Sometimes, things are not as they appear. In the past astronomers have been certain the Northern Star would eventually burn out. This theory rides on observations during the past century that the star is slowly dying. Today, however, the North Pole’s astrological marker is making headlines after scientists from the United States, Scotland and Australia concluded the Polaris is now increasing its activity.
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A new study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of Colorado finds that smoke from the intense North American wildfire season may possibly offset some of the warming characteristics of climate change by shielding the planet from the unfiltered rays of the sun. Researchers are looking into just what the long term effects of large amounts of smoke might be on the Arctic Circle and, by extension, the rest of the world and how the severe wildfire season might contribute.

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