Math enthusiasts around the world, from college students to rocket scientists, celebrate Pi Day, which is March 14 or 3/14 — the first three digits of an infinite number with many practical uses. Many people will mark the day with a slice of pie — sweet, savory or even pizza. Simply put, pi is a mathematical constant that expresses the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. It figures into numerous formulas used in physics, astronomy, engineering and other fields, dating back thousands of years to ancient Egypt, Babylon and China. Pi Day itself dates to 1988, when physicist Larry Shaw began celebrations at the Exploratorium science museum in San Francisco. Saturn’s moon count soars: 128 new moons discovered The holiday didn’t really gain national recognition until two decades later. In 2009, Congress designated every March 14 to be the big day — in the hopes of spurring more interest in math and science. Fittingly enough, the day is also Albert Einstein’s birthday. Here’s a little more about the holiday’s origin and how it’s celebrated. What is pi? Pi can calculate the circumference of a circle by measuring the diameter — the distance straight across the circle’s middle — and multiplying that by the 3.14-plus number. It is considered a constant number and it is also infinite, meaning it is mathematically irrational. Long before computers, historic scientists such as Isaac Newton spent many hours calculating decimal places by hand. Today, using sophisticated computers, researchers have come up with trillions of digits for pi, but there is no end. Why is it called pi? It wasn’t given its name until 1706, when Welsh mathematician William Jones began using the Greek symbol for the number. Why that letter? It’s the first Greek letter in the words “periphery” and “perimeter,” and pi is the ratio of a circle’s periphery — or circumference — to its diameter. What are some practical uses? The number is key to accurately pointing an antenna toward a satellite. It helps figure out everything from the size of a massive cylinder needed in refinery equipment to the size of paper rolls used in printers. Pi is also useful in determining the necessary scale of a tank that serves heating and air conditioning systems in buildings of various sizes. NASA's latest space telescope launched to map the sky and study galaxies NASA uses pi on a daily basis. It’s key to calculating orbits, the positions of planets and other celestial bodies, elements of rocket propulsion, spacecraft communication and even the correct deployment of parachutes when a vehicle splashes down on Earth or lands on Mars. Using just nine digits of pi, scientists can calculate the Earth’s circumference so accurately it errs by only about a quarter of an inch (0.6 centimeters) for every 25,000 miles (about 40,000 kilometers). It's not just math, though Every year the San Francisco museum that coined the holiday organizes events, including a parade around a circular plaque, called the Pi Shrine, 3.14 times — and then, of course, festivities with lots of pie. Across the country, many events now take place on college campuses. At Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter, Florida, students in the Jupiter Mathematics Club are hosting a Pi Day Extravaganza with a raffle to hit math professors with a pie, along with a contest for who can memorize the most digits of pi. Restaurants across the country, including some pizza chains, also offer $3.14 specials on Pi Day. NASA holds its annual Pi Day Challenge online, offering plenty of games and puzzles, some directly from the space agency’s own playbook, such as calculating the orbit of an asteroid or the distance a moon rover would need to travel each day to survey a certain lunar area. What about Einstein? Possibly the world’s best-known scientist, Einstein was born on March 14, 1879, in Germany. The infinite number of pi was used in many of his breakthrough theories and now Pi Day gives the world another reason to celebrate his achievements. In a bit of math symmetry, famed physicist Stephen Hawking died on March 14, 2018, at age 76. Still, pi is not a perfect number. He once had this to say: “One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn’t exist. Without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist.”

A genetic study of Asian elephants in northern Cambodia published Thursday reveals a larger and more robust population than previously thought, raising hopes the endangered species could slowly recover. Researchers from the Fauna & Flora conservation group collected samples from elephant dung in Cambodia's northern plains and extracted DNA. From the DNA they were able to identify individual elephants, estimate population size, and determine the sex of the animals and the overall genetic diversity of the population. From their work they estimated that there are 51 elephants in the Prey Lang, Preah Roka, and Chhaeb Wildlife Sanctuaries, with greater genetic diversity — a “critical factor for long-term viability,” the researchers said — than in two other areas of the country in which they live. “With sufficient suitable habitat remaining in the region, the population has the potential to grow if properly protected,” the report concludes. Overall, some 400 to 600 Asian elephants are believed to remain living in the wild in Cambodia. Researchers said the study's findings underscore the potential of the northern area studied to become a “national stronghold” for them, contributing to Cambodia's biodiversity conservation goals. “Habitat degradation, especially when it leads to fragmentation, continues to be a serious concern,” Pablo Sinovas, director of Fauna & Flora in Cambodia, told The Associated Press. Massive march storm to bring blizzards, tornadoes, flooding, and fires across US “This study provides a robust basis on which to base conservation efforts and landscape management.” The study, supported by USAID funds and Britain's People's Postcode Lottery, was conducted in collaboration with the Cambodian Environment Ministry. The genetic testing was done at the Royal University of Phnom Penh with technical support from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. The research was carried out in the 2020-21 dry season, but Sinovas said since elephants reproduce slowly it is not thought that the population size would have changed significantly since then. Researchers want to replicate the study elsewhere in Cambodia and in other countries, such as neighboring Vietnam where the Asian elephants live in fragmented populations. “We were very pleasantly surprised by the results of the project,” said Alex Ball, conservation manager for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. "We now hope to expand this methodology across Cambodia and beyond, helping to build a clearer picture of Asian elephant numbers, which will inform how best we can work to help reverse the decline of these spectacular animals.”

A powerful storm system is set to impact over 100 million Americans starting Friday, bringing a mix of extreme weather across the Great Plains and beyond. The multi-day event is expected to unleash blizzards, tornadoes, flooding, and even wildfires as it moves eastward. While the storm’s intensity is striking, meteorologists note that such weather patterns are common in spring due to the collision of warming temperatures with lingering winter air. “This is the time of year when storms like this can have widespread effects,” said Penn State University meteorologist Benjamin Reppert. Storm Threats Across Multiple Regions The National Weather Service predicts strong winds from the Canadian border to the Rio Grande on Friday, with gusts reaching up to 80 mph (130 kph), heightening fire risks in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Meanwhile, winter weather is expected in parts of the Rockies and Northern Plains, with potential blizzards in the Dakotas and Minnesota. Severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes and large hail are forecast from the Gulf Coast to Wisconsin. By Saturday, the storm system will move toward Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida, raising concerns about flooding from the Central Gulf Coast to the Ohio Valley. Storms cause blizzards, threaten more tornadoes in US On Sunday, the East Coast is expected to experience strong winds and localized flash flooding, with heavy rainfall predicted along the Interstate 95 corridor down to Jacksonville, Florida. What’s Fueling the Storm? Meteorologists attribute the storm's strength to a combination of atmospheric conditions. Reppert noted that upper-level temperatures in the central and eastern U.S. are near record highs, while the western states are experiencing unusually cold air masses. This contrast is a key factor in the storm’s intensity. Colorado State University climatologist Russ Schumacher suggested the system could develop into a bomb cyclone by Friday evening, a term used when atmospheric pressure rapidly drops within 24 hours, leading to stronger winds and heavier rainfall. The storm is also being shaped by the jet stream, which is dipping southward, helping to lift warm, moisture-laden air into the atmosphere. Additionally, warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico—ranging 2 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 to 2.2 degrees Celsius) above historical averages—are contributing to the storm’s development. Tornadoes kill 5, injure 83 in China's eastern Shandong province Ryan Torn, an atmospheric sciences professor at the University at Albany, described the conditions as a “Goldilocks situation,” where multiple atmospheric factors align to intensify the storm. Source: With input from agency

Scientists are warning that a volcano near Anchorage is exhibiting signs of increased activity, raising the possibility of an eruption in the coming weeks or months. The Alaska Volcano Observatory reported Wednesday that recent aerial surveys detected a significant rise in volcanic gas emissions at Mount Spurr. While an eruption is not guaranteed, the observatory noted that the likelihood has increased. “If an eruption occurs, we expect to see heightened seismic activity, increased gas emissions, and surface heating in advance,” the observatory stated. It added that stronger signs of unrest could provide several days to weeks of warning. About Mount Spurr Standing at 11,070 feet (3,374 meters), Mount Spurr is a glacier-covered volcano located roughly 80 miles (129 kilometers) northwest of Anchorage. It is one of 53 Alaskan volcanoes that have been active in the past 250 years and has two main vents. Previous Eruptions The summit vent last erupted more than 5,000 years ago. However, the Crater Peak vent, situated about 2 miles (3 kilometers) south of the summit, saw eruptions in 1953 and three times in 1992. Though increased seismic activity was recorded between 2004 and 2006, no eruptions occurred during that period. Philippine villages evacuated after major volcanic eruption Last October, the observatory raised Mount Spurr’s alert level from green to yellow due to a notable rise in earthquake activity and ground deformation detected via satellite. Experts believe that if an eruption occurs, it would likely resemble those in 1953 and 1992. However, geophysicist John Power from the U.S. Geological Survey cautioned that the activity could also subside without an eruption or result in a smaller event. Potential Effects Past eruptions of Mount Spurr lasted between three and seven hours, sending ash clouds more than 50,000 feet (15,240 meters) into the atmosphere and blanketing parts of south-central Alaska. During the 1992 eruption, about a quarter-inch of ash fell in Anchorage, forcing residents to remain indoors or wear masks when outside. The ash cloud even reached Greenland. Volcanic ash, known for its abrasive properties, can pose serious risks, including engine failure in aircraft. Indonesia's volcanic eruption grounds int’l flights on tourist island Bali The 1992 event led to the temporary closure of airports in Anchorage and other areas. Given that many Alaskan communities lack road access, air travel is a critical mode of transportation. Additionally, Anchorage’s airport is one of the world’s busiest cargo hubs, making any disruption potentially significant. Source: With input from agency

A fossil of a partial face from a human ancestor is the oldest in western Europe, archaeologists reported Wednesday. The incomplete skull — a section of the left cheek bone and upper jaw – was found in northern Spain in 2022. The fossil is between 1.1 million and 1.4 million years old, according to research published in the journal Nature. “The fossil is exciting," said Eric Delson, a paleontologist at the American Museum of Natural History, who was not involved in the study. “It's the first time we have significant remains older than 1 million years old in western Europe.” A collection of older fossils from early human ancestors was previously found in Georgia, near the crossroads of eastern Europe and Asia. Those are estimated to be 1.8 million years old. The Spanish fossil is the first evidence that clearly shows human ancestors “were taking excursions into Europe” at that time, said Rick Potts, director of the Smithsonian’s Human Origins Program. But there is not yet evidence that the earliest arrivals persisted there long, he said. “They may get to a new location and then die out,” said Potts, who had no role in the study. The partial skull bears many similarities to Homo erectus, but there are also some anatomical differences, said study co-author Rosa Huguet, an archaeologist at the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution in Tarragona, Spain. Saturn’s moon count soars: 128 new moons discovered Homo erectus arose around 2 million years ago and moved from Africa to regions of Asia and Europe, with the last individuals dying out around 100,000 years ago, said Potts. It can be challenging to identify which group of early humans a fossil find belongs to if there's only a single fragment versus many bones that show a range of features, said University of Zurich paleoanthropologist Christoph Zollikofer, who was not involved in the study. The same cave complex in Spain's Atapuerca Mountains where the new fossil was found also previously yielded other significant clues to the ancient human past. Researchers working in the region have also found more recent fossils from Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens.

Saturn has reclaimed its title as the planet with the most moons, with astronomers announcing the discovery of 128 new natural satellites orbiting the gas giant. This brings Saturn’s total number of moons to 274, far surpassing Jupiter’s 95. The discovery, made by a team of astronomers led by Mike Alexandersen at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, will be detailed in an upcoming paper in Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society. The newly identified moons, many of which are mere miles across, were officially ratified by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) on Tuesday. Private lunar lander Blue Ghost aces moon touchdown with special delivery for NASA “This is the largest batch of new moons ever confirmed,” said Alexandersen. He added that the findings could provide new insights into the chaotic history of Saturn’s orbit, suggesting that these small celestial bodies may be remnants of past cosmic collisions. Some of these impacts are believed to have occurred as recently as 100 million years ago. Astronomers define moons as objects that maintain a stable orbit around planets or other non-stellar bodies. Though many of the newfound moons are considerably smaller than Earth's moon, which spans 2,159 miles in diameter, their trajectories have been tracked and confirmed as stable orbits around Saturn. The outer planets of the solar system are known for their large collections of moons. Uranus has 28 identified moons, while Neptune has 16. However, Saturn’s latest haul sets it apart as the clear leader in the moon count. “This discovery is significant because it helps us better understand the history and dynamics of Saturn’s complex system,” said Alexandersen. “Each of these moons carries a story about the planet’s past and the conditions in the outer solar system.” The newly confirmed moons were detected using advanced observational techniques, including a method called ‘shift and stack,’ which enhances faint celestial objects by aligning multiple images over time. This approach has proven particularly effective for identifying smaller moons that may have previously gone unnoticed. With more powerful telescopes and refined observation techniques, astronomers expect to uncover even more moons around Saturn and other planets, further enriching our understanding of the solar system’s evolution. Source: The New York Times 

NASA's newest space telescope was launched into orbit on Tuesday, embarking on a mission to survey the entire sky in an unprecedented way. This ambitious project aims to analyze hundreds of millions of galaxies and their collective cosmic glow, tracing back to the universe's earliest moments. The Spherex observatory was carried into space by a SpaceX rocket from California, entering a polar orbit around Earth. Alongside it, four small satellites were deployed to study the sun. After separating from the rocket’s upper stage, Spherex drifted into space with Earth’s blue surface visible behind it. With a budget of $488 million, the Spherex mission seeks to deepen our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution over billions of years, as well as the rapid expansion of the universe in its infancy. Within our own Milky Way, the telescope will search for water and other life-essential compounds in the icy clouds where new solar systems take shape. Weighing 1,110 pounds (500 kilograms) and shaped like a cone, Spherex is equipped with infrared sensors designed to capture a wide field of view. Over two years, it will complete four full-sky surveys from its orbit 400 miles (650 kilometers) above Earth. Unlike NASA’s Hubble and Webb telescopes, which focus on detailed images of galaxies, Spherex will measure the total cosmic light emitted over time, including from the earliest galaxies formed after the Big Bang. NASA powers down two instruments on twin Voyager spacecraft to save power “This cosmological glow encapsulates all the light ever emitted,” explained Jamie Bock, the mission’s chief scientist from the California Institute of Technology. By studying this glow, scientists aim to uncover previously unnoticed light sources and gain insights into the origins of galaxies. While the telescope won’t directly observe the Big Bang, it will capture its aftermath, offering valuable data on the universe’s early evolution. Its infrared sensors can detect 102 colors beyond human vision, creating the most detailed and colorful cosmic map ever produced. "It's like viewing the universe through rainbow-colored glasses," said Beth Fabinsky, deputy project manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. To keep its infrared detectors at ultra-low temperatures—minus 350 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 210 degrees Celsius)—Spherex is uniquely designed with three aluminum-honeycomb cones nested inside one another, resembling a large protective collar. In addition to launching Spherex, the SpaceX Falcon rocket also deployed four NASA satellites, known as Punch, into their own orbit. These satellites will study the sun’s outer atmosphere and solar wind. Private lunar lander Blue Ghost aces moon touchdown with special delivery for NASA The launch had been delayed for two weeks due to technical issues, but the mission is now underway, set to expand our understanding of the universe like never before.

Embracing the concept of imaginary numbers can be challenging, as they represent a number that doesn't exactly exist in the traditional sense. However, if one opens their mind to this concept, a new realm of possibilities becomes accessible. Wind-driven brush fire on New York's Long Island 50 percent contained. Firefighter injured As a mathematician specialising in analysis—a field of mathematics that involves complex numbers— I deal with numbers that consist of both real and imaginary components. Unlike familiar real numbers, which include integers, fractions, square roots, and even pi, complex numbers incorporate the imaginary number i, which is defined as the square root of -1. To understand this, remember that a square root of a number refers to a number that, when multiplied by itself, equals the original number. While a positive number squared results in a positive number, a negative number squared results in a positive number as well. The imaginary number i represents a number that, when squared, results in a negative number. Non-mathematicians often question the validity of imaginary numbers, asking, “But do these numbers really exist?” Even great mathematicians struggled with complex numbers. For instance, Girolamo Cardano, in his 1545 work Ars Magna, dismissed them as “subtle as they are useless.” Likewise, Leonhard Euler, one of the most renowned mathematicians, once made an error by calculating the square root of a negative number incorrectly. In high school, you may have encountered the quadratic formula, which solves equations involving squared unknown variables. Teachers may have avoided addressing situations where the expression under the square root (b² - 4ac) is negative, suggesting this issue would be tackled later in college. However, if you accept the existence of square roots of negative numbers, you unlock the potential to solve a whole new category of quadratic equations, leading to the fascinating and practical world of complex analysis. The benefits of complex numbers in mathematics What does embracing complex numbers offer? For one, trigonometry becomes much easier. Instead of memorising several complex trigonometric formulas, Euler’s formula provides a single equation that simplifies many of these formulas, making them easier to handle. Calculus, too, becomes simpler. As noted by mathematicians like Roger Cotes and René Descartes—who coined the term "imaginary number"—complex numbers allow for the straightforward calculation of integrals and the measurement of areas under complex curves. Complex numbers also assist in understanding geometric shapes that can be constructed with just a ruler and compass. Mathematicians such as Jean-Robert Argand and Carl Friedrich Gauss used complex numbers to manipulate geometric figures like pentagons and octagons. Applications of complex analysis in the real world Complex analysis has numerous practical applications in the real world. Through the work of mathematician Rafael Bombelli, who explored algebraic operations with complex numbers, these numbers became useful in calculus. This approach has made it easier for scientists to study signals and data transmission. Complex analysis, for example, is essential for working with wavelets—small oscillations in data crucial for removing noise from satellite signals and compressing images for more efficient data storage. Complex analysis is also invaluable to engineers, who use it to simplify complicated problems. It plays a key role in applied physics, such as understanding the electrical and fluid properties of intricate structures. As mathematicians like Karl Weierstrass, Augustin-Louis Cauchy, and Bernhard Riemann gained confidence with complex numbers, they advanced the development of complex analysis, creating a powerful tool that not only simplifies mathematics and propels scientific progress but also makes these subjects more accessible and understandable. Scientists date remains of ancient child that resembles both humans and Neanderthals This article was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/taking-a-leap-of-faith-into-imaginary-numbers-opens-new-doors-in-the-real-world-through-complex-analysis-233965.

 Fast-moving brush fires burned through a large swath of land on New York's Long Island on Saturday fanned by high winds, spewing thick gray smoke into the sky and prompting the evacuation of a military base and the closure of a major highway. Officials said three of the four fires were fully contained while the other one, in Westhampton, was 50 percent contained. Two commercial buildings were partially burned, but officials said homes were not in the line of fire. One firefighter was flown to a hospital to be treated for burns to the face. “Our biggest problem is the wind,” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said. “It is driving this fire.” Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency and said state agencies were responding to the fires around the Pine Barrens, a wooded area that is home to commuter towns east of New York City. SpaceX's latest Starship test flight ends with another explosion “This is still out of control at this moment,” Hochul told Long Island TV station News 12. “We’re seeing people having to be evacuated from the Westhampton area,” she said, adding that more evacuations may be needed. Hochul said homes, a chemical factory and an Amazon warehouse were at risk. Videos posted to social media showed flames shooting into the air and columns of black smoke rising above roads. Air National Guard helicopters dropped water on the flames. The Town of Southampton issued a warning in the afternoon against starting recreational fires due to the wildfire risk. That came around the time that the videos began appearing. In a statement, Hochul said the National Guard was providing support by helicopter and working with local law enforcement. “Public safety is my top priority, and I’m committed to doing everything possible to keep Long Islanders safe,” she said. In her comments to News 12, Hochul declined to estimate the extent of the flames, saying only that they were growing rapidly. Rough satellite data indicated that fire and smoke stretched roughly 2.5 miles (3 kilometers) along Sunrise Highway, according to NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System. Police closed a section of the highway, which is a thoroughfare to the East End of Long Island. Ancient humans made tools from animal bones 1.5 million years ago The fires raged near the Francis S. Gabreski Airport, from which the National Guard launched at least one helicopter. One of the commercial buildings that partially burned was near the airport. Personnel at the base evacuated as a precautionary measure starting around 1:45 p.m., spokesman Cheran Cambell said in a statement.

Scientists have dated the skeleton of an ancient child that caused a stir when it was first discovered because it carries features from both humans and Neanderthals. The child's remains were discovered 27 years ago in a rock shelter called Lagar Velho in central Portugal. The nearly complete skeleton was stained red, and scientists think it may have been wrapped in a painted animal skin before burial. When the humanlike child was discovered, scientists noted that some of their attributes — including body proportions and jawbone — looked Neanderthal. The researchers suggested that the child was descended from populations in which humans and Neanderthals mated and mixed. That was a radical notion at the time, but advances in genetics have since proven those populations existed — and people today still carry Neanderthal DNA. But trying to figure out when exactly the child lived has been difficult. Small roots had grown through the bones and contamination — from plants or other sources — made it impossible for scientists to use traditional carbon dating to measure the child's age. They instead dated the charcoal and animal bones around the skeleton to between 27,700 and 29,700 years ago. Ancient humans made tools from animal bones 1.5 million years ago Techniques have improved, and researchers reported Friday in the journal Science Advances that they were able to date the skeleton by measuring part of a protein that's found primarily in human bones. Examining part of a crushed arm, they revealed that the earlier estimate was in the ballpark: the skeleton was from between 27,700 and 28,600 years ago. “Being able to successfully date the child felt like giving them back a tiny piece of their story, which is a huge privilege,” said Bethan Linscott, a study author now at the University of Miami, in an email. She noted the initial discovery was more than a skeleton — it was also the grave of a young child. When dating the bones, she couldn’t help but wonder who loved the child, what made them laugh and what their world looked like in the short four years they walked the planet. Paul Pettitt, an archaeologist at Durham University in England who was not involved with the new research said in an email that the study is an example of how dating methods are becoming more effective and helping scientists better understand the past. The study of where humans came from is important “for the same reason we keep the portraits of our parents and grandparents,” said study author João Zilhão from the University of Lisbon. “It's a way of remembering,” he said.