Podcast
Questions and Answers
Donald Trump will be the ______ president of the United States.
Donald Trump will be the ______ president of the United States.
47th
As of November 6, 2024, Trump had secured ______ electoral votes.
As of November 6, 2024, Trump had secured ______ electoral votes.
292
Trump's opponent in the election was Vice President ______ Harris.
Trump's opponent in the election was Vice President ______ Harris.
Kamala
At 78 years old, Trump is the ______ person ever elected US president.
At 78 years old, Trump is the ______ person ever elected US president.
Signup and view all the answers
Trump is only the second person to win the presidency for two ______ terms.
Trump is only the second person to win the presidency for two ______ terms.
Signup and view all the answers
JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, will be the country’s first ______ vice president.
JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, will be the country’s first ______ vice president.
Signup and view all the answers
The Republican Party also secured a majority of seats in the ______.
The Republican Party also secured a majority of seats in the ______.
Signup and view all the answers
In his victory speech, Trump vowed to deliver a strong, safe, and ______ America.
In his victory speech, Trump vowed to deliver a strong, safe, and ______ America.
Signup and view all the answers
The 5,200-year-old stone structure is designed to receive a beam of light into its central chamber at ______ during the five days surrounding the winter solstice.
The 5,200-year-old stone structure is designed to receive a beam of light into its central chamber at ______ during the five days surrounding the winter solstice.
Signup and view all the answers
The light illuminates the intricate carvings inside the structure for about ______ minutes.
The light illuminates the intricate carvings inside the structure for about ______ minutes.
Signup and view all the answers
Dawn admission to the chamber from December 19th to 23rd each year is limited to a few dozen people selected by ______.
Dawn admission to the chamber from December 19th to 23rd each year is limited to a few dozen people selected by ______.
Signup and view all the answers
In San Francisco, California, residents celebrate the occasion with a ______ on Ocean Beach.
In San Francisco, California, residents celebrate the occasion with a ______ on Ocean Beach.
Signup and view all the answers
Those in Anchorage, Alaska, enjoy over-18-hour-long ______ with fun activities.
Those in Anchorage, Alaska, enjoy over-18-hour-long ______ with fun activities.
Signup and view all the answers
Wooden satellites leave behind only ______ and carbon dioxide.
Wooden satellites leave behind only ______ and carbon dioxide.
Signup and view all the answers
Aftershock II reached an altitude of ______ feet during its record-breaking flight.
Aftershock II reached an altitude of ______ feet during its record-breaking flight.
Signup and view all the answers
The Kármán line, marking the edge of space, is located at ______ feet above Earth's surface.
The Kármán line, marking the edge of space, is located at ______ feet above Earth's surface.
Signup and view all the answers
Researchers are considering growing trees on the ______ and Mars.
Researchers are considering growing trees on the ______ and Mars.
Signup and view all the answers
RPL's Aftershock II broke the sound barrier within ______ seconds of launch.
RPL's Aftershock II broke the sound barrier within ______ seconds of launch.
Signup and view all the answers
The winter solstice marks the ______ day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The winter solstice marks the ______ day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
Signup and view all the answers
The Southern Hemisphere enjoys the longest day and shortest ______ during the winter solstice.
The Southern Hemisphere enjoys the longest day and shortest ______ during the winter solstice.
Signup and view all the answers
LignoSat is designed to gather valuable data before burning up in the ______.
LignoSat is designed to gather valuable data before burning up in the ______.
Signup and view all the answers
Student-designed computer systems allowed real-time tracking of the rocket's ______.
Student-designed computer systems allowed real-time tracking of the rocket's ______.
Signup and view all the answers
Drones have come a long way since the first model that barely lifted two feet off the ground was unveiled in ______.
Drones have come a long way since the first model that barely lifted two feet off the ground was unveiled in ______.
Signup and view all the answers
The drone developed by Professor Emad Ebeid enables drones to recharge their batteries directly from overhead ______.
The drone developed by Professor Emad Ebeid enables drones to recharge their batteries directly from overhead ______.
Signup and view all the answers
Stonehenge is believed to have been built specifically for ______ ceremonies.
Stonehenge is believed to have been built specifically for ______ ceremonies.
Signup and view all the answers
In tests, a 9.5-pound version of the drone successfully recharged itself ______ times.
In tests, a 9.5-pound version of the drone successfully recharged itself ______ times.
Signup and view all the answers
The Chew Valley Hoard is a collection of 2,584 silver coins dating back to the ______ century.
The Chew Valley Hoard is a collection of 2,584 silver coins dating back to the ______ century.
Signup and view all the answers
The South West Heritage Trust purchased the coins for $______ million, making it Britain’s most valuable treasure find.
The South West Heritage Trust purchased the coins for $______ million, making it Britain’s most valuable treasure find.
Signup and view all the answers
Half of the coins feature King Harold's image, while the other half feature ______ I.
Half of the coins feature King Harold's image, while the other half feature ______ I.
Signup and view all the answers
LignoSat, the world’s first wooden satellite, reached the International Space Station aboard a ______ cargo capsule.
LignoSat, the world’s first wooden satellite, reached the International Space Station aboard a ______ cargo capsule.
Signup and view all the answers
The main reason for testing a wooden satellite is to reduce ______.
The main reason for testing a wooden satellite is to reduce ______.
Signup and view all the answers
The wooden satellite's mission is to determine if wood can withstand the harsh conditions of ______.
The wooden satellite's mission is to determine if wood can withstand the harsh conditions of ______.
Signup and view all the answers
After analyzing the results, the team picked wood from ______ trees for the satellite.
After analyzing the results, the team picked wood from ______ trees for the satellite.
Signup and view all the answers
NASA’s latest mission takes the search for life to Jupiter’s fourth largest moon, __________.
NASA’s latest mission takes the search for life to Jupiter’s fourth largest moon, __________.
Signup and view all the answers
The Europa Clipper launched from the Kennedy Space Center in __________.
The Europa Clipper launched from the Kennedy Space Center in __________.
Signup and view all the answers
The spacecraft is the largest-ever built for a __________ mission.
The spacecraft is the largest-ever built for a __________ mission.
Signup and view all the answers
Europa is believed to contain twice as much __________ as Earth’s oceans.
Europa is believed to contain twice as much __________ as Earth’s oceans.
Signup and view all the answers
The goal of the Europa Clipper mission is to determine if there are areas below the icy moon's surface that could support __________.
The goal of the Europa Clipper mission is to determine if there are areas below the icy moon's surface that could support __________.
Signup and view all the answers
If all goes as planned, Europa Clipper will enter Jupiter’s orbit in __________.
If all goes as planned, Europa Clipper will enter Jupiter’s orbit in __________.
Signup and view all the answers
On November 15, 2024, the Moon will be about 224,853 miles from __________.
On November 15, 2024, the Moon will be about 224,853 miles from __________.
Signup and view all the answers
The November full moon is often called the __________ Moon.
The November full moon is often called the __________ Moon.
Signup and view all the answers
The farthest point in the Moon's elliptical orbit is known as __________.
The farthest point in the Moon's elliptical orbit is known as __________.
Signup and view all the answers
Supermoons can be as much as 14 percent larger and __________ percent brighter than the average full moon.
Supermoons can be as much as 14 percent larger and __________ percent brighter than the average full moon.
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Donald Trump's Return to the Presidency
- Trump was reelected on November 5, 2024, securing 292 electoral votes (need 270 to win).
- Trump is projected to win the popular vote with nearly 72 million votes compared to his opponent's approximately 67 million.
- This would make him the first Republican candidate since President George W. Bush to win both electoral and popular votes.
- Trump, at 78, is the oldest person ever elected US president.
- He is also the second person to win the presidency in two non-consecutive terms.
- Trump's running mate, JD Vance (40), is set to be the first millennial vice president.
- The Republican Party secured a majority in the Senate.
- The House of Representative's outcome is uncertain but leaning towards them winning.
NASA's Europa Clipper Mission
- The Europa Clipper spacecraft launched on October 14, 2024, to Jupiter's moon Europa.
- The spacecraft successfully entered orbit an hour and 10 minutes after launch.
- The spacecraft deployed its solar arrays to power it.
- Europa is a potential location for alien life because of liquid water, energy, and essential elements.
- Scientists believe Europa has a large saltwater ocean beneath its icy surface, potentially twice the volume of Earth's oceans.
- Jupiter's gravity creates heat, keeping the ocean liquid.
- Europa's surface may contain essential elements for life like carbon, nitrogen, oxygen.
- The journey to Europa is 1.8 billion miles (2.8 billion km).
- The spacecraft will orbit Jupiter, and conduct 49 close flybys of Europa (getting as close as 16 miles to the surface) over three years.
- The mission aims to assess if areas below Europa's surface could support life.
- The mission will end with the spacecraft deliberately crashing into Ganymede (Jupiter's largest moon) after completion of operations.
November 15 Supermoon
- The November 15, 2024 supermoon is the last of 2024's consecutive supermoons.
- Supermoons are larger and brighter than average full moons due to the lunar perigee (Moon's closest point to Earth).
- The November 2024 supermoon will be about 224,853 miles from Earth, slightly further than the record-close supermoon of 2016.
- The moon's orbit is elliptical, with the farthest point being apogee, closer point is perigee.
- The November supermoon is often called the Beaver Moon, tied to North American fur trapping traditions.
- Alternative names include the Frost Moon, Freezing Moon, Digging Moon.
- Scientists dismiss the idea that supermoons cause earthquakes or tidal waves.
Drone Recharging Technology
- A team at the University of Southern Denmark developed a drone that recharges itself from power lines.
- Drones are equipped with radar, sensors, and cameras to locate and connect to overhead power lines.
- The drones use a gripper to connect to the line and a magnetic circuit to draw power.
- A working prototype drone powered itself five times and remained airborne for over two hours during testing.
- The technology has potential for power line inspections and maintenance.
Ancient Silver Coins Discovery
- Metal detectorists discovered a hoard of over 2,584 silver pennies in Chew Valley, Somerset, England.
- The coins date back to the 11th century (1066-1068).
- These coins are valued at $5.5 million.
- The British Museum estimate is about 500 sheep or the annual income from a large estate.
- The coins were likely buried due to unrest after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
- The coins depict either King Harold II or William I.
- The hoard will be touring museums before permanent display at a South West Museum of Somerset.
Wooden Satellite Launch
- LignoSat, the world's first wooden satellite, reached Earth orbit on November 5, 2024.
- LignoSat is a collaboration between Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry.
- The satellite is composed primarily of Magnolia wood and will orbit Earth for six months.
- The wooden satellite is designed to test the suitability of wood for harsh space conditions reducing space junk.
- The method used to reduce space junk is due to the byproduct of burning up wood, consisting of water and carbon dioxide, as opposed to burning aluminum which results in aluminum oxide particles that float in the upper atmosphere.
Student-Built Rocket Record
- Aftershock II, a rocket built by USC students, broke a 20-year-old amateur space altitude record.
- The rocket reached an altitude of 470,000 feet (143.3 kilometers).
- The previous record was 380,000 feet (115.8 kilometers) set by GoFast in 2004.
- Aftershock II reached a maximum speed of 3,600 mph (5,800 km/h).
- Student advancements in design like titanium-coated fins, heat-resistant paint, and computer systems enabled real-time tracking and results.
Winter Solstice
- The winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere occurs on December 21, 2024.
- It represents the shortest day and longest night of the year.
- The Northern Hemisphere tilts farthest from the Sun, receiving less sunlight.
- The Southern Hemisphere experiences its summer solstice.
- The winter solstice holds significant meaning for ancient cultures, marked by elaborate rituals.
- Stonehenge and Newgrange in Ireland are sites associated with solstice ceremonies.
- Modern solstice celebrations include bonfires and other activities.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the significant events surrounding Donald Trump's return to the presidency and NASA's Europa Clipper mission. Discover how Trump's historic re-election and the launch of the Europa Clipper spacecraft have shaped political and scientific landscapes in 2024.
