Preventing Asteroids In The Future | March 17, 2025

Summary

In this March 17th edition of CNN 10, we celebrate St. Patrick's Day and learn about the life of St. Patrick, the Irish patron saint, who wasn't Irish himself. Severe storms have devastated parts of the U.S., causing widespread destruction. The Herculaneum Scrolls, dating back to 79 AD, have been virtually unrolled using AI to uncover ancient philosophical writings. We also learn about a new asteroid mission by the European Space Agency and the discovery of over 800 new marine species, including a guitar-shaped shark. The episode concludes with a shoutout to Kenston High School in Ohio.

Takeaways

• 😀 St. Patrick's Day celebrates St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who was born in Roman Britain and became a missionary in Ireland.
• 😀 St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity, teaching the concept of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• 😀 Severe storms have swept across the Midwest and Southern U.S., with thousands affected by damaging winds, rain, and tornado outbreaks.
• 😀 More than 40 tornadoes hit eight states in the U.S., causing widespread destruction and power outages.
• 😀 The Herculaneum Scrolls, charred by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, are being deciphered using AI and particle accelerators.
• 😀 The AI-driven virtual unrolling of ancient scrolls is a breakthrough in understanding ancient Greek and Roman philosophy.
• 😀 Scientists hope to read a complete Herculaneum scroll for the first time, offering insights into philosophical texts from nearly 2,000 years ago.
• 😀 The main asteroid belt, where millions of asteroids orbit the Sun, lies between Mars and Jupiter.
• 😀 The European Space Agency’s Hera mission is gathering data to potentially defend Earth from asteroid collisions by studying the results of NASA's DART mission.
• 😀 Over 800 new species, including a guitar-shaped shark, have been discovered as part of the ongoing Ocean Census project, expanding knowledge of marine life.

Q & A

Why is St. Patrick's Day celebrated on March 17th?

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17th because it is believed to be the day of St. Patrick's death, who passed away in the mid-5th century.

Was St. Patrick Irish by birth?

No, St. Patrick was born in Roman Britain, not Ireland. He was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16.

What is the significance of the shamrock in relation to St. Patrick?

St. Patrick is said to have used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) while preaching in Ireland.

What are the primary consequences of the severe storms that hit the Midwest and Southern U.S. in March 2025?

The storms caused widespread destruction, including damaging winds, pounding rain, and tornado outbreaks. Several states were impacted, with thousands of people losing power, homes, and lives.

Which states were particularly affected by the severe weather in the U.S. in March 2025?

States like Alabama, Mississippi, and Missouri were particularly hit hard by tornadoes. Additionally, Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma saw dust storms and wildfires due to the severe winds.

What is the significance of the Vesuvius Challenge in 2023?

The Vesuvius Challenge was a competition that used artificial intelligence and light beam technology to decipher the ancient Herculaneum Scrolls, which were damaged by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

How do scientists use AI and particle accelerators to study the Herculaneum Scrolls?

Scientists use a particle accelerator to emit light 10 billion times brighter than the sun, which is then used as x-ray beams to scan the scrolls. AI helps identify the ink on the scrolls, making the text clearer for researchers.

What do the Herculaneum Scrolls contain, and why are they important?

The Herculaneum Scrolls contain valuable ancient texts, potentially offering insights into Greek and Roman philosophy. These texts have been preserved for nearly 2,000 years despite being damaged in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

What was the purpose of NASA's DART mission, and how does ESA's Hera mission complement it?

The DART mission aimed to intentionally crash a spacecraft into an asteroid to test asteroid deflection techniques. ESA's Hera mission will study the effects of the DART mission, helping scientists improve planetary defense techniques.

What major discovery was made in the ocean during the 2023 Ocean Census project?

The Ocean Census project discovered 866 new species, including a guitar-shaped shark, a venomous gastropod, and a deep-sea limpet. The guitar shark, found off Mozambique and Tanzania, was a particularly exciting find.

What is the historical significance of Kenston High School's mascot, the B-52 bombers?

Kenston High School's mascot, the B-52 bombers, was chosen due to the school's proximity to a major U.S. Army ammunition plant during World War II. The bombers that flew overhead during the war became symbolic of the school.