MARS SIMULATION
Have you ever wondered what it would be like living on Mars? Well, you’re in luck because NASA’s on the hunt for brave volunteers to test out what it would be like to live there at a base called Mars Dune Alpha. It’s all part of the CHAPEA program or, Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog program. Which is meant to help NASA prep for future missions to Mars. They’ve just opened a new round of applications for space enthusiasts, who are keen to see what living on the red planet could actually be like.
But Mars Dune Alpha here, isn’t actually on Mars but instead at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston. It’s a big 3D printed space base that spans 158 square metres. While there’s certainly no rent to pay, participants will be kept busy by carrying out robotic operations, growing crops and even trying out spacewalking in the “sandbox” area!
It’s not NASA’s first time putting people in here. In June last year these lucky 4 entered the pod and they’re still there until July. As for those who want to join in for round 2? Well they’ll need to have a ton of experience in STEM and be over the age of 30. And who knows, maybe they’ll get to live on Mars for real one day.
MEN’S T20 INTERNATIONAL
Last night things went down to the wire as the Aussies took on New Zealand in the series opener of the men’s T20 International series in Wellington. Australia was chasing down the Black Cap’s 215 and it all came down to the final ball, with Tim David delivering this massive hit to take the win. The second match of the three match series will kick off on Friday night.
FERAL PEACOCKS
Now to the NT where some feral peacocks and peahens have taken over the town of Elliott. Peacocks aren’t exactly native to the area and no one’s quite sure how they got there. The council reckons there are now about 30 feral peafowl’s roaming the town and they’re causing a bit of drama. While some locals and tourists love having these fancy feathered fouls around. Others reckon they’re pretty disruptive, from squawking loudly in the middle of the night, to pooping on pretty much everything. So the local council is doing something about it. It’s started an adopt-a-peacock program to find these guys some loving homes and stop them from roaming around town. So far 26 of the birds have been adopted and there are set to be even more homes in the area welcoming peacock pets soon.
PANDA GYMNASTICS
Swinging in first is this giant panda cub who wowed onlookers at the Chengdu Research Base in China with its rather impressive high beam routine — look out Paris Olympics!
LION PERFUME
Lion keepers at a zoo in the UK have been spraying perfume in the lion enclosure to keep the big cats entertained and I guess smelling good. Lions have got a really strong sense of smell. The perfume helps them use that sense of smell and stimulate some natural behaviours. Zoo keepers are now asking locals to donate any unwanted perfumes.
WHALE SONGS
Have you ever wondered how whales sing? Well thanks to some researchers from the University of Southern Denmark it’s thought that over 10s of millions of years their voice boxes have adapted to be able to sing loudly underwater, which is really important for finding a mate.
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