NASA's Athena lander successfully touched down near the lunar south pole, within a permanently shadowed crater. While the landing was considered a triumph, the extreme cold of -280°F (-173°C) presents a significant challenge for the mission's scientific objectives, which include searching for water ice and characterizing the lunar environment. The frigid temperatures will limit the lander's operational lifespan and complicate data collection. Despite this, the mission team is optimistic about Athena's ability to return valuable data from this unexplored region of the Moon.
A study published in Science Advances connects the growing rat populations in cities to both climate change and urbanization. Warmer temperatures extend rat breeding seasons and improve their survival rates, while increased urban density provides ample food and shelter. This combination creates ideal conditions for rat proliferation, exacerbating existing public health and infrastructure challenges. Researchers analyzed rat data from 163 cities across the US and found strong correlations between rising temperatures, urban land cover, and rat activity, highlighting the need for improved rodent management strategies in the face of a changing climate and growing urban landscapes.
Hacker News users discussed the correlation between rising rat populations and climate change/urbanization, questioning the study's methodology and conclusions. Several commenters pointed out potential confounding factors not adequately addressed, such as changes in sanitation practices, pest control effectiveness, and the availability of food sources. Some suggested the study oversimplified a complex issue by focusing solely on temperature. Others highlighted the need for more robust data and analysis before drawing firm conclusions about the link between climate change and rat populations. A few commenters also discussed the implications of increasing rat populations for public health and urban ecosystems.
Summary of Comments ( 218 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43359412
Hacker News users discuss the surprisingly low temperature of -280°F (-173°C) recorded by Astrobotic's Peregrine lander, named Athena, after landing in a permanently shadowed crater. Several commenters point out that this temperature, while cold, isn't unexpected for a permanently shadowed region and is well above absolute zero. They discuss the possibility of finding water ice at such locations, with some speculating about its potential uses for future lunar missions. The discrepancy between Celsius and Fahrenheit scales is also mentioned, highlighting the importance of context when discussing extreme temperatures. Some users express skepticism about the viability of commercial lunar missions given Astrobotic's struggles.
The Hacker News post discussing the Ars Technica article about Athena landing in a cold, dark crater has generated several comments. Many commenters focus on the extreme temperature reported, -280°F (-173°C), questioning its plausibility. One commenter points out that this temperature is approaching absolute zero (-459.67°F or -273.15°C), and suggests that the actual temperature is likely higher, perhaps closer to -173°F, speculating that there might have been a typo in the article. This comment sparks a discussion about the possibility of a Fahrenheit/Celsius mix-up, with other commenters agreeing that such an error is likely.
Further discussion revolves around the difficulty of accurately measuring temperatures in space, particularly on the surface of another celestial body. One commenter explains the concept of radiative cooling in a vacuum, stating that objects lose heat through radiation and that the temperature of an object in space depends on a balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing thermal radiation. They suggest that the shadowed crater floor, shielded from direct sunlight, could indeed reach very low temperatures.
Other commenters question the significance of landing in a dark crater, wondering why this location was chosen. There isn't a clear answer provided within the comments, although some speculate it might be related to searching for volatiles, such as water ice, which are more likely to be found in permanently shadowed regions.
Another line of discussion branches into the broader mission of Athena and its implications. Commenters express excitement about the potential scientific discoveries that might arise from studying the lunar south pole, particularly with regard to understanding the early solar system and the potential for future lunar resource utilization.
Overall, the comments section reflects a mix of skepticism about the reported temperature, curiosity about the mission's objectives, and excitement about the potential scientific gains from exploring the lunar south pole. The most compelling comments highlight the complexities of measuring temperature in space and the potential scientific value of exploring permanently shadowed craters. There is a palpable sense of anticipation for future updates and findings from the Athena mission.