Science Wrap: Fried food in space, Earth getting hotter and Blade Runner sky in US

This week in science saw the early signs of apocalypse as the smoke from Canadian wildfires has now reached New York and Washington, setting up a dystopian haze over the American cities. Scientists all over the world are scared as a new study suggests the rate at which our planet is burning up with every passing day. 

Talking about hot stuff, a new solar probe has managed to fly towards the heart of the Sun with some interesting results. As for outer space news, astronauts are happy that their bland menu can soon be replaced with fried food items!

READ MORE: New York chokes in bad air, Delhi gives survival tips

1- America gets blanketed under deadly smoke. Credits- Canada. 

The smoke from a Canadian wildfire has caused a significant increase in air pollution in the United States. Following New York, reports indicate that a similar situation is unfolding in Washington as smoke spreads along the Atlantic Coast. The orangish red air is reminiscent of sci-fi films like Blade Runner 2049 and Dune. 

This is being described as the worst case of wildfire smoke blanketing the U.S. Northeast in more than 20 years by forecasting services like AccuWeather. With the majority of NYC and Washington blanketed under the hazardous haze, locals are advised to stay indoors for fear of developing respiratory disorders. 

However, the Internet is still having a field day with memes and sarcastic Twitter reactions. Even if the dystopian haze is scary, maybe the Gen-Z does have a cynical sense of humour. Some Indians are even mentioning the smoke cover as a sign that New York is turning into Delhi!

2- French fries in space? Now a possibility. 

European Space Agency (ESA) scientists have begun experimenting with frying meals in orbit. They just did a study in microgravity to see if potatoes can be fried in space without the help of gravity to create buoyancy. During the experiment, however, researchers discovered that vapour bubbles continued to form on the surface of the potatoes, allowing the hot oil to cook them.

So even though ESA and other organisations like NASA and ISRO haven’t mandated any fried food to be sent to space, it’s highly possible that astronauts can diversify their taste palate whenever they go outside Earth’s orbit. 

3- Parker Solar Probe flies to the Sun. Here’s what it found. 

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, which has been exploring the Sun's secrets, has flown close enough to view the structure of the solar wind near where it is formed.

The latest observations drive us a step closer in understanding the regions where solar winds originate on the Sun. Understanding the point of origin is necessary so that humans can help predict and avoid solar storms in the future.

In a new study published in Nature magazine, the team mentions that Parker detected high-energy particles that match the flows within the holes of the Sun’s corona (the outermost layer). In other words, it is possible that these are these regions where the so-called “fast” solar winds originate.

Further observations are awaited as Parker ventures deeper into the Sun. Hope it doesn’t “burnout” (both literally and metaphorically). 

4- The world is getting hotter by 0.2 degrees celsius every ten years

El Nino is already all set to make 2024 probably the hottest year of all time. And now climate experts are growing worried with the fact that the world’s temperature is increasing every decade by 0.2 degrees. 

This observation is a result of efforts of 50 of the world’s leading climate scientists as they contributed to a peer-reviewed study addressed to global policymakers. 

The report also suggests the world must cut down 60 per cent of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. 

The new data will be presented to world leaders later this year at the key COP28 climate summit in Dubai, where a "Global Stocktake" at the UN talks will review progress toward the 2015 Paris Agreement's temperature goals.