Center of Earth 1000 Degrees Hotter Than We Thought!

Previously scientists had estimated that the center of the Earth was 5,000 degrees Celsius. That estimate was made nearly twenty years ago. Now the estimated temperature is 6,000 degrees Celsius which makes more sense due to the Earth’s magnetic field requiring at least 1,500 degrees difference between the core and the mantle superficial to it in order to fit into current geophysical models. A team of scientists led by Agnes Dewaele from the French national technological research association CEA, along with other research groups conducted experiments to find the new temperatures. At temperatures above 4,000 degrees Celsius and the pressure of at least 1.3 million atmospheres iron is as liquid as water in oceans. This is true except for the  very center of the Earth. The iron in the core of the Earth is under such intense pressure and heat that it solidifies. For more information on how the experiment was conducted and how it changed the previous temperature estimate head over to Science Daily in the link below.

Source: Science Daily

image: Credit to Science Daily and ESRF

Three New Super-Earth-Sized Planets Discovered in Habitable Zone

We’ve discovered three super-earth-sized planets that are in ‘habitable zones’ which may contain or support liquid water. The three planets were found with NASA’s Kepler mission in two new planetary systems. The first planetary system known as Kepler-62 contains 5 planets; 62b, 62c, 62d, 62e and 62f. While the 2nd system known as Kepler-69 has 2 planets; 69b and 69c. The planets which are possibly habitable are Kepler 62e, 62f, and 69c.

According to Science Daily two of the planets discovered 62f (which is 40% larger than Earth) and 62e (which is 60% larger than Earth) orbit a star which is smaller and cooler than our Sun.

The third planet Kepler-69c is 70% larger than Earth and it orbits the habitable zone of a star that is very similar to our Sun.

Scientists are unsure if life might exist on the newly discovered planets but we are another step closer to finding worlds’ similar to our Earth and Sun.

Source: Science Daily

Image: NASA Ames/ JPL-Caltech

Kickstarter Highlight: Firefly – Blue Laser Lamp

 

Earth Day is coming up next week and today’s Kickstarter highlight is perfect for anyone conscientious about our blue world. The Firefly is a cool blue laser lamp that illuminates entire rooms without wasting energy like current fluorescent or led lamps. This sleek lamp doesn’t pool or concentrate light into a single area like traditional light sources, instead it’s laser light is “thrown” long distances while maintaining it’s brightness according to it’s description.

With it’s passive cooling system the light has no moving parts and thus produces no noise. The Firefly is also 99.6% recyclable and uses less than 1 watt of power (0.4 watts) so it’s definitely sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Source: Kickstarter