hubie writes:One of the primary drivers for the distinct lack of a Martian atmosphere is believed to be the loss of atmospheric molecules that are stripped away by the passing solar wind. A strong planetary magnetic field would divert the solar wind around the planet and protect the Martian atmosphere. The MAVEN spacecraft confirmed this is happening, and some interesting ideas have been floated to mitigate the effect.A recent paper published in JGR: Space Physics used Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models to investigate the magnitude of the effect on atmospheric retention that a magnetic field would have on Mars and found a very interesting result. Their models confirmed that the rate of atmospheric loss was six times higher for a planet with no magnetic field compared to a planet with a strong magnetic field; however, they found the highest rate of atmospheric loss was actually when there was a weak magnetic field.
DannyB wrote in with a submission which inspired:EU Says That, No, Rental Car Companies Don't Need To Pay A License To Rent Cars With Radios That Might Play Music:
Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story:[Editor's note: SN3 is SpaceX parlance for "Serial Number 3"; Elon Musk is not just working on building rockets, he's building an assembly line and plans to build one Starship a week. This helps explain the use of serial numbers. --martyb]
Microsoft Cheers, ACLU Jeers Washington State Law Restricting Use of Facial Recognition Softwareupstart writes in with an IRC submission for chromas:Microsoft cheers, ACLU jeers law restricting use of facial-recognition technology:
Millions of Guests Impacted in Marriott Data Breach, Againupstart writes in with an IRC submission for Bytram:Millions of Guests Impacted in Marriott Data Breach, Again:
wirelessduck writes:https://www.barrons.com/articles/xerox-withdraws-hostile-bid-for-hp-citing-impact-of-coronavirus-51585688762Xerox Holdings is withdrawing its hostile bid for HP Inc., the latest example of Covid-19's wide-ranging impact on markets.Xerox (ticker: XRX) said Thursday afternoon that it will pull both its tender offer for HP (HPQ) shares and its proposed slate of directors for the HP board."The current global health crisis and resulting macroeconomic and market turmoil caused by Covid-19 have created an environment that is not conducive to Xerox continuing to pursue an acquisition of HP Inc.," Xerox said in a statement. "Accordingly, we are withdrawing our tender offer to acquire HP and will no longer seek to nominate our slate of highly qualified candidates to HP's Board of Directors."Original SubmissionRead more of this story at SoylentNews.
The Mighty Buzzard writes:The 4/1 joke this year is on me. Working from home apparently doesn't get you out of working on your home, or in this case a church destined to shortly be my home. Which is what kept me from having time to annoy you lot with a terrible/goofy/whatever theme or some other silliness this year. Enjoy your lazy Wednesday and feel free to have a chuckle at my expense.Side note: there are only sixty-one four-digit uids left at the time of this writing (the morning of 3/31) . Any of you long time ACs who think you might want to register before we hit five digits need to do it soon.Read more of this story at SoylentNews.