2022

- June 07, 2022 0

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are large eruptions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun's corona. 

They are often associated with solar flares and can disrupt the Earth's magnetic field, causing geomagnetic storms. 

CMEs are a major source of space weather and can be hazardous to astronauts and equipment in space.

What are coronal mass ejections?
 

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are giant clouds of plasma that are ejected from the Sun's corona. 

These clouds can contain up to 10 billion tons of material and can travel at speeds of up to 3,000 km/s. 

When a CME collides with the Earth's magnetosphere, it can cause a geomagnetic storm, which can disrupt power grids, communications systems, and navigation systems. 

CMEs are often associated with solar flares, but they can also occur without any accompanying flares.

What causes CMEs?

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are among the most powerful eruptions in the solar system. They are huge clouds of plasma and magnetic field that are ejected from the Sun's corona, often during solar flares.

CMEs can cause widespread disruption to terrestrial systems, including power grids and communications networks.

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are one of the most energetic events in the solar system. 

These massive eruptions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun's surface can release as much as 10 billion megatons of energy. 

CMEs are often associated with solar flares, but they can also occur without any accompanying flare activity.

The exact cause of CMEs is still not fully understood, but they are thought to be the result of the release of magnetic energy that has built up in the Sun's atmosphere. 

This can happen when the Sun's magnetic field becomes tangled and unstable, and can also be triggered by the impact of high-speed solar wind particles on the Sun's surface. 

Whatever the cause, the result is a massive release of energy that can send billions of tons of plasma and magnetic field into space.

CMEs can have a major impact on the Earth, depending on their size, speed, and direction. 

If a CME is directed towards the Earth, it can interact with our planet's magnetic field and cause a geomagnetic storm. 

These storms can disrupt communication systems, cause power outages, and even damage satellites. 

Luckily, we can usually predict when a CME is going to hit the Earth, and so we can take steps to minimize the impact.

Geomagnetic storms

Geomagnetic storms are temporary disturbances in Earth's magnetosphere, created by the interaction of solar wind and Earth's magnetic fields. 

What are coronal mass ejections?

 These storms most often occur when solar activity is at its highest. The solar wind is a stream of plasma coming from the sun. It is not a constant wind, but rather changes in strength and direction. 

The solar wind consists of electrons, protons and alpha particles. The Earth's magnetic field is the shape of a donut, with the Earth in the center. 

The outer part of the donut is filled with radiation, called the Van Allen Belt. This radiation extends from about 10 Earth radii to over 60 Earth radii. It is here that the geomagnetic storms typically occur.

Geomagnetic storms are caused when the Earth's magnetic field interacts with the sun's magnetic field. 

This happens because the Earth's magnetic field is not aligned with the Earth's spin axis, so the solar winds drag it around. 

This causes the geomagnetic field to become distorted, which causes a lot of electrons to flow along the outside of the Earth. 

This disturbance in the magnetic field causes a geomagnetic storm, which means that radiation from solar flares can reach the Earth during a storm.

The Carrington Event

The Carrington Event was a massive solar storm that hit Earth in 1859. The Carrington Event was the largest solar storm in recorded history, and it had a profound impact on the world. 

The storm caused widespread damage to infrastructure and disrupted communication systems. 

What are coronal mass ejections?

 It also sparked a wave of new research into the effects of solar storms on the Earth.

The Carrington Event was a solar storm that caused electric currents to flow in telegraph lines, setting some telegraph offices on fire and disrupting the operation of the telegraph system all over the world. 

It was the largest solar storm observed during modern times. The Carrington Event was so powerful that the telegraph lines received direct currents of hundreds of amperes.

This caused havoc with the telegraph system and set telegraph offices on fire. It resulted in the disruption of the telegraph system world-wide. 

Telegraph pylons threw sparks and telegraph paper spontaneously caught fire. The operator could smell the burning insulation as the pylons were arcing themselves.

The most amazing aspect of solar storms is that they can affect the Earth even if they occur at the other side of the sun. 

This is because light and radiation travel faster than the speed of sound or other electromagnetic waves.

CMEs Vs. Technology

As we know CMEs are not life threatening but when it comes to technology its very disturbing. 

When CME clouds reach Earth, the Earth's strong magnetic field attracts the cloud and funnels it into the upper atmosphere. 

There, the plasma cloud can damage satellites and power grids. These effects can be especially damaging for astronauts in space. 

If a coronal mass ejection were to occur when astronauts on the International Space Station were outside, they might have little warning to get back inside before the cloud hits. 

Consequences could include a loss of communication, a power failure, or the necessity to wear a spacesuit if exposed to the plasma cloud.

Can CMEs be predicted?

The location of CMEs, and of course the flare activity, is unpredictable in the long run. However, the Sun can be understood well enough to predict the general occurrence of CMEs. 

The source of most CMEs is sunspot group 5302. We know this because the frequency of CMEs is about twice as high in this active region compared to the rest of the Sun. 

Two important features of a sunspot are temperature and magnetic fields. Sunspots are regions of lower temperatures than the surrounding area. 

Lower temperatures on the Sun means darker regions. The Sun's magnetic field is stronger in sunspots and can be measured by the Zeeman effect. 

More importantly, we now know that sunspots are caused by the magnetic fields of the Sun. The above is an excerpt from the book, "Introductory Space Physics" by Raymond L. Lee, Jr. 

In his book, the author describes the solar magnetic fields, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections.

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- May 27, 2022 0


What's hidden inside the ancient Maya pyramids?

The ancient Maya pyramids are some of the most mysterious and enigmatic structures in the world. 

For centuries, historians and archaeologists have debated what, if anything is hidden inside these massive structures. 

Some believe that the pyramids were used as tombs for Maya royalty, while others believe that they were used for religious or ceremonial purposes.

Recent discoveries, however, have shed new light on the mystery of the Maya pyramids. In 2012, archaeologists discovered a secret chamber inside the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent in Mexico. 

This find was particularly significant because it was the first time that a hidden chamber had been found inside a Maya pyramid.

What is inside anyway?

New discoveries contained something weirder — smaller pyramids inside the larger ones. The discovery of the secret chamber has led many to believe that the Maya pyramids were used for more than just burial or religious purposes. 

It is now believed that the pyramids were used as a kind of time capsule, containing artifacts and information about the Maya civilization that would be passed down through the generations.

More Mayan Artifacts

What's hidden inside the ancient Maya pyramids?

 

Maya artifacts are some of the most fascinating and mysterious objects in the world. 

These ancient objects have been found in the ruins of Maya civilization sites, and they offer a glimpse into the lives of the Maya people. 

Some of the most famous Maya artifacts include the Maya Codex, the Maya vase, and the Maya mask. 

Each of these objects has its own unique story, and they all offer insights into the Maya culture and way of life.

So far, only a handful of secret chambers have been found inside Maya pyramids. But who knows what else may be waiting to be discovered? 

The ancient Maya pyramids continue to fascinate and intrigue us, and they may hold many more secrets yet to be revealed.

Where Mayan Pyramids stands in the world

The ancient Maya pyramids are a major source of fascination for people all over the world, but very few know about their hidden chambers and passages. 

As it turns out, three of the world’s largest pyramids have hidden chambers within. In fact, the structures of the largest pyramids of the world have concealed spaces inside them.

Major Discoveries

It’s stats with a chamber found in the Great Pyramid at Giza, in Egypt, in September 1992. 

A year later, in 1993, two large chambers were found below the third and fourth step of the Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacan. 

Pyramid of the Sun, in Cholula, Mexico, is another pyramid that has hidden chambers within its structure. These chambers are built at the base of the pyramid, and are believed to be used as tombs.

Mayan Pyramid-What to expect?

Upon entering the pyramid, the first thing people will see is the sunlight shining down through the temple. It is amazing that the unique structures known as Maya pyramids were constructed so many centuries ago and are still in perfect condition. 

Archaeologists are still trying to decode the Mayan hieroglyphics carved on the walls inside the temple to find out what they mean. They have also found several stelae carved with Maya hieroglyphics inside the temple. 

These are stone slabs covered with Maya inscriptions. Some hieroglyphics are also carved on the walls of the temple. 

They do not only look decorative but also preserve the history of the Mayas.

Some Historical Background

The ancient Maya built their pyramidal temples like the ones at Chichen Itza in Yucatan and Palenque in Southern Mexico, between 600 to 900 AD. 

The most famous of these pyramids is the Kukulcan pyramid at Chichen Itza, which is about 64 m tall with 8 terraces and a temple on top. 

Altogether, there are about 20 large structures in the Chichen Itza site, but none of them is as big as the Kukulcan pyramid. 

The reason why most of the Maya pyramids are smaller than this one is because the Maya built their pyramids in the shape of a pyramid-temple, while the Aztecs built their pyramids in the shape of a temple-pyramid.

What’s the purpose of building Mayan Pyramids?

The first question to ask is why they built these massive, time consuming, and expensive buildings. 

The Maya culture was a very religious, ritualistic culture and they had a very sophisticated writing system. 

They built pyramids to enhance the worship of their gods. They built them exactly the same way the Egyptians did. The Egyptians had the same beliefs and religious rituals. 

They did this because they believed that their gods lived in the stars in the sky. They built pyramids to act as star telescopes. Most of today’s star gazers use modern telescopes and binoculars. 

The Maya used their pyramids and offered sacrifices to their gods to ensure that they were able to use them to see the stars clearly.

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- May 27, 2022 0


 

The Godfather is an American crime classic and one of the most influential films. The Godfather tells the story of the Corleone family, a powerful crime syndicate in New York City. The head of the family, Vito Corleone, is a respected and well-connected man.

 

However, he is also a ruthless and feared mobster. When his youngest son, Michael, becomes involved in the family business, he quickly rises through the ranks, becoming a powerful and deadly figure in his own right.

 

The Godfather is a masterfully crafted film with excellent performances from its all-star cast. The story is compelling, and the characters are richly drawn. The film is also beautifully shot, with a stunning visual style that evokes the time and setting. The Godfather is a must-see for any fan of classic cinema.

 

Many life lessons can be gleaned from the classic movie, The Godfather. Perhaps the most important lesson is that it is always better to seek forgiveness than permission. This is a lesson that Don Corleone learned the hard way, and it is a lesson that we would all do well to remember.

 

Before you can understand the ten life lessons in the Godfather, you have to know the story behind the movie. 

 

The Godfather is a classic American film that tells the story of the Corleone crime family. The patriarch of the family, Vito Corleone, is a powerful and respected man who has built his empire through illegal activity. His son, Michael, is a war hero who has no interest in the family business.

 

However, when a rival gangster attacks Vito, Michael steps in to take over the family. He quickly proves himself to be a ruthless leader. The family soon becomes the most powerful crime syndicate in New York. The Godfather is a tale of power, betrayal, and redemption that has captivated audiences for generations.

 

There are many life lessons to be learned from the Godfather movie. Here are 10 of the most valuable ones:

 

1. Family is everything.

The story of The Godfather starts with the wedding of Don Vito Corleone's daughter Connie. The Corleone family is the most powerful Italian mafia family in New York. On the wedding day, Corleone family lieutenant Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall) reads out the family's most important rule: never disrespect the family, or they will not hesitate to kill you. 

 

2. Don't ever go against your family.

There's an old saying, "Don't ever go against your family." And that's true in the godfather movie. The Corleone family is one of the most powerful and respected families in the world, and they will do whatever it takes to protect their own. If you go against them, you're not just going up against one family; you're going up against them. And that's a very dangerous thing to do.

 

3. Blood is thicker than water.

This epic movie is a great example of using blood as an expression of family ties. This movie shows that blood ties are stronger than any other relationship. After all, you are the child of someone and it is only natural that you would love them. So blood is thicker than water.

 

In one scene, where mob-affiliated singer and Don Corleone’s godson, Johnny Fontane, visits Don Corleone to bring up some concerns ends with a scolding that we all can learn from. Don Corleone tells Johnny to be a man and advises him that if he does not spend time with his family he cannot ever be truly considered a real man.

 

This seems straightforward but the advice is hard-hitting. Even though the Don ran an organized operation, he was always there for his wife and family.

 

4. Loyalty is a key.

The Godfather, Vito Corleone, is the patriarch of that family. He is the one who keeps them all together, and he is the one who demands loyalty from all of them. The godfather loyalty scene is when Michael Corleone's (Al Pacino) father, Vito Corleone (Robert DeNiro) is shot.

 

Frankie Pentangeli (Michael V. Gazzo) confesses to taking part in the murder because of the Mafia's code of honor. The Mafia believes in "Omertá," which is a code of silence and not disclosing anything to the government. The Mafia believed that all of their members were "made men," which means they were not allowed to rat on their fellow gangsters.

 

5. Friendship is a valuable commodity.

Friendship is a valuable commodity, and the godfather movie is a great example of this. The Godfather is a movie about loyalty, family, and friendship. The three main characters in the movie are all friends, and they have each other's backs no matter what. The Godfather is a great example of how friendship can be a valuable commodity.

 

6. Always be prepared for the worst.

The Godfather tells his son Michael that the first business rule is "never let anyone know what you're thinking." Michael takes this advice to heart, and it serves him well throughout the movie. He is always prepared for the worst. As a result, he can take advantage of opportunities that others are not. 

 

For example, when Michael is in Sicily, he is prepared for the worst when the local Mafia attacks him. He can kill his attackers and take over their operations. If he had not been prepared for the worst, he would have been killed, and the Mafia would have taken over his operations. 

 

Being prepared for the worst may not always be the most pleasant way to live, but it is a very effective way to do business.

 

7. Trust is hard to come by.

In the world of the Godfather, trust is a rare commodity. Everyone is out for themselves, and no one can be trusted. This makes for a very dangerous and unstable world, where the slightest misstep can lead to disaster.

 

The Godfather himself is a man who knows the value of trust. He has built his entire criminal empire on trust and loyalty. He knows that without trust, his organization would quickly crumble.

 

This is why the Godfather is so careful about whom he trusts. He knows that it is very hard to repair once trust is broken. He must be sure that the people he trusts are completely loyal to him and will not betray him.

 

The Godfather is a man who understands the importance of trust. He knows that it is a rare and valuable commodity. And he knows that without it, his world would be a much more dangerous place.

 

8. Revenge is a dish best served cold.

One of the most famous scenes in the movie is when Michael Corleone takes revenge on the rival family that killed his father. He does this by killing the head of the rival family, along with all of his men. This scene is one of the most memorable in the movie, and it perfectly embodies the phrase "revenge is a dish best served cold."

 

Michael Corleone is calm and calculated as he takes his revenge, and it is clear that he has planned it out well in advance. This scene is a great example of how revenge can be a very satisfying thing if done correctly.

 

9. It's not always about winning, but about playing the game.

In the classic film The Godfather, Vito Corleone famously says, "It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business." This line has become synonymous with the movie and the Mafia in general. But what does it mean?

 

In the context of the film, it means that the Mafia is a ruthless business. Personal feelings should never get in making a deal or carrying out an order. This is a key principle of the Mafia's code of conduct.

 

But the phrase can also be interpreted more broadly as a statement about life in general. It's not always about winning but about playing the game. This is true in business, politics, and many other areas of life. Sometimes we have to put aside our personal feelings and do what's best for the greater good.

 

10. Life is full of surprises.

Life is full of surprises. You never know what's going to happen next. Even the best-laid plans can go awry. That's why it's important always to be prepared for the unexpected.

 

In the Godfather movie, we see this principle in action. The Corleone family is one of the most powerful in New York. They have their fingers in all sorts of pies, from politics to crime. But even they are not immune to the randomness of life.

 

One of the most famous scenes in the movie is when rival gangsters ambush Michael Corleone. He is shot multiple times and left for dead. But he survives and goes on to take his revenge.

 

This scene is a great reminder that life is full of surprises. No matter who you are or how much power you have, you can never predict what will happen. So always be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.

 

These are just a few of the many life lessons gleaned from The Godfather. It is a classic movie for a reason, and its lessons are as relevant today as they were when the movie was first released.

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- April 27, 2022 0

 

10 amazing mysteries of indus valley civilization

In the Early 1900, there were frequent incidences of soapstone seals, stone sculptures, pottery and human figurines popping up around the ancient Indus valley area in British India. They baffled everyone with their unique inscriptions in a never-before-seen written language.

Intrigued by this, archaeologists Daya Ram Sahni and R.D. Banerji began the excavation work and discovered a 4,500-year-old civilization, a civilization utterly missing from the historical records. Probably one of the most urban civilizations in ancient human history. It prospered alongside Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and modern-day China.

Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa were considered twin cities in ancient times and flourished on the banks of the river Indus in modern-day Pakistan. Mohenjo-Daro, also known as Mount of the Dead, is one of the oldest and most prominent cities of the early civilizations known to man. Its mysterious culture emerged almost 4500 years ago and remained for thousands of years.

This city profited from its fertile lands of Indus River flood plains and trade with nearby civilizations of Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). Sadly, after its extended period of excellent glory, the city got buried under the sands of time.

Archaeologists believe that over 80,000 people once occupied these cities, but only 52 skeletons have been discovered on these sites so far.

Mystery 1: What Happened to these Cities?

Was there an invasion? Was there an earthquake? What happened to these cities? No one knows for sure.

If you ever happen to visit these mysterious "Godless" cities, everything will feel alive, as if there are still people living in their homes but have gone for a day out and will just come back any time.

According to scientists and archaeologists, this civilization started to decline around 1800 BC. Evidence shows that their massive trade with Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) almost ended. The advanced drainage system was either blocked or destroyed, their writing script began to vanish, and the standard scales of weights and measures were not used anymore.

David Davenport, a British researcher in 1977, discovered that some parts of Mohenjo-Daro showed evidence of having been destroyed by a powerful explosion. In 2014, mineralogist Dr Sam Iyengar took some rocks from Mohenjo-Daro and placed them under multiple examinations. The composition of stones was very similar to a volcanic rock that required 4 to 5 thousand degrees of heat, which was humanly impossible to produce at that time. So, where did all these people go remains a mystery to date.

Mystery 2: Seals

Small stone seals are among the most mysterious Mohenjo-Daro artefacts. No one knows what they were used for. They have been found in large numbers covered with pictographs showing animals. Archaeologists believe that they were either used as charms to keep away the evil or as stamps to demonstrate ownership and verification purposes.

Mystery 3: Advanced Sewer System

With the bath and toilet in each house, community trash disposal at every corner of all streets, nearly 700 wells in the city for the excess people to fresh water and a very well-maintained drainage system, this civilization was more advanced in 2500 BC than most of the same region's cities in 2022.

Mystery 4: Mysterious Necklace

Archaeologist Mortimer Wheeler discovered a 4500 years old split necklace in an earthen pot at the Mohenjo Daro excavation site. He didn't disclose this discovery and gifted the necklace to his third wife.

Mortimer had a superstitious belief that the chain would bring him luck as his previous two marriages were unsuccessful. The necklace did bring luck. Just two years after discovering the necklace, he was knighted.

Mortimer's third wife, Margaret, gifted the necklace to her Indian lady friend when they left India. 80,000 British pounds were offered for the chain in 1996 by a U.K. businessman, but the lady turned down the offer, and the necklace remains in her family's possession.

Mystery 5: Splendid architecture of the Twin Cities

These 5000 years old cities were an engineering masterpiece of their time. It has remains of a marvellously engineered road plan and rectilinear multi-story houses that have astonished thousands of archaeologists and architects. How in God's name were they able to do all that in those ancient times?

Mystery 6: Religion of Indus People?

There is no authentic information about the religion of the Indus people. Still, the recent discoveries of 3500+ seals and statuettes with pictures of animals, Gods and Priests suggest that people of different faiths, majorly Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, lived there.

Mystery 7: Indus People Knew Dentistry

Dentistry is one of the oldest medical professions. It has been found dating back to 7000 B.C. The skeletons of the Indus people have shown holes in teeth caused by ancient "dental drills."

Mystery 8 : Pashupati steatite seal

It’s one of the oldest seals found in India so far. And we know that the mohenjo daro seals were from the same period. The mohenjo daro seals were from the same period hence it’s safe to say that the seals were from the same period and were from the same civilization.

Mystery 9: The Great Bath

The great bath located in Mohenjo-Daro is a pool built of waterproof bricks. It is 39 feet long and 8 feet deep and was used by the upper class for performing religious rituals.

Mystery 10: Language (Indus Script)

The Indus script has not yet been deciphered. None of the archaeologists, despite countless efforts, has ever been able to crack the code of their writing symbols. There is no consensus on reading the symbols, and it remains a puzzling mystery.

What happened to Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa will perhaps always remain a mystery, but this is just one of the many mysteries we will unfold in this blog. Stay tuned for more exciting posts.

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- January 11, 2022 1

The dancing plague of 1518
Dancing Plague of 1518- Background.

It all began in the Holy Roman Empire city known as Strasbourg when thousands of people in the town started dancing hysterically for many days. It was like a big mania that lasted about one and a half months before it was ended abruptly, just like it began. 


It was July 1518- when a woman named Frau (Mrs.) Troffea (or Trauffea) came out of her house and started dancing in the street as if she was possessed. People gathered around. 

It was evident that she was doing her constant dance under the influence of alcohol or suffering from some mental illness. She kept dancing until she fell to the ground, exhausted, to everyone's surprise. 

After a while, she started dancing again when she came to her senses. Her unexplained dancing activity lasted for days. Thirty other similar cases appeared in the city in one week. When dancing went beyond the self-injuries, city authorities of Strasbourg came forward. 

The city authorities and the clergy decided the cure for the problem was more dancing! and such people suffering from this mania should be encouraged to dance more. More dancing ideas were met with a ridiculous dancing program. 

A mass dancing program was organized in Guildhalls in collaboration with musicians and professional dancers. They all gathered in the hall and began dancing to the music. 

As a result, around 400 people died. Many people died due to excess dancing. However, in early September, cases began to decline automatically. This event of 1518 was well documented in history by contemporary writers. 

Out of the seven such historical events recorded in Europe between the 10th and 16th centuries, the dancing plague of 1518 was the last. Another famous event is known as the dancing plague of 1374.

Reasons behind the dancing plague of 1518

Early historians attributed the incident to demonic possession, excessive heat of blood, etc. Twentieth-century writers attribute this phenomenon to Ergot, a fungal disease caused by eating contaminated bread made from rye flour. 

Dancing plauge of 1518

Dancing Plague of 1518 Many sociologists attributes this phenomenon to a cult or sect associated with dancing. According to them, the people of this sect were merely trying to get their divine realization through dancing. 

Many people joined them, resulting in mass hysteria. An American named John Weller gives the most accepted theory. According to him, this phenomenon is related to the disease of psychological disorder. 

Psychological disorders are usually caused by excessive stress, anxiety, and fear. In the Middle Ages, diseases like famines, smallpox, syphilis had severe effects. 

Moreover, there was no cure for these diseases, so people experimented with various superstitions. These diseases were at their peak in the year 1518, which is why people developed Psychological Disorders. 

But how does the disease suddenly disappear? Well, we don't know it yet. Despite many theories about the dancing plague of 1518, it still retains its mysterious place in European history.


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