Happy Friday, dear friends. I hope you are having a good day. Here are a few news links for your perusal.
NASA confirms that Jupiter’s largest moon has an ocean.
In the 1970’s there was much theoretical debate related to water being present on the moons of Jupiter. Hard data was hard to come by and was limited to a few probe flybys during that time period.
Now, NASA has some hard data from the Hubble Space Telescope. The scope collected 7 hours of visual data from Jupiter’s largest moon, Ganymede. They analyzed the oscillation of the aurora emanating from the moon’s thin, though oxygen-rich, atmosphere.
If water did not exist on the moon, the aurora would fluctuate as much as 7 degrees, but the aurora of Gandymede fluctuates only 2 degrees, indicating that salt water is indeed present in large quantities within the moon.
Researchers believe that this water is contained in a vast subterranean ocean about 100 miles below the surface. Space explorers and scientists plan to visit the planet via the JUICE probe program in 2020, and they happily state that everywhere they look in the galaxy, it seems they are coming up with water.
NASA confirms there’s an ocean on Jupiter’s moon Ganymede by Sean O’Kane for the Verge
Dutch students live rent free in nursing homes.
When my grandmother was approaching the end of her life, she lived in an assisted living center. Every week, my kids and I would visit her there, and after a while began visiting many of the other elderly residents. They adored having company and speaking to young people, and so we continued after my grandmother passed away until the nursing home changed hands.
Many care specialists in Europe fear elderly people are being shunted into “care-ghettos” where they are literally stock piled outside the realm of society as they wait to die. The rich and varied contributions these beings could make to society are completely eliminated, and this is such a shame.
In the Netherlands a successful program has been created where young people are accepted to live rent-free within retirement facilities, in exchange for 30 hours of service to the aged community. Some students give art classes or tutor with computer skills. Others simply visit the elderly for a chat or prepare meals.
I believe inter-generational interaction is key to creating healthy beings. Ageism is something that has recently been fostered, especially as older family members no longer live with extended family. Many older people can still make contributions that are valid, and the young can learn from their life experiences. I hope more programs like this will be created to foster friendship and communication across generations.
Dutch students choose to live in nursing homes rent-free on The Journal
And finally…
A man saves a starving pelican.
Many animals sometimes run afoul of human activity. We hear many stories of animals who are injured by fishing tackle, fuel spills or stray garbage. In this instance, a man who was visiting the sea side, saw a pelican who’s mouth was wired shut with fishing tackle.
With the encouragement of a group of onlookers, he and another man capture the weakened bird and gently remove the obstructions so it has a chance to live. My heart was overjoyed by this act of kindness to the animal kingdom.
Man Saves Starving Pelican With Wire Holding His Beak Shut on Daily Megabyte
That’s the news for today. Have a miraculous day. I hope to see you back here tomorrow for more news.
Be Well. Be Joy. Be Love!
Alex