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NASA Approves Psyche Mission to Investigate Ancient Planet’s Core

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A mission to investigate the metal-rich asteroid Psyche, which might be the exposed core of a long-dead planet, has been given the go-ahead by NASA.

This is one science project

The mission’s future had previously been in doubt after technical difficulties made it miss its 2022 launch window.

The Greek goddess of the soul, Psyche, inspired Italian astronomer Annibale de Gasparis to name the wandering celestial body that he found in the night sky in 1852.

Later telescopic observations indicated that Psyche was actually a large, metal-rich asteroid with a diameter of 140 miles (226 km) that was orbiting in the main asteroid belt, which is situated between Mars’ and Jupiter’s orbits.

The metal content of Psyche, which makes up between 30 and 60 percent of its entire mass, distinguishes it from the other million asteroids and more that are known to exist in our solar system. The unusual object may be the exposed nickel-iron core of an old primordial planet, the outer layers of which were blown off during a series of old collisions with other newborn planetoids, according to a majority of astronomers.

If this were the case, Psyche would offer a rare chance to investigate the inside of a world that was likely created in the chaotic environment that predominated in the region surrounding our young star billions of years ago.

Normally, it would be hard to observe a planet’s core up close. For instance, the metal-dominated core of Earth lies imprisoned 3,000 kilometers (1,800 miles) below the surface in a fantastically high-pressure environment with a temperature of about 5,000 degrees Celsius (9,000 degrees Fahrenheit).

These are not the best circumstances for scientific research.

Psyche’s exposed core thus appears almost too good to be true, despite the fact that it is orbiting the Sun in the hazardous environment of interplanetary space.

Astronomers could learn more about the development of the powerful planets of the solar system, such as Earth, and the many far-off exoplanets that have already been found by analyzing the planetary remnant.

A mission into the stars

NASA made plans to launch an unmanned spacecraft to a distant planet in 2017 with the goal of exploring it. Two solar panels will be used to power the spaceship, giving it an astounding 81-foot wingspan (25 meters).

The electricity produced by the panels will also be used to turn xenon gas into xenon ions, which may then be launched out of the back of the spacecraft to provide thrust, in addition to powering the array of scientific instruments carried on the probe.

Prior to its eventual flight aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, the Psyche mission is presently undergoing rigorous testing.

The route to launch, however, has not been easy at all. Psyche encountered a number of technical difficulties, including problems with the probe’s flight control software, which caused it to miss its intended 2022 launch date. Due to the severity of these challenges, both an internal study and an independent investigation were launched to look into the mission’s technical problems and determine whether it was still feasible.

The independent review’s conclusions are still being polished and will be made public at a later time.

On October 10, however, NASA declared that the project would not be abandoned after all and that the organization instead planned to launch the robotic spacecraft as early as October 10 of the next year.

Over $717 million of the $985 million US dollar lifetime budget for the mission has already been spent.

If everything goes according to plan during the launch in October 2023, the lone spacecraft would orbit the sun for around three years before harnessing Mars’ gravity to drastically change its course in 2026.

“I appreciate the hard work of the independent review board and the JPL-led team toward mission success,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, the Associate Administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. “The lessons learned from Psyche will be implemented across our entire mission portfolio. I am excited about the science insights Psyche will provide during its lifetime and its promise to contribute to our understanding of our own planet’s core.”

Mission managers anticipate the probe will re-encounter the asteroid Psyche in August 2029, assuming this is successful.

This may be one of the biggest project that NASA will ever launch.

Entertainment

A Child’s On the Way for Harry Potter Star, Daniel Radcliffe

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The longtime partner of Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe, Erin Darke, has announced they are expecting their first child together.

From Wizarding to Diapers

The news of Daniel Radcliffe’s impending fatherhood was revealed by the British actor’s agent on March 26. Radcliffe is best known as the hero of the popular Harry Potter film series.

The 33-year-old, whom we all grew up following his antics in the wild realm of witchcraft and magic, was essentially the face of our childhoods.

The duo has been known to encourage one another in their separate ventures while choosing to maintain a relatively quiet profile about their relationship.

Daniel and Erin later reconnected on the set of the dramedy Don’t Think Twice in 2016, following their collaboration on Kill Your Darlings.

Thus, learning that he is now raising a child on his own is unexpected.

They’ll make good parents

After meeting while filming Kill Your Darlings, a drama/romance movie about the Beat Generation, in 2013, Radcliffe and Darke, both 38, have been dating for almost ten years.

With Darke portraying Gwendolyn, Radcliffe played the moody poet Allen Ginsberg.

What a beautiful meet-cute.

In an interview with Marie Claire from 2015, Radcliffe talked about the moment they both caught one other’s gaze for the first time.

Radcliffe said, “That’s a great record of us flirting for the first time. Nothing is being done—at least not on my end.

He continued by expressing his appreciation for their sincere connection and said, “There’s a point when she makes me laugh, and I’m laughing as me and not as my role.

I knew I was in trouble because she was so hilarious and intelligent.

Ten years later, the adorable pair is about to embark on a brand-new journey.

Radcliffe made it plain that he has been considering fatherhood for some time when he told Newsweek in October of last year, “I want my kids – if and when they exist – I would love for them to be around film sets.”

But, it’s evident the singer wants something a little different for his future child than his famous and successful childhood did when he was just 12-years-old.

He said, “I wouldn’t want celebrity for my baby.” The famous side of film sets is actually what should be avoided at all costs, despite the fact that they are sometimes fantastic locations for youngsters.

According to the Mirror, an actor’s representative confirmed Radcliffe’s good news last night (March 25).

Daniel and Erin could not be happier to be expecting, according to a source close to the pair. They are ecstatic and eager to expand their family to three members.

It’s an immensely exciting time, as they recently informed their relatives and friends.

It is obvious that the news caused elation among all Potterheads and wasn’t just thrilling for the couple.

“Congratulations to them but I feel ancient today,” one Twitter user wrote.

Do we not all?

Another obviously overjoyed admirer added, “Harry Potter’s going to be a dad!!!”

“Daniel Radcliffe is going to be a dad. Why does this feel like the official event that ends my childhood?” a third person chimed in.

Harry, you’re a father!

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Manchester Becomes the First City in the UK to Tax Visitors

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The first city in the UK to start charging visitors is Manchester.

Enhancing Visitor Experience

The municipal visitor charge, sometimes known as the tourist tax, intends to earn millions of pounds to be used for “enhancing the visitor experience.”

The decision is in line with those made by European towns like Barcelona and Venice.

Visitors staying at hotels in the city center will be charged £1 per night, per room, starting on April 1.

The new Manchester Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID), which intends to “promote future growth of the visitor economy” over the next five years, will benefit from the scheme’s anticipated £3 million in annual revenue.

Everything has taxes now

The Manchester Accommodation BID is a groundbreaking new effort led by the city’s hotel and serviced apartment providers to help generate new events and extracurricular activities that will draw more tourists to visit and stay in Manchester and Salford, according to the Manchester ABID website.

Additionally, it will serve to improve the entire guest experience and develop the city’s tourism industry by:

-boosting advertising initiatives that encourage overnight stays;

-arranging large-scale occasions, conferences, and festivals during off-peak times;

-increasing street cleanliness and welcoming guests.

The City Visitor Charge, a supplemental £1 Fee per room/unit per night* for visitors, will be used to pay for the aforementioned events.

On 1 April 2023, all reservations made at establishments that charge for lodging and are located in the Manchester Accommodation BID zone will be subject to the mandatory charge.

The tax, according to ABID head Annie Brown, will help the city and tourists.

She told the Manchester Evening News: “We feel it’s a minor sum relative to other European cities that have taxes and visitor charges in place for a period of years, although [the message it sends] has been considered.

“Manchester has done something that other cities in the UK are looking to implement; I don’t think it’s a fee that’s off-putting.”

She went on: “It’s well known that we have a rising number of hotels opening, so it’s critical that we maintain our growth and position ourselves as a destination.

“There are several strategies to accomplish this, but the two most effective ones revolve around holding city events during “shoulder periods,” or slower times of the year, and luring major events to the area.

We are aware that we are competing against other major cities not just in the UK but all around the world, whether it be for major athletic, musical, or conference events.

Even though Annie is originally from Australia, it is evident that Manchester has captured her heart, and she welcomes tourists to come and experience for themselves.

In the end, she remarked, “I feel so passionately about Manchester, even though I’m not from Manchester, what greater thing is there to be involved in – presenting Manchester to the world.

Because it’s such an exciting, dynamic, and active city that’s wonderful from a professional and leisure viewpoint, it’s my favorite place I’ve worked in in the UK.

There has never been a better moment to visit Manchester because there are so many options available on every level.

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This Summer, The Biggest Indoor Harry Potter Attraction in the World will Debut

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Fans of the wizarding world franchise who are seeking for the next big thrill will be thrilled to learn that the world’s largest indoor Harry Potter-themed attraction is about to open.

The land of the Potterheads

Warner Bros. The date of the Warner has been revealed by Discovery. Bros. The Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour Tokyo will debut in Japan.

Billed as the world’s largest indoor Harry Potter attraction, it is slated to open its doors this summer, on Friday June 16. On March 22, tickets will go on sale. It is also expected to be the first Warner Bros. Asia Studio Tour.

The attraction will be situated where the Toshimaen amusement park in Nerima, Tokyo, which closed in August 2020, once stood. It will offer unique sets and experiences.

With realistic sets, costumes, and props, a chance to explore the worlds of Diagon Alley and Platform 9 34, as well as exclusive sets not present at any other Warner Bros. attractions, the attraction will provide the customary enchantment and fantasy visitors have come to anticipate from Harry Potter. website studios.

The attraction will also include significant elements and sizable movie sets from the Fantastic Beasts series, so it’s not just the Harry Potter books and movie sets that will be on exhibit.

Filmmakers who worked on the first Harry Potter movie series expressly commissioned and made several of the movie sets for the new attraction even though they weren’t technically used in the movies.

Get your wands on!

Beginning on June 16, Tokyo, Japan will offer a fresh opportunity to explore the wizarding and magical worlds. This won’t be the first Warner Bros. The largest indoor Harry Potter attraction in the world, Studio Tour, will debut in Asia.

The new attraction will also have interactive experiences, such as green screen exhibits that let visitors act out important movie events, for Harry Potter fans who want to feel like they’re “in” the movies. One memorable experience will be the chance to board the Hogwarts Express, a must-do for diehard Potterheads.

Those who are eager to attend will need to act quickly, as tickets for the opening event go on sale via the official website on March 22.

Only tickets purchased in advance will be able to enter the enormous new universe, with prices ranging from 3,800 (£23.68) for youngsters under the age of four to 5,200 (£32.40) for those between the ages of 12 and 17. Tickets for enthusiastic adults cost 6,300 (£39.25).

Despite the first Harry Potter book and movie being published in 1997 and 2001, respectively, the world established by author J.K. Rowling has persisted in captivating and enchanting readers all over the world. Devoted American viewers even went so far as to recast the entire movie with Americans rather than the currently well-known stars.

The intelligent fans recast every character from the first movie, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and made it an entirely American version through a series of votes.

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