⚡️ NASA’s ex-spy plane reveals radioactive thunderstorms, nuclear-powered bulk carriers, US to sink historic ship

Plus: Will Pluto's largest moon go blond?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 October 03, 2024 | [Read Online]( Although researchers have long known that thunderstorms generated high-energy particles otherwise detected in supernovae, the frequency and nature of the phenomenon remained unclear. After years of using less-than-ideal equipment, scientists finally had the chance to observe these events up close by flying a retrofitted NASA U2 spy plane over storms. Their findings revealed that thunderstorms produce gamma radiation far more often than previously thought, and the mechanisms behind this radiation remain full of unanswered questions. Dive deeper into this [Must-Read](. 🔥Today’s job of the day as featured on [jobs.interestingengineering.com](: > [Software Engineering Manager]( > [Director Network Engineering]( Reading Time: 4 mins Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? [Subscribe here.]( MUST-READ ⚡️ [Radioactive rain? NASA’s ex-spy plane reveals thunderstorms emit gamma rays]( “It has always been amazing to me that thunderstorms can generate high energy gamma-rays, electrons, even [antimatter]( in the form of positrons, and even nuclear processes,” Steve Cummer, a coauthor on two papers detailing the findings, told Interesting Engineering. The team used NASA’s ER-2 High-Altitude Airborne Science Aircraft, a [former Cold War U2 spy plane](, which flies well above most storms. Its speed and altitude made it ideal for targeting specific thunderstorms. The team also observed short, intense bursts of gamma radiation from thunderstorms, which almost always coincided with [lightning strikes](. This suggests that lightning’s powerful electric field further energizes electrons, leading to nuclear reactions and high-energy radiation bursts. 🪸 [US could sink historic ship to create world’s largest artificial reef for tourism]( A historic ocean liner, once a symbol of American pride and luxury, may find its final home at the [bottom of the Gulf of Mexico](. Okaloosa County, Florida, has signed a tentative agreement to sink the SS United States and transform it into the world’s largest artificial reef. This move comes after years of uncertainty over the ship’s future and offers a chance to [preserve its legacy]( in a new, underwater form. The deal, approved by officials in Okaloosa County, depends on settling a court-ordered mediation related to a long-running legal issue over unpaid rent and docking fees. Built in 1952, the [SS United States]( was once the largest passenger ship ever constructed in the U.S. It set records with its incredible speed, including a transatlantic crossing on its maiden voyage that still holds a place in history. 🛳️ [Nuclear-powered bulk carriers could sail longer, faster, cheaper: Study]( A recent study's results suggest that the bulk carriers—also known as [bulkers](—of the future could sail faster, longer, and for much cheaper if they use nuclear energy for power. Bulk carriers are cargo ships that transport [large amounts of dry cargo]( over long distances. They are an essential part of the global commodities transport and trade network, providing key elements around the globe. The study tried to analyze the design and economic benefits of using nuclear power energy to power a Newcastlemax bulk carrier over a [regular low-sulfur fuel]( and another powered by green ammonia. Love what you're reading, but too many emails? Sign up to IE+ to get Blueprint Weekly, our exclusive weekly premium newsletter that gives all the insights you love in a more digestible weekly format– plus, enjoy an Ad-Free experience on our website. Try IE+ today for just $1 in the first month. [Subscribe here]( HOT TOPICS OF THE DAY SCIENCE > JWST has detected carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide on the icy surface of Pluto’s biggest natural satellite, Charon. The Southwest Research Institute researchers say that this is the first time these compounds have been discovered on Charon’s surface. ([More]() > Recent research involving miniature accelerometers has provided new insights into the behavior of baby green sea turtles as they make their way from their nests to the ocean. 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