Wednesday April 22, 2020
Serving the Rio Hondo Community
Volume 60 Issue 8
COVID-19 Testing Site Opens at San Gabriel Valley Airport
BRAYAN ALTAMIRANO /EPM El Monte Community Hospital teamed up with Los Angeles County and El Monte representatives to open up a COVID-19 testing site. The testing site opened at San Gabriel Valley Airport the morning of April 15. CLARISSA MARTINEZ Digital Associate Editor
clarissa.martinez6616@my.riohondo.edu
The city of El Monte opened up a COVID-19 testing facility on Wednesday Apr.15 at the San Gabriel Valley Airport. Anyone can schedule an appointment online and testing is free. The county of Los Angeles, the city of El Monte and El Monte Community Hospital have all partnered up in order to get the site up and running. The testing site is available not only to the city of El Monte, but to surrounding communities as well. They will provide drive-by testing to ensure
that there is no close contact. Testing will be open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. The facility currently has the capacity to test 350 individuals. Andre Quintero, Mayor of El Monte, spoke at a press conference that same day, along with many other representatives. Quintero expressed the communities concerns regarding essential workers being exposed to the virus. “If they start feeling symptoms we want to make sure that they get tested right away and that the appropriate treatment gets put in place,” said Quintero. There are currently several testing facilities set
up in the San Gabriel region, including the Pomona Fairplex location. More testing facilities will be openi up in Monterey Park, Montebello, Commerce, Downtown LA, South Gate and many other locations. Testing takes about five to ten minutes. Test site personnel will walk individuals through the process. Test results take about three to five days and will be delivered through email. It is important to self-isolate until test results are received. Los Angeles County Supervisor, Hilda Solis, emphasizes that the virus is still prevalent and will not be going away any time soon. She urges citizens to
always use their masks when going out in any gathering. Residents should only go out if it is essential. It is important that everyone abides by the “6 feet apart” guideline issued by the government. The CDC recommends that people wash their hands before and after going out. These guidelines are “the new norm” and must be followed in order to keep the virus contained. “If you’re around individuals that have COVID-19, you should self-isolate and stay away from contaminating or impacting other family members or people that you work with. It’s a very critical time for us right now,” added
Mayor Quintero.Alma Martinez, City Manager, wants residents to remain hopeful. “I want to remind [everyone] that we shall get through this. This too shall pass. We will come out stronger, resilient and united,” she added. The city of El Monte is working on other projects to support the community. They are working with a non-profit organization to provide hot meals and groceries for eligible families in the Mountain View area. Individuals can check other locations along with other vital services on the city’s website. Visit elmonteca.gov or monte. campaignrep.org for more information.
NEWS
2
Rio Hondo College Library News Library Zoom Rooms Online (Or You Can Text or Chat With a Librarian) Librarians are still available to answer your questions, assist you with research, help you find information, or teach you the best ways to access and use resources. You can connect with a real, live research librarian on Zoom via the RHC Library website or by clicking here. You can also text a librarian at (562) 418-5253, or just chat with a librarian by clicking here. Librarians are available to help from Monday to Thursday, 7 AM to 9 PM; Friday, 7 AM to 3 PM; and Saturday, 9 AM to 1 PM. If you need help outside these hours, just send an email to the librarians by using this form and they’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Library Resources During COVID-19 LibGuide
connect with a librarian Electronic remotely via the Library Books at RHC Zoom Room. Library: More Don’t HesiThan 200,000 tate to Use Are Now Resources Available OnChromeExtended Due Available Via line book, LapDates Your Public top, and MoRHC Library has acquired Library Sysmore than 200,000 elecbile Hotspot You may have received tronic books in different tems an email that you have an subjects and disciplines, all Checkout overdue library book or
other educational resources; links to existing RHC Library e-resources and subscriptions; in-house, librarian-produced video tutorials to walk you through some of the Library’s most useful databases; and descriptions of services.
Chromebooks, PC laptops, and mobile hotspots (for students who do not have Wi-Fi at home) are available to be checked out at the Library Circulation Desk. The Circulation Desk is staffed Monday to Thursday, 8 AM to 5 PM, and Friday 8 AM to 3 PM. During this time a limited number of patrons may use the Library as a place to work and/or access wireless Internet, but only at designated study spaces that are disinfected regu-
RHC librarians created an online library research guide (also known as a LibGuide) to connect students with library resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can access the guide here: https://libguides.riohondo. edu/libresourcesC19. The LibGuide includes links to free e-textbooks, e-books, online videos, online images, and
larly and situated according to best social distancing practices. For more information, or questions, please call the Circulation Desk during the hours it’s staffed at (562) 908-3416.
equipment. Don’t worry: Due dates will be extended and you will not be penalized for items currently checked out. No late fees will be assessed for materials at this time, either: patrons may return all Library materials in May, and previous overdue charges are suspended until further notice. If you have a library hold on your registration or transcripts, please call the Circulation Desk at (562) 908-3416 for assistance.
of which can be accessed 24/7 from off campus, and all of which allow for an unlimited number of readers—an ebook in this collection will never be unavailable because it’s being read by someone else at the same time you want to access it. You can search for and access ebooks via the Library’s brand-new library services platform or via the EBSCO ebook Collection database. For how-to information about searching for and using ebooks, check out this video tutorial—or
Finally, if you live in LA County, you can obtain a temporary digital library card with the County of Los Angeles Public Library, which provides many of the same online resources as LAPL. Here is a direct link to that temporary card application: https://colapl. wufoo.com/forms/ztns1cw0q78qml/. Thank you for your time and attention! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me via this email address.
PHOTO FROM RIO HONDO COLLEGE STUDENT INFORMATION EMAIL
Riverside County Reopens Golf Courses SAMUEL GARCIA News Editor
samuel.garcia8465@my.riohondo.edu
Effective immediately, golf courses in Riverside County that had closed down because of the COVID-19 virus will reopen. The order was announced in an online statement released Monday. Parks and trails will remain open, along with parking lots. The statement also maintained that other outdoor activities, like hiking, biking, tennis, and golf, will be allowed. Social distancing and face coverings will be required. “After consulting
with public health officials and local leadership, we have made modifications for golf and other forms of recreational activity, such as use of parks, trails and outdoor areas for hiking, biking, pickleball and tennis to resume,” said Chair V. Manuel Perez, Fourth District Supervisor. “With proper safety guidelines, our residents can benefit from healthy activities that promote physical exercise, wellness and behavioral health so long as physical distancing is practiced. We will continue to listen and base decisions on thorough review, best practices, data
and science. Outdoor activities that will remain prohibited include sitting at picnic tables, playing on playgrounds, engaging in team sports, and other “similar public events and gatherings.” Private and public golf courses have been closed since April 2, when the county ordered their closures. “Play is being cautiously reopened for observation,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer. Restrictions are as follows:
There will be no in-person dining at clubhouses. No caddies are allowed. Face coverings, like bandanas and scarves, must be worn by players and workers. Players will be limited to groups of four, and social distancing must be observed. “Golf is an iconic part of our destination, our history and our economy,” said Scott White, chief operating officer of Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We sincerely
appreciate the news that golf will be reopened to allow our residents the opportunity to return to the sport they love.” For White, the goal is to reopen more “tourism related businesses” in the near future. As of April 20, Riverside County has 2, 847 confirmed cases of COVID-19, trailing only Los Angeles County (13, 816 confirmed cases). The Riverside University Health System states that there have been 85 confirmed deaths, but that there have also been 700 cases of recovery.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
ILLUSTRATION BY MEGAN DE LARA / EPM
The rapper was set to play at this year’s Rolling Loud festival in Miami, Florida. Concert dates have since been postponed to next year due to the COVID-19 outbreak. TONY RUIZ Reporter
tony.ruiz0556@my.riohondo.edu
Tyquian Terrel Bowman, better known as Quando Rondo, is an American rapper and singer from Savannah, Georgia. Quando is currently signed to the Atlantic Records imprint, Never Broke Again. He gained attention with the release of his song “I Remember” featuring LiL Baby in January 2018. Since then he released three mixtapes Life B4 Fame, Life After Fame, and From the
Neighborhood to the Stage. His song “Motivation” which happens to be one of my favorites, was featured on the popular YouTube channel World Star Hip Hop. Quando averages over 1 million streams per mixtape he drops. After dropping his last album in 2019 and having some success people started to wonder, is Quando Rondo up next? Does he have what it takes to follow up with another top album? Quando Rondo released his second studio album QPac in January of 2020. To this
day, the album remains sitting at the 22nd spot on the Hip Hop Billboards 200 list. Though hardly uncommon, an MC comparing his journey to that of the legendary Tupac Shakur will definitely be met with some harsh criticism and skepticism. Quando is clearly undeterred by the potential of such blowback, his18 track QPac album chasing-if nothing else- Tupac’s prolificness. He is known for having very impactful messages in his songs, just like Tupac used to have in his songs and this is bringing
both anticipation and harsh reviews from hip hop fans from all over. Rondo’s recent release is packed with the allusion to Tupac’s story, though his second song on the album “Real Love” is a modernized take on beloved Tupac and Outlawz song “Made N****” where Rondo sampled the song and put his twist on it. There’s a bluesy and contemplative feeling from track 6, “Poetic Justice.” Its familiar title comes from one of Shakur’s films released in 1993, with music star Janet Jackson.
3 After a solid intro. we get to the middle of the album which is the part that will make or break. The song “Codeine Tales” really gives off the vibe of Tupac’s song “Thug Passion.” Also, the song “Collect Calls” in which Quando talks on the phone to his incarcerated friends is something that was taken out of the page of things Shakur would do. QPac is a nod to Rondo comparing himself and his music journey to Tupac. This can be seen as a tribute album to Tupac but it’s not, it’s simply just Rondo showing that his path to the music scene was just like Tupac’s. Rondo’s vocal style and is as prone to singing as rapping couldn’t be further from Tupac’s. The biggest parallel in their stories may just be that they both refuse to let the opinions of others affect what he will or will not do as an artist. Rondo brings his own style and stories to this album while giving tribute to the man who paved the way and made hip-hop what it is today. Rondo makes the album unique because it’s the typical modern day rap music that he’s known for, but uses song samples to pay homage to Tupac. This reaches the older generation of rap fans to give Rondo’s music a listen and take a chance on him as an artist. As a fan of Tupac, Quando Rondo, and just a fan of hip hop in general, I can appreciate a new artist showing respect to his elders and thanking him for paving the way to make Quando Rondo the artist he is today.
Punk Fashion Icon, Jimmy Webb, Dies EMILY DE LUNA Reporter
emily.deluna2549@my.riohondo.edu
Jimmy Webb, an American songwriter, composer, and singer, passed away at age 62 last Tuesday morning. Heart Montalbano, a friend of Webb’s, confirmed his death to Rolling Stone saying the cause was cancer. Webb was the iconic manager and buyer from famous New York clothing store Trash & Vaudeville, becoming a fashion icon for punk rockers. In his early years he wrote numerous platinum-selling songs, including “Up, Up and Away” and “By the Time I Get to Phoenix”. The fashion icon was familiar to rock royalty, knowing artists such as Iggy Pop, Guns N’ Roses’ Duff McKagan, Joan Jett, and Blondie’s Debbie Harry and Chris Stein as customers and friends. When his death was
announced, numerous musicians paid tribute to the lively New York native. Debbie Harry, the Blondie lead singer who was a close friend to Webb, said in a statement, “We are all going to miss our wonderful friend Jimmy Webb.” Just two months ago, Webb honored Harry and Iggy Pop at a celebration called “Footprints in February,” where the singers put their handprints, footprints and autographs in concrete on the floor of his Orchard Street shop. “There goes a lovely unique NYC character. I feel lucky to have known him,” Harry said. Singer Henry Rollins told the NY Post that Webb was “one of the sweetest human beings” he had ever met. “I flew out from LA; I had to be there for Jimmy,” he said following the recent event. “He was not doing well, and I had no doubt that it would be my
ILLUSTRATION BY MEGAN DE LARA / EPM
Webb came to New York as a runaway and began working at “Trash and Vaudville after begging owner Ray Goodman to hire him. last time seeing him. Cancer is a hell of a thing.” Webb first arrived in New York in 1975 when he was 16, the same year his future employer Trash and Vaudeville opened. Webb quickly got used to the East Village punk scene, becoming one of its most notable figures, specifically for his personal style of tight pants, leather jackets,
and blonde shaggy hair. Following nearly two decades of struggling with addiction, he later became the manager, salesman, stylist, and face of the iconic rock and roll emporium. Trash and Vaudeville was remarkable for being the first retailer to carry Dr. Martens in the U.S., as long as being a hotspot for well known customers
including Tommy Hilfiger, Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry, Iggy Pop, and Henry Rollins. In later years, Webb remained a stylist to some of the music industry’s known names such as Beyoncé, Justin Bieber and The Ramones, before finally opening his own boutique,“I Need More,” in 2017.
SPORTS
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Stadium Constructions in the Process During COVID-19 LESLIE LOPEZ Reporter
leslie.lopez3339@my.riohondo.edu
As the coronavirus is still occurring, some buildings are being reconstructed, such as stadiums or arenas. Stadiums or arenas are under construction, which means revenue for professional teams. Since construction is occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic, doors of the stadiums or arenas would open on time and start making a return on investments. There are no blueprints as to how to deal with the coronavirus. Some construction work has stopped in a couple of locations, while other areas continued to do so, but under strict general rules. Construction works are showing up and continuing work in stadiums or arenas such as Seattle, Inglewood, Ohio, and Las Vegas. In other locations, work has been postponed such as New York, Belmont Park, and Austin, Texas. Ken Johnson, the construction executive supervising the NHL arena project in Seattle, referred to how safety and health priority had always been there and the workforce has been broken into groups of 10 or less workers. He added that all tools and equipment and tools are being cleaned immediately after one finishes using it. All of the workers are also checked when one arrives on site and
STEPHINIE PHAN/EPM Picture taken off the web on los angeles times page withthe consturction of a stadium, actual picture taken by Dania Maxwell. the overall number of workers there has been lowered by 20%. NHL projects are progressing in New York and Seattle stadiums or arenas, to which are expected to open in the year 2021. The NFL stadiums are being built in Los Angeles for the Rams and Chargers, then in Las Vegas for relocating the Raiders. SoFi Stadium, which is located in Los Angeles, scheduled to host their first event on July
25, right before the Rams and Chargers are going to be moved sometime around August. Allegiant Stadium, located in Las Vegas, does not have an event scheduled until an August 22nd concert, but deadlines are still being determined. Both projects have been given the green light to continue while California and Nevada are under “stayat-home orders” because of the coronavirus. COVID-19
managed to affect the Los Angeles project because two workers were tested positive. Turner AECOM Hunt, the company that oversees SoFi Stadium, reported that they had begun daily temperature checks on workers, along with social distancing measures. Two workers were also tested positive at the Las Vegas site, but construction has continued with the hopes of completion in late July. Kevin Demoff, Chief
Operating Officer with the Rams, stated how this is not the time for one to be finishing a stadium with this environment. Since workers have been building for years, of courses those people would like to have the project done. This would require workers to be all hands on deck, meeting with other staff members, walking through the building every day, working out the kinks, reviewing the blueprints, etc.
TeamSnap Helps Connect Youth Sports Groups During Coronavirus Shutdown
Picture taken of the TEAMSNAP home page online. LESLIE LOPEZ Reporter
leslie.lopez3339@my.riohondo.edu
When Rudy Gobert, a French professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association, was tested
positive for COVID-19 during March 11th, his results made an impact. Not only did it cause the NBA to shut down temporarily, but with other pro sports leagues and the suspension of youth sports across North America. Be-
STEPHINIE PHAN/EPM cause sports are being shut down and not being able to make in-person-contact, there has to be a way for one to communicate and connect. In Toronto, coach Amy Stuart had her Toronto Eagles Atom team ready to compete for a champion-
ship. Stuart referred to how they had their last game on March 10th and the next game was scheduled for the 15th, but everything just stopped. The organizations were deciding whether or not about canceling the games. Hockey Canada, as the governing body, had no choice, but to tell the organizations to cancel any further games. Stuart decided to use technology to help give her team some closure after an unexpected cancellation. As a result, zoom calls were going to be made at 11 a.m. on Sundays, just like the time when the games were being held during the season. She wanted to keep the kids to be responsible and on track while the games were canceled. Stuart was asking the players to keep track of their daily athletic activities such as strength training, running, from hockey-centric skills like taking shots, making saves or playing
mini-sticks. The weekly meetings are organized using TeamSnap, which is used by over 22 million coaches, players, administration, and parents for online management, communication, scheduling, and more purpose tools. TeamSnap’s CEO Dave DuPont, who’s currently working from home in Boulder, Colorado, mentioned how he wanted to make sure that his team developed a tool where one could get information out to everyone consistently, professionally, and a place where the team players could feel like a part of something rather than the teams out in the middle of nowhere. DuPont hopes that the support TeamSnap may offer the help the teams, clubs, and other organizations get back on their feet successfully when the season begins again. TeamSnap provides a way for one to connect and teach valuable life skills to the participants.
SPORTS
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Highly Anticipated Sports Documentary ‘The Last Dance’ Premieres, Hits Records For ESPN ENRIQUE MEDINA Co-Sports Editor
enrique.medina4922@my.riohondo.edu
This past weekend, sports fans around the world were given a treat during the continuing tough times in quarantine during the Coranavirus pandemic. This treat came in a documentary by the name of ‘The Last Dance’, which first two episodes of a ten-part series aired Sunday night on ESPN and ESPN2. The documentary pinpoints
the career of Michael Jordan and the drama surrounding his last season with the Chicago Bulls during the 1997-1998 NBA season. The documentary was originally set to air in June during the NBA Finals, but was pushed earlier for fans to have something to enjoy during their time in quarantine. The documentary itself includes never seen before footage of Michael Jordan’s career with the Chicago Bulls during the 1997-1998 season. The documentary was highly
ENRIQUE MEDINA/EPM One of the biggest takeaways from the first two episodes and premiere of ‘The Last Dance’ was the poor relationship Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and others had with front office management.
anticipated by many and did not disappoint as it was the biggest ever premiere for an ESPN documentary, with an average of about six million viewers. Throughout the first two episodes premiere, many NBA players both from the present and past were tweeting out and sharing their thoughts about the episodes on social media. Some fo those who shared their opinions include ex-NBA player Dwyane Wade and current NBA star LeBron James. The episodes were a complete hit. The first two episodes touch base on a lot of Michael Jordan’s early life and also give footage on the continuing drama between Michael Jordan and the front office of the Bulls, especially with then at the time general manager Jerry Krause. The basis of this documentary all started back in the 1997-1998 season as Michael Jordan and the Bulls gave all-access permission to a video crew to be able and film footage throughout that season. Some people may think why it took so long to come out, but Jordan finally gave permission for the documentary to be
made following the Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 NBA Championship.Jordan plans to give the proceeds and earnings of the documentary all to charity for currents needs during the global pandemic. The series will continue next weekend as episodes three and four will premiere next Sunday, April 26th as each upcoming Sunday two new episodes will appear for the 10 part-episode series. Each episode will be appearing at the same time each Sunday at 6 pm Pacific Time.
REMAINING EPISODES Sunday, April 26, (6 p.m. PT) Episodes 3 and 4 Sunday, May 3, (6 p.m. PT) Episodes 5 and 6. Sunday, May 10, (6 p.m. PT) Episodes 7 and 8. Sunday, May 17, (6 p.m. PT) Episodes 9 and 10.
ENRIQUE MEDINA/EPM The opening two episodes highlighted much of Jordan’s early days. The series refers back to crucial events from the past leading to a drama filled 1997-1998 NBA season for the Chicago Bulls
Sports Leagues Start Rob Gronkowski Unretires, Online Tournaments Traded to Tampa Bay as he Redue to COVID-19 unites With Former Teamate Tom Brady BRYAN CHAVEZ
Reporter
bryan.chavez5634@my.riohondo.edu
While we wait for our beloved sports to continue once again our favorite players are entertaining us with their virtual selves. Leagues such as the Premier League, La Liga, MLS, and Liga MX are hosting online virtual tournaments to promote the practice social distancing and help the fight against the pandemic. The #ePremierLeague starts on April 21st and ends Sunday, April 25. Multiple Premier League players will be playing in a FIFA 20 knockout tournament. The prize is a fund that will be donated to the #PlayersTogether which the very own players created a way to generate funds for the NHS. La Liga has already finished their virtual league with Real Madrid’s very own Marco Asensio winning the tournament and gave the fans a chance to see their favorite players representing their teams once more. The #eMLS tournament started on April 19 which sees players from each
club play with their esports counterpart. After each matchday, the MLS WORKS and the league’s social responsibility platform will make a donation on behalf of the winning team to Feeding America, as well as the MLS supporting food banks in Canada. The Liga MX kicked off their #eLIGAMX on April 10th and will see The Clasico Nacional between Chivas and America. The esports league will mirror the 2020 season as they play a regular season and then a playoff to decide the winner. Many other leagues have done similar things like the Serie A and Bundesliga. Other sports to also form their own esports Leagues include Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association. MLB has incorporated a player tournament with one representative of each team playing three inning games in the newly released MLB The Show 20. Meanwhile, the NBA already held its own player’s tournament of its own where Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker came out as the winner of the entire tournament.
ENRIQUE MEDINA Co-Sports Editor
enrique.medina4922@my.riohondo.edu
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a move early Tuesday afternoon traded for New England Patriots retired Tight End Rob Gronkowski, giving up a fourth-round pick, receiving a seventh-round pick and Gronkowski from New England. With the move, Gronkowski makes it official that he will be returning to the NFL after a year of retirement. Gronkowski will reunite with former quar-
terback Tom Brady in Tampa Bay as the Bucs continue to make the push to be one of the NFL’s best. Gronkowski’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed the deal was set in place for Gronkowski to go to Tampa Bay, according to NFL ESPN reporter Adam Schefter. It is said that Gronkowski has already gotten his physical and the deal is essentially official. Gronkowski similar to Brady had never played for any other team other than the Patriots and will be putting on another uniform
for the first time in his career. Gronkowski, even after retirement stated that he would consider returning, but most preferably with Brady. Gronkowski will be turning 31 years of age next month and with the trade, will have the final year of his contract remaining from the deal with the Patriots at nine million dollars. With the trade too, Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl chances bumped up in Las Vegas from 17-1 to 14-1, as they acquire arguably the greatest tight end to ever play the game.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CLUTCHSPORTS.COM The trade of Rob Gronkowski officially means Gronk will be coming out of retirement and playing for his first team other than New England. He reunites with ex-Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady in Tampa.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
6
Astronomers Find The Brightest Supernova in Space
JAIME APARICIO/EPM There are countless of variables that cause other phenomena to occur in the universe. Supernovas can be considered to be beautiful to reaserchers but they can also be considered to be very dangerous if located too closely to our planet. JESUS MARQUEZ Reporter
jesus.marquez1625@my.riohondo.edu
Astronomers have found the brightest and largest ever supernova that left scientists absolutely stunned. A Supernova never seen before has scientists at the Center for Astrophysics. A collaboration between the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the Harvard College Observatory wants to study more. What is a Supernova? The meaning of a supernova is a very powerful and bright explosion of a dying, massive star that’s
at least five times the mass of the sun. People from NASA state that enormous stars burn large amounts of nuclear power at their cores, which in turn makes the center extremely hot. Then the heat generates outward pressure that stops the star from collapsing. But, that pressure has something to fight versus as a star’s gravity tries to compact it into the smallest tightest ball possible. When a star runs out of energy and thus heat, the pressure declines and gravity takes over. Then the stars fall down creating shock waves that cause the
outer part of the star to blow up. A Rare Object from Outer Space Researchers spotted this bright supernova back in 2016 using data from Rapid Response System and Panoramic Survey Telescopes. They also used Pan-STARRS which is located at the Haleakala Observatory in Hawaii and consists of telescopes. Furthermore, researchers use astronomical cameras and a computing facility that continually survey the sky for rare objects. Then the research team
started measuring the new discovered super by using two scales. One the total energy of the explosion and the radiation. The interesting part is light emitted in ordinary supernovae is usually less than 1% of the total energy. but this supernova, called SN2016aps which is the year they spotted the nova. It radiated more than five times the explosion energy of a typical supernova. After, seeing the explosion for two years, scientists found the mass between 60 to 110 times greater than the sun. Usually the normal-size of a
supernova is between eight to 15 times more. The supernova found in the middle of nowhere something that astronomers had to follow more. However, as it turns out, the supernova only appeared without celestial neighbors because it outshone its own host galaxy. So far, the galaxy in which the explosion was found doesn’t have a name yet. But at the moment, astronomers know the galaxy is about four billion light years away.
Interstellar Object Oumuamua Believed To Be Active EVELYN VARGAS Reporter
evelyn.vargas3749@my.riohondo.edu
According to researchers, the cigar-shaped interstellar visitor to our solar system known as “Oumuamua” could be the remnants of a larger body that was torn apart by its host star. This dark, reddish object that hurtled into our solar system back in 2017 was named after the Hawaiian word with the meaning of messenger or scout and has confused scientists leaving them clueless for the past years. Among its unusualness, is the lack of an envelope of gas and dust that is able that comets regularly give off as they start to heat up. Much further look by experts suggests the body has accelerated by the loss of water vapour as well as other gases as it has previously been seen with comets but
not with asteroids. The result was that Oumuamua was labelled a “comet in disguise”. Oumuamua was quickly revealed to be a visitor from another solar system which made it the first known interstellar object to swing through planet earth’s neighborhood. Scientists say they now have shed lights on the mystery and addressed the myriad pieces of the Oumuamua puzzle. “Most planetary bodies … consist of numerous pieces of rock that have coalesced under the influence of gravity. You could imagine them as sandcastles floating in space,” said Dr Yun Zhang, co-author of the new study from the Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur in France. Zhang also said, “A tidal encounter between a planet or small body and a star is a tug-of-war game between the gravitational pull of the star
and the self-gravity of the flyby body.” Zhang also noted that when the body passes too close to the star and enters the tidal disruption region, it can stretch and be torn apart giving rise to fragments. Zhang and Prof Doug Lin of the University of California’s Lick Observatory, report how they used computer models to reveal that such a process could have produced Oumuamua and further explain features including its tumbling motion, color and also its unusual shape. Zhang said both near and far parts would have been pulled apart from one another in the tidal disruption region, resulting in the formation of elongated fragments. Like Oumuamua, it would be glued together by surface material that melted near the star and then froze as it flew on. Most of the
JAIME APARICIO/EPM There are numerous asteroids that pass our planet each year. It’s only a matter of when before an asteroid big enough to cause colossal damage will hit Earth. volatile substances on this surface would have also been lost from heating by the star around by which it formed,
but still some residual water ice could have been preserved below its surface and heated by our hotter sun.