Japan’s Asteroid Rovers Sends Pictures Of The Asteroid Ryugu

The two rovers owned by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, part of the Hayabusa 2 mission, are surveying the surface of the asteroid Ryugu.

It sends amazing photographs and information back to earth for studies and deeper investigation.

Tiny Explorers

These 2 tiny machines are called A1 and 2B, and they are armed with powerful cameras that can capture extremely detailed images of the asteroid’s surface. Each weighs less than 3 pounds, barely 7 inches across.

Science Hopping

Inside the rovers are machines equipped with a spinning mass, allowing them to “hop” as they travel across the asteroid. This motion gives them better vantage points in sending pictures compared when merely taken from the ground, covering a wider view of the area.

Checking Measurements

Aside from being able to give better perspective of its surveyed area, as it hops its is able to record various temperatures of the asteroid- on the ground and from above the surface- giving scientists a better array of measurements.

This photograph shows parts or rover 1A- the pin and the antenna. The latter is vital to maintain its transmission back to base, while the pin protects solar cells, provides friction as the rover hops. The pin also has sensors to determine the temperature.

A Distance of 175 Million Miles

The Hayabusa is the first ever mission to take photographs of an asteroid’s surface through its rovers. This activity takes place in asteroid Ryugu, 175 million miles away from the earth, serving as an inspiration for researchers all over the planet for collecting troves of valuable new information, and to explore more on the subject.

The Wisdom Segment

I Thanks to advances in dating technology, scientists have discovered that a species of freshwater fish called the bigmouth buffalo can live for up to 112 years. This is amazing considering that scientists initially believed it to only live for 26 years. While its longevity is extraordinary in and of itself, this also means it exceeds the lifespan of any other freshwater fish by almost 40 years.

II Biologists had been speculating that the bigmouth buffalo, also known as the gourd head, had a longer life expectancy than had previously been recorded. Determined to prove their theory, they took a huge quantity of gourd heads to gather data. A percentage of the fish were measured, photographed, tagged, and then released back into the water. This allowed scientists to monitor their development over the years.

III Gourd head specimens had to be dissected in order for scientists to accurately determine their age. By taking small sections of their otoliths (the part of the fish body responsible for balancing), they were able to identify that some of the specimens were as old as 90. This was a significant finding as the oldest freshwater fish previously recorded was a freshwater drum that lived to 73.

IV The scientists found that most bigmouth buffalos are aged 80 to 90, which suggests lack of reproduction. The main reason for this is that river dams stop them from accessing spawning habitats. As such, the species collectively fail to receive cues from the environment telling them its time to spawn.

V Bigmouth buffalos are natives of America and Canada. They can reach 4.1 feet in length and can grow up to 79 pounds, making them the largest of the buffalo fish family. Despite their population being at risk, the harvest of bigmouth buffalos remains unmonitored. Scientists are hopeful that with this recent discovery, efforts will be made to help save them.

VI The bigmouth buffalo likes shallow waters and thrives in low-oxygen areas. However, living in the shallow water makes it susceptible to being captured via bow and arrow or spearfishing. Despite its countless small bones, people enjoy its flavor, so it has become a popular catch.