Recent comments in /f/askscience

n_nwkyle t1_j74vu7l wrote

Reply to Do we have any records of meteor impacts on the moon? Is there any way to monitor this? by AnonymousAutonomous

Records of meteor impacts on the moon exist and scientists use techniques like lunar seismometers and direct observation to monitor them. The Apollo missions placed seismometers and more recent missions like the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter have provided data. Direct observation using telescopes is also done by the Lunar Impact Monitoring Project, a collaboration between NASA and amateur astronomers.

2

TeamMemberDZ-015 t1_j74vca2 wrote

Reply to How did the Achilles tendon become known as such and what was it called before? by MarqoTheDragon

Iris is the Greek goddess of rainbows. Lymph is the Latin derivation of Nymph (water spirits). The Atlas bone C1 vertebrae has been mentioned.

There are several small structures in the brain whose names are derived from Greek or Egyptian via Greece mythological characters. The nucleus edymalis (aka nucleus reuniens), which is part of the thalamus is named for the boy Zeus fancied & offered a gift. He chose eternal youth who slumbers forever. The thalamus has been described as cushion armrests. Interestingly, we now know the nucleus edymalis & thalamus in general is connected to sleep regulation. That wasn't known when the naming was done.

The cornu ammonis is named for the Egyptian god Amun-Ra (aka Ammon) because it looks like ram's horns, which that god is often depicted as having.

There is a cerebral venous malformation that is sometimes called caput Medusa.

6

thecasterkid t1_j74k03r wrote

Reply to How could a high-altitude surveillance balloon be captured? by aggasalk

I mean... couldn't you just use another balloon to interact with it? If this one is supposedly 'controllable' then we have some that are... and it's not like you need to retrieve the whole thing, just the payload. This seems like a super fun project some of the bright minds in colleges and military branches and contractors could solve.

6

rootofallworlds t1_j74gy9s wrote

Reply to How could a high-altitude surveillance balloon be captured? by aggasalk

I agree with other answers that puncturing the balloon and letting the payload fall to a lower altitude for capture would be the way to go. I don't think it would be reliable though because the balloon does not have a designed grab point like various re-entering space capsules have had.

That said, the Lockheed U-2 is still in service and has a service ceiling of 80,000 feet or more. There are some high-altitude drones that get into the 70,000 feet range, such as the Airbus Zephyy. Although I don't know what such an aircraft could actually do about a balloon. Trailing a grappling hook seems a bit too Looney Tunes to work.

31