Architect reveals his one-of-a-kind futuristic tree-house

 

 

 

Inside the luxury Peter Pan-style treehouse perched among 150-year-old pines Peter and Katie Bahouth spent six months designing the perfect woodland retreat in Atlanta, USA The Buckland is adorned with fairy lights and has a hammock, rope-bridges, and a deck that seats up to 10 people You can book a minimum two-night stay in the tree house on Airbnb If you've ever dreamed of a fairytale tree house, complete with twinkling lights and romantic bridges, it probably looks a lot like this.   The Buckland retreat, nestled in pristine woodland in the heart of Atlanta, has now been listed on AirBnB, and it even comes with wifi! Set amid the branches of a 150-year-old Southern Short-Leaf Pine tree, the enchanting tree house is the handywork of creative couple Peter and Katie Bahouth, and consists of three separate rooms that are connected by rope bridges strewn with fairy lights. +9 If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise... This stunning tree house is nestled amid lush woodland in Atlanta +9 Peter and Katie Bahouth bought the land in 2000 and spent six months designing and building the fairytale retreat, which they now rent out Former Greenpeace executive director Mr Bahouth, bought the pretty woodland spot in 2000, and spent the next six months designing and building the perfect forest hideaway. The cosy living room is decked out with a masterful blend of beautiful antiques and up-cycled furniture, including a chandelier to add a touch a glamour to scheme, and an 80-year-old butterfly window. And just in case you feel like entertaining, there is even an indoor dining area with room to comfortably seat six people. +9 Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the interior with natural light, while pretty fairy lights and swishy curtains add a dash of romance to the scheme +9 The rustic living room has been decked out with shabby chic furniture, while colourful accessories add warmth to the cosy scheme Over in the bedroom, you'll be able to enjoy nature without leaving the comfort of your bed, as it can be pushed out onto a platform overlooking a local stream. You don't even have to worry about catching a chill - the organic linen bedding has been teamed with a heated mattress pad to keep you toasty all night long. +9 The tree house consists of three separate rooms which can be reached via rope bridges strewn with fairy lights to light the way Outside, a generous decking area seats up to 10 people and comes complete with a hammock for day-time dreaming or star-spotting at night. But if you do get the urge to leave the confines of the tee house, the Bahouth's have provided a list of local beauty spots to explore. Or, like some guests, you could just order pizza delivered straight to your branch. But enchanting beauty doesn't come cheap. A minimum two night stay at the retreat will set you back £236 per night - but we reckon it's worth it! +9 The couple have even installed wifi in the tree house for those guests who feel the need to stay connected to the outside world +9 Pretty mirrored furniture and pooling curtains create a sense of romance in the retreat's only bedroom +9 The luxurious double bed is on wheels and can be pushed out onto the mezzanine for guests who want sleep outdoors It's no surprise this Peter Pan-style tree house comes with a five-star rating from former guests.  One former occupant called Brent said: 'I surprised my wife with a visit for her birthday. The whole visit was like something out of a fairy tale... all lit up in the night. 'I enjoyed the rickety bridge and the feeling that we were on a pirate ship. Every detail is quirky and fun, including a bed that pushes out on a track so you can sleep on a plank under a canopy of trees - unbelievable.'  +9 But don't worry, you won't catch a chill. Raw linen bedding has been teamed with a heated mattress to keep guests toasty all night long     So close yet so far from the parties of Patong on Thailand's biggest island, developers hope a new hotel in Phuket will be the epitome of serenity. Keemala is a small wellness-focused resort in the woodlands just outside the village and beach of Kamala, on the west coast of the island, and is set for a September 2015 opening. Small Luxury Hotels of the World says the tranquil setting of the resort will 'encourage guests to rebalance, rejuvenate and relax' among the trees, streams and waterfalls seamlessly added to enhance the natural landscape.  +17 Keemala is a small wellness-focused resort in the woodlands just outside the village and beach of Kamala on the island of Phuket +17 The picturesque resort's 'Meditation Bridge' takes guest over the rippling stream and serene waterfall +17 While all villas have access to a private pool, Keemala also has a communal pool at its centre for relaxing with fellow guests +17 The lobby area of the resort with a distinctive design that morphs in with the natural surrounds of its forest setting  The resort's 38 pool villas come in in four separate styles - clay and straw cottages, tent villas, tree houses and bird's nest villas - with each one representing a clan of fictitious early Phuket settlers. The hotel said: ‘The architecture of the four different villa types reflects the skills and way of life of each of the groups. ‘Keemala and its grounds are designed as an expansion of the surrounding landscape, making use of natural features such as mature trees, streams and waterfalls and integrating these into the overall design and creating a wonderland for guests to enjoy.’ Each of the villas comes with a private pool and outdoor terrace, while a communal pool forms the centrepiece of the resort around which all revolves. +17 Natural building materials combine with sleek, modern designs in the area which will greet those who stay at Keemala +17 With health and well-being the heart and soul of the project, this is the wellness spa among the trees for guests +17 The resort's 38 pool villas come in in four separate styles - clay and straw cottages, tent villas, tree houses and bird's nest villas According to the hotel, 16 clay cottages reflect the earthiness of the Pa-ta-pea clan, which believed in a strong connection to the Earth and were leaders in agriculture. Seven tent villas are inspired by the nomadic Khon-Jorn tribe of wanderers who excelled in hunting and trading. The hotel also boasts seven treehouses inspired by the We-ha clan, whose people worshipped the university and lived in trees to be closer to the sky. Keemala’s bird nest villas reflect the opulent lifestyle – compared to other clans, at least – led by the Rung-Nok people. The interwoven design of their homes helped with protection and privacy. +17 The bauble-shaped treehouses, one of four types of dwelling, loosely resemble James Cameron's Pandora from the blockbuster film Avatar +17 The versatile design makes guests in the treehouse feel part of the environment with the balcony jutting out into the trees +17 The exterior of each treehouse villa is mirrored by the bespoke cane furniture and tribal-style artwork on the inside +17 The treehouse's bathroom has the all-natural feeling of being inside a tree, with wooden stumps even forming the casing for the dual sinks With wellness high on the agenda, a spa offers organic and traditional treatments, while there is also a gym, yoga pavilions and areas devoted to meditation for those keen to dictate their own fitness and health schedule. The in-house restaurant will feature 'wholesome cuisine' along with fine dining and there are also quaint spots around the resort for destination dining - ideal for private parties, romantic picnics and cooking classes. Keemala is like no other resort on Phuket Island, due to its architecture and experiences offered, making it an ideal addition to the collection. +17 The tent cottages have a more modern appeal but are essentially a wooden frame structure engulfed by a white sail-like cover +17 The restaurant will specialise in wholesome cuisine for guests when they don't want to explore the plethora of options around Kamala With wellness high on the agenda, a spa offers organic and traditional treatments, while there is also a gym, yoga pavilions and areas devoted to meditation for those keen to dictate their own fitness and health schedule. Communal areas are designed as open spaces that offer spectacular views of lush forest and invite the sounds of nature. The in-house restaurant boasts a Thai executive chef and will feature 'wholesome cuisine' along with fine dining. +17 The opulent bird's nest suite, inspired by the Rung-Nok clan, has splashes of bold colour looking into the peaceful forest over the private pool +17 The bird nest's typical bathroom features a massive rain shower and a bath that connects guests to the outdoors There are also quaint spots around the resort for destination dining - ideal for private parties, romantic picnics and cooking classes. Aiming to offer experiences that are ‘beyond enchanting’, Keemala is like no other resort on Phuket Island, due to its architecture and experiences offered, making it an ideal addition to the collection. While embracing traditional Thai culture and customs, the hotel bills itself as a five-star sanctuary for those who wish to rebalance, rejuvenate and relax in a serene rainforest. +17 At the opposite end of the spectrum from their Avatar-like treehouses, the clay and straw cottages channel the homes of The Hobbit +17 The interior of the clay and straw cottage with all of the doors opening outwards and fresh air and sunshine streaming into the bedroom Despite its seemingly isolated setting Keemala is just a five-minute drive from Kamala beach and a ten-minute drive from the lively Patong, Phuket’s main tourist resort and a hotspot for nightlife.

Architect reveals his one-of-a-kind futuristic tree-house designed to have the best possible acoustics Architect Robert Harvey Oshatz in 1997 designed a home for Roy Wilkinson, who wished to hear birds sing in natural habitat Built in 2004 in Portland's lush West Hills, the Wilkinson residence in jam-packed with acoustics-enhancing materials and shapes, including curving, cedar ceilings and laminated beams At the intersection of music and architecture stands a unique Oregon home that has been specifically designed to deliver the best possible listening experience. Architect Robert Harvey Oshatz's one-of-a-kind creation, nestled in Portland's lush West Hills, can be rightfully described as a symphony in glass, wood and sunlight streaming through its broad windows. The home was designed in 1997 for Oshatz’s client Roy Wilkinson, a music aficionado who wished to hear birds sing in their natural habitat; it was constructed in 2004 on a steep outcropping of land surrounded by mature trees in Southwest Portland. Scroll down for video +9 Sound design: A circular-shaped room extends from one end of the Wilkinson residence, a home designed in 1997 by architect Robert Harvey Oshatz and built in 2004 for a music-loving client on a steep lot in Portland's West Hills in Oregon +9 Music lover's lair: Curved lines are everywhere in the Wilkinson home, including in this gourmet kitchen boasting a massive gas range +9 Well-tuned: Oshatz's wood-and-glass creation is jam-packed with acoustic-enhancing shapes and materials +9 House of melody: Even the furniture in the house undulates and ripples like a pleasant tune +9 Harmonious: Geometric shapes, including the door to an outside deck, meet curved lines in the futuristic treehouse The residence, dubbed the Wilkinson house after its owner, is a grownup version of a treehouse that seamlessly incorporates together wood and glass, and features many futuristic elements of design. But more importantly, the property is a music lover's paradise. The rustic yet modern retreat is jam-packed with acoustic-enhancing shapes and materials, including curving, cedar ceilings and laminated beams, according to OregonLive.com. To improve the quality of sound in the house, Oshatz swapped traditional straights lines and rectangles for more fluid shapes, such as curves, spirals and cones. +9 Soaring structure: Laminated beams form a flowing line above the open central room in the Wilkinson residence +9 Music fan's delight: Cedar pieces create a wave-like patterns above the copper mantle of a fireplace +9 Futuristic cottage; The main rooms are located on an elevated canopy level nestled among the trees +9 Grown-up tree house: One portion of the house consists of a sci-fi looking tube equipped with frameless glass doors Inside, the main rooms are located on an elevated canopy level that is nestled among trees. One portion of the house consists of a glass tube equipped with frameless doors. A 35-foot-long bank of windows overlooks the woods outside and allows sunlight to stream indoors. Most of the interior space, including the furniture, undulates and ripples, creating a natural, harmonious flow that brings to mind a melody. ‘A lover of music, the client wanted a house that not only became part of the natural landscape but also addressed the flow of music,' Oshatz said of his creation in 2013. The home's unusual organic shape is also designed to minimize disturbance to the surrounding forest. When booking a hotel, most guests pay attention to the location, what the pool looks like, perhaps the quality of the restaurant... but what about the loo? There are some hotels around the world that are worth booking for their bathroom amenities alone - from an all-glass washroom overlooking a game reserve in Botswana, to a Jacuzzi with 270-degree panoramic views of the Hong Kong skyline. But a luxurious bathing experience will set you back, with the magnificent bathroom of the Penthouse suite at the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris setting guests back a staggering £15,229 per night (bedroom included). These are the world's most jaw-dropping hotel bathrooms. +11 Bathroom with a view! The Kingston Tree house at Lion Sands Game Reserve in South Africa features a bathroom with a view of the surrounding wildlife The Lion Sands Game Reserve in South Africa: Be at one with nature   Staying in a tree house on a South African game reserve is always going to be an unforgettable experience... and using the glass bathroom while keeping an eye out for the Big Five just makes the experience even more special... even if you do end up with a giraffe audience during your shower. But don't worry about another human catching you unawares. The tree house is located five minutes from the main hotel, with communication by radio. This is a truly secluded experience. From £608 per person per night. +11 Hong Kong hot tub: The oversized Jacuzzi in the Ritz Carlton Suite at the Ritz Carlton Hong Kong enjoys spectacular views After long hours exploring buzzing Hong Kong, guests can wash away the day the comfort of this oversized jacuzzi, or the shower with its rain forest shower head - both of which enjoy spectacular views of the city skyline. The suite itself has magical 270 degree panoramic views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island from every room. From £3,165 per person per night. +11 Soak under the stars: The 'star bath' at the Sanctuary Baines’ Camp in Botswana is the ultimate bubble bath experience... but it will set guests back £936 per night The ultimate in safari chic, Sanctuary Baines’ Camp is built on raised platforms high above the Boro River in amidst a grove of trees bordering the Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana. The 'star bath' allows guests to enjoy an open-air bubble bath under the star, listening to bird calls as they soak in style. From £936 per night. +11 Infinity tub: The glamorous  £15,229 per night Penthouse suite bathroom at the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris features a beautiful infinity-edge bath filled with jets The elegant Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris has a Penthouse suite bathroom fit for royalty. The magnificent bathroom is separated from the bedroom by a sliding glass door and fitted with floor to ceiling marble. The oversized walk-in shower, though impressive, is overshadowed by the centrepiece of the room: A beautiful infinity-edge bathtub filled with jets and colour therapy system. From £15,229 per night. +11 Suit to sea: Four Seasons Seychelles' Serenity Villa has a deep-soaking tub enclosed with glass walls Four Seasons Seychelles offers a level of luxury like no other   It's sister property in the Seychelles easily rivals the George V though. The Serenity Villa's deep-soaking tub is enclosed by glass walls that make it appear as though the bath is one with the private infinity pool. Indoor/outdoor showers complete the serene suite, which offers incredible Indian ocean and tropical forest views. From £1,161 per night. +11 Renaissance retreat: At Il Salviatino in Florence, the Affresco suite's showpiece is its unique freestanding ancient stone bathtub The Affresco suite at Il Salviatino in Florence is certainly for art lovers. Offering a quintessential 'renaissance retreat', the room features a breathtaking 1886 fresco by Bruschi and features two oil canvases by Gabriel van der Leeuw. Equally enchanting is the bathroom's freestanding ancient stone bathtub. From £1,410 per night. +11 Isolated: The Osprey Pavilion bathroom at Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island has a hand sculptured granite bath placed in front of floor-to-ceiling windows They know how to bathe in style Down Under too. The secluded Southern Ocean Lodge enjoys panoramic views from its clifftop position on Kangaroo Island in South Australia. The property's most luxurious suite, the Osprey Pavilion, has a bathroom that features a hand sculptured granite bath, heated limestone floors and deluxe rain shower. From £1,060 per person per night. +11 Understated: The Fujiya Inn, located in Yamagata, Japan, aims to 'create an environment where one can rest both the body and the spirit' While the other bathrooms tend to boast spectacular views and oversized amenities, the Fujiya Inn bathrooms are all about serene style. The ensuites  feature bamboo fixtures with an understated tub. The hotel, located in Yamagata, Japan, aims to 'create an environment where one can rest both the body and the spirit'. From £280 per person per night. +11 City view: The Banyan Tree Shanghai Panorama Oasis suite has a huge bathtub in the room, with a view across the Huangpu River to the skyline It is all about the romance in the Panorama Oasis suite at Shanghai's Banyan Tree hotel. The 66-square metre suite has an in-room tub big enough for two, with showstopping views across the Huangpu River to the city skyline. From £269 per night. +11 No need to share: The Foxhill Manor Oak Suite features not, but two, free standing baths Speaking of big enough for two... there's no need to share at Foxhill Manor in the Cotswolds. The Oak Suite has not one, but two, deep-soaking baths. The twin tubs face the large windows, so guests can stare out across the surrounding landscape while sipping champagne and soaking the worries away. Exclusive use of manor starts from £3,500 per night. +11 Loo over London: The Iconic City View room at Shangri-la hotel at The Shard offers magnificent vistas across the capital A hotel room in The Shard, London's newest iconic skyscraper, was always going to boast magnificent views. A bubble bath with a view of the Thames, Tower Bridge and Westminster is available from the Iconic City View rooms.

What happens when a star EXPLODES? The universe is a 'cosmic LOAF' and 95% of its stars have already formed

 

 

 

 

 

What happens when a star EXPLODES?     Supernova shockwave spotted hitting a red giant could solve cosmic mystery California astronomers have spotted a supernova impacting another star The type of supernova observed is known as Type 1a Two conflicting theories had existed for its formation But now it appears that both of the theories might have a basis of truth Astronomers have observed how the most common type of supernovae in the universe occurs. Until now, there were two conflicting theories for how this giant explosion formed - one saying it involved two ‘dead’ stars, and another that a much larger star was at work. But it seems these theories aren't quite so conflicting after all, as both have been witnessed while studying similar but separate events. Scroll down for video +6 Astronomers in California say they may be closer to solving the mystery of how one of the most common types of supernova in the universe occurs, known as type 1a. It happens when a white dwarf occurs, and experts now think it could occur both when it orbits another white dwarf or a red giant (illustrated) The latest research was carried out by a team of astronomers from the University of California Santa Barbara and Nasa’s Caltech laboratory. They observed a supernova called iPTF14atg, 300 million light-years away in the galaxy IC 831, using the Palomar Observatory in San Diego. It is known as a type 1a supernova, which occurs when a white dwarf star - a remnant of a larger star - explodes after gaining too much matter from a companion star. TYPES OF SUPERNOVA Type 1a (first theory): A white dwarf accumulates material from a stellar companion until it undergoes runaway nuclear fusion and explodes. Type 1a (second theory): Two white dwarfs merge until their combined mass causes an explosion. Type II: A star at least nine times the mass of the sun eventually experiences a core collapse as its fuel runs out, causing it to explode. Type 1b and 1c: A star undergoes core collapse but most of its outer hydrogen has already been lost to stellar winds. Hypernova: Extreme type of supernova, 50 times as energetic as other supernovas, resulting in a black hole. The exact cause of them is unknown. However, astronomers had been unsure whether the companion star in this type of explosion would be another white dwarf, or a much larger star such as a red giant. When they observed the emission from iPTF14atg they found the shockwave seemed to reflect off another star. This supports the red giant theory. In the double white dwarf theory, both stars would orbit so close that they eventually merge and explode - leaving no star to reflect off. Caltech graduate student Yi Cao said he had been ‘fired up’ when they first spotted this ultraviolet flash from the shockwave hitting the other star. ‘I knew this was likely what we had been hoping for,’ he said. According to Dr Shrinivas Kulkarni from Caltech, the discovery ‘provides direct evidence for the existence of a companion star in a Type 1a supernova.’ However, around the same time, scientists using Nasa’s Kepler and Swift spacecraft said they had spotted another supernova formed by the other process. They observed a supernova called KSN 2011b that did not have this tell-tale flash from a companion star. Supernova star explodes four times to test Einstein's theory +6 When the astronomers observed the emission from iPTF14atg, they found that the shockwave seemed to reflect off another star (shown in illustration), suggesting it had a large companion that survived the explosion of the initial white dwarf star +6 In this image from a simulation, a Type Ia supernova explodes (dark brown color). The supernova material is ejected outwards at a velocity of about 10,000 km/s. The ejected material slams into its companion star (light blue). Such a violent collision produces an ultraviolet pulse which is emitted by the companion star This meant that it was almost certainly the result of two white dwarfs merging and exploding. ‘Our Kepler supernova discoveries strongly favour the white dwarf merger scenario, while the Swift study, led by Cao, proves that Type 1a supernovae can also arise from single white dwarfs,’ said Dr Robert Olling, research associate at the University of Maryland and lead author of the study. ‘Just as many roads lead to Rome, nature may have several ways to explode white dwarf stars.’ Other supernova observations also seem to support the idea that both theories of formation are correct for these types of stellar explosions. ‘No wonder we've been so confused for decades. Apparently you can blow up stars in two different ways and still get nearly identical explosions,’ said Dr Andrew Howell of UCSB. The research was published in two separate papers in the journal Nature. +6 Nasa's Swift telescope (illustrated) was used to perform detailed checks of the distant supernova iPTF14atg to help confirm the existence of a companion star +6 The Kepler telescope separately observed a supernova called KSN 2011b, and found no expected increase in emissions if there had been a companion star +6 The lack of a flash from KSN 2011b suggests it was almost certainly the result of two white dwarfs merging (illustrated) and exploding, meaning that both theories for Type 1a supernovae are correct. In this scenaro, both stars would orbit so close that they eventually merge and explode - leaving no star to reflect off

The universe is a 'cosmic LOAF' and 95% of its stars have already formed Ben Gilliland's book is called Science But Not As We Know It It details some amazing science taking place in the cosmos Once section discusses how most of the stars have already formed Another said that an individual would weigh 7 billion tonnes on a pulsar Did you know that the universe has formed most of its stars, Earth is hit by a giant asteroid every 2,000 years and you would weigh seven billion tonnes on a pulsar? These are just some of the out-of-this-world facts revealed in a book by Ben Gilliland called Science But Not As We Know It. In it, he describes some of the fascinating science in the universe that we know about so far and MailOnline has picked out some of the most interesting excerpts. Scroll down for video   +5 Ben Gilliland from the UK has released a book about the universe. It details some amazing bits of science taking place in the cosmos. Once section discusses how most of the stars have already formed (shown is a star forming region seen by Hubble). Another says that you would weigh 7 billion tons on a pulsar 95% OF THE UNIVERSE'S STARS HAVE ALREADY FORMED Mr Gilliland explained how an extensive study in 2012 'used three massive telescopes to look at star-forming galaxies from four billion to 11 billion years go. Mr Gilliland's book Science But Not As We Know It is available now from DK for £9.99 ($10) 'They used the data to chart the history of star formation in the universe, and found that, in its early days, the universe was far more prolific in its star-forming activities than it has been in the last few billion years. 'In fact, the researchers concluded that 95 per cent of the universe's stars have already formed.' The reason is that there is not enough hydrogen left in galaxies to keep forming new stars. 'That is not to say that there are not billions of stars yet to be made: a huge drop from a colossal figure is still a very large number indeed,' Mr Gilliland added.  OUR UNIVERSE MAY BE PART OF A 'COSMIC LOAF' 'M-theory (an offshoot of string theory) suggests that our three-dimensional universe exists on a membrane that can be linked [sic] to a slice of bread,' explained Mr Gilliland. 'On that slice are all the stars and galaxies of our universe, but parallel to that, are thousands of other universe slices - arranged in a sort of huge cosmic loaf - that butt up against our own but that we cannot detect. 'It is thought that this might account for the apparent weakness of gravity (compared to the other fundamental forces), which might be spread out through the whole cosmic loaf - with each slice only experiencing a fraction of the total gravitational force.' +5 'M-theory (an offshoot of string theory) suggests our three-dimensional universe exists on a membrane that can be linked to a slice of bread,' explained Mr Gilliland. 'On that slice are all the stars and galaxies of our universe, but parallel to that, are thousands of other universe slices - arranged in a sort of huge cosmic loaf' IT WILL TAKE TWO MILLION YEARS FOR PIONEER 10 TO PASS THE NEAREST STAR In 1972 Nasa launched the Pioneer 10 spacecraft on a mission to study Jupiter. FOUR OTHER AMAZING FACTS Atomic clocks lose less than a second every 300 million years.  The sun converts 655 million tonnes of hydrogen into 650 million tonnes of helium every second. It would take 100 million trillion trillion years for a pane of glass to sag.  Earth experiences 99,500 lightning strikes a second.  After the conclusion of its mission it continued into space and became the first spacecraft to cross the orbits of Saturn, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto. 'Long after its intended 21-month lifespan had been exceeded, Pioneer 10 kept on trucking until 2003, when, at the outer limits of our solar system, and 12.2 billion km (7.5 billion miles) from home, it sent its last transmission,' wrote Gilliland. However, such is the vastness of space that it will not pass another object of interest for a long, long time as it heads out of the solar system. 'It will take more than two million years for Pioneer 10 to pass Aldebaran, the nearest star on its trajectory,' said Mr Gilliland, which is 65 light-years away - a baby step in cosmic terms. +5 In 1972 Nasa launched the Pioneer 10 spacecraft on a mission to study Jupiter. After the conclusion of its mission it continued into space and became the first spacecraft to cross the orbits of Saturn, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto, and it is now on its way out of the solar system (illustrated) EARTH IS STRUCK BY A FOOTBALL PITCH-SIZED ASTEROID EVERY 2,000 YEARS 'Studies suggest there are some 4,700 near-Earth asteroids measuring in at more than 100 metres (320ft) and, although none are expected to hit Earth in the next 100 years, it would be folly not to prepare for the worst,' said Mr Gilliland. He noted that 'detection is the first line of defence' because this would allow us time to deflect an asteroid, using perhaps a nuclear bomb or nudging it out of the way with solar sails. And that could prove important, because the odds are stacked against us. 'Earth is struck by an asteroid the size of a football field approximately every 2,000 years,' wrote Mr Gilliland. +5 'Studies suggest there are some 4,700 near-Earth asteroids [illustrated] measuring in at more than 100 metres (320ft) and, although none are expected to hit Earth in the next 100 years, it would be folly not to prepare for the worst,' explained Mr Gilliland Asteroid collision predictions over the next 50 years RIDGES ON ENCELADUS EMIT THE SAME AMOUNT OF ENERGY AS 20 COAL-FIRED POWER STATIONS Enceladus is an icy moon of Saturn thought to harbour an ocean below its surface. It has garnered attention in recent years owing to its potential for habitability. Life, as we know it, requires water, organic chemicals and energy to survive - and there is a chance that Enceladus has all three. Evidence for the latter comes from so-called 'tiger stripes' on its surface, which are low ridges with high temperatures, possibly caused by cryovolcanoes underground. 'The tiger stripes are emitting an enormous amount of energy - about 16 Gigawatts, which equates to about 20 coal-fired power stations,' wrote Mr Gilliland. 'So Enceladus has the three basic ingredients in the recipe for life - water, energy (warmth) and organic chemicals. 'But does life exist below the moon's cue-ball surface? Only a dedicated sampling mission can hope to answer this question.' +5 Evidence for warmth on Enceladus comes from so-called 'tiger stripes' on its surface, shown here in blue, which are low ridges with high temperatures, possibly caused by cryovolcanoes underground. The moon has garnered attention in recent years owing to its potential for habitability YOU WOULD WEIGH SEVEN BILLION TONS ON A PULSAR 'A pulsar is a rapidly spinning neutron star with a colossal magnetic field,' explained Gilliland. They contain more than the mass of the sun but are packed into an area no bigger than a city, and owing to their huge mass and small size, they have an intense gravitational pull. 'A pulsar's gravity is so extreme that, if you were to land on one, you would weigh about seven billion tonnes,' said Mr Gilliland. 'But you would not really get the chance to worry about your sudden weight gain because, as you approached the star, you would be stretched into a piece of human spaghetti and fall towards its surface at more than (4 million mph) (6.4 million km/h). 'You would then be crushed into a speck of matter smaller than a grain of salt and assimilated into the star's surface.'  NASA's Fermi space telescope catches a 'transformer' pulsar