View larger. | Animation showing the spread of intensive agriculture across the globe over the past 10,000 years, based on ArchaeoGLOBE Project results. Image via Nicolas Gauthier, 2019.
The ArchaeoGlobe Project assessed knowledge on human land use across Earth over the past 10,000 years, through the contributions of more than 200 archaeologists. It concluded that, by 3,000 years ago, most of the planet was already transformed by hunter-gatherers, farmers and pastoralists. Read more.
These scientists wanted to make it easy for anyone to check their work and reuse their data. They've placed all their research materials online where they can be freely accessed by anyone. Here's what it looks like.
Unusual dark patches in Venus' atmosphere - called "unknown absorbers" - play a key role in the planet's climate and albedo, according to a new study. But what are they? That's still a mystery. Read more.
After sunset, look west for the waxing crescent moon. Tonight, it's sweeping between the Libra stars Zubenelgenubi and Zubeneschamali, known to early stargazers as The Gateway. By Wednesday and Thursday evenings, the moon will be in the vicinity of the red star Antares and Jupiter, a very bright planet. Read more.
Storm chaser Reed Timmer described this image - from Monday - on Twitter: "PANO of supercell structure with water spout potential in very outer band of Hurricane Dorian coming ashore at Cocoa Beach, Florida." Follow Reed.
NASA astronaut Christian Koch snapped this image of Hurricane Dorian from the International Space Station yesterday, from more than 200 miles (300 km) above Earth. Dorian was at a near-standstill over the Bahamas for most of the day yesterday, where it caused at least 5 deaths and destroyed thousands of homes. In its 5 a.m. EDT public advisory today, the National Hurricane Center said that Dorian is still barely moving, but is expected to begin moving north-northwest later this morning. Visit the National Hurricane Center for updates.
