Crews staying aboard the International Space Station (ISS) enjoy unique views of Earth day and night, with the orbiting outpost’s seven-window Cupola observatory module offering astronauts the best vantage point of our planet and beyond. The station’s current Expedition 64 crew recently posted several stunning photos (below) of auroras captured from the Cupola as the space station orbited Earth more than 250 miles up. Auroras occur when particles from solar storms interact with gases in our atmosphere. The collisions can cause breathtaking displays of swirling, colorful light above the surface of Earth. For earthlings who have little hope of ever visiting the space station (OK, that’s pretty much everyone on the planet), the best places to view the natural spectacle are close to the Arctic Circle such as Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland in the Northern Hemisphere, and the far south of Tasmania and New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere. … [Read more...] about Space station aurora images make Earth look otherworldly
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Filter bubbles are ruining the internet. This algorithm pops them
There’s something broken about much of social media. While the number of users increases at an astronomical rate, and there’s no denying its power when it comes to disseminating messages and information, social media doesn’t necessarily embody the best aspects of socializing. In fact, for something with billions of users, it can be downright insular at times. This, in turn, can lead to the polarized world that Eli Pariser first identified in his book The Filter Bubble. But there could be a fix for this fundamental issue. Researchers from Denmark and Finland have created a new algorithm they believe gives a glimpse at how social media could — and maybe should — work. It’s designed to pop the filter bubbles, and expose people to more diverse content. “Typically, the aim of a social media platform would be to maximize user engagement,” Esther Galbrun, a senior researcher in data science at the University of Eastern Finland’s School of … [Read more...] about Filter bubbles are ruining the internet. This algorithm pops them
What is 6G, how fast will it be, and when is it coming?
6G is already generating headlines in the world of technology, but what is 6G, and when will you be able to get it? Right now, 5G is (just about) here. You can buy a 5G smartphone, and enjoy all the benefits of a 5G data connection today. However, technology never stops, and there is talk about the next step in the world of mobile connectivity — 6G. There’s a growing amount of 6G information out there, and much of it is built around just a few reports and studies. Let’s clear some things up about 6G, and find out what the state of this future tech really is. Is 6G real? Yes. And no. Yes, 6G (or whatever it’s eventually called) will eventually replace 5G, but 6G is not yet a functioning technology, and is instead in the early research phase. Mobile telecom companies are much too focused on 5G to deal with 6G in any significant way, although early research projects have begun thanks to funding from governments that want to gain an edge. When is 6G coming? … [Read more...] about What is 6G, how fast will it be, and when is it coming?
Scandinavian décor ideas better than anything you’ll find at IKEA
Scandinavia-inspired interior design? What’s that? What’s Scandinavia? While the questions above are a bit tongue in cheek, you might be surprised at just how many people don’t know where Scandinavia is — just as many have no idea which countries make up the Scandinavian nations or pretty much anything about the people or cultures in question. So, before we dive into the kind of Scandinavian-inspired decor that your guests will love, let’s go over some fundamentals. Just so you know, the Scandinavian countries (or Norse countries) are Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. What is it about the Scandinavian decorating style that is so attractive? Let’s take a look. What is Scandinavian design? The Scandinavian decorating style as we know it today began back in the 1930s. However, most agree that it didn’t become a thing in North America until about 20 years later. It’s all about decorating your house in a way that creates a cozy, … [Read more...] about Scandinavian décor ideas better than anything you’ll find at IKEA