Some scientists believe life on earth originated in organic matter in earth’s bodies of water more than 3.5 billion years ago,” reports CNN. “But where did that organic material come from…?”
Maybe electrical energy sparked the beginnings of life on earth — just like in Frankenstein:
Researchers decades ago proposed that lightning caused chemical reactions in ancient Earth’s oceans and spontaneously produced the organic molecules. Now, new research published March 14 in the journal Science Advances suggests that fizzes of barely visible “microlightning,” generated between charged droplets of water mist, could have been potent enough to cook up amino acids from inorganic material.
Amino acids — organic molecules that combine to form proteins — are life’s most basic building blocks and would have been the first step toward the evolution of life… For animo acids to form, they need nitrogen atoms that can bond with carbon. Freeing up atoms from nitrogen gas requires severing powerful molecular bonds and takes an enormous amount of energy, according to astrobiologist and geobiologist Dr. Amy J. Williams [an associate professor in the department of geosciences at the University of Florida who was not involved in the research]. “Lightning, or in this case, microlightning, has the energy to break molecular bonds and therefore facilitate the generation of new molecules that are critical to the origin of life on Earth,” Williams told CNN in an email…
For the new study, scientists revisited the 1953 experiments but directed their attention toward electrical activity on a smaller scale, said senior study author Dr. Richard Zare, the Marguerite Blake Wilbur Professor of Natural Science and professor of chemistry at Stanford University in California. Zare and his colleagues looked at electricity exchange between charged water droplets measuring between 1 micron and 20 microns in diameter. (The width of a human hair is 100 microns….) The researchers mixed ammonia, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen in a glass bulb, then sprayed the gases with water mist, using a high-speed camera to capture faint flashes of microlightning in the vapor. When they examined the bulb’s contents, they found organic molecules with carbon-nitrogen bonds. These included the amino acid glycine and uracil, a nucleotide base in RNA… “What we have done, for the first time, is we have seen that little droplets, when they’re formed from water, actually emit light and get this spark,” Zare said. “That’s new. And that spark causes all types of chemical transformations….”
Even on a volatile Earth billions of years ago, lightning may have been too infrequent to produce amino acids in quantities sufficient for life — a fact that has cast doubt on such theories in the past, Zare said. Water spray, however, would have been more common than lightning. A more likely scenario is that mist-generated microlightning constantly zapped amino acids into existence from pools and puddles, where the molecules could accumulate and form more complex molecules, eventually leading to the evolution of life. “We propose,” Zare told CNN, “that this is a new mechanism for the prebiotic synthesis of molecules that constitute the building blocks of life.”
Struggling with Sunday’s Wordle? Then let us help you out. Maybe you just want a few quick tips or a hint to get you going—scroll down, we’ve got all of that and more right here. We’ve even got the March 30 (1380) answer here if you need it, able to transform any game into an instant win. You’ve got this.
Today’s Wordle really made me work for the answer. Every yellow I found seemed determined to stay the same colour no matter where I put it, and the one green I’d uncovered was about as much use as a chocolate toaster. The closest I came to some good news was realising that by the time I’d reach the bottom of the board they could only fit in one place. A stubborn win is still a win, right?
Wordle today: A hint
(Image credit: Josh Wardle)
Wordle today: A hint for Sunday, March 30
This is a fixed allowable quantity, or a predefined share of something owed. The amount of work a group needs to do in a day could be called this.
Is there a double letter in Wordle today?
No, there is not a double letter in today’s puzzle.
Wordle help: 3 tips for beating Wordle every day
If you’ve decided to play Wordle but you’re not sure where to start, I’ll help set you on the path to your first winning streak. Make all your guesses count and become a Wordle winner with these quick tips:
A good opener has a mix of common vowels and consonants.
The answer could contain the same letter, repeated.
Avoid words that include letters you’ve already eliminated.
You’re not racing against the clock so there’s no reason to rush. In fact, it’s not a bad idea to treat the game like a casual newspaper crossword and come back to it later if you’re coming up blank. Sometimes stepping away for a while means you can come back with a fresh perspective.
Today’s Wordle answer
(Image credit: Future)
What is today’s Wordle answer?
The perfect finish. The answer to the March 30 (1380) Wordle is QUOTA.
Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team.
Previous Wordle answers
The last 10 Wordle answers
Previous Wordle solutions can help to eliminate guesses for today’s Wordle, as the answer isn’t likely to be repeated. They can also give you some solid ideas for starting words that keep your daily puzzle-solving fresh.
Here are some recent Wordle answers:
March 29: SORRY
March 28: VERSE
March 27: SHEET
March 26: ELBOW
March 25: SHELF
March 24: ANGLE
March 23: DOPEY
March 22: AMBLE
March 21: NUDGE
March 20: BASTE
Learn more about Wordle
(Image credit: Nurphoto via Getty)
There are six rows of five boxes presented to you by Wordle each day, and you’ll need to work out which five-letter word is hiding among them to win the daily puzzle.
Start with a strong word like ALIVE—or any other word with a good mix of common consonants and multiple vowels. You should also avoid starting words with repeating letters, so you don’t waste the chance to confirm or eliminate an extra letter. Once you’ve typed your guess and hit Enter, you’ll see which letters you’ve got right or wrong. If a box turns ⬛️, it means that letter isn’t in the secret word at all. 🟨 means the letter is in the word, but not in that position. 🟩 means you’ve got the right letter in the right spot.
Your second guess should compliment the first, using another “good” word to cover any common letters you might have missed on the first row—just don’t forget to avoid any letter you now know for a fact isn’t present in today’s answer. After that, it’s just a case of using what you’ve learned to narrow your guesses down to the correct word. You have six tries in total and can only use real words and don’t forget letters can repeat too (eg: BOOKS).
If you need any further advice feel free to check out our Wordle tips, and if you’d like to find out which words have already been used you can scroll to the relevant section above.
Originally, Wordle was dreamed up by software engineer Josh Wardle, as a surprise for his partner who loves word games. From there it spread to his family, and finally got released to the public. The word puzzle game has since inspired tons of games like Wordle, refocusing the daily gimmick around music or math or geography. It wasn’t long before Wordle became so popular it was sold to the New York Times for seven figures. Surely it’s only a matter of time before we all solely communicate in tricolor boxes.
This is my project reference, and everything I do follows along with the course. I have the same code as in the repository, but for some reason, my footer is not sticking to the bottom. Also, the footer text color appears slightly off—it’s not applying the text-muted class correctly.
Important Note:
Before anyone suggests making the footer relative or fixed, I want to clarify that the project I’m following does not have the footer as fixed, relative, or anything special. Yet, in the instructor’s code, it works as expected.
Can you please help me resolve this issue? Thanks!
“What does a great marriage look like (30-foot view)? Here’s the challenge: you can only answer in song.”
Ahhh, that’s the best question I’ve received so far!! 😮
I’m ALWAYS up for a challenge! 💯 Here’s the thing though, you didn’t say how MANY songs I get!!!! Here’s my top 50…kidding! 😆
If I have to boil it down to ONE song, it would be this one. For both the boy and the girl.
Reasons:
He’s going to love her in a way she’s never been loved before and that love that he’s referring to is RARE. Most guys love THEMSELVES, not you (only in as much as what you can do for them) and so he stands out from the crowd because he will love you with Christ’s love, which is sacrificial, a love worth dying for
This is a forever kind of love – not something he takes for granted or throws away after a little while. He’s in it for the long haul.
He’s going to learn about her – a beautiful and tender, lifelong pursuit for a married couple
He wants to honor her mom and dad – again, rare, but absolutely necessary; anyone who loves YOU is going to want to love your parents since they literally made you who you are and appreciate them greatly because of that! The Bible talks about leaving and cleaving (Matthew 19:5) but that never means to avoid or stop the relationship, never cutting them out of the couple’s lives. Still spending holidays together, still having those close-nit relationships, but that the priority now becomes the spouse. I’ve seen spouses drive a wedge between the parents and the child due to being jealous and this is unbefitting of a godly person! Parents are to be honored; that is clear in Scripture (Exodus 20:12)
He wants to be a man for her – he wants to be his best, he wants to be what she needs
He wants to make HER world better than it’s ever been – his focus is on her, not himself, and that’s Christ’s love
He wants to comfort her and be there for her – in the good and in the bad, because marriage, like any other relationship, will have both of those times
If I get more songs, here’s a few more I would say do a great job of explaining things. 😊
Only Hope – A good marriage is one that is prayed about often. I’ve been praying for my future husband long before I ever meet him. I hope he’s happy, that he does what is right, I pray for his blessings, and I pray for the moment when we meet and get to know each other, that we’ll always seek to put God first in our marriage and in our lives. She is only his and no one else’s. It’s very pure, innocent, loving, caring, full of kindness. My husband will be the one who redeems me; he’s my only hope (human instrument in the hands of God).
Candy – I am a kind of person who is super clingy. I always want to be around my husband and do everything together. I never want to be apart; I will love him so much and just be adoring to him always.
Un Ano Sin Lluvia – This is my favorite Spanish song. There’s an English version, but in my opinion, it’s not NEAR as good. When it’s translated literally from Spanish to English (not the English version, but the Spanish version), it’s way more romantic and uses different words that show the hunger for her soul mate that she is in love with. It’s dripping with love and just wanting to be with him. She’s dying being without him and in marriage, that’s how it should be. Whenever apart, it should be this massive hunger and ache to be around them, longing for them to get back to you. THIS is the reason I can’t handle my future husband working outside the home. I just would miss him WAY too much while he’s gone to work and I can’t handle that aching pain every single day. My favorite part is when she says, come back to me so I can hold you (which is only in the Spanish version, not the English version).
Once in a Lifetime – It’s a love that lasts a lifetime and there’s only one. You find someone with many characteristics, traits, habits, and personality similar to yours and then you grow what’s not similar together. It’s okay to have things that are different, but as time goes on, you’ll start to bend toward each other and become a person that is only right for HER, your wife, and her with you. It’s marriages that grow apart that fail. You want to always grow TOGETHER.
Best Friend – You’re best friends with each other. You do everything together. It’s a lifestyle of togetherness, always being there for each other.
Drag Me Down – She will lift you up, praise you, edify you, build you, help you. With her around, no one can drag you down because her love will protect you in many ways. With her, he will be his absolute best. ❤️
Your Everything – he’s so thankful for her, he just wants to be everything she wants and needs and that’s beautiful. When you love someone, that is exactly how you feel. You want to make their life so good.
Naturally – The couple should fit together well and work together in every area. Not that they are exactly the same, but that they should naturally fit. Personalities should mesh well, dreams, goals, morals, integrity, things of that nature should all fit together and be in common. It should be something natural, not forced.
I would also say that there should be an INTENSE passion (empathy of the souls combining) for each other within marriage. Intimacy should be consistently enjoyed.
If you’re planning to travel internationally this year, you’ll want to have a solid game plan for phone coverage during your trip. There are several options available, including using a foreign SIM or eSIM, or even opting for a special travel SIM plan. For many, the most convenient method is simply using their carrier’s roaming solution, though not all carriers are created equal in this regard.
If your international roaming options are limited, you might be wondering if you can simply connect to an international Wi-Fi network to place phone calls instead. In most cases, the answer is yes, but whether you’re charged for it depends on your carrier’s policies.
Ensuring You Have Wi-Fi Calling
First, it’s important to ensure you have Wi-Fi calling in the first place. The good news is that every major US carrier now offers this feature, even most prepaid providers. However, some carriers may have device restrictions. For example, Cricket typically requires a Cricket-purchased device to use its Wi-Fi calling feature, with only a few exceptions. If you’re unsure whether your carrier supports Wi-Fi calling on your device, be sure to check their terms and conditions.
Will Wi-Fi calling be free internationally?
Once you’ve confirmed that you have Wi-Fi calling, you might be wondering if you can use it for free while traveling internationally. If you’re calling the US, the answer is almost always yes. However, if you’re calling other countries while on an international Wi-Fi connection, you can generally expect a charge.
A look around Reddit makes it clear some travelers have reported being charged for Wi-Fi calls to the US while abroad, and you may have experienced this yourself. While this can happen, in most cases, it can be prevented.
How to avoid charges for Wi-Fi calls to the US while abroad
No one likes unexpected charges. For many prepaid providers, if Wi-Fi calling fails, you simply won’t be able to place the call, which means you’re less likely to face an unexpected fee. However, some prepaid providers can and will charge extra fees to your default billing payment if it aligns with their terms.
Regardless of whether the charge is on a prepaid or postpaid account, the reason behind it is usually the same: If your Wi-Fi call drops without your knowledge, your phone may automatically switch to a roaming network, resulting in charges.
To prevent this, follow these steps:
Turn on Wi-Fi calling before leaving the US. This may seem simple, but if you don’t enable Wi-Fi calling before departure, you likely won’t be able to activate it once abroad. Additionally, avoid turning it off while traveling, as you may not be able to reenable it. Need help? Check out our guide to Wi-Fi calling for exact steps and more details.
Enable Airplane mode. Don’t just turn off your data; instead, activate Airplane mode and then connect to a Wi-Fi network. This ensures your phone won’t attempt to connect to a mobile network if there’s an issue with the Wi-Fi call.
I have an international calling plan; can I use that over Wi-Fi calling?
Let’s say you live in the US and are visiting France. You use Wi-Fi calling to contact a few French businesses. Will you be charged if you already pay for an international calling plan? For nearly every carrier, the answer is yes.
An international calling plan is designed to allow users in the US to call other countries without extra charges. However, if your Wi-Fi connection isn’t US-based, you will likely incur a roaming fee. Some users attempt to bypass this by connecting to a Wi-Fi network through a VPN, but there are no guarantees, and doing so could potentially violate your plan’s terms of service.
Some argue that it shouldn’t matter where you are when using Wi-Fi calling since the traffic is still routed to T-Mobile (or another carrier) the same way. In theory, this means there’s no extra cost to the carrier. However, there’s no real way around it; carriers like T-Mobile benefit from steering users toward purchasing international roaming add-ons.
It’s important to clarify that international calling plans and international roaming plans are not the same. An international calling plan allows you to call other countries from the US, while an international roaming plan enables you to place calls to and from other countries.
If you have an international roaming plan, you shouldn’t see additional charges for Wi-Fi calls, as long as both the numbers you’re calling and receiving calls from are covered under your plan. Of course, if you have an international roaming plan, you can also make calls using your mobile network directly.
What is the best alternative to Wi-Fi calling with your carrier?
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
If you don’t have an international calling plan and are looking for a cheap way to make calls while abroad, here are some options:
Use a VoIP service. A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider lets you make free Wi-Fi calls to the US from any country. Our top recommendation is Google Voice: it may be more lightweight than other VoIP solutions, but it works well for Wi-Fi calling and offers competitive international rates, some as low as just a few cents per minute.
Check your carrier for add-on roaming plans. Even if your carrier doesn’t offer free roaming, it likely has some kind of international package you can purchase. Many prepaid carriers, including Google Fi, Mint Mobile, and others, offer affordable international add-ons.
Get a local SIM or eSIM. While this requires a tad more effort, the cheapest way to get international roaming service is to use a local SIM or eSIM provider. Many airports sell these through kiosks or small storefronts.
Consider a travel SIM plan. Travel SIMs and eSIMs are typically more expensive than local SIMs but offer greater convenience. You pay a provider for international data, and they partner with local carriers to give you seamless service while you travel.
The best carrier for international travel
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Another option to consider is switching to a carrier where roaming isn’t an issue. For frequent international travelers, Google Fi is arguably the best option, even when compared to the big three carriers. Its Unlimited Plus plan costs just $65 per month or as low as $40 per line for four or more lines.
In addition to unlimited data, you get unlimited texts and data in over 200 countries, which activates instantly the moment you arrive — no changes or hassle required. You can learn more in our Google Fi plans guide or hit up the widget below to sign up for yourself.
Today’s post discusses the ability to create gorgeous 3D restaurant renderings when you hire a 3D design services company. Cad Crowd is a leading provider in outsourcing 3D renderings and services for the best architectural, design, and engineering firms. We’re here to explore how you can maximize 3D restaurant renderings.
It’s already common knowledge that the world has been on an endless cycle of change. What do all these changes mean to a restaurant owner? It merely implies that they, too, need to cope with the changes if they hope to rise to the top.
Restaurants are all expected to have a smooth flow to give customers the most positive experience. A seamless design also guarantees that staff members will be more effective in carrying out their day-to-day tasks and responsibilities.
A surfeit of factors taking place all at the same time allows a restaurant to operate smoothly like well-oiled hinges. Try imagining this: the chefs are busy cooking in a corner, the waiters are passing through the aisles with their hands full of trays to serve dishes, while the diners are seated at their respective tables. For example, you might have to find 3D furniture rendering services to help you make strategic decisions about furnishings.
With all of the hullaballoo occurring, it only makes sense that a restaurant should be in organized and tiptop condition to give both customers and staff members their much-needed space and elbow room.
3D restaurant visualization has a single important purpose, and that is to organize the entire space to ensure that everyone in there is well-accommodated. These models help come up with a carefully planned and complete restaurant model that can be presented to clients.
Thanks to these images, you can pinpoint problems early on and address any possible issues for the restaurant concept to be polished out through and through. A 3D restaurant render will let you envision the whole space, anticipate any areas that may have room for improvement, and get some solutions in line for them.
3D restaurant visualization involves the use of state-of-the-art motion graphics to create digital depictions of interiors. The renders are detailed displays of every aspect and element of the design. These include the layout, the textures, the lighting, and even the furniture. The primary goal is to come up with a lifelike image to allow stakeholders to envision the result before the start of the actual physical work.
3D renders for restaurants have changed the presentation procedure for design concepts to offer perks that old-school sketches and blueprints can never offer. The ability to view a photorealistic image of a product prior to its completion makes way for an improved planning process, adjustments to the design as needed, and a more visually enticing and cohesive space.
In the dog-eat-dog world of restaurants, 3D modeling design services can change your plans and marketing efforts in the most dramatic ways thanks to the improved visual appeal and ambiance.
Why use 3D restaurant renderings
You simply can never overstate the benefits that 3D restaurant renders can offer, which include but are not limited to the ones below:
Budget-friendly solutions
3D images for dining spaces can help significantly cut down the costs that often come with revising designs. Rather than having to make adjustments throughout the construction stage, both clients and designers will be able to view possible problems in the rendering and change them as needed. The proactive approach reduces expensive rework and errors. It can then make both the budget management and project timelines more efficient.
If, during the rendering phase, some design elements were shown to need some requirements, these can be addressed accordingly to smooth out the entire process of construction. Envisioning the design in advance minimizes the need to make changes right on-site, which saves money and time alike.
3D restaurant models are also a big help for real estate developers who need to blow away potential buyers with a restaurant design presentation. Thorough 3D commercial renderings give developers a tool for demonstrating the potential of the space and the possibility of transforming it into a bustling dining spot.
Unparalleled visualization
The accurate visualization of the final design of the restaurant is the most undeniable benefit of 3D renders. The images help you make wiser decisions regarding the décor, ambiance, and layout of the space.
Detailed 3D renders also allow designers to play around with various materials, colors, textures, and other design elements to view their appearance once added to the actual area. Such a level of intricate detail is something you can’t expect from conventional 2D drawing services.
Improved visualization can also help pin down possible issues with the design while the process is still in its early stages. If a specific material or color scheme doesn’t give off the same vibes it was expected to, you can make the tweaks easily right away before the start of any actual physical work. It can help you save a significant amount of money and long hours of time just to ensure that the final design will cater to the expectations of the customer.
3D restaurant renders also allow visualizing the ambiance and vibe of the area to make it a breeze to achieve the preferred look and feel for the space. Top-of-the-line restaurant renders can show the effect and relationship between different setups of lighting and their influence on the overall ambiance to create the most unforgettable dining experience.
Topnotch 3D restaurant visuals can also serve as a powerful tool for marketing as they vividly present not just the design but also the ambiance of the space. You can use these visuals and add them to your social media posts, websites, and brochures. These are great enticements for prospective investors and clients because they showcase the look and feel of the restaurant.
You can even consider using the same visuals during project presentations to convey the vision of a space effectively. It is a far cry from just sticking with traditional photos or drawings of barren spaces.
With today’s hospitality market becoming even more cutthroat, you’ll be making a big difference if you use visually enticing materials for your marketing campaigns. Some companies regularly utilize 3D presentation services to make sure they get the bang for their buck when it comes to marketing.
Several hotels today are already using 3D renders to highlight the posh ambiance and vibes of their on-site restaurants not only to attract more guests but also to set themselves apart from their competitors.
Captivating and detailed visuals can help communicate the one-of-a-kind experience that the restaurant has to offer. This will then result in more positive reviews and reservations.
3D rendering services for dining places are great for marketing purposes because they give prospective diners a rare chance to experience the space first with the help of lifelike images.
The said method changes the way restaurants attract and engage with their target clients. Most importantly, it offers a more convincing and immersive glimpse of what their dining experience would be like.
How to create gorgeous 3D renders for restaurants
The following are the steps involved in the development of amazing 3D visualization images for restaurants:
1. Creating the layout in 3D
The very first step in the process of producing 3D restaurant renderings is the layout design. It encompasses adding fixtures, furniture, and other elements to guarantee that the flow and space are used optimally.
The process of making this layout involves the client and the designer working closely together to understand the former’s requirements and vision and translate these into detailed 3D models.
2. Designing the floor plan in 3D
A thorough expert 3D floor plan is designed to offer a complete glimpse of the space. It helps understand the dimensions of the various elements of the design and the spatial relationships among them. This floor plan also provides detailed configurations and measurements of the layout to give a clear blueprint for the design and construction process.
These floor plans in 3D are of great use to interior designers and real estate developers. They provide a detailed and clear representation of the area to help in the decision-making and planning process.
Lighting has a key role to play in the overall ambiance of restaurants. More sophisticated techniques for 3D lighting design services are used to replicate different lighting scenes. These ensure that the final design will achieve the preferred atmosphere and mood. These lighting methods can include artificial lighting setups, simulations of natural lighting, and special effects to achieve a particular ambiance.
With the use of state-of-the-art 3D lighting methods, designers can come up with lifelike images that are accurate representations of how the space will look under various lighting conditions. It then creates the desired atmosphere and vibe for the restaurant.
4. Adding textures, materials, and decoration
To create a realistic restaurant rendering, it’s critical to choose the right textures, materials, and decorations. Detailed decorations and high-quality textures can breathe like into the render and make it resemble reality as closely as possible.
The materials that the rendering uses must be a representation of the actual materials to be used during the construction to create the final design’s accurate depiction.
With the help of reliable 3D design services, it’s possible to create realistic and detailed textures that can boost the render’s quality in general. It includes the use of sophisticated rendering methods and high-resolution images to produce a naturalistic demonstration of the decorations and materials.
How Cad Crowd can help
Cad Crowd will be more than happy to connect you with the most dependable 3D design service company that can transform the design of your restaurant with gorgeous 3D renderings. We have more than 14 years of experience connecting top architectural, design, and engineering companies to pre-vetted professionals quickly and reliably. We will guide you in finding the right team that can create realistic and detailed renders that are guaranteed to attract more traffic to your restaurant. Get a quote today.
MacKenzie Brown is the founder and CEO of Cad Crowd. With over 18 years of experience in launching and scaling platforms specializing in CAD services, product design, manufacturing, hardware, and software development, MacKenzie is a recognized authority in the engineering industry. Under his leadership, Cad Crowd serves esteemed clients like NASA, JPL, the U.S. Navy, and Fortune 500 companies, empowering innovators with access to high-quality design and engineering talent.
Today’s the day: A solar eclipse will darken the skies in the northeastern US and Canada in the early hours of Saturday. Unlike the “Great American Eclipse” of 2024, however, this will not be a total eclipse. Instead, this event will be a partial eclipse visible in parts of the northern hemisphere.
While this one will lack the dramatic “totality” of the 2024 event, a partial eclipse is still worth seeing. The sun will not be fully obscured, but with proper eye protection, you will be able to see the moon take a bite out of the sun. And there’s a catch, but it’s also an opportunity: This eclipse will occur at sunrise in North America, meaning the sun will just barely be above the horizon. But that timing offers viewers the chance to see the famed “devil horns” — a crescent of solar light emerging from behind the moon.
When can you watch this partial solar eclipse, and those devil horns? Let’s talk about how to safely watch this eclipse.
What areas will experience the partial solar eclipse, and when?
The partial solar eclipse will be visible in areas of the northern hemisphere. It will be visible at sunrise in eastern North America and sunset in Siberia, Russia on Saturday, March 29. In Europe, it can be viewed around mid-morning. But the event’s footprint will be limited: No eclipse will be visible west of Toronto, Canada, and Washington, DC in North America.
NASA
This global map of the partial solar eclipse from NASA is more than a little confusing, but here’s how to read it. The yellow curve is the path of the partial solar eclipse, moving from west to east. The lighter colored yellow curves give the percent obscuration of the sun. (In other words, how much of the sun is covered by the moon depends on where you are and when you’re looking.)
Most of Europe will only see around a 20 percent obscuration (with the exception of Greenland and Iceland), for example, while the extreme northeastern part of the United States will see up to 89 percent of the sun covered. The Nunavik region of Quebec will see maximum obscuration of 94 percent. The green lines on the map show the eclipse’s progress over time. Times are given in UTC, which is four hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time.
However, sunrise and sunset makes things more complicated. This is depicted on the map by the orange loop. The left side of the loop (over the Great Lakes in the United States) shows where the eclipse ends at sunrise. Therefore, the eclipse is not visible west of that orange line. The right side of the loop is where the eclipse begins at sunrise.
That means to see the maximum partial solar eclipse at sunrise, it’s best to be along that blue line running down the middle of the orange loop. (It’s worth noting that the eclipse will also be visible across a narrow part of Siberia, but at sunset rather than sunrise — that’s what the other half of the orange loop depicts).
If it seems incredibly confusing, that’s because it is indeed incredibly confusing. Some places with maximum obscuration will have a shorter eclipse duration because the partial eclipse will start before sunrise. The sun will also be low to the horizon in North America, so any viewing location will need to be above tall trees with a clear view of sunrise. In Europe, the viewing locations will be easier because the sun will be higher in the sky — but the sun will not be as obscured.
For example, in Bar Harbor, Maine, the sun will rise at 6:19AM, and the maximum eclipse will be at 6:22AM, with 80 percent of the sun obscured. The partial eclipse will end at 7:11 am. Technically though, the eclipse will begin at 5:26 am ET, but because that’s before sunrise, Mainers will be cheated out of about half their potential eclipse viewing time.
Moving south, the best view will be through coastal New England, then down through Boston, New York City and Philadelphia.The path basically ends in Washington, DC, where just 1.2 percent of the sun will be obscured at 6:59AM ET.
NASA
According to Time and Date, only 44,800 people will see a 90 percent partial eclipse, while 3,820,000 will see an 80 percent. That’s a far cry from the 30 million people in the path of totality for the 2024 total solar eclipse.
Will a total solar eclipse be visible in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean?
No, there is nowhere on Earth that a total solar eclipse will be visible for this event. For any solar eclipse to happen, the sun, the moon and the Earth need to line up. However, because the moon doesn’t orbit in the same plane as the sun and the Earth, eclipses are rare.
A partial solar eclipse, like the one occurring on March 29, occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, but it’s not perfectly lined up. As a result, the sun will have a crescent shape — as if the moon took a bite out of the sun — but it will never be fully obscured as it is during a total eclipse.
How long will the partial eclipse last?
The visible duration of the eclipse depends on where you are, and what time sunrise (or sunset) is at your location. But globally, the eclipse will begin at 4:50 am ET (8:50AM UTC). The maximum eclipse will occur at 6:47AM ET (10:47AM UTC), and the event will end at 8:43AM ET (12:43PM UTC). Keep in mind, though, that this doesn’t mean the entire partial eclipse will be almost four hours long in any given location because this is just for the extreme edges of the event.
What’s the weather forecast along the viewing line?
It’s spring across the Northern Hemisphere, which generally means unfavorable weather for any sky viewing. The Weather Channel’s senior digital meteorologist Chris Dolce said that cloud cover, and even rain and snow, may be likely in the northeastern United States during the eclipse, so it’s not great news there, unfortunately.
If it’s just a partial eclipse, do I need eye protection?
Anything that involves looking at the sun, even just 5 or 10 percent of the sun, requires eye protection. The sun can damage your retinas quickly, painlessly and often irreversibly.
If you have solar viewers left from the 2024 eclipse, and they are undamaged, they’ll work just fine for this one too. According to the American Astronomical Society (AAS), modern eclipse glasses do not expire. It’s worth checking them out thoroughly, though, making sure there are no rips, tears or scratches across the lenses and that the filters and lenses are still attached to the frame.
Solar eclipse glasses can be difficult to purchase at the last minute, so it’s always good to keep them around. However, if you donated or trashed your previous pair (or didn’t buy them in the first place), you can buy them online — with some caution. Make sure any solar viewers conform to the ISO 12312-2:2015(E) international safety standard, and check the manufacturer against this list of brands from the AAS. Counterfeit eclipse glasses were rampant leading up the 2024 eclipse.
Celestron is a reliable manufacturer of solar viewer equipment, and the company’s eclipse glasses are readily available on Amazon for a low price (though at this point, you’ll be stocking up for the next eclipses, most of which are better viewed from the southern hemisphere).
What are some cool things to look out for during this eclipse?
A unique feature of solar eclipses during sunrise is you may be able to see the famed “devil horns,” depending on where you are. When the sun rises during an eclipse (and therefore the sun is low on the horizon), as the crescent sun rises, it can look like devil horns coming up out of the ground.
An earlier sunrise partial eclipse over Rice Lake, Ontario shows the “devil horns” phenomenon. (John Fader via Getty Images)
It’s best to target Maine, New Brunswick, and Quebec (along the blue line in the NASA map) to see this phenomenon.
Additionally, the sun is currently at or near solar maximum, which means that our star is basically at the peak of its 11-year solar cycle. Scientists determined that the sun hit the highest level of solar activity in October 2024, and this will continue for a year or so. This means that there may be sunspots visible on the surface of the sun when the eclipse hits. (For context, here’s what the sun looks like right now, courtesy of NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory.) If you have solar binoculars or a solar telescope, this will make them much easier to see.
Can I just point a telescope or camera at the sun?
If you’re asking yourself this question, you probably already know the answer: Nope! Not without a solar filter. Whether it’s a phone camera, binoculars, a telescope or a mirrorless camera, the sun can do extreme damage to this kind of equipment. (On Apollo 12, astronaut Alan Bean accidentally pointed a television camera at the sun, irreparably damaging it. Don’t do this!)
You can pick up solar filters at a camera store or online, or in a pinch, you can just use an extra pair of solar viewers. Simply remove the film and tape it over your smartphone camera, but don’t look at the sun when aiming the camera unless you’re wearing solar viewers as well. If you are interested in looking at the sun regularly, a pair of solar binoculars with a permanently attached filter is a great idea.
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Isar Aerospace will make a second attempt to launch its Spectrum two-stage liquid-fuelled rocket this weekend following a scrubbed launch earlier this week due to unfavorable weather conditions. Although this is Isar’s second attempt to launch Spectrum, it will still be the first time it has tested a full version of the rocket. It will also be the first-ever orbital launch from the Andøya Space Center in Norway and Continental Europe, as per NasaSpaceFlight.
German rocketry startup Isar Aerospace made its first launch attempt of the Spectrum rocket on March 24 after being given the go-ahead the week before. While that had to be scrapped, it’s now hoped that the stars will align during the short three-hour window this Saturday to allow for the first launch to take place unimpeded. Although the first full launch attempts of new rocket designs rarely go completely smoothly, Isar already has a strong customer base ready to make use of it once it’s ready. A successful launch could springboard the company to commercial ventures in short order.
The new launch window opens on Saturday, March 29, at 11:30 a.m. UTC (07:30 a.m. EST) and will last until 14:30a.m. UTC (10:30 a.m. EST). If Spectrum does manage to take off during that time, it will fly out over the Norwegian Sea, employing both stages to launch its test payload into a retrograde orbit. Andøya is one of the most northerly rocket launch sites in the world and allows Spectrum to target a particular orbital inclination range that wouldn’t be possible from other locations.
You can watch the launch on the live stream below:
However, while Isar Aerospace does have exclusive access to one orbital launch pad at Andøya, it is already looking to take up residence at other launch facilities around the world. Spectrum could also be launched from a former French Diamant rocket launch pad in Kourou, French Guiana, in partnership with the French space agency CNES. Korou launches would allow Spectrum to send its small to medium satellite payloads into a more traditional equatorial orbit.
That would increase Isar’s yearly launch capacity. It currently plans to build as many as 40 launch vehicles per year, making it a potential contender for many European launch contracts in the coming years. It has already secured bookings from the Norwegian Space Agency for its Arctic Ocean Surveillance program, as well as a Japanese startup, ElevationSpace, and Airbus, among other companies.
Isar is seen as one of the potential alternatives for Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which has become politically embroiled due to the CEO’s involvement with the new Trump administration and his political interference in German and UK elections. There’s now a major drive within the EU to develop reliable launch vehicles that are entirely distinct from SpaceX and US oversight, both to capture a portion of the burgeoning satellite launch businesses, but also for security reasons.
Some car buyers believe that the price written on a vehicle for sale is final. However, sellers only set the price to set the pace for negotiation. Therefore, buyers can offer a lower price if they feel the set amount is too high. However, only buyers who know how to negotiate well can get the best deals on cars.
Which approach can a potential car buyer use to ensure they pay the lowest amount for their vehicle? Here are some key principles that experienced car negotiators follow.
Compare Prices From Different Sellers
Why should someone pay more for a car when another seller offers a lower price? Car buyers should compare prices from multiple dealerships before making a decision. In addition, they should find out if the dealership is willing to take their current car as part of the payment. Some dealers allow buyers to exchange their old vehicle for a discount on the new one. This can reduce the amount they need to pay from their pockets.
Trustworthy dealerships selling used cars new braunfels often offer incentives to car buyers. The inceptive could include discounts, free services, or lower financing rates. Buyers should ask about such offers and warranties to save money. Some dealerships charge extra fees that buyers may not expect. So, car buyers should always discuss dealer fees. Asking for a breakdown of all costs ensures that there are no surprises later.
Walk Away If a Deal Is Not Favorable
Some car buyers accept a deal because they fear they will not find a better one. This is a mistake because there are usually other options that buyers may consider. If the price or terms are unfavorable, a buyer should feel comfortable walking away. The buyers should take time to explore other options that can lead to a better deal.
Walking away can also encourage the dealer to reveal the best offer. If a seller believes that a buyer is serious about leaving, they may reduce the price or offer extra benefits to convince them to buy from them.
Work on Finances
Lenders do not always provide the full amount that buyers apply for when taking out a car loan. This can be a problem if a buyer finds a car they like but later realizes they cannot afford it.
To avoid disappointment and embarrassment, buyers should apply for a loan before visiting a dealership. This will help them know the maximum amount they can get for the car. It also gives them more confidence when negotiating because they know their budget.
Compare Different Lenders
A car loan can make a vehicle more expensive than expected. Car loan interest rates and repayment terms affect the total amount paid over time. Therefore, car buyers should compare different lenders and choose the one with the best terms. A lower interest rate means lower monthly payments and less money spent overall. This can make a big difference in a buyer’s budget.
Bargain the Total Cost
The different fees and costs associated with buying a vehicle can make ownership costlier than budgeted for. Therefore, buyers should negotiate the total cost of ownership, not just the car’s price. Some dealers may agree to lower specific fees or remove unnecessary charges. Therefore, asking about these costs can lead to significant savings.
Car buyers should not always pay the price set by the seller. Instead, they should negotiate to get the best deal. These negotiation tips and principles can help vehicle buyers save money and make better decisions.
Charlie Javice, the founder of student loan application startup Frank that was purchased by JPMorgan for $175 million, was found guilty on Friday of defrauding the bank by greatly inflating the customer count.
After a five-week trial, the jury found Javice guilty, agreeing with prosecutors’ claims that she fabricated the vast majority of Frank’s customer list to deceive JPMorgan into acquiring her startup.
When JPMorgan bought Frank in 2021, the bank thought the startup had 4 million customers. The bank found out that the actual customer count was only 300,000 when it later sent test marketing emails to alleged Frank users and approximately 70% of those messages bounced back.
Defense attorneys argued that the suit was a result of buyer’s remorse due to a government change in the way financial aid forms are filled out. Javice pleaded not guilty and didn’t take the stand during the trial.
Javice, who is now 32, could be sentenced up to decades in prison. The sentencing is expected to take place in August, according to a CNBC report.
Javice founded Frank in 2017 when she was in her mid-20s. In 2019, she was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
