Topic: Atacama

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Top 6 most triumphant stories of 2010

Most 2010 lists of major news will include the Gulf oil spill, the Haiti earthquake, the Republican midterm election sweep, and WikiLeaks. But we saw many events that also inspired or amazed or brought a smile. Here's our top 6 list.
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 11/17
5 reasons Chile mine rescue is so successful

Shortly after midnight on Oct. 13 in northern Chile (11:12 pm in New York City), Florencio Ávalos became the first of 33 miners to emerge from the Atacama Desert. An Aug. 5 cave-in blocked their exit from the gold and copper mine, and the trapped men were initially suspected dead when they were unable to contact the world for 17 days. Entombed a half-mile underground for a total of 69 days, the rescue mission united Chile, inspired the world, and succeeded in part because of the following five reasons.
In Pictures: Chile mine rescue
Chile mine rescue: 5 final steps to freedom

It took 33 days to drill a 622-meter shaft down to the 33 trapped miners, completed Monday. Several steps remain before freedom comes to the men who have lived a half-mile under the Atacama Desert since a mine collapse on Aug. 5.

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Amazing photo shows 'swarm' of stars (+video)

Tens of thousands of stars can be seen clustered together in a new image.
Thin layer of oxygen found on Dione may change search for alien life

After the Cassini probe's flyby over Saturn's frozen moon, Dione, scientists saw evidence of ionized oxygen molecules in its atmosphere. This could have interesting implications for astrobiology.
Moon acts as mirror, reflecting telltale signs of life (+video)

So-called 'earthshine' observations may pave the way for a similar tool to help spot signs of alien life in the universe, scientists say.
Why you should care about Lake Vostok

If scientists find life in Antarctica's Lake Vostok, an ancient freshwater body locked beneath two miles of ice, it will greatly boost hopes of the existence of life on other worlds.
Humongous 'El Gordo' galaxy cluster packs mass of 2 quadrillion stars

Located some7 billion light-years from Earth, 'El Gordo' is the biggest and hottest cluster of galaxies ever observed in the early universe.
Strange red galaxies a 'missing link' in history of the universe?

The discovery of four ruby-red, dim galaxies at the farthest fringes of the universe could help scientists understand how the earliest galaxies evolved to become what we see today.
ALMA telescope poised to peer into hidden corners of the cosmos

The ALMA radio telescope array set to come on line this week will give astronomers an unprecedented look into areas of the universe obscured from other telescopes – from star nurseries in other galaxies to the black hole at the center of the Milky Way.
Latin America Monitor
Trapped Chilean miners to appear on the big screen

Many say the successful rescue of 'Los 33' after their 69-day plight is made for Hollywood, but Chileans are cautious about how their society will be portrayed.
Chileans protest government approval of five Patagonia dams

Dam projects are drawing increased criticism in South America, which boasts three of the world's four biggest hydroelectric dam complexes. Chile is pushing forward with a $7 billion dam project.
Is the Big Dipper scooping dark matter?

Scientists peered through a galactic window in the ladle of the Big Dipper, using the Herschel telescope to look 10 billion years backwards in time and investigate the origins of galaxies, which turn out to require 20 times less dark matter than previously calculated.
Do black holes spin? The answer could be in the photons.

A spinning black hole would swirl the very fabric of space and time around it, as well as distorting the photons that pass nearby.
Top 6 most triumphant stories of 2010

Most 2010 lists of major news will include the Gulf oil spill, the Haiti earthquake, the Republican midterm election sweep, and WikiLeaks. But we saw many events that also inspired or amazed or brought a smile. Here's our top 6 list.
Nine places on Earth that mimic Mars terrain

Scientists say that Mars went through three ages, and the first age may have been habitable for life as we know it. Each stage on Mars can be found at nine different locations around the planet Earth today.
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 11/17
'Los 33' still riding whirlwind of the Chile mine rescue – but calm nearing

For the first time in weeks, the Chile miners formerly trapped underground are not in the news. And that's good news for the men who want their lives to return to normal.
As media circus wanes, Chile miners' families turn spotlight on reporters' antics

Sitting around a campfire in the Atacama Desert, family of the rescued Chile miners laugh about the media's excesses over the past 70 days.
Chile mine rescue spurred unprecedented global coordination

Mining and engineering experts were welcomed from around the world to assist in the Chile mine rescue.
Chile mine rescue a success after last of the miners is raised to safety

The last of the 33 miners trapped underground for months has been brought to the surface in a joyous ending to the Chile mine rescue efforts.
5 reasons Chile mine rescue is so successful

Shortly after midnight on Oct. 13 in northern Chile (11:12 pm in New York City), Florencio Ávalos became the first of 33 miners to emerge from the Atacama Desert. An Aug. 5 cave-in blocked their exit from the gold and copper mine, and the trapped men were initially suspected dead when they were unable to contact the world for 17 days. Entombed a half-mile underground for a total of 69 days, the rescue mission united Chile, inspired the world, and succeeded in part because of the following five reasons.
Chile mine rescue unites a fractured world

Chile mine rescue updates are dominating worldwide headlines and lighting up social media as people share their excitement about the mission.
Joy replaces anguish as Chile miners taste freedom

In Camp Hope, the makeshift village started by family members of 33 trapped Chile miners, 10 weeks of anguish culminated in tears of joy as miners began to be hauled out overnight.
Chile miners rescue: 33 men need a calm head below and above ground

With the Chile miners rescue set to begin Tuesday evening, concerns loom about how the 33 men will fare during their ride to the surface and upon their reentry to society.
In Pictures: Chile mine rescue
Chile mine rescue: 5 final steps to freedom

It took 33 days to drill a 622-meter shaft down to the 33 trapped miners, completed Monday. Several steps remain before freedom comes to the men who have lived a half-mile under the Atacama Desert since a mine collapse on Aug. 5.
World rallies to trapped miners

Experts and equipment converge on Chile to help rescue the workers and keep their spirits up.