Stories that are getting the most attention from our readers this week.
Amazon took a significant step forward in satellite-based internet, launching the initial batch of its “Project Kuiper” satellites into low-Earth orbit. The mission, facilitated by a partner-operated Falcon 9 rocket, marks the company’s bid to rival SpaceX’s Starlink service. FCC rules require Amazon to deploy half of its planned 3,000-plus satellites by 2026, meaning an accelerated launch schedule. If successful, Project Kuiper will offer broadband coverage in test markets by late 2025, potentially challenging Starlink’s head start. Amazon’s e-commerce and cloud assets could bolster the new service, making Kuiper a formidable player in global connectivity.
Scientists intrigued by anomalies like the interstellar object ‘Oumuamua and puzzling radio bursts wonder if advanced alien tech could be lurking near Earth’s cosmic neighborhood. While mainstream astronomy generally expects natural explanations for these phenomena, a small group posits that certain evidence—like unexplained accelerations—might hint at artificial origins. No definitive proof has emerged, yet new telescopes and advanced data mining accelerate the search. Critics caution that sensational claims often outrun facts. Still, the possibility of discovering signals or debris from an extraterrestrial civilization captivates both researchers and the broader public, fueling a rush to gather more data.
A 60-million-year evolutionary analysis shows wild chimpanzees deliberately drink fermented fruit juice, bolstering the “drunken monkey” hypothesis that early primates adapted to low-level alcohol. Researchers say the behavior may illuminate human alcohol-metabolism genes and social bonding.