Important Innovations

Surprise:  It's Not the Center of the Sun Source: Stock image of Solar System International Astronomers Nail It An international team of astronomers have narrowed down the center of the Earth's Solar System to within 328 feet. It is not dead center in the Sun as had been commonly thought. Instead, it's located just outside the surface of the Sun.  The astronomers pinpointed the surprising location by monitoring the emissions of pulsars. Join Prime Video Channels Free Trial   Pulsar Monitoring This finding was not an easy task.  There are a lot of gravitational forces influencing the calculation.  The team used specially designed software to monitor pulsars.  Pulsars are highly magnetized dead stars that emit electromagnetic radiation.  Through the North American Observatory for Gravitations Waves, they were able to observe regular pulses from the pulsars and gravitational waves.  Using that data, they were able to locate the center of the Solar System.  Books

Computing Center for Data Collection Source:  Image of BMW's Planned Center in China Partnering with Tencent BMW and Chinese gaming giant Tencent are opening a computing center in China to gather and process the data generated by self-driving cars on China's roads.  The automotive giant says this will enable them to develop and innovate self-driving technologies specifically suited for driving conditions in China.  This is the second facility of its kind for BMW.   In 2016, they opened a center in Munich specifically geared to German self-driving prototypes. BMW on the Road in China BMW is the only non-Chinese automaker that's been given permission to test autonomous technologies on public roads in China.  The computing center will be built in eastern China.  BMW says it will use cloud computing to quickly and safely gather the data.  BMW plans to launch its first Level 3 autonomous cars in 2021 including in China.