The Friday Link for 8/9/24

Howdy, all!

This week we get really science-y! We start with Planet X.  Planet X is a long sought-after huge planet that supposedly orbits past Pluto.  The planet is hypothetical, but people became fascinated with the concept of it after the finding of Uranus and Neptune.  When they discovered Neptune, they noticed there were orbital readings from it which seemed to imply another planet was further out.  When they found Pluto, they thought that was the answer to Neptune, but it was later they realized Pluto didn't meet the mathematical properties needed to understand Neptune's orbital issues.

So where is Planet X?  Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice take to Star Talk to talk about Planet X, and without trying to be a spoiler, I am not holding my breath any longer. 

Let's stay in space for the next video.  Is Betelgeuse about to become a once-in-milenia celestial event, shining brightly as it goes supernova?  Here is the latest on the chances of that happening soon (which really means within the next 10,000 years).

Finally, tonight, what created that big freaking hole under the ice in Greenland, and is it the culprit that wiped out the Clovis people, the early people of North America?  The science involved in finding the answer is fascinating, at least for me. 

COVID is still infecting people and killing people.  PLEASE wear a mask in crowded areas and on airplanes.  Make sure you stay up to date on your vaccinations.

Have a good weekend everyone!