CREEPIEST Ghost Ships of All Time

I love going to the beach, nice soft sand, the sound of the waves crashing, all very nice. But I am scared to go into the water. Because here’s the thing, when you are in the ocean, you are literally on the bottom of the food chain. I mean forget about sharks, anything could just come up and kill you. A little fish could just swim up to you and just take a bite, and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it. What I'm trying to say is that the ocean could be a scary place, not just for people swimming in it, but also ships. The ocean is unpredictable, a lot of crazy things can happen You’ve got pirates, crazy weather, the Bermuda Triangle and often things don't go so well for these ships. So here are some of the creepiest ghost ships to have ever sailed the high seas, some may just be legends, some may be haunted, and some could still be out there.  

1. The Mary Celeste

On December 4, 1872, The Mary Celeste, an American merchant ship was discovered in the Atlantic Ocean, off the Azores Islands. But here’s where it gets spooky, the ship’s cargo and valuables were completely untouched, and it’s still stocked with six months’ worth of food and water, but not a single passenger or crew member could be found. The sails were in poor condition, but the ship was still in seaworthy condition having only set sail for about a month.  The ship's single lifeboat was also missing. None of those who had been on board were ever seen or heard from again. Theories in regards to the disappearing crew include explosion caused by alcohol fumes from the cargo, seaquakes, waterspouts,  the Kraken and of course the Bermuda Triangle.

2. The Carroll A. Deering

On  January 31, 1921, a massive five-masted schooner was found grounded on Cape Hatteras in North Carolina.

The ship was deserted with all its eleven crewmembers missing. Its sails were up, and there’s evidence that a meal was about to be prepared. The crews’ personal stuff was gone, along with the ships navigational equipment, logbooks, and the two life rafts.

The ship was scheduled to pick up coal at Norfolk in Virginia and then go all the way to Rio de Janeiro of Brazil to unload the coal, and then return home to Maine. It is after setting homebound sail from Barbados when things started going horribly wrong.

On January 29th, 1921 the ship was spotted by a lightship at Cape Lookout North Carolina. A lightship is an anchored ship which guides other ships passing by with its lights and radio communication. The Captain of the lightship heard a crewman from Carroll A. Deering hailing at him saying they had lost their anchors. The Carroll A Deering, however, did not stop and sailed out of sight. That was the last time anyone ever saw the ship sailing in its normal condition.

To this day, Mutiny: A plotted rebellion by the crew members and led by the first mate seems like the most acceptable theory. It was evident from the Captain’s comments at Rio that he was not in good terms with the first mate and possibly with most other crewmen. But there was no definitive evidence of this.

What’s also crazy is that at the time the crew’s mysteriously disappearance, marine investigators discovered that nine other ships also disappeared without a trace in that same area at about the same time.

The information went all the way to the White House and prompted President Herbert Hoover to order a special investigation. In spite of efforts by top government investigators, not only by the United States but by nations where many of the lost ships originated, the fate of the Deering’s crew and the nine missing ships, was never learned. Yea I would def blame the Bermuda Triangle on that one. Or maybe mermaids...

3. The Ourang Medan OOOO Rang Ma Dang

In 1947, two American ships navigating the Strait of Malacca, off the coast of Malaysia, as well as British and Dutch listening posts, claimed to have picked up a series of SOS distress signals. The unknown ship’s message was: “All officers including captain are dead, lying in chartroom and bridge. Possibly whole crew dead.”  This communication was followed by a burst of indecipherable Morse code, then finally came the message that simply stated: “I die.”

The men manning these posts managed to triangulate the source of these broadcasts and figured out that they were likely emanating from a Dutch freighter known as the SS Ourang Medan, which was navigating the straits of Malacca.

An American merchant ship called the Silver Star was closest to the presumed location of the Ourang Medan and rushed to help. As the silver star caught sight of the Ourang Medan, the crew noticed that there was no sign of life on the deck. And attempts to hail the crew was not successful. That’s when the Captain of the Silver Star decided to assemble a boarding party

As they boarded the Ourang Medan they noticed that the decks of the vessel were filled with the corpses of the crew; whats more creepy was the fact that their eyes were wide open and their arms were grasping at some unseen assailants, their faces twisted in agony and horror. Even the ship’s dog was dead.

Later one of the boarding crew members testified that “Their frozen faces were upturned to the sun… staring, as if in fear… the mouths were gaping open and the eyes staring.”

After boarding the ship, the American crew members claimed to have felt an extreme chill in the air even though the temperature outside was 110°F.  Although it’s obvious the crew of the suffered a horrific death, there was no evidence of injury or foul play and the ship itself was not damaged.

The Captain of the Silver Star decided that they would tow the Ourang Medan back to port, but as soon as the tow line was attached. Smoke started pouring out from the lower decks then the Ourang Medan just exploded and sank into the ocean.

There have been of course a number of theories proposed about what might have caused the death of the crew. The most popular of these is that the ship was illegally transporting some kind of illegal nerve agent, which was not properly secured. Others, claim the ship was a victim of some kind of paranormal attack.

And I’m here to tell you what really happened, a look of fear and agony? Everybody dead? That ship was carrying The Ark of The Covenant... That’s why when ghosts attack, you gotta just close your eyes. I mean if I was gonna be killed by a ghost, and I know for sure that I'm gonna die, do I really want to be so scared that I poo my pants before I die? If I'm going to die, I'd want to die with clean pants, that’s all I'm saying. So remember, when ghosts attack and you’re pretty sure your gonna die, just close your eyes, and either you die with clean pants or it’s the ark of the covenant and your gonna be spared... Win-win.

4. The Octavius

The Octavius was allegedly discovered West of Greenland by a whaling ship on October 11th, 1775. Crewmembers of the Whaling ship boarded the Octavius and discovered that the entire crew froze to death. The Captain was found in his cabin, frozen at his desk while writing in his log. The boarding party freaked out so much they quickly left the ship, but in their haste, they only grabbed the first and last pages of the log as the rest was frozen to the desk. The partly complete entry in the log was dated 1762, meaning the ship had been in the state they discovered it for 13 years.

The Octavius had left England for in 1761 and was doomed when the Captain decided to take the much shorter but unconquered route of the North West Passage. It is believed the ship became trapped in ice when traveling past Northern Alaska.

The discovery of the ship meant that the Octavius was the first ship to Navigate the North West Passage. The ship was presumed to have later broken free of the ice and drifted for 13 years until the discovery in Greenland,  The Octavius was never seen again after this strange encounter. So yea, if you ever run into a super old ship with a bunch of frozen bodies, you may pee your pants, but at least you can identify the ship! That’s a learning moment if you ask me.

5. Flying Dutchman

This is arguably the most famous ghost ship of all. The ship is said to haunt the waters near the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. Contrary to popular belief, the term "Flying Dutchman" actually refers to the captain, not his ship. There are several variations of the story, but the most famous one is that the ship's captain, Hendrick Vanderdecken, who lived in the 17th century and served with the Dutch East India Company, encountered a storm off the Cape of Good Hope.

Legend states that "the very stubborn Dutch sea captain was struggling to round the Cape of Good Hope and when other vessels asked if he would take refuge in the bay he laughed and shook his fist at the wind and swore He would Round the Cape if it took him ’til Doomsday."

His crew and passengers eventually tried to stage a mutiny, but the captain shot the leader of the rebellion and threw his body overboard. Then the clouds parted, and a form appeared on this ship that said,

"You’re a very stubborn man," to which the Captain replied, "I never asked for a peaceful voyage, I never asked for anything, so clear off before I shoot you too!"

He then fired at the form, but the bullet pierced his hand instead. Then the form said.

"You are condemned to sail the oceans for eternity, with a ghostly crew of dead men. Bringing death to all who sight your spectral ship, and to never make port or know a moment's peace. Furthermore, gall shall be your drink, and red-hot iron your meat”

Thus to this day the captain and his ghostly crew are said to sail the waters for all eternity, hoping one day to be forgiven.

There have been many sightings of the Flying Dutchman. For example, in 1939, dozens of people at Glencairn Beach in Cape Town reported seeing the Flying Dutchman charging toward shore under full sail, only to disappear just before the disaster.

Lighthouse keepers at the Cape Point Lighthouse are said to have frequently sighted the Flying Dutchman during storms.

You know why I don’t like ships, I mean I’m fine going on a boat ride near shore, but I have no interest in sailing into the middle of the ocean. Because like I said, when you're in the ocean, you are the bottom of the food chain, and I always had this fear that I'm gonna fall off the ship in the middle of the night and just get left behind and end up like that open waters couple. That’s literally my worst nightmare, cause I'm a good swimmer so I probably wouldn't drown, so that means I'm gonna get eaten by something. At that point, I hope I get eaten by a shark, at least that would be quick, couple, bites, done! But with my luck, it’ll probably be a bunch of tunas taking revenge for all the tuna salad sandwiches I've eaten.

FBI Releases Letter from D.B. Cooper. Confirms Conspiracy and Cover-Up

Who was DB Cooper and what ended up happening to him may go down as one of the greatest mysteries in U.S. history? To this day, no one knows his real name and no one knows what happened to him after he jumped out of that plane with $200,000 over 40 years ago. But a letter that was released recently released from the FBI’s archives may well deepen this infamous mystery.

In case you’re not familiar with this case, on Nov. 24, 1971, a man calling himself D.B. Cooper hijacked Northwest Airlines Flight 305 with 36 passengers on board by using a briefcase he said had a bomb in it.

Cooper demanded $200,000 and several parachutes, then ordered the plane to fly him to Mexico. While the plane was en route, Cooper jumped out into the night. The authorities tailing the plane did not see cooper jump, and he nor the money was ever seen again. The FBI contends that Cooper could not have survived the jump, but no body was ever recovered.

Since then there have been many theories about what happened to D.B. Cooper. Some say he did indeed die in the jump, some say was Minnesota resident Kenneth Christiansen there are even those who claim he was actually a she.

And now according to a carbon copy letter that turned over to the FBI 3 weeks after the hijacking. D.B Cooper not only survived the jump, but his heist was also covered up by the FBI to hide their embarrassment.

The letter, which was sent by someone claiming to be D.B Cooper says:

"Sirs,
I knew from the start that I wouldn't be caught.
I didn't rob Northwest Orient because I thought it would be romantic, heroic or any of the other euphemisms that seem to attach themselves to situations of high risk.
I'm no modern day Robin Hood. Unfortunately, I do have only 14 months to live.
My life has been one of hate, turmoil, hunger and more hate. This seemed to be the fastest and most profitable way to gain a few fast grains of peace of mind. 
I don't blame people for hating me for what I've done, nor do I blame anybody for wanting me to be caught and punished, though this can never happen.
Here are some (not all) of the things working with the authorities:
I'm not a boasting man
I left no fingerprints
I wore a toupee
I wore putty make-up
They could add or subtract from the composite a hundred times and not come up with an accurate description, and we both know it. I've come and gone on several airline flights already and am not holed up in some obscure backwoods town. Neither am I a psychopathic killer. I've never even received a speeding ticket.
Thank you for your attention.
D.B. COOPER"

The letter was obtained by a private team investigators led by Thomas Colbert TV and film executive and his wife Dawna thru the Freedom of Information Act and told the Dailymail that:

"This was the biggest secret of the whole investigation, not revealed until two FBI agents wrote books in 1984 and 1991 and discreetly mentioned it," Colbert explains.

"No fingerprints of value" were recovered anywhere Cooper was in the aircraft, including on his drinking cup. The only man outside the Bureau to know that would be Cooper.
'And, I might add, none were found on this fifth DBC letter or the earlier four. Highly unlikely we have two separate Coopers with the same meticulous habit.'

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Sources:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/11/19/fbi-releases-1971-letter-that-d-b-cooper-sleuth-says-could-be-from-notorious-hijacker.html

https://dbcooper.com/

Earth's Greatest Influencer, the Sun, Triggers Wars and Human Behavior

By Buryl Payne PhD, Epoch Times

TV, cell phone towers, power lines, and house appliances—while they make our lives more convenient, they also contribute to polluting our electromagnetic atmosphere.

A growing number of scientists, health care professionals, and concerned citizens argue that these invisible frequencies are responsible for a host of various health problems. Meanwhile, the largest polluter has gone unnoticed: the sun. At certain times, the sun’s activity can also aggravate mental health problems.

Every 10–11 years, the number of sunspots found on our closest star rise from 0 (as it is currently in 2008) to a high of over 400. While the sunspots themselves don’t affect Earth, the solar flares and other disturbances emanating from our sun during increased sunspot activity result in an increased number of particles (electrons and protons) and harmful light radiation (ultraviolet and x-rays), known as solar wind. If it weren’t for Earth’s protective magnetic field and atmosphere, this bombardment of particles would burn us to a crisp!

Fortunately, our planet’s magnetic field diverts most particles into a circular path around the Earth. Like weather patterns found on Earth, solar wind patterns can change rapidly. Luckily, our planet’s magnetosphere quickly responds to the threat and absorbs the impact, wiggling and jiggling in the process. Geophysicists call this reaction a geomagnetic storm, but because of how it disrupts the Earth’s magnetic field, it could also be called electromagnetic pollution.

These storms, although minute, affect brain waves and hormone levels, causing a number of different reactions, predominately in males. While a few women may also experience changes during these storms, they generally seem less affected by the sun’s behavior.

Reacting to changing hormone levels, some men may become increasingly irritable and aggressive, while others may instead become more creative. An increase in solar activity is found to increase psychotic episodes in individuals who already suffer from unstable psychological states. While we might relate such behavior to a full moon, in 1963, Dr. Robert Becker and his colleague, Dr. Freedman, demonstrated that solar changes also lead to a noticeable increase in psychotic activity.

Yet these reactions are not simply isolated to a few particularly sensitive or unlucky individuals. Evidence indicates that wars and international conflicts most often break out when sunspots are rapidly forming or rapidly decaying, as these are times when there are more intense geomagnetic storms.

In addition, this increase in solar activity also correlates to periods of more accidents and illness, as well as an increase of crimes and murders. The entire biosphere is affected by this electromagnetic pollution, and human behavior seems to react accordingly.

 

Storm Tracking

Thankfully, not all geomagnetic storms are disruptive. Some are generally beneficial to humans. But over time, these extremes in solar activity may also affect periods of earthly conflict. The data on cycles of war and peace extend back at least 2,500 years. (Some believe that they may be traced even further, but the records are not as reliable.) Although some may argue that it seems as if there is always war somewhere, records show that periods of conflict increase and decrease in nearly regular cycles.  

As early as 1915, some scientists were beginning to recognize connections between solar activity and human behavior. This work began with Russian scientist Alexander Chizhevsky, who observed that mass changes in human behavior correlated to sunspot cycles.  

In the 1930s, Professor Raymond Wheeler, a historian at the University of Kansas, took this observation one step further. His research afforded numerical rankings to the severity of individual battles correlating to solar cycles.

His data was statistically analyzed by Edward Dewey, who validated the existence of these war cycles. Yet he was unable to make a definite connection with sunspot cycles because the data at that time was insufficient. In the 1980s, with a more detailed analysis of Wheeler’s data, the connection became clear.

Upon close examination of the data, a pattern begins to emerge wherein wars are most likely to start at key points of the sunspot cycle. This is when the geomagnetic activity is changing most rapidly on the upsurge of solar activity, or the downward part of the cycle, when sunspots are rapidly diminishing. In addition, we can also see how this affects physiological mechanisms, such as altered brain rhythms and abnormal hormonal levels. In other words, wars are a kind of mass psychosis. ‘War Fever’ is real.

With this in mind, should we view warring behavior as a type of disease? Are the related socio-political or economic factors as much a symptom of solar cycles as the battles they appear to create? And if the data on sunspot cycles points to an impending crisis, how can we best use this knowledge?

When we see the connection to physical mechanisms (electromagnetic pollution), this gives us some predictive insight for when increased aggressions were apt to start. Calculations indicate that we’re due to see another rise in intense solar activity in about two years: September 22, 2010.

As with any disease, if we are aware of the cause, we can take precautions to lessen the symptoms. In past writings on this subject, I have suggested that global meditation might be one tactic for steering this aggressive cycle another way. (More information on this is available at buryl.com)

Imagine how valuable it would be to mankind, or even an individual, if we were able to address a potentially volatile situation by carefully studying the pattern of history. How would this influence our decisions and actions, and how might this change our fate?

Buryl Payne has a Ph.D. in psychology and an M.S. in physics and has written several books and articles on a variety of topics.  He is currently working on a book exploring fifth-dimensional consciousness.

References:
Battros M. & Stubbs T. 2005. “Solar Rain: The Earth Changes Have Begun.” Earth Changes Press.

Becker, R. 0. and Marino, A. A., “Electromagnetism and Life,” State University of New York Press, P.O. Box 978, Edison, N. J. 08808

Friedman, H. and Becker, R.O., “Geomagnetic parameters and Psychiatric Hospital Admissions,” Nature, V. 200, pp 626–628, 1963.

Hundhausen, A. J., “Solar activity and the solar wind,” Rev, of Geophysics and Space Physics, 17 (8), 20314–2011.8, 1979.

Payne, B. 1986. “The Power of Thought to Influence the Sun, Interim Report.” National Council on Geocosmic Research, Winter-Spring.

Buddha's Body Found in Chinese Village by Archaeologists

Article source: Ancient Code, By Ivan

https://www.ancient-code.com/archaeologists-find-buddhas-remains-in-a-chinese-village/

Archaeologists found cremated bones hidden in a 1,000-year-old chest in China that may belong to Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. 

The remains were found in Jingchuan County, China and were supposedly originally buried by monks thousands of years ago. Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, died about 2,500 years ago at 80 years old and his sacred remains were fought over by six clans and a king. To avoid conflict, they were divided into ten portions among his disciples and some monarchs instead of going to his Shakya clan. His remains were put in different shrines and worshipped. 

Some consider this disrespectful and contrary to the teachings of not being attached to material possessions. What was found were over 2,000 bodily remains of bones, teeth, sarira, and more in a buried chest with a Chinese inscription saying:

 

"The monks Yunjiang and Zhiming of the Lotus School, who belonged to the Manjusri Temple of the Longxing Monastery in Jingzhou Prefecture, gathered more than 2,000 pieces of sarira, as well as the Buddha’s teeth and bones. [They] buried them in the Manjusri Hall of this temple."

 

Sarira are small hard bead-like substances of collected high-energy matter inside a monk's body that develop during his or her cultivation process, thus considering special artifacts validating spiritual enlightenment practice. 

Two monks from the Mañjuśrī Temple of the Longxing Monastery in China’s Jingzhou Prefecture supposedly collected these artifacts from all around the continent.

Who was the Buddha?

According to legend, about 2,500 years ago a Nepalese prince named Siddhartha Gautama gave up his royal priveledges to cultivate his wisdom and transcend the human realm. His parents were Suddhodana, the king of the Sakyas who inhabit the Indian borders of Nepal. He was shielded from the people's suffering and was shocked to discover the harsh reality of human tribulations. This triggered his journey to enlightenment. 

Buddhism has benefited millions of people's lives all over the world by offering the guiding principles of compassion, truthfulness, and forbearing worldly temptations for self-improvement. The Buddha taught his disciples to look within themselves to clean out their desires and thinking to obtain tranquility and ascend in meditation towards spiritual enlightenment or realization of their true self. 

30-Year-Old Chinese Man Trapped in 2-Year-Old Body, Mother Heart-Broken

A rare and unknown condition has kept this 30-year-old Chinese man trapped inside his child-size body for decades. He stopped growing at just two years old and his mother has been lovingly taking care of him all these years. 

His name is Wang Tianfang and was born in 1987 in rural eastern China's Wangfan Village of Yuexi County in Anhui Province, according to state-run CCTV.com. He stands only 2 feet 7 inches tall and needs constant attention to care for him.

Opposite of what one might expect, Tianfang cannot talk and his 52-year-old mother, Chu Xiaoping, is heart-broken longing to hear him call her "mama." She said his intelligence stopped developing with his body. 

The boy's father is gone, so his mother has been picking tea leaves in the mountains and working as a part-time cleaning lady in town to earn a living while having time to dress him up and feed him during meal times. Despite neighbors telling her to abandon him and have another child, she hasn't given up on her only son. 

Tianfang's skin cracks in cold weather.

"I will look after Tianfang no matter what. All I wish is for his life to extend. I do not wish to see him die."

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Sources:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5076989/30-year-old-looks-like-toddler-unkonwn-condition.html#ixzz4yM4yWHoT 

Magnitude 6.0 Earthquake Shakes Japan Sparking Tsunami Fears

Magnitude 6.0 earthquake shook Japan's Hachijo-jima island at 7:42am UTC 2017-11-09. 

Hachijo-jima is a volcanic island in the Philippine Sea home to 8,000 people and 287km south of Tokyo, Japan. This 6.0 magnitude quake came 14 hours after a 4.6 magnitude one in the same area. 

Japan is sitting in the "Ring of Fire" where about 80% of Earth's earthquakes occur. Fortunately, there are no reported deaths or building damage and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue any tsunami warnings. 

This may trigger frightening memories of the Fukushima nuclear reactor meltdowns from a 2011 9.0 earthquake tsunami, which has since mutated sea life in the Pacific Ocean. 

Victorious Ancient Roman Politician "TRUMPET" Donated Symbolic Sundial to Middleclass Hometown Supporters

After winning the election, Marcus Novius Tubula donated this marble sundial to his hometown.

Based on the inscription style, researchers believe it was inscribed ~50 B.C. but seems like an auspicious find, during our election month, a victory trophy of remembrance for "Tubula" or "TRUMPet" in Latin. 

Another interesting note is that this honored hometown was a middle-class one. In other words, "Trumpet" won the hearts of the middle-class citizens and honored their support with a philosophically significant sundial monument, perhaps to remind them of their shared victory. 

Some 2,000 years ago this politician, according to the inscription, paid for this monument and gave it to the city of Interamna Lirenas. It's ~50 miles south of Rome, established in the 4th century B.C. and left for ruin by the 6th century A.D.

This site has been excavating since 2010 and is significant because of its geopolitical situation during the Roman Empire.

View fullsize

Urban settlement, road network and field systems in the ancient Liri Valley (dark grey = areas over 200 m ASML)

Originally created as a Latin colony (formally independent from Rome, but bound by a close military and political alliance), the town was located at the intersection of two important communication routes: the via Latina (linking Lazio and Campania) and the course of the river Liris (linking the hinterland with the Tyrrhenian coast). Its origins lay in the Romans' military operations against the Samnites, part of their broader process of expansion across central-southern Italy (late 4th - early 3rd c. BC). 

Roman sundial (Interamna Lirenas, Italy) by al506 on Sketchfab

This is a concave limestone sundial with markings measuring hours of the day and for the summer and winter solstices. 

Finds of sundials with inscriptions are quite rare, making this a "special find," emphasizes Alessandro Launaro, co-director the 2017 excavations with Martin Millett, Faculty of Classics at the University of Cambridge.

Inscribed in Latin on the sundial's base is "Marcus Novius Tubula," and inscriptions along the curved rim tell us that he held the office of Plebeian Tribune and graciously paid for the sundial with his own money.

Significant Sundial Symbolism

Why would a victorious politician put a sundial in his hometown? What does a sundial represent? According to the Oneirokritika of Artemidorus of Daldis, written in the 2nd century AD, which presents ways of interpreting dreams and interpretations of some of them:

“A sundial implies activities, beginnings of business, movements, projects, for those who act carefully regarding time. Thus, seeing a sundial fall or break can be dangerous and bad, especially for those who are ill."

Basically, the sundial is a symbol of time and of our limited time alive. As a symbol of time, it has also been used to encourage something be remembered. In this case of the politician, especially with the inscription giving himself credit, it's probably meant for him to be remembered by his local supporters. 

"The sundial would have represented his way of celebrating his election in his own hometown," says Laurano. "People looking at it to check the time would have been reminded of Tubula's success."

Although it was found at the theater's entrance, some researchers think it was moved from the public forum. However, I think it would make good sense to put a clock with my name on it outside a theater where many people would go for entertainment. Here it may get much more attention and even more appreciation. 

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SOURCES:

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/11/ancient-rome-election-victory-sundial-archaeology/

https://www.classics.cam.ac.uk/research/projects/interamna-lirenas

http://www.academia.edu/15103372/SYMBOLIC_MEANINGS_OF_SUNDIALS_IN_ANTIQUITY

NASA Finds a Three-Planet System in Hyades Cluster

This artist’s concept depicts a three-planet system. Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech.

It's exciting to find a younger brother planet or Earth 2.0, so to speak. But before we project our dreams of an ideal life along the lines of escaping this planet and colonizing another. We must resolve the issues on this planet and within ourselves. If not, then we may never make it to a brighter future or we may even bring our troubles with us wherever we go. 

NASA's Kepler spacecraft reborn K2 mission data just revealed a planetary system containing at 3 or more exo-planets that are orbiting around a K-type dwarf star. 

This star is labeled EPIC 247589423 (aka, LP 358-348) and is

• 194 light-years away 
• only 800 million years old
• a member of Hyades
• in Taurus constellation

“Based on EPIC 247589423’s Galactic position, the star lands 32-65 light-years from the cluster center and outside of the 16-light-year radius core, but still well within the broader population of Hyades members,” explained lead author Dr. Andrew Mann, an astronomer at the University of Texas at Austin and Columbia University, and colleagues. 

In this galaxy, there are 3 planets. Two are very large and one is about the same size as our Earth, called EPIC 247589423b. It's also the first planet found in a young star cluster.

“The smallest planet has a radius comparable to Earth (0.99 Earth radii), making it one of the few Earth-sized planets with a known, young age,” the astronomers said. “The two larger planets — EPIC 247589423c and d — are likely a mini-Neptune and a super-Earth, with radii of 2.91 and 1.45 Earth radii, respectively.”

EPIC 247589423 (center). Image credit: Centre de Données astronomiques de Strasbourg / SIMBAD / DSS.

Each planet orbits their star much quicker than we orbit our sun:

• 7.9 days
• 17.3 days
• 25.6 days

Temperatures range from 212 to 536 degrees Fahrenheit.

“The EPIC 247589423 system contains one of the youngest Earth-sized planets known, offering the possibility of studying the history and evolution of Earth-sized planets,” the scientists said.

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Sources:

http://www.sci-news.com/astronomy/three-planet-system-hyades-cluster-05323.html

Andrew W. Mann et al. 2017. Zodiacal Exoplanets in Time (ZEIT) VI: a three-planet system in the Hyades cluster including an Earth-sized planet. arXiv: 1709.10328

Paleontologists Discover New Dinosaur in Africa!

Reconstruction of the new titanosaur and the landscape in which it lived, in what is now Tanzania.

Credit: Mark Witton, www.markwitton.com

Eureka! Paleontologists found a new dinosaur! Well, a new species of the already-known long-necked Titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur. They're calling it Shingopana songwensis. "Shingopana" is Swahili for "wide neck" and "Songwe" is the region it was unearthed from in Africa. 

Now, Titanosaur bones are mostly found in South America, but discovering this one in Africa's southwestern Tanzania is a rare find. 

Excavation of Shingopana songwensis showing ribs and other bones being prepared for plaster-jacketing.

Credit: Nancy Stevens

Actually, part of this new dinosaur fossil was excavated by the Rukwa Rift Basin Project in 2002, leaving the vertebrae, ribs, humerus, and lower jaw for later recovery. 

Scientific testing revealed the Singopana were genetically closer to South American titanosaurs than any other found around the world. 

"There are anatomical features present only in Shingopana and in several South American titanosaurs, but not in other African titanosaurs," said lead paper author Eric Gorscak, a paleontologist at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. "Shingopana had siblings in South America, whereas other African titanosaurs were only distant cousins."

During the earthquake-active Cretaceous Period, Madagascar broke off from southern Africa, with South America gradually splitting off from south to north over 95-105 million years. This divided the dinosaur populations into separate continents where they adapted to different environments. 

"This discovery suggests that the fauna of northern and southern Africa were very different in the Cretaceous Period," said Judy Skog, a program director in NSF's Division of Earth Sciences, which supported the research. "At that time, southern Africa dinosaurs were more closely related to those in South America, and were more widespread than we knew."

As an extra bonus, these Shingopana bones also had tiny tunnels bored through them from ancient insects, giving researchers another rare opportunity to reconstruct the time of death and insights into the ancient dinosaur food chain. 

The Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, funded by National Science Foundation, published this research in August 2017. 

The study was also funded by the National Geographic Society, Jurassic Foundation, Paleontological Society, Ohio University Student Enhancement Award, Ohio University Original Work Grant, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University Office of the Vice President for Research and Creative Activity, and James Cook University.

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Sources:

https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=242862&org=NSF&from=news

Five Crossbreeds with Messed Up Evolution

It’s fascinating to think that crossbreds are essentially the legos of the natural world; only instead of plastic bricks and toy blocks, different animals mixed and matched until something far more interesting, eye-catching, and fun to play took shape. But much like overpriced lego blocks, crossbreeding generally does not come without a cost.

Artificial selection, otherwise referred to as selective breeding, is a rather convenient way of phrasing our ability as human beings to proactively shape the evolution of other animal life forms to serve our preferences, curiosity, and often times entertainment.

What follows is a list of popular crossbreds that, despite their domestic prominence, suffer from mutations that have negatively affected their evolution.   

1. Large Tail Han Sheep

Also referred to as Fat-Tailed Sheep, the Large Tail Han Sheep is a domestic Mongolian sheep that is best known for its excessively large tails and hindquarters. It is widely believed that the Large Tail Han Sheep was originally developed in the agricultural regions of Henan, Hebei, Shandong, Anhui, and Jiangsu Provinces. Today, this sheep is most commonly raised in the Northern parts of Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia.

The distinctive physical profile of the-the Large Tail Han Sheep is specifically designed by professional crossbreeders to keep most of the subcutaneous fat of the animal localized in their tails. The purpose of localizing the sheep’s fat store is to make it rather convenient for people to harvest the fat as cooking oil after the sheep is dead. Fat stores of the sheep have been extensively used in most Arab and Persian cuisines during the medieval times.

Despite being tough and durable, the unique physical features of the Large Tail Sheep has made it suitable only to the plains. With an oversized tail weighing as heavy as 25kgs, the Large Tail Han Sheep has a difficult time moving around during grazing.

2. Dong Tao Chicken

The Dong Tao Chicken, fondly called as Dragon Chicken, is a domesticated fowl crossbreed that is most recognizable for its disproportionately oversized feet. This crossbreed got its name from the town where it is believed to have originated from---the small provincial village of Dong Tao in Khoai Chau District that sits 30kms from Hanoi.

Due to its limited numbers, the Dong Tao chicken is one of the few a rare domesticated chicken breeds in the world. Prized for its delicious meat, the Dong Tao chicken was once only bred exclusively for the consumption of royal families.  To this day, the Dong Tao Chicken remains a rarity because of the notorious difficulty that is involved in breeding them.

The high demand for the meat of the Dong Tao Chicken in conjunction with its constantly short supply has allowed it, as a commodity, to command an unreasonably high price, with a pair of Dong Taos selling for as high as P2,500USD.

Today, the Dong Tao Chicken is now mostly raised by professional chicken breeders. Still, much like the in the olden times, its meat can only cater to the wealthy who can afford to dine in luxury restaurants where it is almost exclusively served.

3. Damascene Goat

The Damascene Goat, also known as the Damascus Goat, regularly claims the title of “The Most Beautiful Goat” in Middle Eastern goat pageants, which are very popular in the region.  In 2013, the Damascus Goat named Qahr won the prize for the Most Beautiful Goat in the Mazayen al-Maaz competition held in Riyadh.

The Damascene Goat is a breed that is native to the Middle East. Today, it is most prominently raised in Cyprus, Lebanon, and Syria. Sometime in the 19th century, the British introduced the breed to Cyprus where it picked up the name Damascus Goat. The Damascus is so popular a breed that it is prominently referenced in a number of classical works in Arabic Literature.

It is not unheard of for professional goat breeders to breed Damascene Goat specifically for acquiring its many pronounced physical traits. The Damascene Goat is best known for its short and snubbed nose and its undershot jaws. If anything, the physical mutations of the Damascene Goat are rather similar to that of the Bulldog.

The mutation that is responsible for the facial contortions of the Damascene Goat has yet to be fully understood. But apart from its unique cosmetic traits, the Damascene is also a dairy goat breed that is raised by farmers for milk and meat production.

4.  Gibber Italicus Canary

Bird breeding methods, over the years, have progressed to the point where it has allowed breeders to practically control everything about the bird---from shaping their skeletal formation, to manipulating their feather color, density, and softness., to modulating their natural birdsong. The Gibber Italicus Canary is exactly the result of such bird breeding methods.

The Gibber Italicus Canary is a product of intensive close inbreeding efforts made by Italian breeders. Much like most inbred crossbreeds, this canary is prone to inbreeding depression that typically results to a host of health problems, including compromised fertility, high offspring mortality, and a shorter lifespan, among others.

The Gibber Italicus is considered to be among the most fragile canary breed in the world. It is specifically bred by bird hobbyist and breeders who appreciate the Gibber Italicus’ eye-catching humpbacked body, balding head, and skinny profile. To enthusiasts of this bird breed, the ideal Gibber Italicus Canary possesses a figure seven shaped body, long stiff legs, and unfeathered breastbone area,

This strangely appreciated weak and weird appearance of the Gibber Italicus, however, does come with a cost. This canary is notorious for producing offspring that have very low chances of survival, most of which are already dead in the egg.

5. Bubble Eye Goldfish

People have a particularly long relationship with the goldfish. For the longest time, the goldfish has been an aquarium staple. Having been specifically cultivated for purposes of ornamentation, the goldfish has undergone countless crossbreeding that it now comes in different shapes, and sizes---the strangest of which comes in the form of the Bubble Eye Goldfish.

It took many years of selective breeding and genetic tinkering to craft the distinctive appearance of the Bubble Eye Goldfish. The Bubble Eye Goldfish is most recognizably known for its grossly oversized, fluid-filled sacs that bubble under its eyes. These sacs or eye bubbles are known to occasionally deflate, and even burst. Punctured eye bubbles could easily result to injury and infections.

Among those considered as good specimens are with clean, unmarked back, and eye bubbles that closely match, both in color and size. Apart from its distinct eye bubble, the Bubble Eye Goldfish is unmistakable for its malformed, upward-turned eyes, and irregularly curved spine, and lack of dorsal fins. The traits that make the Bubble Eye Goldfish distinctive do not come without a cost, though. This breed of fish is abnormally fragile, even in carefully controlled environments. Their eye bubbles are too delicate to the point that the Bubble Eye should be kept away from moderately aggressive fish.

Through various selective breeding methods, professional crossbreeders have long acquired the ability to pinpoint and encourage specific traits in animals which they find appealing. Conversely, crossbreeding also has allowed us to eliminate specific characteristics in animals that we don’t particularly care for.

Despite the number of widely popular crossbreds, from American bulldogs to Savannah Cats, what remains relatively unknown to many people is the fact that it doesn’t take many qualifications to start messing around with the otherwise natural evolution of animals.