Mars hides the secret of life, always urging people to explore. Photo: NASA Today’s Earthlings are perhaps the most curious generation about the possibility of alien life on Mars, and are always wondering how humans might one day colonize there. From theories about Martian canals to alien radio messages, over the past three centuries, mankind has been constantly thinking about life on Mars. approach to his Martian “brothers”. Mars often appears in ancient texts as a “fire star,” or represents the god of War. In the 17th century, new early telescopes allowed scientists to get a glimpse of the Red Planet. Skilled “channel engineers”? Scientists need more powerful telescopes to be able to see up close, thereby trying to better clarify the hypothesis of life on Mars. In 1877, Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli noticed crisscrossing lines covering the “Red Planet”. He called these lines “canali”, which means “canal”. Schiaparelli himself does not believe that this is an alien product, but some others are sure of it. Giovanni Schiaparelli’s map of the “canal” system on Mars. Image: Wikimedia Commons As information spread, the word “canali” was translated into English as “canal”, meaning “canal”. And if there were canals, wouldn’t that suggest that aliens would have to dig them? With that argument, many people believe that the interlaced lines on the surface of Mars are a beautiful system of waterways spreading across the planet.. Such a system not only shows that Martians exist, but that they are also amazing engineers. On Earth, it took man 10 years to complete the Suez Canal in 1869. The achievements of the Martians therefore seem to be far superior to those achieved by man. Astronomer Percival Lowell certainly thought so. In 1894, this American scientist-businessman began to expand the concept of a “canal” on Mars. Lowell used his family’s large textile fortune to open the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA. Professor Percival Lowell works with a telescope invested by his family. Image: Wikimedia Commons Percival Lowell mapped the “canals” on Mars with the help of the 24-inch Alvan Clark & ​​Sons refracting telescope he set up at the Lowell Observatory. He made meticulous maps of what was observed on the surface of Mars, wrote many books and regularly gave lectures on his shocking theory that Martians existed and that they were trying to irrigate the planet. their dying elf. Percival Lowell offers logical explanations to answer the question of how and why life exists on Mars. He used the example of life on Earth to illustrate his arguments: “As long as it was proved with certainty that no life could exist on the seabed, dredgers deep sea beds were invented, and before long, they ‘frustrated’ us. Behold, they see full of life. Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and echinoderms. In short, the life of all common floating fish, from protozoa to marine ‘monsters’ – have been found living in the depths of the seabed. What is impossible, turns out to be possible.” But mapping Mars is one thing, and soon scientists are looking for ways to make contact with any life that might exist on the planet. “Message” from the Red Planet In 1899, Lowell’s theory of life on Mars received a “kick” from a prominent scientist: Nikola Tesla. Tesla, then a successful electrical engineer, claimed that he had detected an “inexplicable, faint” signal originating from Mars. Portrait of Nikola Tesla circa 1890. Photo: Wikimedia Commons While conducting experiments with his magnifier at high latitudes atop Pike Peak, Colorado Springs, Tesla claimed that he received “a message from another world, unknown and far away. “. What does that message say? According to Nikola Tesla, it is simply: “ONE – TWO – THREE”. A few years later, on a February 1901 day, in an interview with Collier’s Weekly, inventor Tesla announced that he could communicate with Martians by sending wireless messages to any point. on the “Red Planet”. This is a strange statement, because the successful transmission of radio messages on Earth has only become a reality since December of that year. Tesla doesn’t know what the aliens might look like, but he believes they have adapted to living conditions on Mars. Like Lowell, he suggested that “it is possible that in a frozen planet, such as the presumed conditions on our Moon, intelligent beings could still reside, within it, if not within it. on the surface”. To many people, when humans can receive messages from Mars, we can also send messages, that seems reasonable. In 1909, there were attempts to find a contact with life on Mars. Harvard professor William Henry Pickering proposed sending planetary light signals through a series of reflections produced by a network of 50 giant mirrors. The flashes would continue to flash for several years, allowing the Martians time to develop the necessary means to respond. Professor Pickering’s giant mirror illustration for sending signals to Mars. Photo: Library of Congress “In the hope of receiving such signals again, we must of course assume that Martians, if they exist, have telescopes, eyes, etc., just like humans have on this Earth.” Mr. Pickering said. But the Harvard professor’s plan cost $10 million, and no one wanted to fund it.

Overcoming prejudice to pursue passion Jocelyn Bell was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and Burnell is her husband’s last name, Roger Burnell. Her parents, Allison and Philip Bell, were supportive of her interest in science. Mr. Philip is an architect, credited with building Ireland’s Armagh Planetarium. Her parents’ support was especially important because at the time, girls were discouraged from doing scientific research. In fact, the school she attended, Lurgan College, wanted girls to focus on housework skills. Thanks to the persuasion of her parents, she was finally allowed to study the sciences. Jocelyn Bell Burnell in her youth At the beginning of her academic and research career, she thought that she was not qualified to attend Cambridge University, and she was even ridiculed by male classmates. However, she did not stop striving and in 1965, she graduated from the University of Glasgow with a major in Physics. In 1969, she successfully defended her doctoral thesis at Cambridge University. During her time at Cambridge University, Jocelyn Bell worked on a team led by astrophysicist Antony Hewish that built the Mullard Observatory’s (MRAO) radio-receiving antenna array to observe the quasars. They also created a radio telescope to study quasars, bright distant objects that contain supermassive black holes within them. She detected the first radio signals of a pulsar on October 28, 1967 at the age of 24. This is the first pulsar, a star invisible to the naked eye that can only be detected by radio waves. Neutron stars rotate very quickly and emit beams of radiation, which have a huge gravitational pull. As for the discovery of pulsars, the press described it as “the greatest astronomical discovery of the 20th century”. Jocelyn Bell Burnell’s discovery was also called “one of the most surprising things in the history of astronomy”. Among many other findings, her discovery provided a kind of test for Einstein’s theory of relativity, providing a new treasure of knowledge about how heavy elements in the universe form. However, Burnell’s work was completely ignored. In 1974, together with radio astronomer Martin Ryle, Antony Hewish was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his research in the field of astronomical observations at radio wavelengths and the discovery of pulsars. It is unfair that Jocelyn Bell was not awarded a part of the Nobel Prize even though she was also named in the scientific report on the discovery of the pulsar. It was a gender-unfair decision, according to observers. Jocelyn Bell Burnell was honored by US scientists with the attendance of President Barack Obama in 2016. The world recognizes the merits Jocelyn Bell Burnell has taught at many universities in the UK and USA. She has won the Beatrice M. Tinsley Award from the American Astronomical Society (1989), was awarded the Royal Medal from the Royal Society in 2015, the Prudential Lifetime Achievement Award and many others. She became President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and President of the Royal Astronomical Society from 2002 to 2004 and was elected President of the Institute of Physics from October 2008 to October 2010. She was recognized by Queen Elizabeth as Commander of the British Empire for her services in the field of astronomy. Her curiosity, diligent observation, and rigorous analysis have revealed some of the most mysterious and interesting objects in the universe. Not only a pioneer and a great tree, Bell Burnell is also the most outstanding role model in the field, a worthy representative of women in science. She has dedicated her career to empowering women and minorities in science.” Chiara Mingarelli, astrophysicist at the Flatiron Institute in New York, USA Bell Burnell’s discovery had a great influence on world science. In early 2018, scientists at the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) demonstrated the feasibility of using pulsars for navigation in the SEXTANT experiment carried out on the International Space Station. This experiment stems from the idea that future robotic spacecraft could use the pulsar’s clock-like regular X-rays to triangulate the position of the pulsars. There is currently a project to use pulsars as lighthouses to guide the way during space travel. “Analyzing data in other regions, I found two more mysterious signals. I discovered four other examples of an entirely new class of stars, objects that emit signals as they rotate. Their signal swept across the universe like a lighthouse. We called it a pulsar,” she told the Guardian. Jocelyn Bell Burnell and her work on pulsars Pulsars have been used to weigh the solar system and accurately determine its mass. They are recommended signposts for long-term interstellar navigation. Astronomers also use pulsars to create maps that direct aliens to Earth’s position in space. In 2018, physicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell was awarded the Breakthrough Prize – the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, worth $3 million. She used the $3 million prize money to create scholarships to encourage female students, migrants, and disadvantaged ethnic minorities to pursue a career in physics. For a discovery that many consider worthy of a Nobel Prize, she was recognized by the Breakthrough Committee with a special prize in fundamental physics for her scientific achievements and her “inspirational pioneering role”. ” for more than five decades.

Total lunar eclipse in Mechelen, Belgium, January 21, 2019. Photo: Getty Images. On the evening of May 26, the first total lunar eclipse in more than two years will coincide with a super moon in a special combination of the universe known as a “super blood moon”. The best place to observe this eclipse will be in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, all of Australia, east of Asia and west of the Americas. Vietnamese astronomy lovers can also observe this phenomenon. A total lunar eclipse will last about 15 minutes as the Earth passes directly between the moon and the sun. The entire phenomenon will last five hours, as Earth’s shadow gradually envelops the moon, then begins to diminish. The moon will be orange-red when all sunrises and sunsets in the Earth’s atmosphere are projected onto the surface of the eclipsed moon. Why is it called a super moon? A supermoon occurs when the moon is full at the point where the moon’s orbit brings it closest to Earth. And the “blood moon” appears as it moves through the Earth’s shadow, blocking the light from the sun. A combination of such events will occur on May 26, with a total lunar eclipse followed by a partial lunar eclipse, the moon appearing in red, then fading to gray. The moon’s orbit around the Earth is not a perfect circle. This means that the moon’s distance from Earth changes as it orbits the planet. The closest point in orbit, called perigee, is about 45,000 kilometers closer to Earth than the farthest point of the orbit. A full moon that occurs near perigee is called a supermoon. The Moon when it is closest to Earth is about 12% larger than when it is furthest. Source: Wikimedia. So why call it super? The Moon’s relatively close proximity makes it appear slightly larger and brighter than usual, although the difference between a supermoon and a normal moon is often barely noticeable unless you’re looking at the two side-by-side photos. together. The moon’s orbit is not a perfect circle. Source: Wikimedia. How does a lunar eclipse work? A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth’s shadow covers all or part of the Moon. This can only happen during a full moon, so first, let’s understand what makes a full moon. Like the Earth, half of the moon is illuminated by the sun at any given time. A full moon occurs when the moon and sun are on opposite sides of the Earth. This allows you to see the entire illuminated side, which looks like a circular disk in the night sky. If the moon had a perfectly flat orbit, each full moon would be a lunar eclipse. But the Moon’s orbit is tilted about 5 degrees relative to Earth’s. So most of the time the full moon lies slightly above or below the shadow formed by the Earth. But twice in each lunar orbit, the moon lies on the same horizontal plane as both the Earth and the sun. If this corresponds to a full moon, then the sun, Earth, and moon will form a straight line, and the moon will pass through the Earth’s shadow. This leads to a total lunar eclipse. To see a lunar eclipse, you need to stay awake at night, when the moon passes through the shadow. The phases of the moon correspond to how bright humans can see from Earth. Source: Wikimedia. Why is the moon red? When the moon is completely covered by Earth’s shadow, it will darken, but not turn completely black. Instead, it is red, which is why a total lunar eclipse is sometimes called a red or blood moon. Sunlight contains all colors of visible light. The gaseous particles that make up the Earth’s atmosphere are more likely to scatter light of blue wavelengths while red wavelengths pass through. This is called Rayleigh scattering, and it’s why the sky is blue, and sunrises and sunsets are often red. Earth’s atmosphere gives the moon its blood-red glow during total lunar eclipses. Photo: Wikimedia. In the case of a lunar eclipse, red light can pass through Earth’s atmosphere and be refracted – or bent – towards the moon, while blue light is filtered out. This causes the moon to appear light red during a lunar eclipse. How does Vietnam watch the total lunar eclipse? According to the Vietnam Astronomical Association (VACA), Wednesday evening, May 26, in Vietnam, most of the central and southern regions will be able to observe the full phase of this phenomenon, while in the north only partially traceable phase. Total lunar eclipse time in Vietnam: – Midnight lunar eclipse begins: 15:47 – Partial lunar eclipse begins: 16 hours 44 minutes – Total lunar eclipse starts: 18:11 – Maximum lunar eclipse: 18 hours 18 minutes – Total lunar eclipse ends: 18 hours 25 minutes – Partial lunar eclipse ends: 19:52 – Midnight lunar eclipse ends: 20 hours 49 minutes. In the northern region: The moon rises above the horizon at the end of the total phase. The observer can only track the partial phase of the phenomenon. For example, in Hanoi, the moon rises at 6:29 pm on May 26. Thus, the observer can almost fully follow the later phase of a partial lunar eclipse from that point to its end. Sometime before 19 o’clock, this partial phase still has very high coverage and is very noticeable. In the central and southern regions: Most of the central provinces will be able to track the last part of the total phase, while most southern provinces will be able to track the entire phase if the viewing angle is wide enough to see the eastern horizon. In Ho Chi Minh City, the moon rises at 18:07, that is, before the total phase begins, and therefore observers in this area and surrounding areas can fully monitor the total phase. Although the total phase can be seen in many areas, at that time the moon is so low that it will be difficult to see in places where visibility to the east is obstructed. The most favorable observation positions to monitor this period are places with a wide view to the East: areas without front houses, roofs or windows of high-rise buildings, the coast… On November 19, astronomical lovers around the world will continue to see an almost total lunar eclipse, the moon dims but does not turn red like this time. The next total lunar eclipse will occur in May 2022. The last total lunar eclipse was in January 2019.

In the region, the South and the Central Highlands provinces, many places are having rain and unfavorable weather. This will directly affect the observation of the lunar eclipse. In the sky of Hanoi, according to the forecast about 6:30 p.m The Moon will begin to appear on the horizon. At this time, it is possible that the Moon has appeared but is located right on the horizon and is being obscured by buildings. In Hanoi, viewers can observe the Lunar Eclipse in the direction between East and Southeast. However, right now (18:20) there are some pretty big clouds near the horizon. Photo at 6:20 pm in Hanoi Photos at 6:30 p.m. The sun was slowly disappearing. Theoretically, the Moon is now close to the horizon to the East, Southeast. From 6:45 pm to 7:00 pm, when the moon is high enough, this is convenient for viewers to observe. According to reflection, in Ninh Thuan, the Moon has begun to rise and viewers can observe. In Da Nang, the weather is nice and viewers can observe well. The Moon now has just finished its total phase, the Moon is gradually moving out of the shadow. Pictures at 6:30 pm In Ha Tinh: The coastal area can be observed well. Viewers can find the Moon in the East, Southeast. Some mountainous areas of Ha Tinh may have rain, making it difficult to observe. In Taiwan, a place very close to Vietnam, the weather conditions are favorable, so observing the lunar eclipse is quite easy. Below is an image of a lunar eclipse recorded in Japan. At this time, the Moon has passed its total phase and is gradually leaving the dark side of the Earth. Pictures in Japan Quang Ngai: The lunar eclipse has begun to appear. The image was recorded by a universal observatory telescope. The Moon in Quang Ngai The moon appeared dimly in the sky of Hanoi. The moon appeared dimly in the sky of Hanoi. Nha Trang and Phu Yen: The moon is rising and people can observe a partial lunar eclipse. Binh Dinh, Quang Nam: The weather is good and many places can observe the lunar eclipse. 19h00: The lunar eclipse was visible in Hanoi. The image was recorded under a telescope. Observation will be more difficult but still doable with the naked eye. Lunar eclipse can be observed in Hanoi When the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned or approximately aligned, part or all of the Moon will be obscured from the Sun by the Earth, causing a lunar eclipse. Lunar eclipse image recorded at 19:00 in Quang Ngai. 40% of the Moon’s area has entered the Earth’s semi-dark region. Lunar eclipse image recorded at 19:00 in Quang Ngai. The image of the lunar eclipse in Hanoi was recorded under a simple telescope at 19:15. It can be seen that 50% of the Moon’s area has left the Earth’s shadow. Photo taken during the Lunar Eclipse in Hanoi at 19:15 on May 26. At this time in some places in Hanoi it is windy. This will have a certain effect on those observing with a telescope. In Ho Chi Minh City at this time it is cloudy, viewers have almost no chance to observe the lunar eclipse. In Hanoi, 60% of the Moon has left the Earth’s shadow. According to forecast, the lunar eclipse will end at 19:52′. Thus, there is only about 30 minutes left for viewers to observe this phenomenon. 19:30: The lunar eclipse was recorded in Hanoi at 19:30. At this time, 70% of the area is bright again. 70% of the Moon was bright again at 19:30, observed from Hanoi. 19:45 : Image of lunar eclipse recorded in Hanoi. It can be seen that the Moon has almost completely come out of the shadow of the Earth. The Moon has almost completely come out of the Earth’s shadow. 19:55 : In Hanoi, the partial lunar eclipse has ended. The Moon is now moving into the Earth’s semi-dark region. In about 1 hour, from 20h00 to 20h49, there will be a penumbral lunar eclipse. At this point, the Moon will be slightly darker and dimmer than usual. After 9pm tonight (May 26), the lunar eclipse will end completely. At that time, the entire Moon will be directly illuminated by the Sun again. Live: Total lunar eclipse and super moon Vietnam on May 26 26 Today’s lunar eclipse coincides with the time when the Moon is at its closest position to the Earth. Therefore, observers will be able to witness the dual phenomenon of lunar eclipse and supermoon. Simulation of a lunar eclipse. This lunar eclipse in Vietnam will be different when accompanied by a super blood moon phenomenon. In the legends of some cultures, lunar eclipses are often associated with some bad luck. In ancient times, it was believed that a lunar eclipse was a sign of great change and foreshadowed bad luck to come. In modern times, many people still hold bad views about this phenomenon. Readers can visit here for a correct and accurate understanding of the lunar eclipse. This year, Vietnam is located in a geographical area that can observe the lunar eclipse well. However, depending on the region, the ability to observe as well as the time to observe the lunar eclipse varies between provinces. According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, some areas this afternoon will have very favorable weather to observe the lunar eclipse. Readers can visit here to know exactly where they live, whether this phenomenon can be observed. Landmarks of the afternoon lunar eclipse, May 26 (Vietnam time): – 15:47: A penumbral eclipse begins, the Moon enters the Earth’s penumbra and begins to decrease in brightness. – 4:44 pm: A partial lunar eclipse begins, the Moon enters the Earth’s shadow and gradually becomes partially obscured. – 18h18: The lunar eclipse is at its maximum, the Moon is located near the center of the shadow. – 6:25pm: The total lunar eclipse ended, the Moon began to emerge from the Earth’s shadow. – 6:35 pm: when the Moon rises from the horizon. – 19:52: The partial lunar eclipse ends, the Moon enters the Earth’s semi-dark region. – 20:49: The penumbral eclipse ends, the Moon comes out of the Earth’s penumbra.

GS. Trinh Xuan Thuan Born in 1948 in Hanoi, at the age of 6, he moved with his family to Saigon to live. As a child, he attended Jean-Jacques Rousseau High School (now Le Quy Don School, Saigon). GS. Trinh Xuan Thuan Graduating from high school in 1966, Prof. Trinh Xuan Thuan went to Switzerland to study engineering. He then decided to study astrophysics at the California Institute of Technology, then at Princeton University, New Jersey, USA. For the first time in his life, at the observatory on top of Mount Palomar, California, young Trinh Xuan Thuan observed the magic of the galaxy, moon and light from billions of stars through the telescope. The largest telescope in the world at that time with a diameter of 5.1 m. His life has been associated with cosmic astronomy since then. After completing his doctoral thesis at Princeton, GS. Trinh Xuan Thuan teaches at the University of Virginia since 1976, and has become a world-renowned expert on extragalactic astronomy. In which, the most prominent event is the GS. Trinh Xuan Thuan is the youngest known co-discoverer of the galaxy in the universe today, thanks to the study of observations made by the Hubble space telescope. That is galaxy I Zwicky 18. Called I Zwicky 18, this galaxy appeared just 500 million years ago. This discovery is shocking because the word I Zwicky 18 allows people to understand the first small galaxies in the early universe. Writing about the universe in a special way In addition to research, Prof. Trinh Xuan Thuan writes a book. From the research results, extremely attractive and interesting findings of astronomy, Prof. Trinh Xuan Thuan wishes to share with everyone about the beauty, harmony of the universe and the creation of nature. GS. Trinh Xuan Thuan is highly appreciated for his ability to popularize science. He began to write his first book ‘Mysterious Melodies – La Mélodie secrète, published in 1988′. Currently, there are about 20 books of GS. Trinh Xuan Thuan was translated and published in Vietnam as Origin, nostalgia for the early days; The Paths of Light, The Fullness of Nothingness, One Night… GS. Trinh Xuan Thuan writes three times more popular science books than specialized research books. He confided: “Because I want to meet more readers. If I write a book on a complex subject, only a few hundred people can understand it. I want the knowledge of science and astrophysics to spread in many readers. So I write books for the masses. If I’m lucky, my books will be read by hundreds or thousands of people.” When writing the book, Prof. Trinh Xuan Thuan wants to explain to the general public about the stars, the universe, about what astronomers have discovered; phenomena of the sun dying into a dwarf star, or stars ten times more massive than the sun, the sun becoming a black hole… In particular, when writing books, he did not use science but wrote about the universe in a literary way. GS. Trinh Xuan Thuan explains: The voice of the universe is math. Scientists all use math equations to understand the universe. But when I write the book, I do not use it, but use images in everyday life, to let the public understand the ideas that scientists find in the universe. Therefore, although writing about distant planets, cold galaxies, mysterious black holes… GS. Trinh Xuan Thuan always tries to use a simple but clear language. He refrains from using overly technical terms. For difficult concepts, he often refers to images in everyday life as an example. For example, in the latest book titled “One Night” (Pham Van Thieu, translated by Pham Viet Hung, Youth Publishing House, 2020), Prof. Trinh Xuan Thuan brings readers into a vast world, explores the night sky with easy-to-understand explanations. As a lover of poetry, he also quoted many verses and poems of famous poets. For example, when writing about the Moon, Professor Trinh Xuan Thuan quotes John Keats’ “Song of the Nightingale”: “The night is gentle/ And maybe Hang Nga is on the throne/ Among the stars of fairies/ But in Here, nowhere is it clear / Except for the breezes / On the dark and mossy leaves of the winding roads. He even quoted W. Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliette”: “Come, night, come here/ Romeo me, come back to me!/ I’m the sun in the dark/ Because I’ll lie under the night darkness of the night…”. In the spring of 2007, the famous work “Paths of Light” (Les Voies de la lumière) was awarded the Moron Prize by the French Academy. Two years later, Prof. Trinh Xuan Thuan also became the first Vietnamese in history to be awarded the prestigious Kalinga Prize by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Soon after, the Institut de France awarded the Prix mondial Cino del Duca, recognizing the persuasive transmissions of complex knowledge of arid space science, yet blended under a contemplative, rich gaze. literature in his outstanding works. GS review. Trinh Xuan Thuan, Mr. François Delattre, French Ambassador to the US, respectfully called the Vietnamese-born astronomer a “world asset” when he devoted his life to the goal of “popularizing science”. Invite readers to watch the video:Fish at the fried statue. Source: VTV24.

Use a telescope to track the stars. Illustration: IT. Stay away from lights when observing the sky When using a telescope to observe the sky, determine for yourself reasonable objects and choose the right time and place to observe them. Strong light is the enemy of the astronomical observer. Therefore, stay away from city lights. If you are in the city, you can go to the quiet suburbs if possible. Otherwise, you should choose high positions and have a wide viewing angle to limit the effects of light pollution. Which objects are best for you to observe with amateur telescopes? Many young people after completing the telescope with their own hands feel disappointed. Because you have too much hope for a dream glasses without taking into account the reality factor. Remember, even the glasses that cost thousands of dollars that you order from the world’s leading manufacturers cannot allow you to see the colors shown in the photos taken on Google. Also, pay attention only to the brightest and most observable subjects. Which objects are the brightest? Except for the Moon, readers with basic knowledge of astronomy will think of Venus, Jupiter, Mars or Sirius – the brightest star after the planets in the system. However, Venus is not a good object to observe even though it is very bright. All you see is a yellow halo due to its thick and toxic atmosphere. Stars like Sirius, Canopus, although many times brighter than that, they are just distant balloons. It is not a reasonable target for observation through amateur optical telescopes. The best observed objects are the Moon first, followed by Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and a few galaxies, remarkable nebula. Don’t Observe When The Moon Is Full To observe the Moon, adjust the position of the eyepiece accordingly and aim at the vicinity of the semi-dark area during the nights between the 6th, 7th and 11th of the 12th lunar month. The full moon is a bad subject because it is so bright that it will obscure the craters and valleys you can see. You can solve this with a thin layer of glass called a moon filter, which will reduce the light of the Moon as it reaches your face. With industrial-grade telescopes, most have this. As for the homemade glasses, you can also design it yourself using a glass or a piece of blue plastic but still clear enough to see through it. Even so, the Moon should not be observed on full moon nights. Because in addition to it covering itself, it also obscures other attractive objects of observation, except, of course, on full moon days when the lunar eclipse occurs. You should have a map of the visible part of the Moon to compare when observing. These maps are now easy to find on the Internet and simply print out with any black and white printer. To observe the planets, it is best to choose the right time for good results. Planets have a different period than Earth, so they do not have a stable position like the distant star background. The easiest way is to use computer software to check the positions of the planets, or you can use free software downloaded at www.stellarium.org. Do not forget to set the exact location of the user and when you want to observe. It is advisable to choose days that are not full moons because the planets are in relatively high positions. Jupiter is the most observable object through amateur telescopes. Push your eyepiece a little deeper than when looking at the Moon and try to orient the lens because it will disappear instantly if you don’t keep your gaze exactly. Although it is not possible to see the colors as clearly as in the photos online that have been taken with exposure techniques, and through equipment thousands of times more modern than the amateur glasses you own, the colors Basic with brown lines, dark yellow is what you will see, and moreover the 4 Galilean satellites of this planet. Saturn is like Jupiter, just determine the right direction and fix the glass and you will easily observe it. The most interesting thing to look at this planet is its ring. However, it won’t be as colorful as you’re used to seeing in the photos, both the planet and the ring appear pale yellow. Next in the Solar System is Mars. But observing this planet is not very interesting because all you see is a faint red and maybe some black patches with faint ice caps at the poles if the telescope is relatively good. Anyway, this is the only planet in the Solar System that we can see some of its surface through amateur telescopes. One type of object that is very interesting to observe with amateur telescopes or, more neatly, tubes are bright galaxies and nebulae. Remember to push your eyepiece even further towards the objective so that you can observe the celestial bodies at infinity. The first notable is the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), a spiral galaxy. At a distance of nearly 3 million light-years, it emits light strong enough to be seen with the naked eye. Even with a small binocular you can see a band of light that seems to be a combination of countless small bright dots when directed towards it. What you see is billions and billions of suns like our own. Next is the Pleiades star cluster (M45), also known as the stellar group. It is also easy to recognize with the naked eye, it is a small group of 7 brightest stars located right in the constellation Taurus. Through binoculars or small telescopes, it can be clearly seen that it is a blue star cluster with many stars, including 7 brightest stars visible to the naked eye, so it is called the Seven Stars. This is an open cluster in the milky Way located 400 light-years from Earth. Another member you should look out for is the Orion Nebula (M42), an emission nebula with the same galaxy about 1,350 light-years from Earth. The Orion Nebula, although visible to the naked eye, is quite faint.

A super blood moon turns red-orange (right). The color fades during a partial lunar eclipse (center), followed by a penumbral eclipse, when the Moon appears in a faint gray (left). Photo: Getty Images. A supermoon occurs when the moon is full at the point where the Moon’s orbit brings it closest to Earth. And the “Blood Moon” appears as it moves through the Earth’s shadow, obscuring the light from the Sun. A combination of such events will occur on May 26, with a total lunar eclipse followed by a partial lunar eclipse, the Moon appearing in red, then fading to gray. Right after sunset on May 26 (the full moon of the fourth lunar month), a “super blood moon” will hang in the sky to the east-southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. At this time, the supermoon and total lunar eclipse will combine to create a rare celestial image. This is Asia’s first total lunar eclipse in nearly three years – a brief but dramatic sight. This spectacle was observed for only 15 minutes from around the Pacific Rim, over the entire night part of the Earth. At this time, astronomy and sky lovers are hoping that the full moon night of April will be clear so they can watch the Moon turn red-orange. Phases of total lunar eclipse observed in Hong Kong in 2011. Photo: AFP What causes the “Super Blood Moon”? The Moon orbits Earth in an elliptical orbit every 27 days, so every month there is one point when it is furthest from Earth and another when it is closest. This moving closer and further away causes tides in the oceans. When a full moon occurs at the point closest to the Earth, it is called a Super Moon. Supermoons have occurred several times this year, but this “Flower Moon” will be the closest of the year. “Sister Hang” will be located 357,311km from Earth just 9 hours before the “Blood Moon”, or total lunar eclipse. As a result, the full moon in April this year will be about 8% larger than the full moon on average. Usually that means a brighter moon, but not this month. However, those interested are looking forward to seeing the “king tide” in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong. The blood moon eclipse, the longest of the 21st century, was observed over Hong Kong on July 27, 2018. Photo: Getty Images. When does a total lunar eclipse happen? The “blood moon” is the result of the full moon moving through the Earth’s shadow. This phenomenon can happen when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, but not often because the Moon’s orbit around the Earth is eccentric, so it usually moves below or above the Earth’s shadow. If not, there would be a total lunar eclipse every month. The last time there was a partial lunar eclipse in Hong Kong was on July 17, 2019. Illustration of a total lunar eclipse that occurs when the Moon is completely in the Earth’s shadow. Why did the “Super Blood Moon” turn red? The only light you’ll see at the Moon as it rises over Hong Kong will be filtered by the Earth’s atmosphere first. The sun looks orange-red at dusk and dawn because red light has the longest wavelength. As a result, it moves through Earth’s atmosphere more easily, colliding with fewer molecules in the air as it passes (while blue has the shortest wavelength, thus hitting more obstacles and scattering, that’s why the sky is blue). The same thing happens during a total lunar eclipse. Because the Earth lies between the Sun and the Moon, light that can reach the Moon must first pass through the Earth’s atmosphere. People take pictures of the lunar eclipse from the Avenue of Stars in Hong Kong in October 2014. Photo: AFP. When can you see the “Super Blood Moon”? The Pacific Rim – which includes East and Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the island nations of the Pacific Ocean and the west coast of the US – will be able to see the total lunar eclipse on May 26. People in eastern Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii are said to have the best views of the “Blood Moon”. According to the timeanddate website, in Ho Chi Minh City, the moon rises at 6:07 pm on May 26, but at a low position and the total lunar eclipse phase will make the moon too dim, difficult to track until the moon rises. over the sky and the total lunar eclipse ends.

A super blood moon turns red-orange (right). The color fades during a partial lunar eclipse (center), followed by a penumbral eclipse, when the Moon appears in a faint gray (left). Photo: Getty Images The “super blood moon” combined with the total lunar eclipse on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month will create a magnificent and beautiful sight that the people of our country as well as Asian countries can enjoy watching. A supermoon occurs when the moon is full at the point where the Moon’s orbit brings it closest to Earth. And the “Blood Moon” appears as it moves through the Earth’s shadow, obscuring the light from the Sun. A combination of such events will occur on May 26, with a total lunar eclipse followed by a partial lunar eclipse, the Moon appearing in red, then fading to gray. Right after sunset on May 26 (the full moon of the fourth lunar month), a “super blood moon” will hang in the sky to the east-southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. At this time, the supermoon and total lunar eclipse will combine to create a rare celestial image. This is Asia’s first total lunar eclipse in nearly three years – a brief but dramatic sight. This spectacle was observed for only 15 minutes from around the Pacific Rim, over the entire night part of the Earth. At this time, astronomy and sky lovers are hoping that the full moon night of April will be clear so they can watch the Moon turn red-orange. Phases of total lunar eclipse observed in Hong Kong in 2011. Photo: AFP What causes the “Super Blood Moon”? The Moon orbits Earth in an elliptical orbit every 27 days, so every month there is one point when it is furthest from Earth and another when it is closest. This moving closer and further away causes tides in the oceans. When a full moon occurs at the point closest to the Earth, it is called a Super Moon. Supermoons have occurred several times this year, but this “Flower Moon” will be the closest of the year. “Sister Hang” will be located 357,311km from Earth just 9 hours before the “Blood Moon”, or total lunar eclipse. As a result, the full moon in April this year will be about 8% larger than the full moon on average. Usually that means a brighter moon, but not this month. However, those interested are looking forward to seeing the “king tide” in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong. The blood moon eclipse, the longest of the 21st century, was observed over Hong Kong on July 27, 2018. Photo: Getty Images When does a total lunar eclipse happen? The “blood moon” is the result of the full moon moving through the Earth’s shadow. This phenomenon can happen when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, but not often because the Moon’s orbit around the Earth is eccentric, so it usually moves below or above the Earth’s shadow. If not, there would be a total lunar eclipse every month. The last time there was a partial lunar eclipse in Hong Kong was on July 17, 2019. Illustration of a total lunar eclipse that occurs when the Moon is completely in the Earth’s shadow. Why did the “Super Blood Moon” turn red? The only light you’ll see at the Moon as it rises over Hong Kong will be filtered by the Earth’s atmosphere first. The sun looks orange-red at dusk and dawn because red light has the longest wavelength. As a result, it moves through Earth’s atmosphere more easily, colliding with fewer molecules in the air as it passes (while blue has the shortest wavelength, thus hitting more obstacles and scattering, that’s why the sky is blue). The same thing happens during a total lunar eclipse. Because the Earth lies between the Sun and the Moon, light that can reach the Moon must first pass through the Earth’s atmosphere. When can you see the “Super Blood Moon”? The Pacific Rim – which includes East and Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the island nations of the Pacific Ocean and the west coast of the US – will be able to see the total lunar eclipse on May 26. People in eastern Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii are said to have the best views of the “Blood Moon”. According to the timeanddate website, in Ho Chi Minh City, the moon rises at 6:07 pm on May 26, but at a low position and the total lunar eclipse phase will make the moon too dim, difficult to track until the moon rises. over the sky and the total lunar eclipse ended. Watch a video demonstrating the “super blood moon” phenomenon on May 26 (Source: The secret of universe) At 6:11 pm on May 26, the total lunar eclipse begins, the moon is completely red. Those interested are encouraged to go to high points or areas with a clear view of the East-southeast of the City for the best view of the lunar eclipse. At 18:18, the total lunar eclipse is at its maximum; and at 18:25: Total lunar eclipse ends. At 19:52: The partial lunar eclipse ends and at 20:49, the penumbral eclipse also ends. What will the “super blood moon” be like? There are a few different phases to this lunar eclipse. The full Moon will be completely obscured – and reddish – for 15 minutes before it moves out of Earth’s shadow and the left side of the Moon begins to shine. Over the next 92 minutes, the Moon will be less red. Once completely gray again, the moon will remain in the Earth’s shadow and will look like a dim full moon. People take pictures of the lunar eclipse from the Avenue of Stars in Hong Kong in October 2014. Photo: AFP With a clear sky, it would be a strange sight. Because a total lunar eclipse occurs just as the Moon is rising, you may find the red full moon looks larger than average. When the 15 minutes of total lunar eclipse are over, if the sky is still clear blue, then the best scenes can appear. After the “blood moon” phase, the Moon will drift out of the Earth’s shadow, but the partial lunar eclipse (“half-blood moon”) is now as strange a sight as the total. As the full Moon rises higher in the sky, you’ll be able to see a slight curve above it. It is the edge of the Earth’s shadow in space projected onto the surface of the Moon. It is one of the strangest images of nature.

Part of Vietnam will see the total lunar eclipse, while the remaining areas will observe the partial lunar eclipse with a very high coverage rate. Vietnam can only see the latter stage of the phenomenon A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned (or nearly aligned) with the Earth in between. At this time, the Moon enters the shadow region behind the Earth and receives only a fraction of the light from the Sun than if it did not enter this region. For this reason, part or all of the Moon will be darker than usual and appear crimson. A lunar eclipse is a phenomenon that is not too rare and is easy to observe even without the aid of any instrument. Even so, it is still an interesting optical phenomenon and attracts many people’s attention. Particularly with the lunar eclipse that will take place at the end of May, many places in Vietnam will be able to track part of the total phase of the lunar eclipse. Therefore, this is indeed a remarkable phenomenon. Lunar eclipses are not uncommon, but observing the total phase is still something quite special. This lunar eclipse lasted for a total of more than 3 hours from the beginning to the end of the partial phase. If the semi-dark phase is included, the total duration of the phenomenon is more than 5 hours. However, because in the early phase of the lunar eclipse, in Vietnam, the Moon has not yet risen above the horizon. Therefore, observers in Vietnam can only observe the later stages of this phenomenon. Detailed schedule of the phenomenon in Vietnam time on May 26 specifically: Midnight lunar eclipse begins: 15:47; Partial lunar eclipse begins at 16:44; Full lunar eclipse starts at 18:11; Lunar eclipse at 18:18; Total lunar eclipse ends at 6:25 pm; The partial lunar eclipse ends at 19:52; The lunar eclipse ends at 20:49. In the Northern region The moon rises above the horizon at the end of the total phase. The observer can only track the partial phase of the phenomenon. For example, in Hanoi, the Moon rises at 6:29 pm on May 26. Thus, the observer can almost fully follow the later phase of a partial lunar eclipse from that point to its end. Sometime before 19:00 this partial phase was still very high coverage and very noticeable. In the Central and Southern regions Most of the central provinces will be able to track the last part of the total phase, while most of the southern provinces will be able to fully track the full phase if the viewing angle is wide enough to see the eastern horizon. For example, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Moon rises at 18:07, that is, before the total phase begins, so observers in this area as well as the surrounding areas can fully monitor the phase. totality. Although the total phase is visible in many areas, at that time the Moon is so low that it will be difficult to see in places where the view to the East is obstructed. The most favorable observation positions to monitor this period are places with a wide view to the East, areas without front shelters, roofs or windows of tall buildings, the coast… Notes to remember A lunar eclipse is completely harmless to your eyes, so you can look directly at it. You also don’t need specialized equipment like a telescope or binoculars to observe this phenomenon, although if you do, it will be a much more interesting view. Basically, there are two things to keep in mind with respect to observations: Weather is always important. If it is raining, stormy or cloudy, the phenomenon cannot be observed. Therefore, you need a cloudy sky. In general, as long as you see the Moon and it continues not to sink behind some cloud, you can observe a lunar eclipse. Choose a viewing spot so that you can see the eastern sky with as wide an angle as possible, avoiding artificial light (street lights, building lights) shining directly into your eyes from above. Another partial lunar eclipse that can be observed by observers in Vietnam will take place on November 19 of this year, but this May phenomenon is more noticeable because of its clear cover. Finally, a note on terminology, a lunar eclipse is a lunar eclipse, not a “blood moon” (an imprecise but popular term in the last few years). This is also a very normal optical phenomenon, not related to any spiritual or religious factors.

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Lyrids meteor shower

Vietnamese people will have the opportunity to watch the Lyrids meteor shower (Thien Cam). The Lyrids meteor shower will last for more than a week, mostly from April 16 to 25. However, the time of the stellar rain reaches its maximum from the night of April 21 to dawn on April 22.

Lyrids meteor shower over Oregon, USA in 2012. (Image: Robin Loznak)

The Milky Way and the Lyrids meteor shower. (Photo: Petr Horálek)

It is known that astronomers can observe the Lyrids meteor shower in both hemispheres. In Vietnam, the best time to admire is from 22:00 to 6 am on April 23.

According to NASA, the Lyrids meteor shower is named after the constellation Lyra (Thien Cam), where the shooting stars emit.

Lyrids is the first meteor shower recorded by man, appearing in ancient Chinese from 2,500 years ago. This meteor shower occurs every time Earth passes through the debris zone of comet Thatcher.

Lyrids meteor shower. (Photo: Petr Horálek)

This meteor shower hits about 20 streaks / hour at its peak. This meteor battle sometimes produces bright dust trails that last for a few seconds. Viewers should go to a place where there is no strong, bright light, adapting the eyes to the dark to easily detect light trails in the sky.

This year, however, the Lyrids stellar rain occurs at nearly full Moon. The moon’s light can dim the starlight except for the brightest star trails. The patient observer is still able to catch a few clear light trails.

New Moon, Thuong Huyen and Super Moon Hong

In April this year, astronomy lovers also admire more interesting astronomical phenomena such as New Moon, Thuong Huyen Moon and Super Moon Hong.

– New Moon (April 12):

New Moon phenomenon. (Photo: AFP)

The New Moon, also known as the New Moon, (English: New Moon) is a phenomenon when the Moon is located between the Earth and the Sun. Then, from Earth we could not see the light side of the Moon.

On the stellar map, this is the time when the Moon coincides with the Sun, or in other words, where the Sun is located at any arc, the Moon is in that arc.

This is the best time of the month to see fuzzy objects such as galaxies or clusters because there is no overwhelming moonlight.

– Thuong Huyen moon (April 20):

Thuong Huyen moon in the sky of Vietnam. (Photo: Flickr / Tuan Anh Nguyen Hoang)

Thuong Huyen Moon, also known as Half Moon Moon at the beginning of the month (according to the lunar calendar), at which point the Moon will have a semi-moon shape and appear at the zenith in the early evening, then gradually sink west.

Days around these days will be very convenient for observing the Moon through telescopes or binoculars. The depressions on the surface of the Moon are now also clearly visible.

– Super Moon Hong (April 27):

The Super Pink Moon in April will be very loud and bright. (Photo: JAKKAPAN21 / ISTOCK VIA GETTY IMAGES)

Next, Vietnamese people will have the opportunity to observe the Hong Super Moon, which is predicted to be the biggest and brightest Super Moon this year.

A Super Moon is a Full Moon phenomenon that appears closest to the Earth in orbit. At that time, the Moon was brighter and larger than usual.

In Vietnam, the Red Super Moon is brightest at around 22:00 on the evening of April 27, clearly visible with the naked eye.

The Super Pink Super Moon, the largest and largest Full Moon of 2020, grows on St. Louis (Missouri, USA) on April 7, 2020. (Image: David Carson / AP)

However, this Super Moon will not be as pink as the name suggests. The name was called Hong Trang by the first indigenous tribes in America, because it marked the arrival of the moss rose grass, or wild crustacean species, as one of the earliest flowers to grow in. spring.

Because April is also the season when many North American animals lay eggs, this moon is also known as Egg Moon. Some coastal tribes also call this Fish Moon (Fish Moon) because it coincides with the presence of large herring.

In 2021, the world will also have the opportunity to see the Blue Moon taking place around the end of August next.

There is a copy of the book “The American Practical Navigator” by Nathaniel Bowditch, first published in 1802 on each of the US Navy ships.

This is considered an encyclopedia about navigation, filled with data on the longitude and latitude of many places, from Bugio lighthouse in Lisbon, Portugal, to Kannonzaki lighthouse in Yokosuka, Japan.

The book provides detailed instructions on how to use a hexagonal glass to measure a ship’s current position by observing the Sun, Moon, stars, and horizon. However, the presence of this book on board is only a ritual, as the US Navy has long been accustomed to using electronic charts based on GPS, Nikkei Asia said.

But the threat of electronic warfare from rivals like China, forcing the US Navy to consider the possibility of reusing the supposedly outdated navigation system, in preparation for the GPS system scenario prepares the enemy. disable.

Combining ancient and modern

In August 2020, the USS Patriot, an Avenger-class minesweeper of the US Navy stationed at the port of Sasebo, Japan, crossed a distance of 1,700 km into the western seas solely by astronomical positioning.

A pilot is using the hexagonal glass to calculate the ship’s position in the Pacific. Photo: US Navy.

Every afternoon, sailors would take a hexagonal glass, a centuries-old measuring instrument, to measure the angle of the Sun at its highest point in the day. The data will be fed into a computer program called the astronomical estimation system of latitude and longitude, also known as STELIA.

Sailors also observed the angular distances between the horizon and the Moon, the planets and the stars to calculate longitude and latitude. On the command tower, a navigation team consisting of the captain, subordinate officer and the pilot uses manual measurement data to control the ship.

Astronomical navigation has disappeared from the US Naval Academy curriculum since 2006, because it was deemed obsolete. But since 2015, the technique has been reintroduced into the program, to teach students how to measure and apply math to locate.

The re-teaching of astronomical navigation has been prompted by the acknowledgment that the US armed forces are increasingly dependent on digital systems. An attack on the GPS system that the US military is relying on, could limit the capabilities of the world’s most powerful military.

This concern becomes even more urgent as China invests heavily in electronic warfare and cyberspace.

Peter Singer, an expert at the Center for New Security of America, said the battle to kick off the next big war will take place in silence. In other words, it’s the war in cyberspace.

If digital communication was to be attacked, the US Navy would have to rely on the natural world, ears and eyes to survive, which is the reason for the return of the hexagonal glasses.

Learn how to position birds

Mr. Singer said that in addition to the astronomical navigation system dating back to the 18th century, the US should study another smarter navigation system for navigating ships, or guided missiles without relying on GPS. , similar to how birds migrate annually.

One sailor is working on calculating longitude and latitude based on Bowditch’s book. Photo: US Navy.

“The way they (the birds) move is not memorizing, it’s how they perceive Earth’s magnetic field. Some insects can do this too, so in-depth research is needed to develop a digital version of how birds move, ”says Singer.

The U.S. Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency (DARPA) is pursuing the Adaptive Navigation System project, a navigation technique that can work in buildings, under dense canopy, under water and ground. This system is said to be superior to GPS.

In February, a team of scientists released a report stating that birds may have global GPS systems.

“The precise navigation of these little birds is amazing, as they move alone across the sea, across the vast desert and through extreme weather conditions is one of the long-standing mysteries. behavioral biology “, a British scientist wrote on the World Economic Forum.

This may be the answer the US military is looking for in its defense mission against electronic warfare operations by China and other adversaries.

Billy Fabian, senior analyst at data analytics firm Govini, said preparing for the scenario of digital communication disruption is crucial, given the potential confrontation with China.

The starry sky illuminated the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan as it passed through the Luzon Strait. Photo: US Navy

Specifically, at noon, sailors will take a hexagonal glass – a positioning tool that has existed for centuries – to measure the angle of the Sun at its highest point in the day. The data will be fed into a computer program called the Astronomical Latitude and Longitude Estimation System, or STELLA. They also observed the angular distances between the horizon and the Moon, the planets and the stars to calculate latitude and longitude.

On the jetty, a crew consisting of the captain, subordinate officers and the pilot used the above data to control the ship night and day.

The return of astronomical navigation

The Nikkei Asia Financial Times reported that astronomical navigation, or space travel navigation, disappeared from the US Naval Academy curriculum in 2006 because it was deemed obsolete. But in 2015, the school reintroduced this technique as well as sent students to a planetarium to teach how to measure and apply mathematics.

An officer on board the guided missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay uses a positioning device to measure the ship’s position in the Pacific. Photo: US Navy

The return to this method of positioning was prompted by the realization that if the US armed forces increasingly relied on digital communications, a blow to the Global Positioning System. (GPS) – on which this communications system relies on – could make it difficult for the army considered to be the most powerful in the world. That concern is growing in the face of China’s increased electronic and cyber-warfare capabilities.

Peter Singer, strategist at consulting firm New America and author of “Ghost Fleet: A Novel of Next World War” (roughly translated: Ghost Fleet: Novel of the Next World War) commented: “Battle The opening battle of the next great war will take place in silence ”.

According to him, this battle will not be the same as the battle of Pearl Harbor that dragged the United States into the war with Japan in 1941, nor the horrifying battle that opened to the Iraq War in 2003. “It may even have been and is already happening.” Because, in cyberspace, enemy moves still happen weeks, months or years before the outbreak of war.

If digital communications were to be removed, the US Navy would return to the natural world, relying on eyes and ears to survive. Therefore, a return of the hexagonal glass is imperative. But the strategist Singer believes that there are still two other options than this 18th-century utensil.

One is to build a more flexible communications network and improve network security to help the military combat any GPS-related challenges. Second is the development of highly intelligent systems that do not require GPS.

“For example, there is research showing that rockets can fly by navigating against a magnetic field,” says Singer. He equates this with the ability of birds to migrate as they travel thousands of kilometers to reach almost exactly one destination every year.

Answering Nikkei Asia, he explained: “It is not because they remember the way. That’s how they perceive the Earth’s magnetic field. The same goes for insects. So there has been high-tech research on developing digital versions of the way birds and insects navigate.

“Learn” from birds

The Department of Defense Senior Research Projects Administration (DARPA) is pursuing the so-called Adaptive Navigation System. This GPS-equivalent method of positioning, navigation, and time will work even in poorly wave places such as inside buildings, in canyons, in dense woods, underwater and underground. .

In February, a group of scientists including Professor Richard Holland at Bangor University and professor Dmitry Kishkinev at Keele University published a report indicating that birds can possess a “global GPS system. “.

Scientists believe that birds possess a global “GPS system”. Photo: Reuters

“The amazingly precise navigation of these little birds – as they travel alone over stormy seas, across vast deserts, and through extreme weather and temperature extremes – has been one of the the enduring mysteries of biology, ”wrote British scientists for the World Economic Forum.

“An evidence-gathering agency has shown that the Earth’s magnetic field is one of the most likely theories for this mystery. It is thought that the different parameters of the Earth’s magnetic field could form a network of maps that birds will fly with, ”they said.

“If birds know that magnetic field strength increases as they go north, they will be able to detect their position on the North-South axis wherever they go,” the report said. said the report. This means that the birds are essentially navigating using a system similar to Cartesian coordinates – the basis of modern GPS navigation.

Nikkei Asia asked Holland if anything from bird navigation could be used in the military. “In theory, the Earth’s magnetic field could be used as a positioning system,” he said. However, he warned: “It is not clear whether this system can be used on a global scale as GPS could, since there are several locations on Earth that share the same characteristics. magnetism”.

However, this could be the answer the US military is looking for in its mission to protect against electronic warfare by China or other countries.

Billy Fabian, an expert at data and analysis firm Govini and a senior colleague at the Center for New American Security, says it’s important to prepare for the scenario where communications are disrupted. when considering the nature of a potential war with China.

“A future conflict between the US and China will be different from past conflicts in two respects,” he said. One, every sector will be highly competitive, and that’s different from what we’re used to. Second, we will be under enormous time pressure. Most of the places that you can imagine we will fight in the future are in the backyard of China, but one ocean away from the American continent.

The US military is also practicing the concept called “mission command”. Accordingly, the commanders at the front lines are empowered to plan, coordinate and execute decisions without having to ask for instructions from their superiors. In this way, small units can continue to operate even when communication is interrupted.