'Spaceship' Observatory in Cyprus and Other Cosmic Wonders

A new space observatory in Cyprus, resembling a sci-fi spaceship, aims to encourage stargazers and boost celestial knowledge. Other science news includes EU's sensor development for satellites, discovery of a prehistoric creature in Namibia, insights into Denisovans' lifestyle, and the world's oldest cave painting in Indonesia.

Following is a summary of current science news briefs.

'Spaceship' observatory allows Cyprus stargazers a peek at the final frontier

A new space observatory in Cyprus looks like it just uncloaked itself on the set of a sci-fi movie and is ready for takeoff. Perched high on the Troodos mountains in the centre of the island and with an unobstructed view of the skies, the 1.77 million euro ($1.90 million) publicly funded Troodos Observatory was inaugurated in May. Purveyors hope the project will encourage visitors to areas increasingly affected by urbanisation and broaden a depth of celestial knowledge.

EU-backed consortium to develop efficient sensors for satellite navigation

A consortium funded by the European Union said on Thursday it was developing sensors to help satellites navigate with precision and enable drones to fly further for longer. The INPHOMIR project plans to create two new ultra-low-power sensors, an optical gyroscope and a specialized lidar sensor to make space missions more efficient and affordable.

Namibia fossil is a prehistoric 'swamp thing' with menacing fangs

You might call it the "swamp thing." About 280 million years ago, a large creature built somewhat like a salamander but with frightful fangs prowled the swamps and lakes of what is now Namibia, ambushing prey as a top predator in a chilly ecosystem long before the dinosaurs. The creature, named Gaiasia jennyae, lived during the Permian Period and measured at least 8 feet (2.5 meters) long - and perhaps up to 13 feet (4 meters), according to researchers who announced the discovery of its fossilized remains. Its large, round, flat skull measured more than 2 feet (60 cm) long, and it had interlocking fangs at the front of its mouth.

Study brings lifestyle of enigmatic extinct humans into focus

Thousands of bone fragments discovered in a cave on the Tibetan Plateau in China are offering rare insight into the lives of Denisovans, the mysterious extinct cousins of Neanderthals and our own species, showing they hunted a wide range of animals from sheep to woolly rhinoceros in this high-altitude abode. Researchers studied more than 2,500 bones found inside Baishiya Karst Cave, which is situated 10,760 feet (3,280 meters) above sea level and previously had yielded Denisovan fossil remains.

World's oldest cave painting in Indonesia shows a pig and people

On the ceiling of a limestone cave on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, scientists have discovered artwork depicting three human-like figures interacting with a wild pig in what they have determined is the world's oldest-known confidently dated cave painting - created at least 51,200 years ago. The researchers used a new scientific approach to determine the minimum age of the newly disclosed painting inside the Leang Karampuang cave in the Maros-Pangkep region of South Sulawesi province by using a laser to date a type of crystal called calcium carbonate that formed naturally on top of the painting.

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