by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | eclipses, full moon, lunar eclipses, moons, the moon
Earlier this month, a
A total lunar eclipse could be seen all over the planet.
And the U.S. was ideally positioned to witness the finest part of this amazing event early on March 13.
Over several hours, stargazers
watched in awe
As the moon’s shadow gradually moved over the lunar landscape, transforming our closest heavenly body into a deep crimson hue.
Billy Buchanan (
Narcoleptic Nightscapes
) managed to capture not only a stunning total lunar eclipse sequence but also a rare moonbow, from Cumberland Falls State Park in Corbin, Kentucky. “This is definitely the first time I’ve tried something like this, but will not be the last,” Buchanan told SANGGRALOKAan email.
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What is a moonbow?
A moonbow, also known as a lunar rainbow, is an uncommon sight that happens when light from the Moon is bent, mirrored, and spread out by water droplets floating in the atmosphere, similar to how a regular daylight rainbow forms.
Since moonlight is significantly dimmer compared to sunlight, moonbows typically appear white or extremely pale in color. They are most visible on clear, dark nights when
the moon
is vivid—usually occurring close to a full moon. In contrast to daylight rainbows, photographing moonbows necessitates using longer exposure times.
reveal their full spectrum
of hues to the human vision.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing.
The last picture demanded both careful preparation and post-processing work, along with persistence, a touch of fortune regarding the climate, and quite a bit of physical effort!
“I want to recognize and express my gratitude to Mike Shaw and Glenn Randall for assisting me in refining and developing a more critical perspective on what it would take to make this happen and which potential obstacles could sabotage the concept,” Buchanan stated to SANGGRALOKA.
Even though the weather prediction indicated clear skies from March 13 to March 14, Buchanan encountered a wind advisory with hail warnings approximately 20 miles away from his selected photo location.
“When the rain began pouring down, I was already struggling with all my equipment towards the location where I intended to set everything up. In total, I was hauling around 135 pounds of gear, including creature comforts and essentials. Among this weight was 40 pounds dedicated solely to the tripods, which included additional counterweights ensuring stability for the panoramic camera setup,” Buchanan explained.
The cloud cover to the north lasted for some time, delaying Buchanan and preventing him from achieving his original concept of a blue-hour foreground photograph.
Capturing the ultimate moonshot
To create this breathtaking panoramic shot of the total eclipse
lunar eclipse
and moonbow, Buchanan utilized one
Nikon Z9
A camera equipped with a 20mm wide-angle lens along with a specialized panoramic tripod attachment to merge several photos into one. The end result is an amalgamation of various exposure settings used individually for the sky, the foreground, and the moon.
For capturing the night sky, Buchanan employed a brief exposure time of 10 seconds to capture the stars without blurring the landscape. In contrast, he had to use significantly longer exposures—up to two minutes—to properly illuminate the intricate elements within the scene at the front. As for the moon, varying conditions necessitated adjustments; prior to total coverage, he set the ISO to 200 to manage glare, but switched to an ISO of 800 during full eclipse to ensure optimal lighting balance.
Since the moon traversed the sky during the night, Buchanan informed us that he needed to meticulously combine several photographs to form its trajectory in the concluding panoramic view. Certain lunar shots were replicated and subtly altered to preserve the seamless sequence.
The process included combining the images with the help of special software called PTGui, tweaking the brightness and hues to align various parts of the sky seamlessly, and minimizing noise for better sharpness.
Buchanan doubted whether he could depict this scene as he had originally imagined.
Buchanan explained, “To include the moonbow in my composition, I realized I had to employ a panoramic technique. However, merging the exposure settings for the moon with this method was challenging because capturing both the details of the moon without overexposing the rest of the scene required careful consideration.”
At first, I thought about taking a panoramic shot at every level and then combining all these stitched panoramas to hide the moons,” Buchanan went on. “But even with all the people walking around, using flashlights, and holding phones with glowing screens, I soon realized this approach wouldn’t work. Therefore, I changed tactics and decided to capture the foreground, sky, and moons individually before merging them into one image.
Ultimately, this approach was exceptionally successful, enabling Buchanan to produce an image surpassing his initial expectations. He remarked, “The moment I viewed the preliminary version with the moons integrated into the sky sections and the panorama pieced together, I realized immediately that it exceeded my original plans.”
The differing sizes of the two arcs effectively symbolize the vast contrast between human experiences and our interactions within this world.
Earth
“And the immense size and magnificence of Sanggraloka and our nearest neighbor,” Buchanan said.
Editor’s Note:
Should you capture a stunning image of the nocturnal heavens and wish to feature it for SANGGRALOKA’s audience, please forward your photograph(s), along with any thoughts or remarks and your full name and place of residence, directly to SANGGRALOKAphotos@SANGGRALOKA.
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | infectious diseases, news, public health, viral diseases, viruses
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EXPLORE FURTHER: Britain needs immediate action to combat fatal Disease X
Top health authorities have cautioned
bird flu
might ignite the next pandemic, after a recent ‘development in the tale’.
Richard Peobody, who leads the work on epidemic and emerging infections at The UK Health Security Agency, warned that the strain of the virus under scrutiny, H5N1, could potentially trigger a worldwide crisis akin to COVID-19.
He stated in Manchester today that ‘H5N1 has the capability to turn into a pandemic, potentially a future one.’
His remarks follow the detection of the virus in a sheep in Northern England yesterday.
the first known case
unique of its kind globally.
Regarding that transition across species, Mr Peabody mentioned it was a key aspect of how birds evolve.
flu
has undergone changes since it initially appeared in the 1990s.
As he mentioned, ‘Its characteristics have evolved over the last three or four years,’
We’re observing this phenomenon in the United States among dairy cows and various other animal species. Similarly, we’re noticing it here in the UK as well. Therefore, we are collaborating closely with our peers specializing in animal health to ensure that public health remains safeguarded.
When asked about whether UKHSA’s evaluation of avian influenza had shifted due to the latest incident, Mr. Peabody stated it introduced “a new turn in the narrative,” yet he also noted with relief that additional cases among sheep have not been detected.
He stated: “As usual, it enters this continuous, ongoing risk evaluation,” he explained. “Currently, that has not really altered.”
His remarks follow the UK Health Security Agency’s serious warning regarding 24 lethal viruses that have the potential to cause the next ‘Disease X,’ a term frequently used for the possible agent behind the future pandemic.
The body has narrowed the list down to four pathogens deemed to pose a significant pandemic threat, with bird flu being one of them.
The virus, exhibiting a worrying capability to leap across species, has already been identified in a single UK farmer who was reported to have come into contact with contaminated poultry.
In the meantime, the disease took its initial human life in the United States way back in January, resulting in the death of a 65-year-old individual with pre-existing medical issues after being exposed to their own group of wild birds.
A measles-like virus that could potentially be ‘significantly more hazardous than Covid’ has been added to the list, as per expert opinions.
A prominent scientist cautioned that the UKHSA list encompasses viruses which might prove ‘infeasible to contain with even the most rigorous measures.’
lockdown
’.
This prompted the government to unveil a new reference manual that will undergo constant updates, ensuring that scientists and researchers remain current regarding emerging risks.
One concerning pathogen belongs to the Picornaviridae family, known for causing viruses that lead to illnesses similar to polio.
For instance, consider the illness known as acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a rare ailment that causes muscle weakness and paralysis.
In January, a 15-year-old lad from Rochdale ended up paralyzed following an AFM infection.
BBC
reported.
Health authorities have likewise cautioned that viruses from the Paramyxoviridae family could potentially lead to pandemics.
These encompass illnesses such as measles, mumps, and certain respiratory tract infections, along with the Nipah virus — known for transmitting from bats or pigs to humans — leading to encephalitis and fatalities.
Significant measles outbreaks have already been documented globally due to falling immunization rates.
In last year, 2,911 instances of measles were confirmed in England, marking the highest annual tally recorded since 2012.
The severe disease, which predominantly impacts children, may lead to complications such as pneumonia, inflamed eyes and potential blindness along with swelling in the brain causing seizures, hearing impairment, and harm to the brain.
Other viruses that authorities are monitoring closely include coronaviruses like Covid-19 and
MERS, which has thus far claimed over 900 lives, predominantly in the Middle Eastern region.
Mark Woolhouse, who is a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Edinburgh, stated
The Mirror
Scientists are primarily worried about a virus similar to measles.
‘A virus similar to measles could present a much greater danger than COVID-19,’ he stated.
‘A such virus would possess a significantly higher reproduction rate compared to the initial strains of COVID, rendering it uncontrollable through even the most stringent lockdown measures.’
The R number indicates the average number of individuals that an infected person will transmit the virus to.
‘This is precisely the type of pandemic that global public health organizations worry about,’ he mentioned additionally.
Measles has demonstrated an ability to erase our immune memories, which suggests that a significant epidemic might lead to an increase in various other infections across the country.
According to a study conducted at Harvard Medical School in 2019, the measles virus can eliminate up to 75 percent of the antibodies that defend against various viruses or bacteria which a child had been previously protected from.
Dr Isabel Oliver, the Chief Scientific Officer for UKHSA, stated that the updated virus list serves as a means to showcase how scientific investigations can be directed towards enhancing the UK’s readiness against potential health risks.
‘We are employing this tool during our discussions with the scientific community to assist in directing investments towards areas that will yield the most significant outcomes.’
‘We trust this initiative will accelerate the development of vaccines and diagnostic tools precisely where they are critically required, ensuring we are thoroughly equipped for combating potential lethal pathogens.’
In September 2019, the now-disbanded Public Health England warned that growing bacterial resistance to antibiotics might contribute to what is known as Disease X.
Read more
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | football clubs, news, premier league, soccer, sports
-
All teams in the top division except for two still have nine Premier League fixtures remaining.
-
Liverpool and Arsenal have had their fixtures rescheduled for later in the season.
-
LISTEN NOW: Things Are Getting Exciting! Available on all podcast platforms. New episodes drop every Monday and Thursday.
The
Premier League
has announced schedule modifications for several of its prominent teams — including those contending for the championship.
Liverpool
and
Arsenal
.
The Reds are close to securing the Premier League trophy.
Arne Slot
In his initial season at the helm, he now has a lead of 12 points over Arsenal, with each team having nine fixtures remaining.
The gentlemen will have to compete against things like
Everton
,
Tottenham
And during the concluding matches, Arsenal only needs five victories to secure their second Premier League championship.
However, one match has been rescheduled as television selections for the season finale keep getting finalized, including Liverpool’s encounter with
Chelsea
In Match Week 35, now scheduled for Sunday, May 4 at 4:30 PM.
This is one out of six matches that were rescheduled to cater to broadcasting requirements that weekend, with the match being broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s match for that week has also been rescheduled,
Mikel Arteta
‘side to face
Bournemouth
At the Emirates on Saturday, May 3rd at 5:30 PM, also broadcasted on Sky Sports.
In another match,Manchester City is scheduled to welcome Wolves on May 2 as part of their Friday night fixture for that week, airing live on Sky Sports at 8 pm.
During the Saturday noon match, Fulham is set to play away against Aston Villa, with the game being broadcast live on TNT Sports.
Additionally, on Sunday, Brighton will welcome Newcastle to their stadium as the opening match of the broadcaster’s double-header Super Sunday lineup.
The week concludes as Crystal Palace welcomes Nottingham Forest on Monday, May 5th, with the match starting at 8 PM.
According to the timetable, both Manchester United and Tottenham have away matches scheduled for Saturday at 3 pm, and none of these games will be televised in the UK.
Manchester United will head to Brentford, whereas struggling Tottenham Hotspur will face West Ham in an East London rivalry – however, these fixtures might still be rescheduled.
The Premier League has stated that should a team reach the Europa League semi-finals, one of their matches will be rescheduled for Sunday with a kickoff time of 2 pm; however, this match won’t be televised.
The rescheduled match between Newcastle and Crystal Palace, set for Wednesday, April 16, has been confirmed to start at 7:30 PM and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Read more
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | government regulations, health, health and exercise, health risks, medicine and healthcare
-
EXPLORE FURTHER: The innovative scheme to incentivize overweight Americans with rewards for shedding pounds
West
Virginia
will prohibit thousands of items that include nine food additives associated with potential risks
cancer
and hyperactivity in children.
Companies have up till January 2028 to eliminate artificial colorings and preservatives from their formulations or potentially encounter penalties.
Foods and beverages containing these ingredients will also be banned from schools starting in August, right before the new academic session begins.
On Monday, Republican Governor Patrick Morrisey signed House Bill 2354 and expressed his gratitude during the ceremony.
anti-fast-food campaigner Robert F Kennedy Jr
and President
Donald Trump
.
‘
West Virginia
rank lowest in numerous public health indicators, which is precisely why there’s no better location to spearhead the Make America Healthy Again initiative,” the governor stated following the signing of the bill.
The bill arises as West Virginia faces some of the highest levels of obesity.
diabetes
In the nation — circumstances linked to artificial food components through research.
The state has persistently been rated as one of the lowest in the U.S. regarding various health indicators such as obesity levels, lifespan duration, incidences of chronic diseases, and tobacco use percentages.
Governor Morrisey stated: “By removing dangerous chemicals from our food supply, we’re making progress towards enhancing the well-being of our community members and safeguarding our kids from major long-term health and educational issues.”
He went on: “A big thank you goes out to the Legislature, HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy, and the whole Trump Administration for supporting us as we kick off this initiative right here in West Virginia.”
The recently prohibited additives include: Red Dye No. 40; Yellow Dye No. 5; Yellow Dye No. 6; Blue Dye No. 1; Blue Dye No. 2; Green Dye No. 3; butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA); propylparaben; and Red 3, which has been nationally banned by the FDA as well.
State Delegate Evan Worrell mentioned being motivated by RFK Jr’s MAHA initiative and thinks eliminating dyes might assist in tackling increasing behavior problems such as ADHD.
Previously, he mentioned: “There are certain behavioral problems within our educational framework. While I wouldn’t attribute all these issues to food colorings, they do play a part.”
The state ranks third for the highest proportion of children aged three to 17 diagnosed with ADHD.
Ranging from 12 to 15 percent of children have received a diagnosis, which is higher than the national average of 10 percent.
According to a 2024
analysis
According to Forbes Adviser, West Virginia topped the list with the largest proportion of adults smoking and being obese, along with having the highest diabetes mortality rate—approximately 42 fatalities per 100,000 people.
According to the CDC, the nationwide figure stands at 30 fatalities for every 100,000 individuals.
It similarly boasts the second lowest life expectancy of 74 years, which is approximately 3.5 years less than the national average, as reported by the CDC.
West Virginia’s latest restriction goes further than comparable measures.
laws in California that ban six color additives from food products
served at schools.
The California School Food Safety Act, which Governor Gavin Newsom enacted in October, prohibited the use of Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3 dyes in food items, beverages, and snacks provided at nearly all K-12 school dining facilities throughout the state.
Red 40 and Red 3 can be found in various widely consumed treats such as candies, sodas, and snacks like Doritos, Skittles, and Pepsi, along with baked goods and cake mixes.
Chips like Doritos, beverages, biscuits, and pickles often contain Yellow 5, an additive associated with increased hyperactivity in children and documented DNA harm in certain animal tests.
The color Yellow 6 can be found in sweet cereals such as Lucky Charms and Cap’n Crunch. Blue 1, meanwhile, is present in treats like gummy bears. These additives have been linked to increased hyperactivity and difficulty concentrating in kids.
Cyan 2 is frequently used in sports beverages, whereas Emerald 3 is commonly found in salad dressings. Research has associated these colorants with increased tumor development in animals, particularly affecting the bladder and testicles.
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and propylparaben are present in numerous food items such as butter, beer, vegetable oils, potato chips, and processed meats like ham.
BHA is regarded as a potential cancer-causing agent and has demonstrated the ability to stimulate tumor development and hinder blood coagulation. Additionally, it functions as an endocrine disruptor and is linked to the incomplete maturation of the reproductive system.
It has also been demonstrated that propylparaben functions as an endocrine disruptor.
Governor Morrisey stated: “The declaration made today marks a move towards a constructive conversation on how West Virginia and our nation can improve dietary habits and tackle some of the pressing healthcare issues affecting our residents.”
‘Through the implementation process, I look forward to advancing policies which improve our health care outcomes, maintain our jobs, and respect the FDA’s and supply channel’s role in the process.’
Read more
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | food and drink, foodies, restaurants, vegan food and cuisine, veganism
Austin
vegan
burger joint
Mission Burger Co.
has joined forces with a coffee shop
Barley Bean Cafe
to launch a 24/7 vegan spot in South Austin.
The newly launched independent eatery, which discreetly began operations on South Lamar Boulevard at the start of March, offers over 40 plant-based choices covering breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, coffee, and cocktails.
Breakfast provides a mix of traditional foods like pancakes along with quick options, including sausage-egg-and-cheese bagel sandwiches.
breakfast tacos
Lunch and dinner feature a variety of sandwiches, burritos, along with a customizable French fry station allowing guests to create their ideal toppings. Notable items include a Reuben sandwich prepared on marble-rye bread, a classic New York-style chopped cheese dish, as well as BBQ brisket platters crafted from a mix of dried-out mushrooms which undergo five hours of smoking outside; these come alongside rich homemade mac ‘n’ cheese and coleslaw sides. The star attraction remains the Mission Burger—infused with Impossible Meat blended with secret spices, paired with a plant-based dressing similar to Thousand Island, plus some pickle slices.
The Barley Bean Café located on South Lamar, which first opened its doors in 2015, runs a distinct kiosk within offering an exclusively plant-based selection of beverages including coffees and teas along with a complete lineup of alcoholic options such as wines, beers, mixed drinks, and non-alcoholic versions—all crafted using only vegan components and alternatives like various types of dairy-free milk. To satisfy sweet cravings after enjoying these offerings, Mission Burger’s founder Michael Limongelli prepares his special vegan ice cream featuring oats as the main ingredient. The flavors available range from classic cereal milk to more adventurous combinations like banana blended into creamy textures alongside rich peanut butter streaks combined with pure vanilla essence, enhanced with vibrantly hued toppings derived purely through natural coloring agents such as turmeric for golden hues and beets for deep red tones.
The restaurant is open about its operations.
components, all of which are outlined extensively on their website
The chicken patty is crafted using mushrooms; the brisket comes from a blend of dehydrated shiitake and lion’s mane mushrooms; the cheese substitute is derived from oat milk; and the ranch dressing, which the eatery now sells bottled versions of, uses rice milk as its foundation. All sauces are prepared in-house, although Mission Burger does utilize some pre-made components, such as
Impossible Foods
Vegan burger patties, which they “enhance,” according to Limongelli. “We add seasoning and sauces to make the dishes uniquely ours.” In contrast to numerous eateries, they do not impose additional charges for substitutions or alterations due to allergies or dietary restrictions. Although items such as gluten-free buns increase costs for Mission Burger, “we believe it wouldn’t be right,” states Limongelli. “[Customers] have no control over their conditions.”
The new business endeavor has been a long-held aspiration for Mission Burger Co.’s founders and close companions, Limongelli and Isaac Mogannam, who established the enterprise in 2023. Their initial meeting occurred when both were working at a grocery store’s catering service in Austin; Mogannam prepared burgers, whereas Limongelli crafted vegan ice cream. Inspired by their shared love for plant-based cuisine, they combined forces to start their own vegan pop-up events and catering services.
Limongelli mentions that initially, they ventured into running a vegan burrito firm followed by another focusing on vegan Italian fare. However, recognizing that burgers garnered significant interest from Austin’s dining crowd, they shifted focus entirely towards this offering. After integrating popular components from their former burrito operation—such as the cherished breakfast burritos and favored Crunchwraps—their venture gained momentum. Prior to officially unveiling Mission Burger Co., they organized several pop-ups leading up to the launch within an intimate 200-square-foot location.
Rivercity Market
, and the rest is history.
Currently, Mission Burger Co. operates from a spacious 1500-square-foot location and offers over 40 menu items, most of which are prepared using their large 48-inch griddle, according to Limongelli. Inside the eatery, guests can enjoy various seating options including numerous tables and benches, individual workstations, a comfortable sofa area, and a bar that accommodates six people. There’s also an outdoor patio equipped with six big picnic-style tables.
Limongelli mentions that Mission already has customers who come at least twice daily for both breakfast and lunch, finding this very fulfilling. According to Limongelli, rescuing animals plays a role here, but equally important is providing good-quality vegan cuisine to people in the Austin region with a focus on being welcoming. This implies that visitors will receive a free warm chocolate chip cookie during each visit along with a dining atmosphere devoid of pushy “vegan” conversations. “Our activism comes through our dishes,” asserts Limongelli. “Taste buds lead us initially.”
Mission Burger Co. can be found at 3600 South Lamar Boulevard in South Austin. They operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.
