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Watch the ESA launch its wind-mapping Aeolus satellite at 5PM ET
The European Space Agency is launching its Aeolus wind-mapping satellite today from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. Once in orbit, Aeolus will measure winds from the Earth's surface up to the stratosphere using powerful lidar technology, and it will do so on a global scale. The data Aeolus collects will help improve weather forecasting and provide valuable information for climate change research.
Europe's cutting-edge wind satellite should launch in 2017
Humanity is about to deepen its understanding of Earth's winds. The European Space Agency has secured a rocket launch deal for its wind-tracking Aeolus satellite, which is now expected to enter orbit before the end of 2017. The once-problematic spacecraft (technical issues postponed its 2015 launch) will be the first to profile wind on a worldwide scale thanks to the novel use of ultraviolet lidar in space. By bouncing laser light off of atmospheric air, dust and water, Aeolus will measure everything from cyclones to the presence of aerosols.
Enermax laptop cooling station beats the heat with an 8-inch fan
There are laptop cooling pads and there are laptop cooling pads, and we've got to hand it to Enermax for building the biggest and silliest one we've ever seen. The Aeolus cooling pad features just a single fan, but it's an 8.66-inch diameter monster, capable of reducing temps by 22 degrees Celsius (39.6 degrees Fahrenheit) while only putting out 20dB of noise. On top that, it's got integrated blue LEDs for additional nerd cred -- although we're wondering how you're supposed to actually see them while your furnace of a laptop is parked on top. Should be around now for about $70, we hear.
