Boeing Starliner Mission Quiz

The Boeing Starliner spacecraft will return to Earth uncrewed due to safety concerns.

The crew, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, will remain at the ISS until February 2025.

A spacecraft designed to transport astronauts to and from the ISS (International Space Station).

Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who were initially scheduled for a mission.

NASA chose an uncrewed return for the Starliner, prioritizing safety.

The Boeing Starliner test flight launched to the ISS on June 5, 2024.

The Starliner experienced helium leaks and thruster failures during its approach to the ISS.

NASA will return astronauts Wilmore and Williams to Earth on a SpaceX Dragon after September 24, 2024.

The SpaceX Crew-9 mission was delayed, moving from August 18, 2024, due to Starliner's docking demands.

Wilmore and Williams transitioned to full-time ISS crew members, participating in spacewalks, maintenance, and experiments.

Florida carpenter ants perform life-saving procedures on injured nestmates by removing diseased or injured body parts.

Chemicals that kill or prevent the growth of microbes (e.g., germs).

A type of ant known for teamwork in caring for their young, building nests, and seeking food, and notable for performing what appears to be surgery on their injured nestmates.

The upper leg bone.

The lower leg bone.

A 2,492-carat diamond discovered in the Karowe mine.

A 2,492-carat diamond now ranked second, behind the Cullinan.

A diamond mine in Botswana famous for producing large diamonds, including the newly found one.

The largest diamond ever discovered (3,106 carats) in South Africa in 1905.

Used to discover the 2,492-carat diamond in the Karowe mine.

Elephants use unique calls to identify and address each other, suggesting they assign individual names like humans do.

Unlike dolphins and parrots, who use imitative calls, elephants use a more human-like system for addressing individuals.

Researchers observed an elephant call being answered by only one individual, while others remained indifferent, hinting at specific addressing.

Dr. Poole noticed an elephant call being answered by a specific individual, leading her to question if elephants were using names.

The study suggests elephants may be the first non-human species with the ability to assign individual names to each other.

Herculaneum was a popular Roman city near Mount Vesuvius that was buried by volcanic ash for over 2000 years, only to be discovered in 1709.

Herculaneum offers accessible attractions like baths, an underground theater, and luxurious homes. The original beach was black sand, but authorities replaced it with dark-colored sand for wheelchair accessibility.

Excavations in the 18th and 19th centuries unearthed buildings, scrolls, and artifacts. Only a few human remains were found, leading archaeologists to believe residents escaped before the eruption.

Later excavations in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s uncovered over 300 skeletons, suggesting residents sought refuge during the eruption.

Excavations at Herculaneum continue to reveal new secrets about Roman life, like a stunning blue-walled shrine and a banquet room with vibrant paintings.

A collection of historic jewels and regalia used in British royal ceremonies. They include the Sovereign's Sceptre and the Imperial State Crown, which contain two of the largest Cullinan diamonds.

A ceremonial staff held by the British monarch during coronations. It contains the Cullinan I diamond, the largest of the nine main Cullinan diamonds.

The official crown of the British monarch, worn for special occasions like the State Opening of Parliament. It features the Cullinan II diamond, the second largest of the nine main Cullinan diamonds.

Diamonds are formed deep underground under intense pressure and heat. Over time, they are brought closer to the surface by volcanic eruptions. Most diamonds are over a billion years old.

An ancient Roman seaside resort buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.

A volcano located in Italy that famously erupted in AD 79, burying Pompeii and Herculaneum.

The excavated and restored beach of Herculaneum, allowing visitors to experience ancient Roman life.

The way visitors enter the restored beach of Herculaneum, creating a sense of time travel.

The sensation of being transported to ancient Rome by visiting the restored Herculaneum beach.

Low-frequency sounds made by elephants, which may be used for communication, including potentially naming individuals.

Using computer algorithms to analyze elephant rumbles and identify the receiving elephant based on sound patterns.

Evidence suggests elephants may use names, but not for every communication, demonstrated by their response to calls directed towards them.

A research project investigating elephant rumbles to explore the possibility of elephants using names for communication.

Elephants appear to react more strongly to calls directed towards their calves, suggesting a special bond and recognition.

The process by which ants treat injured nestmates, involving removing injured body parts or cleaning wounds.

Ants remove the injured femur (upper leg bone) from their injured nestmates, a process that takes at least 40 minutes and involves several ants. This amputation helps prevent infections.

Ants simply lick the injured tibia (lower leg bone) to clean it and remove bacteria.

The fluid that circulates through the bodies of insects, similar to human blood.

The femur has more muscle tissue than the tibia, which helps slow the flow of hemolymph and prevents bacteria from spreading quickly.

Ants can diagnose wounds, determine if they're infected, and choose the appropriate treatment (amputation or cleaning) based on the type of injury.

The level of complexity in ant surgery is equivalent to the human medical system, involving detailed analysis and specific treatments.

Scientists are further investigating if other ant species also perform similar surgeries to save their injured nestmates.