It’s five years since Curiosity left for Mars – here’s what it found

It’s five years since Curiosity left for Mars – here’s what it found

Curiosity launched on 26 November 2011. After landing on the Red Planet in 2012, it began to churn out discoveries about Mars’ history and present conditions. The mission has now been extended for at least two more years. It will spend the time climbing Mount Sharp on Mars to explore new areas of the planet. Nov 24, 2016
Nigel Farage predicts seismic shock in UK politics after Donald Trump success

Nigel Farage predicts seismic shock in UK politics after Donald Trump success

Addressing party guests at The Ritz on 23 November, Nigel Farage hailed the revolution in America that has put Donald Trump in charge while referring to Obama as ghastly. Farage said he expected a “complete realignment” of British politics, and that he suspected the ruling Conservative party “were not fit with the legacy of Brexit.” The interim Ukip leaders comments come just two days after US President-elect Donald Trump called for Farage to be named the UKs ambassador to the US. Nov 24, 2016
Secrets of 6,000-year-old amulet illuminated by science

Secrets of 6,000-year-old amulet illuminated by science

Clues about how a 6,000 year-old amulet discovered in Mehrgarh, Pakistan, was manufactured are uncovered by an imaging method reported in Nature Communications. The method, known as photoluminescence imaging, shines light to allow microstructures that are invisible under other conventional microscopes to be seen. It confirms the amulet contains two types of copper oxide and was cast as a single piece by pouring very pure molten copper into a clay mould.This study demonstrates the value of the imaging technique for archaeological artifacts, but it may also be a useful analytical tool in geophysics, engineering and environmental sciences. Nov 15, 2016