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Beware of fake eclipse glasses for April 2024 total solar event: Safety tests revealed

Beware of fake eclipse glasses for April 2024 total solar event: Safety tests revealed

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Beware of fake eclipse glasses for April 2024 total solar event: Safety tests revealed

 As anticipation builds for the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, a concerning trend has emerged across the United States with vendors selling counterfeit eclipse glasses.

Experts warn that these fake glasses pose a significant risk to eye health as they fail to block the harmful parts of the solar spectrum.

With the event drawing near, it’s crucial for viewers to know how to test their glasses for authenticity and ensure their safety while experiencing this astronomical phenomenon.

Observing a solar eclipse requires staring directly at the sun, an act that can be detrimental to one’s eyes unless proper protection is used.

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Solar eclipse glasses are designed to filter out the most harmful solar radiations, safeguarding viewers from potential eye damage.

However, counterfeit glasses flooding the market do not offer this protection, putting many at risk of severe eye injuries.

The American Astronomical Society (AAS) stresses the importance of using ISO-certified eclipse glasses and offers guidance on identifying legitimate pairs.

To ensure the safety of your eclipse glasses, a simple test can be conducted using sunlight reflected off a mirror, or bright artificial light sources like a phone flashlight or a bare lightbulb.

Authentic eclipse glasses should make these sources appear dim, similar to a safe reflection of sunlight or a comfortable brightness akin to the full moon. In contrast, if the light source is visible through the glasses in a way that is uncomfortable or too bright, the glasses may not be safe for direct solar observation.

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This test serves as a crucial step in verifying the effectiveness of eclipse glasses before the upcoming event.

For those looking to acquire eclipse glasses, it’s imperative to purchase from reputable sources. The AAS provides a list of verified manufacturers and retailers.

Additionally, for individuals unable to obtain glasses or seeking an alternative method of viewing, making a pinhole camera offers a safe way to enjoy the eclipse.

As the April 8 eclipse approaches, ensuring the authenticity of your eclipse glasses through these recommended tests becomes a necessary preparation to fully and safely experience this rare celestial event.

With the right precautions and awareness, viewers can protect their eyesight while still enjoying one of nature’s most awe-inspiring displays.

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Remember, when it comes to experiencing a solar eclipse, safety should always come first, ensuring that this celestial spectacle can be enjoyed without risk to one’s health.

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WhatsApp to launch file sharing feature without internet

WhatsApp to launch file sharing feature without internet

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WhatsApp to launch file sharing feature without internet

The messaging app WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is working on a cool new feature to make it easier to share files even when you’re not connected to the internet.

Recent leaks say that pretty soon, you’ll be able to share photos, videos, music, and documents offline.

This new feature is all about letting you share different kinds of files without needing Wi-Fi or data. And don’t worry about security – the files you share will be encrypted, which means they’ll be safe from anyone trying to mess with them.

Screenshots that got leaked from the latest test version of WhatsApp for Android show us what kind of permissions this feature will need. One important thing is that it’ll be able to find other phones nearby that also have this offline file-sharing thing.

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For this to work on Android phones, WhatsApp needs a permission that lets it look for other devices using Bluetooth. But if you’re not comfortable with that, you can always turn it off.

Before this, WhatsApp added a feature that lets you pin notes to keep them handy. So, looks like WhatsApp is always coming up with cool stuff to make chatting even better!

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Flame-throwing robotic dog unleashed for sale in US

Flame-throwing robotic dog unleashed for sale in US

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Flame-throwing robotic dog unleashed for sale in US

A flame-throwing robotic dog is now available for sale in the US, thanks to an Ohio-based company.

Throwflame first released the contraption last year but recently announced it was back in stock, asking for $9,420 a piece.

The company released a promotional video showing the ARC Flamethrower and saying it can “send streams of fire up to 30 feet with the push of a button.”

The flamethrower is attached to a Go2 Robot Dog manufactured by the China-based Unitree.

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Throwflame said on its website the flamethrowers are legal to own and are “federally unregulated,” but are “not even considered a firearm (ironic) by the federal authorities.”

The company released its first flamethrowers in 2015, called the X15, which could send “a stream of flaming fuel or napalm up to 50 feet.”

That prompted a huge media response, questioning its legality. But Throwflame said the device remains “completely unrestricted in 48 states.”

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US military stage world’s first ever AI controlled warplane

US military stage world’s first ever AI controlled warplane

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US military stage world's first ever AI controlled warplane

The United States has finally started to seek answers to one of the most asked questions on the planet – who wins between man and machine?

Incredible details have emerged of the world’s first ever AI controlled warplane taking on a human piloted jet in a historic dogfight that saw both aircraft blasting through the sky at speeds of 1,200mph.

The insane test saw an AI powered modified F-16 – dubbed the X-62A – take on the same jet but with a human in the cockpit.

Both powerful jets went “nose-to-nose” as they battled 2,000ft up in the air, say officials.

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The tests were conducted by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) alongside the US Air Force to learn about just how advanced artificial intelligence really is.

Results of the intense air battles have been kept tightly under wraps but they were done to show how safe and effective autonomous fighter jets could be.

Officials were also intrigued to see how close AI powered military jets are to operating safely in a complex war environment.

In the end, 21 test flights were done for the project taking place between December 2022 and September 2023.

Lt. Col. Maryann Karlen, deputy commandant of the test pilot school, explained how it all worked in a fascinating video on the historic dogfight.

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They said: “In September we actually took the X-62 and flew it against a live manned F-16.

“We built up in safety using the manoeuvres – first defensive, then offensive, then high aspect nose-to-nose engagements where we got as close as 2,000 feet at 1,200 miles per hour.”

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