NOAA staff cuts could threaten monitoring of Great Lakes toxic algae
Deep staff reductions and potential funding cuts to NOAA's primary science center on the Great Lakes could increase the risk of human exposure to toxic algae, a perennial threat in the world's largest freshwater ecosystem, officials say.
Since February, NOAA has lost 16 staffers at the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Those employees — who were either fired probationary workers or longtime staffers who took retirement — included key members of a team responsible for collecting, analyzing and communicating risks from 'harmful algal blooms,' or HABs.
That's more than a third of the 48-employee lab best known by its acronym, GLERL.
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'This is a critical time,' said Gregory Dick, director of the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research, or CIGLR, a formal partnership between NOAA and 15 academic institutions and private-sector partners that is housed within GLERL. 'I would definitely say our HABs monitoring program is very much in jeopardy for this summer.'
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Washington Post
43 minutes ago
- Washington Post
A guide to sky-watching from summer to autumn
Now that we've marked the summer solstice, it's the shorter nights of the year for the Northern Hemisphere that usher in a variety of celestial delights for sky-watchers who don't mind staying up until the early morning hours. Between now and the autumnal equinox, we are treated to the ghostly beauty of the summer Milky Way, a spectacular conjunction of the two brightest planets in the sky and the annual display of the Perseids meteor shower. Astronomical summer begins with the summer solstice, which was officially marked on June 20 at 10:42 p.m. Eastern time. This moment marked the Sun's highest excursion into the Northern Hemisphere sky, and for residents in the northern half of the globe, it brings the shortest nights of the year. Here in Washington we experience 9 hours and 6 minutes between sunset and sunrise for a couple of days on either side of the 20th day. Due to the slightly elliptical shape of Earth's orbit around the sun, we have already experienced the year's earliest sunrise, but the latest sunset won't occur until June 27, when Old Sol slips below the horizon at 8:38 p.m. Eastern time. The summer solstice has been an important calendar marker for humans for thousands of years. Evidence of this is found in ancient monuments and sacred sites throughout the earliest recorded histories of early civilizations. Perhaps the most famous of these is Stonehenge in England, a site occupied and developed by neolithic people over the course of a thousand years. It began around 3100 B.C. as a simple circular trench cut into the chalk of the Salisbury plains, with a long trench pointing to the direction of midsummer sunrise. The stone structure that we now see was added over the next millennium, turning the site into a sophisticated astronomical computer to determine the equinoxes and solstices. From ancient Mesopotamia to the Desert Southwest of the United States and sites in Mesoamerica, the importance of observing the solstice and related phenomena was vital to the survival of our distant ancestors. There will be three full moons during this season. They will fall on July 10, Aug. 9 and Sept. 7. July's full moon is known as the buck moon since male deer and other related species begin to grow antlers for the fall mating season. It is also known as the thunder moon due to the typical weather of midsummer afternoons. August brings us the sturgeon moon, so named because of the great number of these large fish that are found in the Great Lakes at this time of the year. September's full moon is usually dubbed the harvest moon, but this year that title belongs to October's full moon, which occurs closest to the autumnal equinox. This year the full moon of September is the corn moon, a celebration of one of the most important crops in the annual harvest. The corn moon will offer residents of Europe, Africa and especially Asia a total lunar eclipse. Unfortunately this event won't be visible from any part of the United States, but we won't have to wait too long to see one from our shores — mark your calendars for the early morning hours of March 3, 2026. Summer begins with only one planet in the evening sky: Mars. The Red Planet is wending its way eastward among the stars of spring in the western sky. On the night of the solstice, Mars may be found just east of the bright star Regulus in the constellation of Leo, the lion. By mid-September it will be close to the bright blue star Spica in Virgo as evening twilight falls. Night owls will find Saturn rising in the east after midnight in late June. By mid-August, the ringed planet rises at the end of evening twilight and is the prominent yellow-hued glow below the 'great square' asterism of Pegasus. By the time of the equinox, Saturn will be an easy evening target for telescope owners. This is a particularly interesting time to view Saturn, as it underwent one of its own equinoxes back on May 6. This occurs twice in its 30-year trek around the sun, and when the sun crosses the plane of Saturn's rings, they effectively disappear. Through the telescope, the rings will appear as spikes on either side of the planet, gradually becoming thinner into the fall as Earth approaches their orbital plane. The two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter, remain in the morning sky throughout the season. Venus rises at around 3:30 p.m. Eastern time and is a bright beacon in the gathering morning twilight. Jupiter enters the morning sky in early August to join Venus, and on the morning of Aug. 12, the pair are less than one degree apart. A week later, Mercury will appear low in the east below the bright pair. The morning hours of Aug. 12 will put on quite a show. In addition to the conjunction of Venus and Jupiter, Saturn will be just to the east of the waning gibbous moon. The latter puts something of a damper on the annual Perseids meteor shower, but if you're on vacation at a dark site — like the beach or the mountains — take some time to see if you can spot some of the shower's brighter members. Many of the Perseids are like fireballs that can appear as bright as Jupiter or Venus. You might have to wait about 10 to 15 minutes to see one, but when you do it's quite a show. The summer sky has a number of bright stars that form easily recognizable patterns. The easiest of these to spot are the members of the summer triangle, consisting of Vega, Altair and Deneb. Each of these stars lead their own constellations, with the most distinctive being Cygnus, the Swan, where Deneb marks its 'tail.' The Swan's 'head' is marked by a gold-hued star that lies almost in the middle of the triangle. This is Albireo, perhaps the most beautiful double star in the sky. It can be resolved with almost any telescope, and the color contrast between its blue and yellow components is striking. You'll notice the luminous band of the summer Milky Way piercing the heart of the triangle on a moonless night from a dark location. Follow it to the south to locate the constellation of Scorpius with its distinctive red star Antares. A clear southern horizon will reveal the constellation's namesake shape. To the east of the Scorpion, look for the 'teapot' asterism of the constellation Sagittarius, the Archer. Use binoculars to pan northward from the teapot's 'spout' to reveal star clusters and glowing gaseous nebulae — this is my favorite place to spend those summer nights.
Gizmodo
an hour ago
- Gizmodo
How to Become a Backyard Naturalist With Just Your Smartphone
In the early days of summer, backyards come to life. Warmer temperatures transform spring buds into lush greenery, coax insects from their winter slumber, and invite newborn animals to explore their surroundings on wobbling legs or wings. With smartphones, documenting this emerging wildlife has never been easier. These days, all the tools you need to become a backyard naturalist fit right in the palm of your hand. And while June is an especially good time to start, you can use your phone to observe organisms, identify species, and record sightings any time of year, no matter your location. It's more than just a hobby—scientists can use your data to conduct important research, allowing you to make contributions as a citizen scientist. 'Twenty years ago, if a researcher wanted to understand an ecological pattern, the main way to do that was to go out and collect data,' said Corey Callaghan, a global change ecologist at the University of Florida. 'But now with this smartphone revolution over the last 20 years, the number of observations recorded by everyday people—whether they're really into birding or just interested in the animals in their backyard—has exponentially increased the amount of data available to use,' he said. How Birdwatching Got Me to Finally Log Off and Actually Go Outside Gillian Bowser, a wildlife ecologist at Colorado State University, also recalls a time when a lack of digital tools limited research in her field. 'The data now is so much more accessible because of the smartphone,' she said. These devices are particularly useful because they record the precise location of each sighting and allow users to easily upload data to open-source platforms, she said. Gizmodo turned to Bowser and Callaghan for expert advice on becoming a backyard naturalist. They shared their favorite apps, pro tips, and explained how researchers like them use the data you collect to support science. Numerous apps can help you document wildlife, but some are easier to use than others. For those who are just getting started as backyard naturalists, iNaturalist is 'a really good entry point,' Callaghan said. This free app is available for both iOS and Android. It allows you to record observations, identify species, and share your data with other naturalists all in one place. Unlike specialized apps such as eBird or Picture Insect, iNaturalist can document any kind of organism. Once you download it, all you have to do is set up an account with your email address. Now, you're ready to start snapping photos of plants, birds, pesky neighborhood squirrels, and even that weird-looking bug in your bathroom. You name it—the iNaturalist community can probably identify it. The app does this through crowdsourcing, which means users work together to identify species. This fosters collaboration among experts, novices, and everyone in between. For extra help identifying species, you can also download iNaturalist's free companion app, Seek. Also available for both iOS and Android, Seek uses artificial intelligence to analyze images and determine which species you observed. 'Simply point your phone—with Seek turned on—at whatever, and it'll identify it for you,' Bowser said. The app will also provide background information about the species, such as whether it's native to your area, she added. Both Bowser and Callaghan recommend getting comfortable with iNaturalist before you start playing around with less beginner-friendly apps like eBird, eButterfly, or iSpy. Building a knowledge base through iNaturalist will help you progress to more specialized apps, they said. Charge your phone, put on some sunscreen, and pull your socks up over your pants, because it's time to observe some wildlife. Don't worry, you don't have to go trekking into the wilderness. There are plenty of fascinating species to be found in your backyard, local park, or even your window box. iNaturalist and Seek work well anywhere, including dense urban jungles and indoor spaces. Rule number one: 'Don't be discouraged,' Callaghan said. When you're first starting out, it can be especially difficult to snap photos of small, fast-moving creatures like a field mouse or a dragonfly. 'Patience is one of my biggest tips,' he said. You may not be able to take a clear picture of a tiny bee buzzing by with your smartphone, but there's plenty of scientific value in documenting plants or larger, slower-moving animals, too. That said, there are things you can do to make sure that you're generating good data. To get as clear a photo as possible, make sure your shot is in-focus and well-lit. You can tap your finger on the screen to bring your subject into focus, use your backpack or your hand to shade it if the Sun is too bright, or use the flash to illuminate it—though this may scare off some animals. You'll also want to get as close as you can to your subject while still prioritizing safety. It's okay to get up close and personal with a daisy or an earthworm, but bears, tick-carrying deer, or nesting birds—not so much. When in doubt, stay farther away. If you can do so safely, try to photograph your subject from multiple angles to capture all of its features. Finally, add some field notes to your observation. Some examples include a specific description of where the sighting occurred, how a plant smells or feels, or the number of individuals you saw. The more information you provide, the easier it will be to identify the species. More details also give scientists more data points to use. This may sound challenging, but you don't have to go it alone. Callaghan recommends checking out events hosted by your local Audubon chapter, like nature walks. Bowser noted that iNaturalist also lets users join or organize group projects. This pools your observations with others under a common theme, helping you connect with users who share your interests or live in your area. If getting outside isn't possible for you, you can document the species living inside your home. There's even an iNaturalist project specifically for indoor observations called Never Home Alone: The Wild Life of Homes. There's great value in 'even just knowing what we share our everyday urban lives with,' Callaghan said. Bowser recommends iNaturalist 'because of its ability internally to get things to research.' When you upload an observation, it becomes data that scientists can use to answer questions like, 'Are butterflies declining in New York City?' she explained. By default, all images, audio recordings, and observation data you upload will be given a Creative Commons license that allows others to use your content for non-commercial purposes, as long as they credit you. It also lets iNaturalist export your data to research partners such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) so that scientists can access it. You can choose not to license some or all of your data, which means others will need your explicit permission to use it. To change the default licenses for your account, sign into the iNaturalist website and navigate to Account Settings, then Content & Display, and scroll down until you see Licensing. As ecologists, Bowser and Callaghan use citizen science data to understand biodiversity patterns in space and time. Anyone can collect data that helps scientists track and conserve species. You may even discover a new one. The iNaturalist Montana Moth Project, for example, has identified some 4,000 previously unknown species, according to Bowser. 'There are millions of species that are undefined,' she said. While conducting citizen science is incredibly valuable, Callaghan stresses that apps like iNaturalist are designed to be fun. 'Use them for what you want,' he said. 'Go out and learn about what we share our backyards with.'
Geek Girl Authority
an hour ago
- Geek Girl Authority
RESIDENT ALIEN Recap: (S04E03) Ties That Bind
Resident Alien Season 4 Episode 3, 'Ties That Bind,' sees Harry and D'arcy travel back in time to retrieve a special device. It's also McCallister's swan song — I assume. The outing wraps up McCallister's overarching narrative and gives her closure. It's a touching meditation on nurturing and healing your inner child. Beyond that, Kate remembers D'arcy being on the Greys' Moon base, Heather kills the Mantid (RIP) and Harry learns he has more kids. (Time to work more hours at the clinic.) It's a solid episode, although Mike's change of heart regarding aliens will take time to get used to. RELATED: Read our recap of the previous Resident Alien episode, 'The Lonely Man' Resident Alien, 'Ties That Bind' We open in a time long past, with an Indigenous woman telling her daughter about the Star People. The girl marvels at a painted handprint on the rock wall. Kayla (Sarah Podemski) provides narration. She reads to Daisy, Ben and Kate's baby, from a comic book titled Sky . The handprint from the rock wall in the past is emblazoned across the painting behind Kayla. Next, Dale (Linden Porco) returns to help Harry (Alan Tudyk) open a time travel portal. Well, he came at D'arcy's (Alice Wetterlund) behest, not Harry's. Dale carries a torch for the Red Menace. He's not moving as quickly as Harry would like. Our resident alien plans to travel back to the '70s to retrieve the alien tech that General McCallister (Linda Hamilton) found at the end of last week's episode. Harry hopes to trade it with the Greys for his alien energy. Asta's Appendage D'arcy wants to accompany Harry and Asta (Sara Tomko) on this time travel excursion, but Asta puts her foot down. That is, until Harry selects D'arcy to join him over Asta. D'arcy isn't afraid to die, and Harry can hide behind her if things get too scary. RELATED: TV Review: Resident Alien Season 4 Meanwhile, Sahar (Gracelyn Awad Rinke) presents her (presumably patent pending) Manticide Spray to the Alien Tracker Club. Max (Judah Prehn) arrives fashionably late. He isn't a fan of Sahar, who's technically the secretary, starting the meeting without him, the president. Oh, and she told the group about the Mantid. Max tries to rally the crew to take down the Mantid with him; however, they all like their heads. Better to keep them than allow the Mantid to munch on them for lunch. At the same time, Judy (Jenna Lamia) is being interviewed for a news segment after a headless man (courtesy of the Mantid) was discovered at her motel. D'arcy watches Judy while counting out change in The 59. Asta tries to persuade D'arcy not to go with Harry through the time travel portal. However, D'arcy's made up her mind. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Ties That Bind' Season 4 Episode 3 — Pictured: Alan Tudyk as Harry Vanderspeigle — (Photo by: James Dittiger/Bravo) Funeral Song Later, Harry and D'arcy arrive in the '70s. Unfortunately, they're dressed a little too period-accurate, so they change clothes. They find their way to the beach, where Harry retraces the night McCallister's father spotted the alien ship. He at least has an idea of where the alien tech landed. During all this, he serenades D'arcy with an homage to a fallen comrade. It's a series of squeals and screeches. Well, it's quite pretty if you know the language. RELATED: 10 Out-of-This-World Predictions for Resident Alien Season 4 While on the beach, our duo runs into McCallister, who's chatting with her father. Howard (Michael Adamthwaite). McCallister excuses herself, telling her dad, who doesn't know he's talking to his adult daughter from the future, that she's gonna catch up with her friends. Harry demands that McCallister give him the alien tech. She refuses, claiming it's for her father. She heads out for her shift at the Lobster Shack. Harry observes as she conceals the alien tech in her purse. Meanwhile, in the present, Kate (Meredith Garretson) informs Ben (Levi Fiehler) that she had her tracking chip — courtesy of the Greys — removed. Now that they know their daughter is on Earth, she's okay with relinquishing the chip. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Ties That Bind' Season 4 Episode 3 — Pictured: (l-r) Meredith Garretson as Kate Hawthorne, Levi Fiehler as Mayor Ben Hawthorne — (Photo by: James Dittiger/Bravo) I Believe in Aliens Ben insists they bring Liv (Elizabeth Bowen) into the fold. He knows she believes in aliens. Kate doesn't like this idea. After all, Liv will pass this on to Mike (Corey Reynolds), who unequivocally doesn't believe in aliens. Just kidding — he does! Mike shares his theory with Liv that Joseph is behind all the headless bodies. Liv is ecstatic. Her boss is finally Team Alien. Don't make a big deal out of it, though, deputy. RELATED: All Is Not Well in Patience in Resident Alien Season 4 Trailer Later, Kayla sits with Daisy while listening to Kate's voicemail. She notices how Daisy reacts to Kate's voice. Then, she shows the baby girl a photo of Kate. Daisy squeals with glee. Hmm. Kayla visits Asta at the clinic. She demands to know if Daisy is Ben and Kate's baby. After Kayla stares into Asta's soul, Asta discloses the truth — all of it. She cracks under the pressure. Tomko is so funny in this scene. Kayla's now up to date on all the alien weirdness. She even clocks Harry as an alien. To be fair, if anyone would be an extraterrestrial, it would be Harry Vanderspeigle. Kayla and Asta share a lovely family moment. It warms the cold cockles of my blackened heart. Lobsters and Diarrhea Next, in the '70s, Harry and D'arcy decide to eat at the Lobster Shack during McCallister's shift. D'arcy is taken aback by how inexpensive everything is. A lobster dinner for three bucks? Sign me up. D'arcy heads to the bathroom to pee out of her butt. However, this is merely a cover to search for the alien tech among McCallister's belongings. RELATED: New TV Shows This Week (June 15 – 21) McCallister sits with Harry. She explains that she wants to give the tech to her dad as proof that aliens are real. In one hour, government agents will speak with her father about what he saw. They'll denigrate his testimony and make him feel small. With the tech, this gives him enough ammo to prove he's telling the truth. Harry offers to kill the agents instead, but McCallister insists they'll simply send more. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Ties That Bind' Season 4 Episode 3 — Pictured: Linda Hamilton as General Eleanor McCallister — (Photo by: James Dittiger/Bravo) Then, McCallister leaves to help a customer. D'arcy returns to the table, revealing that the employees' bags are mostly full of cigarettes. The pair decides to check out McCallister's vehicle. D'arcy distracts Harry, though, so she can do it herself. You snooze, you lose. Shiny In the present, Lena (Nicola Correia-Damude) introduces Jules Gardner (Jewel Staite) to the group at the sheriff's office. Hey, we've got a mini Firefly reunion. Shiny. Here's hoping Staite shares a scene with Tudyk at some point. Jules attended school with Liv and Ben. Lena brought her into the fold because this headless bodies mystery is broaching serial killer territory. It's all hands on deck. RELATED: The Premise and How Star Trek Fans Created Fanfic as We Know It Meanwhile, at the comic book store, Sahar learns that Bridget is scared of cartoon vampires. Fair enough. Max watches them from afar, an idea brewing in his noggin. In the 1970s, an officer catches D'arcy trying to pry open McCallister's car. She flirts her way out of trouble, even laying on thick the vernacular of the time period for good measure. Oh, and her name is Meredith Grey. Did D'arcy just introduce Grey's Anatomy 35 years before its debut? Anyway, she finds Harry sitting in the driver's seat, the alien tech in hand. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Ties That Bind' Season 4 Episode 3 — Pictured: (l-r) Corey Reynolds as Sheriff Mike Thompson, Nicola Correia-Damude as Detective Lena Torres, Jewel Staite as Jules Gardner — (Photo by: James Dittiger/Bravo) Then, Sahar notices Bridget is missing from her bag. Uh-oh. Elsewhere, Mike hosts a defense class at the sheriff's office. Ben chats with Liv as the townsfolk demonstrate their physical prowess. He tries to subtly ask Liv about the investigation into Joseph. He inadvertently hints at aliens abducting Kate. Triggers Suddenly, Kate recalls a memory from her time on the Greys' Moon base. It triggers her. She starts punching the pad in Mike's hands. Realizing she's been triggered, Ben pulls her into an embrace. Kate tearfully tells Ben she's starting to remember. Liv observes this interaction from afar. RELATED: Read our SurrealEstate recaps Sahar tracks Asta down at the clinic, informing her that Max stole Bridget in a bid to take out the Mantid for good. They frantically head toward the woods. Meanwhile, Harry and D'arcy are about to enter the portal to return to their time. Harry realizes he's holding a rock, not the alien tech. McCallister tricked them. Speaking of, McCallister sits with her dad after his meeting with the agents. He's discouraged. She reassures him of her unwavering belief in him. In fact, she saw the ship, too. Then, McCallister shows her father the alien tech. He's incredulous. How is this related to the ship? He tries to explain it away as something more reasonable. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Ties That Bind' Season 4 Episode 3 — Pictured: (l-r) Corey Reynolds as Sheriff Mike Thompson, Elizabeth Bowen as Deputy Liv Baker — (Photo by: James Dittiger/Bravo) Take Care of Yourself Later, Mike witnesses the Mantid go to town on a poor deer in the woods while Liv squats behind a tree to urinate. After he leaves, Mike explains what he saw to Liv, who clocks the creature as a Mantid. She's envious. Why is everyone seeing aliens but her? RELATED: Revival : Check Out 9 First-Look Photos From Melanie Scrofano-Led Series Harry and D'arcy run into McCallister near her dad's lighthouse. She admits she failed. Now, her father's going to die regardless. She decides to stay in the 1970s because her younger self will need someone to take care of her. D'arcy advises McCallister to give her younger self the chance to step up to the plate. Perhaps little McCallister can make her father feel better. McCallister gives Harry the alien tech. Side note: Hamilton delivers a beautiful performance here. After D'arcy and Harry head back to the time travel portal, McCallister chats with her younger self, remarking that A Wrinkle in Time was her favorite book as a kid. Well, considering this book was released around 10ish years prior, I'm surprised little McCallister didn't question this. I Saw It, Too Anyway, McCallister tells her younger self that she, too, saw the alien ship. And she knows little McCallister bore witness to its passing as well. There are photos to prove it. She urges her baby self to reassure her father — tell him that she saw it all. That encouragement will help him immensely. Little McCallister corroborates her dad's story. They embrace. RELATED: Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: Asta Twelvetrees Later, in the present, the Mantid (voiced by Clancy Brown) picks up Max and threatens him. Thankfully, before our favorite alien tracker becomes headless, Heather (Edi Patterson), in her Blue Avian form, attacks the Mantid. Sahar and Asta stumble upon the scene, watching in disgust as Heather tears the Mantid to shreds. At the portal, D'arcy confronts Harry about something she learned from McCallister — that Harry knows the Greys will destroy his homeworld. That's what they'll do when he gives them the alien tech in exchange for his alien energy. And Harry seems perfectly fine with eradicating his race. He would be the only one left. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Ties That Bind' Season 4 Episode 3 — Pictured: Alice Wetterlund as D'Arcy Bloom — (Photo by: James Dittiger/Bravo) Forgiveness and Secret Kids So, with D'arcy watching, Harry tosses the alien tech into the ocean. He's going to find another way to retrieve what was taken from him. At the diner, McCallister's words ring in D'arcy's ears. McCallister is trying to heal her inner child and forgive her younger self for her mistakes. D'arcy could stand to forgive herself, too. Instead, D'arcy pours alcohol into her coffee and takes a sip. RELATED: Read our Resident Alien recaps Kate and Ben head into said diner. Kate experiences a flashback from the Greys' Moon base. She realizes D'arcy was there. Uh-oh. Kate storms out. Meanwhile, Harry tries to reckon with being human, which includes his lactose intolerance. Heather winds up on his doorstep with a host of babies in a basket. As it turns out, Harry is a daddy … again. Resident Alien drops new episodes every Friday at 11 pm ET on Syfy and USA Network. Syfy Renews THE ARK for Season 3 Contact: [email protected] What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events. Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet. Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium. Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
