Planetary scientists claim they may have discovered how “chondrules”, tiny particles found in meteorites, formed at the beginning of the solar system, thus solving the decades-old cosmic conundrum. Chondrules are spherical particles of molten material found in meteorites but their origins have long been a mystery.
No longer than about one millimetre in diameter, they melted at temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees Celsius, while the cooler materials surrounding them only experienced temperatures of a few hundred degrees Celsius.
Now, an international team, led by Australian National University, has cracked the mystery as to how “chondrules” could have actually formed in extreme heat, especially when the meteorite structure surrounding them remained cold.
Raquel Salmeron led the team.

***
Jolie to take on UN special envoy role
Hollywood star Angelina Jolie
will step up her work for the world’s refugees following her promotion to United Nations special envoy, the UN refugee agency said on Tuesday. Jolie, a goodwill ambassasdor since 2001, will take on a “new and expanded” role as special envoy of high commissioner for refugees Antonio Guterres, the UNHCR said. Her work over the last decade, including 40 field visits, “goes significantly beyond the role of a goodwill ambassador,” said spokesman Adrian Edwards, and the promotion is intended to recognise this. The new post will see the Oscar-winning actress perform a more diplomatic role. She is expected to focus on large-scale crises resulting in the mass displacement of people, to undertake advocacy and represent UNHCR and Mr Guterres at the diplomatic level, engaging with relevant interlocutors on global displacement issues,” said Edwards. — AFP

***
Rivers, Wesley’s plane struck by lightning
VETERAN COMEDIENNE Joan Rivers and Vampire Diaries star Paul Wesley’s plane was struck by lightning on one of the most superstitious days of the year. The pair were flying on the same jet from Los Angeles to Toronto, Canada on Friday and Wesley said they both ran into a bout of bad luck, reported Contactmusic.
The 29-year-old actor tweeted, “Friday the 13th and my plane gets struck by lightning.”
And still visibly shaken up, Wesley recounted the horrifying experience during an appearance on a TV chat show on Monday.
“I had a really interesting experience. My wife (actress Torrey DeVitto) and I were flying to Toronto for a quick 24-hour trip and we had a really amazing thing happen. Our plane got struck by lightning. There was a huge burst of light and this loud [noise],” said Paul.
— PTI

***
Blunt to star opposite Tom Cruise in new film
HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS Emily Blunt is in talks to join the cast of sci-fi film All You Need is Kill opposite Tom Cruise. The film follows the story of a soldier in a war against aliens who is forced to re-live his last day alive again and again after he is killed, reported Contactmusic.
Through having to re-live the same experiences he gets better at tackling the days challenges. Blunt would play another soldier who fights alongside him.
Warner Bros were impressed with Blunt’s tough girl credentials when she was cast as female lead in Man From U.N.C.L.E project — which was halted after the studio couldn’t find a male star and director Steven Soderbergh dropped out. The Devil Wears Prada star has previously said she was looking for a role in a sci-fi or superhero film where the female character had substance. — PTI