Headliners: Adventure in 60 Seconds

Text by Tetsuhiko Endo

There Goes the Neighborhood
Our galaxy may be a lot more crowded than we think, according to a recent speech delivered by Dr. Alan Boss of the Carnegie Institution of Science. Exactly how much more crowded? The good doctor estimates that there might be 100 billion Earth-like planets in our galaxy alone.

Libya Desert Adventure
The brutal, three-day desert foot race the Libyan Challenge Master Trek begins on Tuesday. The-190 kilometer course is a test of both navigation and endurance as runners have to find their own way through one of the most inhospitable landscapes on earth. This year the American team of Rebecca Byerly, Isabella De La Houssaye, Robert Lashua, and Howard Cohen will be going head-to-head with teams from 14 other countries to take home a 900,000 euro first prize. Send them a supportive message on the race website.

Solar Solution
Inventor Knut Karlsen
has unveiled a prototype battery with the ability to recharge itself in
the sun. It’s not going to help him much in during the long, dark,
Norwegian winter, but it's well worth checking out.

No Shirt or Shoes Required
Applications for “the best job in the world,” stewardship of Australia's Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, close on February 22. The BBC reports that the only countries not to have made contact with the application website are North Korea and Western Sahara. The competition is stiff and Queensland tourism managers say that their 30,000 applicant limit is likely to be reached so get your flip flops on and send your application in ASAP.