Calling all adventurers, nature admirers, and campers, to explore the breathtaking Lake Tahoe. It is situated on the California-Nevada state line and is easily the most beautiful lake in this State. Lake Tahoe is deeper than the Empire State Building with a whopping 22-mile radius. The larger-than-life lake is a dreamy all-year-round getaway. Here are 6 cool things to do on an escape to Lake Tahoe. 

Boating at Emerald Bay 

Relaxing cruises while tanning or kayaking with your buddies, Emerald Bay is the perfect spot for you. It is on the southwestern side of Lake Tahoe. We highly recommend renting a boat at Lake Tahoe for the best Tahoe experience with your friends or family. As it is more shaded than the rest of the lake and shallower, the water changes from crystal blue to a blue-green (hence the name); making for beautiful photo opportunities. 

Tahoe Day Hikes 

On a summer's day, nature trails are the perfect activity whether you are alone or in a large group. Lake Tahoe’s trail is scenic and rejuvenating. The Cascade Fall Trail is best for beginners, Rubicon Trail is a tourist favorite while Mount Tallac is suited for advanced hikers and backpackers. Hikes can be enjoyed on foot, mountain bike, and even horseback. So saddle up, grab your sunnies and enjoy the day in nature. If you are unsure of the path, make sure to check out the route beforehand via GPS to ensure a safe excursion. 

Snowboarding and Skiing Adventures

Sweaty summer trails are not for the faint-hearted but Lake Tahoe’s winter slopes are its claim to fame since the 1960s Winter Olympics. You can stay at the Palisades Tahoe Resort for a historical throwback to the Olympics, or at the Heavenly Resort for a variety of slopes. While skiing, keep an eye out for the majestic Tundra Swan and other winter animals. If you are like me and drawn to the snow, grab your skis and head to Lake Tahoe in January and February. 

Most Instagram-Worthy Foods

Glazed and Confused is the iconic donut spot at Lake Tahoe. This boutique bakery puts a whimsical take on your predictable store-bought donut. Locals’ favorite is the fried chicken glazed donut. Floyd the Donut is the store’s mascot who pops up in-store - a fun family-friendly selfie moment. Stop by the Glazed and Confused cafe for your morning go-to snack before exploring the rest of your day. 

Local Historic Sites

Lake Tahoe has a strong historical architecture imprinted in its natural surroundings. The Washoe Tribe, meaning ‘people from here’, were native to Lake Tahoe. The Tallac Museum on the Baldwin Estate honors the tribe’s history, featuring early 1930’s home life. Taking the time to acknowledge the origin story of the lake is a reflective and insightful experience. Vikingsholm is a Scandinavian-inspired historical site, built in 1929 by Mrs. Knight at Emerald Bay. You can take a tour of the mansion, stay a night or exclusively explore through ‘Conversations with History’. Partying during the 1920s is recreated during August each year. The Gatsby Festival includes vintage car displays, jazz concerts, and family fun markets on the estate premises. Grab your pearls, practice doing your hair in the classic 1920’s finger waves, and hide your liquor, for a night filled with Louis Armstrong musical wonders. 

Camping at Kings Beach

Camping or lounging at the beach is an inexpensive and easy alternative to all the activities at Lake Tahoe. Tourists will love it because it has so many trendy cafes and restaurants within walking distance. Grab your camera and take your family and friends along to experience a relaxing water adventure on paddleboards and kayaks. For all of the fishermen, don’t forget to apply for a license so that you can enjoy a long day of fishing in the summer sun. We recommend ending the beach day off with a couple of blankets and campfire songs while you stay warm next in the barbecue pits and have late-night conversations and laughs at the picnic tables. Mark Twain best described Lake Tahoe as the fairest picture on earth. With endless adventure activities for everyone, it is no understatement that Lake Tahoe is a wonderful getaway destination.  

BOZEMAN — A new feature-length documentary film from Montana PBS about Montana’s freestyle skiing legacy will premiere on Montana PBS at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30. It will be accompanied by free screenings at the Emerson Center’s Crawford Theater in Bozeman on Jan. 26 and at the Wilma Theater in Missoula on Jan. 27.

“Mavericks” follows the careers of a number of Montana freestyle skiers, including Missoula’s Olympic gold medal winner Eric Bergoust, Butte’s Bryon Wilson and Whitefish’s Maggie Voisin. Using visuals from international competitions, archival footage and original cinematography, the film captures “the struggles, victories, unsurpassed work ethic and unbreakable spirit of some of the state’s most renowned athletes in a sport where mere seconds determine the outcome of a career,” according to Kelly Gorham, producer and writer. Scott Sterling, director of production at Montana PBS, is the film’s producer, director and editor; and Aaron Pruitt, Montana PBS director and general manager, is executive producer.

The filmmakers call Montana freestyle skiers the mavericks of the sport, with multiple freestyle skiers from throughout the state getting their start on homemade jumps and then going on to impressive careers. Freestyle skiing is a sport comprising aerials, moguls, half-pipe, slopestyle and more, with skiers often performing aerial flips and spins.

“Opportunities to make a film like ‘Mavericks’ don’t come along often,” Sterling said. “This film was as exciting to produce as it is to watch, and I’m thrilled to bring the incredible legacy of freestyle skiing in Montana to the forefront while celebrating our local athletes and inspiring future generations.”

During the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan, Bergoust won an Olympic gold medal and set a world record for aerials. A dozen years later, Wilson took home bronze for his mogul performance at the Olympics held in Vancouver, Canada. Voisin followed with an X Games gold medal in Colorado in 2018 and a second X Games gold medal in Norway in 2020. She also competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, where she finished fourth in the slopestyle competition, and has earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic Freestyle Ski Team for the 2022 Winter Olympics, which are set to begin next month in Beijing. The film also follows the careers of Olympians Heather McPhie of Bozeman, Darian Stevens of Missoula and Bradley Wilson of Butte.

Gorham – a former competitive freestyle skier who, decades ago, trained and competed with many of the individuals featured in the film – began crafting the “Mavericks” story more than 10 years ago. Crews began filming “Mavericks” in 2018, capturing footage of athletes performing at several major events, including the 2018 FIS VISA Freestyle International in Deer Valley, Utah, and the 2019 FIS World Championships in Deer Valley and Park City, Utah. Other filming locations have included Missoula, Butte, Bozeman and Whitefish. Gorham said he and Sterling also sorted through hundreds of hours of archival footage to find the right clips to use in the roughly 57-minute film.

But even though it features impressive skiing feats in beautiful settings, Gorham said the film isn’t what many would consider to be a traditional ski film.

“I feel like we’re breaking new ground,” he said. “We’re focusing on the history (of the sport), as well as current modern freestyle. We also talk about the darker side of freestyle skiing: injuries, failures, self-doubt.”

Gorham, now 49, said his own experience and reality as a freestyle skier may be why he was so intent on making sure the film addressed injuries and more.

Gorham, who grew up in Missoula, competed in freestyle skiing from 1986 to 1992. He achieved success regionally, including competing at the 1989 U.S. Junior National championships held in Telluride, Colorado. In 1991, he made the U.S. Junior ski team. He also qualified for the Junior World Championships that were held that year in France, but he wasn’t able to compete due to injury. He spent the next summer in Oregon training at Mt. Hood and expected to continue competing at a high level. But a crash resulted in a bone graft surgery, ending his competitive skiing career.

Making a film featuring many of his closest friends and skiing teammates was challenging in some ways, Gorham said.

“So many of these people (in the film) I’ve known for so long; I felt extra pressure to write a story that did the history and the people justice,” he said.

Still, his deep understanding of the sport and friendship with many of the people featured in “Mavericks” likely benefitted the film, Gorham added. 

“At the same time, I’m not an outsider, and it was very easy to talk to them,” Gorham said. “I had a comfort that I don’t know that I would have had otherwise to ask them the more difficult questions about things like injury and the mental side of the sport.”

At its heart, Sterling – who grew up on the slopes in Aspen, Colorado, and also has a passion for skiing – said the film is a story about hard-working people who love what they do.

“These people happen to be skiers, and they happen to be doing really cool stuff with their bodies and really amazing tricks,” he said. “But as far as I’m concerned, they could be bike riders, chess players or anything else. The point is to tell their story, which is a Montana story.

“We made this film to appeal to everybody,” he added. “We want it to appeal to a farmer in Broadus just as much as someone who is a (competitive freestyle skier).”

Both Sterling and Gorham agreed that the film benefitted from what they called a unique collaboration.

“This project likely wouldn’t have happened, at least in this way, without Kelly’s background and knowledge of the subject, and without the experience, assets and desire on the part of Montana PBS to tell the story,” Sterling said.

“This was a challenging production, and it needed someone with Scott’s experience to carry it across the finish line,” Gorham said.

Gorham added he is thrilled with the final product.

“If I had a million dollars and another year to work on it, there’s nothing I would change,” he said. “I feel like it’s the best film we could possibly make.”

Both Gorham and Sterling are graduates of the MSU School of Film and Photography. In addition to his work on the film, Gorham serves as director of visual media for MSU’s communications office. Sterling is an accomplished filmmaker and has received numerous professional recognitions, including 11 Northwest Emmy® Awards. Perhaps his most successful film so far has been “The Violin Alone,” which won six Northwest Regional Emmy Awards in 2018. He also serves as director and producer of Montana PBS’s award-winning series “11th & Grant with Eric Funk.”

In addition to its Jan. 30 premiere at 6 p.m. on Montana PBS, “Mavericks” will air again at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, and during the Montana PBS pledge drive on Monday, Feb. 28.

The Bozeman premiere of “Mavericks” on Jan. 26 is free and open to the public. Doors to the Emerson Center’s Crawford Theater will open at 6:30 p.m., with the film beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are not required, but those attending are advised to arrive early to get a seat. Door prizes will be offered to those in attendance, with giveaway items courtesy of Girls Outdoors. 

On the following night, Jan. 27, the film will premiere in Missoula at the Wilma. Doors to that free screening will open at 6:30 p.m., with the film beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are not required, but those attending are advised to arrive early to get a seat.

More information about the film is available at montanapbs.org/programs/mavericks/.

Are you facing issues with productivity while working remotely? Well, you’re not alone: many people aren’t performing as well as they used to. However, there are plenty of ways to make you better at what you do.

The past few years have shown us that health should be our number one priority. Moreover, it also proved that working from home is possible, although it isn’t always the best thing when it comes to productivity. If you’re still working remotely to this day, we’ve gathered a few tips that will help you improve your productivity.

Let’s check them out!

Top ways to boost productivity while working remotely

To ensure that you are productive while working remotely and have enough time at the end of the day to spend with your loved ones, follow the steps below!

1. Set some rules with the people you live with

According to Statista, around 33.8% of people reported that their kids were a source of distraction while working from home. Understandably, you will need to provide time for your family. However, to ensure that this does not clash with your work hours, set some ground rules.

Make sure that your kids and other family members are busy somewhere else while you work. They should be aware that you are working and can’t be disturbed constantly.

To be the best at your work, make sure you use the right technology. For instance,

By utilizing the right technology, your work will be much more efficient, organized, and you’ll spend your time much more productively.

Working from your bed may sound great, but it usually isn’t the most productive working environment. To be productive and keep it up, make sure you have a proper workspace. Here are a few things to do:

One of the best ways to keep yourself disciplined and productive is by setting your working hours. Yes, it can be a bit tough to follow them initially as you probably have many other things to take care of during the day. But giving all of your attention to your work for a given period of time will make you much more productive than you would be if you jumped around your tasks all day.

Also, avoid sleeping in and starting work super late. Try to start as early as possible as your mind is more active in the morning.

We all have tasks related to both our personal lives and work. The more things you need to get done, the more likely you are to forget them, so you should always have a to-do list. A well-written list of tasks makes it easy for you to remember them and stay committed.

Many of us don’t care about what we wear while working from home. It may be comfortable to work in your pajamas right after you get out of bed, but that may not be very good for productivity. Always dress up before starting work, even if that just means swapping your pajamas with sweatpants. Getting dressed gives your brain a signal that you are awake and ready to work.

Conclusion

Being productive can be a great challenge when working from home. However, there are many great solutions to this problem. Keep all the above-mentioned factors in mind and include them in your routine to stay on top of all of your tasks.

The recreational use of cannabis or marijuana has been popular for a long time. However, the laws are different for each place. Cannabis is still illegal in many cities. In recent times, though, many states across the US have started the process of decriminalizing the use of cannabis. This means you can legally take weed both for recreational and medical use there. In other parts of the world, such as Amsterdam, for example, the authorities have been more acceptable for a long time.

Restrictions are being lifted in many other parts of the world as well. So, which place should you visit if you are thinking of indulging a little? Here are some of the world’s best places to smoke cannabis. Check them out.

Top 5 Places in the World to Smoke Cannabis

Here are some of the world’s most cannabis-friendly places

Barcelona is Spain’s second-biggest city and a major tourist destination. There is so much to see and do both within the city and around it. Cannabis too is a major attraction in Barcelona. It attracts a lot of visitors.

There are two ways to smoke cannabis legally in Barcelona. You can do it in the privacy of a local. It is legal for the locals to grow up to two plants in their homes. And second, you can become a member of a cannabis club in Barcelona. Even visiting tourists are allowed membership for a year, after which, it can easily be renewed. Remember, it is illegal to smoke, buy, or sell cannabis in public in Barcelona, which makes the club the best place.

You will find hundreds of cannabis clubs in the city, so there are plenty of options. Many of these clubs play live music, have games, food, and drinks.

Amsterdam has for long been very popular with cannabis smokers. It is one of the world’s most free-thinking cities. Marijuana is completely legal in Amsterdam, which means, you will find it readily. The locals and visiting tourists can both buy cannabis in the many cafes that are spread throughout this Dutch city. However, you have to be at least 18 years old to buy cannabis in these coffee shops. You can come twice daily to the same café to get your marijuana. There is also a large product range to choose from. Interestingly, unlike Barcelona, the locals cannot grow cannabis in their homes. There are no cannabis clubs as well.

In the United States, the first state that legalized the medical use of cannabis was California. That was in 1996. CA was also among the first that legalize its recreational use. This is why many weed lovers flock to California to try various types of cannabis. San Francisco has emerged as a top destination.

You will find many dispensaries in San Francisco where you will find various types of strains. Many cannabis lovers also go to Los Angeles for this. Other popular cities in the state for marijuana are Glendale, Fullerton, and Garden Grove. You will find everything related to cannabis in these cities.

Many consider Denver in Colorado, USA, to be the marijuana capital of the country. The city doesn’t have any coffee shops where you can get marijuana like in Amsterdam. There are also no cannabis clubs like Barcelona or dispensaries like San Francisco.

In Denver, to get marijuana, you have to go to a social consumption lounge. The city has more than 400 of these lounges. You can also visit Lakewood and Colorado Springs in the same state to get your plant or marijuana.

Jamaica’s capital Kingston should also make it to this list. Marijuana is very popular in many local communities. The city also doesn’t have any cannabis clubs. There are no coffee shops too. However, you can easily find your marijuana on the beaches. It is easily available. There are some medical dispensaries too where you can get it.

Of course, there are other cannabis-friendly cities spread throughout the world as well, such as Montego Bay in Jamaica, Chicago, Montevideo in Uruguay, Vancouver, Toronto, Nimbin in Australia, and Goa. Marijuana is available easily in many of these places, but it is not always legal. To get it legally, it is best to visit Amsterdam or Barcelona.

Bozeman, January 2022 – The Bozeman Symphony is proud to announce the appointment of its first-ever General Manager Jacob Blaser, a veteran in the events management industry with more than two decades of experience. Blaser has worked with world-renowned companies such as Intel, Nike, Adidas, Microsoft, and most recently as Oregon Symphony’s Director of Operations, before officially joining the Bozeman Symphony administrative team on January 3, 2022.


As the Bozeman Symphony continues to grow under the leadership of Music Director Norman Huynh and Executive Director Emily Paris-Matin, so did the need to hire additional specialized staff to help propel the organization forward. Blaser will assist Huynh and Paris-Martin on the Bozeman Symphony’s leadership team through managing orchestra operations, concert production, and long-term vision and growth plans to ensure this bright future.

“It is wonderful that we have not only expanded our administrative leadership team, but we have recruited an individual like Jacob with significant skills and expertise that will be an active part of the Symphony’s next phase of development,” said Paris-Martin. “The Symphony is poised for growth as we continue to experience increased enthusiasm within the community. It is remarkable the support Bozeman demonstrates for its Symphony, providing the opportunity for us to invest in, and attract, exceptional talent among our leadership and musicians.”

Huynh was first introduced to Blaser at the Oregon Symphony in 2017 and quickly recognized his talents to operate a team and effectively manage large-scale events. Since becoming Music Director in June 2020, Huynh has expanded the Bozeman Symphony’s offerings beyond classical with Bozeman Symphony Presents, a celebration of popular music accessible to all audiences; Current Commotion, an experimental music series highlighting living composers; and a strong desire to launch a summertime music festival.

“The Bozeman Symphony is growing at an unprecedented rate,” said Huynh. “We are pushing the envelope in the concerts that we produce and Jacob’s vast experience across multiple industries is essential to ensuring that we are successful in our endeavor to be a leader in the performing arts for the Gallatin Valley region. His knowledge of music, production, and his keen eye for quality will ensure that our growth is successful.”

Blaser was first introduced to the Bozeman community for the Symphony’s sold-out performances of Holiday Spectacular in December 2021, where he assisted the Bozeman Symphony musicians, staff, and volunteers for an incredibly successful weekend of live symphonic music.

“The Bozeman Symphony is an organization gearing up for big things, in a vibrant and growing community that clearly loves to support and enjoy the arts,” said Blaser. “I am thrilled to be joining a fabulous team for this next leg of the Symphony's journey and growth. There is a great opportunity right now for how the arts respond to the changes in the region, and I am excited to add my voice to that conversation.”

As the Bozeman Symphony enters the second half of the 2021/22 concert season, and planning for next season has already begun, the organization will look to Blaser’s extensive knowledge and expertise in the industry to continue its success.

“The power of music to transform and inspire rarely happens by chance,” said Blaser. “It takes musicians willing to work hard and perform even harder on stage, as well as a team of dedicated people behind the scenes who enable that performance. I believe the Bozeman Symphony is going to be making tremendous artistic and community contributions in the next few years, and I am looking forward to lending my experience in arts administration and my passion for music, to make that a reality.”

For more information or media inquiries about the appointment of General Manager Jacob Blaser, please contact the Bozeman Symphony at 406-585-9774 or info@bozemansymphony.org.

Jacob Blaser, General Manager - Jacob Blaser grew up in the Pacific Northwest, from the college town, and home of the Ducks, Eugene Oregon. Music performance was a strong passion for Jacob while in High School and College. This led him towards broadening his education, both in the classroom and on the stage, to include concert technologies and logistics, a combination of disciplines that would prove to be a strong foundation for his career.

With over two decades of event management experience, Jacob offers a unique blend of leadership, vision, and knowledge. After starting a successful music studio in the Willamette Valley and working with local acts on studio and live concert recordings, Jacob moved in 2002 to Portland, Oregon where he honed his skills as an event producer for a small AV and Event company. Jacob’s management and leadership skills helped the company grow its yearly event revenue by over 1300% in just a few years, working with world-recognized companies such as Intel, Nike, Adidas, Microsoft, and numerous others throughout the West Coast, including many of the arts nonprofits that operate in Oregon.

Most recently before joining the Bozeman Symphony, Jacob worked for the oldest orchestra in the Western United States, the Oregon Symphony, joining the team in 2015 as an Operations Manager, before being promoted as Director of Operations. While there he supervised a fantastic administrative and technical team that implemented hundreds of concerts and worked with numerous artists, vendors, and venues. Jacob also paved the way for media to play a stronger role at the Oregon Symphony, producing and directing multiple video projects, as well as implementing the Symphony's first ever paid live stream event.

As the General Manager for the Bozeman Symphony Jacob is excited to take part in the region's thriving arts and music scene, to get to know the Bozeman community and to enjoy the natural splendor that Montana has to offer.

In his off time, you can find Jacob playing his guitar, out in nature, traveling locally and abroad, reading a good book at home, or spending time with his friends and family, most likely playing a fun board game.

BOZEMAN — With $6 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Montana State University will continue to offer services for improving road safety in Montana and rural areas nationwide.

The new four-year grant provides comprehensive funding for the National Center for Rural Road Safety, or Rural Safety Center, which is housed in MSU’s Western Transportation Institute. The funding will enable trainings, technical assistance and resources for local and state governments to reduce deaths and serious injuries, improve collaboration and coordination, and find innovative solutions to the unique transportation issues facing rural areas, according to Jaime Sullivan, the center's director.

"The RSC is a team of national rural road safety specialists serving road managers, emergency responders and others who want to improve safety on rural roads," said Sullivan, who is also a research engineer at WTI. "We designed this center to be a premier resource for them."

Rural roads account for roughly 70% of U.S. lane miles. Though they serve only one-fifth of the U.S population, they are where 46% of roadway deaths happen, according to Sullivan. Travel time for rural first responders is roughly double what it is for calls in urban areas, and local transportation agencies generally manage more miles of road with fewer resources, she added.

Since WTI began managing the RSC in 2014, the center has trained rural transportation practitioners nationwide, created and hosted three national safety summits and a monthly webinar series, developed a digital library of training resources and toolkits, and launched the annual Rural Road Safety Awareness Week in 2020. The center also created the Road Safety Champion Program, a nationally recognized certificate program that trains transportation professionals, first responders and others to improve safety in the design, maintenance and operation of rural roads.

"Agencies are facing unprecedented safety challenges on rural roads,” Sullivan said. “The RSC exists to respond to those challenges and equip real-world practitioners so they can face and overcome them."

"Jaime and her team have done an incredible job to increase safety in rural areas, and we are honored to continue this meaningful work” said David Kack, director of WTI. “With the new team, and working in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration, we know that the RSC will do even more to promote safety on the nation’s rural roadways.”

WTI, which is part of Montana State University, is one of the nation’s largest transportation institutes focused on rural transportation issues. It has twice been designated as a National University Transportation Center by the federal Transportation Department. WTI has conducted transportation research at local, state and federal levels in 35 states and in 22 countries around the world.

Back by popular demand, Montana Ballet Company (MBC) announces the return
of Winthrop Corey’s original Snow White on Saturday, February 19 and Sunday,
February 20 at the Willson Auditorium.

Snow White was choreographed in 2016 by Winthrop Corey, world-renowned
master choreographer and teacher, and former principal dancer with the Royal
Winnipeg Ballet and National Ballet of Canada. Premiering at the Mobile Ballet to
critical acclaim, Mr. Corey’s Snow White has been performed by numerous ballet
companies across the country, including its Montana Ballet debut in 2017.

This enchanting treat for the entire family will feature Mr. Corey's exquisite
choreography and fine, hand-crafted costumes.

Special highlights of the 2022 performance will include MBC’s Music Director,
Stefan Stern, conducting a live orchestra of esteemed local musicians and MBC's
very own Company Dancer, Frances Cole, dancing the title role of Snow White.

Ms. Cole began training with MBC as a child in 2010. Audiences will recognize her
as the featured dancer in MBC’s REIMAGINES 2020 film, as well as the lead dancer
in MBC’s Nutcracker Arabian divertissement.

For Snow White tickets contact the Montana Ballet Company at 406.582.8702 or
online at www.montanaballet.org. All seating is reserved. Ticket prices range from
$20 - $65.

BOZEMAN — Before researchers can understand the formation of the titanic black holes with masses millions to billions times that of our sun that anchor galaxies, they first must find these cosmic phenomena. To that end, Montana State University postdoctoral researcher and Ford Fellowship awardee Mallory Molina is pioneering a way to look for massive black holes in small galaxies known as dwarf galaxies.

Molina, who works with Amy Reines, an assistant professor in the Department of Physics in MSU’s College of Letters and Science, is the lead author of “A Sample of Massive Black Holes in Dwarf Galaxies Detected via [Fe X] Coronal Line Emission: Active Galactic Nuclei and/or Tidal Disruption Events,” published in The Astrophysical Journal, a publication of the American Astronomical Society, on Dec. 1. Reines is also named as an author.

“Finding massive black holes in dwarf galaxies is important to help us understand how massive black holes form in the first place,” Reines said. “This work gives us an entirely new strategy to find and study these objects.”

Black holes are extremely dense areas of space that can capture even light in their gravitational pull, yet some light is also emitted as the swirling disc of materials being sucked into the black hole bombard gases with enough energy to strip atoms of their electrons.

Black holes are elusive, Molina explained, because researchers are often only able to detect the total light coming from distant galaxies. In smaller galaxies — with the smaller black holes that are of particular interest to those seeking insight into their origin — the accumulation of stars, gases and dust are enough to block the light emitted from a “feeding” black hole. This is especially true if the galaxy is actively forming stars.

Molina illustrates this conundrum using a flashlight in place of the light from a black hole. It would be easy enough to see the beam if the area is dark. But what if someone turns on a spotlight? The flashlight can’t compete with the larger light source.

“Is there a way to cut through star formation and find black holes in these galaxies?” Molina asked.

So Molina is changing the color of the flashlight beam.

The study uses a particular wavelength of light — 6,374 angstroms, to be precise (about a sixth the length of your average yeast cell) — as a marker. The light comes from iron 10, which are atoms of iron that have had been stripped of nine of their electrons and release light in what astronomers call coronal emission lines.

Molina found the iron 10 emission line in the optical observations of two black holes in dwarf galaxies that were initially detected by radio emissions, rather than traditional optical techniques.

“The first one was really important for showing that it existed,” Molina said. “The second one was important for showing this is something you could systematically do with survey data.”

From there, Molina launched a search, scanning the optical data of 46,000 galaxies and searching for iron 10 light. They found the emission line in 81 galaxies where it was attributable to black holes.

“Almost all of the iron 10 emission that I detected was way too bright to be produced by stellar means like supernovae, but it was consistent with material falling onto a black hole,” Molina said.

The dwarf galaxy hosts had many different shapes and tilt angles, but most had one thing in common — they appear blue in the night sky. Redder galaxies have less ongoing star formation, bluer ones are more active and are, thus, brighter, which hinders black hole detection.

“It is hard to find black holes in actively star-forming dwarf galaxies using traditional optical methods,” Molina said. “This iron 10 selection technique is opening up a whole new population of black holes that was previously not accessible to us.”

Using iron 10, astrophysicists can find dimmer black holes within existing optical data and aid in the search for lower-mass dwarf galaxies — and the insights they may bring on galaxy and black hole formation.  

“Most of the galaxies that we found using optical methods are the tip of the iceberg — they’re the most active, the brightest black holes in the biggest dwarf galaxies,” Molina said. “This new detection method is giving a more representative view of the black hole population in dwarf galaxies.”

One of the great benefits of visiting new places is the freedom to explore. But when exploration turns into getting lost, and no one loves being stranded in a strange land, which is when a GPS app comes in handy.

Yet, the real question is, what is a GPS app, and how could it make your lives, particularly your traveling, a piece of cake? Simply put, it's a device to help you map your journey.

Due to this, we will discuss the most crucial factors to consider when selecting a GPS device that best suits your needs, starting with:

Weigh in its physical characteristics

Screen and device size: Automobile GPS displays generally vary from 3.5 to 7 inches diagonally. A device with excellent voice instructions and a screen would do.

Larger maps, more area for travel data (street names, speed, and direction), and larger virtual keyboards may be worth the extra money for you.

Aside from specialized buttons for crucial activities, smaller devices frequently feature unlabeled supplementary buttons.

For example, a massive screen on a tiny gadget might compensate for a smaller model's physical limitations.

Power/battery supply: The 12-volt power port in the automobile is used to power the in-car GPS units. As a result, the number of supply operations determines a GPS device's battery life.

Many GPS devices include a "sleep" mode that saves energy while the GPS isn't being utilized.

A battery lets you plan your trip before getting in the automobile. Some models have a standard AC socket for charging and use at home. Others use a computer's USB port.

Weight: Weight isn't an issue if you don't plan to use your GPS outside of your car. But if you carry the device, the situation changes.

Handheld gadgets weigh from a few ounces to a pound. Saving space and weight sometimes means fewer features or a higher price.

Analyze its features

Usability: Car GPS devices may distract drivers more than guide them! The maps must be readable at a glance, with little content and high-quality images.

For the same reason, the device's touch-screen controls must be labeled and well-organized.

The computer interface is also essential. How easy is it to connect the GPS gadget to your computer? A USB port on a GPS will significantly speed up the download of waypoints and maps.

Accuracy: It's incredible how accurate most GPS devices are. Since businesses and streets change, the information's accuracy is based on its date.

You may reduce the price of a low-end GPS gadget by delivering outdated mapping data. Check whether the merchant gives point-of-interest (POI) updates and normal maps and how much they cost.

Some GPS devices offer internet forums where users may trade mapping data and download data from others.

Consider your driving conditions

Consider your normal driving circumstances, the frequency with which you travel in unknown locations, and the essential qualities to you.

A multi-function GPS gadget might not be necessary if you mostly drive for local errands or commute along the same route, seldom require directions, and only take short trips.

A GPS device will rapidly become vital if you plan to use it regularly and have sophisticated travel plans. In such a case, get the most expensive one you can afford.

Several CD-ROM map collections may supplement GPS systems' mapping capabilities, memory cards preloaded with maps, or the internet.

Meanwhile, the larger GPS vendors/manufacturers will enable you to obtain the most current maps and changes/corrections from the internet.

Identify their extra functions

Turn-by-turn directions: This tells you when to get off or get on a highway. It also includes both where you start and where you end up.

Most current GPS systems feature text-to-speech technology, which allows them to recite street names for you.

For example, instead of advising you to turn left in 500 feet, it tells you to turn left into Elm Street.

Text-to-speech was formerly considered a high-end function, but it is now routinely accessible on low-cost phones.

Road views/lane assistance: Even the best-spoken directions might be confusing while traveling abroad.

The good news is that more GPS systems now offer lane assist, which tells you which lane to be in for upcoming exits and curves.

Similarly, several devices provide real-world road views with actual street signs at problematic intersections.

Summary

Features are added and upgraded as GPS systems become more widespread. Due to growing competition, GPS devices are now cheaper and do more than ever before.

Some high-end features may find their way to low-cost devices. Above all, GPS devices will improve planning routes, especially for traveling.