Written by Alana Hughes, Digital Marketing Intern.
Between school, homework, practice and spending time with loved ones, it’s easy to miss out on the latest in science, technology, engineering, art and math. But don’t worry, Thinkery’s got you covered. Here are some of our favorite STEAM discoveries from the previous week. It’s fuel for your weekend.
Before you go to bed tonight, make sure to look up at the sky to catch a glimpse of the annual “Beaver Moon.” On Friday, November 3, the lunar event known as the Beaver Moon will cause the moon to be larger and brighter than usual. This event occurs once a year in November when the moon is at its fullest point and signifies the night that the moon lights up before the lakes and swamps begin to freeze over for winter. Another exciting lunar event will be occurring on November 6 when the (almost) full moon will also be at its closest point to the earth. On this night, it will appear to be the largest moon during the month. Click here to read more about these lunar events!
Scientists are using particle tracking technology to “see” into the Great Pyramid of Giza. This massive pyramid contains only three rooms that have been discovered by scientists so far because the use of intrusive techniques to explore the pyramid has been banned. Because nobody can damage this ancient pyramid, researchers have been unable to access any spaces within its walls that do not have an entrance. So instead of drilling any holes, physicists are using detectors to track particles called muons that can pass through different materials and identify new rooms in the pyramid. This has resulted in the first discovery of a major space inside the pyramid since the 19th century. Scientists must now come up with a new way to investigate what lies inside this ancient and mysterious room.
Scientists just made an unexpected discovery about our galaxy and the way that planets form. Astronomers have found a massive planet orbiting a surprisingly small star. This planet is called NGTS-1b and is about the size of Jupiter, yet was found circling a small red dwarf star that is half the width of the sun. Scientists are surprised by this discovery because small planets typically orbit small stars and large planets typically orbit large stars. As of now, this is the largest planet relative to its star that has ever been found. Astronomers are working to better understand this odd system and this new discovery may help to change the way that scientists view planetary system formation.