to observe it.
A total solar eclipse will traverse the United States in the opposite direction in April of that year. Before arriving in Canada, this one will traverse from Texas to New England via Mexico.
The following ring of fire eclipse will occur at the southernmost point of South America in October of next year. By 2026, Antarctica will have one. Before another ring of fire is visible in the United States, it will not occur again until 2039, and Alaska will be the only state in its direct path.
SOURCE – (AP)
The new head of the Army has stated that Britain must be prepared to fight a war within three years.
Gen Sir Roland Walker has issued a warning about a variety of risks in what he calls a “increasingly volatile” environment.
However, he stated that war was not inevitable and that the Army had “just enough time” to prepare to prevent conflict.
He stated that the Army’s fighting capacity would be doubled by 2027 and tripled by the end of the decade.
Gen Walker warned that the Britain was under threat from a “axis of upheaval” in his first speech as Prime Minister on Tuesday.
Among the primary concerns confronting the Britain in the next years, as noted by the general in a briefing, is an enraged Russia, which may seek vengeance on the West for helping Ukraine, regardless of who wins the war.
He stated: “It doesn’t matter how it finishes. I believe Russia will emerge from it weaker objectively – or completely – but still very, very dangerous and seeking some form of retaliation for what we have done to assist Ukraine.”
Britain’s Government Defence Review and Military Challenges
He also warned that China was determined to retake Taiwan, and Iran was likely to seek nuclear weapons.
He stated that the threats they posed may become particularly acute in the next three years, and that these countries had formed a “mutual transactional relationship” since the war in Ukraine, sharing weaponry and technology.
However, he stated that the path to conflict was not “inexorable” if the UK re-established credible land troops to assist its deterrent strategy for avoiding war.
In his speech, he described his force of slightly over 70,000 regular troops as a “medium-sized army” and made no direct call for additional resources or men.
However, he pushed the British Army to adapt swiftly, focussing on technology such as artificial intelligence and weaponry rather than numbers.
His ultimate goal is for the Army to be capable of destroying an opponent three times its size.
This would entail firing quicker and farther, he said, aided by lessons learnt from the Ukraine war.
The general’s speech at the Royal United Services Institute land warfare conference comes only one week after the government began a “root and branch” defence review to “take a fresh look” at the challenges facing the armed services.
Defence Secretary John Healey launched the assessment, describing the existing status of the armed forces as “hollowed-out” and stating that “procurement waste and neglected morale cannot continue”.
According to the most recent Ministry of Defence (MoD) numbers from April 2024, the Britain’s regular Army forces total 75,325 troops (excluding Gurkhas and volunteers).
That figure has been declining in recent years, as recruiting has failed to match retention. The previous Conservative administration lowered the planned headcount from 82,000 to 72,500 by 2025.
Members of the NATO military alliance have agreed to spend at least 2% of GDP on defence by 2024, but several countries are unlikely to fulfil this goal.
The Britain presently spends 2.3% of its GDP on defence. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously stated that the defence review will include a “roadmap” for increasing this to 2.5%, however he has yet to provide a date for this promise.
Source: BBC
News
Katie Ledecky Hopes For Clean Races At Paris Olympics In The Aftermath Of The Chinese Doping Scandal
PARIS — Katie Ledecky is looking for clean Olympic races. On Wednesday, Hope had pretty much reached her limit.
The American swimmer hopes to add to her six gold medals as she competes in the 400, 800, and 1,500 meters at the Paris Games. Her program starts with the heavy 400 on Saturday, featuring Ariarne Titmus and Summer McIntosh.
Katie Ledecky | ESPN Image
Katie Ledecky Hopes For Clean Races At Paris Olympics In The Aftermath Of The Chinese Doping Scandal
The 27-year-old Katie is competing in her fourth Summer Olympics, but the first since a doping scandal involving almost two dozen Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned chemical before the Tokyo Games — yet were permitted to compete with no consequences. The controversy has raised serious worries regarding the effectiveness of anti-doping initiatives.
Katie Ledecky | Vogue Image
“I hope everyone here is going to be competing clean this week,” Ledecky claimed. “But what truly counts is, were they training cleanly? Hopefully this has been the case. Hopefully, there has been worldwide testing.”
The International Olympic Committee has expressed concern over the ongoing US investigation into possible doping by Chinese swimmers. While awarding the 2034 Winter Olympics to Salt Lake City on Wednesday, the IOC urged Utah officials to do whatever they could to stop the FBI investigation.
“I think everyone’s heard what the athletes think,” Katie added. “They seek transparency. They want more answers to the remaining questions. At this point, we are here to race. We are going to race whoever is in the lane next to us.
“We are not paid to conduct the tests, so we trust those who follow their regulations. That applies both today and in the future.
Katie Ledecky | ESPN Image
Katie Ledecky Hopes For Clean Races At Paris Olympics In The Aftermath Of The Chinese Doping Scandal
SOURCE | AP
As the summer holidays begin, London may experience an official heatwave with temperatures reaching up to 29 degrees Celsius.
The Met Office predicts a long period of sunny and dry weather for London after a soggy spring and summer.
After a cloudy day on Saturday, temperatures are expected to reach 27C on Sunday, with lots of sunlight.
On Monday and Tuesday, temperatures are forecast to peak at 29 degrees Celsius. Monday is forecast to offer more sunlight, while Tuesday may see some gloomy weather.
Temperatures are expected to remain in the high 20s next week, with lows of approximately 18C.
According to the Met Office, a heatwave is “an extended period of hot weather relative to the expected conditions of the area at that time of year, which may be accompanied by high humidity.”
In the United Kingdom, a heatwave is proclaimed when daily temperatures meet or surpass a certain level for at least three consecutive days.
In London, the heatwave threshold is 28 degrees Celsius.
The Met Office reported that the UK is experiencing hotter and wetter weather on average due to climate change.
The UK experienced its warmest May and April on record this year, despite damp and dismal conditions in many areas.
According to the Met Office’s State Of The UK Climate 2023 report published on Thursday, the UK experienced historic levels of extreme weather last year.
In the United Kingdom, 2023 was the second warmest year on record, bringing storms, flooding, strong heatwaves, and rising sea levels; only 2022 was warmer.
It was 0.8°C higher than the average from 1991 to 2020, and 1.66°C higher than the 1961 to 1990 average.
However, 2023 will be a “cool year” in comparison to 2100, based on the planet’s warming trajectory.
The government’s plan to adapt to the hazards presented by climate change is currently being challenged in the High Court by campaigners who allege the Tory administration’s July 2023 National Adaptation Programme (NAP) fails to adequately address 61 concerns.
Source: The Standard
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