My life and my struggle 

Scientists claim to have discovered a fascinating cosmic mystery. According to them, it is a “black hole star” about the size of our solar system and glowing with extremely bright red light. An international team of researchers made the discovery using images captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) which revealed the mysterious red glow. The black hole star is located in the constellation Cetus, billions of light-years away from Earth. Scientists believe it may have formed around 660 million years after the Big Bang. It appears similar to a massive star but is estimated to release 100 billion times more energy than an ordinary star. Such enormous energy output has previously been associated with black holes rather than stars. Scientist Rohan Naidu of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) who was part of the research team said that they had discovered an entirely new type of cosmic phenomenon. He explained that the object is shining with an amount of energy normally associated with black holes while at the same time displaying characteristics typically linked to stars. First observed by James Webb Space Telescope Scientists have been using the James Webb Space Telescope to study distant galaxies in the universe. Their interest in this phenomenon increased after the discovery of the galaxy Maisie’s Galaxy (CEERS 1) and other early-universe objects. In a study published in the journal Nature, researchers named the red-light phenomenon MAM-BH1. They said its completely red appearance and disappearance at specific wavelengths are so dramatic that it cannot easily be compared with other known cosmic objects. Computer simulations suggested that rather than being an extremely massive star, the object is actually a black hole that shines like a star. If the scientists’ interpretation is confirmed, it could indicate that many of the mysterious red dots observed across the universe may also be black hole stars. Rohan Naidu believes that these types of black hole stars could play an important role in the evolution of galaxies.

Scientists at the University of Delaware in the United States are investigating whether sharks can be used to improve predictions of hurricane intensity and serve as ocean-observing systems for collecting marine data. Researchers at the University of Delaware are attaching sensors to sharks that measure ocean temperature, electrical conductivity and depth. Electrical conductivity is related to the amount of salt in the water. According to Aaron Carlisle, a professor at the university’s School of Marine Science and Policy and the lead researcher of the study, animal-mounted sensors have been successfully used in marine research for several years particularly in areas where scientific observations are limited. Researchers say sharks are suitable for this research because they are abundant, inhabit vast areas of the ocean and are relatively easier to access than many protected marine mammals. So far, shark tagging has mainly been used to study their movements and habitats. However, in this new research, scientists are selecting sharks that can collect useful data for hurricane forecasting and swim close enough to the ocean surface for their tags to transmit information via satellites. Preliminary analyses in the North Atlantic have identified shortfin mako sharks, blue sharks, smooth hammerhead sharks and juvenile great white sharks as suitable species for the research. According to Aaron Carlisle, scientists are paying particular attention to the heat in the upper layer of the ocean known as the “mixed layer.” This layer of water plays an important role in the intensity of hurricanes because a warmer mixed layer can contribute to the formation of stronger hurricanes. Caroline Wiernicki, a doctoral student at the University of Delaware said the shark-tagging process begins in early May, when several migratory shark species come closer to the coast after spending the winter in remote areas of the Atlantic Ocean. Researchers travel 50 to 65 kilometres offshore in a research vessel where they deploy baited lines and typically wait two to three hours for sharks to approach. A tag is attached to the shark’s dorsal fin. When the shark swims near the surface, the tag connects with a network of satellite receivers and transmits data. Carlisle said the tagging process is completed rapidly similar to a “pit crew” during a motor race and usually takes less than five minutes. Shark tagging is carried out under institutional animal-care oversight to minimize its impact on the animals. The tags are attached using materials that gradually dissolve and eventually detach on their own. Before each shark is released back into the ocean, its health is examined because stress or injury could affect its natural behaviour and consequently, the reliability of the data collected. Caroline Wiernicki said sharks are portrayed as extremely frightening animals in movies whereas in reality they are relatively calm creatures. According to the researchers, if the project proves successful, data collected from sharks could help improve forecasts of the intensity of hurricanes approaching the US East Coast. This information could provide more reliable forecasts to coastal communities from North Carolina to Massachusetts helping them prepare for storms and improve coastal protection. Aaron Carlisle said sharks are remarkable animals that are exceptionally well adapted to life in the ocean and there is much that humans can learn from them. If it is proven that sharks can also benefit humans, it would be a win-win situation for both.