Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features Lake Chad in central Africa. The photograph was taken by an astronaut on the International Space Station.



According to <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154407/lake-chads-water-wetlands-and-dunes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>, Lake Chad once ranked among the largest natural lakes in the world. It was a critical resource for millions of people and animals, supporting agriculture and fishing across the region.&nbsp;



Lake Chad straddles the borders of Chad, Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon. The shallow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lakes-are-warming-toward-the-point-of-no-return/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lake</a> is primarily fed by the Chari River, which brings water from the Central African Republic.&nbsp;



The water levels are also influenced by seasonal rainfall. The rainfall patterns vary significantly across the basin but generally follow a wet-dry seasonal cycle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-decline-and-shrinkage-nbsp">Environmental decline and shrinkage&nbsp;</h2>



From the 1960s to the early 2000s, the lake lost more than 90 percent of its surface area. It transformed from a vast expanse of open water into a patchwork of wetlands, reed beds, and scattered pools.&nbsp;



This environmental decline has had severe consequences for local communities, leading to food and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-water-security-relies-on-the-origins-of-rainfall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water insecurity</a>, loss of livelihoods, and increasing competition over scarce resources.



“Ongoing droughts and the rising demand for fresh water have shrunk the lake to less than a tenth of the area it covered in the middle of the last century,” noted NASA.



“Although the lake has experienced dry and wet periods for thousands of years, there has been a significant decline in the amount of lake water available since the 1960s.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conflict-culture-and-economy">Conflict, culture, and economy</h2>



Lake Chad is a geopolitical hotspot. The region has been affected by conflict, including the insurgency led by Boko Haram, which has displaced millions and further complicated efforts to manage and protect the lake’s fragile ecosystem.&nbsp;



Despite these challenges, regional governments and international organizations are working to restore and sustain the lake, including ambitious proposals to divert water from the Congo River basin.



Culturally and economically, Lake Chad remains vital. It is a hub for trade and social exchange among diverse ethnic groups and continues to provide fish and fertile land despite its reduced size.&nbsp;



The future of Lake Chad hinges on sustainable water management, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-extremes-alter-how-sunlight-travels-through-clear-lakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> resilience, and political cooperation across national boundaries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-lake-chad-nbsp">Evolution of Lake Chad&nbsp;</h2>



According to NASA, the evolution of Lake Chad has been documented by astronaut photography over the past 60 years.&nbsp;



“During the Apollo 7 mission in 1968, an astronaut acquired an oblique <a href="https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/SearchPhotos/photo.pl?mission=AS07&amp;roll=8&amp;frame=1932" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photograph</a> of the lake as one large body of water. In 1982, another <a href="https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/SearchPhotos/photo.pl?mission=STS005&amp;roll=39&amp;frame=1022" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photo</a> from the space shuttle mission STS-5 recorded receding water levels and encroaching sand dunes.”



“A <a href="https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/SearchPhotos/photo.pl?mission=ISS042&amp;roll=E&amp;frame=244403" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photo</a> taken in 2015 during space station Expedition 42 captured the lake’s remaining waters and wetlands in dark green, blue, and brown, contrasting with the sandy shades of the surrounding land.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-of-lake-chad">Wildlife of Lake Chad</h2>



Lake Chad still supports wildlife, though species diversity and abundance have declined significantly due to ecosystem degradation



The lake and its surrounding wetlands are home to several species of fish, including tilapia, catfish, and Nile perch, which are important both ecologically and economically.&nbsp;



These fish support a major regional fishing industry, although overfishing and changes in water conditions have put pressure on fish populations.



Birds are another key component of the ecosystem. The lake serves as a crucial habitat and stopover point for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-may-be-using-quantum-physics-for-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migratory birds</a> traveling along the African-Eurasian flyway.&nbsp;



Species such as herons, storks, ducks, and geese can be found in the region, especially during the wet season when parts of the lake flood and create rich feeding grounds.



Mammals that depend on the surrounding floodplains and wetlands include hippos and various antelope species, yet their numbers have declined.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-efforts-and-challenges">Conservation efforts and challenges</h2>



Reptiles like Nile crocodiles and turtles also inhabit the lake's waters and marshy areas. In the past, larger wildlife such as elephants and lions may have roamed the wider Lake Chad basin, but they are now mostly gone from the immediate lake area due to habitat loss and human activity.



Despite these challenges, Lake Chad remains an important, yet increasingly fragile, refuge for wildlife in a region where water and natural habitats are becoming more scarce.&nbsp;



Conservation efforts aim to balance the needs of people and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-freshwater-species-are-threatened-with-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a>, but the success of such efforts depends on managing the lake’s limited resources in the face of climate change, political instability, and population growth.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Lake Chad: A vanishing lifeline in Central Africa

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features...

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features smoke hovering over the Butler Fire in Six Rivers National Forest. The fire was sparked by lightning on July 1 before quickly spreading to the east of Orleans, California.&nbsp;



By July 16, the Butler Fire had burned more than 9,000 acres and was zero percent contained.&nbsp;



Fueled by triple-digit temperatures and low humidity, the fire produced massive smoke plumes that drifted westward, impacting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfires-are-changing-the-quality-of-our-air/">air quality</a> across the region.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-california-fires-ignited-by-lightning">California fires ignited by lightning</h2>



About 75 miles southeast of the Butler Fire, the Green Fire has been burning for weeks near the Pit River arm of Shasta Lake. The fire was also ignited by lightning.&nbsp;



By mid-July, the Green Fire had scorched over 15,000 acres and was only 13 percent contained.&nbsp;



According to <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154554/wildfire-smoke-billows-over-northern-california">NASA</a>, the fire’s rapid spread was driven by similarly extreme conditions - temperatures above 100°F and humidity levels below 20 percent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-california-s-intense-2025-fire-season">California’s intense 2025 fire season</h2>



California’s 2025 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-seasons-are-now-overlapping-worldwide/">wildfire season</a> started early - and with alarming intensity. In January, Southern California endured destructive fires that were fueled by strong Santa Ana winds.&nbsp;



Most notably, the Palisades and Eaton Fires burned over 57,000 acres, destroyed thousands of homes, and resulted in around 30 fatalities.&nbsp;



Through mid-July, more than 4,195 wildfires had scorched over 201,000 acres statewide. This is nearly triple the area burned in the same period in 2024 and well above the five-year average.&nbsp;



Among these fires, the massive Madre Fire in San Luis Obispo County alone had burned more than 80,000 acres by early July, making it the largest wildfire of the season.



California is entering the peak of its fire season amid worsening climate-driven hot and dry weather, with fire agencies forecasting above-normal fire potential through August and September.&nbsp;



Firefighters and communities are facing increasingly complex and dangerous conditions, including extreme heat, dry vegetation, and low humidity. These factors are making wildfires harder to predict and control.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-intense-fire-seasons-ahead">More intense fire seasons ahead</h2>



Looking ahead, California’s wildfire seasons are expected to grow longer and more intense as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-making-wildfire-smoke-more-deadly/">climate change</a> continues to reshape the landscape. 



Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and shrinking snowpacks are drying out forests and grasslands earlier in the year, creating dangerous conditions months before the traditional fire season.&nbsp;



Scientists warn that even in wetter years, vegetation growth can provide abundant fuel that dries out quickly under warming trends. This increases the risk of fast-moving, high-intensity fires.&nbsp;



The state is also seeing more fire activity in regions once considered low risk, including coastal areas and higher elevations.



In addition to fueling larger and more frequent fires, climate change is complicating response and recovery efforts. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-making-wildfire-smoke-more-deadly/">Smoke</a> from massive wildfires can impact extensive regions, posing serious health risks and straining public health systems.&nbsp;



Ultimately, experts agree that without significant action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the pace of global warming, wildfires will remain one of the most visible and destructive symptoms of a <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/earth/explore/wildfires-and-climate-change/">changing climate</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-living-with-fire">Living with fire</h2>



As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fast-wildfires-are-gaining-even-more-speed/">wildfires</a> become a more permanent fixture of life in California, residents are adapting to new realities. From packing emergency “go bags” in spring to installing air purifiers and fire-resistant landscaping, preparedness is becoming part of everyday life.&nbsp;



Schools and workplaces now routinely factor wildfire smoke into closure plans, and emergency drills are no longer seasonal but year-round.



For people on the front lines - firefighters, emergency responders, and healthcare workers - demands will only get worse and more support is needed. Many are calling for improved pay and benefits, as well as mental health services to cope with repeated trauma.



Living with fire in California means balancing resilience with action. Communities must prepare for fire, recover from fire, and push for climate policies that may prevent a future defined by ever-worsening wildfire seasons.



The image was captured on July 13, 2025 by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on the <a href="https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/satellites/landsat-8/">Landsat 8 satellite</a>.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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California's extreme fire season rages on

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features Abell S1063, a massive galaxy cluster located about 4.5 billion light-years from Earth. The galaxy cluster was captured by the Webb telescope in stunning detail.



According to <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2025/05/Webb_glimpses_the_distant_past" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>, the image is what’s known as a deep field - a long exposure of a single area of the sky, collecting as much light as possible to draw out the most faint and distant galaxies that don’t appear in ordinary images.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-galaxies-of-the-early-universe">Galaxies of the early universe </h2>



Composed of nine separate snapshots taken at different near-infrared wavelengths over roughly 120 hours, this image represents Webb’s most detailed and deepest view of a single target so far.&nbsp;



Thanks to the gravitational lensing effect of Abell S1063, astronomers can peer deeper into the past than ever before - possibly viewing some of the universe’s very <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-galaxies-formed-from-the-earliest-elements-in-the-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first galaxies</a>.



“The eye is first drawn, in this new NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope Picture of the Month, to the central mega-monster that is galaxy cluster Abell S1063. This behemoth collection of galaxies, lying 4.5 billion light-years from Earth in the constellation Grus (the Crane), dominates the scene,” noted ESA.



“Looking more closely, this dense collection of heavy galaxies is surrounded by glowing streaks of light, and these warped arcs are the true object of scientists’ interest: faint galaxies from the universe’s distant past.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-a-galaxy-cluster">What is a galaxy cluster?</h2>



Galaxy clusters are the largest known gravitationally bound systems and include not just galaxies, but also vast amounts of hot, X-ray-emitting gas and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-true-nature-of-dark-matter-may-be-revealed-in-a-supernova/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dark matter</a>.&nbsp;



The galaxies within a cluster move through this hot intracluster medium, and their interactions can lead to phenomena like galaxy mergers or the stripping of gas from galaxies.&nbsp;



Galaxy clusters are important for studying the large-scale structure of the universe, the behavior of dark matter, and the evolution of galaxies over cosmic time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hundreds-of-galaxies-bound-together-nbsp">Hundreds of galaxies bound together&nbsp;</h2>



As one of the most densely populated clusters known, Abell S1063 contains hundreds of galaxies bound together by gravity.&nbsp;



Its immense mass makes it an excellent example of a gravitational lens - a cosmic phenomenon where the cluster’s gravity bends and magnifies the light from galaxies far behind it.&nbsp;



This effect allows astronomers to observe incredibly faint and distant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-way-like-galaxies-were-present-in-the-early-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a> that would otherwise be beyond our detection limits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-galaxy-evolution">Studying galaxy evolution</h2>



The cluster has been the focus of several major observational campaigns. It was prominently featured in the Hubble Space Telescope’s Frontier Fields program, which used its gravitational lensing power to study the early universe.&nbsp;



“The new imagery from Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) takes this quest even further back in time,” said ESA.



“This image showcases an incredible forest of lensing arcs around Abell S1063, which reveal distorted background galaxies at a range of cosmic distances, along with a multitude of faint galaxies and previously unseen features.”



These observations are helping scientists probe the Cosmic Dawn era - the period shortly after the Big Bang.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-the-cosmic-dawn-nbsp">Exploring the Cosmic Dawn&nbsp;</h2>



The Cosmic Dawn refers to a time in the history of the universe when the first stars and galaxies began to form and shine. This pivotal era occurred roughly between 100 million and 1 billion years after the Big Bang.&nbsp;



During the Dark Ages, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fastest-feeding-black-hole-found-in-the-early-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universe</a> had cooled enough for neutral hydrogen to form, but no luminous objects yet existed to light it up.&nbsp;



The birth of the first stars - often massive and short-lived - marked the beginning of the Cosmic Dawn. These stars emitted intense ultraviolet radiation, which gradually ionized the surrounding hydrogen gas in a process known as reionization.&nbsp;



This transformed the universe from a cold, opaque environment into one that was transparent to light, enabling the large-scale structure of the cosmos to take shape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-constellation-grus">The constellation Grus</h2>



Grus is a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/super-jupiter-discovered-in-the-great-bear-constellation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">constellation</a> in the southern sky, its name derived from the Latin word for "crane," a type of large, graceful bird.&nbsp;



It was introduced in the late 16th century by the Dutch navigators Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman, during an era of celestial charting tied to European exploration of the southern hemisphere.&nbsp;



Grus is part of a group of constellations known as the "Southern Birds," which also includes Phoenix, Tucana, and Pavo.



This constellation lies near the celestial south pole and is best seen from the Southern Hemisphere during the months of August through October.&nbsp;



Image Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA &amp; CSA, H. Atek, M. Zamani



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Hundreds of galaxies illuminate the early universe 

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency...

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the spiral galaxy UGC 11397 in the constellation Lyra (The Lyre).



The light captured in this striking image traveled for 250 million years before reaching the NASA/ESA <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/35-years-of-hubble-the-telescope-that-changed-our-view-of-the-universe/">Hubble Space Telescope</a>.



“At first glance, UGC 11397 appears to be an average spiral galaxy: it sports two graceful spiral arms that are illuminated by stars and defined by dark, clumpy clouds of dust,” noted ESA.



“What sets UGC 11397 apart from a typical spiral lies at its center, where a supermassive black hole containing 174 million times the mass of the Sun is growing.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-hidden-powerhouse">A hidden powerhouse</h2>



As the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-oldest-black-hole-jet-ever-seen-is-size-of-three-milky-ways-j1601-3102/">black hole</a> consumes gas, dust, and even entire stars from its surroundings, the infalling material heats up dramatically, producing a dazzling display of energy.&nbsp;



These emissions span the electromagnetic spectrum - from gamma rays to radio waves - and can flare or fade unpredictably.&nbsp;



“But in some galaxies, including UGC 11397, thick clouds of dust hide much of this energetic activity from view in optical light,” explained ESA.



“Despite this, UGC 11397's actively growing black hole was revealed through its bright X-ray emission - high-energy light that can pierce the surrounding dust.”&nbsp;



Its distinctive signature has earned UGC 11397 the classification of a Type 2 Seyfert galaxy. This category describes active galaxies whose central regions are obscured in visible light by a doughnut-shaped cloud of dust and gas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-galaxy-and-black-hole-growth">Galaxy and black hole growth</h2>



“Using Hubble, researchers will study hundreds of galaxies that, like UGC 11397, harbor a supermassive black hole that is gaining mass,” noted ESA.&nbsp;



“The Hubble observations will help researchers weigh nearby supermassive black holes, understand how black holes grew early in the universe’s history, and even study how stars form in the extreme environment found at the very center of a galaxy.”



Studying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-galaxies-discovery-would-upend-current-understanding-of-universe/">galaxies</a> like UGC 11397 also offers insight into the mysterious relationship between supermassive black holes and their host galaxies.&nbsp;



Despite residing at the heart of galaxies, these black holes influence their surroundings on a much larger scale, often regulating the formation of stars and even shaping the structure of the galaxy itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-black-hole-origins">Tracing black hole origins</h2>



One of the key questions astronomers hope to answer is how these black holes grow so massive in the first place.&nbsp;



While some appear to have formed gradually over billions of years, others - especially those in the early universe - seem to have reached enormous sizes much more quickly. 



Observations of galaxies such as UGC 11397 provide crucial data to test different growth scenarios.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-clearer-picture-of-cosmic-evolution">A clearer picture of cosmic evolution</h2>



By combining Hubble’s observations with data from other telescopes, including those that detect X-rays and radio waves, researchers can build a more complete picture of how matter behaves around black holes.&nbsp;



This multi-wavelength approach is essential for studying objects obscured by dust, like Type 2 Seyfert galaxies, where optical views alone can be misleading.



Hubble’s sharp vision also allows astronomers to examine the surrounding galactic disk and spiral arms in high detail. 



These structures hold clues about recent star formation, galactic dynamics, and how gas flows toward the center - fueling both star birth and black hole growth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-black-hole-energy-in-active-galaxies">Black hole energy in active galaxies</h2>



In many active <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-galaxies-revealed-in-a-single-webb-image/">galaxies</a>, the energy released by the central black hole can blast out powerful winds or jets that affect star formation. These feedback processes can either shut down or stimulate the creation of new stars, depending on the conditions.&nbsp;



Understanding when and how this feedback occurs is another major goal of Hubble’s ongoing studies.



UGC 11397 is just one of many galaxies being surveyed as part of broader efforts to trace the cosmic history of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-holes-turn-into-white-holes-and-blast-out-matter-and-time-runs-backwards/">black hole</a> activity.&nbsp;



Projects such as these are helping scientists map how common active galactic nuclei are, how their properties evolve over time, and how they relate to galaxy mergers and other large-scale events.



The wealth of information gathered from galaxies like UGC 11397 is not only deepening our understanding of black holes but also refining models of galaxy formation and evolution.&nbsp;



With each new observation, astronomers are piecing together the vast and complex puzzle of how galaxies and their central engines co-evolve across cosmic time.



Image Credit: ESA/Hubble &amp; NASA, M. J. Koss, A. J. Barth



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Bright spiral galaxy hides a dark secret

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the Eagle Nebula, also known as Messier 16, which is located about 7,000 light-years away in the constellation Serpens.



The Eagle Nebula is one of the most iconic star-forming regions in our galaxy.&nbsp;It’s a vast cloud of gas and dust stretching roughly 70 light-years across.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pillars-of-creation-nbsp">Pillars of Creation&nbsp;</h2>



What makes it especially famous is a portion of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-rogue-worlds-discovered-inside-a-young-star-forming-nebula/">nebula</a> captured by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1995 - an area called the "Pillars of Creation."&nbsp;



Some of these towering columns of gas are several light-years tall. The towers resemble sculpted fingers reaching out into space. Inside these pillars, new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/serpens-nebula-image-reveals-how-stars-are-born/">stars</a> are being born as gravity pulls material together into dense cores that eventually ignite nuclear fusion.



The Pillars of Creation are often cited as a poetic example of the cosmic cycle of birth and destruction - where new stars are born even as the surrounding material is slowly destroyed by radiation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hubble-image-of-the-eagle-nebula-nbsp">Hubble image of the Eagle Nebula&nbsp;</h2>



“This towering structure of billowing gas and dark, obscuring dust might only be a small portion of the Eagle Nebula, but it is no less majestic in appearance for it,” said <a href="https://esahubble.org/images/heic2507a/">ESA</a>.



“The new Hubble image is part of ESA/Hubble’s 35th anniversary celebrations. The cosmic cloud shown here is made of cold hydrogen gas, like the rest of the Eagle Nebula. In such regions of space new stars are born among the collapsing clouds.”&nbsp;



The hot, energetic stars emit intense ultraviolet light and powerful stellar winds that erode and sculpt the surrounding gas. The result is the creation of fantastical structures - like the narrow pillar with a blossoming head featured in the Hubble image.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-light-and-shadow-in-the-eagle-nebula">Light and shadow in the Eagle Nebula</h2>



The thick material in the pillar blocks most light, appearing dark and heavy against the backdrop. However, its edges glow where light from the more distant nebula shines through.&nbsp;



The striking colors reflect the chemistry and physics at play: blues signal ionized oxygen, reds indicate glowing hydrogen, and orange shows where starlight has managed to pierce the dust.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-structure-under-siege">A structure under siege</h2>



Just out of frame lie the very stars responsible for shaping this dramatic pillar. Their radiation and winds continue to batter the cloud, compressing the gas and potentially triggering the birth of even more stars within.



For now, the pillar holds firm, but this stability is temporary. Over time, the relentless energy from newly formed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fluffy-molecular-clouds-may-change-our-understanding-of-star-formation/">stars</a> will eventually erode the entire structure.



“While the starry pillar has withstood these forces well so far, cutting an impressive shape against the background, eventually it will be totally eroded by the multitude of new stars that form in the Eagle Nebula,” explained ESA.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-cycle-of-the-milky-way">Life cycle of the Milky Way</h2>



The nebula’s location in the Sagittarius Arm - one of the Milky Way’s major spiral arms - places it in a zone bustling with similar star-forming regions. This highlights the role of the Eagle Nebula in shaping the structure and the future of our galaxy.



Studies of the Eagle Nebula have revealed that the region is rich in young, hot stars - some of which are only a few million years old. These stars are in various stages of development, providing a natural laboratory for astronomers to study stellar life cycles.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-the-eagle-nebula-nbsp">Evolution of the Eagle Nebula&nbsp;</h2>



Within the Eagle Nebula, there is a variety of stellar processes occurring in close proximity. Some stars are still forming within dense clouds of gas, while others have already matured and begun to emit powerful ultraviolet radiation.&nbsp;



The ongoing interaction between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/star-formation-reignited-in-the-galaxy-leo-p-after-billions-of-years/">young stars</a> and their environment drives the evolution of the nebula itself.&nbsp;



As newly formed stars heat and disperse the gas and dust around them, they trigger further waves of star formation - or in some cases, halt it altogether.&nbsp;



This feedback loop not only influences the pace of star birth in the Eagle Nebula but also contributes to the broader life cycle of matter within the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-way-collision-may-change-everything-we-know-about-our-galaxy/">Milky Way</a>, enriching the galaxy with heavier elements forged in stellar cores.



Image Credit: ESA/Hubble &amp; NASA, K. Noll



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Eagle Nebula: Carving light from darkness

Kitchen pantries hold many folk cures, yet few spark as much debate as apple cider <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vinegar-adds-another-surprising-health-benefit-depression-cure-to-its-long-list-of-perks/">vinegar</a>. The tangy liquid has jumped from salad dressing to social‑media star on the promise that a daily shot melts extra pounds.



Fresh research hints the buzz may hold a kernel of truth: Lebanese volunteers, aged 12-25, who swallowed up to one tablespoon each morning slimmed down by an average 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms) in just 12 weeks. 



Study leader Rony Abou‑Khalil, Ph.D., of <a href="https://hsuf.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Holy Spirit University of Kaslik</a>, oversaw the double‑blind, placebo‑controlled trial that tracked weight, waist size, blood sugar, and cholesterol.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-cider-vinegar-trial-found">What the cider vinegar trial found</h2>



Participants were split into four groups. Three groups received a daily dose of 5, 10, or 15 milliliters of the cider vinegar diluted in water, and the fourth received a placebo. 



Those given the highest dose dropped from roughly 173 to 155 pounds (78 to 70 kilograms), while trimming inches from their waist and hips.



Blood tests followed suit, showing double‑digit declines in fasting glucose, triglycerides, and total <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/just-one-handful-of-pecan-nuts-each-day-can-lower-cholesterol-heart-health/">cholesterol</a> by week twelve. 



No serious side effects were logged, and activity journals confirmed the teens made no deliberate diet or exercise changes.



Because the study ran for only three months and involved 120 youths from one culture, its authors warn against overgeneralizing the results. 



They stress that longer trials and more diverse cohorts are needed before doctors can recommend cider vinegar as a stand‑alone therapy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-teens-were-targeted">Why teens were targeted</h2>



Youth obesity sets the stage for adult diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers, yet nearly one in five U.S. adolescents already meets the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bmi/adult-calculator/bmi-categories.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMI threshold</a> for obesity. Finding safe, low‑cost tools that engage this age group is therefore a public‑health priority.



“Intervening early may prevent long‑term complications associated with obesity,” Abou‑Khalil explained. He and his team chose adolescents and young adults precisely because earlier cider vinegar studies focused on older participants.&nbsp;



The youthful cohort also helped rule out age‑related metabolic slowdowns that can cloud results. Still, puberty‑related hormone swings could have influenced appetite and fat storage, a factor that future work must address.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-cider-vinegar-might-work">How cider vinegar might work</h2>



The main active compound, acetic acid, races from the stomach into the blood and may nudge cells to burn fat instead of storing it. Animal data show the acid flips on AMP‑activated protein kinase, a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-quality-could-be-the-key-to-better-metabolic-health/">metabolic</a> switch tied to higher energy use.



“One proposed mechanism is that ACV may help to increase feelings of satiety, leading to reduced calorie intake,” said Abou‑Khalil. It may also slow gastric emptying, leaving people feeling full with fewer calories.&nbsp;



Another possibility involves gut‑released <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3286726/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">satiety hormones</a> such as GLP‑1 and PYY, which rise in rodents that are given cider vinegar and are known to curb appetite. Whether the same surge occurs in teenagers remains to be shown.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comparing-with-earlier-studies">Comparing with earlier studies</h2>



The Lebanese data echo a 2009 Japanese trial in which adults who drank 15 or 30 milliliters of cider vinegar daily shed two to four pounds (0.9 to 1.8 kilograms) and lowered triglycerides over the same 12‑week span.



A 2021 meta‑analysis pooling nine clinical trials concluded that up to 15 milliliters a day for more than eight weeks cut fasting glucose by about eight milligrams per deciliter and shaved six points off total cholesterol, though effects on <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24395-hdl-cholesterol" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HDL</a> and insulin were negligible.



Taken together, these papers hint at modest benefits, particularly for people with elevated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-extracts-may-help-treat-metabolic-syndrome/">metabolic</a> markers. They also emphasize how dose, duration, and starting health status sway the outcome.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risks-worth-knowing">Risks worth knowing</h2>



Cider vinegar is still an acid strong enough to etch tooth enamel and irritate the throat, cautions the <a href="https://adanews.ada.org/huddles/experts-provide-latest-science-on-apple-cider-vinegar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Dental Association</a>. To reduce the risk, experts suggest diluting it in water and drinking it through a straw to limit contact with teeth.



Dentists advise diluting it in at least 8 ounces (230 milliliters) of water, sipping through a straw, and waiting an hour to brush. People taking insulin, diuretics, or medications for delayed stomach emptying should talk with a clinician first, because the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coffee-may-help-you-live-longer-if-you-drink-it-this-way/">drink</a> can amplify drug effects or worsen gastroparesis.



Researchers also note that the placebo group in the Lebanese experiment gained no weight, suggesting lifestyle stability mattered as much as the cider vinegar itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-everyday-implications">Everyday implications</h2>



Anyone eager to try the tonic can treat it like any condiment, sprinkling a teaspoon or two over salads or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-more-fruits-and-vegetables-will-help-you-get-better-sleep/">vegetables</a> instead of drinking it straight. That habit adds flavor while easing the enamel threat.



Even if cider vinegar offers a small metabolic nudge, sustainable weight control still hinges on balanced meals, adequate protein, enough sleep, and regular movement.



Future trials will reveal whether older adults with slower metabolisms respond in similar fashion, but for now experts advise pairing any cider vinegar routine with these fundamentals.



The study is published in <a href="https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/bmjnph/early/2024/01/18/bmjnph-2023-000823.full.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMJ Nutrition, Prevention &amp; Health</a>.



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Popular home remedy for weight loss is gaining traction in the scientific community

Kitchen pantries hold many folk cures, yet few spark as...

Our bodies meet the sensory world long before our minds can make sense of it. Scientists now argue that what we feel, hear, and see in those first hidden months may lay the tracks for later behavior, including the hallmarks of autism <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-link-autism-to-neanderthal-dna-genetic-variants-found-in-modern-humans/">spectrum</a> disorder&nbsp;(<a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ASD</a>).



Carissa Cascio of the University of Kansas <a href="https://lifespan.ku.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Life Span Institute</a> helped assemble the <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2026-24326-001.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence</a> and calls it the “cascading effects model.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-sensory-patterns-in-autism">Early sensory patterns in autism</h2>



ASD touches about one in 36 eight-year-olds in the United States, a <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/ss/ss7202a1.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">figure</a> that keeps inching upward. 



Since 2013 the <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4345540/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diagnostic and Statistical Manual</a> has listed atypical responses to light, sound, or touch right alongside social traits, confirming that sensory quirks are not side-notes.



Those quirks can lean both ways. Some toddlers barely blink at loud noises, while others recoil from a shirt tag, yet both patterns predict later communication <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/common-plastics-chemical-bpa-linked-to-autism-adhd-in-children/">hurdles</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-touch-develops-early-body-awareness">Touch develops early body awareness</h2>



<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6710198/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Research</a> tracing fetal physiology shows the sense of touch forming as early as eight weeks of gestation, long before hearing or vision join the party. 



That early tactile scaffold gives a fetus its first map of “me versus not-me,” a map that guides newborn rooting, grasping, and self-soothing.



At birth the world suddenly grows brighter, colder, and louder, forcing the newborn brain to stitch together sight, sound, and touch in swift <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4215474/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">multisensory integration</a>. 



If any one strand lags or fires too fiercely, later strands, language, joint attention, play, may knot in unexpected ways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sensory-changes-before-autism-signs">Sensory changes before autism signs</h2>



A landmark eye-tracking <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4035120/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> found that infants who would later be diagnosed with ASD began life looking at caregivers’ eyes as much as other babies but shifted away between two and six months. 



That tiny change in visual preference predates any obvious social difference, hinting that a developing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/autism-and-adhd-disorders-directly-linked-amount-of-time-kids-spend-on-screens/">brain</a> already feels mismatched input.



Brain scans echo the behavior. <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5336143/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Infants</a> who went on to an autism diagnosis showed faster-than-typical cortical surface growth in sensory areas between six and twelve months, a burst linked to later social scores.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-autism-may-begin-with-small-differences">Autism may begin with small differences</h2>



“Our work is rooted in the idea that brain differences in autism are starting much earlier than the age at which we use complex social interactions to diagnose autism,” said Cascio. 



“We’re hopeful that the ideas in this paper will help researchers formulate and test questions about early sensory development,” said Cascio.



By framing sensory pathways as the first domino, the model explains why some children flap, spin, or crave noise: repetitive actions may be self-chosen ways to tame unpredictable signals. 



It also clarifies why others seem distant, if touch or sound barely registers, the wider world offers fewer hooks for connection, so social skills have less raw material.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sensory-signs-may-help-detect-autism-sooner">Sensory signs may help detect autism sooner</h2>



Follow-up <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8740754/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> show that higher sensory hyporesponsiveness at twelve months foretells lower expressive language at two years. Caregivers usually notice the silence, not the missing “aha” moments humble touch and sound should have sparked months before.



Yet plasticity cuts both ways. A 2025 randomized trial found that a parent-led program called <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-025-06928-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Project ImPACT</a> eased social hyporesponsiveness and, for some infants, boosted later language.



Not all sensory experiences are created equal, and not all babies grow up in the same sensory <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neanderthal-dna-is-more-common-in-people-with-autism/">environments</a>. Cultural norms, parenting styles, and household dynamics can all shape how infants respond to sounds, touch, and movement in those critical early months. 



A baby raised in a quiet, low-stimulus setting may adapt differently than one growing up in a louder, more chaotic home, even if both develop along typical lines.



These early differences matter. For example, eye contact and physical touch carry different meanings across cultures. 



What one family sees as normal affection, another may view as intrusive. If a child with ASD is raised in a context where reduced touch or gaze is common, it may mask or complicate early signs.



That’s why researchers like Cascio emphasize the need for broader studies that account for diverse families and developmental contexts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-autism-screening-and-support">Improving autism screening and support</h2>



Screening tools that focus only on gestures or words may miss children whose first signals are sensory. 



Pediatric check-ups that include simple tests, does a four-month-old turn toward a rattle, settle with gentle stroking, blink at bright light, could flag risk while brains remain highly <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-10/documents/ace3_neurodevelopmental.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurodevelopmental</a> and adaptable.



Interventions might then start with the senses themselves: patterned touch, predictable light, graded sound, and caregiver coaching to read a baby’s comfort zone. 



By tuning the earliest circuits, therapists hope to widen each child’s window for curiosity, play, and later learning.



The study is published in <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2026-24326-001.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Psychological Review</a>.



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Autism may begin with sensory changes well before social signs appear

Our bodies meet the sensory world long before our minds...

Solar farms are blooming across the planet, carpeting deserts, plains, and even former industrial sites with glittering panels that convert sunlight into carbon‑free electricity.



A new review led by wildlife ecologist Trish Fleming from <a href="https://www.murdoch.edu.au/">Murdoch University</a> finds those installations already occupy almost 14,700 square miles of land - roughly the size of West Virginia. That footprint is expanding rapidly.



The study celebrates the role of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solar-power-has-won-the-prize-to-become-earths-main-source-of-energy/">solar energy</a> in cutting greenhouse gas emissions but warns that poorly designed solar parks could harm birds, bats, and other wildlife. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-reflections-mislead-wildlife">Solar reflections mislead wildlife</h2>



Flat, dark <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solar-panels-are-1000-times-more-powerful-with-new-tech-breakthrough/">solar panels</a> act like gigantic mirrors. They polarize and reflect light much as a lake does, a visual cue that many flying insects – and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-are-struggling-to-keep-pace-with-a-warming-climate/">birds</a> and bats that feed on them – instinctively follow.



Migrating waterbirds sometimes circle or land on solar panels, mistaking them for water, researchers have observed.



Insects drawn to panels create feeding hotspots, disrupting foraging patterns and increasing collision risks for birds and other predators.



The same reflective quality produces the “lake effect” hazard at concentrating solar power (CSP) plants, where mirrors focus sunlight onto a central receiver.



Some solar sites kill birds with intense heat or light reflections that confuse wildlife, the Murdoch review warns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fences-block-animal-paths">Fences block animal paths</h2>



To safeguard expensive equipment, solar developers typically surround their sites with chain-link fences. That security measure can have unintended consequences.



Ground-dwelling species such as reptiles, small mammals, and flight-shy birds may find their usual pathways blocked.



In worst-case scenarios, animals become trapped, unable to navigate out of the maze of panels and barriers.



Fleming cites reports from South African vineyards where large birds died after becoming trapped between parallel fences around solar panels.



A more encouraging example comes from Nevada, where a PV project left gaps at ground level and preserved native vegetation corridors.



Motion-camera monitoring has shown desert tortoises, kit foxes, and jackrabbits using those openings to move freely. It’s proof that thoughtful design can meet security needs while allowing wildlife to pass through.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-panels-change-habitat">Solar panels change habitat</h2>



Utility‑scale PV plants usually require two to six hectares of land per megawatt of capacity. Clearing that space can fragment habitat and push sensitive species elsewhere.



Yet the review also finds cases in disturbed agricultural regions where solar parks support more wildlife. 



Managed with flowering groundcovers and minimal mowing, these sites have attracted more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-country-without-butterflies-rapid-decline-in-u-s-populations/">butterflies</a>, bees, and insect-eating birds compared to nearby croplands.



Whether a solar site turns into ecological desert or a surprising refuge depends on what was there before, how vegetation is managed afterward and where panels are placed.



In arid zones, the shade beneath panels can retain soil moisture and support native grasses that would otherwise struggle. This microclimate benefit is known as “agrivoltaics” when combined with grazing or cropping.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smarter-solar-site-layouts">Smarter solar site layouts</h2>



Technological tweaks could further soften solar’s impact. Lab tests show nano-textured panel coatings cut misleading light signals for wildlife and slightly improve solar efficiency.



Other researchers are experimenting with white grid lines or patterned films that break up large reflective expanses without compromising output.



Placement matters too. Orienting arrays to avoid glare toward flyways and leaving gaps for wildlife corridors can cut risk at little extra cost. 



The Australian review urges project planners to incorporate ecological mapping early, just as they already consider grid connection or slope.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fire-risk-and-seasonal-timing"><a></a>Fire risk and seasonal timing</h2>



One concern the scientists highlight is fire hazard: high-voltage weed zappers, trialed as herbicide alternatives, can ignite dry plant matter beneath panels.



Data from Western Australian vineyards show that operating in wetter months nearly eliminates that danger, suggesting it is wise to schedule maintenance during winter and spring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-solar-wildlife-safe">Making solar wildlife-safe</h2>



Governments are banking on solar, with some projections calling for a tenfold increase in capacity by 2050 to meet climate goals. The study insists that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-action-and-biodiversity-striking-the-right-balance/">biodiversity</a> safeguards must travel in tandem.



The authors advocate mandatory wildlife‑friendly design standards, post‑construction monitoring, and adaptive management that tweaks operations when problems emerge.



Solar energy remains one of the greenest power options humanity has – but only if its rollout respects the creatures that share our sunlit planet. 



Designing solar sites with ecology in mind can protect birds, bats, and biodiversity while still generating clean energy.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032125006689?via%3Dihub">Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews</a>.



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Solar farms need better design to protect wildlife

Solar farms are blooming across the planet, carpeting deserts, plains,...

<div id="58e3ebce955a315103d39bd1" class="vdb_player vdb_58e3ebce955a315103d39bd158d96b98cd4fed198a0d2a49" data-placeholder="//img.vidible.tv/prod/2018-09/28/5bae9c1a901437300cc69793/5bae9c3e7b7a9952b0823a02_o_A_v2.jpg?w=1600&amp;h=900&amp;q=60"><script src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" type="text/javascript"></script></div>
 
The diverse landscapes of Central Italy Today&#8217;s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features an incredible satellite view of Central Italy, which includes the regions of Tuscany, Umbria, Marche, and Lazio.
The image, captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-1B <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=nasa&amp;cvid=43697a2372814c2aaef744253b1c12a9&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59l2j0l4j69i60l3.598j0j4&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">satellite</a>, highlights the diversity of the region&#8217;s landscapes. 
Dual Polarization Radar technology makes it possible to view the landscapes in stunning detail. 
Many important landmarks of Central Italy are visible, including the volcanic lakes of Albano and Nemi, as well as Lake Vico, or Lago di Vico.
Italy is divided into 20 different regions, each of which has its own unique culture and cuisine. Also a geographical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-diversity-will-decline-along-with-rainfall-in-dry-regions/">region</a> in central Italy may also include the regions of Abruzzo and Molise, which are otherwise considered part of Southern Italy for socio-cultural, linguistic and historical reasons. Central Italy includes the regions of Tuscany, Umbria, Marche and Lazio. It is dominated by the hills and mountains of the Apennines, from which a few major rivers flow. Also The three most renowned cities in central Italy are Rome, Florence, and Pisa. They are also three of the most most popular attractive cities during tours of central Italy. The Appennies Mountains are in central Italy and are a major focal point of the central diverse landscapes you may see in Italy.
&#8212;
By <a href="http://csexton@earth">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 
Video Credit: European Space Agency

The diverse landscapes of Central Italy

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