Spots

has to dodge space junk and is leaving blind spots on the map

by

Imagine that there was a satellite capable of detect fires shortly after the first spark. Even before calls to emergency services begin. Imagine now that the maps drawn thanks to that satellite suddenly begin to have unexpected gaps. Blind spots where fires can spread freely. It would be tragic, right? Without a doubt, although the truth is that it would not be. It is. This story is totally true and the worst thing is that the reason these blind spots exist is because the satellite has to move over and over again to avoid the space debris that experts have been warning us about for so long. The collateral damage of anti-debris maneuvers. NASA’s Aqua satellite has an instrument called MODIS, which has the ability to detect hot spots and smoke by measuring infrared radiation. These heat and smoke points are minimal, which is why it is used to detect fires from their earliest stages. Since its launch in 2002, NASA has been using it to create fire maps that allow emergency systems to move more quickly and concisely to the places where the fire is located. It’s not even its function; since, as its name indicates, it is a satellite centered on water. However, this side effect has helped save many lives and many acres of land. Unfortunately, every time he moves to avoid incoming space debris he has to let his guard down, with very worrying consequences. One of three. Aqua is one of the three satellites that make up the NASA Earth Observing System (EOS). The other two are Terra and Aura. Their names already give us a clue as to what their function is. Basically, they do a comprehensive survey of the Earth by land, water and air. Terra was first launched in 1999. It is responsible for analyzing the interactions between the atmosphere, land, snow, ice and oceans. It can, for example, detect the progress of deforestation. Then, in 2002, Aqua was launched. Its functions are the analysis of ocean evaporation, atmospheric water vapor, clouds, precipitation, soil moisture, ice and snow. In fact, its MODIS instrument was designed to analyze data related to the water cycle, but it turned out to be an ideal fire detector. Finally, in 2004 Aura was launched, which analyzes the chemistry of the atmosphere, the state of the ozone layer and air quality. The problem comes in 2005. Space debris has been growing in abundance in the last 20 years. Above all, there is a lot of debris in low Earth orbit, since there is a greater gravitational influence there and these are retained. Both Aqua, Terra and Aura are in that same orbit, to be able to carry out their work close to their objectives. Therefore, they are increasingly at risk of being hit by space debris. In fact, since 2005 is calculated who have had to deviate at least 32 times to avoid these impacts. The consequences. These detours prevent them from being able to properly carry out their functions, but they also cost a lot of extra fuel. All of these satellites are having a longer lifespan than expected. However, precisely because of these maneuvers they are using more fuel than expected, so they may stop working next year or the following year. More satellites. Luckily, there are more satellites in space dedicated to detecting fires. NASA itself has several. However, Aqua is one of those that has given the best results. Furthermore, now a call has been made about the risk to the three EOS satellites, but there are many more, from many space agencies and companies, that are in danger from space debris. And the worst thing is that this has only just begun. The European Space Agency (ESA) is following up of more than 50,000 pieces of space debris in orbit, but there are possibly many more. In fact, if we look at smaller objects, between 1 centimeter and 10 centimeters, the figure rises to 1.2 million detected objects. In 2005, 16,000 objects were being tracked, so the numbers have increased greatly. Kessler syndrome. One of the biggest risks from space debris is Kessler syndrome. This is a phenomenon which would occur when fragments of space debris impact satellites, breaking them and releasing more pieces that in turn become more space debris and continue impacting other satellites. It’s kind of like a domino effect. If this happens, the consequences can be many and none of them good. It may take a while for us to be aware of the magnitude of the problem. Therefore, the example of fire hunters is very illustrative. Without them, the planet is in serious danger. The consequences of an impact in space, or even maneuvers to avoid it, also have a full impact here on Earth. You have to do everything possible to avoid it.. Images | NASA/Matt Palmer (Unsplash) In Xataka | If the question is how to protect the mountain from fires, in Soria they have an ancient solution: luck of pines

It’s an epidemic of blue spots

by

On typical Ticketmaster concert ticketing maps, sold seats in the stands are displayed in gray. Those available, in blue. When there are too many blue dots, artists start making excuses: medical problems, family commitments, unfinished albums. But in 2026, those excuses have already been heard too many times. So much so that the press has already given a name to this epidemic. Blue dot fever. “Blue dot fever” is the term that has circulated on networks and specialized media to describe an unusual wave of tour cancellations in recent months. Literally: on Ticketmaster concert seating maps, where there should be gray what you see is blue like the blue sea. And this debacle has had a previous symptom: at least ten top-level artists have canceled or postponed dates so far this year, with Live Nation/Ticketmaster productions taking up much of the list. Who canceled? The names are well known in the United States: Post Malone and Jelly Roll delayed a third of their joint stadium tour. Meghan Trainor canceled her entire Get In Girl Tour in the country, citing a desire to spend more time with her family after having her third child. Zayn did the same with his dates in North American venues, although he kept those in the United Kingdom (we discuss the importance of that detail below), citing unspecified health reasons. Those who do not hide. There are more honest ones, and we can pull on that thread. The Pussycat Dolls They canceled 32 of their 33 dates in North America “after making an honest analysis” of the results of his tour. They didn’t talk about sales, but it’s not necessary either. Rapper Kid Cudi was the only one who spoke bluntly: upon canceling his date in Birmingham, Alabama, he posted on Instagram: “I wanted to give you a special experience, but ticket sales haven’t been strong enough.” The reasons. The average price of a concert ticket in the United States has passed from 82 dollars in 2020 to 144 dollars in 2026. And to that we must add transportation, parking, food and drink within the venue and, in many cases, accommodation. A Post Malone fan explained why didn’t you go see him: “The prices are crazy. I love it, but I’m not going to pay $400 to see it from afar.” Regular tickets for the cheapest leg of his stadium tour cost between $231 and $346. More expensive if it is better. In fact, not all tickets have increased in price in the same proportion. As detectedthe prices of the cheapest tickets have remained relatively stable, while those of the premium zones have skyrocketed. That partly explains why the Pussycat Dolls’ Ticketmaster website showed almost 80% of their seats unsold even after cutting prices to $30. Behind the climbs. Blaming high prices is staying on the surface. In reality, the market has become saturated. The money that many fans kept during confinement was spent on the 2022 and 2023 concerts, and there was still enough left over for the Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and the meeting of Oasis. In 2026, the pockets are empty. In that same article, an analyst states that “there is a kind of return to reality, and that clashes with the inflation and the increase in fuel prices that we see in the general economy.” Of course, the price of gasoline, skyrocketed by the conflict in Iraq, has made the logistics of the tours more expensive… and depleted the budget of the attendees. Added to this is the competence of 2026 Soccer World Cupwhich takes place in North America and will absorb a significant portion of leisure spending during the summer. Too many artists They have overestimated the demand after seeing the results of previous megatours. Hold on Europe. Although it is a more or less globalized crisis and has reached artists from countries like Mexico, where Los Ángeles Azules, Ximena Sariñana or Natalia Lacunza have canceled or postponed dates, the truth is that we are talking almost exclusively about America. In Europe the concert bubble keeps growingperhaps because the stadium tour model is more intrinsically North American, and in Europe we are not as dependent on the exclusivity of that style. It’s Live Nation. The paradox: Live Nation, the company that dominates ticket sales in the United States (about 80% of the market), published results of first quarter of 2026 with revenue 12% higher than the previous year and advance ticket sales 22% higher. So, is Blue Dot Fever a mirage? Rather it is a warning, as are also dynamic prices that doubled the cost of Bad Bunny’s tickets in Spain in minutes, internal messages from Live Nation managers describing their own clients as “idiots” from those who are “stealing with full hands” or the debate about whether macro concerts are devouring to the rest of the music market. Blue Dot Fever is the warning that the climb cannot be infinite, and with all the cards in one hand, disaster may be just around the corner. No matter how good the quarterly financial results look. In Xataka | Gustavo Cerati died in 2014. That has not prevented him from appearing at the last Soda Stereo concert

Spending a night at one of LVMH’s most exclusive vacation spots isn’t cheap: $70,000 a night

by

There are luxury resorts. And then there are places for which there is still no category that does justice to what they offer. He Cheval Blanc Randheli Private Island, located in the Maldives, cobra $70,000 for a single night stay in its facilities. And no, we didn’t miss any extra zeros when writing it. The property belongs to the LVMH hotel divisionthe same group behind luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Moët & Chandon or Tiffany & Co, and what it offers for that price goes far beyond a bed overlooking the Indian Ocean: an island just for you. A resort that was already unattainable for most Cheval Blanc Randheli is located on Noonu Atoll and can only be reached by seaplane from Malé, capital of the Maldives. He LVMH luxury hotel It is divided into two islands: one where the main resort is located and a second island, separate from the main one, whose price can reach $70,000 per night. That is to say, for that price you are not renting accommodation in a villa, nor a presidential suite. It is literally a private island, with its own beaches, its pier, its dedicated staff and more than 8,000 square meters of total area. A proposal for which the word “exclusive” falls short. The luxury resort opened its doors in November 2013 as part of the Maisons collection of the brand. The main complexlocated on the largest island, is the one that welcomes the most guests, with 45 loft-style villas distributed between overwater, garden and beachfront options. Each of them is equipped with private pool infinite edge. The experience offered by this resort begins even before arriving, as guests They travel on the private seaplane by Cheval Blanc after a stay in an exclusive waiting room in Malé. Common facilities include five select restaurants, a Guerlain spagym, water activities and even the only surf simulator with artificial waves in the Maldives. Conventional villa rates at the main resort are now out of reach of most pockets. According to the accommodation portals in the areatheir prices range between $2,268 and $7,688 per night depending on the type of accommodation. The island of millionaires Cheval Blanc Randheli Private Island is an independent island separated by just 50 meters of deep turquoise sea from the main island. It has a surface area of ​​one hectare and is only accessible through a private pier. The island houses an exclusive mansion four bedrooms with approximately 2,200 square meters built, with capacity for up to eight guests. The master bedroom has panoramic views of the ocean, double bathroom, dressing room, office and its own living room. The residence also includes two family rooms on the ground floor and a separate villa for companions who prefer more privacy, making it an ideal option for families or groups of friends. This paradisiacal mansion also has three connected living rooms, a piano lounge, a private bar and a 25-meter-long pool complete the set, creating the feeling of living in a luxury tropical residence in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Beyond the luxury accommodations and equipment for the exclusive inhabitants of this island, it also includes a private spa with treatmentsgym, movie theater, tropical gardens, private beaches, pergola for outdoor dining and meditation pavilions. So that you do not lack anything during your stay, the service It is run by a resident team dedicated exclusively to the island’s guests, available 24 hours a day. A private boat connects the island with the rest of the resort, so that guests can change islands whenever they wish and eat in the restaurants, bars, kids club and diving center of the main complex, without sacrificing an ounce of their privacy. All for the modest price of 70,000 a night. In Xataka | Hotel chains no longer just offer luxury rooms: Ritz-Carlton dives into the superyacht business Image | Cheval Blanc Randheli

Why some sun spots resist more than others

by

It was not until about 400 years, with the invention of telescopes, which We realized of the existence of sun spots. Since then, these regions of high magnetism and low luminosity have intrigued astronomers, who have spent the last four centuries trying to unravel their secrets. Solving the mystery. A group of scientists has resolved One of the enigmas that intrigued those who study sunscreen and their evolution. This is the question of why some sun spots remain in a stable equilibrium that allows them to mangue active, even for months, while other spots fader. The spots in the solar cycle. Sun spots are not static regions but these are dynamic regions, arise, grow and end up fading over time. Decades ago we know that these are regions where the magnetic field of the sun is especially strong. The dynamism in these spots marks the passage of the so -called “Solar Cycle”, an 11 -year cycle in which the number of sun spots ranges from a peak of activity and times of relative calm. The abundance of sun spots also implies an increase in solar activity since, According to the responsible team Of the new study, the “unstable” magnetic configurations in the surroundings of these spots are responsible for the bursts known as coronal mass ejections (CME). Correcting the observations. The team responsible for the new study developed a method to analyze with greater reliability and precision solar spots through observations made from terrestrial telescopes. Then they used this method to the observation of the Hispanoalemán Gregor Solar Telescope. The objective of the technique is to eliminate the distortions caused by the Earth’s atmosphere in the images obtained by the telescopes. This allowed to achieve a new quality in the measurements of the solar magnetic field carried out by the European telescope. Balance. The technique allowed the team to inquire into the balance that maintains some active sun spots for months, while others vanished in a matter of days. As explained, since the 1970s there was the hypothesis that this was possible due to the balance between the magnetic field pressure of the sunny sun and the external gas to this, a balance so far extremely difficult to explain. The new analysis shows us how the magnetic field of sun spots is compressed by external pressure until the balance is reached. The team stands out How this finding explains the survival of these areas but could also help us in the future to detect the instabilities responsible for the CME bursts, which in turn would serve to protect us in front of their impacts. The details of the study were published In an article In the magazine Astronomy & Astrophysics. The feet on the ground. One of the advantages of the new tool is to facilitate with Estudio del Sol and its spots From the earth’s surfacewithout having to resort to space telescopes. This implies that we can now observe the sun not only easily, also reducing costs. Maintaining sun surveillance is key to detecting bursts that cross the space between our star and our planet to a significant portion of the speed of light. These outbreaks can have consequences for the satellites that orbit us and communication networks, so anticipating them is of extreme importance. An importance that does not stop growing since our dependence on these networks is increasing. In Xataka | What are solar storms and why society has become so vulnerable to something that has happened millions of years Image | POT / Freiburg Institute of Solar Physics

Tenants spend more than recommended for rent. And there is something that explains it: “Hot Spots” internationalized

by

Buying house is not easy. Rent, either. Every month a large part of Spanish families living as tenants disheve The advice Of the experts and expose their pockets to situations of “overexertion”, which means that they are forced to pay their landlords a pinch of their income greater than desirable. When it goes down to detail, like He has just made idealisthowever, a curious phenomenon is observed: not in all cities the tenants make the same effort. Moreover, there are many provincial capitals in which this effort is totally assumed. The Great question Therefore it is: is overwriting a problem of the Spanish residential market in general or rather something that weighs on certain internationalized cities, such as Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga? A percentage: 36%. That is the “effort rate” that supported the closure of 2024 Spanish households living for rent. Or at least this has been calculated idealist in A study in which he nourishes two major sources: the ads published on their own website and the National Statistics Institute (INE), which has served to obtain information on homes and rent of families. The data is interesting because (technicalities separately) the “effort rate” is an important indicator for any tenant: shows what percentage of income dedicates to paying your home. The general recommendation is that this expense It does not exceed 30% of annual profits. There are those who stretch it a little more and talk about overwhelming alone From 40%. One or another reference is taken, idealist reflects that on Middle Spain exceeds the 30% barrier and steady the red zone. Click on the image to go to Tweet. A figure: 981 euros. The study Not only does the thermometer that Spaniards make to pay their rentals make. It also goes down to data in euros and sound. And its conclusion is that, on average, in Spain there is a two -room -type floor requires 981 euros per month, quite above what it would have to cost for a home standard He could rent it without crossing that red line of 30% of his annual income. Idealista believes that this “reasonable” and assumed price is 764 euros. The fact is interesting again for several reasons. First because it reflects that the difference between the “reasonable” price and the average that is handled in the market is 217 euros per month. Second because the study shows that there are very few homes that fit (or are below) of those 764 euros. According to their calculations, they are only 32%, which means that the remaining 68% of the rental housing offer requires the tenants to tighten their finances. A city: Barcelona. In Your study Idealista goes down to the detail of some provincial capitals, which allows you to appreciate an interesting reality. The effort to deal with rentals is not equally intense in all cities. Moreover, there are enough cities in which (on average) families are not even forced to cross the red line of 30% of their annual income. It is well seen comparing two extreme cases: Barcelona and Ciudad Real. In the first, the city, idealist Calculate That the “reasonable rent” for a two -bedroom floor would be 1,036 euros. That is, that is the monthly income that Barcelona families could pay without having to spend more money from their recommended income. However, there are very few houses that fit that stop, only 16%. Royal market rentals are much higher and are on average in 1,796, which explains that the city has the highest effort rate of the capitals: 49%. In the opposite pole is Ciudad Real, where Idealista’s photo It is radically different. There the “reasonable rental” barrier would be at 881 euros, an amount to which 98% of the homes offered are adjusted. Moreover, the average monthly payment is requested by a two -bedroom house is 501 euros, below that red line. Consequently, the effort rate is only 16%. Capital Effort rate (two bedroom housing) Barcelona 49% Palm 45% Malaga 42% Madrid, Valencia 41% Alicante 38% Segovia 35% Las Palmas de GC, Donostia 34% S/C of Tenerife 33% Bilbao 32% Girona 31% Seville 30% Cádiz 28% Granada, Vitoria-Gasteiz 27% Pamplona, ​​Coruña 26% Ceuta, Salamanca, Guadalajara, Santander, Huelva, Almería 25% Tarragona, Pontevedra, Oviedo, Córdoba, Albacete, Castellón de la Plana 24% León, Valladolid, Zaragoza, Logroño, Ávila 23% Murcia, Badajoza, Zamora, Soria, Lugo, Burgos 22% Ourense, Cuenca, Cáceres, Lleida, Huesca, Toledo 21% Melilla, Jaén 20% Palencia, Teruel 19% Ciudad Real 16% Spain 36% One question: Is it an isolated case? No. Neither from Barcelona nor that of Ciudad Real. In fact, the report reveals something else: that although on Middle Spain it registers an effort rate of 36%, several points above the desirable for tenants, in reality that indicator only exceeds 30% in a handful of large capitals characterized by its high population, internationalization and tourist profile. In Malaga, for example, which has highlighted In recent years for its ability to capture technological multinationals and as Digital nomad destinationthe effort rate is 42%. In tourist points such as Palma, Valencia, Alicante, Las Palmas, Donostia or Tenerife also exceed 30%. A fact: 39 capitals. Ciudad Real is not the only town in which the effort rate is in the lathe or even below 20%. In the same situation are Teruel, Palencia, Jaén and Melilla. In general, the idealist reflects that there are 39 capitals in which the indicator does not reach 30%. Eight other provincial headwaters move between 30 and 40% and there are five between 40 and 49%. The data are in line with the evolution of the effort rate nationallywhich has remained between 2020 and 2021 around 30% and has increased in recent years, but without exceeding 40%, such as In Barcelona or Madrid. A footnote. The idealist study is just that, a study. And as such it must be taken, also taking into account that focusing its analysis on a very concrete profile: its authors have focused on a profile of 2.4 people/home, “a current average … Read more

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.