Blues that Battle Bacteria, Gates of Hell, and Magnets of the Galaxy

Horseshoe Crabs: Blue-Blooded Ancients

Horseshoe crabs, which look less like crabs with their armored exoskeletons and spindly tails, might as well have time-traveled from Earth’s distant past. They are ancient. They have roamed our oceans for over 450 million years, and predate even the dinosaurs. But beyond their age, it’s their unique, mesmerizing blue blood that should get your attention.

The ethereal blue blood is not just a quirk of nature. If its is found in most ancient creatures, then it must have its benefits. The blue color is the result of hemocyanin, a copper-based molecule, unlike our iron-based hemoglobin. This molecule is a warrior in disguise, defending the crab against harmful bacteria by coagulating around intruders as soon as they come in contact. The medical world saw gold in this blue hemocyanin. They are extracting a substance called Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) from this. LAL is used in tests that are pivotal in ensuring medical equipment and vaccines are uncontaminated. It was used for the covid vaccine development too!

*^{Horseshoe Crab, Source: UC San Francisco}*

Now, where might one encounter these living fossils? Horseshoe crabs grace the shallow coastal waters, with significant populations in the Delaware Bay in the U.S., the Gulf of Mexico, and along the Asian coasts, particularly in Japan and India. Their life cycle revolves around specific habitats: protected beaches for spawning, sandy bays for juvenile growth, and deeper waters as they age. However, these habitats face threats. Urban development, pollution, and rising sea levels jeopardize their spawning grounds. Overharvesting for medical purposes and as a bait also looms large.

In our relentless march towards the future, the horseshoe crab stands as a sentinel of nature’s marvel and human’s survival battle.

The Gates of Hell: A Fiery Tale

Can you imagine that in the heart of Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert lies a crater that has been ablaze for for more than 50 years? It is aptly named the “Gates of Hell” or the Darvaza gas crater. This burning spectacle, officially known as the “Shining of Karakum,” is a collapsed natural gas field near the village of Darvaza. The floor and rim of this crater are illuminated by hundreds of natural gas fires, creating a mesmerizing and somewhat eerie spectacle.

The origins of this blazing pit are shrouded in mystery and debate. Some local geologists believe the collapse occurred in the 1960s, with the fires being ignited in the 1980s to prevent the release of poisonous gases. However, another version suggests that Soviet engineers drilled the site in 1971, seeking oil. Instead, they encountered a massive pocket of natural gas, which led to the ground’s collapse, forming the crater. To prevent the spread of harmful gases, the engineers decided to set the gas alight, underestimating the vast volume of gas they were dealing with.

In recent years, there have been efforts to control the burn. In 2010, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow recommended measures to limit the crater’s influence on the development of other natural gas fields in the area. By 2022, plans were announced to extinguish the crater, citing concerns over local health, environmental impact, and the natural gas industry. However, it is still burning.

Despite its fiery nature, the Gates of Hell has become a beacon for adventurers and tourists. Post-Soviet Turkmenistan saw the crater evolve into a minor tourist attraction, with the region being declared a natural reserve in 2013. A crude road leads to the crater, and nearby yurts offer a unique desert experience. The Gates of Hell, with its relentless flames, serves as both a warning and a wonder, a symbol of nature’s raw power and our continuous quest to harness it.

Magnetic Enigma: Unraveling the Cosmic Tapestry

The universe, with its vast expanse and mysterious phenomena, never ceases to amaze. One such enigma is the magnetic tapestry that weaves across galaxies. Recent discoveries have unveiled the presence of magnetic fields in galaxies, including magnetic lines passing through our very own Milky Way. But what’s the significance of these cosmic magnetic fields?

Magnetic fields in galaxies are not a new concept, but their intricate structures and origins have been a topic of intense study. The galaxy NGC 4217 has been a focal point of recent research. Located a mere 67 million light-years away in the Ursa Major constellation, this galaxy showcases sprawling magnetic fields. These fields manifest in various forms: an X-shaped structure, helix structures, and massive bubbles known as superbubbles. The magnetic field lines extend as far as 26,000 light-years from its disk. These lines, reminiscent of the shimmering curtains of aurorae or northern lights on Earth, are a testament to the vastness and complexity of these cosmic magnetic fields.

^{AI Image created by Bing for “Magnetic field lines in the galaxy NGC 4217“}

But how do these magnetic fields form? One theory suggests a galactic dynamo process, where kinetic energy converts into magnetic energy due to fluid-like motions in hot gas. This internal dynamo might be powered by supernova explosions. This phenomenon is still under investigation and might reveal more about how cosmic bodies are formed. The discovery is not just a testament to the advancements in radio astronomy but also a reminder of the universe’s endless mysteries.

Meenal Singh