In a week filled with groundbreaking scientific discoveries, advancements in artificial intelligence, paleontology, and space exploration have captured global attention. From AI assisting astronomers in finding new planets to the unearthing of the world’s smallest dinosaur egg in China, these developments highlight the rapid progress in science and technology.
AI Aids Discovery of New Exoplanets
Astronomers led by Chinese scientists have leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) to discover five new exoplanets, each smaller than Earth and with orbital periods shorter than a day. By integrating an AI algorithm with data from NASA’s Kepler space telescope, the team significantly enhanced the efficiency of searching for Earth-like planets. This breakthrough marks a substantial advancement in applying AI to astronomical data analysis, paving the way for more discoveries in the cosmos.
World’s Smallest Dinosaur Egg Unearthed in China
In a remarkable paleontological find, the world’s smallest dinosaur egg, measuring just over 2.5 centimeters long, has been discovered in Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, east China. Unearthed along with five other dinosaur eggs at a construction site in 2021, researchers have spent three years studying these fossils. Dating back to the Late Cretaceous period, over 80 million years ago, this significant discovery offers new insights into dinosaur reproduction habits and diversity.
Chinese Scientists Develop “Lunar Bricks” for Moon Bases
Advancing lunar exploration efforts, Chinese scientists have developed bricks made from a material designed to simulate lunar soil. These innovative “lunar bricks” are reportedly three times stronger than traditional red bricks or concrete, aiming to create durable infrastructure for future lunar bases. The bricks are set to be sent to China’s space station to test their durability, with the first brick scheduled to return to Earth by 2025. This development is a crucial step toward sustainable human presence on the moon.
SpaceX Successfully Catches Returning Starship Rocket
In a historic achievement, SpaceX has successfully caught a returning Starship rocket during its fifth flight test. Launched on October 13 from southern Texas, the 122-meter Starship vehicle was captured midair by a pair of metal “chopstick” arms, rather than performing a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico as in previous tests. This marks the first time such a maneuver has been completed, showcasing advancements in reusable rocket technology and bringing humanity closer to accessible space travel.
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Science Saturday: AI, dinosaur egg fossil and lunar exploration
cgtn.com
