OUTER PLANET CHARIKLO AND ITS DOUBLE RING SYSTEM

In an observational feat of high precision, scientists used a new technique with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to capture the shadows of starlight cast by the thin rings of Chariklo. Chariklo is an icy, small body, the largest of the known Centaur population, located more than 2 billion miles away beyond the orbit of Saturn. Chariklo is only 250 kilometres and its rings orbit at a distance of about 400 kilometres from the centre of the body. This was the first stellar occultation attempted with James Webb Space Telescope. A lot of hard work went into identifying and refining the predictions for this unusual event. In October, the Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera instrument closely monitored the star Gaia DR3 6873519665992128512, for the tell-tale dips in brightness indicating an occultation had taken place. The shadows produced by Chariklo’s rings were detected, demonstrating a new way of using Webb to explore solar system objects.

BCG, Meta identify ten use cases than can drive Metaverse adoption in UAE

According to a new report by Boston Consulting Group, BCG in collaboration with Meta, there is ample ground in the UAE to leverage ten use cases such as telehealth; digital twins; augmented tourism; live augmented events; virtual and augmented shopping, and virtual assets; and more. Recognizing the key role that the UAE’s advanced market could play in expanding its metaverse participation, the report looks at relevant use cases and considerations to unlock their potential.

The UAE is rapidly fostering its metaverse ecosystem. Launched in the second half of 2022, Dubai Metaverse Strategy aims to turn Dubai into one the world’s top 10 metaverse economies as it strives to act as a global hub for the metaverse community.

Earlier this year, the city hosted the Dubai Metaverse Assembly which brought together more than 300 global experts, policymakers, thought leaders, and decision-makers to identify the best ways to leverage opportunities in the metaverse spanning government, and industries. Overall, the strategy aims to promote Dubai’s ambitions to multiply its blockchain presence and support more than 40,000 virtual jobs by 2030.

The applications of early metaverse platforms are already moving beyond the gaming experience, expanding rapidly into other high-impact sectors like healthcare training, education, and tourism. In the long term, several types of enablers must be in place for the metaverse to develop and function further, each one building on the previous and generating momentum that advances the entire system.