Did you know there was a world between Mars and Jupiter called Psyche?

Meet Psyche

On October 5, 2023 an Orbiter, also named Psyche, was launched on a 4 year trip to reach the Psyche asteroid.

The Psyche mission will test a sophisticated new photon laser technology to communicate between the deep space probe and Earth.

This will be a first for mankind, exploring a new type of world made of metal, not rock and ice.

Scientists have to infer the presence of metallic cores on Earth, because they lie unreachably far below our planets’ rocky mantles and crusts.

But, because we cannot see or measure Earth’s core directly, we can study Psyche for clues about our own planets composition.

Psyche offers a unique window into the violent history of collisions and accretion that created terrestrial planets.

Psyche was discovered in 1852 by Italian astronomer Annibale de Gasparis, who named it for the goddess of the soul in ancient Greek mythology.

Psyche has an approximate diameter of 140 miles or about the length of Massachusetts without Cape Cod.

You can follow the ongoing mission at nasa.gov/psyche

Footage credit: NASA

Script and Editing: Jef Gray

Production: International Peace and Film Festival

A blood moon, or red coloring of the moon occurs while the Earth’s shadow blocks the sun

What Happens During a Lunar Eclipse?

Early on March 14, 2025, around 1 AM Eastern time, the bottom left corner of the full moon will enter Earth’s umbra, where the Earth’s shadow completely hides the Sun. The umbra will continue to darken the moon as it slowly sinks into Earth’s shadow.

Within 45 minutes over half of the moon will darken inside the umbra as it moves closer to totality, or the complete passage inside the Earth’s shadow.

The most dramatic moment will occur at 2:15 AM, when the top right corner of the moon will brighten as totality begins.

Then the moon will change, appearing red or copper in color for approximately one hour before exiting the umbra. This phenomenon is also known as a blood moon.

The vibrant color during the eclipse, is a reflection of hues from all of Earth’s continuous sunrises and sunsets which are normally washed out by the brightness of the Sun.

The lunar eclipse will be visible from most of the western hemisphere, including north, central and half of South America.

All phases of a lunar eclipse are safe to view, both with your naked eye or an unfiltered telescope.

The last total lunar eclipse occurred in November of 2022, and the next one, visible from the western hemisphere, will be in March 2026.

Did you know, of all 221 known moons in the solar system, only our Earth and moon are capable of a totality view?

And, if you were on the moon during the lunar eclipse, the Earth would appear in totality at the same time, while the sun was behind it.

This is because the distance between the Earth, Moon and Sun are a precise ratio to the sizes of each celestial body.

If you learned something new, please comment and share this video.

Footage Credit: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio and Pixabay.com

Script, artwork, and editing: Jef Gray
Production: International Peace and Film Festival

Experience the Central Market in Casablanca, Morocco

The central market in Casablanca, Morocco was built in 1917 and is located on Muhammad V Boulevard, among the colonial architecture of the 20th century. I visited the market while in port and decided to share the views and experience. If you are looking for the ingredients for traditional Moroccan food, this is the place. Everything is fresh, fruits, vegetables, fish, and spices. You can see a man making pastilla, a wrapping paper made from rice paste that is used throughout Moroccan dishes. There is also a view of several tagine, which are being prepared at a restaurant in the market. Tagine look similar to clay flower pots (upside down) and have similar construction. Their design locks in the water and flavor, while using minimal flame to cook the meal inside. They reminded me of crock pots that are used in the west, where everything can be placed inside and left to simmer. There are many dishes made inside a tagine, including meats or vegetable and of course it is served with couscous! I will admit I was leery of traveling into Casablanca at first, but the guide took care of everything and made us all feel safe and free to take photos, buy gifts and then we went on to a cooking class–see that in another video.

Cinematography, Editing and Music: Jef Gray
Production: International Peace and Film Festival

Volcanic viewpoint on Lanzarote hidden at the top of a dormant volcano

The breathtaking views from the cliff of El Mirador del Río offer visitors a spectacular panoramic view of Lanzarote and the Chinijo Archipelago.

Inaugurated in the 70s, it is one of the most representative architectural works of César Manrique for the integration of man’s hand in the natural environment, a harmonious formula that unites art and nature.

Its access is guarded by a sculpture by Manrique representing a bird and a fish. They are a metaphor of water and air, the elements of greater presence in the environment.

In the video you can see the slopes of the Risco de Famara, and El Río: a narrow strip of sea that gives its name to the viewpoint and separates Lanzarote from La Graciosa, the eighth Canary Island.

Lanzarote has numerous visual wonders hidden from common view, and I recommend hiring a private guide to help you find them during your visit to the Gran Canaria Archipelago. Where you will see islands made up of 500 volcanoes and a diverse range of culture, art, and geography.

Street Views of Spain’s southernmost large city in 4K

Malaga is a port city in Spain, in the southern region of Andalusia. Malaga is known for its charming Old Town, golden beaches, and historic sites including two Moorish citadels. The city is also famous as the birthplace of painter Pablo Picasso. The polished streets, lush greenery, and hilltop views are a stunning experience for those visiting the city on vacation or via cruise ship. Double decker buses rule the streets and make it easy to get around in a single day to see the highlights. Malaga is like a warm blanket of positive energy, you can wrap yourself in the energy and feel how it affects your mood!

An inspiring volcanic structure converted to an artistic haven in Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Spain

Los Jameos del Agua is an Art, Culture and Tourism Center created in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain. created by César Manrique; the natural space created inside a volcanic tunnel is a visual masterpiece. Inaugurated in 1968, the artist, painter and sculptor transformed the space into a unique work that represents the maximum expression of his ideology: artistic creation in harmony with the environment and nature.

Like La Cueva de los Verdes, Los Jameos del Agua originated after the eruption of the La Corona Volcano. The word “jameo” derives from Guanche origin, and refers to the hole produced as a result of the collapse of the roof of a volcanic tube, in this case, the volcanic tube of La Corona.

César Manrique was able to transform the environment and enhance its beauty even more, creating an idyllic symbiosis between the cave’s potential and his creative resources. His vivid hands, together with his privileged mind, modeled the basalt to give shape to a unique space in the world.

The work was completed in 1977, resulting in Manrique’s first major intervention in the Lanzarote landscape and being declared a Site of Scientific Interest and an Asset of Cultural Interest in the category of Historic Garden.

The site has multiple spaces of intrigue, including a museum called “Casa de los Volcanes” where elaborate information and models are on display to educate and enlighten. It is located at near Punta Mujeres, Lanzarote.

All footage is in 4k without filter or modification.

Editing and footage: Jef Gray

Music: Volcanic Snow by Aurous

Production: International Peace and Film Festival

Secrets of our Moon

While we always see the same side of the moon, there’s an incredible scientific reason behind it! In this fascinating TikTok documentary, we dive into the mysterious process of tidal locking and how the moon’s rotation and orbit are perfectly synchronized, taking 27.3 days to complete one cycle. But what would happen if the moon spun faster, slower, or even in the opposite direction?

✨ Explore the Impact on Earth’s Tides & Temperature: A faster or slower rotation could change the moon’s temperature extremes, making it even hotter (260°F) during the day and colder (-280°F) at night. These changes could make the moon more unstable and affect our planet’s tidal patterns, potentially causing more extreme tides or unpredictable shifts in our oceans.

🌑 The Moon’s Mysterious Nature: Why is the moon’s surface always the same? Learn how satellites and cameras reveal hidden portions of the moon, and discover the surprising effect the moon’s synchronization has on life on Earth!

🌍 Impact on Life on Earth: The moon’s consistent rotation isn’t just a cosmic coincidence—it’s crucial for maintaining the tidal cycles that help sustain life as we know it! From moonquakes to the gravitational interaction with Earth, every tiny detail counts in this captivating documentary.

🔭 Unlock the secrets of the moon’s rotation, tides, and more!

Script, editing and composition: Jef Gray
Production: International Peace and Film Festival
Shout Out to Pixabay and NASA for awesome footage!

Our Solar System’s Largest and Most Colorful Planet

🌟✨ Discover the wonders of the largest planet in our solar system, Jupiter in this cosmic 4K video adventure! 🚀🔭 From its vibrant, banded clouds made of ammonia and sulfur to the awe-inspiring Great Red Spot—a storm that’s raged for centuries—Jupiter’s secrets are as vast as its size. 🌌 Explore Jupiter’s enormous magnetosphere, which is 15 times wider than the Sun, and learn how it creates stunning auroras. 🌠 Plus, get to know its fascinating moons, including the volcanic Io and the icy Europa, which might harbor a hidden ocean! 🪐🔍 Don’t forget to hit like, share with fellow space fans, and dive deeper into Jupiter’s mysteries! 🌍🔭

Video credits: NASA and Pixabay

Script and Video Editing: Jef Gray

Production: International Peace and Film Festival

Video Transcript

1
00:00:00,566 –> 00:00:03,600
interesting facts about the planet Jupiter.

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Jupiter’s colourful

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banded appearance is created by clouds of chemicals

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such as ammonia sulfur

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phosphorus and carbon.

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the Great Red Spot on the surface of Jupiter

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is a massive and persistent

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anti-cyclonic storm

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that has been observed for centuries.

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there are numerous other festoons

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or storms that come and go,

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but the Great Red Spot

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seems to be a fixture in Jupiter’s atmosphere.

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of all the planets in our solar system,

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Jupiter is the largest,

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with a volume more than 11 times the diameter of Earth.

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Jupiter’s intense magnetosphere

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is the largest object in our solar system,

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and is 15 times wider than the sun

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this magnetic field creates intense radiation

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by accelerating particles

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that are pulled toward the magnetic poles,

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resulting in auroras

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that are visible in ultraviolet light.

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most of the charged particles

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that Jupiter’s magnetosphere sweeps up

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come from the gases of Io,

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Jupiter’s volcanic moon. Europa is Jupiter’s ice moon

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which has a smooth surface and a minimal impact craters.

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it is possible Europa has a subsurface ocean

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that could potentially harbor life.

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the known number of moons around Jupiter

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continues to grow as they are discovered,

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but currently,

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NASA has counted 95 moons in Jupiter’s orbit.

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in 1979 Voyager 1 made a historic fly by of Jupiter

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providing the first close up images of Jupiter’s moons,

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and atmosphere.

What did the Apollo 13 astronauts see on their harrowing journey around the moon?

On April 11th, 1970, Apollo 13 launched with a mission to land on the moon, but an unexpected explosion during the trip to the moon turned it into a mission of survival. This short documentary recaptures NASA’s Mission Control and the brave crew as they worked against the odds to return to Earth safely. This short documentary reveals the breathtaking lunar views recreated from lunar footage over the Apollo’s path of their perilous journey in 1970.

There is a lot more that can be said about this heroic moment in space history, more than can be covered in a short social media post. For example, had the oxygen tank explosion occurred after the crew had visited the moon, they would not have had the lunar module to serve as a life boat when the service module failed.

The astronauts had to calculate and steer the ship manually to stay on course…space is infinite and firing rockets toward the wrong point meant they would miss Earth completely and be unable to try again. They also had to conserve the batteries because they couldn’t generate electricity so they had to turn off the heat and deal with the cold. But in all the recordings of the mission, no one lost hope. The Apollo 13 crew had never drilled or practiced a tank explosion scenario, it was all solved for the first time when it happened in space. In all, mission control and the astronauts had only one chance to do the impossible, and as they made the loop around the moon, they set the historical record for the farthest manned mission from Earth in history—which still stands today.

This video is for fans of space exploration, NASA history, and science lovers!

Script, editing and graphic work: Jef Gray

Footage from Pixabay, Pexels, Wikipedia, and NASA

Production: International Peace and Film Festival

A Micro Video Novel About Future Travel to Mars in 4K

Step into the future and experience the ultimate interplanetary journey with our mesmerizing new video on tourism to Mars. 🌍✨ Imagine embarking on a luxury space cruise with Oxidian Tours, where you can explore the top Martian cities 🏙️ and unwind in state-of-the-art biosphere resorts. From the breathtaking landscapes of Aonia 🌄 to the vibrant nightlife of Xantha 🎉, this video captures the essence of a dream holiday like no other.

Featuring stunning artistic concepts and scenes from NASA’s archives 🌠, this video transports you to a world where you can watch twin moons rise over Arabia Terra 🌕🌕, shop at Serinum Mall 🛍️, and even rejuvenate with a patented hypersleep treatment. Whether you’re an adventure seeker exploring Noachis’ glowing caves 🦋 or a nature lover marveling at Aonia’s conservatory 🌿, Mars offers something for everyone.

Get lost in this visual journey through space and time, designed for lovers of science fiction, space exploration, and cutting-edge AI art. With captivating nebulae, star-studded skies, and the promise of interstellar luxury, this video is your gateway to the ultimate Martian adventure. 🌟

Join us as we take you on a trip beyond your wildest dreams—Mars is waiting, and the future is now! 🌠🛸

Script, graphics and video editing by Jef Gray

Music: Aurous – Space Wanderer

Production: International Peace and Film Festival

Leonardo Da Vinci micro documentary, narrated and shown in immersive 3d

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A Slow Flyover of Clavius Crater

Clavius is among the largest and oldest craters on the Moon. Located in the far southern area of the Moon’s near side, it’s visible in binoculars and small telescopes between first and third quarter phases. It’s perhaps best known as the site of the fictional Moon base in Stanley Kubrick’s movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. It’s also now the site of a somewhat surprising discovery of water on the Moon.

The discovery was published in the October 26, 2020 edition of Nature Astronomy. Lead author Casey Honniball, a postdoctoral fellow at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and her co-authors used the airborne infrared telescope SOFIA to detect the characteristic signature of water molecules in the floor of Clavius. Molecules containing hydrogen and oxygen have been found in many previous observations, and these strongly implied the presence of water, but the SOFIA observations found emissions at a wavelength specific to H2O (water) and not hydroxyl (OH) compounds.

At 100 to 400 parts per million of water, Clavius is still much drier than the driest deserts on Earth. But the crater is far from the permanently shadowed regions of the lunar poles, where water ice can be protected from evaporating, so the presence of any amount of water there is a puzzle that awaits explanation.