Latest news with #PacificOcean
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Summer solstice 2025 brings changing seasons to Earth on June 20
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Summer will officially arrive on Friday in what is known as the Summer Solstice. At 10:42 p.m. EDT on June 20 (0242 GMT on June 21), the sun will reach that point where it is farthest north of the celestial equator. To be more precise, when the solstice occurs the sun will appear to be shining directly overhead for a point on the Tropic of Cancer (latitude 23.5 degrees north) in the western Pacific Ocean, roughly 1,400 statute miles (890 km) to the south of Tokyo, Japan. From mid-northern latitudes, we can never see the sun directly overhead, but (as an example) as seen from Philadelphia at 1:02 p.m. EDT on the day of the summer solstice, the sun will attain its highest point in the sky for this entire year, standing 73 degrees above the southern horizon. To gauge how high that is, your clenched fist held at arm's length measures roughly 10 degrees, so from "The City of Brotherly Love," the sun will appear to climb more than "seven fists" above the southern horizon. And since the sun will appear to describe such a high arc across the sky, the duration of daylight will be at its most extreme, lasting exactly 15 hours. But this doesn't mean that we can stargaze for the 9 hours remaining because we also need to take twilight into consideration. Around the time of the June solstice at latitude 40 degrees north, morning and evening twilight each last just over 2 hours, so the sky is fully dark for only 5 hours. Farther north, twilight lasts even longer. At 45 degrees it lingers for 2.5 hours and at 50 degrees twilight persists through the entire night; the sky never gets completely dark. In contrast, heading south, the duration of twilight is shorter. At latitude 30 degrees it lasts 96 minutes while at the latitude of San Juan it only lingers for 80 minutes. Which is why travelers from the northern U.S. who visit the Caribbean at this time of year are so surprised at how quickly it gets dark after sunset compared to back home. Incidentally, the earliest sunrise and latest sunset do not coincide with the summer solstice. The former occurred on June 14, while the latter does not come until June 27. Most people are probably under the impression that the Earth is closest to the sun in its orbit at this time of year, but actually, it is just the opposite. In fact, on July 3, at 19:55 Universal Time or 3:55 p.m. Eastern daylight time, we'll be at that point in our orbit farthest from the sun (called aphelion); a distance of 94,502,939 miles (152,087,738 km). Conversely, it was back on Jan. 4 that Earth was at perihelion, its closest point to the sun. The difference in distance between these two extremes measures 3,096,946 miles (4,984,051 km) or 3.277 percent, which makes a difference in radiant heat received by the Earth of nearly 7 percent. Thus, for the Northern Hemisphere the difference tends to warm our winters and cool our summers. However, in reality, the preponderance of large landmasses in the Northern Hemisphere works the other way and overall tends to make our winters colder and summers hotter than those of the Southern Hemisphere. After the sun arrives at its solstice point, it will begin to migrate back toward the south and the amount of daylight in the Northern Hemisphere will begin to decrease. Consider this: after Friday, the length of daylight will not begin to increase again until three days before Christmas. But actually, if you think about it, the sun has been taking a high arc across the sky and the length of daylight has been rather substantial since about the middle of May. And the lowering of the sun's path in the sky and the diminishing of the daylight hours in the coming days and weeks will, at least initially, be rather subtle. Aug. 1 is marked on some Christian calendars as Lammas Day, whose name is derived from the Old English "loaf-mass," because it was once observed as a harvest festival and was traditionally considered to be the middle of the summer season. In actuality, however, summer's midpoint — that moment that comes exactly between the summer solstice and the autumnal equinox in 2024 — will not occur until Aug. 6 at 6:30 p.m. EDT. On that day, again, as seen from Philly, the sun will set at 8:08 p.m. with the loss of daylight since June 20 amounting to just 56 minutes. But it is in the second half of summer that the effects of the southward shift of the sun's direct rays start becoming much more noticeable. In fact, when autumn officially arrives on Sept. 22, the sun for Philadelphians will be setting a few minutes before seven in the evening (6:57 p.m.), while the length of daylight will have been reduced by nearly two hours (1 hour 55 minutes to be precise) since Aug. 6. RELATED STORIES: — The summer solstice: What is it and when does it occur? — Midnight sun: What it is and how to see it — 365 days of satellite images show Earth's seasons changing from space (video) When he occasionally played left field during his Hall of Fame career with the Yankees, Yogi Berra would say that he didn't mind the outfield, except that during August and September, as the shadows across the ballfield progressively lengthened, it made it increasingly difficult for him to see a baseball hit in his direction. Yogi might not have been able to explain the science of why the altitude of the sun lowered so perceptibly during the latter half of the summer, but — as only Yogi could do — he was able to sum it all up in a simple Yogism: "It's getting late early out there." Joe Rao serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium. He writes about astronomy for Natural History magazine, Sky and Telescope and other publications.
CTV News
a day ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Mexico braces for strong winds and rainfall from Hurricane Erick
Watch Residents in Mexico are being warned to stay indoors as Hurricane Erick makes landfall as a Category 3 storm.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Fish Suffer Up to 22 Minutes of Intense Pain When Taken Out of Water
Each year, a trillion or so fish are pulled from the water, typically destined for our plates. While it's hardly a pleasurable outcome for the animal, a new study has just put a sobering number on their suffering. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) hail originally from the Pacific Ocean's cold water tributaries, but are now a popular food fish worldwide, farmed in every continent except Antarctica. Most of the time they are killed by asphyxiation, either in open air or ice water. While this is a cost-effective way to kill fish en-mass, an international team of biologists, led by Cynthia Schuck-Paim from the Welfare Footprint Institute, has found that each fish can experience up to 22 minutes of intense pain with this method. Animal suffering is a difficult thing to quantify, but scientists have recently developed a standardized framework that factors in the intensity of negative states like stress or pain and the length of time they're experienced. It's called the Welfare Footprint Framework, or WFF. The hope is that it will allow people who work with animals – biologists, veterinarians, zookeepers, farmers, etc – to compare and improve animal welfare standards. "Societal concern about the impacts of production practices on animal welfare is rising, as evidenced by consumer-driven movements, labelling efforts, accreditation schemes, policies and legislation that prioritize animal welfare," the study's authors write. "Our findings provide the first quantitative estimates of pain during fish slaughter, demonstrating the potential scale of welfare improvements achievable through effective stunning methods." Sifting through stacks of published scientific papers, the team created a detailed picture of the experience of a fish out of water. Just five seconds of air exposure triggers a neurochemical response we might associate with negative emotions in ourselves. Behaviors such as vigorous twisting and turning further demonstrate an intense aversion reaction. Without water, the delicate gill structures that exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide stick together, causing CO2 from respiration to accumulate. These rising levels trigger nociception – the body's alarm system – which causes the fish to gasp. Eventually the elevated CO2 levels acidify the animal's blood and cerebrospinal fluid, ultimately resulting in unconsciousness. Depending on the size of the fish, and the conditions in which it is slaughtered, these distressing experiences can last anywhere between 2 and 25 minutes. "When standardized by production output, this corresponds to an average of 24 minutes per kilogram, with over one hour of moderate to extreme pain per kilogram in some cases," the authors note. They estimate that electrical stunning, which has been proposed as a humane alternative for killing fish, could save up to 20 hours of moderate to extreme pain per US dollar of capital expenditure. But brain scans have found the effectiveness of electrical stunning can vary widely: ideally, the animal should be rendered immediately and wholly unconscious until death. With current stunning methods, this isn't always the case. "The welfare impact and effectiveness of any stunning method also depends critically on the entire harvest process, being affected by cumulative pre-slaughter stressors," Schuck-Paim and colleagues write. "The WFF can also be used for assessing the welfare impacts of these processes and identifying priority areas for effective intervention." While it's difficult for many of us to confront the cost of our human activities from an animal's perspective, this comparable measure of animal experience offers a clear picture of where improvements can be made for the welfare of our food stocks. By quantifying the pain associated with this most common fish slaughter method, we may find better ways to care for the billions of animals that feed us each year. The research is published in Scientific Reports. Tiny Moth Seen Navigating by The Stars in Scientific First First Signs of a 'Ghost' Plume Reshaping Earth Detected Beneath Oman Great White Sharks Were Scared From Their Habitat by Just 2 Predators
Condé Nast Traveler
2 days ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
How to Throw a Perfect Bachelorette Party in Cabo
At the southernmost tip of Baja California Sur is Los Cabos, one of the most legendary beach destinations in Mexico—and maybe even the world. Though just a nonstop flight away from major US cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, and even New York, Los Cabos feels like a world away. Comprised of two main towns, the party-heavy Cabo San Lucas and the more refined San José del Cabo, its vast desert landscape is framed by the towering Sierra de la Laguna mountain range and studded with massive cacti and palms that lead to rolling dunes lining the Pacific Ocean. While the area has long been an oasis for adventure travelers seeking outdoor thrills (like ATV tours, water sports, and parasailing), the area is equally as beloved as a reveler's paradise. For all of these reasons combined, there's possibly no better destination for a bachelorette party, as Los Cabos offers a rare blend of barefoot luxury and after-dark excess. Here, bachelorette festivities can begin with poolside green juice at luxury hotels like One&Only Palmilla or The Cape, a Thompson Hotel, and end with mezcal cocktails and dancing beneath the stars at desert nightlife venues like Crania. Getty Images Whether your crew is craving pure relaxation or a dance-until-you-forget-your-name kind of weekend (or both—we don't judge!), this corner of Baja delivers. And if you're looking to scope out everything from the best design-forward hotels and day spas with cold plunge rituals to private yacht rentals that'll take you whale watching near the iconic Los Arcos rock formations, welcome. This is your definitive guide to planning a bachelorette in Cabo that's anything but cliché. FAQ: How should my group plan to get around in Cabo? AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron The most convenient option for bachelorette groups is to book private transportation or a ride-sharing service. Most hotels can arrange private cars for groups, and numerous car rental companies and ride-sharing services, such as Uber, are readily available. How many days should I stay in Cabo for a bachelorette trip? AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron A four-day trip is ideal for most bachelorette groups, providing enough time to enjoy beach activities, nightlife, and relaxation without feeling rushed. This length also keeps costs manageable while allowing for a mix of planned activities and spontaneous fun. What is the best time of year to go to Cabo for a bachelorette trip? AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron November through April is typically the best time of year to visit Cabo. This is when you'll find the best weather conditions, with warm, dry days and brisk nights—perfect for groups who want to enjoy the beach and nightlife. I'd also try to avoid hurricane season from June through October, and spring break crowds from March through April. Courtesy Pujol Where to eat Cabo has cemented itself as one of Mexico's most dynamic culinary destinations—and for good reason. The restaurants here are as aesthetically pleasing as they are inventive with dishes. Each outpost is designed to immerse you fully, whether you're sipping cocktails in a palm grove or hand-pressing tortillas on a farm. I recommend beginning at Flora Farms, an open-air restaurant set on 25 lush acres of sprawling desert. The grounds include a working organic farm with a restaurant at its heart, where mango trees frame your table, live music is always drifting through the air, and dishes are plated with herbs freshly snipped from the garden. Brunch here is practically a rite of passage. Nearby is Tamarindos, an outdoor restaurant set within a historic estate outside San José del Cabo. Here, you can harvest ingredients from the fields, then head into an open-air kitchen to learn how to prepare Baja specialties like spicy chile rellenos, citrusy ceviche, and handmade tortillas. For the top fine dining in the area, head to Manta. The flagship restaurant of The Cape, a Thompson Hotel, is helmed by Enrique Olvera, the chef behind Mexico City's top restaurant, Pujol. With stunning sunset views of Los Arcos, you can enjoy a menu that blends Japanese precision with bold Mexican flavors, with dishes including smoked kampachi sashimi and miso-glazed black cod. To recover after a night of imbibing, head to Pez Gallo, a minimalist café in San José's art district where the coffee is strong and the vibe is easy, or post up at Lab Coffee for rooftop cold brew and avocado toast with a Baja twist. And if you happen to sleep through breakfast, grab tacos at La Lupita. They're by far the best in the area. Where to stay In Cabo, where you stay shapes the entire rhythm of your trip. While Airbnbs and private villas (like this seaside respite in San José del Cabo or this luxurious home in Cabo San Lucas) are a popular option for those looking for privacy, full kitchens, and plenty of space, several boutique hotels are also worth looking into for their elevated services and amenities. For an immersive getaway within a lush desert environment, Acre, with its treehouse-style villas, is the perfect respite if your ideal stay includes nesting within a 25-acre palm oasis just outside San José del Cabo. Each stilted suite is crafted from reclaimed wood and surrounded by jungle, blending rustic charm with modern comforts. With a convivial outdoor pool, an award-winning restaurant, and an on-site cocktail bar, you never have to leave the property—but if you do, you'll want to return by sunset for margaritas and live music. Courtesy The Cape/Photo by Thomas Hart Shelby If ocean views and sophisticated suites are what you're after, The Cape, a Thompson Hotel, hits the mark. Every room faces the sea, and some come replete with private terraces and outdoor soaking tubs. The hotel's rooftop offers fabulous pre-dinner cocktails, best enjoyed before a meal at Manta by Chef Enrique Olvera. For peak luxury, One&Only Palmilla offers an exceptional resort experience, with butler service and whitewashed casitas that open to a private beach cove. The hotel spa, one of the largest in Baja Sur, is also well-suited for bachelorettes, hosting typical wellness classes like yoga and Pilates, as well as a curated list of treatments inspired by the ancient healing rituals of Mexico. For groups who want to be in the heart of the action in downtown San José del Cabo, a stay at Drift San José delivers with minimalist design. It's located steps from the area's top galleries, bars, and restaurants, and even has a central courtyard and pool that turns into a relaxing lounge space by evening. Gypsy Soul House Courtesy Gypsy Soul House Where to play There's no better way to explore Los Cabos than by boat. Most private charters leave from the Los Cabos Marina and come equipped with a crew who serve snacks and drinks while you navigate towards the iconic Los Arcos rock formation. Whale watching is almost guaranteed along the way, as is a stop to swim at Lover's Beach, an ideal spot for a champagne toast. Back on land, a cooking class at Tamarindos is ideal for large groups and will allow you to get acquainted with local ingredients. Guided by their team of chefs, you can pick your own herbs and vegetables to make regional dishes like stuffed corn tamales and fish tacos topped with a variety of homemade salsas.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Key to toxic rift between Beckham and Peltz camps finally REVEALED – and why David & Victoria fear Brooklyn is ‘trapped'
THE Bank of Mum and Dad is a bone of contention for many a Boomer and Generation X-er – just ask David and Victoria Beckham. After months of heartbreaking animosity between Brooklyn and his parents, money — I'm told — has long caused a fractious divide between his own family and his bride's. 10 10 News of Posh and Becks' eldest son 'buying' a £11million Hollywood mansion with wife Nicola Peltz has brought tensions simmering, once again, to the surface. Because I can reveal that Brooklyn does not entirely own the swanky five-bed, six-bathroom pad overlooking the magnificent Pacific Ocean. Largely Nicola — the daughter of a billionaire — does. According to concerned friends of David and Victoria, this leaves Brooklyn 'trapped', as does a forensic pre-nup which, again, was drawn up to secure the Peltz family 's enormous wealth — a fortune that relatively dwarves the Beckhams'. But, as ever in this ongoing row, there are counter-arguments from both sides. Incredibly, the Peltzes accuse the Beckhams of being 'tight' and not amply providing for their beloved son. A source tells me: 'Money, so the saying goes, is the root of all evil. 'Certainly, in the case of the Beckhams vs Peltzes, it's proven... tricksy. David and Victoria are two working-class kids done good. 'They have grafted hard for their money and understand that with privilege comes responsibility. 'On principle, they will not needlessly spoil their kids and have taught them the value of both industry and money. They're like Gordon and Tana Ramsay in that regard. 'Honourable intentions' 'So, when it came to buying this house, of course they weren't just going to hand their son millions of pounds — what sort of message does that send? Brooklyn Beckham's family rift deepens as he turns back on UK by splashing out £11m on LA mansion with wife Nicola Peltz ' Nelson Peltz, on the other hand, is a billionaire investor and he and his wife Claudia regard Nicola, their little girl, as the apple of their eye. 'Understandably, they want to indulge her and ensure she never struggles — they expected the Beckhams, worth half a billion themselves, might match them penny for penny. Or, at least, chip in with financials as and when. 'That hasn't always happened, so they are annoyed and telling people it's a bit tight, which would utterly enrage David and Vic if they knew. 'They claim the Beckhams effectively cut off their kids financially when they turn 18.' Such an accusation would doubtless enrage Team DVB. Indeed, it does. It is, I am told, 'nonsense'. A friend hits back: 'To be crystal clear, David and Victoria will always support Brooklyn if and when he needs it. "When he was setting up on his own, they would regularly help him out — as parents do — but they won't spoil him. They still help all their grown-up kids.' Brooklyn and Nicola's new home was largely paid for using her trust fund money — but, as the 'settlor', or creator, of the fund. Nelson had to sign off the release of any money. Pals insist both Brooklyn and Nicola also put in their work savings, and have 'been saving for years'. It is not known how much they contributed themselves Nicola's camp, meanwhile, insists this house has 'nothing to do with family dynamics'. And they say that for Brooklyn — who spent much of his childhood in California while his dad David played for LA Galaxy — 'LA has always felt like home'. However, another source says the new pad was actually the couple's second house purchase. Nelson was adamant first time around that the young couple must 'both only buy a house they can afford'. They ended up selling the initial property. So this, then, is their first proper home together and will doubtless be a place they hope to one day raise a family. Although, not for now, according to one of Nicola's pals, who says she recently started work on a new film and is currently on location shooting. That movie, I'm told, co-stars little- known English socialite Jazzy de Lisser, and has a £1.2million budget. It is described as 'art house' and 'lets Nicola show off her acting mettle.' Sadly, the positive PR surrounding Nicola's last film, 2024's Lola, seems a world away. The glitzy red carpet premiere in Los Angeles was attended by Victoria, as well as Brooklyn's brothers, Romeo and Cruz. (David was away working at the time and Harper was at school). Today, ex- Spice Girl VB would sooner get on stage to belt out Wannabe a cappella than support one of Nicola's projects. The new purchase for the Peltz-Beckhams (the throughly modern couple sweetly wanted to take each other's surnames) comes three years after their lavish £3.5million wedding. The ceremony was held within the grounds of the Peltzes' stunning Floridian family estate. They are understood to have largely paid for the event — as is custom. The Beckhams, however, offered the services of pal Marc Anthony as a superstar wedding singer, and bought the couple a vintage Jaguar as a gift. In the weeks leading up to the divisive nuptials — more on these later — Brooklyn, 26, reportedly signed the 'mother of all pre-nups '. Not surprisingly, canny Nelson — with whom Brooklyn is extremely close — ensured that, in the unlikely case of divorce, his family assets would be protected. 'Pre-nups are standard practice Stateside,' says someone familiar with the Peltz-Beckham contract. 'Especially if you're a billionaire. 'To be honest, the Beckhams were very relaxed about it all. To be frank, it was entirely unexpected — and very welcome — for Brooklyn to have met someone who comes from more wealth than him. It was entirely unexpected — and very welcome — for Brooklyn to have met someone who comes from more wealth than him 'They felt Nicola's intentions were entirely honourable, and the paperwork effectively made sure that what both parties put into the marriage, they would take back out. 'It wasn't a problematic moment.' While not 'problematic', it does mean Brooklyn must keep earning. A kept man, he is not. 10 10 'Brooklyn's influencer work is lucrative, and he has his Cloud 23 (hot sauce brand), which is beginning to do pretty well,' says a pal. 'He certainly contributes a lot financially to the marriage and, of course, Nicola is savvy and keen to make them a brand in their own right as a couple. "You'll notice all their recent red carpet appearances have been together, and they very much seem to come as a pair at the moment.' Case in point, their recent Glamour Germany front cover, a special 'Love Rules' edition for the digital mag. The highly tactile pair gave a touching interview, talking about their early days of courting. Came to a head Brooklyn said of his wife: 'You should marry your best friend. Someone who feels like home. For me, that's Nicola.' He also revealed his 'strict' parents banned him from getting a tattoo until the day he turned 18, while Nicola, 30, who is Jewish, said her first inking read 'family first' in Yiddish. Brooklyn's first tattoo, of course, was a tribute to his once-beloved dad. How sad, then, to see things turn out this way. In the same interview, the couple recalled their emotional wedding day — a day that has since proffered, as the late Queen might have said, 'very differing recollections'. In fact, it was recently claimed that Nicola cried on her wedding day after Victoria 'hijacked' the first dance. The Beckhams have furiously denied this, livid at the suggestion Victoria would deliberately upset her daughter-in-law. There is, though, a wedding video of the entire day which, I'm told, Nicola and Brooklyn have in their possession. They could, then, clear up any mistruths once and for all, if and when they want to. To recap, Brooklyn has not spoken meaningfully to his parents in seven months. Tensions came to a head last month when Brooklyn failed to attend former England star David's 50th birthday celebrations, despite him being in the UK that week. His friends claim he tried to meet his dad for a private coffee, but was rebuffed. The pair's last communication is understood to have been a 'happy birthday' text. While pals blame the fallout on younger brother Romeo's romance with DJ Kim Turnbull — which she has denied — the Beckhams point the finger of blame solely at Nicola. In truth, there has never been much love lost there — bar a brief detente around 18 months ago — and they accuse her of driving a wedge between Brooklyn and his once-inseparable family. At the same time, Brooklyn has developed a deep bond with the actress's own family — regularly praising them on Instagram and spending 'happy' time with them at their home. However, David's pals believe Father's Day on Sunday may have 'offered up some hope' — because Brooklyn did not use the occasion to praise his father-in-law. 'That would have been an utterly devastating kick in the teeth,' I'm told. OK, he didn't post a tribute to David, but he also didn't do one for Nelson. It's a tiny, silly thing, really — but everyone is hopeful it's an olive branch of sorts. 'It's all very messy but, at the end of the day, these are two loving families, albeit with very different views and core beliefs, who just want the best for their kids. 'There is no right or wrong, and it's heartbreaking for everyone involved. 'Ultimately, all anyone wants is for Brooklyn and Nicola to be happy, and for some sort of wider truce. It just takes someone to make the first move.'
