Thursday, March 20th, 2025

Happy first day of spring! 🌞

Today, is the spring equinox… at least it is for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere.

The vernal equinox, when the sun is directly over the equator at noon, marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.

Also, equinoxes are the only time when both the north and south poles are lit by sunshine at the same time.

Wherever you are, I hope the weather is nice and that you have a great first day of spring! 🌻 

Earth Science

Mars on Earth

Lake Salda, located about two hours from Antalya in southwestern Turkey, stands out for its brilliant turquoise waters and extraordinary scientific importance. It is the only known spot on Earth with geological features comparable to those of Mars’ Jezero Crater—currently being explored by NASA’s Perseverance Rover. Before the rover’s launch, researchers, including Purdue University professor Briony Horgan, studied this lake to gain insights into Mars’ ancient water systems.

Lake Salda formed from oceanic crust rising directly from Earth’s interior, making it an ideal “planetary analog” for Mars, according to Horgan. Part of Turkey’s “Lake District,” the area is also popular for hiking, birdwatching, and swimming. Nearby, the ancient cities of Kibyra and Sagalassos (both under UNESCO consideration) and the famous white travertine terraces of Pamukkale add to the region’s historical and natural allure.

In 2022, the International Commission on Geoheritage named Lake Salda one of the world’s Top 100 geological sites. Although the lake is legally protected, threats from pollution, falling water levels, and ecological disturbances persist. Horgan emphasizes the importance of responsible tourism, noting that Lake Salda has no outflow, so pollutants remain trapped, and its ancient microbial structures—millions of years in the making—are irreplaceable.

World News

Da Vinci’s Lost Tunnel, Found!

A long-rumored network of secret tunnels, potentially linked to Leonardo da Vinci, has been uncovered beneath Sforza Castle in Milan, Italy. Using radar, laser scanners, and advanced imaging technology, researchers from the Polytechnic University of Milan have confirmed the existence of hidden passageways beneath the historic fortress, shedding new light on centuries-old speculation.

Sforza Castle, originally built in 1358, remained unfinished for nearly a century due to political unrest. During the late 15th century, Leonardo da Vinci was commissioned by the Duke of Milan to contribute to the castle’s decorations. Around the same time, he created sketches depicting underground fortifications, fueling theories that a hidden network lay beneath the structure. Now, more than 500 years later, researchers have verified that da Vinci’s drawings were accurate. “The results were far more significant than expected,” said architectural historian Francesca Biolo in Live Science. “We uncovered rooms on a second underground level and an additional passage parallel to the known one.”

While some underground tunnels at Sforza Castle have been previously documented—such as one used by Duke Ludovico to reach the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie, home to The Last Supper—experts long suspected more remained undiscovered. Partnering with castle authorities and engineering firm Codevintec Italiana, researchers employed laser scanning, GPS, 3D ground-penetrating radar, and photogrammetry to map the hidden structures. Their findings revealed newly discovered passageways and rooms just below the surface, likely intended for defense. “This passageway has been the subject of legend and speculation for centuries,” a press release stated. “Now, thanks to technology, its existence can finally be confirmed.”

Environment

‘Extraordinary’ Marsupial Recovery

A population of greater gliders in the Blue Mountains, just 30 miles west of Sydney, has experienced an unexpected surge, with numbers now 45% higher than before Australia’s devastating 2019 drought and wildfires. Despite the species’ vulnerability to habitat loss, gliders in areas that were only lightly burned have not only survived but thrived, marking a rare conservation success story.

Greater gliders, arboreal marsupials that depend on eucalyptus forests for survival, typically struggle to recover from environmental disruptions due to their low reproductive rate. Yet researchers were astonished by their rapid rebound in the Blue Mountains. “It’s been fantastic to see greater gliders bounce back to well above pre-fire, pre-drought levels in the best and most lightly burnt habitat,” said Dr. Peter Smith, a glider biologist and lead author of the study. “Because of their low reproductive rate, we didn’t expect such a strong recovery. The rapid increase is extraordinary.” In a single night, Smith and his co-author, Judy Smith, recorded 59 gliders in a small corridor near the southern edge of Blue Mountains National Park and Mares Forest National Park.

While greater gliders remain at risk due to logging and wildfires, their resurgence highlights the importance of preserving intact eucalyptus forests. Surveys in severely burned areas found no gliders, underscoring the need for habitat protection. “The remaining greater glider strongholds are critical,” Smith told WWF Down Under. “The forests in Mares Forest National Park and the southern Blue Mountains National Park now support exceptional numbers and are vital for the species’ recovery in this region.” He attributes the population growth to increased rainfall in recent years, which has led to denser vegetation and improved habitat conditions—offering a rare glimmer of hope for Australia’s unique wildlife.

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Mind Stretchers

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Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:

What is all over a house? — a roof, Chris Hostetler got this correct first! 🌞 

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